Volume 10, Issue 2, 2010 April-June


Volume 10, No 2 Pages:
2010 April-June Articles: 6

Status of research on rattans: a review

Rattan forms one of the major biotic components in tropical and sub-tropical forest ecosystem. Contributions made by the researchers on the distribution, taxonomy and uses of rattan species in the world with special reference to India are reviewed here.


DOS and band structures calculations of transition metals (W and Nb) using FP-LAPW method

The paper describes a technique to determine the density of states (DOS) and band structures results of W and Nb by using FP-LAPW method in the framework of density functional theory (DFT), within generalized gradient approximation (GGA). We have calculated the optimized lattice constants of both W and Nb and used them to find the DOS and band structures. Our study indicates that DOS of W and Nb are similar in character. The DOS of Nb at the Fermi level is quite large as compared to W. These are indicative of good conductivity. The contribution to DOS and band structures is due to d state electrons of W and Nb. Our study indicates that W and Nb are metallic in character.


On a semi-symmetric metric connexion on a Riemannian manifold

Yano studied semi-symmetric connexion on a Riemannian manifold (Mn,g) and Thompson introduced 2-recurrent Riemannian manifold. The author here studied the nature of the 2-recurrent Riemannian manifold that admits a semi-symmetric connexion and it is found that such a manifold (Mn,g) is M-Projectively 2-recurrent.


Radon and the risk of lung cancer in Aizawl district, Mizoram, India

Radon level was studied in Aizawl district using solid state nuclear track device (SSNTD). SSNTD consists of plastic cylinder, called ‘dosimeter’, which detect alpha particles waves (nuclear track) emitted from radon. This nuclear track was read with park counter. seasonal variation throughout the year was recorded. Other than tobacco smoking, radon is established to be a major carcinogen of the lung cancer. Aizawl district has the highest incidence (in percentage) of lung cancer in India. This study may show the role of radon in the development of cancer in Aizawl district.


On the new catfish, Pseudolaguvia virgulata, from Mizoram, India

A new species of catfish was recently identified from some major rivers of Mizoram. Heok Hee Ng and Lalramliana named the new catfish Pseudolaguvia virgulata, after its distinctively striped colour pattern (virgulata = “striped” in Latin). 


Climate change and biodiversity: inter-linkages, impact, mitigation and adaptation

Climate change and biodiversity have been major dominant issues since the latter part of the twentieth century at the international level. The rich variety of life on earth has always had to deal with a changing climate. A major influence on evolutionary changes that had produced plant and animal species of today is the result of adaptation that different life forms showed to climate change. This is a usual pattern that the survival of ecosystems and their function are perfectly compatible with the variation in the climate.