Adaptive, locally-linear models of complex dynamics

The dynamics of complex systems generally include high-dimensional, non-stationary and non-linear behavior, all of which pose fundamental challenges to quantitative understanding. To address these difficulties we detail a new approach based on local linear models within windows determined adaptively from the data. While the dynamics within each window are simple, consisting of exponential decay, growth and oscillations, the collection of local parameters across all windows provides a principled characterization of the full time series. To explore the resulting model space, we develop a novel likelihood-based hierarchical clustering and we examine the eigenvalues of the linear dynamics. We demonstrate our analysis with the Lorenz system undergoing stable spiral dynamics and in the standard chaotic regime. Applied to the posture dynamics of the nematode $C. elegans$ our approach identifies fine-grained behavioral states and model dynamics which fluctuate close to an instability boundary, and we detail a bifurcation in a transition from forward to backward crawling. Finally, we analyze whole-brain imaging in $C. elegans$ and show that the stability of global brain states changes with oxygen concentration.Comment: 25 pages, 16 figure

A MODIS-Based Automated Flood Monitoring System for Southeast Asia

Flood disasters in Southeast Asia result in significant loss of life and economic damage. Remote sensing information systems designed to spatially and temporally monitor floods can help governments and international agencies formulate effective disaster response strategies during a flood and ultimately alleviate impacts to population, infrastructure, and agriculture. Recent destructive flood events in the Lower Mekong River Basin occurred in 2000, 2011, 16 2013, and 2016 (http://ffw.mrcmekong.org/historical_rec.htm, April 24, 2017). The large spatial distribution of flooded areas and lack of proper gauge data in the region makes accurate monitoring and assessment of impacts of floods difficult. Here, we discuss the utility of applying satellite-based Earth observations for improving flood inundation monitoring over the flood-prone Lower Mekong River Basin. We present a methodology for determining near real-time surface water extent associated with current and historic flood events by training surface water classifiers from 8-day, 250-meter Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data spanning the length of the MODIS satellite record. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) signature of permanent water bodies (MOD44W; Carroll et al., 2009) is used to train surface water classifiers which are applied to a time period of interest. From this, an operational nowcast flood detection component is produced using twice daily imagery acquired at 3-hour latency which performs image compositing routines to minimize cloud cover. Case studies and accuracy assessments against radar-based observations for historic flood events are presented. The customizable system has been transferred to regional organizations and near real-time derived surface water products are made available through a web interface platform. Results highlight the potential of near real-time observation and impact assessment systems to serve as effective decision support tools for governments, international agencies, and disaster responders

Cutting Edge: Differential Regulation of Chemoattractant Receptor-Induced Degranulation and Chemokine Production by Receptor Phosphorylation

Phosphorylation of G protein-coupled receptors and the subsequent recruitment of β-arrestin play an important role in desensitization of receptor-mediated responses, including degranulation in leukocytes. In this study, we report that receptor phosphorylation also provides a stimulatory signal for CCR ligand 2 (CCL2) production. C3a stimulated degranulation in a basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cell expressing wildtype C3aR or a phosphorylation-deficient mutant (ΔST-C3aR). In contrast, C3a caused CCL2 production only in C3aR but not eΔST-C3aR cells. Furthermore, overexpression of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 resulted in enhancement of both ligand-induced receptor phosphorylation and CCL2 production but inhibition of degranulation. Agonist activation of C3aR, but not ΔST-C3aR, led to the translocation of green fluorescent protein tagged β-arrestin 2 from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane. These data demonstrate that receptor phosphorylation, which provides a turn off signal for degranulation, is essential for CCL2 production

Nutritional requirements of Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer

Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) has emerged as an important candidate finfish species for aquaculture in many parts of the world. Availability of seed and appropriate feed are the two important prerequisites for development and propagation of aquaculture of any fish species. After considerable efforts and extensive research, the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) has succeeded in developing captive brood stock and seed production technology for Asian seabass. Research efforts on nutritional requirements and development of suitable formulated feeds have been in progress simultaneously at CIBA. The nutritional requirements of fish vary with different growth stages and depend upon the feeding habits that change according to the morphology of digesting system. Considerable effort has been made in Australia, Thailand, Philippines and more recently Israel, in defining the nutritional requirements of this species in order to improve production. Understanding the nutritional requirements of the candidate species is the first and essential pre requisite for development of cost effective, efficient and eco friendly feeds

Feeds and feeding of seabass in hatchery, nursery and grow out system using formulated feeds

The requirement of nutrients varies throughout the life cycle of an individual. At early stages, the requirement of nutrients is comparatively high which declines with age. Also the requirements depend upon the feeding habits that change accordingly to the morphology of digestive system. Considerable effort has been made in Australia, Thailand, Philippines and more recently Israel, in defining the nutritional requirements of seabass in order to improve production (Boonyaratpalin and Williams, 2001). Feeds and feeding are the critical factors that determine the economic viability of commercial aquaculture of the species concerned and this topic assumes much more significance in a carnivore species like seabass. Based on the nutritional requirements we know that this fish requires a high protein high energy diet. Further, being a predatory carnivore in nature, weaning them to formulated feed is the critical factor which influences the success of grow out culture of seabass. Understanding the nutritional requirements of the candidate species is the first and essential pre- requisite for the development of cost effective, efficient and eco friendly feeds

Analytical Method Development and Validation of Denaverine Hydrochloride in Bulk and Injectable Pharmaceutical Dosage Form

A new, simple, accurate, precise and rapid Reverse-Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method has been developed and subsequently validated for the estimation of Denaverine HCl in bulk and injection dosage form, which is used in the treatment of antispasmodic drug in Veterinary medicine. The proposed method is based on the separation of the drugs in reversed-phase mode using Symmetry C18 Column (4.6 x 150mm, 5 m, Make : XTerra) The optimized mobile phase was disodium hydrogen phosphate buffer (pH 3.5): Acetonitrile (30:70 %v/v). The flow rate was at 0.6 mL/min and UV detection at 306 nm. The retention time was 3.2 min for Denaverine HCl. The method was validated according to ICH guidelines. It was found to be accurate and reproducible. Linearity was obtained in the concentration range of 10-50μg/mL for Denaverine HCl. Mean percent recovery of samples at each level for both drugs were found to be 101.3 %v/v for Denaverine HCl. In terms of Linearity, Precision, Accuracy, Recovery, Limit Of Detection (LOD), And Limit Of Quantitation (LOQ), the developed technique was within limit as per ICH guidelines. The proposed method can be successfully applied in the quality control of bulk and injectable pharmaceutical dosage forms

A Markovian dynamics for C.elegansC. elegans behavior across scales

How do we capture the breadth of behavior in animal movement, from rapid body twitches to aging? Using high-resolution videos of the nematode worm $C. elegans$, we show that a single dynamics connects posture-scale fluctuations with trajectory diffusion, and longer-lived behavioral states. We take short posture sequences as an instantaneous behavioral measure, fixing the sequence length for maximal prediction. Within the space of posture sequences we construct a fine-scale, maximum entropy partition so that transitions among microstates define a high-fidelity Markov model, which we also use as a means of principled coarse-graining. We translate these dynamics into movement using resistive force theory, capturing the statistical properties of foraging trajectories. Predictive across scales, we leverage the longest-lived eigenvectors of the inferred Markov chain to perform a top-down subdivision of the worm's foraging behavior, revealing both ``runs-and-pirouettes'' as well as previously uncharacterized finer-scale behaviors. We use our model to investigate the relevance of these fine-scale behaviors for foraging success, recovering a trade-off between local and global search strategies.Comment: 28 pages, 14 figure

Studies on genetic variability and interrelationship in bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl]

The genetic parameters were studied to elucidate the genetic variability, correlation and path co-efficient analysis in thirty-nine genotypes of bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl] in randomized complete block design with three replications. Observations were recorded for eleven quantitative characters viz., days to first male flower open, days to first female flower open, node number of first female flower, braches plant-1, days to harvest, number of fruits plant-1, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit girth, 100 seed weight and yield ton ha-1. The analysis of variance showed highly significant differences for all the characters studied indicating considerable variability among the genotypes. The highest GCV (35.57%) and PCV (35.62%) were observed for fruit length. The differences between GCV and PCV were high for fruit number plant-1 and days to first male flower open indicating environmental influences. High heritability associates with high estimates of genetic advance in percent of mean were noted for length of fruit, yield, girth of fruit and number of fruits plant-1. It indicated presence of additive gene effect and selection for these traits would be effective. Yield were positively and significantly correlated with fruit weight, 100 seed weight, branch plant-1 and number of fruits plant-1 .Negative associations of yield were noted with days to first male and female flower open, days to harvest and length of fruit. Path analysis revealed that fruits plant-1 (0.93) and weight of fruit (0.467) had very high positive effect on fruit yield ton ha-1 .Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 8 (1): 14-17, June, 201