Preparation, Characterisation and Photocatalytic Applications of TiO2-MWCNTs Composite

The nanocomposite of TiO2-MWCNTs has been synthesised by simple hydrothermal route showing significant enhancement in the photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange dye (MO). Several characterisations employed were X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy.XRD pattern shows the formation of anatase phase in prepared TiO2 which was retained in TiO2-MWCNTs composite as well. The Raman spectrum of prepared TiO2-MWCNT shows the interface integration of TiO2 and MWCNTs which is further supported by TEM data. Complete decolorisation and degradation of dye using TiO2-MWCNTs nanocomposite has been observed only in 45 minutes of UV irradiation. 65 per cent reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD) value of treated dye shows substantial mineralisation of dye by composite catalyst. Dye degradation reactions were found to follow first order kinetics.Defence Science Journal, 2013, 63(4), pp.435-441, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.487

Genetic sequence stratigraphy on the basis of ichnology for the Middle Jurassic basin margin succession of Chorar Island (eastern Kachchh Basin, western India)

Synrift basin margin successions are greatly influenced by eustatic sea level changes, tectonics and accommodation space filled in by sediments. The Middle Jurassic (Bajocian–Callovian) of Chorar Island (western India) comprises a ~109-m-thick synrift basin margin succession of clastic, non-clastic and mixed siliciclastic-carbonate rocks which are here analysed and categorised into nine lithofacies. The succession is bioturbated to varying intensities; 16 identified ichnogenera can be assigned to environmentally related groups of five trace fossil assemblages, which include Gyro- chorte, Hillichnus, Rhizocorallium, Skolithos and Thalassinoides. These ichnoassemblages document the Skolithos and Cruz- iana Ichnofacies which marks a change in energy conditions, sedimentation dispersal patterns and bathymetry in a shal- low-marine environment. The Bajocian–Callovian succession is further analysed on the basis of sedimentological and ichnological data that show two genetic sequences consisting of Transgressive Systems Tract and Highstand Systems Tract bounded by Maximum Flooding Surface. The synrift basin margin succession of the Middle Jurassic of Chorar Island shows cyclicity in deposition; the Bajocian–Bathonian succession represents progradational to retrogradational coastlines, while the Callovian succession documents an aggrading progradational coastline

Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Cardiac End-Organ Damage in Women: Findings From an Echocardiographic Study Across the United States

BACKGROUND: People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been reported to have increased risk of clinical and subclinical cardiovascular disease. Existing studies have focused on men and often have been uncontrolled or lacked adequate HIV-negative comparators. METHODS: We performed echocardiography in the Women's Interagency HIV Study to investigate associations of HIV and HIV-specific factors with cardiac phenotypes, including left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD), isolated LV diastolic dysfunction (LVDD), left atrial enlargement (LAE), LV hypertrophy (LVH), and increased tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV). RESULTS: Of 1654 participants (age 51 ± 9 years), 70% had HIV. Sixty-three (5.4%) women with HIV (WWH) had LVSD; 71 (6.5%) had isolated LVDD. Compared with women without HIV (WWOH), WWH had a near-significantly increased risk of LVSD (adjusted relative risk = 1.69; 95% confidence interval = 1.00 to 2.86; P = .051). No significant association was noted for HIV seropositivity with other phenotypes, but there was a risk gradient for decreasing CD4+ count among WWH that approached or reached significance for isolated LVDD, LAE, and LVH. WWH with CD4+ count <200 cells/mm3 had significantly higher prevalence of LAE, LVH, and high TRV than WWOH. There were no consistent associations for viral suppression or antiretroviral drug exposure. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that WWH have a higher risk of LVSD compared with sociodemographically similar WWOH, but their risk for isolated LVDD, LAE, LVH, and high TRV is increased only with reduced CD4+ count. Although these findings warrant replication, they support the importance of cardiovascular risk-factor and HIV-disease control for heart disease prevention in this population