ID: 58653
Title: Population structure analysis of Labeo gonius from there reservoirs of Uttarakhand using RAPD marker.
Author: Grishma Tewari, I J Singh, A Barat.
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.2), pp 237-241.
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Genetic diversity, Labeo gonius, population genetics, reservoirs.
Abstract: Population gentic structure of the fish, Labeo gonius from three reservoirs, i.e. Dhaura, Baigul and Nanak sagar, Uttarakhand, India was analysed by appyling random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. RAPD-PCR products obtained using 15 decamer operon series (OPA, OPB, OPC and OPY) primers, were utilized for analysis of population of L. gonius, in each reservoir. Genetic observations based on percentage of polymorphic loci, the number of effective and observed alleles, Nei ' s genetic diversity and Shannon ' s information index indicated high level of genetic diversity in stocks of all three reservoirs of L. gonius, being more heterozygous in Nanak sagar followed by Baigul and Dhaura reservoirs. The percentage of genetic variation within (86.83) and among (13.17) all the stocks based on coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst= 0.131) indicated moderate genetic differentiation likely to be associated with small gene exchange responsible for weak sub-stucturing of stocks in all three reservoirs.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58652
Title: Lipoxygenase inhibitory activity of some Sida species due to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate.
Author: D S Preethidan, G Arun, M Prathyusha Surendran, S Prashanth, A Sabu, C Sadasivan, M Haridas.
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.2), pp 232-236.
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Inhibitory activity, lipoxygenase, molecular docking, Sida species.
Abstract: Lipoxygenase (LOX) is the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of leukotrienes, postulated to play an important role in the pathophysiology of several inflammatory and allergic diseases. The study of LOX inhibitory activity of some Sida species, its isolation, structure elucidation and characterization of the active compound are reported. The LOX inhibitor from Sida species was di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate with LOX was demonstrated by its kinetics, isothermal titration calorimetry and molecular docking studies. In vitro studies and molecular docking showed that di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was binding perfectly into the active site of LOX to inhibit it.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58651
Title: Growth response of conifer trees from high-altitude region of Western Himalaya.
Author: Somaru Ram, H P Borgoankar.
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.2), pp 225-231
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Conifer trees, growth response, high-altitude region, ring-width index, soil moisture.
Abstract: Tree-ring width index chronologies of some species (Abies pindrow and Picea smithiana) of Western Himalaya are sensitive to the moisture availability and amount of soil moisture of the region. The first principal component among the site chronologies explaining 61.2% of the common variance is strongly correlated with Palmer Drought Severity Index during summer season (May-July). Whereas increased temperature of the region had significant adverse effect on tree growth. The moisture availability, especially in the growing season is found more conductive in developing the annual tree-ring width compared to rainfall during the season. Moreover, the increasing temperature and vapour pressure during November and December of the previous year might play an important role for early snow melt over region, which maintains enough soil moisture favouring trees as well as in physiological processes.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58650
Title: An analytical study on daily solar radiation data.
Author: Indira Karakoti, Prasun Kumar Das, R Bansopadyay,
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.2), pp 215-224
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Clearness index, direct normal irradiance, gobal radiation, gobal titled radiation, solar energy.
Abstract: Solar energy being an unlimited source of energy is rapidly increasing in importance amongst the various energy sources. for the effectiive and efficient utilization of any solar energy system, the site specific data on solar radiation are the prime need. In the present communication, we have conducted an analytical study on available solar radiation data at Solar Energy Centre, Gwal Pahari, India. The study is carried out for daily global radiation on horizontal and tilted suface and for direct normal irradiance (DNI). An attempt is also made to analyse the clearness index as it is important factor for the installation of any solar energy system. Additionally, three statistical parameters- standard deviation, kurtosis and skewness are worked out for these solar radiation parameters. Futhermore, the sunshine hours are computed exploiting the data of DNI. A comparison is also made between the ground measurements and satellite derived data - global and DNI.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58649
Title: Satellite images indicate vegetatiion degradation due to invasive herbivores in the Andaman Islands.
Author: Rauf Ali, Neil Pelkey.
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.2), pp 209-214
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Invasive herbivores, remote sensing, satellite imagery, vegetation degradation.
Abstract: Recent studies have documented changes in vegetation cover due to invasive herbivores in the Andaman Islands. In this study we demonstrate that the change is large enough and rapid enough to be detected by remotely sensed data. Using the freely available Normalised Difference Index (NDVI) imagery, we examined changes in vegetation cover due to the presence of invasive herbivores in the Andaman Islands. Two time-periods were analysed using different types of imageries. Changes between 1985 and 1995 and also between 2001 and 2005 across four sites with different combinations of introduced chital (spotted deer) and elephants were examined. Results indicate that areas with deer have faster rates of degradation than those without them. The maximum rate of degradation occured at sites with both elephants and deer, and the minimum where neither of the two animal species occured. Besides wild pig, all the other herbivores on the islands are invasive, and there is a need to eliminate these invasive herbivores in the islands.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58648
Title: Robust inversion of carbon dioxide fluxes over temperate Eurasia in 2006-2008
Author: P S Swathi, N K Indira, P J Rayner, M Ramonet, D Jagadheesha, B C Bhatt, V K Gaur.
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.2), pp 201-208
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Bayes theorem, carbon flux, inversion, sources and sinks, temperate region, TRANSCOM.
Abstract: Carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes over the temperate Eurasian region have been estimated robustly for the period 2006-2008 using the time-dependent inversion component of the TRANSCOM protocol. Data from six CO2 measuring stations in temperate Eurasia, including the Indian station at Hanle along with 75 others from different parts of the world have been used. A careful analysis of a posteriori errors and model resolution shows that temperate Eurasia is a major residual sink of CO2 with a value of 1.5 Gigatonnes of carbon/year.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58647
Title: Large igneous provinces - global perspectives and prospects in India.
Author: S Sensarma, Debajyoti Paul, N V Chalapathi Rao.
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.2), pp 182-192.
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Crust mantle interaction, India, large igneous-province, plume, precambrian.
Abstract: The origin and emplacement of Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) is a challenging research frontier in earth sciences that has implicatiions for understanding: (a) the dynamic and evolution of earth ' s mantle. (b) atmosphere and climatic shifts, (c) redistribution of land and oceans, (d) biosphere involving transfer and migration of flora and fauna and mass extinctions, (e) metallogeny, and (f) source of hydrocarbons. In this review, we appraise contemporary models fotr the origin of LIPs (plume versus non-plume ) to evaluate their strengths and limitations. We also examine vexed issues (e.g. nature and extent of mantle heterogeneity, role of fluids in LIP genesis, relation among carbonatites, kimberlites and LIPs, linkage of dyke swarms to LIPs and continental reconstruction and metallogeny) which are not readily explained by any of the models. Pursuable research frontiers in Indian igneous provinces (e.g. identification of new LIPs in the Precambrian, Fe-enrichment, fertility and thermal state of mantle below India, detailed study of lava stratigraphy and palaeomagnetism, assesment of duration of LIP activities, irrespective of compositional variability ) are identified for the future study. Despite large-scale magma generation, crust-mantle interaction and geodynamic evolution of South Asia through the Phanerozic, research on modern lines on India LIPs is limited. Research on LIPs deserves a major thrust in India for better understanding of the evolution of large magmatic provinces in the Peninsular and Extra-Peninsular regions.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58646
Title: Performance of the Ocean State Forecast sytem at Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services
Author: T M Balakrishna Nair, P Sirisha, K G Sandhya, K Srinivas, V Sanil Kumar, L Sabique, Arun Niherakkol, B Krishna Prasad, Rakhi Kumari, C Jeyakumar, K Kaviyazhahu, M Ramesh Kumar, R Harikumar, S S C Shenoi, Shailesh Nayak.
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.2), pp 175-181.
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Ocean State Forest system, spectral wave model, tropical cyclone, wave fields.
Abstract: The reliability of the operational Ocean State Forest system at the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) during tropical cyclones that affect the coastline of India is described in this article. The performance of this system during cyclone Thane that severely affected southeastcoast of India during the last week of December 2011 is reported here. Spectral wave model is used for forecasting the wave fields generated by the tropical cyclone validation of the same is done using real-time automated observation systems. The validation results indicate that the forecasted wave parameters agree well with the measurements. The feedback from the user community indicates that the forecast was reliable and highly useful. Alerts based on this operational ocean forecast system are thus useful for protecting the property and lives of the coastal communities along the coastaline of India. INCOIS is extending this service for the benefit of the other countries along the Indian Ocean rim.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58645
Title: Kedarnath disaster: facts and plausible causes.
Author: D P Dobhal, Anil K Gupta, Manish Mehta, D D Khandewal.
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.2), pp 171-174.
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Kedarnath, disater, facts, glacier, river burst.
Abstract: Recent climate changes have had significant impact on high-mountain glacial environment. Rapid melting of snow/ice and heavy rainfall has resulted in in the formation and expansion of moraine dammed lakes, creating a potential danger from dammed lake outburst floods. On 16 and 17 June 2013, heavy rains together with moraine dammed lake (Chorabari Lake) burst caused flooding of Saraswati and Mandakini Rivers in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand (Figure 1a). Prolonged heavy downpour on 16 and 17 June 2013 resembled ' cloud burst ' (except for amount of precipitation of 100 mm/h) type event in the Kedarnath valley and surrounding areas that damaged the banks of the River Mandakini for 18-km between Kedarnath and Sonprayag, and completly washed away Gaurikund (1990 m asl), Rambara (2740 m asl ) and Kedarnath (3546 m asl) towns. The roads and footpath between Gaurikund and Kedarnath were also damaged. There are reports of loss of large number of human lives and damage to the property and livestock.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58644
Title: Resource partitioning between two ' near threatened ' heronry species - a case of nest sharing between Painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) and Black-headed ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus).
Author: Irshad N Theba, Virag R Vyas.
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.2), pp 169-170.
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Resource partioning, near threatened, heronry species, nest sharing, Painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala), Black headed ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus)
Abstract: Slection of a nest site can be viewed as an adaptive trade-off between the cost of searching and defending the site and the reproductive benefits of selecting a site enhancing reproductive success. Differential resource selection is also one of the major factors allowing the coexistence of the species. However, when a species has a specific nesting requirement, suitable nesting locations may be difficult to obtain, which may cause the overlap of nesting sites.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58643
Title: Influence of the Arabian Sea tropical cyclone and the Western disturbance on the appearance of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici virulence Ug99-TTKSK in Iran in 2007
Author: S Nagarajan, H J Kogel
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.2), pp 164-166
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Arabian sea, tropical cyclone, Western disturbance, Puccinia graminis f. sp., tritici virulence Ug99-TTSK, Iran.
Abstract: In Iran wheat was sown over 6.5 million hectares (m ha) in 2012, of which 4.0 m ha has access to irrigation and the rest is rainfed. Irrigated wheat is cultivated under four different environments and the total wheat production of Iran is about 14.6 million tonnes. This includes the long duration/winter-type durum grown in western parts Cus-Cus and bulgur, etc. Wheat in the plains is grown during November as an irrigated crop and is harvested by early May, Faculative, long-day bread wheat is grown in the middle elevations, whereas at higher elevations where snowfall is common, winter wheat is grown from October to July-August. There is also the much longer duration wheat that is grown in the hills of Iran. Iran Cultivates barley (Hordium Vulgare), bread wheat (Triticum aestivum), durum (T. durum) and Khapli (T. dicoccum) are also cultivated in Iran, which are vulnerable to Puccinia graminis tritici (Pgt) that causes stem rest on wheat.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58642
Title: The first national survey of elephants in Sri Lanka.
Author: Charles Santiapillai, S Wijeyamohan
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.2), pp 153-154
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: National survey, elephant, Sri Lanka.
Abstract: It is difficult to imagine Sri Lanka without its elephants, for they are so much a part of our culture, relgion, history, literature, mythology, folklore and even politics. Nevertheless, elephants in Sri Lanka have an image problem: there are too many groups interested in them, and sees them differently - conservationists love them, cultivators loathe them.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58641
Title: Geochemistry of sanukitoid series granitoids from the Neoarchaean Berach granitoid batholiths, Aravalli craton, northwestern Indian shield
Author: M E A Mondal, Ausaf Raza
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.1), pp 102-109
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Geochemical studies, granitoids, lithoapheric mantle, sanukitoid rocks.
Abstract: Geochemical studies of the Neoarchean Berach granitoids, which are intrusive into the Banded Gneissic Complex of the Aravalli craton, have recieved the occurence of granitoids of the sanukitoid series. They are calc-alkaline and enriched in both compatible and incompatible elements at a given SiO2 level. The granitoids are chacracterized by high K2O3, high MgO3 low Na2O/K2O3 high Ba+Sr, negative Nb-anomaly and variable (Gd/Er)N. The geochemical characteristics of the Berach granitoids are strikingly similar to the Archaean sanukiod series of rocks reported from elsewhere in the world. It is proposed that the Berach sanukitoid rocks were formed by partial melting of a metasomized subcontinental lithospheric mantle, enriched in large ion lithophile elements.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58640
Title: Ancient eclipses and long term drifts in the Earth - Moon system.
Author: M N Vahia, Saurabh Singh, Amit Seta, B V Subbarayappa.
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.1), pp 61-71
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Ancient eclipses, Earth-Moon system, eclipse errors, simulation studies.
Abstract: We study anomalies in the Earth-Moon system using ancient eclipses between AD 400 and 1800 recorded in parts of India that should have completely missed the subcontinent according to NASA simulations(Espenak, F. and Meeus,J., NASA/TP 2006-214141,2011). We show that the typical correction in lunar location required to reconcile the anomalous eclipses is relatively small and consistent with the fluctuations in the length of the day that are observed in recent periods. We can study how the change in the moment of inertia of Earth due to differential acceleration of land and water can account for this discrepancy. We show that 80% of these discrepancies occur when when the moon is at a declination of greater than 10 and closer to its major standstill of 28?
while it spends 46% of the time in this region. We simulate the differential interaction of of the Moon ' s gravity with land mass and water using finite element method to account for land mass and watermass. We show that the results of eclipse error are consistent with with the estimate of a small differntial acceleration whent he Moon is over land at high latitudes. However, we encounter some examples where the results from simulation studies cannot explain the phenomenon. Hence we propose that the ?T corrections have to be coupled with some other mechanism, posssibly a small vertical oscillation in the Moon ' s rotational plane with period of order of a few hundred year to achieve the required adjustment in eclipse maps.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58639
Title: Algal biofuel: bountiful lipid from Chlorococcum sp. proliferating in municipal waste water.
Author: Durga Madhab Mahapatra, T V Ramachandra.
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.1), pp 47-55
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Algae, biofuel, fatty acid, lipid, wastewater.
Abstract: Algae biofuel have emerged as viable renewable energy sources and are the potential alternatives to fossil-based fuels in recent times. Algae have the potential to generate significant quantities of commercially viable bioifuel apart from treating wastewater. Three algal species, viz. Chlorococcum sp., Microcystis sp. and Phormidium sp. proliferating in wastewater ponds were isolated and cultured in the laboratory myxotrophically under similar wastewater conditions. Chlorococcum sp. attained a mean biomass productivity of 0.09 gl??d?? with the maximum biomass density of 1.33 gl?? and comparitively higher lipid content of 30.55% (w/w) on the ninth day of the culture experiment. Under similar conditions Microcystis sp. and phormodium sp. attained mean biomass productivities of 0.058 and 0.063 gl?? d??
with a total lipid content of 8.88% and 18.66% respectively. Biochemical composition (carbohydrates, protiens, lipids and phosphates) variations and lipid accumulation studies were performed by comparison of the ratios of carbohydrate to protein; lipid to protein (L/P) and lipid to phosphates using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy which showed higher L/P ratio during the stationary phase of algal growth. Composition analysis of fatty acid methyl ester has been performed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Chlorococcum sp. with higher productivity and faster growth rate has higher lipid content with about 67% of saturated fatty acid dominated by palmtate (36.3%) followed by an unsaturate as linoleate (14%) and has proved to be an economical and viable feedstock for biofuel production compared to the other watewater-grown species.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None