The origin of the antibacterial property of bamboo

Bamboo is an eco-friendly and multifunctional plant. Bamboo clothing has recently entered the textile market with a claim for its antimicrobial properties, but without scientific evidence. In this study, the antibacterial activity of plant extracts from Australian-grown bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) is investigated. Bamboo extracts were made using water, dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and dioxane and their antibacterial properties were compared against Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli. It was found that the extract made in 20% DMSO aqueous solution showed weak antibacterial activity, whereas the extract made using 90% dioxane aqueous solution exhibited strong antibacterial activity, even after 20 times dilution. The results indicate that antibacterial agents of P. pubescens are located in lignin, not in hemicellulose or other water-soluble chemical components

Exploring the Coverage of Cyberchondria Addiction in Newspapers: A Perspective from the USA

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate how US newspapers reported cyberchondria from 2009 to 2021. Cyberchondria shares similarities with addiction, making it imperative to delve into its representation in media. Cyberchondria refers to an issue of excessive and repetitive internet searches for health information often accompanied by obsessive-compulsive behavior. The goal of this research is locate the frames that appear in cyberchondria coverage, look at how the frames have changed over the given time span, and assess the emotions that the news frames portray. Method: After collecting the relevant news items, the study applies correspondence analysis, sentiment analysis, and cooccurrence network analysis. The NRC word-emotion lexicon is used for sentiment analysis, while the Fruchterman and Reingold algorithm is used for co-occurrence network analysis. Results: The co-occurrence network analysis reveals six frames in cyberchondria coverage. The frames depict themes such as defining cyberchondria, the impact on healthcare providers, health information-seeking behavior, internet diagnosis, and the exaggeration of health concerns. Sentiment analysis reveals that the predominant feeling, which reflects both the positive and negative elements of cyberchondria, is trust, followed by fear. Coding strategies validate the covering themes’ consistency during the years under examination. Correspondence analysis indicates a consistent framing pattern over the years, and we can see an increasing focus on academic studies addressing cyberchondria. Conclusions: The results point to the necessity of ongoing public awareness campaigns, health literacy initiatives, and stakeholder collaboration to effectively address the problems associated with cyberchondria addiction in the digital age. Policymakersand media practitioners can benefit greatly from the study’s insightful contributions in reducing the negative effects of cyberchondria addiction on society

Calibration of the LIGO displacement actuators via laser frequency modulation

We present a frequency modulation technique for calibration of the displacement actuators of the LIGO 4-km-long interferometric gravitational-wave detectors. With the interferometer locked in a single-arm configuration, we modulate the frequency of the laser light, creating an effective length variation that we calibrate by measuring the amplitude of the frequency modulation. By simultaneously driving the voice coil actuators that control the length of the arm cavity, we calibrate the voice coil actuation coefficient with an estimated 1-sigma uncertainty of less than one percent. This technique enables a force-free, single-step actuator calibration using a displacement fiducial that is fundamentally different from those employed in other calibration methods.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, submitted to Classical and Quantum Gravit

Controlling calibration errors in gravitational-wave detectors by precise location of calibration forces

We present results of finite element analysis simulations which could lead to more accurate calibration of interferometric gravitational wave detectors. Calibration and actuation forces applied to the interferometer test masses cause elastic deformation, inducing errors in the calibration. These errors increase with actuation frequency, and can be greater than 50% at frequencies above a few kilohertz. We show that they can be reduced significantly by optimizing the position at which the forces are applied. The Advanced LIGO [1] photon calibrators use a two-beam configuration to reduce the impact of local deformations of the test mass surface. The position of the beams over the test mass can be chosen such both the local and the bulk induced elastic deformation are minimized. Our finite element modeling indicates that with two beams positioned within ±1 mm of their optimal locations, calibration errors due to test mass elastic deformation can be kept below 1% for frequencies up to 3.5 kHz. We thus show that precise control of the location of calibration forces could considerably improve calibration accuracy, especially at high frequencies

Knowledge attitude and behavior practices regarding clinical presentation, transmission, preventive measures and management of malaria and dengue among the health care personnel

Background: According to WHO, in 2020, there were an estimated 241 million cases of malaria worldwide. The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 627000 in 2020. Similarly, the global incidence of dengue has grown dramatically with about half of the world's population now at risk. The present study is an attempt to assess the knowledge attitude and behaviour practices regarding clinical presentation, transmission, preventive measures and management of malaria and dengue among the health care personnel (HCPs).Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out in the department of community medicine, MGM medical college Indore. Among one tribal (Barwani) and one non-tribal district of Indore, participant selection was done by simple random sampling technique using chit method of all districts covered under Indore division. The ethical clearance was obtained from our institute ethical committee.  Results: The advice given by all the HCPs for the prevention of malaria infection is eradication of breeding site of mosquito by preventing water stagnation. The 75% ANMs, 90% lab technicians, 100% MOs, malaria inspectors and MPWs were aware of the time of the bite of female anopheles’ mosquito. Majority of the HCPs were aware of the time of the bite of female Aedes mosquito, the warning signs dengue infection and were of the opinion that they give advice of keeping drinking water containers (Cisterns, tanks) tight closed.Conclusions: All the HCPs were aware of the prominent symptoms of malaria and promoted actively the integrated vector control measures in their allocated areas of work

Radiosynthesis and evaluation of talazoparib and its derivatives as PARP-1-targeting agents

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a critical enzyme in the DNA repair process and the target of several FDA-approved inhibitors. Several of these inhibitors have been radiolabeled for non-invasive imaging of PARP-1 expression or targeted radiotherapy of PARP-1 expressing tumors. In particular, derivatives of olaparib and rucaparib, which have reduced trapping potency by PARP-1 compared to talazoparib, have been radiolabeled for these purposes. Here, we report the first radiosynthesis of

Tunable magnetic domains in ferrimagnetic MnSb2_2Te4_4

Highly tunable properties make Mn(Bi,Sb)$_2$Te$_4$ a rich playground for exploring the interplay between band topology and magnetism: On one end, MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ is an antiferromagnetic topological insulator, while the magnetic structure of MnSb$_2$Te$_4$ (MST) can be tuned between antiferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic. Motivated to control electronic properties through real-space magnetic textures, we use magnetic force microscopy (MFM) to image the domains of ferrimagnetic MST. We find that magnetic field tunes between stripe and bubble domain morphologies, raising the possibility of topological spin textures. Moreover, we combine in situ transport with domain manipulation and imaging to both write MST device properties and directly measure the scaling of the Hall response with domain area. This work demonstrates measurement of the local anomalous Hall response using MFM, and opens the door to reconfigurable domain-based devices in the M(B,S)T family

Planetary health education and capacity building for healthcare professionals in a global context: current opportunities, gaps and future directions

The emerging concept of planetary health needs to be discussed in a more organized and sustainable way within the global public health and healthcare disciplines. Therefore, planetary health should be considered a cardinal component of the global academic framework for healthcare professionals. The availability of related curricula and courses is crucial to equip health professionals in this relatively new discipline of planetary health. In this review article, we aimed to explore published articles and online databases of courses to summarize the available planetary health education opportunities and discussions for health professionals, to identify the gaps in resource allocation and to suggest future recommendations. We observed a visible resource inequity in the global south with the lack of a universal planetary health module for healthcare professionals. Additionally, there is minimal inclusion of allied health disciplines in this learning process. We therefore recommend a dedicated network of motivated healthcare professionals and regional hubs with an agenda to ensure a comprehensive, uniform, and inclusive planetary health education curriculum and practice