Search Results (62)

The consumption of vegetable oils is steadily increasing, especially in Asian countries. Once used, the utilized cooking oils are either thrown into landfills or dumped there, endangering both the environment and people. One common method is to convert waste cooking oil (WCO) into biofuel; however, since WCO contains many free radicals, burning it releases large quantities of pollutants, meaning that disposal of WCO poses significant environmental risks. To stabilize the WCO (Cocos nucifera) before converting it into biofuel, this study analyzed the extraction, optimization, and use of antioxidant-rich bio-oil from Anisomeles malabarica leaves as a natural additive. Solvent screening revealed that a hexane–ethanol ratio of 4:2 was optimal for generating 76.7% bio-oil at room temperature. A maximum yield of 77% was attained by temperature and time optimization, which determined that 50 °C and 20 min were ideal. The extraction exhibits zero-order kinetics during the increasing phase, according to kinetic studies, with rate constants ranging from 0.54 to 1.44% min⁻¹ (R² = 0.950–0.997). The Peleg equilibrium model (average R² = 0.806) was used to describe the extraction profile. The regression equation ln(k) = 1799.3 × (1/T) − 10.828 (R² = 0.9748, p = 0.0002) was obtained using Arrhenius analysis. It was found that the compounds responsible for the antioxidant scavenging activity were found to be phytol, hexadecenoic acid, and tocopherol (vitamin E). The DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) test confirmed that 3% (v/v) bio-oil scavenged about 95% of free radicals, whereas the conjugated diene experiment demonstrated that over 90% of lipid oxidation in WCO was prevented. The combustion and emission properties of biofuel (WCB), which was created by transesterifying bio-oil-treated WCO, were compared to those of neat diesel and untreated WCO-derived biofuel (WC). In comparison to both WC50 and neat diesel, WCB50 demonstrated an equivalent in-cylinder pressure and heat release rate, but significantly reduced emissions of NO_x, CO, hydrocarbons, and smoke. These results show that Anisomeles malabarica bio-oil works well as a natural antioxidant addition for clean combustion and biodiesel stabilization. Full article

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of autoimmune background and unknown etiology. The importance of genetic factors in RA development is well-established. Environmental factors have also been extensively researched in relation to risk of RA and managing its symptoms. Smoking, physical activity, diet, and gut microbiota are considered to be the most essential modifiable factors in RA. Among dietary interventions, the most researched is Mediterranean diet, monounsaturated fatty acids, fish consumption, and fish oil (EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA, that is, docosahexaenoic acid). Others concerned gluten-free and vegan or vegetarian diet, salt intake, supplementation with vitamin D, antioxidants, prebiotics, and probiotics. Diet modifications can alter the gut environment, and the association between RA development or severity and the composition of gut bacteria has already been shown. This review focuses on effectiveness and usefulness of various dietary approaches and supplements in RA prevention and management, including the influence on disease activity and inflammatory status. The composition of gut microbiota and its changes in response to dietary factors are also considered. There is a great need for further research into mutual dependencies of diet, microbiome, and RA activity. The current state of knowledge provides promising evidence for future nutrition and microbial therapies. Full article

Objectives: To confirm the utility of barometric whole-body plethysmography (BWBP) as a non-invasive, clinical diagnostic test for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) in cats. Methods: Client-owned cats belonging to brachycephalic breeds were enrolled and classified into two clinical severity grades of upper airway obstruction (UAO). Brachycephalic cats with high-grade UAO severity (Brachy-H-UAO) represented those with clinically evident effects on clinical signs or physical examination findings, whereas brachycephalic cats with low-grade UAO severity (Brachy-L-UAO) represented those without clinically evident problems. A group of non-brachycephalic (NB) cats that were respiratory disease-free and with neither a history of cardiac or systemic diseases nor exposure to cigarette smoke was used as the control group. Cats were placed in the BWBP chamber, and breathing signals were obtained after an adaptation period in a quiet and silent environment. The ventilatory variables obtained were respiratory rate (RR; [bpm]), tidal and minute volume per kilogram bodyweight (MV/BW and TV/BW; [mL/kg]), inspiratory (Ti; [s]) and expiratory (Te; [s]) intervals, airway obstruction index enhanced pause (Penh), and peak inspiratory and expiratory flows per kilogram (PIF and PEF; [mL/s/kg]). Results: Forty-three client-owned cats (11 Brachy-H-UAO, 7 Brachy-L-UAO, and 25 NB) were included. Brachycephalic cats (Brachy-H-UAO: 311 mL/kg; Brachy-L-UAO: 253 mL/kg) showed significantly lower median MV/BW than NB cats (503 mL/kg) (p = 0.01). Brachy-H-UAO cats demonstrated significantly higher median PEF/PIF ratios (Brachy-H-UAO: 1.46, minimum–maximum 0.82–2.48; Brachy-L-UAO: 0.76, 0.52–1.11; NB: 0.73, 0.56–1.00) and Penh (Brachy-H-UAO: 2.37, minimum–maximum 0.57–23.82; Brachy-L-UAO: 0.57, 0.27–1.11; NB: 0.53, 0.21–0.68) than Brachy-L-UAO and NB cats (p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed among the three groups for RR, TV/BW, Ti, Te, or Te/Ti. Conclusions and Relevance: Cats affected by BOAS demonstrate impaired ventilatory function, with reduced minute ventilation and a distinctive flow pattern and parameters reflecting limited inspiratory flow and increased upper airway resistance. BWBP can serve as a useful tool to diagnose and characterize the severity of BOAS in cats. Full article

This study investigates the role of modern small-scale cities in addressing public health challenges through the lens of spatial justice, using the city of Tartu, Estonia, as a case study. Tartu has been recognized for its progressive public health initiatives, including the Tartu Health Care College, Mental Health Centre, Smoke-Free Tartu campaign, Health Trail network, Healthy School Program, and an expanding smart bike-sharing system. By employing Geographic Information Systems (GIS), we map and analyze the spatial distribution and accessibility of health-promoting infrastructure, such as healthcare facilities, green and blue spaces, health trails, and mobility services, across the urban landscape. A population-weighted accessibility assessment indicates that, although Tartu’s central districts (e.g., Kesklinn (HRI: 0.972)) are well-served, peripheral and densely populated districts such as Annelinn (HRI: 0.351) and Ropka (HRI: 0.377) exhibit notable deficits in health-related infrastructure. However, access to green infrastructure and mobility services is more evenly distributed citywide, reflecting a relatively equitable provision of non-clinical health assets. These findings highlight both the strengths and spatial gaps in Tartu’s health-oriented urban design, emphasizing the need for targeted investment in underserved areas. The study contributes to emerging studies on health-justice planning in small-scale urban contexts and demonstrates how spatial analytics can be guided to advance distributional justice in the provision of public health infrastructure. Ultimately, this research indicates the essential role of spatial analysis in guiding inclusive and data-informed health planning in urban environments. Full article

Background: School-based tobacco control policies are critical for preventing youth tobacco use. While many districts adopt formal policies to create smoke- and vape-free environments, the degree to which these policies are enforced at the school level may vary, influencing their effectiveness. Little is known about how consistently such policies are implemented across schools within urban school districts. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the existence and enforcement of school-level tobacco control policies in an urban public school system, using Baltimore City schools as a case example. Methods: We conducted a survey of school personnel from 20 high schools in Baltimore City in 2024. The survey instrument assessed the presence and enforcement of policies related to tobacco use prevention, communication, signage, disciplinary actions, and institutional support. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used to summarize responses. Spearman correlations were also used for bivariate correlations. Additional school-level and neighborhood-level contextual data were collected from the internet (neighborhood socioeconomic status and school performance). Results: While many policies existed across the 20 participating schools, their enforcement was widely inconsistent. Most schools reported the existence of policies prohibiting tobacco use in school buildings (60%) and vehicles (55%). However, few schools had visible tobacco-free signage (35%) or offered cessation programs (15%). Communication of policies to students (70%) and staff (65%) was the most commonly enforced aspect of tobacco control policies. Conclusions: Findings suggest that while tobacco control policies may be adopted across urban school systems, their enforcement at the school level remains uneven. Greater attention may be needed to support policy implementation and to reduce variability in school-level practices. Baltimore City serves as a useful case study to understand these challenges and identify opportunities for strengthening school-based tobacco prevention efforts. Full article

Despite recent advances in deep learning for fire detection, much of the current research prioritizes model-centric metrics over dataset fidelity, particularly from a fire safety engineering perspective. Commonly used datasets are often dominated by fully developed flames, mislabel smoke-only frames as non-fire, or lack intra-video diversity due to redundant frames from limited sources. Some works treat smoke detection alone as early-stage detection, even though many fires (e.g., electrical or chemical) begin with visible flames and no smoke. Additionally, attempts to improve model applicability through mixed-context datasets—combining indoor, outdoor, and wildland scenes—often overlook the unique false alarm sources and detection challenges specific to each environment. To address these limitations, we curated a new video dataset comprising 1108 annotated fire and non-fire clips captured via indoor surveillance cameras. Unlike existing datasets, ours emphasizes early-stage fire dynamics (pre-flashover) and includes varied fire sources (e.g., sofa, cupboard, and attic fires), realistic false alarm triggers (e.g., flame-colored objects, artificial lighting), and a wide range of spatial layouts and illumination conditions. This collection enables robust training and benchmarking for early indoor fire detection. Using this dataset, we developed a spatiotemporal fire detection model based on the mixed convolutions ResNets (MC3_18) architecture, augmented with Convolutional Block Attention Modules (CBAM). The proposed model achieved 86.11% accuracy, 88.76% precision, and 84.04% recall, along with low false positive (11.63%) and false negative (15.96%) rates. Compared to its CBAM-free baseline, the model exhibits notable improvements in F1-score and interpretability, as confirmed by Grad-CAM++ visualizations highlighting attention to semantically meaningful fire features. These results demonstrate that effective early fire detection is inseparable from high-quality, context-specific datasets. Our work introduces a scalable, safety-driven approach that advances the development of reliable, interpretable, and deployment-ready fire detection systems for residential environments. Full article

Background: Youth tobacco use remains a significant public health concern, particularly in urban communities disproportionately burdened by health disparities. In Baltimore City, where tobacco-related harms are elevated, understanding the relationship between tobacco use—including e-cigarettes—and mental health among high school students is essential for guiding equitable prevention and cessation strategies. The CEASE (Communities Engaged and Advocating for a Smoke-free Environment) program, in collaboration with the American Lung Association’s Not On Tobacco (N-O-T) initiative, developed an online school-based survey to inform community-responsive interventions. Aims: This study aimed to examine the associations between cigarette use, including conventional cigarette use, and self-rated mental health among high school students in Baltimore City. Methods: High school students in Baltimore City completed an anonymous online survey that assessed demographic characteristics, tobacco knowledge and use, mental health, and related behaviors. Self-rated mental health was dichotomized as poor versus fair/good. Tobacco use categories included current use of e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes. Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between tobacco use and self-rated mental health, adjusting for age, gender, race, and parental education. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Results: No statistically significant associations were found between self-rated mental health and e-cigarette use and conventional tobacco use after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions: The absence of a significant association may reflect unique aspects of the social context in Baltimore City, where youth may not use tobacco products as a coping mechanism for mental health challenges. Alternatively, it may be due to limitations in measurement, particularly the use of a single-item mental health assessment. These findings should be considered preliminary. Future research using more comprehensive mental health measures and larger samples is warranted to further explore these complex relationships. Full article

As sensor technology integrates into modern life, diverse sensing devices have become essential for collecting critical data that enables human–machine interfaces such as autonomous vehicles and healthcare monitoring systems. However, the growing number of sensor devices places significant demands on network capacity, which is constrained by the limitations of radio frequency (RF) technology. RF-based communication faces challenges such as bandwidth congestion and interference in densely populated areas. To overcome these challenges, a combination of RF with free-space optical (FSO) communication is presented. FSO is a laser-based wireless solution that offers high data rates and secure communication, similar to fiber optics but without the need for physical cables. However, FSO is highly susceptible to atmospheric turbulence and conditions such as fog and smoke, which can degrade performance. By combining the strengths of both RF and FSO, a hybrid FSO/RF system can enhance network reliability, ensuring seamless communication in dynamic urban environments. This review examines hybrid FSO/RF systems, covering both theoretical models and real-world applications. Three categories of hybrid systems, namely hard switching, soft switching, and relay-based mechanisms, are proposed, with graphical models provided to improve understanding. In addition, multi-platform applications, including autonomous, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), high-altitude platforms (HAPs), and satellites, are presented. Finally, the paper identifies key challenges and outlines future research directions for hybrid communication networks. Full article

Hazard detection in industrial and public environments is critical for ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. This paper presents an energy-efficient, cost-effective IoT-based hazard detection system utilizing an ESP32-CAM microcontroller integrated with temperature (DHT22) and motion (PIR) sensors. A custom-built convolutional neural network (CNN) deployed on a Flask server enabled real-time classification of hazard signs, including “high voltage”, “radioactive”, “corrosive”, “flammable”, “no hazard”, “no smoking”, and “wear gloves”. The CNN model, optimized for embedded applications, achieves high classification accuracy with an F1 score of 85.9%, ensuring reliable detection in diverse environmental conditions. A key feature of the system is its adaptive monitoring mechanism, which dynamically adjusts image capture frequency based on detected activity, leading to 31–37% energy savings compared to continuous monitoring approaches. This mechanism ensures efficient power usage by minimizing redundant image captures while maintaining real-time responsiveness in high-activity scenarios. Unlike traditional surveillance systems, which rely on high-cost infrastructure, centralized monitoring, and subscription-based alerting mechanisms, the proposed system operates at a total cost of SGD 38.60 (~USD 28.50) per unit and leverages free Telegram notifications for real-time alerts. The system was validated through experimental testing, demonstrating high classification accuracy, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. In this study, a hazard refers to any environmental condition or object that poses a potential safety risk, including electrical hazards, chemical spills, fire outbreaks, and industrial dangers. The proposed system provides a scalable and adaptable solution for hazard detection in resource-constrained environments, such as construction sites, industrial facilities, and remote locations. The proposed approach effectively balances accuracy, real-time responsiveness, and low-power operation, making it suitable for large-scale deployment. Full article

(1) Background: this study investigates the impact of acid value changes on the thermal degradation and fire risks of palm oil. It emphasizes the need for systematic risk management in food manufacturing and preparation processes to address safety challenges associated with high-temperature operations. (2) Methods: the study employed fire reproduction experiments, fire risk characterization tests, and thermal analyses, including differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. (3) Result: higher acid values in palm oil significantly reduce smoke points, ignition points, and thermal stability, primarily due to increased free fatty acids and oxidative by-products. These effects are more pronounced in oxidative environments, highlighting the importance of controlling acid value to mitigate fire and thermal risks. (4) Conclusions: this study concludes that increased acid value in palm oil significantly reduces its thermal stability and elevates fire risks due to accelerated oxidation and thermal decomposition. It emphasizes the importance of monitoring acid value and implementing temperature control measures to enhance safety in food manufacturing and cooking processes. Full article

Quitting smoking is a powerful way for patients to improve their own wellbeing and to significantly reduce the risk of health problems. Evidence shows that health professionals can effectively intervene in order to prevent and stop tobacco smoking in their patients. Online learning modules have proved to be effective in terms of transferring knowledge and skills. In an urban community hospital setting in Germany, a novel e-learning course for staff on the treatment of tobacco dependence was implemented in 2021. In this study, we analyzed free-text feedback of participants completing this online module in order to examine the feasibility and acceptance of this new format. We were able to reach a reasonable proportion of staff. Our qualitative analysis showed that most feedback was positive and described the module as well-designed and helpful. Some staff, however, expressed extremely negative views and did not see smoking cessation support as essential to their role in healthcare. We argue that in order to achieve a shift in attitude in healthcare staff, a change in German policy is required which includes the creation of smoke-free environments and the adherence to smoke-free policies on hospital sites. Furthermore, the provision of smoking cessation support in line with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and a true understanding of the role of all healthcare professionals in promoting health of patients and staff will be essential. Full article

The smoking prevalence among vocational education and training (VET) students is high. This paper describes the development and feasibility test of a multicomponent intervention designed to promote non-smoking behaviour at VET schools. We applied the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) stages and the capability, opportunity, and motivation for behaviour (COM-B) model to develop the intervention components based on theory, evidence, and a thorough needs-assessment study. Moreover, we feasibility-tested the preliminary ideas. All in all, our study was based on the literature, survey data, fieldwork, workshops, and expert and stakeholder involvement. The final intervention programme targets VET students’ smoking behaviour at the school, class, and individual levels through (a) a comprehensive tobacco policy to limit the physical and social opportunities to smoke, supplemented with a two-day staff course in conversations about smoking and an edutainment session (a lecture that both educates and entertains) to support a smoke-free environment; (b) classroom curricular with teaching materials to increase knowledge and social support, along with a quit-and-win competition to increase motivation; and (c) the national Quitline adapted to VET students to increase access to cessation support. The BCW model enabled a systematic and comprehensive development of an intervention, which demonstrates relevant techniques and delivery options to have the potential to reduce smoking in VET schools. Full article

Preventing smoking among young Aboriginal people is important for reducing health inequities. Multiple factors were associated with adolescent smoking in the SEARCH baseline survey (2009–12) and discussed in a follow-up qualitative study that aimed to inform prevention programs. Twelve yarning circles were facilitated by Aboriginal research staff at two NSW sites in 2019 with 32 existing SEARCH participants aged 12–28 (17 female, 15 male). Open discussion around tobacco was followed by a card sorting activity, prioritising risk and protective factors and program ideas. The age of initiation varied by generation. Older participants had established smoking in their early adolescence, whereas the current younger teens had little exposure. Some smoking commenced around high school (from Year 7), and social smoking increased at age 18. Mental and physical health, smoke-free spaces and strong connections to family, community and culture promoted non-smoking. The key themes were (1) drawing strength from culture and community; (2) how the smoking environment shapes attitudes and intentions; (3) non-smoking as a sign of good physical, social and emotional wellbeing; and (4) the importance of individual empowerment and engagement for being smoke-free. Programs promoting good mental health and strengthening cultural and community connections were identified as a priority for prevention. Full article

In the last 35 years Poland has undergone a series of fundamental economic, social, and biological transformations. With the transition from a centrally planned to a free-market economy, a period of economic and social transformation, Poland’s accession to the European Union, and the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, living conditions in the country have seen dramatic changes. The aim of this study was to assess whether there were changes in the basic health behaviors of Polish women, and if so, in what directions and with what strength, and whether there were differences in these changes depending on the socioeconomic status. Information on basic lifestyle factors (drinking alcohol, smoking, coffee drinking, and physical activity) and socioeconomic status (level of education, Gini coefficient, Gender Inequality Index, women total employment, employed women being in managerial positions, women among scientists) of 5806 women aged 40–50 years were analyzed. During the 1986–2021 period, based on the same methodology, team of technicians and research tools, six birth cohorts of women were examined in 1986, 1991, 1996, 2006, 2019 and 2021. Highly statistically significant changes were found in the frequencies of declared health behaviors from 1986–2021, according to the order of significance in coffee and alcohol consumption, physical activity levels, and smoking and smoking intensity. In subsequent cohorts, there were fewer and fewer women who did not drink coffee and alcohol, while more drank more than two cups of coffee a day and drank alcohol more often than 2× a week. Furthermore, they were more likely to be physically active, and slightly fewer were smokers. The lifestyles of the women were less likely to depend on their socio-economic status than the cohorts. In 1991 and 1996, there was a marked intensification of unhealthy behavior. Changes in the analyzed health behaviors may have been caused by adaptation to the high level of psychosocial stress observed during the transition of the 1986–2021 period and may result in changes in the biological condition and quality and length of life of Polish women. Research on social differences in health behavior provides an opportunity to analyze the biological effects of changes in the living environment. Full article

Free radicals are highly reactive and unstable particles that are produced in the body during normal metabolic functions or by exposure to toxins in the environment, such as tobacco smoke and ultraviolet light. Free radicals have a lifespan of only a fraction of a second, but during that time can damage DNA, sometimes resulting in mutations that can lead to various diseases, including heart disease and cancer. The antioxidants can neutralize unstable particles, reducing the risk of damage. So the design of new substances as a potent antioxidant is an actual problem in the modern world. For this purpose, it was synthesized coordination compounds of Cu(II) and Ni(II) with 1-(morpholin-4-yl)propane-1,2-dione 4-allylthiosemicarbazone (HL). HL was obtained by the condensation reaction between 1-(morpholin-4-yl)propane-1,2-dione and 4-allylthiosemicarbazide in an ethanol solution. Its structure and purity were proven using ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The coordination compounds were synthesized by the interaction of HL with metal salts in a 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratio. The composition of these compounds was determined using elemental analysis: Cu(L)X (X=Cl⁻, Br⁻, NO₃⁻), Ni(HL)₂(NO₃)_2, Ni(L)Cl. These complexes were studied by molar conductivity, IR spectra, and X-ray diffraction. The study of antioxidant activity by the ABTS^•+ method showed that the most active compound is Ni(HL)₂(NO₃)₂. Its IC₅₀ value toward ABTS^•+ is 19.6 µM, so it is 1.7 times more active than Trolox, a water-soluble antioxidant, which is used in medicine. Full article