A note on cetacean distribution in the Indian EEZ and contiguous seas during 2003-07

Relatively little is known about the distribution of cetaceans in Indian seas due to lack of systematic surveys. For collecting data on species distribution, 35 opportunistic surveys were conducted onboard FORV Sagar Sampada between October 2003 and February 2007 in the Indian EEZ and contiguous seas. In 5,254 hours of sighting effort, a total of 473 cetacean records were made with 5,865 individuals. The occurrence of 10 species from three cetacean families was confirmed. The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin was the most frequently sighted species, whereas the spinner dolphin was dominant in terms of abundance. Long-beaked common dolphins, Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphin and sperm whales were also recorded at frequent intervals. Cetaceans were found to have a wide geographical distribution in the Indian EEZ and contiguous seas. High abundance and species richness were recorded in the Southeastern Arabian Sea and southern Sri Lankan waters. From the information collected during the present study, the platform of opportunity has proved to be a useful means for cetacean surve

Automatic modulation classification for cognitive radios using cumulants based on fractional lower order statistics

Automatic modulation classification (AMC) finds various applications in cognitive radios. This paper presents a method for the automatic classification using cumulants derived using fractional lower order statistics. The performance of the classifier is presented in the form of probability of correct classification under noisy and fading conditions. Unlike many of the conventional methods, the proposed method does not require a priori knowledge of signal parameters. The proposed method is also more robust to different noises. Simulation results show that the proposed method can achieve better classification accuracy when compared to conventional cumulant based AMC method, in various impulsive noise conditions. 1

Indian Efforts on the Inventorization of Marine Mammal Species for their Conservation and Management

The present study is the first attempt to use molecular tools for identification of marine mammals in India. The objective was to develop a database of genetic sequences for future marine mammal research in addition to confirming the species identity of cetaceans and dugongs using a molecular approach. Partial sequencing of mitochondrial DNA loci was carried out in accidentally caught/stranded specimens of Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), Pantropical spotted dolphin/bridled dolphin (Stenella attenuata), Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), Long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus capensis), Indopacific humpbacked dolphin (Sousa chinensis), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), Finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides), Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) and Dugong (Dugong dugon). Molecular identification of species was done by phylogenetic reconstruction of the sequences using portals GenBank and DNA Surveillance. Apart from ratifying their morphological identification, the analysis was able to distinguish specimens that otherwise, could not have been identified using conventional approaches. Phylogenetic analysis of the Sousa-Stenella-Tursiops-Delphinus group indicated more or less robust monophyly for all species in this complex, except Delphinus capensis. A sister-group relationship for Sperm whales and Baleen whales was evident, that would place the former closer to the latter than to any other group of toothed whales

An Ayurvedic approach towards Koshta Shakhashrita Kamala w.s.r. to Alcoholic Hepatitis - A Case Report

Alcohol consumption has been contributing 47% mortality all around the globe, and the liver disease rates are steadily increasing over the years. Along with alcoholic consumption, modern day life style and food habits contribute to the etiology of Alcoholic hepatitis. The symptomatology include nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, yellowish discolouration of urine and sclera etc. It has been a challenge to treat the condition because both management of symptoms and withdrawal from the alcohol intake should go hand in hand. In Ayurveda this condition can be considered under Koshta Shakhashrita Kamala where the symptoms are analogous to alcoholic hepatitis. In this case, the subject presented with complaints of yellowish discolouration of sclera and urine, abdominal pain, nausea and general weakness since 15 days and was having h/o alcoholic consumption since 18 years. Elevated levels of serum bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT, ESR and prothrombin time and reduced level of WBC count and platelets were observed in laboratory investigation. Ayurvedic classical method of treatment was given to the subject and analysis of subjective and objective parameters were done before and after treatment

Record of stranded whales along Karnataka coast

A whale was stranded in the beach of Guijerbettu, Udupi district, Karnataka on 21.12.2001 . The whale was found in live condition. Thelocal person tried to rescue it but was in vain and later it died. The whale was identified as Balaenopteramusculus (Blue whale). Few vertebrae have been collected and preserved in the museum of Mangalore Research Centre of CMFRI for future identification up to the species level. Another whale (genus : Balaenoptera) was stranded in Kota, Udupi district, Karnataka near the shore of Arama temple on 11.08.2004 in decayed condition

CSF Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia that affects several million people worldwide. The major neuropathological hallmarks of AD are the presence of extracellular amyloid plaques that are composed of Aβ40 and Aβ42 and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), which is composed of hyperphosphorylated protein Tau. While the amyloid plaques and NFT could define the disease progression involving neuronal loss and dysfunction, significant cognitive decline occurs before their appearance. Although significant advances in neuroimaging techniques provide the structure and physiology of brain of AD cases, the biomarker studies based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma represent the most direct and convenient means to study the disease progression. Biomarkers are useful in detecting the preclinical as well as symptomatic stages of AD. In this paper, we discuss the recent advancements of various biomarkers with particular emphasis on CSF biomarkers for monitoring the early development of AD before significant cognitive dysfunction

Observations on incidental catch of cetaceans in three landing centres along the Indian coast

A short term survey to quantify the number of marine mammals incidentally caught, and interviews to gain perceptions of local fishers towards issues of by-catch, were conducted. A total of 44 cetaceans were recorded as incidental catches at Chennai, Kakinada and Mangalore fishing harbours during 80 days of observation. Six species of dolphins and one species of porpoise were recorded. The spinner dolphin Stenella longirostris was the most frequently caught (38.6%), followed by the finless porpoise Neophocaena phocaenoides (31.8%). Gillnets and purse seines operated from motorised boats accounted for the entire by-catch. It is estimated that 9000–10,000 cetaceans are killed by gillnets every year along the Indian coast. The intricacies and possibilities of reducing cetacean kills by gillnets are discussed in the pape

Stomach contents of cetaceans incidentally caught along Mangalore and Chennai coasts of India

Abstract The stomachs of 32 individuals of seven cetacean species incidentally caught in gill net and purseseine fisheries along Mangalore and Chennai coasts (India) between 2004 and 2006 were examined. The whole stomach (fore-gut, mid-gut and hind-gut) was examined in all cases. Prey remains (666 prey items comprising six species of teleosts, one crustacean and one squid species) were found in the stomachs of eight individuals (the remaining 24 stomachs were found to be empty). All cetaceans were found to feed mostly on teleosts with wide range of trophic levels. Based on an index that included frequency of occurrence, percentage by number and by weight, the oil sardine Sardinella longiceps was the main prey in the sample. Cetaceans appear to favour both pelagic as well as demersal prey, possibly indicating surface and benthic feeding habits