Bio-weathering of granites from Eastern Dharwar Craton (India): a tango of bacterial metabolism and mineral chemistry

The bio-weathering process contributes majorly in the physical shaping of earth’s surface. The weathering of mineral is coupled to the formation of new minerals and release of bio-available nutrients for flora as well as microbial communities. Granites from the Eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC) India are felsic plutonic igneous rock composed of nutritive minerals. The major elemental composition of granite is such that, it forms an ancient ecological niche for diverse microbial communities. Interdisciplinary approaches were taken to construct a more comprehensive understanding of potential functional attributes of Actinobacteria in bio-weathering of granite. This work includes molecular characterization of the isolated strains, detecting their granite bioweathering potentials through leaching experiments where Nocardioides showed highest mineral leaching indices with iron (Fe) being the most leached element (~ 6372 ppm). Scanning electron microscopic imaging indicated biofilm formation and Actinobacterial hyphae colonization. Petrographic, XRD and FTIR based study shows formation of secondary minerals (kaolinite, vermiculite and smectite). To further establish the hypothesis of soil formation and nutrition transport, long-term (360 days) microcosm was developed. Deterioration and grain size alternations with increase in clay based minerals (kaolinite, vermiculite) and total protein content was observed. A bioinformatics based functional biodiversity approach in link to global bio-weathering of rocks by the genus Actinobacteria was adopted to understand their distribution patterns and contribution to alterations of rock minerals

A Numerical Study of Spray Characteristics of A Pressure Swirl Atomizer

This paper deals with the numerical analysis of 2d model of aPressure Swirl Atomizer, which is developed to study the spray characteristics of atomizer, the flow parameters are SMD, aircore diameterand spray cone angle. The variation in nozzle diametersare 1.5m, 2m and 2.5m usingfuel is jet A and methodology affect flow over the atomizer. Results of CFD simulation indicated the optimum nozzle diameter of the atomizer, methodology required to have uniform flow and Spray characteristics within the atomizer. It also proved that CFD is a convenient tool for designing and optimizing the flow over the atomizer

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The crucial challenge experienced by the present executives is how to effectively manage and drive the multigenerational task force in today’s competitive and dynamic business world. For the very first time in the history, the current workforce consists of all the different generations in various role of the organisation (Zeneke et al 2000) .These cohorts cling to different workplace values (Lyons et al,2007), personalities (Twenge and Campbell,2008),expectations towards work preferences(Twenge 2010).Employees of different generations are rooted with uneven expectations (what they value) in terms of opportunities for growth and advancement; learning and sharing; rewards and recognition; autonomy and formal relationship ;professional involvement and commitment; concern towards customers and society ; affinity towards technology and adaptability to change .Effectively managing these variations among the different generation cohort will result in higher efficiency, employee productivity and innovation (Kupperschmidt 2000,Koyan 2007).Obviously the other side is reflected by, improper coordination and inefficiency in employee productivity due to misunderstandings and miscommunications ,(Fyock 1990) .Previous literature (Turkiewicz 2000,Bradford 1993,Adams 2000) reports that due to the post industrial development along with drastic changes in the information technology Gen X and Gen Y are equipped with technology enabled skills that Baby Boomers lack. In spite of which all the three generations compete for resources and positions (Raines 1997). Academics and researchers have focused publications to educate HR executives to adopt to the requirements of the demands of the present Gen X and Gen Y employees(Alsop,2008;Gorman et al.,2004;Hershalter and Epstein,2010) .Failure to cope with the change have resulted in unprofitable practices leading to employee issues such as increased attrition rate, employee disengagement and so on(Hurst and Good,2009) Hence, the need of the hour for the executives is to effectively manage this diversified task force to cut an edge in the present competitive business world. Previous research in the field of workplace values have focused on advertising personnel, business school professors, CPA’s ,manufacturing, hospitality and insurance sectors .The objective of the present research is to explore the variations in workplace values held by the employees in Public and Private Banks representing different generational cohorts in Indian scenario . Hence our research evidence might encourage employers to titivate their HR systems to be able to effectively attract, engage and retain their best talents. An overview of the various generational cohorts and their workplace values are explained followed by an empirical analysis. The successive parts highlight the result and discussions