This work aimed to develop amphiphilic nanocarriers such as polymersome based diblock copolymer of Kollicoat ® IR -block-poly(ε-caprolactone) (Kollicoat ® IR-b-PCL) for potential co-delivery of Nisin (Ni) and Curcumin (CUR) for treatment of breast cancer. To generate multi-layered nanocarriers of uniform size and morphology, microfluidics was used as a new technology. In order to characterise and optimize polymersome, design of experiments (Design-Expert) software with three levels full factorial design (3-FFD) method was used. Finally, the optimized polymersome was produced with a spherical morphology, small particle size (dH < 200 nm), uniform size distribution (PDI < 0.2), and high drug loading efficiency (Ni 78 % and CUR 93 %). Furthermore, the maximum release of Ni and CUR was found to be roughly 60 % and 80 % in PBS, respectively. Cytotoxicity assays showed a slight cytotoxicity of Ni and CUR -loaded polymersome (N- Ni /CUR) towards normal cells while demonstrating inhibitory activity against cancer cells compared to the free drugs. Also, the apoptosis assays and cellular uptake confirmed the obtained results from cytotoxic analysis. In general, this study demonstrated a microfluidic approach for preparation and optimization of polymersome for co-delivery of two drugs into cancer cells.

Loratadine (LoR) is a highly lipophilic and practically insoluble in water, hence having a low oral bioavailability. As it is formulated as topical gel, it competitively binds with the receptors, thus reducing the side-effects. The objective of this study was to prepare LoR loaded nanosponge (LoR-NS) in gel for topical delivery. Nine different formulations of emulsion were prepared by solvent evaporation method with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), ethyl cellulose (EC), and dichloromethane (DCM). Based on 32 Full Factorial Design (FFD), optimization was carried out by varying the concentration of LOR:EC ratio and stirring rate. The preparations were subjected for the evaluation of particle size (PS), in vitro release, zeta potential (ZP) and entrapment efficiency (EE). The results revealed that the NS dispersion was nanosized with sustained release profiles and significant PS. The optimised formulation was formulated and incorporated into carbopol 934P hydrogel. The formulation was then examined to surface morphological characterizations using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) which depicted spherical NS. Stability studies, undertaken for 2 months at 40 ± 2 °C/75 ± 5% RH, concluded to the stability of the formulation. The formulation did not cause skin irritation. Therefore, the prepared NS hydrogel proved to be a promising applicant for LoR as a novel drug delivery system (NDDS) for safe, sustained and controlled topical application.

With the increasing demand for lighter, more environmentally friendly, and affordable solutions in the mobility sector, designers and engineers are actively promoting the use of innovative integral dissimilar structures. In this field, friction stir-based technologies offer unique advantages compared with conventional joining technologies, such as mechanical fastening and adhesive bonding, which recently demonstrated promising results. In this study, an aluminum alloy and a glass fiber-reinforced polymer were friction stir joined in an overlap configuration. To assess the main effects, interactions, and influence of processing parameters on the mechanical strength and processing temperature of the fabricated joints, a full factorial design study with three factors and two levels was carried out. The design of experiments resulted in statistical models with excellent fit to the experimental data, enabling a thorough understanding of the influence of rotational speed, travel speed, and tool tilt angle on dissimilar metal-to-polymer friction stir composite joints. The mechanical strength of the composite joints ranged from 1708.1 ± 45.5 N to 3414.2 ± 317.1, while the processing temperature was between 203.6 ± 10.7 °C and 251.5 ± 9.7.

Advancement in technology demands the joining of heterogeneous metals of low and high-carbon steel grades. In this investigation, AISI1018 low and AIS4340 medium carbon steels were welded to form a heterogeneous thin metal joint using the Manual Metal Arc Welding (MMAW) method. Experimental variations of welding current, electrode position, and weld orientation are selected as the MMAW parameters. The trials are planned using the Full Factorial Design (FFD) and the trial results are analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and regression methods. A computerized tensile testing machine (TM2101N) was used to test the tensile strength of the welded specimens that were prepared in accordance with the ASTM E646 - 98 standards. The prediction model for tensile strength was generated based on regression analysis. The ANOVA and prediction model helped in studying the effect of the MMAW parameters.

Flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGD gypsum) is obtained from the desulphurization of combustion gases in fossil fuel power plants. FGD gypsum can be used to produce anhydrite binder. This research is devoted to the investigation of the influence of the calcination temperature of FGD gypsum, the activators K2SO4 and Na2SO4, and their amount on the compressive strength of anhydrite binder during hydration. The obtained results showed that as the calcination temperature increased, the compressive strength of anhydrite binder decreased at its early age (up to 3 days) and increased after 28 days. The compressive strength of the anhydrite binder produced at 800 °C and 500 °C differed more than five times after 28 days. The activators K2SO4 and Na2SO4 had a large effect on the hydration of anhydrite binder at its early age (up to 3 days) in comparison with the anhydrite binder without activators. The presence of the activators of either K2SO4 or K2SO4 almost had no influence on the compressive strength after 28 days. To determine which factor, the calcination temperature of FGD gypsum (500-800 °C), the hydration time (3-28 days) or the amount (0-2%) of the activators K2SO4 and Na2SO4, has the greatest influence on the compressive strength, a 23 full factorial design was applied. Multiple linear regression was used to develop a mathematical model and predict the compressive strength of the anhydrite binder. The statistical analysis showed that the hydration time had the strongest impact on the compressive strength of the anhydrite binder using activators K2SO4 and Na2SO4. The activator K2SO4 had a greater influence on the compressive strength than the activator Na2SO4. The obtained mathematical model can be used to forecast the compressive strength of the anhydrite binder produced from FGD gypsum if the considered factors are within the same limiting values as in the suggested model since the coefficient of determination (R2) was close to 1, and the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was less than 10%.

This study aimed at estimating cultivation conditions to enable Yarrowia lipolytica NNRL Y-1095 to produce extracellular lipase and at evaluating the influence of magnetic fields (MF) on the lipase production and on its catalytic conditions. Culture conditions of carbon sources and surfactant defined to produce extracellular lipase were 10 g L-1 glucose, 15 g L-1 olive oil and 2 g L-1 Triton X-100. The highest lipase activity (34.8 U mL-1) was reached after 144 h when MFs were applied from 72 to 144 h of culture. It corresponds to an increase of 287.5% by comparison with the highest lipase activity in the control culture. MF application from 72 to 144 h did not change the optimal temperature of lipase, which was 37 °C, by comparison with the control. However, the optimal pH of the control was 7.0 while the one of lipase produced with MF was 8.0. Findings highlighted that the presence of MFs led to increase in synthesis of lipase by Y. lipolytica, with changes in the catalytic profile. This is one of the first studies of MF application to Y. lipolytica NRRL Y-1095 cultures to produce lipase.

The highest exposure of Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC) into the water bodies as a result of extensive production and application of Covid-19 related drugs is a growing concern now a days. Herein, a novel nanocomposite material was developed by impregnating green synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles on the porous surface of fabric waste derived biochar to eliminate the concerned EDCs along with a sustainable disposal strategy for the spent adsorbent. Morphological characterizations by Field emission scanning electron microscopy confirmed the formation of hierarchical porous structured material. X-ray analysis revealed presence of both amorphous nature of biochar matrix as well as the crystalline nature attributed from monodispersion of copper oxide nanoparticles onto biochar surface. Batch sorption study showed removal of doxycycline hydrochloride (DOX) of >97% after 2 h at pH 7, 30 mg L-1 initial concentration of DOX and 2 g L-1 of adsorbent dose at room temperature after a two-step optimization process. Spectroscopic study and Raman shift suggested that pore filling, strong complexation and electrostatic interactions maximise the adsorption of DOX in the CuO/biochar composite as compared to the pristine biochar. However disposal of spent adsorbent is a crucial aspect for the environment and therefore, a sustainable recycling strategy for DOX loaded adsorbent as electrode material has been proposed for the first time in this study. Maximum specific capacitance value was observed in the range of 221.9-297.3 F g-1 for the DOX loaded nanocomposite at 1 mV s-1 comparable with other reported heteroatom-doped carbonaceous material as electrode. Therefore the excellent adsorption capacity of green synthesized CuO/biochar composite and its recycling after DOX adsorption can be recommended as a sustainable solution for mitigation of pharmaceuticals from wastewater. A detail study on degradation of DOX into eco-friendly products and its cost-effectiveness would be beneficial to suggest appropriate mitigation strategy for such compounds.

The present study aimed to screen and optimize lipase production by the Antarctic strain Acinetobacter johnsonii Ant12 for lipid-rich wastewater treatment. Lipase production was successfully enhanced threefold through optimization of culture conditions. The optimum crude lipase activity was observed at 50 °C with high stability in a wide temperature range. The lipase also exhibited high activity and stability in the presence of solvents, metal ions, and surfactants. The crude lipase was used for the treatment of lipid-rich wastewater, which poses a significant challenge, as traditional removal methods are often inefficient or non-eco-friendly. In this study, bioaugmentation with Ant12 resulted in substantial lipid reduction in synthetic as well as real-world wastewater. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that lipid concentration and time were the most significant factors influencing lipid degradation. Bioaugmentation of real-world wastewater with Ant12 cells resulted in 84% removal of lipids in 72 h, while its crude lipase degraded 73.7% of lipids after 24 h. Thus, the specific rate of lipid degradation was higher for crude lipase (0.095/h) than the whole cell treatment (0.031/h). Economic analysis revealed that crude lipase production was much cheaper, faster and more eco-friendly than purified or partially purified lipase production, which justifies its use in wastewater treatment. The high activity of enzyme also implicates its application as a detergent additive. In our knowledge, it is the first study to establish A. johnsonii isolate from Antarctica for lipid-rich wastewater treatment.

In this work, a quantitative sandwich ELISA was optimized, through a full factorial design of experiments (DOE) in successive steps of a preliminary protocol obtained by the method of one factor at a time (OFAT). The specificity of the optimized ELISA, the lower limit of quantification, the quantification range and the analytical sensitivity of the antigen quantification curve were evaluated, in comparison with the curve obtained from the preliminary protocol. The full factorial DOE was linked to a simple statistical processing, which facilitates the interpretation of the results in those laboratories where there is no trained statistician. The step-by-step optimization of the ELISA and the successive incorporation into the protocol of the best combination of factors and levels, allowed obtaining a specific immunoassay, with an analytical sensitivity 20 times greater and with a lower limit of antigen quantification that decreased from 156.25 at 9.766 ng/mL. As far as we know, there are no reports of optimization of an ELISA following the step-by-step scheme used in this work. The optimized ELISA will be used for the quantification of the TT-P0 protein, the active principle of a vaccine candidate against sea lice.

Optimization of reinforced nanocomposites for MEX 3D-printing remain strong industrial claims. Herein, the efficacy of three modeling methods, i.e., full factorial (FFD), Taguchi (TD), and Box-Behnken (BBD), on the performance of MEX 3D printed nanocomposites was investigated, aiming to reduce the experimental effort. Filaments of medical-grade Polyamide 12 (PA12) reinforced with Cellulose NanoFibers (CNF) were evolved. Besides the CNF loading, 3D printing settings such as Nozzle (NT) and Bed (BΤ) Temperatures were optimization goals aiming to maximize the mechanical response. Three parameters and three levels of FFD were compliant with the ASTM-D638 standard (27 runs, five repetitions). An L9 orthogonal TD and a 15 runs BBD were compiled. In FFD, wt.3%CNF, 270 °C NT, and 80 °C BΤ led to 24% higher tensile strength compared to pure PA12. TGA, RAMAN, and SEM analyses interpreted the reinforcement mechanisms. TD and BBD exhibited fair approximations, requiring 7.4% and 11.8% of the FFD experimental effort.