Swimming Pool Research Articles

Unintentional Drowning Incidents Involving Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Treated in US Emergency Departments, 2016-2020.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at heightened risk of unintentional drowning. We examined the epidemiological patterns of unintentional drowning incidents involving children diagnosed with ASD treated in US emergency departments (EDs). Data for this study came from the 2016-2020 Nationwide ED Sample. Children aged 1-19 years diagnosed with ASD and treated in EDs were identified using ICD-10-CM code F84.0. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of drowning-related ED visits associated with ASD. During the study period, there were an estimated 21,226 unintentional drowning-related ED visits in children, including 369 in children diagnosed with ASD. Compared to children without ASD, ED visits for unintentional drownings in children with ASD were more likely to have occurred in swimming pools (47.45% vs. 41.21%), natural water (15.55% vs. 8.82%), and bathtubs (8.08% vs. 4.79%). Among children with ASD, unintentional drowning-related ED visits occurred more commonly in children > 10 years (43.20% vs. 18.19%) and were more likely to result in hospital admission (35.14% vs. 22.02%) than among children without ASD. With adjustment for demographic characteristics, ASD was associated with more than a 2-fold increased odds of ED-treated unintentional drowning (aOR = 2.31; 95% CI 1.84, 2.89). Epidemiologic patterns of unintentional drowning are different between children with and without ASD. Targeted interventions designed to increase supervision, provide adaptive swimming lessons, and enhance environmental safety may reduce the risk of unintentional drownings among children diagnosed with ASD.

A figurational analysis of secondary physical education gendered changing room procedures and practices in England

This article provides ethnographic insights from one state-funded secondary school in the north of England detailing gendered differences within changing room procedures and practices when changing attire for physical education (PE). Attained through participant observations, focus groups with pupils and individual interviews with PE teachers, the school's changing rooms were found to encompass multiple spaces, which served dual intended and unintended functions and social consequences. Applying the concepts of figuration ( Elias, 1978 ), [gendered] civilised bodies ( Elias, 2012 ), habitus ( Elias, 1978 ) and emotions ( Elias, 2001 ) as theoretical prisms revealed how PE teacher-informed procedures and expectations were gendered. Furthermore, with age, boys’ and girls’ diverging changing room behaviours and emotional navigations became increasingly gendered. This article demonstrates how changing rooms not only serve practical functions, but also evoke social and emotional processes which impact peer-group dynamics and pupils’ experiences of PE. Given this, participatory action research could be undertaken aimed at creating more equitable, inclusive and effective localised changing room policies, procedures and practices. This study could also be expanded into investigating policies, practices and experiences within other similar spaces, such as toilets and swimming pools.

The Factors Affecting Calculations for Blue Green Laser of Different Turbidity Underwater System

The chief of laser reasons are analytic standards and it is the objective to restate the technique so that sufficient adjustment and variety of the basic strategy agree to the exact development. Using the express improvement of blue-green laser knowledge, Because of their excessive diffusion capacities, lasers have developed the maximum suitable equipment for the underwater detection. In the all-underwater laser systems, the redirected laser pulse which comprises the main data for the utmost of the scheme is extremely degraded beside the laser’s propagation path with reflection. We studied the impact of the angle of incidence, target distance and medium attenuation. A methodical analysis of the influential factors on the reflectance and ranging correctness was achieved in theory and experimentally systems are not dynamic in considering these waveform signals and the underwater cannot be appropriately disintegrated, resulting in succeeding statistics-processing errors. This work used a green-blue laser to detect the maximum distance for a swimming pool as the study through models of water has altered turbidity (pure, little & extraordinary turbid) with absorption coefficient, a(λ) to test with a distance of 12m for the system. The main reason for the transmission of the Gaussian with Green-Blue laser performance analysis is the established energy of CCD camera or high sensor working underwater. In addition, water tank instability mains to the rate of a BER floor in exact settings

Encystment and Excystment Processes in Acanthamoeba castellanii: An Emphasis on Cellulose Involvement

The free-living amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii is a unicellular eukaryote distributed in a wide range of soil or aquatic environments, either natural or human-made, such as rivers, lakes, drinking water, or swimming pools. Besides its capacity to transport potential pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses, Acanthamoeba spp. can have intrinsic pathogenic properties by causing severe infections at the ocular and cerebral level, named granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and amoebic keratitis, respectively. During its life cycle, A. castellanii alternates between a vegetative and mobile form, named the trophozoite, and a resistant, latent, and non-mobile form, named the cyst. The cyst wall of Acanthamoeba is double-layered, with an inner endocyst and an outer ectocyst, and is mainly composed of cellulose and proteins. The resistance of cysts to many environmental stresses and disinfection treatments has been assigned to the presence of cellulose. The current review aims to present the importance of this glycopolymer in Acanthamoeba cysts and to further report the pathways involved in encystment and excystment.

Retrospective case-case study investigation of a significant increase in Cryptosporidium spp. in England and Wales, August to September 2023.

BackgroundLaboratory surveillance detected an unprecedented increase in Cryptosporidium spp. (predominantly Cryptosporidium hominis) in England and Wales in August 2023. Cases are not routinely followed up in all of England and Wales, and initial investigations identified no common exposures.AimTo perform a retrospective case-case study investigation of the increase in Cryptosporidium spp. in England and Wales.MethodsWe conducted an unmatched case-case study with 203 cases of laboratory-confirmed C. hominis and 614 comparator cases of laboratory-confirmed Campylobacter spp. reported between 14 August and 30 September 2023. We fitted a multilevel logistic regression model, with random intercepts for geographical region, to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for exposures. We present the final model as aOR and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsMultivariable analysis identified associations with swimming pool use (aOR: 5.3, 95% CI: 2.3-9.3), travel to Spain (aOR: 6.5, 95% CI: 3.5-12.3) and young age, with children 0-4 years having the strongest association of being a case (aOR: 3.6, 95% CI: 1.5-8.6). We also identified associations with swimming in a river, and travel to France or Türkiye, but there was low frequency of exposure among cases and comparator cases.ConclusionsFollowing the largest recorded increase of Cryptosporidium spp. and in particular C. hominis cases in England and Wales, we identified several exposures, suggesting that causation was likely to be multifactorial. We recommend development of a standardised questionnaire to enable rapid investigation of future case increases, which will improve existing surveillance and inform public health actions.

Optimization of the heating of a cubic swimming Pool by a spherical heating block under a set of control parameters

Optimization of the heating of a cubic swimming Pool by a spherical heating block under a set of control parameters

Comprehensive analysis of pharmaceutical and illicit drugs contamination in thermal swimming pools: Occurrence, distribution, and potential impact.

Comprehensive analysis of pharmaceutical and illicit drugs contamination in thermal swimming pools: Occurrence, distribution, and potential impact.

Quaternary ammonium compound exposure causes infertility by altering endocrine signaling and gametogenesis.

Quaternary ammonium compound exposure causes infertility by altering endocrine signaling and gametogenesis.

Cost-Effective and Sustainable Heating Solutions for Indoor Swimming Pools: A Comparative Study and LCOH assessment of PV-Heat Pumps and Solar thermal Collectors

Cost-Effective and Sustainable Heating Solutions for Indoor Swimming Pools: A Comparative Study and LCOH assessment of PV-Heat Pumps and Solar thermal Collectors

Hybrid AI‐Driven Bio‐Inspired Wearable Sensors With Aquasense AI Technology for Multimodal Health Monitoring and Rehabilitation in Dynamic Environments

ABSTRACTAquaSense AI is a bio‐inspired, wearable sensor system that enables a paradigmatic shift in healthcare and physiotherapy, emulating nature's sensory capabilities of aquatic animals. Flexible, waterproof sensors are used to detect human motion, balance, and posture on land and in water. AquaSense AI is perfect for application in swimming pools and hydrotherapy sessions. AquaSense AI delivers real‐time, high‐precision feedback to enable effective rehabilitation, fall prevention, and fitness monitoring. In Under water, these sensors follow a person's posture and the coordination of their limbs through the detection of pressure changes, while on land, they monitor gait, posture, and balance. The sophisticated AI algorithms within the system, including Hierarchical Adaptive Neural Network (HANN) and Multimodal Self‐Learning Framework, adjust sensor sensitivity to the environment and provide personalized feedback over time, continuously adapting to the movements and rehabilitation progress of the user. The bio‐inspired design, adaptive AI, and real‐time predictive analytics can provide dual functionality at clinical and fitness applications, improving safety, rehabilitation outcomes, and general health monitoring in diverse environments.

Enhancing Public Relations in the Tourism Industry

Region, The aim of this study is to explore how Public Relations can enhance tourism services in the Kurdistan specifically focusing on guest satisfaction with public relations staff and the quality of hotel services in Sulaimani city. This research evaluates aspects such as (service styles, accommodations, foods and drinks) within hotels in the Sulaimani. The study is stands out to be one of the most descriptive studies that have been used to achieve its goals. Also, the study included tourists who visited hotels in Sulaimani city. The research focuses on the five-star hotels in this city of Sulaimani to benchmark service quality. The research underlines the significance of tourism for the Kurdistan Region especially in Sulimani city, highlighting its potential as a key income source and a driver of economic development. It also contributes to theoretical and academic knowledge about the role of Public Relations in enhancing tourism professionalism. The key outcomes are reveal that the Public Relations staffs in Sulaimani hotels excel in providing courteous and welcoming service. The quality of hotel services, including accommodations, foods, and beverage provisions, is notably high. Furthermore, the hotels are well-equipped with communication services, information technology, and recreational facilities like swimming pools and gyms.

Cloning of nf-profilin and intercellular interaction with nf-actin in Naegleria fowleri cysts

Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba found in lakes, soil, hot springs, and poorly chlorinated swimming pools. It is pathogenic to humans, causing a rare and fatal brain infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). A previous study utilized RNA-seq analysis to examine genes expressed in N. fowleri cysts and trophozoites, focusing on the nf-profilin gene, which showed high expression in cysts. Profilin is a small actin-binding protein that regulates nf-actin polymerization and cell movement. Sequence analysis revealed 83% similarity with non-pathogenic N. gruberi and 38% similarity with Acanthamoeba castellanii. Nf-profilin was found to be associated with N. fowleri lysates but not with lysates from other amoebae, as shown by Western blot analysis. Immunofluorescence assays demonstrated that nf-profilin primarily localized to the cell membrane in N. fowleri cysts, while nf-actin localized to the cytoplasm, pseudopodia, and food-cup structures. Real-time RT-PCR indicated higher expression of the nf-profilin gene in cysts compared to trophozoites. In co-culture experiments with target cells, Nf-profilin was initially expressed in the cytoplasm of N. fowleri cysts and the morphology of cyst gradually transitioned to the trophozoite form. Concurrently, the expression of Nf-profilin protein decreased, while Nf-actin protein began to appear in the pseudopodia and food-cups of trophozoites. In conclusion, the nf-profilin and nf-actin genes exhibited complementary expression patterns based on the life stage of N. fowleri, indicating their critical roles in the survival and proliferation. This study emphasizes the significance of actin-binding proteins in understanding the infection and pathogenic mechanisms of N. fowleri.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FEEDING LEVELS ON PHYSICO-CHEMICAL TRAITS FOR MAIN CARCASS CUTS OF PEKIN DUCKS IN KURDISTAN REGION OF IRAQ

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different feeding levels (0%, 25%, and 50%) of alfalfa pellet ration (APR) (47% alfalfa) on the main carcass cuts Physico-chemical traits of Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). A total of 270 one-day-old ducklings were used. The birds at seven-day-old were assigned to 9 indoor pens of (2.2×1m) with outdoor and swimming pool (9.8×1m). Each pen represented an indoor replicate with 30 ducklings. The feeding program for Pekin Duck group treatments with (APR) (47% alfalfa) was used as a replacement to the basal diet at different percentages (0%, 25%, and 50%) for control (T0), first (T1) and second (T2) groups, respectively. At the end of the rearing period at 49 days, 6 birds (3male+3female) were randomly selected from each treatment, slaughtered and each breast and thigh muscle were excised for meat quality analysis. The results showed that treatments and sex did not significantly influence meat Cholesterol content, and most results for each of cooking loss, color, pH, chemical composition, and amino acid profile of the meat. In contrast, the treatments and sex had a significant effect on most for each fat-soluble vitamins, water-soluble vitamins, and fatty acid profiles. In general, feeding ducks with a 25% of APR improved the color of breast, and fat-soluble vitamins with Cholesterol in both breast and thigh muscle while feeding ducks with a 50% APR improved most Physico-chemical traits.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department visits for drowning at one Texas children's hospital.

Drowning is a leading cause of death for children. Fatal and nonfatal drowning incidents often require emergency care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were many changes to people's daily activities due to restrictions on public places, such as swimming pools, and to personal precautions taken to avoid exposure to COVID. This study aimed to assess differences in emergency department (ED) visits and patient demographics, scene factors, and drowning severity for children treated for drowning during the COVID pandemic compared with the two prior years at one pediatric hospital in Texas. This 4-year retrospective study used data from a hospital-maintained submersion registry of patients treated for drowning to assess differences in drowning ED visits and patient factors during COVID (April 1, 2020 - March 30, 2022) and the two years immediately prior to the COVID pandemic (April 1, 2018 - March 30, 2020). Of 166 patients treated for drowning, 85 were pre-COVID and 81 were during COVID. Results showed a decrease in total ED visits, but no change in drowning ED visits or the rate of drowning visits per 10,000 ED visits. During the pandemic, children treated for drowning were more likely to have private insurance and less likely to be uninsured. There were no significant differences in other patient or incident factors. Results suggest patients continued to seek emergency treatment for drowning during the pandemic despite decreases in overall ED usage. Further studies are needed to explore potential shifts in the patient population or the setting where drownings occurred.

Water Disinfection Systems for Pools and Spas: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Consumer Views in the US.

Disinfection of swimming pools and hot tubs (pools/spas) are necessary to prevent outbreaks and exposure to waterborne pathogens from water recreation. However, harmful disinfection byproducts (DBPs) from heavy chlorine usage continue to be a growing concern. Chlorine-based disinfectants also react with human inputs like sweat, urine, cosmetics, sunscreen, etc., that are introduced in a pool/spa, further increasing the severity of the DBP problem. We reviewed the current status of water disinfection technologies in the pool/spa industry and summarize the methods, trends, advantages, and disadvantages from a health and consumer viewpoint. Market research and face-to-face interviews were also accomplished with 100 industry experts and end-users in the US. We then integrate the literature findings in parallel with these market insights. Overall, we conclude the future of water recreation is trending away from high dosage chlorine-based solutions to disinfect swimming water and turning to alternatives with better sustainability and safety in mind. Lastly, we discuss the future directions of these technologies with current and past trends, offering insights to where research and development should be focused for both the user's health and overall experience.

The beauty builder: A genealogical analysis of the production of female power and knowledge in artistic swimming

The study adopts a Foucauldian genealogical perspective to examine the transformation of gender discourse in artistic swimming. It highlights the importance of challenging the established gender norms and stereotypes in artistic swimming to promote greater gender inclusivity. By investigating archival documents and media coverages related to artistic swimming, the study unveils two discursive factors that result in the constitution of contemporary female-dominant discourse. First, male discourse has gradually diminished along with the development of the sport. Second, the continuous accumulation of female discourses concerning artistic swimming has produced genealogical knowledge aligned with female swimmers’ physical and aesthetic traits. This knowledge ultimately contributes to the label of artistic swimming as a feminine sport and empowers women within its domain. The genealogical examination reveals the constructive nature and the production of the power/knowledge in artistic swimming and scrutinises the epistemological and historical antecedents of the prevalent stereotype surrounding the swimming pool.

Effect of trichloroisocyanuric acid concentration on the electrical properties of swimming pool water

Swimming pools, a globally popular recreational activity, necessitate effective disinfection to mitigate potential health risks arising from water contamination. Trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA), a prominent disinfectant, is pivotal in pool water treatment. This paper investigates the impact of trichloroisocyanuric acid concentration on the electrical properties of swimming pool water. Water samples were collected from a covered pool in El Jadida, Morocco, disinfected with varying concentrations of trichloroisocyanuric acid, and analyzed using electrical impedance measurements. The pool’s water treatment system, including pre-filters and pressure filters with multi-layer beds, was described. Thorough examinations of bromate, chlorate, and chlorite were conducted. The obtained water quality parameters met standard limits, indicating favorable conditions. The complex impedance and conductivity of samples with different trichloroisocyanuric acid concentrations were explored. An equivalent circuit model successfully described the relaxation behavior, emphasizing the intricate relationship between trichloroisocyanuric acid concentrations and the physicochemical properties of pool water. Changes in relaxation times and DC conductivity were observed with increasing concentrations, providing valuable insights for water treatment optimization. The nuanced understanding of relaxation dynamics and conductivity variations contributes to optimizing pool maintenance strategies, ensuring a safe and enjoyable swimming environment.

Emission, Nonindustrial Sources, and Multiple Degradation Pathways of Chlorinated-Methylsiloxanes in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants: One National Study in China.

This is the first study to investigate national emission characteristics and multiple degradation pathways of chlorinated-methylsiloxanes in municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) of China. Monochlorinated products of three primary methylsiloxane oligomers (D4, D5, and D6), namely, D3D(CH2Cl), D4D(CH2Cl), and D5D(CH2Cl), were detected (2.1-9.9 ng/L, df = 72.4-89.7%) in raw municipal wastewater from 29 WWTPs of 25 Chinese cities. Among these cities, the total emissions (1.1-19.9 μg·day-1·person-1) of chloromethylsiloxanes (∑chloromethylsiloxanes) and the chloromethylsiloxanes/methylsiloxanes ratios were positively related with per capita gross domestic product (r = 0.78 and 0.79, p < 0.01). Meanwhile, ∑chloromethylsiloxanes were also found in residential wastewater, swimming pool water, and medical wastewater treated by free chlorine or advanced oxidation, with national emission from these nonindustrial sources being about 5.7 tonnes, 2.7 kg, and 38.4 kg each year, respectively. Unlike their poor elimination (7.7-10.8%) during wastewater biotreatment process, both methylsiloxanes and chloromethylsiloxanes exhibited more obvious biodegradation (10.9-20.6%) during sludge digestion. Simulation experiments indicated that chloromethylsiloxanes were degraded 1.3-1.7 times faster (t1/2 = 74.3-137 days) than parent methylsiloxanes. Hydrolysis and dechlorination, respectively, contributed 54.5% and 27.7% to chloromethylsiloxanes degradation. Additionally, the hydrolysis product (CH2Cl)MeSi(OH)2 had a 1.5-2.8 times faster dechlorination rate than chloromethylsiloxanes, suggesting that Si-O hydrolysis may accelerate dechlorination of chloromethyl.

Вплив ігрового методу на якість підготовленості дітей молодшого шкільного віку, що займаються плаванням

The aim of our study was, based on experimental data, to verify the influence of the game method on the quality of preparedness of primary school children who are engaged in swimming and to develop a methodology for teaching swimming to 7-year-old children in primary training groups based on the use of outdoor games and various game tasks. Material and methods: The data was collected from groups of children attending swimming lessons in the swimming pool in Kharkiv (Yana Klochkova's Municipal Children and Youth Sports School for Aquatic Sports). 40 children participated in the study. To assess swimming fitness, an initial test was conducted, based on the results of which two groups of children with approximately the same level of fitness were formed. The subjects were divided into experimental and control groups. The groups were identical in terms of gender and age (boys, 7 years old). The number of participants in each group was 20 people. At the beginning of the experiment, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups of swimmers in any of the studied indicators. The content of training sessions in both groups corresponded to the official program of DYUSSHOR for swimming. In the control group, training was carried out according to the official program, while in the experimental group, in accordance with the conditions of the experiment, in addition to the main program, each lesson was conducted in a game form. This meant that in the experimental group more time was allocated to games, game exercises and tasks. The experiment lasted 2 months, classes were held three times a week, the duration of each lesson was 45 minutes. To analyze changes in the quality of swimming fitness of participants in the control and experimental groups after the completion of the training course, repeated control testing was conducted. During data collection, the following research methods were used: theoretical analysis and generalization of data from literary sources; pedagogical experiment; pedagogical observation; chronometry method; test method (control tests); methods of mathematical statistics. Results: The study revealed that both the control and experimental groups observed positive dynamics of changes in results, but in the experimental group there was a significant improvement in results in all indicators of swimming (technical) fitness of young athletes (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions: the indicators obtained during experimental testing showed that the purposeful and systematic use of the game method in swimming lessons ensures an increase in the quality of swimming fitness of primary school children, which once again proves the effectiveness of this method in the process of classes with primary school children.

The Greenhouse Frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris) in the United States

This publication summarizes general knowledge about the greenhouse frog, a species introduced and established in the United States. Our target audience is primarily homeowners in Hawaii and Florida where the greenhouse frog is most common, but residents in other Southeastern states will also find this publication useful. Greenhouse frogs have been documented in several other states in this region and continue to expand their range. Homeowners usually encounter greenhouse frogs in their gardens and among potted plants, and sometimes in their swimming pools when the frogs fall in. Curious people then seek information on the frog’s identity. Our goals are to provide tips on greenhouse frog identification, to show the frog's geographic range in the United States, and to describe its biology and known or potential impacts.