The Radical Versus Non-radical Reactive Intermediates in the Iron(III) Porphyrin Catalyzed Oxidation Reactions by Hydroperoxides, Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodosylarene

In the catalytic reaction of an iron(III) porphyrin with t-BuOOH, CumOOH, H₂O₂ and C₆F₅IO, cyclohexene was used as a probe substrate. The selective hydroxylation of cyclohexene by hydroperoxides proceeds through radical path and this has been utilized for successful dioxygen activation/autooxidation. For other oxidants epoxide was the major product and the reactions proceed through non-radical path.     

Micro-stress distribution within polycrystalline aggregate

Summary The three-dimensional Poisson-Voronoi model, which is topologically equivalent to the microstructure of real ceramics and metals, has been used to study the stress distribution within a simulated polycrystalline aggregate having 200 grains. Micro-stresses such as the maximum principal stress, maximum shear stress, first invariant of stress, and Von-Mises stress are found to vary systematically with the anisotropy of single crystal.     

Oxygen-enrichment of YBa2Cu3 YBa2Cu3O7-δ using the fluidization techniqueusing the fluidization technique

The oxygen-deficient phase of the highT _c superconductor, YBa₂Cu₃O₇, was oxygen-enriched using the fluidization technique to give good superconducting properties. The normal method of oxygen treatment at 900°C for 24 h and at 600°C for 24 h has been reduced to just one treatment at 600°C for 12 h by the fluidization technique to achieve almost the same strength of superconducting signal for the YBa₂Cu₃O₇ powder, which establishes the attractiveness of the latter route for the large-scale preparation of superconducting material. The particle sizes were in the range 0–90, 90–180 and 180–420 μm. The fluidized particles were crystalline with orthorhombic distortion.T _c ^onset , estimated using the a.c. magnetic susceptibility method, was 91·3 K. The volume fraction of superconducting material in the product was 83·7–85·3%, one of the highest values reported so far for YBa₂Cu₃O₇.     

Oxidation Behavior of Rh–30Ni–18Nb Refractory Superalloy

The isothermal-oxidation behavior of Rh–30Ni–18Nb refractory alloy was investigated up to a period of 312 hours in air from 1000 to 1350°C. A comparison of the oxidation behavior of this alloy with a conventional Ni-base superalloy (Inconel 713 C) shows an order-of-magnitude higher oxidation resistance. This experimental alloy oxidizes by forming alternate layers of Nb₂O₅ and RhO while NiO is on the surface in contact with air. Optical and scanning-electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the microstructure and morphology for the characterization of the oxides. Thermal stability of the alloy for extended periods of exposure to air at 1400°C was studied using transmission-electron microscopy (TEM).     

Development and gamma-scintigraphy study of Hibiscus rosasinensis polysaccharide-based microspheres for nasal drug delivery

Objective: This work describes the application of natural plant polysaccharide as pharmaceutical mucoadhesive excipients in delivery systems to reduce the clearance rate through nasal cavity.

Methods: Novel natural polysaccharide (Hibiscus rosasinensis)-based mucoadhesive microspheres were prepared by using emulsion crosslinking method for the delivery of rizatriptan benzoate (RB) through nasal route. Mucoadhesive microspheres were characterized for different parameters and nasal clearance of technetium-99m (^99mTc)-radiolabeled microspheres was determined by using gamma-scintigraphy.

Results: Their Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies showed that the drug was stable during preparation of microspheres. Aerodynamic diameter of microspheres was in the range 13.23?±?1.83–33.57?±?3.69?µm. Change in drug and polysaccharide ratio influenced the mucoadhesion, encapsulation efficiency and in-vitro release property. Scintigraphs taken at regular interval indicate that control solution was cleared rapidly from nasal cavity, whereas microspheres showed slower clearance (p?Conclusion: Natural polysaccharide-based microspheres achieved extended residence by minimizing effect of mucociliary clearance with opportunity of sustained delivery for longer duration.     

Inkjet-printed patch antenna emitter for wireless communication application

This research focuses on exploring low-cost and rapid production solutions for fabricating emitters for patch antennas for wireless communication applications. Additive manufacturing technique is employed to fabricate two patch antennas using silver nanoparticle ink on FR4 substrate. Finite-element simulation software, HFSS is used to analyse and predict the theoretical performance of the antenna designs for 2.4?GHz MIMO and 6?GHz wireless data transmission. The fabricated antennas have resonant frequencies closely matching the design values. The work provides a viable solution for fabricating emitters and finally antennas commercially using inkjet printing platform, thus overall reducing the cost and simplifying the process.     

Imperative role of electron microscopy in toxicity assessment: A review

Electron microscope (EM) was developed in 1931 and since then microscopical examination of both the biological and non-biological samples has been revolutionized. Modifications in electron microscopy techniques, such as scanning EM and transmission EM, have widened their applicability in the various sectors such as understanding of drug toxicity, development of mechanism, criminal site investigation, and characterization of the nano-molecule. The present review summarizes its role in important aspects such as toxicity assessment and disease diagnosis in special reference to SARS-COV2. In the biological system, EM studies have elucidated the impact of toxicants at the ultra-structural level in various tissue in conformity to physiological alterations. Thus, EM can be concluded as an important tool in toxicity assessment and disease prognosis.     

Lattice and grain boundary diffusion of cerium and neodymium in nickel

Diffusion of cerium and neodymium in nickel has been studied by the serial sectioning technique using radioactive tracers¹⁴¹Ce and¹⁴⁷Nd, in the temperature ranges 700° to 1100°C for volume and 500° to 875°C for grain boundary diffusion respectively. Volume diffusivities can be expressed as: $$\begin{gathered} D_{Ce/Ni} = (0.66 \pm 0.18)\exp \left( { - \frac{{60,800 \pm 810}}{{RT}}} \right)cm^2 /\sec \hfill \\ D_{Nd/Ni} = (0.44 \pm 0.13)\exp \left( { - \frac{{59,820 \pm 830}}{{RT}}} \right)cm^2 /\sec \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ and grain boundary diffusivities by: $$\begin{gathered} Dg_{Ce/Ni} = 0.11\exp \left( { - \frac{{29,550}}{{RT}}} \right)cm^2 /\sec \hfill \\ Dg_{Nd/Ni} = 0.07\exp \left( { - \frac{{28,580}}{{RT}}} \right)cm^2 /\sec \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ Results of volume diffusion have been compared with those calculated from the theories of diffusion based on size and charge difference between the solute and the solvent atoms. Whipple and Suzuoka methods have been used to evaluate the grain boundary diffusion coefficients. Both the methods give similar results.