Diverse Areas Research Articles

The Art of Fluorescence Imaging with Chemical Sensors: The Next Decade 2012–2022

Imaging methods by the means of optical sensors are applied in diverse scientific areas such as medical research and diagnostics, aerodynamics, environmental analysis, or marine research. After a general introduction to the field, this review is focused on works published between 2012 and 2022. The covered topics include planar sensors (optrodes), nanoprobes, and sensitive coatings. Advanced sensor materials combined with imaging technologies enable the visualization of parameters which exhibit no intrinsic color or fluorescence, such as oxygen, pH, CO2, H2O2, Ca2+, or temperature. The progress on the development of multiple sensors and methods for referenced signal read out is also highlighted, as is the recent progress in device design and application formats using model systems in the lab or methods for measurements’ in the field.

Educational competencies for telehealth physical therapy: Results of a modified Delphi process.

Telehealth is becoming more prevalent in physical therapy, involving a whole host of clinical services. These services are often provided without structured training in telehealth, and no formal curricula currently exist for this purpose. To develop a set of educational competencies (ECs) to guide instruction of telehealth-related skills in entry-level programs (i.e., Doctor of Physical Therapy), existing programs (i.e., residencies and fellowships), and potential future post-graduate programs specific to telehealth physical therapy. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants from diverse geographic locations and practice areas were invited to participate on an expert panel. A modified Delphi process was then used to evaluate the acceptability of draft ECs gathered from the extant literature by a steering group. Draft ECs were presented to the expert panel on a questionnaire, which asked expert participants to rate each draft EC according to applicability and clarity. Draft ECs were accepted if they met a priori established criteria for acceptability and clarity. Unendorsed ECs were revised by the steering group according to open-ended comments from respondents and presented during a subsequent round. Three rounds of surveys were undertaken. Thirty-eight participants formed the expert panel; 38 participants completed the Round 1 survey, 28 participants completed the Round 2 survey, and 24 participants completed the Round 3 survey. Delphi group members approved 48 ECs in the first round, 23 ECs in the second round, and 2 ECs in the third round. There were 4 ECs that remained unendorsed after the modified Delphi process. Endorsed ECs spanned 7 conceptual areas. Distinct sets of ECs characterized expected end points of first professional degree, existing residency and fellowship, and potential future telehealth physical therapy post-graduate program. Consensus-based ECs identified in this study may guide instruction in knowledge and skills relevant to physical therapy telehealth.

Creation of Wood-Based Hierarchical Superstructures via In Situ Growth of ZIF-8 for Enhancing Mechanical Strength and Electromagnetic Shielding Performance.

Given the escalating prevalence of electromagnetic pollution, there is an urgent need for the development of high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. Herein, wood-based electromagnetic shielding materials have gained significant popularity due to their exceptional performance as building materials. In this study, a novel wood-based composite with electromagnetic shielding properties is developed. Through the in situ growth of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) crystals on wood fibers, coupled with uniform integration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), a multifunctional composite named ZIF-8/Poplar-CNT composite is synthesized via a one-step thermoforming process. The incorporation of CNTs endows the composites with excellent EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE). Among these elements, despite ZIF-8 crystals not possessing intrinsic electromagnetic shielding functionality, their distinctive dodecahedral structure proves adept at scattering and reflecting electromagnetic waves within the composites, further improving the electromagnetic shielding effect. Hence, the ZIF-8/Poplar-CNT composite (56.95dB) has ≈10dB higher EMI SE compared to that of the composites without ZIF-8 crystals. Meanwhile, ZIF-8 crystals endow the materials with excellent tensile strength (54.84MPa, enhanced by 4 times). Moreover, the introduction of Zn2+ provides superior antibacterial properties. The potential applications of ZIF-8/Poplar-CNT composites extend to diverse areas such as building decoration, electronic products, and medical equipment.

Design of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Technology.

The design and development of affinity polymeric materials through the use of green technology, such as supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2), is a rapidly evolving field of research with vast applications across diverse areas, including analytical chemistry, pharmaceuticals, biomedicine, energy, food, and environmental remediation. These affinity polymeric materials are specifically engineered to interact with target molecules, demonstrating high affinity and selectivity. The unique properties of scCO2, which present both liquid- and gas-like properties and an accessible critical point, offer an environmentally-friendly and highly efficient technology for the synthesis and processing of polymers. The design and the synthesis of affinity polymeric materials in scCO2 involve several strategies. Commonly, the incorporation of functional groups or ligands into the polymer matrix allows for selective interactions with target compounds. The choice of monomer type, ligands, and synthesis conditions are key parameters of material performance in terms of both affinity and selectivity. In addition, molecular imprinting allied with co-polymerization and surface modification are commonly used in these strategies, enhancing the materials' performance and versatility. This review aims to provide an overview of the key strategies and recent advancements in the design of affinity polymeric materials using scCO2.

Mangrove Biodiversity Conservation and Aquaculture Practices in Sri Lanka: An Overview

The tropical island of Sri Lanka is endowed with a diverse and resourceful coastal area of 1,700 km coastline and 152,000 ha of highly productive 82 lagoons and 93,075ha of 45 estuary ecosystems. Around 33% of the population in coastal areas is engaged in fishing as the main income source, which contributes to around 1.10% of the national GDP. The objective of the review was to provide an overview of the present status of Sri Lankan coastal aquaculture, mangrove coverage, and conservation status. Mangroves are ecologically and economically important ecosystems providing the best nursery grounds for both blackish and marine species, covering only 0.24% of Sri Lanka‘s total land area. In addition, as the most carbon-rich forests in the tropics, mangroves provide a wide range of ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation. Currently, Sri Lankan mangroves are estimated to cover 160 km2 and are distributed mainly in Jaffna, Kalpitiya, Batticaloa, Rekawa, and Trincomalee. Including endangered species such as Sonneratia apetala, Ceriops decandra, and Lumnitzera littorea, there are 21 true mangrove species, and 24 mangrove associate species can be found. However, mangrove ecosystems in Sri Lanka are progressively under threat due to coastal aquaculture practices, especially shrimp farming and development projects. Human settlements, overexploitation, and climatic variables such as coastal flooding, drought, rainfall, salinity changes, increased sea level, and sea surface temperature have significantly influenced coastal aquaculture and substantially damage the mangroves resulting in loss of mangrove biodiversity. Between 1980 and 2005, approximately 25% of mangrove habitats are estimated to have been destroyed. Recently, 1,000-1,200 hectares of mangroves have been established in 23 wetlands in Sri Lanka becoming leader of the mangrove conservation in Commonwealth countries. In conclusion, it is imperative to apply international standards for mangrove-based aquacultural practices, mangrove rehabilitation, and technical and management interventions. 
 Keywords: Biodiversity, Coastal aquaculture, Coastal ecosystems, Mangroves

Basic principles of artificial intelligence in dermatology explained using melanoma.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to establish itself in the most diverse areas of medicine at an increasingly fast pace. Nevertheless, many healthcare professionals lack the basic technical understanding of how this technology works, which severely limits its application in clinical settings and research. Thus, we would like to discuss the functioning and classification of AI using melanoma as an example in this review to build an understanding of the technology behind AI. For this purpose, elaborate illustrations are used that quickly reveal the technology involved. Previous reviews tend to focus on the potential applications of AI, thereby missing the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter that is so important for clinical application. Malignant melanoma has become a significant burden for healthcare systems. If discovered early, a better prognosis can be expected, which is why skin cancer screening has become increasingly popular and is supported by health insurance. The number of experts remains finite, reducing their availability and leading to longer waiting times. Therefore, innovative ideas need to be implemented to provide the necessary care. Thus, machine learning offers the ability to recognize melanomas from images at a level comparable to experienced dermatologists under optimized conditions.

Ethnicity and UK graduate migration: An identity economics approach

AbstractThis paper reports on the employment migration behavior of non‐White ethnic minority graduates in the United Kingdom for the 2018/2019 graduation cohort, which is the last cohort to enter the labor market before the COVID‐19 pandemic. Using data from the new Graduate Outcomes survey and controlling for a rich set of background characteristics, the findings indicate that ethnic minority graduates are more likely than their White counterparts to find work in ethnically diverse areas of the United Kingdom after leaving higher education. An identity utility framework is then formalized that combines identity economics with traditional approaches of human capital theory and job search theory. A test of an ethnic identity‐based hypothesis reveals that Asian, Black, and Mixed‐background graduates are comparatively more likely to migrate to areas with higher ethnic diversity levels, rather than less diverse areas. In addition to traditional explanations based on human capital theory and job search theory, this paper argues that these patterns are best explained by ethnic identity norms, which introduce a preference for working in ethnically diverse places. However, the results should be interpreted with some caution because of concerns related to heterogeneity within the ethnic group classifications used in the paper and possible omitted and unobserved variables.

State-level multidimensional agricultural drought susceptibility and risk assessment for agriculturally prominent areas

ABSTRACT Given the growing climate variability, quantifying droughts has gained significant importance, particularly in agriculturally concentrated areas such as Iowa. This study presents a novel approach for evaluating the risk of agricultural drought, which combines geospatial methods with a fuzzy logic algorithm. The approach integrates a diverse array of meteorological, physical, and social factors, yielding a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the impacts of drought. This study has covered the agricultural sector within the Corn Belt region of Iowa and formulated maps illustrating the vulnerability and risk of drought for the timeframe spanning from 2015 to 2021. The risk maps illustrate significant progress in drought risk analysis, fully representing the spatial and temporal dimensions of vulnerability to drought. The uniqueness of this study is ascribed to its methodological framework, which integrates a thorough assessment of prior research to inform the assignment of weights to parameters in the fuzzy logic-based index. The findings demonstrate a notable increase in the proportion of Iowa’s land area classified as at a'very high’ drought risk, rising from 0.66% in 2015 to 5.39% in 2018. This upward trend suggests an escalating susceptibility to drought conditions. Mid-Iowa and the western portion of the state exhibited increased ‘high’ and ‘extremely high’ drought threats during the period. The accuracy of our drought susceptibility maps was validated using a Kappa coefficient of 75%. The drought risk indicator has the potential to be utilized in the context of drought mitigation and program monitoring. Moreover, this methodology can be modified for implementation in diverse geographical areas across the globe.

Spatial Population Structuring and Genetic Analysis of Exotic Grevillea robusta in Northwestern India

Abstract The introduction of exotics is common in forestry, and majorly important species, like eucalypts, poplar, and Casuarina sp., occupy vast areas in the Indian subcontinent. Importantly, with the latest cost-effective sequencing techniques, genetic diversity research through molecular marker approaches on major exotics provides novel information for genetic improvement in economic traits with climatic adaptation. The study was carried out on Grevillea robusta to assess genetic relatedness and diversity among 228 genotypes belonging to five northwestern states in India. These genotypes were assayed using twelve simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. A population structure analysis using structure software identified four major gene pool subgroups with clear-cut differences from each other. Principal coordinate analysis also supports the clustering patterns of the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean analysis. In the case of genetic diversity assessment, a total of seventy-three alleles were detected from twelve SSRs, with an average of 6.08 ± 0.71 per locus. Polymorphism information content ranged from 0.17 to 0.67 with a mean of 0.44 ± 0.045, indicating high levels of polymorphism across the genotypes. All the evaluated SSRs demonstrated moderate genetic diversity (observed heterozygosity = 0.31 ± 0.03; expected heterozygosity = 0.32 ± 0.03; and genetic differentiation = 0.295) among the sampled genotypes. These findings indicate significant genetic variability in the germplasm to warrant selection and have potential for a long-term tree improvement program of G. robusta in India. Study Implications: The study on population genetics of Grevillea robusta in exotic environments assessed probable gene pools, provenances, and genetic diversity in geographical distribution range of the species in the Indian scenario. The basic population genetic measures revealed the high diversity areas and probable seed zones of G. robusta in its exotic range. Importantly, the study will be helpful in the selection of candidate plus trees of G. robusta to further strengthen the genotype × environment interaction study for future breeding programs. Further, studying the genetic makeup for moderately diverse species offers valuable insights into evolutionary history, population dynamics, and ecological interactions, which may lead to conservation efforts and guidance for the management of trees such as G. robusta in their native and introduced regions.

Quality of Life at Work: A Qualitative Analysis of The Sustainable Logistics Management Plans of Brazilian Federal Institutes

Purpose: This study analyzed the initiatives linked to Quality of Life at Work (QWL) in implementing the Sustainable Logistics Management Plan of the Brazilian Federal Institutes (IFs). Theoretical background: As a theoretical basis, we used the dimensions of QWL proposed in the model developed by Walton (1973), which analyzes QWL based on factors influencing employees' lives in organizations. Methodology: With a qualitative approach, the research selected twelve logistics plans from FIs in the five Brazilian regions, whose analysis was based on the dimensions of Walton's model (1973) and content analysis (Bardin, 1977). Results and conclusion: The notable results were that the dimension of the opportunity to use and develop capabilities was less prominent in the FIs' plans. In the plans of the FIs, the ones that presented actions were the Federal Institute of Sul de Minas, Pará, and Catarina. de Minas, Pará and, Catarinense. Another dimension that needs to be in the plans is opportunity for growth and security. The institutes of Sertão Pernambucano, Pará, Norte de Minas, Sul de Minas, and Rio Grande do Sul showed initiatives, and Rio Grande do Sul showed initiatives such as the promotion of training courses and qualification courses for staff and the provision of training. Research implications: The analysis and categorization of QWL actions contribute as a measurement tool for both public and private organizations. Originality/value: The use of the model opens up ways of using the instrument in the preparation and structuring of QWL actions in the PLs with the aim of reaching the most diverse areas of QWL This study analyzed the initiatives linked to Quality of Life at Work (QWL) in implementing the Sustainable Logistics Management Plan of the Brazilian Federal Institutes (IFs). As a theoretical basis, we used the dimensions of QWL proposed in the model developed by Walton (1973), which analyzes QWL based on factors influencing employees' lives in organizations. With a qualitative approach, the research selected twelve logistics plans from FIs in the five Brazilian regions, whose analysis was based on the dimensions of Walton's model (1973). The notable results were that the dimension of the opportunity to use and develop capabilities was less prominent in the FIs' plans. In the plans of the FIs, the ones that presented actions were the Federal Institute of Sul de Minas, Pará, and Catarina. de Minas, Pará and, Catarinense. Another dimension that needs to be in the plans is opportunity for growth and security. The institutes of Sertão Pernambucano, Pará, Norte de Minas, Sul de Minas, and Rio Grande do Sul showed initiatives, and Rio Grande do Sul showed initiatives such as the promotion of training courses and qualification courses for staff and the provision of training. The main results show that all the FIs whose PLSs were studied presented actions focused on safe and healthy working conditions. On the other hand, other dimensions need to be explored further.

A framework for more equitable, diverse, and inclusive Patient and Public Involvement for palliative care research

BackgroundThere are marked inequalities in palliative care provision. Research is needed to understand how such inequalities can be addressed, so that everyone living with advanced illness can receive the care they need, when they need it. Research into inequalities in palliative care should be guided by Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) that includes people from diverse backgrounds, who are less likely to receive specialist services. Multi-disciplinary research partnerships, bringing together primary care (the main providers of palliative care to diverse communities) and specialist palliative care, have the potential to work together in new ways to do research to address inequalities and improve palliative care in practice. This report describes a research partnership between primary care and palliative care that aimed to: (1) create opportunities for more inclusive PPI in palliative care research, (2) co-design new resources to support more equitable, diverse and inclusive PPI for palliative care, (3) propose a new framework for inclusive PPI in palliative care research.MethodsPPI members were recruited via primary care and palliative care research networks from three diverse areas of the UK. A pragmatic, collaborative approach was taken to achieve the partnership aims. Online workshops were carried out to understand barriers to inclusive PPI in palliative care and to co-design resources. Evaluation included a “you said, we did” impact log and a short survey. The approach was informed by good practice principles from previous PPI, and existing theory relating to equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion.ResultsIn total, 16 PPI members were recruited. Most were White British (n = 10), other ethnicities were Asian (n = 4), Black African (n = 1) and British mixed race (n = 1). The research team co-ordinated communication and activities, leading to honest conversations about barriers to inclusive PPI. Resources were co-designed, including a role description for an Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion, a “jargon buster”, an animation and an online recipe book (http://www.re-equipp.co.uk/) to inform future PPI. Learning from the partnership has been collated into a new framework to inform more inclusive PPI for future palliative care research.ConclusionCollaboration and reciprocal learning across a multi-disciplinary primary care and palliative care research partnership led to the development of new approaches and resources. Research team commitment, shared vision, adequate resource, careful planning, relationship building and evaluation should underpin approaches to increase equality, diversity and inclusivity in future PPI for palliative care research.

Lp quasi-norm minimization: algorithm and applications

Sparsity finds applications in diverse areas such as statistics, machine learning, and signal processing. Computations over sparse structures are less complex compared to their dense counterparts and need less storage. This paper proposes a heuristic method for retrieving sparse approximate solutions of optimization problems via minimizing the ℓp\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\ell _{p}$$\\end{document} quasi-norm, where 0<p<1\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$0<p<1$$\\end{document}. An iterative two-block algorithm for minimizing the ℓp\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\ell _{p}$$\\end{document} quasi-norm subject to convex constraints is proposed. The proposed algorithm requires solving for the roots of a scalar degree polynomial as opposed to applying a soft thresholding operator in the case of ℓ1\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\ell _{1}$$\\end{document} norm minimization. The algorithm’s merit relies on its ability to solve the ℓp\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\ell _{p}$$\\end{document} quasi-norm minimization subject to any convex constraints set. For the specific case of constraints defined by differentiable functions with Lipschitz continuous gradient, a second, faster algorithm is proposed. Using a proximal gradient step, we mitigate the convex projection step and hence enhance the algorithm’s speed while proving its convergence. We present various applications where the proposed algorithm excels, namely, sparse signal reconstruction, system identification, and matrix completion. The results demonstrate the significant gains obtained by the proposed algorithm compared to other ℓp\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\ell _{p}$$\\end{document} quasi-norm based methods presented in previous literature.

A survey about the awareness among the physiotherapists in the use of Matrix Rhythm Therapy in treating chronic low back pain in post-menopausal women

BackgroundMenopause is a stage in a woman's physiology where several chronic illnesses begin to appear, compromising both the quality and quantity of their life. It has been postulated that a decrease in estrogen levels in women may be important for accelerated disc degeneration in postmenopausal women. The overall prevalence of LBP is 52% higher in perimenopausal women with osteoporosis which is considered to be one of the predominant factors for low back pain in women.There are many modalities like Interferential therapy, ultrasound therapy, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, that treat nonspecific back pain with varying results, some advanced electrotherapy modalities like shockwave, low-level laser therapy, Matrix Rhythm Therapy (MaRhyThe) also proved to be effective in reducing the nonspecific chronic low back pain.Matrix Rhythm Therapy was invented by Dr. Med. Ulrich Randoll (1987–1999) at the University of Erlangen, Germany. Matrix Rhythm Therapy includes a wand with a resonating head that oscillates at the frequency of 8-–12 Hz and is connected to the machine with a connecting cable (U.G Randoll p18 The Principles of Matrix Rhythm Therapy – MaRhyThe 3rd edition 2015).ObjectiveThe main objective of this survey study is to investigate awareness among physiotherapists in the use of Matrix Rhythm Therapy in treating chronic low back pain in post-menopausal women.MethodsFor this study, Google Forms were distributed to physiotherapists of diverse area specializations through social media. The survey was carried out between 16th December 2022 to 18th April 2023.ResultsOut of 103 responses which is 10% of the total sample size, 69.9% of the physiotherapists were aware of Matrix Rhythm Therapy whereas 30.1% were not aware of the same. Meanwhile, when it comes to treating chronic low back pain in post-menopausal women, only 49.5% of the physiotherapists say that the condition can be treated with Matrix Rhythm Therapy, the rest of the 28.2% are not aware and 11.7% are not sure if the condition can be treated with the same.ConclusionIn conclusion, these findings show that implementing or using Matrix Rhythm Therapy as a physical therapy intervention in treating chronic low back pain is woefully inadequate, despite Physical therapists and clinicians recognizing the need for or usage of matrix rhythm therapy, they also must maintain a consistent interest and commitment to effectively employ Matrix Rhythm Therapy for clinical conditions and active research.

Major clinical outcomes of the use of biostimulators (L-PRF and coenzyme Q10) in the optimization of buccomaxillofacial surgery: a systematic review

Introduction: Tissue engineering combines three key elements matrix (three-dimensional structures that support growth, collagen cell, bone mineral), signaling molecules (growth factors (GF) and leukocyte cytokines), and cells (osteoblasts, fibroblasts or other adequate populations for tissue regeneration. Many studies suggest that antioxidants act as inhibitors of osteoclastogenesis and the inhibitory effect of CoQ10 on osteoclast differentiation. These findings highlight the potential therapeutic applications of CoQ10 for the treatment of bone diseases. Objective: The present study highlighted the main approaches to the use of fibrin-rich plasma (L-PRF) and coenzyme Q10 in buccomaxillofacial surgery through a systematic review. Methods: The systematic review rules of the PRISMA Platform were followed. The search was carried out from October 2023 to January 2024 in the Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases, using articles from 2006 to 2022. The quality of the studies was based on the GRADE instrument and the risk of bias was analyzed accordingly, according to the Cochrane instrument. Results and Conclusion: A total of 104 articles were found, 38 articles were evaluated and 23 were included and developed in this systematic review study. Considering the Cochrane tool for risk of bias, the overall assessment resulted in 36 studies with a high risk of bias and 20 studies that did not meet GRADE. The use of platelet and leukocyte-rich fibrin can reduce bone absorption, infection, pain, local edema, and wound healing. L-PRF presents itself as an autogenous biomaterial with great versatility, low cost, easy acquisition and wide use, and infinite possibilities. It can be combined with other materials in the most diverse areas of dentistry. Also, CoQ10 concentrations can suppress ROS, which is needed as a signaling intermediate. CoQ10 acts as an enhancer of all stages of osteoblastic differentiation. Thus, CoQ10 suppresses osteoclast differentiation by eliminating generated intracellular ROS. Furthermore, CoQ10 enhances bone regeneration in all differentiation processes through transcription factor activity.

The Use of Information Entropy and Expert Opinion in Maximizing the Discriminating Power of Composite Indicators.

This research offers a solution to a highly recognized and controversial problem within the composite indicator literature: sub-indicators weighting. The research proposes a novel hybrid weighting method that maximizes the discriminating power of the composite indicator with objectively defined weights. It considers the experts' uncertainty concerning the conceptual importance of sub-indicators in the multidimensional phenomenon, setting maximum and minimum weights (constraints) in the optimization function. The hybrid weighting scheme, known as the SAW-Max-Entropy method, avoids attributing weights that are incompatible with the multidimensional phenomenon's theoretical framework. At the same time, it reduces the influence of assessment errors and judgment biases on composite indicator scores. The research results show that the SAW-Max-Entropy weighting scheme achieves greater discriminating power than weighting schemes based on the Entropy Index, Expert Opinion, and Equal Weights. The SAW-Max-Entropy method has high application potential due to the increasing use of composite indicators across diverse areas of knowledge. Additionally, the method represents a robust response to the challenge of constructing composite indicators with superior discriminating power.

Comparative study of the execution efficiency of Python and C++Based on topological sorting

C++, a compiled language, and Python, an interpreted language, are among those essential coding languages that function in diverse areas of the current computer industry. However, different languages have disparate benefits and fit in various circumstances. When large amounts of data are involved or fast execution speed is required, one should consider which language performs better. This research mainly aims to find out whether C++ or Python is more efficient through Topological Sorting, which is utilized to linearize the vertices of a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG). In the approach of coding the Topological Sorting algorithm in C++ and Python and comparing their execution times on each matrix representing a DAG randomly generated by a Python program, it is concluded that C++ generally has a higher efficiency than Python.

IoT Used in Nanotechnology and Its Application

Nanotechnology is the basic solution of numerous application. It deals with the engineering of systems at the atomic and molecular level. It combines components of molecular chemistry and physics with engineering to gain an advantage over the unique changes to the properties of materials that occur at a nanoscale. Nanotechnology provides intelligent solutions in diverse areas such as biomedical, industrial and military fields, along with consumer and industrial goods. It can be combined with the IoT to develop a physical network, composed of nanomaterials that facilitate the exchange of data through various components communicating with each other at the nano level. Their integration, called the Internet of Nona-Things, has already revolutionized the field of medicine, energy and many other sectors as well as taken them to a whole new dimension. It is the very use in all aspect of our community including healthcare , smart cities, military, agriculture and industry. The IoT involves a large number of nanosensors that used to provide more precise and detailed information about a particular object to enable a better understanding of object behaviour. In this paper, how will be use nanotechnology in the future and with help, how can we solve the problem in less time .After that we can make it better by moving forward . An overview of the first is introduction. This is followed by discussion Application, benefits, methodology, conclusion and reference. In the end, since security is considered to be one of the main issues of the IoT system, we provide an in-depth discussion on security goals. In this project we are try to connect IoT with nanotechnology to make a better work for peoples and society. We work to increase performance of nanotechnology using IoT and try to make a high secure and accurate performance of nanotechnology using IoT .

Food security and sustainability dimensions of organic farming in the context of India: a comprehensive scientometric review (2010-2023).

The study investigated the scientific output, collaboration, and impression of research on organic farming due to the increasing interest of commoners in food quality and sustainability. Efforts to enhance agroecological sustainability call for assessing the structural overview of the numerous research works done so far to understand the growth in diverse subject areas in organic farming. The scientometric method is considered for analyzing 639 documents extracted from the Scopus and WoS online database from 2010 till January, 2023. The pulled-out data is analyzed via VOSviewer and RStudio, revealing prominent contributing authors (Groot J. with eight documents and 186 citations under Wageningen University and Research), maximum cited references (R Core Team& R lang env.2019), the significant collaboration between the countries (USA with Netherlands), and co-occurrence of author keywords ("organic farming" occurring 148 times) using analysis of co-authorship, co-occurrence, and citation count. Furthermore, as the existing literature suggests a substantial advancement in organic cultivation in India, thus, an immediate evaluation of its performance is necessitated. Hence, the current study performed the bibliographic coupling of documents, sources, authors, and global collaboration of India. The study found that a total of 241 Indian authors have contributed 102 documents in collaboration with 54 nations towards organic farming which are available in 39 different sources under the Scopus and WoS databases. This study helps to comprehend the recent growth trend of organic agricultural research and can enhance academic as well as research and development policies based on brainstorming to action formulation.

Amplitude modulation leads to the disappearance of relaxation oscillations in the Duffing system

Relaxation oscillations are pervasive in diverse areas of natural sciences and engineering, and exploring the dynamical mechanisms of relaxation oscillations is one of the most significant issues. Typical relaxation oscillations can be observed in the Duffing system. Recently, amplitude modulation has emerged as a novel control mechanism for investigating the behavior of fast-slow dynamics in systemic tension oscillations. It has demonstrated the ability to prolong the quasi-static slow process of the system and increase the number of bifurcation points. However, the exploration of the mechanistic aspects of amplitude modulation is still in its early stages, with many unreported dynamical mechanisms. Among these, investigating the modes of relaxation oscillations induced by amplitude modulation is one of the most important issues. Therefore, this manuscript focuses on studying the effect of amplitude modulation on relaxation oscillations, using the classical forced Duffing system as a representative model. Significantly, we report an intriguing finding for the first time, revealing a new amplitude-modulated mechanism by which the disappearance of relaxation oscillations can be induced. By employing the fast-slow analysis, we have examined the underlying dynamical mechanisms, revealing a strong correlation with the modulation index of amplitude modulation. Notably, when the system operates under low amplitude modulation, an extension of the quasi-static process is observed, manifesting as a prolonged slow process. Conversely, under high amplitude modulation, relaxation oscillations suddenly disappear. Our results serve to enrich the potential mechanisms of amplitude modulation, and our analysis provides a reference for investigating the dynamical behavior induced by amplitude modulation in other dynamical systems.

Lessons from a research partnership in southwest England to understand community palliative care needs in rural, coastal and low-income communities.

The South West Peninsula (Cornwall, Devon, Somerset) has the highest proportion of over 65s (24.2%) and is the only English rural population with greater economic deprivation than in urban areas. Coastal populations have the worst health outcomes in England. Despite innovation among communities to support those with health and care needs in later life, recruitment to palliative care research in the region is low and there has been no evaluation of public health palliative care interventions. A new South West Peninsula Palliative Care Research Partnership was funded for 15 months, bringing together four universities, the voluntary and community sector (including hospices) and local National Institute for Health and Care Research networks. The aim was to establish a sustainable multisectoral partnership that would identify community-based support needs for underserved rural and coastal populations by: • conducting a literature scoping review on interventions to enable community members to support the dying; • delivering a research capacity-building programme; • co-creating public and patient involvement capacity; • determining the resources and needs for communities to support dying well; • integrating findings to develop a framework of community-based support and identify future research questions; • establishing a sustainable research network infrastructure for the long-term design and delivery of palliative care research. We convened partners to identify research needs and co-designed activities to meet our objectives. These included a scoping review; a capacity-building programme of training, seminars and a journal club; forming a patient and public involvement group; a multistranded community engagement programme using different creative approaches; four focus groups with members of the public and one with community workers; and producing three 'storytelling' audio recordings. Findings were presented to the partnership at a regional workshop. The scoping review showed that community-engaged palliative care interventions can improve outcomes for individuals but provided little evidence about which approaches work for different communities. Five online seminars and a quarterly journal club to develop research capacity were regularly attended by 15 to 25 participants from across the partnership. While evaluating our engagement methods was beyond the partnership's scope, levels of participation suggested that creative methods of engagement show potential to help researchers and practitioners better understand the needs and priorities of underserved populations. Data showed that rural, coastal and low-income communities face challenges in accessing end-of-life care and support due to issues such as transport to and distance from services, erosion of neighbourhood networks, isolation from family and friends, 'patchiness' of palliative care services and a lack of care providers. Community organisations are well-placed to co-produce and facilitate methodologies for involving communities in palliative care research. Although activities took place in diverse areas, it was not possible within the available resources to cover the entire large geographical region, particularly the most isolated rural areas. Partnerships bringing together voluntary and community sector organisations, palliative care providers, health and social care providers, individuals with experience and academics have potential to design future research and public health interventions that better understand local context, involving and supporting communities to address their needs at end of life. This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme as award number NIHR135312.