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The current research investigation aims to use and compare three different population-based optimization approaches to optimize the operating factors of drilling process to reduce thrust force (TF) and subsequently delamination in flax/PP laminates. Five different tool point geometries and three levels of spindle speed (SS) and feed rate (FR) were considered. Analysis of variance indicated that drill point geometry was most significant parameter affecting the TF, whereas SS had the most negligible impact. Moreover, the lowest and maximum TF and delamination factor (DF) were recorded for the U-shape drill bit and 135°- point angle twist drill bit, respectively. The outcome of the experimental investigation revealed that a low FR value (0.05 mm/rev) and medium-range SS value (1500–1800 RPM) were optimum parameters for each drill geometry. Although all optimization techniques provided almost the same optimum values, but TLBO (teaching learning-based optimization) technique's convergence rate was fast compared to others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects a wide range of populations and is the primary cause of death in various countries. The treatment of AD is still restricted to oral conventional medicines that act only superficially. Fabrication of intranasal solid lipid nanoparticulate system for the uptake of therapeutic agents will act as a convincing approach with limited off-site toxicity and increased pharmacological activity. The objective of this study was to formulate, optimize, and evaluate the efficiency of rivastigmine tartrate (RT)-loaded intranasal solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) employing the solvent-evaporation diffusion method. To optimize the formulation parameters, the central composite design (CCD) was used. Lipid concentration (X1) and surfactant concentration (X2) were considered to be independent variables, while particle size (Y1), percentage entrapment efficiency (Y2), and percentage drug release (Y3) were considered as responses. The solid lipid was glyceryl monostearate, while the surfactant was polysorbate 80. The optimized formulation has a particle size of 110.2 nm, % entrapment efficiency of 82.56%, and % drug release of 94.86%. The incompatibility of drug excipients was established by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Nasal histopathology tests on sheep mucosa revealed that the developed SLNs were safe to utilize for intranasal delivery with no toxicity. Ex vivo permeation investigations revealed that the flux and diffusion coefficients for RT solid lipid nanoparticles and RT solution were 3.378 g/cm² /h and 0.310-3 cm² /h, respectively. Stability studies demonstrated that the developed SLNs were stable when stored under various storage conditions. The viability and vitality of adopting a lipid particle delivery system for improved bioavailability via the intranasal route were also established in the in vivo pharmacokinetic investigations. According to the histopathological and pharmacokinetic investigations, the developed formulations were safe, non-lethal, efficient, and robust. These results suggest the potentiality provided by rivastigmine tartrate-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for nasal delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable composites are presently employed in applications where structural demands are minimal. Basalt fiber reinforced PLA (BFPLA) and polybutylene succinate (BFPBS) composites, incorporates bio-based materials, offer the potential to reduce non-renewable resource consumption and improve end-of-life disposal practices. Given the significance of thermal aging in semi-structural applications and the necessity for open holes (notches) for installation and assembly, little is known about how thermal cycling (TC) affects the open-hole strength of sustainable composites. This experimental work establishes a quantitative relationship between open-hole strength and TC, taking into account varying abrasive waterjet pressures, and explores the impacts of thermal aging on the notch sensitivity, thermal, mechanical, and physical properties. BFPBS displayed better unnotched tensile strength and notched strength than prethermal BFPLA specimens after they have been subjected to 100 TC ranging from -20 to 55°C. Thermal aging significantly influenced notch sensitivity, emphasizing its consideration in evaluating notch performance. This research provides a significant contribution to our current understanding of the effects of thermal aging on sustainable composites, enabling their informed application in a variety of industries and the results highlight their promising potential, in particular BFPBS, as strong alternative for medium load applications. Highlights • Evaluated thermal aging effects on basalt fiber (BF) composites, revealing improved properties in BF/PBS composites after thermal cycles. • Established quantitative link between mechanical behavior and thermal cycling using varying waterjet pressure values. • Basalt fibers enhanced crystallinity and thermal stability of PLA and PBS polymers, showing promise for sustainable composites. • Notch sensitivity impacted by thermal aging, underlining the importance of considering these effects in notch performance evaluation. • BF/PBS composites demonstrated potential as robust alternatives for indoor products and sports equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Popularly, teletherapy (telecobalt/LA) equipment is based on a C-arm gantry system. Recently, a fast O-ring gantry system introduced a medical linear accelerator (LA) to smoothen the workflow of treatment of cancer patients because of the increasing trend of the number of cancer cases over the past few years. This study aimed to analyze the commissioning parameters and validation of the O-ring gantrybased LA for improved radiotherapy techniques. Material and Methods: Three-dimensional (3D) radiation field analyzer (RFA) used to commission Halcyon™ LA. It is used for measuring percent depth dose (PDD), profiles, and output factors. Results: TPS data was validated by comparing it with our measured data. Plans per the TG-119 protocol showed good agreement between treatment planning systems (TPS) calculated and measured doses. For patient-specific, QA plans showed good agreement with gamma evaluation criteria. Conclusion: Commissioning and validation of O-ring gantry system Halcyon™ LA was performed successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]