Optical diffusers based on uniform nano-sized polymer balls/nematic liquid crystals composite films

ABSTRACT

Optical diffusers are promising diffusing materials in the optical devices such as monitors, projectors, fibre optics, light-emitting diode (LED) systems and liquid crystal displays (LCDs). We report optical diffusers comprising uniformly distributed nano-sized polymer balls/nematic liquid crystals (LCs) by ultraviolet (UV) click reaction of ene monomer and thiol monomer. By optimising the mass ratio 1:1 of ene and thiol, of which the average diameter of the corresponding nano-sized polymer balls is about 900 nm, relatively high optical transmission and haze with 88.99% and 94.49% are yielded, respectively. Furthermore, by controlling the curing time, the average diameter of nano-sized polymer balls can be reduced to 810 nm, and the developed film exhibits high transmission (98.49%) without sacrificing the high haze (91.77%). This paper demonstrates that UV click reaction is an economical approach to fabricate optical diffusers in a controllable manner.     

Synthesis and characterization of a photoaffinity labelling probe based on the structure of the cystic fibrosis drug ivacaftor

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations to the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. Ivacaftor (1) was the first therapeutic approved for the treatment of CF that is able to restore gating activity to certain CFTR variants although the mechanism of action is poorly understood. Herein we describe the synthesis of a photoaffinity labelling (PAL) probe (2) based on the structure of ivacaftor incorporating a photoreactive diazirine moiety for use in labelling studies designed to identify the binding site for ivacaftor on mutant CFTR. The PAL probe 2 retained potentiation activity, with a potency similar to 1, using a Fluorescent Imaging Plate Reader (FLIPR^®) assay measuring ion conductance potentiation of wild type (Wt)-CFTR. Photolabelling experiments with human serum albumin (HSA) as a model protein have shown that probe 2 can label HSA in a manner consistent with observed and predicted binding.     

Qualitative behavior of two systems of higher‐order difference equations

In this paper, we study the qualitative behavior of following two systems of higher‐order difference equations: and where the parameters α,β,γ,α₁,β₁,γ₁,a,b,c,a₁,b₁,andc₁ and the initial conditions x₀, x_?1, ?, x_?k, y₀, y_?1 ,?, y_?k are positive real numbers. More precisely, we study the equilibrium points, local asymptotic stability, instability, global asymptotic stability of equilibrium points, and rate of convergence of positive solutions that converges to the equilibrium point P₀=(0,0) of these systems. Some numerical examples are given to verify our theoretical results. These examples are experimental verification of our theoretical discussions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous determination of paracetamol, chlorzoxazone, and related impurities 4-aminophenol, 4'-chloroacetanilide, and p-chlorophenol in pharmaceutical preparations by high-performance liquid chromatography

This paper presents a simple, specific, and precise high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol (PCM), chlorzoxazone (CXZ), and their related impurities in bulk raw materials and solid dosage forms. The mobile phase consisted of water-methanol-glacial acetic acid (60 + 40 + 2, v/v/v). A column containing octadecylsilane chemically bonded to porous silica particles (Spherisorb ODS 1, 25 cm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) was used as stationary phase. Detection was performed using a variable wavelength ultraviolet-visible detector set at 272 nm for all compounds. Solutions were injected into the chromatograph under isocratic condition at a constant flow rate of 1.2 mL/min. The method was validated according to International Conference on Harmonization requirements and demonstrates good accuracy and precision and a wide linearity range. The method separates PCM, CXZ, and 3 major impurities [4-aminophenol (4AP), 4'-chloracetanilide (4CA), and p-chlorophenol (PCP)] with fair resolution in less than 15 min. The developed method is rapid and sensitive (limit of detection for 4AP, 4CA, and PCP established at 31.25, 39.06, and 65.16 ng/mL, respectively) and, therefore, suitable for quality control and stability studies of these compounds in dosage forms.     

Development of Antibacterial,Degradable and pH-Responsive Chitosan/Guar Gum/Polyvinyl Alcohol Blended Hydrogels for Wound Dressing

The present research is based on the fabrication preparation of CS/PVA/GG blended hydrogel with nontoxic tetra orthosilicate (TEOS) for sustained paracetamol release. Different TEOS percentages were used because of their nontoxic behavior to study newly designed hydrogels’ crosslinking and physicochemical properties. These hydrogels were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and wetting to determine the functional, surface morphology, hydrophilic, or hydrophobic properties. The swelling analysis in different media, degradation in PBS, and drug release kinetics were conducted to observe their response against corresponding media. The FTIR analysis confirmed the components added and crosslinking between them, and surface morphology confirmed different surface and wetting behavior due to different crosslinking. In various solvents, including water, buffer, and electrolyte solutions, the swelling behaviour of hydrogel was investigated and observed that TEOS amount caused less hydrogel swelling. In acidic pH, hydrogels swell the most, while they swell the least at pH 7 or higher. These hydrogels are pH-sensitive and appropriate for controlled drug release. These hydrogels demonstrated that, as the ionic concentration was increased, swelling decreased due to decreased osmotic pressure in various electrolyte solutions. The antimicrobial analysis revealed that these hydrogels are highly antibacterial against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus) and Gram negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) bacterial strains. The drug release mechanism was 98% in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) media at pH 7.4 in 140 min. To analyze drug release behaviour, the drug release kinetics was assessed against different mathematical models (such as zero and first order, Higuchi, Baker–Lonsdale, Hixson, and Peppas). It was found that hydrogel (CPG2) follows the Peppas model with the highest value of regression (R² = 0.98509). Hence, from the results, these hydrogels could be a potential biomaterial for wound dressing in biomedical applications.     

Experimental characterization of roughness parameters for fretting wear in spline couplings

Roughness parameters convey important information about the tribological properties of a material subjected to fretting conditions. They significantly affect the fretting life of the material. An experimental study has been conducted to characterize the variations in roughness parameters with respect to fretting wear and clearance in aero-engine spline couplings which are prone to angular misalignment. A dedicated test bench has been used to test spline couplings made of nitrogen hardened 42CrMo4 with crowned teeth. Tests were performed on samples of identical geometry and material under varying conditions of torque and misalignment angle between the hub and shaft of the coupling. Percentage differences in roughness parameters before and after the test have been characterized which showed symmetric variations, but interestingly mirrored in amplitudes for applied torques and misalignment angles. Even non linear variations behaved similarly for the most of the parameters. Both clearance and fretting wear were found to be in a direct relation with torque and misalignment angle. The parameters, namely peak count and mean height of the peaks have been found to be the most characteristic representation of fretting damage.     

Effect on Landau damping rates for non-Maxwellian distribution function consisting of two electron populations

In many physical situations where a laser or electron beam passes through a dense plasma, hot low-density electron populations can be generated, resulting in a particle distribution function consisting of a dense cold population and a small hot population. Presence of such low-density electron distributions can alter the wave damping rate. Kinetic model is employed to study the Landau damping of Langmuir waves when a small hot electron population is present in the dense cold electron population with non-Maxwellian distribution functions. Departure of plasma from Maxwellian distributions significantly alters the damping rates as compared to the Maxwellian plasma. Strong damping is found for highly non-Maxwellian distributions as well as plasmas with higher dense and hot electron population. Existence of weak damping is also established when the distribution contains broadened flat tops at the low energies or tends to be Maxwellian. These results may be applied in both experimental and space physics regimes.     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of (2,4-Diamino-5-(3′,4′,5′-Trimethoxybenzyl)Pyrimidine Copper (II)) Complex

Abstract  The reaction of Cu(OOCCH₃)₂·H₂O with (2,4-diamino-5-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzyl) pyrimidine (trimethoprim) in ethanolic solution at 80 °C affords the title complex which has been characterized by elemental, IR, and NMR (¹H and ¹³C).The crystal structure has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 (C₃₆H₄₈Cu₂N₈O₁₄) is triclinic, space group P-1 with a = 7.2676(4) ?, b = 11.6721(7) ?, c = 12.8279(8) ?, α = 95.839(1)°, β = 93.456(1)°, γ = 105.541(1)°, Z = 1. Two copper atoms are coordinated directly to each other as well as are held together by four bridging aceto groups. Each copper atom is also bonded opposite the Cu–Cu vector to a trimethoprim molecule through the N(1) atom of the pyrimidine ring. Trimethoprim acts as a monodentate ligand through the pyrimidine nitrogen N(1) atom. The complex was screened for the activity against several bacteria, showing more activity against bacteria as compared to trimethoprim. Graphical Abstract  To enhance the activity of trimethoprim, its derivative was prepared and there bacterial activity against several bacteria was analyzed.      

Synthesis of (2,4-Diamino-5-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzyl) Pyrimidine) Copper (II) Complex at 20–25 °C and its Structural Characterization

Abstract  The title copper (II) complex with Trimethoprim was prepared at 20–25 °C and its crystal structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound (C₃₆H₅₀Cu₃N₈O₁₆) is triclinic, space group P-1 with a = 6.4642(5) ?, b = 12.5495(9) ?, c = 13.4911(10) ?, α = 77.518(1)°, β = 85.326(1)°, γ = 84.413(2)°, Z = 1. In this compound, three copper atoms are bonded to each other, two terminal coppers are bonded to three oxygen atoms and N₁ of pyrimidine ring of Trimethoprim and central copper is bonded to four oxygen atoms. The amino nitrogen atoms are not involved in the coordination to the metal. Graphical Abstract  To enhance the activity of trimethoprim, its derivative was prepared and there bacterial activity against several bacteria was analyzed.