Carrier Technologies Research Articles

Novel Microemulsion Containing Benzocaine and Fusidic Acid Simultaneously: Formulation, Characterization, and In Vitro Evaluation for Wound Healing

Modern drug carrier technologies, such as microemulsions with small droplet sizes and high surface areas, improve the ability of low water solubility active ingredients to permeate and localize. The goal of this study was to create microemulsion formulations for wound healing that contained both fusidic acid (FA), an antibacterial agent, and benzocaine (BNZ), a local anesthetic. Studies on characterization were carried out, including viscosity, droplet size, and zeta potential. The drug-loaded microemulsion had a stable structure with –3.014 ± 1.265 mV of zeta potential and 19.388 ± 0.480 nm of droplet size. In both in vitro release and ex vivo permeability studies, the microemulsion was compared with Fucidin cream and oily BNZ solution. According to the drug release studies, BNZ release from the microemulsion and the BNZ solution showed a similar profile (p > 0.05), while FA release from the microemulsion had a higher drug release compared to Fucidin cream (p < 0.001). The microemulsion presented lower drug permeation (p > 0.05) for both active ingredients, on the other hand, provided higher drug accumulation compared to the control preparations. Moreover, according to the results of in vitro wound healing activity, the microemulsion indicated a dose-dependent wound healing potential with the highest wound healing activity at the highest concentrations. To the best of our knowledge, this developed BNZ- and FA-loaded microemulsion would be a promising candidate to create new opportunities for wound healing thanks to present the active ingredients, which have low water solubility, in a single formulation and achieved higher accumulation than control preparations.Graphical

Natural pH and temperature-sensitive hydrogel-emulsion carriers for co-delivery of hydrophobic and hydrophilic bioactive ingredients in the gastrointestinal tract

The low oral bioavailability of some bioactive ingredients is a challenge in the supplement and functional food areas. Consequently, there is a need for innovative carrier technologies that can increase the solubility, stability, release, and absorption of these ingredients within the human gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, some bioactive ingredients may exert their synergistic activities when delivered together. The objective of this study was to design natural carriers that could simultaneously deliver both hydrophobic and hydrophilic bioactive ingredients, thereby increasing their ability to exert synergistic effects. Initially, model hydrophobic (lycopene) and hydrophilic (riboflavin) ingredients were encapsulated in the oil and internal water phases of water-in-oleic acid-in-water (W/O/W) emulsions, respectively. These emulsions were then dispersed into two kinds of alginate-based matrices, which may be suitable for different applications: calcium alginate gels (solid) or EDTA-calcium alginate sols (fluid). Oleic acid was used as an oil phase in the W/O/W emulsions to provide temperature-triggered release, whereas alginate-based matrices were used to provide pH-triggered release. The carriers were stable in a simulated gastric juice but released the bioactive ingredients in a simulated small intestinal juice. The calcium alginate matrix increased the light stability of the bioactive ingredients. Encapsulation improved the bioaccessibility of the co-delivered bioactive ingredients. This study provides new strategies that can be used for designing pH- and temperature-sensitive carrier for intestinal targeted delivery of hydrophobic and hydrophilic food bioactive ingredients.

Comparative analysis of hydrogen sorption in large-sized single-walled carbon nanotubes and multi-walled carbon nanotubes: A molecular dynamics study

Recent nanomaterial advancements have resulted in a breakthrough in energy storage and hydrogen carrier technologies. The hydrogen adsorption metrics of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) at temperatures of 77 and 300 K are thoroughly investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. This study sheds light on the hydrogen adsorption mechanism of large-sized CNTs at pressures ranging from 0.1 to 10 MPa. Furthermore, the effect of interwall spacing in MWCNT has been analysed and discussed using adsorption isotherms to highlight key features. At 77 K and 10 MPa, SWCNT can store molecular hydrogen with a maximum gravimetric density of 8.33 wt%, compared to 6.56, 4.55, and 3.18 wt% for MWCNT, whereas the storage capacity is less than one wt.% at 300 K. Moreover, the interlayer spacing in MWCNT is found to have a significant influence on the system gravimetric capacity, and the larger the interior space, the greater the adsorption. However, increasing the number of interlayers in MWCNT, on the other hand, reduces storage capacity. As a result, our findings suggest that SWCNT and MWCNT have a promising potential for hydrogen storage applications and, with structural modifications, could meet the US Department of Energy's benchmark.

Recent Advancements in Biomimetic Drug Delivery System of Single- Chain Fatty Acids as Ufasomes and Ufosomes: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract: The current review is focused on many carrier systems and technologies that have recently been explored for achieving controlled drug release, promoting therapeutic potential, and selectivity. Among various carrier systems, the vesicular drug delivery system is the highly effective method of delivering medication to the infection site resulting in minimal drug toxicity and adverse effects. Various research studies have been conducted to reduce drug loss and degradation, prevent unwanted side effects, improve drug bioavailability, and retain the fraction of drug in the necessary region. To achieve these goals novel vesicular drug delivery and vesicular drug targeting systems, such as ufasomes and ufosomes, are currently under research. They are highly ordered self-assembled novel vesicular drug delivery systems formed from disordered building blocks into highly ordered systems by specific inter-block mutual interactions. These two carrier systems are separately being studied for their efficacy to improve the effectiveness of various drugs. In this perspective, we summarized the basic concept and recent studies on ufasomes and ufosomes for drug delivery along with pertinent investigations in the present review. The vesicular systems discussed in this article are given chronologically, from existing systems to advanced fatty acid vesicles. Drug design and development using ufasome and ufosome vesicular systems have added a new dimension to the treatment of disease conditions by circumventing penetration limiting obstacles and therefore increasing efficacy.

Carbon-catalyzed oxygen-mediated dehydrogenation of formaldehyde in alkaline solution for efficient hydrogen production

We report an efficient process to dehydrogenate formaldehyde in alkaline solution, catalyzed by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via a unique reaction mechanism involving molecular O2. The superior catalytic performance of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) compared to the other carbon-based catalysts is attributed to their sp2-carbon-rich surface, hydrophilicity and abundant surface defects, which are the most plausible active sites. Peroxide species originating from the activation of adsorbed molecular oxygen on the CNTs is found to be a key to C–H activation, leading to efficient hydrogen production. The cost-effective carbon-based dehydrogenation catalysts offer new opportunities to the development of novel liquid organic hydrogen carrier technologies.

Visible-Light-Promoted Iridium(III)-Catalyzed Acceptorless Dehydrogenation of N-Heterocycles at Room Temperature.

An effective visible-light-promoted iridium(III)-catalyzed hydrogen production from N-heterocycles is described. A single iridium complex constitutes the photocatalytic system playing a dual task, harvesting visible-light and facilitating C–H cleavage and H2 formation at room temperature and without additives. The presence of a chelating C–N ligand combining a mesoionic carbene ligand along with an amido functionality in the IrIII complex is essential to attain the photocatalytic transformation. Furthermore, the IrIII complex is also an efficient catalyst for the thermal reverse process under mild conditions, positioning itself as a proficient candidate for liquid organic hydrogen carrier technologies (LOHCs). Mechanistic studies support a light-induced formation of H2 from the Ir–H intermediate as the operating mode of the iridium complex.

Practical handling of allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines: Aposition paper from German and Austrian Allergy Societies AeDA, DGAKI, GPA and ÖGAI.

BackgroundFor the preventive treatment of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) an unprecedented global research effort studied the safety and efficacy of new vaccine platforms that have not been previously used in humans. Less than one year after the discovery of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral sequence, these vaccines were approved for use in the European Union (EU) as well as in numerous other countries and mass vaccination efforts began. The so far in the EU approved mRNA vaccines BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 are based on similar lipid-based nanoparticle carrier technologies; however, the lipid components differ. Severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis after COVID-19 vaccination are very rare adverse events but have drawn attention due to potentially lethal outcomes and have triggered a high degree of uncertainty.MethodsCurrent knowledge on anaphylactic reactions to vaccines and specifically the new mRNA COVID-19 vaccines was compiled using a literature search in Medline, PubMed, as well as the national and international study and guideline registries, the Cochrane Library, and the Internet, with special reference to official websites of the World Health Organization (WHO), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Robert Koch Institute (RKI), and Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI).ResultsBased on the international literature and previous experience, recommendations for prophylaxis, diagnosis and therapy of these allergic reactions are given by a panel of experts.ConclusionAllergy testing is not necessary for the vast majority of allergic patients prior to COVID-19 vaccination with currently licensed vaccines. In case of allergic/anaphylactic reactions after vaccination, allergy workup is recommended, as it is for a small potential risk population prior to the first vaccination. Evaluation and approval of diagnostic tests should be done for this purpose.

Power line carrier technologies: a review

This paper gives an elaborate insight into the Power Line Carrier (PLC) communication technology in the power system. It explores the various characteristics, properties, and advancement of the power line carrier system and individual analysis of its components. These components, however, are in concerning power line carrier communications over high voltage lines majorly used in transmission stations. Power Line Carrier (PLC) components, including wave traps, coupling capacitors, line matching units, were highlighted. The paper discussed the operation principle of the Power Line Carrier (PLC) system together with their functionalities and how it makes transmission of information and power possible. It gives us the step by step functionalities of the different parts and how they make the information dispersion possible. A communication strategy was deployed for the effective transmission of data and information over the power line channel. Challenges were considered, solutions, and future directions for the advancements in the power line carrier system were also provided.

Endosomal Escape: Amphiphilic Polyelectrolyte Graft Copolymers Enhance the Activity of Cyclic Dinucleotide STING Agonists (Adv. Healthcare Mater. 2/2021)

Endosomal escape is a rate limiting step for many promising therapeutics, including cyclic dinucleotide (CDN) agonists of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway. In article number 2001056, John T. Wilson and co-workers synthesize and screen a novel library of polymers with pH-responsive, membrane-destabilizing activity and evaluate their capacity to enhance cytosolic delivery of CDNs, resulting in identification of new drug carrier technologies for potent STING activation.

Assessment of Conventional and Alternative Energy Carriers for Use in Military Vehicle Platforms

Abstract Interest in alternative energy carriers for military transportation applications prompted significant investigation, which revealed military-specific benefits and challenges of electric hybrid energy carrier systems. In the years since these studies, the types and performance of alternative energy carrier technologies have rapidly advanced. The objectives of this work were to survey and characterize commercial and near-term transportation energy carriers and then assess their use in several specific military vehicles. Comprehensive databases were constructed which quantify the energy density, specific energy, and power density of various energy carriers, storage systems, and energy conversion devices, through a survey of the scientific and industrial literature. These databases were then used in conjunction with basic operating requirements for the high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle and family of medium tactical vehicles military vehicle platforms to approximate the total powertrain mass as well as the total volume of stored energy, for various energy carriers for each vehicle platform. Results indicate that the use of pure gasoline or diesel fuels in these vehicle platforms yields by far the lowest total powertrain mass and stored energy; thus, despite recent advancements in alternative energy carrier technologies, significant powertrain mass and stored volume penalties for their implementation remain. Li ion battery diesel hybrids were the most promising near-term application of alternative energy carrier, with the commercialization of Li ion battery technologies found to have significantly reduced mass and volume penalties. The databases and trends developed here inform the broader consideration of alternative energy carriers used in military vehicles.

Self-Assembly of Immune Signals Improves Codelivery to Antigen Presenting Cells and Accelerates Signal Internalization, Processing Kinetics, and Immune Activation.

Vaccines and immunotherapies that elicit specific types of immune responses offer transformative potential to tackle disease. The mechanisms governing the processing of immune signals-events that determine the type of response generated-are incredibly complex. Understanding these processes would inform more rational vaccine design by linking carrier properties, processing mechanisms, and relevant timescales to specific impacts on immune response. This goal is pursued using nanostructured materials-termed immune polyelectrolyte multilayers-built entirely from antigens and stimulatory toll-like receptors agonists (TLRas). This simplicity allows isolation and quantification of the rates and mechanisms of intracellular signal processing, and the link to activation of distinct immune pathways. Each vaccine component is internalized in a colocalized manner through energy-dependent caveolae-mediated endocytosis. This process results in trafficking through endosome/lysosome pathways and stimulation of TLRs expressed on endosomes/lysosomes. The maximum rates for these events occur within 4 h, but are detectable in minutes, ultimately driving downstream proimmune functions. Interestingly, these uptake, processing, and activation kinetics are significantly faster for TLRas in particulate form compared with free TLRa. Our findings provide insight into specific mechanisms by which particulate vaccines enhance initiation of immune response, and highlight quantitative strategies to assess other carrier technologies.

Industrial Application of Carbon Recycling Energy System Technology Driven by Nuclear Power

Industrial application of carbon recycling energy system technology driven by nuclear power as low-carbon new energy systems was discussed in this study. For establishment of nuclear power contribution on low-carbon energy system in future, energy storage and energy carrier technologies for nuclear power are required. Chemical energy storage would be an effective candidate for energy carrier. From the stand point of exergy, that is thermal energy quality, carbon media is higher quality than hydrogen. Carbon dioxide (CO2) decompositions into carbon monoxide (CO) is candidate for the carbon energy carrier. Carbon recycling energy system driven by a nuclear power has potential for new energy storage and carrier technologies. A new energy system of Active Carbon Recycle Energy System (ACRES) using CO as energy carrier driven by a high temperature gas cooled reactor (HTGR) was proposed for reduction of carbon dioxide emission and establishment of carbon supply security of a country. The feasibility of an ironmaking system based on ACRES (iACRES) driven by HTGR was discussed as an example of nuclear industrial application by process numerical analysis. It was expected that ACRES was capable to be a carbon recycling energy system technology driven by nuclear power for industrial sector as a low-carbon energy system methodology.

Comments on “Efficiency analysis of novel Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier technology and comparison with high pressure storage pathway” [Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 41 (2016) 18062–18071

We present critical comments on a recent article entitled “Efficiency analysis of novel Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier technology and comparison with high pressure storage pathway” (Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 41, 18062, 2016). A careful analysis on the energy efficiency of the hydrogen storage methods based on compressed gas and liquid organic hydrogen carrier technologies is of fundamental importance for making a rational choice of storage techniques to be used for onboard automotive applications.

Research on Hybrid Network Technologies of Power Line Carrier and Wireless MAC Layer

Through the power line carrier, wireless and other communication technologies, smart grid achieves power grid data communication. Therefore, it is a challenge to effectively integrate multi-form communication. In this paper, we analyzed the applications of power line carrier and wireless in the network of distribution system, and designed a communication method for the power line carrier and wireless MAC layer based on OFDM technology. By Turbo code, error correction coding is realized, which greatly improves the success rate of network communication. Also it effectively improved the performance of power communication network, and achieved the power line and wireless network convergence in the MAC layer communication. Finally according to different specific scenarios, we presented two different converged networking solutions.

Aircraft carriers and the capacity to mobilise US power across the Pacific, 1919–1929

This paper analyses how aircraft carriers were developed and positioned within US Navy planning for war in the Pacific during the first decade of the interwar period. Building on Caren Kaplan's framing of military mobility as a capacity, the paper contends that as carrier technologies advanced during the 1920s so recognition of their capacity to act as more than simply mobile islands tasked with supporting the big guns of the fleet emerged. The paper draws on a range of primary sources, specifically pertaining to War Plan Orange (the US's plan for war against Japan primarily developed during the 1920s and 1930s), and analyses US Naval War College documents that positioned carriers, often aspirationally, as key tools of US Pacific power projection. Inflected through discussion of two US Fleet Problems – naval exercises which took place in 1924 and 1929 – the paper contends that the emergence of a recognition that the capabilities of both ship and aircraft needed to be considered in tandem offered new and important strategic opportunities for US war planners during the interwar period.

Multi-Species Mating Disruption in Cranberries (Ericales: Ericaceae): Early Evidence Using a Flowable Emulsion.

Pheromone-based mating disruption has proven to be a powerful pest management tactic in many cropping systems. However, in the cranberry system, a viable mating disruption program does not yet exist. There are commercially available pheromones for several of the major pests of cranberries, including the cranberry fruitworm, Acrobasis vaccinii Riley (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and blackheaded fireworm, Rhopobota naevana (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Previous studies have shown that mating disruption represents a promising approach for R. naevana management although carrier and delivery technologies have remained unresolved. The present study examined the suitability of Specialized Pheromone & Lure Application Technology (SPLAT; ISCA Technologies, Inc., Riverside, CA), a proprietary wax and oil blend, to serve as a pheromone carrier in the cranberry system. In 2013 and 2014, we tested a blend of pheromones targeting A. vaccinii and R. naevana in field-scale, replicated trials. Pheromones were loaded into SPLAT and the resulting “SPLAT BFW CFW” formulation was deployed in commercial cranberry marshes. We compared moth trap-catch counts within SPLAT-treated blocks to those of conventionally managed blocks. In 2013, applications of SPLAT BFW CFW resulted in highly successful disruption of R. naevana and promising, though inconsistent, disruption of A. vaccinii. To improve disruption of A. vaccinii, the pheromone load was increased in 2014, providing 92% and 74% reductions in trap-catch for R. naevana and A. vaccinii, respectively. Importantly, larval infestation rates in SPLAT-treated blocks were lower than those of conventionally managed blocks. These results suggest that a multispecies mating disruption system (SPLAT BFW CFW) may represent an effective pesticide-alternative for serious pests of cranberries.

OER Activity of Ir-Ta-Zr Composite Anode as a Counter Electrode for Electrohydrogenation of Toluene

The organic chemical hydride method using the toluene (TL)/methylcyclohexane (MCH) system is one of the prospective energy carrier technologies for hydrogen storage and transportation. The direct electrohydrogenation of toluene with water decomposition using electric power is a highly efficient energy conversion process for the MCH synthesis. In this process, an IrO2-based directionally stable electrode® (DSE®) for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is used as the anode because of its good electrocatalytic activity and durability. However, further improvement in the activity is needed for practical applications. In this study, the effect of Zr addition substituted for Ta in IrO2-Ta2O5/Ti, which is a typical OER anode, on the electrocatalytic activity has been investigated in sulfuric acid with TL contamination. The activity of both the IrO2-Ta2O5/Ti and the IrO2-Ta2O5-ZrO2/Ti was higher and less affected by TL contamination than the IrO2/Ti. The activity of the IrO2-Ta2O5-ZrO2/Ti increased with the Zr content. The Zr addition increased the real surface area along with the increase in the double layer capacitance; on the other hand, the increase in activity was more than that of the surface area. Therefore, the Zr additive would affect not only the real surface area increase, but also the electrocatalytic activity.

LEACHING THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETICS OF OIL SHALE WASTE KEY COMPONENTS

Estonia is strongly dependent on locally mined oil shale which is the main fuel for power and oil production. Vast amounts of solid wastes are formed from circulating fluidized bed (CFB), pulverized firing (PF), and solid heat carrier (SHC) technologies, and are currently wet deposited in open-air fields. Both the utilization of newly produced ash and the management of historical deposits require an accurate thermo- dynamic modelling of complex mixtures. The authors investigated the leach- ing of the main water-soluble Ca-compounds from three types of oil shale mineral waste and developed a kinetic model that was used to determine the equilibrium constants and kinetic parameters of dissolution reactions for all three ash-water systems over a wide range of solid-to-liquid (S/L) ratio. For this, we prepared binary (Ca(OH)2-CaSO4·2H2O-H2O) and ternary (Ca(OH)2-CaSO4·2H2O-CaS-H2O) model systems that reflect the composition of the three different ashes, and measured the kinetics of dissolution for both the model systems and industrial ash. Thermodynamic calculations were per- formed using HsC Chemistry ® 7.1 and Aspen Plus V8.6 while the leaching kinetics was simulated employing the MODEST 6.1 software package. By comparing the results obtained for our model systems with those obtained for industrial oil shale ash-water systems the authors were able to both verify that the model results coincided to a satisfactory degree with simulation data, and also propose models that may aid one to design shale ash processing technologies.

Extending WLCSP Packaging Technology Capabilities to Enable Miniaturized Sensor and MEMS Packaging Applications

WLCSP has been widely deployed in portable computing and communication devices for efficient die level packaging of integrated semiconductor and integrated passive applications. More recently with the proliferation of smart phone capabilities and applications as well as the emergence of Internet of Things and Wearable Electronics, MEMS and sensor devices in minimized package formats have become increasingly pervasive. These include image sensors, light sensors, finger print sensors as well as accelerometer, gyroscope and other MEMS motion sensing devices. It is predicted that the widespread adoption of WLCSP packaging for sensing applications will accelerate the proliferation of the incorporation of multiple sensor technologies within future communication devices. A number of these MEMS/Sensor applications have been able to leverage the existing WLCSP technology infrastructure and has led to opportunities to packaging and cost-effective standardization and miniaturization. On the other hand, some significant new changes to WLCSP process flows have also emerged that have had to be addressed. This paper will provide an overview of MEMS and Sensor applications that are currently or will use 2D, 2.5D or 3D wafer level packaging formats. Process enhancements including the ability to process thinner substrates with the adoption of temporary carrier technologies will also be highlighted.

Development of a Coupling Oil Shale Retorting Process of Gas and Solid Heat Carrier Technologies

Oil shale is one of the most potential alternative resources for crude oil. Its exploration and exploitation are of increasing interest. In China, oil shale is mainly used by retorting technology. Fushun-type retorting technology, a typical gas heat carrier retorting technology, accounts for the largest proportion in China. However, this retorting technology is only applicable of coarse oil shale particles bigger than 10 mm in diameter. A lot of fine oil shale particles are discarded, resulting in waste of resources. Besides, this technology is criticized by low economic benefit. The main objective of this paper is to develop a coupling oil shale retorting process. The novel process can use fine oil shale particles as the raw materials of solid heat carrier retort to produce more shale oil. The novel process is modeled, and next, the simulation is carried out to build its mass and energy balance. From the techno-economic point of view, the advantages of the novel process are demonstrated by comparison to the traditional Fushun-type oil shale retorting process. Results indicate that the novel process is promising because coupling the two retorting process can increase the shale oil production from 13.86 to 17.34 t/h, the exergy efficiency from 32.46 to 38.01%, and the return on investment from 11.04 to 18.23%.