Characterization and Bioavailability of Vitamin C Nanoliposomes Prepared by Film Evaporation-Dynamic High Pressure Microfluidization

Vitamin C nanoliposomes were prepared by combining a conventional method (film evaporation) with dynamic high pressure microfluidization. Their physicochemical characterizations (antioxidant activity, particle size, entrapment efficiency, morphology, in vitro drug release, and storage stability) and skin permeation behavior were investigated. The results showed that vitamin C nanoliposomes, having equivalent DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging capacity of pure vitamin C solution without loss of their biological activity, exhibited better storage stability at 37°C for 24 hours and at 4°C for 60 days, a more excellent sustained drug release as well as higher skin penetration rate than vitamin C liposomes.     

Unpredictable adsorption and visible light induced decolorization of nano rutile for the treatment of crystal violet

Photocatalysts containing different ratios of anatase and rutile are prepared via heat treatment of Degussa P-25 titania. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Bruuauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), ultraviolet–visible light diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), Raman spectra (Raman), positron annihilation lifetime spectra (PAL) and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) are applied to investigate the phase composition of the synthesized catalysts. Using crystal violet (CV) as the target pollutant, the unexpected visible light decolorization of rutile is observed. Despite the decreased specific surface area, the as-synthesized rutile samples exhibit much higher adsorption capability of CV than P-25 does, which in turn leads to improved photoreaction efficiency. Since the rutile samples can't absorb the visible light, the degradation under visible light irradiation is attributed to self-sensitization of CV on the surface of rutile.     

A new polymer acceptor containing naphthalene diimide and 1,3,4‐thiadiazole for all‐polymer solar cells

A n‐type conjugated polymer containing naphthalene diimide (NDI) and 1,3,4‐thiadiazole (TZ) moieties, named PNTZ, has been synthesized and applied for all‐polymer solar cells (all‐PSCs). By the incorporation of TZ unit into the polymer main chains, the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital level of this polymer has been adjusted effectively. In addition, the electron‐acceptor PNTZ shows a broad absorption spectrum in the range of 300–700 nm, and possesses complementary absorption spectrum with the electron‐donor PTB7‐Th. On the basis of PNTZ as the acceptor and PTB7‐Th as the donor, the all‐PSCs are fabricated. After optimization, the well blend morphologies with a continuous D/A interpenetrating network are observed and the best all‐PSC device exhibits a power conversion efficiency of 4.35% with a high short‐circuit current density of 13.26 mA cm^?2. This research demonstrates that the TZ‐containing polymer PNTZ is a promising non‐fullerene acceptor for high efficiency all‐PSCs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017 , 55 , 990–996     

Effect of the Cu co-activator on the charge-carrier trapping efficiency in CaSO4:Tm,Cu

Rare earth doped CaSO₄ materials are well known thermoluminescent dosimeters with friendly properties. They are used in the practice for a long while. New phosphors based on CaSO₄:Tm were synthesized using a modified preparation method for adding Cu as co-dopant. The produced materials have several favorable new characteristics. Larger linear dose response range, simpler glow-curve structure and a small diminution in the sensitivity are the consequences of the copper addition. Trapping efficiency of samples containing different amounts of Tm and Cu was investigated as the function of the composition using a consecutive RL/TL measuring technique. It was cleared up that the Cu addition, depending on its amount, reduced this value. This plays the main role in the sensitivity loss and forms one of the factors in the explanation of the linear dose range widening.     

Synthesis,structure and properties of N-aminosaccharin – A selective inhibitor of human carbonic anhydrase I

Previously unknown N-aminosaccharin was prepared in good yield via the one-step direct amination of saccharin sodium salt with hydroxylamine-O-mesitylenesulfonic acid (MSH) and its reactivity investigated. N-aminosaccharin and its derivatives were tested against hCA isoforms and the parent compound was identified to be a selective, low micromolar inhibitor (K_i = 8.8 μM) of hCA I. These findings provide a ligand-efficient starting point for the design of potent hCA I inhibitors – a promising drug target for retinal/cerebral edema treatment.     

COOPER-framework: A unified process for non-parametric projects

Practitioners assess performance of entities in increasingly large and complicated datasets. If non-parametric models, such as Data Envelopment Analysis, were ever considered as simple push-button technologies, this is impossible when many variables are available or when data have to be compiled from several sources. This paper introduces by the ‘COOPER-framework’ a comprehensive model for carrying out non-parametric projects. The framework consists of six interrelated phases: Concepts and objectives, On structuring data, Operational models, Performance comparison model, Evaluation, and Result and deployment. Each of the phases describes some necessary steps a researcher should examine for a well defined and repeatable analysis. The COOPER-framework provides for the novice analyst guidance, structure and advice for a sound non-parametric analysis. The more experienced analyst benefits from a check list such that important issues are not forgotten. In addition, by the use of a standardized framework non-parametric assessments will be more reliable, more repeatable, more manageable, faster and less costly.     

Real‐Time Measurement of the Size Distribution of Diesel Exhaust Particles using a Portable 4‐stage Electrical Low Pressure Impactor

For this study, a 4 stage electrical low pressure impactor was designed to measure the real‐time size distribution of diesel particulate matter (DPM). For the performance evaluation, sodium chloride (NaCl) particles and dioctyl sebacate (DOS) particles were used. After evaluating the collection efficiency of each stage of the impactor, the size distributions of test particles were estimated using electrical current data and their inversion algorithm, and this was found to agree with the results obtained by a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS). For measurement of DPM, a common‐rail direct injection (CRDI) diesel engine, for engine speeds of 1,200 rpm and 1,500 rpm at 2.7 kgf·m, was used. Therefore, it was found that the size distribution of the DPM could be easily obtained, with the currents measured by the impactor and the data inversion algorithm, in less than 5 seconds. Furthermore, the effective density of the DPM could be obtained using the calculated results and the SMPS data.     

Photovoltaic Cells Involving the Nonconjugated Conductive Polymer Iodine-Doped Styrene-Butadiene-Rubber (SBR)

Novel photovoltaic cells involving a nonconjugated conductive polymer have been fabricated using titanium dioxide/doped styrene-butadiene-rubber/carbon on ITO coated PET substrates. Photocurrents and photo-voltages for different intensities of light (emission at 300–700 nm) have been measured. These cells have shown significantly higher photocurrents and photo-voltages compared to previous reports. A photocurrent density of about 0.25 mA/cm² and a photo-voltage of 0.74 V have been measured for a light intensity of ～4 mW/cm².     

骨架结构多孔TiO2薄膜增强染料敏化太阳能电池性能

以空心球状TiO₂为基体、以片状TiO₂为骨架,采用刮刀法制备了染料敏化太阳能电池的多孔TiO₂光阳极薄膜。光电转化效率测试结果表明,当作为骨架支撑材料的片状TiO₂含量为20wt%时,光阳极薄膜组装成太阳能电池的光电转化效率达到最高值4.53%,比商业P25制备的无孔无骨架TiO₂薄膜电池(4.06%)及无骨架结构的多孔TiO₂薄膜电池(4.17%)的性能均有显著提高。当片状TiO₂的最佳含量为20wt%电池薄膜厚度为33 μm时,太阳能电池光电转化效率进一步提升为7.06%。光电性能增强的原因是骨架结构有利于快速传输电子并增大染料吸附量。本研究通过设计制备具有骨架结构的多孔TiO₂薄膜为提高染料敏化太阳能电池性能提供了新的思路。