Youth's internet dependence forming factors as a global public health problem.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: The aim is to study the main factors of youth's Internet dependence formation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: We conducted psychodiagnostic examination of students in the National Academy of Internal Affairs. The research involved 154 students: full-time students aged 18-25 (n = 78) and part-time students aged 26-35 (n = 76). RESULTS: Results: The degree of prevalence of various types of Internet dependence among young people was determined. It was determined that the problem of Internet dependence requires consideration of socio-demographic, socio-psychological, individual, and psychological, as well as organizational factors. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: It was found that the number of Internet-dependent people among youth is currently growing rapidly. The most favorable individual-typological properties of a personality for the development of Internet dependence are introversion, anxiety, sensitivity, and aggressiveness. Internet dependence is a type of social dependence. An Internet-dependent individual suffers from the inability to maintain harmonious interpersonal contacts and resolve personal issues that are distorted by the virtual environment. Deviations from normal behavior in society change the peaceful way of life and affect public health.

Central tendency and serial dependence in vestibular path integration.

Path integration, the process of updating one's position using successive self-motion signals, has previously been studied using visual distance reproduction tasks in which optic flow patterns provide information about traveled distance. These studies have reported that reproduced distances show two types of systematic biases: central tendency and serial dependence. In the present study, we investigated whether these biases are also present in vestibular path integration. Participants were seated on a linear motion platform and performed a distance reproduction task in total darkness. The platform first passively moved the participant a pre-defined stimulus distance which they then actively reproduced by steering the platform back the same distance. Stimulus distances were sampled from short- and long-distance probability distributions and presented in either a randomized order or in separate blocks to study the effect of presentation context. Similar to the effects observed in visual path integration, we found that reproduced distances showed an overall positive central tendency effect as well as a positive, attractive serial dependence effect. Furthermore, reproduction behavior was affected by presentation context. These results were mostly consistent with predictions of a Bayesian Kalman-filter model, originally proposed for visual path integration.

Preparation of Fe,Co,P-Codoping Peroxidase-like Green-Emitting Carbon Dots and Its Application in Monitoring the Freshness of Aquatic Products.

Carbon dot (CD) nanozymes with excellent fluorescence properties and mimetic enzyme activity have exhibited great potential in monitoring the freshness of meat products. This paper reports the synthesis of Fe, Co, and P codoped CD nanozymes (quantum yields = 48.76%) through a one-step hydrothermal route. The product showed green fluorescence and peroxidase (POD) activity. Because the fluorescence intensity and emission wavelength of prepared CDs change with pH, a pH sensor has been developed to monitor the pH change caused by volatile biogenic amines during the spoilage process of aquatic products. Moreover, this CD biosensor has been used to realize the sensitive and visual detection of hypoxanthine (Hx, the marker of the spoilage of aquatic products) based on the inhibitory effect of Hx upon the POD activity of CDs. This study provides a new strategy for preparing high-quality CD nanozymes and its application in low-cost and visual monitoring of the freshness of aquatic products.

Positive serial dependence in ratings of food images for appeal and calories.

Food is fundamental to survival, and our brains are highly attuned to rapidly process food stimuli. Neural signals show that foods can be discriminated as edible or inedible as early as 85 ms after stimulus onset,1 distinguished as processed or unprocessed beginning at 130 ms,2 and as high or low density from 165 ms.3 Recent evidence revealed specialized processing of food stimuli in the ventral visual pathway,4,5,6 an area that underlies perception of faces and other important objects. For many visual objects, perception can be biased toward recent perceptual history (known as serial dependence7,8). We examined serial dependence for food in two large samples (n > 300) who rated sequences of food images for either "appeal" or "calories." Ratings for calories were highly correlated between participants and were similar for males and females. Appeal ratings varied considerably between participants, consistent with the idiosyncratic nature of food preferences, and tended to be higher for males than females. High-calorie ratings were associated with high appeal, especially in males. Importantly, response biases showed clear positive serial dependences: higher stimulus values in the previous trials led to positive biases, and vice versa. The effects were similar for males and females and for calories and appeal ratings and were remarkably consistent across participants. These findings square with recently found food selectively in the visual temporal cortex, reveal a new mechanism influencing food decision-making, and suggest a new sensory-level component that could complement cognitive strategies in diet intervention.

Oligotrophic state reduces the time dependence of the observed survival fraction for heavy ion beam-irradiated Saccharomyces cerevisiae and provides new insights into DNA repair.

Heavy ion beam (HIB) irradiation is widely utilized in studies of cosmic rays-induced cellular effects and microbial breeding. Establishing an accurate dose-survival relationship is crucial for selecting the optimal irradiation dose. Typically, after irradiating logarithmic-phase cell suspensions with HIB, the survival fraction (SF) is determined by the ratio of clonal-forming units in irradiated versus control groups. However, our findings indicated that SF measurements were time sensitive. For the Saccharomyces cerevisiae model, the observed SF initially declined and subsequently increased in a eutrophic state; conversely, in an oligotrophic state, it remained relatively stable within 120 minutes. This time effect of SF observations in the eutrophic state can be ascribed to HIB-exposed cells experiencing cell cycle arrest, whereas the control proliferated rapidly, resulting in an over-time disproportionate change in viable cell count. Therefore, an alternative involves irradiating oligotrophic cells, determining SF thereafter, and transferring cells to the eutrophic state to facilitate DNA repair-mutation. Transcriptomic comparisons under these two trophic states yield valuable insights into the DNA damage response. Although DNA repair was postponed in an oligotrophic state, cells proactively mobilized specific repair pathways to advance this process. Effective nutritional supplementation should occur within 120 minutes, beyond this window, a decline in SF indicates an irreversible loss of repair capability. Upon transition to the eutrophic state, S. cerevisiae swiftly adapted and completed the repair. This study helps to minimize time-dependent variability in SF observations and to ensure effective damage repair and mutation in microbial breeding using HIB or other mutagens. It also promotes the understanding of microbial responses to complex environments.IMPORTANCEMutation breeding is a vital means of developing excellent microbial resources. Consequently, understanding the mechanisms through which microorganisms respond to complex environments characterized by mutagens and specific physiological-biochemical states holds significant theoretical and practical values. This study utilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a microbial model and highly efficient heavy ion beam (HIB) radiation as a mutagen, it revealed the time dependence of observations of survival fractions (SF) in response to HIB radiation and proposed an alternative to avoid the indeterminacy that this variable brings. Meanwhile, by incorporating an oligotrophic state into the alternative, this study constructed a dynamic map of gene expression during the fast-repair and slow-repair stages. It also highlighted the influence of trophic states on DNA repair. The findings apply to the survival-damage repair-mutation effects of single-celled microorganisms in response to various mutagens and contribute to elucidating the biological mechanisms underlying microbial survival in complex environments.

Experimental evidence of inbreeding depression for competitive ability and its population-level consequences in a mixed-mating plant.

Inbreeding depression is a key factor regulating the evolution of self-fertilization in plants. Despite predictions that inbreeding depression should evolve with selfing rates as deleterious alleles are increasingly exposed and removed by selection, evidence of purging the genetic load in wild populations is equivocal at best. This discordance could be explained, in part, if the load underlying inbreeding depression is subject to soft selection, i.e., the fitness of selfed individuals depends on the frequency and density of selfed vs. outcrossed individuals in the population. Somewhat counterintuitively, this means that populations with contrasting mutation load can have similar fitness. Soft selection against selfed individuals may be expected when there is inbreeding depression for competitive ability in density-regulated populations. We tested population-level predictions of inbreeding depression in competitive ability by creating a density series of potted plants consisting of either purely outcrossed, purely selfed, or mixed (50% outcrossed, 50% selfed) seed of the mixed-mating biennial Sabatia angularis (Gentianaceae) representing ecological neighborhoods. Focusing on the growth and survival of juveniles, we show that mean plant size is independent of neighborhood composition when resources are limiting, but greatest in outcrossed neighborhoods at low densities. Across a range of densities, this manifests as stronger density-dependence in outcrossed populations compared to selfed or mixed ones. We also found significantly greater size inequalities among individuals in mixed neighborhoods, even at high densities where mean juvenile size converged, a key signature of asymmetric competition between outcrossed and selfed individuals. Our work illustrates how soft selection could shelter the genetic load underlying inbreeding depression and its demographic consequences.

The Impact of Yogic Breathing Exercises on Pulmonary Functions in Asymptomatic Smokers.

Introduction Smoking is a serious public health problem that leads to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Its harmful effects are more significantly seen in the respiratory system. Approximately 30% of smokers experience compromised lung functions. However, asymptomatic smokers exhibit alteration in lung morphology. This study will give us a better understanding of the respiratory damages that may occur in asymptomatic smokers and if we can delay or prevent the same by the simple practice of Pranayama and Om chanting. Materials and methods An interventional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary (SGT) University, Gurugram, Haryana, India. The study duration was eight weeks, and a total of 135 subjects, including both male and female participants aged between 18 and 25 years, were included in this study. Baseline recordings of anthropometric parameters, spirometric parameters like forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume (FEV) in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, forced expiratory flow (FEF) between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (FEF25-75%), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced inspiratory vital capacity (FIVC), peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) and for respiratory endurance - breath holding time at the end of inspiration (BHTi), breath holding time at the end of expiration (BHTe), 40 mmHg were recorded before the start of the study and again after eight weeks of alternate nostril breathing and om chanting performed for 10 minutes (5 minutes for each protocol). We also recorded nicotine dependence score with the help of Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). A comparison of spirometric parameters, respiratory endurance, and FTND was done using the paired t-test. Result All spirometric measures and respiratory endurance parameters showed significant increases, with the exception of FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FTND, which showed no significant improvement. Conclusion Pranayama and Om chanting were found to increase respiratory muscle endurance and support better utilization of the alveolo-bronchial tree, which may help in better oxygenation and delay in onset of the symptoms of COPD.

Distal and proximal factors of wearable users' quantified-self dependence: A cognitive-behavioral model.

Objective: While using self-tracking devices for physical health has become ubiquitous, the potential for quantified-self (QS) dependence as a detrimental outcome for mental health is under-explored. This study examined the mechanism of wearable users' QS dependence by investigating both the distal and proximal factors based on a cognitive-behavioral model. Methods: A total of 535 wearable users aged 18-35 years were surveyed in this study. The surveys included control variable questions related to age, gender, monthly income, BMI, and wearable use experience. Key variable measures included distal factor (habitual use of wearables), proximal factors (perceived external regulation, recognition, and perceived irreplaceability), and perceived QS dependence. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test research hypotheses. Results: The results revealed that habitual use of wearables as a distal factor alone was negatively associated with perceived QS dependence. However, it positively influenced perceived external regulation, recognition, and perceived irreplaceability, which in turn significantly contributed to perceived QS dependence, suggesting the suppression effect of the proximal factors. Conclusions: The relationships between habitual use of wearables and QS dependence are complex. Although habitual use may seem apparently harmless, it can indirectly foster maladaptive cognitions, thereby promoting dependence. These findings underscore the potential threats of maladaptive cognitions that may arise from leveraging technology to promote physical health, thus offering guidance to technology designers for interventions.

Validation of drug-nondrug choice procedure to model maladaptive behavioural allocation to opioid use in rats.

Increased allocation of behaviour to substance abuse at the expense of personal and social rewards is a hallmark of addiction that is reflected in several of DSM-5 criteria for diagnosis of substance use disorder. Previous studies focused on refining the self-administration (SA) model to better emulate an addictive state in laboratory animals. Here, we employed concurrent SA of sucrose pellets and morphine as two competing natural and drug rewards, respectively, to validate the feasibility of capturing pathological behavioural allocation in rats. A custom-made three-lever operant chamber was used. With one active and one inactive lever presented, rats were trained to self-administer morphine (0.5 mg/kg/infusion; 2 h/day) under a fixed-ratio 1 (FR-1) schedule until a stable response was achieved. Next, they were trained to self-administer morphine in the presence of a third lever dispensing sucrose pellets (20 mg) under FR-1. Concurrent morphine-sucrose SA sessions (2 h/day) were continued until stable morphine taking behaviour was re-established. In another experiment, rats first established stable sucrose pellet SA (2 h/day, FR-1) and then were trained to take morphine (0.5 mg/kg/infusion; 2 h/day). Subsequently, all rats underwent extinction training, in which morphine was replaced with saline while sucrose pellets were still available upon lever pressing, followed by cue-induced reinstatement of morphine seeking behaviour. Results showed that rats retained morphine SA when sucrose pellets were also available, but they showed binge-like sucrose intake when morphine was removed during the extinction sessions. However, morphine SA did not develop in rats that had previously established sucrose pellet SA. In conclusion, morphine SA developed even in the presence of a potent competing nondrug reward in rats. Adding an effort-based contingent delivery of a natural reward to the standard SA model, this protocol may provide an improved model of drug addiction in laboratory animals.

Atmospheric pollution in Chinese cities: Trends and persistence.

This paper applies fractional integration to investigate the behaviour of various pollutants in seven Chinese cities. The objective is to establish if the series exhibit long memory and if time trends are statistically significant over the sample period going from January 2014 to November 2022. The results suggest that the steps recently taken by the Chinese authorities to reduce emissions and improve air quality have already had some effect: in most cases the air pollutant series are in the stationary range, with mean reversion occurring and shocks only having temporary effects, and there are significant downward trends indicating a decline over time in the degree of pollution in China. It is also interesting that in the most recent period, the Zero-Covid policy of the Chinese authorities has led to a further fall. On the whole, it would appear that the action plan adopted by the Chinese government is bringing the expected environmental benefits and therefore it is to be hoped that such policies will continue to be implemented and extended to improve air quality even further.

Experiences of misuse and symptoms of dependence among people who use gabapentinoids: A qualitative systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Gabapentinoids are among the most widely prescribed pain medications worldwide. However, there is growing evidence of harms associated with their use. The aim of this study was to systematically review and synthesise qualitative research exploring lived experiences of gabapentinoid (pregabalin and/or gabapentin) misuse and symptoms of dependence. METHODS: Six databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO) and grey literature sources were searched from inception to September 2023. The methodological quality of included studies was appraised using a modified 11-item version of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme qualitative checklist, and higher quality studies were prioritised in the thematic synthesis. Confidence in the overall findings of the review was assessed using the GRADE-CERQual approach. The review was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023401832). RESULTS: Twenty-six articles representing 21 original studies were included. The majority used interview methods and were of high methodological quality. Motives for gabapentinoid misuse included getting high, potentiating or offsetting the effects of other drugs, self-medicating for pain, distress, insomnia, or withdrawal symptoms, and substituting for another drug. Symptoms of dependence included the rapid development of tolerance and a severe withdrawal syndrome often involving psychiatric symptoms. Harms including dissociation, loss of consciousness, and overdose were generally reported as a consequence of polysubstance use. Confidence in most of the review findings was moderate with low confidence in one finding. CONCLUSION: This review provides rich qualitative insights into the potential motives for gabapentinoid misuse as well as the diverse lived experiences of dependence symptomatology. Considering the increasing prescribing of these medications globally, and the potential for public health challenges resulting from misuse, the findings of this review can be used to develop more effective harm reduction strategies.

Sex differences in nicotine intake and relapse behavior in nicotine-dependent adult wistar rats.

Introduction: Tobacco use is highly addictive and the leading cause of premature mortality in the world. Long-access nicotine self-administration procedures in rats closely model human smoking behavior. However, significant gaps remain in our understanding of sex differences in the development of dependence and relapse in adult rats. Methods: In the present study, we investigated operant responding for both nicotine and saline and the development of dependence in adult rats of both sexes. The rats had daily access to nicotine or saline for 6 h per day, 7 days per week. Dependence was assessed by evaluating precipitated and spontaneous somatic withdrawal signs, measuring locomotor activity in the small open field test, and assessing anxiety-like behavior in the large open field and elevated plus maze test. The sucrose preference test was used to determine if cessation of nicotine intake leads to anhedonia. It was also investigated if a period of forced abstinence affects nicotine-seeking behavior. Results: This study showed that nicotine intake is higher in females than in males when given daily long access to nicotine. Daily nicotine self-administration led to more precipitated and spontaneous somatic withdrawal signs compared to saline self-administration, with no sex differences observed. In addition, cessation of nicotine intake led to a similar increase in activity in both males and females in the small open field test. However, cessation of nicotine intake did not increase anxiety-like behavior or cause anhedonia in either males or females. A time course analysis revealed that the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist mecamylamine affected nicotine intake differently in males and females, increasing intake in males and decreasing intake in females. Three weeks of forced abstinence led to an increase in nicotine and saline-seeking behavior. The rats exhibited more nicotine than saline seeking, and the females displayed more nicotine seeking than the males. Discussion: The present findings demonstrate that females self-administer more nicotine and display more nicotine-seeking behavior than males. Furthermore, there were no sex differences in somatic withdrawal signs or activity during abstinence from nicotine. This work underscores the importance of considering sex differences across various aspects of addiction, including intake and relapse, when developing novel treatments for tobacco use disorder.

Risk assessment of Arsenic in surface water of China water systems based on a time-dependent species sensitivity distribution (SSD) method.

Arsenic (As) is a naturally occurring metalloid element widespread in the environment. Assessing the ecological risk of As in surface water, especially the acute risk caused by emergent pollution incidents, is of great significance. However, acute toxicity data including median lethal concentration (LC50) and median effective concentration (EC50) of As derived by toxicology experiment may vary according to the exposure time, which is referred as time dependence effect. Time dependence not only affects toxicity data but also influences the characterization of acute risk in the ecosystem. However, previous research on the time dependence effect of As, especially the quantitative influence on the risk assessment is still limited. In this research, acute toxicity data of As(III) and As(V) was collected. Time dependence of toxicology data of inorganic As was studied. Time-dependent species sensitivity distributions of freshwater species were established. The hazardous concentration for 5% of species (HC5) values in different exposure time were further derived. Finally, the dynamic ecological risk of As in major Chinese water basins was evaluated. The results suggested that the toxicity data of inorganic As had a significant linear relationship (p < 0.01) with time. The HC5 values of As (III) and As (V) at an exposure time of four days were reduced by 15.5% and 77.5%, respectively, as compared to the HC5 value of one day. According to the ecological risk characterized by the probability density overlapping area method, the ecological risk of As(III) and As(V) increases with the exposure duration. The Yangtze River had the highest risk, with risk values ranging from 19.9% to 22.6%. According to the results, the time dependence of toxicity data should be fully considered in the formulation of water quality criteria or ecological risk assessment so as to provide better protection for the water ecosystem security.

Simulating the ionic liquid mixing with organic-solvent clarifies the mixture's SFG spectral behavior and the specific surface region originating SFG.

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of the green ionic liquid [C4mim][PF6] mixed with polar benzonitrile (BNZ) solvent provides detailed insights into their structural and dynamic properties, essential for electrochemistry and materials science applications. The simulations we carried out at varying mole fractions (XBZN) reveal the mixtures' physical, structural, and dynamic properties, with radial, spatial, and combined distribution functions, highlighting the effective interaction through H-bonding involved. The simulation indicates that BZN stacks on the cation butyl tail, providing a significant explanation for the unique experimental observations (following). Adding BZN causes the mixture's liquid dynamics to increase linearly at low XBZN and exponentially at high XBZN, with a notable singular transition at 0.5XBZN. Comprehensive efforts were made to verify and support experimental sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy by simulating the surface structure of the mixtures. Consequently, the simulated BZN stacking structure explains (1) the absence of the C≡N vibrational mode in the SFG spectrum for XBZN < 0.8, and (2) the gradual diminishing of the CH3 SFG signal, which disappears as XBZN approaches 0.5. Finally, this research removes a persistent ambiguity, proving that only the molecular moieties on the surface generate the SFG vibrational signal, while those in the subsurface do not.

Cofactor-dependence alteration of 7ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase: Enhancing one-pot synthesis efficiency of chenodeoxycholic acid to ursodeoxycholic acid through cofactor self-recycling.

NAD+-dependent 7α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (7α-HSDH) and NADPH-dependent 7ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (7ß-HSDH) are involved in the biosynthesis of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). To realize the one-pot synthesis of CDCA to UDCA through NAD+-NADH cycling, we aimed to improve the binding ability of Hyphomicrobium sp. 7ß-HSDH to NADH. The 7ß-HSDH structure was modeled and some potential residues to improve NADH affinity near conserved cofactor binding regions were screened, including Ala22, Gln23, Asn24, Asp44, Leu45, and Asn46. The dominant mutant A22T/Q23E/L45A/N46E significantly enhanced the binding affinity for NADH, resulting in a 44.9-fold increase in its kcat/Km value. It increased enzymatic activity by 65.2-fold and catalyzed the synthesis of UDCA at a yield of 77.6 % with 5 g/L 7K-LCA and 12.5 mM NADH. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated increased interactions of mutated 7ß-HSDH and the ligand NADH by their spatially reduced binding distance and reaction energy. The modified cofactor-dependence of 7ß-HSDH realized efficient one-pot synthesis of CDCA to UDCA through strengthening cofactor-recycling and reducing the use of cofactor, achieving 90.1 % UDCA yield and 54.1 g/L/d spatiotemporal yield when coupled with 7α-HSDH with only 0.5 mM NAD+ as coenzyme. This work also supplies a universal cofactor-dependence engineering technique for homologous HSDH enzymes.

A machine learning algorithm to explore the drivers of carbon emissions in Chinese cities.

As the world's largest energy consumer and carbon emitter, the task of carbon emission reduction is imminent. In order to realize the dual-carbon goal at an early date, it is necessary to study the key factors affecting China's carbon emissions and their non-linear relationships. This paper compares the performance of six machine learning algorithms to that of traditional econometric models in predicting carbon emissions in China from 2011 to 2020 using panel data from 254 cities in China. Specifically, it analyzes the comparative importance of domestic economic, external economic, and policy uncertainty factors as well as the nonparametric relationship between these factors and carbon emissions based on the Extra-trees model. Results show that energy consumption (ENC) remains the root cause of increased carbon emissions among domestic economic factors, although government intervention (GOV) and digital finance (DIG) can significantly reduce it. Next, among the external economic and policy uncertainty factors, foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic policy uncertainty (EPU) are important factors influencing carbon emissions, and the partial dependence plots (PDPs) confirm the pollution haven hypothesis and also reveal the role of EPU in reducing carbon emissions. The heterogeneity of factors affecting carbon emissions is also analyzed under different city sizes, and it is found that ENC is a common driving factor in cities of different sizes, but there are some differences. Finally, appropriate policy recommendations are proposed by us to help China move rapidly towards a green and sustainable development path.

The impact of smartphone dependence on college students' sleep quality: the chain-mediated role of negative emotions and health-promoting behaviors.

Objective: Sleep disturbances among college students have become a significant issue affecting their daily lives. This study aims to explore the relationship between smartphone dependence and sleep quality and examine the mediating roles of negative emotions and health-promoting behaviors. Methods: A total of 23,652 college students were included in the study, and 21,314 valid questionnaires were collected. The survey assessed demographic factors, smartphone dependence, sleep quality, negative emotions, and health-promoting behaviors. A chain mediation analysis was conducted to examine the relationships among these factors. Results: Smartphone dependence was significantly positively correlated with sleep quality (r = 0.272, p < 0.001) and negative emotions (r = 0.414, p < 0.001), and significantly negatively correlated with health-promoting behaviors (r = -0.178, p < 0.001). Sleep quality was positively correlated with negative emotions (r = 0.472, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with health-promoting behaviors (r = -0.218, p < 0.001).Smartphone dependence was a significant positive predictor of sleep quality. Moreover, negative emotions and health-promoting behaviors influenced the relationship between smartphone dependence and sleep quality. The total effect, direct effect, and indirect effect values were 0.304, 0.122, and 0.170, respectively. Conclusion: Different demographic factors (such as gender and place of residence) can lead to variations in different variables. Smartphone dependence and negative emotions have a positive impact on sleep quality among college students, while health-promoting behaviors have a negative impact. Smartphone dependence directly and positively affects sleep quality and can also influence it indirectly through the mediating effects of negative emotions and health-promoting behaviors, both individually and in a chain-like manner.

Provider costs of treating opioid dependence with extended-release buprenorphine in Australia.

INTRODUCTION: The costs of providing medication-assisted treatment for opioid dependence can determine its scale of provision. To provide estimates of the costs of extended-release buprenorphine (BUP-XR), we performed a bottom-up costing analysis of provider operational treatment costs. METHODS: Data were collected in a single-arm open label trial of BUP-XR injections conducted in specialist public drug treatment services and primary care private practices in three Australian states (the CoLAB study). The unit costs of resources used for each activity were combined with quantities used at each participating facility to arrive at the average annual cost per client. RESULTS: One hundred participants across the six health facility sites received monthly subcutaneous BUP-XR injections administered by a health-care practitioner. The average cost of providing 1 year of treatment per participant was $6656 ($6026-$8326). Screening cost (initial assessment and medical history) was $282 while monthly follow-up appointments cost $531 per client. The main cost driver was the monthly treatment costs accounting for 79% of the average annual client cost, with medication costs comprising 95% of this cost. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: With medication costs making up the largest proportion of treatment costs, treatment using BUP-XR has the potential to free up other health system resources, for example, staff time. The costs reported in this study can be used in an economic evaluation to estimate the net benefit or cost-effectiveness of BUP-XR especially when compared to other opioid agonist treatments.

Hydrogen bonding network in the electrical double layer mediates fast proton skipping to Get Rid of Fenton reaction pH dependence enables highly efficient alkaline water purification.

A fundamental scientific quandary in environmental has always been the pH dependence in Fenton reaction, that is, the reaction kinetics decreases by approximately 1-3 orders of magnitude upon transitioning from an acidic to an alkaline state. Here, we discovered that protons significantly contribute to the Fenton reaction through an examination of the reaction's interfacial behavior characteristics. Proton transfer mediated by hydrogen bond network connectivity in the electric double layer is responsible for the pH dependence of Fenton reaction kinetics. On this basis, the surface potential of Fenton reaction catalyst was modified to optimize the distribution of H2O in the electrical double layer, enhancing the connectivity of the interfacial hydrogen bond network and providing a fast channel for rapid proton transfer. The consecutive hydrogen bond network mediates rapid proton hopping, increasing the proton concentration in the Helmholtz layer, and consequently promoting the proton conductivity from 5.38×10-7 S·cm-2 to 4.35×10-6 S·cm-2 in alkaline conditions for Fenton reaction. Meanwhile, the kinetics reaction rate was improved 20 times, and the pH dependence was reduced from 70.9 % to 12.6 %. This discovery clarifies the key role of the interfacial hydrogen bond network and proton transfer in Fenton reaction kinetics pH dependence. It provides new theories and methods for achieving alkaline high Fenton reaction kinetics.

Understanding pregabalin misuse and dependence: Insights from a North Indian addiction treatment center.

Background: Pregabalin, approved for various medical conditions, has shown increasing misuse potential globally. However, limited research exists on pregabalin dependence in India. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of pregabalin dependence among individuals seeking substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in North India. Methods: A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted on patients enrolled between August 2022 and July 2023 at an academic institution-based addiction treatment center. Case records of patients with pregabalin dependence were retrieved and compared with controls with opioid dependence but no history of pregabalin use. Results: Among 3766 registered patients, 135 had pregabalin dependence (prevalence: 3.58 per 100 registered patients). Pregabalin-dependent patients were male, with a median usage duration of eight months and a median daily dose of 1200 mg. Most had concurrent opioid dependence, primarily heroin, used via the injection route. The odds of pregabalin dependence among those with opioid dependence were significantly higher than those with other substance dependence (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.13-1.85). Reasons for pregabalin use included opioid craving reduction, sedation, and euphoria. Patients with pregabalin dependence were more likely to have lower socioeconomic status (P < 0.0001) and urban residence (P = 0.032), an earlier age of substance use initiation (P = 0.02) and treatment seeking (P < 0.0001), and a higher co-occurrence of psychiatric disorders (P = 0.007) and less occurrence of alcohol dependence (P = 0.03). Conclusion: Findings underscore the need for heightened awareness, screening, and intervention efforts targeting pregabalin misuse within SUD treatment. Further research should focus on longitudinal studies to elucidate pregabalin dependence's trajectory.