scholarly journals The Impact of Solvent Selection: Strategies to Guide the Manufacturing of Liposomes Using Microfluidics

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron Webb ◽  
Swapnil Khadke ◽  
Signe Tandrup Schmidt ◽  
Carla B. Roces ◽  
Neil Forbes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Solvent Polarity ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Lipid Solubility ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Solvent Selection ◽  
Selection Strategies ◽  
Pegylated Lipids ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Influence Of Solvents

The aim of this work was to assess the impact of solvent selection on the microfluidic production of liposomes. To achieve this, liposomes were manufactured using small-scale and bench-scale microfluidics systems using three aqueous miscible solvents (methanol, ethanol or isopropanol, alone or in combination). Liposomes composed of different lipid compositions were manufactured using these different solvents and characterised to investigate the influence of solvents on liposome attributes. Our studies demonstrate that solvent selection is a key consideration during the microfluidics manufacturing process, not only when considering lipid solubility but also with regard to the resultant liposome critical quality attributes. In general, reducing the polarity of the solvent (from methanol to isopropanol) increased the liposome particle size without impacting liposome short-term stability or release characteristics. Furthermore, solvent combinations such as methanol/isopropanol mixtures can be used to modify solvent polarity and the resultant liposome particle size. However, the impact of solvent choice on the liposome product is also influenced by the liposome formulation; liposomes containing charged lipids tended to show more sensitivity to solvent selection and formulations containing increased concentrations of cholesterol or pegylated-lipids were less influenced by the choice of solvent. Indeed, incorporation of 14 wt% or more of pegylated-lipid was shown to negate the impact of solvent selection.

scholarly journals Effects of agricultural credit on wheat productivity of small farms in Sindh, Pakistan

2018 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 592-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abbas Ali Chandio ◽  
Yuansheng Jiang ◽  
Feng Wei ◽  
Xu Guangshun
Keyword(s):  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Small Farms ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Agricultural Credit ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of short-term loan (STL) vs long-term loan (LTL) on wheat productivity of small farms in Sindh, Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach The econometric estimation is based on cross-sectional data collected in 2016 from 18 villages in three districts, i.e. Shikarpur, Sukkur and Shaheed Benazirabad, Sindh, Pakistan. The sample data set consist of 180 wheat farmers. The collected data were analyzed through different econometric techniques like Cobb–Douglas production function and Instrumental variables (two-stage least squares) approach. Findings This study reconfirmed that agricultural credit has a positive and highly significant effect on wheat productivity, while the short-term loan has a stronger effect on wheat productivity than the long-term loan. The reasons behind the phenomenon may be the significantly higher usage of agricultural inputs like seeds of improved variety and fertilizers which can be transformed into the wheat yield in the same year. However, the LTL users have significantly higher investments in land preparation, irrigation and plant protection, which may lead to higher wheat production in the coming years. Research limitations/implications In the present study, only those wheat farmers were considered who obtained agricultural loans from formal financial institutions like Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited and Khushhali Bank. However, in the rural areas of Sindh, Pakistan, a considerable proportion of small-scale farmers take credit from informal financial channels. Therefore future researchers should consider the informal credits as well. Originality/value This is the first paper to examine the effects of agricultural credit on wheat productivity of small farms in Sindh, Pakistan. This paper will be an important addition to the emerging literature regarding effects of credit studies.

scholarly journals A virtual tornadic thunderstorm enabling students to construct knowledge about storm dynamics through data collection and analysis

2006 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 27-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. A. Gallus ◽  
C. Cervato ◽  
C. Cruz-Neira ◽  
G. Faidley
Keyword(s):  
Wind Pressure ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Storm Activity ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Storm Dynamics ◽  
Supercell Thunderstorm ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Scientific Questions ◽  
Better Than

Abstract. A visually realistic tornadic supercell thunderstorm has been constructed in a fully immersive virtual reality environment to allow students to better understand the complex small-scale dynamics present in such a storm through data probing. Less-immersive versions have been created that run on PCs, facilitating broader dissemination. The activity has been tested in introductory meteorology classes over the last four years. An exercise involving the virtual storm was first used by a subset of students from a large introductory meteorology course in spring 2002. Surveys were used at that time to evaluate the impact of this activity as a constructivist learning tool. More recently, data probe capabilities were added to the virtual storm activity enabling students to take measurements of temperature, wind, pressure, relative humidity, and vertical velocity at any point within the 3-D volume of the virtual world, and see the data plotted via a graphical user interface. Similar surveys applied to groups of students in 2003 and 2004 suggest that the addition of data probing improved the understanding of storm-scale features, but the improved understanding may not be statistically significant when evaluated using quizzes reflecting short-term retention. The use of the activity was revised in 2005 to first have students pose scientific questions about these storms and think about a scientific strategy to answer their questions before exploring the storm. Once again, scores on quizzes for students who used the virtual storm activity were slightly better than those of students who were exposed to only a typical lecture, but differences were not statistically significant.

scholarly journals Competing priorities: lessons in engaging students to achieve energy savings in universities

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 1220-1238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Bull ◽  
Joanna Romanowicz ◽  
Neil Jennings ◽  
Marina Laskari ◽  
Graeme Stuart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Saving ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Short Term ◽  
National Union ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Energy Dashboard ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis paper aims to present findings from an EU-funded international student-led energy saving competition (SAVES) on a scale previously unseen. There are multiple accounts of short-term projects and energy saving competitions encouraging pro-environmental behaviour change amongst students in university dormitories, but the purpose of this research is to provide evidence of consistent and sustained energy savings from student-led energy savings competitions, underpinned by practical action.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-methods approach (pre- and post-intervention surveys, focus groups and analysis of energy meter data) was used to determine the level of energy savings and quantifiable behaviour change delivered by students across participating university dormitories.FindingsThis research has provided further insight into the potential for savings and behaviour change in university dormitories through relatively simple actions. Whilst other interventions have shown greater savings, this project provided consistent savings over two years of 7 per cent across a large number of university dormitories in five countries through simple behaviour changes.Research limitations/implicationsAn energy dashboard displaying near a real-time leaderboard was added to the engagement in the second year of the project. Whilst students were optimistic about the role that energy dashboards could play, the evidence is not here to quantify the impact of dashboards. Further research is required to understand the potential of dashboards to contribute to behavioural change savings and in constructing competitions between people and dormitories that are known to each other.Social implicationsSAVES provided engagement with students, enabling, empowering and motivating them to save energy – focusing specifically on the last stage of the “Awareness, Interest, Desire, Action” framework. Automated meter reading data was used in the majority of participating dormitories to run near real-time energy challenges through an energy dashboard that informed students how much energy they saved compared to a target, and encouraged peer-to-peer learning and international cooperation through a virtual twinning scheme.Originality/valueFindings from energy saving competitions in universities are typically from small-scale and short-term interventions. SAVES was an energy-saving competition in university dormitories facilitated by the UK National Union of Students in five countries reaching over 50,000 students over two academic years (incorporating dormitories at 17 universities). As such it provides clear and important evidence of the real-world long-term potential efficiency savings of such interventions.

scholarly journals Comparison of ultraviolet light emitting diodes with traditional UV for greywater disinfection

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Crook ◽  
B. Jefferson ◽  
O. Autin ◽  
J. MacAdam ◽  
A. Nocker
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Ultraviolet Light ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Light Emitting Diodes ◽  
Microbial Inactivation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Uv Leds ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ultraviolet Light Emitting Diodes

The current technological status of ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) has reached a point where small-scale ultraviolet (UV) water disinfection applications, that is, for greywater reuse appear increasingly promising. This study compares the germicidal and economical aspects of UV-LEDs with traditional UV. Pure cultures and environmental greywater samples were exposed to different radiation doses from both UV sources with the germicidal effect comparative at equivalent doses. The impact of particle size on disinfection efficiency was investigated in two greywater fractions of varying mean particle size. Disinfection efficiency was found to be dependent on particle size with larger particles reducing microbial inactivation for both UV sources. Post-UV blending to detach particle-associated coliforms resulted in higher bacterial counts for both UV sources although to a lesser extent for UV-LEDs suggesting that it might be less affected by the presence of particles than traditional UV sources, possibly due to the UV radiation being emitted by multiple diodes at different angles compared to the traditional UV collimated beam setup. Nevertheless, removal of particles prior to UV disinfection is necessary to meet strict water reuse standards. Although UV-LEDs are currently prohibitively expensive, improvements in performance indicators might make this technology economically competitive within the next few years.

scholarly journals Changes in EEG Brain Connectivity Caused by Short-Term BCI Neurofeedback-Rehabilitation Training: A Case Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youhao Wang ◽  
Jingjing Luo ◽  
Yuzhu Guo ◽  
Qiang Du ◽  
Qiying Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Network Analysis ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Rehabilitation Training ◽  
Network Parameters ◽  
Related Potentials ◽  
Line Slope ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

BackgroundIn combined with neurofeedback, Motor Imagery (MI) based Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) has been an effective long-term treatment therapy for motor dysfunction caused by neurological injury in the brain (e.g., post-stroke hemiplegia). However, individual neurological differences have led to variability in the single sessions of rehabilitation training. Research on the impact of short training sessions on brain functioning patterns can help evaluate and standardize the short duration of rehabilitation training. In this paper, we use the electroencephalogram (EEG) signals to explore the brain patterns’ changes after a short-term rehabilitation training.Materials and MethodsUsing an EEG-BCI system, we analyzed the changes in short-term (about 1-h) MI training data with and without visual feedback, respectively. We first examined the EEG signal’s Mu band power’s attenuation caused by Event-Related Desynchronization (ERD). Then we use the EEG’s Event-Related Potentials (ERP) features to construct brain networks and evaluate the training from multiple perspectives: small-scale based on single nodes, medium-scale based on hemispheres, and large-scale based on all-brain.ResultsResults showed no significant difference in the ERD power attenuation estimation in both groups. But the neurofeedback group’s ERP brain network parameters had substantial changes and trend properties compared to the group without feedback. The neurofeedback group’s Mu band power’s attenuation increased but not significantly (fitting line slope = 0.2, t-test value p > 0.05) after the short-term MI training, while the non-feedback group occurred an insignificant decrease (fitting line slope = −0.4, t-test value p > 0.05). In the ERP-based brain network analysis, the neurofeedback group’s network parameters were attenuated in all scales significantly (t-test value: p < 0.01); while the non-feedback group’s most network parameters didn’t change significantly (t-test value: p > 0.05).ConclusionThe MI-BCI training’s short-term effects does not show up in the ERD analysis significantly but can be detected by ERP-based network analysis significantly. Results inspire the efficient evaluation of short-term rehabilitation training and provide a useful reference for subsequent studies.

scholarly journals Experimental Investigation on the Impact Dynamics of Saturated Granular Flows on Rigid Barriers

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-138
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Sanvitale ◽  
Elisabeth Bowman ◽  
Miguel Angel Cabrera
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Impact Load ◽  
Granular Flows ◽  
Normal Pressure ◽  
Impact Behavior ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Rigid Barrier ◽  
Fluid Saturation ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Debris flows involve the high-speed downslope motion of rocks, soil, and water. Their high flow velocity and high potential for impact loading make them one of the most hazardous types of gravitational mass flows. This study focused on the roles of particle size grading and degree of fluid saturation on impact behavior of fluid-saturated granular flows on a model rigid barrier in a small-scale flume. The use of a transparent debris-flow model and plane laser-induced fluorescence allowed the motion of particles and fluid within the medium to be examined and tracked using image processing. In this study, experiments were conducted on flows consisting of two uniform and one well-graded particle size gradings at three different fluid contents. The evolution of the velocity profiles, impact load, bed normal pressure, and fluid pore pressure for the different flows were measured and analyzed in order to gain a quantitative comparison of their behavior before, during, and after impact.

Cost-Effectiveness of Dementia Prevention Interventions

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
I. McRae ◽  
L. Zheng ◽  
S. Bourke ◽  
N. Cherbuin ◽  
K.J. Anstey
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Dementia Prevention ◽  
The Impact

Background: Assessment of cost-effectiveness of interventions to address modifiable risk factors associated with dementia requires estimates of long-term impacts of these interventions which are rarely directly available and must be estimated using a range of assumptions. OBJECTIVES: To test the cost-effectiveness of dementia prevention measures using a methodology which transparently addresses the many assumptions required to use data from short-term studies, and which readily incorporates sensitivity analyses. DESIGN: We explore an approach to estimating cost-effective prices which uses aggregate data including estimated lifetime costs of dementia, both financial and quality of life, and incorporates a range of assumptions regarding sustainability of short- term gains and other parameters. SETTING: The approach is addressed in the context of the theoretical reduction in a range of risk factors, and in the context of a specific small-scale trial of an internet-based intervention augmented with diet and physical activity consultations. MEASUREMENTS: The principal outcomes were prices per unit of interventions at which interventions were cost-effective or cost-saving. RESULTS: Taking a societal perspective, a notional intervention reducing a range of dementia risk-factors by 5% was cost-effective at $A460 per person with higher risk groups at $2,148 per person. The on-line program costing $825 per person was cost-effective at $1,850 per person even if program effect diminished by 75% over time. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to address risk factors for dementia are likely to be cost-effective if appropriately designed, but confirmation of this conclusion requires longer term follow-up of trials to measure the impact and sustainability of short-term gains.

scholarly journals Blockchain Use Cases Revisited: Micro-Lending Solutions for Retail Banking and Financial Inclusion

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Christian Hugo Hoffmann
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Retail Banking ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Smart Contracts ◽  
Short Term ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
The Impact

Abstract While blockchain technology is commonly considered potentially disruptive in various regards, there is a lack of understanding where and how blockchain technology is effectively applicable and where it has remarkable practical effects[1]. Against this background, we present and discuss a case study at length on the impact of this technology in the concrete setting of small short-term loans in retail banking. We propose to banks a robust and scalable blockchain technology with proof of stake and limited energy consumption used to streamline their processes, resulting in lower transaction and administration costs. This is made possible by smart contracts. Thereby, we facilitate small scale lending at high frequencies and short-term duration as well as an easier and more efficient way to connect small borrowers and lenders.

scholarly journals Influence of External Parameters on the Dynamic Behavior of Resource-economic-pollution System

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Jiuli Yin ◽  
Jing Huang ◽  
Xinghua Fan
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Dynamic Behavior ◽  
Large Population ◽  
State Regulation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Actual System ◽  
Long Run ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Green Lifestyle

This paper discusses a new type of selective-constrained resource-economic-pollution (REP) system. Based on the nonlinear dynamics theory, the dynamic behavior of the new system is discussed. The genetic algorithm is used to identify the quantitative coefficients of the actual system.This paper further analyses the impact of state regulation, economic marketization management and green lifestyle on economic growth. Taking the actual situation into consideration in China, the empirical research is carried out by adjusting the parameters of the actual system. The dynamic evolution of real economic growth is observed which predicts future trends more realistically. The research shows that the introduction of state regulation into the REP system can promote economic growth quickly at a small rate in the short term. However, state regulation has little effect on economic growth in the long run. The impact of economic marketization management on the economy is moderate. A short-term, small-scale green lifestyle has little impact on system and economic growth because of China’s large population base.

The impact of particle size on the rate and extent of in vitro fermentation investigated using the Reading Pressure Technique

2000 ◽  
Vol 2000 ◽  
pp. 61-61
Author(s):  
F.L. Mould ◽  
D. Colombatto ◽  
E. Owen
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Pore Size ◽  
Residence Time ◽  
Fine Particles ◽  
Short Term ◽  
In Vitro Fermentation ◽  
Evaluation Systems ◽  
The Impact

The extent of rumen degradability of a feedstuff depends on the interaction between rate of degradation and residence time. In situ techniques require that substrates are ground to obtain a homogenous sample and to reduce result variability. However undegraded feed particle losses increase with bag pore size and fineness of grinding. If these particles are degraded at a similar or lower rate than the retained material, degradability, especially for short-term incubations, will be overestimated. In contrast if the feed particles lost are more readily degraded the degradability measurements obtained will be unaffected. Where improvements due to grinding have been recorded in situ these are assumed to result from variations in the proportion of fine particles that are immediately soluble or rapidly degradable. Gas-based in vitro feed evaluation systems offer the possibility of quantifying this effect directly and a study was therefore conducted to investigate the impact of particle size on the rate and extent of fermentation using the Reading Pressure Technique (Mauricio et al., 1999).

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