Blue whale washed ashore at Kuttayi Landing Centre, Malappuram, Kerala

On 27th February 2010, a blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus, measuring 31 feet in total length was washed ashore at Kuttayi Landing Centre in Malappuram District of Kerala

Association Between Lateral Bias and Personality Traits in the Domestic Dog (Canis familiaris)

Behavioral laterality reflects the cerebral functional asymmetry. Measures of laterality have been associated with emotional stress, problem-solving, and personality in some vertebrate species. Thus far, the association between laterality and personality in the domestic dog has been largely overlooked. In this study, we investigated whether lateralized (left or right) and ambilateral dogs differed in their behavioral response to a standardized personality test. The dog's preferred paw to hold a Kong ball filled with food and the first paw used to step-off from a standing position were scored as laterality measures. The Dog Mentality Assessment (DMA) test was used to assess 5 personality traits (e.g., sociability, aggressiveness) and a broader shy-boldness dimension. No differences emerged between left- and right-biased dogs on any personality trait. Instead, ambilateral dogs, scored using the Kong test, scored higher on their playfulness (Z = -1.98, p = .048) and Aggressiveness (Z = -2.10, p = .036) trait scores than did lateralized (irrespective of side) dogs. Also, ambilateral dogs assessed by using the First-Stepping test scored higher than lateralized dogs on the Sociability (Z = -2.83, p = .005) and Shy-Boldness (Z = -2.34, p = .019) trait scores. Overall, we found evidence of a link between canine personality and behavioral laterality, and this was especially true for those traits relating to stronger emotional reactivity, such as aggressiveness, fearfulness, and sociability. (PsycINFO Database Record</p

Population dynamics of cobia Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1766) off Cochin coast, south-eastern Arabian Sea

Estimated landings of cobia from the Indian EEZ by the commercial fishing vessels are mostly as bycatch in hooks and line cum gillnet and trawl nets. However, the catches are substantial compared to that reported in several other countries of Asia. The species is also gaining considerable importance as a favoured candidate species for sea farming using cages. Very little is known about the fishery and biological characters such as maturation, fecundity and feeding preferences of cobia in Indian seas. Study indicated a fast growth rate with estimates of L∞ = 184 cm (FL) and K = 2.6 (yr-1) in cobia. The total mortality rate (Z) was estimated as 5.18, natural mortality (M) was 2.01 and fishing mortality (F) was 3.17 with an exploitation rate (E) of 0.61. The length at first capture (Lc50) estimated from the catch curve was 72 cm. Fecundity was found to be high and variable, with mean fecundity estimated as 12,37,545 eggs with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 16.7. As inferred from the oocyte development pattern, spawning activity is brief and fish is classified as synchronous ovulatory type. The growth parameters and condition factor estimated in this study indicate that relatively high growth rates are also possible in wild stocks considering that food is abundant and the environmental temperature is in the optimum range. Feeding preferences indicated balistid fish and shrimps with a wide variety of food items including finfishes, crustaceans and molluscs present

Resource dynamics of the Indo-Pacific sailfish Istiophorus platypterus (Shaw, 1792) from the south-eastern Arabian Sea

The average billfish catch from the Indian EEZ during 2002-2007 was 4561 t which increased to 7856 t during 2008-2010, and nearly 80% of this was caught from the Arabian Sea by drift gillnet cum longline units. In the Indian Ocean region, billfishes (marlins, swordfish and sailfish) are considered as data deficient resource in the IOTC database. The sailfish Istiophorus platypterus (Shaw, 1792) was the major component of the billfish catch at Cochin Fisheries Harbour from where a fleet of gillnet cum longline units are regularly operated for oceanic fishes such as yellowfin tuna, seerfishes and pelagic sharks, besides billfishes. Length range of sailfish landed during 2005-2008 was 80-230 cm with inter-year variations in size groups contributing to the fishery. Length-weight relationship was estimated as 0.024 L 2.65 while growth parameters L∞ and K (annual) were estimated as 262 cm and 1.0 respectively. Diet preferences of fishes in the size range 180-227 cm indicated percent occurrence of fish as 81% followed by crabs (31%) and molluscs (25%). Trigger fishes (Balistes spp.) dominated the gut contents, followed by carangids like Selar spp. and Decapterus spp. Ova diameter of vitellogenic oocytes in ripe gonad with hydrated eggs ranged from 200 to 1300 μ with a major mode at 700 μ and a minor mode at 1200 μ, indicating hydrated eggs are released in batches at probably close intervals. Absolute fecundity from a ripe stage ovary was estimated as 20,97,481 eggs (1750 eggs per g ovary weight) with hydrated eggs forming about 31% of the total eggs, giving a batch fecundity of about 541 eggs per g ovary weight. Exploitation rate (E) indicated that although billfishes are considered as bycatch in the targeted fisheries for yellowfin tuna and pelagic sharks, the considerable number of fishing units operating for targeted tuna fishing has resulted in heavy fishing pressure (E=>0.6) on the sailfish resource during certain years

Quick, accurate, smart: 3D computer vision technology helps assessing confined animals' behaviour

Mankind directly controls the environment and lifestyles of several domestic species for purposes ranging from production and research to conservation and companionship. These environments and lifestyles may not offer these animals the best quality of life. Behaviour is a direct reflection of how the animal is coping with its environment. Behavioural indicators are thus among the preferred parameters to assess welfare. However, behavioural recording (usually from video) can be very time consuming and the accuracy and reliability of the output rely on the experience and background of the observers. The outburst of new video technology and computer image processing gives the basis for promising solutions. In this pilot study, we present a new prototype software able to automatically infer the behaviour of dogs housed in kennels from 3D visual data and through structured machine learning frameworks. Depth information acquired through 3D features, body part detection and training are the key elements that allow the machine to recognise postures, trajectories inside the kennel and patterns of movement that can be later labelled at convenience. The main innovation of the software is its ability to automatically cluster frequently observed temporal patterns of movement without any pre-set ethogram. Conversely, when common patterns are defined through training, a deviation from normal behaviour in time or between individuals could be assessed. The software accuracy in correctly detecting the dogs' behaviour was checked through a validation process. An automatic behaviour recognition system, independent from human subjectivity, could add scientific knowledge on animals' quality of life in confinement as well as saving time and resources. This 3D framework was designed to be invariant to the dog's shape and size and could be extended to farm, laboratory and zoo quadrupeds in artificial housing. The computer vision technique applied to this software is innovative in non-human animal behaviour science. Further improvements and validation are needed, and future applications and limitations are discussed.</p

Stability of motor bias in the domestic dog, Canis familiaris

This study explored the relationship between four measures of canine paw preference to establish whether the distribution, direction or strength of motor bias was consistent between tasks. Thirty-two dogs had their paw preferences tested using the Kong ball, tape, lift paw and First-stepping tests. A smaller sample were re-tested 6 months later. The distribution of the dogs’ paw preferences was not significantly different from that expected by chance for the Kong ball and lift paw tests; dogs were significantly more inclined towards ambilaterality on the tape and First-stepping tests. More female dogs employed their right paw on the lift paw test; males were more likely to be ambilateral or left-pawed. There was no significant correlation in the direction of dogs’ paw use for any tests. The First-stepping and lift paw tests were positively correlated for strength of paw use. Analysis revealed a significant correlation in direction and strength of dogs’ paw use between the first and second attempts of all measures, except the tape test. Findings suggest that paw preference in the dog is not consistent between tasks, although stable over time. The study raises questions as to which test of paw preference is the most appropriate to employ

AI-based automation of enrollment criteria and endpoint assessment in clinical trials in liver diseases

\ua9 The Author(s) 2024.Clinical trials in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) require histologic scoring for assessment of inclusion criteria and endpoints. However, variability in interpretation has impacted clinical trial outcomes. We developed an artificial intelligence-based measurement (AIM) tool for scoring MASH histology (AIM-MASH). AIM-MASH predictions for MASH Clinical Research Network necroinflammation grades and fibrosis stages were reproducible (κ = 1) and aligned with expert pathologist consensus scores (κ = 0.62–0.74). The AIM-MASH versus consensus agreements were comparable to average pathologists for MASH Clinical Research Network scores (82% versus 81%) and fibrosis (97% versus 96%). Continuous scores produced by AIM-MASH for key histological features of MASH correlated with mean pathologist scores and noninvasive biomarkers and strongly predicted progression-free survival in patients with stage 3 (P &lt; 0.0001) and stage 4 (P = 0.03) fibrosis. In a retrospective analysis of the ATLAS trial (NCT03449446), responders receiving study treatment showed a greater continuous change in fibrosis compared with placebo (P = 0.02). Overall, these results suggest that AIM-MASH may assist pathologists in histologic review of MASH clinical trials, reducing inter-rater variability on trial outcomes and offering a more sensitive and reproducible measure of patient responses

AI-based automation of enrollment criteria and endpoint assessment in clinical trials in liver diseases

Clinical trials in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) require histologic scoring for assessment of inclusion criteria and endpoints. However, variability in interpretation has impacted clinical trial outcomes. We developed an artificial intelligence-based measurement (AIM) tool for scoring MASH histology (AIM-MASH). AIM-MASH predictions for MASH Clinical Research Network necroinflammation grades and fibrosis stages were reproducible (κ = 1) and aligned with expert pathologist consensus scores (κ = 0.62-0.74). The AIM-MASH versus consensus agreements were comparable to average pathologists for MASH Clinical Research Network scores (82% versus 81%) and fibrosis (97% versus 96%). Continuous scores produced by AIM-MASH for key histological features of MASH correlated with mean pathologist scores and noninvasive biomarkers and strongly predicted progression-free survival in patients with stage 3 (P &lt; 0.0001) and stage 4 (P = 0.03) fibrosis. In a retrospective analysis of the ATLAS trial (NCT03449446), responders receiving study treatment showed a greater continuous change in fibrosis compared with placebo (P = 0.02). Overall, these results suggest that AIM-MASH may assist pathologists in histologic review of MASH clinical trials, reducing inter-rater variability on trial outcomes and offering a more sensitive and reproducible measure of patient responses

Cognitive bias and paw preference in the domestic dog, Canis familiaris

Limb use, an indicator of hemispheric functioning, may be a useful predictor of cognitive bias and hence vulnerability to welfare risk. The relationship between cognitive bias and motor asymmetry, however, has been subject to little investigation. This study explored the association between motor asymmetry and cognitive bias in the domestic dog, a species that displays lateral bias in the form of paw preferences and exhibits positive and negative affective states. Thirty pet dogs had their paw preferences assessed using the KongTM ball test. The subjects’ affective state was assessed using a cognitive bias test in which the animals’ latency to approach a bowl placed in one of three ambiguous positions was recorded. Animals veering more towards a left-paw preference were found to be significantly slower to approach the bowl placed in one of the ambiguous positions than ambilateral or right-pawed dogs. Left-pawed subjects approached the bowl located at the 3 ambiguous positions at roughly the same speed, while ambilateral and right-pawed animals became increasingly slower to approach the bowl the further it was located from the baited food bowl. The study points to a possible relationship between cognitive bias and paw preference in the dog, with left-pawed animals being more negative or “pessimistic” in their cognitive outlook than right-pawed or ambilateral individuals. It is proposed that limb preference testing might offer a more practical and straightforward way of identifying individuals at risk from poor welfare by virtue of how they perceive the world than more time-consuming cognitive bias tests

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Not AvailableOn 27th February 2010, a blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus, measuring 31 feet in total length was washed ashore at Kuttayi Landing Centre in Malappuram District of Kerala.Not Availabl