bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Konsep administrasi
Authors: Yulia Rahmah
Published: December 2019

Educational Administration is the whole process of collaboration of two or more people by utilizing all available personnel and material resources and appropriate to achieve the educational goals that have been set effectively and efficiently.All resources used will be regulated for use, so that there is no waste in achieving the goals that have been determined together. The purpose of administration in general is that all activities support the achievement of educational goals or in other words the administration used in the world of education is sought to achieve educational goals.
Administrasi kurikulum
Authors: Yulia Rahmah
Published: December 2019

Curriculum administration is the whole process of planned and deliberately planned and serious activities and continuing coaching of the teaching and learning situation effectively and efficiently in order to help the achievement of educational goals that have been set. In the process of curriculum administration, there are 4 processes that we can find out, namely: curriculum planning, curriculum implementation, curriculum monitoring / development, and evaluation. The role of the teacher in the administration of education, namely: implementers, adapters, developers, researchers.
adiminstrasi keuangan
Authors: mahendra Ika
Published: December 2019

Abstrak— In organizing education, finance and financing is a very decisive potential and an inseparable part in the study of education administration and management. The financing and financial component at the level of the education unit is a production component that determines the process of implementing teaching and learning activities in schools along with other components. In other words, every activity undertaken by the school requires funds, whether realized or not. so that finance can be structured properly, it is necessary to have an administration in its management so that there is a person in charge.
Web-Based Sensitivity Training for Interacting with Facial Paralysis
Authors: Michael John , Zhang Nicole , Bogart Kathleen , McEllin Luke
Published: December 2019

Previous research has shown that observers tend to form inaccurate, negatively biased first impressions of people with facial paralysis (FP). This is likely to be due in part to limits which facial paralysis imposes upon the expression of information about emotional states. It has been hypothesised that this problem may be ameliorated by a training program designed to encourage people who will encounter individuals with FP to focus on other channels of expression rather than the face, e.g. hand gestures, body language, tone of voice and speech content. We tested this hypothesis in two web-based studies. In Study 1, participants in the Trained Condition received tips for understanding/interacting with individuals with FP, and practice in identifying emotions expressed through body language. Participants in the Untrained Condition received only general information about FP, and practice in identifying emotions expressed through facial expression. In the test phase, we compared the two groups’ perception of emotions expressed in videos of individuals with FP, as well as their recall of the content of those videos. The results show that attending to bodily cues and to speech rather than facial cues can improve social perception and reduce bias. Study 2 tested participants in the Trained group two months later. The results show that the effects of the training did not persist. Taken together, our findings support the hypothesis that even brief training in attending to non-facial cues when interacting with individuals with FP can improve social perception and reduce bias, but that these effects do not persist over longer time periods in the absence of further training.
The Development of Effortful Control from Late Childhood to Young Adulthood
Authors: Atherton Olivia E. , Lawson Katherine M. , Robins Richard
Published: December 2019

The present study investigated the developmental precursors of effortful control, a temperament trait that involves the propensity to regulate one’s impulses and behaviors, to motivate the self towards a goal when there are conflicting desires, and to focus and shift attention easily. Data came from the California Families Project, a multi-method longitudinal study of 674 Mexican-origin youth (and their parents), who were assessed at ages 10, 12, 14, 16, and 19. Effortful control (measured via self- and parent-reports) was moderately stable over time (r=.47 from age 10 to 19), and its developmental trajectory followed a u-shaped pattern (decreasing from age 10 to 14, before increasing from age 14 to 19). Findings from latent growth curve models showed that youth who experience more hostility from their parents, associate more with deviant peers, attend more violent schools, live in more violent neighborhoods, and experience more ethnic discrimination tend to exhibit an exacerbated dip in effortful control. In contrast, youth with parents who closely monitor their behavior and whereabouts exhibited a shallower dip in effortful control. Analyses of the facets of effortful control revealed important disparities in their trajectories; specifically inhibitory control showed linear increases, attention control showed linear decreases, and activation control showed the same u-shaped trajectory as overall effortful control. Moreover, most of the precursors of effortful control replicated for inhibitory control and attention control, but not for activation control. We discuss the broader implications of the findings for adolescent personality development and self-regulation.
Deep Breathing Alters Visual Motion Perception
Authors: Yousef Ahmad
Published: December 2019

This article is to provide evidence that deep breathing had great influence on the perception of stimuli that trigger illusory motion perception. We had used two different stimuli; the first one can be considered as bistable rivalrous stimulus because it can trigger illusory motion reversals during its motion. The second stimulus is stationary, namely rotating snakes illusion, it is also bistable rivalrous stimulus because it has two states, stationary versus illusory motion. We had noticed that deep inhalation slows down the speed of the first stimulus and eliminates the illusory motion perception of the second stimulus. This might be because the amount of the hemoglobin red blood cells, possibly including the rich oxygenated ones, might be forcibly reduced in the brain during the intended inhalation, in turn, different parts in the brain, including hMT+ region, might be partially deactivated, see reference 1 and 2. Significant reduction against stimulus’ contrast is known to slow down the perceived speed, it also diminishes the activities of the retinal peripheries and their corresponding neurological connections that collectively build up the peripheral brain; we therefore suspect the peripheral hMT+ region to be inactivated by the deep inhalation. Strong exhalation, however, triggers illusory motion reversal for the first stimulus, and promotes illusory motion perception for the second stimulus; behavior that can be explained by the increased amount of the hemoglobin red blood cells that may activate different necessary regions in the peripheral brain. Astonishingly, we found that deep inhalation and exhalation sufficiently can control the aforementioned bistable visual perception.
Exploring New Zealand children’s technology access, use, skills and opportunities. Evidence from Ngā taiohi matihiko o Aotearoa - New Zealand Kids Online
Authors: Pacheco Edgar , Melhuish Neil
Published: December 2019

While children’s interaction with digital technologies is a matter of interest around the world, evidence based on nationally representative data about how integrated these tools are in children’s everyday life is still limited in New Zealand. This research report presents findings from a study that explores children’s internet access, online skills, practices, and opportunities. This report is part of Netsafe’s research project Ngā taiohi matihiko o Aotearoa - New Zealand Kids Online, and our first publication as a member of Global Kids Online. Generating insightful, reliable evidence about New Zealand children’s online experiences is vital to develop adequate support that reflects children’s experiences and needs. This, in turn, will help them to manage online risks and potential harm from behaviours such as cyberbullying, harassment, and other forms of abuse and intimidation.
Comparing demographics of signatories to public letters on diversity in the mathematical sciences
Authors: Topaz Chad , Cart James , Eaton Carrie Diaz , Shrout Anelise Hanson , Higdon Jude A. , Ince Kenan , Katz Brian , Lewis Drew , Libertini Jessica , Smith Christian Michael
Published: December 2019

In its December 2019 edition, the Notices of the American Mathematical Society published an essay critical of the use of diversity statements in academic hiring. The publication of this essay prompted many responses, including three public letters circulated within the mathematical sciences community. Each letter was signed by hundreds of people and was published online, also by the American Mathematical Society. We report on a study of the signatories' demographics, which we infer using a crowdsourcing approach. Letter A highlights diversity and social justice. The pool of signatories contains relatively more individuals inferred to be women and/or members of underrepresented ethnic groups. Moreover, this pool is diverse with respect to the levels of professional security and types of academic institutions represented. Letter B does not comment on diversity, but rather, asks for discussion and debate. This letter was signed by a strong majority of individuals inferred to be white men in professionally secure positions at highly research intensive universities. Letter C speaks out specifically against diversity statements, calling them "a mistake," and claiming that their usage during early stages of faculty hiring "diminishes mathematical achievement." Individuals who signed both Letters B and C, that is, signatories who both privilege debate and oppose diversity statements, are overwhelmingly inferred to be tenured white men at highly research intensive universities. Our empirical results are consistent with theories of power drawn from the social sciences.
The Effects of Driver Licensing Laws on Immigrant Travel
Authors: Barajas Jesus
Published: December 2019

Car use is critical to improving access to opportunities, especially for low-wage immigrants whose jobs are dispersed and when transit service is minimal. But many states have restricted the ability of undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses, making it potentially difficult for them to improve their economic standing. The effects of these laws have been tested for their association with traffic safety but not on mode choice itself. Using the two most recent versions of the National Household Travel Survey, I fit a series of difference-in-difference models to estimate the effect of permissive immigrant driver licensing on travel outcomes. Permissive licensing increased the rate of giving rides by about 13% and increased the rate of getting a ride by about 6.5%, but changes to driving alone were insignificant. Results suggest permissive licensing has beneficial accessibility impacts for all immigrants in addition to the positive safety and economic externalities documented elsewhere.
Indigenous knowledge on ground-nesting stingless bees in southwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Kidane Amenay Assefa , Tegegne Fisseha Mengstie , Tack Ayco
Published: December 2019

While Ethiopia has several species of stingless bees, indigenous knowledge on them has not been well documented. Here, we document the indigenous knowledge of the Sheka community in southwestern Ethiopia on stingless bees. We used the snowball sampling technique to locate 60 experienced honey collectors, conducted semi-structured interviews, and complemented interviews with field observations during honey collection trips with interviewees. Honey collectors did not collect honey from aboveground nesting stingless bees, but only from stingless bees nesting belowground. To find the underground nests in the field, honey collectors used several methods, including direct observation of nest entrances and worker bee movement, attaching a thread to the worker bee, and listening for the humming sound of the bee’s natural enemy (wasp). Nests were harvested destructively. Interestingly, a single farmer kept ground-nesting stingless bee colonies at his backyard using uniquely tailored squared box hives. Collected honey is used for home consumption, disease treatment, and the generation of income. Our findings illustrate the deep indigenous knowledge of the Sheka community on wild ground-nesting stingless bees. To facilitate the establishment of stingless bee beekeeping (meliponiculture) in the study area, we may build upon this indigenous knowledge by field research on the biology of stingless bees, taxonomic studies to assess the diversity and identity of ground-nesting stingless bees, and engineering studies to develop beekeeping practices. Together, this may allow for better income for local farmers and avoid the risk of overexploitation of wild stingless bee nests.
Children's exposure to sexually explicit content: Parents’ awareness, attitudes and actions
Authors: Pacheco Edgar , Melhuish Neil
Published: December 2019

Parents are key players in relation to the online safety of their children. However, while evidence shows that New Zealand teens regard their parents as the first line of support in dealing with online risks and challenges, parents seem to underestimate or be unaware of the frequency of such risks. This report presents findings from a larger quantitative study about parenting, digital technologies and online risks. It focuses on parents and caregivers’ awareness and attitudes towards their child’s access and exposure to sexually explicit content, both deliberately and/or accidentally, in the prior year. We conducted a quantitative survey with parents/whānau (and caregivers) of children aged 9 to 17 years old. The study was conducted in New Zealand based on a nationally representative sample. Our findings show that parents’ main online concerns are their children sharing nudes of themselves, being treated in a hurtful way, and seeing sexually explicit content. Also, the study found that 1 in 5 parents said their children were exposed to sexually explicit content online in the prior year.
Study of Dielectric Barrier Discharge in Air and Estimation of Electron Density and Energy Deposition
Authors: Thapa Bhesh Bahadur , Tyata Raju Bhai
Published: December 2019

This paper reports the electrical behaviors of atmospheric pressure plasma reactor with Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) in air medium. The DBD discharge was generated in air at atmospheric pressure using Disc Electrode Geometry (DEG) reactor powered by ac voltage (0-7kV) at a frequency of 24kHz. The glass plates of thickness 1.0mm and 3.0mm were used as dielectric. The current-voltage characteristics were studied for two air gap of 2.0mm and 3.0mm by varying the applied voltages. The numbers of filamentary micro discharges were found as increased in each half cycle with increase in power. The observations of Lissajous figure of applied voltage versus electric current was used for measuring energy deposited by discharge and also compared with calculated value. Lissajous figures clearly show that the energy deposited by discharge was dependent on applied voltage. The electron density of discharge was measured by power balance method. Electron density was found in the order of 1017 per cubic meter.
Assessment of Solid Waste Management in Bhaktapur Municipality
Authors: Ranjit Amit Shankar , Shakya Ronish , Gwachha Sushila , Ganesh Razim , Prajapati Meera , Bhaila Puna , Duwal Indu
Published: December 2019

Bhaktapur Municipality has been performing better to keep the city clean. However, scarcity of space for the land filling of the solid waste and proper segregation of waste at the source has been a hurdle for the Municipality. This paper aims to determine solid waste generation rate and to analyze overall situation of solid waste management of Bhaktapur Municipality. However, the data will not represent the seasonal and occasional variations. Additionally, waste from street-sweeping and large-scale institutional and commercial components of the Municipality has not been assessed. Arkin and Colton (1963) was referred for the sample size determination. Sample of 376 households were taken accordingly. Twenty representative samples each for commercial and institutional establishments were selected, and one each for special cases such as hospital, slaughter house and poultry has been assessed. Municipal household waste generation was found to be 0.093kg per capita per day which was chiefly composed of 77% organic, 18% plastic and 3% paper. Organic waste has been a major waste for institutions such as schools whereas at governmental and public offices, paper is the predominantly generated waste. Among commercial establishments, shops and restaurants mostly generate organic waste and that for departmental stores has been paper. Though collection system was found to be satisfactory, treatment and final disposal have been unsustainable. Available treatment facilities have been shut down whereas other infrastructural components have been lacking.
Performance Study of 4-Stroke Diesel Engine Using Soybean Oil Blend
Authors: Kshetri Anshu , Sakhakarmy Manish , Gusain Rukesh
Published: December 2019

The rate of fossil fuel consumption is soaring with population growth but the fossil fuel reserves are finite in nature. It is only a matter of when they run out - not if. Every year, billions of tons of fossil fuel oil is consumed globally. So it is high time we contemplated over other alternative fuels. One such alternative is the use of Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) or its blend in diesel engine if performance, emission and maintenance of an engine are comparable to diesel fuel. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of commercially available Soybean oil and diesel blends on the performance characteristics of Kirloskar single cylinder diesel engine. This study also sheds light on comparison and measurement of physical properties of diesel and test fuels i.e., the blends, and correlates them with the performance test result. It is concluded that the tested blends can be used safely and effectively in the diesel engine, at least in small blending ratios with normal Diesel fuel.
A Case Study of Brick Properties Manufacture in Bhaktapur
Authors: Shrestha Shova
Published: December 2019

Bricks are commonly used for construction of buildings structures. The main objective of this article is to present the case study on different properties of the bricks manufactured in Bhaktapur city. Sample specimens were collected and tested for crushing strength, water absorption, specific gravity, density, porosity, impact test, dimension test, hardness test, soundness test and color appearance test of bricks in the laboratory. The overall aim of this study is to determine, through extensive experimental investigation, the effect of different brick on strength, water absorption, density, hardness, impact, porosity, and crushing strength. After multiple tests, results regarding the properties of bricks included – water absorption varies from 8.80% to 23.93%, porosity varying from 19.28% to 53.99%, specific gravity varying from 2.19 to 4.00, density varying from 1549.77 kg/m3 to 2816.6kg/m3, and crushing strength varying from 7.83 MPa to 22.10 MPa. In hardness test, 15 out of 33 were found to be hard; while 13 out of 33 passed the impact test; and 18 out of 33 has metallic sound. For the good quality of brick, the brick should have bright color appearance but only 15 out of 33 samples carry bright color appearance. Regarding the dimensions, length varies from 212.00 mm to 242.00 mm, breadth varies from 96.00 mm to 115.00 mm and thickness varies from 48.80 mm to 63.00 mm. From this research, properties of almost all bricks are not as per Nepal Building Code. The bricks manufactured at present are being commercialized rather than maintaining the standards as per the code.
Case Study for Replacement of Conventional Lights by Led Lights
Authors: Duwal Indu
Published: December 2019

With the increment in the gap between the demand and supply of energy, various alternatives for decreasing the demand of energy are major concern for the various stakeholders. In order to decrease the energy demand by lighting various energy efficient lights are available in market. However it is difficult to convince the residents to change conventional artificial light sources, since lighting system is an essential part in the building which ensures the comfort, productivity and safety of the occupants in the buildings. Among the various Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights are termed as one of the most efficient energy saving lights which aims to save almost more than 50 % of energy demand than that of CFL lights with same power of illumination. Hence, this study is carried out to calculate energy saving percentage after replacing the conventional lights like florescent, mercury lights and other forms of conventional lights by LED lights. Additionally the study also was focused to evaluate feasibility of the replacement of lights by LED lights in terms of energy saving and return of investment. The research was carried out in building used by Agrotechnology and Food Science (AFSG) science group of Wageningen University in the Netherlands. The results from the study showed that almost 50% of the energy can be saved after replacement by LED lights with around 5 years for return of investment. However, factors like 1) Number of operating hours, 2) Price of lights, 3) Energy cost, 4) Labour cost for replacement and adjustment and 5) Number of replacement and adjustment per hour are the influential features that effects in the performance of various types of lights
Effect of Coarse Aggregate Sources on the Compressive Strength of Various Grade of Nominal Mixed Concrete
Authors: Prajapati Jeetendra , Karanjit Sudip
Published: December 2019

Various grades of nominal mix concrete from low to medium strength are being used in building construction works in Kathmandu Valley. The aim of the study was to investigate the source effect of various types of coarse aggregates on the compressive strength of different grade of nominal mix concrete. Here, 5 different types of coarse aggregates sources were selected (A-Panauti, B-Melamchi, C-Chaukidada, D-Khopasi and E-Kaaldhunga) based on field enquiry and questionnaire survey with suppliers and contractors. Majority of coarse aggregates were angular in shape with a few sub angular and flaky types. From physical test result, most of the coarse aggregates were found to be graded type with partial deviation from the gradation limitation of IS383:1970. Based on specific gravity and dry-rodded bulk density, coarse aggregates can be classified as medium weight aggregates. Mechanical test of aggregate shows all the aggregates are of medium strength with variation in mechanical properties among them. The next stage of study is related to determination of compressive strength. Total 90 concrete cubes of size 15 cm were made of 3 different grades of nominal mix M1 (1:2:4), M2 (1:2:3) and M3 (1:1.5:3) by weight. Water/cement ratio, cement, sand, water were kept constant for each mix ratio while only coarse aggregate sources were chosen as variable. Due to change in aggregate type only, variation in 28 days target compressive strength is found up to 47%. Sample C, D and E showed relatively higher 28 days compressive strength compared to Sample A and B. The results indicate that the coarse aggregate source has significant variation in the compressive strength of various grade of nominal mix concrete. The variation in compressive strength is relatively significant for lean mix concrete (1:2:4 & 1:2:3) compared to rich mix concrete (1:1.5:3). In terms of concrete cube failure mechanism, the cubes made of sample A & B failed by coarse aggregate crushing while the major failure mechanism in sample C, D & E was initiated by bond failure.
Rice Plant Disease Detection using Twin Support Vector Machine (TSVM)
Authors: Chawal Bikash , Panday Sanjeev Prasad
Published: December 2019

Crop disease epidemics can cause severe losses and affect agricultural products and food security especially in south Asian countries and Nepal where rice is enjoyed as a staple throughout the year. To achieve automatic diagnosis of crop disease the proposed system aims to develop a prototype system for detection of the paddy disease. Image recognition of the disease would be conducted based on Image Processing techniques to enhance the quality of the image and Twin Support Vector Machine (TSVM) technique to classify the paddy disease. The methodology involves image acquisition, pre-processing, analysis and classification of the paddy disease. All the paddy sample images will be passed through the RGB calculation before it proceeds to the binary conversion. If the sample is in the range of normal paddy RGB, then it is automatically classify as normal. Then, all the segmented paddy disease sample will be converted into the binary data in data base before proceed through the TSVM for training and testing. The proposed system is targeted to achieve better recognition results.
Solubility and Dissolution Enhancement of Atorvastatin Calcium using Solid Dispersion Adsorbate Technique
Authors: Ali Samer K. , B. H. Al-Khedairy Eman
Published: December 2019

Atorvastatin (ATR) is poorly soluble anti-hyperlipidemic drug; it belongs to the class II group according to the biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) with low bioavailability due to its low solubility. Solid dispersions adsorbate is an effective technique for enhancing the solubility and dissolution of poorly soluble drugs.

          The present study aims to enhance the solubility and dissolution rate of ATR using solid dispersion adsorption technique in comparison with ordinary solid dispersion. polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4000), polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000), Poloxamer188 and Poloxamer 407were used as hydrophilic carriers and Aerosil 200, Aerosil 300 and magnesium aluminium silicate (MAS) as adsorbents.

           All solid dispersion adsorbate (SDA) formulas  were prepared in ratios of 1:1:1  (drug: carrier: adsorbent) and evaluated for their water solubility, percentage yield, drug content,  , dissolution, crystal structure using  X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)  studies and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for determination the drug-carrier- adsorbate interaction.

               The prepared (SDA) showed significant improvement of drug solubility in all prepared formula. Best result was obtained with formula SDA12(ATR :Poloxamer407 : MAS 1:1:1) that showed 8.07 and 5.38 

fold increase in solubility compared to  solubility of pure ATR and  solid dispersion(SD4) (Atorvastatin: Poloxamer 407 1:1) respectively due to increased wettability and reduced crystallinity of the drug which leads to improve drug solubility  and  dissolution .
Formulation and Characterization of Itraconazole as Nanosuspension Dosage Form for Enhancement of Solubility
Authors: Rashid Asmaa M. , Abdal-Hammid Shaimaa N.
Published: December 2019

Abstract

            Itraconazole is a triazole antifungal given orally for the treatment of oropharyngeal and vulvovaginal candidiasis, for systemic infections including aspergillosis, candidiasis,  and for the prophylaxis of fungal infections in immunocompromised patients.

           The study aimed to formulate a practical water-insoluble Itraconazole, with insufficient bioavailability as nanosuspension to increase aqueous solubility and improve its dissolution and oral bioavailability.

          Itraconazole nanosuspension was produced by a solvent-antisolvent nanoprecipitation method in the presence of different stabilisers (Poloxamer-188, HPMCE5) at different ratios with the drug alone or combination with surfactant(tween 80, SLS).

         The results exhibit that the particle sizes of all prepared itraconazole formulations were in the nano size.  The best formula (F6) has a particle size.  ( 42  ) nm and Zeta potential of (- 21.86 ) mV.  In vitro cumulative release from the nanosuspension was (88 %) at (30) min when compared to the pure drug (13%) and lyophilized nanoparticles (98.2%) at (30)min. Effect of different parameters was investigated.

          Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy(FTIR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope( SEM) was done for the optimized  nanoparticles prepared by lyophilization technique

        Thus, Nanosuspension appears to be an encouraging approach to formulate Itraconazole nanosuspension with high solubility and dissolution rate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keywords: Itraconazole, Nanoprecipitation method, Nanosuspension
Perceptions and attitudes of community pharmacists towards patient counseling and continuing pharmacy education programs in Iraq
Authors: Mohammed Samer I. , Dawood Elaf B. , Abaas Iman S.
Published: December 2019

The pharmacist's role in the community is currently directed towards providing drug information and patient care rather than drug compounding and dispensing. Patient counseling is an essential skill for pharmacists. So as to improve the pharmacist role in the community and enhance the patient's education and counseling skills, many continuing education programs are established. The aim of this study is to assess the perceptions and tendency of community pharmacists in Iraq regarding patients counseling and continuing pharmacists’ educational programs.
Ex-Vivo Absorption Study of a Novel Dabigatran Etexilate Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Using Non-Everted Intestinal Sac Model
Authors: Abed Haithem N , A. Hussein Ahmed
Published: December 2019

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to develop Dabigatran Etexilate loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (DE-NLCs) using Glyceryl monostearate and Oleic acid as lipid matrix, and to estimate the potential of the developed delivery system to improve oral absorption of low bioavailability drug, different Oleic acid ratios effect on particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency and loading capacity were studied, the optimized DE-NLCs shows a particle size within the nanorange, the zeta potential (ZP) was 33.81±0.73mV with drug entrapment efficiency (EE%) of  92.42±2.31% and a loading capacity (DL%) of 7.69±0.17%. about 92% of drug was released in 24hr in a controlled manner, the ex-vivo intestinal permeation study using the non-everted sac model shows four folds increment in the permeation of DE-NLCs compared to dabigatran etexilate suspension (DE-S).
Enhancement of Solubility and Improvement of Dissolution Rate of Atorvastatin Calcium Prepared as Nanosuspension
Authors: Ali Ahmed H. , N. Abd-Alhammid Shaimaa
Published: December 2019

Atorvastatin have problem of very slightly aqueous solubility (0.1-1 mg/ml). Nano-suspension is used to enhance it’s of solubility and dissolution profile. The aim of this study is to formulate Atorvastatin as a nano-suspension to enhance its solubility due to increased surface area of exposed for dissolution medium, according to Noyes-Whitney equation.

        Thirty one formulae were prepared to evaluate the effect of ; Type of polymer, polymer: drug ratio, speed of homogenization, temperature of preparation and inclusion of co-stabilizer in addition to the primary one; using solvent-anti-solvent precipitation method under high power of ultra-sonication. In this study five types of stabilizers (TPGS, PVP K30, HPMC E5, HPMC E15, and Tween80) were used in three different concentrations 1:1, 1:0.75 and 1:0.5 for preparing of formulations. At the same time, tween80 and sodium lauryl sulphate have been added as a co-stabilizer. 

        Atorvastatin nano-suspensions were evaluated for particle size, PDI, zeta potential, crystal form and surface morphology. Finally, results of particle size analysis revealed reduced nano-particulate size to 81nm for optimized formula F18 with the enhancement of in-vitro dissolution profile up to 90% compared to 44% percentage cumulative release for the reference Atorvastatin calcium powder in 6.8 phosphate buffer media. Furthermore, saturation solubility of freeze dried Nano suspension showed 3.3, 3.8, and 3.7 folds increments in distilled water, 0.1N Hcl and 6.8 phosphate buffers, respectively. Later, freeze dried powder formulated as hard gelatin capsules and evaluated according to the USP specifications of the drug content and the disintegration time.

       As a conclusion; formulation of poorly water soluble Atorvastatin calcium as nano suspension significantly improved the dissolution of the drug and enhances its solubility.
Effects of Hydrochlorothiazide on Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats
Authors: G.Al-Rakhat Iman , N.Al-Shawi Nada
Published: December 2019

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor utilized for the treatment of hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus infections; and is now one of the most widely used antiretroviral drug. However, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate can induce nephrotoxicity, which may be attributed to the interaction between such drug and the organic anion transporters (hOAT1, and OAT3) with consequent changes in levels of some parameters that may have a role in nephrotoxicity. Thiazide diuretics have high to intermediate potency of inhibition of OAT1s and OAT3; thus, it may possess nephroprotective effects. This study was designed to investigate whether hydrochlorthiazide has nephroprotective effects on tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Twenty eight healthy adult male albino rats weighing 180-200g were utilized in this study for duration of 5weeks (35 days) treatment. Rats were randomly divided into four groups (7animals each). Group I: Negative control (orally given distilled water) by gavage tube; Group II: Rats orally received 600 mg/kg/day tenofovir disoproxil fumarate by gavage tube; Group III: Rats orally administered hydrochlorothiazide alone at a dose (10 mg/kg/day) by gavage tube, and Group IV: Rats orally administered hydrochlorothiazide at a dose (10 mg/kg/day) plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 600 mg/kg/day by gavage tube. On day 36 of the study, after euthanization of each animal by diethyl ether, 3-5ml of blood samples were collected from each rat by an intra-cardiac puncture, then centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 minutes to obtain serum, which was then transferred into suitable plain tubes and preserved at -20 °C; and it was utilized for the estimation of cystatin C and IL-10 level.

Rats administered tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for 5 weeks (group II) produced a significant -elevation (P<0.05) in serum cystatin C level and –reduction in serum IL-10 levels compared to negative control group (group I); similarly,  administration of hydrochlorothiazide alone to rats (group III) produced a significant -elevation (P<0.05) in serum cystatin C level and –reduction in serum IL-10 levels compared to negative control group (group I); also, rats administered combination of hydrochlorothiazide plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate to rats for 5 weeks (group IV) produced significant elevation (P<0.05) in serum level of cystatin C, and a significant reduction (P<0.05) in IL-10 serum level in treated rats compared to the corresponding levels of negative control animals (group I); beside that in (group IV) rats there were significant reduction (P<0.05) in serum level of both cystatin C, and IL-10 in treated rats compared to the corresponding levels compared to TDF-treated (group II). In conclusion, treatment with hydrochlorthiazide plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in an attempt to prevent nephrotoxicity induced by tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is not attained.
The Assessment of Some Serum Biomarkers of Fibromyalgia Syndrome in Pre and Postmenopausal Women in Relation to Obesity
Authors: Saleh Eman S.
Published: December 2019

The objective of this study is to evaluate the level of parathyroid hormone, Co enzyme Q and total antioxidant status in serum’s women with fibromyalgia syndrome firstly, then to demonstrate if these biochemical markers affected by age and obesity.

      This study was performed at Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Consultation Unit in Baghdad Teaching Hospital. Venous blood sample were drawn from (59) female with FMS and (30) control (without FMS). The serum was obtained after on standing in order to coagulate then centrifuged. The mean age± SD of FMS group was (42.22±15.34) years and for control was (40.7±18.22) years. Those participants were subdivided into four different groups according to menopausal status and body mass index to estimate three biochemical markers in their serum. The assessment of serum both PTH and Co enzyme Q were done by enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) while total antioxidant status (TAS) determination was done colorimetric ally. Statistical analysis was calculated by SPSS program version 24. Independent samples T-test for different group of patients Pearson correlation between serum’s biomarkers within different groups; P values < 0.05 means significant.

       The results record that serum’s PTH showed increasing significantly at same time of decreasing Co Q (P value<0.05) but TAS measuring register not significant decreased (P value> 0.05) in FMS comparing with control group. About the age; PTH serum level appear insignificant increased but Co Q & TAS were decreased (P value >0.05& P value< 0.05) respectively in post menopause comparing with pre menopause. For estimating serum’s biomarkers related with body mass index (BMI) as a sign of obesity. Serum PTH level record significant raise in obese group P value<0.003, insignificant variation in obese and non- obese groups (P value>0.05) in the same time TAS record a significant decrease in obese group P value= 0.00.

In pre menopause (FMS and control): Serum TAS level correlate negatively and significantly with PTH (P value= 0.034). For age>55; PTH in both FMS& control show critical significant correlation P value=0.05. In pre and post menopause FMS show significant independent t-test belong to TAS (P value= 0.004). In obese group PTH correlate Co Q of 2530 significantly P value=0.027 and P value=0.029. T test show significant in PTH and TAS between obese and non-obese.

In conclusion the obesity and menopause play an imperative role in the etiology of FMS relative with serum’s biomarkers (PTH, Co Q and TAS).
Synthesis and Characterizations of Dipeptide Derivative of Gentamicin
Authors: Khudair Oun D. , A. Fatih Diar
Published: December 2019

Abstract

      The target derivative are gentamicin linked with L-Val- L-Ala by an ester linkage. These were synthesized by esterification method, which included the reaction of -OH hydroxyl group on (carbon No.5) of gentamicin with the acid chloride of the corresponding dipeptide, The preparation of new derivative of gentamicin involved protected the primary & secondary amine groups of Gentamicin, by Ethylchloroformate (ECF) to give N-carbomethoxy Gentamicin which was used for further chemical synthesis involving the free hydroxyl groups.

Then prepared dipeptide (L-Val- L-Ala) by conventional solution method in present DCC & HoBt then reacted with thionyl chloride to prepared acid chloride of dipeptides, then after, linked by ester linkage to N-protection gentamicin in present pyridine as base, finally deportation the amino group of synthesized compound by using TFAA in present anisole.

The characterization of the titled compounds were performed utilizing FTIR spectroscopy, CHNS elemental analysis, and by measurements of their physical properties.
Formulation and Evaluation of Sustained Release Sumatriptan Mucoadhesive Intranasal in-Situ Gel
Authors: Alkufi Hussein K. , Kassab Hanan J.
Published: December 2019

Sumatriptan(ST) is a selective agonist at serotonin 5-HTI receptors, as well as 5-HT1B/1D subtypes. It is effective for acute migraine attacks, but has a short half  life (about 2 hours) and low oral bioavailability (15%). The purpose of this study was to develop and optimize nasal mucoadhesive in-situ gel(IG) of ST to enhance nasal residence time for migraine management. Cold method was used to prepare different formulas of  ST nasal IG, using thermosensitive polymers (poloxamer 407  alone or with poloxamer 188) with a mucoadhesive polymer hyaluronic acid (HA) which were examined for gelation temperature and gelation time, pH, drug content, gel strength, spreadability, mucoadhesive force determination, viscosity,  in-vitro drug release, and the selected formula was subjected to fourier transform infrared (FTIR) compatibility studies, and to ex-vivo permeation study, histological evaluation of the sheep mucosal tissue after ST nasal gel application for  6 hours.The results showed that the formula IG7 prepared from poloxamer 407(19%), poloxamer188 (4%) and HA (0.5%)   had an optimum gelation temperature (32.66±1.52°C), gel  strength (43.66± 1.52 sec),  mucoadhesive force (8067.93± 746.45dyne\cm2), in-vitro drug release (95.98%) over 6h, ex-vivo permeation study (89.6%)  during the 6 h. study with no  histological or pathological change in the nasal sheep tissue and no interaction between drug and other additives in IG7. Formulation of ST as a nasal insitu gel to avoid first pass metabolism and ease of administration coupled with less frequent and sustained drug release, will enhance patient compliance.
Promising hybrids of Asiatic lilies breeding of All-Russian Horticultural Institute for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery
Authors: Sorokopudova O. A.
Published: December 2019

The purpose of the work was to select hybrids of Asian lilies promising for landscaping from the gene pool of the All-Russian Horticultural Institute for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery, to characterize their advantages. Peculiarities of hybridization (the optional isolation of stigmas and castration) are refl ected, as well as grouping of lilies by fl owering time and height of fl ower-bearing shoots, valuable traits for breeding. The main features taken into account in the preparation of combinations of crosses and selecting seedlings in order to obtain hybrids that are diverse in appearance and stable in culture were: fl owering periods – from early to latest, infl orescence shape – from hemispherical to pyramidal, compact infl orescence, anthers sterility, originality forms and colours of fl owers, resistance to botrythiosis and alternariosis, ability to vegetative propagation by traditional methods, including the ability to form bulbills in the leaf axils. Ten promising Asian hybrids have been selected from the Institute’s hybrid lily fund, which are stable in open ground culture, varied in colour (one-colour and two-colour in various tones), fl ower shape (wide open, cup-shaped, chalmoid), fl ower-bearing shoot height (from short to tall), fl owering periods (from early to medium late). Among them ‘Alye Parusa’ and ‘Izyashchnaya’ are originally from Lilium davidii and are characterized by high drought tolerance, tall, elegant fl owers; ‘Ogonek’, 15.17 and 15.22 possess cytoplasmic male sterility; ‘Ogonek’, 15.17 and 15.21 possess early or medium early fl owering; ‘Meduza’, ‘Ogni Biryulevo’, ‘Tsaritsa’ possess an interesting coloring of fl owers; ‘Alye Parusa’, ‘Zagorye’, ‘Izyashchnaya’, 15.22 are tall, suitable for long cuts; in hybrids ‘Zagorye’ and 15.22 large leaf bulbills form in the axils of the leaves, which will contribute to the long-term cultivation of these lilies. All characterized hybrids are valuable material not only for fl ower decoration, but also as parent forms for breeding.
Evaluation of strawberry varieties by biochemical composition and commercial qualities under the conditions of Orenburg Urals
Authors: Mushinsky A. A. , Aminova E. V. , Avdeeva Z. A. , Tumaevа T. A. , Borisova A. A. , Motyleva S. M.
Published: December 2019

The article presents the results of studies of the chemical composition, commercial qualities and taste of berries of promising strawberry varieties breeding of the All-Russian Horticultural Institute for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery (Moscow) in the conditions of the Orenburg Urals. The studies were carried out in 2016-2018 on the basis of the Orenburg Experimental Station of Horticulture and Viticulture of the All-Russian Horticultural Institute for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery in specific conditions, where almost annually dry and moderately dry climatic periods were observed during the formation of the yield (May-June). A comparative evaluation of varieties on the content of sugars, acids, vitamin C in berries, taste and attractiveness of appearance is given. The dependence of the studied parameters on the genotype of the variety and vegetation conditions was established. Depending on the variety and year, the content of soluble solids varied from 7.2 to 10.2 %, with an average content of 8.9 %; total acidity varied from 0.8 to 1.2 %, with an average content of 1.0 %; the content of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was from 45.1 to 78.5 mg/100 g, with an average content of 56.4 mg/100 g. Varieties with high parameters of tasting evaluation (Darenka, Kokinskaya Zarya, Studencheskaya), soluble solids (Rosinka, Studencheskaya) and ascorbic acid (Kokinskaya Zarya, Bereginya) were revealed. They are recommended to be grown to obtain fresh consumption products and as processing products of various directions. Bereginya, Darenka and Rosinka varieties surpass control varieties in certain biochemical parameters and can be used in breeding in the Urals region to obtain new genotypes with an increased content of a specific biologically active substance. The variety Tsaritsa is selected for high commodity qualities of berries (weight, dessert taste, attractiveness of appearance) and is recommended for commercial production of berries and involvement in breeding process. It has been established that the taste of berries is determined by a complex of acids, sugars and aromatic substances. This parameter was greatly influenced by weather conditions, from which air temperature and precipitations were determining.