Film forming gel for treatment of oral mucositis: In vitro studies

Oral mucositis is one of the main complications of non-surgical cancer treatments. The present work focuses on the treatment or reduction of oral mucositis by using combined mechanism by formation of physical barrier by forming a film to cover the oral ulcer and use of therapeutic agents, such as diclofenac sodium and ofloxacin separately or in combination. The selected polymers for film forming gel formulations are Hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na CMC) and carbopol 940 (CP). The residence time in simulated buccal saliva was between 5.5 to 6 hours for all formulations. The in-vitro release data of the investigated drugs from the prepared formulations followed zero-order and diffusion mechanism. The permeability studies data revealed that diclofenac sodium showed higher permeability from Na CMC/CP (2:0.3%) than from HPMC 4%, while in case of ofloxacin higher permeability was shown from Na CMC/CP (2:0.3%) than from HPMC/HPC (2:3%). The permeation parameters for diclofenac sodium and ofloxacin in their combination do not depend on either viscosity or pH, they depend on the type of polymers used.Keywords: Mucositis; Film-forming gel; Rheology; In vitro studies

Investigation of High-Velocity Projectile Penetrating Concrete Blocks Reinforced by Layers of High Toughness and Energy Absorption Materials

Recently, the need to protect people and structures against attacks of terrorists are of a high increase. The main objective of this paper is to enhance the concrete resistance against ballistic impact of high velocity projectile by using different combination layers from different materials as reinforcement for concrete and investigate their effect on the penetration depth of projectile and the resulted damage of concrete. The investigation presents the development of a finite element accurate models using AUTODYN 3D. The Lagrangian formulation numerical techniques is used to model the projectile and concrete target. The investigated models are reinforced using different layers combinations of several materials such as ceramics, fiber composite, polymer and metal: (AL2O3 - 99.7% and Kevlar- epoxy, Teflon and aluminum alloy 6061-T6) .Those materials were chosen because of their high thermal shock resistance or their great capability in energy absorption. The main findings showed a significant enhancement in the reduction of penetration depth compared to the concrete resistance without reinforcement, which demonstrate the great performance of the used combinations in the shock wave propagation. Hence from the findings of this work we can say that the concrete reinforced by ceramics or aluminum alloy with fiber composite or polymer can be used for several applications as it represents a successful anti-penetration composite structure

Optimization of Fuzzy Logic Controller for Supervisory Power System Stabilizers

This paper presents a powerful supervisory power system stabilizer (PSS) using an adaptive fuzzy logic controller driven by an adaptive fuzzy set (AFS). The system under study consists of two synchronous generators, each fitted with a PSS, which are connected via double transmission lines. Different types of PSS-controller techniques are considered. The proposed genetic adaptive fuzzy logic controller (GAFLC)-PSS, using 25 rules, is compared with a static fuzzy logic controller (SFLC) driven by a fixed fuzzy set (FFS) which has 49 rules. Both fuzzy logic controller (FLC) algorithms utilize the speed error and its rate of change as an input vector. The adaptive FLC algorithm uses a genetic algorithmto tune the parameters of the fuzzy set of each PSS. The FLC’s are simulated and tested when the system is subjected to different disturbances under a wide range of operating points. The proposed GAFLC using AFS reduced the computational time of the FLC, where the number of rules is reduced from 49 to 25 rules. In addition, the proposed adaptive FLC driven by a genetic algorithm also reduced the complexity of the fuzzy model, while achieving a good dynamic response of the system under study

Optimization of Fuzzy Logic Controller for Supervisory Power System Stabilizers

This paper presents a powerful supervisory power system stabilizer (PSS) using an adaptive fuzzy logic controller driven by an adaptive fuzzy set (AFS). The system under study consists of two synchronous generators, each fitted with a PSS, which are connected via double transmission lines. Different types of PSS-controller techniques are considered. The proposed genetic adaptive fuzzy logic controller (GAFLC)-PSS, using 25 rules, is compared with a static fuzzy logic controller (SFLC) driven by a fixed fuzzy set (FFS) which has 49 rules. Both fuzzy logic controller (FLC) algorithms utilize the speed error and its rate of change as an input vector. The adaptive FLC algorithm uses a genetic algorithmto tune the parameters of the fuzzy set of each PSS. The FLC’s are simulated and tested when the system is subjected to different disturbances under a wide range of operating points. The proposed GAFLC using AFS reduced the computational time of the FLC, where the number of rules is reduced from 49 to 25 rules. In addition, the proposed adaptive FLC driven by a genetic algorithm also reduced the complexity of the fuzzy model, while achieving a good dynamic response of the system under study

Oil Extracted Moringa peregrina Seed Cake as a Feed Ingredient in Poultry: A Chemical Composition and Nutritional Value Study

The chemical composition, antioxidant activity, tannic acid content, mineral, fatty acid, and amino acid profiles of oil-extracted Moringa peregrina seed meal (OEMPSM) were determined. Apparent (AME) and true (AMEn) metabolizable energy and apparent (AAAU) and true (TAAU) amino acid utilization were evaluated using a precision feeding trial. The protein (CP) quality was evaluated by a total efficiency analysis method. The antioxidant activity, gauged by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), was 237, 353, and 15.2 mg/mL for the water and ethanol extracts, and ascorbic acid, respectively. Tannic acids were 131.4 mg/100 g dry weight. The OEMPSM had 27.2% CP and 22.4, 15.1, and 15.8 MJ/kg of gross energy, AME and AMEn, respectively. The neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and hemicellulose were 40.2, 29.7, and 10.5% DM, respectively. The 15.41% of total fatty acids were saturated and 84.57% unsaturated. The AAAU and TAAU of OEMPSM were 30.92% and 61.06%, respectively. From findings, OEMPSM comprises a valuable level of bioactive substances, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, and energy; it can provide up to 1.12% of the requirements of total amino acids of chickens (1–21 days); however, the quality of its protein was found to be 44.6% less than that of protein of soybean meal

Synthesis of heterocyclic compounds from the amination products of 3-(4-phenylbenzoyl) acrylic acid

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Comparison of caecal and faeces fermentation characteristics of ostrich by in vitro gas production technique

To compare caecal and faecal fermentation characteristics, ostrich caecal content (CI) and faeces (FI) were used as inocula for an in vitro gas production trial in which four substrates (dehydrated alfalfa, alfalfa hay, maize and a commercial concentrate) were tested. The fermentation characteristics (degraded organic matter, OMd; potential gas production, A; acetate; branched chain proportion, BCP) were studied by inoculum and substrate. CI and FI showed significant differences for almost all the fermentation parameters, and CI had higher values than FI for OMd (76.83 vs. 72.79%, p<0.01), A (250.3 vs. 229.3 ml/g, p<0.01), acetate (57.91 vs. 53.20 mmol/l, p<0.01) and BCP (0.031 vs. 0.027, p<0.05). CI and FI showed differences in carbohydrates and protein fermentation, but the interaction between the tested effects was not significant. The regression equations to estimate caecal fermentation characteristics from faeces suggest the possibility to use faeces as inoculum alternative to faeces. © 2011 Taylor & Francis

Rice Bran as an Alternative Feedstuff in Broiler Nutrition and Impact of Liposorb® and Vitamin E-Se on Sustainability of Performance, Carcass Traits, Blood Biochemistry, and Antioxidant Indices

The impact of dietary rice bran with or without feed additives on the performance, carcasses, and blood profiles of chickens was examined. A total of 245 unsexed one-week-old broiler chicks were divided into seven groups, with seven replications of five chicks each. The treatments were: (1) control, (2) 5% rice bran, (3) 5% rice bran + 0.5 g/kg of Liposorb®, (4) 5% rice bran + 1 g/kg of vitamin E-Se, (5) 10% rice bran, (6) 10% rice bran + 0.5 g/kg Liposorb®, and (7) 10% rice bran + 1 g/kg of vitamin E–selenium. Considering the entire experimental period, it did not affect the in vivo performance of the broilers. However, all the experimental diets decreased dressing % compared with the control (p < 0.01) and the worst values were obtained for the 10% RB groups (75.7, 75.9, and 75.8%, respectively, for 10%RB, 10%RB + Liposorb, and 10%RB + Vit. E-Se groups). All the experimental diets decreased (p < 0.01) the albumin/globulin ratio due to an increased level of serum globulins. Differences in lipid profiles, antioxidants, and immunity parameters in plasma were not related to dietary treatments. In conclusion, the use of rice bran up to 10% in diets had no harmful effect on the overall growth performance of the broilers from 1 to 5 weeks of age. Still, carcass characteristics were negatively affected, except for heart percentage. In addition, the supplementation of Liposorb® or vitamin E-Se to rice bran diets did not recover these harmful effects. Thus, rice bran could be utilized at 10% in broiler diets when growth performance was considered; further research is required