Encountering Kali McDermott, Rachel Fell; Kripal, Jeffrey J
2003
eBook
Encountering Kali explores one of the most remarkable divinities the world has seen--the Hindu goddess Kali. She is simultaneously understood as a blood-thirsty warrior, a goddess of ritual ...possession, a Tantric sexual partner, and an all-loving, compassionate Mother. Popular and scholarly interest in her has been on the rise in the West in recent years. Responding to this phenomenon, this volume focuses on the complexities involved in interpreting Kali in both her indigenous South Asian settings and her more recent Western incarnations. Using scriptural history, temple architecture, political violence, feminist and psychoanalytic criticism, autobiographical reflection, and the goddess's recent guises on the Internet, the contributors pose questions relevant to our understanding of Kali, as they illuminate the problems and promises inherent in every act of cross-cultural interpretation.
The South Tibetan detachment system (STDS) is one of the most important deformational features in the Himalayan orogen; yet its evolution in space and time remain incompletely understood. Here, we ...present the results of a new study of the primary, basal strand of the STDS in the Annapurna Himalaya of central Nepal: the Annapurna detachment. The original discovery outcrop of this structure in the Kali Gandaki valley reveals that multiple leucogranite bodies are variably deformed by ductile slip on the detachment. New laser‐ablation (U‐Th)/Pb dating of complex monazite suites from these bodies indicates that leucogranites in this outcrop intruded over a period extending from at least 22.76 ± 0.30–14.95 ± 0.78 Ma. Field relationships and microstructures within studied samples show that ductile slip on the Annapurna detachment was active—at least episodically—throughout this period and also continued into the more recent past. Based on cooling history models for the outcrop constrained by 40Ar/39Ar and (U‐Th)/He data, ductile slip likely continued until at least 12 Ma. These results are at odds with previous inferences that slip on the STDS in central Nepal had ceased by ca. 22 Ma and call into question the popular idea that there was an abrupt geodynamic transition from predominantly N‐S‐directed extension to predominantly E‐W‐directed extension in the central Himalaya in the early Miocene.
Key Points
A novel Bayesian approach to the interpretation of Th/Pb monazite dates improves our ability to reconstruct leucogranite emplacement ages
Late‐stage ductile slip on the basal strand of the South Tibetan detachment system in the Kali Gandaki valley overlapped with the opening of the Thakkhola graben
This is inconsistent with models of Himalayan‐Tibetan orogenic evolution that invoke an abrupt geodynamic transition in the early Miocene
Pseudapocryptes elongatus adalah sejenis Mudskipper yang ditemukan di muara-muara atau mulut sungai. Pseudapocryptes elongatus dikenal dengan ikan janjan. Para penduduk setempat menangkap ikan ini ...untuk digunakan sebagai ikan konsumsi karena mempunyai rasa yang gurih dan tekstur yang lembut, sampai saat ini permintaan terhadap ikan janjan masih tinggi, namun keberadaan ikan janjan masih tergantung dari hasil tangkapan nelayan. Keberadaanya beberapa tahun terakhir mulai menurun ditandai dengan semakin kecilnya ukuran ikan hasil tangkapan dan semakin menurun hasil tangkapan maka keberadaannya di alam terancam mengalami kepunahan. Domestikasi merupakan salah satu cara untuk mencegah ikan janjan dari kepunahan, tetapi informasi tentang biologi ikan janjan masih sangat terbatas, termasuk tentang kebiasaan makan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kebiasaan makan ikan janjan pada bulan Nopember sampai Januari, sehingga akan bermanfaat sebagai acuan usaha domestikasi. Metode penelitian bersifat deskriptif dengan cara mengambil ikan janjan di muara kali miring kabupaten Gresik dua minggu sekali dari bulan Nopember sampai Agustus. Ikan kemudian diukur panjang dan ditimbang beratnya, kemudian dibedah untuk diambil saluran pencernaannya untuk dilakukan analisis tentang kebiasaan makan. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa ikan janjan merupakan ikan omnivora dengan Relative Gut Length < 3, dengan makanan utama berupa diatom (37,57%), disusul kemudian oleh Rotifera, Cyanophyta, Protista, Chlorophyta, dan Arthropoda sebesar (30,69%; 26, 39%; 4%; 1,22% dan 0,12% berturut-turut).
The study focuses on the preparation of landslide susceptibility maps in the Kali River valley, Kumaun Himalaya using three machine learning algorithms, namely K-nearest neighbour (KNN), random ...forest (RF) and extreme gradient boosting (XGB). Fifteen landslide conditioning factors (LCFs) were selected and an inventory of 368 landslides was used for the analysis. Multicollinearity analysis using the variation inflation factor, tolerance and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) depicted less to no similarity between all factors. Evaluation of variable importance suggests LCFs such as slope, elevation and distance to thrust contributed significantly and consistently for all three models. Model accuracy was determined and compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and other statistical signifiers like accuracy, sensitivity, F-measure, accuracy, specificity and recall. The results show that the ensemble algorithms, XGB and RF, yield higher accuracy of approximately 85% compared to the KNN model with 81% accuracy.
The Yankti Kuti valley which is located in the transitional climatic zone of the upper Kali Ganga catchment of northern India has witnessed multiple glacier advances since Marine Isotopic Stage 3 ...(MIS 3). The oldest glacial advance in the valley occurred during early MIS-3 and is dated to 52 ± 3 ka (52.8 ± 3 and 50.4 ± 3 ka), the second advance occurred during late MIS 3 and is dated to 35 ± 2 ka (36.4 ± 1.8 and 34.5 ± 2.2 ka). The termination of this stage occurred at ∼30.3 ± 2 ka and is reflected in the vertical shrinkage of the glacier. The third glacial advance which was more restricted is dated to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) 22 ± 1 ka (22.2 ± 1.1 and 21.4 ± 1.2 ka). Following this, a glacial advance is dated to 16.1 ± 1 ka corresponding to the Older Dryas cooling of the late glacial period. A subsequent minor re-advance is dated to 4.3 ± 2.0 ka (4.4 ± 0.4 and 4.2 ± 0.1 ka) and can be attributed to the globally identified 4.2 ka cooling (arid) event. The study is in accordance with earlier observations made from the monsoon-dominated central Himalayan region. It provides a robust chronology and climatic evidence indicating significant ice volume depicted by the moraine height during MIS 3, implying that the moisture-deficient valleys of semi-arid Himalayan regions respond sensitively to enhance precipitation. The study suggests a regional synchronicity of glacier response to climate variability since MIS 3 and was in accordance with the synoptic-scale, climatic perturbation triggered by the North Atlantic millennial-scale climate oscillations.
•Geomorphological mapping reveals four events of Glaciation with decreasing magnitude.•Stratigraphically constrained OSL ages suggest glacier expansion during MIS 3, LGM and the mid-Holocene.•The-MIS 3 is well represented by the prominent lateral moraine.•LGM glaciation was associated with temperature decline and enhanced westerlies.•The mid-Holocene aridity is manifested by the marginal expansion of the glacier.
The Kali River is a significant source of surface water as well as the main tributary of River Hindon that flows through major cities of western Uttar Pradesh, India. It flows throughout the urban ...and industrial regions; hence, it carries various amounts of pollutant. Therefore, a study was conducted to examine spatial–temporal variations in river water quality by determining physicochemical variables and heavy metal concentrations at seventeen sampling stations (S
1
–S
17
) throughout the river stretch. Various physicochemical variables, namely pH, EC, TDS, turbidity, BOD, COD, TH, TA, Ca, Mg, Na, K, HCO
3
−
, Cl
−
, SO
4
2−
, NO
3
−
, and PO
4
3−
were higher in summer than in winter. The order of mean metal concentrations was Fe > Pb > Mn > Ni > Zn > Cu > Cr > Cd. The relationships among measured physicochemical variables and pollution index were examined. Furthermore, multivariate statistical methods were used to assess spatial–temporal variation in water quality to identify current pollution sources and validate results. Water quality index and comprehensive pollution index indicated that the Kali River was less polluted from S
1
to S
8
. However, downstream sampling sites were polluted. Pollution starts from S
9
and drastically increases at and beyond S
13
because of effluents from industries and sugar mills in Muzaffarnagar. The study suggests cleaning the downstream region of river to restore human health and flora and fauna in the river ecosystem.
Phenolic contents were determined in S. kali leaves, stems, and roots at the beginning, the mid and the end of the vegetative period, as well as the floral bud and open flower at the reproductive ...stage. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were also assessed. Moreover, the major metabolites were identified by HPLC. Results showed a maximum of total phenol contents in the photosynthetic organs, followed by stems and roots. A similar tendency was found for the flavonoids and condensed tannins. Concerning antioxidant analysis, antiradical and Fe-reduced activities were higher in leaves and stems whereas Fe-chelating activity was higher in leaves and roots. Independently of the plant organ, total phenol and flavonoid contents were maximal at the end of the vegetative period whereas tannin content was maximal at the reproductive one. Phenolic contents were related to the organ, the development stage, and their interaction. Concerning the antimicrobial activity, stem extracts were the most efficient against human pathogen strains (Bacteria: Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Fungi: Candida kefyr, C. holmii, C. albicans, C. sake and C. glabrata). Moreover, nine natural products were identified in leaf and stem extracts of S. kali known for their biological activities. As a whole, biological activities of S. kali seem to be strongly related to organs and to the development stage. The phytochemical tests by HPLC demonstrated the presence of nine compounds among them two alkaloids: salsoline and fraxidin. Some molecules are presented in both organs (salsoline, resorcinol, luteolin 7-o-glucoside; and hyperoside). Therefore, endogenous factors greatly account for the biological potential of this medicinal halophyte.
•Total polyphenols, flavonoid and condensed tannin contents vary by organ and growth•Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities are related to endogenous factors•Nine compounds among them two alkaloids were identified by HPLC
The planning of wetland essential ecosystem area (EEA) conservation and preservation activities is important to support ecosystem stability, including the mangrove ecosystem. These activities should ...consider the ecological, economic, and social aspects. This study aimed to analyze the indicator of the mangrove ecosystem to support the planning program of EEA conservation in Muara Kali Ijo, Pantai Ayah, Kebumen. The research method used the mapping and planning analysis of the EEA conservation program using the indicator of mangrove density, mangrove diversity, and environmental indicators. The results showed that mangrove density in Muara Kali Ijo was 1,500-4,300 trees/ha (moderate to very dense) and was dominated by Rhizophora mucronata and Rhizophora styllosa. The potential of total dissolved solids, water salinity, potential hydrogen, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, and nitrate had a good condition to support the mangrove’s life and growth. The ecosystem essential planning also had activity to conserve and preserve the Crocodylus porosus. The planning of ecosystem essential was developed in 18.5 ha, divided into five zones: mangrove preservation area of 5.90 ha, mangrove utilization area of 6.40 ha, mangrove arboretum of 4.40 ha, mangrove rehabilitation area of 1.30 ha, and specific utilization area of 0.5 ha. The wetland EEA in Muara Kali Ijo has important value in preserving the area from coastal disaster and increasing economic value with tourism and other activities.
Keywords: Crocodylus porosus preservation, essential ecosystem conservation, mangrove zonation, Muara Kali Ijo, wetland conservation
A study was conducted for the first time to understand the geochemical processes controlling the chemistry of the Kali River in tropical southwestern India and to determine its chemical denudation ...and net carbon dioxide consumption. The samples were collected from the source to the mouth of the river (15 stations) during monsoon (July 2018), post-monsoon (December 2018), and pre-monsoon (May 2019) seasons. The catchment experiences intense chemical weathering on account of heavy rainfall accompanied by runoff during the summer monsoon. Seasonal variations in silicate weathering processes are significantly controlled by runoff, and their rates are proportional to the discharge. The annual chemical denudation rate (CDR) calculated exclusively from the upstream catchment that are dominated by silicate rocks estimated to be 48.2 tons/km2/yr with a silicate weathering rate (SWR) of 41.3 tons/km2/yr and carbonate weathering rate (CWR) of 6.9 tons/km2/yr. The CDR is two times higher than the global mean average rate. The mean CO2 consumption rate (CCR) for silicate weathering is 2.9 × 105 mol. km−2 y−1, which is three-fold higher than the global average. Silicate rock weathering intensity (Re) values indicate the formation of the gibbsite. The Re does not show variations from upstream to downstream, implying the rapid transport of weathered material from the river catchment area. Intense rain, runoff, and temperature are the dominant climatic factors that accelerate weathering in the study area. This underscores the significance of small mountainous coastal rivers as drivers of intense chemical weathering in humid tropical environments, which removes the atmospheric CO2. This study adds to the existing database on chemical weathering and associated fluxes in granitic catchments across the globe.
•A small tropical river draining predominantly silicate rocks is studied.•Weathering dominated in the upstream and anthropogenic activities in the downstream.•Rainfall, accompanying runoff and high temperature controlled the weathering.•Silicate weathering rates are one-fold higher than other global granitic watersheds.
Allergens originated from Salsola kali (Russian thistle) pollen grains are one of the most important sources of aeroallergens causing pollinosis in desert and semi-desert regions. T-cell ...epitope-based vaccines (TEV) are more effective among different therapeutic approaches developed to alleviate allergic diseases. The physicochemical properties, and B as well as T cell epitopes of Sal k 1 (a major allergen of S. kali) were predicted using immunoinformatic tools. A TEV was constructed using the linkers EAAAK, GPGPG and the most suitable CD4
T cell epitopes. RS04 adjuvant was added as a TLR4 agonist to the amino (N) and carboxyl (C) terminus of the TEV protein. The secondary and tertiary structures, solubility, allergenicity, toxicity, stability, physicochemical properties, docking with immune receptors, BLASTp against the human and microbiota proteomes, and in silico cloning of the designed TEV were assessed using immunoinformatic analyses. Two CD4
T cell epitopes of Sal k1 that had high affinity with different alleles of MHC-II were selected and used in the TEV. The molecular docking of the TEV with HLADRB1, and TLR4 showed TEV strong interactions and stable binding pose to these receptors. Moreover, the codon optimized TEV sequence was cloned between NcoI and XhoI restriction sites of pET-28a(+) expression plasmid. The designed TEV can be used as a promising candidate in allergen-specific immunotherapy against S. kali. Nonetheless, effectiveness of this vaccine should be validated through immunological bioassays.
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