Network-aware Evaluation Environment for Reputation Systems

Parties of reputation systems rate each other and use ratings to compute reputation scores that drive their interactions. When deciding which reputation model to deploy in a network environment, it is important to find the most suitable model and to determine its right initial configuration. This calls for an engineering approach for describing, implementing and evaluating reputation systems while taking into account specific aspects of both the reputation systems and the networked environment where they will run. We present a software tool (NEVER) for network-aware evaluation of reputation systems and their rapid prototyping through experiments performed according to user-specified parameters. To demonstrate effectiveness of NEVER, we analyse reputation models based on the beta distribution and the maximum likelihood estimation

Decadal analysis of the flatfish fishery of India

Decadal analysis of the flatfish fishery of Indi

Preliminary in vivo antitrypanosomal activity and cytotoxicity of Entada abyssinica, Securinega virosa and Ehretia amoena

Entada abyssinica, Securinega virosa and Ehretia amoena are traditionally used in Southern Uganda to treat Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT). Extracts from the roots and root barks of E. abyssinica, S. virosa and E. amoena were investigated for in vivo antitrypanosomal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei in mice. The extracts were also tested in vitro for potential cytotoxicity against a 3-cell line panel consisting of TK10 (renal), UACC62 (melanoma) and MCF7 (breast) cancer cells using the highly sensitive Sulforhodamine B assay. The ethanolic extract from the roots of E. abyssinica showed a reduction of T. b. brucei parasitaemia at a single dose of 400 mg/kg. The petroleum ether extract from the root bark of E. abyssinica showed the highest cytotoxicity with GI50, total growth inhibition, LC50 and LC100 values of less than 6.25 μg/ml. Our findings confirm earlier in vitro antitrypanosomal studies and lend credence to the traditional use of these plants against trypanosomiasis.Keywords: Medicinal plants, antitrypanosomal activity, anticancer activity, in vivo assay, SRB assay, bioactive component

First record of Pyramodon lindas (Markle and Olney, 1990) (Ophidiforms: Carapidae) from Indian Seas

Background: The present report is the first record of the Pyramodon lindas (Markle and Olney, Bull Mar Sci 47: 269-410, 1990) from India waters. A specimen of Pyramodon lindas measuring 483 mm total length was obtained from Tuticorin of Gulf of Mannar which is the largest specimen of so far recorded. Results: The Pyramodon lindas measured 483 mm in TL, 85 mm in Head length, 18.1 mm in snout length. Body elongate, compressed to round and eel like, supramaxilla absent, anal fin origin advanced. The specimen was deposited in the National Biodiversity Museum at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi (GB.28.3.3.1) Detailed mophometric and meristic characters described and discussed. Conclusion: The Pyramodon lindas reported in the present study makes the total species reported from India as four in family Carapidae. The other reports were Carapus homei (Richardson, 1846), Pyramodon punctatum (Regan, 1914), Carapus margaritiferae (Rendahl, 1921) Brotula multibarbata Temmink & Schlegel, 1846 Antennarius hispidus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Introduction to the classification of elasmobranchs

The term Elasmobranchs or chondrichthyans refers to the group of marine organisms with a skeleton made of cartilage. They include sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras. These organisms are characterised by and differ from their sister group of bony fishes in the characteristics like cartilaginous skeleton, absence of swim bladders and presence of five to seven pairs of naked gill slits that are not covered by an operculum. The chondrichthyans which are placed in Class Elasmobranchii are grouped into two main subdivisions Holocephalii (Chimaeras or ratfishes and elephant fishes) with three families and approximately 37 species inhabiting deep cool waters; and the Elasmobranchii, which is a large, diverse group (sharks, skates and rays) with representatives in all types of environments, from fresh waters to the bottom of marine trenches and from polar regions to warm tropical waters with over 950 different species

Elucidating the phylodynamics of endemic rabies virus in eastern Africa using whole-genome sequencing

Many of the pathogens perceived to pose the greatest risk to humans are viral zoonoses, responsible for a range of emerging and endemic infectious diseases. Phylogeography is a useful tool to understand the processes that give rise to spatial patterns and drive dynamics in virus populations. Increasingly, whole-genome information is being used to uncover these patterns, but the limits of phylogenetic resolution that can be achieved with this are unclear. Here, whole-genome variation was used to uncover fine-scale population structure in endemic canine rabies virus circulating in Tanzania. This is the first whole-genome population study of rabies virus and the first comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of rabies virus in East Africa, providing important insights into rabies transmission in an endemic system. In addition, sub-continental scale patterns of population structure were identified using partial gene data and used to determine population structure at larger spatial scales in Africa. While rabies virus has a defined spatial structure at large scales, increasingly frequent levels of admixture were observed at regional and local levels. Discrete phylogeographic analysis revealed long-distance dispersal within Tanzania, which could be attributed to human-mediated movement, and we found evidence of multiple persistent, co-circulating lineages at a very local scale in a single district, despite on-going mass dog vaccination campaigns. This may reflect the wider endemic circulation of these lineages over several decades alongside increased admixture due to human-mediated introductions. These data indicate that successful rabies control in Tanzania could be established at a national level, since most dispersal appears to be restricted within the confines of country borders but some coordination with neighbouring countries may be required to limit transboundary movements. Evidence of complex patterns of rabies circulation within Tanzania necessitates the use of whole-genome sequencing to delineate finer scale population structure that can that can guide interventions, such as the spatial scale and design of dog vaccination campaigns and dog movement controls to achieve and maintain freedom from disease

tDCS changes in motor excitability are specific to orientation of current flow

BACKGROUND: Measurements and models of current flow in the brain during transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) indicate stimulation of regions in-between electrodes. Moreover, the folded cortex results in local fluctuations in current flow intensity and direction, and animal studies suggest current flow direction relative to cortical columns determines response to tDCS. METHODS: Here we test this idea by using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Motor Evoked Potentials (TMS-MEP) to measure changes in corticospinal excitability following tDCS applied with electrodes aligned orthogonal (across) or parallel to M1 in the central sulcus. RESULTS: Current flow models predicted that the orthogonal electrode montage produces consistently oriented current across the hand region of M1 that flows along cortical columns, while the parallel electrode montage produces non-uniform current directions across the M1 cortical surface. We find that orthogonal, but not parallel, orientated tDCS modulates TMS-MEPs. We also show modulation is sensitive to the orientation of the TMS coil (PA or AP), which is thought to select different afferent pathways to M1. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are consistent with tDCS producing directionally specific neuromodulation in brain regions in-between electrodes, but shows nuanced changes in excitability that are presumably current direction relative to column and axon pathway specific. We suggest that the direction of current flow through cortical target regions should be considered for targeting and dose-control of tDCS

Feeding congregation of ribbonfish, Trichiurus lepturus juveniles in oceanic waters and their targeted exploitation by deepsea trawlers along the Tuticorin coast in Gulf of Mannar

Ribbonfishes supported commercial fishery at Tuticorin prior to nineteen nineties. But reports suggested that their stock and fishery declined considerably thereafter. Their fishery during 2000- 2006 was represented by occasional landings of small quantity of ribbonfish by trawls. Average production by trawls at Tuticorin fishing harbour during the period was 250 t. They represent about 0.7% of the total fish catch of the period

Giant sized rays landed at Cochin Fisheries Harbour

On 4th March 2017, three huge rays - two Mobula tarpacana and one Manta birostris were landed at Cochin Fisheries Harbour. They were caught in long lines, which were operated for skipjack tuna. These rays caught off Ratnagiri coast at a depth of 500m weighed around 400 kg each. Of these, Mobula tarpacana locally called 'Kakkathirandi' measured 2.4 m in disc width (DW)

मान्नार की खाडी में टूटिकोरिन तट पर सागरी जलक्षेत्रों में फीतामीन ट्राइक्यूरस लेप्टुयूरस किशोरों का जमाव और गभीर सागर आनायकों द्वारा इसका लक्षित विदोहन

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