Samarium Ion-Doped Maghemite Nanoparticles: Synthesis,Microstructural, Optical,and Magnetic Characterizations

Journal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetism - This paper reports the effects of rare-earth Sm3+ ion substitution on structural, optical, electronic, and magnetic responses of maghemite...     

Growth and Characterization of Pure and Cd-Doped Zinc Tris-Thiourea Sulfate (ZTS) Single Crystals

Single crystals of pure and Cd-doped zinc tris-thiourea sulfate (ZTS) were grown for frequency conversion applications by a low temperature solution growth method, allowing slow evaporation of the water solvent at a constant temperature. The solubility of ZTS was found to increase with the concentration of Cd in the aqueous solution. The optical transparency was found to increase in the Cd-doped crystals as compared to that in the undoped crystals. The doping of Cd was confirmed quantitatively by the atomic absorption spectroscopy and qualitatively by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. From the powder x-ray diffraction study, it was found that the lattice constants (a, b and c) decrease with the concentration of Cd in ZTS, but the change in the crystal symmetry and space group has not been reported. A?change in growth habit of Cd-doped crystals has been observed. Thermo-gravimetric and differential thermal analysis was employed to learn the thermal stability of the grown crystals, and 2 mol% Cd-doped ZTS crystal was found to thermally stable up to 230 °C. The second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency measurement reveals improvement in the SHG efficiency, as 4 mol% Cd-doped ZTS crystal has 1.36 times more SHG efficiency as compared to the pure ZTS crystal.     

Effect of Polymer Concentration on the Dissolution Rates of Pioglitazone Hydrochloride

An emulsion of pioglitazone hydrochloride (drug) was prepared by mixing drug:polymer (gelatin) in different ratios of 1:0.5, 1:1, and 1:1.5 (wt/wt), respectively. These emulsions were used for the preparation of tablets of different composition. Tablet hardness increased with a decrease in concentration of polymer, while the percentage friability increased with an increase in polymer concentration in the tablet. The encapsulated tablet showed better sustained release than conventional tablets. The effect of concentration of polymer on dissolution rates of these tablets was studied using the Hixson-Crowell cube root law equation. The data obtained prove that the formulations are useful for a sustained release of pioglitazone hydrochloride, since the percentage released after 24 h was nearly 76%. The release of pioglitazone hydrochloride was influenced by the presence of polymer and different compositions of lactose. The tablet containing an emulsion of ratio 1:0.5 showed an excellent result of rate constant, better than conventional and other compositions.     

Combustion synthesis of compounds in the Y2O3-Al2O3 system

In the Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃ system, compounds Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (yttrium aluminum garnet, YAG), YAlO₃ (yttrium aluminum perovskite, YAP), and Y₄Al₂O₉ (yttrium aluminate monoclinic, YAM) are well known. YAG and YAP are of considerable technological importance. Conventional solid-state reaction techniques require high sintering temperatures (above 1800°C) to prepare phase-pure compounds. Though several soft chemical routes have been explored for synthesis of YAG, YAP and YAM, most of these methods are complex. Moreover, phase-pure materials are not obtained in one step and prolonged annealing at temperatures around 1000°C is necessary. In this paper, one-step combustion synthesis of these compounds is reported using a modified procedure and employing mixed (glycine + urea) fuel. Phosphors based on Ce³⁺ activation were also prepared and exhibited characteristic photoluminescence.     

Emissivity of Electronic Materials,Coatings, and Structures

This study presents an overview of commonly used electronic materials and nanocoatings, as well as the evolution and significance of emissivity of commonly used electronic materials and nanocoatings. In addition, some key issues are addressed, such as accurate temperature measurements during materials processing and control as well as thermal management in high-power electronic device applications. Case studies of the optical properties of bulk materials, multilayered structures, and electronic devices, mainly bolometers, are discussed and analyzed for optimization.     

Effect of Polymer Concentration on Sustained Release Microparticles of Metformin Hydrochloride Prepared by Using Spray Dryer

Metformin hydrochloride, polyacrylic acid and β-cyclodextrin were taken for the preparation of spray dried sustained released micro particles in a different ratios. These sustained release micro particles were used for the preparation of tablets. Hardness of tablet increases with increase in concentration of polymer while the percentage friability decreases with increase in polymer concentration in tablet. The encapsulated drug shows better sustained release than the conventional tablet. The kinetics of the dissolution process were studied by analyzing the dissolution data using three kinetic equations—the zero-order equation, the first-order equation and the Hixson–Crowell cube root law equation.     

Neuropathy in erythropoietic protoporphyrias

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) has rarely been described as a complication of erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). We describe three episodes of PN and the electrophysiologic findings in two patients with EPP. PN is seen in patients with EPP and hepatic failure and raised free erythrocyte protoporphyrin or serum protoporphyrin levels and is identical to that seen in acute intermittent porphyria. Recognition is important because of the good eventual prognosis.