Basic Principles Research Articles

Practices and attitudes of herbalists regarding informed consent in Uganda: a qualitative study

BackgroundInformed consent (IC) is a fundamental principle in medical ethics that upholds respect for patient autonomy. Although widely applied in healthcare, its feasibility and implementation in herbal medicine have been underexplored. This study therefore aimed to explore the practices and attitudes of herbalists regarding informed consent.MethodsTo achieve these objectives, a qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted from June to December 2020. Twenty-one in-depth interviews with herbalists and four key informant interviews with leaders of the different traditional medicine organizations were conducted. The data were analyzed thematically using NVivo version 12 software.ResultsSixteen of the twenty-one participants acquired oral herbal medicine knowledge from their relatives. Although a positive inclination toward obtaining IC was evident, the focus was on disclosing basic information. Discussions of alternative treatments and herbal specifics were less frequent. Disease management decisions often involve shared responsibility within families or societies. Documented IC procedures are rare among herbalists, who deem consent forms unnecessary, although they recognize the potential benefits of IC in fostering trust and professionalism. Challenges hindering IC implementation included regulatory gaps, inadequate skills, and the absence of mechanisms to protect the intellectual property rights of herbal medicine.ConclusionThis study illuminates how educational, cultural, familial, and regulatory factors influence herbalists’ practices and attitudes toward informed consent.

Cicchetti's organizational-developmental perspective of Down syndrome: Contributions to the emergence of developmental psychopathology and the study of persons with neurodevelopmental conditions.

Dante Cicchetti's earliest work, his studies of social-emotional development in infants and children with Down syndrome, set the stage for the emergence of the larger field of developmental psychopathology. By applying basic developmental principles, methodologies, and questions to the study of persons with Down syndrome, Dante took on the challenge of searching for patterns in atypical development. In doing so, he extended traditional developmental theory and introduced a more "liberal" approach that both continues to guide developmentally based research with persons with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs), including Down syndrome. We highlight five themes from Dante's work: (1) appreciating the importance of developmental level; (2) prioritizing the organization of development; (3) examining whether developmental factors work similarly in those with known genetic conditions; (4) rethinking narratives about ways of being; and (5) examining the influence of multiple levels of the environment on the individual's functioning. We highlight ways that these essential lessons anticipated present-day research with persons with a variety of NDCs, including Down syndrome, other genetic syndromes associated with intellectual disability, and autism. We conclude with visions to the future for research with these populations as well as for the field of developmental psychopathology more generally.

Criminal Legal Steps to Stop the Irregular Migration in Hungary

Abstract From 2015, migratory pressures put a heavy burden on EU countries. In 2015, Hungary took a new approach by building a border fence and creating criminal legal rules to protect it. This study aims to assess these measures in the EU sphere. Our research was based on EU (frontex) and national (Prosecutor General’s Office information) data and assessed the Hungarian solution in the light of the migration policy of other Member States located along the main migratory routes. The data show: (1) the criminal law has no substantive effect, and (2) the law enforcement tools are effective. Moreover, the domestic data also show that Hungary is not consistent in its policy and has preferred law enforcement tools to criminal legal tools in the past few years, which violates the basic principles of criminal law: the principle of legality and the principle of ultima ratio.

Value for solidarity: a proxy for community understanding and acceptance of the basic principles of community-based health insurance in rural Ethiopia

BackgroundSolidarity is an aspect of human association that gives emphasis to the cohesive social bond that holds a group together and is valued and understood by all members of the group. A lack of understanding of the solidarity principle is one of the main reasons for low population coverage in microhealth insurance schemes. This study aimed to examine the extent to which people value solidarity and the factors that explain the differences.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in two districts of northeast Ethiopia among 1232 randomly selected households which have ever been registered in a community-based health insurance scheme. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with household heads using a standardized questionnaire deployed to an electronic data collection platform. Solidarity was measured using three dimensions: income solidarity, risk solidarity, and cost coverage. Principal component analysis was used to construct composite variables, and the reliability of the tools was checked using Cronbach’s alpha. A multivariable analysis was performed using the partial proportional odds model to determine the associations between variables. The degree of association was assessed using the odds ratio, and statistical significance was determined at 95% confidence interval.ResultsThree-quarters (75%) of the respondents rated risk solidarity as high, while 70% and 63% rated income solidarity and cost coverage as high, respectively. Place of residence (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI: 1.68, 2.94), wealth index (AOR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.07, 2.12), self-rated health status (AOR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.40), trust in insurance schemes (AOR = 1.68; 95% CI: 1.22, 2.30), perceived quality of care (AOR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.33, 2.31) and frequency of outpatient visits (AOR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.30, 3.24) were significant predictors of value for solidarity.ConclusionsThe community placed greater value for solidarity, indicating community understanding and acceptance of the core principles of microhealth insurance. Administrators of the insurance scheme, health authorities, and other actors should strive to create a transparent management system and improve access to high-quality health care, which will facilitate community acceptance of the insurance scheme and its guiding principles.

Acoustic black hole combined with microperforated plate for a rectangular waveguide

The concept of an acoustic black hole (ABH) for anechoic termination of waveguides has been well-established and extensively studied. The fundamental principle underlying an ABH is the deceleration of acoustic waves, leading to the accumulation and subsequent absorption of acoustic energy within the thermoviscous boundary layer formed along the ribs forming its internal structure. The primary advantage of ABHs, in contrast to classical solutions, lies in their avoidance of porous or fibrous materials, rendering them suitable for deployment in challenging environments. While the majority of published works have focused on ABHs with circular cross-sections, recent advancements have demonstrated the effectiveness of the ABH effect also in waveguides with rectangular cross-sections. However, it has been revealed that these ABHs require very fine internal structure for optimal performance, posing challenges in manufacturing. This study addresses this issue by utilizing a microperforated plate to provide the necessary resistance. To model these ABHs, a simple mathematical model is proposed, enabling the optimization of their parameters. Subsequently, their performance is investigated through numerical experiments. The validity of the results is confirmed by comparing them with a detailed mathematical model, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the proposed approach.

Antibacterial Therapy and Prevention of Infectious Endocarditis in Modern Conditions

The problem of infectious endocarditis (IE) still retains its importance due to high mortality rates and the development of severe complications. Modern IE is a polyethological disease, the occurrence and development of which can be caused by pathogens that make up an extremely extensive list, which is updated almost annually. At the same time, serious obstacles standing in the way of effective antimicrobial therapy are both the increasing resistance of IE pathogens to antibiotics and the increasing etiological role of infectious agents that were previously very rare. This article presents the basic principles of treatment and prevention of IE, taking into account the latest recommendations of the experts of the European Society of Cardiology in 2023.

Keep it secret, keep it safe: teaching quantum key distribution in high school

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a cryptography protocol based on the fundamental principles of quantum physics (QP). Teaching this subject does not require extensive knowledge beyond these principles, making it suitable for inclusion in high school (HS) curricula. Despite its relevance, teaching QKD in HS is yet understudied. In this study, we collected responses from 12th-grade students from various schools that adopted and applied the Discipline-Culture vision of the physics curriculum. We assessed their understanding through conceptual and quantitative problems and examined their attitudes regarding the motivation to study this subject. We analyzed the responses using content analysis, identifying the challenges and affordances of teaching QKD. The challenges faced by students have been categorized into three themes: difficulties with QP, difficulties with the QKD protocol, and difficulties with the mathematics involved in this context. Despite these challenges, we found that teaching QKD reinforces students’ conceptual understanding of QP concepts and problem-solving skills. This work enhances educators’ ability to address the challenges of teaching QP and suggests that teaching QKD in HS strengthens students’ motivation to study QP.

Dialogues as an Involvement Strategy in Kadare’s novel "The Fall of the Stone City"

Discourse is not just a form of language use, but also a cognitive and social accomplishment within a communicative context. This article aims to interpret dialogues in Kadare’s novel The Fall of the Stone City through a combination of methods of discourse analysis and conversation analysis. The object of this analysis are the direct dialogues, in which characters are represented through their own voice, and where the narrator evades his/her own intervention during the transmission of the character’s sensory experience and does not give to the reader an indication of any sort of privileged information regarding the condition of the character. The central focus of this analysis is involvement strategies, as the basic principle in both conversational and literary discourse. The spoken genre is characterized by fragmentation and involvement, whereas the written genre is characterized by integration and detachment. The comparison of spoken and written narratives suggests that normal conversation and literary discourse have many similarities between them. The examination of the dialogues in Kadare’s novel The Fall of the Stone City clearly shows that the author combines involvement with integration in building scenes and triggering emotions. He uses familiar strategies, like repair and repetition in creating coherence and involvement, which are intentional in creating meaning.

Nursing students and clinical nurses’ perception of research and the role of the clinical research nurse

Background: The nursing profession has made great strides during the last century. Roles such as the clinical research nurse (CRN) have been developed and research is widely recognised as a vital component of the healthcare field. Hospitals involved in clinical nursing research can improve patient outcomes, increase staff and patient satisfaction and reduce hospital costs. Aim: The aim of this literature review is to analyse nurses and nursing students’ perception towards research, with focus on the available career progression for nurses in research. Method: A comprehensive search of literature on ASSIA, CINAHIL, PubMed and Web of Science electronic databases was conducted to obtain relevant articles related to the perception of nurses and nursing students towards research. Results: A total of 31 articles were selected for analysis following review. Three key themes were identified: nurses’ perception towards research; nursing students’ perception towards research; and career progression and job satisfaction. Conclusions: Involvement in research has helped nurses integrate evidence-based practice into their work. This has helped empower nurses to make positive change and develop their skills and knowledge. Unfortunately, research is still considered by many to be a ‘doctor’ field, and nurses have various difficulties accessing funding and education. Research education is vital to building the basic principles of nursing research and creating a positive attitude and perception around research. A change in culture is required to standardise research into university education, increase students’ perceptions and confidence in research, and help nurses incorporate valid evidence-based recommendations into practice.

Psychedelic: An Illustration that Reveals False Power in Rhythm 0 Performance Art

The performance art entitled Rhythm 0 by Marina Abramovic is controversial, raising various questions regarding its power and influence in the context of art. This research aims to illustrate the microphysical approach to power in the performing arts Rhythm 0, where power emerges from fear and shifts to the dominance of the ideology of power. A qualitative approach with visual analysis techniques was used in this research to explain the phenomenon of this performing arts from a very subjective view. This created illustration entitled "Psychedelic" reveals false powers in the form of intense hallucinations involving auditory, visual and feeling experiences in the Rhythm 0. The basic principles of art were used as the basis for creating this illustrative work. In this case, the use of gold leaf, peony flower elements and halos in the illustration also has a solid symbolic value, so semiotics is used as a basis for giving meaning to the symbols used. The results of this research show that the apparent power contained in the Rhythm 0 performing arts can be revealed through an illustration entitled "Psychedelic", which describes the context of the artwork in depth. This research contributes to understanding Rhythm 0's artwork and enriches knowledge about using psychedelic illustrations as a medium for artistic expression. This research also highlights how these illustrations can communicate complex themes in the performing arts, strengthening our understanding of power dynamics in arts contexts.

Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting for Civil Engineering Applications

This work embarks on an exploration of piezoelectric energy harvesting (PEH), seeking to unravel its potential and practicality. PEH has emerged as a promising technology in the field of civil engineering, offering a sustainable approach to generating energy from ambient mechanical vibrations. We will explore the applications and advancements of PEH within the realm of civil engineering, focusing on publications, especially from the years 2020 to 2024. The purpose of this study is to thoroughly examine the potential and practicality of PEH in civil engineering applications. It delves into the fundamental principles of energy conversion and explores its use in various areas, such as roadways, railways, bridges, buildings, ocean wave-based energy harvesting, structural health monitoring, and even extraterrestrial settings. Despite the potential benefits of PEH in these domains, there are significant challenges that need to be addressed. These challenges include inefficient energy conversion, limitations in scalability, concerns regarding durability, and issues with integration. This review article aims to address these existing challenges and the research gap in the piezoelectric field.

Mexican Clinical Practice Guidelines for Adult Overweight and Obesity Management.

To develop Mexico's first methodologically rigorous clinical practice guideline for the management of adult overweight and obesity. The target audiences are interdisciplinary healthcare professionals across healthcare systems who are the first point of contact for patients with obesity in Mexico, patients, and health system decision makers. A review of recent international obesity clinical practice guidelines and an expert consensus process identified: i) common recommendations appropriate for implementation in Mexico and ii) knowledge gaps requiring the formulation of new recommendations. In all, 20 new recommendations and 20 good practice statements were developed using the GRADE Evidence-to-Decision Framework and expert consensus. Overweight and obesity negatively impact the health and well-being of individuals and populations in Mexico. This guideline aims to establish a new evidence-based, patient-centered, non-stigmatizing, and practical treatment and management framework, based on the fundamental principles of chronic disease prevention and management.

A comprehensive review on the fundamental principles, innovative designs, and multidisciplinary applications of micromixers

This paper comprehensively reviews the fundamental principles, innovative designs, and multidisciplinary applications of micromixers. First, it introduces the fundamental principles of fluid mixing in micromixers, including passive and active mixing mechanisms, and the flow characteristics of fluids at the microscale. Subsequently, it focuses on the innovative design of passive micromixers, covering a variety of designs, such as obstacle structures, curved serpentine structures, groove structures, separation and recombination structures, topology optimization structures, and baffle structures, and analyzes the effects of different structures on mixing efficiency and pressure drop. In addition, it also studies the innovative design of active micromixers, including magnetic field assistance, electric field assistance, surface acoustic wave assistance, and thermal effect assistance, and analyzes the effects of different driving modes on mixing efficiency. Finally, it outlines the multidisciplinary applications of micromixers in the fields of biomedicine, chemical analysis, environmental monitoring and control, and new energy. This review aims to provide a comprehensive reference for the research and application of micromixers and promote their application in more fields.

Review on Grounds state Hanle effect on paraffin coated alkali atoms under condition EIT and EIA

IntroductionThis review is specifically aimed at a higher level of understanding of the ground-state Hanle effect through novel methods of atomic vapor interaction with resonant light. Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) and absorption (EIA) are the primary phenomena in this context. EIT is a process in which destructive interference at absorption frequencies within a medium is caused by a control laser and makes the medium clear to the probe laser light. It should be noted that this transparency is crucial for turning on/off the light pulses, slowing down or stopping in several cases, thus enhancing the effectiveness of atomic magnetometers. However, constructive interference that occurs in EIA raises the density of the medium, which is advantageous for profit-making precise measurements and the improvement of atomic clocks. ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to review the fundamental principles of the Hanle effect, EIT, EIA, and coating methods for alkali atoms. These principles and techniques are critical for improving the sensitivity and functionality of atomic magnetometers and other quantum devices. By understanding and leveraging these phenomena, significant progress has been made in the development of high-precision measurement tools and quantum technologies. ResultsAdvancements in atomic magnetometer sensitivity represent a rapidly growing area of interest, driving significant progress in the development of quantum devices. This review consolidates the existing knowledge and recent findings, offering a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles and practical applications of the Hanle effect, EIT, EIA, and coating methods for alkali atoms. This review highlights how advancements in EIT and EIA have contributed to the sensitivity improvements of atomic magnetometers, and underscores the importance of coating methods for maintaining system integrity and performance. These developments are essential to the evolution of modern quantum technologies and precision measurement devices.

Photodynamic Therapy Review: Past, Present, Future, Opportunities and Challenges

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medical treatment that utilizes photosensitizing agents, along with light, to produce reactive oxygen species that can kill nearby cells. When the photosensitizer is exposed to a specific wavelength of light, it becomes activated and generates reactive oxygen that can destroy cancer cells, bacteria, and other pathogenic micro-organisms. PDT is commonly used in dermatology for treating actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, and other skin conditions. It is also being explored for applications in oncology, such as treating esophageal and lung cancers, as well as in ophthalmology for age-related macular degeneration. In this study, we provide a comprehensive review of PDT, covering its fundamental principles and mechanisms, as well as the critical components for its function. We examine key aspects of PDT, including its current clinical applications and potential future developments. Additionally, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of PDT, addressing the various challenges associated with its implementation and optimization. This review aims to offer a thorough understanding of PDT, highlighting its transformative potential in medical treatments while acknowledging the areas requiring further research and development.

Novel method to analyse and reconstruct optical constants of biological substances with application of Kramers–Kronig relations

Spectroscopic measurements of dielectric characteristics of biomolecules and tissues is a basis of many modern methods of medical diagnostics, research, and engineering. This requires accurate knowledge about the refraction index, n, and the extinction coefficient, k, at various frequencies, which are usually not available from the literature. Moreover, spectral data often need to be analysed, compared, or verified, especially if obtained for different samples and experimental conditions. The above problems can be tackled with the help of Kramers–Kronigrelations, which are based on fundamental physical principles and can be generally used for arbitrary substances, including complex biological molecules and tissues. However, their direct application for analysis and reconstruction of the optical constants from experiment is hindered by the restricted frequency range of data, the presence of experimental errors, and the prevalence of qualitative rather than quantitative spectra. Our work focuses on the calibration of measured data and the reconstruction of missing spectra. We developed robust reconstruction techniques designed for cases, when disjoint intervals of absorbance data are available, commonly given in IR or/and UV ranges. The techniques hinge on a reference refractive index, given within a certain frequency window and preferably situated in proximity to the absorbance data. The proposed methods are applied to reconstruct the dielectric functions of the protein bovine serum albumine (BSA) and glucose across the entire frequency range. The acquired data are further employed to assess the feasibility of constructing a protein-based coating for implanted antennas. By incorporating spectral characteristics from different frequency ranges into one consistent picture, our methods supply the full information about dielectric response, which is associated with concentration, structure and environment of biomolecules. This provides a mathematical background for combined applications of spectroscopic instruments operating in different frequency ranges that will support fundamental research and stimulate the development of medical technologies.

HyperCAN: Hypernetwork-driven deep parameterized constitutive models for metamaterials

We introduce HyperCAN, a machine learning framework that utilizes hypernetworks to construct adaptable constitutive artificial neural networks for a wide range of beam-based metamaterials exhibiting diverse mechanical behavior under finite deformations. HyperCAN integrates an input convex neural network that models the nonlinear stress–strain map of a truss lattice, while ensuring adherence to fundamental mechanics principles, along with a hypernetwork that dynamically adjusts the parameters of the convex network as a function of the lattice topology and geometry. This unified framework demonstrates robust generalization in predicting the mechanical behavior of previously unseen metamaterial designs and loading scenarios well beyond the training domain. We show how HyperCAN can be integrated into multiscale simulations to accurately capture the highly nonlinear responses of large-scale truss metamaterials, closely matching fully resolved simulations while significantly reducing computational costs. This offers new efficient opportunities for the multiscale design and optimization of truss metamaterials.

Do we need dosimetry for optimization of theranostics in CNS tumors?

Radiopharmaceutical theranostic treatments have grown exponentially worldwide, and internal dosimetry has attracted attention and resources. Despite some similarities with chemotherapy, radiopharmaceuticals treatments are essentially radiotherapy treatments, as the release of radiation into tissues is the determinant of the observed clinical effects. Therefore, absorbed dose calculations are key to explain dose-effect correlations and to individualize radiopharmaceutical treatments. The present article introduces the basic principles of internal dosimetry and provides an overview of available locoregional and systemic radiopharmaceutical treatments for CNS tumors. The specific characteristics of dosimetry as applied to these treatments are highlighted, along with their limitations and most relevant results. Dosimetry is performed with higher precision and better reproducibility than in the past, and dosimetric data should be systematically collected, as treatment planning and verification may help exploit the full potential of theranostic of CNS tumors.

Non-collagenous protein analog-induced biomimetic mineralization strategy to restore the dentin interface

Abstract Dentin biomineralization is a gene-regulated, cytokine-mediated, and programmed process by mineralized cells to form highly ordered hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystals encapsulating dentin matrix, ultimately building a stable dentin interface. Repairing dentin damage caused by irreversible demineralization has been a challenge in dental regenerative medicine due to dentin’s limited biomineralization ability. It is well established that non-collagenous proteins (NCPs)-collagen interactions and NCPs-crystal interactions influence the nucleation, deposition, arrangement, and assembly of HAP crystals during the biomineralization process. Inspired by this process, NCP analogs can be used as a biomimetic template to stabilize the intermediate mineral phases of biomineralization to achieve collagen fibrils’ hierarchical mineralization in dentin. In addition, specific functional groups can be introduced to achieve antimicrobial, anti-enzymatic, and cross-linking functions to restore the microstructure and mechanical properties of demineralized dentin. Therefore, the design and development of NCP analogs are currently a hot topic in dentin biomimetic restorations. However, most existing reviews have only focused on the mineralization effect of NCP analogs and have rarely summarized their additional functions and applications at the dentin interface. This review first summarizes the basic principles of dentin biomineralization and biomimetic mineralization and then focuses on the common classifications of NCP analogs and newly introduced functional properties. It finally discusses the applications and limitations of NCP analogs in dentin interface, providing a theoretical basis for applying NCP analogs in the minimally invasive treatment of demineralized dentin.

Two-cylinder Synchronous Electro-hydraulic Servo System and its Control Technology Development

Background: Electro-hydraulic servo control system synchronous control in industrial application is very extensive because the application of electro-hydraulic servo control system is mostly in a poor working environment, there are a variety of complex external factors. Objective: Improve the comprehensive performance indicators such as accuracy, speed, and stability of synchronous control of hydraulic cylinders Methods: In the process of synchronous movement, the typical hardware structure and control methods and algorithm strategies of the double hydraulic cylinder are analyzed in detail, and the basic principle of common hydraulic double cylinder synchronous control is summarized. Results: Through the comprehensive analysis of papers and patent documents related to the synchronous control of hydraulic twin cylinders, these papers and patented technologies study the control algorithm, and apply the new technology to the synchronous control of electro-hydraulic servo hydraulic cylinders to improve its comprehensive performance indicators such as work accuracy, speed and stability. Conclusion: Referring to the development trajectory of control algorithms in this regard, combined with new control theory and new technology, many achievements can be applied and researched in hydraulic cylinder synchronous control, and better develop the synchronous control system when double hydraulic cylinders and more hydraulic cylinders work together. By collating and analyzing the relevant research results, the two-cylinder synchronous control technology is comprehensively evaluated and prospected, which provides a valuable reference for the research and application in this field.