Central University of Kerala

About: Central University of Kerala is a education organization based out in Kāsaragod, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 556 authors who have published 881 publications receiving 7474 citations.

Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) and Association Mapping for Major Agronomic Traits

Abstract: The enormous potential of DNA-based molecular markers has greatly assisted crop improvement programs of various crops, including non-model species like plantation crops. Despite the perennial nature, analysis of genomic loci governing quantitative traits of economic importance in coconut has gained impetus due to rapid strides in utilization of DNA markers and development of linkage maps. Although various molecular markers have been used to develop linkage maps and to delineate trait-marker association studies, genome-wide association analysis or linkage disequilibrium analysis-based mapping is less explored in coconut. The advent of next-generation sequencing technologies and the availability of whole-genome sequences of coconut genotypes would spur the genome-wide trait-marker association analysis and fine-mapping studies. This chapter discusses the perspective of QTL mapping investigations in coconut and proposes a way forward in the context of developments in genomics-assisted breeding.

Magnetic Ordering and Enhancement of Magnetization in Zinc-Substituted Copper Ferrite Nanoparticles

Abstract: ZnxCu1-xFe2O4 (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.85) nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel method and were annealed at 500 and 900 °C in air for 3 h. Characterization techniques like XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer were used to investigate phase, cation distribution, and magnetic properties. XRD studies showed that all the as-prepared samples are of cubic spinel phase. Tetragonal phase was observed in the samples with x < 0.15 after annealing, whereas all other samples retained cubic phase. Raman spectroscopy showed increase of Zn2+ ions in the tetrahedral site with the increase in Zn2+ concentration in the nanoparticle samples. Cation distribution and magnetic ordering enhanced the magnetization value with increasing x value, and a maximum was observed in the as-prepared and annealed samples. The coercivity decreased with the increase in Zn2+ concentration. The highest magnetization value of 110 emu/g with coercivity of 25 Oe was observed in the present study at 60 K for the sample annealed at 900 °C with x = 0.5. Law of approach to saturation method was adopted to study the magnetic ordering in the nanoparticle samples. The blocking temperature decreased with increase in Zn2+ concentration and annealing temperature. Cation distribution associated magnetic ordering and anisotropy variation with the increasing Zn2+ concentration explains the observed magnetic behavior in these nanoparticle samples.

O–H vibrational motions promote sub-50 fs nonadiabatic dynamics in 3-hydroxypyran-4-one: interplay between internal conversion and ESIPT

Abstract: A theoretical study is used to explore the involvement of O–H vibrational motions in the S0 → S2 photoinduced dynamics of 3-hydroxypyran-4-one (3-HOX). Two transitions, S0 → S1 and S0 → S2, are attributed to the experimentally observed electronic absorption spectral features in the range of 3.5–5.5 eV. We compute model potential energy surfaces of vibronically coupled S1 (nπ*) and S2 (ππ*) states with the aid of extensive electronic structure calculations. The S1–S2 conical intersection is characterized in the O–H bend and O–H stretch vibrational coordinate space. Quantum wavepacket dynamics simulations reveal an ultrafast S2 → S1 internal conversion decay, where about 90% of the S2 population disappears within the first 50 fs of the propagation time. The participation of O–H vibrational motions in the early events of nonadiabatic dynamics is analyzed based on the time evolution of nuclear densities on S2. We discuss the implications of these observations to provide fundamental insights into the nonadiabatic excited-state intramolecular proton transfer in 3-HOX and its derivatives.

Effectiveness of a physical activity intervention program using peer support among sedentary women in Thiruvananthapuram City, India: results of a non-randomized quasi experimental study.

Abstract: Background: Interventions to promote physical activity are very limited in India. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of a peer support based physical activity (PA) intervention targeting sedentary women in Thiruvananthapuram City, India . Methods: We used a non-randomized quasi-experimental study design with a comparison group. Using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) classifications, 401 sedentary women aged 18-64 years were selected by multistage cluster sampling and enrolled into the intervention (n=200) and control (n=201) arms. For the intervention arm, a culturally relevant intervention was delivered to the community stakeholders, participants and peer leaders at three subsequent intensities: intense (three months), less intense (three months) and no intervention (six months). The intervention consisted of a non-communicable disease (NCD) risk assessment, educational workshop, group counselling sessions, goal setting, handbook and peer support. The control participants received printed information on NCDs and their risk factors. PA assessments and anthropometric measurements were made at baseline, 4 th , 7 th and 13 th months. Mixed model analysis was done to assess the difference in PA levels between groups at various time points. Results: The proportion of women who were physically active (≥600 MET minutes per week) was significantly higher in the intervention arm compared to the control arm at 4 th (58.5 % vs 10%, p= 0.001), 7 th (48.5% vs 6%, p= 0.001)) and 13 th month (29.6 % vs 0.6%, p =0.001), respectively. Improvements from baseline PA expended by the intervention arm compared to the control arm in MET-min / week were 990, 575, and 466 at 4 th , 7 th and 13 th months, respectively. Conclusions: A PA intervention using peer support was found to be effective among women in India. Improvements in PA in the intervention arm decreased over time particularly after the no-intervention phase indicating the need for integrating it with community organizations.