Interspecies scaling of renally secreted drugs

The objective of this study is to predict pharmacokinetic parameters (clearance, volume of distribution at steady state, and elimination half-life) in humans from animal data for drugs which are renally secreted in humans. Pharmacokinetic parameters of ten drugs were scaled-up from animal data obtained from the literature. Using simple allometry (pharmacokinetic parameter of interest vs body weight), total, renal and nonrenal clearances, volume of distribution and half-life were predicted in humans. The predicted parameters were compared with the observed parameters. The results of the study indicated that it is likely that the predicted total and renal clearances from animal data will be underestimated in humans for renally secreted drugs. The prediction of renal clearance was improved by normalizing the renal clearance by a 'correction factor' for animals who exhibited renal secretion. The predicted volume and half-life were comparable with the observed values in man. Overall, the results of this study indicate that caution should be employed in interpreting the total and renal clearance of renally secreted drugs predicted by the allometric approach.     

Two-phase solvent extraction of canola

The equilibrium relationships in the extraction process that was developed in our research laboratory for the treatment of canola were studied. In the process, hexane is used as well as CH₃OH that contains 5% (vol/vol) H₂O and 0.08% (w/w) NaOH to simultaneously produce improved meal and high-quality oil. Equilibrium data for canola oil in the hexane-CH₃OH/H₂o/NaOH, meal-hexane, and meal-CH₃OH/H₂O/NaOH-hexane systems are reported. A high partition coefficient for oil between hexane and the polar phase provided a large driving force for mass transfer. The presence of the CH₃OH phase improved oil extraction, probably by rupturing the cell structure. The process proved to be a somewhat less desirable replacement for CH₃OH/H₂O/NH₃ extraction and recovered 93.5% of the oil and 91.8% of the protein in the seed, while with CH₃OH/H₂O/NH₃, the oil and protein recoveries were 96.8 and 94.0%, respectively. The NaOH treatment removed only 50.2% of the glucosinolates, and some of the oil was hydrolyzed by the NaOH, making the process less effective, despite its simplicity.     

Carbon Nanotube Growth on Calcium Carbonate Supported Molybdenum-Transition Bimetal Catalysts

A comparison of different catalyst systems (Fe–Mo, Co–Mo or Ni–Mo nanoparticles supported on calcium carbonate) has been performed in order to optimize the carbon nanotube (CNT) growth. The influences of the reaction temperature, metal loading and carbon source on the synthesis of CNTs were investigated. Dense CNT networks have been synthesized by thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of acetylene at 720 °C using the Co–Mo/CaCO₃ catalyst. The dependence of the CNT growth on the most important parameters was discussed exemplarily on the Co catalyst system. Based on the experimental observations, a phenomenological growth model for CVD synthesis of CNTs was proposed. The synergy effect of Mo and active metals was also discussed.     

Simultaneous measurements of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of insulators,fluids and conductors using the transient plane source (TPS) technique

Simultaneous measurements of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of composite red-sand bricks, glycerine and mercury have been made at room temperature by the recently developed transient plane source (TPS) technique. This paper describes, in brief, the theory and the experimental conditions for the simultaneous measurements of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of insulators, fluids and metals. The source of heat is a hot disc made out of bifilar spirals. The disc also serves as a sensor of temperature increase in the sample. The measured values of the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of these samples are in agreement with the values reported earlier using other methods. The advantage of the TPS technique is the simplicity of the equipment, simultaneous information on thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity, and also the applicability of the technique to insulators, fluids and metals.     

Developing CAD techniques for preliminary architectural design

Theoretically the computer can offer the architect significant help during the preliminary design stages. To take full benefit of its capabilities it is necessary to use the computer for the design process itself. To this end, a program has been written that concentrates on ease of use so that the machine does not impede the creative process. The program works through the manipulation of design elements such as spaces and windows, not graphical ones. The result is a tool which offers improved efficiency, but is very different from current methods that use paper in preliminary design.     

Application of the MOSFET device structure in characterizing imperfection centers in indium-doped silicon

C.T. Sah has published a review article demonstrating the application of high-frequency small signal capacitance and current transients of a space charge layer. Application of such transients is a powerful technique in characterizing deep level imperfection center concentrations, energy levels, thermal and optical emission rates and thermal capture cross sections. The MOSFET device structure is particularly convenient for low temperature measurements of shallow levels where deionization occurs and the substrate becomes highly resistive, seriously limiting capacitance transient techniques. Examples are given by results on indium-doped silicon, such as employed in extrinsic IR detectors. The emission time constant of holes from the neutral indium center has been found to depend on the indium doping. Measurements on lightly doped samples yield a value for the emission rate, $\text{1}\text{e}{}_{\mathrm{p}}$, of 6.0 msec at 77°K and a thermal activation energy of 0.15 eV. Measurements on heavily doped samples yield values of $\text{1}\text{e}{}_{\mathrm{p}}$ of 20 μsec at 77°K and an activation energy of 0.117 eV. These results are consistent with the Poole-Frenkel effect describing field enhanced thermal emission of holes from the indium center. Measurements of the hole capture coefficient at 77°K yield values for c_p of 3.7 × 10^?7 cm³/sec. These measurements have been made on heavily doped samples. The capture coefficient measured is the zero field or quasi-equilibrium value. The temperature dependence of the hole capture coefficient has been found to be T^?4. Small transients in the thermal emission rate measurements have been observed. These transients have thermal activation energies of around 0.08 eV and are associated with the 0.11 eV level as reported by Hughes Research Labs after accounting for barrier lowering by the Poole-Frenkel effect.     

Low overvoltage electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolving electrodes

An electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolving cathodes has been developed for use in alkaline media. The materials employed in manufacturing the coating are relatively cheap transition metals. The results of a variety of performance tests are reported. The electrodes exhibit a low overvoltage for hydrogen evolution (70–90 mV at 70°C and 1A cm^?2 in 5 N KOH), stability to abuse (e.g. current interruption or reversal) and a long cathode life under operating conditions.     

The Determination of Low-Level Water in Transdermal Dosage Forms as Tyvek Laminates with an Evaporator Oven

An assay of water in adhesive monolithic transdermal drug dosage forms ('patches'), using lamination to Tyvek, and gaseous extraction in an evaporator oven into a Karl Fischer titrator, is described. The method is simple, linear, accurate, specific and more sensitive than alternatives.