Analysis of Compounded Pharmaceutical Products to Teach the Importance of Quality in an Applied Pharmaceutics Laboratory Course

Objective. To assess the effectiveness of a product-analysis laboratory exercise in teaching students the importance of quality in pharmaceutical compounding. Design. Second-year pharmacy students (N=77) participated in a pharmaceutical compounding laboratory exercise and subsequently analyzed their final product using ultraviolet (UV) spectrometry. Assessment. Reflection, survey instruments, and quiz questions were used to measure how well students understood the importance of quality in their compounded products. Product analysis showed that preparations compounded by students had an error range of 0.6% to 140%, with an average error of 23.7%. Students’ reflections cited common sources of error, including inaccurate weighing, contamination, and product loss during both the compounding procedure and preparation of the sample for analysis. Ninety percent of students agreed that the exercise improved their understanding of the importance of quality in compounded pharmaceutical products. Most students (85.7%) reported that this exercise inspired them to be more diligent in their preparation of compounded products in their future careers. Conclusion. Integrating an analytical assessment during a pharmaceutical compounding laboratory can enhance students’ understanding of quality of compounded pharmaceutical products. It can also provide students a chance to reflect on sources of error to improve their compounding technique in the future

Estimation of biogas produced by the landfill of Palermo, applying a Gaussian model

In this work, a procedure is suggested to assess the rate of biogas emitted by the Bellolampo landfill (Palermo, Italy), starting from the data acquired by two of the stations for monitoring meteorological parameters and polluting gases. The data used refer to the period November 2005–July 2006. The methane concentration, measured in the CEP suburb of Palermo, has been analysed together with the meteorological data collected by the station situated inside the landfill area. In the present study, the methane has been chosen as a tracer of the atmospheric pollutants produced by the dump. The data used for assessing the biogas emission refer to night time periods characterized by weak wind blowing from the hill toward the city. The methane rate emitted by the Bellolampo dump has been evaluated using a Gaussian model and considering the landfill both as a single point source and as a multiple point one. The comparison of the results shows that for a first approximation it is sufficient to consider the landfill of Palermo as a single point source. Starting from the monthly percentage composition of the biogas, estimated for the study period, the rate of biogas produced by the dump was evaluated. The total biogas produced by the landfill, obtained as the sum of the emitted component and the recovered one, ranged from 7519.97 to 10,153.7 m 3 /h. For the study period the average monthly estimations of biogas emissions into the atmosphere amount to about 60% of the total biogas produced by the landfill, a little higher than the one estimated by the com- pany responsible for the biogas recovery plant at the landfill

Visual motor skills and reading fluency: a correlational study

According to Van Hoorn, reading and writing skills involve adequate performance in visual–motor coordination, motor planning, cognitive and perceptual skills, and accurate processing of tactile and kinesthetic information. Scientific instruments aimed at assessing visual motor integration can be used for early identification of difficulties in reading and writing skills. The Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI), in particular, allows to assess the level of development of skills such as perception, mental representation, motor planning and graphic reproduction. With regard to fluency of reading, the measure that best describes reading skills required in the various life contexts is given, according to Cornoldi, by the evaluation of the speed and accuracy of reading. The “Prove di Lettura MT2” (MT-2 Reading Test) are the most popular instrument, for the Italian language, which assesses reading literacy in terms of fluency (speed and accuracy). This paper proposes a correlational study between the results obtained by administering MT2 and VMI tests to a group of students from a lower secondary school, in order to experimentally attest the opportunity to use the VMI as a tool for early detection of visuo-spatial related difficulties in learning to read

Motor imagery, perspective taking and gender differences: a VVIQ2-based study

Scientific literature highlighted gender differences in spatial orientation. In particular, men and women differ in terms of the navigational processes they use in daily life. Scientific literature highlighted that women use analytical strategies while men tend to use holistic strategies. Furthermore, studies exploring gender differences in self-reported dream perspectives reported that women dream mainly in first person and men mainly in third person. This work used Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire-2 to verify if gender differences in perspective taking last also in motor imagery practice. The aim of VVIQ2 questionnaire is to determine the vividness of movement imagery. In the VVIQ2, the image can be obtained watching oneself while performing the movement from an external point of view (External Visual Imagery), or from an internal point of view, as if you were looking out through your own eyes while performing the movement (Internal Visual Imagery). The Questionnaire was administered to students of Sports Sciences Degree from University of Salerno

Il valore educativo del fair play

This work proposes a critical conceptualization of “fair play” in the light ofthe most relevant international scientific findings. Society is experiencing agreat crisis of values. Deeper needs have to be met, if individuals, familiesand society itself are not fall into a serious problematic circle. Sport withoutcompetition and with a great spirit of friendship and solidarity can give animportant contribution to overcoming the current social and ethical emergency.Sport, according to the Arnold’s lesson and Delors Reports, can play a vitalrole in encouraging a new season of rebirth and can bring us friendship anda sense of community.Il contributo esamina il concetto di fair play alla luce della lettura dei più importantidocumenti internazionali. Di fronte alla crisi di valori che vive la società,lo sport non competitivo può rappresentare un valido contributo permigliorare i rapporti sociali e la dimensione etica della vita del Paese.Lo sport sulle orme della lezione di Arnold e riprendendo la chiave di letturasull’educazione proposta dal Rapporto Delors può contribuire a introdurrealcuni correttivi per arginare le diverse emergenze educative, formare a comportamentiprosociali e contrastare con efficacia lo smarrimento del sensocivico

L’evoluzione del concetto di cura del corpo: la prospettiva filosofica e le neuroscienze

Body and soul dualism, in its various interpretations, has had an enourmousinfluence on the Western culture. Starting from a review of the critical issuesthat characterized the process around which philosophical researchhas developed, the reflection conducted in this work aims to achieve a keyobjective. It wants to point out the positivity of the educational contributionsof the science of human movement: it has allowed to recover themodern notion of “body”, by anchoring it to the values of the care for thewell-being of the person and of society.Il dualismo corpo e anima, nelle sue diverse interpretazioni, ha avutoun’enorme influenza nella cultura del mondo occidentale. Partendo da unarivisitazione dei nodi critici che hanno caratterizzato il processo intorno acui si è sviluppata la riflessione filosofica, si indica la direzione di un ragionamento,centrato sulla positività degli apporti educativi delle scienze delmovimento umano, che hanno permesso di recuperare la modernanozione di corpo, ancorandola ai valori più generali della cura come fondamentodel più generale processo educativo per il benessere della personae della società

The Benefits of Podcasting in the Literacy Classroom

This study examined the benefits of podcasting in the literacy classroom and beyond. The research was conducted in a small tutoring session, comprising of two high school students. During the study, participants listened, viewed, and created podcasts. Data was collected and analyzed through means of observation, student work samples, and personal interviews. The findings suggest that there are many benefits to be had for educators who incorporate podcasting into daily instruction. Increased motivation and engagement, building a sense of collaboration and community, capturing authentic learning experiences, and strengthening student writing skills are some of the benefits that podcasting lends itself to

Something’s happening here: Popular music education in the United States

Although the number of opportunities to learn popular music in the United States continues to grow, popular music education (PME) programs remain exceptional at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of institutionalized music education. This article provides insight into the unique characteristics of a number of PME initiatives currently operating in the United States. A historical background is established to provide context regarding the history of PME in the United States. Additionally, a focus on an expanding landscape for American PME is included, as is an examination of six specific initiatives that are particularly noteworthy. This review of popular music programs, initiatives, and institutions illustrates the rapid proliferation of PME programs in the United States that has occurred in the twenty-first century. As this brief snapshot of American institutions and organizations demonstrates, PME in the United States is alive with possibilities and promise