scholarly journals Contribution of Visible Surface Mold to Airborne Fungal Concentration as Assessed by Digital Image Quantification

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1032
Author(s):  
Chun-Chieh Tseng ◽  
Ning Huang ◽  
Chia-Jung Hsieh ◽  
Chien-Che Hung ◽  
Yue-Liang Leon Guo
Keyword(s):  
Digital Image ◽  
Surface Density ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Image Quantification ◽  
Surface Sampling ◽  
Outdoor Concentration ◽  
Airborne Concentration ◽  
Indoor Fungi ◽  
Rapid Monitoring ◽  
Total Fungi

The rapid monitoring of total fungi, including air and surface fungal profiling, is an important issue. Here, we applied air and surface sampling, combined with digital image quantification of surface mold spots, to evaluate the contribution of surface fungi to airborne fungal concentrations. Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and yeast often appeared in the air or on wall surfaces during sampling. The indoor/outdoor concentration ratios (I/O ratios) demonstrated that the airborne concentrations of commonly found fungal genera outdoors were higher than those indoors (median I/O ratio = 0.65–0.91), excluding those of Penicillium and yeast. Additionally, the surface density (fungal concentration/area) of individual fungi showed no significant correlation with the airborne concentration, excluding that of Geotrichum. However, if a higher surface ratio (>0.00031) of mold spots appeared in the total area of an indoor environment, then the concentrations of Aspergillus and Geotrichum in the air increased significantly. Our results demonstrated that the airborne concentration of indoor fungi is significantly correlated with the outdoor concentration. A higher density of surface fungi does not necessarily contribute to a high fungal concentration in the air. In contrast to fungal density, quantification of the surface fungal area is recommended to assess the risk of surface fungi propelling into the air.

scholarly journals A novel nano-sulphur and essential oil-based room freshener

2021 ◽  
pp. 75-82
Author(s):  
Ashwini S. Kaware ◽  
Pramod U Ingle ◽  
Aniket K. Gade ◽  
Mahendra Rai
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Significant Activity ◽  
Face Centered Cubic ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Indoor Fungi ◽  
The Face ◽  
Average Size

Introduction: Alternaria spp. and Candida spp. are the main fungal pathogen of indoor environment like house, office, classroom, etc. These may cause various diseases and infections like systemic infections, or chronic asthma in immunocompromised individuals through secretion of various toxic substances. Chemical-based commercially available room fresheners used to control the fungal load of indoor environment are not beneficial to human health. Objective: was to provide viable alternative in the form of nanoparticle-based approach for the management of air-borne fungi. Methodology: The present study primarily focuses on the isolation, microscopic and biochemical identification of indoor fungi; Azadirachta indica-mediated sulphur nanoparticles (SNPs) synthesis, their detection and characterization; and in vitro assessment of SNPs against isolated fungi present in indoor environment. Result: The isolated fungi were identified as Alternaria spp and Candida spp. The SNPs showed absorbance maxima at 291 nm. NTA analysis showed average size of 188.4 nm, and zeta potential of -4.94 mV which represented synthesis of stable SNPs. XRD pattern confirmed the face centered cubic, crystalline nature of SNPs. FTIR spectrum depicted the presence of polyhydroxyl, nitrile, keto, aromatic and carboxylic compounds which stabilized the SNPs. The antifungal assays demonstrated the significant activity of the formulated SNPs and eucalyptus oil infused air freshener. Conclusion: It can be concluded that A. indica-mediated SNPs can be applied in the formulation and manufacture of an ecofriendly air freshener for the management of indoor fungal pathogens like Alternaria spp. and Candida spp.

scholarly journals Using the conservative nature of fresh leaf surface density to measure foliar area

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 413-421
Author(s):  
Omar S. Castillo ◽  
Esther M. Zaragoza ◽  
Carlos J. Alvarado ◽  
Maria G. Barrera ◽  
Nabanita Dasgupta-Schubert
Keyword(s):  
Image Analysis ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Digital Image ◽  
Surface Density ◽  
Digital Image Analysis ◽  
Leaf Surface ◽  
Area Measurement ◽  
Fresh Leaf ◽  
The Masses

Abstract For a herbaceous species, the inverse of the fresh leaf surface density, the Hughes constant, is nearly conserved. We apply the Hughes constant to develop an absolute method of leafarea measurement that requires no regression fits, prior calibrations or oven-drying. The Hughes constant was determined in situ using a known geometry and weights of a sub-set obtained from the fresh leaves whose areas are desired. Subsequently, the leaf-areas (at any desired stratification level), were derived by utilizing the Hughes constant and the masses of the fresh leaves. The proof of concept was established for leaf-discs of the plants Mandevilla splendens and Spathiphyllum wallisii. The conservativeness of the Hughes constant over individual leaf-zones and different leaftypes from the leaves of each species was quantitatively validated. Using the globally averaged Hughes constant for each species, the leaf-area of these and additional co-species plants, were obtained. The leaf-area-measurement-by-mass was cross-checked with standard digital image analysis. There were no statistically significant differences between the leaf-area-measurement-by-mass and the digital image analysis measured leaf-areas and the linear correlation between the two methods was very good. Leaf-areameasurement- by-mass was found to be rapid and simple with accuracies comparable to the digital image analysis method. The greatly reduced cost of leaf-area-measurement-by-mass could be beneficial for small agri-businesses in developing countries.

scholarly journals DETERMINATION OF CIGARETTE SMOKE DISPERSION USING OPTICAL RGB CAMERA AND DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING

2019 ◽  
Vol XLII-4/W19 ◽  
pp. 55-62
Author(s):  
J. Y. Bernardino ◽  
K. N. Velasco ◽  
R. V. Ramos ◽  
K. P. Vergara
Keyword(s):  
Image Processing ◽  
Cigarette Smoke ◽  
Digital Image Processing ◽  
Digital Image ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Practical Method ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Outdoor Environment ◽  
Smoke Movement ◽  
Smoke Dispersion

Abstract. Across ages, the rapid prevalence of cigarette smoking has consistently posed adverse threats to both human health and the environment. Moreover, smoke dispersed from a single cigarette could expose serious respiratory problems to a number of non-smokers within the area. Cigarette smoke has always been a notorious, human-induced health risk and air pollutant thus, the urgent need to develop smoke management schemes by exploring strategies on observing cigarette smoke dispersion. This research aims to incorporate the potential of optical RGB cameras in the study of smoke dispersion. Through digital image processing of experimental smoking videos, a spatiotemporal visualization of smoke dispersion for an indoor and outdoor environment were created. Smoke movement starting from the source was observed in terms of smoke pixel density and maximum horizontal extent. Quantitatively, the results showed a relative maximum extent of 1.21 meters which lasted for 2 seconds for an outdoor environment while 1.05 meters which lasted for 6 seconds for an indoor environment. The maximum relative smoke pixel density values calculated for the outdoor and indoor environment are 1.46% and 1.12% respectively. The resulting graphs were indicative of a trend that creates a normal distribution curve that can be affected by external factors and represent a function relating dispersion and distance. The results of this study prove the capability of optical RGB cameras as an alternative and cost-efficient method in studying smoke dispersion. Furthermore, this practical method of monitoring smoke dispersion could lead to comprehensive analyses of air quality management and health exposure assessments.

МЕТОД БИНАРИЗАЦИИ КАК ОСНОВА СТРУКТУРНОГО АНАЛИЗА ПОВЕРХНОСТНОЙ ПЛОТНОСТИ НЕТКАНОГО НАПОЛНИТЕЛЯ КОМПОЗИТНОГО МАТЕРИАЛА

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (100) ◽  
pp. 9-19
Author(s):  
SERGEY V. ERSHOV ◽  
IVAN A. SUVOROV ◽  
SERGEY O. KOZHEVNIKOV ◽  
VIKTOR B. KUZNETSOV ◽  
EVGENY N. KALININ
Keyword(s):  
Composite Material ◽  
Digital Image ◽  
Surface Density ◽  
Analytical Study ◽  
Nonwoven Material ◽  
Average Density ◽  
External Factors ◽  
Model Output ◽  
Algorithmic Approach ◽  
Binarization Method

The article formulates an algorithmic approach to the binarization method and shows the effectiveness of its implementation in relation to the analytical study on the surface density of a nonwoven structure, used as a reinforcing base of a composite materialaccording to the digital image of its surface. This method is considered to be the basis for determining the influence of external factors on the verification parameters of the model output of the average density indicatorsin the structure of the nonwoven material and predicting the structural properties of the composite material obtained on its basis.

scholarly journals Assessment of Fungal Concentrations Associated with Relative Humidity and Temperature Variations in the Indoor Environment

2021 ◽  
pp. 30-34
Author(s):  
Chioma Maureen Obi ◽  
Ifeoma Bessie Enweani-Nwokelo ◽  
Ifeanyi Onyema Oshim ◽  
Monique Ugochinyere Okeke
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Malt Extract ◽  
Allergic Reactions ◽  
Air Sampler ◽  
Fungal Propagules ◽  
Indoor Fungi

Background: Indoor environmental factors and human activities influence the presence and concentration of fungal propagules which may lead to the risk of developing respiratory infections and allergic reactions. Aim/Objectives: This study aimed to identify the factors that influence indoor fungal composition and determine its association with the development of respiratory and allergic reactions. Methodology: A total of 549 air samples and 226 nasal swabs of occupants were examined using health base questionnaire, malt extract agar and A6 single stage microbial air sampler. House dampness, mould growth on indoor materials, temperature, relative humidity, type of ventilation, type of human activity, and location of building were found to affect the prevalence and diversity of indoor fungi. Results: A total of 55, 46 and 50 species of fungi were isolated from homes, offices and hospitals respectively. High fungal count, were recorded in homes with moisture problems, low temperature and high relative humidity and homes located in high density areas. High cases of respiratory health problems were reported by occupants of these homes. Conclusion: Improvement in housing and establishment of awareness programmes can be used to lower fungal load and health problems associated with dampness in homes.It is necessary to maintain and prevent the housekeeping activities that can predispose fungal concentration in indoor environment.

scholarly journals Digital image quantification of siderophores on agar plates

Data in Brief ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 890-898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Y. Andrews ◽  
Cara M. Santelli ◽  
Owen W. Duckworth
Keyword(s):  
Digital Image ◽  
Image Quantification

Does the presence of certain bacterial family in the microbiome indicate specific indoor environment characteristics? A factorial design approach for identifying bio-fingerprints

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-131
Author(s):  
Dahae Seong ◽  
Shamia Hoque
Keyword(s):  
Factorial Design ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Design Approach ◽  
Surface Sampling ◽  
Indoor Space ◽  
Sampling Locations ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
Factorial Design Analysis

The study applies the current knowledge on microbiome in built environments towards identifying microbes, specifically bacteria as bio-fingerprints which can reflect indoor space and occupant characteristics. Data were collected from the literature on the bacterial family and the indoor environment. The factorial design approach was applied to quantify and compare the influence of selected indoor environmental parameters, sampling region (air or surface), sampling locations (residence or non-residence), gender and age and their interactions on the types and concentration of detected bacterial families. Factorial design analysis identified and confirmed Corynebacteriaceae and Lactobacillaceae as the gender signature for males and females, respectively. The significant bacterial families across all scenarios are: Corynebacteriaceae, Propionibacteriaceae, Bacillaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Methylobacteriaceae, Moraxellaceae, Micrococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Rhodobacteraceae, Streptococcaceae and Pseudomonadaceae. Higher concentrations of Propionibacteriaceae indicate that the specific location is an adult-occupied space. Staphylococcaceae presence is the bio-fingerprint of contaminated air of hospitals bio-fingerprint and Moraxellaceae on hospital surfaces are distinct characteristics. Streptococcaceae is a bio-fingerprint of contaminated air of schools and other children-occupied spaces. Enterobacteriaceae is a bio-fingerprint of contaminated air of non-residence locations. Bacillaceae does not indicate any indoor characteristics.

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