Seasonal abundance and distribution of phytoplankton in Tanintharyi coastal waters, southern Myanmar

The seasonal abundance and distribution of phytoplankton along the Tanintharyi coastal waters were investigated for 24 months from June 2013 to June 2015. A wide fluctuation in cell abundance 72,450-714,396 cells/l at Kawthaung, 47,416-947,501 cells/l at Myeik, 8,930-28,439 cells/l at Kampani, 8,976-17,888 cells/l at Ye and 5,162-16,986 cells/l at Setse were noted during the study period. Amongst, Kawthaung and Myeik stations had the highest phytoplankton abundance, whereas Ye and Setse stations showed remarkably lower abundance. It was noted that Ye and Setse stations were much influenced by freshwater discharge from the Thanlwin River, which deposited huge tons of sediments. The water clarity was lower at these stations compare with others. Therefore, turbidity may affect the occurrence and species abundance of phytoplankton. A clear seasonal trend was found at all five stations with a sharp increase in the pre-monsoon months and a gradual decrease in the monsoon and post-monsoon periods. Keywords: phytoplankton, Tanintharyi, water clarity, turbidity,

Assessment of the Performance of Oxidation Pond System for Wastewater Reuse

A study has been conducted to evaluate the performance of an aerated oxidation pond system in a village in Egypt. It comprises an anaerobic pond (AP), an aerated facultative pond (AeP) and a maturation pond (MP). The assessment involved an intensive programme of sampling and analysis of raw wastewater, unit process contents and unit process effluents. Field studies indicated a wide fluctuation in the BOD5 load applied to the STP. It ranged from 64 to 290 g BOD5/m3.d, with an average value of 146 g BOD5/m3.d. This, however, did not affect physico-chemical characteristics of the final effluent. Residual COD, BOD & SS were around 99 mg/l, 32 mg/l & 66 mg/l, respectively. Although faecal coliform removal was around 98.9%, yet residual count was still high. Also, significant decline in both parasitic eggs and protozoal stages has been recorded.

Prediction of survival time of rats in severe heat

The response pattern of the rectal temperature of unanesthetized rats exposed to an acute heat in a room of 42.5 degrees C, rh 40% was analyzed in relation to survival time (S), equilibrium rectal temperature (Te), rise in Te from the initial temperature (Delta Te), and the slope of the changes in rectal temperature during the equilibrium period (Gt). A very wide fluctuation of the survival time (from 46.8 to 250.0 min) was observed between individual rats. For prediction of the survival time, following formula was obtained: log(S) = K1 - K2 times log (Te) - K3 times log (Delta Te) + k4 times 10- minus Gt. K1–4 are constants which differ according to sex. The predicted survival time showed highly constant results in individual rats when measured by repeated exposures. The predicted time coincided well with the survival time actually measured, the difference between the two (measured minus predicted) being 2.2 plus or minus 21.7 min (mean plus or minus SD) IN 77 RATS. There was also a significant correlation between the survival time predicted for acute heat exposure and the actual survival time of individual rats when they were exposed to a chronic heat by daily elevation of the rearing room temperature by 1.0 degrees C.

Circulating ‘big’ insulin in protein-energy malnutrition

1. The ‘big’ insulin content of the serums from ten children with protein–energy malnutrition was estimated before, during and after 3–6 weeks of treatment. The values for immunoreactive insulin (IRI) after intravenous injections of glucose were almost normal, with one exception, although tolerance was impaired. In addition, total body potassium content (TBK) was measured for three of the children on each test day.2. In nine of twenty-three estimations ‘big’ insulin content was slightly more than 20% of the total IRI. However, there was a wide fluctuation in the values and no change was noted after treatment.3. The amount of ‘big’ insulin did not correlate with either the magnitude of insulin secretion, the insulin:glucose ratio or TBK. There was a barely significant negative correlation between ‘big’ insulin content and degree of glucose intolerance, with some individual exceptions.

THE PRESENCE IN PENICILLIUM FUNICULOSUM OF AN INHIBITOR TO THE ANTIVIRAL AGENT HELENINE

The present findings indicate that the wide fluctuation observed in the antiviral activity of various crude helenine preparations may be attributable to the presence of varying amounts of inhibitor. Antiviral activity could be enhanced by removal of the inhibitor. A meaningful value for helenine titer in a preparation clearly should be determined in the inhibitor-free zone.

Archaeological Investigations in Medicine Creek Reservoir, Nebraska

The Medicine Creek Valley of south-central Nebraska has for many years been known to contain within its limits important archaeological materials representing various periods of man's occupancy in the Central Plains. The region is climatically near the western limits of successful general farming. While the yearly precipitation averages about 23 inches, records show a variation in total from 11 to 38 inches. (Bason and others, 1939, pp. 4–6). This wide fluctuation in precipitation, often combined with extremely high temperatures during the growing season, makes the area one of agricultural uncertainty. Early White settlement in the valley was often retarded and in some instances completely checked as a result of severe but usually short-period droughts. Prehistoric horticultural groups subsisting in this region were undoubtedly subjected to the same unfavorable conditions. They, like the early- White settlers who were to follow, may have been forced at times to abandon the area temporarily and withdraw to a more favorable one.

Seed disinfection: IV. Loss of vitality during storage of grain treated with organo-mercury seed disinfectants

Failures of cereal crops are occasionally reported, the seed having been dressed with an organo-mercury seed disinfectant and the failures attributed to the dressing. It should be noted, however, that prior to the introduction of the organo-mercury seed dressings similar crop failures had often been recorded, and in many cases failure had been attributed to the dressing which had been applied, or alternatively, to the conditions under which the treated grain had been stored.Reduced germination during storage is common to all agricultural and horticultural seeds, but although the interaction of the factors involved is complex it is generally recognized that for satisfactory germination to be maintained over the maximum period of storage the following conditions should be observed:(1) The seed should be of relatively high initial germination.(2) The moisture content of the seed should approximate to the average for that kind.(3) Storage temperature and humidity should both be relatively low and not subject to wide fluctuation.(4) Ventilation should be adequate.