From Description to Interpretive Leap: Using Philosophical Notions to Unpack and Surface Meaning in Hermeneutic Phenomenology Research

Hermeneutic phenomenology (HP) as research method is increasingly used in health and social science studies to collect and analyze lived experiential descriptions (LEDs) of a phenomenon. However, currently there is little guidance in how to apply philosophical notions to interpret LEDs in HP studies and this approach has faced critique in how meaning is attributed. In this paper, we offer clarity about what “we do” in HP studies. It does not present a comparative analysis of qualitative approaches or claim to present an inflexible “how to” menu. The purpose is to provide guidance to those new to this methodology or/and for less experienced supervisors of postgraduate research students using this approach for the first time. The focus is specifically on conducting HP research and how philosophical notions are used to inform methodological decisions. Drawing upon data from our empirical projects we illuminate how meaning is surfaced, demonstrating a key feature of HP studies in the use of philosophical notions to uncover ontological significance. Consideration is also offered on how trustworthiness in HP studies can be achieved. The key contention is how the philosophical underpinnings of HP thinking, and the constant call to be reflexive, draws forth hitherto unspoken meaning that can inform new thinking and practice

University-industry relationships and open innovation: Towards a research agenda

Accepted versio

In silico Docking Studies of Fingolimod and S1P(1) Agonists

The sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1), originally the endothelial differentiation gene 1 receptor (EDG-1), is one of five G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) S1P1-5 that bind to and are activated by sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). The lipid S1P is an intermediate in sphingolipid homeostasis, and S1P1 is a major medical target for immune system modulation; agonism of the receptor produces a myriad of biological responses, including endothelial cell barrier integrity, chemotaxis, lymphocyte trafficking/targeting, angiogenesis, as well as regulation of the cardiovascular system. Use of in silico docking simulations on the crystal structure of S1P1 allows for pinpointing the residues within the receptor's active site that actively contribute to the binding of S1P, and point to how these specific interactions can be exploited to design more effective synthetic analogs to specifically target S1P1 in the presence of the closely related receptors S1P2, S1P3, S1P4, and S1P5. We examined the binding properties of the endogenous substrate as well as a selection of synthetic sphingosine-derived S1P1 modulators of S1P1 with in silico docking simulations using the software package Molecular Operating Environment® (MOE®). The modeling studies reveal the relevance of phosphorylation, i.e., the presence of a phosphate or phosphonate moiety within the substrate for successful binding to occur, and indicate which residues are responsible for S1P1 binding of the most prominent sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) modulators, including fingolimod and its structural relatives. Furthermore, trends in steric preferences as for the binding of enantiomers to S1P1 could be observed, facilitating future design of receptor-specific substrates to precisely target the active site of S1P1.Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Crystalline plasticity in isotactic polypropylene below and above the glass transition temperature

In-situ X-ray diffraction was applied to isotactic polypropylene with a high volume fraction of α-phase (α-iPP) while it has been compressed at temperatures below and above its glass transition temperature Tg. The diffraction patterns were evaluated by the Multi-reflection X-ray Profile Analysis (MXPA) method, revealing microstructural parameters such as the density of dislocations and the size of coherently scattering domains (CSD-size). A significant difference in the development of the dislocation density was found compared to compression at temperatures above Tg, pointing at a different plastic deformation mechanism at these temperatures. Based on the individual evolutions of the dislocation density and CSD-size observed as a function of compressive strain, suggestions for the deformation mechanisms occurring below and above Tg are made

Quantitative Methoden der Evaluierung technologiepolitischer Programme

In jüngster Zeit wurden international erhebliche Anstrengungen unternommen, um zu einer Bestandsaufnahme und Bewertung der bisherigen Praktiken bei der Evaluierung technologiepolitischer Instrumente, Programme und Institutionen zu gelangen. Der vorliegende Projektbericht versteht sich als Beitrag zur weiteren Konkretisierung und Entwicklung der österreichischen Evaluierungspraxis. Er steht damit im Kontext vielfältiger Bemühungen des Bundesministeriums für Verkehr, Technologie und Innovaton, in Österreich eine systematische Evaluierungskultur für den FTE-Bereich aufzubauen. Der Fokus in diesem Bericht liegt auf quantitativen Methoden, die mit Hilfe einer Vielzahl an internationalen „best practice“-Beispielen analysiert und beschreiben werden

Inhalation Delivery for the Treatment and Prevention of COVID-19 Infection

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is caused by coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and has produced a global pandemic. As of 22 June 2021, 178 million people have been affected worldwide, and 3.87 million people have died from COVID-19. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States, COVID-19 virus is primarily transmitted between people through respiratory droplets and contact routes. Since the location of initial infection and disease progression is primarily through the lungs, the inhalation delivery of drugs directly to the lungs may be the most appropriate route of administration for treating COVID-19. This review article aims to present possible inhalation therapeutics and vaccines for the treatment of COVID-19 symptoms. This review covers the comparison between SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV/MERS, inhalation therapeutics for the treatment of COVID-19 symptoms, and vaccines for preventing infection, as well as the current clinical status of inhaled therapeutics and vaccines