Full Factorial Design Research Articles

Development and characterization of colloidal pNIPAM-methylcellulose microgels with potential application for drug delivery in dentoalveolar tissue engineering strategies

Incorporation of growth factors, signaling molecules and drugs can be vital for the success of tissue engineering in complex structures such as the dentoalveolar region. This has led to the development of a variety of drug release systems. This study aimed to develop pNIPAM-methylcellulose microgels with different synthesis parameters based on a 23 full factorial design of experiments for this application. Microgel properties, including volume phase transition temperature (VPTT), hydrodynamic size, drug loading and release, and cytocompatibility were systematically evaluated. The results demonstrated successful copolymerization and development of the microgels, a hydrodynamic size ranging from ∼200 to ∼500 nm, and VPTT in the range of 34–39 °C. Furthermore, loading of genipin, capable of inducing odontoblastic differentiation, and its sustained release over a week was shown in all formulations. Together, this can serve as a solid basis for the development of tunable drug-delivering pNIPAM-methylcellulose microgels for specific tissue engineering applications.

Exploring the Advance Data Mining Tool for Optimization of Nanoparticles Laden in situ Gel for Ocular Drug Delivery

Background: Glaucoma is widely treated using eye drops, but around 95% of the drug is lost by the ocular barrier resulting in low bioavailability. The incorporation of polymeric nanoparticles into mucoadhesive polymer containing in situ gel is generally helpful in the retention of nanoparticles on the eye and improves the efficacy of the formulation Objective: The objective of the present investigation has to develop polymeric brinzolamide (BRZ) nanoparticles laden with timolol maleate (TM) in situ gel formulation. Methods: The optimized BRZ nanoparticles were prepared using PLGA by nanoprecipitation technique utilizing 32 full factorial designs (FFD). Healthy New Zealand White Rabbit (250-300 g) was used for the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study. Design of the experiment was applied to optimize formulation and validate the model. Some evaluation parameters related to BRZ nanoparticles as well as in-situ gel, have been done Results: The results of FFD reveal that the optimized condition for drugs to polymer ratio (1:7) containing 0.98 %w/v for poloxamer 188 results in higher entrapment efficiency and drug release with 156.7 nm particle size. The in-situ gel formulation has been prepared using Gelrite (0.5%w/v), and HPMC K4M (0.5%w/v) shows acceptable results with sustained drug release up to 6±0.1 h. The rabbit model's in-vivo pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic data showed sustained release of drugs longer than the marketed formulation. Conclusion: The proposed formulation could successfully deliver therapeutic concentrations in the eye with prolonged resident time and serve as a potential alternative for the treatment of glaucoma.

Assessment of thrust force, delamination and temperature during drilling of basalt fiber-reinforced composite with different drill geometries

Basalt fiber-reinforced composites (BFRC) are globally recognized for their superior mechanical properties, resistance to moisture absorption and corrosive substances and environments, which have led to their widespread use in industrial applications. Drilling of BFRC has fascinated researchers because of its non-homogeneous and anisotropic nature and various challenges associated with it. This research article explores the assessment of thrust force, delamination and temperature during drilling of BFRC made through the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. Different feed rates (FR) (0.07, 0.17, 0.27 mm rev–1) and spindle speeds (SS) (1000, 3000, 5000 RPM) also drill geometries such as parabolic, twist, and center drill were considered for parametric study. The study employed a full factorial design (FFD) to evaluate thrust forces (TF), delamination factor (DF), and drilling temperature (DT). ANOVA was used to determine the contributions of drilling parameters, while multivariable regression analysis (MRA) was utilized to establish predictive empirical models. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was also conducted through the drilled hole for understanding of drilling behaviour and surface morphology. Results have demonstrated that feed rate significantly influenced delamination (61.62%) and thrust force (62.73%), whereas drill geometry and spindle speed had the greatest impact on drilling temperature by 55.26% and 33.04%, respectively.

OPTIMAL SETTINGS OF A MELON SEED SHELLER USING STATISTICAL DESIGN OF EXPERIMENTS

A community melon seed shelling machine, used by farmers and households to reduce the constraints associated with the manual processing, was found to produce larger quantities of unshelled seeds. In particular, the optimum seed moisture content and motor speed were unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the appropriate motor speed and moisture content of melon seeds to improve the effectiveness of seed dehulling. A full factorial design approach was used to develop a regression model and investigate the effect of moisture content and machine speed on dehulling efficiency. The results of the experiments showed that both motor speed and seed moisture content had a significant effect on seed shelling efficiency. The motor speed had the greatest effect (0.21567), followed by the moisture content (0.19732). The modelled optimization conditions were as follows: seed moisture content at 26%, motor speed at 2100 rpm. The regression model showed a coefficient of determination value of 0.999, indicating that 99.90% of the variation in response could be explained by the model; only 0.1% of the variation in response could not be explained by the model and was random. Three experimental validation runs were carried out under optimal conditions, and the highest average yield was 86.2%, corresponding to a significant improvement of 26% on the initial yield of 60 %. Other experimental design methods should be investigated to improve the results for appropriate parameter settings of the production process.

Environmentally benign liquid chromatographic method for concurrent estimation of four antihistaminic drugs applying factorial design approach

In the last few decades, green analytical chemistry (GAC) has become a smart magical solution for the qualification and quantification of many drugs. In the current study, a direct, sensitive, and green RP-HPLC method was used to separate three anti-histaminic combinations rupatadine/montelukast, desloratadine/montelukast, fexofenadine/montelukast, and finally a mixture of rupatadine and its metabolite; desloratadine in less than 20 min. The developed method was optimized by a 23 full factorial design to improve the chromatographic responses. The proposed method was used to analyze these antihistaminic combinations at different pharmaceutical ratios. The linearity range is from 1 to 10 µg/mL for rupatadine, desloratadine, and montelukast, while for fexofenadine from 1 to 24 µg/mL drugs. The proposed method is useful in common quality control analysis of the investigated quaternary combinations because of its non-toxic and eco-friendly effects on the environment and human beings. The proposed procedure was thoroughly validated in accordance with ICH guidelines and was revealed to be accurate, reproducible, and selective. The developed methods were compared with a reported reference comparison method, where no significant difference was observed.

Preparation & Characterization of Sustained-release Floating Microsphere of Digestive Enzymes

Introduction: Pepsin is a proteolytic enzyme which is widely used as a digestive aid. Its dose is 300 mg - 1 gm per day in divided doses. Its biological half-life is around 3.5 hrs. Pepsin is active only in the acidic pH of the stomach; its activity decreases tremendously in the basic pH. So, it is required to retain in the stomach for maximum proteolytic activity. The goal of the current effort is to develop and assess an oral controlled floating drug delivery system for pepsin that will shorten its stay in the stomach and result in a longer effect. Methods: The 12-hour sustained effect of pepsin floating microspheres was planned. This also improves the stability of the Pepsin by immobilizing them on the microsphere. Pepsin is widely used in chronic gastritis, so developing a floating drug delivery system is therefore necessary. In light of the aforementioned principles, a critical need for the creation of a dosage form to administer Pepsin in the stomach and boost the enzyme's effectiveness, enabling sustained action, was identified. The current study used a methodical strategy to create floating microspheres of Pepsin dosage forms. Results: Optimization was done for floating ability, yield, entrapment efficiency, and release study using different concentrations of ethylcellulose & HPMC E4M. For parameter optimization and to demonstrate the significant impact of variables, 32 full factorial designs were used. The manufactured microspheres had good encapsulation rates, excellent floating, & excellent micromeritic properties as single-unit dosage forms. Conclusion: It has been demonstrated that pepsin prepared as floating microspheres can be used to improve proteolytic activity and extend pepsin's gastric residence.

Microwave-assisted hydrogen peroxide digestion followed by ICP-OES for determination of metals in selected fuel oils

This work describes a greener and cost-effective microwave-assisted hydrogen peroxide digestion (MA-HPD) with the addition of 1 mL of HNO3 (70% v/v) to enhance extraction of selected metals (Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mg, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti and V) in crude-oil, diesel, gasoline and kerosene samples prior to inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopic (ICP-OES) analysis. The most influential parameters of the MA-HPD method were investigated by using multivariate optimization tools (two-level full factorial and central composite designs) and fuel oil certified reference material (NIST1634c). The optimum conditions were observed to be 245 ℃ microwave temperature, 25 min digestion time, 0.1 g sample mass and 5 M H2O2 were the optimum digestion conditions with accepted accuracy (104.8–117.7%) and precision (≤ 4.1%). In overall, the metals that reported high concentrations in the crude oil, diesel, gasoline, and kerosene samples were Na (51.94–58.86 mg/kg) and Mg (36.08–47.4 mg/kg), while Cu was the lowest (0.55–2.89 mg/kg). When comparing the obtained concentration levels with other literature reports, a conclusion can be drawn that South Africa is importing oils of reasonable quality.

Optimization of Pramipexole-Loaded In Situ Thermosensitive Intranasal Gel for Parkinson's Disease.

The objective of the present work was to develop and optimize an intranasal in situ gel of Pramipexole dihydrochloride for enhanced drug delivery, better patient acceptability, and possible proper treatment of Parkinson's disease. Preliminary studies were performed to select formulation components and identify key variables affecting the formulation. The optimization of the in situ gelling system of Pramipexole dihydrochloride was achieved by applying 32 full factorial design using Design-Expert® software (Stat-Ease 9.0.6 version) and taking concentrations of Poloxamer 407 (X1) and HPMC K4M (X2) as independent variables. The gelling temperature, gel strength, and percentage of drug diffused after 8 h were taken as dependent variables. The software provided an optimized formulation, with 16.50% of X1 and 0.2% of X2 with the highest desirability. An in vivo drug retention time study was performed for the optimized formulation in Wistar rats. The results of the optimization process demonstrated that the selected gel formulation exhibited desirable characteristics, including gelation near body temperature, good gel strength, suitable viscosity, and sustained drug release. The optimized formulation displayed significantly higher drug retention, lasting about 5 h, versus the plain poloxamer gel formulation. Hence, it was concluded that the optimized formulation will remain affixed at the site of application for a significant time after intranasal administration and consequently sustain the release of the drug. The optimized formulation was found to be stable during the stability studies. The developed dosage form may improve patient compliance, enhance nasal drug residence, and offer sustained drug release. However, further clinical studies are necessary to validate these findings.

Medical Imaging and Analysis of Thermal Necrosis During Bone Grinding: Implementation of Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-III) in Healthcare.

Medical imaging plays a key role in neurosurgery; thereby, imaging and analysis of the soft and hard tissues during bone grinding is of paramount importance for neurosurgeons. Bone grinding, a minimally invasive operation in the field of neurosurgery amid osteotomy, has been used during brain cancer surgery. With increasing attention to neural tissue damage in machining operations, imaging of these neural tissues becomes vital and reducing temperature is imperative. In the present study, a novel attempt has been made to perform the imaging of bone tissues during the bone grinding procedure and further investigate the relationship between rotational speed, feed rate, depth of cut with cutting forces, and temperature. The role of cutting forces and temperature has been addressed as per the requirements of neurosurgeons. Firstly, a three-factor, three-level design was constructed with a full factorial design. Regression models were employed to construct the models between input parameters and response characteristics. Medical imaging techniques were used to perform a thorough analysis of thermal necrosis and damage to the bone. Subsequently, the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-III) was used to optimize the parameters for reduction in the cutting forces and temperature during bone grinding while reducing neural tissue damage. The results revealed that the maximum value of tangential force was 21.32 N, thrust force was 9.25 N, grinding force ratio was 0.453, torque was 4.55 N-mm, and temperature was 59.3°C. It has been observed that maximum temperature was generated at a rotational speed of 55000 rpm, feed rate of 60 mm/min, and depth of cut of 1.0 mm. Histopathological imaging analysis revealed the presence of viable lacunas, empty lacunas, haversian canals, and osteocytes in the bone samples. Furthermore, the elemental composition of the bone highlights the presence of carbon (c) 59.49%, oxygen (O) 35.82%, sodium (Na) 0.11%, phosphorous 1.50%, sulphur 0.33%, chlorine 0.98%, and calcium 1.77%. The study revealed that compared to the initial scenario, NSGA-III can produce better results without compromising the trial results. According to a statistical study, the rise in temperature during bone grinding was significantly influenced by rotating speed. The density of osteocytes in the lacunas was higher at lower temperatures. Furthermore, the results of surface electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy revealed the presence of bone over the surface of the grinding burr, which resulted in the loading of the grinding burr. The results of the present investigation will be beneficial for researchers and clinical practitioners worldwide.

Pecan shells-based activated carbon for the removal of copper metal ions: optimization of the adsorption process using a full factorial design

ABSTRACT This work investigates the removal of copper ions (Cu2+) from an aqueous solution by adsorption onto the surface of activated carbon (AC) produced from pecan shells. The research aims to identify a feasible and effective route for cleaning the wastewater from Cu2+. Chemical activation was carried out using sodium hydroxide. The AC physicochemical properties were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller for measuring its specific surface area. To obtain a suitable removal of this metal ion, four physicochemical factors, including the contact time (120–360 min) the adsorbent dose (10–100 mg), initial concentration (10–50 mg/L), and pH (2–6) were optimised using the 24-full factorial design approach. A quadratic regression model representing the capacity of Cu2+ adsorption (Q e) was developed and validated by the analysis of variance. This approach was used to determine independent factors’ main and interaction effects on adsorption equilibrium capacity. The results consolidate similar studies showing that all the factors were significant, and the interactions among the factors were also significant. The optimum conditions for circumscribed fractional factorial design were adsorption time (120 min), adsorbent amount (10 mg), initial metal ions (50 mg/L), and pH 6. The pseudo-first-order model correctly describes the adsorption kinetics with Q e, reached 51.41 mg/g. Modeling adsorption isotherms showed that the Freundlich model adequately describes the adsorption process.

The advantage of videos over text to boost adolescents' lateral reading in a digital workshop

ABSTRACT Today, fostering media and information literacy (MIL) among citizens is essential for preserving democracy. The effectiveness of scalable interventions, particularly those employing lateral reading, a fact-checking heuristic, is well recognised. Our digital workshop, designed to model lateral reading from a user's perspective, has proven beneficial in educational settings and has garnered expert endorsement. Addressing recent scholarly calls to understand the underlying mechanisms of successful MIL interventions, our study is anchored in Cognitive Load Theory. We examine how different instructional modalities in our workshop influence engagement with lateral reading and how effectively it is executed. The study separates implicit text feedback and hands-on video instructions, previously combined, in a full-factorial design using a parallel-group RCT. We analysed the responses of 178 upper-secondary students in the online workshop and conducted a detailed video analysis of 30 students participating in a controlled environment at their schools. Our findings reveal that hands-on video instructions notably enhance both the engagement and effectiveness of the lateral reading heuristic. This study underscores the significance of a human-computer interaction perspective in designing more impactful media and information literacy interventions.

Perceived Barriers to Using Neurostimulation: A National Survey of Psychiatrists, Patients, Caregivers, and the General Public.

Neurostimulation interventions often face heightened barriers limiting patient access. The objective of this study is to examine different stakeholders' perceived barriers to using different neurostimulation interventions for depression. We administered national surveys with an embedded experiment to 4 nationwide samples of psychiatrists (n = 505), people diagnosed with depression (n = 1050), caregivers of people with depression (n = 1026), and members of the general public (n = 1022). We randomly assigned respondents to 1 of 8 conditions using a full factorial experimental design: 4 neurostimulation modalities (electroconvulsive therapy [ECT], repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation [rTMS], deep brain stimulation [DBS], or adaptive brain implants [ABIs]) by 2 depression severity levels (moderate or severe). We asked participants to rank from a list what they perceived as the top 3 barriers to using their assigned intervention. We analyzed the data with analysis of variance and logistic regression. Nonclinicians most frequently reported "limited evidence of the treatment's effectiveness" and "lack of understanding of intervention" as their top 2 most important practical barriers to using ECT and TMS, respectively. Compared with nonclinicians, psychiatrists were more likely to identify "stigma about treatment" for ECT and "lack of insurance coverage" for TMS as the most important barriers. Overall, psychiatrists' perceptions of the most important barriers to using neurostimulation interventions were significantly different than those of nonclinicians. Perceived barriers were significantly different for implantable DBS and ABI) versus nonimplantable (rTMS and ECT) neurostimulation interventions. Better understanding of how these barriers vary by neurostimulation and stakeholder group could help us address structural and attitudinal barriers to effective use of these interventions.

Red Dragon Fruit Peels: Effect of Two Species Ratio and Particle Size on Fibre Quality and Its Application in Reduced-Fat Alpaca-Based Sausages

This research aimed to assess the influence of red dragon fruit peels ratio (RDF-PR) from two species, Hylocereus hybridum (HH) and Hylocereus undatus (HU), and particle size (PS) on quality parameters of red dragon fruit peel powder (RDF-PP) and its further application in emulsified alpaca-based sausages as partial substitutes of pork-back fat. A three-level full factorial design (nine treatments) was employed to evaluate the effect of RDF-PR (HH(0%):HU(100%), HH(50%):HU(50%), and HH(100%):HU(0%)) and PS (499–297, 296–177, and <177 µm) on the dependent variables: L*, a*, b*, C, h°, water-holding capacity, oil-holding capacity, swelling capacity, pectin yield, degree of esterification (analysed through FT-IR), and crude fibre content. The data analysed through a response surface methodology showed that treatment one (T1) is the best with the optimised conditions at 100% HU RDF-PR and PS of <177 µm. The statistical validation of T1 exhibited the highest water-holding capacity (32.1 g/g peel), oil-holding capacity (2.20 g oil/g peel), and pectin yield (27.1%). A completely randomised design (four formulations) was then used to assess the effect of partial replacement of pork-back fat by T1 in emulsified alpaca-based sausages on the colourimetric, physicochemical, and texture properties (hardness, chewiness, cohesiveness, springiness, adhesiveness, and adhesive force). Likewise, a sensory hedonic scale was employed to evaluate the appearance, colour, odour, flavour, texture, and overall acceptability of sausages. The results revealed that 65.7% of pork-back fat content was successfully replaced compared with a control formulation. Additionally, F3 showed significantly (p < 0.05) better colourimetric, physicochemical, and textural characteristics, such as lower hardness (34.8 N) and chewiness (21.7 N) and higher redness (a* = 19.3) and C (22.9), compared to a control formulation. This research presents RDF-PP as a promising fat substitute for developing healthier, reduced-fat meat products using fibre-rich agroindustry by-products.

Experimental Investigation of the Influence of Various Wear Parameters on the Tribological Characteristics of AZ91 Hybrid Composites and Their Machine Learning Modeling

Abstract In the current work, the AZ91 hybrid composites are fabricated through the utilization of the stir casting technique, incorporating aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and graphene (Gr) as reinforcing elements. Wear behavior of the AZ91/Gr/Al2O3 composites was examined with the pin-on-disc setup under dry conditions. In this study, the factors such as reinforcement percentage (R), load (L), velocity (V), and sliding distance (D) have been chosen to investigate their impact on the wear-rate (WR) and coefficient of friction (COF). This study utilizes a full factorial design to conduct experiments. The experimental data was critically analyzed to examine the impact of each wear parameter (i.e., R, L, V, and D) on the WR and COF of composites. The wear mechanisms at the extreme conditions of maximum and minimum wear rates are also investigated by utilizing the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of specimen's surface. The SEM study revealed the presence of delamination, abrasion, oxidation, and adhesion mechanisms on the surface experiencing wear. Machine learning (ML) models, such as decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), and gradient boosting regression (GBR), are employed to create a robust prediction model for predicting output responses based on input variables. The prediction model was trained and tested with 95% and 5% experimental data points, respectively. It was noticed that among all the models, the GBR model exhibited superior performance in predicting WR, with mean square error (MSE) = 0.0398, root-mean-square error (RMSE) = 0.1996, mean absolute error (MAE) = 0.1673, and R2 = 98.89, surpassing the accuracy of other models.

Statistically developed stable Camptothecin-loaded Soluplus/TPGS mixed micelles for improved ovarian cancer treatment

In this research, Camptothecin-loaded mixed micelles (CPT-MMs) were formulated by combining Soluplus®, a novel amphiphilic excipient, with D-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS). The use of appropriate excipients is crucial in stabilizing micellar structures and improving drug entrapment efficiency. TPGS, with its ability to self-assemble into micelles, was an ideal candidate, and incorporating Soluplus further enhanced micelle stability and drug-loading capacity. A 32 full factorial design was employed to investigate the influence of key factors on particle size and %entrapment efficiency (%EE). The statistical analysis using Design Expert® VR software provided meaningful conclusions on the significance of each factor and their interactions, facilitating the successful optimization of CPT-MMs dispersion with improved drug delivery capabilities. The mean particle size, zeta potential, %drug loading capacity (%DLC), and (%EE) of CPT-MMs were 77.8 ± 2.67 nm, −23.4 ± 0.36 mV, 45.6 ± 1.78%, and 68.61 ± 1.8% respectively. CPT-MMs demonstrated sustained-release characteristics, preventing premature drug release and enhancing drug accumulation in tumor tissues, potentially optimizing CPT delivery for cancer treatment. Importantly, CPT-MMs dispersion exhibited lower hemolysis compared to plain CPT, indicating excellent biocompatibility and safety for intravenous administration. The sustained release of CPT from CPT-MMs dispersion may lead to reduced cytotoxicity and improved therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, the lyophilized formulation showed superior stability compared to the liquid micelles. In conclusion, the development of CPT-MMs presents a promising strategy for enhancing drug delivery and optimizing therapeutic outcomes in cancer treatment. The sustained-release feature, along with enhanced biocompatibility and stability, holds great potential for the clinical translation of these MMs as efficient drug delivery systems for ovarian cancer treatment.

Microwave-Assisted Production of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural from Fructose Using Sulfamic Acid as a Green Catalyst

The development of safe-by-design synthesis of valuable chemicals from biomass derivatives is a key step towards sustainable chemical transformations in both academia and industry. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) is a biomass derivative chemical of high commercial interest due to its wide range of chemical and biofuel applications. In this scenario, the present work contributes to a methodology for producing 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) through fructose dehydration reaction under microwave irradiation. The proposed protocol uses a simple sodium chloride–saturated aqueous-i-PrOH biphasic system and catalysis of sulfamic acid, a low-cost solid Brønsted–Lowry inorganic acid, which presents pivotal features of a sustainable catalyst. A 23 full factorial design was applied to achieve the highest conversion and 5-HMF yield, allowing the identification of the main factors involved in the process. Under the optimized conditions, fructose at the concentration of 120 g L−1 was converted with 91.15 ± 6.98% after 20 min at 180 °C, using 10 mol% of catalyst. 5-HMF was produced in 80.34 ± 8.41% yield and 73.20 ± 8.23% selectivity. Thus, the present contribution discloses a new optimized methodology for converting the biomass derivative fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF).

Impact of single and mixed cultures of yeasts and lactic acid bacteria in coffee fermentation and cup quality

AbstractSaccharomyces cerevisiae LBTF 21.3, Pichia manshurica LBTF 21.1, and Leuconostoc lactis LBTF 21.1 were used as single and mixed cultures in coffee fermentations. Fermentations carried out in glass jars with P. manshurica LBTF 21.1/Leuc. lactis LBTF 21.1 showed higher fermentation rates than S. cerevisiae LBTF 21.3/P. manshurica LBTF 21.1 or S. cerevisiae LBTF 21.3/Leuc. lactis LBTF 21.1. The highest cup quality was reached with P. manshurica LBTF 21.1/Leuc. lactis LBTF 21.1 (83.0 points). Full factorial design (22) carried out with P. manshurica LBTF 21.1 revealed that the higher proportion of water added before the fermentation resulted in higher production of acetic acid. A contrary effect of this variable was observed on the production of lactic acid with Leuc. lactis LBTF 21.1. Fermentations conducted in bioreactor evidenced the production of acetaldehyde by P. manshurica LBTF 21.1/Leuc. lactis LBTF 21.1, P. manshurica LBTF 21.1, and Leuc. lactis LBTF 21.1. Additionally, the highest cup quality was reached in fermentations with P. manshurica LBTF 21.1 (82.5 points) followed by Leuc. lactis LBTF 21.1 (81.5 points) and P. manshurica LBTF 21.1/Leuc. lactis LBTF 21.1 (81.0 points). Fermentations of coffee with single and mixed cultures are interesting strategies for the improvement of the sensory quality.

Modeling and Optimization of a Green Process for Olive Mill Wastewater Treatment

The olive mill wastewater (OMW) treatment process is modeled and optimized through new design of experiments (DOE). The first step of the process is coagulation–flocculation using three coagulants (modeled with the mixture design) followed by photo-degradation (modelled with the full factorial design). Based on this methodology, we successfully established a direct correlation between the system’s composition during the coagulation–flocculation step and the conditions of the photo-catalytic degradation step. Three coagulants are used in this study, Fe3+ solution, lime, and cactus juice, and two parameters are considered for the photo-degradation conditions: dilution and catalyst mass. Utilizing a sophisticated quadratic model, the analysis of the two observed responses reveals the ideal parameters for achieving maximum efficiency in coagulation–flocculation and photo-degradation processes. This is attained using a quasi-equal mixture of limewater and cactus juice, exclusively. To achieve an optimal photo-catalytic degradation, it is essential to maintain a minimal dilution rate while employing an elevated concentration of TiO2. It was found that the experimental tests validations were in good concordance with the mathematical predictions (a decolorization of 92.57 ± 0.90% and an organic degradation of 96.19 ± 0.97%).

Tool life assessment of high strength cast iron alloys in dry face milling operations

The advancement in cast iron alloy properties has led to more efficient materials, especially in the automotive industry. However, this progress has also increased the demand for more durable tools with greater resistance to cutting operations. Conducting an in-depth investigation into the impact of these materials on tool lifespan is crucial, as it directly affects productivity. The main objective of this study was to analyze the lifespan of uncoated cemented carbide tools during milling operations using four high-strength cast iron alloys under various dry cutting conditions. A full factorial Design of Experiment (DoE) (23) was employed. The input variables included cutting speed (vc) of 230 and 350 m/min, tool feed (fz) of 0.1 and 0.2 mm/tooth, and materials, namely cast irons (FC 250, FC 300(Mo), FC300(Mo+RG), and FV 450). Additionally, material tests were conducted on billets without holes to simulate mild cutting conditions and with holes for more severe machining conditions. The established machining operation was face milling without cutting fluid, with the axial depth of cut (ap) and radial depth of cut (ae) maintained constant at 1 mm and 60 mm, respectively. The results showed that FV 450 had the shortest tool life, as expected for the hardest and resistant material, with a maximum lifetime difference of 83 % less when compared to FC 250, the softest one that had the longest tool lifespan. The introduction of holes also significantly reduced the overall tool life by about 57 %. The findings highlight the importance of factors such as cutting speed, feed per tooth, material composition, impact, and workpiece surface quality, which significantly influence tool performance.

Preparation, Optimization, and In-Vitro Evaluation of Brusatol- and Docetaxel-Loaded Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer.

Challenges to docetaxel use in prostate cancer treatment include several resistance mechanisms as well as toxicity. To overcome these challenges and to improve the therapeutic efficacy in heterogeneous prostate cancer, the use of multiple agents that can destroy different subpopulations of the tumor is required. Brusatol, a multitarget inhibitor, has been shown to exhibit potent anticancer activity and play an important role in drug response and chemoresistance. Thus, the combination of brusatol and docetaxel in a nanoparticle platform for the treatment of prostate cancer is expected to produce synergistic effects. In this study, we reported the development of polymeric nanoparticles for the delivery of brusatol and docetaxel in the treatment of prostate cancer. The one-factor-at-a-time method was used to screen for formulation and process variables that impacted particle size. Subsequently, factors that had modifiable effects on particle size were evaluated using a 24 full factorial statistical experimental design followed by the optimization of drug loading. The optimization of blank nanoparticles gave a formulation with a mean size of 169.1 nm ± 4.8 nm, in agreement with the predicted size of 168.333 nm. Transmission electron microscopy showed smooth spherical nanoparticles. The drug release profile showed that the encapsulated drugs were released over 24 h. Combination index data showed a synergistic interaction between the drugs. Cell cycle analysis and the evaluation of caspase activity showed differences in PC-3 and LNCaP prostate cancer cell responses to the agents. Additionally, immunoblots showed differences in survivin expression in LNCaP cells after treatment with the different agents and formulations for 24 h and 72 h. Therefore, the nanoparticles are potentially suitable for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.