bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of nasal irrigation devices: a Thai multicentre survey
Authors: Piromchai Patorn , Puvatanond Charoiboon , Kirtsreesakul Virat , Chaiyasate Saisawat , Thanaviratananich Sanguansak 
Published: May 2019

Background
Nasal irrigation is widely used as an adjunctive treatment for nasal diseases. There is little evidence regarding the efficacy of the devices used in this procedure. The objective of this survey was to evaluate the effectiveness of nasal irrigation devices based on the experiences of patients and physicians.

Methods
We conducted a multicentre survey study between November 2017 and October 2018. Physician and patient questionnaires were developed based on the available literature and expert opinion. The physician questionnaire was submitted to the Otolaryngology residents and staff of each centre and their network. The physicians were also asked to distribute the patient questionnaire to their patients.

Results
Information regarding 331 devices used by the patients was collected. The mean age of the patients was 45.46 ± 17.19 years (from 5 to 81). Roughly half were male, and half were female (48.6%: 51.4%). Among the high-pressure devices, we found that the high-pressure large-volume nasal irrigation devices yielded significantly higher symptom scores in seven of 12 domains (p < 0.05). Among the large-volume devices, we found that the large-volume high-pressure nasal irrigation devices received significantly higher symptom scores in 4 of 12 domains (p < 0.05). However, a higher proportion of patients using the large-volume high-pressure devices had retained fluid in the sinuses compared to those using large-volume low-pressure devices (p < 0.001).

Conclusions
This survey supports the regular use of nasal irrigation, particularly with large-volume high-pressure devices, as an effective treatment for nasal disease. It may be effective at clearing nasal secretion, improve nasal congestion, decrease post-nasal drip, improve sinus pain or headache, improve taste and smell, and improve sleep quality. It could be used by patients with good compliance and minimal side effects.
Sanitation Status and Waste Disposal Pattern in the Slum Area of Sylhet City Corporation
Authors: Reza Nourin , Alam Rafiul , Ahmed Zia , Begum Sameena , Akhter Syeda Ayshia 
Published: May 2019

Aims: Majority of slum people are living in poor quality housing where the absence of basic amenities is a significant issue. The primary aim of the study was to determine the present status of sanitation and waste disposal patterns of the selected slum areas of Sylhet City Corporation (SCC).
Study Design: Both descriptive and analytical methods were applied to reach the final outcome.
Methodology: To conduct the study, 355 samples were collected from five different wards through a constructive questionnaire survey. Key Information Interview (KII), field observation, and focus group discussion (FGD) were also used to collect data.
Results: While the slum people are always struggling to ensure their basic needs, they don’t give emphasis on the sanitary, hygiene, health condition, etc. About 80.4% of slum dwellers defecate in an unhygienic place which may cause various diseases and lead to water pollution by pathogenic microbes. Only 54.9% of people dispose of their waste in a proper way and the others are accountable for environmental pollution by disposing of waste here and there. This study also reveals the socioeconomic condition, health issues, and other water-related challenges of the slum dwellers.
Conclusion: Due to lack of education and knowledge about health and hygiene, unwillingness, poverty, etc. are the possible reasons behind the deterioration of the situation of slum inhabitants. Thus, several remedial measures need to be taken for the improvement of sanitation and waste disposal system.
Maternal Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards Prevention and Management of Child Diarrhoea in Urban and Rural Maseru, Lesotho
Authors: Adeleke A. I. , Mhlaba T. 
Published: May 2019

Aim: To compare the knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers in the prevention and management of child diarrhoea, in rural and urban settings of Maseru.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Domiciliary (Urban) and Tlali (Rural) Health centres in Maseru, within the period of February to May, 2017. Data was collected from 458 mothers/caregivers, with 299 (65%) and 159 (35%) from urban and rural settings respectively. Scores were assigned for the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices. STATA 14.1 was applied to determine the strengths of associations between categories of the maternal characteristics and the outcome variables.
Results: Aggregation of participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices response reveal a statistical significant association with residence. The maternal age range of 30-39 years, P = .03, and mothers with three (3) children, P = .02 were significantly associated with the knowledge of prevention and management of diarrhoea in the rural area. In the urban area, mothers with tertiary education, P = .04, employed, P = .001, unemployed, P = .004, and all categories of monthly income were significantly associated with the knowledge of prevention and management of diarrhoea. For the urban setting, an association between mothers’ attitudes and monthly income between M500 – M1399, P = .05 was observed. The practices of mothers/caregivers in the prevention and management of diarrhoea showed no significant differences in the light of the socio-demographic variables in both settings.
Conclusion: The study revealed low level of maternal knowledge, attitudes and practices in prevention and management of child diarrhea in the rural and urban settings, hence the need to strengthen the existing health education messages on both settings.
General Considerations on Antimicrobial Tests and Conditions Applicable in Textile Industry
Authors: Elshafei Ali Mohamed 
Published: May 2019

Due to the globally increasing need for utilizing antimicrobial materials, it is necessary to improve and develop newer methods and techniques for determining the antimicrobial properties of these materials qualitatively and quantitatively, especially in the medical field. Recently there has been a debate among scientists between the difference between antimicrobial test and sterility test. For antimicrobial and microbial resistance, the test is limited to the standard methods to determine the effect of the sample as an antimicrobial without paying attention to the fact that the sample is sterile or not, unless the sample was taken into sterile atmosphere and isolated with a protective suitable sterile package cover after treatment with the antimicrobial agent because the external atmosphere contains a lot of scattered types of bacterial and fungal microorganisms. In case of sterility test, the sample to be examined should be prepared, isolated and coated from the outside atmosphere, where the presence of microbes on the surface of the sample by standard methods is detected and in some sterilization tests it is prohibited to include an antimicrobial substance to the sample to be tested to avoid the interference with the test. In both cases the tests should be implemented in a sterilized room and conditions according to the recognized scientific principles. In conclusions, the antimicrobial test is used to make sure that the specimen is attained antimicrobial properties or not and the sterilization test is done by ensuring that the sample is free of contaminated microorganisms. This review poses on some factor and conditions affecting antimicrobial action and some standard test methods for determination of antimicrobial and sterility potential of materials.
Asymptomatic Bacteriuria and Candida Colonization among Pregnant Women in a District Hospital in Eastern Uganda
Authors: Fredrick Bakandonda , Shadrack Muwanguzi , Prossy Nakate , Ismail Opolot , Sam Imongit , Mirembe Nnakanwagi Mariam , Julius Nteziyaremye , Nekaka Rebecca , Stanley Iramiot Jacob 
Published: May 2019

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common reason for which antimicrobials are prescribed in pregnancy Worldwide. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria, Candida colonization and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among pregnant women attending antenatal in a District Hospital in Eastern Uganda.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in which pregnant mothers who had come for routine antenatal care were counseled and their consents obtained before taking off urine samples for laboratory diagnosis. For those samples found to have pus cells, culture and sensitivity test was done to identify the organisms and determine susceptibility to particular antibiotics and antifungal agents.
Results: Gram negative isolates were more sensitive to meropenem (100%), and ciprofloxacin (93.8%) but less sensitive to trimethoprim/sulphurmethoxazole (20%), Ceftazidime (7%), and Cefepime (6%). Gram positive isolates were more sensitive to vancomycin (100%), meropenem (87%) and linezolid (88.1%) but less sensitive to Cefotaxime (31%) and Trimethoprim / sulphurmethoxazole (14%). All bacteria isolated in this study were multi-drug resistant (MDR). All Candida isolates were susceptible to Econazole and Nystatin whereas all isolates were resistant to Griseofulvin.
Conclusion: The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women in Butaleja district is high with many of the bacteria isolated exhibiting resistance to the commonly used antibiotics. Antifungal resistance was common in this study.
Outcomes for facilitators of workplace environment improvement applying a participatory approach
Authors: Yoshikawa Etsuko , Kogi Kazutaka 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

Objectives
The purpose of this study was to determine changes in awareness, behavior, and relationships among facilitators who were involved in facilitating the conduct of the participatory workplace improvement program and to examine the facilitators’ outcomes as a result of their active involvement in the program. The outcome components were also examined in relationship to their associations with various factors.

Methods
An anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted for 83 facilitators. Exploratory factor analysis was applied to determine the facilitators’ outcomes. The relationship between those elements which influenced the outcomes was taken into account by means of hierarchal multiple regression analysis.

Results
The outcomes for facilitators consisted of four sub-concepts: “knowing practical ways and strategies to ensure full participation,” “building confidence and self-development,” “improving safety and health-risk sensitivity,” and “gaining better-than-expected results based on developing relationships with workers.” According to the results of hierarchal multiple regression analysis, facilitators’ outcomes were significantly associated with the realization of creativity, sense of solution for safety and health issues, and facilitators’ involvement.

Conclusions
It is suggested that the role of a facilitator dynamically changes through a participatory workplace improvement program as a key person in the workplace. Supporting acting facilitators’ initiatives in the process of workplace improvement programs, as well as promoting the active involvement of workers and managers were considered useful for effective implementation of workplace improvement programs.
A narrowband active noise control system with reference synthesis
Authors: Lopes Paulo A. C. , Gerald José A. B. 
Published: May 2019

SummaryMost active noise control (ANC) algorithms require a model of the secondary path (SP). If there are large changes in the SP, online SP modeling algorithms may not be able to follow the changes quickly enough to prevent divergence. In this work, the mirror‐MFxLMS (MMFxLMS) is adapted to narrowband ANC, and the resulting algorithm is analyzed. The MMFxLMS is an algorithm similar to the MFxLMS and FxLMS but has online SP modeling; it is stable for any SP estimate and does not require auxiliary noise. In addition, a technique to alternate between MFxLMS and MMFxLMS is proposed, resulting in the M3FxLMS algorithm, which does not sacrifice performance and assures stability. However, the M3FxLMS requires a reference signal that is not available in feedback ANC. Feedback ANC is important in many practical cases, for instance, in ANC headphones. To solve this problem, a technique is proposed to synthesize a reference formed by a sum of sinusoids using measurements from the error sensor signal. This technique uses the fast Fourier transform to obtain estimates of the harmonic frequencies of the periodic noise components, and then refines and tracks these using a phase‐locked loop (PLL). The resulting algorithm enables a stable ANC system, even under large and sudden changes in the SP. The proposed PLL is also new and has a lock‐in range equal to the full band of the system.
Ultralight and Flexible Monolithic Polymer Aerogel with Extraordinary Thermal Insulation by A Facile Ambient Process
Authors: Li Man , Qin Zihao , Cui Ying , Yang Chiyu , Deng Changyu , Wang Yunbo , Kang Joon Sang , Xia Hongyan , Hu Yongjie 
Published: May 2019

AbstractHigh performance thermal insulation materials are desired for a wide range of applications in space, buildings, energy, and environments. Here, a facile ambient processing approach is reported to synthesize a highly insulating and flexible monolithic poly(vinyl chloride) aerogel. The thermal conductivity is measured respectively as 28 mW (m K)−1 at atmosphere approaching the air conductivity and 7.7 mW (m K)−1 under mild evacuation condition. Thermal modeling is performed to understand the thermal conductivity contributions from different heat transport pathways in air and solid. The analysis based on the Knudsen effect and scattering mean free paths shows that the thermal insulation performance can be further improved through the optimization of porous structures to confine the movement of air molecules. Additionally, the prepared aerogels show superhydrophobicity due to the highly porous structures, which enables new opportunities for surface engineering. Together, the study demonstrates an energy‐saving and scalable ambient‐processing pathway to achieve ultralight, flexible, and superhydrophobic poly(vinyl chloride) aerogel for thermal insulation applications.
Cooperative Behaviors in Amplified Emission from Single Microcrystals of Thiophene/Phenylene Co‐Oligomers toward Organic Polariton Laser
Authors: Yanagi Hisao , Sasaki Fumio , Yamashita Kenichi 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAfter successful commercialization of organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic semiconductor lasers have become a practical research target for versatile optoelectronic applications. Realization of electrically pumped lasing with molecular materials faces critical issues such as exciton quenching by injected carriers, nonradiative triplet states, and difficulties in introduction of resonators. One of potential routes to overcome them is to utilize polaritonic emission based on cooperative coupling of photons with excitons and/or phonons in molecular crystals. This report overviews cooperative behaviors observed in amplified emissions from single‐crystal thiophene/phenylene co‐oligomers (TPCOs) and discusses their expected potential toward organic polariton lasers. First, amplified emission accompanied with unusual time delay, spectral splitting, and fluence dependence of lasing threshold is presented, suggesting superfluorescence from macroscopically correlated molecular excitons, not based on the conventional stimulated emission process. Second, selectively enhanced Raman scattering under off‐resonant condition is shown, which is interpreted as a result of contribution of coherent vibrations in the TPCO crystals. Then, angle‐resolved spectroscopies demonstrate a stable existence of exciton polaritons at room temperature in microcavity devices with TPCO crystals. It is concluded that all those unique behaviors are ascribed to the TPCO excitons and vibrations having large oscillator strength under the uniaxially oriented molecular alignment.
Light‐Controlled Micromotors and Soft Microrobots
Authors: Palagi Stefano , Singh Dhruv P. , Fischer Peer 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMobile microscale devices and microrobots can be powered by catalytic reactions (chemical micromotors) or by external fields. This report is focused on the role of light as a versatile means for wirelessly powering and controlling such microdevices. Recent advances in the development of autonomous micromotors are discussed, where light permits their actuation with unprecedented control and thereby enables advances in the field of active matter. In addition, structuring the light field is a new means to drive soft microrobots that are based on (photo‐) responsive polymers. The behavior of the two main classes of thermo‐ and photoresponsive polymers adopted in microrobotics (poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) and liquid‐crystal elastomers) is analyzed, and recent applications are reported. The advantages and limitations of controlling micromotors and microrobots by light are reviewed, and some of the remaining challenges in the development of novel photo‐active materials for micromotors and microrobots are discussed.
Light‐Activated Liquid Crystalline Hierarchical Architecture Toward Photonics
Authors: Ma Ling‐Ling , Hu Wei , Zheng Zhi‐Gang , Wu Sai‐Bo , Chen Peng , Li Quan , Lu Yan‐Qing 
Published: May 2019

AbstractHierarchical architectures are of vital importance in materials science and nanotechnology. Among various building blocks, liquid crystals (LCs) have attracted particular attention due to their excellent controllability of self‐assembly behavior and the resultant physical properties. In recent years, interest in light‐activated LC hierarchical superstructures has emerged for a wide range of applications beyond LC displays. This report consists of two main parts: the light‐activated LC hierarchical architectures and their corresponding photonic applications. In the first part, different smectic layer curvature controlling methods are introduced to produce periodic defect arrays. By taking the advantages of photoalignment techniques and light‐driven molecular motors, cholesteric LC helical superstructures are highly manipulated, including pitch tuning, helix rotation, and chirality inversion. As a mutually concerned scientific issue, the photoresponsive properties of blue phase (BP) hierarchical superstructures are also introduced, enabling unique BP materials and devices driven by a facile light stimulation. Moreover, traditional optics (microlens and beam steering) and advanced photonics (specific optical field generation and LC lasers) are reviewed in the second part. It is believed that the developments introduced here can open a door for the concept of “smart optical materials” based on the self‐assembled soft LC superstructures.
Halogen‐Containing TPA‐Based Luminogens: Different Molecular Packing and Different Mechanoluminescence
Authors: Yu Yun , Wang Can , Wei Yao , Fan Yuanyuan , Yang Jie , Wang Jiaqiang , Han Mengmeng , Li Qianqian , Li Zhen 
Published: May 2019

AbstractOrganic mechanoluminescence (ML) materials have attracted much attention for their various application prospects in luminescent devices. However, the pace of their development has been greatly limited by the unclear inherent mechanism. Herein, halogen atoms are systematically introduced into ML for the first time to deeply explore the light‐emitting process and internal mechanism. Thus, a series of triphenylamine (TPA) derivatives is obtained with diverse ML properties, including TPA‐oF, TPA‐mF, TPA‐pF, TPA‐oCl, TPA‐mCl, TPA‐pCl, TPA‐oBr, TPA‐mBr, TPA‐pBr, and TPA‐ph. Among them, with the introduced chlorine and bromine atoms in the para‐position of the phenyl ring in TPA‐ph, the resultant TPA‐pCl and TPA‐pBr demonstrate bright ML; whereas the introduced fluorine atom in TPA‐pF drastically reduces the ML performance. Careful analysis of their optical properties and crystal structures coupled with theoretical calculations confirms that different halogen atoms in the TPA derivatives can really lead to diverse intermolecular interactions, and the strong intermolecular interactions are actually beneficial for the ML effect by reducing energy loss through nonradiative relaxation channels under a stimulus of mechanical force; however, unsatisfying ML performance is observed in the crystal with an overtight molecular packing, on account of the unbreakable crystals with high rigidity.
Intermixed Cation–Anion Aqueous Battery Based on an Extremely Fast and Long‐Cycling Di‐Block Bipyridinium–Naphthalene Diimide Oligomer
Authors: Perticarari Sofia , Doizy Tom , Soudan Patrick , Ewels Chris , Latouche Camille , Guyomard Dominique , Odobel Fabrice , Poizot Philippe , Gaubicher Joel 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAqueous batteries, particularly those integrating organic active materials functioning in a neutral pH environment, stand out as highly promising contenders in the stationary electrochemical storage domain, owing to their unparalleled safety, sustainability, and low‐cost materials. Herein, a novel di‐block oligomer, serving as the negative electrode of an all‐organic aqueous battery, is shown to offer exceptional output capabilities. The battery's performance is further enhanced by a unique intermixed p/n‐type storage mechanism, which is able to simultaneously exchange light and naturally abundant Na+, Mg2+, and Cl−. Reaching up to 105 mAh g−1, this system shows remarkable capacity retention for several thousand cycles (6500 cycles, ≈40 days) in various neutral electrolytes, including raw ocean water (≈3000 cycles, ≈75 days). The surprisingly fast kinetics of this di‐block oligomer allow to attain an unmatched specific capacity of near to 60 mAh g−1electrode while entirely devoid of conducting additives, and more than 80 mAh g−1electrode with 10% carbon additive, as well as displaying an areal capacity as high as 3.4 mAh cm−2 at C rate. Full cell validation was demonstrated over 1600 cycles by virtue of a commercial 2,2,6,6‐tétraméthylpipéridin‐1‐yl)oxyl (TEMPO) molecule, which permitted an energy density of close to 40 Wh kg−1materials at C rate in a self‐pH‐buffered and inexpensive aqueous electrolyte.
Thin Film Encapsulation of Organic Solar Cells by Direct Deposition of Polysilazanes from Solution
Authors: Channa Iftikhar Ahmed , Distler Andreas , Zaiser Michael , Brabec Christoph J. , Egelhaaf Hans‐Joachim 
Published: May 2019

AbstractOrganic electronic devices (OEDs), e.g., organic solar cells, degrade quickly in the presence of ambient gases, such as water vapor and oxygen. Thus, in order to extend the lifetime of flexible OEDs, they have to be protected by encapsulation. A solution‐based encapsulation method is developed, which allows the direct deposition of the diffusion barrier on top of OEDs, thus avoiding lamination of barrier films. The method is based on the deposition of a perhydropolysilazane (PHPS) ink and its subsequent conversion into a silica layer by deep UV irradiation. The resulting barrier films show water vapor transmission rates (WVTRs) of <10−2 g m−2 d−1 (40 °C/85% relative humidity (RH)) and oxygen transmission rates (OTRs) of <10−2 cm3 m−2 d−1 bar−1 at ambient conditions. Flexibility of the resulting barrier films is improved by coating a barrier stack of several thin PHPS layers alternating with organic polymer interlayers. These stacks show an increase of WVTR values by less than 10% after 3000 bending cycles. Direct coating of the PHPS films on top of organic solar cells enhances the device lifetime in damp heat conditions from a few hours to beyond 300 h.