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.

Effect of leaf extract of Aegle marmelose (L.) Correa ex Roxb. on histological and ultrastructural changes in tissues of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

Abstract: Light and electron microscopic examination of tissues of rats rendered diabetic with a smaller dose of 45 mg/kg of body weight of streptozotocin were carried out in the present study. The dose of the drug given altered the function of pancreatic beta-cells and the acinar cells. The changes in the acinar cells were coarsening of endoplasmic reticulation (ER) and alterations in their secretory function. The changes in the liver were (1) dialation of veins, (2) loss of usual concentric arrangement of hepatocytes, (3) liver fibrosis and (4) decrease in glycogen content. The kidney tubules were thickened and the glomerulus was expanded. The leaf extract of Aegle marmelose reversed the altered parameters to near normal. The treatment of leaf extract on diabetic pancreas showed improved functional state of pancreatic beta-cells. The results indicate the potential hypoglycemic nature of the leaf extract, helping in regeneration of damaged pancreas.

Structural, magnetic and electrical properties of the sol-gel prepared Li0.5Fe2.5O4 fine particles

Abstract: Fine particles of lithium ferrite were synthesized by the sol-gel method. By subsequent heat treatment at different temperatures, lithium ferrites of different grain sizes were prepared. A structural characterization of all the samples was conducted by the x-ray diffraction technique. A grain size of around 12 nm was observed for Li0.5Fe2.5O4 obtained through the sol-gel method. Magnetic properties of lithium ferrite nanoparticles with grain size ranging from 12 to 32 nm were studied. Magnetization measurements showed that Li0.5Fe2.5O4 fine particles exhibit a deviation from the predicted magnetic behaviour. The as-prepared sample of lithium ferrite showed a maximum saturation magnetization of 75 emu g−1. Variation of coercivity is attributed to the transition from multi-domain to single domain nature. Dielectric permittivity and ac conductivity of all the samples were evaluated as a function of frequency, temperature and grain size. Variation of permittivity and ac conductivity with frequency reveals that the dispersion is due to the Maxwell–Wagner type interfacial polarization.

Methanol assisted selective formation of 1,2-glycerol carbonate from glycerol and carbon dioxide using nBu2SnO as a catalyst

Abstract: Selectively 1,2-glycerol carbonate was obtained from glycerol and carbon dioxide in methanol using 1 mol% n Bu 2 SnO (dibutyltin(IV)oxide, 1 ) as a catalyst. The reaction attained equilibrium in 4 h and the yield of 1,2-glycerol carbonate obtained was as high as 35%. We observed the rate of the reaction depends on the amount of the catalyst and methanol used. During the reaction we could trap the intermediates and identify it by 13 C NMR, IR and mass spectrum of the reaction mixture. The reaction proceeds upon activation of 1 by methanol forming dibutyltindimethoxide followed by dibutyltinglycerate, which undergoes CO 2 insertion to produce non-isolable 7-membered tin–glycerolcarbonato complex that finally yield glycerol carbonate. Catalyst 1 was found to be successful even with 1,2-propanediol and ethylene glycol yielding the corresponding cyclic carbonate.

Application of remote sensing and GIS for the demarcation of groundwater potential zones of a river basin in Kerala, southwest coast of India

Abstract: An integrated hydrogeological investigation has been made to delineate the groundwater-potential zones of the Muvattupuzha river basin, Kerala, along the southwest coast of India. The basin is characterized by charnockites and gneisses of Archean age covering more than 80% of the area and the remaining by Pleistocene laterites and Miocene formation. The basin receives high rainfall, measuring 3100 mm/year. However, acute water shortage occurs during the premonsoon season and hence, a number of dug wells are made to tap the groundwater. Seasonal rainfall during NE and SW monsoons is the major source of groundwater recharge. Further, hydrogeomorphology, geology, fracture systems and the slope of the terrain also play a significant role on the movement and behaviour of the groundwater of this basin. The integration of conventional and remote sensing data has been made through geographic information system (GIS) and it is found that about 50% of the area can be identified as very good or good potential zones, whereas the remaining area falls under moderate and poor categories. Most of the Muvattupuzha sub-basin and the western part of the Kothamangalam and Kaliyar sub-basins are classified as good groundwater-potential zones, although the eastern upstream part of the basin has poor groundwater potential.