Embedded of Nanogel into Multi-responsive Hydrogel Nanocomposite for Anticancer Drug Delivery

Hydrogels, nanogels, and nanocomposites show increasing potential for application in drug delivery systems due to their good chemical and physical properties. Therefore, we were encouraged to combine them to produce a new compound with unique properties for drug release systems. To this aim, we first prepared poly [(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-(2-dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate) nanogel by copolymerization processes and then added it into the solution of poly (2-dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate)] grafted onto salep. Through dropwise addition of mixed aqueous solution of iron salts into the prepared polymeric solution, a novel hydrogel nanocomposite with excellent pH, thermo, and magnetic responsive was fabricated. The obtained hydrogel nanocomposite were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer, and atomic force micrographs. The dependence of swelling properties of hydrogel nanocomposite on the temperature, pH, and magnetic field were investigated. The release behavior of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) drug from DOX loaded into synthesized hydrogel nanocomposite was investigated at different pHs, temperatures, and magnetic field. In addition, the drug release behavior from obtained hydrogel nanocomposite was monitored via different kinetic models. Lastly, the toxicity of the DOX and DOX-loaded hydrogel nanocomposite were studied on MCF-7 cells at different times. These results suggested that the obtained hydrogel nanocomposite might have high potential applications in drug delivery systems.     

Evaluation of antimicrobial and dyeing properties of walnut (Juglans regia L.) green husk extract for cosmetics

Walnut green husk is one of the main waste products from walnut and could be used as a source of natural dyeing compounds such as juglone. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effective use of walnut green husk extract as a natural hair dye. Dyeing properties, fastness and antimicrobial behaviours of dyed hair and also a skin irritation test for natural hair dye on rat skin were examined. When the extract was mixed with ascorbic acid as a developer, ferrous sulphate as a mordant, and Aloe vera extract used as a secondary mordant and also a cosmetic ingredient, the reaction resulted in a dark‐brown colour on hair samples. The dyed hair exhibited appropriate colour strength having excellent morphology for a hair surface coated with dye molecules. In addition, the dyed hair possessed good resistance to washing and daylight fastness, without any irritant properties as shown in a rat model, although high concentrations of iron‐based mordant may be problematic for long‐term usage. This paper also suggests the use of natural mordants such as lactic and oxalic acids to avoid any probable risks. Walnut green husk extract was an appropriate natural hair dyeing agent in practice and showed maximum antimicrobial activity compared with semi‐synthetic and commercial hair dyes. The results demonstrated that walnut green husk can be used as an economical, valuable, eco‐friendly and safe source of dyeing and antimicrobial agents for cosmetic products.     

Dynamic Behavior of Industrial Gas Phase Fluidized Bed Polyethylene Reactors under PI Control

A mathematical model describing the UNIPOL process for the production of polyethylene in the gas phase using a Ziegler‐Natta catalyst in a bubbling fluidized bed is used to analyze the major processes determining the behavior and performance of these industrially important units. The investigation shows that both static bifurcation (multiplicity of the steady states) as well as dynamic bifurcation (stable/unstable periodic attractors) behavior cover wide regions of the design and operating parameter domain. A conventional proportional‐integral (PI) control policy is suggested to stabilize the behavior of the system. The control philosophy covers both aspects of stabilizing unstable steady states as well as compensating for external disturbances. It is shown that for some controller configurations and set points the controlled process can go through a period doubling sequence leading to chaotic strange attractors. The industrial implications of the phenomena discovered for both the open loop (uncontrolled) as well the closed‐loop (controlled) systems are analyzed.     

New formulation for compressive strength of CFRP confined concrete cylinders using linear genetic programming

This paper proposes a new approach for the formulation of compressive strength of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) confined concrete cylinders using a promising variant of genetic programming (GP) namely, linear genetic programming (LGP). The LGP-based models are constructed using two different sets of input data. The first set of inputs comprises diameter of concrete cylinder, unconfined concrete strength, tensile strength of CFRP laminate and total thickness of utilized CFRP layers. The second set includes unconfined concrete strength and ultimate confinement pressure which are the most widely used parameters in the CFRP confinement existing models. The models are developed based on experimental results collected from the available literature. The results demonstrate that the LGP-based formulas are able to predict the ultimate compressive strength of concrete cylinders with an acceptable level of accuracy. The LGP results are also compared with several CFRP confinement models presented in the literature and found to be more accurate in nearly all of the cases. Moreover, the formulas evolved by LGP are quite short and simple and seem to be practical for use. A subsequent parametric study is also carried out and the trends of the results have been confirmed via some previous laboratory studies.     

Novel approach to the synthesis of core-shell particles by sacrificial polymer shell method

In this work a new approach has been developed for the synthesis of SiO₂@Y₂O₃ particles with core-shell structure. The method is based on the synthesis of a covalently bonded sacrificial polymer shell grown onto silica particles. It is suitable to promote and stabilize the adsorption of different ions, namely Yttrium from its nitrate solution. After calcination and consequent elimination of the sacrificial polymer shell, the SiO₂@Y₂O₃ core-shell particles are obtained. Results reveal that the shell thickness of these core-shell particles is higher and more uniform than that of particles prepared without sacrificial polymer shell.     

Influence of electrodeposition potential,TiO2 nanoparticles and chromium (III) inhibitor addition on the corrosion protection performance of organosilane coating on aluminium

In this work, the anticorrosion properties of phenyl trimethoxysilane (PTMS) films coated on aluminium 5000 series alloys were studied. PTMS films were deposited at various cathodic potentials. The optimum electrodeposition potential was found to be ?0.8?V vs. SCE. The coatings were also modified by different amounts of nano-TiO₂. In order to introduce corrosion inhibition and a self-repair property of the PTMS film, the addition of chromium (III) corrosion inhibitor in the presence of nano-TiO₂ was studied. The anticorrosion performance of coatings was investigated in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. At optimum deposition potential, the ‘critical’ nano-TiO₂ and Cr(III) contents were both observed, under which the obtained PTMS coatings show the highest anticorrosion performance. The surface morphologies of PTMS coatings were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the coatings deposited at ?0.8?V vs. SCE, from 20?ppm of nano-TiO₂ and 0.003 M Cr(III) inhibitor present uniform and compact morphologies.     

Sequential Microwave-Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction for Isolation of Piperine from Black Pepper (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Piper nigrum</Emphasis> L.)

Piperine is the natural bioactive component of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) with several astounding therapeutic properties. In this study, sequential microwave-ultrasound-assisted extraction approach was used for isolation of piperine from black pepper. The effect of various factors such as extraction solvent, particle size of pepper, solvent to solid ratio, microwave power and time and ultrasound temperature and time on the extraction yield of piperine was considered. The maximum extraction yield was 46.6 mg piperine/g pepper which was obtained using ethanol as solvent at the particle size of 0.15 mm, solvent to solid ratio of 20:1, microwave power of 100 W for 1 min, and ultrasound temperature of 50 ^° C for 30 min. This extraction yield was higher than those obtained by Soxhlet (39.1 mg/g), microwave-assisted (38.8 mg/g) and ultrasound-assisted (37.0 mg/g) extractions. The purity of the extracted piperine was 81.4% as determined by HPLC analysis. The FTIR and UV-vis analyses confirmed that the structure of piperine remained intact after extraction and purification which is very important for medicinal applications.     

The adsorption of malachite green (MG) as a cationic dye onto functionalized multi walled carbon nanotubes

Synthetic dyes are widely used by several industries to color their products. The discharge of colored wastewater into the hydrosphere causes serious environmental problems. We used functionalized multi wall carbon nanotubes as an adsorbent for the adsorption of cationic dye, malachite green, from aqueous solution. Based on information provided by the Iranian Research Institute of Petroleum Industry, carbon nanotubes are produced using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique. These as-received MWCNTs were functionalized by acid treatment. The remaining dye concentration was read by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy at maximum adsorption wavelength. The effect of different operational parameters such as contact time, pH of solution, adsorbent dose and initial dye concentration were studied. The results showed that by increasing of contact time, pH and adsorbent dose the removal of dye increased, but by increasing initial dye concentration, the removal efficiency decreased. Adsorption isotherms and kinetics behavior of f-MWCNTs for removal of malachite green was analyzed, and fitted to various existing models. The experimental data were well correlated with the Langmuir isotherm with a maximum adsorption capacity (q _m ) and regression coefficient (R²) of 142.85 mg/g and 0.997, respectively. The results of this study indicate that functionalized multi wall carbon nanotubes can be used as an effective adsorbent for the removal of dyes.