Working of Women’s Industrial Co-operative Societies in Kerala

This study deals with the working of Women’s Industrial Co-operative Societies (WICS) in Kerala. The formation of women’s co-operatives was identified as a lucrative enterprise and a feasible proposition for empowerment of women through encouraging and ensuring their active participation in the process of social and economic development. The problem of unemployment of Women and poverty in India can be tackled effectively only through suitable and appropriate self-employment schemes. WICS help to supplement the income of families and thus raise the standard of living. WICS in Kerala have a significant role in the elimination of industrial backwardness and mounting employment. This study focuses its attention on the performance aspects of WICS. It also gives an introduction to the co-operative movement and review of literature on industrial co-operatives in general and women’s industrial co-operatives in particular.

Tailoring the Microwave Dielectric Properties of GdTiNb 1 _-xTa,O6 and Sm 1 _X Y,TiTa06 Ceramics

Microwave dielectric ceramics based on GdTiNb,-,.Ta,O6 and Sml _.,Y,TiTa06 have been prepared by conventional solid state method . The GdTiTaO6 and SmTiTaO6 have aeschenite structure with positive rr and GdTiNbO6 and YTiTaO6 have euxenite structure with negative rr. The rr of the ceramics has been tuned by preparing solid solution phases between the aeschynites and euxenites for a possible zero rr material . It is observed that GdTiNbt_YTa.,O6 undergoes a phase transition from aeschynite to euxenite when x=0.75 and in Sml-,YxTiTa06 for x= 0.73. The microwave dielectric properties change abruptly near the transition region . The rr value approaches zero near the phase transition region while the samples have poor sinterability and poor quality factor . The unloaded quality factor, dielectric constant and the sign of rr of the solid solution phases are found to depend on the average ionic radius of the rare earth ion in RE ,-5RE',TiTaO6. The boundary of the euxenite-aeschynite phase transition occurs at an average ( RE) ionic radius of 0.915 A in Sm,_, Y,.TiTaO6 solid solution phases

Biochemical studies on some Tropical Esturine Zooplankton Species

Percentages of protein, carbohydrate and lipid which form the major biochemical constituents of 10 species of zooplankton from Cochin backwaters were estimated . Protein invariably formed the major constituent in terms of dry weight. Carbohydrate content was in general very poor . Both protein and lipid were low for organisms with higher water content and did not show any reciprocal relationship . The results in general supported the view that protein may function as a metabolic reserve in zooplankton and that the availability of a constant supply of food may render large amount of lipid storage unnecessary in tropical zooplankton.

Lithium Containing Complex Metal Oxides and Metal phosphates:Investigations on their synthesis and various characterizations for rechargeable lithium battery applications

The work presented in the thesis is centered around two important types of cathode materials, the spinel structured LixMn204 (x =0.8to1.2) and the phospho -oIivine structured LiMP04 (M=Fe and Ni). The spinel system LixMn204, especially LiMn204 corresponding to x= 1 has been extensively investigated to understand its structural electrical and electrochemical properties and to analyse its suitability as a cathode material in rechargeable lithium batteries. However there is no reported work on the thermal and optical properties of this important cathode material. Thermal diffusivity is an important parameter as far as the operation of a rechargeable battery is concerned. In LixMn204, the electronic structure and phenomenon of Jahn-Teller distortion have already been established theoretically and experimentally. Part of the present work is an attempt to use the non-destructive technique (NDT) of photoacoustic spectroscopy to investigate the nature of the various electronic transitions and to unravel the mechanisms leading to the phenomenon of J.T distortion in LixMn204.The phospho-olivines LiMP04 (M=Fe, Ni, Mn, Co etc) are the newly identified, prospective cathode materials offering extremely high stability, quite high theoretical specific capacity, very good cycIability and long life. Inspite of all these advantages, most of the phospho - olivines especially LiFeP04 and LiNiP04 show poor electronic conductivity compared to LixMn204, leading to low rate capacity and energy density. In the present work attempts have been made to improve the electronic conductivity of LiFeP04 and LiNiP04 by adding different weight percentage MWNT .It is expected that the addition of MWNT will enhance the electronic conductivity of LiFeP04 and LiNiP04 with out causing any significant structural distortions, which is important in the working of the lithium ion battery.

Measurements of Electromagnetic Shielding Effect Using Htsc Materials

A simple experimental set-up is described to measure the electromagnetic shielding property of high Tc superconducting samples. Measurements were performed using HTSC materials in the form of laser ablated thin films, powders and sintered pellets. Samples used were Gd-123 in pure and doped form as well as a few Bi-based superconducting ceramics. For comparison, similar measurements were carried out on metals like aluminium, copper and μ metal. Very effective shielding was observed for HTSC materials compared to the conventional materials mentioned above. However it also depended on the sample types and poor shielding was observed for powdered HTSC material in comparison to thin films prepared by laser ablation.

Queueing Models with Vacations and Working Vacations

The thesis entitled “Queueing Models with Vacations and Working Vacations" consists of seven chapters including the introductory chapter. In chapters 2 to 7 we analyze different queueing models highlighting the role played by vacations and working vacations. The duration of vacation is exponentially distributed in all these models and multiple vacation policy is followed.In chapter 2 we discuss an M/M/2 queueing system with heterogeneous servers, one of which is always available while the other goes on vacation in the absence of customers waiting for service. Conditional stochastic decomposition of queue length is derived. An illustrative example is provided to study the effect of the input parameters on the system performance measures. Chapter 3 considers a similar setup as chapter 2. The model is analyzed in essentially the same way as in chapter 2 and a numerical example is provided to bring out the qualitative nature of the model. The MAP is a tractable class of point process which is in general nonrenewal. In spite of its versatility it is highly tractable as well. Phase type distributions are ideally suited for applying matrix analytic methods. In all the remaining chapters we assume the arrival process to be MAP and service process to be phase type. In chapter 4 we consider a MAP/PH/1 queue with working vacations. At a departure epoch, the server finding the system empty, takes a vacation. A customer arriving during a vacation will be served but at a lower rate.Chapter 5 discusses a MAP/PH/1 retrial queueing system with working vacations.In chapter 6 the setup of the model is similar to that of chapter 5. The signicant dierence in this model is that there is a nite buer for arrivals.Chapter 7 considers an MMAP(2)/PH/1 queueing model with a nite retrial group

A study of the evolution and working of regulated markets in Tamilnadu

This study presents a detailed investigation of the origin and development of regulations in agricultural marketing in Tamil Nadu. It evaluates the method and process of regulation practised through the orgahisation of a chain of regulated markets in the State. The study also examines in detail the conceptual frame work behind state intervention and show the original concept has been modified subsequently to suit the changed conditions during the post-independence era of planning for economic development Specific objectives explained in the present study include the following: viz, a) The historical aspects that necessitated state intervention in agricultural marketing in the form of organising regulated markets and their evolution, b) The conceptual and organisational bases of regulated markets in Tamil Nadu. c) The impact of such regulations on the existing trade channels or systems.168 d) The performance and efficiency of regulated markets and their achievements. The study also has suggested some remedial measures to reorganise the present organisational pattern of regulated marketing in Tamil Nadu.

Queueing Models with Vacations and Working Vacations

The objective of the study of \Queueing models with vacations and working vacations" was two fold; to minimize the server idle time and improve the e ciency of the service system. Keeping this in mind we considered queueing models in di erent set up in this thesis. Chapter 1 introduced the concepts and techniques used in the thesis and also provided a summary of the work done. In chapter 2 we considered an M=M=2 queueing model, where one of the two heterogeneous servers takes multiple vacations. We studied the performance of the system with the help of busy period analysis and computation of mean waiting time of a customer in the stationary regime. Conditional stochastic decomposition of queue length was derived. To improve the e ciency of this system we came up with a modi ed model in chapter 3. In this model the vacationing server attends the customers, during vacation at a slower service rate. Chapter 4 analyzed a working vacation queueing model in a more general set up. The introduction of N policy makes this MAP=PH=1 model di erent from all working vacation models available in the literature. A detailed analysis of performance of the model was provided with the help of computation of measures such as mean waiting time of a customer who gets service in normal mode and vacation mode.

“A Study on Human Resource Management Practices in Private Hospitals in Kerala”

The healthcare sector in Kerala is witnessing a spiralling growth due to the healthy economic development and the serious outlook of individuals towards personal health. Private sector is thriving exuberantly well since there is a wide gap between demand and supply for healthcare due to the lack of government initiatives. The proliferation of these private hospitals have paved the way for many unhealthy practices like poor working conditions, low wages, excess workload and lack of retirement and welfare measures to the employees. This state of affairs demanded a serious investigation into the functioning of the private hospitals in Kerala, especially on the human resource management practices, as the success of every organisation depends on the satisfaction level of its employees, which, in turn, will benefit the consumer, i.e., the patients. Hence the present study was undertaken to find out the extent of human resource management practices in private hospitals in Kerala with a view to suggest appropriate remedial measures wherever required

The impact of the working of the Kerala State Bamboo Corporation in the development of the bamboo industry in Kerala

Cochin University of Science & Technology