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Granule production and characterization via Design of Experiment approach
No full textOmitting the drying step and other associated processing costs in wet granulation is a benefit of melt granulation. However, twin screw hot melt granulation is rarely applied in most industries. This work details the product characteristics and optimization from melt granulation of the model materials, calcium carbonate (Durcal 65) + polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000, and the pharmaceutical formulation, α-D Lactose monohydrate +
ibuprofen + PEG 4000 via a co-rotating granulator. Product characteristics (e.g., granule yield and strength, tablet crushing force, friability, and dissolution) are determined as being both formulation and process dependent. Screw speed, number and type of mixing elements, temperature, and binder content are investigated via Minitab software (v 20.4.0.0) for their impact on product attributes. Higher temperatures and binder content are identified as statistically significant in the formation of both 125 – 1000 μm sized granules and seeded structures. Temperature determines binder viscosities and surface tensions which effectively impact granule and tablet qualities, with initial particle size also impacting tablet properties. Harder
tablets of lengthy dissolution times and low drug release is observed for Pharma G and vice versa for Pharma B. A granulation mechanism is proposed with both immersion and distribution nucleation leading to formation of seeded structures though immersion type dominates. The three granulation rate processes occur only with the use of mixing elements, while conveying elements facilitate nucleation and growth in the presence of higher binder content and temperatures. Successfully manipulating particle size distribution, temperature and binder content are vital in achieving desired ngineered products
Prediction of Large for Gestational Age Infants in Ethnically Diverse Datasets Using Machine Learning Techniques. Development of 3rd Trimester Machine Learning Prediction Models and Identification of Important Features Using Dimensionality Reduction Techniques
No full textBackground: Large-for-gestational-age (LGA) is a common pregnancy complication, associated with high maternal BMI and diabetes. Despite its gravity, standard prediction methods, such as ultrasounds are inaccurate.
Objective: application of machine learning methods to develop LGA prediction models for ethnically diverse datasets and provide a benchmark for future LGA prediction work.
Methods: Two retrospective datasets were used: Born In Bradford (BiB) and NHS, each including a large percentage of women of South Asian ethnicity. After appropriate data preparation, LGA classification models were developed, and imbalanced learning strategies were applied. Additionally, using data reduction, important features within the datasets were reported.
Results: Baseline BiB models achieved 9% sensitivity, 56% precision, and 26% F0.5, BiB-GDM (containing only GDM women) models achieved 41% sensitivity, 60% precision, and 55% F0.5. Applying random undersampling increased sensitivity scores to 72% for BiB models and 80% for BiB-GDM. Cost sensitive learning methods achieved 36% F0.5 score for BiB models and 57% for BiB-GDM models. Threshold tuning improved the F0.5 scores models to 47% and 66 % in BiB and BiB-GDM, respectively. Using data reduction, important features were the minimum and maximum Abdominal Circumference (AC) and Estimated Foetal Weight (EFW) ultrasound measurements in BiB-GDM dataset. While they were the mean and proportion of high Blood Glucose (BG) measurements in the NHS dataset.
Conclusions: machine learning algorithms are not superior to Logistic Regression in LGA predictive performance. Threshold tuning was an appropriate method for handling data imbalance and maximising F0.5 scores. Finally, ultrasound measurements and BG self-monitoring data were important features in LGA prediction.University of Bradford through the International Development Fun
Process simulation of twin-screw granulator: The effect of screw configuration on size distribution
No full textYesThe effect of screw configuration on granule size distribution (GSD) using gPROMS FormulatedProduct (gFP) software to perform optimization, estimation of complex processes, and analyses is evaluated. Twin-screw granulation modeling was used to investigate the contribution of screw configuration and liquid-to-solid (L/S) ratio on GSD. Lactose and Avicel were the granulating materials. Twelve different configurations were investigated under three feed rates as consistent with literature and at various L/S ratios. Results indicate that kneading elements promote the recovery of 100-1000 µm granules while reducing the production of oversized granules. Higher feed rates support the production of fines and agglomerates, while a low feed rate produces 100-1000 µm granules.Ghana Scholarship Secretaria
Investigation of a Novel Formulation from Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes and Antioxidant (Selenium) in Malignant Melanoma Cells
Get PDFIntroduction: Malignant Melanoma (MM), caused by UV radiation-induced DNA damage, is the most invasive form of skin cancer and has an increasing incidence worldwide. The hallmarks of MM include the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and excessive proliferation of tumour cells. Many treatments are available or under investigation as anticancer therapeutics such as cell therapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy and nanotechnology-based strategies but they all have severe complications and side effects that limit their wider use.
Methods: The present in vitro study has evaluated the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of Se and CBSC-derived exosomes, individually and in combination, on lymphocytes from MM patients and healthy controls, and on the CHL-1 melanoma cell line. The comet assay and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay were used to measure genotoxicity and cytotoxicity, respectively, in all cell types. Molecular mechanisms underlying the observed effects were explored using transcriptional and protein expression profiling of key cell cycle and apoptosis genes, by employing the RT qPCR and Western blotting techniques.
Conclusion: Selenium displays antioxidant and genoprotective effects in human lymphocytes, especially in MM patients. Both Se (10 μM) and CBSC-derived exosomes (120 μL) are well tolerated in lymphocytes, but show significant genotoxicity and cytotoxicity towards the CHL-1 cell line, with combined administration exhibiting a synergistic effect
The impact of geopolitical risks on renewable energy demand in OECD countries
No full textNoThis paper examines the effects of geopolitical risks on renewable energy demand in 20 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries from 1970 to 2019. The renewable energy demand function includes carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, economic globalisation, natural resources rents, and per capita income as control variables. It is found that geopolitical risks reduce the demand for renewable energy and threaten climate change mitigation policies. Degrading the environment in terms of rising CO2 emissions is detrimental to the renewable energy demand. Natural resource rents also decrease renewable energy consumption. However, higher per capita income and economic globalisation significantly increase renewable energy consumption. These findings bear crucial policy implications for the Russia-Ukraine War era, suggesting that geopolitical risks discourage renewable energy demand. Therefore, policymakers in the OECD countries should focus on geopolitical harmony among economic agents, groups, and regions
Person-centred deprescribing for patients living with frailty: a qualitative interview study and proposal of a collaborative model
Get PDFYes(1) Present deprescribing experiences of patients living with frailty, their informal carers and healthcare professionals; (2) interpret whether their experiences are reflective of person-centred/collaborative care; (3) complement our findings with existing evidence to present a model for person-centred deprescribing for patients living with frailty, based on a previous collaborative care model.
Qualitative design in English primary care (general practice). Semi-structured interviews were undertaken immediately post-deprescribing and 5/6 weeks later with nine patients aged 65+ living with frailty and three informal carers of patients living with frailty. Fourteen primary care professionals with experience in deprescribing were also interviewed. In total, 38 interviews were conducted. A two-staged approach to data analysis was undertaken.
Three themes were developed: attitudes, beliefs and understanding of medicines management and responsibility; attributes of a collaborative, person-centred deprescribing consultation; organisational factors to support person-centred deprescribing. Based on these findings and complementary to existing evidence, we offer a model for person-centred deprescribing for patients living with frailty.
Previous models of deprescribing for patients living with frailty while, of value, do not consider the contextual factors that govern the implementation and success of models in practice. In this paper, we propose a novel person-centred model for deprescribing for people living with frailty, based on our own empirical findings, and the wider evidence base.This research was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Yorkshire and Humber Patient Safety Translational Research Centre (NIHR Yorkshire and Humber PSTRC)
Viewing Contact Sports as a Safeguarding Issue
Get PDFYes... Sustaining a sport-related concussion (SRC) has been
associated with negative consequences to emotion and cognition
in recent years,4,5 and head impacts are no different.1
Moreover, there is a consistent link reported with neurodegenerative
diseases such as motor-neuron disease, Parkinson’s disease, and
dementia. Although this is well-known within the scientific
community, and becoming so in the general population, we still
place children at risk. Promoting attitude change toward SRC and
head impacts in sport is difficult enough with adults as many are
accustomed to the way their contact sports are played and
spectated. However, a redeeming feature for many researchers is
that the evidence is there, and the rhetoric is being discussed in
the mainstream media across the world
Resource Re-Orchestration and Firm Survival in Crisis Periods: The Role of Business Models of Technology MNEs during COVID-19
Get PDFYesUsing data from world-leading digital-driven/technology multinational enterprises (DTMNEs), we draw from the resource orchestration theory to investigate the associations between business model (BM) drivers and firm performance during crisis periods. Drawing on data from the COVID-19 pandemic period, we deploy diverse analytical approaches including multivariate linear regressions and aggregated composite index statistical methods in examining how the BMs of our sampled DTMNEs drive firm performance. Our study highlights six methodological approaches that can be utilised by decision-makers in examining which variables in their BM drive better firm performance. Our findings revealed that the principal component analysis and multicriteria decision analysis (PROMETHEE methods) that espouse the use of aggregate composite index can provide significant and consistent predictive results in comparison to the traditional linear methods when examining the association between BM and firm performance during crisis periods. The paper provides policy and managerial implications on how firms and decision-makers can bolster business continuity, resilience, and plasticity by using analytical lenses that identify optimum resource orchestration during crises
The mediating effect of food choice upon associations between adolescent health-related quality of life and physical activity, social media use and abstinence from alcohol
Get PDFYesBackground: Understanding how health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is related to lifestyle factors during adolescence is crucial to effective health promotion. The aim of this analysis was to identify associations between HRQoL and lifestyle and to determine the degree to which they are mediated by food choices in adolescents.
Methods: The Wellbeing in Schools (NI) survey (N = 1609; 13–14 years) assessed HRQoL using the Kidscreen52. Food choice was assessed by Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and physical activity was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). Social media and alcohol abstinence were self-reported.
Results: Path analysis indicated that fruit and vegetable intake was associated with higher HRQoL on dimensions of moods and emotions, parent relations and home life, financial resources, and social support and peers. Bread and diary intake was related to higher physical wellbeing. Protein was associated with higher psychological wellbeing, moods and emotions, self-perception, parent relations and home life, financial resources, and lower social support and peers. Junk food was related to lower moods and emotions. Males had higher psychological wellbeing, moods and emotions, parental relations and home life. Females had higher self-perception, autonomy, and social support and peers. Greater physical activity explained higher HRQoL on all dimensions. Less social media was associated with higher psychological wellbeing, moods and emotions, self-perception, parent relations and home life, and school environment. Alcohol abstinence was associated with higher physical wellbeing, psychological wellbeing, moods and emotions, self-perception, parent relations and home life, and school environment dimensions.
Conclusion: Intervention to promote HRQoL in adolescents should consider food choices whilst encouraging physical activity, discouraging social media and deterring alcohol, and targeting boys and girls separately.This study was financially supported by the Centre of Excellence for Public Health (Northern Ireland), and the Centre of Evidence and Social Innovation, at Queens University Belfast
Fully demountable column base connections for reinforced CDW-based geopolymer concrete members
Get PDFYesCDW-based concrete requires alkali-activators to generate geopolymerization process. These alkali-activators are difficult to be handled at the construction site and one of the rational ways to built reinforced geopolymer structures is the prefabricated construction. The connection of the precast structures is the most vulnerable component under the effect of seismic actions. Proper detailing and design of connections are crucial for sufficiently-ductile performance under seismic loading. Additionally, to achieve the disassembling and reusing of structural members, a demountable connection, i.e., dry connection, should be used instead of a wet connection.
In this study, four novel fully-demountable connections for reinforced construction and demolition waste-based (CDW) geopolymer concrete members are developed. Seismic performances of these different demountable connections and one reference monolithic connections are experimentally investigated. The connections are subjected to reversed cyclic lateral displacements under constant axial loading. Comparisons are made referring to observed damage patterns, connection strengths, moment-curvature relations, initial stiffnesses, plastic hinge lengths, and energy dissipation characteristics of the proposed demountable connections and the monolithic connection. The results of the experimental study indicate that one proposed demountable connection exhibited larger lateral capacity and better seismic performance than its monolithic counterpart, whereas the other three proposals showed less performance than the monolithic counterpart.European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No: 869336, ICEBER