Moderating Effect Research Articles

What clinicians could consider in providing group interventions for people with cognitive impairments: a scoping review.

This study identified evidence and considerations for allied health clinicians in providing group interventions for people with cognitive impairment. A scoping review was conducted by searching the MEDLINE (Ovid), CINHAL (EBSCOhost), Scopus (Elsevier), Embase (Ovid) and TROVE databases from 2016. Articles of any study design in which group interventions were performed by an allied health professional with participants with cognitive impairment were included. Data on physical, cognitive, psychological, and quality of life measures were extracted from the selected articles. Standardised mean changes (SMC) were calculated. Ten articles were included in the study. No article directly compared group interventions versus one-to-one interventions. The results of the meta-analysis showed significant improvements after the intervention in the physical (SMC = 0.42, P = 0.013), cognitive (SMC = 0.43, P = 0.005), psychological (SMC = 0.14, P = 0.005), and quality of life domains (SMC = 0.28, P = 0.002). This review identified considerations for clinicians when developing group interventions for people with cognitive impairments, including specific participant criteria, increasing support, modifications to intervention difficulty, and environmental considerations. Group intervention for people with cognitive impairments demonstrated moderate effectiveness in improving physical and cognitive domains and a small effect in improving psychological and quality of life domains. Specific considerations are recommended when clinicians provide group interventions for people with cognitive impairments.

Effectiveness and impact of monovalent rotavirus vaccination in Afghanistan: a test-negative case–control analysis

Afghanistan introduced monovalent rotavirus vaccine (Rotarix) into its national immunisation schedule in January, 2018. While post-licensure studies have shown substantial declines in rotavirus gastroenteritis cases and deaths globally, there is little evidence of rotavirus vaccine effectiveness and impact from low-income countries in Asia. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Rotarix vaccine and the impact of Rotarix vaccine on rotavirus gastroenteritis hospitalisations (ie, hospital admissions) among children younger than 5 years in Afghanistan. We used a test-negative case-control design embedded in an active sentinel surveillance platform to evaluate vaccine effectiveness. Children born on or after Jan 1, 2018, who had documentation of their rotavirus vaccination status and who were admitted for acute gastroenteritis at one of four sentinel hospitals from May, 2018 to December, 2021 were eligible to be included. We used an unconditional logistic regression model to estimate vaccine effectiveness and 95% CIs for a complete series of doses compared with no rotavirus vaccine doses among patients admitted with acute gastroenteritis. Vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation was calculated as (1 - [odds of being vaccinated in cases] / [odds of being vaccinated in controls]) × 100%. We compared pre-vaccine (2013-15) and post-vaccine (2019-21) surveillance data from two sites to calculate vaccine impact. The vaccine effectiveness analysis included 1172 cases and 2173 controls. Approximately 2108 (63·0%) of 3345 cases and controls were male, 1237 (37·0%) were female, and 2171 (65·0%) were aged 6-11 months. Two doses of Rotarix were 45% (95% CI 22-62) effective against rotavirus hospitalisation in children aged 6-59 months, adjusting for age, severity, admission year, and rotavirus season. Rotavirus positivity decreased from 51% pre-vaccine to 39% post-vaccine, resulting in a 39% adjusted reduction in rotavirus positivity among children younger than 5 years admitted with acute gastroenteritis. Rotarix showed moderate effectiveness in preventing rotavirus gastroenteritis hospitalisations, consistent with findings in other low-income countries. These findings support the continued administration of the rotavirus vaccine in Afghanistan. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. For the Dari translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Routine cognitive screening for older people undergoing major elective surgery: Benefits, risks and costs.

Cognitive impairment and older age are major risk factors for postoperative delirium. Professional societies have advocated preoperative screening to identify at-risk individuals for implementation of interventions, which have moderate effectiveness in preventing delirium. However, it remains unclear from the guidelines whether screening should be completed routinely for all older individuals or targeted, and also which specific screening tool is preferred. In addition, the responsibility for screening remains undesignated in the guidelines provided. We reviewed the benefits and risks of routine screening. We also performed a cost-benefit analysis of routine screening (versus no screening). Furthermore, we summarised the sensitivities and specificities of commonly used screening tools and reviewed evolving screening tools that may have an increasing role in future practice. We concluded that routine screening is useful and appears to be cost-effective for reducing postoperative delirium, with a cost-benefit ratio of 2.89 (adjusted ratio of 2.34), and has additional advantages over other approaches such as targeted screening or routine intervention.

Evaluating the Impact of Problem Based Learning on Student's Metacognition in Science Learning: A Meta-Analysis Review

This study aims to evaluate the impact of problem-based learning models on students' metacognition in science learning. This type of research is a meta-analysis using the PRISMA 2020 method. Articles from Scopus and Google Scholar databases were collected using Publish or Perish (PoP) software. From 8 articles that met the inclusion criteria, a total of 20 data were obtained to be processed in the meta-analysis. Data analysis was used with JASP software.The results of this metaanalysis research show that problem-based learning model provides moderate effectiveness on students' metacognition in science learning (r RE = 0.67; SE = 0.16; z = 4.24; p < 0.001). This shows that problem-based learning model can improve students' metacognition in science learning. Through PBL, students become more aware of their cognitive strategies and learn to organise them more effectively. Incorporating PBL into the science curriculum can significantly improve students' metacognition, leading to more independent and effective students. Therefore, widely adopting PBL in science education is recommended to achieve better learning outcomes

The Effectiveness of Collaborative E-Learning-Based Learning in Reducing Student Misconceptions on Heat in East Java High Schools During Merdeka Belajar

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of Collaborative E-learning-Based Learning (KABEL) to remedy student misconceptions for heat in high schools in East Java during merdeka belajar. The study used a pre-experimental design, specifically a one-group pre-test post-test design. The study includes a sample of 290 10th-grade students who were randomly chosen from different high schools in East Java. The data collection instrument consists of 20 multiple-choice questions, each with 3 alternative answers and open-ended reasons. The average percentage of student misconceptions was 94.67% before and 39.33% after remediation. The Mc Nemar test showed a significant improvement in student conceptual understanding after remediation, as evidenced by a chi-square value (X2) of 11.16, which exceeded the critical chi-square value (X2table) of 3.84 for a degree of freedom (df) of 1 and a significance level (α) of 5%. The obtained proportion value of 0.56 shows a moderate effectiveness of the direct instruction model with animation media in addressing student misconceptions.

Healthcare workers' safety compliance behavior in times of COVID-19: The interaction model.

Strengthening safety compliance behaviour can reduce the organizations' unexpected financial losses and prevent employees from continuous COVID-19. It drives this study to create a research framework involved by organizational, individual and social factors to predict employees' safety compliance behaviour. This study examines how risk perceptions of COVID-19, employee well-being, workplace health and safety training, safety motivation and safety related stigma impact safety compliance behavior in times COVID-19 pandemic. A self-administered questionnaire was disseminated to healthcare workers. In all, 344 acceptable questionnaires were derived for further analysis. The results revealed that the risk perception of COVID-19 and employee well-being has no significant relationship with safety compliance behavior. Similarly, safety related stigma also has no moderating effect on safety motivation and safety compliance behavior. However, workplace health and safety training and safety motivation have significant relationships with safety compliance behavior. This study contributes to the literature by illuminating on the importance of organizational, individual, social factors and how they can interact with safety compliance behaviour. Additionally, knowing the unique function of safety related stigma in building safety compliance behaviour may help guide future efforts and training initiatives to enhance workplace safety.

Analysis and Design of Customer Relationship Management System on the SMEs Using Iconix Process

Background: Integrating Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems is crucial for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to enhance customer relations and profitability. Many SMEs in Indonesia, including Go-Sumber Plastik, still need to fully utilize CRM systems, which are essential for managing customer data, improving satisfaction, and retaining customers. Objective: The purpose of this research is to analyze and design a web-based CRM system for Go-Sumber Plastik using the Iconix Process methodology to enhance user interaction and overall system effectiveness. Methods: The study employed the Iconix Process methodology, which includes a use case, robustness, sequence diagrams, a GUI prototype, and a test plan. The design was tested using Maze to measure user interaction efficiency and satisfaction. Results: The research revealed significant challenges in user understanding of the CRM system, particularly in managing activities and adding customer information. Tasks such as reporting and logging in had good user performance. The overall user interaction score was 81.1, indicating moderate effectiveness of the initial design. Conclusion: The results underscore the necessity for a more intuitive and streamlined CRM system interface for Go-Sumber Plastik. Implementing an effective CRM system can improve SMEs' competitiveness and profitability by systematically enhancing communication, managing customer data, and boosting business performance. Future research should focus on refining the user interface to reduce error rates and improve task completion efficiency. Enhanced visibility and user guidance are recommended to optimize system usability and customer satisfaction.

When do entrepreneurs and employees consider reversing career choices to manage regrets?

ABSTRACT We examine when employees consider becoming entrepreneurs and vice versa out of career choice regret. We collected data on 724 entrepreneurs and 721 employees and applied PLS-SEM to test a new conceptual model made of simple and double moderating effects. We report that individuals consider reversing career choices to manage regrets when: (1) the foregone career is accessible and resistance to change does not prevail; (2) it is not yet too late to do so; (3) they never tried the forgone option or, mistakenly or strategically, gave up on it; (4) the decision can benefit from genuine social support and approval of referent individuals; and (5) can advance valued active goals. We do not only test the regret regulation theory but also offer new areas in which it might be clarified and extended in line with the post-decision regret management strategies. The policy implications of the findings are discussed.

Exploratory Study into the Classification Agreement between Self-Reported Age of Menarche and Calculated Maturity Offset in Adolescent Girls: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study.

Menarche is a significant pubertal event influencing girls' participation in physical activity. As menarche is a sensitive matter, a non-invasive substitute is needed to help classify girls' maturity status and provide physical literacy to them in this regard. The objective of this exploratory study was to investigate the classification agreement between self-reported age of menarche and calculated maturity offset in adolescent girls from South Africa by making use of various statistical methods. Fifty-eight girls, n = 13 pre- and n = 45 post-menarche (Status Quo method) aged 13.51 ± 3.51 years at baseline, were analyzed (2010-2012). Independent t-testing, cross-tabulation, Roc Curve statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze the classification agreement between markers. All four statistical methods revealed the potential to categorize different maturity groups through the maturity offset equation, although the accuracy declined with increased age. A realized power of 0.92 was found for the group in the first year of the study, with a gradual and significant decline over time. Cross-tabs showed a significant moderate predictive effectiveness (Chi-square = 0.042) during T1, closer to PHV (13.51 years) although also declining significantly with increased age (T2, 14.51 years) beyond PHV (Chi-square = 0.459). Although positive results were found, caution must be used when using maturity offset equations in different homogenic populations due to their unique growth characteristics.

Tackling social disconnection: an umbrella review of RCT-based interventions targeting social isolation and loneliness

BackgroundSocial isolation and loneliness are urgent public health concerns associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes. Understanding effective remedies is crucial in addressing these problems. This umbrella review aimed to synthesize and critically appraise scientific evidence on the effectiveness of social isolation and loneliness interventions overall and across subgroups. We focused on systematic reviews (SRs) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).MethodsWe searched seven databases (June 2022 and updated June 2023) and supplemented the search with grey literature and reference screening to identify SRs published since 2017. Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment using the AMSTAR2 tool were conducted independently by author pairs, with disagreements resolved through discussion.ResultsWe included 29 SRs, 16 with meta-analysis and 13 with narrative synthesis. All SRs focused on loneliness, with 12 additionally examining social isolation. Four SRs focused on young people, 11 on all ages, and 14 on older adults. The most frequently examined intervention types were social (social contact, social support), psychological (therapy, psychoeducation, social skills training), and digital (e.g., computer use and online support). Meta-analyses indicated small-to-moderate beneficial effects, while narrative synthesis demonstrated mixed or no effect. Social interventions for social isolation and psychological interventions for loneliness were the most promising. However, caution is warranted due to the effects’ small magnitude, significant heterogeneity, and the variable quality of SRs. Digital and other interventions showed mixed or no effect; however, caution is advised in interpreting these results due to the highly diverse nature of the interventions studied.ConclusionsThis overview of SRs shows small to moderate effectiveness of social interventions in reducing social isolation and psychological ones in tackling loneliness. Further rigorously conducted RCTs and SRs are needed to guide policy decisions regarding the implementation of efficacious and scalable interventions. Evaluation should focus on both preventive structural interventions and tailored mitigating strategies that address specific types and causes of loneliness.

Optimization of iron electrocoagulation parameters for enhanced turbidity and chemical oxygen demand removal from laundry greywater

This study explores the optimization of iron electrocoagulation for treating laundry greywater, which accounts for up to 38% of domestic greywater. Characterized by high concentrations of surfactants, detergents, and suspended solids, laundry greywater presents complex challenges for treatment processes, posing significant environmental and health risks. Utilizing response surface methodology (RSM), this research developed a second-order polynomial regression model focused on key operational parameters such as the area-to-volume ratio (A/V), current density, electrolysis time, and settling time. Optimal treatment conditions were identified: an A/V ratio of 30 m2/m3, a current density of 10 mA/cm2, an electrolysis duration of 50 min, and a settlement period of 12 h. Under these conditions, exceptional treatment outcomes were achieved, with turbidity removal reaching 94.26% and COD removal at 99.64%. The model exhibited high effectiveness for turbidity removal, with an R2 value of 94.16%, and moderate effectiveness for COD removal, with an R2 value of 75.90%. The interaction between the A/V ratio and electrolysis time particularly underscored their critical role in electrocoagulation system design. Moreover, these results highlight the potential for optimizing electrocoagulation parameters to adapt to daily fluctuations in greywater production and meet specific household reuse needs, such as toilet flushing. This tailored approach aims to maximize contaminant separation and coagulant efficiency, balance energy use and operational costs, and contribute to sustainable water management.

Cast Extruded Films Based on Polyhydroxyalkanoate/Poly(lactic acid) Blend with Herbal Extracts Hybridized with Zinc Oxide.

The aim of the presented work was to functionalize a blend based on polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA): poly(hydroxybutyrate (PHB) with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and a mixture of three selected herb extracts, namely, Hypericum L., Urtica L. and Chelidonium L., (E), zinc oxide (ZnO) and a combined system (EZnO), produced via extrusion. Before processing with bioresin, the natural modifiers were characterized using thermal analysis, FTIR and antimicrobial tests. The results revealed interactions between the extracts and the filler, leading to higher thermal stability in EZnO than when using E alone. Moreover, the mixture of extracts exhibited antimicrobial properties toward both Gram-negative (S. aureus) as well as Gram-positive bacteria (E. coli). Modified regranulates were transformed into films by cast extrusion. The influence of the additives on thermal (DSC, TGA and OIT), mechanical, barrier (WVTR and OTR), morphological (FTIR) and optical properties was investigated. The EZnO additive had the highest impact on the mechanical, barrier (OTR and WVTR) and optical properties of the bioresin. The microbial test results revealed that PHA-EZnO exhibited higher activity than PHA-ZnO and PHA-E and also reduced the number of S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans cells. The findings confirmed the synergistic effect between the additive components. Modified polyester films did not eliminate the phi6 bacteriophage particles completely, but they did decrease their number, confirming moderate antiviral effectiveness.

Unlocking numerical sense: An in-depth analysis of teaching practices among mathematics teachers in primary schools

Mathematics teachers face significant challenges in developing number sense among students. This study investigates the teaching practices of Saudi Arabian primary school mathematics teachers for fourth-grade female students. Using a descriptive-analytical approach and validated observation cards, the study sampled 20 teachers and analyzed data through statistical measures. Results revealed teaching practice levels as low in planning, moderate in implementation, and high in evaluation, with overall moderate effectiveness. No significant differences were found based on teaching experience, academic degree, class size, training programs, or teaching load. The study recommends the Saudi Ministry of Education enhance teaching practices via targeted professional development and suggests future research on instructional methods across different educational levels and the use of digital tools.

Is Just Moving Enough for Girls? The Moderation Role of Gross Motor Development Level in the Association Between Physical Activity and Cognition

Purpose: Our objective is to describe the moderating effect of the level of gross motor development on the relationship between physical activity (PA) level and visual perception/memory in girls. Methods: This is a quantitative cross-sectional study with a randomized sample of 85 girls (mean age 7.11 ± 0.74) from Chile. The following models were tested: interaction between PA (light: Model 1; moderate–vigorous: Model 2; vigorous: Model 3; and total PA: Model 4) and motor development level associated with visual perception/memory. Variables that showed interaction were tested according to the Johnson-Newman. Results: The Model 2 explains 13% of visual perception/memory and the Model 4 explains 15%, indicating that the motor development level is a moderator of this relationship. Conclusions: Collectively, our results present evidence that girls with a high level of gross motor skills have a stronger relationship between total PA (and also only moderate–vigorous activity) and visual perception/memory.

How do sanctions and communication affect cooperative behaviors in non-monetary platforms of collaborative consumption? An experimental study

Governance is an essential feature of collaborative platforms, as it refers to the rules adopted to stimulate users towards cooperative behaviors. However, little is known about governance on non-monetary platforms, in which sharing is free. Based on the theory of social dilemmas, we analyze the effects of sanctions and communication mechanisms on cooperation, and the moderating effect of disposition to trust. We conducted an experimental study exposing one group to a scenario subject to social and monetary punishment, and another group to a scenario with greater information transparency between users. The results show that sanctions and communication increased cooperation similarly and that their effect was more significant among people with a low disposition to trust. This means that more transparency of information can be a mechanism that leverages cooperation without the need for external controls or incentives. Our study offers theoretical contributions to the field of collaborative platforms and also managerial implications for practitioners involved in the governance of platforms.

Enhancing Higher-Order Thinking Skills in Early Childhood Through APE Puzzle Hopscotch: A Quasi-Experimental Study

This study examines the influence of APE puzzle hopscotch on higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) in children aged 4-6 years at PAUD IT ADAR Kalasan DIY. Employing a quasi-experimental design, the research included an experimental group receiving the APE puzzle hopscotch intervention and a control group without any intervention. Over four months, pretest and posttest assessments were conducted to evaluate HOTS in both groups. The research instruments measured indicators across analysis (C4), evaluation (C5), and creation (C6). Results revealed significant enhancements in the experimental group’s HOTS, with N-Gain scores showing moderate effectiveness. Statistical tests confirmed the intervention's impact, demonstrating significant differences in post-test scores between the experimental and control groups (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that APE puzzle hopscotch effectively stimulates cognitive development in early childhood. Despite limitations such as a small sample size and short study duration, the study underscores the potential of interactive educational tools in enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Implications for educational practice include the integration of engaging tools into curricula to foster HOTS. Future research should address the current study's limitations, validate the findings across different settings, and explore the effects on other developmental areas. Additionally, longitudinal studies could provide deeper insights into the long-term benefits of such educational tools. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on the importance of innovative teaching strategies in early childhood education, emphasizing the role of interactive play in cognitive growth.

Biofabrication of Centella asiatica mediated metal (Silver and Iron) nanoparticles and their enhanced antimicrobial, anticancer activity in retinoblastoma Y79 cancer cells

In recent years, metallic nanoparticles have played a significant role in nanotechnology and bio fabrication, being considered an alternative to antibiotics due to their feasibility for use in both bacterial detection and infection prevention. Moreover, recent studies have demonstrated the green process of developing nanoparticles with anticancer activity against many human cancer cell lines. In the current investigation, the biogenic synthesis of silver and iron nanoparticles using the aqueous leaf extract of Centella asiatica was performed. The leaf extracts underwent characterization for antioxidant activity, TLC analysis, phytochemical analysis, and GC-MS analysis of Centella asiatica. The leaf extracts revealed the antioxidant potential of the phytoconstituents, namely phenolic and flavonoid contents, responsible for the anticancer activity. The synthesized silver and iron nanoparticles were analysed using various techniques, including UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Confirmation of silver and iron nanoparticle formation was achieved through UV-Vis absorption spectra, showing absorption peaks at 362 nm and 342 nm, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the biological moieties involved in synthesis and stability. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis verified the crystallinity of the nanomaterials, while scanning electron microscopy depicted spherical shapes for silver nanoparticles and similarly round shapes for iron nanoparticles. EDS analysis revealed 87.12 % silver and 40.12 % iron content in the respective nanoparticles. TEM imaging displayed predominantly spherical silver nanoparticles, sized at 50 nm. The antimicrobial efficacy of the biosynthesized silver and iron nanoparticles was evaluated using the well diffusion method, along with the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration. Results indicated moderate effectiveness of silver nanoparticles against Escherichia coli (7±0.036) and Aspergillus niger (5±0.034) compared to iron nanoparticles. The minimum inhibitory concentrations against Staphylococcus aureus were 46.51–86.74 % for silver nanoparticles and 42.79–77.44 % for iron nanoparticles. The anticancer effect was evaluated using human retinoblastoma (Y79) cell lines. The cytotoxicity study using the MTT assay revealed that Centella asiatica-mediated silver nanoparticles exhibited significant cytotoxicity to human retinoblastoma cells, with a low IC50 value of 49.56 μg/ml. Based on the results, it is feasible to infer that biofabricated nanoparticles could potentially serve as antibacterial and antifungal compounds. Furthermore, the synthesized silver nanoparticles, followed by iron nanoparticles, showed high effectiveness against human retinoblastoma cancer cells, indicating potential for future drug discovery to inhibit retinoblastoma cancer for biomedical applications.

Using predatory species and entomopathogenic fungi as alternatives to chemical pesticides in green bean field

BackgroundGreen bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fam.: Leguminosae) is a widely consumed grain legume prized for its edible seeds and pods. It is susceptible to infestations with various pests as insects and mites throughout the growing season. In this study, the efficacy of the predatory species, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens), Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and the entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) Metarhizium anisopliae (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae), as well as conventional pesticides, Mospilan and Vertimec, were evaluated against the most important pests, mainly the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) and the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, infesting the green beans cultivated at two locations Giza and El-Menoufia Governorates in Egypt.ResultsThe findings demonstrate that treatments using C. carnea and M. anisopliae effectively reduced the whitefly population, while pesticide treatments were comparatively less effective. In the Giza plots, at the end of the experiments, the use of both M. anisopliae and C. carnea showed high reductions in whitefly population (85.57 and 84.87%), respectively, while in El-Menoufia, C. carnea (97.74%) was the most effective treatment followed by M. anisopliae (90.32%). Pesticide treatment in this case yielded a reduction rate of (22.76 and 59.67%) in Giza and El-Menoufia plots, respectively. However, for spider mite control, P. persimilis proved to be the most effective treatment in Giza and El-Menoufia plots, reducing the spider mite population to 98.44 and 96.14%, respectively. Metarhizium anisopliae treatment also displayed moderate effectiveness, with reduction rates of 75.62 and 75.37% in Giza and El-Menoufia plots, respectively. In comparison, pesticide treatment showed low effectiveness, with reduction rates of only 23.92 and 53.16% in the two locations, respectively.ConclusionApplications of the predator, C. carnea and the EPF, M. anisopliae were highly effective in reducing the population of whitefly, while the predator mite P. persimilis proved to be the most effective for controlling the spider mites. Overall, the study suggests that biocontrol agents, such as the predators and the EPF, can be considered as alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides for controlling pests infesting green beans.

Copper-doped zinc tartrate (Cu-ZnT) nanocrystals: Exploring their physical and antimicrobial properties

This study investigates the growth and properties of pure zinc tartrate (ZnT) and copper-doped zinc tartrate (Cu-ZnT) nanocrystals synthesized via a sol-gel technique using double-distilled water, sodium metasilicate, and tartaric acid. Controlled pH gels were prepared with the subsequent addition of zinc chloride and copper chloride solutions to facilitate nanocrystal formation. The synthesized nanocrystals were characterized using various techniques, including Energy-Dispersive X-ray analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis, UV–visible-near infrared spectral analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy. EDAX confirmed the elemental composition of Zn, Cu, C, and O in the crystals. FTIR spectra revealed the presence of functional groups corresponding to water of crystallization, tartaric acid moieties, and potentially other compounds. TGA analysis indicated a two-stage decomposition process for ZnT and the formation of zinc copper oxide in Cu-ZnT. UV–vis-NIR analysis yielded a low cut-off wavelength of 285 nm for both crystals, suggesting electronic transitions below 350 nm. Both ZnT and Cu-ZnT nanocrystals are transparent in visible and near-infrared light, absorbing strongly in the ultraviolet. Copper doping enhances Cu-ZnT light absorption. While both act as insulators, Cu-ZnT exhibits significantly higher conductivity due to copper doping. XRD analysis estimated an average crystalline size of 42 nm, while FE-SEM images revealed a quasi-spherical morphology. Refractive index, extinction coefficient, and optical bandgap were further determined, highlighting the potential suitability of these nanocrystals for optoelectronic applications. Antibacterial and antifungal assays demonstrated moderate effectiveness against tested microorganisms compared to standard drugs.

Sleep as an Important Target or Modifier in Alcohol Use Disorder Clinical Treatment: Example From a Recent Gabapentin Randomized Clinical Trial.

Alcohol consumption affects sleep both in healthy populations and in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, sleep has typically not been considered within AUD pharmacotherapy trials. We used data from a completed gabapentin clinical treatment trial to explore the medication's effect on patient-rated insomnia measured by a standard insomnia rating (Insomnia Severity Index [ISI]) and whether this influenced gabapentin's effects on alcohol consumption. This study included 90 individuals with current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition AUD criteria reporting current or past alcohol withdrawal. Participants were assigned to placebo or gabapentin (up to 1200 mg/day) for a 16-week randomized controlled trial with percent heavy drinking days (PHDD) and percent abstinent days (PDA) as outcomes. Utilizing mixed-effects models, this study assessed medication effects on ISI over the trial. We then examined the interaction of baseline ISI and medication on drinking. Finally, given our previous finding of alcohol withdrawal influencing gabapentin efficacy, we added change in ISI as a potential "moderator" of the interaction of medication effects and alcohol withdrawal on drinking. Sleep (ISI) improved more in those treated with gabapentin (60.6% reduction) compared with placebo (37.8% reduction; P = 0.013). Higher baseline ISI predicted drinking in gabapentin-treated individuals (lower PHDD [P = 0.026] and higher (PDA [P = 0.047]). ISI was an independent predictor of PHDD decrease and PDA increase (P < 0.001; P = 0.002), but this did not significantly moderate gabapentin's effectiveness. Although gabapentin positively impacts both alcohol use and sleep, its effect on drinking is not fully dependent on sleep improvement, implying a direct biological mechanism on alcohol use.