Indoor Facilities Research Articles

Wireless Sensing Network for Implementation of Air Quality Monitoring System and Indoor Air Quality Index Application

Indoor air quality significantly impacts respiratory health and mental activity. This study utilizes a wireless sensing network (WSN) based on the Internet of Things (IoT) to monitor indoor air quality, referred to as an indoor air quality monitoring system. The system was installed and applied on campus at the University of Baghdad. The present study aims to monitor air quality parameters continuously within laboratories. Carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ammonia, and particulate objects are the pollutants chosen to be monitored by the installed system in this study. These pollutants were selected because they affect indoor facilities' comfort, health, and working conditions. Colored coded data was employed in the monitoring system; defined ranges for each pollutant were also integrated. Sensor nodes, wireless modules that connect to the IoT server, and user applications are the main components of the IAQMS system. LCDs, mobile applications, the ThingSpeak web server, and the LabView platform are examples of techniques used to present data collected by the system. Additionally, the system includes a notification function that alerts students and lab personnel when indoor air quality index IAQI values signal unhealthy indoor air quality. The proactive approach ensures a regulated standard for indoor air quality and pollutants.

Perancangan Model Bisnis Kaki Bukit Coffee Menggunakan Metode Business Model Canvas

Kaki Bukit Coffee is a coffee shop located in West Bandung Regency, precisely on Jl. Maribaya No.16, Kayuambon, Lembang District, which was founded on December 16 2018. This coffee shop offers various types of drinks, both hot and cold, such as Basic Coffee, Flavored Coffee, Freshener, and Tea. However, Kaki Bukit Coffee faces several challenges, including not achieving its revenue target. This challenge is caused by several factors such as lack of employee capability, limited space capacity, lack of product innovation, many competitors, the influence of rainy weather, less than optimal promotional strategies, and limited use of promotional media only via Instagram. This research aims to identify and overcome the problems faced by Kaki Bukit Coffee through evaluating and designing a new business model using the Business Model Canvas (BMC) method. The improvement process begins with collecting data regarding the current condition of the business model, including customer profiles obtained through questionnaires and analysis of the business environment through literature studies. Next, a SWOT analysis is carried out to understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats from internal and external aspects, as well as identifying the value proposition canvas to formulate the right strategy. Several proposals were put forward to solve problems such as in the Value Proposition block, proposals included increasing product variations, offering variations in glass sizes and toppings, as well as providing bundling packages. In the Customer Segments block, the focus is on increasing the number of Lembang customers. For Channels, proposals include increasing the use of online food delivery applications such as GoFood, increasing promotions via social media such as Instagram, adding the ShopeeFood and TikTok platforms, as well as displaying menu lists and linktr.ee on Instagram profiles. In the Customer Relationship block, proposals include offering discounts and promos, providing special promotions for local residents, as well as providing WiFi connections. In the Key Activities block, increasing sales and marketing activities, adding training and HR development programs, as well as improving indoor and outdoor facilities are priorities. In the Key Partners block, namely increasing cooperation with raw material suppliers. Meanwhile, in the Cost Structure block, the proposal includes additional costs for improving indoor and outdoor facilities, training and human resource development costs, as well as costs for WiFi connections. Lastly, in the Revenue Streams block, the focus is on increasing product sales offline and online.

Patients’ and stakeholders’ experiences of a personalized self-management SUPport program (P-SUP) for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or coronary heart disease: a qualitative process evaluation

BackgroundChronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease cause medical, social, and economic burdens worldwide. Disease management programs in Germany mostly lack components to improve patients’ self-management and health-promoting lifestyles despite clear guideline recommendations. Therefore, a Personalized Self-Management Support Program (P-SUP) was developed, which includes: (1) peer support groups; (2) telephone coaching; (3) feedback reports and, (4) a web portal. This study aims to explore patients’ and implementing stakeholders’ experiences in the implementation of P-SUP to identify barriers and facilitators to the implementation of the intervention.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted using face-to-face focus group interviews with participating patients and telephone-based one-to-one expert interviews with implementing stakeholders, involved in the delivery of the intervention. The transcribed interview reports were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, and the contents were categorized according to Donabedian’s Structure-Process-Outcome framework.ResultsA total of six themes among patients (N = 35) and five themes among implementing stakeholders (N = 32) represent the experiences. The patient themes were: (1) technical conditions, (2) indoor facilities, (3) group composition, (4) acceptance of digital components, (5) supervision and feedback and (6) impact on lifestyle behavior. The themes among the implementing stakeholders were: (1) multiprofessional approach, (2) human resources, (3) patient acceptance, (4) supervision and feedback and (5) impact on lifestyle behavior.ConclusionsMultiprofessional interventions such as P-SUP appear to be valuable for patients and implementing stakeholders. Although infrastructural barriers made the implementation of peer support and digital patient education difficult, patients rated the exchange with peers and experts on health-related topics positively. The lack of supervision and feedback during the course of the intervention might be compensated by regular telephone coaching. The findings from this study can be used in future studies to guide researchers and implementing stakeholders and to improve the feasibility and effectiveness of complex interventions in different contexts.Trial registrationThe P-SUP study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) on 16/07/2020 under the registration number DRKS00020592.

The use of UV-A radiation for biofortification of lettuce and basil plants with antioxidant phenolic and flavonoid compounds

Stable plant production is a crucial concern of modern agriculture facing increasing food demands and the risk of less predictable weather conditions in the open field. Alternative approaches for plant production are greenhouses and indoor farming. Modern LED-based artificial lighting indoor facilities allow not only to fill the gap in the supply chain of food production, but to produce plants characterized with higher concentration of essential phytochemicals. Thus, in this study, we attempt to analyse the efficiency of short-term supplementation of spectrum within ultraviolet A light (UV-A, 365 nm) to increase the antioxidant potential of leafy plants, assessed by total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) content. To this end, two distinct cultivars of baby leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa L.) and microgreens basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) plants were grown under red-green-blue spectrum supplemented prior to harvest with low doses of UV-A radiation. Analyses showed that UV-A exposition enhanced TPC and TFC with green leaf cultivars, compared to dark-pigmented ones. The analysis also proved that plants exposed to UV-A presented higher overall antioxidant potential measured with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH). Results are crucial for better understanding the potential of UV-A supplementation to produce functional plants which are natural sources of dietary antioxidants.

Airborne bacterial and fungal species in workstations of salmon processing plants

Significant quantities of salmon are processed daily in the industry's indoor facilities. Occupational exposure contributes to an individual's exposome. The aim of this study is to obtain knowledge about potential exposure to viable airborne species of bacteria and fungi as related to workstations in the salmon processing industry. The study was conducted in nine salmon plants along the Norwegian coast over one or two days with a one-year interval. The MAS100 was used for sampling and MALDI-TOF MS for species identification. The geometric mean concentrations of bacteria and fungi were 200 CFU/m3 and 50 CFU/m3, respectively, with the highest concentrations of bacteria found in slaughtering areas and fungi in trimming of fillets. In total 125 gram-negative and 90 gram-positive bacterial and 32 different fungal species were identified. Some genera were represented by several species e.g. Chryseobacterium (15 species), Flavobacterium (13 species), Microbacterium (12 species), Pseudomonas (37 species), and Psychrobacter (13 species). Risk class 2 (RC2, human pathogens) were found in all types of workstations and plants. Seventeen bacterial species belong to RC2, some were fish pathogens, food spoilage bacteria, or species causing foodborne disease. Among fungi, Aspergillus nidulans was frequently detected across different workstations and plants. In conclusion, bacterial and fungal concentrations were low. Fish and sea-related bacteria were found along the salmon processing line. Bacterial concentrations and species compositions differ between workstations. No particular bacterial or fungal species constituted a large fraction of all airborne species. Based on the presence of human pathogens, using protective gloves is important for the workers. The presence of human and fish pathogens and food spoilage bacteria reveals air as a transmission route for bacteria, potentially affecting workers, consumers, fish, and hygiene of processing equipment. To limit the spread of these bacteria an interdisciplinary cooperation with a One Health perspective may be relevant.

Automated extrinsic calibration of solid-state frame LiDAR sensors with non-overlapping field of view for monitoring indoor stockpile storage facilities

Several industrial and commercial bulk material management applications rely on accurate, current stockpile volume estimation. Proximal imaging and LiDAR sensing modalities can be used to derive stockpile volume estimates in outdoor and indoor storage facilities. Among available imaging and LiDAR sensing modalities, the latter is more advantageous for indoor storage facilities due to its ability to capture scans under poor lighting conditions. Evaluating volumes from such sensing modalities requires the pose (i.e., position and orientation) parameters of the used sensors relative to a common reference frame. For outdoor facilities, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) combined with an Inertial Navigation System (INS) can be used to derive the sensors’ pose relative to a global reference frame. For indoor facilities, GNSS signal outages will not allow for such capability. Prior research has developed strategies for establishing the sensor position and orientation for stockpile volume estimation while relying on multi-beam spinning LiDAR units. These approaches are feasible due to the large range and Field of View (FOV) of such systems that can capture the internal surfaces of indoor storage facilities.The mechanical movement of multi-beam spinning LiDAR units together with the harsh conditions within indoor facilities (e.g., excessive humidity, wide range of temperature variation, dust, and corrosive environment in deicing salt storage facilities) limit the use of such systems. With the increasing availability of solid-state LiDAR units, there is an interest in exploring their potential for stockpile volume estimation. Despite their higher robustness to harsh conditions, solid-state LiDAR units have shorter distance measurement range and limited FOV when compared with multi-beam spinning LiDAR. This research presents a strategy for the extrinsic calibration (i.e., estimating the relative pose parameters) of installed solid-state LiDAR units inside stockpile storage facilities. The extrinsic calibration is made possible using deployed spherical targets and a complete, reference scan of the facility from another LiDAR sensing modality. The proposed research introduces strategies for: 1) automated extraction of the spherical targets; 2) automated matching of these targets in the solid-state LiDAR and reference scans using invariant relationships among them; and 3) coarse-to-fine estimation of the calibration parameters. Experimental results in several facilities have shown the feasibility of using the proposed methodology to conduct the extrinsic calibration and volume evaluation with an error percentage less than 3.5% even with occlusion percentages reaching up to 50%.

Overcoming dysfunctional gametogenesis in hatchery-produced greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili using recombinant gonadotropins, and spawning induction using gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist-loaded implants

Female greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili reared in tanks have been inconsistent in entering or completing vitellogenesis. As a result, established spawning induction protocols employing gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) fail to induce oocyte maturation, ovulation and spawning. Males also exhibit reproductive dysfunctions resulting in low sperm production of relatively low quality. To ameliorate these problems, homologous Seriola dumerili single-chain recombinant Follicle stimulating hormone (sdrFsh) and Luteinizing hormone (sdrLh) were produced and administered to adult 4.8-year-old hatchery-produced (F1 generation) greater amberjack held in tanks, in order to enhance gametogenesis and increase reproductive performance (fecundity and fertilization success) upon spawning induction with GnRHa. Beginning at the onset of gametogenesis (27 April 2022), injections of sdrFsh and sdrLh were given for 6 consecutive weeks (a total of 7 treatments) in different combinations in males and females, and increasing doses. All fish treated with sdrFsh/Lh underwent complete gametogenesis, with females having oocytes in post-vitellogenesis and males producing releasable sperm at the time planned for the GnRHa spawning induction (6 June 2022). Furthermore, five of the six females initiated oocyte maturation prior to the GnRHa treatment, and at least one female also spawned spontaneously earlier (week 4). All but one untreated Control females did not complete vitellogenesis and exhibited follicular apoptosis/atresia, making them ineligible for GnRHa-induced spawning. Untreated Control males completed spermatogenesis and produced releasable sperm, but of somewhat lower spermatozoa density and significantly lower motility percentage and velocity compared to sdrFsh/Lh-treated males. GnRHa-induced spawning of the sdrFsh/Lh-treated fish enhanced mean daily relative fecundity and fertilization success, with embryo and larval survival >50%. These results are encouraging, and we expect that further optimization of dosage and administration timing can provide a reliable protocol for enhancing gametogenesis and promoting maturation in dysfunctional greater amberjack broodstocks maintained in aquaculture indoor facilities.

Nature-based climate shelters? Exploring urban green spaces as cooling solutions for older adults in a warming city

As cities grapple with the escalating challenges of urban heat and its impacts on vulnerable populations, particularly older adults, green spaces are increasingly promoted as effective urban cooling solutions. However, despite the extensive literature on people’s access to and preferences for urban green spaces, little is known about the perception and use of these spaces as nature-based climate shelters on hot days, especially by older adults. This study focuses on Barcelona, a Mediterranean city facing rising temperatures, to explore older adults' patterns of use and preferences for urban green spaces on hot days. The research aims to: 1) analyze heat coping behaviors, emphasizing visits to urban green spaces; 2) identify crucial characteristics of green spaces for older adults; and 3) assess variations in behaviors and preferences based on socio-demographic factors. The study leverages survey data from 291 older adult residents, combining face-to-face and online formats. Results indicate that 54 % of older adults use urban green spaces for cooling on hot days, with preferences for morning or evening visits. Factors influencing non-visitation include perceived lack of thermal comfort, noisiness or crowdedness, and proximity issues. Alternative heat coping strategies include staying at home, traveling to cooler areas outside the city, visiting blue spaces, or air-conditioned indoor facilities. Preferred green space characteristics include abundant shade, leafy vegetation, accessibility factors (e.g., walkability), urban furniture (e.g., benches), and water features. Socio-demographic differences reveal higher green space use among younger age groups and residents in certain districts. Mobility limitations and lower education levels influence preferences, with mobility-challenged individuals prioritizing accessibility aspects. Lower-educated respondents are more likely to report barriers to accessing green spaces. These findings highlight the need for tailored urban planning strategies, considering sociodemographic variations, to mitigate heat-related health risks for older adults. By prioritizing green space accessibility, enhancing its quality, promoting its cooling benefits, addressing cooling inequalities and integrating climate considerations in urban green planning, cities facing increasingly pressing heat challenges can create climate-resilient and inclusive green environments that prioritize the well-being of their aging populations.

Satisfaction of customers in Airbnb: a cross-culture text mining of online reviews

ABSTRACT Diverse cultural values significantly influence consumer preferences and need for accommodations. Understanding these differences is crucial for managing satisfaction in peer-to-peer (P2P) settings. This study examines the differences and similarities in experience attributes reflected in consumer reviews across various languages. Employing Word Co-occurrence Networks, Factor Analysis, and Linear Regression, this study scrutinizes 243,215 Airbnb review texts in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and English. Findings emphasize the significance of specific attributes in reviews across these languages, including convenience, location, Indoor facilities and service quality. However, the attributes affecting satisfaction show significant variations based on cultural and linguistic contexts, emphasizing the necessity for culturally sensitive business strategies.

Public perspectives on COVID-19 public health and social measures in Japan and the United Kingdom: a qualitative study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, was one of the greatest modern public health crises that the world has faced. Countries undertook sweeping public health and social measures (PHSM); including environmental actions such as disinfection and ventilation; surveillance and response, such as contact tracing and quarantine; physical, such as crowd control; and restrictions on travel. This study focuses on the public perceptions of PHSM in two countries, Japan and the United Kingdom (UK) as examples of high-income countries that adopted different measures over the course of the pandemic.MethodsThis study was conducted between November 2021 and February 2022, a period in which the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 was predominant. Fourteen online focus group discussions were conducted in each country. Overall, 106 total participants (50 from the UK and 56 from Japan) participated in 23 focus groups (11 in the UK and 12 in Japan) with an average of three to six participants per group. Both countries were compared using a thematic analysis method.ResultsBoth countries’ participants agreed that vaccination was an effective measure. However, they did not favor mandatory vaccination policies. Working from home was well accepted by both sides, but they reported that schools should have continued to be opened as before COVID-19. Both sides of participants expressed that temperature testing alone in indoor facilities was ineffective as a COVID-19 control measure. There were contrasting views on face covering rules in public spaces, international and domestic movement restrictions. High acceptance of mask-wearing was reflective of Japanese customs, while it was accepted as a strong recommendation for participants in the UK. Japanese participants favored quarantine for international travel, while the UK participants supported banning non-essential travel.ConclusionSimilar and contrasting views on PHSM against COVID-19 between Japan and the UK demonstrated how policies in controlling an epidemic should be tailored by country with respect to its norms, cultures, economic and disease burden. Our findings may guide how policy makers can engage with the public through effective health communication and consider regulations that are aligned with the public’s views and capacities in changing their behavior for future pandemic preparedness.

Utilizing periodic boundary conditions to save computational resources for assessing building natural ventilation in urban areas

For the first time in literature, we innovatively conducted CFD simulations with periodic boundary conditions to predict coupled indoor-outdoor airflows for a full-scale 3D six-floor residential building unit in urban areas with uniformly building clusters. A few influencing parameters on building ventilation performance are comprehensively analyzed, including the impacts of the surrounding buildings, wind incident angle (θ), external opening designs, cross or single-sided ventilation modes, and indoor facilities. Ventilation evaluation is contingent on factors including air change rate per hour (ACH), the corresponding ACH of purging flow rate (ACHPFR), and age of air (τ).Results show that the efficiency of natural ventilation on each floor differs from previous research conclusions after considering the impacts of surrounding buildings. Single-sided ventilation is significantly less effective than cross-ventilation in all scenarios. Most cross-ventilation cases have one-order greater ACH and ACHPFR values compared to those with single-sided ventilation. The window-to-wall ratio on the windward and leeward sides can affect the natural ventilation rate of the corresponding rooms. A large leeward opening helps to increase the ventilation rate, especially for the rooms on the upper floor, but it decreases the ventilation for the rooms near the ground. Indoor furniture has an insignificant impact on outdoor airflow and natural ventilation efficiency.

Prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections among patients with thalassemia attending a tertiary care (rural) hospital.

The Sunderban area of West Bengal is home to tribal and religious minorities inhabiting various islands. There is a high prevalence of thalassemia among poverty-stricken residents of this region living with meagre health care facilities. This work was planned to determine the proportion of four viral transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs): HIV-1, HIV-2, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among thalassemia patients attending the sole rural medical college in the region. Thalassemia patients (n = 359, age ranging from 1 year to 60 years) attending the thalassemia clinic or being admitted to the indoor facilities for better management were included in the study. Only patients diagnosed with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and with classical clinical features were included in the study. Blood samples of these patients were tested for HIV as per NACO protocol. For HBV and HCV, samples were first tested serologically; reactive samples were collected and sent in the cold chain to a higher centre for nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) for qualitative and quantitative estimation. Clinical and laboratory data was collected, patients were followed up for complications and hospitalisation during the study period, and statistical analysis was performed. Majority of our patients had E-beta-thalassemia (245, 59.81%), followed by beta-thalassemia major (102, 28.30%). NAAT-confirmed HCV infection (14.21%) infection was the most common, followed by HBV (2.51%), and lastly by HIV-1 (0.58%) infection. Among infected thalassemia patients, the mean HCV RNA was 741063 ± 438514.67 IU/ml while the mean HBV DNA level was 4082863 ± 7298514 IU/ml. Co-infections of HIV-1 and HCV and that of HBV and HCV were noted in one patient each (0.28%). HCV-related liver disease (14.21%) and growth retardation (10.31%) were the most typical complication noted, and death occurred in five patients (1.39%) during the study period. Primary care physicians should know HCV infection is the most common TTI among thalassemia patients in rural eastern India.

Special Issue on Crowd Management and its Applications

This special issue summarizes the research findings of the “Crowd Control Adaptive to Individual and Group Attributes” project, which is selected as a full-scale research project under the “Development of the Crisis Navigator for Individuals” prioritized theme of the JST Mirai Program.* Despite the lingering memory of the 2022 crowd accident in Itaewon, South Korea, similar accidents have occurred worldwide, including the firework display in Akashi, Japan, and the Love Parade in Germany. Addressing this social issue is imperative. To significantly reduce the risk of crowd accidents, this project aimed to elucidate the mechanism underlying human flow stagnation and establish a method to effectively guide the flow of people. Our approach involves creating a mathematical model that can estimate the flow of people by considering individual and group attributes, such as wheelchair and group behavior, to accurately predict flow stagnation. Based on these predictions, we developed a system that provides individuals with information on movement and utilizes technology to guide crowd flow, drawing principles from game theory and nudge theory. This system is characterized by integrating information on human flow, environmental factors, simulation results for predicting future conditions, and crowd control measures within the Crowd Management Platform as a Service (CMPaaS). Furthermore, we conducted demonstration tests at shopping malls, train stations, and event venues, and found that it offers valuable guidance to achieve risk reduction effects at real-world sites. In this special issue, the first paper presents an overview of the newly created crowd management platform. Thereafter, it is organized into 16 articles presenting current research results categorized under Simulation, Theory, Control, Experiment, and Data Analysis, followed by a note on visitor trajectories in indoor facilities. We anticipate that the outcomes of this study will facilitate interdisciplinary research in this field and promote the social implementation of crowd management platforms to prevent crowd accidents, thus creating a society where everyone can move safely, securely, comfortably, and efficiently. * Mirai means “Future” in Japanese. The program is administered by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

Exposure to chemical pollutants and biological aerosol in indoor facilities for recreational and sport horses

BackgroundDue to the increasing prevalence of equine non-infectious respiratory disease, the air contamination in equine housing (Stables A-C) and training facilities (indoor riding arenas A - C) was investigated. The aim of the study was to monitor gaseous pollutants, bioaerosols, and dust concentrations at three different sites (stables and riding halls), where different floor materials were used in the riding halls.Materials and methodsAir quality was monitored in housing for horses and in riding halls in terms of dust concentration, the presence of gaseous chemical pollutants, and concentrations of biological aerosol. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The levels obtained were compared with acceptable limits.ResultsAmong the gaseous pollutants identified, the highest concentration was obtained for ammonia in stables B and C (16.37 and 22.39 mg/m3, respectively). Standards for total dust were exceeded in stables B and C and in riding halls B and C. The highest numbers of bacteria and fungi were recorded in stables A and C and in riding hall B. Ulocladium sp. had the highest percentage share among the moulds identified.ConclusionsThe results confirm that the wrong choice of bedding in the stable and indoor riding arenas may contribute, even in short training periods, to equine non-infectious respiratory disease (equine asthma). Bioaerosol suspended in the air together with released gaseous pollutants can exacerbate this phenomenon, which even in the case of short training periods can lead to equine asthma of varying degrees of severity. For this reason, the choice of floor material in riding halls should be treated as a priority, as the wrong decision can shorten the period during which the horse can be used for recreational purposes.

ALTERNATIVE LIDAR TECHNOLOGIES FOR STOCKPILE MONITORING AND REPORTING

Abstract. Accurate volume estimation of salt stockpiles stored in covered facilities is essential for effective management and budgeting in the transportation industry. Due to environmental concerns, salt is stored in indoor facilities. The surveying tools that are widely applied for outdoor stockpile estimation such as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Receivers and Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAV) are not applicable for indoor mapping. To address this limitation, our prior research proposed and developed a Stockpile Monitoring and Reporting Technology (SMART) which was designed for indoor stockpile volume estimation. This study builds upon that prior research to evaluate the feasibility and performance of different LiDAR alternatives within the SMART system. Three LiDAR sensors (Velodyne VLP-16, Ouster OS1-32-U, and Blickfeld Cube 1) are compared in terms of system calibration, point cloud registration, and volume estimation. Results demonstrate the impact of LiDAR sensor choice on system performance, occlusion rates, and volumetric accuracy. The findings contribute to expanding the versatility and adaptability of LiDAR technology in SMART applications, allowing for more efficient and accurate stockpile volume estimation.

Allyl methyl disulfide (AMDS) prevents N,N-dimethyl formamide-induced liver damage by suppressing oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation

N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), a widely consumed industrial solvent with persistent characteristics, can induce occupational liver damage and pose threats to the general population due to the enormous DMF-containing industrial efflux and emission from indoor facilities. This study was performed to explore the roles of allyl methyl disulfide (AMDS) in liver damage induced by DMF and the underlying mechanisms. AMDS was found to effectively suppress the elevation in the liver weight/body weight ratio and serum aminotransferase activities, and reduce the mortality of mice induced by DMF. In addition, AMDS abrogated DMF-elicited increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) levels and decreases in glutathione (GSH) levels in mouse livers. The increase in macrophage number, mRNA expression of M1 macrophage biomarkers, and protein expression of key components in the NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome induced by DMF exposure were all suppressed by AMDS in mouse livers. Furthermore, AMDS inhibited DMF-induced cell damage and NF-κB activation in cocultured AML12 hepatocytes and J774A.1 macrophages. However, AMDS per se did not significantly affect the protein level and activity of CYP2E1. Collectively, these results demonstrate that AMDS effectively ameliorates DMF-induced acute liver damage possibly by suppressing oxidative stress and inactivating the NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome.

Basketball in the Northland: a community account of the political economy and racial dynamics of youth basketball in a "hockey town".

This article utilizes 27 in-depth interviews to explore the socio-cultural position, surrounding racial politics, and local economy of youth basketball in the somewhat novel setting of Northland-a mid-sized Midwestern city where hockey dominates the sporting landscape, indoor basketball facilities are relatively sparse, and snow coverage that frequently lasts more than half the calendar year hampers outdoor play. Narratives are primarily gathered from basketball community members (e.g., organizers, coaches, and former players) and connect with city histories of redlining, school redistricting, and regional deindustrialization in ways that inform present-day constructions of playing style, stereotyping, race, and rivalry, as well as the current horizons of opportunity and access for Northland youth. Our ground-up community-focused data foreground efforts and hurdles to providing effective mentorship and actualizing basketball's ethos of community wellness in this fold as this transpires against the increasingly higher stakes contours of youth sports broadly, which informs pertinent issues for player development, but contrasts the common tendency toward engaging these from elite levels downward, or within newer cultures of upper-/middle-class parenting. Ultimately, the descriptively rich ways and frequent starkness with which potential challenges regarding player interest, coaching, funding, and access-both in and out of the recent COVID-19 restrictions-come to bear through our grassroots approach at the unique intersections of Northland's weather, sports, and racial-political climates may clarify connections with similar issues elsewhere.

Internet of Things-based sustainable environment management for large indoor facilities.

Due to global warming and climate change, the poultry industry is heavily impacted, especially the broiler industry, due to the sensitive immune system of broiler chickens. However, the continuous monitoring and controlling of the farm's environmental parameters can help to curtail the negative impacts of the environment on chickens' health, leading to increased meat production. This article presents smart solutions to such issues, which are practically implemented, and have low production and operational costs. In this article, an Internet of Things (IoT) based environmental parameters monitoring has been demonstrated for the poultry farmhouse. This system enables the collection and visualization of crucially sensed data automatically and reliably, and at a low cost to efficiently manage and operate a poultry farm. The proposed IoT-based remote monitoring system collects and visualizes environmental parameters, such as air temperature, relative humidity (RH), oxygen level (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ammonia (NH3) gas concentrations. The wireless sensor nodes have been designed and deployed for efficient data collection of the essential environmental parameters that are key for monitoring and decision-making process. The hardware is implemented and deployed successfully at a site within the control shed of the poultry farmhouse. The results revealed important findings related to the environmental conditions within the poultry farm. The temperature inside the control sheds remained within the desired range throughout the monitoring period, with daily average values ranging from 32 °C to 34 °C. The RH showed slight variations monitoring period, ranging from 65% to 75%, with a daily average of 70%. The O2 concentration exhibited an average value of 17% to 18.5% throughout the monitoring period. The CO2 levels showed occasional increases, reaching a maximum value of 1,100 ppm. However, this value was below the maximum permissible level of 2,500 ppm, indicating that the ventilation system was effective in maintaining acceptable CO2 levels within the control sheds. The NH3 gas concentration remained consistently low throughout the duration, with an average value of 50 parts per million (ppm).

O.3.1-3 Self-evaluation survey as a tool for planning, monitoring and evaluation physically active operating culture at school

Abstract Purpose Since 2010, Finland has been building a concept called Finnish Schools on the Move (FSM), which is a national action programme supporting educational institutions to develop a more physically active operating culture. The Self-Evaluation Survey for Physical Activity (PA) Promotion in School is a tool developed in 2015 for FSM to support schools in implementing their own unique action plans and to monitor the progress of the programme at the levels of schools, municipalities, and the nation. Methods The online survey, available on the programme’s website, has altogether 36 statements. Teams in schools evaluate each statement using a scale of 0-4 (0=not at all, 4= fully realised). To summarise the results, four indexes have been formulated: strategy, facilities for PA, actions, and support. The scale was converted to a percentage of the maximum score. The strategy index describes plans and principles that lead the actions. The facilities index includes indoor and outdoor facilities and equipment. The actions index consists of all the actions that enable PA, and the support index consists of all the collaboration that supports actions. Results By the end of February 2023, the data consisted of nearly 5,000 self-evaluations concerning the physically active operating culture. The newest index results (2022-23) show that the strategy (71.3%) and facilities (62.1%) achieved the highest values, and the lowest values were given to actions enabling PA (59.5%) and support (51.0%). The progress of the FSM programme can be examined using the index results over the past eight school years. Conclusions The self-evaluation survey results are available online and are offered on three levels: national, regional, and municipal. At all these levels, the self-evaluation produces up-to-date information on the PA promotion progress in schools for PA promotors, coordinators, and decision-makers. For schools, it provides a diverse tool that increases schools’ awareness of the state of their physically active operating culture and inspires discussions among staff to find areas for development. By repeating the survey regularly every year, the progress of PA promotion in a school can be monitored in the results. Support/Funding Source The Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland.

O.1.2-7 Optimization of older adults home spaces

Abstract Purpose There is a lack of studies focused explicitly on the impact of the home physical environment on older adults’ sedentary behaviour (SB) and physical activity (PA). Therefore, the present study aims to investigate older adults’ perception of their home environment and its impact on their PA and SB. Methods A qualitative exploratory research design, based on in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus groups discussions (FGDs) with older adults was conducted from 1st August 2022 to 31st December 2022. We identified four major themes: (I) Home layout and PA, (II) Space designation within the home, (III) Electronic equipment, furniture and material within the home space, (IV) Changing infrastructure within the home space. We analysed the data through reflexive thematic analysis using NVivo 10 software. Results Older adults valued the physical environment, and they managed their indoor space to control environment by structuring and restructuring to make it conducive for PA. Outdoor space such as garden was also an important factor for older adults’ PA. Moreover, older adults being autonomous and without any restrictions spent a substantial amount of time on utilizing electronic media. Further modification (such as adaptive aids, modification in the bathroom and etc) within the home space assist them in daily activities. Conclusion The findings suggest that both indoor and outdoor space play an important role in enhancing PA level and minimizing SB. Although space is important but how space is used, and its intention of use is also very crucial. The study finding also supported and recommended the notion of ‘think small for large effects’ within the home space. Instead of building the indoor facilities (such as indoor gyms, swimming pool and etc) older adults should mapped out small-scale activities such as avoiding screens in bedroom or removing clutter to increase space for activity.