Temperature stability and bioadhesive properties of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol incorporated hydroxypropylcellulose polymer matrix systems

The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the bioadhesive profiles of hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) polymer matrices as a function of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. In addition, the effect of processing temperature on the stability of THC and its extent of degradation to cannabinol (CBN) was investigated. A hot-melt cast molding method was used to prepare HPC polymer matrix systems incorporated with THC at 0, 4, 8, and 16 percent. Bioadhesive measurements including peak adhesive force, area under the curve, and elongation at adhesive failure were recorded utilizing the TA.XT2i Texture Analyzer^™. Data obtained from these tests at various contact time intervals suggested that the incorporation of THC led to an increase in the bioadhesive strength of the HPC polymer matrices. To determine the stability of THC and the resulting CBN content in the matrices, three different processing temperatures were utilized (120, 160, and 200°C). Post-production High Performance Liquid Chromotography (HPLC) analysis revealed that the processed systems contained at least 94% of THC and the relative percent formation of CBN was 0.5% at 120°C and 0.4% at 160°C compared to 1.6% at 200°C. These findings indicate that the cannabinoid may be a plausible candidate for incorporation into systems utilizing hot-melt extrusion techniques for the development of an effective mucoadhesive transmucosal matrix system for delivery of THC.     

Synchronized current oscillations of formic acid electro-oxidation in a microchip-based dual-electrode flow cell

We investigate the oscillatory electro-oxidation of formic acid on platinum in a microchip-based dual-electrode cell with microfluidic flow control. The main dynamical features of current oscillations on single Pt electrode that had been observed in macro-cells are reproduced in the microfabricated electrochemical cell. In dual-electrode configuration nearly in-phase synchronized current oscillations occur when the reference/counter electrodes are placed far away from the micro-electrodes. The synchronization disappears with close reference/counter electrode placements. We show that the cause for synchronization is weak albeit important, bidirectional electrical coupling between the electrodes; therefore the unidirectional mass transfer interactions are negligible. The experimental design enables the investigation of the dynamical behavior in micro-electrode arrays with well-defined control of flow of the electrolyte in a manner where the size and spacing of the electrodes can be easily varied.     

Group mobility by cooperative communication for high speed railway

Wireless Networks - The high speed railway (HSR) provides more convenience to people, so the main attention is given to provide the reliable communication inside the train. It is the challenging...     

Time-domain-finite-wave analysis of the engine exhaust system by means of the stationary-frame method of characteristics. Part II. Computed results and experimental corroboration thereof

Time-domain-finite-wave analysis of engine exhaust systems is usually carried out by means of the method of characteristics. The theory and the computational details of the stationary-frame method have been worked out in the accompanying paper (part I). In this paper (part II), typical computed results are given and discussed. A setup designed for experimental corroboration is described. The results obtained from the simulation are found to be in good agreement with experimental observations.     

Highly dispersible and uniform size Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticles for photocatalytic application

Highly dispersible, uniform size (～7 nm) single-phase Cu₂ZnSnS₄ nanoparticles have been synthesized by hydrothermal method using non-toxic surfactant (oleic acid). High resolution transmission electron microscopy image indicates good crystallinity of the Cu₂ZnSnS₄ nanoparticles with the growth along (1 1 2) plane. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses suggested that the formation of with Cu, Zn, and Sn in +1, +2 and +4 oxidation states. The optical absorption spectrum of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ nanoparticles exhibits an absorption in the visible region and its optical band gap was found to be ～1.72 eV, which could be much more appropriate for photocatalytic application under visible light irradiation. These Cu₂ZnSnS₄ nanoparticles have been shown high photocatalytic degradation activity of methylene blue (MB) dye in the presence of visible light irradiation. The rate constant (k) value of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ nanoparticles is found to be 0.0144 min^?1. We have discussed the mechanism of dye degradation process that drives the photocatalytic degradation process. The reusability of the Cu₂ZnSnS₄ nanoparticles for the dye degradation is also demonstrated.     

Robust design and manufacturing of ceramic laminates with controlled thermal residual stresses for enhanced toughness

Boron carbide-silicon carbide ceramic composites are very promising armor materials because they are intrinsically very hard. However, their fracture toughness is not very high. Their ballistic performance could be significantly increased if the brittleness of these materials could be decreased. Here we report development of boron carbide-silicon carbide layered ceramics with controlled compressive and tensile stresses in separate layers. Such B₄C-SiC laminates with strong interfaces can provide high apparent fracture toughness and damage tolerance along with high protection capabilities. The theory of heterogeneous layered systems was used to develop optimal design parameters allowing the evaluation and maximization of apparent fracture toughness. The layered composites were designed in a way to achieve high compressive residual stresses in thin B₄C-SiC based layers and low tensile residuals stresses in thick B₄C layers. The residual stresses were controlled by the phase composition of layers and the layers thickness. The estimated apparent fracture toughness was calculated for both three layered and nine layered composites. B₄C-30 wt%SiC/B₄C laminates were made based on the optimized design for high apparent fracture toughness. Processing of laminates involved preprocessing of powders, forming green tapes and hot pressing. Work is in progress to measure fracture toughness of laminates, as well as their strength, hardness and the ballistic performance.     

Manifestation of Flexible p–i–n Solar Cells Fabricated Using HWCVD in WSN Application

Wireless Personal Communications - The wireless sensor network (WSN) consist of battery-powered sensor nodes which are self-configured and are deployed for monitoring several physical or...     

Core/shell nanoassembly of amphiphilic naproxen‐polyethylene glycol: synthesis,characterisation and evaluation as drug delivery system

Small molecule‐based amphiphiles self‐assemble into nanostructures (micelles) in aqueous medium which are currently being explored as novel drug delivery systems. Here, naproxen‐polyethylene glycol (N‐PEG), a small molecule‐derived amphiphile, has been synthesised, characterised and evaluated as hydrophobic drug carrier. ¹ H, ¹³ C Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS) and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the formation of N‐PEG and dynamic light scattering (DLS) revealed the formation of nano‐sized structures of ∼228 nm. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis showed aggregation behaviour of the structures with average size of ∼230 nm. Biodegradability aspect of the micellar‐structured N‐PEG was demonstrated by lipase‐mediated degradation studies using DLS and TEM. High encapsulation efficiency followed by release in a sustained manner of a well‐known anticancer drug, doxorubicin, demonstrated the feasibility of the new drug delivery system. These results advocate the promising potential of N‐PEG micelles as efficient drug delivery system for specific delivery to cancerous cells in vitro and in vivo.Inspec keywords: cancer, biodegradable materials, cellular biophysics, encapsulation, biomedical materials, drugs, nanofabrication, drug delivery systems, nanomedicine, self‐assembly, nanoparticles, transmission electron microscopy, colloids, molecular biophysics, light scattering, hydrophobicity, biochemistry, enzymes, core‐shell nanostructures, nanocomposites, proton magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectra, mass spectroscopic chemical analysisOther keywords: hydrophobic drug carrier, nanosized structures, transmission electron microscope analysis, doxorubicin, N‐PEG micelles, core/shell nanoassembly, amphiphilic naproxen‐polyethylene glycol, drug delivery system, small molecule‐based amphiphiles self‐assemble, small molecule‐derived amphiphile, ¹ H NMR, ¹³ C NMR, MS, FTIR, dynamic light scattering, aggregation behaviour, biodegradability aspect, lipase‐mediated degradation studies, encapsulation efficiency, cancerous cells     

A fully automatic 3-D analysis tool for expansion chamber mufflers

The matrix condensation technique in conjunction with the substructuring principle has been previously used to model complex commercial automotive mufflers. Though complete 3-D finite element modelling is partially eliminated, it still requires the nodal-coordinate data and connectivity data of the elements forming the segment of each substructure. It also demands the connectivity of the degrees of freedom left after matrix condensation. Thus, the data preparation phase is tedious and cannot be claimed to be simple. Moreover, the existing FEM code requires the user to have a knowledge of acoustic theory and finite element modelling. This paper describes a way to completely eliminate the data preparation phase. Given the geometric dimensions of the muffler as input, the muffler performance is obtained as the output. The results obtained are compared with analytical and experimental results for simple as well as extended-tube expansion chambers, with or without an offset.