Particle Size Characteristics Research Articles

Feasibility of Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Loaded with Alpha-Mangostin and Clove Oil for Canine Periodontal Therapy

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) represent the second generation of nanoparticles, offering numerous advantages over conventional delivery systems. These include improved stability, enhanced drug-loading capacity, and controlled release profiles, making them highly attractive candidates for a wide range of therapeutic applications. Their suitability for hydrophobic drugs like a traditional medicinal plant of Thailand as clove oil and alpha-mangostin. We investigated into nanostructured lipid carriers loaded with Alpha-Mangostin and clove oil (NLC-AMCO) into the physicochemical and biological characteristics to identify the formulation with the highest efficacy for treatment. The particle size, charge, polydispersity index, and other characterizations were recorded. The realtime ex vivo penetration was explored using canine gingival tissue. Drug sustained release was assessed by HPLC. Moreover, the antibacterial properties were tested by conventional methods. The NLC-AMCO can be stored at up to 40 °C for 60 days without any alterations in particle characteristics. Gingival tissue penetration and sustained drug release were superior compared to unencapsulated counterparts. It exhibited greater effectiveness in inhibiting bacterial growth than the antibiotics tested, particularly against bacteria from the oral cavities of dogs. Therefore, this alternative treatment approach offers cost-effectiveness and ease of administration for pet owners and reduces discomfort for the animals during restraint.

Correlation Between Dynamic Spray Plume and Drug Deposition of Solution-Based Pressurized Metered-Dose Inhalers.

Background: The lack of visual dynamic spray characterization has made the understanding of the physical processes governing atomization and drug particle formation difficult. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the spray plume morphology and aerodynamic particle size of solution-based pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) under different conditions to achieve better drug deposition. Methods: Solution-based pMDIs were studied, and the effects of various factors, such as propellant concentration, orifice diameters, and atomization chamber volume, on drug deposition were examined by analyzing the characteristics of spray plume and aerodynamic particle size. Results: Reducing the actuator orifice and spray area led to a concentrated spray plume and increased duration and speed. Moreover, the aerodynamic particle sizes D50 and D90 decreased, whereas D10 remained relatively unchanged. Decreasing the atomization chamber volume of the actuator led to reduced spray area and an increased duration but a decreased plume velocity. D90 exhibited a decreasing trend, whereas D10 and D50 remained relatively unchanged. Reducing the propellant concentration in the prescription, the spray area and the plume velocity first decreased and then increased. The duration initially increased and then decreased. The values of D50 and D90 showed an initial decreasing followed by an increasing trend, whereas D10 remained relatively unchanged. Conclusions: During the development process, attention should be paid to the changes in the spray area, spray angle, duration, and speed of the spray plume. This study recommended analyzing the characteristics of the spray plume and combining the data of two or more aerodynamic particle size detection methods to verify the deposition in vitro to achieve rapid screening and obtain high lung deposition invivo.

Solvent Free Potassium 3,5-dinitro-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyrazin-2-olate 3D EMOF as Thermally Stable Energetic Material.

Heat-resistant explosives play a vital role in indispensable applications. For this, we have synthesized a novel, three-dimensional, solvent-free energetic metal-organic framework (EMOF) potassium 3,5-dinitro-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyrazin-2-olate (KDNODP) straightforwardly. The synthesized EMOF was characterized through IR, NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry studies. Furthermore, single-crystal X-ray diffraction provided a complete description of KDNODP. It exhibits a three-dimensional EMOF structure with remarkably balanced properties such as high density (2.11 g cm-3), excellent thermal stability (291 °C), good detonation performance (8127 m s-1 and 26.94 GPa) and low mechanical sensitivity (IS=35 J; FS=360 N) than the commonly used heat-resistant explosives HNS (density=1.74 g cm-3; VOD=7164 m s-1, DP=21.65 GPa, IS=5 J) as well as the similar reported energetic potassium MOFs. To gain insights into the packing and intermolecular interactions, the Hirshfeld surface and a 2D fingerprint analysis were examined. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the particle size and morphological characteristics of KDNODP. These outcomes highlight a successful method for creating 3D EMOF based on a six-membered heterocycle as a potential heat-resistant energetic material.

Mechanical behavior of calcareous tuff and coal mine tailings mixture as an embankment material for road construction

The construction of embankments requires available and suitable material that sounds to the imposed load. The selection of materials that provide slope stability and maintain pavements is made through specific test control. This research aims to analyze the mechanical behavior of a mixture of 75% calcareous tuff and 25% coal mine tailings (CMTs) used on embankment foundations. the impact of particle size characteristics and the compaction on the mechanical behavior of the mixture are studied. The direct shear test was conducted on different material states, granular and uncompressed states, compaction at the Maximum Practical Optimum (MPO), and MPO compaction post a 30-day curing period at 40 degrees Celsius. the normal stress applied ranging from 50 to 500 KPa, with a constant shear rate displacement of 0.5 mm/min. The results show a substantial influence of compaction on both friction angle (φ) and cohesion (C) values. a remarkable increase in cohesion values after the curing period, attributed to the cementitious compound formation from the interaction between calcareous tuff and coal mine tailings. This investigation emphasizes coal mine tailings potential as a sustainable and cost-effective embankment material for road construction, especially in arid regions. The material exhibits significant shear strength, with a marked increase in cohesion values post-curing state. These results are conducted to consider coal mine tailings as an appealing alternative to traditional materials of road engineering.

Classification of ice particle shapes using machine learning on forward light scattering images

Abstract Machine Learning (ML) has rapidly transitioned from a niche activity to a mainstream tool for environmental research applications including atmospheric science cloud microphysics studies. Two recently developed cloud particle probes measure the light scattered in the near forward direction and save digital images of the scattering light. Scattering pattern images collected by the Particle Phase Discriminator (PPD-2K) and the Small Ice Detector version 3 (SID-3) provide valuable information for particle shape and size characterization. Since different particle shapes have distinctly different light scattering characteristics, the images are ideally suited for ML. Here results of a ML project to characterize ice particle shapes sampled by the PPD-2K in ice fog and diamond dust during a 3-year project in Fairbanks, Alaska. 2.15 million light scattering pattern images were collected during three years of measurements with the PPD-2K. Visual Geometry Group (VGG) Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) was trained to categorize light scattering patterns into 8 categories. Initial training images (120 each category) were selected by human visual examination of data and the training dataset was augmented using an automated iterative method for image identification of further images which were all visually inspected by a human. Results were well correlated to similar categories identified from previously developed classification algorithms. ML identify characteristics not included in automated analysis such as sublimation. Of the 2.15 million images analyzed, 1.3% were categorized as spherical (liquid), 43.5% were categorized as having rough surfaces, 15.3% were pristine, 16.3% were categorized as sublimating and the remaining 23.6% did not fit into any of those categories (irregular or saturated).

Formulation of nanoemulsion parijoto fruit extract (Medinilla Speciosa) with variation of tweens stabilizers.

Nanotechnology has substantial potential for development due to its ability to modify surface characteristics and particle size, facilitating enhanced absorption of functional food compounds and controlled release of active substances to mitigate adverse effects. Nanoemulsion, a stable colloidal system formed by blending oil, emulsifier, and water, was identified as nanotechnology with promising applications. However, investigations into the impact of surfactants on characteristic nanoemulsions need to be more varied. This research gap necessitated further exploration in the advancement of nanotechnology-based foods. The parijoto fruit (Medinilla speciosa), an indigenous plant species in Indonesia, has yet to undergo extensive scrutiny for its potential use as a functional and nutraceutical food. Anthocyanins, a principal compound in the parijoto fruit, had exhibited efficacy in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease diabetes, demonstrating anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of nanoemulsion formulations derived from parijoto fruit extract and to evaluate an optimum condition with various tween surfactants. The findings from this investigation could furnish valuable insights for the further advancement of anthocyanin nanoemulsions from parijoto fruit extract. The results comprised the characterization of nanoemulsion particle size, polydispersity index, ζ-potential, conductivity, pH, and viscosity. Through mathematical modeling and statistical methods, RSM optimizes nanoemulsion by examining the relationships and interactions between independent and response variables. Furthermore, the characterization of nanoemulsion encompassed ζ-potential, polydispersity, particle size, conductivity, pH, and viscosity. Elevated surfactant concentrations resulted in diminished particle sizes and more uniform size distribution, albeit reaching a plateau where surfactant aggregation and micelle formation ensued. Increased concentrations of surfactant type, concentration, and parijoto extract impacted the physical characteristics of nanoparticle size and polydispersity. The optimal process conditions for nanoemulsion consisting of the type of Tween used are Tween 80, Tween concentration of 12%, and parijoto fruit extract concentration of 7.5%, yielding a desirability value of 0.74, categorizing it as moderate.

Physical characteristics of quercetin pulmospheres using combination of alginate-carrageenan: Effect of polymer concentration

Indonesia is the second country with the highest number of tuberculosis (TB) cases in the world and the first in Southeast Asia, according to WHO Global Report 2020. Quercetin has been tried as an alternative therapy and was found effective. This study aims to optimize quercetin pulmospheres using combination polymers and study its characteristics as an inhalation delivery system. Combination polymers provide the advantages of safe, mucoadhesive, and compact pulmospheres. Pulmospheres were made as formula F1, F2, and F3 (polymer ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3), respectively. Pulmospheres were made with quercetin 0.2%, alginate-carrageenan (total concentration of 1.8%), and CaCl2 0.5 M. Characterization of particle size, morphology, moisture content (MC), yield, drug loading, and entrapment efficiency (EE) were conducted. The yield range was from 83.89 to 86.30% ± 4.59%. MC range was from 4.23 to 5.12% ± 0.05%. Particle size was <3 µm (between 2.19 and 2.76 ± 0.149 µm), spherical shape and smooth surface. EE range was 60.69% ± 4.45% to 77.86% ± 1.74% and the drug loading range was 1.66–2.09% ± 0.15%. F2 formula with a polymer ratio of 1:2 was the best quercetin pulmospheres. Potential pulmospheres will then be recommended for in vitro release and in vivo study.

Three-dimensional characterization of particle size, shape, and internal porosity for Apollo 11 and Apollo 14 lunar regolith and JSC-1A lunar regolith soil simulant

Samples of soils collected by the Apollo 11 mission (10084,2036) and the Apollo 14 mission (14163,940) were obtained from the NASA Curation and Analysis Planning Team for Extraterrestrial Materials (CAPTEM) program. The particle size, shape, and internal porosity were characterized in three dimensions (3D) using a combination of X-ray computed tomography (XCT) and mathematical analysis, with various size and shape parameters measured and calculated for each particle. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to image the particles that were too small for the two XCT instruments used. Similar characterization was carried out on samples of JSC-1A lunar soil simulant, updating a previous analysis. Approximately 14,000 lunar regolith particles and 128,000 JSC1-A particles, covering a wide range of size and shape, were characterized for this paper and the results stored in a publicly accessible database. This large number of particles enabled, for the first time, statistically valid particle shape distributions to be generated. The 3D shape distributions of the two regoliths and JSC-1A were quantitatively compared and it was found that the way particle shape and porosity depends on particle size was different between regolith and simulant. The measured size distribution of particles in the lunar soils was applied to estimate the relative contributions of different sizes to the ensemble average particle single scattering albedo and phase function. By linking our particle counts to published sieve weight fractions for the lunar samples, we find that ∼80% of the total cross-section area is contributed by particles <20 μm diameter and ∼ 50% by particles <8 μm diameter. The orientation-averaged two-dimensional projected areas of the actual regolith particles were computed so that this estimate was also based on real particle shapes. Such small sizes dominating the total cross-section area suggest that calculations of the elements of the scattering matrix for individual particles may be possible with modest computing capabilities leading to the development of improved models for the quantitative interpretation of remote sensing spectrophotometry and polarimetry. This 3D characterization and database will enable other computational work to be done with real lunar regolith particle shapes, including discrete element method mechanical modeling, packing simulations, further light scattering calculations, dust contamination modeling, and modeling of lunar rover interactions with collected and packed regolith particles.

Photocatalytic, antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of MgFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles

This study reports the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of Magnesium ferrite nanoparticles (MgFe2O4) against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The photocatalytic degradation of Carbol Fuchsin (CF) dye (a class of dyestuffs that are resistant to biodegradation) under the influence of UV-light irradiation is also studied. The crystalline magnesium ferrite (MgFe2O4) nanoparticles were synthesized using the co-precipitation method. The morphology of the resulting nanocomposite was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed for further characterization of particle morphology and size. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were utilized to analyze the crystalline structure, chemical composition, and surface area, respectively. Optical properties were evaluated using UV–Vis spectroscopy. The UV-assisted photocatalytic performance of MgFe2O4 nanoparticles was assessed by studying the decolorization of Carbol fuchsin (CF) azo dye. The crystallite size of the MgFe2O4 nanoparticles at the (311) plane, the most prominent peak, was determined to be 28.5 nm. The photocatalytic degradation of 10 ppm CF using 15 mg of MgFe2O4 nanoparticles resulted in a significant 96% reduction after 135 min at ambient temperature (25 °C) and a pH value of 9. Additionally, MgFe2O4 nanoparticles exhibited potent antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus in a dose dependent manner with maximum utilized concentration of 30 µg/ml. Specifically, MgFe2O4 nanoparticles demonstrated substantial antibacterial activity via disk diffusion and microbroth dilution tests with zones of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for E. coli (26.0 mm, 1.25 µg/ml) and S. aureus (23.0 mm, 2.5 µg/ml), respectively. Moreover, 10.0 µg/ml of MgFe2O4 nanoparticles elicited marked percent reduction in biofilm formation by E. coli (89%) followed by S. aureus (78.5%) after treatment. In conclusion, MgFe2O4 nanoparticles demonstrated efficient dye removal capabilities along with significant antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains suggesting their potential as promising antimicrobial and detoxifying agents.

High-performance Ag-TiO2 nanoparticle composite catalyst synthesized by pulsed laser ablation in liquid: properties, mechanism and preparation studies

Precious metal doping can effectively improves the catalytic performance of TiO2. In this study, pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) is employed to integrate preparation with doping and control composite nanoparticle products by adjusting the laser action time to synthesise Ag-TiO2 composite nanoparticles with high catalytic performance. The generation and evolution of Ag-TiO2 nanoparticles are investigated by analysing particle size, microscopic morphology, crystalline phase, and other characteristics. The generation and doped-morphology evolution of composite nanoparticles are simulated based on thermodynamics, and the optimisation of Ag-doped structure on the composite nanomaterials is investigated based on density functional theory. The effect of Ag-TiO2 structural properties on its performance is examined under different catalytic conditions to determine optimal degradation conditions. In this study, the effect of laser ablation time on the doped structure during PLAL is analysed, which is of further research significance in exploring the structural evolution law of laser and composite nanoparticles, multi-variate catalytic performance testing, reduction of photogenerated carrier complexation rate, and expansion of its spectral absorption range, thereby providing the basis for practical production.

Research on Salt Drainage Efficiency and Anti-Siltation Effect of Subsurface Drainage Pipes with Different Filter Materials

Subsurface pipes covered with geotextiles and filters are essential for preventing clogging and ensuring efficient drainage. To address low salt discharge efficiency due to subsurface drainage pipes (SDPs) clogging easily, sand gravel, straw, and combined sand gravel–straw were set above SDPs, respectively, within a setting of uniform geotextiles. The influences of different filter materials on the drainage efficiency and salt discharge effect of the SDPs, as well as the effects of different filter materials on the salt drainage efficiency and anti-siltation effect of the SDPs were studied by performing simulation experiments in a laboratory. The results confirmed the following: (1) The salt removal rates of the SDPs externally wrapped with materials exceeded 95%. The subsurface pipe treated with the sand gravel filter material had the highest desalting rate (93.69%) and soil profiles with total salt contents that were 17.7% and 20.5% lower than those treated with the straw and combined sand gravel–straw materials, respectively. (2) The soil salinity of the sand gravel filter material around the SDPs was between 1.57 and 3.6 g/kg, and the drainage rate (R) was 0.97, so its salt-leaching effect was the best. (3) The sand gravel filter material increased the characteristic particle size of the soil above the SDP by 8.4%. It could effectively intercept coarse particles, release fine particles, and facilitate the formation of a highly permeable soil skeleton consisting of coarse particles, such as sand particles surrounding the soil. (4) The use of the straw filter material produced dense filter cake layers on the upstream surfaces of the geotextiles. When the sand gravel and combined sand gravel–straw filter materials were used, soil particles remained in the geotextile fiber structure, and a large number of pores were still retained. Therefore, the sand gravel filter material was the most suitable for the treatment of Yinbei saline–alkali soil in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Chitosan-mediated tailoring of cadmium sulphide nanoparticle: Synthesis, properties, and interactive mechanisms

This study explores the synergistic effects of chitosan-coated cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanoparticles (NPs) at varying concentrations on their structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties. CdS NPs are known for their promising photocatalytic potential, but their practical application often requires stability enhancement and reduced toxicity. Chitosan, a natural biopolymer, offers unique advantages such as biocompatibility and heavy metal adsorption capabilities, making it an attractive candidate for surface modification of CdS NPs. Our investigation reveals that chitosan-coated CdS NPs exhibit concentration-dependent changes in their crystalline structure, bandgap energy, particle size, and vibrational characteristics. Notably, CdS NPs synthesized with 1.5 g chitosan concentration display the smallest bandgap and particle size, suggesting optimal photocatalytic activity. This research provides valuable insights into tailoring CdS NPs for efficient visible light photocatalysis, with implications in environmental remediation and energy conversion.

Experimental Study on the Clogging Performance of Waste Slag

The fine particles around a mining area are easy to transport under the climatic and hydrological actions such as rainfall, that causes the change in the permeability of accumulated slag and increases the hazard probability of slag debris flow. In this study, eight experiments were designed to discuss the influence of fine particle migration on the permeability characteristics and clogging of slag accumulation in different graded particles and different dry densities. The results of experiments with coarse slags of five different particle sizes show that the ratio ranging from four to six in the coarse slag size and fine size caused a significant clogging phenomenon. It is confirmed that the shape of the particles is one of the factors affecting the clogging of coarse soil besides the coarse and fine particle size, and the clogging assessment criterion for slag and the corresponding clogging patterns based on the slag shape characteristics are given. And through three kinds of different dry density-graded slag, three clogging experiments were completed to verify the clogging standard and clogging particle size. The experimental results show that the clogging particle size obtained by the clogging criteria can effectively reduce the permeability of slag accumulation, and it is considered that the equivalent particle size and particle shape characteristics are the main factors affecting the clogging performance of accumulation, while the dry density of deposits has no significant influence on it.

Estimating sediment transport capacity on sloping farmland on the Loess Plateau considering soil particle size characteristics

The sediment transport capacity (Tc) is essential for understanding soil erosion and creating soil erosion prediction models. Although many Tc equations exist, they are not universally applicable to sloping farmland on the Loess Plateau. To tailor Tc equations for this region, Tc for four soils (Shenmu Inceptisol (SMI), Shenmu Entisol (SME), Ansai Inceptisol (AS), and Yongshou Alfisol (YS)) from sloping farmland on the Loess Plateau was determined through flume tests with slopes ranging from 15.84 % to 38.39 % and flow discharges of 0.05 to 0.11 m2 min−1. Additionally, appropriate particle size characteristics were selected to distinguish the soil types. The results revealed that the Tc of SME exceeded that of YS, followed by SMI and AS in descending order. The Tc of the four individual soils increased exponentially with flow discharge (Q) and slope (S). Tc for individual soils could be satisfactorily predicted using power functions of mean velocity, shear stress (τ), stream power (ω), or effective stream power (R2: 0.661–0.950, MAE: 0.020–0.110, RMSE: 0.023–0.151), with ω being identified as an optimal hydraulic parameter for simulating Tc. In contrast, the unit stream power was a poor predictor of Tc for individual soils (R2: 0.403–0.700, MAE: 0.035–0.123, RMSE: 0.040–0.161). The median particle size (D50), sorting coefficient, and kurtosis (Kg) exhibited highly significant positive correlations with Tc (P < 0.01). Finally, a quadratic power equation for Q, S, D50, and Kg, along with two ternary power equations for ω (or τ), D50, and Kg were newly constructed, all with satisfactory accuracies (R2: 0.808–0.826, MAE: 0.061–0.063, RMSE: 0.086–0.090). The inclusion of σ and Kg rectified the inaccuracies in predicting Tc for all four soils using Q and S equations or ω (or τ). The results of this study offer valuable insights into the construction of the Tc equations.

Eu3+ activated gadolinium oxide quantum dots: Biocompatible red luminescent phosphor for photonic, latent fingerprint imaging, and anticancer therapy

In this study, we employed a straightforward chemical reduction method to synthesize Gd2O3 quantum dots (QDs) doped with Eu3+ ions, yielding a remarkable red emission. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the cubic structure of both pristine and Eu3+ doped Gd2O3 QDs. Characterization of particle size and elemental composition was accomplished through Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. Photoluminescence analysis under UV excitation revealed a blue emission at 436 nm for the undoped Gd2O3 QDs. Furthermore, room temperature photoluminescence analysis was conducted on the undoped Gd2O3 quantum dots (QDs) with a UV excitation source. While Gd2O3 QDs emitted a blue light at 436 nm under 396 nm illumination, the Eu3+ doped Gd2O3 QDs exhibited a striking red luminescence under the same 394 nm wavelength. The red luminescence was notably enhanced in Gd2O3 QDs containing 0.5 mol% Eu3+ ions, although concentration quenching was observed when the concentration exceeded this level. A transfer of energy from pristine Gd2O3 QDs to Eu3+ ions was observed, leading to color purity exceeding 80.8% in the optimized sample. Notably, the 0.5 mol% Eu3+-doped Gd2O3 QD phosphor displayed non-cytotoxicity on C2C12 muscle myoblast cells while demonstrating remarkable cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. This versatile material holds great promise for applications in latent fingerprinting, security coding, labeling, anticancer therapies, bio-imaging, and the advancement of lanthanide-doped QD phosphors for a wide range of photonic and biomedical applications.

Preparation and characterization of co-loaded indocyanine green and elemene nano-emulsion in situ gel and its effect on proliferation of breast cancer MCF-7 cells

This study aims to prepare co-loaded indocyanine green(ICG) and elemene(ELE) nano-emulsion(NE) in situ gel(ICG-ELE-NE-gel) and evaluate its physicochemical properties and antitumor activity in vitro. ICG-ELE-NE-gel was prepared by aqueous phase titration and cold solution methods, followed by characterization of the morphology, particle size, corrosion, and photothermal conversion characteristics. The human breast cancer MCF-7 cells were taken as the model, combined with 808 nm laser irradia-tion. Cell inhibition rate test and cell uptake test were performed. ICG-ELE-NE was spherical and uniform in size. The average particle size and Zeta potential were(85.61±0.35) nm and(-21.4±0.6) mV, respectively. The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading rate were 98.51%±0.39% and 10.96%±0.24%, respectively. ICG-ELE-NE-gel had a good photothermal conversion effect and good photothermal stability. The dissolution of ICG-ELE-NE-gel had both temperature and pH-responsive characteristics. Compared with free ELE, ICG-ELE-NE-gel combined with near-infrared light irradiation significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect on MCF-7 cells and could be uptaken in large amounts by MCF-7 cells. ICG-ELE-NE-gel was successfully prepared, and its antitumor activity was enhanced after 808 nm laser irradiation.

Mechanistic modeling of twin screw wet granulation for pharmaceutical formulations: Calibration, sensitivity analysis, and model-driven workflow

Wet granulation, a particle size enlargement process, can significantly enhance the critical quality attributes of powders and improve the ability to form tablets in pharmaceutical manufacturing. In this study, a mechanistic-based population balance model is applied to twin screw wet granulation. This model incorporated a recently developed breakage kernel specifically designed for twin screw granulation, along with nucleation, layering, and consolidation. Calibration and validation were performed on Hydrochlorothiazide and Acetaminophen formulations, which exhibit different particle size and wettability characteristics. Utilizing a compartmental experimental dataset, a comprehensive global sensitivity analysis identified critical inputs impacting quality attributes. The study revealed that the nucleation rate process model, effectively represented particle size distributions for both formulations. Adjustments to nucleation and breakage rate parameters, influenced by material properties and screw configuration, improved the model’s accuracy. A model-driven workflow was proposed, offering step-by-step guidelines and facilitating PBM model usage, providing essential details for future active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) formulations.

Development and characterization of a composite material with geopolymer matrix obtained by incorporation of microparticles from plastic bottles

The composite material with a geopolymer matrix of 7 M molarity, obtained by incorporating microparticles from plastic bottles is developed and characterized in the present paper. To do this, we made cylindrical specimens whose the diameters are the half of their heights and stored them at a temperature of (31±2°C). The compression test using a hydraulic press is carried out, as well as the thermal characterization test using a device respecting the experimental method of the asymmetric hot plane, which was used to determine the thermal conductivity, the volumetric heat capacity, the effusivity and the diffusivity. Then optical characterization tests on hardened samples were carried out, namely chemical analyses of the composition of the kaolin, and particle size characterization of the raw microscopic imaging of the specimens. The results found showed that as the amount of polyethylene terephthalate increases, the compressive strength decreases by 33.65 % for 10%polyethylene terephthalate and 67.77 % for 20 % polyethylene terephthalate. According to the thermal conductivity, it improves with the percentage of polyethylene terephthalate added as: at 10% it is 1.19Wm−1K−1 and at 20%, one has 0.595Wm−1K−1; similarly for effusivity where we obtained 1376.05 JK−1m−2s−1/2 and 560.81 JK−1m−2s−1/2 for 0 and 20% respectively. According to these results, the use of polyethylene terephthalate aggregates as a partial substitute of aluminosilicate raw material for the development of a composite can be a good alternative for recycling plastic bottle waste. The composite obtained could be used for the manufacture of ceiling lights and brick facings, and therefore would significantly reduce the amount of waste plastic produced every day in environment.

Morphological, and Optical Properties of BaTiO3 Nano Particles

Barium titanate (BaTiO3) nano particles have garnered significant attention due to their unique structural, morphological and optical properties, which hold promise for various technological applications. This study presents a comprehensive investigation in to the synthesis potential of BaTiO3 nano particle. The synthesis of BaTiO3 nano particles was achived through various methods, including sol-gel, hydrothermal, and solvothermal routes, with meticulous control over parameters such as temperature, pH, and precursor concentration to tailor the nano particle size and morphology. The structural characterization using techniques such as x-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the formation of pure –phase BaTiO3nanoparticles with crystallite sizes in the nanometer range, exhibiting a perovskite strucure. Morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) elucidated the morphology, size distribution, and surface chacteristics of the nano particles. The results showcased well –defined, uniform nano particles with controllable sizes and shapes, ranging from spherical to cubic, depending onthe synthesis conditions. futher more, the optical properties ofBaTiO3 nanoparticles were investigated using UV-visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The UV- visible spectra exhibited characteristic absorption peaks corresponding to the electronic transitions within the band structure of BaTio3,while photoluminescence spectra revealed emission peaks indicative of defect states with in the nanoparticle. These optical properties were found to be tunable by varying the nano particle size, morphology, and surface characteristics, offering opportunities for optoelectronic and photonic device applications. The key findings of this study underscore the importance of understanding the interplay between synthesis parameters and resulting structural, morphological, and optical properties of BaTiO3 nanoparticles.

Yogurt ice cream with Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum TISTR 2195: effects of fat content and prebiotics on physicochemical and rheological properties, ice cream microstructure, and probiotic survival

ABSTRACT Developing ice cream products as functional foods with less fat content and a high survival rate of probiotics aided by prebiotics is required to address the demands of health-conscious consumers. This study aimed to investigate the effects of fat content (2 and 10% fat as a low and full-fat, respectively) and different concentrations of prebiotics (galacto-oligosaccharide, GOS and fructo-oligosaccharide, FOS) on the survival rate of Bifidobacterium longum TISTR 2195 in yogurt ice cream (YIC) and in an in vitro gastrointestinal system. Fat content affected the fat particle size, melting rate, and solid-like characteristics of ice cream. The hardness and elasticity of YIC were enhanced more significantly by FOS, owing to its lower solubility and denser microstructure, manifesting more solid-like properties than those by YIC containing GOS. Moreover, type and prebiotic concentrations influenced B. longum TISTR 2195 survival in YIC. Moreover, B. longum TISTR 2195 content in YIC during storage for 180 d remained consistent at 106 CFU/g, which is considered beneficial to human health. The study findings could be useful for ice cream manufacturers to produce low- or full-fat YICs containing prebiotics and probiotics, as functional and healthy foods.