Toilet System Research Articles

Long-term, automated stool monitoring using a novel smart toilet: A feasibility study.

Patients' report of bowel movement consistency is unreliable. We demonstrate the feasibility of long-term automated stool image data collection using a novel Smart Toilet and evaluate a deterministic computer-vision analytic approach to assess stool form according to the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). Our smart toilet integrates a conventional toilet bowl with an engineered portal to image feces in a predetermined region of the plumbing post-flush. The smart toilet was installed in a workplace bathroom and used by six healthy volunteers. Images were annotated by three experts. A computer vision method based on deep learning segmentation and mathematically defined hand-crafted features was developed to quantify morphological attributes of stool from images. 474 bowel movements images were recorded in total from six subjects over a mean period of 10 months. 3% of images were rated abnormal with stool consistency BSFS 2 and 4% were BSFS 6. Our image analysis algorithm leverages interpretable morphological features and achieves classification of abnormal stool form with 94% accuracy, 81% sensitivity and 95% specificity. Our study supports the feasibility and accuracy of long-term, non-invasive automated stool form monitoring with the novel smart toilet system which can eliminate the patient burden of tracking bowel forms.

IoT-Based Smart Toilet System to Detect Bacteria and Amount of Uric Acid in Urine

IoT-Based Smart Toilet System to Detect Bacteria and Amount of Uric Acid in Urine

DEVELOPMENT OF SMART TOILET SYSTEM FOR OLD AGE AND SPECIALLY ABLED PERSON

This research paper presents the development of a novel smart toilet system designed to the unique needs of elderly individuals and persons with disabilities. The primary objective of the project is to monitor the health conditions of users while inside the toilet, this system incorporates advanced sensors, user-friendly interfaces, and automation to provide a seamless and dignified toileting experience for individuals with diverse mobility challenges. Integral to the system is a comprehensive health monitoring component. Utilizing sensors, the system measures the user's body temperature and heartbeat. This real-time health data is crucial for timely detection of potential health issues, promoting preventive healthcare and immediate response if needed. This research contributes to the evolving field of assistive technologies, specifically addressing the needs of aging populations and individuals with disabilities. The integration of mechanical design, health monitoring, and cloud-based connectivity exemplifies a holistic approach to smart healthcare solutions, fostering independence and improved quality of life for users. Key Words: Smart and healthy living, Emergency assistance, Care, Health.

Modeling the environmental impacts of Asparagopsis as feed, a cow toilet and slurry acidification in two synthetic dairy farms

Intensive dairy farming, particularly enteric fermentation and manure management, is a major contributor to negative impacts on the local and global environment. A wide range of abatement measures has been proposed to reduce livestock-related emissions, yet the individual and combined effects of these innovations are often unknown. In this study, we performed an attributional life cycle assessment of three innovative measures modeled in two synthetic German dairy farm systems: Feeding of the seaweed Asparagopsis, installing an in-house cow toilet system, and performing on-field slurry acidification. These measures were modeled both individually and in combination to account for single and cumulative effects and compared to a reference scenario under current practices. Our results showed that feeding high levels of Asparagopsis and the combination of all three measures were most effective at reducing global warming potential (20–30 %), while only the latter mitigated eutrophication (6–9%) and acidification potential (14–17 %). The cow toilet required additional adapted manure management (separated storage and injection of urine) to effectively reduce eutrophication (8–10 %) and acidification potential (19–23 %) and to decrease global warming potential (3–4%) and abiotic depletion (4–5%). Slurry acidification slightly affected all considered environmental impact categories. All three measures involved trade-offs, either between LCA impact categories (global warming potential vs. abiotic depletion), the location of impacts (off- vs. on-farm), or the emission reduction in individual gases (ammonia vs. nitrous oxide). Measure combinations could compensate for the observed trade-offs. Our study highlights the potential of novel abatement measures but also shows the interdependencies of measures in different stages. This calls for a revisiting of current priorities in funding and legislation, which often focus on single objectives and measures (e.g. ammonia reduction) toward the preferential use of measures that are effective without driving trade-offs or improving resource efficiency.

The Environmental Health Risk Analysis regarding Hepatitis A Transmission among Street Food Vendor in Indonesia

This study aimed to conduct hazard identification and risk assessment for the transmission of hepatitis A among street food vendors (SFVs), whereas risk management was generated. This observational analytic study was conducted in Jember Regency - Indonesia. Cluster random sampling was employed, wherein five distinct locus were selected representing SFVs in campus area and local market area. A total of 100 SFVs in Jember participated in this study. Data was collected using a questionnaire. The risk assessment was measured by multiplying the likelihood and consequence. Additionally, the data was subjected to descriptive analysis. This study found the identification of hazards among SFVs was found inadequate sanitation facilities, poor food processing practice (improper handling of raw ,- cooked ingredients, and poor food serving), limited availability of clean water,substandard building and layout were observed as potential hazards for the transmission of hepatitis A. The risk assessment found inadequate sanitation facilities (18 point), negative attitude (18 point), poor quality assurance (16 point), and food contamination (14 point) have high scores. The risk management including: a) location and building: providing specific location, and maintaining cleanliness of the furniture and equipment on a regular basis, b) sanitation facility: provision of sanitary waste bin, communal toilet and wastewater drainage system; fly control measures, and using piped water supply, c) food processing: increasing food handler personal hygiene, and standard food handling process.In conclusion, the risk of Hepatitis A transmission among street vendors remains high and poses a threat in Jember, indicating the need for health education for the street vendors. Additionally, the author recommends policymakers to implement regular monitoring or inspection of the food quality and the necessity of providing clean water facilities or other fundamental facilities to SFVs.

Transforming Waste Management in Indian Railways with the Control Bio-Digester Toilet System

Transforming Waste Management in Indian Railways with the Control Bio-Digester Toilet System

Water and Sanitation Services Have a Profound Effect on the Life of Metropolis

The critical global issue of inadequate access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene for a significant portion of the world's population, amounting to approximately 40%. In India, disparities exist in water and sanitation access between urban and rural areas. While 97% of urban regions have upgraded water supplies and 58% improved sanitation, rural areas show lower access rates at 90% for water and a mere 23% for sanitation. India's rivers suffer from severe water quality degradation due to untreated sewage, with inadequate sewage treatment infrastructure, particularly in swiftly growing urban areas like Delhi. Despite initiatives like the Ganga and Yamuna Action Plans, major rivers remain highly polluted. The flush toilet system further exacerbates the water crisis by consuming significant volumes of fresh water for waste disposal. This paper also underscores the link between water supplies, sanitation, and health, citing classifications of water-related infections and the pressing need to bridge the disparities in access. However, reports note progress in drinking water and sanitation coverage globally since 1990. The analysis concludes that India's cities struggle to meet basic living standards amidst rapid urbanization, emphasizing the profound impact of education, awareness, and service availability on residents' lives. Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, Population, Access, Rural, Urban Rivers, Sewage, Pollution, Infrastructure, Health, Flush toilets, Disparities Key Words: Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, Population, Access, Rural, Urban Rivers, Sewage, Pollution, Infrastructure, Health, Flush toilets, Disparities

A hybrid feature selection approach for urinary tract infection detection and prediction in IoT-Fog environment

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are a prevalent health concern experienced by millions of individuals worldwide and have a significant impact on overall well-being. The clinical presentation of UTIs varies depending on their location and severity. Common symptoms include discomfort during urination, increased frequency, a compelling urge to urinate, discomfort in the lower abdomen, and the presence of blood in the urine (hematuria). Severe cases may be accompanied by fever, pain in the flank region, and other systemic symptoms, indicative of an upper UTI. Precise diagnosis of UTIs is achieved through clinical evaluation and laboratory tests. The primary aim of this research is to utilize appropriate Machine Learning (ML)-based algorithms to predict Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). The ultimate goal is to develop a predictive model that can be effectively implemented in a smart toilet system. By achieving this objective, this research seeks to provide an innovative and pragmatic solution for UTI prediction, harnessing the potential of ML algorithms in IoT-Fog settings to enhance healthcare and promote public health. This paper introduces a hybrid approach that combines feature selection methods and employs the Guided Regularized Random Forest (GRRF) classification algorithm to aid in the diagnosis of UTIs. A UTI dataset was created using data from routine examinations and definitive diagnostic outcomes for UTI patients. Dimensionality reduction was carried out using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), while feature selection was performed using K-best and Lasso CV techniques. Through the proposed strategy, this study achieved a remarkable accuracy rate of 98.8% and a precision rate of 98.90% in UTI identification. Future UTI prevention and treatment plans must be optimized via further research and ongoing efforts to overcome antibiotic resistance.

Seroprevalence of Human Cysticercosis in Amper and Kabwir Districts of Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria

Human cysticercosis is an important public health problem, particularly in developing countries. The seroprevalence of human cysticercosis in Amper and Kabwir Districts of Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State was studied between January and March 2019. Blood samples were collected from 151 individuals in the study area. Serum was obtained and Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) was performed to determine the prevalence of 1gG antibodies to cysticercosis. Forty-one (41) out of 151 individuals were positive for human cysticercosis giving a seroprevalence of 27.15%. Seroprevalence was higher in females (29.87%) than in males (24.32%) however, this was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Age group 41 to 50 years had the highest (33.33%) seroprevalence of infection while individuals 51 years and above had the lowest (16.67%) seroprevalence. Other risk factors that influenced seroprevalence include the source of drinking water, the type of toilet system used, and the rearing of pigs. Good sanitary measures are suggested to combat this infection.

An Ecological Toilet System Incorporated with a Hydrothermal Liquefaction Process

The harmless disposal and resource utilization of human feces is important to the sanitation process. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) can convert toilet feces into bio-crude oil and reduce waste. In this study, an integrated eco-toilet system was developed by combining vacuum micro-flush toilets with a continuous hydrothermal liquefaction reactor. The system operated stably for over 10 h. This system can serve 300 households and save 2759 m3 of water per year compared to traditional flush toilets. The energy recovery from the feces was 2.87 times the energy consumed for the HTL process. The HTL bio-crude oil yield was 28 wt%, and the higher heat value (HHV) of the bio-crude was 36.1 MJ/kg. The biochemical compounds of the bio-crude oil consisted of acid ester, hydrocarbons, phenols, and a nitrogenous heterocyclic compound. The carbon in the human feces was mainly transferred to the bio-crude oil, while nitrogen was mainly transferred to the aqueous phase product. The post-HTL aqueous stream could be treated and used as fertilizer. This system achieves energy self-sufficiency, along with water and energy savings. This integrated eco-toilet effectively converts feces into bio-crude to realize waste reduction and resource utilization of human feces.

Prevalence of typhoid fever among patients attending Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano

Typhoid fever poses a serious public health problem in Nigeria and is largely diagnosed based on the Widal agglutination test which has been proven to be neither sensitive nor specific. This study determined the prevalence of typhoid fever using both Widal agglutination test and blood culture using automated microbiology systems (BD BACTEC). The study was carried out among 90 patients attending Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano. Out of the 90 cases recruited for the study, none of the cases (0, 0.0%) had S. Typhi isolated using blood culture. However, 18 cases (20%) had other bacteria which are not S. Typhi isolated using blood culture while 72 cases (80%) were negative. For the Widal test, 63 cases (70%) were positive for anti S. Typhi O antigen while 27 cases (30%) were negative. Similarly, 42 cases (46.7%) were positive for anti S. Typhi H antigen, while 48 cases (53.3%) were negative. Type of toilet system was found to be significantly associated with non S. Typhi bacteraemia (P=0.021). The studyrecommends the use of other diagnostic test such as molecular techniques to determine the sensitivity and specificity of both Widal and cultural methods.

Design and development of a 2-liter flush system for squat latrine

Among the various energy resources water plays a vital role in our day today life. This source has been deploying every year due to bore well construction and because of climatic change caused by pollution. Wastage of water in public toilets is an important issue in our day today life. This paper provides an alternative solution to reduce the wastage of water in public toilet by modifying the structure of the public toilet construction for effective usage. Additionally by using the natural resources like lime and ash the toilet faeces are decomposed and it is converted to fertilizer. Initially the design of the toilet system was carried out using Solid works. The prototype design of the flush system was developed and its performances like consumption of water quantity, dimension of the toilet system, cost of implementation and environmental impacts caused by the toilet system was compared with the western type toilet system.

Arrangements of wash toilets and ageing bodies – an exploratory study

Purpose The purpose of this study is to study how a specific assistive technology, namely wash toilet systems, are used and which values they enact for their users. Materials and methods The study is primarily based on ten semi-structured interviews conducted with older adults who were offered a wash toilet as an element in the welfare service of a large Danish municipality. Results The study shows how, in various ways, specific aspects of wash toilet systems are associated with specific aspects of human physiology. Essential challenges to older adults that implicate the use of wash toilet systems either relate to ’arms that cannot reach behind’, or the leakage of urine and eventually faeces. Furthermore the study shows that values enacted by wash toilet systems differ in the various arrangements, e.g., enabling social relations, being a part of something, being self-reliant or independent, preserving intimacy limits, or just ‘be pleased with’. Conclusions The wash toilet systems are woven into several different arrangements of the ageing body, wheelchairs, walkers, care personnel, spouses, diapers, etc. being situated in differently spaced bathrooms in different homes and different municipalities. We propose that the abandonment of focus on abstract policy values in favour of an emphasis on the actual arrangements of technology and the human body in old age will, in fact, be beneficial to our understanding of how welfare technology can contribute to enhanced citizenship. Implications for rehabilitation An implication of this study for rehabilitation is not to take for granted how a wash toilet system will interact in arrangements with older adults, but attend to the potentially various/many ways the system can create value for the user in the actual arrangement it is part of. Another implication of the study is that it is always an empirical question whether self-reliance – which is often an aim of implementing assistive technologies - is an effect of a specific arrangement of a wash toilet system and the human body in old age.

Quality assessment, safety evaluation, and microbiome analysis of night-soil compost from Lahaul valley of northwestern Himalaya

The Himalayan dry toilet system prevalent in the northwestern Himalaya is a traditional practice of converting human faeces into a compost-like soil amendment. The current study evaluated night-soil compost (NSC) for agricultural use by assessing the compost quality, safety, and microbiome properties. Based on the fertility and clean indices determined by the fertility and heavy metal parameters, NSC was categorized as good quality compost with high fertilizing potential and moderate concentration of heavy metals. With respect to pathogens, the faecal coliform levels in the NSC were categorized as safe according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. The bacterial community structure based on 16S rRNA gene amplicons revealed a diverse taxonomy with 14 phyla and 54 genera in NSC. Compared to publicly available 16S rRNA gene amplicon data, NSC exhibited predominant phyla (Proteobacteria, Bacteriodetes, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes) similar to human faeces, cattle manure, food waste compost, vermicompost, and activated sludge. However, statistically, NSC was distinct at the genus level from all other groups. Additionally, pathogenic bacteria with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in the NSC metagenome were determined by performing a standalone BLASTN against the PATRIC database. The analysis revealed 139 pathogenic strains with most pathogens susceptible to antibiotics, indicating lower AMR in the predicted strains. The phytotoxicity of NSC with Pisum sativum var. AS-10 seeds showed a germination index of > 85%, indicating NSC's non-harmful effects on seed germination and root growth. Overall, NSC from Himalayan dry toilets can be used as a soil amendment for food and non-food plants.

Design Considerations for Novel Self-Adapting Toilets for Semi-Public Spaces.

People with physical limitations face significant challenges when using existing toilets. User requirements work shows the wide range of user needs and confirms the high demand for innovative toilets, enabling people to leave home more often and participate more in societal life. The Toilet For Me too (T4ME2) project aims to implement and test a new ICT-based toilet system capable of physically supporting users, allowing autonomous and safe use outside the home.

Risk factors of concurrent malnutrition among children in Ethiopia: a bivariate spatial modeling approach

Malnutrition among children remains a challenge to public health in Africa, and it is responsible for the increased infant mortality rate in Ethiopia. This study aims to identify the joint determinant factors of malnutrition among under-age five children in Ethiopia and quantify the regional prevalence across the country. A Bayesian hierarchical linear mixed model, with a bivariate conditional autoregressive model, was adopted to account for the joint spatial prevalence pattern of malnutrition among under-age five children in Ethiopia. The data were provided by the Demography and Health Surveys program. The study revealed that gender, wealth index, mothers' education, toilet system, fever, birth order, birth interval, contraceptive use, and diarrhea, are significant risk factors of child malnutrition. The three malnutrition indicators are most prevalent in the Afar region, while stunting and underweight are most prevalent in Amhara, Beneshangul Gumuz, and Tigray, and the wasting and underweight are most prevalent in the Gambela and Somali. Findings revealed that a stunted child is more likely to be underweight than being wasted, and a wasted child is more likely to be underweight than being stunted. The findings also revealed significant changes in the prevalence of malnutrition for different mothers and children age groups. For cost-effective malnutrition intervention, programs for parents, such as awareness creation about the modern types of contraceptives, appropriate birth spacing, the benefits of antenatal and postnatal care, for example, are a propitious method to mitigate malnutrition in high prevalent regions than direct intervention to the children. Abbreviations: BICAR, Bivariate Conditional Autoregressive; DHS, Demographic and Health Survey; EDHS, Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey; EA, Enumeration Area; GMRF, Gaussian Markov Random Field; HAZ, Height for Age Z-sscore; INLA, Integrated Nexted Laplace Approximation; MCAR, Multivariate Conditional Autoregressive; MCMC, Markov Chain Monte Carlo; SNNPR, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region; WAZ, Weight for Age Z-score; WHZ, Weight for Height Z-score; WHO, World Health Organization

Hygiene Bio-Toilet Model for Energy Generation

On August 15, 1947, British paramountcy had left India with many wonders including railway which also called ‘veins of our country’ spread across every length and breadth of country. Indian Railways (IR) were being constantly criticized, as the discharges from toilets was laid on the tracks and this leads to environmental hazard. The toilet system in Indian Railways works in such a manner that the human faces and urine gets directly flushed on railway tracks through the hole on the floor of IR coaches. In current scenario, to deal with this issue, different systems like Controlled Discharge Toilet System (CDTS), Bio-toilet developed by IR engineers and DRDO biotechnologists, and Zero Discharge Toilet System (ZDTS) are extensively used. In this paper, a model of flush to energy is presented. The Bio-toilet system focuses on conversion of the toilet waste and biodegradable waste from station into energy which can be used for different purposes.

Simulation Based Design of Retention Tank Toilet System

Asian Journal of Organic & Medicinal Chemistry includes communications, full papers (articles), short papers, green chemistry, reviews, and perspectives. Specifically, these include synthesis, synthetic methods and regents, mechanism of reactions, biologically active compounds with their possible mechanism of action, natural products, in vitro and in vivo tests of compounds, computational chemistry, physical-analytical-inorganic chemistry, nanotechnology, drug carriers, proteomics and genomics. Rapid synthesis of new compounds following eco-friendly methods and their functions as medicinally active agents is certainly the central part of chemical and medicinal research in modern times. On the basis of this fact, significant emphasis is placed to rapid publication and disseminates original discoveries in this new journal.

Rental Values and Students’ Satisfaction in Private Hostels Proximate to the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

Property rental values are readily influenced by a multitude of interrelated factors such as the state of the economy, neighbourhood amenities and property characteristics. However, there is always an expectation that rental value reflects the occupier’s satisfaction from the neighbourhood and property. As such, this study examines the satisfaction of students with private hostel facilities surrounding the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), and the effect these facilities have on the rental values of the off-campus students’ hostels. There are 17,307 students who reside in the private hostels off-campus, of which 392 students were randomly selected from the total population of residents living around FUTA South Gate and given questionnaires. Of the 392 questionnaires administered, 390 were retrieved for analysis, thus representing a 99.5% response rate. The data collected was then analyzed using the Weighted Mean Score (WMS), T-test Statistics, Spearman Rank Correlation and the Multiple Regression Analyses. The findings reveal that there is a significant difference in the rental price paid by satisfied and unsatisfied students. Thus, the satisfied students pay higher rents than the non-satisfied students for a single, self-contained apartment. These occupiers are found to be satisfied with facilities such as the toilet, bathroom, fencing and water supply system in the building. There is a positive relationship between students’ rent satisfaction and their satisfaction with hostel facilities provided. The regression analysis further reveals that rental value is a function of neighbourhood amenities and property characteristics. The study recommends that private hostel developers make adequate provision for functional facilities as these can increase students’ satisfaction as well as enhance residential property rental values.

Value chain model for Indian Railway Sanitary System

Indian Railway is an Indian state- owned and operated by the government of India through the Ministry of Railways. The Indian Railways was in effect for the most part condemned for releasing human waste on the railroad tracks which makes natural contamination and makes everyday existence of humankind awkward. Indian Railway is investing a great deal of energy to defeat this issue by actualizing eco-friendly toilet systems which are implemented as bio toilets, to overcome the problems of open discharge sanitary system Indian railway along with DRDO did research and fitted the bio toilet in Indian Railways, which can stop the direct discharge of human waste in to the railway track by bacterial degradation of waste. The bio toilet system which in turn converts the human waste in to methane gas and disinfected water thus it is working towards the solution for open discharge sanitary system in Indian Railways. This paper explains about the issues produced by bio-toilets and steps to convert human waste from Indian Railway sanitary system to energy, nutritious product for the agricultural sector using value chain concept, which fulfills the significant target of Swacch Bharat Abhiyan.