Disposable Plastic Bottles Research Articles

Biodiversity of aquatic insects flourished in the rain water collected from Kosti and Rabak cities, White Nile State, Sudan

Biodiversity including description of status of ecosystems and populations to the best to our knowledge and major threats for better biodiversity conservation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biodiversity of aquatic insect population in the rain water collected from White Nile State. The samples of the rain water were collected during (March and October 2022) from Kosti and Rabak Cities, White Nile State, Sudan, in clean disposable plastic bottles from random sites. Anopheles, Culex and Aedes mosquito’s larvae were identified and counted, in addition to their aquatic predators (mayfly, dragon fly and water beetles), while algae and snails were just checked for their presence within this sites. The results at Kosti city during March 2022, showed the dominance of Anopheles (37 larvae) over Culex (14 larvae), while mayfly were the more abundant predators (16 naiads), followed by water beetle (6 beetles). In Rabak city, Culex (44 larvae) was the most dominant in addition to water beetles (12 beetles). During October 2022, Anopheles (78 larvae), Culex (34 larvae) and mayfly were the dominant organisms. In Rabak city, Culex (50 larvae) was the most dominant genus, while Aedes larvae were not noticed throughout this study. Mayfly and dragon fly naiads, and water beetles were not noticed in all Rabak site

Evaluation of coliform (E. coli) load of the drinking water collected from Kosti and Rabak Cities, White Nile State, Sudan

Microbial drinking-water quality testing plays an essential role in measures to protect public health. However, such testing remains a significant challenge where resources are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the coliform load of drinking water from White Nile State. Samples of the drinking water were collected from Kosti and Rabak, White Nile State, Sudan, in clean disposable plastic bottles from random sites. The estimation of E. coli bacterium test was performed in Microbiology Laboratory, University of Gezira. The results showed that, Rabak samples had high mean number (92 + 22.27) of colonies/plate than Kosti samples (29.33 + 14.11), and this denotes a significant difference between them during (March, 2022), but those samples collected during (October 2022) and (March 2023) showed non-significant differences in microbial count, although Rabak samples showed high mean number of colonies/plate than Kosti samples. It was also noticed that, the contamination of the drinking water increased gradually throughout the study periods and sites. This reflect the increase in the organic waste and decrease in treatment of pollutants in both Kosti and Rabak cities during the study period.

Evaluation of some physical and chemical characteristics of the drinking water collected after winter and autumn seasons from Kosti and Rabak Cities, White Nile State, Sudan

Drinking water quality is a very important issue in the health sector and it involve the check of some physical, chemical and biological parameters through some standard methods and limits. The current study aimed to determine some physical and chemical parameters of the drinking water collected from White Nile after autumn and winter seasons. The drinking water samples were collected from Kosti and Rabak Cities, White Nile State, Sudan, in clean disposable plastic bottles from random sites of each city. The determinations of the physiochemical tests were performed within one week after sample collection at University of Gezira Laboratories. The results of this study show that, the drinking water that collected after winter season showed good physical quality, as same as that collected after autumn season except the slight problem in color (less transparent). The tested chemical parameters of Kosti and Rabak drinking water that collected after winter season showed good quality except, those of sulphate, carbonate (0 mg/L) and chloride of 28.4 and 31.95 (ppm) as same as that collected after autumn season, except hardness (500 mg/L) which seemed to be an autumn problem of Rabak city. Although there were some signs of physical and chemical pollutions, serious steps towards treatment of their causes should be done.

A survey on hydration and use of plastic water bottles among Italian health sector workers.

Modena's Local Health Authority (AUSL) is a public service with more than 5,000 employees. In its facilities, drinking water is available as tap water. However, disposable plastic bottles are also widely used, thus increasing plastic waste. In the present study, we aimed to investigate employees' drinking habits through an ad hoc 10-item online questionnaire, which was administered in spring 2023. Of the 584 participants (10.8% response rate), 75% of workers reported drinking less than 1.5 liters of water per day. In addition, 74% of workers brought water from home, while 62% used disposable plastic containers bought in the workplace or outside. When asked if they would appreciate a water refilling station in the workplace, whether that would induce them to consume less plastic and to drink more water, 91%, 82%, and 72% of workers said "yes", respectively. By installing water coolers, the estimated mean number of plastic bottles spared every day at the AUSL would be about 6,000. Our data shed light on most employees' perceived need for alternative sources of drinking water, not only in order to drink more for health benefits, but also to reduce plastic usage in favor of reusable, more environmentally friendly materials.

Investigating the content of microplastics and other extraneous particles in Polish bottled water

Bottled water has enjoyed a global increase in popularity since it is generally perceived to be superior in quality to tap water and necessary when tap water is non-potable. As a result, ensuring that it meets the requisite quality standards is of vital importance. This work aims to examine the content of solid particles, including microplastics, in bottled water available in Polish stores. The second aspect is the preliminary determination of the influence of the water gassing process, together with thermal and light factors, on the content of particles in the water. The number of particles was counted by colour and shape, with the number ranging from 87 to 188 per litre of water; on average, there were 136 ±32 particles per litre of water, demonstrating that water from disposable plastic bottles is contaminated with various substances. The difference in the number of particles may be due to the origin of the waters, the processes they were subjected to prior to bottling, the properties of the bottles as packaging, and the conditions and length of storage and transport. Additional Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis confirmed that about 75% of the particles were polymers, and 50% of them were plastics. Particularly alarming is the fact that the bottled waters mostly contained microplastic particles (MP) of smaller sizes, the kind which is recognized as being the most dangerous to human health. In the study, most particles were in the form of irregular shapes, which may indicate that they come from the destruction of waste or plastic products. This is also indicated by the domination of colourless particles. More particles were found in waters exposed to high and low temperatures than in waters stored at room temperature, potentially indicating that storage conditions for drinking water are important. Taking into account the results obtained, increasing attention should be paid to the health risks posed by such microplastics and there is a clear need to introduce legal regulations on the matter. The lack of any legal guidelines or unified standards in the field of MP research means that the results are not always representative, and it also makes it difficult to compare the results from different studies.

Managing Carbon Footprint at Music Festivals: A Study at Glastonbury Festival

The Glastonbury Festival, renowned as one of the greatest music festivals globally, has come under environmental scrutiny due to its substantial expansion. While the festival undeniably benefits the economy, it also has adverse effects by contributing to the carbon footprint. This phenomenon is a result of congregating a large number of individuals in a single location concurrently for an extended period of time. The carbon footprint generated is substantial, and when combined with the garbage generated, it can result in significant environmental harm. Recognizing this concern, the organizer has implemented a comprehensive strategy to reduce and control its carbon emissions. Hence, this study evaluated the efficacy of various approaches by employing the framework of energy consumption, trash generation, and transportation emissions (Fredline et al., 2005). The outcome demonstrates that Glastonbury Festival's endeavor to achieve environmental sustainability underscores its dedication to diminishing its carbon emissions while safeguarding its core identity. Glastonbury has implemented novel energy solutions, such as solar and wind power, biodiesel, and recycled vegetable oil waste, to reduce emissions and include sustainable energy sources. Furthermore, waste management has effectively diminished the usage of disposable plastic bottles, decreased trash through recycling efforts, and promoted the practice of participants taking their possessions with them. Lastly, the transportation emissions, which account for the largest proportion of the total emissions, still require a solution, since they remain the primary concern of the event. The Glastonbury Festival's sustainability could be improved by the implementation of additional measures, educational initiatives, and partnerships with environmental organizations.

PET Waste Recycling into BTX Fraction Using In Situ Obtained Nickel Phosphide.

The annual production of plastic waste is a serious ecological problem as it causes substantial pollution of the environment. Polyethylene terephthalate, a material usually found in disposable plastic bottles, is one of the most popular material used for packaging in the world. In this paper, it is proposed to recycle polyethylene terephthalate waste bottles into benzene-toluene-xylene fraction using a heterogeneous nickel phosphide catalyst formed in situ during the polyethylene terephthalate recycling process. The catalyst obtained was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. The catalyst was shown to contain a Ni2P phase. Its activity was studied in a temperature range of 250-400 °C and a H2 pressure range of 5-9 MPa. The highest selectivity for benzene-toluene-xylene fraction was 93% at quantitative conversion.

Genesis and evolution of KIMIE: New cost-effective indigenous human breast milk pasteurizer

Natural mother’s breast milk is the best food for all newborns, especially preterm babies. However, if mother’s milk is unavailable or donor breast milk (DBM) is inadequate, DBM is the next best choice. Human milk pasteurizers are traditionally big, costly, and require special electrical and water connections, as well as need a large volume of water that is not recycled and an ongoing supply of disposable plastic bottles. Operation of these machines necessitates specialized training. The creation of Kimie, a compact, automated, and user-friendly human breast milk pasteurizer capable of pasteurizing small volumes of DBM, is described here. This system needs no special water plumbing, recycles water, and is reasonably priced.

HUBUNGAN PENGETAHUAN DAN SIKAP IBU RUMAH TANGGA DENGAN PERILAKU PENGGUNAAN BOTOL MINUMAN PLASTIK SEKALI PAKAI DI DUSUN SOCO KECAMATAN SALAMAN KABUPATEN MAGELANG

abstrac—Drinking water bottles are often being reused by people to be filled with refill drinking water, which has a high potential to cause cancer. Nearly 75% of women in Soco village, who are working as factory workers and traders, were often seen to use disposable mineral water bottles to place their water into. In other case, there were also women with different occupation who placed their daily drinking water stock in a disposable water bottles, and they often put them in a refrigerator. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation of knowledge and the behavior of women/housewives in Soco village towards the usage of disposable water bottles as daily usage. Quantitative research with analytic survey methods, using cross sectional approach. The sample in this study amounted to 75 respondents. The sampling technique uses simple random sampling with research instrumentation. Data analysis using the Chi-Square test. The knowledge of women/housewives’s usage of disposable plastic drink bottles in Soco village is 56% good, and 44% are not good. Good attitude 77,3% and bad 22,7%. Good behavior 54,7% and bad 45,3%. The Chi-Square analysis showed that there was a correlations between the knowledge of housewives of Soco village and the behavior of disposable plastic drink bottles usage (p=0,034, RP=1,818 CI=1,093-3,023) and there was a correlation between women/housewives of Soco village’s attitudes with the behavior of the usage of disposable water bottles (p=0,008, RP=2,112 CI=1,372-3,252). There is a correlation between knowledge and the attitudes of women/housewives in Soco village and the behavior of disposable plastic bottles usage.

Dynamic seasonal response of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) to fruit juice-based lures in fig orchards

Ceratitis capitata is the most serious agricultural pest in Argentinean fruit-growing regions. The use of baited traps for Medfly control is an expanding and increasingly successful integrated management strategy. The high cost of traps and attractants is one of the main limitations for use on either a massive scale or a small-scale control. This study aimed to evaluate the advantages or disadvantages of using natural fruit juice-based lures for Medfly adult monitoring at the orchard level in an irrigated valley. Medfly capture with a standard protein attractant was compared with peach, apple, sweet orange, fig, and grape juices. All attractants were evaluated in 1.5-liter disposable plastic bottles that served as traps. The most relevant finding was the interaction between attractant effectiveness and season. While the standard yeast was the most effective attractant during summer, the highest Medfly caught values recorded during both spring and autumn were achieved with traps baited with orange juice. The use of fruit juices as attractants and disposable bottles as traps can decrease the impact on non-target insects and reduce management costs.

Sustainability design of press machine for waste plastic bottle with electric motor

Waste plastic bottle can be a pollutant that can damage the environment. If this waste plastic bottle is not well controlled, it will certainly harm the sustainability of other ecosystems. Usually, waste plastic bottle is difficult to decompose naturally, and even if it will be decomposed, it will take a long time, from 100 to 500 years. The main source of waste plastic bottle is usually the use of plastic material itself, which it is used to inseparable support in everyday life. In general, the use of plastic material has several considerations such as: lightweight, corrosion resistance, non-toxicity, friction and impact resistance, chemical resistance, good thermal stability, and good insulation properties. The general form of this product is disposable plastic bottles in drinking water. Waste plastic bottles are usually used for disposables product. Referring to this condition, they can assume and increase over a certain period the number of waste plastic bottles, where as plastic bottles are the largest source of pollutants on earth. To control this condition, it is necessary to develop a sustainable mechanism of press machine for flatting the waste plastic bottle into sheet plastic before being crushed and recycled into other products. Based on the observation of test results, it was found that the design of press machine for waste plastic bottle works with electric motor well, before being reprocessed.

Microplastic in Food and Drinking Water - Environmental Monitoring Data

Microplastics are present in the environment and have been found in seas and oceans, fresh water, sewage, food, air, and drinking water, both bottled and tap water. Nanoplastics can originate from engineered material or can be produced during fragmentation of microplastic debris. This paper presents an analysis of the research available in the literature on the content of microplastics in food, tap water, and bottled water. There is no legislation for microplastics as contaminants in food. Available data are from seafood species such as fish, shrimp, and bivalves, and also in other foods such as honey, beer, and table salt. In tap water, the measured amount of microplastic particles varies extensively and depends on the place of intake, type of conditioning, and water distribution system. Studies concerning bottled water have shown that water contains microplastics from disposable plastic bottles, bottles made of recycled material, and even glass bottles. The lack of analytical standards related to the adoption of the method of determination and identification of the size and form of microplastic particles was found to be problematic. The abovementioned particles were mainly identified as polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyamides (PA), polyether sulfone (PES), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and were between 1 and 150 μm in size. The most common shapes of the particles were fragments, followed by fibres and flakes. Toxicity and toxicokinetic data are lacking for microplastics for a human risk assessment.

Weight Gain Comparison between Heifers Fed Colostrum or Whole Milk until Weaning

Background: The milk-feeding phase, wherein whole milk is the natural food, is critical to calf development, health, and vitality. However, feeding milk to calves is costly in the rearing system because the milk supplied to calves is not sold. In farms in which the average production is high, excess colostrum and transitional milk are produced that are used to feed calves until weaning. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of heifers exclusively fed colostrum (including transitional milk) or raw whole milk.Materials, Methods & Results: Immediately after their birth, 83 ear-tagged healthy Holstein Friesian heifers adequately receiving the initial colostrum were separated into two experimental groups. Group 1 (n = 34) was fed only fresh whole milk and group 2 (n = 49) was fed only colostrum diluted in water at a 2:1 ratio. Colostrum was removed from cows until the fifth day after birth and was stored in sanitized disposable plastic bottles, stored in a freezer at -20°C and before administration, the colostrum was thawed. Liquid diets were administered using a bottle twice a day during the first month, namely 2 L in the morning and 2 L in the afternoon. During the second month, the heifers were fed 4 L once a day in the morning. The heifers had access to an enclosure with fodder, in addition to concentrate specifically for heifers, which was placed in an individual trough daily. The leftovers were weighed at the end of the afternoon. The heifers were abruptly weaned when they reached a daily intake of 1 kg of concentrate. The heifers were individually weighed at birth and at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days. The average weights were 40.4, 54.1, 74.5, 95.1, 108.2, and 126.1 kg in group 1 and 45.4, 58.4, 78.2, 95.9, 110.8, and 125.1 kg in group 2. The use of diluted colostrum was satisfactory as it resulted in similar weight gains.Discussion: Feeding milk to calves is one of the most cost-increasing factors to a dairy farm because the total milk volume fed to animals at this stage is not sold and results in a large loss in income for the farmer. Calf management during the milk-feeding phase is of the utmost importance, especially in the first days after birth, to ensure the development of the systemic immune response of animals. The performance of these animals in the first months affects their subsequent development. Whole milk is commonly used to feed calves for 8 to 12 consecutive weeks. However, whole milk can be replaced by a good substitute, such as colostrum and transitional milk. The aim of this study was to show that these substitutes are effective alternatives for calf development and cost reduction. The weight gain of animals fed diluted colostrum was similar to that of animals fed only whole milk, which corroborates the results of previous studies on the development of calves treated with colostrum-based liquid diet, fermented or not, with and without additives. Those studies reported favorable growth rates in comparison with the traditional production system as a result of higher dietary protein levels in colostrum-based diets. The availability of roughages and concentrates should be initiated during the milk-feeding phase, as it is fundamental for rumen development, helps in early weaning and reduces expenses during this period. Replacing whole milk with colostrum and transitional milk for feeding calves, stimulating roughage, and concentrating intake can result in significant savings in the rearing system.

Sustainability of Asphalt Paving Materials Containing Different Waste Materials

Generating recycled tires, disposable plastic bottles and waste engine oil are important problem in Iraq and there is need to solve it. The waste materials can be considered as alternative materials in road pavement technology and the using of these materials would be a solution to converse the environment from pollution in one hand and modifying the asphalt paving materials on the other hand. The two waste materials (recycled tire rubber and plastic bottles) have been evaluated as supplementary materials by with (3, 6, 9 and 12) % by total weight of aggregate retained on 2.36 mm sieve. The waste engine oil was used as an asphalt cement modifier and it was added as partial replacement of asphalt content by with (5, 10 and 15) % by weight of asphalt. This experimental work aimed to use Marshall properties, indirect tensile strength, and immersion-compression and wheel track tests to determine the influence of different waste materials on the performance of compacted asphalt paving materials of highways. The study concluded that the 12%PB mixtures seem to produce a reduction in the density and rut depth, an increase in air void, VMA, Marshall stability and indirect tensile strength. The recycled tires with 9% by total weight of aggregate retained on (2.36mm) sieve exhibited high resistance to water damage. The indirect tensile strengths of the asphalt mixtures incorporated waste oil engine were lower than those of the control mix and these modified mixtures have a good resistance to moisture damage.

How Water Bottle Refill Stations Contribute to Campus Sustainability: A Case Study in Japan

The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of installing Water bottle Refill Stations (WRSs) and their contributions to campus sustainability by means of encouraging pro-environmental behavior in students. Plastic waste is one of the most critical environmental issues. Therefore, we investigated how WRS can deter students from using disposable plastic bottles. We conducted a survey at a Japanese university to address (1) students’ Willingness To Pay (WTP) to install WRS, (2) their Willingness To Use (WTU) WRSs while acknowledging its environmental benefits, and (3) the impact of communicating information about points (1) and (2). We utilized Goal-Framing Theory (GFT) and the Integrated Framework for Encouraging Pro-Environmental Behavior (IFEP) as the theoretical background of our study. The results of our survey found that the mean WTP was 2211 JPY (1 JPY = 0.01 USD), an amount students would donate just once. This finding indicates students would be willing to pay to install a WRS at their university. The mean WTP students supported would be enough to cover the WRS installation and maintenance costs. According to our study, 58.82% of students stated that they would be willing to use WRS. In doing so, students would save 45,191 disposable plastic bottles and reduce 10,846 kg of related CO2 emissions every year. Our study also showed a statistically significant increase in WTP and WTU WRS as we introduced more and more information about pro-environmental behaviors to students. This finding indicates the importance of information campaigning and learning how to encourage pro-environmental behavior.

Effect of sunlight exposure on phthalates migration from plastic containers to packaged juices.

BackgroundAcidic juices such as lemon juice, vinegar and Verjuice are popular beverages regularly consumed by both children and adults. Various brands of different acidic juices in Iran markets are packaged in disposable plastic bottles. Some evidence suggests that phthalates may immigrate from plastic bottles.MethodsIn this research the influence of sunlight, type of container and storage time on the leaching of phthalates from packaging materials into selected juices was investigated, by analyzing the samples kept in different conditions, before and throughout 2, 4 and 6 months storage time.ResultsThe mean phthalate concentrations of the examined samples were determined to be between <LOD and 0.521 μg/L in verjuice, <LOD and 0.261 μg/L in lemon juice, <LOD and 0.599 μg/L in vinegar. DEP and DEHP showed the highest level of migration into acidic juices packed in plastic bottles.ConclusionsResults of analyses before and after storage show that some storage conditions can increase the concentrations of DBP, DEHP and DEP in acidic juices. The results of this study indicate the possible leaching of phthalates from packages made of plastic materials into the contents.

Analysis of phthalates residues in apple juices produced in Saudi Arabia

Fruit juices are popular beverages regularly consumed by both adults and children. Various brands of different fruit juices in Saudi markets are packaged in disposable plastic bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Some evidence suggests that phthalates may leach from PET bottles. Few studies have analyzed the presence or assessed the risk of phthalates in fruit juice. The concentrations of dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), and di-n-octylphthalate (DOP) were measured in seven brands of commercially manufactured apple juice available in the Saudi market using solid-phase microextraction connected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Nearly all targeted compounds were found in the brands of juice, with DOP being detected in all samples. Of 70 samples of apple juice, 11, 39, 2, 11 and 11 had levels of DEP, DBP, BBP, DEHP, and DOP, respectively, above their limit of quantification (LOQ). These phthalates may have either leached into the juice from the PET bottles or were contaminants during manufacturing. Benzyl benzoate (BB) was used as an internal standard, and was unexpectedly found in two brands of apple juice, which forced us to use external calibration method for quantifying the phthalates and to measure BB concentrations in these two brands. All samples were above the LOQ of 0.628 µg/L. BB exposure via the consumption of apple juice may represent a negligible risk, but the use of BB in cosmetics, personal-care products, and as a preservative in food demands studies to assess its potential impact on health. With the absence of regulations governing the safety of contaminants in these products, the presence of phthalates in apple juice or other dietary sources could pose a health risk to consumers.

Evaluation of a sticky trap (AedesTraP), made from disposable plastic bottles, as a monitoring tool for Aedes aegypti populations

BackgroundDengue virus, which is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes is the most important emerging viral disease, infecting more than 50 million people annually. Currently used sticky traps are useful tools for monitoring and control of A. aegypti, despite differences in efficiency, labor requirements and cost. In the present work, a field assay was carried out to evaluate the performance of a sticky trap (AedesTrap), produced using disposable material, in capturing gravid Aedes spp. females. Additionally, conditions necessary for the improved performance of the device, such as number of traps per site and location (indoors or outdoors) were evaluated.MethodsDuring a one year period, traps were placed in a dengue endemic area in 28 day cycles. The trap, named AedesTrap, consisted of a disposable plastic soda bottle coated inside with colophony resin, which served as a sticky substrate. Disposable bottles were donated by restaurants, and traps were made by laboratory staff, reducing the cost of the sticky trap (less than U$3). Mosquito capture in indoor and outdoor areas was compared by placing the traps in laundry room, kitchen or bedroom (indoors) and front or back yard (outdoors). The relationship between the number of AedesTraps and quantity of captured mosquitoes was investigated by utilizing one or three traps/site.ResultsDuring a 28 day cycle, a single AedesTrap was capable of capturing up to 15 A. aegypti in a house, with a mean capture of 0.5 to 2.63 females per premise. The AedesTrap collected three times more outdoors versus indoors. Similarly, the capability of detecting Aedes spp. infestation, and of capturing females, was three times higher when using three AedesTraps per house, compared with one trap per house.ConclusionsAedesTrap was shown to be capable of capturing A. aegypti and other culicidae, providing information on the adult mosquito population, and allowing the identification of areas critically infested by mosquitoes. Low requirements for skilled labor together with easy maintenance and low cost are additional advantages of using this sticky trap.

In vitro action of antiparasitic drugs, especially artesunate, against Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasmosis is usually a benign infection, except in the event of ocular, central nervous system (CNS), or congenital disease and particularly when the patient is immunocompromised. Treatment consists of drugs that frequently cause adverse effects; thus, newer, more effective drugs are needed. In this study, the possible activity of artesunate, a drug successfully being used for the treatment of malaria, on Toxoplasma gondii growth in cell culture is evaluated and compared with the action of drugs that are already being used against this parasite. LLC-MK2 cells were cultivated in RPMI medium, kept in disposable plastic bottles, and incubated at 36ºC with 5% CO2. Tachyzoites of the RH strain were used. The following drugs were tested: artesunate, cotrimoxazole, pentamidine, pyrimethamine, quinine, and trimethoprim. The effects of these drugs on tachyzoites and LLC-MK2 cells were analyzed using nonlinear regression analysis with Prism 3.0 software. Artesunate showed a mean tachyzoite inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.075µM and an LLC MK2 toxicity of 2.003µM. Pyrimethamine was effective at an IC50 of 0.482µM and a toxicity of 11.178µM. Trimethoprim alone was effective against the in vitro parasite. Cotrimoxazole also was effective against the parasite but at higher concentrations than those observed for artesunate and pyrimethamine. Pentamidine and quinine had no inhibitory effect over tachyzoites. Artesunate is proven in vitro to be a useful alternative for the treatment of toxoplasmosis, implying a subsequent in vivo effect and suggesting the mechanism of this drug against the parasite.

The social impact of liberalisation of plastic bottles in Malta

This paper analyses the social impact of liberalisation of plastic bottles in Malta, wherein the system of returnable glass bottles has effectively been replaced by a system of disposable plastic bottles. The paper applies concepts such as Ulrich Beck's (1992) 'risk society', and Michael Cahill's (1994) 'consumer society' to the issue under research. A quantitative survey administered in two Maltese localities shows that whilst there is a wide-ranging opposition towards the plastic bottles system, at the same time, most respondents are not ready to make financial contributions for a better environment. Such perceptions are compared with those of European counterparts.