Litta, A J; Dr.Sumam Mary,Idicula(Cochin University of Science And Technology, November , 2013)
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Abstract:
Thunderstorm is one of the most spectacular weather phenomena
in the atmosphere. Many parts over the Indian region experience
thunderstorms at higher frequency during pre-monsoon months (March-
May), when the atmosphere is highly unstable because of high
temperatures prevailing at lower levels. Most dominant feature of the
weather during the pre-monsoon season over the eastern Indo-Gangetic
plain and northeast India is the outburst of severe local convective
storms, commonly known as ‘Nor’wester’ or ‘Kalbaishakhi’. The severe
thunderstorms associated with thunder, squall line, lightning and hail
cause extensive losses in agriculture, damage to structure and also loss of
life. The casualty due to lightning associated with thunderstorms in this
region is the highest in the world. The highest numbers of aviation
hazards are reported during occurrence of these thunderstorms. In India,
72% of tornadoes are associated with this thunderstorm.
Description:
Department of Computer Science, Cochin University of Science and Technology
Krishnakumar,S; Dr.Ravindranatha Menon,N(Cochin University of Science and Technology, September , 2009)
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Abstract:
The application of computer vision based quality control has been slowly but steadily gaining importance mainly due to its speed in achieving results and also greatly due to its non- destnictive nature of testing. Besides, in food applications it also does not contribute to contamination. However, computer vision applications in quality control needs the application of an appropriate software for image analysis. Eventhough computer vision based quality control has several advantages, its application has limitations as to the type of work to be done, particularly so in the food industries. Selective applications, however, can be highly advantageous and very accurate.Computer vision based image analysis could be used in morphometric measurements of fish with the same accuracy as the existing conventional method. The method is non-destructive and non-contaminating thus providing anadvantage in seafood processing.The images could be stored in archives and retrieved at anytime to carry out morphometric studies for biologists.Computer vision and subsequent image analysis could be used in measurements of various food products to assess uniformity of size. One product namely cutlet and product ingredients namely coating materials such as bread crumbs and rava were selected for the study. Computer vision based image analysis was used in the measurements of length, width and area of cutlets. Also the width of coating materials like bread crumbs was measured.Computer imaging and subsequent image analysis can be very effectively used in quality evaluations of product ingredients in food processing. Measurement of width of coating materials could establish uniformity of particles or the lack of it. The application of image analysis in bacteriological work was also done
Description:
Dept. of Marine Biology, School of Ocean Science and
Technology, Cochin University of Science & Technology
Johny,Scaria; Unnikrishnan Nair, N(Department of Statistics,Faculty of Science, 2003)
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Abstract:
The study deals with the distribution theory and applications of concomitants from the Morgenstern family of bivariate distributions.The Morgenstern system of distributions include all cumulative distributions of the form FX,Y(X,Y)=FX(X) FY(Y)[1+α(1-FX(X))(1-FY(Y))], -1≤α≤1.The system provides a very general expression of a bivariate distributions from which members can be derived by substituting expressions of any desired set of marginal distributions.It is a brief description of the basic distribution theory and a quick review of the existing literature.The Morgenstern family considered in the present study provides a very general expression of a bivariate distribution from which several members can be derived by substituting expressions of any desired set of marginal distributions.Order statistics play a very important role in statistical theory and practice and accordingly a remarkably large body of literature has been devoted to its study.It helps to develop special methods of statistical inference,which are valid with respect to a broad class of distributions.The present study deals with the general distribution theory of Mk, [r: m] and Mk, [r: m] from the Morgenstern family of distributions and discuss some applications in inference, estimation of the parameter of the marginal variable Y in the Morgestern type uniform distributions.
Renjith, V R; Dr.Madhu, G(Cochin University of Science & Technology, July , 2010)
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Abstract:
The hazards associated with major accident hazard (MAH) industries
are fire, explosion and toxic gas releases. Of these, toxic gas release is the worst
as it has the potential to cause extensive fatalities. Qualitative and quantitative
hazard analyses are essential for the identitication and quantification of the
hazards associated with chemical industries. This research work presents the
results of a consequence analysis carried out to assess the damage potential of
the hazardous material storages in an industrial area of central Kerala, India. A
survey carried out in the major accident hazard (MAH) units in the industrial
belt revealed that the major hazardous chemicals stored by the various industrial
units are ammonia, chlorine, benzene, naphtha, cyclohexane, cyclohexanone
and LPG. The damage potential of the above chemicals is assessed using
consequence modelling. Modelling of pool fires for naphtha, cyclohexane,
cyclohexanone, benzene and ammonia are carried out using TNO model. Vapor
cloud explosion (VCE) modelling of LPG, cyclohexane and benzene are carried
out using TNT equivalent model. Boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion
(BLEVE) modelling of LPG is also carried out. Dispersion modelling of toxic
chemicals like chlorine, ammonia and benzene is carried out using the ALOHA
air quality model. Threat zones for different hazardous storages are estimated
based on the consequence modelling. The distance covered by the threat zone
was found to be maximum for chlorine release from a chlor-alkali industry
located in the area. The results of consequence modelling are useful for the
estimation of individual risk and societal risk in the above industrial area.Vulnerability assessment is carried out using probit functions for toxic,
thermal and pressure loads. Individual and societal risks are also estimated at
different locations. Mapping of threat zones due to different incident outcome
cases from different MAH industries is done with the help of Are GIS.Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is an established technique for hazard
evaluation. This technique has the advantage of being both qualitative and
quantitative, if the probabilities and frequencies of the basic events are known.
However it is often difficult to estimate precisely the failure probability of the
components due to insufficient data or vague characteristics of the basic event.
It has been reported that availability of the failure probability data pertaining to
local conditions is surprisingly limited in India. This thesis outlines the
generation of failure probability values of the basic events that lead to the
release of chlorine from the storage and filling facility of a major chlor-alkali
industry located in the area using expert elicitation and proven fuzzy logic.
Sensitivity analysis has been done to evaluate the percentage contribution of
each basic event that could lead to chlorine release. Two dimensional fuzzy
fault tree analysis (TDFFTA) has been proposed for balancing the hesitation
factor invo1ved in expert elicitation .
Description:
Division of Safety and Fire Engineering,
School of Engineering,
Cochin University of Science and Technology
Anil, Earnest; Dr. Rajendran, C P(Cochin University of Science and Technology, May , 2007)
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Abstract:
The Andaman-Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal lies in a zone where the
Indian plate subducts beneath the Burmese microplate, and therefore forms a belt
of frequent earthquakes. Few efforts, not withstanding the available historical and
instrumental data were not effectively used before the Mw 9.3 Sumatra-Andaman
earthquake to draw any inference on the spatial and temporal distribution of large
subduction zone earthquakes in this region. An attempt to constrain the active
crustal deformation of the Andaman-Nicobar arc in the background of the December
26, 2004 Great Sumatra-Andaman megathrust earthquake is made here,
thereby presenting a unique data set representing the pre-seismic convergence and
co-seismic displacement.Understanding the mechanisms of the subduction zone earthquakes is both
challenging sCientifically and important for assessing the related earthquake hazards.
In many subduction zones, thrust earthquakes may have characteristic patterns
in space and time. However, the mechanism of mega events still remains
largely unresolved.Large subduction zone earthquakes are usually associated with high amplitude
co-seismic deformation above the plate boundary megathrust and the elastic relaxation
of the fore-arc. These are expressed as vertical changes in land level with the
up-dip part of the rupture surface uplifted and the areas above the down-dip edge
subsided. One of the most characteristic pattern associated with the inter-seismic
era is that the deformation is in an opposite sense that of co-seismic period.This work was started in 2002 to understand the tectonic deformation along the
Andaman-Nicobar arc using seismological, geological and geodetic data. The occurrence
of the 2004 megathrust earthquake gave a new dimension to this study, by
providing an opportunity to examine the co-seismic deformation associated with
the greatest earthquake to have occurred since the advent of Global Positioning
System (GPS) and broadband seismometry.
The major objectives of this study are to assess the pre-seismic stress regimes, to
determine the pre-seismic convergence rate, to analyze and interpret the pattern of
co-seismic displacement and slip on various segments and to look out for any possible
recurrence interval for megathrust event occurrence for Andaman-Nicobar
subduction zone. This thesis is arranged in six chapters with further subdivisions
dealing all the above aspects.
Celinkutty,Mathew; Mary, Joseph T(School of Management Studies, Faculty of Social Science, 2003)
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Abstract:
The present study made an attempt to analyze the socio-economic background and the consumption pattern of scheduled caste households in Idukki district. The objectives of the study are to examine consumption pattern among the scheduled cast population, differences in the average consumption expenditure of different decile groups, consumption expenditure elasticity of items, variations in expenditure of SC households on food, non-food and total expenditure and to examine the association between consumption expenditure and variables such as income, education, occupation and area of residence. The study reveals that the Monthly Per Capita Expenditure of scheduled castes population in rural Kerala is lower than that of the general population. Average household size is higher in rural sector for Scheduled Caste in Kerala as well as all-India. The per capita expenditure of Scheduled Castes of rural Kerala is found to be much lower than that of general population. The study has found that the levels of livings of the Scheduled Castes are far the below the expectations. Large percentage of the Scheduled Caste belongs to the lower income groups. This is due their very low economic status and the consequent employment prospects in low paying occupations. The consumption standards of the majority of Scheduled Castes are found much below that of General population. Effective implementation of the Schemes for their economic upliftment is needed for improving their consumption standards, Minimum Wage Act in the case of agricultural labourers etc. are some of recommendations on the basis of this study.
Akram,Alkershi K M; Dr.Joseph, K J; Dr.Menon,N R(Cochin University of Science and Technology, November , 2002)
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Abstract:
This thesis entitled “Contribution of size fractions of planktonic algae to primary organic productivity in the coastal waters of cochin,south west coast of india”. Marine ecosystems planktonic algae are the most important primary producers on wliich considerable attention is being given on account of their supreme status in the marine food chain.The study of primary production in the Indian Ocean started With DANA (I928-30),, John Murray t I933-34). Discovery ( I934) and Albatross (I947-48) expeditions which tried to evaluate productivity from nutrients and standing crop of phytoplankton .The bioproductivity of the marine environment is dependent on various primary producers. ranging in size from picoplankton to larger macro phytoplankton. The quantity and quality of various size fractions of planktonic algae at any locality depend mainly on the hydrographic conditions of the area .In the coastal waters of Cochin- south west coast of lndia. Planktonic algal community is composed mainly of the diatoms, the dinoflagellates, the blue-green algae and the silicoflagellates, the former two contributing the major flora and found distributed in the all size fractions. The maximum number of
species of diatoms at station 1 and station 2 was found in the pre-monsoon season.. The size groups of planktonic algae greater than 53 um are dominated by filamentous- chain forming and colonial diatoms. The coastal waters of Cochin. planktonic algae less than 53 um in
size contribute significantly to primary productivity and the biodiversity of the
microflora, indicating the presence of rich fishery resources in the south west coast of india.The study of different size fractions of planktonic algae and their relative contribution to the primary organic production is a useful tool for the estimation of the quantity and quality of fisheries.A deeper investigation on the occurrence of these microalgae and proper identification of their species would be of immense help for the assessment of the specificity and magnitude of fishery resources.
Description:
School of Marine Science, Department of Marine biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology