Water sustainability: reforming water management in new global era of climate change

The National Seminar on Sustainable Water Resource Management in Era of Changing Climate (NSWRM-2014) on 10–11 January 2014 organised by the Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development and Environmental Science and Technology, Banaras Hindu University, witnessed the presence of experts from environmentalists, industrialists and experts on water resources and its management. The deliberations and scientific discussions led to the conclusion that it is not just the resource but the natural capacity to sustain it that requires monitoring, understanding and stewardship. The focus of governance in India needs to move at a faster pace from conventional methods of sector-based water management to more integrated approach for sustainable water resource management. It is more of the people participation that is the future key towards sustainable water resource management in India.     

Extracellular Biopolymer Production by Aureobasidium pullulans MTCC 2195 Using Jackfruit Seed Powder

In this present paper, statistical screening and optimization of jackfruit seed powder based medium components were investigated for pullulan production from Aureobasidium pullulans. Seven medium variables jackfruit seed powder, K₂HPO₄, yeast extract, (NH₄)₂SO₄, NaCl, MgSO₄·7H₂O and ZnSO₄·7H₂O were screened by employing Plackett–Burman (PB) method. PB method showed jackfruit seed powder, ZnSO₄·7H₂O, K₂HPO₄ and yeast extract were significant. Central composite design of response surface method applied to optimize the significant variables identified from the PB experiment. Statistical analysis of the experimental results showed optimal values were found to be jackfruit seed powder 2 % (w/v), K₂HPO₄ 0.55 % (w/v), yeast extract 0.30 % (w/v) and ZnSO₄·7H₂O 0.006 % (w/v) with maximum pullulan concentration of 18.76 (g/L). Maximum pullulan concentration of 17.95 (g/L) was observed in the validation experiment. This experimental result explained the model was fitted 96 % as compare with the result predicted by response surface method.     

Determinants of organizational commitment in working women: Some implications for organizational integration

This study proposed and examined determinants of organizational commitment in working women. Among the selected determinants of role stress, personal characteristics, and satisfaction with various aspects of the organization, satisfaction with promotional opportunities was die best predictor of commitment. Experienced role stress was the second best determinant, although the observed relationship was inverse. Other variables such as age, education, and need for achievement, found to be antecedents of organizational commitment in earlier empirical studies, failed to predict commitment in this heterogeneous sample of working women. Findings were discussed in terms of the implications for further research and theory development in the area of organizational commitment as well as for the integration of women into modern work organizations.     

Column optimization of adsorption and evaluation of bed parameters-based on removal of arsenite ion using rice husk

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The objective of this study deals with column optimization of adsorption-based on removal of arsenite ion using rice husk. The parameters affecting...