TiO(2) nanoparticles of different phases play a key role in property alteration of nanocomposite fibers. Polycaprolactone (PCL)/TiO(2) composite fibers were prepared using the electrospinning method. ...Pure anatase and rutile phases were synthesized using the sol-gel route for nanocomposite synthesis. The Effect of nanoparticle phases on crystallinity of fibers and interaction with polymer molecules have been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, morphology through SEM, surface properties using BET method and wetting property of fibers commencing from contact angle measurement. Biocompatibility and biodegradation of hybrid materials have been studied in simulated body fluid (SBF) and phosphate buffer (PBS), respectively. The anatase phase with smaller particle dimensions exhibited significant improvement of most of the properties as compared to composites made of the rutile phase. Better interaction between polymer chain and anatase particle PCL-A nanocomposite fibers leads to better mechanical property and biocompatibility vis-à-vis PCL-R and pristine PCL fibers. Biocompatibility of PCL nanocomposite has been testified through proliferation of fibroblast cell and its adhesion; MTT (3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay demonstrates good proliferation rate for cells on PCL-A nanocomposite fibres.
A chronologically well-constrained sedimentary archive from Upshi (Ladakh) was studied using a multi-proxy approach namely palynology, environmental magnetism, total organic carbon (TOC), total ...nitrogen (TN), stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen providing a continuous vegetation, and paleoenvironmental history spanning the last ~2700 years with a temporal resolution of ~43 years. Pollen assemblage shows non-arboreal pollen (NAP) and non-pollen palynomorph (NPP) were dominant around the Upshi from ~2646 to 2431 cal. yr BP, indicating warmer conditions. Arboreal pollen (AP) and NAP gradually increased from 2431 to 1860 cal. yr BP in the study area, under warm and wet conditions, corresponding to the Roman Warm Period (RWP). This phase also witnessed enhanced sediment δ15N and χlf values. From ~1860 to ~1154 cal. yr BP increased Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae and substantial spread of NPP suggest decreased temperature and prevalence of cold-dry climate. This period also records declining trends of χlf, δ15N, δ13Corg, TOC, and TN contents. From ~1154 to 293 cal. yr BP, the vegetation type reversed to mixed conifer and broad-leaved forest with significant increase in herbaceous taxa, rising δ15N, δ13Corg, TOC, and TN suggesting warm and wet conditions in the study area. This period broadly corresponds to the ‘Medieval Warm Period’ (MWP). Among all the proxies employed, depth profiles of TOC and TN (wt%) appear to respond best against external climate forcing showing remarkable correlation(s) with residual Δ14C in atmosphere, indicating dominance of intrinsic solar variability on regional climate/environment. The reconstructed recorded is well connected with established historical events and cultural activities of the Eurasian region.
The present study proposes a conceptual framework to investigate the relationship between service quality, satisfaction, repurchase intention, and switching behavior. It also intends to prove the ...importance of corporate image in terms of reputation and credibility in customer satisfaction. The conceptual framework was tested in the telecommunications industry with data collected from customers using the services of a leading global telecommunications company. The hypothesized relationship between variables was analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results indicated an indirect effect of service quality and corporate brand image on switching behavior via customer satisfaction and repurchase intention. The model confirms that delivering high quality service and a credible corporate image results in high customer satisfaction, which in turn leads to high repurchase intension and less switching behavior.
Exposure to high altitude induces physiological responses due to hypoxia. Lungs being at the first level to face the alterations in oxygen levels are critical to counter and balance these changes. ...Studies have been done analysing pulmonary proteome alterations in response to exposure to hypobaric hypoxia. However, such studies have reported the alterations at specific time points and do not reflect the gradual proteomic changes. These studies also identify the various biochemical pathways and responses induced after immediate exposure and the resolution of these effects in challenge to hypobaric hypoxia. In the present study, using 2-DE/MS approach, we attempt to resolve these shortcomings by analysing the proteome alterations in lungs in response to different durations of exposure to hypobaric hypoxia. Our study thus highlights the gradual and dynamic changes in pulmonary proteome following hypobaric hypoxia. For the first time, we also report the possible consideration of SULT1A1, as a biomarker for the diagnosis of high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Higher SULT1A1 levels were observed in rats as well as in humans exposed to high altitude, when compared to sea-level controls. This study can thus form the basis for identifying biomarkers for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in responses to hypobaric hypoxia.
The present study empirically measures the Airtel brand personality in India using Aaker’s brand personality measurement framework (1997). The study involved a questionnaire survey measuring five ...brand personality dimensions, namely, sincerity, excitement, competence, sophistication and ruggedness. The data were collected from customers using Airtel services; telecom, broadband and DTH. To establish the best fitting measurement model, the first- and second-order confirmatory factor analyses were computed using AMOS. Results revealed that the items under ‘sophistication’ dimension such as feminine, good-looking, glamorous and smooth are not relevant with Airtel brand personality. Thus, the remaining four dimensions, namely, sincerity, excitement, competence and ruggedness were combined to form a higher order construct, namely, Brand Personality. These dimensions were found to be important in Indian context. These results are very useful for managers to understand the symbolic meaning associated with the commercial brands. The results can also be used to develop positioning strategies for Airtel brand, especially with ‘excitement’ and ‘competence’ dimensions.
This paper integrates two contradictory predictions from the schema incongruity theory: a linear versus an inverted-U relationship between brand-extension incongruity and evaluation. It suggests two ...personality variables, namely, need for cognition and need for change that moderate the relationship. The major proposition that the relationship would be linear for individuals low in both personality dimensions and inverted-U for those high on both was supported by the data obtained through a questionnaire study. The highest evaluation was obtained for the moderately incongruent extension compared to the congruent and extremely incongruent brand extensions of an established brand for individuals high on both personality dimensions. Four innovative behaviour types identified on the basis of a combination of high and low categories of participants on the two personality dimensions also provided similar results. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings, limitations of the present study, and future possibilities are discussed.
Ladakh, northwest India, lies in the rain shadow zone of the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) where sand ramps provide a good record of past aeolian activity. Here we present an archive from five sand ...ramps that is based on their sedimentological structure and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) chronology. Sedimentary architecture indicates that the sand ramps are composite records of aeolian, hill slope erosion and fluvio-lacustrine activity. The OSL chronology suggests that aridity and aeolian activity was dominant during 25–17 ka and <12–8 ka. Wetter conditions, as evidenced from intra-dunal lake formation and fluvial gullying, prevailed at ∼12 ka and 7 ka. These dry and wet phases correspond to variations in SW monsoon strength. One sand ramp, at Saboo, is studied in detail using mineral susceptibility and clay mineralogy. The environmental magnetic susceptibility shows significant enhancement in fluvial and lacustrine sediments and also shows sharp positive excursions at hiatuses where a hard crust is formed, and confirms warm and wet conditions at ∼12 ka and ∼7 ka BP. Clay mineralogy is dominated by illite and shows no changes through the profile, suggesting that sediment generation took place mainly due to physical weathering and that the threshold of climate fluctuations between wet and dry phases (as visible in magnetic mineralogy) were never reached so as to alter the clay mineralogy.
St Peter and St Paul Rocks (SPSPR) are emergent portions of a peridotitic mass within the St Paul fracture zone of the Equatorial Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where local seismicity is dominated by ...strike-slip mechanisms. We used subtidal red algae in living position, death assemblages in intertidal conglomerates, and marine terraces as sea-level markers. The highest deposits correspond to a marine terrace with a shoreline angle at 8
±
1
m asl that formed ca. 6400–6200 cal. yr BP. After correction for the sea-level changes derived by glacioisostatic modelling, AMS and radiometric
14C age measurements on the Holocene sea-level markers indicate emergence during the last 6600
a at a minimum average rate of ∼
1.5
mm/a. We propose that uplift resulted from peridotite emplacement by extrusion, rather than volcanic activity or fault slip, with the implication that the ridge has been subject to compression during the Holocene.
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