Optimality Of sequential prorability ratio tests for a class of continuous parameter stochastic processes

For a wide class of stochastic processes including processes belonging to the curved exponential families, it is proved that Wald SPRT is optimal in the sense of minimizing the expectations of increasing processes associated with the stochastic process. The increasing processes are given by the Doob-Meyer decompositions of the log-probability ratio under the two hypotheses.     

Effect of glycidyl methacrylate on the physical properties of wood–polymer composites

Chemical modification of pinewood was carried out by impregnating the wood with styrene as the impregnating monomer and in combination with a crosslinking monomer glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). Polymerization was carried out by catalyst heat treatment. Dimensional stability in terms of antiswell efficiency was determined and improved on treatment with polymer. Water uptake percentage was also improved for styrene‐GMA treated wood samples over styrene treated or untreated wood samples. Mechanical properties such as bending strength measured in terms of modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture of polymer‐treated samples showed an improvement over untreated ones. Treatment also resulted an improvement in compressive strengths. Thermal properties of the wood samples were evaluated by thermogravimetric analyzer and differential scanning calorimeter. Biodegradability of the treated and untreated wood samples was determined and improvement was obtained on treatment. As a whole, styrene‐GMA treated wood samples showed more improvement over untreated or styrene‐treated samples. POLYM. COMPOS., 28:1–5, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Relationship between morphology and mechanical properties of binary and compatibilized ternary blends of polypropylene and nylon 6

The effect of compatibilization on the morphology, mechanical properties, and dynamic mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene (IPP)/nylon-6 (Ny-6) binary blends was investigated. Maleic anhydride (MAH) functionalized IPP was used as a compatibilizer in binary blends. The morphological, mechanical, and dynamic mechanical properties of binary and ternary blends were compared. The blends containing IPP-g-MAH showed more regular and finer dispersion of phases, different dynamic properties, and improved mechanical properties due to better adhesion between the two phases. The blends were also characterized for their flow properties and extent of water absorption. The melting peak temperature and percent crystallinity of IPP and Ny-6 phases were decreased in compatibilized blends. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Orientation of aqueous stretched cottons as measured by X-ray diffraction

The structural changes produced by aqueous swelling and stretching in cotton is found to be irreversible. This article present the X-ray angle data of six varieties of cotton that belong to Gossypium hirsutum. A marked decrease in X-ray angles was found in all treated samples, thereby indicating better orientation. Improvement in the orientation is associated with ncrease in the stretch. The improvement is high in all tension-dried cottons, showing the impact of the tension drying. Similar improved orientation is found in all varieties, indicating the varietal response of G. hirsutum. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Studies on Liquid-Liquid Extraction of Yttrium and Separation from Other Rare Earth Elements Using Bifunctional Ionic Liquids

Solvent extraction of yttrium(III) from chloride and nitrate solutions were carried out using two bifunctional ionic liquids Cyphos IL 104 and [A336/Cy272]. Comparative study with their constituent extractants showed higher extraction abilities of the ionic liquids for Y(III). The extraction behavior of yttrium using the above ionic liquids was studied as function of different parameters. Ion association neutral complexes were formed in the organic phase. 0.5 M HNO3 could strip 82% and 75.6 % yttrium from the loaded organic phases of 0.01M [A336/Cy272] and Cyphos IL 104, respectively. Separation studies involving binary systems were also investigated.     

Pancreatic duct: morphologic and functional evaluation with dynamic MR pancreatography after secretin stimulation

Two sensitive reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic fluorescence methods, with simple sample handling at the site of the patient, are described for the determination of the lactone and lactone plus carboxylate forms of 9-aminocamptothecin (9AC). For 9AC lactone, the sample preparation was a liquid-liquid extraction with acetonitrile-n-butyl chloride (1:4, v/v), whereas the sample preparation for 9AC total (lactone plus carboxylate) was a simple deproteinization with 5% perchloric acid-methanol (1:1, v/v), which results in the conversion of the carboxylate into the lactone form. The lower limits of quantitation were 50 pg/ml and 100 pg/ml for 9AC lactone and 9AC total, respectively. The within-run precisions at four tested concentrations were < or = 6.3% for 9AC lactone and < or = 5.3% for 9AC total. The between-run precisions were < or = 8.9% and < or = 5.6%, respectively. The assays were developed to enable pharmacological analysis of 9AC in a bioavailability and oral phase I study in patients with solid tumors.     

Bulk versus surface state contributions to the efficiency of perovskite titanate photoanodes

Attempts have been made to enhance the photon efficiency of perovskite titanate electrodes during band gap illumination by increasing the bulk dielectric constant with the substitution of suitable isovalent ions in the lattice so that the Curie point is shifted to room temperature and by decreasing theN _D values with controlled chemical reduction. The photoresponse showed only marginal improvements with these changes in the bulk characteristics. In comparison, the efficiency increased considerably when the electrode surfaces are treated by exposing to dilute acids, particularly HNO₃ + HF, for extended periods of time. This is accompanied by the changes inV _on to cathodic direction, red shift in the spectral dependence of photoresponse and marginal decrease ofN _D in the space charge layer. X-ray photoelectron spectra show that the treated electrode surfaces are not uniform with respect to oxygen/titanium ratios, hydroxyls and fluoride incorporated. The enhanced photon efficiency arises from the combined effect of eliminating the undesirable electron recombination centres in the space charge layer and the presence of heterogeneous surface regions leading to non-uniform potential distribution near the electrode surface. The results also point to the limitations of applying Schottky barrier model for semiconductor/electrolyte interface with higher concentrations of surface states.     

Rheological studies on Streptomyces fradiae ScF-5 in submerged fermentation

Studies on the rheology of Streptomyces fradiae ScF-5 in a 10-dm³ submerged fermenter for the production of intracellular glucose isomerase revealed that the apparent viscosity of the broth increased with increase in cell density up to 24 h and then declined while the density of the broth remained constant. The plot of shear stress versus shear rate at various fermentation periods showed the applicability of the Casson model. The yield stress and consistency index were found to increase gradually then decrease subsequently. In contrast, the flow behaviour index was less than unity and remained constant throughout the fermentation. The results contrast with the findings of other workers on the Newtonian and non-Newtonian character of fermentation broths and the applicability of the power law model to such systems.     

Hyperthermia in cancer research: current status

There are critical maximum temperatures above which irreversible damage occurs in cells and tissues. Exposure to high temperature, referred to as hyperthermia (HT), can result in cell death, tissue damage or even death of the organism. Clinical application of HT as a primary treatment or as an adjuvant to radio-/chemo- therapy of cancer is based on its ability to cause localized tumor tissue damage. Experimental data provide HT with a strong biological rationale. Early clinical experience suggested that HT will become an important modality as an adjuvant to radiotherapy in the treatment of human malignancies, but its application is currently limited to mainly superficial tumors. Its full realization as a treatment modality for cancer therapy awaits further laboratory investigations as well as controlled clinical trials. A better understanding of the biological mechanisms of its action, interaction with chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation damage, role of tumor microenvironment such as oxygen status and pH of tumors, and kinetics of thermotolerance can lead to refinement in its clinical implementation. The present review attempts to analyse the published literature during the last one and half decades.