Abstract Aim: Women beauty salons are considered as public places that can contribute to the transmission of many diseases. The present study aimed to assess the sanitary status of women beauty salons in Aqqala City in 2018. Methods: The present descriptive-analytical study was conducted on a total of 480 samples of applied equipment in women beauty salons such as combs, scissors, tweezers, and aprons. The samples were selected through census, and sampling was done by sterile swab, which was wetted with trypticase soy broth, from the external surface of instruments, and they were then inoculated into differential selective culture media. Isolated colonies were identified by standard biochemical tests. Results: Two hundred and two (42.08%) out of 480 cultured samples were positive in terms of microbial contamination. The most bacterial and fungal contamination was reported in combs (42.5%) and aprons (31.66%), respectively. There was a significant relationship between the amount of microbial and fungal contamination (P ≤ 0.005). The highest levels of bacterial and fungal contamination belonged to Staphylococcus aureus (17.5%) and Candida albicans (7.5%). Conclusion: Given the high level of contamination in the present study, the attention should be paid to effective methods of sanitation and disinfection of hairdressing equipment, and such places should be monitored in a fully organized way.

Abstract Aims: The growth of population and people’s need for health care have increased medical wastes productions. The aim of this study is the hazardous waste risk assessment of hospital by using of two methods: failure mode and effects analysis and preliminary hazard analysis (PHA). Methods: The first, worksheets related to fracture mode and effects analysis were distributed among hospital experts and then the potential hazard for the type of wastes was determined. Results: At method of failure mode and effects analysis, 8 cases had the risk priority number >100 and according to the results of the PHA, the sharp, infectious, human anatomical, chemical/pharmaceutical, and radioactive wastes, respectively, had a high potential of risk. Conclusion: failure mode and effects analysis can be used as a new approach to preventing errors and improving processes with the aim of increasing safety and reducing of probability danger in long term.

Abstract Aim: Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields has attracted attention due to potential health effects. This cross-sectional study investigates the impact of static magnetic fields (SMFs) exposure on the sleep quality of workers in a combined cycle power plant. Methods: A total of 185 workers participated in this study. Magnetic flux density was measured using the calibrated HI-3550 magnetic field personal monitor. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Questionnaire was employed to assess the sleep quality. Data analysis was conducted using the SPSS version 19 software, employing ANOVA, logistic regression, and Chi-square statistical tests. Results: The participants had an average age of 42.16 ± 5.03 years and an average work experience of 15.29 ± 3.38 years. The average magnetic flux density of the SMF, measured at 22.65 ± 2.23 m. The average sleep quality score was 7.25 out of 21. Among the workers, 46.48% reported poor sleep quality, while 53.52% reported good sleep quality. In addition, workers exposed to higher magnetic field levels were more likely to have poor sleep quality compared to those with lower exposure (P < 0.05). The analysis of various factors affecting sleep quality indicated significant associations with marital status, age, and exposure to magnetic fields. Results show with the increase of each unit of age, the chance of having bad sleep quality increased by 0.32 units (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.11–0.56). Furthermore, with the increase of each unit of magnetic field exposure, the chance of having bad sleep quality increased by 0.16 units (95% CI: 0.09–0.34). Conclusion: The findings suggest that even exposure to magnetic fields below the permissible limits may contribute to poor sleep quality. As magnetic field exposure increases, the likelihood of experiencing poor sleep quality also rises.

Abstract Aim: Considering the importance and necessity of physical and mental fitness of the employees with their job demands, this study aimed to estimate the levels of aerobic capacity among the workers and determine the factors that might affect these levels. The relationship between the aerobic capacity levels and the values of workers’ cognitive function and workability was also investigated. Materials and Methods: Sixty healthy male employees from a dairy factory were recruited using a random sampling method. The study design consisted of the completion of checklists containing personal data, anthropometric measurements, and evaluation of job ability, maximum aerobic capacity along with the cognitive ability of the participants using the Workability Index (WAI) standard questionnaire, Queen’s College step test, and psychomotor vigilance test (PVT), respectively. Results: The mean values of VO2 max, reaction time (RT), and WAI of workers were 45.54 ± 6.13 mL/kg/min, 337.82 ± 29.93 ms, and 42.76 ± 5.02, respectively. Based on the Pearson correlation test, a weak statically significant correlation was observed between PVT and VO2 max (r = 0.3, P = 0.02) as well as PVT and physical work capacity (r = 0.263, P = 0.04). The findings of this study showed that there was a significant relationship between height, weight, body mass index, RT, and error percentage with maximal aerobic capacity (VO2 max). Conclusion: According to the physiological criteria, the employees’ capabilities and job requirements are not in balance; particularly for those working in laboratory, office, or service departments. Therefore, using standardized recruitment tests, providing sports facilities and developing integrated indicators are a principal element of establishing an ergonomic balance in this workplace.

Abstract Aim: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused the use of social networks in the field of information acquisition and transmission to increase, whereas the validity of the information available is questionable. Because people’s trust in these networks is important, this study aimed to utilize three data mining techniques to identify the hidden rules for detecting the user trust level of social networks in the context of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: An electronic questionnaire containing 27 questions was provided to users. Out of the 12 questions selected, the final question asked about the level of user trust in social networks and was considered the target class. Based on the range in value, question 12 was divided into five classes. The relevance of the remaining 11 questions was then assessed using three decision tree-based data mining techniques. Results: The results showed that the random forest technique performed better than the other techniques. Most social network users have a moderate level of trust in information regarding COVID-19; in fact, the medium class is the most widely used target class with 60% utilization rate, which affects sensitivity and specificity. The values of these measures were much higher for this class than for the other classes. Conclusion: The educational content, both its type and the amount, regarding COVID-19 that is provided on social networks, impact on user trust. As the existence of inconsistent information has had a negative impact on user trust, a small percentage of users have high trust in these networks.

Abstract Aim: Exposure to noise in different work and nonwork places is considered to be a problem. Noises impertinent to professional duties are highly dangerous to the safety, efficiency, and personal health of an individual. This study aims to analyze the electroencephalography (EEG) signals to reveal the effect of produced noises in a laboratory environment on the cognitive function of the brain. Materials and Methods: In this case/control study, the sample volume was determined based on similar studies and previous researches of 20 individuals. Fifty percentage of the individuals were male and the other half were female. Initially, the EEG device was connected to the students’ heads. The duration of this test was 8 min; the student took it a number of times, while his cognitive performance was measured with the EEG device in the midst and at the end of the test. The fulfillment of cognitive duties (the daily quota of lessons) and the n-back test took place for the cohort in an environment in which a simulated noise was provided. Results: The age average in boys and girls were respectively 24 ± 4.2 and 23 ± 3.5. The results demonstrated that cognitive parameters of concentration, excitement, anxiety, calmness, commitment, and interest in exposure to low-frequency sound using an EEG Emotiv EPOC headset in different intervals. The parameters of commitment, concentration, and calmness decreased as the allotted time increased, and only the fall in commitment parameter was significant (P = 0.006). Conclusion: The findings of the present study demonstrate that the decrease in cognitive performance and brain signals in exposure to 85 dB noise was significant. This could have also been caused by psycho-acoustic factors such as sound level, tonality, duration of exposition, and the type of sound. In relation to exposure time, results have shown that in the presence of loud noise and in comparison, to quietude, the average response time to stimulants increase (slower response).

Aim: Among environmental pollutants, there is a great concern about organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) due to their environmental persistence, accumulation in the food chain, detection in breast milk, and their ability to accumulate in adipose tissues. Due to the toxicity of OCPs and its relationship with human health, this study aimed to investigate the effects of dieldrin pesticides on morphological changes in the HeLa cell line. Materials and Methods: Standard concentrations of dieldrin (0.1-20 ppm) were prepared and cells were cultured in 1640 Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) medium containing 10% bovine serum albumin and Pen-Strep antibiotic. Subsequently, the morphological effects of dieldrin on HeLa cells in a cell culture medium were investigated. Results: Morphological and cytopathic changes were not observed in HeLa cells treated with concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, and 1 ppm of dieldrin. However, significant changes including cell rounding and cytopathic effects were observed in the cells treated with 5 ppm of dieldrin. Moreover, at concentrations of 15 and 20 ppm of dieldrin, the cells were completely destroyed and could not be examined. Conclusion: The effects of dieldrin on HeLa cell morphology were observed in the form of cell rounding and cytopathic effects. These morphological changes suggest that dieldrin may induce the process of apoptosis in cells. According to the results, the identification of different factors that aggravate the cytotoxic effects of this pesticide needs further research.

Aim: Hydrogen sulfide is one of the most harmful substances known in the drilling industry. Hydrogen sulfide can cause health, environmental, safety, and damage to property problems. Therefore, we conducted this study on a laboratory scale to make carboxylated carbon nanotubes and investigate their performance in removing hydrogen sulfide from drilling mud. Materials and Methods: In the first step, we prepared multi-walled carbon nanotubes with 90%–95% purity. In the next step, we provide the drilling fluid. The fluid used in these experiments was a simple water-based mud consisting of water and bentonite. In the last step, we used the Qualitek-4 software to design experiments, and the Taguchi model was used to investigate the obtained results. Results: Results show that pH is the most effective parameter in the adsorption process. Interaction of adsorbent concentration with retention time shows the highest SI = 85.85%. Optimal conditions of H2S adsorption are adsorbent concentration = 100 ppm, pH = 6, and retention time = 30 min. According to the Langmuir model, the adsorption capacity of carbon nanotube (CNT)-COOH was 2480 (mg/mg). By increasing CNT-COOH concentration from 50 ppm to 100 ppm, the adsorption percent of H2S increased from 51.6% to 66.1%. By increasing the retention time from 2 min to 30 min, an increase in adsorption will be seen from 57.5% to 65.3%. Conclusion: Using functionalized nanocarbon tube with at least 90% efficiency is a reliable method to remove hydrogen sulfide from drilling mud.

Aim: This study aimed to verify the general health status and its related factors of medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in Daran Shahid Rajaee Hospital. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed by census method on 168 medical staff in Shahid Rajaee Hospital in Daran city during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were gathered by applying a questionnaire, containing demographic information and a 28-item standard General Health Questionnaire. Eventually, data analysis was performed by Spearman correlation tests and the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis H tests, using the SPSS software V.26. Results: The results of the study revealed that the general health score, among the individuals, was at a healthy level with a mean of 20.77 ± 11.8. Spearman correlation test represented a significant interdependency between age and general health and its connected factors, Somatic Symptoms Scale, and depression symptoms scale (P < 0.05) (R = −0.226, R = −0.174, R = −0.168). In addition, a significant correlation was found between the depression symptoms scale and work experience (P = 0.005) (R = −0.214). Based on the results of the Kruskal–Wallis H tests, a statistically significant difference was found between the employment status and the general health (P = 0.04) as well as the depression symptoms scale (P = 0.019). Conclusion: In this study, the most vital factors affecting both job efficiency and general health were the variables of age, work experience, and type of employment. Furthermore, the subscales of somatic symptoms and depression symptoms were identified as the most effective subscales on general health.

The advancement of telecommunication technology is vital for our wireless connectivity and networking across the world, but not at the expense of the lives of other organisms because their extinction follows us. This review article highlighted the various communication systems and technologies implemented and their implications. The relevant keywords used for this review, including fifth generation (5G), electromagnetic radiation (EMR), telephone tower, 5G impacts on lives, 5G impacts on human health, animals, and birds, were used for inclusive search on trustworthy citation databases listed in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from 1993 to 2022. The findings revealed that the radiations range between radio frequency and electromagnetic frequency is causing detrimental effects on different species including their fertility and fetus development. Experts reported that birds use the earth's EMR to navigate in their flight, but when they are exposed to weak or microwave radiation from the telecommunication towers, they deviate from their path, confused, and even die from telephone tower collisions. The new movement in protecting the bird population from EMR is creating an awareness of "air as a habitat" for birds, and research reports show that it is experimentally proven, that such radiations affect the birds' lives in many ways. Authors believe that these critical surveillance data would create awareness among the readers and researchers about the consequences to human health due to the extensive use of new generation telecommunication and networking technologies. The World Health Organization mentioned the harmful effects of EMR in their report. It shows that a diffuse collection of symptoms such as headaches, anxiety, suicide and depression, nausea, fatigue, and loss of libido may be caused due to low levels of exposure to EMR at home.