Environmentally friendly synthesis and photopolymerization of acrylated methyl ricinoleate for biomedical applications

In this study, we aimed to develop an efficient synthesis and photopolymerization of acrylated methyl ricinoleate (AMR) for biomedical applications. During the first step of the synthesis, methyl ricinoleate (MR) and boric acid were esterified via azeotropic distillation in toluene. Afterward, MR–boric acid ester was acrylated with acrylic acid at 165 °C via a boric acid ester acidolysis reaction. The bulk photopolymerization of AMR was performed in the presence of the photoinitiator 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenyl acetophenone (DMPA) under 365 nm UV irradiation. Even with the use of 0.4% DMPA, a 35% monomer conversion was achieved within 30 min. Moreover, AMR, the plant-oil-based monomer, was also copolymerized with N-isopropyl acrylamide to obtain thermoresponsive hydrogels on the glass surface for biomedical applications. The synthesized materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, and thermal characterization via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. The surfaces were characterized by FTIR and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDS) spectroscopy. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47969.     

Novel allpass filter configuration employing single OTRA

A new circuit configuration uses a single operational transresistance amplifier (OTRA) and four passive elements to realize both first- and second-order allpass filters. Owing to internal grounding of the OTRA input terminals, effects of input parasitics are significantly reduced. Applications of the circuit include the realization of the phase equalizer, the quadrature oscillator, and the high-Q bandpass filter for analog signal processing. The performance of the allpass filter is illustrated by circuit-level simulation of a quadrature oscillator with CMOS realization of the OTRA.     

Learning market prices in real-time supply chain management

This paper proposes a model for dynamic pricing that combines knowledge of production capacity and existing commitments, reasoning about uncertainty and learning of market conditions in an attempt to optimise expected profits. In particular, the market conditions are represented as a set of probabilities over the success rate of product prices, and those prices are learned online as the market develops. The dynamic pricing model is integrated into a real-time supply chain management agent using the Trading Agent Competition Supply Chain Management game as a test framework. We evaluate the agent experimentally in competition with other supply chain agents, and demonstrate the benefits of incorporating more market data into the dynamic pricing mechanism.     

Cost-Based Filtering Techniques for Stochastic Inventory Control Under Service Level Constraints

This paper¹ considers a single product and a single stocking location production/inventory control problem given a non-stationary stochastic demand. Under a widely-used control policy for this type of inventory system, the objective is to find the optimal number of replenishments, their timings and their respective order-up-to-levels that meet customer demands to a required service level. We extend a known CP approach for this problem using three cost-based filtering methods. Our approach can solve to optimality instances of realistic size much more efficiently than previous approaches, often with no search effort at all. This work was supported by Science Foundation Ireland under Grant No. 03/CE3/I405 as part of the Centre for Telecommunications Value-Chain-Driven Research (CTVR) and Grant No. 00/PI.1/C075. ¹This paper is an extended version of [19].     

Modelling and solving English Peg Solitaire

Peg Solitaire is a well known puzzle, which can prove difficult despite its simple rules. Pegs are arranged on a board such that at least one ‘hole’ remains. By making draughts/checkers-like moves, pegs are gradually removed until no further moves are possible or some goal configuration is achieved. This paper considers the English variant, consisting of a board in a cross shape with 33 holes. Modelling Peg Solitaire via constraint or integer programming techniques presents a considerable challenge and is examined in detail. The merits of the resulting models are discussed and they are compared empirically. The sequential nature of the puzzle naturally conforms to a planning problem, hence we also present an experimental comparison with several leading AI planning systems. Other variants of the puzzle, such as ‘Fool's Solitaire’ and ‘Long-hop’ Solitaire are also considered.     

Numerical treatment of a quasilinear initial value problem with boundary layer

The paper deals with the singularly perturbed quasilinear initial value problem exhibiting initial layer. First the nature of solution of differential problem before presenting method for its numerical solution is discussed. The numerical solution of the problem is performed with the use of a finite-fitted difference scheme on an appropriate piecewise uniform mesh (Shishkin-type mesh). An error analysis shows that the method is first-order convergent except for a logarithmic factor, in the discrete maximum norm, independently of the perturbation parameter. Finally, numerical results supporting the theory are presented.     

Relationship between retinal lesions and axial length, age and sex in high myopia

Questionnaires (3426; 72.8%) and blood samples (3890; 82.6%) were analysed from 4704 women post-natally. The answers to the questionnaire confirmed that those patients living in areas with the highest percentage employed in agriculture were most likely to be in direct or indirect contact with sheep or sheep products. When the 788 (20.3%) of the sera with group specific antibody were examined for type-specific antibody, 291 (7.5%) reacted with Chlamydia trachomatis, 153 (3.9%) with Chlamydia pneumoniae, but only one (0.03%) with Chlamydia psittaci. Thus, it would appear that C. psittaci was not an important pathogen in this survey, despite the largest proportion of blood samples being submitted from those most likely to be employed in agriculture. However, in the course of this survey the three patients who had previously suffered chlamydia-associated abortion had successful pregnancies and submitted blood specimens. Serological studies on the serial bloods from these patients showed that, despite developing antibody to the C. psittaci pool and the ovine abortion strain of C. psittaci following abortion, this antibody waned. At the time of the subsequent successful pregnancy, serological results would not have detected a previous C. psittaci infection, but one due to C. pneumoniae. Thus, the results of a survey such as this must be interpreted with caution.     

Epidermoid cyst of the brain stem. Case report

OBJECTIVE: To search for the effect and safety of coral porous hydroxyapatite (CHA) implanted material in orbital rim reconstruction. METHODS: 7 cases of orbital rim reconstruction were treated with CHA which is a plate form mass with an interconnected system of canals of approximately 200 microns in size. It has three types: 1.0 cm x 1.5 cm x 5.0 cm, 0.6 cm x 1.5 cm x 5.0 cm and 0.4 cm x 1.5 cm x 5.0 cm. According to the shape of a contralateral healthy orbit, a rubber putty model was made before the operation. An incision was designed at the upper 1/3 of the face for the elimination of wrinkles or a prolonged incision of lower lid bag plastic surgery was made. After the exposure of the defective part of the orbit, a correctly molded CHA tamponade was inserted. RESULTS: The orbital rim reconstruction in 7 cases with orbital defect was successfully treated with CHA. During a follow-up of 3-12 months (average 6.6 months), there was no extrusion or migration of implant. CONCLUSION CHA is a good material for substitution of bone graft and is much better than autogenous tissue of other artificial materials.