Free Life Research Articles

A Diverse Vibrio Community in Ría de Vigo (Northwestern Spain)

The genus Vibrio is genetically and ecologically diverse, resulting in severe economic losses in aquacultural macroalgae and animals. Studies on vibrios will contribute to the conservation of aquatic aquaculture in Ría de Vigo (Spain), which is famous for its shellfish farming activity. However, limited research focused on the diversity and distribution of Vibrio spp. in Ría de Vigo has been reported. Here, a slight increase in the abundance of Vibrio spp. was recorded from inshore to the open sea by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Vibrios were more abundant in the free-living (FL) than in the particle-associated (PA) fraction, showing that FL might be their preferential lifestyle. Photobacterium piscicola, Vibrio japonicus and Vibrio harveyi, which are serious pathogens for fish and invertebrates in mariculture, were found to be the dominant species across all samples by high-throughput sequencing and analyses and were mainly affected by stochastic processes. More colony-forming units and species of vibrios were recorded at 16 °C (18 species) than at 28 °C (6 species), and five isolates (5.05% of the total isolates) showed low 16S rRNA gene similarity (<98.65%) to the known strains. The results indicate that culture conditions closer to the in situ temperature may help to isolate more Vibrio species. Our findings may contribute to local aquatic aquaculture research, providing background information and novel insights for management and pathogen prevention in aquaculture, and more studies should focus on Ría de Vigo to acquire novel or pathogenic microbes in the future.

Smoking behavior and social identity: Correlates of Phantom Smoking Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Other Sexual and Gender Diverse Young Adults.

LGBTQ+ populations and people who smoke face stigma. This may lead to distancing oneself from smoking-related stigma by becoming phantom smokers (i.e., reporting smoking, but not identifying as a smoker). We explored correlates of phantom cigarette smoking among LGBTQ+ young adults. Participants were U.S. young adults (18 to 24 years) who identified as LGBTQ+, reported any past 30-day cigarette smoking and had a valid response for smoker self-identification (unique N= 5,545). We incorporated data from participants who completed one or more of the seven surveys from FDA's This Free Life campaign evaluation (February 2016-July 2019). Multivariable panel regression models with unweighted data examined phantom smoking correlates. Over 60% of the sample were phantom smokers. Compared with self-identified smokers, phantom smokers were younger, more likely to be gay men than lesbian/gay women, and more likely to be non-Hispanic White than non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic or non-Hispanic people of other races/ethnicities. Phantom smokers were more likely to have a college plus education (vs. high school or less) and report past 30-day alcohol use. Phantom smokers smoked on fewer of the past 30 days and were less likely to report positive cessation attitudes, nicotine dependence, and current e-cigarette or other tobacco product use. This is the first known study to explore factors associated with phantom smoking among LGBTQ+ young adults. Over half of young adult smokers were phantom smokers. Tobacco education for LGBTQ+ populations should consider phantom smoking and cessation implications to tailor content for phantom and self-identified smokers. We examined predictors of phantom smoking (current smoking but denying smoker identity) among LGBTQ+ young adult smokers, which has not yet been explored among this population. Phantom (vs. self-identified) smokers were less likely to be lesbian/gay women (vs. gay men) or from a racial/ethnic minority group and more likely to report past 30-day alcohol use. Phantom smokers reported less tobacco use, lower nicotine dependence, and less favorable cessation attitudes. Phantom smokers comprised most smokers in our sample. Findings suggest the importance of addressing this unique aspect of LGBTQ+ smoking in research, clinical settings, and tailored tobacco public education messages.

Leaving the Norwegian opioid maintenance treatment program - patient experiences

BackgroundOpioid maintenance treatment (OMT) saves lives and makes it possible to start a process of health and social rehabilitation. Previous research shows that those who leave OMT after years of a drug free life and a reasonable level of health and social rehabilitation can have a good chance of living a stable drug free life after leaving the treatment. The aim of this study was to gain more knowledge about how patients who were in the process of leaving, or who had left OMT, experienced the leaving process.MethodsThe study was based on a thematic analysis of transcripts from individual in-depth interviews with 24 patients who had experience with leaving the Norwegian OMT program. Results: The participants in this study had a strong motivation to endure a demanding substitution medication tapering process and leave the OMT program. The tapering benefited strongly from adaptive routines based on ongoing dialog between patients and service providers throughout the process, based on individualized goals and patient experiences each step on the way. The participants had varied experiences regarding the quality and relevance of the support and meeting the need for further treatment and services.ConclusionsGiven a high level of rehabilitation and good support, this study shows that some OMT program patients are in a good position to successfully leave the OMT program or continue the substitution treatment on a low dosage in a less OMT program-dominated life.

Promoting the Concept Healthy Ageing for Use in Gerontological Health and Social Care Policy and Practice.

The concept of healthy or successful ageing dates back to the 1960s, where its goal is more realistic in today's ageing society as a result of effective interventions to control and reduce disability and health risks. The aim of this paper is to outline the importance of defining ageing, the semantics and indicators used, and to identify common challenges for health professionals' understanding and application of a healthy ageing approach in their everyday clinical practice. This discursive paper demonstrates how realistic ageing indicators are for highlighting the variation and impact of challenges associated with ageing. It examines the proportion of older adults requiring aged-care services and allocation of resources, focusing on health maintenance and secondary ageing prevention. Indicators of ageing commonly used in clinical healthcare settings are reviewed, and their appropriateness for determining functional and intrinsic capacity of older adults. Other indicators are introduced, i.e., the Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE), Disability Free Life Expectancy (DFLE), the Human Development Index (HDI), and the Active Ageing Index (AAI), for enhancing and promoting a healthy ageing model of healthcare. Healthy ageing models of health and social care are also considered. Outlining evidence on healthy ageing may facilitate health professionals to address realistic challenges regarding age-related health and social care provision, using a personalised approach for every older adult as opposed to cutting off chronological age parameters. Increasing health professionals' focus on healthy ageing will maintain good health in at least 80% of the ageing population for longer. No patient or public contribution.

Vedic astrological factors for human immunodeficiency virus transmission within male individuals with sexual orientation as homosexual

Background: For almost more than 70 years, the modern science had labeled homosexuality as a mental disorder and was part of DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) until the fifth edition was released in the year 2013 and homosexuality was removed from the mental disorder list. Despite of the removal of homosexuality along with all kind of sexual orientation from mental disorder, it is still being considered taboo in the society. From Sanatana Dharma perspective, homosexuality is very well mentioned in multiple scriptures. In Vedic Astrology as well, this homosexuality along with diseases due to sexual intercourse is being described. In this modern era, one of the most common disease due to sexual intercourse is HIV. Although, HIV is considered relatively new transmission due to its first scientific mention in the late twentieth century, the symptoms and overall nature of this disease is clearly described in Vedic Astrology. Finding: This research paper is an extension of the existing research paper in the field of Vedic Astrology especially in the field of Vedic Astrology focusing on HIV transmission. A total of 314 HIV positive samples was collected from 18 countries selected from Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Africa as well as Australia in order to have a coverage of all the continents. All these HIV positive people belong to LGBT community, to be very specific Gay (homosexuals) and have been identified as HIV transmission due to anal intercourse with another Gay partner. The Astrological Natal Chart were analyzed for all these 314 samples against the KIRAN sutra (5 thumb rules) to find the possibility of HIV based on the sutras i.e. rules. Out of 314 samples, 310 charts fit the criteria (KIRA sutra) mentioned in the KIRAN sutra for HIV transmission. 4 samples were not checked against the criteria (N) due to insufficient Nakshatra-Pada i.e. Constellation-Phase coverage along with the complex nature of the Nakshatra sutra i.e. N sutra of KIRAN sutra. The result indicates that the KIRAN sutra is very effective sutra even to identify the HIV transmission from male-to-male partner with an accuracy of 98.73% (310 cases out of 314 cases) using only 4 sutras i.e. KIRA. Conclusion: The research is an effort to raise awareness and to help males with homosexual orientation to identify whether they are highly prone to HIV or not using their Vedic Astrological Natal Chart so that they can take preventive action. A new yoga i.e. Samalaingika Yauna Sankramaṇa Yoga is being introduced in the field of Medical Astrology focusing on males with sexual orientation as homosexual, commonly known as Gay in LGBT community in order to support Gays living a HIV free life without judging their sexual orientation. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study introduces the application of the KIRAN sutra from Vedic Astrology as a predictive method for assessing HIV transmission risk in homosexual men, achieving an accuracy rate of 98.73%, along with the introduction of a new configuration, Samalaingika Yauna Sankramaṇa Yoga.

Distribution of protoporphyrin IX during Prorocentrum donghaiense blooms and its relationship with particle-attached and free-living bacterial communities

Particle-attached (PA) and free-living (FL) bacterial communities are essential for nutrient cycles and metabolite production and serve as a food source in aquatic systems. However, our understanding of how biotic factors influence community interactions, co-occurrence patterns, and niche occupancy remains limited. This study investigated the influence of protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) on bacteria with different lifestyles during Prorocentrum donghaiense bloom. The findings revealed that PPIX distribution responded variably to changes in physicochemical parameters induced by red tide bloom. Large-sized or particle-attached (PA) phytoplankton (cell size >3 μm) were identified as the primary contributors to environmental PPIX, while small-sized plankton or free-living (FL) microorganisms (<3 μm) contributed less. In red tide-affected areas, PPIX and its derivatives were significantly more abundant than in non-red tide areas, indicating an increased demand for porphyrins by plankton during red tides. Additionally, the red tide also significantly influenced the preference of bacterial lineages for PA or FL lifestyles, highlighting a close interaction between bacteria with different lifestyles and PPIX levels. This study quantitatively analyzed the distribution of PPIX across different cell sizes in red tide and non-red tide marine environments, providing insights into microbial interactions and dynamics in changing ecosystems and offering a reference for using PPIX to predict red tide ecological disasters.

Efficacy of high-performance epoxy resin as a binder to replace eco-unfriendly phenolic resins in Cu-free brake pads

This research explored high-performance epoxy resin (EPR) for the first time as a binder in the formulation of brake pads to overcome the limitations of phenolic resins (short shelf life, harmful emissions, etc.) and compared them to phenolic pads to determine their potential. EPRs offered higher heat resistance, lower density, post-curing free, and longer shelf life. Brake pads (15%, 20%, and 25% epoxy, and 20 vol% phenolic) were assessed for physical, mechanical, thermal, tribological, and noise - vibration (NV) properties. The findings revealed promising tribological and NV performance for epoxy pads, suggesting EPR has the potential to replace phenolic resins in the friction industry.

Expression, regulation and physiological roles of the five Rsm proteins in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000

Proteins belonging to the RsmA (regulator of secondary metabolism)/CsrA (carbon storage regulator) family are small RNA-binding proteins that play crucial roles post-transcriptionally regulating gene expression in many Gram-negative and some Gram-positive bacteria. Although most of the bacteria studied have a single RsmA/CsrA gene, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pto) DC3000 encodes five Rsm proteins: RsmA/CsrA2, RsmC/CsrA1, RsmD/CsrA4, RsmE/CsrA3, and RsmH/CsrA5. This work aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the expression of these five rsm protein-encoding genes, elucidate the regulatory mechanisms governing their expression, as well as the physiological relevance of each variant. To achieve this, we examined the expression of rsmA, rsmE, rsmC, rsmD, and rsmH within their genetic contexts, identified their promoter regions, and assessed the impact of both their deletion and overexpression on various Pto DC3000 phenotypes. A novel finding is that rsmA and rsmC are part of an operon with the upstream genes, whereas rsmH seems to be co-transcribed with two downstream genes. We also observed significant variability in expression levels and RpoS dependence among the five rsm paralogs. Thus, despite the extensive repertoire of rsm genes in Pto DC3000, only rsmA, rsmE and rsmH were significantly expressed under all tested conditions (swarming, minimal and T3SS-inducing liquid media). Among these, RsmE and RsmA were corroborated as the most important paralogs at the functional level, whereas RsmH played a minor role in regulating free life and plant-associated phenotypes. Conversely, RsmC and RsmD did not seem to be functional under the conditions tested.

Community composition and co-occurrence of free-living and particle-attached bacteria in the source region of the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers.

Bacteria have two trophic lifestyles in aquatic ecosystems, i.e., free-living (FL) and particle-attached (PA), with different but essential ecological roles. However, relevant knowledge is still dearth in the upstream source region of the Himalayan Rivers. Thus, we emphasized a comparative study on community composition, co-occurrence, and geographic distribution of the FL and PA bacteria and the effect of environmental factors in the source region of the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers. PA bacteria relative to FL harbored a significantly higher local diversity, richness, and evenness. A significantly higher abundance of Betaproteobacteria, Verrucomicrobiota, and Planctomycetota in PA trophic lifestyle and Gammaproteobacteria and Actinomycetota in FL tropic lifestyle and indicator OTUs belonging to related taxa were observed. The spatial variation of the FL and PA bacterial communities was most significantly impacted by dispersal limitation as a discrete factor. Among the environmental parameters, the total nitrogen (TN) was found to be a significant (P < 0.001) driver of the variation in PA communities. Meanwhile, particulate organic carbon (POC) and TN considerably explained the variation of FL communities. A significant correlation (P < 0.001) of TN with dominant bacterial taxa (Pseudomonadota, Actinomycetota, and Verrucomicrobiota) and FL and PA indicator OTUs associated with these taxa further confirmed nitrogen as the limiting nutrient in the source region of the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers. The co-occurrence network topological characteristics showed that the PA network was more stable than the FL network, which was more complicated and unstable. Thus, it can be speculated that FL communities relative to PA are more vulnerable to shifting upon disturbances.

Performance Improvement of Energy Efficiency in Heat Pipe Solar Collector with Nano Composite

The objective of this research is to investigate the performance increase of evacuated solar collector with nano fluid. Solar collector includes absorber unit to transfer the heat energy to a working fluid. In this research it was intended to evaluate performance considering with nano fluid. Improving the heat collection efficiency, efficient extraction of the heat from the solar collector, controlling the operating temperature, long maintenance free life of the device are some of the major challenges in collecting and extracting heat from the evacuated solar collectors. Using nano fluids as working fluids are interesting and challenging. Improvement in the performance of the evacuated heat pipe was obtained using heat transporting nano fluid consisting of aqueous dispersion (3 weight %) of Copper Oxide (CuO) nanoparticles; in comparison with the device without utilizing the nano fluid. From the past research, authors have analysed the performance with numerous trials. The result shows that evacuated tube heat pipe collector with nano fluid give the better result than heat pipe collector without nano fluid.

Environment Aspects and Daily Life-Threatening Risk Prediction for Improving Public Health Using Ensemble Learning Techniques

Increasing work nature in the fastest world need relaxing to maintain public health is important. But the continuous imbalance of work nature in human daily life doesn’t have time to consecrate the health with leads life threatening facts such as work tension, management stress, job professional, family needs, improper periodic work cycle, and soon. By analyzing the daily public life threatening risk prediction based on Feature selection and classification to category the public health to recommend for phycological treatment. By suggesting treatment schedule are important to balance the public health Lifecyle to make stress free life to spent with nature. Most of prevailing techniques analyse the life-threatening issues, but the features are improperly to taken without the mutual relation cause poor accuracy in precision and classifications rate with more false prediction rate. To tackle this issue, to propose an optimized ensemble learning Techniques based on multi scalar support vector machine (MSSVM) with deep scaled XGboost classifier (DSXG-boost) to improve the prediction accuracy. Initially the public life Cycle dataset is collected and to make normalization using Min-max normalization. Then the Public Life Threat Impact Rate (PLTIR) is analysed to marginalize the heath affecting features. Then then stress margin dependencies feature limits are selected with support of MSSVM. The selected features are grouped in cluster margins and classified with deep scaled XG boost algorithm to predict the active and inactive heath margin be categorized by risk threaten class. The proposed system prove the prediction accuracy in higher precision are by selecting mutual dependencies of health affection feature limits and best recall rate to improve the performance. Based on the predicted class, the categorized life threaten risk peoples are recommends to make phycological treatment to protect the public life cycle.

Seasonal and interannual variability of the free-living and particle-associated bacteria of a coastal microbiome.

Marine microbial communities differ genetically, metabolically, and ecologically according to their lifestyle, and they may respond differently to environmental changes. In this study, we investigated the seasonal dynamics of bacterial assemblies in the free-living (FL) and particle-associated (PA) fractions across a span of 6 years in the Blanes Bay Microbial Observatory in the Northwestern Mediterranean. Both lifestyles showed marked seasonality. The trends in alpha diversity were similar, with lower values in spring-summer than in autumn-winter. Samples from both fractions were grouped seasonally and the percentage of community variability explained by the measured environmental variables was comparable (32% in FL and 31% in PA). Canonical analyses showed that biotic interactions were determinants of bacterioplankton dynamics and that their relevance varies depending on lifestyles. Time-decay curves confirmed a high degree of predictability in both fractions. Yet, 'seasonal' Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) (as defined by Lomb Scargle time series analysis) in the PA communities represented 46% of the total relative abundance while these accounted for 30% in the FL fraction. These results demonstrate that bacteria inhabiting both fractions exhibit marked seasonality, highlighting the importance of accounting for both lifestyles to fully comprehend the dynamics of marine prokaryotic communities.

Community structure and carbon metabolism functions of bacterioplankton in the Guangdong coastal zone

Coastal ecosystems are an important region for biogeochemical cycling, are a hotspot of anthropogenic disturbance and play a crucial role in global carbon cycling through the metabolic activities of bacterioplankton. Bacterioplankton can be broadly classified into two lifestyles: free-living (FL) and particle-attached (PA). However, how coastal bacterioplankton the community structure, co-occurrence networks and carbon metabolic functions with different lifestyles are differentiated is still largely unknown. Understanding these processes is necessary to better determine the contributions of coastal bacterioplankton to carbon cycling. Here, the characteristics of community structure and carbon metabolism function of bacterioplankton with two lifestyles in the coastal areas of Guangdong Province were investigated using amplicon sequencing, metagenomic, and metatranscriptomic techniques. The results show that the main bacterioplankton responsible for carbon metabolism were the Pseudomonadota, Bacteroidota, and Actinomycetota. The microbial community structure, carbon metabolic function, and environmental preferences differ between different lifestyles. FL and PA bacteria exhibited higher carbon fixation and degradation potentials, respectively. A range of environmental factors, such as dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature, were associated with the community structure and carbon metabolic functions of the bacterioplankton. Human activities, such as nutrient discharge, may affect the distribution of functional genes and enhance the carbon degradation functions of bacterioplankton. In conclusion, this study increased the understanding of the role of microorganisms in regulating carbon export in coastal ecosystems with intense human activity.

Distinct ecological niches and community dynamics: understanding free-living and particle-attached bacterial communities in an oligotrophic deep lake.

Oligotrophic deep-water lakes are unique and sensitive ecosystems with limited nutrient availability. Understanding bacterial communities within these lakes is crucial for assessing ecosystem health, biogeochemical cycling, and responses to environmental changes. In this study, we investigated the seasonal and vertical dynamics of both free-living (FL) and particle-attached (PA) bacteria in Lake Fuxian, a typical oligotrophic deep freshwater lake in southeast China. Our findings revealed distinct seasonal and vertical dynamics of FL and PA bacterial communities, driven by similar physiochemical environmental factors. PA bacteria exhibited higher α- and β-diversity and were enriched with Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Firmicutes, Patescibacteria, Planctomycetota, and Verrucomicrobiota, while FL bacteria were enriched with Actinobacteria and Bacteroidota. FL bacteria showed enrichment in putative functions related to chemoheterotrophy and aerobic anoxygenic photosynthesis, whereas the PA fraction was enriched with intracellular parasites (mainly contributed by Rickettsiales, Chlamydiales, and Legionellales) and nitrogen metabolism functions. Deterministic processes predominantly shaped the assembly of both FL and PA bacterial communities, with stochastic processes playing a greater role in the FL fraction. Network analysis revealed extensive species interactions, with a higher proportion of positively correlated edges in the PA network, indicating mutualistic or cooperative interactions. Cyanobium, Comamonadaceae, and Roseomonas were identified as keystone taxa in the PA network, underscoring potential cooperation between autotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria in organic particle microhabitats. Overall, the disparities in bacterial diversity, community composition, putative function, and network characteristics between FL and PA fractions highlight their adaptation to distinct ecological niches within these unique lake ecosystems.IMPORTANCEUnderstanding the diversity of microbial communities, their assembly mechanisms, and their responses to environmental changes is fundamental to the study of aquatic microbial ecology. Oligotrophic deep-water lakes are fragile ecosystems with limited nutrient resources, rendering them highly susceptible to environmental fluctuations. Examining different bacterial types within these lakes offers valuable insights into the intricate mechanisms governing community dynamics and adaptation strategies across various scales. In our investigation of oligotrophic deep freshwater Lake Fuxian in China, we explored the seasonal and vertical dynamics of two bacterial types: free-living (FL) and particle-attached (PA). Our findings unveiled distinct patterns in the diversity, composition, and putative functions of these bacteria, all shaped by environmental factors. Understanding these subtleties provides insight into bacterial interactions, thereby influencing the overall ecosystem functioning. Ultimately, our research illuminates the adaptation and roles of FL and PA bacteria within these unique lake environments, contributing significantly to our broader comprehension of ecosystem stability and health.

Beyond the Bloom: Unraveling the Diversity, Overlap, and Stability of Free-Living and Particle-Attached Bacterial Communities in a Cyanobacteria-Dominated Hypereutrophic Lake

In aquatic ecosystems with low nutrient levels, organic aggregates (OAs) act as nutrient hotspots, hosting a diverse range of microbial species compared to those in the water column. Lake eutrophication, marked by intensified and prolonged cyanobacterial blooms, significantly impacts material and energy cycling processes, potentially altering the ecological traits of both free-living (FL) and particle-attached (PA) bacteria. However, the extent to which observed patterns of FL and PA bacterial diversity, community assembly, and stability extend to hypereutrophic lakes remains understudied. To address this gap, we investigated bacterial diversity, composition, assembly processes, and stability within hypereutrophic Lake Xingyun. Our results revealed that FL bacterial communities exhibited higher α-diversity than PA counterparts, coupled with discernible taxonomic compositions. Both bacterial communities showed distinct seasonality, influenced by cyanobacterial bloom intensity. Environmental factors accounted for 71.1% and 54.2% of the variation among FL and PA bacteria, respectively. The assembly of the PA bacterial community was predominantly stochastic, while FL assembly was more deterministic. The FL network demonstrated greater stability, complexity, and negative interactions, indicative of competitive relationships, while the PA network showed a prevalence of positive correlations, suggesting mutualistic interactions. Importantly, these findings differ from observations in oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and eutrophic lakes. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the interplay among bacterial fractions, enhancing our understanding of nutrient status and cyanobacterial blooms in shaping bacterial communities.

Organic matter composition fluctuations disrupt free-living bacterial communities more than particle-associated bacterial communities in coastal waters

Marine organic matter fuels the growth of microbial communities, shaping the composition of bacteria that specialize in its breakdown. However, responses of free-living (FL) and particle-associated (PA) bacterial communities to the changing pools of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and particulate organic matter (POM) remained unclear. This study investigates the composition of size-fractionated bacterial communities, DOM and POM in coastal waters over a 22-day period that includes a diatom bloom. Co-occurrence analysis showed that the FL bacterial communities were significantly less stable than PA communities. During the diatom bloom, we observed a significant increase in DOM molecules, particularly those derived from amino acids and peptides. In contrast, the relative intensities of major POM molecule classes remained stable despite the algal bloom's influence. Our study revealed a strong negative correlation between bacterial alpha-diversity and the amount of molecules in the organic matter pool. Similarly, bacterial community beta-diversity was found to be related to the composition of organic matter pool. However, the composition of organic matter was more strongly related to the composition of FL bacterial communities compared to PA communities. This suggests that FL bacteria exhibit greater variations in temporal dynamics and higher sensitivity to the specific structure of organic matter molecules.

Critical Analysis on the Role of Nidra in the Maintenance of Health - An Ayurvedic Review

Sleep which is often considered to be a “passive activity” is increasingly being recognized as an essential aspect in both heath promotion as well as prevention of chronic diseases. Insufficient sleep, either directly or indirectly, is associated with a number of chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, obesity as well as depression. Insufficient sleep is associated with the onset of these diseases and also posses’ important implications for their management and its outcome. Ayurveda considers Nidra as one among the Trayo upasthambha’s along with Ahara and Brahmacharya. These 3 factors maintained in optimum quantity and quality is essential for living a healthier disease free life. Lack of sleep is considered as Nidranasha in Ayurveda which is attributed to the development of multiple chronic life style disorders in longer run. The role of improper Nidra in the development of different chronic diseases should be understood properly to prevent the damage from them and to promote healthy living among the human beings around the world.

The Stripes of Coriolanus: A Democratic Appropriation of Roman Republicanism

Inspired by the scholarly work of Paul Cantor and David Lowenthal, this paper argues that the 1981 war-comedy, Stripes, constitutes a democratic appropriation of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus. Drawing on what is arguably Shakespeare’s most political drama, Cantor and Lowenthal argue, respectively, that both Rome and its martial warrior tragically aspire to a wholeness that will always elude them; Rome’s republic depends on a mixing of political classes that presume to be distinct from and independent of the other while the work’s eponymous figure believes he can exist above and apart from the city he alternately seeks to save and to destroy. Because tragedies show the self-defeating flaws that plague their protagonists, they allow us to see the impossibilities such characters represent as absurd. But, in seeing them as absurd, they should also appear as the proper subjects of comedy. Viewed as a democratic reworking of this Elizabethan tragedy, Stripes shows us how the wisdom that allows us to appreciate both the need for and the shortcomings of republican politics, as the scholarship of Cantor and Lowenthal reveal them, may yet be made available without leading us to despair of the possibility a genuinely free and healthy civic life.

Eccentric Positionality in Addictions - Moral Aspect of Addictions

Aim: The aim of this paper is to review the moral aspect of addictions. With the advancement of technology that brings more and more possibilities to a human being, understanding the principles of one’s own mind and the principles of the epoch in which the same mind lives, becomes necessary for a free life. Materials and Methods: The materials we included into our work include a noteworthy literature dealing with this challenges. Results: In addiction, in which a person has the impression of controlling the substance, enjoying the blissful role of the victor carried on a misbalanced concept of eccentric positionality, until he/she himself/herself becomes the very object he longed for, being a mere object in his own life, so the postmodernist concept of humanity sinks and withers in a bubble of the safety of the supra-cultural mind hooked on the illusion and the power of technique. The concepts of science bring a different view of things, and thus the metaphysical abstract concept of conscience as a divine voice that leads towards the principles that in some epoch arose from the knowledge reached at that time, that is, beliefs, disintegrates. Conclusion: The significance of these theses is that they could be applicable in expanding the view on addictions, which is necessary, taking into account the changes in the mental environment (epoch).

Undernutrition levels in Scottish older-adult population: a secondary data analysis of the Scottish Health Survey 2021

The proportion of the UK population over 65 years old is predicted to increase from 18.7% to 26% by 2066(1). However, healthy life expectancy (HLE) and disability free life expectancy (DLE) are decreasing(2, 3), which is particularly concerning in Scotland which also has the lowest overall life expectancy(4). Diet is a major modifiable factor in healthy aging(5) and should be a target to address declining HLE and DLE, but nutrient deficiencies in over 65s in Scotland are poorly understood. This study aimed to understand the presence and extent of inadequate intake of protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals within over 60 year olds in Scotland.Secondary data analysis of the Scottish Health Survey 2021(6) was performed. Dietary data of older adults (≥ 60 years old, n = 1344) were analysed for protein, fibre, and micronutrient (from food sources) inadequacies, defined as percentage below estimated average requirement, reference nutrient intake or adequate intake(7, 8). Wald Z-test was used to analyse inadequacy between males and females, and urban and rural populations. Differences between Scottish index of multiple deprivation (SIMD) levels (1 [most deprived] to 5 [least deprived]) were analysed using χ2 test and cellwise sub-analysis(9) with Bonferroni corrections.The percentage of over 60s that had inadequate nutrient intake was highest for vitamin D (97%), fibre (93%), selenium (90%), potassium (79%) and Zinc (65%). Compared to males, females were at a greater risk of undernutrition in 18 of the 25 nutrients analysed, of which 11 were significant (p&lt;0.05). Compared to rural populations, urban populations were at a greater risk of undernutrition in 22 of 25 nutrients analysed, of which 10 were significant. People in SIMD 1 were at a greater risk of undernutrition in 20 of 25 nutrients analysed, of which 14 were significant. 40% of over 60s had inadequate protein intake. Risk of inadequate protein intake was greatest for people in SIMD 1 (56%, p&lt;0.001). 24% of over 60s had inadequate folate intake which was significantly higher in females than males (28% and 18%, respectively; p&lt;.001), urban than rural (26% and 19%, respectively; p&lt;.01), and in SIMD1 (36%; p&lt;.001). Inadequate fibre intake was significantly higher in females than males (95% and 91% respectively, p&lt;.01), and urban than rural (95% and 89%, respectively, p&lt;.001). 26% of over 60s had inadequate calcium intake. Inadequate calcium intake was significantly higher in females than males (25% and 17%, respectively; p&lt;.001).These data highlight a considerable undernutrition risk, both overall and within specific nutrients important for healthy aging, in Scotland’s older adult population. Those in SIMD 1, females, and urban dwelling demographics being particularly vulnerable. Although the extent of potential health implications, are dependent on key aspects such as nutrient absorption and utilisation.