SPARC deficiency leads to early-onset cataractogenesis

PURPOSE: To determine the role of SPARC (secreted protein, acidic, and rich in cysteine) in cataractogenesis by examining mice deficient in a matricellular protein SPARC. METHODS: Mice were rendered SPARC-deficient by a targeted disruption of the gene. Slit-lamp microscopy and histology were used to examine the eyes of SPARC-null and wild-type mice from birth to 14 months of age. RESULTS: SPARC-null mice developed opacities in the posterior cortex of the eye as early as 1.5 months after birth. The diffuse cataracts appeared to progress toward the anterior cortex and reached maturity in many animals by 3.5 months of age. Early stages of cataractogenesis in SPARC-null mice included inhibition of normal lens fiber cell differentiation, degeneration of fiber cells, vacuole formation at the equator, and liquefaction of the cortex. No cataracts were detected in wild-type mice up to the age of 8 months. CONCLUSIONS: The early onset of cataracts in SPARC-null mice establishes that the gene is essential to the maintenance of lens transparency.     

A balanced solution of a fuzzy soft set based decision making problem in medical science

The purpose of this paper is two folded. Firstly, the concept of mean potentiality approach (MPA) has been developed and an algorithm based on this new approach has been proposed to get a balanced solution of a fuzzy soft set based decision making problem. Secondly, a parameter reduction procedure based on relational algebra with the help of the balanced algorithm of mean potentiality approach has been used to reduce the choice parameter set in the parlance of fuzzy soft set theory and it is justified to the problems of diagnosis of a disease from the myriad of symptoms from medical science. Moreover the feasibility of this proposed method is demonstrated by comparing with Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Naive Bayes classification method and Feng's method.     

Study of polyaniline polyacrylamide composites by positron annihilation technique

Polyaniline doped with nonoxidizing Bronsted acids is recognized as a conducting material, as its electrical conductivity changes with percentage of doping. In the present work, different percentages of doped polyaniline were blended with polyacrylamide and their electrical conductivities as well as the positron annihilation lifetimes were measured. Analysis of data yielded three lifetime components. It was observed that the value of the short lifetime component remained constant for doping concentration, whereas that of the intermediate component τ₂ decreased. The relative intensity pertaining to τ₂, however, increased with the increase in doped PANI concentration. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 930–933, 2003     

Microstructure and Properties of Spark Plasma-Sintered ZrO2–ZrB2 Nanoceramic Composites

In a recent work, ¹ we have reported the optimization of the spark plasma sintering (SPS) parameters to obtain dense nanostructured 3Y-TZP ceramics. Following this, the present work attempts to answer some specific issues: (a) whether ZrO₂-based composites with ZrB₂ reinforcements can be densified under the optimal SPS conditions for TZP matrix densification (b) whether improved hardness can be obtained in the composites, when 30 vol% ZrB₂ is incorporated and (c) whether the toughness can be tailored by varying the ZrO₂–matrix stabilization as well as retaining finer ZrO₂ grains. In the present contribution, the SPS experiments are carried out at 1200°C for 5 min under vacuum at a heating rate of 600 K/min. The SPS processing route enables retaining of the finer t -ZrO₂ grains (100–300 nm) and the ZrO₂–ZrB₂ composite developed exhibits optimum hardness up to 14 GPa. Careful analysis of the indentation data provides a range of toughness values in the composites (up to 11 MPa·m^1/2), based on Y₂O₃ stabilization in the ZrO₂ matrix. The influence of varying yttria content, t -ZrO₂ transformability, and microstructure on the properties obtained is discussed. In addition to active contribution from the transformation-toughening mechanism, crack deflection by hard second phase brings about appreciable increment in the toughness of the nanocomposites.     

Experimental design in soap manufacturing for optimization of fuzzified process capability index

In manufacturing industries, the quality of a product depends on the combined effect of multiple input variables working singly or together and therefore attention has been given on process capability indices to shift from single to multivariate domain. In case of multivariable domain the capability to incorporate uncertainties at the time of decision making becomes necessary. Fuzzy system is introduced to take care of this requirement. In this article the process parameters of soap manufacturing industries have been analyzed. The process capability is determined using Fuzzy Inference System rule editor based on a set of justified if then statements as applicable for the process. The data has been collected in linguistic form to derive its process capability, using a set of justified rules and the effect of each factor has been determined using Design of Experiments (DoE) and analysis of variance technique (ANOVA) for improving the soap quality from perspective of its softness. This article ventures to propose a new methodology by integrating Fuzzy with DoE providing better result followed by DoE and Fuzzy Inference system in isolation.     

Small amphiphilic organics, coordination extended solids, and constant curvature structures

In this Account, we explore the role constant curvature structures play in amphiphilic small molecule crystals and extended coordination solids. A constant curvature structure is one in which there is a surface or interface that has the same curvature throughout its surface. Simple examples of such structures contain spheres (micelles), columns, or layers. Yet another family are cubic as is found in the gyroid topology. For amphiphilic systems, there are two domains, one generally hydrophobic and the other hydrophilic. We find that the interfaces between these two domains in small molecule structures resemble those in larger scale systems and adopt topologies related to constant curvature structures. The hydrophobic-to-total volume ratio, a molecular parameter, can be used to predict which type of constant curvature structure is adopted. In the case of three coordinate extended solids, constant curvature plays a role both in the extended net topology and in the hydrophobic-to-hydrophilic interface.     

Preparation of glycol derivatives of partially hydrogenated soybean oil fatty acids and their potential as lubricants

Glycol diesters and mixtures of mono- and diesters have been prepared from methyl esters of partially hydrogenated soybean oil fatty acids and diethylene, dipropylene, neopentyl and triethylene glycols. The catalyst used in these reactions was a mixture of calcium acetate/barium acetate (3∶1, w/w). The reactions were carried out under nitrogen with 0.5% catalyst at temperatures in the range of 190–275°C. Borated esters of mixed mono- and diesters were prepared with 0.33 equivalent of boric acid per 1.0 equivalent hydroxyl group on the ester. Refractive indices, viscosities, and flash and fire points were determined for diesters, mixed mono- and diesters, and mixed diesters and borated esters. The viscosities, flash points and fire points indicate that these esters can be used as a component of lubricating oils. Wear-prevention characteristics of mixed diesters and borated esters indicated that they can be used as antifriction additives in lubricating oils. Lecture presented at the joint meeting of the International Society for Fat Research and the American Oil Chemists' Society in Toronto, May 10, 1992.     

Natural rubber–ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber covulcanization: Effect of reinforcing fillers

Filled covulcanizates of elastomer blend comprising natural rubber (NR) and ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber (EPDM) of commercial importance were successfully prepared by using a multifunctional rubber additive; namely, bis(diisopropyl)thiophosphoryl disulfide (DIPDIS). A Two‐stage vulcanization technique further improved the physicochemical properties of the blend vulcanizates by restricting, through the formation of polar rubber bound intermediates, the migration of curative and filler from lower to highly unsaturated rubber. Scanning electron microscopy studies indicate homogeneity and coherency in the morphology of the two‐stage vulcanizates. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1001–1010, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10361     

Transient testing of soy methyl ester fuels in an indirect injection,compression ignition engine

An evaluation of the exhaust emissions from a compression ignition engine for fuels composed of 100 and 30% methyl esters of soy oil (SME) is described. These fuels were compared with a low-sulfur, petroleum #2 diesel fuel in a Caterpillar 3304, prechamber, 75 kW diesel engine, operated over heavy- and light-duty transient test cycles developed by the United States Bureau of Mines. More than 60 h of testing was performed on each fuel. The objective was to determine the influence of the fuels upon diesel particulate matter (DPM) and gaseous emissions. The effect of a modern diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) also was determined in an effort to minimize emissions. Neat SME produced a higher volatile fraction of the DPM, but much less carbon soot fraction, leading to overall DPM reductions of 23 to 30% for the light- and heavy-duty transients. The DOC further reduced the volatile fraction and the total DPM. The SME fuel reduced gaseous emissions of CO by 23% and hydrocarbons by over 30% without increasing NO_x. The DOC further reduced CO and hydrocarbon levels. Mutagenicity of the SME exhaust was low. Results indicate that SME fuel, used with a proper DOC, may be a feasible emission reduction technology for underground mines. References to specific products do not imply endorsement by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, a now defunct agency.     

Mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of jute fibers–Novolac–epoxy composite laminates

A study was done of jute composite using a polymer matrix of epoxidized Novolac resin (ENR), diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA)–based epoxy, and their blends with different weight percentages of the resins. It was found that on blending ENR with DGEBA, the storage modulii at room temperature are enhanced by about 100% or more in the case of 30 and 40% ENR‐containing matrices, whereas the enhancement in the case of 20 and 12% ENR‐containing matrices is only 50% that of the pure matrix. It was also observed that the tan δ peak heights of the composites containing 30 and 40% ENR are closer to that of 20% ENR‐containing composite. The probable explanation drawn on the basis of experimental findings of DMA and mechanical analysis is that by blending ENR with DGEBA epoxy it is possible to manufacture jute composites with increased stiffness without sacrificing their ductility. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 2800–2807, 2002