Excessive Use Research Articles

The performance and physiological responses of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) to different sorghum cultivars

Utilizing pest-resistant cultivars is a highly effective and environmentally-friendly approach for managing crop infestations by pests. In the present study, the differences in the resistance of eight cultivars of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench (Kimia, Payam, Pegah, Sepideh, Spidfid, KGS23, KFS2, and KFS18) against Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), a polyphagous pest of stored products, were evaluated based on demographic parameters, nutritional indices, and digestive enzymatic activities within the pest. The results revealed that the development time of R. dominica was the shortest when reared on Kimia, Spidfid, and KFS2, while the longest was recorded in those fed on Payam and Pegah. The fecundity of R. dominica was the lowest on Pegah. Furthermore, Kimia and Sepideh showed the highest intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ), whereas the lowest values for these parameters were observed on Pegah and KGS23. The highest relative growth rate (RGR) of R. dominica was achieved on Sepideh, whereas the lowest RGR was observed on KGS23. The highest level of digestive proteolytic activity in R. dominica was observed on Sepideh, whereas the lowest level was found on KGS23. The amylolytic activity in R. dominica was the highest on Sepideh, and the lowest on Pegah and KGS23. The findings showed significant negative correlations between fecundity, intrinsic rate of increase, and amylolytic activity of the pest with the total phenolic content of the studied sorghum cultivars. Furthermore, the results obtained from cluster analysis revealed that Sepideh, Kimia, and KFS2 were the susceptible cultivars for population growth of R. dominica, while Payam, Pegah, and KGS23 were the partially resistant hosts for this pest. The pest-resistant sorghum cultivars identified in this study can potentially be utilized in combination with other pest control strategies for sustainable management of R. dominica, which may help reduce the excessive use of chemical insecticides.

Pendampingan dan Pemenuhan Lampu Panel Surya Sebagai Penerangan Area Taman dalam Konsep Lingkungan Berkelanjutan Bagi Warga

Large and excessive use of electricity, especially for lighting, is also a problem in itself, namely the large expenditure on electricity bills. For this reason, the public is encouraged to use energy-saving lighting such as LED lights or the use of solar panels. Residents want sufficient lighting in public facility areas. Community service activities are carried out at the Babatan Pilang RT Housing Complex. 002 RW. 005, where residents expect assistance from the team to provide education on effective ways to overcome large electricity costs in order to save energy. Apart from that, it will also be realized in the physical form of installing garden lights based on the use of solar panels to remain energy efficient. So that from the results of counseling and fulfillment of garden lights, residents can understand and understand how to save money by getting to know the types of energy-saving lights such as solar panel lights. In terms of park functions, solar panel lights can be shared by residents even if they are used at night.

Substance use among young people during the COVID-19 pandemic

The article discusses issues reflecting the use of psychoactive substances among young people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adolescence is an important stage of development, during which the foundation is often laid for future patterns of substance use. Both the amount and frequency of use during this period are closely related to the risk of excessive use and substance abuse in adulthood. The use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in youth worsens psychological and neurocognitive development and increases the risk of academic failure, chronic and mental illnesses. Thus, the prevention of substance use among young people remains an important public health priority worldwide. Effective strategies should include educational campaigns, psychological support, and access to quality medical care. In addition, it is also necessary to provide youth with opportunities for an active lifestyle so that they can find alternative ways to relax and overcome stress. The support and care provided by parents, family and friends, as well as the structure, supervision and support provided by teachers and school staff, also play an important role.

Sustainable composites based on polypropylene and clay

The production and consumption of plastic materials have been increasingly studied, since the excessive use of its raw material, oil, and its incorrect final destination can cause serious damage to the environment. For this reason, plastic recycling has been frequently used due to its economic, social and ecological viability. Due to reprocessing, plastics lose properties with each recycling cycle. To optimize the properties of plastics, which are often recycled, natural fibers are mixed with these materials, forming composites. Polymeric composites are increasingly used in a wide range of applications due to their excellent physical-mechanical properties. Recycled HDPE composites were obtained in a twin-screw extruder, with three different fibers in the presence and absence of compatibilizer. Overall, the presence of the fiber promoted a reduction in impact resistance and thermal deflection temperature. On the other hand, it provided an increase in the softening temperature of the composites. Considering the results obtained, the PEZMA composite resulted in a material with greater impact resistance and a higher softening temperature.

Bacitracin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus induced in chicken gut and in vitro under bacitracin exposure

It is common knowledge that prolonged and excessive use of antibiotics can lead to antimicrobial resistance. However, the characteristics and mechanism of resistant-bacteria induced by clinically recommended and prophylactic dose drugs remain largely unclear. This study aimed to observe the trends of drug resistance of the bacitracin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus strain FS127 under exposure to bacitracin (BAC), which were induced in vitro and in chicken gut. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was used to detect the susceptibility of S. aureus induced in vitro and in the chicken gut to gentamicin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, doxycycline, penicillin and chloramphenicol. The research results showed that bacitracin could induce drug resistance in S. aureus both in vitro and in vivo. The bacitracin-resistance rate of S. aureus isolated from chicken gut was positively correlated with the dose and time of bacitracin administration. The findings revealed that bacitracin-resistant S. aureus induced in vivo had enhanced susceptibility to chloramphenicol but no such change in vitro. Meanwhile, RT-qPCR assay was used to detect the expression levels of vraD, braD, braR and bacA in typical strains with different bacitracin-resistance levels. It was found that BacA may play a key role in the bacitracin resistance of S. aureus. In conclusion, this work reveals the characteristics and mechanism of bacitracin-resistant S. aureus induced by bacitracin in vivo and in vitro respectively.

Exploring Issues and Strategies of Rural Land Use and Environmental Protection

Land resources play a crucial role in the overall development of society, but the irrational exploitation and use of these resources have significant adverse effects on the natural ecological environment, which is detrimental to the effective construction of a harmonious society. There is an inseparable relationship between rural land use and ecological security, and in current rural land use practices, environmental protection issues are increasingly emphasized. In some rural areas, in pursuit of short-term economic benefits, the importance of environmental protection is often overlooked, leading to excessive development and use of land resources, posing a great threat to the sustainable development of rural society. The reduction of vegetation signifies a deterioration of the ecological environment, and soil erosion leads to a decrease in land resources and a decline in land productivity, while soil degradation directly affects the growth of crops and the income of farmers. Therefore, it is essential to integrate environmental protection concepts throughout the entire process of rural land use. In the development and utilization of land resources, environmental protection requirements must be fully considered, adopting scientific and reasonable planning and measures to ensure the full utilization of land resources and achieve sustainable development of rural society.

Is corrections officers' use of illegal force networked? Network structure, brokerage, and key players in the New York City Department of Correction

PurposeRecent research on police misconduct has adopted a network perspective, while recent work on correctional officer (CO) use of force has similarly framed it as an organizational behavior, learned through socialization and deployed with considerable discretion. This paper leverages the network paradigm in police misconduct research to study the use of force by COs. MethodsUsing data on lawsuits involving the New York City Department of Correction from 2013 to 2022, this paper forms a co-offending network of those COs who have been sued for excessive force. This paper then uses descriptive social network analysis and key player selection and community detection methods. ResultsAfter describing the basic network structure of COs who use force together, this paper identifies brokers who connect disparate parts of the CO network; it also uses a community detection algorithm to identify clusters of COs involved in force incidents. Finally, the paper compares this network to an analogous network of police use of force, finding structural similarities. ConclusionsThis analysis bridges disparate work on correctional officer use of force and police misconduct; for policymakers who seek to curtail COs' excessive use of force, this paper might provide a blueprint for identifying key players and clusters.

Influence of Social Media on Physicians' Behaviors

The influence of social media on health-related behaviors is a major research topic. Social media platforms play a crucial role in disseminating health information, thus influencing individuals' perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors towards health and healthcare. These platforms allow quick access to a large amount of information but can also convey inaccurate or misleading information. Social media also enables individuals to share their personal health experiences, which can influence the behavior of other users. Health awareness and promotion campaigns conducted on social media can have a significant impact by reaching a wide audience. Additionally, social media platforms have become popular spaces for healthcare professionals and healthcare organizations to interact with patients, answer their questions, and provide medical advice. However, excessive use of social media can also have negative effects on mental health, including contributing to anxiety, depression, and social isolation. It is therefore crucial to understand how social media shapes health-related behaviors in order to promote healthy behaviors and counter misinformation.

Development of a smart lumbar posture correction vest

Lack of proper lumbar posture is responsible for the occurrence of neck and shoulder pain, low back pain, and muscle and joint injuries in the abdominal region in more than 75% of individuals. This scenario is influenced by the excessive use of computers in the workplace, prolonged periods of incorrect sitting posture, inadequate posture during daily activities, and repetitive and localized movements, among other factors. Consequently, numerous studies are being carried out with the aim of reducing or eliminating the frequency of the problem. The most common solution proposed by researchers is the use of lumbar posture correction waistcoats. This article has automated a posture correction waistcoat that protects the wearer but also monitors their posture. When incorrect posture is identified, the waistcoat generates a warning signal. To do this, gyro sensors, accelerometer sensors, and vibration motors were installed and supervised by an Arduino microcontroller. A communication system based on Bluetooth technology was used, integrated into an Android app that interacts with the user, displaying monitoring data and providing graphical representations of inappropriate postures. In addition, a health and well-being module was implemented, which suggests a physical exercise routine to prevent back pain. In addition, a therapeutic massage module was included for relaxation and an interface for storing music that can be played while wearing the waistcoat. The results demonstrated that the implemented system generated a smart vest capable of monitoring and alerting the user when an incorrect posture was identified. Furthermore, the results indicated that the health and well-being module provided a positive user experience.

The straight and narrow: A game theory model of broad- and narrow-spectrum empiric antibiotic therapy

Physicians prescribe empiric antibiotic treatment when definitive knowledge of the pathogen causing an infection is lacking. The options of empiric treatment can be largely divided into broad- and narrow-spectrum antibiotics. Prescribing a broad-spectrum antibiotic increases the chances of covering the causative pathogen, and hence benefits the current patient’s recovery. However, prescription of broad-spectrum antibiotics also accelerates the expansion of antibiotic resistance, potentially harming future patients. We analyse the social dilemma using game theory. In our game model, physicians choose between prescribing broad and narrow-spectrum antibiotics to their patients. Their decisions rely on the probability of an infection by a resistant pathogen before definitive laboratory results are available. We prove that whenever the equilibrium strategies differ from the socially optimal policy, the deviation is always towards a more excessive use of the broad-spectrum antibiotic. We further show that if prescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics only to patients with a high probability of resistant infection is the socially optimal policy, then decentralization of the decision making may make this policy individually irrational, and thus sabotage its implementation. We discuss the importance of improving the probabilistic information available to the physician and promoting centralized decision making.

The decision to watch Mukbang – Impact on eating habits and mental health: A study of Gen Z

Mukbang is an interesting form of entertainment. It has been attracting millions of viewers around the world. With wide coverage, Mukbang videos have a strong influence on viewers. Unlike previous studies, which only focused on the motivations to watch Mukbang videos or considered the negative consequences of excessive use, the present study is conducted to explore the positive impact of watching Mukbang videos on viewers’ mental health and eating habits. After conducting a literature review, we propose the relationship among variables based on the source attractiveness model, the compensatory Internet model, and the uses and gratification theory. The research uses both qualitative and quantitative methods. Research data was collected based on survey questionnaires from 192 Gen Z in Vietnam. The findings show that there are two factors that positively affect “Decision to watch Mukbang” in ascending order: “Entertainment” and “Indirect satisfaction”. Furthermore, the study results also indicate that the factor “Decision to watch Mukbang” has a positive relationship with both “Eating habits” and “Mental health”. Proposing solutions based on research results has contributed to helping Mukbang viewers explore the positives of this type of entertainment. Simultaneously, it helps a Broadcast Jockey know what factors viewers are interested in, thereby creating attractive videos.

Seyyed Hossein Nasr: Kritik Islam atas Sekularism Lingkungan

This article aims to understand Islam's critique of environmental secularism using the thoughts of Seyyed Hussein Nasr. This research is based on qualitative methods with library research. The purpose of using this type of research is to be able to more easily map the topic under study based on literature sources. The main argument in this article is that the presence of the secularism paradigm in the modern era not only creates a spiritual crisis, but also an ecological crisis. Islam with the teachings of moral wisdom contained in the Koran makes a value to minimize environmental damage. The results of the research show that the environmental crisis is an urgent problem for the whole world, including Indonesia. The presence of the modern era with its secular paradigm gave birth to an understanding of the environment that has no sacred value and is only an object of domination for humans. With this understanding there are various environmental crises such as deforestation, plastic waste, air pollution, excessive land use by investors and polluted water. So that it is necessary to build awareness of metaphysical understanding that humans and the environment (universe) are one unit.

Identification of plastic-degrading bacteria in the human gut

Environmental pollution caused by the excessive use of plastics has resulted in the inflow of microplastics into the human body. However, the effects of microplastics on the human gut microbiota still need to be better understood. To determine whether plastic-degrading bacteria exist in the human gut, we collected the feces of six human individuals, did enrichment cultures and screened for bacterial species with a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or polypropylene (PP)-degrading activity using a micro-spray method. We successfully isolated four bacterial species with an LDPE-degrading activity and three with a PP-degrading activity. Notably, all bacterial species identified with an LDPE or PP-degrading activity were opportunistic pathogens. We analyzed the microbial degradation of the LDPE or PP surface using scanning electron microscopy and confirmed that each bacterial species caused the physical changes. Chemical structural changes were further investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier-transform-infrared spectroscopy, confirming the oxidation of the LDPE or PP surface with the formation of carbonyl groups (C=O), ester groups (CO), and hydroxyl groups (-OH) by each bacterial species. Finally, high temperature gel permeation chromatography (HT-GPC) analysis showed that these bacterial species performed to a limited extent depolymerization. These results indicate that, as a single species, these opportunistic pathogens in the human gut have a complete set of enzymes and other components required to initiate the oxidation of the carbon chains of LDPE or PP and to degrade them. Furthermore, these findings suggest that these bacterial species can potentially biodegrade and metabolize microplastics in the human gut.

Excessive Alcohol Use and Alcohol Use Disorders: A Policy Brief of the American College of Physicians.

Alcohol is used by more people in the United States than tobacco, electronic nicotine delivery systems, or illicit drugs. Several health conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and liver disease, are associated with excessive alcohol use and alcohol use disorder. Nearly 30 million people aged 12 years or older in the United States reported past-year alcohol use disorder in 2022, but-despite its prevalence-alcohol use disorder is undertreated. In this policy brief, the American College of Physicians outlines the health effects of excessive alcohol use and alcohol use disorder, calls for policy changes to increase the availability of treatment of alcohol use disorder and excessive alcohol use, and recommends alcohol-related public health interventions.

A case of fatal poisoning caused by etomidate: evidence from pathological and toxicological analyses.

Etomidate is a nonbarbiturate sedative derived from imidazole. Prolonged and excessive use of etomidate can lead to the suppression of adrenocortical function, myoclonus, and even death. This report describes a rare case of a 47-year-old man who died from acute intoxication after oral ingestion of liquid containing etomidate. The cause of death was conclusively attributed to etomidate based on a comprehensive investigation, including autopsy, histopathological examination, toxicological analysis, and biochemical analysis. This is the first reported case of a fatality solely resulting from the oral ingestion of etomidate, which can provide valuable insights for future forensic investigations involving etomidate poisoning. Therefore, it is imperative to share this case with the scientific community.

Replacing chemical fertilizers with biogas slurry is an environment friendly strategy to reduce the risk of soil nitrogen leaching: evidence from the HYDRUS model simulation

Excessive chemical fertilizer use leads to soil nitrogen leaching. Biogas slurry, which is rich in nitrogen, has been proposed as an organic substitute for chemical fertilizer via drip irrigation. However, the dynamics of nitrogen migration and potential threats to biogas slurry return remain unclear. Using a two-year field experiment and HYDRUS software, this study modeled soil moisture and nitrogen migration under biogas slurry drip irrigation. The validated model accurately simulates water and nitrogen migration, predicting nitrogen leaching dynamics. Compared to chemical fertilizer treatment, differences in soil hydraulic parameters under biogas slurry drip irrigation impact moisture and nitrate nitrogen distribution. Increasing biogas slurry proportion enhances nitrate nitrogen content in the root layer, promoting plant nitrogen absorption while reducing leaching by 49.66%. Optimizing the irrigation system involves high concentration substitution in early growth and low concentration in late growth, mitigating nitrogen leaching, and enhancing plant root absorption.

In silico investigation of herbicide release from intercalated layered double hydroxides

Excessive pesticide use may contaminate streams and surface water, posing a significant danger for the environment. The employment of slow-deliver formulations may circumvent this issue by reducing pesticide waste. In this work, computational simulations were performed to study the release of anionic herbicide species from the galleries of layered double hydroxides. Density Functional Theory was initially employed to construct the structural models of intercalated materials, which were later used for force-field based molecular dynamics. The calculated Gibbs free energy of the anion release indicated that the herbicide species are spontaneously exchanged with carbonate anions, demonstrating that the final intercalation with CO32− is favored. The molecular dynamics runs showed that the basal spacing increases in the presence of an aqueous solution, in certain cases even swelling the interlayer region. Based on the acquired data, a simple mechanism could be proposed for the release of anion species from layered materials.

Personality Traits and Internet Addiction among Adolescent Students: The Moderating Role of Family Functioning

Objectives: Internet addiction is a behavioral addiction characterized by excessive and compulsive use of the internet. The risk of internet addiction among adolescents has risen recently due to an increase in technological advancement and globalization. However, previous studies have focused on the precipitating factors triggering the internet addiction without looking at the exogenous factors and boundary conditions, such as family functioning, that can either sustain or weaken such behavior. Thus, the present study aimed to examine the moderating role of family functioning in the relationship between personality traits and internet addiction among adolescents. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study consisting of 3150 adolescent students in the grade/class level of JSS1-SS3 who were assessed with standardized measures of the Big-Five Personality Inventory, Internet Addictive Test, and Family APGAR Index. Pearson correlation was used to explore the bivariate relationships between the demographic variable and other variables of interest, while Hayes regression-based PROCESS macro for SPSS was used to test the Hypotheses. Results: (1) Openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, and neuroticism positively correlated with internet addiction, whereas agreeableness was negatively associated with internet addiction. (2) Positive family functioning correlated negatively with internet addiction. (3) Positive family functioning moderated the relationships of extraversion and agreeableness with internet addiction but not on openness to experience, conscientiousness, and neuroticism with internet addiction. Conclusions: Positive family functioning correlated negatively with internet addiction among adolescents, suggesting that improving family functioning would be a valuable tactic for reducing adolescents’ susceptibility to personality-related internet addiction.

Comparative evaluation of efficacy of Pippalyadi Agada as an adjuvant drug vs. standard drug therapy in the management of acute food poisoning: A Study Protocol

Antimicrobial resistance, a pressing challenge in modern medicine, arises from excessive antibiotic use in veterinary and human care. Underreporting and complex links between food contamination and illnesses have led to underestimating foodborne disease impacts. The World Bank’s 2019 analysis projected $15B annual treatment costs and $95.2B productivity loss in low- to middle-income countries due to foodborne diseases. “Agada” refers to symptom-relieving medications, like “Vishaghnakalpa.” Pippalyadi Agada, from Vishaghana plants, treats “Dooshivisha Chikitsa,” e.g., Kitibha, rashes, shwas. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties, aiding acute food poisoning with nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea. It is a carminative, curbing prolonged diarrhea, and anti-toxic. Pippalyadi Agada pacifies imbalanced Vata and Kapha, promising better relief than Agni and Pittastana interventions. As an Ayurvedic remedy, it is administered as Vati, 500mg twice daily with Anuapan Honey for 7 days. This study aims to comparatively evaluate the effectiveness of Pippalyadi Agada as an adjunct to standard drug therapy in managing acute food poisoning. Following a comprehensive drug analysis, a total of 60 eligible participants will be selected and assigned to two groups, each comprising 30 individuals. Group A will receive standard drug therapy, while Group B will receive standard drug therapy alongside Pippalyadi Agad, administered twice daily for 7 days. Assessments will occur on days 0, 3, 5, and 8, both before and after the intervention. The study anticipates that the use of Pippalyadi Agada as an adjunct to standard drug therapy will lead to improved symptom relief and faster recovery in individuals with acute food poisoning, as demonstrated by significant reductions in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. The observed outcomes will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits of Ayurvedic interventions in managing foodborne illnesses.

Guideline Adherence as an Indicator of PET Scan Overuse in an Italian Teaching Hospital: An Observational Study.

Evidence of inappropriate overuse and underuse of medical procedures has been documented in modern healthcare systems around the world. Excessive use of health services can contribute to a rapid increase in healthcare costs and harm the patient physically and psychologically; conversely, underuse can lead to the inability to provide effective treatments when clinically indicated. The study's aim is twofold: a) to measure the appropriateness of PET prescription in a cohort of patients, offering empirical evidence of overuse of health care services; b) to evaluate how the overuse of PET could affect public health expenditure and, consequently, the system's financial sustainability. In this observational study, we have analyzed prospectively and retrospectively health patient records who underwent 18F-FDG PET/TC scan at the Nuclear Medicine Department of the University Hospital Mater Domini in Catanzaro (Italy) from 29/09/2022 to 10/02/2023. Patients' diagnostic questions have been defined as appropriate, not completely appropriate and completely inappropriate according to the 18F-FDG PET/CT recommendations defined by the "Conditions of Supply and Indications of Prescriptive Appropriateness of Italian NHS (National Health Systems)" published in the Official Gazette no. 15 of 20 January 2016 (Decree 9 December 2015) and by the AIMN (Italian Association of Nuclear Medicine) guidelines. We gathered data from 500 oncological patients (242 males and 258 females). The results show that 423/500 of patients' prescriptions were appropriate, while 77/500 of patients' prescriptions were completely inappropriate (63/77) or not completely appropriate (14/77). Analysis showed a not complete adherence to national guidelines and no shared decision-making approach.