scholarly journals Aspergillus Section Fumigati in Firefighter Headquarters

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 2112
Author(s):  
Carla Viegas ◽  
Bianca Gomes ◽  
Marta Dias ◽  
Elisabete Carolino ◽  
Liliana Aranha Caetano
Keyword(s):  
Passive Sampling ◽  
Sampling Methods ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Malt Extract ◽  
Settled Dust ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Aspergillus Sp ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Floor Surfaces ◽  
Aspergillus Section

Background: Aspergillus section Fumigati is one of the Aspergillus sections more frequently related to respiratory symptoms and by other health outcomes. This study aimed to characterize Aspergillus section Fumigati distribution in eleven firefighter headquarters (FFHs) to obtain an accurate occupational exposure assessment. Methods: A sampling approach protocol was performed using active (impaction method) and passive sampling methods (floor surfaces swabs, electrostatic dust collectors (EDCs), and settled dust). All samples were analysed by culture-based methods and passive sampling was used for molecular detection of Aspergillus section Fumigati. Results: Of all the matrices, the highest counts of Aspergillus sp. were obtained on settled dust filters (3.37% malt extract agar—MEA, 19.09% dichloran glycerol—DG18) followed by cleaning cloths (1.67% MEA; 7.07% DG18). Among the Aspergillus genus, the Fumigati section was predominant in Millipore and EDC samples in MEA (79.77% and 28.57%, respectively), and in swabs and settled dust filters in DG18 (44.76% and 30%, respectively). The Fumigati section was detected more frequently in DG18 (33.01%) compared to MEA (0.33%). The Fumigati section was observed in azole supplemented media (itraconazole and voriconazole) in several passive sampling methods employed and detected by qPCR in almost all passive samples, with EDCs being the matrix with the highest prevalence (n = 61; 67.8%). Conclusion: This study confirms that Aspergillus sp. is widespread and the Fumigati section is present in all FFHs. The presence of fungi potentially resistant to azoles in the FFHs was also observed. Further studies are needed to identify the best corrective and preventive measures to avoid this section contamination in this specific occupational environment.

scholarly journals Characterization of Occupational Exposure To Fungal Burden in Portuguese Bakeries

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Viegas ◽  
Tiago Faria ◽  
Liliana Aranha Caetano ◽  
Elisabete Carolino ◽  
Anita Quintal-Gomes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Raw Material ◽  
World Health ◽  
Dust Collector ◽  
Malt Extract ◽  
Molecular Tools ◽  
Air Samples ◽  
Fungal Burden ◽  
Settled Dust ◽  
Fungal Load ◽  
Aspergillus Section

Several studies reported adverse respiratory health effects in workers exposed to ambient contaminants in bakeries. The aim of this study was to examine worker exposure to fungi and mycotoxins in Portuguese bakeries in order to develop new policies in occupational health. Environmental samples such as air, surfaces, settled dust and electrostatic dust collector (EDC) were collected in 13 bakeries for fungal and mycotoxins assessment. Air samples obtained by impaction were performed applying malt extract agar (MEA) supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.05%) and dichloran glycerol (DG18) agar-based media. Air samples collected through impinger method were determined as well for fungal detection by molecular tools of Aspergillus sections and mycotoxins. The highest median value for fungal load was 1053 CFU·m−3 and 65.3% (32 out of 49) of the sampling sites displayed higher fungal load than limits imposed by the World Health Organization. Aspergillus genera was found in air, surface swabs and EDC. Molecular tools were effective in measuring Aspergillus section Fumigati in 22.4% on air, 27.8% on surface swabs and in 7.4% in EDC and Aspergillus section Versicolores in one air sample. All settled dust samples showed contamination with six to eight mycotoxins in each sample. The mycotoxins detected were deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, monoacetoxyscirpenol, diacetoxyscirpenol, fumonisin B1, fumonisin B2, griseofulvin, HT2, ochratoxin A, ochratoxin B and mycophenolic acid. Industrial hygienists and exposure assessors should rely on different sampling methods (active and passive) and different assays (culture based and molecular methods) to obtain an accurate risk characterization regarding fungal burden (fungi and mycotoxins). Additionally, the awareness for the raw material as a potential mycotoxins indoor contamination source is important.

scholarly journals Melinacidin-Producing Acrostalagmus luteoalbus, a Major Constituent of Mixed Mycobiota Contaminating Insulation Material in an Outdoor Wall

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 843
Author(s):  
(Aino) Maria A. Andersson ◽  
Johanna Salo ◽  
Raimo Mikkola ◽  
Tamás Marik ◽  
László Kredics ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Major Constituent ◽  
Bioactive Metabolites ◽  
Its Sequencing ◽  
Insulation Material ◽  
Settled Dust ◽  
Aspergillus Section

Occupants may complain about indoor air quality in closed spaces where the officially approved standard methods for indoor air quality risk assessment fail to reveal the cause of the problem. This study describes a rare genus not previously detected in Finnish buildings, Acrostalagmus, and its species A. luteoalbus as the major constituents of the mixed microbiota in the wet cork liner from an outdoor wall. Representatives of the genus were also present in the settled dust in offices where occupants suffered from symptoms related to the indoor air. One strain, POB8, was identified as A. luteoalbus by ITS sequencing. The strain produced the immunosuppressive and cytotoxic melinacidins II, III, and IV, as evidenced by mass spectrometry analysis. In addition, the classical toxigenic species indicating water damage, mycoparasitic Trichoderma, Aspergillus section Versicolores, Aspergillus section Circumdati, Aspergillus section Nigri, and Chaetomium spp., were detected in the wet outdoor wall and settled dust from the problematic rooms. The offices exhibited no visible signs of microbial growth, and the airborne load of microbial conidia was too low to explain the reported symptoms. In conclusion, we suggest the possible migration of microbial bioactive metabolites from the wet outdoor wall into indoor spaces as a plausible explanation for the reported complaints.

scholarly journals Metal measurement in aquatic environments by passive sampling methods: Lessons learning from an in situ intercomparison exercise

2016 ◽  
Vol 208 ◽  
pp. 299-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Dabrin ◽  
J.-P. Ghestem ◽  
E. Uher ◽  
J.-L. Gonzalez ◽  
I.J. Allan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Passive Sampling ◽  
Sampling Methods ◽  
Aquatic Environments ◽  
Intercomparison Exercise

scholarly journals Characterization by TGA, SEM, and EDX of Polymeric Matrices Used as Cocaine Camouflages

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 119
Author(s):  
Carlos A. Díaz V ◽  
William F. Garzón M ◽  
Juan C. Higuita V ◽  
Elisabeth. Restrepo-Parra
Keyword(s):  
Surface Morphology ◽  
Thermo Gravimetric Analysis ◽  
Soxhlet Extraction ◽  
Structural Type ◽  
Extraction Process ◽  
Gravimetric Analysis ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
Almost All

In this work, a study of samples that contained cocaine camouflaged inside unidentified polymers was performed. Samples were seized at the Dorado International airport in Colombia. Cocaine was adsorbed or occluded within the matrix. The objective of this research was to extract cocaine from the matrices using soxhlet extraction method. Thereafter matrices were analyzed to determine the surface morphology before and after the extraction. Several morphological differences were exhibited between samples including both adsorbed and occluded cocaine. Moreover, changes in the surface morphology were also observed before and after cocaine extraction. The chemical elemental composition of matrices was also studied using energy dispersive spectroscopy, observing that the alkaloid was totally removed in almost all samples after the extraction process. On the other hand, Thermo gravimetric analysis also allows comparing the results obtained for the samples with patterns of pure cocaine and other polymers as CMC, PVA and HEC, finding several similarities of structural type.

scholarly journals Investigating Musicians’ Mindfulness through a Phenomenological Matrix

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Diaz ◽  
Jason Silveira ◽  
Katherine Strand
Keyword(s):  
Music Education ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year College ◽  
Introductory Course ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
College Music ◽  
Neurophysiological Mechanisms ◽  
Almost All

We investigated the efficacy of a phenomenological matrix of mindfulness as a framework for examining expectations, formal meditation experiences, and appraisals of first-year college music students (N = 18) who participated in a 5-day mindfulness module offered through an introductory course in music education. Participants expressed hopes that meditation would help them manage stress and anxiety, improve their focus and relationships, and support their personal growth and motivation. With respect to lived experiences of formal meditation, we found that without explicit prompting, approximately 86% percent of coded phrases reflected dimensions of experience that could be mapped within the matrix, suggesting its efficacy for coding. Furthermore, almost all participants attributed mindfulness to improving their general wellness, with dereification, breathing, and non-aversive affect frequently mentioned as key factors leading to these improvements. Additionally, consistent with the neurophenomenological aims of the matrix, we list cognitive outcomes and neurophysiological mechanisms potentially attributable to the nature of selected appraisal statements by participants.

STOCK MARKET AS A TOOL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RUSSIAN ECONOMY DURING THE PANDEMIC PERIOD

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 90-94
Author(s):  
O. N. UGLITSKIKH ◽  
◽  
Yu. E. KLISHINA ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Stock Market ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Real Sector ◽  
Market Participants ◽  
Russian Economy ◽  
Coronavirus Infection ◽  
Private Investors ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Exchange Transactions

Against the background of the emergence and spread of coronavirus infection, the stock market experienced another shock. The pandemic has affected almost all sectors of the global economy, stock market participants began to get rid of the securities of large companies affected by preventive measures aimed at combating COVID-19 and reducing the consequences of coronavirus infection, expecting a decrease in income from exchange instruments. This article reveals the essence of the stock market as a tool to ensure an inflow of investments in the real sector of the economy in a pandemic, assesses exchange transactions and brokerage services, determines the activity of private investors, despite the increased uncertainty in the economy.

Mold Counts and Aspergillus Section Flavi Populations in Rice and Its By-Products from the Philippines

2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANTHONY C. SALES ◽  
TAKUMI YOSHIZAWA
Keyword(s):  
Brown Rice ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Rice Hull ◽  
Aspergillus Section Flavi ◽  
Polished Rice ◽  
Settled Dust ◽  
Rough Rice ◽  
Rice Milling ◽  
By Products ◽  
Aspergillus Section

Mold counts and Aspergillus section Flavi populations in rice and its by-products from the Philippines were examined. The average mold counts of rough rice, brown rice, and locally produced polished rice were 4.1 × 103, 1.0 × 103, and 1.1 × 103 CFU/g, respectively. Average Aspergillus section Flavi counts of the same samples were 3.0 × 102, 1.1 × 102, and 2.6 × 102 CFU/g, respectively. Twenty-seven percent of mold isolates from rough rice, polished rice, and brown rice were section Flavi spp., 31% of which were toxigenic. No section Flavi isolates were obtained from imported rice samples from Thailand and Vietnam. Aspergillus section Flavi was also isolated from rice hull, rice bran, and settled dust from rice milling operations. Toxigenic isolates of both Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus were present in at least one sample of each type of rice and rice by-product except settled dust. Aflatoxins produced in vitro by the isolates ranged from <1 μg/kg to 6,227 μg/kg. A. flavus isolates produced only B aflatoxins, whereas A. parasiticus isolates produced both B and G aflatoxins. Although total mold counts of Philippine rice and its by-products are within tolerable limits, the establishment of maximum limits in counts of potentially aflatoxigenic species in foods and feeds is important because the mere presence of toxin producers is considered a possible risk factor. The results of this research illustrate the need for strict monitoring of rice during both storage and marketing, especially in warm and humid seasons when infestation and consequent production of aflatoxins by Aspergillus section Flavi is expected.

The State of Bee Monitoring in the United States: A Call to Refocus Away From Bowl Traps and Towards More Effective Methods

2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (5) ◽  
pp. 337-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary M Portman ◽  
Bethanne Bruninga-Socolar ◽  
Daniel P Cariveau
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Passive Sampling ◽  
Sampling Methods ◽  
The United States ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Native Bees ◽  
Robust Detection ◽  
Current State ◽  
Bee Abundance ◽  
Meaningful Data

Abstract Effective monitoring is necessary to provide robust detection of bee declines. In the United States and worldwide, bowl traps have been increasingly used to monitor native bees and purportedly detect declines. However, bowl traps have a suite of flaws that make them poorly equipped to monitor bees. We outline the drawbacks of bowl traps, as well as other passive sampling methods. We emphasize that current methods do not monitor changes in bee abundance. We then propose future approaches to improve bee monitoring efforts, which include improving our understanding of the efficacy and drawbacks of current methods, novel molecular methods, nest censusing, mark-recapture, sampling of focal plant taxa, and detection of range contractions. Overall, we hope to highlight deficiencies of the current state of bee monitoring, with an aim to stimulate research into the efficacy of existing methods and promote novel methods that provide meaningful data that can detect declines without squandering limited resources.

scholarly journals Matrix Expression of Convolution and Its Generalized Continuous Form

Symmetry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1791
Author(s):  
Young Hee Geum ◽  
Arjun Kumar Rathie ◽  
Hwajoon Kim
Keyword(s):  
Neural Networks ◽  
Integral Transforms ◽  
Main Process ◽  
Continuous Form ◽  
Core Technology ◽  
New Variant ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Matrix Expression ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Laplace Type

In this paper, we consider the matrix expression of convolution, and its generalized continuous form. The matrix expression of convolution is effectively applied in convolutional neural networks, and in this study, we correlate the concept of convolution in mathematics to that in convolutional neural network. Of course, convolution is a main process of deep learning, the learning method of deep neural networks, as a core technology. In addition to this, the generalized continuous form of convolution has been expressed as a new variant of Laplace-type transform that, encompasses almost all existing integral transforms. Finally, we would, in this paper, like to describe the theoretical contents as detailed as possible so that the paper may be self-contained.

An Evaluation of Benzene in the Presence of Gasoline by Active and Passive Sampling Methods

1987 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Richard Spielman ◽  
Kenneth D. Blehm ◽  
Roy M. Buchan ◽  
Robert N. Hagar
Keyword(s):  
Passive Sampling ◽  
Sampling Methods
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