Hot melt extrusion processing parameters optimization

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the impact of processing parameters of the hot-melt extrusion (HME) on the pharmaceutical formulation properties. Carbamazepine (CBZ) was selected as a model water-insoluble drug. It was incorporated into Soluplus®, which was used as the polymeric carrier, to produce a solid dispersion model system. The following HME-independent parameters were investigated at different levels: extrusion temperature, screw speed and screw configuration. Design of experiment (DOE) concept was applied to find the most significant factor with minimum numbers of experimental runs. A full two-level factorial design was applied to assess the main effects, parameter interactions and total error. The extrudates’ CBZ content and the in vitro dissolution rate were selected as response variables. Material properties, including melting point, glass transition, and thermal stability, and polymorphs changes were used to set the processing range. In addition, the extruder torque and pressure were used to find the simplest DOE model. Each change of the parameter showed a unique pattern of dissolution profile, indicating that processing parameters have an influence on formulation properties. A simple, novel and two-level factorial design was able to evaluate each parameter effect and find the optimized formulation. Screw configuration and extrusion temperature were the most affecting parameters in this study

User friendly system for the visually impaired in learning Al-Quran

This study presents a method to enable the visually impaired Muslim to learn and read the Al-Quran using Braille Display with software help. The system reads the database which contains all verses of Al-Quran and user will need to select the verse and ayah to read. Besides that, this system can be used in a class to teach visually impaired students to learn Al-Quran. Every word or character typed by the instructor in the main Braille Panel will be transmitted to the sub Braille Panel that is connected to the main Braille Panel. The selected verse of Al-Quran and ayah will also generate an index before being transmitted to the Braille Panel. The index will be transmitted to the Braille Display for people to touch and read the display. A user friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) will be used to fulfill the ergonomics for the visually impaired user's physical capabilities. Several approaches are used to design and implement the interface for the visually impaired like speech or sound output and Braille display. The Braille codes can be displayed using the Braille panel. The design interface and structure of the system for the visually impaired users in learning Al-Quran is presented

Influence of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) agro-waste properties as filtration medium to improve urban stormwater

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) is recommended as a filtration medium due to its fibrous characteristics and abundance as an agricultural byproduct. OPEFB is utilized to treat urban stormwater using a deep bed filter column. Urban stormwater samples were collected from Sembulan River, which flows through the Kota Kinabalu city area of Sabah, Malaysia. The samples were filtered through single and combination designs of OPEFB and river sand (RS) in mix ratios ranging between 25-75%. Each design’s performance was evaluated in terms of Total Suspended Solid (TSS), turbidity, colour, temperature, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) removal. Single medium designs demonstrated the poorest performance compared to dual mediums design. The optimum mixed design was 50:50 with ability to remove 52% color, 49% turbidity, 44% TSS, 59% COD, 84% BOD, and 94% NH3-N. Further OPEFB water-washing treatment followed by a backwashing process achieved better separation results than a straightforward maintenance process. The optimized dual-filtration of stormwater was able to increase the urban stormwater quality from Class III up to Class I according to the Malaysian Interim National Water Quality Standard (INWQS), thus classified as suitable for water supply and conservation for natural environment uses

A Detail Study of Wavelet Families for EMG Pattern Recognition

Wavelet transform (WT) has recently drawn the attention of the researchers due to its potential in electromyography (EMG) recognition system. However, the optimal mother wavelet selection remains a challenge to the application of WT in EMG signal processing. This paper presents a detail study for different mother wavelet function in discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and continuous wavelet transform (CWT). Additionally, the performance of different mother wavelet in DWT and CWT at different decomposition level and scale are also investigated. The mean absolute value (MAV) and wavelength (WL) features are extracted from each CWT and reconstructed DWT wavelet coefficient. A popular machine learning method, support vector machine (SVM) is employed to classify the different types of hand movements. The results showed that the most suitable mother wavelet in CWT are Mexican hat and Symlet 6 at scale 16 and 32, respectively. On the other hand, Symlet 4 and Daubechies 4 at the second decomposition level are found to be the optimal wavelet in DWT. From the analysis, we deduced that Symlet 4 at the second decomposition level in DWT is the most suitable mother wavelet for accurate classification of EMG signals of different hand movements.

Cyclist Performance Classification System based on Submaximal Fitness Test

Performances among cyclist always measured by time traveled from start to finish line and then the winner in cycling event also decided by time or who crossed the finish line first. On the other hand, cyclist performance can be measured through cardiorespiratory and physical fitness, and this performance can be enhanced by proper training to increase fitness and skill without burden. A wireless sensor network (WSN) system developed by combined various sensing element to capture physiological and bicycle’s kinetics feedback. Physiological data such as heart rate variability (HRV) and kinetic data such as paddling power and cadence used as input in Astrand-Ryhming and PWC150 submaximal test to classify the performance group among cyclist. Developed HRV system using Photoplethysmography (PPG) provides the significant output with R2 value was 0.967. A group of 15 cyclists from three different backgrounds was used as a subject in this study. Maximal oxygen intake (VO2max) produced by AstrandRyhming test correlated with estimated paddling power produced by PWC150 test with P<0.01 and the R2 value was 0.8656. Discriminant analysis was 88.3% successfully classified cyclist into 3 group and group of trained and untrained cyclist clearly separated

Nanoparticle Catalyzed Hydrodesulfurization of Diesel Fuel in a Trickle Bed Reactor: Experimental and Optimization Study

This work focuses on the preparation, simulation, and optimization of the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT) using a nanocatalyst. A homemade nanocatalyst (3 percent Co, 10 percent Mo/γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles) was used in a trickle bed reactor (TBR). The HDS kinetic model was estimated based on experimental observations over ranges of operating conditions to evaluate kinetic parameters of the HDS process and apply the key parameters. Based on these parameters, the performance of the TBR catalyzed by the nanocatalyst was evaluated and scaled up to a commercial scale. Also, the selectivity of HDS reactions was also modeled to achieve the highest yield of the desired hydrogenation product based on the desirable route of HDS. A comprehensive modeling and simulation of the HDS process in a TBR was developed and the output results were compared with experimental results. The comparison showed that the simulated and experimental data of the HDS process match well with a standard error of up to 5%. The best reaction kinetic variables obtained from the HDS pilot-plant (specific reaction rate expression, rate law, and selectivity) TBR have been utilized to develop an industrial scale HDS of DBT. The hydrodynamic key factors (effect of radial and axial dispersion) were employed to obtain the ratio of the optimal working reactor residence time to reactor diameter

Effect of Hydrated Lime on the Properties of Roller Compacted Concrete

Roller compacted concrete (RCC) is a concrete of no slump, no reinforcement, no finishing, and compacted using vibratory roller. When compared with conventional concrete, it contains less water content when compared to traditional concrete. The RCC technique achieves significant time and cost savings during the construction of concrete. This study demonstrates the preparation of RCC slab of (38 ×38× 10) cm samples by using roller compactor which is manufactured in local markets. The Hydrated lime additive is used to study the mechanical and physical properties of that RCC slab samples. This investigation is divided into two main stages: The First stage consists of hammer compaction method with two gradation of aggregate, dense and gap graded aggregate, using five percentages of cement content (10, 12, 14, 16, and 18) as a percentage of the total aggregate content. This stage is carried out for selecting the maximum dry density, optimum moisture content, and optimum cement content which is utilized in RCC slab samples construction, a total of 49 cylinder samples sized (10 cm diameter and 11.6 cm high) are prepared. The Second stage is classified into two sub stages; the first one consists of constructing RCC slab samples using roller compaction, 12% cement as a percentage of total aggregate weight has been used according to the data obtained from first stage, this group presents reference mixes without additives. While the second sub stage presents RCC mix with hydrated lime additive and with the same gradation of mixes compact by hammer compaction method, hydrated lime was implemented as (5, 10, 12, and 15) percentage as a partial replacement of cement content. Both of physical and mechanical properties of RCC are studied using cores, sawed cubes, and sawed beams obtained from RCC slab samples. The properties studied were porosity, absorption, and compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength by using third point loading method. The results show that hydrated lime improved the overall properties of RCC as compared to reference mix. Mixes with 5% lime give the optimum values for most of strength properties. Dense graded mixes with hydrated lime show superior properties as compared to gap graded mixes

Automated medical surgical trolley

Operating theatre is a place in a hospital where surgical operations are conducted on patients by surgeons. In the operating theatre, the surgical equipment is placed on stainless steel table or on surgical instrument tray. However, during the operation accidents can occur where the surgical tools placed near to the surgeon could be accidentally be hit by them during the surgical operation. This may cause the surgical tools to fall on the floor which may lead to injuries. Hence, this paper presents an automatic medical surgical trolley for surgeons to grab operating tools easily. The proposed system is implemented for automaticmedical surgical trolley movement using Arduino Uno R3. The invention provides an automatic medical surgical trolley which comprises automatic guidance, a wireless controller, an obstacle avoiding detection device, a touch screen controller via smart phone, an IP camera, a trolley, an integrated power supply and a processor. The trolley with stainless steel shelves is ideal for use in clinical environments and operation theatres. Medical equipment is loaded in the trolley, the wireless remote drives the trolley to move forwards and backwards. Automatic visual guidance is achieved via an IP camera attached to the trolley and a touch screen controller via a smart phone. A large amount of space and a large number of materials are saved, the workload of medical workers will be greatly relieved, and the working efficiency will be improved

Knowledge, attitudes and practice among high school teachers toward students with mental disorders in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: Mental disorders are highly prevalent among adolescents, and they correlate negatively with students’ achievement, performance, and leadless school engagement and participation. School Teachers can contribute significantly to the early detection and intervention strategies for mental disorders among adolescents. This study estimates high school teachers’ knowledge, attitude, and practice toward mental disorders and determines the association between selected demographic factors.Methods: The ethical committee of King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, approved this cross-sectional study. Multistage random sampling was done, which included 62 male and 48 female high schools in Riyadh between August and December 2021. An Anonymous self-administered questionnaire consisting of 39-item was used for data collection.Results: A total 487 responses were received from the high school teachers, on a scale of 10 maximum score, only (60.4%) showed adequate knowledge regarding mental disorders. Even though, Majority of teachers (76.2%) show a favorable attitude toward mental disorders on a scale of 24 maximum scores. Furthermore, approximately one-third of study participants (34.4%) on a scale of 4 points maximum show good practice toward mental disorders.     Conclusions: This study revealed teachers’ lack of knowledge about mental disorders with poor practice. Even though school teachers have shown favourable attitudes in most aspects toward mental disorders, implantation of the mental health literacy program is recommended to enhance the essential role of school staff in providing the needed support for promoting student mental health