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A 45-day experiment was conducted for standardization of water flow rate for koi carp (Cyprinus carpio var. koi) and gold fish (Carassius auratus) along with water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) in water recirculating aquaponic system. Different flow rates, viz., 0.8, 2.4, and 4 l min⁻¹, were assigned as T1, T2, and T3, respectively, with stocking density ratio of 1:2 for koi carp and goldfish. Treatment T1 showed maximum fish growth in terms of percentage weight gain and specific growth rate. Plant height, percentage height gain, and yield of water spinach plants were observed highest in treatment T1 as compared to T2 and T3. All the treatments effectively removed nutrients, but treatment T1 showed maximum percentage of nutrient removal (NO₃-N, PO₄-P, and K). The plant growth and nutrient removal were increased with decrease in flow rate. Flow rate in T1 (0.8 l min⁻¹) showed the highest growth in both fish species. Thus, 0.8 l min⁻¹ can be suggested as optimum water flow rate for the polyculture of koi carp and goldfish with water spinach in an aquaponic system.

Three hydroponic media crushed stones (T1), river stones (T2), and floating raft (T3) were compared in an aquaponic system with common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) and mint ( Mentha arvensis ). Fish effluents were used as plant nutrients while plants filtered water by stripping off the nutrients before returning to the fish tank. Fish growth, plant growth, and water quality parameters were used to evaluate the suitability of three different media. Growth performance of common carp and mint followed the relationship of crushed stones > floating raft > river stones with significant difference observed among all treatments. Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) removal varied significantly among different treatments. The maximum TAN removal was observed in T1 (77.13%) followed by T3 (69.65%), and the minimum removal was observed in T2 (48.82%). Nitrate removal varied significantly among different treatments. The highest removal was observed in T1 (82.95%) followed by T3 (68.04%) and T2 (59.51%). Removal of phosphate was significantly lower in T2 (50.12%) when compared to T1 (67.85%) and T3 (70.71%). Biofilter performance (g m −3  day −1 ) of T2 (4.80) was significantly lower compared to T1 (7.13) and T3 (7.37). Crushed stone and floating raft were significantly efficient when compared to river stone medium in terms of nutrient removal and water quality maintenance for the fish culture. Considering all growth parameters, crushed stone media proved to be better when compared to other two media. Thus, medium selection could be a considerable factor when designing an aquaponic system.

The study evaluates optimum hydraulic loading rate (HLR) based on the fish and plant production performance and nutrient removal percentage in aquaponics. The growth of Gotukola (Centella asiatica (L.))—a leafy vegetable as well as traditional medicinal plant—and koi carp (Cyprinus carpio var. koi.)—a high demand ornamental fish—were evaluated at three different HLRs, viz. 2.6 m day−1 (T1), 7.8 m day−1 (T2), and 13.0 m day−1 (T3). Treated aquaculture wastewater was utilized in a combination of the freshwater in 1:1 ratio with 2.1 kg m−3 fish stocking density. The highest fish mean length; weight; feed conversion ratio; specific growth rate; NH3, NO2−, and NO3− removal percentage; and plant growth parameters were observed. Considering fish (koi carp) and plants (Gotukola) growth parameters as well as nutrient removal percentages, a HLR of 7.8 m day−1 was found to be the optimum in aquaponics.

Aim: To evaluate the efficiency of an integrated aquaculture system in a reservoir utilizing three components like ornamental fish, ornamental aquatic plant and leafy vegetable in floating net cages. Methodology: Components used in the study comprised Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare), aquatic plant (Ceratophyllum demersum), and leafy vegetable (Spinacia oleracea). Angelfish and ornamental aquatic plants were stocked inside the net cages (3x3x3m), while leafy vegetables were grown on rafts floating on the surface of cages. Completely Randomized Design was followed in triplicates for 90 days. Three treatments T1, T2 and T3 were stocked with angelfish (0.24±0.06g) of varying stocking densities 20, 25, 30 m-3 respectively, along with uniform stocking densities of C. demersum (20 bundles per cage weighing 414.17±5.12 g per cage) and spinach (144 numbers per cage; average height 8.69±0.52 cm), whereas C1 (Angelfish 20/m3) and C2 (C. demersum and spinach) were used to compare the efficiency of the system. Results: The growth performances of angelfish after 90 days, in terms of average weight, survival rate, feed efficiency ratio and specific growth rate were significantly higher (p<0.05) in T3 with 1.60±0.09g, 87.04±0.98%, 0.32±0.001 and 2.11±0.01%/day respectively, whereas Feed Conversion Ratio was significantly lower (p<0.05) in T3 (3.15±0.01). There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the biomass production of C. demersum and growth of spinach. Digestive and stress enzymes showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between the treatments and control. Interpretation: This study demonstrated the efficiency of the bio-integrated food production system paving a way to enhance the utilization of open water resources benefiting farmers with food and income.

Aim: To evaluate the efficiency of an integrated aquaculture system in a reservoir utilizing three components like ornamental fish, ornamental aquatic plant and leafy vegetable in floating net cages. Methodology: Components used in the study comprised Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare), aquatic plant (Ceratophyllum demersum), and leafy vegetable (Spinacia oleracea). Angelfish and ornamental aquatic plants were stocked inside the net cages (3x3x3m), while leafy vegetables were grown on rafts floating on the surface of cages. Completely Randomized Design was followed in triplicates for 90 days. Three treatments T1, T2 and T3 were stocked with angelfish (0.24±0.06g) of varying stocking densities 20, 25, 30 m'3 respectively, along with uniform stocking densities of C. demersum (20 bundles per cage weighing 414.17±5.12 g per cage) and spinach (144 numbers per cage; average height 8.69±0.52 cm), whereas C1 (Angelfish 20/m3) and C2 (C. demersum and spinach) were used to compare the efficiency of the system. Results: The growth performances of angelfish after 90 days, in terms of average weight, survival rate, feed efficiency ratio and specific growth rate were significantly higher (p<0.05) in T3 with 1.60±0.09g, 87.04±0.98%, 0.32±0.001 and 2.11±0.01%/day respectively, whereas Feed Conversion Ratio was significantly lower (p<0.05) in T3 (3.15±0.01). There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the biomass production of C. demersum and growth of spinach. Digestive and stress enzymes showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between the treatments and control. Interpretation: This study demonstrated the efficiency of the bio-integrated food production system paving a way to enhance the utilization of open water resources benefiting farmers with food and income.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of hydraulic loading rate (HLR) on tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) with pearlspot (Etroplus suratensis) in a recirculating aquaponic system. The experiment consisted of three treatment groups with different HLR of 3 m.day-1 (T1), 6 m.day-1 (T2), and 12 m.day-1 (T3); while the control (C) group had HLR of 3 m.day-1 without plants. Tomato and pearlspot were stocked at 4 plants.m-2 and 0.86 kg.m-3 (142 no.m-3 with an average initial weight of 6.06±0.09 g), respectively. The results indicated that the HLR had profound influence on the growth of both plant and fish. Tomato growth was highest in T1 (1.60±0.04 kg.m-2), followed by T2 (1.35±0.05 kg.m-2) and T3 (1.09±0.069 kg.m-2). Pearlspot growth was highest in T2 (13.57±0.04 g), followed by T1 (13.48±0.04 g), T3 (13.17±0.01 g), and C (13.00±0.28 g). The removal of nitrate (65.71%), phosphate (46.43%), and potassium (62.74%) was highest in T1, followed by T2, T3, and C. Based on the tomato and pearlspot growth as well as the maximum nutrient removal, a HLR of 3.0 m.day-1 can be recommended for tomato and pearlspot production in an aquaponic system.

A 60 days experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of light intensity on growth, survival and skin colour of goldfish fry. Five light intensities (0 lux, 2000 lux, 4000 lux, 6000 lux, and sunlight respectively) were tested in triplicate. Fishes (2.174±0.026g:mean±S.E.) were fed @ 3% body weight twice a day (10:00, 17:00 hour). The photo period was maintained 7L:17D (10:00-17:00 hour). At the end of the experiment, three fishes per tank were sampled to measure skin color by LabScan XE Spectrocolorimeter. The result showed that growth rate, survival percentage and skin colour of fish reared under artificial light has no significant effect over natural sunlight. However, fish reared under 0 lux showed poor performance in terms of growth, survival and development of skin colour. Since sunlight has limitation in indoor (besides showing the best result) where aquariums are usually kept for decoration or recreational purposes, the use of artificial light is a must for lighting the aquarium. As a result, it is concluded that optimum light intensity for rearing of Goldfish fry was about 2000 lux. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

In present investigation, we have prepared a nanocomposites of highly porous MnO 2 spongy balls and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in thin film form and tested in novel redox-active electrolyte (K 3 [Fe(CN) 6 ] doped aqueous Na 2 SO 4 ) for supercapacitor application. Briefly, MWCNTs were deposited on stainless steel substrate by “dip and dry” method followed by electrodeposition of MnO 2 spongy balls. Further, the supercapacitive properties of these hybrid thin films were evaluated in hybrid electrolyte ((K 3 [Fe(CN) 6 doped aqueous Na 2 SO 4 ). Thus, this is the first proof-of-design where redox-active electrolyte is applied to MWCNTs/MnO 2 hybrid thin films. Impressively, the MWCNTs/MnO 2 hybrid film showed a significant improvement in electrochemical performance with maximum specific capacitance of 1012 Fg −1 at 2 mA cm −2 current density in redox-active electrolyte, which is 1.5-fold higher than that of conventional electrolyte (Na 2 SO 4 ). Further, asymmetric capacitor based on MWCNTs/MnO 2 hybrid film as positive and Fe 2 O 3 thin film as negative electrode was fabricated and tested in redox-active electrolytes. Strikingly, MWCNTs/MnO 2 //Fe 2 O 3 asymmetric cell showed an excellent supercapacitive performance with maximum specific capacitance of 226 Fg −1 and specific energy of 54.39 Wh kg −1 at specific power of 667 Wkg −1 . Strikingly, actual practical demonstration shows lightning of 567 red LEDs suggesting “ready-to sell” product for industries.

Noise pollution, driven by rapid urbanisation and city expansion, has created a growing demand for innovative and bio-degradable sound absorption materials. Traditional solutions such as synthetic acoustic foams are widely used due to their efficiency and low cost but raise environmental concerns because of their non-biodegradable nature. This study explored the use of natural fibres—coir and sponge gourd—as environmentally friendly alternatives for sound insulation. The research focused on the effect of fibre thickness and surface treatment (using sodium hydroxide (NaOH)) on their acoustic performance. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) technique was used to understand the effects of the treatment on the functional groups of the fibre. The surface modification of the fibre surface was studied using an optical microscope, Brumauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) analysis and by analysis of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images. An impedance tube setup was used to measure the sound transmission loss for both the untreated and treated fibres. The results showed that increasing the thickness of both coir and sponge gourd fibres improves transmission loss at lower frequencies but reduces effectiveness at higher frequencies. Surface treatment had a material-dependent effect: sponge gourd fibres showed improved transmission loss due to increased surface roughness and airflow resistivity, whereas coir fibres exhibited a decline in performance after treatment. These findings contribute to a better understanding of how natural materials can be optimised for acoustic applications through structural modifications.

Despite recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer (BC), it remains a global health issue affecting millions of women annually. Poor prognosis in BC patients is often linked to drug resistance as well as the lack of effective therapeutic options for metastatic and triple-negative BC. In response to these unmet needs, extensive research efforts have been devoted to exploring the anti-BC potentials of natural products owing to their multi-target mechanisms of action and good safety profiles. Various medicinal plant extracts/essential oils and natural bioactive compounds have demonstrated anti-cancer activities in preclinical BC models. Despite the promising preclinical results, however, the clinical translation of natural products has often been hindered by their poor stability, aqueous solubility and bioavailability. There have been attempts to overcome these limitations, particularly via the use of nano-based drug delivery systems (NDDSs). This review highlights the tumour targeting mechanisms of NDDSs, the advantages and disadvantages of the major classes of NDDSs and their current clinical status in BC treatment. Besides, it also discusses the proposed anti-BC mechanisms and nanoformulations of nine medicinal plants' extracts/essential oils and nine natural bioactive compounds; selected via the screening of various scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, based on the following keywords: \"Natural Product AND Nanoparticle AND Breast Cancer\". Overall, these nanoformulations exhibit improved anti-cancer efficacy against preclinical BC models, with some demonstrating biocompatibility with normal cell lines and mouse models. Further clinical studies are, however, warranted to ascertain their efficacy and biocompatibility in humans. Keywords: breast cancer, drug delivery, molecular mechanisms, nanoparticles, natural products, phytomedicine