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ID: 62017
Title: Estimating biological parameters of a coupled physical-biological model of the Indian Ocean using polynomial chaos.
Author: Rashmi Sharma
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2016
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 110 (8) 1544-1549 (2016)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Coupled physical-biological model, distance function, Polynomial chaos, Surface chlorophyll.
Abstract: A statistical emulator technique, namely polynomial chaos, has been used to estimate two time-dependent biological parameters of a coupled physical-biological model of the Indian Ocean. This has been achieved by minimizing a distance function representing misfit between model simulated and satellite-derived surface chlorophyll. First, the parameters have been assumed to be constant in time an optimized values have been assumed to be constant in time and optimized values have been found by minimizing a time-averaged distance function. Since no significant improvement in model simulation has been found using a fixed set of optimum parameters, minimization has been carried out daily, assuming the parameters to be time-dependent. Emulation with this set of parameters has led to a significant improvement in the simulated surface chlorophyll. Smoothing of the parameters with singular spectrum analysis has caused less noisy simulations, at the cost of increasing the model data misfit. Time-varying parameters have been found to be more suitable for the hindcast of daily averaged chlorophyll both in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Lawson, L.M., Hofmann, E.E and Spitz, Y.H., Time series sampling and data assimilation in a simple marine ecosystem model. Deep Sea Res.II, 1996, 43, 625-651. Powell, B.S., Arango, H.G., Moore, A.M., Di Lorenzo, E., Milliff, R.F. and Foley D., 4DVAR data assimilation in the intra-Americas sea with the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS).Ocean Model. 2008, 23, 130-145.
Literature cited 2: Evensen, G., The ensemble Kalman filter: theoretical formulation and practical implementation. Ocean Dyn., 2003, 53, 343-367. Allen, J.I., Eknes, M. and Evensen, G., An ensemble Kalman filter with a complex marine ecosystem model: hindcasting phytoplankton in the Cretan Sea.Ann.Geophys., 2003, 21, 399-411.

ID: 62016
Title: Water in the lunar interior
Author: A.Basu Sarbadhikari, K.K.Marhas, Sameer and J.N.Goswami.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2016
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 110 (8) 1536-1539 (2016)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Apatite, lunar interior, mare basalt, moon, water
Abstract: Presence of distribution of water and other volatiles in the lunar interior could have played a key role I nth early evolution of the Moon. We report abundance of water along with F and Cl, in apatite present in the Apollo 15 lunar basalt 15555, considered to be the primitive end member of the low-Ti mare basalt suite. Apatites are rare in this basalt and are devoid of significant spatial variation in volatile content. Considering a late-stage crystallization of apatite, we infer 100-160 ppm water, 80-90 ppm fluorine and 10-20 ppm chlorine in the present magma of 15555.The inferred water content is much lower than that reported for the parent magma of lunar volcanic glasses, as well as in melt inclusions trapped within the glasses that sampled much deeper regions of Moon. This difference suggests a non-uniform distribution of water and other volatiles in lunar mantle source regions that could have significantly influenced early thermo-chemical evolution of the Moon.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Pieters, C.M. et al., Character and spatial distribution of OH/H2O on the surface of the Moon seen by M3 on Chandrayaan-1.Science, 2009, 326, 568-572. Spudis, P.D. et al., Initial results for the North Pole of the Moon from Mini-SAR, Chandrayaan-1 mission.Geophys.Res.Lett., 2010, 37, L06204.
Literature cited 2: Colaprete, A. et al. Detection of water in the LCROSS Ejecta Plume, Science, 2010, 330, 463-468. Saal, A.E., Hauri, E.H., Cascio, M.L., Van Orman, J.A., Rutherford, M.C. and Cooper, R.F., Volatile content of lunar volcanic glasses and the presence of water in the Moon ' s interior. Nature, 2008, 454, 192-196.

ID: 62015
Title: Host-specific spatial and temporal variation in culturable gut bacterial communities of dragonflies.
Author: Ashwin Nair and Deepa Agashe
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2016
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 110 (8) 1513-1523 (2016)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Community richness and dynamics, dragonfly, gutmicrobial communities, host-microbe interaction.
Abstract: Many microbial communities are associated with specific animal hosts, with major impacts on the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of both partners. We analysed gut microbial communities of eight dragonfly species in southern India. Adult dragonflies are generalist opportunistic predators; thus, we expected to find relatively high individual variation but low host-specific variation in their gut community composition. However, we find that each host species has a distinct gut bacterial community, with sampling location and month playing a small but significant role in shaping community structure. These patterns suggest that dragonflies either specialize on subsets of available prey, or their guts impose differential selective pressures resulting in distinct communities.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Mc-Fall-Ngai, M. et al., Animals in a bacterial world, a new imperative for the life sciences.Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.USA, 2013, 110, 3229-3236. Engel, P.and Moran, N.A., The gut microbiota of insects-diversity in structure and function.FEMS Micribiol.Rev, 2013, 37, 699-735.
Literature cited 2: Barberan, A., Casamayor, E.O. and Fierer, N., The microbial contribution to macroecology.Front.Microbiol. 2014, 5, 203. Nemergut, D.R. et al., Patterns and Processes of microbial community assembly.Micxrobiol.Mol.Biol.Rev, 2013, 77, 342-356.

ID: 62014
Title: The possible effects of melatonin in Cerastes cerastes gasperetti venom-mediated toxicity and oxidative damage in mice.
Author: Mohamed K.Al-Sadoon, Marwa M.S.Diab, Amira A.Bauomy, Ahmed E.Abdel Moneim and Bilal A.Paray.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2016
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 110 (8) 1505-1512 (2016)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Crastes cerastes gasperettii, melatonin, oxidative damage, venom-mediated toxicity.
Abstract: In this study, the role of melatonin has been explored for the prevention of Cerastes cerastes gasperettii venom-mediated toxicity an oxidative injury in male mice. The horned viper, C.c.gasperettii, is the most common snake in the subtropical deserts, including Saudi Arabia; its bite can be fatal. Therefore, we investigated the potential role of melatonin (10mg/kg body wt) against the LD50 of C.c.gasperettii venom (0.978 mg/kg body wt) after 1, 2 and 6 h. The in vivo oxidative injury induced by the venom was clearly evident by the increased oxidative stress markers (lipid peroxidation and nitrite/nitrate) and decreased antioxidant molecules/enzymes (glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase), along with the histopathological alternations in liver, kidney and lung. In addition, mice envenomation disturbed the normal serum level of liver and kidney function parameters. These biochemical changes and pathological alternations prior to C.c.gasperettii venom injection were effectively counteracted by melatonin. In conclusion, these results clearly indicate the melatonin attenuates oxidative stress, pathogenesis and dysfunction of liver, kidney and lung of mice in C.c.gasperettii venom-induced toxicity an oxidative injury via its anti-oxidant property. Therefore, it may be useful for the treatment for C.c.gasperettii bites.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Chippaux, J.P., Snake-bites: appraisal of the global situation.Bull.WHO, 1998, 76 (5), 515-524. Premendran, S.J., Salwe, K.J., Pathak, S., Brahmane, R. and Manikekalai, K., Anti-cobra venom activity of plant Andrographis paniculata and its comparison with polyvalent anti-snake venom.J.Nat.Sci.Biol.Med., 2011, 2 (2), 198-204.
Literature cited 2: Sakai, A., Clinical feature of envenomation by the snake, Yamakagashi (Rhabdophis tigrinus).Jpn.J.Toxicol, 2007, 20 (3), 235-243. Wang, C.H. and Wu, W.G., Amphiphilic beta-sheet cobra cardio-toxin targets mitochondria and disrupts its network.FEBS Lett, 2005, 579 (14), 3169-3174.

ID: 62013
Title: ' Fish for all ' versus ' fish of choice ' -growth, instability and stakeholders ' responses for enhancing fish production in major lakes of Kashmir.
Author: Neha W.Qureshi, M.Krishnan and C.Sundaramoorthy.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2016
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 110 (8) 1495-1504 (2016)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Coppock ' s instability index, compound growth rate, contingent valuation, fish production, Schizothorax species.
Abstract: The production of indigenous fish Schizothorax, locally called ' Kashir Gad ' , in the Dal and Wular lakes of Kashmir, India has been declining. The composition is in favour of the prolific breeder carps at the expense of the local traditional species. Studies carried out on trend lines, compound growth rates, Coppock ' s instability index backed by contingent valuation of the situation by multiple stakeholders for fish production reveal a need for mid-course correction in policy framework and restoration of the socio-economic-cultural heritage of the stakeholders of these lakes.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/166525/0 J&K Lakes and Waterways Development Authority, Srinagar, jklda.org (accessed on 13 October 2013).
Literature cited 2: Santek Report, Twenty year perspective plan for sustainable development of tourism in the State of Jammu and Kashmir: final report submitted to Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Internet (accessed on July 2013.) Averaging and smoothing models, Duke; http: people.duke.edu/~mau/411 avg.htm (accessed on 14 August 2015).

ID: 62012
Title: Statistical downscaling of multisite daily precipitation for Tai basin using kernel regression model.
Author: Sadhna Singh, S.Kannan and P.V.Timbadiya.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2016
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 110 (8) 1468-1484 (2016)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Climate change, daily precipitation, general circulation models, statistical downscaling.
Abstract: The study presents fine resolution multisite daily precipitation projection for the Tapi basin using the kernel-regression (KR) based statistical downscaling methodology developed by Kanan and Ghosh with and without conditioned on the estimated rainfall state. The models are applied in downscaling of daily monsoon precipitation at a fine resolution of 0.25? comprising 351 grid points in and around the basin. The air temperature, specific humidity, zonal and meridional wind (at surface, 250, 500 and 850 hPa); mean sea level pressure and geopotential height at surface are utilized as predictors from five GCMs under CMIP-5 for two future scenarios, viz.RCP4.5 and RCP8.5.The performance of the downscaling model examined with respect to reproduction of various statistics for training period and indicated the better performance of KR model without conditioned on the rainfall state of the basin. The KR model conditioned on the rainfall state is employed for future projections from GCMs outputs. The statistically downscaled daily precipitation from GCM (MPI-M) and CORDEX (COSMO-CLM) data is compared to quantify uncertainty. The statistically downscaled daily precipitation performs better than corresponding CORDEX data for the present study area. The study also revealed a possibility of decrease in the occurrences of extreme events with an increase in the medium rainfall events in the basin for future.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Kannan, S. and Ghosh, S., A nonparametric kernel regression model for downscaling multisite daily precipitation in the Mahanadi basin.Water Resour.Res., 2013, 49 (3), 1360-1385. Ghosh, S. and Mujumdar, P.P., Future rainfall scenario over Orissa with GCM projections by statistical downscaling.Curr.Sci. 2006, 90 (3), 396-404.
Literature cited 2: Anandhi, A., Srinivas, V.V., Nanjundiah, R.S. and Kumar, D.N., Downscaling precipitation to river basin in India for IPCC SRES scenarios using support vector machine.Int.J.Climatol., 2008, 28, 401-420. Ghosh, S.and Mujumdar, P.P., Statistical downscaling of GCM simulations to streamflow using relevance vector machine.Adv.Water Resour., 2008, 31 (1), 132-146.

ID: 62011
Title: Validation of traditional weed control method through commonsalt application in the hill region of Nagaland.
Author: Dibyendu Chatterjee, Rakesh Kumar, Rukuosietuo Kuotsu and Bidyut C.Deka
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2016
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 110 (8) 1459-1467 (2016)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Common salt, direct-seeded rice, indigenous technical knowledge, shifting cultivation, weed control.
Abstract: Traditionally, common salt (NaCl) is applied to control broadleaved weeds under shifting cultivation in Nagaland. The aim of the present study was to find out whether such practice is harmful to the soil. For this, an experiment was conducted on upland rice with 12 treatments, viz. control, weedy check and different doses of NaCl from 20 to 200 kg ha-1.Soil samples were collected at several phases of shifting cultivation and analysed for organic carbon, available, N, P, K, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity, exchangeable sodium percentage and sodium adsorption ratio. Yield and yield attributing characters were measured an economics was computed. The results revealed that soil organic carbon (SOC) increased after harvest, but decreased after one year. In contrast, available N, P and K decreased during the crop growth and post harvest period. Weedy check followed by an application of 100 kg NaCl ha-1 realized the highest gross and net returns. It was observed that NaCl did not exert an undesirable influence on pH, SOC and available NPK; however, EC increased for a short time. The results were confirmed by the verification trial. The yield of rice was highest in 100 kg NaCl ha-1 treatment among the treated plots. Hence, this may be recommended to control weeds under shifting cultivation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Chatterjee, D., Impact of jhum cultivation on soil an environment: strategic way out. In Resilient Shifting Cultivation: Challenges and Opportunities (eds Deka, B.C. et al), ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, 2012, pp.27-34. Rathore, S.S., Krose, N., Naro, M., Shekhawat, K.and Bhatt, B.P., Weed management through salt application: an indigenous method for shifting cultivation areas, Eastern Himalaya, India.Indian J.Tradit.Know., 2012, 11, 354-357.
Literature cited 2: Debbarma, K.and Singh, M.K., Effect of time and doses of common salt and 2, 4-D application on wed growth and yield of upland direct seeded rainfed rice. Indian J.Weed Sci., 2007, 39, 241-242. Hazarika, U.K., Singh, R. and Singh, N.P., Ecological distribution of weed flora in Meghalaya: their intensity of occurrence in field crops and management. Technical bulletin, Division of Agronomy, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, 2001, pp.1-3.

ID: 62010
Title: Impact of emission mitigation on ozone-induced wheat and rice damage in India
Author: Sachin D.Ghude, C.K.Jena, G.Beig, Rajesh Kumar, S.H.Kulkarni and D.M.Chate
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2016
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 110 (8) 1452-1458 (2016)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: AOT40, chemical transport model, crop damage, ozone, yields loss.
Abstract: In this study, we evaluate the potential impact of ground level ozone (O3) on rice and wheat yield in top 10 states in India during 2005.This study is based on simulated hourly O3 concentration from the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem), district-wise seasonal crop production datasets and accumulated daytime hourly O3 concentration over a threshold of 40 ppbv (AOT40) indices to estimate crop yield damage resulting from ambient O3 exposure. The response of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) mitigation action is evaluated based on ground level O3 simulations with individual reduction in anthropogenic NOx and VOC emissions over the Indian domain. The total loss of wheat and rice from top 10 producing states in India is estimated to be 2.2 million tonnes (3.3%) and 2.05 million tonnes (2.5 %) respectively. Sensitivity model study reveals relatively 93 % decrease in O3-induced crop yield losses in response to anthropogenic NOx emission mitigation. The response of VOC mitigation action results in relatively small changes of about 24 % decrease in O3-induced crop yield losses, suggesting NOx as a key pollutant for mitigation.VOC also contribute to crop yield reduction but their effects are a distant second compared to NOx effects.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Chate, D.M. et al., Deviations from the O3-NO-NO2 photostationary state in Delhi, India.Atmos.Environ., 2014, 96,353-358. Coyle, M., Nemitz, E., Storeton-West, R., Fowler, D. and Cape, J.N., Measurement of ozone deposition to a potato canopy.Agric.Forest Meteorol., 2009, 149, 655-666.
Literature cited 2: Krupa ,S.V., Nosal, M.and Legge, A.H., A numerical analysis of the combined opentop chamber data from the USA and Europe on ambient ozone and negative crop responses.Environ.Pollut., 1998, 101, 157-160. Agrawal, M., Singh, B., Rajput, M., Marshall, F. and Bell, J.N.B., Effect of air pollution on periurban agriculture: a case study.Environ.Pollut., 2003, 126 (3), 323-339.

ID: 62009
Title: Multiplex real-time PCR-based detection and quantification of genetically modified maize events employing SYBR? Green I and TaqMan? chemistries.
Author: Rajesh K.Bhoge, Rashmi Chhabra, Monika Singh, Muthukrishnan Sathiyabama and Gurinderjit Randhawa.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2016
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 110 (8) 1446-1451 (2016)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Dyes, genetically modified maize, GM detection and quantification, multiplex real-time PCR, primers and probes.
Abstract: Multiplexing in real-time PCR offers advantages over singleplex real-time PCR by saving time and resources.SYR? Green I-based duplex and triplex real-time PCR assays targeting event-specific sequences of three genetically modified (GM) maize events, namely Bt11, Bt176 and MON89034, and taxon-specific endogenous Adh1 gene were developed to simultaneously identify multiple events. Duplex realtime PCR assay based on TaqMan? chemistry targeting Bt176 event-specific sequence and Adh1 was also optimized for quantification purpose. Limit of detection of developed assays was up to 0.05 % and limit of quantification of the reported TaqMan? based real-time PCR was up to 0.5 %.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: http://www.isaaa.org. James, C., Global status of commercialized biotech/GM crops: The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, Ithaca, NY, 2014, vol.49, pp.259.
Literature cited 2: Oguchi, T.et Al., Development of multiplex PCR method for simultaneous detection of four events of genetically modified maize: DAS-59122-7, MIR604, MON863 and MON88017.Food Hyg.Saf.Sci, 2010, 51, 92-100. Akiyama, H.et al. Quantification and identification of genetically modified maize events in non-identity preserved maize samples in 2009 using an individual kernel detection system. Food Hyg.Saf.Sci., 2012, 53, 157-165.

ID: 62008
Title: Bacterial Wilt and its management.
Author: Shamayeeta Sarkar and Sujata Chaudhari.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2016
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 110 (8) 1439-1445 (2016)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Biological control, host range, identification, pathogen virulence.
Abstract: Identification of the cause of disease is the most important step towards its eradication, cure and management. India being an agro-based country, plant diseases alone cause immense economic loss to the tune of rupees 500 crores every year. In this study, we focus on reportedly one of the most devastating diseases called bacterial wilt. Though each bacterial type has a set of host range, recent study shows frequent overlapping of susceptible host plants. Besides, several new species have been identified in recent times that cause wilt in plants. There are lots of similarities in the disease manifestation and molecular identification has been quite effective in proper identification of the pathogens. In this study, management of wilt mainly briefs the methods adopted against Ralstonia solanacearum. Other than physical and chemical methods, management of the disease by use of antagonistic bacteria and fungi has been found to be the recent trend.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Yabuchchi, E., Kosako, Y., Yano,I.,Hotta, H.and Nishiuchi,Y.,Validation of the publication of new names and new combinations previously effectively published of new names and new combinations previously effectively published outside the IJSB.Int.J.Syst.Bacteriol., 1996, 46, 625-626. Smith, E.F., A bacterial disease of the tomato, eggplant an Irish potato (Bacillus solanaceurum n.sp.). US Dept.Agric.Div.Veg.Phys.Path., 1896, 1-28.
Literature cited 2: Fegan, M.and Prior, P., How complex is the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex? In Bacterial Wilt: The Disease and the Ralstonia solanacearum Species Complex (eds Allen, C., Prior, P.and Hayward, A.C.), American Phytopathol.Society, St.Paul, Mn, 2005, pp.449-461. Allen, C., Prior, P.and Hayward, A.C., Bacterial Wilt Disease and the Ralstonia solanacearum Species Complex, APS Press, St.Paul, MN, USA, 2005, p.528.

ID: 62007
Title: Various types of separation membranes.
Author: Debasree Das, Anindya Datta and Aliasgar Qutub contractor.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2016
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 110 (8) 1426-1438 (2016)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Carbon nanotube, conducting polymers, grapheme oxide, permeability, flux, separation membranes.
Abstract: Membrane-based separation is a superior alternative to conventional processes in many separation problems of practical importance. For maximum effectiveness, both high selectivity and flux are desirable. This article summarizes the global efforts at designing new membrane materials, particularly carbon nanotube (CNT)-based membranes, to achieve the twin objectives mentioned above. Interest in CNT emanates from the excellent from the excellent transport property of molecules through its frictionless smooth walls, with/without functionalization at the end tips. Permeation of water through grapheme oxide (GO) channels, which are otherwise impermeable to solutes, has also generated considerable interest, and GO is being viewed as a promising material for separations. The performances of conducting polymers like polypyrrole, polyaniline, polythiophene-3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene and their different composites have been studied as a function of changes in morphology and redox behaviour, and this aspect too is covered in the present article. Also, the dependence of the separation performances based on the size, charge and hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties has been discussed in detail. Advances in understanding will have an important bearing on future development in separation science.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Drioli, E.and Giorno, L.Membrane Operations. Innovative Separations and Transformations, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co KGaA, Weinheim, 2009. Jirage, K.B.and Martin, C.R., New Developments in membrane based separations. Trends Biotechnol., 1999, 17, 197-200.
Literature cited 2: Soni, V., Abildskov, J., Jonsson, G. and Gani, R., A general model for membrane-based separation processes Comput.Chem.Eng., 2009, 33, 644-659. Fu, Q.et al., Control of molecular transport through stimuli responsive ordered mesoporous materials.Adv.Mater., 2003, 15, 1262-1266.

ID: 62006
Title: Milk derived epithelial cells area a potential source of donor genome for the production of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) cloned embryos.
Author: N.L.Selokar, M.Saini, H.Agrawal, A.K.Raja, A.A.Sahare, D.Priya, P.Palta, M.S.Chauhan, R.S.Manik, S.K.Singla.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2016
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 110 (8) 1411-1413 (2016)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Milk-derived epithelial cells, potential, donor, genome, production, buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), cloned, embryo.
Abstract: In most somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) experiments, traditional skin-derived fibroblast cells are commonly used as the donor genome. In addition, alternative sources of donor genome include those derived from hair follicles, colostrums/milk, blood and semen. Milk is easily obtained from live animals without any biopsies and can be a safe mode of somatic cell source for those animals with high risk of bacterial infection. Therefore, milk-derived somatic cells may be an important source donor genome for the production of cloned embryos and for endangered species conservation programmes as part of genome resource banking. Recently, Golla et al reported the production of cloned embryos using milk-derived somatic cells in buffalo.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Kurata, S., Itami, S., Terashi, H. and Takayasu S., Ann. Plastic Surg., 1994, 33, 290-294. Moll, I., Arch.Dermatol.Res, 1996, 288, 604-610.
Literature cited 2: Kishi, M.et al., Theriogenology, 2000, 54, 675-684. Golla, K., Selokar, N.L., Saini, M., Chauhan, M.S., Manik, R.S., Palta, P.and Singla, S.K., Reprod.Domest.Anim. 2012, 47, 842-848.

ID: 62005
Title: Electric ray Narcine timlei (Torpediniformes: Narcinidae) from Chilika lagoon, Odisha, India.
Author: C.M.Roshith, R.K.Manna, V.R.Suresh, D.Panda, A.P.Sharma, A.Roy Chowdhury, M.Mukherjee, S.K.Banik.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2016
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 110 (8) 1408-1410 (2016)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Electric ray, Narcine timlei, Chilika lagoon, Odisha, India.
Abstract: The Chilika, situated along India ' s eastern coast (in Odisha), is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia with water spread varying from 906 km2 during summer to 1165 km2 during monsoon. It is among the most internationally focused Ramsar site in India owing to its rich biodiversity, including species that have been categorized as threatened by IUCN. The spatial and seasonal variability in salinity gradient delineates the lagoon into four ecological zones, i.e. Northern Sector (2.8-14.4 ppt), Central Sector (6.9-16.3 ppt), Southern Sector (9.4-13.1 ppt) and Outer Channel (12.6-32.2 ppt).The lagoon had turned into a completely freshwater system due to closure of sea mouth. It portrays one of the most successful models of eco-restoration, by creation of an artificial mouth during 2000 to let sea-water in for restoring its regime.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Mohanty, R.K., Mohanty, S.K., Mohapatra, A., Bhatta, K.S. and Pattnaik, A.K., Indian J.Fish, 2006, 53 (4), 397-407. Mohapotra, A., Mohanty, R.K., Mohanty, S.K., Bhatta, K.S.and Das, N.R., Wetlands Ecol.Manage. 2007, 15, 229-251.
Literature cited 2: Copenhaver, B.P., J.Hist.Ideas, 1991, 52 (3), 373-398. Fowler, S.L.et al., Sharks, Rays and Chimeras: The Status of Chondrichthyan Fishes, IUCN and Cambridge, UK, 2005, pp.x + 461.

ID: 62004
Title: Mass mortality of Montipora digitata (Scleractinia) in Vaan Island, Gulf of Mannar, Southeast India
Author: K.Diraviya Raj, G.Mathews, M.Selva Bharathi, J.K.Patterson Edward
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2016
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 110 (8) 1407-1408 (2016)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Mass, Mortality, Montipora digitata (Scleractinia), Vaan Island, Gulf of Mannar, Southeast India.
Abstract: Coral reefs around the world have under the world have undergone a dramatic degradation in the past 20-50 years because of anthropogenic factors such as coral mining, destructive fishing, coastal development and pollution, along with natural factors such as coral bleaching and diseases. Coral diseases are lethal, and could further deteriorate reefs across the tropics. The Gulf of Mannar (GoM), southeast India, falls within the Indo-Pacific realm which is considered as the world ' s richest marine biodiversity region. For the past few decades, reefs of the GoM have been experiencing various threats.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Pandolfi, J.M .et al., Science, 2003, 301, 955-958. Green, E., and Bruckner, A.W., Biol.Conserv, 2000, 96, 347-361.
Literature cited 2: Edward, J.K.P., Mathews, G., Patterson, J., Wilhelmsson, D., Tamelander, J and Linden, O., Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mannar, Southeastern India-Distribution, Diversity and Status,SDMRI Special Publication No.12, Tuticorin, 2007, p.113. Edward, J.K.P., Mathews, G., Raj,K.D.and Tamelender,J., In Proceedings of the 11th Coral Reef Symposium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida,2008, pp.1292-1294.

ID: 62003
Title: Towards managing nanotechnology-related water pollution in India.
Author: Arun Kumar
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2016
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 110 (8) 1401-1401 (2016)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Towards, managing, nanotechnology-related, water-pollution, India
Abstract: Rapid consumption of nanotechnology-related products has increased every-where which is a cause of concern. Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs), for example, TiO2, ZnO, CuO, Ag, etc. have been found in environment and are shown to pose risks to ecological systems and humans. The objective of this note is to identify research and regulatory priorities for managing nanotechnology-related water pollution in India. This information is important as unlike developed nations, the response to nano-technology-related water pollution in developing nations, such as India is not structured and formalized. For example, information about the presence of nanotechnology-based products in the market is not available for all countries, which is important for managing pollution in the environment.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Nowack, B.and Bucheli, T.D., Environ.Pollut., 2007, 150 (1), 5-22. Kumar, A., Kumar, P., Anandan, A., Fernandes, T.F., Ayokos, G.A., and Biskos, G., J.Nanomater., 2014, 1-16.
Literature cited 2: Woodrow, 2011, http:/www.nanotechproject.org/(accessed 0n 12 October 2014). Baranidharan, S. and Arun Kumar, Curr.Sci., 2012, 103 (10), 1138.