Intravaginal Controlled Administration of Flurogestone Acetate: (III) Development of Rate-Control Vaginal Devices

A Rate-Control vaginal device was developed which overcomes the low bioavailability and unpredictable Q - t^1/2 type release and absorption rate profiles of flurogestone acetate delivered by the currently marketed Syncro-Mate pessary.

The in vitro release and vaginal absorption profiles from the Rate-Control vaginal device were run simultaneously, a linear Q - t relationship was obtained with a significant improvement in bioavailability. A mathematical model was developed to correlate the in vitro drug release and the vaginal absorption profiles of flurogestone acetate from the vaginal devices.

The design, development and the simultaneous release and absorption profiles of flurogestone acetate from this new vaginal device were outlined and discussed.     

Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor Cluster: communication linkages among stakeholders in a national system of innovation

As the wave of globalization washes over geographical boundaries, the world steps into the era of a new knowledge-based economy with governments striving to encourage innovation in industry especially through national systems of innovation. A national system of innovation (NSI) is considered important because how a nation utilizes and exploits its NSI will determine whether it can compete and ride the wave of globalization or be carried by it and thrashed onto the shores of the new economy. This paper seeks to highlight the linkages developed for enabling communication among the various NSI stakeholders for achieving goals in one such effort, viz. the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Cluster of Malaysia. The MSC offers a vision to create a global multimedia climate through an integrated environment of interlinked elements and attributes. The government of Malaysia, realising the significance of the NSI as a way to better utilize, exploit, and enhance systems, is making efforts to this effect. The efforts include bringing together various stakeholder organizations under the "Multimedia Flagship Applications" to develop flagship applications. This is for the development of information technology applications to pave the way toward a knowledge-based economy. The MSC Cluster is presented here as a physical manifestation of the NSI, and it gives an idea as to how policy makers can design linkages for communication among the various stakeholders to further national innovative performance and competitiveness in general.     

Characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol)/sodium bromide polymer electrolytes for electrochemical cell applications

Sodium‐ion conducting polymer electrolytes based on poly(vinyl alcohol) complexed with sodium bromide were prepared with a solution‐casting technique. The structure of these films was determined with X‐ray diffraction, and the complexation of the salt with the polymer was confirmed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies. Electrical conductivity was measured with an alternating‐current impedance analyzer in the frequency range of 100 Hz to 1 MHz and in the temperature range of 303–373 K. It was observed that the magnitude of conductivity increased with the increase in the salt concentration as well as the temperature. The nature of the charge transport in these polymer electrolyte films was determined with both Wagner's polarization technique and the Watanabe technique. The dominant conducting species were found to be ions, particularly anions. Optical absorption studies were performed in the wavelength range of 200–600 nm, and the absorption edge, direct band gap, and indirect band gap values were evaluated. Electrochemical cells were fabricated, and their discharge characteristics were studied. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

CONTEXTUALIZING LEARNING OBJECTS USING ONTOLOGIES

Educational research over the past three years has intensified such that the context of learning resources needs to be properly modeled. Many researchers have described and even mandated the use of ontologies in the research being conducted, yet the process of actually connecting one or more ontologies to a learning object has not been extensively discussed. This paper describes a practical model for associating multiple ontologies with learning objects while making full use of the IEEE LOM specification. The model categorizes these ontologies according to five major categories of context based on the most popular fields of study actively being pursued by the educational research community: Thematic context, Pedagogical context, Learner context, Organizational context, and Historical/Statistical context.     

Noise analysis of double gate composite InAs based HEMTs for high frequency applications

Microsystem Technologies - The quantitative analysis of microwave noise available in the double gate (DG) high electron transistors of mobility (HEMT) is reported in this paper. For this analysis,...     

Characteristics and compositions ofCarissa spinarum,Leucaena leucocephala andPhysalis minima seeds and oils

The seeds and extracted oils ofCarissa spinarum (Apocynaceae), (I),Leucaena leucocephala (Leguminosae) (II) andPhysalis minima (Solanaceae) (III) were analyzed for characteristics and compositions. The seeds of I, II and III contained 22.4, 6.4 and 40.0% oil and 10.1, 27.6 and 17.9% protein, respectively. The oils of I, II and III had, respectively, iodine values 70.1, 113.5 and 122.5; saponification values 186, 188 and 189; unsaponifiable matter 5.2, 2.5 and 0.8%, and the following fatty acid compositions (area %): palmitic 12.6, 14.2, 10.5; stearic 7.6, 6.1, 8.6; oleic 72.7, 20.1, 17.3; linoleic 5.2, 53.8, 61.4; linolenic 0.9, 1.8, 0.0, and arachidic 1.0, 2.3, 0.0. II contained 1.7% lignoceric acid. III contained small amounts of hexadecenoic (0.1%), epoxy (0.6%) and hydroxy (1.5%) fatty acids.     

Design of Barrages with Genetic Algorithm Based Embedded Simulation Optimization Approach

Barrages are hydraulic structures constructed across rivers to divert flow into irrigation canals or power generation channels. The most of these structures are founded on permeable foundation. The optimum cost of these structures is nonlinear function of factors that cause the seepage forces under the structure. There is, however, no procedure to ascertain the basic barrage parameters such as depth of sheet piles or cutoffs and the length and thickness of floor in a cost–effective manner. In this paper, a nonlinear optimization formulation (NLOF), which consists of an objective function of minimizing total cost, is solved using genetic algorithm (GA). The mathematical model that represents the subsurface flow is embedded in the NLOF. The applicability of the approach has been illustrated with a typical example of barrage profile. The results obtained in this study shows drastic cost savings when the proposed NLOF is solved using GA than that of using classical optimization technique and conventional method. A parametric analysis has also been performed to study the effect of varying soil and hydrological conditions on design parameters and on over all cost.     

Design data for solar heating of air Using a Heat Exchange and Storage System

An arrangement for heating with solar energy by means of a heat exchanger and storage coupled to the two water heaters has been described^*. In the present paper, the amount of the heat transferred from water to air in the shell-and-tube heat exchanger and the temperature of the outgoing air have been estimated by considering various parameters, viz. flow rate and temperature of incoming air, temperature of incoming and outgoing water, length and diameter of tubes, etc. Both natural and forced convection mode of heat transfer have been considered.

Under boundary conditions of free convection, heat transfer would be rapid and efficient with a possible reduction in the pipe length. The maximum permissible limit of pressure drop per foot of each tube for pipes of different diameters at different Reynolds numbers has been given.

As conditions of drying vary from material to material, the data presented will help in arriving at the final design of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger to be used in drying a particular material.     

Adiponectin Deficiency Alters Placenta Function but Does Not Affect Fetal Growth in Mice

Adiponectin administration to pregnant mice decreases nutrient transport and fetal growth. An adiponectin deficiency, on the other hand, as seen in obese women during pregnancy, alters fetal growth; however, the mechanism is unclear. To determine the role of adiponectin on placenta function and fetal growth, we used adiponectin knockout, adiponectin heterozygote that displays reduced adiponectin levels, and wild-type mice on a control diet or high fat/high sucrose (HF/HS) diet. Triglycerides (TGs) in the serum, liver, and placenta were measured using colorimetric assays. Gene expression was measured using quantitative RT-PCR. Adiponectin levels did not affect fetal weight, but it reduced adiponectin levels, increased fetal serum and placenta TG content. Wildtype dams on a HF/HS diet protected the fetuses from fatty acid overload as judged by increased liver TGs in dams and normal serum and liver TG levels in fetuses, while low adiponectin was associated with increased fetal liver TGs. Low maternal adiponectin increased the expression of genes involved in fatty acid transport; Lpl and Cd36 in the placenta. Adiponectin deficiency does not affect fetal growth but induces placental dysfunction and increases fetal TG load, which is enhanced with obesity. This could lead to imprinting effects on the fetus and the development of metabolic dysfunction in the offspring.