ID: 58926
Title: Seasonal variation of surface ozone and its association with meteorological parameters, UV-radiation, rainfall and cloud cover over Chennai, India.
Author: R Samuel Selvaraj, K Padma, B Milton Boaz.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 5), pp. 676-684 (2013)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Diurnal cycle, meteorological parameters, radiative forcing, seasonal variation, surface ozone.
Abstract: A study was done to measure the surface ozone (O3) level during the period between June 2011 and September 2012 at Chennai, a tropical site on the south-east coast of India situated at 1304 ' N 807 ' E. Surface ozone and its variation with meteorological parameters in urban area of Chennai were analysed through temporal pattern. The seasonal ozone showed a unique pattern attaining peak levels in summer and weakening in winter. Higher surface ozone concentrations observed during the summer months of the present study can be attributed to the high intensity of solar radiation and high temperature levels which promote the photochemical generation of O3, The destruction of O3 is increased during the winter season as a result of scavenging of higher nitrogen oxides. Correlations were observed and analysed to understand as to which meteorological variables influence the formation of ozone the most. Finally, hourly instantaneous values measured during daytime varied from 10 to 40 ppbv and its day average varied from 13 to 30 ppbv.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58925
Title: Importance of socio-economic and institutional factors in the use of veterinary services by smallholder diary farmers in India.
Author: Shiv Raj Singh, K K Datta.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 5), pp. 580-586 (2013)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Diary farmers, land holdings, organizational change, public institutions, veterinary services.
Abstract: The present study establishes the determinate of likelihood of using veterinary services in small holder dairy farming systems in India. Secondary data were used for analysis purpose with the sample size of 29,020 dairy households at the all-India level. The proportional relationship between veterinary services available within the village and use of these services reveals that, distance of availability of veterinary service positively influences the farmer ' s decision to use the same. There was a positive relationship between large land holdings, herd size and milk prices with the use of veterinary services. Secondly, the educational status of the head of a household, formal training in agricultural practices and continuation of agriculture as a profession had a positive influence on the use of veterinary services. The public institutions like the farm science by the diary farmers. The institutions which support veterinary services could become more effective if they undertake suitable organizational changes to disseminate the latest animal healthcare technologies to the marginalized dairy farmers.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58924
Title: Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill 2013.
Author: K V Soumya.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 5), pp. 572-572 (2013)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Wild life protection, amendment bill.
Abstract: The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2013 was introduced by Jayanthi Natarajan, Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Government of India in the Rajya Sabha for strict enforcement of law to protect wildlife. The bill provides the legal framework for the protection of various species of wild animals, management of their hahbitat and also for the regulation and control of trade in the poducts derived from them. The Bill has the provisions for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora. CITES is an international agreement that aims to ensure that international trade of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. The Bill also proposes stricter deterrents for crimes related to sale, purchase and transfer of animals, their parts or products listed in various schedules.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58923
Title: Phytotechnological applications of ' phoomdi ' , Loktak lake, Manipur, Northeast India.
Author: Maibam Dhanaraj Meitei, M N V Prasad.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 5), pp. 569-570 (2013)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Phytological applications, phoomdi, Loktak lake, Manipur.
Abstract: Loktak lake (93?46 ' - 93?55 ' E, 24?25 ' -24?42 ' N), a floodplain wetland of Manipur river, is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India (figure 1a). The lake covers an area of 287 sq.km and is fed by 36 streams. Presence of floating vegetation or island, locally known as ' phoomdi ' is a unique feature of Loktak lake (figure 1b and c). Phoomdi is a heterogenous mass of soil, vegetation and organic matter in different stages of decay, which floats over a vast expanse of the free water. It occurs in various sizes and thicknesses, occupying almost half the surface area of the lake.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58922
Title: Biochar: an innovative soil ameliorant for climate change mitigation in NE India.
Author: S Mandal, G I Ramkrushna, B C Verma, Anup Das.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 5), pp. 568-569 (2013)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Biochar, Innovative soil ameliorant, climate change, mitigation ,India.
Abstract: Long duration storage of carbon in the soil has been considered as an important method to mitigate increasing levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere. From the primitive technology of Amazonians known as ' Terra-Preta ' for enhancing soil productivity with charred biomass, biochar has emerged as a viable soil ameliorant for carbon sequestration. Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced by incomplete combustion of biological materials in the absence of oxygen or with limited amount of oxygen. It is reported that biochar stores carbon (C) in the soil for hundreds to thousands of years and thus, the level of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like CO2 and CH4 can be reduced significantly from the atmosphere. Biochar production by pyrolysis process from different crop residues and application in the soil had been proposed by many researchers as an effective countermeasure to increase soil organic carbon stock while improving soil fertility and climate change mitigation in agricilture.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58921
Title: Arsenic contamination - a societal issue.
Author: Ishwar Chandra Yadav, Surendra Singh.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 5), pp. 568-568 (2013)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Arsenic, contamination, arsenicosis.
Abstract: Arsenic (As) contamination is problematic not only as a health hazard but also as a social problem worldwide. Besides arsenic toxicity and arsenicosis, arsenic poisoning results in extensive social implications for the victims and their families in the affected areas.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58920
Title: Megathrust earthquakes and the associated volcanic subsidence.
Author: A A Shah.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 5), pp. 567-567 (2013)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Earthquakes, volcanic subsidence.
Abstract: Understanding the relationship between the megathrust earthquakes and volcanoes has been debated by scientists for years and past studies have suggested that large megathrust events can trigger volcanic eruptions, cause ground deformation, thermal anomalies, more earthquakes and hydrothermal changes. However, subsidence of volcanic areas was not previously known to occur during such events. Two contributions have recently reported this phenomenon, although they have suggested seperate mechanisms for the same.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58919
Title: Fostering interdisciplinary climate science for sustainable development.
Author: P S Negi.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 4), pp. 566-567 (2013)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Foster, climate science, sustainable.
Abstract: The current trend of frontline research in climate science fosters the application of interdisciplinary approach as a holistic model to address the complex issue of climate change, its implications, mitigation and adaptation. This approach facilitates in understanding the various natural processes which are useful in coping with rapidly changing socio-economic, ecological and environmental problems associated with climate. The holistic model is also aimed at eco-friendly and sustainable development, especially for the underpriviliged section of the society. And probably it can tackle newly emerging problems and paradigms to facilitate cutting edge climate research. The challenges faced by climate research. The challenges faced by climate science researchers need to be appropriately addressed; for example, ecology can be used to deal with slope instability, once considered a discipline of geologists/civil engineers only. However, while applying interdisciplinary approach, subject experts must be involved to avoid inconsistent results that may mislead the scientific community.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58918
Title: Environmental change and housing conditions result in disappearance and return of reproductive seasonality in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)
Author: Werner Kaumanns, Mewa Singh, Michael Schwibbe.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 4), pp. 517-521 (2013)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Outdoors, return of seasonality, reproductive seasonality, rhesus macaques.
Abstract: Rhesus macaques in their natural environments, as well as in the free-ranging colony at Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico are highly seasonal breeders. Many animal species lose breeding seasonality when brought under captive conditions. The present study that covers a period of 25 years between 1985 and 2010 reports a quick loss of reproductive seasonality in Group O of rhesus macaques after the group was shifted from Cayo Santiago to German Primate Centre at Gottigen, Germany in 1984, and maintained indoors with controlled temperature and day-length periods for about four years. We divided the study period of 25 years into five time-periods of five years each for analysis of the data. Over the subsequent years, births started to concentrate within only a few months indicating an increasing trend towards return of reproductive seasonality. This increase coincided with the increasing number of births in groups with outdoor facilities. Because other factors such as food, water, etc, were similar in indoor and outdoor conditions, we infer that the recovery of seasonality in the outdoor groups was due to the variations in temperature and photoperiod. We report here the presence of reproductive seasonality, its disappearence and return in the same colony and its descendents.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58917
Title: Quantification of gas hydrate and free gas in the Andaman offshore from downhole data.
Author: Maheswar Ojha, Kalachand Sain.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 4), pp. 512-516 (2013)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: National Gas Hydrate Programme, quantification, rock physics.
Abstract: Undre Expedition-01 of Indian National Gas Hydrate Programme (NGHP Exp-01), drilling/coring was done in 2006 at one site in the Andaman Sea, where the base of gas hydrate stability, coinciding with the bottom simulating reflector (BSR) on seismic section, was observed at 610m below sea floor (mbsf) with water depth of 1344 m. We estimate the saturation of gas hydrate and free gas by applying rock physics theories to downhole sonic velocity, and compare the results with the resistivity and chlorinity data. Although the average saturation of gas hydrate is only 5% of pore volume (or 3% of sediment volume), the total amount of gas in the form of gas hydrate is about 1570.8 cubic metre within the sedimentary column of 308m above the BSR. The average concentration of free gas is estimated as ~1.4% of the pore volume within the sedimentary column of 80m below the BSR.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58916
Title: Revisiting climatic classification in India: a district-level analysis.
Author: B M K Raju, K V Rao, B. Venkateswarlu, A V M S Rao, C A Rama Rao, V U M Rao, B Bapuji Rao, N Ravi Kumar, R Dhakar, N Swapna, P Latha.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 4), pp. 492-495 (2013)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Climate change, climatic classification, district, moisture index.
Abstract: Often geographical boundaries of the climatic zones identified differ from the admininstrative boundaries. Eventually planners and administrators are unable to use these classifications while formulating new developmental programmes. Though few studies attempted to bring the climatic classification to district level in the past, the climatic datasets used in such studies were found relatively old. Climate change literature pertaining to India showed evidence of rising mean temperatures during post-1970 period. The temperature rise affects potential evapotranspiration and consequently the aridity is expected to increase at least at macro level using latest data and examine climatic shift occured, if any, as compared to the climatic classification given by Krishnan in 1988. The study used 0.5? ? 0.5? grid level rainfall data and average potential evapotranspiration for 144 stations located across India to compute moisture index needed for delineation of different climatic zones. Both datasets refer to the period 1971-2005. Significant reflections resulting from the study indicated a substantial increase in arid region in Haryana. Other notable observations included the increase in semi-arid region in Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh due to shift of climate from dry sub-humid to semi-arid. Likewise, the moist sub-humid pockets in Chattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra states have turned dry sub-humid to larger extent. Updated climatic classification of this sort at district level shall be usefull to various stakeholders for agricultural planning, assessment of water demand by different sectors, drought preparedness, assessment of climate driven pests/diseases in humans, crops and livestock, etc.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58915
Title: Population-based estimation of mortality and occurence of cancer in patients with and without diabetes in Pune.
Author: Archana Sinha, Rajan Kumar, Bhagwan Pawar, Anuradha Bhide, Shubhada Suresh Javadekar, Malepillil Vavachan Vijayakumar, Vimal Pandey, Manoj Kumar Bhat.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 4), pp. 486-491 (2013)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Cancer, death certificate, diabetes, Indian population, mortality.
Abstract: Diabetes has been implicated as altered risk for development of various cancer types. Aim of the present study was to compare the mortality malignacies in diabetic and non-diabetic population and to understand the interelationship between diabetes and cancer. Retrospective observational analysis of data obtained from death certificate providing information about the cause of death, age, sex and identity of decendents from Pune city, excluding the suburbs, was undertaken. Death certificates from January 2006 to December 2006 were analysed. Thirty two different cancer types were detected in a decreased population of 14,838 with 8% and 6.8% suffering from diabetes and cancer respectively. Out of the total population, 7% of diabetics and 6.8% of the non-diabetics had cancer. Liver (OR= 2.05, 95% CI (1.04-4.04), P=0.033) and pancreatic (OR=3.78, 95% CI(1.84-7.73), P=0.0001) cancer were the major cancer types in diabetic population. Average survival age of breast cancer patients with diabetes was 70.3 years and it was 57.9 years for non-diabetics. We observed that in a given population, there is an increase in the occurence of certain cancer types under diabetic condition. The present study hints that the interplay between diabetes and cancer in Indian population may be complex and provides impetus for a detailed cohort study.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58914
Title: Diversity and distribution of vines in the tropical forests of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India.
Author: R Jayakumar, K K N Nair.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 4), pp. 470-479 (2013)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Habitat preference, oligarchy hypothesis, spatial distribution, species richness, vines.
Abstract: This article elucidates the diversity and distribution of vines (climbing plants) in a biodiversity-rich part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats of India. A total of 59 vine taxa belonging to 44 genera of angiosperm families were recorded from the heterogeneous forest landscape of the Reserve. The lianas encountered in the six vegetation types fall under six climber categories of which twining was the chief climbing mechanism, both in terms of richness and abundance. With regard to species abundance, there was negative correlation between vines and trees. The coefficient of variation in species and establish that vines in different vegetation types was used to identify the oligarchy among vine species and establish that vines occurred in only one of the six vegetation types, which supports the environmental determination hypothesis.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58913
Title: Genetic polymorphisms in Drosophila.
Author: Bashisth N Singh.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 4), pp. 461-469 (2013)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Allozyme, DNA polymorphism, Drosophilla, inversion.
Abstract: In a population evolving by gradual change, the amount of genetic variation is important because the rate of evolution is absolutely limited by the degree of genetic variability. Various forces of evolution such as natural selection, random genetic drift and migration operate on genetic variability which provides the raw material for evolution. Thus the rate of evolution is absolutely limited by the amount of genetic variability which provides the raw material for evolution. Thus the rate of evolution is absolutely limited by the amount of genetic variability already existing in the population. The basic parameters of evolutionary genetics are: (a) the amount of genetic variation measures the evolutionary potential of a population at a given time, and (b) the amount of genetic differentiation between populations reflects the operation of evolutionary processes since the divergence of populations from the common original population. Extensive work has been done on a variety of organisms to estimate the degree of genetic variability in natural populations at the level of chromosome, allozyme and DNA. The results of these studies have shown that there exists a considerable degree of genetic variability although there are interspecies-specific and intraspecies-specific variations in the degree of genetic polymorphism. Drosophilla, a dipteran insect commonly known as fruit fly, occupies a unique status among the species which have been used for this kind of research. It was used for the first time in 1905 by Carpenter for experimental studies and in 1909 by Morgan for genetic studies. Since then it has served as a good biological model for different types of studies such as genetics, behaviour, evolution and development. The present review summarizes briefly the work done on genetic polymorphism with particular reference to chromosome, allozyme and DNA polymorphism in Drosophilla, with a brief dicussion on balanced polymorphism, genetic coadaptation, linkage disequilibrium and genetic coadaptation, linkage disequilibrium and genetic hitch-hiking, which are of considerable evolutionary significance.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58912
Title: The elephant in the room: multi-authorship and the assessment of individual researchers.
Author: George A Lozano.
Editor: R Srinivasan
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 4), pp. 443-445 (2013)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Elephant, multi-authorship, assessment, individual researchers.
Abstract: When a group of individuals creates something, credit is usually divided among them. Oddly, that does not apply to scientific papers. The most commonly used performance measure for individual researchers is the h-index, which does not correct for multiple authors. Each author claims full cedit for each paper and each ensuring citation. This mismeasure of achievement is fuelling a flagrant increase in multi-authorship. Several alternatives to the h-index have been devised, and one of them, the individual h-index (h1), is logical, intuitive and easily calculated. Correcting for multi-authorship would end gratuitous authorship and allow proper attribution and unbaised comparisons.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None