Search Results (2,837)

Functional food plays an increasingly important role in shaping healthy dietary habits by integrating health-promoting components into consumers’ everyday diets and helping reduce food waste. Products developed using by-products and raw material streams from food processing can support the principles of the circular economy (CE) by improving resource efficiency and lowering the environmental footprint of the food system. In Poland, as in many countries worldwide, functional food is a rapidly growing category that can contribute to public health and serve as a driver of economic development. However, the excessive and scientifically unsupported use of the term “functional food” for marketing purposes may mislead consumers and weaken trust in this product group. From a CE perspective, transparent communication and informed consumer choices are essential, as they promote environmentally responsible behaviors and support sustainable production models. The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge about functional food among residents of Eastern Poland, which is a less industrialized and predominantly agricultural region. The analysis focused on awareness of health benefits, consumption frequency, consumer attitudes, and interest in educational initiatives promoting functional food within CE principles. The study also examined whether consumers associate functional food with sustainability-oriented practices. The findings offer insights for educational and marketing strategies grounded in scientific evidence and highlight the potential of functional food in building a sustainable, resource-efficient food system. Full article

Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate intervention, with bystander-initiated Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) being critical for survival, especially in out-of-hospital situations where medical help is often delayed. Given that over 70% of out-of-hospital cases occur in private residences, there is a growing imperative to provide widespread CPR training to the public. However, conventional instructor-led CPR training faces inherent limitations regarding spatiotemporal constraints and the lack of personalized feedback. To address these issues, this paper proposes an AI-integrated XR-based CPR training system designed as an advanced auxiliary tool for skill acquisition. The system integrates vision-based pose estimation with multimodal sensor data to assess the trainee’s posture and compression metrics in accordance with Korean regional CPR guidelines. Moreover, it utilizes a Large Language Model to evaluate verbal protocols, including requesting an emergency call that aligns with the guidelines. Experimental validation of the proof-of-concept reveals a verbal evaluation accuracy of 88% and a speech recognition accuracy of approximately 95%. Furthermore, the optimized concurrent architecture provides a real-time response latency under 0.5 s, and the automated marker-based tracking ensures precise spatial registration without manual calibration. These results confirm the technical feasibility of the system as a complementary solution for basic life support education. Full article

The Potocki family of the Pilawa coat of arms was among the most powerful noble lineages of the former Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, and its history is closely intertwined with that of Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, and Ukraine. In the late seventeenth century, Feliks Kazimierz Potocki (1630–1702) founded the town of Krystynopol (now Chervonohrad), named in honor of his wife, Krystyna Lubomirska. The residence, passed down through successive generations of the Potocki family, was transformed in the mid-eighteenth century into an impressive Baroque palace-and-garden complex designed by Pierre Ricaudde Tirregaille, becoming a model example of the magnate cultural landscape on the border of present-day Poland and Ukraine. In the centuries that followed, the estate changed owners multiple times, suffered devastation during the world wars, and in the Soviet period housed the Museum of Atheism. Today, the partially restored palace accommodates a small regional museum. Although in the eighteenth century the palace was surrounded by an extensive Italian-French style garden with water canals, ponds, and fountains, the area has since been built over with public-utility buildings. This study presents a concept for the development of the surviving elements of the historical palace park. The project is based on historical analyses, field research, site inspections, interviews with museum staff and town residents, as well as a detailed dendrological inventory including an assessment of tree health. The study area covers 4.71 ha, and the current tree stand is composed mainly of Salix alba, Populus nigra, Populus alba, Betula pendula, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Ulmus laevis, Acer negundo, and Acer pseudoplatanus. Archival sources allowed for the reconstruction of the original layout of the palace-park complex. The aim of the project is therefore to introduce new representative, educational, recreational, social, ecological, and touristic functions to the currently neglected area while respecting its historical heritage. Full article

Globally, more than 60,000 abandoned open-pit mines have been identified. Most of these sites lack effective management or ecological restoration measures. As a result, they pose substantial environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Against this backdrop, the reuse of quarry wastelands has emerged as a critical strategy for improving resource efficiency and promoting sustainable development in mining regions. Current domestic research mainly concentrates on ecological restoration techniques for abandoned quarry sites. However, systematic methods for prioritizing and ranking alternative reuse models remain limited. This study investigated four quarry reuse models: agricultural production, ecological protection, recreation-based education, and new energy development. The analysis integrated site suitability (${\mathrm{U}}_1$) with residents’ demands (${\mathrm{U}}_2$). Four representative quarry sites in Jiawang District, Xuzhou City, were selected as case studies. Based on coupled matching analysis, a priority identification method for quarry site reuse models was developed. Results indicated divergent prioritization between site suitability and resident demand. Site suitability composite values ranged from 3.9548 to 6.3094. Qishan and Kanshan sites demonstrated high suitability for recreation-based education and agricultural production, while the Dongshan site showed the highest ecological protection suitability. Suitability for emerging energy applications was generally low across all sites. Resident demand composite values showed significant variation across the four models. Recreation-based education demand (${\mathrm{U}}_2$ ranging from 0.3273 to 0.3778) substantially exceeded the other three land use types, with residents generally harbouring a degree of reluctance towards new energy development models. After coupling these factors, the original site suitability rankings were restructured: Qishan and Dongshan were selected for the recreation-based education model; Kanshan for agricultural production; and Changshan for ecological protection. This study offers insights for the diversified utilization of abandoned quarries in rural areas and provides a reference for ecological restoration and transformative development in mining regions. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to define the learning curve required for cardiac surgery residents to acquire basic technical and interpretive skills in transit-time flow measurement (TTFM) and high-resolution epicardial ultrasonography (HRUS) during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: Prospective, observational, single-center study evaluating performance using a novel scoring system combining functional (TTFM) and anatomical (HRUS) assessment criteria. This study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT06589323). Nine cardiac surgery residents without prior hands-on experience in TTFM or HRUS were enrolled. Twenty-seven elective CABG patients (67 grafts) were analyzed. Each measurement was compared with those obtained by an expert benchmark surgeon (N.T.) under standardized hemodynamic conditions. Results: Residents achieved the predefined primary endpoint (combined TTFM + HRUS score/number of grafts ≥ 11) after a median of 3 cases (IQR 2–4) and 7 anastomoses (IQR 7–10). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a progressive increase in the probability of success, with a sharp rise after the seventh anastomosis. A shorter interval between attempts (<30 days) was significantly associated with earlier achievement of the endpoint (p < 0.05). Median acquisition time for TTFM was 25 s, with <10% inter-observer variability across all flow parameters. HRUS images of adequate quality were obtained within 60 s in >90% of cases, though slightly lower success rates were observed for lateral and inferior wall targets. No resident- or procedure-related variable was independently associated with performance improvement. Conclusions: Mastery of basic TTFM and HRUS skills requires only a few cases and anastomoses, demonstrating a short and attainable learning curve. These findings challenge the perception of a steep learning process and support the routine use of intraoperative graft verification techniques in all CABG procedures. Full article

As global agriculture seeks to reconcile the dual imperatives of food security and environmental sustainability, this study examines the role of Internet access in promoting green agricultural production, specifically by reducing fertilizer and pesticide use. Using a panel dataset from 16 rural fixed observation points in Henan Province from 2009 to 2022, we find that Internet access significantly lowers per-unit farmland expenditures on fertilizers and pesticides by 6.0% and 7.3%, respectively. Mechanism analysis reveals that these positive effects operate through three main channels: improved information accessibility delivers timely agricultural data and guides input decisions; enhanced technical learning efficiency reduces barriers to adopting green technologies; and stronger market connectivity via e-commerce platforms shortens supply chains and provides price incentives. Heterogeneity analysis further identifies more pronounced effects among farmers with higher human capital (higher education, better health, younger age), higher production capital (greater mechanization, larger farmland, stronger decision-making capacity), lower livelihood capital (lower income, lower consumption, less communication expenditure), and higher spatial capital (residing in urban suburbs, poverty registration villages, and traditional villages). This study provides micro evidence for digital technology to empower sustainable agricultural development and provides policy implications for building a sustainable agri-food system. Full article

Reducing urban–rural income inequality is a central objective of sustainable development and a critical challenge for inclusive growth in emerging economies. This study examines the impact of the digital economy on urban–rural income inequality in China. Using panel data across 279 cities in China and Chinese Household Income Project (CHIP) data, we find that the digital economy significantly widens urban–rural income inequality. Specifically, digital industries and innovations are the main drivers, contrasting with inclusive infrastructure. Although we observe a positive association between the digital economy and educational attainment among rural residents, such improvements do not appear to be fully translated into higher income. One possible explanation is that the digital economy is more effective in alleviating skill mismatch among urban residents than among their rural counterparts. Finally, our results suggest that Public Employment Services may help mitigate this negative effect through channels such as fiscal subsidies and improving skills training accessibility. Our findings highlight the need for caution regarding the inequality implications of digital economy development in emerging economies and underscore the crucial role of institutional arrangements in promoting socially sustainable and inclusive development. Full article

Background: Maternal mortality in Brazil remains a critical indicator of social and racial inequalities, reflecting structural failures in access to and quality of obstetric care. Black women, particularly those categorized as black or brown, are at a higher risk of dying during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period. This is the result of the intersection of institutional racism, poverty, and social vulnerabilities. This study aimed to analyze trends and associated factors of maternal mortality among black women in Brazil from 2000 to 2020. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort analytical study using data from the Brazilian Mortality Information System. The sample included women aged 10 to 49 years whose underlying cause of death was classified under ICD-10 codes O00–O99. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted, as well as Poisson and multinomial logistic regressions to estimate adjusted risk ratios according to skin color, education, region, type, and place of death. Results: A total of 40,907 maternal deaths were identified, with 59.2% occurring among black women. The maternal mortality ratio was 39% higher among black women compared to white women and more than double among Indigenous women. Low education, residence in the North and Northeast regions, deaths outside hospital settings, and lack of formal investigation were independently associated with increased risk. Direct obstetric causes accounted for most deaths, with hypertensive disorders and puerperal complications being the leading conditions. Conclusions: Maternal mortality among black women in Brazil reveals deep structural inequalities. Urgent public policies that incorporate an intersectional perspective, addressing race, gender, and class, are necessary to reduce disparities and ensure equitable and dignified maternal healthcare. Full article

Background: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome of increased physiological vulnerability, decreasing an older adult’s ability to successfully cope with health stressors. Social determinants of health (SDOH), including rural residence, can amplify healthcare disparities for older adults due to less accessibility to resources and lead to worse health outcomes. While the impact of rurality on older adult health is well-established, little is known about how the interaction of SDOH and geographical residence impact frailty status in older adults. Methods: Older adults (65+ years) in the National Health and Aging Trend Study (2011–2021) were categorized using Fried’s frailty phenotype (robust, pre-frail, frail). Rurality was defined using the 2013 Rural–Urban Continuum Codes. Generalized estimation equations with generalized logit link function determined the relationship between SDOHs (healthcare access, community support, income, education) and frailty status. Results: Of n = 6082 participants (56.4% female), the mean age was 75.12 years (SE 0.10), 1133 (18.6%) lived in rural residence, and 2652 (53.0%) had pre-frailty. Although there was no relationship between geographical residence and frailty status (p = 0.73), we did observe lower associated odds of worse frailty status for those with Medigap insurance coverage (0.81, SE 0.08; p = 0.04) and inconsistent frailty status trends for those of divorced (1.12, SE 0.05; p = 0.007) and never married (0.20, SE 0.03; p < 0.001) status in urban areas. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that geographic residence may modify the relationship between SDOH and frailty status in older adults, providing novel insight into the complexity of these interactions. This work is important for identifying modifiable areas where additional support interventions may be important for mitigating frailty development and progression for older adults with efforts at both the individual and system levels. Full article

Background: Maternal health behaviors during pregnancy are crucial for maternal and fetal outcomes. While global research has explored that demographic, clinical, and psychosocial determinants significantly influence these behaviors, evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Albania, remains limited. This study aims to evaluate psychosocial perceptions and health behaviors related to lifestyle among pregnant women in a local Albanian community in order to identify which are higher risk subgroups that need targeted and tailored antenatal care interventions. Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study included 200 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics from May to August 2024 in Vlora city, Albania. Participants were selected using consecutive sampling based on inclusion criteria. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire composed of five sections: demographic/obstetric data; maternal health behaviors; dietary diversity; physical activity, perceived stress; and social support. Clinical and anthropometric measurements were assessed by trained health professionals during antenatal visits. SPSS version 23.0 and binary logistic regression with p-value ≤ 0.05 statistically significant were used for data analysis. Results: Mean age was 28.3 ± 6.4 years, 71% employed and 83.5% urban residents. Key unhealthy behaviors included tobacco use (25.5%), alcohol consumption (10.5%), exposure to toxins (15%), and low dietary diversity (32%). We found significant correlations between low dietary diversity and rural residence (Adj OR = 2.48), hypertension (Adj OR = 6.88), and overweight/obesity (Adj OR = 2.33). Tobacco use was associated with unemployment and alcohol use with unemployment and hypertension variables. Low/moderate social support and high perceived stress were significantly related with multiple unhealthy behaviors, such as low dietary diversity, inadequate physical activity and antenatal care. Conclusions: Unhealthy nutritional behaviors, tobacco and alcohol use and low physical activity are more prevalent risk factors among pregnant women in Vlora city. Priority should be given to vulnerable groups, including rural residents, pregnant women with low social support, high perceived stress and those with hypertension and obesity. Interventions that integrate psychosocial support and health education into antenatal care services are urgently needed to enhance pregnancy outcomes in Albanian communities. Full article

Background: Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is a vital aspect of adolescent girls’ health and well-being. However, in many Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, this issue has received less attention because of cultural taboos, misconceptions, and a lack of knowledge about factors affecting menstrual hygiene practices. Thus, it is crucial to promote adolescent health and develop effective school-based interventions. Aim of the Study: Our aim was to assess menstrual hygiene practices and their determinants among adolescent girls in secondary schools in Bisha, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive approach was used to study 320 female secondary school students in Bisha City, southwestern Saudi Arabia. Sample: The subjects were selected by using a stratified random sampling procedure. Information was obtained using a previously validated and culturally sensitive self-administered questionnaire on knowledge and menstrual hygiene. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine factors associated with good menstrual hygiene practices. Results: A total of 320 adolescent girls participated, of whom 53.8% demonstrated good menstrual hygiene practices. In the multivariable analysis, independent predictors of good practices were increased age (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI:1.59–4.56), urban residency (AOR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.46–4.69), and good menstrual knowledge (AOR = 2.13, 95%CI: 1.24–3.67). Maternal primary education (AOR = 8.033, CI: 1.44–44.99) and maternal employment in the government sector (AOR = 7.346, CI: 2.29–23.54) also showed strong positive associations with good menstrual hygiene practices. Conversely, experiencing menarche after age 12 was associated with lower odds of good menstrual hygiene (AOR = 0.49). Conclusions: Although a good proportion of girls practiced adequate menstrual hygiene, major knowledge and behavior gaps persist. Providing strong menstrual education in schools and through community-based efforts is critical for supporting the health of adolescent girls and promoting menstrual equity in Saudi Arabia. Full article

Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on physical activity among various populations. Due to a lack of country-representative studies on the prevailing trends in leisure-time physical activity since the COVID-19 pandemic, the aim of this study was to assess the temporal, social, and demographic inequalities in the prevalence of engagement in exercise and sports among working-age citizens of Lithuania from 2021 to 2024. Materials and Methods: This study included four samples of working-age citizens (1600 per year, 6400 in total). Four surveys were conducted, and the distribution of respondents among the groups was compared. Results: In general, the prevalence of engagement in exercise and sports did not change over a four-year period (48.8%, p = 0.256). The prevalence of regular exercise and sports increased, while engagement in irregular exercise and sports decreased (p = 0.014). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that younger age, male sex, being single, having no children under 18 years of age, selecting foods for health strengthening, positive self-assessment of nutrition and health status, use of dietary supplements, attention to purchasing healthy products, and university education attainment were associated with engagement in exercise and sports (regular or irregular) (p < 0.05). Analysis focused specifically on regular exercise and sports revealed associations with a longer time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, younger age, urban residence, selection of foods for health strengthening, positive assessment of nutrition and health status, and university education attainment (p < 0.05), while no significant associations were observed with sex, marital status, presence of children under 18 years of age, use of dietary supplements, or attention to purchasing healthy products (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The overall prevalence of physical activity engagement among working-aged Lithuanian citizens did not change from 2021 to 2024, engagement in regular and irregular exercise and sports has changed. Engagement in regular and irregular exercise and sports is associated with different social profiles. Full article

This study aims to develop a consumer typology based on attitudes and behaviors related to Household Food Waste in both urban and rural households in Greece, where data are limited. A structured questionnaire was administered to 279 residents of the Municipality of Eordaia through face-to-face interviews using stratified random sampling. A two-step cluster analysis identified four distinct consumer types: “Ecologically Conscious” (31%), “Empirical” (20%), “Modern” (28%), and “Socio-Ecologically Conscious” (21%). These clusters represent various levels of environmental awareness, consumer habits, and the influence of rural background on food-related practices. Findings highlight that rural background significantly impacts consumer behavior regarding Household Food Waste. This typology provides a valuable framework for designing targeted interventions and policy measures to reduce Household Food Waste. Future recommendations emphasize integrating educational food waste programs into primary schools, alongside institutional and policy support to ensure their effective implementation. Full article

We assessed the prevalence of three helminthic zoonoses—echinococcosis, fasciolosis and the taeniosis/cysticercosis complex—among residents of the Chucuito Health Network (Puno Health Region, Peru) over four years (2018–2021). Sera (n = 910) were analysed by ELISA to detect pathogen-specific antibodies, following national protocols. Echinococcosis predominated, whereas fasciolosis and taeniosis/cysticercosis occurred at comparatively low levels. Prevalence ranged from 4.4–9.2% for echinococcosis, 1.1–4.9% for fasciolosis, and 1.1–2.7% for taeniosis/cysticercosis across the four years. Prevalence varied significantly between years, with a notable upsurge in echinococcosis in 2021. These findings underscore the need for integrated control and prevention measures grounded in a One Health framework that recognises the interconnections between human, animal and environmental health. Priority actions include strengthened health education programmes, improved hygiene and sanitation practices, and enhanced rural health infrastructure, alongside coordinated epidemiological surveillance and environmental management. Such measures are essential to mitigate the burden of zoonotic disease in vulnerable high-Andean communities. Full article

The energy sector is counted among the environmentally unfriendly branches in many global economies, including in Poland. However, it has been pivoting towards alternatives to traditional, high-emission energy generation from non-renewable sources for years. Renewable energy sources, or renewables, are a responsible response to today’s expectations concerning country-level sustainable development, driving the global green energy transition. However, the success of increasing the share of renewables in energy mixes hinges to a large extent on the public perceptions of the changes. In the broadest perspective, research today focuses on global energy transition policy and its funding, problems with the availability of energy carriers, and the adequacy of specific energy production and transfer systems from a technical and technological point of view. Academics tend to concentrate slightly less on investigating the public opinion regarding the challenges of energy transition. This aligns with a relevant research gap for Poland, particularly in rural areas. Therefore, the present article aims to analyse public opinion on environmental protection challenges and the ensuing need to improve energy sourcing to promote the growth of renewable energy in rural Poland, with a case study of five districts in Małopolskie Voivodeship, to contribute to the body of knowledge on these issues. The goal was pursued through a survey of 300 randomly selected inhabitants of the five districts in Malopolska, conducted using Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) in 2024. The results were analysed with quantitative techniques and qualitative instruments. The detailed investigation involved descriptive statistics and tests proposed by Fisher, Shapiro–Wilk, and Kruskal–Wallis, using IBM SPSS v.25. The use of the indicated methodological approach to achieve the adopted goal distinguishes the study from the approach of other authors. The primary findings reveal acceptance of the ongoing transition processes among the rural population. It is relatively well aware of the role of renewables, but there is still room for improvement, therefore it is necessary to disseminate knowledge in this area and monitor changes in sustainable awareness. We have also established that, overall, educational background is not a significant discriminative feature in rural perceptions of the energy transition. The conclusions can inform policy models to promote green transformation processes, enabling their adaptation to the current challenges and needs of rural residents. Full article