ID: 62587
Title: Charming charm, beautiful bottom and quark-gluon plasma in the Large Hadron Collider era
Author: Santhosh K.Das and Raghunath Sahoo
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (9) 1156-1161 (2021)
Subject: Charming charm, beautiful bottom and quark-gluon plasma in the Large Hadron Collider era
Keywords: Big Bang, heavy-ion collisions, heavy flavours, quark-gluon plasma
Abstract: After a few microseconds of the creation of our Universe through the Big Bang, the primordial matter was believed to be a soup of the fundamental constituents of matter-quarks and gluons. This is expected to be created in the laboratory by colliding heavy nuclei at ultra-relativistic speeds. A plasma of quarks and gluons, called quark-gluon plasma (QGP) can be created at the energy and luminosity frontiers in the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, at Brookhaven National Laboratory, New York, USA, and the Large Hadron Collidor at CERN, Geneva, Switzerland. Heavy quarks, namely the charm and bottom quarks, are considered as novel probes to characterize QGP, and hence the produced quantum chromodynamics matter. Heavy quark transport coefficients play a significant role in understanding the properties of QGP. Experimental measurements of nuclear suppression factor and elliptic flow can constrain the heavy quark transport coefficients, which are key ingredients for phenomenological studies, and they help to disentangle different energy loss mechanisms. We give a general perspective of the heavy quark drag and diffusion coefficients in QGP and discuss their potentials as probes to disentangle different hadronization mechanisms, as well as to probe the initial electromagnetic fields produced in non-central heavy-ion collisions. Experimental perspectives on future measurements are discussed with special emphasis on heavy flavours as the next-generation probes in view of new technological developments.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Jacak, B.V. and Muller, B., The exploration of hot nuclear matter. Science, 2012, 337, 310-314.
Rapp, R. et al., Extraction of Heavy-flavour transport coefficients in QCD matter. Nucl. Phys. A., 2018, 979, 21-86.
Literature cited 2: Dong, X. And Greco, V., Heavy quark production and properties of Quark-Gluon Plasma. Prog. Part. Nucl .Phys., 2019, 104, 97-141.
Cao, S. et al., Towards the determination of heavy quark transport coefficients in quark-gluon plasma. Phys. Rev. C, 2019, 99, 054907.
ID: 62586
Title: Traditional knowledge systems
Author: Padma Venkat Response by Bhushan Patwardhan and Subhash Chandra Lakhotia
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (9) 1141-1141 (2021)
Subject: Traditional knowledge systems
Keywords: Traditional knowledge
Abstract: The Guest Editorial by Patwardhan and Lakhotia mainly talked about innovations that can be achieved in India by leveraging traditional knowledge systems (TKS) like AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy), for public health and medicine. The authors discuss the need for a ‘fiduciary’ or a respectful relationship between biomedical researchers and traditional medicine practioners (Vaidyas). I totally agree with the points made by them. However, in my view the need for trust/respect in pertinent to all stakeholders in the research environment, not just to the vaidyas and scientists or to TKS and biomedical research per se.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Patwardhan, B. And Lakhotia, S.C. Curr. Sci, 2021, 120 (4), 63-604.
Literature cited 2:
ID: 62585
Title: Marine geophysical research in India –New challenges
Author: K.S. Krishna
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (9) 1139-1140 (2021)
Subject: Marine geophysical research in India
Keywords: Marine geophysical research, India
Abstract: The solid surface of Planet Earth, in general, consists of rocks of two distinctive age groups, viz. Oldest and youngest. The rocks beneath the continents are the oldest, about four billion years, while those beneath the oceans are significantly younger, no more than 280 million years. The process of continental break-up was envisaged way back in 1912 by German scientist, Alfred Wegner based on some key scientific evidence and near-perfect match of coastlines. However, the hypothesis was not accepted by the scientific community as the premise failed to explain the physical mechanism involved in moving out-weighed continents.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2:
ID: 62584
Title: Encounter rates and density of medium and large-sized mammals with nocturnal habits in southern Amazon, Brazil
Author: Ednaldo Candido Rocha, Camilla Angelica de Lima, Nayara Lima Batista and Andre Luis da Silva Castro
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (8) 1113-1119 (2021)
Subject: Encounter rates and density of medium and large-sized mammals with nocturnal habits in southern Amazon, Brazil
Keywords: Distance sampling, encounter rates, nocturnal mammals, population density, species abundance.
Abstract: The aim of the present study is to calculate the encounter rate and estimate the density of medium and large-sized mammals with nocturnal habits in the Cristalino region of northern Mato Grosso, southern Amazon, Brazil, using distance sampling method. Eight species were detected with encounter rate varying from 0.09 at 1.68 encounters 10km-1, and three population densities were estimated: Cuniculus paca (7.75 individuals km-2) Potos flavus (7.08 individuals km-2) and Mazama Americana (4.23 individuals km-2) .Our data help expand the information about density of nocturnal mammals in the southern Amazon region, in the transition between the Amazon and the Cerrado biomes and can contribute to management and conservation of these species.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Peroni, N. and Hernandez, M.I.M., Ecologia de populaces e comunidades, CCB/EAD/UFSC, Florianopolis, 2011.
Tomas, W.M., Rodrigues, F.H.G. and Fusco, R., Tecnicas de levantamento e monitoracao de populaces de carnivoros, EMBRAPA, Corumba, 2004; https://ainfo.cnptia.embrapa.br/digital/bitsteam/cpap/55978/1/DOC73.pdf
Literature cited 2: Duckworth, J.W., The difficulty of estimating population densities of nocturnal forest mammals from transect counts of animals. J. Zool., 1998, 246, 466-468; doi:10.111/j.1469-7998.1998.tb00183.x
Buckland, S.T., Anderson, D.R., Burnham, K.P. and Laake, J. L., Distance Sampling. Estimating Abundance of Biological Populations, Chapman & Hall, London, UK, 1993.
ID: 62583
Title: Petrography and diagenetic evolution of the Barail sandstones of Naga Schuppen belt, North East India: implication towards reservoir quality.
Author: Pradip Borgohain, Devojit Bezbarauh, Manash Pratim Gogoi, Yadav Krishna Gogoi, Parakh Protim Phukan and Deepsikha Bhuyan
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (8) 1107-1113 (2021)
Subject: Petrography and diagenetic evolution of the Barail sandstones of Naga Schuppen belt, North East India: implication towards reservoir quality.
Keywords: Diagenetic evolution, petrography, reservoir quality, rock sequence, sandstones
Abstract: Rock-thin section, scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction analyses have been employed to describe in detail the mineralogical constituents, diagenetic alterations and their impact on reservoir quality of Oligocene Barail sandstones of Naga Schuppen belt, Northeast India. The Barail Group comprises of alternate beds of hard and compact sandstones with siltstone, shale, carbonaceous shale, and a few thin intermittent coal seams in the upper part of the rock sequence. Petrographic analysis indicates that quartz (42.02-55.02%) is the most dominant mineral constituent followed by rock fragments (6.85-15.67%) and feldspars (0.00-1.97%) with different types of cement in the studied sandstones. Quartz overgrowth, formation of pseudo matrix, authentic growth of secondary minerals and precipitation of clay within the pore spaces tend to reduce the primary and secondary porosities tend to reduce the primary and secondary porosities of the rocks. However, in certain samples, the grain coating restricts or hinders cementation and preserves porosity during deep burial but decreases permeability at pore threats. Partial dissolution and intragranular fracturing of the framework minerals provide sites for pore growth. Pyrite framboids and iron oxides inhibit quartz cementation, but infill pore spaces. The present study shows that original pore morphologies, as well as secondary porosities within the sandstones tend to be destroyed to a large extent by the diagenetic processes.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Kent, W.N. et al., Application of ramp/flat fault model to interpretation of the Naga thrust and possible implications for petroleum exploration along the naga thrust front. AAPG Bull., 2002, 86(12), 2023-2045; https:doi.org/10.1306/61EEDDFO-173E-11D7-8645-000102C1865D.
Literature cited 2: Folk, R.L., Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks, Hemphill Publ. Co., Austin, USA, 1980, p.182.
Ali, A.M. et al., Petrographic and microtextural analyses of Miocene sandstones of onshore West Baram Delta Province, Sarawak Basin: implications for porosity and reservoir rock quality. Petrol., Coal, 2016, 58 (2), 162-184.
ID: 62582
Title: Pollinating and non-pollinating fig wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidae) from Ficus elastica, the living root bridge tree of Meghalaya in northeast India
Author: Lucy B.Nongbri, J.Alfred Daniel and Renee M.Borges
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (8) 1099-1106 (2021)
Subject: Pollinating and non-pollinating fig wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidae) from Ficus elastica, the living root bridge tree of Meghalaya in northeast India
Keywords: Ficus elastica, fig wasps, Micranisa ralinga, Meghalaya, Platyscapa clavigera
Abstract: The Indian rubber fig tree Ficus elastica Roxb.ex Hornem. Moraceae is the constituent of the iconic living root bridges (LRBs) in Meghalaya, India, and is characterized by a highly specific mutualism between the fig and its pollinating aganoid fig wasp, in which the wasps breed within fig inflorescence. F.elastica is restricted to south and Southeast Asia in its distribution. We identified the pollinating fig wasp as Platyscapa clavigera (Mayr 1885) which was first described from F.elastica in Bogor in 1885 and from Singapore in 2017.This is the first record of the pollinator (family Agaonidae) from F.elastica in Meghalaya, northeast India, in the westernmost portion of the fig’s range. We also discovered and identified in F.elastica, a non-pollinating fig wasp of the genus Micranisa which appears close to Micranisa ralianga Mathew and Balakrishnan 1981 (Pteromalidae). This fig wasp has not been earlier reported anywhere from the closed urn-shaped inflorescences (i.e., syconia) of F. elastica and was only described from syconia of Ficus altissima Blume in 1981 from Meghalaya. Notes on the morphology of both fig wasps are provided and illustrated. The phenology and developmental cycle of F.elastica syconia are documented. Evidence of passive pollination was confirmed in F.elastica which sheds light on the evolution of character traits in figs and their wasps.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: King, G., The species of Ficus of the Indo-Malayan and Chinese countries.Ann.Roy.Bot.Gard (Calcutta), 1888, 1, 1-185.
Haridasan,K. and Rao, R.R., Forest Flora of Meghalaya, Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun, India, 1987, vol.11.
Literature cited 2: Chaudhary, L.B., Sudhakar, J.V., Kumar, A. Bajpai, O., Tiwari, R. and Murthy, G.V.S., Synopsis of the genus Ficus L. (Moraceae) in India. Taiwania, 2012, 57, 193-216.
Mathew, R., The living root bridges of Meghalaya. Curr. Sci., 2005, 89, 10-11.
ID: 62581
Title: Modelling and forecasting cotton production using tuned-support vector regression
Author: Amit Saha, K.N.Singh, Mrinmoy Ray, Santosha Rathod and Sharani Choudhury
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (8) 1090-1098 (2021)
Subject: Modelling and forecasting cotton production using tuned-support vector regression
Keywords: ARIMA, cotton production forecasting, SVR, time series, tuned-SVR
Abstract: India is the largest producer of cotton in the world. For proper planning and designing of policies related to cotton, robust forecast of future production is utmost necessary. In this study, an effort has been made to model and forecast the cotton production of India using tuned-support vector regression (Tuned SVR) model, and the importance of tuning has also been pointed out through this study. The Tuned-SVR performed better in both modelling and forecasting of cotton production compared to auto regressive integrated moving average and classical SVR models.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Box, G.E.P. and Jenkin, G., Time series analysis, forecasting and control. Holden-Day, San Fransisco, CA, 1970.
Ariyo, A.A., Adewumi, A.O. and Ayo, C.K., Stock price prediction using the ARIMA , A.O. an Ayo, C.K., Stock price prediction using the ARIMA model. In UK Sim-AMSS 16th International Conference on Computer Modelling and Simulation. IEEE, 2014, pp.106-112.
Literature cited 2: Badmus, M.A., and Ariyo, O.S., Forecasting cultivated areas and production of maize in Nigerian using ARIMA Model.Asian J.Agric.Sci., 2011, 3(3), 171-176.
Bari, S.H., Rahman, M.T., Hussain, M.M. and Ray, S., Forecasting monthly precipitation in Sythet city using ARIMA model. Civil Environ. Res., 2015, 7 (1), 69-77.
ID: 62580
Title: Factors involved in enhancing host susceptibility towards aphid clonal propagation on leaf foliage of Arabidopsis
Author: Hossain Ali Mondal, Bablu Paul, Albina Gurung and Moumita Mallick
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (8) 1080-1089 (2021)
Subject: Factors involved in enhancing host susceptibility towards aphid clonal propagation on leaf foliage of Arabidopsis
Keywords: Arabidopsis thaliana, aphid inoculums, enhanced host susceptibility, spatial resistance, timing of aphid inoculums.
Abstract: The present study identified factors that enhanced host susceptibility towards Myzus persicae’s clonal proliferation in the model plan, Arabidopsis thaliana. A particular aphid inoculum, i.e., five aphids release per plant among three inoculums (1, 5 and 10 aphids per plant) showed enhanced susceptibility towards aphid clonal propagation in 21-day-old Arabidopsis leaf foliage. Five aphid number was common among the 28, 35, 42, 49-day-old Arabidopsis leaf foliage except 42-day-old Arabidopsis. Prior aphid herbivory enhanced host susceptibility in Arabidopsis. The aphid inoculums at 6 am showed enhanced host susceptibility in comparison to 12 noon and 6 pm. The enhanced susceptibility on leaf foliage was realized in the presence of flower stalk. Aphid preferred to proliferate significantly on the flower stalk as compared to leaf foliage. Within leaf, aphid colonized more in mid-rib region as compared to minor vein area in the mature leaf. Pro PAD4: GUS and proADF3: GUS showed poor expression in mid-rib region in aphid-challenged leaf foliage. At the Aphid feeding based primed vascular sap showed degraded peptide bond, a possible reason for favoring enhanced aphid clonal proliferation in the primed Arabidopsis leaf foliage. Results showed that the enhancing of host susceptibility in Arabidopsis to Myzus persicae is influenced by quorum number of aphid’s inoculums, prior aphid feeding and circadian rhythms. Differential spatial resistance within whole plant and within leaf was also recorded. The enhanced host susceptibility was also correlated with microbiota enrichment in aphid-herbivore leaf vasculature sap as well as aphid body including aphid apical part containing salivary gland.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Blackman, R.E.V., Aphids on the world Crops, John Wiley, Chichester, 2000, p.466.
Blackman, R.L. and Eastop, V.F., Aphids on the World’s Crops, John Wiley, Chichester, 2000.
Literature cited 2: Dixon, A.F.G., Aphid Ecology: An Optimization Approach, Chapman and Hall, New York, 1985, 2nd edn.
Lankau, R.A., Specialist and generalist herbivores exert opposing selection on a chemical defense. New Phytol., 2007, 175, 176-184; doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.2007.02090. x.
ID: 62579
Title: Crop production estimation using deep learning technique
Author: Ashapurna Marndi, K.V. Ramesh and G.K.Patra
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (8) 1073-1079 (2021)
Subject: Crop production estimation using deep learning technique
Keywords: Artificial intelligence, crop production model, deep neural networks, long short-term memory, sensitivity analysis
Abstract: Reliable estimation of crop requirement and production in advance, help policy makers to adopt timely decision for trade as export-import, which is a basic building block to assure food security of a country. A powerful and robust algorithm is essential to predict the future demand and production of a particular crop for subsequently years. Deep learning methods are used successfully in solving different prediction problems of various applications. This study attempts to design an efficient Ai based technique specifically using long short-term memory, a deep learning approach for estimation of crop production using crop production information of neighbouring countries, which are part of the South Asian monsoon system. Detailed sensitivity analysis is conducted to identify the optimal combination of crop production of neighboring countries that directly and indirectly impact the crop production of India. Here, we designed and developed a predictive model for rice production of India with lead time of one year using deep learning technique. Along with that, as there are significant influences of local climate ( i.e. rainfall data) on crop production, that information was also considered along with crop production of neighboring countries. The results indicated that local and regional scale parameters jointly improve the prediction capability for future years. Capability of the proposed model was validated with export-import data on crop of India and neighboring countries, and the validation result showed that our proposed technique was efficient and robust in nature.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Horie, T., Yajima, M. and Nakagawa, H., Yield forecasting, Agric.Syst, 1992, 40, 211-236; doi: 10.1016/0308-521X (92) 90022-G.
Carfagna, E., and Gallego, F.J., Using remote sensing for agricultural statistics.Int.Stat.Rev., 2005, 73 (3), 389-404.
Literature cited 2: Awad, M.M., Toward precision in crop yield estimation using remote sensing and optimization techniques. Agriculture, 2019, 9 (3), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture9030054.
Paliwal, A. and Jain, M., The accuracy of self-reported crop yield estimates and their ability to train remote sensing algorithms. Front. Sustain. Food Syst., 2020; doi:10.3389/fsufs.2020.00025.
ID: 62578
Title: Characterization of aquifers in contiguous parts of Bardhaman, Murshidabad and Birhum districts, West Bengal
Author: S.Brahma
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (8) 1064-1072 (2021)
Subject: Characterization of aquifers in contiguous parts of Bardhaman, Murshidabad and Birhum districts, West Bengal
Keywords: Aquifer, Bhagirathi, boro-cultivation, disposition, quaternaries
Abstract: Aquifer mapping has been carried out in 2800 sq.km of contiguous parts of three districts in west Bengal. The study area is occupied mostly by alluvial plains, with flood plains in the eastern fringes. The entire area is covered by the Quaternary sediments. Mapping and characterization of individual aquifers have been carried out to understand their occurrence, lateral and vertical extensibility, geomorphological characteristics, and potentially and inherent quality of groundwater including contamination. Four aquifer groups, delineated within 325 m depth, have been depicted by a 3D model and 2D sections. An outline of strategies for sustainable management of aquifers has also been presented.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: The World Bank, Arsenic contamination of ground water in South and East Asian Countries. In Towards a More Effective Operational Response, Report N. 31303, Policy Report, Water and Sanitation Program, 2005, vol.1.
Acharyya, S.K., Chakraborty, P., Lahiri, S., Ramyahashay, B.C., Guha, S., and Bhowmick, A., Arsenic poisoning in the Ganges delta. Nature, 1999, 401, 545.
Literature cited 2: Roy Chowdhury, T. et al., Arsenic poisoning in the Ganges Delta. Nature, 1999, 401, 545-546.
Bhattacharya, P., Chatterjee, D. and Jacks, G., Occurrence of arsenic-contaminated in alluvial aquifers from Delta Plains, eastern India: options for safe drinking water supply. Int. J. Water. Resou. Develop., 1997, 13 (1), 79-92.
ID: 62577
Title: Heavy metals abundance and distribution in soil, groundwater and vegetables in parts of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India: implication for human health risk assessment
Author: Khalid Mohammed Ghasera, Shaik A. Rashid and Khyati Gupta
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (8) 1056-1063 (2021)
Subject: Heavy metals abundance and distribution in soil, groundwater and vegetables in parts of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India: implication for human health risk assessment
Keywords: Groundwater, hazard index, heavy metals, human health risk, soil, vegetables
Abstract: Anthropogenic activities impact the natural environment, leading to the deterioration of its suitability for living organisms and human health. The present study investigated the concentration and distribution of potentially harmful elements Fe, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Cd in the soil, groundwater and vegetables, and the consequent human health risk effects. Results revealed high content of Cu (mean=331 mg kg-1) and Zn (mean 348.4 mg kg-1) in the soils and exceeded permissible limits. Geo-accumulation Index (Igoe) values were high in respect of Cu ( Igeo = 3.86, 3.16), and Zn ( Igeo =2.4, 1.6), indicating pollution in the industrial training institute (ITI) and Gular areas in Aligarh respectively. Groundwater from ITI and Gular recorded maximum content of Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn, Zn, Pb and Cd. Ni and Pb contents exceeded the highest permissible limits. Heavy metal pollution index (HPI) with mean HPI=806.08 indicated serious groundwater contamination in the ITI and Gular areas. Content of heavy metals in vegetables appeared to be under permissible limits with some exception for Ni and Zn. Finally, the assessment of hazard index (HI) indicated that there was no potential risk to human health upon consumption f vegetables, whereas water ingestion posed serious human health hazard (HI=2.62) in parts of Aligarh.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Golia, E.E., Dimirkou, A. and Mitsios, I.K., Influence of some soil parameters on heavy metals accumulation by vegetables grown in agricultural soils of different soil orders.Bull.Environ.Contam.Toxicol., 2008, 1, 80-84.
Goudie, A.S., Human Impact on the Natural Environment, Jon Wiley, 2018.
Literature cited 2: Rai, P.K., Lee, S.S., Zhang, M., Tsang, Y.F., and Kim, K. -H, Heavy metals in food crops: Health risks, fate, mechanisms, and management.Environ.Int.2019, 125, 365-385.
Antoniadis, V., Golia, E.E., Liu, Y., -T., Wang, S.-L, Shaheen, S.M. and Rinklebe, J., Soil and maize contamination by trace elements and associated health risk assessment in the industrial area of volos, Greece.Environ.Int., 2019, 124,79-88.
ID: 62576
Title: Magnetic susceptibility mapping of roadside pollution in the Banaras Hindu University campus, Varanasi, India
Author: Sayandeep Banerjee, Ankit Kumar, Virendra Rana, Sayan Maity and Hari B.Srivastava
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (8) 1046-1055 (2021)
Subject: Magnetic susceptibility mapping of roadside pollution in the Banaras Hindu University campus, Varanasi, India
Keywords: Anthropogenic pollutants, environmental magnetism, magnetic susceptibility, roadside pollution, topsoil
Abstract: Among the several methods to determine anthropogenic pollutants in the soil, magnetic susceptibility measurements have proven to be useful for rapid and effective diagnosis of magnetic particles and overall screening of pollution. Magnetic particles and other heavy metals accumulated in the topsoil as a result of roadside pollution, contribute to the bulk magnetic susceptibility (χ) .Thus, χ values of the soil can be utilized as a proxy to delineate the zones of high and low roadside pollution in an area. In this study, magnetic susceptibility measurements of the topsoil have been carried out and a quantitative assessment of roadside pollution in the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus, Varanasi, India is presented. Based on the χ values of 212 soil samples covering 1300 acres of the campus, zones of high and low roadside pollution are demarcated. The present study has not only deciphered the spatial variation of pollutants in the BHU campus, but has also characterized the magnetic phases responsible for the susceptibility signal on the roadsides inside the campus. The obtained results are crucial for environmental monitoring and prioritization of land use and other anthropogenic activities inside the BHU campus. The modus operandi adopted here would be beneficial for mapping areas exposed to different levels of pollution intensity, for tracing the pollution transport and can be effectively applied to various ecosystems.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Gadi, R. et al., Mass size distribution and chemical composition of aerosols at New Delhi. In Environment Pollution (eds Siddappa, K. et al)., Bangalore University, Bengaluru, 2000, vol. 30-32.
Monkkonen, P. et al., Relationship and variations of aerosol number and PM 10 mass concentrations in a highly polluted urban environment –New Delhi, India. Atmos. Environ., 2004, 38, 425-433.
Literature cited 2: Wang, T. et al., Chemical characterization of the boundary layer outflow of air pollution to Hong Kong during February-April 2001.J.Geophys.Res.Atmos., 2003, 108, B2, 1-21.
Yadav, S. and Rajamani, V., Air quality and trace metal chemistry of different size fractions of aerosols in N-NW India-implications for source diversity. Atmos. Environ., 2006, 40, 698-712.
ID: 62575
Title: Role of statistics in the era of data science
Author: Rajeeva L.Karandikar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (8) 1016-1021 (2021)
Subject: Role of statistics in the era of data science
Keywords: Analytics, big data, bias, data-science, regression, statistics
Abstract: Statistics evolved as a science in an era when the amount of data available was small and efforts were on to extract maximum information from them. Are the techniques developed during those times relevant anymore in the era of data science? We will illustrate using examples that several statistical concepts developed over the last 150 years area as relevant in this era as they were then.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Galton, F., Hereditary Genius: An Inquiry into its Laws and consequences, Macmillan, London, UK, 1869.
Galton, F., Regression towards mediocrity in hereditary stature. J. Anthropol. Inst. G.B. Ireland, 1886, 15, 246-263.
Literature cited 2: Gallon, F. Typical laws of heredity. Proc. R. Inst., 1877, 8, 282-301.
Galton, F. Family likeness in stature. Proc. R. Soc., London, 1886, 40, 42-73; Includes appendix by J.D. Hamilton Dickson, ibid, 63-66.
ID: 62574
Title: India’s untapped potential in hydroponics
Author: Payal Schdeva and Akshay Kumar Chaudhary
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (8) 1014-1015 (2021)
Subject: India’s untapped potential in hydroponics
Keywords: Hydroponics, India
Abstract: Agriculture has always been the main occupation of people in India, and more than half of population is still employed in agriculture and related industries. However, contribution of the agricultural sector to India’s GDP has been steadily declining over the years. The latest developments in technology and research in the field of hydroponics have been addressed in this note to show it can provide an ideal solution to conventional farming insufficiency, and how Indian farmers can follow its implementation practices to improve their crop yield and income.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Gentry, M. Energy, 2019, 174, 191-197.
Lages Barbosa, G. et al., Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 2015, 12, 6879-6891
Literature cited 2: Balch, O., The Guardian, 27 April 2017; https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/apr/27/water-smart-farming-how-hydroponics-andrip-irrigation-are-feeding-australia (last accessed on 21 April 2021).
De Anda, J. and Shear, H., Sustainability, 2017, 9, 140.
ID: 62573
Title: Impediments and revamping possibilities in India’s agriculture extension services
Author: Mukesh Nitharwal, H.S.Jatav, Subhita, M.A.Khan, Kailash, S.K.Attar and S.R.Dhaka
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (8) 1012-1013 (2021)
Subject: Impediments and revamping possibilities in India’s agriculture extension services
Keywords: Impediments, revamping, agriculture extension services, India
Abstract: India’s population is expected to be around 1.3 billion by 2025 and will likely reach 1.67 billion by 2050.It has also been reported that the demand for food grains in India may reach 293 million tonnes (mt) by 2020 and 335 mt by 2025.The country will surpass China in the next 4 years or so to become the most populous nation in the world. Consequently, feeding the growing population is a major task and the national thrust has been on maximizing food production with quality for the expanding population.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: UN DESA Report, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, New York, USA, 2015.
Literature cited 2: http://www.agricoop.nic.in/ (accessed on 23 July2021).