Environmental resilience and sustainability through green technologies: A case evidence from rural coastal India

Tinku Casper D’ Silva,Srishti Verma,Rinku Mary Magdaline,Ram Chandra,Abid Ali Khan 대한환경공학회 2022 Environmental Engineering Research Vol.27 No.5

Rural coastal regions in developing countries are generally neglected with respect to environmental issues. The present study examined the feasibility of green technologies such as rainwater harvesting (RWH), sand filtration (SF), and composting (in-vessel and pit) to recover from the environmental issues in the coastal rural regions using survey and geographic information systems considering a rural Indian case study. According to the results, RWH yielded 0.140 million litres per 100 m² rooftop in the area, while a maximum total dissolved solids removal of 52% was achieved using the SF alleviating the water concerns. Meanwhile, with a solid waste generation of 0.207 kg d<SUP>-1</SUP> capita<SUP>-1</SUP> comprising 79.81% organic fraction, composting becomes the best waste resource recovery option in the area. Pilot-scale studies of composting transformed organic wastes into compost manure rich in nutrients improving the soil quality. Further analysis using a multi-criteria decision-making approach revealed that the public interest in applying these technologies depends on investment costs, additional resources requirements, and governmental policies. With the scope of improved lifestyle and quality, the study proposes more future research over green technologies and their implementation and is also directed towards developing decentralized site-specific rural governmental policies to achieve sustainability goals.

Acanthosis nigricans as a clinical marker of insulin resistance among overweight adolescents

Antonio Videira­Silva,Carolina Albuquerque,Helena Fonseca 대한소아내분비학회 2019 Annals of Pediatirc Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol.24 No.2

Purpose: Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a hyperpigmented dermatosis associated with obesity and insulin resistance (IR). There is no consensus whether AN extension scoring offers added value to the clinical estimation of IR. In this study we aimed to assess and score AN using both a short and an extended version of the scale proposed by Burke et al. and analyze the relationships of both versions with hyperinsulinemia and IR. Methods: We analyzed data from 139 overweight adolescents (body mass index ≥85th percentile) aged 12–18 with (n=67) or without (n=72) AN who were followed at a pediatric obesity clinic. Results: Adolescents with AN had higher levels of insulin (d=0.56, P=0.003) and HOMA­IR (d=0.55, P=0.003) compared to those without. Neither the short nor the extended versions of AN scores explained either hyperinsulinemia (β=1.10, P=0.316; β=1.15, P=0.251) or IR (β=1.07, P=0.422; β=1.10, P=0.374). The presence of AN alone predicted hyperinsulinemia and the presence of IR in 7.3% (β=2.68, P=0.008) and 7.1% (β=2.59, P=0.009) of adolescents, respectively. Conclusion: Screening for AN at the neck and axilla is a noninvasive and costeffective way to identify asymptomatic overweight adolescents with or at risk of developing IR.

Development Prospects: An Analysis of Opportunities and Challenges of Sri Lanka

Silva Jayawardena(Silva Jayawardena ) 아시아사회과학학회 2023 Jornal of Asia Social Science Vol.10 No.2

This paper analyzes the development prospects of a country and identifies the opportunities and challenges that it faces in achieving sustainable economic growth. Specifically, this research focuses on the economic development prospects of Sri Lanka and examines the country's strengths and potential growth areas. Through a comprehensive analysis of Sri Lanka's economic history and current state, this paper identifies the key opportunities and challenges to Sri Lanka's economic development, including the tourism industry, agriculture, and manufacturing. The paper also discusses policy measures and initiatives that can support economic development in these areas. Finally, the paper concludes with a summary of key findings and implications for Sri Lanka's economic development prospects.

Water Erosion in Planted Forest under Different Management Systems in Brazil

Marx Silva,Bernardo Candido,Junior Avanzi,Mayesse Silva,Anna Oliveira,Danielle Guimaraes,Barbara Silva,Pedro Batista,Sergio Martins,Nilton Curi 한국토양비료학회 2014 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2014 No.6

Influence of Physically Active or Sedentary Lifestyle on Postural Control of Community-dwelling Old Adults

Uanderson Silva Pirôpo(Uanderson Silva Pirôpo ),Silvania Moraes Costa(Silvania Moraes Costa ),Ícaro JS Ribeiro(Ícaro JS Ribeiro ),Ivna Vidal Freire(Ivna Vidal Freire ),Ludmila Schettino(Ludmila Schett 사피엔시아 2021 Exercise Medicine Vol.5 No.-

Objectives: The maintenance of the postural balance is fundamental for the daily living activities, as well as for the practice of physical exercise. However, the aging process and sedentary behavior (i.e., large sitting time) lead to changes biological systems, impairing postural balance with consequent increased falls risk. On the other hand, physical activity practice is a protective factor against these trends. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of physical activity profile and sedentary behavior on postural control in community-dwelling old adults. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study including 208 community-dwelling old adults, which were stratified as sufficiently or insufficiently physically active and with or without sedentary behavior. Then, they were grouped as follow: G1 (sufficiently physically active and without sedentary behavior), G2 (insufficiently physically active, but without sedentary behavior), G3 (sufficiently physically active, but with sedentary behavior), and G4 (insufficiently physically active and with sedentary behavior). Results: Stabilometric parameters (sway area, total length of center of pressure [CoP] trajectory, and the mean velocity of CP displacement) were obtained to evaluate the postural control. There was significant difference between G1 and G4 on mean velocity of CoP displacement (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The coexistence of sedentary behavior and insufficient physically active profile seem to impact negatively on postural control.

Evaluation of salt and root-zone temperature stresses in leafy vegetables using hydroponics as a clean production cultivation technique in northeastern Brazil

da Silva Mairton Gomes,Gheyi Hans Raj,da Silva Lucas Lesqueves,de Souza Thaisa Teixeira,Silva Petterson Costa Conceição,Queiroz Laila de Andrade,dos Santos Thainan Sipriano,Soares Tales Miler 한국원예학회 2024 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.65 No.1

Hydroponics has represented an emerging solution for regions with freshwater scarcity. Besides requiring a lower volume of water for production, this cultivation technique allows the use of brackish waters with high salinity levels. Under normal cultivation conditions (i.e., without any environmental control), plants are exposed to other abiotic stresses, such as tem perature, which can further enhance the salinity eff ect. Given the above, three experiments were conducted using a nutrient f i lm technique (NFT) hydroponic system: from April to May (autumn) with endive ( Cichorium endivia L., cv. Gigante Barbarella), from May to July (autumn/winter) with lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L., cv. Rubinela and cv. Veneranda), and from August to October (winter/spring) with chicory ( Cichorium intybus L., cv. Pão de Açúcar and cv. Radiche Todo Ano), in 2021. The trials aimed to evaluate the isolated and/or combined eff ect of salt and root-zone temperature stresses on yield, water use effi ciency, and visual quality of these vegetables. In all experiments, plants were subjected to stresses for 25 days in a randomized block design with a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement: two levels of electrical conductivity of water –ECw (0.30 and 5.50 dS m –1 for endive and chicory; 0.25 and 6.50 dS m −1 for lettuce) combined with four root-zone temperatures – RZTs (ambient-ARZT, ARZT + 2 °C, ARZT + 4 °C, and ARZT + 6 °C, corresponding to the mean temperatures of 24.72, 26.90, 28.77, and 30.73 °C for endive; 24.20, 26.00, 28.00, and 29.99 °C for lettuce; 27.12, 28.93, 31.01, and 32.86 °C for chicory). The isolated eff ects of RZT stresses or ECw levels on endive traits were observed, with leaf fresh matter losses of approxi mately 17 and 44% at higher ARZT + 6 °C (mean of 30.73 °C) and salinity (ECw 5.50 dS m –1 ), respectively. Shoot fresh matter losses of around 32 and 52% (Veneranda and Rubinela lettuces, respectively) and 65% (Radiche Todo Ano chicory) occurred only due to salt stress. The interaction aff ected the shoot fresh matter of Pão de Açúcar chicory, with approximate losses of 80% at higher ARZT + 6 °C (mean of 32.86 °C) and salt stress (ECw 5.50 dS m –1 ) than ARZT and ARZT + 2 °C and without salt stress (ECw 0.30 dS m –1 ). Despite these reductions, visual quality of plants was not depreciated. Therefore, the present study suggested cultivating leafy vegetables such as lettuce, chicory, and endive using brackish waters, even under high temperatures of nutrient solutions.

Influence of voxel size on cone-beam computed tomography-based detection of vertical root fractures in the presence of intracanal metallic posts

Yamamoto-Silva, Fernanda Paula,de Oliveira Siqueira, Claudeir Felipe,Silva, Maria Alves Garcia Santos,Fonseca, Rodrigo Borges,Santos, Ananda Amaral,Estrela, Carlos,de Freitas Silva, Brunno Santos Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology 2018 Imaging Science in Dentistry Vol.48 No.3

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the influence of voxel size and the accuracy of 2 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) systems in the detection of vertical root fracture (VRF) in the presence of intracanal metallic posts. Materials and Methods: Thirty uniradicular extracted human teeth were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups(VRF group, n=15; and control group, n=15). The VRFs were induced by an Instron machine, and metallic posts were placed in both groups. The scans were acquired by CBCT with 4 different voxel sizes: 0.1 mm and 0.16 mm (for the Eagle 3D V-Beam system) and 0.125 mm and 0.2 mm (for the i-CAT system) (protocols 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). Interobserver and intraobserver agreement was assessed using the Cohen kappa test. Sensitivity and specificity were evaluated and receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed. Results: The intraobserver coefficients indicated good (0.71) to very good (0.83) agreement, and the interobserver coefficients indicated moderate (0.57) to very good (0.80) agreement. In respect to the relationship between sensitivity and specificity, a statistically significant difference was found between protocols 1 (positive predictive value: 0.710, negative predictive value: 0.724) and 3 (positive predictive value: 0.727, negative predictive value: 0.632) (P<.05). The least interference due to artifact formation was observed using protocol 2. Conclusion: Protocols with a smaller voxel size and field of view seemed to favor the detection of VRF in teeth with intracanal metallic posts.

Saline extract of Portulaca elatior leaves with photoprotective and antioxidant activities does not show acute oral and dermal toxicity in mice

da Silva Suéllen Pedrosa,da Costa Clarice Barbosa Lucena,de Freitas Anderson Felipe Soares,da Silva José Dayvid Ferreira,Costa Wêndeo Kennedy,da Silva Wênio Sandoval Filho Lima,Machado Janaina Carla B 한국독성학회 2023 Toxicological Research Vol.39 No.2

The present study aimed to evaluate saline extracts from the leaves (LE) and stem (SE) of Portulaca elatior in relation to their phytochemical composition and photoprotective and antioxidant effects, as well as to evaluate the toxicity of the leaf extract. The extracts were characterized for protein concentration and phenol and flavonoid contents, as well as for thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profiles. Total antioxidant capacity and DPPH and ABTS+ scavenging activities were determined. In the photoprotective activity assay, the sun protection factor (SPF) was calculated. The toxicity evaluation of LE included in vitro hemolytic assay and in vivo oral and dermal acute toxicity assays in Swiss mice. LE showed the highest protein, phenol, and flavonoid (8.79 mg/mL, 323.46 mg GAE/g, and 101.96 QE/g, respectively). TLC revealed the presence of flavonoids, reducing sugars, terpenes, and steroids in both extracts. In HPLC profiles, LE contained flavonoids, while SE contained flavonoids and ellagic tannins. The antioxidant activity assays showed the lowest IC50 values (34.15–413.3 μg/mL) for LE, which presented relevant SPF (> 6) at 50 and 100 μg/mL. LE demonstrated low hemolytic capacity, and no signs of intoxication were observed in mice treated orally or topically at 1000 mg/kg. However, at 2000 mg/kg, an increase in the mean corpuscular volume of erythrocytes and a reduction in lymphocytes were observed; animals treated topically with 2000 mg/kg displayed scratching behavior during the first hour of observation and showed edema and erythema that regressed after six days. In conclusion, LE did not present acute oral or dermal toxicity in Swiss mice at a dose of 1000 mg/kg and showed slight toxicity in animals treated with 2000 mg/kg.

The Effect of Auricular and Systemic Acupuncture on the Electromyographic Activity of the Trapezius Muscle with Trigger Points—A Pilot Study

Patrı´cia Silva de Camargo,Carla Rigo Lima,Maria Luiza de Andrade E Rezende,Adriana Teresa Silva Santos,Joa˜o Wagner Rodrigues Hernandez,Andre´ia Maria Silva 사단법인약침학회 2018 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.11 No.1

The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare intra and intergroup the immediate effect of the auricular and LR8 systemic acupuncture on the electromyographic activity of the trapezius with the trigger points. This is an experimental clinical trial; 40 people were split in 4 distinct groups (n = 10): GI mustard seed application in the auricular acupoint; GII bilateral needle application in the LR8 acupoint; GIII combination of the techniques; GIV/Control Group mustard seed application in an acupoint not linked to the muscle tension. The EMG was used to assess the muscle contraction for 5 seconds during the resting time and during the isometric contraction time. The EMG signal was first collect without the acupuncture intervention; then both techniques were applied for 5 minutes; and the EMG was collected again right after these applications. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used, the t test was paired with the Wilcoxon test to the intragroup comparison; One-way analysis of variance test for intergroup comparison. There was no statistical difference in the intragroup comparison for the groups. The same happened to the intergroup comparison before and after application. Systemic and auricular acupuncture did not promote immediate changes in the EMG activity of the trapezius muscle in individuals with MTrPs.

Optimization of Production, Biochemical Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation of the Therapeutic Potential of Fibrinolytic Enzymes from a New Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens

Fabiana América Silva Dantas de Souza,Amanda Emmanuelle Sales,Pablo Eugênio Costa e Silva,Raquel Pedrosa Bezerra,Germana Michelle de Medeiros e Silva,Janete Magali de Araújo,Galba Maria de Campos Taka 한국고분자학회 2016 Macromolecular Research Vol.24 No.7

The capacity of fibrinolytic enzymes to degrade blood clots makes them of high relevance in medicine and in the pharmaceutical industry. In this work, forty-three microorganisms of the genus Bacillus were evaluated for their potential to produce fibrinolytic proteases. Thirty bacteria were confirmed as producers of fibrinolytic enzymes, the best results obtained for the strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens UFPEDA 485. The optimization of the enzyme production conditions was done by a central composite design (CCD) star 23 that allowed to define the optimal conditions for soybean flour and glucose concentrations and agitation rate. The highest fibrinolytic activity (FA) of 813 U mL-1 and a degradation of blood clot in vitro of 62% were obtained in a medium with 2% (w/v) of soybean flour and 1% (w/v) glucose at 200 rpm after 48 h of cultivation, at pH 7.2 and 37 °C. The obtained fibrinolytic enzyme was characterized biochemically. Fibrinolytic activity was inhibited by PMSF (fluoride methylphenylsulfonyl - C7H7FO2S) 91.52% and EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - C10H16N2O8) 89.4%, confirming to be a serine- metallo protease. The optimum pH and temperature were 7.0 and 37 oC, respectively, and the enzyme was stable for 12 h. The fibrinolytic activity at physiological conditions of this enzyme produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens UFPEDA 485, as well as its long term stability, demonstrate that it has suitable characteristics for human and veterinary applications, and promises to be a powerful drug for the treatment of vascular diseases.