Rajesh Varma
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5017 research outputs found
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Reprocessable Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane Vitrimers
No full textNon-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs, polyhydroxyurethanes, PHUs), have emerged as sustainable alternatives to conventional isocyanate-polyol polyurethanes. However, the permanent cross-links in traditional linear, crosslinked polyhydroxyurethane polymer networks hinder their recyclability for high-value applications. In this study, we provide a comprehensive overview of polyhydroxyurethane vitrimers – polymers with intrinsic recyclability – containing dynamic covalent adaptable bonds that allow them to be reprocessed or self-healed under external stimuli such as heat or solvents. These materials exhibit a unique combination of the attributes of thermosets, such as improved heat stability, solvent resistance or enhanced mechanical properties, and the reprocessability of thermoplastics. Various strategies have been explored to enable the reprocessability of PHUs. External catalysts, such as 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) have been used to facilitate exchange reactions and promote reprocessing. Additionally, the use of functionalized silica nanoparticles as reinforcing fillers has influenced the material’s behavior during reprocessing. Another method involved the incorporation of dynamic disulfide bonds to expedite reprocessing times for PHU networks, while dissociative dynamic chemistry has enabled self-healing behavior in certain partially cross-linked NIPUs. These advancements demonstrate the potential for tailoring the reprocessability and mechanical attributes of NIPUs, paving the way for sustainable and versatile polymeric materials, and addressing the environmental concerns associated with traditional polyurethanes. </p
Understanding and addressing smartphone addiction: A multidisciplinary perspective
No full textThe present study investigates the escalating dependency on smartphones, with tendencies toward severe addiction, thereby causing detrimental effects on both psychological and physiological well-being. The group addicted to mobile phones exhibits behavioral and neurophysiological differences compared to the non-addicted group. Non-invasive neural modulation techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation and aerobic exercises such as HPCOSMOS exergaming (Treadmill-based, combining action control and motion perception in a Switch game) may represent cost-effective, adaptable, and promising therapeutic approaches. That will contribute to establishing a theoretical foundation for the rehabilitation and treatment of individuals afflicted with smartphone addiction. </p
Study on status, Zoonoses, Biowarfare, Economic and public health importance of anthrax: Review
No full textAnthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Bacillus anthracis. It can affect humans and animals, especially grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats. Anthrax spores are very resistant and can survive in the environment for a long time. People can get anthrax from direct contact with infected animals or animal products, or from inhaling or ingesting anthrax spores. There are four types of anthrax infection in humans: cutaneous, gastrointestinal, inhalation, and injection. Anthrax is also a potential bioterrorism agent, as it can be easily produced and dispersed as a powder or a liquid. Anthrax is still a neglected global health challenge that requires constant vigilance and collaboration among various stakeholders. As new technologies and strategies emerge, the current status and trends in the prophylaxis and management of anthrax disease need to be updated and evaluated regularly. The disease poses a significant public health and economic burden in the countries, especially in rural areas where livestock is the main source of livelihood. Since the disease is endemic to Ethiopia awareness of its status, economic, zoonoses, and public health significance must be addressed. Anthrax is a disease that requires constant vigilance and preparedness, as it poses a threat to both natural and deliberate outbreaks, enhancing surveillance, outbreak response, and diagnostics can help prevent and control anthrax cases in animals and humans, and reduce the social and economic consequences of this disease. Therefore, the objectives of this paper are to review the status, zoonoses, biowarfare, and economic and public health importance of anthrax. </p
How to help managing emotions felt by bipolar patients?
No full textThe regulation of the control of the emotional experience is one of the determining parameters of the adaptation of an individual to his environment. Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric pathology in which disturbances in the processing of emotions are particularly marked during acute episodes and persist during the interictal period. Treatment with mood stabilizers generally improves the perception of emotions, while antidepressants are brakes on this perception. Finally, simple psychological measures can be useful in controlling emotions.</p
Regarding the number of blades in the rotor of the wind turbine
No full textWhen developing a wind turbine, sooner or later the designer is faced with the problem of the number of blades. After all, the purpose of the wind turbine and its cost depends on this. The criteria were determined and an analysis was carried out regarding the appropriate number of blades in the rotor of the wind turbine.</p
“Perrotta Affective Dependence Questionnaire (PAD-Q)”: Development, regulation and validation of a psychometric instrument for the diagnosis of the affective dependence
No full textIntroduction: The construct of affective dependence is now considered a behavioural addiction, but the framework underlying the Perrotta Affective Dependence Model (PAD-M) considers it to be a manifested symptom of a specific psychopathological personality framework, and based on this theorization, the questionnaire (PAD-Q) was constructed to take into account the identification of 7 dysfunctional sub-styles related to the construct of affective dependence (neurotic, dependent, histrionic, masochist, borderline, covert narcissist and psychotic). Methods: Using the PAD-M, the population was selected to validate a new psychometric test, then compared with the Love Addiction Screening Test (LAST). Results: Statistical analysis showed that the psychometric test has a well-defined and stable construct (R = 0.999; p ≤ 0.001), with the variables well represented (R = 0.955; p ≤ 0.001) and positively correlated with another construct already validated (R = 0.961; p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The Perrotta Affective Dependence Questionnaire (PAD-Q) is a valid, efficient, and effective psychometric tool to diagnose the clinically relevant condition of affective dependence to improve the structural and functional framing of the patient and the appropriate therapy to pursue.</p
Influence of occupational stress on interpersonal and organizational relationships: an integrative review
No full textObjective: To investigate, through scientific literary findings, the effects of occupational stress on interpersonal relationships in the work environment.Methodology: This is an integrative literature review, with a descriptive and qualitative approach, carried out through a survey in the Scielo, Pubmed and Lilacs databases, with the words indexed in the DeCs: Psychology, Occupational Stress and Burnout Syndrome. As well as the Boolean operator ‘’AND’’ to perform the crossing between the descriptors. Articles related to the proposed theme, published between the years 2016 to 2021, available in full, with no language restriction; in addition to theses, dissertations and monographs. Results and discussions: The findings of the scientific literature exposed in this research could show that occupational stress has a total impact on interpersonal relationships and on emotional exhaustion, constituting a network conducive to the emergence and development of Burnout syndrome. Final considerations: The research included in this study could unanimously prove that occupational stress leads to a decline in interpersonal and organizational relationships, which directly compromises the mental health of professionals, generating a risk of harm to the health of the worker, with the syndrome of Burnout is the most prevalent pathology in this context.</p
A Band from the “Blue”
No full textSeveral lesions of the bladder are incidental findings and a few of them are seen against a background of bladder outlet obstruction. Tuberculosis of the bladder is associated with characteristic lesions and changes. Presented here is a never-seen-before bladder lesion in a patient presenting with symptoms of Bladder Outlet Obstruction due to an enlarged tuberculous prostate, and no evidence of tuberculous cystitis. </p
Psychopathological investigation of the personality of “psychic mediums”: Clinical evidence
No full textBackground: In popular culture, the medium is a subject of seemingly controversial psychic abilities, as he or she seems to be able to communicate telepathically and physically with the various spirit entities present on the astral plane, i.e., a plane parallel to the physical one that can interact with it. In the literature, such assumptions rise to mere speculation, the result of superstition and personal beliefs, using the abilities of mental manipulation; however, some research has challenged these beliefs.Objectives: To demonstrate whether the personality profile of the psychic mediums analyzed exhibits pathological personality traits and whether such is sufficient to confirm a clinical diagnosis.Materials and methods: Clinical interview, based on narrative-anamnestic and documentary evidence, and battery of psychometric tests. Results: The totality of the clinical group (CG) is found to be pathological, with at least 5 dysfunctional traits, and a corollary of secondary traits reinforcing the primary condition; the pathological differential from the control group (Cg) is +70.7%. At the individual sexual matrix questionnaires, just over 1/4 of the CG show a dysfunctional tendency to sexual behavior with a differential from the Cg of +42.8%. Slightly more than one-fifth of the CG also exhibit affective dependence, with a pathological differential with the Cg of +17%, while the CG sample concerning ego defense mechanisms exhibits the pathological totality of the sample, with a differential for the Cg of +45.7%.Conclusion: This research confirms the psychopathological nature of the personality profiles of mediums, with a higher prevalence of delusional, dissociative, and narcissistic disorders of the overt type, although these results do not prove the fraudulent nature of the mediumistic activity boasted by the subjects, and therefore what has been obtained should be read more generally, subjecting psychic mediums (in mediumistic activity) to technical instrumentation (electroencephalogram, functional magnetic resonance imaging and signal potential and audio-video) in the future to verify the outcomes.</p
Brain-computer interface applications to decrease phantom limb pain
No full textPhantom limb pain is mainly experienced in people who have suffered limb amputation, its study and analysis are relevant to know the causes and help patients to reduce pain. On the other hand, brain-computer interfaces encode brain signals and decode them for communication with a device. Through the motor imagination of the movement of the amputated limb and with the help of a brain-computer interface, an amputee patient can reduce or eliminate pain. The objective of this paper is to give an introduction to brain-computer interfaces as a tool for the reduction of phantom limb pain. Therefore, the applications of interfaces in relation to pain are highlighted, some related studies are discussed, and their benefits and disadvantages are analyzed. Finally, it is established that phantom limb pain research benefits from incorporating brain-computer interfaces as part of non-pharmaceutical therapy because it is a tool that provides feedback on the reconfiguration of the cerebral cortex in relation to pain.</p