Synthesis and characterization of novel polyureas based on benzimidazoline‐2‐one and benzimidazoline‐2‐thione hard segments

Six novel polyureas were prepared from benzimidazolin‐2‐one and benzimidazolin‐2‐thione, which acted as hard segments, with two aromatic diisocyanates (4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate and toluene 2,4‐diisocyanate) and one aliphatic diisocyanate (hexamethylene diisocyanate). The polymers that formed were fully characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹³C‐NMR cross‐polarization/magic‐angle spinning, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetry. X‐ray diffraction revealed that the polymers contained crystalline and amorphous regions that varied with the nature of the backbone structures. All the polyureas were insoluble in common organic solvents, and this made it difficult to investigate their solution properties. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 576–583, 2006     

Hyperbranched poly(glycerol esteramide): A biocompatible drug carrier from glycerol feedstock and dicarboxylic acid

Polymer carrier with biodegradable, biocompatible as well as solubility enhancing properties are highly looked upon in the pharmaceutical industry to improve the drug delivery systems. A series of hyperbranched poly(glycerol esteramide) (HPGEA) with M_w of 5000–12,000 Da, degree of branching of 57%–62%, and hydroxyl values of 200–280 mg KOH/g sample were synthesized through polycondensation of N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)stearamide (diethanolamide) and poly(glycerol ester) (PGE). The HPGEAs were characterized by ATR-FTIR, GPC, ¹H and ¹³C-NMR, and DSC. The enthalpy of fusion of HPGEAs (43–84 J g⁻¹) were lower than the commercial polymers (193–391 J g⁻¹), indicating its potential as drug carrier for solid dispersion (SD). HPGEA-based SDs showed substantial enhancement in solubility and release rate than pure drug, commercial polymer-based SDs, as well as commercial formulation. The safety of HPGEAs and HPGEA-based SDs were proven through MTT assay with IC₅₀ of 2400–9800 and 1200–3500 μg ml⁻¹, respectively.     

Study on the quality of interference fringes from a pulsed UV source for application in a biprism based fiber Bragg grating writing

This paper presents a study on the quality of interference fringes formed from a pulsed UV (255 nm, 5.6 kHz, and 40 ns) source for an application in writing fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs). The interference fringes of separation of about 8 microm, formed by a biprism of apex angle 2 degrees , were studied for their contrast, evolution of contrast, and positional and intensity stability over a period of 5 min (over 10(6) pulses). Second harmonic UV (255 nm) sources of different spatial coherence and pointing stability characteristics were employed as the inputs. It is established that the UV fringes contrast and interference pattern stability with time is largely controlled by the optical resonator geometry of the fundamental wavelength (510 nm) copper vapor laser (CVL) oscillator. In particular, the generalized diffraction filtered resonator (GDFR) CVL produced the highest quality second harmonic beam with the highest fringes contrast and stability. The implications of these results were studied by employing these UV sources for the fabrication of the C-band FBGs by a 24 degrees apex angle biprism.     

Temperature sensitive semi‐IPN microspheres from sodium alginate and N‐isopropylacrylamide for controlled release of 5‐fluorouracil

Semi‐interpenetrating network (IPN) of sodium alginate (NaAlg) and N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) microspheres were prepared by water‐in‐oil (w/o) emulsification method. The microspheres were encapsulated with 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) and release patterns carried in 7.4 pH at temperatures of 25 and 37°C. The semi‐IPN microspheres were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopic studies were done on the drug‐loaded microspheres to confirm the polymorphism of 5‐FU and surface morphology of microspheres. These results indicated the molecular level dispersion of 5‐FU in the semi‐IPN microspheres. Particle size and size distribution were studied by laser light diffraction technique. Microspheres exhibited release of 5‐FU up to 12 h. The swelling studies were carried in 1.2 and 7.4 pH buffer media at 25 and 37°C. Drug release from NaAlg‐NIPAAm semi‐IPN microspheres at 25 and 37°C confirmed the thermosensitive nature by in vitro dissolution. The micro domains have released in a controlled manner due the presence of NIPAAm in the matrix. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Hydrogen fueled spark ignition engine with electronically controlled manifold injection: An experimental study

In this work, a single cylinder conventional spark ignition engine was converted to operate with hydrogen using the timed manifold fuel injection technique. A solenoid operated gas injector was used to inject hydrogen into the inlet manifold at the specified time. A dedicated electronic circuit developed for this work was used to control the injection timing and duration. The spark timing was set to minimum advance for best torque (MBT). The engine was operated at the wide-open throttle condition. For comparison of results, the same engine was also run on gasoline.The performance and emission characteristics with hydrogen and gasoline are compared. From the results, it is found that there is a reduction of about 20% in the peak power output of the engine when operating with hydrogen. The brake thermal efficiency with hydrogen is about 2% greater than that of gasoline. A lean limit equivalence ratio of about 0.3 could be attained with hydrogen as compared to 0.83 with gasoline. CO, CO₂ and HC emissions were negligible with hydrogen operation. However, for hydrogen operation, NO_x emission was four times higher than that of gasoline at full load power. The best ignition timing for hydrogen was much retarded when compared to gasoline. The effect of hydrogen injection pressure was also studied and no specific changes were observed. The effect of operating speed was also studied.     

Impact on lung function among children exposed to home new surface materials: The seven Northeastern Cities Study in China

We conducted a cross‐sectional study to investigate the associations between recent home renovation exposure and lung function in children. We randomly recruited 7326 school children residing in 24 districts from seven cities in northeastern China. We collected information about home renovations from parents using a questionnaire and lung function measurements from children using spirometer recordings gathered by trained professionals and expressed as the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), maximal mid‐expiratory flow (MMEF), and peak expiratory flow (PEF). We identified higher odds of diminished lung function among these with home renovation in the previous 2 years compared to those without home renovation in the previous 2 years, for FVC (odds ratios [ORs] = 1.84 [95%CI: 1.58, 2.15]; FEV1: ORs = 2.82 [95%CI: 2.36, 3.36]; PEF: ORs = 1.51 [95%CI: 1.24, 1.83]; and MMEF: ORs = 1.90 [95%CI: 1.60, 2.24]). The associations were stronger among children exposed to new polyvinyl chloride (PVC) flooring compared to children exposed to other surface materials. Our results were consistent throughout the analysis of each type of renovation materials. In conclusion, recent home renovation exposure was associated with poor lung function among children. Strategies to protect home owners and their families from respiratory hazards during and after renovation are required.     

Protective effect of dietary ginger on antioxidant enzymes and oxidative damage in experimental diabetic rat tissues

The role of oxidative stress has been reported in various diabetic complications. This study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of ginger, a medicinal plant, on the tissue antioxidant defence system and lipid peroxidative status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. An increased reactive oxygen species and insufficient antioxidant activity are associated with diabetes mellitus, which is mainly responsible for diabetic pathogenesis. The role of ginger as antioxidant markers of liver and kidney were investigated. The antioxidant effect of the ginger was compared with glibenclamide, a well-known hypoglycaemic drug. The diabetic rats exhibited lower activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) and reduced glutathione (GSH) content and higher level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in hepatic and renal tissues as compared with normal rats. The activities of all parameters were found to be increased, except MDA in ginger-treated diabetic rats, in hepatic and renal tissues. Ginger supplementation, for 30 days to diabetic rats, resulted in significant dose-dependent hypoglycaemic and antioxidant activities. These findings suggest that ginger treatment exerts a therapeutic protective effect in diabetes by decreasing oxidative stress, and hepatic and renal damage.     

Finite element transient dynamic analysis of isotropic and fibre reinforced composite plates using a higher-order theory

A higher-order shear deformable C° continuous finite element is developed and employed to investigate the transient response of isotropic, orthotropic and layered anisotropic composite plates. The governing ordinary linear differential equations are integrated using the central difference explicit time integration scheme. A special mass matrix diagonalization scheme is adopted which conserves the total mass of the element and includes the effects due to rotary inertia terms. Numerical results for deflections and stresses are presented for rectangular plates under various boundary conditions and loadings. The parametric effects of the time step, finite element mesh, lamination scheme and orthotropy on the transient response are investigated. The numerical results are compared with those available in the literature, and with the results obtained by solving the same problems using the Mindlin plate element.