Feature Article

Human respiratory epithelia function in airway mucociliary clearance and barrier function and have recently been implicated in sensory functions. The authors investigated a link between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms underlying Ca2+ influx into human airway epithelia elicited by diesel exhaust particles (DEP).

Exposure of humans to air pollutants such as ozone and particulate matter (PM) may result in airway and systemic inflammation and altered immune function. One putative mechanism may be through modification of cell-surface costimulatory molecules. We examined whether changes in expression of costimulatory molecules on circulating cells are associated with ambient levels of fine PM [aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5)] in a susceptible population of diabetic individuals.

The debate regarding dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in malaria prevention and human health is polarized and can be classified into three positions: anti-DDT, centrist-DDT, pro-DDT. The authors attempted to arrive at a synthesis by matching a series of questions on the use of DDT for indoor residual spraying (IRS) with literature and insights, and to identify options and opportunities.

Taken at face value, the results of the fourth edition of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment (NATA), released 11 March 2011 are sobering. Every person in the country is at 10 times or greater risk for getting cancer from outdoor air pollutants than the agency’s general goal of 1 in 1 million the average risk is 50 times greater than the goal, and about 5% of the population is at more than 100 times the risk.

A telemetry SCADA measurement system plays an important role in efficient control and equitable water delivery to the stake holders in the command of Indira Gandhi Nahar project.

Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) approach is being promoted in India with the aim to improve the performance of public irrigation schemes and ensuring equitable water distribution.

The Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) platform was formally launched by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) on 18 November 2010. This article focuses on the REC mechanism, and the issues and challenges involved for India.

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) announced framework for Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) on 14th January 2010. With the emergence of this new mechanism, a new market segment is expected to be created for renewable energy generation. This paper attempts to give brief background, legal framework and description of this new mechanism. This paper also touches upon the status of RPOs, readiness on part of various states to implement this mechanism.

Key drivers for solar market in India have been country's rapidly rising primary energy and electricity needs, persistent energy deficit situation, and on oil and gas imports. These factors coupled with India's endowment with abundant solar irradiation have made solar particularly attractive to the country's energy strategy.