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ID: 59730
Title: The biotechnology pyramid: basic science to application of science
Author: Seshagiri Raghulkumar.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (11) 1789-1791 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Biotechnology, Pyramid, basic science to application of science.
Abstract: Biotechnology is the buzzword in biology, and not without reason. The apparently endless opportunities that biotechnology offers in terms o new products, processes, improved health and comfort, as well as job opportunities, are drawing present-day research students, who consider this to be the most important topic o biology. This leads to debate about what research topic would be important and what would not, which ph D topics are to be selected and which are to be discarded and which laboratories and research supervisors are to be sought after and which are not. There often seems to be some confusion about what actually leads to good biotechnology research, an issue not only with research students but with senior scientists as well. Biotechnology is an important branch of science that aims to benefit human society.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Padnaban, G., Curr. Sci., 2003, 85, 712-719. Tsien, R.Y., Annu. Rev. Biochem., 1998, 67, 509-544.
Literature cited 2: Chudakov, D.M., Lukyanov, S. and Lukyanov, K.A., Trends Biotechnol., 2005, 23, 605-613. Zimmer, M., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2009, 38, 2823-2832.

ID: 59729
Title: Seasonal variation and climate change influence coral bleaching in Pirotan Island, Gulf of Kachchh Marine National Park, Gujarat.
Author: D.Adhavan, R.D.Kamboj, N.Marimuthu, M.M.Bhalodi.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (11) 1780-1781 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Seasonal variation, climate change influence, coral bleaching, Pirotan Island, Gulf of Kachchh Marine National Park, Gujarat.
Abstract: The Gulf of Kachchh occupies an area of 7300 sq.km with 42 islands with various groups of flora and fauna. Pirotan Island is a part of the Gulf of Kachchh Marine National Park, located at 22? 35`03.0`` N, 069 ?57 ' 26.2`` E with rich coral reef ecosystem. A rapid survey during low tide 0n 14 September 2014 to assess the inter-tidal diversity of the Island showed bleached coral colonies, including new recruitments in the intertidal zone. The bleached coral colonies include Favia favus, Favia lacuna, Favia speciosa, Favites halicora, Favites flexuosa, Porites compressa and Porites lichens.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Nair, V.R., http://drs.nio.org/drs/handle/2264/87 (accessed on 25 September 2013). Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Coral bleach alert system, Technical document, 2011, p. 10
Literature cited 2: Marimuthu, N., Wilson, J., Vinithkumar, N.V. and Kirubagaran, R., J. Ocean Univ. China, 2013, 12 (1), 91-96. NOAA, 2014; http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Products/ocean/sst/anomaly/index.html.

ID: 59728
Title: Early Eocene Annona fossils from vastan Lignite Mine, Surat district, Gujarat, India: age, origin and palaeogeographic significance.
Author: M. Prasad, H. Singh and S.K. Singh.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (10) 1730-1734 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Annona, fossil leaf, fruit and pollen, lignite mine, phytogeography.
Abstract: The family Annonaceae has Gondwana affinity and is being reported from the Cambay Shale of Vastan Lignite Mine on the basis of well-preserved fruit (in counterpart), leaf and pollen grains. This finding is significant because it serves as yet another example of an angiosperm family found in South America and Africa that may have boarded the Indian raft when India was attached to Madagascar, reported on the basis of pollen from Kutch. The vastan occurrences represent a continuous record from the Indian latest Cretaceous, through the palaeocene, based on multiple vegetative entities. The well-preserved fruit is morphologically similar to Annona palustris L. At present the dispersal history of the family into India represents an origin in the Lower Cretaceous of North America with later dispersal to South America and Africa and then onto India, as it is recorded from the sedimentary beds associated with the Deccan Volcanics. Another angiosperm family, Dipterocarpaceae, is also found in Vastan, with a similar phytogeographic distribution.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Rana, R.S., Kumar, K. and Singh, H., Vetebrate fauna from the subsurface Cambay Shale (Lower Eocene), Vastan Lignite Mine, Gujarat, India. Curr. Sci., 2004, 87, 726-733. Rana, R.S., Singh, H., Sahni, A., Rose, K.D. and Saraswati, P.K., Early Eocene chiropterans from a new mammalian assemblage (Vastan Lignite Mine, Gujarat, Western Peninsular margin): oldest known bats from Asia. J. Palaeontol. Soc. India, 2005, 50, 93-100.
Literature cited 2: Bajpai, S., Kapur, V.V., Das, D.P., Tiwari, B.N., Saravanan, N. and Sharma, R., Early Eocene land mammals from Vastan Lignite Mine, District Surat, (Gujarat), western India. J. Paleontol. Soc. India, 2005, 50, 101-113. Bajpai, S., Kapur, V.V., Thewissen, J.G.M., Tiwari, B.N. and Das, D.P., First fossil marsupials from India: Early Eocene Indo-delphis n.gen. and Jaegeria n. gen. from Vastan Lignite Mine, District Surat, Gujarat. J. Palaeontol. Soc. India, 2005, 50 (1), 147-151.

ID: 59727
Title: Measuring the impacts of land use on water quality influences by non-point sources.
Author: Ranen Sen, Sharadindra Chakrabarti and Somdatta Chakravortty
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (10) 1719-1724 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Land use, non-point source, nitrate-nitrogen, phosphorus, water quality.
Abstract: The objective of this study is to (a) test the proposition that the variance of water quality from undefined sources is a function of land use within the watershed, and (b) examine the premise that the impact of land use near the stream is more important than that far away from the stream is more important than that far away from the stream in affecting the water quality from non-point sources. Results obtained using this approach support both these hypotheses. Moreover, these tests suggest the importance of considering the means by which chemical elements are delivered to the streams. Nitrate-nitrogen and phosphorus can be intercepted by removal of fast-growing floodplain crops and phosphorus by sediment barriers at sites outside the floodplain. Further evidences suggest that reservoir trap-efficiency is considerably important in improving the downstream water quality as the former entraps clay nanominerals (with adsorbed particulates of phosphorus) that are found to be responsible for the fate and transport of phosphorus. The methodology of analysis of stream loads is ordinary least square regression analysis. Stream loads of nitrate-nitrogen and total phosphorus have been studied as a function of land use.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Wilkin, D.C. and Jackson, R.W., Nonpoint water quality contributions from land use. J. Environ. Syst., 1983-84, 13 (2), 127-136. Wilkin, D. C and Flemal, R.C., Feasibility of water quality improvement in three llinois rivers. J. Water Pollut. Control Fed., 1980, 52 (2), 293-298.
Literature cited 2: http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/wqg/brochures/five.html. http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/global/recordisplay.cfm?deid=2569112.

ID: 59726
Title: Economically viable mass production of lignocellulolytic fungal inoculums for rapid degradation of agrowaste.
Author: Livleen Shukla, Ansuman Senapati, S.P. Tyagi and Anil Kumar Saxena.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (10) 1701-1704 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Compost production, fungal production, fungal mats, jaggery, lignocellulolytic enzyme, spores.
Abstract: A consortium of four hypercellulolytic fungal cultures, namely Aspergillus awamori, Trichoderma viride, Aspergillus nidulans and Phanerochaete chrysosporium was optimized for compost production potential. The consortium has been effectively used for composting of diverse agricultural wastes such as paddy straw, soybean trash, pearl millet, maize residues and mustard stover. The inoculum of four fungi needs to be produced in bulk for talc-based consortium formulation. Routinely fungus is grown on potato dextrose agar medium, malt extract agar medium or Martin ' s Rose Bengal agar medium, which escalates the cost of production because of relatively expensive ingredients. Further, harvesting of fungal biomass from solid surface adds additional cost to the production schedule.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Singh, R., DARE/ICAR Annual Report, 2012-2013. Ravindranath, N.H. and Hall, D.O., Biomass, Energy and Environment: A Developing Country Perspective from India, Oxford University Press, 1995.
Literature cited 2: Dincer, I., Energy and environmental impacts: present and future perspectives. Energy Sources, 1998, 20 (4-5), 427-453. Rickson, R., Can control of soil erosion mitigate water pollution by sediments? Sci. Total Environ., 2014, 468, 1187-1197.

ID: 59725
Title: Development of desalination unit using solar still coupled with evacuated tubes for domestic use in rural areas.
Author: Praveen T. Hunashikatti, K.R. Suresh, B.Prathima and Gulshan Sachdeva.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (10) 1683-1693 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Chemical analysis, coupled system, distillation yield, energy efficiency, solar thermal desalination.
Abstract: Potable water and energy are two main priorities of mankind. The rural communities, especially of developing and under-developed countries are facing acute shortage of both. A sustainable, domestic water desalination process for rural India to meet the demand for potable water is the need of the hour and solar thermal desalination proves to be a promising alternative. In this article, experimental studies of single-slope, single-basin solar still integrated with evacuated tubes in natural mode (coupled system) are carried out for the climatic conditions of Bangalore (12. 96 ? N, 77.56 ? E), Karnataka, India. For solar still basin are of 0.51 m2 , the distillate yields obtained from the coupled system for water depths of 0.06, 0.04 and 0.02 m are 3.289, 4.652 and 5.534 kg respectively, from 7: 00 h to 19: 00 h. The variation of instantaneous energy efficiency for the coupled system is found to be in the range 0.33-73.18 % between 9.00 and 17: 00 h for water depth of 0.02 m, which decreases with increase in water depth in the solar still. Chemical analysis of inlet water sample and outlet distillate was carried out and compared with Indian drinking water standards, IS-10500:2012. It is observed that the values for chemical composition of distillate are well below the limits of drinking water standards. The total cost of the developed coupled system was estimated to be Rs 6980 (US$ 1=Rs 60.25 as on 15 April 2014). This eco-friendly system does not depend on any conventional source of energy for its operation and is easy to build and maintain.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Gude, V.G. and Nirmalakhandan, N., Desalination at low temperatures and low pressures. Desalination, 2009, 244, 239-247. Reddy, K.S., Ravi Kumar, K., O ' Donovan, T.S. and Mallick, T.K., Performance analysis of an evacuated multi-stage solar water desalination system. Desalination, 2012, 288, 80-92.
Literature cited 2: Labhasetwar, P. et al., Handbook on Drinking Water Treatment Technologies, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation-Govt of India and National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, 2011, p.2. Water Research Laboratory, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, 2011, p.2.

ID: 59724
Title: Biochar production from agro-food industry residues: a sustainable approach for soil and environmental management.
Author: Aditya Parmar, Prabhat K. Nema and Tripti Agarwal.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (10) 1673-1682 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Agro-food Industry, biochar production, biomass residues, hydrothermal carbonization.
Abstract: Advance biochar production technique, hydrothermal carbonization (HTC, wet pyroluysis) offers an option to tap the benefits of biomass residues of food industry characterized by high moisture and low calorific value. HTC is more energy efficient due to its low temperature operations and higher biochar recovery rates (up to 90 %).Biochar offers multitude of benefits in terms of agronomical and environmental management. It can contribute to climate change mitigation, increase plant productivity and crop yield and remediation of contaminated sites. Limitations and knowledge gaps in the current understanding of biochar along with its properties have been identified. Major hurdles recognized in commercialization of biochar application are permanency, diversity and economic viability.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Lehmann, J., Rilling, M.C., Thies, J., Masiello, C.A., Hockaday, W.C. and Crowley, D., Biochar effects on soil biota-a review. Soil Biol. Biochem, 2001, 43, 1812-1836. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAOSTAT database, 2010; http://faostat.fao.org/site/362/Desktop-Default.aspx?PageID=362.
Literature cited 2: Lin, Y., Munroe, P., Joseph, S., Handerson, R. and Ziolkowski, A., Water extractable organic carbon in untreated and chemical treated biochars. Chemosphere, 2012, 87 (2), 151-157. Sharma, R.K., Wooten, J.B., Baliga, V.L., Lin, X., Geoffrey Chan, W. and Hajaligol, M.R., Characterization of chars from pyrolysis of lignin .Fuel, 2004, 83 (11-12), 1469-1482.

ID: 59723
Title: The dynamics of Indian FDI in Europe and its impact on Romanian-Indian relations.
Author: Teodora Roman, Adriana Manolica and Liviu-George Maha.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (10) 1666-1672 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Emerging single markets, FDI, globalization, Multinationals.
Abstract: The present aims to analyse the presence of Indian companies in the European market and identify the barriers they encounter, offering highlights concerning the fields with investment potential, as well as solutions for the reduction of entry barriers. It has also made a foray into the history of Romanian-Indian relations, an important issue in the context of the new strategy of the Indian companies that turn towards Central and Eastern Europe. Thus, Romanian companies will face an increased competition, because multinationals from emerging countries are much more aggressive competitors than the traditional ones from Western Europe.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: http:// unctad.org/en/Publications Library /webdiaeia 2013d1_en.pdf (last accessed on 20 January 2014) Athukorala, P.-C, Outward foreign direct investment from India. Asian Dev. Rev., 2009, 26 (2), 131-153.
Literature cited 2: Khan, H.R., Outward Indian FDI-Recent trends and emerging issues, 2012; http: rbi.org.in/scripts/BS_Speeches View.aspx? Id=674 (last accessed during September 2013). Nayyar, D., The internationalization of firms from India: investment. In Mergers and Acquisitions, Oxford Development Studies, 2008, vol. 36, pp. 111-131.

ID: 59722
Title: The crossroads of academic electronic availability: how well does Google Scholar measure up against a university-based metadata system in 2014?
Author: Niklas Karlson
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (10) 1661-1665 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Academic libraries, databases, electronic information, Google Scholar, metadata system, web search engine.
Abstract: Electronic availability of information resources has increasingly become an important of everyday vocation of academic libraries. This puts impetus on the libraries to know more about the way in which electronic information is being dispersed and handled. The present article aims to comparatively evaluate Uppsala University library ' s own metadata system Summon with the free, publicly available equivalent Google Scholar (GS). The evaluation is based on Peter Jacso ' s theories on database evaluation which puts focus on Summon and GS via the use of and application of ten different criteria. The uses of precision and relevance criteria were also implemented as additional evaluation. tools. The results indicate that at present GS has to be seen as a necessary complement in retrieving electronic information due to the fact the Summon is not yet fully functioning on all levels and that GS has a wider intake of information sources. The use of web-based academic search tools is now vital. Will the open access movement evolve with Google as the main actor and take over the scene leaving costly databases and search tools behind? This article deals with the economic implications of comparing the practical functions of a costly in-house information system with a public equivalent. It reveals the complex situation that a world-class university is in as regards to information resources and digitization and economic issues that follow.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: http://www.ub.uu.se/lana-och-ladda-ned/forvarvspolcy/?language-id=1 Allison, Dee Ann, McNeil, B. and Swanson, S., Database selection: one size does not fit al. Coll. Res. Lib., 2000, 61 (1), 56-63.
Literature cited 2: Neuhaus, C., Neuheus, E. and Asher, A., Google Scholar goes to school: the presence of Google Scholar on college and university websites. J. Acad. Lib., 2008, 34 (1), 39-51. Cothran, T., Google Scholar acceptance and use among graduate students: a quantitative study. Lib. Infor. Sci. Res., 2011, 33 (4), 293-301.

ID: 59721
Title: Feeding on non-plant food items by Western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock)
Author: Mrigakhi Borah, Ashalata Devi, Awadhesh Kumar.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (10) 1157-1660 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Non-plant food items, Western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock).
Abstract: The distribution and quality of food resources are generally recognized as the pre-eminent factors explaining much interspecific and intraspecific variation in the behaviour of non-human primates. The diet of non-human primates is characterized by large portion of plant items such as fruits, flowers and leaves and also contributes a small portion of non-plant food items. Primates that live in seasonal forests often show predictable responses of feeding to fluctuating resources.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Chapman, C. and Chapman, L., Primates, 1990, 31, 121-128. Hohmann, G., In The Evolution of Hominin Diets. Integrating Aproaches to the Study of Palaeolithic Subsistence (eds Hublin, J.J. and Richards, M.P), Springer Science+Business Media, 2009.
Literature cited 2: Charnov, E., Theor.Popul.Biol, 1976, 9, 129-136. Van Roosmalen, M.G.M. and Klein, L. L., In Ecology and Behaviour of Neotropical Primates (eds Mittermeier, R.A. et al), World Wildlife Fund, Washington DC, 1988, vol.2, pp. 455-537.

ID: 59720
Title: Assessment of groundwater vulnerability using GIS-based DRASTIC technology for the basaltic aquifer of Burhner watershed, Mohgaon block, Mandla (India)
Author: Kamlesh Prasad and J.P. Shukla.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (10) 11649-1656 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Assessment of groundwater vulnerability, GIS, DRASTIC technology, basaltic aquifer, Burhner watershed, Mohgaon block, Mandla, India
Abstract: Groundwater (GW) vulnerability is foundation stone for evaluating the risk of GW contamination and developing management options to preserve the quality of GW. The concept of GW vulnerability is based on the assumption that the physical environment may provide some degree of protection for GW against human activities as well as natural contamination. The main objective of this study is to find out the GW vulnerable zones in Burhner watershed using the DRASTIC model in a geographical information system environment. Determination of DRASTIC index involves multiplying each parameter weight by its site rating and summing the total. On the basis of DRASTIC index values, a GW vulnerability map was prepared using Arc GIS 10 platform. Based on the results of the GW vulnerability assessment, the study area was divided into three zones: Low vulnerable zones ranging from 92 to 123 DRASTIC index with a geographical area of about 113.35 sq.km; moderate vulnerable zones ranging from 123 to 142 with 98.42 sq.km geographical area and high vulnerable zones with DRASTIC index ranging from 142 to 164 with 113.23 sq.km geographical area.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Margat, J., Vulnerabilite des mappes d ' eau souterraine a la pollution, BRGM Publication no. 68, Orleans, France, 1968. Prior, J.C., Boekhoff, J.L., Howes, M., R., Libra, R.D. and Van Dorpe, P.E., In lowa Geological Survey Educational Series, lowa Department of Natural Resource Press, lowa, 2003, vol.6.
Literature cited 2: Anthony, J.T., Emily, L.I. and Frank, D.V., Assessing ground water vulnerability using logistic regressing. In Proceedings for the Source Water Assessment and Protection, Conference, Dakkas, TX, 1998, pp. 157-165. Groundwater vulnerability assessment: predicting relative contamination potential under conditions of uncertainty, National Research Council, Washington DC, 1993.

ID: 59719
Title: Integrated coastal zone management: a sustainable way to manage the coastal zone.
Author: Arindam Chakraborty.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (10) 11637-1638 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Integated coastal zone, management, the coastal zone.
Abstract: Coastal areas are one of the vulnerable regions where the land is affected by its proximity to the sea and that part of the ocean is equally affected by the land. It is one of the areas which is most heavily exploited for its rich resources. Around 40 % of the world population resides within 100 km of the coastline. Most of the developing countries of the world lack the capacity to manage current coastal population growth in an equitable fashion. It is high time to develop and introduce management plans that will protect the vibrant coastal ecosystems, while permitting economic growth and ensuring a better quality of life for all coastal dwellers.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 59718
Title: Strategy of female tigers to avoid infanticide.
Author: Randeep Singh, Parag Nigam, Qamar Qureshi, Kalyanasundaram Sankar, Paul R. Krausman and Surendra Prakash Goyal.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (9) 1595-1597 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Camera trap, female tigers, infanticide avoidance, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
Abstract: In fields, mortalitiy caused by dominant males can affect life history characteristics, demography and reproductive success. When a dominant male is removed, an incoming male may kill offspring sired by the previous male to induce the resident female into oestrus. We had the opportunity to observe the infanticide avoidance responses of female tigers (Panthera tigris) to incoming males in the core area of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve (RTR), Rajasthan, during 2008-2010. In one case, following the disappearance of a dominant male tiger (TM-12) from established territory of a female tiger (TF-13), the female tiger, accompanied by two cubs, immediately moved approximately 20 km away into riverine areas outside the protected area of RTR. In another case, a female (TF-04) died from a battle with a male while defending her cubs. These observations reveal the attempts of female tigers to avoid infanticide. Observations and results from behavioural decisions made by tigers are important to understand the species and the factors that facilitate their conservation.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: LeGalliard, J.F., Fitze, P.S., Ferriere, R. and Clobert, J., Sex ratio bias, male aggression, and population collapse in lizards.Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. USA, 2005, 102 (18), 231-236. Parker, H., Rosell, F. and Mysterud, A., Harvesting of males delays female breeding in a socially monogamous mammal; the beaver.Biol.Lett., 2007, 3, 106-108.
Literature cited 2: Wielgus, R.B. and Bunnell, F.L., Tests of hypotheses of sexual segregation in grizzly bears.J.Wildl. Manage., 1995, 58, 552-560. Swenson, J.E., Sandegren, F., Soderberg, A., Bjarvall, A., Franzen, R. and Wabakken, P., Infanticide caused by hunting of male bears. Nature, 1997, 386, 450-451.

ID: 59717
Title: Fire and soil temperatures during controlled burns in seasonally dry tropical forests of southern India.
Author: Nandita Mondal and Raman Sukumar.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (9) 1590-1594 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, fuel load, fuel moisture, Madumalai Wildlife, Sanctuary, temperature indicating lacquers, weather.
Abstract: Fire and soil temperatures were measured during controlled burns conducted by the Forest Department at two seasonally dry tropical forest sites in southern India, and their relationships with fuel load, fuel moisture and weather variables assessed using stepwise regression. Fire temperatures at the ground level varied between 79 ? C and 760 ?C, with higher temperatures recorded at high fuel loads and ambient temperatures did not vary with fuel moisture or wind speed. Soil temperatures varied between <79 ? C and 302 ? C and were positively correlated with ground-level fire temperatures. Results from the study imply that fuel loads in forested areas have to be reduced to ensure low intensity fires in the dry season. Low fire temperatures would ensure lower mortality of above-ground saplings and minimal damage to root stocks of tree species that would maintain the regenerative capacity of a tropical dry forest subject to dry season wildfires.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Bond, W.J. and Keeley, J.E., Fire as a global herbivore: the ecology and evolution of flammable ecosystems. Trends Ecol. Evol., 2005, 20, 387-394. Neary, D.G., Klopatek, C.C., DeBano, L.F. and Ffolliott, P.F., Fire effects on belowground sustainability: a review and synthesis. For. Ecol. Manage, 1999,122, 51-71.
Literature cited 2: Moreno, J.M. and Oechel, W.C., Fire intensity effects on germination of shrubs and herbs in southern California chaparral. Ecology, 1991, 72, 1993-2004. Werner, P.A. and Prior, L.D., Demography and growth of subadult savanna trees: interactions of life history, size, fire season and grassy understorey. Ecol. Monogr., 2013, 83, 67-93.

ID: 59716
Title: Hydrological controls of radon in a few hot springs in the Western Ghats at Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra, India.
Author: Md. Arzoo Ansari, Suman Sharma, U.Saravana Kumar, Sitangshu Chatterjee, Diksha and Upananda Low.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (9) 1587-1590 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Deccan Traps, geothermal, hydrogeology, radon, Western Ghats.
Abstract: Geological structures (faults, fractures and weak zones) and high heat flow in geothermal areas allow easy passage for release of radon gas to the atmosphere. Radon is constantly transported from the Earth ' s interior and vented out through exhalation points at permeable fault zones. 222Rn concentrations were measured in a few hot springs and nearby groundwater using RAD7 at Tural and Rajwadi, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra. The 222Rn concentrations in the hot springs vary from 1087 ? 132 to 1655 ? 177 Bq/m3 at Tural and from 152 ? 67 to 350 ? 82 Bq/ m3 at Rajwadi. Groundwaters from wells within a radius of 200 m around the geothermal fields have radon concentration between 1087 ?132 and 5445 ? 337 Bq/ m3. We have assessed the radon activity in the vicinity of the hot springs to understand their hydrogeological control, origin of heat source and possible effect on the tourist and the human population residing nearby.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Wanty, R.B. and Nordstorm, D.K., Natural radionuclides.In Regional Groundwater Quality (ed. Aley, W.M.), Van Norstrand Reinhold, New York, 1993, pp. 423-441. Sturchio, N.C., Banner, J.L., Binz, C.M., Heraty, L.B. and Musgrove, M., Radium geochemistry of ground waters in Paleozoic carbonate aquifers, midcontinent, USA. AAAppl.Geochem., 2001, 16, 109-122.
Literature cited 2: Vengosh, A. et al., High naturally occurring radioactivity in fossil groundwater from the Middle East. Environ.Sci.Technol., 2009, 43, 1769-1775. Kruger, P., Stoker, A. and Umana, A., Radon in geothermal reservoir engineering.Geothermics, 1977, 5 (1-4), 13-19.