teriparatide (Xinfutai)

Investigating the Performance of Asphalt Modified with Rubber Powder and Surface Organic Layered Double Hydroxides.

Fang Chenze C, Guo Xu X, Chen Yuanzhao Y, Li Zhenxia Z et al.

In order to promote the sustainable development of road engineering, this study used waste tire rubber powder (RP) and surface organic layered double hydroxide (SOM-LDHs) to modify 70# matrix asphalt. The Box-Behnken design response surface method with three factors (rubber powder content, surface organic layered double hydroxide content, shear temperature) and three responses (penetration, ductility, softening point) was used to optimize the preparation parameters. The optimum formula was determined to be 21.7% rubber powder content, 4.8% surface organic layered double hydroxide content, and 160 °C shear temperature. The effect of the modifier on the surface morphology was analyzed using a rotating film oven test and ultraviolet aging test. The high and low temperature rheological properties of asphalt were evaluated by dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), bending beam rheometer (BBR), and the multi-stress creep recovery test (MSCR). The microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The aging mechanism was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The results show that after aging, the complex shear modulus of rubber powder/surface organic layered double hydroxide composite modified asphalt is the highest, which is 27.35% higher than that of matrix asphalt. The rutting factor reaches 79.86 kPa at 46 °C, the phase angle decreases by 11.83% after UV aging, and the high temperature plastic deformation resistance is the best. In the low temperature range of -18 °C to -24 °C, the creep stiffness of the composite modified asphalt is about 30% lower than that of the matrix asphalt, while the m value is increased by about 15%, and the low temperature stress relaxation performance is significantly improved. The strain recovery rate of composite modified asphalt under 3.2 kPa stress reaches 78.5%, and the unrecoverable creep compliance is as low as 0.18 kPa-1, which is better than that of matrix asphalt and single rubber powder modified asphalt.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical content by terahertz spectroscopy and machine learning algorithms.

Wang Xiaoning X, Zhang Chunyi C, Qu Qiuhong Q, Wang Pengfei P

Process analytical technology (PAT) plays an essential role in pharmaceutical manufacturing by enabling effective quality control and improving production efficiency. Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy has attracted considerable attention due to its advantages of high biosafety, distinctive spectral fingerprints, and excellent quantitative performance. However, achieving rapid classification and accurate quantification of pharmaceutical content remains challenging. Therefore, the combination of THz spectroscopy and machine learning algorithms is introduced to address this challenge. Three active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), namely isoniazid, 4-aminobenzoic acid, and diflunisal, were selected, and principal component analysis (PCA) was first employed for dimensionality reduction of the THz spectral data. Subsequently, the prediction accuracy and computational efficiency were optimized using four machine learning algorithms, including support vector regression (SVR), multilayer perceptron (MLP), convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and backpropagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN). Among all models, the PCA-SVR model achieved the best prediction performance, with a coefficient of determination of 0.9990 and a root mean square error of 1.2%. In addition, the prediction time is reduced by up to 90%, which greatly improves the efficiency of data processing. The robustness of the proposed framework was further validated using a multi-component pharmaceutical system to simulate practical tablet formulations. This work demonstrates the potential of THz spectroscopy for component identification and content prediction of active pharmaceutical ingredients and sheds light on the nondestructive application for monitoring pharmaceutical quality and improving production efficiency in an online manner.

Pharmaceutical Waste Management and Awareness at Household Level: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Katlehong and Lambton in Ekurhuleni Municipality.

Tshomela Sithembile Mduduzi SM, Rampedi Isaac Tebogo IT, Kwenda Phyllis Rumbidzai PR

With the growing human population, improved access to healthcare, and the increasing burden of disease, the consumption and subsequent disposal of pharmaceuticals is rising. This study assessed and compared household pharmaceutical waste (HPW) storage and disposal, and environmental awareness among residents of Katlehong Township and Lambton Suburb within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. A stratified random sampling technique was used to identify and administer a semi-structured questionnaire to 303 respondents (Katlehong = 221; Lambton = 82). Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS ver.30 were used to generate descriptive statistics and χ 2 tests. The results revealed limited knowledge of what pharmaceutical waste is in Katlehong (39.4%, n = 87) and Lambton (42.7%, n = 35). Despite this, 77% (n = 233) of respondents expressed willingness to adopt proper disposal practices if adequate education and disposal alternatives are provided. Concerning storage, the most frequently adopted method in Katlehong (43.0%, n = 95) and Lambton (53.7%, n = 44) was inside a medicine box. Residents of Katlehong (61.5%, n = 136) and Lambton (72.0%, n = 59) mostly threw away HPW together with household general waste. Generally, higher‑income households (> R300,000/year) significantly adopted safe HPW disposal methods (χ 2 (5, 303) = 20.989, p < 0.001, Φ = 0.118, RR( = 0.245 (95% CI: 0.934-24.341)), when compared to lower-income households (< R500,000/year). Moreso, regardless of comparatively lower socio-economic conditions prevailing in the township of Katlehong, the data revealed statistically significant safer pharmaceutical storage practices (χ 2 (5, 303) = 20.989, p < 0.001, Φ = 0.121, RR(Kahlehong) = 0.442 (95% CI: 0.204-0.957), as compared to Lambton. Overall findings revealed poor pharmaceutical storage and HPW disposal, as well as limited awareness in both study areas. However, annual household income and the socio-economic status of the suburb did significantly influence HPW disposal and pharmaceutical storage practices, respectively. This highlights the urgent need for public education and accessible take-back systems to promote safe HPW management across both socioeconomic communities while also incorporating targeted interventions to effect change.

Pharmaceutical industry payments to Australian anaesthetists and pain medicine specialists: 2015-2024.

Cai Steven C SC, Dempster Anne-Marie Amie W AAW, Forbes Malcolm M