Cochin University of Science and Technology

About: Cochin University of Science and Technology is a education organization based out in Kochi, Kerala, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Thin film & Natural rubber. The organization has 5382 authors who have published 7690 publications receiving 103827 citations. The organization is also known as: CUSAT & Cochin University.

Spatial variability and rainfall characteristics of Kerala

Abstract: Geographical regions of covariability in precipitation over the Kerala state are exposed using factor analysis. The results suggest that Kerala can be divided into three unique rainfall regions, each region having a similar covariance structure of annual rainfall. Stations north of 10‡N (north Kerala) fall into one group and they receive more rainfall than stations south of 10‡N (south Kerala). Group I stations receive more than 65% of the annual rainfall during the south-west monsoon period, whereas stations falling in Group II receive 25–30% of annual rainfall during the pre-monsoon and the north-east monsoon periods. The meteorology of Kerala is profoundly influenced by its orographical features, however it is difficult to make out a direct relationship between elevation and rainfall. Local features of the state as reflected in the rainfall distribution are also clearly brought out by the study.

Clinical outcomes, histopathological patterns, and chemical analysis of Ayurveda and herbal medicine associated with severe liver injury—A single-center experience from southern India

Abstract: Ayurvedic and herbal medicines (AHM) are known to cause varying degrees of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Clinical, biochemical, histological spectrum and outcomes of AHM linked to severe DILI are not well studied. Out of 1440 liver disease patients, 94 were found to have a severe liver injury and associated AHM intake. Thirty-three patients were suspected to have AHM-DILI on Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Scoring Method. Forty-seven and 30 of retrieved AHM samples were analyzed for heavy metals and hepatotoxic volatile organic compounds (hVOCs), respectively. Eleven patients ingested AHM from unregistered traditional healers (UTH). Clinicopathological outcomes were analyzed in 27 patients (who underwent liver biopsy) and outcomes with respect to chemical analyses were studied in 33 patients. Males predominated (70.4%) with mean age 46.9±15.8 years. Mean follow up was 119.2±81.4 days. The median duration of drug intake was 28 days (10 – 84). Five patients died (18.5%). Hepatic encephalopathy, hypoalbuminemia, and hepatic necrosis were significantly associated with mortality (p < 0.005). Arsenic and mercury ingestion was significantly associated with death (p < 0.005). hVOCs were detected in more than 70% of samples. AHM intake from UTH was associated with higher mortality. Adequate regulation and scrutiny regarding AHM use among the general population is an unmet need. Early liver biopsy after clinical identification of at-risk patients can expedite definitive treatment with a liver transplant.

Epoxidized natural rubber/epoxy blends: Phase morphology and thermomechanical properties

Abstract: Epoxidized natural rubbers (ENRs) were prepared. ENRs with different concentrations of up to 20 wt % were used as modifiers for epoxy resin. The epoxy monomer was cured with nadic methyl anhydride as a hardener in the presence of N,N-dimethyl benzyl amine as an accelerator. The addition of ENR to an anhydride hardener/epoxy monomer mixture gave rise to the formation of a phase-separated structure consisting of rubber domains dispersed in the epoxy-rich phase. The particle size increased with increasing ENR content. The phase separation was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and dynamic mechanical analysis. The viscoelastic behavior of the liquid-rubber-modified epoxy resin was also evaluated with dynamic mechanical analysis. The storage moduli, loss moduli, and tan δ values were determined for the blends of the epoxy resin with ENR. The effect of the addition of rubber on the glass-transition temperature of the epoxy matrix was followed. The thermal stability of the ENR-modified epoxy resin was studied with thermogravimetric analysis. Parameters such as the onset of degradation, maximum degradation temperature, and final degradation were not affected by the addition of ENR. The mechanical properties of the liquid-natural-rubber-modified epoxy resin were measured in terms of the fracture toughness and impact strength. The maximum impact strength and fracture toughness were observed with 10 wt % ENR modified epoxy blends. Various toughening mechanisms responsible for the enhancement in toughness of the diglycidyl ether of the bisphenol A/ENR blends were investigated. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39906.

Use of Polymeric Plasticizers in Polyvinyl Chloride to Reduce Conventional Plasticizer Migration for Critical Applications

Abstract: Di-(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a conventional plasticizer in polyvinyl chloride (PVC), was partially replaced by polymeric plasticizers. Three different elastomers such as nitrile rubber (NBR), carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) were used as polymeric plasticizers. Mechanical properties and leaching of DEHP of the modified PVC in comparison to the compound containing DEHP alone were investigated. The study shows that the migration of the DEHP can be reduced significantly without affecting the useful mechanical properties.

Metal based biologically active compounds: Design, synthesis, DNA binding and antidiabetic activity of 6-methyl-3-formyl chromone derived hydrazones and their metal (II) complexes

Abstract: Two chromone hydrazone ligands HL1 and HL2 were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, 1H NMR & 13C NMR, electronic absorption and mass spectra. The reactions of the chromone hydrazones with transition metals such as Ni, Cu, and Zn (II) salts of acetate afforded mononuclear metal complexes. Characterization and structure elucidation of the prepared chromone hydrazone metal (II) complexes were done by elemental, IR, electronic, EPR spectra and thermo gravimetric analyses as well as conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The spectroscopic data showed that the ligand acts as a mono basic bidentate with coordination sites are azomethine nitrogen and hydrazonic oxygen, and they exhibited distorted geometry. The biological studies involved antidiabetic activity i.e. enzyme inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, Calf Thymus - DNA (CT-DNA) interaction and molecular docking. Potential capacity of synthesized compounds to inhibit the α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity was assayed whereas DNA interaction studies were carried out with the help UV–Vis absorption titration and viscosity method. The docking studies of chromone hydrazones show that they are minor groove binders. Complexes were found to be good DNA - intercalates. Chromone hydrazones and its transition metal complexes have shown comparable antidiabetic activity with a standard drug acarbose.