D-optimal Design Research Articles

Optimization of synthesis method for carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) from agro-food wastes by response surface methodology (RSM) using D-Optimal algorithm

Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) has wide commercial applicability for oil drilling fluids, cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical industries, but the current industrial process for its synthesis from eucalyptus wood has low sustainability and efficiency. This work reports the statistical optimization for the synthesis of CMC from waste biomass celluloses with special reactivity, extracted from sugarcane bagasse (SB) and corn cob (CC). The combined mild acid/peroxide-alkali (APA) treatment, followed by bleaching, was efficient for the extraction of low-crystallinity pulps, which were further converted into CMC. A set of carboxymethylation tests with variable reaction conditions determined by a D-Optimal design of experiments (DoE) were carried out by assessing the factors Activation Time (AT), Reaction Time (RT), NaOH concentration (NaOH%) and Cellulose (SBCel or CCel). Characteristic CMC absorption features were observed via FTIR and Raman spectra, and the deconvolution of X-ray diffractograms showed that the mild APA treatment is able to produce pulps with significant content of amorphous and type II celluloses, whose have higher reactivity and reflects in the optimal results of the DoE. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and response surface methodology (RSM) results from DoE data proved with high precision (F=184.81; p-value<0.0001; R2=0.9911; SD<1.0×10–5) and accuracy (low regression residuals) that the waste celluloses extracted are promising to produce CMC under milder conditions in comparison to literature, yielding up to 227 % (w CMC/w cellulose) of water-soluble CMC at lower AT and RT. The optimized process is more sustainable, low-cost, and efficient for producing this high valued-added cellulose derivative in the concept of biorefinery.

Optimization of Effervescent Tablets in Sensory Acceptance from the Active Ingredients of Fish Protein Hydrolysate and Microalgae Chlorellae sp. powder

Graphical Abstract Highlight Research 1. FPH and Chlorella sp. microalgae can be used as effervescent tablet ingredients received by panelists. 2. The mixture design method can determine the formula of effervescent tablets made from a combination of FPH and microalgae 3. The best percentage of FPH and microalgae in effervescent tablets was 5.873% and 9.127%. Abstract Effervescent tablets are a popular pharmaceutical dosage due to their ease of use and effectiveness in delivering active ingredients to consumers. In order to develop effervescent tablets that are more effective and highly nutritious, this research focuses on the use of Fish Protein Hydrolysate (FPH) and microalgae Chlorella sp. powder as the active ingredient. This research aims to optimize the effervescent tablet formulation in Sensory Acceptance. Formula optimization uses the Design Expert 13.0® program with the d-optimal mixture design method, which recommends 13 formula combinations with analysis of response: color, plant and fishy flavor, sweet taste, sour taste, aftertaste, hedonic, protein content, lipid content, water, and pH of effervescent tablets with a p-value &lt;0.05 indicates that the model results are significant. Evaluation of granules includes flow rate test, angle of repose test, compressibility test, and drying shrinkage test to meet the requirements. Evaluation of effervescent tablets includes size uniformity, weight uniformity, firmness, and dissolution time that meet the requirements. The proximate composition of FPH and Chlorella sp. powder consists of a protein content of 19.60% and 47.68%, a lipid content of 0.15% and 4.87%, a water content of 0.06% and 5.0%, and an ash content of 1.15% and 4.24%, respectively. In addition, Chlorella sp. powder consists of fiber (38.31%) and total flavonoids (2.69%). The optimal formula results obtained were with a composition of FPH 5.873% and Chlorella sp. powder 9.127%. The optimum formula of FPH and Chlorella sp. powder in effervescent tablets succeeded in increasing the acceptance of sensory attributes, including color response, plant aroma, fishy aroma, sweet taste, sour taste, aftertaste, hedonic, protein content, lipid content, and water content.

Optimization and clinical evaluation of hyaluronic acid proniosome loaded in-situ gel for the management of recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a frequent unpleasant oral condition that causes ulcers. Hyaluronic acid (HY) is an inherent polymer owing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial patterns. D-optimal response surface design was used to investigate the impact of surfactant type (Span 80 or Brij®35) and the concentration of HY (0.5 % or 1), on three selected dependent variables: zeta potential (ζ, ZP, R1), particle size (PS, R2), and entrapment efficiency (%EE, R3). The optimized HYPN was then loaded in thermosensitive in-situ gel. The clinical efficacy in patients with RAS was evaluated by measuring the improvement in pain levels (using the Visual Analog Scale), reduction in ulcer size, enhancement in quality of life (measured by OHIP-14 scores), and analysis of pro-inflammatory Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in saliva samples. The optimized formula obtained a mucoadhesive strength of 26 ± 1.76 N/m2. A burst release of 38 ± 1.56 % after 2 h was obtained followed by 80 ± 2.21 % till 24 h, with a transbuccal flux (Jss) 425 ± 7.9 μg/h.cm2. Clinically, a significant difference (P ≤ 0.001) in pain scores, ulcer diameter, OHIP-14 scores, TAC, and TNF-α between the in-situ gel containing HYPN and the placebo gel was found. The mean values for the number of recurrences at 6 months follow-up were 2.55 ± 1.13 and 4.63 ± 1.75, respectively, before and after treatment. The thermosensitive mucoadhesive in-situ gel seems to be a promising therapeutic choice for RAS treatment.

Development of healthier gummy candy by substituting glucose syrup with various fruit juice concentrates.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of various formulations of fruit juice concentrates (pomegranate, grape, and sour cherry) on the pH, water activity, density, color, texture, and microstructure characteristics of candies instead of glucose syrup. The experimental points of the study were examined by a D-optimal mixture design to optimize the concentration of fruits used in the formulation and achieve excellent physicochemical characteristics. Fruit juice concentrates, either singly or in combination, were used as a complete substitute for glucose syrup in the formulation. Total fruit juice concentration used in the formulation was 54.07% and each of the fruit juice concentrations changed between 0 and 54.07% in the formulation. By combining these three fruit juices, 14 gummy candy samples were produced, depending on the Special cubic, cubic, and quadratic models that were used for the effects on the physicochemical properties (pH, water activity, density, L*, a*, b*, and chroma), and the texture profile analysis (TPA) (hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, and resilience) parameters according to independent variables. Results showed that pH, water activity, and density values of the gummy candy samples were found to be in the range of 2.22-3.08, 0.46-0.52, and 1.10-1.53 g/mL, respectively, and were significantly affected by different fruit juice concentrates (p < .05). The texture profile analysis showed that except for springiness, fruit juice concentrations significantly affected the texture profile (p < .05). The texture values, such as hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and resilience of the gummy candy samples, were determined as 146.1-938.8 N, 0.63-0.99, 0.75-1.19, 136.02-947.94 g, and 0.12-0.51, respectively. In addition, various fruit juice concentrates significantly affected the color parameters of gummy candies, and using pomegranate juice and sour cherry concentrates increased the +a* value of the gummy candies. Therefore, fruit juice-based gummy candies can be developed as value-added gummy candies by using fruit juice concentrates.

Low-calorie functional dairy dessert enriched by prebiotic fibers and high antioxidant herbal extracts: A study of optimization and rheological properties.

The formulations of functional low-calorie dairy dessert, enriched with inulin/polydextrose (as a starch substitute), and ginger/cinnamon extract (as a flavor component and natural antioxidants), were developed and optimized by the D-optimal mixed design method. In the first stage, using the hedonic sensory evaluation and syneresis data, the optimal concentrations of inulin and polydextrose were obtained as 2.49% inulin and 1.51% polydextrose, respectively. The steady shear rheological test showed that the replacement of starch with inulin and polydextrose caused a decrease in apparent viscosity in all dessert samples. This decrease was higher in the samples containing polydextrose than those containing inulin. The replacement of starch with inulin and polydextrose also reduced the hysteresis loop area and thixotropic behavior. In the second stage, 0-0.4% of ginger and cinnamon extracts were added to the optimum sample and then the antioxidant and color properties of dessert samples were evaluated. The lightness (L*) Hunter parameter decreased by adding extracts and the samples containing cinnamon extract showed a higher a* parameter than the control and ginger-incorporated samples. The result of the 2,2-diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant assay showed that the antioxidant capacity of ginger extract was significantly higher than that of cinnamon extract. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of dessert samples decreased by adding 0.4% cinnamon and ginger extracts from 88.30 mg/mL to 77.04 and 31.94 mg/mL, respectively.

Enhancing nutritional and functional properties of gluten-free Riceberry rice pasta supplemented with cricket powder using D-optimal mixture design

The study aimed to develop gluten-free Riceberry rice pasta supplemented with cricket powder using a twin-screw extruder, contributing valuable knowledge to increasing the nutritional value of pasta through sustainable practices, nutritional enhancement, and novel ingredients. The D-optimal mixture design, an effective statistical tool for optimizing formulation, was used to determine the optimal proportions of Riceberry rice flour (RF, 75–90%), cricket powder (CP, 5–20%), and xanthan gum (XG, 1–5%). The results showed that all predictive models were statistically significant with satisfactory coefficients of determination (R2 ≥ 0.75), and exhibited a non-significant lack of fit. The contour plot demonstrated that pasta with high RF, XG, and low CP contents had the lowest L* and highest a* values. The incorporation of XG increased firmness, while an increase in CP led to higher protein and fat contents in the pasta. A decrease in RF resulted in reduced total phenolic content (TPC), anthocyanin content (ATC), and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity (AOA). The sensory evaluation scores of the pasta, in terms of the texture attribute and overall acceptance, decreased as the proportion of XG increased. The optimization analysis showed that the highest desirability was achieved with RF, CP, and XG at 84.10, 14.45, and 1.45%, respectively. The optimally desirable product had the following properties: L* at 22.60, a* at 4.80, b* at 4.78, firmness at 3.41 N, protein content at 12.57%, fat content at 4.68%, TPC at 360.13 mg GAE/100 g dw, ATC at 476.24 mg C3G/100 g dw, AOA at 25.10 mg TE/100 g dw, texture rating at 7.40, and overall acceptance rating at 7.01. This study highlights the potential of cricket powder as a protein source in gluten-free Riceberry rice pasta. It offers insights into the effects of ingredients on pasta quality and facilitates the development of nutritious and appealing gluten-free pasta.

New orders of 2k factorial designs generated by simulated annealing adapted to optimality criteria

Excessive changes in factor levels can lead to a high cost in practice and hinder the conduction of experiments, in addition to adding a higher computational cost and loss of the orthogonality property, resulting in numerical problems in estimating the parameters of a model. The sequential specification of experimental points, seen as treatments in a 2k factorial design, results in a high-order bias in some factors, which is caused by the accumulation of −1 or +1 signals. This study aimed to propose new designs generated by the simulated annealing technique, respecting the main A-optimal and D-optimal optimality criteria as random execution orders that minimize the order bias. This approach allowed the generation of 24 and 25 factorials, which were compared to the designs in standard order. The simulated annealing technique is a viable method to generate optimal designs with the same efficiency as the usual designs to obtain A-optimal and D-optimal designs with new execution orders, which minimize the effect of order bias relative to standard order designs. Regarding efficiency, the generated designs were precise in the variance of model parameter estimates, similar to the original designs.

Data-Driven Material Exploration of High Conductive Fluorides By Multi-Element Substitution

Barium fluoride (BaF2) has a fluorite-type structure and is attracting high attention as a solid electrolyte material for fluoride ion batteries that can be used under high voltage. Previous research has reported that the ionic conductivity increases by 4 to 5 orders of magnitude by partially replacing Ba in BaF2 with La. This indicates that elemental substitution is effective in improving the ionic conductivity of BaF2. However, single element substitution only explore much limited experimental space in elements, so that it should be difficult to discover innovative conductive compositions. By replacing various elements at the same time, the experimental space can be largely expanded and the possibility of finding the optimal composition increases. But, the combination numbers of multi-element substituted compositions are much over 10000, and exhaustive exploration of them is unrealistic. Therefore, we aimed to efficiently search for multi-element substitution compositions with high conductivity by creating a material-conductivity correlated exploring system under data-driven approach using large number of fluoride material database. The purpose of this research was to discover solid solution compositions in the multi-element substituted fluorides and understanding of the relationship between substitutional elements and solid solution formation.Approximately 20 types of multi-element substitution composition candidates were initially picked up using the D-optimal design (Dopt). The target compositions were synthesized to collect their XRD data. Next, we extracted the "number of peaks" from the XRD data as a feature values to express the degree of solid solution in the sample. Furthermore, we made a regression model with the element types and addition ratios as explanatory variables and the "number of peaks" as the objective variable. Using the regression model, approximately 20 candidate were predicted to form solid solution, in which we called as data-driven design of experiments (DOE) approach. Finally, the materials were actually prepared according to the proposal in DOE. The identification results were projected using the principal component analysis (PCA) to draw the material space.The obtained material space shows the number of peaks in the samples prepared using DOE decreased compared to those using Dopt. In detail, the Dopt-derived sample had 41.83 peaks, while the DOE-derived sample had 19.65 peaks on average. This result indicates that we were able to efficiently find preferable compositions that are advantageous for solid solution formation by using the data-driven method.In the presentation, we will also report the high-throughput composition exploration, their conductivities, and also development of virtual X-ray diffraction simulation system for over 10,000 kinds of multi-substituted composition of the fluorides. Acknowledgement s This research was partially supported by Knowledge Hub Aichi, the GIMRT Program of the Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University (Proposal No. 202303-CRKKE-0048).

Development, optimization, and characterization of vitamin C-fortified oleogel-based chewable gels and a novel nondestructive analysis method for the vitamin C assay

Chewable gels represent an excellent alternative to oral dosage forms, such as tablets and capsules, owing to their appealing appearance, easy swallowing, and attractive colors. Given the inherent instability of vitamin C, particularly within chewable gels, it is imperative to enhance its stability and mitigate its degradation during processing and storage. Oleogel, systems prepared through an environmentally friendly and pollution-free method, exhibit a three-dimensional network structure that eliminates oxygen, alleviates oxidation, and enhances vitamin C stability. This study focused on optimizing vitamin C-fortified oleogel-based chewable gels using Plackett–Burman and D-Optimal design methodologies to maximize vitamin C stability while maintaining favorable mechanical properties. The optimal formulation, Opt-C, was achieved by crystallizing the gel at -18 °C, incorporating 2.5 g of distilled monoglyceride (DMG), and maintaining an oleogel-to-chewable gel ratio of 10%. Opt-C was comprehensively characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and its stability was rigorously assessed. Furthermore, a nondestructive assay method for vitamin C determination in chewable gels was developed employing near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) and chemometric techniques. Storage studies demonstrated that Opt-C retained 85% of its vitamin C content during accelerated tests over ten weeks, surpassing the 69% retention observed in the control chewable gel. Opt-C exhibited a slower release of vitamin C in simulated digestive fluids; however, this release profile did not adversely impact the overall availability of vitamin C. Ultimately, the developed multivariate model successfully predicts vitamin C concentration: root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC): 0.284, Rcal2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\ ext{R}}_{\ ext{cal}}^{2}$$\\end{document}: 0.9906; RMSE cross-validation (RMSECV): 0.501, Rval2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\ ext{R}}_{\ ext{val}}^{2}$$\\end{document}: 0.9722; RMSE prediction (RMSEP): 0.670, Rpred2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\ ext{R}}_{\ ext{pred}}^{2}$$\\end{document}: 0.9154. This innovative approach enhances the stability of water-soluble vitamins in chewable gels.Graphical

USE D-OPTIMAL MIXTURE DESIGN IN FORMULATION OF ONCHIDIID SLUG (ONCHIDIUM TYPHAE) INSTANT POWDER AS FUNCTIONAL FOODS

Onchidiid slug (Onchidium typhae) is an animal with bioactive compounds with high nutritional value and the potential to be used as a functional food product. The study aimed to optimize the onchidiid slug instant powder formula, analyze its proximate content, and determine its hedonic level. The formula of instant powder was made with a comparison of the composition of maltodextrin and dextrose based on the run in the D-Optimal Mixture Design (DMD) program, namely run 1 (20%:10%), run 2 (10%:20%), run 3 (13.33%: 16.67%), run 4 (16.67%:13.33%), run 5 (15%:15%), run 6 (12.5%:17.5%), run 7 (10%: 20%), run 8 (20%:10%). The powder is tested for water content and dissolution time, and the optimal formula is analyzed using One Sample T-Test in SPSS. The results showed that the composition of maltodextrin and dextrose significantly affected the characteristics of instant powder. The optimal instant powder formula combines 18.690% maltodextrin and 11.310% dextrose with a water content of 4.892% and a soluble time of 118.052 seconds. The results of statistical analysis in verifying the optimal formula show a p-value &gt; 0.05 (not significant). The results of the proximate content test were 8.21% water content, 0.42% ash content, 0.85% crude fiber, 3.54% protein, and 1.54%. They had a preference level in the like and acceptable in terms of color, taste, texture, and scent.

[formula omitted]-optimal designs for a multidimensional second-degree polynomial model with no intercept

The paper investigates the problem of constructing D-optimal designs for the multidimensional second-degree polynomial model without an intercept term. On a hyperparallelepiped of the given dimensionality and symmetric with respect to the origin, D-optimal designs are found in explicit analytical form.

Development of Gentamicin Bilosomes Laden In Situ Gel for Topical Ocular Delivery: Optimization, In Vitro Characterization, Toxicity, and Anti-microbial Evaluation.

The eye drops are the prominent preparation used to treat surface eye disease (bacterial conjunctivitis). However, they have some limitations i.e., short corneal residence, resulting in low ocular bioavailability and necessitating frequent dose administration. The present study developed gentamicin (GE) bilosomes (BM)- laden in situ gel to improve therapeutic activity. The in situ gel system is initially in sol form before administration and converted into gel form in physiological eye conditions. The GE-BM was developed using the thin film hydration technique and optimized by D-optimal design. GE-BM was characterized for vesicle size, entrapment efficiency, zeta potential, morphology, and Fourier transform electron microscope (FTIR). The optimized GE-BM (GE-BMopt) was incorporated into an in situ gel and assessed for physicochemical characteristics. GE-BMopt in situ gel was evaluated for in vitro release, ex vivo permeation, toxicity, and antimicrobial study. GE-BMopt has a vesicle size of 185.1±4.8nm, PDI of 0.254, zeta potential of 27.6 mV, entrapment efficiency of 81.86±1.29 %, and spherical morphology. The FTIR study presented no chemical interactions between GE and excipients. GE-BMopt in situ gel (GE-BMoptIG4) showed excellent viscosity, gelling strength, and ex-vivo bio-adhesion. GE-BMopt-IG4 showed significant high and sustained release of GE (78.08±4.73% in 12h). GE-BMopt-IG4 displayed 3.27-fold higher ex-vivo goat corneal permeation than a pure GE solution. GE-BMopt-IG4 showed good corneal tolerance without any damage or irritation. GE-BMopt-IG4 showed significantly (P<0.05) higher anti-bacterial activity (ZOI) against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli than pure GE solution. The study determined that the BM in situ gel system can serve as a substitute carrier for GE to enhance its therapeutic effectiveness, and further preclinical studies are required.

Quantifying Stated Preferences for Meningococcal Vaccines Among Adolescents/Young Adults and Parents of Adolescents in the United States: A Discrete Choice Experiment.

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a severe and life-threatening disease. In the United States (US), vaccine coverage with MenACWY and MenB meningococcal vaccines is suboptimal among adolescents/young adults aged 16-23years. A combined meningococcal vaccine (MenABCWY) could increase convenience (e.g., fewer injections) and improve coverage. The objective was to quantify preferences for hypothetical meningococcal vaccine profiles among adolescents/young adults and parents. An online discrete choice experiment was conducted among 16- to 23-year-olds, and parents of 16- to 18-year-olds. Attributes (3×4) and levels (1×2) were based on the literature and focus groups. Participants made ten pair-wise forced trade-off choices, systematically varied using a D-optimal design. Random parameter logit quantified the relative importance of vaccination attributes and estimated the trade-offs. Differences in preferences by subgroups were assessed. Totals of 300 adolescents and young adults (median age 20years) and 300 parents (median age 46years) completed the survey. Overall, 89.6% of 16- to 23-year-olds and 69.1% of parents preferred a simplified hypothetical meningococcal vaccination profile, e.g., with fewer injections (3 vs. 4) and fewer healthcare provider (HCP) visits (2-3 vs. 4). Having HCP advice and clear Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations impacted vaccination choice, with both groups reporting high trust in HCP information (83.3% among 16- to 23-year-olds; 98.7% among parents). Barriers to vaccination included lack of HCP advice or awareness of meningococcal vaccines, and income level and out-of-pocket costs for parents. Adolescents/young adults and parents demonstrated a significant preference for a meningococcal vaccine that is more convenient (such as combined MenABCWY). Parents' vaccination preferences differed by income level and out-of-pocket costs, suggesting financial barriers to vaccination may exist which could result in IMD prevention inequalities. Findings from this study provide important information to support patient-facing informed policy discussions. A simplified vaccination schedule and strong recommendation could help improve vaccine uptake, schedule compliance, disease prevention, and reduce inequalities in IMD risk and prevention. A graphical abstract is available with this article.

ForLion: a new algorithm for D-optimal designs under general parametric statistical models with mixed factors

ForLion: a new algorithm for D-optimal designs under general parametric statistical models with mixed factors

The use of D-Optimal Mixture Design in the development of date stone and spirulina tablet formulation as a phycocyanin dietary supplement

The aim of this work is in the formulation of a dietary supplement, combining spirulina and date stone benefits. For this, a study was done on these two ingredients by determining their approximate composition and antioxidant potential. Following this, we used a statistical method to determine the appropriate proportions of ingredients to obtain a tablet with optimal physical properties. After setting these parameters, we analysed this tablet’s composition and effectiveness by evaluating its physicochemical properties, antioxidant potential, FTIR spectrum and studied the controlled release of phycocyanin. Our results revealed that the optimized formula showed high stability and richness in active compounds.

Preparation and evaluation of lipid-based sustained release pellets of chlorpheniramine maleate by the wet extrusion-spheronization method

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of preparation of sustained-release chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) pellets based on Compritol® as a lipid matrix and evaluation of the affecting factors on pellet properties. Methods: Using the D-optimal experimental design, different pellet formulations containing various amounts of CPM, Compritol® and Avicel were prepared by the wet extrusion-spheronization method. Then the pellets were cured at 40, 65 and 90 ̊C for 4 and 8 h to study the effect of the thermal process. The physicomechanical properties of the pellets were investigated in terms of particle size distribution, pelletization yield, mechanical strength, aspect ratio and sphericity. To investigate the possible interaction of CPM and Compritol®, as well as to evaluate the morphology and surface characteristics of the pellets DSC and SEM were used, respectively. Also, to investigate the drug release rate from pellets the dissolution test was carried out and mean dissolution time (MDT) was calculated to compare different formulations. Results: The results showed that the curing process up to 65 °C improves the strength of the pellets. However, increasing the curing temperature from 65 to 90 °C and also increasing the curing time from 4 to 8 h did not have a significant effect on the strength of the pellets but increased the drug release rate of pellets. Increasing the amount of the drug or decreasing Compritol® in the matrix of pellets leads to a larger particle size with greater mechanical strength. All formulations of the pellets had an aspect ratio and sphericity of about 1.1 and 0.9 respectively, which indicates the spherical shape of the pellets as shown by SEM. DSC thermograms indicate the reduction of the crystallinity or the change of the crystalline form of the drug to amorphous during the pelletization process. Conclusion: The results revealed the feasibility of preparing lipid-based sustained-release matrix pellets using the wet extrusion-spheronization method. The optimal formulation in terms of physicomechanical properties and release rate was the formulation containing 8% CPM, 67% Compritol® and 25% Avicel, which were dried at 40 ° C for 4 h and released about 90% of the drug within 12 h.

Eco-Friendly Production of Decorative Concrete Blocks Using Coal Fly Ash and Coconut Husk Fiber Admixtures: Mixture D-Optimal Design Optimization

Eco-Friendly Production of Decorative Concrete Blocks Using Coal Fly Ash and Coconut Husk Fiber Admixtures: Mixture D-Optimal Design Optimization

Optimization of Naringenin Self-Nano Emulsifying Drug Delivery System (SNEDDS) Formula with D-optimal Mixture Design Method

Optimization of Naringenin Self-Nano Emulsifying Drug Delivery System (SNEDDS) Formula with D-optimal Mixture Design Method

A Double Exponential Particle Swarm Optimization with non-uniform variates as stochastic tuning and guaranteed convergence to a global optimum with sample applications to finding optimal exact designs in biostatistics

Nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithms, like Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), are powerful general-purpose optimization tools but they invariably do not come with rigorous theoretical justifications and can fail to find a global optimum. By treating PSO as a random search optimization process and repairing the famous Global Search Convergence Theorem by imposing an additional condition in the proof, we create a novel theory-based algorithm called the Double Exponential Particle Swarm optimization algorithm (DExPSO) that converges to a global optimum. In particular, we show the common practice of using uniform variates as stochastic components in PSO and related algorithms does not satisfy the sufficient conditions in DExPSO and hence may provide a reason why PSO and other nature-inspired algorithms, like QPSO, LcRiPSO, and CSO can fail to converge. Additionally, in more complicated design problems, we show that DExpSO tends to converge to the support points of the optimal design more frequently and faster than PSO and its variants do. Moreover, there is a possibility to modify other PSO variants to DExPSO variants, and such hybridization offers promising improvement in the quality of the global search. Our applications include finding designs that minimize the integrated mean squared prediction error and locally D-optimal exact designs for a 68-compartmental model to assess radioactive particles retained in the human lung after exposure. Because PSO, and more generally, metaheuristics are used across disciplines, including ecology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics studies, agriculture, engineering, and computer science, there are potentially broad and deep implications of our results.

Multiresponse Optimization of Value-Added Sesame Seed Candy

Sesame seed candy, traditionally produced from sesame seeds and sugar, is a confection. This study focuses on the optimization of value-added sesame seed candy from sesame seed, ginger, cinnamon, and honey employing numerical and graphical optimization, via desirability function technique. Experiments were conducted using a four-component constrained D-optimal mixture-process experimental design and the formulated candies were characterized. The formulation design constraints were: sesame seed (40 – 70%), ginger (10 – 30%), cinnamon (10 – 30%), honey (10 – 30%); while the processing factor were roasting temperature (100 – 150 ) and roasting time (10 – 30mins). Consumer acceptability was measured by 50 semi-trained regular consumers using a 9-point hedonic scale. The formulation that produced optimal candy of the highest desirability index of 0.506 was 43.53% sesame Seed,10% ginger, 16.47% cinnamon, and 30% honey, with 110 roasting temperature. and .27 min mixing time. The quality properties of the optimal value-added sesame seed candy were 7.95% moisture content, 20.76% dietary fibre, 37.89% protein, 10.40% carbohydrate, 17.20% fat content, 249.71mg calcium, 0.029mg/100g vitamin C, 353.54kcal energy value, 5.78 hardness, 6 taste, 5.74 colour, 5.87 chewiness, 5.92 gumminess, 5.6 crispness, 6.11 flavour, and overall acceptability of 6.20; based on 9-point hedonic scale. Sesame seed, the major ingredient in the candy production, has a composition of about 50 – 52% oil, 17-19% protein, 48.5% crude oil, 9.4% crude fibre, 4.2% ash. and 16-18% carbohydrate. Compared with the traditional sesame seed candy, the optimal value-added sesame seed candy was of higher quality.