Biodiversity and ecological assessments of Indian sacred groves

Sacred groves are patches of forests preserved for their spiritual and religious significance. The practice gained relevance with the spread of agriculture that caused large-scale deforestation affecting biodiversity and watersheds. Sacred groves may lose their prominence nowadays, but are still relevant in Indian rural landscapes inhabited by traditional communities. The recent rise of interest in this tradition encouraged scientific study that despite its pan-Indian distribution, focused on India's northeast, Western Ghats and east coast either for their global/regional importance or unique ecosystems. Most studies focused on flora, mainly angiosperms, and the faunal studies concentrated on vertebrates while lower life forms were grossly neglected. Studies on ecosystem functioning are few although observations are available. Most studies attributed watershed protection values to sacred groves but hardly highlighted hydrological process or water yield in comparison with other land use types. The grove studies require diversification from a stereotyped path and must move towards creating credible scientific foundations for conservation. Documentation should continue in unexplored areas but more work is needed on basic ecological functions and ecosystem dynamics to strengthen planning for scientifically sound sacred grove management.

Standardizing Patent Data Cleaning in a University Technology Transfer Office

There are multiple goals of a technology transfer office (TTO) based in a university system. Whilst commercialization is a critical goal, maintenance and cleaning of the TTO's database needs detailing. Literature in the area is scarce and only some researchers make reference to TTO data cleaning. During an attempt to understand the commercial strategy of a university TTO in Bangalore the challenge of data cleaning was encountered. This paper describes a case study of data cleaning at an Indian university based TTO. 382 patent records were analyzed in the study. The case study first describes the back ground of the university system. Second, the method to clean the data and the experiences encountered are highlighted. Insights drawn indicate that patent data cleaning in a TTO is a specialized area which needs attention. Overlooking this activity can have legal implications and may result in an inability to commercialize the patent. Two levels of patent data cleaning are discussed in this case study. Best practices of data cleaning in academic TTOs are discussed.

Exploring Technology Evolution Using Patent Classification: A Case of Cochlear Implant Technology Patents

Understanding technology evolution through periodic landscaping is an important stage of strategic planning in R&D Management. In fields like that of healthcare, where the initial R&D investment is huge and good medical product serve patients better, these activities become crucial. Approximately five percentage of the world population has hearing disabilities. Current hearing aid products meet less than ten percent of the global needs. Patent data and classifications on cochlear implants from 1977-2010, show the landscapes and evolution in the area of such implant. We attempt to highlight emergence and disappearance of patent classes over period of time showing variations in cochlear implant technologies. A network analysis technique is used to explore and capture technology evolution in patent classes showing what emerged or disappeared over time. Dominant classes are identified. The sporadic influence of university research in cochlear implants is also discussed.

Biomass to liquid transportation fuel via Fischer Tropsch synthesis - Technology review and current scenario

Current global energy scenario and the environmental deterioration aspect motivates substituting fossil fuel with a renewable energy resource - especially transport fuel. This paper reviews the current status of trending biomass to liquid (BTL) conversion processes and focuses on the technological developments in Fischer Tropsch (FT) process. FT catalysts in use, and recent understanding of FT kinetics are explored. Liquid fuels produced via FT process from biomass derived syngas promises an attractive, clean, carbon neutral and sustainable energy source for the transportation sector. Performance of the FT process with various catalysts, operating conditions and its influence on the FT products are also presented. Experience from large scale commercial installations of FT plants, primarily utilizing coal based gasifiers, are discussed. Though biomass gasification plants exist for power generation via gas engines with power output of about 2 MWe; there are only a few equivalent sized FT plants for biomass derived syngas. This paper discusses the recent developments in conversion of biomass to liquid (BTL) transportation fuels via FT reaction and worldwide attempts to commercialize this process. All the data presented and analysed here have been consolidated from research experiences at laboratory scale as well as from industrial systems. Economic aspects of BTL are reviewed and compared. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.