Effect of Particle Interactions on Powder Flow Behavior

The study of powder flow behavior is essential for the development of processing technologies in many industries. In fact, powders have a major function in diverse types of manufacturing, such as pharmaceuticals, foods, chemicals, materials, minerals and cosmetics. This leads to an increasing demand for the development of reliable methods to assess powder flow problems in industry. This research intends to provide a general insight into how surface interactions and particle properties may alter powder flowability. The materials used for this study were lactose, starch, milk powder, cocoa and chocolate. These vary in their interparticle forces as well as on their manufacturing process. Powder flow behavior of these materials was measured by using a 502 Twin Drive Anton Paar Modular Compact Rheometer. The collected sets of data were used to identify how particle characteristics affect powder flow behavior. The results suggest that powder flow is affected by a combination of particle size, morphology, environmental conditions and composition. The obtained flowability profiles were compared with previous results obtained using the Freeman FT4 Powder Rheometer. Although the flow tendency is somewhat similar, the results have some differences that are attributed to the principle of operation of each of the measurement systems. The findings represent a starting point for the understanding of particle interactions involved in complex materials. It is envisioned that the results will assist in the development of models to predict how to alter particle characteristics, using processing techniques and additives, in order to tune in a desired powder flow behavior

Thermodynamic aspects of partial miscibility between n-octanol and water

In the present work the thermodynamic analysis for those data presented by Dallos and Liszi on mole fraction n-octanol-water liquid-liquid equilibria was made. The values were analyzed using the van't Hoff method (ln S as a function of T-1) and those presented by Grant et al. (ln S as a function of T-1 and ln T). A non-lineal behavior was found in all cases studied by the van't Hoff method, which lead us to apply a parabolic regression model derived in order to calculate the enthalpic changes. Endothermic processes were obtained for all temperatures studied. In both systems the free energy changes were positive, whereas the entropic changes were negative indicating some kind of organization in the saturated solutions. In the case of n-octanol-saturated water this result would be explained as the hydrophobic hydration around the aliphatic groups and on the other hand, in the case of water-saturated n-octanol, it could be due to organization of n-octanol molecules around water molecules by hydrogen bonds as it has been presented in literature. The thermodynamic values calculated were compared with those presented by other authors, which were obtained by calorimetry and also by means of equilibrium constants as a function of temperature.En este trabajo se realizó el tratamiento termodinámico de los datos en fracción molar del equilibrio líquido-líquido entre n-octanol y agua en función de la temperatura, utilizando el método de van't Hoff (ln S en función de T-1) y el planteado por Grant et al. (ln S en función de T-1) y ln T: para las dos escalas de concentración. Se encontró un comportamiento no lineal para las dos fases mutuamente saturadas en el tratamiento de van't Hoff, por lo que se utilizó un modelo de regresión parabólico, que fue derivado para resolver el cambio entálpico de solución, obteniendo procesos endotérmicos a todas las temperaturas estudiadas. En los dos sistemas los cambios de energía libre fueron positivos mientras que los cambios entrópicos fueron negativos indicando algún grado de organización en las soluciones saturadas, que en el caso del agua saturada de n-octanol podría explicarse por la hidratación hidrofóbica en torno a las cadenas octílicas y en el caso del n-octanol saturado de agua podría deberse como ha sido planteado en la literatura a la organización de las moléculas del n-octanol entorno a las moléculas de agua mediante la formación de enlaces de hidrógeno. Los valores termodinámicos calculados fueron comparados con los presentados por otros autores, obtenidos por calorimetría y también, mediante evaluación de constantes de equilibro en función de la temperatura

Functional and cellular characterization of human Retinoic Acid Induced 1 (RAI1) mutations associated with Smith-Magenis Syndrome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Smith-Magenis Syndrome is a contiguous gene syndrome in which the dosage sensitive gene has been identified: the Retinoic Acid Induced 1 (<it>RAI1</it>). Little is known about the function of human RAI1.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We generated the full-length cDNA of the wild type protein and five mutated forms: <it>RAI1-HA </it>2687delC, <it>RAI1-HA </it>3103delC, <it>RAI1 </it>R960X, <it>RAI1-HA </it>Q1562R, and <it>RAI1-HA </it>S1808N. Four of them have been previously associated with SMS clinical phenotype. Molecular weight, subcellular localization and transcription factor activity of the wild type and mutant forms were studied by western blot, immunofluorescence and luciferase assays respectively. The wild type protein and the two missense mutations presented a higher molecular weight than expected, localized to the nucleus and activated transcription of a reporter gene. The frameshift mutations generated a truncated polypeptide with transcription factor activity but abnormal subcellular localization, and the same was true for the 1-960aa N-terminal half of RAI1. Two different C-terminal halves of the RAI1 protein (1038aa-end and 1229aa-end) were able to localize into the nucleus but had no transactivation activity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results indicate that transcription factor activity and subcellular localization signals reside in two separate domains of the protein and both are essential for the correct functionality of RAI1. The pathogenic outcome of some of the mutated forms can be explained by the dissociation of these two domains.</p

Método extendido de hildebrand en la estimación de la solubilidad de la indometacina en mezclas etanol + agua

La indometacina (IMC) es un analgésico cuyas propiedades fisicoquímicas aún no han sido totalmente estudiadas. En la presente investigación, se aplicó el Método Extendido de Solubilidad de Hildebrand (MESH) al estudio de la solubilidad de la IMC en mezclas binarias etanol + agua a 298,15 K. Se obtuvo una capacidad predic- tiva aceptable del MESH (desviación general inferior al 4,1%) al utilizar un modelo polinómico regular de cuarto orden relacionando el parámetro de interacción W con el parámetro de solubilidad de las mezclas solventes. De esta forma, las desviaciones obtenidas en la solubilidad estimada, fueron de magnitud inferior a las obtenidas al calcular esta propiedad directamente, utilizando una regresión empírica regular del mismo orden, de la solubilidad experimental del fármaco en función del parámetro de solubilidad de las mezclas disolventes

α-FAPbI3 powder presynthesized by microwave irradiation for photovoltaic applications

The development of up-scalable and high-throughput methodologies to fabricate high-efficiency lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on α-phase formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) is one of the main challenges of making solar energy economical. In this context, PSCs based on α-phase formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) are receiving special attention as this perovskite has the highest theoretical photoconversion efficiency (PCE). This manuscript reports an easy, fast and environmentally-friendly way to prepare α-FAPbI3 black powders by a microwave-assisted synthesis and their application in solar cells. The α-FAPbI3 powders consist of micrometric particles that can be stored for weeks in a closed vial at ambient conditions. This technique presents an enormous potential for upscaling FAPbI3 powders synthesis prerequisite necessary for large scale commercialization. The performance of the presynthesized FAPbI3-based solar cell was comparable with that of PSCs fabricated with the conventional procedure from precursors solutions, leading to a maximum PCE value of 18.15%, with an VOC=1.07 V, a Jsc=24.28 mA/cm2 and an FF=70%. The presynthesized FAPbI3-based solar cell was further modified through the addition of methylammonium chloride (MACl) in order to study the generality of the approach. The optical band gap for the presynthesized perovskite shifted from ∼1.43 eV to ∼1.55 eV with the MACl addition (30 mol%), indicating the formation of a mixed methylammonium and formamidinium based perovskite material (MAFAPbI3). In addition, the incorporation of MACl led to an increase in the grain size and the disappearance of the residual δ-phase perovskite, thus improving the efficiency of the final device.Funding for open access charge: CRUE-Universitat Jaume

Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evidence of Edema in Chronic Chagasic Cardiomyopathy

The persistence of inflammatory processes in the myocardium in varying degrees of chronic Chagas heart disease has been poorly investigated. We hypothesized that edema could occur in patients with chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy and corresponds to the persistence of inflammatory processes in the myocardium. Eighty-two Chagas disease (CD) seropositive patients (64.6% females; age = 58.9 ± 9.9) without ischemic heart disease or conditions that cause myocardial fibrosis and dilation were considered. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of edema were obtained and represented using a 17-segment model. Patients were divided into three clinical groups according to the left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) as G1 (EF > 60%; ), G2 (35% > EF  35% (). Deteriorations of the LV and RV systolic functions were positively correlated (; ) without evidence of LGE in the RV. Edema can be found in patients with chagasic cardiomyopathy in the chronic stage. In later stages of cardiac dilation with low LVEF, the LGE pattern involves subendocardium and mid locations. Deteriorations of RV and LV are positively correlated without evidence of fibrosis in the RV

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Differences in the immune response elicited by two immunization schedules with an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in a randomized phase 3 clinical trial

BACKGROUND: The development of vaccines to control the COVID-19 pandemic progression is a worldwide priority. CoronaVac® is an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine approved for emergency use with robust efficacy and immunogenicity data reported in trials in China, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey, and Chile. METHODS: This study is a randomized, multicenter, and controlled phase 3 trial in healthy Chilean adults aged ≥18 years. Volunteers received two doses of CoronaVac® separated by two (0-14 schedule) or four weeks (0-28 schedule). 2,302 volunteers were enrolled, 440 were part of the immunogenicity arm, and blood samples were obtained at different times. Samples from a single center are reported. Humoral immune responses were evaluated by measuring the neutralizing capacities of circulating antibodies. Cellular immune responses were assessed by ELISPOT and flow cytometry. Correlation matrixes were performed to evaluate correlations in the data measured. RESULTS: Both schedules exhibited robust neutralizing capacities with the response induced by the 0-28 schedule being better. No differences were found in the concentration of antibodies against the virus and different variants of concern between schedules. Stimulation of PBMCs with MPs induced the secretion of IFN-g and the expression of activation induced markers for both schedules. Correlation matrixes showed strong correlations between neutralizing antibodies and IFN-g secretion. CONCLUSIONS: Immunization with CoronaVac® in Chilean adults promotes robust cellular and humoral immune responses. The 0-28 schedule induced a stronger humoral immune response than the 0-14 schedule. FUNDING: Ministry of Health, Government of Chile, Confederation of Production and Commerce & Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Chile. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NCT04651790