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ID: 60795
Title: Silica-zirconia alkali-resistant coatings by sol-gel route.
Author: Sunetra Laxman Dhere
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (9) 1647-1652 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Alkali-resistant coating, contact angle, solgel method, silica, zirconia.
Abstract: Generally, to make the surface hydrophobic, silica-based coatings are preferred in various fields. When the coatings on glass or metal are exposed to alkaline surroundings, the silica network starts to deteriorate and its hydrophobic character ceases. To overcome this problem, we developed a silica-based coating along with zirconia which sustains the alkali attack and hydrophobicity is preserved. The chemicals involved in the synthesis were methyl tetraethoxysilane (MTMS), zirconium propoxide (ZP), methanol (MeOH) and acetyl acetone (Hacac) as a chelating agent for ZP, oxalic acid and ammonium hydroxide as acid and base catalysts respectively. A simple two-stage sol-gel method and deep-coating technique was employed to obtain the coatings. The hydrolysis time of MTMS was varied and its effect on wetting behaviour of the coatings was noted the optimized coating was characterized by FTIR, EDAX, SEM, optical transmittance and wetting properties were studied. T he water contact angle before and after exposure to alkali for bare silica and silica-zirconia coating was measured to be 120?, < 10? and 100?, 93? respectively, showing improvement in the potency of coating in alkaline surroundings.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Paul, A., Chemistry of Glasses, Chapman and Hall, London, 1982. Nogami, M., and Tomozawa, M., ZrO2 transformation-toughened glass-ceramics prepared by the sol-gel process from metal alkoxides.J.Am.Ceram.Soc, 1986, 69, 99-102.
Literature cited 2: Damborena, J., Pellegri, N., Sanctis, O. and Duran, A., Electrochemical behavior of SiO2 sol-gel coatings on stainless steel. J.Sol-Gel Sci.Technol, 1995, 4, 239-244. Izumi, K., Murakami, M., Deguchi, T., Morita, A., Toghe, N. and Minami, T., Zirconia coating on stainless steel from organ zirconium compounds.J.Am. Ceram.Soc, 1989, 72 (8), 1465-1468.

ID: 60794
Title: Decoding urban India ' s carbon footprint: spatial-numerical mapping of thermal energy emissions.
Author: Mahendra Sethi
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (9) 1616-1623 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Carbon footprint, spatial-numerical analysis, thermal power plants, urban areas.
Abstract: Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are the prime cause of climate change, to which India is a significant party. International Energy Agency, in its World Energy Outlook report estimates that 70 % of the GHGs are produced within the cities. But there is limited empirical evidence to substantiate such claims in the Indian context. India being a developing country with a large rural population base, the general perception is that cities hardly have any carbon footprint. This article is an empirical study of urban contribution of carbon dioxide emissions. In the absence of any international protocol or a standard methodology to estimate urban footprint of a nation, this article deals with theoretical issues evident while allocating city emissions like methodological differences, defining ' urban ' and its boundary and the need to consider downscaling of nationally reported emissions using spatial analysis based on production or location perspective of the most significantly contributing sector namely electricity generation. The information has been assessed on the urban-rural gradient, using population-based Census definition for class/hierarchy of towns and their location with respect to the urban boundary. The results present arrays of emissions are attributable to urban and urbanizing areas. The findings bear significance to influence research, policy and action urban energy and ensure greater climate co-benefits at the local level.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Schroeder, H. and Bulkeley, H., Global cities and the governance of climate change: what is the role of law in cities? Fordham Urban Law J., 2009, 36 (2), 313-359. World Bank, Cities and Climate Change: An Urgent Agenda, Washington DC, 2010.
Literature cited 2: UN Habitat, Cities and Climate Change, Earthscan and UN Habitat, London and Washington DC, 1st edn, 2011. Peters, G.P., Carbon footprints and embodied carbon at multiple scales. Curr.Opin.Environ.Sustain, 2010, 2, 245-250.

ID: 60793
Title: Next-generation particle accelerators for frontline research and wide-ranging applications in India-how to realize them?
Author: R.K. Bhandari and Amit Roy.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (9) 1608-1615 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Accelerators, basic and applied research, industrial and health care applications, international collaborations.
Abstract: Several accelerator facilities have been set up in India for basic and applied research during the past 5 decades. Indian scientists have been able to carry out excellent accelerator-based research at these as well as international facilities. Applications of accelerators in healthcare and research at these as well as international facilities. Applications of accelerators in healthcare and industry have also grown in recent years. There is a strong realization now, at all levels, that a quantum jump needs to be given to the field of accelerator science and technology in India to fulfil the aspirations of the research community to be at par internationally in our areas of strength. Applications in industry and healthcare also have to grow substantially to benefit the common man. In this article an analysis of the methodology and logic behind the evolution of our accelerator programme has been presented. More importantly, recommendations have been given for gainfully implementing a rather ambitious programme that is proposed to be taken up in the next few decades.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Ambasankaran, C., Phadke, D.Y., 224 Variable energy cyclotrons at Calcutta. IEEE Trans.Nucl.Sci., 1973, 20, 236-239. Divatia, A.S. and Ambasankaran, C., Accelerator development in India. Pramana, 1985, 24, 227-244.
Literature cited 2: Betigeri, M.G. et al., Two million volt terminal tandem accelerator.Pramana, 1982, 19, 323-336. Ramamurthi, S.S. and Singh, G., Status of the INDUS-1 SR source. Nucl.Instrum.Methods Phys.Res.A, 1995, 359, 15-20.

ID: 60792
Title: Geothermal Systems in the Northwest Himalaya.
Author: Santosh K. Rai, Sameer K. Tiwari, S.K.Bartarya and Anil K. Gupta.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (9) 1597-1599 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Carbon dioxide flux, geothermal provinces, heat pump functional unit, thermal springs.
Abstract: Conventional energy resources are fast depleting and therefore alternative resources are required to sustain the fast progress and development of any nation. This situation is more pertinent to India where fast growing population and developmental activities are posing major challenges to the government as the country has limited resources of energy. Therefore, focused research should be intensified to explore the potential of geothermal energy resources in India. Realizing its importance, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, has started a major research programme to study geothermal systems of the Himalaya covering Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Leh-Ladakh regions of India.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Bickle, M.J., Metamorphic decarbonation, silicate weathering and the long-term carbon cycle.Terra Nova, 1996, 8, 270-276. Evans, M.J. et al., Degassing of metamorphic carbon dioxide from the Nepal Himalaya.Geochem.Geophys.Geosyst., 2008, 9, Q04021; doi: 10.1029/2007GC001796.
Literature cited 2: Becker, J.A., Bickle, M.J., Galy, A. and Holland, T.J.B., Himalayan metamorphic CO2 fluxes: quantitative constraints from hydrothermal metamorphic springs. Earth Planet.Sci.Let, 2008, 265, 616-629.

ID: 60791
Title: Carbon quantum dots-mediated direct fluorescence assay for the detection of cardiac marker myoglobin.
Author: Munish Shorie, Vinod Kumar, Priyanka Sabherwal and A.K.Ganguli.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (9) 1595-1596 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Carbon quantum dots, cardiovascular diseases, fluorescence assay, myoglobin.
Abstract: We report her fluorescence based assay using carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for the detection of cardiac marker myoglobin (Mb). CQDs with high fluorescence properties are synthesized and functionalized with generated anti-Mb-Aptamer to develop a sensitive assay platform with a detection limit of ~1 ng/ml and a wide detection range from 1 to 105 ng/ml.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Li, H., Kang, Z., Liu, Y. and Lee, S.T., Carbon nanodots: synthesis, properties and Applications.Mater.Chem, 2012, 22, 24230-24253. Luo, P.G. et al., Carbon ' quantum ' dots for optical bioimaging.J.Mater.Chem.B, 2013, 1, 2116-2127.
Literature cited 2: Cao, L. et al., Carbon dopts for multiohoton bioimaging.J.Am.Chem.Soc, 2007, 129, 11318-11319. Wang, L., Liu, X., Zhang, C., Liu, Y., Tu, K. and Tu, J., Selection of DNA aptamers that bind to four organophosphorous pesticides. Biotechnol. Lett, 2012, 34, 869-874.

ID: 60790
Title: A frontier area of research on liquid biopesticides: the way forward for sustainable agriculture in India.
Author: Mahendrakar Sreenivasa Rao, Rajappa Umamaheshwari, Akshay Kumar Chakravarthy, Gummala Nuthana Grace, Manoharan Kamalnath and Pandi Prabu
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (9) 1590-1592 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Frontier area, research, liquid, biopesticides, sustainable, agriculture, India
Abstract: Green revolution in India has immensely contributed in enhancing the crop productivity but not always with sustainable production. As excessive use of chemical pesticides is deleterious to the environment, micro-organisms as biopesticides is emerging as a potential alternative for eco-friendly and sustainable plant protection. Carrier based solid biopesticide formulations have already proved their efficacy equivalent to chemicals. Rectifying the disadvantages of the solid formulations, liquid biopesticide formulations are emerging as the way forward for cost effective, eco-friendly and sustainable agriculture.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: ADB, Rural Asia: Beyond the Green Revolution, Asian Development Bank, Philippines, 2000, pp.60-61. Gasic, S.and Tanovic, B., Pestic.Phytomed (Belgrade), 2013, 28 (2), 97-102.
Literature cited 2: NAAS, Biopesticides-quality assurance, Policy Paper No. 62, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi, 2013, p.20. Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee, 2014; http://cibrc.nic.in/rcpage (accessed on 11 November 2014)

ID: 60789
Title: Cultivation of Saussurea costus cannot be treated as ' artificially propagated '
Author: Chandra P.Kuniyal, Dharmendra S. Rawat and Rakesh C.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 (9) 1587-1589 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Cultivation, Saussurea costus, artificially propagated.
Abstract: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has resolved that ' the species of fauna and flora that are or may be affected by trade should be included in the appendix 1.Appendix 1 includes the species threatened with extinction and only in exceptional circumstances, trade in specimens of these species is permitted. The fifth and sixth points of a prescribed application format by the Government of India (based on which the trade of particular species-alive or its products-may be permitted) for ' issue of documentation regarding export/import/re-export of CITES listed flora and fauna ' asks for (i) source of procurement (collected from wild/bred in captivity/artificially propagated), LLPC (legal procurement certificate) number and (ii) country in which the specimen was taken from wild/bred in captivity/artificially propagated.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: http://cites.org/sites/dafault/files/eng/res/09/E-Res-09-24R 16.pdf (accessed on 30 October 2014) http://wcb.gov.in/Write Read Data/user-files/file/Cites%20Application%20Form.pdf (accessed on 30 October 2014)
Literature cited 2: http://www.theplantlist.org/tp11.1/record/gcc-142953 (accessed on 2 November 2014). http://www.cites.org/sites/dafault/files/eng/app/2014/E-Appendices-2014-09-14.pdf (accessed on 30 October 2014)

ID: 60788
Title: Forests as refuges for birds in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu.
Author: R.J. Ranjit Daniels, J.Patrick David, B. Vinoth
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (9) 1579-1579 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Forests, refuges, birds, Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu.
Abstract: A recently concluded study supported by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, assessed the distribution and species richness of birds in Tamil Nadu (TN) The study spread over 3 years resulted in a dataset of 8455 observations of 271 species of birds covering 9 districts of northern TN, viz. Tiruchirapalli, Salem, Namakkal, Erode, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore and Villupuram. These districts have within their boundaries hills traditionally treated as the Eastern Ghats.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Ali, S. and Ripley, S.D., Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan(compact edn).Oxford University Press, New Delhi,1983. Daniels, R.J.R., Joshi, N.V. and Gadgil, M., Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci (USA), 1992, 89, 5311-5315.
Literature cited 2: Daniels, R.J.R., Hegde, M. and Gadgil, M., Proc.Indian Acad.Sci (Anim.Sci), 1990, 99, 79-89. Ranganathan, J., Daniels, R.J.R., Subash Chandran, M.D., Ehrlich, P.R. and Daily, G.C., Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci (USA), 2008, 105 (10), 1073-1074.

ID: 60787
Title: Ant larvae silk fibres mat.
Author: M.Prajwal, M.A.Sangamesha and K. Pushpalatha.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (8) 1544-1547 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: FT-IR, scanning electron microscope, silk fibre, weaver ant.
Abstract: Weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) are mostly seen in open forests of India, Australia, China and South-east Asia. The nests of Weaver ants are built with silk secreted by their larvae. Silk fibre mat is a biopolymer, containing proteins produced by a road array of spiders and other insects. In this study some hidden properties of weaver ant silk mat have been examined. The surface and structural studies reveal that the mat possesses very good chemical resistance.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: www. Antweb.org Bharti, H., List of Indian ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Halteres, 2011, 3, 79-87.
Literature cited 2: http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/thresi/Ants Of India.htm Offenberg, J., Oecophylla smaragdina food conservation efficiency: prospects for ant farming.J.Aool.Entomol, 2011, 135, 575-581.

ID: 60786
Title: Spatial patterns and diversity of alpine vegetation across Langer-Shandur Valley, Hindukush Himalayas.
Author: Hamayun Shaheen, Zia-ur-Rehman Mashwani and Muhammad Ejaz Ul Islam Dar.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (8) 1534-1539 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Alpine vegetation, conservation management, detrended correspondence analysis, diversity and distribution.
Abstract: While study of regional diversity and spatial distribution of species bears great relevance for conservation and management, Hindukush Himalayan (HKH) alpine zone lacks such information. The present study, through a rapid quantitative assessment of regional flora along Kukush Lake in Langer-Shandoor Valley, provides a better scientific understanding of diversity and distribution of alpine vegetation. Vegetation data were collected from eight sites using stratified random sampling. A total of 51 species (28 plant families) were recorded with an average species richness in the area of 2.14; Simpson ' s diversity, 0.75, evenness, 0.79 and average degree of community maturity index of 44 %. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), regression analyses and factor were used to identify vegetation associations. DCA clearly separated the associations along the first two axes. Altitude and moisture contents appeared to be key environmental factors governing the diversity and distribution of alpine vegetation. A negative correlation of altitude with diversity and richness was revealed. Vegetation exhibited significant variations in the diversity and distribution along the sampled sites. These variations may be attributed to the prevalent anthropogenic and livestock disturbances. The implications of the results have been discussed to highlight the conservation needs for protection of endemic floral elements in HKH alpine region.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Shaheen, H. and Shinwari, Z.K., Phyto diversity and endemic richness of Karambar Lake Vegetation from Central from Chitral, Hindukush-Himalayas.Pak.J.Bot., 2012, 44 (1), 17-21. Nusser, M. and Dickore, W.B., A tangle in the triangle: vegetation map of the eastern Hindukush (Chitral, northern Pakistan).Erdkunde, 2002, 56 (1), 37-59.
Literature cited 2: Schickoff, U., The upper timberline in the Himalayas, Hindu Kush and Karakorum: a review of geographical and ecological aspects. In Mountain Ecosystems, Springer, Berlin, 2005, pp. 275-354. Chettri, N., Shakya, B., Thapa, R. and Sharma, E., Status of a protected area system in Hindu Kush-Himalayas: an analysis of PA coverage.Int.J.Biodivers.Sci.Manage, 2008, 4 (3), 164-178. Kaul, M., High altitude botanicals in integrative medicine-case studies from Northwest Himalaya. Indian J. Tradit.Know., 2010, 9 (1), 18-25.

ID: 60785
Title: Technology for rehabilitation of Yamuna ravines-cost effective practices to conserve natural resources through bamboo plantation.
Author: A.K.Singh, S. Kala, S.K. Dubey, V.C. Pande, B.K.Rao, K.K Sharma and K.P. Mahapatra
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (8) 1527-1533 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Bamboo plantation, degraded land, economic analysis, ravines.
Abstract: The present study evaluated bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) based resource conservation in Yamuna ravines at Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Research Centre, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.Ravine lands are highly degraded dry lands and 3.97 m ha area is affected by ravines in India. One ravine micro water shed of 2.8 ha area was planted with two rows of bamboo in staggered manner as vegetative barrier for the analysis of hydrological results showed that runoff has been reduced from 9.6% to 1.8% and soil loss from 4.2 to 0.6 t/ha/year in the last 4 years. Based on bamboo growth performance, average value of culm height and culm collar diameter have been recorded as 3.80 m and 22.50 mm, the value of average crown size and number of culms per clump being 3.93 m and 18 numbers respectively. Further, the soils under bamboo plants improved in terms of decreased pH and enhanced soil organic carbon. The economic analysis suggested a cash outflow of Rs 48,000 ha-1from 7th year onwards to the stakeholders in the region, in addition to the benefits accrued to society at large at large in terms of value of nutrient (Rs 2125-5555 ha-1) saved through soil conservation. This study recommends bamboo plantation for productive and protective utilization of such degraded lands. It also suggests that the high cost of establishment for individual stakeholders can be met through subsidies and banks ' financial inclusion programme in developing countries such as India. Further, public funding can also be routed through appropriate budgetary provisions in development pans of corporate entities involved in the rural development in the country.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Rao, B.K., Gaur, M.L., Kumar, G., Kurothe, R.S. and Tiwari, S. P., Morphological characterization and alterations in cross secrtion of different orders streams of Mahi Ravines. Indian J. Soil Conserv., 2013, 41 (1), 20-24. Behari, B., Agarwal, R., Singh, A.K. and Banerjee, S.K., Vegetation development in a degraded area under bamboo based agroforestry system. Indian Forest, 2000, 126 (7), 710-720.
Literature cited 2: Bahadur, P., Chandra, S. and Gupta, D.K., Hydrological studies on experimental basins, Symposium-IAHS-AISH Publ.No. 130, 1980. Anon, Technical bulletin, Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Research Centre, Agra, 2007.

ID: 60784
Title: Assessment of lipid profiles of adult male athletes from two different air pollutant zones of West Bengal, India.
Author: Paulomi Das and Pinaki Chatterjee
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (8) 1512-1516 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Air pollution, cholesterol, footballers, sprinters.
Abstract: The study was carried out with an objective to find out the effects of air pollution on lipid profiles of trained and untrained males of West Bengal. Sample consisted of 60 sprinters, 60 footballers and 120 untrained males, subdivided into two groups from two zones namely Tollygunge and Sonarpur. SPM, RPM, SOx and NOx of ambient air were monitored for both zones. Height and weight of all the males was measured. Venous blood sample was drawn from the antecubital vein and the cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio were determined by standard methods. Results revealed that air pollutant concentration was significantly higher in Tollygunge than Sonarpur. Lipid profile was significantly poor in untrained males compared to either the footballers or the sprinters in both regions. However, no significant difference in lipid profile was observed when compared between footballers and sprinters, though lipid profile was better in footballers than sprinters. Alternatively, all lipid parameters of both trained and untrained males were significantly better in Sonarpur than Tollygunge. It was concluded that environmental air pollutants might influence lipid profile adversely both in trained and sedentary males. However, further study in this area is nedded.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Sheffield, P.E.and Landrigan, P.J., Global climate change an children ' s health: threats and strategies for prevention.Environ.Health Perspect, 2011, 119 (3), 291-298. Kelishadi, R. and Poursafa, P., Air pollution and non-respiratory health hazards for children.Arch.Med.Sci, 2010, 6, 483-495.
Literature cited 2: Mansourian, M., Javanmard, S.H., Poursafa,P. and Kelishadi,R., Air pollution and hospitalization for respiratory diseases among children in Isfahan, Iran, Ghana Med J., 2010, 44 (4), 138-143. Kargarfard, M., Poursafa, P., Rezanejad, S. and Mousavinasab, F., Effects of exercise in polluted air on the aerobic power, serum lactate level and cell blood count of active individuals.Int.J.Prev.Med., 2011, 2 (3), 145-150.

ID: 60783
Title: Status of soil degradation in an irrigated command area in Chikkarasinakere Hobli, Mandya district, Karnataka.
Author: Rajendra Hedge, A. Natarajan, R.S. Meena, K.V. Niranjana, S. Thayalan and S.K. Singh.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (8) 1501-1511 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Crop productivity, irrigated command area, nutrient imbalance, land degradation, soil salinity/ alkalinity.
Abstract: Of late, the crop productivity levels in many irrigated command areas have plateaued or started declining rapidly due to the deterioration of soil health. Unscientific and excessive irrigation, growing crops not compatible with the soils and unscientific management of soils is the main causes for the present situation. Waterlogging, increased salinity/sodicity, nutrient imbalance, shrinking diversity of micro-flora and fauna have become major constraints limiting the choice of crop and crop productivity. We present a study on this issue from the Cauvery command area. Detailed cadastral-level survey taken up to study the status of soil and other resources occurring in Chikkarasinakere block of Mandaya district, Karnataka during 2010 has brought out the alarming state of land degradation observed in the area. Nearly 59 % of the area is suffering from various degrees of chemical and physical degradation. The situation becomes alarming because the area had well-drained red soils highly suitable for irrigated agriculture when irrigation was introduced during 1930s. The process of degradation will accelerate if appropriate interventions/investments are not undertaken on priority. Continuation of present management practices can rapidly damage the soil health. As the command area is one of the important rice bowls of Karnataka, there is an urgent need to reverse the process of degradation by adopting site-specific interventions as indicated in the study. The present study reveals that the Cauvery command are in Karnataka is losing Rs 1000 crores every year due to this problem.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Hillel, D., Salinity management for sustainable irrigation: Integrating science, environment, and economics, World Bank, Washington, DC, 2000. Ghassemi, A.J., Jakeman and Nix, H.A., Salinisation of Land and Water Resources: Human Causes, Extent, Management, and Case Studies (eds Datta, K.K. and de Jong, C.), University of New South Wales Press Ltd, Sydney, Australia, 1995.
Literature cited 2: Maji, A.K., Obireddy, G.P. and Sarkar, D., Degraded and waste-lands of India: status and spatial distribution. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, 2010, p.167. Chinnappa, B.and Nagaraj, N., Equity issues relating to irrigation-induced soil degradation under left bank canal of Tungabhadra Project Area, Karnataka. Agric.Econ.Res.Rev, 2006, 19, 121-128.

ID: 60782
Title: Face anti-spoofing methods.
Author: Sajida Parveen, Sharifah Mumtazah Syed Ahmed, Marsyita Hanafi and Wan Azizun Wan Adnan.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (8) 1491-1500 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Biometrics, face recognition, intrusive, liveness detection, non-intrusive.
Abstract: In recent Years, facial biometric systems have received increased deployment in various applications such as surveillance, access control and forensic investigations. However, one of the limitations of face recognition systems is the high possibility of the system being deceived or spoofed by non-real faces such as photograph, video clips or dummy faces. In order to identify the spoofing attacks on such biometric systems, face liveness detection approaches have been developed. Thus, the current approach is to integrate liveness detection within facial biometrics by using life sign indicators of individual features. This article presents a review of state-of-the-art techniques in face liveness detection, which are classified into two groups, namely intrusive and non-intrusive approaches. Here, each technique is discussed in terms of its implementation, strengths and limitations, as well as indications on possible future research directions that can be studied.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Wayman, J.L., Jain, A., Maltoni, D. and Maio, D., Biometric Systems Technology, Design and Performance Evaluation, Springer Science Business Media, Springer-Verlag, London, 2005. Zhang, Z., Yi, D., Lei, Z. and Li, S.Z., Face liveness detection by learning multispectral reflectance distributions. Automatic Face and Gesture Recognition and Workshop, IEEE, Santa Barbara, CA, 2011, pp. 436-441.
Literature cited 2: Bai, J., Ng, T.T., Gao, X. and Shi, Y.Q., Is physics-based liveness detection truly possible with a single image? In Proceedings of the IEEE International Symposium. Circuits and Systems (ISCAS), Paris, France, 30 May-2June 2010, pp. 3425-3428. Nixon, K.A., Aimale, V. and Rowe, R.K., Spoof Detection Schemes. Handbook of Biometrics, Springer, New York, 2008, pp. 403-423.

ID: 60781
Title: Water quality index of estuarine environment.
Author: N.C.Ujjania, Monika Dubey.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (8) 1430-1433 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Water, Quality, Index, Estuarine, Environment.
Abstract: The estuarine environment is characterized by constant churning of freshwater from the river with marine water, which may be challenged by modifications in water quality. Aquatic animals living in such a challenged estuarine environment should be able to match appropriate changes with their physiological requirements. It is observed that estuarine environment is polluted by discharges of domestic sewage and industrial effluents besides other anthropogenic activities including agricultural runoff. These discharges bring considerable amount of pollutants that may cause undesirable changes in the water quality which ultimately cause pollution. Such pollution is a serious threat not only to the aquatic organisms but also to the downstream water users.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Pai, R. and Reddy, M.P.M., Indian J.Mar.Sci, 1981, 10, 322-326. Filatov, N., Pozdnyakov, D., Johannessen, O., Petterson, L. and Boylev, L., White Sea: Its Marine Environment and Ecosystem Dynamics Influenced by Global Change, Springer and Praxis Publishing, UK, 2005, pp. 1-472.
Literature cited 2: Lyulko, I., Ambalova, T. and Vasiljeva, T., In Proceedings of International Workshop on Information for Sustainable Water Management, The Netherlands, 2001, pp. 449-452. Jameel, A.A. and Hussain, A.Z., Indian J. Environ. Protect. 2005, 25, 941-942.