Standard Scale Research Articles

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in complex posttraumatic stress disorder: A case report

Abstract Complex posttraumatic stress disorder (cPTSD) represents a unique clinical phenomenon. It is marked by traditional PTSD symptoms coupled with emotional instability, unfavorable self-perception, and challenges in interpersonal relationships. While the diagnostic recognition of cPTSD remains debated, emerging evidence supports its unique profile and clinical significance. This study presents an instance involving a 30-year-old woman who has been clinically determined to have severe cPTSD, comorbid borderline personality traits, major depressive disorder, and fibromyalgia. The patient underwent 25 bilateral sessions of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) targeting prefrontal cortices. Comprehensive assessments using standardized scales were conducted pre- and post-rTMS treatment. Results revealed significant reductions in cPTSD symptoms (PTSD Checklist-5 scores decreased from 55 to 21) and reduced borderline personality symptomatology (the Zanarini Rating Scale for borderline personality disorder scores decreased from 9 to 4), alongside improvements in other areas. These findings suggest the potential utility of rTMS as an adjunctive intervention for cPTSD. Aligned with previous PTSD research, the study highlights the capacity of rTMS to mitigate cPTSD symptoms, comorbidities, and subjective distress. Nevertheless, further exploration with larger samples and extended follow-up is needed to substantiate and generalize these findings. This preliminary evidence underscores rTMS’s promise as a prospective therapeutic avenue for complex PTSD, offering hope for improved treatment strategies.

PSYCHOSOCIAL RISK FACTORS IN EMPLOYEES AS PREDICTORS OF MOBBING

Mobbing in the workplace is a complex and worldwide phenomenon that reflects a subjective interpretation of this event. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between mobbing and basic socio-demographic variables and some personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, responsibility, emotional stability, intelligence/imagination, emotional intelligence, self-esteem, empathy, emotional self-awareness, personal well-being) of employees. In the cross-sectional design, data were collected from 553 employees selected from various occupations through easy sampling. Employees filled out an anonymous form containing job-related tests. Data collection tools were the standard scales i.e., A Psychological Mobbing Scale-30, personality trait questionnaire, Schutte Emotional Intelligence Test, Baron Empathy Scale, Emotional Self-Awareness Scale-11, Personal Well-Being Index-8 and Coopersmith's Self-Esteem Inventory. Results from multiple logistic regression analysis showed that there were statistically significant relationships between mobbing and age, industry, self-esteem and empathy. The results obtained are evaluated and discussed in terms of variable interaction and future research.

Garba Dance Is Effective in Parkinson's Disease Patients: A Pilot Study.

Dance as therapy is gaining attention as an adjuvant option for Parkinson's disease (PD). Assessing culturally popular dance forms is crucial for promoting the acceptance of dance therapy in a culturally sensitive context. The pilot study evaluated the efficacy of Garba dance for alleviating motor symptoms, nonmotor symptoms, cognitive functions, and mood. Furthermore, this pilot study also assessed the tolerability and safety of this dance form using fatigue severity scale and assessing falls, respectively. Eligible participants with mild-to-moderate PD (H&Y stage 1 to 2.5) were sequentially randomized into the dance therapy, physical therapy, or control groups. Motor symptoms, nonmotor symptoms, cognitive functions, and mood were assessed using standard scales at baseline, week 6, and week 12. Tolerability was measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale, and safety was assessed by monitoring falls. In the Garba dance group, significant improvements in UPDRS scores were observed at week 6 (p=0.002) and week 12 (p < 0.001) compared to baseline. At week 12, UPDRS scores were better in the Garba dance group as compared to the control and physical therapy groups. Freezing of gait significantly improved at week 6 (p < 0.001) and week 12 (p < 0.001) in the Garba dance group. Garba dance also led to significant improvements in mood and sleep. Tolerability was favorable, with significantly better fatigue severity scores in the Garba dance group at week 12 compared to controls and physical therapy. About 6 patients in Garba dance group experienced near falls. Underscoring a cautious optimism, results of the current study indicate that Garba dance may be an effective, safe, and well-tolerated intervention for Indian patients with mild-to-moderate PD (H&Y stage 1 to 2.5).

A Systematic Review of the Association between Psychological Resilience and Improved Psychosocial Outcomes in Prostate Cancer Patients. Could Resilience Training Have a Potential Role?

A high incidence of psychosocial problems in prostate cancer patients has been reported including anxiety, depression and distress. These can add to the patients' disease burden and have been associated with unfavorable cancer treatment outcomes. Interventions designed to address them have found limited success, but psychological resilience (PR) training has never been formally tested. The measurement of PR in prostate cancer patients has been described and has been associated with more favorable psychosocial outcomes in these patients but it has never been systematically reviewed. The aim of this study was to conduct the first systematic review of those studies that have measured it using standardized scales and to determine the potential for resilience training to help overcome the significant psychosocial problems faced by prostate cancer patients. We searched the literature to identify articles that measured PR among prostate cancer patients. Of 384 articles identified by the search criteria, there were 19 studies suitable for inclusion regarding 5,417 patients. The most commonly-used scale was the original Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, or an abbreviated version of it. Possible scores range from 0 to 100, mean scores from these studies ranged from 72.9 to 87.1 (standard deviations varied between 13.2 and 16.3). PR was consistently associated with improved psychological outcomes including depression, anxiety and distress, although these were measured with a wide variety of methods making it difficult to quantify the effects. There was also evidence of PR mediating the physical effects of prostate cancer and treatment including urinary symptoms, fatigue and insomnia. As resilience training has been successful in other cancer settings, it seems likely that it could improve the significant adverse psychosocial outcomes that have been reported in prostate cancer patients and trials designed to objectively test it should be encouraged.

Artistic Guidance and Emotional Expression Pathways in Piano Performance - Based on Deep Score Characterization Fusion

Abstract In the evolving domain of artificial intelligence and deep learning, the pedagogical applications of piano performance— specifically its artistic instruction and emotional expressiveness—have garnered increasing scholarly attention. This research leverages MIDI music file formats to mine necessary data, engaging in a detailed examination of the structural and characteristic elements of MIDI files. To optimize the precision of mathematical models applied in this study, MIDI music data underwent preliminary preprocessing steps, including hexadecimal encoding and feature filtering, which facilitated the transformation of MIDI features into vectors representing emotional attributes. The study introduced the development of a BiLSTM_BLS model tailored to articulate the nuances of piano performance and emotional expression. This model synthesis integrates features reflective of emotional states induced by piano playing. A mathematically derived loss function was utilized to gauge the model’s fidelity, thereby enabling an assessment of its efficacy in the realms of artistic instruction and emotional conveyance in piano performance. Findings indicate a proximity between the emotional states of Anger (0.392) and Stress (0.385), with Depressed (0.422) presenting a slightly elevated distance from these states. Moreover, the BiLSTM_BLS model achieved a performance score of 3.214 in the evaluation of artistic expression, which corresponds to 64.28 on a standardized 100-point scale. This investigation contributes to the enhancement of musical skills and theoretical knowledge among pianists, promotes cognitive development, augments emotional expression, and nurtures creativity.

Psychological Implications of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic and Lockdown among Undergraduate Medical Students of North India

Abstract Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is currently an international public health crisis. The Indian government had announced the suspension of colleges indefinitely across India. Students of medical colleges are facing distress due to the abrupt disruption of academic routine. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of stress, anxiety, and depression among undergraduate medical students of a medical college of North India during COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students of a medical college in North India. Data were collected via a prevalidated, semi-structured questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic and behavioral questions and three standard psychometric scales, i.e., Perceived Stress Scale, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, and Major Depression Inventory Scale for assessing stress, anxiety, and depression, respectively. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 27.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: We reported that majority of students (86.5%) have increased social media usage. The level of stress is moderate (72.5%) to high (19%), and depression is also reported in many students from moderate (11%) to severe (17.8%) levels. A small proportion of students showed anxiety though anxiety scores are significantly higher for males than females and for 1st- and 2nd-year subjects than final-year subjects. More than 60% of students are physically active who also showed a low level of stress, depression, and anxiety than sedentary subjects. Conclusion: Our results show that stress, anxiety, and depression were high in medical students during lockdown. Increased food intake and social media usage were risk factors for developing stress, anxiety, and depression. Physical activity has a positive impact on mental health of the students.

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus for primary Meige syndrome: clinical outcomes and predictive factors.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) has demonstrated efficacy against multiple types of dystonia, but only a few case reports and small-sample studies have investigated the clinical utility of STN-DBS for Meige syndrome, a rare but distressing form of craniofacial dystonia. Furthermore, the effects of DBS on critical neuropsychological sequelae, such as depression and anxiety, are rarely examined. In this study, the authors investigated the therapeutic efficacy of STN-DBS for both motor and psychiatric symptoms of Meige syndrome. The authors retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with Meige syndrome receiving bilateral STN-DBS at their institution from January 2016 to June 2023. Motor performance and nonmotor features including mood, cognitive function, and quality of life (QOL) were evaluated using standardized rating scales at baseline and at final postoperative follow-up. Clinical and demographic factors influencing postoperative motor outcome were evaluated by uni- and multivariable linear regression models. Fifty-one patients were ultimately included, with a mean ± SD follow-up duration of 27.3 ± 18.0 months. The mean Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS) movement score improved from 12.9 ± 5.2 before surgery to 5.3 ± 4.2 at the last follow-up (mean improvement 58.9%, p < 0.001) and the mean BFMDRS disability score improved from 5.6 ± 3.3 to 2.9 ± 2.9 (mean improvement 44.6%, p < 0.001). Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scale scores also improved by 35.3% and 34.2%, respectively, and the postoperative 36-item Short-Form Health Survey score indicated substantial QOL enhancement. Global cognition remained stable after treatment. Multiple linear regression analysis identified disease duration (β = -0.241, p = 0.027), preoperative anxiety severity (β = -0.386, p = 0.001), and volume of activated tissue within the dorsolateral (sensorimotor) STN (β = 0.483, p < 0.001) as independent predictors of motor outcome. These findings support STN-DBS as an effective and promising therapy for both motor and nonmotor symptoms of Meige syndrome. Timely diagnosis, treatment of preoperative anxiety, and precise electrode placement within the dorsolateral STN are essential for optimal clinical outcome.

Evaluation of Catatonia with Different Assessment Scales in Psychiatry and Neurology.

Catatonia is a syndrome that can be missed in clinical settings. Diagnosis of catatonia is important because the condition can be reversible and is associated with severe complications. This study aims to screen patients with catatonia admitted to a university hospital's psychiatry and neurology services, examine their characteristics, and compare the coverage of different catatonia scales. During a consecutive 20 months study period, the Turkish adaptations of the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating and the KANNER scales were administered in psychiatry and neurology inpatient units and patients on the waiting list for psychiatric hospitalization. The participants were also evaluated with DSM-5 criteria. In addition, the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients in the psychiatric group were compared. A total of 214 patients were evaluated. Twenty-eight (13.1%) screened positive for catatonia, and 23 (82.1%) were diagnosed with catatonia according to DSM-5 criteria. KANNER and Bush- Francis identified the same patients as having catatonia. In addition to schizophrenia and mood disorders; neurodevelopmental disorder, encephalitis, postpartum psychosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder, delirium, cerebrovascular disease, functional neurological symptom disorder have also been found to be associated with catatonia. The most common complication was urinary tract infection. Life-threatening complications were also observed. Overlooking catatonia may have dire consequences. Adhering solely to the DSM-5 criteria may miss some patients with catatonia. Widely and efficiently using standardized catatonia scales can improve detection capacity and enhance the management of morbidity and mortality.

Clinical prediction of GBA carrier status in Parkinson’s disease

IntroductionGiven the unique natural history of GBA-related Parkinson’s disease (GBA-PD) and the potential for novel treatments in this population, genetic testing prioritization for the identification of GBA-PD patients is crucial for prognostication, individualizing treatment, and stratification for clinical trials. Assessing the predictive value of certain clinical traits for the GBA-variant carrier status will help target genetic testing in clinical settings where cost and access limit its availability. MethodsIn-depth clinical characterization through standardized rating scales for motor and non-motor symptoms and self-reported binomial information of a cohort of subjects with PD (n = 100) from our center and from the larger cohort of the Parkinson’s Progression Marker Initiative (PPMI) was utilized to evaluate the predictive values of clinical traits for GBA variant carrier status. The model was cross-validated across the two cohorts. ResultsLeveraging non-motor symptoms of PD, we established successful discrimination of GBA variants in the PPMI cohort and study cohort (AUC 0.897 and 0.738, respectively). The PPMI cohort model successfully generalized to the study cohort data using both MDS-UPDRS scores and binomial data (AUC 0.740 and 0.734, respectively) while the study cohort model did not. ConclusionsWe assessed the predictive value of non-motor symptoms of PD for identifying GBA carrier status in the general PD population. These data can be used to determine a simple, clinically oriented model using either the MDS-UPDRS or subjective symptom reporting from patients. Our results can inform patient counseling about the expected carrier risk and test prioritization for the expected identification of GBA variants.

Estimation of Temperamental Changes in Female Teachers with Subclinical Hypothyroid Dysfunction - A Retrospective Observational Study

Background It has been observed that changes in blood biochemistry has a simultaneous reflection in temperamental shifts and mood alterations concurrently. This study was undertaken to establish an existence of such relationship in an alarmingly increasing cases of hypothyroidism in middle aged females. Objective To estimate an existence of relationship between physical signs amp symptoms of subclinical hypothyroid dysfunction SHD and simultaneous changes in temperamental behavior in middle aged female teachers which can possibly open new avenues for interventional homoeopathic approach.Methods A pilot study was undertaken to screen the subjects for SHD using Zulewiskirsquos standardized clinical scale for hypothyroidism at AM Shaikh Group of Institutions and schools in and around Nehru Nagar Belagavi. The subjects diagnosed with clinical SHD on the rating scale were provided with self-designed open-ended questionnaire to estimate temperamental changes.Results A total of 313 female teachers aged between 30-44 years were provided with the Zulewskirsquos rating scale. The 94 subjects who were found to have clinical SHD on the scale were provided with self-designed open-ended questionnaire to elicit changes in temperamental behavior. It was found that 83 subjects had distinct temperamental changes of which 21 subjects were of nervous temperament 17 were of bilious temperament 34 were phlegmatic while 11 were of sanguinous temperament based on HA Robertrsquos Temperaments.Conclusion From this study it can be concluded that the individuals with hypothyroidism are more frequently predisposed to having phlegmatic temperament thereby substantiating a definite mind-body relationship.

Evaluation of Some Renal Biomakers in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/Prostate Cancer Attending Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) are among the urological conditions that affect aging men. Patients with this pathology could develop renal impairment. Renal biomarkers like beta-2-microglobulin (BMG), urea, urine creatinine, microalbumin (MALB), and albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) were assessed with total (tPSA) and free prostate specific antigen (fPSA), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), height, weight and BMI. This cross sectional study recruited 120 men using convenient sampling technique which comprised 40 BPH, 40 PCa and 40 control attending Urology Clinic of NAUTH Nnewi, Anambra State. Five (5) milliliters of blood/ urine samples were collected from the patients and the necessary data were obtained from clinical records of the patients. The weight (kg) and height (m) were measured using standard beam balance scale and a stadiometer respectively and the BMI calculated. Blood pressure was measured using sphygmomanometer and stethoscope. PSA (ng/ml) was estimated by Enzyme immunoassay technique, BMG (mg/l) and MALB (mg/l) by immunoturbidimetric method, urea and creatinine were determined spectrophotometrically using modified Urease-Berthelot method and Jaffe slot alkaline picrate method respectively. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 21.0. The results were presented as median. Kruskal Wallis was used to determine significant differences between the mean values. P&lt;0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. The results showed a significantly higher median values of tPSA, fPSA BMG and MALB in patients with BPH /PCa when compared with the control. MALB had a strong correlation with ACR in all the groups. Despite the significant increase in BMG and MALB in this study, routine indices of renal function remained normal. The increase in the sensitive markers in patients with BPH/PCa is an indication of early renal impairment.

Using a chatbot as a digital tool at the primary health care level.

Aim: To analyze the feasibility of utilizing a digital tool such as a chatbot at the primary health care level as part of a health program. Materials and Methods: With the involvement of a general practitioner and the use of a digital tool, a chatbot, a three-month health program was conducted for employees of an IT company. The chatbot was used to collect information, monitor the health status of participants and provide personalized health recommendations. To evaluate the program's effectiveness survey was conducted to compare participants answers before and after using standardized evaluation scales. A questionnaire based on the Evaluation and Management Services Guide was created to collect medical information on the health status of participants before and after the program. Results: After the program, the average total score of participants' health complaints and symptoms decreased (from 27.1 to 16.1, p=0.019). The average severity of the chief complaint on a scale of 0 to 10 decreased from 5.08 to 2.27, or by 55.3% (p=0.00676). The frequency of individual complaints such as eye pain, decreased concentration, increased fatigue and irritability also dropped. Conclusions: The chatbot enabled the primary care physician to respond promptly to participants' health complaints. The results demonstrated the potential of chatbots as innovative and accessible digital tools at the primary health care level for providing recommendations, monitoring health, and contacting a primary care physician in a timely manner.

Development and Validation of a Farmer’s Focused Digital Literacy Scale

The research aimed to develop a tool for assessing the digital literacy of farmers towards ICT-led agriculture in India. The study identified three dimensions namely digital knowledge, attitude, and digital competency, for a farmer-focused digital literacy scale. Digital competency consisted of seven sub-dimensions viz device setup, digital communication and collaboration, digital content creation and sharing, digital safety, problem-solving, digital marketing, and digital payment. The digital literacy scale was developed with Likert scale construction methodology. An overall mean relevancy score of 5.693 was obtained. A pilot study was conducted with 60 farmers in a non-sampled area. The t value was calculated, and the cutoff value for item selection was set at &gt; 1.75. For assessing internal consistency reliability using the Spearman-Brown formula, a reliability coefficient of 0.850 was found. The calculation of Cronbach’s alpha gave a value of 0.743, indicating that the scale shows a high level of consistency in its measurement. The standard farmers-focused digital literacy scale comprised of 30 items, and its content validity was determined with expert opinions.

A Data-Driven Design Framework for Structural Optimization to Enhance Wearing Adaptability of Prosthetic Hands.

Prosthetic hands have significant potential to restore the manipulative capabilities and self-confidence of amputees and enhance their quality of life. However, incompatibility between prosthetic devices and residual limbs can lead to secondary injuries such as skin pressure ulcers and restricted joint motion, contributing to a high prosthesis abandonment rate. To address these challenges, this study introduces a data-driven design framework (D3Frame) utilizing a multi-index optimization method. By incorporating motion/ pressure data, as well as clinical criteria such as pain threshold/ tolerance, from various anatomical sites on the residual limbs of amputees, this framework aims to optimize the structural design of the prosthetic socket, including the Antecubital Channel (AC), Lateral Epicondylar Region Contour (LC), Medial Epicondylar Region Contour (MC), Olecranon Region Contour (OC), Lateral Flexor/ Extensor Region (LR), and Medial Flexor/ Extensor Region (MR). Experiments on five forearm amputees verified the improved adaptability of the optimized socket compared to traditional sockets under three load conditions. The experimental results revealed a modest score enhancement on standard clinical scales and reduced muscle fatigue levels. Specifically, the percent effort of muscles and slope value of mean/ median frequency decreased by 19%, 70%, and 99% on average, respectively, and the average values of mean/ median frequency in the motion cycle both increased by approximately 5%. The proposed D3Frame in this study was applied to optimize the structural aspects of designated regions of the prosthetic socket, offering the potential to aid prosthetists in prosthesis design and, consequently, augmenting the adaptability of prosthetic devices.

Efficacy and Safety of Solid-state Dual-wavelength Lasers for the Treatment of Moderate-to-severe Inflammatory Acne in Asian Populations.

Standard treatments for moderate-to-severe acne often require oral medications but are not long-lasting or free from side effects. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a solid-state dual-wavelength laser for moderate-to-severe inflammatory acne in an Asian population. Forty individuals with moderate-to-severe acne received nightly topical retinoids and two to three weekly treatments with a 1319-nm laser followed by a 589-nm laser (five sessions in total). Patients were evaluated at pretreatment baseline, at monthly intervals, and at 1 month after the last laser for pain, seborrhea, global aesthetic improvements, and satisfaction, using standardized digital photography and global assessment scales. Fifteen patients had an additional evaluation 3 months after the fifth session. At 1 month, all patients (n = 40) had improved inflammatory acne counts, with 72.5% having greater than 75% reduction in acne count, 7.5% having 51%-75% reduction, 17.5% having 26%-50% reduction and 2.5% having less than 25% reduction. Moreover, GAS evaluations showed that 62.5% of patients improved to almost clear and 37.5% to mild acne (P = 0.0478), while improvements were sustained in patients with 3-month follow-ups. Erythema (n = 29) improved with 65.5% of affected patients having greater than 75% reduction. Patients (n = 17) with pigmentation experienced lightening, with 52.9% of affected patients having a greater than 75% reduction. With low pain scores (mean 3.68 of 10, median 4 of 10), the treatment was well-tolerated. All patients (n = 40) reported acne improvements with 95% having much improved or very much improved, and 95% either satisfied or very satisfied. Dual-wavelength lasers effectively and safely treat moderate-to-severe inflammatory acne with high patient satisfaction. It is ideal for patients who refuse or are contraindicated to oral medications, and patients with acne-associated pigmentation, erythema and seborrhea.

Psychoneuroendocrine profiles of unmedicated men with major depressive disorder and associations to treatment effects and sexual side-effects

Sex hormones are potentially involved in major depressive disorder (MDD) as there are sex differences in risk for depression, symptomatology and treatment efficacy. Such hormonal contributions to MDD have mainly been studied in women and scarcely in men. We, therefore, investigate whether testosterone and estradiol levels in unmedicated men with MDD are associated with depressive symptom profiles, SSRI treatment response, and sexual side-effects. Pretreatment plasma testosterone and estradiol were available from 26 unmedicated men (age 18–49). The patients were treated with 10–20 mg escitalopram for 12 weeks. Depression severity was measured by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17 (HAMD17), and treatment response was the change in HAMD6 from baseline. Sexual side-effects were assessed with a standardized clinician-rated scale. Pretreatment testosterone was positively associated with depression severity (p = 0.016), the association was primarily driven by vegetative symptoms: weight loss, gastrointestinal symptoms, and insomnia (p ≤ 0.027). Pretreatment sex hormone levels were not associated with antidepressant treatment outcome. However, pretreatment sex hormones were lower in patients who experienced sexual side-effects after 8–12 weeks of escitalopram treatment; low estradiol was associated with erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction (p = 0.039) and low testosterone and low estradiol were both associated with decreased libido (p ≤ 0.004). In conclusion, we find low testosterone in men with MDD coupled with depression severity, particularly vegetative symptoms. However, pretreatment sex hormone levels were not associated with treatment efficacy but with sexual side-effects. Taken together, our findings highlight sex hormone profiles as potential prognostic biomarkers of SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction. Data fromClinical study (NCT02869035).

The dermacozines and light: a novel phenazine semiquinone radical based photocatalytic system from the deepest oceanic trench of the Earth.

Dermacozines, the secondary metabolites of the Mariana Trench sediment bacterium Dermacoccus abyssi MT1.1T, were studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), furthermore literature and own experimental UV-Vis spectroscopic data. With those measurements, we determined experimentally the positions of the HOMO, which shifts towards more positive potentials, and the constant LUMO on the standard hydrogen electrode scale, while the HOMO-LUMO gap gets deeper, respectively. The HOMO energies of dermacozines experimentally were proven to be water oxidising. EPR spectroscopy demonstrated the formation of semiquinone radicals in the case of dermacozines E and O upon irradiation with visible light corresponding to the absorption maxima (AM) of the chromophores. Our findings suggest that the dermacozines may assist the strain by maintaining redox homeostasis through its respiratory chain.

Assessment of a Flow-dependent Subgrid Characteristic Length for Large-Eddy Simulation on Anisotropic Grids

This paper presents the latest results of a long track development activity in the context of low-dissipative finite volume method for compressible flows. Specifically, here we focus our attention on the Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) approach which can be considered a good candidate for turbulent flow simulations over the next decades. One of the key ingredients of LES models is the subgrid length scale which is typically evaluated based on the local mesh size. This standard approach suffers from loss of accuracy on anisotropic grids that are commonly employed to obtain sufficient wall-normal resolution, whilst keeping the total cell count to a minimum. In order to avoid this issue, we assess the effectiveness of a velocity-gradient-based length scale, referred to as least square length (LSQ) [1]. In this paper, we present for the first time results obtained with the LSQ length scale in the context of compressible LES. The superiority of the LSQ approach over the standard cubic-root length scale is demonstrated in terms of accuracy and overall time to solution.

Effects of distant biofield energy healing on adults associated with psychological and mental health-related symptoms: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

In recent years, popularity of Biofield energy healing therapy has increased tremendously parallel to conventional therapy. However, due to insufficient scientific studies on biofield therapies, authors planned this clinical trial to examine the safety and effectiveness of biofield therapy in treating symptoms of psychological and mental health and to explore parameters for its effectiveness. One hundred fourteen participants (55 male, 59 female) underwent clinical trials. This trial was randomized, placebo-controlled, three parallel-groups, double-blind, and single-center with subjects who have one or more psychological and mental symptoms. Two sessions of distant (virtual) biofield energy attunement were given on days 0 and 90 for about 5 minutes to the subjects of biofield intervention group (n=39). Besides, control (n=35) and sham control (n=40) group subjects also received kind of treatment in a similar manner to nullify baseline responses. Subjects were assessed by psychological questionnaire scoring using standard scale of assessment and safety parameters. Perceived psychological symptoms/scores (fatigue/tiredness, sleep disturbances, stress, cognitive impairment, loss of memory, mental restlessness, emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, confusion, financial crises and dissatisfaction, low libido, motivation, confidence, lack of perception, relationship, and social behaviors, etc.) were significantly (p <.0001) improved in biofield intervention group compared to the naïve control and sham control groups. Besides, biofield intervention did not show any study-related adverse effects in all three groups throughout the trial. The distant (virtual) biofield energy healing therapy significantly improved psychological and mental health-related symptoms without affecting safety concerns, and improved overall health and quality of life.

Development of Multi-dimensional Scale to Measure the Abilities of Rural Women towards Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship has emerged as a powerful tool for rural women’s empowerment, offering them opportunities to generate income, build self-confidence, and transform their lives. By engaging in entrepreneurial activities, rural women can leverage their skills, creativity, and local knowledge to establish and manage businesses that address the unique needs and challenges of their communities. The present study aimed to develop and validate a multi dimensional scale for evaluating rural women’s entrepreneurial skills, essential for empowering communities through the establishment of small businesses promoting economic progress. The study was conducted in 2023. 60 attitudinal items were initially gathered, evaluated for relevance, and examined. The scale’s final composition included 41 statements spread across six sub-dimensions viz. Cognitive skill, Motivational skill, Social &amp; Relational skill, Management skill, Technical skill and Strategic skill. Cronbach’s Alpha was used to assess reliability, and the resultant coefficient of 0.81 was satisfactory. Expert evaluation was used to check the validity of the content. Researchers in relevant fields can use this standardized scale to evaluate rural women’s entrepreneurial abilities, either as is or with adjustments, promoting empowerment and community development.