Control of the growth of the diffusional boundary layer on a rotating axisymmetric electrode of arbitrary shape in an ostwaldian fluid

Using a suitable coordinate transformation, an analysis is first described for the prediction of the velocity distribution in a laminar boundary layer flow near a rotating axisymmetric electrode of arbitrary shape in an Ostwaldian fluid, by expressing the governing conservation equations in a series representation universal with respect to electrode contour parameters, patterned by Blasius procedure.Using the first leading term of the series, we define the profiles of the electrodes which fulfil the diffusional limiting density flux j_x = j₀$\text{x}$^p, in which j₀ is an independent coordinate coefficient, p is a numerical power-factor and $\text{x}$, is measured along the direction of the longitudinal component of the flow. The relation between the permitted values of p with the behaviour coefficient of the fluid is described. The particular case of the uniformly accessible electrode (p = 0) is discussed.     

Curcumin nanoemulsion for transdermal application: formulation and evaluation

The aim of this work is to develop a curcumin nanoemulsion for transdermal delivery. The incorporation of curcumin inside a nanoglobul should improve curcumin stability and permeability. A nanoemulsion was prepared by the self-nanoemulsification method, using an oil phase of glyceryl monooleate, Cremophor RH40 and polyethylene glycol 400. Evaluation of the nanoemulsion included analysis of particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, physical stability, Raman spectrum and morphology. In addition, the physical performance of the nanoemulsion in Viscolam AT 100P gel was studied. A modified vertical diffusion cell and shed snake skin of Python reticulatus were used to study the in vitro permeation of curcumin. A spontaneously formed stable nanoemulsion has a loading capacity of 350?mg curcumin/10?g of oil phase. The mean droplet diameter, polydispersity index and zeta potential of optimized nanoemulsion were 85.0?±?1.5?nm, 0.18?±?0.0 and ?5.9?±?0.3?mV, respectively. Curcumin in a nanoemulsion was more stable than unencapsulated curcumin. Furthermore, nanoemulsification significantly improved the permeation flux of curcumin from the hydrophilic matrix gel; the release kinetic of curcumin changed from zero order to a Higuchi release profile. Overall, the developed nanoemulsion system not only improved curcumin permeability but also protected the curcumin from chemical degradation.     

BRCA Mutations in Prostate Cancer: Assessment,Implications and Treatment Considerations

Prostate cancer ranks fifth in cancer-related mortality in men worldwide. DNA damage is implicated in cancer and DNA damage response (DDR) pathways are in place against this to maintain genomic stability. Impaired DDR pathways play a role in prostate carcinogenesis and germline or somatic mutations in DDR genes have been found in both primary and metastatic prostate cancer. Among these, BRCA mutations have been found to be especially clinically relevant with a role for germline or somatic testing. Prostate cancer with DDR defects may be sensitive to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors which target proteins in a process called PARylation. Initially they were used to target BRCA-mutated tumor cells in a process of synthetic lethality. However, recent studies have found potential for PARP inhibitors in a variety of other genetic settings. In this review, we explore the mechanisms of DNA repair, potential for genomic analysis of prostate cancer and therapeutics of PARP inhibitors along with their safety profile.     

Intermetallic compounds dynamic formation during annealing of stacked elemental layers and its influences on the crystallization of Cu2ZnSnSe4 films

A combined in-situ investigation using X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry during annealing was carried out to investigate the formation of intermetallic compounds in the stacked elemental layers and to reveal its influences on the crystallization of kesterite Cu₂ZnSnSe₄. The Mo/Cu/Zn, Mo/Cu/Sn/Zn, Mo/Cu/Zn/Se and Mo/Cu/Sn/Zn/Se stacked films were prepared with a composition resembling a typical kesterite Cu-poor and Zn-rich metallic composition. In-situ experiments during annealing of pure metallic stacked films reveal a dynamic intermetallic compounds formation of Cu₅Zn₈ → CuZn → Cu₂Zn → Cu₃Zn and Cu₆Sn₅ → Cu₄₁Sn₁₁. The CuZn and Cu₅Zn₈ layer formed at the interface of metals/Se may prevent the stacked metallic layers from selenization below 320 °C. On the other side, the dynamic formation of Cu–Zn phases in the stacked films is found to be an origin of a ZnSe gradual formation starting from 320 °C. Phase analysis suggests that the ternary Cu₂SnSe₃ phase forms almost immediately after the formation of Cu₂Se and SnSe. The formation of Cu₂SnSe₃ is indicated by the consumption of SnSe by the Cu₂Se which occurs at 530–540 °C. Crystallization of kesterite takes place above 540 °C. On a phenomenological basis of present results, consequences for the thin film kesterite fabrication for solar cell application are discussed.     

Pressurized water pellets and supercritical nitrogen in injection molding

In this article, a novel approach to decrease cycle time without compromising part dimensional stability developed in our group is compared with the use of supercritical nitrogen in injection molding. In this new approach, water is pre‐pressurized into the polymer pellets containing water carrier particles such as activated carbon (AC), thus no molding equipment modifications are required. Because of its high porosity, AC can trap water inside the particle, thus improving water compatibility with hydrophobic polymers for less water loss during handling and in the barrel during injection molding. After mixing, the polymer with the water carrier, the pellets are batch pressurized with water at a controlled temperature and pressure. The water containing pellets are then fed into the hopper of the injection molding machine. Parts with similar densities were molded and mechanical properties and warpage for both processes compared. It was found that the warpage and mechanical properties of the method presented here are comparable with the use of supercritical nitrogen, which is used in microcellular injection molding. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Multiobjective optimization of injection molding using a calibrated predictor based on physical and simulated data

This paper presents a method for improving injection molding processes having competing performance measures using multiobjective optimization. The procedure uses calibrated predictors that combine physical and simulated data to estimate the values of the performance measures. After the predictors are built, the values of the selected performance measures are estimated at a grid of process control variables, and a set of predicted Pareto solutions is identified using nondominance criteria. A refinement of the original Pareto solutions is obtained by predicting the performance measures at a finer grid of the process variables near the original Pareto set. Finally, as validation, a subset of these solutions is evaluated on the physical process. A case study with three performance measures is presented to show how the calibrated predictors allow the injection molding manufacturer to identify the processing conditions that optimize a process having competing objectives. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:248–257, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effects of intensive urbanization on the intrusion of shallow groundwater into deep groundwater: examples from Bangkok and Jakarta

Asian megacities have severe pollution problems in both coastal and urban areas. In addition, the groundwater potential has decreased and land subsidence has occurred because of intensive groundwater pumping in urban areas. To prevent the adverse effects of urbanization on groundwater quality, it is necessary to confirm the changes in groundwater flow and contaminant transport caused by urbanization. We examined the effects of urbanization on contaminant transport in groundwater. The research areas were located around Bangkok, Thailand, and Jakarta, Indonesia, cities with populations of approximately 8 and 12 million, respectively. Each metropolitan city is located on a river delta and is adjacent to a bay. We measured the water level and collected water samples at boreholes at multiple depths (100 to 200 m) in 2004 and 2006 in Bangkok and Jakarta, respectively. The current hydraulic potential is below sea level in both cities because of prior excess abstraction of groundwater. As a result, the direction of groundwater flow is now downward in the coastal area. The Cl(-) concentration and delta(18)O distributions in groundwater suggest that the decline in hydraulic potential has caused the intrusion of seawater and shallow groundwater into deep groundwater. Concentrations of Mn and NO3(-)-N in groundwater suggest the intrusion of these contaminants from shallow to deep aquifers with downward groundwater flow and implies an accumulation of contaminants in deep aquifers. Therefore, it is important to recognize the possibility of future contaminant transport with the discharge of deep groundwater into the sea after the recovery of groundwater potential in the coastal areas.     

Electromagnetic vibration process for producing bulk metallic glasses

It is known that the cooling rate from the liquid state is an important factor in the production of bulk metallic glasses. However, the effects of other factors such as electric and magnetic fields have not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we present a new method for producing bulk metallic glasses by using electromagnetic vibrations with simultaneous imposition of an alternating electric current and a magnetic field. This method was found to be effective in enhancing apparent glass-forming ability in Mg65-Cu25-Y10 (atomic percent) alloys. Indeed, larger bulk metallic glasses could be obtained by the electromagnetic vibration process under the same cooling conditions. We presume that disappearance or decrement of clusters by the electromagnetic vibrations applied to the liquid state cause suppression of crystal nucleation. This electromagnetic vibration process should be effective in other bulk metallic glass systems if the clusters in the liquid state cause the crystal nucleation.     

The contribution of human activities to subsurface environment degradation in Greater Jakarta Area, Indonesia

This study examines the factors of human activities causing environmental stresses on the subsurface environments in the urban settings of Jakarta. A major objective of this study is to identify the basin geometry and estimate how critical is the degradation of the subsurface environment within the basin, and it covered micro-palaeontology and chemical analyses, the decrease of water level, and GPS data. New data on shallow groundwater quality is provided and the results indicate strong evidence for human activities have influenced the degradation of the Jakarta subsurface environment.