Institutional Repository

Scholar@UOC is the primary academic repository of the University of Calicut.

This repository is aimed to collect, preserve and distribute the research output of the members of our University. This is an open access system hosted and managed by the University Library.

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Ecosystem services approach to the interlinkages between kole wetland farming and human wellbeing in Kerala
(Department of Economics, University of Calicut, 2026) Sunilkumar, M.; Simon, T. D.
In a world of urbanization, the availability of agricultural land is decreasing and the use of excessive chemicals in agriculture has become a global trend to overcome it. As a result, agro-ecosystem services have been drastically altered. It is crucial to understand the wellbeing of paddy farmers who depend on this agro-ecosystem for their livelihoods. This study investigates the role of wetland agro-ecosystem services in achieving wellbeing of the farmers living in and around the paddy fields. The primary purpose of this research is to explore the mediating role of wetland ecosystem services to obtain different dimensions of wellbeing of the farmers. The objectives of this study include examining the dynamics of paddy land use, analysing the impact of paddy farming practices on different paddy wetland ecosystem services, and assessing their influence on the wellbeing of paddy farmers. A mixed methods approach has been adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative survey data collected from 393 farmer households residing around the Kole wetland area in Thrissur district of Kerala state. To measure the dynamics of paddy land use in Kerala based on land use pattern and cropping pattern, 40 years of time series data have been examined and it has been found that initially paddy fields were converted to perennial crops such as coconut, banana, and rubber and later converted to non-agricultural purposes. It has been found that the same pattern of conversion is observed in the entire Thrissur district and especially in the Kole wetland area. The assessment using CAGR and the Cuddy Della Valle Index found that productivity is increasing in Kerala even as the area under paddy cultivation is decreasing. But productivity is decreasing in the Kole wetlands, even as the area under paddy cultivation has been increasing in recent times. By using the revised Cobb-Douglas production function and cost-benefit analysis, study reveals that although rice farming is profitable, intensive farming practices negatively affect ecological efficiency and also follows diminishing returns in farming. It has been found that the loss of ecological balance via excess chemical input use has led to the trade off between provisioning and regulating services while synergy between regulating and cultural services. The study has constructed an Ecosystem Services Trade off supply and Demand Index to assess the supply potential and benefit perception of ecosystem services. It has been found that the expected benefits from ecosystem services exceed supply, leading to overuse of wetlands beyond their capacity. Using the Structural Equation Modelling, the study has found the integration of paddy farming as capabilities and their associated ecosystem services to be played a significant role in achieving well being of the farmers. The study partially endorses Sen’s Capability approach and concludes that paddy farming and the mediating influence of wetland ecosystem services play a critical role in achieving well being to the farmers. The study limited to Kole Wetlands alone, but there exists a scope for comparative analysis with dry lands and future research should explore the nexus between capability-ecosystem-well being under similar ecological conditions across all states.
Development of contemplative education programme for enhancing select life habits among D.El.Ed. students
(Department of Education, University of Calicut, 2026) Arjun, R S; Bindhu, C. M.
Education based on self-awareness faces challenges in practical implementation due to its subjective nature and limited evidence-based research outputs. Contemplative education is a research area that opens a new path for including such efforts in academia, especially in education. The present study focuses on developing a contemplative education programme to enhance life habits mentioned by Stephen R. Covey among prospective primary school teachers. Definition of Key terms Development: In the present study, development involves the construction and implementation of a contemplative education programme with a view to enhancing select life habits among D.El.Ed. students and updating it based on student feedback. Contemplative Education Programme: Roeser and Peck (2009) defined Contemplative Education as “a set of practices that may foster particular forms of awareness in students, forms conducive to the conscious motivation and regulations of learning and also to freedom and transcendence in life more generally”. In this study, Contemplative Education Programme refers to a set of modules designed from the perspective of Contemplative Education, conceptualised around four foundational frameworks: Integrative Education, the Satipatthana (Mindfulness) Framework, Introspection, and Socio-emotional Learning Theory, with the aim of facilitating the learning of select life habits. Enhancement: In the present study, the term enhancement refers to the strengthening of selected life habits following the implementation of the contemplative education programme. Select life habits: In the present study, the term Select life habits refers to the habits described by Stephen R. Covey. Namely, the habits are Be Proactive, Begin with the end in Mind, Put First Things First, Think Win-Win, Seek First to understand Then to be understood, Synergise, Sharpen the Saw and Find your voice and Inspire others to Find theirs. D.El.Ed. Students: D.El.Ed. Students referred to in this study are those undertaking the Diploma in Elementary Education, which prepares prospective primary school teachers in accordance with the SCERT Kerala curriculum. Objectives Objective: To design and validate the proposed programme Phase-wise Objectives:(a)To derive insights into the awareness of contemplative education practices among primary school teachers, in order to integrate them into the proposed programme. (b)To identify key focus areas based on the experiences of primary school teachers regarding selected life habits, in order to integrate them into the proposed programme. (c)To compare the mean pre test scores and the mean post test scores of Test and Eight Rating Scales on Select Life Habits of students of various groups (d)To compare the mean pre test scores, mean post test scores and mean gain scores of Test and Eight Rating Scales on Select Life Habits between students of: (i)First year and Second year (ii) Institute I and II(iii) Execution Type I and II classrooms(iv)Female and male category.(e) To understand the gender wise impact and overall impact of the contemplative education programme for enhancing select life habits. Methodology Methods & Design:The proposed study adopts a three-phase Mixed Method Intervention (Experimental) Design.Sample:(a) Thirty six primary school teachers of various government and aided primary schools in Kerala(Phase I) (b)One hundred and tweleve D.El.Ed. students belong to two government Institutes at Kozhikode District,Kerala(Phase II &III). Tools and Materials: (i)Semi Structured Interview Schedules for primary school teachers (iii)Module of the Programme (v)Test and Eight Rating Scales (vi) Q Sort Ranking Schedules and Observation Schedule Qualitative Techniques for data analysis: Thematic analysis of three types, Inductive, Deductive and Reflective, is used. Quantitative techniques for data analysis: (i)Descriptive statistics, (ii)Test of significance of difference between means Findings (1)Seven subthemes were identified under the theme Information on Contemplative Education, namely (i) Self awareness practices through social experiences and individual efforts, (ii) Practices and information through psychology (iii) Media effects (iv) Information through workshops on motivation (v) Insightful individuals (vi) Books and (vii) Inservice and preservice teacher training programmes. Five subthemes were identified under the theme Experiences, reflections and suggestions, namely (i) Practices part of religion and family, (ii) Practices as own experiment (iii) Practices learned from Inservice and preservice teacher training programmes, (iv) Practices done under the guidance of experts and (v) Practices learned from workshops on psychology, motivation and self development practices.(2)Six subthemes were identified under the theme Private victory, namely (i)Awareness of self, (ii)The role of a teacher, (iii)Individual teacher in a system, (iv)Individual teacher with students, (v)Teacher facing society and (vi)Skills and competencies at individual level. Four subthemes were identified under the theme Public Victory, namely (i) Teamwork for Curricular objectives, (ii)School as a whole, (iii)Teamwork with higher educational officials, stakeholders and society and (iv)Teamwork for personal and professional life synergy. Three subthemes were identified under the theme Self-renewal, habit implementation and life purpose namely (i) Initiation of new habits, practising a new habit and updating a present habit, (ii)Balancing habits and life style and (iii)Life Purpose.(3)There exist significant differences in the mean pre-test scores and the mean post-test scores of (i)Test on Select Life Habits and (ii) Rating scales on Select Life Habits across all groups. Hence, these results suggest participants reported improved knowledge and practice of Select Life Habits following the experiment.(4)The comparison of mean scores of rating scales demonstrated that following the programme’s implimentation:(a) First-Year students showed significant positive change in practising Habits Be Proactive, Put first Things First, Seek to Understand first then to be understood, Sharpen the Saw, and Listen to your voice and inspire others to find theirs compared to Second-Year students.(b)Students of Institute I showed significant positive change in practising Put First Things First, Think Win-Win, and Sharpen the Saw compared to Institute II (which includes language D.El.Ed. students).(c)Students of Execution Type I (weekly mode) classrooms showed significant positive change in practising the habit Synergise compared to students of Execution Type II.(d)Female participants showed significant positive change in practising Habits Be Proactive, Seek First to Understand Then to Be Understood, and Sharpen the Saw compared to male participants.(5) Overall impact of the programme is represented through the six themes, namely (i)Mindful living, (ii)Writing as healing, (iii)Self-transformation, (iv)Team spirit, (v)Family life patterns and (vi)D.El.Ed. life.
Effectiveness of social and emotional learning based instructional module on second language achievement and socio-emotional competence among secondary school students of Kerala
(Research Centre in Education, NSS Training College, Ottapalam, 2026) Manju, P. K.; Minikumari, D.
The present study examined the effectiveness of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)-based instructional module on Second Language Achievement (SLA) and Socio-Emotional Competence (SEC) among secondary school students in Kerala. Given the influence of affective factors on language learning, the study emphasized the integration of socio-emotional development within English instruction. The study was grounded in the SEL framework of the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), supported by sociocultural and affective perspectives. The intervention incorporated practices such as emotional check-ins, cooperative learning, reflective writing, peer interaction, and self-regulation. English Language Anxiety (ELA) and Socio-Economic Status (SES) were treated as covariates. A quasi-experimental pre-test post-test non-equivalent group design was employed following a preliminary exploratory phase. The sample comprised 92 Standard IX students from a Government Higher Secondary School in Thrissur district, Kerala, with experimental (n = 45) and control (n = 47) groups. The experimental group received the SEL-based module, while the control group was taught through Discourse-Oriented Pedagogy. Data were collected using standardized tools and analysed using descriptive statistics, gain score analysis, ANCOVA, and MANCOVA. Pre-test results established baseline equivalence. Post-test findings revealed a significant improvement in Socio-Emotional Competence among the experimental group. Although both groups showed improvement in Second Language Achievement, no significant difference was observed between groups in SLA. However, multivariate analysis indicated a significant combined effect of the intervention on SLA and SEC. ANCOVA confirmed a significant independent effect on SEC, while the effect on SLA remained non-significant after adjustment. The findings suggest that SEL integration significantly enhances socio-emotional competence and contributes to overall learning outcomes, even when direct gains in language achievement are comparable. The study underscores the need to integrate SEL within language pedagogy to promote holistic development. The study was limited to Standard IX students following the SCERT Kerala syllabus in a single institutional setting over a short duration.
Subleathal toxic effects of monocrotophos and carbamazepine on chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794): a multifaceted approach employing transcriptomics and geometric morphometrics, with forensic implications
(Department of Zoology, University of Calicut, 2025) Renu V V; Shibu Vardhanan, Y
Chrysomya megacephala, a blowfly species of the Calliphoridae family, plays a crucial role in forensic entomology by aiding in the estimation of post-mortem interval (PMI). This study aims to investigate the impact of sublethal doses of monocrotophos, an organophosphate insecticide, and carbamazepine, an anticonvulsant drug, on the developmental stages of C. megacephala, from embryogenesis to emergence. The life cycle of C. megacephala consists of four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult, with the duration of each stage influenced by temperature and humidity. To assess the effects of these toxicants, the EC50 values for monocrotophos and carbamazepine were estimated. Subsequently, the impact of sublethal doses on various developmental stages was examined. The molecular basis of these effects was further elucidated through the analysis of differentially expressed genes and transcriptomic data. The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of the influence of toxicants on the development of C. megacephala, which is essential for accurate PMI estimation in forensic entomology. Moreover, the results provide insights into the potential consequences of monocrotophos and carbamazepine exposure on the biology and development of this forensically important blowfly species. Toxicological analysis is crucial for detecting harmful substances in organisms and assessing their impact on human health. This study investigated the chronic in vivo toxicity of monocrotophos and carbamazepine on C. megacephala using enzymatic biochemical assays and transcriptomic analysis. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were evaluated in the third instar larvae of C. megacephala under control conditions and in the presence of sub-lethal concentrations of the toxicants. Biochemical assays, which are reliable and commonly employed techniques, were used to identify targets and understand biomolecular functions. The study aimed to elucidate the detoxification mechanisms involved in the response to monocrotophos and carbamazepine exposure. Additionally, differential gene expression (DGE) analysis was performed to investigate the molecular basis of the detoxification mechanism. The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of the toxic effects of pollutants on various molecular pathways and provide insights into the potential impacts of drugs on human physiology. The integration of omics technologies, particularly transcriptomics, has significantly advanced the field of forensic entomology. This study presents a de novo transcriptomic profiling of the third instar larvae of C. megacephala to investigate the potential genes and pathways altered by sublethal concentrations of Carbamazepineand Monocrotophos, and their effects on development and various biological activities. The larvae were selected at the point of transformation from the feeding to the non-feeding phase, assuming that transcripts present in both the larval and upcoming pupal stages could be detected. Due to the lack of a previously published genome for this species or any closely related species, de novo profiling was performed. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were matched against the EuKaryotic Orthologous Group (KOG) database to categorize them into molecular families, highlighting the most prevalent functional categories. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis was employed to interpret the high-throughput molecular data and formulate hypotheses about the underlying biological mechanisms. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was used to functionally annotate DEGs, providing insights into their associated functions and pathways. The results of this study contribute to a better understanding of the altered genes and pathways due to the effects of Carbamazepine and Monocrotophos on the development and biological activities of C. megacephala larvae, ultimately enhancing the accuracy of postmortem interval estimation in forensic entomology. Insect wings exhibit remarkable diversity in shape, size, and structure, reflecting their crucial role in insect evolution and radiation. The aerodynamic performance of insects is fundamentally tied to the specific attributes of their wings, and the interplay between shape and movement patterns determines both flying abilities and energy requirements. Geometric morphometric (GMM) analysis is a powerful tool for quantifying wing shape, offering efficient and statistically robust analyses that can connect abstract, multivariate outcomes to the physical structure of the original specimens. This study investigates the effects of two sublethal concentrations of monocrotophos, an organophosphate insecticide, and carbamazepine, an anticonvulsant, on wing development in C. megacephala, a forensically important dipteran species. Significant alterations in wing dimensions and morphology were observed using GMM analysis. Additionally, differential gene expression (DGE) associated with wing development was analysed, complementing and reinforcing the GMM results. The higher sublethal dose (1/3rd of EC50) was used for DGE analysis, as it showed more promising results in basic entomotoxicological analyses. The study of the effects of these intoxicants on C. megacephala can also be critical from a forensic perspective, as the species is of significant forensic importance. The findings of this study contribute to our understanding of the impact of environmental toxicants on insect wing development and morphology, with potential implications for insect evolution, ecology, and forensic entomology.
Educational and occupational status and intergenerational mobility among muslim and non-muslim women in Kerala :a comparative analysis
(Mar Dionysius College,Pazhanji,Thrissur, 2026) Jameela K; Rejimon, P M
The present study focuses on Muslim women’s educational attainment, employment, and occupational status, as well as intergenerational educational and occupational mobility, in comparison with non-Muslim women in Kerala. The study collected data from 704 women aged 25 to 54 years using multistage stratified random sampling from the Muslim and non-Muslim communities across the three districts of Kerala: Malappuram, Ernakulam, and Kollam. Statistical tools such as Chi-square tests, transition matrices, Bartholomew Index, Direction-sensitive indices, Blinder-Oaxaca index, OLS regression, Multinomial regression analysis are used to analyse these objectives. There are four main objectives for the present study: First, to assess and compare the current educational attainment of Muslim and non-Muslim women in Kerala. Within these objectives, the study aims to analyse the relative educational attainment of Muslim and non-Muslim women, the incidence of educational discontinuity, the reasons for discontinuity, and the challenges both groups face in pursuing education. Based on the first objective, the study showed that women in Kerala have achieved moderate to high levels of educational attainment overall. However, consistent disparities persist between Muslim and non-Muslim women, as Muslim women report fewer years of schooling, are underrepresented in higher education, and face higher risks of discontinuity. Early marriage or family responsibilities are the most important reasons for Muslim women, and financial constraints are the most important reasons for non-Muslim women for educational discontinuity. The second objective is to evaluate the current employment status and occupational structure of Muslim women in comparison to their non-Muslim counterparts. This objective includes employment status, occupational structure, as well as reasons for employment and unemployment of Muslim and non-Muslim women in Kerala. The analysis of employment and occupational status shows that Muslim and non-Muslim women in Kerala have broadly comparable levels of labour market engagement. Both groups demonstrate moderate participation, with large proportions either in full-time work or homemaking, and smaller segments engaged in part-time or self-employment. Occupational structures also reveal similarity,with most employed women concentrated in professional and respected roles such as teaching, healthcare, and skilled self-employment, and very limited representation in higher-prestige entrepreneurial positions. Although motivations and barriers to employment differ, Muslim women more often cite family encouragement, social expectations, and childcare, and non-Muslim women emphasise economic necessity and lack of job opportunities, the overall distribution of employment and occupational outcomes does not significantly differ between the groups. The third objective of the study is to analyse the extent, patterns, and determinants of inter generational educational mobility among Muslim and non-Muslim women in Kerala. This objective describes mobility patterns using transition matrices, computes summary mobility indices, estimates regression models of inter generational schooling transmission, decomposes Muslim-non-Muslim differences in daughters' schooling into endowments and structural components, and analyses the intensity, absolute gains, and subjective analysis of educational mobility. Based on the third objective the study showed that women in both communities have experienced substantial absolute upward educational mobility relative to their mothers, particularly among women whose mothers had very little or no schooling. But this upward movement was not equally distributed. Muslim women recorded larger upward mobility than non- muslim women. This upward movement reflected from the lower maternal education baseline of Muslim households. At the same time, non-Muslim women showed higher absolute levels of educational attainment in both generations and were more strongly clustered in the highest schooling categories. Thus, when mobility was measured in relative or incremental terms, Muslims represent higher; when measured in absolute attainment, non-Muslims continued to hold the advantage Fourth objective of the study presents the foundational evidence through intergenerational occupational transition matrices and associated tests of persistence, summarises the composition of directional mobility (downward, immobile, upward), employs summary mobility indices to quantify the magnitude and net direction of occupational mobility, examines the distribution of the occupational step-difference (OSD) by religious group, models the determinants of mobility, analysing both direction (via multinomial logistic regression) and magnitude (via ordinary least squares regression) and explores the subjective dimension through an assessment of perceived intergenerational occupational mobility. Based on the fourth objective study found that immobility remains the most common feature among both religious groups. Among those who do experience mobility, upward occupational movement is marked more common than downward movement. Muslim women represent longer upward trend than non-Muslim women. Non-Muslim women, meanwhile, show a more dispersed distribution, with slightly more downward steps alongside small-to-moderate upward movements. The differences between groups are statistically significant but substantively small, indicating broadly similar mobility regimes with subtle differences in the distribution of gains. The study provides valuable insights for implementing appropriate policy decision to uplift Muslim women in terms of educational and occupational attainment as well as improving their intergeneration mobility.