Sinks as saviors: why flawed inference cannot assist tiger recovery

A recent study of tigers in Chitwan, Nepal (1) stirred controversy by challenging the “source-sink” approach that underlies current global tiger conservation strategies (2). The observed lack of difference in tiger density estimates inside the protected area compared with a multiple-use area outside is offered as evidence. Based on this result, the study questions the relevance of strictly protected tiger reserves involving regulation of extractive uses and relocation of human settlements. The study offers an alternate vision of sustainable, syntopic “coexistence” of tigers and humans as a solution to increasing human resource demands on tiger habitats

Maternal and perinatal outcome in eclampsia complicated by posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome; a three years’ experience in a tertiary care hospital

Background: PRES can be associated with number of medical conditions and was observed frequently in patients with preeclampsia and eclampsia. Neuroimaging is important for the diagnosis of PRES. Study was conducted to find out the maternal and perinatal outcome in patients with eclampsia complicated by posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES).Methods: This is a retrospective study done at St. Johns Medical College Bangalore, between October 2013 and October 2016. We reviewed case records of all the patients with eclampsia who underwent neuro imaging studies and a diagnosis of PRES was made. The maternal and perinatal outcomes in these women were studiedResults: In the past three years we had 55 cases of eclampsia who underwent neuroimaging studies for persistent neurological symptoms after 24 hours of MgSO­4 treatment. Of these women 30 were diagnosed to have PRES. In the present study PRES was common in multiparous women and more in patients with antepartum eclamptic women. Mean age at diagnosis of PRES was 26±5.1 years. Common presenting symptoms were headache (93.3%) and vomiting (53.3%). The mean SBP/DBP was 180/110 mmHg. All patients who had recurrent seizures were controlled with MgSO­4 alone. 53.3% of our patients had eclampsia related complications and 36.7% required ICU care. There were 3 maternal deaths (10%). Perinatal mortality was 20%.Conclusions: Neuroimaging in eclamptic patients with persistent neurological symptoms could help in early diagnosis of PRES and multidisciplinary approach in management could contribute significantly in reducing the maternal mortality and morbidity

Bringing the Tiger Back from the Brink—The Six Percent Solution

This article does not have an abstract

On-Orbit Performance of Pd/4H-SiC Schottky UV Detectors in a Low-Earth Orbit

The monitoring of solar ultraviolet radiation from a space platform is now considered essential for a wide range of fieldsincluding solar physics, atmospheric science and astrobiology. 4H-Silicon Carbide (4H-SiC) is a superior alternative toconventional materials like silicon for the fabrication of UV detectors for adverse space conditions due to its inherentradiation hardness and visible-blind nature. This paper describes the space qualification and deployment of indigenouslydeveloped Pd/4H-SiC Schottky UV detectors in a low-earth orbit (LEO) and their on-board performance. Two SiC UVdetectors were flown as a rad-hard sun detection sensor in the nanosatellite INS-2TD. The sensor has carried out solar UVflux observations continuously since its launch in February 2022 and the data gathered during the first seven months offlight is discussed in this paper

Genotyping faecal samples of Bengal tiger Panthera tigris tigris for population estimation: A pilot study

BACKGROUND: Bengal tiger Panthera tigris tigris the National Animal of India, is an endangered species. Estimating populations for such species is the main objective for designing conservation measures and for evaluating those that are already in place. Due to the tiger's cryptic and secretive behaviour, it is not possible to enumerate and monitor its populations through direct observations; instead indirect methods have always been used for studying tigers in the wild. DNA methods based on non-invasive sampling have not been attempted so far for tiger population studies in India. We describe here a pilot study using DNA extracted from faecal samples of tigers for the purpose of population estimation. RESULTS: In this study, PCR primers were developed based on tiger-specific variations in the mitochondrial cytochrome b for reliably identifying tiger faecal samples from those of sympatric carnivores. Microsatellite markers were developed for the identification of individual tigers with a sibling Probability of Identity of 0.005 that can distinguish even closely related individuals with 99.9% certainty. The effectiveness of using field-collected tiger faecal samples for DNA analysis was evaluated by sampling, identification and subsequently genotyping samples from two protected areas in southern India. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the feasibility of using tiger faecal matter as a potential source of DNA for population estimation of tigers in protected areas in India in addition to the methods currently in use

Phylogeography and Genetic Ancestry of Tigers (Panthera tigris)

Eight traditional subspecies of tiger (Panthera tigris), of which three recently became extinct, are commonly recognized on the basis of geographic isolation and morphological characteristics. To investigate the species' evolutionary history and to establish objective methods for subspecies recognition, voucher specimens of blood, skin, hair, and/or skin biopsies from 134 tigers with verified geographic origins or heritage across the whole distribution range were examined for three molecular markers: (1) 4.0 kb of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence; (2) allele variation in the nuclear major histocompatibility complex class II DRB gene; and (3) composite nuclear microsatellite genotypes based on 30 loci. Relatively low genetic variation with mtDNA, DRB, and microsatellite loci was found, but significant population subdivision was nonetheless apparent among five living subspecies. In addition, a distinct partition of the Indochinese subspecies P. t. corbetti into northern Indochinese and Malayan Peninsula populations was discovered. Population genetic structure would suggest recognition of six taxonomic units or subspecies: (1) Amur tiger P. t. altaica; (2) northern Indochinese tiger P. t. corbetti; (3) South China tiger P. t. amoyensis; (4) Malayan tiger P. t. jacksoni, named for the tiger conservationist Peter Jackson; (5) Sumatran tiger P. t. sumatrae; and (6) Bengal tiger P. t. tigris. The proposed South China tiger lineage is tentative due to limited sampling. The age of the most recent common ancestor for tiger mtDNA was estimated to be 72,000–108,000 y, relatively younger than some other Panthera species. A combination of population expansions, reduced gene flow, and genetic drift following the last genetic diminution, and the recent anthropogenic range contraction, have led to the distinct genetic partitions. These results provide an explicit basis for subspecies recognition and will lead to the improved management and conservation of these recently isolated but distinct geographic populations of tigers

Relational approaches to poverty in rural India: social, ecological and technical dynamics

Poverty is now widely recognised as multidimensional, with indicators including healthcare, housing and sanitation. Yet, relational approaches that foreground political-cultural processes remain marginalised in policy discourses. Focusing on India, we review a wide range of relational approaches to rural poverty. Beginning with early approaches that focus on structural reproduction of class, caste and to a lesser extent gender inequality, we examine new relational approaches developed in the last two decades. The new approaches examine diverse ways in which poverty is experienced and shapes mobilisations against deprivation. They draw attention to poor people’s own articulations of deprivation and alternate conceptions of well-being. They also show how intersecting inequalities of class, caste and gender shape governance practices and political movements. Despite these important contributions, the new relational approaches pay limited attention to technologies and ecologies in shaping the experience of poverty. Reviewing studies on the Green Revolution and wider agrarian transformations in India, we then sketch the outlines of a hybrid relational approach to poverty that combines socio-technical and -ecological dynamics. We argue that such an approach is crucial to challenge narrow economising discourses on poverty and to bridge the policy silos of poverty alleviation and (environmentally) sustainable development

STROCSS 2021: Strengthening the reporting of cohort, cross-sectional and case-control studies in surgery

Introduction: Strengthening The Reporting Of Cohort Studies in Surgery (STROCSS) guidelines were developed in 2017 in order to improve the reporting quality of observational studies in surgery and updated in 2019. In order to maintain relevance and continue upholding good reporting quality among observational studies in surgery, we aimed to update STROCSS 2019 guidelines. / Methods: A STROCSS 2021 steering group was formed to come up with proposals to update STROCSS 2019 guidelines. An expert panel of researchers assessed these proposals and judged whether they should become part of STROCSS 2021 guidelines or not, through a Delphi consensus exercise. / Results: 42 people (89%) completed the DELPHI survey and hence participated in the development of STROCSS 2021 guidelines. All items received a score between 7 and 9 by greater than 70% of the participants, indicating a high level of agreement among the DELPHI group members with the proposed changes to all the items. / Conclusion: We present updated STROCSS 2021 guidelines to ensure ongoing good reporting quality among observational studies in surgery