The University of Calicut, also known as Calicut University, is a state-run public university headquartered in Malappuram district of the state of Kerala, India. Established in 1968, it is the first university to be set up in northern Kerala. The university is coordinated by the University Grants Commission (re-accredited by NAAC with 'A' grade). It is headquartered at Tenhipalam, about 20 km (12 mi) south of the city of Calicut and about 30 km (19 mi) from the city of Malappuram located in the Malappuram District.Calicut University, created by bifurcating Kerala University, is the second university to be set up in Kerala. M. M. Gani, 1969–75, was the first vice-chancellor of the university. Its primary catchment area is the northern districts of Kerala. Calicut University has nine schools and 34 departments. As of 2018-19 Calicut University had 301 undergraduate students and 1799 post-graduate students. The number of full-time doctoral students was 581. The university was ranked 54th among Indian universities by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2020 and 76th overall.Calicut University manages around 400 independent affiliated colleges spread across northern Kerala. It also conducts examinations for the students of the affiliated colleges. It is also the largest 'affiliating' university in Kerala. M.
Schottky Barrier diode (SBD) with Metal- Insulator- Semiconductor (MIS) structure is an important functional part for a broad spectrum of optoelectronic applications. This review paper illustrates the developments in the field of MIS structured SBDs that offers enhanced performance and switching speed. An interfacial insulating layer between the metal and semiconductors plays an inevitable part in achieving this performance. A lot of research is still going on in the development of new insulating materials with improved properties. The variation in Schottky barrier height, reduction in the leakage current, switching action etc. depends on the quality of insulating interfacial layer. Advancements in the studies on MIS structured Schottky diodes are discussed herein with special reference to the development of new interfacial insulating layer materials, manufacturing technologies and device applications. Different Schottky diode structures, conduction mechanisms, equations, parameters and directions for potential future development are outlined.
The botanical essential oils (EOs) with their potent acaricidal properties serve as ecofriendly biopesticides for sustainable mite management in agriculture. This study provides a novel approach to the toxicity of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger) (Zingiberaceae) EO (GEO) against eriophyid gall mite Aceria pongamiae, a serious pest of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, through fumigant and contact toxicity and repellent activity bioassays. GEO, obtained by hydrodistillation (1.72% +/- 0.28% (v/w) yield), was analyzed by GC-MS/MS, revealing 22 constituents dominated by D-limonene (27.18%), terpinen-4-ol (11.61%), alpha-zingiberene (9.82%), and citral isomers (alpha-citral: 5.79% and beta-citral: 5.15%). Bioassays demonstrated significant concentration- and time-dependent acaricidal effects. In fumigation (0.25-1 & micro;L mL-1 air), LC50 reduced from 4.05 to 0.64 & micro;L mL-1 air (24-72 h, respectively), and Cox regression confirmed GEO concentration as a strong predictor of mortality (hazard ratio (HR) = 4.92). Contact toxicity assay (2.50-10 & micro;L mL-1) also showed a decreasing LC50, from 17.10 & micro;L mL-1 at 24 h to 7.09 & micro;L mL-1 at 72 h. Furthermore, GEO exhibited potent concentration-dependent repellency, with efficacy rising from 38.35% at 0.025 & micro;L mL-1 to 65.61% at 0.075 & micro;L mL-1. These findings validate GEO's efficacy as a potent fumigant, contact, and repellent for integrated management of A. pongamiae.
A novel unsymmetrical pi-conjugated tetrazo ligand, (E,Z)-1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylformazan (HL), and its Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, UV-vis, FT-IR, EPR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The formulae of the isolated solid complexes were assigned as [Co(L)2] (1), [Ni(L)2(H2O)2] (2), and [Cu(L)2]& centerdot;0 & centerdot;5H2O) (3), where L represents the deprotonated form of HL. DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d)/LANL2DZ level provided insight into their electronic structures. The complexes are paramagnetic, as confirmed by magnetic moment and EPR data, while thermal analysis indicated superior stability for complex 2. Electrochemical studies revealed quasi-reversible one-electron redox processes, enabling estimation of HOMO-LUMO energy gaps. In vitro antimicrobial evaluation using the agar well diffusion method against four bacterial (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus) and two fungal (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger) strains showed that HL and complex 2 exhibit remarkable antifungal activity against A. niger, surpassing the reference drug clotrimazole. In silico ADMET analysis indicated favorable pharmacokinetic and drug-likeness profiles for HL, suggesting its potential as a promising lead compound. These findings collectively underscore the potential of HL and complex (2) as candidates for further development in antimicrobial and pharmaceutical applications.
Multiphase compounds exhibiting a prominent orthorhombic V2O5 structure have been developed using the empirical formula V2−xNi2xSbxO5−δ (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.08). Microstructure and surface chemistry analyses confirm that the incorporation of Ni and Sb in the V2O5 matrix results in the formation of new phases corresponding to the foreign cations. Raman analysis shows the excitation of 12 active phonon modes with Ґ-Raman = 6Ag + 2B1g + 2B2g +1B3g + 1, with 11 vibrational modes specifically characterizing the α-polymorphic form of orthorhombic V2O5. The photoluminescence spectrum near-band edge blue-green emissions is accompanied by broad peaks at 541 nm and 564 nm. The decrease in PL intensity with the increasing phase composition of SbVO4 and NiV2O6 indicates improved separation of photogenerated charge carriers, which suppresses electron–hole recombination and facilitates the generation of reactive oxygen species. The synthesized materials exhibit strong, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against both fungal and bacterial strains. The inhibition zone diameters increase with molar fraction (x), reaching maximum values for Aspergillus niger (25 mm), Penicillium sp. (19 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (18 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20 mm), and Escherichia coli (15 mm).
Being teratogenic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic, the removal of toxic Malachite Green (MG) dye from water is an intense area of research. Here, a hydrothermal technique is used for the facile preparation of magnetic nickel ferrite nanoparticles in the presence of Tween 20, which are used as adsorbents for the removal of MG dye from water. The structural, magnetic, and morphological investigations of the NiFe2O4 nanoparticles were studied using various characterization techniques, where the nanooctahedral morphology and magnetic nature of the cubic NiFe2O4 spinel structure are revealed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effects of pH, time, initial dye concentration, and adsorbent dosage on MG adsorption are investigated to find out the most suitable conditions of adsorption. The adsorption isotherms and kinetics of MG adsorption have also been investigated, which helped to elucidate the mechanism of adsorption. The NiFe2O4 displayed a monolayer adsorption capacity of 20.46 mg/g and fits the Langmuir model, and a pseudo-second-order kinetic model is suggested for the adsorption, revealing a homogeneously adsorbed monolayer of MG onto the surface of the adsorbent. NiFe2O4 showed an incredible degree of selectivity in the adsorption of MG from a solution of MG and methyl orange. The prepared NiFe2O4 is distinguished by a great ease of separation from water, enabling repeated usage.
