Delivery Mechanism Research Articles

Analysis of magnetic field impact on nanoparticles used in nanomedicine and a measurement approach

Nanomedicine, in particular the use nanoparticles for drug delivery (DD), is an increasing field of development and advancement. The influence and the interference of magnetic field about delivery action is an important field of investigation. Vaccines and specific drugs for known and rare pathologies can get benefits from this approach. The main goal of the work is to provide a modelling that can support the know-how of the impact of a magnetic field about the delivery of drug allocated on Nanoparticles (NPs), thus defining guidelines to measure the delivery function for generic biocompatible NPs. In particular, by means of Finite Element Method (FEM) approach, the impact magnetic field, on gold nanoparticle (GN), used in nanomedicine for DD process, is analysed to facilitate the knowledge of the delivery mechanisms. The study is addressed to the estimation of the magnetic field distribution on the GNs interface, supporting the efficacy of the magnetic field stimulation. The paper is concluded by discussing measurement approaches useful to define guidelines. The main goal of the paper is to provide a methodology to understand DD phenomena in nanotechnology using a magnetic field as stimuli, by defining at the same time tools and approaches tailoring a measurement protocol in nanotechnology.

Improving routing performance in social internet of things with FNRA: The free node-based approach

In the distributed environment of the Social Internet of Things (SIoT), where nodes rely primarily on the “store-carry-forward” mechanism for message delivery, it has been determined that forming community structures is advantageous for message propagation. Nevertheless, due to the dynamic nature of nodal social relationships and inaccurate community division, routing algorithm performance is inferior. This paper proposes a novel SIoT routing algorithm, the Free Node-based Routing Algorithm (FNRA) to resolve these issues. The FNRA algorithm presents a comprehensive framework for message forwarding, differentiating between in-community and out-of-community scenarios. The algorithm compares the forwarding capabilities of relay and source nodes within the community. A graph-theoretic approach is used to classify source, relay, and destination nodes into four distinct structures outside the community. Considering node-node, node-community, community-node, and community-community interactions, the algorithm addresses situations where the source, destination, and relay nodes do not belong to the same community. FNRA dynamically selects appropriate forwarding strategies to expedite message delivery to the destination node by leveraging the community structure and the presence of free nodes. The FNRA algorithm exhibits superior performance through detailed experimental simulations by enhancing message delivery rate, decreasing network overhead, and reducing average latency compared to existing routing algorithms. This demonstrates the algorithm's effectiveness in optimizing overall network performance.

A Sensing Integrated Metal Additive Manufacturing Platform for Exploring the Use of Non-Standard Powders

Abstract Research applications that rely on commercial directed energy deposition (DED) based metal additive manufacturing (AM) systems are commonly constrained by their inflexibility in handling various non-standard powders, lack of fine system control, and inherent difficulty with sensor integration. In this work, we present the design of a sensing-integrated platform for metal additive manufacturing. A modular design allows easy modification of specific sub-systems, such as laser integration or powder delivery mechanisms, to enable capabilities that are difficult to realize with commercial systems. As an example, we demonstrate DED performance using non-conventional inexpensive powders produced via abrasion and water atomization techniques. System performance is evaluated using integrated sensors and complemented by numerical/ analytical calculations. Based on these results, a nominal operation map combining thermal field with powder flow is generated for determining process parameters suitable for a given material/build combination and can be generally applicable for any DED AM system. In addition to handling non-spherical and alternatively sourced powders, the system capabilities for printing multi-material complex contours are demonstrated.

Enhancing the performance of chilli (Capsicum annuum) through twin role of plant growth promotion and disease suppressionvia Bacillus subtilis-based bioformulation

Considering the majority of studies confined in vitro evaluation of microbial bioagents against diseases, a study was carried out during 2018–21 at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, (in vivo and field studies) to assess bio-efficacy of B. subtilis (strain LB22)-based liquid bioformulation against bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) and anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) diseases of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). In vivo efficacy of B. subtilis formulation (inclusive treatment involving seed treatment, seedling dip, soil treatment and foliar spray) showed significant suppressiveness against both the diseases coupled with enhanced growth and yield attributes. Subsequently, the field evaluation of Bacillus subtilis formulation comparing standard chemicals also edged over the latter by 15.45% in terms of yield gains in 2-years of study. A significant reduction was found in disease severity during field evaluation of Bacillus subtilis formulation on account of induced resistance via upregulated synthesis of plant defense-enzymes (Polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, and β-1,3-glucanase) by 2.3–11.0 folds with their peaks mostly expressed within 24–72 h. These results put forward a conceptual framework for delivery mechanism of a microbial bioagent in a formulation mode, having the potential to be effective against a number of other diseases as well.

Do pet dogs reciprocate the receipt of food from familiar and unfamiliar conspecifics?

Reciprocity is one of the most prominent explanations for the evolution of stable cooperation. Although reciprocity has been studied for decades in numerous animal species and behavioural contexts, its underlying proximate mechanisms remain unclear. Domestic dogs provide a useful model species for the study of proximate mechanisms, though there are currently inconsistent findings regarding dogs' propensity to reciprocate. Here, we investigated whether, after minimal training, pet dogs would press a button, which remotely controlled a food dispenser, to deliver food to an enclosure occupied by a helpful conspecific that had provided them with food or an unhelpful conspecific that had not provided them with food. We included an asocial control condition in which the enclosure was unoccupied and a social facilitation control in which the food delivery mechanism was non-functional. Whether subjects were familiar with the helpful and unhelpful conspecifics was also varied. In addition, to investigate potential mechanisms underlying reciprocity, we measured subjects salivary oxytocin concentration before and after they experienced the helpful and unhelpful acts. There was no effect of the previous helpfulness or the familiarity of the partner on the number of times subjects pressed the button. However, there was also no effect of the presence of a partner or the operationality of the food delivery mechanism on the number of button presses, indicating that subjects were not pressing the button to provision the partner. Moreover, the experience of the helpful or unhelpful act did not influence subjects' salivary oxytocin concentration. Variation in findings of reciprocity across studies appears to correspond with differing training protocols. Subjects' understanding of the task in the current study may have been constrained by the limited training received. Additional tests to verify subjects' understanding of such tasks are warranted in future studies.

Policy mechanisms for interlocal service delivery: management perspectives in the USA and Norway

PurposeThis study comparatively examines the collaborative policy mechanisms for interlocal cooperation (ILC) utilized by municipal managers in Nebraska, USA, and Norway. The research addresses differences in ILC, factors of national setting and implications for ILC management in public service delivery.Design/methodology/approachOver a seven-year period, the researchers collected data from 16 communities in the two countries to observe perceptions and usages of ILC. Using a policy tools theoretical framework, the authors apply a typology of collaborative mechanisms for comparative analysis.FindingsThe findings suggest that institutional orientations in the USA and Norwegian systems of government affect managerial approaches to collaborative service delivery, namely the operationalization of local governments within federal and unitary structures may influence perceptions toward the formality and specificity of ILC policy mechanisms.Originality/valueThis study offers further understanding of ILC mechanisms for public sector management. Theoretical and practical implications of ILC in a comparative international context of governmental systems for collaboration are explored.

Light-Induced Liposomal Drug Delivery with an Amphiphilic Porphyrin and Its Chlorin and Bacteriochlorin Analogues.

The development of targeted drug delivery mechanisms in the human body is a matter of growing interest in medical science. The selective release of therapeutic agents at a specific target site can increase the therapeutical efficiency and at the same time reduce the side effects. Light-sensitive liposomes can release a drug by an externally controlled light trigger. Liposomes containing photosensitizers that can be activated in the longer wavelength range (650-800 nm) are particularly intriguing for medical purposes. This is because light penetration into a tissue is more efficient within this wavelength range, increasing their potential applications. For this study, liposomes with an encapsulated amphiphilic photosensitizer, the porphyrin 5,10-DiOH (5,10-di(4-hydroxyphenyl)-15,20-diphenyl-21,23H-porphyrin), its chlorin (5,10-DiOH-chlorin) and its bacteriochlorin (5,10-DiOH-bacteriochlorin) were synthesized. The porphyrin 5,10-DiOH showed previously effective cargo release after liposomal encapsulation when irradiated at a wavelength of 420 nm. The new synthesized chlorin and bacteriochlorin photosensitizers show additional absorption bands in the longer wavelength range, which would enable excitation in deeper layers of tissue. Effective cargo release with chlorin at a longer wavelength of 650 nm and bacteriochlorin at 740 nm was possible. Irradiation of chlorin allowed more than 75% of the cargo to be released and more than 60% for bacteriochlorin. The new liposomes would enable selective drug release in deeper tissue layers and expand the range of possible applications.

Novel Injectable, Self-Healing, Long-Effective Bacteriostatic, and Healed-Promoting Hydrogel Wound Dressing and Controlled Drug Delivery Mechanisms.

Multivalent ion cross-linking has been used to form hydrogels between sodium alginate (SA) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in previous studies. However, more stable and robust covalent cross-linking is rarely reported. Herein, we present a facile approach to fabricate a SA and HA hydrogel for wound dressings with injectable, good biocompatibility, and high ductility. HA was first reacted with ethylenediamine to graft an amino group. Then, it was cross-linked with oxidized SA with dialdehyde to form hydrogel networks. The dressing can effectively promote cell migration and wound healing. To increase the antibacterial property of the dressing, we successfully loaded tetracycline hydrochloride into the hydrogel as a model drug. The drug can be released slowly in the alkaline environment of chronic wounds, and the hydrogel releases drugs again in the more acidic environment with wound healing, achieving a long-term antibacterial effect. In addition, one-dimensional partial differential equations based on Fickian diffusion with time-varying diffusion coefficients and hydrogel thicknesses were used to model the entire complex drug release process and to predict drug release.

CuS-NPs, GQD, MSN-NPs and doxorubicin: An excellent nano-compound for cancer treatment by chemo-photodynamic therapy

This study aims to create a nanocomposite that combines copper sulfide nanoparticles as a photosensitizer, graphene quantum dots as drug absorbers, mesoporous silica nanoparticles as a delivery mechanism, and doxorubicin, a traditional chemo dynamic drug used in cancer therapy. This novel nanocomposite aims to simultaneously utilize both photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy methods for cancer treatment. An 808 nm LED laser with 1 W power was used as a photodynamic therapy radiation source. Various techniques such as the transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller/Barrett–Joyner–Halenda analysis, infrared Fourier spectroscopy, and UV–visible analysis were employed to determine the structural characteristics and optical properties of the synthesized nonocomposite. The sizes of graphene quantum dots, copper sulfide nanoparticles, and mesoporous silica nanoparticles were found to be approximately 40 nm, 8 nm, and 50 nm, respectively. The porosity analysis and specific surface area revealed that the optimized mesoporous silica nanoparticles have a high specific surface area of 717.76 m2 g−1, an appropriate pore size of 4.44 nm, and a well-defined pore volume of 0.99 cm3 g−1. These characteristics make them an up-and-coming agent for the delivery of anticancer drugs. The nanocomposite demonstrated a drug-loading capacity of 89%. Our findings showed a significant decrease in the absorption of anthracene composite after 10 min of laser irradiation, indicating the generation of reactive oxygen species.

Undergraduates’ Satisfaction of Online Food and Beverage Services Amidst Financial Distress in Nnewi Urban, Anambra State, Nigeria

This study determined undergraduates’ satisfaction of online food and beverage services amidst financial distress in Nnewi urban, Anambra State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was used by the study. Population consisted of 3,509 students. Sample size was 35. Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. Data was analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Findings revealed that different types of food and beverage products were purchased online. The problems undergraduates face in online food and beverage services included delayed delivery, use of artificial food colouring and fear of food contamination. Strategies for enhancing students’ satisfaction of online purchases included timely delivery of products ordered and appropriate delivery mechanism. Findings also showed that the ways online food and beverage purchases can influence undergraduate’s finances included high cost of online food products, additional cost for delivery among others. Among recommendations made was that online food vendors should ensure that food products delivered are same with products ordered by customers in order to enhance customer satisfaction.

Donor Coordination and Evidence Uptake in Early Childhood Education Policy

ABSTRACT In this reflective piece, representatives of the agencies that funded and managed the Early Learning Systems Research program – the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the World Bank – take stock of recent global developments in research, policy, and financing by donors for early childhood education (ECE). A rapid increase in research on early childhood interventions has secured a consensus that in vesting in early matters for later outcomes in life. In recent years, development finance institutions have taken unprecedented steps to incorporate ECE into their policies and approaches, have helped build research capacity, and fostered communities of practice on ECE. Despite these developments, however, the share of official development assistance (ODA) for ECE remains extremely low. Limited prioritization of ECE by donors may be reinforced by a persistence of low demand for ECE financing from governments and differences in delivery mechanisms between ECE and other levels of education. The authors conclude with considerations for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers interested in increasing donor finance for ECE.

Chitosan Nanoparticles for Targeted Cancer Therapy: A Review of Stimuli-Responsive, Passive, and Active Targeting Strategies.

Despite all major advancements in drug discovery and development in the pharmaceutical industry, cancer is still one of the most arduous challenges for the scientific community. The implications of nanotechnology have certainly resolved major issues related to conventional anticancer modalities; however, the undesired recognition of nanoparticles (NPs) by the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), their poor stability in biological fluids, premature release of payload, and low biocompatibility have restricted their clinical translation. In recent decades, chitosan (CS)-based nanodelivery systems (eg, polymeric NPs, micelles, liposomes, dendrimers, conjugates, solid lipid nanoparticles, etc.) have attained promising recognition from researchers for improving the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of chemotherapeutics. However, the specialty of this review is to mainly focus on and critically discuss the targeting potential of various CS-based NPs for treatment of different types of cancer. Based on their delivery mechanisms, we classified CS-based NPs into stimuli-responsive, passive, or active targeting nanosystems. Moreover, various functionalization strategies (eg, grafting with polyethylene glycol (PEG), hydrophobic substitution, tethering of stimuli-responsive linkers, and conjugation of targeting ligands) adapted to the architecture of CS-NPs for target-specific delivery of chemotherapeutics have also been considered. Nevertheless, CS-NPs based therapeutics hold great promise for improving therapeutic outcomes while mitigating the off-target effects of chemotherapeutics, a long-term safety profile and clinical testing in humans are warranted for their successful clinical translation.

Intrinsic immunomodulatory hydrogels for chronic inflammation.

The immune system plays a pivotal role in maintaining physiological homeostasis and influencing disease processes. Dysregulated immune responses drive chronic inflammation, which in turn results in a range of diseases that are among the leading causes of death globally. Traditional immune interventions, which aim to regulate either insufficient or excessive inflammation, frequently entail lifelong comorbidities and the risk of severe side effects. In this context, intrinsic immunomodulatory hydrogels, designed to precisely control the local immune microenvironment, have recently attracted increasing attention. In particular, these advanced hydrogels not only function as delivery mechanisms but also actively engage in immune modulation, optimizing interactions with the immune system for enhanced tissue repair, thereby providing a sophisticated strategy for managing chronic inflammation. In this tutorial review, we outline key elements of chronic inflammation and subsequently explore the strategic design principles of intrinsic immunomodulatory hydrogels based on these elements. Finally, we examine the challenges and prospects of such immunomodulatory hydrogels, which are expected to inspire further preclinical research and clinical translation in addressing chronic inflammation.

Advances in drug delivery-based therapeutic strategies for renal fibrosis treatment.

Renal fibrosis is the result of all chronic kidney diseases and is becoming a major global health hazard. Currently, traditional treatments for renal fibrosis are difficult to meet clinical needs due to shortcomings such as poor efficacy or highly toxic side effects. Therefore, therapeutic strategies that target the kidneys are needed to overcome these shortcomings. Drug delivery can be attained by improving drug stability and addressing controlled release and targeted delivery of drugs in the delivery category. By combining drug delivery technology with nanosystems, controlled drug release and biodistribution can be achieved, enhancing therapeutic efficacy and reducing toxic cross-wise effects. This review discusses nanomaterial drug delivery strategies reported in recent years. Firstly, the present review describes the mechanisms of renal fibrosis and anti-renal fibrosis drug delivery. Secondly, different nanomaterial drug delivery strategies for the treatment of renal injury and fibrosis are highlighted. Finally, the limitations of these strategies are also discussed. Investigating various anti-renal fibrosis drug delivery strategies reveals the characteristics and therapeutic effects of various novel nanosystem-derived drug delivery approaches. This will serve as a reference for future research on drug delivery strategies for renal fibrosis treatment.

Injectable pH-responsive polypeptide hydrogels for local delivery of doxorubicin.

Cancer, as a global health threat, is often treated with chemotherapy, but its effect is limited, especially the drugs such as doxorubicin (DOX) are limited by their non-specificity and side effects. This study focuses on developing a new drug delivery system to overcome these challenges. Based on the self-assembling peptide hemopressin (HP), we designed and screened FOK peptide, which serves as a pH-responsive carrier with excellent pH sensitivity and mechanical stability. At a concentration of 20 mg mL-1, FOK can spontaneously form a stable hydrogel, efficiently encapsulating DOX with an encapsulation rate exceeding 95%. This system can gradually release the drug in the tumor-specific mildly acidic environment, achieving precise delivery and sustained release of the drug. Rheological analysis revealed the superior mechanical and self-healing properties of FOK hydrogel, suitable for injection delivery with long-lasting stability. Mouse experiments showed that DOX/FOK hydrogel significantly inhibited tumor growth while greatly reducing toxicity. In conclusion, FOK hydrogel, as a delivery vehicle for DOX, not only optimizes the precise delivery and sustained release mechanism of DOX, but also reduces treatment side effects, opening up new avenues for the application of peptide hydrogels in cancer therapy and providing a scientific basis for designing efficient drug delivery systems.

How Digital Technologies Enable Business Model Innovation in the Energy Sector: An Empirical Study of Italian Energy Service Companies

The evolution of digital technologies has been expanding the business opportunities that firms can tap by leveraging such technologies. Business model innovation triggered by digital technologies allows firms to extend the scope of products and services they offer and create new markets. This trend is particularly relevant in the energy sector. However, little is known about how actually energy firms’ business models evolve because of the adoption of digital technologies. Therefore, this article aims at shedding light on the business model innovation process enabled by digital technologies in the energy sector. To this aim, eight Italian energy service companies that innovated their business model by adopting digital technologies are analyzed. The empirical analysis allows to spot an archetypal business models innovation process enabled by digital technologies in the energy sector. The study contributes to the literature on business model and business model innovation by highlighting how digital technologies may promote the evolution of business models and by spotting an archetypal business models innovation process that can be implemented accordingly. It also contributes to the emerging literature on digital transformation, by showing how digital technologies can be exploited by energy firms to improve their value creation, delivery, and appropriation mechanisms.

Provisioning Oral Health Care through Indian Public Health Standards, 2022

The Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) were initially developed in 2007 to provide an effective and optimal level of quality health care in our country. IPHS was later revised in 2012, and more recently, in 2022. IPHS revised guidelines for 2022 take into account several new initiatives and programs, including Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centers, the introduction of the National Urban Health Mission and Urban Primary Health Centers (polyclinics) in urban areas. These revised guidelines also make provision for the delivery of oral health services at each facility level. This review highlights the oral health-care services and delivery mechanisms mentioned in all the four volumes of IPHS revised guidelines 2022 under the headings of infrastructure, human resource, service provisions and essential drugs, diagnostics, and equipment required at all the levels of health care.

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF CIPROFLOXACIN MICROSPHERES DESIGNED BY USING NATURAL POLYMERS BY IONIC GELATION TECHNIQUE

Objective: A definitive objective for supporting drug discharge is to expand the remedial movement of the medication while limiting its incidental effects. Microspheres have become a unique medicine delivery mechanism for several disorders in this area. The popular fluoroquinolone antibiotic, Ciprofloxacin, is used to treat a variety of bacterial illnesses. This research aims to create Ciprofloxacin microspheres with sustained drug delivery using natural gum polymers. Methods: To choose and assess the ideal formulation, a variety of formulations (F1–F8) were developed. This work was completed using an innovative technology, the Ionic Gelation method. Central Composite Design (CCD) used the quadratic forward regression approach to carry out the optimization. The evaluation tests include Particle size, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), FTIR, Percentage yield, Drug content, Drug Entrapment effectiveness and in vitro dissolution studies. Results: It was discovered that the best formulation was F4. From optimization, the ANOVA was found to be significant. The uneven, spherical structure of microspheres with a rough outer surface is confirmed by SEM investigation. The absence of drug-polymer interaction is confirmed by the FTIR. The formulation F4 was deemed ideal due to its high drug entrapment efficiency, drug content and maximal drug release (89.25% in 12 h). Conclusion: Due to the least plasma half-life, this drug is designed as microspheres thus maximizing the therapeutic activity and minimizing the negative effects. In this regard, microspheres have emerged as novel drug-delivery systems for various diseases. It maintains effective dose concentration, eliminates night-time dosage and decreases side effects, thus optimizing drug therapy.

Facilitating circularity: challenges and design guidelines of Product-as-a-Service (PaaS) business model offers for electrical and electronic equipment

The move towards a circular economy brings a range of practical challenges for product and service designers that will need to facilitate this transformation from a linear take-make-dispose model to a more circular model. The concept of Product-as-a-Service (PaaS) emerges as an innovative business model capable of catalyzing this fundamental shift. In a PaaS context, any product will be used by several different customers during its lifetime through different operational methodologies and value delivery mechanisms, so incorporating circularity into both product and service design is pivotal for the establishment of more sustainable product-service systems. To facilitate circularity, it is imperative to be able to close loops in the current PaaS offerings by the development of reuse, refurbishment, repair, remanufacturing, and recycling. However, different challenges arise from each of them, which translate into different design guidelines. With the help of the literature and through a cooperative ERA-MIN project, different expert partners provided their insights on the proposed PaaS offering for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). The objective of this paper is to present the main challenges and describe the design guidelines derived from them.

POST COVID-19 AND THE ROLE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN THE DELIVERY OF GOOD GOVERNANCE IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

The recent (2019-2022) Corona Virus Disease (technically addressed as COVID-19) presents many developmental dysfunctions across major economies of the world especially among the under developed and developing nations of Africa. Apart from its debilitating effects on the socio-economic life of the citizens which precipitated a "new normal" of social order, governmental efficiency in terms of infrastructural provisions for aiding economic and healthcare delivery, were elastically stretched. This calls to question the public service capacity and delivery mechanisms of most governments in addressing critical emergency cases.