Spring inter monsoon algal blooms in the Eastern Arabian sea: Shallow marine encounter off Karwar and Kumbla Coast using a Hyperspectral radiometer

We encountered the presence of algal blooms in the shallow coastal waters; typical of case II conditions off Karwar (Karnataka) and Kumbla (Kerala), eastern Arabian Sea during the Inter Monsoon. The algal blooms are Trichodesmium species and appear in shades of brown strands and tufts representing T. Erythraeum. Sites of the algal blooms depict a high spectrophotometric surface chlorophyll-a value ranging from 32- 39 mgm-3 and sea surface area surrounding the bloom sites depict lower values of chlorophyll-a (1-3 mgm-3). In-situ Hyperspectral radiometer measurements depict the existence of Chlorophyll Maxima at various depths (3.0-37.31 ug/l) representing the blooms along with their surface appearance. Contrary to the Karwar blooms that are dense, the blooms at Kumbla were dispersed and scantly distributed on the surface waters. Our sea-truth data on mean Sea Surface Temperature of Karwar (30.61 °C) that simulates the Kumbla (30.34 °C) scenario and the mean salinity of Kumbla was 35.86psu, and that of Karwar that is slightly elevated (35.40psu), suggests that SST and salinity probably do not either directly enhance or provide an environment for the eterioration of algal blooms

Using post-measurement information in state discrimination

We consider a special form of state discrimination in which after the measurement we are given additional information that may help us identify the state. This task plays a central role in the analysis of quantum cryptographic protocols in the noisy-storage model, where the identity of the state corresponds to a certain bit string, and the additional information is typically a choice of encoding that is initially unknown to the cheating party. We first provide simple optimality conditions for measurements for any such problem, and show upper and lower bounds on the success probability. For a certain class of problems, we furthermore provide tight bounds on how useful post-measurement information can be. In particular, we show that for this class finding the optimal measurement for the task of state discrimination with post-measurement information does in fact reduce to solving a different problem of state discrimination without such information. However, we show that for the corresponding classical state discrimination problems with post-measurement information such a reduction is impossible, by relating the success probability to the violation of Bell inequalities. This suggests the usefulness of post-measurement information as another feature that distinguishes the classical from a quantum world.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, revtex, v2: published version, minor change

Heterogeneous microbial oceanographic environments: Application of GIS technology in deciphering of microenvironment scenarios off the central west coast of India

In the vast oceanic microbial environment of 2468.83km 2, GIS modeling techniques involving sixty query steps, enabled the deciphering of Microenvironments as low as 1.19km 2 to 38.6 km 2 for the summer of 2004 and in case of summer 2005 where 84 query steps were involved to decipher Microenvironments of 10.55km 2 to 25.94km 2. Thirtythree sampling stations were established between Betul to Ankola off the central west coast of India accounting for a spatial coverage of 2468.83km 2. GIS query-modeling investigation was carried out using spatial layers of depth, optical parameters (k-Irradiance attenuation Coefficient, c-Beam attenuation coefficient), sediment size parameters (Sediment Mean Size and Sediment Sorting) and Benthic Foraminifera Suborders (Rotaliina, Textulariina, Miliolina, Lagenina). Foraminifera have been used as a surrogate parameter. However, any microbial parameter could proxy for foraminifers providing for the numerical deciphering of microenvironments. This is suggestive of the assimilation of GIS technology for a better appreciation of microbial oceanography

Antifungal potential of Azotobacter species and its metabolites against Fusarium verticillioides and biodegradation of fumonisin

Abstract Aims In the study, seven Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) Azotobacter species were screened against three strains of Fusarium verticillioides to test its antifungal activity. Azotobacter strains were tested for the degradation of fumonisin produced by F. verticillioides. Secondary metabolites were isolated and characterized from the Azotobacter strains for the first time. Methods and Results Potential seven Azotobacter species antifungal activity was tested following the dual culture assay against three strains of Fusarium verticillioides namely FVM-42, FVM-86 and MTCC156 estimating the substantial zone of inhibition. Azotobacter species AZT-31 and AZT-50 strains significantly inhibited the growth of F. verticillioides recording drastic growth enhancement of maize under in-vitro conditions by calculating the infection incidence, vigour index and germination percentage. As confirmation, dereplication studies were conducted for the reconfirmation of Azotobacter strains by isolating from rhizoplane. Azotobacter strains played a key role in the degradation of fumonisin produced by F. verticillioides reporting 98% degradation at 2Â h of incubation with the pathogen. Furthermore, in the study first time, we have tried to isolate and characterize the secondary metabolites from the Azotobacter strains exhibiting six compounds from the species AZT-31 (2) and AZT-50 (4). Preliminary in-vitro experiments were carried out using the compounds extracted to check the reduction of infection incidence (90%) and increase in germination percentage upto 50 to 70% when compared to the test pathogen. Conclusion Azotobacter strains referred as PGPR on influencing the growth of plant by producing certain substances that act as stimulators on inhibiting the growth of the pathogen. Significance and Impact of the study The future perspective would be the production of an active combination of carboxamide compound and Azotobacter species for preventively controlling the phytopathogenic fungi of plants and crops and also towards the treatment of seeds

One-Minute Paper: A thinking centered assessment tool

A versatile assessment technique used in classroom for quick and simple feedback is ‘One-Minute paper’. It provides real-time feedback from class and enables the teacher to find out if students have recognized the main points in a class session. The objectives of the study were to employ one-minute paper for post-graduate students during a continuous medical education (CME) program lecture, to assess its effectiveness for achievement of objectives and learning ability of the students, to analyze the questioning pattern of the students for the topic and to obtain feedback on participant’s perception on use of ‘one-minute paper’. The study was employed for one-hour lecture in CME program for post-graduate students. One-Minute paper was employed for the topic ‘Phenylketonuria’. The lecture was sub-divided into five components and the response sheet was designed accordingly. The delivery time for each component varied between 8 to 12 minutes. At the end of each component, 2 minutes was given for the participants to respond to two questions - what was the most important thing they learnt during this session and what important question remains unanswered? Analysis of response was carried out to know achievement of objectives, association of learning ability and questioning pattern. Response to the learning ability showed that 80 to 90% of the participants responded satisfactorily to all the components. Questioning pattern was least for component 3 of the lecture. Questioning skills showed that most questions were in stage 1, 4 and 5. Participants reflected that the use of ‘one-minute paper’ was thinking centered, engaged them throughout the topic and provided liberty for them to ask questions. One-minute paper is inexpensive, easy to use, and an instant assessment means, which reflects the achievement of learning objectives. It is a thinking centered assessment tool, which gives ample opportunity to the learner for active learning.Keywords: One-Minute paper; Questioning pattern; Questioning skills; Thinking centere

Linear relations for the number of overpartitions into odd parts

Let $\overline{p}_o(n)$ denote the number of overpartitions of $n$ into odd parts. The partition function $\overline{p}_o(n)$ has been the subject of many recent studies where many explicit Ramanujan-like congruences were discovered. In this paper, we provide three linear recurrence relation for $\overline{p}_o(n)$. Several connections with partitions into parts not congruent to $2 \pmod 4$, overpartitions and partitions into distinct parts are presented in this context

A study on pattern of placentation in post caesarean pregnancy

Background: It appears that the rate of caesarean delivery has been increasing over the past two decades. Various western studies have shown that with previous caesarean section, increased risk of placenta previa, adherent placenta, and greater incidence of antepartum haemorrhage. Nonetheless, the extent to which previous caesarean delivery predisposes women to the development of placenta previa is unclear from earlier studies. Also, there are not many Indian studies regarding the association of placenta previa and previous caesarean section. This study aims to find the association between prior caesarean delivery and subsequent development of placenta previa and adherent placenta.Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on 600 antenatal women with post cesarean pregnancy in a tertiary care centre. Similar number of women with previous normal delivery was included in comparison group and placental location was studied. Those patients with previous caesarean were further divided into those with placenta previa and without previa to study the determinants of previa in those with previous caesarean section.Results: Placenta previa was found in 2.8% of the study group compared to 1.2% of comparison group. Adherent placenta was found only in post caesarean group. In the post caesarean group, the incidence of anterior previa was 41.2% compared to posterior previa (29.3%). In those with post cesarean pregnancy, determinants of placenta previa found were multiparity (35.3%), previous history of abortions (35%), multiple previous caesarean sections (29.4%), interpregnancy interval <2 years (35.29%).Conclusions: In post cesarean pregnancy, the risk of placenta previa is 2 times compared to those with a previous normal delivery. Anterior previa occurred with sufficient frequency in post-caesarean pregnancy to warrant ultrasonic placentography prior to surgical entry into lower segment. When the combination of previous caesarean and placenta previa occurs the risk of adherent placenta is 17.6%