Research Papers
Regulating Off-grid Electricity Delivery: Exploring the Grey Areas
Palit Debajit, Bandyopadhyay Kaushik Ranjan
| 2015
Given the increasingly prominent role and scope for off-grid solutions in complementing grid-based electrification in India, especially to electrify habitations where grid electricity is yet to reach, it would be crucial to set up appropriate regulatory arrangements for the scaling up of off-grid interventions in India. In view of this, the paper attempts to analyse the role of possible regulation in the off-grid electrification sector and explores the type of regulatory incentive structures that could be put in place in order to allow the off-grid sector to do well.
Production of a non-cytotoxic bioflocculant by a bacterium utilizing petroleum hydrocarbon source and its application in heavy metal removal
Devi A, Bhattacharyya K G, Sarma H K , Subudhi Sanjukta, Lal Banwari
| 2015
A bacterium isolated from the activated sludge of an oil refinery of Assam, India retained efficient bioflocculating activity through production of bioflocculant when it was grown on crude oil amended media avoided of any other carbon source.The bioflocculating activity gained from the optimized media broth was 86.2%, which could be enhanced up to 89.1% with the purified bioflocculant. In course of bioflocculant production, the bacterium utilized about 77% of the petroleum hydrocarbons after incubation for 168 h when the activity was found to be the highest.
OASYS South Asia Project Brightens Up Remote Areas
Palit Debajit
| 2015
‘Off-grid Access Systems for South Asia’ (OASYS South Asia) project, aimed to do a systematic analysis to develop an off-grid delivery model framework and implement the framework through demonstration projects across different geographies in order to find appropriate local solutions for sustainable rural electricity supply.
Nitric oxide metabolism and indole acetic acid biosynthesis cross-talk in Azospirillum brasilense SM
Koul Vatsala , Tripathi Chandrakant , Adholeya Alok, Kochar Mandira
| 2015
Production of nitric oxide (NO) and the presence of NO metabolism genes, nitrous oxide reductase (nosZ ), nitrous oxide reductase regulator (nosR) and nitric oxide reductase (norB) were identified in the plant-associated bacterium (PAB) Azospirillum brasilense SM. NO presence was confirmed in all overexpressing strains, while improvement in the plant growth response of these strains was mediated by increased NO and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels in the strains. Electron microscopy showed random distribution to biofilm, with surface colonization of pleiomorphic Azospirilla.
Motivations for implementing environmental management practices in Indian industries
Singh Neelam, Jain Suresh, Sharma Prateek
| 2015
The motivations to implement environmental management system (EMS) practices in Indian industries are explored empirically. The study presents a survey of 104 industries from different sectors to identify the main motivational factors and firms' characteristics that determine the adoption of EMS practices by firms. The empirical evidence suggested that the comprehensiveness of the adopted EMS practices is positively influenced by relational motivations as firms consider their image, compliance and prevention of environmental incidents as significant drivers to implement EMS practices.
Methodology to nanoencapsulate hepatoprotective components from Picrorhiza kurroa as food supplement.
Jia Dewei, Barwal Indu, Thakur Shloka, Yadav Subhash C
| 2015
Picrorhiza kurroa root and rhizome powder of extract is well-recognized neutraceutical for healthy liver functioning. The major hepatoprotective components (picrosides I and II) of P. kurroa extract shows poor intestinal absorption and poor bioavailability due to sparingly aqueous solubility. To improve bioavailability of these biomolecules, a nanoformulation of this extract has been developed with pluronic-F-68 copolymer based biodegradable PLA nanoparticles by nanoprecipitation method.
Mechanical, thermal and bio-compatibility studies of PAEK-hydroxyapatite nanocomposites
Roy Pratik , Sailaja R R N
| 2015
In this study high performance bone analogue has been developed using poly(aryl ether) ketone, poly(dimethyl siloxane) and reinforced with nanohydroxyapatite as biocompatible filler. Compressive, tensile and flexural properties have shown sustained improvement up to 7% of nanohydroxyapatite loading. The mechanical properties were further analyzed using micromechanical theories for good interfacial adhesion between matrix and filler. The composites are cytocompatible and revealed multiple layers of apatite formation in simulated body fluid.
Mass Balance Reconstruction since 1963 and Mass Balance Model for East Rathong Galcier, Eastern Himalaya, using remote sensing methods
Agrawal Anubha, Tayal Shresth
| 2015
In this study mass balance, accumulation, ablation, runoff and temperature lapse rate for the East Rathong glacier are estimated for the time period 1963–2011 using remote sensing methods and climate data. A mass balance model is proposed for the glacier that computes mass balance as difference of volumes of consecutive years. Volume estimates of glacier are based on application of volume–area scaling law to glacier area computed from satellite images. It is observed that the glacier is summer-accumulation type. Time series analysis is applied to the annual mass balance series.
Long-term changes in soil pH across major forest ecosystems in China
Yang Yuanhe, Li Pin,Honglin He , Zhao Xia, Datta Arindam, Ma Wenhong , Zhang Ying,Liu Xuejun, Han Wenxuan,Wilson C. Maxwell, Fang Jingyun
| 2015
Atmospheric acidic deposition has been a major environmental problem since the industrial revolution. However, our understanding of the effect of acidic deposition on soil pH is inconclusive. Here we examined temporal variations in topsoil pH and their relationships with atmospheric sulfur and nitrogen deposition across China's forests from the 1980s to the 2000s. To accomplish this goal, we conducted artificial neural network simulations using historical soil inventory data from the 1980s and a data set synthesized from literature published after 2000.
Livelihood and Value Chain Development study
Narula Sapna A
| 2015
As part of the demonstration project carried out through the OASYS South Asia project, an off-grid electrification intervention was undertaken in a cluster of villages in Dhenkenal district of Odisha. In order to develop productive uses of electricity, a detailed study of livelihoods was undertaken and potential areas for improvement in the value chain were identified. This paper reports the above activity and documents the existing livelihoods in the area.