Nanofabrication with metallopolymers ‐ recent developments and future perspectives

Synthetic polymers containing metals and metal centers have experienced rapid growth in the last two decades. Metal‐containing polymers have an unprecedented role to play in modern high‐tech applications including nanomanufacturing, sensing, separation and catalysis. Advancement in synthetic strategies for macromolecules has enabled the synthesis of novel, exotic and use‐inspired metallopolymers. Using state‐of‐the‐art design strategies, it is now possible to perform targeted synthesis of macromolecules with varied complexity that contain a range of metal centers either in the backbone or in the side chains of the organic moiety. The presence of an inorganic element (metals and metal centers) in organic moieties has led to a number of new physicochemical properties while implementing novel functionality to the polymer matrix. This review covers nanotechnology influenced by distinctive features of metal‐containing macromolecular systems, particularly in developing flexible, functional materials. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

A methodology for creating a statistically derived shape grammar composed of non-obvious shape chunks

A shape grammar is a production system that can be used to create new product designs. Traditionally, a product shape grammar’s rules are created by a skilled person that understands the language of the design. In this paper the results of a principal component analysis of vehicles are used to create a vehicle shape grammar by basing the rules upon the determined shape relationships. The advantages are that: rules can be created according the results of a statistical analysis, and not according to a designer’s subjective observations; class specific vehicles can be created with fewer rule applications; and those rule applications encourage divergent designs. Using the principal component analysis based shape grammar, unique vehicles are created to demonstrate the potential of statistically based concept creation for the generation of product forms.     

Validation of left–right method for scattering by a rough surface

Abstract

The method of left-right splitting is studied for the calculation of electromagnetic fields on a finite, perfectly conducting, corrugated rough surface. Surface currents are evaluated for TE and TM polarizations, both on the rough surface and on an extended surface with a rough patch, and these are compared with results from a finite element time-domain calculation. Very good agreement is obtained with one or two terms in the series. The effect of surface truncation is studied for the two polarizations, together with the reflected and transmitted components to the left and right of the rough surface patch, and the TM polarization is found to be relatively insensitive to the surface truncation.     

Gender and sexual identity-based predictors of lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative counseling self-efficacy.

This exploratory study applies the tenets of social cognitive theory to investigate the influence of gender self-confidence and of sexual identity exploration and commitment on lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) affirmative counselor self-efficacy. Data were gathered from a convenience sample of 178 mental health clinicians. Controlling for participants' age, professional experience, level of income, race and ethnicity, and sexual orientation, findings revealed that higher levels of LGB-affirmative counseling self-efficacy were positively associated with gender self-definition and with sexual identity commitment. Post hoc analyses conducted with the 5 subscales of the LGB-affirmative counseling self-efficacy measure indicated that findings varied across specific self-efficacy domains. Implications of these results for continuing education, training, and research promoting LGB-affirmative psychotherapy are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gap Geometry Measurements in Oil-Filled Gaps Using Laser Diffraction Techniques

This paper describes an experimental investigation of utilizing laser diffraction method for gap geometry measurements of oil-filled gaps with gap widths in the range of a few hundred microinches up to 0.03 inches, with applications to research areas, such as journal bearings, seals, and EHD lubrication. Diffraction patterns are obtained for various gap widths and depths of gaps for dry gaps and oil-filled gaps with different kinds of lubricating oils in the gaps. It is shown that, for dry gaps, a good correlation is obtained between diffraction patterns and gap widths, for narrow depth of gaps. An increase in depth of gap yields significant differences between experimental results and classical theoretical results, probably due to internal reflections of the light beam within the deeper gaps. For oil filled gaps, experimental results yield smaller gap widths than those calculated from simple diffraction theory, because of distortion of diffraction patterns due to the presence of oil in the gaps. Correcting factors are obtained to account for the optical characteristics of oils in the gaps. It is shown that the values of correcting factors approach asymtotic values with an increase in gap widths, due to change in optical characteristics of the lens formed by oil meniscus in the gaps. It is established that the laser diffraction technique can be applied for gap measurement of small oil-filled gaps. The limitations of the technique are also established.     

Design Flood Estimation Using GIS Supported GIUHApproach

Quantitative understanding and prediction of theprocesses of runoff generation and its transmission to theoutlet represent one of the most basic and challenging areasof hydrology. Traditional techniques for design floodestimation use historical rainfall-runoff data for unithydrograph derivation. Such techniques have been widelyapplied for the estimation of design flood hydrograph at thesites of gauged catchment. For ungauged catchments, unithydrograph may be derived using either regional unithydrograph approach or alternatively GeomorhologicalInstantaneous Unit Hydrograph (GIUH) approach. The unithydrograph thus derived may be used for the simulation offlood events for the ungauged catchments. In this study Gambhiri dam catchment located inRajasthan, India is selected for applying this approach. Gambhiri river is a small tributary of the Berach/Banasriver of the Chambal basin in Rajasthan, India. Theobjective of the present study is to apply GeographicalInformation System (GIS) supported GIUH approach for theestimation of design flood. A mathematical model has beendeveloped at the National Institute of Hydrology, whichenables the evaluation of the Clark Model parameters usinggeomorphological characteristics of the basin. This modelhas been applied for the present study.From this study it is observed that the peakcharacteristics of the design flood are more sensitive tothe various storm pattern as well as method of criticalsequencing followed for the computation of design stormpatterns. Earlier estimates for the peak and time to peakhydrograph was 9143.74 cumec and 18 hrs. respectively.However, the estimates for the peak characteristics ofdesign flood hydrograph obtained from the GIUH basedapproach are 11870.6 cumec and 19 hrs. respectivelyconsidering the same design storm pattern.     

Quantitative Estimation and Separation of Doxycycline Hc1 and its Related Products

An HPLC method is presented for the separation of doxycycline HC1 from its analogs. The method, employing on line U.V. detection allows separation and quantitative estimation of doxycycline HC1 when its analogs are present upto 1% w/w. By this method doxycycline HC1 powder and tablets were analysed     

Granzyme B mimics apical caspases. Description of a unified pathway for trans-activation of executioner caspase-3 and -7

Granzyme B (GrB) is predicted to trigger apoptosis by activating preferred caspases, but the zymogens that are directly processed by the granzyme and the requirements for these interactions remain unclarified. We examined this dilemma by comparing the kinetics and pattern of GrB-mediated activation of the executioner caspase-7 in vitro and in vivo. GrB rapidly activates procaspase-7 in vitro by cleaving between the large and small subunits leaving the propeptide intact. During GrB-mediated apoptosis, the caspase-7 propeptide is removed and cleavage occurs between the subunits. Strikingly, caspase-7 is unprocessed in caspase-3-deficient MCF-7 cells exposed to GrB but is rapidly activated when the cells are solubilized. Transfection with caspase-3 restores the removal of the caspase-7 propeptide and the capacity of GrB to subsequently activate the caspase. The data suggest that GrB activates caspase-3, which then removes the propeptide of caspase-7 allowing activation by GrB. Thus GrB initiates the death pathway by processing the accessible caspase-3, and the caspase-7 propeptide regulates trans-activation of the zymogen by granzyme. As a consequence, two proteases, caspase-3 and GrB, are required to activate procaspase-7.     

Variation in biochemical screening for Down''s syndrome in the United Kingdom

OBJECTIVE: To document the spontaneous resolution of retinal detachment developing after macular hole surgery. METHODS: We identified all patients who developed a postoperative retinal detachment after undergoing macular hole surgery at Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Mo; the surgery was performed by one of us (L.V.D.P. or H.J.K.) between 1991 and 1996. RESULTS: Six of 73 eyes developed a postoperative retinal detachment; the retinal detachment was inferior in all cases. Two eyes that had inferior retinal breaks underwent further surgery to repair the retinal detachment. Retinal breaks could not be identified in the other 4 eyes; the retinal detachment resolved without further surgery in all 4 of these eyes. CONCLUSION: The recognition that retinal detachment occurring after macular hole surgery can resolve without additional surgery may result in the avoidance of further surgical intervention in some eyes.