High Load Research Articles

Reduced palatability, fast flight, and tails: Decoding the defence arsenal of Eudaminae skipper butterflies in a Neotropical locality.

Prey often rely on multiple defences against predators, such as flight speed, attack deflection from vital body parts, or unpleasant taste, but our understanding on how often and why they are co-exhibited remains limited. Eudaminae skipper butterflies use fast flight and mechanical defences (hindwing tails), but whether they use other defences like unpalatability (consumption deterrence), and how these defences interact, has not been assessed. We tested the palatability of 12 abundant Eudaminae species in Peru, using training and feeding experiments with domestic chicks. Further, we approximated the difficulty of capture explained by flight speed and quantified by wing loading. We performed phylogenetic regressions to find any association between multiple defences, body size, and habitat preference. We found a broad range of palatability in Eudaminae, within and among species. Contrary to current understanding, palatability was negatively correlated with wing loading, suggesting that faster butterflies tend to have lower palatability. The relative length of hind wing tails did not explain the level of butterfly palatability, showing that attack deflection and consumption deterrence are not mutually exclusive. Habitat preference (open or forested environments) did not explain the level of palatability either, although butterflies with high wing loading tended to occupy semi-closed or closed habitats. Finally, the level of unpalatability in Eudaminae is size dependent. Larger butterflies are less palatable, perhaps because of higher detectability/preference by predators. Altogether, our findings shed light on the contexts favouring the prevalence of single vs. multiple defensive strategies in prey.

Specific feature selection in wearable EEG-based transducers for monitoring high cognitive load in neurosurgeons

The electroencephalographic (EEG) features for discriminating high and low cognitive load associated with fine motor activity in neurosurgeons were identified by combining wearable transducers and Machine Learning (ML). To date, in the literature, the specific impact of fine-motor tasks on surgeons’ cognitive load is poorly investigated and studies rely on the EEG features selected for cognitive load induced by other types of tasks (driving and flight contexts). In this study, the specific EEG features for detecting cognitive load associated with fine motor activity in neurosurgeons are investigated. Six neurosurgeons were EEG monitored by means of an eight-dry-channel EEG transducer during the execution of a standardized test of fine motricity assessment. The most informative EEG features of the cognitive load induced by fine motor activity were identified by exploiting the algorithm Sequential Feature Selector. In particular, five ML classifiers maximized their classification accuracy having as input the relative alpha power in Fz, O1, and O2, computed on 2-s epochs with an overlap of 50 %. These results demonstrate the feasibility of ML-supported wearable EEG solutions for monitoring persistent high cognitive load over time and alerting healthcare management.

Nitrogen-Doped TiO2- x(B)/MXene Heterostructures for Expediting Sulfur Redox Kinetics and Suppressing Lithium Dendrites.

Practical application of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries is severely impeded by the random shuttling of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), sluggish sulfur redox kinetics, and uncontrollable growth of lithium dendrites, particularly under high sulfur loading and lean electrolyte conditions. Here, nitrogen-doped bronze-phase TiO2(B) nanosheets with oxygen vacancies (OVs) grown in situ on MXenes layers (N-TiO2- x(B)-MXenes) as multifunctional interlayers are designed. The N-TiO2- x(B)-MXenes show reduced bandgap of 1.10eV and high LiPSs adsorption-conversion-nucleation-decomposition efficiency, leading to remarkably enhanced sulfur redox kinetics. Moreover, they also have lithiophilic nature that can effectively suppress dendrites growth. The cell based on the N-TiO2- x(B)-MXenes interlayer under sulfur loading of 2.5mg cm-2 delivers superior cycling performance with a high specific capacity of 690.7 mAh g-1 over 600 cycles at 1.0 C. It still has a notable areal capacity of 6.15 mAh cm-2 after 50 cycles even under a high sulfur loading of 7.2mg cm-2 and a low electrolyte-to-sulfur (E/S) ratio of 6.4 µL mg-1. The Li-symmetrical battery with the N-TiO2- x(B)-MXenes interlayer showcases a low over-potential fluctuation with 21.0mV throughout continuous lithium plating/stripping for 1000h. This work offers valuable insights into the manipulation of defects and heterostructures to achieve high-energy Li-S batteries.

Thermally stable high-loading single Cu sites on ZSM-5 for selective catalytic oxidation of NH3

Rigorous comparisons between single site- and nanoparticle (NP)-dispersed catalysts featuring the same composition, in terms of activity, selectivity, and reaction mechanism, are limited. This limitation is partly due to the tendency of single metal atoms to sinter into aggregated NPs at high loadings and elevated temperatures, driven by a decrease in metal surface free energy. Here, we have developed a unique two-step method for the synthesis of single Cu sites on ZSM-5 (termed CuS/ZSM-5) with high thermal stability. The atomic-level dispersion of single Cu sites was confirmed through scanning transmission electron microscopy, X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The CuS/ZSM-5 catalyst was compared to a CuO NP-based catalyst (termed CuN/ZSM-5) in the oxidation of NH3 to N2, with the former exhibiting superior activity and selectivity. Furthermore, operando XAFS and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy studies were conducted to simultaneously assess the fate of the Cu and the surface adsorbates, providing a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of the two catalysts. The study shows that the facile redox behavior exhibited by single Cu sites correlates with the enhanced activity observed for the CuS/ZSM-5 catalyst.

Numerical assessment of the time-dependent behaviour of a tunnel with a yielding support system for a potential repository in claystone

For the disposal of heat-generating radioactive waste and spent fuel in claystone formations, support structures for underground excavations are essential for the operational safety of geological disposal facilities (GDF). Claystone formations of moderate strength, at considerable depths, are characterised by their squeezing, creeping, and, sometimes, swelling behaviour that results in continuous tunnel convergence over time. Under these conditions, a rigid support system can be subjected to very high loads, requiring a considerable thickness and/or high-performance concretes. Therefore, yielding support systems are being currently investigated as a promising alternative for GDF. This work presents a numerical study of the behaviour of a tunnel in a claystone formation with a yielding support system. The use of a compressible mortar between the rock and the lining is assumed, as a means of reducing loads and mitigating the effects of creep deformations. A key aspect of the analyses is that the host rock is characterised by a constitutive model that includes a number of features that are relevant for the satisfactory description of the hydro-mechanical behaviour of stiff clayey materials, such as mechanical anisotropy, creep, strain softening, and its ability to simulate localised deformations through a nonlocal regularisation. An elastoplastic constitutive model was also developed to represent the behaviour of the compressible mortar. Results provide relevant insights into the performance of the adopted yielding support system, particularly regarding the effect of time-dependent deformations and the additional relaxation of the rock on the fractured zone near the excavation.

Compact Polyelectrolyte Complexes of Poly(l-Lysine) and Anionic Polysaccharides.

Compact polyelectrolyte complexes (CoPECs) can exhibit mechanical properties similar to those of biological tissues and other interesting properties, such as self-healing. To date, a variety of CoPECs prepared from synthetic polyelectrolytes have been investigated, but there are very few examples based entirely on biopolymers. We describe here an investigation of CoPECs based on poly(l-lysine) (PLL) with sodium hyaluronate (HA) and alginate (Alg). A 2:1 ratio of cation:anion and 0.25 M NaBr was beneficial for the formation of viscoelastic PLL-HA CoPECs, with the favorable ratio attributed to the spacing of carboxylates on HA being one every two saccharide units. In contrast, 1.0 M NaBr and a 1:1 ratio were better for PLL-Alg CoPECs. Both CoPECs swelled or retained a constant volume when immersed in hypertonic media, but contracted in hypotonic media. The loading of molecules into the PLL-HA (2:1) CoPECs was investigated. Higher loadings were achieved for anionic molecules compared to cations, presumably due to the excess cationic binding sites on the networks. The times required for full release of the molecules ranged from less than 2 h for neutral paracetamol to about 48 h for crystal violet and diclofenac.

Multipocket Cage Enables the Binding of High-Order Bulky and Drug Guests Uncovered by MS Methodology.

Achieving high guest loading and multiguest-binding capacity holds crucial significance for advancement in separation, catalysis, and drug delivery with synthetic receptors; however, it remains a challenging bottleneck in characterization of high-stoichiometry guest-binding events. Herein, we describe a large-sized coordination cage (MOC-70-Zn8Pd6) possessing 12 peripheral pockets capable of accommodating multiple guests and a high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS)-based method to understand the solution host-guest chemistry. A diverse range of bulky guests, varying from drug molecules to rigid fullerenes as well as flexible host molecules of crown ethers and calixarenes, could be loaded into open pockets with high capacities. Notably, these hollow cage pockets provide multisites to capture different guests, showing heteroguest coloading behavior to capture binary, ternary, or even quaternary guests. Moreover, a pair of commercially applied drugs for the combination therapy of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has been tested, highlighting its potential in multidrug delivery for combined treatment.

Food-grade emulsion gels and oleogels prepared by all-natural dual nanofibril system from citrus fiber and glycyrrhizic acid

The natural dual nanofibril system consisting of the rigid semicrystalline nanofibrils disintegrated from citrus fiber (CF) and soft semiflexible nanofibrils self-assembled from glycyrrhizic acid (GA) has been recently shown to be effective structural building blocks for fabrication of emulsion gels. In this work, the effect of the CF nanofibrils prepared by different mechanical disintegration approaches (i.e., high-pressure microfluidization and hydrodynamic cavitation) on the interfibrillar CF-GA interactions and the subsequent formation and properties of emulsion gels were investigated, with the aim of evaluating the potential of the dual nanofibril-stabilized emulsion gels as templates for synthesizing all-natural edible oleogels. The obtained results demonstrate that compared to the cavitation, the high-pressure microfluidization is more capable of generating CF nanofibrils with a higher degree of nanofibrillation and individualization, thus forming a denser CF-GA gel network with higher viscoelasticity and structural stability due to the stronger multiple intrafibrillar and interfibrillar interactions. The emulsion gels stabilized by the dual nanofibril system are demonstrated to be an efficient template to fabricate solid-like oleogels, and the structural properties of the oleogels can be well tuned by the mechanical disintegration of CF and the GA nanofibril concentration. The prepared oleogels possess high oil loading capacity, dense network microstructure, superior rheological and large deformation compression performances, and satisfactory thermal stability, which is attributed to the compact and ordered CF-GA dual nanofibrillar network via multiple hydrogen-bonding interactions in the continuous phase as well as at the droplet surface. This study highlights the unique use of all-natural dual nanofibrils to develop oil structured soft materials for sustainable applications.

Correlation Analysis and Predictive Model Construction of Metabolic Syndrome, Complete Blood Count-Derived Inflammatory Markers, and Overall Burden of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

BackgroundThe high burden of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) on neuroimaging is a significant risk factor for stroke, cognitive dysfunction, and emotional disorders. Currently, there is a lack of studies investigating the correlation between metabolic syndrome (MetS), complete blood count-derived inflammatory markers, and total CSVD burden. This study aims to evaluate the total CSVD imaging load using machine learning (ML) algorithms and to explore further the relationship between MetS, complete blood count-derived inflammatory markers, and CSVD load. MethodsWe included CSVD patients from Xijing Hospital (2012-2022). Univariate and lasso regression analyses identified variables linked to CSVD neuroimaging burden. Six ML models predicted CSVD burden based on MetS and inflammatory markers. Model performance was evaluated using ROCauc, PRauc, DCA, and calibration curves. The SHAP method validated model interpretability. The best-performing model was selected to develop a web-based calculator using the Shiny package. ResultsThe Logistic regression model outperformed others in predicting CSVD burden. The model incorporated MetS, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), homocysteine (Hcy), age, smoking status, cystatin C (CysC), uric acid (UA), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI). ConclusionMetS, NLR, Hcy and CSVD high load were positively correlated, and the Logistic regression model could accurately predict the total CSVD load degree.

Dynamics modeling and fault diagnosis of flexible thin-walled elliptical bearings in harmonic reducers

Harmonic reducers, crucial in industrial robots for their high load capacity and low friction, often rely on Flexible Thin-Walled Bearings (FTWBs). However, these bearings are particularly prone to failure due to the cyclic alternating stress loads they experience, stemming from their unique elliptical structure. This study presents a dynamic model for the Flexible Thin-Walled Bearing (FTWB) using a finite element approach. Stress distribution and motion characteristics were analyzed, revealing maximum stress at major and minor axis positions during operation. The model was tested under three conditions: normal, outer ring fault, and inner ring fault. A vibration test rig was constructed to gather real vibration signals, enabling model validation and analysis of vibration signal characteristics under different conditions. This research sheds light on the mechanisms of impact and fault signal generation in FTWBs, offering valuable insights for dynamic analysis and fault diagnosis in FTWBs and harmonic drives.

Influence of sequential machining process on the surface topography of dies

Near net-shape manufacturing of components is a trend that aims to significantly reduce machining times and material waste, trading the machining efficiency for smaller lead times. Cold forging of gear-shaped components is one such operation that generates a component with superior geometrical accuracy and precision, however, the machined cavity is often subject to high mechanical loads and fatigue failures. The usual manufacturing chain involves hard machining, die-sinking electro-discharge machining, and mechanical polishing with abrasive media. Without proper knowledge of the resulting surface roughness and morphology, the tribological aspects of the surface can be neglected. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the manufacturing chain of gear-shaped cavities in terms of surface roughness, surface morphology, and surface residual stresses generated after die-sinking electro-discharge machining (roughing and finishing regimes), as well as mechanical polishing. The surface of the gear tooth was evaluated in three distinct regions: flank, top, and bottom. The results showcased that, even though the surface roughness/texture of the different regions of interest illustrates similar magnitudes, the surface morphology presented completely adverse features, highlighting the importance of a thorough analysis of the machined surface. Residual stress analysis indicated that the mechanical polishing operation was not enough to remove the high-magnitude tensile residual stresses.

Cognitive issues of mobile map design and use

ABSTRACT Internet-connected mobile devices have changed how people access information. Like other information sources, maps have benefited from and been re-envisioned for mobile devices, and they are used in new contexts. However, these new contexts often generate additional cognitive load. We explored in depth two strategies designers could use to mitigate high cognitive loads associated with mobile map use: offloading cognition and reducing cognitive load by improved design to support the allocation of attention between the map and the environment. In reviewing these strategies, we considered their relevance to several mobile map use cases (navigation, individual and collaborative spatial decision making, information enrichment, and entertainment). Next, we identified recent progress in our understanding of how to measure cognitive load and map use context. Finally, we explored the wider implications of mobile maps for human behaviour and cognition. We identified two important cross-cutting research questions: 1) How can mobile maps be designed to reduce cognitive load by providing what is really needed by users to facilitate their cognitive processes?; 2) How can the intrinsic additional cognitive load created by the characteristics of mobile maps be managed and minimised by supporting the distribution of the user's attention between the map and environment?

The Impact of HCl on Alkali-Induced Corrosion of Stainless Steels/FeCrAl Alloy at 600 °C: The Story After Breakaway

AbstractThe impact of Cl on alkali-induced high-temperature corrosion of stainless steels/FeCrAl alloys after breakaway oxidation was investigated in a simulated biomass- and waste-fired boiler environment at 600 °C. For this investigation, three alloys were exposed to low Cl load environment (H2O+KCl) and to high Cl load (H2O+KCl+HCl). Post-exposure analysis showed that the stainless steel SVM12 experiences fast oxidation and forms thick double-layered Fe-rich oxide scales. The corrosion attack is further accelerated with addition of HCl for this material with the effect being more pronounced in the inward-growing scale. The FeCrAl and FeCrNi alloys exhibit slower oxidation kinetics after the breakaway corrosion compared to SVM12 in the H2O+KCl exposure. Furthermore, in contrast with SVM12, the addition of HCl did not accelerate the corrosion attack on these alloys. It is argued that the properties of the secondary oxide layer formed after breakaway corrosion are important in the continued corrosion resistance against chlorine-induced corrosion attack. Especially, the Cr content in the inner scales is suggested to be important in corrosion mitigation.

Vertical VOPO4·2H2O Nanosheets with Richly Exposed (200) Plane Enable Fast-Kinetics High-Mass-Loading Cathodes for Zn-Ion Batteries.

Extending the layer spacing of the (001) planes to regulate the mobility of Zn2+ is widely adopted to optimize the performance of VOPO4·2H2O cathode for zinc-ion batteries. However, the unique function originating from other planes is often neglected. Herein, an effective in situ conversion methodology is proposed for the synthesis of the (200) oriented growth of vertical VOPO4·2H2O nanosheets with oxygen vacancies (VOd-VOPO4). Theoretical simulation and ex situ characterizations collaboratively demonstrate that the richly exposed (200) plane with tetragonal channels can offer quick pathways for in-layer and cross-layer migration of Zn2+, exhibiting enhanced transfer kinetics with improved reversible capacity. Meanwhile, efficient electron migration in VOd-VOPO4 is guaranteed by the introduction of oxygen vacancies. Thus, the as-prepared VOd-VOPO4 harvests exceptional discharge capacity, impressive rate capability, and remarkable long-cycle stability at high mass loading. Notably, the VOd-VOPO4 electrode (15mg cm-2) provides a capacity of 213.5mAhg-1 with an ultrahigh areal capacity of 3.02 mAh cm-2 at 0.1 A g-1, showing great potential for applications. This study highlights the orientated growth strategy for facilitating ion storage and migration, offering novel perspectives on the development of high-performance electrodes and beyond.

The combination of modified acupuncture needle and melittin hydrogel as a novel therapeutic approach for rheumatoid arthritis treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves chronic joint inflammation. Combining acupuncture and medication for RA treatment faces challenges like spatiotemporal variability, limited drug loading in acupuncture needles, and premature or untargeted drug release. Here, we designed a new type of tubular acupuncture needles, with an etched hollow honeycomb-like structure to enable the high loading of therapeutics, integrating the traditional acupuncture and drug repository into an all-in-one therapeutic platform. In these proof-of-concept experiments, we fabricated injectable hollow honeycomb electroacupuncture needles (HC-EA) loaded with melittin hydrogel (MLT-Gel), enabling the combination treatment of acupuncture stimulation and melittin therapy in a spatiotemporally synchronous manner. Since the RA microenvironment is mildly acidic, the acid-responsive chitosan (CS)/sodium beta-glycerophosphate (β-GP)/ hyaluronic acid (HA) composited hydrogel (CS/GP/HA) was utilized to perform acupuncture stimulation and achieve the targeted release of injected therapeutics into the specific lesion site. Testing our therapeutic platform involved a mouse model of RA and bioinformatics analysis. MLT-Gel@HC-EA treatment restored Th17/Treg-mediated immunity balance, reduced inflammatory factor release (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β), and alleviated inflammation at the lesion site. This novel combination of modified acupuncture needle and medication, specifically melittin hydrogel, holds promise as a therapeutic strategy for RA treatment.Graphical abstract

Improved Operating Behavior of Self-Lubricating Rolling-Sliding Contacts under High Load with Oil-Impregnated Porous Sinter Material

Resource and energy efficiency are of high importance in gearbox applications. To reduce friction and wear, an external lubricant supply like dip or injection lubrication is used to lubricate tribosystems in machine elements. This leads to the need for large lubricant volumes and elaborate sealing requirements. One potential method of minimizing the amount of lubricant and simplifying sealing in gearboxes is the self-lubrication of tribosystems using oil-impregnation of porous materials. Although well established in low-loaded journal bearings, self-lubrication of rolling-sliding contacts in gears is poorly understood. This study presents the self-lubrication method using oil-impregnated porous sinter material variants. For this, the tribosystem of gear contacts is transferred to model contacts, which are analyzed for friction and temperature behavior using a twin-disk tribometer. High-resolution surface images are used to record the surface changes. The test results show a significant increase in self-lubrication functionality of tribosystems by oil-impregnated porous sinter material and a tribo-performance comparable to injection-lubricated tribosystems of a sinter material with additionally solid lubricant added to the sinter material powder before sintering. Furthermore, the analyses highlight a significant influence of the surface finish, and in particular the surface porosity, on the overall tribosystem behavior through significantly improved friction and wear behavior transferable to gear applications.

LSMOF-AD: Three-Stage Optimization Approach with Adaptive Differential for Large-Scale Container Scheduling

Container technology has gained a widespread application in cloud computing environments due to its low resource overhead and high flexibility. However, as the number of containers grows, it becomes increasingly challenging to achieve the rapid and coordinated optimization of multiple objectives for container scheduling, while maintaining system stability and security. This paper aims to overcome these challenges and provides the optimal allocation for a large number of containers. First, a large-scale multi-objective container scheduling optimization model is constructed, which involves the task completion time, resource cost, and load balancing. Second, a novel optimization algorithm called LSMOF-AD (large-scale multi-objective optimization framework with muti-stage and adaptive differential strategies) is proposed to effectively handle large-scale container scheduling problems. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has a better performance in multiple benchmark problems compared to other advanced algorithms and can effectively reduce the task processing delay, while achieving a high resource utilization and load balancing compared to other scheduling strategies.

Characterization on fibre kinking fracture of laminated composites under combined compression and shear at high loading rate

This paper presented a novel method to characterize the fracture toughness and cohesive law of laminated composites under combined compression and shear at high loading rate. Compact compression specimens with off-axis fibres which introduce the in-plane shear stresses were conducted on the uniaxial bidirectional electromagnetic Hopkinson bar system and the displacement field and strain field were recorded by the high-speed camera for the digital image correlation analysis and J-integral calculation. The results reveal that the in-plane shear stresses bring the increase of fracture toughness at crack initiation and propagation and advance the damage initiation of the specimens. The fracture surfaces indicate that the shear stresses cause the fibre bundles' shear failure during the formation of the kink band, accompanied by more energy dissipation with the increase of off-axis angle.

Differential training benefits and motor unit remodeling in wrist force precision tasks following high and low load blood flow restriction exercises under volume-matched conditions

BackgroundBlood flow restriction (BFR) resistance training has demonstrated efficacy in promoting strength gains beneficial for rehabilitation. Yet, the distinct functional advantages of BFR strength training using high-load and low-load protocols remain unclear. This study explored the behavioral and neurophysiological mechanisms that explain the differing effects after volume-matched high-load and low-load BFR training.MethodsTwenty-eight healthy participants were randomly assigned to the high-load blood flow restriction (BFR-HL, n = 14) and low-load blood flow restriction (BFR-LL, n = 14) groups. They underwent 3 weeks of BFR training for isometric wrist extension at intensities of 25% or 75% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) with matched training volume. Pre- and post-tests included MVC and trapezoidal force-tracking tests (0–75%–0% MVC) with multi-channel surface electromyography (EMG) from the extensor digitorum.ResultsThe BFR-HL group exhibited a greater strength gain than that of the BFR-LL group after training (BFR_HL: 26.96 ± 16.33% vs. BFR_LL: 11.16 ± 15.34%)(p = 0.020). However, only the BFR-LL group showed improvement in force steadiness for tracking performance in the post-test (p = 0.004), indicated by a smaller normalized change in force fluctuations compared to the BFR-HL group (p = 0.048). After training, the BFR-HL group activated motor units (MUs) with higher recruitment thresholds (p < 0.001) and longer inter-spike intervals (p = 0.002), contrary to the BFR-LL group, who activated MUs with lower recruitment thresholds (p < 0.001) and shorter inter-spike intervals (p < 0.001) during force-tracking. The discharge variability (p < 0.003) and common drive index (p < 0.002) of MUs were consistently reduced with training for the two groups.ConclusionsBFR-HL training led to greater strength gains, while BFR-LL training better improved force precision control due to activation of MUs with lower recruitment thresholds and higher discharge rates.

Application of polyethylene glycol 8000 as plasticizer for the development of ellagic acid and Eudragit® EPO based solid dispersions using hot melt extrusion.

Solid dispersion formation by Hot melt extrusion (HME) is a widely used formulation strategy to improve the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. Despite this, they are limited by various factors such as drug-excipient miscibility, poor stability, limited drug loading and extrudability of physical drug-excipient mixtures. In this work, polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG 8000) was used as a plasticizer for the manufacture of ellagic acid solid dispersions (EASD) with high drug loading. Indeed, EA is a polyphenolic active compound with antimalarial and other promising therapeutic activities. However, its low solubility and low permeability limit its therapeutic use. Solid dispersions formation may overcome this challenge, but its high melting point negatively influences the extrudability of its binary physical mixtures with a high drug loading rate, hence the need to use a plasticizer. Thus, five formulations consisting of EA, Eudragit® EPO and PEG 8000 in the ratio of 15:75:10 (F1), 20:70:10 (F2), 25:65:10 (F3), 15:80:5 (F4) and 20:85:5 (F5) % w/w, respectively, have been extruded, four of which were successful. The extrudates were evaluated by X-ray powder diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy and in vitro dissolution tests. Based on the results of these tests, the F5 formulation was identified as the most promising. Indeed, after 15 min of dissolution test, the dissolution rate of ellagic acid from the formulations was 62.67±3.10%, 58.74±7.23 %, 88.75±3.02% and 83.47±4.40% respectively for formulation F1, F2, F4 and F5. Moreover, the results of the FTIR spectroscopy analyses showed stronger interactions between the different constituents in the F4 and 5 formulations compared to the F1 and 2 formulations. Extruded materials of the F5 formulation, characterized by solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy and subjected to stability studies, showed good physical stability for twelve months under real-time stability study conditions and for six months under accelerated conditions.