Determination of buprenorphine in raw material and pharmaceutical products using ion-pair formation

A simple and sensitive extractive spectrophotometric method has been described for the determination of buprenorphine either in raw material or in pharmaceutical formulations. The developed method is based on the formation of a colored ion-pair complex (1 : 1 drug/dye) of buprenorphine and bromocresol green (BCG) in buffer pH 3 and extracting in chloroform. The extracted complex shows absorbance maxima at 415 nm. Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration range of 1.32-100.81 μg mL−1 . The proposed method has been applied successfully for the determination of drug in commercial sublingual tablets and injectable dosage form. No significant interference was observed from the excipients commonly used as pharmaceutical aids with the assay procedure

Wearable and Stretchable Strain Sensors: Materials, Sensing Mechanisms, and Applications

Recent advances in the design and implementation of wearable resistive, capacitive, and optical strain sensors are summarized herein. Wearable and stretchable strain sensors have received extensive research interest due to their applications in personalized healthcare, human motion detection, human–machine interfaces, soft robotics, and beyond. The disconnection of overlapped nanomaterials, reversible opening/closing of microcracks in sensing films, and alteration of the tunneling resistance have been successfully adopted to develop high-performance resistive-type sensors. On the other hand, the sensing behavior of capacitive-type and optical strain sensors is largely governed by their geometrical changes under stretching/releasing cycles. The sensor design parameters, including stretchability, sensitivity, linearity, hysteresis, and dynamic durability, are comprehensively discussed. Finally, the promising applications of wearable strain sensors are highlighted in detail. Although considerable progress has been made so far, wearable strain sensors are still in their prototype stage, and several challenges in the manufacturing of integrated and multifunctional strain sensors should be yet tackled

Electrical conductivity of the graphene nanoplatelets coated natural and synthetic fibres using electrophoretic deposition technique

Herein, electrically conductive natural and synthetic yarns through electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique were fabricated. A parametric study on the conductivity enhancement of the yarns is carried out by Taguchi method. Using this method, the desirable conditions are determined by studying the effects of important parameters on the electrical conductivity of the yarns in the EPD coating process. Based on the L18 design of experiments table, the preferred combination of factors to obtain the highest electrical conductivity of the yarns is found by Taguchi analysis. In addition, the Pareto ANOVA analysis is conducted to identify the major contributing factors on the electrical conductivity of the yarns. Characterisation techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in attenuated total reflectance (ATR) mode, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) are utilised for better understanding the microstructure and physical properties. When powered by only 3 V, the maximum temperature of a Joule heated conductive sample based on natural fibre yarns reached 102°C in less than 25 s

Wool fabrics decorated with carbon-based conductive ink for low-voltage heaters

Smart textiles have extensively progressed in recent years and have expanded the potential scope and market of textiles, especially in areas of sensing, energy storage and heating. A great opportunity still exists to develop heaters based on natural fibre-based fabrics that are soft, light weight, and biodegradable. In this study, a simple, environmentally friendly, and scalable process to prepare highly conductive wool fabrics (CWFs) is reported. This multi-step process consists of stir coating and dip coating techniques using highly conductive ink based on graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and carbon black (CB) particles, followed by the cold-pressing process. Time-dependent temperature profiles and heat distribution analysis of the CWFs showed superior electrothermal performance to the heaters reported in the literature, reaching a surface temperature of more than 230 °C with a low applied voltage of 4.5 V (or an equivalent input power of ∼7.2 W). To demonstrate their potential application, the concept of a sandwich-structured and large size heating device was designed and the device was fabricated using a 3 × 3 array of CWFs

Highly Stretchable Multifunctional Wearable Devices Based on Conductive Cotton and Wool Fabrics

The demand for stretchable, flexible, and wearable multifunctional devices based on conductive nanomaterials is rapidly increasing considering their interesting applications including human motion detection, robotics, and human–machine interface. There still exists a great challenge to manufacture stretchable, flexible, and wearable devices through a scalable and cost-effective fabrication method. Herein, we report a simple method for the mass production of electrically conductive textiles, made of cotton and wool, by hybridization of graphene nanoplatelets and carbon black particles. Conductive textiles incorporated into a highly elastic elastomer are utilized as highly stretchable and wearable strain sensors and heaters. The electromechanical characterizations of our multifunctional devices establish their excellent performance as wearable strain sensors to monitor various human motions, such as finger, wrist, and knee joint movements, and to recognize sound with high durability. Furthermore, the electrothermal behavior of our devices shows their potential application as stretchable and wearable heaters working at a maximum temperature of 103 °C powered with 20 V

An Ex-Vivo Study on the Stereoselective Accumulation of Mefloquine Enantiomers in Human Blood Fractions: Accumulation of mefloquine in blood

Mefloquine (MFQ), as a racemic mixture is used for the prophylaxis and treatment of malaria. Stereoselective pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic differences have been observed for MFQ. In the present study, the human blood was spiked with racemic MFQ. The concentration of MFQ enantiomers in various blood fractions including packed erythrocyte layer, platelet rich plasma and platelet poor plasma was determined. The results showed that the ratio of (+)-MFQ was about 1.5 time higher than (-)-MFQ in packed erythrocyte layer. Results obtained from the separated erythrocytes spiked with racemic MFQ showed no significantdifference between the enantiomer concentrations. It can be concluded that the stereoselective accumulation of MFQ enantiomers in erythrocytes might be in relation to protein binding or the presence of other blood cells

Electrical conductivity of the graphene nanoplatelets coated natural and synthetic fibres using electrophoretic deposition technique

<p>Herein, electrically conductive natural and synthetic yarns through electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique were fabricated. A parametric study on the conductivity enhancement of the yarns is carried out by Taguchi method. Using this method, the desirable conditions are determined by studying the effects of important parameters on the electrical conductivity of the yarns in the EPD coating process. Based on the L₁₈ design of experiments table, the preferred combination of factors to obtain the highest electrical conductivity of the yarns is found by Taguchi analysis. In addition, the Pareto ANOVA analysis is conducted to identify the major contributing factors on the electrical conductivity of the yarns. Characterisation techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in attenuated total reflectance (ATR) mode, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) are utilised for better understanding the microstructure and physical properties. When powered by only 3 V, the maximum temperature of a Joule heated conductive sample based on natural fibre yarns reached 102°C in less than 25 s.</p

تبیین رفتار شاهدان قلدری در مدارس بر اساس عدم درگیری اخلاقی و حساسیت اخلاقی با نقش واسطه‌ای هویت اخلاقی

Background and Aim: Bullying is a behavioral phenomenon that has attracted the attention of many teachers and educators in different parts of the world in recent years. The purpose of this study is to explain the Bystander behavior in schools based on Moral Disengagement and moral sensitivity with the mediating role of moral identity. The target population was male and female high school students in Lorestan province in the 1397-98 academic year. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study kind of correlation. The sample of the present study included 617 students who were selected by cluster sampling. Participants responded to the scales of Mechanisms of Moral Disengagement, Ethical Sensitivity, participant's role (and Self-Importance of Moral Identity. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling as well as path analysis by AMOS 24 software. Findings: The results showed that conceptual model of research has a desirable and acceptable fit with the research data. Findings from the structural equation model show that moral disengagement and moral sensitivity are related to the bystander behavior in bullying. In other words, those with high moral disengagement and low moral sensitivity they behave more harmful. The results of the analysis also show that moral identity has a mediating role in the relationship between bystander behaviors in schools and moral disengagement and moral sensitivity. Ethical Considerations: In this study, principles related to ethical considerations such as confidentiality of the respondents' identity, satisfaction of the participants in the research and the right to leave the research was taken into consideration. Conclusion: The results show that moral disengagement and moral sensitivity are related to the type of students' reaction as a witness during bullying and this reaction can be different according to characteristics such as moral identity. &nbsp; Cite this article as: Souri H, Kadivar P, Keramati H, Hassanabadi HR. Explaining the Bystander behavior of Bullying in Schools Based on Moral Disengagement and Moral Sensitivity with the Mediating Role of Moral Identity. Med Ethics J 2021; 15(46): e5.زمینه و هدف: قلدری پدیده رفتاری است که در سال‌های اخیر توجه بسیاری از معلمین (مربیان) و سیاستگذاران در نقاط مختلف جهان را به خود جلب کرده است. هدف پژوهش حاضر تبیین رفتار شاهدان قلدری در مدارس بر اساس عدم درگیری اخلاقی و حساسیت اخلاقی با نقش واسطه‌ای هویت اخلاقی است. مواد و روش‌ها: این پژوهش مقطعی از نوع توصیفی ـ همبستگی است. جامعه مورد نظر دانش‌آموزان پسر و دختر متوسطه دوم استان لرستان در سال تحصیلی 98-1397 بود. نمونه پژوهش حاضر شامل 617 دانش‌آموز که به روش نمونه‌گیری خوشه‌ای انتخاب شدند. شرکت‌کنندگان به مقیاس‌های مکانیسم‌های عدم درگیری اخلاقی (Bandura و همکاران)، حساسیت اخلاقی (Narvaez &amp; Endicott)، نقش شرکت‌کنندگان (رفتار شاهدان) (Salmivalli و همکاران) و اهمیت برای خویشتن هویت اخلاقی (Aquino &amp; Reed) پاسخ دادند. تجزیه و تحلیل داده‌ها با استفاده از مدل معادلات ساختاری و همچنین تحلیل مسیر به وسیله نرم‌افزار AMOS 24انجام گرفت. یافته‌ها: نتایج نشان داد که مدل مفهومی پژوهش با داده‌های پژوهش برازش مطلوب و قابل قبولی دارد. یافته‌های حاصل از مدل معادلات ساختاری نشان می‌دهد که عدم درگیری اخلاقی و حساسیت اخلاقی با رفتار شاهدان در قلدری رابطه دارد. به عبارتی دیگر کسانی که عدم درگیری اخلاقی بالا و حساسیت اخلاقی پایین دارند، به صورت زیان‌آورتری رفتار می‌کنند. همچنین نتایج تحلیل نشان می‌دهد که هویت اخلاقی در ارتباط بین رفتارهای شاهدان قلدری در مدارس و عدم درگیری اخلاقی و حساسیت اخلاقی نقش واسطه‌ای دارند. ملاحظات اخلاقی: در این مطالعه اصول مرتبط با ملاحظات اخلاقی از جمله محرمانه‌ماندن هویت پرسش‌شوندگان، رضایت آگاهانه شركت‌كنندگان در پژوهش و اختیار خروج از روند تحقیق رعایت گردید. نتیجه‌گیری: نتایج پژوهش حاضر نشان می‌دهد که عدم درگیری اخلاقی و حساسیت اخلاقی با نوع واکنش دانش‌آموزان به عنوان شاهد در هنگام قلدری رابطه دارد و این واکنش با توجه به ویژگی‌هایی مانند هویت اخلاقی می‌تواند متفاوت باشد

Normal Values of Standard Full Field Electroretinography in Healthy Subjects in Northern Iran

Background: Electroretinography (ERG) is known as a diagnostic test for evaluating the performance of different layers of the retina. Its normal values maybe different in different populations. Objectives: Determining the normal values of ERG parameters in patients presenting to an ophthalmologic center in Guilan in northern Iran. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five people presenting to a teaching hospital affiliated to Guilan University of Medical Sciences were studied in autumn and winter 2013.The subjects were diagnosed as healthy in the eye examinations and were examined in terms of the values of amplitude and latency time of ERG waves in accordance with international guidelines for clinical electrophysiology of vision. Results: In this study, 55 patients with a mean age of 35±14 years were studied (40% males with a mean age of 36.00±15.4 years; 60% females, with a mean age of 34.5±14 years). The following results were obtained: amplitude of scotopic 0.01=149±144 µV, scotopic 3=317±157µV, photopic=129±86 µV, 30-Hz flicker=134±38 µV, OS2=25.6±13.9 µV, Latency time scotopic 0.01=53.5±29 sec, Latency Time Scotopic 3=34.3±15.2 sec, N1=13.59±2 sec, P1=18.63±1 sec, N2=21.3±1 sec, P2=26.1±2.7 ms, N3=31.1±4 sec, P3=33.8±4.7 sec, N4=40.9±6.4 sec, P4=44.3±6.4 sec, Latency Time photopic=22.9±7.7 ms, and flicker=54.3±7.5 ms. Men and women were not significantly different in terms of the variables. Left and right eyes, as well as age groups were not significantly different (p=0.05). Conclusion: The results of the current study differed from other studies in terms of the values of amplitude and latency times. Therefore, it is necessary to standardize ERG for each center

Validation of Brand Citizenship Behavior Development Model in Medical Tourism Employees

Background: Medical tourism industry as a service industry needs to take measures including branding to attract and retain tourists. This study was conducted with the aim of improving branding in medical centers active in medical tourism, through the test of the brand citizenship behavior development model of employees, which was calculated from a qualitative research based on the Foundation Data Model. Methods: The current field-survey research was conducted on a sample of 384 employees in contact with patients, 10 hospitals with admission departments for international patients in Tehran city, selected using convenience sampling method. The data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated with Cronbach’s alpha index and composite reliability, and its validity was evaluated using content validity and construct validity. Data analysis was done by structural equation modeling using SPSS 22 and Smart Pls 3 software. Results: All research hypotheses were confirmed, including the effect of causal categories in the three dimensions of organization, employee, and tourist on brand citizenship behavior, the effect of intervening and foundational categories on comprehensive marketing and branding planning except for organizational justice and social responsibility of the organization, the impact of brand citizenship behavior on the comprehensive planning of marketing and branding and finally the effect of brand citizenship behavior by mediation of comprehensive planning of marketing and branding on the consequences related to tourists, organizations, employees and extra-organizations. The evaluation of the structural part of the model and the relationship between the internal and external construct also indicated the optimal fit of the model. Conclusion: Attracting the support of employees in the direction of extra-role behaviors that strengthen brand identity and benefit from its positive organizational and extra-organizational results, requires the attention of managers and relevant officials to various organizational, managerial, individual, etc. factors. Moreover, creating a strong brand in medical centers requires comprehensive planning to increase the participation of employees of these centers