White Spot Syndrone Virus in Penaeids: Histopathology, Development of Polyclonal Antisera and a Cocktail Vaccine

The present study is the first comprehensive approach towards histopathology of White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) in Penaeus indicus. WSSV could be demonstrated in the nuclei of all tissues, except those of midgut, subjected of electron microscopic observation. They were the nuclei of gill, foregut, heart, hepatopancreatic connective tissue, hindgut, nerve and dorsal aorta. A comparison was made between the electron microscopic and histopathological observations and a greater degree of correlation between the two in depicting the severity of the infection of the infection was unraveled. The study also illustrated variations in response and susceptibility of various tissues to WSSV infection. Accordingly, out of the tissues investigated, gill, foregut, hindgut and dorsal aorta exhibited advanced viral multiplication than the other tissues such as heart, midgut, nerve and hepatopancreas. Even though hepatocytes were not infected the connective tissue nuclei were packed with virions.

Development of Cell Culture Systems from Selected Species of Fish and Prawns

The present work deals with the development of primary cell culture and diploid cell lines from two fishes, such as Poecilia reticulata and Clarias gariepinus. The greatest difficulty experienced was the avoidance of bacterial and fungi contamination. Three types of cell cultures are commonly developed, primary cell culture, diploid cell lines and heteroploid cell lines. Primary cell culture obtained from the animal tissues that have been cultivated in vitro for the first time. They are characterized by the same chromosome number as parent tissue, cultivated in vitro for the first time, have wide range of virus susceptibility, usually not malignant, six chromatin retarded and do not grow as suspension cultures. Diploid cell lines arise from a primary cell culture at the time of subculturing. Diploid cell lines commercially used in virology are W1-38 (human embryonic lung), W1-26 (human embryonic lung) and HEX (Human embryonic kidney). Heteroploid cell lines have been subcultivated with less than 75% of the cells in the population having a diploid chromosome constitution. Tissue cultures have been extensively used in biomedical research. The main applications are in three areas, Karyological studies, Identification and study of hereditary metabolic disorders and Somatic cell genetics. Other applications are in virology and host-parasite relationships. In this study an attempt was made to preserve the ovarian tissue at low temperature in the presence of cryoprotectants so that the tissue can be retrieved at any time and a cell culture could be developed.

Development of an instrument to assess Human Resource Quality (HRQ) and measuring the impact of TQM efforts on HRQ using the instrument

This research is aimed at developing an instrument for measuring human resource quality in organizations. The researcher has developed the instrument for measuring HRQ based on extensive literature survey and expert opinion. Statistical validity of the Instrument has also been established. This instrument was used to measure the changes in Human Resource Quality in selected organizations wherein quality management practices are being implemented. Data collected was analyzed and presented in this thesis. It has been found that there are significant changes in all the indicators of Human Resource Quality. There is improvement in Cultural Change Index(CCI), Quality of Work Life Index(QWLI) and Employee Satisfaction Index(ESI). The Human Resource Quality index has also increased significantly in all the organizations. It has been observed from the study that implementation of TQM leads to significant changes in Human Resource Quality. This instrument is capable of measuring minor variations in each indicator of HRQ and can be used to identify areas of weakness and strength in the case of Human Resource Quality. The instrument can further be modified by future research. This research work provided excellent opportunities for the researcher for self-development and has made him confident to undertake such activities for the benefit of the learning community.

Studies on Magnetic Iron Oxide Loaded Activated Carbon

The current water treatment technology is oriented towards the removal of contaminants, mostly organic compounds, by activated carbon. Activated carbons are classified as Granular Activated Carbons (GAC) and Powdered Activated Carbons (PAC) on the basis of the particle size of the carbon granules. Powdered carbons are generally less expensive than granular carbon, operating costs with powdered carbon could be lower. Though powdered activated carbon has many advantages over granular carbon, its application in large-scale separation process is limited by difficulty in recovery and regeneration. Deposition of magnetic iron oxide on carbon particles provides a convenient way of recovering the spent carbon from process water. The study deals with the preparation and physico-chemical characterization of magnetic iron oxide loaded activated carbons. The evaluation of absorption properties of magnetic iron oxide loaded activated carbon composites. The target molecules studied were phenol, p-nitro phenol and methylene blue. The feasibility of magnetic separation of iron oxide loaded activated carbons were studied and described in this thesis.

Inherent Powers of the High Court under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973

This thesis is shows the result of the research work on the inherent Powers of the High Court in criminal jurisdiction. The criminal justice system in India recognizes inherent powers only of the High Court. The Theory and Philosophy of inherent powers are concerned the Distinction between civil and Criminal laws are of very little consequence. In formulating the research programme the confusion created by the concept of inherent powers and its application by High Court form the central point. How fully the concept is understood, how correctly the power is used, and how far it has enhanced the rationale of the administration of criminal justice, what is its importance and what are the solutions for the inherent power to earn a permanent status in the province of criminal jurisprudence are the themes of this study. The precipitation of new dimensions is the yardstick to acknowledge the inherent powers of the High Court and Supreme Court. It is of instant value in criminal justice system. This study concludes innovativeness provided by the inherent powers has helped the justice administration draw inspiration from the Constitution. A jurisprudence of inherent powers has developed with the weilding of inherent powers of the Supreme Court and the High Court. It is to unravel mystery of jurisprudence caused by the operation of the concept of inherent powers this research work gives emphasis. Its significance is all the more relevant when the power is exercised in the administration of criminal justice. Application or non application of inherent powers in a given case would tell upon the maturity and perfection of the standard of justice

A fibre optic evanescent wave sensor used for the detection of trace nitrites in water

A fibre optic technique for detecting trace amounts of nitrite compounds in water is described. The off-line fibre optic sensor outlined here is based on evanescent field absorption in a test solution formed by the reaction of nitrite compounds in water with suitable chemical reagents. A short unclad portion of a plastic clad silica fibre acts as the sensing region. The experimental results clearly establish the usefulness of the present technique for detecting very low concentrations of the order of 1 ppb (parts per billion) of nitrite compounds with a large dynamic range of 1–1000 ppb. Such a high sensitivity enables the present device to be used for measuring the nitrite content in drinking water.

Water Quality Management–Application of Flocculants and Algicides

School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology