Search Results (6)

This paper discusses the need to accurately determine the population’s exposure to low-intensity radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) from modern technologies like mobile networks, Wi-Fi, and IoT and proposes a practical solution for this assessment. There is no scientific consensus on the biological effects, mostly due to challenges in conducting accurate biological experiments. Recent research suggests that real-life exposure sources trigger stronger biological responses than laboratory-generated RF-EMF. However, there is a lack of research comparing the effects of these sources. This paper introduces a portable system for assessing and monitoring EMF exposure in urban areas. Employing a Software-Defined Radio (SDR) platform to ensure adaptability, the system incorporates two measurement configurations. The initial version concentrates on determining the average power within a 20 MHz Wi-Fi channel, whereas the subsequent configuration augments its functionality by introducing a frequency sweep. This sweep broadens the scrutinized bandwidth, thereby enriching the captured data content through the storage of spectrum sweeps corresponding to each average power value. These data can be used to create EMF profile maps based on individuals’ geographical coordinates. Compared to current limited-performance commercial exposimeters, the proposed system offers expanded capabilities by broadening the frequency bandwidth, georeferencing measurements, and storing data in an SQL database. Compared to high-performance commercial exposimeters, the major advantage of the system is its ability to detect short-term fluctuations in signal spectra and store the corresponding data for subsequent analysis. Full article

Heterogeneous catalysts, basic, acidic or bifunctional, can catalyze transesterification reactions where the raw material has a significant content of FFA fatty acids, such as used cooking oils or other lipid-based residues, which do not have the purity required for homogeneous catalysis, in which case the purity of the triglycerides above 99.5% is the first condition for the initiation of the reaction, to avoid saponification. In this work, a green supported catalyst was developed, using bacterial cellulose as catalytic support and biodegradable superbase as a chemical compound, for transesterification reaction to obtain alkyl esters, yielding over 99% of its content at 70 °C temperature and 7.5% catalyst loading (1.5/20 w/w catalyst:oil). A Plackett-–Burman design was used for screening experiments to explore the main effect in terms of catalytic activity and performance of the triglyceride conversion reaction. Full article

The recent tendency towards overpopulated cities has created an increased demand for the expansion of borders towards rural areas. This has modified the city–countryside relationship, giving rise to the concept of peri-urbanity. Based on these assumptions, this research paper aims to highlight the role and importance of sustainable development for the sustained progress of peri-urban regions, particularly by looking at international standards proposed by the United Nations. In other words, by encompassing the topics of sustainable and inclusive economic growth, decent work for all, and sustainable tourism, Goal 8 of the 17 Sustainable Goals proposed by United Nations represents a framework for the analysis of a peri-urban region located in Romania which is subject to massive development changes. This is realized by conducting extended qualitative research via the triangulation method, intended to compare and contrast three relevant perspectives: those of locals, those of professionals directly involved in the development of the area, and those presented in publicly available reports and statistics. The obtained results indicate factors such as air quality, water quality, space efficiency, and waste collection as being topics directly related to sustainability, while job availability and touristic development perspectives received lower interest. We stress that, despite the growth of urban areas and the migration of people from urban to peri-urban areas, more attention needs to be directed towards the protection of the environment. This is aimed at maintaining the authenticity of the region, specifically in terms of agricultural lands that can support the surrounding major cities. Our study will be relevant both to scholars and to actors in the domains of sustainability, sustainable economic growth, and tourism. Full article

The natural compounds of boron have many applications, primarily as a dietary supplement. The research is based on the discovery that the diester chlorogenoborate complex can be detected and quantified from green coffee beans. The study reports that such a diester molecule can also be synthesized in a stable form via the direct reaction of boric acid and chlorogenic acid in a mixture of acetonitrile–water (1:1, v/v) and left to evaporate over a period of 48 h at room temperature, resulting in a spirocyclic form (diester complex). The diester complex, with its molecular structure and digestibility attributes, has potential application as a prebiotic in gut health and oral health, and as a micronutrient essential for microbiota in humans and animals. Full article

Infrared spectroscopy is a widely used method of analysis to monitor various characteristics in the honey products analysis, to highlight these changes and to detect fraudulent modifications. In this way honey products could not be avoided. This article reviews some of the most important applications of these spectroscopic procedures in order to discriminate different types of honey and other products published between 2015–2022. Full article

This study aimed to give an image of the oral health status and treatment needs of intellectually challenged athletes taking part in Special Olympics—Special Smiles (SO-SS) events organized in Romania during 2011–2019 and to find potential associations with socio-economic factors. An observational ecological retrospective study was conducted, and 1860 oral examinations were performed on participants aged 8 to 30 years in nine SS-SO events. Oral examination was performed under field conditions. Percentage of caries-free subjects, mean DMF-T index and its components (D = decayed; M = missing; F = filled; T = teeth), restoration index RI = [F/(F + D) × 100]%, and Plaque Index were calculated for each of the nine groups. Caries-free subjects ranged between 5.90% and 21.70%. DMF-T ranged from 4.27 to 7.71. Higher values for “F” component (range 0.66–1.69) and RI (range 13.02–27.74%) were found in events held in cities from regions with higher reported Gross Domestic Product. Sealants were present in 0 to 8.4% of the subjects. In areas with lower numbers of inhabitants per dentist, more sealants were found (p < 0.001). Romanian SO athletes exhibited relatively poor oral health, limited access to dental treatment, and low level of prevention. Targeted prevention and treatment programs adjusted to specific conditions in each geo-economic region are needed. Full article