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Pharmaceutics May 2024Paediatric infectious diseases contribute significantly to global health challenges. Conventional therapeutic interventions are not always suitable for children, as they... (Review)
Review
Paediatric infectious diseases contribute significantly to global health challenges. Conventional therapeutic interventions are not always suitable for children, as they are regularly accompanied with long-standing disadvantages that negatively impact efficacy, thus necessitating the need for effective and child-friendly pharmacotherapeutic interventions. Recent advancements in drug delivery technologies, particularly oral formulations, have shown tremendous progress in enhancing the effectiveness of paediatric medicines. Generally, these delivery methods target, and address challenges associated with palatability, dosing accuracy, stability, bioavailability, patient compliance, and caregiver convenience, which are important factors that can influence successful treatment outcomes in children. Some of the emerging trends include moving away from creating liquid delivery systems to developing oral solid formulations, with the most explored being orodispersible tablets, multiparticulate dosage forms using film-coating technologies, and chewable drug products. Other ongoing innovations include gastro-retentive, 3D-printed, nipple-shield, milk-based, and nanoparticulate (e.g., lipid-, polymeric-based templates) drug delivery systems, possessing the potential to improve therapeutic effectiveness, age appropriateness, pharmacokinetics, and safety profiles as they relate to the paediatric population. This manuscript therefore highlights the evolving landscape of oral pharmacotherapeutic interventions for leading paediatric infectious diseases, crediting the role of innovative drug delivery technologies. By focusing on the current trends, pointing out gaps, and identifying future possibilities, this review aims to contribute towards ongoing efforts directed at improving paediatric health outcomes associated with the management of these infectious ailments through accessible and efficacious drug treatments.
PubMed: 38931836
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060712 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Tunnels for subways and railways are a vital part of urban transportation systems, where shield tunneling using assembled segmental linings is the predominant...
Tunnels for subways and railways are a vital part of urban transportation systems, where shield tunneling using assembled segmental linings is the predominant construction approach. With increasing operation time and varying geological conditions, shield tunnels usually develop defects that compromise both structural integrity and operational safety. One common issue is the separation of segment joints that may cause water/mud penetration and corrosion. Existing inspection strategies can only detect openings after their occurrence, which cannot provide early warnings for predictive maintenance. To address this issue, this work proposes a multi-point seam contact pressure monitoring method for joint opening identification. It first derived the theoretical correlation between contact pressure distribution and segment opening; then, a finite element model was established to explore the stress and deformation responses under combined axial and bending loads. Finally, multi-point piezoelectric film sensors were implemented on a scaled segment model to validate the theoretical and numerical analyses. Results indicate that the multi-point monitoring method can effectively identify opening amounts at the segment joints with an average error of 8.8%, confirming the method's feasibility. These findings support the use of this monitoring technique for early detection and assessment of joint openings in shield tunnels.
PubMed: 38931708
DOI: 10.3390/s24123924 -
Cosmo ArduSiPM: An All-in-One Scintillation-Based Particle Detector for Earth and Space Application.Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Thanks to advancements in silicon photomultiplier sensors (SiPMs) and system-on-chip (SoC) technology, our INFN Roma1 group developed ArduSiPM in 2012, the first...
Thanks to advancements in silicon photomultiplier sensors (SiPMs) and system-on-chip (SoC) technology, our INFN Roma1 group developed ArduSiPM in 2012, the first all-in-one scintillator particle detector in the literature. It used a custom Arduino Due shield to process fast signals, utilizing the Microchip Sam3X8E SoC's internal peripherals to control and acquire SiPM signals. The availability of radiation-tolerant SoCs, combined with the goal of reducing system space and weight, led to the development of an innovative second-generation board, a better-performing device called Cosmo ArduSiPM, suitable for space missions. The architecture of the new detector is based on the Microchip SAMV71 300 MHz, 32-bit ARM Cortex-M7 (Microchip Technology Inc., Chandler, AZ, USA). While the analog front-end is essentially identical to the ArduSiPM, it utilizes components with the smallest possible package. The board fits in a CubeSat module. Thanks to the compact design, the board has two independent channels, with a total weight of only 40 grams within a CubeSat form factor. The ArduSiPM architecture is based on a single microcontroller and fast discrete analog electronics. It benefits from the continued development of SoCs related to the IoT (Internet of Things) market. Compared with a system with a custom ASIC, this architecture based on software and SoC capabilities offers considerable advantages in terms of cost and development time. The ability to incorporate new commercial SoCs, continuously emerging from advancements in the aerospace and automotive industries, provides the system with a robust foundation for sustained growth over the years. A detailed characterization of the hardware and the system's response to different photon fluxes is presented in this article. Additionally, coupling the device with a scintillator was tested at the end of this article as a preliminary trial for future measurements, showing potential for further enhancement of the detector's capabilities.
PubMed: 38931622
DOI: 10.3390/s24123836 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Testing the shielding effectiveness of materials is a key step for many applications, from the industrial to the biomedical field. This task is very relevant for...
Testing the shielding effectiveness of materials is a key step for many applications, from the industrial to the biomedical field. This task is very relevant for high-sensitivity sensors, whose performance can be greatly affected by electromagnetic fields. However, the available testing procedures often require expensive, bulky, and heavy measurement chambers. In this paper, a cost-effective and reliable measurement procedure for testing the shielding effectiveness of materials is proposed. It exploits a lab-scale anechoic shielded chamber, which is lightweight, compact, and cost-effective if compared to the available commercial solutions. The measurement procedure employs a vector network analyzer to allow an accurate and fast characterization setup. The chamber realization phases and the measurement procedure are described. The shielding capability of the chamber is measured up to 26 GHz, whereas the performance of commercial shielding coatings is tested to demonstrate the measurement's effectiveness.
PubMed: 38931523
DOI: 10.3390/s24123741 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The establishment of a compliant radiopharmacy facility within a university setting is crucial for supporting fundamental and preclinical studies, as well as for the...
The establishment of a compliant radiopharmacy facility within a university setting is crucial for supporting fundamental and preclinical studies, as well as for the production of high-quality radiopharmaceuticals for clinical testing in human protocols as part of Investigational New Drug (IND) applications that are reviewed and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This manuscript details the design and construction of a 550 ft facility, which included a radiopharmacy and a radiochemistry laboratory, to support radiopharmaceutical development research and facilitate translational research projects. The facility was designed to meet FDA guidelines for the production of aseptic radiopharmaceuticals in accordance with current good manufacturing practice (cGMP). A modular hard-panel cleanroom was constructed to meet manufacturing classifications set by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO), complete with a gowning room and an anteroom. Two lead-shielded hot cells and two dual-mini hot cells, connected via underground trenches containing shielded conduits, were installed to optimize radioactive material transfer while minimizing personnel radiation exposure. Concrete blocks and lead bricks provided sufficient and cost-effective radiation shielding for the trenches. Air quality was controlled using pre-filters and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to meet cleanroom ISO7 (Class 10,000) standards. A laminar-flow biosafety cabinet was installed in the cleanroom for preparation of sterile dose vials. Noteworthy was a laminar-flow insert in the hot cell that provided a shielded laminar-flow sterile environment meeting ISO5 (class 100) standards. The design included the constant control and monitoring of differential air pressures across the cleanroom, anteroom, gowning room, and controlled research space, as well as maintenance of temperature and humidity. The facility was equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for quality control and release testing of radiopharmaceuticals. Administrative controls and standard operating procedures (SOPs) were established to ensure compliance with manufacturing standards and regulatory requirements. Overall, the design and construction of this radiopharmacy facility exemplified a commitment to advancing fundamental, translational, and clinical applications of radiopharmaceutical research within an academic environment.
PubMed: 38931348
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060680 -
Micromachines Jun 2024This paper presents a comprehensive study on single- and repetitive-frequency UIS characteristics of 1200 V asymmetric (AT) and double trench silicon carbide (DT-SiC)...
A Comprehensive Analysis of Unclamped-Inductive-Switching-Induced Electrical Parameter Degradations and Optimizations for 4H-SiC Trench Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor Structures.
This paper presents a comprehensive study on single- and repetitive-frequency UIS characteristics of 1200 V asymmetric (AT) and double trench silicon carbide (DT-SiC) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) and their electrical degradation under electrical-thermal working conditions, investigated through experiment and simulation verification. Because their structure is different, the failure mechanisms are different. Comparatively, the gate oxide of a DT-MOSFET is more easily damaged than an AT-MOSFET because the hot carriers are injected into the oxide. The parameters' degradation under repetitive UIS stress also requires analysis. The variations in the measured parameters are recorded to evaluate typical electrical features of device failure. Furthermore, TCAD simulation is used to reveal the electrothermal stress inside the device during avalanche. Additionally, failed devices are decapsulated to verify the location of the failure point. Finally, a new type of stepped-oxide vertical power DT MOSFET with P-type shielding and current spread layers, along with its feasible process flow, is proposed for the improvement of gate dielectric reliability.
PubMed: 38930742
DOI: 10.3390/mi15060772 -
Micromachines Jun 2024In this work, we present a compact, bifunctional chip-based sensor setup that measures the temperature and electrical conductivity of water samples, including specimens...
In this work, we present a compact, bifunctional chip-based sensor setup that measures the temperature and electrical conductivity of water samples, including specimens from rivers and channels, aquaculture, and the Atlantic Ocean. For conductivity measurements, we utilize the impedance amplitude recorded via interdigitated electrode structures at a single triggering frequency. The results are well in line with data obtained using a calibrated reference instrument. The new setup holds for conductivity values spanning almost two orders of magnitude (river versus ocean water) without the need for equivalent circuit modelling. Temperature measurements were performed in four-point geometry with an on-chip platinum RTD (resistance temperature detector) in the temperature range between 2 °C and 40 °C, showing no hysteresis effects between warming and cooling cycles. Although the meander was not shielded against the liquid, the temperature calibration provided equivalent results to low conductive Milli-Q and highly conductive ocean water. The sensor is therefore suitable for inline and online monitoring purposes in recirculating aquaculture systems.
PubMed: 38930725
DOI: 10.3390/mi15060755 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The paper presents and discusses the results of a study of the thermal properties of cement composites with different contents of magnetite aggregate (0%, 20%, 40% and...
The paper presents and discusses the results of a study of the thermal properties of cement composites with different contents of magnetite aggregate (0%, 20%, 40% and 60% by volume). The effect of grain size on the evaluated thermal properties was also investigated. For this purpose, concrete containing 50% by volume of magnetite aggregate with four different fractions (1-2 mm, 2-4 mm, 4-8 mm and 8-16 mm) was used. Thermal parameters were evaluated on specimens fully saturated with water and dried to a constant mass at 65 °C. The series with varying grain sizes of magnetite achieved thermal conductivity values in the range of 2.76-3.03 W/(m·K) and 2.00-2.21 W/(m·K) at full water saturation and after drying to a constant mass, respectively. In the case of the series with 20% magnetite by volume, the thermal conductivity was 2.65 W/(m·K) and 1.99 W/(m·K) for the material fully saturated with water and dried to a constant mass, respectively. The series with a 60% volume share of magnetite obtained values of this parameter of 3.47 W/(m·K) and 2.66 W/(m·K), respectively, under the same assumptions.
PubMed: 38930306
DOI: 10.3390/ma17122936 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The application of advanced high-strength steel grades (AHSS) in different kinds of industry is connected to more than their attractive mechanical properties. The...
The application of advanced high-strength steel grades (AHSS) in different kinds of industry is connected to more than their attractive mechanical properties. The present paper focuses on improving the welding Docol 1300M steel to reach an acceptable microstructure and mechanical parameters. It was decided to manufacture joints with different welding parameters using different filler materials. The electrode wires were varied to increase the carbon content in the weld, and nitrogen was added to the argon shielding mixture to obtain non-metallic inclusions that strengthen the fusion zone. Specimens of joints welded with the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process for non-destructive and destructive tests were examined. Tensile and bending tests as well as microscopic inspections using a light (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were also conducted. The results from the fatigue test confirmed the validity of the proposed welding process for the Docol 1300M joint. The collected data enabled the following conclusion: The article's novelty is represented by the use of shielding gas mixtures containing argon and nitrogen in the GMAW welding process of AHSS steel to create titanium non-metallic inclusions, which will translate into better performance properties of the entire joint.
PubMed: 38930303
DOI: 10.3390/ma17122934 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024This paper aims to reveal the interaction relationship between microcracks and macrocracks and the influence of the interaction on the crack propagation behavior. A...
This paper aims to reveal the interaction relationship between microcracks and macrocracks and the influence of the interaction on the crack propagation behavior. A theoretical model of asphalt concrete was established for the interaction between microcracks with different crack densities and a macrocrack. And a meso-structure model of AC-13 dense-graded asphalt concrete was established by combining the Talyor medium method and the DEM (discrete element method). Macro and micro parameters, such as the stress-strain characteristics, crack evolution parameters, and crack tip stress field, were obtained through a semi-circular bend virtual test and used to study the characteristics of crack propagation under the interaction between microcracks and the macrocrack. The results indicate that the interaction has an effect throughout the process of asphalt concrete damage, and shows shielding and acceleration effects as the microcrack density changes. When the microcrack density is low ( ≤ 0.8), the crack propagation process, which is affected by the interaction effect, exhibits significant differences, and the interaction effect shows the shielding effect. When the microcrack density is high ( > 0.8), the fracture stage is mainly affected by the interaction effect, which shows the acceleration effect. The results provide a predictive theoretical and numerical model for low-temperature cracking of asphalt pavement, and theoretical support for the design, maintenance, and upkeep of long-life pavement.
PubMed: 38930246
DOI: 10.3390/ma17122877