ID: 51112
Title: Basic wind speed map of India with long-term hourly wind data
Author: N.Lakshmanan, S.Gomathinayagam, P.Harikrishna, A. Abraham and S.Chitra Ganapathi
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 7, 10 April, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Anemograph stations, buildings and structures, return period, wind speed map
Abstract: Long-term data on hourly wind speed from 70 meteorological centres of India Meteorological Department have been collected. The daily gust wind data have been processed for annual maximum wind speed ( in kmph) for each site. Using the Gumbel probability paper approach the extreme value quantiles have been derived. A design basis wind speed for each site for a return period of 50 years has also been evaluated. The site-specific changes in the design wind speeds in the contemporary wind zone map for the design of buildings/structures are highlighted and revision to the map is suggested.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51111
Title: The biodiversity of Krem Mawkhyrdop of Meghalaya, India, on the verge of extinction
Author: Jayant Biswas
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 7, 10 April, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Cavernicoles, cave collapse, subterranean ecosystem, quarrying/mining process
Abstract: Cave fauna are unique and constitute one of the important components of biodiversity. The prevalence of cave organisms (cavernicoles) is always more in wet and longer caves compared to small and dry ones. Cavernicoles continue to evolve in the habitat characterized by complete darkness, constant temperature, high humidity and low predatic pressure. The subterranean biospheres located in tropical and sub-tropical India are poorly explored. Quarrying /mining activities in the karst area directly or indirectly harm such subterranean biosphere. Krem Mawkhyrdop located in Meghalaya, is affected by such activities. Recently , a portion of this cave collapsed despite early warning calls. In this article , we explain how an unscientific and random quarrying/mining process may possibly lead to extinction of biodiversity of this cave.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51110
Title: Intellectual property fuels a global sense of competitiveness
Author: Rajendra K.Bera
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 7, 10 April, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Global economy, innovation, intellectual property, university education
Abstract: The global economy is undergoing a major shift. For a nation to be competitive it must strengthen its research agenda, become innovative , strengthen and protect its intellectual property and find resources for the continuing education of its citizens.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51109
Title: Effect of acidification in water samples before and after filtration: a caution for hydro-geochemical studies
Author: P.P.Khanna, T.Ahmad, R.Islam
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 7, 10 April, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51108
Title: IRS data analysis in Longmenshan Mountain Range, China after the earthquake of May 2008
Author: K.Vinod Kumar, Arindam Guha and P.S. Roy
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 7, 10 April, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51107
Title: A process for making slow- release phosphate fertilizer from low-grade rock phosphate and siliceous tailings by fusion with serpentinite
Author: Pushpendra Ranawat, Kosanam Mohan Kumar and Navin K.Sharma
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 6, 25 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Fused fertilizer, phosphate, serpentinite, siliceous tailing
Abstract: Worldwide demand of phosphate fertilizer is met essentially from phosphatic rocks. India imports most of its requirements and produces a small portion through froth flotation of Precambrian stromatolitic rock phosphate. Increasing population and consequent increase in demand for food production necessitated investigation to utilize the large reserves of low-grade rock phosphate to produce an alternative fertilizer. An acceptable phosphate fertilizer was obtained by fusion of low-grade dolomitic and siliceous rock phosphate from Jhamarkotra mines, effluents from beneficiation plants of Jhamarkotra and Maton Rock Phosphate Projects and serpentinite rejects from Ridhabdev decor stone industry, in an electric furnace followed by quick quenching with water. This scheme may be adopted for all low-grade ores in the world, which will help utilize the large reserves of low-grade phosphate. Useful by-products are also recovered and the process is environment-friendly.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51106
Title: Intraplate stresses due to crustal heterogeneities along the Nagaur-Jhalawar transect, northwestern India.
Author: A.Manglik, Tanvi Arora, S.Thiagarajan and Ayan Mallick
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 6, 25 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Continental crust, elastic intraplate stresses, Nagaur-Jhalawar profile, plane strain
Abstract: The NW-SE trending Nagaur-Jhalawar deep crustal seismic profile transect across the Aravalli-Delhi Fold Belt to delineate the crustal structure and infer about the tectonics of this region. Seismic and gravity analyses of this profile revealed a complex tectonic structure in the central part of the profile, including the presence of a crustal-scale thrust with surface exposure near Jahazpur and domal structure beneath the Delhi Fold Belt (DFB). In the present work, we have estimated elastic intraplate stresses due to density heterogeneities and mechanical property variations, induced by such a complex crustal structure, under the plane strain approximation for a range of elastic parameters using finite element method. The results indicate that the mechanical properties of the domal structure beneath the DFB and the lower crust control the level of stress concentration in the upper crust. A significant enhancement in the magnitude of the shear stress in the central part of the profile was obtained for the models in which either the domal structure or the lower crust was mechanically weak in comparison to the models having mechanically strong domal structure and lower crust.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51105
Title: Spatial analysis of the frequency-magnitude distribution of aftershock activity of the December 2004 tsunamigenic Sumatra earthquake
Author: D.V.Ramana, D.Srinagesh and R.K. Chadha
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 6, 25 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Aftershocks, frequency-magnitude distribution, rupture propagation, Sumatra earthquake
Abstract: The study of aftershocks provides constraints on the fault dimension and the physical properties of materials within a seismogenic volume. To understand the tectonic setting, mode of faulting and other parameters which control the behaviour of the aftershock sequence, it is useful to study the b-value and the Omori decay of any tectonic setting. We have analysed the frequency-magnitude distribution and other parameters using modified Omori ' s law describing the aftershock activity of the Sumatra earthquake of 26 December 2004. Data from the NEIC catalogue for aftershocks of magnitude larger than 4.0 were used in this study. The rupture length of 1300 km has been divided into four different regions, which includes the main shock and the first major aftershock of magnitude 7.5. The b-values estimated for these four regions were found to vary from 0.9 to 1.2. We intrepret these variations in terms of the rupture propagation of the main shock and the inhomogeneities within the aftershock region.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51104
Title: Infections in early life and susceptibility to allergic diseases: relevance of hygiene hypothesis
Author: Sharad V. Gangal and Rohini Chowgule
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 6, 25 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Allergy, dendritic cells, early-life infections, hygiene hypothesis
Abstract: Allergic manifestations such as rhinitis, asthma and eczema are increasing all over the world and more steeply in western industrialized countries during the last few decades. The underlying causes are poorly understood. Genetic factors are unlikely to explain the increased prevalence of allergic diseases as genetic shift in the population cannot occur in such a short duration. Changes in lifestyle, living conditions, food habits and environmental factors are implicated in the increased prevalence of allergic diseases. One of the explainations deduced from hygiene hypothesis is that early-life infections may protect against allergic sensitization. Changes in lifestyle have led to decreased exposure of children to certain infections, which is responsible for the increase in prevalence of allergy and asthma. There is growing evidence that under certain situations exposure to microbial products may instead protect against inflammation. This was further supported by cross-sectional studies involving farming and non-farming households in which concentration of endotoxins exposure showed inverse association with allergic manifestations. This article examines the relevance of hygiene hypothesis on the basis of current knowledge of molecular mechanism of allergy and reviews the recent literature on the role of infections in early-life, in maintaining immume homeostasis.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51103
Title: Anti-predator behaviour of Large brown flying squirrel (Petaurista philippensis): is this an effective census method to survey the species?
Author: S.Babu, E.A.Jayson
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 6, 25 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51102
Title: Prospecting for alternate sources of shikimic acid, a precursor of Tamiflu, a bird -flu drug
Author: T.R.Raghavendra , Priti Vaidyanathan, H.K.Swathi, B.T. Ramesha, G.Ravikanth, K.N.Ganeshaiah, A.Srikrishna, R.Uma Shaanker
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 6, 25 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51101
Title: Discovery of micro-diamonds in beach sands of the Nagapattinam and Vedaranniyam beaches, southern east coast of India
Author: Manish Kumar Purohit , P.K.Kathal , S.H. Adil
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 6, 25 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51100
Title: Asia ' s first viviparous amphibian discovered in India
Author: Abhay S.D.Rajput
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 6, 25 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51099
Title: Water First:Issues and Challenges for Nations and Communities in South Asia.
Author: None
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 5, 10 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51098
Title: Production of epsom, gypsum and other industrial products from the mill tailings of Jhamarkotra rock phosphate project, India
Author: P.S.Ranawat, K.Mohan Kumar and Navin K. Sharma
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 5, 10 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Epsom, fertilizer, gypsum, magnesium ammonium phosphate, mill tailing
Abstract: At the Jhamarkotra rock phosphate mines, the lowgrade Proterozoic rock phosphate containing 14-19% P2O5 is beneficiated by froth flotation process to produce beneficiated rock phosphate having 32-34% P2O5 , to provide raw material for fertilizer plants. The process generates considerable quantity of dolomitic tailings which contain 5-6% P2O5 , 16-18% MgO and 32-34% CaO, that are potentially useful in agriculture. It is therefore necessary to utilize these products to conserve the diminishing, meagre and non-renewable phophate resources of India. About 1500-1800 tonnes per day (TPD) of dolomitic tailings is produced through the processing of ~3000 TPD of the ore, which is collected in the tailing ponds. Investigation carried out on final carbonate tails (FCT) of Jhamarkotra rock phosphate froth flotation beneficiation plant revealed that good quality epsom (MgSO4. 7H 2 O)/fertilizer -grade magnesium sulphate, gypsum (CaSO4. 2H 2 O) and magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) can be produced by leaching FCT with dilute sulphuric acid (30%) at 60-80 oC and subsequent crystallization through evaporation and cooling. MAP also can be produced, which has citrate solubility of about 96%. MAP has proved to be beneficial for rice crop on acid as well as alkaline soils. Additionally, ammonium carbonate/carbon dioxide,hydrogen fluoride/calcium fluoride can also be produced. This scheme will certainly help reduce the wastage of these resources, mitigation of pollution and will generate additional revenue to the company.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None