Spectroscopic evaluation of the colour play effect of thermochromic liquid crystal printing inks

Colour changes of a thermochromic liquid crystal (TLC) ink printed on a black substrate are clearly observed by the naked eye, and therefore it is reasonable to expect that every approach recommended for colour measurements of samples with solid colour would be appropriate. In addition, the published spectroscopic analyses of TLC inks do not provide any guidance or limitations for the measurement geometry. On the other hand, our study demonstrates that spectroscopic measurements of such samples are not so straightforward. When using the most simple and commonly used measurement equipment with a directional illumination and viewing approach, the temperature-dependent spectral features resolve in a narrow spectral region that gives only a small part of the colour play effect. Detection of the entire effect requires the use of integrating spheres, which spatially integrate the radiant flux reflected on a sample in any direction; better results are obtained by spheres of larger diameter. The comparision of spectroscopic and colorimetric results obtained when different measurement geometries are applied on the same sample may demonstrate certain properties of the liquid crystal material inside microcapsules and help in understanding some details of the optical properties of the ink layer.     

New and Emerging Targeted Therapies for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory skin disease deriving from the hair follicles. The formation of inflammatory nodules, abscesses, fistulas, and sinus tracts is characterized by a large inflow of key pro-inflammatory mediators, such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-17, and IL-12/23. Adalimumab is currently the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- and European Medicines Agency (EMA)-approved biologic therapy for moderate to severe HS in adults and adolescents. However, the long-term effectiveness of this TNF-α inhibitor in HS patients has shown to be highly variable. This review aims to review the evidence for emerging therapies that target the main pro-inflammatory cytokines in HS pathogenesis. A review of the literature was conducted, using the PubMed and Google Scholar repositories, as well as Clinicaltrials.gov. Presently, the most promising biologics in phase III trials are anti-IL-17 antibodies, secukinumab, and bimekizumab. Furthermore, an anti-IL-1 biologic, bermekimab, is currently in phase II trials, and shows encouraging results. Overall, the clinical efficacies of all new targeted therapies published up to this point are limited. More studies need to be performed to clarify the precise molecular pathology, and assess the efficacy of biological therapies for HS.     

Assessment of potential for natural gas-based cogeneration in Thailand

Using the results of a comprehensive data analysis of final energy consumption in industry and commercial buildings, the assessment has been made of the potential for gradual implementation of cogeneration plants in these facilities. In doing so, plans for the expansion of the natural gas pipeline distribution network in Thailand are taken into consideration. The sample comprises of 2540 factories and 1651 commercial buildings from which it was found that 817 factories and 966 commercial buildings were suitable for the implementation of natural gas-based cogeneration technologies until 2020. By the implementation of cogeneration in these facilities, it is possible to save 3.2% of the total primary energy consumption in Thailand in 2003.     

Enzymatischer Nachweis von Carbamat-Pesticiden auf impr?gnierten Cellulose-Platten

Zusammenfassung Ein Nachweis für Carbamat-Pesticide mittels Enzym-Inhibition auf imprägnierten Cellulose-Schichten wurde ausgearbeitet. Bei Celluloseschichten, die mit Äthylglykol, Triäthylglykol und,-Ogydipropionitril imprägniert waren, erwies sich die Kombination Schweineleberesterase/Indophenylacetat (als chromogenes Substrat) als besonders empfindlicher Nachweis. Die Nachweisempfindlichkeit wurde in Abhängigkeit von der Art des Enzympräparates, des Substrates, des pH, der Inhibitionszeit und -temperatur, der Schichtdicke und des Impriignierungsmittels untersucht.

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Enzymatic detection of carbamate pesticides on impregnated cellulose plates

Summary The detection of carbamate pesticides by an enzyme-inhibition method on impregnated (ethylene glycol, triethylene glycol,,-ogydipropionitrile) cellulose thin layer plates is described. The enzyme-substrate combination: pig liver esterase-indophenylacetate (chromogenic substrate) was the most sensitive. The following parameters concerning the sensitivity of the method were investigated: enzyme source, substrate, pH, inhibition time, inhibition temperature, thickness of the cellulose layer, stationary phase.

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Herrn o.Univ.-Prof. Dr. O. Hoffmann-Ostenhof, Vorstand des Instituts für Allgemeine Biochemie, Universität Wien, zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet.

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Wir danken dem Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung, der uns die Durchführung dieser Arbeit (Projekt Nr. 2161) ermöglichte.

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Ing. B. Rapié dankt der SEA-Stiftung (Scientific Exchange Agreement) für die Gewährung eines Stipendiums.     

Piroxicam benzoate--synthesis,HPLC determination,and hydrolysis

An improved method of piroxicam benzoate synthesis was described, and an isocratic reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method for its determination was developed and fully validated. The method was found to be specific, precise (relative standard deviation 0.3%), accurate (mean recovery 99.9%), and robust. Limit of detection was estimated at 0.055 µg mL^-1 and limit of quantification at 0.185 µg mL^-1. The kinetics of piroxicam benzoate hydrolysis in aqueous buffer solutions (pH 1.1 and 10), simulated gastric and intestinal fluids was studied. The hydrolysis followed first-order kinetics. The following rate constants were obtained at pH 10: k = 1.8 × 10^-3 hr^-1 at 37°C and k = 3.4 × 10^-2 hr^-1 at 60°C. In acidic media, no significant hydrolysis was observed after 24 hr. During the 24-hr period in simulated intestinal fluid, only 10.9% of the starting ester was hydrolyzed.     

Design and optimization of RF ICs with embedded linear macromodels of multiport MEMS devices

In this paper, we demonstrate efficient modeling approach for simulation, analysis, design, and optimization of multiport radio frequency microelectromechanical systems (RF MEMS) resonating structures embedded in RF circuits. An in‐house finite element method (FEM) solver is utilized to develop accurate and efficient macromodels that capture all the essential characteristics of the device. Using the datasets generated from the FEM simulations, the artificial neural network models are trained for two‐way mapping between the physical input and electrical output parameters. Realized model is implemented in a circuit simulator, enabling a simple yet accurate circuit simulator compatible modeling and optimization procedure instead of memory and time demanding FEM analysis. The derivation of dynamic macromodels with preserved electromechanical behavior of the multiport resonating structures is also presented. Capabilities of the proposed approach are demonstrated with several examples featuring capacitively actuated MEMS resonating structures: a clamped–clamped beam, a free–free beam, and a coupled clamped–clamped beam. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2007.     

Mechanochemical and Low‐Temperature Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Fluorohydroxyapatite/Fluorapatite

Low‐temperature synthesis of fluorapatite/fluorohydroxyapatite with precursor mixture previously mechanochemically treated is described in this article. Ethylene vinylacetate/versatate copolymer as a surface active substance was mechanically treated to obtain a core‐shell system with strongly controlled grain size. Despite usual behavior of mechanically activated systems, only an amorphous phase formed from precursor ions present in the mixture composed of β‐Ca₂P₂O₇, CaCO₃, CaF₂, and unreacted Ca(OH)₂ was obtained during milling for 5 min to 8 h. The mixture contained depots of labile F^? ions conserved in micelles cages, which are useful for teeth protection from carries. For transformation of these amorphous phases into fluorapatite, an additional low thermal treatment was necessary. The mechanism of the precursor mixture transformation into fluorapatite during milling and thermal treatment was investigated using FTIR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The morphology and size distribution of the obtained powders was studied using SEM and TEM.     

Influence of Rare-Earth Dopants on Barium Titanate Ceramics Microstructure and Corresponding Electrical Properties

In this article, ytterbium and erbium oxides are used as doping materials for barium titanate (BaTiO₃) materials. The amphoteric behavior of these rare-earth ions leads to the increase of dielectric permittivity and decrease of dielectric losses. BaTiO₃ ceramics doped with 0.01–0.5 wt% of Yb₂O₃ and Er₂O₃ were prepared by conventional solid-state procedure and sintered at 1320°C for 4 h. In BaTiO₃ doped with a low content of rare-earth ions (0.01 wt%) the grain size ranged between 10 and 25 μm. With the higher dopant concentration of 0.5 wt%, the abnormal grain growth is inhibited and the grain size ranged between 2 and 10 μm. The measurements of capacitance and dielectric losses as a function of frequency and temperature have been carried out in order to correlate the microstructure and dielectric properties of doped BaTiO₃ ceramics. The temperature dependence of the dielectric constant as a function of dopant amount has been investigated.