Biodiversity of commercially important groupers (Epinephelidae) in Aceh, Indonesia: A checklist

The groupers, locally known as “kerapu” in Indonesia, are commercially valuable fish in Indonesia, including Aceh. The groupers are the first fish family to be plundered in most countries’ fisheries industries. However, the biodiversity information of the groupers fished in Aceh is limited. This study was aimed to inventories the grouper species landed in Aceh fish landing sites. The data collection was performed in some fish landing locations (TPI) located in Aceh. In general, this study revealed that Aceh has high grouper diversity. In total, 35 species of the Epinephelidae family were recorded. Epinephelus was the dominant genus found, followed by Cephalopholis, Plectropomus, Variola, Aethaloperca, Anyperodon, and Hyporthodus. Simeulue, Weh island, and Banda Aceh were the locations with the highest diversity of grouper in Aceh. Overall, the data collected from this study would be beneficial for the future management plan of grouper in Aceh and Indonesia.

Temporal Hydrogeochemical Dynamics and Source Apportionment in Groundwater of a Complex Lithology.

The present research reports the level of major ions and other physical parameters like pH, EC and TDS and possible sources of contamination in groundwater from south India. A total of 138 groundwater samples were collected during four different seasons and analyzed for physical parameters and other major ions. Many samples are above or approaching the recommended level of ions for safe drinking water. The groundwater quality has been determined by considering 11 parameters and classified into 5 different categories based upon water quality index (WQI) value. The groundwater of the study area is approaching towards pollution which has to consider for future management of the resource. Different geochemical diagrams like Gibbs and Piper are used to evaluate the process affecting the composition of groundwater. Again, the geostatistical techniques applied to confirm the processes through an integrated approach. Based on result of geochemical investigation, the contamination sources in the groundwater of this region are likely to be from (a) Anthropogenic activities (b) Weathering (c) Agricultural fertilizers. Continuous consumption of such water may pose serious health risk to the residents.

Impact of COVID-19 on Radiation Oncology, an Austrian Experience

The COVID-19 pandemic has an unprecedented impact on cancer treatment worldwide. We aimed to evaluate the effects of the pandemic on the radiation treatment of patients in order to provide data for future management of such crises. We compared the number of performed radiotherapy sessions of the pandemic period from February 2020 until May 2021 with those of 2018 and 2019 for reference. At our department, no referred patients had to be rejected or postponed, nor any significant changes in fractionation schedules implemented. Nevertheless, there was a substantial drop in overall radiotherapy sessions in 2020 following the first incidence wave of up to −25% (in June) in comparison to previous years. For breast cancer, a maximum decline of sessions of −45% (July) was recorded. Only a short drop of prostate cancer sessions (max −35%, May) followed by a rebound (+42%, July) was observed. Over the investigated period, a loss of 4.4% of expected patients never recovered. The severe impact of COVID-19 on cancer treatment, likely caused by retarded diagnosis and delayed interdisciplinary co-treatment, is reflected in a lower count of radiotherapy sessions. Radiation oncology is a crucial cornerstone in upholding both curative treatment options and treatment capacity during a pandemic.