REQUEST FORCONTRIBUTINGSCIENCEBASEDARTICLES IN ENGLISH

The Secretary, Odisha Bigyan Academy invites articles in English on

Basic and Applied Sciences from scientists, technologists and professionals

to be published in the English magazine "SCIENCE HORIZON". The

articles shouldbe lucid and easilyunderstood by students of Higher Secondary

schools, undergraduate students and common readers. They should focus on

scientific topics and should be presented in a popular style covering

information on scientific discoveries/inventions, biography of scientists,

eradication of superstitions, development of scientific temper, story,

features, snippets etc. The article should ordinarily be of two to three printed

pages in one side ofA-4 size paper with attractiveheadings. Theauthors whose

articles are published in the magazine will be paid a token remuneration for

each article. The articles should be sent to the Secretary, Odisha Bigyan

Academy by the following address.

Secretary, Odisha Bigyan Academy,Type-4R/25, Unit-IX(F), Bhubaneswar-751022,

ODISHA, INDIA,Tel: 0674 - 2543468

President, Odisha Bigyan AcademyProf. (Dr) Basudev KarVice President, Odisha Bigyan AcademyProf. (Dr) Shashi Narayan MohapatraEditorProf. (Dr) Sodananda TorasiaLanguage ExpertProf. (Dr) D. K. RayManaging EditorDr Rekha DasSecretary, Odisha Bigyan Academy

10TH ISSUE2ND YEAR OCTOBER,2012

Science Horizon

Editorial Board

Dr Ramesh Chandra Parida

Dr Nityananda Swain

Dr Pramod Kumar Mahapatra

Dr Prahallad Chandra Nayak

Dr Bhabendra Kumar Patnaik

Prof. (Er) P.C. Patnaik

CONTENTS

Subject Author Page

1. Editorial: World Space Week Sodananda Torasia 2

2. Mangroves : Biodiversity in Odisha Perspective Bal Krishnan 3

3. Menace of Malaria : Resistance to Antimalarial Drugs Dwijesh Kumar Panda 6

4. Indian Mathematics and Mayadhar Swain 11

5. A Great Indian Mathematician Sulochana Mangaraj 16

6. Evolutionary Biologist - J B S Haldane Bibhuprasad Mohapatra 17

7. Make your own Barometer Model Nikunja Bihari Sahu 19

8. Junk Food and its Effect on Health Chitroptala Devadarshini 21

9. Science Behind Lightning and Thunder Kamalakanta Jena 24

10. Irrigation of Tail-end areas of canals indeltaic regions of Odisha Akshaya Bandhu Pattanaik 28

11. Bio-Sensors Bishnu Prasad Behera 35

12. Ashoka Tree (Saraca asoca) Samarendra Narayan Mallick 38

13. Quiz on Insects Prafulla Kumar Mohanty 42

14. 5W'S+H : Muscles (1) Nityananda Swain 44

15. Nobel Prize Winners for the Year 2012 Editorial Board 47

The Cover Page depicts : Sputnik-1, Theme for World Space Week 2012, Logo for WSW,Kalpana Chowla and Meteorological Satellite Kalpana-1

EDITORIALWORLD SPACEWEEK

Since time immemorial humans have watchedthe skies with awe and wondered about it. The firstattempt of man to conquer space began with the launchof the first human made Earth satellite, Sputnik-1 onOctober 4, 1957, followed by the Luna-2 mission of13.9.1959, when man-made objects reached thesurface of the moon. On April 12, 1961, erstwhileUSSR launched Vostok-1 spacecraft, with cosmonautYuri Gagarin on board, which made one orbit aroundthe Earth, making it the first human space flight. Later,on 20.7.1969 U.S. Apollo 11 mission landed, NeilArmstrong and EdwinAldrin. Subsequently there weresix manned and numerous unmanned landings.

On December 6, 1999, The United NationsGeneral Assembly declared World Space Week(WSW) as an annual event to be commemorated fromOctober 4 to 10. The choice of dates was based ontwo Important dates in History of Space Explorationviz; 4th October 1957, mentioned above and 10thOctober 1967, the day of signing of a landmarkinternational treaty, governing space exploration andthe peaceful use of resources in space.

WSW aims to educate people around the worldabout the benefit that they receive from space,encourage greater use of space for sustainableeconomic development, demonstrate public support forspace programmes, excite young people about scienceand foster international cooperation in space outreachand education. This is the result of coordinated effortsby the global space community. WSW is officiallydefined as "an international celebration of science andtechnology, and their contribution to the betterment ofthe human condition". It is the largest annual spaceevent in the world. WSW is observed as an annualholiday, in most of the countries of the world includingEurope, Russia and Asia.

Since its declaration in 1999, WSW is observedeach year with a theme. Some of the themes of therecent years are as follows:

In 2007, the theme was "50 Years in Space",celebrating the 50th anniversary of the space age. In2008, thetheme was "ExploringtheUniverse"; in 2009,the focus was on "Space for Education" and in 2010, ithighlighted "Mysteries of the Cosmos". The theme for

2011 WSW was 50 years of Human Spaceflight.During the fifty years following 1961, more than 280human space flight missions have been conducted byUSSR/Russia, USA and China, adding significance tothe celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the historicalhuman space flight around the world.

The 13th annual WSW was observed fromOct.4 to Oct.10, 2012 with the theme "Space forHuman Safety and Security". More than 350 eventswere organised, spread over 65 countries, in whichprogrammes highlighting the ways in which humanspace activities made daily life better for us hereon earth.

In India, Gujarat Science City, Ahmedabd, incollaboration with Space Application Centre of ISROand many other scientific institutions, organised aSpecial OutreachProgram on 'Meteorological SatelliteKalpana-1: A Decade of Service to the Nation'.Kalpana-1 is India's first exclusive meteorologicalsatellite built by ISRO. Kalpana-1 was named afterthe Indian born American astronaut Dr. KalpanaChawla, who died in the US Space Shuttle Colombia,disaster. To quote, S.Ingersoll, scientist of ISRO'sLiquid Propulsion Systems Centre, India is the onlynation in the world which is using satellite launchingand space science for the socio-economic developmentof its citizens in a big way. He added, "If the countriesinvolved in outer space missions could exchange allinformation they could gather, it would certainly bringabout revolutionary progress in all spheres."

The other activit ies included anAstrophotography Exhibit ion in New Delhi,InternationalAstronautical Congress meeting in Naplesetc. Some of the achievements highlighted include,astronomers spotting thehuge "Diamond Planet", madelargely ofdiamonds. Inadditionto this blastingof SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket into space heralded a New Era ofCommercial Resupply Flights to ISS which carriedscienceequipments and ice creamfor Sunita Williams.This alien planet, a so-called"Super Earth", also called55 Cancri e, was discovered around a nearby star inthe Milky Way Galaxy.

It is hoped, celebrating the WSW over the yearswillgoa longwayinachievingtheaims forwhichitstands.

Sodananda Torasia

3ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

MANGROVES : BIODIVERSITY IN ODISHA PERSPECTIVEBal Krishan

Introduction

Mangroves are a group of treesand shrubs

that exist and grow in the inter-tidal region of

sea shores. They occupy the fringe of intertidal

shallow space between the land and sea.

Mangroves have unique property to tolerate

saline water.

Mangroves have highly specialized

adaptations that have helped them to colonize

and thrive in intertidal areas. Importantly,

mangroves have developed special means of

dealing with concentrates of salt that would

kill or inhibit the growth of most other

vegetations. Thespecial adaptationwaysinclude:

Waxy coating and salt secreting pores

on the leaves that control salt water

penetration and get rid of excess salt.

Concentration of salt in the sap.

Removal of salt by concentrating it in

branches, and leaves prior to dropping

the same.

Distinguished adaptation is their spiky

ve rtical root system called

pneumatophores or respiratory roots or

peg roots. These can be seen at low tide

protruding from the mud or sand. These

roots draw air into the underlying root

system, allowing the plant to breathe,

and grow in soils ( Fig. 1).

Viviparous nature is another important

adaptation. In these mangroves after

flowering, their seeds germinate before

becoming detached from the parent tree.

This allows the seedlings to get a head

start before the seeds fall into water

and disperse to new areas with the tides

and waves. If the seeds get a suitable

place, the seedlings can quickly become

established.

Mangroves: Species,Habitat&Distribution

Mangroves grow in the tropics as well as

the temperate zones. There are at least ninety

recognized species of mangroves in the world

belonging to nearly twenty families.

Mangroves favor sheltered shores on

tidal flats in estuaries and bays. They grow

best in areas where silt is brought down by

rivers or is banked up by waves, tides andcurrents. They are often found growing among

Fig. 1 Mangroves with respiratory root system

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OCTOBER, 2012

salt marshes and other coastal wet landcommunities.

In India, mangroves are found in sitesalong coasts such as the Chilka lake andBhitarkanika in Odisha, Sundarbans in WestBengal, the deltas of Godavari and Krishnaalong the east-coast, Vembanad in Kerala,

Kundapur andHonnavar in Karnataka, Malvan,the Gulf of Kachchh and gulf of khambat inGujarat along west coast and north region ofAndaman and Nicobar. Mangroves are alsofoundinMumbai, Jaitpurarea inKonkan regionof Maharastra.

Theexisting mangroves or the tidal forestin Odisha is concentrated in an approximatearea of 219 Sq.km., spreading in the districtsof Balasore (3 Sq.km.), Bhadrak (19 Sq.km.),Jagatsinghpur (5 Sq.km.) and Kendrapara (192Sq.km.). Thesemangroves vegetationare foundin a small deltaic area of the Mahanadi,Brahamani and Baitarani rivers. Odisha has

significant diversity of mangroves species.The common species of mangroves found areAvicennia alba, Bruguiera parviflora,Ae gi al it es rotun di fo li a, Xyl oc ar pu sgranatum, and Tylophora tenuissima .However, mangroveswhichwere once plentifultowards the margin of the Chilka andits islandsare no more found there. Mangrove ofassociated species like Cressa cretica,Acanthus ilicifolius, Excoecaria agallocha

and Deris indica are sparsely distributed asrepresentatives of the extinct mangrove forest

in the Chilka.

Importance of Mangroves :

Mangroves have great importance

directly or indirectly. Following are a few of

them.

Serves as 'BufferZone' between the land

and sea; protects the land from erosion.

Save the marine diversity, which is fast

diminishing. Mangroves provide shelter

for the juveniles and adults of many fish

species. Mangroves also provide habitat

for other forms of wildlife (Snakes,

Crocodiles etc.) including birds such as

threatened mangrove Honey Eater.

Mangroves provide food, as mangrove

trees produce large amount of organic

matter, which is directly or indirectly

taken as food by small animals,

detritiores (Crabs etc.), fishes and other

animals. Fishes like prawns, sardines,

sea fish and Bombay duck grow well in

mangrove forests.

Mangroves play an invaluable role as

nature's shie ld against cyclones,

ecological disasters and as protector of

shorelines. They help to control strong

winds, tidal waves and even tsunamis.

They provide a buffer between the

terrestrial and nearby marine environment

by trapping and stabilizing sediment,

nutrients and contamination from run

off andhelp maintenanceof waterquality.

5ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

Mangroves have great ability to absorb

excesswater andhence play an important

role during flood, purify the water by

absorbing impurities and harmful heavy

metals and enable us to breathe a clean

air by absorbing pollutants in the air.

Mangroves provide timber andfuel wood

of high calorific value; which is always

in great market demand.

Tannins, insecticides and pesticides are

also obtained from various species of

mangroves.

Some species of mangroves have

medicina l proper ti es . Leaves of

Acanthus ilicifolius and Calophyllum

inophyllum are used to cure rheumatism.

Leaf juice and roots of Ceriops tagal

areused to cure malaria and skin diseases.

Roots and fruits of Barringtonia

racemosa are utilized to cure cough and

asthma.

It is a potential source for recreation and

tour ism; main source of income

generation for shoreline communities

like fisher folk.

Extinction of Mangroves :

The area under mangrove forests has

considerably decreased in our country, and

many species are extinct in Odisha due to

several factors. Threats to mangroves mainly

include:

Dumping of waste.

Oil spills and toxic chemicals.

Tidal barriers, drainage and flood

mitigation works.

Trampling by humans.

Uncontrolled stock access.

Climate change and sea level rise.

Protect ion & Conser vation ofMangroves :

It is important to protect the existing

mangroves diversity. Following ways may help

to protect mangroves.

Restoration and reintroduction of

mangroves.

Maintaining the flow of tidal currents to

ensure healthy growth of mangroves.

Preventing eutrophication and soil

eros ion in mangrove forests and

minimize sedimentation.

Avoid walking, riding or driving through

mangrove areas at low tide.

Control of water and land pollution; ban

of waste, oils and chemicals disposal in

the mangroves forest areas.

Government of India has declared

mangroves as ecologically sensitive regions

under the Environment ProtectionActof 1986.

The Coastal Zone Regulation body prohibits

ScienceHorizon6

OCTOBER, 2012

developmental activities and waste disposal in

mangrove habitats. The Supreme Court of

India's decision to bring mangroves under the

definition of forest has helped in notifying

some mangrove forests such as Bhitarkanika

in Odisha and Sunderbans in West Bengal, as

sanctuaries. In view of the significant role of

mangroves in coastal protection during 1999

super cyclone in Odisha, this ecosystem was

declared as ecological hot spot.

Mangroves are an important part of

ecosystem, and are also ideal sites for bio

diversity assessment and ecosystemfood webs

functioning due to their unique features. The

existing diversity position of mangroves

necessitates creation of awareness and

popularization of unique mangroves and their

habitats, such as the Chilka Lake and among

the general mass, so as to conserve and get the

benefits of these unique systems in various

ways.

Further Readings:

Naskar,K. and Manda,R. (1999).Ecology and

Biodiversity of Indian Mangroves. Daya

publishers, New delhi, 754 p.

Singh,V.P. and Odaki,K. (2004). Mangrove

Ecosystem: Structure and Function. Scientific

Publishers, New Delhi, 297 p.

Scientist,Regional Research Station Rubber Research Institute of India,

Dhenkanal - 759 001, OdishaMobile : 98612 89239, E mail: b.k9@rediff.com

MENACE OF MALARIA :RESITANCETO

ANTIMALARIAL DRUGSDwijesh KumarPanda

Introduction

The global

battle of malaria

is dras ti ca lly

becoming more

and more furious

with continuous rise in microbial resistance

to the powerful antimalarial drugs. Malaria

parasite shares a complex life cycle between

a vertebrate host and an insect vector. The

parasite plasmodium enters the blood stream

through the bite of an infected female

Anopheles mosquito. This parasite can not be

passed by any other species of mosquito and

amongst Anopheles mosquito only a few of

their species are able to carry the malaria

parasite, may be because related species have

a higher trypsin like activity in their midguts.

Life Cycle of the Parasite

Through its life cycle, the parasite

undergoes four to five different forms and

each formlives in specific sites such as salivary

glands and midgut of mosquito and liver and

red blood corpuscles of human host.The

di ff er en t fo rms of the paras it e are

gametocytes, sporozoi tes, merozoites ,

schizonts and trophozoites.

7ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

Gametocyte is a sexual stage of

reproduction of plasmodium that circulates in

blood stream. When the mosquito sucks blood

containing gametocytes, it enters the salivary

gland of mosquito where they develop into

sporozoites.

As sporozoites, they are injected from

mosquito's salivary glands into the blood

stream where they initially remain in the host's

liver cells. Thereafter, merozoites are formed

as a result of multiple asexual fission.

All merozoites are released into the

blood stream and are taken up by the red blood

corpuscles of human host. Some of these turn

into ring, form trophozoites that spill again to

form schizonts.

On maturation, schizonts rupture red

blood corpuscles and release the merozoites.

This release coincides with violent rises in the

body temperature during the typically observed

malarial attacks. Some left over trophozoites

can develop into the sexual form, the

gametocyte, which can be taken by a blood

sucking mosquito and start another cycle.

The incubation period is usually around

10 to 15 days.Infection of Plasmodium ovale

and Plasmodium vivax produces a dormant

form, i.e. hypnozoites, in liver cells that may

relapse the malaria, months and even years

after the initial onset of the original disese.

Hence it is essential that these infections are

eventually treated with primaquine to kill the

liver stages of Plasmodium species.

The natural remedy for this deadly

disease was discovered in1638, when the wifeof a Spanish Viceroy fell desperately ill with

malaria. She was then cured using the herbal

remedy of 'quinquina' bark which was namedcinchona in her honour. The quinine bark was

the most widely used treatment for malaria,

proving to be the first chemical compoundsuccessfully used to treat an infectious

disease. Even today quinine is obtained only

from the natural sources due to difficulty insynthesizing the complex molecule. Only four

of the 36 alkaloids found in Cinchona bark

possess antimalarial activity.

Quinine's mode of action.

Quinine has a schizonticidal effect

against Plasmodium vivax, malariae, and

falciparum and has gametocidal activity for

P. vivax and P. malaria. There are two main

derivatives of quinines chloroquine and

mefloquine. It is a weak base that concentrates

in the food vacuoles of plasmodium

falciparum. When the hemoglobin from red

blood corpuscles enters into the food vacuole,

the schizonts convert them to hemozoin (a

malarial pigment) through a polymerization

pa thway involving a se lf tox in -

ferriprotoporphyin (FP). This self toxin form

is usually the target for drug action.

Chloroquine blocks the polymerization

ScienceHorizon8

OCTOBER, 2012

process by binding to the FP and chloroquine-

FP complex act as catalyticpoison to the

polymerization process which is called the

hemoschizontocidal effect. On the other hand,

mefloquine interferes with the transport of

hemoglobin and other substances from

erythrocytes to food vacuoles of malaria

parasite. Lack of hemoglobin interrupts the

generation of FP to wcichchloroquine binds.

This mechanism explains the antagonistic

effect of chloroquine and mefloquine on

parasite growth.

Antifolate drugs.

Folic acid synthesis is another target

for antimalarials. Due to high rate ofreplication, malarial parasites increasingly

require nucleotides for DNA synthesis.Plasmodium are capable of synthesizing folicacid but human host can not synthesize folate.

The incapability of parasite to useexogenousfolate makes folate biosynthesispathway a good drug target. Dihydropteroatesynthase (DHPS), one of the enzyme involved

in folate synthesis is inhibited by sulphas-based drugs-sulphadoxin and dapsone.Also aubiquitous enzyme dihydrofolatereductase

(DHPR) participates in biosynthetic reactionsand its inhibition prevents formation of anintermediate thymidylate and leads to an

arrest in DNA synthesis followed by parasitedeath. The most common DHFR inhibitorsused as antimalarials are pyrimethamine andproguanil.

Drugs affecting redox mechanism

Some an ti -p ro to zo al dru gs like

primaquine and artemisinin derivatives act on

the oxidative stress. The reactive oxygen

intermediates (ROI) such as superoxide anion

radical and hydrogen peroxide are produced

with metabolic processes which can damage

cellular components such as lipids, proteins

and nucleic acids. With high metabolic activity

most protozoan pathogen produce more ROI.

Malarial parasite also produces ROI as a

consequence of hemoglobin digestion. In all

the cells there is a mechanism by which these

ROIs can be detoxified. This defence

mechanism includes two enzymes like

superoxide dismutase and catalase that

functions to prevent oxidative stress by

detoxifying superoxideand hydrogen peroxide

respectively. The drugs affect the ROI defense

mechanism and increases the level of

oxidative stress in the parasite the leads to

parasite death.

What keeps malaria alive inspite of

having active antimalarials ?

Fear of Resistance

The antimalarials regimen fights against

protozoan parasite, plasmodium, the most

prevalent species across the globe. But the

intricate resistance is clearly the major

decisive factor for clinical failure of

antimalarial drugs.

9ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

The factors affecting resistance may be

genetic. They are spontaneous, rare and

independent of drug used. The very reason that

can change the intraparasitic components is

the mutation in the genes encodinga particular

component. Either mutation or changes in

copy number of genes can affect the

susceptibility of parasite to the drug by

influencing intraparasitic concentration of

drug. Resistance can be acquired by a single

genetic events or multiple unlinked events

may be necessary (epistasis).

The first type of resistance to be known

was to chloroquine. The biological mechanism

supporting the resistance was found to be

related to the development of an efflux

mechanism that expels chloroquine from the

parasite such it could not reach the level

required to effectively inhibit the process of

haem polymerization. Similar mechanisms

were suspected to be the reason for resistance

to other quinolone antimalarials as quinine or

mefloquine. With respect to the antifolates,,

two gene mutations have also led to synergistic

blockages of two enzymes involved in folate

synthesis. Moreover, Plasmodium has

developed resistance to the most commonly

used antifolates combination drugs- Sulfadoxin

and pyrimethamine.

There are a number of other reasonable

influential causes for the spread of resistance.

1. The resistance of antimalarials can be

increased by phenotypic plasticity. This

process has been exhibited by some

species of Plasmodium.

2. The prescribed treatment can also

substantially influence the development

of re si st ance depending on the

combination of drugs. Its intake and

in te ract ion as wel l as drug's

pharmokinetic and dynamic properties.

3. Same microbes possess resistance genes

and survive in the presence of

antimalarials. These survivors replicate

and their progeny dominates over the

microbial population, thereby amplifying

the resistance.

4. Some biological influences can

directly affect the parasite's ability to

survive in the presence of anti-malarial.

In short, any factor that reduces the

elimination of the parasite can

facilitate the deve lopme nt of

resistance. It can be compromised with

the immune system, pregnant women

and young children.

5. More than 50% of medicines are

dispensed and sold inappropriately.

Overuse, underuse and self-medication

are the factors for the evolution of

bacterial resistance.

ScienceHorizon10

OCTOBER, 2012

We can not ignore any further thethreat of malaria

This is a serious concern, since the rate

at which new drugs are produced can not be

matched by any means with the rate of

development of resistance. In addition,the

improper use of drug, potentially increases

the risk of resistance to a greater extent. The

two most important approaches to minimize

antimalarial resistance are:

1. Prevent the spread of resistant

parasites.

It can be controlled by use of bed nets,

mosquito repellants and environmental control

like swamp drainage.

2. Prevention of malarial infection.

This will directly reduce the number of

cases and thereby the requirement of

antimalarial therapy.

The antimalarial drug presently available

is narrowing with the widespread resistance

to al l known classes of antimalar ia l

compounds, even the most recently introduced

class of drugs, artemisinins. They originate

from Chinese herb ginghago and the most

common derivatives of parent compound are

dihydroartemisinin, artesunate, artemether and

arteether. WHO has recommended the use of

artemisinin based combination therapies for

treating falciparum malaria in all countries.

The artemisinin has declined and there is

cur rent ly no subs ti tu te for precious

artemisinins.

The treatment of Malaria has almost

reached deadlock. In case the resistance to

artemisinins develops and spreadsmore widely,

we will be ultimately caught unarmed, without

any effective armaments to fight with this

deadlydisease. Lookingat thecurrent scenario,

the time has come to accelerate the antimalarial

drug discovery by explo ring various

approaches like repurposing the drugs that are

used for other infections or diseases, study

natural products with medicinal significance

for the treatment of malaria and target based

drug recovery. Hopefully, future discoveries

with proper execution may contribute to

control and eventually eradication of this

looming threat of malaria.

Malaria is preventable, treatable and

curable, yet it is the largest killer of children

in the world.

References ;

1. W.H.O. Bulletin- 2012.

2. Malaria Journal, March, 2012.

M.D., Ph.D (Medicine)Falariogist, Pathologist & Microbiologist.

M5/12, AcaryaVihar, BhubaneswarTele: 0674-2542934, email:doctordwijesh@yahoo.com

11ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

INDIAN MATHEMATICS AND Mayadhar Swain

The year 2012 has been declared as the'National Year of Mathematics' by Govt. ofIndia, in recognition of the contribution of thegreat mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan(1887-1920) to mathematics. In his short lifespan, Ramanujan independently compliednearly 3900 results, mostly in number theory.In this year of mathematics, we can recollectthe achievements of Indian mathematicians asa whole. It may be noted that ancient Indianmathematicians had discoveredmany theoremsand formulae in mathematics. These wererediscovered much later in Europe buthistorians of mathematics have given credit tothe European mathematicians. However,gradually the achievements of Indianmathematicians are being revealed. Here wepresent the ach ievement s of Indianmathematics for .

What is ?

is a mysterious number which hasattracted the imagination of mathematicians

through the ages.

is defined as the ratio of perimeter

and diameter of a circle. This is being used by

middle level school students in their geometry

lessons.

The unique property of is that it is an

irrational number. If a number can not be

expressed as the ratio of two integers, it is

called an irrational number. 2 , 3 and e are

some of the examples of irrational numbers.

Mathematicians have tried for long to find

the exact value of and lastly it was

concluded that its exact value cannot be found

out and it is an irrational number. The Swiss

mathematician Jahann Heinrich Lambert

(1728-1777) proved its irrationality in 1761.

We use the value of as 22/7 or 3.14. But it

is an approximate one.

Another unique property of is that it

is a transcendental number. A transcendental

number is a number that is not the root of any

integer polynomial, meaning that it is not an

algebraic number of any degree. The German

mathematician Carl Luis Ferdinand Lindman

(1852-1939) discovered in 1882 that is a

transcendental number.

There is a compet it ion among

mathematicians to find the more accurate value

of . Now its value has been found out correct

to more than five trillion decimal points.

ScienceHorizon12

OCTOBER, 2012

The decimal representation of truncated to 50 decimal places is : =

3.141592653589793238462643383279502

88419716939937510…….

Although has been defined in relation

to circle, astonishingly it has found places in

many areas of mathematics, science andengineering. It has come up in many

mathematical and scientific formulae.

Early History

The Egyptians mentioned about in

their writings as early as 1650 BC. The

Babylonians around the same time used 25/8

or 3.125 as its value. Of course, at that time it

was not mentioned as . The symbol ,

which is the 16th letter of Greek alphabet was

first given by theWelsh mathematician William

Jones (1675-1749) in 1706 and was

popularized by Leonard Euler (1707-1783) in

his writings.

The Greek

m a t h e m a t i c i a n

Archemedes (287BC-212BC) gave the first

theoretical calculation of. He determined itsvalue between 223/71

and 22/7. He used a

circle and a regular polygon of 96 sides tofind this value. In the fifth century, the Chinese

mathematician TsuChung determined the value

of as 355/113, which is correct up to 7 digits.

During the 17th century, after the

invent ion of calcu lus, the Europeanmathematicians used the infinite series

expansion to find the value of . Before theadvent of computers, its value had been found

correct to 620 decimal places.

Indian Mathematics and

Indiahas a great tradition in mathematics.

It is found in the Vedas. Later mathematicianswere also astronomers. So to help them in

their study of astronomy, ancient Indianmathematicians have developed mathematics. is found in many works of the Indian

mathematicians. Shatapath Brahmana (writtenbetween 8th to 6th centuries BCE) gives the

value of as 339/108 = 3.139….

Sulva Sutra

The Baudhayana Sulva Sutra gives themethodof transformationofa square intoa circle

and viceversa, fromwhich thevalue of can becalculated. Some examples are given below:

(a) To transform a circle into a square, thediameter is divided into eight parts; one

[such] part after being divided intotwenty-nine parts is reduced by twenty-

eight of them and further by the sixth [ofthe part left] less the eighth [of the sixth

part].

(b) Alternatively, divide [the diameter] intofifteen parts and reduce it by two ofthem; this gives the approximate side of

the square [desired].

Archemedes

13ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

The construction method in (a) gives the

value of as 3.088 while the construction

method in (b) gives as 3.004.

Aryabhatta (476-550)

Aryabhatta in his book

Aryabhatiyam has written

that "Add four to 100,

multiply by eight, and then

add 62000. By this rule the

circumference of a circle with

a diameter of 20000 can be

approached." Fromthis we find the value of as 62832/20000 = 3.1416 and it is correct

up to four decimal points. Also Aryabhatta

has written that this is the approximate value

of and its exact value cannot be

determined. It means, he had known that it is

an irrational number.

Brahmagupta (598-670)

Brahmagupta has writtenin his bookBrahmasphutasidhanta that,

"The diameter and the squareof the radius multiplied by 3

are the practical circumferenceand the area of circle. Theaccurate values are the square roots from the

squares of those two multiplied by ten".

So Brahmagupta used 3 as a practicalvalue of and 10 as an accurate value of .

The Jain mathematician Nemichand (975) has

also taken this value of .

Bhaskaracharya (1114-1185)

Bhaskaracharya has given

value of as 3927/1250. It

seems that it is not his original

discovery. It is same as that given

by Aryabhatta except that both

the numerator and denominator

have been divided by 16. This value is also

found in the book of Lala (720-790).

Madhava (1350-1425)

Indian mathematical genius Madhava has

discovered the trigonometric series of sin (x),

cos (x), and tan-1(x). His series on tan-1(x) is,

tan-1x = x - x3/3 + x5/5 - ...

In the history of mathematics, it is known

as Gregory- Leibniz series. Because, not

knowing the discovery of Madhava, James

Gregory (1638-1675) and Gottfried Leibniz

(1640-1716) have rediscovered it in Europe

during the 17th century. This is now known as

Madhava Leibnizseries. InMadhava's formula,

putting x = 1, one can get the series for as,

tan-1(1) = /4 = 1 - 1/3 + 1/5 - 1/7 + ...

From this series, Madhava calculated

the approximate value of as

3.141592653592……, which is correct up to

11 decimal places. Historically this was a

great achievement, since the European

mathematicians at that time were far behind

this value.

Aryabhatta

Brahmagupta

Bhaskaracharya

ScienceHorizon14

OCTOBER, 2012

Madhava has given thefollowing formula

for the computation of the circumference c of

a circle having diameter as d.

2 2 22

2 3

12d 12d 12dc 12d ...3.3 3 .5 3 .7

Since c = d, this can be reformulated as a

formula to compute as follows:

2 3

1 1 112 1 ...

1.3 3 .5 3 .7

This is obtained by substituting x =/6

in the power series expansion for tan-1(x). In

Europe,Abraham Sharp discovered this series

in 1717. He calculated the value of correct

to 72 places using this series.

It is to be noted that Madhava was the

founder of the Kerala School of

Astronomy and Mathematics. No surviving

works of Madhava contain explicit

statements for tan -1(x), or . But in the

writings of later mathematicians of Kerala

like Nilakantha Somayaji (1444 -1544)

and Jyesthadeva (1500 - 1575), references

of Madhava are found.

Sankar Variyar (1500-1560)

The Kerala mathematicianSanker Variyar

in his book Kriyakramakari has written,

"Multiply 104348 with the diameter of the

circle and divide the product by 33215, you

will get the value of circumference." From

this we can get,

= 104348/33215 = 3.14159265391

Puthumana Somyaji (b1733)

Puthumana Somayaji, an astronomer-

mathematician of the Kerala School of

Astronomy and Mathematics has written the

book Karanapaddhati where value of is

given as:

1) 3 3 33 4 {1/(3 3) 1/(5 5) 1/(7 7) ...}

2) 3 6 {1/1.3.3.5 1/ 3.5.7.9

1/ 5.7.11.13 1/ 7.9.15.17 ...}

He has al so wri tt en , "Mul ti ply

10000000000 with the circumference of the

circle and divide the product by 31415926536,

you will get the diameter of the circle. Half of

this is radius". From this, the value of is

found to be 3.1415926536.

Sankar Varman (1774-1839)

Sankar Varman of Kerala School of

Astronomy and Mathematics has derived

value of correct to 17 decimal places in

his book Sadratnamala. He has written, "if

the diameter of a big circle becomes

100000000000000000, then its

circumference will be

314159265358979324". From this, the

value of will be 3.14159265358979324.

Srinivas Ramanujan

SrinivasRamanujan discoveredsomenew

series for in 1910, but their importance

was felt longafter his death when his formulae

15ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

were used conveniently

in computer to find more

accurate values of .

One most quoted and

wonderful formula for

as discovered by

Ramanujan is given

below.

4 4kk 0

1 2 2 (4k)!(1103 26390k)9801 (k!) 396

Ramanujan had discovered the following

two interesting series on :

2

2 2 2 2 2 2 2

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ...202 3 5 7 8 11 12

Here the denominators are the integers

with an odd number of prime divisors.

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 9...

2 3 5 7 8 11 13 17 2

Here the denominators are the integers

containing an odd number of dissimilar prime

divisors.

Conclusion

Mathematics flourished in India startingfrom the Vedic period up to fifteenth century.

Of course, after that there were no important

discoveries in mathematics in India tillnineteenth century. It may be due to the turmoil

at political and social level during that time.

Then a genius named SrinivasRamanujan wasborn in India. Among his other discoveries in

mathematics, his series on has a special

Srinivas Ramanujan

place in the history of mathematics. These are

now being used by modern mathematicians to

find the accurate values of up to millions of

places using computers.

Reference

1. Joseph, G. G. (2000). The Crest of thePeacock, non-EuropeanrootsofMathematics.Princeton and Oxford: Princeton UniversityPress.

2. Srinivasiengar, C. N. (1967). The History ofAncient IndianMathematics. The World PressPrivate Ltd, Calcutta.

3. Datta, B. andSingh, A. N. (1962). HistoryofHindu Mathematics, a source book, Parts 1and 2, (single volume). Bombay: AsiaPublishingHouse.

4. Kim Plofker (2009). Mathematics in India.Princeton:Princeton University Press.

5. T.A. Sarasvati Amma (2007). Geometry inAncient and Medieval India. MotilalBanarsidass Publishers Limited.

6. Bag , Amulya Kumar (1966)."Trigonometrical seriesin theKaranapaddhatiand the probable date of the text". IndianJournalofHistoryof Science(IndianNationalScience Academy) 1 (2).

7. Rao, S. Balachandra (1994): IndianMathematics and Astronomy : SomeLandmarks, Jnana Deep Publications,Bangalore.

8. Beckman, Peter, History of Pi, St. Martin'sPress, 1989.

Deputy General Manager,MECON Limited, Ranchi

E-mail: mayadhar2002@yahoo.co.in

ScienceHorizon16

OCTOBER, 2012

A GREAT INDIAN MATHEMATICIANSulochana Mangaraj

Ifyou cananswer thefollowing questions

correctly, you will find the name of the greatIndian mathematician appearing vertically in

the central thick lined boxes.

1. A pit or depression found in a bone.

2. A closed plane figure having three sidesand three angles.

3. A nonmetallic liquid, somewhat like

chlorine and iodine and gives off anirritating vapor.

4. The diseasecaused by Bacillus Anthracis.

5. A compound in which a metal issubstituted for one of the hydrogen

atoms of ammonia.

6. The thick, outer, spongy tissue coveringthe aerial roots of epiphytic orchids.

7. The protein coat of a virus.

8. An equilateral parallelogram usually

having two acute angles and two obtuseangles.

9. A reptile that has a third eye on top of its

head.

10. The first man-made fibre from cellulose.

11. An order of Amphibia living near waterand feeding upon earthworms.

12. Any device or apparatus in which data

may be stored and from which it may beretrieved.

13. A plane curve formed by the intersectionof a right circular cone with a planeparallel to a generating straight line ofthat surface.

14. A fatty substance present in the corkcells of many plants.

15. The number obtained by adding two ormore numbers.

16. A fluid naturally contained in plant oranimal tissue.

17. A line segment going straight from thecentre to the circumference of a circle.

18. Any member of a kingdom of amulticellular organisms that producetheir own food by photosynthesis.

A great Indian mathematician - SRINIVASA RAMANUJAN

Science Teacher, Kostha New Govt. High School,

Bidyadhara, Mangaraj, Walliganj,W. No.-2, Bhanjpur, Mayurbhanj. 757002

12

34

56

78

9

1011

1213

1415

1617

18

ANSWER

1. FOSSA, 2. TRIANGLE, 3. BROMINE, 4. ANTHRAX,

5. AMIDE, 6. VELAMEN, 7. CAPSID, 8. RHOMBUS,

9. TUATARA, 10. RAYON, 11. APODA, 12. MEMORY,

13. PARABOLA, 14. SUBERIN, 15. SUM, 16. JUICE,

17. RADIUS, 18. PLANT.

17ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGIST- J B S HALDANEBibhuprasad Mohapatra

A two-year-old boy named Jack was

making curious faces at the mirror before

him. His mother Louisa Kathleen saw the

child's activity & asked him what he was up

to. The boy replied "Trying to copy dogs,

Mummy". The idea of experimenting upon

himself was to remain with John Burdon

Sanderson Haldane FRS known as Jack, a

Briti sh-born geneti cist and biologist ,

generally credited with a central role in the

development of neo-Darwinian thinking.

J B S was born on

November 5, 1892 at

Oxford. He grew up in the

house of his father John

Scot t Ha ldane' s

laboratory. In hi s

childhood John Scott

Haldane CH FRS (May 3,

1860 - March 14/March 15, 1936) began to

toy with scientific apparatus and began to help

his father in his experiments (at the age of

eight). His father an FRS, was a Scottish

physiologist famous for intrepid self-

experimenting, which led to many important

discoveries about the human body and the

nature of gases. His son Jack accompanied

with him on various hazardous scientific trips

into deep mines. J B S learnt several languages.

At the age of 16 i.e. in 1908, he got Russell

prize, which was named after Bertrand Russell

for his brilliance in mathematics.

He had hisbasic education in humanities.

Under the guidanceof his father he didresearch

at Oxford in Physiology, the science of living

systems. Human physiology includes study of

organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and

bio-molecules which carry out the chemical,

mechanical, physical, bioelectrical, and

biochemical functions of humans in good

health. He joined in Cambridge University in

1922 and did research in biochemistry, also

called biological chemistry, a study of

chemical processes in living organisms,

including, but not limited to living matter.

He started research under Sir Frederick

Gowland Hopkins OM FRS, the discoverer of

vitamins (20 June 1861 - 16 May 1947), was

an English biochemist who was awarded the

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in

1929, with Christiaan Eijkman, for the

discovery of vitamins. He had discovered the

amino acid, tryptophan, in 1901. J B S became

interested in genetics, the science of genes,

heredity, and variation. His brilliant work led

J B S Haldane

ScienceHorizon18

OCTOBER, 2012

him to be elected a Fellow of The Royal

Society in 1932. He joined as Professor

of Genetics in University College, London

in 1933.

J B S made contributions to several

diverse subjects like mathematics, cosmology,

biochemistry, physiology, medicine, evolution

and genetics. He used mathematics (queen of

all sciences) in his biological researches. His

observations on were interesting :

"If you are faced with a difficulty or a

controversy in science, an ounce of algebra is

worth a ton of verbal argument". He used

mathematics in genetics. His most significant

contribution is an estimation of the rate of

mutation of a human gene. Mutations are

accidental changes in a genomic sequence of

DNA: the DNA sequence of a cell's genome

or the DNA or RNA which enables a child to

inherit a characteristic totally absent in his

or her parents. He calculated that mutation

occurs once for every 50,000 people, per

generation. He was able to show that Charles

Robert Darwin's theory of evolution is

correct. He also explained how life could

have originated on the earth from a "hot

dilute soup" of certain chemicals.

Some of his discoveries in biochemistry

have already become laws of enzyme

chemistry.

Enzymes are biological molecules,

organic catalysts which assist in catalyzing

some chemical processes, occurring inside a

livingbody. He studied how chemicals, carbon

dioxide gas, ice cold temperature affect breath.

From these studies he also discovered a cure

for tetanus & convulsions.

J B S was not only a scientist confined

to the laboratory, but he had also personal

courage to serve the nation and unconditional

devotion towards common people. He was

also a social worker who fought for common

causes.From his childhood days, when he

used to meet miners & fisherman, he had

developed respect for the common man.

During World War II (1939-1945), he

criticised the inadequate air raid precautions

taken by the British Government.

He wrote on varied subjects from

genetics to politics. Some of his most famous

books are:

Possible Worlds and other essays and

Biochemistry of genetics,On Being the right

size and other essays and the causes of

evolution, What is life? and Science & Ethics.

J B S also wrote popular science articles and

gave lectures. He also wrote "My friend, Mr

Leakey" for the benefit of children. In science

popularisation his writings are at par with

19ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

those of Julian Huxley (1887-1975), the

eminent eugenicist.

He left U.K in 1957 and came to live in

India, a country he had come to love during his

several visits. He was inspired by Hindu

philosophy, the Hindu way of life & the

principle of non-violence.

The Bhagavad Gita impressed him. He

even liked the dhoti & kurta and used to wear

them. He knew that India contained a large

variety of animals & plants(fauna & flora) in

large numbers. He gave lectures on scientific

topics at various places and also guided young

scientists in their research. He was appointed

a professor at the Indian Statistical Institute

(ISI), Calcutta, and later became Director of

Gene ti cs & Biometry Laboratory, in

Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

On 1 December 1964 , at the age of 72,

he died of colon cancer at Bhubaneswar. He

was survived by his wife, Helen Spurway

(1915-1978), and his younger sister, Naomi

Mitchison.

Haldane wrote a comic & cheerful

poem," Cancer's a Funny Thing", while in the

hospital, mocking his own incurable disease,

which is considered to be one of the best

poems written on a scientific subject.

Rayagada Head Post OfficeMob:- 8270083653

padmacharan123@gmail.com

MAKE YOUR OWNBAROMETER MODEL

NikunjaBihariSahu

A Barometer is an

inst rument used in

meteo ro logy to

measure atmospheric

pressure. A common

Barometer uses

mercury as an indicator

for pressure exerted by

the atmosphere. The first Barometer of this

type was devised by an Italian physicist, named

Evangelista Torricelli in 1643.

Pressure tendency over a region can

forecast short termchanges in weather. Normal

atmospheric pressure at sea level is equivalent

to 76 cm of mercury column. While a slowly

risingatmospheric pressure, typically indicates

settled weather, a sudden drop in pressure

often forecasts an approaching storm with

heavy rain and wind (sometimes called

Cyclones). On the contrary, a rising pressure

indicates a fine, dry, and windy weather

(sometimes called Anti-cyclones). Because

barometers are quite reliable devices in

forecasting weather, these are widely used.

Indeed, these make great gifts! The following

project describes the basic principles of a

barometer in its most simplified version.

ScienceHorizon20

OCTOBER, 2012

What Do You Need

A plastic jar, a plastic container, two

good quality balloons ( one big and the other

small), cello-tape, cotton thread, small piece

of paper, three pieces drinking straw (good

quality) each nearly-6 cm long, pen, Fevicol

or any other glue, paper cutter knife, pin etc.

How To Make it

Tear the small balloon with knife and

attach the balloon sheet on the mouth of the

small container by stretching it tightly and

fixing the edges with cotton thread and cello-

tape. Pierce a hole at the centre of this

balloon sheet with the pin and insert a small

straw (called the Central straw) vertically

into the hole air-tightly. This straw should be

sealed at its upper end with a drop of glue.

Fix a second straw (to serve as our Pointer

straw), at the top of the central straw with a

pin. The Pointer straw should be supported

on another straw (with a pin) which is fixed

vertically on the wall of the container with

cello-tape. Put the small container inside the

plastic jar.Attach a large balloon sheet on the

mouth of the jar following the method already

discussed.

Do and Observe

Pull up the balloon sheet on the top of

the plastic jar with hand. The air inside the jar

expands simulating low pressure condition.

The balloon sheet on the mouth of the small

container swells up due to the higher pressure

of air inside it. This makes the central straw to

go up that pushes the Pointer straw to move

down. Thelinkage system of thestraws enables

the displacement to be magnified to indicate

the pressure change clearly. Similary, press

the balloon sheet on the jar down. The

compressed air creates a higher pressure

outside the small container, and hence, the

Pointer straw moves up.Apaper strip (marked

with 'Normal Pressure', 'Low Pressure' and

'High Pressure' with pen) may be fixed on the

wall of the jar facing the Pointer straw to

indicate the pressure change.

There you have a Barometer Model !

Education Officer, Regional Science Centre,Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Bhubaneswar-751013,

Phone : 9938974485

21ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

JUNK FOOD AND ITS EFFECT ON HEALTHChitroptala Devadarshini

Our diet has radically changed over the

decades. In Indian traditional diet, people used

to have full meals consisting of a variety of

foods such as rice, chapatti, dal, vegetables,

and meat preparationsalongwith papad, pickles

and sweet dishes. Over a period of time, lots

of changes have taken place due to changes in

lifestyle and due to the influence of the

western culture on our food habits. Our diet

has undergonea radicalchangeover the decades

and the so called "junkfoods" have become an

integral part of our diet. The junk foods are

tasty, readily available and some are quite

inexpensive. All these attributes have

contributed to their popularity, especially

among the children and teenagers.

What are junk foods ?

Junk foods are referred to those packaged

foods readily available in the market. These

have limited nutritional value and are usually

high in salt, sugar, fat or calories. Generally

they offer very little nutrients in terms of

protein, vitamins and minerals but lots of

calories from sugar and/or fat, ultimately

providing us empty calories.

Should junk foods be totally avoided ?

Junk foods can be eaten occasionally but

not in excess. Foods like potato chips,

chocolates, cakes, pastries, lollies, soft drinks,

burgers, pizzas etc are high in salt, sugar, and/

or fat. They should be enjoyed only

occasionally. If they are consumed in excess

amounts, instead of nutritious meals, the

person is likely to become over weight and

may also develop diseases due to deficiencies

of vitamins, minerals, which may lead to other

health complications.Howoften and how much

one can have these junk foods depends on his/

her weight, age and activity pattern. For

example, if a person is overweight, physically

active and consumes nutritious and balanced

diet, then these foods can only be consumed

2-3times in a week. More of these could be

consumed only if one is active and not over

weight, and the daily requirement of all

nutrients get fulfilled.

Are all junk foods bad ?

If one points out that potato chips are

baddue to lack ofnutrients, then white polished

rice also lacks many nutrients like high quality

proteins, vitamins and minerals etc. Parboiled,

hand -pound rice is superior in nutrient content

to white polished rice. However rice with dal

becomes a good nutritious combination, but

the rice and dal are poor in vitamins and

minerals, and with the addition of vegetables it

ScienceHorizon22

OCTOBER, 2012

is a more nutritious meal. Although in junk

foods, there is excess of calories from

carbohydrates and fat, it is not as bad as one

gets an impression. It is only the

combination and excess of any food that is

to be avoided.

Various salts, carbohydrates and fats are

the synonyms for the villains of present day

dietitian's vocabulary. However without

adequate amount of these "villains", foods

would beblandand would not bevery palatable.

So we need adequate nutritious foods for

various functions of our body.

What are the effects of junk foods onchildren ?

Junk foods are really high on fats,

carbohydrates and hence calories, which make

them, low on nutritional value. Junk food and

childhood obesity are very much interrelated

due to the popularity of these foods like pizza,

burger etc. Children, as well as their parents,

are not much aware of the following facts

about junk food.

Carbohydrates /Sugars

High sugar levels make the children more

prone to develop type 2 diabetes. Getting

affected by diabetes at such an early age reduces

or inhibits the insulin production in their body,

which is very harmful.

Fats/Oils

Saturated fats in the junk foods are very

harmful for the kid'shealth. They heighten the

level of bad choles te ro l (LDL) and

triglycerides in blood, leading to many

problems that were not usually associated

with child age, like ailments of heart and other

cardiovascular diseases leading to dyslipidemia

and coronary heart diseases.

Salt

Excessive salt levels in fast food

ultimately results in high blood pressure which

leads to rupture and cracking of the arteries

and veins. To repair these blood vessels, the

body accumulates lipoprotein and converts it

into cholesterol that ultimately resulting in

high cholesterol level in the blood. Moreover,

preservative salts like monosodium glutamate

(Aji no Moto) can induce cancer when

consumed in excess.

Other effects

Children at their growing age need a lot

of vitamins and minerals like Iron, Cobalt,

Zinc, Copper etc. High consumption of junk

foods make the children more prone to

conditions like loss of appetite, constipation,

fatigue, exhaustion, lack of concentration and

diseases like anemia are caused due to Iron

and Copper deficiencies. Junk foods are very

23ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

high on starch and tasty consequently these

cause food cravings of the children. Due to

high consumption of junk food the healthy

foods like vegetables, fruits and other natural

food has almost vanished from the daily diet

of some children, which further results in the

calcium deficiencies that affect bone

developments and thus impair growth.

What should be done ?

Several problems occur when junk foods

are consumed in excess by the children.

Children get carried away by the TV ads

featuring cinema idols promoting these

products. This has adverse effect on them

when consumed in excess. The children do not

feel hungry for the nutritious meals and

ultimately get less nutrition. If excess amount

of these foods are consumed with respect to

other nutrients, then calories become

excessive and it results in obesity.

Public awareness regarding the nutrition

is most important. Many parents are not well

equipped in planning a meal due to lack of

knowledge on nutrition and functions of

different nutrients in our body. They need to

be educated by the nutritionist/ dietician so

that, they can plan a balanced meal and thus

provide their children a balanced diet as per

the growth requirements. The Recommended

Dietary Allowances (RDA) for Indians, by

National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad

suggests that for best health, children should

"enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods".

This means eating different food types to

obtain all the required nutrientswithout excess

energy (calorie) intake. Variety also refers to

choosing a wide range of foods from within

each food group, particularly from the plant-

based food groups (Fruits, Vegetables,

Legumes and Cereals). It is also important to

have plenty of water as part of one's diet.

Now as these foods are replaced by junk

foods, children miss many important

nutrients, as a result their physical and mental

growth are stunted.

References

www.wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

www.diet.com/g/glossary

WWW. Indiaparenting.com

http://www.discover-yoga-online.com/junk-

food-facts.html

Patel. N, Impact of junk food on obesity and

nutritional intake. In Touch, Heinz Nutrition

Foundation India. Vol-7 (3). Oct-Dec 2005

Assistant Professor (Foods &Nutrition),College of Home Sciences, O.U.A.T, Bhubaneswar

ScienceHorizon24

OCTOBER, 2012

SCIENCE BEHIND LIGHTNINGAND THUNDERKamalakanta Jena

Thunder and lightning are common

phenomena in rainy seasons. When the

brilliant silvery line of the lightning glitters

over the clouded sky, our eyes are closed

and we wait for an explosive sound of

thunder. The sound can easily vibrate our

whole heart. We try to locate the culprit who

creates such frightening situations. People

were ignorant about its root till the 18th

century. However, Benjamin Franklin in 1752

came to know that the cause of lightning is

the charge accumulated in the cloud. To be

frank, many aspects about the lightning and

thunder are yet to be understood.

Charging of Cloud

Most rain clouds are negatively charged

at the base and positively charged at the top.

The concrete mechanism behind the charging

of clouds is not fully understood. Still it could

be exp la ined with two hypo theses .

Experiments have shown that when dilute

solutions of water are frozen, the ice gains a

negative charge but the water retains a positive

charge. As we know, water molecules, on

getting sufficient energy, may escape from its

surface. We call it the process of evaporation

that can take place at any normal temperature.

The watervapours so obtained from the rivers,

oceans and even ponds beinglighter, rise up in

air. Up above the sky, it gradually experiences

a decreasing atmospheric pressure. The low

pressure there causes the expansion of the

water vapours and hence lowering of

temperature. It leads towards condensation

and the vapour now alters into infinitesimally

small water droplets. The air could carry those

droplets further above and the droplets get

converted into frozen particles. If, after

freezing has started, rising air tears small

droplets of water away from the frozen

particles, the positive dropletsare concentrated

in the upper part of the cloud and the larger

negative ice particles fall toward the base.

On the other hand, the cloud particles

may move up and down due to change in

temperature of air at different layers. In this

process the particles get charged due to

friction. Experiments have also shown that,

25ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

swiftly falling large drops of water become

negatively charged, whereas, slowly falling

small drops become positively charged. The

polarization of a thundercloud may thus be

due to the rates at which large and small

raindrops fall. Whatever may be the process,

the cloud possesses a region of positive

charges in its upper part and a negative centre

at the base.

Mechanism of Lightning

All of us are familiar with the attraction

of paper scraps by a comb run over dry hairs.

It is because the comb loses electrons during

friction against the dry hairs. Thus the comb

gets positively charged. When shown to the

scraps, it could induce opposite charges in the

near end of the paper scraps. That is why the

scraps, due to Coulomb's law of electrostatic

forces, are attracted towards the oppositely

charged comb. In a similar fashion the lower

negative charge centre of cloud induces a

positive charge region on the surface of earth

beneath the cloud. But the flow of charges

between the cloud and the earth can not take

place due to heavy electrical resistance of the

separating air medium. However, an electrical

potential difference is established between

theearth's surfaceand the cloud.As thequantity

of cloud increases, the quantity of charge

increases. The Coulomb's attraction increases

alongwith the potential difference between

the positive and negative regions.

When the electrical potential difference

between two clouds or between a cloud andthe earth crosses a sufficiently high value at

about 10,000 volts per cm, the air could no

longer remain insulator. Rather it becomescharged (ionized) along a narrowpath allowing

the charges on the cloud to flow towards the

surface of earth producing a great electriccurrent.As a result, a lightning flash is created.

This is known as leader stroke of lightning,

which is not so bright. Now the chargesaccumulated on the earth's surface get a

conducting path to flow towards the cloud.

The flash so created is called a return stroke.Both the strokes meet at about 50 metres

above the ground. The leader stroke takes

about 0.02 second to reach the point and thereturn stroke could reach at the cloud within

0.00007 second. The air particles in the path

ScienceHorizon26

OCTOBER, 2012

get hot due to this short circuitry and the

electric discharge is seen in the form of a

brilliant arc, sometimes several kilometers

long, stretching between the discharge ends.

The shiningelectric discharge between charged

clouds or bright electric discharge between a

cloud and the earth is known as lightning.

Causes behind Thunder

Thunder is the explosive sound produced

by an ordinary lightning discharge. A current

of 20,000 amperes flows during lightning. For

comparison, it may be mentioned that the

current which flows in the wires of our

household electrical appliances is about 2-3

amperes. About 5 ampere current could heat

up the heater coil up to a temperature of 500

oC. (Of course, the heat generation depends

upon the resistance of the path too.) So, the

lightning bolt heats the air around it to a high

temperature of about 10,000° C within a few

millionths of a second. As a result of this the

volume of the air in the path expands thousand

folds so quickly. It suddenly pushes the nearby

air molecules (comparatively at rest) apart

with great force, which sets them into a strong

vibration, much like in an explosion.Awave of

compressed air (a sound wave) with a great

frequency moves out from the lightning bolt.

This could reach our ear to vibrate our ear

membrane. This vibration may cause the notion

of a loud sound in our mind. We call it thunder.

Lightning often occurs in groups of several

bolts very close to each other, and sound

waves from different bolts mix to form a

continuous sound. Echoes from hills or other

reflecting objects contribute to the rumbling

effect.

Thunder Follows Lightning

The above description implies that both

lightn ing and thunder are crea ted

simultaneously. But the light travels as much

as 2,99,792,458 metres in one second,

whereas the sound travels only a distance of

332 metres. Thus, light from the lightning

travels about 9,00,000 times faster to reach

our eye and we see the lightning arc, so to say,

in no time gap. But the slowly moving sound

takes some time to reach our eardrum. This

causes the thunder to follow lightning. The

distance between an observer and the lightning

bolt may be estimated by counting the number

of seconds between the lightning and the

thunder. For example, the thunder heard after

3 seconds time lag means that the lightning

bolt occurs at a distance of 1 kilometre.

Thunder can seldombe heard from a site more

than 24 km away.

Protective Measures

The fundamental property of current is

that it selects a low resistance path for the

flow of charge. Obviously a metallic rodpossesses lower electrical resistance as

compared to a building structure. Therefore,

buildings can be protected from lightning by

27ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

providing them with metallic lightning rods

extending to the ground, from a point above

the highest part of the roof. Power lines and

radio sets with external aerials are protected

against lightningby lightningarresters between

the line and ground wire. A lightning arrester

is nothing but a small gas-filled gap that could

offer a high resistance to ordinary voltages.

But a lightning discharge with a potential of

tens of millions of volts can easily ionize the

gas and provide a low-resistance path to earth

for this discharge. In ships' a free wire

connected to the lightning rod is extended

into the water.

The idea that lightning never strikes twicein the same place is erroneous. Photographic

evidence shows that skyscrapers and other tall

structures may be struck many times in thecourse of a single storm. One should not make

a mistake to rest under a tall tree during

thunderstorm. There is more that a tall tree to

be struck by lightning. It is safer lying flat on

the ground in the open. It is seen that themagnetic lines of force can remain inside a

metallic enclosure but not the electric lines.

Then the safest place for you outdoors in athunderstormmaybe inside your metal-bodied

car.

Again, the loudness of thunder sound is

another problem. It may cause damage to

hearing. Because the loudness of normal

conversation is only 30 decibel, whereas that

of thunder is about 120 decibel.A level of 130

decibel can cause permanent deafness.

Therefore, one should keep closing one's ears

with hands if lightning appears.

Conclusion

It seems that both lightning and thunderare harmful. However, lightning has some

good effects. The soil is enriched with nitrogen

that is released from the atmosphere bylightning and carried to the ground by

raindrops. Some scientists believe that

lightning may have been a key element inthe origin of life on earth, creating from

simple eleme nts complex chemi cal

compounds that gave rise to living matter.

Head, Department of Physics,Govt. Women's Jr. College, Sundargarh

Mob - 9439501651Email - kkjena1@gmail.com

ScienceHorizon28

OCTOBER, 2012

IRRIGATION OF TAIL-ENDAREAS OF CANALSIN DELTAIC REGIONS OF ODISHA

Akshaya Bandhu Pattanaik

Introduction

Major portions of the deltaic areas of

old Balasore, Cuttack and Puri districts arepresently beingirrigated by old and new major

irrigation systems of the Mahanadi, Brahmani,Baitarani and Salandi. During crop season

demand for supply of sufficient quantity ofwater, particularly at the tail-end reaches of

the canals is growing since a few decades.

The old canal system, which was

supplying sufficient quantity of water duringthe last 100 years, are found to be inadequatefor meeting the present day crop requirements.

The project planning and water management

of the new system are blamed for this unhappysituation. The rainfall records of the last fewdecades do not show any marked deviation in

comparison to those of the earlier decades.

Moreover the crop acreage has not increasedbeyond the designed figure.

Factors affecting demand and supplyof water :

The factors which affect the requirementand supply of water to the irrigated areas can

be arranged in three broad groups namelynatural, socialandadministrative, and technical.

Although, eachof these factors described

below individually may not be importantenough but jointly they have created the present

situation of water scarcity in the tail-end areas

of canals.

Natural Factors

The characteristics of the land, the soil

and the weather, which can not be controlled

artificially, with reasonable cost, but whichdetermine the demand and supply of water for

thecrop, have been consideredwhile designing

the irrigation system. With passage of time,

the ayacut, in the old system, has become

levelled, water retention capacity of the soil

has improved and the general weather patternhas not changed much.

Social and Administrative factors

In this group, factors having social and

administrative origin are analyzed. Any

remedial measure to counter the adverse

effects of these factors will require a longperiod to bring the desired improvement.

i. The Land

The land, which is the main livelihood

of the villagers, has been extensively used and

fragmented, giving average size of holdings of

about0.3 acres.Although the general variationin the ground level is low, the local variation

from plot to plot is considerable, mainly due

to spill channels and sand mounds developed

during the period of uncontrolled floods.

29ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

For the best utilization of irrigation water,the area coming under command of an out-let

shouldnecessarily have a gentle and continuous

down-ward slope, away from an out-let. For

this, comparatively sandy mounds seen

scattered all over the ayacut in the new system

and occasionally in the old systemrequire to be

levelled up. Fragmented and undulated land

requires more water for irrigation.

ii . Crop-Pattern

During khariff season mostly paddy is

grown. After harvesting jute, paddy is again

transplanted.

The acreage under high yielding varieties

which are mostly transplanted, have definite

periods from sowing upto transplantation and

then,upto flowering stage.During transplanting

and flowering stages water requirements are

high. After transplantation and application of

fertilizers, water is prevented from flowing

through the plots. This alongwith the field-to-field flow method of irrigation; more or less

compel s the bene fi ci ar ie s to go fo r

transplantation of the entire area coming under

the command of one outlet within a short

period. The old and new irrigation systems

have not been designed to meet this enlarged

requirement. This situation is again repeated

during the flowering stage of the crop.

During rabi irrigation high yielding

varieties of dalua paddy have almost replaced

the traditional pulses. The scarcity of water

supply during transplantation and flowering

stages of dalua paddy is felt more in the

absence of rain.

Earlier, acreage coming under

transplantationwas less, puddlingperiodofwell

grownplants and the flowering period of plants

coming under command of an outlet were well

diversified, resulting in a comparatively smaller

peak in water requirement.

iii) Method of Irrigation

The age-old practice of field-to-field-

flow irrigation, although inefficient, is likely

to be followed for a considerable period, till

the consolidation programme is completed

and field channels with independent outlets

for each or a small group of plots are

constructed and successfully operated. As a

result, large percentage of valuable water (of

the order of 30%) is being wasted as surface

flow and as infiltration loss into the sub-soil,

creating the problem of drainage and water

logging in the low lying areas. Fertilizers and

insecticides used in the crop are also getting

washed away.

Moreover, the gently undulating lands,

because of the present method of irrigation,

need large quantity of water for storage in the

lower areas to irrigate isolated patches of

high land. This phenomenon is abundant in

new systems where land development work

will probably take a few more decades in the

absence of any organized effort.

ScienceHorizon30

OCTOBER, 2012

iv. Arrangement for canal crossings

At canal crossings with restrictedwaterways, considerable head lossalso occurs.

The head loss is high in respect of hume pipeculverts so extensively used for rural roads and

for this no provision exists in theproject design.Temporary wooden crossings also cause such

losses although of lessermagnitude. In addition,cattle crossings and bathing ghats often cause

reduction in the height of canal banks and infree-board i.e. height of canal top above full

water supply level.

v. Other uses of canal

Duringseasonal closures, fishing bunds,six inches to a foot high, are erected at close

intervals of 100 ft. or so in almost all canals.These bunds, if not removed, cause

considerable head loss in addition to reducingthe effective sectional area of canals.

The canal system is also used for bathing

and other community uses like seasoning of

bamboo bundles, and jute plants. Even duringwarm period, buffaloes are allowed to takerest inside the canal for hours together. These

cause unforeseen head losses and reduction in

effective sectional area.

vi. Damage to the canal embankmentsand structures.

The beneficiaries need large quantity of

water within a shor t pe riod dur ingtransplantation and flowering stages of the

paddy crop. As the system can not meet the

enhanced requirements, farmers in their

anxiety to get required quantity of water as

perceived by them, cut canal embankments,

damage the structures, and dislocate the canal

control structures, throwing the entire flow

system out of the delicate balance. During

one irrigation season, it was observed that

about 20% of the cuts were made to irrigate

(1) high patches of land by filling surrounding

low plots with water and (2) patches of land,

kilometers away and not under the command

of the irrigation system. Rest of the cuts

were made (3) to fill ponds (4) to catch fish

(5) to cut off supply to villagers in the lower

reaches in settlement of their old political or

other differences.

Once a cut is made people do not bother

to repair it, resulting in prolonged disruption

in water supply.

Technical Factors

i. Design of distribution system.

For successful growth of crop from

seedling to harvesting stage, sufficient quantity

of water at required time and head needs to be

available at the outlet end. While designing

canal sections some of the important

parameters like silt grade, charge, bed surface

characteristics have not either been considered

or given due importance.For a canal, minimum

width of land is being acquired, sometimes

even at the cost of normal design requirements.

31ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

Simila rl y, dur ing operat ion and

maintenance, attempts to solve the problem ofscarcity supply of water, in a localized manner,

have further deviated the flow from thedesigned condition. The bed load and its

mediumsize diameter and suspended loads ofa canal taking off from a reservoir are low in

comparison to those of a deltaic canal.Adoption of rules framed for design of former

type of canals to the latter has resulted inshallower and wider unstable channels with

tendency to silt up.

ii . Keeping in view the topography of the

area and economy of construction, designershave kept canal slopes varying from 1:4000 to

1:10000. This gives wider and shallowerchannels which result in silting and growth of

aquatic weeds particularly in minor and sub-minor canals resulting in comparatively high

head loss and reduction of channel capacity.

ii i. Provisions of insufficient driving headat the head regulators and for meeting the

contingent requirements discussed earlierhave reduced the discharge to tail-ends of

these canals.

iv. At places, in order to minimize the landacquisition pairs of canals on either side of

drainage channels have been provided. Inthickly populated areas, attempts were also

made where possible to align canals throughold drainage channels with the idea that in

course of time these channels would be filledup with the si lt in the canal water.

Unfortunately, till this process is completed,

which may take few more decades, theirrigation of the command area of these

channels will not be efficient. This has beenthe case in many of these channels particularly

in the new system.

v. Canals in sandy reaches running parallel

to rivers or streams have not been providedwith lining to economise the project

expenditure . It was hoped that, in course oftime, these reaches of canal banks would

become impervious by filling up of intersticeswith silt from percolating canal water. Almost

every year during monsoon when parent riveris in spate and supply to the system is reduced,

sudden drawdownandslips in canal bankoccur,particularly when the river or stream in other

side of canal has high water level after such asituation happens there is less rainfall in the

ayacut.This is further aggravatedandprolongeddue to flood routing in upstream reservoirs

and gradual release of flood accumulation atsubsequent stages . These sl ips cause

reduction in canal cross sectional area and inits carrying capacity. Experiences with old

system, of more than hundred years old donot substant iate above assumption of

development of impervious layer along wettedperimeter with time.

vi. Sometimes, in anxiety, temporary or

permanent type of cross bunds or regulatorsare constructed as localized remedial measures

to tide over the difficult situation of

ScienceHorizon32

OCTOBER, 2012

insufficient water supply at required headduring peak seasonal demands. These

structures, instead of easing the situation,worsen it. They cause more head loss and

sometimes due to rise in water level the drawalfrom the head regulator of parent channel

reduces. The backwater effect of such headingup travelling up a few miles in absence of

falls, sometimes even upto the main canalhead regulator, resulting in reduction of main

canal discharge has been observed.

vii. Similarly, sometimes construction of

extra outlet beyond the design provision arepermitted which allows more than the allottedshare of water in the uupper reaches, starving

the cropin the tail end reachesofthese channels.

viii. Aeration of soil during a crop season is

periodically required for increasing the yield.This can be achieved by proper draining of the

ayacut with administration of controlled dosesof irrigation water. This will reduce the extent

of waterlogged area which has increasedsubstantially in recentyears, owingto extensive

daluapaddy cultivation.

ix. Construction of distribution system :While constructing the distribution system

the principle of avoiding land acquisition, asmuch as possible, has been followed. As a

consequence of this decision, earth for thecanal banks has been borrowed to a large

extent from the bed making the depth of flowmore than the designed value. At places, one

bank of the canal has only been provided for

utilizing the existing road with all its side

borrow pits as the other bank.

These deviations from design conditions

have resulted, presently, in an unstable channelwith comparatively high head loss. If proper

and continuous attention during maintenanceperiod is given, the designed condition may

develop due to sifting in a period of a decadeor so.

x. Opera ti on and Maint enance of

distribution system : Periodic silt clearanceof the canals have lowered at many places the

channel bed below the field level. The siitclearance normally covers the work of removal

of silt alongwith weeds. Oftenweed clearance,not the silt clearance, is needed particularly

for tail-end reaches of small channels.

During rabi season water turbidity is atits lowest causing extensive weed growth even

in main canals. For proper water supply totair-end reaches weed clearance at least twice

during rabi irrigation seems to be a necessity.

Remedial measures

In order to improve upon the present

situation, short term remedial measures maybe taken up immediately till suitable

interventions of more permanent nature areevolved.

i. Immediate measures : Some of the

measures which can give lasting relief andcan be taken up immediately have also been

grouped in this list of immediate measures.

33ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

These me asures, which are mostly

administrative and technical in nature, do not

depend on long time observations required

for bringing improvements in design, water

management, crop pattern and social attitude.

ii . Administrative measures : All cases of

unauthorized acts like, manipulation of canal

structures; constructions of outlets, cross and

fishing bunds; cutting of canal embankments

should be dealt with strictly according to thelaw by the technical and administrative

organizations . The present canal laws do not

give sufficient scope to the technical

organizations to deal with such cases

effectively, rather it makes these unauthorized

acts subjects of dual control. Removal of the

anomaly in the law will bring considerable

improvement in the present situation.

ii i. Technical measures : While authorizing

constructions of new outlets, bridges, cross-

regulators etc. overall design of the system

may have to be studied with a view to find

adverse effects, if any, of such constructions.

Any attempt to solve local problem withoutconsidering the entire system may put the

system out of balance and create similar or

more severe problems elsewhere.

iv. Ob st ructions li ke ba th ing ghat s,

temporary wooden bridges, hume pipe culverts,

etc. though necessary may have to be reduced

in number. Wherever possible, hume pipe

culverts and temporary bridges are to be

replaced by canal crossings which do not

interfere with the canal water way.

v. Earthen grade bunds ac ross and

conforming to the canal design section atclose intervals (say 100') alongwith dowel

bunds along channel length may be constructedto induce silting and to maintain flow nearer

to design state in reaches where the channelsection is large. The characteristics of flow

are such, that channels, having larger thandesign sections encourage formation of

localized mounds which may grow beyond thedesigned bed levels in addition to encouraging

growth of weeds. Such mounds duringmaintenance period, should invariably be cut

to bed level and spoils deposited in the lowpockets. Constant watch and maintenance, in

course of time, will stabilize these channels.

vi. Rotational supply of canal water : Withthe available water supply, the supply for

each of the channels can be theoreticallydoubled, if we close half of these canals

during irrigation period. It has been observedthat crops in the deltaic region can stand

safely two weeks of stoppage of water to thefield in most of the areas except in few sandy

patches.An interval of a week has been foundto be a reasonably good closure period. If

supply period becomes less, say 3 or 4 days,the channels often are closed before the flow

in these attain design condition, more so forlong channels and channels in sandy reaches.

However, any disturbance in water supply

ScienceHorizon34

OCTOBER, 2012

like occurrence of a breach or non supply of

water from head regulator due to flood in theparent river does put temporarily such an

arrangement out of balance.

During supply period, extra discharge

and head can be allowed in the canals, ifrequired, encroaching the freeboard.This helps

in meeting the genuine peak requirements. Inone instance, it was found that number of

unauthorized cuts in a system could be reducedby 80% by raising the full supply level.

Increase in depth of flow, periodically,

drowning and subsequently exposingthe canalbed to the sun, have also helped in reducing

the weed growth. Ploughing up the weeds inthe channel bed, during closure period, can to

a large extent, eradicate the weed nuisance.Most of the canals after running for two years,

under these conditions, were found to haveattained fairly stable geometry.

Most important benefi t of this

arrangement is in increasing the crop area,particularly during rabi season, by about 50% .

During kharif irrigation of bad rainfall years,this arrangement also helps to tide over the

scarcity in water supply. Controlled supply ofwater lowers the ground water table resulting in

reclamation of part of the waterlogged areas.

For the success of this method the

following aspects needbe givendueimportance

(a) The programme of closure should beprepared and circulated well in advance of the

cropseasonand followednot onlywhendrought

situation arises but throughout the crop season.For the convenience of the beneficiaries a

channelshould preferably have a day in a weekfixed for closure and a day for opening.

(b) In case of emergency of canal closure, ithas been found that adhering to announced

programme does not cause any panic amongthe people, even if, half of the ayacut miss one

watering.

(c) This arrangement strains the beneficiaries,the peoples representatives and the officials in

the beginning for a period of couple of years.A cool and effective canvassing is needed

before and during the crop period for evolvingan efficient arrangement and for getting all

concerned adjusted to the changed situation.

Long term measures

No lasting measure can evolve for aproblem whose parameters are changing.

The situation is likely to change after

completion of the consolidation programme,adoption of improved crop pattern andimproved varieties of crops; and modified

methods of irrigation.

New design criteria for the canals

necessarily have to be developed keeping inview the following.

i. The silt charge is different for canals

taking off from reservoirs or immediatelydown stream of these from those of canals in

deltaic region far away from reservoirs.

35ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

ii . Unlike the conditions during fifties, due

to the extensive dalua paddy cultivation, the

canals at present carry more than the designed

quantity of silt free water and for a much

longer period.

ii i. Duty at outlet end is to be reassessed for

the present and for the anticipated improved

crop pattern. The rapid development in

agricultural science makes this assessment

difficult. But if this is not done with due carewe may find many of our new irrigation

systems obsolete within a period of couple of

decades. A serious attempt in this regard may

have to be initiated early.

iv. Improved crop-patterns, keeping in with

the soil characteristics, availability of water

and maximization of net benefits for the

farmers, may have to be evolved. These should

also take into account the temporal and spatial

diversification in peak demand of various crops

to minimize the water requirement.

v. From the above paragraphs, it is evident

that the difficulty now being faced in irrigating

the tail-end areas of deltaic regions can

reasonably be surmounted if suggested

immediateand long term measures are adopted.

Reference :

1. Assorted Write-ups on Ravi Valley

Scheme, Shatakshi Prakashan, Raipur.

29, Kharvel Nagar, Near Ram Mandir, Unit-III,Bhubaneswar-751001

Tel. - 0674-2391020

BIO-SENSORSBishnu Prasad Behera

A bio-sensor is an analytical device thatis capable of providing specific quantitative orsemi quantitative analytical information usinga biological recognition element which is indirect spatial contact with a transducer element

(IUPAC, 1996). The biological recognitionelement is able to interact specifically with atarget. A transducer is able to convert therecognition event into a measurable signal. Itis any device that uses specific bio-chemical

reaction to detect chemical compounds inbiological samples. The first commercial useof bio sensors was done in the year 1975 forglucose monitoring in the bloods of diabetespatients. The current definition of bio sensor

is, it integrates a biological element with aphysio-chemical transducer to provide anelectronic signal proportional to a singleanalyte, which is then conveyed to a detector.

Bio sensors play an important role in the fieldof environmental quality, medicine andindustries, mainly by identifying material andthe degree of concentration present. In thefields of biotechnology, bio-chemistry,

physical chemistry, electro chemistry, lifesciences, elect ronics and sof twareengineering, applications of bio sensors arecominginto prominence. Prof. LelandC. ClarkJn. (1918-2005), American Bio-chemist was

known as the Father of bio sensor, who haddeveloped the blood glucose bio sensor, the

commonly used commercial biosensor.

ScienceHorizon36

OCTOBER, 2012

The term immuno-sensor is often used to

describe biosensors, which use antibodies as

their bio recognition systems. In addition to

enzymes and antibodies, the bio recognition

systems can also include nucleic acid, bacteria

and single cell organisms and even whole

tissues of higher organisms. Specific

interaction between the target analyte and the

complementary bio -recognition layer produce

a physio-commercialchange, which is detected

and measured by a transducer. The transducer

can take many forms depending upon the

parameters beingmeasured, electro-chemical,

optical, mass and thermal changes are the

most common.

Functioning of a Biosensor

Here the analyte is what we want to

detect, for example in a molecule, the amount

of protein, toxin, vitamin, sugar etc.. Next, is

How it works ?

It consists of (i) the sensible biological

element that interacts with the analyte under

study, (ii) The transducer or detector element

that transforms the signal resulting from the

interaction of the analyte with the biological

element into another signal which can be

more easily measured, (iii) The bio sensor

reader device with the associated electronics

or signal is primarily responsible for the

display of the results. This part is the most

expensive part of the sensor device. [Known

manufactures of bio sensors electronic

readers are Palm sense, Gwent,

Biotechnology systems and Rapid Labs.]

Biosensors consist of bio-recognition

systems, typicallyenzymes or binding proteins,

such as antibodies, immobilized onto the

surface of physio-chemical transducers (Fig.l).

Figure 1 - Principles of operation of a Biosensor

37ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

the sample handling or how to deliver the

analyte to the sensitive region? In the third

stage the detection or recognition process

occures. How do we specifically recognize

the analyte? Next process is the signal process.

In the pregnancy test the detection of hCG

protein in urine can also be done through bio

sensors. The basic characteristics of a bio

sensor are linearity, sensitiveness, selectivity

and the response time.

A few sensing techniques are

i) Fluorescence

ii) DNA microarray

iii) SPR (Surface Plasma Resonance)

iv) Impedance Spectroscopy

v) SPM(Scanning Probe Microscopy)

vi) QCM(Quartz Crystal Microbalance)

vii) SERS (Surface Enhanced Raman

Spectroscopy)

viii) Electro-chemical

Applications of Biosensors

FoodAnalysis

Study of biomolecules and thei r

interaction

Drug Development

Crime detection

Medical diagnosis (both clinical and

laboratory use)

Environmental field monitoring(air, soil,

water)

Quality control

Industrial Process Control

Detection systems for biological warfare

agents

Manufacturing of Pharmaceuticals and

replacement organs

Types of Biosensors

There are several types of bio sensors

are (a) Piezo-electric (b) Electro-chemical

(c) Potentiometric (d) Optical (e) Calorimetric

bio sensors. Piezo -electric devices use gold

to detect the specific angle at which electron

waves are emitted, when the substance is

exposed to laser light or crystals such as

quartz, which vibrate under the influence of an

electric field. In the electro chemical bio

sensor, movement of electron in redox

reactions is detected whena potential is applied

between two electrodes. In the Potentiometric

case, change in distribution of charge is

detected, using ion selection electrodes (ex.

pH meter). Optical bio sensors work on the

principle of change in light absorption. Photon

output for a luminescent process can be

detected with photo multiplier tubes or photo

diode systems. In Calorimetric bio sensors, if

the enzyme catalyzed reaction is exothermic,

two thermistors may be used to measure the

difference in resistance between reactant and

ScienceHorizon38

OCTOBER, 2012

product. Electro-chemical DNA bio-sensors

are also available. The types are electrodes,

chips or crystals. Bio sensors in nano scale

like quantum dots, nano tubes and nano wires

are also used.

Conclusion

Biosensor technology leads itself to fast,

economical and continuous monitoring

capabili ties , currently being used for

development to detect environmen tal

pollutants such as phenols, geotoxins,

pesticides like organophosphates, 2, 4-D etc.

Enzyme based biosensors show the potential

of continuous monitoring of toxic compounds

in the streams, effluents and ground water.

Conclusively, biosensors play an important

role in the medicines, environmental quality

studies and industry mainly by identifying

materialand thedegree of concentration. These

are cheap, small and portable devices that can

be used by semi-skilled operators.

Referencesi) International Union of Pure and Applied

Chemistry, "Bio-sensor", Compendium of

Chemical Terminology, Internet Edition

ii) www.lsbu.ac.uk/biology/enztech/optical.html

iii) www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosensor

iv) Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology by Kirth

and Othmar (vol.4), p.208-220

v) Google images on Bio sensors

Associate Professor, Dept. of Agril. Structures,

Civil & Environmental EngineeringCAET, OUAT, Bhubaneswar-751003

ASHOCA TREE(An Indigenous Endangered Plant)

Samarendra Narayan Mallick

Saraca asoca is a plant belonging to the

Caesalpiniaceae subfamily of the legume

family. It is an important tree well-known in

thecultural traditionsof theIndian subcontinent

and adjacent areas. It is one of the most

legendary and sacred trees of India and one of

the most fascinating flowers in the Indian

range of flower essences. Ashok is a Sanskrit

word meaning without grief or that which

gives no grief or commonly means "without

sorrow". At present it is an endangered plant.

Distribution

The Ashoka tree is a rain forest tree. Its

original distribution was in the central areas

of the Deccan plateau, as well as the middle

section of the Western Ghats in the western

coastal zone of the Indian subcontinent. It is

indigenous to India, Burma and Malaya. Itoccurs almost throughout India unto an altitude

Saraca asoca

39ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

of 750m in the central and Eastern Himalayasand the Khasi, Garo and Lushai hills: it is alsofound in theAndaman Island.

Botany

It is an erect tree, small and evergreen,with a smooth grey brown bark. The crown iscompact and shapely. Leaves are narrowly

lanceolate, 15-25 cms long, cork like at thebase and with a short petiole. Stipules areinterpetiolar and completely united. Flowersare usually to be seen throughout the year butit is in January and February that the profusion

of orange and scarlet clusters turns the treeinto an object of startling beauty. Flowers arebright orange yellow in colour, turning redbefore wilting. Flowers are pinned closely onto every branch and twig, theseclusters consist

of numerous, small long tubed flowers whichopen out into4 oval lobes.Yellow when young,they become orange, then crimson with ageand from the effect of the sun's rays. From aring at the top of each tube spread several

long, half white, half crimson, stamens whichgive a hairy appearance to the flower clusters.

Ashoka flower

In strong contrast to these fiery blooms is the

deep green, shiney foliage. The foot long

leaves each have four, five or six pairs of long

weavy edged leaflets. Young leaves are soft

red and limp and remain pendent even after

attaining full size.

The bark is dark brown or grey or almost

black with warty surface. Stem bark are rough

and uneven due to the presence of rounded or

projecting lenticels. Bark channeled, smooth

with circular lenticels and transversely ridge,

sometimes cracked, fracture splinting,

exposing striated surface, a thin whitish and

continuous layer is seen beneath thecork leaver.

Saraca asoca barks are differentiated from

another bark according some Ayurvedic texts,

"AshokoHamapuspashaVanjulastamrapalavaa

Kankela PindushpashaGandhpuspho Natastha.

Ashoka Seetalsitakoto Grahi Varnya Kashayak

DoshapacchitrashadahkarmishothVishastrizith"

Mythology and Tradition

TheAshoka tree is considered as Sacred

throughout the Indian subcontinent, especially

in India and SriLanka. This tree has many

folklorical religious and literary associations

in the region. Highly valued as well for its

handsome blossoms and the color and

abundance of its flowers, the Ashoka tree is

often found in royal palace compounds and

gardens as well as close to temples

throughout India.

ScienceHorizon40

OCTOBER, 2012

The Ashoka tree is closely associatedwith the Yakshi mythological beings. One of

the recurring elements in Indian Art, often

found at gates of Buddhist and Hindu temples,

is the sculpture of Yakshi with her foot on the

trunk and her hands holding the branch of aflowering Ashoka tree. As an artistic element

often the tree and Yakshi are subjected to

heavy stylization. Some others hold that the

young girl at the foot of this tree is based on

an ancient fertility symbol.

Yakshi under the Ashoka tree, were also

important in early Buddhist monuments as adecorative element and are found in many

ancient Buddhist archaeological sites. With

the passing of the countries the Yakshi under

the Ashoka tree became a standard decorative

element of Hindu sculpture and was integrated

into Indian temple architecture a Salabhanjika,because there is often confusion between the

Ashoka tree and Sal (Shorea robusta) in the

ancient literatures of the Indian subcontinent.

The tree is also regarded with veneration

in Jainism. In the Jain tradition Mahasira is

said to have renounced the world under this

kind of tree in Vaishali.

In Hinduism, theAshoka is considered a

sacred tree. Not counting a multiuse of local

traditions connected to it, the Ashoka tree isworshipped in Chaitra the first month of the

Hindu calendar. It is also associated with

Kamadhenu, the Hindu God of love, who

included an Ashoka blossom among the five

flowers in his quiver. Hence, the Ashoka tree

is often mentioned in classified Indian

Religious and amorous poetry, having at least

16 different names in Sanskrit referring to the

trees or its flower.

In Mahakavya or Indian Epic poetry, the

Ashoka tree is mentioned in the Ramayana in

reference to the Ashoka Vatika (Garden of

Ashoka Trees) where Hanuman first meets

Devi Sita.

In our state Odisha, on the occasion of

car festival of Lord Lingaraj in the month of

Chaitra, the day called as Ashokastami on

which day the Ashok flowers are offered to

worship Lord Lingaraj.

Other trees called Ashoka tree

A popular tree simply referred to and

also known as Ashoka tree of unrelated genus

Polyalthia longifolia (false Ashoka tree), is

bred to resemble the growth pattern of erect

pillar like Mediterranean Cypres trees, it is a

popular park and garden plant, much used in

landscaping on the Indian subcontinent. In

Odisha, Ixora coccinea (Katharangani) is

known as Ashoka tree.

Phytochemistry

Each and every part of the tree is useful

and beneficial for human beings. From whole

plant: Glycosidic principles, non-phenolic,

sapogenetic glycoside, sterols and aliphatic

41ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

alcohols. Leaves of Saraca asoca known to

contain carbohydrate, proteins, tannins,

saponins andshows antibacterialactivity. Barks

contain glycosides, steroids, saponins,

catechol, sterol, organic calcium compounds,

tannins and carbohydrates. Flowers ofAshoka

contains oleic, linoleic, palmitic and stearic

acids (seeds), pelargonidin-3-5-diglucoside,

cyaniding -3,5-diglucoside, stearic, and gallic

acid. Pods of this tree contain catechol, (-)

epicatechol and leucocyanidin.

Pharmacological activity

Oxytoxic activity of the plant was seen

in rat and human isolateduterine preprations.

Estrogen -primed or gravid uterus was more

sensitive to the action of the alcoholic extract.

Spasmogenic, oxy toxic, ute ro tine ,

antibacterial, anti-implantation, antitumor, anti

progestational, antioestrogenic, activity against

menorrhagia and anticancer. Apowdered bark

ash consists of silica, sodium, potassium,

phosphate, magnesium , iron, calcium ,

stromium and aluminium a crystal glycosidal

substances has been isolated from the bark

with galactose as the constituent sugar.

Medicinal Properties

Ashoka is famous for Garbhasaya

Rasayana i.e Rejuvenatorof theuterus.Ashoka

is highly acclaimed for its util ity in

gynaecological problems. The bark is bitter,

astringent, sweet, refrigerant, anthelmintic,

stypic, stomachic, constipating, febrigue and

demulcent. It is useful in dyspepsia, fever,

dispia, burning sensation, viscremegoly, colic,

ulcers, mennorhagia, metropathy, leucorrhoea,

and pimples. The bark of Ashoka is useful in

excessive blood loss during menstruation due

to uterine fibroids, leucorrhoea, and other

causes. It is a blood purifier. Themain chemical

constituents of the bark are tannin, catechol,

an essential oil, organic calcium and iron

compounds. Ayurvedic texts describe more

than 50 preparations for the treatment of a

variety of ailments in which are stem bark is

used as one of main ingredients. The herb

st imulates the uterus making he lpful

contractions more frequent and prolonged.

The flowers are considered to be uterine

tonic and are used in vitiated conditions of

pitta, syphilis, cervical adenitis, hyperdipsia,

burning sensation, haemorrhoids, dysentery,

scabies in children and inflammations. The

dried flowers are used in diabetes and

haemorrhagic dysentery and seeds are used

for treating bone fractures, stargury and vesicle

calculi. Employed in drug formulations

prescribed in uterine affections, especially

menorrhagia, leucorrhoea and stone formation

in kidney and bladder. Ashoka also has an

astringent but stimulating effect on the

endometrium and the ovarian tissues. Ashoka

has been efficacious in regularizing menstrual

disturbances without producing any side

ScienceHorizon42

OCTOBER, 2012

effect. Its effect on the ovarian tissue may

produce an oestrogen like activity thatenhances the repair of the endometrium and

stops bleeding, it regularizes the intervalbetween two cycles. Besides treating the

symptoms of fatigue and generalized weaknessthe use of Ashoka provides immense relieffrom painful menses, the premenstrual

syndrome and non specific white discharge.The main preparations employingAshoka areAshokarishta and Ashokaghrita. Bark is

reported to cure biliousness, dysentery, colicpiles, ulcers and pimples. Leaves possess

blood purifying properties and their juicemixed wi th cumin seed is used fo rstomachache. Flowers pounded in water are

used in haemorrhagic dysentery and the driedflowers in diabetes. Flowers are usedas useful

to be an excellent uterine tonic. They arealso considered useful in biliousness andsyphilis. In Assam, fruits are chewed as a

substitute for areca nuts. Pods are reportedto make very good forage for cattle.

Conclusion

The Ashoka tree has excellentmedicinal properties mainly for women. Due

to its medicinal values, people should knowabout it .The plant should be conserved not

only in royal gardens it should also beconserved in our gardens as it is an indigenousendangered plant.

Ispat Autonomous College, Sector-16, Rourkela

Sundargarh, Odisha-769003

QUIZ ON INSECTSPrafullaKumarMohanty

1. The branch of science dealing with the

study of insects is

a) Arthrology b) Acarology

c) Araneology d) Entomology

2. Insects are characterised by the presence

of

a) Three pairs of legs

b) One pair of wings

c) Four pairs of legs

d) Three pairs of legs and a pair of wings

3. Which of the following is an insect ?

a) Silver fish b) Jelly fish

c) Parrot fish d) Star fish

4. Moths are found during the

a) Day time b) Night time

c) Rainy season d) Day and night time

5. Which of the following insects are taken

as food by some people in India and

abroad ?

a) Honeybees b) Ants

c) Beetles d) Caterpillars

6. Which of the following insects are

social, organised and disciplined ?

a) Scorpions b) Ants and bees

c) Cockroaches d) Lice7. Which of the following insects is

parasiticand lives on blood ?

a) Lice b) Ear wig

c) Jewelbug d) Stick insect

43ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

8. Which of thefollowing insects bear veryminute seales on the wings ?

a) Dragonfly b) House flyc) Fruit fly d) Butter fly9. Which of the following insects is

considered asthefastesthunterof the air ?a) Largewing fly b) Damsel flyc) Dragon fly d) Lady bird beetle10. Larva is a stage betweena) Egg and pupa b) Eggand adultc) Egg and nymphd) Nymph and adult11. Which of the followingmosquitoes suck

blood ?a) Maleb) Femalec) Both male and femaled) Larvae of mosquito12. Which blood parasites of human beings

are found inside the seats and furnituresof filmhalls, public utility places andhouses ?

a) Mosquitoes b) Bed bugsc) Ants d) Jewelbugs13. The insect which likes fruits and

vegetables isa) House fly b) Fruit flyc) Vegetable fly d) Dragon fly14. From which part of the silkmoths are

silk threads obtained ?a) Egg b) Larvadc) Pupa d) Adult15. Which of the following insects bore

stems of trees ?a) Stem borer b) Stick insect

c) Leaf insect d) Leaf hopper

16. Which of the following insects buildsearthen nest by using need and clay ?

a) White ant b) Red antc) Blackant d) Weaver ant

17. Which of the following insects stings ?a) Wasp b) Honeybeec) Ant d) Both honeybeeandwasp

18. Which of the following is a beetle ?a) An insectwithout wingsb) An insect with 2 pairs of hard wingsc) An insect with hard fore wings and soft

hind wingsd) An insect with soft fore and hind wings

19. Which of the following insects buildsleaf nest in citrus trees such as lemon,mango etc. ?

a) Red ant b) Weaver antc) Blackant d) White ant

20. Which insect is the causative agent ofelephantiasis (abnormal swelling ofcertain parts of the human body) ?

a) Female Anophelesb) Female Culexc) Female Aedes

d) Both male and female Culex

ANSWERS

1. (d) 2. (a) 3. (a) 4. (b) 5. (b)6. (b) 7. (a) 8. (d) 9. (c) 10. (a)11. (b) 12. (b) 13. (b) 14. (c) 15. (a)

16. (a) 17. (d) 18. (c) 19. (b) 20. (b)

Professor and Head, PG Department of Zoology,Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar-751004

Phone : 0674-2567483 (Res.), Cell - 9238571378,e-mail : prafulla.mohanty3@gmail.com

ScienceHorizon44

OCTOBER, 2012

Q. We have several questions on muscles

namely, muscle cramp, musle spasm,

muscle stiffness - a rigidity and muscle

paralysis etc. But before knowing about

these conditions, we need to know about

the structure of muscles and their

important functions.

Have you ever seen the muslces ? In ourbody muslces are covered by a layer of skin,

that is why we have no scope of ever knowing

as to how they look like. Only when anybodyfalls a victim of a severe road accident with

deep lacetation wounds, the onlookers happen

to see the portions of his or her torn muscles.

5W'S + H :(Why, Who, What, When, Where and How)

MUSCLESNityananda Swain

However, when

we go to the market

to buy meat, be it of

goat, lamb, cow or

chicken, we, in fact,

buy their muslces

which we call meat.

Edible portions of

fish are mostly its

muscles. So 'meat' is

the popu la r

expres sion of

muscles. Muscles are

located throughtout body and are just the right

size and shape to meet the need of the

individual.

As you know, the human body is

compared with a machine. But it lacks in

wheels, gears, pulleys or belts etc. In spite of

this it is capable of doing a great deal of varied

works like lifting, digging, carrying loads and

so on. So where from does the body derive the

power to perform those works ? Obviously it

is from the muscles.

The blood circulating in muscles

provide the fuel in the form of glucose, fatty

acids and amino acids. In the presence of

oxygen, the muscle cells convert these fuel

compounds into heat and energy. This energy

is spent for work.

Front Muscles of the Body

45ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

You might have known about ATP or

Adenosine triphosphate. ATP is known as the

energy currency of the cells and the

mitochondria present inside cells are known

as the cells' power house. It is because the

energy is abundantly generated in the

mitochondria.

Since muscles consume a lot of energy

for doing work, glucose molecules are stored

in the muscle cells as complex molecules

called glycogen.

Although there are 206 number of

bones, the number of muslces in the body

exceed 600. Muscles make up about half of

the body's mass.

Q. Are the muscles of same type or of

different types ?

There are three different types of

muscles in our body, namely -i. Skeletal muscles

ii. Smooth muscles and

iii. Cardiac musles.

The skeletal muscles are so calledbecause they are found in association with the

bones or the skeletal system. These musclesare contracted or relaxed under our will or

volition. This is why skeletal muscles are also

termed voluntary muscles.

Skeletal muscles move the bones of theskeleton at the joints. They enable us to stand,

walk, run, turn the head, talk, laugh, write etc.

On the otherhand, the smooth muscles

are not associated with the skeleton. Thesemuscles are mostly found in the internal organs

like the digestive tract, the respiratory passage,ureter, urinary bladder, gall bladder and walls

of blood vessels etc. Since these muscles are

not under our conscious control, they arecalled involuntary muscles.

As the name suggests, cardiac muscles

are the muscles of the heart i.e. the muscles of

the walls of its four chambers.

The cells that compose muscle arecommonly spoken of as 'fibres'. Fibres of

skeletal muscles are larger than those of

smooth muscles or cardiac muscles.

ScienceHorizon46

OCTOBER, 2012

Q. What are the functions of muscles ?

The common outstanding property of

the three types of muslces is contraction.

In case of skeletal muscles the contractioncauses movement of a joint, as a result we

can straighten and bend the upper and lower

limbs.

Muscles are responsible for the size and

shape of the body.

They help us to stand up, to sit, to lie

down in a sleeping posture, to bend the

body in different directions, to chew, to

swallow, to move the eyes and tongue as

well as perform various other works. In

these functions, specific muscle groups

participate.

Muscles take part in talking and evenkeeping the mouth shut ! You will be

surpirsed to know that more than 30

muscles participate in different facialexpressions.

Contraction of smooth muscles facilitate

movement of food and faces through the

digestive tract, movement of urine

through the urinary tract as well as

movement of blood through the blood

vessles.

Contraction of the cardiac or heart

muscle causes movement of blood.

Bones become strong due to function of

muscles.

Q. Are there blood supply and nerve

supply to the muscles ?

There are small blood vessels which enter

intomuscle tissue toprovide nutrients,water andoxygento the musclecells. If the blood supply to

the muscles is cut off, the part of the musclesupplied by that particular blood vessel dies.

This is what happens in heart-attack.

When blood supply to the heart muscles is notadequately maintained due to any block in the

artery, muscle cells of the heart die causingheart attack.

The muscles have their respective nerve

supply too. Nerves transmit impulses to themuscles. When the nerve is stimulated, the

muscle contracts. Without intact nerve supply,contraction of muscles is not possible.

The skeletal muscles are supplied bymotor nerves from the brain and spinal cord.The smooth muscles as well as the cardiac

muscles are supplied by nerves from the

autonomic nervous system.

The junction where the nerve endingmeets the muscle fibre is called the

neuromuscular junction. At the junction, acompound called neurotrasmitter is released

to effect the function of the nerve andassociated muscle function. Without proper

nerve supply the muscles cannot function.

(to be concluded)

'ABHIPSA' Sector -6, Plot No.-1131, Abhinab Bidanasi,

Cuttack - 753014

47ScienceHorizon

OCTOBER, 2012

NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS FOR THE YEAR 2012

PHYSICS :

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2012 was awarded jointly to Serge Haroche and David J. Wineland "forground-breaking experimental methodsthat enable measuring and manipulation of individual quantumsystems"

Serge HarocheBorn:

1944, Casablanca, MoroccoAffiliation at the time of the award:CollègedeFrance, Paris, France, ÉcoleNormale Supérieure, Paris, France.

David J. WinelandBorn:

1944, Milwaukee, WI,USAAffiliation at the time of the award:National Institute of Standards andTechnology, Boulder, CO, USA,University ofColorado, Boulder, CO,USA

CHEMISTRY:

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2012 was awarded jointly to Robert J. Lefkowitz and Brian K. Kobilka"for studies of G-protein-coupled receptors"

Robert J. LefkowitzBorn:

1943, NewYork, NY, USAAffiliation at the time of the award:Howard Hughes Medical Institute,Duke University Medical Center,Durham, NC, USA

PHYSIOLOGY OR MEDICINE :

The Nobel Prize in Physiologyor Medicine 2012 wasawarded jointly to Sir JohnB. Gurdon and ShinyaYamanaka "for the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent"

Sir John B. GurdonBorn:

1933, Dippenhall, United Kingdom

Affiliation at the time of the award:Gurdon Institute, Cambridge, UnitedKingdom

ShinyaYamanakaBorn:

1962, Osaka, Japan

Affiliation at the time of the award:Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan,Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco,CA, USA

Brian K. KobilkaBorn:

1955, LittleFalls, MN, USAAffiliation at the time of the award:Stanford Univer sity School ofMedicine, Stanford, CA, USA

ScienceHorizon48

OCTOBER, 2012

PEACE :

The EuropeanUnionwas awarded the2012 Nobelpeace prizefor itshistoric role inunitingthe continent,it was announced inOslo, Norway.

ECONOMIC SCIENCES :

The Sveriges Riksbank Prize inEconomic Sciences inMemory ofAlfred Nobel2012 was awarded jointlyto Alvin E. Roth and Lloyd S. Shapley "for the theory of stable allocations and the practice ofmarket design"

Alvin Eliot RothBorn: December 18, 1951,

United StatesAffiliation at the time of the award:Harvard University, Cambridge, MA,

USA, Harvard Business School,Boston, MA, USA

Lloyd S. ShapleyBorn:

1923, Cambridge, MA, USACambridge, Massachusetts

Affiliation at the time of the award:Universityof California, Los

Angeles, CA, USA

Editorial Board

LITERATURE :TheNobelPrize in Literature 2012wasawarded toMo Yan "who with hallucinatory realism mergesfolk tales, history and the contemporary"

MoYanBorn:

1955,Gaomi, ChinaAffiliation at the time of the award:China

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