Alternative Formulation Research Articles

Enhanced Vitamin C Delivery: A Systematic Literature Review Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Alternative Supplement Forms in Healthy Adults

Vitamin C is an antioxidant and is essential for immune function and infection resistance. Supplementation is necessary when a sufficient amount of vitamin C is not obtained through the diet. Alternative formulations of vitamin C may enhance its bioavailability and retention over traditional ascorbic acid. This systematic review consolidates the evidence on this and the effects on immunity and infection. A systematic literature search was conducted in October 2024 in Embase and Medline, focused on healthy adults (Population); oral forms of liposomal-encapsulated ascorbic acid, liposomal-encapsulated lipid metabolite ascorbic acid, calcium ascorbate, slow-release ascorbic acid, or lipid metabolite ascorbic acid (Intervention); compared to placebo/others (Comparison); in terms of bioavailability, absorption, vitamin C concentration in plasma, serum, and leukocytes, and impacts on tolerability, immunity, and infection (Outcome); and included randomized or non-randomized controlled trials, single-arm trials, and observational studies (Study design). Thirteen studies were included, several evaluating calcium ascorbate in combination with vitamin C metabolites, including L-threonate, referred to here as Calcium ascorbate EC (Ester C®; n = 7). No safety or tolerability concerns were noted with Calcium ascorbate EC vs. placebo or ascorbic acid. Calcium ascorbate EC showed better tolerability and fewer epigastric adverse events, improved quality of life, and induced favorable oxalate changes vs. ascorbic acid. Four studies reported leukocyte vitamin C concentration, some showing higher concentrations with Calcium ascorbate EC vs. ascorbic acid; seven reported more favorable plasma concentrations with the alternative forms over ascorbic acid or placebo; one reported higher serum vitamin C levels with vitamin C lipid metabolites than with Calcium ascorbate EC, calcium ascorbate, and ascorbic acid. No study reported retention in tissues. One study reported a favorable impact of Calcium ascorbate EC on immune parameters, and one found an association of Calcium ascorbate EC with fewer colds and a shorter duration of severe symptoms vs. placebo. Findings suggest that alternative vitamin C forms can improve leukocyte vitamin C, sometimes without affecting plasma levels. Most studies (77%) had a low risk of bias. In conclusion, the type and delivery modality of vitamin C can impact its bioavailability and functionality. Studies highlight the advantages of Calcium ascorbate EC over traditional ascorbic acid in terms of its tolerability and its potential to increase leukocyte vitamin C concentrations, crucial for immune function and protection against infection. However, further research is required to conclusively establish its effects on immune health.

L-Asparaginase Immobilized on Nanographene Oxide as an Efficient Nanobiocatalytic Tool for Asparagine Depletion in Leukemia Cells.

l-Asparaginase (l-ASNase) catalyzes the hydrolysis of l-asparagine, leading to its depletion and subsequent effects on the cellular proliferation and survival. In contrast to normal cells, malignant cells that lack asparagine synthase are extremely susceptible to asparagine deficiency. l-ASNase has been successfully employed in treating pediatric leukemias and non-Hodgkin lymphomas; however, its usage in adult patients and other types of cancer is limited due to significant side effects and drug resistance. Recent research has explored alternative formulations and delivery methods to enhance its efficacy and minimize adverse effects. One promising approach involves the immobilization of l-ASNase onto nanostructured materials, offering improved enzymatic activity and biocompatibility of the support. We harnessed an E. coli l-ASNase type II preparation to develop a novel strategy of enzyme immobilization on graphene oxide (GO)-based support. We compared GO and nanographene oxide (nGO) in terms of their biocompatibility and influence on enzyme parameters. The obtained l-ASNase on the nGO nanobiocatalyst maintains enzymatic activity and increases its stability, selectively acting on K562 leukemia cells without cytotoxic influence on normal endothelial cells. In the case of treated K562 cells, we confirmed enlargement in the cell and nucleus size, disturbance in the cell cycle (interphase and metaphase), and increased apoptosis rate. The potential therapeutic possibilities of immobilized l-ASNase on leukemia cell damage are also discussed, highlighting the importance of further research in this area for advancing cancer therapy.

Alternative Formulations of Job Strain and Sleep Disturbances: A Longitudinal Study in the United States.

Sleep disturbances are a major public health concern in the United States, leading to adverse health outcomes. In the working population, job strain has been identified as an important risk factor for sleep disturbances, but evidence from the United States remained limited. This study aimed to examine longitudinal associations between job strain and sleep disturbances in the United States, with a focus on the alternative formulations of job strain. A total of 1721 participants were drawn from two waves of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, with an average 9-year follow-up period. Job strain was measured using Karasek's Job-Demand-Control model and operationalized in six formulations: standard quadrant, simplified quadrant, linear, quotient, logarithm quotient, and quartile based on quotient. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to estimate longitudinal associations of alternative formulations of job strain at baseline with sleep disturbances across follow-up. Corrected Quasi-likelihood Information Criterion (QICu) was used to assess the goodness of fit. All approaches showed that higher job strain at baseline was significantly associated with an increase in sleep disturbances across follow-up. QICu scores indicated that continuous Demand-Control formulations (linear, quotient, logarithm quotient) had better model performance of 4602.66, 4604.28, and 4601.99, respectively. The logarithm quotient showed the best fit. Our findings imply the importance of early workplace interventions in reducing job strain to improve sleep hygiene. They further show that the continuous formulations quantifying job strain were more consistent and robust, which provides suggestions for future workplace health research in the United States.

“Double Trouble” – the impact of iron infusion and antiresorptive therapy on calcium-phosphate homeostasis

Abstract Intravenous iron infusions (particularly ferric carboxymaltose) are associated with hypophosphataemia. This is mediated by increased fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), resulting in decreased activation of 25(OH)vitamin D to 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D and increased urinary phosphate excretion. Similarly, parenteral antiresorptive agents can lead to hypocalcaemia due to reduced bone calcium mobilisation, increasing parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion and exacerbating kidney phosphate excretion 3. When given concurrently, electrolyte disturbances can be severe and refractory to treatment, necessitating intravenous replacement, frequent monitoring, and prolonged hospitalisation. We describe a case series of six patients, with severe hypophosphataemia and hypocalcaemia from concurrent administration of intravenous iron and antiresorptive therapy. The average time to hypophosphataemia following iron therapy in the presence of antiresorptives was 17.5 days. This is consistent with the nadir of phosphate two weeks following iron infusion and appears to be prolonged and exacerbated by antiresorptive therapy, increasing urinary phosphate loss through increased PTH activity. With increasing popularity of intravenous iron infusions and parenteral antiresorptive agents, the interplay of these medications is an important consideration for clinicians. The emerging administration of these agents in the community and fragmentation of care across primary and specialist networks creates the risk of unintentional concurrent use. Increased awareness of their impact on calcium-phosphate homeostasis is needed to mitigate the risk of severe electrolyte derangements with consideration of alternate iron formulations preferentially in those receiving medications for osteoporosis.

Are ADHD trajectories shaped by the social environment? A longitudinal study of maternal influences on the preschool origins of delay aversion.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly attributed to neuro-cognitive deficits of genetic and/or prenatal/perinatal environmental origins. Sonuga-Barke proposed an alternative formulation, suggesting that ADHD behaviors are functional expressions of delay aversion-a strong motivational disposition to avoid or escape negative affective states evoked by delay. It is hypothesized that the strength of this disposition, though neuro-biologically rooted, is exacerbated by early negative social interactions during waiting-related encounters. This paper reports findings from an initial proof-of-concept study that specifically tests this hypothesis in a nonclinical sample. Preschoolers (n = 112; mean age = 46.2 months) and their parents from London, UK, and Hong Kong participated in a longitudinal study. The Parent-Child Delay Frustration Task (PC-DeFT) and two nonwaiting control tasks were administered at baseline. Children's performance, behavioral and emotional responses, and parents' reactions were observed. Teachers rated children's ADHD behaviors and delay aversion at baseline and follow-up (12-18 months later). At baseline, children's maladaptive performance and parental negative reactions during the PC-DeFT were correlated with each other and with teacher ratings of ADHD and delay aversion. Negative parental reactions during the PC-DeFT at baseline predicted an increase in teacher-rated ADHD behaviors at follow-up, but similar associations were not observed for baseline parental responses in the nonwaiting tasks. The increase in child ADHD symptoms associated with negative parental reactions at baseline was statistically mediated by delay aversion. These longitudinal effects were consistent across the UK and HK samples. The findings provide the first evidence that parent's negative reactions to preschooler's attempts to manage delay are associated with increases in ADHD behaviors overtime, and linked to delay aversion increases. They underscore the potential significance of the early social environment as a contributor to developmental trajectory of ADHD behaviors. Future studies with clinical samples over an extended time-frame using a range of different aversive environments (i.e. difficult tasks to complete) are indicated.

Supersaturated Gel Formulation (SGF) of Atorvastatin at a Maximum Dose of 80 mg with Enhanced Solubility, Dissolution, and Physical Stability.

The objective of this work was to develop a supersaturated gel formulation (SGF) loaded with the maximum atorvastatin calcium trihydrate (ATR) dose. The maximum dose strength of ATR needs to be reduced through improving solubility and dissolution rate to mitigate side effects due to the necessity of taking high doses. ATR has highly pH-dependent solubility at 37 °C, leading to poor solubility (<10 μg/mL) in stomach acid (pH 1.2). Among the various molecular weights of polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and surfactants, PEG 200 and d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) were selected as the solubilizer and precipitation inhibitor for ATR, respectively. PEG 200 demonstrated very high solubility for ATR (>60%, w/w), and the combined use of TPGS and PEG 200 formed an organogel state and suppressed ATR precipitation, showing 15-fold higher dispersion solubility in buffer solution at pH 1.2 compared to the formulation with PEG 200 alone. The optimal SGF composition (ATR/PEG 200/TPGS = 10/60/30, w/w) exhibited an over 95% dissolution rate within 2 h at pH 1.2, compared to less than 50% for the original commercial product. In a transmission electron microscope analysis, the SGF suppressed ATR precipitation and revealed smaller precipitated particles (<300 nm) compared to the control samples. In the XRD analysis, the SGF was physically stable for 100 days at room temperature without the recrystallization of ATR. In conclusion, the SGF suggested in this work would be an alternative formulation for the treatment of dyslipidemia with enhanced solubility, dissolution, and physical stability.

Viability of microencapsulated species of Trichoderma as a strategy to optimize use in biological control.

The increasing use of chemical fungicides without effective control of phytopathogens has led to the development of resistance in microorganisms. As a promising alternative, products formulated with Trichoderma have emerged for their sustainable and effective potential in integrated disease management. However, the predominant formulations do not offer the necessary protection against abiotic factors. In this study, we investigated Trichoderma species encapsulated in sodium alginate through storage viability experiments and their antagonistic potential. The viability and storage conditions of the capsules were evaluated by plating at 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 150 days after production, kept in dry or refrigerated environments. The antagonistic potential was determined by the culture pairing method using the phytopathogen Fusarium sp. The results demonstrated that it was possible to maintain the viability of the conidia, with no differences between storage environments. Additionally, the capsule provided UV protection to the conidia encapsulated species possess antagonistic potential, inhibiting 52.54% of Fusarium sp. growth. Consequently, encapsulation is an alternative formulation method that ensures the viability of Trichoderma conidia and optimizes its use in biological control.

Multi-physics ensemble modelling of Arctic tundra snowpack properties

Abstract. Sophisticated snowpack models such as Crocus and SNOWPACK struggle to properly simulate profiles of density and specific surface area (SSA) within Arctic snowpacks due to underestimation of wind-induced compaction, misrepresentation of basal vegetation influencing compaction and metamorphism, and omission of water vapour flux transport. To improve the simulation of profiles of density and SSA, parameterisations of snow physical processes that consider the effect of high wind speeds, the presence of basal vegetation, and alternate thermal conductivity formulations were implemented into an ensemble version of the Soil, Vegetation, and Snow version 2 (SVS2-Crocus) land surface model, creating Arctic SVS2-Crocus. The ensemble versions of the default and Arctic SVS2-Crocus were driven with in situ meteorological data and evaluated using measurements of snowpack properties (snow water equivalent, SWE; depth; density; and SSA) at Trail Valley Creek (TVC), Northwest Territories, Canada, over 32 years (1991–2023). Results show that both the default and Arctic SVS2-Crocus can simulate the correct magnitude of SWE (root-mean-square error, RMSE, for both ensembles – 55 kg m−2) and snow depth (default RMSE – 0.22 m; Arctic RMSE – 0.18 m) at TVC in comparison to measurements. Wind-induced compaction within Arctic SVS2-Crocus effectively compacts the surface layers of the snowpack, increasing the density, and reducing the RMSE by 41 % (176 kg m−3 to 103 kg m−3). Parameterisations of basal vegetation are less effective in reducing compaction of basal snow layers (default RMSE – 67 kg m−3; Arctic RMSE – 65 kg m−3), reaffirming the need to consider water vapour flux transport for simulation of low-density basal layers. The top 100 ensemble members of Arctic SVS2-Crocus produced lower continuous ranked probability scores (CRPS) than the default SVS2-Crocus when simulating snow density profiles. The top-performing members of the Arctic SVS2-Crocus ensemble featured modifications that raise wind speeds to increase compaction in snow surface layers and to prevent snowdrift and increase viscosity in basal layers. Selecting these process representations in Arctic SVS2-Crocus will improve simulation of snow density profiles, which is crucial for many applications.

A Novel Self-Assembled Paclitaxel Nanodispersion Facilitates Rapid In-Vitro/In-Vivo Dissociation and Protein Binding.

The study aims to prepare and characterize a novel paclitaxel (PtX) preconcentrate formulation using polymer and lipid excipients that forms nanodispersion upon dilution. The goal was to understand the mechanism of nanodispersion formation and its properties. The water-insoluble PtX was dissolved in organic solvents containing ethanol, polyethylene glycol (PEG400), povidone (PVP), caprylic acid (CA), and sodium cholesterol sulfate (CS). This formulation was diluted in 5% w/v dextrose medium to form PtX nanodispersion, which was assessed for particle size, stability, in-vitro/in-vivo dissociation and protein binding. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS), and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations were used to analyse the structure of the nanoparticles. The formulation was a clear, slightly yellow solution. The PtX nanodispersion displays particle size of ~ 100nm with a zeta potential of -25, and the pH of 4.0. It displayed nearly spherical coacervate nanoparticles with a sponge-like structure, lacking internal structure order as revealed by TEM and SANS. MD simulations confirmed self-assembly of PtX and excipients forming nanoparticles. In vitro dissociation studies in simulated plasma demonstrated rapid dissociation of nanodispersion, releasing free PtX that immediately binds to plasma proteins. In vivo studies in rabbits corroborated these findings, showing rapid dissolution. The results present a novel formulation design that forms sponge-like coacervate nanoparticle due to complimentary interactions of the excipients that otherwise are unable to self-assemble under similar conditions of dilution. This alternative formulation solves the limitations of currently marketed PtX products and can provide its effective delivery in clinical settings.

On bid and ask pricing of European options via direct discretization of Choquet distorted expectations

We present a numerical approach to compute bid and ask prices of European options within the conic finance paradigm. In particular, we show how discretizing option bid and ask pricing formulae, where the latter are expressed in terms of Choquet integrals, allows to perform efficient pricing and calibration by means of the COS method and the fast Fourier transform technique. Additionally, the approach introduced provides alternative expressions for risk-neutral European option prices by leveraging the relationship between Choquet and Riemann-Stieltjes integrals. These alternative formulations, requiring only the discretization of the cumulative distribution function of the (transformed) terminal value of the underlying asset, enhance computational efficiency under risk-neutral settings. We provide practical illustrations of the methodology when the underlying asset process follows Heston or Variance Gamma dynamics for both pricing and implied liquidity calculations.

Analysis of two-phase flows using position-based PFEM formulation

The numerical simulation of flows with topological changes is quite challenging, being approached in the literature by different techniques, highlighting fixed mesh methods, generally based on immersed boundary techniques, and particle-based methods, generally based on a Lagrangian description of the flow. One approach that has proven to be efficient is the particle and finite element method (PFEM), which combines the concepts of particle methods with the finite element method. In this context, this work deals with the development and implementation of techniques for simulating two-phase flows with free surface and topological changes in an alternative formulation of PFEM, where instead of velocities as nodal parameters, particle positions are used. Initially, the domains of the two fluids are represented by a cloud of particles to which the physical characteristics of the fluid they represent are attributed, as well as the initial conditions. A mesh of finite elements is built on this particle cloud to solve the equation of motion in Lagrangian description, with the physical characteristics, as well as the velocity and pressure fields, being interpolated by the shape functions of the finite elements. To avoid large distortions, and also mesh entanglement, at each step this mesh is destroyed and a new mesh is built. Delaunay triangulation is used to construct the mesh, together with the alpha-shape method to define the contours, together with a particle relocation technique that must guarantee the quality of the mesh (avoid extremely small elements or elements with a very small volume ), as well as ensuring the conservation of the number of particles of each fluid. This formulation is tested for cases of free surface flows, such as sloshing in reservoirs, taking into account the water-air interaction, and the results are compared with results from the literature.

Pickering emulsion with tumor vascular destruction and microenvironment modulation for transarterial embolization therapy.

In the clinic, Lipiodol chemotherapeutic emulsions remain a main choice for patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) via the mini-invasive transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) therapy. However, the poor stability of conventional Lipiodol chemotherapeutic emulsions would result in the fast drug diffusion and incomplete embolization, inducing systemic toxicity and impairing the efficacy of TACE therapy. Therefore, it is of great importance to construct alternative formulations based on commercial Lipiodol to achieve the improved efficacy and safety of HCC treatment. Herein, calcium phosphate (CaP) nanoparticles-stabilized Lipiodol Pickering emulsion (CaP-LPE) with improved stability and pH-responsiveness is prepared and utilized for the encapsulation of combretastatin A4-phosphate (CA4P), a clinically approved vascular disrupting agent. The obtained CA4P-loaded CaP-LPE (CCaP-LPE) was shown to be enhanced stability compared to conventional Lipiodol emulsion and pH-responsive release of the encapsulated drugs. On one hand, the released CA4P could disrupt tumor vascular and cut off the blood supplying of tumor cells, thus starving cancer cells. Moreover, it was revealed that CCaP-LPE could reverse immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) by neutralizing tumor acidity, leading to the increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells and the decreased percentages of immunosuppressive cells. As the result, such CCaP-LPE could effectively shrink orthotopic N1S1 HCC tumors in rats by eliciting a potent antitumor immune response. Therefore, this study highlights a simple strategy to construct a novel LPE with the potencies of tumor vascular disruption and TME modulation, holding a great promise for TAE therapy of HCC.

Convex geometric motion planning of multi-body systems on lie groups via variational integrators and sparse moment relaxation

This paper reports a novel result: with proper robot models based on geometric mechanics, one can formulate the kinodynamic motion planning problems for rigid body systems as exact polynomial optimization problems. Due to the nonlinear rigid body dynamics, the motion planning problem for rigid body systems is nonconvex. Existing global optimization-based methods do not parameterize 3D rigid body motion efficiently; thus, they do not scale well to long-horizon planning problems. We use Lie groups as the configuration space and apply the variational integrator to formulate the forced rigid body dynamics as quadratic polynomials. Then, we leverage Lasserre’s hierarchy of moment relaxation to obtain the globally optimal solution via semidefinite programming. By leveraging the sparsity of the motion planning problem, the proposed algorithm has linear complexity with respect to the planning horizon. This paper demonstrates that the proposed method can provide globally optimal solutions or certificates of infeasibility at the second-order relaxation for 3D drone landing using full dynamics and inverse kinematics for serial manipulators. Moreover, we extend the algorithms to multi-body systems via the constrained variational integrators. The testing cases on cart-pole and drone with cable-suspended load suggest that the proposed algorithms can provide rank-one optimal solutions or nontrivial initial guesses. Finally, we propose strategies to speed up the computation, including an alternative formulation using quaternion, which provides empirically tight relaxations for the drone landing problem at the first-order relaxation.

On the Binary Goldbach Conjecture: Analysis and Alternate Formulations Using Projection, Optimization, Hybrid Factorization, Prime Symmetry and Analytic Approximation

An analysis, based on different mathematical approaches, of the binary Goldbach conjecture −which states that every even integer s≥6 is the sum of two odd primes, called Goldbach primes− is presented. Each approach leads to a different reformulation of this conjecture, thus contributing unique insights into the structure, properties and distribution of prime numbers. The above-mentioned reformulations are based on the following distinct, interrelated and complementary approaches: projection, optimization, hybrid prime factorization, prime symmetry and analytic approximation. Additionally, it is shown that prime factorization is an optimal projection operation on the set of integers; that Goldbach pairs correspond to solutions of an optimization problem; that hybrid prime factorization can be used to generate Goldbach primes; that prime symmetry, a powerful property of Goldbach primes, can be used to validate the binary Goldbach conjecture in short intervals, and to determine the rules that govern the “algebraic evolution” of Goldbach pairs, as the value of s increases; and that analytic approximation, using translational and rotational shifts of smooth functions, leads to a useful approximation of a primality test function and the prime counting function π(s). The paper’s findings support the broader hypothesis that prime numbers, by virtue of their optimality in representing, additively and multiplicatively, any measurable quantity in the universe, supported by the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic and the binary Goldbach conjecture, may be a viable alternative to the exclusive use of binary logic, as a means of achieving additional computational efficiencies of scale in the future.

Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating a Novel Piperazine-Based Drug as a Treatment for Gastric Cryptosporidiosis in Eastern Indigo Snakes (Drymarchon couperi)

Abstract Gastric cryptosporidiosis caused by Cryptosporidium serpentis has impacted the conservation efforts for the imperiled eastern indigo snake (EIS, Drymarchon couperi). Multiple treatments, including paromomycin, nitazoxanide-azithromycin-rifabutin, clofazimine, curcumin, and hydrogen peroxide gavage, have been investigated and proved ineffective in eliminating the parasite, necessitating further investigation. A novel piperazine-based compound, MMV665917, has been shown to be more effective than paromomycin, nitazoxanide, and clofazimine in treating cryptosporidiosis in mammals. With these promising results, MMV665917 was selected to investigate as a treatment of gastric cryptosporidiosis in EIS. Twelve EIS naturally infected with C. serpentis were randomly divided into two groups of six: Group A and Group B. Group A received 22 mg/kg MMV665917 daily for 7d and Group B received a placebo daily for 7d. All EIS tolerated the treatment with no adverse effects a ppreciated. Success was evaluated by C. serpentis-specific probe hybridization qPCR analysis of gastric lavage performed one, two, and three months following the treatment. Infections persisted following treatment and there was no statistical difference in qPCR CT values between the groups or within the groups for the three months following treatment (F = 0.92, P = 0.525). These findings show that MMV665917 dosed at 22 mg/kg daily for 7d is ineffective in eliminating C. serpentis in EIS and alternative MMV665917 dosing or formulations should be investigated in reptiles.

Implementation of Electrolytic Phosphating for Steel Wire Drawing as an Alternative to Conversion Coatings

Wire drawing is a cold deformation process in which a steel wire is pulled through several dies of decreasing size, in order to reduce its diameter. To ensure smooth operations and to maximize the lifetime of the expensive dies, lubrication of the wire is mandatory prior to the drawing step. More importantly, the lubricating layer is required to remain adherent to the steel surface for multiple deformation steps, while also maintaining its performance throughout the entire process. For this application, zinc phosphate conversion coatings are widely utilized in combination with an aqueous lubricant based on stearate salts. In fact, phosphate coatings can easily deform under the compressive load of the drawing step, while their porous nature maximizes the amount of lubricant that can be applied to the wire surface. [1]Despite the good performance offered by conversion phosphating, there is an active interest in replacing this technology as it generates a significant amount of waste byproduct, the so called “phosphate sludge”. At the same time, finding an alternative conversion formulation that ensures the same performance is not a trivial task, especially when price is also factored in. In this context, electrolytic phosphating could offer an elegant, yet effective solution: the process allows the formation of coatings with the same chemical composition and morphology as conversion phosphating but prevents the formation of the sludge byproduct. With the application of an external voltage, it is in fact possible to trigger the local increase in pH responsible for phosphate formation without having to rely on the dissolution of the substrate. [2]In this talk we will present the implementation of electrolytic phosphating in what is arguably its most relevant industrial application. In particular, by designing the phosphating tank around the symmetry of the steel wire, it is possible to ensure uniform distribution of the current density on the substrate, effectively avoiding the main drawback of the electrolytic process. Furthermore, the higher deposition rate obtained with the electrolytic setup allows the implementation of a continuous operation process, with a higher throughput than traditional batch conversion phosphating. The presentation will showcase results coming from laboratory-scale experiments as well as data resulting from real case-studies at the industrial level.

Iridium Oxide and Niobium-Doped Iridium Oxide Anodes for PEM Water Electrolysis: Towards Sustainable Hydrogen Production with Superior Performance

The global push towards cleaner energy sources has heightened the demand for high-performing, durable proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) electrocatalysts. Green hydrogen, generated through water electrolysis powered by renewable energy, stands as a prominent solution in this endeavor to transition away from fossil fuels. Among various electrolyzer technologies, PEMWE systems currently offer the most competitive pathway for green hydrogen production. These systems typically employ a platinum on carbon supported (Pt/C) cathodic electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and an iridium oxide (IrOx) anodic electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Efforts to enhance PEMWE performance primarily focus on improving the kinetics of the OER process, which accounts for the majority of activation overpotential during operation. To address cost concerns associated with IrOx, researchers are exploring alternative formulations, including doping with materials like niobium (Nb), aiming for comparable performance at reduced Ir loading [1], [2], [3]. It is argued that higher surface area and lower crystalline IrOx catalysts lead to lower activation overpotentials and enhanced durability, respectively. In this study, we investigate the performance of high-surface-area IrOx electrocatalysts (>200 m2/g) and Nb-doped IrOx variants, comparing them with commercially available benchmarks. Through rigorous examination utilizing Rotating Disk Electrode (RDE), Gas Diffusion Electrode (GDE) half-cell, and Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEAs), we report on the performance and stability of our in-house prepared materials. Preliminary results examining various loadings of IrOx suggest that lower loadings lead to durable and active electrocatalyst layers. Our findings underscore the potential of Nb-doped IrOx as a cost-effective alternative for PEMWE electrocatalysts, offering promising advancements in the pursuit of efficient and sustainable hydrogen production.

Efficient Homogenization of Multicomponent Metamaterials: Chiral Effects

Herein, an efficient homogenization procedure is extended based on a Haydock representation of the microscopic wave operator for the calculation of the retarded macroscopic dielectric response of a binary periodic composite to the case of an arbitrary number of components of arbitrary composition. As a test, this numerical procedure is applied to the calculation of the optical properties of a Bouligand structure, made up of a large number of anisotropic layers stacked on top of each other and progressively rotated. This system constitutes a photonic crystal with circularly polarized electromagnetic normal modes, naturally occurring in the cuticle of several arthropods. It presents a gap for one helicity, which corresponds to the observation of circularly polarized strong metallic like reflections. This numerical procedure is validated through its good agreement with the results of alternative formulations, including an analytical solution for this simple chiral system.

From past to present, exploring the applications of mupirocin ointment: A comprehensive review

Mupirocin (MUP), a potent antibacterial agent, has been a cornerstone of topical antimicrobial therapy for several decades. As an older, yet widely used antibiotic, MUP has exhibited efficacy against various bacterial strains, making it a versatile tool in the management of a range of infections. The review synthesizes available literature to highlight the evolution of MUP, from its initial discovery to its current status as a go-to topical antibiotic. In the era of rising antibiotic resistance, MUP is positioned as a valuable therapeutic option due to its broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Emphasis is placed on its distinctive role in different infections, enhanced efficacy with different additives, and newer drug delivery strategies.In addition to its classical applications in impetigo and other superficial skin infections, this review delves into emerging indications and novel uses of MUP, potentially expanding its clinical utility. The exploration of combination therapies, alternative formulations, and ongoing research endeavors will contribute to a forward-looking perspective on the role of MUP in future antimicrobial strategies.

An Alternative Finite Element Formulation to Predict Ductile Fracture in Highly Deformable Materials

Abstract An alternative finite element formulation to predict ductile damage and fracture in highly deformable materials is presented. For this purpose, a finite-strain elastoplastic model based on the Gurson–Tvergaard–Needleman (GTN) formulation is employed, in which the level of damage is described by the void volume fraction (or porosity). The model accounts for large strains, associative plasticity, and isotropic hardening, as well as void nucleation, coalescence, and material failure. To avoid severe damage localization, a nonlocal enrichment is adopted, resulting in a mixed finite element whose degrees-of-freedom are the current positions and nonlocal porosity at the nodes. In this work, 2D triangular elements of linear-order and plane-stress conditions are used. Two systems of equations have to be solved: the global variables system, involving the degrees-of-freedom; and the internal variables system, including the damage and plastic variables. To this end, a new numerical strategy has been developed, in which the change in material stiffness due to the evolution of internal variables is embedded in the consistent tangent operator regarding the global system. The performance of the proposed formulation is assessed by three numerical examples involving large elastoplastic strains and ductile fracture. Results confirm that the present formulation is capable of reproducing fracture initiation and evolution, as well as necking instability. Convergence analysis is also performed to evaluate the effect of mesh refinement on the mechanical response. In addition, it is demonstrated that the nonlocal parameter alleviates damage localization, providing smoother porosity fields.