This study analyzed how consumers' previous purchase experiences influence environmental consciousness and attitude towards green product purchase intentions. Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, ...it is assumed that previous purchase experience has a direct and positive influence on attitude and environmental consciousness, which in their turn are also factors of positive influence on purchasing intentions. In order to test the hypotheses, a structural equation modeling technique was applied. The results identified that attitude was one of the antecedents of green products consumer's purchasing intention, but previous purchase experiences neither influenced attitudes nor environmental consciousness, contrary to the initial proposition of this study. Even though the results didn't confirm the model proposition, this study showed important outcomes that validated the attitude influence on purchase intention and the observation on the analysis discussion section that previous purchase experiences and environmental consciousness influence over green products individual purchase intention is dependent on buying situation and characteristic of the product. Understanding the antecedent influences on individual choices at consumption moments in which green products are available can highlight the gap between the pro-environmental consumers discourse and their real actions of purchasing mentioned on consumer behavior literature, contributing to a better comprehension of the phenomenon. The main contribution of this study is therefore to highlight the perspective of green products previous purchase experiences in order to analyze the influence over environmental consciousness and attitudes purchase intention, which wasn't mentioned in previous consumption behavior studies.
•Attitudes towards green products are positively related to green product purchase intention.•Previous green product purchase experience does not lead to future green purchase intentions.•Consumer environmental consciousness only has no effect on green products purchase intention.•Consumer environmental consciousness considers other factors than just previous experience.•Previous experiences are not positively related to consumer attitudes towards green products.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Spice plants have a great influence on world history. For centuries, different civilizations have used them to condiment the foods of kings and nobles and applied them as embalming preservatives, ...perfumes, cosmetics, and medicines in different regions of the world. In general, these plants have formed the basis of traditional medicine and some of their derived substances have been utilized to treat different human diseases. Essential oils (EOs) obtained from these plants have been also used as therapeutic agents and have shown supportive uses in remedial practices. The discovery and development of bioactive compounds from these natural products, based on their traditional uses, play an important role in developing the scientific evidence of their potential pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food applications. In the present review, using recent studies, we exhibit a general overview of the main aspects related to the importance of spice plants widely used in traditional medicine:
(true cinnamon),
(peppermint),
(basil),
(oregano),
(black pepper),
(rosemary), and
(thyme); and we discuss new findings of the bioactive compounds obtained from their EOs, their potential applications, as well as their molecular mechanisms of action, focusing on their antioxidant activity. We also exhibit the main in vitro methods applied to determine the antioxidant activities of these natural products.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
•Rapid determination of molecular weight of chitosanes was possible.•Single point determination of viscometric parameter for chitosanes was proposed.•Equations for quick viscometric measurements for ...chitosanes was evaluated.
A viscometric study was carried out at 25°C to assess the physical–chemical behavior in solution and the mean viscometric molar mass (M¯v) of chitosan solutions with different deacetylation degrees, in two solvent mixtures: medium 1—acetic acid 0.3mol/L and sodium acetate 0.2mol/L; and medium 2—acetic acid 0.1mol/L and sodium chloride 0.2mol/L. Different equations were employed, by graphical extrapolation, to calculate the intrinsic viscosities η and the viscometric constants, to reveal the solvent's quality: Huggins (H), Kraemer (K) and Schulz–Blaschke (SB). For single-point determination, the equations used were SB, Solomon–Ciuta (SC) and Deb–Chanterjee (DC), resulting in a faster form of analysis. The values of ̄M¯v were calculated by applying the equation of Mark–Houwink–Sakurada. The SB and SC equations were most suitable for single-point determination of η and ̄M¯v and the Schulz–Blachke constant (kSB), equal to 0.28, already utilized for various systems, can also be employed to analyze chitosan solutions under the conditions studied.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
The modification of the surface characteristics after treatment with plasma in polymeric materials, such as the aging phenomenon, calls the attention of research in the area of nonthermal plasma ...technology. In this work, a direct treatment with dielectric‐barrier discharge plasma was used on the surfaces of ultrafiltration membranes. The measurements of the contact angle with water, attenuated total reflectance accessory, zeta potential, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy‐MEV were performed on the surfaces to verify changes after plasma treatment and to understand the occurrence and timing of the plasma aging effect. In the analysis of the membrane performance, hydraulic permeation and protein retention tests were performed. The results showed an improvement in wettability and hydrophilic properties in the post‐treated membranes. The study of reversibility/aging of the post‐plasma surface is important for research that deals with the modification of polymeric membranes. Changes in surface morphology, topography and wettability of the membranes were observed up to seven days after treatment, with a tendency to return to the initial characteristics of the membranes.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Leaves of
(Verbenaceae) were dried in an oven at 40, 50 and 60 °C and the kinetic of drying and the influence of the drying process on the chemical composition, yield, and DPPH radical scavenging ...activity of the obtained essential oils were evaluated. The composition of the essential oils was determined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection analyses. The influence of drying on the chemical composition of the essential oils of
was evaluated by multivariate analysis, and their antioxidant activity was investigated via the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The Midilli model was the most appropriate to describe the behavior of drying kinetic data of
leaves. Thymol was the major compound for all analyzed conditions; the maximum content was obtained from fresh leaves (62.78 ± 0.63%). The essential oils showed DPPH radical scavenging activity with an average of 73.10 ± 12.08%, and the fresh leaves showed higher inhibition (89.97 ± 0.31%). This is the first study to evaluate the influence of drying on the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of
essential oils rich in thymol.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The preparation of fluorene(bisthiophene)-based fluorescent nanofibers for nitroaromatic explosive detection provides a convenient rapid and low-cost strategy aiming at forensic applications. ...Polycaprolactone (PCL) and fluorene(bisthiophene) derivative (FBT) nanofibers were obtained by electrospinning technique as a free-standing mat and characterized by SEM, FTIR, thermal analysis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The PCL/FBT nanofibers presented high sensitivity towards 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and picric acid (PA), with fluorescence quenching (turn-off mechanism), and selectivity to another kind of explosives. The free-standing mats were used as a cloth strip that was swiped on surfaces contaminated with TNT traces allowing its visual detection under UV light source. These findings are particularly important for the development of a facile and promising strategy to assembly portable optical devices for nitroaromatic explosive detection.
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•Polymer nanofibers based on poly(caprolactone) and fluorene(bisthiophene) derivative have been successfully prepared.•Fluorescent nanofiber mats are useful as material for nitroaromatic explosives detection.•The strategy consists in fluorescence quenching of PCL/FBT mats after exposure to nitroaromatic explosive residues.•Low-cost and free-standing fluorescent nanofibers formation are some of the advantages of the methodology.•PCL/FBT nanofibers presented high efficiency quenching after interaction with TNT and PA.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Chagas disease is one of the most important endemic parasitic diseases in Latin America. In its chronic phase, progression to cardiomyopathy has high morbidity and mortality. The persistence of a ...normal electrocardiogram (ECG) provides a similar prognosis to that of a non-diseased population. Benznidazole (BNZ) is the only drug with trypanocidal action available in Brazil.
A group of 310 patients with chronic Chagas disease who had normal ECGs at the first medical visit performed before 2002 were included. There were 263 patients treated with BNZ and 47 untreated. The follow-up period was 19.59 years. Univariate analyses showed that those treated were younger and predominantly male. As many as 79.08% of those treated and 46.81% of those untreated continued with normal electrocardiograms (p <0.0001). The occurrence of electrocardiographic abnormalities and relevant clinical events (heart failure, stroke, total mortality, and cardiovascular death) was less prevalent in treated patients (p <0.001, p: 0.022, p: 0.047 respectively). In multivariate analyses, the parasiticide treatment was an independent variable for persistence of a normal ECG pattern, which was an independent variable in the prevention of significant clinical events. The immunofluorescence titers decreased with the parasitological treatment. However, the small number of tests in untreated patients did not allow the correlation of the decrease of these titers with electrocardiographic alterations.
These data suggest that treatment with benznidazole prevents the occurrence of electrocardiographic alterations. On the other hand, patients who develop ECG abnormalities present with more significant clinical events.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
•Silver nanoparticles electrodeposited on fingermarked metallic surfaces.•Latent fingermarks aged up to one year visualized using silver nanoparticles.•SEM images reveal substrate dependent silver ...nanoparticle morphology.•Application to metallic objects of practical forensic value demonstrated.•Quantitative measure of fingermark image contrast developed.
Fingerprints are central to criminal investigations as the most common physical evidence for identification of an individual. However, visualising latent (non-visible) fingerprints is a challenge, particularly on metallic surfaces. In this work, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were electrodeposited on fingermarked metal surfaces (stainless steel, copper, brass) by reduction of silver ions in aqueous AgNO3/KNO3 under potentiostatic control. The effectiveness of this methodology and the quality of the developed fingermark images were assessed by scanning electron microscopy, the UK Home Office grading system, automated forensic analysis software and a novel quantitative contrast evaluation methodology. The images clearly permit identification of the ridge patterns and minutiae of the fingermark, even for aged samples and metallic substrates with complex background colour and/or texture, typified by keys and coins. On the basis of the data presented, we propose that this methodology is useful for latent fingermark development on diverse metals, producing high fidelity images of quantifiable contrast.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Purpose
To describe ocular findings in infants with signs of congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZS) in Paraíba, Brazil, as well as to conduct a literature review and report correlations with published ...clinical cases.
Methods
In the Paraíba sample, infants with microcephaly suggestive of CZS were classified as Z (confirmed), PZ (probable), or SZ (suspected) according to serological testing and/or clinical findings of CZS. The patients underwent a clinical eye examination, and the results were correlated with published clinical cases.
Results
Ocular findings were present in 24 (42.9%) of 56 patients, consisting of gross retinal pigmentation in 11 (45.8%), macular chorioretinal atrophy in 11 (45.8%), optic nerve hypoplasia in 1 (4.2%), optic nerve pallor in 14 (58.3%), and increased cup-to-disk ratio in 2 (8.3%). The study revealed retina and optic nerve findings consistent with previous reports of ophthalmic involvement in CZS. However, external ocular changes observed in other studies were not detected.
Conclusion
Ocular findings similar and consistent with the literature on CZS were observed with considerable frequency and severity, regardless of the patients’ serological confirmation or classification. Infants with signs of CZS should undergo ocular examination.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to verify the association between smartphone/tablet exposure and physical activity
sleep in children from 5 to 10 years old. Data Source: This study ...followed the guidelines of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and included studies that met eligibility criteria based on the "PECO" strategy: participants (children from 5 to 10 years old), exposure (smartphone and tablet use), and outcome (physical activity and sleep).
The inclusion criteria were observational studies published in indexed scientific journals and written in Portuguese, English, and Spanish that verified the association of exposure to smartphones/tablets with physical activity and sleep in children aged 5 to 10 years of both sexes. Studies were considered eligible only if they met the previous criteria. Data Extraction: The search was conducted in January 2023 on databases from electronic journals without the restriction of the period. To meta-analyze were extracted and grouped using models of fixed and random effects, the coefficients Odds Ratio (OR), Beta (β), Standard Error (SE), and Confidence Intervals of 95% (95%CI). Data Synthesis: 2396 potentially relevant papers were identified, and 17 met the inclusion criteria.
It can be verified that there was an inverse association between smartphones with physical activity and sleep. Studies indicate that for every additional hour of smartphone and tablet use, sleep can be expected to decrease by an average of 11 minutes (β = - 0.11; 95%CI = -0.13; -0.09). Children using smartphones and tablets were 1.79 times (OR = 1.79; 95%CI = 1.72-1.86) more likely to have shorter sleep duration and 1.53 times (OR = 1.53; 95%CI = 1.41-1.65) more likely to have worse sleep quality. Children with shorter smartphone and tablet usage were 1.19 times more likely to be active (OR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.03-1.37).
Children of 5 to 10 years who are more often exposed to smartphones and tablets are prone to have worse quality and quantity of sleep, as well as less practice of physical activity. Health promotion actions can be encouraged based on the results, aiming to reduce the use time of these devices and improve children's health and quality of life.
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FSPLJ, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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