Characterization and Phase Transitions of Bi Doped BaTiO3 Ceramics Prepared through Chemical Route

Nano particulate Barium Bismuth Titanate (BaBixTi1-xO3-õ) materials (with x=0.05, 0.1 and 0.15) were prepared through sol-gel chemical route (Pichini method) and the XRD patterns were indexed on the basis of tetragonal-BaTiO3 phase. In higher Bi-content secondary peak was observed. In the study of lattice parameters, C-parameter is found to be decrease with  Bi-content. With increasing in the Bi-content the percentage of secondary absorption peak is increases. The microstructure of the samples was  investigated by using Scanning electron microscope (DSC). The grain size range was 80 nm for the dried gel powder and 1-1.5 µm for the powder  calcined at . 1150‹C. Infrared (IR) spectrum was recorded at room  temperature with Thermo Nicolet Nexus 670 FTIR spectrometer. The secondary absorption peak observed at 435 cm-1 was found to decrease with Bi-content. In the study of lattice parameters, C-parameter was found to be decrease with Bi-content

HIV-infected sex workers with beneficial HLA-variants are potential hubs for selection of HIV-1 recombinants that may affect disease progression

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses against the HIV Gag protein are associated with lowering viremia; however, immune control is undermined by viral escape mutations. The rapid viral mutation rate is a key factor, but recombination may also contribute. We hypothesized that CTL responses drive the outgrowth of unique intra-patient HIV-recombinants (URFs) and examined gag sequences from a Kenyan sex worker cohort. We determined whether patients with HLA variants associated with effective CTL responses (beneficial HLA variants) were more likely to carry URFs and, if so, examined whether they progressed more rapidly than patients with beneficial HLA-variants who did not carry URFs. Women with beneficial HLA-variants (12/52) were more likely to carry URFs than those without beneficial HLA variants (3/61) (p < 0.0055; odds ratio = 5.7). Beneficial HLA variants were primarily found in slow/standard progressors in the URF group, whereas they predominated in long-term non-progressors/survivors in the remaining cohort (p = 0.0377). The URFs may sometimes spread and become circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) of HIV and local CRF fragments were over-represented in the URF sequences (p < 0.0001). Collectively, our results suggest that CTL-responses associated with beneficial HLA variants likely drive the outgrowth of URFs that might reduce the positive effect of these CTL responses on disease progression

Synthesis, characterization, luminescence and photocatalytic studies of layered perovskites NaMMgWO6 (M = La, Pr, Sm)

The synthesis, characterization, optical and photocatalytic studies of AA'BB'X6 type perovskites, NaMMgWO6 (M = La, Pr, Sm), which have an ordering of both the cation sub-lattices, is reported.  The obtained NaMMgWO6 materials have been prepared using ethylene glycol assisted gel-burning method and characterized by X-ray diffraction patterns, UV-vis diffused reflectance spectra, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transformation infrared spectra, energy dispersive spectra and fluorescence spectra. The photocatalytic dye degradation performance of the as-synthesized perovskites has been evaluated with methylene blue and methyl violet as model water pollutants using radical quenchers

SilkSatDb: a microsatellite database of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

The SilkSatDb (silkmoth microsatellite database) (http://www.cdfd.org.in/silksatdb) is a relational database of microsatellites extracted from the available expressed sequence tags and whole genome shotgun sequences of the silkmoth, Bombyx mori. The database has been rendered with a simple and robust web-based search facility, developed using PHP. The SilkSatDb also stores information on primers developed and validated in the laboratory. Users can retrieve information on the microsatellite and the protocols used, along with informative figures and polymorphism status of those microsatellites. In addition, the interface is coupled with Autoprimer, a primer-designing program, using which users can design primers for the loci of interest

PREVALENCE OF SUBCLINICAL HYPOCALCAEMIA and subclinical ketosis in buffaloes

ABSTRACT The present study was undertaken to while buffaloes in fi rst parity were least affected by the two conditions. The prevalence of both conditions was higher in organised dairy farms than the unorganised dairy units. Of the diagnostic tests utilised for SCH, estimation of serum calcium levels was found superior to the Sulkowitch test while for SCK, estimation of blood ketones was found superior to Rothera's test and the urine dip stick test

Photocatalytic and DC conductivity studies of proton exchanged KAl0.33W1.67O6 and its application in Pb2+ removal

The proton exchanged metal oxide of composition HAl0.33Te1.67O6 (HAW) is synthesized by ion exchange method at room temperature and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Presence of water content in the HAW has been examined by thermogravimetric analysis. Conductivity and photocatalytic properties of HAW are compared with those of its parent KAl0.33W1.67O6 (KAW). HAl0.33W1.67O6 shows higher conductivity and photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl blue and Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. Participation of hydroxyl radicals in the photocatalytic dye degradation has been investigated by photoluminescence studies using terephthalic acid as probe. The removal of Pb2+ from an aqueous solution of Pb(NO3)2 using pristine KAl0.33W1.67O6 is also reported

Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and methyl violet using cation doped (Sn2+ and Ag+) barium tellurite phosphate, Ba2TeO(PO4)2

One-dimensional barium tellurite phosphate of composition, Ba2TeO(PO4)2, is prepared by solid state method. Tin (Sn2+) and silver (Ag+) doped Ba2TeO(PO4)2 materials are prepared via a facile room temperature ion-exchange method. Structural, morphological, and optical properties of all the materials are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, SEM-EDS, and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy techniques. The band gap energy (Eg) of all the phosphates is deduced from their Kubelka–Munk (KM) plot. The synthesized phosphates are used as photocatalyst for the degradation of methylene blue and methyl violet dyes under the visible light irradiation. The systematic degradation pathways of the dyes are studied in the presence of all the photocatalysts and scavengers. The stability and reusability of all the photocatalyst are assessed by the cycling runs in the photodegradation experiment.

Real-World Outcomes of Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment and Retreatment in United Kingdom–Based Patients Infected With Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes/Subtypes Endemic in Africa

Abstract Background Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects 71 million individuals, mostly residing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) give high rates of sustained virological response (SVR) in high-income countries where a restricted range of HCV genotypes/subtypes circulate. Methods We studied United Kingdom–resident patients born in Africa to examine DAA effectiveness in LMICs where there is far greater breadth of HCV genotypes/subtypes. Viral genome sequences were determined from 233 patients. Results Full-length viral genomic sequences for 26 known subtypes and 5 previously unidentified isolates covering 5 HCV genotypes were determined. From 149 patients who received DAA treatment/retreatment, the overall SVR was 93%. Treatment failure was associated primarily with 2 subtypes, gt1l and gt4r, using sofosbuvir/ledipasvir. These subtypes contain natural resistance-associated variants that likely contribute to poor efficacy with this drug combination. Treatment failure was also significantly associated with hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusions DAA combinations give high SVR rates despite the high HCV diversity across the African continent except for subtypes gt1l and gt4r, which respond poorly to sofosbuvir/ledipasvir. These subtypes are widely distributed across Western, Central, and Eastern Africa. Thus, in circumstances where accurate genotyping is absent, ledipasvir and its generic compounds should not be considered as a recommended treatment option. </jats:sec