Preparation and Characterization of Orodispersible Films Loaded Diclofenac Sodium/β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes

Orodispersible films (ODFs) is orally pharmaceutical dosage form that rapidly disintegrates and instantly releases the drug when placed on the tongue. This study was firstly aimed to investigate physicomechanical properties of ODFs containing diclofenac sodium/β-cyclodextrin (DS/βCD) inclusion complexes prepared by solvent casting method. The influence of plasticizer, βCD and DS on hydroxypropyl metlhycellulose (HPMC) film was studied. Increasing of plasticizer concentration (e.g. PEG400 amd glycerol) resulted in decrement of disintegration time, strength and elasticity of HPMC films. When βCD was incorporated, opaque films were observed. Presence of βCD resulted in degrading of physicomechanical properties, except percentage of elongation representing the film’s elasticity. βCD films containing DS (DS/βCD films) were more brittle and transparent than blank βCD films. Amount of incorporated DS influenced on disintegration time and strength of obtained films. Cross-section scanning electron microscope (SEM) photomicrographs showed spherical particles scattered on DS/βCD films illustrating the occurrence of DS/βCD inclusion complexes during casting process. The DS/βCD inclusion complexes were then confirmed in both solid and solution. Furthermore, DS/βCD ODFs were prepared by incorporation of artificial sweeteners in DS/βCD films. It was found that DS/βCD ODFs containing xylitol were more brittle and their disintegration times were faster then those containing sucralose. Dissolution profiles were investigated then reported that release kinetic of DS/βCD films and ODFs were fitted to Higuchi model. In summary, the βCD-based ODFs containing DS were successfully developed.

EMPLOYMENT OF MAGNETIC WATER TREATMENT IN CONSTRUCTION

Magnetic treatment (MT) is one of the interested techniques that have been widely used in various aspects of life due to its positive effectiveness on the properties of water when utilized. Construction sector received great attention by researchers in order to employ magnetic water (MW) in the production of various building materials especially cement-based materials. This is due to the role of water is involved directly in the hydration process of the cement as well as curing process. The effectiveness of using MW came from the influence of magnetic field (MF) on physical properties of water molecular such as surface tension. Break down in the size of water clusters, therefore, is occurred which increases the activity of water molecular to penetrate the cement particle easily to involve in the hydration process. Various parameters may affect the magnetization process such as time, strength of MF and speed of water through the MF. In the current paper, the impact of using MW in the production of various construction and building materials that based on cement is addressed to clarify the actual need in adopting such an attractive technology to magnetize the water to be used in mixing and curing cement-based materials to construct sustainable concrete structures in construction sites.

Impact of Drilling Fluid Contamination on Performance of Rock-Based Geopolymers

Summary Our objective is to present selected rheological and mechanical properties of rock-based geopolymers contaminated with different concentrations of drilling fluids. The possible flash setting and the maximum intake of drilling fluids before seeing a dramatic deterioration of the geopolymers are presented. Rock-based geopolymers designed for cementing conductor and surface casing were prepared and cured for up to 28 days at 22°C and atmospheric pressure. Water-based drilling fluids (WBDFs) and oil-based drilling fluids (OBDFs) were designed in accordance with the recommendations from the petroleum industry. The fluid samples were prepared, and their viscous behavior was characterized before and after hot-rolling. The geopolymeric slurries were mixed and then blended with the prepared drilling fluid volumes. The contaminated geopolymeric slurries were cured and tested at different time intervals. American Petroleum Institute (API) Class G neat cement was used as a reference. These samples were cured and contaminated with the same drilling fluids. The properties of contaminated geopolymer slurries were benchmarked with those of the contaminated Class G cement. The obtained mechanical properties showed that the rock-based geopolymers are more sensitive to WBDFs than to OBDFs. However, for contaminated Portland cement samples, the obtained results were opposite, and the contamination effect of OBDF on cement was more noticeable than WBDF. The impact of geopolymer contamination is a function of curing time. Although geopolymeric samples showed dramatic strength retrogression at the early time, strength buildup of the samples compensated for the impact of contamination.

I am/we are: Contemporary dance, somatics and new older bodies

In this photographic article, we gather five Brazilian choreographers and dancers who are over 50 years old: Eva Schul (72), Robson Duarte (57), Eduardo Severino (57), Suzi Weber (55) and Mônica Dantas (52). Movement and dance photos support a narrative about age, longevity and fragility in contemporary dance. We try to answer some questions: how old is too old to dance? How do we embody time? How do we integrate damage and fragility to our dance? We have been collaborating with Eva Schul since the 1990s, and in parallel, we have been developing our own work. Since the 1980s, Eva Schul has been working with contemporary dance integrating somatic practices. So, this visual essay addresses topics related to the history of somatic practices and contemporary dance in southern Brazil and somatic perspectives on the ageing issue. We intend to give voice and image to those dancers and choreographers that are challenging the perspective of body image in dance, and highlight their older bodies, which can display vulnerability and fragility and, at the same time, strength and desire, ready to fight the battles of art and life. Our vision is that to give voice and image to those dancing bodies matured by the passage of time constitutes a political act.

Spirituality and religiosity in a palliative medicine population: mixed-methods study

BackgroundSpiritual care allows palliative care patients to gain a sense of purpose, meaning and connectedness to the sacred or important while experiencing a serious illness. This study examined how Australian patients conceptualise their spirituality/religiosity, the associations between diagnosis and spiritual/religious activities, and views on the amount of spiritual support received.MethodsThis mixed-methods study used anonymous semistructured questionnaires, which included the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Scale-12 (FACIT-SP-12) and adapted and developed questions examining religion/spirituality’s role and support.ResultsParticipants numbered 261, with a 50.9% response rate. Sixty-two per cent were affiliated with Christianity and 24.2% with no religion. The mean total FACIT-SP-12 score was 31.9 (SD 8.6). Patients with Christian affiliation reported a higher total FACIT-SP-12 score compared with no religious affiliation (p=0.003). Those with Christian and Buddhist affiliations had higher faith subscale scores compared with those with no religious affiliation (p<0.001). Spirituality was very important to 39.9% and religiosity to 31.7% of patients, and unimportant to 30.6% and 39.5%, respectively. Following diagnosis, patients prayed (p<0.001) and meditated (p<0.001) more, seeking more time, strength and acceptance. Attendance at religious services decreased with frailty (p<0.001), while engagement in other religious activities increased (p=0.017). Patients who received some level of spiritual/religious support from external religious/faith communities and moderate to complete spiritual/religious needs met by the hospitals reported greater total FACIT-SP-12 spirituality scores (p<0.001).ConclusionRespectful inquiry into patients spiritual/religious needs in hospitals allows for an attuned approach to addressing such care needs while considerately accommodating those disinterested in such support.

Moaners, Gloaters, and Bystanders: Perceived Fairness of the United Kingdom’s 2016 Referendum on the European Union

Referendums divide the electorate into winners, losers, and abstainers. Research has shown that these three groups tend to differ substantially in their evaluations of the fairness of a referendum. However, no study has investigated the nature and determinants of citizens’ perceptions of the fairness of a national referendum from long before until long after the vote. I address this lacuna by studying perceived fairness of the Brexit referendum using a four-wave panel dataset that tracks perceptions of fairness from before the referendum to 10 months after. The results demonstrate that winners, losers, and abstainers differ significantly in their fairness expectations and fairness evaluations after the vote and that the gap between them widened over time. Strength of identification with the referendum camps substantially moderates perceived fairness. Winners who expected to win did not expect the referendum to be conducted more fairly than winners who expected to lose.

Clinically available reinforcing materials for soft tissue reconstruction

Navigating the rapidly evolving field of materials for soft tissue reinforcement is challenging given the volume of clinically available options. Additionally, the current generally accepted classifications of these mesh materials confound the understanding of their utility by grouping disparate materials that have attributes overlapping category boundaries and that do not fully consider their clinically functionality. This review article highlights, from a materials science perspective, the most important attributes of these materials to improve the clinical decision-making process in the selection of the most appropriate features and design for the patient, surgery and clinical need. These characteristics include the physical attributes that directly impact the surgical procedure and immediate postoperative mechanical requirements as well as the post-implantation properties such as an adequate reinforcement time, strength of the resulting tissue and infection risk profile.