Regional variation in British English voice quality

This study considers regional variation of voice quality in two varieties of British English – Southern Standard British English and West Yorkshire English. A comparison of voice quality profiles for three closely related but not identical northern varieties within West Yorkshire is also considered. Our findings do not contradict the small subset of previous research which explored regional and/or social variation in voice quality in British English insofar as regionality may play a small role in a speaker’s voice quality profile. However, factors such as social standing and identity could perhaps be even more relevant. Even when considering homogeneous groups of speakers, it is not the case that there is a cohesive voice quality profile that can be attached to every speaker within the group. The reason for this, we argue, is the speaker-specificity inherent in voice quality.

Profiles of teacher–child interaction quality in groups of 3-year-old children in Quebec and France

Theory and studies support that educational quality may differ according to socio-political context even in states with similar cultures. Based on a secondary analysis of data, this study aims at identifying latent profiles of adult–child interaction quality in groups of three-year-old children in Quebec’s (Canada) early childhood centers and France’s kindergarten classrooms using the CLASS Pre-K. This study also aims to explore existing associations between identified profiles, socio-political contexts, and structural characteristics (staff qualifications, ages, group size). Latent profile analyses showed four interaction quality profiles, namely a high-quality profile (HQ), a medium–high-quality profile (MHQ), a medium quality profile (MQ), and a medium–low-quality profile (MLQ). The scores of the three CLASS Pre-K domains associated with identified profiles show a higher average interaction quality in Quebec compared with France, suggesting a more favorable sociocultural context for interaction quality in Quebec. As for characteristics of structural quality, analyses suggest that the group size variable is significantly associated with scores of interaction quality, with the HQ and the MHQ profiles showing a significantly lower group size than the MQ and MLQ profiles. Age is also significantly associated with profiles, exhibiting a general trend of younger participants found in higher quality profiles. Courses of action to enhance French policies are discussed.

Quality-by-Design Approach and Optimization of Risk Factors by Box-Behnken Design in Formulation Development of Aspirin and Glycine Orally Disintegrating Tablet

Quality-by-design approach (QbD) was applied to develop an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) formulation of aspirin and glycine. At first, the target quality profile and critical quality attributes (CQAs) of the product were identified. Risk assessment was accomplished by failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) method to assess the factors having a significant effect on CQAs like disintegration time (DT), friability and assay of aspirin and glycine. Low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose (L-HPC), croscarmellose sodium (CCS) and punch-diameter were found critical for DT and friability. The box-Behnken design was applied to optimize those 3 factors to reach a target DT of ≤ 30 sec. It was found that a punch-diameter between 8.7 ~ 9.3 mm, CCS in a range of 4 % ~ 5 %, and L-HPC in a range of 2 % ~ 8 % produced the best oral disintegrating property and reduced the risk. In summary, this work represented an excellent example of the application of QbD approach in ODT formulation development.

Quality by Design: A Methodical Approach in Development of Nano Delivery System

Pharmaceutical quality by design (QbD) is a methodical approach to development of drug which begins with predefined objectives and control based on scientific acumen and quality risk management. QbD in the field of pharmacy is based on the basic understanding of the quality profile of final products affects by materials and process parameters. The application of QbD in designing of drug delivery system is based on a sound understanding of the sources of variability and the manufacture process and parameters. Most of problems in quality in formulations are related to the way designing of pharmaceutical product was carried out. The most important element of QbD based drug delivery development is the risk assessment (RA) activity which is important aspect during the development process. This review article addressed various concepts and applications od QbD to optimize and develop various nano drug delivery systems such as, examples liposomes, proliposome, nanoliposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, microsponges, solid lipid nanoparticles, transgel. nanostructured lipid carriers, nano emulsions with the research published in recent years.

Grain Quality and Starch Physicochemical Properties of Chalky Rice Mutant

Rice mutants with altered starch components and properties are important genetic resources for grain quality and starch structure analysis. Accordingly, in the present study, two mutants of the transcription factor OsbZIP09 were generated (osbzip09a and osbzip09b), and the rice grain quality and physicochemical starch properties of the mutant and wild-type lines were compared. The OsbZIP09 mutants exhibit a chalky grain owing to loosely packed, small, spherical starch granules in the ventral region of the endosperm. Furthermore, grain-quality profile analysis showed that OsbZIP09 deficiency leads to increased apparent amylose content but decreased gel consistency. Structural analysis of the mutant starches revealed that the mutant rice lines contain more amylopectin short chains and fewer intermediate chains, leading to lower crystallinity and lower gelatinization properties than those of the wild-type rice. Moreover, the OsbZIP09 mutants rice presented a significantly higher pasting curve and corresponding parameters than the wild-type rice. The results from this work strongly indicate that the transcription factor OsbZIP09 plays an important role in rice grain quality and starch fine structure modification, and extend our understanding of starch biosynthesis in rice endosperm.