Cooking Research Articles

Mapping the Risks: A GIS-Based Study of Factors Associated with Paediatric Burn Admissions in a Kenyan Referral Hospital

Aim: To assess factors contributing to burns among children admitted to a national referral hospital in Kenya, with a focus on Geographical Information System (GIS) tools to map and analyze spatial factors related to burn injuries. Methods: This cross-sectional survey collected data using questionnaires from children with burns, their parents/guardians, and conducted key informant interviews and focused group discussions with doctors and nurses. The calculation of the sample used Fisher’s formula, involving 235 children (18 years and below) and their parents/guardians, as well as seven key informants. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Qualitative data were grouped thematically, coded and analyzed, and some were quoted directly. Global information system coordinates were used to map hospitals, road networks and residences of respondents. Results: Occurrence of burns was influenced by gender (54% males) and age (below two years were 31.5%). Scalds were the most common type of burn (51.1%), including hot water (42.3%), hot food (6.4%), and hot oil (2.4%). Burns occurred most frequently indoors, particularly in overcrowded homes lacking separate cooking areas and inadequate playgrounds, and 74.3% were preventable. Although 55.3% children received first aid, most were unscientific and harmful. Delayed first-aid and initiation of burn treatment arose in 83% due to lack of money, traffic jams, ignorance, transport used (including wheelbarrows), preferred treatment facilities, unavailability of burn centres nearby and waiting for referral letters (delayed referral). Most children were from environs near the study site (73.2%), others from nearby counties, while others were from far losing the golden hour. Conclusions: This study identified key sociodemographic and environmental contributors to pediatric burns and highlighted significant spatial barriers to timely care. The Global Information System was successfully used to visualize patterns of injury occurrence and healthcare access. Recommendations: There should be continuous training on burn prevention and first-aid, establishment of burn centers in all counties, and integration of GIS into health planning to establish trends and improve access to timely burn care.

The effects of self-directed learning based on video prompting in improving 27 daily living skills for adolescents with mild intellectual disability in China.

The effects of self-directed learning based on video prompting in improving 27 daily living skills for adolescents with mild intellectual disability in China.

Co-development of a configuration interface for the COOK cognitive orthosis for meal preparation: a human-centered design study with occupational therapists

People who sustain a traumatic brain injury can benefit from the use of assistive technologies for cognition, like the Cognitive Orthosis for coOKing (COOK). However, such tools may require personalization for effective use. Although COOK includes multiple personalization options, occupational therapists face challenges with understanding how to configure it due to its complexity and their lack of training. This study thus aimed to: (a) Co-develop a configuration interface that could provide a better User eXperience (UX) for occupational therapists when configuring COOK; and (b) Document the anticipated UX of a mock-up of the configuration interface. First, a mock-up of COOK’s configuration interface, named Config My COOK, was co-developed. Second, a qualitative descriptive research design was used to explore the perspective of occupational therapists from Quebec and Ontario using six online focus groups involving 15 participants. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted. Occupational therapists highlighted three features that had the potential to enhance UX, like the appealing look and perceived intuitivity of the configuration interface, support offered by the interface, and access to features to personalize COOK to clients’ needs. However, four features had the potential to lessen it, including anticipated training requirements, time required for the configuration process, data confidentiality, and anticipated complexity of interacting with the interface. To counteract these obstacles, occupational therapists identified improvement suggestions which could be completed in the prototype phase. The human-centered design approach enabled us to design a configuration interface to personalize COOK to specific clients’ needs, and document its mock-up’s anticipated UX with occupational therapists.

Prevalence of Peptic Ulcer Disease and Dietary Pattern among Students of a Private University in Nigeria

Background: Despite advancements in the medical management of Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD), its prevalence persists as a significant health concern, especially in Western Sub-Saharan Africa. Aims: This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of PUD among university students and to investigate the dietary habits of affected individuals. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 340 students recruited from five faculties at a private university in Ibadan, Nigeria. Data pertaining to socio-demographics, PUD history, identified triggers, and dietary habits were collected using a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (Version 26), employing descriptive statistics to summarize findings and Spearman’s correlation to assess associations between variables. Results: The observed prevalence of PUD among the 340 university students was 12.4%. Among those with PUD, a substantial majority were female (87.8%), with 43.9% being in their fourth year of study. Approximately half (51.2%) of the respondents reported experiencing PUD crises 1–3 days per week. More than half were currently on medication, and 12.2% had received prior treatment. Key identified triggers included starvation (90.2%), stress (80.5%), and specific food items (85.4%). Regarding dietary habits, 63.4% occasionally consumed hot spicy foods, 68.3% drank carbonated beverages, 39.0% consumed fatty foods 2–3 times per week, and 29.3% consumed energy drinks. Notably, sex, family history, starvation, and stress demonstrated a significant negative correlation with the frequency of crises (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, this study elucidates the prevalence of PUD within the university student population and underscores the critical role of lifestyle factors in both the management and prevention of PUD crises within the academic community. Keywords: Peptic Ulcer Disease; University Students; Triggers; Lifestyle; Dietary Habits.

Evaluation of Thermal and Emission Performances of Briquettes Produced from Carbonized Corn Cob and Corn Husk

The Mozambican agro-industrial sector relies heavily on various crops, with maize being the most significant. During processing, substantial waste is generated, which is often discarded as organic matter or burned, contributing to environmental pollution and the loss of potential energy resources. This study evaluated the thermal and emission performance of briquettes made from carbonized corn cob (CCC) and carbonized corn husk (CCH), using cashew nut skin as a binder for clean cooking applications. The briquettes were assessed against firewood and charcoal as control fuels, focusing on several energy performance parameters: water boiling time (WBT), combustion index (CI), thermal efficiency (TE), and emissions (E). Testing was conducted using an improved combustion stove (burnjikokoa). Results indicated a CI of 1.06±0.04 for carbonized corn cob briquettes (BCCCNS) and 1.14±0.03 for carbonized corn husk briquettes (BCHCNS). The WBTs (in minutes) were 17 for BCCCNS, 29 for BCHCNS, and 45 for both firewood and charcoal. Thermal efficiency was notably higher for BCCCNS (45%) and BCHCNS (42%) compared to charcoal (24.13%) and firewood (21.55%), suggesting that the selected waste materials are excellent for producing high energy briquettes. In terms of emissions, particulate matter (PM2.5) levels were measured at 80 µg/m³ for both BCCCNS and BCHCNS, while firewood produced 190 µg/m³ and charcoal 120 µg/m³. Carbon monoxide (CO) levels were all below 200 ppm. These findings demonstrate the potential of utilizing agro-industrial waste to create sustainable and efficient cooking fuels.

Comprehensive Review of Sensible Thermal Storage Systems for Cooking Applications

Comprehensive Review of Sensible Thermal Storage Systems for Cooking Applications

Comprehensive Review of Sensible Thermal Storage Systems for Cooking Applications

Comprehensive Review of Sensible Thermal Storage Systems for Cooking Applications

Evaluation of Thermal and Emission Performances of Briquettes Produced from Carbonized Corn Cob and Corn Husk

The Mozambican agro-industrial sector relies heavily on various crops, with maize being the most significant. During processing, substantial waste is generated, which is often discarded as organic matter or burned, contributing to environmental pollution and the loss of potential energy resources. This study evaluated the thermal and emission performance of briquettes made from carbonized corn cob (CCC) and carbonized corn husk (CCH), using cashew nut skin as a binder for clean cooking applications. The briquettes were assessed against firewood and charcoal as control fuels, focusing on several energy performance parameters: water boiling time (WBT), combustion index (CI), thermal efficiency (TE), and emissions (E). Testing was conducted using an improved combustion stove (burnjikokoa). Results indicated a CI of 1.06±0.04 for carbonized corn cob briquettes (BCCCNS) and 1.14±0.03 for carbonized corn husk briquettes (BCHCNS). The WBTs (in minutes) were 17 for BCCCNS, 29 for BCHCNS, and 45 for both firewood and charcoal. Thermal efficiency was notably higher for BCCCNS (45%) and BCHCNS (42%) compared to charcoal (24.13%) and firewood (21.55%), suggesting that the selected waste materials are excellent for producing highenergy briquettes. In terms of emissions, particulate matter (PM2.5) levels were measured at 80 µg/m³ for both BCCCNS and BCHCNS, while firewood produced 190 µg/m³ and charcoal 120 µg/m³. Carbon monoxide (CO) levels were all below 200 ppm. These findings demonstrate the potential of utilizing agro-industrial waste to create sustainable and efficient cooking fuels.

ТЕХНИКО-ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИЙ АСПЕКТ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ ИНТЕЛЛЕКТУАЛЬНЫХ СИСТЕМ УПРАВЛЕНИЯ РЕЖИМАМИ ЭЛЕКТРОПОТРЕБЛЕНИЯ СЕЛЬСКИХ ЖИЛЫХ ДОМОВ

In connection with the mass construction of rural residential buildings in Russia, which have a larger area than in previous years (100–200 m2 and more) and equipping them with modern energy-saturated systems of heating, hot water supply, food preparation and household electrical appliances, the problems of power supply to the settlements of the SZD are becoming urgent, which are primarily reduced to an increase in the design capacity by two or more times and a significant asymmetry of the load on three-phase inputs to houses. which leads to emergency modes of operation of the power supply systems of the SZD settlements, especially during the hours of abnormally low winter outdoor temperatures. An example is the winter of 2023, when there were large power outages in a number of rural settlements in Siberia, including the Krasnoyarsk Region. Intelligent systems for managing the modes of power consumption of the SZD on a priority principle based on «Smart House» technologies are designed to solve issues related to load balancing at inputs to the SZD, reducing peaks in the daily load schedules of consumers, and equalizing load schedules at transformer substations (TS). The immediate economic effect for consumers will be the transition from single-rate electricity tariffs to multi-rate ones, which, ultimately, will lead to a faster return on investment and, importantly, to a significant increase in the comfort of residents living in the house. The economic effect from the introduction of intelligent control systems for «Smart House» electric receivers is achieved by: changing the power supply scheme of the SZD village with a reduction in the amount of one-time costs; saving electricity costs through the use of automatic control of Smart Home power receivers on a priority basis and differentiated tariffs by time of day; alignment of the load schedule and other factors. Calculations showed that the net present value (NPV) for three years would be 109 thousand. Rubles, which indicates the economic efficiency of the Smart Home project. The economic effect is provided by saving electricity costs when using the intelligent control system and differentiated tariffs by time of day. According to the criterion of the given discounted costs, their value is 12466.7 thousand rubles and 6979 thousand rubles, respectively, in the project scenario they are 50% lower, the option is cost-effective and can be implemented.

CFD Analysis of the Steady-State Performance of a Cooktop Integrated Thermosyphon Heat Transport Device With Two Bends

This research proposes a novel passive heat transport device called a thermosyphon heat transport device (THTD) for indoor solar cooking applications. While heat pipes are generally regarded as efficient devices for energy transport, their use in concentrated solar power plants and long-distance heat transport remains limited. The performance of the THTD depends on three main factors: coolant flow rate, heat load, and its geometry including the elevation difference between the heat sink and the heat source. In this paper, a steady-state computational fluid dynamics analysis is performed using Fluent to evaluate its performance at a specific coolant flow rate (3 lpm), considering four different heat loads (i.e. 200, 400, 500, and 700 W). Water is used as the secondary fluid to extract heat from the primary fluid at the cooler section. The analysis focused on comparing the simulation results with experimental data on the temperature difference across the heater and the mass flow rate within the THTD. The findings revealed that as the heat load increased, the temperature difference across the heater also rose, along with the mass flow rate. The results indicated that laminar flow was maintained within the THTD for all heat power levels considered in the analysis.

Intraoral Factors Modulating Pain in Burning Mouth Syndrome.

Understanding intraoral factors that modulate pain in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) could provide insight into its pathophysiological mechanisms, facilitating improved management strategies. This retrospective study included 120 BMS patients who were asked, without predefined options, about factors that alleviated or exacerbated their pain. Data collected included pain characteristics (intensity, localisation, duration) and associated conditions such as salivary abnormalities and taste disturbances. A total of 89.2% of patients reported that intraoral factors influenced their pain, while 10.8% experienced no change with local stimulation. Pain relief was reported by 69.7% of patients, primarily attributed to eating, chewing or sucking (91.6%) and to a lesser extent, consuming cold foods or drinks (20.5%). Pain aggravation was noted in 50.4% of patients, with 91.5% citing intraoral triggers such as acidic, spicy or salty foods, while 11.9% reported worsened pain with hot foods or drinks. No associations were found between pain-modulating factors and age, sex, disease duration, pain intensity or dysgeusia. However, pain relief was more frequent in patients without xerostomia, while those experiencing pain aggravation were more likely to have salivary abnormalities. These findings indicate that intraoral factors can modulate pain intensity in the vast majority of BMS patients, supporting the role of the peripheral nervous system in BMS pathophysiology. Understanding these triggers may provide clinicians with valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of pain, enabling more targeted and effective medical management.

Creation and Design of an Automated Kitchen Waste Composting System for Homes

Vegetable peelings possess unique attributes as a type of kitchen waste, characterized by a high moisture content, significant organic matter, and excellent biodegradability. This waste can be effectively recycled, minimized, and rendered safe through the process of biological composting. Following an analysis of experimental findings regarding the fermentation and composting of vegetable peels and leaves, a household automatic composting device was developed and studied. This apparatus incorporates elements such as a wringer blade and a cross blade broken baffle to facilitate functions including material transfer, pre-treatment crushing, fermentation, and separation. The issue of odor during fermentation was addressed through activated carbon adsorption. Ultimately, the process yielded a fermentation broth with decontamination properties and high-quality fertilizer. Composting food waste is a multifaceted process that necessitates specialized equipment and facilities capable of gradually converting waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer. Furthermore, it requires ongoing expert supervision to ensure a high-quality outcome. Consequently, the evolution of automated composting machinery represents a significant advancement, as modern technology enhances efficiency. The objective is to create a fully automated composting machine that employs a more effective and eco-friendly approach to successfully reduce food waste. This device is user-friendly, featuring a single button, and is equipped to perform heating, cooling, and grinding functions. Its advantage lies in the reduction of waste management costs at landfills, as traditional machinery demands substantial logistical energy for the transportation of food waste. This product holds considerable potential for use by home cooks and commercial food producers, including medium to large enterprises that generate substantial amounts of raw waste. In summary, this device automates the conversion of food waste into usable fertilizer.

Lowering Sodium Intake: Reduction and Substitution for Cardiovascular Health.

Clinical and epidemiological evidence supports sodium reduction as an effective strategy to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, and overall mortality. High sodium (salt) intake is a well-established contributor to elevated blood pressure and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults should consume less than 5 g of table salt per day; however, the global average intake is estimated at around 10.78 g/day. The primary sources of dietary sodium vary by region: in high-income countries, the majority of salt intake comes from processed foods and meals prepared outside the home, while in many low-and middle-income countries, sodium is mainly added during home cooking or comes from condiments such as soy sauce and fish sauce. This review discusses the effects of high dietary sodium on blood pressure and vascular health, along with global consumption trends, regional disparities, and key nutritional sources. In addition to reducing sodium, adopting a salt-sensitive, whole-diet approach, such as increasing fruit and vegetable intake to boost potassium, can further protect cardiovascular health. Potassium-enriched, low-sodium salt substitutes are increasingly used in food production. Emerging strategies, including flavor enhancers, bitter blockers, spatial salt distribution, and microencapsulation, also help enhance saltiness perception while lowering sodium content. The review also summarizes national guidelines and those by the WHO, highlights selected country strategies, and calls for coordinated global and national efforts to reduce sodium intake and improve cardiovascular health worldwide.

Разработка концепции дизайна упаковки молока: универсальный дизайн с элементами визуальной идентификации для слепых людей

There exist a number of successful examples of inclusive food packaging design from world-famous brands, both foreign and Russian. This article discusses the concept of milk packaging design with visual identity elements for visually impaired individuals. Namely, the product of milk is chosen for developing a new packaging, as it is the most popular, useful, necessary for children, adults, and the elderly. In addition, it is the basis for making many other products in the food industry and in home cooking (kefir, cottage cheese, butter, cheese, sauces, bread, cakes, pastries and others). The paper proposes options for using alternative means of perception in the form of tactile text and reproducing sound signals so that blind and visually impaired people can easily determine the type of product and its main characteristics. This concept can be used in the development of packaging for other food products and consumer goods. As a result, the author has developed a design for dairy packaging with elements of inclusive design for the author’s brand “Molly” which was successfully presented at three exhibitions and international competitions, the project took the 2nd place at the National Award “Best Industrial Design of Russia”, the 1st place at the Inclusive Design Competition in the nomination “Audience Award”. The report on the author’s project took the 1st place at the international conference on professional communications.

Coffee Consumption and Risk of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Population-Based Prospective Cohort Study in Japan.

Coffee Consumption and Risk of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Population-Based Prospective Cohort Study in Japan.

Supporting healthier food choices through AI-tailored advice: A research agenda.

Supporting healthier food choices through AI-tailored advice: A research agenda.

Hot meal

Hot meal

Climate Change and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Approach to Reviewing the Data.

Increasing evidence is accumulating regarding the effects of climate change on human health. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified six exposure pathways through which climate change might affect health: extreme weather events; heat stress; air quality; food safety and security; water quality and quantity; and vector distribution and ecology. We sought to evaluate the climate change-related effects through these pathways on the health of pregnant persons and neonates. Individual PubMed searches were tailored for each WHO climate change exposure pathway based on the quality and quantity of evidence. Searches for heat stress, air quality, food safety and security, and vector distribution and ecology included systematic reviews only, while those for the remaining exposure pathways included broader quantitative study parameters. Evidence links heat stress, air quality, and vector distribution and ecology to several adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. While evidence regarding extreme weather events, food safety and security, and water quality and quantity also shows harmful effects on pregnant persons and neonates, the data are less conclusive. Climate change-related effects detrimentally affect the health of pregnant persons and neonates, but additional research is required to improve understanding of how climate change exerts its effects on these populations.

The Protective Effects of Chrysin on Acrylamide‐Induced Hepatotoxicity: Insights Into Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Apoptosis, Autophagy, and Histological Evaluation in Rats

ABSTRACTAcrylamide (ACR) is a toxic chemical with a high carcinogenic risk that is released as a result of heating or processing foods at high temperatures. Chrysin (CHR) is a flavonoid that is naturally found in foods such as honey and passionflower and stands out with its antioxidant, anticancer, and anti‐inflammatory properties. This study aims to determine the protective effects of CHR in ACR‐induced hepatotoxicity. ACR was administered orally at a dose of 38.27 mg/kg; CHR (25 or 50 mg/kg) was administered orally for ten days. Biochemical and molecular methods were used to investigate oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptotic markers in liver tissue. Additionally, histological methods were used to determine the liver tissue's structural and functional characteristics and autophagy. CHR treatment alleviated ACR‐induced oxidative stress by increasing antioxidants (SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH) and reducing increased oxidant MDA. CHR reduced inflammatory activity by inactivating NF‐κB and pro‐inflammatory cytokines. ACR‐induced increases in apoptotic Casp‐3, Casp‐6, Casp‐9, and Bax were reduced by CHR, while the decreased level of antiapoptotic Bcl‐2 was increased. It was also determined immunohistochemically that CHR inhibited autophagic Beclin‐1 activity. CHR was effective in reducing ACR‐induced hepatotoxicity damage and may be an effective treatment option.

P-490 Exposure characteristics and Relationship between Per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and recurrent pregnancy loss in women: Taiwan Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Environmental Study (TREPLES)

Abstract Study question How the reproductive-aged women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) through exposure to emerging contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has not been evaluated Summary answer This is the first comprehensive investigation exploring the relationship between various lifestyle exposure characteristics of PFAS and the occurrence of RPL in the Taiwanese women. What is known already Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) refers to a clinically diagnosed medical condition in the women with a history of two or more consecutive miscarriages characterized by the termination of pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation. Although the exact mechanism underlying RPL occurrence still needs to be evaluated, previous studies have suggested various associated mechanisms including the interactions between immunological, environmental, and genetic responses leading to RPL complications. Environmental exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as PFAS has been known to cause adverse pregnancy outcomes in women. However, their association with RPL occurrence based on the exposure characteristics in Taiwanese remains unclear. Study design, size, duration The study constituted a case-control design from an established Taiwan Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Environmental Study (TREPLES) cohort (August 2013 – October 2023) in Taiwan (N = 446) comprised of clinically diagnosed female (aged 20-50 years) RPL patients (n = 342) and health controls (n = 104) during their obstetric consultation. Urine samples were collected from participants to quantify PFAS and exposure characteristics including demographic information and lifestyle habits were collected using a retrospective questionnaire. Participants/materials, setting, methods Urine samples collected from participants (N = 446) were used to quantify 21 PFAS and their metabolites using the LC-MS/MS platform following stringent quality control procedures. Exposure characteristics of participants comprising their demographic information, lifestyle, and dietary habits acquired through questionnaires were used to compare their associations between RPL and control group. Descriptive statistics, group-wise comparison, and multivariate regression models were employed to evaluate the relationship between various exposure characteristics of PFAS and RPL occurrence among Taiwanese. Main results and the role of chance Participants in the RPL group had a significantly higher (p = 0.025) mean age (years), 34.8±4.42 vs. control 33.9±4.79. BMI (Kg/m2) also varied significantly (p = 0.036) between RPL 22.8(3.51) vs. control 23.3±3.16. About 59% of women in RPL group underwent treatment for infertility compared to the control group (25%), (p < 0.001). Among various lifestyle factors, the response (yes/no) against passive smoking status and personal care products (PCPs) usage varied significantly between the RPL (p = 0.026), vs. control (p = 0.026) respectively. Among the dietary habits, high consumption of unpeeled fruits (p = 0.004), melons (p = 0.002), dried tofu (p = 0.037), and nuts (p = 0.001) varied significantly in RPL vs. control. A significant association between median (P25,P75) PFDA levels (ng/mL) [0.31(0.21,0.39)] was observed for individuals with coffee drinking while levels of PFBA and 3-PFOS were significantly associated with packed hot food consumption in cartons [0.11(0.05,0.17)] and [0.93(ND,2.20)] respectively. Levels of PFBS and PFHxS were significantly associated with the use of PCPs [0.28(0.12,0.43)] and [1.89(0.94,2.66)] respectively. While body wash usage was significantly associated with PFBA [0.12(0.05,0.17)], PFHpA [0.16(0.06,0.25)], and PFNA [0.65(0.52,0.75)]. PFDoDA, 4-PFOS and 6-PFOS levels were in a significant relationship with use of lotion [0.18(0.06,0.31)], [0.29(ND,1.93)], and [0.44(ND,1.89)] respectively and cosmetic usage was significantly associated with high PFHpA [0.14(0.06,0.24) and PFHxS [1.55(0.85,2.39)]. Limitations, reasons for caution The study’s case-control design limits establishing causal relationships between various exposure characteristics, PFAS exposure, and RPL occurrence in Taiwanese women. Relying on the single-spot urine may infer bias in the result’s interpretation. Further, the concurrent effects of various other unknown EDCs and their effects on RPL should not be ignored. Wider implications of the findings Findings from the study emphasize the need for more comprehensive investigations involving multiple tests and large sample sizes to elucidate the results. The results also highlight the need for developing public health strategies to minimize PFAS exposure among reproductive-aged women along with the potential implications in policies for chemical regulations. Trial registration number No