Effect Of Washing Research Articles

Effect of Hand Washing with Soap Education Using Puzzle Media on Hand Washing with Soap Behavior in Elementary School Age Children

Clean and healthy living behavior by washing hands is an important effort to minimize the emergence of disease. However, many people, including children, do not know how to properly maintain hand hygiene. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of hand washing with soap education using puzzle media on the hand washing behavior with soap of elementary school aged children. The research used a pre-experimental design with a One Group Pretest-Posttest Design approach. The sample consisted of 56 students as the intervention group. Data analysis used the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. The use of puzzle media has been proven to have an influence with a significance value of 0.000 < 0.005 on behavior in the domain of knowledge, attitudes and actions in elementary school age children. Teachers, health workers and the general public can provide education through puzzle media to children because it is interesting, easy to understand and affordable. INDEX TERMS : Education, Elementary School Age Children, Hand Washing with Soap, Puzzle

Using a Fluorescent Concretization Intervention Improves Hand Hygiene Training in Primary School Students: A Randomized Controlled Study

Introduction: Inadequate hand hygiene increases the rates of childhood infectious diseases and deaths, leading to the death of one child per minute. Aim: To examine the effects of an educational strategy, “using a fluorescent concretization intervention,” on the hand-washing skills of primary school students. Method: This single-center randomized controlled trial using a pretest and posttest design was conducted with 35 intervention and 35 control participants. Data were collected with Dermalux Test Lotion containing fluorescently detectable under ultraviolet light, Hand Washing Skill Checklist, Hand Washing Skill Efficacy, and Hand Hygiene Assessment Question Form in School Children. Results: After the training for both hands, the intervention group participants created a difference in the effectiveness of hand washing from dirty to clean in all areas (p < 0.001). The scores regarding psychomotor skills and duration of hand washing increased in all participants. Total score percentage changes increased more in the intervention group participants when the first and final follow-ups were compared (p < 0.001). Hand washing skills and durations increased after hand washing training using the fluorescent concretization method. Conclusion: Visual concretization and explanation to the students increase handwashing effectiveness. For this reason, it is highly recommended that technological devices that provide such visual feedback be used in schoolchildren's education.

Effect of Egg Washing and Hen Age on Cuticle Quality and Bacterial Adherence in Table Eggs

The cuticle covering the outer surface of an eggshell functions as both a physical and chemical barrier against invading microorganisms. Contamination of eggs by microbial pathogens progresses in four stages: bacterial attachment to the egg surface, penetration through the cuticle and eggshell, multiplication within the underlying membranes, and the final stage of contaminating the egg contents. Therefore, it is important to study bacterial count at the first point of contact, i.e., on the surface of the eggs. In this study, we have evaluated the impact of differences in cuticle quality (due to egg washing and hen age) on bacterial load. We compared bacterial adherence on the eggshell surface of white eggs which were either washed (graded) or unwashed (ungraded), collected from Lohmann laying hens of different ages: early (24–28 weeks), mid-lay (44–48 weeks), and late (66–70 weeks). We aimed to determine the impact of hen age and egg washing on differences in cuticle quality and bacterial adherence. Our results indicate that hen age (up to 70 weeks) and commercial egg washing do not significantly impact bacterial adherence on eggshell surfaces. We have developed a novel method using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing Salmonella typhimurium to estimate adherence of bacteria to the eggshell surface, with independent measurement of autofluorescence to quantitate cuticle deposition. S. typhimurium were localized, adhering to cracks visible on the outer cuticle in ungraded eggs, indicating that egg-associated pathogens usually enter the egg interior either through respiratory pores in eggshells or through shell micro-cracks. The results of this study can be utilized to optimize innovative methods for predictive microbiology in order to achieve egg safety.

Removal of virus from hands: a study on the role of washing and drying

Proper hand hygiene is highly important to control pathogens' transmission. Although the effect of washing and drying on hands' bacterial contamination has been reported, studies on viruses are scarce. To assess the viral load of artificially contaminated hands after washing and after drying. 30 volunteers filled a questionnaire about hand hygiene and participated in microbial assays, testing five different drying approaches, using the whole hand methodology to quantify viruses on hands. Bacterial assays were also performed for comparison purposes. For both virus and bacteria contaminations, the washing step promoted a significant reduction of the microbial load, while the drying step only promoted slight reductions regardless of the drying method used. Moreover, hand dryers and paper towels didn't induce the re-contamination of washed hands. Hand washing promoted a reduction of the microbial load in hands, while none of the different drying methods significantly reduced hands microbial load.

Wet-Chemical Synthesis of a Protective Coating on NCM111 Cathode: The Quantified Effects of Washing, Sintering and Coating

LiNixCoyMn1-x-yO2 (NCM) cathodes, especially with high Ni content, are widely expected to keep advancing the energy density of Li-ion batteries. However, ensuring a good cycle life remains a key challenge. Applying inert protective coatings on the surface of NCMs is a common route for mitigating surface-based degradation. In this study a sustainable ethanol-based wet-chemical coating method for covering the material with Al2O3 is developed and demonstrated on NCM111. The effect of the synthesis procedure is carefully evaluated to distinguish the benefits of the protective coating from the contributions of re-sintering and removal of surface contaminants, all taking place during the synthesis of the coated material. We show that while the cycling stability is significantly improved by the material regeneration alone (65% vs 79% state-of-health after 500 charge-discharge cycles at voltage range 2.7–4.3 V vs Li/Li+), the Al2O3-coated material displays further cycle life gains, maintaining 88% of initial capacity after 500 charge-discharge cycles. This work thus demonstrates both a sustainable wet-chemical coating method and the importance of establishing a proper baseline for characterization of inert protective coatings in general. The importance of both gains further prominence with the transition to inherently less stable higher Ni content NCMs.

Remediation of fluoride-contaminated wastes: Chelator-assisted washing and subsequent immobilization using CaO and H3PO4

Fluoride (F) contamination in industrial waste is a significant challenge for sustainable materials recycling. Existing techniques for mitigating F contamination focus on immobilization, converting F compounds to insoluble forms while leaving the total F content untreated. Chelator-assisted washing is considered a promising alternative remediation strategy that can indirectly release F by entrapping and dissolving F-bearing minerals. This study evaluates the effectiveness of chelator-assisted washing in removing F from three real F-contaminated waste samples (TCS-49, TCS-51, and TCS-52) by treating with four different chelators, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), ethylenediamine N,N′-disuccinic acid (EDDS), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), and 3-hydroxy-2,2′-imino disuccinic acid (HIDS). The influence of key washing variables, including chelator type, solution pH, chelator concentration, washing time, and liquid-to-solid (L/S) ratio toward F extraction was assessed and optimized for attaining the maximum extraction. All chelators exhibited the highest F extraction from TCS-49 and TCS-51 at pH 11, whereas in TCS-52 it showed a discrete extraction pattern. Under optimized conditions (concentration, 10 mmol L−1; pH, 11; washing duration, 3 h; and L/S ratio, 10:1), EDTA outperformed the other chelators, enhancing F extraction by 2.1 and 1.2 times for TCS-49 and TCS-51, respectively, compared with those of control treatments. However, for TCS-52, the efficiency of EDTA was analogous to that of the control under the same washing conditions. The linear correlation between the extracted F and F-containing minerals suggests that the chelator-induced F removal from contaminated waste involves the entrapment and dissolution of F-bearing minerals, especially Ca and Fe. The subsequent post-washing immobilization of chelator-washed waste residues using CaO or H3PO4 significantly reduced the content of leachable F under the regulatory limit.

The Effects of Abnormal Exposure on Individual Dose Monitoring with TLD Dosimeter

Abstract Objectives: To analyze the effects of normal x-ray inspection, machine washing, and machine drying on thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) measurements during external individual monitoring and to provide suggestions for determining individual monitoring measurements under the mentioned abnormal situations. In this study, we focused on three abnormal situations: x-ray inspection, machine washing, and machine drying, which are common in external individual dose monitoring. We measured and compared the doses from TLD with and without 11, 23, 35, and 50 security checks. We used different radiation sources to expose the TLDs before or after machine washing with or without hot drying. The three radiation sources are natural background radiation, 137Cs γ rays, and 320 kVp x-rays. We measured 20 TLDs for each situation. The average doses for the TLDs with 11, 23, 35, 50 security checks are 27.7 μGy, 59.7 μGy, 84.1 μGy, and 121.0 μGy, respectively. We measured an average dose of 2.5 μGy per exposure. The doses showed no significant difference between different times of washing with different radiation sources, natural background radiation, 137Cs, or x-ray exposures. There was also no significant difference between the dose coming from the controlled group, drying at 60 °C and 90 °C for 1 h after exposure to 137Cs γ rays and 320 kVp x-rays. The common machine drying under the temperature of 90 °C did not affect TLD measured doses.

The Effect of Bubble Immersion Washing with Salt and Vinegar on Microbial Reduction of Pears and Persimmons

The Effect of Bubble Immersion Washing with Salt and Vinegar on Microbial Reduction of Pears and Persimmons

Heavy metal contamination (Cu, Pb, and Cd) of washed and unwashed roadside blackberries (Rubus fruticose L.).

Foraging provides a multitude of individual, social, and environmental benefits. With green spaces decreasing in the United Kingdom, there is an opportunity for roadside verges to become valuable foraging resources; however, there is public concern over the safety of roadside forage. Human ingestion of heavy metal contaminants, such as copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd), originating from traffic activity, induces toxic effects in the body. Therefore, maximum Cu, Pb, and Cd guideline limits for human consumption in small fruits were established. However, studies of heavy metal concentrations in roadside forage and the effects of surface washing on concentrations are limited. This study examined Cu, Pb, and Cd in washed and unwashed wild blackberries (Rubus fruticose L.) along a main road in Kent, UK, and compares the values with maximum guideline limits. In all 44 samples, Cu, Pb and Cd concentrations were well below the maximum guideline limit or daily reference intake (RI) value. Cu and Pb concentrations were below the maximum daily intake in every sample if foragers eat one portion (80 g) of berries a day, but consuming a larger quantity of berries per day (e.g., 1 kg) could lead to an intake above the guideline limit for Cu (1 mg) and Pb (0.1 mg), but not Cd (0.03 mg). Washing did not significantly reduce the concentrations of Cu (p = 0.174) or Cd (p = 0.752) in blackberries, but did significantly reduce the Pb concentration (p < 0.001). However, Pb concentration was below maximum guideline limits for every sample regardless of washing treatment. Thus, wild blackberries collected from the roadside were suitable for human consumption, although the findings are not representative of all foraged berries or road networks. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:2107-2115. © 2024 The Author(s). Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Effects of different washing and precipitating solutions on sugar content, cytotoxicity, chemical structure and prebiotic potential of pistachio hull polysaccharide

Pistachio hull contains water-soluble polysaccharides with prebiotic potential. In polysaccharide extraction, ethanol is commonly used to remove impurities and precipitate polysaccharides. This study compared the efficiency and safety of different washing and precipitating materials to identify a cost-effective method to produce polysaccharides. The extracted polysaccharides were ethanol washed and ethanol precipitated (EWEP), methanol washed and methanol precipitated (MWMP), chemical washed and ethanol precipitated (CWEP), and chemical washed and methanol precipitated (CWMP). Bases on our results, using chemical compounds in washing stage led to a 50% decrease in the amount of extracted polysaccharide. The FT-IR analysis results, probiotic stimulation growth, and cytotoxicity assay showed no difference between the MWMP and EWEP polysaccharides (p > 0.05). The residual methanol, microstructure morphology, monosaccharide composition and antimicrobial activity of MWMP polysaccharide were also measured. We indicated that methanol is a safe, efficient and cost-effective agent for removing impurities and precipitating water-soluble polysaccharides. Further studies are required to explore the physical, chemical and functional characteristics of MWMP polysaccharide.

Assessing the influence of ESG washing on bank reputational exposure: A cross‐country analysis

AbstractThe study investigates the effects of ESG washing on banks' reputational exposure. We define ESG washing as a disparity between a bank's environmental and social disclosure level and the practical implementation of the relative measures. The analysis involves an international sample of 120 banks operating across 35 countries from 2014 to 2020. The results evidence a different effect based on the pillar considered: the higher the inconsistency on environmental issues, the higher a bank's reputational exposure. Conversely, higher levels of disclosure compared to performance on social issues appear to reduce reputational exposure. In addition, citizen movements and the country's legal system play a significant role in amplifying or mitigating a bank's reputational exposure. Our findings offer insight into the phenomenon of ESG washing in the banking industry, supporting the need for more verified information across countries and all economic sectors.

The potential of catalyst based on palm leaves in biodiesel production as part of palm oil life cycle assesment

The advantages offered by biomass-based heterogeneous catalysts, such as being easily separated from reaction products, being used many times, having low production costs, and being widely available in nature. One of the heterogeneous catalysts that can be used is a sodium silicate catalyst, especially one obtained by impregnating Na metal on a SiO2 matrix derived from biomass ash. In this study, palm leaves have the potential to be used as raw material for the SiO2 matrix because their utilization has yet to be optimal. This research aims to synthesize, characterize, and apply a sodium silicate catalyst based on palm leaves ash in the production of biodiesel from Refined, Bleached, Deodorized, Palm Oil (RBDPO). SiO2 was obtained by calcining palm leaves at a temperature of 700 °C for 3 hours, followed by washing using 1 N HCl solution. In this research, variations in the mole ratio of NaOH: SiO2 were carried out in the synthesis of sodium silicate, namely 1:1, 1.5:1, 2:1, and 2.5:1. This research also evaluates the reusability of the sodium silicate catalyst and the effect of washing using methanol on the biodiesel yield produced. The best sodium silicate catalyst was obtained at a NaOH: SiO2 molar ratio of 1.5:1, with a biodiesel yield of 74.485 % and an ester content of 97.293 %. SEM analysis shows the presence of a porous structure on the catalyst. The existence of the Si-O-Na group has been confirmed using FTIR. BET-BJH analysis has confirmed the presence of a mesoporous structure in the catalyst, with a surface area of 6.4343 m2/g and a pore size of 5.3127 nm. The resulting sodium silicate catalyst can be used up to three times, with a yield of 62.388 %. Catalyst regeneration using methanol is capable of producing biodiesel with a yield of 45.198 %

Effect of Surface Area, Particle Size and Acid Washing on the Quality of Activated Carbon Derived from Lower Rank Coal by KOH Activation

The use of coal-derived activated carbon (AC) for water treatment applications demands more sustainable production methods, with chemical activation emerging as a promising alternative to thermal activation due to its higher AC quality, lower carbon burn-off, and higher yield. The study explored the effect of surface area, particle size and acid washing on the quality of AC derived from three seams of lower-rank Collie coal under the same activation conditions with potassium hydroxide (KOH). The quality of AC was determined by surface area and iodine number. The study demonstrates that Collie coal, suitable for AC production via KOH activation, yielded iodine numbers of 640 and 900 mg/g, with yields of 53 and 57 wt.%. Particle size influenced AC yield, with finer particle sizes yielding AC at 57–59 wt.%, whereas coarser ones yielded around 58–65 wt.%. SEM analysis shows the well-developed porous structure in Collie coal-derived activated carbons, with cleaner particles after acid washing. A positive correlation exists between coal surface area and AC iodine numbers, with higher values in coal samples correlating to increased iodine numbers in resulting AC. The regression model’s predicted values yield a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.99.

Bovine Digital Dermatitis: Treponema spp. on trimming equipment and chutes – effect of washing and disinfection

BackgroundDigital dermatitis (DD) is a contagious bovine foot disease causing reduced animal welfare and negative economic consequences for the farmer. Treponema spp. are the most important causative agents. Studies indicate that trimming equipment can transfer DD-associated treponemes between cows. The aim of this observational study in 22 DD-positive Norwegian dairy herds was to investigate the risk of transferring Treponema spp. with trimming equipment and chutes after claw trimming, and after washing and disinfection. Swabs from the trimming equipment and chutes were collected from nine different locations, at five different time points. Bacterial DNA was extracted from 647 swabs and analysed by qPCR for Treponema spp. In addition, 172 swabs taken immediately after trimming, were analysed by a multiplex qPCR targeting T. phagedenis, T. pedis and T. medium/vincentii. Biopsy sampling from DD lesions was performed on cows in the same herds during trimming. Altogether 109 biopsies were analysed by FISH for confirmation of the DD diagnosis and identification of Treponema phylotypes (PTs).ResultsHigh numbers of Treponema spp. were detected from all nine locations on the trimming equipment and chutes immediately after trimming, and T. phagedenis was detected on two or more locations in all but two herds, 1 and 19. There was a decline in the amount of Treponema spp. after washing and disinfection. The belly belt, the cuff, and the footrest on the chute had the highest proportion of positive samples after disinfection. The belly belt had the highest copy numbers of all nine locations (median = 7.9, max = 545.1). No Treponema spp. was detected on the hoof knives after disinfection. Treponema phagedenis, T. pedis, and Treponema phylotype 3 (T. refringens) were detected by FISH analysis of the biopsies. Treponema phagedenis was detected in biopsies from all herds except 1 and 19.ConclusionThis study shows that DD-associated Treponema spp. were present on the trimming equipment and chutes after trimming cows in DD-positive herds. Washing and disinfection reduced the load of Treponema spp. However, large differences in Treponema spp. between different locations were documented. High copy numbers on the grinder and the chute after disinfection, indicates that sufficient cleaning and disinfection of these locations is difficult, and that passive transfer of DD-associated treponemes (viable or not) is possible.

Effects of ultrasound-assisted plasma-activated water washing on the inhibition of natural microorganisms on fresh-cut celery and celery quality properties.

The effects of ultrasound (US)-assisted plasma-activated water (PAW) washing (UP) on the growth of indigenous bacteria, quality properties, and microbiome of fresh-cut Apium graveolens (celery) were investigated. Among the tested treatments (UP, NaClO solution, US alone, and PAW alone), UP was the most effective in decontaminating fresh-cut celery and inhibiting the growth of natural bacteria in the celery during storage at 4 and 10°C. No significant differences were observed in the firmness, color, or sensory properties between untreated and UP-treated fresh-cut celery during storage. The proportion of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria on UP-treated fresh-cut celery decreased after storage at 4°C for 3days, confirming the influence of UP treatment on the celery microbiome. The UP treatment induced alterations in the microbial composition of celery. These results demonstrate the potential utility of UP treatment as a novel microbial decontamination process for the preparation of fresh-cut celery products.

Occurrence and health risk estimate of organochlorine pesticides in fruits and vegetables matrices.

Occurrence of 20 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in 60 organic and non-organic fruits and vegetables matrices was undertaken using QuEChERS Method EN 15662 for sample preparation analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The procedural method was validated by spiking the OCP standard solutions at three fortified levels at 10, 50, and 100 µg/kg wet weight (ww) to the real matrix of fruit and vegetable with good recovery ranging from 75 to 108% with relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤ 11%, and the limits of detection and quantification (LODs and LOQs) were 0.002-0.02μg/kg and 0.004-0.1μg/kg ww, respectively. The assessment of health risks associated with pesticide residues through consumption of vegetables and fruits and the effect of washing and peeling on concentration of various pesticides were also studied. The results showed that the concentration levels of 60% of samples were lower than the LOQs, while the rest was contaminated by OCP residues. Organic fruits and vegetables showed the absence of OCPs, while several of the studied compounds were detected from conventional agriculture. Skin removal (peeling) was the most effective strategy to eliminate or decrease pesticide residues, and should be one of the solutions to reduce the health impact of pesticides in fruits and vegetables. The analysis of health risk assessment was based on the use of the estimated average daily intake (EDI), hazard index (HI), and hazard ratio (HR) for individuals in two weight categories: children (weighing 16.7kg) and adults (weighing 60kg). The HI values were less than 1 suggesting that there was no probable non-carcinogenic health effect, except for heptachlor for children (HI of 1.285). However, the values of HR revealed that children were more susceptible to the carcinogenic health effect associated with consuming contaminated vegetables.

Insecticides chlorantraniliprole and flubendiamide in Aster scaber: Dissipation kinetics, processing effects, and risk assessment

The residue characteristics, processing effects of washing and drying, and dietary risks of chlorantraniliprole (CAP) and flubendiamide (FBD) to Koreans were investigated using Aster scaber in a greenhouse. Following foliar application, the initial FBD residues were 3–10 times higher than those of CAP. However, the biological half-lives were similar at 6.0–8.3 and 6.8–9.9 days for CAP and FBD, respectively. The pre-harvest residue limits (PHRLs) 7 days before harvest, derived from the dissipation rates and maximum residue limits, were 12.2 and 33.2 mg/kg for CAP and FBD, respectively. For the removal of CAP and FBD from A. scaber, washing with a neutral detergent was more effective than running under or dipping in tap water (86.5 % and 66.2 %, respectively). Processing factors in fields I and II were 2.6 and 5.1 for CAP and 2.0 and 5.7 for FBD, respectively. Drying removal efficiencies in fields I and II averaged 46.4 % and 52.3 % for CAP and 48.4 % and 49.2 % for FBD, respectively. Chronic health risk assessments indicated that dietary exposure to CAP and FBD is acceptable for Korean health.

Study on the decay behavior of a flexible sensor based on silver fiber fabrics

Abstract Flexible sensors are affected by various external factors during their use, such as water, thermal oxidation, and ultraviolet light, which causes a decrease in their sensitivity, but little research has been done in this area. This paper investigates the effects of washing, acid, ultraviolet, and thermal oxidation treatments on flexible sensors made of silver fiber fabrics, and the sensitivity and sensing performance before and after the treatments are compared. The findings show that the flexible sensor in use has a broad response range (0–70%) and strong stability (&gt;1000 cycles). The sensitivity decreased significantly after washing, acid treatment, UV treatment, and thermal oxidation treatment but maintained good stability after 1000 tensile cycle tests.

Analyzing Wealth-Dependent Effects of WASH and Nutritional Resources on Child Health in Guatemala

Analyzing Wealth-Dependent Effects of WASH and Nutritional Resources on Child Health in Guatemala

The effectiveness of soil washing as a remediation method on oil spill contaminated soil (Case Study: Wonocolo Traditional Oil Mine)

The exploitation of petroleum in Wonocolo is conducted with traditional equipment, leading to contamination by oil spills. Oil Spill contamination has the potential damage to ecological, soil, and surface water, caused by the hydrocarbon content itself. Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) test results on contaminated soil show the highest value at 17.4%. Experiments were carried out to analyze the effectiveness of soil washing using Alky Benzene Sulfonate surfactants to reduce the TPH number. Experiments are conducted with variations in surfactant concentrations such as 0%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1%. The results of the Soil Washing experiment showed that the surfactant concentration with the highest effectiveness was at a concentration of 0.25%. Concentration of 0.25% reduces TPH by 9% with 51.72% effectiveness.