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Herein, we have prepared TiO2 photocatalyst using simple solution evaporation method for degradation of dye contaminant. The structural and optical possessions of the prepared photocatalyst have been categorized by a series of methods such as FTIR, XRD, SEM coupled with EDAX and UV-DRS. The photocatalytic activity of the obtained TiO2 nanoparticles were investigated by monitoring the degradation of solution of Methylene Blue (MB) as model dye molecule, using simulated solar irradiation. Photo-degradation experimental results point out that the prepared TiO2 photocatalyst exhibits advanced photocatalytic action over commercially available powder TiO2. The bacterial activity of TiO2 nanoparticles monitored by using E.coli and S.aureus bacterial strains. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized sample shows a good result against gram positive bacteria. The synthesized nano materials have great prospective to contribute in the wastewater treatment and bio-medical management technologies.

Women, in general, have been victims of so many oppressive factors such as domestic violence, gender inequalities, and patriarchal oppression in all the contexts such as personal, social, cultural, and professional. Furthermore, they often bear the brunt of natural calamities such as tsunami, famine, drought, wildfire, and hurricane and manmade disasters like war, industrialisation, urbanisation and so on, when compared to men. Many ecofeminists and researchers have studied the homogeneity between women and nature, similarity in their traits, their subjugation by the oppressive powers, and their resultant plight, under various discriminative factors such as race, caste, class, religion, culture, and colonialism. This paper aims to explore the additional challenges faced by women refugees climate refugees as portrayed in Kokilam Subbiah’s Mirage, through the lens of ecofeminism. Throughout the novel, Kokilam Subbiah has captured the lives of women refugees through the metaphorical representation of nature. This study also attempts to underscore the parallelism between the refugee women and nature and how they are closely intertwined with each other in their victimisation and resilience and endeavours to study the veracity and universality of Warren’s premise of “naturalizing women” and “feminizing nature” with reference to the novel Mirage. Keywords: climate refugees; naturalising women; feminising nature; patriarchy; women refugees

Most of the textile and dying process industries in Tirupur region do not have proper wastewater treatment plants and they discharge the effluents in unlined channels and streams. Due to the issue, the groundwater in Tirupur is highly polluted. For analysing groundwater condition, groundwater modelling is used. For groundwater hydrologist, groundwater models are a vital tool. Nowadays, a lot of computer programs have been used for modelling groundwater. Visual MODFLOW software uses a finite difference method for solving the complexity. They can be used for simulating the behaviour of composite aquifers as well as the effects of irregular boundaries and different processes such as solute transport and groundwater flow. This paper evaluates the impact of industrial effluent in groundwater value in Tirupur region by five different scenarios.

The increase in inhabitants and development of advantageous economic behavior undoubtedly leads to escalating water demand for different uses. Improper planning, mismanagement, inappropriate standards and procedure for discharging the industrial effluents are prime causes for deterioration of groundwater quality in industrial zone. The study vicinity is exaggerated by subsurface water quality problem. To evaluate the water quality of aquifer, sixty two samples were collected, analyzed and the results of the data are evaluated according to the standards. Hydro-chemical facies, rock-water process, factor analysis, correlation matrix studies were carried out for assessing the associated hydro-chemical process operating in the progress of salinity concentration. The analysis reveals that water belongs to highly brackish type. In this study zone, groundwater is influenced by water-rock interaction and evaporation process. Factor analysis shows that the groundwater is greatly deteriorated by anthropogenic activities. Based on hyrochemical study, the subsurface water is not fit for domestic purposes.

Cement plays a major role in the production of paver blocks. Cement manufacturing industries pollutes the surrounding areas. The main objective of this work is to reduce the use of cement in the concrete paver block by partial replacement with rice husk ash. An experimental investigation is conducted to analyze the compressive strength, water absorption and flexural strength of paver blocks with partial replacement of cement by rice husk ash dumped near Chengapalli, Tiruppur. Rice husk ash were collected from the dump yard and utilized for experimental investigation after doing the initial cleaning process and property study of material. Cement replacement with Rice husk ash were done in proportions of 10% 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% in volume of concrete. Various strength parameters like compressive strength, flexural strength and water absorption were determined. Weight of concrete blocks is considerably reduced with increase in the amount of rice husk ash.

Retinol (ROH) and provitamin-A carotenoids are recommended to treat ROH deficiency. Xanthophyll carotenoids, being potent antioxidants, can modulate health disorders. We hypothesize that nonprovitamin-A carotenoids may yield ROH and suppress lipid peroxidation under ROH deficiency. This study aimed to (i) study the possible bioconversion of astaxanthin and lutein to ROH similar to β-carotene and (ii) determine the antioxidant potential of these carotenoids with reference to Na+/K+-ATPase, antioxidant molecules, and lipid peroxidation (Lpx) induced by ROH deficiency in rats. ROH deficiency was induced in rats (n = 5 per group) by feeding a diet devoid of ROH. Retinol-deficient (RD) rats were gavaged with astaxanthin, lutein, β-carotene, or peanut oil alone (RD group) for 7 days. Results show that the RD group had lowered plasma ROH levels (0.3 µmol/L), whereas ROH rose in astaxanthin and β-carotene groups (4.9 and 5.7 µmol/L, respectively), which was supported by enhanced (69% and 70%) intestinal β-carotene 15,15′-monooxygenase activity. Astaxanthin, lutein, and β-carotene lowered Lpx by 45%, 41%, and 40% (plasma), respectively, and 59%, 64%, and 60% (liver), respectively, compared with the RD group. Lowered Na+/K+-ATPase and enhanced superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase activities support the lowered Lpx. To conclude, this report confirms that astaxanthin is converted into β-carotene and ROH in ROH-deficient rats, and the antioxidant potential of carotenoids was in the order astaxanthin > lutein > β-carotene.