Gelatin‐carbohydrate phase‐separated hydrogels as bioactive carriers in vaginal delivery: Preparation and physical characterizations

The current study focuses on the alteration of properties of the gelatin hydrogels using polysaccharides (e.g., maltodextrin, dextran, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose) for probable use in vaginal delivery of antimicrobials. The hydrogels were prepared by varying the proportions of gelatin and polysaccharides and were characterized by microscopy, mechanical testing, and impedance spectroscopy. Metronidazole (MZ), drug of choice for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, was incorporated within the hydrogels. In vitro release studies of MZ from the hydrogels was studied in‐depth using modified Franz's diffusion cell. Antimicrobial efficiency of the MZ‐loaded hydrogels was tested against E. coli and B. subtilis. The results suggested that the incorporation of polysaccharides resulted in the phase‐separated hydrogels. The properties of the hydrogels was found be suitable for vaginal delivery. The drug release and antimicrobial efficiency from the hydrogels suggested that the developed hydrogels may be used for the delivery of antimicrobials in the vaginal lumen. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40445.     

Optimization of the Cementation Process for the Removal of Copper in Process Effluent Discharges

Cementation is an effective process that meets the requirements of process cleanliness. The performance of the cementation reaction is dictated by a number of variables. In this study, the effects of various parameters on the yields of copper‐iron cementation (wire and powder) were investigated. Statistical full factorial designs were used to produce appropriate mixture models for the yields. The experimental designs were done at three different levels of three operating variables, namely initial concentration, temperature, and pH. The optimization studies were carried out with MATLAB 7.0 software. The optimum yields obtained from the predicted models were found to be 0.9916 and 0.9088 for iron wire and powder, respectively, under optimized conditions, and these were in accordance with the experimental observations.     

Development of Minimal Diguanosinyl Motif toward RNA G-Quadruplex-Like Structures in Solution

Among the non-canonical structures of B-DNA, the G-quadruplex is of particular interest because of its well-defined conformation, high stability, and versatility. Herein we report our studies on the development of an amide-linked minimal diguanosinyl motif that forms a G-quadruplex-like structure in solution in the presence of potassium cations; various linear guanosine amino acid dimers were synthesized with linkers of different chain lengths to investigate the optimum flexibility required to form such structures.     

Investigation of the effect of functionalized carbon nanotube and graphene oxide in guar gum-based mixed matrix membrane for gas separation application

The present study deals with preparing mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), a new polysaccharide-based natural polymer used as a matrix with functionalized carbon nanotubes (FCNTs) and graphene oxide (GO) used as an inorganic filler. This work identified the effect of the inorganic fillers (FCNTs or GO) with naturally occurring polymer for gas separation. The incorporation of fillers improves the gas separation performance of MMMs. In GG/FCNTs MMMs, the selectivities of CO₂/N₂ and CO₂/H₂ were enhanced by 55.24% and 57.89%, respectively. Moreover, in GG/GO MMMs, the selectivities of CO₂/N₂ and CO₂/H₂ were improved by 99.50% and 50%, respectively. The membrane was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The SEM analysis of GG/GO MMMs reveals layered structure, and GG/FCNTs MMMs create passages to transport gases. The Universal testing machine (UTM) is used to analyze the mechanical properties of pristine and modified membranes.     

Numerical modelling of rotating packed beds used for CO2 capture processes: A review

Over the last decades, renewable and clean energy sources are being rigorously adopted along with carbon capture technologies to tackle the increasing carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration level in the environment. CO₂ capture is a quintessential option for tackling global warming issues. In this context, the present paper has reviewed the process intensification equipment called a rotating packed bed (RPB), which is highly industry applicable due to high gravity (HiGee) force. This facilitates strong mass transfer characteristics, a compact design, and low energy consumption. In this review, the current research scenario of RPBs using numerical, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and mathematical modelling, along with different machine learning approaches in the CO₂ capture process, has been reviewed. The different geometry designs, hydrodynamic characteristics, performance parameters, research methods, and their effects on CO₂ removal efficiency have been discussed. Furthermore, the latest experimental studies are also summarized, especially in the absorption and adsorption domain. Finally, recommendations have been given to support the RPBs in different industrial and commercial applications of CO₂ removal.     

Effect of omega fatty acid-rich oil blend supplementation on the growth,carcass, meat quality,and gene expression of Barbari goats

This study investigated the effect of supplementing omega fatty acids-rich oil blend, composed of sunflower oil (1.5% and 3.0%), linseed oil (1.5% and 3.0%), and FineXNV1810 (20 g) on the carcass, meat quality, fatty acid profile, and genes (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A, and leptin) of Barbari goats. The goat kids (n = 18) were divided into three groups, namely, group A: basal diet; group B: basal diet + oil blend level 1; and group C: basal diet + oil blend level 2, and subjected to the feeding trial for 120 days followed by slaughter and meat quality studies. No treatment effect was recorded in carcass characteristics, pH, water holding capacity, and proximate composition of meat. However, a significant (p < 0.05) treatment effect was observed in cooking loss, lightness, yellowness, and shear force values of meat. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in linoleic acid, α-linolenic acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), n − 3 and n − 6 PUFA, PUFA/saturated fatty acids and n − 6/n − 3 ratios, and thrombogenic index among groups. An upregulation of the studied genes in the supplemented groups was observed. There were upregulations in the studied genes in the supplemented groups. Practical applications: Goat meat is in great demand the world over, especially in tropical countries, including India, and does not carry any social or religious prohibition. Although goat meat has relatively less fat, consumers express their concern over the presence of undesirable fatty acids. The present study shows that the fatty acid configuration of goat meat can be improved by a dietary supplementation of an oil blend rich in omega fatty acids. The amount of n − 3 PUFA, n − 6 PUFA, and CLA in goat meat was significantly increased due to the dietary oil blend making it healthy for the consumers. Moreover, the dietary oil blend at the studied levels did not significantly affect the growth and meat quality parameters of the goats. Thus, the studied approach can be successfully followed to produce healthier goat meat.     

Rheological properties of bitumen in water emulsions with added solids

Experimental work was carried out to investigate the rheological properties of bitumen in water emulsions containing solids of different shape and size. The bitumen volumetric concentration was varied up to 60%, solids free basis, and the solids volume fraction (total volume basis) was varied up to 0.2. Irregular-shaped silica sand (average diameter: 9 and 33 μm) and smooth spherical glass beads (average diameter: 27 and 44 μm) were used as the added solids. In the low shear stress range, shear thinning behavior was observed for bitumen in water emulsions. At high shear stress, the viscosity of the emulsions became fairly independent of the shear stress. The addition of solids to the bitumen emulsions increased the mixture viscosity. The addition of irregular-shaped silica sand gave a higher viscosity than a similar addition of the spherical glass beads. The viscosity of the emulsion/solids mixtures was influenced by the solids size as well; the smaller size particles gave a higher viscosity. The addition of solids to the bitumen emulsions also induced shear thickening (dilatancy) behavior at high solids volume fraction. The degree of the shear thickening increased with the oil concentration.     

Viscoelastic changes and cell opening of reacting polyurethane foams from soy oil

The modulus development of reacting polyurethane foams from modified soy oil (soy polyol) was studied. The reaction and buildup of rheological properties were monitored using vane geometry in a strain‐controlled rheometer. Normal force exerted on the vanes by the expanding foam was measured as a function of time to study the phenomenon of cell opening. The effect of foam ingredients and process parameters on the modulus development was investigated. The morphology of the cured foam was studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Experiments were carried out to elucidate the effect of water and addition of petroleum‐based polyol on the modulus development of the reacting foam and the morphology of the cured product. The effect of frequency and thermal history on the modulus development of the reacting foam was also studied. Ozonolysis of soybean oil was carried out to study the effect of adding OH groups on the modulus development during the foaming reaction. Four stages of modulus development, similar to those observed for synthetic polyol (voranol, Aldrich Chemicals) foams, were observed. Increase in water content led to an earlier stiffening of the polymer and a higher modulus. Addition of voranol in soy polyol reduced the liquid foam plateau and significantly reduced the reaction time. Ozonolysis of soy oil led to an earlier phase separation as compared with foams from soy polyol. The temperature at which the foaming reaction takes place dominated the rate of modulus buildup. Higher texture (urea aggregates) and an increase in the cell size were observed with an increase in water content for soy polyol foams. Addition of voranol increased the number of open cells. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:1977–1986, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Modification of LLDPE using esterified styrene maleic anhydride copolymer: Study of its properties and environmental degradability

Linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) was blended with decanol‐esterified styrene maleic anhydride copolymer (MDESMA) with an aim to enhance the environmental degradability of polyethylenes. Styrene‐maleic anhydride copolymer (SMA) was synthesized by precipitation polymerization, using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as initiator. SMA was esterified with a long‐chain monoalcohol, n‐decanol, using methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) as solvent at 80°C to obtain monoesterified styrene‐maleic anhydride (MDESMA). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were performed to characterize SMA and MDESMA. IR spectra of MDESMA showed a decrease in intensity of peak responsible for carbonyl absorption of a five‐membered ring anhydride group along with broadening of carboxyl O? H stretching peak. TGA showed two‐stage degradation for SMA and MDESMA. LLDPE was blended with MDESMA in single‐screw extruder and blends were characterized thermally by DSC and TGA. A single endothermic melting peak of LLDPE/MDESMA blend was observed. Films of the blends, formed by compression molding, showed an increase in modulus of elasticity but a decrease in elongation at break with increasing concentration of MDESMA. LLDPE/MDESMA blend compositions when kept in phosphate/citric acid buffer solution (pH ～ 8) showed initial weight gain because of water absorption and subsequently loss in weight due to dissolution of soluble component of blends. Film samples of blends kept for soil burial also showed similar behavior. Contact‐angle measurement of film samples of the blends showed an increase in value on soil burial, indicating degradation/dissolution of MDESMA. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 102–108, 2004