Characterization and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of cross-linked chitosan films as implant for controlled release of citalopram

The aim of the present study is to develop cross-linked chitosan (CH) films that can release drug over an extended period of time and that too in a controlled manner. A solution of different percentages of CH, is prepared in 1% lactic acid, followed by addition of citalopram (CTP) and then reacted with increasing amounts of glutaraldehyde (GL) to obtain films with different cross-linking densities. Prepared films are characterized for their physical and mechanical properties. The films are then subjected to in vitro drug release studies using pH 7·4 phosphate buffer saline (PBS) as dissolution medium and cumulative amount of drug released is calculated. Kinetic analysis of drug release is performed using Power law model and Higuchi’s model. With increase in concentration of CH, water absorption capacity and mechanical strength are increased; whereas, water vapour permeability and elasticity of the films are decreased. The effect of cross-linking agent, GL, is such that with an increase in the amount of GL, water vapour permeability, water absorption capacity and elasticity of the films are decreased; whereas, mechanical strength increased to some extent and then decreased. In vitro release studies indicate that films containing 3% CH, cross-linked with 2–3% GL and films containing 4% CH, cross-linked 1% GL are able to sustain the drug release for a prolonged time along with releasing almost complete drug in a desired period. Out of these batches, films containing 3% CH, cross-linked with 2–3% GL are having sufficient strength, water vapour permeation, water absorption capacity and elongation at break for implantation purpose. The in vitro degradation studies and histopathological studies were carried out with a sample film (batch C3 as in table 1) in rabbit model. In vitro degradation study indicates that the films maintained their integrity for desired implantation. The histopathological studies under optical microscope indicates that on implanting, there is no evidence of any inflammation, any foreign body granuloma or any necrosis or hemorrhage. Tissue configuration remains unaltered after 30 days of implantation. So, it can be suggested that cross-linked CH films of above said composition can be used as implant for long term application in depression and related disorders.     

Electrochemical potentials of layered oxide and olivine phosphate with aluminum substitution: A first principles study

First-principles prediction of enhancement in the electrochemical potential of LiCoO₂ with aluminum substitution has been realized through earlier experiments. For safer and less expensive Li-ion batteries, it is desirable to have a similar enhancement for alternative cathode materials, LiFePO₄ and LiCoPO₄. Here, we present first-principles density functional theory based analysis of the effects of aluminum substitution on electrochemical potential of LiCoO₂, LiFePO₄ and LiCoPO₄. While Al substitution for transition metal results in increase in electrochemical potential of LiCoO₂, it leads to reduction in LiFePO₄ and LiCoPO₄. Through comparative topological analysis of charge density of these materials, we identify a ratio of Bader charges that correlates with electrochemical potential and determine the chemical origin of these contrasting effects: while electronic charge from lithium is transferred largely to oxygen in LiCoO₂, it gets shared by the oxygen and Co/Fe in olivine phosphates due to strong covalency between O and Co/Fe. Our work shows that covalency of transition metal–oxygen bond plays a key role in determining battery potential.     

TRANSIENT STABILITY SIMULATION OF UNBALANCED LARGE SCALE POWER SYSTEMS

ABSTRACT

Conventional transient stability analysis is performed on the basis of a balanced system representation. However, a typical power system may be unbalanced due to a variety of reasons, and the computations of sequence quantities due to these unbalances is necessary in order to facilitate the application of countermeasures. This paper presents an algorithm for the simulation of large scale power system dynamics under unbalanced operating conditions. This algorithm finds potential application in the simulation of systems with abnormal loads such as arc furnace and traction, and also in the realistic simulation of unbalanced faults in bulk power transmission systems.     

Switched-capacitor filters using unity-gain amplifiers

Switched-capacitor networks realizing second-order filter characteristics are presented. Realization is achieved with unity-gain amplifiers as buffers. The circuits have small sensitivities, good dynamic range and a reasonable spread of capacitor values. The filters can be used for high-Q realization and a relatively high frequency range.     

Extending the bandwidth of an instrumentation amplifier

A new configuration for operational amplifier based instrumentation amplifier is presented. The analytical expressions are obtained and the performance of the proposed circuit is examined in relation to the conventional circuit. Simulation and experimental results are presented which establish the superiority of the proposed instrumentation amplifier topology over the conventional circuit. The effect of second pole of op amps on the circuit stability has also been investigated. Numerical results are given in support of theoretical conclusions.     

Complex permittivity of soil and water mixtures at 9 GHz

Measurements of the complex permittivity of many soil samples were conducted using the evanescent waveguide technique at 9 GHz. The complex permittivity was taken as a function of moisture content. The experimental results were interpreted using Wiener's theory for dielectric mixtures to evaluate the degree of binding of water in soils.     

Inclusion of minority charge carriers in the solution of Poisson's equation for a metal semiconductor contact in thermal equilibrium†

A theory of the space-charge capacitance of a metal-semiconductor contact has been developed by solving the Poisson equation for the space-charge region under zero current condition. The space charge is assumed to consist not only of ionized donors and acceptors but also of electrons and holes. An explicit expression for the space-charge capacitance under those general conditions is given. In an appendix a procedure is outlined whereby the theory could be developed for the case of Fermi statistics with partially ionized donors.     

Design of microstrip hyperbolic line to match a complex impedance to a standard coaxial transmission line

Based on the solution of the Riccati equation, a hyperbolically tapered microstrip transmission line for matching a complex load to a standard coaxial cable is designed. An iterative procedure is used to yield the phase constant leading to an accurate design. A numerical example is considered. The result shows that a tremendous reduction in the size of matching components can be achieved if hyperbolic instead of uniform transmission lines are used. This is highly advantageous in the miniaturization of solid state circuits.     

Effect of anodization on corrosion behaviour and biocompatibility of Cp-titanium in simulated body fluid

The objective of this investigation is to study the effectiveness of anodized surface of commercial purity titanium (Cp-Ti) on its corrosion behaviour in simulated body fluid (SBF) and proliferation of osteoblast cells on it, to assess its potentiality as a process of surface modification in enhancing corrosion resistance and osseointegration of dental implants. Highly ordered nano-porous oxide layer, with nano-sized pores, is developed on the surface of Cp-Ti through electrochemical anodization in the electrolyte of aqueous solution of 0·5% HF at 15 V for 30 min at 24 °C. The nano-porous feature of the anodized surface is characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Pores of some anodized samples are sealed by exposing the anodized surface in boiling water. Corrosion behaviour of the anodized specimen is studied in Ringer’s solution at 30 ± 2 °C, using electrochemical impedance and cyclic polarization technique. Biocompatibility of the anodized surface is accessed using MG63 osteoblast cells. Both corrosion as well as pitting resistance of Cp-Ti in simulated body fluid are found to be highest in the anodized and sealed condition and followed in decreasing order by those of anodized and unanodized ones. Significantly higher MG63 osteoblast cell proliferations are found on the anodized surface than that on the unanodized one. Anodized Cp-Ti develops nano-size surface pores, like that of natural bone. It enhances corrosion and pitting resistance and also the process of osteoblast cell proliferation on Cp-Ti.     

Sol–gel deposited ceria thin films as gate dielectric for CMOS technology

In this work, cerium oxide thin films were prepared using cerium chloride heptahydrate, ethanol and citric acid as an additive by sol–gel spin-coating technique and further characterized to study the various properties. Chemical composition of deposited films has been analysed by FTIR which shows existence of CeO₂. The samples have been optically characterized using ellipsometry to find refractive index of 2·18 and physical thickness which is measured to be 5·56 nm. MOS capacitors were fabricated by depositing aluminum (Al) metal using the thermal evaporation technique on the top of CeO₂ thin films. Capacitance–voltage measurement was carried out to calculate the dielectric constant, flat-band voltage shift of 18·92, 0·3–0·5 V, respectively and conductance–voltage study was carried out to determine the D_it of 1·40 × 10¹³ eV^???1 cm^???2 at 1 MHz.