Publications
Bacterial Biosynthesis of Indole-3-Acetic Acid: Signal Bacterial Biosynthesis of Indole-3-Acetic Acid: Signal Messenger Service
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Plant health and soil quality are continuously challenged by increasing environmental stresses and phytopathogen attack. They are often, however, provided a helping hand by unseen microbial inhabitants in the rhizosphere. In this context bacterial biosynthesis of the auxin phytohormone, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is well established, as it can positively regulate developmental processes of plant roots.
Can a "Blue Sky" Return to Indian Megacities
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Deterioration of air quality in Indian megacities (Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata) is much more significant than that observed in the megacities of developed countries. Densely packed high-rise buildings restrict the self-cleaning capabilities of Indian megacities. Also, the ever growing number of on-road vehicles, resuspension of the dust, and anthropogenic activities exacerbate the levels of ambient air pollution, which is in turn breathed by urban dwellers. Pollution levels exceeding the standards on a regular basis often result in a notable increase in morbidity and mortality.
Carbon stock estimation for tree species of Sem Mukhem sacred forest in Garhwal Himalaya, India
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Carbon stock estimation was conducted in tree species of Sem Mukhem sacred forest in district Tehri of Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. This forest is dedicated to Nagraj Devta and is dominated by tree species, including Quercus floribunda, Quercus semecarpifolia and Rhododendron arboreum. The highest values of below ground biomass density, total biomass density and total carbon density were (34.81+-1.68) Mg.ha-1, (168.26+-9.04) Mg.ha-1 and (84.13+-4.18) Mg.ha-1 for Pinus wallichiana.
Carrier mounted bacterial consortium facilitates oil remediation in the marine environment
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Marine oil pollution can result in the persistent presence of weathered oil. Currently, removal of weathered oil is reliant on chemical dispersants and physical removal, causing further disruption. In contrast few studies have examined the potential of an environmentally sustainable method using a hydrocarbon degrading microbial community attached to a carrier. Here, we used a tank mesocosm system (50 I) to follow the degradation of weathered oil (10 g I-1) using a bacterial consortium mobilised onto different carrier materials (alginate or shell grit).
Climate Variability and Rural Livelihood Systems: A Case Study of Three Coastal Villages in India
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
The paper examined the trends of climate variability and local environmental changes and their implications on the livelihood of the people at local level in two Coastal districts in the state of Odisha in India. A trend analysis of the climatic variables has been made based on the Indian Meteorological Department database and the perception of local communities on the implications of these as well as other local environmental changes on livelihood has been discussed through a case study in three coastal villages.
Cloud Computing and Virtualization Technologies in Libraries
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Information and communication technologies are developing very fast and providing us opportunities due to their benefits such as reduced cost, anytime, anywhere availability, as well as its elasticity and flexibility. Cloud computing is one of the newly emerged models for technology that provide us the facility of central remoting of servers to maintain data, software, and application through the use of the Internet. Nowadays it is widely applicable in many areas such as libraries, information centres, in-house, applications and digital library services.
Congruence of ribosomal DNA sequencing, fatty acid methyl ester profiles and morphology for characterization of genera rhizophagus (arbuscular mycorhiza fungus)
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Difficulties in obtaining sterile axenic cultures and heterogeneity in nuclear-encoded ribosomal DNA (n-rDNA) sequences within a single arbuscular mycorrhizal spore make genetic analysis of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) a complicated task, and currently available methods of genotyping are inadequate for identification to the species level. Therefore, we applied a multipronged approach on different isolates grown in root organ culture (ROC) belonging to the genus Rhizophagus which were not characterized at species level.
Daylighting in Schools influencing the health and productivity of children: Investigating with current British Standards
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Daylighting in school buildings has been considered as one major aspect over the past few decades. A well designed space should meet appropriate quantitative aspects like illuminance, luminance, and daylight factor along with qualitative aspects like psychological and physiological factors, as well as time, duration, and directionality of the luminous stimuli. The study aims to understand the influence and relation between daylight and human productivity in the context of educational buildings.
Design improvements and performance testing of a biomass gasifier based electric power generation system
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
The objective of the research work, reported in this paper is, to design and develop a down draft gasifier based power generation system of 75 KWe. A heat exchanger was designed and installed which recycles the waste heat of the hot gas, to improve the efficiency of the system. An improved ash removal system was introduced to minimize the charcoal removal rate from the reactor, to increase the gas production efficiency. A detailed analysis of the mass, energy and elemental balance is presented in the paper.
Development and characterisation of HDPE/EPDM-g-TMEVS blends for mechanical and morphological properties for engineering applications
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
A novel graft copolymer of tris (2-methoxy ethoxy) vinylsilane (TMEVS) onto ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) has been developed by grafting TMEVS using dicumyl peroxide as an initiator (EPDM-g-TMVES)in a Brabender plasticorder. Grafting of TMEVS onto EPDM has been ascertained using FTIR. Suitable interfacial compatibilizer was synthesized by grafting of HDPE with glycidyl methacrylate (HDPE-g-GMA) with benzoyl peroxide as initiator. The EPDM-grafted-TMEVS developed has been blended with different weight percentage of HDPE, EPDM-g-TMEVS and nanoclay.