Millennium Engineering and Integration (United States)

Quetiapine fumarate, an atypical antipsychotic drug, was subjected to comprehensive preformulation studies to evaluate its physicochemical properties and suitability for gastroretentive drug delivery. The drug was identified as a white to off-white, odorless crystalline powder with a bitter taste. Solubility studies revealed slight solubility in water and better solubility in organic solvents, indicating the need for formulation strategies to enhance its bioavailability. The melting point (182–184 °C), low loss on drying (1.56%), linear calibration curve obeying Beer–Lambert’s law, and characteristic FTIR peaks confirmed the identity, purity, and stability of Quetiapine fumarate. Gastroretentive microspheres loaded with Quetiapine fumarate were successfully prepared using the solvent evaporation technique by varying the ratios of HPMC and Eudragit RLPO. The prepared formulations (F1–F6) were evaluated for percentage yield, drug entrapment efficiency, buoyancy, floating lag time, particle size, zeta potential, and in-vitro drug release. Among all formulations, F3 emerged as the optimized formulation, exhibiting the highest percentage yield (86.65 ± 0.22%), drug entrapment efficiency (79.88 ± 0.15%), excellent buoyancy (85.6 ± 0.2%), and minimal floating lag time (60 ± 3 s). In-vitro drug release studies demonstrated a sustained release profile over 12 hours, following diffusion-controlled kinetics as indicated by Higuchi and Korsmeyer–Peppas models. Particle size and zeta potential analyses confirmed nanoscale size and good stability of the microspheres. Stability studies conducted as per ICH guidelines revealed no significant changes in physical appearance, drug content, or dissolution behavior. The optimized gastroretentive microspheres of Quetiapine fumarate showed promising characteristics for prolonged gastric retention and controlled drug release, suggesting their potential to enhance bioavailability, therapeutic efficacy, and patient compliance. Keywords: Gastroretentive microspheres; Quetiapine fumarate; Solvent evaporation method; Controlled drug release; Buoyancy; Stability studies.

Context . In the low-mass star formation process, theoretical models predict that material from the infalling envelope could be shocked as it encounters the outer regions of the disk. This is followed by an increase in the dust temperature and sublimation, into the gas phase, of molecular species that will otherwise remain locked on dust grains. Although accretion shocks are predicted by theoretical models, only a few protostars show evidence of these shocks at the disk-envelope interface, and the main formation path of shocked-related species is still unclear. They can be formed entirely on dust surfaces and then sublimated, or through reactions in the gas phase, or a combination of both. Aims . The goal of this work is to assess the chemistry associated with accretion shocks and the formation path of molecules that are usually associated with these dense and warm regions. Methods . We present new observations of IRS 44, a Class I source with a resolved disk that has previously been associated with accretion shocks, taken at high angular resolution (0 ⋅ ′′ 1, corresponding to 14 au) with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). We observe three different spectral settings in bands 6 and 7, targeting multiple molecular transitions of CO, H 2 CO, and simple sulfur-bearing species (such as CS, SO, SO 2 , H 2 S, OCS, and H 2 CS). Results . In continuum emission, the binary nature of IRS 44 is observed for the first time at sub-millimeter wavelengths and the emission agrees with the optical and infrared counterparts. Infalling signatures are seen for the CO 2–1 line and the emission peaks at the edges of the continuum emission around IRS 44 B, the same region where bright SO and SO 2 emission is seen. Weak CS and H 2 CO emission is observed, while OCS, H 2 S, and H 2 CS transitions are not detected. Conclusions . IRS 44 B seems to be more embedded than IRS 44 A, indicating a non-coeval formation scenario or the rejuvenation of source B due to late infall. CO 2–1 emission is tracing the outflow component at large scales, infalling envelope material at intermediate scales, and two infalling streamer candidates are identified at disk scales. Infalling streamers might produce accretion shocks when they encounter the outer regions of the infalling-rotating envelope. These shocks heat the dust and efficiently release S-bearing species (such as H 2 S, SO, and SO 2 ), as well as promoting a lukewarm chemistry (~200 K) in the gas phase. With the majority of carbon locked in CO, there is little free C available to form CS and H 2 CS in the gas, leaving an oxygen-rich environment. The high column densities of SO and SO 2 might therefore be a consequence of two processes: direct thermal desorption from dust grains and gas-phase formation due to the availability of O and S. IRS 44 is an ideal candidate with which to study the chemical consequences of accretion shocks and the dynamical connections between the envelope and the disk, through infalling streamers.

A better approach is needed to assess potential impact and feasibility of proposals.

Droplets far from equilibrium experience different compositions and local environments compared with bulk oil and water phases at equilibrium. Understanding the pathways involved in emulsion progression towards equilibrium is valuable for designing complex fluids for many purposes including coatings, food, chemical separations, active matter, and enhanced oil recovery. Here we report how microscale oil droplets, which partition nonionic surfactants and also solubilize, can follow an unexpected pathway wherein a spherical droplet transitions through an interfacial instability and dissociates. This process depends on the oil hydrophobicity, the concentration and ethylene oxide number of the surfactant, the initial droplet diameter, and the presence of neighboring droplets. We propose a mechanism based on local phase inversion that explains both the visual appearance of the droplet dissociation behavior as well as the trends in its counterintuitive dependence on specific conditions like oil and surfactant chemical structure and surfactant concentration.

Context . The environment within which stars form and evolve can play a crucial role in shaping their surrounding protoplanetary disks. This is the reason why homogeneous analyses of protoplanetary disks around young stars in the same star-forming region has become of great relevance in recent years. Aims . We present near-infrared scattered-light observations of the disks around two stars of the Corona Australis star-forming region, V721 CrA and BN CrA, obtained with VLT/SPHERE in the H band, as part of the DESTINYS large programme. Our objective is to analyse the morphology of these disks and highlight their main properties. Methods . We adopted an analytical axisymmetric disk model to fit the observations and performed a regression on key disk parameters, namely the dust mass, the height profile, and the inclination. We used RADMC-3D code to produce synthetic observations of the analytical models, with full polarised scattering treatment. Results . Both stars show resolved and extended disks with substructures in the near-IR. The disk of V721 CrA is vertically thicker, radially smaller (∼120 au), and brighter than that of BN CrA (∼190 au). It also shows spiral arms in the inner regions. The disk of BN CrA shows a dark circular lane, which could be either an intrinsic dust gap or a self-cast shadow, and a brightness enhancement along the disk minor axis. Both disks are compatible with the evolutionary stage of their parent subgroup within the CrA region: V721 CrA belongs to the on-cloud part of CrA, which is dustier, denser, and younger, whereas BN CrA is found on the outskirts of the older off-cloud group.

Fast fashion is a well-thought-out business strategy based on consumer psychology rather than a passing fad. To affect the feelings of customers and promote customer loyalty, modern retailers employ strategies like cheap prices, limited product batches, personalization, social media-driven trends, and impulse buying triggers. The purpose of this essay is to analyze how these tactics commercialize fashion without taking long-term effects into account and to suggest potential future routes.

Abstract Background and objective Down Syndrome is associated with high mortality in India, due to non-diagnosis/ late-diagnosis resource constraints. The objective of the present study was to test Clinical Validity of the Google Cloud AutoML Vision Image Classification Down Syndrome Detection model in real-life situations – i.e., does this model work in the hands of laymen (parents, guardians, end-user) with the same accuracy (98%+ in a controlled experiment). Methods This multi-label cross-sectional study was conducted in the Neonatal and Paediatric unit of a tertiary care hospital between August 2021 and September 2022. The participants consisted of 104 children aged 5 days - 18 years of two categories - those exhibiting facial dysmorphic features indicative of Down Syndrome on visual inspection, and those not exhibiting said features. Images were collected after written informed consent using the Down Syndrome Detection application. The outcomes recorded were the efficiency of the model in detection of Down Syndrome based of the images collected. Results The CloudML model trained with 104 images initially achieved: Sensitivity - 100%, specificity - 80%, Average Precision - 96.6%, precision - 86.67%, and Recall - 92.86% (Precision and Recall are calculated at a confidence threshold of 0.5) This Indo-specific Machine Learning model, specifically trained and tested on Indian children, shows remarkable accuracy in the diagnosis of Indian Down Syndrome positive neonates. On adjustment of software parameters (the confidence threshold of prediction), the technique can deliver highly accurate Down Syndrome diagnosis with a 100% Sensitivity, at the expense of false positives that may be ruled out through further confirmatory testing. Conclusions This diagnostic algorithm is a reliable preliminary postnatal screening tool and can be deployed in resource-limited settings where genetic testing is neither affordable nor readily accessible. False positives can be ruled out through subsequent testing.

PurposeLattice radiotherapy (LRT), a form of spatially fractionated radiation therapy (SFRT), has emerged as a promising approach for treating massive tumors. By delivering high‐dose regions within the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissue, LRT offers distinct advantages over conventional radiotherapy. Recent advancements in treatment planning systems (TPS), particularly the integration of intelligent optimization engines (IOEs) with automated planning capabilities, have the potential to further refine and expand the clinical utility of LRT. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the planning quality and clinical feasibility of lattice SFRT treatment plans generated using the Ethos planning system, equipped with an IOE and O‐ring linear accelerator, versus the Eclipse planning system paired with a conventional C‐arm TrueBeam linac, in patients with stage III non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsTwenty retrospective stage III NSCLC cases (GTV > 200 cc) with available PET‐CT imaging were selected. A total of 40 plans (20 Eclipse, 20 Ethos) were compared, incorporating lattice spheres (1 cm diameter, 2 cm spacing between spheres) placed in the tumor, FDG‐PET/CT‐informed intratumoral heterogeneity, prioritizing viable perinecrotic subregions while avoiding critical OARs. Plans aimed to deliver 15 Gy to lattice spheres, limit Valley (PTV minus spheres) doses to 2 Gy, and restrict doses to organs at risk (OARs) to ≤ 3 Gy. Dose conformity, OAR sparing, dose gradient parameters (PEDR, PVDR), planning time, and deliverability, which was evaluated using ArcCheck, EPID gamma analysis, and MLC log‐file verification.ResultsEthos demonstrated statistically significant improvements compared to Eclipse in lattice sphere mean dose (17.2 Gy vs. 15.83 Gy, p < 0.001), V15 Gy coverage (98.2 % vs. 91.74 %, p < 0.001), and dose gradient metrics (PEDR: 6.42 vs. 5.80; PVDR: 3.70 vs. 3.29; both p < 0.001, and VPDR: 0.131 vs. 0.135; PVDRDVH: 7.62 vs. 7.41). For the valley target, Ethos plans demonstrated a lower mean dose (Dmean: 4.72 Gy vs. 4.91 Gy, p = 0.064), although not statistically significant, and achieved significantly improved dose gradient at V7.5 Gy (14.5% vs. 16.35%, p = 0.019), V5Gy (30.77% vs. 34.84%, p = 0.006), and V2Gy (99.77% vs. 97.79%, p < 0.001) compared to Eclipse. Ethos achieved significantly better OAR sparing, particularly for the bronchial tree, heart, spinal cord, esophagus, and great vessels (all p < 0.01). Furthermore, Ethos substantially reduced planning time (36.55 vs. 95.96 min, p < 0.001). Both planning systems achieved high gamma passing rates (> 95%), confirming the accuracy and deliverability of the treatment plans.ConclusionThe Ethos automated treatment planning demonstrated superior lattice dose conformity, enhanced OAR sparing, and significantly faster optimization compared to Eclipse. This automated optimization capability highlights the potential of Ethos for efficient and effective lattice radiotherapy in managing massive NSCLC tumors.