Enter records

ID: 60855
Title: Bats on a budget: use of torpor by bats to conserve energy during migration.
Author: Ipsita Herlekar
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (6) 1034-1034 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Bats, Budget, Torpor, Conserve, Energy, Migration.
Abstract: A study on migrating silver-haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans) has revealed that they use torpor-assisted strategy while roosting during the day to conserve energy and thus avoid stopovers to refuel. Torpor is a physiological state, where the metabolic rate and body temperature are reduced to enable animals to survive periods of food scarcity. It is generally used by animals to survive cold climates as it allows them to save the energy that would normally be used to maintain a high body temperature .Some species of animals remain in torpor or physiologically inactive state for long periods to escape extreme temperatures. This is termed hibernation. (at low temperatures) or aestivation (at high temperatures).
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 60854
Title: Delineating coal seams and establishing water tightness by electrical resistivity imaging.
Author: Ch.Subba Rao, M.Majumder, J. Roy, M.S.Chaudhari and R.S. Ramteke.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (3) 427-434 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Coal seam, electrical resistivity imaging, open cast mine, reservoir, water tightness.
Abstract: In the present study, continuity of coal seams was established in the area adjacent to the existing open cast coal mine at Talabira, Odisha situated close to Hirakud reservoir. Water tightness of the strata in the zone between the reservoir and he mine needs to be verified to prevent inundation by subterranean seepage and ensure safety. Multielectrode resistivity imaging technique was used to establish continuity of coal seams and verify water tightness. From the studies conducted in and around the mine along 13 profiles, coal seams with relatively high resistivity ranging from 500 to 1500 Ohm-m at depths varying from 10 to 31 m were delineated. The intervening strata between the reservoir and the open cast mine was found to be fairly tight without any significant zone susceptible to seepage.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: http://www.dowrorissa.gov.in/BasinMaps/MahanadiBasin.htm Basak, N.A., Surveying and Leveling, Tata McGraw-Hill, 1994, pp.49-133.
Literature cited 2: Wusheng, H., Sijing, C. and Wenxiao, W., Images of high density resistivity method in leakage detecting of the watertight screen at Gushan open-pit mine. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Systems Engineering and Modeling (ICSEM-13), 2013. Louis, L.F., Louis, F. I. and Bastou, M., Accurate subsurface characterization for highway applications using resistivity inversion methods.J.Electr.Electron.Eng, Spec.Issue, 2002, 43-55.

ID: 60853
Title: Detecting appropriate groundwater-level trends for safe groundwater development.
Author: Rahul Gokhale and Milind Sohoni.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (3) 395-404 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Groundwater safety, linear trends, spatial patterns, statistical evidence.
Abstract: Computation of long-term linear trends of pre-and post-monsoon groundwater (GW) levels is important for the periodic categorization of regions in India according to their GW safety. For this purpose, a specific procedure has been recommended by the Groundwater Estimation Committee, 1997 (GEC ' 97), constituted by the Government of India. The present article points out the limitations of this procedure by providing statistical evidence from the long-term dataset in the case of Maharashtra. An improved method, having the same data requirements as the GEC ' 97 method and based on statistically significant recent linear trends is proposed as an alternative. Its suitability for administrative actions is demonstrated on the Maharashtra dataset. We specifically note the spatial patterns in recent linear trends obtained from our algorithm, which are otherwise difficult to detect.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Groundwater Estimation Committee, Groundwater estimation methodology-1997, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, 1997. CGWB, Detailed guidelines for implementing the groundwater estimation methodology-1997, Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, 2009.
Literature cited 2: Tiwari, V.M., Wahr, J and Swenson, S., Dwindling groundwater resources in northern India, from satellite gravity observations.Geophys.Res.Lett, 2009, 36, 18401; doi: 10.1029/2009GL-039401. Evens, B. and Myers, W., A GIS-based approach to evaluating regional groundwater pollution potential with DRASTICJ. Soil Water Conserv, 1990, 45 (2), 242-245.

ID: 60852
Title: X-ray diffraction studies of some structurally modified Indian coals and their correlation with petrographic parameters.
Author: Prabal Boral, Atul K. Varma and Sudip Maity.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (3) 384-394 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Coal, maceral, nitration, rank, XRD parameters.
Abstract: In order to study the X-ray structural parameters, five coals have been chosen from different coal basins of India. These coals have been demineralized by standard HF + HCl treatment and treated with nitric acid in aqueous and glacial acetic acid media. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the samples are recorded using a slow step scan (2 s/step) over an angular range 2 ?~10-90 ?. TOPAS software has been used to determine the structural parameters like inter-layer spacing (d002), crystalline size (Lc), aromaticity (fa) and average number of aromatic layers (Nc ). The structural parameters have been correlated with chemical as well as petrographic parameters of coals. Mean random reflectance (MRr) of the studied coals varies between 0.44 % and 0.54 % and the vitrinite, liptinite and inertinite contents vary between 17.8 % and 66.4 %, 9.2 % and 20.3% and 20.7 % and 62.9 % respectively. Nitration in both the media has increased d002 values. This study also shows that d002 and fa values are dependent on the rank of the coal, rather than only the carbon content (Cdmf , dry mineral free basis). XRD rank parameter values have been directly correlated with the petrographic rank parameters. Nitration in both the media has induced similar kind of effect on individual macerals. Behaviour of the macerals to chemical treatment is also reported in this study.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Mazumdar, B.K., Hydrogen in coal: Part 1. Genetic and structural development. Fuel, 1972, 51, 284-289. Mathews, J.P. and Chaffee, A. L., The molecular representations of coal-a review. Fuel, 2012, 96, 1-14.
Literature cited 2: Spiro, C.L. and Kosky, P.G., Space-filling models for coal. 2. Extension to coals of various ranks. Fuel, 1982, 61, 1080-1084. Solomon, P.R. et al (eds), Coal structure and thermal decomposition. In New Approaches in Coal chemistry, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 1981, vol. 169, pp. 61-71

ID: 60851
Title: Self-existinguishable lingo-cellulosic fabric using banana pseudostem sap.
Author: S.Basak, Kartick K.Samanta, S.K.Chattopadhyay and R. Narkar.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (3) 372-383 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Banana pseudostem sap, flame retardancy, jute fabric, lingo-cellulose, pyrolysis.
Abstract: Flame retardancy was imparted to lingo-cellulosic jute textiles using banana psudostem sap (BPS), an eco-friendly natural by-product obtained during the extraction of fibres from the banana pseudostem. The extracted sap was made alkaline and applied to a pre-mordanted Grige fabric. The flame-retardant properties of both the control and treated fabrics were analysed in terms of limiting oxygen index (LOI), horizontal and vertical flammability, and the total heat of combustion. The treated jute fabrics showed a far better flame-retardant property compared to the control fabric. By 1.9 times increase in the LOI after application of the alkaline BPS, the treated fabric (1:4) showed no flame and got self-extinguished within a minute. Based on thermal degradation, pyrolysis and dehydration studies, and analysis of the chemical composition of the flame-retardant finish prepared from the BPS, the mechanism of imparting flame retardancy to jute textiles has been postulated. The imparted finish was found semi-durable in soap wash, and did not cause any significant loss in tensile and tear strength of the fabric.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Patil, V.M. and Deshmukh, A., Textile and fashion. In Proceedings of the Rajamangala University of Technology Phranakhon International Conference, Bangkok Thailand, 2012, p.272. Parikh, D.V., Sachinvala, N.D., Sawhney, A.P.S., Robert, K.Q. and Graves, E.E., Flame retardant cotton blends highlofts. J. Fire Sci., 2003, 21, 385.
Literature cited 2: Sharma, U., Fire retardant jute fabric using rotchell salt. Colourage, 1986, 32, 19-21. Horrocks, A.R., Flame retardant challenges for textiles and fibres.Polym.Degrad.Stabil, 2011, 96, 377.

ID: 60850
Title: Interaction of glycyrrhizin with human haemoglobin.
Author: Rajarshi Sil, Subhrojit Sen and Abhay Sankar Chakraborti
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (3) 364-371 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Free iron, glycyrrhizin, haemoglobin, oxidative stress.
Abstract: This study investigates interaction of glycyrrhizin (an herbal therapeutic agent) with human haemoglobin. The interaction is confirmed by glycyrrhizin-induced quenching of absorbance and fluorescence data. Both hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions appear to be involved in glycyrrhizin-haemoglobin binding. The binding causes no change in the secondary structure of haemoglobin. The interaction decreases H2O2 induced iron release from haemoglobin and haemoglobin-mediated oxidative reactions. Glycyrrhizin inhibits ferryl-haemoglobin formation, peroxidase and esterase like activities of the heme protein. Almost no oxygen is released from haemoglobin due to glycyrrhizin binding. The interaction thus reduces haemoglobin-mediated oxidative damage without affecting oxygen-binding capacity of the protein, and may be an advantage in therapeutic application of glycyrrhizin.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Xu-ying, W., Ming, L., Xiao-dong, L. and Ping, H., Hepato protective and anti-hepatocarcinogenic effects of glycyrrhizin and matrine.Chem.Biol.Int., 2009, 181, 15-19. Mollica, L.et al., Glycyrrhizin binds to high-mobility group box 1 protein and inhibits its cytokine activities. Chem .Biol, 2007, 14, 431-441.
Literature cited 2: Kalirasi, P. and Pugalendi, K.V., Antihyperglycemic effect of 18 ?-glycyrrhetinic acid, aglycone of glycyrrhizin, on streptozotocin-diabetic rats.Eur.J.Pharmacol., 2009, 606, 269-273. Kalairasi, P., Kaviarasan, K. and Pugalendi, K.V., Hypolipidemic effect of 18?-glycyrrhetinic acid on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.Eur.J.Pharmacol, 2009, 612, 93-97.

ID: 60849
Title: Raman and mid-infrared spectroscopic imaging: applications and advancements.
Author: Rekha Gautam, Ashok Samuel, Sanchita Sil, Deepika Chaturvedi, Abhaya Dutta, Freek Ariese and Siva Umapathy.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (3) 341-356 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Cluster analysis, explosives, FTIR imaging, Polymers, Raman imaging.
Abstract: Using Raman and Mid-Infrared (MIR) spectroscopic imaging techniques one can examine the spatial distribution of various molecular constituents in a hetero-geneous sample at a microscopic scale. Raman and MIR spectroscopy techniques provide bond-specific vibrational frequencies to characterize molecular species without external labeling. In addition, these techniques are rapid, non-invasive and provide multiplex advantage. In this review we discuss the instrumentation, applications and latest advancements of Raman and MIR spectroscopic imaging in various fields, ranging from materials science to medicine and illustrate with specific examples from our recent research.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Keren, S., Zavaleta, C., Cheng, Z., de la Zerda, A., Gheysens, O. and Gambhir, S.S., Noninvasive molecular imaging of small living subjects using Raman spectroscopy.PNAS, 2008, 105, 5844-5849. Weissleder, R. and Pittet, M.J., Imaging in the era of molecular oncology. Nature, 2008, 452, 580-589.
Literature cited 2: Otto,C., de Grauw, C.J., Duindam, J.J., Sijtsema, N.M.and Grev, J., Applications of micro-Raman imaging in biomedical research.J.,Applications of micro-Raman imaging in biomedical research.J.Raman Spectrosc., 1997, 28, 143-150. Chiu, L.D., Ando, M., and Hamaguchi, H., Study of the ' Raman spectroscopic signature of life ' in mitochondria isolated from budding Yeast.J.Raman Spectrosc., 2010, 41, 2-3.

ID: 60848
Title: Occurrence of Vertebraria indica (Unger) Feistmantel, 1877-an evidence for coal-forming vegetation in Kothagudem area, Godavari Graben, Telangana.
Author: Arun Joshi, Rajni Tewari, Deepa Agnihotri, S.S.K. Pillai, R.K. Jain.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (3) 330-333 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Vertebraria indica (Unger), Feistmantel, vegetation, Kothagudem area, Godavari Graben, Telangana.
Abstract: First record of Vertebraria Royle ex McCoy (1847) from the lower part of the Barakar Formation of Goutham Khani Open Cast Mine, Kothagudem area, Godavari Graben is documented here. Considering the rare records of plant megafossils from the Godavari Graben, occurrence of Vertebraria in abundance, in the early Permian sediments of Goutham Khani, Kothagudem is significant, as it indicates the presence of Glossopteris flora that was responsible for the formation of thick coal seams in the area.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Royle, J.F., Illustrations of the Botany and other Branches of Natural History of the Himalayan Mountains, etc., London, pp. 1833-1839. McNeill, J. et al., International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Melbourne Code), adopted by the Eighteenth International Botanical Congress Melbourne, Australia, July 2011, 2012, p. 208.
Literature cited 2: Greuter, W. et al., International Code of Botanical Nomencalture (Tokyo Code), Regum Vegetabile 131, Koeltz Scientific Books, Konigstein, 1994. Doweld, A., Taxon, 2012, 61 (5), 1129-1131.

ID: 60847
Title: Applications of satellite derived meso-scale features and in-situ bycatch to understand sea turtle habitats along the Indian Coast.
Author: Dhyey Bhatpuria, H.U. Solanki, Sijo Varghese, Prakash Chauhan.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (3) 326-329 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Applications, Satellite, in-situ bycatch, Sea turtle, Indian Coast.
Abstract: Sea turtle in Indian waters are impacted by incidental catch in fisheries, coastal development, habitat loss and depredation of eggs. Incidental catch in fishing gear is considered to be one of the major factors responsible for declining population of sea turtles and other marine megafauna. Turtles are particularly vulnerable to entanglement and drowning in gillnets and associated gears, as the rough skin on their head and flippers catches easily on the meshes of these nets.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: WWF-India, Marine turtles along Indian Coast, 2013. Lewison, R.L., Crowder, L.B., Read, A.J. and Freeman, S.A., Trends Ecol.Evol, 2004, 19, 598-604.
Literature cited 2: Wallace, B.P. e t al., Conserv. Lett, 2010, 3, 131-142. Carr, A., Mar.Pollut.Bull, 1987, 18, 352-356.

ID: 60846
Title: Numerical simulation, permeability anisotropy, salt cavern, sealing.
Author: Tongtao Wang, Chunhe Yang, Xiangzhen Yan, Hongling Ma, Xilin Shiand J.J.K. Daemen.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (4) 723-729 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Numerical simulation, Permeability anisotropy, Salt cavern, Sealing
Abstract: An equivalent permeability model (EPM) is presented to calculate the equivalent permeability of non-salt layers, which makes the sealing evaluation of bedded salt cavern natural gas storage by numerical simulations, the effects of non-salt layer property parameters, i.e. horizontal permeability, vertical permeability and dip angle on the sealing of bedded salt cavern natural gas storage can be expressed by a single parameter, the equivalent permeability. We have studied the influence of non-salt dip angle, permeability anisotropy, permeability, buried depth, gas pressure, etc. on the time that it takes for the natural gas to migrate to the ground surface through the non-salt layer formation. The examples show that the EPM is precise and correct, and can meet the actual engineering demands, which includes fewer parameters, and it is implemented easily in numerical simulations. The time needed natural gas to migrate to the surface is proportional to the increase in anisotropy of permeability and buried depth, but inversely proportional to the increase of non-salt layer dip angle, permeability and internal pressure. The permeability and the dip angle on non-salt layers are the key factors to be considered when analysing the sealing of bedded salt cavern natural gas storage.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Singh, T.N. and Verma, A.K., Prediction of creep characteristic of rock under varying environment.EnvironGeol, 2005, 48 (4/5), 559-568. Yang, C.H., Li, Y.P., Qu, D.A., Cheng, F. and Yin, X.Y., Advances in researches of the mechanical behaviors of bedded salt rocks. Adv.Mech., 2008, 38 (4), 484-494 (in Chinese).
Literature cited 2: Wang, T.T., Yan, X.Z., Yang, H.L., Yang, X.J., Jiang, T.T. and Zhao, S., A new shape design method of salt cavern used as underground gas storage.Appl.Energy, 2013, 104, 50-61. Berest, P., Brouard, B., Mehdi, K. J. and Sambeek, L.V., Transient behavior of salt caverns-interpretation of mechanical integrity tests.Int.J.Rock Mech.Min.Sci, 2007, 44 (5), 767-786.

ID: 60845
Title: Geochemistry of the unusual mafic intrusions in Betul Fold Belt, Central India: implications for Ni-Cu-Au-PGE metallogeny.
Author: D.V.Subba Rao, M. Satyanarayanan, D. Srinivasa Sarma, K.S V.Subramanyam, K. Venkateswarlu and M. Hanuma Prasad.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (4) 713-722 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Gabbro intrusions, geochemistry, CITZ, native gold, platinum group elements.
Abstract: We report here the recent occurrence of native gold and platinoids, associated with Fe-Ni-Cu-Pb-Zn sulphides and tungsten-bearing phases in the gabbroic intrusions emplaced in the Betul-Chhindwara Belt in the Central Indian Tectonic Zone (CITZ). The ore minerals are represented mainly by native gold, pentlandite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, bowieite and rare phases of tungsten, cadmium and palladium, which were identified by scanning electron microscopy. The whole rock geochemistry shows anomalous Ni-Cu and platinum group elements (PGE) in which palladium is always higher in concentration than in platinum. The inter-element relationships of PGE such as Pd versus Ir and Pt versus Ir indicate their fractionation by a sulphide phase and also suggest that the parental magmas are primitive in nature having high-Mg, low-Ti characteristics, which indicate the boninitic/picritic nature of magmas. A through investigation is essential for exploring the Betul mafic-ultramafic intrusions for proving their potential as the host rocks for Au-and Ni-Cu-PGE ores.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Condie, K. C., Proterozoic Crustal Evolution, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1992. Roy, A. and Prasad, H.M., Tectonothermal events in Central Indian Tectonic Zone (CITZ) and its implication in Rhodinian crustal assembly.J.Asian Earth.Sci., 2003, 22, 115-129.
Literature cited 2: Bhowmik, S.K., Pal, T., Roy, A. and Pant, N.C., Evidence for Pre-Grenvillian high pressure granulite metamorphism from the northern margin of the Sausar mobile Belt in central India. J. Geol.Soc.India, 1999, 53, 385-399. Roy, A. et al., Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd darting of different metamorphic events from the Sausar mobile belt, Central India: Implications for Proterozoic crustal evolution. J.Asian Earth Sci., 2006, 26, 61-76.

ID: 60844
Title: Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility of earthquake-affected soft sediment: example from Ther village, Lathur, Maharashtra, India.
Author: B.V. Lakshmi, K.V.V. Satyanarayana, N. Basavaiah and Praveen Gawali.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (4) 708-712 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility, characteristic remanent magnetization, earthquake, soft sediments.
Abstract: Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) of deformed and underformed unconsolidated clay samples of Deccan Trap terrain from the ~2000-year-old palaeo-earthquake site of Ther village, Maharashtra, India, was studied. Such deposits are rare in this region and give an exceptional opportunity to test the efficacy of AMS and other magneto petrofabric studies, which can have a bearing on magnetic granularity ellipsoids, inclination and declination directions impacting palaeomagnetic studies. The underformed clay samples exhibit typical sedimentary fabric with an oblate AMS ellipsoid, where as the deformed samples are tightly grouped in the inferred compression direction, probably effected by an earthquake, exhibiting prolate as well as oblate AMS ellipsoids. The temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility revealed the occurrence of titanomagnetite and magnetite in both the deformed and underformed samples signifying similar sediment material. The site mean ChRM direction for underformed clay samples is D=3 and I=44.7 (k=92.7, ?95=4.5), where as for deformed samples D = 336 and I= 39 (k= 39, ?95=8). The present study reveals that sediments can be severely deformed without deflecting sediments can be severely deformed without deflecting minimum susceptibility directions. AMS methodology can be effective in the DT region and can throw up new results to build the chronology of past earth-quakes.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Sims, J.D., Earthquake-induced structures in sediments of the Van Norman Lake, San Fernando, California. Science, 1973, 182, 161-163. Sims, J.D., Determining earthquake recurrence intervals from deformational structures in young lacustrine sediments.Tectono-physics, 1975, 29, 141-152.
Literature cited 2: Sieh, K.E., Prehistoric large earthquakes produced by slip on the San Andreas Fault at Pallet Creek, California. J. Geophys.Res., 1978, 83, 3907-3939. Scott, P. and Price, S., Earthquake induced structures in young sediments. Tectonophysics, 1988, 147, 165-170.

ID: 60843
Title: Comparative study of soil profiles developed on metavolcanic (basaltic) rocks in two different watersheds of Garhwal Himalaya.
Author: S. Vyshnavi, R.Islam and Y.P.Sundriyal.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (4) 699-707 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Climate-tectonic interaction, geochemical behaviour, Lesser Himalaya, physical and chemical alterations, weathering.
Abstract: Soil profiles are rarely preserved in the Himalaya due to active tectonics and erosion. We have studied two rarely well-preserved soil profiles developed on metavolcanic rocks namely Alaknanda soil profile (ASP) and Bhilangna soil profile (BSP) in Alaknanda and Bhilangna watrersheds of the Garhwal Himalaya. Geochemical studies were carried out to understand the elemental mobility with reference to the least altered rock (LAR) in both the profiles and are compared. Differences in major element behaviour noticed are depletion of Ca and K in ASP, and depletion of Ca and Na in BSP. Trace elements also show variable mobility such as leaching of Rb, U and enrichment of Sr, Ni in ASP. In BSP, behaviour of these elements is just the opposite. Accumulation of ?REEE in saprolitic layer and depletion in regolith of ASP suggest that rare earth element (REE) mobility took place during advanced stages of weathering. In BSP, increase in REE content from LAR to regolith suggests dominance of chemical weathering over physical weathering. This is also reflected in chemical index of alteration values suggest variation of climatic parameters such as rainfall in the region.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Goldich, S.S., A study of rock weathering.J.Geol., 1938, 46, 17-58. Louvat, P. and Allegre, C. J., Present denudation rates at Reunion island determined by river geochemistry: basalt weathering and mass budget between chemical and mechanical erosions.Geoichim. Cosmochim.Acta, 1997, 61, 3645-3669.
Literature cited 2: Louvat, P. and Allegre, C. J., Riverine erosion rates on Sao Miguel volcanic island, Azores archipelago, Chem.Geol., 1998, 148, 177-200. Gislason, S.R., Arnorsson, S. and Armannsson, H., Chemical weathering of basalt in southwest Iceland: effects of runoff, age of rocks and vegetative/glacial cover. Am.J.Sci, 1996, 296, 837-907.

ID: 60842
Title: In silico prediction of Escherichia coli metabolic engineering capabilities for 1-butanol production.
Author: Bashir Sajo Mienda, Mohd Shahir Shamsir, Faezah Mohd Salleh and Rosli Md. Illias.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (4) 686-694 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Butanol, Escherichia coli, metabolic engineering, OptFlux, prediction and retrosysnthesis.
Abstract: In silico metabolic engineering interventions have received renewed attention due to the increase in the number of annotated genomes and the development of several genome-scale metabolic pathway prediction methods, we engineered metabolic pathway prediction method; we engineered metabolic strategies for the production of 1-butanol by Escherichia coli using the OptFlux software platform. The metabolic engineering model shows that the insertion of nucleotide sugar dehydrogenase enzyme from Leptothrix cholodnii is predicted to catalyse the production of 1-butanol in E.coli. The growth rate and the secretion profile of the mutant model was retained as the wild-type. The result demonstrates that the proposed engineered strain is capable of substantial butanol production increase when 1-butanol gene (nsdh/b3544) is over expressed under semi-anaerobic conditions with fixed glucose and oxygen uptake rates of 8 mmol g DW-1h-1 and 5 mmol g DW-1h-1, respectively. We anticipate that our in silico results would serve as a starting point for novel in vivo metabolic engineering strategies of 1-butanol production in E.coli.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Rocha, I.et al., OptFlux: an open-source software platform for in silico metabolic engineering. BMC Syst. Biol., 2010, 4, 45; doi: 10.1186/1752-0509-4-45. Garza, E. et al., Engineering a homobutanol fermentation pathway in Escherichia coliEGO3.J.Und.Microbiol.Biotechnol., 2012, 39, 1101-1107; doi: 10.1007/s10295-012-1151-8
Literature cited 2: Le Novere, N. et al., BioModels Database: a free, centralized database of curated, published, quantitative kinetic models of biochemical and cellular systems. Nucleic Acids Res., 2006, 34, D689-691; doi: 10.1093/nar/gkj092 Shen, C.R. et al., Driving forces enable high-tier anaerobic 1-butanol synthesis in Escherichia coli.Appl.Environ.Microbiol., 2011, 77, 2905-2915; doi: 1128/aem.03034-10.

ID: 60841
Title: Contribution of sewage treatment to pollution abatement of urban streams.
Author: Priyanka Jamwal, T.Md. Zuhail, Praveen Raje Urs, Veena Srinivasan and Sharachchandra Lele.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (4) 677-685 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Biochemical oxygen demand, Particulate re-suspension, wastewater treatment, urban stream, water quality.
Abstract: In this study, we assessed the efficiency and effectiveness o f the Vrishabhavathy Valley Treatment plant (VVTP) in Bengaluru city, which is the oldest STP in the city. Since VVTP treats both raw sewage and polluted river water, with the latter constituting 80 % of the influent, we sampled water quality at locations upstream and downstream of the plant to evaluate overall efficacy as well. We found that VVTP is able to reduce biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) by only 47 %. This low efficiency can be attributed to the high and variable levels of chemical oxygen demand, consistent with episodic industrial discharges. Moreover, the mean values of pH, dissolved oxygen, total suspended solids, BOD5, nitrates, faecal coliforms and faecal streptococcus did not change significantly between upstream and downstream locations. Treating river water using an STP is clearly not an efficacious way of improving river water quality. Thus, before setting up new STPs, sewerage boards need to invest in building the underground drainage network to bring raw sewage to existing STPs.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
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