These data included responses for 36 different toxigenic strains of non-proteolytic C. botulinum. The obtained Bf-/Af-values were 0.97/2.04 for μmax-values and 0.96/1.80 for time to toxin formation. The model correctly predicted 93.8% of the growth responses with 5.6% being fail-safe and less then 1% fail-dangerous. A cocktail of four non-toxin producing Clostridium spp. isolates was used to develop the new model and these isolates had more than 99.8% 16S rRNA gene similarity to non-proteolytic C. botulinum (Group II). The high number of environmental factors included in the new model makes it a flexible tool to facilitate development or reformulation of seafood and poultry products that do not support the growth of non-proteolytic C. botulinum. Further, evaluation of the new model with well characterized products is desirable particularly for meat, vegetables, pasta and prepared meals as well as for dairy products that was not included in the present study.Air quality (AQ) is a global concern for human health management. Therefore, air quality monitoring (AQM) and its management is a must-needed activity for the current world environment. A systematic review of various sensors and systems for AQ management may strengthen our understanding of the monitoring and management of AQ. Thus, the current review presents details on sensors/systems available for AQ assessment, monitoring, and management. First, we had gone through the published literature based on special keywords including AQM, Particulate Matter (PM), Carbon Mono-oxide (CO), Sulfur di-Oxide (SO2), and Nitrogen di-Oxide (NO2) among others, and identified the current scenario of research in AQ management. We discussed various sensors/systems available for the AQ management based on self-conceptualised five major categories including, ground-based AQS (wet chemistry) systems, ground-based digital sensors systems, aerial sensors systems, satellite-based sensors systems, and integrated systems. The prospects in the field of AQ assessment and management (AQA&M) were then discussed in detail. We concluded that the AQA&M can be better achieved by coupling new technologies like ground-based smart sensors, satellite remote sensing sensors, Geospatial technologies, and computational technologies like machine learning, Artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things (IoT). The current work may lead to a junction of information for connecting these sensors/systems, which is expected to be beneficial in future AQ research and management.Safety of sanitation workers remains an often-ignored aspect in Fecal Sludge Management. While shifting workers from manual to mechanical means of de-sludging remains a priority, this paper highlights that there are a number of safety issues, including exposure to sludge, faced by sanitation workers, even in a mechanised context, where de-sludging trucks are utilised to provide de-sludging services. Based on a detailed analysis of observation of stakeholders and extensive process documentation (of de-sludging process), and expert interviews, the study identified three key safety concerns inhalation of harmful gases, contact with sludge, and physical injury, and determined the underlying cause for the same, using a systems thinking approach. These causes are varied including behaviours and practices by households such as non-compliance of septic tank construction to design standards, irregular cleaning, improper disposal of inappropriate items in toilets; inappropriate or inadequate design of decanting stations, tools and equipment, and inadequate awareness and knowledge among all stakeholders. Using the hierarchy of controls framework, a set of measures are described to increase the safety of workers. These proposed interventions go beyond the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and range from behaviour change campaigns, improvements in decanting stations, better access to appropriately designed tools. The study highlights the need to place emphasis on eliminating, substituting and controlling the hazards as necessary steps for PPE to be relevant. Finally, the paper places the issue of occupational safety within the larger context of the informal nature of de-sludging occupation and the overall vulnerability of workers.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/Decitabine.html  It posits that this makes safety more complicated to address as several factors need to be taken into account, and actions are required by multiple sets of actors.Groundwater samples from 61 randomly selected tube-wells in densely residential (DR) and sparse residential (SR) parts of Aba, Nigeria were analysed to elucidate the influence of urban land-use on the quality and characterize the hydrochemistry of the groundwater. Twelve water quality indicators temperature, pH, EC, and TDS (physicochemical), as well as HCO3, Cl, SO4, NO3, Na, K, Ca, and Mg (major ions) were analysed for each well. The results of the analyses were grouped based on the influence of land-use on the wells. The descriptive statistics, Piper, Chadha's, and bivariate scattered plots, as well as index of base ion-exchange, and Friedman nonparametric statistical test were used to delineate and ascertain the significance of the urban impact on the quality of the groundwater wells. The results showed that the groundwater pH is acidic (3.7-5.6), and the mineralization low, with TDS ranging between 6.5 mg/l - 365 mg/l. The statistical mean and standard deviation (x¯±S.D) of the remaining quality indicatovable local deterioration moving from wells in the SR to wells in the DR area. This was supported by the Friedman statistical test which revealed statistical significance of some urban practices on the quality of the groundwater. These results highlight the current quality status and harmonize the reports of previous studies which have characterized the hydrochemistry of the groundwater in the study area.Patients with Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH) have a poor prognosis. This study investigated the efficacy of rituximab-containing immuno-chemotherapy regimens for EBV-HLH. In this study, 15 patients were treated with rituximab-containing regimens. The treatment efficacy and adverse events were evaluated. In 10 patients, EBV DNA became negative after the first course of treatment. The lymphocyte types infected by EBV in the 10 patients were only infected with B cells and mainly infected with B cells. In the other 5 patients, the EBV DNA of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) before and after treatment with the regimens had no statistical difference (P = 0.111). In addition, in these 5 patients, EBV mainly infected T and NK cells. Among the 5 patients without a significant decline in EBV DNA of PBMC, 2 patients received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and turned negative for EBV DNA. This study suggests that rituximab-containing regimens are effective therapy for EBV-HLH with only and mainly B lymphocytes infected by EBV, especially for eliminating EBV.