Controlled release of Montelukast Sodium from pH-sensitive injectable hydrogels

pH sensitive hydrogels showed excellent drug release properties, with promise for other biomedical applications. Also, the impact of molecular weight (MW) and degree of deacetylation (DDA) of chitosan on the fabricated chitosan/poly (vinyl alcohol) (3:1 mol ratio) hydrogel with selective silane crosslinker amount was evaluated for controlled drug delivery. The FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the incorporated components and the developed interactions among the polymer chains. The hydrogel characteristics were expressed by their responsive behaviour in different environments (water, ionic media and pH). The hydrogel sample (CH1000) having chitosan with higher MW and DDA exhibited more thermal stability and bacterial growth inhibition against E.coli. All hydrogels exhibited maximum swelling at basic and neutral pH and less swelling was observed in acidic media. For drug release analysis performed in simulated gastric fluid, hydrogel showed controlled drug release in 2 h but it was more than 10%, consequently cannot be used for oral purpose. In simulated intestinal fluid, hydrogels exhibited more than 80% release within 90 min. This characteristic phenomenon at neutral pH empowered hydrogel appropriate towards injectable and targeted controlled release of applicable drug. It was concluded that the prepared hydrogel can be administered directly into the venous circulation through syringe and can be used with better results for biomedical applications.     

Thermal fluid-structure interaction and coupled thermal-stress analysis in a cable stayed bridge exposed to fire

In this paper, thermal fluid structure-interaction (TFSI) and coupled thermal-stress analysis are utilized to identify the effects of transient and steady-state heat-transfer on the vortex induced vibration and fatigue of a segmental bridge deck due to fire incidents. Numerical simulations of TFSI models of the deck are dedicated to calculate the lift and drag forces in addition to determining the lock-in regions once using fluid-structure interaction (FSI) models and another using TFSI models. Vorticity and thermal convection fields of three fire scenarios are simulated and analyzed. Simiu and Scanlan benchmark is used to validate the TFSI models, where a good agreement was manifested between the two results. Extended finite element method (XFEM) is adopted to create 3D models of the cable stayed bridge to simulate the fatigue of the deck considering three fire scenarios. Choi and Shin benchmark is used to validate the damaged models of the deck in which a good coincide was seen between them. The results revealed that TFSI models and coupled thermal-stress models are significant in detecting earlier vortex induced vibration and lock-in regions in addition to predicting damages and fatigue of the deck due to fire incidents.     

Effect of different additives on the phase separation behavior and thermodynamics of p-tert-alkylphenoxy poly (oxyethylene) ether in absence and presence of drug

Cloud point(CP) determinations of 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl-polyethylene glycol(TX-100(nonionic surfactant)) was carried out in aqueous as well as in the attendance of drug(ceftriaxone sodium trihydrate(CFT))/(CFT + different inorganic salts) and discussed thoroughly. Nonionic surfactants are employed extensively in different formulations. In aqueous solution, the values of CP of TX-100 are obtained to increase by means of enhancing of their concentration in the solution. The CP values of TX-100 solutions were found to decrease in the presence of drug and their values decrease more with rising concentrations of the drug. The values of CP of CFT and TX-100 mixtures were found to further decrease in the attendance of inorganic salts in comparison to their absence. The effect of different sodium salts in decreasing CP values of TX-100 was achieved in the following order: NaCO_3 Na_2SO_4 Na Cl. However, in the case of potassium and ammonium salts, the decreasing order obtained is K_2SO_4 KCO_3 KCl and(NH4)2 SO_4 Na_2CO_3 NH_4Cl respectively. Various thermodynamic parameters for example standard free energy(ΔG_c~Θ), standard enthalpy(ΔH_c~Θ) as well as standard entropy(Δ Sc?)changes of phase separation were also evaluated and discussed in detail on the basis of their behavior.     

Osmotic concentration of succinic acid by forward osmosis: Influence of feed solution pH and evaluation of seawater as draw solution

In this study, we investigated the essential role of feed solution pH so as to gain insights into the transport mechanisms of succinic acid concentration by osmotically-driven forward osmosis(FO) process. FO performances including water flux and bidirectional transport of succinate and chloride anions were systematically examined using cellulose triacetate-based FO membrane. Additionally, real seawater was explored as draw solution. Experimental results revealed that the p H-dependent speciation of succinic acid can affect the FO performances. Ionization of succinic acid at higher solution p H enhanced the osmotic pressure of feed solution, thus leading to lower water flux performance. A strong effect was pointed out on the succinate rejection for which nearly 100% rejections were achieved at p H above its pK_(a2) value. The rejection of succinate increased in the following order of chemical form: C_2H_4 C_2O_4H_2 C_2H_4C_2O_4H~ˉ C_2H_4C_2O_4~(2-).With real seawater as the draw solution, low to moderate water fluxes(4 L·m~(-2)·h~(-1)) were observed.The divalent succinate anion was highly retained in the feed side despite differences in the succinic acid feed concentration at p H of approximately 6.90.     

Energy and exergy analyses of hybrid photocatalytic hydrogen production reactor for CuCl cycle

The present paper concerns electrochemical, energy, exergy and exergoeconomic analyses of a hybrid photocatalytic-based hydrogen production reactor which is capable of replacing the electrolysis sub-system of the CuCl thermochemical cycle. Several operating parameters, such as current density, reactor temperature, ambient temperature and electrode distance, are varied to study their effects on the hydrogen production rate, the cost of hydrogen production and energy and exergy efficiencies. The present results show that the voltage drops across the anolyte solution (sol 1), catholyte solution (sol 2), an anode, cathode, and cation exchange membrane vary from 0.005 to 0.016 V, 0.004–0.013 V, 1.67–2.168 V, 0.18–0.22 V and 0.06–0.19 V, respectively with an increase in current density from 0.5 to 1.5 A/cm². The energy and exergy efficiencies of the hybrid photocatalytic hydrogen production reactor decrease from 5.74 to 4.54% and 5.11 to 4.04%, respectively with an increase in current density.     

Supercapacitor with superior electrochemical properties derived from symmetrical manganese oxide-carbon fiber coated with polypyrrole

A supercapacitor electrode comprising conducting polypyrrole (PPy) coated on manganese oxide-carbon fiber (CNFMnO₂) was successfully synthesized using electrospinning, followed by carbonization and in-situ polymerization. A non-uniform distribution of PPy on the surface of CNFMnO₂ was observed via FESEM analysis. The chemical bonding of CNFMnO₂/PPy and the valence state of manganese were revealed via FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XRD and XPS measurements. CNFMnO₂/PPy composite possessed high specific capacitance and specific energy of 315.80 Fg^?1 and 13.68 Wh/kg, respectively. In addition, good electrochemical reversibility was proven upon CNFMnO₂/PPy even at higher sweep rate (5–200 mV/s). Moreover, this one-dimensional electrode achieved an excellent long-term cycling stability (82.46%) over 2000 CV cycles with low charge transfer resistance (4.61 Ω). The modification of CNFMnO₂/PPy contributes to good synergistic effects among the material which improve the electrochemical behavior of manganese oxide-based fiber composite for future supercapacitor.     

Microstructural Evolution,Powder Characteristics,Compaction Behavior and Sinterability of Al 6061–B<Subscript>4</Subscript>C Composites as a Function of Reinforcement Content and Milling Times

Al 6061_100–x–x wt % B₄C (x = 0, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40) composites, prepared by mechanical alloying and compacted at room temperature, have been used for the present investigation. The effects of B₄C content and milling time on the powder morphology, powder particle size, and other powder characteristics such as the apparent density, tap density, flow rate, cohesiveness, and hausner ratio are systematically investigated. The steady state of milling process is determined by observing the correlation between apparent densities and milling time explained by the morphological evolution of the powder particles during the milling process. The Hausner ratio (HR), estimated to evaluate friction between the particles, decreases with an increase in milling duration and B₄C content due to the changes in morphology and hardness of the powders. The compressibility behavior of post-compacts as a function of compaction pressure and the B₄C content was analyzed by using several linear and non-linear powder compaction equations. The linear Panelli and Ambrozio Filho, and non-linear Van Der Zwan and Siskens equations give the highest regression coefficients. The results are explained in terms of the plastic deformation capacity and plastic deformation coefficient of the powders, which are influenced by the hardness and the morphology of the powder. After compaction, the supersolidus liquid phase sintering was performed at various temperatures (585, 610 and 630°C) under high purity nitrogen atmosphere. The results revealed that the sinterability was degraded by increasing the reinforcement content, particularly above 10 wt % B₄C. Neutron radiography measurements conducted on the rolled composite sheet have revealed the uniform distribution of B₄C particles in the composite.     

Methodology of estimating restraint use in children: Roadside observation or parking lot interview survey

Objective

To compare the differences in Canadian national estimates of correct child restraint use obtained using the standard roadside observation method compared to a detailed parking lot interview.

Design

A multi-stage stratified survey design was used to conduct roadside observational and interview data collection at 182 randomly selected sites across Canada. For each site, a roadside intersection location and a parking lot location were used for the roadside observational survey and the interview respectively. Weighted estimates of correct restraint use from both locations were compared.

Results

Estimates of correct restraint use were significantly higher for all children under the age of 9 in the parking lot sample. The largest discrepancy between the two samples was in booster seat aged children (ages 4–8) where 29.1% versus 67.8% of children were observed to be correctly restrained using the roadside and the parking lot methodology respectively. There was a 67% participation refusal rate in the parking lot survey.

Conclusions

There are specific advantages and limitations to both survey designs. The purpose of the data collection must be considered when selecting the methodology. Parking lot surveys provide richer data regarding restraint use/misuse. Estimates of correct restraint use must be approached with caution due to the effect of consent bias resulting in over inflation of estimates. Roadside observation is adequate and appropriate for providing national estimates of correct restraint use.     

Evaluation of various additives on the preparation of rice husk ash (RHA)/CaO-based sorbent for flue gas desulfurization (FGD) at low temperature

This paper examines the effectiveness of 10 additives toward improving SO2 sorption capacities (SSC) of rice husk ash (RHA)/lime (CaO) sorbent. The additives examined are NaOH, CaCl2, LiCl, NaHCO3, NaBr, BaCl2, KOH, K2HPO4, FeCl3 and MgCl2. Most of the additives tested increased the SSC of RHA/CaO sorbent, whereby NaOH gave highest SSC (30mg SO2/g sorbent) at optimum concentration (0.25mol/l) compared to other additives examined. The SSC of RHA/CaO sorbent prepared with NaOH addition was also increases from 17.2 to 39.5mg SO2/g sorbent as the water vapor increases from 0% RH to 80% RH. This is probably due to the fact that most of additives tested act as deliquescent material, and its existence increases the amount of water collected on the surface of the sorbent, which played an important role in the reaction between the dry-type sorbent and SO2. Although most of the additives were shown to have positive effect on the SSC of the RHA/CaO sorbent, some were found to have negative or insignificant effect. Thus, this study demonstrates that proper selection of additives can improve the SSC of RHA/CaO sorbent significantly.     

Effects of pH, glucose and iron sulfate concentration on the yield of biohydrogen by Clostridium butyricum EB6

A local bacterial isolate from palm oil mill effluent (POME) sludge, identified as Clostridium butyricum EB6, was used for biohydrogen production. Optimization of biohydrogen production was performed via statistical analysis, namely response surface methodology (RSM), with respect to pH, glucose and iron concentration. The results show that pH, glucose concentration and iron concentration significantly influenced the biohydrogen gas production individually, interactively and quadratically (P < 0.05). The center composite design (CCD) results indicated that pH 5.6, 15.7 g/L glucose and 0.39 g/L FeSO₄ were the optimal conditions for biohydrogen production, yielding 2.2 mol H₂/mol glucose. In confirmation of the experimental model, t-test results showed that curve fitted to the experimental data had a high confidence level, at 95% with t = 2.225. Based on the results of this study, optimization of the culture conditions for C. butyricum EB6 significantly increased the production of biohydrogen.