Investigating surface roughness of parts produced by SLS process

Selective laser sintering (SLS) has been recognized as one of the best rapid prototyping (RP) technique for producing solid models, directly from computer-aided design data by fussing together different layers with the help of laser light. Further, RP has traditionally been used for producing a solid model for visualization purpose and assessing kinematic functionality. So, the model is required to have superior mechanical integrity and surface quality for handling and model testing. This study investigates surface roughness (SR) of parts produced by SLS process. The empirical models have been purposed to predict the feasibility of different process parameters viz., laser power, scan spacing, bed temperature, hatch length, and scan count on SR. Further, these parameters have been optimized using face-centered central composite design with response surface methodology. The optimized parameters have been verified by conducting confirmation experiments.     

Design and development of bioinspired calcium phosphate nanoparticles of MTX: pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic evaluation

The aim of this investigation is the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by developing methotrexate-loaded calcium phosphate nanoparticles (MTX-CAP-NP) and to evaluate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior in adjuvant induced arthritis model. The nanoparticles were synthesized by wet precipitation method and optimized by Box-Behnken experimental design. MTX-CAP-NPs were characterized by TEM, FTIR, DSC and XRD studies. The particle size, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency of the optimized nanoparticles were found to be 204.90?±?64?nm, ?11.58?±?4.80?mV, and 88.33?±?3.74%, respectively. TEM, FTIR, DSC and XRD studies revealed that the developed nanoparticles were nearly spherical in shape and the crystalline structure of CAP-NP was not changed after MTX loading. The pharmacokinetic studies revealed that MTX-CAP-NP enhanced bioavailability of MTX by 2.6-fold when compared to marketed formulation (FOLITRAX-10). Under pharmacodynamic evaluation, arthritic assessment, radiography and histopathology studies revealed that CAP has ability to regenerate cartilage and bone therefore, together with MTX, MTX-CAP-NPs have shown significant reduction in disease progression. The overall work demonstrated that the developed nanodelivery system was well tolerated and more effective than the marketed formulation.     

Sensitive and Reversible Detection of Methanol and Water Vapor by In Situ Electrochemically Grown CuBTC MOFs on Interdigitated Electrodes

The in situ electrochemical growth of Cu benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylate (CuBTC) metal–organic frameworks, as an affinity layer, directly on custom‐fabricated Cu interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) is described, acting as a transducer. Crystalline 5–7 µm thick CuBTC layers are grown on IDEs consisting of 100 electrodes with a width and a gap of both 50 µm and a height of 6–8 µm. These capacitive sensors are exposed to methanol and water vapor at 30 °C. The affinities show to be completely reversible with higher affinity toward water compared to methanol. For exposure to 1000 ppm methanol, a fast response is observed with a capacitance change of 5.57 pF at equilibrium. The capacitance increases in time followed diffusion‐controlled kinetics (k = 2.9 mmol s^?0.5 g^?1_CuBTC). The observed capacitance change with methanol concentration follows a Langmuir adsorption isotherm, with a value for the equilibrium affinity K _e = 174.8 bar^?1. A volume fraction f _MeOH = 0.038 is occupied upon exposure to 1000 ppm of methanol. The thin CuBTC affinity layer on the Cu‐IDEs shows fast, reversible, and sensitive responses to methanol and water vapor, enabling quantitative detection in the range of 100–8000 ppm.     

Chronic Effects of a High Sucrose Diet on Murine Gastrointestinal Nutrient Sensor Gene and Protein Expression Levels and Lipid Metabolism

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) plays a key role in regulating nutrient metabolism and appetite responses. This study aimed to identify changes in the GIT that are important in the development of diet related obesity and diabetes. GIT samples were obtained from C57BL/6J male mice chronically fed a control diet or a high sucrose diet (HSD) and analysed for changes in gene, protein and metabolite levels. In HSD mice, GIT expression levels of fat oxidation genes were reduced, and increased de novo lipogenesis was evident in ileum. Gene expression levels of the putative sugar sensor, slc5a4a and slc5a4b, and fat sensor, cd36, were downregulated in the small intestines of HSD mice. In HSD mice, there was also evidence of bacterial overgrowth and a lipopolysaccharide activated inflammatory pathway involving inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In Caco-2 cells, sucrose significantly increased the expression levels of the nos2, iNOS and nitric oxide (NO) gas levels. In conclusion, sucrose fed induced obesity/diabetes is associated with changes in GI macronutrient sensing, appetite regulation and nutrient metabolism and intestinal microflora. These may be important drivers, and thus therapeutic targets, of diet-related metabolic disease.     

Protein adsorption characteristics of plasma treated polyurethane surfaces

The effect of various plasma surface treatments on the protein adsorption characteristics of two polyurethane elastomers (Acushnet E417-0 [ACx] and Texin 480 AR [TN]) were studied. Both substrates are based upon diphenylmethane 4,4-diisocyanate (MDI) hard segments and polyester soft segments. Adsorption characteristics of the untreated samples were initially established, followed by plasma treated surfaces. Contact angle and 2 h albumin adsorption were determined. (1) Results of this study indicate that the protein adsorption characteristics of crosslinked substrate ACx is more linear than that of non-crosslinked substrate TN. Further, substrate TN adsorbs seven-fold greater protein at a rate four times higher on its surface than ACx.N,N-Ethylene bis (stearamide), a processing aid used in substrate TN, may encourage greater protein adsorption on substrate TN and variation in the soft segment mobility between the substrates also may affect their adsorption characteristics. (2) Plasma treatments using CH₄ and/or C _x F _y chemistries increased the contact angle for both substrates while those with O₂ and O₂/CF₄ decreased the contact angle for the substrates considered. In general, the contact angle of the substrates exhibiting greater protein adsorption was smaller.     

Design of band-notched antenna with DG-CEBG

Ultra-wideband (UWB) disc monopole antenna with crescent shaped slot for double band-notched features is presented. Planned antenna discards worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) band (3.3–3.6 GHz) and wireless local area network (WLAN) band (5–6 GHz). Defected ground compact electromagnetic band gap (DG-CEBG) designs are used to accomplish band notches in WiMAX and WLAN bands. Defected ground planes are utilised to achieve compactness in electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structures. The proposed WiMAX and WLAN DG-CEBG designs show a compactness of around 46% and 50%, respectively, over mushroom EBG structures. Parametric analyses of DG-CEBG design factors are carried out to control the notched frequencies. Stepwise notch transition from upper to lower frequencies is presented with incremental inductance augmentation. The proposed antenna is made-up on low-cost FR-4 substrate of complete extents as (42 × 50 × 1.6) mm³.Fabricated sample antenna shows excellent consistency in simulated and measured outcomes.     

Investigation of Anti-Cancer Drug Nimustine Interaction with Calf Thymus DNA

Nimustine, a chloroethyl nitrosourea derivative (CENU), is an antineoplastic agent, which is used for the treatment of various types of cancer. The present study focuses on the prediction and investigation of binding properties of nimustine with DNA using molecular modeling and UV–Visible spectroscopic technique. The docking study show that nimustine plausibly binds within the major groove of DNA. Further analysis of docking suggests direct interaction of nimustine with the moieties of heterocyclic nitrogenous bases of DNA. The free binding energy value of the best nimustine-DNA docked conformer is predicted as ?4.31 kcal/mol using docking results.The molecular modeling study also reveals that the interaction between nimustine and DNA is majorly governed by van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, whereas the contribution of electrostatic forces stands negligible. Further, UV–Visible spectra of free calf thymus DNA and its complexes with varying concentration of nimustine indicate the binding constant (K _a ) value as 3.27 × 10³ M^?1, which suggests moderate interaction of nimustine with DNA. The spectroscopic results are further used to calculate the binding free energy of the complex using the relation ΔG = ?RT ln (K _a ). This accounts for a value of ?4.79 kcal/mol. It corroborates well with the docking outcomes. The results of present study may help in designing and synthesis of new chloroethyl nitrosourea derivatives with improved efficacy and specificity for the target molecules.     

Study of Effect of Bended Graphene on Its Magnetoresistance and Spin Filtration

Density functional theory (DFT) is used to investigate the spin-dependent quantum transport through bended graphene. Bending results in reduced bandgap in graphene and affects the spin transport by increasing current in parallel configuration (PC) resulting in an increase in magnetoresistance (MR). In antiparallel configuration (APC), bending limits the spin-down current, which results in higher magnetoresistance at all biases. In bended graphene, the magnetoresistance obtained is higher than the MR obtained in pristine and twisted graphene-based structure. High spin filtration for PC and APC is observed in the case of bended graphene as compared with pristine and twisted graphene. However, pristine graphene gives better spin filtration compared with twisted graphene at low voltages.     

Luminescence properties of near-UV excitable yellow-orange light emitting warm CaSrAl2SiO7:Sm3+ phosphors

Single-phase CaSrAl_2 SiO_7:Sm~(3+) phosphors were synthesized by traditional high temperature solid state reaction method. Formation of samples and phase analysis were confirmed by X-ray diffraction technique. Morphology was done by field emission scanning electron microscopy and elemental compositions were confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Present phosphors have tetragonal crystallography with space group P42_1 m. Average crystallite size was calculated by using Scherrer and Williamson-Hall method. Photoluminescence study of CaSrAl_2 SiO_7:Sm~(3+) phosphor was investigated.Under different excitation wavelengths, PL spectra consist of four emission bands at 564, 570, 601 and650 nm. The emission bands located at 564 and 570 nm are associated with the transition ~4 G_(5/2)→~6 H_(5/2)while emission bands at 601 and 650 nm are due to ~4 G_(5/2)→~6 H_(7/2) and ~4 G_(5/2)→~6 H_(9/2),respectively.Intense emission was obtained when phosphor was excited under 404 nm wavelength. Non-radiative energy transfer process involved in concentration quenching, was also discussed. CIE coordinate is found in yellow-orange region, hence CaSrAl_2SiO_7:Sm~(3+) phosphors emit yellow-orange light when efficiently excited by near UV(～400 nm) LED chip. Color purity and CCT of the phosphor were determined; CCT suggests that present phosphor is a good candidate as a warm yellow-orange color emitting phosphor. Effect of different heating rates and different UV exposure time on the TL glow curve of the phosphor was investigated. Activation energies and kinetic parameters for different traps were calculated by using peak shape method. TL emission spectrum was also recorded. Present article explains all the possible mechanisms associated with luminescence process in CaSrAl_2 SiO_7:Sm~(3+) phosphors.