Average Thickness Values Research Articles

Analisis Ketebalan Lapisan pada Pengecatan Baja Karbon Rendah menggunakan Metode Respons Permukaan

The number of vehicles has increased every year. This increase was accompanied by an increase in the number of accidents that occurred. Accidents that occur result in damage to vehicles so that repainting is needed. Painting is an effort made by applying paint in liquid form on the surface of an object to create a layer on the surface of the object. Painting serves to protect and improve the appearance of a surface. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of a combination of parameters that can produce maximum thickness values. The experimental design used in this study is a surface response method with three parameters where each parameter has three levels. The parameters chosen were spraying distance (110 mm, 130 mm, 150 mm), composition between paint-thinner (1/1.6, 1/1.4, 1/1.2), and pressure (3.5, 4.5, 5.5). The painting process is carried out with the help of a paint test demonstrator. The painting results are dried in the oven and then measured using a thickness gauge. The measurement data is processed using the help of Minitab software and the estimator equation for thickness is obtained. The parameters with the greatest influence in this study are the distance of spraying with a distance coefficient of 2.258. Painting with the highest average value of thickness occurred in the fifteenth experiment with a thickness value of 39.9 micron. The thickness is obtained by variable variations of 130 mm distance, paint-thinner 1/1.4 composition and 4.5 bar pressure.

ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF MORINGA OLEIFERA SEEDS RELATED TO AN OIL EXPELLER DESIGN

The aim of this research was to investigate some engineering properties of Moringa Oleifera seeds cultivated in Egypt. The properties were determined at a moisture content of seed 9.45 % (d. b.). Firstly the physical properties, the results showed that the mean values of the percentages by weight of seed parts to whole seed were 21.4 ± 2.4 and 78.6 ± 2.4 %, for kernels and husks respectively. The average values of length, width, thickness, arithmetic, and geometric mean diameter, sphericity, mass of individual seed, thousand seed mass, true density, bulk density, porosity, surface area and projected area were as follow: 13.8, 10.6, 10.3, 11.55, 11.45 mm, 84.9 %, 0.31 g, 290 g, 0.88 g/cm3, 0.65 g/cm3, 26.1%, 393 mm2, and 91 mm2 respectively. Secondly the mechanical properties, the results showed that the mean value of the angle of repose was 22.65o ± 1.1o, the coefficient of static friction for the stainless steel (304) structural surface had the lowest value (1.14) while the rubber structural surface had the highest value (2.05). The highest values of the rupture force, deformation ratio, hardness and the energy needed for rupture force were 67.5 N, 0.05, 89.75 N/mm and 36.5 N.mm while the lowest values were 35.2 N, 0.045, 58.51 N/mm and 25.9 N.mm, respectively.

Retinal nerve fibre and ganglion cell inner plexiform layer analysis by optical coherence tomography in asymptomatic empty sella patients

Purpose: To investigate the clinical importance of the thicknesses of the retinal nerve fibre (RNFL) and ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCL+) by spectral domain optic coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in asymptomatic empty sella (ES) patients.Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional, non-randomized prospective study, 44 ES patients and 74 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were evaluated. All the patients and controls competed an automated 30-2 visual field (VF) test. The mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD), RNFL, and GCL + thickness values obtained with SD-OCT were compared statistically between the two groups.Results: No marked VF defects were found in either group, and there was no statistically significant between-group difference in MD or PSD values. In terms of RNFL thickness, the average and superior quadrant RNFL values of the ES patients were thinner than those of the controls, with statistical significance (p = 0.013 and p = 0.043, respectively). Although other measured RNFL quadrant thicknesses and foveal thickness (FT), macular volume (MV), and average macular thickness (AMT) values were reduced in the ES group, these differences were not statistically significant. The average GCL + value and GCL + values in six sectors in the patient group were significantly lower than those in the control group.Conclusions: Asymptomatic ES patients have a risk of primary ES syndrome and should be followed up using a multidisciplinary approach. Objective and quantitative RNFL and GCL + thickness measurements obtained with OCT can provide valuable data for monitoring these patients.

Influence of the Hamaker Constant on the Value of the Critical Thickness of Foam Films

The aim of the present study was to check the influence of the Hamaker constant (A(h)) on the calculated critical thickness of foam films. It was done by a comparison between the experimental data of the critical thickness and the theoretically obtained data with different values of (A(h)), which take part in the equations of Radoev, Scheludko, Manev, and Vrij. We calculated the latter for film thicknesses from 15 to 70 nm based on several equations. We used the experimental data of hcr (average value of critical thickness and measured once, in the place of a spot appearance) for foam films stabilized by non-ionic surfactant n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside (C12G2) or by cationic surfactant n-dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide (C12TAB), as measured by the interferometric method. The foam films were produced from solutions with surfactant concentration at CMC (Critical Micelle Concentration) in the presence of 0.1 M NaBr. For films of C12G2, the best correspondence was found between measured hcr (in the spot) and calculated ones by the RShM equation using effective A(h) (introduced by Coons et al.) or Vassilieff’s values, but with a correction for the added electrolyte. For films stabilized by C12TAB, a difference between the measured and theoretically calculated hcr was found, which was probably due to the nature of the surfactant. Nevertheless, this difference was smallest when calculated hcr values were obtained with data for Aeff (h) and Vassilieff’s A(h) constant, respectively.

Influence of laser surface melting on the properties of MB26 and AZ80 magnesium alloys

In the present investigation, laser surface melting (LSM) was performed on MB26 and AZ80 magnesium alloys and their surface properties were evaluated. The finite element method (FEM) was used to calculate the resulting temperature during the laser surface melting process. The melted layer average thickness values were about 296 and 190 μm for MB26 and AZ80 alloys, respectively and the variation in the thickness is mainly attributed to the absorption in laser energy. The average grain size of the LSMed MB26 alloy was decreased about 14.5 times and AZ80 had very finer grains than the MB26 along with the fine distribution of second phases. Further, the X-ray diffraction results revealed that the second phase intensities were decreased in both the alloys due to their dispersion. The laser absorption efficiency of MB26 was higher due to the higher plasma attachment during LSM process, thereby has higher melt layer thickness compared to AZ80. The refined microstructure of the melted layer resulted in an increase of micro-hardness up to 110 Hv. Potentiodynamic polarization test results revealed that the corrosion current density (icorr) values of the LSMed MB26 and AZ80 alloys were decreased about 1.8 and 2.5 times, respectively compared to the as-received alloys. A variation in solidification rates of the melt pool due to the alloying elements were attributed to an improvement in the surface and electrochemical properties.

COMPARISON OF RETINAL NERVE FIBER LAYER THICKNESS BETWEEN EMMETROPES AND HIGH MYOPES

Background: The present study aims to compare RNFL thickness of high myopes of > - 6D and compare with emmetropic patients, so as to interpret and distinguish the physiological changes of high myopia from accompanying diseases in such individuals.
 Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. All subjects underwent a full ophthalmic examination, refraction and visual field analysis. Optical coherence tomography was used for RFNL thickness measurement. The mean peripapillary RNFL thickness between groups was compared using both analysis of variance and analysis of covariance.
 Results: The mean value of average RNFL thickness in both groups was found to be 85.40 in group 1 and 99.34 in group 2. P value was 0.0001, showing that there was significant statistical difference between both the groups and average RNFL thickness was thinner in myopic group.
 Conclusion: RNFL was found to be significantly thin in high myopia.
 Keywords: RNFL thickness, Myopia, Emmetropes

SOME ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF COTTON SEEDS

To design equipment for application in plantation, harvesting, ginning, transportation, storage, oil extraction and processing operations of cotton seeds, the knowledge of various engineering properties for cotton seeds. The study of experiments conducted on cotton seeds at 9.16 % moisture content on dry basis. The results showed that the average value of length, width, thickness, geometrical and arithmetic mean diameters, volume, sphericity, coefficient of contact surface and surface area of cotton seeds were 9.47, 5.57, 4.68, 6.27, 6.58 mm, 129.55 mm3, 66.37 %, 50.32 % and 123.63 mm2, respectively. While; the mean value of bulk and true densities, individual seed mass, one thousand seed, porosity and projected area were 0.457 and 1.051 g/cm3, 0.115 g, 112.22 g, 56.39% and 39.91 mm2, respectively. The study also revealed that the average value of repose angle was 36.22°. While; the lowest value of static friction coefficient for cotton seeds were on stainless steel sheet followed by galvanized iron, plywood and the highest on rubber were 0.320, 0.408, 0.482 and 0.583, respectively. The study also concluded that the mean value of rupture force and deformation ratio of cotton seeds were 76.88 N and 6.11 %. The mean values of terminal velocity and coefficient of drag were 9.34 m/s and 0.55, respectively. Also; the mean value of Reynolds number was 3536 so; the pattern of air flow is in the range of transitional flow.

Analysis of wide EHL rolling contacts with small superimposed transverse speed oscillation

Abstract This paper theoretically investigates the lubricant film build-up in a Newtonian, isothermal wide EHL rolling contact with a small transverse oscillating speed of constant frequency and amplitude. By increasing either elliptical contact width or roller-end gap smoothness, it is found with the aid of perturbation techniques that a) film fluctuations introduced by the transverse speed become smaller in amplitude and limited to the contact edges and, b) the overall minimum film thickness position shifts from the side lobes to the centerline outlet. As a result, the central, average and minimum film thickness values might then all appear to be unaffected by the transverse speed.

Storm characteristics and precipitation estimates of monsoonal clouds using C-band polarimetric radar over Northwest India

Storm is a convective cell much smaller than a mesoscale convective system (MCS) but typically larger than a cumulonimbus cloud and heavy precipitation and lightning are often associated with it. Storms contribute major fraction of the convective precipitation in MCSs. Storm characteristics and precipitation estimates around New Delhi (28.6°N, 77.2°E; an Indian land location) during June–September period of the year 2013 are reported here using data of C-band polarimetric Doppler weather radar. Storms, defined based on radar reflectivity thresholds (30 dBZ for simple storms and 40 dBZ for intense storms), are tracked and their properties are extracted. Our results show that about 80% of storms exist for 1 h or less. The areas of 90% of simple storms are less than 100 km2 and the largest area averaged over storm lifespan does not exceed 400 km2. The majority of storms (> 80%) move with speeds less than 30 km h−1. About 60–65% of simple/intense storms have echo top heights between 6 and 10 km, while only few of them exceed 17 km. The values of average thickness of simple and intense storms lie between ~ 2–10 and ~ 1–7 km, respectively. It is not the vertical extent of a storm but its area-time integral that correlates better with the total precipitation amount. Around the New Delhi area, daily accumulated precipitation derived from relations incorporating polarimetric variables is in good agreement with the rain gauge measurements while that obtained from relations based on radar reflectivity factor (Zh) alone highly underestimates precipitation. This suggests that polarimetric capability is needed in Doppler weather radars to get the realistic precipitation estimates. The mean precipitation water content derived from Zh (~ 0.96 g m−3) is about 30–40% less compared to that derived from polarimetric relations. Our findings on storm properties have implications for cloud parameterizations and in short-term weather forecasting.

Studies on physical attributes and processing suitability of sapota cultivars

Sapota (Manilkara achras L.) is one of the major crops of India, commonly known as Chikoo and has good nutritional properties. The physical properties of two varieties of sapota viz. cricket ball and kallipati were determined to facilitate the designing of grading machines. It was found that the average weight and values of length, breadth and thickness for cricket ball were 51.63g, 41.7mm, 46.2mm and 46.3mm whereas for kallipati they were 58.13g, 46.9 mm, 46.8 and 47.0mm respectively. The TSS values for cricket ball was 26.25 and for kallipati 25.37°B and their respective acidity were 0.16% and 0.18%. Jam was prepared from two varieties of sapota viz. cricket ball and kallipati to determine their processing suitability. The sensory evaluation of the samples revealed that the jam prepared from cricket ball variety obtained higher overall acceptability scores (7.86) on a 9 point hedonic scale owing to the higher values for appearance and taste. The B:C ratio for sapota jam was found to be 1.87 showing its viability for processing the fruit into jam.

Modifications in structure, surface morphology, optical and electrical properties of ZnO thin films with low boron doping

Boron doped zinc oxide (ZnO:B) thin films with low B concentration, varied between 0.50 and 1.50 atomic percentages (at%) are prepared at substrate temperatures (TS) between 300 and 450 °C using spray pyrolysis technique. Polycrystalline wurtzite structure is observed in the X-ray diffraction patterns of ZnO:B thin films, where (002) is the predominant peak. Texture coefficient corresponding to (002) peak increases with B concentration from 0.50 to 1.00 at%. Crystallite size is found between 22 and 64 nm. Nanofibrous surface morphology is observed in the field emission scanning electron microscopic images of ZnO:B thin films. The average nanofiber thickness value varies from 198 to 498 nm. Atomic force microscopic images show the nanotip-like topology of ZnO:B thin films. The average surface roughnesses of the films are found in the range of 2.99–12.45 nm. ZnO:B thin films are found to be highly transparent between visible to near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The highest transmittance of 87% is noticed for the 1.00 at% ZnO:B thin film prepared at the TS of 450 °C. Optical band gaps of ZnO:B thin films vary between 3.15 and 3.31 eV. 1.00 at% ZnO:B thin films prepared at various TS show lower values of the band gap, refractive index and extinction coefficient at the photon wavelength of 750 nm. Electrical resistivity of ZnO:B thin films are found to be between 0.25 × 104 and 1.39 × 104 Ω m. 1.00 at% ZnO:B thin films prepared at various TS show less electrical resistivity. Arrhenius plots of ZnO:B thin films prepared at various TS show two conduction regions and activation energies of ZnO:B thin films are higher for the films deposited at lower TS. ZnO:B thin films show n-type conductivity and carrier concentration increases with the increase of B concentration.

Relationship between erythrocyte sedimentation rate and choroidal and retinal thickness in Behçet's disease.

To compare retinal and choroidal thickness in patients with Behçet's disease with and without ocular involvement as well as to evaluate the correlation between erythrocyte sedimentation rate and choroidal thickness among patients with Behçet's disease. This was a prospective interventional study investigating erythrocyte sedimentation as well as choroidal and retinal thickness among patients with Behçet's disease. Patients who were diagnosed based on The International Criteria for Behçet's Disease with (Group A) or without (Group B) ocular involvement and a matched control group (Group C) participated in the study. Optical coherence tomography measurements and blood tests were performed on the same day. Retinal and choroidal thickness were measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany), and central macular thickness, central subfoveal choroidal thickness, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were measured using optical coherence tomography. Average erythrocyte sedimenta-tion values were 9.89 mm/h in Group A, 16.21 mm/h in Group B, and 3.89 mm/h in Group C; average central subfoveal choroidal thickness values were 350.66, 331.74, and 325.95 mm, respectively. Average central macular thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness values of patients in Groups A, B and C were 226.39 and 225.97mm; 234.11 and 92.00 mm; and 97.58 and 99.84 mm, respectively. No significant difference was seen between Group A and B patients in central subfoveal choroidal thickness, central macular thickness, or retinal nerve fiber layer thickness values. Central macular thickness was statistically significantly thinner in Groups A and B than in Group C (p=0.016). Group A had thinning in the nasal quadrant of the retinal and general retinal nerve fiber layers when compared with those in Group C (p=0.010 and 0.041, respectively). A connection could not be established between the erythrocyte sedimentation, central subfoveal cho-roidal thickness, central macular thickness, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in the patients with Behçet's disease. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is typically used to test for activation of Behçet's disease and assess treatment response. In our study, we could not establish a connection between the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and central subfoveal choroidal thickness, central macular thickness, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with systematically active Behçet's disease without ocular involvement.

Reproductive toxicity of neem seeds (Azadirachta indica) in male quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

ABSTRACT: Considering that neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) causes deleterious effects on fertility, the objective was to evaluate the effect of feeding quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica Linnaeus, 1758) of 90 days old with neem seeds on seminal quality, biometric parameters, and testicular morphometrics, as an experimental model. After the 30 day adaptation period to the experimental conditions, birds were randomly distributed in five treatments of neem seeds incorporated into feed, with 10 replicates: T1 (0%), T2 (5%), T3 (10%), T4 (20%) and T5 (40%). After 60 days of receiving experimental rations, their semen was collected to evaluate the sperm quality, the birds were euthanized, and testes were submitted to biometric, histological, and histomorphometric evaluation. The data were evaluated by analysis of variance and later by Tukey test with a significance level of 5%. The mean values of testicle weight, length, and width significantly decreased in T4 and T5, due degeneration of germinal epithelial cells. In these treatments, it occurred a significant increase (P>0.05) in the average values of the tunica albuginea thickness and a significant reduction in the values of the seminiferous tubule diameter and the height of the germinal epithelium. In addition, the mean values of seminal volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, vigor, and sperm viability were significantly reduced. Thus, the use of neem in bird feeding, as well as the use for therapeutic purposes, is questionable, considering its negative impact on reproduction.

Aspectos biométricos de frutos e de sementes de Tamarindus indica L.

Tamarindus indica L. é uma espécie arbórea muito apreciada para ornamentação, sendo considerada uma árvore multifuncional, uma vez que se pode utilizar a polpa, as sementes, as flores, as folhas, a madeira, a casca, seja para uso nutricional ou medicinal. Além disso, esta espécie apresenta em sua composição química aminoácidos, ácidos graxos, minerais, se destacando por apresentar excelentes qualidades nutricionais. Assim, o presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a biometria de frutos e sementes de Tamarindus indica L. Para isso, realizou-se a biometria utilizando uma amostra aleatória de 100 frutos e 100 sementes de Alta Floresta e na cidade de Juara, em Mato Grosso. Foram avaliadas a massa, o comprimento, a largura e a espessura de frutos e de sementes, e o número de sementes por fruto. Os frutos de Tamarindus indica apresentaram valores médios de comprimento, largura, espessura e massa de: 59,72; 22,80; 15, 29 mm e 7,78g respectivamente, com média de três sementes por fruto. Na análise biométrica das sementes observou-se médias de comprimento, largura, espessura, e massa de 14,7; 10,15, 3,85mm e 1,12g respectivamente.Os frutos e as sementes de Tamarindus indica apresentaram variabilidade em suas características biométricas, para as arvores avaliadas neste estudo. Os frutos apresentaram maior variação no comprimento, enquanto nas sementes foi observado maior variabilidade na espessura e na largura.

Electrophysical characteristics of the near-surface layer of semiconductor ceramics for ZnO varistors

Electrophysical properties of near-surface layer of ZnO varistor ceramics forming during high-temperature annealing in oxidizing gaseous atmosphere are studied. Microstructure of near-surface layer and its electrical properties have features which are determined by an increased concentration of oxygen at surface of pressed ceramic billets in comparison with bulk during annealing. From the data of electron raster microscopy of cross-chipping of varistors, it is defined that the average value of thickness of near-surface layer is 40 μm. It is found that the specific resistivity value of near-surface layer is 5.3·1012 Ω·cm. The electrical capacitance of near-surface layer is calculated from capacitance measurement data for varistors containing such layer under two electrodes and without layers. It is shown that the electrical capacitance of near-surface layer exceeds that of varistor by more than an order. Conclusion is made that the near-surface layer gives a weak contribution to dielectric properties of ZnO varistor ceramics. However contribution of this layer to electrical conductivity of ceramics in pre-breakdown region is significant.

Age related changes of the central lamina cribrosa thickness, depth and prelaminar tissue in healthy Chinese subjects.

To investigate the variation in the central lamina cribrosa thickness (cLCT), and the central anterior lamina cribrosa surface depth (cALCSD), as well as the central prelaminar tissue thickness (cPLTT) related to age in healthy Chinese subjects. A total of 96 eyes from 96 Chinese healthy subjects were recruited. According to age, the 96 cases were divided into three groups: the young group (YG, 18-39y), middle-age group (MG, 40-59y) and older-age group (OG, 60y and above). Lamina cribrosa images were obtained from all participants using radial linear protocol by enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The cLCT, cALCSD and cPLTT were calculated from the average value of the lamina cribrosa thickness, anterior lamina cribrosa surface depth and prelaminar tissue thickness in the optic nerve head (ONH) centre point and paracentral points (150 µm from the centre point in the horizontal and vertical directions). For the total subjects, the mean cLCT, cALCSD and cPLTT were 235.18±41.27, 358.02±93.80 and 182.02±92.11 µm, respectively. No statistically significant differences in cLCT, cALCSD or cPLTT were found between gender and different eyes (P=0.27-0.92). The cLCT of the OG was the thickest among the three groups, while the cPLTT of the YG was the thickest among the three groups (P<0.05). Age was positively correlated with cLCT (r=0.42, P<0.001), and negatively correlated with cPLTT (r=-0.24, P=0.02). No significant correlation was found between the age and cALCSD (r=-0.06, P=0.55). And no correlation has been found between axial length and cLCT, cALCSD and cPLTT (P=0.11-0.81). The impact of age on the cLCT and the cPLLTT should be taken into account when analysing glaucoma and other diseases related to lamina cribrosa.

Prenatal echocardiography diagnosis of Ebstein’s anomaly at 11-14 weeks of gestation: the first results of multicenter study

Retrospectively, as a result of fetus’ ultrasound screening at 11–14 weeks of gestation, 30 cases of diagnosis of Ebstein’s anomaly (EA) were analyzed. Among these cases — 8 were detected and 22 non-detected. The resulting quality of prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of EA at 11–14 weeks of gestation is equal to 26,7 %. The average value of nuchal translucency thickness among the all group of 30 fetuses is equal to 2,97 mm. Only in 6 cases (20 %) this marker exceeds 3 mm, including 3 cases of cystic hygroma. In most cases nasal bone was detected and was estimated as “+”. The heart rate was normal, the cardiac arrhythmia was not detected. EA diagnosis in early pregnancy was based on searching the clinical features of fetus’ 4-chamber cardiac view: cardiac axis deviation to the left, right atrium extension, tricuspid valve displacement, and expressed tricuspid regurgitation. These features were diagnosed in all 8 cases. Combined extracardiac pathology was presented in 3 cases as cystic hygroma, that equals 9,6 %. In one case chromosomal pathology was detected (trisomy 21), but only in 7 cases the fetus’ karyotype was defined. Among the combined congenital heart disease, detected in more than the half of the cases of the late diagnosis, the obstructive lesions of pulmonary artery (PA) have the prevalence. The estimations, we made, of cardiothoracic index calculation, as a marker of cardiomegaly at EA at 11–14 weeks of gestation, were ineffective. More value for diagnosis of disproportion cardiac chambers had the ratio of right ventricle width to left ventricle width, in that cases in which that ratio increases 1,5 (62,5 % cases). Cardiac axis left deviation was detected in 87,5 % cases, the average deviation was 83°. The average index Celermajer was equal to 1,08 and in the 50% of cases was combined with high risks of infant mortality.

Effect of Purple Variety Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) Anthocyanin on Expression of Estrogen Receptor-Α and Endometrium Thickness on Uterus of Female White Rats (Rattus norvegicus) Exposed to Cigarette Smoke

Cigarette smoke contains around 4000 chemical substances including free radicals and carcinogens, which are xenobiotic agents in the body, affecting the reproductive system. Purple sweet potatoes contain the color pigment anthocyanin. The purple color pigment (anthocyanin) in purple sweet potatoes is a beneficial antioxidant because it can react with free radicals that can cause damage in the body. The goal of the research was to understand the effects of purple variety sweet potato (Ipomoea Batatas L) anthocyanin on the expression of estrogen receptor-α in the endometrium and endometrium thickness on white rats (Rattus norvegicus) exposed to cigarette smoke. The White rats used for the 5 groups were 30 white rats. Exposure to cigarette smoke was given at a rate of 2 sticks/day (each cigarette ± 4 minutes), for 8 weeks after the rats were found to be in the proestrus phase. Endometrium thickness was examined and measured using a Dot slide Olympus XC 10 light microscope and the Olyvia software. Expression of ER-α in the endometrium was measured by using the antibody ER-α (C-311) SC-787 and the immunohistochemistry and calculated by the Immunoratio software. Data were analyzed with the Shapiro-Wilk’s test, t-test and one-way ANOVA (F test). It was found that the average value of ER-α expression in the endometrium for the treatment group given purple variety sweet potato anthocyanin of a dose of 40 mg/Kg BW (15.51 ± 2.65) could increase ER-α expression in the endometrium of female white rats exposed to cigarette smoke. The average value of endometrium thickness for the treatment group given purple variety sweet potato anthocyanin at a dose of 40 mg/Kg BW (152.51±9.59 µm) showed an increase in the endometrium thickness of female white rats exposed to cigarette smoke. The dose of purple variety sweet potato anthocyanin that could increase ER-α expression in the endometrium and endometrium thickness of rats exposed to cigarette smoke was a dose of 40 mg/Kg BW. The higher the dose of purple variety sweet potato anthocyanin, the greater the effect on the prevention of the reduction of estrogen receptor-α expression and the prevention of the reduction of endometrium thickness on female white rats exposed to cigarette smoke.

Scleral contact lens thickness profiles: The relationship between average and centre lens thickness.

To develop a methodology to reliably determine the thickness profile of scleral contact lenses and examine the relationship between the centre and average lens thickness for a range of lens designs and back vertex powers. High-resolution images of 37 scleral trial lenses (Epicon LC, Rose K2 XL and ICD 16.5) were captured using an optical coherence tomographer, and their thickness profiles were generated after correcting for known measurement artefacts. Centre lens thickness values were compared with manual lens gauge measurements, and repeatability was assessed by comparing average thickness values derived from orthogonal meridians of each lens. The imaging technique displayed a high level of agreement with a manual lens gauge for centre thickness measurements; mean difference 5 ± 9 μm (95% LoA -14 to +23 μm), and a very high level of repeatability; mean difference between orthogonal meridians 1 ± 3 μm (95% LoA -6 to +8 μm). Lens thickness profiles varied between lens designs, with distance from the lens centre, and with back vertex power. Increasing back vertex powers resulted in a significant over or underestimation (up to 33% for high minus powers) of the average lens thickness based on the centre lens thickness. The thickness of scleral contact lenses varies with distance from the lens centre and the back vertex power. The average lens thickness value derived from the entire lens provides a more appropriate representation of the true lens thickness and should be used in the calculation of scleral lens oxygen transmissibility.

Physical Characteristics of Edible Film made from Carrageenan and Beeswax Composites through Nanoemulsion Process

A research on producing edible film from composite of carrageenan and beeswax using nanoemulsion&lt;br /&gt;process has been conducted, with the objective is to analyze the effect of composite concentrations&lt;br /&gt;and homogenization rate on physical characteristics of edible films. The edible films were made using&lt;br /&gt;carrageenan concentrations 3.5 and 4.5%, beeswax concentrations 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8% and homogenization&lt;br /&gt;rates of 2,000 and 3,000 rpm. Physical properties of the edible film were analyzed, i.e: thickness, tensile&lt;br /&gt;strength, elongation, water vapor transmission rate and percent of solubility. The result, shows that the&lt;br /&gt;composite concentration ratio of carrageenan and beeswax and homogenization rate influence the physical&lt;br /&gt;characteristics of edible film. Increased concentrations of composite and homogenization rates have highly&lt;br /&gt;significant effect (p&amp;lt;0.01) on decreased of water vapor transmission rate and increased of elongation and&lt;br /&gt;percent of solubility, however have no significant effect (p&amp;gt;0.05) on increased of thickness and tensile&lt;br /&gt;strength. The best treatment was obtained from composite concentration ratio of carrageenan 4,5% and&lt;br /&gt;beeswax 0.8% with homogenization rate 3000 rpm, with the average value of thickness 0.1534 mm, tensile&lt;br /&gt;strength 22.44 N/mm2, elongation 22.5%, water vapor transmission rate 25.3411 g/m2/hr and percent of&lt;br /&gt;solubility 88%.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;