Effect of tropical monsoon on fishery abundance of Indian squid (Uroteuthis (Photololigo) duvaucelii)

Indian squid, Uroteuthis (Photololigo) duvaucelii (Loliginidae) constitute an important component of the inshore cephalopod fisheries along the eastern Arabian Sea. Local environmental variation plays an important role in species–environment interactions in neritic squids, which inhabit nearshore/coastal waters. Such ‘active’ and ‘passive’ responses of squids to environmental changes is crucial in understanding their relationships and influence on the biological processes, distribution and abundance of the fast-growing short-lived coastal loliginids. The empirical relationship between squid abundance and the variability in rainfall and sea surface temperature (SST) were explored in a tropical monsoon fishery. Monthly catch rates (catch per fishing hour) of squids in commercial trawl during 1987–2009 were used as the abundance index. Linear regression models with ARIMA errors were fitted with catch per unit hour time series as dependent variable and rainfall and SST as exogenous variables. While rainfall was observed to have a negative effect on squid abundance, the SST recorded a positive impact. ARIMA models provided satisfactory fit to observed data and forecast of 22 months. Given that the squid life-cycle is a function of their environment, this result is relevant in forecasting squid biomass for the management of tropical monsoon fisheries.     

On the design of a neuro-fuzzy controller — application to the control of a bioreactor

This paper presents a new methodological approach for the synthesis of a neuro-fuzzy controller, using an on-line learning procedure. A simple algebraic formulation of a Sugeno fuzzy inference system that ensures a coherent universe of discourse, making easy its interpretation by a human being, is proposed and implemented in the case of the control of a bioreactor, which is considered as a complex non linear process.     

Fuzzy preferences in conflicts

A systematic fuzzy approach is developed to model fuzziness and uncertainties in the preferences of decision makers involved in a conflict. This unique fuzzy preference formulation is used within the paradigm of the Graph Model for Conflict Resolution in which a given dispute is modeled in terms of decision makers, each decision maker＇s courses of actions or options, and each decision maker＇s preferences concerning the states or outcomes which could take place. In order to be able to determine the stability of each state for each decision maker and the possible equilibria or resolutions, a range of solution concepts describing potential human behavior under conflict are defined for use with fuzzy preferences. More specifically, strong and weak definitions of stability are provided for the solution concepts called Nash, general metarational, symmetric metarational, and sequential stability. To illustrate how these solution concepts can be conveniently used in practice, they are applied to a dispute over the contamination of an aquifer by a chemical company located in Elmira, Ontario, Canada.     

Plate-boundary deformation associated with the great Sumatra-Andaman earthquake

The Sumatra-Andaman earthquake of 26 December 2004 is the first giant earthquake (moment magnitude M(w) > 9.0) to have occurred since the advent of modern space-based geodesy and broadband seismology. It therefore provides an unprecedented opportunity to investigate the characteristics of one of these enormous and rare events. Here we report estimates of the ground displacement associated with this event, using near-field Global Positioning System (GPS) surveys in northwestern Sumatra combined with in situ and remote observations of the vertical motion of coral reefs. These data show that the earthquake was generated by rupture of the Sunda subduction megathrust over a distance of >1,500 kilometres and a width of <150 kilometres. Megathrust slip exceeded 20 metres offshore northern Sumatra, mostly at depths shallower than 30 kilometres. Comparison of the geodetically and seismically inferred slip distribution indicates that approximately 30 per cent additional fault slip accrued in the 1.5 months following the 500-second-long seismic rupture. Both seismic and aseismic slip before our re-occupation of GPS sites occurred on the shallow portion of the megathrust, where the large Aceh tsunami originated. Slip tapers off abruptly along strike beneath Simeulue Island at the southeastern edge of the rupture, where the earthquake nucleated and where an M(w) = 7.2 earthquake occurred in late 2002. This edge also abuts the northern limit of slip in the 28 March 2005 M(w) = 8.7 Nias-Simeulue earthquake.     

Low ambient oxygen tolerance in some freshwater teleosts

Summary Measurements of the asphyxial oxygen level forRhinomugil corsula, Tilapia mossambica, Puntius sarana andCarassius auratus at 30 and 35°C revealed that at 35°C the lethal oxygen level was higher forT. mossambica andP. sarana and lower forR. corsula, but it remained the same forC. auratus at 30 and 35°C. From a thesis (M.P.M.) approved for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Madurai Kamaraj University, madurai, India. We wish to express our thanks to Prof. S. Krishnaswamy for providing facilities and to Dr S.V. Job for suggestions.     

大规模灾难——预测、控制与缓解

随着人类生存环境的复杂化、世界多极化和经济全球化，难以预料的全球性气候反常和难以控制的自然灾害时有发生，恐怖事件接连不断，事故灾难频频发生，跨国性的重大疫情等不时出现，这一系列突发事件给人类社会和自然系统带来的灾难是沉重的，世界各国都面临着新的风险和挑战。本书正是对各个领域大规模灾难相关研究进行的总结和回顾，特别关注了由气候变化引起的极端事件，另外还包括空气污染、海啸、灾害模拟、遥感应用以及灾害管理等方面内容。     

Low gene copy number shows that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inherit genetically different nuclei

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are ancient asexually reproducing organisms that form symbioses with the majority of plant species, improving plant nutrition and promoting plant diversity. Little is known about the evolution or organization of the genomes of any eukaryotic symbiont or ancient asexual organism. Direct evidence shows that one AMF species is heterokaryotic; that is, containing populations of genetically different nuclei. It has been suggested, however, that the genetic variation passed from generation to generation in AMF is simply due to multiple chromosome sets (that is, high ploidy). Here we show that previously documented genetic variation in Pol-like sequences, which are passed from generation to generation, cannot be due to either high ploidy or repeated gene duplications. Our results provide the clearest evidence so far for substantial genetic differences among nuclei in AMF. We also show that even AMF with a very large nuclear DNA content are haploid. An underlying principle of evolutionary theory is that an individual passes on one or half of its genome to each of its progeny. The coexistence of a population of many genomes in AMF and their transfer to subsequent generations, therefore, has far-reaching consequences for understanding genome evolution.     

Functional profiling of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome

Determining the effect of gene deletion is a fundamental approach to understanding gene function. Conventional genetic screens exhibit biases, and genes contributing to a phenotype are often missed. We systematically constructed a nearly complete collection of gene-deletion mutants (96% of annotated open reading frames, or ORFs) of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. DNA sequences dubbed 'molecular bar codes' uniquely identify each strain, enabling their growth to be analysed in parallel and the fitness contribution of each gene to be quantitatively assessed by hybridization to high-density oligonucleotide arrays. We show that previously known and new genes are necessary for optimal growth under six well-studied conditions: high salt, sorbitol, galactose, pH 8, minimal medium and nystatin treatment. Less than 7% of genes that exhibit a significant increase in messenger RNA expression are also required for optimal growth in four of the tested conditions. Our results validate the yeast gene-deletion collection as a valuable resource for functional genomics.     

When will a Computer Write the Auditor's Report?

Most corporations are required by law to produce annual reports on their financial positions. These financial reports are accompanied by an auditor's report, which is an independent auditor's opinion on the fairness of the financial statements. To formulate their reports, auditors use a “personal-judgement” approach that heavily depends on their experience and expertise. This approach may be (1) ineffective and may lead to (2) different decisions, (3) personal bias, and (4) misleading judgements. These four drawbacks of a human auditor are a source of doubt and hesitation for every corporation. Therefore, the challenging question is: Can a computer do a better job? This paper focuses on the construction and implementation of a knowledge-based system, called the “Auditor's Report EXpert” (AREX), that is capable of formulating the opinion on financial statements, as expressed in the auditor's report. The knowledge used by AREX is acquired from the literature, and from a slate of practicing and academic auditors by means of questionnaires and in-depth interviews. A preliminary validation of AREX indicates that AREX is successful in performing the auditor's report task. Hence, we tentatively conclude that currently a computer program can support an auditor in his/her task. Moreover, in the foreseeable futur's reports that are effective, universal in their decisions, do not show a personal bias, and do not have misleading statements.