Response of segmental vitiligo to 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream

New antifungals for oral therapy have improved the chances of healing onychomycoses. Nevertheless, in daily practice the failure rate is 20-30% both with itraconazole and terbinafine. In our investigations for the fungicidal effects of terbinafine, we could show that the same strain of Trichophyton rubrum or T. mentagrophytes in the rest period needs 1000 times higher concentration of terbinafine (2.0 to 0.002 microgram/ml) for complete fungal killing as in the growth phase. Thus resting fungi in the nail are not harmed, and if the concentration of terbinafine is lower than the MIC for the fungi, they can cause a relapse. Itraconazole is a fungistatic agent. Its concentration in the nail plate must be higher than the MIC for the causative fungi for a long time-10 to 12 months. The usual short-term treatment of onychomycosis over 3 months can be insufficient in individual cases such as patients with disorders, e.g. circulatory disorders or slowed nail growth.     

Significant thermal energy reduction in lactic acid production process

Lactic acid is widely used as a raw material for the production of biodegradable polymers and in food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The global market for lactic acid is expected to reach 259 thousand metric tons by the year 2012. For batch production of lactic acid, the traditional process includes the following steps: (i) esterification of impure lactic acid with methanol in a batch reactor to obtain methyl lactate (ester), (ii) separation of the ester in a batch distillation, (iii) hydrolysis of the ester with water in a batch reactor to produce lactic acid and (iv) separation of lactic acid (in high purity) in a batch distillation. Batch reactive distillation combines the benefit of both batch reactor and batch distillation and enhances conversion and productivity (Taylor and Krishna, 2000 [1]; Mujtaba and Macchietto, 1997 [2]). Therefore, the first and the last two steps of the lactic acid production process can be combined together in batch reactive distillation (Fig. 1) processes. However, distillation (batch or continuous) is an energy intensive process and consumes large amount of thermal energy (via steam). This paper highlights how significant (over 50%) reduction in thermal energy consumption can be achieved for lactic acid production process by carefully controlling the reflux ratio but without compromising the product specification. In this paper, only the simultaneous hydrolysis of methyl lactate ester and the separation of lactic acid using batch reactive distillation is considered.     

“I Fall Asleep in Class … But Physics Is Fascinating”: The Use of Large-Scale Longitudinal Data to Explore the Educational Experiences of Aspiring Girls in Mathematics and Physics

This article explores how students' aspirations to study mathematics or physics in post-16 education are associated with their perceptions of their education, their motivations, and the support they feel they received. The analysis is based on the responses of around 10,000 students in England in Year 8 (age 12–13) and then in Year 10 (age 14–15). The students were first surveyed during 2008–2009 and then followed up in 2010–2011. t-tests revealed a decline in their perceptions of their mathematics and physics education. Factor analyses indicated subject-specific constructs that were associated with gender aspiration groups (i.e., high-aspiring girls, high-aspiring boys, low-aspiring girls, low-aspiring boys). High-aspiring girls were more likely than low-aspiring boys to be positive about mathematics/physics education, motivation in these subjects, and support received. However, high-aspiring girls were less likely than high-aspiring boys to be encouraged by their teachers and families to continue with these subjects post-16 and had lower self-concepts, intrinsic valuations, and perceptions of lessons. Low-aspiring girls reported the least favorable views of their mathematics/physics education of all four gender aspiration groups. Findings were generally similar for mathematics and physics, although students overall responded more favorably to mathematics than to physics. The quantitative findings are illustrated with extracts from longitudinal interviews (ages 15, 16, and 17) of two high-aspiring girls.     

Universal Source-Template Route to Metal Selenides Implanting on 3D Carbon Nanoarchitecture: Cu2−xSe@3D-CN with Se?C Bonding for Advanced Na Storage

The development of high-performance sodium ion batteries (SIBs) is heavily relied on the exploration of the appropriate electrode material for Na⁺ storage, which ought to feature merits of high capacity, easy-to-handle synthesis, high conductivity, expedite mass transportation, and stable structure upon charging–discharging cycle. Herein, a universal source-template method is reported to synthesize a variety of transition metal (e.g., V, Sb, W, Zn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) selenides implanting on N doped 3D carbon nanoarchitecture hybrids (M_mSe_n@3D-CN) with powerful Se C bonding rivet. Benefiting from the superior architecture and potent Se C bonding between Cu_2−xSe and N-doped 3D carbon (3D-CN), the Cu_2−xSe@3D-CN nanohybrids, as anode of SIBs, show high capacity, high-rate capability, and long-cycle durability, which can deliver a reversible capacity of as high as 386 mAh g⁻¹, retain 219 mAh g⁻¹ even at 10 A g⁻¹, and run durably over thousands of charging–discharging cycles. The Cu_2−xSe@3D-CN as anode is also evaluated by developing a full SIB by coupling with the Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ cathode, which can deliver high energy density and show excellent stability, shedding light on its potential in practical application.     

Correction to: Deep learning approaches for speech emotion recognition: state of the art and research challenges

Multimedia Tools and Applications -     

Statistical optimization and characterization of pH-independent extended-release drug delivery of cefpodoxime proxetil using Box–Behnken design

The aim of this study was to develop and optimize the pH-independent extended-release (ER) formulations of cefpodoxime proxetil (CP) using response surface methodology by employing a 3-factor, 3-level Box–Behnken statistical design. The independent variables studied were the amount of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC K4M), sodium alginate (SA) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The drug release percent at 2, 4, 8, 14 and 24 h were the target responses and were restricted to 15–30, 35–55, 55–75, 75–90 and 90–110%, respectively. The response surface methodology and multiple response optimizations utilizing a polynomial equation were used to search for the optimal formulation with a specific release rate at different time intervals. The results showed that the effect of combination of HPMC K4M and SA was the most influencing factor on the drug release from ER matrix tablets. The mechanism of drug release from ER tablets was dependent on the added amount of SA. Validation of the optimization technique demonstrated the reliability of the model. The optimized formulation containing 25% HPMC, 15.14% SA, and 20.14% MCC was prepared according to the software determined levels. DSC and FTIR studies combined with the stability study of the optimized formulation proved the integrity of the developed formulation. The Box–Behnken experimental design facilitated the formulation and optimization of extended release hydrophilic matrix systems of CP in a short period of time and with the fewest number of experiments.     

Formation of porous α-alumina from ammonium aluminum carbonate hydroxide whiskers

Ammonium aluminum carbonate hydroxide (AACH) whiskers prepared by hydrothermal technique were employed as precursor material for development of porous alumina. After compaction of AACH whiskers at 8 bars, calcination was performed at 650?°C followed by sintering at different temperatures. The sintered samples were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM and mercury intrusion porosimetry. Mechanical strength was determined by compression testing. At sintering temperatures of 1200?°C to 1400?°C, the % age porosity was around 80%. At 1500?°C, the percentage porosity decreased to 71%. The as-prepared AACH consisted of bundles of whiskers with diameters as thick as 0.7?µm, while an individual whisker had a diameter of about 100?nm with an aspect ratio of about 33. A two-phase mixture consisting of θ- and α-alumina was obtained at 1100?°C, while at 1200?°C and above, single phase α-alumina was formed. θ-alumina retained the bundle-like morphology. However, transformation to α-alumina was accompanied by formation of bead-like morphology. These beads were joined together through necks/stems within the whiskers as well as across the parallel-lying whiskers. These necks grew at 1300?°C to form aggregates with smooth surfaces. At 1400?°C, these aggregates started joining with each other by neck formation and at 1500?°C, a three-dimensional network was formed. For sintering temperatures of up to 1400?°C, pores with sizes around 260?nm were very stable. At 1500?°C, significant pore growth took place along with an overall densification. Therefore, number of pores with sizes of around 260?nm decreased and those with sizes around 10?µm, 1?µm and 5?nm increased. The compression strength of samples sintered at 1100?°C to 1300?°C was in the range of 3.4–4.3?MPa. At 1400?°C, the strength increased to 5.2?MPa, while at 1500?°C, it jumped to 10.8?MPa due to the formation of three-dimensional network.     

Model predictive control of an industrial pyrolysis gasoline hydrogenation reactor

This study focuses on the implementation of a nonlinear model predictive control (MPC) algorithm for controlling an industrial fixed-bed reactor where hydrogenations of raw pyrolysis gasoline occur. An orthogonal collocation method is employed to approximate the original reactor model consisting of a set of partial differential equations. The approximate model obtained is used in the synthesis of a MPC controller to control the temperature rising across a catalyst bed within the reactor. In the MPC algorithm, a sequential optimization approach is used to solve an open-loop optimal control problem. Feedback information is incorporated in the MPC to compensate for modeling error and unmeasured disturbances. The control studies are demonstrated in cases of set point tracking and disturbance rejection.