Research Article
Application of Cold Atmospheric Plasma to Decrease Biological Contamination on Surfaces of Equipment and Furniture for Indoor Sports Facilities
Namwon Paik*,
Yonghee Kim,
Namkyung Kim,
Youngmin Kim
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 1, April 2024
Pages:
1-5
Received:
14 December 2023
Accepted:
2 January 2024
Published:
18 January 2024
Abstract: Recently, air contamination by microorganisms, such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses, has emerged as a critical issue in public health. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of biological contamination on surfaces of equipment and furniture for sports facilities and to evaluate the performance of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), in reducing biological contamination. Two facilities, including a golf practice center and a table tennis club, were selected. Since all living cells contain adenosine triphosphate (ATP), it is possible to look for changes in ATP levels on the surface as an indication of biological contamination. The ATP levels were measured from surface samples collected from equipment and furniture for sports facilities and expressed as Relative Light Units (RLU). The ATP tests were conducted before and after the application of CAP. In the golf practice center, ATP levels before the application of CAP ranged from 1,853 to 2,793 RLU, well exceeding the guideline of 500 RLU recommended. When CAP was applied, all the values, except one case, decreased to below 500 RLU. The overall reduction of biological contamination, expressed as ATP level, was 80.2%. In the table tennis club, the ATP levels before CAP was applied ranged from 656 to 2,268 RLU, exceeding 500 RLU. When CAP was applied, the values decreased to levels below 574 RLU. The overall reduction of biological contamination in the table tennis club was 65.5%. In both facilities, the overall reductions of ATP levels were extremely significant. (p < 0.0001) It is concluded that the cold atmospheric plasma is a useful, promising technique to control biological contamination in sports facilities.
Abstract: Recently, air contamination by microorganisms, such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses, has emerged as a critical issue in public health. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of biological contamination on surfaces of equipment and furniture for sports facilities and to evaluate the performance of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), in redu...
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Research Article
Insecticide Treated Nets Utilization and Associated Factors Among Under 5 Children and Pregnant Women in Hawwa Gelan Woreda, Kellem Wollega Zone
Paulos Mekonnen,
Melese Tadesse Aredo*,
Hailu Fekadu Demise
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 1, April 2024
Pages:
6-14
Received:
2 December 2023
Accepted:
26 December 2023
Published:
23 January 2024
Abstract: Malaria remains a substantial public health and development challenge, causing 216 million cases and 445,000 deaths worldwide in 2016. Of these, 81% of the cases and 91% of the deaths occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa. Insecticide-treated nets have been at the forefront of efforts to prevent and control malaria at the community and individual levels. This study conducted a community-based cross-sectional evaluation among 824 households in Hawwa Gelan Woreda, Kellem Wollega Zone, aiming to assess the utilization and associated factors of Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets (ITNs) among pregnant women and children under 5 years old. The households with eligible individuals were identified through registration, and study units were selected using systematic random sampling techniques. The collected data were entered and cleaned using EPI-Info 7, and then transferred to SPSS version 21 for further analysis. Results revealed that 69.3% of children fewer than 5 years and 74.9% of pregnant women utilized ITNs. Notably, educational status was significantly associated with ITN use in both children under 5 years (AOR=1.76, 95%CI=1.17-2.65) and pregnant women (AOR=3.26, 95%CI=1.62-6.56). Moreover, rural residence was a noteworthy factor influencing ITN utilization in children under 5 years old (AOR=7.21, 95%CI=3.11-16.68). The findings signify the need for targeted community sensitization programs, particularly emphasizing the proper installation and use of ITNs, especially among children under 5 years and pregnant women, carried out by primary healthcare units and district health extension workers.
Abstract: Malaria remains a substantial public health and development challenge, causing 216 million cases and 445,000 deaths worldwide in 2016. Of these, 81% of the cases and 91% of the deaths occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa. Insecticide-treated nets have been at the forefront of efforts to prevent and control malaria at the community and individual levels. ...
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Research Article
Monsoon Season Spatial Distribution of Particulates Concentration in the Road Intersection Area of Different Land Use in Major City in South Asian Countries
Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder*,
A. T. M. Masudul Akbar,
Marziat Rahman,
Md. Nasir Ahmmed Patoary,
Md. Rakibul Islam,
Rasheduzzaman Majumder
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 1, March 2024
Pages:
15-28
Received:
30 December 2023
Accepted:
19 January 2024
Published:
20 February 2024
Abstract: Air pollution has become one of the most significant issues in the metropolitan area of Dhaka in recent years. There are various sources of air pollution in Dhaka city, among them, unfit vehicles and industries are notable with under construction work done by Dhaka city Corporation. With regard to various land uses in the Dhaka metropolitan region, this study intends for monitoring the Particulate Matters (PM2•5 and PM10) concentrations and its relationship to the various types of land use in the region. This investigation was carried out in 82 different places throughout the Dhaka metropolitan area by using instrument named Aeroqual S-500. Study found that the average concentrations of PM2•5 and PM10 in these locations were 31.10 and 72.03 g/m3, respectively. The average concentration of PM2•5 and PM10 across all land uses was found to be 1.4148 and 1.7082 times higher than the WHO standard threshold, respectively. It is estimated that the average PM2.5/PM10 was 46.32%. It also revealed that the concentrations of the parameters do not change significantly with land use as the p values are greater than 0.05. Average concentration of PM2•5 & PM10 follows as mixed area > residential area > commercial area > silent area > industrial area.
Abstract: Air pollution has become one of the most significant issues in the metropolitan area of Dhaka in recent years. There are various sources of air pollution in Dhaka city, among them, unfit vehicles and industries are notable with under construction work done by Dhaka city Corporation. With regard to various land uses in the Dhaka metropolitan region,...
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