Ciprofloxacin-loaded calcium alginate wafers prepared by freeze-drying technique for potential healing of chronic diabetic foot ulcers

Calcium alginate (CA) wafer dressings were prepared by lyophilization of hydrogels to deliver ciprofloxacin (CIP) directly to the wound site of infected diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). The dressings were physically characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), texture analysis (for mechanical and in vitro adhesion properties), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Further, functional properties essential for wound healing, i.e., porosity, in vitro swelling index, water absorption (Aw), equilibrium water content (EWC), water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), evaporative water loss (EWL), moisture content, in vitro drug release and kinetics, antimicrobial activity, and cell viability (MTT assay) were investigated. The wafers were soft, of uniform texture and thickness, and pliable in nature. Wafers showed ideal wound dressing characteristics in terms of fluid handling properties due to high porosity (SEM). XRD confirmed crystalline nature of the dressings and FTIR showed hydrogen bond formation between CA and CIP. The dressings showed initial fast release followed by sustained drug release which can inhibit and prevent re-infection caused by both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The dressings also showed biocompatibility (> 85% cell viability over 72 h) with human adult keratinocytes. Therefore, it will be a potential medicated dressing for patients with DFUs infected with drug-resistant bacteria

Conceptualizing and measuring strategy implementation – a multi-dimensional view

Through quantitative methodological approaches for studying the strategic management and planning process, analysis of data from 208 senior managers involved in strategy processes within ten UK industrial sectors provides evidence on the measurement properties of a multi-dimensional instrument that assesses ten dimensions of strategy implementation. Using exploratory factor analysis, results indicate the sub-constructs (the ten dimensions) are uni-dimensional factors with acceptable reliability and validity; whilst using three additional measures, and correlation and hierarchical regression analysis, the nomological validity for the multi-dimensional strategy implementation construct was established. Relative importance of ten strategy implementation dimensions (activities) for practicing managers is highlighted, with the mutually and combinative effects drawing conclusion that senior management involvement leads the way among the ten key identified activities vital for successful strategy implementation

Radial consolidation model incorporating the effects of vacuum preloading and non-Darcian flow

A modified 150 mm Rowe cell equipped with pore water pressure measurement was used to capture the flow relationship during vacuum-assisted radial consolidation. Based on the measured data, a radial consolidation model incorporating the effects of vacuum preloading is proposed, based on a non-linear relationship between the flow velocity and hydraulic gradient. The predictions of the proposed consolidation model are then compared with the predictions based on Hansbo’s Darcian and non- Darcian models. The agreement between the proposed model and the measured data is shown, and the advantages of the proposed model compared with the existing models are discussed. An embankment case history taken from the reclamation project at the Port of Brisbane, Australia, was analysed, based on the current solution, and compared with the field measurements

Assessment of musculoskeletal disorders in a manufacturing company using QEC and LUBAmethods and comparison of results

Background and aims   Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most important causes of workers disabilities, increasing compensations and reducing productivity in developed and developing countries. This study was aimed to determine prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and assessment of them by using QEC and LUBA methods and comparison of results in a manufacturing company in Iran.     Methods   This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 115 operators in 15 working stations by using QEC and LUBA methods. The prevalence of MSDs was obtained by using Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). The data were analyzed by Spearman correlation coefficients.     Results   According to findings of NMQ, 81.4 percent of operators at least in one of nine parts of musculoskeletal system have pain since 12 months ago. Assessment with QEC and LUBA  revealed that 71.3 and 24.35 percent of operators respectively are in action level four.     Conclusion   According to the analysis, correlation between findings of NMQ and action levels in QEC is higher than LUBA action levels. Whereas LUBA just assess working postures, this method is not a suitable tool for evaluation of working stations that require repetitive carrying of loads, static posture and long time to do.

Development of stable polymeric lyophilised wafers for mucosal drug delivery using thermal annealing (DSC, freeze-drying)

Purpose: The aim was to develop an optimum freeze-drying cycle incorporating annealing to produce wafers from gels comprising κ-carrageenan, poloxamer 407 and PEG 600 with ibuprofen as a model drug. The effects of the annealing process and ibuprofen concentration on water content and mechanical properties of the wafers were also investigated

Stochastics and Statistics Dynamic shortest path in stochastic dynamic networks: Ship routing problem

In this paper, we apply the stochastic dynamic programming to find the dynamic shortest path from the source node to the sink node in stochastic dynamic networks, in which the arc lengths are independent random variables with exponential distributions. In each node there is an environmental variable, which evolves in accordance with a continuous time Markovprocess. The parameter of the exponential distribution of the transition time of each arc is also a function of the state of the environmental variable of its initiative node. Upon arriving at each node, we can move toward the sink node through the best outgoing arc or wait. At the beginning, it is assumed that upon arriving at each node, we know the state of its environmental variable and also the states of the environmental variables of its adjacent nodes. Then we extend this assumption such that upon arriving at each node, we know the states of the environmental variables of all nodes. In the ship routing problem, which we focus in this paper, the environmental variables of all nodes are known, but it is shown that the complexity of the algorithm becomes exponential in this case

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A multi-objective lead time control problem in multistage assembly systems usin