Main Source Of Information Research Articles

Pilot deployment of a community health care worker in distributing and offering the COVID-19 AgRDT in Tanzania.

A pilot implementation of the rapid diagnostic test program was performed to collect evidence of the feasibility, acceptability, and uptake of the COVID-19 AgRDT in Tanzania. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study in the community to provide quantitative details of the pilot implementation of the antigen rapid diagnostic test (AgRDT) in Tanzania. This study was undertaken between March 2022 and September 2022. The pilot was implemented by distributing and offering test kits to people suspected of having COVID-19 in Dar es Salaam through community health workers. A total of 1039 participants consented to participate in the survey. All the participants reported having heard about the disease. The radio was the main source (93.2%) of information on COVID-19. With regard to prevention measures, approximately 930 (89.5%) of the respondents thought that COVID-19 could be prevented. Approximately 1035 (99.6%) participants reported that they were willing to have a COVID-19 AgRDT test and wait for 20 min for the results. With regard to the participants' opinions on the AgRDT device, the majority 907 (87.3%) felt comfortable with the test, and 1,029 (99.0%) were very likely to recommend the AgRDT test to their friends. The majority of participants 848 (83.1%) mentioned that they would be willing to pay for the test if it was not available for free. The results suggest overall good acceptance of the COVID-19 AgRDT test. It is evident that the use of trained community healthcare workers allows easy screening of all possible suspects and helps them receive early treatment.

The Influence of Social Networks on the Purchasing Behavior of Wine Consumers in Portugal

The present study was developed to understand the consumer's perception of purchasing wine online, verify whether Social Networks are a good source of information about wine, identify the main sources of information that consumers use to search, and finally assess the importance of Social Networks for SMEs in the wine sector. As a methodological approach, we implemented qualitative and quantitative research, including an in-depth interview with a marketing professional from a company in the wine sector, providing valuable insights into how they manage their brands and the challenges faced by the company in the digital scenario. We also prepared an online questionnaire survey, which investigated the purchasing and consumption behavior of buyers and consumers of Portuguese wines. The conclusions of this study presented significant practical implications for companies in the wine sector in Portugal. Therefore, we also see that these companies will be able to add efficiency to their digital marketing strategies, promoting their products in a more targeted and engaging way. In a complementary way, by recognizing the crucial role of Social Networks, companies will be able to establish a stronger and more authentic digital presence, building solid relationships with consumers.

Infodemic and sources of information about COVID-19 in a Brazilian population: what are the associated factors?

ABSTRACT Background: With the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation, and information search have increased dramatically. This increased search for information about the Coronavirus, called infodemic, was greatly affected by fake news and information without scientific evidence. This article aimed to assess the infodemic amid the COVID-19 pandemic and its association with sociodemographic and pandemic-related variables, as well as describe the main sources from which people obtained information about COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study was performed in Criciúma, Brazil. All individuals aged 18 years or older, residing in the 607 households systematically selected, were invited to answer the questionnaire. Infodemic and sources to seek information about COVID-19 were evaluated, as well as sociodemographic and pandemic-related variables. Adjusted Poisson regression with robust variance was used to evaluate associations. Results: A total of 863 individuals participated in the study. The prevalence of infodemic was 22.1%, and television was the main source of information (58.9%). Three groups presented a higher prevalence of infodemic: older adults (PR: 1.65), individuals with low income (PR: 2.97), and those who had had contact with someone infected (PR: 2.20). Conclusions: The findings reflect how some groups are more exposed to infodemic, and underline the responsibility and importance of intersectoral actions for dissemination of information about COVID-19.

Media Sosial Sebagai Sarana Peningkatan Literasi Digital Masyarakat

Social media has become an integral part of Indonesian life. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok have revolutionized the way we communicate, consume information and do business. The impact of social media on Indonesian society is complex and varied, some positive and some negative. In Indonesia, social media has also become one of the alternatives to improve public literacy, as Indonesians prefer to read using gadgets, especially videos and interesting posts. The research method we use is qualitative, and the author understands the importance of phenomena that occur in Indonesia in relation to the impact of social media on Indonesian society, especially the advantages and disadvantages of increasing Masa literacy. The author compiled this article by analyzing various sources of information regarding the influence of social media. These are the main sources of information that the author consulted when writing this article. Furthermore, the author's environment was analyzed from the point of view of the influence of social media. The purpose of publishing this article is to inform readers that social media can be a medium to improve literacy in Indonesia. Furthermore, readers can find out Indonesia's literacy rate at the global level, which indicates that Indonesia is still among the countries with the lowest literacy rate globally.

Multi-sensor Data Analysis for Aerial Image Semantic Segmentation and Vectorization

Abstract. One of the urgent and constantly in demand problems is updating maps. Maps, representing geo-information in vector form, have undoubted advantages in compactness and ”readability” compared to aerial photographs. The issue of maps actuality is critically important for rational urban planning, precision farming, the relevance of the cadastre and other geospatial applications. Various sources of data are used for maps updating, with aerial imagery being the main and rich source of information. Automatic processing of aerial photographs makes it possible to efficiently extract vector information, providing operational monitoring and accounting for changes that have appeared. The presented study addresses the problem of multi sensor information fusion in order to obtain accurate vector information. We use aerial images as a main data source and additionally the data of laser scanning and ground survey to increase performance of automatic image semantic segmentation and vectorization. The proposed framework is demonstrated on the task of forest monitoring.

Comment s’informent les patients allergiques ? Une étude exploratoire dans un CHU français

Study objectiveThe objective of this study was to apprehend information practices of patients receiving allergy care. Patients and methodsWe conducted a prospective monocentric study administering a questionnaire to 200 patients consulting for any type of allergy in a French university hospital center. Respondents provided answers on their socio-demographic characteristics, personal practices for seeking information on allergies, understanding of the information shared by allergists, and doctor's attitude. ResultsIn all, 68% of patients declared informing themselves on allergies. Healthcare professionals were their main sources of information (allergist 66%, family doctor 57%, other specialists 5%), followed by the Internet (22%), leaflets from pharmaceutical laboratories (16%), and traditional media (television 11%, press 6%, radio, 2%). Patients expressed the need for information and explanations from the allergist, regarding the diagnosed allergy, adverse effects, and duration of treatment. Thirty-one percent of them encountered difficulty in understanding the information shared by the doctor during the consultation, especially in patients suffering from respiratory allergies, with a short clinical history, an educational level below high school diploma and among those who do not seek information on allergies besides medical consultation. Discussion and conclusionThe study led to identify first outlines on information practices of allergy patients. The work will be continued by a qualitative study.

The correlation between autumnal landscape colors and environmental factors and the analysis of ecological service functions in subtropical urban scenic forests

Background and objectivesUrban scenic forests are a main component of forest parks, and a quantitative study of the landscape color of urban scenic forests can provide a scientific reference for the planning of forest parks and the design of scenic forest management measures. The purpose of the study is to find the quantitative correlation between autumn landscape color and ecological service functions and to obtain the important influencing factors.Materials and methodsThis study focuses on Purple Mountain National Forest Park in Nanjing as a case study area and uses forest resource survey data from Purple Mountain National Forest Park in 2020, autumn landscape color photograph data from Purple Mountain National Forest Park in 2020, and digital elevation model data as the main information sources. The correlation between two ecological functions of above-ground biomass (AGB), tree species diversity (TSD), and influencing factors (including color factors, stand factors, and terrain factors) were both analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Then, multiple linear regression (MLR) and random forest (RF) methods were used to perform the quantitative relationship between the functions.ResultsThe results show that, in the established quantitative models of AGB, with TSD as the dependent variable, the correlation coefficients of the MLR model are both above 0.784, while the correlation coefficients of the RF model are all above 0.872. Moreover, the brightness value of the main color (BRI), the number of yellow-green blocks (NYG), and the number of yellow blocks (NY) have important effects on the two ecological service functions.ConclusionIn conclusion, there are complex non-linear relationships between the ecological service functions of AGB, TSD, and influencing factors, and the landscape color can reflect the ecological function of the scenic forest to some extent. In addition, stand factors and color factors have important effects on the ecological function of AGB. Color factors and terrain factors have important effects on the ecological function of TSD. BRI, NYG, and NY have important effects on the two ecological functions. Finally, this quantitative method has universal applicability in the temperate zone, warm temperate zone, and subtropical zone of China.

Analisis Penempatan dan Penugasan Tenaga Kependidikan di SMP Negeri 18 Surabaya

This study aims to understand the process, strategies, and obstacles related to the placement and assignment of education personnel at SMPN 18 Surabaya. The method used is descriptive qualitative, involving the principal, head of administration as the main source of information, vice principal, and teaching staff as additional sources of information. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and document analysis. The results showed that the placement and assignment of educators and education personnel are regulated by the provisions of the Education Office because SMPN 18 Surabaya is a public school under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Culture. The placement is carried out by considering the educational background, work experience, attitude, and appearance of prospective education personnel, as well as factors such as rank, domicile, and age. Obstacles in placement include discipline problems and less than optimal utilisation of educational resources. Meanwhile, obstacles in the assignment of education personnel include the low performance of teaching staff, lack of supervision, and the inability to improve educational resources.

Evaluation of Pharmacy Students' Understanding of Clinical Trials and Research through Questionnaires Before and After the Hospital Practical Training

A questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate practical training and improve education on clinical trial and research. This survey was based on the results of questionnaire before and after the practical training undertaken by 240 pharmaceutical students (Kanto region; 1 university, Tokai region; 2 university, Kinki region; 9 university) at Mie University Hospital between 2011 and 2022. In the questionnaire before practical training, lectures in university (n=219, 91%) were the main source of information on clinical trials and research. Fifty-two students (22%) correctly answered the contents of phase 1-4 trials. As an occupation that can perform clinical research coordinator (CRC)'s work, only 7 students (3%) answered that "all medical and non-medical professionals" can perform the CRC's duties. Regarding the understanding of terms related to clinical trials and research, more than 90% of the students understood the meaning of "subjects," "informed consent," and "placebo" even before practical training. Otherwise, even after practical training, students' understanding of "reimbursement," "follow-up period," "audit," or "direct access" was less than 80%. Practical training improved the understanding of terms such as clinical trial (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p<0.001), clinical research phase 1-4 trials (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p<0.001), interest in clinical trials and research (McNemar-Bowker test, p<0.001), and understanding of CRC's work (McNemar-Bowker test, p<0.001). We will improve the content of practical training and bequeath the knowledge and importance of drug discovery and development to the next generation.

Web analytics and performance metrics: assessing the effectiveness of digital strategies

Web analytics involves applying data analysis to the information collected by a website to understand traffic patterns and user behavior. The evaluation of web analytics in the tourism sector in Cuenca, Ecuador, sought to improve digital strategies through a mixed qualitative-quantitative approach. A correlation was observed between age and the frequency of consulting statistics on tourism websites, with greater participation of young people. In addition, a significant interest in receiving personalized recommendations was highlighted, with about 40 % expressing definite interest. The willingness to provide feedback and participate in the improvement of online services was widespread. The Internet was positioned as the main source of tourism information, with an emphasis on the use of social networks. These findings highlight the importance of digital marketing strategies and optimization for mobile devices in the tourism industry.

Farmers Perceptions of Climate Change Issues in Tetritskaro Municipality, Georgia

Agriculture is the traditional and leading field of economy of Tetritskaro Municipality, but faces the challenge of changing climate. The study investigates male and female farmers’ perception of climate change issues in Tetritskaro, their main source of information, adaptation measures choosen and their needs. Climate change data available in Tetritskaro focused on characteristic extreme weather events coupled with face-to-face interviews from 254 farmers (male - 53%, female - 47%) was analyzed. The study revealed that men and women have more or less similar perceptions of climate change issues. For male farmers, the main source of information on climate, seasonal prediction and weather forecast is conversations with fellow farmers, and for female farmers it is indigenous knowledge of the local environment. Male and female farmers, have adapted to the changes in climate similarly applying measures such as pesticides, fertilizer and irrigation, early sowing, and earlier harvest, while the exchange of information between fellow farmers, use of various hail protection products and crop diversification techniques is more frequent among male farmers. Farmers expressed the need for low interest loans to purchase agricultural products, equipment and restore/create windbreak zones. Most of the male farmers indicate the need for introduction new technologies, while female farmers are more in need of information and training in agricultural activities. The study shows the need for development of climate change adaptation policies and interventions in Tetritskaro. Obtained results can be used not only in other agricultural regions of Georgia, but in other countries with the same problems.

Metamorphosing sprawl to walkable city: a study on the role of public transport – Muscat case study

ABSTRACT The tolerance of urban sprawl has allowed private cars to become the dominant mode of transport in Muscat. Consequently, the associated sedentary lifestyle led to many health and social problems. Moreover, the rapid population growth started causing some sustainability challenges like high energy consumption and air pollution. Recently, public transit rather than the private vehicles started to gain popularity within academics. In Muscat, the urban sprawl was tolerated in its development schemes starting in the 1970s. However, the aforementioned issues caused the state to adopt new policies to mitigate those consequences. Accordingly, the National Transport Company (MWASALAT) was given the task of providing public transport service in 2014 in Muscat. However, many challenges remain given that only 0.5% of Muscat’s population are using its bus service. The main hypothesis of this research is that promoting public transit in cities with large urban sprawl must be within a comprehensive scheme to transform it into a walkable city utilizing other urban & landscape planning elements. Due to a complete lack of relevant studies, the main source of information was via interviews with two high ranking officials in MWASALAT, a survey given to a random sample of Muscat residents, and data analysis. In addition, drawing an interpretation from relevant references was also employed. The research provides some approaches to achieve the desired changes for one of the best examples of urban sprawl cities in Muscat; Madinat el Sultan Qaboos.

The impact of human resource management, learning, and academic infrastructure in pre-service teachers on pedagogical competence: A multifaceted analysis

This study investigated the influence of the learning process, human resources, and infrastructure on the pre-service teachers' competencies, particularly their pedagogical competence as future professional teachers. This study employed survey research, a type of quantitative investigation. The study's population consisted of all 182 Pre-Service Teachers from the Indonesian Language and Literature Education Department, Mathematics, and English Education Department of the Teacher Professional Education Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Islam Malang. Primary and secondary data were the two data types used in this investigation: questionnaires and documentation. The main source of information was the assessment of the lecture process in Batches 1 and 2 of the Pre-Service Teacher of Teacher Professional Education Program. The course grades from LMS courses taken by pre-service PPG students made up the secondary data. Based on the results and discussion, it can be concluded that the learning process and human resources positively influenced the pre-service teacher's competence, especially in the pre-service teacher professional education program. Meanwhile, the data showed that academic infrastructure did not impact pre-service teacher competence.

Prevalence of Self-Medication with Antibiotics Among Bahri University Medical Students, Sudan 2022

&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Background&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: Antibiotics are medications that eliminate life threating infections from the body. It’s one of the most reported medications that used without doctor’s prescription. The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics is quite high in developing countries as opposed to developed countries. It is linked with negative outcomes on individual and community health. In addition to its central part in increasing the global problem of antibiotic resistance. In Sudan, despite the overall acceptable level of knowledge regarding antibiotic resistance. Few studies have been carried out to assess prevalence of self-medication. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Objective&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: To evaluate the prevalence of self-medication with Antibiotics among fourth- and fifth-year medical students at University of Bahri. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Method&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Conducted among 226 medical students. Selected from fourth- and fifth-year medical students at university of Bahri using google form questionnaire. Then analyzed by using SPSS (statistical package for social science) version 25. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Result&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: We found in this study approximately 82.7% of 4th and 5th year medical students at University of Bahri are using antibiotics without prescription. Amoxicillin and azithromycin are the most two common utilized antibiotics without prescription. In addition, we found the main sources of information and knowledge about appropriate dose regarding the self-medication with antibiotics are the academic experience more than (26%) and pharmacist recommendation more than (50.4%). And we found the awareness of the adverse effects of antibiotics without prescription demonstrated by 85.4% of the students. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Conclusion&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: The study concludes that prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics among 4th and 5th year medical students at University of Bahri is high, despite of their awareness of adverse effects.

An Analysis of Indian Overseas Bank's Case Study on the Conceptual Framework of Lending Technologies for Financing Small and Medium-sized Businesses

This to examine the Indian Overseas Bank’s credit facilities MSMEs with various financing options available and also examine the constraints in credit facilities. The sample respondents was 90, which comprised of seventy-one manufacturing enterprises and nineteen service enterprise respondents. Statistical tools such as Percentage analysis, Chi-square Test, factor analysis was used to analyse the data. The study revealed that, among manufacturing enterprise and service enterprise respondents, majority (67.60 per cent and 57.89 per cent) were small entrepreneurs. in middle age group (37.78 per cent). About 40 per cent were graduates and 78.89 per cent were sole proprietors. There was a significant association between type of business and age group, form of organization and business experience. 98 per cent of respondents were aware about term loan of which 65.90 per cent availed loan. 91 per cent of the respondents were aware of working capital finance of which 70.73 per cent availed loan. Bank officers (67.77 per cent) were main source of information. The source of finance (64.44 per cent) was IOB loan. They were willing to avail loan amount of Rs. 1-10 lakhs for two years. Maximum respondents repaid 25-50 per cent of loan. Difficulties faced by the customers in availing credit facilities were grouped under seven factors. Top five ranks were given to the statements such as; network of bank branches is not good, no wide range of services, non-availability of timely rehabilitation finance, lack of dissemination of information and lack of MSME loan processing centres at key locations. Majority of the respondents suggested for specialized branches of MSMEs (40 per cent).

Factors Affecting the Awareness of Diabetic Retinopathy: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. Over time, it can lead to serious complications in the eyes, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and nerves, being the leading cause of blindness among working-age patients. This descriptive observational cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the factors affecting the awareness of the general adult diabetic population about their chronic disease and its complications. A survey was distributed anonymously among diabetic patients in different parts of Jordan over four months (January 2023-April 2023), targeting diabetic patients (DMT2 or adults DMT1). The link was sent via WhatsApp to willing candidates. Data collected included age, sex, region, education, home blood sugar (BS) testing, knowledge about cumulative blood sugar test (HbA1c), eye affection by DM, optician role, and doctor and nutritionist follow-up visits. A chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test explored the association between categorical data; a z-test was applied for column proportion differences. An alpha level of 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 28 (Released 2021; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York) was used for data analysis. The sample comprised 447 diabetic adults aged 18-80 years. The majority were school-educated or school leavers (278; 62.2%); 20 (4.5%) held a master's or PhD degree. The largest group had DM for one to five years. Insulin was the sole treatment for 188 patients (42.1%), while oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA) were used by 170 patients (38%) as the only anti-DM medication. A total of 174 patients (38.9%) had never been seen by an ophthalmologist, and 153 (34.2%) believed an optometrist checkup suffices. Although 381 (85.2%) reported knowing DM affects the eyes, 272 (60.9%) believed they needed to see an ophthalmologist only when experiencing eye symptoms. Less than half (186; 41.6%) had an HbA1c reading of 7% or less. There was a significant correlation between education level and awareness of DM and diabetic retinopathy (DR): HbA1c, regular home BS checkups, early DR symptoms, and optometrist visits. Significant variations in awareness were noted across Jordan's major areas. Diabetics with abnormal HbA1c who visited a nutritionist were almost triple those who did not. The main information source about DM and DR was the treating physician for 298 (66.7%) respondents. Awareness of DM and DR in Jordan is not satisfactory for assisting patients in their long journey with minimal complications. A national awareness campaign utilizing social media and a sustainable screening program prioritizing the north, south, and middle regions of Jordan are needed.

Nutritional knowledge of in-school adolescents in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria

Background: Good nutrition knowledge is a modifiable determinant of dietary behaviours and contributes to strengthen the skills and abilities needed to resist the environmental influences leading to poor dietary habits among adolescents. Objectives were to assess the nutrition knowledge of in-school adolescents in Sokoto, Nigeria and associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of adolescents selected through multistage random sampling. Data was obtained using pre-tested semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using IBM® SPSS version 25. Results: A total of 389 subjects were recruited with a mean age of 15.46±1.67 SD and most of them 231 (59.4%) were females. Most 300 (77.1%) of the participants were Hausa, 350 (90%) were Muslims, 278 (71.5%) were from the senior class, and majority 360 (92.5%) resided in urban areas. A large proportion 312 (80.2%) of the participants had good knowledge about classes of food. Only 40 (10.3%) had good knowledge of energy rich food. Two hundred and ninety-eight (76.6%) and 89 (22.9%) had knowledge on high protein diet and good fat diet respectively. Only 107 (27.5%) had good knowledge on minerals and vitamins that are good for bone development. Majority 317 (81.5%) and 341 (87.7%) of the respondents knew eating balanced diet is important and could prevent diseases, respectively. Age category (p=0.007) was the only factor that predicted nutrition knowledge. The main source of nutrition information of the adolescents was teachers 336 (86.4%). Conclusions: Respondents had good knowledge of classes of food. There is however, the need to emphasize on teaching adolescents in the study area about specific nutrient providing meals such as energy rich food, good fat, minerals and vitamins.

Nutrition support practices in the intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital in Ghana

Background. Nutrition support is recognised as an important therapy for attenuating the catabolic effects of critical illnesses, including malnutrition prevention. However, variations in nutrition support practices make it difficult to achieve optimal outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU). Objectives. To explore current nutrition support practices among healthcare professionals (doctors and nurses) in the ICU of a tertiary hospital in Ghana. Methods. Via a cross-sectional survey, the nutrition support practices and self-reported skills of 30 ICU healthcare professionals (23 nurses and 7 doctors) providing nutrition support were explored. Results are presented as themes with frequencies and proportions. Categorical data were analysed using Fisher’s exact test. Statistical significance was set at p&lt;0.05. Results. Most of the respondents were young and had limited ICU experience. Almost half of the respondents were unaware of or were not familiar with the content of an in-house feeding protocol for both enteral nutrition (EN) and parenteral nutrition support, despite a majority reporting the feeding protocol as the main source of nutrition support information. There was a general lack of standardisation of execution of most nutrition support practices, especially with the pattern of EN delivery, usual method of optimising EN, and gastric residual volume threshold used to guide practice. Most respondents self-reported being average/satisfactory in the management of nutrition support. Conclusion. The study revealed that healthcare professionals in our ICU had varying nutrition support practices and competencies. There is a need for standardised and practical feeding protocols in accessible formats, ongoing education, and training in nutrition support to improve nutrition support practices and competencies of healthcare professionals providing nutrition support in the ICU setting.

ELECTRONIC RECRUITMENT OF CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT: A LEGAL ANALYSIS UNDER INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

Background: Beyond the apparent damage caused by violence, armed conflicts can have significant indirect health effects. Destabilising systems of healthcare and fostering unfavourable economic and surroundings, also produce long-lasting political instability, which hinders efforts to lower mother and infant deaths. Objective: This study aims to investigate the legal ramifications of electronic child recruiting for the armed forces, emphasising how these relate to international humanitarian law. Design: This research employs a qualitative doctrinal analysis of the legislation about electronic child recruitment, which is a great idea. The relevant treaties, legal doctrine, and precedent that comprise this subject's main information source will be examined. Findings: Research indicates that implementing the law should precede development requirements, implying that the laws necessary for achieving their purpose are currently in place. Originality: This work adds to the body of knowledge by offering a thorough analysis of the legal issues related to the electronic recruiting of minors.

The Implementation of AFM-Based Nanoscale Diagnostic Methods in the Investigation of the Degradation Process of Bacteriostatic Acrylic Film with Silver Nanoparticles

In this paper, a custom-tailored investigation protocol aimed at the tests of the resistance of bacteriostatic acrylic-based film containing silver nanoparticles is presented. As hospital appliance applications were considered, it was necessary to provide a unique approach, enabling specific media exposure and utilizing high-sensitivity measurement methods to observe fine indications of material wear. Due to the presence of nanoparticles in the tested film, nanometer-resolution surface imaging is necessary. Therefore, the main source of information about its degradation process is atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. This particular tool is an appreciated source of information, providing quantitative data about both morphological and mechanical changes in the properties of the surface. Using such an approach, supported by standard diagnostic methods, such as colorimetry and wettability angle determination, it was possible to enable insights into the way the bacteriostatic film deteriorates and evaluate its usefulness in medical appliance applications. Further tests of various films developed by companies can be performed using the described protocol to determine the lifetime of certain products. This paper reveals the company’s practical utilization of both standardized and novel test techniques in the evaluation of new products.