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Background: This pilot study aimed to investigate medication nonadherence among Taiwanese patients with diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia using the Chinese version of the Two-Part Medication Nonadherence Scale (C-TPMNS) and the National Health Insurance (NHI) Medicloud system. The study revealed insights into the factors contributing to nonadherence and the implications for improving patient adherence to medications for chronic conditions. However, the small sample size limits the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, the study identified the need for further research with larger and more diverse samples to validate the preliminary findings. Methods: The study conducted surveys individuals in central Taiwan who received three-high medications and those who returned expired medications from chain pharmacies. A structured questionnaire including the C-TPMNS was administered, and additional data on medical history and HbA1c, LDL, and blood pressure levels were collected from the NHI Medicloud system. Data analysis was performed using multiple ordered logistic regression and Wald test methods. Setting interpretation cutoff point to determine medication nonadherence. Results: The study found that 25.8% of participants were non-adherent to prescribed medications. Non-adherent individuals had significantly higher systolic blood pressure (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg) than adherent participants. Non-adherence was also associated with factors such as lower education, single status, living alone, abnormal glucose postprandial concentration, and triglyceride levels. The C-TPMNS demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.816) and validity (area under the ROC curve = 0.72). Conclusion: The study highlighted the complexity of medication nonadherence with diverse determinants and emphasized the importance of tailored interventions. The findings underscored the need for region-specific research to comprehensively address medication nonadherence, especially focusing on adherence to medications for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. The study also identified the need for larger, more diverse studies to validate and expand upon the initial findings and emphasized the importance of pharmacist interventions and patient empowerment in managing chronic conditions and improving overall health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite considerable research in geopolymer materials, the design of experiment (DOE) method has not previously been used for the analysis of geopolymers containing silicon carbide sludge (SCS) waste and/or metakaolin (MK). This study used DOE methods to quantitatively assess the correlation between factor parameters and the macroscopic and microstructural properties of SCS‐based geopolymers (SCSGPs). Statistical analysis identified Na/Si molar ratio, Na/Al molar ratio, and the dissolution rate of Al as the factors with the most profound influence on the compressive strength of the SCSGPs. Analysis of setting time and compressive strength revealed that in SCSGP samples containing 20% SCS, coefficient b in power function regression analysis was the most influential, due to the synergy between MK and SCS. The results obtained in this study using a multivariate adaptive regression splines model to establish a valuable reference for the further development and standardization of geopolymer mixture designs based on SCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study developed a novel approach to the hydrothermal synthesis of eco-hydroxyapatite (eco-HPA) from recycled limestone sludge for the removal of Cu2+ from aqueous solutions. The resulting eco-HPA was characterized using X-ray fluorescence, thermal field emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray powder diffraction analysis, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurements. Under a hydrothermal temperature of 120 °C and Ca/P molar ratio of 1, this study obtained the nitrogen adsorption isotherm and desorption curves indicative of hydroxyapatite. Based on the IUPAC classification system, these are the type-IV adsorption isotherm curves of a mesoporous structure with an H3-type hysteresis loop. The same sample achieved an adsorption capacity of 210 mg/g. The adsorption kinetics closely fit the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 = 0.9990–1.000). Adsorption isotherms presented the strongest correlation with the Langmuir model (R2 = 0.97–0.99), exceeding that of the Freundlich model (R2 = 0.91–0.98). Taken together, these results demonstrate that the proposed eco-HAP is a viable low-cost environmentally friendly adsorbent with broad applicability for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]