Ultra Moisturizing Skin Whitening Lotion Enriched with Tocotrienols

A two-in-one product, a skin whitening lotion enriched with tocotrienols that ultra moisturizes and lightens, was successfully prepared. The basic formulation for this product was prepared by constructing a ternary phase diagram consisting of medium chain triglycerides (MCT), mixed glucose-based emulsifiers, and deionized water at 80°C. The right ratio of these compounds was selected based on liquid crystalline region to produce a stable product. Other palm-based materials were added to the basic formulation. The product was found to be stable for more than 3 months upon storage stability test. The mean droplet size is 10 µm with a monomodal distribution pattern which prevents agglomeration. This decreases Brownian motion, thus prolonging its stability. Long-term acute moisturizing tests showed a significant increase of between 21.2% and 15.4% hydration for 5 and 6 weeks, respectively. The efficacy testing on 20 subjects confirmed a reduction in melanin content, lightening the skin in 4 weeks.     

Simultaneous extraction of tocotrienols and tocopherols from cereals using pressurized liquid extraction prior to LC determination

Tocopherols and tocotrienols have been simultaneously determined in food samples using a rapid and simple analytical method including pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and LC with electrochemical detection. Separation was carried out on a Phenomenex Synergi 4 μm Hydro‐RP 80A column, using a solution of 2.5 mM acetic acid/sodium acetate in methanol/water (99:1, v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Column temperature was maintained at 30°C. Detection was performed by coulometric detection at 500 mV except for (β+γ)‐tocotrienol, in wheat and rye samples, which was at +350 mV. A palm oil containing a relatively large amount of γ‐tocotrienol and lower concentrations of α‐ and δ‐tocotrienols and α‐ and γ‐tocopherols was used to provide reference retention times for the tocotrienols. Analyte quantification was performed using the external standard method. The calibration equations of tocopherols were used to quantify both tocopherols and their corresponding tocotrienols. The extraction recoveries obtained using the optimized PLE conditions were in the 80–114% range, with RSDs lower than 15%. The method was successfully applied to the determination of tocotrienols and tocopherols in cereal (wheat, rye, barley, maize and oat) and palm oil samples.     

Thermal and vibrational characterization of human skin

For a better understanding of the molecular and organizational changes in human dermis, biophysical methods were tested. The aim of this study was to find suitable and reproducible biomarkers for further clinical studies on intrinsic and extrinsic aging of dermis. Thermoporometry, hydric organization and thermal transitions of fresh and frozen skins were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to identify the absorption bands of the dermis especially in the 1800–1000 cm^?1 zone and to discriminate between the different secondary structures of proteins. A widening of the pore size distribution is evidenced with freezing, but there is no significant difference between the hydric organization and the endothermic collagen denaturation of fresh and frozen skins. The global FTIR spectra and the second derivative spectra in the scanned zone are also identical in fresh and frozen dermis, validating the storage protocol. DSC and FTIR are well-suited techniques to characterize human skin, giving accurate results with high reproducibility. The acquisition of thermal and vibrational biomarkers of the skin at the mesoscale and nanoscale contributes to its better knowledge and is promising for further studies on skin aging.     

Preparation of superhydrophobic paper mulch and study on its anti-UV performance

In order to improve the shortcomings of paper mulch, such as the low water resistance and weather fastness in practical application, the paper mulch with a superhydrophobic structure was prepared by depositing zinc oxide layer and silicon dioxide layer on the surface of paper mulch by the solution impregnation method, the paper mulch surface treatment method is simple and environmentally friendly. The surface chemical composition and surface morphology of paper mulch before and after UV aging were characterized, respectively. The wetting property, bouncing property, and mechanical stability of paper-based film were studied. The results showed that the static contact angle of the superhydrophobic paper mulch was as high as 161.77°, and the average sliding angle was only 3.5°, which also showed excellent droplet bounce performance and mechanical stability. After UV aging experiment, the static contact angle of super-hydrophobic paper mulch was increased to 163.64°, and the sliding angle was reduced to 2.5°. Its excellent performance could still be maintained, showing excellent UV resistance, which improved the weather fastness and water resistance of paper mulch to a certain extent, and laid a foundation for the next large-scale field test.     

Experimental study on ballistic behaviour of an aluminised AP/HTPB propellant during accelerated aging

The chemical stability of a propellant and its influence on the ballistic properties during aging is a subject of interest. The effect of aging on ballistic properties, viz., ignition delay, burning rate, and heat of combustion for an aluminised ammonium perchlorate–hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (AP/HTPB) composite propellant during accelerated aging were investigated. Samples of composite propellants were aged at 60 and 70 °C at relative humidity of 50% in a climatic chamber. The propellant samples were tested with pressurized nitrogen gas environment for ignition delay measurement. Test results indicate that aging does not have any appreciable effect on ignition delay. The change in ignition delay time is less than 3% within the scatter of the data. Experiment results indicate that burn rate do affect with pressure but aging does not have much effect on burn rate. It was also observed that the burning rate at low pressures did not undergo significant changes during the aging period. The most significant of all the ballistic properties of this propellant is the burning rate exponent which increased by about 10% during the aging period.     

Development of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction to Produce Skin-Whitening and Anti-Wrinkle Substances from Safflower Seed

In this study, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was applied to extract bioactive substances with skin-whitening, anti-wrinkle, and antioxidant effects from safflower seeds, and the extraction conditions were optimized by a central composite design. The independent variables, including extraction time (5.0~55.0 min), extraction temperature (26.0~94.0 °C), and ethanol concentration (0.0~100%), were optimized to increase tyrosinase activity inhibitory (TAI), collagenase activity inhibitory (CAI), and radical scavenging activity (RSA), which are indicators of skin-whitening, anti-wrinkle, and antioxidant effects. An extraction time of 26.4 min, extraction temperature of 52.1 °C, and ethanol concentration of 50.7% were found to be optimum conditions of UAE, under which TAI, CAI, and RSA were 53.3%, 91.5%, and 27.7%, respectively. The extract produced by UAE was analyzed by LC-MS/MS, and maleic acid and levulinic acid were identified as the main substances. Therefore, UAE is evaluated as an effective process to extract skin-whitening, anti-wrinkle, and antioxidant substances from safflower seeds at lower temperatures and shorter extraction times compared to the conventional extraction methods. Overall, safflower seeds extract can be used as a material for value-added cosmetics, including maleic acid and levulinic acid, which have bioactive functions.     

Effect of multivalent cations,temperature, and aging on SOM thermal properties

Multivalent cations are suggested to influence the supramolecular structure of soil organic matter (SOM) via inter- and intra-molecular interactions with SOM functional groups. In this study, we tested the combined effect of cations, temperature treatment, and isothermal aging on SOM matrix properties. Samples from a peat and a mineral soil were either enriched with Na, Ca, and Al or desalinated in batch experiments. After treatment at 25, 40, 60, and 105 °C and after different periods of aging at 19 °C and 31 % relative humidity, we investigated the physicochemical matrix stability and the thermal stability against combustion. We hypothesized that multivalent cations stabilize the SOM matrix, that these structures disrupt at elevated temperatures, and that aging leads to an increase in matrix stability. The results show that cation-specific effects on matrix rigidity started to evolve in the peat only after 8 weeks of aging and were significantly lower than the temperature effects. Temperature treatment above 40 °C caused a non (or not immediately) reversible loss of water molecule bridges (WaMB) and above 60 °C a partly reversible melting process probably of semi-crystalline poly(methylene). Thermal stability increased with increasing cation valence and degree of protonation and was much less affected by temperature. Generally, Na-treated and control samples revealed lower thermal stability and lower increase in matrix rigidity with aging than those treated with Ca, Al, and H. We conclude that drying at elevated temperatures (>40 °C) may irreversibly change SOM structure via disruption of labile cross-links and melting of semi-crystalline domains.     

Effect of Aging on the Synthesis of Kaolin-Based Zeolite Y from Ahoko Nigeria Using a Novel Metakaolinization Technique

Zeolite Y was systematically synthesized from Ahoko Nigerian kaolin in a conventional hydrothermal system using novel metakaolinization technique. The effect of aging on the formation of zeolite phase was investigated during the course of the synthesis. A rapidly processed metakaolin at a temperature of 600°C and exposure time of 50 minutes, which is capable of reducing the energy and cost of producing it was used to study the synthesis of zeolite Y. It was found that aging conditions play a prominent role in the preparation of zeolite Y from Ahoko metakaolin. Aging played a significant role by increasing the crystallinity of the final product even though zeolite Y was obtain without aging. The outcome of zeolite Y synthesized from Ahoko kaolin in 9 hours at 100°C was different from most reports on the synthesis of zeolite Y from kaolin where longing time (72 hours) of crystallization are reported.     

Effect of Interfacial Adsorption on the Stability of Thin Polymer Films in a Solvent-induced Process

The stability of ultrathin polymer films plays a crucial role in their technological applications. Here, we systematically investigated the influence of interfacial adsorption in physical aging and the stability of thin polymer films in the solvent-induced process. We further identify the stability mechanism from the theory of thin film stability. Our results show that the aging temperature and film thickness can strongly influence the stability of thin PS films in acetone vapor. Physical aging can greatly improve the stability of thin polymer films when the aging temperature T_(aging1)T_g. A thinner PS film more quickly reaches a stable state via physical aging. At short aging time, the formation of the adsorbed layer can reduce the polar interaction; however, it slightly influences the stability of thin polymer films in the solvent-induced process. At later aging stage,the conformational rearrangement of the polymer chains induced by the interfacial effect at the aging temperature T_(aging1) plays an important role in stabilizing the thin polymer films. However, at T_(aging2)T_g, the process of physical aging slightly influences the stability of the thin polymer films.The formation of the adsorbed layer at T_(aging2) can reduce the short-range polar interaction of the thin film system and cannot suppress the instability of thin polymer films in the solvent-induced process. These results provide further insight into the stable mechanism of thin polymer films in the solvent-induced process.     

Stability‐Indicating Methods for the Determination of Rofecoxib

Two stability indicating methods have been developed for determining rofecoxib in the presence of its degradation product. The first suggested method is high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), in which analysis is carried out using hypersil BDS C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm I.D.) with mobile Phase consisting of 0.05 M phosphate buffer (pH 3.5) and acetonitrile (70:30 v/v). A linear relationship was obtained between the detector response at 225 nm and the corresponding concentration of the studied rofecoxib in the concentration range (1–6 μg / 10 μl) with mean % recovery of 99.80 ± 0.405. The second method depends on the quantitative densitometric evaluation of thin layer chromatograms (HPTLC) with mobil phase consisting of toluene: chloroform: methanol (60: 35: 5 v/v/v) by using fluorescent high performance silica gel 60 plate. A linear relationship was obtained between peak area and the concentration of the cited drug in the range 1–6 μg/spot with a mean % recovery of 99.79 ± 0.185. The suggested methods are precise, accurate, rapid and prove their specificity in the presence of its degradation products. Both procedures are successfully applied to determine the drug in the presence of its degradation product and also in their pharmaceutical formulations.     

Mathematical modeling of biosensor action in the region between diffusion and kinetic modes

We describe the action of electrochemical enzyme-based biosensor by applying mathematical modeling. We consider two types of biosensors: a biosensor containing a single heterogeneous enzyme layer and biosensor containing an additional protecting polymer-based layer. The initial parameters of the biosensor were selected on the basis of typical immobilized glucose oxidase-based electrochemical biosensor. A phenomenon of the accumulation of the electrochemically active product inside the biocatalytic layer was evaluated. It was shown that accumulation of the product can increase sensitivity of the biosensor no more than 2.6 times. Due to the asymmetric distribution of the electrochemically active product inside the enzyme-containing membrane and asymmetric diffusion of the substrate, it was shown that the thickness of the membrane possesses an optimal value. For the selected set of initial parameters, the optimal thickness of the enzyme-containing layer was 2.9–4.5  $\upmu $ m. Real profiles of the impact of the thickness of the membranes were evaluated. A method for the evaluation of acceptable fluctuations of the membrane diffusion parameters on biosensor response was created, and the profiles of the dependence were calculated. These dependencies can be used for development of the software for biosensor monitoring.     

A Stability Indicating HPLC Assay for Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate in Implantable Infusion Pumps

Abstract

A stability indicting assay for prednisolone sodium phosphate (PSP) in solutions for implantable infusion pumps was developed. PSP and its major breakdown product, prednisolone, were separated from formulation excipients by reverse phase chromatography on a phenyl-bonded phase column using an acetonitrile-phosphate buffer mobile phase. Detection was by ultraviolet absorbance at 243 mm. Recovery from a synthetic formulation was 101.0 ± 0.4% (n=6). The method was used to monitor the stability of PSP solutions in implantable infusion pumps maintained at 37°C over a 21 day period.     

Layered Surface Acoustic Wave Hydrogen Sensor Based on Polyethylaniline Nanofibers

Here we report on a layered Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) gas sensor featuring polyethylaniline nanofibers as the active layer. A rapidly-mixed reaction was employed to synthesize polyethylaniline nanofibers. The product was deposited on a microfabricated ZnO/36° YX LiTaO₃ SAW transducer. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) were utilized to characterize the nanomaterials. The novel sensor was tested towards different concentrations of hydrogen at room temperature. It was observed that the sensor maintained a stable baseline with good repeatability. Hence, the sensor is expected to be potentially attractive for industrial applications.     

Incorporation of liquid crystalline triphenylene derivative in bulk heterojunction solar cell with molybdenum oxide as buffer layer for improved efficiency

We report efficient bulk heterojunction solar cells fabricated by inserting a discotic triphenylene derivative into poly (3-hexylthiophene): [6, 6]- phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester. A layer of molybdenum oxide was inserted between anode and active layer. Power conversion efficiency of 2.0% was achieved for these photovoltaic solar cells containing self-organised discotic liquid crystals in the active layer under one sun condition. The influence of varying the thickness of liquid crystal layer and annealing on these solar cells was also studied. Post annealing the bulk heterojunction devices with discotic liquid crystal layer of thickness 20 nm in them yielded an open circuit voltage of 0.41 V, short circuit current density of 17.0 mA cm^?2, a Fill factor of 0.35 and power conversion efficiency of 2.5%.     

Relation between stress relaxation and aging resistance of rubber vulcanizates—some preliminary investigations

In this paper some details are given for the construction of a simple balance for the measurement of stress relaxation at constant elongation. A simple means of obtaining equal strain in the two parts of the strained specimen is provided. By means of four typical stocks covering the widest possible range of aging resistance it is shown that the stress relaxations give approximately the same estimate of stability as does the normal Geer test using 2 mm. dumbbell specimens. As a measure for stress relaxation the time is used that is required to obtain 50% of the value of the interpolated modulus at 200% elongation 6 seconds after the straining zero time at 110°C. The parameter for the aging test is the time in days at 70°C. for the 50% value of tensile strengths. The range for the stress relaxation parameter may be estimated to 8–1200 min. and the aging parameter from 10–600 days. Finally the concordance of temperature coefficient for relaxation and oxidation rates is shown.     

Determination of methylparaben,propylparaben, triamcinolone acetonide and its degradation product in a topical cream by RP-HPLC

A novel reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method was developed and validated for the determination of active component triamcinolone acetonide, its degradation product triamcinolone (occurring in formulation after long-term stability tests) and two preservatives presented in the cream-methylparaben and propylparaben, using hydrocortisone as an internal standard.The chromatographic separation was performed on a Supelco Discovery C18 column; the mobile phase for separation of all compounds consists of a mixture of acetonitrile and water (40:60 v/v). The analysis time was less than 9 min, at a flow rate of 0.6 mL min(-1) and detection at 240 nm. The method was found to be applicable for routine analysis (stability tests, homogeneity) in the pharmaceutical product topical cream Triamcinolon cream 0.1%.     

UHPLC Study on the Degradation Profiles of Olopatadine Hydrochloride in Eye Drops Subjected to Heat and Filtration Methods of Sterilisation

A validated ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) method has been proposed, validated and used for the determination of olopatadine hydrochloride degradation products in olopatadine 1 mg mL^?1 eye drops solution under the influence of two different sterilisation methods, heating and filtration, with good precision and accuracy. We found that the heat sterilization method yields a higher content of olopatadine hydrochloride degradation products in eye drops compared to unsterilized drug product or drug product sterilized by filtration, except for α-hydroxy olopatadine impurity, which remains stable with time and applied sterilization method. Contents of olopatadine related compound B shows a higher increase (from <0.005 to 0.044 %) when sterilised by heating than when subjected to aging and sterilization by filtration (increase up to 0.011 %). Similarly, total amount of all impurities is also increased from 0.13 to 0.49 % when the drug product is sterilised by heating instead of filtration (up to 0.39 %). Content of olopatadine related compound B and of all impurities is increased by aging, probably through thermal and oxidative degradation. Forced degradation studies were correlated with the sterilisation study and possible degradation pathways were identified. Olopatadine shows strong degradation under oxidative and moderate degradation under photolytic environment, with the olopatadine related compound B as the main degradation product. Sterilization of eye drops solution by filtration is recommended.     

The noble effect of aging on the thermal conductivity of modified CNTs-ethylene glycol nanofluids

In order to improve the heat transfer process by using nanofluids, different nanoparticles and base fluids have been studied. In this work, stability and effect of aging and temperature on the thermal conductivity of CNTs-ethylene glycol (EG) nanofluids were investigated. Chemical functionalisation was used to oxidise the surface of CNTs. The functionalised CNTs were used to prepare the nanofluids by a two-step method. The stability of nanofluids was measured by UV-vis spectroscopy and the results showed that the nanofluids had a good stability over several days. Immediately after nanofluid preparation not too much increase was observed for thermal conductivity but the nanofluid aging had a great influence on the improvement of the thermal conductivity, as after 65 days, about 50% increase was observed. The increase has been attributed to forming an ordered nanolayer of EG molecules around the CNTs. Also no significant temperature dependence of thermal conductivity was observed up to 50°C possibly due to the lack of temperature dependence of CNTs Brownian motions.     

Reliability of flexible electrically conductive adhesives

Based on our previous work about electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs), a flexibilizer named 1,3‐propanediol bis (4‐aminobenzoate) was used to fabricate flexible ECAs (FECAs). ECAs, FECAs, and electronic devices connected by them were carried out the hot and humid aging test under constant humidity level of 85% relative humidity at 85 °C for 600 h. After aging, the bulk resistance change of ECAs was about 26%, that of FECAs was a little higher, about 29%. The contact resistance change of devices connected by ECAs and FECAs was very great, about 450% and 410%, respectively. The bonding area at connection interface between colloids and devices had delamination, even cracks. The delamination of ECAs was calculated about 60%, the average shear strength of ECAs was reduced about 45%, and those of FECAs were about 50% and 30%, respectively, so FECAs had a higher bonding stability in hot and humid environment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The synthesis of novel Schiff base antioxidants to promote anti-thermal aging properties of natural rubber

There is of great interest in promotion of anti-thermal aging properties of natural rubber (NR) to improve the applicability. In this study, two novel Schiff base antioxidants (SBAOs) for NR were synthesized utilizing 4-aminodiphenylamine with 3,5-Di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde or cinnamic aldehyde in an ethanol medium. IR, ¹³C-NMR, and ¹H-NMR confirmed the structures of SBAOs. Addition of SBAOs improved the rheometric properties, mechanical properties and thermal oxidative stability of NR vulcanizates. Introduction of SBAOs in NR increased the apparent activation energy of thermal oxidative degradation according to Kissinger and FWO methods. Anti-thermal aging performance of SBAOs for NR is related to the structures. The C=N double bonds in SBAOs improve the electron density of Ar–OH and/or Ar–NH–Ar structures, benefiting the release of active hydrogen. The active hydrogen could capture free radicals initiated during the thermal oxidative aging process. The lone pair electrons on nitrogen atom are also beneficial to delay or terminate free radical reaction. NR with SBAOs showed high mechanical properties of the tensile strength, tensile stress at 100% elongation and Shore A hardness compared to commercial BHT and 4010 during aging 96 h. It indicates potential applications of SBAOs as efficient antioxidants for NR.