Analytical mapping of research on disaster management,types and role of ICT during 2011–2018

Catastrophic disasters like earthquake and flood cause widespread destruction and financial devastation. This has brought disaster management into limelight making it a burgeoning academic research field. The remarkable rise of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) has instigated the scientific world to incorporate these technologies in disaster management. This study presents scientometric analysis to identify the status quo of research on the management of various disasters and role of ICT in it. This paper uses bibliographic data retrieved from Scopus for the observation period from 2011 to 2018. We provide extensive insights into growth of publications, citation pattern and their connectedness with other subject disciplines. Furthermore, we identify most productive and influential countries, institutes and journals. Our study analyses co-occurrence of keywords using Visualization of Similarities (VOS) Viewer. This structured overview will enhance the understanding of this field leading to more focussed and purposeful research.     

Modulation of mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium and antioxidant properties and antiproliferative effects of fractions from Cassia fistula L. on human cervical HeLa and breast MCF-7 cancer cells

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The present study investigated the antimutagenic, antioxidant, and antiproliferative properties of extracts of Cassia fistula prepared by sequentially...     

Mitigation of yield-scaled greenhouse gas emissions from irrigated rice through Azolla,Blue-green algae,and plant growth–promoting bacteria

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Irrigated transplanted flooded rice is a major source of methane (CH4) emission. We carried out experiments for 2 years in irrigated flooded rice to...     

Role of UPP pathway in amelioration of diabetes-associated complications

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the most widely spread metabolic disorder also called as “life style” disease. Due to the alarming number...     

Constitutive model for municipal solid waste incorporating mechanical creep and biodegradation-induced compression

A constitutive model is proposed to describe the stress–strain behavior of municipal solid waste (MSW) under loading using the critical state soil mechanics framework. The modified cam clay model is extended to incorporate the effects of mechanical creep and time dependent biodegradation to calculate total compression under loading. Model parameters are evaluated based on one-dimensional compression and triaxial consolidated undrained test series conducted on three types of MSW: (a) fresh MSW obtained from working phase of a landfill, (b) landfilled waste retrieved from a landfill after 1.5 years of degradation, and (c) synthetic MSW with controlled composition. The model captures the stress–strain and pore water pressure response of these three types of MSW adequately. The model is useful for assessing the deformation and stability of landfills and any post-closure development structures located on landfills.     

Transport of Pollutant in Open Channel with Short Waves

This study examines the effect of short period water waves on the longitudinal mixing of pollutants in open channel flow. These waves create orbital motions and therefore increase the magnitude of the dispersion coefficient. Experiments are conducted for non-wavy and wavy flow. The values of the longitudinal dispersion coefficients are determined by applying the method of least squares to the measured solute concentrations at various time intervals. For non-wavy flow, the measured values of longitudinal dispersion coefficient match closely with those computed from the empirical equation given by Seo [1]. For wavy flow, a new factor called the wave parameter (a/TU _*, a=wave amplitude, T=wave period, U _*=shear velocity) is found important and a nonlinear multiple regression analysis is used to derive a new expression for the wave induced longitudinal dispersion coefficient (WILDC). An uncertainty analysis is conducted as per IS Code 5168 and the confidence interval is determined. Linear water wave theory is applied to modify the existing expression of the longitudinal dispersion coefficient of Seo [1] by including the effect of short waves. A mathematical model for WILDC is then developed. Comparative study between wavy and non-wavy flow cases has been conducted. The results clearly show an increase in the magnitude of longitudinal dispersion coefficient in the presence of waves.     

Experimental investigation on the effect of liquid phase and vapor phase separation over performance of falling film evaporator

Energy, cost, and environmental concerns play a vital role in understanding governing parameters of distributor design in falling film evaporators. Distributor design is a hidden parameter in many experimental papers. The uniform distribution of liquid refrigerant over the tube bundle mostly depends on two-phase liquid refrigerant and vapor refrigerant. This work conducted experiments with two distribution systems with and without separation of liquid-vapor refrigerant after expansion valve for the same evaporator capacity with R134a as a refrigerant. Results reveal that; separating vapor refrigerant has a positive impact on the approach of the evaporator with an open system distributor arrangement. The highest delta T and lowest practice are found at a heat flux of 13.97 kW/m² with an available system distributor compared to a closed system with a heat flux of 14.25 kW/m². The open system arrangement in the distributor is the novel parameter for distributor design, ensuring uniform distribution with minimum pressure drop and dry suction. An open system distributor has an average 16.1% capacity increase over a closed system. The experimental analysis helps to understand different parameters for the design of distributors in falling film evaporators for uniform distribution.     

Immunotoxic manifestations in rats following inhalative exposure to furfural vapors

Furfural is an industrial compound used as a process intermediate and as a solvent; it poses a potential inhalation hazard in occupational settings. This study was carried out to find furfural-induced immunotoxicity in Wistar rat following inhalative exposure. The weights of thymus and lymph node were found decreased, while the weights of the liver and the adrenal gland were significantly increased following furfural exposure. Delayed-type hypersensitivity response was found decreased in furfural vapors-exposed animals when compared to that of control animals. The phagocytic index of peritoneal and alveolar exudates showed significant decrease and was most prominent (90%) in 30 days-exposed groups. The number of anti-rat anti-sheep red blood cell immunoglobulin M plaque forming cells of spleen got decreased in furfural-exposed groups in comparison to control. Taken together, this study indicates that inhalation of furfural induces immunotoxic manifestations that could lead to severe immunological disorders.     

Arsenic-induced health crisis in peri-urban Moyna and Ardebok villages, West Bengal, India: an exposure assessment study

Drinking of arsenic (As)-contaminated groundwater has adverse effects on health of millions of people worldwide. This study aimed to determine the degree of severity of As exposure from drinking water in peri-urban Moyna and Ardebok villages, West Bengal, India. Arsenic concentrations in hair, nail and urine samp les of the individuals were determined. Arsenical dermatosis, keratosis and melanosis were investigated through medical evaluation. We have evaluated the association between As exposure from drinking water, and keratosis and melanosis outcomes. The results showed that 82.7?% of the sampled tube wells contain As concentrations above 10?μg/L, while 57.7?% contain As concentrations above 50?μg/L. The hair, nail and urine As concentrations were positively correlated with As concentrations in drinking water. In our study population, we observed a strong association between As concentrations ranging 51-99?μg/L and keratosis and melanosis outcomes, although the probability decreases at higher concentration ranges perhaps due to switching away from the use of As-contaminated tube wells for drinking and cooking purposes. High As concentrations in hair, nail and urine were observed to be associated with the age of the study population. The level of As concentrations in hair, nail and urine samples of the study population indicated the degree of severity of As exposure in the study region.     

Transfer factors of (134)Cs to crops from Typic Haplustept under tropical region as influenced by potassium application

Under greenhouse condition a pot culture investigation was carried out using Inceptisol soil (Typic Haplustept) contaminating with (134)Cs @ 1muCikg(-1) soil to study the transfer factor to Mustard, Gram, Spinach and Wheat crops as influenced by potassium application (0, 27.3, 54.6 and 81.9mgKkg(-1) soil). Potassium application in general improved the biomass, grain yield and also the potassium concentration in all the crops. Irrespective of the crops, (134)Cs transfer factor to straw and grain was highest in control treatment (no K addition) and found to decrease significantly with increase in K application levels. The (134)Cs uptake was highest in Spinach followed by Mustard, Gram and Wheat crops. The weighted transfer factor values (straw plus grain) to Spinach, Mustard, and Gram were observed to be 5.54, 4.38 and 2.20 times higher as compared to Wheat crop.