Lunar Cycle Influences Production of Tilapia (Oreochromis spp) Eggs in an Intensive Outdoor Production System in the Tropics

A robust body of evidence has demonstrated that the lunar cycle plays an important role in the reproduction of fish living in natural environments. However, little is known about the influence of the moon on tilapia reproductive activity in intensive fish farming systems. This study aims to evaluate the influence of the lunar cycle on the reproductive performance of tilapias in an intensive outdoor tropical production system in Latin America. Records of two tilapia strains (Nile tilapia [ Oreochromis niloticus; n = 75] and Red tilapia [ Oreochromis spp.; n = 1335]) reared in concrete tanks in a commercial fish farm were analyzed. Over a 3-year period, 60,136 captures were made in intervals of 12 to 14 days and 6,600 females were manually spawned. The number of females spawned and the volume of eggs collected from each tank ( n = 9) were recorded. Data was analyzed by the general linear model and means were compared by least squares means method. A very slight or no variation was observed when the lunar cycle was split into two halves (crescent and waning). The proportions of females spawned and the volume of eggs per spawned female and per female in the tank varied considerably across the eight periods of the lunar cycle, with greater values in the waning than in the crescent phase. A significantly greater proportion of tilapia spawned and yielded more eggs around the full moon than around the new moon and remaining days of the lunar cycle. The moon cycle affected the reproductive activity of tilapia, which were more reproductively active around the full moon and most of the waning phase.

Abruptly Dogen

In the thirteenth century Dogen brought Zen to Japan. His tradition flourishes there still today and now has taken root across the world. Abruptly Dogen presents some of his pith writings—startling, shifting, funny, spilling out in every direction. They come from all seventy-five chapters of his masterwork, the Eye of Real Dharma (Shōbōgenzō 正法眼藏), and roam through mountains, magic, everyday life, meditation, the nature of mind, and how the Buddha is always speaking from inside our heads. An excerpt from chapter 1, “A Case of Here We Are”: Human wisdom is like a moon roosting in water. No stain on the moon, nor does the water rip. However wide and grand the light, it still finds lodging in a puddle. The full moon, the spilling sky, all roosting in a single dewdrop on a single blade of grass. A man of wisdom is uncut, the way a moon doesn’t pierce water. Wisdom in a man is unobstructed, the way the sky’s full moon is unobstructed in a dewdrop. No doubt about it, the drop’s as deep as the moon is high. How long does this go on? How deep is the water, how high the moon?

Effects of weather and moon phases on emergency medical use after fall injury: A population-based nationwide study

Background Previous studies reported that changes in weather and phases of moon are associated with medical emergencies and injuries. However, such studies were limited to hospital or community level without explaining the combined effects of weather and moon phases. We investigated whether changes in weather and moon phases affected emergency department (ED) visits due to fall injuries (FIs) based on nationwide emergency patient registry data. Methods Nationwide daily data of ED visits after FI were collected from 11 provinces (7 metropolitan cities and 4 rural provinces) in Korea between January 2014 and December 2018. The daily number of FIs was standardized into FI per million population (FPP) in each province. A multivariate regression analysis was conducted to elucidate the relationship between weather factors and moon phases with respect to daily FPP in each province. The correlation between weather factors and FI severity was also analyzed. Results The study analyzed 666,912 patients (418,135 in metropolitan and 248,777 in rural areas) who visited EDs on weekdays. No regional difference was found in age or gender distribution between the two areas. Precipitation, minimum temperature and wind speed showed a significant association with FI in metropolitan areas. In addition, sunshine duration was also substantial risk factors for FI in rural areas. The incidence of FIs was increased on full moon days than on other days in rural areas. Injury severity was associated with weather factors such as minimum temperature, wind speed, and cloud cover. Conclusion Weather changes such as precipitation, minimum temperature, and wind speed are associated with FI in metropolitan and rural areas. In addition, sunshine duration and full moon are significantly associated with FI incidence only in rural areas. Weather factors are associated with FI severity.

I Will Never See a Full Moon the Same

I will never see a full moon the same Since the night I stepped out In the dark, looked up to the moon and Heard the cries of a mother who just lost her son. The African moon, so full and so proud, seemed too bright for such a somber night. And my empty hands, which this son once held, Sought to grasp the thought of A young, lifeless body Left lying on that hospital bed. Swaddled by the night’s rich darkness, Full of chants, cries, and pains, I am reminded that Only what’s done for Christ remains. Tonight, as my gaze meets again this African moon, from half a world away, I remember The cries, the lost, this life, The strange peace and the hope that We will meet again. What an oddly beautiful night it was to die. So, take courage, dear heart Don’t fear the night, don’t fear the pain, Rest in His unchanging grace. Go, and be the hands of the only Son who saves.

Spatio-Temporal Variability of Gamma Radiation Profile Along the Southern-Indian Coastline (Poompuhar to Nagapattinam Stretch)

The present study is aimed at evaluating the radiation profile along the coast of the Poompuhar- Nagore range, which is known to be hydrodynamically active and is enriched with anthropogenic activities. The study of radiation on the coastal belt and evaluating their dynamics (magnitude and spatio-temporal variability) is crucial both for the coastal inhabitants as well as possible exploration of rare-earth minerals. The effective gamma radiation during the new moon along the coastal range varies between 0.9 to 3.55 ?sv.h-1, respectively. The annual equivalent dose is estimated up to gamma radiation of 0.26 to 2.80 ?sv.h-1. Generally, the concentrations of the gamma radiation measured are elevated in certain areas namely Chinnagudi, Kuttiyandiyur, and Chandrapadi. In particular, the gamma radioactivity is high at Chandrapadi and Chinnagudi during the new moon as it shows considerable amounts of radiation. There is a definite variation due to the moon phase on the gamma radiation profile of the area studied. Out of the eight coastal villages under study, about 60% of the coastal line shows high levels of gamma radiation during both new moon and full moon phases.