Studies on the skin uptake and efflux kinetics of N-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine: an aromatic amine intermediate

N-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (N-PPDA), an industrial intermediate and hair dye ingredient, has been implicated in a variety of toxic symptoms including cutaneous manifestations. However, the role of physiological factors that may determine and modify its absorption and transport within and through the skin is not fully understood. The present study reveals that N-PPDA binds readily to skin showing saturation kinetics with K m and V_max of 2.54 × 10⁻⁴ M and 4.76 μmol g⁻¹ skin, respectively. The uptake was dependent upon the area of skin, concentration of the amine, exposure time, temperature and pH of the vehicle. Heat treatment facilitated the binding but temperatures abouv 50° caused significant lowering of the uptake, indicating the possible involvement of collagen matrix. Skin lipids also contributed in the binding of N-PPDA. Bioinhibitors such as KCN, sodium arsenate, NaF, N-ethylmaleimide, cycloheximide, iodoacetic acid and 2,4-dinitrophenol had no effect on the uptake potential, suggesting it to be a non-energy dependent process. Most of the skin-bound N-PPDA was effluxed through serum proteins reaching the target organs via systemic circulation.     

Structure and properties of silver-doped calcium phosphate nanopowders

Stable and antimicrobial silver-doped calcium phosphate nanopowders were synthesized using sol–gel route by setting the atomic ratio of Ag/(Ag+Ca) at 3% and (Ca+ Ag)/P at 1.67. Prior to synthesis of nanopowders, influence of time of hydrolyzation on pH and density of precursors were comprehensively studied. Hydrolyzation time was found to have profound influence on pH of constituent precursors. Sufficient hydrolysis resulted in early maturation of sol. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the heterogeneous and agglomerated state of particles with average size of 3.9± 1.9 μm. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) presented uniform distribution of O, Ag, Ca and P elements in nanopowder. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the formation of apatitic structure, whereas X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the multiphase constitution of nanopowders primarily composed of β-TCP, Ag and other hybrid phases. Crystallite size and lattice parameters of β-TCP and Ag phases were increased with the rise in calcination temperature. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed three regions of weight change and indicated the high thermal stability of nanopowders. Disk diffusion method was used to test the antimicrobial resistance of nanopowders against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacterial strains. All nanopowders exhibited antimicrobial resistance against both E. coli and S. aureus bacteria.     

Aged rare earth doped silicates as optoelectronic material

Samples of various concentrations were prepared and kept unsintered for a period of three years to study the consistency of composition prepared and structural evolution of glass. The expanded peaks in the Raman spectra arise due to thermal agitation, and a Boltzmann type of distribution was expected in the silicate gels. The behavior of the gels during the dehydroxylation and dehydration is conditioned by its microstructure, which depends upon the physical conditions, I.e., pH, and drying conditions.     

Exploring the use of soft X‐ray microscopy for imaging subcellular structures of the inner ear1

The soft X‐ray microscope at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory was developed for visualization of biological tissue. Soft X‐ray microscopy provides high‐resolution visualization of hydrated, non‐embedded and non‐sectioned cells and is thus potentially an alternative to transmission electron microscopy. Here we show for the first time soft X‐ray micrographs of structures isolated from the guinea‐pig inner ear. Sensory outer hair cells and supporting pillar cells are readily visualized. In the hair cells, individual stereocilia can easily be identified within the apical hair bundle. The underlying cuticular plate is, however, too densely composed or too thick to be clearly visualized, and thus appears very dark. The cytoplasmic structures protruding from the cuticular plates as well as the fibrillar material surrounding and projecting from the cell nuclei can be seen. In the pillar cells the images reveal individual microtubule bundles. Soft X‐ray images of the acellular tectorial membrane and thin two‐layered Reissner's membrane display a level of resolution comparable to low‐power electron microscopy.     

Rectangular resonators in inverted microstrip and suspended microstrip

Resonant frequency characteristics of rectangular resonators in a generalized shielded suspended substrate line are analysed using a rigorous spectral domain technique. The computed dominant mode resonant frequency of rectangular resonators in a suspended microstrip with centred dielectric, inverted microstrip and suspended microstrip are presented as a function of various structural parameters. These characteristics are distinct from those obtained for a conventional microstrip rectangular resonator. Experiments are carried out in the frequency range 4-18 GHz to verify the computed resonant frequencies for a suspended microstrip with a centred dielectric using first-order basis functions. The results should find applications in the design of inverted microstrip and suspended microstrip passive microwave and millimetre wave integrated circuits.     

Technological Evolution, System Architecture and the Obsolescence of Firm Capabilities

We present a historical study of technological evolution inthe mainframe computer industry. We show that the pattern ofinnovation in the industry is not well characterized by existingmodels. The incremental evolution of mainframe system performanceas seen by the customer was the result of an aggregation thatmasked substantial discontinuities at the component level. Newtechnological concepts led to the frequent obsolescence of existingcapabilities, despite the stability of customer needs and thepersistence of a dominant design. The nature of our observationsis captured in a simple critical path model of technologicalevolution. Our conceptualization sheds light on the dynamicsof the evolution of the capability base of firms in an environmentcharacterized by complex products and rapid technological change.