Studies on in vitro release of CPM from semi-interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) composed of chitosan and glutamic acid

Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) beads consisting of chitosan-glutamic acid were prepared for in vitro study of controlled release of chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM). A viscous solution of chitosan-glutamic acid was prepared in 2% acetic acid solution, extruded as droplets through a syringe to alkalimethanol solution and the precipitated beads were crosslinked using glutaraldehyde solution. Swelling and drug release studies were carried out. Transport of release medium through the semi-IPN depended upon its pH and extent of crosslinking. The structural and morphological studies of beads were carried out by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The larger surface area of beads as well as their ease of handling makes them ideal agents of controlled release.     

The transient response of two cracks at the interface of a layered half space

In this paper, the transient response of two interface cracks, in a layered half space subjected to antiplane stress fields, is analytically studied. The problem is formulated in terms of a coupled set of integral equations, which are then solved by expanding the unknown crack opening displacements in a complete set of Chebyshev's polynomials. The method is coded in FORTRAN program and numerical results for a sample problem are presented. The results show that the response of one crack is significantly influenced by the presence of a bigger neighboring crack.     

Ascorbic Acid-Assisted Eco-friendly Synthesis of NiCo<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> Nanoparticles as an Anode Material for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

We have synthesized NiCo₂O₄ nanoparticles (NCO NPs) using an ascorbic acid-assisted co-precipitation method for the first time. When NCO NPs are used as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the cell exhibits superior lithium storage properties, such as high capacity (700 mA h g^?1 after 300 cycles at 200 mA g^?1), excellent rate capabilities (applied current density range 100–1200 mA g^?1), and impressive cycling stability (at 1200 mA g^?1 up to 650 cycles). The enhanced electrochemical properties of NCO NPs are due to the nanometer dimensions which not only offers a smooth charge-transport pathway and short diffusion paths of the lithium ions but also adequate spaces for volume expansion during Li storage. Hence, this eco-friendly synthesis approach will provide a new strategy for the synthesis of various nanostructured metal oxide compounds, for energy conversion and storage systems applications.     

Development of Biodegradable Nanocarriers Loaded with a Monoclonal Antibody

Treatments utilizing monoclonal antibody therapeutics against intracellular protein-protein interactions in cancer cells have been hampered by several factors, including poor intracellular uptake and rapid lysosomal degradation. Our current work examines the feasibility of encapsulating monoclonal antibodies within poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles using a water/oil/water double emulsion solvent evaporation technique. This method can be used to prepare protective polymeric nanoparticles for transporting functional antibodies to the cytoplasmic compartment of cancer cells. Nanoparticles were formulated and then characterized using a number of physical and biological parameters. The average nanoparticle size ranged from 221 to 252 nm with a low polydispersity index. Encapsulation efficiency of 16%–22% and antibody loading of 0.3%–1.12% were observed. The antibody molecules were released from the nanoparticles in a sustained manner and upon release maintained functionality. Our studies achieved successful formulation of antibody loaded polymeric nanoparticles, thus indicating that a PLGA-based antibody nanoformulation is a promising intracellular delivery vehicle for a large number of new intracellular antibody targets in cancer cells.     

Water sorption and diffusion through saturated polyester and their nanocomposites synthesized from glycolyzed PET waste with varied composition

A new system of saturated polyester and their nanocomposites synthesized from glycolyzed PET with varied composition is investigated for the sorption and diffusion studies in water. The kinetics of sorption is studied by using the equation of transport phenomena. The values of ‘n’ from transport equation are found to be below ‘0.5’, showing the non-Fickian or pseudo-Fickian transport in the polymer. The dependence of diffusion coefficient on composition and temperature has been studied for all polymeric samples. The diffusion coefficient of saturated polyester samples decreases with an increase in glycolyzed PET contents. The nanocomposite samples show less diffusion coefficient than pristine polymer and it decreases with an increase in nano-filler up to 4 wt%. The diffusion coefficient increases with an increase in temperature for all the samples. The sorption coefficient shows a little change with variation in composition as well as temperature for all the samples and it is in a range of 1. The activation energy for diffusion and permeation is positive for all the samples. The heat of sorption is also positive for all the samples, indicating Henry type mode of sorption.     

Unsteady nanofluid flow between two spinning expanding disks with continuous vertical motion under the influence of modified Hall effect

The principle aim of this article is to detect the effects of externally applied magnetic force in the nanofluid flow, flowing between two co-axially rotating and expanding disks where the upper disk is continuously moving vertically upward and downward. Also, the modified Hall Effect has been considered as an effective factor of the flow. The lower disk is vertically static. The rotation and vertical motion of the disks create a three-dimensional flow of nanofluid. Heat and mass density along with the motion of the flow has been analyzed under the variation in magnetic and Hall parameters. The findings have been compared with the results in Von Karman flow of nanofluid between two rotating and stretching disks. The velocity components have been largely influenced by magnetic and Hall parameters in case of downward movement of the upper disk. The fluid temperature is detected higher in case of upward velocity and lower in case of the downward motion of the upper disk. The heat transferability of the disks is effected differently at two different disks with the influence of magnetic force and Hall effect.     

Fabrication and characterization of porous hydroxyapatite ocular implant followed by an<Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis> study in dogs

Porous hydroxyapatite ocular implant was fabricated by a novel and simple method using hydroxyapatite powder synthesized in the laboratory. The porosity and pore size of the implant were controlled to make it light in weight as well as suitable for rapid vascularization after implantation. The implant was characterized by X-ray diffraction studies, infrared spectra and chemical analysis for phase purity and chemical composition. The pore morphology and pore size distribution of the samples were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Thereafter, efficacy of the implant was examined byin vivo study in dogs. Clinical, haematological and radiological studies indicated the suitability of the implant for replacement of the lost eye of human patients.     

Influence of different polyesters and their molecular weight on the textural and electrooptical behavior of polymer‐dispersed liquid crystals

The textural and electrooptical behavior of a nematic liquid crystal (LC) dispersed in a flexible and rigid polyester was studied. The dispersion of LC in the polymer matrix and light transmission through the polymer‐dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) is governed by the nature of the polymer, its molecular weight, and the applied voltage. It was observed that the transmission of light and the dispersion of LC maximizes their respective values at the minimum molecular weight irrespective of the nature of the polymer and at the maximum voltage. The reason is the predominance of chain alignment over entanglement at the minimum molecular weight. As molecular weight increases, the transmission of light as well as the dispersion of LC in the polymer may increase or decrease depending on the predominance of chain entanglement or chain alignment. The alignment of LC droplets in the direction of the applied voltage is increased by an increase in the applied voltage, causing enhancement of the light transmission. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 284–289, 2003