Side illumination fluorescence emission characteristics from a dye doped polymer optical fiber under two-photon excitation.

Two-photon excited (TPE) side illumination fluorescence studies in a Rh6G-RhB dye mixture doped polymer optical fiber (POF) and the effect of energy transfer on the attenuation coefficient is reported. The dye doped POF is pumped sideways using 800 nm, 70 fs laser pulses from a Ti:sapphire laser, and the TPE fluorescence emission is collected from the end of the fiber for different propagation distances. The fluorescence intensity of RhB doped POF is enhanced in the presence of Rh6G as a result of energy transfer from Rh6G to RhB. Because of the reabsorption and reemission process in dye molecules, an effective energy transfer is observed from the shorter wavelength part of the fluorescence spectrum to the longer wavelength part as the propagation distance is increased in dye doped POF. An energy transfer coefficient is found to be higher at shorter propagation distances compared to longer distances. A TPE fluorescence signal is used to characterize the optical attenuation coefficient in dye doped POF. The attenuation coefficient decreases at longer propagation distances due to the reabsorption and reemission process taking place within the dye doped fiber as the propagation distance is increased.

Multimode laser emission from dye doped polymer optical fiber

Multimode laser emission is observed in a polymer optical fiber doped with a mixture of Rhodamine 6G (Rh 6G) and Rhodamine B (Rh B) dyes. Tuning of laser emission is achieved by using the mixture of dyes due to the energy transfer occurring from donor molecule (Rh 6G) to acceptor molecule (Rh B). The dye doped poly(methyl methacrylate)-based polymer optical fiber is pumped axially at one end of the fiber using a 532 nm pulsed laser beam from a Nd:YAG laser and the fluorescence emission is collected from the other end. At low pump energy levels, fluorescence emission is observed. When the energy is increased beyond a threshold value, laser emission occurs with a multimode structure. The optical feedback for the gain medium is provided by the cylindrical surface of the optical fiber, which acts as a cavity. This fact is confirmed by the mode spacing dependence on the diameter of the fiber.

Fabrication and characterization of dye mixture doped polymer optical fiber as a broad wavelength optical amplifier

Rhodamine 6G and Rhodamine B dye mixture doped polymer optical fiber amplifier (POFA), which can operate in a broad wavelength region (60 nm), has been successfully fabricated and tested. Tunable operation of the amplifier over a broad wavelength region is achieved by mixing different ratios of the dyes. The dye doped POFA is pumped axially using 532 nm, 10 ns laser pulses from a frequency doubled Q-switched Nd: YAG laser and the signals are taken from an optical parametric oscillator. A maximum gain of 22.3 dB at 617 nm wavelength has been obtained for a 7 cm long dye mixture doped POFA. The effects of pump energy and length of the fiber on the performance of the fiber amplifier are also studied. There exists an optimum length for which the amplifier gain is at a maximum value.

Fluorescence characterization and gain studies on a dye-doped graded index polymer optical-fiber preform

Preparation of an appropriate optical-fiber preform is vital for the fabrication of graded-index polymer optical fibers (GIPOF), which are considered to be a good choice for providing inexpensive high bandwidth data links, for local area networks and telecommunication applications. Recent development of the interfacial gel polymerization technique has caused a dramatic reduction in the total attenuation in GIPOF, and this is one of the potential methods to prepare fiber preforms for the fabrication of dye-doped polymer-fiber amplifiers. In this paper, the preparation of a dye-doped graded-index poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) rod by the interfacial gel polymerization method using a PMMA tube is reported. An organic compound of high-refractive index, viz., diphenyl phthalate (DPP), was used to obtain a graded-index distribution, and Rhodamine B (Rh B), was used to dope the PMMA rod. The refractive index profile of the rod was measured using an interferometric technique and the index exponent was estimated. The single pass gain of the rod was measured at a pump wavelength of 532 nm. The extent of doping of the Rh B in the preform was studied by axially exciting a thin slice of the rod with white light and measuring the spatial variation of the fluorescence intensity across the sample.

A Comparative Study of Fiber Optic Humidity Sensors Based on Chitosan and Agarose

A comparative study of two biopolymer based fiber optic humidity sensors is presented in this paper. Sensing elements Agarose and Chitosan swells in the presence of water vapour and undergoes changes in refractive index and modulates the intensity of light propagating through a fiber with Agarose or Chitosan as cladding.

Design and development of an LED based fiber optic evanescent wave sensor for simultaneous detection of chromium and nitrite traces in water

The design and development of a cost-effective, simple, sensitive and portable LED based fiber optic evanescent wave sensor for simultaneously detecting trace amounts of chromium and nitrite in water are presented. In order to obtain the desired performance, the middle portions of two multimode plastic clad silica fibers are unclad and are used as the sensing elements in the two arms of the sensor. Each of the sensor arms is sourced by separate super bright green LEDs, which are modulated in a time-sharing manner and a single photo detector is employed for detecting these light signals. The performance and characteristics of this system clearly establish the usefulness of the technique for detecting very low concentrations of the dissolved contaminants.

A fiber optic concentration sensor

A simple fiber optic concentration sensor based on the coupling of light f rom one fiber to another through a solution is discussed. The operational characteristics of the sensor are illustrated by taking the solutions of potassium permanganate and fast green dye as samples.The extrinsic type sensor described here shows linearity at lower concentrations.

Biochemical & Pharmacological evaluation of liver oils of selected deep sea sharks and chimaeras of the Indian EEZ

With a seacoast of 8,1 18 km, an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 2 million square km, and with an area of about 30,000 square km under aquaculture, lndia produces close to six million tonnes of fish, over 4 per cent of the world fish production. While the marine waters upto 50m depth have been fully exploited, those beyond, remain unexplored. There is an ever increasing demand for fishery resources as food. The coastal fishery resources of the country are dwindling at a rapid pace and it becomes highly imperative that we search for alternate fishery resources for food. The option we have is to hunt for marine fishery resources. Studies pertaining to proximate composition, amino acid and fatty acid composition are essential to understand the nutraceutical values of these deep sea fishery resources. The present study was aimed to carry out proximate composition of deep sea fishery resources obtained during cruises onboard the FORV Sarise Sampada, to identify fishery resources which have appreciable lipid content and thereby analyse the bioactive potentials of marine lipids, to study the amino acid profile of these fishery resources, to understand the contents of SPA, MUFA and PUFA and to calculate the n3/n6 fatty acid contents. Though the presence of nutraceuticals was identified in the marine fishery resources their use as potential food resources deserve further investigation. So the study were carried out to calculate the hepatosomatic indices of sharks & chimaeras and conduct biochemical characterisation of liver oils of Apristurus indicus, Cenlrophorus scalprams, Centroselachus crepidater, Neoharriotta raleighana, and Harriotta pinnata obtained during cruises onboard the FORV Sugar Sampada.Therapeutic use of shark liver oil is evident from its use for centuries as a remedy to heal wounds and fight flu (Neil er al. 2006). Japanese seamen called it 'samedava' or "cure all". Shark liver oil is being promoted worldwide as a dietary supplement to boost the immune system, fight infections, to treat cancer and to lessen the side effects of conventional cancer treatment. These days more emphasis is laid on the nutritive benefits of shark liver oils especially on the omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs) (Anandan er al. 2007) and alkylglycerols (AKGs) (Pugliese er al. I998) contained in them due to the high rise of inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, asthma and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Schizophrenia. So the present study also evaluate the pharmacological properties with respect to analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti pyretic and anti-ulcer effects of four different liver oils of sharks belonging to the Indian EEZ and to identify the components of oil responsible for these activities.The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of liver oils from Neoharriotra raleighana (NR), Centrosymnus crepidater (CC), Apristurus indicus (AI), and Centrophorus sculpratus (CS) sharks caught from the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean were compared. The main objectives also include determination of the cholesterol lowering effects of liver oils of Neoharriotra raleighana (NR) and Centrophorus sculpratus (CS) on the high fat diet induced dyslipidemia and to compare the impact of four isolipidemic diets, on levels of serum diagnostic marker enzymes, on lipid profile of blood and liver and antioxidant status of heart in male Albino rats. And also to study the efficacy of Centrophorus sculpratus (CS) liver oil against Complete Freund’s Adjuvant-induced arthritis and to compare the anti-inflammatory activity of this oil with a traditionally used anti-inflammatory substance gingerol (oleoresin extracted from ginger.). The results of the present study indicated that both (Centrophorus sculpratus liver oils as well as gingerol extracts proved to be effective natural remedies against CFA-induced arthritis in Albino rats.

Polypropylene/metal oxide nanocomposites: fiber spinning and evaluation”

PP has been getting much attention over the years because it is a very durable polymer commonly used in aggressive environments including automotive battery casings, fuel containers etc. They are used to make bottles, fibers for clothing, components in cars etc. However, it has some shortcomings such as low dimensional and thermal stability. Materials such as metal oxides with sizes of the order 1–50 nm have received a great deal of attention because of their versatile applications in polymer/ inorganic nanocomposites, optoelectronic devices, biomedical materials, and other areas. They are stable under harsh process conditions and also regarded as safe materials to human beings and animals. In the present investigation, PP is modified by incorporating metal oxide nanoparticles such as ZnO and TiO2 by simple melt mixing method. Melt spinning method was used to prepare PP/metal oxide nanocomposite fibers. Various studies have been carried out on these composites and fibers. In the first part of the study, ZnO nanoparticles were prepared from ZnCl2 and NaOH in presence of chitosan, PVA, ethanol and starch. This is a simple and inexpensive method compared to other methods. Change in morphology and particle size of ZnO were studied. Least particle size was obtained in chitosan medium. The particles were characterized by using XRD, SEM, TEM, TGA and EDAX. Antibacterial properties of ZnO prepared in chitosan medium (NZO) and commercial zinc oxide (CZO) were evaluated using a gram positive and a gram negative bacteria

Development of optical fiber sensors for selected chemical and physical sensing applications

The objective of the preset work is to develop optical fiber sensors for various physical and chemical parameters. As a part of this we initially investigated trace analysis of silica, ammonia, iron and phosphate in water. For this purpose the author has implemented a dual wavelength probing scheme which has many advantages over conventional evanescent wave sensors. Dual wavelength probing makes the design more reliable and repeatable and this design makes the sensor employable for concentration, chemical content, adulteration level, monitoring and control in industries or any such needy environments. Use of low cost components makes the system cost effective and simple. The Dual wavelength probing scheme is employed for the trace analysis of silica, iron, phosphate, and ammonia in water. Such sensors can be employed for the steam and water quality analysers in power plants. Few samples from a power plant are collected and checked the performance of developed system for practical applications.

Synthesis, characterization and properties of Conductive elastomeric composites based on Polypyrrole and short Nylon-6 fiber

The search for new materials especially those possessing special properties continues at a great pace because of ever growing demands of the modern life. The focus on the use of intrinsically conductive polymers in organic electronic devices has led to the development of a totally new class of smart materials. Polypyrrole (PPy) is one of the most stable known conducting polymers and also one of the easiest to synthesize. In addition, its high conductivity, good redox reversibility and excellent microwave absorbing characteristics have led to the existence of wide and diversified applications for PPy. However, as any conjugated conducting polymer, PPy lacks processability, flexibility and strength which are essential for industrial requirements. Among various approaches to making tractable materials based on PPy, incorporating PPy within an electrically insulating polymer appears to be a promising method, and this has triggered the development of blends or composites. Conductive elastomeric composites of polypyrrole are important in that they are composite materials suitable for devices where flexibility is an important parameter. Moreover these composites can be moulded into complex shapes. In this work an attempt has been made to prepare conducting elastomeric composites by the incorporation of PPy and PPy coated short Nylon-6 fiber with insulating elastomer matrices- natural rubber and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber. It is well established that mechanical properties of rubber composites can be greatly improved by adding short fibers. Generally short fiber reinforced rubber composites are popular in industrial fields because of their processing advantages, low cost, and their greatly improved technical properties such as strength, stiffness, modulus and damping. In the present work, PPy coated fiber is expected to improve the mechanical properties of the elastomer-PPy composites, at the same time increasing the conductivity. In addition to determination of DC conductivity and evaluation of mechanical properties, the work aims to study the thermal stability, dielectric properties and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of the composites. The thesis consists of ten chapters.

Adrenergic and serotonergic function in dna synthesis during rat liver regeneration and in hepatocyte cultures

The adult mammalian liver is predominantly in a quiescent state with respect to cell division. This quiescent state changes dramatically, however, if the liver is injured by toxic, infectious or mechanic agents (Ponder, 1996). Partial hepatectomy (PH) which consists of surgical removal of two-thirds of the liver, has been used to stimulate hepatocyte proliferation (Higgins & Anderson 1931). This experimental model of liver regeneration has been the target of many studies to probe the mechanisms responsible for liver cell growth control (Michalopoulos, 1990; Taub, 1996). After PH most of the remaining cells in the renmant liver respond with co-ordinated waves of DNA synthesis and divide in a process called compensatory hyperplasia. Hence, liver regeneration is a model of relatively synchronous cell cycle progression in vivo. In contrast to hepatomas, cell division is terminated under some intrinsic control when the original cellular mass has been regained. This has made liver regeneration a useful model to dissect the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of cell division regulation. The liver is thus, one of the few adult organs that demonstrates a physiological growth rewonse (Fausto & Mead, 1989; Fausto & Webber, 1994). The regulation of liver cell proliferation involves circulating or intrahepatic factors that are involved in either the priming of hepatocytes to enter the cell cycle (Go to G1) or progression through the cell cycle. In order to understand the basis of liver regeneration it is mandatory to define the mechanisms which (a) trigger division, (b) allow the liver to concurrently grow and maintain dilferentiated fimction and (c) terminate cell proliferation once the liver has reached the appropriate mass. Studies on these aspects of liver regeneration will provide basic insight of cell growth and dilferentiation, liver diseases like viral hepatitis, toxic damage and liver transplant where regeneration of the liver is essential. In the present study, Go/G1/S transition of hepatocytes re-entering the cell cycle after PH was studied with special emphasis on the involvement of neurotransmitters, their receptors and second messenger function in the control of cell division during liver regeneration

Preparation and characterization of micro and nano fiber reinforced natural rubber composites by latex stage processing

Use of short fibers as reinforcing fillers in rubber composites is on an increasing trend. They are popular due to the possibility of obtaining anisotropic properties, ease of processing and economy. In the preparation of these composites short fibers are incorporated on two roll mixing mills or in internal mixers. This is a high energy intensive time consuming process. This calls for developing less energy intensive and less time consuming processes for incorporation and distribution of short fibers in the rubber matrix. One method for this is to incorporate fibers in the latex stage. The present study is primarily to optimize the preparation of short fiber- natural rubber composite by latex stage compounding and to evaluate the resulting composites in terms of mechanical, dynamic mechanical and thermal properties. A synthetic fiber (Nylon) and a natural fiber (Coir) are used to evaluate the advantages of the processing through latex stage. To extract the full reinforcing potential of the coir fibers the macro fibers are converted to micro fibers through chemical and mechanical means. The thesis is presented in 7 chapters

GABA and 5-HT chitosan nanoparticles enhanced liver cell proliferation and neuronal survival in partially hepatectomised rats: GABAB and 5-HT2A receptors functional

Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems provide wide opportunities for solving problems associated with drug stability or disease states and create great expectations in the area of drug delivery (Bosselmann & Williams, 2012). Nanotechnology, in a simple way, explains the technology that deals with one billionth of a meter scale (Ochekpe, et al., 2009). Fewer side effects, poor bioavailability, absorption at intestine, solubility, specific delivery to site of action with good pharmacological efficiency, slow release, degradation of drug and effective therapeutic outcome, are the major challenges faced by most of the drug delivery systems. To a great extent, biopolymer coated drug delivery systems coupled with nanotechnology alleviate the major drawbacks of the common delivery methods. Chitosan, deacetylated chitin, is a copolymer of β-(1, 4) linked glucosamine (deacetylated unit) and N- acetyl glucosamine (acetylated unit) (Radhakumary et al., 2005). Chitosan is biodegradable, non-toxic and bio compatible. Owing to the removal of acetyl moieties that are present in the amine functional groups of chitin, chitosan is readily soluble in aqueous acidic solution. The solubilisation occurs through the protonation of amino groups on the C-2 position of D-glucosamine residues whereby polysaccharide is converted into polycation in acidic media. Chitosan interacts with many active compounds due to the presence of amine group in it. The presence of this active amine group in chitosan was exploited for the interaction with the active molecules in the present study. Nanoparticles of chitosan coupled drugs are utilized for drug delivery in eye, brain, liver, cancer tissues, treatment of spinal cord injury and infections (Sharma et al., 2007; Li, et a., 2009; Paolicelli et al., 2009; Cho et al., 2010). To deliver drugs directly to the intended site of action and to improve pharmacological efficiency by minimizing undesired side effects elsewhere in the body and decrease the long-term use of many drugs, polymeric drug delivery systems can be used (Thatte et al., 2005).

“Studies on short polyester fiber - polyurethane elastomer composite with different interfacial bonding agents”

The work presented in this thesis is regarding the development and evaluation of new bonding agents for short polyester fiber - polyurethane elastomer composites. The conventional bonding system based on hexamethylenetetramine, resorcinol and hydrated silica was not effective as a bonding agent for the composite, as the water eliminated during the formation of the RF resin hydrolysed the urethane linkages. Four bonding agents based on MDI/'I‘DI and polypropyleneglycol, propyleneglycol and glycerol were prepared and the composite recipe was optimised with respect to the cure characteristics and mechanical properties. The flow properties, stress relaxation pattern and the thermal degradation characteristics of the composites containing different bonding agents were then studied in detail to evaluate the new bonding systems. The optimum loading of resin was 5 phr and the ratio of the -01 to isocyanate was 1:1. The cure characteristics showed that the optimum combination of cure rate and processability was given by the composite with the resin based on polypropyleneglycol/ glycerol/ 4,4’diphenylmethanediisocynate (PPG/GL/MDI). From the rheological studies of the composites with and without bonding agents it was observed that all the composites showed pseudoplastic nature and the activation energy of flow of the composite was not altered by the presence of bonding agents. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, modulus, tear resistance and abrasion resistance were improved in the presence of bonding agents and the effect was more pronounced in the case of abrasion resistance. The composites based on MDI/GL showed better initial properties while composites with resins based on MDI/PPG showed better aging resistance. Stress relaxation showed a multistage relaxation behaviour for the composite. Within the-strain levels studied, the initial rate of relaxation was higher and the cross over time was lesser for the composite containing bonding agents. The bonding agent based on MDI/PPG/GL was found to be a better choice for improving stress relaxation characteristics with better interfacial bonding. Thennogravimetirc analysis showed that the presence of fiber and bonding agents improved the thennal stability of the polyurethane elastomer marginally and it was maximum in the case of MDI / GL based bonding agents. The kinetics of degradation was not altered by the presence of bonding agents