Annie Abraham,S; Meera Bai,M(Department of Applied Economics, 2003)
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Abstract:
The present study on the sustainability of medicinal plants in Kerala economic considerations in domestication and conservation of forest resources. There is worldwide consensus on the fact that medicinal plants are important not only in the local health support systems but in rural income and foreign exchange earnings. Sustainability of medicinal plants is important for the survival of forest dwellers, the forest ecosystem, conserving a heritage of human knowledge and overall development through linkages. More equitable sharing of the benefits from commercial utilization of the medicinal plants was found essential for the sustainability of the plants. Cultivation is very crucial for the sustainability of the sector. Through a direct tie-up with the industry, the societies can earn more income and repatriate better collection charges to its members. Cultivation should be carried out in wastelands, tiger reserves and in plantation forests. In short, the various players in the in the sector could find solution to their specific problems through co-operation and networking among them. They should rely on self-help rather than urging the government to take care of their needs. As far as the government is concerned, the forest department through checking over- exploitation of wild plants and the Agriculture Dept. through encouraging cultivation could contribute to the sustainable development of the medicinal plant sector.
Jayan, K N; Dr.Arunachalam, P(Cochin University of Science & Technology, 2004)
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Abstract:
The study has wider policy implications as it identifies the possible variables which
influence the sustainability of participatory productive sector projects. The method which is
developed to study the sustainability of projects under People’s Planning in Chempu
Panchayat could be used for studying the same in other panchayats also. Unlike the case of
the standard features of sustainability identified, the independent variables vary according to
the nature of the project. Hence, this needs to be modified accordingly while applying the
method in a dissimilar domain. Selection of a single panchayat for the present study is
relevant on the basis of a common package of inputs for decentralised planning which is
forwarded by the State Planning Board respectively for the three-tier panchayat system in
Kerala. The dynamic filed realities could be brought out in view of a comprehensive
planning approach through an in depth study of specific cases.The assessment of the nature and pattern of productive sector projects in the selected
Village Panchayat puts the projects under close scrutiny. The analysis has depended largely
on secondary sources of information, especially from panchayat level plan documents, and
also on the primary information obtained using direct observation and on-site inspection of
project sites. An analysis of the nature and pattem of productive sector projects is important
as it gives all necessary information regarding follow-up, monitoring/evaluation and even
termination of a particular project. It has also revealed the tendencies of including
infrastructure and service sector projects under ‘productive’ category, especially for
maintaining the stipulated ratio (40:30:30) of grant-in-aid distribution. The study regarding
the allocation and expenditure pattern of plan funds is vital in policy level as it reveals the
under-noticed allocation and expenditure pattern of plan funds other than grant-in-aid. One
major limitation of the study has been the limited availability of secondary data, especially regarding project-wise expenditure and monitoring/evaluation reports of various project
committees.
Description:
Department of Applied Economics, Cochin
University of Science and Technology.
Subha, Vishnudas; Dr.Abdul Azis, P K(Cochin University of Science And Technology, 2006)
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Abstract:
Soil erosion is more detrimental and affects the chemical, physical and biological
properties of the soil. Degradation of soil and water resources is a worldwide problem. Over the next two decades, it is expected that the world will need 17% more water to grow food for the increasing population in developing countries and that total water use will increase by 40%. The total land area subjected to human-induced soil degradation is estimated as 20 x 106 (km)2 Hence conservation of soil and water is essential for the subsistence of life. This can be made possible through sustainable watershed management. This thesis aims at investigating the condition under which sustainable watershed management is possible in Kerala, in South India. The research has been carried out in three stages. In the first stage a conceptual framework is formulated (Chapter 3) based on the relevant literature (Chapter 2) in the field of watershed management. In the second stage this framework is applied to two existing case studies in Kerala State (Chapter 4).
In the third stage, the methodology is used to test out geo textile innovation (Chapter 5) in two field experiments (Chapter 6).
Description:
Department of environmental studies, Cochin University of Science And Technology
Raghavan, Lisha; Prof. (Dr.) M. R. Anantharaman(Cochin University of Science and Technology, August 9, 2015)
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Abstract:
Magnetism and magnetic materials have been playing a lead role in the day to day life of human beings. The human kind owes its gratitude to the ‘lodestone’ meaning ‘leading stone’ which lead to the discovery of nations and the onset of modern civilizations. If it was William Gilbert, who first stated that ‘earth was a giant magnet’, then it was the turn of Faraday who correlated electricity and magnetism. Magnetic materials find innumerable applications in the form of inductors, read and write heads, motors, storage devices, magnetic resonance imaging and fusion reactors. Now the industry of magnetic materials has almost surpassed the semiconductor industry and this speaks volumes about its importance. Extensive research is being carried out by scientists and engineers to remove obsolescence and invent new devices. Though magnetism can be categorized based on the response of an applied magnetic field in to diamagnetic, paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic and antiferromagnetic; it is ferrimagnetic, ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic materials which have potential applications. The present thesis focusses on these materials, their composite structures and different ways and means to modify their properties for useful applications.
Lisha, Raghavan; Dr M. R. Anantharaman(Cochin University of Science and Technology, June 30, 2016)
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Abstract:
Magnetism and magnetic materials have been playing a lead role in the day to day life of human beings. The human kind owes its gratitude to the ‘lodestone’ meaning ‘leading stone’ which lead to the discovery of nations and the onset of modern civilizations. If it was William Gilbert, who first stated that ‘earth was a giant magnet’, then it was the turn of Faraday who correlated electricity and magnetism. Magnetic materials find innumerable applications in the form of inductors, read and write heads, motors, storage devices, magnetic resonance imaging and fusion reactors. Now the industry of magnetic materials has almost surpassed the semiconductor industry and this speaks volumes about its importance. Extensive research is being carried out by scientists and engineers to remove obsolescence and invent new devices. Though magnetism can be categorized based on the response of an applied magnetic field in to diamagnetic, paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic and antiferromagnetic; it is ferrimagnetic, ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic materials which have potential applications. The present thesis focusses on these materials, their composite structures and different ways and means to modify their properties for useful applications.
In the past, metals like Fe, Ni and Co were sought after for various applications though iron was in the forefront because of its cost effectiveness and abundance. Later, alloys based on Fe and Ni were increasingly employed. They were used in magnetic heads and in inductors. Ferrites entered the arena and subsequently most of the newer applications were based on ferrites, a ferrimagnetic material, whose composition can be tuned to tailor the magnetic properties. In the late 1950s a new class of magnetic material emerged on the magnetic horizon and they were fondly known as metallic glasses. They are well known for their soft magnetic properties. They were synthesized in the form of melt spun ribbons and are amorphous in nature and they are projected to replace the crystalline counterparts.
Sanjana, M C; Dr. Balchand, A N(Cochin University of Science and Technology, April 11, 2005)
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Abstract:
The research work which was carried out to Synergic Reactions in the Estuarine Environment leading to Modulation of Aluminium metal during Transport Processes (in Cochin Estuary)Estuaries are considered as sink or source for terrestrial and various anthropogenically generated materials. These include naturally occurring elements Al, Si, Fe or trace inorganics or industrial pollutants of different types. There have been reports on both positive and negative impacts by the introduction of above materials into the ecosystem.This thesis deals with the trace metal Aluminium (Al) whose average concentration (about 8%) in the earths crust is surpassed only by that of Oxygen and Silicon. There can be no doubt that most of the land derived materials reaches the ocean through rivers via estuaries. An important aspect noticed here is that the concentration of dissolved Al is much lower in sea water than in river water.On critically analysing Cochin estuary, for the entire cycles, covering monsoon, postmonsoon and premonsoon, the following salient features are documented as hereunder. Dissolved Al exhibits high and variable trends in Cochin estuary, the influencing parameters being salinity, SPM, pH and dissolved Si. A general profile showed removal in upper/mid estuary followed by regeneration in the mid/lower estuary and further decrease seawards in the southern/northem arms.Distribution appears to be a function of freshwater input, the monsoon season exhibiting very high concentrations throughout the estuary. As the river discharge decreased with the progress of seasons, dissolved Al concentration also decreased, the metal limiting itself to the upper and mid estuary.
Description:
Department of Physical Oceanography,School of Marine Science, Cochin University of Science and Technology
Meera, R; M L P Reddy(CUSAT and RRL, December , 2004)
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Abstract:
The thesis entitled “Synergistic solvent extraction of Thorium(IV) and Uranium(VI) with β-diketones in presence of oxo-donors” embodies the results of the investigations carried out on the extraction of thorium(IV) an uranium(VI) with heterocyclic β-diketones in the presence and absence of various macrocyclic ligands and neutral organophosphorus extractants. The objective of this work is to generate the knowledge base to achieve better selectivity between thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) by understanding the interactions of crown ethers or neutral organophosphorus extractants with metal-heterocyclic β-diketonate complexes.
Para-substituted 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-aroyl-5-pyrazolones, namely,1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-5-pyrazolone (HPMFBP) and 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-(4-toluoyl)-5-pyrazolone (HPMTP) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and H NMR spectral data. The synthesized ligands have been utilized for the extraction of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) from nitric acid solutions in the presence and absence of various crown ethers. Thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) complexes with HPMPP(1-Phenyl-3-methyl-4-pivaloyl-5-pyrazolone) and neutral organophosphorus extractants were synthesized and characterized by IR and P NMR spectral data to further understand the interactions of neutral organophosphorus extractants with metal-chelates. Solid complexes of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) with para-substituted 4-aroyl-5-isoxazolones and crown ethers were isolated and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques to further clarify the nature of the extracted complexes.
Arun,V; Dr.Mohammed Yusuff,K K(Cochin University of Science & Technology, June , 2009)
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Abstract:
The thesis deals with studies on the synthesis, characterisation and catalytic
applications of some new transition metal complexes of the Schiff bases derived from 3-hydroxyquinoxaline 2-carboxaldehyde.. Schiff bases which are considered as ‘privileged ligands’ have the ability to stabilize different metals in different oxidation states and thus regulate the performance of metals in a large variety of catalytic transformations. The
catalytic activity of the Schiff base complexes is highly dependant on the environment about
the metal center and their conformational flexibility. Therefore it is to be expected that the
introduction of bulky substituents near the coordination sites might lead to low symmetry complexes with enhanced catalytic properties. With this view new transition metal
complexes of Schiff bases derived from 3-hydroxyquinoxaline-2-carboxaldehyde have been
synthesised. These Schiff bases have more basic donor nitrogen atoms and the presence of
the quinoxaline ring may be presumed to build a favourable topography and electronic
environment in the immediate coordination sphere of the metal. The aldehyde was condensed
with amines 1,8-diaminonaphthalene, 2,3-diaminomaleonitrile, 1,2-diaminocyclohexane,
2-aminophenol and 4-aminoantipyrine to give the respective Schiff bases. The oxovanadium(IV), copper(II) and ruthenium(II)complexes of these Schiff bases were synthesised and characterised.
All the oxovanadium(IV) complexes have binuclear structure with a square pyramidal geometry.
Ruthenium and copper form mononuclear complexes with the Schiff base derived from 4-
aminoantipyrine while binuclear square planar complexes are formed with the other Schiff
bases. The catalytic activity of the copper complexes was evaluated in the hydroxylation of
phenol with hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. Catechol and hydroquinone are the major products. Catalytic properties of the oxovanadium(IV) complexes were evaluated in the
oxidation of cyclohexene with hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. Here allylic oxidation
products rather than epoxides are formed as the major products. The ruthenium(II)
complexes are found to be effective catalysts for the hydrogenation of benzene and toluene.
The kinetics of hydrogenation was studied and a suitable mechanism has been proposed.
Description:
Department of Applied Chemistry, Cochin
University of Science and Technology
Thommachan, Xavier; Dr.Thomas, Kurian(Cochin University of Science & Technology, March , 2002)
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Abstract:
Chemically modified novel thermo-reversible zinc sulphonated ionomers based on natural
rubber (NR), radiation induced styrene grafted natural rubber (RI-SGNR), and chemically induced
styrene grafted natural rubber (CI-SGNR) were synthesized using acetyl sulphate/zinc acetate
reagent system. Evidence for the attachment of sulphonate groups has been furnished by FTIR
spectra. which was supplanted by FTNMR results. Estimation of the zinc sulphonate group was
done using spectroscopic techniques such as XRFS and ICPAES. The TGA results prove
improvement in the therrno-oxidative stability of the modified natural rubber. Both DSC and DMTA
studies show that the incorporation of the ionic groups affect the thermal transition of the base
polymer. Retention of the improved physical properties of the novel ionomers even after three
repeated cycles of mastication and molding at 120 degree C may be considered as the evidence for the
reprocessabiJity of the ionomer. Effect of both particulate (carbon black. silica & zinc stearate) and
fibrous fillers (nylon & glass) on the properties of the radiation induced styrene grafted natural
rubber ionomer has been evaluated. Incorporation of HAF carbon black results in maximum
improvement in physical properties. Silica reinforces the backbone chain and weakens the ionic
associations. Zinc stearate plays the dual role of reinforcement and ptasticization. The nylon and
glass filled lonorner compounds show good improvement in the physical properties in comparison
with the neat ionomer. Dispersion and adhesion of the fillers in the ionomer matrix has been amply
supported by their SEM micrographs. Microwave probing of the electrical behavior of the 26.5 ZnSRISGNR
ionomer reveals that the maximum relative complex conductivity and the complex
permittivity appear at the frequency of 2.6 GHz. The complex conductivity of the base polymer
increases from 1.8x 10.12 S/cm to 3.3xlO·4 S/cm. Influence of fillers on the dielectric constant and
conductivity of the new ionic thermoplastic elastomer has been studied. The ionomer I nylon
compound shows the highest microwave conductivity. Use of the 26.5 ZnS-RISGNR ionomer as a
compatibilizer for obtaining the technologically compatible blends from the immiscible SBR/NBR
system has been verified. The heat fugitive ionic cross-linked natural rubber may be, therefore,
useful as an alternative to vulcanized rubber and thermoplastic elastomer
Description:
Department of Polymer Science and Rubber Technology, Cochin University of Science and Technology