ID: 65794
Title: Insights into bacterial communities: multidrug-resistant and biofilm-forming bacteria in poultry droppings
Author: Namrata Jiya , Swapnil Kajale , Kunal Jani, Abhishek Keer , Chahat Markan , Monica Chavan , Ashwin V. Khandare , Mahendra D. Jamdhade , Alimuddin Zumla and Avinash Sharma
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 (5) 562-568 10 March (2024)
Subject: Insights into bacterial communities: multidrug-resistant and biofilm-forming bacteria in poultry droppings
Keywords: Antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance, biofilms, multidrug-resistant bacteria, poultry droppings.
Abstract: An ever-increasing demand for high-quality protein
sources like poultry products, along with excessive use
of antibiotics in animal husbandry are contributing factors to the growing global problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The overuse of antibiotics in poultry
and the dissemination of poultry faecal waste in the
environment results in the propagation and spread of
multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. We investigated
the bacterial diversity of poultry droppings by targeted
amplicon sequencing and determined the resistance
pattern of 165 bacterial isolates against various types of
antibiotics. We found that the species of genera Enterobacter, Enterococcus, Escherichia, Proteus, Bacillus and
Shigella showed resistance against beta-lactams, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, sulphonamide, nitrofurantoin, polymyxin E and aminoglycosides. In addition, we
detected strong biofilm-producing isolates of Enterobacter, Bacillus, Proteus, Escherichia and Enterococcus. The
detection of biofilm-forming MDR bacteria in poultry
droppings highlights the need for proactive measures to
mitigate their growth and transmission. High-throughput
sequencing revealed the differential prevalence of amplicon sequence variants belonging to Lactobacillus,
Corynebacterium and Bacteroides. Functional imputations
support the observed potential of biosynthesis of divergent antibiotics and drug resistance. Our findings highlight that poultry droppings harbour a diverse array of
antibiotic-resistant bacteria, underscoring the significance of continuous surveillance and appropriate disposal
methods to counteract the escalating problem of multidrug resistance under the ‘One Health’ approach.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Zumla, A. et al., Reducing the threat of epidemic-prone infections
at mass gathering religious events. Lancet, 2022, 400, 80–82.
Jani, K., Srivastava, V., Sharma, P., Vir, A. and Sharma, A., Easy
access to antibiotics; spread of antimicrobial resistance and implementation of One Health approach in India. J. Epidemiol. Global
Health, 2021, 11, 444–452
Literature cited 2: Koya, S. F., Ganesh, S., Selvaraj, S., Wirtz, V. J., Galea, S. and
Rockers, P. C., Consumption of systemic antibiotics in India in
2019. Lancet Reg. Health Southeast Asia, 2022, 4, 100025.
Kumar, H. et al., Understanding of colistin usage in food animals
and available detection techniques: a review. Animals (Basel),
2021, 9(1), 178
ID: 65793
Title: Analysis of morphological changes in erythrocytes in malaria by shape descriptors prior to and after antimalarial drugs
Author: Maombi Edison, J. B. Jeeva and Megha 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 (5) 555-561 10 March (2024)
Subject: Analysis of morphological changes in erythrocytes in malaria by shape descriptors prior to and after antimalarial drugs
Keywords: Antimalarial drugs, erythrocytes, grey-level intensity, Plasmodium falciparum malaria, shape descriptors
Abstract: In this study, malarial patients (n = 80) were treated for
three days with artesunate and amodiaquine (ASAQ).
Twenty healthy individuals in a similar age range were
chosen as the control group. The contours of the erythrocytes were extracted from the processed microscopic
images, and the shape parameters were derived from
them. The erythrocytes were scanned along their largest
diameter to determine the variation in grey-level intensity. The results showed that the change in shape parameters and grey-level intensity was similar to normal
on day 4 after treatment. This provides novel insights
into the contribution of ASAQ to the recovery of
erythrocytes
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: WHO, World Malaria Report 2020: 20 years of global progress and
challenges, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, 2020.
Maombi, E., Jeeva, J. B. and Megha, S., Digital analysis of changes
by Plasmodium vivax malaria in erythrocytes. Indian J. Exp. Biol.,
2011, 49, 11–15.
Literature cited 2: Depond, M., Henry, B., Buffet, P. and Ndour, P. A., Methods to investigate the deformability of RBC during Malaria. Front. Physiol.,
2020, 10, 1613.
Barber, B. E. et al., Reduced red blood cell deformability in Plasmodium knowlesi malaria. Blood Adv., 2018, 2(4), 433–443.
ID: 65792
Title: Soil carbon footprints and climate-smart soils
Author: T. Bhattacharyya
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 (5) 548-554 10 March (2024)
Subject: Soil carbon footprints and climate-smart soils
Keywords: Carbon footprints, climate change, climate-smart soils, global warming, sequestration.
Abstract: Carbon is sequestered in the soil in organic (SCSo) and inorganic (SCSi) forms. This sequestration is
controlled by different soil properties. SCSo, a boon, enhances the physical and chemical conditions
of the soil to improve soil drainage and provide adequate nutrition to the plants. SCSi, contributed
mainly by pedogenic calcium carbonates (PCs), is a bane and degrades the soil chemically. Soil acts
both as a source and sink of carbon. With the global warming threat looming, conservation of the
soil for sustenance has gained more importance in view of its role in providing various ecosystem
services, including food production. Therefore, identifying climate-smart soils that can withstand climate change and warming is important. These climate-smart soils will help identify global hotspots
for soil conservation. The present study provides a method to measure soil carbon footprints (CFs)
to identify climate-smart soils, citing a few examples from tropical India. This effort will help move
forward the subject of soil carbon research and its importance for preserving this limited natural resource for humankind. Increased atmospheric carbon footprints (CF) are harmful, while those in the
subsurface (soil) are good and will continue to save humanity from the vagaries of climate. It requires global awareness and proper utilization of the soils.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Bhattacharyya, T., et al., Processes determining the sequestration
and maintenance of carbon in soils: a synthesis of research from
tropical India. Soil Horizons, 2014, 1–16; doi:10.2136/sh14-01-0001.
2. Anon., 2021; https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/tasr2021_
IND_0.pdf (accessed on 18 July 2023).
Literature cited 2: Anon., 2019; https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/TASR2019_IND.pdf (accessed on 18 July 2023).
Ritchie, H., Roser, M. and Rosado, P., CO2 and greenhouse gas
emissions, 2020; https://ourworldindata.org/co2-and-greenhouse-gasemissions
ID: 65791
Title: Revamping India’s groundwater monitoring network
Author: S. N. Dwivedi, Sujatro Ray Chowdhuri, Subhra Satapathy and Ratikanta Nayak
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 (5) 542-547 10 March (2024)
Subject: Revamping India’s groundwater monitoring network
Keywords: Aquifers, climate change, groundwater level, high-frequency data, monitoring networks
Abstract: Groundwater level is the most important parameter in any study involving the evaluation, development
and management of groundwater resources. Systematic monitoring of groundwater levels, which
commenced with the establishment of the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), has been of immense use in addressing several challenges like prioritization of areas for groundwater recharge,
delineating areas prone to waterlogging, estimation of storage change in the aquifers, estimation of
groundwater flow, etc. In a major boost to strengthen groundwater monitoring in the country, the
Government of India has sanctioned a special project under which CGWB has envisaged to construct 9000 purpose-built wells (piezometers) in identified priority areas, which will be equipped
with digital water-level recorders (DWLRs) and telemetry devices for acquisition and transmission
of groundwater levels at increased frequency. The intended uses of the long-term high-frequency data
include monitoring short-term and long-term changes in the groundwater levels, groundwater storage
and recharge to the aquifers, monitoring the effects of climatic variability, estimating transboundary
flow, assessing regional effects of groundwater development, quantifying impacts of water conservation and artificial recharge projects, and improved understanding of groundwater and surface water
interactions. High-frequency groundwater level data also have the potential for steering multi-institutional collaborative research projects in the country, particularly for studying the impact of
groundwater extraction on land subsidence, the relationship between groundwater levels and tectonic
disturbances, and climate change impacts on the groundwater regime.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Taylor, C. J. and Alley, W. M., Ground-water-level monitoring and
the importance of long-term water-level data. Report of United
States Geological Survey, Denver, CO, USA, 2001, vol. 1217, p. 77.
http://cgwb.gov.in/ (accessed on 24 November 2023).
Literature cited 2: CGWB, Ground Water Year Book – India 2021–22, Central Ground
Water Board, 2022, p. 107; http://cgwb.gov.in/cgwbpnm/publication-detail/235
Swain, S., Taloor, A. K., Dhal, L., Sahoo, S. and Al-Ansari, N.,
Impact of climate change on groundwater hydrology: a comprehensive review and current status of the Indian hydrogeology. Appl.
Water Sci., 2022, 12(6), 120
ID: 65790
Title: An endangered wild kiwi fruit Actinidia callosa var. strigillosa C. F. Liang (Actinidiaceae) from India
Author: Abhilash Padhan, Dinesh Singh Thakur Kumar Ambrish
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 (5) 539-541 10 March (2024)
Subject: An endangered wild kiwi fruit Actinidia callosa var. strigillosa C. F. Liang (Actinidiaceae) from India
Keywords: None
Abstract: In this study, the wild kiwi fruit Actinidia
callosa var. strigillosa is reported for the
first time from the wild habitat of North
Sikkim district, Sikkim, North East India.
It is a dioecious climbing shrub with separate male and female vines. The fruits from
the female vine are consumed by local
tribes, either raw or on ripening, which directly contributes towards their nutritional
security1
. The green leafy parts, along with
young stems, are used as fodder, whereas
the older stems are used for making ropes
due to higher fibre content. This report on
the occurrence of wild kiwi fruit from the
Lachen area, along with its taxonomical
description, will be helpful for researchers
to locate it in other areas of India
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Padhan, A. et al., Genet. Resour. Crop Evol.,
2023, 71, 39–52.
Mao, A. A. and Dash, S. S., Flowering
Plants of India: An Annotated Check l,
Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata, 2020,
vol. 1, p. 161.
Literature cited 2: Henare, S. J., In Nutritional Composition
of Fruit Cultivars (eds Simmonds, M. S. J.
and Preedy, V. R.), Academic Press, San
Diego, USA, 2016, pp. 337–370.
Lindley, J., A Natural System of Botany or a
Systematic View of the Organisation,
Natural Affinities, and Geographical Distribution of the Whole Vegetable Kingdom,
Longman, London, UK, 1836, 2nd edn.
ID: 65789
Title: Save the Sundarbans
Author: K. Kathiresan
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 (5) 536-538 10 March (2024)
Subject: Save the Sundarbans
Keywords: None
Abstract: The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove
forest in the world, covering a total area of
10,200 km2
, of which 42% is in India and
the remaining is in Bangladesh. It is located
in the Gangetic Delta, the world’s largest
wetland with the highest sedimentation. It is
the only mangrove–tiger kingdom in the
world and is internationally recognized as a
‘World Heritage Site’ of UNESCO and a
Ramsar Site. The Sundarbans is a crucial
biodiversity hotspot, offering unique habitats for terrestrial and marine wildlife, as it
is located between land and sea. It is a
‘heaven’ for globally threatened species
such as tigers, fishing cats, Gangetic dolphins, Irrawaddy dolphins, estuarine crocodiles, horseshoe crabs, water monitor
lizards, sea turtles, otters and river terrapins. Several species have already become
extinct in the Sundarbans, e.g. Javan rhinoceros, water buffalo, swamp deer, hog
deer and marsh crocodile. Covering 42%
of mangrove cover, the Sundarbans is the
largest mangrove area in India, supporting
28 mangroves, 55 mangrove associates and
2628 fauna, and the organisms are remarkably adapted to rigorously fluctuating tidal
conditions1,
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Kathiresan, K., Curr. Sci., 2018, 114, 1–
6.
Kathiresan, K., Curr. Sci., 2023, 125, 721–
722.
Literature cited 2: Kathiresan, K., Indian For., 2021, 147,
758–761.
FSI, SFR mangroves cover: India State of
Forest Report, Forest Survey of India,
Dehradun, 2021, pp. 64–72
ID: 65788
Title: Convalescent millets combating against non-communicable diseases
Author: Aayushi Nagwanshi, Tapas Chakma, Suman Kumar Ray, Kritika Singh and Suyesh Shrivastava
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 (5) 534-535 10 March (2024)
Subject: Convalescent millets combating against non-communicable diseases
Keywords: None
Abstract: Non-communicable diseases and hunger are significant global issues, with undernourishment and hunger creating a vicious cycle. Promoting millets during the International Year of Millets in 2023 with the theme ‘Healthy
millets, healthy people’ is a healthier option than rice or wheat. Millets offer health benefits such as low glycaemic index, high fibre content and antioxidant properties. They also help regulate blood sugar levels, aid in
weight control and lower the risk of obesity. The National Millets Mission was launched by the Government of
India to encourage the production and consumption of millets, nutrient-dense, high-energy foods that can help
deal with non-communicable diseases and significantly combat the global burden of these diseases and global
hunger. Owing to the benefits of millets, including them in the daily diet can decrease the chances of cardiovascular diseases and ultimately improve the health of people.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Dias-Martins, A. M., Pessanha, K. L. F.,
Pacheco, S., Rodrigues, J. A. S. and Carvalho, C. W. P., Food Res. Int., 2018, 109,
175–186.
https://apeda.gov.in/milletportal/Production.
html (last accessed on 14 November 2023)
Literature cited 2: http://www.nuscommunity.org/initiatives/
ifad-eu-ccafs-nus/kodo-and-kutki-milletsin-madhya-pradesh/ (last accessed on 14
November 2023).
https://apeda.gov.in/milletportal/files/Madhya_Pradesh_Millet_Value_Added_Products_Catalogue.pdf (last accessed on 14
November 2023).
ID: 65787
Title: The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill 2023: a balancing act of rights and obligations
Author: Padmesh P. Pillai
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 (5) 532-533
10 March (2024)
Subject: The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill 2023: a balancing act of rights and obligations
Keywords: None
Abstract: The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was approved by both houses of the Indian Parliament in August
2023. The Bill introduces major changes compared to the National Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and the subsequent Rules, 2004. The amendments ease the process of patent filing for Indian citizens and support the livelihood
of indigenous people associated with biodiversity-related activities. The introduction of a new term, ‘codified
traditional knowledge’ will make few activities distinct from ‘traditional knowledge’. The Bill has provisions to
protect the nation’s rich biological wealth, including that deposited in the International Depository Authority. It is
a positive move to protect the larger interest of India while honouring the international obligations under various treaties and conventions.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: The Biological Diversity (amendment) Act
2023. The Gazette of India, 3 August 2023,
No. 10 of 2023
Literature cited 2: GoI, The Biological Diversity Act, 2002
and Biological Diversity Rules, 2004, National Biodiversity Authority, Government
of India, 2004, p. 74.
ID: 65786
Title: Evaluation of constant ductility displacement response spectra for near-fault ground motions of the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake, Taiwan
Author: Konkula Rama Neeraja , Faisal Mehraj Wani , Chereddy Navyatha , Jaya Prakash Vemuri and Chenna Rajaram
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 (7) 837-847 10 April (2024)
Subject: Evaluation of constant ductility displacement response spectra for near-fault ground motions of the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake, Taiwan
Keywords: Constant ductility response spectra, earthquakes, forward and backward rupture, near-fault ground motions, seismic hazard.
Abstract: This study evaluates the constant ductility displacement
response spectra (CDDRS) for near-fault ground motions
(NFGMs) of the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake in Taiwan.
The complex source mechanism was mainly caused by
a rupture on the Chelungpu fault that spanned about
100 km. A dataset of 63 NFGM records was considered to
understand the effects of CDDRS due to hanging wall,
foot wall and directivity effects. CDDRS were generated
using SeismoSignal tool for the selected ground motions.
Significant variation was observed in both elastic and
inelastic CDDRS for tall buildings due to the hanging
wall effect. In addition, variations in the inelastic spectra
were found to be more prominent due to the backward
directivity effect. Moreover, the inelastic displacement
spectral values for pulse-like ground motions were much
higher than those associated with non-pulse ground
motions.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Shin, T. C. and Teng, T. L., An overview of the 1999 Chi-Chi,
Taiwan, earthquake. Bull. Seismol. Soc. Am., 2001, 91(5), 895–913.
Alavi, B. and Helmut, K., Effects of Near-Fault Ground Motions on
Frame Structures, John A. Blume Earthquake Engineering Center,
Stanford, USA, 2001.
Literature cited 2: . Chen, C. C., Huang, C. T., Cherng, R. H. and Jeng, V., Preliminary
investigation of damage to near fault buildings of the 1999 Chi-Chi
earthquake. Earthq. Eng. Eng. Seismol., 2000, 2(1), 79–92.
Tsai, K. C., Hsiao, C. P. and Bruneau, M., Overview of building
damages in 921 Chi-Chi earthquake. Earthq. Eng. Eng. Seismol.,
2000, 2(1), 93–108
ID: 65785
Title: Geospatial technology in groundwater recharge potential assessment using multi-criteria decision-making approach
Author: Prafull Singh, Pradipika Verma , Shahnawaz and Shailesh Kumar 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 (7) 827-836 10 April (2024)
Subject: Geospatial technology in groundwater recharge potential assessment using multi-criteria decision-making approach
Keywords: Geospatial technology, groundwater recharge, multi-criteria analysis, rainwater harvesting, water scarcity.
Abstract: Many regions in India and worldwide are currently
grappling with or have experienced water crises, primarily due to frequent droughts, expanding agricultural land, and excessive groundwater abstraction. The
primary objective of present study is to map groundwater recharge (GWR) potential in hard rock-dominated terrain. The approach involves an ensemble of
techniques, combining an integrated analytic hierarchy
process with the geographic information system. Various hydrogeological and groundwater-controlling factors, including geology, slope, geomorphology, depth to
water level, soil types, normalized difference vegetation index, land use/land cover and drainage density
were mapped and assessed using satellite data and field
verification. The methodology was applied in the
Chhindwara region in the southern part of Madhya
Pradesh, India, where the geological composition is predominantly hard rocks. The outcomes of this study can
be utilized for GWR potential mapping, land-use planning, rainwater harvesting and formulating groundwater development plans.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: USGS, Ground-water depletion across the nation. United States
Geological Survey Fact Sheet, 2003, vol. 103; https://pubs.usgs.
gov/fs/fs-103-03/JBartolinoFS(2.13.04).pdf.
Jat, M. K., Garg, P. K. and Khare, D., Integrated water management in urban areas: ecological and economic advantages. J. Indian
Build. Congr., 2005, 12(1), 186–193.
Literature cited 2: CGWB, Groundwater resources estimation report, Central Ground
Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India,
2018.
Singh, P., Thakur, J. K. and Kumar, S., Delineating groundwater
potential zones in a hard-rock terrain using geospatial tool. Hydrol.
Sci. J., 2013, 58, 213–223.
ID: 65784
Title: Morphological and molecular characterization of groundnut leaf miner confirms the occurrence of Aproaerema modicella Deventer (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Tamil Nadu, India
Author: K. Murugasridevi, S. Jeyarani and S. Mohan 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 (7) 821-826 10 April (2024)
Subject: Morphological and molecular characterization of groundnut leaf miner confirms the occurrence of Aproaerema modicella Deventer (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Tamil Nadu, India
Keywords: Aproaerema modicella, Aproaerema simplexella, DNA barcoding, leguminous crops, morphological identification
Abstract: The groundnut leaf miner (GLM), Aproaerema modicella
Deventer (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a consequential pest of groundnut and other leguminous crops,
which causes yield loss of up to 30–60% in groundnut in
India. Nevertheless, some scientific studies have reported
the occurrence of soybean moth, Aproaerema simplexella Walker attacking groundnut in India. The present study was conducted to assess the leaf miner
species destroying groundnut in different regions of
Tamil Nadu, India. Correctly identifying an insect species based on morphological and molecular techniques
may pave the way for formulating accurate insect pest
management strategies. Studies on the morphological
characters of GLM confirmed that the species found in
different districts of Tamil Nadu is A. modicella. However,
BLAST search of GLM sequences indicated 100% similarity with A. simplexella. Since morphological characters of larva, pupa, adult, and male genitalia indicated
the GLM species available in Tamil Nadu, as A. modicella, the sequences acquired from the present study
have been submitted as the first entry in the NCBI database for species-level representation of A. modicella.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Platnick, N. I., The World Spider Catalog, version 25.0. Natural
History Museum Bern, online at http://wsc.nmbe.ch (accessed on 9
March 2024).
Grimaldi, D. and Engel, M. S., Evolution of the Insects, Cambridge
University Press, New York, USA, 2005, p. 755.
Literature cited 2: Jinbo, U., Kato, T. and Ito, M., Current progress in DNA barcoding
and future implications for entomology. Entomol. Sci., 2011, 14,
107–124.
Barrett, R. D. H. and Hebert, P. D. N., Identifying spiders through
DNA barcodes. Can. J. Zool., 2005, 83, 481–491
ID: 65783
Title: Impact of prescribed fire on nitrogen mineralization in three different ecosystems of the north-western Himalaya: an insurance to wildfire-prone ecosystems
Author: Sakshi Vishvamitera, Uday Sharma, Abhinav Guleria and Ramesh Chauhan
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 (7) 813-820 10 April (2024)
Subject: Impact of prescribed fire on nitrogen mineralization in three different ecosystems of the north-western Himalaya: an insurance to wildfire-prone ecosystems
Keywords: Ammonification, chir pine forest, grassland, nitrogen mineralization, prescribed fire, scrubland
Abstract: To understand the dynamics of nitrogen pools in response to prescribed fire, a study was carried out with
four land uses, viz. chir pine forest (Pinus roxburghii),
grassland, scrubland and non-fire site in chir pine
(control) at three soil depths (0–5, 5–10 and 10–15 cm)
for a period of one year. The results revealed that ammonification rate increased initially for few months postfire up to the rainy season and then showed a declining
trend in all the burnt land uses, and decreased with increasing soil depth. The nitrification rate was almost
the same as pre-fire levels in the initial few months after
fire, and then started increasing from August onwards
till the end of the study period. Post-fire, the net nitrogen mineralization was found higher in all the burnt
land uses over control. Prescribed fire accelerates the
rate of net N mineralization which contributes to ecosystem productivity.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Keenan, R. J., Reams, G. A., Achard, F., de Freitas, J. V.,
Grainger, A. and Lindquist, E., Dynamics of global forest area:
results from the FAO global forest resources assessment. For. Ecol.
Manage., 2015, 352, 9–20.
Tian, P., Zhang, J., Mueller, C., Cai, Z. and Jin, G., Effects of six
years of simulated N deposition on gross soil N transformation
rates in an old-growth temperate forest. J. For. Res., 2018, 29, 647–
656
Literature cited 2: Owen, J., King, H. B., Wang, M. K. and Sun, H. L., Net nitrogen
mineralization and nitrification rates in forest soil in northeastern
Taiwan. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 2010, 56(1), 177–185; doi:10.1111/
j.1747-0765.2009.00427.x.
Gruber, N. and Galloway, J. N., An earth-system perspective of
the global nitrogen cycle. Nature, 2008, 451, 293–296.
ID: 65782
Title: Analysis of various spectral indices and their weighted fusion techniques for the accurate extraction of forest burn scar in a tropical deciduous forest
Author: Amrita Singh, A. O. Varghese, Jugal Kishore Mani, Ashish Kumar Sharma and G. Sreenivasan
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 (7) 803-812 10 April (2024)
Subject: Analysis of various spectral indices and their weighted fusion techniques for the accurate extraction of forest burn scar in a tropical deciduous forest
Keywords: Burn scar extraction, change vector analysis, forest fire, spectral indices, weighted fusion.
Abstract: The present study was conducted in the tropical dry
deciduous forests of Vidarbha region, Maharashtra,
India. Burn scar discrimination capabilities of seven
widely used spectral indices (SIs) such as burn area index
(BAI), burned area index modified-LSWIR (BAIML),
burned area index modified-sSWIR (BAIMs), normalized burn ratio (NBR), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized difference moisture
index (NDMI), modified soil-adjusted vegetation index
(MSAVI) and their weighted fusion were examined in
a multi-temporal domain. This study generated different images during fire season using individual SIs,
change vector analysis and weighted fusion normalized
difference image technique. Comparative analysis was
performed between these approaches for burn scar
discrimination with M statistics, burned and unburned
class distribution and evaluation of confusion matrix. The
study demonstrates that the weighted fusion of BAI,
MSAVI and BAIMs can more accurately discriminate
burn scars with good overall accuracy (86.61%)
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Menon, A. R. R., Varghese, A. O. and Martin Lowel, K. J., Impact
of fire on moist deciduous forest ecosystem of southern tropical
forests of India. In Impacts of Fire and Human Activities on Forest
Ecosystems in the Tropics, Proceeding of the International Symposium on Asian Tropical Forest Management, Samarinda, Indonesia,
1999, pp. 52–61.
Bright, B. C., Hudak, A. T., Kennedy, R. E., Braaten, J. D. and
Khalyani A. H., Examining post-fire vegetation recovery with
Landsat time series analysis in three western North American forest
types. Fire Ecol., 2019, 15, 1–14; https://doi.org/10.1186/s42408-
018-0021-9.
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ID: 65781
Title: Dynamic performance of vibration absorbers for low-frequency vibration isolation systems
Author: Shamsul Bashir and Nasim Akhtar
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 (7) 791-802 10 April (2024)
Subject: Dynamic performance of vibration absorbers for low-frequency vibration isolation systems
Keywords: Deflection, fatigue, natural frequency, stiffness, stress, vibration attenuation
Abstract: The present study introduces a novel mass-spring system
utilizing a well-designed polyurethane pad vibration isolator conceptually designed as a floating slab track
structure. The floating slab track is considered one of
the most efficient countermeasures for attenuating the
vibration impacts of underground high-speed railways.
The dynamic performance of the polyurethane slab track
structure was studied and compared with the steelspring floating slab track using a conventional mathematical approach based on the principle of influence
lines. The study examines vibration isolation performance under dynamic vehicle loads at speeds ranging
from 180 to 300 kmph. Results indicate a significant
reduction in slab dynamic responses with increasing
speed. Both systems demonstrate excellent vibrationdamping ability, with the steel mass-spring system being
approximately 18% more efficient in vibration reduction
than the polyurethane mass-spring system
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Lei, X. and Jiang, C., Analysis of vibration reduction effect of steel
spring floating slab track with finite element. J. Vibr. Control,
2014, 1–10; doi:10.1177/1077546314539372.
Xin, T. and Gao, L., Reducing slab track vibration into bridge using
elastic materials in high speed railway. J. Sound Vib., 2011, 330,
2237–2248; doi:10.1016/j.jsv.2010.11.023.
Literature cited 2: . Lombaert, G., Degrande, G., François, S. and Thompson, D. J.,
Ground-borne vibration due to railway traffic: a review of excitation
mechanisms, prediction methods and mitigation measures. In Noise
and Vibration Mitigation for Rail Transportation Systems, Springer,
Berlin, Germany, 2015, vol. 126, pp. 253–287.
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1972, 98(7), 1567–1574.
ID: 65780
Title: Simultaneous physical retrieval of daytime lunar surface temperature and spectral emissivity in the 3–5 µm range from Chandrayaan-2 IIRS observations
Author: Satya P. Ojha, Aditya K. Dagar , K. V. N. G. Vikram , Satadru Bhattacharya , Bimal Kumar Bhattacharya and A. S. Kiran 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 (7) 781-790 10 April (2024)
Subject: Simultaneous physical retrieval of daytime lunar surface temperature and spectral emissivity in the 3–5 µm range from Chandrayaan-2 IIRS observations
Keywords: Hyperspectral imaging, lunar exploration mission, optimum estimation, retrieval algorithm, spectral emissivity, surface temperature.
Abstract: The Imaging InfraRed Spectrometer (IIRS) on board
Chandrayaan-2 has been providing high spatial and
spectral resolution observations of the lunar surface in
256 spectral bands (0.7–5 µm) since September 2019. It
is primarily intended for mineral mapping and identifying hydration features on the lunar surface using reflectance spectra in the range of 0.7–3.2 µm. Here, we
have used the IIRS observations in the 3–5 µm range to
retrieve daytime lunar surface temperature and spectral
emissivity using an optimal estimation theory-based retrieval algorithm. The surface temperature is retrieved at
every pixel, while spectral emissivity is retrieved at
every third pixel of the hyperspectral image. The mean
uncertainty of the retrieved spectral emissivity varies
from 0.04 to 0.08, while for surface temperature, it is
about 3.5 K. The retrieved spectral emissivity is found
to be in close agreement with the emissivity of the
Apollo-16 return soil samples.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Greenhagen, B. T. et al., Global silicate mineralogy of the Moon
from the diviner Lunar Radiometer. Science, 2010; https://doi.org/
1192196.
Li, Zhao-Liang et al., Land surface emissivity retrieval from satellite data. Int. J. Remote Sensing, 2013, 34, 9–10, 3084–3127; doi:
10.1080/01431161.2012.716540.
Literature cited 2: Jiang, G. M., Li, Z.-L. and Nerry, F., Land surface emissivity retrieval from combined mid-infrared and thermal infrared data of
MSG-SEVIRI. Remote Sensing Environ., 2006, 105, 326–340.
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radiometer experiment. Space Sci. Rev., 2010, 150, 125–160