Clear Solution Research Articles

What fosters the success of a transdisciplinary environmental research institute? Reflections from an interdisciplinary research cohort

As society confronts a multitude of wicked problems without clear solutions, transdisciplinary research institutes have the opportunity to meet the increasingly important challenge to foster research capable of addressing such problems—that is, cross-disciplinary and societally relevant research. There is a growing body of literature on how to conduct effective interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and team-based research, but there is less work that evaluates (1) the lessons learned, pitfalls, and successes involved in creating and maintaining transdisciplinary institutes that support this research and (2) how early-career researchers are shaped by and shape such institutes. In this commentary, we share insights and critical questions germane for those involved in the formation of, or participation in (especially as early-career, non-tenure-track researchers), transdisciplinary institutes. From our perspective as part of a unique cohort of research fellows developed as part of a new transdisciplinary institute at Indiana University, we explore facilitators and barriers to our ability to support the institute’s mission. Topics addressed include tensions between research and implementation, rapidly achieving collaborative research, and community building, especially in the context of nurturing an institute with temporary employees as a key component. We reflect on what our experiences as part of such an institute mean for our career pathways, especially in the context of current academic structures and incentives. Our insights are in the context of an environmental-focused institute, but the issues raised are likely relevant to transdisciplinary institutes formed around a wide range of other themes or topics, especially those seeking to learn from the experiences of the first few years of an institute.

Design, Development and Evaluation of Silk Based Film Forming Spray for Wound Healing

The objective of the present study is to formulate and evaluate Silk based film forming spray for wound healing. On the wound surface the solution solidifies into a film which can deliver the active moiety on site of action. The spray solution was prepared by simple mixing of active extract of Centella Asiatica, Silk Protein and various film forming polymers. Silk protein form scaffold for active fibroblast movement and Asiaticosides from Centella Asiatica extract improve and fasten collagen synthesis. A clear yellowish solution was obtained. The formulations (F1-F8) had a pH range between 5.5–6.5, which was close to the pH of skin. The viscosity of formulation in range of 25–50 cps, completely dry film formed within 5 min in open environment. The Effects of polymers, plasticizers and solvents on spreadability. Surface tension and Spray angle were studied. The high content of ethanol in the formulation fastens the drying time. The results indicated that formulation (F8) showed good spreadability and less drying time.
 Keywords: Film forming spray, Wound healing, Silk protein, Asiaticoside, Scaffold

Partial Order–Disorder Transformation of Interpenetrated Porous Coordination Polymers

Controlling interpenetration and flexibility behaviors is intriguing and fundamental for porous coordination polymers. We report exceptional interpenetration behaviors involving controllable partia...

Case Study—An Extreme Example of Soil–Structure Interaction and the Damage Caused by Works on Foundation Strengthening

This paper describes the works on foundation strengthening of the towers of the Cathedral of St. Theresa of Avila in Subotica and the damages caused by these works. Strengthening was performed by means of jacked-in piles and deep soil injection. The construction of the Cathedral began in 1773 and it lasted for several decades with frequent interruptions and changes to the project. The present appearance of the facade was created in 1912. According to historic data, several years after construction, the cracks appeared on the front facade. With time, these cracks became more pronounced, and in 2015, when the remediation project started, the total width of major cracks reached about 15 cm. The first contemporary attempt to repair the towers was made in 2017 by inserting piles beneath the foundations. These works were interrupted due to increased settlements and the appearance of new cracks. In the second attempt, the strengthening was performed by deep injection of soil with expansive resins. During these works, settlements and damages intensified even more, causing the works to be halted in 2018. Analysis of the whole structure and revaluation of all the results, obtained from continuous monitoring of settlements and crack widths from the previous period, led to the new remediation proposal. The imperative was to retain the original appearance of the Cathedral facades while performing the total reconstruction of the upper sections of the front facade. This implies that the overall weight of the reconstructed parts is to be decreased, while the strength is to be increased. Strong structural connections are planned, both among the two towers, and between the towers and the nave. These clear structural solutions will lead to reduced stresses within the existing brick walls, reduced contact soil pressures and ceasing of increased settlements and tilting of the Cathedral towers.

Transdisciplinary training: what does it take to address today\u2019s \u201cwicked problems\u201d?

There is a growing need to address today’s “wicked problems” seen in issues such as social justice, global climate crisis and endemic health concerns. Wicked problems are those for which there is no single, clear or optimal solution and thus are amenable to transdisciplinary solutions. Working in a transdisciplinary paradigm is thus seen as an increasingly necessary learned skill, and yet there is a dearth of knowledge on how curriculum centred around transdisciplinarity is perceived by those impacted by such curricula. This study examines the attitudes and responses of Aging Gracefully across Environments using Technology to Support Wellness, Engagement and Long Life NCE Inc.’s (AGE-WELL) stakeholders to the concept and role of transdisciplinarity in a training program intended to equip trainees and research staff from a variety of fields to address the “wicked problem” of aging well in Canada. We conducted 15 in-depth interviews with current AGE-WELL members, trainees as well as researchers and mentors, on the subject of designing the best possible training program. Our data illustrate the complexity of curriculum design and implementation to train for transdisciplinarity. We consider ways in which a shift in culture or ethos in academia may be required to pursue a thoroughly transdisciplinary approach to problem-solving. Short of instituting such a radical culture change as transdisciplinarity, however, strategic and conscientious efforts to integrate multiple and diverse perspectives, to attend carefully to communication and to foreground relationship building may well achieve some of the same goals.

Urban transport assessment of emissions and resource demand of climate protection scenarios

Under the German Climate Action Plan, greenhouse gas emissions are to be reduced by 40–42% until 2030 as a mid-term goal for the transport sector. Furthermore, the European Union has set requirements to reduce emissions of air pollutants like nitrous oxides and particulate matter by up to 65% until 2030. Even though there are different mobility strategies, there is no clear solution on how transport systems need to be adapted in terms of utilized means of transport and mobility behavior to meet the requirements set for 2030. Thus, the aim of this paper is to derive mobility scenarios for traffic systems in urban areas, in which the targets set by the German Federal Government and the European Union for the reduction of greenhouse gases and pollutant emissions are met. Therefore, data on the population's mobility behavior as well as emissions and resource use of the means of transport using the example of Hamburg, Germany are collected. Three scenarios are subsequently derived for the year 2030. Each scenario places a different emphasis on the following aspects: expansion of electric mobility, improvement of specific emission factors and mobility behavior, especially regarding the use of cars, public transport, and bicycles. The first scenario shows that it is possible to reduce traffic-related emissions according to the targets without significant behavioral changes, but by increasing the share of electric cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles to over 30% each. Similarly, a shift of 46% of passenger car traffic to public transport and doubling bicycle traffic will ensure that the emission targets are met in the third scenario. The second scenario achieves this with a more moderate combination of the other scenarios’ boundary conditions. However, such a strong expansion of electric mobility increases the demand for critical resources such as cobalt, neodymium and dysprosium used in electric vehicles by a factor of 62–72 compared to 2019. The shift of car traffic to public transport and cycling in conjunction with the use of alternative propulsion systems limits the increase in the demand for critical resources to a factor of 20–23 while at the same utilizing the potentials for reducing pollutant emissions. • 65% BEVs and PHEVs in 2030 reduce urban traffic-related CO2 emissions by 41%. • 35–65% BEVs and PHEVs in 2030 increases REE demand 23 - 63- and Li 46 - 185-fold. • 46% shift of car traffic to public transport and cycling yields 41% CO2 reduction. • 26% shift of car traffic with 25% BEVs and PHEVs yields 40–42% CO2 reduction.

Development and Validation of a Tool to Assess Responsive Complementary Feeding: Sri Lanka’s Responsive Feeding Practices Assessment Tool (RFPAT)

ObjectivesTo develop and validate a scale to assess responsive feeding practices among mothers and infants between 6 and 12 months of age in Sri Lanka. MethodsThe Responsive Feeding Practices Assessment Tool (RFPAT) was developed and validated using standard scale development techniques using a three step approach. A comprehensive review was conducted in PubMed and Scopus to identify possible items for assessing responsive feeding (RF) practices. Then, an in-depth qualitative study explored RF practices in the Sri Lankan context. Finally, RFPAT was validated through a cross-sectional study. The study was conducted in Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka in a purposeful sample of 170 mother-infant pairs. The initial tool had 17 items. All items had responses in an adjectival scale; i.e., always, often, sometimes, rarely and not at all that were scored as 4, 3, 2, 1 and 0, respectively. Content validation was performed among experts using standard techniques, followed by cognitive interviews among mothers. The revised 15-items tool was pretested on 30 mothers. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Parallel Analysis were carried out for Structural validation. Test-retest reliability was done with a sample of 50 mothers. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (ERC/2014/060). ResultsCognitive validation with mothers confirmed the applicability and comprehensiveness of a 15-item tool. The tool possessed good reliability with an intra-class correlation of 0.80 and internal consistency of 0.79. The PCA showed a clear 3-factor solution. The results of Parallel Analysis supported with the PCA results. The 3-factors were interpreted as responsive communication during feeding, appropriate feeding attentive to child’s signals and pro-active preparation of the feeding environment. An additive composite score was generated with a range of 0 to 60 (quartiles scores ranges: Poor 0–34, Moderate 35–36, Good 37–40, and Very Good 41–60 RF practices). ConclusionsRFPAT is a valid tool to assess RF. The tool can help assess complementary feeding behaviors and design and program evaluation of Infant and Young Child Feeding in order to influence policies across low- and middle- income countries. Funding SourcesNo funding source

Why Is the GFR So High?: Implications for the Treatment of Kidney Failure.

The high GFR in vertebrates obligates large energy expenditure. Homer Smith's teleologic argument that this high GFR was needed to excrete water as vertebrates evolved in dilute seas is outdated. The GFR is proportional to the metabolic rate among vertebrate species and higher in warm-blooded mammals and birds than in cold-blooded fish, amphibians, and reptiles. The kidney clearance of some solutes is raised above the GFR by tubular secretion, and we presume secretion evolved to eliminate particularly toxic compounds. In this regard, high GFRs may provide a fluid stream into which toxic solutes can be readily secreted. Alternatively, the high GFR may be required to clear solutes that are too large or too varied to be secreted, especially bioactive small proteins and peptides. These considerations have potentially important implications for the understanding and treatment of kidney failure.

(IMCS Third Place Best Paper Award) Highly Selective and Sensitive Trimethylamine Gas Sensors Using Patterned Metal Oxide Nanofibers Prepared By Near-Field Electrospinning

IntroductionOxide nanofibers consisting of nanoparticles are excellent nanostructures for designing high performance gas sensors. To date, randomly tangled oxide nanofiber networks prepared by far-field electrospinning process (FFES) have been widely explored as the sensing materials. When the distance between spinneret needle and substrate is very short, the straight configuration of nanofibers can be directly written on the substrate without whipping. This is referred as near-field electrospinning (NFES), which can be applied to well-defined patterning of one-dimensional nanofibers for various new applications such as sensors, optoelectronic circuits, and functional nanoelectronics. The patterning of polymeric nanofibers has been demonstrated over a decade ago. In contrast, the fabrication of one-dimensional (1D) metal oxide nanopatterns remains challenging because it becomes difficult to control the chaotic whipping motion of the jet due to the acceleration of metal ions under the electric field. In the present study, grids, diamonds, and hexagrams composed of In2O3, Co3O4, and NiO nanofibers were prepared by NFES and their potential applications as gas sensors were investigated. The sensor using In2O3 nanofiber pattern exhibited an unprecedentedly high response (resistance ratio = 239) to 5 ppm trimethylamine (TMA) with negligible cross-responses to ubiquitous ethanol and other interference gases. Method Transparent solution containing 7 g of methanol (99 %), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, 17.4 wt%, Mw = 1,300,000) and metal nitrates (indium nitrate hydrate, 1.4 wt%, 99.999%; cobalt nitrate hexahydrate, 1.7 wt%, 99.99%; nickel nitrate hexahydrate, 1.7 wt%, 99.99%) were stirred for 24 h at room temperature. The prepared clear solution was transferred to a glass syringe (1000 μL) with a 21-gauge needle, and electrospun onto a 4-inch Si/SiO2 wafer containing 76 sensor substrates (size: 1 × 1 cm2) in which Pt interdigitated electrodes (electrode width: 50 μm, electrode spacing: 5 μm) above a metallic collector. The flow rate is fixed as 0.005 μL min−1 at an applied voltage of 50 V and the distance between the tip and the collector is 1 mm. During electrospinning, the loader and collector moved toward x- and/or y-axis at a controlled moving velocity of 800 mm s−1, leading to the fabrication of precursor fiber patterns, for example, grids, diamonds, and hexagrams. The precursor patterns were annealed at 600 °C for 5 h in an air atmosphere, and converted into the corresponding patterns of In2O3, Co3O4, and NiO pattern sensors, respectively. The sensors were placed in a quartz tube furnace and heated at sensing temperature (In2O3: 350 °C; Co3O4: 225 °C; NiO: 300 °C). The dc-probe resistance of the sensor was measured using an electrometer interfaced with a computer. Results and Conclusions The well-defined patterns of continuous and cylindrical oxide nanofibers could be prepared by using highly volatile solvent (methanol) and by controlling the viscosity and electrical conductivity of spray solution, the distance between spinneret needle and substrate, and the moving velocity of spinneret needle. All the parameters had an optimum window, indicating that the sophisticated control or tuning of the parameters is essential to prepare well-organized and continuous precursor and/or metal oxide fibers via NFES. It is worthwhile to note that the longstanding problem of preparing elaborate nano-architectures consisting of 1D metal oxides has been solved for the first time by investigating the interrelations of the solution/working parameters in NFES systematically. Interestingly, the sensor using In2O3 nanofiber pattern on Pt electrodes exhibited unprecedented high selectivity and responses to TMA compared with other metal oxide nanostructures reported in the literature, whereas random networks of In2O3 nanofibers and dense thin In2O3 film with negligible Pt electrode exposure showed low response and selectivity to TMA. The intriguing trimethylamine sensing characteristics are explained in relation to the promotion of gas sensing reaction by catalytic Pt electrode, which is supported again by the high TMA selectivity of the sensors using the patterns of Co3O4 and NiO nanofibers. In addition, the highly increased sensitivity to analyte gases compared with thin film sensors can be attributed by the increased gas accessibility due to the sensor structures, which is composed of mono-layered In2O3 nanofibers with 200 nm diameter. The NFES-assisted patterning of metal oxide nanofibers can provide a new platform to design high performance gas sensors for a range of emerging applications.

Preparation of snail cyst and PEG-4000 composite carriers via PEGylation for oral delivery of insulin: An in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Purpose: To develop PEGylated mucin as a carrier system for oral insulin delivery.
 Methods: Varied ratios of snail cyst were molecularly modified with polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4000). Briefly, In each case, 20 g quantities of snail cyst and PEG 4000 were separately dispersed in distilled water, stirred and allowed to stand for 24 h to produce a homogeneous dispersion and clear solution, respectively. The solution of PEG was added to the snail cyst dispersion, stirred and allowed 12 h for molecular interaction. The mixture was added to a 250-mL beaker containing 100 mL of light liquid paraffin. The microparticles were obtained after stirring and removing the paraffin using chilled acetone. The obtained PEGylated mucin matrices, which were subsequently loaded with insulin using a diffusion method, characterized for particles size, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release and evaluated for oral application in diabetic rats.
 Results: The polymer hybrids improved insulin encapsulation efficiency (max 82.3 %), gave. polydispersity indices that ranged from 0.11 ± 0.1 to 0.24 ± 0.2, zeta potential values between 28 ± 0.3 and 38 ± 1.1 mV. Insulin release was highest (68 % in 6 h) for batch C and was sustained for 10 h in simulated intestinal fluid. The optimized batch (C-5) showed higher hypoglycaemic activity (56.5 %) than control (0.5 %) in diabetic rats.
 Conclusion: The results suggest that PEGylated mucin can potentially be developed as a platform for oral insulin delivery

Degradation of Methylene Blue Using Microplasma Discharge – A Relative Study with Photodegradation

Large-scale production and application of synthetic dyes have become a matter of concern as it is a major factor responsible for environmental pollution. Most dyeing effluents are discharged into water bodies and lands without being treated, which ultimately pollutes the groundwater making it unfit for consumption. The present study explains the degradation of one of such synthetic dyes Methylene blue (MB), using non-thermal Microplasma treatment. The aqueous solution of MB was treated with an array of air microplasma discharge at atmospheric pressure. Different concentrations (10 ppm, 20 ppm) of MB solution were treated for various treatment time and chemical parameters like pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids and salinity was measured. The degradation percentage reached 100% in 15 min of treatment for 10 ppm MB solution, and 20 min of treatment for 20 ppm MB solution indicated by the color change from blue to a clear solution. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) formed during the microplasma treatment are responsible for MB degradation. Same volume of MB solution was irradiated by direct sunlight for photodegradation and was found to degrade the solution of 10 ppm by 96% and 20 ppm by 93% in 10 hours of treatment. Experimental results indicated that microplasma treatment was effective for dye degradation, without the need for pretreatment process or chemicals.

Development of a Single-Step Microwave-Assisted Digestion Method using Dilute Nitric Acid for Determination of Bismuth in Bismuth-containing Pharmaceuticals by Hydride Generation-Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry

A single-step microwave assisted digestion (MWAD) procedure employing very dilute solutions of HNO3 was developed for the quantitative determination of bismuth in bismuth-containing pharmaceuticals by hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS). Experimental parameters affecting MWAD process such as acid concentration (HNO3), digestion time and temperature were optimized to get quantitative recovery of bismuth. The studies indicated that the method is rapid (within 15 min) including cooling time and recovery > 98% was obtained using 10mL of 5% (v/v) HNO3 as digestion medium with ~0.1g of sample. The optimum microwave digestion parameters obtained were: temperature – 180oC, pressure – 25 bar and hold time - 10 min. A clear solution with negligible residue was obtained after microwave digestion. The digested sample solution was appropriately diluted with 2% (v/v) HCl for subsequent analysis by HG-AFS. The reproducibility, expressed as % RSD was lower than 2% for the allopathic medicine. Under optimal conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) for Bi was calculated to be 0.024mg/kg. The methodology was optimized using a bismuth-containing pharmaceutical – Pylobis, purchased from a local pharmacy. The optimized MWAD approach was further applied to few other bismuth-containing pharmaceutical products. The developed method has significant advantages when compared to the conventional hot-plate digestion methods reported for Bi-containing pharmaceuticals, employing large volumes of concentrated acids. These investigations revealed that the proposed MWAD method in combination with HG-AFS can be utilized for the rapid determination of Bi in pharmaceutical products on regular basis.

Mouth Rinsing With a Pink Non-caloric, Artificially-Sweetened Solution Improves Self-Paced Running Performance and Feelings of Pleasure in Habitually Active Individuals

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether mouth rinsing with a pink non-caloric, artificially sweetened solution can improve self-selected running speed and distance covered during a 30 min running protocol.Methods: Ten healthy and habitually active individuals (six males, four females) completed two experimental trials in a randomised, single-blind, crossover design. Each experimental trial consisted of a 30 min treadmill run at a self-selected speed equivalent to 15 (hard/heavy) on the rating of perceived exertion scale. During exercise, participants mouth rinsed with either a pink or a clear non-caloric, artificially sweetened solution, with performance, perceptual and physiological measures obtained throughout.Results: Self-selected running speed (+0.4 ± 0.5 km·h−1, p = 0.024, g = 0.25) and distance covered (+213 ± 247 m, p = 0.023, g = 0.25) during the 30 min running protocol were both improved by 4.4 ± 5.1% when participants mouth rinsed with the pink solution when compared to the clear solution. Feelings of pleasure were also enhanced during the 30 min treadmill run when participants mouth rinsed with the pink solution, with ratings increased from 3.4 ± 0.7 in the clear condition to 3.8 ± 0.6 in the pink condition (+0.4 ± 0.5, p = 0.046, g = 0.54).Conclusion: Mouth rinsing with a pink non-caloric, artificially sweetened solution improved self-selected running speed, total distance covered, and feelings of pleasure obtained during a 30 min running protocol when compared to an isocaloric and taste-matched clear solution.

Precise Assembly and Supramolecular Catalysis of Tetragonal- and Trigonal-Elongated Octahedral Coordination Containers

The construction of distorted or irregular coordination polyhedrons with specific shapes and functionalities is highly challenging. Here, we demonstrate a viable strategy for attaining a severely d...

Catalytic Asymmetric [4+1] Spiroannulation of α-Bromo-β-Naphthols with Azoalkenes by an Electrophilic Dearomatization/S RN 1-Debromination Approach

Catalytic Asymmetric [4+1] Spiroannulation of α-Bromo-β-Naphthols with Azoalkenes by an Electrophilic Dearomatization/S _RN 1-Debromination Approach

Heavy Metals Analysis of Selected Analgesic Syrups in Ibadan, Nigeria

Some heavy metals have bio-importance as trace elements but the biotoxic effects of many of them in human biochemistry are of great concern. Hence, there is a need for proper understanding of mechanism involved, such as the concentrations and oxidation states, which make them harmful. This study determined the physical parameters and the mean concentrations of some heavy metals (Ni, Cd, Cr, Zn, Pb, Hg, and Ca) in some analgesic syrups. The heavy metals presence in the syrups were estimated by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy after digestion. All analyses were repeated three times for each sample and the mean concentration of the heavy metals taken. The physical parameters showed that the syrups are of red colour, which had a clear solution with sweet tastes. They also gave different pH and density range values. The level of nickel in the samples ranges from 0.49mg/l to 4.12mg/l, cadmium concentration ranges from 1.1mg/l to 3.5mg/l and chromium ranges from 0.04mg/l to 0.49mg/l. The concentration of zinc ranged from 0.04mg/l to 0.67mg/l, lead ranged from -0.1mg/l to 0.7mg/l and mercury concentration ranges from 0.23mg/l to 0.91mg/l. Calcium concentration was not detected in the four samples studied. The concentrations of the studied metals were lower than the W.H.O standard limits, hence the studied syrups are safe for human consumption.

A Statistical Study on the Parameters of the Skew Normal Distribution Depending on the Use of the Genetic Algorithm Using the Simulation Method

Recent statistical research has witnessed activity on the study of skew normal distribution (SND) due to the fact that the data set does not fit well with the normal distribution due to Skewnessand excessive Kurtosis. For the purpose of estimating the parameters of the model (SND), the maximum likelihood method (ML) was used, but the probability equations of this method do not have clear solutions in the distribution (SND), and the problem was solved using the genetic algorithm (GA) and Other repetitive techniques are Newton Raphson, Nelder Mead and Iteratively Reweighting Algorithm, using the simulation method with different sample sizes and comparing the preference of results methods used based on criteria (Mean, Mse and Def). It has been concluded that (ML) capabilities using the (GA) of parameters (SND) are best in the case of a small or medium sample size and the best (IR) algorithm at a large sample size.

Environmentally benign hybrid nanocomposite beads for azo dye remediation via synchronized dual degradation mechanisms.

Practically, 12% of used dyes are excluded as waste in the mobile aqueous environment. Methyl orange (MO), an industrial azo dye, is known to be carcinogenic. Accordingly, this work was engaged to fabrication of a high-efficiency visible light photocatalysts based on Ag-Alginate/Chitosan-coated MgO nanocomposite beads. MgO and Ag were prepared via precipitation and γ-radiation reduction technique as a green physical one, respectively. The degradation mechanisms depended on catalytic reduction by means of sodium borohydride/Ag and photooxidative degradation. XRD proved the periclase crystalline form of MgO of size 20 nm and the formation of face-centered cubic silver crystals of size 15 nm. The degradation yield varied directly with time, MgO, and dye concentration until certain limit. Five and twenty minutes were enough to get clear solution of MO (30 and 15 ppm, respectively) while 60 min was required to achieve the same target for 60 ppm MO solution. The catalysts showed high efficiency for MO of high concentration. The incorporation of Ag into catalytic beads could support both mechanisms as it could elevate the degradation efficiency up to 50% and save the time to a great extent. Thus, this carrier fruitfully converted wastewater into an effluent that can be repaid to the water cycle with minimal strike on the ecosystem.

Promoting Sleep and Balanced Screen Time among School-Aged Children with Neurodevelopmental and Mental Health Disorders: A Parent Perspective.

Background: Children with neurodevelopmental and mental health disorders (N/MHD), such as autism spectrum, mood disorders, and anxiety, are more likely to engage in excessive screen time, receive insufficient sleep, and to have obesity than neurotypical peers. However, little is known about how parents of these children approach promoting sleep and balanced screen time. Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews with 24 parents of children aged 8-15 years with a diagnosis of N/MHD to assess barriers and facilitators to promoting sleep and balanced screen time. Interviews were transcribed, double-coded using constant comparative methods, and summarized into themes using NVivo 11. Results: Many parents described children's chronic sleep challenges, often compounded by screen use and no clear solutions. When feeling overwhelmed, some parents reluctantly reported co-sleeping or allowing gaming devices in bed. Nearly all participants reported chronic, occasionally severe, conflict when managing children's screen time, with some parents experiencing opposition and physical aggression. Parents struggled to weigh the benefits of screen use (i.e., behavior management, learning, and social connection) with the costs (i.e., reduced self-care and limited physical activity). To combat barriers, parents described firm routines (i.e., "screens off" time and consistent bedtime on weekdays and weekends), moderating access (i.e., shutting down internet and no device in bedroom), verbal priming, and coping strategies (i.e., music and books). Conclusions: Parents of children with N/MHD face unique challenges in promoting sleep and balanced screen time. Given these behaviors may impact weight status and mental health, future interventions should examine ways to support parents in reducing conflict while promoting healthy habits.

Bioethanol Production from an Underutilized Plant, Calabash (Crescentia Cujete) Using Co-Culture of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae and Cronobacter Malonaticus

Response surface methodology (RSM) model was used to optimize ethanol production from calabash (Crescentia cujete) pulp juice using co-culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Cronobacter malonaticus. The calabash pulp was squeezed with muslin cloth, and vacuum filtered to clear solution before use. The clear juice was tested for reducing sugars using the Dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) method. Twenty three runs (23), including 3 controls, of the fermentation were conducted at varying temperatures, pH, and volumes of inoculum. The process parameters (input variables): volumes of inoculum, temperature, and pH were subjected to response surface model, using the Central composite design (CCD). Fermentation was done in conical flasks covered with cotton wool and foil in a stationary incubator for four days (96 hours). Active co-culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Cronobacter malonaticus was used, with inoculum developed using Marcfaland’s method. Samples were collected every 24 hours, centrifuged, filtered and analyzed for measurement of the output variables: reducing sugar, cell density and ethanol concentration. The concentration of reducing sugars from Calabash pulp was 3.2 mg/ml. Results obtained also revealed that the fermentation can take place on a wide range of temperature; 29-31.60C . The optimal pH range for performance of the co-culture for the fermentation process was pH range 7.9- 8.0. The optimum volume of inoculum was 5.5%v/v (ie 5.5 ml in 94.5ml juice). The optimized process using the RSM model gave 6.97% v/v bioethanol at 29oC and pH 7.9. The bioethanol yield from Calabash substrate is reasonable with co-culture considering the concentration of reducing sugars obtained from the juice and the duration of the fermentation.