Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradci Králové Department of Pharmaceutical technology Consultant: PharmDr. Pavel Ondrejček, Ph.D. Student: Kateřina Vávrová Title of Thesis: Dissolution testing of tablets containing theophylline and mixtures of two types of calcium hydrogen phosphates and microcrystalline cellulose The aim of this thesis was the dissolution testing of tablets containing theophylline, the mixture of two dicalcium phosphate types and microcrystalline cellulose. The influence of tablet composition on the dissolution profiles was evaluated. The tablets were prepared from the mixtures containing microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate anhydrous and dihydrate. These substances were used as fillers. Prepared mixtures contained theophylline as a model active ingredient and magnesium stearate as lubricant. Afterwards, the dissolution tests were done. For these tests, the basket method was utilized. As a dissolution medium the 0,1M hydrochloric acid solution was used. From the results of this experiment we concluded that we can influence the total amount of released theophylline and the speed of its release by the different ratio of microcrystalline cellulose and one of dicalcium phosphate types. The fastest theophylline dissolution was in tablets with high...

Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of: Pharmaceutical Technology Thesis supervisor: Doc. PharmDr. Zdeňka Šklubalová, Ph.D. Consultant: Mgr. Pavel Ondrejček Student: Soňa Brtnová Title of Thesis: Evaluation of disintegration time of tablets containing theophylline The influence of used fillers on energetic profile of compression, especially influence on disintegration time of tablets with theophylline as a model drug, was studied in this thesis. Four tablet fillers were studied - microcrystalline cellulose Comprecel 102, lactose SpheroLac 100, calcium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous Di- Cafos A150 and calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate Di-Cafos D160. Tablets contained different proportion of two fillers, theophylline as a model drug and lubricant magnesium stearate. Tablets were compressed by the same compaction force 10 kN. The force- displacement record was evaluated using the particular energies of compaction process. Parameters of compaction process were influenced mostly by Comprecel 102. According to results there is no possibility to replace Di-Cafos D160 with Di-Cafos A150 in the mixtures. It was also found that SpheroLac 100 and Di-Cafos D160 shows similar behavior. Time of disintegration of tablets is mostly dependent on the used fillers. Tablets...

Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmaceutical Technology Consultant: Doc. PharmDr. Zdeňka Šklubalová, Ph.D. Student: Hana Janoutová Title of Thesis: Evaluation of tensile strength of tablets containing theophylline The aim of this thesis was to determine tensile strength of tablets containing theophylline. Tensile strength was studied as a function of the composition of mixtures of the used fillers and especially on their ratio. In the theoretical part, the used materials - lactose SpheroLac 100, microcrystalline cellulose Comprecel 102, dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate Di-Cafos D160, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate Di-Cafos A150, theophylline and magnesium stearate are described. This work also evaluates force-displacement record, tensile strength and various factors that affect tensile strength. Parameters of force-displacement record and tensile strength of the tablets compressed with compresssion force 10 kN were evaluated in the experimental part. The measured results show that higher values of precompression energy (E1) and energy of plastic deformation (E2) were detected in mixtures A, C and E which contain Comprecel 102, and the lowest values were detected in mixtures B which contain Sphero-Lac 100 and Di-Cafos D160. Values of energy...

Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology Consultant: Doc. PharmDr. Zdeňka Šklubalová, Ph.D. Student: Andrea Matyášová Title of Thesis: Evaluation of compressibility of tableting mixtures containing theophylline using a compaction equation This thesis is aimed at the evaluation and comparison of excipients used in production of tablets. The compaction process of these excipients was evaluated using the parameters of the compaction equation. The mixtures of four fillers in various ratios were evaluated. These mixtures contained also theophylline as model drug and magnesium stearate as lubricant. The used three-exponential equation was previously developed by doc. RNDr. Milan Řehula, CSc. By using this compaction equation the volume reductions, speeds of volume reductions and consumed energies were calculated and evaluated. The results of this work showed that particular used fillers have different effect on the compaction process flow. That is caused primarily by different behavior of these materials during compaction and by formation of different types of bonds. Also the need of thorough cleaning and drying of compaction aid before compaction was confirmed.

Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of: Pharmaceutical Technology Consultant: Doc. PharmDr. Šklubalová Zdeňka, Ph.D. Student: Brunettová Monika Title of Thesis: Determination of flow properties of mixtures for preparation of tablets containing theophylline The aim of this diploma thesis was to characterize the flow properties and moisture content of mixtures for preparation of tablets containing theophylline. Parameters were monitored depending mainly on the content of the fillers, that were dicalcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose and lactose. Twenty-five prepared mixtures with different ratios of these fillers were evaluated. Flowability was evaluated by three methods stated in Czech Pharmacopoeia 2009 - compressibility index and Hausner ratio, flow through an orifice and angle of repose. Moisture content was evaluated as a weight loss during drying. Mixtures containing dicalcium phosphate and lactose proved more appropriate in terms of flowability, their flow properties are passable. However, according to the moisture content, mixture with microcrystalline cellulose are more preferable.

Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of: Pharmaceutical technology Consultant: Doc. PharmDr. Sklubalova Zdenka, Ph.D. Student: Marketa Hofmanova Title of Thesis: Measurement of stress relaxation of mixtures of microcrystalline cellulose and calcium hydrogen phosphate intended for the preparation of tablets with theophylline The powder mixtures with theophylline were studied from the aspect of viscoelastic properties of used materials and tablets tensile strength. In the theoretical part the thesis concerned with description of materials which were used in the mixtures. They are: Microcrystalline cellulose Comprecel 102, calcium hydrogen phosphate anhydrate Di-Cafos A150, calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate Di-Cafos D160 and lactose SpheroLac 100. The thesis also deals with the stress relaxation test. The stress relaxation test, its evaluation by several methods and its use in the pharmacy and in different fields are described. The experimental part deals with viscoelastic characteristics of the mixtures. These characteristics were evaluated by stress relaxation test with maximal compression force 10 kN and dwell time 180 s. Also the tensile strength was evaluated. The highest values of parameters of elasticity A1-3 and plasticity P1-3 were measured in...

Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmaceutical Technology Consultant: Doc. PharmDr. Šklubalová Zdeňka, Ph.D. Student: Barbora Vitverová Title of Thesis: Evaluation of elastic recovery of tablets containing theophylline This diploma thesis deals with evaluation of elastic recovery of tablets containing theophylline. The axial and radial elastic recovery is evaluated. Used materials are characterized in a theoretical part. It concerns microcrystalline cellulose Comprecel 102, lactose SpheroLac 100, calcii hydrogenphosphas anhydrous Di- Cafos A150, calcii hydrogenphosphas dihydrate Di-Cafos D160, magnesii stearas and theophylline. Further, compression process and its evaluation are described and also the elastic recovery of tablets after compression, its calculation and factors which can influence it. The experimental part of thesis deals with the elastic recovery of tablets. The tablets were compressed by compression strength 10 kN and the height and diameter were measured after 0, 3, 6 and 24 hours after compressing. The elastic recovery of tablets was calculated from these values. The dimensions of tablets at the maximal compression strength 10 kN were used as the initial values. From results is obvious that the highest elastic recovery is...

This thesis is divided in two parts. The first part is devoted to the micro-macro modeling of the behavior of concrete under cyclic loading. Correlations between microscopic (frictional sliding of mesocracks) and macroscopic (energy dissipation) properties are investigated. The second part focuses on the description of a series of uniaxial cyclic tests on concrete and concrete-like materials performed in the "Rock Mechanics Laboratory" of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia, USA. Data deriving from these experiments are analyzed on the basis of the micro-macro identification theory. Interesting predictions of the real mechanical behavior of concrete can be found by means of the aforementioned theory and are presented in the last part of the thesis. / Master of Science

This research consists of experimental load tests and numerical simulations of structural steel connections with various filler materials to study the effect of non-steel fillers on the connection strength. Non-steel fillers are used in the steel connections to provide thermal insulation by reducing thermal bridging. Eight specimens having steel and polypropylene filler plates of various thicknesses were tested in the laboratory. The collected data were compared to a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using ABAQUS to validate the numerical results. After validation, three parametric studies were conducted using ABAQUS to provide insight into general behavior of connections with a variety of fillers that could be used as thermal breaks. In addition, an extreme case of having air gaps instead of alternative fillers was also considered. The Research Council on Structural Connections (RCSC 2014) suggests a reduction in the bolt shear strength when undeveloped fillers with a thickness of more than 0.25 inch are used while using any non-steel material is prohibited due the limited research available. Most research studies have investigated the mechanical behavior of thermal breaks in either end-plate moment connections or slip-critical connections. No data is available for thermal breaks in bearing-type connections up to failure. This research aims to study the effects of filler material properties such as modulus of elasticity and strength on bolt strength, as well as investigate whether the current equation in RCSC 2014 is applicable for alternative filler materials like polypropylene that has less than 0.5% of the steel modulus of elasticity and less than 10% of steel strength.

Fillers are often incorporated in polymer matrices in order to improve cost, mechanical, thermal, and transport properties. This work explores the hypothesis that pollen, a natural particle, has the potential to be an effective biorenewable reinforcing filler due to its unique surface architectures, high strength, chemical stability, and low density. Pollens from sources such as ragweed plants are ubiquitous natural materials that are based on sustainable, non-food resources. Pollen is a remarkable example of evolutionary-optimized microscale particle with structures and/or chemistries tailored for effective adhesion to a variety of surfaces and protection of genetic material under different dynamic and environmental conditions. The pollen shell is perhaps the most chemically resistant naturally occurring material. As many pollens achieve pollination simply by being carried by wind, they are very light-weight. These properties make pollen an attractive option as a natural filler for polymers. This research aims to characterize pollen interfacial properties and utilize pollen as an effective reinforcing filler in polymer materials. In this work, interfacial properties are characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), the BET method, and inverse liquid chromatography (ILC). These techniques were useful in determining the effect of surface treatments and further chemical modifications on pollen interfacial properties. Characterizing these properties allowed for improved understanding and utilization of pollen as a filler by revealing the enhanced surface interactions and surface properties of acid-base treated pollens when compared to as received untreated pollens. Epoxy and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) matrices were used to demonstrate the effectiveness of pollen as a filler, as a function of pollen loading and surface treatments/chemical modifications. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to determine interfacial morphology, a high throughput mechanical characterization device (HTMECH) was used to determine mechanical properties, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine glass transition behavior. In epoxy, pollen was an effective load bearing filler only after modifying its surface with acid-base hydrolysis. In PVAc, pollen was an effective load bearing filler only after an additional functionalization with a silane coupling agent. Finally, the species of pollen incorporated in PVAc matrices was varied in order determine the effect of the size of surface nano- and micro- structures on wetting, adhesion, and composite properties. Composites containing pollen displayed enhanced wetting and interfacial adhesion when compared to composites with smooth silica particles. Additionally, it was observed that pollen with smaller surface structures were wetted more effectively by the polymer matrix than pollen with larger structures. However, mechanical properties did not suggest significant changes in interfacial adherence with varied pollen microstructure size. The results of this work highlight the feasibility and potential of utilizing pollen as a natural filler for creating high strength, light-weight polymer composites with sustainable filler.