Perspectives, Questions, and Epistemic Value

Many epistemologists endorse true-belief monism, the thesis that only true beliefs are of fundamental epistemic value. However, this view faces formidable counterexamples. In response to these challenges, we alter the letter, but not the spirit, of true-belief monism. We dub the resulting view “inquisitive truth monism”, which holds that only true answers to relevant questions are of fundamental epistemic value. Which questions are relevant is a function of an inquirer’s perspective, which is characterized by his/her interests, social role, and background assumptions. Using examples of several different scientific practices, we argue that inquisitive truth monism outperforms true-belief monism

What Forms University? An Integrated Model from Syria

This study aims at developing and empirically testing an integrated model incorporating the factors that form university image in Syria. The study used a quantitative survey of students at Syrian universities. A pre-test of the questionnaire was undertaken using a convenient sample of 40 students. Thereafter, a sample of 259 students was used to test the model using structural equation modeling. The findings suggest word of mouth and faculty-individualized attention, one of service quality dimensions, as the antecedents of university image. Moreover, the findings reveal a positive effect of faculty-individualized attention and support staff helpfulness, as service quality dimensions, on student satisfaction. It is also found that student satisfaction positively affect word of mouth. This study is expected to help Syrian universities understand the key factors contributing to university image formation, and, therefore, strengthen their positions in the market. This study comes to be one of the first studies that attempt to understand how university image is formed

Information systems evaluation: Mini-track introduction

abreast of technological innovations. Yet, companies are becoming more aware that a competitive advantage can not be achieved, or even maintained by utilizing the latest technology. Indeed, it is becoming more apparent that a strategic competitive advantage will not be achieved through embraced technology alone but, in the way companies approach the evaluation, management and exploitation of their human, organizational and technology based assets and infrastructure. In support of this, Sohal et al. (2001) reported the results of a large-scale survey that demonstrated the limited Information Technology (IT) enabled business benefits resulting in service and manufacturing sectors. The survey highlighted that many of the benefits achieved through adopting IT/IS were limited to improvements in productivity and cost alone. Clearly, such results are surprising given the emphasis the normative literature has placed on the strategic benefits achievable from IT/IS. As a result of the far reaching conclusions reported by Sohal et al. (2001), many organisational have begun to question the scope and depth of those IT-enabled business benefits that are not achieved by those companies proactively adopting IT/IS

An overview of mini systematic literature on factors that influence the parents "perspective of leaving their children to / from school

The first walk to school program was in 1997, with just five primary schools taking part in Hertfordshire. Walk to School Day began in the United States of America (USA). as a one-day event. The first-ever International Walk to School Day launched in 2000. Today the International Walk to school day is celebrated in more than 40 countries and in thousands of schools across the United States of America (USA). The programs were extended to Canada, United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), Ireland, Cyprus, and Gibraltar [1]. In 2003 the International Walk to School Day extended to become a week of activities in 33 countries including the United States of America (USA), Belgium, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand supported the activities. In 2006 the first International Walk to School Month was launched [2]. Every October, Victoria primary school encourages kids to walk, ride or scoot to and from school, local councils and communities are also encouraged to make active travel easy, safe, and accessible. Currently, 759 primary schools across Victoria take part in Walk to School, with 140,303 primary school kids walking more than 1.6 million kilometres during October, the equivalent of walking two return trips to the moon [3]

Miconazole Nitrate based cubosome hydrogels for topical application

Cubosomes are discrete, sub-micron, nano-structured particles of bicontinuous cubic liquid crystalline phase. Cubosomes consist of honeycombed (cavernous) structures separating two internal aqueous channels and a large interfacial area. They are the biocompatible novel approach for the drug delivery system. The controlled release application of these nanoparticles is of a great significance in cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical fields. The present study is concerned with the design and evaluation of a novel nano-particulate system; cubosomes, loaded with miconazole nitrate (MN); which is used as antifungal agent. Cubosome dispersions were formulated by emulsification technique using different concentrations of a lipid phase monoolein and the nonionic surfactant, Poloxamer 407. The prepared cubosomal dispersions were characterized regarding dimensional distribution, particle size, and in vitro drug release. The optimum formulae were incorporated in a CMC or HPMC based hydrogels, to form cubosomal hydrogels (cubogels). The cubogels were characterized regarding in vitro release of (MN), viscosity and pH. A comparison between the cubogels and a commercially available product, Miconaz® cream, was carried out to judge their efficacy. The drug release from the commercial preparation was lower than all the prepared nano-emulsion based gel formulations. G1 and G8 showed highest drug release percent (100%) after 8 hours, in contrast the marketed formulation released (44.8%) of the drug after 8 hrs. The in vitro Miconazole nitrate release data were fitted to Korsmeyerpeppa's release model. The formulation exhibited non-fickian transport with zero order kinetics. Formulae G1, G8 and G10, that showed both small droplet size and highest extent of drug release, were microbiologically evaluated against Candida albicans (C. albicans) using agar cup diffusion method. The selected formulae showed superior antimycotic activity compared to the commercially available formulation

Miconazole Nitrate based cubosome hydrogels for topical application

Cubosomes are discrete, sub-micron, nano-structured particles of bicontinuous cubic liquid crystalline phase. Cubosomes consist of honeycombed (cavernous) structures separating two internal aqueous channels and a large interfacial area. They are the biocompatible novel approach for the drug delivery system. The controlled release application of these nanoparticles is of a great significance in cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical fields. The present study is concerned with the design and evaluation of a novel nano-particulate system; cubosomes, loaded with miconazole nitrate (MN); which is used as antifungal agent. Cubosome dispersions were formulated by emulsification technique using different concentrations of a lipid phase monoolein and the nonionic surfactant, Poloxamer 407. The prepared cubosomal dispersions were characterized regarding dimensional distribution, particle size, and in vitro drug release. The optimum formulae were incorporated in a CMC or HPMC based hydrogels, to form cubosomal hydrogels (cubogels). The cubogels were characterized regarding in vitro release of (MN), viscosity and pH. A comparison between the cubogels and a commercially available product, Miconaz® cream, was carried out to judge their efficacy. The drug release from the commercial preparation was lower than all the prepared nano-emulsion based gel formulations. G1 and G8 showed highest drug release percent (100%) after 8 hours, in contrast the marketed formulation released (44.8%) of the drug after 8 hrs. The in vitro Miconazole nitrate release data were fitted to Korsmeyerpeppa's release model. The formulation exhibited non-fickian transport with zero order kinetics. Formulae G1, G8 and G10, that showed both small droplet size and highest extent of drug release, were microbiologically evaluated against Candida albicans (C. albicans) using agar cup diffusion method. The selected formulae showed superior antimycotic activity compared to the commercially available formulation