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ID: 61612
Title: Vulture conservation in India: Some issues that need mass support.
Author: Jagdish Chander
Editor: Kunal Satyarthi
Year: 2015
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 141 (10) 1005-1010 (2015)
Subject: The Indian Forester.
Keywords: Vulture conservation, India, issues, Mass support.
Abstract: World ' s first vulture conservation breeding centre named Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre (JCBC), Pinjore in Panchkula district of Haryana, is all set to release vultures bred in captivity in 2016.This is the outcome of hard work of about one and half decade of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and Haryana Forest Department. Many mysteries of the life of the vultures which were secrets till now, have been revealed in JCBC, as vultures had never been studied in captivity before. However, there are a number of issues that need public support for saving vultures from extinction. The main issue is the superstition that the vultures are opportunists, blood thirsty and waits for somebody to die. Other issues include: creating mass awareness about role of vultures in maintaining cleanliness, imposing self social ban on using diclofenac as non steroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID) for veterinary use, giving second thought to use of aceclofenac as veterinary and human drug, protecting vultures from painkiller drugs like nimesulides, ketoprofen and ibubrofen, use of meloxicam as safe pain killer drug for veterinary purpose, ensuring safe vulture zones, habitat improvement and focusing vulture conservation breeding of all species of vultures rather than Gyps species only.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Chander J. (2014).Current status of vulture conservation in Haryana.Indian.J.Ecol. 41 (1): 70-73.
Literature cited 2: Rhys E.Green, Newton I., Shultz S., Cunningham Andrew A., Gilbert M., Pain Deborah J. and Prakash V. (2004).Diclofenac poisoning as a cause of vulture population declines across the Indian subcontinent. Journal of Applied Ecology, 41: 793-800.

ID: 61611
Title: Photosynthesis: Basics to Applications, Second Edition.
Author: Shigeru Itoh, Late Prasanna Mohanty and K.N.Guruprasad (eds), reviewed by Swati Tiwari.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (12) 2313-2314 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Photosynthesis, Basics, Application.
Abstract: This book was inspired by an International Conference on Photosynthesis held at the University of Indore in November 2008, in honour of Govindjee, an inspirational and indefatigable teacher and a distinguished researcher, who is known internationally for his contributions to photosynthesis research. Selected participants from the conference were invited to contribute research and review articles. The first edition of this book was published in 2012 entitled Photosynthesis-Overviews on Recent Progress and Future Perspective. Three experts in the field-Shigeru Itoh, late Prassana Mohanty and K.N.Guruprasad, have edited both the editions. The second edition, dedicated to Govindjee, also pays tribute to one of the editors of the book; Prasanna Mohanty, who contributed three chapters, but passed away before its publication.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 61610
Title: Platinum group elements in proximal impactites of the Kukit Bunuh impact structure, Malaysia.
Author: Long Xiang Quek, Azman A.Ghani, Muhammad Hafifi Badruldin, Mokhtar Saidin, Zuhar Zahir Tuan Harith and Muhammad Hatta Roselee.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (12) 2303-2308 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Basement granite, impact structure, platinum group elements, proximal impactites.
Abstract: The Bukit Bunuh in Malaysia has recently been identified as an impact structure after the discovery of possible impact-melt-like rocks and impact breccias from this area. The impact event is believed to have occurred around 1.34-1.84 Ma. Twelve impact-related rocks from this suspected impact structure were analysed I nth present study for platinum group of element (PGE) content. The sample population includes proximal impactites (two impact-melt rocks and three impact breccias) and possible impact-related rocks (four mylonites) and basement granite (three in number).The results showed no observable clear distinction between the impactites and basement granite. Compared to other asteroid impact sites in the world, the impactites and impact-related rocks in the Bukit Bunuh structure clearly contain a lower concentration of PGEs. Even though previous studies reported possible evidences of shock metamorphism in the Bukit Bunuh structure and electrical resistivity survey favoured the presence of asteroid impact structure in this area as well, the absence of a clear projectile signature in our study on PGE hinders further discussion o nth existence and nature of the impact. We suggest that the absence of any PGE signature in the Bukit Bunuh impactites could be indicative either of (1) an achondrite projectile, or (2) an oblique impact or (3) the presence of a volatile-rich layer.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Avci, E., Uysal, I., Saka, S., Akmaz ,R.M.and Muller, D., Mineralogy and composition of solid phases in chromite grains of ophiolitic podiform chromitites from the Pozanti-Karsanti Ophiolite, southern Turkey.Geophys.Res.Abstr., 2014, 16. Schmidt, G. and Pernicka, E., The determination of platinum group elements (PGE) in target rocks and fall-back material of the Nordlinger Ries impact crater, Germany.Geochim.Cosmochim.Acta, 1994, 58, 5083-5090.
Literature cited 2: Schmidt ,G., Clues to the nature of the impacting bodies from platinum-group elements (rhenium and gold) in borehole samples from the Clearwater East crater (Canada) and the Boltysh impact crater (Ukraine).Meteorit.Planet.Sci., 1997, 32, 761-767. McDonald, I., Clearwater East impact structure: A re-interpretation of the projectile type using new platinum-group element data from meteorites.Meteorit.Planet.Sci, 2002, 37, 459-464.

ID: 61609
Title: Flower sex expression in cucurbit crops of Kerala: Implications for pollination and fruitset.
Author: T.Anusree, Abhina, P.P.Lishiba, T.V.Rasna, Sangeetha Varma and Palatty Allesh Sinu.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (12) 2299-2302 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Benincasa hispida, Cucurbita maxima, flower sex expression, Momordica charantia, Pollination.
Abstract: Cucurbits are monoecious in general; the female flowers occur lower than the male flowers in fields. Often farmers are not aware of this type of sex expression, and are concerned about the low fruit set despite ' profuse ' flowering and abundant pollinators in the crop fields. We assessed flower sex expression during the peak (female) flowering and fruiting period in three widely grown cucurbit crops, Cucurbita maxima, Benincasa hispida and Momordica charantia in a village ecosystem of northern Kerala. Sex expression was male-biased in two species. In M.charantia, 97.65 % of the flowers produced were staminate. In this condition, the farmers should ensure that effective pollinators are available in plenty to achieve maximum fruit set from the low number of pistillate flowers.C.maxima produced an average of 75.39 % of staminate flowers, which varied across the fields; three fields consistently produced 100% pistillate flowers in all the 14 days of observations. The fruit set in fields with only pistillate flowers is likely to be affected by pollen limitation, rather than pollinator limitation. These fields may require supplementary manual pollination to enhance the fruit set. B.hispida produced more or less equal proportion of staminate and pistillate flowers across the fields and days studied. This kind of information may help the farmers to manage pollination services in their fields as well as to predict a realistic yield.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Rai, M.Pandey, S. and Kumar, S., Cucurbit research in India: a retrospect. In Proceedings of the IX EUCARPIA Meeting on Genetics and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae (ed.Pitrat M.), INRA, Avignon, 2008, pp.285-294. Bodlah, I., and Waqar, M., Pollinators visiting summer vegetables ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula), bitter gourd (Memordica charantia L.) and brinjal (Solanum melongena).Asian J.Biol., 2013, 1, 8-12.
Literature cited 2: Kumar, P., Sundaravadivelan, B.S., Anburaj, J.and Kuberan, T., Insect visitors of pumpkin, Cucurbita maxima Duch., in relation to temperature and relative humidity.J.Agric.Technol, 2012, 8, 501-513. Malek, M.A. and Chowdhury, N.U., Effect of irrigation and pollination on the yield of pumpkin.J.Agrofor.Environ, 2011, 5, 41-44.

ID: 61608
Title: Occurrence of hispa Asamangulia cuspidata and its parasitoids in South India.
Author: J.Srikanth, P.Mahesh, K.P.Salin and J.Poorani.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (12) 2288-2294 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Leaf miner, parasitoids, parasitism, pest biology, sugarcane.
Abstract: The occurrence of the leaf miner Asamangulia cuspidate Maulik (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Hispini) on sugarcane in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, is reported her with notes on pest biology and parasitoid activity. A minor pest in a few states of subtropical India, the miner was first noticed in May 2014 during routine surveys. Systematic observations in selected experimental and growers ' plots revealed low levels of incidence and intensity, the highest mean attack rates being 4.18 % on plant basis and 12.41 % on leaf basis. Mean mined leaf area showed a high of 4.24 sq.cm and it constituted 1.28 % of the total leaf area. Cross-sections of young and mature mines indicated feeding on softer tissues by solitary grub in the early stages, but extensive mining by the grown-up grub leading to complete drying of the mined area. One apparently new Bracon sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and one Eurytoma sp. (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) were recovered from the miner. While Bracon sp.contributed 70 % to the overall parasitism rate of 39.3 %, the remaining parasitoids accounted for 30 % with likely hyperparasitism among them. The possible origin of the miner and the role of parasitoids in its natural control at the present study site are also discussed.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Maulik, S., Cryptostomes of the Indian Museum Part II.Rec.Indian Mus., 1915, 11, 367-381. Santiago-Blay, J.A., Leaf-mining chrysomelids. In New Developments in the Biology of Chrysomelidae (eds Jolivet, P., Santiago-Blay, J.A.and Schmitt, M.), SPB Academic Publishers, The Hague, The Netherlands, 2004, pp.305-306, full version in CD portion of the book, p.83.
Literature cited 2: Staines, C.L., Hispines of the world.USDA/APHIS/PPQ Center for Plant Health Science and Technology and National Natural History Museum, 2012;http:idtools.org/id/beetles/hispines (accessed on 16 November 2014.) Prasad, V.G. and Butani, D.K., External anatomy of sugarcane hispa Asamangulia cuspidate Maulik (Chrysomelidae: Coleoptera).Indian J.Sugarcane Res.Dev., 1962, 6 (3), 138-145.

ID: 61607
Title: Spatial variability in temporal trends of precipitation and its impact on the agricultural scenario of Mizoram.
Author: S.Saha, D.Chakraborty, B.U.Choudhury, S.B.Singh, N.Chinza, C.Lalzarliana, S.K.Dutta, S.Chowdhury, T.Boopathi, Luangmuana, A.R.Singh and S.V.Ngachan.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (12) 2278-2282 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Agriculture, rainfall pattern, standardized precipitation index, spatial variability.
Abstract: Long-term monthly rainfall observations (1986-2014) were analysed for 12 rain-gauge stations installed at variable altitudes of Mizoram. Our objective was to assess the temporal change in the standardized precipitation index (SPI) values at different timescales using Mann-Kendall trend tests. Significant reductions in post-monsoon and winter rainfall were recorded for most of the sites. Increasing dryness during the winter months may intensify the acute water shortage in Mizoram. Our results emphasize the altitudinal insensitivity of mean monthly rainfall trend and the urgent need for adopting suitable water management practices to cope with the water scarcity problem to increase the resiliency of Rabi agriculture in Mizoram in near future.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Das, A.Ghosh, P.K., Choudhary, B.U., Patel, D.P., Munda, G.C., Ngachan, S.V.and Chowdhury, P., Climate change in northeast India: recent facts and events-worry for agricultural management.ISPRS Archives XXXVIII-8/W3 Workshop Proceedings: Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture, 2009, pp.32-37. Ravindranath, N.H. et al., Climate change vulnerability profiles for North East India.Curr.Sci., 2011, 101 (3), 384-394.
Literature cited 2: Jhajharia, D., Shrivastava, S.K., Sarkar, D.and Sarkar, S., Temporal characteristics of pan evaporation trends under the humid conditions of northeast India.Agric.For.Meteorol, 2009, 149, 763-770. Jain, S.K., Kumar, V.and Saharia, M.Analysis of rainfall and temperature trends in northeast India.Int.J.Agrometeorol, 2013, 15 (2), 162-164.

ID: 61606
Title: A bibliometric review research trends on bioelectrochemical systems.
Author: Juan Wang, Tianlong Zheng, Qunhui Wang, Banghua Xu and Lihong Wang.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (12) 2204-2211 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Bibliometric analysis, bioelectrochemical systems, electricity generation, wastewater.
Abstract: Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) have received widespread attention for their capability of simultaneous wastewater treatment and electricity or fuels/chemicals production. The present study was performed to evaluate the global scientific Citation Index-Expanded database from 1991 to 2014.The publication outputs, journals, subject categories, countries and institutes were analysed to identify the world research on BES. In addition, ' word cluster analysis ' was applied to give an insight into the research trends on BES. The results indicate that the annual publications on BES increased steadily, especially after 2004.China, with 7 institutes included among the 15 most productive institutes, is the largest contributor on BES research during the past 24 years. Microbial fuel cell is the most frequently studied reactor, and ' electricity generation ' and ' wastewater treatment ' are two dominant applications of BES. The use of two nanaostructured materials-carbon nanotubes and grapheme is increasingly studied in the BES field.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Potter, M.C., Electrical effects accompanying the decomposition of organic compounds.Proc.R.Soc.London, Ser.B, 1911, 84, 260-276. Thurston, C.F., Bennetto, H.P., Delaney, G.M., Mason, J.R., Roller, S.D. and Stirling, J.L.,Glucose metabolism in a microbial fuel cell.Stoichiometry of product formation in a thioninemediated Proteus vulgaris fuel cell and its relation to coulombic yields.J.Gen.Microbiol., 1985, 131, 1393-1401.
Literature cited 2: Kim, B., Kim, H., Hyun, M.and Park, D., Direct electrode reaction of Fe (III)-reducing bacterium, Shewanella putrefaciens.J.Microbiol.Biotechnol. 1999, 9, 127-131. Kim, B.H.et al., electrochemical activity of an Fe (III)-reducing bacterium, Shewanella putrefaciens IR-1, in the presence of alternative electron acceptors.Biotechnol.Tech, 1999, 13,475-478.

ID: 61605
Title: Sustainability perceptions in a technological institution of higher education in India.
Author: Shaila Bantanur, Mahua Mukherjee and R.Shankar
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (12) 2198-2203 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Education and research, environmental parameters, green guidelines, management strategies.
Abstract: Institutions of higher education serve as models for excellence in education. They also have an added responsibility in providing guidance to the community for social upliftment and environmental sustainability. The present study conducted in the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee examines the perception of the students on the importance of sustainability to the campus. One hundred sixty-five students participated in the survey. The survey focuses on three broad categories, namely environmental, educational and research, and management factors. Environmental factors are more significant compared to management factors. Educations and research is given less importance compared to environmental and management factors. The findings provide a useful extension to both the management and administrative strategies in decision-making process to improve sustainability of the campus.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Shaila, S.B., Mukherjee, M.and Shankar, R., Sustainability practices in Institutions of higher educational campuses in India.Kashi J.Soc.Sci., December 2012-May 2013, 2, 254-260. Velazquez, L.Munguia, N., Platt, A.and Taddei, J., Sustainable University: what can be the matte? J.Clean.Prod. 2006, 14, 810-819.
Literature cited 2: Wright, T.S.A., Definitions and frameworks for environmental sustainability in higher education. Higher Educ.Policy, 2002, 15 (2), 105-120. Strandbu, A.and Krange, O., Youth and the environmental movement-symbolic inclusions and exclusions.Sociol.Rev. 2003, 51 (2), 177-198.

ID: 61604
Title: Skeletal microfauna from the Cambrian Series 2 (Stage 4) Kunzum La Formation, Parahio, Spiti region (Tethyan Himalaya), India.
Author: Birendra P.Singh, O.N.Bhargava, K.P.Juyal, R.S.Negi, Nancy Virmani, C.A.Sharma, Aman Gill.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (12) 2191-2195 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Skeletal, microfauna, Cambrian, KunzumLa Formation, Parahio valley, Spiti region, (Tethyan Himalaya), India.
Abstract: Small shelly fossils (SSFs) consist of a variety of shells, sclerites and other biomineralized structures that mark the advent of widespread biomineralization among animals in the Cambrian period. SSFs are commonly known worldwide from the Terreneuvian Series to unnamed Series 2 of the Cambrian System. The less diverse SSFs are known from the Cambrian Series-3 to carboniferous. In the Indian Himalaya, SSFs are recorded from the Early Cambrian Tal Group of the Lesser Himalayan zone and in the Tethyan Himalayan Zone from the Middle Cambrian part of the Kunzum La formation (Kashmir Basin).
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Matthews, S.C. and Missarzhevsky, V.V., J.Geol.Soc.London, 1975, 131, 289-304. Bengtson, S.and Morris, C., In Origin and Early Evolution of the Metazoa (eds Lipps, J.H. and Signor, P.W.), 1992, pp.447-481.
Literature cited 2: Maloof, C.et al., Geol.Soc.Am.Bull. 2010, 122 (11/12), 1731-1774; doi: 10.1130/B30346. Elicki,O., Mem.Assoc.Aust.Palaeontol., 2011, 42, 153-173.

ID: 61603
Title: Significance of India ' s INDC and climate justice: an appraisal.
Author: R.C.Sundriyal and P.P.Dhyani
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (12) 2186-2187 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Significance, India, INDC, climate justice, appraisal.
Abstract: Subsequent to the Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Warsaw in November 2013 and subsequently in Lima in December 2014, all Parties initiated the process of formulating their own ' Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) ' towards achieving the objective of the convention well in advance of the 21st session of the COP held in Paris recently. INDC would outline the post-2020 climate actions that each party would intend to take under a new international agreement thus considered strategic for climate justice.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 61602
Title: Wetlands: Treasure of Bangalore (abused,polluted,Encroached &Vanishing)
Author: Ramachandra T.V., Asulabha K.S., Sincy V., Sudarshan P Bhat, Bharath H.Aithal
Editor: T.V.Ramachandra
Year: 2016
Publisher: Energy &wetlands Research Group
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Wetlands: Tresure of Bangalore 1-480 (2016)
Subject: Wetlands: Tresure of Bangalore (Envis Technical Report : 101)
Keywords: Wetlands, Essential. Banglorean, Survival
Abstract: Wetlands (and lakes) constitute the most productive ecosystems with a wide array of goodsand services.These ecosystems serve as life support systems;serve as habitat for a variety of organisms including migratory birds for food and shelter.They aid in bioremediation and hence aptly known as ' kidneys of the landscape ' .Major services include flood control, wastewatertreatment, arresting sediment load, drinking water, protein production,and more importantly recharging of aquifers apart from aiding as sinks and climate stabilizers .The wetlands provide a low cost wat to treat the community ' s wastewater, while simultaneously functioning as wild fauna sanctuary, with public access.These ecosystems are valuable for education and scientific endeavours due to rich biodiversity.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Islam, M Z and Rahmani, A R, Potential and existing Ramsar sites inIndia Indian Bird Conservation Network Bombay Natural History Society, Birdlife International and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, (Oxford University Press), 2008,2 Ramachandra, T.V, Ahalya, N.and Payne M, Status of Varthur lake Opportunities for restoration and sustainable management.Technical report 102 Centre for Ecological Sciences,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 2003.
Literature cited 2: Costanza, R, d ' arge, R, de Groot R,FFarber, S, Grasso, Paruelo, J,Raskin, R.G, Sutton, Pand van den Belt,M, The Value of the World ' s Ecosystem Services and Natural Capital Nature, 387,253-260 (1997). Boyer, T, and Polasky, S., Valuing Urban Wetlands: A Review of Non-Market Valuation Studies,Wetlans, 24 (4), 744-755 (2004).

ID: 61601
Title: None
Author: None
Editor: None
Year: None
Publisher: None
Source: None
Reference: None
Subject: None
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: None
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 61600
Title: None
Author: None
Editor: None
Year: None
Publisher: None
Source: None
Reference: None
Subject: None
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: None
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 61599
Title: Flora Of South Kanara
Author: K.Gopalakrishna Bhat
Editor: None
Year: 2015
Publisher: Taxonomy Research Centre
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Flora of South Kanara
Keywords: None
Abstract: Flora of South Kanara
Location: TE15, EWRG, CES, IISc.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 61598
Title: Is solar power cheaper than coal?
Author: H.Mitavachan & Shoibal Chakravarty.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (11)2180-2182 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Solar power, cheaper, coal.
Abstract: In the last few years, the cost of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) power has come down drastically. There is strong evidence from international studies that the levelized cost of solar power is on par with coal-fired power plants when the cost of externalities (green-house gas emissions, air pollution and ash disposal) is taken into account. A one-day workshop was held recently to explore how far these cost trends of solar and coal-fired power plants are valid in the Indian context. The workshop was targeted at various players in th power sector, such as decision-makers, bureaucrats, think-tanks, power generation and distribution companies, academic institutes and grass-root organizations.
Location: TE15, EWRG, CES, IISc.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None