The stress stability of olanzapine: studies of interactions with excipients in solid state pharmaceutical formulations

Stress stability testing represents an important part of the drug development process. It is used as an important tool for the identification of degradation products and degradation pathways, as well as for the assessment of changes in physical form of drug molecules. The impact of excipients on the stability of olanzapine confirms that levels of impurities and degradants are limiting parameters and are therefore used for stability evaluation. The major degradation product of olanzapine was identified as 2-methyl-5,10-dihydro-4H-thieno[2,3-b][1,5]benzodiazepine-4-one (III). The structure of III was determined by using LC-MS, IR and NMR. Compatibility and stress stability results demonstrated that tablet formulations of olanzapine are sensitive to temperature and moisture. In samples protected from moisture, the increase in concentration of III was shown to be highly temperature dependent and the degradation followed zero-order kinetics. In addition, studies of olanzapine with excipients and in formulated tablets revealed polymorphic phase changes in some samples, influenced by a combination of stress temperature and humidity conditions. Polymorphic transitions were monitored using x-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analysis and exhibited no correlation between the phase change (appearance of a new polymorph) and the degradation process.     

Contribution to the decoupled control of large-scale mechanical systems

This paper presents the concept of decomposition as applied to the control synthesis of multivariable mechanical systems, in which the coupling among the subsystems can be very strong. The system class considered contains subsystems with powered degrees of freedom, as well as subsystems without their own actuators. Global control is introduced to diminish the influence of coupling on the stability of the whole system. The procedure is illustrated by simulation of two examples, one in robotics, the other in biomechanics.     

Survey of Intelligent Control Techniques for Humanoid Robots

This paper focusses on the application of intelligent control techniques (neural networks, fuzzy logic and genetic algorithms) and their hybrid forms (neuro-fuzzy networks, neuro-genetic and fuzzy-genetic algorithms) in the area of humanoid robotic systems. It represents an attempt to cover the basic principles and concepts of intelligent control in humanoid robotics, with an outline of a number of recent algorithms used in advanced control of humanoid robots. Overall, this survey covers a broad selection of examples that will serve to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of the application of intelligent control techniques.     

A novel SON2‐based similarity index and its application for the rationalization of river water quality monitoring network

In this paper, a novel self‐organizing network (SON) based similarity index and its application for the optimization of sampling locations in an existing river water quality monitoring network (WQMN) is presented. A rationalization of the River Danube WQMN on its stretch through Serbia was performed using the proposed SON²‐based similarity index. A high‐dimensional dataset was used, which is composed of 18 water quality parameters that were collected during the period 2002–2010 at 17 monitoring locations. The SON‐based seasonal classification that divides 12 months into the cold, moderate, and warm seasons was employed, whereas its second application on each seasonal class yielded subclasses that were used to compare the monitoring locations. The obtained SON²‐based similarity index can be utilized for analysing seasonal variations, as well as overall similarities among neighbouring sites. Based on the calculated similarities of locations and characteristics of the River Danube basin a rationalized WQMN, which uses 30% less monitoring sites, has been proposed.     

An electromagnetism metaheuristic for solving the Maximum Betweenness Problem

In this paper we present an electromagnetism (EM) metaheuristic for solving NP hard Maximum Betweenness Problem (MBP). A new encoding scheme with appropriate objective functions is implemented. Specific representation of the individuals enables the EM operators to explore the searching space in a way that achieves high quality solutions. An effective 1-swap based local search procedure improved by the specific caching technique is performed on each EM point. The algorithm is tested both on real and artificial instances from the literature. Experimental results show that the proposed EM approach achieves all previously known optimal solutions, except one, and achieves the best-known solutions or outperforms other approaches on all large-scale instances, except two. Provided statistical analysis indicates that the EM approach is significantly better than other approaches.     

Nelson Goodman’s Arguments Against Perspective: A Geometrical Analysis

Nelson Goodman’s highly influential book Languages of Art argued that that all visual experience is merely a cultural construct. In presenting his thesis Goodman relied on a series of geometrical arguments intended to show that the geometrical construction of perspective does not rely on the geometry of light rays. In this article I analyze the geometrical validity of Goodman’s arguments.     

Modelling of V–Hz and vector controlled ASDs in PSCAD/EMTDC for voltage sag studies

This paper deals with modelling and performance of adjustable speed drives (ASDs) subjected to voltage disturbances in electric supply. The aim of this study was to develop appropriate models of typical ASD and investigate their sensitivity to voltage disturbances under various practical modes of operation and control. Accordingly, scalar controlled open and closed loop volts–hertz (V–Hz) and vector controlled closed loop ASDs are modelled in PSCAD/EMTDC environment, and their performance in the presence of voltage disturbances is investigated under typical operating and loading conditions.     

Parenting at risk: New perspectives, new approaches.

In this lead paper for this special section, we advance the perspective that new insights into parenting at risk can be gained by focusing on the dynamic emotional processes that occur during parent–child exchanges, with special emphasis on parental emotions as experienced and their regulation of emotion and underlying cognitions, as well as the role of developmentally rooted cognitions in shaping these associations. We discuss the very few but germinal studies that embody this perspective and introduce work in this section that examines emotion dynamics during parenting in real time. We believe this perspective will move us beyond static conceptualizations of parenting at risk, broadens our understanding of parenting as a process, and accelerates our ability to identify the essential targets of intervention when parenting is at risk. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)