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  1. Association of second-hand smoke exposure, quantified by salivary cotinine, with dental caries in Japanese adolescents
    Takao N, Furuta M, Takeshita T, Kageyama S, Goto T, Zakaria MN, et al.
    J Oral Sci, 2023;65(2):107-110.
    PMID: 36990753 DOI: 10.2334/josnusd.22-0388
    PURPOSE: Second-hand smoke has adverse effects on oral health. This cohort study used a multilevel approach to investigate the association of second-hand smoke exposure, as determined by salivary cotinine level, with dental caries in adolescents.

    METHODS: Data from 75 adolescents aged 11 or 12 years and 2,061 teeth without dental caries were analyzed in this study. Annual dental examinations to assess dental caries were conducted between 2018 and 2021. Salivary cotinine and Dentocult SM-Strip level were measured at baseline. Information on the smoking habits of parents, snack frequency, regular dental visits, and use of fluoride toothpaste was collected at baseline from parent-reported questionnaires.

    RESULTS: During the 3-year follow-up, dental caries was noted in 21 adolescents and 43 teeth. Participants exposed to parental smoking had higher salivary cotinine levels than those whose parents did not smoke. The multilevel Cox regression model showed that a high salivary cotinine level was associated with the incidence of dental caries, after adjusting for potential confounding factors (hazard ratio, 3.39; 95% confidence interval 1.08-10.69).

    CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the risk of dental caries is higher for adolescents who have high salivary cotinine levels attributable to second-hand smoke exposure.

  2. Fulltext Graphite Whiskers Derived from Waste Coffee Grounds Treated at High Temperature
    Melvin GJH, Wang Z, Morimoto S, Fujishige M, Takeuchi K, Hashimoto Y, et al.
    Glob Chall, 2019 Aug;3(8):1800107.
    PMID: 31565389 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.201800107
    Graphite whiskers (GWs) are obtained from coffee grounds (CGs) treated at 2500 °C for 1 h in the presence of Ar gas at 1 atm. The majority of the GWs formed inside the CGs shell are rod-like with a conical tip with diameter and length in the range between 1 to 3 µm and 4 to 10 µm, respectively. At first, the carbon layer might be grown in a turbostratic manner, and then progressively graphitized at higher temperature. The strong G' peak intensity might be induced by the disclination of graphitized carbon layers.
  3. Fulltext Urban tinkering
    Elmqvist T, Siri J, Andersson E, Anderson P, Bai X, Das PK, et al.
    Sustain Sci, 2018;13(6):1549-1564.
    PMID: 30546487 DOI: 10.1007/s11625-018-0611-0
    Cities are currently experiencing serious, multifaceted impacts from global environmental change, especially climate change, and the degree to which they will need to cope with and adapt to such challenges will continue to increase. A complex systems approach inspired by evolutionary theory can inform strategies for policies and interventions to deal with growing urban vulnerabilities. Such an approach would guide the design of new (and redesign of existing) urban structures, while promoting innovative integration of grey, green and blue infrastructure in service of environmental and health objectives. Moreover, it would contribute to more flexible, effective policies for urban management and the use of urban space. Four decades ago, in a seminal paper in Science, the French evolutionary biologist and philosopher Francois Jacob noted that evolution differs significantly in its characteristic modes of action from processes that are designed and engineered de novo (Jacob in Science 196(4295):1161-1166, 1977). He labeled the evolutionary process "tinkering", recognizing its foundation in the modification and molding of existing traits and forms, with occasional dramatic shifts in function in the context of changing conditions. This contrasts greatly with conventional engineering and design approaches that apply tailor-made materials and tools to achieve well-defined functions that are specified a priori. We here propose that urban tinkering is the application of evolutionary thinking to urban design, engineering, ecological restoration, management and governance. We define urban tinkering as:A mode of operation, encompassing policy, planning and management processes, that seeks to transform the use of existing and design of new urban systems in ways that diversify their functions, anticipate new uses and enhance adaptability, to better meet the social, economic and ecological needs of cities under conditions of deep uncertainty about the future.This approach has the potential to substantially complement and augment conventional urban development, replacing predictability, linearity and monofunctional design with anticipation of uncertainty and non-linearity and design for multiple, potentially shifting functions. Urban tinkering can function by promoting a diversity of small-scale urban experiments that, in aggregate, lead to large-scale often playful innovative solutions to the problems of sustainable development. Moreover, the tinkering approach is naturally suited to exploring multi-functional uses and approaches (e.g., bricolage) for new and existing urban structures and policies through collaborative engagement and analysis. It is thus well worth exploring as a means of delivering co-benefits for environment and human health and wellbeing. Indeed, urban tinkering has close ties to systems approaches, which often are recognized as critical to sustainable development. We believe this concept can help forge much-closer, much-needed ties among engineers, architects, evolutionary ecologists, health specialists, and numerous other urban stakeholders in developing innovative, widely beneficial solutions for society and contribute to successful implementation of SDG11 and the New Urban Agenda.
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