PCR-based sex determination of cetaceans and dugong from the Indian seas

A sex-determination technique based on PCR amplifi- cation of genomic DNA extracted from the skin tissue has been standardized in cetaceans and dugong sam-pled from the Indian seas. A Y-chromosome-specific region (SRY or Sex-determining Y-chromosome gene) of 210–224 bp size in the genome has been amplified (only in males) using specific PCR primers. A fragment of the ZFX/ZFY (zinc finger protein genes located both on the X and Y chromosomes respectively) re-gion in the size range 442–445 bp is also amplified (in both sexes) using another pair of primers simultaneously as positive controls for confirmation of sex. Molecular sexing was standardized in spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), bridled dolphin (Stenella attenuata), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphin (Sousa chinensis), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), finless porpoise (Neopho-caena phocaenoides), sperm whale (Physeter macro-cephalus), blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) and dugong (Dugong du-gon), which are all vulnerable/endangered species pro- tected under the Indian Wildlife Act

An Implementing A Continuous Authentication Protocol To Improve Robustness Security Threats On IoT Using ESP8266

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical things that are outfitted with sensors, software, and other technologies that are able to communicate and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet. Because of the diversity of their surroundings, IoT systems are sensitive to network attacks. The IoT could be the source of these dangers and attacks. There are a lot of devices that communicate with each other via the IoT, and one of the most critical components of this is to maintain IoT security. IoT devices are a prime target for attackers and pose a serious risk of impersonation during a call. Proposals to prevent session hijacking in device-to-device communication are made in this research study. User-to-device authentication relies on usernames and passwords, but continuous authentication doesn't. This protocol relies on device features and contextual information. Moreover, this protocol reduces the synchronization losses using shadow IDs and emergency key. In addition, the protocol’s robustness will be tested by providing security and performance analysis

Paradigm of Mainstreaming Gender Perspective in Marine Fisheries Sector of India

Mobilization of Self Help Groups, setting up of Mahila Rural Cooperative banks, Women cell and collaboration and networking with NGOs etc are to be worked out by using the strategy developed in the case studies as a practical manual. Promoting “men and women partnership firms” instead of exclusively women-oriented enterprises is another practical strategy. It is seen that husband-wife enterprises with one or two helpers in fish processing/marketing in fishery related activities and other fishery related activity yields better prospects. Integration of the gender perspective in aquaculture research and technology development is an essential requisite because the gender mainstreaming approach advances gender equality and equity in the society. Similarly it is quite necessary for integrating gender perspective in aquaculture extension also because women are the important stakeholders of our aquaculture development process and our Extension system hardly targets the women folk for technological empowerment

Magnetic Coupling Between Non-Magnetic Ions: Eu3+ in EuN and EuP

We consider the electronic structure of, and magnetic exchange (spin) interactions between, nominally nonmagnetic Eu^3+ ions (4f^6, S=3, L=3, J=0) within the context of the rocksalt structure compounds EuN and EuP. Both compounds are ionic [Eu^3+; N^3- and P^3-] semimetals similar to isovalent GdN. Treating the spin polarization within the 4f shell, and then averaging consistent with the J=0 configuration, we estimate semimetallic band overlaps (Eu 5d with pnictide 2p or 3p) of ~0.1 eV (EuN) and ~1.0 eV (EuP) that increase (become more metallic) with pressure. The calculated bulk modulus is 130 (86) GPa for EuN (EuP). Exchange (spin-spin) coupling calculated from correlated band theory is small and ferromagnetic in sign for EuN, increasing in magnitude with pressure. Conversely, the exchange coupling is antiferromagnetic in sign for EuP and is larger in magnitude, but decreases with compression. Study of a two-site model with S_1*S_2 coupling within the J=0,1 spaces of each ion illustrates the dependence of the magnetic correlation functions on the model parameters, and indicates that the spin coupling is sufficient to alter the Van Vleck susceptibility. We outline a scenario of a spin-correlation transition in a lattice of S=3, L=3, J=0 nonmagnetic ions

Design and development of FRP mobile fish vending trolley for hygienic fish marketing

A mobile fish vending trolley has been designed and developed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - All India Coordinated Research Project on Plasticulture Engineering and Technology (AICRP on PET) centre at ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar to aid the fisher folks for vending their fish harvests in hygienic condition. The unique selling proposition (USP) of the vending unit is its unibody design, where icebox for storing fish, 20 l capacity water storage tank for hand washing, tool box, fish cutting deck and waste collection chambers are integrated into the unit. The icebox can store 100 kg of fish in ice which can be sold in a single day by the fisher folks. The complete unit of mobile fish vending carriage is fabricated with fibre reinforced plastic (FRP), because of its high strength compared to other plastics, ease of fabrication and good insulation property of fiberglass (i.e. thermal conductivity= 0.04 w/mK at normal room temperature 25 ºC). The dimensions of the carriage unit is 4.0’x2’9”x2’6” in which half portion is dedicated for the insulated ice box and the remaining portion houses the fish cutting deck, waste collection chamber and tool box. This fish vending trolley would be a boon for the marginal fish vendors, who want to sell fish in a hygienic condition and to increase income generation potential by selling 100 kg fish in a day

Gap-free 16-year (2005-2020) sub-diurnal surface meteorological observations across Florida

The rather unique sub-tropical, flat, peninsular region of Florida is subject to a unique climate with extreme weather events across the year that impacts agriculture, public health, and management of natural resources. Meteorological data at high temporal resolutions especially in the tropical latitudes are essential to understand diurnal and semi-diurnal variations of climate, which are considered to be the fundamental modes of climate variations of our Earth system. However, many meteorological datasets contain gaps that limit their use for validation of models and further detailed observational analysis. The objective of this paper is to apply a set of data gap filling strategies to develop a gap-free dataset with 15-minute observations for the sub-tropical region of Florida. Using data from the Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN), methods of linear interpolation, trend continuation, reference to external sources, and nearest station substitution were applied to fill in the data gaps depending on the extent of the gap. The outcome of this study provides continuous, publicly accessible surface meteorological observations for 30 FAWN stations at 15-minute intervals for the years 2005-2020.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, 3 table

Species of a whale and an unknown fish sample identified using molecular taxonomy

Molecular genetics provides a powerful tool for conservation of species protected by international regulations or threatened by overexploitation. The present communication is the first report from India on the application of molecular tools for the accurate identification of a stranded whale in putrefied condition as it was impossible to identify the species status using conventional taxonomy and the carcass of an unknown animal devoid of its head and tail, collected from a fish market. Partial sequences of mtDNA control region and cytochrome b gene of the whale were generated and tested with BLAST search and DNA surveillance for molecular identification. It was identified as Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni). Partial sequence of mtDNA cytochrome b gene of the unknown fish from the market was generated, tested with BLAST search and was identified as sword fish Xiphias gladius

Bioremediation of industrial effluent at source using aquatic macrophytes

Kerala State in India has 4.3% of the total number of small-scale industries in the country which is around 4,52,826 and this number is increasing per annum. Even though industrialization and urbanization are considered as the steppingstone to a country’s development, the effluents released into the water bodies may lead to unrepairable damage to the aquatic environment thereby affecting livelihood of coastal people. The present investigation was done in Cochin inshore waters (9° 59’ 12. 56” N and 76° 16’ 20. 74” E) polluted due to effluent discharge into the canal water connecting to the sea through the lake. The chemical parameters showed wide variation in ammonia content in effluent water which was found to be very high with a value of 4.05 mg/l compared to the normal estuarine water (0.14 mg/l) and was 96% higher in effluent water. Similarly, the phosphate and silicate content of the effluent water was about 84.3 and 87.6% higher than the normal estuarine water. The presence of heavy metals like zinc as well as copper was also observed in the effluent. Experiment conducted in the laboratory using aquatic plants like Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes and mangrove such as Rhizophoramucronata and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza for 5 days showed increase in DO and BOD level with decreasing TSS and nutrients. The absorption of ammonium ion was quite low, ranging from 4.0 -10.5%, but toxicity of ammonia was observed to affect the aquatic plant and mangrove used for treatment. The biosorption study was carried out for the removal of heavy metals from the effluent by passing through a column packed with seaweed powder of Sargassum wightti and Kappaphycus alvarezii. Sargassum could accumulate zinc 17.6 (mg/kg) and copper (1.96 mg/kg) whereas Kappaphycus could accumulate 76.1 (mg/kg) of zinc and 16.64 (mg/kg) of copper in different effluent collected from outfall area leaving the elute below the detection level. The main aim of this study is to bring forth a new concept of eco-friendly processes to counter contamination of water bodies by phytoremediation using various aquatic plants and suggest the industries to implement this cost effective technology of effluent treatment. This will ensure reuse of freshwater and protect the fragile aquatic system from pollution besides mining the heavy metals from the seaweed through phytomining

Glimpses of gender mainstreaming in Indian marine fisheries sector

The paper highlights the glimpses on gender mainstreaming in Indian marine fisheries sector focusing attention on the gender equity and equality emphasized in the Indian context. Gender empowerment paradigm has been explored along with emphasizing the three pillars such as economic empowerment, well- being and decision making. Policy and programs for aquaculture development in India also have been given a vivid explanation followed by mariculture sector. The mariculture potential of India is vast as there is great scope for developing farming of shrimps, pearl oysters, mussels, crabs, lobsters, sea bass, groupers, mullets, milkfish, rabbit fish, sea cucumber, ornamental fishes, seaweeds etc. Although about 1.2 million ha is suitable for land based saline aquaculture in India, currently only 13 % is utilized. Important legislations in the Mariculture farming systems prevalent in India have been explored step by step with data on involvement of men and women in Marine Fisheries and Mariculture. All the mariculture technologies conspicuously being disseminated by CentalMarine Fisheries Research Institute with involvement of women and those possessing potential for women’s participation such as mussel farming, edible oyster farming, pearl oyster farming and pearl production, clam culture, lobster farming and fattening, crab farming / fattening, sea cucumber culture, marine finfish culture, ornamental fish culture, seaweed culture, open sea cage farming etc have been explained. The paper also highlights the gender issues and challenges in mariculture and marine fisheries sector in India and the future direction to proceed further. No nation can ignore fifty per cent of its population and bring in social change and economic prosperity. To ensure rapid economic development, removal of gender imbalances should be established as a priority. This would mobilize the remaining fifty percent of the country’s human resources and would result in the smooth movement of the economic wheel. Integrating gender perspective in aquaculture research and technology development is inevitable because the gender mainstreaming approach advances gender equality and equity in the society. Equity is a means and equality is a result. There is a genuine need for integrating gender perspective in development works or in aquaculture extension also because women are the important stakeholders of our development process and our Extension system hardly targets the women folk for technological empowermen