Structural and Dielectric Properties of Lead-Free Zr-Doped Barium Titanates

Lead-free BaZr _x Ti_1–xO₃ ferroelectrics (x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) were synthesized by conventional double-sintering technique. The structural, morphological, and dielectric properties of BaZr _x Ti_1–xO₃ were investigated as a function of zirconium content x. A single-phase perovskite structure of tetragonal ceramics was identified by XRD. The SEM images of the ferroelectrics exhibit fine grains of varied porosity. All synthesized samples exhibited dielectric dispersion at low frequencies.     

A Degron Blocking Strategy Towards Improved CRL4CRBN Recruiting PROTAC Selectivity**

Small molecules inducing protein degradation are important pharmacological tools to interrogate complex biology and are rapidly translating into clinical agents. However, to fully realise the potential of these molecules, selectivity remains a limiting challenge. Herein, we addressed the issue of selectivity in the design of CRL4^CRBN recruiting PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs). Thalidomide derivatives used to generate CRL4^CRBN recruiting PROTACs have well described intrinsic monovalent degradation profiles by inducing the recruitment of neo-substrates, such as GSPT1, Ikaros and Aiolos. We leveraged structural insights from known CRL4^CRBN neo-substrates to attenuate and indeed remove this monovalent degradation function in well-known CRL4^CRBN molecular glues degraders, namely CC-885 and Pomalidomide. We then applied these design principles on a previously published BRD9 PROTAC (dBRD9-A) and generated an analogue with improved selectivity profile. Finally, we implemented a computational modelling pipeline to show that our degron blocking design does not impact PROTAC-induced ternary complex formation. We believe that the tools and principles presented in this work will be valuable to support the development of targeted protein degradation.     

Role of copper alumina nanoparticles on the performance of polyvinylchloride nanocomposites

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) nanocomposites with different contents of copper alumina (Cu-Al₂O₃) nanoparticles were prepared by the solution casting method. The effects of the nanoparticles on structural, thermal, electrical, contact angle and mechanical properties were thoroughly examined. The presence of Cu-Al₂O₃ in the macromolecular chain was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of PVC nanocomposites showed the systematic arrangement of Cu-Al₂O₃ nanoparticles within the polymer, which indicated the higher crystallinity of the nanocomposites. The surface morphology of PVC was changed into hemispherical shaped particles by the inclusion of nanofiller was analyzed from SEM images. The glass transition temperature of the nanocomposites obtained from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was found to be increased with an increase in loading of nanoparticles in the polymer. The AC conductivity and dielectric studies revealed that the inclusion of nanofiller increases the electrical properties of the material and the composite with 7 wt.% sample showed the maximum conductivity and dielectric constant. The mechanical properties such as modulus, tensile strength, hardness, and impact properties of the PVC nanocomposites were significantly enhanced by the reinforcement of nanoparticles into the PVC matrix. The reinforcing mechanism behind the increase in tensile strength with the addition of nanoparticles was correlated with different theoretical models. The highest mechanical and electrical properties were observed for 7 wt.% Cu-Al₂O₃ loaded nanocomposite. Contact angle measurements of PVC with various loadings of Cu-Al₂O₃ nanofillers demonstrated that the nanoparticle attachment increased the hydrophobicity of the polymer matrix.     

Cyber–Physical Production Systems for Data-Driven,Decentralized, and Secure Manufacturing—A Perspective

With the concepts of Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing gaining popularity, there is a growing notion that conventional manufacturing will witness a transition toward a new paradigm, targeting innovation, automation, better response to customer needs, and intelligent systems. Within this context, this review focuses on the concept of cyber–physical production system (CPPS) and presents a holistic perspective on the role of the CPPS in three key and essential drivers of this transformation: data-driven manufacturing, decentralized manufacturing, and integrated blockchains for data security. The paper aims to connect these three aspects of smart manufacturing and proposes that through the application of data-driven modeling, CPPS will aid in transforming manufacturing to become more intuitive and automated. In turn, automated manufacturing will pave the way for the decentralization of manufacturing. Layering blockchain technologies on top of CPPS will ensure the reliability and security of data sharing and integration across decentralized systems. Each of these claims is supported by relevant case studies recently published in the literature and from the industry; a brief on existing challenges and the way forward is also provided.     

Lymphogranuloma venereum: biopsy, serology, and molecular biology

The case of a patient ulcerative colitis involving an autoimmune base who was treated with recombinant alpha-2b interferon for presenting chronic active hepatitis in relation to virus C is reported. Such treatment was achieved in addition to improving the hepatic disease normalizing the transaminases control the outbreak of ulcerative colitis that the patient was presenting from some days before beginning the treatment. Various aspects are discussed related to the autoimmunity in the ulcerative colitis and in the chronic C hepatitis and the exarcebation of autoimmune phenomena which may lead to interferon therapeutic. As a basis for the above and the review of the literature, we concluded that the existence of ulcerative colitis does not contraindicate the use of alpha-2b interferon in patient with chronic hepatitis, although special control of the disease should be carried out during the treatment period.     

Plexosarcoma of the bladder

Retroperitoneal fibrosarcoma is a rare disease that has proven difficult to treat due to its high incidence of postoperative local recurrence. We recently experienced a patient in whom retroperitoneal fibrosarcoma was followed by liver metastasis without local recurrence. A 34-year-old woman who initially presented with right upper quadrant pain was found to have a retroperitoneal tumor by diagnostic imaging techniques. Extirpation of the tumor was performed and the histopathological diagnosis was fibrosarcoma. A solitary metastasis was detected in the lateral segment 1 year after this operation and a lateral segmentectomy was carried out; however, a short time later, multiple liver metastases were found. Initially, ethanol injections were given with little effect, following which CYVADIC chemotherapy, consisting of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, farmorubicin, and dacarbazine was administered. An excellent responsiveness without severe toxicity was achieved after five cycles, with a significant reduction in tumor size, being estimated as a complete response. Thus, we consider that this chemotherapy regimen could be a promising mode of treatment for liver metastasis from retroperitoneal fibrosarcoma without local recurrence.     

Inclusion Complexation of Lorazepam with β — Cyclodextrin

The preparation of an inclusion complex of Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine antianxiety agent with β -cyclodextrin is described. The inclusion compound was prepared by the homogeneous coprecipitation method in the molar ratio of 1:2 of the drug and β -cyclodextrin respectively. The formation of inclusion complex was evaluated by UV spectral studies, IR studies, X-ray diffractometry, and Differential Thermal Analysis. The solubility and in-vitro drug release studies indicated that the complex form of the drug significantly increase the solubility and the dissolution rate compared to the free form. Tablets prepared with Lorazepam- β -cyclodextrin complex also showed a significant increase in dissolution of the drug indicating that P-cyclodextrin plays an important role in the solubilization of the drug.     

Effect of temperature on X-ray, IR and magnetic properties of nickel ferrite prepared by oxalate co-precipitation method

Polycrystalline Nickel ferrite was synthesized by oxalate co-precipitation method at different sintering temperatures (700, 800, 900, 1000 and 1100°C) and characterized by X-ray diffraction and far IR absorption techniques. The lattice parameter (a), A-site and B-site radii (r _A , r _B ) were computed. XRD shows the formation of single phase cubic spinel structure. The crystallite sizes are calculated by Scherrer formula. The crystallite size is found to be increasing with sintering temperature. Porosity and Bond lengths on A-site and B-site were calculated and found to be minimum for the sample sintered at 800°C. The Far IR absorption bands are observed around 600 cm^?1 and 400 cm^?1 on the tetrahedral and octahedral sites respectively. Magnetization parameters such as saturation magnetization (Ms), magnetic moment (n_B) were calculated and the results are discussed with the help of existing theories. Saturation magnetization was found to be 47.85 emu/gm for the sample sintered at 1100 °C. Physical densities are obtained by Archimedes principle and are found to be 97.36% of their corresponding X-ray densities.     

Influence of reinforcing particles on microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir processed aluminium alloy AA7075-T651

This paper emphasis the improvement of mechanical properties of AA7075-T651 using friction stir processing through localized surface modification by adding nano boron carbide particles. The reinforcement techniques such as the groove and blind hole methods were used by changing reinforcements of nano boron carbide and a matrix of AA7075-T651 surface composites volume percentages (2 %, 4 %, and 6 %) along with tool rotational speed and processing speeds. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope and x-ray diffraction analysis were used to examine the particle dispersion for the surface composites and to correlate with the enhanced mechanical properties. Results revealed that high input parameters have given grain coarsening and precipitate agglomeration and low input parameters provide poor nugget metal consolidation and no vertical material flow. The L9 orthogonal Array designed and optimized the process parameters for enhancing the surface properties of processed samples. Mechanical properties like ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, hardness, percentage of elongation and impact strength were evaluated for the groove friction stir processing method and blind-hole friction stir processing methods. From the results, it has been observed that the blind-hole technique resulted in higher hardness and the homogenous dispersion of nano boron carbide particles in the stir zone than the groove method. Consequently, for blind-hole friction stir processing, grey relational analysis (GRA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) approaches were proposed to optimise process parameters. From the compared optimization results between grey relational analysis and particle swarm optimization, particle swarm optimization approach was shown the best optimization results. Successively, the optimum condition in the respective experimentation is accomplished. Based on these observation and results, final validation tests were carried by changing the volume percentages of reinforcement keeping tool rotation speed and tool processing speed as constant. It is apparent that dynamic recrystallization in aluminium alloy at the processed zone due to presence of heterogeneous nucleation sites with nano boron carbide particles.     

Influence of sulfurization time and Cu-ZnS-Sn stack order on the properties of thermally evaporated CZTS thin films

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin films were synthesized in a two-step procedure. Sulfurization of stacked thin films SLG/ZnS/Sn/Cu (S1) and...