Publications
Linking Local Suppliers to Global Food Markets: A Critical Analysis of Food Safety Issues in Developing Countries
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Food safety issues are gaining momentum across the globe, triggered by rising consumer awareness, technological up-gradation and with growing international trade. This chapter describes the development of global food supply chains and opportunities for developing countries in the global market regime. It explores food quality, safety and labelling issues along with their implication on global trade and on the livelihood of the farmers concerned.
Mapping debris-covered glaciers and identifying factors affecting the accuracy
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Supraglacial debris significantly hampers the mapping of glaciers using remote sensing data. A semi-automated approach for the mapping of debris-covered glacier was applied, which combined the inputs from thermal and optical remote sensing data and the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) derived morphometric parameters. A thermal mask that delineates the supraglacial debris extent was generated by the thresholding of surface temperature layer obtained from Landsat TM/ETM + thermal band satellite data.
MATLAB based modeling to study the performance of different MPPT techniques used for solar PV system under various operating conditions
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Although solar photovoltaic technology is one of the matured technologies, its initial high cost and low efficiency have not made it fully attractive as an alternative option for electricity users. Hence it is very critical to utilize the maximum available solar power of the array and to operate the PV array at its highest energy conversion output. For this, the solar PV generating system has to operate at the maximum power output point. Since the maximum power point varies with radiation and temperature, it is difficult to maintain optimum power operation at all radiation levels.
Microwave assisted synthesis of guar gum grafted sodium acrylate/cloisite superabsorbent nanocomposites: Reaction parameters and swelling characteristics
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
In this study, superabsorbent nanocomposites of guar gum grafted sodium acrylate have been synthesized via both microwave and conventional techniques. The reaction parameters of both techniques were optimized and the microwave assisted method was proved to have higher grafting yield with lesser time of reaction as compared to the conventional method. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed that cloisite was exfoliated and uniformly dispersed in guar gum grafted sodium acrylate matrix.
Modelling NO concentrations using MM5-CMAQ 2 modelling system
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Air quality simulation models are important tools for setting regulatory policy. A combination of Meso-scale Model MM5 and Community Multi-scale 3-D Air Quality model system was applied to the studied domain which included Bangalore city and surrounding regions, where NO concentra- 2 tions were predicted. Emissions estimated for different sectors and meteorological data from National Center for Environmental Prediction served as inputs to the models.
Moving towards inclusive urban adaptation: approaches to integrating community-based adaptation to climate change at city and national scale
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Adaptation to climate change in urban areas presents a complex challenge. Consequently, approaches to urban adaptation should be both multilevel and multidimensional. Community-based adaptation (CBA) presents an opportunity for locallevel participation in framing adaptation planning and activities, with wider transformative potential for urban governance. This paper presents five case studies from cities in the Global South which offer insights into the different scales at which CBA can be mainstreamed in urban contexts, and the various ways in which this is happening.
Multi-peak Gaussian fit applicability to wind speed distribution
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Efforts to harness wind energy on a large scale have gained momentum across the world. By the end of December 2013, a cumulative capacity of more than 300 GW of wind power projects had been installed all over the world. One of the key aspects involved in implementing wind power projects is the analysis of wind speeds distributions observed or recorded and assessment of annual energy output from the wind turbines. The wind speed frequency distribution is generally assumed to follow two-parameter Weibull Distribution.
Multi-scale patterns in co-occurrence of rocky inter-tidal gastropods along the west coast of India
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Over the last five decades, inter-tidal ecology has evolved from being a purely descriptive science to using quantitative and experimental approaches to understand community structure. However, this has sometimes come at the cost of understanding generality since many studies have focused on local spatial scales and patch dynamics. This study aimed to assess the generality of co-occurrence patterns at a large spatial scale, covering over 1000 km, by comparing empirical association patterns with random patterns generated by simulations.
Newly modified silica-based magnetically driven nanoadsorbent: A sustainable and versatile platform for efficient and selective recovery of cadmium from water and fly-ash ameliorated soil
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
The interface of magnetically driven nanotechnology with solid phase extraction methodology has been realized to form a novel nanoadsorbent via covalent linkage of amine functionalized silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles with a newly synthesized Schiff?s base. The final nanoadsorbent and parental nanosupport, with each step of successive modifications, were characterized by SEM, TEM, EDS, XRD, VSM and FT-IR.
Nuclear energy law and decision making in India
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Nuclear energy as a safe source of energy has been a subject of constant debate. The benefits of nuclear energy for power production and its allied applications on the one side and the risks posed by nuclear energy to public health and safety, and to the environment on the other side have been a source of concern. The Government of India has taken a policy view that nuclear energy is necessary to meet the growing energy needs of the country.