Enter records

ID: 62736
Title: Gradual sustainability approach for urban transport through subtle measures
Author: Mukti Advani, Niraj Sharma, Madhu Errampalli, Yash Rane, Rajni Dhyani and P.V.Pradeep Kumar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (9) 1036 -1043 (2022)
Subject: Gradual sustainability approach for urban transport through subtle measures
Keywords: Metro station, sustainability, traffic simulation, urban transport, vehicular emission
Abstract: Capacity enhancement and demand reduction are the two the most approaches considered to deal with increased congestion in urban areas. The first approach involves construction of various infrastructure for providing increased capacity for motorized vehicles, whereas the second approach includes restricting movement of road users from congested areas(s). Experiences from the across the world have demonstrated that both the approaches have failed to resolve the problem of congestion. The present study has been carried out to assess traffic characteristics around five metro (rail) station areas in New Delhi, India, to examine the effect of subtle changes towards improvement for all road users. The impact of alternate traffic circulation plans, based on various traffic management strategies around these metro stations, has been compared using microscopic traffic simulation. The study has clearly demonstrated that parking related policies (including segregated parking lanes for cycle rickshaws and electric rickshaws) can result in improvement in vehicular speed by 2 to 6 km/h in the influence of zone of the selected metro stations for all categories of motorized vehicles. This is expected to result in total daily savings of 593 litres of petrol, 103 litres diesel and 643 kg CNG, and total CO2e (equivalent) reduction of 3.5 tonne/day in all the five metro stations. IT is evident that the sustainable scenarios (viz.segregation/shifting of on-street parking, signal design, etc) or similar those that have been suggested, would result in significant reduction in fuel consumption and corresponding CO2e (equivalent) emissions. Implementing agencies can choose the scenario best suited to them, among the given options.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Carvero, R., Freeway deconstrictuon and urban regeneration in the United States. In Paper presented for the International Symposium on the First Anniversary of the Chenoggyecheon Restoration,Seoul,Korea,2007; https:scholarships.org/uc/item/5fd6n8hr Jingfei, Y., Wang, L. and Gong, X., Study on status evaluation of urban road intersections traffic congestion base on AHP-TOPSIS Modal. In 13th COTA International Conference of Transportation Professionals (CICTP 2013), China, 2013; https:trid.trb.org/view/1280432.
Literature cited 2: Demetsky, M.J., Medley, S.B.and Board, V.C.T., Development of congestion performance measure using ITS information (No.VTRC-03-R1).Virginia Transportation Research Council, USA, 2003. Brennan Jr.T.M., Remias, S.M, an Manili, L., Performance measures to characterize corridor travel time delay based on probe vehicle data. Transp.Res.Rec. 2015, 2526 (1), 39-50.

ID: 62735
Title: Effect of plastering and paints on radon exhalation rate and radon effective dose from fired bricks
Author: Roshan Lal Sharma,Ajay Kumar Mahur and S.Asad Ali
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (9) 1031 -1035 (2022)
Subject: Effect of plastering and paints on radon exhalation rate and radon effective dose from fired bricks
Keywords: Building materials, fired bricks, paints, radon, thoron
Abstract: In the present study, we estimate the effect of paints on the radon exhalation rate from building materials. For the experimental study some bricks were collected from the local market of Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh, India. They were coated with a soup of cement and sand, and then dried for at least 24h.After drying; the coasted bricks were plastered with whitewash and re-dried for a minimum of 2h. They were then ready to be painted with different colours of paints from different brands. Radon exhalation rate and effective dose were measured for the painted brick samples by adopting sealed can technique, which utilizes LR-115 type-II track detectors. The radon activity varied from 768.8 to 1529.8 Bq m-3 and exhalation rate varied from 460.1 to 915.6 mBqm-2h-1, whereas the dose equivalent for radon daughters varied from 54.2 to 107 µSv yr-1. Exhalation of radon in the case of Snowcem (limeproof yellow), Asian paints (peach organza) and Berger Paints (yellow breeze) was found to increase slightly, while it decreased for the other paint brands.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Chandrahekara, M.S., Studies on radon exhalation rate from construction materials of Mandya District, Karnataka state, India.Int.J.Theor.Appl.Sci., 2018, 10, 9-14. Chauhan, R., Radon exhalation rates from stone and soil samples of Aravali hills in India.Iran.J.RAadiat.Res. 2011, 9 (1) 57-61.
Literature cited 2: Shashikumar,T., Ragini,N., Chandrashekara,M.and Paramesh,L., Studies on radon in soil, its concentration in the atmosphere and gamma exposure rate around Mysore city, India. Curr. Sci., 2008, 94(9), 1180-1185. Khan, A.J., Prasad, R. and Tyagi, R.K., Measurement of radon exhalation rate from some building materials. Nucl. Tracks Radiat. Meas., 1992, 20,609-610.

ID: 62734
Title: Artificial intelligence and machine learning in earth system sciences with special reference to climate science and meteorology in South Asia
Author: Manmeet Singh, Bipin Kumar, Rajib Chattopadhyay, K.Amarjyothi, Anup K.Sutar, Sukanta Roy, Suryachandra A.Rao and Ravi S.Nanjundiah
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (9) 1019 -1030 (2022)
Subject: Artificial intelligence and machine learning in earth system sciences with special reference to climate science and meteorology in South Asia
Keywords: Artificial intelligence, climate science, earth sciences, machine learning, meteorology, mind map.
Abstract: This study focus on the current problems in earth system science (ESS), where machine learning (ML) algorithms can be applied. It provides an overview of previous studies, ongoing work at the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, and future applications of ML algorithms to some significant earth science problems. We compare previous studies, a mind map of multidimensional area related to ML and Gartner’s hype cycle for ML in ESS. We mainly focus on the critical components in earth sciences, including studies on the atmosphere, oceans, biosphere, hydrogeology, human health and seismology. Various artificial intelligence9AI)/ML applications to problems in the core fields of earth sciences are discussed, in addition to gap areas and the potential for A1 techniques.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Chantry, M., Christensen, H., Dueben, P. and Palmer, T., Opportunities and challenges for machine learning in weather and climate modelling: hard, medium and soft A.Philos.Trans.R.Soc.London, Ser. A, 2021, 379, 20200083. Rolnick, D. et al., Tackling climate change with machine learning.arXiv.org,2019; doi:https:arxiv.org/pdf/1906.05433.pdf.
Literature cited 2: Reichstein, M. et al., Deep learning and process understanding for data-driven earth system science. Nature, 2019, 566,195-204. Shen, C., A transdisciplinay review of deep learning research and its releavance for water resources scientists. Water Resour.Res.2018, 54, 8558-8593.

ID: 62733
Title: Corallimorph sea anemone infestation in the coral reefs of Lakshadweep archipelago, India
Author: S.Prakash, T.T.Ajith kumar, Kuldeep K.Lal
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (9) 1009 -1010 (2022)
Subject: Corallimorph sea anemone infestation in the coral reefs of Lakshadweep archipelago, India
Keywords: Corallimorph sea anemone, infestation, coral reefs, Lakshadweep archipelago, India
Abstract: Coral reefs have undergone a phase shift in several instances due to the dominance of soft corals, sea anemones or sponges. Such phase shifts could be triggered either by natural calamities or due to the anthropogenic disturbances that resulted in the reduction in coral cover and coral health. One such instance has been documented recently (February 2021), during an intertidal survey along the reef edges (lagoon side) of agatti Island, Lakshadweep, India. The dead corals, shells of giant clams and some live corals were infested by corallimorph sea anemone. These are invasive and naturally thrive in man-made or environmentally disturbed coral reef habitats.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Chadwick, N.E. and Morrow, K.M., Coral Reefs: An Ecosystem inTransition, Springer, Berlin, 2011, pp.347-371. Norstrom, A.V. et al., Mar.Ecol.Prog.Ser, 2009, 376,295-306.
Literature cited 2: Dudgeon, S.R. et al., Mar. Ecol.Prog.er., 2010, 413, 201-216. Work, T.M., Aeby, G.S. and Maragos, J.E., PLoS ONE, 2008, 3(8), e2989.

ID: 62732
Title: Many facets of afforestation (tree planting) and climate change
Author: Sanjay Gubbi
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (9) 1007 -1008 (2022)
Subject: Many facets of afforestation (tree planting) and climate change
Keywords: afforestation, climate change
Abstract: Of all the environmental and biodiversity problems in recent times, climate change has caught the attention of people across the spectrum of society. Raising temperatures, irregular weather patterns, and natural disasters have all been obvious, tell-tale signs of climate change. From political leaders to bureaucrats, environmentalists to the media, scientists to citizens, all discuss this problem as it seems to be impacting everyone. There is even a growing interest in the consideration of religion in climate change research!
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2:

ID: 62731
Title: Leaf-based identification for trees of Sahyadri: 435 Species of Forest, Mangrove and Urban Tees of Northwestern Ghats of India.
Author: P.Venu
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (8) 986 -987 (2022)
Subject: Leaf-based identification for trees of Sahyadri: 435 Species of Forest, Mangrove and Urban Tees of Northwestern Ghats of India.
Keywords: Leaf-based identification, trees of Sahyadri, 435 Species of Forest, Mangrove, Urban Tees, Northwestern Ghats, India.
Abstract: Identifying floral elements and documenting their abundance/rarity, and distribution in the form of floras or field guides is a prerequisite for resource awareness and conservation. It is tough to identify and distinguish any live plant from others by its correct name based on a single organ. This happens when leaf morphology is chosen as the basis for identifying one tree species from others. The task would be more challenging if the same leaf features were applied to larger aggregations such as families or genera. As plant life fascinates one and all, amateurs often attempt such documentation with interest and commitment. The present attempt by Shrikant Ingalhalikar concerns tree recognition based on the application of leaf features and without the support of floral morphology.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2:

ID: 62730
Title: Screening alcohol-preserved samples for cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), a recent invasive introduction to India
Author: J.Poorani, Sunil Joshi, R.Thanigairaj and J.Diraviam
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (8) 981 -984 (2022)
Subject: Screening alcohol-preserved samples for cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), a recent invasive introduction to India
Keywords: Alcohol-preserved samples, cassava mealy-bug, invasive pests, Sternorrhyncha
Abstract: Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae), one of the most serious pests of cassava worldwide, was recently introduced to India. Surveillance, early detection and mapping of its distribution in cassava-growing areas are essential to prevent it from spreading further. Several species of mealybug are known to infest cassava in India; their authoritative identification normally requires preparation of slide mounts, which is highly skilled and time-consuming process. A simple method is described here for screening alcohol-preserved samples of mixed-species infestation for cassava mealybug.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Williams, D.J., Mealybugs of Southern Asia, The Natural History Museum,London,UK,2004. Joshi, S., Pai, S.G., Deepthy, K.B., Ballal, C.R. and Watson, G., The cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferreo (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pediococcidae) arrives in India. Zootaxa, 2020, 4772(1), 191-194.
Literature cited 2: Sampathkumar, M. et al., Occurrence of cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrere (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera), a new invasive pest on cassava in India and prospects for its classical biological control. Curr. Sci., 2021, 120 (2), 432-435. Parsa, S., Kondo, T. and Winotai, A., The cassava mealybug (Phenacoccus manihoti) in Asia: first records, potential distribution, and identification key.PLoSONE, 2012, 7(10), e47675.

ID: 62729
Title: On satellite geoidal mapping over the Elan Bank, Antarctica
Author: T.J.Majumdar and R.Bhattacharyya
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (8) 974 -978 (2022)
Subject: On satellite geoidal mapping over the Elan Bank, Antarctica
Keywords: Continental crust, geoidal mapping, lithospeheric plate, satellite data
Abstract: Satellite geoidal data over the Elan Bank region in Antarctica could be demarcated with the surroundings and confirmed as continental lithosphere. It has been observed that the satellite geoidal map can well demarcate the continental margin region near the Indian coastal region using high-resolution geoid/gravity data. This also helps determine the nature of the lithospheric plate over the Elan Bank. A large portion of land got detached from the Indian plate during the transition processes between the continental and oceanic crust that were originally created by rifting. Satellite geoidal mapping is a comparatively new technique for crust delineation, offshore exploration and tectonics related studies.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Brennecke, J. and Lelgemann, D., The altimetric geoid in the North Sea. In Satellite Microwave Remote Sensing (ed.Allan, T.D), John Wiley, 1983, p.526. Haxby, F., Karner, G.D., La Brecque, J.L.and Weissel, J.K., Digital images of combined oceanic and continental data sets and their uses in tectonic studies.EOS Trans., Am, Geophys.Union,1983,64,995-1004.
Literature cited 2: Sandwell, D.T., and McAdoo, D.C., Marine gravity of southern Indian Ocean and Antarctic margins from Geosat.J.Geophys.Res.,1988,93,10389-10396. Rapp, R., The determination of geoid undulations and gravity anomalies from Seasat altimeter data.J.Geophys.Res, 1983, 88, 1552-1562.

ID: 62728
Title: Chemical composition of low Moor and Walker Company cannons in the Odisha State Maritime Museum, east coast of India
Author: Sila Tripati, Rudra Prasad Behera, N.G. Rudraswami and P.P.Deshpande
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (8) 965 -973 (2022)
Subject: Chemical composition of low Moor and Walker Company cannons in the Odisha State Maritime Museum, east coast of India
Keywords: Cannons, chemical analysis, corrosion rate, decay, museums
Abstract: Cannons are military or civil or civil weapons supported on carriages or fixed mounts and used in warfare as well as against rebellions. Now, most of the cannons are exhibited in museums, forts, public and private buildings, an open place. Moreover, historical documents provide information on different types of forge-welded or cast cannons, which were manufactured both in India and abroad. Like in other museums, Six iron cannons are housed at the Odisha State Maritime Museum, Cuttack, Odisha, India. Among them, two Low Moor (LM) cannons are displayed at the museum’s main entrance, one LM and a Walker Company (WC) cannon are exhibited adjacent to the dockyard located in the museum, and two smaller cannons are displayed in the museum gallery. Similarly, two LM and two WC cannons are displayed at Residency, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Which were deployed during the First War of India’s independence in 1857.None of the LM and WC cannons has displayed a considerable degree of corrosion despite their exposure to the open environment for a long duration. Electron microscopy studies of the LM and WC cannons of the Odisha State Maritime Musem were carried out to ascertain corrosion and decay. This study deals with the results of chemical analysis of the LM and WC cannons, emphasizing the fact that the corrosion rate of these cannons is significantly less than other cannons of India.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Partington, J.R., A History of Greek Fire and Gunpowder, John Hopkins, Baltimore, USA, 1999. Dodsworth, C., Low Moor Ironworks, Bradford.Indus.Archaeol., 1971, 8, 122-164. Literature Cited 2: Day, L. and McNeil,I. (eds), Biogeographical Dictionary of the History of Technology, Routledge, London, UK, 2013.
Literature cited 2: Day, L. and McNeil,I. (eds),Biographical Dictionary of the History of Technology, Routledge, London, UK, 2013. Literature Cited: Gray, E., Nineteenth-century torpedoes and their inventors. Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland, USA, 2004.

ID: 62727
Title: Gut bacteria mediated insecticide resistance in cotton leafhopper Amrasca biguttula biguttula
Author: G.Sivakumar, M.Mohan, K.Subaharan, T.Venkatesan, Sanjay Yelshetti, M.Kannan, R.Anandham, M.S.Yandigeri, Surabhi Kumari, K.Elango and P.Ram Kumar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (8) 958 -964 (2022)
Subject: Gut bacteria mediated insecticide resistance in cotton leafhopper Amrasca biguttula biguttula
Keywords: Cotton, detoxification, esterase activity, gutmicroflora, insecticide resistance, leafhopper
Abstract: Cotton leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida) (Hemiptera: Cladellidae) is a major sucking insect pest of cotton in India. Indiscriminate use of pesticides has led to the development of resistance to most of the recommended pesticide groups. Though here are multiple mechanisms and principles of insecticide resistance development in insects, the gut bacterial-mediated degradation of insecticides is relatively less explored. In the present study, the gut bacteria of field-collected, insecticide–resistant pollution of A.biguttula biguttula were compared with a laboratory-reared susceptible population. Among the five culturable gut bacteria from the imidacloprid-resistant population, only Enterococcus silesiacus CLHG1a exhibited growth in the agar medium amended with 50 and 100 ppm of imidacloprid. The imidacloprid degrading capacity of E.silesiacus CLHG1a was further confirmed by HPLC analysis. E.silesiacus and Bacillus amyloliquefacienns CLHG2 showed higher esterolytic activity (0348 and 0.309 µmoles/min/mg respectively). The esterase zymogram on native PAGE revealed a single major band. This study provides clear evidence that the bacterium E.silesiacus isolated from the gut of A.buguttula biguttula has the ability to degrade imidacloprid and may have played a role in the detoxification of pesticides.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Anon, All India Coordinated Cotton Improvement Project. Central Institute for Cotton Research, Coimbatore, 2009, pp.9-15. Mohan, M. and Katiyar, K.N. Impact of different insecticides used for bollworm control on the population of Jasid and whitefly in cotton.Pestic.Res.J., 2000, 12, 99-102.
Literature cited 2: Kannan, M., Uthamasamy, S. and Mohan, S., Impact of insecticides on sucking pests and natural enemy complex of transgenic cotton. Curr. Sci., 2004, 86, 726-729. Jeya, P.S., and Regupathy, A., Generating base line data for insecticide resistance monitoring in cotton leafhopper, Amrasca devastans (Distant). Resist. Pest Manage. Newsl., 2002, 11, 4-5.

ID: 62726
Title: Experience window influences development and retention of memory to recognize predators in the larval skipper frogs
Author: Swapnil C.Supekar and nerahari P.Gramapurohit
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (8) 951 -957 (2022)
Subject: Experience window influences development and retention of memory to recognize predators in the larval skipper frogs
Keywords: Associative learning, experience window, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis, memory retention, predator and prey
Abstract: Learning and memory are critical for predator recognition as they allow prey species to develop and adaptive response to a novel situation, thus increasing their chances of survival. In prey species that lack innate predator recognition, alarm cues play a crucial role in learning y their association with novel predator odour. Perception of novel predator odours along with alarm cues allows the prey to learn to detect predatory occurs alone in their future encounters. A single event of exposure is considered to be sufficient for the prey to associate predatory cues with alarm cues. However, the minimum time required for learning and memorizing information about predator identity is unknown. Hence we used the tadpoles of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis to determine the association between the experience window and memory development and its retention. We conditioned tadpoles with a mixture of dragonfly nymph odours and alarm cues for 1, 3,6,12 and 24 h, and subsequently assessed their antipredator response was proportional to the duration of conditioning. Moreover, retention of memory increased with an increase in the duration of conditioning. Hence, we show the significance of conditioning duration in learning. We also show an association between the duration of conditioning and retention of memory. In aquatic ecosystems, where the prey encounters a wide array of predatory cues, our findings open a new avenue for understanding the complexities associated with learning and the development of memory.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Krivan, V. and Sirot, E., Do short-term behavioural responses of consumers in tri-trophic food chains persist at the population time-scale? Evol. Ecol. Res., 2004, 6(7), 1063-1081. Ferrari, M.C., Wisenden, B.D., and Chivers, D.P, Chemical ecology of predator-prey interactions in aquatic ecosystems: a review and prospectus. Can. J. Zool., 2010, 88(7), 698-724.
Literature cited 2: Ferrari, M.C., Short-term environment al variation in predation risk leads to differential performance in predationrelated cognitive function.Ani,.Behav., 2014, 95, 9-14. Mogali, S., Shanbhag, B., Saidapur, S., Experience of predacious cues and accessibility to refuge minimize mortality of Hylarana temporalis tadpoles. Acta Herpetol., 201, 14 (1), 15-19.

ID: 62725
Title: Adigar: a drone simulator for agriculture
Author: Akarshani Amarasinghe, Lakshman Jayarante and Viraj B.Wijesuriya
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (8) 945 -950 (2022)
Subject: Adigar: a drone simulator for agriculture
Keywords: Agriculture, autonomous drones, human intervention, reinforcement learning, pesticides
Abstract: Adigar is a drone simulator developed a reduce the adverse effects of pesticides during the spraying process. Here, we propose a path planning algorithm to cover all arable areas of farmland, while avoiding unsafe areas. The proposed solution outputs the optimal path for the farmland and the drone can fly over along this path to spray pesticides without human intervention. This approach highlights the concept of using drones for agricultural purposes with minimum human intervention.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Jayasekara, K.B., Dissanayake, D.M.,Sivakanesan,., Ranasinghe, A.Karunarathna, R.H. and Priyantha Kumara, G.W.G., Epidemiology of chronic kidney disease, with special emphasis on chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology, in the north central region of Sri Lanka.J. Epidemiol.,2015, 25, 275-280. Hill, N.R., et al., Global prevalence of chronic kidney disease-a systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS ONE, 2016, 11, e0158765.
Literature cited 2: Forget, G., Goodman, T. and De Villiers, A.J., Impact of pesticide use on health in developing countries, International Development Research Centre, 1993. Pesticide exposure of users and agricultural workers: Anses-Agence nationale de securite sanitaire de 1’alimentation, de ‘environment et du travail; https://www.anses.fr/en/content/pesticide-exposure-users-and-agricultural-workers (accessed on 25 April 2021.).

ID: 62724
Title: Link between monsoon rainfall variability and agricultural drought in the semi-arid region of Maharashtra, India
Author: Rahul S.Todmal
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (8) 934 -944 (2022)
Subject: Link between monsoon rainfall variability and agricultural drought in the semi-arid region of Maharashtra, India
Keywords: Agriculture, drought, future climate change, monsoon rainfall, semi-arid regions
Abstract: The monsoon rainfall variability in semi-arid regions affects all economic activities in general and agriculture in particular. The present study, therefore, analyses monsoon rainfall variability and its connection with E1 Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) agriculture in the semi-arid region of Maharashtra, India during 1980-2014.Linear correlation and regression analysis were carried out to evaluate the role of ENSO and IOD in rainfall variability. The standardized precipitation index (SPI) standardized cropped productivity index (SCPI) and standardized crop area index (SCAI) were used to compare the agro-meteorological variability. The dependency of agricultural cropped area on rainfall was verified using satellite data (NDVI). The E1 Nino events and positive phase of IOD were mainly responsible for below-average rainfall over the study region. This highlights the need to incorporate the ENSO and IOD for precise forecasting of monsoon rainfall. Rainfall variability (up to 33%) over the study basins causes meteorological droughts and eventually results in agricultural droughts. The agricultural productivity of rainfed as well as irrigated crops was significantly affected by rainfall variability. Particularly, during the severe meteorological droughts (1985-86, 2002-03 and 2012), agricultural productivity and cropped area were significantly reduced. Under the future climate change scenario, a rise in temperature will further add to the already difficult agricultural water management challenge. Therefore, agronomists and water resources mangers have to design a judicial plan which can mitigate the water scarcity and sustain agricultural yield even in warming conditions.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Gadgil, S. and Gadgil, S., The Indian monsoon, GDP and agriculture. Polit. Wkly, 2006, 41, 4887-4895. Mihajlvic, D., Monitoring the 2003-2004 meteorological droughts over Pannonian part of Croatia. Int. J. Climatol., 2006, 26, 2213-2225.
Literature cited 2: Todmal, R.S., Droughts and agriculture in the semi-arid region of Maharashtra, western India. Weather. Climate Soc., 2019, 11, 441-754; https://doi.org/10.1175/WCAS-D-18-0131.1. IPCC, Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. In Contribution of Working Group 1 to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (eds Stocker, T.F. et al). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2013; https:www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/wg1AR5_Front-matter_FINAL.pdf.

ID: 62723
Title: Neotectonic evidences of some major rivers of Northeast India
Author: Sangeeta Sharma, Surabh Baruah and Jogendra Nath Sharma
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (8) 918 -933 (2022)
Subject: Neotectonic evidences of some major rivers of Northeast India
Keywords: Drainage anomalies, morphotectonics, neotectonic activity, seismotectonics, seismic hazard assessment
Abstract: The neotectonic activity of some parts of the Assam-Arakan Basin in Northeast India has been studied through drainage patterns, anomalies and morphotectonics to determine the recent deformation in the area that serves as the input for any seismic hazard assessment. Various drainage anomalies like annular drainage pattern, compressed meanders, palaeo channels, and knick points in the river courses reveal the presence of neotectonic activity in the area, which is also confirmed by topographic profiles and seismic sections. The present study reveals that active subsurface structures like the Rudrasagar High, Geleki Low, Geleki High and Jorhat Fault have direct influence on the development and modification of the river systems courses. The morphometric and morphotectonic studies of drainage basins flowing through the Belt of Schuppen and Dauki Fault show strong influence of tectonics. The tectonic activities of the Bomdila and Kopili Faults are studied through neotectonics and seismotectonics, supplemented by gravity data. Seismicity is fairly intense in both the areas and both faults have influences in modifying the drainage alignments of the region. Occurrence of bills/swamps and development of knicks, presence of tectonic scarps, disturbed and folding in beds on the riverbanks and intense seismic activity in the region reveal neotectonic activity.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: BIS, IS 1893-2002(Part 1): Indian standard criteria for earth-quake resistant design of structures: general provisions and buildings. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, 2002. Richter, C.F., Elementary Seismology, W.H.Freeman and Companny Inc.San Francisco, USA, 1958, p.768.
Literature cited 2: Ouchi, S., Response of alluvial rivers to slow active tectonic movement.Geol.Soc.Am Bull., 1985, 96, 504-515. Bull, W.B. and McFadden, L.D., Tectonic geomorphology of north and south Garlock fault, California .In Geomorphology in Arid Regions. In Proceedings of the Eight Annual Geomorphology Symposium (ed. Doehring, D.O), State University of New York, Bringhamton, USA, 1977, pp.115-138.

ID: 62722
Title: Drillability predictions in Aravalli and Himalayan rocks-a petro-physicomechanical approach
Author: BNV.Siva Prasad, V.M.S.R.Murthyand Sriparasad R.Naik
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (8) 907 -917 (2022)
Subject: Drillability predictions in Aravalli and Himalayan rocks-a petro-physicomechanical approach
Keywords: Granularity index, hard rock drilability, modified saturation index, petrography, physic-mechanical approach.
Abstract: Dolomite, Siliceous dolomite, Phyllite, Schist, Leucoganite, Pegmatite and gneissic rocks from the Indian Aravalli Hills and Bhutan Himalayan mountains were studied to examine the influence of petrographic and physic-mechanical properties on rock drillability. From petrographic assessments, a measure of grain size distribution, i.e., ‘granularity index’ and a ‘modified saturation index’ are proposed. Extensive rock mechanism is drilling experiments were also performed to correlate physic-mechanical properties with intact rock drillability. Statistical analysis revealed that no single petrographic parameter could completely explain the variance in drill penetration rate (DPR). The proposed indices and the petro-physico-mechanical approach helped in the rapid assessment of DPR in hard rocks.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Zare, S., Bruland, A. and Rostami, J., Evaluating D & B and TBM tunnelling using NTNU prediction models.Tunn.Undergr.Space Technol., 2016, 59, 55-64. Bruland, A., Hard Rock Tunnel Boring, Drillability Test Methods, 1998, 8, 1-22.
Literature cited 2: Barton, N.,TBM Tunnelling in Jointed and Faulted Rock, A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2000. Siva Prasad, B.N.V., and Murthy, V.M.S.R., Laboratory investigations into fracture propagation characteristics of rock material. AIP Conf. Proc., 2018, 020009-1-7.