Some efficient methods to correct confocal images for easy interpretation

In this paper we have explained some efficient methods to correct artefacts in confocal laser beam scanning microscope (CLSM) images. The main aim is to enhance object features such that they become clearly visible for interactive evaluation and to reduce the overall noise so that the automatic segmentation and feature measurement can be done easily. A simple automatic-thresholding technique, and a straightforward method to restore the light intensity along the depth of the image stack are proposed. Another problem associated with the CLSM is the non-isotropic resolution. We have presented an interpolation technique based on XOR contouring and morphing to virtually insert the image slices in the image stack for improving the axial resolution. This interpolation technique has the merits of both contour- and intensity-based interpolations. Results of application of these methods on CLSM data are shown.     

Ferroelectric phase transitions in ultrathin films of BaTiO3

We present molecular dynamics simulations of a realistic model of an ultrathin film of BaTiO3 sandwiched between short-circuited electrodes to determine and understand effects of film thickness, epitaxial strain, and the nature of electrodes on its ferroelectric phase transitions as a function of temperature. We determine a full epitaxial strain-temperature phase diagram in the presence of perfect electrodes. Even with the vanishing depolarization field, we find that ferroelectric phase transitions to states with in-plane and out-of-plane components of polarization exhibit dependence on thickness; it arises from the interactions of local dipoles with their electrostatic images in the presence of electrodes. Secondly, in the presence of relatively bad metal electrodes which only partly compensate the surface charges and depolarization field, a qualitatively different phase with stripelike domains is stabilized at low temperature.     

Single-Phase Convective Heat Transfer of Water and Aqua Ethylene Glycol Mixture in a Small-Diameter Tube

A tailor-made convective heat transfer test facility is constructed to study the single-phase convective heat transfer of deionized water and 30 vol% and 60 vol% aqua–ethylene glycol in a stainless steel tube of 4 mm in inner diameter and 1 m in length. The heat flux is varied between 1 and 4 kW·m^?2 and for mass flux ranging from 160 to 475 kg·m^?2 s^?1. The experiments were predominantly conducted only for laminar flow regime. Finally, the heat transfer coefficient is recorded and compared with the conventional theories. It is observed that the presence of ethylene glycol in water decreases the heat transfer coefficient by more than 50%, due to the decreased Reynolds number and thermal conductivity of the mixture.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Dichlorotin(IV)trithiophosphates and Their Adducts with Nitrogen Donor Bases

Abstract

Dichlorotin(IV)trithiophosphates [(RO)P(S)S ₂ ]SnCl ₂ were prepared by the reaction of methanolic solution of SnCl ₄ and dipotassium salt of trithiophosphates in a 1:1 molar ratio and their adducts [(RO)P(S)S ₂ ]SnCl _2.N ₂ C ₁₂ H ₈ and [(RO)P(S)S ₂ ]SnCl _2.N ₂ C ₁₀ H ₈ were prepared by the reaction of methanolic solution of [(RO)P(S)S ₂ ]SnCl ₂ and N-donor bases in a 1:1 molar ratio. These newly synthesised derivatives have been characterized by elemental analysis; molecular weight measurements; and IR, ¹³ C, ³¹ p and ¹¹⁹ Sn NMR spectral studies. Coordination number of four and six was suggested for dichlorotin (IV)trithiophosphates and their adducts with N-donor bases respectively.     

Thermal and mechanical properties of Th-30Zr alloy

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Literature studies reveal apaucity of data on the Th-Zr system. Investigations on the Th-30Zr alloy and its synthesis, microstructure and...     

Enantioselective LC‐ESI‐MS/MS determination of dropropizine enantiomers in rat plasma and application to a pharmacokinetic study

We developed and validated a simple, sensitive, selective and reliable LC–ESI‐MS/MS method for direct quantitation of dropropizine enantiomers namely levodropropizine (LDP) and dextrodropropizine (DDP) in rat plasma without the need for derivatization as per regulatory guidelines. Dropropizine enantiomers and carbamazepine (internal standard) were extracted from 50 μL rat plasma using ethyl acetate. LDP and DDP resolved with good baseline separation (R_s = 4.45) on a Chiralpak IG‐3 column. The mobile phase consisted of methanol with 0.05% diethylamine pumped at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. Detection and quantitation were done in multiple reaction monitoring mode following the transitions m/z 237 → 160 and 237 → 194 for dropropizine enantiomers and the internal standard, respectively, in the positive ionization mode. The proposed method provided accurate and reproducible results over the linearity range of 3.23–2022 ng/mL for each enantiomer. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were in the ranges of 3.38–13.6 and 5.11–13.8 for LDP and 4.19–11.8 and 8.89–10.1 for DDP. Both LDP and DDP were found to be stable under different stability conditions. The method was successfully used in a stereoselective pharmacokinetic study of dropropizine enantiomers in rats following oral administration of racemate dropropizine at 100 mg/kg. The pharmacokinetic results indicate that the disposition of dropropizine enantiomers is not stereoselective and chiral inversion does not occur in rats.     

Syntheses of 1,5-Benzothiazepines-Part XXXI: Syntheses and Antimicrobial Studies of 10-Substituted-7- (monochlorophenyl/dichlorophenyl)-6H-6a,7-dihydro-6-phenyl[1]benzopyrano[3,4-c]-[1,5]benzothiazepines

Abstract

Two flavindogenides, 3-(2-chlorobenzylidene)-flavanone and 3-(2,4-dichloro- benzylidene)-flavanone reacted with six 5-substituted-2-aminobenzenethiols, the substituents being fluoro, chloro, bromo, methyl, methoxyl, and ethoxyl, to give respective 12 new compounds, 10-substituted-7-(2-chlorophenyl/2,4-dichlorophenyl)- 6H-6a,7-dihydro-6-phenyl[1]benzopyrano[3,4?c][1,5]benzothiazepines (5a–l) in 60–70% yields. The products were characterized on the basis of microanalytical data for elements and IR, ¹ H, and ¹³ C NMR and mass spectral studies. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against the bacteria,Escherichia coli and GFC,and the fungi,Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus,and Curvularia lunata.     

Feasibility of Polyvinyl Alcohol as a Transdermal Drug Delivery System for Terbutaline Sulphate

A series of terbutaline sulphate drug incorporated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix films were produced by the solvent evaporation method. The effect of xanthan gum and plasticizers (propylene glycol and dibutyl phthalate) on the rate and amount of drug diffusion from PVA membrane across the hydrated cellophane membrane has been evaluated, using an open glass diffusion‐tube. The obtained films were clear, smooth and flexible having sufficient mechanical strength. The mechanical performance of the dry PVA films with xanthan gum and plasticizers were also ascertained. Polyvinyl alcohol‐xanthan gum blends showed a high rate of drug release compared to that of polyvinyl alcohol film alone. Among the two plasticizers employed, propylene glycol showed better permeability. Among different formulations studied, the formulation PVA/xanthan gum/propylene glycol (F7) was found to be an optimized composition for efficient transdermal delivery of the model drug, terbutaline sulphate. The mechanism of drug diffusion has been evaluated using the Peppas model. Stability studies carried out on polymer‐drug formulations revealed that the drug is stable at 40°C and 75% RH for a period of 6 weeks.