Scientific Research Research Articles

Building social equity and person-centred innovation into the end TB response.

Reducing systemic inequities in testing, access to care, social protection - and in the scientific process - is essential to end TB. Incorporating social science methods and expertise on inequity into the mainstream TB response would help ensure that political commitments to equity move beyond symbolic gestures. We convened a meeting between TB social scientists, people with lived experience, civil society and community members to discuss equity within the global TB response. Here, we propose five means by which a social science lens can strengthen equitable, person-centred responses and reconcile the public health significance of TB with the principles of social justice.

Nanoripples evolution on tungsten surface induced by two-pulse configuration

Tuneable shapes and uniformity of the laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) attract interest because of their diverse applications in both scientific research and technological advancements. In this work, we investigate the progression of regular one-dimensional (1D) LIPSS on a tungsten surface, examining its evolution based on the time delay between two laser pulses that initiate the formation of nanoripples. 1D-LIPSS were formed in the case of single-beam laser ablation with approximately 84 laser pulses. Two-dimensional (2D) LIPSS, including triangle, hexagonal, and square shapes, were generated by employing two cross-polarized laser beams (with wavelengths of 1030 nm and pulse durations of 40 fs) with no delay between the pulses. However, introducing a time delay of 2 picoseconds (ps) between the two cross-polarized laser pulses resulted in the division of the initially cross-oriented 2D-LIPSS into square-shaped structures, particularly along the spatially overlapped region of the laser beams. The emergence of triangle- and hexagonal-shaped two-dimensional laser-induced periodic surface structures (2D-LIPSS) is analyzed within the framework of a self-organization model, particularly in the context of solidifying the molten layer under cold temperature conditions on the tungsten surface. We examine the formation mechanism of LIPSS, attributing it to a combination of the self-organization/hydrodynamic mechanism initially, which transitions to the electromagnetic mechanism as the effective number of pulses increases.

Comprehensive undergraduate experiment: determination of phenylurea herbicide in tea by magnetic solid-phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography

Against the backdrop of the Ministry of Education's promotion of new agricultural science construction and interdisciplinary integration, a comprehensive chemistry experiment to enhance the practical skills of students in preparing biomass functional materials and detecting pesticide residues was designed. Natural loofah was utilized as a precursor in synthesizing nitrogen-doped magnetic porous carbon materials, which were then applied in a magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) technique. Subsequently, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to analyze and detect the phenylurea herbicide monuron in tea. The experimental process included material synthesis, characterization, optimization of the MSPE conditions, adsorption performance studies, and HPLC, reflecting its scientific, systematic nature and providing a comprehensive learning platform for students. It not only deepens student understanding of the relationship between material characterization and application, but also improves their experimental design and problem-solving capacities. Moreover, by integrating cutting-edge science, ideological and political education, and experimental training, it not only stimulates student interest in scientific research and cultivates innovative thinking and practical skills, but also strengthens their feelings of social responsibility and historical mission. This approach realizes the comprehensive educational goals of experimental training and lays the foundation for nurturing high-quality talent with a global perspective and sense of social responsibility.

A Typology and Lead Isotope and Cultural Exchange Study on Bronze Knives from Shuangyuan Cemetery, Chengdu City, Southwest China

Background: Bronze knives, which have been excavated in large quantities and acquired hierarchical significance, are essential artifacts in Shu State in Southwest China. Building upon previous typological analyses of bronze knives, it is hypothesized that Shu culture may have imported foreign-style bronze knives. However, further demonstration of the provenance of metal materials, the typology of knives, and the cultural exchange necessitates a comprehensive examination through the lens of scientific analysis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in the manufacturing processes and metal resources of Shu bronze knives with various cultural styles and whether bronze knives in the foreign styles were imported or locally imitated. Methods: In this study, the typology, portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to analyze twenty-four bronze knives unearthed from Shuangyuan cemetery, a cemetery of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, Southwest China. Results: The results of the study show that the knives of Shuangyuan Cemetery can be classified typologically into five types, encompassing both local and foreign styles. The predominant alloy composition of these knives is lead-tin bronze, characterized by a notably high tin content. Lead isotope ratios indicate that metal materials from the South China geochemical province and Yangtze geochemical province were mainly used to manufacture the bronze knives unearthed from the Shu state Conclusion: While the majority of foreign-style knives with ring-shaped heads were likely imported from neighboring regions like Chu state, distinctively styled type D and type E bronze knives appear to have been locally imitated by the Shu, showcasing a blend of external influences and indigenous innovation. The combination of typology and scientific analysis of the bronze knife may shed new light on the study of the Shu culture of the Eastern Zhou period.

Development of a science, environment, technology, and society-based learning module to foster critical thinking in elementary students

This study aims to develop a science, environment, technology, and society (SETS)-based learning module to enhance critical thinking skills among elementary school students. Employing a research and development (RD) approach adapting the Borg and Gall model, this module is designed to enrich the learning process of natural and social sciences (IPAS). The research sample involved elementary school students from selected schools, utilizing quantitative methods to measure the module's effectiveness. Validation results showed high scores in content, media, language, and pedagogy, indicating a highly valid module. Practicality tests revealed high practicality from both learners' and educators' perspectives, with average scores above 90. The findings indicate a significant increase in students' critical thinking abilities post-module learning, as measured by pre-test and post-test instruments. Implications of these findings suggest that integrating SETS concepts into IPAS learning can be an effective strategy in enhancing elementary students' critical thinking skills. These findings also offer insights for educational practitioners in designing more interactive and environmentally relevant learning materials.

Insights into the culturable fungal endophytes of Dioscorea bulbifera L. in terms of their diversity, antidiabetic and antioxidant activity

The research on endophytes is focused on understanding the complex microbiome compositions, their interactions with host plants and their bioactive potential. Our study provided an overview of the diversity, distribution and bioactivities of culturable endophytic fungi associated with fungal endophytes of Dioscorea bulbifera L. The phylogenetic analysis depicted the evolutionary relationship among taxa of endophytic fungal isolates. The isolated fungal endophytes belonged to twenty-five genera and thirty-eight species. Further, diversity indices demonstrated significant diversity of fungal endophytes in the different tissues: stem, leaf, tuber and bulbil. A higher consistency of endophytic fungal isolates in the bulbils was found using Shannon index. Furthermore, Simpson's index revealed that the leaf tissue harboured highly diverse fungal endophytes. Likewise, Margalef's index depicted high taxonomic richness in bulbils. The isolates such as Acrocalymma medicaginis, Curvularia lycoperscii, Talaromyces macrospora, Fusarium laceratum, Paecilomyces formosus and Microascus cirrosus isolated in this study have been reported as endophytes for the first time from any plant. In-vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of the ethyl acetate extracts revealed that Nigrospora oryzae (Z2) effectively inhibited α-glucosidase activity with IC50 value of 0.6 µg/ml whereas IC50 value of the acarbose, the positive control was reported to be 0.040 µg/ml. The results of antioxidant activity demonstrated that H15A (Acrocalymma medicaginis) and BD5 (Phomopsis longicolla) could be used as potential sources of antioxidant agents. Moreover, H15A (Acrocalymma medicaginis) was reported to produce 687.1 ± 0.17 µg GAE/mg of TPC and 78.55 ± 0.29 µg QE/mg of TFC quantitatively. These findings suggest that the potential endophytes could be explored using systematic bio-guided investigations to further discover novel natural products. Our study provides an important resource for a deeper understanding of endophyte-plant interactions at molecular and genetic levels.

A habitat is not enough - increasing the chances of success for species reintroduction in riverscapes by habitat modeling and connectivity analysis

Alpine rivers are among the most heavily modified ecosystems in Europe. Following massive interventions in the 18th and 19th centuries, many plant species specialized in these challenging environments declined and are now endangered or even locally extinct. Today, attempts are being made to reintroduce these species as part of restoration measures, but only a few are successful. The selection of potential sites for reintroduction is commonly intuitive and based on practical considerations, while a prior scientific assessment of habitat availability and habitat connectivity is lacking. To increase the success of future reintroductions, we employ a habitat suitability model and subsequent habitat connectivity analysis to identify promising regions and patches for reintroduction within a riverscape. We demonstrate this approach using the Alpine river specialists Chondrilla chondrilloides and Myricaria germanica in three differently degraded and one restored section of the large Alpine river Isar. All river sections provide habitats for both species, but with increasing degradation, habitats become fewer and less connected. For the species with a narrower habitat niche and lower dispersal ability, suitable and connected patches that support a self-sustained metapopulation are only found in the near-natural sections. Despite an improvement in the habitat situation, the patch size in the restored section is too small, and the patches are too scattered to support a successful reintroduction of the species. We show that this evidence-based approach outperforms an intuitive selection of out-planting sites. The results further underline the importance of using scientific habitat analysis to increase the success of reintroduction measures.

Biological Potential and Therapeutic Effectiveness of Artemetin from Traditional to Modern Medicine: An Update on Pharmacological Activities and Analytical Aspects.

Plant products derived from natural sources have been used in medicine as a raw material and newer kinds of drug molecules in pharmaceuticals and other allied health sectors. Phytochemicals have numerous medicinal potentials, including anti- ageing, anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity in medicine. Development and biological application of herbal products in modern medicine signified the value of traditional medicinal plants in health care systems. The objective of the present study was to explore the scientific knowledge of the medicinal importance and therapeutic potential of artemetin in medicine. However, scientific investigations for their pharmacological activities in medicine have been done through scientific data analysis of different scientific research work collected from PubMed, Google, Science Direct and Google Scholar in order to know the biological importance of artemetin in medicine. Moreover, analytical data of artemetin have also been discussed in the present work. The present work and scientific data signified the biological potential of artemetin in medicine. Artemetin has been derived from numerous medicinal plants and dietary herbs, including Artemisia absinthium, Artemisia argyi, Achillea millefolium, and Vitex trifolia. Artemetin has anti-malarial, anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-microbial, antitumoral, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive and hepatoprotective effects. Further, the biological role of artemetin on lipid oxidation, cytokine production, lipoxygenase, and estrogen-like effects was also investigated in the present work. Analytical data on artemetin in the present paper signified their important role in the isolation, separation, and identification of different classes of pure phytochemicals, including artemetin in medicine. Scientific data analysis of artemetin signified its therapeutic potential in medicine for the development of newer scientific approaches for different human disorders.

Effect of heatwaves on mortality of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias among elderly aged 60 years and above in China, 2013–2020: a population-based study

BackgroundChina has the largest number of dementia patients in the world, posing a significant health and economic burden. Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementia patients face a higher risk of mortality during heatwaves, but relevant studies on this topic have been limited so far. MethodsThe study extracted data from the China Cause of Death Reporting System (CDRS) on deaths of AD and other dementia patients aged 60 years and above between 2013-2020. Using an individual-level, time-stratified, and case-crossover study design, the effects of heatwaves across nine scenarios on dementia mortality were quantified by conditional logistic regression combined with distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM). Additionally, the attributable fractions (AFs) of deaths due to heatwaves were calculated. FindingsA total of 399,036 death cases were reported caused by AD and other dementias during the study period. It was found that heatwaves significantly increased the risk of death among people with AD and other dementias. As the intensities and durations of the heatwaves increased, the lag0-7 cumulative odds ratios (CORs) of mortality increased progressively from 1·140 (95% CI: 1·118, 1·163) under the mildest heatwave to 1·459 (95% CI: 1·403, 1·518) under the most severe one, across nine heatwave scenarios examined. Additionally, under specific heatwave scenarios, sex and regions modified the mortality risk, but no significant age differences were observed. The AFs of AD and other dementia mortality due to milder heatwaves were lower compared to more severe heatwaves, ranging from 12·281% (95% CI: 10·555%, 14·015%) to 31·460% (95% CI: 28·724%, 34·124%). InterpretationThe study provided critical insights into the substantial increase in heatwave-related mortality among AD and other dementia patients during and after heatwave events. The results from our quantitative analyses will provide needed scientific evidence for policymakers and practitioners to develop relevant policies and guidelines to protect the health and well-beings of vulnerable populations in future in the context of both seasonal changes and long-term climate change. FundingThis work was supported by the Project of Prevention and Intervention on Major Diseases for Elderly in China, NCNCD [00240201307], the National Key Research and Development Program of China [2022YFC2602301, 2023YFC2308703] and the Science and Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program of China [2017FY101201].

Functional preference and spatial response of urban renewal entities in Beijing

In the process of rapid urban renewal, quantitative research on functional preferences and spatial layout norms of multi-type urban renewal entities is crucial for optimizing spatial governance and promoting orderly control of urban renewal. We investigate urban renewal in Beijing from 2006 to 2021 using directional distribution, spatial autocorrelation, and hotspot analysis. The findings are as follows: (1) The functional preference of each type of entity differs. While most private companies and other profit-oriented entities concentrate on producer services and residential functions, policy-oriented entities dominate the urban regeneration of public service activities. (2) Every entity shows a significant agglomeration characteristic, yet exhibits a differentiated spatial response pattern. Those entities with stronger leasing ability prefer the central zone while others are the opposite. (3) Diverse types of entities have differentiated spatiotemporal evolutions. The spatial directional divergence of state-owned enterprises and scientific research institutes has increased between 2006 and 2021. This is mainly influenced by the policy of relieving Beijing of nonessential functions. However, the rest entities show a balanced spatial development trend with the difference in each direction becoming smaller. Furthermore, the center of gravity of profit-oriented entities has shifted from the suburbs to the central zone due to a combination of administrative and market forces, whereas the center of gravity of policy-oriented entities tends to move outward from the central zone.

Progress in Zero-gravity Unloading Test and System Research of Solar Wing

Aim: The solar wing undertakes the important task of providing energy for spacecraft. The deployment test of the solar wing in a zero gravity environment using a zero gravity system on the ground is an important link to ensure the safe and stable deployment of the solar wing in space. This article briefly describes the development process and research progress of solar wings, introduces the ground zero gravity test methods and test platforms for solar wings, including some patents for improving the ground zero gravity test platform for solar wings, and points out some urgent problems that need to be solved in the zero gravity unloading test and system at present. Background: The solar wing needs to be deployed in the weightlessness environment of space before working. Objective: The objective of this study is to summarize the zero gravity experimental methods and systems of solar wings, introduce their categories, characteristics, and development. Methods: This article summarizes various scientific research achievements in the zero gravity test of solar wings, and introduces the advantages and disadvantages of the zero gravity test method of solar wings. Conclusion: Although research on zero-gravity unloading test systems for solar wings is continuously advancing, there are still several technological bottlenecks that need to be overcome in terms of system precision, payload capacity, dynamic simulation, method optimization, diversifying zero-gravity test methods and system universality for different types of solar panel unloading.

OGG1: An emerging multifunctional therapeutic target for the treatment of diseases caused by oxidative DNA damage.

Oxidative DNA damage-related diseases, such as incurable inflammation, malignant tumors, and age-related disorders, present significant challenges in modern medicine due to their complex molecular mechanisms and limitations in identifying effective treatment targets. Recently, 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (OGG1) has emerged as a promising multifunctional therapeutic target for the treatment of these challenging diseases. In this review, we systematically summarize the multiple functions and mechanisms of OGG1, including pro-inflammatory, tumorigenic, and aging regulatory mechanisms. We also highlight the potential of OGG1 inhibitors and activators as potent therapeutic agents for the aforementioned life-limiting diseases. We conclude that OGG1 serves as a multifunctional hub; the inhibition of OGG1 may provide a novel approach for preventing and treating inflammation and cancer, and the activation of OGG1 could be a strategy for preventing age-related disorders. Furthermore, we provide an extensive overview of successful applications of OGG1 regulation in treating inflammatory, cancerous, and aging-related diseases. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and future directions of OGG1 as an emerging multifunctional therapeutic marker for the aforementioned challenging diseases. The aim of this review is to provide a robust reference for scientific researchers and clinical drug developers in the development of novel clinical targeted drugs for life-limiting diseases, especially for incurable inflammation, malignant tumors, and age-related disorders.

Lava flow field development and lava tube formation during the 1858–1861 eruption of Vesuvius (Italy), unravelled by historical documentation, lidar data and 3D mapping

Somma-Vesuvius is well known for its powerful Plinian explosive eruptions, however during the last eruptive cycle (1631–1944), persistent activity took place on the stratovolcano as mild and violent Strombolian, and effusive eruptions, forming more than one hundred lava flow fields. An important mechanism of lava transport within lava flow fields is the formation and development of lava tubes. The presence of lava tubes in a flow field can greatly increase their distance of emplacement. Observations of lava tubes at Vesuvius have been documented in historical records and speleological reports but no modern scientific studies are available. This work focuses on lava tubes formed in the compound lava flow field of the long-lived 1858 eruption (from 27 May 1858 to 12 April 1861) that was fed by seven eruptive fissures. The temporal and spatial evolution of the 1858 lava flow field was reconstructed using historical documentation. The exposed lava flow field surface was analysed using a 1-m resolution lidar Digital Surface Model (DSM). Surveys to fully digitize the interior and the overlying surface of the largest lava tube found in the 1858 lava flow field were conducted using a terrestrial laser scanner, optical cameras, and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The accurate 3D model obtained was used to precisely quantify the inner dimensions and to better constrain the morphologies of the lava tube. Observed internal features were described and used to gain information on the formation and activity of the lava tube. Our data allowed us to understand that the described lava tube formed as an inflated lava flow inside which lava flowed through during an extended period ultimately draining out completely at the end of the eruption. Understanding how lava flow fields develop and how lava tubes form on Vesuvius is crucial to re-evaluate the last effusive activity of the volcano and its impact on hazard assessment.

Toowoomba Healthy Towns: A Citizen Science Initiative on Active Transport in Regional South East Queensland, Australia.

Engaging in active transport will enable individuals across the life course to increase their habitual levels of physical activity. The aim of this study was to engage citizen scientists (CS) to identify factors that influence active transport in their community. The Our Voice citizen science methodology developed at Stanford University was employed. CS completed a "discovery walk," taking photos of things that help or hinder active transport. Three groups were recruited: children aged 10-12years (n = 11), adults (n = 12), and older adults >65years (n = 10). CS rated each photo and provided a narrative explaining their reason for taking the photo. Once all CS in a specific age group had completed the walk, they met for a group discussion. The CS worked together to analyze the data, arranging them into themes and identifying priority actions. Two CS representatives from each age group presented their findings to the local council decision makers. Children highlighted the need for safer crossings, especially from their school to the local park, and suggested zebra crossings as a solution. The adults highlighted that road signs prioritized vehicles, not pedestrians, and requested that this be reversed. Older adults noted that the poor condition of the pavements made it harder for people in wheelchairs to navigate. The CS recommendations have informed the council's walking and cycling network program. Engaging with citizen science provided the community with an opportunity to advocate for meaningful yet realistic improvements in the built environment that could promote neighborhood active transport and physical activity across the lifespan.

Robust Evidence in Integrative Medicine: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Directions

Integrative Medicine (IM), which includes therapies such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, yoga, and meditation, is gaining attention for managing chronic pain conditions. However, concerns about the quality of evidence supporting the use of these interventions persist. The 5th Annual Jaseng Academic conference 2024, in Seoul, South Korea, themed "Robust Evidence in Integrative Medicine: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Directions," addressed these concerns by focusing on advancements in study design, evidence synthesis, and open science practices. This conference proceeding summarizes key insights from the conference, emphasizing the role of pragmatic randomized controlled trials (pRCTs) in evaluating real-world effectiveness, and addressing the complexities involved in IM research such as sham controls. The integration of IM therapies into comprehensive pain management strategies (particularly in Korea), supported by government-backed research and policy initiatives was also discussed. Advancements in methodologies were addressed, such as bibliometric analysis, evidence mapping, and the development of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for integrative therapies. These methodologies offer valuable insights but face challenges due to the heterogeneity of IM interventions, and potential synergistic or antagonistic effects when combined with conventional medicine. Finally, the potential of open science to enhance transparency, reporting, and reproducibility in IM was explored, emphasizing the increased role of adherence to reporting guidelines (CONSORT and PRISMA). The future of IM research is built upon the continued efforts of refined study designs, rigorous evidence synthesis, and the integration of open science principles, for a robust and more credible evidence base.

Assessment of the oil and gas potential of the eastern edge of the Northern Ustyurt using new geophysical data

Purpose. Detailed substantiation of the geological structure of the eastern edge of the Northern Ustyurt, clarification of modern geological and geophysical data, as well as highlighting the mainstages of evaluating the results of exploration work to confirm the oil and gas potential and subsequent exploitation of the fields. Methodology. The authors used the following scientific methods: generalization – to systematize scientific provisions; analogy and comparison – to characterize deflection in different periods; analysis and synthesis – to substantiate geological and geophysical data; algorithmmization – to determine conceptual provisions regarding the assessment of the oil and gas bearing capacity of the trough. Findings. In order to achieve the goals, the indicators of oil and gas capacity in the areas of the eastern side of the Northern Ustyurt of different geological ages were substantiated. The geological and geophysical features of the basin dating back to 2010 compared to modern refinement of geological data were characterized. The productive and unproductive structures of the eastern side of the Northern Ustyurt are characterized, taking into account the showing of oil and gas based on deposits of different geological ages. The importance of conducting geological exploration and creating corresponding cartographic materials is justified, followed by the design of predictive graphical models, geological sections, and a detailed plan of the territory. Originality. The influence of high hydro carbon generation rates on the further identification of “oil windows” has been substantiated for the first time. The hierarchical levels of predicting the oil and gas content of the trough are identified. The necessity of improving the mechanisms for assessing oil and gas content is substantiated. Practical value. The substantiation of the features of the assessment of the oil and gas content of the of the eastern edge of the Northern Ustyurt, which should be based on forecasting promising areas of prospecting, is the key to distinguishing between productive and unproductive objects, determining their real scale and directing investment flow precisely to promising areas with minimal environmental and economic losses.

Cyber risk management technology to strengthen the information security of the national economy

Purpose. Developing a technology for managing cyber risks based on their improved classification by the level of impact on the occurrence of an extreme situation. Methodology. To achieve the goal, general scientific and special methods of cognition were used in the study: dialectical and systemic approaches, analysis and synthesis, logical generalization and grouping, structural-logical method, iterative approach, modeling, method of formal representations of uncertainty. Findings. A cyber risk management technology has been developed, consisting of four main stages: analysis of cyber threats (context establishment; security audit; formation of scenario concepts); scenario modeling (threat decomposition; scenario formation; setting criteria; setting probability estimates of concepts (variables); building a network architecture; formation of a private threat model; scenario analysis); risk assessment; object classification. The proposed approach to cybersecurity risk management provides vulnerability detection and risk assessment (risk potential) and simplifies the development of management solutions to prevent events affecting cybersecurity. Originality. The proposed technology differs from the existing ones by focusing on identifying those vulnerabilities and cyber threats that, according to their improved classification by the level of impact on the occurrence of an extreme situation, can lead to serious disruptions in the functioning of critical information infrastructure of the national economy. Practical value. The practical significance of the study lies in the fact that the proposed cyber risk management technology is one of the tools for preventing the realization of risks in cyberspace and the basis for strengthening the information security of economic entities in particular and the national economy as a whole.

Metadata harvesting for digital library integration in Ukraine: a comparative study of the OAI-PMH protocol and VuFind’s efficacy

Purpose This paper aims to the problem of building an environment to support scientific research in connection with the development of Open Science in Ukraine. Design/methodology/approach An overview of modern portals for aggregating scientific data was conducted. Analysis of available tools and identifying problems that arise when collecting data from digital libraries and journals was conducted. The validity of choosing VuFind as a tool that allows building an extraction–transformation–loading (ETL) approach for data aggregation and bringing the format and values of metadata fields to one view was experimentally verified. Findings During the experimental verification, problems related to the fact that the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH) protocol does not have strict requirements for the data structure, which lead to the complexity of integration, despite the fact that this protocol occupied a leading position, were noted. To simplify these problems, an ETL approach that allowed for the use of ontological methods (e.g. data mapping, linked data and dictionaries to improve the semantics of data for integration processes) was considered. A review of the possibilities of modern tools for OAI-PMH integration, which were actively supported and developed, was conducted. Originality/value This paper was an attempt to outline the problems that arose in integrating resources, with the aim of developing future integration protocols that would have simple means of semantic data validation and built-in ETL mechanism.

Barriers and enablers to implementation of evidence-based practice in nursing: A systematic review of literature

Background; Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is an essential aspect of today’s healthcare landscape through which high-quality scientific research evidence can be obtained and translated into the best practical decisions to improve health outcomes. Nurses and midwives deliver the highest proportion of direct patient/client care, and therefore need to utilize evidence based practice to ensure quality patient care. Despite the great importance of evidence-based care, majority practices shown to be effective by research remain unused in the nursing field. Nurses and other health care providers often cite barriers that prevent its delivery. Objective: To describe barriers and enablers to, successful implementation of evidence based Practice in nursing Methods: A Systematic mixed-studies review of literature, synthesizing quantitative and qualitative research was done. The review involved a search on multiple data base engines which included COCHRANE, google scholar and PubMed. A search of the database using keywords (implementation, adoption, compliance, Evidence based practice (EBP), nurses, barrier, challenges and facilitators was conducted. Results: A total of 43 articles were reviewed. Two common themes were identified as barriers to EBP. Individual barriers and organizational barriers. Individual barriers identified include inadequate knowledge on EBP, time constraints and nurse’s attitude towards EBP. Organizational barriers were lack of administrative support and lack of autonomy in nursing. Enablers of EBP identified were administrative support, engagement of stakeholders and nurses autonomy Conclusion: The key barriers to EBP implementation in nursing are deficient knowledge on EBP, time constraints and lack of autonomy in nursing. The barriers can however be overcome by supporting an environment that prioritizes EBP. Recommendations: Addressing barriers to EBP implementation will enhance quality of nursing care leading to better patient’ outcomes. To mitigate the barriers, targeted enablers such as trainings and workshops on EBP, supportive leadership and increasing nurses autonomy ought to be put in place.

Herbal tooth gel formulations: A comprehensive review and comparative analysis for contemporary oral health practices

The shift towards natural healthcare has sparked renewed interest in herbal tooth gel formulations as alternatives to conventional oral care products. This comprehensive review explores the historical evolution, therapeutic properties, and contemporary significance of herbal tooth gels in oral health practices. Emphasizing the global trend towards natural remedies, the review delves into the efficacy of diverse herbal ingredients such as turmeric, camphor, and clove in managing oral health concerns, particularly periodontal diseases like gingivitis. Drawing from traditional practices and modern scientific research, the review highlights the advantages of herbal toothpaste formulations, including their gentle impact on teeth, absence of harmful chemicals, and diverse therapeutic properties. Moreover, the review discusses the sensory, physical, and antimicrobial properties of herbal tooth gels, examining their potential in plaque control and gingival health. By conducting a comparative analysis and evaluation of herbal elements such as neem, aloe vera, and triphala, the review highlights the increasing popularity and therapeutic possibilities of herbal toothpaste formulations in enhancing overall oral health. Amidst the prevalence of fast-paced lifestyles and common oral health issues, it's imperative to explore the extensive benefits provided by herbal tooth gels in contemporary oral healthcare. This becomes especially crucial given the rising global fascination with herbal remedies. Delving into the potential of herbal ingredients such as neem, aloe vera, triphala, guvava etc is particularly vital for addressing the challenges posed by poor oral health. Such exploration could hold promising solutions for enhancing overall oral hygiene and tackling oral health issues effectively.