A micro-scaled graphene-based tree-shaped wideband printed MIMO antenna for terahertz applications

Journal of Computational Electronics - A tree-shaped graphene-based microstrip multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) antenna for terahertz applications is proposed. The proposed MIMO antenna is...     

A two-level secure data hiding algorithm for video steganography

Multidimensional Systems and Signal Processing - Sensitive data is exchanged frequently through wired or wireless communication that are vulnerable to unauthorized interception. Cryptography is a...     

Formulation-optimization of solid lipid nanocarrier system of STAT3 inhibitor to improve its activity in triple negative breast cancer cells

In the present study, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have been formulated as a carrier system for effective intracellular delivery of STAT3 inhibitor, niclosamide (Niclo) to triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Emulsification-solvent evaporation method was employed in formulation of Niclo-loaded SLNs (Niclo-SLNs). The formula of Niclo-SLN was optimized by Box–Behnken design and characterized for their shape, size, and surface charge. The in vitro anti-cancer efficacy of Niclo-SLNs was studied in TNBC cells. The prepared Niclo-SLNs were found to be spherical with the particle size of 112.18?±?1.73?nm and zetapotential of 23.8?±?2.7?mV. In the in vitro anticancer study the Niclo SLNs show a better cytotoxicity than the naïve Niclo, which is attributed to improved cell uptake of SLN formulation. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrate that the formulation of Niclo as SLNs will improve the anticancer efficacy against TNBC.     

Application of Vacuum Impregnation Techniques to Improve the pH Reduction of Vegetables: Study on Carrots and Eggplants

The effects of vacuum acidification (VA) and pulsed vacuum acidification (PVA) on pH reduction and their kinetics on carrot and eggplant slices were studied. Both vegetables showed a significant improvement of acidification rate when submitted to VA and PVA in comparison with traditional acidifying-dipping. In particular, carrot slices treated at 1,023.25 and 300 mbar showed kinetic constants of “Peleg-type model,” respectively, of 163.11?±?108.4 and 31.86?±?11.15 min^?1 proving a significant increase of initial rate when a vacuum pulse was applied. Nevertheless, a further increase of vacuum did not improve pH reduction due to the low-porosity and the high-rigidity tissues. For eggplants submitted to VA, a fractional decrease of pH of 20 % was obtained by applying a pressure of 100 mbar for a vacuum time of 3 min and a relaxation time of 5 min; instead, only a reduction of 3 % was obtained at atmospheric pressure. Furthermore, the changes on visual appearance of vegetable tissue were highlighted, showing that the inhomogeneous response of eggplants to the vacuum in different sections of the slices could reduce the consumers’ acceptability.     

Investigations of transformer oil characteristics

In this paper, the behavior of various critical parameters of transformer oil is interpreted with a view to enhancing its life time. Systems abnormalities such as excess loading, switching, and ambient conditions are responsible for the accelerated aging and sudden failure of transformer. The level of insulation plays a significant role in the life expectancy of the transformer. The diagnostics of the critical parameters for the defined ranges of aging of transformer oil attempts to determine the level of insulation and serve to ensure its efficient operation. The approach includes formulation of suggestions for determining the insulation level of the power transformer. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effect of aging treatments on the fatigue crack growth and threshold behavior of AA 2219 aluminium alloy

The fatigue crack growth and threshold behavior of AA2219 Al-alloy has been examined for naturally aged (NA), under aged (UA), peak aged (PA) and over aged (OA) conditions. Significant differences were observed in the fatigue crack growth at low and high stress intensity ranges. The alloy in the NA condition possesses the highest resistance to fatigue crack initiation which can be viewed from the values of achieved threshold stress intensity range, ΔK _TH . In the intermediate ΔK (Paris law) regime, all the four materials fall into a single band. In the high ΔK regime (> 20 MPa√m) PA condition exhibits better crack growth resistance than under aged conditions. The inhomogeneous transcrystalline slip in the UA condition results in the slower crack growth at low ΔK. The fracture morphology changes from crystallographic facets in the threshold region to clearly developed ductile striations in the Paris law regime to microvoid coalescence in the high ΔK region.     

Design and evaluation of a lyophilized liposomal gel of an antiviral drug for intravaginal delivery

Liposomes of antiviral drug(acyclovir) prepared by rotary evaporation method were incorporated into two bioadhesive polymers, carbopol and HPMC and freeze dried to obtain a unit dosage form. The liposomes, liposomal gels and freeze dried rods were evaluated for various parameters. TEM analysis showed the formation of unilamellar liposomes with a mean diameter ranging from 0.9 μm to 1.2 μm. As the cholesterol content increases from 0.5% to 2%w/w, the entrapment efficiency and vesicle size increased. Carbopol gels exhibited higher viscosity, spreadability, mucoadhesiveness than HPMC gels. The redipsersion of freeze dried forms in SVF was found to be slow and its ex‐vivo retention time was found to be 12 hrs while acyclovir gel retained only for 8.25 hrs. The tablet and gel released 96.93±0.15% acyclovir within 6 hrs and 92.31±0.31% by 8 hrs respectively while freeze dried forms could sustain the release upto 12 hrs. From the stability studies the optimum storage condition was found to be 4‐8°C. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39804.     

Microstructural aspects of weld repair in 18 nickel 1800 MPA maraging steel

The study of the microstructural aspects of the maraging steel weld repair has become important as this material finds extensive applications in aerospace and other strategic areas. The details available on these at present are very limited. During one of the fabrication trials of a large pressure vessel made of 18 Ni 1800 MPa maraging steel plates, 7.8 mm thick, defects were observed in the welds which were to be repaired. This called for simulated experiments. The microstructural variations observed in the repaired areas were the result of the repeated thermal cycles they had undergone. Based on this microstructural evidence, a new diagram depicting the newly formed weld zones is constructed from which the mechanical properties of the repair welds can be predicted.