Health monitoring of bacterial concrete structure under dynamic loading using electro-mechanical impedance technique: a numerical approach

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Health monitoring of structures using techniques based on the smart material is an innovative concept that is exploding technological revolutions in...     

Climatic risks and impacts in South Asia: extremes of water scarcity and excess

Regional Environmental Change - This paper reviews the current knowledge of climatic risks and impacts in South Asia associated with anthropogenic warming levels of 1.5–4 °C...     

Uptake and translocation of selenium by maize (Zea mays) from its environmentaly important forms

Pot culture studies were conducted to examine the effect of selenite (SeO3(2-)) and selenate (SeO4(2-)) on the uptake and translocation of root absorbed selenium in maize Zea mays plants grown in sand and soil culture. Increasing selenium supplementation (0.5-6.00 microg/ml), increased the selenium retention in roots, but there was little transfer of selenium from shoot to grains. The study indicates that selenite species (less mobile) also accumulates in maize plants when supplied in solution form. Selenium does not cause any adverse effect on the maize plants (dry matter yield vs concentration, no significant correlation, p>0.05).     

Charismatic leadership and follower effects

On the basis of the current theories of charismatic leadership, several possible follower effects were identified. It is hypothesized that followers of charismatic leaders could be distinguished by their greater reverence, trust, and satisfaction with their leader and by a heightened sense of collective identity, perceived group task performance, and feelings of empowerment. Using the Conger–Kanungo charismatic leadership scale and measures of the hypothesized follower effects, an empirical study was conducted on a sample of 252 managers using structural equation modelling. The results show a strong relationship between follower reverence and charismatic leadership. Follower trust and satisfaction, however, are mediated through leader reverence. Followers' sense of collective identity and perceived group task performance are affected by charismatic leadership. Feelings of empowerment are mediated through the followers' sense of collective identity and perceived group task performance. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ecology of fouling bryozoans in Cochin waters

An extensive study was conducted on the settlement and seasonal succession of fouling bryozoans in and around Cochin Harbour during the period 1965 to 1966; it was the first study of its kind performed in Indian waters. A total of 14 species was recorded from localities which were ecologically dissimilar. A distinct succession of species, mainly of a seasonal character, was observed. Seasonal succession usually occurs in localities where seasons are well marked, and where different species of animals with short life spans settle during particular times of the year. The study has shown that a distinct seasonal succession of bryozoans occurs in this locality; out of the 14 species which appeared on the panels not one species settled throughout the year. This was due to seasonal differences in the ecological conditions which prevailed in the area investigated. The significant seasonal influences on the incidence of bryozoans led to a categorisation of the species into the following patterns (a) typical brackish-water forms not encountered in purely marine localities; (b) typical brackish-water forms which may occur in marine localities; (c) typical marine forms never found in localities where low salinity conditions prevail.Part of a thesis submitted by the first-named author for his degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Kerala, India.     

Carbon footprint: current methods of estimation

Increasing greenhouse gaseous concentration in the atmosphere is perturbing the environment to cause grievous global warming and associated consequences. Following the rule that only measurable is manageable, mensuration of greenhouse gas intensiveness of different products, bodies, and processes is going on worldwide, expressed as their carbon footprints. The methodologies for carbon footprint calculations are still evolving and it is emerging as an important tool for greenhouse gas management. The concept of carbon footprinting has permeated and is being commercialized in all the areas of life and economy, but there is little coherence in definitions and calculations of carbon footprints among the studies. There are disagreements in the selection of gases, and the order of emissions to be covered in footprint calculations. Standards of greenhouse gas accounting are the common resources used in footprint calculations, although there is no mandatory provision of footprint verification. Carbon footprinting is intended to be a tool to guide the relevant emission cuts and verifications, its standardization at international level are therefore necessary. Present review describes the prevailing carbon footprinting methods and raises the related issues.     

微生物隔膜在生物阴极MFC中的应用及效能评价

本文构建了2.0L具有微生物隔膜的模块化生物阴极微生物燃料电池（MFC）,以实际生活污水为底物,在连续流运行模式中,系统考察了微生物隔膜（MS）在MFC长期运行过程中的功能特征.结果表明：发育成熟的微生物隔膜可以稳定维持MFC阴阳极室间的溶解氧（DO）浓度梯度,使阳极室平均DO浓度低于0.5mg/L,同时使完全混合的阴极室COD浓度低于50mg/L,避免了电解液性质对于电极反应的抑制.微生物隔膜可以实现离子的跨隔膜迁移,进而平衡阴阳极室间的pH值;阴阳极室间存在的跨隔膜离子梯度意味着微生物隔膜完全分隔了两极室内不同的微生物代谢类型,阴极快速的好氧代谢可能导致了阴极室离子强度的降低.微生物隔膜对于MFC中COD和DO梯度的保持以及pH值的平衡起到了决定性作用,这将严格保证MFC的正常运行.同时,本文论述了在面向规模化应用的MFC中装配微生物隔膜的巨大技术与经济优势,综合评价了微生物隔膜的效能特征,为进一步推广面向实际废水处理的微生物电化学设备提供了技术支撑.