Electron‐beam‐induced crosslinking of natural rubber/acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber latex blends in the presence of ethoxylated pentaerythritol tetraacrylate used as a crosslinking promoter

A natural rubber latex, an acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber latex, and their 50: 50 blends were exposed to an electron beam in air. A polyfunctional monomer, ethoxylated pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, was used as a crosslinking promoter. Cast films from the irradiated systems were characterized for their gel contents, swelling properties, and tensile strength. An increase in the radiation dose from 0 to 500 kGy resulted in increased crosslinking, as measured by an increase in the gel content and better swelling resistance. The effect of the polyfunctional monomer, ethoxylated pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, as a crosslinking promoter was studied with infrared spectros copy. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1206–1214, 2007     

Structure-Activity Relationship and Crystallographic Studies on 4-Hydroxypyrimidine HIF Prolyl Hydroxylase Domain Inhibitors

The 2-oxoglutarate-dependent hypoxia inducible factor prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) are targets for treatment of a variety of diseases including anaemia. One PHD inhibitor is approved for use for the treatment of renal anaemia and others are in late stage clinical trials. The number of reported templates for PHD inhibition is limited. We report structure–activity relationship and crystallographic studies on a promising class of 4-hydroxypyrimidine-containing PHD inhibitors.     

Gamma radiation aging of EVA/EPDM blends: Effect of vinyl acetate (VA) content and radiation dose on the alteration in mechanical,thermal, and morphological behavior

A series of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)/ethylene‐propylene diene elastomer (EPDM) blends (50/50 ratio) with four types of EVAs were prepared using brabender type batch mixer followed by compression molding. All compression‐molded samples were exposed to gamma radiation at 500, 1000, and 1500 kGy doses and were subjected to mechanical, compression set, thermal and morphological test. The % retention in tensile strength, elongation, and hardness were found higher for higher vinyl acetate (VA) containing radiation aged EVA/EPDM blends. The compression set value was decreased with increase of VA content. The thermal degradation kinetics of high VA containing irradiated blend (EVA40/EPDM) (EVA40 is 40%VA containing EVA) was found slower than those of lower VA containing blend (EVA18/EPDM). The surface morphology for EVA18/EPDM sample was transformed into more irregular one with more cracks and fragmented segments by aging at 1500 kGy dose while surface for EVA40/EPDM sample was found comparatively smooth, fine, and continuous with very few cracks and fragmented parts at similar dose. Thus, from the measured properties and morphology, it was revealed that the degree of degradation of blends kept on decreasing with increase in VA content. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46216.     

Intensification of Freeze-Drying Rate of Bacillus subtilis MTCC 2396 Using Tungsten Halogen Radiation: Optimization of Moisture Content and α-Amylase Activity

A novel freeze-drying protocol has been explored to render fast and cost-effective freeze drying of hyperamylase producing Bacillus subtilis MTCC2396 employing a tungsten halogen lamp radiator (THLR) as a heat source. Response surface methodology assessed the maximum reduction in moisture content (96.07%) and minimum reduction in α-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) activity (1.02%) in 4 h drying time at 42.5°C radiation temperature. α-amylase activity (0.046 U) and final moisture content (3.93%) of the optimally freeze-dried bacterial strain appeared satisfactory. The freeze-drying time using THLR (4 h) is remarkably lower compared to that under a conventional conductive plate heater (CPH) (10 h) at otherwise identical conditions. The higher effective moisture diffusivity of 0.0052 to 0.0078 m ²/s under THLR compared to 0.00084 to 0.0015 m ²/s under CPH (corresponding to 20–50°C) advocated the superiority of the THLR heating protocol. The higher efficacy of THLR was also evidenced through lower activation energy (8.42 kJ/mol) of moisture diffusion compared to that (12.051 kJ/mol) of CPH. The optimally freeze-dried bacteria demonstrated the same growth rate in addition to exhibiting excellent retention of bioremedial (Hg²⁺ removal) activity to that of the control.     

Structure-property relations for a phase-pure,nanograined tetragonal zirconia ceramic stabilized with minimum CaO doping

Dense (~97%) CaO-stabilized ZrO₂ ceramic was stabilized with minimum (3 mol%) doping (reported to date) and processed via conventional sintering at a low temperature (~1200°C); compositional analysis via X-ray florescence confirmed the CaO doping accuracy. Phase-pure tetragonal structure (characterized via both X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy) along with uniform nanograins (90 nm) of the ceramic ensured the evolution of no monoclinic phase even after vigorous low-temperature degradation experiments (both thermal and hydrothermal aging for 80-100 h). The sintered ceramic recorded a high hardness (~15 GPa); the indentation toughness value was also comparable to a 3 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia system. The remarkable structure–property correlations in the 3 mol% CaO-stabilized ZrO₂ ceramic suggests that the same may be worth examining for suitable future applications (e.g., in dental ceramics).     

Preparation and characterizations of activated carbon from kenaf fiber for equilibrium adsorption studies of copper from wastewater

The potential of activated carbon prepared from kenaf fiber (KF) to remove copper (II) from aqueous effluents was investigated. The fibers were first semi-carbonized, then impregnated with potassium hydroxide (KOH) and finally activated by using carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas to produce activated carbon. Pore structure and physical characteristics of the prepared kenaf fiber activated carbon (KFAC) were determined. Adsorption studies for divalent copper (Cu) ions were carried out to delineate the effect of contact time, temperature, pH and initial metal ion concentration on equilibrium adsorption capacity. The experimental data followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and Elovich Model than pseudo-first-order. Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models were implemented to analyze the parameters for adsorption at 30 °C, 50 °C and 70 °C. Thermodynamic parameters such as ??G ^o , ??H ^o and ??S ^o which represent Gibbs free energy, enthalpy and entropy, respectively, were evaluated. It was concluded that activated carbon from kenaf fiber (KFAC) can be used as an efficient adsorbent for removal of Cu (II) from synthetic wastewater.     

ENGAGE compatibilized HDPE/EPDM blends: Modification of some industrially pertinent properties and morphology upon incorporation of Mg(OH)2 filler and electron beam crosslinked network

To observe the effect of ENGAGE (a poly‐olefin elastomer) on compatibilization of industrially important incompatible blend, high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/ethylene‐propylene diene elastomer (EPDM), 15 wt % ENGAGE is incorporated into the system and the latter is found satisfactorily efficient as compatibilizer for the above system. To improve some industrially pertinent properties another strategies are also followed in addition, incorporation of magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)₂] and electron beam (EB) crosslinking into the system. The gel content was found to increase with radiation dose, EPDM content and Mg(OH)₂ dispersion. ENGAGE interestingly increases the gel content that is, promotes crosslinking. It is unique that filler dispersion and crosslinked network formation maintain the compatibility of the ternary system, which is confirmed by X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, mechanical properties, and scanning electron microscope. The compatibilization, Mg(OH)₂ dispersion, and EB crosslinking improve the mechanical, thermo mechanical, flame retardant properties, and phase morphology considerably. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44922.     

UK scenario of islanded operation of active distribution networks with renewable distributed generators

This paper reports on the current UK scenario of islanded operation of active distribution networks with renewable distributed generators (RDGs). Different surveys indicate that the present scenario does not economically justify islanding operation of active distribution networks with RDGs. With rising DG penetration, much benefit would be lost if the DGs are not allowed to island only due to conventional operational requirement of utilities. Technical studies clearly indicate the need to review parts of the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations (ESQCR) for successful islanded operations. Commercial viability of islanding operation must be assessed in relation to enhancement of power quality, system reliability and supply of potential ancillary services through network support. Demonstration projects under Registered Power Zone and Technical Architecture Projects should be initiated to investigate the utility of DG islanding. However these efforts should be compounded with a realistic judgement of the associated technical and economic issues for the development of future power networks beyond 2010.     

Single-molecule spectroscopic study of enhanced intrinsic phycoerythrin fluorescence on silver nanostructured surfaces

In this paper, we report on steady-state and time-resolved single-molecule fluorescence measurements performed on a phycobiliprotein, R-phycoerythrin (RPE), assembled on silver nanostructures. Single-molecule measurements clearly show that RPE molecules display a 10-fold increase in fluorescence intensity, with a 7-fold decrease in lifetime when they are assembled on silver nanostructured surfaces, as compared to control glass slides. The emission spectrum of individual RPE molecules also displays a significant fluorescence enhancement on silver nanostructures as compared to glass. From intensity and lifetime histograms, it is clear that the intensities as well as lifetimes of individual RPE molecules on silver nanostructures are more heterogeneously distributed than that on glass. This single-molecule study provides further insight on the heterogeneity in the fluorescence intensity and lifetimes of the RPE molecules on both glass and SiFs surfaces, which is otherwise not possible to observe using ensemble measurements. Finite-difference time-domain calculations have been performed to study the enhanced near-fields induced around silver nanoparticles by a radiating excited-state fluorophore, and the effect of such enhanced fields on the fluorescence enhancement observed is discussed.     

Studies of microstructural imperfections of powdered Zirconium-based alloys

Different model based approaches of X-ray diffraction line profile analysis have been applied on the heavily deformed zirconium-based alloys in the powdered form to characterize the microstructural parameters like domain size, microstrain and dislocation density. In characterizing the microstructure of the material, these methods are complimentary to each other. Though the parameters obtained by different techniques are differently defined and thus not necessarily comparable, the values of domain size and microstrain obtained from the different techniques show similar trends.