Enter records

ID: 65890
Title: Antennal transcriptome of melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae): identification of candidate chemosensory genes
Author: Subhash Shivaramu, Gandham Krishnarao , Meenal Vyas , Akshay Kumar Chakravarthy and Kamala Jayanthi Pagadala Damodaram
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1367-1376 10 June (2024)
Subject: Antennal transcriptome of melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae): identification of candidate chemosensory genes
Keywords: Antennae, chemosensory genes, melon fly, olfaction, transcriptome.
Abstract: The sense of smell, or olfaction, is essential for driving insect behaviours associated with seeking hosts, mating, oviposition and various other activities. The melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae), poses a significant threat to agriculture, with its distribution spanning across the Asia-Pacific region and certain areas of Africa. Management strategies centered around olfaction, such as employing para-pheromones for population monitoring and bait-and-kill methods for male reduction, have proven effective in managing the populations of Z. cucurbitae. However, there has been a dearth of information concerning the molecular underpinnings of olfaction in Z. cucurbitae. In the present study, we conducted high-throughput sequencing to sequence and compile the antennal transcriptome of both male and female Z. cucurbitae specimens. Our aim was to identify chemoreception gene families associated with odor detection. Through this analysis, we discovered a total of 137 potential chemosensory genes, encompassing 55 odorant binding proteins (OBPs), 18 pheromone binding proteins (PBPs), 54 odorant receptors (ORs) and 10 ionotropic receptors (IRs). This study lays the groundwork for future research focused on the functional characterization of these chemosensory receptors in Z. cucurbitae at the molecular level, thereby paving the way for the development of enhanced tools for pest management.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Hildebrand, J. G., Analysis of chemical signals by nervous systems. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 1995, 92, 67–74. Grosse-wilde, E., Kuebler, L. S., Bucks, S., Vogel, H., Wicher, D. and Hansson, B. S., Antennal transcriptome of Manduca sexta. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 2011, 108, 7449–7454.
Literature cited 2: Leal, W. S., Odorant reception in insects: roles of receptors, binding proteins and degrading enzymes. Annu. Rev. Entomol., 2013, 58, 373–391. Araneda, R. C., Kini, A. D. and Firestein, S., The molecular receptive range of an odorant receptor. Nat. Neurosci., 2000, 3, 1248–1255.

ID: 65889
Title: An intelligent optimized ReliefF model for autism gene selection from microarray data
Author: G. Anurekha and P. Geetha
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1357-1366 10 June (2024)
Subject: An intelligent optimized ReliefF model for autism gene selection from microarray data
Keywords: Autism, dimensionality reduction, feature selection, gene selection, metaheuristic, microarray.
Abstract: Data science is an interdisciplinary domain that has vast applications. One among them is the bioinformatics domain. Bioinformatics is an essential field of science that incorporates computational, statistical and mathematical aspects for various experimental studies. Microarray experiments are vital in identifying the genetic cause of acute diseases. But the massive volume of data generated from microarray experiments makes analysis tedious and time-consuming for researchers. Hence, an efficient method for selecting relevant gene features is essential. This article proposes a new model for autism gene subset selection termed optimized reliefF (OReliefF). The proposed OReliefF employs a new fuzzy multi-verse optimizer (FMVO) to optimize the selection of neighbours. The filter-based feature selection model obtains the gene subset with high classification accuracy and a low error rate. Benchmark datasets of National Center for Biotechnology Information, USA with accession numbers GSE25507, GSE26415 and GSE2704 are used for implementation. The experimental findings show that the proposed autism gene selection model outperformed the state-of-the-art techniques
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: . Selvaraj, S. and Natarajan, J., Microarray data analysis and mining tools microarray data analysis and mining tools. Bioinformation, 2016, 6, 95. Chen, B., Hong, J. and Wang, Y., The minimum feature subset selection problem. J. Comput. Sci. Technol., 1997, 12, 145–153
Literature cited 2: Deepak Raj, D. M. and Mohanasundaram, R., An efficient filter based feature selection model to identify significant features from high-dimensional microarray data. Arab. J. Sci. Eng., 2020, 45, 2619– 2630. Cui, X., Li, Y., Fan, J. and Wang, T., A novel filter feature selection algorithm based on relief. Appl. Intell., 2022, 52, 5063–50

ID: 65888
Title: Improving flood simulation by integrating divergent streams in Upper Kuttanad, Kerala, India
Author: T. K. Drissia, P. Sreya and George Abe
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1349-1356 10 June (2024)
Subject: Improving flood simulation by integrating divergent streams in Upper Kuttanad, Kerala, India
Keywords: Diverging stream, hydrodynamic model, MIKE+, MIKE HYDRO River, 2018 Kerala flood
Abstract: Floods are becoming a frequent phenomenon even in regions where floods are rare; floods in Kerala, India, are one example. The study investigates floods in the Upper Kuttanad region of Kerala, where three rivers – Pamba, Manimala, and Achenkovil – converge while some streams diverge. To tackle this challenge, two distinct scenarios, without considering diverging rivers and considering diverging rivers, are employed in a one-dimensional flood simulation of the August 2018 flood in MIKE Hydro River. The results indicate that accounting for river divergence leads to a more accurate alignment between the simulated and observed discharge with an R2 value of nearly 0.90, aiding in the comprehension of the flood characteristics
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: O’Connor, J. E. and Costa, J. E., The World’s largest floods, past and present – their causes and magnitudes, US Geological Survey Circular, 2004, vol. 1254, p. 13. 2. Rakhecha, P. R., Highest floods in India. In The Extremes of the Extremes: Extraordinary Floods (Reykjavik, July 2000). Proceedings of an International Symposium on Extraordinary Floods (eds Snorrason, A., Finnsdottir, H. and Moss, M. E.), International Association of Hydrological Sciences, Paris, France, IAHS-AISH Publication, 2002, pp. 167–172
Literature cited 2: Balloffet, A., One-dimensional analysis of floods and tides in open channels. J. Hydraul. Div., 1969, 95(4), 1429–1451; https://doi.org/ 10.1061/JYCEAJ.0002133. Patel, D. P., Srivastava, P. K., Singh, S. K., Prieto, C. and Han, D., One-dimensional hydrodynamic modeling of the River Tapi the 2006 flood, Surat, India. In Techniques for Disaster Risk Management and Mitigation (eds Srivastava, P. K. et al.), John Wiley, Germany, 2020, Chapter 16; https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119359203.ch16.

ID: 65887
Title: Probing the role of V30M mutation in human transthyretin aggregation using molecular simulations
Author: Kamini Vishwakarma and Sumit Mitta
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1343-1348 10 June (2024)
Subject: Probing the role of V30M mutation in human transthyretin aggregation using molecular simulations
Keywords: Amyloid fibrils, molecular dynamics simulation, monomers, mutation, transthyretin
Abstract: Transthyretin (TTR), also known as prealbumin, is a highly conserved protein found in several vertebrate species. Dissociation of TTR tetramer followed by aggregation and misfolding of the monomers causes genesis of insoluble amyloid fibrils, which might systematically lead to peripheral and/or autonomic neuropathy and other systemic manifestations. Structural insights into the conformational landscape of TTR monomers upon mutation are useful for understanding amyloid aggregation. In this study, we used all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the role of V30M mutation on the structure of TTR monomer. The MD simulations of the wild-type and V30M TTR monomeric showed that the V30M mutation leads to dissociation of one of the edge strands, strand C, from the core of the monomer and forms an ensemble of partially unfolded conformations. These changes can be linked to disruption in the inter-strand hydrogen bonding and the secondary structure of the monomeric state. Moreover, non-covalent interactions in the E–F loop region, which is important for aggregation propensity of TTR, are also perturbed. Overall, the MD simulations provide comparative structural insights into the dynamics of wild-type and V30M TTR monomers
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Schreiber, G. and Richardson, S. J., The evolution of gene expression, structure and function of transthyretin. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. B. Biochem. Mol. Biol., 1997, 116, 137–160. Johnson, S. M., Connelly, S., Fearns, C., Powers, E. T. and Kelly, J. W., The Transthyretin amyloidoses: from delineating the molecular mechanism of aggregation linked to pathology to a regulatoryagency-approved drug. J. Mol. Biol., 2012, 421, 185–20
Literature cited 2: Palaninathan, S. K., Nearly 200 X-ray crystal structures of transthyretin: what do they tell us about this protein and the design of drugs for TTR amyloidoses? Curr. Med. Chem., 2012, 19, 2324–2342. Hamilton, J. A. and Benson, M. D., Transthyretin: a review from a structural perspective. Cell. Mol. Life Sci., 2001, 58, 1491–1521

ID: 65886
Title: A systematic approach for identifying and reducing gaps between the pharma and software industry and transforming quality through digitalization in the pharma industry
Author: Smritie Sheth, Rohit Goyal , Ajay Ghatpande , Siddhi Kinkar, Avinash Kamthe , Chaitrali Bakhale , Atul Khandekar , Ravindra Khare and Narendra Chirmule
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1335-1342 10 June (2024)
Subject: A systematic approach for identifying and reducing gaps between the pharma and software industry and transforming quality through digitalization in the pharma industry
Keywords: Digitalization, E-QMS, LIMS, lab notebook, pharma, program management, standardization, software development
Abstract: Digitalization of data into electronic formats can transform the efficiency of an organization. Advances in software programming have enabled seamless conversion of manual workflows into electronic processes. We have described our experiences in the development of reliable and robust inter-connected electronic systems. In this article we have addressed the challenges in the development of electronic laboratory notebook software that follows a workflow in a biological laboratory. These challenges include: (i) linguistics: translation of ‘language of the scientist’ to the ‘language of the software designer’ and to the ‘language of the programmer’, (ii) limited knowledge of capabilities and limitations of technologies on either side (scientific and software) and (iii) lack of communication and documentation practices for capturing the requirements. Data integrity is the central regulatory requirement to a quality management system. Digitalization can address this challenge by addressing three major advantages – standardization of processes, increased compliance and enhanced efficiency. The observations made during the development processes of the present study can be applied to scientific software development and increasing requirements for collaboration of diverse cross-functional teams.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: COVID-19 accelerated digital transformation of the pharma industry by five years: Poll, Pharmaceutical technology, 9 March 2021. Dirnagl, U. and Przesdzing, I., A pocket guide to electronic laboratory notebooks in the academic life sciences. F1000Res., 2016, 5, 2; doi:10.12688/f1000research.7628.1.
Literature cited 2: Charoo, N. A., Khan, M. A. and Rahman, Z., Data integrity issues in pharmaceutical industry: common observations, challenges and mitigations strategies. Int. J. Pharm., 2023, 631, 122503; doi:10. 1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122503. Spencer, M., The importance of digital transformation in laboratory informatics. Technology Networks Informatics, 5 October 2020.

ID: 65885
Title: Sea buckthorn in Ladakh: navigating the path from traditional use to global prominence
Author: Kunzang Lamo, Feroz Din Sheikh , D. Namgial , Stanzin Dorjey , Jigmet Laskit and Rigzin Safal
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1330-1334 10 June (2024)
Subject: Sea buckthorn in Ladakh: navigating the path from traditional use to global prominence
Keywords: Economy, Ladakh, sea buckthorn, traditional medicine, wild.
Abstract: Ladakh covers 80–85% of the total sea buckthorn area in India which grows wild and that too luxuriantly. It contributed to the traditional medicine system for ages without any true economic benefit. After decades of recognizing its immense value in the international market, researchers across the country have recently begun to explore its niches and exploit the crop in ways never seen before. The prominence of the crop is underscored by significant government projects and missions, highlighting its increasing importance. Multinational corporations worldwide view Ladakh as a potential source of inexpensive raw materials, though government regulations and policies currently limit accessibility. Commercial exploitation of the crop has recently commenced on a modest scale, yielding substantial profits for stakeholders. While cultivation for commercial purposes remains an aspiration, Ladakh can look forward to an economic revolution with the proper technological and political support
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Singh, H. et al., Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides): a boon plant species of the Trans-Himalayas for ecological and economic development. J. Sustain. For., 2021, 40(5), 458–473. Kumar, R. and Singh, V., Economic valuation of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) in the Indian Trans-Himalaya: prospects for sustainable development. Econ. Bot., 2019, 73(4), 520–532.
Literature cited 2: Chen, Y. et al., The ecological impacts of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) in the Trans-Himalayan region: a review. J. Environ. Manage. Sustain., 2018, 4(2), 155–166. Sharma, P. and Mishra, H. P., Sea Buckthorn: a golden mine of nutraceuticals in the cold desert of Ladakh. Nutr. Food Sci. J., 2020, 6(3), 209–216

ID: 65884
Title: Civilizational antecedents and evolving ecoscapes of scientific research in G20 countries
Author: Gangan Prathap
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1325-1329 10 June (2024)
Subject: Civilizational antecedents and evolving ecoscapes of scientific research in G20 countries
Keywords: Anglo-American, citation-based ranking, G20 R&D, Holy Roman Empire
Abstract: The present article examines the evolving performance of the G20 countries in academic scientific research. It finds that an Anglo-American grouping has had a slight advantage over their non-Anglophone European cohort, and both have a significant advantage over their non-Western civilizational counterparts. This seems to be an artefact of citation-based ranking that results from differences in the native language of the countries, perhaps more than any other factor. In the recent past, some evolving features have also been captured, particularly with respect to China, Saudi Arabia, India and Turkey.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: https://clarivate.com/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2021/11/Executive_Summary_Highly_Cited_Researchers_2021.pdf Rogers, G., The Annual G20 Scorecard – Research Performance 2023, Institute for Scientific Information, Philadelphia, USA, 2023; doi:10. 14322/isi.grr.annual.g20.scorecard.2023.
Literature cited 2: Kurtz, S., The Lost History of Western Civilization, National Association of Scholars; https://www.nas.org/reports/the-lost-history-of-westerncivilization/full-report Prathap, G., Basic and applied research in selected G20 countries: a depiction using Stokes’ quadrants. Curr. Sci., 2019, 117(4), 549–551.

ID: 65883
Title: Unpacking inconsistencies in the NIRF rankings
Author: Abhishek Singh and V. Ramgopal Rao
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1321-1324 10 June (2024)
Subject: Unpacking inconsistencies in the NIRF rankings
Keywords: Bibliometric assessment, higher education institutions, perception, ranking fluctuations, regional diversity.
Abstract: India rankings released by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) since 2016, plays a vital role in the assessment of higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country. While the NIRF rankings aim to enhance transparency and accountability, the present study has identified several inconsistencies, thus raising concerns about their reliability. These include huge fluctuations in the rankings, overemphasis on bibliometrics neglecting non-traditional research outputs, subjective nature of perception rankings that introduces biases, challenges in the regional diversity metric, overlooking teaching quality, inadequate transparency in methodology, questions about data integrity and limited global benchmarking. This study emphasizes on dialogue, refinement and increased transparency to ensure that the NIRF rankings evolve into a reliable benchmark for the diverse landscape of Indian higher education
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: https://support.qs.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360021756440-Dampingand-Capping-Mechanisms#:~:text=QS%20utilize%20a%20damping%20mechanism,of%20interpretation%20in%20data%20submission (accessed on 5 January 2024). Marisha, Analysing the stability of India Rankings. Curr. Sci., 2021, 120(7), 1144–1151.
Literature cited 2: Saisana, M., Saltelli, A. and Tarantola, S., Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis techniques as tools for the quality assessment of composite indicators. J. R. Stat. Soc. Ser. A., 2005, 168(2), 307–323; doi:10.1111/j.1467-985X.2005.00350.x. Thakur, M., The impact of ranking systems on higher education and its stakeholders. J. Inst. Res., 2007, 13(1), 83–96.

ID: 65882
Title: Amendment to the National Biological Diversity Act: loaded provisions and a few concerns
Author: A. Arunachalam S. Suresh Ramanan Rinku Singh
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1319-1320 10 June (2024)
Subject: Amendment to the National Biological Diversity Act: loaded provisions and a few concerns
Keywords: None
Abstract: To broaden the scope of the National Biodiversity Act (2002) (NBA 2002), aimed at conserving biological diversity, promoting sustainable use of resources, and ensuring fair distribution of benefits arising from biological resource utilization and associated knowledge1 . This act underwent recent amendments, as notified in the Government of India Gazette notification CG-DLE-03082023-247815 on 3 August 2023 (ref. 2). This article explores the pros and cons of the amendment thereof from the citizenship perspective. The amendment to NBA 2002 has a lot of merits in provisioning goods and services for society and industry whilst enabling biodiversity research for conservation vis-à-vis utilization.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Arunachalam, A. and Roy, P., Curr. Sci., 2010, 98, 147–148.
Literature cited 2: The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, No. 10 of 2023, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, 2023.

ID: 65881
Title: Revisiting Nawaschin: does double fertilization not occur in the family Orchidaceae?
Author: Chengqi Ao
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1315-1316 10 June (2024)
Subject: Revisiting Nawaschin: does double fertilization not occur in the family Orchidaceae?
Keywords: None
Abstract: Double fertilization is widely regarded as a general feature of all flowering plants. However, Sergei Nawaschin, the finder of double fertilization phenomenon, held the opinion that it did not occur in Orchidaceae. According to his description, fusion between the polar nuclei and the second sperm cell did not occur in Orchidaceae, which he claimed was a general characteristic of the family. In recent years, more and more evidence of the second fertilization in Orchidaceae has been accumulating, indicating that double fertilization occurs ‘as is normal’ in this family.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Yeung, E. C. and Law, S. K., Can. J. Bot., 1989, 67, 2219–2226. Chen, Y., Zhang, C., Wang, X. F. and Ao, C. Q., Aust. J. Bot., 2018, 66, 354–359.
Literature cited 2: Chen, Y., Wang, X. F., Liang, L. and Ao, C. Q., Bot. Serb., 2021, 45(2), 177–184. Yeung, E. C. and Law, S. K., In Orchid Biology: Reviews and Perspectives VII (eds Arditti, J. and Pridgeon, A. M.), Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 1997, pp. 31‒73.

ID: 65880
Title: Design and development of robust and precision personalized medicine
Author: Anamitra Goswami, Moumita Sil, Prashant Ratnaparkhi, Arunava Goswami, Nabanita Mukherjee and Igor Polikarpov
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1312-1312 10 June (2024)
Subject: Design and development of robust and precision personalized medicine
Keywords: None
Abstract: Frederike H. Petzschner recently published an article in Science titled ‘Practical challenges for precision medicine’ (Science, 2024, 383, 149–150; doi:10.1126/science.adm9218) expressing the view that machine learning tools are not suitable for advancing precision medicine. In this write-up, we present some evidences which show that mathematical genomics, mathematical proteomics, statistical genomics and statistical proteomics, along with machine learning tools can effectively guide the development of high-precision personalized medicine.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Nawn, D. et al., Int. J. Biol. Macromol., 2024, 259, 128998. Hassan, S. S., Sil, M., Chakraborty, S., Goswami, A., Basu, P., Nawn, D. and Uversky, V. N., Int. J. Biol. Macromol., 2022, 222, 2105–2121.
Literature cited 2: Sil, M. et al., bioRxiv, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, USA, 2024; doi:https:// doi.org/10.1101/2023.04.12.536521. Mukherjee, N., Mitra, S., Sil, M., Mukherjee, A., Goswami, A. and Hessel, V., Proc. Biochem., 2024, 131, 226–234; https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.procbio.2023.06.024

ID: 65879
Title: Direction and scope of luminescence dating research in India: fifth workshop on luminescence dating and its applications
Author: Madhav K. Murari and D. Kumar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1310-1311 10 June (2024)
Subject: Direction and scope of luminescence dating research in India: fifth workshop on luminescence dating and its applications
Keywords: None
Abstract: The Association for Luminescence Dating (ALD), India, organized its 5th Annual Luminescence Dating and its Applications workshop, along with a pre-workshop training programme. The later included a local field trip and hands-on training. A. Bharadwaj (Director, Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad) welcomed the participants for the three-days (21–23 February 2024) workshop while S. Chopra (Director, Institute of Seismological Research (ISR), Gandhinagar) welcomed the participants for one day (20 February 2024) the pre-workshop training programme.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Ali, N. and Sharma, S., Curr. Sci., 2019, 118(2), 182–183. Kumar, A. and Bisht, P., J. Geol. Soc. India, 2021, 97(3), 328
Literature cited 2: Murari, M. K. and Kumar, D., Curr. Sci., 2023, 125(12), 1298

ID: 65878
Title: Unique nest building strategies of eusocial insects to merge cells of variable sizes
Author: Sudipta Adhya
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1308-1308 10 June (2024)
Subject: Unique nest building strategies of eusocial insects to merge cells of variable sizes
Keywords: None
Abstract: Just like humans, honeybees and vespids or social wasps can also be considered as ‘misers’. They are very wise and frugal when it comes to investing their energy in manufacturing raw materials (wax or paper pulp) and using them to build their houses. These social ‘bee-ings’ are excellent civil engineers and skilled craftsmen. How did these insects gain such a high level of expertise in building arrays or groups of hexagonal cells as shelter?
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2:

ID: 65877
Title: Land restoration and promotion of Alpine medicinal and aromatic plants: a practical approach in context of Himalaya of Uttarakhand, India
Author: Pradeep Dobhal, Vijay Kant Purohit Jaidev Chauhan Ajay Hemdan Rajeev Ranjan Kumar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1301-1303 10 June (2024)
Subject: Land restoration and promotion of Alpine medicinal and aromatic plants: a practical approach in context of Himalaya of Uttarakhand, India
Keywords: None
Abstract: Land restoration is crucial to restore our environment’s natural balance. It involves repairing the land damaged by natural disasters or has remained unused for many years. Restoration of a land area includes growing new vegetation and rehabilitating a place that has not been used for many years. Restoring the land helps to improve the soil quality and promotes carbon sequestration, which can help combat climate change, protect biodiversity and benefit local people. Recognizing the urgent need to restore degraded and deforested land globally, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Government of Germany launched the Bonn Challenge in 2011. This global initiative aims to rejuvenate 150 million hectares of degraded and deforested landscapes by 2020 and 350 million hectares by 2030 (ref. 1). India has undertaken to restore 26 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by 2030.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/budget_ speech.pdf https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey/doc/echapter.pdf
Literature cited 2: Maikhuri, R. K., Nautiyal, S., Rao, K. S. and Saxena, K. G., For. Policy Econ., 2001, 3, 355–365; doi:10.1016/S1389-9341(01)00037-5. Nautiyal, M. C., Nautiyal, B. P. and Prakash, V., The Environmentalist, 2004, 24, 2, 125– 134; doi:10.1007/s10669-004-4803-z.

ID: 65876
Title: Mustard crop suitability mapping using analytical hierarchy process in the Imphal–Iril river sub-catchment, Manipur, India
Author: Ngangom Robertson and Oinam Bakimchandra
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (6) 721-730 25 March (2024)
Subject: Mustard crop suitability mapping using analytical hierarchy process in the Imphal–Iril river sub-catchment, Manipur, India
Keywords: Analytical hierarchy process, land suitability, land use land cover, mustard.
Abstract: Land suitability analysis is method for obtaining optimum utilization of naturally accessible land resources. This study aims to identify the mustard cultivation suitability potential sites in rabi season using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) in the Imphal–Iril river catchment Manipur, India. Using the geospatial approach, the assessment was conducted by using climate, soil and topography data. The findings indicate that AHP method could potentially be used to classify suitable zones for mustard cultivation. Highly suitability zones for mustard were observed in the valley portion having mild slope while moderately suitable sites were primarily found near the foothill, which have a gentle sloping topography. Not suitable zone were found mostly in the hilly regions. This assessment will helpful for cropping management option to the regional growers and the policy makers to achieve high production of mustard in the region
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Naidu, L. G. K., Ramamurthy, V., Challa, O., Hegde, R. and Krishnan, P., Manuals of Soil–Site Suitability Criteria for Major Crops, National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Nagpur, 2006, vol. 129, p. 118. Singh, N., Vasudev, S., Kumar Yadava, D., Kumar, S., Naresh, S., Ramachandra Bhat, S. and Vinod Prabhu, K., An assessment of genetic diversity in Brassica juncea Brassicaceae genotypes using phenotypic differences and SSR markers. Rev. Biol. Trop., 2013, 61(4), 1919–1934.
Literature cited 2: IPCC, Climate Change, Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Contribution of working Group II to the Forth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2007, pp. 273–313. Pan, G. and Pan, J., Research in crop land suitability analysis based on GIS. Computer Comput. Technol. Agric., 2012, 365, 314–325.