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ID: 62482
Title: Grid based Inventorying and Mapping of Ecological Sensitive Regions in Udupi district, Karnataka
Author: T V Ramachandra, Bharath Setturu
Editor: T.V. Ramachandra
Year: 2021
Publisher: Energy &Wetlands Research Group
Source: ENVIS, CES &EWRG, CES
Reference: Grid based Inventorying and Mapping of Ecological Sensitive Regions in Udupi district, Karnataka (ETR: 176, SCR:106) May 2021
Subject: Grid based Inventorying and Mapping of Ecological Sensitive Regions in Udupi district, Karnataka
Keywords: Grid based Inventorying, Ecological Sensitive Regions, Mapping, Udupi district, Karnataka
Abstract: Ecological sensitivity or fragility refers to permanent and irreparable loss of extant life forms or significant damage to the natural processes of evolution and speciation with the alterations in the ecological integrity of a region. The comprehensive knowledge of ecological fragility of a region is quintessential for evolving strategies of conservation. This entails understanding factors responsible for ecological sentiveness and also visualization of future growth to overcome the problems of haphazard and uncontrolled development approaches This has been done through assessment of LULC dynamics using temporal remote sensing data along with the field data and predicted future scenarios of transformation, which helps in the development of appropriate management strategies. Prioritization of Ecological Sensitive Regions in the district was done at decentralized levels (dividing the region into 5’x5’ grids) by using geoclimatic, ecological, hydrologic and social variables.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Aithal, B.H., Vinay, S. and Ramachandra, T.V., 2013, December. Prediction of Land use Dynamics in the Rapidly Urbanising Landscape using Land Change Modeler. In Proc. of Int. Conf. on Advances in Computer Science, AETACS. Bakar. S, Pradhan. B, Lay. U, Abdullahi. S., 2016. Spatial assessment of land surface temperature and land use/land cover in Langkawi Island. Earth and Environmental Science 37 (2016) 012064
Literature cited 2: Bharath, S., Rajan, K.S. and Ramachandra, T.V., 2013. Land surface temperature responses to land use land cover dynamics. Geoinformatics Geostatistics: An Overview, 1(4). Bonan, G.B., 2008. Forests and climate change: forcings, feedbacks, and the climate benefits of forests. science, 320(5882), pp.1444-1449

ID: 62481
Title: Status of Lakes in Koramangala-Challaghatta (KC) Valley
Author: T V Ramachandra, Asulabha K S, Sincy V, Vinay S, Sudarshan Bhat, Bharath H. Aithal
Editor: T.V. Ramachandra
Year: 2021
Publisher: Energy &Wetlands Research Group
Source: ENVIS, CES &EWRG, CES
Reference: Status of Lakes in Koramangala-Challaghatta (KC) Valley (ENVIS Technical Report :169) May 2021
Subject: Status of Lakes in Koramangala-Challaghatta (KC) Valley
Keywords: Status of Lakes, Koramanagala-Challaghatta valley
Abstract: Lakes and water bodies also referred to as wetlands are one of the most productive ecosystems contributing to ecological sustainability thereby providing necessary linkages between land and water resources. The quality and hydrologic regime of these lakes and wetlands is directly dependent on the integrity of its watershed. In last couple of decades, rapid urbanization coupled with the unplanned anthropogenic activities has altered the wetland ecosystem severely across globe. Changes in land use and land cover (LULC) in the wetland catchments influence the water yield and water quality of lakes. Apart from LULC changes, the inflow of untreated domestic wastewater, industrial effluents, dumping of solid wastes and rampant encroachments of catchment has threatened the sustenance of urban wetlands. This is evident from the nutrient enrichment and consequent profuse growth of macrophytes, impairing the functional abilities of the wetlands. Reduced treatment capabilities of the wetlands have led to the decline of native biodiversity, prevailing unhygienic conditions with mosquito menace, contamination of groundwater levels, affecting the livelihood of wetland dependent population.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Akinbile, C.O., Yusoff, M.S., Talib, S.H.A., Hasan, Z.A., Ismail, W.R. and Sansudin, U., 2013. Qualitative analysis and classification of surface water in Bukit Merah reservoir in Malaysia. Water Science and Technology: Water Supply, 13(4), pp.1138-1145. Ali, E.M., Dessouki, S.A.S., Soliman, A.I. and El Shenawy, A.S., 2014. Characterization of chemical water quality in the Nile River, Egypt. International Journal of Pure & Applied Bioscience, 2(3), pp. 35-53.
Literature cited 2: Ali, S.M., Pervaiz, A., Afzal, B., Hamid, N. and Yasmin, A., 2014. Open dumping of municipal solid waste and its hazardous impacts on soil and vegetation diversity at waste dumping sites of Islamabad city. Journal of King Saud University-Science, 26(1), pp. 59-65. Ameer, M.L., 2017. Water-borne diseases and their challenges in the coastal of Ampara district in Sri Lanka. World News of Natural Sciences, 9, pp.7-18.

ID: 62480
Title: Analysis of the determinants of service headway variability at toolbooths under mixed traffic scenario in emerging countries
Author: Yogeshwar V.Navandar, Chintaman Santosh Bari, Ashish Dhamaniya, Sriniwas S. Arkatkar and D.A. Patel
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 (1) 148-160 (2021)
Subject: Analysis of the determinants of service headway variability at toolbooths under mixed traffic scenario in emerging countries
Keywords: Generalized extreme value, mixed traffic conditions, probability distribution, service headway, shapefactor, toolbooth
Abstract: This study makes an effort to model service-headway distribution at manually operated toll plazas (MTC) under mixed traffic conditions. To identify the most suitable probability distribution among the selected candidate distributions, Kolmogrov-Smirnov, Anderson-Darling, and chi-squared tests were performed. It was found that the generalized extreme value (GEV) was the most sited distribution for modelling service-headway distribution at toolbooths. The results show that GEV distribution parameters can capture possible variations in service headway at toolbooths under MTC reasonably well. The study results can also be used for capacity and level-of –service estimation and the development of warrants for converting MTC to electronic lanes.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Al-Ghamdi, A.S., Analysis of time headways on urban roads: a case study from Riyadh.J.Transp.Syst.ASCE, 2001, 127, 289-294. Arasan, V. and Koshi, R., Headway distribution of heterogeneous traffic on urban arterials.J.Inst.Eng., 2003, 84, 210-215.
Literature cited 2: Chandra, S., and Kumar, R., Headway modelling under mixed traffic on urban roads. Road Transp. Res., 2001, 10, 61-79. Dey, P.P. and Chandra, S., Desired time gap and time headway in steady-state car-following on two-lane roads. J. Transp. Eng., 2009, 135, 687-693.

ID: 62479
Title: How to break into a microcosm: localization of hidden hosts by fig wasp parasitoids
Author: Pratibha Yadav, Anusha L.K.Kumble, Mahua Ghara, Jean-Marie Bessiere 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 (1) 141-147 (2021)
Subject: How to break into a microcosm: localization of hidden hosts by fig wasp parasitoids
Keywords: Chemical footprints, fig wasps, hidden hosts, oviposition, parasitoids, synconia
Abstract: Host-finding behaviour and decision-making in atri-trophic interaction are often complex, especially when hosts are hidden within plant or animal tissues. We study how parasitoid fig wasps assess fig hosts for oviposition. These wasps oviposit into fig inflorescences (syconia) in which conspecifics have previously deposited eggs, possibly to avoid sib-mating for offspring that will develop and mate within these enclosed inflorescences. The syconia previously visited by conspecifics can be identified from species-specific chemical footprints left on the outer syconium surface, and these are chemically characterized. The tarsal morphology that may facilitate such identification is also described. Fig wasps have a haplodiploid breeding system in which males are haploid, developing from unfertilized eggs, and are much smaller in size than females. We therefore also experimentally determined that these parasitoids do not deposit fertilized eggs destined to become females on male hosts, a behaviour likely driven by the greater nutritional requirements of female offspring compared to the smaller-sized males. We also quantified carbon dioxide (CO2) production from galls of different species, as species-specific hosts within the syconia are likely identified by differential CO2 production from galls of different species, as species-specific hosts within the syconia are likely identified by differential CO2 production from galls, whose levels are assessed via the sensilla present on the parasitoid ovipositor.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Godfray, H.C.J. and Shimada, M., Parasitoids as model organisms for ecologists. Res. Popul. Ecol., 1999, 41, 3-10. Mills, N.J. and Wajnberg, E., Optimal foraging behaviour and efficient biological control. In Behavioural Ecology of Insect Parasitoids from Theoretical Approaches to Field Applications (eds Wajnberg, E., Bernstein, C. and van. Alphen. J.J.M.), Blackwell Science, Oxford, 2008, pp.3-30.
Literature cited 2: van Oudenhove, L., Maillereret, L., and Fauvergue, X., Infochemical use and dietary specialization in parasitoids: a meta-analysis .Ecol.Ecvol., 2017, 7, 4804-4811. Dicke, M., Vet, L.E., and Wackers, F.L., How to hunt for hiding hosts: the reliability –detectability problem in foraging parasitoids. Neth.J.Zool., 1990, 41, 202-213.

ID: 62478
Title: Observation of synchronized spawning, larval survival and settlement in corals of the genus Acropora in Lakshadweep, India
Author: S.Nina Tabitha, Kevin Shimrone Moses and Rajkumar Rajan
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 (1) 133-140 (2021)
Subject: Observation of synchronized spawning, larval survival and settlement in corals of the genus Acropora in Lakshadweep, India
Keywords: Acropora genus, coral reproduction, larvae survival, oocyte maturation, synchronized spawning
Abstract: Reports of synchronous spawning in corals of Lakshadweep reefs, India have been purely anecdotal. To understand factors that underlie coral spawning in Lakshadweep, we studied four Acropora species (A.muricata, A. Cytherea, A.Hemprichii and A.Nobillis) in Kavaratti atoll from February to March 2018. These species were observed in situ for oocyte maturation, and larvae of species. A.muricata and A.Cytherea were assessed for survival and settlement rates. Observations on oocyte maturation indicated possible spawning closer to the immediate full moon of species in which 7-28% of the colonies had mature oocytes. Thus, A.muricata, A.cytherea and A.hemprichii spawned on 25 and 26 February 2018, demonstrating multi-specific synchronous spawning, whereas A.nobilis spawned on 21 March 2018.Larval survival rates revealed a steep die-off beginning on day 12 post-spawning and maximum survival up to 24-27 das. Settlement occurred between 12 and 22 days for A.cytherea . The comparatively low survival duration and fewer larvae surviving for settlement show that maximum settlement (from day-12, post-spawning) and the broader settlement window of 8-10 days could allow room for long-distance dispersal of larvae. Further studies on this front are required to gather a better picture.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Harrison, P.L., Badcocok, R.C., Bull, G.D., Oliver, J.K., Wallace, C.C. and Willis, B.L., Mass Spawning in tropical reef corals. Science, 1984, 223 (4641), 1186-1189. Badcocok, R.C., Bull, G.D., Harrison, P.L., Heyward, A.J., Oliver, 105 scleractinian coral species on the Great Barrier Reef. Mar. Biol., 1986, 90(3), 379-394.
Literature cited 2: Guest, J.R., Baird, A.H., Clifton, K.E., and Heyward, A.J., From molecules to moonbeams: spawning synchrony in coral reef organisms. Invertebr. Reprod. Dev., 2008, 51 (3), 145-149. Oliver, J.K., Babcocok, R.C., Harrison, P.L. and Willis, B.L., Geographic extent of mass coral spawning: clues to ultimate causal factors. In Proceedings of the Sixth International Coral Reef Symposium, Townsville, Australia, 8-12 August 1988.

ID: 62477
Title: Artificial nests conserve important native bees, Braunsapis spp.Pollinating cashew
Author: K.Vanitha and T.N.Raviprasad
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 (1) 127-132 (2021)
Subject: Artificial nests conserve important native bees, Braunsapis spp.Pollinating cashew
Keywords: Artificial nest, Braunsapis spp., cashews, dried sticks, wooden blocks
Abstract: Native bees, Braunsapis Picitaris Cameron and Braunsapis mixta (Smith) are the common pollinators of cashew. Occupancy of both bee species was recorded within 15 days of installation of artificial nests made in wooden blocks as well as sticks of different plant species. Increased occupancy of bees in all nest holes was seen over time. Nest hole size of 3 mm diameter was highly preferred followed by 2.5- and 3.5-mm diameter. Out of total nests occupied, 80% and 14.71 % were of 3- and 2.5-mm diameter hole size respectively, in the first year. During the second and third years also, higher occupancy was recorded in 3 mm diameter holes. The nests also assisted in recording the nesting behaviour and natural enemies of these bees.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Roubik, D.W., and Roubik, D.W., Pollination of cultivated plants in the tropics. Food Agricultural Organisation, UN, Rome, Italy, 1995. Danforth, B.N., Sipes, S., Fang, J. and Brady, S.G., The history of early bee diversification based on five genes plus morphology. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.USA, 2006, 103, 15118-15123.
Literature cited 2: Kremen, C., Williams, N.M. and Thorp, R.W., Crop pollination from native bees at risk from agricultural intensification. Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.USA, 2002, 99 (26), 16812-16816; https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.262413599. Potts, S.G.,Vulliamy,B., Roberts,S., O’Toole,C., Dafni,A., Ne’eman, G. and Willmer, P.A.T., Role of nesting resources in organising diverse bee communities in a Mediterranean landscape.Ecol.Entomol., 2005, 30, 78-85; doi:10.1111/j.0307-6946.2005.00662. x.

ID: 62476
Title: Unusually high frequency of cross-pollination between rice landraces Shiuli and Kharah with coincident flower–opening times
Author: Debal Deb and D.Bhattacharya
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 (1) 121-126 (2021)
Subject: Unusually high frequency of cross-pollination between rice landraces Shiuli and Kharah with coincident flower–opening times
Keywords: Cross-pollination frequency, flower opening and closing times, genetic purity, pollen viability, rice landraces
Abstract: Cross-pollination in cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) is rarely reported to exceed 2%. This low cross-pollination frequency (CPF) is conducive to successfully maintaining the purity of rice landraces for many generations. We were therefore surprised to notice a dramatic loss of genetic purity in some of the pure line landraces in many farmers’ fields. Having ruled out the possibility of mixing of seeds from different varieties, we surmised this rapid loss of genetic purity to be due to a somewhat higher degree of cross-pollination and conducted a carefully designed experiment with suitably chosen pairs of landraces. We report here an unusually high (>81%) CPF seen in a pair of landraces worse flower opening times (FOTs) were coincident. Our control experiment on a pair of landraces with non-overlapping FOTs failed to adopt to detect any cross-pollination. This preliminary report suggests that the crucial importance of FOT diversity in landraces in determining CPF has not been recognized in designs of previous reports of crossing experiments, resulting in a severe underestimation of CPF in cultivated rice under natural conditions.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Endo, T., Sato, H., Yamaguchi, M., Kataoka, T., Nakagomi ,K., Ito, T. and Mori, K., Estimate of outcrossing rates in a rice plant (Oryza sativa L) under field conditions using a purple grain rice cultivar, Okunomurasiki. Breed. Sci., 2009, 59, 195-202. Da Silva, E.F., da Silva, L.M., and Montalvan, R., Crossing rate and distance in upland rice. Bragantia, 2005, 64 (2), 197-201.
Literature cited 2: Reano, R. and Pham, J.L., Does cross-pollination occur during seed regeneration at the International Rice Genebank? Intern. Rice Res. Notes., 1998, 23, 5-6. Jodon, N.E., Occurrence and importance of natural crossing in rice. Rice J., 1959, 62 (8), 8-10.

ID: 62475
Title: Fate of Heavy metals in sewage and polluted water bodies
Author: Harsha Rao, Lakshminarayana Rao and H.N.Chanakya
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 (1) 109-114 (2021)
Subject: Fate of Heavy metals in sewage and polluted water bodies
Keywords: Anaerobic digestion, heavy metals, precipitation, solubility limit, wastewater
Abstract: There is a major knowledge gap and a multifarious problem involving metal chemistry, physical interactions of metals, microbiology, aerobic and anaerobic processes in understanding the precipitation of heavy metals in sewage and polluted water bodies. This study focuses on determining the most feasible metal salt that can be formed using standard Gibbs free energy change for each possible reaction of all the heavy metals in wastewater. Solubility limits of all possible metal salts are computed. It is shown that even in the short anaerobic stage, any heavy metal will have the propensity to precipitate as sulphides and form insoluble salts, thus rendering the wastewater free from heavy metals. The measured heavy metal concentration in treated wastewater from Bangalore’s K-C Valley and Bellandur sewage treatment plants is presented as a validation of the theory.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Gross, M., The urbanisation of our species. Curr., Biol., 2016, 26, R1205-R1225. Kim, Y.H., and Baik, J.J., Spatial and temporal structure of the urban heat island in Seoul. J. Appl. Meteorol. Climatol., 2005, 44, 591-605.
Literature cited 2: Ganesh, S.P.S., et al., Decentralized treatment and recycling of greywater from a school in rural India. J. Water Proc., Eng., 2020, 38, 101695. Reshma, M., Kumar, M. and Rao, L., CFD multiphase simulation of oxygen transfer from diffused aeration system in synthetic wastewater.J. Water Process Eng., 2021, 40, 101920.

ID: 62474
Title: Modified restoration technique for improved visual perception of shallow underwater imagery
Author: M.Dhana Lakshmi and S.Sakthivel Murugan
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 (1) 103-108 (2021)
Subject: Modified restoration technique for improved visual perception of shallow underwater imagery
Keywords: Image formation model, restoration techniques, underwater imagery, visual perception
Abstract: Images captured underwater often suffer from quality degradation such as low contrast, non-uniform illumination etc. Due to attenuation and backscattering of light by suspended underwater particles. To overcome this, restoration–cum-enhancement techniques are necessary. Here we present the modified underwater light attenuation prior (MULAP) model using supervised linear regression model to restore the degraded image. The image formation model (IFM)–based restoration depends on dual factors: back-ground light and transmission map. Initially, datasets are collected on the close-range point-of-interest. Then experimental analyses are carried out for those images using the IMF-based methods. For the above techniques, both subjective analysis and objective analysis are done by considering dual metrics such as universal quality index and visual information fidelity factor. Finally, the proposed MULAP shows overwhelming qualitative and quantitative results among other state-of-the-art techniques.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Mangeruga, M., Cozza, M. and Bruno, F., Evaluation of underwater image enhancement algorithms under different environmental conditions. J. Mar. Sci. Eng., 2018, 6, 10. Huang, D., Wang, Y., Song., W., Sequeira, J., and Mavromatis, S., Shallow-water image enhancement using relative global histogram stretching based on adaptive parameter acquisition. In proceedings of International Conference on Multimedia Modelling, Springer, 2018.
Literature cited 2: Wei, S., Wang, Y., Huang, D., Liotta, A. and Perra, C., Enhancement of underwater images with statistical model of background light and optimization of transmission map. IEEE Trans. Broadcast, 2020, 66, 153-169. Miao, Y., Hu, J., Li., C., Rohde, G., Du, Y. and Hu, K., An in-depth survey of underwater image enhancement and restoration. IEEE Access, 2019, 7, 123638-123657

ID: 62473
Title: Seismic performance of precast slab to beam connection: an overview
Author: D.Vinutha, R.Vidjeapriya and K.P.Jaya
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 (1) 61-76 (2021)
Subject: Seismic performance of precast slab to beam connection: an overview
Keywords: Connectors, hollow core slabs, precast slab to beam connection, seismic performance
Abstract: Precast construction is common across the world, but in India the level of acceptance is less, although it offers several benefits compared to the cast-in-place construction. Adopting a suitable connection for precast elements is very important in providing the overall robustness to the structure. Among all precast connections, the present slab to beam connection is considered a vital one as the horizontal load is transferred to the vertical load resisting structural elements by the diaphragm action. This article mainly focuses on the seismic performance of the present slab to beam connections with an experimental evaluation of the basic concepts of design and detailing of the connections. This overview will pave way to refine work on the slab to beam connections in future research.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Megally, S., Seible, F., Garg, M. and Dowell, R.K., Seismic performance of precast segmental bridge superstructures with internally bonded pretressing tendons.PCIJ., 2002, 47, 40-56. Park, R., Seismic design and construction of precast concrete buildings in New Zealand .PCI .J. 2002, 47, 60-75.
Literature cited 2: Ersoy, U., Seismic resistant reinforced concrete structure-design principles. J. Islamic Acad. Sci., 1988, 1, 20-26. Mostert, L.H., Design and construction preferences for connections in the precast concrete industry of South Africa. Doctoral dissertation, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2014.

ID: 62472
Title: Allopatric and sympatric modes of speciation: examples from Drosophila
Author: B.N.Singh
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 (1) 56-60 (2021)
Subject: Allopatric and sympatric modes of speciation: examples from Drosophila
Keywords: Allopatric, Drosophilla, speciation, sympatric
Abstract: Basically, there are two different ways by which new species are created anagenesis and cladogenesis (true speciation). During anagenesis, one species is transformed into new one so there is a phyletic change in the course of time and there is no involvement of reproductive isolation. Cladogenesis is considered as true speciation during which new species originate through splitting of pre-existing ones. Different models have been proposed from time to time to explain the modes of speciation. There are two important modes of speciation which are primarily based on geographic factors: allopatric (dichopatric and peripatric) and sympatric. In this article, both allopatric and sympatric modes of speciation are briefly described with the help of suitable examples from Drosophila.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Msllet, J. species, concepts of In Encyclopedia of Biodiversity (ed. Levin,), Elsevier, Oxford, 2007, pp. 1-15. Singh,B.N., Concepts of species and modes of speciation .Curr. Sci., 2012, 103, 784-790.
Literature cited 2: May, E. and shlock, P.D., Principles of Systematic Zoology, Mcgaw Hill Int. Edn., Singapore, 1991. Coyne, J.A., and Orr, H.A., Speciation, Sinauer Associates Inc. Sunderland, Massachusetts, USA, 2004.

ID: 62471
Title: Multi-hazard analysis and design guidelines: recommendations for structure and infrastructure in the Indian context
Author: Tathagata Roy and Vasant Matsagar
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 (1) 44-55 (2021)
Subject: Multi-hazard analysis and design guidelines: recommendations for structure and infrastructure in the Indian context
Keywords: Design guidelines, multi-hazard analysis, natural and man-made hazards, structure and infrastructure systems
Abstract: The interdependencies between various risks imposed by natural as well as accidental /man-made hazards demand a holistic design approach to ensure structural safety through multi-hazard engineering. In this regard, the present article provides guidelines and recommendations for design of structure and infrastructure systems under multi-hazard scenarios of natural and accidental/ man-made hazards, specifically in the Indian context. The need and relevance of multi-hazard analysis and design of structures are elaborated, and key design strategies during design (service) life for normal civil engineering structures as well as critical infrastructure and facilities are recommenced for major regions of India experiencing multiple hazards.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: National institute of Disaster Management, East Asia Summit (NIDM-EAS), New Delhi 2014; https://nidm.gov.in/easindia2014/err/pdf/country_profile/India.pdf. NDMA, National Disaster Management Plan, A publication of the National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India, 2019; https: ndma.gov.in/sites/default/files/PDF/ndmp-2019.pdf.
Literature cited 2: India Risk Survey, 2017; http://ficci.in/Sedocument/20416/India-Risk-Survey-2017-Report.pdf (accessed on 20 February2021.) BIS, National Building code of India .Bureau of Indian Standard, New Delhi, 2016; http://www.bis.org.in/sf/nbc.htm

ID: 62470
Title: Community well-being and the ‘invisible’ subjectivities of indigenous people: a focus on the Irulas of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India
Author: Jyotsana Krishnakumar and Pratim Roy
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 (1) 37-43 (2021)
Subject: Community well-being and the ‘invisible’ subjectivities of indigenous people: a focus on the Irulas of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India
Keywords: Cultural identity, governance, indigenous communities, livelihoods, well-being
Abstract: Barring a few advantages, human development index renders subjective characteristics experiences and requirements of indigenous communities rather mute. In this article, we aim to highlight the relevance of community well-being as a n appropriate tool to measure ‘development’ and highlight the nuances specific to indigenous communities, focusing on the Irulas of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Tamil Nadu. Overall, we found that individual well-being is an outcome of collective well-being, wherein social cohesiveness, traditional practices and cultural identity, all become paramount. These findings also align with the goals of progressive missions like the National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Wellbeing, pertinent in terms of reconciling the erstwhile disregard for development initiatives to indigenous concerns.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Krishanan, A., The National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Wll-being: for a greener, healthier, and more sustainable way of life. National Centre for Biological Sciences (on-line), 3 March 2020; http://news.ncbs.res.in/bigger-picture /national-mission-biodiversity-nad-human-well-being-greener-healthier-nad-more United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), India ranks 130 on 2018 Human Development Index. UNDP (on-line), 2018.
Literature cited 2: Comim, F., Beyond the HDI? Assessing alternative measures of human development from a capability perspective. UNDP, 2016.Sen, A.K., Inequality Re-examined, Oxford University Press, 1992. Sen, A.K., Inequality Re-examined, Oxford University Press, 1992.

ID: 62469
Title: Emerging and re-emerging biotic stresses of agricultural crops in India and novel tools for their better management.
Author: J.Kumar, R.K.Murali-Baskaran, S.K.Jain, P.N.Sivalingam, J.Mallikarjuna, Vinay Kumar, K.C.Sharma, J.Sridhar, P.Mooventhan, A. Dixit and P.K. Ghosh
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 (1) 26-36 (2021)
Subject: Emerging and re-emerging biotic stresses of agricultural crops in India and novel tools for their better management.
Keywords: Agriculture, biotic stress, crops, food security, management
Abstract: Food security of our country is at risk due to heavy yield losses of agricultural crops caused by pests and diseases known together as biotic stresses. Conventional management practices in Vogue are not competent under the current situations obscured by the incitants of biotic stresses which have their enhanced their offensive capabilities due to adaptive mutations or regained their pathogenic /herbivory potential owing to climate change. Numerous casual agents of biotic stresses are also introduced in the country or new regions of the country either through natural dispersal as invasive species, or on account of quarantine irregularities at national or international levels. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to appraise the impact of these new biotic stresses burgeoned in the recent past and to develop novel technologies for their management. To devise an effective preventive and eradicative strategy for containing these biotic stresses, new research innovations need to be practiced such as deciphering basic/molecular mechanism of host-pathogen/insect interactions; endophytic mechanisms of plant protection; nanotechnology in the pest management; host resistance strengthening by gene cloning, recombinant DNA technologies, RNA biology, utilizing gene editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9, etc. This article presents a comprehensive account of new biotic stresses of agricultural crops built up in the country and also reviews the novel scientific inventions made worldwide which can be further employed to devise more efficient methods for alleviating impact of these biotic stresses of food cops in the country.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Rathee, M. and Dalal, P., Emerging insect pests in Indian Agriculture .Indian J. Ent, 2018, 80 (2), 267-281. Hill, D.S., Pest definitions. In The Economic Importance of Insects, Springer, Dorerecht, The Netherlands, 1997; https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5348-5_3.
Literature cited 2: Udikeri, S.S., Kranthi, K.R., Patil, S.B., Modagi, S.A., and Vandal, N.B., Bionomics of mired bug, Creontiades biseratense (Distant) and oviposition pattern in Bt cotton. Karnataka J. Agric. Sci., 2010, 23 (1), 153-156. Halder, J., Rai, A.B. and Kondandaram, M.H., Compatibility of neem oil and different entomopathogens for the management of major vegetable sucking pests.Natl. Acad. Sci., Lett., 2013, 36 (1). 19-25.

ID: 62468
Title: Increasing smoke and carbonaceous aerosols over the Indian region (2007-2016)
Author: Manu Mehta
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 (1) 24-25 (2021)
Subject: Increasing smoke and carbonaceous aerosols over the Indian region (2007-2016)
Keywords: Smoke, carbonaceous aerosols, Indian region
Abstract: Aerosol particles in the Earth’s atmosphere are known to have serious climatic and health implications. The smaller particles like smoke aerosols (SA) can easily enter into the human body and have harmful impacts. A previous study has shown that black carbon (BC) may act as carrier of chemical constituents of variable toxicity and adversely impact the lungs and blood circulation. These suspended smoke particles in the atmosphere can also affect the Earth’s radiation budget. The overall radiative forcing effects from smoke emissions depend on the nature of the source of these emissions. The Indian region, one of the major aerosol aerosol hotspots, is known to have SAs of both natural and anthropogenic origin.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Janssen, N.A.H. et al., Environ. Health Persp., 2011, 119 (12), 1691-1699; doi: 10.1289/ehp.1003369. Penner, J.E., Chaung, C.C. and Grant, K., Clim.Dynam., 1998, 14, 839-851.
Literature cited 2: Parashar, D.C., Gadi, R., Mandal, T.K. and Mitra, A.P., Atmos.Environ, 2005, 39 (40), 7861-7871; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2005.08.034. Dey, S. and Di Girolamo, L., Geophys. Res. Lett., 2011, 38 (16), L14811; https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GL048153.