Forest Research Institute

About: Forest Research Institute is a facility organization based out in Dehra Dūn, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Forest management. The organization has 5320 authors who have published 7625 publications receiving 185876 citations.

Elevational species richness gradients in a hyperdiverse insect taxon: a global meta-study on geometrid moths

Abstract: AIMS: We aim to document elevational richness patterns of geometrid moths in a globally replicated, multi-gradient setting, and to test general hypotheses on environmental and spatial effects (i.e. productivity, temperature, precipitation, area, mid-domain effect and human habitat disturbance) on these richness patterns. LOCATION: Twenty-six elevational gradients world-wide (latitudes 28° S to 51° N). METHODS: We compiled field datasets on elevational gradients for geometrid moths, a lepidopteran family, and documented richness patterns across each gradient while accounting for local undersampling of richness. Environmental and spatial predictor variables as well as habitat disturbance were used to test various hypotheses. Our analyses comprised two pathways: univariate correlations within gradients, and multivariate modelling on pooled data after correcting for overall variation in richness among different gradients. RESULTS: The majority of gradients showed midpeak patterns of richness, irrespective of climate and geographical location. The exclusion of human-affected sampling plots did not change these patterns. Support for univariate main drivers of richness was generally low, although there was idiosyncratic support for particular predictors on single gradients. Multivariate models, in agreement with univariate results, provided the strongest support for an effect of area-integrated productivity, or alternatively for an elevational area effect. Temperature and the mid-domain effect received support as weaker, modulating covariates, while precipitation-related variables had no explanatory potential. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Despite the predicted decreasing diversity–temperature relationship in ectotherms, geometrid moths are similar to ants and salamanders as well as small mammals and ferns in having predominantly their highest diversity at mid-elevations. As in those comparative analyses, single or clear sets of drivers are elusive, but both productivity and area appear to be influential. More comparative elevational studies for various insect taxa are necessary for a more comprehensive understanding of elevational diversity and productivity.

A novel ion-conductive protection skin based on polyimide gel polymer electrolyte: application to nanoscale coating layer of high voltage LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract: A new and facile approach for the surface modification of high-voltage LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode active materials is demonstrated. This strategy is based on polyimide (PI) gel polymer electrolyte (GPE)-directed nanoscale wrapping. The PI coating layer successfully wraps a large area of the LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 surface via thermal imidization of (pyromellitic dianhydride/oxydianiline) polyamic acid. Salient features of the PI wrapping layer are the highly continuous surface coverage with nanometre thickness (∼10 nm) and the facile ion transport through the nanoscale layer. Based on a sound understanding of the nanoarchitectured PI wrapping layer, its influence on the cell performance and thermal stability of high-voltage LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 is investigated as a function of charge cut-off voltage (herein, 4.6 and 4.8 V). The anomalous PI wrapping layer substantially improves the high-voltage cycling performance and alleviates the interfacial exothermic reaction between delithiated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 and liquid electrolyte. These results demonstrate that the PI wrapping layer effectively prevents the direct exposure of the LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 surface to liquid electrolytes that are highly vulnerable to electrochemical decomposition at high charge voltage conditions, thus behaving as a novel ion-conductive protection skin that mitigates the unwanted interfacial side reactions.

Comparative Genomics of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Strains Reveals a Core Genome with Traits for Habitat Adaptation and a Secondary Metabolites Rich Accessory Genome

Abstract: The Gram positive, non-pathogenic endospore-forming soil inhabiting prokaryote Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens processes wide biocontrol abilities and numerous strains have been reported to suppress diverse bacterial, fungal and fungal-like pathogens. Knowledge about strain level biocontrol abilities is warranted to translate this knowledge into developing more efficient biocontrol agents and bio-fertilizers. Ever-expanding genome studies of B. amyloliquefaciens are showing tremendous increase in strain-specific new secondary metabolite clusters which play key roles in the suppression of pathogens and plant growth promotion. In this report, we have used genome mining of all sequenced B. amyloliquefaciens genomes to highlight species boundaries, the diverse strategies used by different strains to promote plant growth and the diversity of their secondary metabolites. Genome composition of the targeted strains suggest regions of genomic plasticity that shape the structure and function of these genomes and govern strain adaptation to different niches. Our results indicated that B. amyloliquefaciens: i) suffer taxonomic imprecision that blurs the debate over inter-strain genome diversity and dynamics, ii) have diverse strategies to promote plant growth and development, iii) have an unlocked, yet to be delimited impressive arsenal of secondary metabolites and products, iv) have large number of so-called orphan gene clusters, i.e. biosynthetic clusters for which the corresponding metabolites are yet unknown, and v) have a dynamic pan genome with a secondary metabolite rich accessory genome.

Medical ethnobotany of the Marma tribe of Bangladesh

Abstract: The three hill districts of Bangladesh-Khagrachari, Rangamati and Banderban-are inhabited mainly by the people of 13 tribes. Marmas, also known as Mughs, the second largest tribe, are scattered over the three districts. The majority live in Banderban district. They are Buddhists, descendants of the Arakanese, who had fled there when Burmese attacked their country in 1784 (Ishaq 1971). They regard Burma as the centre of their cultural life and many have links with Burma; many can read and write the Burmese scripts. Most live close to the streams and in valleys, few are settled in the plains. Shifting cultivation is the mainstay of their economy. Notes on the medicinal uses of the species by Marmas are given in this paper. Species are arranged alphabetically under each family. Angiosperm families are arranged after Heywood (1978). Latin names are followed by Marma names between slashes. The documentation of voucher specimens is noted at the end of each statement. The statements without voucher documentation were recorded only when the identity of the plants was established.