Approaches towards Implementation of Multi-bit Digital Receiver using Fast Fourier Transform

This paper compares different digital receiver signal processing schemes as applied to current ESM/RWR systems. The schemes include fast fourier transform (FFT)-based, FIR filter-based and mixed architectures. Use of polyphase FFT and IIR filters is also discussed. The specifications and signal processing requirements of a modern digital electronic warfare (EW) receiver are discussed. The design procedures and architectures for all the schemes are brought out. The tradeoffs involved in selection of different parameters for these schemes are also discussed. The digital receiver schemes are modeled and analyzed for different metrics such as, Parameter measurement accuracies, Pulse handling capability, Frequency separation capability, Number of multipliers required for implementation etc. The analysis is done for a 500 MHz BW digital receiver and assumes 8 bit ADC in the front end. The results obtained for the comparison are discussed in the paper. Limited simulations show that overlapped FFT scheme is a better approach for digital receiver processing.Defence Science Journal, 2013, 63(2), pp.198-203, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.426

Glimpses of biodiversity in the Kadalundi-Vallikunnu Community Reserve, the first Community Reserve of Kerala

Biodiversity is the mainstay of ecosystem services and functions and supports the livelihood of millions of people. Sustainable utilization and conservation of our rich biological diversity is a prerequisite for human survival. India is a megadiverse country and with only 2.4% of the world’s geographical area, it accounts for 7 to 8% of all recorded species. Our country is a signatory to various international instruments focussing on matters of biodiversity, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The country has an obligation to protect our rich biological diversity and is one of the leaders in having established a comprehensive legal and institutional system to achieve the objectives of the CBD. Expansion of India’s Protected Area (PA) network, including ‘Conservation and Community Reserves’ is one of the important action points of the National Biodiversity Action Plan of our country. The Kadalundi-Vallikunnu Community Reserve which lies in the Malabar region is the first Community Reserve of Kerala and is known for its rich biological diversity. Endowed with dense mangrove forests and mudflats, the Community Reserve is an abode to a large number of avian fauna, including many migratory species. Fishing and ecotourism have been the mainstay of income generation for many local inhabitants of the Community Reserve. Considering the ecological significance, diversity of wetland avian fauna and the burden of heavy anthropogenic pressures, the Kadalundi estuary was officially declared as the ‘Kadalundi-Vallikunnu Community Reserve’ in October, 2007. Bio-inventorying and documentation of biodiversity is invaluable for the wise use of our ecosystems and the sustainability of biological resources. This publication is an outcome of a detailed study conducted by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute in collaboration with the Kerala State Biodiversity Board to document the rich biodiversity of the Kadalundi-Vallikunnu Community Reserve and to assess the economic value of the various ecosystem services rendered by the Community Reserve. The publication provides an insight in to the diversity of plankton, seagrass, mangroves, mangrove associates, avian fauna, molluscs, crustaceans and finfishes of the Community Reserve with an overview of the economic value of the ecosystem services. The various threats faced by the Community Reserve and meaningful options for the conservation and sustainable management of the Reserve is also highlighted in this document

Changes in Culture Expanded Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells: Implications for Potential Therapeutic Applications

Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAEC) isolated from term placenta have stem cell-like properties, differentiate into tissue specific cells and reduce lung and liver inflammation and fibrosis following transplantation into disease models established in mice. These features together with their low immunogenicity and immunosuppressive properties make hAEC an attractive source of cells for potential therapeutic applications. However, generation of large cell numbers required for therapies through serial expansion in xenobiotic-free media may be a limiting factor. We investigated if hAEC could be expanded in xenobiotic-free media and if expansion altered their differentiation capacity, immunophenotype, immunosuppressive properties and production of immunomodulatory factors. Serial expansion in xenobiotic-free media was limited with cumulative cell numbers and population doubling times significantly lower than controls maintained in fetal calf serum. The epithelial morphology of primary hAEC changed into mesenchymal-stromal like cells by passage 4–5 (P4–P5) with down regulation of epithelial markers CK7, CD49f, EpCAM and E-cadherin and elevation of mesenchymal-stromal markers CD44, CD105, CD146 and vimentin. The P5 hAEC expanded in xenobiotic-free medium differentiated into osteocyte and alveolar epithelium-like cells, but not chondrocyte, hepatocyte, α- and β-pancreatic-like cells. Expression of HLA Class IA, Class II and co-stimulatory molecules CD80, CD86 and CD40 remained unaltered. The P5 hAEC suppressed mitogen stimulated T cell proliferation, but were less suppressive compared with primary hAEC at higher splenocyte ratios. Primary and P5 hAEC did not secrete the immunosuppressive factors IL-10 and HGF, whereas TGF-β1 and HLA-G were reduced and IL-6 elevated in P5 hAEC. These findings suggest that primary and expanded hAEC may be suitable for different cellular therapeutic applications

Engaging in Community Development Practices, Public Libraries as Flagship Bearers: A case study of Mulanthuruthy Public Library in Ernakulum District, Kerala, India

Libraries are reservoirs of information, curated and systematically organized to be accessible to the community to meet their knowledge and leisure needs. It is a one-stop location that provides access to a wide range of information, knowledge and references. Public Library is defined as “a library which is accessible to the public and generally funded from a public source as its name suggests, it is for the people, by the people, and of the people”. Libraries can contribute to a lot of the development of the local community. The interventions they can make in a community is tremendous. Community development happens due to various processes coming together, such as empowerment, capacity building, and rural development, achieving self-sufficiency, and developing community self-sufficiency. To realize the same, collective action, ownership, and improved circumstances are basic. With community development, what is achieved is economic development and improved living standards and the capacity for change for a better future. This paper is a case study of Mulanthuruthy Public Library in Ernakulum district in Kerala, India. The case study is focusing on the role of public libraries in community development. The article emphasizes the various initiatives, programs, and activities done by the library and how those programs and actions contributed to a change in the community. The library promotes an extensive amount of activities in the community that foster the skills and qualities of life of people in the community and its development in multiple dimensions

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Not AvailableBihar has emerged as one of the most promising states for maize production in India, where it is cultivated in all the three seasons, viz. kharif, rabi and summer. This offers an opportunity for strengthening maize supply chain from seed to end-use. Different systems of maize seed delivery co-exist in the state. This study has been conducted in the Samastipur district (the largest maize growing district) of Bihar in 201011 and is based on surveys of seed producers, farmers, seed distributors, private seed companies and public research institutions as to understand the delivery system of maize seed in a value chain perspective. The study has mapped the value chain of public and private seed systems and has brought out the need for a greater emphasis on integration of different stakeholders involved in the chain. Appropriate backward and forward linkages of maize growers with seed companies are likely to generate better returns from maize. The enabling environment from the government policies to support services needs to be reoriented towards enhancing efficiency in seed delivery in the state.Not Availabl

കടലുണ്ടി-വള്ളിക്കുന്ന് കമ്മ്യൂണിറ്റി റിസർവ്വ് മേഖലയിലെ ജൈവ വൈവിധ്യം- ഒരവലോകനം

കേരളത്തിലെ ആദ്യത്തെകമ്മ്യൂണിറ്റി റിസർവ്വ

<smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place" downloadurl="http://www.5iantlavalamp.com/"> Global HIV-1 molecular epidemiology with special reference to genetic analysis of HIV-1 subtypes circulating in North India: Functional and pathogenic implications of genetic variation </smarttagtype>

424-431 HIV-1 displays extensive genetic diversity globally which poses challenge in designing a suitable antigen/immunogen to provoke desired protective immune response in host. HIV-1 mediated pathogenesis is complex and involves host genes, virus genes and other factors. A number of genetic subtypes have been identified based on sequence variations, largely in envelope region. Different genetic subtypes display variation in amino acid sequences with increasing incidence of subtype B, C, D and mosaic recombinants in India. They can potentially alter the functions of several proteins like Rev, Tat ,Vpr, Vif etc and thereby, influence HIV-1 mediated pathogenesis. Recent study has shown that LTR promoter region exhibits novel mosaic structures with segments from B/C Myanmar and India. This indicates rapid evolving nature of HIV-1 and causing epidemics due to existence of multiple subtypes in Indian region. These multiple subtypes show significant differences in various functions (gene activation, cell cycle arrest, RNA binding activities) compared to prototype subtype B genes. These differences may help in better understanding of unique features of HIV-1 epidemic in India. </smarttagtype