CdIn2Se4@chitosan heterojunction nanocomposite with ultrahigh photocatalytic activity under sunlight driven photodegradation of organic pollutants.

This research focused on synthesizing a CdIn2Se4@Ch nanocomposite by doping CdIn2Se4 into chitosan using a photolysis assisted ultrasonic process. The aim was to enhance the photodegradation efficiency of ofloxacin and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid under sunlight. The synthesized CdIn2Se4@Ch nanocomposite was investigated via different techniques, including XRD, XPS, FTIR, TEM, DSC, TGA, UV-Vis and PL. The study also investigated the influence of various reaction parameters, including the effects of inorganic and organic ions. The synthesized nanocomposite demonstrated exceptional efficiency, achieving 86 % and 95 % removal rates, with corresponding rate constants of 0.025 and 0.047 min-1. This performance surpasses that of CdIn2Se4 by approximately 1.35 and 2.25 times, respectively. The values of COD were decreased to 78 and 86 % for ofloxacin and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic, while the TOC values decreased to 71 and 84 %, respectively, from their premier values. The improvement in performance is associated with the introduction of CdIn2Se4 into chitosan, resulting in the self-integration of Cd into the catalyst. This creates a localized accumulation point for electrons, enhancing the efficiency of charge separation and further reducing the surface charge of chitosan. Experimental evidence suggests that superoxide and hydroxyl radicals play a significant role in the photodegradation of pollutants. Additionally, the nanocomposite exhibits excellent stability and can be reused up to five times, indicating remarkable stability and reusability of the developed photocatalyst.

Incidence and geographical distribution of tuberculosis disease in Erbil city, Iraq.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the geographical distribution of TB in Erbil city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, determine potential risk factors associated with TB distribution, and provide recommendations to improve TB control programs in the region. METHODS: The records of TB patients registered at the Chest and Respiratory Disease Center in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan Region, from January 2012 to December 2016 were reviewed and analyzed. The number of cases by the quarter of residence within Erbil city were analyzed spatially and presented in an appropriate map. RESULTS: The estimated annual incidence of TB in Erbil city constantly increased from 16 per 100,000 inhabitants in the year 2012 to 21.7 per 100,000 inhabitants in the year 2016. Most of the TB cases were from the middle zone of Erbil city (44%), followed by the outer zone (43.8%) and the central zone (12.2%). The largest number of the cases were from Brayaty quarter (40), followed by Badawa (35) Nawroz (35) and Kurdistan (31) quarters. Clusters with a large number of cases were mainly located in the southern part of the city. CONCLUSION: The estimated TB incidence constantly increased in Erbil city from 2012 to 2016. Mapping the distribution of TB cases in Erbil city provided useful information about the epidemiological situation of TB that can be used to direct future TB control strategies.