Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions of Using iPads with Students with Learning Disabilities

Preservice teachers reflected on their experiences teaching mathematics to ten students using iPads. The students had learning disabilities and were tutored over 5 consecutive weeks. Teachers reflected weekly for 5 weeks then responded to an online open-ended survey regarding their overall teaching experience. Findings suggest that the experience allowed preservice teachers to gain helpful insight, knowledge, and ideas on how to use iPads as an instructional tool

A quasi-experimental study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding prevention of STDs among women in the selected rural areas, Hoshiarpur, Punjab – India

Women play an important role in making their families healthy and happy. But women are the ones in Indian houses who eat last and least in the whole family. Because women live longer and experience more functional limitations than men, the ï¬nancing and provision of their health care is a particularly important issue for them. With fewer women than men having a spouse they can rely on as a primary caregiver, older women are more dependent upon other informal caregivers and a greater reliance on formal care services

Antibacterial and phytochemical screening of Anethum graveolens, Foeniculum vulgare and Trachyspermum ammi

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Anethum graveolens </it>Linn., <it>Foeniculum vulgare </it>Mill. and <it>Trachyspermum ammi </it>L. are widely used traditional medicinal plants to treat various ailments. To provide a scientific basis to traditional uses of these plants, their aqueous and organic seed extracts, as well as isolated phytoconstituents were evaluated for their antibacterial potential.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Antibacterial activity of aqueous and organic seed extracts was assessed using agar diffusion assay, minimum inhibitory concentration and viable cell count studies; and their antibacterial effect was compared with some standard antibiotics. The presence of major phytoconstituents was detected qualitatively and quantitatively. The isolated phytoconstituents were subjected to disc diffusion assay to ascertain their antibacterial effect.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Hot water and acetone seed extracts showed considerably good antibacterial activity against all the bacteria except <it>Klebsiella pneumoniae </it>and one strain of <it>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</it>. Minimum inhibitory concentration for aqueous and acetone seed extracts ranged from 20–80 mg/ml and 5–15 mg/ml respectively. Viable cell count studies revealed the bactericidal nature of the seed extracts. Statistical analysis proved the better/equal efficacy of some of these seed extracts as compared to standard antibiotics. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of 2.80 – 4.23% alkaloids, 8.58 – 15.06% flavonoids, 19.71 – 27.77% tannins, 0.55–0.70% saponins and cardiac glycosides.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Antibacterial efficacy shown by these plants provides a scientific basis and thus, validates their traditional uses as homemade remedies. Isolation and purification of different phytochemicals may further yield significant antibacterial agents.</p

STUDY OF ELECTROLYTES AND LIVER FUNCTION TESTS IN CHRONIC ALCOHOLISM

Objective: Alcohol abuse is considered one of the major health issue in India, which can impair the electrolyte balance in chronic patient of alcoholism. In the present study, investigation has been conducted to estimate the levels of calcium, magnesium, SGOT, SGPT, total protein and urea in the chronic alcoholic patients and their comparison was determined with normal healthy controls.Methods: A total of 50 male alcoholics consuming variable amount of alcohol from more than past 5 years in the age frame of 30–70 years were taken. Equal number of age-matched normal healthy individuals without the family history of any disease served as controls. Levels of magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and other biochemicals, namely urea and total protein, transaminases, namely serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and serum glutamate pyruvic transaminase were estimated colorimetrically in all the subjects consuming variable amount of alcohol.Results: Alcoholics were found to have lower magnesium, calcium, and total protein levels as compared to non-alcoholics, whereas transaminases were higher in alcoholics, predicting hepatocytes injury. Catalytic activity of alcohol dehydrogenase produced highly reactive acetaldehyde forming adducts with membrane proteins, leading to organ damage. Alcohol disturbed the electrolytes balance produced hypomagnesia and hypocalcemia and severely affected liver function tests.Conclusion: Magnesium levels and other related parameters could be considered as diagnostic predictors of alcohol-related toxicity. Age advances the alcohol-related health consequences, and this could be due to the cumulative effect of reduced intestinal absorption, dietary deficiencies, and alcohol toxicity

Clinical evaluation of adding solitary dose of magnesium to fentanyl on post-operative analgesia during combined spinal epidural technique for hip replacement procedures

Background: Numerous receptors such as NMDA have evolved in the management of post-operative pain which can be antagonized effectively before the initiation of painful stimuli. The analgesic property of Magnesium is primarily related to the regulation of calcium influx and antagonism of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors distributed throughout the central nervous system. This study was designed to evaluate if addition of magnesium to epidural fentanyl as pre-emptive solitary dose could prolong post-operative analgesia during combined spinal epidural anesthesia in elective hip replacement surgeries.Methods: A total of 63 adult consented ASA grade I and II patients aged between 40 and 70 years of either sex, who met the inclusion criteria for hip replacement surgery, were randomized to receive either epidural fentanyl (Group I) or combined epidural magnesium sulphate and fentanyl (Group II). Both the groups subsequently received subarachnoid block with 0.5 % heavy bupivacaine. Intraoperative hemodynamic, subarachnoid block characteristics and 24 hours post-operative analgesia was evaluated.Results: There was significant delay in two dermatome regression for the combined fentanyl magnesium group (149.07±6.48 min) compared to fentanyl alone group (121.23±2.92 min). The post-operative VAS score was statistically lower for the combined fentanyl magnesium group (lowest:0.7±0.4 at 4th hr, highest: 2.9±0.3 at 20th hr) compared to fentanyl alone group (lowest:1.86±1.7 at 5th hr, highest: 3.37±0.9 at 4th hr). There was highly significant difference in average time to first epidural top up and 24hrs epidural top up consumption between fentanyl alone group (264.83±34.08min, 2.8±0.5) and combined fentanyl magnesium group (398±69.55min, 1.43±0.5). Total epidural top ups were 84 in fentanyl alone group and 43 in combined fentanyl magnesium group. Hemodynamic parameters were stable in both groups.Conclusions: Pre-emptive co-administration of magnesium sulphate as a solitary dose to epidural fentanyl in CSE technique prolongs the duration of post-operative analgesia, reduce the requirement of epidural top up and provide stable hemodynamic perioperatively compared to epidural fentanyl alone.

Fast dissolving oral films technology: A recent trend for an innovative oral drug delivery system

Over the past few decades, there has been increased interest for innovative drug delivery system to improve the safety, efficacy and patient compliance, thereby increasing the product patent life cycle. In  the  recent  years,  many of  the  pharmaceutical  groups  are  focusing  their  research  on  rapid dissolving  technology. Fast dissolving oral films are the most advanced form of oral solid dosage form due to more flexibility and comfort. It improve the efficacy of APIs by dissolving within minute in oral cavity after the contact with less saliva as compared to fast dissolving tablets, without chewing and no need of water for administration. These films have a potential to deliver the drug systemically through intra-gastric, sublingual or buccal route of administration and also has been used for local action. This type of technology offer a convenient way of dosing medication, not to special population groups like pediatric, geriatric, bedridden patients, mentally ill patients, but also to the general population. Fast dissolving oral films are found to be satisfactory in many situations like allergic conditions, cold and cough, sore throat, nausea, pain, mouth ulcers, CNS disorders and CVS disorders. Oral film includes various ingredients for its formulation which includes polymers, active pharmaceutical ingredient, film stabilizing agents, plasticizers, sweeteners, flavours, colors, saliva stimulating agents, surfactants etc. The present review reflects  information regarding  formulation  ingredients,  technologies  and  evaluation  tests  employed  in  the  preparation  of  fast dissolving oral films. However, for future growth point of view the fast dissolving oral films sector is well-positioned. It seems that the value of the overall oral thin films market will grow significantly

A DESCRIPTIVE REVIEW ON VARIOUS LIPIDS AND TECHNIQUES USED IN FORMULATION OF SOLID LIPID NANOPARTICLES

Solid lipid nanopaticles (SLNs) emerged in early 1990s as a next-generation drug delivery system, an alternative to traditional colloidal carriers like liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, emulsions etc. Their size range is between 1 to 1000 nm and their biodegradable and bioacceptable nature make them less toxic and thus better suited to patients. SLNs have got potential applications in pharmaceutical field, cosmetics, clinical medicine and other allied sciences. Presently, formulation scientists have been focusing on SLNs as colloidal drug carriers for incorporating hydrophilic as well as lipophilic drugs. The ability to incorporate drugs into nanocarriers offers a new prototype in drug delivery which can be used for drug targeting. They hold great promise for reaching the goal of controlled and site specific drug delivery. Furthermore, SLNs have got advantage of being introduced in the body by oral, parenteral and topical routes. So the present review attempts to enlighten various lipids used in SLNs, manufacturing techniques as well as the potential applications through various routes for a variety of disorders. Furthermore, the manuscript also focuses on the fate of these lipids (constituents of SLNs) in the body and their way out (i.e. elimination)

The stick and carrot approach to moneylendersâ self-regulation in Klang Valley, Malaysia

The vital role played by the moneylending industry in Malaysia resulted in 1,496 licensed moneylenders registered within the Klang Valley, in 2020. Even though the Moneylenders Act 1951 exist to protect the industry, law enforcement is a challenge to the regulator. This is evident as many borrowers’ complaints were made towards the moneylenders on poor self-regulation and questionable business practices. In understanding this gap, the main research objective is to gain insights on licensed moneylenders self-regulation in the moneylending process involving the borrowers. The Interpretative Phenomenology Analysis approach was used in extracting four themes from the twelve licensed moneylenders’ experiences. It was discovered that many of the moneylenders lacked the understanding of their rights and duties as stipulated in the Act. The apprehension of selfregulation amongst the licensed moneylenders was gravely misleading and require the regulator’s re-educational intervention. The first implication of the study is for the moneylenders and associations representing them. They must take remedial action to educate members on the value of practising business ethics in closing on the disparity found in their self-regulation throughout the moneylending process. The second implication is for the regulator to assess moneylenders practical adherence when introducing new business requirements

Switchable DNA-origami nanostructures that respond to their environment and their applications

Structural DNA nanotechnology, in which Watson-Crick base pairing drives the formation of self-assembling nanostructures, has rapidly expanded in complexity and functionality since its inception in 1981. DNA nanostructures can now be made in arbitrary three-dimensional shapes and used to scaffold many other functional molecules such as proteins, metallic nanoparticles, polymers, fluorescent dyes and small molecules. In parallel, the field of dynamic DNA nanotechnology has built DNA circuits, motors and switches. More recently, these two areas have begun to merge—to produce switchable DNA nanostructures, which change state in response to their environment. In this review, we summarise switchable DNA nanostructures into two major classes based on response type: molecular actuation triggered by local chemical changes such as pH or concentration and external actuation driven by light, electric or magnetic fields. While molecular actuation has been well explored, external actuation of DNA nanostructures is a relatively new area that allows for the remote control of nanoscale devices. We discuss recent applications for DNA nanostructures where switching is used to perform specific functions—such as opening a capsule to deliver a molecular payload to a target cell. We then discuss challenges and future directions towards achieving synthetic nanomachines with complexity on the level of the protein machinery in living cells.This work was supported by Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Research Fellowship DE180101635 (SW), University of Sydney Nano Institute Scholarship (JKDS, MTL)

Barriers to consumer self-protection in the moneylending decision process in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Licensed moneylending industry supports the credit need of Malaysian consumers who have been denied personal loans by the formal banking sector. This research aims to gain insights into the barriers to consumer selfprotection in the moneylending decision process, fortified by the five-step Consumer Decision Process Model. Qualitative research through phenomenology was employed where 14 borrowers were interviewed. Steps taken to analyze the data was done via coding, categorizing and thematizing using the NVivo version 12 software. Based on the research objective, five related areas which were hindering consumers in achieving self-protection were discovered. They were desperation for funds, reliance on friends for moneylender’s information, indifferent attitude towards evaluating alternative contract options, passive role in contract rights and obligations, as well as the reluctance to file complaints. In overcoming these barriers, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government could educate consumers on the concept of lawful moneylending process, importance and benefits of self-protection practices. Furthermore, consumers need to enrich their financial acumen in preparation for the forthcoming wave of online and mobile money lending