bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intraocular lens position stability during phacovitrectomy with air or gas tamponade
Authors: Yoshikawa Yuji , Matsushima Takashi , Takano Shunichiro , Makita Jun , Shinoda Kei
Published: October 2024

To evaluate the stability of different intraocular lens (IOL) after phacovitrectomy with air or gas tamponade.Twenty-eight patients who underwent phacovitrectomy with air or sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas tamponade and who underwent postoperative anterior segment optical coherence tomography assessments using CASIA2 (TOMEY, Inc., Japan), were included in the study.Patients who received any of DIB00V (Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc., USA), XY-1 (HOYA Surgical Optics Co., Japan), or NX70 (Santen Pharmaceutical Co.) implantation were analyzed. The the anterior chamber depth (ACD) and IOL position values at each measurement time point (100%, 50%, 0%) and between IOLs were compared. The IOL displacement force (mN) was measured with verification experiment and recorded at each 0.1 mm anterior movement until the anterior displacement reached 0.5 mm. The overall age was 66 (59, 73) (median [quartiles])years. The ACD values increased progressively as the postoperative gas decreased for all IOLs. Compared to the preoperative ACD, the postoperative ACD was significantly greater at 50% and 0% gas for all IOLs (P < 0.01). Additionally, DIB00V had significantly larger ACD values compared to XY-1 at 100% gas or air (P=0.023) and NX70s at 0% gas or air (P=0.008). The IOL position shifted significantly posteriorly for both DIB00V and XY-1 as the gas or air dissappeared (P<0.05). However, for NX70s, the position significantly increased from 100% to 50% (P<0.01), with no significant difference from 50% to 0% (P=0.444). IOL-by-IOLs comparisons at each time point showed that DIB00V was significantly more posterior than XY-1 at 100% (P=0.046). In the verification experiment, DIB00V showed a greater IOL displacement force against a push from the retinal surface compared to XY-1 and NX70s.DIB00V exhibited excellent Z-axis stability in phacovitrectomy with air or gas tamponade.
A dynamic histone-based chromatin regulatory toolkit underpins genome and developmental evolution in an invertebrate clade
Authors: Martín-Zamora Francisco M. , Cole Joby , Donnellan Rory D. , Guynes Kero , Carrillo-Baltodano Allan M. , Dickman Mark J. , Hurd Paul J. , Martin-Duran Jose M
Published: October 2024

Eukaryotic histones protect and package nuclear DNA into nucleosomes. The dynamic addition and removal of posttranslational modifications on these proteins define regulatory regions that play a central role in genome and chromatin biology. However, our understanding of these regulatory mechanisms in animals is primarily based on a few model systems, preventing a general understanding of how histone-based regulation unfolds and promotes phenotypic variation during animal embryogenesis. Here, we apply a comprehensive multi-omics approach to dissect the histone-based regulatory complement in Annelida, one of the largest invertebrate phyla. Annelids exhibit a conserved histone repertoire organised in clusters of dynamically regulated, hyperaccessible chromatin. However, unlike other animals with reduced genomes, the worm Dimorphilus gyrociliatus shows a dramatically streamlined histone repertoire, revealing that genome compaction has lineage-specific effects on histone-based regulation. Notably, the annelid Owenia fusiformis has two H2A.X variants that co-occur in other animals, sometimes associate with fast cell divisions, and represent a unique case of widespread parallel evolution of a histone variant in Eukarya. Histone-modifying enzyme complements are largely conserved amongst annelids. Yet, temporal differences in the expression of a reduced set of histone modifiers correlate with distinct ontogenetic traits and variation in the adult landscapes of histone modifications, as revealed by quantitative mass spectrometry in O. fusiformis and Capitella teleta. Collectively, our unparalleled analysis of histone-based epigenetics within a non-model phylum informs the evolution of histone-based regulation, presenting a framework to explore how this fundamental genome regulatory layer contributes to developmental and morphological diversification in annelids and animals generally.
NT-pro BNP as a Prognostic Indicator for Chronic Heart Failure in Geriatric Population - A Pilot Study
Authors: Arachchi Eranda Ranasinghe , Agboyibor kouamivi , Gunavardhan
Published: October 2024

Background
As per the updated NICE guidelines, brain (B-type) natriuretic peptide (BNP) is used in the diagnostic criteria and management of heart failure. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the inactive N-terminal fragment NT-proBNP in an elderly population with decompensated heart failure.
Materials & Methods
We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study of 88 elderly patients who were admitted with decompensated heart failure between September 2023 to April 2024, covering the South Eastern Trust in Northern Ireland. Suspected heart failure admissions were randomly selected to obtain snapshots of each month. Among these admissions, 88 heart failure cases were identified based on echocardiogram findings and NT-proBNP levels obtained at initial admission. The same cohort was followed up for 12 weeks to monitor two specific end points: re-admission with heart failure or death.
Heart failure follow-ups were also assessed post-discharge. All cases were categorized into two main cohorts: a heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF/EF > 60%) cohort and a heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF/EF > 40%) cohort. Prognostic values and all-cause mortality after discharge were assessed for each cohorts via multivariable adjusted Cox regression analysis. Each cohort was further divided into three sub-cohorts based on NT-proBNP value
Results
The data analysis showed that patients with NT-proBNP values of >2000 exhibited a mortality rate of 29.1% and a heart failure re-admission rate of 45.6%. Those with rising NT-proBNP values during heart failure follow-up exhibited a re-admission rate of 66.6%, which was much lower than that (33.3%) seen in those with declining NT-proBNP values.
Conclusions
Our results indicated that higher NT-proBNP levels on admission were predictive of higher mortality and re-admission rates among the elderly population. Furthermore, rising NT-proBNP levels during heart failure follow up were associated with higher mortality and morbidity rates. Therefore, NT-proBNP levels can be used as a prognostic biomarker for elderly patients with heart failure, irrespective of their ejection fraction status.
Transmissibility-based methods for damage identification on a railway bogie frame
Authors: Pagaimo João , Millan Pedro , Costa João Neves , Maia Nuno , Ambrósio Jorge
Published: October 2024

The bogie frame is a safety-critical component of modern railway vehicles. Consequently, railway companies periodically inspect the bogie frame to guarantee a timely damage detection. Current inspection strategies could benefit from condition monitoring during the operation using adequate sensor systems and algorithms. However, the application of methods for damage detection using the bogie frame response is still limited. This work aims to identify the sensitivity of two complementary methods based on the transmissibilities – an updated form of the Transmissibility Damage Indicator (TDI) method and the Maximum Occurrences (MO) method – to detect and locate structural damage. This analysis is supported by flexible multibody simulations that provide the nominal and abnormal response of a locomotive in realistic operational conditions. This work first assesses the effect of differences in track inputs on the sensitivity of the TDI method. Both the length of acceleration signals and the number and location of sensors are analysed, from the perspective of the damage detection capacity. The results show that the TDI method successfully detects cracks with a moderate to large dimension, while the MO method identifies the region where those cracks occur. The transmissibility-based methods are a reliable technique that may contribute to enhance the inspection of railway vehicles.
Probing intracellular yeast metabolism with deuterium magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Anum Fatima , Assaf Charbel , Mohamad Farhad Haj , Anikeeva Maria , Brahms Arne , Dey Jyotirmoy , Kaltenberger Simon , Beitz Eric , Welz Lina , Annis Victoria , Gemmeren Manuel van , Duckett Simon , Hövener Jan-Bernd , Pravdivtsev Andrey N.
Published: October 2024

Metabolomics provides insights into biochemical dynamics, with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) being one of the few noninvasive techniques. However, traditional 1H NMR often suffers from overlapping signals from proteins and numerous metabolites. To address this, we employed deuterium labeling, reducing background interference and streamlining metabolic analysis. Deuterium magnetic resonance spectroscopy (DMRS) enables rapid, noninvasive measurement of metabolic flux without specialized equipment. In our study, we first measured T1, T2, and chemical shifts for 25 deuterium-labeled compounds in phosphate-buffered saline: parameters functional for optimal DMRS settings. Among the 25 deuterated compounds tested with food-grade baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a model solution, we observed and tracked the real-time consumption of pyruvate, glucose, fumarate, acetone, and nicotinamide. We redirected yeast metabolism by (i) varying concentrations of added pyruvate and (ii) osmotic pressure by changing buffer density. This study underscores DMRS’s potential as a robust, versatile tool for dissecting metabolic transformations exemplified here with the convenient yeast cell systems active for hundreds of minutes under typical NMR observation conditions.
Does peer conformity have moderating effects on university students’ consumptive behavior? A focus on self-concept, economic literacy, and e-money adoption
Authors: Murniawaty Indri , Sangadah Nur , Pujiati Amin , Eko Prasetyo P. , Suryanto Edy
Published: October 2024

The study explores the moderating role of peer conformity on the relationship between self-concept, economic literacy, and e-money adoption with the consumptive behavior of university students, specifically those receiving the KIP Kuliah scholarship in Indonesia. Data were collected through an online survey of 328 students and analyzed using Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA). The results indicated that the relationship between self-concept and consumptive behavior, as well as e-money adoption and consumptive behavior, was significantly strengthened by peer conformity. However, the effect of economic literacy on consumptive behavior was not moderated by peer conformity. These findings suggest that while self-concept and e-money adoption are influenced by peer conformity, economic literacy operates independently of peer conformity. The importance of fostering economic literacy and a critical self-concept among students to mitigate the effects of peer pressure on consumption was highlighted in this research. The findings reveal that peer conformity strengthens the effect of self-concept and e-money adoption on consumptive behavior, but does not moderate the impact of economic literacy. The research highlights the need for fostering economic literacy and critical self-concept to reduce the influence of peer conformity on student consumption decisions. Further research should expand the scope beyond KIP Kuliah students to include a broader student population.
Ultra-high-pressure homogenization in chicory root juice production
Authors: Aksu Muhammet Irfan , Erkovan Halil Ibrahim , Erkovan Sule
Published: October 2024

The demand for freshly squeezed natural fruit juices has increased in recent years, however their shelf life is quite short. Thermal processes applied to extend the shelf life of such products and increase their storage stability cause significant losses in color and other sensory properties, depending on the temperature applied. Therefore, the preference for high-pressure homogenization as an alternative to thermal processes is on the rise. We aimed to determine effects of ultra-high-pressure homogenization and production stages on some quality properties of chicory root juice. Ultra-high-pressure homogenization was applied at the pressure levels of 0 (Control), 50, 100, 150, and 200 MPA. The samples also included juice after homogenization with an ULTRA-TURRAX disperser and after a water bath. Ultra-high-pressure homogenization affected such quality characteristics of chicory root juice as total soluble solids (p < 0.01), pH (p < 0.01), L* (p < 0.01), a* (p < 0.01), b* (p < 0.01), a*/b* (p < 0.01), chroma (p < 0.01), hue angle (p < 0.01), and total color difference ΔE (p < 0.01). Higher levels of ultra-high-pressure homogenization pressure increased pH (p < 0.05), a* values (p < 0.05), and the a/b* ratio (p < 0.05) but reduced L* (p < 0.05), b* (p < 0.05), chroma (p < 0.05), and hue angle (p < 0.05) values of the juice samples. Thus, the use of ultra-high-pressure homogenization (100 and 200 MPa) contributed to improving the total soluble solids and redness values of chicory root juice. Our study showed that the ultra-high-pressure homogenization process improved the quality of chicory root juice.
Café y gestión del conocimiento en la Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Authors: Lorena Astrid , Andrés William , Fernando Ariel
Published: October 2024

La gestión del conocimiento incluye múltiples actores, relaciones y procesos, lo cual se desarrollan de maneras particulares según los entornos donde se implemente. Esto implica que se proyecten mecanismos para transmitir conocimiento, los cuales serán apropiados de diferentes maneras por los sujetos que lo reciben. En este texto mostramos cómo las dinámicas socioculturales en un territorio muy especial, la Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta en el Magdalena, generan procesos muy particulares de gestión de conocimiento en torno a la producción y comercialización del café. Después de un recorrido socio-histórico por el proceso de conformación y desarrollo de una iniciativa clúster y de una organización de cadena productiva, se hace evidente la relevancia de aspectos como la confianza, las relaciones de parentesco, la cooperación y la relación con el territorio para los procesos de innovación de la caficultura ecológica de la Sierra. Así mismo, se ofrecen un conjunto de recomendaciones basadas en las experiencias de los propios actores, incluyendo aspectos relativos al liderazgo, gobernanza, el fortalecimiento de redes de cooperación interinstitucional y la valoración del conocimiento e innovaciones propios.
HISTÓRIA E CULTURA AFROCENTRADA: REFLEXÕES IDENTITÁRIAS DOS ESTUDANTES DO ENSINO MÉDIO
Authors: Da Silva Santos Jonas , Nascimento dos Santos Carla Liane
Published: October 2024

Este artigo é fruto do desdobramento de uma ação desenvolvida na sala de aula no Curso de Pós-Graduação Lato Sensu em Relações Étnico-Raciais e Cultura Afro-Brasileira na Educação, realizada junto a uma turma de história e cultura afro-brasileira e africana no processo de construção e afirmação identitária dos estudantes do Ensino Médio. O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido no turno vespertino, no período de 21 de setembro de 2022 a 29 de setembro de 2022, utilizando o método da pesquisa-ação, a partir do planejamento e vivência de uma sequência didática. A pesquisa revelou-se como uma estratégia pedagógica viável para potencializar os estudos sobre a História e Cultura Afro-Brasileira e Africana, capaz de transformar os sujeitos e suas realidades. Os referenciais teóricos utilizados estiveram amparados nas produções de Appiah (1992); Fanon (2008); Gomes (2017); Munanga (2005); Santos (2005); Silva (2007).  Assim, este estudo contribuiu para o reconhecimento e afirmação identitária dos (as) estudantes, apontando possibilidades de ações concretas em direção à superação de uma educação monocultural e eurocêntrica.
MOVIVÊNCIAS
Authors: Campos de Paula Débora , Martielo Renata Giovana de Almeida
Published: October 2024

O tema que trataremos neste artigo, para nós é um oásis no meio do caos, uma experiência de encontro com nossas intimidades de ser.  Falar de movimento corporal afro referenciado e das experiências que vêm sendo desenvolvidas nas provocações do que chamamos de movivências, enquanto expressão e produção de saberes/filosofias do corpo, é tocar em discussões muito caras a nossa trajetória pessoal e acadêmica.
A experiência com o trabalho desenvolvido no Núcleo de Pesquisas em Filosofias do Corpo[1] nos proporciona entrar em contato com questões prementes do nosso entendimento sobre quem somos, o que estamos fazendo no mundo enquanto seres humanos e o que queremos para nossa existência coletiva. Nossos contatos se dão a partir do corpo em movimento, mas não qualquer movimento, são sim as expressões da capoeira e as possibilidades da dança afro-brasileira, vivenciadas sobre uma perspectiva libertadora, reflexiva e contra a colonialidade que aprisiona nossos corpos pensantes. Chamamos essa experiência sensório motora de Movivências.
LOUVAÇÃO AO BAOBÁ NA/DA CIDADE DE MOSSORÓ/RN
Authors: Marques Leite Lucas Sullivam , Aguiar Ana Lúcia Oliveira
Published: October 2024

O artigo em tela tem como objetivo, apresentar uma síntese de uma recente pesquisa em nível de mestrado em Educação, intitulada, “Louvação ao Baobá na Cidade de Mossoró/RN: Memórias, Identidades Negras e Saberes Ancestrais”, desenvolvida na linha de pesquisa Práticas Educativas, Cultura, Diversidade e Inclusão do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação da Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, com financiamento da CAPES. Resulta   de   uma   pesquisa   de   abordagem qualitativa, bibliográfica e explicativa (quanto aos objetivos) fundamentada na interface entre a Metodologia da Pesquisa (Auto) Biográfica e Filosofias Afro-Brasileiras. Os resultados apontam que perspectivas epistêmico-metodológicas em construção, podem compreender e veicular histórias de vida, memórias, experiências e saberes ancestrais, com impactos diretos na cultura e educação afro-brasileira.
Consentimento, parto e violência
Authors: Aleixo Mariah
Published: October 2024

O artigo debate a importância da noção de consentimento no enquadramento de experiências de parto como casos de violência obstétrica. A discussão é feita a partir de relatos etnográficos de duas interlocutoras. Nas reivindicações das mulheres contra a violência obstétrica, a necessidade de consentir sobre procedimentos a serem realizados no parto aparece como motivo principal para concebê-lo como experiência violenta. Buscando respeito à autonomia, elas elaboram o Plano de Parto, um documento em que a mulher detalha as preferências em relação às intervenções que assente ou não em seu parto. Porém, considerando assimetrias de poder entre a parturiente e os profissionais da saúde e situações imprevistas, nem sempre o planejamento inicial é respeitado. Assim, busco entender em quais situações a falta do consentimento é considerada necessária e em quais ela passa a ser configurada violência pelas interlocutoras, a partir nas noções de enquadramento e cuidado.
Entre resistência e paridade
Authors: Moura Ana Patrícia Silva , Pimentel Bruna Tavares
Published: October 2024

Resenha da dissertação: SILVA, Amanda Raquel da. A cor das relações: corpo, idade e afetividade na experiência de mulheres negras em um bairro de Natal/RN. 2019. Dissertação (Mestrado em Antropologia Social) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Antropologia Social, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, 2019.
"Fazendo a rua ladrilhar"
Authors: Lima Lorrana Santos
Published: October 2024

Resenha do livro: BERTH, Joice. Se a cidade fosse nossa: racismos, falocentrismos e opressões nas cidades. Rio de Janeiro: Paz & Terra, 2023.
Gestão documental em ambientes corporativos
Authors: Aganette Elisangela Cristina , Araujo Josias Júlio de
Published: October 2024

O presente artigo propõe procedimentos operacionais detalhados para a construção e implementação de procedimentos operacionais relacionados à Gestão Documental em ambientes corporativos. Para isso, utiliza como base as teorias de Bellotto (2002), Jardim e Fonseca (1995) e Heredia-Herrera (2011), entre outros, além das práticas vivenciadas pelos autores em atividades consultivas e científicas. Essas experiências permitiram a verificação e aplicação das etapas para a construção de procedimentos operacionais eficazes nos contextos corporativos. Este estudo segue o método científico qualitativo, com a coleta de dados realizada por meio de visitas técnicas e entrevistas com gestores corporativos. O estudo faz parte de uma pesquisa que investigou casos em ambientes corporativos. Ao final, o artigo apresenta procedimentos operacionais detalhados para a elaboração do Diagnóstico, com o objetivo de estabelecer diretrizes para sua construção no contexto da Gestão Documental. A aplicabilidade desses procedimentos visa a construção de Diagnósticos Situacionais em ambientes corporativos, a fim de consolidar as etapas de construção do referido Diagnóstico.
Russian wheat export to African countries at the present stage: key development features, challenges and opportunities
Authors: Chukharev A. V.
Published: October 2024

The Russian Federation traditionally remains one of the most important producers and suppliers of wheat on the world market of agricultural raw materials and food. The countries of the African continent, on the contrary, form the largest group of importers and consumers of this product. The purpose of the article is to identify the main trends in the dynamics of Russian wheat exports to African countries at the present stage, as well as to identify the key features of this aspect of trade relations between the parties. The article examines the dynamics and features of export-import relations between the Russian Federation and African countries in the field of international wheat trade through the prism of food security theory. The paper presents an analysis of numerical indicators of wheat production in Russia and its exports to African countries in comparison with indicators of total supplies to the world market, identifies specific features of Russian exports focused on supplies to the African region, and concludes that Russia needs to expand its participation in ensuring food security in the Global South. The source base is statistical materials containing numerical indicators of wheat production and trade by countries and regions of the world, published by international organizations (FAO, International Trade Center, UNCTAD/WTO), national executive authorities, their subordinate institutions and the Bureau of Statistics (Rosstat, USDA); as well as analytical and information and news publications on the topic.
Türkiye’de Orta Sınıf Yarılmasının Sosyo-Ekonomik Dinamikleri: Bir Yerinden Edilme Olarak Mesleki Kariyer, Sınıfsal Konum ve İnsansal Özsaygı
Authors: Özkurt Cem
Published: October 2024

Çağcıl dünyamız çalışma ilişkilerindeki yeni biçimlenmeler ve çok boyutlu karmaşıklaşmalarla toplumsal alanı değiştirmeye ve dönüştürmeye devam ediyor. Geçmişin analitik tutarlılıkları, sınıf yapısı ve geleneksel meslekler nosyonu farklılaşıyor ve yeni türden şekillenmelerle karşımıza çıkıyor. Bu farklılaşmaların ana teması, orta sınıf meslekler olarak bilinen iş türlerinin sosyo-ekonomik bakımdan gerilemesi ve sınıflar hiyerarşisinde eski korunaklı konumlanmasını kaybetmesi olarak belirginleşiyor. Geçici çalışma düzeni, tam istihdam yoksunluğu, prekarizasyon ve orta sınıf krizi biçiminde küresel ölçekte cereyan eden bu alt üst oluşlar, geniş toplumsal kesimlerin geçim olanaklarını sınırlandırıyor ve gelir kaynaklarına erişimde kısıtlar yaratıyor. Bu çalışma, küresel ölçekte ortaya çıkan orta sınıf krizine, Türkiye özelinde, mesleki deneyime 2000’ler periyodunda başlayan genç kuşak öğretmen ve avukatların anlatılarından hareketle bir bakış sergilemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Çalışmada, meslek mensuplarının mülkiyete erişim kapasitelerindeki daralmalar, istikrarlı iş olanaklarındaki kısıtlar, güvencesizlik, içe dönük kapanma ve yaşam olanakları bakımından alternatifsizlerin ortaya çıkardığı gerilim alanları çok boyutlu olarak analiz edilmeye çalışılmıştır. Bu analiz, mesleğe 1980’lerde başlamış olgun kuşağın deneyimlerini de göz önünde bulundurarak karşılaştırmalı olarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Makale, üç eksendeki sorunsallaştırmayla ilerlemektedir. İlk eksen, hem öğretmen hem de avukat gruplarda bulgulanan meslek içi hiyerarşilenmenin, dış dünya sosyo-ekonomik karşılığının hangi türden gerilim ve yarılmalar yarattığını ortaya koymaktadır. İkincisi, öğretmen ve avukatların sınıfsal konumunu ve mülkiyet ilişkilerindeki verili durumu gösterme amacındadır. Üçüncüsü ise, mesleki saygınlığın toplumsal yaşamdaki görünümlerini ortaya koymak ve aktörlerin mesleklerini bir gelecek tasarımı olarak tahayyül edip etmediklerini tartışmaya açmaktır.
Advances in Molecular Photoswitches: From Azobenzenes to Azoquinolines
Authors: Karaush-Karmazin Nataliya M. , Nycz Jacek E.
Published: October 2024

Molecular photoswitches represent a dynamic and ever-growing research area based on the ability of
molecules to convert (switch) between cis- (Z) and trans- (E) isomers. Azobenzenes are the most popular and
widely employed Z-E photoswitchable molecules in the development of photoresponsive, multifunctional smart
materials for various applications. The promising avenues in this field include molecular fine-tuning of azobenzene-
based photoswitches and the creation of single or dual-functional probes.
This short overview highlights recent advances in the design of molecular photoswitches, particularly the molecular
design strategies of azobenzene-based photoswitches with their structural and electronic features. Particular
attention is paid to azoquinolines, which seem to be a promising alternative to azobenzenes in the design of
novel multifunctional photoswitches with improved photochromic properties. Here, we have also developed the
novel star-shaped multiazoquinoline photoswitch comprising individual azoquinoline-based photochromes connected
to a central trisubstituted 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol core by quantum chemical calculations. This
unique structure is favorable for independent Z-E isomerization of each azoquinoline-based photochrome within
one macromolecule.
Medication Adherence, Blood Pressure Control, Knowledge, Self-care and Self-efficacy among Tunisian Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Turki Fatma , Turki Imen , Jedidi Jihen , Said Houyem
Published: October 2024

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the associated factors with adherence to antihypertensive therapy and to explore the association between medication adherence, blood pressure control, knowledge about hypertension (HTN), self-care, and self-efficacy in hypertensive patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 750 hypertensive patients in Tunisia. The data collection tool was a 5-section questionnaire including an information sheet, the Girerd medication adherence scale, the HTN Knowledge Level Scale (HK-LS), the Self-care of HTN Inventory (SC-HI), and the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease 6-Item Scale (SEM6S).

Results

A low and moderate level of medication adherence has been observed in 83.2% of the participants. Uncontrolled blood pressure was detected in 73.1% of cases. Only 11.5% have a good level of knowledge about HTN. Concerning Self-care practices, 48.8% of patients have inadequate practices of maintenance, 48.8% have inadequate practices of monitoring, and 83.9% have inadequate practices of management. The self-efficacy for managing HTN was weak in 42.1% of the participants.

In multivariate analysis, low medication adherence was associated with the number of antihypertensive pills/day (ORa=2.668; CI95%= (1.447- 4.918) if ≥ 4 pills/day), side effects (ORa=1.834; CI95%= (1.263- 2.665); p=0.001), uncontrolled hypertension (ORa=2.74; CI95%= (1.798- 4.18); p<0.0001), insufficient self-efficacy for managing HTN (ORa=1.773; CI95%=(1.252- 2.512); p<0.0001), and insufficient self-care maintenance (ORa=2.220; CI95%=(1.562- 3.1570); p<0.0001).

Conclusion

Low medication adherence was associated with uncontrolled blood pressure, more anti-hypertensive pills, side effects, lower self-efficacy, and lower self-care maintenance. Nursing interventions improving the management skills of hypertensive patients may be beneficial in controlling the disease and its subsequent consequences.
A Comprehensive Review on the Screening Models for the Pharmacological Assessment of Antipsychotic Drugs
Authors: Singh Yatendra , Rai Nitish , Wal Pranay
Published: October 2024

Background:

Psychosis is a debilitating mental disorder characterized by a
profound disconnection from reality, manifesting in symptoms such as hallucinations,
delusions, and disorganized thinking. The pathophysiology of psychosis is multifaceted,
involving an interplay of neurobiological, genetic, and environmental factors.
Neurobiologically, dysregulation of neurotransmitter systems particularly dopaminergic,
serotonergic, and glutamatergic pathways-plays a central role, with excessive dopaminergic
activity linked to positive symptoms and glutamatergic dysfunction implicated
in cognitive impairments. Genetic predisposition, evidenced by significant
heritability and associations with specific genetic variants, intersects with environmental
factors such as stress, trauma, and substance use to influence the onset and
progression of psychosis. Cognitive disruptions, including deficits in attention,
memory, and executive function, exacerbate the disorder’s impact. This phenomenon
has led to short-term as well as long-term psychosocial and mental health implications
for all.

Objective:

To determine the antipsychotic activity of pharmaceuticals, numerous antipsychotic
screening models are available. Determining the optimal animal model for
measuring antipsychotic activity is the primary goal of this study.

Methods:

A search for literature was carried out using several keywords, including
"Antipsychotic," "In-vivo models," "In-vitro models," and "Behavior models," on the
databases Science Direct and PubMed. For the purpose of obtaining the most appropriate
articles to fulfil the goal of this review article, the search was customized by
using the necessary filters.

Results:

Research and review articles based on neuroleptic screening models are
available to determine the antipsychotic activity of novel pharmacological compounds.

Conclusion:

Following our research, we identified several helpful models for evaluating
the antipsychotic activity of pharmaceuticals and proposed that combining invitro
and in-vivo techniques with behavioral methodologies might yield the most appropriate
results for our field of study.
3-Dimensional Printing in Healthcare: Manufacturing Techniques and Applications
Authors: Ansari Irfan , Malviya Rishabha , Singh Bhupinder
Published: October 2024

3D printing and additive manufacturing are interchangeable terms.
Additive manufacturing builds models layer by layer using a variety of laser-based or
sophisticated printing processes. While this was one of the earliest techniques for 3D
printing, the field now widely uses a number of other patented methods. The
objective is to analyze the success rate of 3D printing in healthcare. The medical
industry has found 3D printing to be highly beneficial in recent years. The application
of 3D printing technology allows for greater customization of the therapeutic process,
which enhances treatment safety, accuracy, and precision. On the other hand, the
disclosure of new materials for 3D printing occurs frequently. For some producers,
the right materials might just be a few months or years away. However, printing
certain materials may be difficult or impossible. Excellent results are not always
possible with 3D printers. We can conclude that 3D printing represents one of the
most advanced techniques in healthcare.
Unraveling the Effects of SARS-CoV-2 on Dementia: A Comprehensive Study
Authors: Kadiri Sunil Kumar , Tiwari Prashant
Published: October 2024

Since late 2019, a pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, a highly contagious coronavirus,
has jeopardized human and public health. Neurodegeneration and structural brain diseases produce
dementia, which is developing rapidly. Strong evidence of COVID-19 brain abnormalities as neurotrophic
viruses impair neurological systems. Neuron and glial cell degeneration can affect nerve
transmission and brain function. Damage to these brain components raises dementia risk. Multiple
studies linked SARS-CoV-2 to dementia. This manuscript contains selective data. This study aims to
review the findings and suggest strategies to improve SARS-Covid dementia management. The study
makes use of medical research databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline, and Embase. Furthermore,
information is also collected by recognized health organizations and government agencies.
COVID-19 can produce neuropsychological deficits, agitation, confusion, inattention, and disorientation.
Thus, SARS can worsen dementia and neurodegeneration. This article summarizes COVID-19's
effects on dementia patients from several sources. The focus on existing treatments for affected patients
ties the two.
Jivamrit as a Sustainable Approach: A Review of Natural Farming and Future Agriculture
Authors: Warghane Ashish , Bhatt Vaibhav , Chopade B.A , Thakkar Jigisha , Sharma Ritu , Mondal Arijit , Sabhadiya Priyanka , Singh Ankit , Bhardwaj Gayatary
Published: October 2024

Green Revolution aims to boost food production and feed millions of Indians, but it also has negative effects on agriculture and society's health. Natural manures like cow dung and cow urine can counteract the adverse effects of inorganic fertilizer on soil along with improving physicochemical qualities, maintaining the soil quality, and increasing crop output. Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) formulations like Jivamrit promote soil health and microbial activities and are an excellent source of macronutrients, other micronutrients needed for plant growth, plus adds beneficial microbes, nitrogen (N2), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and natural carbon (C). Further, conventional agricultural methods, like monocropping and heavy tillage, can damage soil bacteria which contributes to sustainable agriculture through nitrogen fixation, siderophore synthesis and nutrient absorption. A sustainable agricultural system is resource-efficient, socially and commercially competitive, ecologically sound, and supportive of society. Jivamrit, a natural organic manure, is gaining interest due to concerns about the sustainability of input-intensive agriculture systems. It promotes crop growth, quality, and yield, enhances soil pH, population, and activity of beneficial microorganisms, and helps with nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubili-zation, and easy decomposition. Long-term use of Jivamrit, may disrupt soil microbial balance, may leading to overpopulation of certain species. The current review on the Jivamrit emphasizes on the biological and chemical characterization and its significance to the agriculture.
A Passenger Ship Emergency Evacuation Line Efficiency Evaluation Operator Considering Safety Capacity and its Application
Authors: Ni Huan , Zhang Fangwei , Li Junbo , Pan Yiying
Published: October 2024

Introduction:

Aiming at evaluating the efficiency of passenger ship emergency
evacuation routes, this study proposes an evaluation operator for passenger ship emergency
evacuation routes, and then conducts simulation research on the passenger ship evacuation
process.

Methods:

The main innovations of this study are as follows. Firstly, this study proposes an
evaluation operator for passenger ship emergency evacuation lines based on consideration of the
passage capacity, ship heeling effect, traffic flow obstruction, personnel evacuation mood,
accident location, and other factors. Secondly, this study discretizes the emergency evacuation
path of passenger ships into a three-dimensional topological network structure and uses simulation
data to calculate the traffic capacity between nodes. By comparing the calculated value with the
simulated value, a risk assessment method for emergency evacuation is given. Thirdly, this study
takes the three-story ro-ro passenger ship in the European "SAFEGUARD" project as an example
and gives three passenger ship evacuation simulation processes under different passenger flow
densities.

Results:

The results of the calculation example show that the risk-prone areas are mainly
concentrated in the passenger ship stairs, and the risk value increases with the passenger flow.

Conclusion:

The calculation results verify the effectiveness of the emergency evacuation line efficiency
evaluation operator proposed in this study.
Recent Updates in Natural Product Research and Novel Approaches to Drug Delivery Using Phytomolecules
Authors: Nath Junmoni , Bordoloi Chayanika , Bharali Alakesh , Sahu Bhanu P. , Laloo Damiki
Published: October 2024

Herbal medicines are gaining popularity in the modern world for their ability
to treat a wide range of ailments while having fewer side effects and greater therapeutic
properties. However, there are many limitations when it comes to delivering active
phytomolecules to the target site, including solubility of ingredients, susceptibility to
degradation in the presence of gastric and colonic acidity, diminished metabolic
efficacy attributable to gut microflora, inadequate absorption across the intestinal
epithelium, suboptimal active efflux mechanisms, and susceptibility to first-pass
metabolism. As a result, medication concentrations in the blood are below therapeutic
levels, resulting in reduced or no therapeutic impact. With the rising popularity and
potential therapies of herbal medicines over the last several decades, there has been a
lot of attention paid to the new drug delivery method of active phytomolecules. Novel
herbal drug carriers treat certain diseases by precisely targeting the diseased zone
within a patient's body and delivering the medication there. Novel drug delivery
systems have the benefit of administering herbal medicines at a preset rate and at the
site of action, reducing adverse effects and increasing drug bioavailability. Controlling
drug distribution in new drug delivery technology is accomplished by integrating the
drug into a carrier system or altering the drug's structure at the molecular level. The
integration of herbal drugs into the delivery system facilitates improvements in
solubility, stability enhancement, toxicity mitigation, potentiation of pharmacological
activity, optimized distribution among tissue macrophages, sustained release kinetics,
and protection against physical and chemical degradation, thereby aligning with key
principles in pharmaceutical formulation. The purpose of this chapter is to offer an overview of several forms of novel drug delivery systems that incorporate active
components, as well as their potential therapeutic and clinical benefit.
Molecular Basis of Therapeutic Action of Flavonoids
Authors: R. Vimalavathini , V. Sittarthan , S. Kavimani
Published: October 2024

Herbs have been an integral part of human life for ages. Modern allopathic
drugs had an upper hand over traditional medicine in the past century due to their
mounting inefficacy, resistance, cost, and adverse effects that have led to the reclaim of
herbs once again. Herbs holistically confer biological activity due to the presence of
phytochemicals, which are classified broadly as carbohydrates, lipids, terpenoids,
alkaloids, polyphenols, and essential and volatile oils. In this, polyphenols are a vast
group further comprising flavonoids, phenolic acid, stilbenoids, tannins, lignans,
xanthones, quinones, coumarins, phenylpropanoids, and benzofurans. Of this,
flavonoids are hydroxylated phenolic substances with basic C6-C3-C6 rings
substitution, which gives rise to a series of compounds namely, flavonols, flavanones,
flavones, anthocyanidins, flavanonols, chalcones, isoflavones, and flavanols. They are
abundantly found in vegetables and fruits and exhibit antioxidant, free-radical
scavenging activity, anti-cancer, cardioprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory,
anti-allergic, and anti-microbial action. The advent of modern molecular techniques
and computational methodologies has thrown light on the molecular mechanism of
action of these flavonoids, which was otherwise obscure. Hence this chapter aims to
review the types, sources, chemistry, and molecular mechanisms of action of the
various phytomolecules of flavonoid groups.
Research Outcomes of Natural Products in Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Bhattamisra Subrat Kumar , Candasamy Mayuren
Published: October 2024

Diabetes mellitus, is a chronic condition with dysregulated glucose levels
and has been affecting a larger global population. The disease, if not controlled, can
lead to several microvascular and macrovascular complications that will impede the
patients' physical and mental well-being in addition to its economic burden. Many
diabetic patients are unaware of the complications and hesitate to take medicines in the
early phase of the disease condition. Furthermore, many patients have limited access to
conventional antidiabetic drugs, which drives the search for newer agents or relying on
alternative/complementary medicines. Ancient systems such as Ayurveda, traditional
African and Chinese medicine, Japanese Kampo medicine, and other systems of
medicine have identified many herbal/plants, and mineral-based agents for treating
diabetes. Many such plants probably more than 800 and their extracts have been
scientifically proven or tested using various experimental models of diabetes in
animals. Despite several In vitro and In vivo studies reporting the effects of extracts of
plants on blood glucose, only a few trials have been performed to validate their efficacy
in treating humans with diabetes. An apparent mismatch in outcomes was observed
while translating the effectiveness of these plants from an experimental animal study to
a human study. These inconsistencies among animal and human studies were
remarkable in some cases. There are several aspects responsible for these variations,
such as variation in plant parts/extracts, dose, duration in different studies, the
difference between animal models and human disease, and initiation of drug treatment
in animal model, which is generally before the induction of diabetes or immediately
after the induction of diabetes. This chapter focuses on the animal studies and human
clinical trials conducted on plant-based extracts and other natural products and the
outcomes in controlling or managing diabetes mellitus.
Weed Control for Better Crop Health Using AIoT
Authors: T. Sanjana , N. Madhusudhan K.
Published: October 2024

Agriculture is one of the major sources of economy in India. Quality of
crops and optimal yield are possible amidst several challenges, such as climate change,
water scarcity, and weeds, by means of sustainable agriculture. Modern science and
technological advancements can be used to address these challenges and, hence,
maximize agricultural productivity.
This chapter focuses on weed control using a combination of computer vision and IoT.
Weed is an unwanted crop that affects the growth of the actual crop by absorbing soil
nutrients, water, and sunlight. It is extremely important to remove the weeds. Targeted
spraying to kill the weed has been the most effective solution. Such a system is costeffective and time-saving for large farms. The major concern in this method is the
identification of the weed. There are several types of weeds, and identifying them
among the actual crop is critical. False identification may lead to large economic
losses. An efficient product for weed removal can be designed by combining the
knowledge of IoT, image processing, and artificial intelligence (AI). AI and image
processing aid in identifying and classifying the weeds. AI also helps in analyzing the
risk of weed and the ineffective usage of weed killer, along with the amount of
pesticide to be sprayed based on the type of weed. This chapter discusses sustainable
agriculture, works carried out in the field of smart farming, the significance of
technologies such as IoT and AI, and the design of a weed killer bot, which mainly
uses image processing.
Transforming Agriculture with IoT for Precision Agriculture and Sustainable Crop Management
Authors: Bhardwaj Suyash , Venkatesan Sasirekha , Rawat Swati , Nath Pashupati
Published: October 2024

The Internet of Things (IoT) technology is making a radical transition in the
agricultural business, resulting in the creation of precision agriculture and sustainable
crop management practices. This study inspects how Internet of Things (IoT)
technology is revolutionizing agriculture, with a particular emphasis on sustainable
crop management techniques and precision agriculture. The study explores the extent
and significance of using sensors, IoT devices, and data analytics for improved crop
monitoring and management, empowering farmers to make data-driven choices.
Farmers are able to allocate resources more efficiently and produce less waste due to
the real-time data collecting on soil moisture, temperature, humidity, and crop health.
We go into great detail on the essential elements of IoT-based precision agriculture,
such as decision support systems, data collecting, analytics, and sensor technology. The
study also looks at the benefits of using IoT in agriculture, highlighting how
technology might completely transform farming methods for more sustainability and
efficiency. A thorough literature study adds to our understanding of the status of
research in Internet of Things applications for sustainable crop management and
precision agriculture.
Scientific Integrated Solid Waste Management System to Minimize Adverse Effects on Agriculture
Authors: Jain Megha , Pandey Dhiraj
Published: October 2024

The management of solid waste is a major issue everywhere in the world. It
is an undesirable material produced from industrial and business activities andfrom
residential areas in a given region, which leads to adverse impacts on agriculture.
Decentralized municipal solid waste is one of the causes of the harmful environment in
India and all over the world. Decentralized waste management causes significant
problems, including hazardous diseases and environmental pollution. To tackle these
problems, scientific management of waste disposal is needed. Few methods are used to
find the solution to these problems, but they do not give precise and accurate results.
Moreover, there is uncertainty in data, so there is an immediate need to establish a
reliable way to find a place where solid waste can be disposed of. A scientific,
integrated solid waste management system must be immediately designed to reduce the
effects on agriculture. Geospatial tools like Remote Sensing and GIS, which can help in
appropriate site choice for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) disposal in an additional
scientific manner, might result in economically supported concrete proof. The study
provides the suitable places in the city and the best algorithms in the field of Site
Suitability Analysis (SSA).