Thermal analysis of hair treated with oxidative hair dye under influence of conditioners agents

This research aimed the effect on Caucasian hair tresses treated with oxidative hair dye, either incorporated or not with conditioners agents, analyzed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The formulations of hair dyes were emulsions oil-in-water with light blond color containing or not the conditioners agents: silanetriol and panthenol; PEG-12 dimethicone; hydrolyzed silk, hydrolyzed milk protein, and lactose. Each dye (1.5 g) was applied in the hair tress (2.0 g/20.0 cm of length of Caucasian light-brown), previously treated, more 1.5 g of hydrogen peroxide 20 vol during 40 min. Evaluation of mass loss of the different hair sample demonstrates that these chemical hair treatments impair the hair fibers, reduced their moisture content with respect to the untreated hair. The incorporation of conditioners agents (silanetriol and panthenol; PEG-12 dimethicone; hydrolyzed silk, hydrolyzed milk protein, and lactose) in oxidative hair dyes types did not decrease the damage caused on the tresses by the coloring process quantified by TG/DTG. However, the DSC curves demonstrated those conditioners agents (silanetriol and panthenol; PEG-12 dimethicone) dislocated the beginning of the third event in 20 °C and they inhibited the presence of the fourth event, having characterized thermal protection to the hair.     

Ultrasonic sizing of embedded vertical cracks in ferritic steel welds

Embedded vertical cracks are very often encountered in structural components necessitating reliable procedure for determining their size. Specialized ultrasonic techniques are required for estimation of through thickness height of these cracks [Mater. Eval. (1970) 28; J. NDI 26 (1977) 320; NND (1975) 146]. The conventional pulse-echo technique has serious limitations for quantitative estimation of vertical cracks because it is subject to variations due to reflectivity, coupling factors etc. The present study aims to improve the accuracy of embedded crack height measurement based on transit time rather than the reflected amplitude [NDT Int. (1982) 315; J. JSNDT 27 (1978) 118]. A unique method has been developed for generating known sizes of fatigue cracks ranging from 2.5 to 18 mm in height and 15 mm in length. These cracks were generated in rectangular steel specimens and subsequently embedded at predetermined locations using welding. These welded specimens containing the embedded vertical cracks were examined using ultrasonic techniques based on transit time like (a) flaw tip echo method and (b) mode conversion method. Using both the techniques excellent agreement was obtained between the estimated crack height and actual crack height with an accuracy of ±1 mm.     

Spectral,electrochemical and computational investigations on the host–guest interaction of Coumarin-460 with <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-sulfonatocalix[4]arene

The supramolecular host–guest investigation of Coumarin 460 (C460), a salient coumarin family dye molecule is studied with a noteworthy host molecule, p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene (p-SC4). The investigation is carried out by both experimental and theoretical approach. The binding affinity of C460 with p-SC4 is experimentally studied using absorption, emission, excited state lifetime and Cyclic Voltammetry methods. The binding constant is around 10³ M^??1, which shows potent binding. The binding stoichiometry is 1:1. The binding orientations and binding energies are studied using computational simulations. The mode of binding is also established using NMR spectral techniques.     

A facile and efficient synthesis of highly functionalised 3,3′-dispiropyrrolidine- and 3,3′-dispiropyrrolizidine bisoxindoles via [3+2] cycloaddition

The [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylides with isomerised Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts, both dipoles and dipolarophiles are derived from isatin, afforded highly functionalised 3,3′-dispiro pyrrolidine- and 3,3′-dispiropyrrolizidine bisoxindoles in high yields.     

Transfer measurements for the Ti+Ni systems at near barrier energies

Large enhancements have been observed in the sub-barrier fusion cross sections for Ti+Ni systems in our previous studies. Coupled channel calculations incorporating couplings to 2⁺ and 3⁻ states failed to explain these enhancements completely. A possibilty of transfer channels contributing to the residual enhancements had been suggested. In order to investigate the role of relevant transfer channels, measurements of one- and two-nucleon transfer were carried out for ^46,48Ti+⁶¹Ni systems. The present paper gives the results of these studies.     

Propanediol (and) Caprylic Acid (and) Xylitol as a New Single Topical Active Ingredient against Acne: In Vitro and In Vivo Efficacy Assays

In addition to dermatological complications, acne can affect the quality of life of individuals in numerous ways, such as employment, social habits and body dissatisfaction. According to our expertise, caprylic acid and propanediol would not have a direct action on Cutibacterium acnes. Despite this, we investigated the existence of a synergistic effect among xylitol, caprylic acid and propanediol as a mixture of compounds representing a single topical active ingredient that could benefit the treatment against acne. In vitro and in vivo assays were performed to challenge and to prove the efficacy of propanediol, xylitol and caprylic acid (PXCA) against acne. PXCA had its MIC challenged against C. acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) and Staphylococcus aureus, resulting in concentrations of 0.125% and 0.25%, respectively, and it also developed antimicrobial activity against C. acnes (time-kill test). PXCA was able to reduce the 5-alpha reductase expression in 24% (p < 0.01) in comparison with the testosterone group. By the end of 28 days of treatment, the compound reduced the skin oiliness, porphyrin amount and the quantity of inflammatory lesions in participants. According to the dermatologist evaluation, PXCA improved the skin’s general appearance, acne presence and size.     

A facile and efficient stereoselective synthesis of highly functionalised trisubstituted alkene derivatives of ferrocenealdehyde

The reaction of the Baylis–Hillman adduct 2 of ferrocenealdehyde with various oxygen and carbon nucleophiles in the presence of montmorillonite K10 clay catalyst furnished highly functionalised trisubstituted alkene derivatives of ferrocenealdehyde in excellent yield. Synthetic use of one of products 7 has been demonstrated with the synthesis of a 1,3-diyne ether derivative of ferrocene 16 via an Eglinton coupling reaction.     

Spectroscopic studies of stratum corneum model membrane from Bothrops jararaca treated with cationic surfactant

This research employed FT-Raman and PAS-FTIR spectroscopic techniques to evaluate the interaction of cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC), a cationic surfactant, on the stratum corneum (SC) of shed snake skins from Bothrops jararaca, used as model membranes. Surfactant aqueous solutions (50.0 and 0.78 gl(-1)) with neutral pH were applied on the samples with intervals of 4, 8 (whole SC) and 12h (SC tape-stripped). Samples presented modifications of the topography for all conditions of the assays and the monomers of the surfactant, instead of the micelles, seemed to interact with the keratin. The SC model membranes treated with CTAC have had an augment of water content (except for whole SC treated for 8h) indicated by the expansion of the band 3600-3300 cm(-1), mainly for the tape-stripped samples after 12h treatment. Concentration appeared to be an important factor related to an increase of the tissue hydration.     

UV spectrophotometric determination of bioflavonoids from a semisolid pharmaceutical dosage form containing Trichilia catigua Adr. Juss and Ptychopetalum olacoides Bentham standardized extract: analytical method validation and statistical procedures

A precise, accurate, and sensitive UV spectrophotometric method was developed and validated for routine quantification of total bioflavonoids, expressed as rutin, from a topical oil-in-water pharmaceutical emulsion containing the extract of Trichilia catigua Adr. Juss and Ptychopetalum olacoides Bentham. The method was validated experimentally, and the data were treated rigorously by statistical analysis. The following analytical parameters were assessed: linearity, specificity, intra- and interrun precision measured as relative standard deviation (RSD, %), intra- and interrun accuracy (E, %), recovery (Rec., %), limit of detection (LOD, microg/mL), and limit of quantification (LOQ, microg/mL). The UV spectrophotometric method was linear (r = 0.9995) for standard rutin over the concentration range of 5.0-15.0 microg/mL with specificity for total bioflavonoids (expressed as rutin) at 361.0 nm with an absence of interferents from the complex matrix; RSD of < or = 1.79%, intrarun (E = 97.88 +/- 1.75 to 99.0 +/- 0.33%) and interrun (E = 98.38 +/- 1.12 to 100.79 +/- 1.30%) accuracy; Rec. = 98.64 +/- 0.42 to 100.74 +/- 0.41%; LOD = 0.20 microg/mL; and LOQ = 0.30 microg/mL.     

Astrophysical reaction rate for the neutron-generator reaction 13C(alpha,n)16O in asymptotic giant branch stars

The reaction 13C(alpha,n) is considered to be the main source of neutrons for the s process in asymptotic giant branch stars. At low energies, the cross section is dominated by the 1/2+ 6.356 MeV subthreshold resonance in (17)O whose contribution at stellar temperatures is uncertain by a factor of 10. In this work, we performed the most precise determination of the low-energy astrophysical S factor using the indirect asymptotic normalization (ANC) technique. The alpha-particle ANC for the subthreshold state has been measured using the sub-Coulomb alpha-transfer reaction ((6)Li,d). Using the determined ANC, we calculated S(0), which turns out to be an order of magnitude smaller than in the nuclear astrophysics compilation of reaction rates.