Polyurethane-polyacrylamide IPNs. I. Synthesis and characterization

Hydrophobic-hydrophilic interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of polyurethane and polyacrylamide have been synthesized. The IPNs have been characterized by IR, thermal, and mechanical studies. SEM studies indicate phase mixing of some IPNs. Solvent resistance and surface hydrophilicity as evidenced by contact angle measurements suggest that these IPNs could be used for biomedical applications.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and biological activities of dehydroacetic acid complexes of Ru(II) and Ru(III) containing PPh3/AsPh3

A series of Ru(II) and Ru(III) complexes of the types [RuX(CO)(EPh₃)₂L] (X = H, E = P; X = Cl, E = P or As) and [RuX₂(EPh₃)₂L] (X = Cl, E = P or As; X = Br, E = As, L = monoanion of dehydroacetic acid) have been synthesized in order to explore their biological activities, such as DNA-binding and antibacterial activity. The complexes were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The crystal and molecular structure of [RuCl₂(AsPh₃)₂(L)] has been determined by single crystal XRD. The cyclic voltammograms of the complexes in acetonitrile displayed either quasi-reversible or irreversible redox couples based on the metal centre. The ligand, dehydroacetic acid (DHA) and its metal complexes were tested against five pathogenic bacteria. Absorption titration and cyclic voltammetric studies revealed that the complexes interact with Herring Sperm ds DNA through different binding modes to different extents.     

Statistical quantification of the influence of material properties on the oxidation and ignition of activated carbons

The influence of material properties on the reactivities of activated carbon materials have been studied on a laboratory scale. Carbon samples having diversified origin and properties were characterized using a thermogravimetry (TG) coupled with a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Reactivity parameters like the Point of Initial Oxidation (PIO) representing the beginning of the oxidation reactions and the Spontaneous Ignition Temperature (SIT) where the bed combustion takes place in a self sustaining manner were experimentally determined. The intrinsic properties of the activated carbons influencing oxidation and ignition were examined qualitatively followed by quantitative statistical correlations. Results from both qualitative and statistical correlations showed that increase in the oxygen content in the form of surface oxygenated groups increased the reactivity of activated carbons. It was by far the single most influential property discriminated from the analysis. The porosity characteristics like the specific surface area and pore volume did show some vague trends but could not be validated like that of the oxygen content. The effects of these individual properties on the oxidation and ignition reactivity are discussed.     

Bilayer tablets of atorvastatin calcium and nicotinic acid: formulation and evaluation

The objective of the study is to formulate bilayer tablets consisting of atorvastatin calcium (AT) as an immediate release layer and nicotinic acid (NA) as an extended release layer. The immediate release layer was prepared using super disintegrant croscarmellose sodium and extended release layer using hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC K100M). Both the matrix and bilayer tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, weight variation, thickness, and drug content uniformity and subjected to in vitro drug release studies. The amount of AT and NA released at different time intervals were estimated by HPLC method. The bilayer tablets showed no significant change either in physical appearance, drug content or in dissolution pattern after storing at 40 degrees C/75% relative humiding (RH) for 3 months. The release of the drug from the tablet was influenced by the polymer content and it was much evident from thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) analysis. The results indicated that the bilayer tablets could be a potential dosage form for delivering AT and NA.     

Effect of auxins and cytokinins on efficient plant regeneration and multiple-shoot formation from cotyledons and cotyledonary-node expiants of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) by in vitro culture technology

Tissue cultures were established from cotyledon and cotyledonarynode segments ofArachis hypogaea L. on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of auxins (IAA, NAA, IBA, and 2, 4-D) and cytokinins (KIN and BAP). For callus initiation, high concentration of auxins and low concentration of cytokinins were used, whereas high concentration of cytokinins and low concentration of auxins were used for shoot-bud differentiation. Callus induction and shoot-bud regeneration frequency, however, varied with genotype, expiant, and the different plant-growth regulators combination in the medium. The shoot-bud multiplication was also influenced by genotype, explant type, and growth regulators. The combination of BAP and NAA produced more shoots than other combinations. The maximum number of shoots was obtained from cotyledonary-node segments on a medium containing BAP (5.0 mg/L) and IBA (1.0 mg/L). Rooting of regenerated shoots was achieved on a medium augmented with NAA or IBA (2.0 mg/L) in combination with KIN (0.5 mg/L). Rooted plantlets were successfully established in the soil, where 95% of them survived. Tissue-culture studies of these expiants suggests the shoots to be ofde nova origin, which would make the system suitable for gene-transfer technology.     

miR-27 regulates mitochondrial networks by directly targeting the mitochondrial fission factor

Mitochondrial morphology is dynamically regulated by forming small, fragmented units or interconnected networks, and this is a pivotal process that is used to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis. Although dysregulation of mitochondrial dynamics is related to the pathogenesis of several human diseases, its molecular mechanism is not fully elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate the potential role of miR-27 in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics. Mitochondrial fission factor (MFF) mRNA is a direct target of miR-27, whose ectopic expression decreases MFF expression through binding to its 3′-untranslated region. Expression of miR-27 results in the elongation of mitochondria as well as an increased mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial ATP level. Our results suggest that miR-27 is a novel regulator affecting morphological mitochondrial changes by targeting MFF.     

Surface plasmon propagation in a metal strip waveguide with biaxial substrate

Surface plasmon propagation in a nano metal strip waveguide with a biaxial substrate material was studied. The dispersion of the four fundamental modes propagating in the strip waveguide structure was analysed using a formalism based on the method of lines. The propagation properties of these modes with respect to the thickness of the metal film was studied, with two different biaxial materials as substrate for the waveguide. The results were then compared with the asymmetric strip waveguide structures with isotropic substrate and a uniaxial anisotropic substrate. Propagation characteristics as a function of longitudinal and transverse anisotropic components of the substrate material were also studied. The characteristics of the fundamental modes are observed to vary depending on the anisotropy of the biaxial material used.     

A parametric study of negative feedback Nd:YAG laser

The output pulse parameters of a mode-locked Nd:YAG laser with a passive negative feedback element were studied experimentally. The pulse evolution within the train was experimentally recorded using a modified second harmonic generation autocorrelator. By comparing the laser operation with and without an acousto-optic modulator, we found that with the later there is a significant increase in the mode locking probability and the pulse acquires a temporally Gaussian symmetric pulse shape. Further with the active modulator there is a relaxation in alignment tolerances and increase in the range of permissible dye concentrations for stable mode locking. It was also observed that the pulse width of the negative feedback laser depends on the saturation intensity of the mode locking dye and reduces for a dye with higher saturation intensity. The pulse width was also found to reduce linearly as the initial transmission of the dye is reduced.