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Chemistry is omnipresent in nuclear energy programmes all over the world. From the isolation and fabrication of fuel to the development of non-fuel materials and important nuclear processes, chemistry has played a crucial role. This article outlines the remarkable contribution that chemistry has made to the development of India's nuclear science programme. After a general introduction that deals with the inception and diversification of chemistry in the Department of Atomic Energy and some initial milestone achievements, a few notable contributions at BARC and IGCAR have been discussed in detail. These include the contribution of chemistry towards the front-end and back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear safety, radiation chemistry and chemical innovations catering to the needs of society. Each subsection also includes possible future developments in the fields necessary for a sustainable nuclear energy programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoglycogen and starch components were assayed in twelve lines of fresh kernels belonging to different types of corns such as normal corn (field corn), sweet corn and quality protein maize (QPM). The technique, using single kernel and a series of digestions and dilutions, measured glucano lactone contents of soluble and insoluble components in the three groups of corn with distinct and diverse uses. Extensive variability was found among sweet corn, field corn and QPM for the water soluble and insoluble carbohydrate components and kernel weight, especially for genotypes belonging to different types of corn. Further, such differences are broadly related and comprehendible to distinct types which give an insight into the unique characteristics and their end use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, for food security, the future agriculture faces the challenge of enhancing crop production under uncertain climatic extremes, in a limited (or degraded at many places) land area, with more and more requirement of water (in many places, poor quality water), complexities and rapid erosion of natural biodiversity and agricultural systems, and the socio-economic systems governing food supply and demand. Plant attributes conferring good yields, under fast-depleting/deteriorating natural resource base, are yet to be identified. Breeding for crop improvement, for higher quality, production, heat and water stress resistance, has met with limited success. It is well known that despite planting the improved genetic varieties, and application of the recommended doses of fertilizers and agronomic practices, the dormant seed gets its vigour only in the presence of water. But, reliable assessment of this important resource base and its protection from depletion and degradation has not received its due consideration in the management of agriculture. In this context, analyses of agricultural information reported in the literature, clearly suggest that proper water management can only help in enhancing future food production. Policy guidelines have also been suggested for ensuring food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper an attempt has been made to identify places of high surface uplift in the Alaknanda valley using the steepness index method. Locations that are undergoing faster surface uplift are marked by convex river profile and high steepness index (ks) values. Conventionally, the Main Central Thrust (MCT) is known to be the zone of high uplift (incision), which accords well with our analyses. The second zone of relatively higher surface uplift is identified south of the MCT around Chamoli, Nandprayag and Karnprayag. These locations are traversed by the Chamoli, Nandprayag and the Alaknanda faults respectively. Our preliminary study suggests that for future earthquake risk evaluation, detailed geomorphological and seismotectonic studies should be undertaken in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article concerning the cryopreservation of subgroup Monthan in Indian banana cooking in the previous issue.

The widespread plague of tuberculosis (TB) has continued despite the availability of licensed TB vaccine (BCG) and directly observed chemotherapy (DOTS) programmes. Also, emergence of multi-drug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis presents serious challenges for the DOTS strategy. Today, TB still remains a deadly disease and leading infectious killer of youth and adults. Clearly, there is a need for an improved TB vaccine. Various efforts have been made in this direction, and a heterologous prime-boost regimen probably represents the best hope for an improved vaccine regimen to prevent TB. The first generation of new vaccines might also complement drug-treatment regimens and be effective against reactivation of TB from the latent state, which would significantly enhance their usefulness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the serial airing on the radio channels regarding the harmful impact of climate change and global warming on the environment.

The article reports on the adoption of the revised Genebank Standards by the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on April 18, 2013. The standards aimed to ensure the proper conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) in genebanks. The most important part of the revised edition is the inclusion of crops with orthodox seeds, non-orthodox seeds, and propagated species.

India does not have a clear stand on the release and consumption of genetically modified crops (food). The only approved crop is Bt-cotton, which has put India on the global map as a cotton exporting country. Even so, Bt-brinjal is under moratorium and GM mustard is prevented from undergoing commercial trial. All these decisions are not based on sound scientific principles. Activism against has successfully prevented exploitation of a powerful technology that can contribute to India's food and nutrition security. This article attempts to give a balanced perspective of genetic modification technology as one of the serious options to be considered on case to case basis. Ambivalence will seriously affect India's food security in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic waste (e-waste) generation is one of the major emerging problems of the modern era and requires consideration at the global, national and local levels. Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, is one of the biggest hubs of e-waste recycling in India, where almost 50% of printed circuit boards (PCBs) waste of the country is being handled with the engagement of more than 50,000 people. Black ash of PCBs is overtly dumped after carrying out recycling processes in the vicinity. The dumping is affecting the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems of the vicinity due to this black powder ash. Analysis of ewaste black ash sample was carried out for metal content using ICP-OES. A significant amount of lead, copper, barium, tin, aluminium, silica, etc. was found in the e-waste black powder, which indicates the potential utilization of e-waste black powder in many applications. Hence there is an immediate need of an environment-friendly technology for e-waste recycling and to safeguard the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) is a key element in farm animal productivity and has a close relationship with calcium and vitamin D. Major part of P in feeds of plant origin is in the form of phytate which is not degraded in gut of monogastric animals and excreted in faeces contributing to environmental pollution. Studies have shown that exogenous supplementation of phytase enzyme to diet will improve phytate utilization. Genetic studies have proven the efficacy of low phytate grain with high available P content. Combination of phytase enzyme supplementation with use of low phytate feed ingredients is a practical and effective method of enhancing P utilization in monogastrics. Improved manure management to effectively recycle nutrients including P, needs further efforts to minimize pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this work is to study the antibacterial properties of copper thin nano films on titanium surface deposited by electroless plating technique for biofouling free condenser tube applications. The electroless deposition of copper nano films on titanium substrates was done and Cu films were also post-annealed for 1 h at 600°C under vacuum condition to increase the particle size of the films. Surface characteristics of the films were studied using GIXRD, SEM and AFM. Antibacterial properties of the surface were evaluated by exposure studies in seawater using total viable count and epifluorescence microscopic techniques. Excellent antibacterial activity was exhibited by the electroless plated copper nano film on the titanium surface showing more than two orders decrease in the bacterial density compared to titanium surface with no copper film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]