The Release Rate of Indomethacin from Solid Dispersions with Eudragite

The coprecipitates were prepared by a solvent technique using Eudragit E as carrier and indomethacin as a model drug.

X-Ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wettability tests were employed to investigate the physical state of the studied formulations. Up to 50% of indomethacin can be dispersed in an amorphous state in Eudragit E.

The influence of the pH on the in vitro release of solid dispersions has been evaluated. Because of the good solubility of Eudragit E at pH 1.2 a fast dissolution rate of the drug was observed while a marked delay was noticed at pH 7.5 where the polymer is only permeable to water. At pH 5.8 the kinetics of drug release can be modulated by the drug/polymer ratio. The dissolution rate of the drug can be increased by decreasing its amount in the coevaporate.     

Integration of InGaP/GaAs/Ge triple‐junction solar cells on deeply patterned silicon substrates

We report preliminary results on InGaP/InGaAs/Ge photovoltaic cells for concentrated terrestrial applications, monolithically integrated on engineered Si(001) substrates. Cells deposited on planar Ge/Si(001) epilayers, grown by plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition, provide good efficiency and spectral response, despite the small thickness of the Ge epilayers and a threading dislocation density as large as 10⁷/cm². The presence of microcracks generated by the thermal misfit is compensated by a dense collection grid that avoids insulated areas. In order to avoid the excessive shadowing introduced by the use of a dense grid, the crack density needs to be lowered. Here, we show that deep patterning of the Si substrate in blocks can be an option, provided that a continuous Ge layer is formed at the top, and it is suitably planarized before the metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The crack density is effectively decreased, despite that the efficiency is also lowered with respect to unpatterned devices. The reasons of this efficiency reduction are discussed, and a strategy for improvement is proposed and explored. Full morphological analysis of the coalesced Ge blocks is reported, and the final devices are tested under concentrated AM1.5D spectrum. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ADECO full-face tunnel excavation of two 260 m tubes in clays with sub-horizontal jet-grouting under minimal urban cover

With a cover of 5-30 m, a 260 m² cross-sectional area, and a 4-m wide pillar, the Cassia twin road tunnels underpass Cassia road (main road to/from Rome), the remnants of a 2000 year-old Roman villa, and two existing tunnels. Stiff silty clay dominates the alignment. According to the Analysis of Controlled DEformations (ADECO) principles, each tube was excavated full face to 260 m². Compared to Sequential Excavation Method (SEM), this highly simplifies construction, leads to construction industrialization, and allows for full control of the ground ahead of the face, which is used as a stabilization measure. In order to pre-confine the tunnel core, Trevi roto-injection technique was used to create an umbrella of overlapping sub-horizontal reinforced jet-grouting columns ahead of the face, while avoiding up heave of the ground or emptying of the columns. Stiff preliminary lining sitting on sub-horizontal jet-grouting columns, final invert close to the tunnel face, and final lining no more than 50 m behind the face ensured that the pre-confinement ahead of the tunnel face became effective confinement around the cavity. The tunnels were finished on schedule and within budget with a mere 1 cm of settlement.     

Updating of a DRASTIC-based Method for Specific Vulnerability Assessment in Carbonate Aquifers

Abstract

Some methodological modifications are suggested to improve a DRASTIC-based method as a reliable predictor of microbial contamination in extensively fractured and subordinately karstified carbonate aquifers. These modifications will allow a better assessment of vulnerability induced by the concentrated infiltration of surface runoff in two different scenarios: (a) when the karst system is entirely located within an unsaturated aquifer and (b) when the karst system is partially located within a saturated medium. The effectiveness of the updated method has been experimentally verified by comparing the vulnerability values with the results of a hydrogeological and microbiological study at a test site.     

Kinematic viscosity studies of the binary ethane- 1,2-diol/ n,n-dimethylformamide solvent system at various temperatures

Kinematic viscosity data (ν) are presented for ethane-1,2-diol, for N, N-dimethylformamide and for nine binary mixtures in the - 10°C to 80°C temperature range. The experimental data were fitted by several empirical relations such as Grunberg-Nissan (1949), McAllister (1960), Heric (1966), Lobe (1973), Auslander (1964) and polynomial equations. Some considerations regarding the meaning of the obtained adjustment parameters are made. Furthermore, a new best fit equation is proposed and its validity has been compared to that of the other relations on the basis of the reproducibility of the experimental data.