Science Horizon

Volume 4 Issue 9 September, 2019

President, Odisha Bigyan Academy Editorial Board Prof. Pramod Chandra Mishra Prof. Niranjan Barik

Editor Prof. Ramesh Chandra Parida Er. Mayadhar Swain Dr. Choudhury Satyabrata Nanda Managing Editor Dr. Rajballav Mohanty Er. Bhagat Charan Mohanty Secretary, Odisha Bigyan Academy Dr. Nilambar Biswal

CONTENTS Subject Author Page 1. Editorial : Ozone Layer Depletion and Montreal Protocol Er. Mayadhar Swain 2 2. Magnetic Levitation Prof. Bipin Bihari Swain 4 3. Magnetic Reasonance Imaging Dr. Prem Chand Mohanty 8 4. Can Artificial Intelligence Improve Learning Soumya Ranjan Das 13 5. Energy of the Future Dr. Sadasiva Biswal 15 6. Environmental Protection in Highways & Building Construction Er. B.C. Padhi 17 7. Kidney: The Cleaning Crew-3 (Peritoneal Dialysis) Prof. Prafulla Kumar Mohanty 20 8. Care and Nutrition for “First 1000 days of Life Dr. Diptimayee Jena 23 9. Free Radicals, Antioxidants and Plants Taranisen Panda R.B. Mohanty 27 10. Know our Plants- Nageswar (Mesua ferrea Linn.) Samarendra Narayan Mallick 30 11. Petroleum Plants Miss. Stuti Dr. Sanjeeb Kumar Das 34 12. Henry Gwyn Jeffreys Moseley (The Discovery P.K. Pujapanda of the Ifallible Law of Nature) Balaram Sahoo 38 13. Importance of Soil Health Card Prava Kiran Dash Dr. Antaryami Mishra Dr. Subhashis Saren Tupai Lokya 42 14. Quiz: Motion & Force Sri Binod Chandra Jena 45 15. Recent News on Science & Technology 47

The Cover Page depicts : OZONE LAYER Cover Design : Kalakar Sahoo

neutron star SEPTEMBER, 2019 EDITORIAL OZONE LAYER DEPLETION AND MONTREAL PROTOCOL

In the stratosphere which extends a research article which showed that human- from 10 km to 50 km of the atmosphere, produced chlorofluorocarbon which there is a thin layer of ozone called the contains carbon, fluorine and chlorine was ozone layer. This layer protects the lives of a major source of chlorine in the the earth from the harmful effects of the atmosphere. They also noted that chlorine ultraviolet ray (290 to 320 nanometre wave liberated from CFC by ultraviolet radiation length) from the sun by absorbing it. destroyed the ozone. Subsequently, it was Ultraviolet ray damages our DNA and confirmed by laboratory measurements causes skin cancer and cataract. It also and model studies. Crutzen, Molina and damages crops. Ozone is formed by three Rowland were awarded the Nobel Prize oxygen atoms and naturally it is formed by for chemistry in 1995 for this work. It is to the reaction of oxygen with the ultraviolet be noted that CFC was developed in the ray and when ozone absorbs ultraviolet ray USA by General Motors in 1928 for use in it disintegrates. Thus, in nature formation place of poisonous gas ammonia and it and disintegration of ozone was a continued was called as “wonder material”. But after process and hence, the amount of ozone much use, its nature could be known and remains constant in the atmosphere. In now its production has been stopped. 1970s, it was found that the thickness of Scientists found some more ozone depleting ozone layer was decreasing. In 1969, Dutch substances. These compounds are chemist Paul Crutzen published a paper carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, describing effect of nitrogen oxide on hydrochlorofluorocarbon, halons, methyl ozone. He showed that nitrogen oxide bromide and hydrobromofluorocarbon. reacts with free oxygen atoms and slows These were used in refrigerator, air- the formation of ozone and this can also conditioner, fire-fighting equipment and decompose ozone into nitrogen dioxide some other equipment. Chlorine or and oxygen. Nobody gave any importance bromine, when reacts with ozone, converts to it. But in 1974, American chemists it to oxygen. The best known and most Mario Molina and F. Sherwood Rowland abundant of ozone depleting substances is of the University of California published chlorofluorocarbon. A single atom of

2 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019 chlorine can destroy 100000 or more history and not a single country has molecules at ozone. The situation came to opposed it. Due to this, use and production such a state that hole appeared in the ozone of 97 percent ozone depleting substances layer above Antarctica in the winter every have been reduced and the level of these year since the early 1980s. Although it is substances in the atmosphere have come termed as hole, it is not really a hole down. It is fortunate for human kind that through the ozone layer but rather a large due to this effort, depletion of ozone layer area of the ozone layer with extreme low has been stopped, although it will take amounts of ozone. But that was also some more years to gain its former alarming and ultraviolet ray could penetrate thickness. The ozone layer is expected to and reach Earth. The largest decrease in reach pre-1980 levels by around 2075. ozone layer take place in high latitudes Montreal protocol has given benefit (towards the poles) and the smallest in the to another environmental issue which is lower latitudes (near the tropics). global warming and climate change. When concrete evidence of ozone Although carbon dioxide (CO ) is the 2 layer depletion was found out, scientists, major gas responsible for the above, the statesmen and environmentalists tried for same chemicals that harm the ozone also its remedy. In 1985, countries adopted the warm the climate. So Montreal Protocol Vienna Convention for the protection of has benefitted it. It has been estimated that the ozone layer. Two years later, in a between 1989-2013, the Montreal Protocol conference held at Montreal in Canada, prevented the emissions of 5.6 billion tonnes they adopted the Montreal Protocol on of CO equiavalent. Montreal Protocol 2 substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, came into effect in 1989 and hence this simply known as Montreal Protocol. In year is the 30th year of it. As it was signed this protocol, it was decided to stop the on 16 September 1987, the United Nations use and production of ozone depleting has declared 16 September as ‘World substances. The ban came into effect in Ozone Day’ and it is being observed every 1989. It has also a financial mechanism, the year on this day since 1994 to create Mutual Fund, which helps the developing awareness among people about the countries comply with the protocol. 197 importance of ozone layer and its countries have signed this protocol and production in our lives. acted on it. Montreal protocol is the only Er. Mayadhar Swain universally ratified treaty in United Nation’s Editor

Science Horizon 3 SEPTEMBER, 2019

MAGNETIC LEVITATION

Prof. Bipin Bihari Swain Aeroplanes fly high in the sky, In Maglevs, the bottom of the train wraps helicopters move at relatively less height, and round the guide way. Maglev uses two sets of drones rove closer to the surface of the earth. magnets - one set to repel and push the train But with the technology used in these devices, off the track and keep it afloat. Another set of is it possible to design a hovercraft that floats magnets attract and keep the moving train on over your head in the street? Can a train move the track. Levitation magnets on the underside over the track without touching the rails? Such of the guide way are positioned to attract the an antigravity device seems to be impossible opposite poles of the magnet on the wrap today. But magnetically enhanced hover boards around section of the maglev. and hover cars could become a reality in the Maglev trains face the challenge for future, enabling us to defy gravity and levitate improving stability, controllability, and cost large objects at will. In the future, this objective effectiveness. But scientists are making steady might become a reality, if room temperature improvement, yet concepts have been superconductors become a reality. implemented only over a limited scale. In In factories, heavy loads are shifted by 1984, the World’s first commercial automated using strong electromagnets. If two bar-magnets maglev system started operation in U.K. are suspended keeping both north/south poles between Birmingham International Airport and close by, they attarct each other. On the other nearby Birmingham International Railway hand, when similar poles are placed close by, station. Next maglev trains were built in the magnets repel each other. Germany followed by Japan and Korea. This principle that two similar magnetic Because of operational constraints, none of poles repel each other can be used to lift enormous them travelled at very high speed. loads off the ground. This is called magnetic The first high speed commercial maglev levitation. Some countries have adopted this trains operated between China’s Sanghai principle on a limited scale though, in magnetic Pudong Airport and Longayang Roads in 2002 locomotive trains (Maglev trains), that hover just over a stretch of 30.5 km. The top speed of the above the railway track without touching it. The train was 480 km/h and the train took about 8 train runs with normal engine but the wheels do minutes for a round trip. The Japanese maglev not touch the track. They have zero-friction and trains coming next are world’s fastest tracks floats over a cushion of air. In principle, such till date, running at a speed of nearly 600 km/h. trains can travel at tremendous speed. This speed is obviously faster than usual

4 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019 wheeled trains, but close to that of bullet it is the superconducting state of the metals. trains. This is because, at usual temperature, random What prohibits the spread of ‘Maglev vibration of the atoms impede the flow of trains’? The high cost involved in its design electrons in a metallic wire. By reducing the with available technology, makes its operation temperature, these random vibrations are uneconomical and as such not affordable. To reduced and hence electricity flows with create strong magnets for use in maglev reduced resistance. devices, electric current of large magnitude The superconducting transition at the need be used. Electrical loss due to conductor critical temperature is reversible. When heated, resistance associated with such a device makes the superconductor reverts to its normal state it difficult to maintain and makes the system above T . Superconductivity occurs in metallic c extremely expensive. One way to avoid elements (silver, lead etc.) of the periodic electrical loss and increase efficiency would system and also in alloys and semiconductors. be use of “room temperature super conductors”. Scientists have succeeded in fabricating Maglev cars using high temperature superconductivity technology. Theoretically, these trains are capable of running at a speed  of 3,500 km/h. Resistivity What impedes large scale use of this 0 4.2 K Temperature, T technology in spreading a Maglev network? A T C brief introduction of ‘superconductivity’ and Fig.1 ‘superconductors’ is called for at this stage. The range of critical temperature at present Superconductivity extends from 23.2 K for the alloys of Nb, Ge to 0.01K for some semiconductors. Superconductivity was first observed in Physicists have found that the upper limit of 1911 by the Dutch physicist H.K. Onnes while the resistivity of a superconducting lead may working on the electrical conductivity of be about 10-35 ohm. metre which is about metals at low temperatures. He observed that 0.00000000000000001 times its value in as purified mercury is cooled to extremely normal state. So it is appropriate to treat it as low temperature, its resistivity abruptly drops zero. at 4.2 K (Fig.1). Above this temperature, the resistivity is small, but finite, while resistivity Persistent Current below this point is so small that it is essentially If a superconductor has the form of a zero. The temperature at which this transition closed ring in which induced current is takes place is called the Critical temperature generated, the current in it flows continuously (T ). For T > T , is the normal state and for T < T , c c c without fall in value even after the inducing

Science Horizon 5 SEPTEMBER, 2019 source is removed. Such a current is called Using the meissner effect, one can ‘persistent current’. In a typical case, a lead imagine a future in which the highways are ring in superconducting state, can carry an made of the special superconductor ceramics. induced current of several hundred amperes Then a magnet placed in our belt or shoes for over one year without break. could enable us to float to our destination Physicists immediately recognised the without any friction or energy loss. importance of this result. Power lines lose a With such immense possibilities significant amount of energy by transmitting unfolded by use of superconductors, why do electricity along a long distance. But if all we not use them extensively and spread the resistances could be eliminated as in a ‘maglev network’ on a large scale? superconductor, power could be transmitted Despite all the miraculous power, the almost without loss. In fact, if electricity were problem with the use of superconductor in made to circulate in a closed circuit made of Maglev is that it is very expensive as large superconductors, the limited amounts of magnets are to be immersed in vats of super- electricity would circulate for millions of years. coded liquid (to come down to the critical As such, electromagnets of incredible strength temperature) to convert the ordinary conductor could be made with little effort and huge loads into a superconductor at critical temperature can be lifted easily. (which is close to 0 K). This makes production Meissner effect and maintenance of superconducting magnets Superconductors also have another prohibitively expensive. property which causes levitation. If you place a What is the next alternative? In order to magnet above a semiconductor, the magnet will make ‘Maglev’ trains affordable, the solid state levitate, as if held upwards by some invisible physicists should develop the technology to force. This is called ‘Meissner effect’. Its reason create a ‘room temperature superconductor’. It is that the magnet has the effect of creating a will have no electrical resistance under normal ‘mirror image’ magnet within the working condition and hence no loss of energy. superconductor, so that the original magnets ‘Persistent Current’ is an obvious possibility in and the mirror image magnet repel each other. such situation. The development of room Another way to see this is that the magnetic temperature superconductor in the laboratory fields cannot penetrate into a superconductor. would spark a second industrial revolution. Instead, magnetic fields are repelled. So if a Powerful ‘magnetic fields’ capable of lifting magnet is held above a superconductor, the cars and trains would become so cheap that lines of force are expelled by the hover cars might be a common sight and network superconductor pushing the magnet upwards of ‘Maglev’ trains will cover the globe. and cause levitation. In principle, one might be able to wear a belt made of superconducting magnets that

6 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019 would enable one of effortlessly levitate off solution is development of room-temperature the ground. With such a belt, one could fly in superconductor that would need no additional the car like ‘Hanuman’ of Ramayana. technology and cost escalation and make During the last quarter of the 19th Century, levitation possible at affordable cost. search for development of room temperature Major limitation in development of high- superconductor became a craze, but without temperature superconductor is lack of success. It was a tedious hit-or-miss process appropriate theoretical basis. The experimental testing one material after another. But in 1986, development of a superconductor is based on a new class of materials were found that became arranging particular atoms in distinctive layers superconductor at about 90 degrees above and study the response in varying absolute zero, that is, at- 183°C. The ultimate configurations. Many physicists theorise that goal of developing ‘room temperature this type of layering of the ceramic material superconductor’ seems achievable. Physicists makes it possible for electrons to flow freely enthusiastically jumped into the race and tried within each layer creating a superconductor. beating one another to break the next world But precisely none have the theoretical record for a superconductor, that is, inching knowledge and depend on the hit-or-miss closer to room temperature. For a brief moment, procedure for its development. it seemed as if ‘room temperature Recently a team led by Prof. Anshu superconductor’ would be a reality and ‘levitation’ Pandey and Dev Kumar Thapa of IISc, would leap off the pages of science fiction into Bengaluru have claimed to have developed a our living rooms. But after a few years of moving room-temperature superconductor using at breakneck speed, research in high-temperature silver-gold atoms, both of which are good superconductors lost its momentum. conductors. It became a superconductor at Since about 1993, the high-temperature 13°C, close to room temperature. In this state, superconductor has been a ceramic material its resistivity is 10,000 times lower than that called mercury barium calcium copper oxide of good conductors like gold, copper and (H Ba Ca Cu O ) with T =133-138 K. The silver. They worked on 128 monostructured g 2 2 3 8+5 c latest experiment with this material i.e. -135° samples of silver-gold components. The first still awaits experimental confirmation. Room report came in July, 2018 and improved version temperature is far, yet, it is still important. in May, 2019 with a video evidence of Nitrogen liquifies at 77 K and liquid nitrogen magnetic levitation. But many other physicists costs as much as ordinary milk. Hence it is have challenged their finding and the claim of affordable and could be used to cool down this group awaits unequivocal acceptance. conductors to critical temperature cheaply. If the IISc results stand the scrutiny of Yet the operational constraints of ‘Maglev the scientific community, may be our search network’ remains unsolved. The ultimate of a room-temperature superconductor has

Science Horizon 7 SEPTEMBER, 2019 completed its journey or in case of failure, we MAGNETIC RESONANCE may have to wait for the elusive material. How IMAGING long will we wait? It is a question difficult to answer. But once room-temperature superconductors are a reality, a tidal wave of Dr. Prem Chand Mohanty commercial applications will set off. Magnetic fields that are million times more powerful In the past days, the modality of treatment than the Earth’s magnetic field (which is about was primarily experience based. But in this 5 gauss) can be generated. Maglev trains and millennium the physicians emphasise more Maglev network will cover the entire globe. It on evidence. For these they are taking the may be tomorrow or eternity. assistance of modern techniques like Our discussion on magnetic levitation ultrasonography, CT Scan, PET scan, MRI etc. will remain incomplete unless we discuss But during last 20 years no other modality has more about Meissner effect. The Meissner so much developed as magnetic resonance effect work on magnetic materials, such as imaging (MRI). During it’s life span it has iron. But it is also possible to use covered anatomy to physiology, structural to superconducting magnets to levitate functional, morphological to tissue diagnosis, paramagnets and dia-magnets. These and providing biochemical information. As substances do not have magnetic properties compared to X-rays & CT scan, MRI is the of their own, but they acquire their magnetic most authentic, reliable and safest tool by properties only in the presence of an external which the physicians can well visualise the magnetic field. Paramagnets are attracted by internal organs to the level of cells & tissues. an external magnet, while dia-magnets are By this method it is possible to differentiate repelled by an external magnetic field. an affected tissue from a healthy tissue. Also from the images of MRI it is possible to study Water, for example, is a dia-magnetic the consequences of introducing a particular substance. Since all living beings are made of drug to the body of a patient. MRI is less water, they can levitate in the presence of harmful because X-ray and CT scan use powerful magnetic field. Scientists have ionising radiation whereas the later uses radio levitated small animals such as frogs. But if frequency signals to acquire images of non- room-temperature superconductors become a calcified tissues. MRI is far more sophisticated reality, it should be possible to levitate large than CT scan as it has a long list of properties non-magnetic objects as well via their dia- that may be used to generate image contrast. magnetic property. By variation of scanning parameters, tissue n Chapala Niwas, contrast can be changed and enhanced in a 15, Chintamaniswar Area, number of ways to detect different features. Bhubaneswar-751006 Mob.- 9437032710 For purposes of tumour detection &

8 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019 identification in brain MRI is superior. It is the magnetic dipole moment of some atoms best suited for patients who are to undergo undergo some changes. For example, some of repeated tests in short time interval because them align themselves towards the applied unlike CT it doesn’t expose the patient to the field and others are antiparallel to the field. hazards of ionising radiation. MRI is more During alignment, not only the spin but also efficient than CT scan because the later the axis of rotation changes forming a cone. It provides better spatial resolutions but MRI is called precession. The number of provides comparable resolution with far better precessions of a proton is called precession contrast one. It is because the MRI scanner frequency which depends upon the applied includes a library of pulse sequences, each of field strength. At that moment if a radio which can be optimised to provide image frequency (RF) pulse is applied then the contrast based on chemical sensitivity. precessing protons may absorb some energy from it and go to higher energy level and start History precessing in antiparallel order. This imbalance For the first time, in the year 1973 this results in tilting of the magnetisation in to the technique came to light with a number of transverse plane. For this the precession images. In 1974 a complete cross sectional frequency and radio frequency must be in picture of a living mouse was published by resonance with each other or else no energy using this technique & same technique was exchange can occur. RF pulse not only causes extended to the case of human being in 1977, excitation but also makes them precess in where the activities of some internal organs phase. In transverse magnetisation form the were depicted through coloured pictures. Due frequency possessed by the protons is called to extensive research work in the field of its Larmor Frequency. This induces a current in primary importance & applicability in the field the RF coil appearing as MR signal which are of diagnosis, Paul Lauterbur of Illinouis transformed into images by computers using University & Sir Peter Mansfield of Fourier Transformation method. In short, the Nottingham University were awarded jointly total process may be ascribed as follows. with Nobel Prize in the year 2003. When a patient coming for MRI is allowed to remain inside the magnetic field then all How MRI works ? randomised protons in the body will start to precess along the applied magnetic field. If 70% of our body weight comprises of RF pulse is introduced then the precessing water. Each water molecule consists of 2 protons after absorbing energy start converting hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Under longitudinal to transverse magnetisation. This normal condition, these protons move generates a current which is received by RF randomly but when they come under the coil as MR signal. This signal is ultimately influence of an external magnetic field then received and converted to images by complex

Science Horizon 9 SEPTEMBER, 2019 mathematical process. When RF pulse is Components Of MRI switched off longitudinal magnetisation (LM) Mainly there are 4 components namely starts increasing along Z-axis and transverse 1) A magnet to produce a magnetic field 2) A magnetisation (TM) starts decreasing in the gradient to localize signal 3) Transmitter and transverse plane. The process of such recovery receiver coils for Radio Frequency pulses 4) in the 1st case is called Longitudinal relaxation Computer system. and the 2nd one is called Transverse relaxation.The time taken by LM to recover to 1) Magnetic Field:- Generally for clinical its original value after switching off of RF purposes magnets of strength 0.2 to 3 Tesla pulse is called T1, similarly the time taken by are used. But for research work magnets of TM to reduce to it’s original value is called higher strength (> 3T) are used. In the field of T2. T1 depends upon the composition of spectroscopy, functional & cardiac MRI tissues, structures & surroundings. For magnets of strength 1.5 T is being used .In example, water molecules are highly mobile, case of open MRI permanent magnets made of so protons of water take more time to transfer alnico is used . Here field strength ranges their energy (longer T1 value) but fatty tissues from 0.2-0.5 T. To produce field strength of have short T1 values. T2 depends on 0.2-0.3 T electromagnets are used which are inhomogenity of local magnetic fields within easy to install and can be tuned easily. But its the tissues. Due to lack of much inhomogenity operational cost is high as it requires water has a long T2 value but for impure liquid continuous power supply & cooling systems. or for tissues containing macro molecules Now-a-days superconducting magnets are have short T2 values. Materials with short T1 being preferred as they don’t require value have bright signal but tissues with short continuous power supply. These are made of T2 will lose their signal earlier. K-space is an wires of Nb/Ti alloy being cooled to -269 imaginary space representing a raw data matrix. degree C by surrounding the coils by liquid It is an intermediate stage between reception helium. In all the cases homogeneity of of signals and image formation. Here signals magnetic field must be maintained. are stored as raw data in a definite order which 2) Gradients:- These are 3 sets of coils are finally used to reconstruct images by using which can vary magnetic field strength in X, Y, Fourier transformation. Five tissue variables & Z directions. Further they can be used for namely spin density, relaxation times T1 & slice selection, phase encoding. frequency T2, flow shifts and spectra shifts are used to encoding and to rephase the protons when get contrast images. By changing the they go out of phase. parameters it is possible to create images of different types of our body tissues. 3) Radio Frequency Coils:- These are loop of wires which are used to transmit RF pulses

10 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019 into the patient and to receive the signals from part by our hepatobilliary system. In order to the patient. Here energy is transmitted in the get clear pictures of blood vessels, tumours form of intense bursts of radio frequency or sites of inflammation contrast agents are called RF pulse. It helps in causing phase injected intravenously to the patient’s body. coherence and exciting some protons to move But in making arthrograms the contrast agents from a lower to higher energy state. Depending can be directly injected into the affected sites. upon design RF coils may be volume surface This technique can image every part of the or phase array coils. Volume coil is the main body but is of immense help for those tissues coil located in the magnet bore as the having a vast number of H nuclei like brain, innermost ring which either surrounds the muscle tumors and connective tissues. In a whole body or a specific region. Surface coils given MRI examination, 5-20 sequences are may be flexible or rigid & are operated in taken out of which each one is chosen for a receive only mode. A phase array coil is made particular information about the affected of 2 or more surface coils . Depending upon tissues. the number of surface coils PA coils may be 4, Applications of MRI 6, 8 or 32 PA coils. With increase in number of elements the rate of dynamic scanning Out of so many applications let’s discuss increases. some.

4) Computer systems:- In present days, 1) Magnetic resonance Angiography:- This computers play an important role in data method is used for vascular assessment. It is collection, manipulation, image viewing, of 2 types. a) Non contrast & b) Contrast storage and documentation . enhanced MRA. For evaluation of circle of Willis arteries and for nephrogenic systemic 5) Contrast agents:- Use of contrast agents fibrosis non-contrast MRI is preferred. In in MRI improves the quality of detection, contrast enhanced MRA a dose of 0.2 mmol/kg delineation and characterisation. They may be of Gd is injected to make T1 of blood shorter of 2 types. 1) Parenteral and 2) Oral. The 1st than that of fat and muscle so that it will type are classified on relaxivity and appear brighter than fat. Keyhole imaging is susceptibility. Examples are Gadolinium (Gd) applied to CEMRA for improving the temporal and Iron oxide. Gd is a paramagnetic agent resolution. which reduces T1 & T2 of the tissues where it accumulates. It increases signal of T1w & 2) Magnetic Resonance Diffusion:- The reduces that of T2w images. In the form of protons of water molecules often diffuse to chelates Gd is available as gadobenate and dissipate their thermal energy. The difference gadxetate which have more stability. So they in mobility of these molecules in tissues gives can stay for a longer time and are excreted in the contrast in diffusion weighted imaging

Science Horizon 11 SEPTEMBER, 2019

(DWI) and it helps to characterise normal and pathological tissues. The recent development of diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) enables diffusion to be measured in multiple directions and hence makes it easier to make brain maps, to examine the connectivity of different regions of brain and to examine areas of neural degeneration & demyelination in multiple sclerosis. It is also helpful in detecting ischemic stroke, cytotoxic edema and cerebral perfusion. MRI Scan 3) Magnetisation Transfer MRI:- In protein affecting the brain and to provide information molecules water may be present in free or on tumour metabolism. Now a days it is used bound state. In free state protons exhibit to differentiate radiation necrosis and gliosis, translational & rotational motions thereby neonatal hypoxia, stroke, epilepsy, alzheimer’s disturbing the surrounding magnetic field. This dementia, hepatic encephalopathy, abscess, is called motional averaging but protons bound HIV and AIDS. to proteins tend to have a fixed orientation. So 6) Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging:- It the average magnetic field doesn’t average to provides anatomic and functional informations zero. This provides an indirect method to in acquired and congenital heart diseases such measure the macromolecular content in as differentiation of constrictive pericarditis tissues. from restrictive cardiomyopathy and aortic 4) Fluid attenuated inversion recovery dissection. Also helps in assessment of ( FLAIR ):- It is a pulse sequence used to null myocardial viability and perfusion ,ventricular signal from fluids. So it can be used in brain function, cardiac and pericardial masses etc. imaging to suppress cerebrospinal fluids so as 7) Magnetic resonance cholangiopan- to bring out periventricular hyperintense creatography:- This technique is used in lesions such as multiple sclerosis plaques. diagnosing cystic diseases of bile duct, 5) Magnetic resonance spectroscopy:-This congenital anomalies, choledocholithiasis, technique is used to measure the levels of post surgical complications, chronic different metabolites in body tissues. The MR pancreatitis and neo plastic lesions. signal produces a spectrum that correspond to 8) Functional MRI:- It measures signal different molecular arrangements of the changes in the brain that are due to changing isotopes being excited. This signature is used neural activity. Here the brain is scanned at to diagnose metabolic disorders especially

12 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019 low resolution but at a rapid rate. Increased neural activity causes an increased demand for CAN ARTIFICIAL oxygen and the vascular system actually INTELLIGENCE overcompensates for this, increasing the IMPROVE LEARNING amount of oxygenated haemoglobin relative to de-oxygenated haemoglobin. This technique is used in understanding brain functional areas and psychiatric diseases, estimation of risk of postoperative deficit and in determination of Soumya Ranjan Das hemispheric dominance for languages. Professor and cognitive researchers Besides these important uses MRI frequently depend on test scores to determine provides a greater possibilities to be applied how well students comprehend lessons. in other areas such as enterography, urography, However, this practice ignores many critical iron overload imaging, arthrography and aspects of learning, such as the engaging effect elastography and many others . This lengthy of classroom discussion or interests and discussion on MRI proves that we have not yet motivations of classroom learners. been able to reach up to a part of this modern By convention, a neutral observer technique. It requires an extensive research in would be required to recognize these this field to reveal it’s hidden treasure. unquantifiable moments of a great teaching Ultimately a day will come when we will be experience but human observations are time- using this technique just like we use X- rays in consuming and expensive. One can video these days. Let’s hope for the best. tape classrooms, but that would be just as Reference Books cumbersome and costly, requiring an expert to interpret and analyze that recordings 1) Magnetic Resonance Imaging & It’s afterwards. Physical Principles By Handee R. Morgan, J Christopher. Because of advances in artificial intelligence, education researchers and 2) Analysis of MRI By Allen Counter & computer scientists have come up with ways Ake Olofesson. to create smart systems that can observe and 3) The History, Development and Impact of listen in on classrooms, and instantaneously Computed Imaging in neurological analyze the quality of a teacher’s classroom diagnosis By A. G. Filler. delivery. This technology has gone through 4) MRI Made Easy By Govind B. Chavhan. several enhancements as a result of n improvements in natural language processing H.O.D. (Department of Chemistry) N.A.C. College, Burla and automatic speech recognition with current Mob. 9437127820 technology. However, it takes a huge amount

Science Horizon 13 SEPTEMBER, 2019 of work simply to teach these robots, how to loss when asked to solve practical challenges observe one micro aspect of a classroom at a in the work place. Technologies such as time. Artificial Intelligence and virtual reality can Can algorithms replace expert help monitor and identify personal preference observers? and aptitudes and they can do this much faster than any human, providing the opportunity for Observing human behaviour is different much needed intervention at exactly the stage from measuring variables in a Physics at which it is required. That is the crux of Experiment. Rational assumptions made on providing students with a complete vocational the basis of observations of large groups would experience and making their education relevant break down at the level of the individual. to what is required by industry. Further, due to our limited understanding of all the facets of great pedagogy, we might miss Inherent Bias of Algorithm Designer out on an aspect that is crucial to motivating One of the advantage of letting machines a particular type of learner. decide the capacity of learners is that they can This is because questions as complicated process large amounts of data with precision. as morality and religious belief are not However, the parameters on which that universally agreed upon. Humans respond to measurement is made have still been created each other. A smile or an act of kindness at the by a human. That means that a social researcher appropriate moment cannot be enacted by a has made a choice about which attributes are machine. Quite often small gestures make a important and which are not. One cannot world of difference to the choices an penalize teachers with low-performance ratings impressionable mind will make. based on a subjective scale if their students AI does enhance the learning experience have gained great learning experiences. What artificial intelligence can do in this scenario, Hard data can indeed help indentify however, is that it can provide insights into learning challenges for individual students. good teaching practices. Virtual reality can enliven a science lesson visually, and for engineering students, in Learners perspective particular, simulate and break down From the perspective of the student, not connections between moving parts in ways gifted in language, visual imagery can enhance that even the most imaginative teacher cannot grasping powers using spatial relationships put together in a lecture. Engineering education between objects and their relative sizes. in India is being criticized for churning out Artificial intelligence monitoring intelligence unemployable graduates in large numbers. can enable the student to know where she/he Most of them seem to lack stands in respect of defined learning outcomes. communication skills and find themselves at a

14 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019 Lesson can be paced, repeated and ENERGY OF modified to match a learners’s rate of THE FUTURE comprehension in this age of short attention spans and social distractions, making learning relevant to real life situations encountered by Dr. Sadasiva Biswal a particular age group which can mitigate some Prelude of the dreariness of a technical module. In the early days, the discovery of fossil Industry Perspective fuels like coal, petroleum and natural gas From the point of view of the industry, paved the way for large scale consumption of artificial intelligence finds applications in energy for electricity, transport, agriculture, screening resumes and rank candidates by industries, space research and so on. But there proficiency. It can also be used to predict was one side effect, i.e. environmental which candidate would be successful in an pollution. assigned role. AI programs are being used to The fossil fuels, when burnt released tag, organize and visually search content by carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas (GHG) labelling features of an image or video for responsible for increasing global temperature. market researchers. Industrialisation has led to atmospheric concentrations of CO , methane and nitrous A report published in the Economist 2 estimates that advances in robotics, AI and oxide that are unprecedented in at least the automation could potentially cost 800 million last 800,000 years. And with rising global jobs worldwide within a few decades. temperature came erratic weather events, rapid However, in the best case scenario, engineers melting of snow and the increasing sea level. or technical workmen in a small number of In order to free from such environmental at-risk occupations would find themselves hazards, people thought of alternative energy jobless. sources which will be environment friendly. It is the ability to introspect and innovate Scientists have already taken up this outside the box that gives humans the edge challenge of finding an alternative energy source over automations. While artificial intelligence that can power our appliances and gadgets may be able to enhance productivity and without releasing CO . And in 1839, French 2 improve upon mechanical tasks, it can not physicist Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel found learn independent of experience. one such source and this is the solar energy. n Here after, the story of renewable energy began. Makidia, Hatigarh, Balasore-756033 Solar Energy E-mail: [email protected] The sun is the source of all energy. It is Mob. 8093823106, 9348547302 the storehouse of unlimited energy. We have

Science Horizon 15 SEPTEMBER, 2019 been trying hard since long to trap the solar countries, whereas oil is the second major energy for our use. Well, we are still in the source. nascent stage but we have travelled a long However, energy from renewable distance in a very short time. In the past, resources like the sun, wind, water and nuclear harnessing solar energy was at best a science reactors are slowly showing us the road to a fiction plot a few decades ago, but today it is cleaner future. as common as the newspaper! From trains to To lower the dependence on coal, India cars to street lights and toys, everything runs has set a target of 175 GW of installed on solar energy. The most important aspect of capacity from renewable energy by 2022. Of solar power is that it does not emit CO . It is 2 this, 100 GW would be solar energy. absolutely pollution-free. There will come a day when renewable Solar Revolution: The India Story energy would be used to power not only our All our appliances in our house need homes and industries but even our cars, trains electricity to work. Therefore, electricity is and some day, may be even our aeroplanes. considered one of the most valuable And for India in particular, that day may not be commodities in the world. very far. According to a 2018 study published With rapid economic growth and by University of Technology (LUT) in Finland, urbanisation, there has been an increase in India has the capacity to operate entirely on energy demand and consumption. India and renewable by 2050. China, two of the fastest growing economies Solar Power in India in the Asian subcontinent, are no different in The world’s first fully solar powered this respect. In 2018, India, China and the US airport has been established in Kerala and the accounted for nearly 70 percent of the rise in largest solar rooftop has been installed on a global energy demand, said a recent report cricket stadium in Mumbai. This shows that released by the International Energy Agency India has made giant leaps in the field of solar (IEA). energy. Thanks to the falling prices of solar As of August 2019, the install capacity installations in India, sourcing energy from of power station in India is 360788 MW. Of the sun to meet our energy needs is no longer this, more than half is from coal. Developing a luxurious enterprise. Take the Bhadla Solar countries like India and China, also two of the Park in Rajasthan for example. Hundreds of world’s most populated countries, have the solar panels are seen glistening in this over 45 daunting task of finding sustainable and square kilometre stretch of the Thar desert. affordable electricity solutions for billions. The journey of solar power in India has Therefore, much like the rest of the world, undoubtedly been remarkable but there are coal-based thermal plants are still the leading emerging challenges that call our attention. source of electricity in both the Asian

16 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019 According to “The State of Renewable Energy ENVIRONMENTAL in India” report released by the Centre for PROTECTION IN Science and Environment (CSE), the country’s HIGHWAYS & focus has mostly been on large scale solar BUILDING installations and household supply constitutes CONSTRUCTION only a small pie (roughly 15%) of the total installed capacity of 3399 megawatts (MW) Er B.C. Padhi until September, 2018. The construction activities in the country Reservations regarding cost and energy are set to take a faster pace in the coming days efficiency have been major factors for this. with the present Government drawing its road map of long -term infrastructure development. Despite the fall of prices and government We have developed road infrastructure a great subsidies, individual consumers are reluctant deal, however a lot is yet to be done. Although to invest in a technology that they know little road infrastructure has come of age, we are about. Added costs such as money spent on the still far behind to discharge our duty towards inverter and battery (prices of which are high) society to save environment. also deter individuals from investing in solar Towards achieving this responsibility we rooftops. may take up a number of initiatives. Recently Epilogue Hon’ble Prime Minister during his speech on Independence Day has categorically advised Over 30 lakh homes are now in dark in to ban single use plastic. In the first instance, India as per government data while solar energy we may take it as a campaign to act towards has been able to power our railway platforms, achieving this goal. What is more important is government offices, street lights and other that we can contribute a great deal towards use public spaces. It has not been able to act as a of waste plastic in road construction. As an revolutionary force for those who need it the initiative, certain locations on Highways may most. And it is here that solar rooftops can be identified near urban area for collection of play a key role. They can help provide clean waste plastic and create facility for its energy to the poorest of poor in our country segregation and shredding for use in the who are forced to live in the dark even today. construction of bituminous pavement layers. At present the contractors find it difficult to Not only this, surplus energy generated get the requisite quantity of plastic waste in from rooftop solar plants can be connected to segregated manner for such use. the main grid, thereby improving the supply Our concerted efforts towards making network. its assured availability can very well find its n greater use in the bituminous pavement and Retired Principal & Former Professor of Physics, SERC, Bhubaneswar, serve the nation towards getting rid of waste Plot No. 506, G.A. Colony, plastic which is otherwise endangering the Bharatpur, Bhubaneswar-751003. environment.

Science Horizon 17 SEPTEMBER, 2019

It is common site of felling of age old The so called improvement of living trees for construction or widening of roads in standard needed more buildings and urban and rural areas. Though there are urbanization .Use of strong and beautiful provisions in road estimates for compensatory wooden door choukat, doorframes, furniture, plantation hardly these are visible on the eroded reserved forest by clandestine fellers ground. From good old days of Kings ruling in collusion with corrupt officials or with the country, road side tree plantation , creating threat to life by mafia groups. This rampage water bodies embankment protections was left first the road barren and depletion of considered a must for social and environmental forest cover countering reforestation drive of protection. The King who looked after such Government, with a serious effect on infrastructural improvement was considered environment. as a good ruler. Road side trees were not only On realizing the effects of felling of playing a major role in the climatic balance road side trees, compensatory plantation were , enriching the environment and housing for included in highway contracts for planting different birds and creatures but also used to multiple numbers to the trees actually cut. provide fodder, flowers, fruits, dry leaves for Even this went neglected with sparse attention fire and its whole body for different medicinal by all. Subsequently the provision of plantation uses. Humans used it for disposal of the body cost in the estimate were decided to be after death. deposited with local forest authorities. It was The pedestrians who were numerous left to them to decide the type of trees, at what then for pilgrimage and travel, as such benefited intervals to be planted and at what time of the the most by its shade. During Moghuls and year and they took charge of nursing them till British regimes too it used to be considered the saplings are able to survive on their own. as a beneficial activity for planting and Of course the line of plantation away from protecting trees. As a Hindu ritual after taking road centerline and its slopes and drains were a bath it was customary to pour water at the designed by Engineer in charge. roots of a tree with prayers to Mother Nature. With stringent forest rules and restriction After industrialization everywhere the first on felling trees for firewood, control over bell of death rang on forest and plantations. entry to reserve forest, the easy target were Modern transportation considered a tree as a the road side trees which became most hindrance to sight of vision and a cause of vulnerable. It became a common scene of accident. On increase of motorized traffic and every village to leave home with an axe hanging their speed, more lanes were needed and this on the shoulder and attack a good old tree called for widening of the pavements. To keep from its branches first. Then the attack was on the road alignments which were then a perfect its trunk daily taking out layer by layer around straight line as such, but for widening the road it. This continued till it became so narrow that way, it became expedient to fell the road side it cannot any more bear its body weight and trees, some more than hundred years old from falls. Then gradually the tree will vanish leaving both sides. the land barren.

18 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019

During the service career, this writer as task, unless done would have created a lasting PWD SDO, the above described eyesore was nuisance in maintaining, the newly constructed at Kalahandi from 1966 to 1968. The matter buildings and thirty kilometers of boundary was duly reported to police for suitable action. wall and its inner perimeter road and township. However, the response from the authorities It was in forest area with wild animals. was lukewarm to say the least. Forest Plantation continued of course by the side of authorities said they were busy in the reserved township roads and vacant areas. The security forest areas and had no manpower to attend. perimeter wall needed support of a number of The Engineer without any powers to implement grating arrangements at stream crossings. prohibitive actions supported by an act of These had to allow the flood water to pass State like all other departments had no other through along with floating debris but not option but to watch silently their death. In allow a person to get in for security reasons. hardly a year’s time, the road leading to Kesinga This was for all nullah and streams across a Railway head, gate way to Kalahandi from number of culverts and five number of bridges Bhawanipatna was devoid of trees. We did were planned, designed and executed in record some plantation getting seedlings from forest time under trying conditions of extreme people and maintained them through our road climates with frequent malaria attack to gangs. Again during 1984 to 1985 at Boudh laborers’. using the support staff many people were In building construction, use of flyash caught while felling road side trees and were bricks, aluminum and glass in window frames, taken to office with their axes and reported to concrete or hollow steel sections for choukat, police for action. People used to runaway resorting to plastic tables and chairs and bath leaving their axes. PWD store had a bunch of room doors and choukat, switching over to axes at the end. Compared to this the law polymer impregnated waste products for doors abiding citizens of Ganjam, Koraput, Raygada, and furniture and interior uses, replacing Nabarangpur, Gajapati deserve special mention wooden floorings with ceramic tiles, have where many old trees are still standing where scaled down pressure on timber. All these widening has not begun. The locals took great have better effect on environment. care for the plant’s survival and growth. In Highway sector, initiative to popularize During 1990 to 1994 I was project use of re-cycled material in road construction manager of IDCO at the Ordnance Factory at will go a long way in reducing pressure on Badmal in the District of Bolangir. The site minor minerals. While studying the level of was in deep forest with hills, nullah and pollution in urban areas it is seen that apart undulating ground harboring varied species of from carbon dioxide emissions of vehicular animals, birds and insects. It became necessary traffic, the highest form of pollution comes to cut more than thousand trees big and small from wastes from construction activities. including uprooting their stumps. This was for Hence awareness and inputs of knowledge and the construction of factory for Filling station technology is necessary in keeping pollution of Bofors Gun Shells. Removal of the under control. There is a greater need to stumps which were deep rooted was a Herculean

Science Horizon 19 SEPTEMBER, 2019 popularize use of locally available materials KIDNEY: THE for construction of roads, use of soil CLEANING CREW-3 stabilization, geo-textiles, geo-polymer, turfing (PERITONEAL DIALYSIS) through local grass on embankment slopes etc. Another area which also needs equal Prof. Prafulla Kumar Mohanty attention is the depleting ground water level Survival: a desire for which policies and the process of water All animals including human beings want harvesting on highway has to be ensured and to survive well and continuance of the species taken up as a campaign. While constructing culverts across streams, cutoff walls be through reproduction. When they suffer from provided along with floor protection works diseases or illness, they become unhappy and and the upstream cut off wall be raised a meter think of treatment in best possible ways. above the apron level. This will create water Sometimes, the pain and problems occur in bodies and accumulate water up to a good such a chronic or acute manner, patients length of distance on the upstream side to desire to have an immediate death. Even now- provide drinking water to domestic animals a-days, some people opt for euthanasia to and recharge the ground water level of nearby overcome physical, mental and psychological wells of the locality. This is not going to cost torture. additional money. Moreover, thickening of the floor apron will lead to absorb the energy However, kidney disorder or renal failure of the fall during high floods. is one of the serious problems which needs to be addressed in appropriate time. The The efforts of all stake holders, road and hazard is when the patient is advised for building engineers towards achieving these long cherished aim would be greatly appreciated transplantation (to graft or to remove and by the society at large. establish elsewhere or to implant upon another animal or another part of the same), Use of non conventional energy sources, less exploitation of earth and it is indeed difficult to get a donors’ kidney. forests, less pollution of atmosphere and In previous topic already a particular water, increasing green cover will go a long technique named haemodialysis is explained way to sustain the population growth of the in detail which is one of the effective means world. Research and Development on all to restore the patient’s health. The second environmental issues need to be pursued option to resolve the issue is “peritoneal diligently so as to create a better tomorrow dialysis” which is elaborated hereafter. for the future generation. Peritoneal dialysis n Peritoneum is a membrane that lines the B. Sc(Engg), M.Tech (HWE), LLB (Utkal) EIC (Retd.) abdominal cavity of the animals including

20 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019 human beings (Gr. Peritonaion to stretch all Before first treatment, the doctor places round). This peritoneum (lining of the a small, soft tube called a catheter into the abdomen) acts as a natural filter. This is used patient’s abdomen. This catheter remains there in peritoneal dialysis. In this technique, the permanently. One end of the catheter rests in abdominal cavity (belly) is to be filled up with the peritoneal cavity, while the other extends the dialysis fluid (dialysate) through a soft out from the body. Catheter helps to transport plastic tube called catheter. The peritoneal the dialysis solution to and from the patient’s membrane that lines the abdominal cavity has abdomen or belly. many small blood vessels. It serves as a semi- Peritoneal dialysis fluid is a sugar permeable membrane between the blood of solution containing other salts. Bags come in the patient and dialysate. The dialysate stays in a strengths like 1.36%, 2.27%, and 3.86% or the abdomen and absorbs wastes and excess light, medium, and heavy, respectively. The fluid from the blood for several hours. This heavier the bag (3.86%), more water will be may be drained out and replaced with fresh removed from the body. If lot of fluid is there dialysate (Fig.1) in the body, heavy bags may be used to remove

Dialysate the fluid. If the patient is dehydrated, some light bags may be used, so that the dialysis does not remove fluid.

The catheter is the permanent access for the peritoneal dialysis and may not be removed between the treatments. If it is cared Catheter Peritoneum systematically, the catheter can last for many

Abdominal years. Cavity Precautionary measures Fig.1: Process of Peritoneal dialysis Following precautions must be taken during Peritoneal dialysis (PD) can be the process of peritoneal dialysis. performed manually by carrying out four to (1) Hands must be washed properly. five fill-and-drain exchanges per day. This is (2) Work surfaces must be very neat and known as “Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal clean. Dialysis (CAPD)”. To reduce the number of (3) Touching the connector where bags are day time exchanges, some people can use a attached to the tubing must be avoided. machine called a cycler to undertake exchanges, usually during sleeping at night. (4) Breathing germs on the connection must This is known as “Automated Peritoneal be avoided by using a mask. Dialysis (APD)”. (5) Exit site should be very clean.

Science Horizon 21 SEPTEMBER, 2019

Possible problems i. How well do the kidneys work?

The following problems may occur during ii. How much fluid weight does patient gain treatment. between treatments? iii. How much waste the patient has in his (1) Fluid leakage may be there in the groin body? or around the catheter. iv. How big is the patient? (2) Fluid overload may be noticed. v. The type of artificial kidney used. (3) Mainly 2 types of infection, i.e. exit site infections and peritonitis (infection in In fact, dialysis does some of the work peritoneum) may be noticed. of healthy kidneys, but it does not cure the kidney diseases. The patient needs to have What does dialysis do? dialysis for the whole life unless the patient is Like healthy kidneys, dialysis keeps the able to get a kidney transplant. patient’s body in balance. Exactly, it performs Therefore, there is a saying – the following; (1) It removes wastes, salts and extra water “Control life or else life will control to prevent them from building up in the you.” body. n Formerly Professor, (2) It keeps a safe level of certain chemicals Head and Dean Faculty of Science Postgraduate Department of Zoology, in the blood, such as potassium, sodium Utkal University, Vani Vihar, and bicarbonate. Bhubaneswar-751004, Odisha Mob. 9238571378 (3) It helps to control blood pressure. World Heart Day Conclusion World Heart Day is observed on 29th Kidney failure is not always permanent. September every year for raising awareness about Some kinds of acute kidney failure get better cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke. Cardiovascular disease is the world’s after treatment. In some cases of acute kidney number one killer today. Cardiovascular diseases failure, dialysis may only be needed for a (CVDs) take the lives of 17.9 million people short time until the kidneys get better. In every year, 31% of all global deaths. chronic or end state of kidney failure, kidneys According to the World Heart Federation, do not get better and dialysis for the rest of at least 80% of the premature deaths (because of cardiovascular diseases) can be protected by the life is a must. The time required for dialysis controlling four main risk factors such as unhealthy depends on following factors. diet, tobacco use, lack of physical activity and use of alcohol.

22 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019 CARE AND NUTRITION FOR “FIRST 1000 DAYS OF LIFE”

Dr. Diptimayee Jena The first 1000 days of human life cycle proper development. Colostrum provides starting from the period of conception to antibodies to fight common illnesses and has second year of child’s age is a unique period been found to help with reduced susceptibility for growth and development.Optimum growth to allergies. It is recommended to breastfeed and development occur during this period. The exclusively for the child’s first 6 months of first 1000 days of life is divided into three life and then slowly introduces food, while important phases, 270 days of pregnancy, 180 continuing to breastfeed up to the child’s days of infancy (0-6 months) and another 550 second birthday. Feeding with appropriate, days of the period of toddler (7-24 months). adequate, and safe supplementary foods from During this period optimum care and nutrition six months onward contributes to better health are required just to inculcate “catch them and growth outcomes, although breast milk young” to become a good human resource for remains an important source of nutrients until the nation. Therefore, balanced diet is required children reach the age of two years. to get balanced nutrition for growth and The pregnant and lactating mothers are cognitive development during these 1000 days. to eat foods of all food groups for their own The nutritional status of first 270 days in nutritional needs as well as those of their pregnancy and 180 days of infancy along with growing foetus. However, recommended 550 days of lactation and childhood is directly combinations of cereals, pulses, nuts and connected to the birth weight and subsequent oilseeds, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables growth of infant. The period of pregnancy is a particularly green leafy vegetables and non- demanding physiological state which is vegetarian items also provide adequate extremely important for growth and nutrients to meet their demand. Bioavailability development of foetus into a full term baby. of iron can be improved by using fermented The right nutrition for the mother and for the and sprouted grains and foods rich in vitamin child during this period can have a profound C such as citrus fruits, amla, guave etc.. Milk impact on the child’s growth and development is the best source of biologically available and reduce the risk of diseases as well as calcium. Though it is possible to meet the protect the mother’s health. Breastfeeding in requirements for most of the nutrients through the first two years of life are extremely crucial a balanced diet, pregnant/lactating women are to a child’s long term health. Mother’s milk advised to take daily supplements of iron, provides all nutrients that a baby needs for folic acid, vitamin B and calcium.

Science Horizon 23 SEPTEMBER, 2019

1000 days status in Odisha causes vital nutrients to be lost from the body Maternal and child undernutrition remain which can lead to malnutrition, which in turn, public health concern in Odisha. It has got the decreases the body’s ability to fight infection, largest number of undernourished children and making diarrhea episodes more frequent. mothers between the age group of 15 -45years. Under-nutrition during pregnancy Micronutrient deficiencies i.e. “Hidden affecting foetal growth, is a major determinant Hunger” are one of the major factors that of stunting and can lead to consequences such contribute towards malnutrition poor health as obesity and nutrition-related infectious particularly within 1000 days of life. Low diseases in adulthood. Particularly in tribal income households fail to purchase nutritious areas there is much food restrictions during foods due to rise of food prices. Despite pregnancy and lactation due to social taboos implementation of various nutrition and superstitions which can lead to low intervention schemes and programmes, the secretion of mother’s milk to feed exclusively nutritional status of children in Odisha remains breast fed infants. As a result children do not far from the target according to National gain proper weight upto two years of age. Family Health Survey Report (2015-16). The Food beliefs and taboos during pregnancy and rate of stunting and wasting among children lactation are of much concern for under- has shown only a marginal decline over the nutrition. Under-nutrition during pregnancy last 10 years. The achievement of taking affects foetal growth and results low birth colostrum within one hour just after birth was weight (LBW), a major causative factor of observed 68.6% and exclusively breast fed up stunting, wasting and can lead to obesity and to 6 months of age was 65.6%. About half nutrition related non-communicable diseases (51%) of women in Odisha are suffering from in adulthood. Permanent damage due to anaemia including 41 per cent mild, 10 per micronutrient deficiencies can be done during cent moderate and 1 per cent severe. In contrast, these 1000 days of life. For example, a pregnant 36.5 per cent pregnant mothers of Odisha woman with insufficient folate could give birth consumed iron and folic acid tablets (NFHS-4). to a child with defects such as neural tube It is more rampant among tribal community abnormalities. Micronutrient deficiency is specially forest dwellers. Anaemia can also be responsible for childhood morbidity and caused by malaria, hookworms and helminths, mortality. When a mother is poorly nourished, other nutritional deficiencies, chronic she cannot pass along enough vitamins, infection and genetic conditions. Diarrhea is a minerals, and other aspects of nutrition to her major concern in developing countries, as it is baby to have a successful pregnancy. This can the cause of 1.3 million deaths of children result in having an underweight child, and an each year. Most of these deaths occur within increased risk of infections.The most common the first 6 months and 2 years of age. Diarrhea nutritional disorder found in tribal community

24 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019 is iron deficiency which can lead to maternal Next 180 days (0-6 months) mortality, premature birth, low birth weight, For lactating mother and anaemia. Iron deficiency anaemia leads to n Food restrictions during pregnancy due a lowered resistance to disease and a weakened to social taboos and superstitions ability to learn and grow. Excess intake of Under-nourishment results low milk beverages containing caffeine like coffee and n secretion tea adversely affects foetal growth during pregnancy and inadequate milk secretion during n Lack of taking food based galactogauges lactation. for enhancing milk production Issues during “first 1000 days of life” For infant Poor growth due to insufficient mother’s Nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive n milk during lactation issues in undernutrition dense areas, particularly tribal pockets to be identified and n Low Birth Weight baby (LBW) fails to strategic interventions are to be taken on gain weight in subsequent years due to priority basis. The followings major issues in morbidity tribal areas need to be addressed through n Lack of care by the tribal mother, various interventions during 1000 days of life. responsibility shifted to younger children Nutrition–Specific Issues or very old grandmother who are not able to take care of the child First 270 days Next 550 days ( 7-24 months) Pregnant mother For lactating mother n Poor nutritional status of mother results n Under nutrition and lack of nutritious in Low Birth Weight (LBW) baby. foods during lactation n Food restrictions during pregnancy due n No attention towards lactating mother by to social taboos and superstitions causes other family members under-nutrition Toddler n Drudgery prone activities in household Growth faltering may happen at the time and farm sectors by the women during of introduction of supplementary feeding pregnancy. either excess food given to child or unhygienic Foetus handling of infant food n Under developed foetus with low birth n Late or early introduction of weight supplementary feeding n Micro nutrient deficiencies resulting n Frequent attack of diseases due to poor deformation of foetus sanitation n Negligence of care by mothers

Science Horizon 25 SEPTEMBER, 2019 n Stunting / wasting occurs due to as well as state wise to address under-nutrition persistent nutritional deprivation and other dimensions of health, food and Nutrition –sensitive issues nutrition security. n Low production from own farm (crops n Scaling up close monitoring on as well as livestock) due to traditional implementation of various programmes practices particularly among tribal implemented by Government as well as farmers. Non-Government Organizations ( NGOs) need to be addressed extending support n Poor maintenance of backyard kitchen to the beneficiaries. garden resulting low vegetable production for own consumption n Nutrition-specific interventions like prompt action against infectious n Crop loss due to climatic fluctuation in diseases, promotion of antenatal and rain-fed farming post-natal care, decrease open n Consumption of protein rich foods, milk defecation, safe water and sanitation, are and milk products were found to be very to be intensified on priority basis. less n In addition, dietary diversification and n Male migration over-burdens women to increased intake of balanced foods for run family neglecting her health as well women, improved supplementary feeding as children practices for infants and toddlers, micronutrient fortified foods for all target n Poor communication of forest dwellers groups under 1000 days are the major restrict their access to health care strategies to reduce stunting, wasting and services and nutritious foods undernutrition from target population. n Tribal women are forced to neglect their n Implementation of Integrated Farming children for their day-to-day livelihoods System Approach, development of since they are the active earning member nutritional garden year round, promotion in their households of off-farm activities and agro- Strategic measures entrepreneurship, women empowerment through SHGs. Care and nutrition during first 1000 days of life lay the foundation stone for child’s n A pregnant woman should undergo future wellbeing and all round development. periodic health check-up for weight gain, To achieve these, various nutrition-specific blood pressure, tetanus toxoid and nutrition-sensitive policies and immunization, folic acid and iron programmes have been implemented nationally supplementation regularly.

26 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019 n Tea, coffee, smoking, tobacco chewing FREE RADICALS, and consumption of alcohol should be ANTIOXIDANTS AND avoided. PLANTS 1 n The most important food safety problem Taranisen Panda 2 is microbial food borne illness and its R B Mohanty prevention during pregnancy is one of the Free radicals are highly reactive important public health measure. molecules or chemical species capable of Avoiding contaminated foods is independent existence. They are the molecules important protective measure against with unpaired electrons. Free radicals are food borne illness. present everywhere, i.e. in air, in our bodies and in materials around us. Conclusion How Free Radicals are Formed Now the slogan is “Ending Poverty and Normally chemical bonds don’t split in a Hunger by 2030: An agenda for global food way that can leave a molecule with an odd, System”. The world food programme unpaired electron. But when weak bonds split, prioritizes to end hunger, achieve food security, free radicals are formed. They are very unstable improve nutrition and promote sustainable and hence react quickly with other compounds, climate smart agriculture because eradicating trying to capture the needed electron to gain hunger and malnutrition is one of the great stability. Generally, free radicals attack the challenges among all developing countries nearest stable molecule, stealing its electron. particularly South Asian countries. To address When the attacked molecule loses its electron, this challenge, nutrition-specific and nutrition- it becomes a free radical itself, there by sensitive interventions are the key issues which initiating a chain reaction. Once the process is need to be included in various programmes in started, it can cascade. It is estimated that, the a convergence mode. The combination of good chain reaction can trigger 6.023×1021 billion health and reduced disease risk for both molecules to react per second. mothers and their children can also have a powerful, lasting effect on a country’s Production of Free Radicals in Human prosperity. Body n Free radicals, particularly reactive Associate Professor, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen College of Community Science, OUAT, Bhubaneswar species are generated in human body by various endogenous systems and activities in mitochondria, peroxisomes, inflammation, phagocytosis, archidonate pathway, exercise, ovulation and fertilization. Some times body’s

Science Horizon 27 SEPTEMBER, 2019 immune system purposefully create them to acts to nutralise these free radicals are called neutralize pathogens like Bacteria and Virus. antioxidants. Body normally can handle the Environmental factors like pollution , radiation, free radicals, when required amount of cigarette smoking and herbicides as well as antioxidants are available. When free radical some industrial chemicals can also spasm production becomes excessive, damage is free radicals. Their production, however inevitable. multiplies several folds during pathological The term antioxidants were originated to conditions.The most common oxygen refer to a chemical that prevented the containing free radicals like Hydroxyl radical, consumption of oxygen. In late 19th and early Superoxide anion radical, Hydrogen Peroxide 20th century, extensive study was devoted to the (H O ), Hydroxyl (HO), Peroxyl (ROO), alkoxy 2 2 uses of antioxidants in important industrial (RO) and Nitric Oxide (NO) are collectively processes. Now it is understood to be a molecule called as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). stable enough to donate an electron to a rampaging Function of Free Radicals free radical and neutralize it, thus reducing its As free radicals are unstable and highly capacity to damage the organs and system. These reactive, they can either donate an electron to antioxidants delay or exhibit cellular damage or accept an electron from other molecules, mainly through their free radical scavenging there by behaving as oxidants or reductants. property. These low molecular weight They can cause the deterioration of plastics, antioxidants can safely interact with free the fading of paint, degradation of art work at radicals and terminate the chain reaction our home. They are also capable of damaging before vital molecules are damaged. biological relevant molecules in animal body Sources of Antioxidants like DNA, protein, carbohydrate and lipid Antioxidants are available chiefly from leading to cell damage and homeostatic two different sources. Some antioxidants like disruption. They are believed to have some Glutatheone, Ubiquinol, Uric acid etc. are patho-physiological role in aging of skin and produced during the normal body metabolism. several diseases like heart disease Other lighter antioxidants are found in the (Atherosclerosis), cataract, cognitive diet. Although, there are several enzyme dysfunction, diabetic retinopathy, critical illness systems like Glutathione peroxidase, catalase, such as sepsis, acute respiratory distress Super oxide dismutase etc. available in the syndrome, shock, chronic inflammatory body, that scavenge free radicals. The principal diseases of the intestinal tract, organ dysfunction micronutrients providing antioxidants are and even cancer. Vitamin E ( a-tocopherol), Vitamin C (Ascorbic Antioxidants acid) and carotene. But our body normally can To prevent free radical damage, the body not manufacture these substances for which has a defense system and the particular unit they must be supplied through the diet.

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Table-1 Food stuff containing antioxidants constituents FOOD STUFF Constituents act as ANTIOXIDANTS Citrus fruits, Black tea Quercetin, Rutin, Hesperetin, Naringin Tomato juice, Green tea Kaempferol Tomato juice, Vegetables Fisetin, Myricetin Propolis, Fruits Galangin Soyabean, Soa Daidzin Red clover Biochanin A, Formononetin Fruits,Vegetables Cyanidin, Cyanin, Chrysin Soyabeans Genistein, Genistin Tomato Lycopene Cruciferous vegetables Isothiocyanate, Erucic acid Green and Black tea Catechin, Epicatechin, Epigallocatechin Olive oil 3, 4-Dihydroxyphenylethanol Tulsi (Basil) Eugenol, Nerol Ginseng Ginsenosides Walnuts,Almonds Oleic acid, Alphalinolenic acid, Anethol, Vitamin E. Turmeric Curcumin Cloves Eugenol. Cryophyllene Fenugreek seeds Diosgenin, Sapogenin Rosemary Carnosol Mint (Pudina) Menthofuran, Menthol Garlic Allyl sulfide Cereals Apigenin, Luteolin Green and red chilli Capaisin Black pepper Piperin, Piperidine, Piperatine Cinamon Eugenol, Phellandrene Saffron Crocetin Ginger Gingerol Karela Vicine, Momoridicine Amla Corilagin, Ellagic acid, Gallotanins Saunf Anethole Shahtoot Betulinic acid Milk, Milk products Casein, Vitamine D Fish Cord oil (Vitamin A) Egg Vitamin A

Science Horizon 29 SEPTEMBER, 2019 Plants as Source of Antioxidants Many antioxidant compounds naturally KNOW OUR occurring in plants have been identified as PLANTS- effective free radical scavengers. Strong NAGESWAR antioxidant potential of Berries, Cherries, (Mesua ferrea Linn.) Citrus, Prumes, Olives, Black and green tea, different vegetables, spices, condiments and Samarendra Narayan Mallick medicinal plants have been detected in research (Table-1). Introduction Hence their consumption can not only Mesua ferrea Linn, the Sri Lankan provide the required nutrition to our body but ironwood, Indian rose chestnut, or cobra’s also the potency to fight with the free radicals saffron, is a species in the family and prevent many a fatal disease and illness. Calophyllaceae a rare plant. It is the national References plant of Sri Lanka and the state flower of Tripura, India. This slow growing tree is named 1. Critical reviews in food science and after the heaviness and hardness of its timber. nutrition.35 (1&2):7-20(1995). It is widely cultivated as an ornamental due to 2. Food science and nutrition.40 (3):173- its graceful shape, greyish-green foliage with 289(2000). a beautiful pink to red flush of drooping young leaves, and large, fragrant white flowers. The 3. Food chemistry.75 (4) :431-437(2001). generic name is after J. Mesue (777 - 857) 4. Journal of pharmacy & pharmacology. and the specific epithet is from Latin meaning 53:129-132(2001). ‘belonging to iron’, in reference to its famed 5. Food chemistry.107:820-829(2008). and very hard, durable timber. In Theravada Buddhism, this tree is said to have been used n as the tree for achieving enlightenment, or

1 Department of Botany, Chandbali College, Chandbali, Bodhi by four Lord Buddhas called “Mangala”, Bhadrak- 756133, Odisha, India “Sumana”, “Revatha”, and “Sobhitha”. 2Plot No. 1311/7628, Satya Bihar, Rasulgarh, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751010 Distribution

Mesua ferrea Linn is widely and frequently distributed in the dense mountains of Eastern Himalayas, Bengal, Assam, Tenasserim Burma, Andamans, evergreen rainforests of Northern Kanara and southern part of Konkan, huge forests from Western ghats to southern Kanara to Tranvancore.

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Classification nearly to the margin, frequently with equally Kingdom - Plantae prominent reticulating tertiary veins. Sometimes with more or less persistent Order - Malpighiales stipule-like interpetiolar modified leaves. The Family - Clusiaceae/Calophyllaceae emerging young leaves are red to yellowish Genus - Mesua pink and drooping. The branches are slender, Species - ferrea / M.ferrea terete and glabrous. The bisexual flowers are 4 – 7.5 cm in diameter, with four white petals Full Name - Mesua ferrea Linn and a center of numerous orange yellow Common Name- Eng: Cobra saffron, Ceylon stamens. The fruit is an ovoid to globose ironwood, Indian rose chestnut, Hindi: Nag capsule with 1 to 2 seeds. Flowers terminal or champa, Nagkesar, Odia-Nageswar, Bengali- axillary, bisexual, solitary or in an up to 9- Nageswar Tamil: Tadinangu, Naggappu, flowered open panicle, pedicel with small Assamese: Nokte, Malayalam: Vainavu, Telugu- paired bracts. Sepals 4 decussate, sub orbicular, Kesaramu persistent and variously enlarged and thickened Botany in fruit. Petals 4, white or pink. Stamens numerous, free or connate only at the base, The tree is medium sized to large ovary superior (1-2 celled) each cell with 1-2 evergreen tree. It can grow upto 30 meters tall axillary ovules. Style slender with a peltate to with a small straight trunk, often buttressed at 4-lobed stigma. Fruit a capsule, usually the base up to 2 meters in diameter. The bark globose, often beaked, thinly woody, usually of younger trees has an ash grey colour with dehiscing with (2 - 4) valves before falling, flaky peelings, while of old trees the bark is often exuding resinous droplets. One fruit dark ash-grey with a red-brown blaze. Leaves contains 1-4 seeds. opposite, simple and entire, usually elliptical to narrowly elliptical, glabrous or occasionally Economic Parts and their Uses glaucous. Leaves shiny with numerous Trees are cultivated for its flowers as secondary veins, looping, running parallel they are highly attractive and ornamental in nature. Useful parts are fruits, seed, flowers, buds, leaves and bark. Mostly used part is stamens. As the English name indicates, the wood of this tree is very heavy, hard and strong. The density is 940 to 1,195 kg/m3 (59 to 75 lb/ft3) at 15% moisture content. The colour is deep dark red. It is hard to saw and is mainly used for railroad ties and heavy structural timber. In Sri Lanka the pillars of Fig.1: Flower of Mesua ferrea the 14th century Embekke Shrine near Kandy

Science Horizon 31 SEPTEMBER, 2019 are made of iron tree wood. The flowers, steroids, reducing sugar, tannin, saponin and leaves, seeds and roots are used as herbal some proteins are present in this plant. The medicines in India, Malaysia, etc., and in Nag genus is rich in secondary metabolites such Champa incense sticks. In Assam, its seeds as phenylcoumarins, xanthones and were also used for lighting purpose in evening triterpenoides. An oil which is commonly for day to day purpose (while mustard oil for called nahor can be extracted from the seed of religious and health and culinary purposes) the plant. It was also reported that form the before the introduction of kerosene by the seeds of M.ferrea 4-Phenylcoumarins such as British. The plant is the sink for dust pollution. mesuol, mesuagin, mammeisin and mesuone were isolated. Stamens can give a-sitosterol, It flowers during the dry season and biflavonoids mesuaferrones A & B euxanthone flushes of new leaves are produced just after 7-methyl ether and other essential constituents. flowering at the start of the rainy season. The Seed oil is rich in oleic, stearic and palmitic bisexual flowers open for one day, between 3 acids. and 4 a.m. and closing around sunset. Medicinal Uses Phytochemistry

Plant is known to have glycosides, The plant has high medicinal value and Flavanoids, xanthones, Triglycerides and used in inflammation as well as septic resins. Important oils, Fatty acids some condition. It is used for its antiseptic, purgative, blood purifier, worm control, tonic properties etc by the tribal people of Assam. It is also used to cure fever, cold, asthma and can be useful as cardio tonic, expectorant, carminative, and antipyretic agent. Sore eye can be treated with the ashes of leaves of the plant. Kernels can be used in skin eruption problems. Leaves as well as flowers are used against snake and scorpion sting. Oil is used for skin infection, scabies, wounds and Fig-2 : Fruits of M.ferrea rheumatism. Leaves have been used in the form of poultice which can be applied to head in severe colds, also can be used in any kind of disturbance of stomach, cough, high perspiration, dyspepsia etc. Leaves are also used in treating scorpion strings. These flowers are highly expectorant, stomachic and astringent. Bark as well as root act as bitter Fig-2 : Young tree of M. ferrea tonic for the treatment of gastritis and

32 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019 bronchitis. Powder of dried fruits and leaves Anti Ulcer Activity mixed with ghee is used by the local Anti ulcer activity Xanthones also communities of Bangladesh to get relief from possesses antiulcer activity in albino rats by burning sensation in hands and feet, joint pain pyloric ligation method. Treated animals and cold. Its flowers as well as its leaves have showed high ulceration, hemorrhage and high and rich medicinal value and property perforation while pretreated animals showed and act as an antidote for dangerous snake scattered hyperemia and occasional bite. One of its biggest and vital applications hemorrhage. is found on its flowers, as a paste of its flowers with mixture of butter and sugar is Antimicrobial Activity highly useful in treating and curing bleeding Due to the presence of essential oils i.e. piles and burning of feet. Its seed oil can be xanthenes and coumarines in the seed of the beneficial for the cure of itch. Nagakeshara M. ferrea, this extract is useful in fighting and is one of the cathurjata. Seed oil is preventing emerging drug-resistance antirheumatic and used in skin diseases The microorganism. Further the lipophilic plant is frequently used as antimicrobial, 3-6 extracted of M. ferrea Linn shows more antibacterial and antiprotozoal. This plant activity towards gram positive bacteria. Mesua ferrea Linn is cytotoxic to T- lymphocyte leukemia cells and antimicrobial. Antioxidant and Hepato-Protective also possesses anti-inflammatory and anti- Activity ulcers along with central nervous system Methanolic extract from dried flowers (CNS) depressant. are used in experiment for antioxidant and In India, it is used in a variety of hepato-protective activity. Drinking water is Ayurvedic formulations (Brahma Ramayana used for performing the artificial infection of and Chyawanprash) as an immunity booster S. aureus. There was increase in liver SOD agent. In Ayurveda, it is an essential and chief (Super oxide dismutase) and AST (Alanine ingredient of Nagakeshara-adi-churna, used aminotransferase) in treated groups and in curing bacillary dysentery and Naga- reduction in seen is catalase, Glutathione keshara yaga, in case of piles. In unani reductase and glutathione peroxidise activity. medicines it acts as an important ingredient Flower ethanolic extract shows inhibitory of Jawarish Shehryaran, a liver tonic, Hab activity against nitric oxide assay. Its leaf Pachuluna an appetizer. It acts as an anti extract shows inhibition to lipid peroxidation. convulsant also. Seizures can be cured by Analgesic Activity this plant. An Ayurvedic formulation (Maharisi amrit kalash-4) containing M. ferrea is In an acetic acid-induced visceral pain traditionally used to treat cancer in India and mouse model, non-polar (n-hexane) fraction neighbouring countries. of M. ferrea leaf extract shows better

Science Horizon 33 SEPTEMBER, 2019 antinociceptive activity in terms of percent reduction in writhing response as compared PETROLEUM with polar fractions (methanol and ethyl PLANTS acetate).

Diuretic Properties Miss Stuti1 2 Polyherbal combination (Draksharishta- Dr. Sanjeeb Kumar Das T and - M) and its marketed formulation Introduction comprising of stamens of M. ferrea has been Hydrocarbons are products of various shown to induce significant diuretic, kaliuretic plant species belonging to different families and natriuretic effects in the albino rats at the that convert substantial amount of dose of 2.0 ml/kg over a period of 5 hours photosynthetic products into latex. Latex compared to the control group. producing plants are the families like Euphorbiaceae, Apocynaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Conclusion Sapotaceae, Urticaceae and Convolvulaceae. M. ferrea is being used as sacred plant in The latex of such plants contain liquid India. It is used in various other parts of the hydrocarbons of high molecular weight. This world. It has special place in Ayurveda as the hydrocarbon can be converted to high grade drug is useful for multisystem disorders and transportation fuels. These hydrocarbon this drug proved to be the most used and producing plants are called petro plants and consumed drug by domestic industries. The their crop is called petro crop. They are also plant is known best for antioxidant, analgesic, known as petroleum plants. These plant anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antimicrobial hydrocarbons are about 10,000 Daltons in and several other activities and properties. It molecular weight. They are conversion acts as ingredient for Ayurvedic as well as products of photosynthesis. unani medicines. Due to beautiful greenish Presence of liquid hydrocarbons in crown, the plant is also used for garden plants was first discovered in Euphorbia by decoration.As the plant is sacred, the flower is M. Calvin in 1979.The biocrude obtained given to Lord Shiva. As it is a rare endangered from petro plants are used as a substitute for plant species it should be conserved by planting conventional petroleum products. Petro in our gardens. Further studies on this plant plants can yield about 40-45 barrels of bio- should be carried out to explore some other crude per acre. About 2000 plant species all important, necessary and unknown benefits. over the world have been screened for the n presence of liquid hydrocarbons. Of these, Taxonomy and Conservation Division 400 species are known to contain such liquid Regional Plant Resource Centre Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar-751015 hydrocarbons. [email protected]

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List of some common Petroplants Plant Family Botanical Name Euphorbiaceae Hevea brasilensis Euphorbia abyssinica Euphorbia resinifera Euphorbia tirucalli Euphorbia lathyris Asclepediaceae Calotropis procera Asclepias subulata Cryptostegia grandiflora Asteraceae Parthenium argentatum Taraxacum kok-saghyz Funtumia elastica Apocynanceae Landolphia heudelotii Landolphia owariensis Hardwickia pinnata Fabaceae Capaifera langsdorfii Capaifera multijuga Castilla elastica Moraceae Manihot glaziovii Ficus elastica Dipterocarpaceae Dipterocarpus turbinatus Chlorophyta (Algae) Botrycoccus sps Chlorella pyrenoidosa

All these petro plants contain lactiferous species of green algae also accumulate canals in the bark and leaves. A milky or coloured hydrocarbons in their biomass. juice called latex is found in the lactiferous canals. Hydrocarbon Cracking The latex contains a mixture of resins, Breaking up of bigger hydrocarbons into gums, hydrocarbons and some other much smaller ones of low boiling points is substances. Petroplants belong to the family called hydrocarbon cracking. The latex rich in Euphorbiaceae, Asclepediaceae, asteraceae, hydrocarbons is obtained by tapping process Apocynanceae, Fabaceae, Moraceae, from tree species as in rubber tree or by Myristicaceae, Dipterocarpaceae etc. some extraction from stored biomass using organic

Science Horizon 35 SEPTEMBER, 2019 solvents. This extract rich in hydrocarbons is 2. Euphorbia lathyris called bio-crude. From this bio-crude, crude Botanical name: Euphorbia lathyris oil, gasoline (petrol) and kerosene are Family: Euphorbiaceae manufactured by hydrocarbon cracking. Euphorbia is xerophytic plants. They Hydrocarbon cracking is done by heating the belong to family Euphorbiaceae. Various bio-crude under high pressure. It gives 10% species of Euphorbia such as E.lathyris and E. natural gas, 44.6% gasoline, 22% kerosene, tirucalli accumulate hydrocarbons in their 22% crude oil and 1.4% solids. biomass. Euphorbia lathyris is an annual herb In India, researches on petro-plants are that can produce 20 tons old dry matter/ hectare going on in the National Botanical Research in a year. This much of biomass can yield 10.6 Institute (Lucknow) and Indian Institute of barrels of crude extract to manufacture Petroleum ( Dehradun). New technologies gasoline. The biocrude is extracted from the have to be developed to produce biomass biomass using organic solvents such as ether based petroleum products. and heptan. It is rich in terpenoids. Of the total Examples of Petro Plants volume of bio crude, 75% is converted into 1. Hevea Rubber gasoline, 10% is converted into natural gas Botanical name: Hevea brasiliensis and the remaining 15% remains as solid matter Family: Euphorbiaceae during the cracking process. The rubber plant Hevea brasiliensis is called Hevea rubber. It is widely distributed in South-East Asia. This is a good source of bio crude to make petroleum oils. However, it has not been used to get petroleum oils because of its best suitability for being used as rubber and no plant can be substituted for this rubber.

3. Euphorbia tirucalli Botanical name: Euphorbia tirucalli Family: Euphorbiaceae It is a hydrocarbon plant. It is also known as milk bush. It belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. It has succulent stem with latex channels in the bark. It is growing on dry lands which are not suitable for other plants. The biomass of this plant is collected and

36 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019 crushed with alcohol to extract liquid 5. Jatropha curcas hydrocarbons. The extract is subjected to Botanical name: Jatropha curcas cracking process to get products equivalent to Family: Euphorbiaceae petroleum products. It is estimated that 10-15 It is a xerophytic shrub belonging to barrels of gasoline can be obtained from the family Euphorbiaceae. It is growing in the milk bush biomass/acre/year tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is an evergreen plant, growing up to the height of 20 feet. Its leaves are pale to dark green in colour. This plant yields 3.5 tons of seeds/ha/year. Seeds of Jatropha curcas contains 20% saturated fatty acids and 80% unsaturated fatty acids. They contain the poisonous substances such as Toxalbumin and Jatrophin. So, the seeds are poisonous. Seed 4. Calotropis procera of jatropha plant ia a good source of biodiesel. Botanical name: Calotropis procera On crushing, the seeds yield 27-40% oil. Family: Euphorbiaceae When this oil is subjected to chemical This is a shrub growing to a height of 1 treatment, it produces methyl ester. to 2.5 meters. It is found as a weed in dry areas of India. Latex of this plant contains high proportion of the hydrocarbon hexane. This hexane contains 78% carbon, 12% hydrogen and 10% oxygen. Bio crude of C. procera yields petroleum oil similar to that of E. lathyris. Bio crude is extracted from this plant using organic solvents like ether and heptan. The bio crude on cracking yields 75% Social and economic advantages gasoline, 15% natural gas and 15% solid. Growers can sustain their own clean- fuel needs. Growers will have long-term sustainable income in emerging clean-fuel markets. Many oleaginous crops like Jatropha offer multiple profit centers through various by-products with commercial, industrial and cosmetic applications. The planting of agro- fuel crops that perform well in marginal soils allows for the use of unproductive land at little or no cost to the grower / green investor.

Science Horizon 37 SEPTEMBER, 2019 Disadvantages HENRY GWYN JEFFREYS

♦ Variation in quality of biodiesel MOSELEY ♦ Not suitable for use in low temperatures (THE DISCOVERY OF THE ♦ Food shortage INFALLIBLE LAW OF NATURE) ♦ Increased use of fertilizers ♦ Clogging in engine P.K.Pujapanda1 Balaram Sahoo2 ♦ Regional suitability ♦ Water shortage “Let it suffice to say that your son died ♦ Slight increase in nitrogen oxide the death of a hero, sticking to his post to the emissions last. He was shot through the head, and death Conclusion must have been instantaneous. In him the There is an increase in dependence on brigade has lost a remarkably capable Signalling petroleum products and it imposes economical Officer and a good friend; to him his work and social burdens on the development in future. always came first, and he never let the smallest So this is time for the development of substitute detail pass unnoticed.” These were the lines supplies of hydrocarbons. Efforts may also be written by a fellow soldier to the mother of required to increase the bio-crude potential of Henry Moseley, the man who discovered that these species of plants through genetic atomic number - the number of protons in the manipulation. Therefore approach must be nucleus of an atom of an element is the key to adopted to alleviate the scarcity of petroleum the periodic arrangement of elements in the products as well as to create healthy environment. periodic table of Mendeleev instead of atomic References weights originally postulated by its author. 1. Warra, A. A. (2010) Cosmetic potentials of When the 1st World War broke out in physic nut (Jatropha curcas Linn.) seed oil, Western Europe, Moseley left behind his A review research at the University of Oxford to 2. Dipul Kalita.(2008).Hydrocarbon plant-New volunteer his services for the Royal Engineers source of energy for future, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 12 : 455–471 of the British Army. Moseley was assigned to 3. Onyenekenwa, C. E (2011) A Review on the force of British Empire soldiers that Petroleum: Source, Uses, Processing, Products invaded the region of Gallipoli, Turkey in April and the Environment. Journal of Applied 1915 as a Telecommunication Officer. Mosley Sciences, 11: 2084-2091. was shot and killed during the battle of Gallipoli n on 10th August, 1915 at the age of 27. Department of Botany (DESM) Regional Institute of Education (NCERT), Moseley was known to his friends as Bhubaneswar rd Email: [email protected] Harry. He was born on 23 November, 1887 at [email protected] Wemouth Dorset, England. His father Henry

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Nottidge Moseley (1844-91) was a biologist and Fajans published their first work in the and also a Professor of Anatomy and Physiology Philosophical Magazine in 1911. at the University of Oxford. His mother was In June 1912, news emerged that Max Amabel Gwyn Jeffreys Moseley. When von Laue of the Zurich University had Moseley was five years old his father died. The discovered that crystals when exposed to X- upbringing and education of the child was now rays, the crystals split up X-rays like a the responsibility of his mother who was a diffraction grating and produced an X-ray determined lady and took all pain to give him spectrum which earned him Nobel Prize in good education. Henry was a promising school Physics for the year 1914. Soon Professor boy with indomitable spirit at the Summer William Bragg of Leeds University and his son Fields School. He performed very well at the William Lawrence Bragg at Trinity College school which enabled him to enter Eton developed a method which enabled them to College on King’s Scholarship at the age of determine the inner structure of crystals. X- thirteen. In 1906, he won the chemistry and rays were passed through thin sections of physics prize at Eton. crystals and then photographed. They found that In 1906, Moseley entered Trinity crystals were made up of regularly arranged College of the University of Oxford with rows of atoms. Using mathematical Millard scholarship in natural science. He calculations Braggs developed a true pattern earned his Bachelor’s degree in the year 1910. of arrangement of atoms in crystals in three Soon after his graduation, he joined as a dimensions. This method is now regarded as demonstrator in physics at the University of the foundation of modern concept of crystal Manchester and worked under the supervision structure by X-ray analysis. William Henry of the great teacher Sir Ernst Rutherford. For Bragg and William Lawrence Bragg shared the some time he underwent rigorous training in Nobel Prize in Physics in 1915 for their both experimental and theoretical physics. That monumental work. was the period when the mystery of the atom In the mean time Charles G. Barkla of was hot on the trail and occupied the brilliant the University of London discovered a very minds. astounding atomic phenomenon. He observed Moseley’s first research work was that when electrons in a Crooks tube were concerned with the determination of time allowed to strike the anticathode made of period of emanation of actinium which he different elements, they produce X-rays of investigated with the young physicist Kasimir different penetrating power. He examined the Fajans of Germany. Emanation of actinium penetrating power of the X-rays using thin produced a radioactive element of very short sheets of aluminium foils. This contribution half-life of nearly 1/500 of a second. Moseley earned him Nobel Prize in Physics in 1917.

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A major point of contention in the order of the atomic masses. What did the periodic table of Mendeleev was regarding the experimental result reveal? It rang in the mind precise ordering of the elements that of Moseley that nature has revealed itself a concerned the atomic weights. In 1913, the profound, fundamental and infallible law that Dutch amateur, Anton von de Broek, a there is a quantity which increases in regular theoretical physicist suggested the ordering steps while moving from one element to the principle lay instead in the nuclear charge of next. The quantity represents the positive charge each atom. or the number of protons in the nucleus of the Moseley was keenly following these atom of the element. This was the most works. In 1913, using Braggs X-ray fundamental discovery of this brilliant spectrometer method he took photographs of experimenter and philosopher of science. He the X-rays of different elements. From the very published his result “the law of atomic number” beginning he had the confidence of the in 1913. importance of his research and was determined to find the electric charge of the nucleus of each atom. His experimental approach shows his genius. He fixed a metal plate as the anode of a Crooks tube. It acted as the target where stream of electrons generated at the cathode bombard the anticathode, excited the metal to produce the characteristic X-rays. The rays Henry Moseley were then allowed to fall on a narrow beam on a crystal mounted on the table of a spectroscope. The reflected rays were then photographed. Within six months, he examined the X-ray spectra of thirty eight elements from Frequency aluminium atomic number 13 to gold atomic of Root Square number 79. He examined the results of his Atomic Number experiments. Different elements gave rise to Figure-1 different wave lengths. He found that heavier elements gave rise to shorter wave lengths. Moseley rewrote the periodic table of He plotted on a graph paper the inverse elements of Mendeleev arranging the elements square root of the X-ray wave lengths of the in increasing order of atomic numbers elements against the number of the element beginning from hydrogen atomic number 1 to exactly arranged as in the Mendeleev’s periodic uranium atomic number 92. From this table. He obtained a straight line exactly in extraordinary youth, the world received an

40 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019 unerring road map of all the elements the Otto Hahn and Lise Meitner discovered Universe contained. Mendeleev had given element number 91 in Berlin and named it mankind a romantic photogram of the elements protactinium. The pure metal was isolated by in the year 1869. Now the world received a Aristid V. Grosse of Germany in the year 1934. permanent structure which has sustained itself In 1923, George von Veresey and Dirk Coster unchanged and unchallenged. working in the laboratory of Bohr in In the periodic table prepared by Copenhagen discovered hafnium, element Moseley in order of atomic number of No.72 in an ore of zirconium. In 1937, element elements, the position of a few pairs of No. 43 was discovered in an atomic reactor at elements, namely potassium and argon, cobalt Berkeley by Carlo Perrier Emilio Segree and and nickel, and iodine and tellurium were B.N. Cacciapuote. In1939, Mille Marguerite reversed. The reversal caused the elements to Perey discovered francium atomic number 87 fall into groups of elements with similar at the Radium Institute in Paris. In 1940, Segree chemical properties which brought harmony and his co-workers obtained astatine, atomic into the classification of elements. number 85 at the University of California. J.A. Mendeleev had confronted with the Marinsky and L.E. Gledenin working with C.D. problem of rare earths, fifteen elements between Coryel reported the discovery of promethium barium and tantalum namely lanthanum, cerium, atomic number 61 in atomic reactor praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, experiments. In 1925, Walter Noddack and Ida europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, Tacke of Berlin reported rhenium atomic holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and number 75. lutecium which possessed properties very In his intellectual perception, Moseley similar to each other and offered great once declared that the periodic table ends with difficulties in their separation. The rare earths uranium, atomic number 92. He did not posed the most baffling problem in their envision that three decades hence man will position and accommodation in the periodic achieve such technological excellence that he table of Mendeleev. Moseley solved the will synthesise here on earth new elements not mystery of these elements lanthanum to found terrestrially. Beyond uranium, 26 lutecium by assigning atomic number 57 to 71. elements with atomic numbers 93 to 118 have X-ray spectra of rare earths settled the problem been artificially made by man and all these of rare earths at once demonstrating a elements have been placed in Mendeleev’s remarkable achievement of Moseley. periodic table in order of their respective Moseley’s table had vacancies for seven atomic numbers. elements of atomic numbers 43, 61, 72, 75, 85, Had not the Turkish bullet cut short the 87, and 91. They were later discovered and their life of young Moseley, he could have seen the atomic numbers determined by X-ray spectra. stir in human mind to see the inner world of

Science Horizon 41 SEPTEMBER, 2019 the atom and has become rich in knowledge. IMPORTANCE OF SOIL Grief stricken Robert Millikan wrote: “In a HEALTH CARD research which is destined to rank as one of the dozen most brilliant in conception, skilful Prava Kiran Dash1 in execution, and illuminating in results is the Dr.Antaryami Mishra2 history of science, a young man twenty six Dr.Subhashis Saren3 years old threw open the windows through TupakiLokya4 which we can glimpse the sub-atomic world Despite success of green revolution, with a definiteness and certainty never dreamed India still houses one-fourth of the world’s of before. Had the European war had no other hungry and poor and 40% of the world’s results than the snuffing out this young life, that malnourished children and women. Despite alone would make one of the most hideous and national food surpluses, wide spread poverty most irreparable crimes in history.” and hunger remain because the growth of agriculture and the national economy have not n 1Former Reader in Chemistry, Dhenkanal Autonomous adequately benefited the poor. Policy reform Science College. alone will not be enough to increase 2Former Professor of Chemistry, IIT, Kharagpur. agricultural growth and to make it more Vill & PO: Gopapur-754031; Via: Barambagarh; Dist: equitable. The policy reforms must be Cuttack. accompanied by appropriate and efficient Engineers Day agricultural research and extension. The human 15th September is celebrated as population of India is estimated to increase to the Engineers Day in India to recognise the 1.6 billion in 2050 from the current level of contribution of engineers in the development 1.2 billion and the food grain production would of the nation. It is the birthday of Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, a scholar, need to be raised to 581 million tonnes from statesman, educationist and the most the present level of 241 million tonnes (Ghosh, celebrated engineer in India. Visvesvaraya 2013). This additional food requirement will was responsible for the construction of have to be produced from the projected Krishna Raja Sagara Dam in Mysore. He was the chief engineer in the project. He was also cultivable land of 142 million hectares the chief designer of the flood protection (Kathpalia and Kapoor, 2011). However, the system of Hyderabad. He also designed and fact that per capita land holding will go down patented the automatic weir floodgates, which were first installed at the Khadakwasla to an abysmally low 0.087 ha, poses a grave reservoir in Pune in 1903. He was involved concern (Sharma, 2006). in many irrigation and water supply projects Degradation of natural resources and in India. He had transformed Mysore into a ‘model state’ of the India. For his public concern over environmental issues, are achievements he was awarded a Bharta shifting research priorities and funding toward Ratna in 1955. He was also awarded the broader issues, such as land, water, forests, British Knighthood by King George V. and biodiversity; pesticide safety, and residue

42 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019 minimization; livestock waste management; farmer to monitor and improve soil health water quality preservation; and watershed based on their own field experience and protection. Success in meeting these working knowledge of their soils. Regular use challenges requires sharply increased skills will allow them to record long term trends in and higher investments in research on natural soil health and to assess the effects of different resources management (NRM), social soil management practices. It provides a sciences, and environmental issues. qualitative assessment of soil health. Its Vulnerability to climate change has emerged purpose is to use indicators that assess each as a serious issue. Another issue affecting the soil’s ability to support crop production within productivity is the rampant encroachment of its capabilities and site limitations. The card, prime agricultural lands from competing which will carry crop-wise recommendation sectors.With hardly any scope of horizontal of fertilizers required for farm lands, will help expansion of land area, effective land resource farmers identify health of soil and judiciously conservation and proper land use planning use soil nutrients. Farmer wise/ land parcel become indispensable. This necessitates wise soil health card with the information generation of information on nature and extent consisting of slope, erosion, soil depth, colour, of soils. Land Resource Inventory, using high texture, organic carbon, pH, electrical resolution remote sensing data provides such conductivity, macro and micro-nutrients, information on land properties, which when degradation type, etc. can guide the farmers, integrated to practical field data can lead to planners and executors for selecting right land development of large scale spatial models for use, right agro-techniques on well-defined nutrient demand forecasting and nutrient parcel of land. scheduling. Soil Health Card Scheme was launched Developing soil health cards includes in February, 2015 by Government of India. designing sampling scheme, soil sample The scheme envisages the GPS-enabled soil collection, analysis of soil health parameters sampling at a grid of 2.5 ha in irrigated areas in the laboratory, developing surface of and 10 ha in rain fed areas, and issue of Soil differentparameters, using GIS technique, Health Cards (SHC) to all farmers of the attaching the surface layer with the cadastral nation (Dwivediet al., 2015). SHC is a printed information and finally farmer/plot wise report that a farmer will be handed over for information on soil health parameters (NBSS each of his holdings. It contains the status of & LUP, 2015). his soil with respect to 12 parameters, namely The soil health card evaluates the health N, P, K (Macro-nutrients); S (Secondary- or quality of a soil as a function of its nutrient) ; Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, B (Micro - nutrients); characteristics, plant and other biological and pH, EC, OC (chemical parameters). properties. The card is a tool to help the SHCs are provided by the Soil Testing Laboratories (STL) present in different states.

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At national level, an online SHC portal has the farmers will serve as a great potential to been created by DACFW with the help of achieve the goals of balanced fertilization and National Informatics Centre (NIC) wherein maintenance of soil health. entire information related to soil sampling References and soil testing will be uploaded. The SHCs 1. Dwivedi BS, Singh D and Sharma BM will then be automatically generated through (2015) Soil testing and fertilizer the portal. The scheme also includes training recommendations: In Soil Science: An Introduction, Indian Society of Soil / refresher courses for the STL staff, field Science, New Delhi. demonstrations on soil test based fertilizer 2. Ghosh PK (2013) A paradigm shift in use, and awareness programmes for the Managing Natural Resources and Food farmers. Security: Strategy to action. Proceedings of the 100th Session of the Indian SHC for a farm will be made available Science Congress organised by The once in a cycle of 3 years, which will indicate Indian Science Congress Association, the status of soil health of a farmer’s holding 3-7 January, Kolkata, India. 3. Kathpalia GN and Kapur R (2011) for that particular period. Subsequently, the Management of land and water for SHCs will be renewed at an interval of 3 years. inclusive growth: India 2050, Alternative The SHC given in the next cycle of 3 years Futures: NRM South Asia. will be able to record the changes in the soil 4. NBSS &LUP (2015) Annual Report health for that subsequent period. 2014-15. National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Nagpur, India. The results of soil testing are analysed 5. Sharma N (2006) Population and by the experts. The results are related to the economic growth as drivers of future strength and weaknesses (soil related crop land use in India. In: (Browser F. and McCarl B.A.; Eds). Agriculture and production constraints) of the soil. The card Climate Beyond Volume 46 of the series contains an advisory based on the soil nutrient Environment and policy, Springer status of a farmer’s holding. It will show Publication, AA Dordrecht, The recommendations on dosage of different Netherlands. nutrients needed. The experts also suggest n 1Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Soil Science and methods to improve the soil quality. These Agricultural Chemistry, Odisha University of Agriculture results and suggestions are displayed in the and Technology, Bhubaneswar-751003 soil health cards. The farmers will be guided 2Professor and OIC, AICRP on STCR, Department of by experts to come up with solutions to Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar improve the quality of the soil. Further, it will advise the farmer on the fertilizers and their 3Asst. Professor Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar quantities he should apply, and also the soil amendments that he should undertake, so as to 4Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Odisha University of Agriculture realize optimal yields. Soil Health Cards with and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India-751003

44 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019 QUIZ : 7. Which current is formed through an Air Conditioner? MOTION & FORCE a) Transformation b) Transmission Sri Binod Chandra Jena c) Conduction 1. What is the density of Ice ? d) Convection a) 1000 kg/m3 8. In which apparatus the density of sugar in b) 920 kg/m3 a liquid can be measured? c) 720 kg/m3 a) Saccharometer d) 550 kg/m3 b) Lactometer c) Hydrometer 2. What is the density of Petrol? d) Alcoholmeter a) 500 kg/m3 b) 600 kg/m3 c) 700 kg/m3 d) 800 kg/m3 9. The density of silver in CGS system is 10.5. What is its density in SI system? 3. An Aluminum block having density 2.7 a) 10500 kg/m3 b) 1.05 kg/m3 gm/cm3 has a mass of 2700 kg. What is c) 1050 kg/m3 d) 105 kg/m3 its volume? a) 4 m3 b) 3 m3 10. What is the approximate value of 1 kg c) 2 m3 d) 1 m3 force? 4. A measuring cylinder contains 40 ml. a) 9 N b) 10 N water. When a stone of mass 50 gm. is c) 90 N d) 100 N lowered into the measuring cylinder, the 11. What type of motion occurs when a coin water level rises to 60 ml. What is the moves undeflected over a carrom board? density of stone? a) Curvilinear b) Rotatory a) 2.5 g/cm3 b) 25 g/cm3 c) Linear d) Vibrotory c) 35 g/cm3 d) 1.5 g/cm3 12. What type of motion does the piston of an engine possess? 5. A stone of mass 40 gm has a volume a) Cicular b) Linear 3 20cm , what is its relative density? c) Curvilinear d) Oscillatory a) 0.5 b) 1.5 13. What type of motion is associated with a c) 2.0 d) 2.5 bullet fired from a gun? 6. When water is heated from 00 C to 40, a) Translatory b) Rotatory what will happen to its density? c) Oscillatory d) Vibratory a) Decreases 14. What is the motion exihibited by a car b) Increases moving on a busy road? c) Remains same a) Periodic b) Non-Periodic d) Cannot ascertain c) Multiple d) Random

Science Horizon 45 SEPTEMBER, 2019 15. What type of motion occurs when a 22. A car starts from rest and attains a mosquito flies? velocity of 20 m./sec over a time perioid a) Rolling b) Multiple of 10 s, what is the acceleration of the c) Zigzag d) Circular car? 2 2 16. What type of motion occurs when a a) 1 m/s b) 2 m/s 2 2 cricket ball moves? c) 20 m/s d) 200 m/s a) Multiple b) Circular 23. A man comes by a cycle without putting c) Zigzag d) Rolling brake from hilly station downwards on a road. What happens to the acceleration? 17. A boy travels 12 m from A to B due North a) Remixes constant and then 5 m due East from B to C. What b) Decreases will be the displacement from A to C? c) Increases a) 13 m b) 7 m d) Can’t asseration c) 17 m d) 6 m 24. What is the acceleration due to gravity 18. A person walks 4 m towards the North on the moon’s surface? and returns 5 m towards the South, what a) 16.3 m/s2 b) 1.63 m/s2 will be his displacement? c) 13.6 m/s2 d) 1.36 m/s2 a) 9 m b) -1 m 25. A body weighs 60.6 kgs on the surface c) +1 m d) 0 of Earth. What will be its weight on the 19. What is the quantity of 1 light year? surface of the moon? a) 9.4605284x1012 m a) 6.06 kg b) 66 kg b) 9.4605284x1013 m c) 1.04 kg d) 10.1 kg c) 9.4605284x1015 m ANSWER d) 9.4605284x1016 m 20. A boy covers a distance of 60 m in 2 min., 01. (b) 02. (c) 03. (d) 04. (a) 05. (c) what is the speed of the boy? 06. (b) 07. (d) 08. (a) 09. (a) 10. (b) a) 2 m/s b) 1 m/s 11. (c) 12. (d) 13. (a) 14. (b) 15. (c) c) 1.5 m/s d) 0.5 m/s 16. (d) 17. (a) 18. (b) 19. (c) 20. (d) 21. A train takes 4 hours to travel from station 21. (a) 22. (b) 23. (c) 24. (b) 25. (d) A to station B and another 6 hours to return from station B to station A. The n distance between station A and station B Victory Colony, is 500 kms., What is its average speed? Paralakhemundi,Gajapati a) 100 m/h b) 150 m/h E-mail: [email protected] c) 250 m/h d) 500 m/h

46 Science Horizon SEPTEMBER, 2019 RECENT NEWS ON SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

First Woman President of INSA core. But it was not clear if Mercury, like Biologist Chandrima Shaha has been elected Earth, also has a solid core. President of Indian National Science Academy But, now from the data collected by (INSA) and will assume office on January, MESSENGER mission, it is found that 2020. INSA was established in January 1935 Mercury has a massive solid inner core about to promote science in India and harness 2000 kilometres in diameter, making up of scientific knowledge to benefit humanity and about half of its entire core. Although nation. In its 85 years of existence, the MESSENGER ended its mission in 2015, the Academy has never had a woman president, data collected by it on the spin and gravity of but Chandrima Shaha broke the bar. She was Mercury is still being analysed and new first elected to INSA in 2008 and served as its findings are coming out. Vice President between 2016 and 2018. She specialises in cell biology and has conducted extensive research on the ‘Leishmania’ parasite which causes Kala Azar. She is currently Professor of Eminence at the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi.

Structure of Mercury Marsquake detected

Chandrima Shaha For the first time NASA’s robotic probe Insight Lander has detected a seismological Mercury has a massive inner care tremor on Mars on 6 April, 2019. It was a It was earlier known that Mercury’s core natural trembling from the Mars interior. It is was huge, taking up about 85 percent of the the first seismic activity recorded on a planet’s total volume. It was also known that planetary body outside of the earth or the the planet has a weak magnetic field generated moon. by circulation of molten metal in its liquid

Science Horizon 47 SEPTEMBER, 2019

Insight Lander was dropped on the surface colleagues of Jilin University in Changchiun, of Mars in November, 2018. This robotic China in the August, 30 Physical Review Lander has been designed to study the deep Letters. interior of Mars. The magnitude of the Amazon Fire Marsquake was between 2 to 2.5 on the Richter The Amazon rainforest in Brazil is being scale which appear to be coming from the ravaged by fire. More than 74,000 fires have inside of the planet. Earthquakes are caused by burned in the country since January, according sudden tectonic movements in the earth’s crust. to the country’s National Institute for Space Mars does not have tectonic plates, but still Research. 9,500 new forest fires have ignited experienced a quake. since just last week, the result of the natural Scientists are still studying the data to know dry season and fires intentionally ignited to the exact cause of the seismic signal. clear forest. Black smoke billows from Researchers suggest that the continuous treetops, spreading across parts of South process of cooling and contraction creates America and even shrouding the coastal city the stress which eventually becomes strong of São Paulo in near darkness. enough to crack the crust and causes The fires, along with concerns about disturbances on the surface. biodiversity and climate change, have triggered High-temperature Superconductor global alarm. Tropical forests, as a whole, Scientists have theoretically calculated that contain about half of the world’s land-based a superconductor could work up to about biodiversity, and the Amazon is a big chunk of 200°C. It is a compound of hydrogen, that. So when the Amazon rainforest is burnt magnesium and lithium. If this prediction is down, we lose species, habitats and the lands confirmed experimentally, it would create a that belong to indigenous communities for sensation in superconducting field, because millennia. all other known superconductors must be Globally, about 10 to 15 percent of our cooled below room temperature to work. CO emissions comes from deforestation. If 2 Requirement of cooling makes them difficult this is going back up again in Brazil, it may to use. So physicists are on a quest to find make climate change even worse. It’s erasing superconductors that can stand the heat, which a decade or two worth of progress. It’s a big could save vast amount of energy. The newly problem for the world in terms of climate predicted superconductor, however, comes change. It’s a huge problem for people locally with some complications. It must be squeezed and regionally who are dependent on the forest to extremely high pressure, nearly 2.5 and have preserved them for millennia. It’s million times the atmospheric pressure. This just a huge tragedy. has been reported by physicist Hanyu Liu and Compiled by EDITOR

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