High Levels Of Consumption Research Articles

Mitigating Identity Threat in Health Messaging: A Social Identity Complexity Perspective

ABSTRACT Health messages aiming to reduce red meat consumption may threaten multiple social identities because people’s dietary choices are intertwined with personal, social, and cultural aspects of their lives. Leveraging social identity theory and the concept of social identity complexity, this experiment tested how identity-threatening messages affect people’s intention to reduce red meat consumption and how the effect of identity threat may be moderated by messages highlighting the relationships between multiple identities that define a person. Participants (N = 409) read messages that varied identity threat (i.e. the extent to which people feel devalued because of their membership in a social group) and identity complexity (i.e. the extent to which people perceive multiple identities as independent). The study found that identity-threatening messages decreased intentions to reduce red meat consumption when people perceived their dietary identity as overlapping with other identities, but increased the intentions when the dietary identity was seen as independent from other identities. Further, the effects of identity threat and complexity were limited to people with high (vs. low) levels of red meat consumption. We discuss the role of identity complexity in alleviating identity threat and increasing persuasion.

Decarbonizing Indian Steel

India is the second largest steel producer in the world around 120 MT of crude steel in 2021-2022. The National Steel Policy envisages increasing crude steel capacity to 300 MT by 2030-2031. Steel is an essential sector for developing economy like India. On the other hand, this is one of the most energy intensive and polluting sectors. Steel production consumes around 20% of global industrial energy and contributes 7% CHG (2.6 Gt CO2/yr.). India is signatory to the UNFCCC Paris agreement whose goal is to keep the rise in mean global temperature well below 2oC above pre-industrial level. India Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) is pledged to (a) to reduce emission intensity to its GDP by 33-35 % by 2030 from the 2005 level and (b) to achieve about 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from renewable source. The high level of energy consumption and CHG emission of steel production is largely driven by primary BF-BOF route which uses carbon as the iron ore reductant and accounts for approximately 70% of total production and only 5% is produced by Directly Reducing Iron (DRI) followed by refinement in Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Switching to 100% H2 will mitigate CO2 emission.

Enhanced boron removal without pre-pH adjustment via redox-mediated electrodialysis assisted by ion-exchange resins

Boron presents challenges in desalination owing to its small size and lack of charge. While various methods, such as reverse osmosis, capacitive deionization, and electrodeionization, have been utilized to control boron, they often suffer from high levels of energy consumption and complex processes requiring pH adjustment to generate the charged form of boron. Herein, we introduce a novel approach, i.e., redox-mediated electrodialysis (redox-ED) assisted by ion-exchange resins, aimed at energy-efficient boron control without requiring pH adjustment. Our system displays a remarkable boron removal efficiency of 99% with a low energy consumption of 0.009 kWh/g (0.09 kWh/m3). These results are likely due to the dissociation of water on the surface of the ion-exchange resins, which led to a local pH gradient and reduced systemic resistance through additional ion flux. Furthermore, via techno-economic analysis, the total cost of the redox-ED for boron removal revealed a 50% reduction with the scale-up strategy of electrode stacking, compared to those of traditional EDI systems. Overall, this study demonstrates the new potential of a sustainable boron removal technology without pH adjustment through the redox-ED system assisted by ion-exchange resins, providing an attractive option applicable to the boron removal industry.

HUBUNGAN KONSUMSI MAKANAN SIAP SAJI DENGAN KEJADIAN PENYAKIT DIARE DI SD NEGERI 101800 KECAMATAN DELI TUA KABUPATEN DELI SERDANG

Elementary school -age children eating fast food is a problem that is a major concern in the community, especially foods that contain dangerous chemicals in the canteen, and food sellers around the school are important agents that make children eating unhealthy foods. and cause diarrhea for children. This study aims to The Relationship Between Fast Food Consumption And Incidence Of Diarrhea In Sd Negeri 101800, Deli Tua Sub District, Deli Serdang District. This a study using analytical observational design with a cross sectional study approach. The population of this study was a student of SD Negeri 101800 totaling 294 students with 75 student as sample. Sampling used in this study was stratifield random sampling. Data analysis use Chi Square. The results of this study indicate the distribution of the frequency of consumption of fast food 75 respondents (100%), as many as 43 students (57.3%) have a high level of consumption of fast food and there are 32 students (42.7%) with the level of consumption of fast food The low one. The frequency distribution of 44 students diarrhea (58.7%) experienced diarrhea and as many as 31 students (41.3%) did not experience diarrhea. Chi Square test results obtained significant data with P-value = 0,000 p-value <0.05. It can be concluded from the results of this study, that there is a relationship of consumption of fast food with the incidence of diarrhea in SD Negeri 101800 Deli Tua Sub District, Deli Serdang District in 2023. Suggestions from the results of this study are that teachers are expected to provide support so that children have good snack habits and pay more attention to the cleanliness of places selling snacks around or outside school.

Antioxidant Activity, Glycemic Response, and Functional Properties of Rice Cooked with Red Palm Oil.

High rice consumption levels accompanied by a lifestyle lacking in physical activity leads to obesity and diabetes due to the rice consumed generally has high digestibility and high glycemic index. Red palm oil (RPO) is a vegetable oil suggested to have the potential to reduce starch digestibility and increase the bioactive compounds of rice. This research aimed to find out the best cooking method to produce rice with a sensory quality similar to regular rice and to study the effect of the best cooking method on the glycemic response and physicochemical properties of rice. The results showed that RPO addition increased the antioxidant activities and total carotenoid levels of rice. The addition of RPO after cooking has better antioxidant activity and total carotenoid than before cooking. Adding 2% RPO before or after cooking produced rice with similar or better sensory quality than regular rice. Rice cooked with 2% RPO added before cooking had a lower glycemic response than regular rice, which was suggested to be caused by the increasing formation of the amylose lipid complex and the triglycerides that protected the starch from amylase enzyme. The formation of the amylose lipid complex and triglyceride layers protecting rice starch was confirmed by the new peaks of the FTIR spectra, the appearance of oil-coated starch morphology, and the changes in the proportion of C and O atoms. In conclusion, the addition of 2% RPO before the cooking process can be considered as a cooking method to produce rice for diabetic patients.

Early life consumption of a "processed" diet high in advanced glycation end products impairs memory function and alters the gut microbiome in rats

Recent evidence indicates that “ultra-processed” foods constitute ~65% of total energy intake among children in the U.S. The impacts of excessive processed food consumption during development are poorly understood, in part because there are neither clear definitions of, nor a robust classification system accounting for, the complexity of food processing variables and how they interrelate in final food products. Heat treatment, a common form of food processing, can induce the chemical Maillard reaction and lead to foods rich in advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The neurocognitive implications of high levels of AGE consumption, particularly during early life, are unknown. Here, we used a rat model to evaluate the effects of adolescent consumption of a heat-treated diet high in AGEs on cognition and the gut microbiome in adulthood. In a series of studies, rats received either an otherwise healthy AGE-rich diet (AGE rats; AIN-93G diet heated at 160ºC for 60min) or a non-AGE-rich diet (CTL rats; AIN-93G diet without heat treatment) during adolescence (postnatal days 26-60). Metabolic, behavioral, and gut microbiome assessments were performed in adulthood. Results revealed that AGE rats exhibited hippocampal (HPC)-dependent memory deficits relative to CTL rats in the absence of altered body weight, body composition, glucose tolerance, and behavioral measures of anxiety. Administering a drug to break down AGEs (alagebrium; 1mg/kg/day) concomitantly with the heat-treated diet prevented memory impairments, supporting a causal role of AGEs in early life diet-induced HPC dysfunction. Microbiome sequencing analyses revealed that AGE rats had substantially reduced abundance of the bacterial genus Lactococcus relative to controls, and Lactococcus abundance was strongly correlated with memory performance. Administration of Lactococcus lactis by oral gavage (109 colony forming units/day) from PN 26-40 during exposure to the heat-treated diet rescued the AGE diet-induced memory impairments. Collective findings from this work identify a connection between a specific food processing variable (i.e., increased dietary AGEs through heat treatment), the gut microbiome, and impaired neurocognition. This work was supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases under grant DK123423 (awarded to SEK and AAF); the National Institute on Aging through a Postdoctoral Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award under grant F32AG077932 (awarded to AMRH); and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (awarded to LT). This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Screening student drinking behaviors: examining AUDIT criterion validity using CIDI-based alcohol use disorder as the 'gold standard'.

High levels of alcohol consumption among college students have been observed across countries. Heavy drinking episodes are particularly prevalent in this population, making early identification of potentially harmful drinking critical from a public health perspective. Short screening instruments such as the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) are serviceable in this regard. However, there is a need for studies investigating the criterion validity of AUDIT in the student population. The aim was to examine the criterion validity of the full AUDIT and AUDIT-C (the first three items directly gauging consumption patterns) in a sample of college and university students using 12-month prevalence of alcohol use disorder derived from an electronic, self-administered version of the World Health Organization (WHO) Composite International Diagnostic Interview, fifth version (CIDI 5.0), which serves as the 'gold standard'. The study population of the current study is derived from the SHoT study (Students' Health and Wellbeing Study), which is a large national survey of students enrolled in higher education in Norway. In a follow-up study of mental disorders among participants of the SHoT2022 study, students were invited to complete a self-administered electronic version of the CIDI. A random sample of 4,642 participants in the nested CIDI-sample was asked to fill out a set of screening instruments, including AUDIT, before starting CIDI. Based on Youden Index maximization, we estimated the sex-specific optimal cut-offs for AUDIT and AUDIT-C in relation to alcohol use disorder, as determined by CIDI. For the full AUDIT, the optimal cut-offs were 9 for males and 10 for females. The corresponding cut-offs for AUDIT-C were 6 for males and 5 for females. The same optimal cut-offs for both the full AUDIT and AUDIT-C were replicated in bootstrapped analyses with 1,000 runs. The full AUDIT demonstrated acceptable criterion validity with a balance between sensitivity and specificity. However, for AUDIT-C, caution should be exercised when interpreting screening results among college and university students. In conclusion, the full AUDIT is a reliable screening instrument for college and university students, while further modification may be needed for AUDIT-C in this setting.

Фінансова поведінка домогосподарств у контексті їх резильєнтного розвитку

The relevance of the article is related to the need to study the financial behavior of households as one of the factors of ensuring their resilient development in conditions of instability and uncertainty. In the conditions of war, the country’s financial market and the behavior of the subjects of financial relations are the epicenter of the country’s macroeconomic stability, which depends on the resilience of households to risky situations and the quality of life. The specified interrelationship will strengthen under the condition of active prejudice against poverty and state support of the population, which found itself in difficult life circumstances as a result of the war. The purpose of the article is to study the influence of financial behavior and financial instruments on the resilience of the country’s households in conditions of socio-economic instability and uncertain development prospects. The novelty of the work consists in identifying the peculiarities of the financial behavior of households, caused by the growth of wartime risks against the background of real opportunities and trends of their resilient development. The research is based on the use of various data sources and the application of a number of scientific methods (analysis, synthesis, comparison, generalization, selective observations). Modern financial behavior of households combines elements of various models — consumer, savings, investment, credit, insurance, charity, the relationships between which are transformed depending on the action of external and internal factors. In the conditions of war, the motives for forming one or another model of financial behavior of households change, in the choice of which they can be guided by the interests of preserving the status quo or increasing financial assets. The advantages of the saving behavior model of households as the most acceptable for resistance to wartime risks and threats and the transformation of labor income of the population into development investment resources are determined. Unlike most European countries, Ukraine is dominated by channels of unorganized savings of the population due to a low level of trust in banking structures, uncertainty in the future, and efforts to prevent the emergence of new financial risks. The transition to organized forms of savings of the population will ensure the resilience of economic development against the background of the stability of the financial and credit system of the state, trust in it by consumers of financial services. In this context, a sufficient level of profitability of financial instruments and financial literacy of the population are necessary. For its spread, it is necessary to achieve a sufficiently high level of income, rational consumption and possession of effective financial instruments against the background of trust in financial institutions.

The impact of antibiotic resistance on the rampant spread of infectious diseases in Pakistan: Insights from a narrative review.

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a global public health emergency which has seen an uptick in low- to middle-income countries in recent times due to a plethora of aggravating factors and has led to a whole host of setting-specific pathogens registering high rates of resistance, causing outbreaks with graver mortality and morbidity. This review analyzes available literature to determine the causes and effects of ABR and recommend solutions to the problem in a Pakistani setting. Sources for this narrative review were identified via electronic databases using keyword search methods. The information was retrieved using databases such as PubMed and Science Direct. Additionally, websites such as CDC and World Health Organizationwere used to attain pertinent information. All the sources were selected as per their relevance and appropriateness towardthe purpose of this review. This review details the causes by dividing them into three primary strata, namely (1) under-regulation, (2) over-prescription and self-medication, and (3) lack of medical stewardship. This is made much graver when the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent erratic treatment response is considered, with the pandemic augmenting already high levels of consumption. These factors have led a cascade of effects including, but not limited to, a considerable increase in ABR in pathogens to first-line drugs. ABR is a serious and growing issue which will result in undesirable personal, local, and national consequences if unchecked. Mitigation and reversal of this trend is necessary by developing existing programs and investing in novel therapies and pharmaceutical research and strengthening regulatory policies and mechanisms.

Watershed water policy based on a glacier water service perspective in the typical glacier basins, Western China

Abstract Taking the Yangtze River Source Basin (YRSB) and Shule River Basin (SRB) as two typical cases, the sustainability of the water resources in these two basins was evaluated using the level of water stress (LWS) from sustainable development goal 6.4.2, and the regulating effect of the glacier runoff on the LWS was quantified. From 2000 to 2030, the level of socioeconomic development in the YRSB is low, and the total water consumption is only about 0.18 × 108 m3, whereas the SRB has a relatively high level of socioeconomic development and total water consumption is about 10 × 108 m3, i.e., 50 times higher than that in the YRSB. For the aforementioned reasons, the SRB's LWS is much higher than the YRSB's, resulting in a very low sustainability of water resources. As natural assets, glaciers flow downstream in the runoff mode, so compensation at the watershed scale should be considered. In the basin, the optimal allocation of water resources is needed. At the inter-basin scale, the compensation mechanism of glacier water resources needs to be improved.

Abstract 3409: AGEing and lifestyle after a cancer diagnosis: A balanced equilibrium for survivorship

Abstract In the US, over 18 million people are living with a cancer diagnosis and that number may double by 2050. There is a need to unite research across the cancer continuum to address the needs of cancer survivors to ensure optimal quality of life and improve mortality outcomes. Health constructs that influence cancer survivorship are multifactorial, highly dynamic, and vary across the lifespan. This makes assigning their impact on the well-being and future outcomes of cancer survivors challenging. As a pathophysiological process that lies at the intersection between societal, environmental, and biological constructs, it is proposed that the irreversible accumulation of metabolites called advanced glycation end products (AGEs) can inform on quality of life and mortality outcomes for cancer survivors. It is proposed that AGE accumulation as a result of societal, environmental, and biological constructs overwhelm the fragile equilibrium that maintains AGE homoeostasis to impact tumor biology and cancer outcomes. The relationships between health constructs and AGE exposure are epitomized by nutritional behavior. The consumption of cheaper unhealthier often ultra-processed foods are inherently AGE laden and the excessive consumption of foods high in fats and sugars that promote obesity and increase cancer risk readily provide reactive intermediates that fuel AGE formation in cells and tissues. Our collaborative epidemiological studies assign high levels of AGE consumption with increased breast cancer risk, aggressiveness, and mortality, which is supported by translational studies showing that circulating AGE levels in breast cancer patients correlate with worse disease-free survival and other poor prognosis indicators. Critically, this group has also shown that chronic AGE consumption by mice increases prostate tumor growth (p<0.001), and causes a rapid progression through prostate intra-epithelial neoplasia (p=0.049), adenocarcinoma (p=0.042) and metastasis (p=0.001). Consumption of the high AGE diet caused a regulatory program of stromal activation conducive for tumor growth. As a bio-social determinant of health AGE accumulation and its pathogenic effects serve as informative and/or functional markers indicative of the current health status and well-being of cancer survivors and may inform of potential future outcomes. Our studies show that physical activity and dietary intervention (cardiac rehabilitation) reduced systemic AGE levels in breast cancer survivors. Therefore, prevention and control interventions aimed at reducing AGE exposure represent viable strategies for improving quality of life and disease recurrence for cancer survivors. This research was made possible in part by Grant Numbers R01-CA259415, R01-CA245143, R21-CA194469, and U54-CA210962 from NIH-NCI. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NIH. Citation Format: David P. Turner, Bradley A. Krisanits, Marvella E. Ford, Lindsay L. Peterson, Susan E. Steck, Paula D. Bos, Victoria J. Findlay. AGEing and lifestyle after a cancer diagnosis: A balanced equilibrium for survivorship [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 3409.

Pemberdayaan Masyarakat melalui Pelatihan Pengolahan dan Pemanfaatan Bawang Putih Fermentasi untuk Pengobatan Penyakit Degeneratif

People in Silian I Village have a relatively high level of meat consumption, which can trigger various degenerative diseases. To treat their illnesses, people use more modern medicines than traditional medicines. Garlic helps treat various diseases and has been used as a traditional medicine. Fermented Garlic (Black Garlic) has been developed in several countries. The secondary metabolite content in Fermented Garlic is higher than in regular Garlic, so the resulting properties are also more potent. This activity aims to provide training to the public regarding the processing and use of Fermented Garlic (Black Garlic) to treat degenerative diseases. Activities include training on processing Garlic into Fermented Garlic (Black Garlic) and its use in making processed food preparations and counseling regarding licensing procedures for producing processed food. Evaluation of the activity showed increased community knowledge about the processing and use of Black Garlic for treating degenerative diseases after the activity. The community enthusiastically participated in the activity and was interested in making and using it to help treat the degenerative diseases they suffered.

Palatability of Cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus) to the Combinations of Pellet Feed Based on Organic Value

Cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus) in captivity that were given a dominant fruit diet needed additional feed from their natural habitat because of the higher nutritional potential and fiber components. This study aims to determine the palatability of cuscus to the feed based on organic value. An experimental method was used, consisting of 4 treatment groups: 100% banana (Musa paradisiaca) as control, 70% banana mixed with 30% matoa (Pometia pinnata) leaves, 70% banana mixed with 30% ironwood (Pongamia pinnata) leaves, and 70% banana mixed with 30% crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus). The results showed that banana was the most preferred feed ingredient, either alone or as a supplementary feed mixture. In terms of quantity, its mixture with matoa leaves had a higher consumption level than ironwood leaves and crickets. The consumption level of organic matter was higher in the treatment with 100% banana than in other treatments. This information will help support ex-situ and in-situ conservation programs formulated by the government and other parties, including the community. Keywords: cuscus, feed, organic matter, palatability, Spilocuscus maculatus

Perspective on the consumption of ultra-processed foods among university students

The study examines the perspective on the consumption of ultra-processed foods among university students. The consumption of ultra-processed foods by university students has always been a concern for nutrition specialists and university specialists because there is no law that regulates sales in sales centers or stores near the university as there is for regular education. There is also no culture of healthy food consumption in university students, despite being trained in healthy food and eating habits that students immediately fall back on, so the purpose of this research is to analyze and describe the prospects of consumption of ultra-processed foods among university student in the province of Sullana. For which a descriptive design was used with a quantitative, correlational, and intentional sampling approach due to the ease of digital communication, a survey was used in which any student could participate voluntarily and anonymously. This questionnaire had 26 questions whose answers were on a Likert scale of five points, in which 827 university students participated. The results show that there is a high level of consumption of ultra-processed foods among university students, with preferences for pastry products, cookies, and chocolates. It is concluded that university students do not have a culture of healthy food consumption and consume all kinds of products found in the surroundings of the university, and these are what are called "junk" foods that damage health sooner or later.

Modelling and optimizing hydraulic retention time in the biological aeration unit: Application of artificial neural network and particle swarm optimization

The biological aeration unit (BAU) is essential for removing organic and inorganic matter in the wastewater. Microorganisms present in the wastewater are able to remove organic and inorganic matter. The challenge is that the BAU consumes large quantities of energy during the process, due to the constant supply of air for the respiration of microorganisms. The standard hydraulic retention time (HRT) in the BAU is between 4 and 12 h per treatment cycle which is extensive, hence the high levels of energy consumption. The purpose of this study is to optimize the HRT in the BAU, by reducing the operation time of the air pumps/blowers, resulting in less energy consumption per treatment cycle. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm optimizes the HRT in the BAU. Variables in the optimization model are verified using the sensitivity analysis method. The results of the study show a reduction in HRT from 4 to 2.4954 h, which is a 37.6 % energy saving in the BAU. The biggest drivers in the HRT optimization model are energy consumption (61.3 %), airflow rate (36.8 %), and temperature (1.2 %). Therefore, decreasing airflow rate and increasing wastewater temperature reduces HRT in BAU.

Perceived Neighbourhood Disorder, Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol-Related Problems in Chile.

Background: Alcohol misuse is one of the most important preventable public health risk factors. Empirical research shows that alcohol misuse is related to social and economic losses. Both theoretical and empirical evidence suggests that neighborhood disorder impacts alcohol-related behavior. However, there is limited literature in the context of developing countries. Objectives: The aim of this research is to estimate the association between perceived neighborhood disorder and (1) alcohol-related behavior and (2) alcohol-related problems in the context of the Chilean population. Our contribution focuses on the examination of the perception of disorder in urban neighborhoods and alcohol use patterns in a wide age range and sample of Chilean cities. Results: High levels of neighbor disorder perception are associated with higher levels of drinking and hazardous alcohol use. In addition, perceived neighborhood disorder is directly associated with probability of alcohol-related problems (ranging from 2% to 11%). Conclusions/Importance: The results are consistent with empirical and theoretical frameworks. This research could be used to better guide place-based policies in emerging countries with high levels of alcohol consumption to prevent alcohol risk behaviors and alcohol-related problems.

RAMMED EARTH CONSTRUCTION: A CIRCULAR SOLUTION FOR SUSTAINABLE BUILDING

The building and construction sector is one of the most harmful industries to the environment, responsible for producing high levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy consumption, and waste. Rammed earth, a traditional building technology is deemed as a promising solution to tackle these challenges. In addition, the low level of skill required for rammed earth buildings paves the way for self-built activities. This paper presents the preliminary findings of an ongoing research study focused on the rammed earth construction technique. The primary objective is to assess its sustainability and circularity within the context of Europe and the Mediterranean. The methodology employed is based on an analysis of rammed earth techniques and a review of relevant regulations related to the selected context. The analysis includes case studies of contemporary European rammed earth buildings. They aim to illustrate possible design strategies that incorporate rammed earth alongside well-established construction technologies. These case studies also shed light on how the integration of various construction technologies introduces circularity variables into buildings, thereby influencing their overall sustainability. These variables are contingent upon the techniques, technologies, and performance characteristics of the selected building elements. As a result of this analysis, the paper initiates a discussion on the role that rammed earth constructions can play in the development of sustainable hybrid buildings.

Кластерный подход в изучении рисков здоровью населения, обусловленных контаминацией пищевых продуктов тяжелыми металлами

Food products are a source of energy and essential substances but also of anthropogenic contaminants such as heavy metals. The aim of the study was to assess population health risks posed by contamination of food products with heavy metals, taking into account peculiarities of food preferences. An epidemiological study of actual nutrition of adult population of Samara region was conducted, the sample size was 1,856 people. At the first stage, using factor analysis, respondents' adherence to a certain model of food preferences was established; at the second stage, 5 homogeneous groups (clusters) of people with similar types of nutrition were formed using cluster analysis. The first cluster included individuals with maximum commitment to a high level of consumption of all studied foods; the second cluster was characterized by commitment to consumption of high-calorie foods such as baked goods, confectionery, sausages, potatoes, eggs, and cheese. Individuals from the cluster 3 showed a distinct preference for consumption of vegetables, fruit and dairy products. Individuals from the cluster 4 had no special preferences for any of the studied foods. The fifth cluster included people who had maximum preference for meat and meat products, smoked meats, pickles and salted fish. The content of cadmium, mercury, lead, and arsenic in food products was assessed via atomic absorption and photometric methods. The study relied on using social and hygienic monitoring data from the Samara Regional Rospotrebnadzor (Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights and Human Wellbeing) collection. Risk assessment of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects was carried out in each of the five formed clusters taking into account modern methodological approaches. It was found that in all food clusters, the hazard coefficients for intake of contaminants in median concentrations and in the 90th percentile did not exceed permissible levels. In all clusters, the endocrine system was most at risk (HI = 1.68 ÷ 1.25). For all clusters, carcinogenic risk (for median concentrations) was created by arsenic both at the individual and the population level. The risk was the highest for people whose diets were characterized by high levels of consumption of high-calorie products. Cluster approach makes it possible to identify the most vulnerable groups of population in terms of risk burden for making managerial decisions and carrying out preventive measures.

Cluster approach to the study of population health risks posed by contamination of food products with heavy metals

Food products are a source of energy and essential substances but also of anthropogenic contaminants such as heavy metals. The aim of the study was to assess population health risks posed by contamination of food products with heavy metals, taking into account peculiarities of food preferences. An epidemiological study of actual nutrition of adult population of Samara region was conducted, the sample size was 1,856 people. At the first stage, using factor analysis, respondents' adherence to a certain model of food preferences was established; at the second stage, 5 homogeneous groups (clusters) of people with similar types of nutrition were formed using cluster analysis. The first cluster included individuals with maximum commitment to a high level of consumption of all studied foods; the second cluster was characterized by commitment to consumption of high-calorie foods such as baked goods, confectionery, sausages, potatoes, eggs, and cheese. Individuals from the cluster 3 showed a distinct preference for consumption of vegetables, fruit and dairy products. Individuals from the cluster 4 had no special preferences for any of the studied foods. The fifth cluster included people who had maximum preference for meat and meat products, smoked meats, pickles and salted fish. The content of cadmium, mercury, lead, and arsenic in food products was assessed via atomic absorption and photometric methods. The study relied on using social and hygienic monitoring data from the Samara Regional Rospotrebnadzor (Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights and Human Wellbeing) collection. Risk assessment of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects was carried out in each of the five formed clusters taking into account modern methodological approaches. It was found that in all food clusters, the hazard coefficients for intake of contaminants in median concentrations and in the 90th percentile did not exceed permissible levels. In all clusters, the endocrine system was most at risk (HI = 1.68 ÷ 1.25). For all clusters, carcinogenic risk (for median concentrations) was created by arsenic both at the individual and the population level. The risk was the highest for people whose diets were characterized by high levels of consumption of high-calorie products. Cluster approach makes it possible to identify the most vulnerable groups of population in terms of risk burden for making managerial decisions and carrying out preventive measures.

Application of Variational Graph Autoencoder in Traction Control of Energy-Saving Driving for High-Speed Train

In a high-speed rail system, the driver repeatedly adjusts the train’s speed and traction while driving, causing a high level of energy consumption. This also leads to the instability of the train’s operation, affecting passengers’ experiences and the operational efficiency of the system. To solve this problem, we propose a variational graph auto-encoder (VGAE) model using a neural network to learn the posterior distribution. This model can effectively capture the correlation between the components of a high-speed rail system and simulate drivers’ operating state accurately. The specific traction control is divided into two parts. The first part employs an algorithm based on the K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) algorithm and undersampling to address the negative impact of imbalanced quantities in the training dataset. The second part utilizes a variational graph autoencoder to derive the initial traction control of drivers, thereby predicting the energy performance of the drivers’ operation. An 83,786 m long high-speed train driving section is used as an example for verification. By using a confusion matrix for our comparative analysis, it was concluded that the energy consumption is approximately 18.78% less than that of manual traction control. This shows the potential and effect of the variational graph autoencoder model for optimizing energy consumption in high-speed rail systems.