Pharmacokinetics of human chorionic gonadotropin after i.m. administration in goats (Capra hircus)

The present investigation addresses the pharmacokinetics of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), intramuscularly (i.m.) administered to goats. Nine pluriparous does of the Boer goat breed, 2-6 years of age and weighing 45-60 kg, were administered 500 IU hCG (2 ml Chorulon) deep into the thigh musculature 18 h after superovulatory FSH treatment. Blood samples were drawn from the jugular vein at 2 h intervals for the first 24h, at 6 h intervals until 42 h, and at 12 h intervals until 114 h after administration. After centrifugation, plasma hCG concentrations were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Pharmacokinetical parameters were as follows: lag time, 0.4 (s.e.m. 0.1) h; absorption rate constant, 0.34 (s.e.m. 0.002) h; absorption half-life, 2.7 (s.e.m. 0.5) h; elimination rate constant, 0.02 (s.e.m. 0.002) h; biological half-life, 39.4 (s.e.m. 5.1) h; and apparent volume of distribution, 16.9 (s.e.m. 4.3) l. The plasma hCG profile was characterized by an absorption phase of 11.6 (s.e.m. 1.8) h and an elimination phase of 70.0 (s.e.m. 9.8) h, with considerable individual variation in bioavailability and pharmacokinetical parameters. Biological half-life was negatively correlated (P<0.05) with peak concentration (r=-0.76), absorption rate constant (r=-0.78), and elimination rate constant (r=-0.87). The results indicate that after rapid absorption, hCG remains in the circulation for an extended period. This has to be taken into account when assessing the stimulatory response to hCG treatment on an ovarian level.     

A fully integrated 2.4 GHz CMOS high power amplifier using parallel class A&B power amplifier and power-combining transformer for WiMAX application

A new structure integrated power amplifier with watt-level output power is presented in a standard 0.18 μm CMOS process for WiMAX applications. A parallel cascode class A&B power amplifier with optimized widths is proposed to increase linearity and efficiency simultaneously. A novel interleaved PCT power combiner is proposed for increasing output power that combines output current of two similar class A&B power amplifiers. Proposed interleaved transformer heightens coupling factor compared to typical transformer.     

Effect of spatial variation of thermal conductivity on non-fourier heat conduction in a finite slab

The non-Fourier heat conduction problem in a finite slab is studied analytically. Dependence of thermal conductivity on space has been considered. The Laplace transform method is used to remove the time-dependent terms in the governing equation and the boundary conditions. The hyperbolic heat conduction (HHC) equation has been solved by employing trial solution method and collocation optimization criterion. Results show that the space-dependent thermal conductivity strongly affects the temperature distribution. A temperature peak on the insulated wall of the slab has been observed due to linear variation of thermal conductivity. It has been shown that the magnitude of the temperature peak increases with increasing the dimensionless relaxation time. To validate the approach, the results have been compared with the analytical solution obtained for a special case which shows a good agreement.     

Inverse problem of fracture mechanics for a circular disc under mixed boundary conditions

Solution method for the problem of prevention of early brittle fracture of a circular disc with mixed boundary conditions was proposed. Theoretical analysis on determination of normal displacement of points on the boundary of a circular disc weakened by arbitrarily allocated rectilinear cracks was carried out. A closed system of algebraic equations permitting to provide minimization of fracture parameters (stress intensity factors) subject to geometrical and mechanical characteristics of a disc was constructed. Minimization of the stress intensity factors in a circular disc was carried out. They found normal displacement of points on the boundary of the circular disc increases carrying capacity of the disc.     

A novel numerical modeling paradigm for bio particle tracing in non-inertial microfluidics devices

Microsystem Technologies - In this work, we report on the design and implementation of a new method for the two dimensional (2D) simulation of rigid spherical particles trajectory which are to be...     

The Effects of Heat Treatment on the Corrosion Behavior of HVOF-sprayed WC-17 wt % Co Coatings

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - A WC-17 wt % Co coating was deposited onto a ST37 mild steel substrate by HVOF-spray technique and then vacuum heat treated at 1100°C....     

Sprouting detection at early stages in individual CWAD and CWRS wheat kernels using SWIR spectroscopy

Reflectance spectra (1,250–2,390 nm) of two classes of western Canadian wheat (CWAD and CWRS) were studied to detect sprouting damage in individual kernels at the early stages of germination. Alpha-amylase activity levels were used as an indicator for the sprouting stage. Partial least squared discriminant analysis (PLSDA) and Logistic regression methods were used to build classification models. The optimal threshold α-amylase activity value for the separation of sprout damage classes was determined according to the area under the ROC curves. The results show that both PLSDA and logistic regression could distinguish kernels with an α-amylase activity larger than 1 SKB unit of activity from those with less enzyme activity. A total classification accuracy of over 91 and 86% was obtained for CWRS and CWAD, respectively.     

New Trends in the Microencapsulation of Functional Fatty Acid‐Rich Oils Using Transglutaminase Catalyzed Crosslinking

Preparing stable protein‐based microcapsules containing functional fatty acids and oils for food applications has been a big challenge. However, recent advances with transglutaminase (TGase) enzyme as an effective protein cross‐linker could provide workable solutions for the encapsulation of omega‐3 and omega‐6 fatty acids without compromising their targeted release and their biological and physicochemical characteristics. The recent and available literature related to the microencapsulation techniques, physical and oxidative properties, and core retention and release mechanisms of TGase‐crosslinked microcapsules entrapping edible oils were reviewed. The effects of factors involved in microencapsulation processes, on the efficiency and quality of the produced innovative microcapsules were also discussed and highlighted. A brief focus has been finally addressed to new insights and additional knowledge on micro‐ and nanoencapsulation of lipophilic food‐grade ingredients by TGase‐induced gelation. Two dominant microencapsulation methods for fish, vegetable, and essential oils by TGase‐crosslinking are complex coacervation and emulsion‐based spray drying. The developed spherical particles (<100 μm) with some wrinkles and smooth surfaces showed an excellent encapsulation efficiency and yield. A negligible release rate and a substantial retention level can result for different lipid‐based cores covered by TGase‐crosslinked proteins during the oral digestion and storage. A significant structural, thermal and oxidative stability for edible oils‐loaded microcapsules in the presence of TGase can be also obtained.