Enter records

ID: 66084
Title: Micro- and nanoplastic pollution in groundwater used for drinking – an emerging pollutant
Author: R. Srinivasan
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (12) 1377-1378 25 Dec. (2024)
Subject: Micro- and nanoplastic pollution in groundwater used for drinking – an emerging pollutant
Keywords: None
Abstract: Prior to 1950s, in the era of industrial revolution, metals and alloys were produced for use in most walks of life. Overexploitation of mineral resources for making the metals and alloys led to shortage of mineral resources, and this led to the necessity for recycling of metals and search for a suitable replacement for metals. At this juncture, discovery of plastic came as a boon.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 66083
Title: Comparing two sensor data to perceive landscape phenology dynamics at Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat, India
Author: Dhruvi P. Phadke , Amrit N. Chaurasia , Sheshakumar Goroshi, Mohan Ram , C. P. Singh , Bimal K. Bhattacharya and N. S. R. Krishnayya
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (11) 1357-1362 10 Dec. (2024)
Subject: Comparing two sensor data to perceive landscape phenology dynamics at Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat, India
Keywords: PhenoCam, phenology, phenophases, Sentinel-2, vegetation indice
Abstract: Periodic observations of landscape phenology are critical for assessing growth cyclicals of forest covers. The present study attempts to discern the phenology dynamics of dry deciduous forest cover using ground- and satellite-based sensors and to examine their complementarity. Modelled phenophases coming from the data of both sensors reflected dynamics of landscape phenology matching with the pattern of deciduous cover. Phenophases derived from the data of PhenoCam coincided with the observed rainfall dynamics of the region, while satellite-based phenophases could not, largely because of a mismatch in data availability owing to cloud cover hindrance. A correlation was seen between the measured indices of both sensors. The modelled length of the season of deciduous cover obtained from the data of both sensors was similar. The study tries to fill in the existing wide gap in the studies on phenophases of Indian tropical covers and highlights how it can assist better in gauging the ecological dynamics of protected areas.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Richardson, A. D., Keenan, T. F., Migliavacca, M., Ryu, Y., Sonnentag, O. and Toomey, M., Climate change, phenology, and phenological control of vegetation feedbacks to the climate system. Agric. For. Meteorol., 2013, 169, 156–173. Peñuelas, J. and Filella, I., Responses to a warming world. Science, 2001, 294, 793–795.
Literature cited 2: Singh, B., Jeganathan, C. and Rathore, V., Improved NDVI-based proxy leaf-fall indicator to assess rainfall sensitivity of deciduousness in the central Indian forests through remote sensing. Sci. Rep., 2020, 10, 17638. Klosterman, S. T. et al., Evaluating remote sensing of deciduous forest phenology at multiple spatial scales using PhenoCam imagery. Biogeosciences, 2014, 11, 4305–4320.

ID: 66082
Title: CMIP5 multi-model ensemble-based future climate projection for the Odisha state of India
Author: S. Vijayakumar and A. P. Ramaraj
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (11) 1352-1356 10 Dec. (2024)
Subject: CMIP5 multi-model ensemble-based future climate projection for the Odisha state of India
Keywords: CMIP5 ensemble, rainfall, RCP, statistical downscaling, temperature.
Abstract: Global climate models (GCMs) are vital for predicting future climate patterns and helping countries build resilience against climate change. The present study projected the future climate of Odisha under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios using Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) models due to the high vulnerability of the state to climate change in India. Results indicate that both minimum and maximum temperatures will rise in the near (2011–39), mid (2040–69) and late (2070–99) century under both RCP scenarios. Western Odisha (Sambalpur) will experience the most significant warming, with minimum temperatures rising more than maximum temperatures, a trend consistent in seasonal comparisons. Mean annual rainfall is projected to increase, driven primarily by the southwest monsoon (SWM). Western Odisha is expected to see the largest increase in annual precipitation and SWM, while southeastern Odisha (Khordha) will see the smallest increase under both RCP scenarios. Under RCP 4.5, annual rainfall is projected to increase by 0.8–4.0%, 0.4–3.6% and 3.0–6.0% during the near, mid and late centuries respectively. Under RCP 8.5, the increases are 4.0–8.8%, 6.3–8.7% and 8.4–17.5% for the same periods. Consequently, government policies must bolster resilience to withstand these escalating temperatures and rainfall patterns.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Singh, N. P. Anand, B., Rao, K. V. and Ranjith, P. C., Spatial and temporal assessment of climate impact on agriculture in plateau region, India. J. Agrometeorol., 2020, 22(3), 353–361. Syed, T. H., Famiglietti, J. S., Chambers, D. P., Willis, J. K. and Hilburn, K., Satellite-based global-ocean mass balance estimates of interannual variability and emerging trends in continental freshwater discharge. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 2010, 107, 17916– 17921.
Literature cited 2: Vijayakumar, S. et al., Rainfall and temperature projections and their impact assessment using CMIP5 models under different RCP scenarios for the eastern coastal region of India. Curr. Sci., 2021, 121(2), 222–232. Shahid, M. et al., Simulation of rice yield with resource conserving technologies for early, mid and end centuries under changing climatic conditions using DSSAT model. Oryza., 2022, 59(3), 359– 369; https://doi.org/10.35709/ory.2022.59.3.12.

ID: 66081
Title: Development of an IoT-based pumping control system for withdrawal of freshwater from brackish groundwater zone
Author: Manpreet Singh , J. P. Singh , Y. B. Kalnar and Mahesh Chand Singh
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (11) 1344-1351 10 Dec. (2024)
Subject: Development of an IoT-based pumping control system for withdrawal of freshwater from brackish groundwater zone
Keywords: Automation, brackish groundwater, Internet of Things, pumping, sensor
Abstract: The Internet of Things (IoT)-based pumping control system is crucial for tackling water quality issues and optimizing pumping operations in brackish groundwater zones like southwest Punjab, ensuring sustainable access to freshwater. In the present study, an IoT-based system for controlling the pumping of freshwater from a brackish groundwater zone in the southwest region of Indian Punjab was developed. The developed system was tested at different locations in the field and the working performance was satisfactory. The statistical comparison of the electrical conductivity (EC) recorded with and without the developed system indicated that the developed sensor-based automatic pumping control system is capable of controlling the pumping of water from tubewells with the set permissible limit of EC of 4 mS/cm as given in the source code. The results revealed that the optimal gap between two consecutive pumping of a tubewell for tapping good quality water in the study area was at most 6 h as affected by EC. Furthermore, it was observed that tubewells with greater depths (182.9–213.4 m) exhibited lower groundwater salinity, whereas those with shallower depths (10.7 m, 19.8 m, 30.5 m and 42.7 m) showed higher salinity levels. The lesser variation of groundwater salinity with pumping duration was at a depth beyond 40 m from the ground surface. The cost of the developed system was computed to be US$ 182.16 only. Overall, the developed system which is cost-effective would be useful for controlling the tubewell operation for tapping good quality water from the brackish groundwater zone in the study region
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Shiklomanov, I., World Freshwater Resources, Oxford University Press, New York, 1993, pp. 13–24. Brands, E., Rajagopal, R., Eleswarapu, U. and Li, P., Groundwater. In International Encyclopedia of Geography, People, the Earth, Environment and Technology (eds Richardson, D. et al.), John Wiley and Sons, New Jersey, 2017, pp. 1–17; https://doi.org/10. 1002/9781118786352.wbieg0677.
Literature cited 2: Kumar, R., Singh, R. D. and Sharma, K. D., Water resources of India. Curr. Sci., 2005, 89(5), 794–811; https://www.jstor.org/stable/241- 11024. Krishan, G., Groundwater salinity. Curr. World Environ., 2019, 14(2), 186–188; http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CWE.14.2.02

ID: 66080
Title: Design and evaluation of an automatic control system for hydroponics cultivation of mint
Author: Ajay N. Satpute , N. Patel, A. K. Mishra , D. K. Singh , Viswanathan Chinnusamy and Cini Varghese
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (11) 1335-1343 10 Dec. (2024)
Subject: Design and evaluation of an automatic control system for hydroponics cultivation of mint
Keywords: Automatic control system, hydroponics, nutrient solution, sensors.
Abstract: Hydroponics is emerging as a beneficial technique to augment food production in which the quality and yield of a crop are improved by accurately maintaining the desired electrical conductivity (EC), pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) in the nutrient solution. This article describes the development of an automatic control system for mint cultivation in hydroponics that consists of EC, pH, and DO sensors which continuously monitor the respective parameters and control their value in nutrient solution with the help of microcontroller and actuators. The developed system maintained the EC, pH and DO of the nutrient solution within their desired limits of 2.0–2.5 dS m–1 , 6.0–6.5 and above 8 ppm respectively. The plant height, average leaf area per plant and total chlorophyll content of the mint plants varied between 18.9–20.3 cm, 15.69–18.45 cm2 and 23– 30 (SPAD units) respectively. The results of this study emphasize the system’s effectiveness in monitoring and controlling the parameters of the nutrient solution thereby maintaining favourable growth conditions in the hydroponic cultivation of mint.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Gashgari, R., Alharbi, K., Mughrbil, K., Jan, A. and Glolam, A., Comparison between growing plants in a hydroponic system and soil-based system. In Proceedings of the 4th World Congress on Mechanical, Chemical, and Material Engineering Madrid, Spain, ICMIE, 2018, pp. 1–7. Barbosa, G. L. et al., Comparison of land, water and energy requirements of lettuce grown using hydroponic vs conventional agricultural methods. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2015, 12(6), 6879–6891.
Literature cited 2: Cooper, A., Crop production in recirculating nutrient solution. Sci. Horticult., 1975, 3(3), 251–258. Sharma, N., Acharya, S., Kumar, K., Singh, N. and Chaurasia, O. P., Hydroponics as an advanced technique for vegetable production: an overview. J. Soil Water Conserv., 2018, 17(3), 364–371

ID: 66079
Title: Impact of climate change on water requirement and yield of tomato over different agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu
Author: V. Guhan, V. Geethalakshmi , K. Bhuvaneshwari , N. Kowshika , V. Vinothkumar , S. Nithila and M. Marimuthu
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (11) 1330-1334 10 Dec. (2024)
Subject: Impact of climate change on water requirement and yield of tomato over different agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu
Keywords: AquaCrop, climate change, tomato yield, water-use efficiency, water requirement.
Abstract: The AquaCrop model was utilized to assess the impact of climate change on tomato cultivation in different agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu. The study examined variations in water requirement, yield and water-use efficiency (WUE) from 1980 to 2022. Results indicated that rising temperatures led to decreased tomato yield, with a 9% average decrease at a 2°C temperature increase, highlighting the crop’s sensitivity to heat stress. Furthermore, areas with lower rainfall demonstrated higher WUE, emphasizing the importance of efficient water use. The study underscores the need for adaptive strategies such as developing heat-tolerant varieties and optimizing irrigation practices to address the challenges of climate change on tomato cultivation
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Suzuki, N., Rivero, R. M., Shulaev, V., Blumwald, E. and Mittler, R., Plant responses to heat stress: physiology, transcription, noncoding RNAs, and epigenetics. New Phytol., 2020, 22(1), 117. Deuter, P., White, N. and Putland, D., Critical temperature thresholds case study: tomato. Agriscience Queensland, 2012, 1, 54–61.
Literature cited 2: FAO, Agricultural production statistics, 2000–2020. FAOSTAT analytical brief series no. 41, 2022. Haider, S. et al., Unfolding molecular switches in plant heat stress resistance: A comprehensive review. Plant Cell Rep., 2022, 41(3), 775–798.

ID: 66078
Title: Comparative studies on heat and stress build up in jointed and intact granites at depth of 220 m, Bhima Basin, India
Author: Binu Kumar, R. K. Bajpai and T. N. Singh
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (11) 1322-1329 10 Dec. (2024)
Subject: Comparative studies on heat and stress build up in jointed and intact granites at depth of 220 m, Bhima Basin, India
Keywords: Geological disposal system, granite, jointed granitic rock mass, smectite clay, thermo hydro mechanical.
Abstract: Two-dimensional simulation of heat transfer through a granite rock mass forming part of Proterozoic granites in Bhima Basin (BB) and associated groundwater flow and bulk stress distribution is carried out using structural geological features joints, fractures, etc. measured in field and laboratory evaluated mechanical, thermal and hydraulic parameters of 56 rock samples coupled with prevailing in situ stress field. The modelled rock mass (20 m × 10 m) consists of D-shaped opening at 220 m depth containing cylindrical heat source (500 Watt) and clay buffer with two sets of joints dipping at 90° and 45°. The intact rock mass under combined thermal and overburden stresses registers a maximum 19.77 MPa stress while it is 23.34 MPa in jointed rock mass due to additional stresses imposed by groundwater in the joints resulting in maximum displacement, groundwater flow and temperature of 4.46 mm, 1.93 × 10–8 m/s and 78.21°C respectively. The present study produces database on response of BB granites to applied thermal in situ-groundwater stresses.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Naithani, A. K., Underground rock caverns for strategic crude oil storage in India – nature of studies, design and construction. Curr. Sci., 2012, 103(5), 490–496. Nilsen, B., Norwegian oil and gas storage in rock caverns – technology based on experience from hydropower development. J. Rock Mech. Geotech. Eng., 2021, 13(2), 479–486.
Literature cited 2: Verma, A. K., Gautam, P., Singh, T. N. and Bajpai, R. K., Discrete element modelling of conceptual deep geological repository for high-level nuclear waste disposal. Arab. J. Geosci., 2015, 8, 8027– 8038. Bajpai, R. K., Recent advances in the geological disposal of nuclear wastes worldwide and Indian scenario. J. Geol. Soc. India, 2004, 63(3), 354–356.

ID: 66077
Title: Synthesis and application of curcumin-based zinc complex for corrosion inhibition of mild steel in alkaline media
Author: V. Nayana Senan , K. S. Beena Kumari and O. Lekshmy
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (11) 1315-1321 10 Dec. (2024)
Subject: Synthesis and application of curcumin-based zinc complex for corrosion inhibition of mild steel in alkaline media
Keywords: Adsorption, corrosion, curcumin, metal complex, weight loss method.
Abstract: A metal complex was prepared from zinc acetate dihydrate and curcumin by using the reflux method. The corrosion inhibition behaviour of the zinc–curcumin complex in 1 M NaOH on a mild steel sample was evaluated by conventional weight loss method and potentiodynamic studies. Through SEM analysis, the shape of the layer adsorbed on the mild steel surface was studied. Through EDX analysis, the adsorbed film’s elemental composition was determined. The greatest result 98% was reached at 150 mg l –1 , indicating that inhibition efficiency increases as the inhibitor’s concentration rises. The Langmuir’s adsorption isotherm is followed by adsorption nature of the complex over the sample surface
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Harsimran, S., Santosh, K. and Rakesh, K., Overview of corrosion and its control: a critical review. Proc. Eng. Sci., 2021, 3, 13–24. Oyekunle, D. T., Agboola, O. and Ayeni, A. O., Corrosion inhibitors as building evidence for mild steel: a review. J. Phys. Conf. Ser., 2019, 1378, 032046.
Literature cited 2: Yüksel, İ., Yüksel and İsa, A review of steel slag usage in construction industry for sustainable development. Environ. Dev. Sustain., 2017, 19, 369–384. Hossain, N., Asaduzzaman Chowdhury, M. and Kchaou, M., An overview of green corrosion inhibitors for sustainable and environment friendly industrial development. J. Adhes. Sci., 2020, 35, 673–690

ID: 66076
Title: From evolutionary relics to diabetic mellitus sentinels: a Mendelian randomization study of endogenous retrovirus group V member 1
Author: Mingtong Wei , Xiangyi Bu, Anmin Wang , Juanzi Gao , Haoyuan Tan and Weidong Jia,
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (11) 1310-1314 10 Dec. (2024)
Subject: From evolutionary relics to diabetic mellitus sentinels: a Mendelian randomization study of endogenous retrovirus group V member 1
Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Mendelian randomization, polyproteins, retroviru
Abstract: Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are retroviral elements that have integrated into the human genome during evolution and have various effects on human health and disease. Diabetic mellitus (DM) is a common metabolic disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. The causal relationship between HERVs and DM is unclear and controversial. In the present study, we used Mendelian randomization (MR) to infer the causal effect of HERV group V member 1 envelope polyprotein (HERVV-1 Env) expression on three types of DM: type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We found that HERVV-1 Env expression had a significant protective effect on T1DM and GDM, albeit not on T2DM. The reverse MR analysis showed that the three subtypes of DM did not affect HERVV-1 Env expression. Our findings illuminate the intricate relationship between HERVV-1 Env expression and varying DM subtypes, highlighting distinct underlying mechanisms. This pioneering study into the potential causal ties between HERVs family members and DM onset offers a new perspective on the significance of HERVs in human health and pathology.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Jakobsson, J. and Vincendeau, M., SnapShot: human endogenous retroviruses. Cell, 2022, 185, 400. Mangeney, M. et al., Placental syncytins: genetic disjunction between the fusogenic and immunosuppressive activity of retroviral envelope proteins. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 2007, 104, 20534– 20539.
Literature cited 2: Frank, J. A. et al., Evolution and antiviral activity of a human protein of retroviral origin. Science, 2022, 378, 422–428. Kremer, D. et al., pHERV-W envelope protein fuels microglial cell-dependent damage of myelinated axons in multiple sclerosis. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 2019, 116, 15216–15225.

ID: 66075
Title: Ces: a new stellar spectral noise reduction algorithm
Author: Yang Jiaming , Tu Liangping , Liu Hao and Zhao Jian
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (11) 1301-1309 10 Dec. (2024)
Subject: Ces: a new stellar spectral noise reduction algorithm
Keywords: Empirical mode decomposition, line index, multi-scale fuzzy entropy, singular value decomposition, stellar spectrum.
Abstract: We propose a stellar spectral noise reduction algorithm named Ces. The Hermitian interpolation algorithm is utilized to replace the cubic spline interpolation module in the empirical mode decomposition algorithm. Additionally, the shape of both upper and lower envelopes are constrained by continuous spectrum information from celestial spectra. The specific steps involved are: (i) The continuous spectrum of stellar spectra is fitted using a 10th-order polynomial. (ii) Calculate the derivative of the continuous spectrum at the extreme point of the stellar spectrum. (iii) Input the calculated derivative into the Hermite interpolation algorithm, utilizing it as a fitting parameter to generate upper and lower envelopes. Ces algorithm firstly decomposes and reconstructs stellar spectra to achieve initial noise reduction effect. The singular value decomposition algorithm is used to process the initial noise reduction data again to further remove the noise and recover part of the spectral line information.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Cheng, L. et al., A new stellar spectrum interpolation algorithm and its application to Yunnan-III evolutionary population synthesis models. Mont. Not. R. Astron. Soc., 2018, 476(3), 4071–4084. 2. Oknyansky, V. L. et al., New changing look case in NGC 1566. Month. Not. R. Astron. Soc., 2019, 483(1), 558–564.
Literature cited 2: Alderson, L. et al., A comprehensive analysis of WASP-17b’s transmission spectrum from space-based observations. Month. Not. R. Astron. Soc., 2022, 512(3), 4185–4209. Sviatoslav, B. B., Igor, V. C. and Evgenii, V. R., New generation stellar spectral libraries in the optical and near-infrared. I. The recalibrated UVES-POP library for stellar population synthesis. Astrophys. J. Suppl. Ser., 2023, 266(11), 2

ID: 66074
Title: How to make agricultural innovation and extension system effective in delivering agro-advisories
Author: Madhusmita Sahoo, Souvik Ghosh and Santosh Kumar Rout
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (11) 1279-1286 10 Dec. (2024)
Subject: How to make agricultural innovation and extension system effective in delivering agro-advisories
Keywords: Agricultural innovation and extension system, convergence, extension advisory services, farm women, farm youths, pluralistic approach
Abstract: The Agricultural Innovation System is a network of various actors including research, extension, and farmer organisations along with other stakeholders. This network along with supporting institutions and policies, bring new agricultural products, processes, and other innovations for social and economic use. Farmers access to the latest advancements in agriculture is facilitated by Extension Advisory Services (EAS). EAS have focused more on demand driven methods, for which many public and private entities are prepared to meet the various demands of the farmers. Presently, institutional issues are impeding the efficacy and efficiency of Agricultural Extension Systems since the institutions are operating at separate levels without any functional convergence at the local level. It is necessary to design and test convergence models for the implementation of various programmes that meet the various needs of several type of clienteles.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Wambura, R. M., Acker, D. and Mwasyete, K. K., Extension systems in Tanzania: identifying gaps in research. Tanz. J. Agric. Sci., 2015, 14(1), 43–56. Swanson, B. E. and Rajalahti, R., Strengthening agricultural extension and advisory systems: procedures for assessing, transforming, and evaluating extension systems. Agric. Rural Develop. Discussion Pap., 2010, 45, 1–87
Literature cited 2: Birner, R. et al., From best practice to best fit: a framework for designing and analysing pluralistic agricultural advisory services worldwide. J. Agric. Educ. Exten., 2009, 15(4), 341–355. Agwu, A. E., Dimelu, M. U. and Madukwe, M. C., Innovation system approach to agricultural development: policy implications for agricultural extension delivery in Nigeria. Afr. J. Biotechnol., 2008, 7(11), 1604–1611.

ID: 66073
Title: The Chooralmala landslide: a comprehensive analysis of the 2024 Wayanad event
Author: R. Sajeev
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (11) 1277-1278 10 Dec. (2024)
Subject: The Chooralmala landslide: a comprehensive analysis of the 2024 Wayanad event
Keywords: None
Abstract: On 30 July 2024, the Chooralmala region (11.50°N, 76.16°E) in Wayanad, Kerala, experienced one of the deadliest landslides in recent history, caused by extreme rainfall. The region received over 140 mm of rain in a single day, resulting in a massive debris flow that left over 230 dead, hundreds displaced and numerous villages destroyed1,2. This scientific correspondence analyses the geological, meteorological, and human-induced factors that contributed to the landslide and stresses the need for enhanced disaster mitigation strategies in Wayanad, a highly vulnerable region within the Western Ghats
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: World Weather Attribution (WWA), Oneday rainfall that triggered Wayanad landslides was Kerala’s third heaviest: study. The News Minute, 15 August 2024; https://www. thenewsminute.com/kerala/one-day-rainfallthat-triggered-wayanad-landslides-was-keralas-third-heaviest-study ABP News, Wayanad landslide LIVE updates: Search and rescue, 31 July 2
Literature cited 2: Bhattacharya, R. N., Mukherjee, P. K. and Ghosh, S., J. Soil Water Conserv., 2006, 61(2), 70–76. Sangomia, A., Down to Earth, 14 August 2024; https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/wayanad-landslides-withoutglobal-warming-rainfall-would-have-been11-less-intense-finds-attri

ID: 66072
Title: The growing threat of strokes in India
Author: Suman Ray
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (11) 1276-1277 10 Dec. (2024)
Subject: The growing threat of strokes in India
Keywords: None
Abstract: Stroke, today, has become the leading cause of mortality and disability amongst non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India. According to Global Burden of Disease study in India, stroke alone is responsible for 9.4 million fatalities and 28.5 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) lost1 . National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS), released under the National Health Mission in 2019, is being implemented for up to district level interventions. It includes awareness generation for prevention, screening, early detection, and referral for treatment in an appropriate level institution. The implementation of NPCDCS aims to provide upstream and downstream integration of NCD prevention and control interventions. However, discrepancies at the district level, primary health centre (PHC), are reported. For example, a paper published in Lancet2 reports the case of PHC at the Kheda village in Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh was found to be locked during weekday when a college student happened to visit it. So are similar cases too. So what is important? The availability of the PHC to the public is the basic need prior to the successful implementation of the NPCDCS that has been recently launched under the National Health Mission.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Lozano, R. et al., Lancet, 2012, 380, 2095– 2128. Chatterjee, P., The Lancet, 2017, 390(10111), 2426–2427; doi:org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)- 32860-X.
Literature cited 2: Rangamani, S. et al., The Lancet Reg. Health – Southeast Asia, 2024, 23, 100308. Sharma, S., Padma, M. V., Bhardwaj, A., Sharma, A., Sawal, N. and Thakur, S., Neurol. India, 2016, 64, 934–940; 10.4103/0028- 3886.190243 27625232.

ID: 66071
Title: Critical zone studies for sustainable development
Author: K. Sreelash and N. V. Chalapathi Rao
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (11) 1274-1275 10 Dec. (2024)
Subject: Critical zone studies for sustainable development
Keywords: None
Abstract: Critical zone science is a rapidly expanding area of research in Earth System Science focusing on the part of the earth that goes from the top of the canopy to the bottom of the aquifers. Earth’s critical zone (CZ) is experiencing ever increasing pressure from the burgeoning human population and economic development. The CZ concept provides a powerful interdisciplinary framework for quantifying the environmental flows of goods and services that arise from them. The growing population of India requires more natural resources to meet the pace of economic development. This will impose added pressure on the ecosystem and its resource base. Further, the Indian sub-continent is unique in terms of its lithological/ climatic variabilities as it is located in the core of the monsoon domain. All these warrant a better understanding of the earth’s surface processes which can be addressed through multi-disciplinary studies using a network of Critical Zone Observatories (CZOs) spread across different geo-environmental gradients. Realizing the importance of environment-inclusive development to meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs) set by India, the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS), Thiruvananthapuram, has initiated establishing a network of CZOs in Peninsular India under the theme TERRAIn (Tropical Ecosystem Research Observatories in Peninsular India) with an aim to understand the relativeinfluence of natural perturbations (climate variability) and anthropogenic activities on the hydrological and biogeochemical cycles in different environmental gradients of peninsular India and also synchronizing the same with other global test beds for furthering CZ studies on an international perspective. NCESS has already set up three CZOs in south India (Attappadi (Bhavani River Basin), Munnar (Periyar– Amaravati River Basin) and Aduthurai (Cauvery Delta)) having distinct environmental gradients.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2:

ID: 66070
Title: Development and evaluation of a power-operated carrot harvester-cum-detopper for hilly regions
Author: T. Senthilkumar, S. Syed Imran, G. Manikandan and R. Sanjay Krishnan
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (9) 1118-1123 10 Nov. (2024)
Subject: Development and evaluation of a power-operated carrot harvester-cum-detopper for hilly regions
Keywords: Carrot harvester, design parameters, detopping, digging efficiency, hilly regions.
Abstract: Carrot harvest is a major drudgery operation that includes manual digging using hand hoes and manual detopping. It is a highly labor-intensive operation in the Indian hilly regions. We have developed a power operated carrot harvester-cum-detopper suitable for hilly areas. The design parameters of the harvester, viz. blade height (100, 200 and 300 mm), conveying angle (15°, 25° and 35°) and catch height (20, 40 and 60 mm) were considered to evaluate the machine in actual field conditions. The optimum parameter values obtained for field operation were blade height of 300 mm, conveying angle of 25° and catch height of 40 mm. The field results of the power-operated carrot harvester indicate an actual field capacity of 0.028 ha h–1 , digging efficiency of 95.5%, conveying efficiency of 97.5%, detopping efficiency of 98.0% and damage percentage of 2.0. The harvester performs well for carrots grown in raised beds and single, narrow-row cultivation practices.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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