Survey of museum beetle (Dermestes sp.) damage to the scorpion collection in the Health Faculty of Kashan University of Medical Sciences

ABSTRACT The result showed that all the drawers containing the scorpion preservation boxes were found damaged by Dermestes sp. Totally, 210 Dermestes larvae were collected. On a average 15 larvae were collected from each drawer. The length of the mature larva was 10-12 mm. The larvae were oval shaped with bodies covered hearly by strands of hair. The incurred damages to the collections were huge because of lack of supervision. Key words : Collection, Dermestes, museum beetle, pest, scorpion

Evaluation of Fast-food and Prepared Food Contamination with Health Pests

Background: Biologic and pathogenic contamination of food is the most important cause of illness and death in developing countries. Providing food security during the food preparation for restaurants and self-services is very important. The aim of this study was to determine level of prepared food contamination with egg, larvae and adult insects, or other health pests. Methods: In a period of 3 years, samples of food (26) suspected to be contaminated with biological agents related to various restaurants and universities� self-services and were investigated. Organs or larval stages of insects were isolated and were later cleaned using water. The samples were identified using a stereo microscope. The results were compared using images and tables. Results: Contaminated food and fast food including kabab koobideh and celery stew respectively accounted for highest (19) and lowest (1 case) contamination rate in the present study. The contamination rate of the other studied foods was as follow: Rice and raw milk each respectively 15.5, Kale pache and soup each 11.5, Ghorme sabzi, khorest-e-gheyme and hamburger each with 7.7. Conclusion: Supply of primary healthy food sources and securing food safety during preparation as well as complete and accurate maintenance of food up to the consumption phase are among the most important measures to be considered to prevent food contamination with insect larvae. Copyright (c) 2018 Journal of Communicable Disease

The frequency of stable fly larvae in the process of producing compost from municipal waste

Various arthropods are active in composting process. One undesirable factor of this process is the growing population of flies among which the stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) are biting and blood sucking insects. The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of producing this type of fly in the process of composting in laboratory. This research was a descriptive one in which waste was taken to laboratory. Then, the compostable components were integrated after separation and from the mentioned pile 9 basins were filled in 3 places with each basin containing 20 kilograms of waste. The fly larvae were sampled during the process of composting and samples underwent diagnosis after being taken to the laboratory. Thereafter, the results were compared through charts and tables. From among Diptera order, Muscidae family were the most frequent sample abundant larvae. As a whole, 2657 samples of stable fly larvae were detected and as the time of the process expanded, the number of samples gathered from basin was increased. The highest number of larvae was collected from underground basins. This study demonstrated that in composting process, a lot of arthropods are produced among which stable flies or Stomoxys calcitrans are considered as the most important species for being biting creatures that feed on human and animal blood. Therefore, the sites of producing compost must be established far away from human habitats. © 2018 Parlar Scientific Publications. All Rights Reserved

Intensity of solar ultraviolet-a radiation at date harvest time in groves around Jiroft, southeastern Iran, 2017

[No abstract available

Heat stress and physiological and perceptual strains of date harvesting workers in palm groves in Jiroft

BACKGROUND: Outdoor workers are exposed to heat caused by atmospheric conditions and solar radiation. More specifically, those working in palm groves are more in danger of heat stresses since they harvest their crops in hot seasons. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at investigating heat stresses and strains in date harvesting workers in groves around Jiroft, Southeastern Iran. METHODS: This study was a descriptive-analytical one of cross-sectional type. In this study, three environmental indices including Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index (WBGT), Environmental Stress Index (ESI) and Discomfort Index (DI), the physiological strain index (PSI) as well as perceptual strain index (PeSI) were analyzed to investigate stresses and strains in workers. For this purpose, 59 date harvesting workers (36 men and 23 women) in palm groves in Jiroft were analyzed. With accordance to date harvesting season, data collection was carried out from August to September, 2017. RESULTS: In this research, the means of environmental indices including WBGT, ESI and DI were 32.77°C, 30.39°C and 33.22°C, respectively and they all revealed direct and significant correlation. Moreover, Time-Weighted Average for Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index (WBGT.TWA) was significantly different from Threshold Limit Values for Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index (WBGT.TLV). The scores of the PSI and PeSI were 2.28 and 6.61, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that date picking workers were exposed to heat stress more than the reference value of WBGT recommended by American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). In addition, workers suffered a low degree of physiological strain and a moderate degree of perceptual strain caused by heat stress in palm groves in Jiroft. © 2020-IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved

A study on the variations of temperature, moisture, pH and carbon to nitrogen ratio in producing compost by stack method

Background: Considering the importance of chemical and physical parameters such as temperature, moisture, pH and carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio in producing compost, the purpose of this study was aimed to evaluate these parameters in producing compost by stack method. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on municipal solid waste generated in Kashan during a 63-day period from Oct 3 to Dec 4, 2010. Compost samples were taken from the top one-third, the center and also the bottom of the compost pile and mixed the compost pile was aerated (if necessary). Thereafter, samples were analyzed for carbon and nitrogen content using Fourti method.Results: The initial temperature of the compost pile was 38°C and then increased to 65°C at the 9th day, and reached to 26°C at the last day of composting. The moisture at the beginning of the process was 67.5, increased to 73 at the 5th day and decreased to 38 at the last day. The initial pH of the compost was 5.5, increased during the compost process, and reached an optimal value of 7.7 at the end of the process. The C:N ratio at the beginning of the process was 35:1 and in mature compost decreased to 12.5:1. Conclusion: Presence of actinomycetes and the dark-brown color of the prepared compost on the 63rd day of composting indicate that the compost meets the required standards. Consequently, the implementation of this method is suitable for tropical cities like Kashan

MONTMORILLONITE AS ADSORBENT FOR THE REMOVAL OF METHYL RED FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION

In this study, an organo-clay, montmorillonite (Mt), was used for the removal of methyl red (MR) from aqueous solution. The effect of different parameters on the sorption, such as contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage, initial MR concentration and ionic strength was investigated in batch system. The sorbent was specified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The optimum uptake capacity of the sorbent (30.84 mg/g) was achieved within 30 min. The solution pH had a significant effect on the sorption capacity of MR by Mt. The experimental data of the sorption was well fitted by pseudo-second-order kinetic and Freundlich isotherm models. The results showed that the Mt can be applied as an effective and cheap sorbent for the removal of MR from aqueous solutions