Chinthu, Romeo; Dr. Paulose, C S(Cochin University of Science and Technology, August 17, 2012)
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Abstract:
The present study deals with the Cholinergic Receptor subtypes functional regulation in spinal cord injured monoplegic rats: Effect of 5-HT GABA and bone marrow cells.Spinal cord injury causes permanent and irrevocable motor deficits and neurodegeneration. Disruption of the spinal cord leads to diminished transmission of descending control from the brain to motor neurons and ascending sensory information. Behavioural studies showed deficits in motor control and coordination in SCI rats. Cholinergic system plays an important role in SCI, the evaluation of which provides valuable insight on the underlying mechanisms of motor deficit that occur during SCI. The cholinergic transmission was studied by assessing the muscarinic and nicotinic receptors; cholinergic enzymes- ChAT and AChE; second messenger enzyme PLC; transcription factor CREB and second messengers - IP3, cAMP and cGMP. We observed a decrease in the cholinergic transmission in the brain and spinal cord of SCI rats. The disrupted cholinergic system is the indicative of motor deficit and neuronal degeneration in the spinal cord and brain regions. SCI mediated oxidative stress and apoptosis leads to neuronal degeneration in SCI rats. The decreased expression of anti oxidant enzymes – SOD, GPx and neuronal cell survival factors - BDNF, GDNF, IGF-1, Akt and cyclin D2 along with increased expression of apoptotic factors – Bax, caspase-8, TNFa and NF-kB augmented the neuronal degeneration in SCI condition. BMC administration in combination with 5-HT and GABA in SCI rats showed a reversal in the impaired cholinergic neurotransmission and reduced the oxidative stress and apoptosis. It also enhanced the expression of cell survival factors in the spinal cord region. In SCI rats treated with 5-HT and GABA, the transplanted BMC expressed NeuN confirming that 5-HT and GABA induced the
differentiation and proliferation of BMC to neurons in the spinal cord. Neurotrophic factors and anti-apoptotic elements in SCI rats treated with 5-HT and GABA along with BMC rendered neuroprotective effects accompanied by improvement in behavioural deficits. This resulted in a significant reversal of altered cholinergic neurotransmission in SCI. The restorative and neuro protective effects of BMC in combination with 5-HT and GABA are of immense therapeutic
significance in the clinical management of SCI.
Description:
Department of Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology
Kesavankutty,V; Dr.Leelakrishnan, P(Cochin University Of Science And Technology, March 28, 1985)
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Abstract:
In India, film censorship originated with Cinematograph Act 1918 empowering
the Provincial Governments to establish censorial authorities. In 1949, an
amendment provided for a Central Board of Film Censors. In 1952, a new
legislation gave the Central Government enormous powers, making the Board
to function as a department of the Central Government. The Government had
control over the Board with the mechanism of issuing 'directions' to the censors
and laying down censorship rules. The legislation did not provide any objective
criteria for censoring films. The 1959 amendment, aimed at curing this defect,
only incorporated the grounds contained in Article 19(2) of the Constitution. Even
after expert studies and a significant decision by the Supreme Court, pointing
out the inadequacy of the existing system, and governmental attempts to bring
reforms by way of fresh directions, appointment of appellate authority and framing
of new rules, the system still warrants radical change. The thesis explores them.
Description:
Department of Law,Cochin University Of Science And Technology
Narendran Nair,R; Dr.Sharma,G S(Cochin University of Science And Technology, February , 1983)
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Abstract:
The present thesis is an attempt by the researcher to Investigate the surface circulation of the Indian Ocean, north of 2095 in relation to the atmospheric circulation over the ocean. The aim is achieved by working out the circu1ation pattern and correlating it with the computed
wind stress and its vorticity. The month wise surface circulation is arrived by drawing the streamlines, using freshand method with superimposed isotache. The zonal ad meridional componance of the wind stress and the curl of the wind stress are computed for each month over 2° latitude longitude quadrangle from the bulk aerodynamic formula, using a computer program. The data for drawing the surface circu1ation and for computing the wind stress and its curl have come from the Dutch Atlas.
Description:
School of marine sciences, Cochin University of Science And Technology
Simily, Joseph; Dr.Kannan, B(Cochin University of Science and Technology, August , 2013)
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Abstract:
Image processing has been a challenging and multidisciplinary research area since decades with continuing improvements in its various branches especially Medical Imaging. The healthcare industry was very much benefited with the advances in Image Processing techniques for the efficient management of large volumes of clinical data. The popularity and growth of Image Processing field attracts researchers from many disciplines including Computer Science and Medical Science due to its applicability to the real world. In the meantime, Computer Science is becoming an important driving force for the further development of Medical Sciences.
The objective of this study is to make use of the basic concepts in Medical Image Processing and develop methods and tools for clinicians’ assistance. This work is motivated from clinical applications of digital mammograms and placental sonograms, and uses real medical images for proposing a method intended to assist radiologists in the diagnostic process. The study consists of two domains of Pattern recognition, Classification and Content Based Retrieval. Mammogram images of breast cancer patients and placental images are used for this study.
Cancer is a disaster to human race. The accuracy in characterizing images using simplified user friendly Computer Aided Diagnosis techniques helps radiologists in detecting cancers at an early stage. Breast cancer which accounts for the major cause of cancer death in women can be fully cured if detected at an early stage. Studies relating to placental characteristics and abnormalities are important in foetal monitoring. The diagnostic variability in sonographic examination of placenta can be overlooked by detailed placental texture analysis by focusing on placental grading. The work aims on early breast cancer detection and placental maturity analysis. This dissertation is a stepping stone in combing various application domains of healthcare and technology.
Description:
Department of Computer Applications
Cochin University of Science and Technology
Krishnan Thampi, R; Dr.Sridhar, C S(Cochin University of Science & Technology, August , 1994)
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Abstract:
A new procedure for the classification of lower case
English language characters is presented in this work . The
character image is binarised and the binary image is
further grouped into sixteen smaller areas ,called Cells .
Each cell is assigned a name depending upon the contour present in the cell and occupancy of the image contour in the cell. A data reduction procedure called Filtering is adopted to eliminate undesirable redundant information for
reducing complexity during further processing steps .
The filtered data is fed into a primitive extractor where
extraction of primitives is done .
Syntactic methods are employed for the classification of
the character . A decision tree is used for the interaction of the various components in the scheme . 1ike the
primitive extraction and character recognition. A character is recognized by the primitive by primitive construction
of its description . Openended inventories are used
for including variants of the characters and also adding
new members to the general class . Computer implementation
of the proposal is discussed at the end using handwritten
character samples . Results are analyzed and suggestions
for future studies are made. The advantages of the proposal
are discussed in detail .
Description:
Department of Electronics, Cochin
University Of Science And Technology
Mini, M G; Dr. Tessamma, Thomas(Cochin University of Science And Technology, July 14, 2004)
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Abstract:
Cancer treatment is most effective when it is detected early and the progress in
treatment will be closely related to the ability to reduce the proportion of misses in the
cancer detection task. The effectiveness of algorithms for detecting cancers can be
greatly increased if these algorithms work synergistically with those for characterizing
normal mammograms. This research work combines computerized image analysis
techniques and neural networks to separate out some fraction of the normal
mammograms with extremely high reliability, based on normal tissue identification and
removal.
The presence of clustered microcalcifications is one of the most important and
sometimes the only sign of cancer on a mammogram. 60% to 70% of non-palpable
breast carcinoma demonstrates microcalcifications on mammograms [44], [45], [46].WT based techniques are applied on the remaining mammograms, those are obviously
abnormal, to detect possible microcalcifications. The goal of this work is to improve the
detection performance and throughput of screening-mammography, thus providing a
‘second opinion ‘ to the radiologists.
The state-of- the- art DWT computation algorithms are not suitable for practical
applications with memory and delay constraints, as it is not a block transfonn. Hence in
this work, the development of a Block DWT (BDWT) computational structure having
low processing memory requirement has also been taken up.
Description:
Department of Electronics,
Cochin University of Science And Technology
Madhusoodanan Pillai, G; Dr.Ouseph, P P(Cochin University of Science and Technology, December 20, 2002)
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Abstract:
The tiniest Union territory of India, Lakshadweep, is an archipelago, with an area
of 32 Sq. km. consisting of 12 atolls, three reefs and five submerged banks, lies
between 8° and 12°30'N latitudes and 71° and 74" E longitudes. It is one of the
most important and critical territories of India from economic and defence point
of view. Specialised environment having typical geological set up, Lakshadweep is
ecologically sensitive to even slight climatic or anthropogenic interference.
Pollution of coastal seas, over exploitation and contamination of the fresh water
sources are thus become great concerns to the existence of the island. Typical
geological set up and interference cause threat to the ecology of the fragile
environment and resources of the island as well as its resources. Marine pollution
and ground water contamination are concerns in this regard. Even though attentions were made to assess the physico—chemical and bacteriological status of the marine and groundwater systems separately, an integrated approach has not been evolved. The present study with its broad objectives is attempted for an integrated assessment of microbiological, physicochemical and biological characteristics of the surrounding seawater and microbiological and physico—chemical characteristics of the ground water in Kavaratti island. The entire study has been organised in 4 chapters
Description:
Chemical Sciences Division, Centre for Earth Science Studies
Smitha, B R; Dr. Sajeev, R(Cochin University of Science and Technology, November , 2010)
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Abstract:
Upwelling regions occupies only a small portion of the global ocean
surface. However it accounts for a large fraction of the oceanic primary
production as well as fishery. Therefore understanding and quantifying
the upwelling is of great importance for the marine resources
management. Most of the coastal upwelling zones in the Arabian Sea are
wind driven uniform systems. Mesoscale studies along the southwest
coast of India have shown high spatial and temporal variability in the
forcing mechanism and intensity of upwelling. There exists an
equatorward component of wind stress as similar to the most upwelling
zones along the eastern oceanic boundaries. Therefore an offshore
component of surface Ekman transport is expected throughout the year.
But several studies supported with in situ evidences have revealed that
the process is purely recurring on seasonal basis. The explanation
merely based on local wind forcing alone is not sufficient to support the
observations. So, it is assumed that upwelling along the South Eastern
Arabian Sea is an effect of basin wide wind forcing rather than local
wind forcing. In the present study an integrated approach has been made to understand the process of upwelling of the South Eastern Arabian Sea.
The latitudinal and seasonal variations (based on Sea Surface
Temperature, wind forcing, Chlorophyll a and primary production),
forcing mechanisms (local wind and remote forcing) and the factors
influencing the system (Arabian Sea High Saline Water, Bay of Bengal
water, runoff, coastal geomorphology) are addressed herewith.
Description:
Department of
Physical Oceanography,Cochin
University of Science and Technology
Krishna Kumar, K N; Dr.Prasada Rao,GSLHV; Dr.Ram Mohan,H S(Cochin University of Science and Technology, October , 2011)
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Abstract:
The present investigation on “Coconut Phenology and Yield Response to
Climate Variability and Change” was undertaken at the experimental site, at the
Regional Station, Coconut Development Board, KAU Campus, Vellanikkara. Ten
palms each of eight-year-old coconut cultivars viz., Tiptur Tall, Kuttiadi (WCT),
Kasaragod (WCT) and Komadan (WCT) were randomly selected.The study therefore, reinforces our traditional knowledge that the coconut palm
is sensitive to changing weather conditions during the period from primordium
initiation to harvest of nuts (about 44 months). Absence of rainfall from December to
May due to early withdrawal of northeast monsoon, lack of pre monsoon showers and
late onset of southwest monsoon adversely affect the coconut productivity to a
considerable extent in the following year under rainfed conditions. The productivity
can be increased by irrigating the coconut palm during the dry periods.Increase in temperature, aridity index, number of severe summer droughts and
decline in rainfall and moisture index were the major factors for a marginal decline or
stagnation in coconut productivity over a period of time, though various
developmental schemes were in operation for sustenance of coconut production in the
State of Kerala. It can be attributed to global warming and climate change.
Therefore, there is a threat to coconut productivity in the ensuing decades due to
climate variability and change. In view of the above, there is an urgent need for proactive
measures as a part of climate change adaptation to sustain coconut productivity
in the State of Kerala.The coconut productivity is more vulnerable to climate variability such as
summer droughts rather than climate change in terms of increase in temperature and
decline in rainfall, though there was a marginal decrease (1.6%) in the decade of
1981-2009 when compared to that of 1951-80. This aspect needs to be examined in
detail by coconut development agencies such as Coconut Development Board and
State Agriculture Department for remedial measures. Otherwise, the premier position of Kerala in terms of coconut production is likely to be lost in the ensuing years under
the projected climate change scenario.
Among the four cultivars studied, Tiptur Tall appears to be superior in terms of
reproduction phase and nut yield. This needs to be examined by the coconut breeders
in their crop improvement programme as a part of stress tolerant under rainfed
conditions.
Crop mix and integrated farming are supposed to be the best combination to
sustain development in the long run under the projected climate change scenarios.
Increase in coconut area under irrigation during summer with better crop management
and protection measures also are necessary measures to increase coconut productivity
since the frequency of intensity of summer droughts is likely to increase under
projected global warming scenario.
Description:
Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Cochin University of Science
and Technology