A systematic and mechanistic evaluation of aspartic acid as filler for directly compressed tablets containing trimethoprim and trimethoprim aspartate

The generally accepted paradigm of 'inert' and 'mono functional' excipient in dosage form has been recently challenged with the development of individual excipients capable of exhibiting multiple functions (e.g. binder-disintegrants, surfactant which affect P-gp function). The proposed study has been designed within the realm of multifunctionality and is the first and novel investigation towards evaluation of aspartic acid as a filler and disintegration enhancing agent for the delivery of biopharmaceutical class IV model drug trimethoprim. The study investigated powder characteristics using angle of repose, laser diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The prepared tablets were characterised using Heckel analysis, disintegration time and tensile strength measurements. Although Heckel analysis revealed that both TMP and TMP aspartate salt have high elasticity, the salt form produced a stronger compact which was attributed to the formation of agglomerates. Aspartic acid was found to have high plasticity, but its incorporation into the formulations was found to have a negative impact on the compaction properties of TMP and its salt. Surface morphology investigations showed that mechanical interlocking plays a vital role in binding TMP crystals together during compaction, while the small particle size of TMP aspartate agglomerates was found to have significant impact on the tensile strength of the tablets. The study concluded that aspartic acid can be employed as filler and disintegrant and that compactability within tablets was independent of the surface charge of the excipients.

The use of absorption enhancers to enhance the despersibility of spray-dried powders for pulmonary gene therapy

Background: Pulmonary gene therapy requires aerosolisation of the gene vectors to the target region of the lower respiratory tract. Pulmonary absorption enhancers have been shown to improve the penetration of pharmaceutically active ingredients in the airway. In this study, we investigate whether certain absorption enhancers may also enhance the aerosolisation properties of spray-dried powders containing non-viral gene vectors. Methods: Spray-drying was used to prepare potentially respirable trehalose-based dry powders containing lipid-polycation-pDNA (LPD) vectors and absorption enhancers. Powder morphology and particle size were characterised using scanning electron microscopy and laser diffraction, respectively, with gel electrophoresis used to assess the structural integrity of the pDNA. The biological functionality of the powders was quantified using in vitro cell (A549) transfection. Aerosolisation from a Spinhaler® dry powder inhaler into a multistage liquid impinger (MSLI) was used to assess the in vitro dispersibility and deposition of the powders. Results: Spray-dried powder containing dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin (DMC) demonstrated substantially altered particle morphology and an optimal particle size distribution for pulmonary delivery. The inclusion of DMC did not adversely affect the structural integrity of the LPD complex and the powder displayed significantly greater transfection efficiency as compared to unmodified powder. All absorption enhancers proffered enhanced powder deposition characteristics, with the DMC-modified powder facilitating high deposition in the lower stages of the MSLI. Conclusions: Incorporation of absorption enhancers into non-viral gene therapy formulations prior to spray-drying can significantly enhance the aerosolisation properties of the resultant powder and increase biological functionality at the site of deposition in an in vitro model. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Análise experimental de danos em pistões de motor à gasolina operando com adição de gás hidróxi

The addition of hydrogen gas as an alternative fuel source has been widely used, as well reported in scientific literature. Today, several experiments are underway for the use of hydrogen generators (electrolysers) demand for motor vehicles. In all these products their ads manufacturers claim that this provides a reduction of fuel consumption, reduces the emission levels of toxic gas by the discharge and improves engine life. This research analyzes the physical structure of engine components using electrolysis on demand. To this end, a stationary system was fitted with a power generator of electricity, drum roller and adapted two electrolyzers: a dry cell and wet cell other. In steps observation were consumption analyzes in four work load ranges and observing the piston engine, which has been cut and analyzed by Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy and Dispersive Energy (SEM-EDS), X – Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Confocal Microscopy, the stationary system in each step. The results showed a considerable reduction in fuel consumption and a high corrosion in the original factory piston constituted of aluminum-silicon alloy. As corrosion barrier was made a plasma nitriding in the piston head, which proved resistant to attack by hydrogen, although it has presented evidence also, of having been attacked. It is concluded that the automotive electrolysers can be a good choice in terms of consumption and reducing toxic gas emissions, but the material of the combustion chambers of vehicles must be prepared for this purpose.

Análise de microestrutura e de características geotécnicas de misturas de resíduo de polimento de porcelanato e solo

Brazil is a country in development, rich in natural resources. In order to grow sustainably, it is necessary to Brazil to preserve its environment, which is an expressive challenge, especially to industries, such as those producing ceramic materials. This study was developed using Porcelain Tile Polishing Residue (RPP) in blends with soil to build compacted fills. This residue is a slurry generated during the polishing process of porcelain tiles and contains powdery material from the polished tile, the abrasives used during the process and cooling water. The RPP was collected from a private company located in Conde/PB and it was mixed with a sandy-clayey soil, to build the fills. Laboratorial tests were conducted with pure soil, pure RPP and blends in proportions of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of RPP in addition to the dry mass of pure soil. The Chemical and Physical Characterization tests performed were: specific solid weight, grain size distribution, laser analysis of grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, X ray fluorescence, X ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and soil compaction,. The materials and blends were also compacted and direct shear tests and plate load tests were performed. Plate load tests were conducted using a circular plate with 30 cm diameter, on specimens of pure soil and 5% blend, compacted in a metallic box inside the Soil Mechanics Laboratory of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Both mechanical tests performed were conducted under inundated conditions, willing to reduce the influence of soil suction. An evaluation of the results of the tests performed shows that RPP is a fine material, with grain size distribution smaller than 0,015mm, composed mainly of silica and alumina, and particles in angular shape. The soil was characterized as a clayey sand, geologically known as a lateritic soil, with high percentages of alumina and iron oxide, and particles with rounded shape. Both the Soil and the blends presented low plasticity, while the residue showed a medium plasticity. Direct shear tests showed that the addition of RPP did not cause major changes into blends’ friction angle data, however, it was possible to note that, for the proportions studied, that is a tendency of obtain lower shear stresses for higher percentages of RPP in the blends. Both pure soil and 5% mixture showed a punching disruption for the Plate load test. For this same test, the allowable stress for 5% mixture was 44% higher than the pure soil, and smaller vertical settlement results for all stresses.

Análise de microestrutura e de características geotécnicas de misturas de resíduo de polimento de porcelanato e solo

Brazil is a country in development, rich in natural resources. In order to grow sustainably, it is necessary to Brazil to preserve its environment, which is an expressive challenge, especially to industries, such as those producing ceramic materials. This study was developed using Porcelain Tile Polishing Residue (RPP) in blends with soil to build compacted fills. This residue is a slurry generated during the polishing process of porcelain tiles and contains powdery material from the polished tile, the abrasives used during the process and cooling water. The RPP was collected from a private company located in Conde/PB and it was mixed with a sandy-clayey soil, to build the fills. Laboratorial tests were conducted with pure soil, pure RPP and blends in proportions of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of RPP in addition to the dry mass of pure soil. The Chemical and Physical Characterization tests performed were: specific solid weight, grain size distribution, laser analysis of grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, X ray fluorescence, X ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and soil compaction,. The materials and blends were also compacted and direct shear tests and plate load tests were performed. Plate load tests were conducted using a circular plate with 30 cm diameter, on specimens of pure soil and 5% blend, compacted in a metallic box inside the Soil Mechanics Laboratory of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Both mechanical tests performed were conducted under inundated conditions, willing to reduce the influence of soil suction. An evaluation of the results of the tests performed shows that RPP is a fine material, with grain size distribution smaller than 0,015mm, composed mainly of silica and alumina, and particles in angular shape. The soil was characterized as a clayey sand, geologically known as a lateritic soil, with high percentages of alumina and iron oxide, and particles with rounded shape. Both the Soil and the blends presented low plasticity, while the residue showed a medium plasticity. Direct shear tests showed that the addition of RPP did not cause major changes into blends’ friction angle data, however, it was possible to note that, for the proportions studied, that is a tendency of obtain lower shear stresses for higher percentages of RPP in the blends. Both pure soil and 5% mixture showed a punching disruption for the Plate load test. For this same test, the allowable stress for 5% mixture was 44% higher than the pure soil, and smaller vertical settlement results for all stresses.

Efeito da adição de WC e Co na sinterização e propriedades mecânicas da alumina

Composites based on alumina (Al2O3), tungsten carbide (WC) and cobalt (Co) exhibit specific properties such as low density, high oxidation resistance, high melting point and high chemical inertia. That composite shows to be a promising material for application in various fields of engineering. In this work, the mechanical properties of the composite (Al2O3 – WC – Co), particularly density and hardness, were evaluated according to the effects of the variables of powder processing parameters, green compact and sintered. Powder composites with the composition of 80 wt% Al2O3, 18 wt% WC and 2 wt% Co were processed by high energy ball milling in a planetary mill for 50 hours as well as mixed by manual mixing in a glass vessel with the same proportion. Samples were collected (2, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 hours) during the milling process. Then, the powders were compacted in a cylindrical die with 5 mm in diameter in a uniaxial press with pressures of 200 and 400 MPa. The sintering was in two stages: first, the solid phase sintering was performed at 1126 and 1300 °C for 1 hour with a heating rate of 10 °C/min in a resistive furnace under argon atmosphere for green samples compacted in 200 and 400 MPa; the second sintering was performed on dilatometer in solid phase at 1300 °C for green sample compacted in 200 MPa, another sintering also was performed on dilatometer, this time in liquid phase at 1550 °C for green samples compacted in 200 and 400 MPa, with the same parameters used in resistive furnace. The raw materials were characterized by X – ray diffraction (XRD), X – ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and laser particlemeter. The sintered samples were subjected to microhardness testing. The results showed that high energy milling achieved to the objectives regarding the particle size and the dispersion of composite phases. However, the hardness did not achieve to significant results, this is an indication that the composite has low fracture toughness.

Efeito da adição de WC e Co na sinterização e propriedades mecânicas da alumina

Composites based on alumina (Al2O3), tungsten carbide (WC) and cobalt (Co) exhibit specific properties such as low density, high oxidation resistance, high melting point and high chemical inertia. That composite shows to be a promising material for application in various fields of engineering. In this work, the mechanical properties of the composite (Al2O3 – WC – Co), particularly density and hardness, were evaluated according to the effects of the variables of powder processing parameters, green compact and sintered. Powder composites with the composition of 80 wt% Al2O3, 18 wt% WC and 2 wt% Co were processed by high energy ball milling in a planetary mill for 50 hours as well as mixed by manual mixing in a glass vessel with the same proportion. Samples were collected (2, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 hours) during the milling process. Then, the powders were compacted in a cylindrical die with 5 mm in diameter in a uniaxial press with pressures of 200 and 400 MPa. The sintering was in two stages: first, the solid phase sintering was performed at 1126 and 1300 °C for 1 hour with a heating rate of 10 °C/min in a resistive furnace under argon atmosphere for green samples compacted in 200 and 400 MPa; the second sintering was performed on dilatometer in solid phase at 1300 °C for green sample compacted in 200 MPa, another sintering also was performed on dilatometer, this time in liquid phase at 1550 °C for green samples compacted in 200 and 400 MPa, with the same parameters used in resistive furnace. The raw materials were characterized by X – ray diffraction (XRD), X – ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and laser particlemeter. The sintered samples were subjected to microhardness testing. The results showed that high energy milling achieved to the objectives regarding the particle size and the dispersion of composite phases. However, the hardness did not achieve to significant results, this is an indication that the composite has low fracture toughness.

Micromachined silicon lenses for terahertz applications

Silicon microlenses are a very important tool for coupling terahertz (THz) radiation into antennas and detectors in integrated circuits. They can be used in a large array structures at this frequency range reducing considerably the crosstalk between the pixels. Drops of photoresist have been deposited and their shape transferred into the silicon by means of a Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) process. Large silicon lenses with a few mm diameter (between 1.5 and 4.5 mm) and hundreds of μm height (between 50 and 350 μm) have been fabricated. The surface of such lenses has been characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), resulting in a surface roughness of about ∼3 μm, good enough for any THz application. The beam profile at the focal plane of such lenses has been measured at a wavelength of 10.6 μm using a tomographic knife-edge technique and a CO2 laser.

Alteration mineralogy and pathfinder element inventory of the McArthur River unconformity-related uranium deposit, Canada

The chemical compositions, modal mineralogy, and textural variability of interstitial minerals in sandstones of the Athabasca Group strata in the vicinity of the McArthur River unconformity-related uranium deposit were characterized using a combination of short wave infrared spectroscopy (SWIR), lithogeochemistry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and laser ablation mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to determine the residence sites of pathfinder trace elements. The importance of integrating in-situ mineral chemistry with whole-rock analyses resides in the possibility to establish the mineralogical and paragenetic context of geochemical signatures in defining the footprint of the deposit. Located in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada, the deposit is situated below ~550 m of quartz arenitic sandstones that are strongly silicified between depths of approximately 200-400 m. The silicified layer exhibits significant control on the distribution of alteration minerals, and appears to have restricted both the primary and secondary dispersion of pathfinder trace elements, which include U, radiogenic Pb isotopes, V, Ni, Co, Cu, Mo, As, Zn, and REEs. Diagenetic background sandstones contain assemblages of illite, dickite, aluminum-phosphate-sulfate (APS) minerals, apatite, and Fe-Ti oxide minerals. Altered sandstones contain assemblages of Al-Mg chlorite (sudoite), alkali-deficient dravite, APS minerals, kaolinite, illite, and oxide minerals. Throughout the sandstones, APS minerals account for the majority of the Sr and LREE concentrations, whereas late pre-ore chlorite, containing up to 0.1 wt.% Ni, accounts for the majority of Ni concentrations. Cobalt, Cu, Mo, and Zn occur predominantly in cryptic sub-micron sulfide and sulfarsenide inclusions in clay mineral aggregates and in association with paragenetically-late Fe-Ti oxides. Uranium occurs predominantly in cryptic micro-inclusions associated with pyrite in late-stage quartz overgrowths, and with paragenetically late Fe-Ti oxide micro-inclusions in kaolinite. Additionally, up to 0.2 wt.% U is cryptically distributed in post-ore Fe-oxide veins. Early diagenetic apatite, monazite and apatite inclusions in detrital quartz, and detrital zircon also contribute significant U and HREE to samples analyzed with an aggressive leach such as Aqua Regia. Detailed LA-ICP-MS chemical mapping of interstitial assemblages, detrital grains, and cements provides new insights into the distribution and inventory of pathfinder elements in the footprint of the McArthur River uranium deposit.

Preparação e caracterização de fibras e nanotubos de BiFeO3 e FeNbO4

Esta dissertação teve como objetivo a produção e caracterização física de fibras e nanotubos de BiFeO3 e FeNbO4. Para o desenvolvimento destes materiais utilizou-se a técnica de fusão com laser (LFZ), o método sol-gel (Pechini) e o método de poros absorventes. As amostras obtidas foram sujeitas a uma caracterização estrutural por difração de raios-X e espetroscopia de Raman, morfológica por microscopia electrónica de varrimento e elétrica por medidas de constante dielétrica. Os resultados obtidos com a técnica de difração de raios-X mostraram que o gel com tratamento a 750 ºC é polifásico. Para conseguir produzir nanotubos escolheu-se o LaCoO3 como material alternativo. Usando a técnica de fusão de zona com laser (LFZ) obtiveram-se fibras de BiFeO3, FeNbO4 e compósitos de BiFeO3+FeNbO4. Com esta técnica foram crescidas fibras a várias velocidades (5, 10, 25, 50, 100 e 200 mm/h), tendo os resultados obtidos com a difração de raios-X evidenciado que todas as amostras obtidas são polifásicas, sendo a amostra de 10 mm/h para o BiFeO3 e a de 5 mm/h para o FeNbO4 as que apresentam melhores propriedades. As amostras de 5 mm/h de todos os compósitos são aquelas que possuem menor quantidade de segundas fases e portanto foram alvo de estudo mais aprofundado. A caracterização dielétrica permitiu verificar que todas as amostras apresentam fenómenos de relaxação dielétrica. Verifica-se também que para o BiFeO3 a constante dielétrica é superior na amostra crescida à velocidade de 10 mm/h, para o FeNbO4 é superior na amostra crescida a 5 mm/h e nos compósitos a amostra com 75% de BiFeO3 e 25% de FeNbO4 apresenta um comportamento diferente das restantes, eventualmente devido à sua microestrutura singular.

Chitosan fibrous scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering

The biocompatibility of chitosan and its similarity with glycosaminoglycans make it attractive for cartilage engineering despite its limited cell adhesion properties. Structural and chemical characteristics of chitosan scaffolds may be improved for cartilage engineering application. We planned to evaluate chitosan meshes produced by a novel technique and the effect of chitosan structure on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) chondrogenesis. Another objective was to improve cell adhesion and chondrogenesis on chitosan by modifying the chemical composition of the scaffold (reacetylation, collagen II, or hyaluronic acid (HA) coating). A replica molding technique was developed to produce chitosan meshes of different fiber-width. A polyglycolic acid (PGA) mesh served as a reference. Constructs were analyzed at two and 21 days after seeding chondrocytes with confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, histology, and quantitative analysis (weights, DNA, glycosaminoglycans, collagen II). Chondrocytes maintained their phenotypic appearance and a high viability but attached preferentially to PGA. Matrix production per chondrocyte was superior on chitosan. Chitosan meshes and sponges were analyzed after seeding and culture of MSCs under chondrogenic condition for 21 days. The cellularity was similar between groups but matrix production was greater on meshes. Chitosan and reacetylated-chitosan scaffolds were coated with collagen II or HA. Scaffolds were characterized prior to seeding MSCs. Chitosan meshes were then coated with collagen at two densities. PGA served as a reference. Constructs were evaluated after seeding or culture of MSCs for 21 days in chondrogenic medium. MSCs adhered less to reacetylated-chitosan despite collagen coating. HA did not affect cell adhesion. The cell attachment on chitosan correlated with collagen density. The cell number and matrix production were improved after culture in collagen coated meshes. The differences between PGA and chitosan are likely to result from the chemical composition. Chondrogenesis is superior on chitosan meshes compared to sponges. Collagen II coating is an efficient way to overcome poor cell adhesion on chitosan. These findings encourage the use of chitosan meshes coated with collagen II and confirm the importance of biomimetic scaffolds for tissue engineering. The decreased cell adhesion on reacetylated chitosan and the poor mechanical stability of PGA limit their use for tissue engineering.

Protein encapsulation and release from PEO-b-polyphosphoester templated calcium carbonate particles

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Estudo da síntese e sinterização de pós compósitos do sistema Ta-Cu

Ta-Cu bulk composites combine high mechanical resistance of the Ta with high electrical and thermal conductivity of the Cu. These are important characteristics to electrical contacts, microwave absorber and heat skinks. However, the low wettability of Ta under Cu liquid and insolubility mutual these elements come hard sintering this composite. High-energy milling (HEM) produces composite powders with high homogeneity and refines the grain size. This work focus to study Ta-20wt%Cu composite powders prepared by mechanical mixture and HEM with two different conditions of milling in a planetary ball mill and then their sintering using hydrogen plasma furnace and a resistive vacuum furnace. After milling, the powders were pressed in a steel dye at a pressure of 200 MPa. The cylindrical samples pressed were sintered by resistive vacuum furnace at 10-4torr with a sintering temperature at 1100ºC / 60 minutes and with heat rate at 10ºC/min and were sintered by plasma furnace with sintering temperatures at 550, 660 and 800ºC without isotherm under hydrogen atmosphere with heat rate at 80ºC/min. The characterizations of the powders produced were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and laser granulometry. After the sintering the samples were analyzed by SEM, XRD and density and mass loss tests. The results had shown that to high intense milling condition produced composite particles with shorter milling time and amorphization of both phases after 50 hours of milling. The composite particles can produce denser structure than mixed powders, if heated above the Cu melting point. After the Cu to arrive in the melting point, liquid copper leaves the composite particles and fills the pores

Light losses in hollow, prismatic light guides related to prim defects: a transmittance model

Hollow, cylindrical, prismatic light guides (CPLGs) are optical components that, using total internal reflection (TIR), are able to transmit high-diameter light beams in daylight and artificial lighting applications without relevant losses. It is necessary to study the prism defects of their surfaces to quantify the behavior of these optical components. In this Letter, we analyze a CPLG made of a transparent dielectric material. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the topographic optical profilometry by absorption in fluids (TOPAF) imaging technique are conducted to determine if there are defects in the corners of the prisms. A model for light guide transmittance that is dependent on prism defects is proposed. Finally, a simulation and an experimental study are carried out to check the validity of the proposed model.