Conventional Forms Research Articles

RESEARCH MODEL CANVAS: APPLICATION IN ACADEMIC RESEARCH PLANNING

This article deals with academic research planning and its structural nuances, as a fundamental part of the development of scientific research, in achieving its objectives and obtaining valid and reliable results. It inquires about its conventional form of construction and presentation through the textual document and aims to propose a new instrument for the planning of academic research. It discusses Design Thinking, Business Model Generation and Project Model Canvas, as project planning and management methodologies applied in other areas of knowledge that have as a common characteristic their conciseness, etymological basis and visual presentation format. It is structured on the methodology of the 4 (four) poles: epistemological, theoretical, morphological and technical. Finally, it presents the proposal of the Research Model Canvas as an innovative instrument for the planning of academic research, developed in a robust but concise way, based on the quadripolar methodology, in a single sheet or screen document called academic research canvas and its history of application in postgraduate disciplines and in a Research Group of the Federal University of Ceará.

DEVELOPMENT, OPTIMIZATION AND ASSESSMENT OF NAPROXEN MICROSPONGES BY BOX-BEHNKEN DESIGN AS A TARGETTED AND CONTROLLED RELEASE DRUG DELIVERY

Objective: Due to weak physical, chemical stability and poor bioavailability of Naproxen conventional dosage form; the purpose of this work is to improve formulation stability, additionally to accomplish highest possible concentration of the drug in the blood by preparing Naproxen loaded microsponges. Methods: Naproxen Microsponge (NM) was created utilising the quasi emulsion technique. In this process Ethyl Cellulose (EC) acts as a polymer, Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) acts as the emulsifier, and Dichloromethane acts as the solvent. To investigate how changes in different formulation and processing parameters affect important product qualities, a Box Behnken Design (BBD) was used. Particle Size, Percentage Yield, and Entrapment Efficiency (%EE) were selected as response factors, whereas independent variables including EC quantity (X1), PVA concentration (X2), and Stirring Speed (X3) were selected as independent variables. Results: The microsponges underwent thorough analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Particle Size analysis. The evaluation included studying the morphology, drug loading, and in vitro drug release. The compatibility studies showed no chemical interactions between the drug and the polymers used. It was observed that the ratio of drug to polymer had a significant impact on drug content, EE and particle size. The SEM results revealed that the microsponges were spherical with a porous surface and had a mean particle size of 15.15 µm. The in vitro drug release studies demonstrated that the optimized Naproxen Microsponge Formulation (NMF2) achieved over 80% extended drug release by the end of 8 h, following the Corsmeyer Peppas Model. Conclusion: The Naproxen loaded microspheres possessed a sustained release with improved bioavailability and better stability.

Is racism like other trauma exposures? Examining the unique mental health effects of racial/ethnic discrimination on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Although scholars have increasingly drawn attention to the potentially traumatic nature of racial/ethnic discrimination, diagnostic systems continue to omit these exposures from trauma definitions. This study contributes to this discussion by examining the co-occurrence of conventional forms of potentially traumatic experiences (PTEs) with in-person and online forms of racism-based potentially traumatic experiences (rPTEs) like racial/ethnic discrimination. Additionally, we investigated the unique association of rPTEs with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), accounting for demographics and other PTEs. Participants were (N = 570) 12-to-17-year-old (Mage = 14.53; 51.93% female) ethnoracially minoritized adolescents (54.21% Black; 45.79% Latiné). Youth completed online surveys of PTEs, in-person and online rPTEs, and mental health. Bivariate analyses indicated that youth who reported in-person and online rPTEs were more likely to experience all conventional PTEs. Accounting for demographics and conventional PTEs, in-person and online rPTEs were significantly associated with PTSD (in-person: aOR = 2.60, 95% CI [1.39, 4.86]; online: aOR = 2.74, 95% CI [1.41, 5.34]) and GAD (in-person: aOR = 2.94, 95% CI [1.64, 5.29]; online: aOR = 2.25, 95% CI [1.24, 4.04]) and demonstrated the strongest effect sizes of all trauma exposures. In-person, but not online, rPTEs were linked with an increased risk for MDD (aOR = 4.47, 95% CI [1.77, 11.32]). Overall, rPTEs demonstrated stronger associations with PTSD, MDD, and GAD compared to conventional PTEs. Findings align with racial trauma frameworks proposing that racial/ethnic discrimination is a unique traumatic stressor with distinct mental health impacts on ethnoracially minoritized youth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A Spray-Dried Self-Stabilizing Nanocrystal Emulsion of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Preparation, Characterization and ex vivo Intestinal Absorption

AbstractSalvia miltiorrhizae (Danshen, the rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.) and Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuanxiong, the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.) are two traditional Chinese medicines that have been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, formulation development is difficult due to the complexity of the active ingredients, particularly the water-insoluble tanshinones and volatile oil of Chuanxiong rhizome, which cannot be absorbed via oral administration in conventional dosage forms. This study aimed to develop a self-stabilized nanocrystal emulsion co-loading the water-soluble, insoluble, and volatile active ingredients of Salvia miltiorrhizae and Chuanxiong rhizome to improve the bioavailability of the drugs. In this work, a high-pressure homogenization method was used to prepare a self-stabilizing nanocrystal emulsion. The emulsion was then spray-dried using hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. The dispersibility and storage stability of the spray-dried emulsion, the particle size and morphology of the emulsion droplets, and the drug content and phase distribution of the reconstituted emulsion were evaluated. An everted intestinal sac model was established, and high-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the concentration of six active components (ferulic acid, salvianolic acid B, senkyunolide A, ligustilide, cryptotanshinone, and tanshinone IIA) and to assess the cumulative uptake amount of the drug and the apparent permeability coefficient. A mixture of the crude materials of tanshinones extract, total salvianolic acid, ferulic acid, and volatile oil of Ligusticum Chuanxiong was used as a control. The results showed that the spray-dried emulsion can be easily reconstituted into a uniform submicron emulsion with no significant changes in particle size, morphology, and microstructure of the emulsion droplets compared with the original emulsion before drying. The self-stabilizing nanocrystal emulsion significantly improved the intestinal absorption of water-insoluble components (tanshinone IIA, cryptotanshinone, and ferulic acid), and volatile oil components (senkyunolide A and ligustilide). Overall, the spray-dried self-stabilizing nanocrystal emulsion represents a potential oral formulation for Salvia miltiorrhiza and Chuanxiong rhizoma.

Fate of stringy noninvertible symmetries

Noninvertible symmetries in quantum field theory (QFT) generalize the familiar product rule of groups to a more general fusion rule. In many cases, gauged versions of these symmetries can be regarded as dual descriptions of invertible gauge symmetries. One may ask: are there any other types of noninvertible gauge symmetries? In theories with gravity we find a new form of noninvertible gauge symmetry that emerges in the limit of fundamental, tensionless strings. These stringy noninvertible gauge symmetries appear in standard examples such as non-Abelian orbifolds. Moving away from the tensionless limit always breaks these symmetries. We also find that both the conventional form of noninvertible gauge symmetries and these stringy generalizations are realized in AdS/CFT. Although generically broken, approximate noninvertible symmetries have implications for swampland constraints: in certain cases they can be used to prove the existence of towers of states related to the distance conjecture, and can sometimes explain the existence of slightly subextremal states which fill in the gaps in the sublattice weak gravity conjecture. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Analisis Pengaruh Pembiayaan LPEI Konvesional dan Syariah, Variabel Ekonomi Makro Terhadap Pertumbuhan Ekspor Indonesia

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between funding provided by LPEI in conventional and sharia forms to export growth, using two separate models to compare the two types of funding. This study also examines the relationship between inflation and the rupiah exchange rate on Indonesia's export growth. The analysis uses monthly data from 2015 to 2022 and ARDL approach in data analysis, with the help of EViews 12 to estimate the long-run and short-run impact of these variables on export growth. The results of this study show that in the short run, neither conventional nor sharia LPEI financing has a significant impact on export growth. The value of exports in the previous period and the previous two periods has a negative effect on current export growth. In contrast, export growth is positively affected by the value of exports in the previous three and four periods. Changes in the rupiah exchange rate in the previous period have a positive effect on export growth in the Islamic LPEI financing model, while changes in the inflation rate have no significant effect on export growth. In the long run, both conventional and Islamic LPEI financing do not have a major impact on export growth. The positive impact on export growth in the Islamic LPEI financing model is caused by fluctuations in the rupiah exchange rate in the long run. Changes in inflation do not have a significant impact on export growth based on other macroeconomic variables.

The Resolution of Overcrowding as a Form of Convention against Torture Implementation to Achieve Security Stability in Prisons and Detention Centers in Indonesia

This research addressed the resolution of overcrowding as a form of implementing the Convention Against Torture to achieve security stability in prisons and detention centers in Indonesia. Errors in the calculation of prisoner numbers that did not align with the size of detention cells led to the phenomenon of overcrowding. In other words, such conditions could be deemed as torture against inmates. Despite Indonesia's ratification of the Convention Against Torture through Law Number 5 of 1998, torture in sentencing remained a major concern. The aim of this study was to examine the causes and impacts of overcrowding, analyze the phenomenon of overcrowding in Indonesian prisons and detention centers in accordance with the Convention Against Torture, and propose solutions to overcrowding as an implementation of the Convention Against Torture. The research employed a qualitative method with a normative legal approach to comprehend and interpret existing legal provisions and evaluate their implementation, thereby identifying the alignment between applicable law and its implementation. Primary data sources consisted of legislative regulations arranged according to the hierarchy of legal norms. Secondary legal materials included textbooks authored by eminent legal scholars, legal journals, academic opinions, legal cases, jurisprudence, and recent symposium outcomes relevant to the research topic. This study found that the Indonesian government endeavored to expand detention space to minimize torture and suffering that could occur in overcrowded cells, thereby facilitating the achievement of the goals of the Convention Against Torture.

Development and optimization of hydrogel-forming microneedles fabricated with 3d-printed molds for enhanced dermal diclofenac sodium delivery: a comprehensive in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo study.

With the developing manufacturing technologies, the use of 3D printers in microneedle production is becoming widespread. Hydrogel-forming microneedles (HFMs), a variant of microneedles, demonstrate distinctive features such as a high loading capacity and controlled drug release. In this study, the conical microneedle master molds with approximately 500μm needle height and 250μm base diameter were created using a Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer and were utilized to fabricate composite HFMs containing diclofenac sodium. Using Box-Behnken Design, the effects of different polymers on swelling index and mechanical strength of the developed HFMs were evaluated. The optimum HFMs were selected according to experimental design results with the aim of the highest mechanical strength with varying swelling indexes, which was needed to use 20% Gantrez S97 and 0.1% (F22), 0.42% (F23), and 1% (F24) hyaluronic acid. The skin penetration and drug release properties of the optimum formulations were assessed. Ex vivo studies were conducted on formulations to determine drug penetration and accumulation. F24, which has the highest mechanical strength and optimized swelling index, achieved the highest drug accumulation in the skin tissue (17.70 ± 3.66%). All optimum HFMs were found to be non-cytotoxic by the MTT cell viability test (> 70% cell viability). In in vivo studies, the efficacy of the F24 was assessed for the treatment of xylene-induced ear edema by contrasting it to the conventional dosage form. It was revealed that HFMs might be an improved replacement for conventional dosage forms in terms of dermal diseases such as actinic keratosis.

Implementação de recursos tecnológicos no processo de ensino-aprendizagem em Biologia Molecular

Given the inherent difficulties in the teaching-learning process of molecular biology, active methodologies have been developed to ensure greater effectiveness. Prior research has indicated that these tools can enhance student performance across diverse areas, empowering students as protagonists in their learning processes. In this regard, to improve students' performance in the subject ZMV1482: Molecular Biology, the implementation of an alternative supplementary activity based on technological resources was proposed. The activity consisted of creating concise videos on digital platforms, covering the matter discussed in the preceding class and its application. Each week, three to four students undertook these presentations, followed by a discussion of the topic. The results obtained from the proposal were notably significant, with an average score for the complementary activity stood at 7.9 ± 2.80, which influenced the final course grade, which averaged at 7.1 ± 1.45. Furthermore, upon completing the course curriculum, an electronic survey was administered to 56.5% of the enrolled students. The results demonstrated that students were able to learn significantly with the proposed methodology and suggest that this approach exhibited superior efficacy compared to conventional forms of complementary activities, such as seminars. These findings support the notion that active and innovative methodologies should be encouraged in the field of molecular biology to enhance the understanding of the concepts covered throughout the course.

Evaluation of the therapeutic potential of novel nanoparticle formulations of glutathione and virgin coconut oil in an experimental model of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver failure.

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a critical condition characterized by rapid liver dysfunction, leading to high mortality rates. Current treatments are limited, primarily supportive, and often require liver transplantation. This study investigates the potential of a novel nanoparticle formulation of glutathione (GSH) and virgin coconut oil (VCO) alone and in combination to enhance therapeutic outcomes in a rat model of ALF induced by orogastric carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The study employed adult male Albino rats divided into ten groups, with ALF induced via a single oral dose of CCl4. Various treatment regimens were administered over seven days, including conventional and nanoparticle forms of GSH and VCO and their combinations. The efficacy of treatments was evaluated through biochemical analysis of liver function markers, oxidative stress indicators, inflammatory biomarkers, and histopathological examinations. Nanoparticles were synthesized using established methods, and characterization techniques were employed to ensure their quality and properties. The nanoparticle formulations significantly improved liver function, as indicated by reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, alongside decreased oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde. Furthermore, they reduced tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1 beta inflammatory markers. Histological analysis revealed reduced hepatocellular necrosis and inflammation in treated groups compared to controls. Also, decreased nuclear factor-kappa B was detected by immunohistochemical analysis. The findings show that the nanoparticle mixture of GSH and VCO effectively reduces liver damage in ALF. This suggests a promising drug-based approach for improving liver regeneration and protection. This innovative strategy may pave the way for new therapeutic interventions in the management of ALF.

Development and evaluation of locust bean gum based in situ gel for ocular delivery of ofloxacin for treatment of bacterial keratitis

One of the drawbacks of conventional ocular dosage forms is their short residence time in the eye. To address this, we propose an ocular in situ gel that adheres to the eye surface for a prolonged period. Locust bean gum (LBG), a galactomannan polysaccharide, exhibits the desired characteristics to serve as a drug carrier for ocular application. However, the gum has not yet been investigated for ocular drug delivery. In this work, we have developed an LBG based in situ gel loaded with ofloxacin and evaluated its drug delivery efficacy through in vitro and ex vivo tests. To confer temperature sensitivity, LBG was grafted with N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAAm), and a series of solutions were made with ofloxacin (0.03 % w/v). The solution turned into a gel when the temperature was raised to 37 °C. The safety and efficacy of the developed in situ gels were validated through experiments on rat eyes infected with clinical strains of bacteria. The developed keratitis was completely healed indicating that the grafted LBG can be used as a potential candidate for the development of ocular in situ gel.

Towards the Integration of Ethico-Socio-Scientific Issues in Science Teaching in South Africa: A Conceptual Analysis

AbstractScience teaching and learning is facing a new dilemma. It has to move from its old perception of science as a purely positivistic and value-free enterprise into regarding it as what it really is: a value-laden human endeavour characterised by historical, cultural, social and political parameters. Science teachers now have to deal with ethical, and social issues encountered in their teaching of science. In essence school science has moved from its conventional form of being a pure science to more of a social subject that has to talk about day to day social and ethical issues. This conceptual paper explores the problems that science teachers face in their teaching. The paper goes further to suggest radical approaches that teachers may use to teach these issues successfully. The incorporation of radical approaches is relevant in order to address this issue which has the potential to adversely affect the teaching and learning of science. Relevant examples from the South African context are cited throughout the paper.

Enhancing Acute Migraine Treatment: Exploring Solid Lipid Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for the Nose-to-Brain Route.

Migraine has a high prevalence worldwide and is one of the main disabling neurological diseases in individuals under the age of 50. In general, treatment includes the use of oral analgesics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for mild attacks, and, for moderate or severe attacks, triptans or 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonists. However, the administration of antimigraine drugs in conventional oral pharmaceutical dosage forms is a challenge, since many molecules have difficulty crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to reach the brain, which leads to bioavailability problems. Efforts have been made to find alternative delivery systems and/or routes for antimigraine drugs. In vivo studies have shown that it is possible to administer drugs directly into the brain via the intranasal (IN) or the nose-to-brain route, thus avoiding the need for the molecules to cross the BBB. In this field, the use of lipid nanoparticles, in particular solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), has shown promising results, since they have several advantages for drugs administered via the IN route, including increased absorption and reduced enzymatic degradation, improving bioavailability. Furthermore, SLN and NLC are capable of co-encapsulating drugs, promoting their simultaneous delivery to the site of therapeutic action, which can be a promising approach for the acute migraine treatment. This review highlights the potential of using SLN and NLC to improve the treatment of acute migraine via the nose-to-brain route. First sections describe the pathophysiology and the currently available pharmacological treatment for acute migraine, followed by an outline of the mechanisms underlying the nose-to-brain route. Afterwards, the main features of SLN and NLC and the most recent in vivo studies investigating the use of these nanoparticles for the treatment of acute migraine are presented.

Considering Safe and Sustainable by Design alternatives – Environmental Hazards of an agriculture Nano-enabled pesticide to non-target species

Nanopesticides (Npes) offer improved efficacy compared to their conventional forms while reducing the usage/application rates, hence being more sustainable options. However, there is still a knowledge gap on the Npes environmental impacts. To support the safety of nano-enabled pesticides, the present study aimed at assessing the toxicity of the commercial Npe NUCOP-M and the active substance copper oxychloride, using the ecotoxicological soil model Enchytraeus crypticus and LUFA 2.2 soil. Bioassays were performed to assess various endpoints within short- to longer-term exposures: avoidance behaviour (2 d), hatching (13 d), survival, reproduction and organisms' size (based on the standard OECD test (28 d), the OECD extension (56 d), and the Full Life Cycle test - FLCt (46 d)). Based on the standard OECD test and its extension, NUCOP-M had a similar level of toxicity as copper oxychloride without indications of increase in toxicity over time (28 versus 56 d). The shorter-term exposures (2 and 13 d) showed higher toxicity for copper oxychloride. The exposure from cocoon stage (FLCt) seemed to provide an adaptative advantage (reduced toxicity) to NUCOP-M. The differences might be related to a slower release of Cu2+ ions from NUCOP-M, which seems to account for the toxicity at longer-term. Based on the recommended application doses (ca. 1.72 mg NUCOP-M kg-1, i.e. 0.62 mg Cu kg-1 in the topsoil) there is no unacceptable risk of NUCOP-M on the enchytraeid population.

Advancing SDG 16 through political participation on social media: A Comparative Study of Social Capital between South Korea and the United States

The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) aims to promote peaceful, inclusive societies and build effective, accountable institutions. Despite the growing influence of online media on political activities in the digital age and the increasing importance of achieving SDG 16 through political participation, there has been a lack of empirical research on this topic. This cross-cultural comparative study investigates the relationships among online communication, social capital, and political participation in South Korea and the United States. Online surveys were conducted in both countries, focusing on people's interest and trust in online communication, types of online social capital (bonding and bridging), and engagement in conventional and unconventional forms of political participation. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of social media as a platform for citizens to voice their political opinions and partake in democratic processes. We discovered a significant correlation between heightened interest and trust in online communication and increased political participation in both countries. This correlation is instrumental in achieving SDG 16.7, which advocates for inclusive and participatory decision-making. This study also highlights the nuanced differences in the relationship between online social capital and political participation. In South Korea, bridging online social capital is associated with unconventional political activities, whereas in the United States, bonding online social capital is linked to these forms of engagement. However, in both countries, participation in presidential elections is associated with bridging online social capital, providing a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics at play. The potential of social media to expand opportunities for citizens to participate in the political process and hold their governments accountable contributes to achieving SDG 16.6, which aims to develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions. However, the study also serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by online polarization and misinformation. To fully realize the benefits of social media in promoting inclusive and sustainable social development, addressing these issues and fostering healthy online communities are essential.In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of promoting online communication and building robust online communities as key strategies for achieving SDG 16, engaging a wide range of stakeholders in the process of building a more equitable and sustainable future.

Optimization of the experimental design parameters for synthesis of Fluconazole loaded transethosomes as nano-based antifungal vesicles

Introduction: Antifungal drugs formulated in conventional pharmaceutical forms are not fully effective due to various factors. New approaches have focused on transdermal delivery drugs, including transethosomes, where the mixture of ethanol and surfactant allows a deeper drug skin’s penetration. Formulation parameters and process variables can make their optimization a considerable challenge. This study aimed to formulate Fluconazole-loaded transethosomes using a full-factorial design with the goal of optimizing formulation and process variables. Method: Fluconazole transethosomes were developed using the cold Method. A 21,31 full-factorial design was created by Design Expert® Software, where the impact of surfactant’s type and soy lecithin to surfactant ratio on resulting formulation were investigated. The formulations were tested for vesicle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency. Results: Formulations containing Tween®80 presented the smaller particle sizes and showed a considerable entrapment efficiency for Fluconazole, they were more homogenous and highly stable compared to those prepared with Span®80. The optimized soy lecithin to surfactant ratio of 90:10 with Tween®80 was deemed apt for the synthesis of transethosomes giving the optimal formulation with a small particle size (300.2±5.57 nm), a low PDI (0.203±0.004), a good zeta potential (−31.75±0.68 mV) and a high entrapment efficiency (88.11±0.74 %). Conclusion: This study enabled the in-depth identification and optimization of the key factors involved in the experimental process, such as the type of surfactant used and the soybean lecithin-to-surfactant ratio. To ensure safety and effectiveness in use, this work provides the perspective of continuing the study by evaluating the antifungal activity, long-term stability and safety of Fluconazole-loaded transethosomes.

Comparing Low-Dose Carvedilol Continuous Manufacturing by Solid and Liquid Feeding in Self-Emulsifying Delivery Systems via Hot Melt EXtrusion (SEDEX)

Background/Objectives: This study compared two pilot scale continuous manufacturing methods of solid self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDSs) via hot melt extrusion (HME). Methods: A model poorly water-soluble drug carvedilol in low dose (0.5–1.0% w/w) was processed in HME either in a conventional powder form or pre-dissolved in the liquid SEDDS. Results: HME yielded a processable final product with up to 20% w/w SEDDS. Addition of carvedilol powder resulted in a non-homogeneous drug distribution in the extrudates, whereas a homogeneous drug distribution was observed in pre-dissolved carvedilol. SEDDSs were shown to have a plasticizing effect, reducing the HME process torque up to 50%. Compatibility between excipients and carvedilol in the studied ratios after HME was confirmed via DSC and WAXS, demonstrating their amorphous form. Solid SEDDSs with Kollidon® VA64 self-emulsified in aqueous medium within 15 min with mean droplet sizes 150–200 nm and were independent of the medium temperature, whereas reconstitution of Soluplus® took over 60 min and mean droplet size increased 2-fold from 70 nm to 150 nm after temperature increased from 25 °C to 37 °C, indicating emulsion phase inversion at cloud point. Conclusions: In conclusion, using Kollidon® VA64 and pre-dissolved carvedilol in SEDDS has shown to yield a stabile HME process with a homogenous carvedilol content in the extrudate.

Protection and Heat Insulation Performance Comparison using Insulation Formwork in Winter

Concrete pouring in winter is critical to both concrete manufacturers and end users owing to the possibility of concrete damage due to cold weather. In this context, various methods have been used to prevent frost damage to concrete in winter, including adjusting the concrete mix using a chemical admixture and heat-curing with tents. Of these methods, the insulated-gang-form approach does not require concrete-mix adjustment via a chemical-admixture addition. Furthermore, its positive effect on the initial quality of concrete during concrete construction in winter has previously been confirmed. In this study, the power consumption of the conventional gang form was compared with that of the insulated gang form to evaluate the efficiency of the two protection methods. A thermal vision camera was used to examine the surface heat loss of the gang forms after concrete pouring. The insulated gang form significantly outperformed the conventional one through its significantly reduced power consumption and reduced surface heat loss. These findings can contribute to the standardization of insulated gang form application to concrete protection in cold-weather conditions.

How sugar types and fabrication methods affect palatability in paediatric-friendly oromucosal pullulan films of chlorpromazine hydrochloride

Ensuring children adhere to their prescribed medication can be challenging, particularly when a large number of medicines on the market consist of unpalatable drugs and difficult to swallow dosage forms. Sugar-based oromucosal films are easy to administer dosage forms across all age groups within the paediatric population, as they eliminate the need for swallowing or water intake and can contribute to enhancing palatability and medicine adherence. In the current study, electrospun and 3D printed oromucosal films of chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CHZ), a bitter drug, were developed based on pullulan, a natural polysaccharide, and an array of sweeteners. Their taste masking efficacy was assessed in vitro using an electronic tongue, showing a significant suppression of the bitter taste of CHZ in the presence of sucralose, sucrose and isomalt in the 3D-printed films. In vivo assessment further confirmed that the sugar-based 3D printed films are highly acceptable to volunteers. For the electrospun films, volunteers reported neutral responses for overall acceptability, likely due to their lack of familiarity with this type of formulation. Overall, with improved acceptability and further optimization for taste masking, sugar-based films could serve as a viable alternative to conventional solid oral dosage forms for administering drugs to children.

Formulation and Optimization of Fast Dissolving Tablets of Zidovudine.

Fast-dissolving tablets (FDTs) have emerged as a prominent alternative to conventional oral dosage forms, particularly for drugs requiring rapid onset of action. This study aims to formulate and optimize fast-dissolving tablets of zidovudine, an antiretroviral medication used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. The primary objective was to enhance patient compliance by ensuring the tablet disintegrates and dissolves quickly in the oral cavity without the need for water. Using various superdisintegrants like sodium starch glycolate and cross-carmellose sodium into, multiple formulations were prepared. The optimized formulation was evaluated based on pre-compression and post-compression parameters, including hardness, friability, disintegration time, dissolution profile, and drug content uniformity. The study found that the incorporation of superdisintegrants significantly improved the dissolution rate of zidovudine, thus offering a promising approach for patients with swallowing difficulties and ensuring better therapeutic efficacy.