ID: 65911
Title: A study on the role of epidermal tissues in limb regeneration in a ladybird beetle, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Coccinellidae)
Author: Saumya Rawat, Shriza Rai and Geetanjali Mishra
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (12) 25 June 1503-1506 (2024)
Subject: A study on the role of epidermal tissues in limb regeneration in a ladybird beetle, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Coccinellidae)
Keywords: Amputation, holometabolous, leg development, metamorphosis, pupa.
Abstract: Larval systems are de-differentiated and reorganized
in insects undergoing complete metamorphosis, and body
plan of adults are established during pupal stage. In
ladybirds, limbs amputated in larval stages are regenerated during pupation. Given that changes in pupa are
akin to embryogenesis, does the lost limbs are redeveloped as a part of metamorphosis or has some prepatterning initiated prior pupation? To test this, we
exposed third larval instars of Cheilomenes sexmaculata
to amputation and scraped off the epidermal tissues
from the amputation site every 24 h post amputation.
We observed that the limb regeneration did not occur
in the treatment where scrapping was done. Thus, the
present study highlights the critical role of epidermal
tissues at the wound site in limb regeneration, emphasizing that these tissues probably contain essential preregenerating cues.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Engel, M. S. and Grimaldi, D., Evolution of the Insects, Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2005.
Rolff, J., Johnston, P. R. and Reynolds, S., Complete metamorphosis of insects. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B Biol Sci., 2019,
374(1783), 20190063.
Literature cited 2: Erezyilmaz, D. F., Imperfect eggs and oviform nymphs: a history
of ideas about the origins of insect metamorphosis. Integr. Comp.
Biol., 2006, 46(6), 795–807.
Ozerova, A. M. and Gelfand, M. S., Recapitulation of the embryonic
transcriptional program in holometabolous insect pupae. Sci. Rep.,
2022, 12(1), 17570.
ID: 65910
Title: A low-cost multi-fuel biomass furnace for food processing in rural areas
Author: Anil K. Rajvanshi and Nandini Nimbkar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (12) 25 June 1501-1503 (2024)
Subject: A low-cost multi-fuel biomass furnace for food processing in rural areas
Keywords: Food processing, loose biomass furnace, rural areas, sweet sorghum syrup.
Abstract: A low-cost, multi-fuel biomass furnace of about 170–
670 kW (thermal) capacity for food processing has
been developed for rural areas. The biomass combustion in the furnace is clean, with very little smoke.
Such small, clean biomass-burning furnaces are not
available in India; hence, their development will fill
the need gap. Details of the development are presented
in the present communication.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Food Products Data, ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals,
ASHRAE, New York, USA, 1972.
Rajvanshi, A. K., Development of a fully mechanized plant to produce syrup from sweet sorghum. Project report submitted by NARI to
Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, September 2022
Literature cited 2: . Prabhakar, K. and Mallika, E. N., Dried foods. In Encyclopedia of
Food Microbiology (eds Batt, C. A. and Tortorello, M. L.), Elsevier
Ltd, 2nd edn, 2014, ISBN 978-0-12-384733-1.
Rai, S., Unregulated jaggery units add to massive pollution despite
CPCB orders, Times of India, 10 November 2017.
ID: 65909
Title: Arsenic contamination in groundwater of the Majha belt of Punjab and its probable carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health hazards
Author: Hardev Singh Virk
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (12) 25 June 1495-1500 (2024)
Subject: Arsenic contamination in groundwater of the Majha belt of Punjab and its probable carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health hazards
Keywords: Arsenic, cancer risk, groundwater, health hazards, mitigation.
Abstract: Arsenic is widespread in groundwater in India. High
levels of arsenic in the three districts of Amritsar,
Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran (also called Majha belt)
have caused a crisis in Punjab. According to the Indian
Council of Agriculture Research report, 13 districts of
Punjab have arsenic content beyond the safety limit.
This study aims to estimate probable health hazards
due to ingestion of water with high levels of arsenic in
the groundwater of Majha belt. Analysis of groundwater samples done using inductively coupled plasma
mass spectrometry were collected from the Department
of Water Supply and Sanitation, Government of Punjab,
Mohali. The highest arsenic contamination of 111 ppb
was found in the groundwater of Amritsar district, followed by Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran districts. The average value of hazard quotient (HQ) for children and
adults in Amritsar district is estimated to be 11.13 and
8.0 respectively. HQ values for all the 650 habitations
surveyed in the Majha belt of Punjab are greater than
1, which is a matter of concern because of high-risk
potential for developing adverse carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic health hazards. The predicted values for
cancer induction in children and adults of Amritsar
district are 500 and 360 per million respectively. Mitigation of arsenic in groundwater is an urgent need in
the Majha belt of Punjab.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Vikaspedia, Arsenic Contamination in Ground Water in India;
https://vikaspedia.in/energy/environment/know-your-environment/
water/arsenic-contamination-in-ground-water-in-india#:~:text=
The%20most%20affected%20areas%20are,up%20to%20100%20m-
%20depth (accessed on 6 September 2023).
Kumar, S. and Pati, J., Assessment of groundwater arsenic contamination using machine learning in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. J.
Water Health, 2022, 20(5), 829–848.
Literature cited 2: Shaji, E., Santosh, M., Sarath, K. V., Prakash, P., Deep Chand, V.
and Divya, B. V., Arsenic contamination of groundwater: a global
synopsis with focus on the Indian Peninsula. Geosci. Front., 2021,
12(3), 101079.
Virk, H. S., A crisis situation due to uranium and heavy metal contamination of ground waters in Punjab state, India: a preliminary
report. Res. Rev. J. Toxicol., 2017, 7(2), 6–11.
ID: 65908
Title: Monitoring of pesticide residues and risk assessment for consumer safety in rice samples from Andhra Pradesh, India
Author: Jhansi Hima Varsha Valluri, Cherukuri Sreenivasa Rao , Ch. Chiranjeevi , V. Srinivasa Rao and P. Kishore Varma
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (12) 25 June 1485-1494 (2024)
Subject: Monitoring of pesticide residues and risk assessment for consumer safety in rice samples from Andhra Pradesh, India
Keywords: Food safety, pesticides, residues, rice cultivation, risk assessment.
Abstract: A systematic study monitored the pesticide residues in
commercially important food grains, specifically rice
produced, consumed and exported from India. Residues of 18 commonly used pesticides (acephate, buprofezin, carbendazim, hexaconazole, isoprothiolane,
lambda cyhalothrin, profenofos, propiconazole, tebuconazole, azoxystrobin, bifenthrin, flubendiamide, imidacloprid, tricyclazole, indoxacarb, monocrotophos,
quinalphos, thiamethoxam) were determined in 135
samples collected from farmer fields and 15 samples
from markets from Guntur and Palnadu districts of
Andhra Pradesh, India. The residues were extracted
using the modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged
and safe method and quantified by gas chromatography–
mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-tandem–mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry.
Propiconazole, tricyclazole and tebuconazole were the
most frequently detected pesticides. The farm-gate rice
(de-husked brown) samples from zero budget natural
farmers and polished rice samples from markets of
both districts were free from pesticide residues. No
pesticides were detected in 71.11% and 74.44% of all
the farm-gate rice samples collected from farmers of
Palnadu and Guntur districts respectively.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Verma, D. K. and Shukla, K., Nutritional value of rice and their
importance. Indian Farmers’ Digest., 2011, 44(1), 21–22.
Indiastat, Export of quantity and value of basmati and non-basmati
rice in India, 23 March 2021; https://www.indiastat.com/table/
foodgrains-export-/export-quantity-value-basmati-rice-non-basmatiric/20960 (accessed on 25 June 2023).
Literature cited 2: MoA&FW, Selected state-wise area, production and productivity of
rice in India. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, 2020–
21; https://www.indiastat.com/table/agriculture/state-season-wise-areaproduction-productivity-ric/1423615 (accessed on 5 July 2023).
MoA&FW, Selected state-wise area, production and productivity of
rice in India, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, 1950–
51; https://www.indiastat.com/table/agriculture/selected-state-wisearea-production-productivity-r/31740 (
ID: 65907
Title: Genetic diversity of Melipona mandacaia, Smith 1863 in natural and rational breeding populations
Author: Amaro Antonio Silva Neto , Eva Mônica Sarmento da Silva and Michely Correia Diniz
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (12) 25 June 1479-1484 (2024)
Subject: Genetic diversity of Melipona mandacaia, Smith 1863 in natural and rational breeding populations
Keywords: Genetic-molecular markers, mandaçaia, meliponicultu
Abstract: The diversity and genetic structure of natural and rational breeding populations of Melipona mandacaia in the
city of Petrolina-PE-Brazil is analysed in this study.
Worker bees from four different locations in the city
were genotyped with four inter-simple sequence repeats
molecular genetic markers. The presence and absence
of DNA fragments were converted into binary characters using Microsoft Excel software. The data were analysed using the programs GenAlEx and POPGENE.
Thirty two DNA fragments were amplified, and a polymorphism of 81.25% of these fragments was detected.
The polymorphic information content of the markers
ranged from 0.46 to 0.49. This study examines the genetic
diversity of artificial and natural populations of M.
mandacaia. The data found in this work may help
meliponiculturists with information for better management of artificial populations of Mandaçaia and, consequently, help in the conservation of this species
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Alves, R. M. O., Carvalho, C. A. L. and Souza, B. D. A., Pollen
spectrum of honey samples from Melipona mandacaia Smith, 1863
(Hymenoptera: Apidae). Acta Sci. Biol. Sci., 2006, 28(1), 65–70.
2. Batalha-Filho, H., Waldschmidt, A. M. and Alves, R. M. O., Potential distribution of the endemic caatinga stingless bee, Melipona
mandacaia (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Magistra, 2011, 23(3), 129–133.
Literature cited 2: Kuhn-Neto, B., Contrera, F. A., Castro, M. S. and Nieh, J. C., Long
distance foraging and recruitment by a stingless bee, Melipona
mandacaia. Apidologie, 2009, 40(4), 472–480.
Bárbara, M., Machado, C., Sodré, G., Dias, L., Estevinho, L. and de
Carvalho, C., Microbiological assessment, nutritional characterization and phenolic compounds of bee pollen from Melipona mandacaia Smith, 1983. Molecules, 2015
ID: 65906
Title: Exploring community attitudes and perceptions towards solid waste management: a case study of Kerala, India
Author: Vishnudatha Venu , Akshay Ranjith and S. Ambika
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (12) 25 June 1472-1478 (2024)
Subject: Exploring community attitudes and perceptions towards solid waste management: a case study of Kerala, India
Keywords: All-inclusive strategy, perception analysis, questionnaire survey, solid waste management, Spearman correlation
Abstract: The present study in Kerala aimed to investigate the
perceptions and behaviours of 430 respondents towards
household waste generation and management. The
survey outcomes were used to determine the personal
attributes, awareness and perceptions of the people towards solid waste management. Spearman correlation
analysis was performed to identify the possible correlation between the personal attributes of respondents and
their awareness and perceptions. The results showed
that most participants fell within the age range of 20–
60; majority of them were graduates having an income
above Rs 40,000. Food waste was found to be the predominant type of waste generated, about 65%. Over
50% of the respondents considered waste as a resource.
The study also revealed that education plays a crucial
role in addressing waste management problems. Almost
85% of the respondents supported imposing penalties for
open dumping of waste and 63% supported composting
of domestic waste. Respondents showed a growing willingness to act against improper waste management and
disposal. Thus, the study brings out the importance of
education and awareness programmes in shaping individuals’ perspectives towards waste management and
reducing waste generation as well as highlights the need
for an all-inclusive strategy for effective solid waste
management.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Kaza, S., Yao, L. C., Bhada-Tata, P. and Van Woerden, F., What a
Waste 2.0, The World Bank Group, Washington, DC, USA, 2018.
Mariamma and Sivakumar, A study about primary education in
Kerala. Int. J. Acad. Res. Dev., 2021, 6, 4–6
Literature cited 2: Kerala State Planning Board, Economic Review, 2020, Government
of Kerala, 2022.
Pathak, V. and Kushwaha, B. P., Assessment of municipal solid
waste management in Satna. Indian J. Environ. Prot., 2013, 33,
321–328
ID: 65905
Title: A study on analytical techniques and statistical design for tertiary treatment of secondary wastewater using Zetag-4120 coagulant
Author: Priya Singh, Mahendra Kumar Pal*, Prabhat Kumar Singh Dikshit and Goutham Banerjee
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (12) 25 June 1464-1471 (2024)
Subject: A study on analytical techniques and statistical design for tertiary treatment of secondary wastewater using Zetag-4120 coagulant
Keywords: Polyelectrolytes, regression prediction model, response surface methodology, tertiary wastewater treatment, Zetag-4120.
Abstract: The primary and secondary wastewater treatments from
different sewage treatment plants are of great importance not only for removing pollutants but also for
using treated water for different purposes. The latter
involves using suitable coagulants and their optimal
dosages for the treatment. Given this, the present study
identified the most suitable coagulant for tertiary
treatment and its optimal dosage to achieve the maximum total suspended solids (TSS) and biological oxygen
demand (BOD) removal. We used six coagulants (alum,
ferric chloride, polyaluminium chloride (PAC), Zetag4120, Mecafloc-25 and Rothfloc-27) and found that
Zetag-4120 is the cost-efficient coagulant at varying
coagulant dosage. We arrived at this conclusion based
on several experiments using varying coagulant dosages.
Furthermore, the regression prediction models for BOD
and TSS removal for coagulant Zetag-4120 have been
generated using statistical models and validated by
calculating R2 value, F-test and Lack-of-fit test using
ANOVA. Optimization analysis suggests the optimal
dosage, initial wastewater pH and settling time to be
1.86 mg/l, 6.73 and 89.12 min respectively. Furthermore,
BOD and TSS removal efficiency values are 50.0% and
92.4% respectively. The treated wastewater has BOD
and TSS equal to 12.27 and 5.66 mg/l respectively, conforming to the standard for re-usability of treated water
for unrestricted irrigation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: . Hamilton, A. J., Stagnitti, F., Premier, R., Boland, A. M. and Hale,
G., Quantitative microbial risk assessment models for consumption
of raw vegetables irrigated with reclaimed water. Appl. Environ.
Microbiol., 2006, 72(5), 3284–3290.
Mok, H., Barker, S. F. and Hamilton, A. J., A probabilistic quantitative microbial risk assessment model of norovirus disease burden
from wastewater irrigation of vegetables in Shepparton, Australia.
Water Res., 2014, 54, 347–362.
Literature cited 2: Symonds, E. M., Verbyla, M. E., Lukasik, J. O., Kafle, R. C.,
Breitbart, M. and Mihelcic, J. R., A case study of enteric virus removal and insights into the associated risk of water reuse for two
wastewater treatment pond systems in Bolivia. Water Res., 2014,
65, 257–270.
Environment Protection Agency, India, Guidelines for Water Reuse, Office of Water Development, 2004, 450.
ID: 65904
Title: Fractal dimension of protein–protein interactions: a tool for cancer protein identification
Author: Sminu Izudheen, Bee Fateema T. Shiras, R. Anamika, Annie Jaimy and R. Anna
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (12) 25 June 1454-1463 (2024)
Subject: Fractal dimension of protein–protein interactions: a tool for cancer protein identification
Keywords: Betweenness centrality, cancer gene identification, degree centrality, eigenvector centrality, protein interaction network
Abstract: Early cancer diagnosis is critical as it can help avoid
the risks associated with long-term treatments and
even prevent death. Identifying a defining trait of a
cancer protein within its protein–protein interaction
(PPI) network could lead to a significant breakthrough
in accelerating early cancer detection. A systematic
analysis of various topological properties of cancer
proteins in the PPI network, focused on their fractal
dimension, was conducted. It was observed that cancer
proteins exhibit a high fractal dimension (with an average of 1.21). Those with the highest fractal dimension
play a significant role in multiple mutation pathways.
The observation that TP53 protein occupying high
fractal dimension of 1.68, connected with 48 communities reaffirm the correctness of the approach. Further
research in this area will provide valuable insights into
the structural and functional complexity of cellular
processes regulated by proteins, leading to the development of robust therapeutic approaches and enhancing our understanding of cancer biology.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Shah, S. D. and Braun, R., GeneSurrounder: network-based identification of disease genes in expression data. BMC Bioinf., 2019, 20,
229; doi.org/10.1186/s12859-019-2829-y.
Hu, K. et al., Predicting disease-related genes by path structure and
community in protein–protein networks. J. Stat. Mech.: Theory
Exp., 2018, 10, 100001; doi:10.48550/arXiv.1707.06.846.
Literature cited 2: Ivanov, A. A., Explore protein–protein interactions for cancer target discovery using the OncoPPi portal. Method. Mol. Biol., 2020,
2074, 145–164; doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-9873-9_12.
Gulfidan, G. et al., Pan-cancer mapping of differential protein protein interactions. Sci. Rep., 2020, 10, 3272; doi: org/10.1038/
s41598-020-60127-x.
ID: 65903
Title: Market competition for imported agricultural raw materials in the Indian animal feed industry
Author: Partha Pratim Saikia , Sanjib Bhuyan, Dipanjan Kashyap and Kishor Goswami
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (12) 25 June 1446-1453 (2024)
Subject: Market competition for imported agricultural raw materials in the Indian animal feed industry
Keywords: Agricultural feed ingredients, feed industry, import competition
Abstract: The Indian animal feed industry, crucial for sustaining
the country’s livestock and poultry sector, heavily relies
on a diverse range of feed ingredients such as soybean
meal, corn, wheat, broken rice, and various energy and
protein sources. Several of these commodities are in
short supply for various reasons, including but not limited to stagnant productivity. Most of these commodities
are imported from the world market to meet the supply
shortage. The present study investigates the market
competition among the exporting countries from which
India imports 13 specific agricultural raw materials
for feed ingredients over the decennial years of 2000,
2010 and 2020. We utilize data from the United Nations
Comtrade database.
Our analysis reveals India’s significant dependency
on specific Asian nations, notably China, as a key source
of these agricultural raw material imports. Import
costs vary, prompting India to diversify its sources of
imports of these agricultural commodities, spanning
different continents. Such diversification of import
sources is largely driven by cost-effectiveness in a
competitive global market. This study provides valuable
insights into India’s import dynamics and trade partnerships on these key agricultural commodities used
by the feed industries (as well as some food industries),
thereby offering essential information for the feed industry, commodity traders and policymakers.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), India: Grain and
feed annual, Global Agricultural Information Network, GAIN Report Number IN9025, New Delhi, 2019.
GoI, 20th Livestock Census – 2019: All India Report, Animal Husbandry Statistics Division, Department of Animal Husbandry and
Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying,
Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, 2019.
Literature cited 2: USDA, India: Grain and feed annual, New Delhi, 2021; https://
www.fas.usda.gov/data/india-grain-and-feed-annual-5 (accessed on
5 May 2023).
Press Information Bureau (PIB), Import of food grains and value added food products, 2022; https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.
aspx?PRID=1884237 (accessed on 9 May 2023).
ID: 65902
Title: Understanding the influence of diabetes on wound healing and exploring effective management study
Author: Deepraj Singh Rautela , Saumya Das, Avijit Mazumder , Bhawana Sharma, Fahad Khan and M. V. N. L. Chaitanya
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (12) 25 June 1421-1423 (2024)
Subject: Understanding the influence of diabetes on wound healing and exploring effective management study
Keywords: Angiogenesis, collagen, diabetes mellitus, growth factor, remodelling, ulcers, wounds.
Abstract: Diabetes is a diverse metabolic disease that is caused
by increased levels of blood glucose, which also leads to
the generation of several other complications. The formation of wounds and their delayed healing are among
the main areas of concern. Wound repair is a process,
which replaces damaged cells with healthy cells; it
generally occurs in four steps – haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and remodelling. This review covers
the causes of diabetes mellitus, its prevalence, its impact
on wound healing, different types of wounds and their
management. Diabetes mellitus impairs wound healing
through several mechanisms such as impaired angiogenesis, altered collagen production, etc.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Silva, P. A. O. et al., Systemic conditions of diabetic patients diagnosed with apical periodontitis. RGO Rev. Gaúch. Odontol., 2021, 69, 1–15; doi:10.1590/1981-863720210005020190110.
Giri, B., Dey, S., Das, T., Sarkar, M., Banerjee, J. and Dash, S. K.,
Chronic hyperglycemia mediated physiological alteration and metabolic distortion leads to organ dysfunction, infection, cancer progression and other pathophysiological consequences: an update on
glucose toxicity. Biomed. Pharmacother., 2018, 107, 306–328;
doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.07.157.
Literature cited 2: Lotfy, M., Adeghate, J., Kalasz, H., Singh, J. and Adeghate, E.,
Chronic complications of diabetes mellitus: a mini review. Curr.
Diabetes Rev., 2017, 13(1), 3–10; doi:10.2174/1573399812666151-
016101622.
International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 2020, 10th
edn; https://www.diabetesatlas.org
ID: 65901
Title: When 2023 is the International millet year, are healthcare professionals aware about millets?
Author: Swagata Dilip Tavhare, Asmita Wele and Gunvant Yeola
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (12) 25 June 1431-1437 (2024)
Subject: When 2023 is the International millet year, are healthcare professionals aware about millets?
Keywords: Global health, healthcare, nutrition, therapeutic foods, traditional diet, SDG 3, year of millets.
Abstract: Millets are smart foods that have noteworthy nutritional and therapeutic benefits. Regular consumption
of millets is beneficial as it manages postprandial glucose levels, lowers insulin resistance, positively
affects HbA1c, reduces the risk of atherosclerotic changes and cardiovascular disease, lowers LDL
and improves hypertension. The Government of India has taken a lead role in launching strategies
for the promotion of millets to make India a global hub. Stakeholders associated with healthcare
play a major role in advising millet-based diets. The present article of a questionnaire-based survey
brings an analysis of knowledge, attitude and practices of healthcare professionals in our university
regarding millet consumption. It is observed that a sizable number of participants (62%) could identify different types of millets; 66.4% of participants routinely consumed millet foods since childhood;
54% wish that it should be a part of therapeutic diet recommendation, but most of the participants
are not completely aware of the therapeutic benefits of millets.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Vetriventhan, M. et al., Genetic and genomic resources, and breeding for accelerating improvement of small millets: current status
and future interventions. Nucleus, 2020, 63, 217–239.
2. Kane-Potaka, J. and Kumar, P., Smart food – food that is good for
you, the planet and the farmer. In State of India’s Livelihoods Report
2019, Access Development Services, New Delhi, 2019, pp. 71–82;
https://livelihoods-india.org/publications/all-page-soil-report.html#;
www.smartfood.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/SOIL-SmartFoods.pdf (accessed on 29 January 2024).
Literature cited 2: Willett, W. et al., Food in the anthropocene: the EAT-Lancet commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems. Lancet
Commiss., 2021, 393, 447–492.
Anitha, S. et al., A systematic review and meta-analysis of the potential of millets for managing and reducing the risk of developing diabetes mellitus. Front. Nutr., 2021, 8, 687428.
ID: 65900
Title: An emerging groundwater crisis in parts of Chhattisgarh state, India
Author: Sudarsan Sahu, Shikhar Panday, Twinkle Chaddha, Sangam Samal, Vishal, Sudhanshu, Masarul Islam, Ramakant Mishra, Mahendra Chouhan, Dhiren K. Mahanta, Josabanta Jani, Subhransu Sekhar Rout and Satyaban Sahoo
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (12) 25 June 1421-1423 (2024)
Subject: An emerging groundwater crisis in parts of Chhattisgarh state, India
Keywords: None
Abstract: Chhattisgarh is an agrarian state, with
about 80% of the state’s population working
in agriculture and allied fields. Paddy is the
principal crop, and the central plains of the
state are known as the rice bowl of central
India. Around 33% of the area of the state
is under cultivation. The net sown area in
2022 in the state was 4.63 million hectares,
with irrigation facilities in ~45% of the area1
.
Multiple cropping seasons are practiced in
about 23% of the net sown area. Groundwater forms a significant component of irrigation water, and an average of 84% of the
entire draft is used for this purpose in the
state2
. The use of bore wells (BWs) for
groundwater irrigation in the state has witnessed a nine-fold increase during the last
30 years3
. This has caused an overall increase in groundwater development from
3.31% in 1990 to 47.2% in 2023. As per
the recent estimations2
, out of the total 146
assessment units (blocks), there are 5 units
in ‘critical’ and 22 in ‘semi-critical’ categories (with groundwater extraction >90%
and between 70% and 90% of the annual recharge of the aquifer respectively). Consequently, depletion in water levels is being
reported across the state4
. It is pertinent to
note here that the water levels in several parts of the country have declined to unsustainable levels5 owing to uncontrolled
groundwater extraction for irrigation and
other uses6
. The decline in water level may
lead to several adverse impacts (other than
reduction in freshwater availability and increase in pumping cost), such as drying
up/reduction in flow/storage in surface water bodies/streams, drying up/shrinkage of
wetlands, land subsidence and further reduction in aquifer storage, reduction/
elimination of vegetation, deterioration in
groundwater quality, etc.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: CGGOVT, Chhattisgarh Government. Table of Agriculture Statistics. Office of the
Commissioner Land Record, Raipur,
Chhattisgarh, 2022.
CGWB, National Compilation on Dynamic
Ground Water Resources of India, Central
Ground Water Board, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, 2023.
Literature cited 2: Mukherjee, A., Verma, J. R. and Tewari,
D., Bhujal News, 2011
Sonkusare, M. M., Sahu, S., Naik, P. K.,
Gupta, P. and Kumar, U., Bhujal News,
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ID: 65899
Title: An overview of planarian species used for testing the effect of pharmaceuticals and contaminants on regeneration
Author: Deepika Eknath Walunj and Ravindra Vasant Kshirsagar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (12) 25 June 1419-1420 (2024)
Subject: An overview of planarian species used for testing the effect of pharmaceuticals and contaminants on regeneration
Keywords: None
Abstract: Planarians have a remarkable ability to regenerate lost body parts, including the brain, auricle, eye spots, etc.
They have been excellent model systems for pharmaceutical studies, including regenerative medicine, toxicology
and drug testing. An overview of currently available planarian model species used for studying the effects of
contaminants and pharmaceuticals on regeneration is important for initiating studies in laboratories for the
first time and developing indigenous model species. The present study provides a list of currently used planarian
model species around the globe and in India. The analysis highlights the lack of taxonomic studies providing
accurate identification of planarian species in India and unavailability of indigenous model species.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Bely, A. E. and Nyberg, K. G., Trends
Ecol. Evol., 2010, 25, 161–170.
Tiozzo, S. and Copley, R. R., Front. Ecol.
Evol., 2015, 3, 67.
Literature cited 2: Sánchez Alvarado, A., Bioessays, 2000,
22, 578–590.
Elliott, S. A. and Sánchez Alvarado, A.,
WIREs Dev. Biol., 2013, 2, 301–326.
5. Sunderland, M. E., J. Hist. Biol., 2010, 43,
325–361.
ID: 65898
Title: Digital twin for community driven development
Author: (Interviewed by Nibedita Mohanta)
Editor: Sanjay Kumar
Year: 2024
Publisher: Sanjay Kumar
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Geospatial artha Volume 03 Issue 1 50-52 (2024)
Subject: Digital twin for community driven development
Keywords: None
Abstract: Nibedita Mohanta: How GIS data can be better used with disruptive technologies like AI/ML and IoT etc.?
Nagaraja Rao Harshadeep: A lot of different technologies can be leveraged such a new sensors, be it sensors on the ground in terms of being able to generate data relating to the flow of water, its quality, or soil moisture, all the way to sensors in satellites, or drones for aerial surveys of large areas to get a synoptic view of world.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2:
ID: 65897
Title: Enhancing Inian railways operational efficiency
Author: (Interviewed by Jeffy Jacob)
Editor: Sanjay Kumar
Year: 2024
Publisher: Sanjay Kumar
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Geospatial artha Volume 03 Issue 1 48-49 (2024)
Subject: Enhancing Inian railways operational efficiency
Keywords: None
Abstract: Jeffy Jacob: In the integration of geospatial data with the Indian Railway's vast network and information systems, how does the Ministry envision enhancing operational efficiency and improving safety, particularly at rural levels crossings, through this integration?
Achal Jain: The integration of geospatial data into our systems is aimed at significantly enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Our GIS portal, with over 99 data layers, empowers various functionalities like Train Tracking and Patrol Monitoring where IoT sensors on trains enable real time tracking, while a patrolman tracking app integrated with GIS improves monitoring of track inspections.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2: