Agents of the Hidden Imam: Shiite Juristic Authority in Light of the Doctrine of Deputyship

Deputyship deals with the issue of leadership in Twelver Shiism in a situation in which the Imam is believed to be only temporarily absent and still the possessor of ultimate religious and political authority. The jurists were recognized as the deputies of the Imam; this was and still is the source of their legitimacy and authority. There was, however, no consensus about the areas Deputyship would cover. This was due both to caution about trespassing on the prerogatives of the Imam and the unavailability of power to Shiites. The theoretical constraint changed with the lengthening of the Occultation after 940, and the practical constraint was also loosened due to instances of Shiite political power, principally in Iran. Change in thought about Deputyship, however, is very slow until the twentieth century, so that it can be detected and evaluated in juristic and theological texts and sometimes also in historical developments only over the long term. Close to the Occultation, the jurists confined their Deputyship and thus authority to juridical issues and Quranic punishments. In the sixteenth century under the Safavids, they expanded Deputyship to a wider range of religious matters through new interpretations of Shiite jurisprudence. They did not, however, possess or claim actual political authority, and their prominence was due rather to their social, economic and political influence and growth of religious institutions. It was in nineteenth-century Persia under the Qājārs that an interpretation of deputyship was introduced that would grant the jurists political power and upon which a further, even more political interpretation and actual jurist-led Islamic state was established by Khomeini in the twentieth century. The dissertation argues, contrary to views in a substantial literature on Shiism and Weber, that the jurists form a third category of charismatic authority after the Prophet and Imams. The chief and essential source of juristic charisma is Deputyship of the Imam, i.e. office charisma. A second source is personal qualities, which help the office charisma to flourish. Shiite jurists who possess personal in addition to office charisma and act, in the Weberian sense, “exceptionally” gather more followers. The dissertation makes a contribution to Weberian theory by arguing that charisma and charismatic office continue to evolve after the pure charismatic event. The emergence of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini is a recent striking instance

Struggling with Political Limitation: Shaykh al‑Mufid’s Approach to Shi'i Juristic Authority

In this paper, I investigate how Shaykh al‑Mufid approached juristic authority or delegacy in early Shi'i thought in the fourth/tenth century. I explore Shi'i juristic authority in light of the doctrine of deputyship to suggest that deputyship and therefore the juristic authority that is based upon it were apolitical in Mufid’s approach. There is no clear evidence in Mufid’s writings that he regarded the jurists as possessing both the power to judge in the community and to administer the affairs of its members – that is to be a political leader. Deputyship for Mufid is limited to the judgeship

Liquid resistivity of pharmaceutical propellants using novel resistivity cell

Data availability: The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding authors on reasonable request.Copyright © The Author(s) 2023. Metered-dose inhalers employ propellants to produce pharmaceutical aerosols for treating respiratory conditions like asthma. In the liquid phase, the DC volume resistivity of pharmaceutical propellants, including R134a, R152a, and R227ea, was studied at saturation pressures and room temperature (not vapour phase). These measurements are essential for industries like refrigerants. Aerosols from metered dose inhalers (MDIs) with these propellants become electrically charged, affecting medicament deposition in lung. The resistivity was measured using a novel concentric cylinder-type capacitance cell designed in-house. The resistivity for the propellants (R134a, R152a, and R227ea) was found to be 3.02 × 1010 Ωm, 2.37 × 109 Ωm and 1.31 × 1010 Ωm, respectively. The electrical resistivity data obtained was found to be at least two orders of magnitude higher than the limited data available in the literature. Challenges in the resistivity cell’s development and performance are discussed, with a focus on various propellants and their mixtures with ethanol and moisture concentrations. The resistivity of propellant mixtures containing moisture concentrations ranging from 5 to 500 ppm and ethanol concentrations ranging between 1000 and 125,000 ppm was determined. The resistivity was tested across 10-min and 1-h periods and was performed in accordance with the contemporary IEC 60247 standard.The manuscript was written as part of a PhD sponsored financially by Koura (grant ID: 11270100), a division of Orbia Advance Corporation S.A.B. de CV, and approved by them for publication

Stable Increased Formulation Atomisation Using a Multi-Tip Nozzle Device

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Electrohydrodynamic atomisation (EHDA) is an emerging technique for the production of micron and nano-scaled particles. The process often involves Taylor cone enablement, which results in a fine spray yielding formulated droplets, which then undergo drying during deposition. In this work novel multi-tip emiiter (MTE) devices were designed, engineered and utilised for potential up-scaled EHDA, by comparison with a conventional single needle system. To demonstrate this, the active ketoprofen (KETO) was formulated using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymer as the matrix material. Here, PVP polymer (5% w/v) solution was prepared using ethanol and distilled water (80:20) as the vehicle. KETO was incorporated as 5% w/w of PVP. Physical properties of resulting solutions (viscosity, electrical conductivity, density and surface tension) were obtained. Formulations were electrosprayed through both single and novel MTEs under EHDA conditions at various flow rates (5-300 μl/min) and applied voltages (0-30 kV). The atomization process using MTEs and single nozzle was monitored at using various process parameters via a digital optical camera. Resulting particles were collected 200mm below processing heads and were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Digital recordings confirmed stable MTE jetting at higher flow rates. Electron micrographs confirmed particle size variation arising due to nozzle head design and evidenced stable jetting derived greater near uniform particles. DSC, XRD and TGA confirm KETO molecules were encapsulated and dispersed into PVP polymer particles. In conclusion, novel MTE devices enabled stable atomisation even at higher flow rates when compared to the conventional single needle device. This indicates an exciting approach for scaling-up (EHDA) in contrast to current efforts focusing on multiple nozzle and pore based processing outlets

Facile Preparation of Drug-Loaded Tristearin Encapsulated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Using Coaxial Electrospray Processing

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link

Microneedle Coating Techniques for Transdermal Drug Delivery.

Drug administration via the transdermal route is an evolving field that provides an alternative to oral and parenteral routes of therapy. Several microneedle (MN) based approaches have been developed. Among these, coated MNs (typically where drug is deposited on MN tips) are a minimally invasive method to deliver drugs and vaccines through the skin. In this review, we describe several processes to coat MNs. These include dip coating, gas jet drying, spray coating, electrohydrodynamic atomisation (EHDA) based processes and piezoelectric inkjet printing. Examples of process mechanisms, conditions and tested formulations are provided. As these processes are independent techniques, modifications to facilitate MN coatings are elucidated. In summary, the outcomes and potential value for each technique provides opportunities to overcome formulation or dosage form limitations. While there are significant developments in solid degradable MNs, coated MNs (through the various techniques described) have potential to be utilized in personalized drug delivery via controlled deposition onto MN templates

The need to sustain funding for Afghanistan health system to prevent excess morbidity and mortality

BACKGROUND: The Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund, managed by the World Bank through a contracted-out instrument called Sehatmandi, financed health service delivery in Afghanistan, with substantial achievements in infant, child and maternal health. After the collapse of the Afghan Government on 15 August 2021, the health system has been on the brink of collapse. AIMS: We assessed the use of basic health services and estimated excess mortality resulting from the interruption to healthcare funding. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study that compared health services utilization from June to September for 3 consecutive years, 2019, 2020 and 2021, using 11 output indicators reported by the health management and information system. We used the Lives Saved Tool, a linear mathematical model with input data from the Afghanistan Demographic Health Survey 2015, to calculate the additional maternal, neonatal and child mortality at 25%, 50%, 75% and 95% reduction in health coverage. RESULTS: During August and September 2021, after the announced ban on financing, health service utilization decreased to a range of 7-59%. Family planning, major surgeries and postnatal care showed the greatest decreases. Uptake of child immunization showed one-third decrease. Sehatmandi provides around 75% of primary and secondary health services: pausing funds to this programme will result in additional 2862 maternal deaths, 15 741 neonatal deaths, 30 519 child deaths, and 4057 stillbirths. CONCLUSION: Sustaining the current level of health services delivery is crucial to avoid excess, preventable morbidity and mortality in Afghanistan. Contexte : Le Fonds d'affectation spéciale pour la reconstruction de l'Afghanistan, géré par la Banque mondiale au moyen d'un programme sous-traité appelé Sehatmandi, a financé la prestation de services de santé en Afghanistan, ce qui a permis d'obtenir des résultats substantiels en matière de santé du nourrisson, de l'enfant et de la mère. Après la chute du Gouvernement afghan le 15 août 2021, le système de santé était sur le point de s'effondrer. Objectifs : Nous avons évalué le recours aux services de santé de base et estimé la surmortalité résultant de l'interruption du financement des soins de santé. Méthodes : Nous avons mené une étude transversale qui a permis de comparer l'utilisation des services de santé entre juin et septembre pendant trois années consécutives, de 2019 à 2021, à l'aide de 11 indicateurs de résultats rapportés par le système de gestion et d'information sanitaires. Nous avons utilisé l'outil des vies sauvées, un modèle mathématique linéaire basé sur les données fournies par l'enquête démographique et sanitaire d'Afghanistan menée en 2015, afin de calculer la mortalité supplémentaire de la mère, de l'enfant et du nourrisson pour une réduction de 25 %, 50 %, 75 % et 95 % de la couverture sanitaire. Résultats : En août et septembre 2021, après l'annonce de l'interdiction des financements, l'utilisation des services de santé a chuté pour atteindre une fourchette de 7 à 59 %. La planification familiale, les interventions chirurgicales majeures et les soins postnatals ont enregistré les baisses les plus importantes. L'utilisation des services de vaccination des enfants a diminué d'un tiers. Le programme Sehatmandi fournit près de 75 % des services de santé primaires et secondaires : l'interruption des fonds alloués à ce programme entraînera 2862 décès maternels, 15 741 décès néonatals, 30 519 décès d'enfants et 4057 mortinaissances supplémentaires. Conclusion : Il est essentiel de maintenir le niveau actuel de prestation des services de santé afin d'éviter une morbidité et une mortalité excessives qui peuvent être prévenues en Afghanistan

Fibrous polymeric buccal film formulation, engineering and bio-interface assessment

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Polymer based dosages form the mainstay of drug delivery systems either as simple matrix carrier materials or active release behavior modulating agents. In addition, several techniques have been developed further to deliver novel polymeric structures. One such method is electrospinning (ES); a maturing process which is operational at the ambient environment and enables drug loading (in molecularly dispersed form) directly into a fibrous polymer matrix system. Since there is an impending need to address healthcare challenges arising from an increase in the aging population (requiring enhanced treatments), the ES method was used to develop fibrous polymer composite-indomethacin (INDO) films for potential use in the buccal region. Films were assessed for their inter-facial behavior at bio-interfaces (in-vitro and ex-vivo). Polymeric excipients possessing an established profile for commercial dosage form development were selected. Fibrous films (all fibre components <400 nm) were characterised using DSC, TGA, FTIR, Raman and XRD. DSC and XRD demonstrated INDO change from crystalline to amorphous state. FTIR and Raman data suggest INDO, PVP and co-polymers (Methocel™ E5, Methocel™ E15 and Tween® 80) were integrated in stable fashion into filamentous structures via ES. Variable INDO release behavior from several matrices was observed suggesting a potential route to tailor drug release based on polymeric excipient use and ratio. Furthermore, permeation studies using a porcine buccal model demonstrated sustained permeation once dosages are attached to the buccal mucosa. The insoluble nature of cellulose excipients were used to promote sustained release while the use of Tween® 80 surfactant was used to enhance permeation of INDO through polymer interaction with excised tissue. Finally, histology studies indicate polymer excipient selection impacts the bio-interface. In summary, a facile approach to formulate, encapsulate and engineer fibrous polymeric buccal films (on demand) is shown. The method enables drug dispersion directly within the composite polymeric system, which has a clear impact on drug release, in-vitro and ex-vivo bio-interaction