Compatibility and viscoelastic properties of brominated isobutylene‐co‐p‐methylstyrene rubber/tackifier blends

Brominated isobutylene‐co‐p‐methylstyrene (BIMS) rubber has been blended with hydrocarbon resin tackifier and alkyl phenol formaldehyde resin tackifier, and the compatibility between the blend components has been systematically evaluated. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies show that BIMS rubber and hydrocarbon resin tackifier blends are compatible at all blend proportions studied. However, BIMS rubber and phenol formaldehyde resin blends exhibit very limited compatibility with each other and phase separation even at very low phenolic tackifier concentration. Morphological studies of the rubber–resin blends by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) corroborate well with the DMA and DSC results. From the DMA frequency sweep and temperature sweep studies, it is shown that the hydrocarbon resin tackifier acts as a diluent and causes a decrease in the storage modulus values (by reducing the entanglement and network density) in the rubbery plateau region. On the other hand, phenol formaldehyde resin behaves in the way similar to that of the reinforcing filler by increasing the storage modulus values (by increasing the entanglement and network density) in the rubbery plateau zone. The relaxation time estimated from the different zones of frequency sweep master curves provides information about the influence of the two tackifiers on the viscoelastic properties of the BIMS rubber in the respective zones. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Modification of dextran through the grafting of N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and studies of physicochemical phenomena in terms of metal‐ion uptake,swelling capacity,and flocculation

The optimum conditions for grafting N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone onto dextran initiated by a peroxydiphosphate/thiourea redox system were determined through the variation of the concentrations of N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, hydrogen ion, potassium peroxydiphosphate, thiourea, and dextran along with the time and temperature. The grafting ratio increased as the concentration of N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone increased and reached the maximum value at 24 × 10^?2 mol/dm³. Similarly, when the concentration of hydrogen ion increased, the grafting parameters increased from 3 × 10^?3 to 5 × 10^?3 mol/dm³ and attained the maximum value at 5 × 10^?3 mol/dm³. The grafting ratio, add‐on, and efficiency increased continuously with the concentration of peroxydiphosphate increasing from 0.8 × 10^?2 to 2.4 × 10^?2 mol/dm³. When the concentration of thiourea increased from 0.4 × 10^?2 to 2.0 × 10^?2 mol/dm³, the grafting ratio attained the maximum value at 1.2 × 10^?2 mol/dm³. The grafting parameters decreased continuously as the concentration of dextran increased from 0.6 to 1.4 g/dm³. An attempt was made to study some physicochemical properties in terms of metal‐ion sorption, swelling, and flocculation. Dextran‐g‐N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone was characterized with infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Probing the viscoelastic properties of brominated isobutylene‐co‐p‐methylstyrene rubber/tackifier blends using a rubber process analyzer

The viscoelastic behavior of brominated isobutylene‐co‐p‐methylstyrene (BIMS) rubber/hydrocarbon resin blends and BIMS/phenol formaldehyde resin blends was studied with the use of a rubber process analyzer. Dynamic mechanical analysis and scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate the compatibility between the BIMS/tackifier blends. Strain sweep tests at temperature below the softening point of the tackifiers showed the formation of resin–resin networks in the incompatible BIMS/phenolic resin blends. However, resin–resin network was not prominent in the case of the compatible BIMS/hydrocarbon resin blends. Frequency sweep tests were performed at the strain amplitude within the linear region at several temperatures and the variations of shear storage modulus, G′ and complex viscosity, η* against frequency were recorded. The tackifying resins modified the viscoelastic properties of the BIMS rubber by reducing the storage modulus at lower frequency and by increasing the storage modulus at higher frequencies. However, this action was found to be highly dependent on (a) rubber‐tackifier compatibility, (b) blend proportions, and (c) test temperature. Furthermore, stress relaxation measurements of the BIMS/tackifier blends at temperature below the softening point of the tackifiers showed longer period of relaxation for the incompatible BIMS/phenolic resin blends. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of Additives on the Activation Energy for Sintering of Silicon Carbide

The combined-stage sintering model was used to determine the activation energy, Q , of sintering for selected SiC-based materials. SiC densified with a liquid (1.65 wt% Al) had an activation energy of 842±79 kJ/mol, a value between those for a silicon carbide densified with 1 wt% C and 0.25 wt% B₄C ( Q =643±37 kJ/mol) and one densified with 2.5 wt% AlN ( Q =1022±122 kJ/mol), compositions which have no liquid phase below 1850°C. The SiC with Al additive began densification by 1500°C and the densification curve was offset by approximately 100°C compared with the other two materials below 1850°C. The choice and amount of additives not only affect densification and activation energy, but also influence microstructure and fracture mode, allowing engineering of mechanical properties.     

Development of Phospholipids Vesicular Nanocarrier for Topical Delivery of Tea Tree Oil in Management of Atopic Dermatitis Using BALB/c Mice Model

This work aims to develop and evaluate the efficacy of tea tree oil (TTO) ethosomal cream with improved deposition in skin layers for treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Ethosomes of TTO are developed using phosphatidylcholine (2% and 3% w/v) and ethanol (20%, 30%, and 40% w/v). Ethosomes are evaluated for percent entrapment efficiency (%EE), vesicle size, zeta potential, and in vitro drug diffusion. Ethosomal creams with optimized ethosomal dispersion are developed and evaluated for physicochemical parameters, thermal stability, ex vivo permeation, skin retention, and in vitro cytotoxicity using HaCat skin cell lines in comparison to conventional creams of TTO. In vivo investigations of optimized creams are performed using BALB/c mice model. The %EE, vesicle size, and zeta potential for optimized ethosomes are found to be 76.19 ± 3.26%, 333.6 nm, and –35.3 mV, respectively. Ethosomal creams showed higher deposition in the epidermis and dermis. The optimized creams are non-cytotoxic to HaCat cell lines. The creams significantly reduce the inflammatory response by decreasing the clinical score and infiltration of white blood cells, eosinophils, and IgE antibodies. Overall efficacy of ethosomal cream is higher than conventional cream. In conclusion, optimized ethosomal cream of TTO shows good efficacy for treatment of AD. Practical applications : The method used for the formulation of ethosomes is simple and can be easily scaled up on the industrial level. The loading of TTO within ethosomes can increase the efficiency by enhanced drug deposition in the epidermis and might also improve its stability against oxidative degradation. Topical ethosomal cream of TTO can improve patient compliance by avoidance of adverse effects linked with corticosteroids and could be a possible complementary or alternative therapy in management of AD.     

Structural,Optical, and Ferroelectric Behaviors of Cu_(1-x)Li_xO(0≤x≤0.09) Nanostructures

We report structural,optical,and ferroelectric behaviors of lithium-doped copper oxide(Cu1-xLixO with x =0.0,0.05,0.07,and 0.09) nanostructures synthesized by hydrothermal method.The XRD pattern indicates the pure phase formation of CuO without any impurity,and the crystallite size is found to be increases for x =0–0.07 and decreases for x =0.09.FESEM analysis shows that the average size of Cu1-xLixO nanostructures increases with the increasing the Li-doping concentrations up to 7% and then decreases for 9% Li doping concentration.Moreover,Raman and photoluminescence spectrum also confirm the phase formation of CuO.A significant reduction in optical band gap is observed up to x =0.07,and then band gap increases for x =0.09 due to segregation of the impurities on the surface or grain boundaries,which may suppress the grain growth and results the enhancement in optical band gap.Moreover,a weak ferroelectricity is observed in CuO nanostructures for pure and 9% Li doping through polarization versus electric field(P–E).     

Effect of zinc-enriched urea on productivity,zinc uptake and efficiency of an aromatic rice–wheat cropping system

Zinc deficiency is prevalent worldwide and is a barrier in achieving yield targets in crops. It is also now recognized as a leading risk factor for disease in humans in developing countries. Generally, soil application of 5–17 kg Zn ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ (25–85 kg zinc sulphate heptahydrate ha⁻¹ y⁻¹) or more is recommended for rice. However, in the developing rice-growing countries of Asia, zinc sulphate of desired quality is not readily available and is also quite expensive, and the farmers generally fail to apply Zn, resulting in crop yield loss in rice. Availability of zinc-enriched urea (ZEU) makes possible not only the availability of quality zinc, but also assures its application. Therefore, field experiments were conducted for two consecutive years at the research farm of Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India, during rainy (rice) and winter (wheat) seasons of 2004–2006 on a sandy clay-loam soil to study the effect of various concentrations of zinc enrichment of urea on productivity, zinc concentrations, its uptake and use indices of aromatic rice–wheat cropping system. Eight treatments comprising prilled urea (PU) and 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5% zinc-enriched urea, replicated three times, were compared in a randomized block design. The enrichment of PU was done through zinc oxide containing 80% zinc. The results of this study revealed that the zinc-enriched urea (ZEU) had a significant effect on growth, yield attributes and yields of aromatic rice. Highest values for all these attributes and yields were recorded at the highest enrichment (3.5%) of the PU with zinc. The highest zinc concentration and uptake in rice grain and straw were also significantly higher with the highest level (3.5%) of zinc enrichment. The highest total zinc uptake recorded was 1,168 and 1,353 g ha⁻¹, during 2004 and 2005, respectively, with 3.5% ZEU. However, a major increase in grain yield of rice was recorded up to 1.0% zinc enrichment. The residual effect of zinc-enriched urea on succeeding wheat yield and zinc uptake was significant only at a higher level of zinc-enriched urea and only in the second year of study. Overall, 1.0% zinc-enriched urea recorded significantly higher productivity and zinc uptake over PU in the rice–wheat cropping system and is recommended for Delhi and adjoining areas. The recommendation is also made keeping in view the fact that with increased levels of zinc enrichment of urea, the partial factor productivity, agronomic efficiency, apparent recovery and physiological efficiency of applied zinc in a rice–wheat system decreased significantly. Considering all the economic parameters (benefit, benefit:cost ratio, IR gained IR⁻¹ invested in zinc), 1.0% ZEU proved the most economic source for aromatic rice–wheat cropping system and therefore is recommended for rice–wheat cropping system in Delhi and adjoining areas of north India.     

Out-of-Field Hippocampus from Partial-Body Irradiated Mice Displays Changes in Multi-Omics Profile and Defects in Neurogenesis

The brain undergoes ionizing radiation exposure in many clinical situations, particularly during radiotherapy for brain tumors. The critical role of the hippocampus in the pathogenesis of radiation-induced neurocognitive dysfunction is well recognized. The goal of this study is to test the potential contribution of non-targeted effects in the detrimental response of the hippocampus to irradiation and to elucidate the mechanisms involved. C57Bl/6 mice were whole body (WBI) or partial body (PBI) irradiated with 0.1 or 2.0 Gy of X-rays or sham irradiated. PBI consisted of the exposure of the lower third of the mouse body, whilst the upper two thirds were shielded. Hippocampi were collected 15 days or 6 months post-irradiation and a multi-omics approach was adopted to assess the molecular changes in non-coding RNAs, proteins and metabolic levels, as well as histological changes in the rate of hippocampal neurogenesis. Notably, at 2.0 Gy the pattern of early molecular and histopathological changes induced in the hippocampus at 15 days following PBI were similar in quality and quantity to the effects induced by WBI, thus providing a proof of principle of the existence of out-of-target radiation response in the hippocampus of conventional mice. We detected major alterations in DAG/IP3 and TGF-β signaling pathways as well as in the expression of proteins involved in the regulation of long-term neuronal synaptic plasticity and synapse organization, coupled with defects in neural stem cells self-renewal in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. However, compared to the persistence of the WBI effects, most of the PBI effects were only transient and tended to decrease at 6 months post-irradiation, indicating important mechanistic difference. On the contrary, at low dose we identified a progressive accumulation of molecular defects that tended to manifest at later post-irradiation times. These data, indicating that both targeted and non-targeted radiation effects might contribute to the pathogenesis of hippocampal radiation-damage, have general implications for human health.