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.

Handbook of epoxy blends

Abstract: This reference work compiles and summarizes the available information on epoxy blends. It covers all essential areas – the synthesis, processing, characterization and applications of epoxy blends – in a comprehensive manner. The handbook is highly application-oriented and thus serves as a valuable, authoritative reference guide for researchers, engineers, and technologists working on epoxy blends, but also for graduate and postgraduate students, polymer chemists, and faculties at universities and colleges.The handbook is divided into three parts and organized by the types of blends and components: Part I covers epoxy rubber blends, Part II focuses on epoxy thermoplastic blends, and Part III examines epoxy block-copolymer blends. Each part starts with an introduction, and the individual chapters provide readers with comprehensive information on the synthesis and processing, analysis and characterization, properties and applications of the different epoxy blends. All parts conclude with a critical evaluation of the applications, weighing their advantages and drawbacks. Leading international experts from corporate and academic research institutions and universities discuss the correlations of different epoxy blend properties with their macro-, micro- and nanostructures. This handbook thus offers a rich resource for newcomers to the field, and a major reference work for experienced researchers, the first of its kind available on the market. As epoxies find extremely broad applications, e.g. in oil & gas, in the chemical industry, building and construction industry, automotive, aviation and aerospace, boat building and marine applications, in adhesives and coatings, and many more, this handbook addresses researchers and practitioners from all these fields.

Pregnancy-related fractures: a retrospective study of a French cohort of 52 patients and review of the literature.

Abstract: A retrospective, multicentre study involving 52 patients was carried out to define the causes and characteristics of pregnancy-related osteoporosis. The mean number of vertebral fractures occurring during the last trimester of pregnancy or at the time of delivery was 3.8. This is often promoted by risk factors before or during pregnancy. In order to define the causes or predisposing factors of pregnancy-related osteoporosis and its clinical, radiological and bone density characteristics, laboratory findings, course and outcome, we carried out a retrospective multicentre study. The records of 52 women hospitalised over the last 10 years in the rheumatology departments of six French university hospitals and with a diagnosis of pregnancy-related osteoporosis were examined. The patients’ mean age at time of fracture was 32.1 years. In 10 patients, the fractures had occurred during the last trimester of pregnancy, and in 36 at the time of delivery or during the first 2 months post-partum. The mean number of vertebral fractures was 3.8 ± 2.0. Thirty three of the 52 patients had a risk factor of low bone mass before pregnancy. Twelve had disorders or treatments (heparin) that might promote osteoporosis during pregnancy, while 14 had no trigger factors before or during pregnancy. Overall, phosphate and calcium levels were normal, except for hyperphosphoraemia in lactating women (90%). On DXA scan, osteoporosis predominated in the trabecular bone (spinal T-score − 3.4, hip T-score − 2). Only 10 patients had a repeat fracture, and the increase in bone mineral density during follow-up was considerable, and improved by bisphosphonates (annual gain + 10% in the spine) or teriparatide (+ 15%). Pregnancy-related osteoporosis gives rise to multiple vertebral fractures. It is often promoted by risk factors before or during pregnancy. Its mechanism is still unknown. Treatment with bisphosphonates or teriparatide appears to improve the recovery of bone mineral density.

Cellulose Nanofibers Isolated from the Cuscuta Reflexa Plant as a Green Reinforcement of Natural Rubber.

Abstract: In the present work, we used the steam explosion method for the isolation of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) from Cuscuta reflexa, a parasitic plant commonly seen in Kerala and we evaluated its reinforcing efficiency in natural rubber (NR). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques indicated that type I cellulose nanofibers, with diameter: 10–30 nm and a 67% crystallinity index were obtained by the proposed method. The results showed that application of CNF in NR based nanocomposites resulted in significant improvement of their processing and performance properties. It was observed that the tensile strength and tear strength of NR/CNF nanocomposites are found to be a maximum at 2 phr CNF loading, which corresponds with the studies of equilibrium swelling behavior. Dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and morphological studies of tensile fractured samples also confirm that CNF isolated from Cuscuta reflexa plant can be considered as a promising green reinforcement for rubbers.

Applications of Fractional Fourier Transform in Sonar Signal Processing

Abstract: Underwater scenario with all its complexities has been always very challenging for sonar signal processing. The reverberation and the fast-fading nature of the channel make it necessary to use chirp waveforms for sonar transmissions. The conventional techniques based on Fourier transforms often fail to fully address the issues like Doppler estimation with chirp waveforms and low signal-to-noise ratio detection due to the vagaries of the medium. Alternately, the fractional Fourier transform (henceforth shortened as FrFT) can be used in sonar signal processing for improved chirp-detection performance. However, this useful signal-processing tool is largely unknown to the sonar signal processing community. This paper demonstrates the application of FrFT in active and intercept sonar signal processing. The motivation to adopt the proposed method is the ability of FrFT to process chirp signals better than the conventional Fourier transform. FrFT is a parameterized transform with parameter a, related to ...

Differential pulse voltammetric determination and catalytic oxidation of sulfamethoxazole using [5,10,15,20- tetrakis (3-methoxy-4-hydroxy phenyl) porphyrinato] Cu (II) modified carbon paste sensor.

Abstract: Sulfamethoxazole (SM) is a sulfonamide bacteriostatic antibiotic. Its primary activity is against susceptible forms of streptococcus, staphylococcus aureus, escherichia coli, haemophilus influenzae, and oral anaerobes. It is commonly used to treat urinary tract infections. In addition it can be used as an alternative to amoxicillin-based antibiotics to treat sinusitis. It can also be used to treat toxoplasmosis. In the present work, a metalloporphyrin modified carbon paste sensor was fabricated and the electrochemical behaviour of SM was studied using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Cu (II) complex of 5,10,15,20- tetrakis (3-methoxy-4-hydroxy phenyl) porphyrin (TMHPP Cu (II)) was used as the active material. Compared with bare carbon paste electrode (CPE), the TMHPP Cu (II) modified CPE exhibits excellent enhancement effect on the electrochemical oxidation of SM. A well-defined oxidation peak of SM occurs at -140 mV in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (PBS) of pH 6. All the experimental parameters were optimized and it was found that under optimum conditions the oxidation peak current was linear to the concentration of SM in the range of 1.0 x 10(-2)-1.0 x 10(-8) M with a detection limit of 1.5 x 10(-9) M. The developed sensor has been successfully applied for the determination of SM in pharmaceutical formulations and urine sample.