256 research outputs found

    The pharmacognosy investigation of associated coumarins Lupinus luteus L.

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    The genus Lupinus (Lupinus L.) is attributed to the legumes family (Fabaceae L.). About 1000 herbaceous, semi-bush and shrub, annual, winter and perennial lupines are described. In this paper we focuses on the issue of pharmacognostical study of plants is widely used in animal breeding, is the active substance in the manufacture of dietary supplements - the yellow lupine (Fabaceae). Harvested grass were analyzed after acid hydrolysis. Gas-liquid chromatography was first performed with mass spectrometric detection of hydrolysed raw material of Lupinus luteus L., where 56 compounds were found, of which 35 components were identified. After hydrolysis, the raw material of L. luteus L. contained a number of biologically active substances – fatty acids, alcohols, ketones etc. Two components from the class of true coumarins were identified: coumarin (16.4 mg%) and 6–methylcoumarin (2.7 mg%)

    Are Thiel-embalmed Cadavers Effective Tools in Educating Medical Students to Perform Knee Arthrocentesis?

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    INTRODUCTION: The purposes of this study are to determine whether Thiel-embalmed cadavers are an effective educational tool in teaching medical students to perform knee arthrocentesis, to compare the use of Thiel-embalmed cadavers to formalin-embalmed cadavers in arthrocentesis education, and to determine whether the use of Thiel-embalmed cadavers is potentially generalizable to the instruction of other orthopedic procedures. METHODS: Sixty-eight third-year medical students participated in the study. The participants first completed a pre-survey to assess their prior experience with arthrocentesis procedures and Thiel-embalmed cadavers. Participants then attended an instructional session where the knee arthrocentesis procedure was demonstrated on a Thiel-embalmed cadaver. Participants then individually performed the simulated knee arthrocentesis procedure twice: once on a Thiel-embalmed cadaver and once on a formalin-embalmed cadaver. Success of each attempt was determined through the visualization of aspirated joint fluid. Following the laboratory session, each participant completed a post-survey to determine whether the session improved their perceived confidence in performing knee arthrocentesis, if they preferred the use of Thiel-embalmed cadavers or formalin-embalmed cadavers as a teaching tool, and if they believed simulated practice using Thiel-embalmed cadavers would be effective for learning other orthopedic procedural skills. RESULTS: Sixty-eight students participated in the laboratory session and successfully completed both pre- and post-course surveys. 96% of participants reported that they felt confident performing knee arthrocentesis under physician supervision following their participation in the laboratory session (versus 15% of participants in the pre-survey). 96% of participants reported that the Thiel-embalmed cadavers provided a more realistic teaching model than formalin-embalmed cadavers for learning knee arthrocentesis. 100% of participants believed the incorporation of simulated practice using Thiel-embalmed cadavers is an effective method in teaching students to perform knee arthrocentesis. 100% of participants reported that they would participate in future sessions using Thiel-embalmed cadavers to learn and practice other orthopedic procedural techniques. DISCUSSION: This study used a moderate sample size of third-year medical students to provide data regarding the suitability of using Thiel cadavers in arthrocentesis education. Results indicate that Thiel cadavers are effective tools in teaching medical students to perform knee arthrocentesis, that students preferred the Thiel cadavers to the formalin cadavers, and that the use of Thiel cadavers is a safe, engaging, and high-quality teaching modality for demonstrating proper arthrocentesis procedural technique to medical students. Since this study looked specifically at teaching knee arthrocentesis to medical students, it is uncertain whether the benefits of Thiel cadavers are generalizable to the education of other orthopedic procedures and subject groups such as residents, fellows, and practicing physicians. Further studies should be performed to assess whether Thiel cadavers are beneficial in teaching other orthopaedic procedures and if these benefits extend to other subject groups

    The multi-assumption architecture and testbed (MAAT v1.0): R code for generating ensembles with dynamic model structure and analysis of epistemic uncertainty from multiple sources

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    Computer models are ubiquitous tools used to represent systems across many scientific and engineering domains. For any given system, many computer models exist, each built on different assumptions and demonstrating variability in the ways in which these systems can be represented. This variability is known as epistemic uncertainty, i.e. uncertainty in our knowledge of how these systems operate. Two primary sources of epistemic uncertainty are (1) uncertain parameter values and (2) uncertain mathematical representations of the processes that comprise the system. Many formal methods exist to analyse parameter-based epistemic uncertainty, while process-representation-based epistemic uncertainty is often analysed post hoc, incompletely, informally, or is ignored. In this model description paper we present the multi-assumption architecture and testbed (MAAT v1.0) designed to formally and completely analyse process-representation-based epistemic uncertainty. MAAT is a modular modelling code that can simply and efficiently vary model structure (process representation), allowing for the generation and running of large model ensembles that vary in process representation, parameters, parameter values, and environmental conditions during a single execution of the code. MAAT v1.0 approaches epistemic uncertainty through sensitivity analysis, assigning variability in model output to processes (process representation and parameters) or to individual parameters. In this model description paper we describe MAAT and, by using a simple groundwater model example, verify that the sensitivity analysis algorithms have been correctly implemented. The main system model currently coded in MAAT is a unified, leaf-scale enzyme kinetic model of C3 photosynthesis. In the Appendix we describe the photosynthesis model and the unification of multiple representations of photosynthetic processes. The numerical solution to leaf-scale photosynthesis is verified and examples of process variability in temperature response functions are provided. For rapid application to new systems, the MAAT algorithms for efficient variation of model structure and sensitivity analysis are agnostic of the specific system model employed. Therefore MAAT provides a tool for the development of novel or toy models in many domains, i.e. not only photosynthesis, facilitating rapid informal and formal comparison of alternative modelling approaches.</p

    Some questions about Teae folia (Thea sinensis L. seu Camellia sinensis L. Kuntze) as a medicinal raw material

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    One of the most popular plant and beverage is a Thea sinensis or Camellia sinensis (Theaceae) also known as Theae Folia or Green Tea. There are some reasons for it, such that the sensory properties, prices are relatively cheap, stimulant effects, and their potential health benefits. Motherland of this plant is considered the China. This is where people have paid attention to the ability of a decoction of the leaves have a tonic effect on the human body and the first to grow this plant. Tea folia as a medicine are made from unfermented tea leaves and young shoots. This process is fast in special drying machines. Objective: European Pharmacopoeia have monograph Green Tea and the herb that we know as a food drink have as medicine herb now. The objective of research of herbal medicine is the quality and safety of natural products. Materials and Methods: Macroscopical and microscopical features of the leaf and shoots have been analysis using an optical microscope. Phytochemical and physico-chemical analysis were evaluated. The observation of the spectrum profiles is done by interpreting the typical peak that appears. Results: Theae Folia have actinocytic stomata, unicellular trichomes, heterogenous mesophyll which is characterized by the presence of calcium oxalate crystals and sclereid cells. Phytochemical analysis indicated resources the presence of purine alkaloids caffeine and theabromine and many other drugs. The content of caffeine from Teae Folia ethanolic and water extract is differ to time. Conclusion: Pharmacognostic and phytochemicals features established in this study may be used as part of the pharmacopoeial standard, which can play an important role in its standardization

    A Pilot Study with a Novel Setup for Collaborative Play of the Humanoid Robot KASPAR with children with autism

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    This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits any use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and the source are credited.This article describes a pilot study in which a novel experimental setup, involving an autonomous humanoid robot, KASPAR, participating in a collaborative, dyadic video game, was implemented and tested with children with autism, all of whom had impairments in playing socially and communicating with others. The children alternated between playing the collaborative video game with a neurotypical adult and playing the same game with the humanoid robot, being exposed to each condition twice. The equipment and experimental setup were designed to observe whether the children would engage in more collaborative behaviours while playing the video game and interacting with the adult than performing the same activities with the humanoid robot. The article describes the development of the experimental setup and its first evaluation in a small-scale exploratory pilot study. The purpose of the study was to gain experience with the operational limits of the robot as well as the dyadic video game, to determine what changes should be made to the systems, and to gain experience with analyzing the data from this study in order to conduct a more extensive evaluation in the future. Based on our observations of the childrens’ experiences in playing the cooperative game, we determined that while the children enjoyed both playing the game and interacting with the robot, the game should be made simpler to play as well as more explicitly collaborative in its mechanics. Also, the robot should be more explicit in its speech as well as more structured in its interactions. Results show that the children found the activity to be more entertaining, appeared more engaged in playing, and displayed better collaborative behaviours with their partners (For the purposes of this article, ‘partner’ refers to the human/robotic agent which interacts with the children with autism. We are not using the term’s other meanings that refer to specific relationships or emotional involvement between two individuals.) in the second sessions of playing with human adults than during their first sessions. One way of explaining these findings is that the children’s intermediary play session with the humanoid robot impacted their subsequent play session with the human adult. However, another longer and more thorough study would have to be conducted in order to better re-interpret these findings. Furthermore, although the children with autism were more interested in and entertained by the robotic partner, the children showed more examples of collaborative play and cooperation while playing with the human adult.Peer reviewe

    Normative resistance to responsibility to protect in times of emerging multipolarity: the cases of Brazil and Russia

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    This article assesses the normative resistance to Responsibility to Protect adopted by Brazil and Russia against the backdrop of their international identities and self-assigned roles in a changing global order. Drawing upon the framework of Bloomsfield's norm dynamics role spectrum, it argues that while the ambiguous Russian role regarding this principle represents an example of 'norm antipreneurship', particularities of Brazil's resistance are better grasped by a new category left unaccounted for by this model, which this study portrays as 'contesting entrepreneur'.- (undefined
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