Longevity of size-dependent particle removal performance of do-it-yourself box fan air filters.

Filtration performance of do-it-yourself (DIY) box fan filters deployed across a university campus was assessed over an academic year. Four DIY air filters were constructed from box fans and air filters with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 and deployed in four spaces (two laboratories that include sources of particles and two offices). They were operated 9 hours daily with a programmable timer and were continuously monitored with power meters.

Establishing performance standards for child development: learnings from the ECDI2030.

Background: Standards of early childhood development (ECD) are needed to determine whether children living in different contexts are developmentally on track. The Early Childhood Development Index 2030 (ECDI2030) is a population-level measure intended to be used in household surveys to collect globally comparable data on one of the indicators chosen to monitor progress toward target 4.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals: The proportion of children aged 24-59 months who are developmentally on track in health, learning and psychosocial well-being.

Characterization and nutritional valorization of agricultural waste corncobs from Italian maize landraces through the growth of medicinal mushrooms.

The research investigates the potential use of maize cobs (or corncobs) from five genotypes, including the B73 inbred line and four locally cultivated landraces from Northern Italy, as substrate for implementing Solid State fermentation processes with four Medicinal Mushrooms (MMs). The corncobs were characterized based on their proximate composition, lignin, phenolics content (both free and bound), and total antioxidant capacity. Among the MMs tested, Pleurotus ostreatus and Ganoderma annularis demonstrated the most robust performance.

Effect of Spirulina in Bread Formulated with Wheat Flours of Different Alveograph Strength.

Consumers within the EU are increasingly asking for natural and healthier food products, which are additive-free and environmentally friendly. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Spirulina ( sp.) in bread formulated with four wheat flours with different alveograph strengths.

Ending violence against children: A new international standard to foster data availability.

Interest in data on violence against children has been gathering momentum in recent years. Nevertheless, data collection efforts overall are sporadic and national data systems remain underdeveloped. What is more, definitions of violence are inconsistent and unclear.