ID: 65018
Title: Vegetative propagation for restoration and conservation of Mangroves
Author: N.Sithranga Boopathy and R.Ramasubramanian
Editor: Richa Misra
Year: 2023
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 149 (8) Pg No. 803-810 (2023)
Subject: Vegetative propagation for restoration and conservation of Mangroves
Keywords: Mangroves,vegetative propagation, Cutting, Layering, Conservation
Abstract: Indian mangroves are biologically diverse with 46 true mangrove species belonging to 14 families and 22 genera found in 9 states and 4 union Territories. Although the country is the third biggest in the global mangroves, it faces a serious problem of degradation mainly due to human activities such as agriculture, aquaculture and over-exploitation of resources. It is estimated that about 40% of the mangroves have been degraded in India, and hence, it is a matter of necessity to rehabilitees them fast colonizing planting materials. These can be propagated vegetatively through using the techniques of cuttings, air-layering and grafting. However, still these techniques are not widely used for mangroves propagation and hence, the present work emphasized the merits of vegetative propagation in mangrove conservation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Ahkami A.H., Melzer M., Ghaffari, M. R, Pollmann, S., Ghorbani Javid, M.,Shahinnia, F.Hajirezaei , M.R. and Druege U. (2013). Distribution of indole-3-acetic acid in Petunia hybrida shoot tip cuttings and relationship between auxin transport, carbohydrate metabolism and adventitious root formation. Planta, 238:499-517.
Basak U.C. Das A.B. Das P. (2008) .Rooting response in stem cuttings from five species of mangrove trees: effect of auxins and enzyme activities.Mar.Biol.,136(1):185-189.
Literature cited 2: Benitez P.D., Flores F.V.Y.J.I. and Valdez H. (2002).Reproduction vegetativa de dos species arboreasen un manglar de la costa norte del Pacificomexicano.Madera Y.Bosq., 8(2).57-7 Doi: https://doi.org/10.21829/myb.2002.821301.
Benjamin Castillo Elias, Herlinda Gervacio, Jimenez1 Y Jose Angel and Vences Martinez (2021). Vegetativa propagation of mangrove (Lagunculariaracemosa L.C.F.Gaertn). under nursery conditions.Rev.Mexi.de Cien.Forl.,12 (67):168-184.
ID: 65017
Title: Study of morphological changes and natural degradation in agarwood (Acquilaria agallocha Roxb.) bark-based Sanchi manuscripts of Assam, North East India
Author: U.Das
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (8) 801-907 (2023)
Subject: Study of morphological changes and natural degradation in agarwood (Acquilaria agallocha Roxb.) bark-based Sanchi manuscripts of Assam, North East India
Keywords: Agarwood, cellulose crystallinity, lignocellulosic degradation, morphological changes, traditional manuscripts.
Abstract: No experimental study has been done so far on the
natural degradation of the traditional Sanchi manuscripts made from the bark of agarwood (aloeswood,
i.e. Acquilaria agallocha Roxb., locally known as Sanchi
tree in Assam, North East India). In this study, SEM,
FTIR, XRD and stress–strain test using UTM were
carried out on lignocellulosic Sanchi manuscripts to
determine cellulosic variations. Reduction of crystallinity index of cellulose, decrease in tensile strength
and toughness indicated the natural degradation of
Sanchi manuscript. The study reveals that the Sanchi
manuscripts are highly vulnerable to natural degradation, and therefore need scientific techniques and
treatments to prolong lignocellulosic changes.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Agrawal, O. P. and Barkeshi, M., Conservation of Books, Manuscripts and Paper Documents, INTACH Conservation Institute,
Lucknow, 1997, pp. 32–35.
Giuliani, M. R. and Nugari, M. P., A case of fungal biodeterioration
on an ancient textile. In Pre‐prints of the Ninth Triennial Meeting of the
ICOM Committee for Conservation, Washington DC, USA, 1993,
pp. 305–307.
Literature cited 2: Gupta, K. K., An introduction to the traditional practices for the
control of bio-deterioration of manuscripts. In Indigenous Traditions
and Manuscript Preservation, National Mission for Manuscripts,
New Delhi, 2006, pp. 35–59.
Rowell, R. M., Chemical modification of lignocellulosics. In Proceedings of the International Workshop on Frontiers of Surface
Modification and Characterization of Lignocellulosic Fibers (eds
Gatenholm, P. and Chihani, T.), Fiskebackskil, Sweden, 30–31
May 1996, pp. 31–47, ISBN 91-7197-593-4; https://www.fpl.fs.
usda.gov/documnts/pdf1996/rowel96c.pdf
ID: 65016
Title: Circulation of A2 subclade of Avipoxvirus in pigeons of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
Author: Sujatha Tamilvanan, Arun Kumar De*, Jai Sunder, Gayatri Samaddar, Perumal Ponraj, Sneha Sawhney, Debasis Bhattacharya and Eaknath Bhanudasrao Chakurkar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (8) 896-900 (2023)
Subject: Circulation of A2 subclade of Avipoxvirus in pigeons of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
Keywords: Avipoxvirus, chicken, clade and subclade, fowlpox virus, pigeon.
Abstract: Genus Avipoxvirus, an important member of the family
Poxviridae, has 12 species which have been recognized
by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses
(ICTV). Fowlpox virus and pigeonpox virus are two
important species that may affect other species of birds,
besides chicken and fowl. Hence, accurately identifying
species, clades and subclades of Avipoxvirus is vital to
design and implement adequate control strategies. The
present study was carried out in a pigeon colony showing
symptoms of pox. A fragment of viral Pan-genus 4b
(P4b) gene was amplified and sequenced. As an equivocal
and prototype species, sequence information of fowlpox
virus isolated from an infected bird was also generated.
The generated sequence information was compared with
those of previously reported strains. It was found that
both fowlpox and pigeonpox viruses belonged to clade
A, and there was circulation of A1 and A2 subclades in
chicken and pigeon respectively. From India, one report
showed the circulation of A1 and A3 subclades in Indian chickens and pigeons respectively, since the other
reports were based on clinical symptoms, histopathological examination and comparison of sequence information
with those available without distinct demarcation of clade
and subclade of Avipoxvirus. This study describes the
findings of the novel A2 subclade of Avipoxvirus and
the existence of pigeonpox in the Andaman and Nicobar
Islands, India.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Williams, R. A. J., Truchado, D. A. and Benitez, L. A., Review on
the prevalence of poxvirus disease in free-living and captive wild
birds. Microbiol. Res., 2021, 12, 403–418.
Lefkowitz, E. J., Dempsey, D. M., Hendrickson, R. C., Orton, R. J.,
Siddell, S. G. and Smith, D. B., Virus taxonomy: the database of
the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). Nucleic
Acids Res., 2018, 46, D708–D717
Literature cited 2: Walker, P. J. et al., Changes to virus taxonomy and the Statutes ratified
by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, Arch. Virol.,
2020, 165, 2737–2748.
Adams, M. J. et al., Ratification vote on taxonomic proposals to the
International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. Arch. Virol.,
2016, 161, 2921–2949.
ID: 65015
Title: Utilizing machine learning algorithm, cloud computing platform and remote sensing satellite data for impact assessment of flood on agriculture land
Author: Himanshu Kumar, Rohan Kumar , Sujay Dutta , Magan Singh and Sateesh Kr. Karwariya
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (8) 886-895 (2023)
Subject: Utilizing machine learning algorithm, cloud computing platform and remote sensing satellite data for impact assessment of flood on agriculture land
Keywords: Agriculture, cloud computing platforms, floods, machine learning algorithm, remote sensing data.
Abstract: Floods are one of the most devastating natural disasters
that cause immense damage to life, property and agriculture worldwide. Recurring floods in Bihar (a state in
eastern India) during the monsoon season impact the
agro-based economy, destroying crops and making it
difficult for farmers to prepare for the next season. To
mitigate the impact of floods on the agricultural sector,
there is a need for early warning systems. Nowadays,
remote sensing technology is used extensively for monitoring and managing flood events, which is also used in
the present study. The random forest (RF) machine
learning (ML) algorithm has also been used for land-use
classification, and its output is used as an input for flood
impact assessment. Here, we have analysed the flood
extents and their impact on agriculture using Sentinel-1
SAR, Sentinel-2 and Planet Scope optical imageries on
the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform. The present study shows that floods severely impacted a large part of Bihar during the monsoon seasons
of 2020 and 2021. About 701,967 ha of land (614,706 ha
agricultural land) in 2020 and 955,897 ha (851,663 ha
agricultural land) in 2021 were severely flooded. An
inundation maps and area statistics have been generated
to visualise the results, which can help the government
authorities prioritize relief and rescue operations.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Freer, J., Beven, K., Neal, J., Schumann, G., Hall, J. and Bates, P.,
Flood risk and uncertainty. In Risk and Uncertainty Assessment for
Natural Hazards (eds Rougier, J., Sparks, S. and Hill, L.), Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge, 2013, pp. 190–233; https://doi.org/
10.1017/CBO9781139047562.008.
Kumar, H., Karwariya, S. K. and Kumar, R., Google earth engine-based identification of flood extent and flood-affected paddy rice
fields using Sentinel-2 MSI and sentinel-1 SAR data in Bihar state,
India. J. Indian Soc. Remote Sensing, 2022; https://doi.org/10.1007/
s12524-021-01487-3
Literature cited 2: . Torres, R., Snoeij, P., Geudtner, D., Bibby, D., Davidson, M., Attema,
E., Potin, P. and Traver, I. N., GMES Sentinel-1 mission. Remote
Sensing Environ., 2012, 120, 9–24; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.
2011.05.028.
Schumann, G. J., Brakenridge, G. R., Kettner, A. J., Kashif, R. and
Niebuhr, E., Assisting flood disaster response with earth observation
data and products: a critical assessment. Remote Sensing, 2018, 10(8),
1230; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs10081230.
ID: 65014
Title: Impact of floods and landslides on beneficial soil microbes and nutrients in selected high ranges of Kerala, India
Author: A. Haseena, K. Surendra Gopal and S. Sandeep
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (8) 878-885 (2023)
Subject: Impact of floods and landslides on beneficial soil microbes and nutrients in selected high ranges of Kerala, India
Keywords: Floods, high-range areas, landslides, microbial community, soil nutrients
Abstract: To ascertain the impacts of flood-affected and landslide impacted soils on the microbial community and soil
nutrient status, an assessment between disturbed and
undisturbed soils was conducted. Without discernible
differences between soils impacted by flooding and
landslides, the total bacterial and fungal population
had decreased in disturbed soils. The lack of organic
carbon and copper in flood-affected soils profoundly
impacted the bacterial population. The disturbed soils
were found to have reduced organic carbon, nitrogen and
micronutrients. The microbial isolates that persisted
even in these degraded conditions may be considered potential bioagents for the restoration of disturbed soils
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Rodriguez, R. and Durán, P., Natural holobiome engineering by using native extreme microbiome to counter act the climate change
effects. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol., 2020, 8, 568; doi:10.3389/
fbioe.2020.00568.
Walker, L. R., The Biology of Disturbed Habitats, Oxford University
Press, Oxford, 2012
Literature cited 2: Shiels, A. B., Walker, L. R. and Thompson, D. B., Organic matter
inputs variable resource patches on Puerto Rico landslides. Plant
Ecol., 2006, 184, 223–236; doi:10.1007/s11258-005-9067-2.
Walker, L. R., Zarin, D. J., Fetcher, N., Myster, R. W. and Johnson,
A. H., Ecosystem development and plant succession on landslides
in the Caribbean. Biotropica, 1996, 28(4a), 566–576; doi:10.2307/
2389097.
ID: 65013
Title: Difference in synonymous polymorphism related to codon degeneracy between co-transcribed genes in the genome of Escherichia coli
Author: Pratyush Kumar Beura , Piyali Sen , Ruksana Aziz , Chayanika Chetia , Madhusmita Dash , Siddhartha Shankar Satapathy and Suvendra Kumar Ray
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (8) 871-877 (2023)
Subject: Difference in synonymous polymorphism related to codon degeneracy between co-transcribed genes in the genome of Escherichia coli
Keywords: Base substitution, codon degeneracy, co-transcribed genes, replication and transcription, synonymous polymorphism
Abstract: In our study, we compared synonymous polymorphism
in co-transcribed gene pairs within five well-known
Escherichia coli operons (rpoB/C, lacZ/Y, kdpA/B, araB/A
and bcsA/B). Interestingly, the transition to transversion
ratio between gene pairs were different due to their
compositional differences of two-fold and four-fold degenerate codons. The differences in polymorphism spectra were more pronounced in four-fold and six-fold
codons compared to two-fold degenerate codons. Notably,
rpoB and rpoC showed significant distinctions in UCC,
GUA, CCG, GCU, GGC and CGC codons. Similar
trends were observed in other gene pairs, particularly
in higher degenerate codons. Notably, two-fold degenerate codons primarily exhibited synonymous polymorphisms through transitions, while higher degenerate
codons encompassed both transition and transversion
events. This underscores the intriguing role of degenerate
codons in molecular evolution.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Rocha, E. P. C., Touchon, M. and Feil, E. J., Similar compositional
biases are caused by very different mutational effects. Genome
Res., 2006, 16(12), 1537–1547.
Kino, K. and Sugiyama, H., Possible cause of G.C→C.G transversion mutation by guanine oxidation product imidazolone. Chem.
Biol., 2001, 8, 369–378.
Literature cited 2: Lobry, J. R., Asymmetric substitution patterns in the two DNA
strands of bacteria. Mol. Biol. Evol., 1996, 13, 660–665.
Bulte, J. W., Zhang, S., van Gelderen, P., Herynek, V., Jordan, E.
K., Duncan, I. D. and Frank, J. A., Neurotransplantation of magnetically labeled oligodendrocyte progenitors: magnetic resonance
tracking of cell migration and myelination. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
USA, 1999, 96(26), 15256–15261
ID: 65012
Title: Pollination efficiency of stingless bee, Tetragonula iridipennis (Smith) on greenhouse cucumber, Cucumis sativus (Linnaeus)
Author: Sourav Sen, Shimantini Borkataki , Pranjit Sutradhar , Ritu Ranjan Taye , Badal Bhattacharyya , P. S. Saranya , S. P. Nanda and M. Devender Reddy
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (8) 865-870 (2023)
Subject: Pollination efficiency of stingless bee, Tetragonula iridipennis (Smith) on greenhouse cucumber, Cucumis sativus (Linnaeus)
Keywords: Cucumber, foraging activity, pollination efficiency, stingless bee, yield.
Abstract: The present study deals with the foraging activities
and pollination efficiency of Tetragonula iridipennis in
cucumber (Cucumis sativus) under protected conditions.
Experiments were conducted during two seasons (summer and winter) with three different treatments: open
pollination (OP), pollinator exclusion (PE) and stingless
bee pollination (SBP) in Assam, North East India. The
foraging activity of T. iridipennis was checked in SBP
treatment at different timings after installing a 15,504 cm3
beehive. The pollination efficiency of T. iridipennis was
also examined among the three selected treatments. The
peak period of visitation on cucumber flowers was recorded during 0800-0900 h of the day during both seasons.
The yield increase of SBP over PE during both seasons
was five times higher. These findings indicate the significance of T. iridipennis as an effective pollinator in
greenhouse cucumbers.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Guerra-Sanz, J. M., Crop pollination in greenhouses. Bee Pollination in Agricultural Ecosystems, Oxford University Press, New York,
2008, vol. 3, pp. 27–47.
Azmi, W. A., Samsuri, N. U., Hatta, M. F., Ghazi, R. O. and Chau,
T. S., Effects of stingless bee (Heterotrigona itama) pollination on
greenhouse cucumber (Cucumis sativus). Malays. Appl. Biol., 2017,
46(1), 51–55.
Literature cited 2: de Oliveira, C. D. and de Oliveira, C. A., Polinização por abelhas
em cultivos protegidos. Curr. Agric. Sci. Technol., 2009, 15, 1–4.
Hanh, T. T. M., Sharma, S. K. and Rana, M. K., Pollination efficiency of native bee pollinators of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
in India. J. Apicult., 2014, 29(3), 199–205
ID: 65011
Title: Comparative study of pigments used in 16th–17th century CE tempera mural art from Malayadipatti and Adiyamankottai temple, Tamil Nadu, India
Author: Anjali Sharma, Manager Rajdeo Singh, S. Vinodh Kumar and Manoj Pratap Singh
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (8) 853-864 (2023)
Subject: Comparative study of pigments used in 16th–17th century CE tempera mural art from Malayadipatti and Adiyamankottai temple, Tamil Nadu, India
Keywords: Art restoration, binders, mural paintings, pigments.
Abstract: Eight micro-samples from mural paintings of Malayadipatti and Adiyamankottai temples in Tamil Nadu,
India were studied using binocular microscopy, thin
film crystal X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Fourier
transform infrared spectroscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy
to understand the original constituent materials of the
pigments, binders and the methods of painting. Red
paint had a mixture of cinnabar and hematite. The yellow
colour resulted from orpiment. Orange hues were produced a mixture of orpiment and hematite. Grey colour
was produced by a mixture of calcium carbonate and
manganese dioxide. Black tones were prepared primarily using lamp black. The minerals used in both the
temples were nearly identical. The appearance of proteinaceous materials/oils as a binding medium in all
samples indicated the use of a tempera wall painting
technique. These findings help improve our understanding of the methods and materials used in mural arts
and serve as a guide for their future restoration.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: https://www.trawell.in/tamilnadu/tiruchirappalli/malayadipatti-rockcut-temples (accessed on 25 March 2021).
Saxena, S., Malayadipatti – the hill of the holy. Puratattva, 2011;
https://puratattva.in/2011/01/08/maliyadipatti-the-hill-of-the-holy-25
(accessed on 25 March 2021)
Literature cited 2: Sivaramamurti, C., South Indian Paintings, National Museum,
1968. Original from, the University of Michigan, Digitized, 1 July
2011, ISBN: 8123000529, 9788123000527.
Kannan, R. and Balasubramanian, R., Tiruppudaimarudur Murals
and Wood Carvings: Documentation of the Murals and Wood
Carvings in the Narumpoonathaswami Temple, Tiruppudaimarudur. Bulletin of the Madras Government Museum, New series,
general section, 2014.
ID: 65010
Title: Does socio-economic dynamics influence crop yield variability?
Author: Avik Mukherjee, Pinaki Roy, Debankur Sanyal , T. N. Roy and Shih-Yu (Simon) Wang
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (8) 846-852 (2023)
Subject: Does socio-economic dynamics influence crop yield variability?
Keywords: Agricultural technologies, crop production, farmers, policies and subsidies, socio-economic factors
Abstract: The present study examines the current research on how
socio-economic factors affect the decision-making process and adoption of agricultural technologies by farmers
in crop production scheduling. It reviews existing literature to identify gaps in knowledge and determine the
most relevant factors influencing crop production in
Northwest India from 2016 to 2021. The study finds that
socio-economic factors, such as education, age, awareness
and financial limitations, significantly impact farmers’
decision-making when it comes to crop planning. Additionally, societal issues like politics and religion also influence crop output. The study suggests that government
policies and subsidies can help improve farmers’ livelihoods, and effective communication from agricultural
scientists can encourage the adoption of affordable and
environmentally friendly production technologies. However, the study emphasizes the need for more primary
data to address socio-economic constraints in intervention efforts.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Roy, P. and Bhattacharyya, S., Doubling farmers’ income: its necessity
and possibilities in Indian context. Indian J. Agric. Sci., 2020,
90(9), 3–9.
Roy, P. and Kaur, M., Status and problems of paddy straw management in West Bengal. I
Literature cited 2: Ramakrishnan, P. S., Shifting agriculture and sustainable development: an inter-disciplinary study from north-eastern India. Parthenon Publishing Group, Paris, France, 1992.
Giller, K. E., Rowe, E. C., De Ridder, N. and Keulen, V. H., Resource use dynamics and interactions in the tropics; scaling up in
space and time. Agric. Syst., 2006, 88, 8–27.
ID: 65009
Title: Rhizosphere–plant–microbial system under polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-induced stress
Author: Kavita Verma , Pooja Gokhale Sinha , Garima Sharma , Surbhi Agarwal , Anita Verma and Vartika Mathur
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: The rhizosphere–plant–microbial association is a complex and intricate system susceptible to various organic
pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAH). Since the soil acts as a sink of PAH, their accumulation shifts the delicate rhizosphere–plant–microbe
equilibrium and enters the food chain through plants.
How the presence of PAH in the rhizosphere affects the
rhizosphere–plant–microbial system is still unclear. This
study aims to understand the effects of PAH on rhizosphere–plant–microbial interactions. It also explores
the potential use of microbes to alleviate PAH-induced
stress in the soil for effective and sustainable management.
Subject: Rhizosphere–plant–microbial system under polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-induced stress
Keywords: Bioaccumulation, microbe-mediated remediation, persistent organic pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Abstract: The rhizosphere–plant–microbial association is a complex and intricate system susceptible to various organic
pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAH). Since the soil acts as a sink of PAH, their accumulation shifts the delicate rhizosphere–plant–microbe
equilibrium and enters the food chain through plants.
How the presence of PAH in the rhizosphere affects the
rhizosphere–plant–microbial system is still unclear. This
study aims to understand the effects of PAH on rhizosphere–plant–microbial interactions. It also explores
the potential use of microbes to alleviate PAH-induced
stress in the soil for effective and sustainable management
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Chen, X. et al., Past, present, and future perspectives on the assessment of bioavailability/bioaccessibility of polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons: a 20-year systemic review based on scientific econometrics. Sci. Total Environ., 2021, 774, 145585.
Shen, H. et al., Global atmospheric emissions of polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons from 1960 to 2008 and future predictions. Environ.
Sci. Technol., 2013, 47, 6415–6424.
Literature cited 2: Zhang, Y. and Tao, S., Global atmospheric emission inventory of
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for 2004. Atmos. Environ.,
2009, 43, 812–819.
Kumar, A., Ambade, B., Sankar, T. K., Sethi, S. S. and Kurwadkar,
S., Source identification and health risk assessment of atmospheric
PM2. 5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Jamshedpur,
India. Sustain. Cit. Soc., 2020, 52, 101801
ID: 65008
Title: National Initiative on Undergraduate Science programme in chemistry
Author: Indrani Das Sen and Savita Ladage
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (8) 831-836 (2023)
Subject: National Initiative on Undergraduate Science programme in chemistry
Keywords: Chemistry, national initiative, nurture programmes, student camps, teacher workshops, undergraduate science education.
Abstract: The article discusses the National Initiative on Undergraduate Science (NIUS) programme in chemistry
conducted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (TIFR), Mumbai, which was initiated
in 2004. Being located in a science education research and development institution, the programme
has made efforts to interact with chemistry teachers and first-year undergraduate students and, thus,
is different when compared to similar programmes within the country. The article reviews the key
ideas of the programme, its growth and evolution to date and likely directions for its expansion in
the near future.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: https://www.jncasr.ac.in/academic/fandeprogrammes/ (accessed on
January 2023).
Position paper on retention of talent; http://www.psa.gov.in/sites/
default/files/file6.pdf (accessed in October 2014), but not accessible
now
Literature cited 2: https://nius.hbcse.tifr.res.in/nius-proposal-2004/ (accessed on January
2023).
https://nius.hbcse.tifr.res.in/subjects/chemistry/ (accessed on January
2023).
ID: 65007
Title: Defining the ‘urban critical zone’ for global sustainable development
Author: Arkaprabha Sarkar, Vicky Shankar, Vimal Singh*, Iain Stewart, Shashank Shekhar and Vinayak Sinha
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (8) 824-830 (2023)
Subject: Defining the ‘urban critical zone’ for global sustainable development
Keywords: Ecosystem services, natural environments, planetary boundary layer, sustainable development, urban critical zone
Abstract: With urbanization, cities are becoming new landscapes, significantly altering the properties, processes
and pathways of previous natural environments. The natural critical zones that have existed for millennia are rapidly getting modified by the superimposition of the urban components to give rise to a
new critical zone system, viz. the urban critical zone. The clogging and bypassing of the natural process pathways and the increasing demands of urban populations for ecosystem services put the native
critical zone and the adjoining zones under stress. To elucidate this point, we present a case study
on Delhi, the capital city of India, to demonstrate how the urban critical zone is unsustainable. We
exemplify the increasing demand and supply gap of basic ecosystem services, such as clean air and
water, that are essential to sustain life. In doing so, we redefine the limits of the critical zone in urban
areas, recognizing that significant parts of cities are beyond the presently defined critical zone.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: McPhearson, T. et al., A vision for resilient urban futures. Resilient
Urban Futures, Springer Nature, Switzerland, 2021, p. 173.
Steffen, W. et al., Global Change and the Earth System: A Planet
under Pressure, Springer Science & Business Media, Berlin, 2006.
Literature cited 2: National Research Council, Basic research opportunities in earth
science. National Academies Press, Washington, 2011.
White, T., Special focus: the US Critical Zone Observatories. International Innovation August, 2012, pp. 108–127.
ID: 65006
Title: Need to declare the Higher Himalaya an eco-sensitive zone
Author: Shubhra Sharma and Anil D. Shukla
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (8) 822-823 (2023)
Subject: Need to declare the Higher Himalaya an eco-sensitive zone
Keywords: Need to declare, Higher Himalaya, eco-sensitive zone
Abstract: The recent disasters in Uttarakhand, India
(e.g. 2013 Kedarnath, 2021 Rishi Ganga
and 2023 Joshimath) and Himachal Pradesh
(e.g. 2000 and 2013 Satluj–Kinnaur floods
and 2023 Beas floods) have reignited the
debate of anthropogenic impact on Higher
Himalayan valleys and potentially increased
impact of disasters in the region1
. It is feared
that under the impending climate change
scenario, the sustainability of the geologically fragile Higher Himalayan ecosystem
would be threatened, endangering the safety of infrastructure such as habitation sites,
roads and hydropower projects. The climate sensitive Higher Himalaya is not only the
abode of endemic and endangered flora and
fauna but also contains a large number of
glaciers which sustain millions of people
inhabiting the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Therefore, it is now being increasingly considered
that similar to the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive
Zone, the river stretches between the headwaters till the southern flank of the Main
Central Thrust (MCT) covering a stretch of
~125 km should be declared as eco-sensitive
zones
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Cohen, J. et al., Nature Geosci., 2014, 7(9),
627–637.
Blöthe, J. H. and Korup, O., Earth Planet.
Sci. Lett., 2013, 382, 38–46
Literature cited 2: Sundriyal, Y. P. et al., Episode, 2015, 38,
179–188.
Sharma, S., Shukla, A. D., Bartarya, S. K.,
Marh, B. S. and Juyal, N., Geomorphology,
2017, 290, 317–334.
ID: 65005
Title: Rural electrification using hybrid solar-wind energy systems
Author: S. K. Satheesh
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (8) 811-812 (2023)
Subject: Rural electrification using hybrid solar-wind energy systems
Keywords: Rural electrification,hybrid solar-wind energy systems
Abstract: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
assessment reports have warned us about the impact of
climate change. This is highlighted by the rise in greenhouse gas concentrations over the past 50 years, which has
led to an observed increase in global mean temperature.
Warming of the atmosphere and oceans, diminishing
amounts of snow and ice, increase in sea level, and increase
in the concentrations of greenhouse gases have been observed. Observed temperature during each of the last three
decades has been successively higher than previous decades.
IPCC reports indicate that surface temperature change by
the end of the 21st century will likely exceed 1.5 to 2°C
relative to pre-industrial times. If the emissions of greenhouse gases continue, it can lead to further increase in
temperature with consequent changes in most of the components of the climate system. Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change has predicted many consequences. Increasingly rapid sea level rise, melting of glaciers, increase in
the number of extreme weather events, adverse impacts on
biodiversity are some examples. Reducing the consequences of climate change demand significant reductions
of greenhouse gas emissions. For India, climate change is
not just a science issue but involves several other factors
such as economics, water-energy-food security, health, insurance, law, international policy and so on.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2:
ID: 65004
Title: Annual Review of Plant Biology 2021.
Author: Sabeeha S. Merchant, Wilhelm Gruissem and Donald R. Reviewed by Sudhir K Sopory
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (7) 790-792 (2023)
Subject: Annual Review of Plant Biology 2021.
Keywords: Annual Review, Plant Biology, 2021.
Abstract: This volume contains 131 well-compiled
reviews contributed by experts mainly
from USA, Europe, Canada and a few from
Japan, Vietnam, etc. The prefatory chapter is by Maarten Koornneef (Max Planck Institute (MPI), Germany and Wageningen
University (WU), The Netherlands).
Broadly, the volume has two chapters
on light perception – one on phytochrome
and the other on UV receptors. Following
different environmental clues, plants produce various signals. There is a chapter on
histidine kinases and two-component signaling. The role of ions as regulated by
ion channels and salicylic acid as a signal
in defence and other responses is covered
in two elaborate reviews. A major portion
of the book is devoted to new work that
has been reported to explain various developmental responses. Accordingly, there is
a chapter each on cell cycle, tuberous and
tuber root development, regulation of leaf
shape and epidermis, and development of
male gametophyte. In addition, there is a
review on pollen–pistil interactions and
embryogenesis
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2: