Anju Antony, Moonjely; Thomas, P C(Cochin University of Science and Technology, August 25, 2014)
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Abstract:
There are a number of genes involved in the regulation of functional process in marine bivalves. In the case of pearl oyster, some of these genes have major role
in the immune/defence function and biomineralization process involved in the pearl formation in them. As secondary filter feeders, pearl oysters are exposed to various kinds of stressors like bacteria, viruses, pesticides, industrial wastes, toxic metals and petroleum derivatives, making susceptible to diseases. Environmental changes and ambient stress also affect non-specific immunity, making the organisms vulnerable to infections. These stressors can trigger various cellular responses in the animals in their efforts to counteract the ill effects of the stress on them. These include the expression of defence related genes which encode factors such as antioxidant genes, pattern recognition receptor proteins etc. One of the strategies to combat these problems is to get insight into the disease resistance genes, and use them for disease control and health management. Similarly, although it is known that formation of pearl in molluscs is mediated by specialized proteins which are in turn regulated by specific genes encoding them, there is a paucity of sufficient information on these genes.In view of the above facts, studies on the defence related and pearl forming genes of the pearl oyster assumes importance from the point of view of both sustainable fishery management and aquaculture. At present, there is total lack of sufficient knowledge on the functional genes and their expressions in the Indian pearl oyster Pinctada fucata. Hence this work was taken up to identify and characterize the defence related and pearl forming genes, and study their expression through molecular means, in the Indian pearl oyster Pinctada fucata which are economically important for aquaculture at the southeast coast of India. The present study has successfully carried out the molecular identification, characterization and expression analysis of defence related antioxidant enzyme genes and pattern recognition proteins genes which play vital role in the defence against biotic and abiotic stressors. Antioxidant enzyme genes viz., Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD), glutathione peroxidise (GPX) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were studied. Concerted approaches using the various molecular tools like polymerase chain reaction (PCR), random amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), molecular cloning and sequencing have resulted in the identification and characterization of full length sequences (924 bp) of the Cu/Zn SOD, most important antioxidant enzyme gene. BLAST search in NCBI confirmed the identity of the gene as Cu/Zn SOD. The presence of the characteristic amino acid sequences such as copper/zinc binding residues, family signature sequences and signal peptides were found out. Multiple sequence alignment comparison and phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide and amino acid sequences using bioinformatics tools like BioEdit,MEGA etc revealed that the sequences were found to contain regions of diversity as well as homogeneity. Close evolutionary relationship between P. fucata and other aquatic invertebrates was revealed from the phylogenetic tree constructed using SOD
amino acid sequence of P. fucata and other invertebrates as well as vertebrates
Seena, E B; Dr.Prathapachandra Kurup,M R(Cochin University of Science and Technology, August 16, 2006)
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Abstract:
The work embodied in the thesis is divided into eight chapters. Chapter I gives a
brief introduction about metal complexes of thiosemicarbazones, including their
structural and bonding properties. Chapter 2 deals with the synthesis and single crystal
X-ray diffraction studies of various thiosemicarbazones used up for the present
investigations and various characterization techniques. Chapter 3 deals with synthesis,
spectral and structural studies of Cu(U) complexes with ONS donor thiosemicarbazones.
Chapter 4 deals with synthesis and spectral studies of Ni(II) complexes \vith
2-hydroxyacetophenone N(4)-cyclohexyl thiosemicarbazone as the ligand. Chapter 5
includes synthesis and spectral studies of Mn(II) complexes. Chapter 6 deals with
synthesis, spectral and structural studies of Zn(II) complexes. Chapter 7 includes
synthesis and spectral studies of oxovanadium(IV) complexes. Chapter 8 deals with
synthesis, spectral and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of dioxomolybdenum(VI)
complexes.
Description:
Department of Applied Chemistry, Cochin University of Science and
Technology
Silpa., B.L; Dr. Reji Srinivas(Cochin University of Science and Technology, September 11, 2015)
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Abstract:
Earth’s coastline defines the interface between land and water.
Although the area they cover is insignificant, their linear extent is
enormous and the variety of landforms they evolve over earth’s surface
is remarkable. Over one third of the world’s population lives either at the
coasts or in adjacent coastal low land areas. The coast is a zone of
intense energy input. This energy transported by waves, arrives at the
coast and is available for work. The result is that the processes of
sediment transport are set in motion – processes that cause
morphological change. Thus the coasts are the most rapidly changing
places on earth's surface and they play an important role in global
transportation of sediments and hence studies on the coastal zone
where air, land and water interact is a focus of particular interest among
the scientific community. The coastal areas across the world are also of
extreme economic importance as they contain abundant natural
resources and favorite tourist destinations because of their highly scenic
landscape
Sree Remya, T. S.; Dr. Swapankumar Ghosh(Cochin University of Science and Technology, February 12, 2015)
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Abstract:
The prospective impact of nanomaterials in science and technology has followed an
increasing trend due to their unique chemical and physical properties compared to bulk.
Significant advances in current technologies in areas such as clean energy production,
electronics, medicine, and environment have fuelled major research and development
efforts in nanotechnology around the world. This leads to the opportunity to use such
nanostructured materials in novel applications and devices. Ceria, zirconia, alumina and
titania are some of the major oxides which find vast applications as a nanomaterial on a
wider side.
Gopinath, Prem; Dr.Bright Singh, I S(Cochin University of Science & Technology, March , 2014)
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Abstract:
The present study was initiated when several massive outbreaks of Chikungunya, Dengue and Japanese Encephalitis were frequently reported across the State of Kerala. Multiple symptoms persisted among the affected individuals and the public health officials were in search of aetiological agents responsible for the out breaks and, other than clinical samples no resources were available. In this context, a study was undertaken to focus on mosquito larvae to investigate the viruses borne by them which remain silently prevalent in the environment. The study was not a group specific investigation limited to either arbovirus or enterovirus, but had a broad spectrum approach. The study encompassed the viral pathogens that could be isolated, their impact when passaged through cell lines, growth kinetics, titer of the working stocks in specific cell line, the structure by means of transmission electron microscopy(TEM), the one step growth and molecular characterization using molecular tools.
Thressiamma, K V; Dr.Sankaranarayanan, K C(Cochin University of Science and Technology, May 2, 1988)
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Abstract:
Rice is the most extensively cultivated crop in the world, particularly concentrated in Asia and the Far East. Asian countries together make up for as much as 91.80 per cent of the world production of rice in 1986. The main objective of the present study is to analyse the rice economy of Kerala over time and space at the State, district and taluk level. The thesis analyses the trends in area, yield and total production of rice during the three seasons in the state, districts and taluks and studies the trends in input and output prices of rice and coconut in the state, districts and taluks. The researcher estimates the impact of input and output prices on area, yield and total output of rice in the state, districts and selected taluks and examines the conversion of paddy field into coconut garden and rubber plantation.
Description:
Department of Applied Economics, Cochin University of Science and Technology,
Joice, Thomas V; Dr.Madhusoodana,Kurup B(Cochin University Of Science And Technology, September , 2003)
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Abstract:
Mechanized fishing started in Indian waters in mid —fifties and large-scale
operation of trawl fishing began in the mid sixties by the surfeit of individual
entrepreneurs. The southwest coast of India especially the coastal waters of
Kerala are the most productive area in the subcontinent and the state has been
in the forefront in marine fish production (Kurup, 2001a). Though the coastline
of Kerala is one tenth of the coastline of India, the state occupies the foremost
position in the marine fish production of the country, accounting for more than
30% of the marine fish landings (Thomas, 2000). The coastal waters of Kerala
have rich and diversified fishery resources, which are prone to heavy
exploitation by a unprecedently high number of fishing gears, among them,
mechanized bottom trawlers with a numerical strength of 4550 (Kurup, 2001a)
against the permissible number of 1145 (Kalawar, et al., 1985) are the most
destructive. Trawling operations during monsoon periods in Kerala has been a
subject of controversy between traditional fishermen and trawl fishers on a
subject that trawl fishing destroys large amount of juveniles and young ones of
fishes since this period is the major breeding season of most of the fish and
prawns (John, 1996). Therefore Government of Kerala imposed a ban on
bottom trawling activities from 1988 onwards for a period varying from 21-70
days, which usually commences from June 15th. Though many studies
revealed that large amount of non-target groups were destroyed in the
commercial trawl fishing in the Indian waters, no concerted study has been
conducted so far to evaluate the real impact of bottom trawling on the sea
bottom and its living communities. The present study was conducted to assess
the impact of excessive bottom trawling exerted on the sea bottom habitat and
its living communities, which would be useful in impressing up on the
seriousness of habitat degradation and biotic devastation, enabling the
concerned to adopt relevant conservation and management steps to conserve
the resources for sustainable exploitation
Description:
School of Industrial Fisheries
Cochin University of Science and Technology
Pramod, V R; Dr. Jagathy Raj, V P(Cochin University of Science and Technology, June , 2007)
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Abstract:
This thesis presents the methodology of linking Total Productive
Maintenance (TPM) and Quality Function Deployment (QFD). The Synergic
power ofTPM and QFD led to the formation of a new maintenance model named
Maintenance Quality Function Deployment (MQFD). This model was found so
powerful that, it could overcome the drawbacks of TPM, by taking care of
customer voices. Those voices of customers are used to develop the house of
quality. The outputs of house of quality, which are in the form of technical
languages, are submitted to the top management for making strategic decisions.
The technical languages, which are concerned with enhancing maintenance
quality, are strategically directed by the top management towards their adoption
of eight TPM pillars. The TPM characteristics developed through the
development of eight pillars are fed into the production system, where their
implementation is focused towards increasing the values of the maintenance
quality parameters, namely overall equipment efficiency (GEE), mean time
between failures (MTBF), mean time to repair (MTIR), performance quality,
availability and mean down time (MDT). The outputs from production system
are required to be reflected in the form of business values namely improved
maintenance quality, increased profit, upgraded core competence, and enhanced
goodwill. A unique feature of the MQFD model is that it is not necessary to
change or dismantle the existing process ofdeveloping house ofquality and TPM
projects, which may already be under practice in the company concerned. Thus,
the MQFD model enables the tactical marriage between QFD and TPM.First, the literature was reviewed. The results of this review indicated that
no activities had so far been reported on integrating QFD in TPM and vice versa.
During the second phase, a survey was conducted in six companies in which
TPM had been implemented. The objective of this survey was to locate any
traces of QFD implementation in TPM programme being implemented in these
companies. This survey results indicated that no effort on integrating QFD in
TPM had been made in these companies. After completing these two phases of
activities, the MQFD model was designed. The details of this work are presented
in this research work. Followed by this, the explorative studies on implementing
this MQFD model in real time environments were conducted. In addition to that,
an empirical study was carried out to examine the receptivity of MQFD model
among the practitioners and multifarious organizational cultures. Finally, a
sensitivity analysis was conducted to find the hierarchy of various factors
influencing MQFD in a company. Throughout the research work, the theory and
practice of MQFD were juxtaposed by presenting and publishing papers among
scholarly communities and conducting case studies in real time scenario.
Description:
School of Engineering,Cochin University of Science and Technology
Deo Prabha, Vasant; Dr.Sridhar, C S(Cochin University of Science and Technology, 1980)
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Abstract:
RMS measuring device is a nonlinear device consisting of linear and
nonlinear devices. The performance of rms measurement is influenced by a number
of factors; i) signal characteristics, 2) the measurement technique used and
3) the device characteristics. RMS measurement is not simple, particularly when
the signals are complex and unknown. The problem of rms measurement on high
crest-factor signals is fully discussed and a solution to this problem is presented
in this thesis.
The problem of rms measurement is systematically analized and found
to have mainly three types of errors: (1) amplitude or waveform error 2) Frequency
error and (3) averaging error. Various rms measurement techniques are studied
and compared. On the basis of this study the rms -measurement is reclassified
three categories: (1) Wave-form-error-free measurement (2) High-frequncy-error
measurement and (3) Low-frequency error-free measurement. In modern digital
sampled-data systems the signals are complex and waveform-error-free rms
measurement is highly appreciated.
Among the three basic blocks of rms measuring device the squarer
is the most important one. A squaring technique is selected, that permits shaping
of the squarer error characteristic in such a way as to achieve waveform-errob
free rms measurement. The squarer is designed, fabricated and tested.
A hybrid rms measurement using an analog rms computing device and
digital display combines the speed of analog techniques and the resolution and
ease of measurement of digital techniques. An A/D converter is modified to perform
the square-rooting operation. A 10-V rms voltmeter using the developed rms detector
is fabricated and tested.
The chapters two, three and four analyse the problems involved in rms
measurement and present a comparative study of rms computing techniques and
devices. The fifth chapter gives the details of the developed rms detector that
permits wave-form-error free rms measurement. The sixth chapter, enumerates the
the highlights of the thesis and suggests a list of future projects
Description:
Department of Electronics, Cochin University of Science and Technology