Natural Form Research Articles

Designing for harmony in urban green space: Linking the concepts of biophilic design, environmental Qi, restorative environment, and landscape preference

Landscapes positively affect psychological perceptions and mental health. The biophilia hypothesis postulates that humans are innately connected to nature. Biophilic design improves health by fostering a proximity to nature in urban environments. Eastern philosophies also emphasize the health benefits of environmental Qi, defined as the flow of energy in the atmosphere. Combining Western and Eastern perspectives on the environment could foster a more holistic understanding of environmental perceptions and qualities and how they affect landscape preferences and perceived restorativeness. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the relationship among perceived biophilic design, traditional environmental Qi, perceived restorativeness, and landscape preference. Data were collected from 516 valid questionnaire surveys completed online. The results suggested that overall environmental perceptions strongly correlate with perceived biophilic design and Qi. For example, there was a high correlation between perceived biophilic design and the landscape structure of traditional environmental Qi (TEQ), visual quality of TEQ, the healthy psychological Qi perception of TEQ, and the healthy physical Qi perception of TEQ. Perceived biophilic design also had strong correlations with both perceived restorativeness and landscape preference. This study provides significant implications, as it explored the relationships between humans and nature while considering both Western and Eastern environmental perspectives. By considering those relationship can enhance human well-being within urban landscapes. Furthermore, the results revealed that while some design aspects, such as the natural form of design, have limited direct impact on people's sense of restorativeness, healthy psychological and physical Qi perceptions, and preference for the environment, the holistic application of biophilic design principles can significantly enhance human–nature connections. By focusing on security, sensory experiences, and the integration of natural elements, landscape architecture can create spaces that not only improve environmental quality but also foster a deeper connection with nature and offer health benefits.

Визначення власних частот та форм коливань лопатки турбіни, виготовленої зі сплаву на основі алюмініду титану

This paper investigates the possibility of manufacturing the working blade of the 2nd stage of the free turbine from an experimental alloy based on titanium aluminide of the Ti-28Al-7Nb-2Mo-0.3 (Y, Re, B) system. Alloys of this class are important structural materials with a unique set of physical and mechanical characteristics. Alloys based on aluminide are characterized by low density, high heat strength, and heat resistance and have a high potential to replace nickel-based alloys designed for operation at temperatures no higher than 850°C. However, the use of a new alloy for the manufacture of a turbine blade involves calculations of the strength and oscillations of the blades. The purpose of the calculations is to determine the possibility of using an aluminide-based alloy of the Ti-28Al-7Nb-2Mo-0.3 (Y, Re, B) system instead of the VZHL12E-VI alloy for the selected working blade. The research was carried out by performing a modal analysis, determining the stress-deformed state, and checking the strength and mass characteristics. The physical properties of the materials were used as the initial data for the calculation. The geometry and temperature distribution of the blade and its fixing remained constant for the two options. A three-dimensional model of the experimental vane was built using the Unigraphics NX system, and a finite element model was developed using the Ansys software complex. It was established that when an experimental alloy is used, the mass of one blade is reduced by almost 40%. Using the finite element method, the natural frequencies and forms of blade oscillations were calculated, and Campbell’s diagrams were constructed for the original and experimental blades for the nominal operation of the engine. When using an experimental alloy, the frequencies of the blades’ natural oscillations are further from the resonant frequency. The distribution of equivalent stresses was determined, and it was shown that the maximum stresses act in the root section of the blade feather. When using the experimental alloy based on titanium aluminide, the equivalent stresses are reduced by 35% compared with the initial values. It is shown that the safety margin of the proposed material is not less than that of the VZHL12E-VI alloy.

Thermoluminescence dosimetric characteristics and glow curve analysis of Eocene rock salt, the gray halite, mined from Bahadur Khel site, Pakistan

Thermoluminescence (TL) response of naturally occurring Eocene rock salt (Gray halite) is assessed for its potential use as a cost-effective phosphor for dosimetric applications. Natural deposits of the Eocene salt lie on the Himalayan foothills in Pakistan. The grayish color of the halite is due to the intermixing of black bitumen/shale. EDS and ICP-OES techniques are used for the analytical study of the sample. It confirms the presence of Ca, K, Mg, Sr, Zn SO4, Mn, Al, Si and Fe along with the main matrix-NaCl. The Eocene salt is sulfur (S) rich, and potassium (K) poor mineral as compared to the other regional halite. The XRD analysis shows that lattice structure of the halite is composed of two interpenetrating FCC-sublattices of Na and Cl. Cold pressed pellets weighing 40 mg are produced for dosimetric study of the material. Standard gamma source is used for pellet irradiaition. Three different samples of Eocene salt (i.e. rock salt, naturally precipitated salt and refined salt) are prepared. It is observed that, if the material is used as such in its natural form, the dosimetric peak of the glow curve occurs at higher temperature >260 °C. The raw form of rock salt is therefore pre-processed (refined) whereby the major glow peak has shifted onto the dosimetrically significant position at 230 °C. Because of the optimal shape of the glow curve, the refined salt sample is investigated in detail: TL glow curves are acquired from 50 °C to 300 °C, the phosphor reveals a composite glow curve where four peaks are observed at approximate positions of 110 °C (P1), 145 °C (P2), 180 °C (P3) & 230 °C (P4). TL response is studied in the range of 5 mGy to 2 Gy; where a linear/superalinear dose-response behavior is observed for the current material. The Minimum Detectable Dose Limit (MDDL) is measured from the linear region and found to be 0.37 mGy. The first readout results in very low residues <0.005 % and is sufficient to afresh the dosimeter for the next reading. A repeatability test is performed up to 20 identical cycles: the resultant COV, obtained for refined salt sample, is 2.3 % (and 1.5 % in 10 cycles). The irradiated pellets show about 20 % loss of the initial signal for one month fading study. Tm-Tstop method and CGCD techniques are used for kinetic analysis. Kinetic parameters (b, E and s) are estimated from multiple glow curves and found similarities in the results. The results of the preliminary investigations suggest that the pellet prepared from Eocene salt has a potential for use in TL dosimetry.

Fish Development in Lake Ecosystems, Effect of Heavy Metals

Heavy metals enter the water bodies and combine with the water buffer system, then turn into poorly soluble hydroxides, carbonates, sulfides and phosphates, and also form metal-organic complexes, accumulate in the bottom sediments and in general in the bodies of the fish fauna of the reservoirs of the area, seriously affecting their development. It was determined that the amount of Ca2+ ions varied from 17 mg/l to 112 mg/l, and the amount of Mg2+ ions from 5.5 mg/l to 83.5 mg/l, in other words, towards autumn. water hardness has increased. The amount of alkali metal (Na+ + K+) ions is much lower in spring than in summer and autumn. According to the cations, the amount of chloride and sulfate ions increases in autumn. Thus, the impact of anthropogenic factors on fish is diverse and manifests itself primarily in morphological anomalies and changes in the basic biological parameters of fish populations. The main of them is the reduction of productivity and the complete loss of their natural forms, the increase of individuals and the increase of mortality.

Investigating Role of Intangible Cultural Heritage in constructing the phenomenon of Narmada River Parikrama

The traces of earliest human settlements are found on the bank of rivers which are one the natural forms of drinking water which are considered as a lifeline of the settlements. Since ancient time, Indian Culture assigned motherly values to rivers because of their significance in respective regional settings. Through-out the Indian Subcontinent, traditions and rituals evolved from ages around the rivers have shaped up some commonly followed cultural aspects along with some specific rituals to the rivers. Circumambulation of River Narmada, Shri Krishna Poojan on Yamuna River Banks at Vrindavan are examples of some of these specific cultural aspects. Out of the most sacred seven rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, Godawari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu, and Kaweri); River Narmada has special cultural significance with its strategic geographical location dividing Indian subcontinent in Northern and Southern parts. This research is aimed to investigate the role of intangible Heritage in constructing the phenomenon of Narmada River Parikrama based on the parameters like historical importance, poetic references, mentions in Puraans, folk culture, religious importance, TapoBhumi Narmada (रेवा तीरे तप: कुर्यात!) with the very unique cultural aspect of Parikrama (Circumambulation) of a river as a deity. Parameters to understand cultural footprints were delineated to these aspects with the focus of completing one stage of research in stipulated time schedule. The religious aspect includes Tirthsthana (Sacredscapes) on the Parikrama Path on North and South banks, rituals, and activities followed by the devotees, and the connectivity of Lord Shiva with River Narmada. A famous verse says नर्मदा का हर कंकर है शंकर! (Means, each gravel of River Narmada depicts Lord Shiva.) Hence the religious thread in cultural heritage studies is very strong and needs to be established with the Parikrama perspective. The analytical methodology for conducting research included study of various literature references about River Narmada written by historians, poets, Saints, and ancient scriptures like Puraan, Mahatmya etc. available in the form of books, doctoral research thesis, research papers and scholarly articles. These literature sources refer River Narmada focusing on various perspectives. They are critically analysed and inferences regarding role of intangible cultural footprints around Narmada River banks in forming the Phenomenon of Parikrama are summarized in this paper. Next stage of the research or a way-forwards of this research study can be continued further to establish manifestation of Parikrama Concept in the tangible cultural heritage with respect to spatial planning and built forms.

Three-Dimensional Functional Brand Protection in Indonesia After the Implementation of Law Number 6 of 2023 (Comparison of Regulations in the United States and Japan)

Since the entry into force of the Law No. 20 of 2016 on Trademarks and Geographical Indications, Indonesia has officially granted recognition to 3 (three) dimensional trademarks. Nevertheless, this Act only provides provisions concerning the formality requirements for filing applications for registration of 3 (three) dimensional trademarks. Substantially, the Act No. 6 of 2023 on the Establishment of Government Regulations replaced the Law No. 2 of 2022 on the Creation of Works into the Act adding a provision in article 20 of the Act no. 20 of 2016 that forms of a functional nature cannot be registered as trademarks. There is no explanation of the meaning of functional form in this Act. Based on this problem, the author tries to study the implications of the current Copyright Act using grammatical interpretation methods as well as using a comparative approach to the provisions in the United States and Japan. This article explains about the three-dimensional distinctive force, associated with the secondary meaning theory. Based on research in literature, it is known that there is a breakdown between trademarks and patents in the registration of forms of a functional nature. This article also reinforces the argument that a functional form cannot be protected as a trademark.

Assessing the Safety and Therapeutic Efficacy of Cannabidiol Lipid Nanoparticles in Alleviating Metabolic and Memory Impairments and Hippocampal Histopathological Changes in Diabetic Parkinson's Rats.

Diabetic Parkinson's disease (DP) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with metabolic syndrome that is increasing worldwide. Emerging research suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) is a neuropharmacological compound that acts against this disease, especially CBD in nano-formulation. The safety of cannabidiol lipid nanoparticles (CBD-LNP) was evaluated by assessing in vitro cytotoxicity in neurons and therapeutic outcomes in a DP animal model, including metabolic parameters and histopathology. CBD-LNPs were fabricated by using a microfluidization technique and showed significantly lower cytotoxicity than the natural form of CBD. The DP rats were induced by streptozotocin followed by a 4-week injection of MPTP with a high-fat diet. Rats were treated orally with a vehicle, CBD, CBD-LNP, or levodopa for 4 weeks daily. As a result, vehicle-treated rats exhibited metabolic abnormalities, decreased striatal dopamine levels, and motor and memory deficits. CBD-LNP demonstrated reduced lipid profiles, enhanced insulin secretion, and restored dopamine levels compared to CBD in the natural form. CBD-LNP also had comparable efficacy to levodopa in ameliorating motor deficits and memory impairment in behavior tests. Interestingly, CBD-LNP presented migration of damaged neuronal cells in the hippocampus more than levodopa. These findings suggest that CBD-LNP holds promise as an intervention addressing both metabolic and neurodegenerative aspects of DP, offering a potential therapeutic strategy.

Discrimination between the Triglyceride Form and the Ethyl Ester Form of Fish Oil Using Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

Although the triglyceride form is the natural form of fish oil found in fish, the ethyl ester form of fish oil, which is used during processing to save costs, is also present on the market. In this study, fatty acids and lipids were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-LIT/MS), respectively, according to developed methods. The identification of fatty acids was based on the mass spectral characteristics and equivalent chain lengths. However, the fatty acid contents of both forms of fish oils are quite similar. The application of the LC-LIT/MS method for the structural characterization of triacylglycerols (TAGs) and the mechanism of LIT/MS fragmentation are also discussed. Neutral losses of CH2=CH2 (m/z 28) and CH3CH2OH (m/z 46), which are LIT/MS characteristics of ethyl ester from fish oil, were found for the first time. The triglyceride form of fish oils was easily and accurately identified using fingerprint chromatography. In conclusion, lipid analysis combined with LC-LIT/MS showed an improved capability to distinguish between types of fish oil.

Efficacy of Recombinant Marek's Disease Virus Vaccine 301B/1 Expressing Membrane-Anchored Chicken Interleukin-15.

Cytokines are co-administrated with vaccines or co-expressed in the vaccine virus genome to improve protective efficacy by stimulating immune responses. Using glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchoring by attachment to the target cytokine, we constructed recombinant Marek's disease virus (MDV) vaccine strain 301B/1 (v301B/1-rtg-IL-15) that expresses chicken interleukin-15 (IL-15) as the membrane-bound form at the cell surface. We evaluated the vaccine efficacy of v301B/1-rtg-IL-15 given as a bivalent Marek's disease (MD) vaccine in combination with turkey herpesvirus (HVT) against a very virulent plus MDV strain 648A challenge. The efficacy was compared with that of conventional bivalent MD vaccine, as a mixture with HVT plus parental v301B/1 or v301B/1-IL-15, which expresses a natural form of IL-15. The membrane-bound IL-15 expression did not interfere with the virus growth of recombinant v301B/1-rtg-IL-15. However, the MD incidence in birds vaccinated with v301B/1-rtg-IL-15 was higher than that of birds given the conventional bivalent MD vaccine containing parental v301B/1 virus, although the v301B/1-rtg-IL-15 vaccinated group showed increased natural killer cell activation at day 5 postvaccination, the same day as challenge. Overall, the protection of v301B/1-rtg-IL-15 was not improved from that of v301B/1 against very virulent plus MDV challenge.

Induction of mutation in Neurospora Crassa using neem (Azadirachta Indica A. Juss) leaf extract

Filamentous fungus has been used as a significant source of biotechnological applications. Neurospora crassa, a type of red bread mold, has been well recognized as a model system in fundamental scientific investigations. It can be effectively utilized as a valuable resource for molecular tools, and many mutations are available. Furthermore, N. crassa exhibits rapid growth and has no harmful properties. These characteristics indicate a significant, although unexplored, capacity of this fungus for use in biotechnological endeavors. The present investigation aimed to induce morphological changes in the N. crassa wild type by employing leaf extracts derived from Azadirachta indica A. Juss. To determine the mutagenic and growth-inhibitory effects of A. indica leaves, morphological mutants were identified and individually examined. Six morphological mutants such as albino (al), cauliflower (clf), conidial band (co.band), ropy light (ro.lig), dirty (dir), and ropy (ro) were obtained from the conidia of the wild-type N. crassa Ema (5297) strain, treated with A. indica A. Juss. leaf extracts. These mutants were compared to the wild-type, natural form of the organism in terms of their morphology, radial growth, and reproduction ability. Apparent variations were observed when a comparative study of Ema and the selected morphological mutants was undertaken. Linkage among the selected mutants in their specific linkage group was determined. Ropy, dirty, and albino were all linked to leu-3 (linkage group I), conidial-band and ropy light to trp-1 (linkage group III), and cauliflower to trp-4 (linkage group VII). Complementation was not observed in similar morphological N. crassa mutants. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 33(1): 79-98, 2024 (January)

Distribution of Nature-based Solutions in cities across Europe

Nature-based Solutions (NBS) is a conceptual framework that seeks to use properties of nature to co-produce ecosystem services to build climate change resilience and improve quality of life by mitigating the relationship between health inequality and socio-economic adversity. This study investigates how the distribution of these forms of urban nature relate to trends in demographic change and social and economic indicators that influence material aspects of quality of life (QoL) in cities. Using macro-scale spatial mapping and descriptive pattern identification, we examine the relationship of distribution trends in the key characteristics of NBS across European cities and social and material factors that influence QoL. Our findings suggest that less than 6% of NBS aim to address poverty or deprivation and fewer than 25% relate to housing or neighbourhood regeneration. We argue inattention to the complex intersectional relationship of socio-economic disparities, historical structural conditions, and the impact of changes to the structural policy on economic convergence across regions leading to the concept being used to address green-growth imperatives in Western Europe rather than mitigate inequalities across eastern and parts of Southern Europe. Failure to address these considerations in the design and deployment of NBS could lead to cities reinforcing or even worsening inequalities within deprived communities, particularly in these areas.

Natural Amino Acid-Bearing Carbamate Prodrugs of Daidzein Increase Water Solubility and Improve Phase II Metabolic Stability for Enhanced Oral Bioavailability.

Daidzein (DAN) is an isoflavone, and it is often found in its natural form in soybean and food supplements. DAN has poor bioavailability owing to its extremely low water solubility and first-pass metabolism. Herein, we hypothesized that a bioactivatable natural amino acid-bearing carbamate prodrug strategy could increase the water solubility and metabolic stability of DAN. To test our hypothesis, nine amino acid prodrugs of DAN were designed and synthesized. Compared with DAN, the optimal prodrug (daidzein-4'-O-CO-N-isoleucine, D-4'-I) demonstrated enhanced water solubility and improved phase II metabolic stability and activation to DAN in plasma. In addition, unlike the passive transport of DAN, D-4'-I maintained high permeability via organic anion-transporting polypeptide 2B1 (OATP2B1)-mediated transport. Importantly, D-4'-I increased the oral bioavailability by 15.5-fold, reduced the gender difference, and extended the linear absorption capacity in the pharmacokinetics of DAN in rats. Furthermore, D-4'-I exhibited dose-dependent protection against liver injury. Thus, the natural amino acid-bearing carbamate prodrug strategy shows potential in increasing water solubility and improving phase II metabolic stability to enhance the oral bioavailability of DAN.

School Electricity Consumption in a Small Island Country: The Case of Fiji

Electricity consumption in buildings is one of the major causes of energy usage and knowledge of this can help building owners and users increase energy efficiency and conservation efforts. For Pacific Island countries, building electricity demand data is not readily accessible or available for constructing models to predict electricity demand. This paper starts to fill this gap by studying the case of schools in Fiji. The aim of the paper is to assess the factors affecting electricity demand for grid-connected Fijian schools and use this assessment to build mathematical models (multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural network (ANN)) to predict electricity consumption. The average grid-connected electricity demand in kWh/year was 1411 for early childhood education schools, 5403 for primary schools, and 23,895 for secondary schools. For predicting electricity demand (ED) for all grid-connected schools, the stepwise MLR model shows that taking logarithm transformations on both the dependent variable and independent variables (number of students, lights, and air conditioning systems) yields statistically significant independent variables with an R2 value of 73.3% and RMSE of 0.2248. To improve the predicting performance, ANN models were constructed on both the natural form of variables and transformed variables. The optimum ANN model had an R2 value of 95.3% and an RMSE of 59.4 kWh/year. The findings of this study can assist schools in putting measures in place to reduce their electricity demand, associated costs, and carbon footprint, as well as help government ministries make better-informed policies.

A multi-criteria framework for electric vehicle charging location selection using double hierarchy preferences and unknown weights

The adverse effects of traditional vehicles on the environment increase the demand for clean vehicles, such as electric vehicles (EVs). The correct positioning of the charging points for such vehicles certainly promotes the acceptance and spread of EVs. Indeed, selecting optimal locations for electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) is crucial for shaping a sustainable future. This study introduces an integrated methodology under a double hierarchy linguistic context with a criteria importance through an inter-criteria correlation (CRITIC) technique for experts' reliability determination, an attitudinal Cronbach's method for criteria weight estimation, and a novel multi-criteria technique considering the compromise ranking of alternatives from distance to ideal solution (CRADIS) formulation for optimal EVCS location selection. Based on the results, criteria such as service capability, ecological impact, land cost, and traffic density are the most crucial, with Manapparai, India, as the optimal location for a new EVCS construction. Further, a crucial finding is that the social dimension is substantial compared to the economy and environment dimensions for EVCS location selection. The novelty of the paper is that (i) uncertainty and expression of choices in natural language form for locations for EVCS are modeled effectively using a double hierarchy structure, (ii) experts' weights are obtained methodically by considering hesitation and interactions among experts, (iii) interdependencies among criteria and importance of experts are considered during criteria weight determination, and (iv) locations are ranked by not only considering criteria type but also resembles closely to the human-centric decision process. A detailed sensitivity analysis is further conducted to prove the proposed approach's effectiveness and stability. In the context of sustainable transportation, the work could contribute to the relevant literature through a powerful decision-making tool.

Comparative Investigation of Genital Self-image and Sexual Function in Women with and Without a History of Female Genital Cosmetic Procedures: A Cross-sectional Study.

Despite the increasing growth of female genital cosmetic procedures, the long-term effects of these procedures are not clearly understood. This study was conducted to compare the genital self-image and sexual function in women with and without female genital cosmetic procedures. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 315 participants (210 women without a history of genital cosmetic surgery and 105 women with it) in Alborz province, Iran, from early February 2023 to mid-May 2023. The sampling was done conveniently. Data collection instruments were Female Genital Self Image Scale and Female Sexual Function Index. Statistical analysis was done in SPSS 16 software using t-test, chi-square, and logistic regression, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The use of laser to tighten the vagina with 77.77% and Perineoplasty with 29.2% were the main cosmetic procedures. The mean duration passed from the surgical procedures was 4.79±3.60 years, while it was 1.13±0.74 years for non-surgical procedures. Women with a history of genital procedures had a higher mean age (39.45±10.38, P=0.023). However, they were lower regarding the level of education (P<0.001), family income (P<0.001), and exercise (P<0.001). Also, they showed a higher number of pregnancies (P<0.001), deliveries (P<0.001), vaginal delivery (P<0.001), episiotomy (P<0.001), and neonates with a weight of ≥3.5 kg (P=0.002). In both groups, midwives and doctors were the most important sources of information about the appearance and function of reproductive system. However, the genital self-image and sexual function of the two groups did not differ significantly (P>0.05). No difference in sexual self-image and lack of difference in sexual function after cosmetic procedures show the need to pay attention to recommending and selecting these procedures. Public awareness about the diverse and natural forms of the female genitalia, education about the variety of the factors affecting sexual function, reduction of unnecessary interventions, increase in physiological births, retraining doctors and midwives, and multidimensional counseling can help to choose more appropriate candidates for cosmetic procedures.

Caffeine-Containing Local Products and Their Effects on Liver and Kidney Histopathology: A Comparative Study

Caffeine has several modified natural and synthetic forms and it is the most abundantly consumed drug around the globe. It is present in fruits, seeds and leaves of many plants but coffee contains highest content of caffeine and is considered its richest source. It is also found in much high ratio in non-alcoholic beverages, i.e., tea and carbonated drinks like coke. The aim of current mammalian model based investigation was to evaluate the possible histopathological variations influencing the function of kidney and liver due to the intake of selective caffeinated products: Arabica and Robusta beans’ blend based coffee and coke. The 30 albino mice of male gender and 1.5 month age were acclimatized for ten days and later on, categorized as group I (control group which was treated with standard mice feed), experimental group II (treated with coffee blend) and experimental group III (treated with coke). The renal and hepatic histological sections were cut and stained for weekly observations. Hematoxyline and eosin staining was used and microscopic observations were recorded at 40X. The ANOVA based statistical analyses showed that significant variations occurred in body weight, diameter of renal blood vessels, glomeruli and of necrotic areas of both experimental groups (p ≤ 5%). Moreover in hepatic tissues, vein wall thickness, diameter of bile ducts and liver lobules also indicated significant variations. The conclusion is excessive and regular intake of above mentioned composition having coffee and coke may result in diverse physiological disturbances and a programmed general public awareness is required regarding their limited intake.

Enhancing the Aesthetic and Economic Value of Potted Zinnia through Pinching and Paclobutrazol Spray

Potted plants constitute a significant portion of the global floriculture trade, highlighting the importance of pot presentation for commercial competitiveness. Despite being a commonly grown annual crop in flower beds during its season, zinnia's potential as a potted plant has been limited by its natural growth form that looks disproportionate in a pot. This study examines the impact of pinching and paclobutrazol application on enhancing the suitability of zinnia for pot presentation. It was conducted during the rabi season at the College of Horticulture, Hyderabad.The results indicate that both pinching and paclobutrazol treatment significantly reduce plant height while improving plant spread. Among the treatments, the combination of 100 ppm paclobutrazol application and double pinching demonstrated the highest pot presentation score at 87.41, followed by the treatment involving 50 ppm paclobutrazol and double pinching with a score of 85.31. Conversely, the control treatment without pinching or spray exhibited the lowest score of 60.33 points. Furthermore, when assessing the benefit-cost ratio, double pinching with 100 ppm of paclobutrazol proved to have significant commercial advantages with a B:C ratio of 1.4.

The benefits of breastfeeding for the health of the infant, the mother and the impact this has on public health in Brazil

Breastfeeding is a fundamental practice for a baby's health and proper development, offering a number of short- and long-term benefits for the baby and the mother. This natural form of feeding provides all the essential nutrients a baby needs in the first 6 months of life, promoting proper, healthy growth and strengthening the newborn's immune system. In nutritional terms, breast milk is a complete source of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins. Breastfeeding provides a deep emotional connection between mother and child, allowing the release of feel-good hormones, promoting an emotional bond and a sense of security and tranquillity for the baby. For mothers, breastfeeding also brings numerous benefits. The release of oxytocin during breastfeeding helps to reduce postpartum bleeding and increases contraction of the uterus, aiding postpartum recovery and preventing hemorrhage. Breastfeeding can help with post-pregnancy weight loss and reduce the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. The (WHO) and (UNICEF) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a baby's life, followed by the gradual introduction of complementary foods up to the age of two. However, despite the numerous benefits, many women face challenges to breastfeeding, including lack of support, returning to work and lack of information. It is therefore crucial to promote policies that support breastfeeding, such as paid maternity leave, breastfeeding-friendly workplaces and education programs for pregnant women and health professionals.

Unlocking Amides: A General Method for the Self-Immolative Release of Amide-Containing Molecules.

The controlled liberation of molecules from a constructed framework is a subject of profound interest across various chemical fields. It allows for the masking of a molecule's properties and precise deployment upon a single controllable release event. While numerous methodologies have been developed for amines, alcohols, and thiols, approaches for utilising amides as payload-release handles are still in their early stages of development, despite the prevalence of amides in therapeutic compounds and materials. Herein, is presented a comprehensive strategy for the controlled and selective release of a diverse range of amides with stable linkers. The versatility of this approach is demonstrated by its successful application in the targeted release of various amide-containing drugs in their natural form via the use of commonly used trigger motifs, such as dipeptides or glycosides. As a proof of concept, the FDA-approved antibiotic linezolid has been successfully converted into a prodrug form and released selectively only in the presence of the trigger event. Significantly, in its prodrug state, no activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis was exhibited. Linezolid's full potential was achieved only upon controlled release, where an equipotent efficacy to the free linezolid control was demonstrated, thus emphasising the immense potential of this method.

Nexus between digital financial inclusion and economic growth: a panel data investigation of Asian economies

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the relationship between digital financial inclusion and economic growth in specific Asian countries, emphasizing the exploration of how digital financial inclusion dynamics impact gross domestic per capita income.Design/methodology/approachThe study creates a digital financial inclusion composite index (DFII) by incorporating essential metrics from the Global Findex report. Economic growth is measured using Gross Domestic Product per capita income in its natural logarithmic form (LnPCI), with three control variables– employment-to-population ratio; population growth and inflation. The analysis utilizes a fixed-effect dummy variable model to examine the relationship, considering unobserved country-specific heterogeneity. 30 Asian countries have been selected for the study for the periods 2014, 2017 and 2021 based on their availability, as outlined in Table 4.FindingsThe research revealed a robust positive correlation between the Digital Financial Inclusion Index (DFII) and logarithmic GDP per capita income (LnPCI), indicating higher per capita income with enhanced digital financial inclusion. Employment and population exhibited minimal influence, whereas inflation had a notable negative effect on per capita income. Population growth showed a limited impact. The model demonstrated a high explanatory power for the dependent variable (high R-squared), and the residuals displayed low autocorrelation (Durbin–Watson of 1.96).Originality/valueThis study adds to the existing literature by examining the intricate connection between digital financial inclusion (DFI) and economic growth in 30 Asian countries, employing a comprehensive composite index for analysis.