Condition Factor Research Articles

Comparing physiological responses of acute and chronically stressed diploid and triploid Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

We compared the performance and physiological response of diploid and triploid Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) following 21 days of either unpredictable chronic stress (UCS) or no disturbance (control). Thereafter, all four groups were challenged with a novel acute stressor consisting of crowding, netting and transfer into another tank. Growth was monitored during the 21-day period, and stress response to the novel acute stress challenge was assessed by blood chemistry parameters and pituitary gene expression. Plasma parameters were analyzed before (0) and 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 240, and 300 min after acute stress induction, whereas gene expression was analyzed at 0, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min. The results showed: a) similar growth rate and condition factor reductions from UCS in triploids and diploids, b) higher post-stress plasma Acth and cortisol levels in triploids compared with diploids, c) wider post-stress fluctuations in most of the other plasma parameters for triploids compared with diploids, particularly for glucose and lactate, d) pomca1, pomcb, crf-r1a and crf-r1b mRNA levels were more upregulated in control diploids than control triploids, and e) only minor changes in pituitary gene expression from UCS in both diploids and triploids, but with a noticeable upregulation of pomca2 and crf-r1a and crf-r1b in the triploids. Our results suggest that triploid Atlantic salmon have a higher energy cost in response to stress than diploids salmon. This can make them more sensitive to suboptimal conditions and episodes of acute and chronic stress.

Racial/Ethnic differences in inflammation levels among older adults 56+: an examination of sociodemographic differences across inflammation measure.

Chronic inflammation is a key biological risk factor for many widespread adult health conditions. This study examines racial/ethnic differences in inflammation across several inflammatory markers, including selected cytokines that are identified as important for aging and age-related health outcomes. Data came from the 2016 Venous Blood Collection Subsample of the Health and Retirement Study. Using logistic regression models, we compared high-risk categories of C-reactive protein and cytokine markers (IL-6, IL-10, IL-1RA, TNFR1, and TGF-Beta), across race/ethnicity and whether these differences persisted among men and women. The findings provided evidence of significant race/ethnic differences in inflammatory measures, but the patterns differed across marker types. These findings emphasize that race/ethnic differences are not consistently captured across markers of inflammation and that researchers should proceed with caution when using individual markers of inflammation in an effort to not overlook potential racial/ethnic differences in biological risk.

Length-weight relationship and condition factor of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed diets supplemented with guava and star gooseberry leaf extract

Background Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is predominant cultured species in aquaculture. However, there is a scarcity of literature regarding relationship between guava and star gooseberry leaf extract and the condition factor. Thus, the present study aims to investigate the effect of guava and star gooseberry leaf extract-supplemented diets on the specific growth rate, length-weight relationship, and condition factor of Nile tilapia. Methods Six hundred and thirty Nile tilapia (8.7±0.4 g) were randomly distributed among twenty-one tanks (30 fish per tank) within a recirculation system. Over a 60-day period, the fish were fed diets supplemented with 5g/Kg and 10g/Kg of guava leaf extract (GLE-5, GLE-10), star gooseberry leaf extract (SGLE-5, SGLE-10), and a mixture of both (MxLE-5, MXLE-10). Subsequently, specific growth rate, length-weight relationship, and condition factor were determined. Results After 60 days, the specific growth rate was significantly higher in all the GLE, SGLE, and MxLE groups compared to the control group. The final lengths and weights differed significantly both in the control group and all the GLE, SGLE, and MxLE groups. The analysis of the regression equation indicated a positive correlation (r = 0.970, 0.977, 0.976, 0.974, 0.974, 0.974, and 0.969) between the length and weight of Nile tilapia in the control group and in all the GLE, SGLE, and MxLE groups. The regression exponent "b" values in all the GLE, SGLE, and MxLE groups were >3, indicating a positive allometric growth pattern in Nile tilapia compared to the control (b=2.866), which exhibited a negative allometry. The final condition factor values did not differ significantly in either the control group or any of the plant extract groups. Conclusions Nile tilapia exhibited positive allometric growth patterns and maintained good health when fed with GLE, SGLE, and MxLE groups. Therefore, these plant extracts demonstrate suitability for commercial Nile tilapia production.

Morphology and metabolic traits related to swimming performance in Australasian snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) selected for fast growth.

Changes in body shape are linked to swimming performance and become relevant for selective breeding programmes in cultured finfish. We studied how the selection for fast growth could affect phenotypes by investigating the relationship between swimming performance and body shape. We also investigated how swimming might affect plasma metabolite concentrations. Critical swimming speed (UCrit), body traits (e.g., BW, body weight; BL, body length; K, condition factor), and plasma lactate and glucose concentrations were evaluated in two cohorts of Australasian snapper (Chrysophrys auratus): one derived from wild broodstock (F1), and the other selected for fast growth (F4). UCrit tests (n = 8) were applied in groups of 10 snapper of similar BW (71.7 g) and BL (14.6 cm). The absolute or relative UCrit values of both cohorts were similar (0.702 m⋅s-1 and 4.795 BL⋅s-1, respectively), despite the F4 cohort displaying a higher K. A positive correlation between K and absolute UCrit (Pearson's r = 0.414) was detected in the F4 cohort, but not in the F1 cohort, which may be linked to differences in body shape. A negative correlation between relative UCrit and body size (Pearson's r between -0.682 and -0.501), but no correlation between absolute UCrit and body size, was displayed in both cohorts. Plasma lactate and glucose concentrations were higher in the F4 cohort at UCrit. Whether a longer selective breeding programme could result in more changes in body shape, potentially affecting swimming performance, should be explored, along with the potential outcomes of the differences in metabolic traits detected.

Association of COVID-19 and the prevalence of in-person vs telehealth primary care visits and subsequent impacts on tobacco use assessment and referral for cessation assistance.

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered patterns of health care delivery. Smoking remains an important risk factor for multiple chronic conditions and may exacerbate more severe symptoms of COVID-19. Thus, it is important to understand how pandemic-induced changes in primary care practice patterns affected smoking assessment and cessation assistance. Electronic health record (EHR) data from 8 community health centers were examined from March 1, 2019 to February 28, 2022. Data include both telehealth (phone and video) and in-person office visits and represent 310,388 visits by adult patients. Rates of smoking assessment, provision of referral to counseling and orders for smoking cessation medications were calculated. Comparisons by visit mode and time period were examined using generalized estimating equations and logistic regression. The proportion of telehealth visits was <0.1% one year prior to COVID-19 onset and, 54.5% and 34.1% 1 and 2 years after. The odds of asking about smoking status and offering a referral to smoking cessation counseling were significantly higher during in-person vs. telehealth visits; AOR (95% CI) = 15.0 (14.7 -15.4) and AOR (95% CI)= 6.5 (3.0 - 13.9), respectively. The interaction effect of visit type * time period was significant for ordering smoking cessation medications. Telehealth visits were significantly less likely to include smoking status assessment and referral to smoking cessation counseling compared to in-person visits. Given that smoking assessment and cessation assistance do not require face-to-face interactions with health care providers, continued efforts are needed to ensure provision at all visits, regardless of modality. The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered patterns of health care seeking and delivery with a considerable rise in telehealth visits. This study examined one year prior to the onset of COVID-19 and two years after to evaluate the assessment of tobacco use and assistance with tobacco cessation and differences during in-person vs telehealth visits. Tobacco assessment was 15 times more likely during in-person vs. telehealth visits in the two years post onset of COVID-19. Given that telehealth visits are likely to continue, ensuring that patients are regularly assessed for tobacco regardless of visit modality is an important concern for health systems.

Preconception Care Interventions for Adolescents and Young Adults to Prevent Adverse Maternal and Child Health Outcomes: Protocol for an Evidence Gap Map.

Preconception is the period before a young woman or woman conceives, which draws attention to understanding how her health condition and certain risk factors affect her and her baby's health once she becomes pregnant. Adolescence and youth represent a life-course continuum between childhood and adulthood, in which the prepregnancy phase lacks sufficient research. The aim of the study is to identify, map, and describe existing empirical evidence on preconception interventions that enhance health outcomes for adolescents, young adults, and their offspring. We will conduct an evidence gap map (EGM) activity following the Campbell guidelines by populating searches identified from electronic databases such as MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. We will include interventional studies and reviews of interventional studies that report the impact of preconception interventions for adolescents and young adults (aged 10 to 25 years) on adverse maternal, perinatal, and child health outcomes. All studies will undergo title or abstract and full-text screening on Covidence software (Veritas Health Innovation). All included studies will be coded using the Evidence for Policy and Practice Information (EPPI) Reviewer software (EPPI Centre, UCL Social Research Institute, University College London). Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2.0 and Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews-2 (AMSTAR-2) tool will be used to assess the quality of the included trials and reviews. A 2D graphical EGM will be developed using the EPPI Mapper software (version 2.2.4; EPPI Centre, UCL Social Research Institute, University College London). This EGM exercise began in July 2023. Through electronic search, 131,031 publications were identified after deduplication, and after the full-text screening, 18 studies (124 papers) were included in the review. We plan to submit the paper to a peer-reviewed journal once it is finalized, with an expected completion date in May 2024. This study will facilitate the prioritization of future research and allocation of funding while also suggesting interventions that may improve maternal, perinatal, and child health outcomes. DERR1-10.2196/56052.

Physiological strategies of acute thermal conditions of Rhamdia voulezi collected in the Iguaçu river watershed, Paraná, Brazil: biochemical markers of metabolic and oxidative stress.

Thermal pollution creates substantial challenges that alter energy demand and produce reactive oxygen species that damage fish DNA, proteins, and lipids. Rhamdia voulezi is a species of fish native to the Iguaçu river, Paraná, Brazil, that does not have scientific records of minimum (CTmin) and maximum (CTmax) temperatures required for survival. As it is a top predator species in the food chain and lives at temperatures below 22°C, the loss of the species can cause functional problems in controlling the ecosystem and energy flow. The study evaluated the tissue metabolism of the brain, heart, and muscle of R. voulezi (n = 72) subjected to acute thermal stress of 31°C for 2, 6, 12, 24, and 96h after acclimatization to 21°C. The biochemical markers SOD, GPx, MDH, HK, and CK of the brain, PCO of the heart and CAT, glycogen, G6PDH, and ALT of muscle were significant. PCA, IBR, thermal sensitive, and condition factor suggested that R. voulezi has different physiological strategies for acclimatization to 31°C to mobilize and sustain the metabolic needs of oxygenation and energy allocation/utilization for tissue ATP production.

Integrating human endogenous retroviruses into transcriptome-wide association studies highlights novel risk factors for major psychiatric conditions.

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are repetitive elements previously implicated in major psychiatric conditions, but their role in aetiology remains unclear. Here, we perform specialised transcriptome-wide association studies that consider HERV expression quantified to precise genomic locations, using RNA sequencing and genetic data from 792 post-mortem brain samples. In Europeans, we identify 1238 HERVs with expression regulated in cis, of which 26 represent expression signals associated with psychiatric disorders, with ten being conditionally independent from neighbouring expression signals. Of these, five are additionally significant in fine-mapping analyses and thus are considered high confidence risk HERVs. These include two HERV expression signatures specific to schizophrenia risk, one shared between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and one specific to major depressive disorder. No robust signatures are identified for autism spectrum conditions or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Europeans, or for any psychiatric trait in other ancestries, although this is likely a result of relatively limited statistical power. Ultimately, our study highlights extensive HERV expression and regulation in the adult cortex, including in association with psychiatric disorder risk, therefore providing a rationale for exploring neurological HERV expression in complex neuropsychiatric traits.

Replacing Fishmeal and Fish Oil with Complex Protein and Canola Oil: Effect on Organoleptic and Nutritional Quality of Triploid Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

A twelve-week feeding experiment was undertaken to explore the impact of substituting dietary fish meal (FM) and fish oil (FO) with complex protein (CP) and canola oil (CO) in the diet of triploid rainbow trout on the quality of their fillets. The control diet (F100) contained FM (60%) and FO (18.6%) as the main protein and lipid sources. Based on this, 50% and 100% of FM and FO were substituted by CP and CO and they were named as F50 and F0, respectively. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the specific growth rates, condition factors, gutted yields, fillet yields and yellowness values as the substitution levels increased (p &gt; 0.05). The F50 treatment obtained the highest values of fillet springiness and chewiness, improved the umami and bitter taste of the fillets by increasing the contents of inosine-5′-monophosphate and histidine, and increased lipid, protein, C18: 1n-9 and C18: 2n-6 contents (p &lt; 0.05). The F0 treatment obtained the highest values of fillet hardness and pH, attenuated the sweet taste of the fillets by decreasing the content of glycine, and decreased the contents of EPA and DHA (p &lt; 0.05). Both F50 and F0 treatments could increase the redness value, decrease the lightness and hue values of fillets, and increase the odor intensity, resulting in the typical fillet odors of green, fatty, orange and fishy (p &lt; 0.05). In general, 50% and 100% of FM and FO substitution did not affect the growth of trout, but it did affect quality. Compared to the F100 treatment, the fillet quality of the F0 treatment was similar to the F50 treatment and could improve the appearance and odor intensity of the fillets. However, the difference was that the F50 treatment increased the springiness, umami, bitterness and lipid nutritional value of the fillets, but the F0 treatment increased the hardness, decreased the sweetness, and decreased the lipid, EPA and DHA contents of the fillets.

Multispecies and multibiomarker assessment of fish health from Iguaçu River reservoir, Southern Brazil.

This study investigated the impact of micropollutants on fish health from Segredo hydroelectric reservoir (HRS) along the Iguaçu River, Southern Brazil, contaminated by urban, industrial, and agricultural activities. This is the first comprehensive study assessment in the river after the severe drought in the 2020s in three fish species from different trophic levels Astyanax spp. (water column depth/omnivorous), Hypostomus commersoni (demersal/herbivorous), and Pimelodus maculatus (demersal/omnivorous). Animals, water, and sediment samples were collected from three distinct sites within the reservoir: Floresta (upstream), Iratim (middle), and Station (downstream). The chemical analysis revealed elevated concentrations of metals (Al, Cu, Fe) and the metalloid As in water, or Cu, Zn, and As in sediment, surpassing Brazilian regulatory limits, while the organic pollutants as DDT, PAHs, PCBs, and PBDEs were found under the Brazilian regulatory limits. The metal bioaccumulation was higher in gills with no significant differences among sites. The species Astyanax spp. and H. commersoni displayed variations in hepatosomatic index (HSI) and P. maculatus in the condition factor index (K) between sites, while adverse effects due to micropollutants bioaccumulation were observed by biochemical, genotoxic, and histopathological biomarkers. The principal component analysis and integrated biomarker response highlighted the upstream site Floresta as particularly inhospitable for biota, with distinctions based on trophic level. Consequently, this multifaceted approach, encompassing both fish biomarkers and chemical analyses, furnishes valuable insights into the potential toxic repercussions of micropollutant exposure. These findings offer crucial data for guiding management and conservation endeavors in the Iguaçu River.

Relationship length weight and condition factors of mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) landed in Tanjung Tiram Port Batu Bara District North Sumatra Province

This research aims to determine growth patterns and condition factors. Apart from that, it is also to determine the level of gonad maturity and the gonad maturity index. The method used was a quantitative descriptive method by measuring length and weight and then dissection was carried out to observe the level of gonad maturity of male mackerel fish samples landed every week. The number of samples obtained during the August-September 2023 period was 200 individuals. The results of the research show that the equation for the relationship between length and weight is W = 0,00003L²͐⁸⁴⁵⁴⁷, which indicates a negative allometric growth pattern. The highest condition factor was obtained in the 190-191 mm length class with an average of 0,8757 and the lowest in the 185-186 length class with an average of 0,8416. The gonad maturity level of mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) consists of TKG I to TKG IV. The IKG value obtained ranged from 5,616 to 6,375%. The increase in length of male mackerel shows a weak correlation with weight. Meanwhile, the weight of male mackerel had a significant influence on IKG. Keywords: Male mackerel, growth, condition factors, TKG, IKG. Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pola pertumbuhan dan faktor kondisi. Selain itu juga untuk mengetahui tingkat kematangan gonad dan indeks kematangan gonad. Metode yang dilakukan adalah metode deskriptif kuantitatif dengan mengukur panjang dan berat kemudian dilakukan pembedahan untuk diamati tingkat kematangan gonad sampel ikan kembung lelaki yang didaratkan setiap minggunya. Adapun jumlah sampel yang diperoleh selama periode agustus-september 2023 adalah sebanyak 200 ekor. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa persamaan hubungan panjang berat W = 0,00003L²͐⁸⁴⁵⁴⁷ yang menunjukkan pola pertumbuhan allometrik negatif. Faktor kondisi tertinggi diperoleh pada kelas panjang 190-191 mm dengan rata-rata sebesar 0,8757 dan terendah pada kelas panjang 185-186 dengan rata-rata sebesar 0,8416. Tingkat kematangan gonad ikan kembung (Rastrelliger kanagurta) terdiri dari TKG I sampai TKG IV. Nilai IKG yang didapatkan berkisar 5,616-6,375%. Pertambahan ukuran panjang ikan kembung lelaki menunjukkan korelasi yang lemah terhadap berat. Sedangkan berat ikan kembung lelaki memberikan pengaruh yang nyata terhadap IKG. Kata Kunci: Ikan kembung lelaki, pertumbuhan, faktor kondisi, TKG, IKG.

Free vibration analysis of a sandwich conical shell with a magnetorheological elastomer core, enriched with carbone nanotubes and functionally graded porous face layers

In this paper, the free vibration behaviors of a sandwich conical shell with a magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) core enriched with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and two functionally graded (FG) porous face layers are investigated. The mathematical modeling of the shell is performed via the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) incorporating the continuity conditions between the face layers and the core. The porosity parameters are adjusted to provide the same mass for all porosity dispersion patterns. The governing equations and boundary conditions are derived via Hamilton’s principle and are solved through a semi-analytical solution to attain the natural frequencies and the loss factors for various boundary conditions. First, appropriate triangular functions are utilized to provide an exact solution in the circumferential direction. Then, a numerical solution is presented in the meridional direction utilizing the differential quadrature method (DQM). The influences of various factors on the natural frequencies and loss factors are investigated including intensity of the applied magnetic field, mass fraction of the CNTs subjoined to the core, thickness of the CNT-reinforced MRE core, thickness of the FG porous face layers, porosity parameter and dispersion pattern of the pores in the FG porous face layers, and the boundary conditions. Numerical results show that although subjoining CNTs to the MRE core and applying magnetic field have weak effects on the natural frequencies of the shell, increases in the mass fraction of the CNTs and intensity of the applied magnetic field result in remarkable increases in the loss factors, and provide stronger vibration suppression.

An Evolutionary Psychological Approach Toward BDSM Interest and Behavior.

Bondage/discipline, Dominance/submission, and Sadism/Masochism (BDSM) have gained increased attention and discussion in recent years. This prevalence is accompanied by a shift in perceptions of BDSM, including the declassification of sadomasochism as a paraphilic disorder. Evolutionary psychology offers a unique perspective of why some individuals are interested in BDSM and why some prefer certain elements of BDSM over others (e.g., dominance versus submission). In this paper, we examine BDSM from an evolutionary standpoint, examining biopsychosocial factors that underlie the BDSM interests and practice. We articulate this perspective via an exploration of: proximate processes, such as the role of childhood experiences, sexual conditioning, and physiological factors; as well as ultimate explanations for power play and pain play dimensions of BDSM, highlighting the potential adaptive advantages of each. While BDSM may not be adaptive in itself, we examine the literature of sex differences in BDSM role preferences and argue that these preferences may stem from the extreme forms of behaviors which enhance reproductive success. In the realm of pain play, we explore the intersection of pain and pleasure from both physiological and psychological perspectives, highlighting the crucial role of psychological and play partner factors in modulating the experience of pain. Finally, we encourage future research in social sciences to utilize evolutionary frameworks to further explore the subject and help alleviate the mystification surrounding BDSM. This multifaceted exploration of BDSM provides valuable insights for clinicians, kink-identified individuals, and scholars seeking to understand the evolutionary perspectives of human sexual behavior and preferences.

Quality of Life and Geriatric Depression among Elderly Residents in Old Age Homes and Domestic Environments in Kerala.

Aging is a natural and essential part of human life. The Quality of Life (QoL) for the elders indicates their overall well-being and might be a risk factor for many conditions like geriatric depression. The study aims to compare older people living in domestic environments with those in Old Age Homes (OAH) to examine the variations in life quality and the prevalence of geriatric depression. The study followed a mixed-method approach and was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 includes a comprehensive understanding of QoL and geriatric depression that was established by an in-depth random data collection from 80 older adults aged between 60 and 90 years in Kerala, India, using the WHOQOL-BREF and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Data was then analyzed statistically by using an independent sample t-test, Karl Pearson's correlation, linear regression, and descriptive statistics. In Phase 2, by using semi-structured interviews, a random sample of eight people aged between 60 and 80 years was chosen from the Phase 1 pool which involved comparing and identifying the factors influencing geriatric depression and QoL in both living situations using thematic analysis. The findings show that there is a significant negative relationship between quality of life and geriatric depression among older individuals. The elders in old age homes reported a higher quality of life and lower geriatric depression. There were negligible gender differences. Physical, psychological, social, and environmental factors affect the quality of life and geriatric depression. The study also reveals that old age homes provide a better environment for elderly care compared to domestic environments, as they provide enhanced social support, structured caregiving, and better access to healthcare. This study thus paves the way for more compassionate approaches to elderly care and well-being.

The Impact of Emotional Dissonance on Turnover Intent in Child Welfare Social Work: Test of a Moderated Mediation Model

ABSTRACTHigh employee turnover represents a substantial problem in child welfare work. To prevent turnover, knowledge about risk factors, mechanisms, and conditional factors that can explain turnover and turnover intent is highly important. This study investigated a moderated mediation model with (1) emotional dissonance as a predictor of subsequent turnover intent, (2) job dissatisfaction and burnout as potential mediators, and (3) being overly nurturing as a potential moderating variable. The associations were examined using data from a two‐wave prospective questionnaire survey of 424 child welfare workers in Norway. Emotional dissonance was positively related to burnout and job dissatisfaction (cross‐sectionally) and had a significant indirect association with increased turnover intent 6 months later (prospectively) through burnout, but not job dissatisfaction. An antagonistic interaction effect of being overly nurturing was found on the association between emotional dissonance and burnout, and the indirect association with turnover intent. Specifically, having low scores on the overly nurturing trait had a protective effect on burnout and turnover intent in cases of low to moderate exposure to emotional dissonance. In cases of high emotional dissonance, all employees reported the outcomes as equally negative irrespective of their tendency to be overly nurturing. The findings highlight the importance of organizational efforts that can help child welfare workers deal with emotional demands.

The Holistic Advantage: Unified Quantitative Modeling for Less-Biased, In-Depth Insights into (Socio)Linguistic Variation

What happens when recognized and diverse conditioning factors of linguistic variation are omitted from analysis and/or are not analyzed under a single analytical procedure? This paper explores the consequences of such a choice on data interpretation and, consequently, (socio)linguistic theorization. Utilizing Twitter-style English in the Philippines (EngPH) as a case study, I employ the Twitter Corpus of Philippine Englishes (TCOPE) primarily to investigate and elucidate variations in three morphosyntactic variables that have been previously examined using a piecemeal approach. I propose a holistic quantitative approach that incorporates documented linguistic, social, diachronic, and stylistic factors in a unified analysis. The paper illustrates the impacts of adopting this holistic approach through two statistical procedures: Bayesian regression modeling and Boruta feature selection with random forest modeling. In contrast to earlier research findings, my overall results reveal biases in non-unified quantitative analyses, where the confidence in the effects of certain factors diminishes in light of others during analysis. The adoption of a unified analysis or modeling also enhances the resolution at which variations have been examined in EngPH. For instance, it highlights that presumed ‘universals’, such as the hierarchy of linguistic &gt; stylistic &gt; diachronic &gt; social factors in explaining variation in some domains, is contingent on the specific variable under examination. Overall, I argue that unified analyses reduce data distortion and introduce more nuanced interpretations and insights that are critical for establishing a well-grounded empirical theory of EngPH variation and language variation as a whole.

Study of Parasitary Fauna in Tilapia of Fish Cultures in the Distrito Federal

Objective: This article discusses the parasitic fauna found in tilapia, the most produced in the DF, collected in fish farms and presents an analysis of water quality, a relative condition factor and the influence of seasonality on the average abundance of parasites. Methodology: For each acquisition campaign, ten fish were collected from each visited fish farm, totaling 180 sampled fish. The fish were collected by fishing nets with mesh 14 and transported in thermal boxes, with each specimen properly packed in a plastic bag, to ensure protection during transport to the Aquaculture Laboratory of the University of Brasília (AcquaUnB). Results and Conclusion: In the two acquisition campaigns, parasitism by Trichodina sp., Monogenoids, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and Apiosoma sp. Infestations by Trichodina sp. presented higher prevalence and average intensity than other parasites in general, followed by infections by Monogenoides, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and Apiosoma sp, respectively. The average abundance of Trichodina sp., monogenenoids, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and Apiosoma sp. showed a positive correlation with temperature and the concentration of ammonium and phosphate in fish farm water. On the other hand, the average abundance of parasites showed a negative correlation with the levels of dissolved oxygen and nitrate concentration. The ectoparasites found do not directly affect human health. There was a significant difference between the average abundance of parasites found in fish collected in the months of February and August, so that the highest parasitic rates were observed in February, when there is greater rainfall in the Federal District and when the values of water parameters were findings. less suitable.

Population parameters of golden ponyfish, Photopectoralis aureus and goldstripe ponyfish, Karalla daura from Saint Martin Island, Bay of Bengal

Golden ponyfish Photopectoralis aureus and Goldstripe ponyfish Karalla daura are small fish with less economic value. Many marine fish population parameters were not investigated because of their low commercial value. Therefore, the primary goals of this study were to determine the size frequency, length-weight relationship (LWR), length-length relationship (LLR), and Fulton’s condition factor (Kn) of two tropical ponyfishes from Saint Martin’s Island. From March to April 2022, specimens were caught using fixed purse nets. A total of 409 specimens of P. aureus and K. daura were measured to determine size frequency, LWRs, LLRs, and Fulton's condition factor. For P. aureus, the maximum total length (TL) of 12.9 cm sets a new record. The LWRs for P. aureus and K. daura were highly significant (p&lt;0.001), where the coefficient of determination (r2) was 0.985 and 0.869 for P. aureus and K. daura, respectively. The estimated slope (b) for P. aureus and K. daura were 3.147 and 2.986, respectively. The LLR equations were TL = 1.1089 SL + 0.2689 for P. aureus and TL = 0.6792 SL + 3.3309 for K. daura. The Kn value had no significant difference between the species of different length classes for P. aureus (0.97-1.40) and K. daura (1.19-1.26). There has never been any prior reporting of LWRs or length-length relationships (LLRs) for P. aureus in literature or FishBase. The study's findings may benefit the management and conservation of these ponyfishes. Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 11, No. 1, April 2024: 105-114

Morphometric relationships of blue swimming crab (&lt;em&gt;Portunus pelagicus&lt;/em&gt;, Linnaeus, 1758) caught in Negombo coastal waters in Sri Lanka.

Length-weight relationships provide information about the blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) population for successful stock management. Morphometric measurements of Two hundred fifty (250) crab samples were obtained from April to November 2019, of which 128 were males, and 122 were females, showing a sex ratio of 1:1. Chi-square test indicated that the sex ratio was not significantly different from the expected value of 1:1 at 5% level of significance (χ2cal = 0.144, χ2tab = 3.84). Carapace width (CW) was measured at the nearest 0.001 cm using a vernier calliper, and total body weight (W) was measured at the nearest gram (g) using a digital scale. The carapace width of males ranged from 7.28 - 15.7 cm, whereas it varied from 3.06 - 15.8 cm in females. The body weight of male crabs varied from 22.45 - 334.6 g, and females had a range from 23.0 - 275.35 g. Length-weight relationships for male and female crabs were W=0.0495CW3.0469 (R2=0.8526) and W=0.063CW2.9428 (R2=0.8179) respectively. Student’s t-test showed that the growth of male crabs was positive allometric (t = 5.64, p&lt;0.05) and negative allometric (t = -8.21, p&lt;0.05) for females. The mean condition factors for males and females were 5.68±0.12 and 5.65±0.12, respectively, indicating no significant difference between males and females (p=0.882) by two-sample t-tests. Providing baseline data, the present study recommends further studies for successful utilization, development and management of this crab species as it has been recognized as a commercially valuable species with a high market demand.

An Updated Review on the Diaphragmatic Hernia in Bovines

Diaphragmatic hernia is a common surgical condition in buffaloes but is occasionally recorded in cattle. A high hospital occurrence of diaphragmatic hernia in buffaloes raises a concern and a thought on the aetiology, as it affects the socio-economic status of the farmer. Scientific literature published to date could not establish any definitive aetiology of diaphragmatic hernia in bovines. However, it is also definitive that diaphragmatic hernia is not a congenital condition as the symptoms start appearing not before one year of age. Some anatomical factors listed specifically for buffaloes may also add to the aetiology other than the foreign body, advanced stage of pregnancy, or recent calving. Being a slow-progressing and non-infectious condition, early diagnostic and prognostic factors based on clinical, imaging and haemato-biochemical parameters and the selection of cases for surgical intervention are important. The article reviews the literature, when it was first time diagnosed, its global incidence, etiological factors and advancement in the diagnostic modalities, anaesthetic and surgical treatment methods, productive and reproductive outcomes and future directions.