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The aim of this study is to analyze the use of vitamin E to enhance fabric's hand feel, moisture management and fabric strength which are affected due to flame retardant finish. Flame retardant treated fabrics typically become stiff, but the addition of Vitamin E along with emulsifier and binding agent through a vertical padding mangle by two times dipping and nipping results a soft fabric without impairing the flammability properties as determined by 45-degree flammability test. The samples were characterized by FTIR spectra, SEM images, and water contact angle. A new characteristics band is appeared at 1455 cm-1 for skeletal vibration of phenyl ring system of alpha tocopherol for Vitamin E measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) that proves the effective attachment of vitamin E with fabric. Hydrophilicity of vitamin E containing sample is discovered after showing 37.629° as a water contact angle at optical tensiometer (Attension theta lite). Additionally, fabric comfort properties, moisture management properties, and mechanical properties were measured by fabric touch tester (FTT), moisture management tester (MMT) machine and tensile strength tester respectively that demonstrate significant affirmative change in almost all indexes of FTT, 43.5 % increase of overall moisture management capacity by MMT and 23 % increase of tear strength by tensile strength tester due to use of vitamin E that effectively compensate lower strength, poor fabric comfort, and low moisture management capability of flame retardant treated fabric.

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BACKGROUND: Transepithelial corneal crosslinking (CXL) is a novel surgical approach for the treatment of keratoconus, which is a bilateral asymmetrical ophthalmological disease accompanied by progressive corneal ectasia. Silicon hydrogel (SiH) contact lenses have been extensively used in clinical ophthalmologic medicine, as a postoperative ophthalmological intervention. However, the ideal lens application duration after transepithelial CXL remains uncertain. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects and comfort of immediate corneal contact lens use after transepithelial CXL for keratoconus. METHODS: In this prospective study, 60 patients with keratoconus who underwent transepithelial CXL treatment were enrolled from September 2021 to January 2023 with a male:female ratio of 39:21, and an average age of 25.42 ± 5.47 years. The patients were divided randomly into two groups: group A contained 30 patients wearing silicone hydrogel contact lenses for 7 days postoperatively, and group B contained 30 patients wearing the same contact lenses for 3 days. Ten subjective ophthalmologic symptoms were surveyed by the patients, including pain, photophobia, foreign body sensation, tearing, burning, blurred vision, dry eyes, difficulty opening the eyes, astringency, and stinging. Ophthalmologic signs, including corneal edema and conjunctival congestion, were recorded by a single clinician on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7. RESULTS: Each surgical procedure was readily performed without complications, and both groups postoperative day 7 (P = 0.04), where group B scored (0.01 ± 0.41) lesser than group A (0.12 ± 0.29), whilst corneal edema in both groups recorded significantly different on postoperative days 5 and 7 (group A demonstrated the result of 0.17 ± 0.14 and 0.08 ± 0.11 for the respective days, whereas group B indicated 0.10 ± 0.13 and 0.03 ± 0.07 at the corresponding times). CONCLUSIONS: Immediate use of silicone hydrogel corneal lenses after transepithelial CXL effectively alleviates postoperative ocular distress, particularly with a three-day use period as the ideal duration.

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Wearing surgical masks remains the most effective protective measure against COVID-19 before mass vaccination, but insufficient comfortability and low antibacterial/antiviral activities accelerate the replacement frequency of surgical masks, resulting in large amounts of medical waste. To solve this problem, we report new nanofiber membrane masks with outstanding comfortability and anti-pathogen functionality prepared using fluorinated carbon nanofibers/carbon fiber (F-CNFs/CF). This was used to replace commercial polypropylene (PP) nonwovens as the core layer of face masks. The through-plane and in-plane thermal conductivity of commercial PP nonwovens were only 0.12 and 0.20 W/m K, but the F-CNFs/CF nanofiber membranes reached 0.62 and 5.23 W/m K, which represent enhancements of 380% and 2523%, respectively. The surface temperature of the PP surgical masks was 23.9 ℃ when the wearing time was 15 min, while the F-CNFs/CF nanocomposite fibrous masks reached 27.3 ℃, displaying stronger heat dissipation. Moreover, the F-CNFs/CF nanofiber membranes displayed excellent electrical conductivity and produced a high-temperature layer that killed viruses and bacteria in the masks. The surface temperature of the F-CNFs/CF nanocomposite fibrous masks reached 69.2 ℃ after being connected to a portable power source for 60 s. Their antibacterial rates were 97.9% and 98.6% against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively, after being connected to a portable power source for 30 min.

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The data in this article investigated the extent of human rights awareness in the seven States comprising the Northwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria and its relationship with the characteristics of the population in the light of limited human rights claims in the region. The data was obtained from 780 respondents using stratified and systematic random sampling techniques using with the help of a structured questionnaire. It is aimed at ascertaining, among others, the extent to which the population in the region is aware of human rights and the meaning of the terms 'marginalisation' and 'discrimination', whether the population is aware of how to claim human rights and whether the population is comfortable approaching the courts for human rights claims. The questionnaire also sought information on the most utilised sources of information, formal and informal factors that influence a decision to litigate human rights violations, and the most common complaint mechanisms employed by the population concerning human rights violations. The responses were analysed using Qualtrics software, and the data was presented using statistical representations. The data shows an appreciable level of human rights understanding in the region.

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Introduction: Organ donation-related education is offered, and decisions are made at state Department of Motor Vehicles; however, little is known about Muslim Americans' attitudes toward these common practices. Research Questions: Are participants comfortable learning about deceased organ donation in the Department of Motor Vehicles setting? Are participants prepared to make deceased organ donation-related decisions at the Department of Motor Vehicles? Design: A survey of Muslim Americans attending an educational workshop at 4 mosques in two US cities. Primary study outcomes were self-reported (a) preparedness to make deceased donation-related decisions and (b) comfort with receiving organ donation education in the license renewal setting. We calculated Pearson product-moment correlations between these primary outcomes and participant characteristics including sociodemographic descriptors, religiosity and religious coping measures, and discrimination measures. Results: Most respondents indicated they were not prepared to make organ donation-related decisions at the Department of Motor Vehicles (79.6%). Preparedness did not vary by age, gender, country of origin or US residency duration, nor by religiosity, negative religious coping, or experiences of discrimination. However, higher scores on positive religious coping were associated with lower ratings of preparedness. A slight majority (58.9%) of respondents were comfortable receiving organ donation education. Conclusions: Muslim Americans are comfortable with learning about organ donation while at the Department of Motor Vehicles but are ill-prepared to make deceased donation-related decisions in the same setting. Further research is required to understand whether changes to the license renewal setting would improve decision-making outcomes in this population.

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Noninvasive and seamless interfacing between the sensors and human skin is highly desired for wearable healthcare. Thin-film-based soft and stretchable sensors can to some extent form conformal contact with skin even under dynamic movements for high-fidelity signals acquisition. However, sweat accumulation underneath these sensors for long-term monitoring would compromise the thermal-wet comfort, electrode adherence to the skin, and signal fidelity. Here, we report the fabrication of a highly thermal-wet comfortable and conformal silk-based electrode, which can be used for on-skin electrophysiological measurement under sweaty conditions. It is realized through incorporating conducting polymers poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) into glycerol-plasticized silk fiber mats. Glycerol plays the role of tuning the mechanical properties of silk fiber mats and enhancing the conductivity of PEDOT:PSS. Our silk-based electrodes show high stretchability (>250%), low thermal insulation (∼0.13 °C·m2·W-1), low evaporative resistance (∼23 Pa·m2·W-1, 10 times lower than ∼1.3 mm thick commercial gel electrodes), and high water-vapor transmission rate (∼117 g·m-2·h-1 under sweaty conditions, 2 times higher than skin water loss). These features enable a better electrocardiography signal quality than that of commercial gel electrodes without disturbing the heat dissipation during sweat evaporation and provide possibilities for textile integration to monitor the muscle activities under large deformation. Our glycerol-plasticized silk-based electrodes possessing superior physiological comfortability may further engage progress in on-skin electronics with sweat tolerance.

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BACKGROUND: Vascular ligation and its detachment remain a necessary skill for a surgeon. We often use two threads of the same color to ligate a vessel. However, some problems (grasping the mixed-up threads and/or difficulty in releasing the entanglement) may occur while using same colored ligatures. To solve these problems, we devised to use ligatures of different colors, and here, we present this ingenious idea. METHODS: When a vessel is encountered that needs to be cut, we pass two different colored threads behind it. RESULTS: We can grasp the two threads without mixing them up. In addition, in case of entanglement, unwinding of the entangled threads is quicker. We then finally tie a knot with these threads and cut the vessel visible between them. CONCLUSION: Using different colored ligatures enhance surgical convenience in the operating room.

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Objective:To investigate the effect of nutritional status and comfortability of early postoperative diet of patients following sedated colonoscopic polypectomy.Methods:A total of 300 patients who undergoing sedated colonoscopic polypectomy were randomly divided into normal group and experimental group 1, group 2, with 100 cases in each group. The control group received total fasting with intravenous infusion, oral clear fluids were begun up on the first postoperative day and solid foods on the fourth day. In the experimental group 1 and group 2, clear fluids were begun up to six hours or two hours after surgery, respectively, followed by semi-liquid on the first postoperative day, and solid food three days later. The clinical outcomes such as time of first defecation, hospitalization time, abdominal pain, hypoglycemial reaction, bleeding volume and nausea/vomiting was recorded between three groups. In addition, the nutritional status and comfortability was compared by using serum albumin detection and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), respectively.Results:The time of first defecation were (22.46±2.96) hours and (21.54±2.17) hours in the experimental group 1 and group 2, significantly shorter than that in the control group (26.37±4.87) hours; meanwhile, the time of first defecation were significantly decreased in the experimental group 2 compared to the experimental group 1, the difference was statistically significant ( F value was 51.812, P<0.05). The rate of hypoglycemial reaction were 5.10% (5/98) and 2.04% (2/98) in the experimental group 1 and group 2, significantly lower than that in the control group 13.40% (13/97), the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 value was 10.582, P<0.05). After 5th day of surgery, the level of serum albumin were (36.16±6.44) g/L and (36.55±6.57) g/L in the experimental group 1 and group 2, significantly higher than those in the control group (33.97±5.91) g/L, the difference was statistically significant ( F value was 4.732, P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the VAS scores among the three groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Two hours after sedated colonoscopic polypectomy oral feeding can obviously promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function, which does not increase the occurrence of postoperative complications, and promote the postoperative recovery of the patients.

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Wearing surgical masks is one of the best protective measures to protect humans from viral invasion during the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. However, wearing surgical masks for extended periods will cause uncomfortable sweltering sense to users and are easy to breed bacteria. Here, we reported a novel fibrous membrane with outstanding comfortability and antibacterial activity prepared by PP ultrafine fiber nonwovens and antibacterial functionalized h-BN nanoparticles (QAC/h-BN). The thermal conductivity of commercial PP nonwovens was only 0.13 W m-1 K-1, but that of the QAC/h-BN/PP nanocomposite fibrous membranes can reach 0.88 W m-1 K-1, an enhancement of 706.5% than commercial PP nonwovens. The surface temperature of commercial PP surgical masks was 31.8 °C when the wearing time was 60 min. In contrast, QAC/h-BN/PP surgical masks can reach 33.6 °C at the same tested time, exhibiting stronger heat dissipation than commercial PP surgical masks. Besides, the antibacterial rates of QAC/h-BN/PP nanocomposite fibrous membranes were 99.3% for E. coli and 96.1% for S. aureus, and their antibacterial mechanism was based on "contact killing" without the release of unfavorable biocides. We think that the QAC/h-BN/PP nanocomposite fibrous membranes could provide better protection to people.

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The coronavirus outbreak that commenced at the end of 2019 has led to a dramatic increase in the demand for face masks. In countries that are experiencing a shortage of face masks as a result of panic buying or inadequate supply, reusable fabric masks have become a popular option, because they are often considered more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than disposable medical masks. Nevertheless, there remains a significant variation in the quality and performance of existing face masks; not all are simultaneously able to provide protection against the extremely contagious virus and be comfortable to wear. This study aims to examine the influential factors that affect the comfort of reusable face masks, but not to assess the antimicrobial or antiviral potential. Seven types of masks were selected in this study and subjected to air and water vapor permeability testing, thermal conductivity testing and a wear trial. The results indicate that washable face masks made of thin layers of knitted fabric with low density and a permeable filter are more breathable. Additionally, masks that contain sufficient highly thermally conductive materials and have good water vapor permeability are often more comfortable to wear as they can transfer heat and moisture from the body quickly, and thus do not easily dampen and deteriorate.

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Pressure sensors have been widely used in electronic wearable devices and medical devices to detect tiny physical movements and mechanical deformation. However, it remains a challenge to fabricate desirable, comfortable wearing, and highly sensitive as well as fast responsive sensors to capture human body physiological signs. Here, a new capacitive flexible pressure sensor that is likely to solve this problem was constructed using thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer rubber (TPU) electrospinning nanofiber membranes as a stretchable substrate with the incorporation of silver nanowires (AgNWs) to build a composite dielectric layer. In addition, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were painted on the TPU membranes as flexible electrodes by screen printing to maintain the flexibility and breathability of the sensors. The flexible pressure sensor could detect tiny body signs; fairly small physical presses and mechanical deformation based on the variation in capacitance due to the synergistic effects of microstructure and easily altered composite permittivity of AgNW/TPU composite dielectric layers. The resultant sensors exhibited high sensitivity (7.24 kPa-1 within the range of 9.0 × 10-3 ~ 0.98 kPa), low detection limit (9.24 Pa), and remarkable breathability as well as fast responsiveness (<55 ms). Moreover, both continuously pressing/releasing cycle over 1000 s and bending over 1000 times did not impair the sensitivity, stability, and durability of this flexible pressure sensor. This proposed strategy combining the elastomer nanofiber membrane and AgNW dopant demonstrates a cost-effective and scalable fabrication of capacitive pressure sensors as a promising application in electronic skins and wearable devices.

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INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a mental health educational intervention on pharmacy students' confidence and comfortability when engaging in depression counseling. METHODS: Third-year pharmacy students completed two 15-item rating scales addressing confidence and comfortability about depression. The intervention was 2.5 hours long and included a depression overview, consumer educator presentation, motivational interviewing, and case studies. Surveys were administered at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and three months post intervention. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and repeated measures analyses. RESULTS: Of the 23 students who participated in the intervention, 12 (52.2%) completed the three-month follow-up. Confidence increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 3.5 ± 0.5 to 4.1 ± 0.4 immediately post intervention and was sustained at three months post (3.9 ± 0.5). Similarly, comfortability increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 3.6 ± 0.4 to 4.1 ± 0.5 immediately post and was sustained at three months post (4.1 ± 0.6). Cronbach's alphas ranged from 0.90 to 0.96. CONCLUSION: Pharmacy students' depression counseling confidence and comfortability improved and was sustained after a 2.5-hour intervention with motivational interviewing, consumer education, and case studies.

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BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between youthful drinking practices and gender within the domestic pre-party (prior to a night out), an arena, which has been relatively ignored in existing qualitative research on youthful alcohol use. An examination of the relationships between gender and drinking practices in this context is important for three reasons. First, pre-parties are associated with heavy drinking, which has traditionally been associated with masculinity. Second, because pre-drinking takes place in the private sphere of the home, it is therefore 'controlled' in terms of who can participate and hence what precisely is the gender composition. Third, whilst being located in the private sphere of the home, pre-party practices are nevertheless informed by the (hyper) gendered environments of public drinking spaces in the Night-Time Economy (NTE), most dominantly mainstream clubs and bars. We suggest that such characteristics allow for the emergence of specific gendered relationships, activities and affectivities, thereby demarcating the pre-party as a particular gendered drinking space. METHODS: We draw on narrative data from 140 in-depth face-to-face interviews with young Danish alcohol users between 18-25 years of age. The interviews were part of a large-scale research project on the gendered aspects of youthful alcohol use and intoxication. Theoretically, we draw on a combination of the 'doing gender' paradigm (West & Zimmerman, 1987) and affect theoretical notions on (un)comfortability (Ahmed, 2014). We propose that these perspectives mark out the pre-party as a particularly gendered drinking space. RESULTS: While our analysis supports the observation of existing qualitative studies, that pre-partying is not merely motivated by the possibility of becoming intoxicated in a cheap and un-surveilled way before going out, we especially argue that pre-partying is fueled by a desire for 'comfortability', which seems almost impossible to disassemble from the gendering that pre-partying also entails. Our analysis therefore contributes to the ongoing academic discussion around the relationship between 'intoxicated femininity' and 'intoxicated masculinity' by suggesting that we need to take the affective implications of young people's (gendered) drinking practices into account in a thorough discussion of the relationship between youthful alcohol use and gender.

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Extreme heat events are mainly responsible for weather-related human mortality due to climate change. However, there is a lack of outdoor thermal management for protecting people from extreme heat events. We present a novel infrared-radiation-enhanced nanofiber membrane (NFM) that has good infrared resonance absorption and selectively radiates thermal radiation of the human body through the atmosphere and into the cold outer space. The NFM comprises polyamide 6 (PA6) nanofibers and randomly distributed SiO2 submicron spheres and has sufficient air permeability and thermal-moisture comfortability because of its interconnect nanopores and micropores. We measure the sky radiative cooling performance under a clear sky, and PA6/SiO2 NFM produces temperatures that are about 0.4-1.7 °C lower than those of commercial textiles when covering dry and wet hands and temperatures 1.0-2.5 °C lower than the ambient temperature when thermal conduction and convection are isolated in a closed device. Our processed PA6/SiO2 NFM combines sky radiative cooling with thermal management of the human body very well, which will promote the development of radiative cooling textiles.

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Difficulties encountered during oral processing may cause food avoidance and increase the risk of malnutrition in older adults. The present survey aimed at comparing oral comfort experienced during consumption of apples in elderly and younger people. To do this, 122 participants divided into a senior group (65-83 years) and a control group (35-64 years) rated three varieties of apples (Gala, Granny Smith, Honey Crunch) using a "food comfortability" questionnaire related to general comfort, bolus formation, pain, texture, and taste sensations, and were assessed for their oral conditions. Each score of the "food comfortability" questionnaire was then submitted to a global principal component analysis and an analysis of variance. Apple variety was a significant factor for all items of the questionnaire. Age significantly affected dental pain, crunchiness, and melting sensation, with increased scores for pain and melting perception, and decreased scores for crunchiness when aging. Global comfort experienced while eating apple was also impacted by dental status and resting saliva flow rate. Bolus moistening was related to stimulated saliva flow rate, and its fragmentation was dependant on denture use. Painful sensations depended on self-reported oral quality of life and sweet taste perception was influenced by the presence of oral mucosal disease. Apple variety is a good predictor of oral comfort experienced while eating. Altough age has a little effect on pain and texture perception, oral conditions such as missing teeth or denture use also contribute to oral comfort when consuming apples.

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The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the texture of dairy products on bolus properties and food comfortability as perceived by elderly persons. Four cheese models identical in terms of their nutritional composition but different by the type of texture (Soft, Hard, Processed and Whipped) were developed to resemble market cheese. Study was performed with a panel of 38 elderly persons without dental impairment but with variable rate of saliva flow. The time of chewing required to form the bolus was measured. The rheological properties of the bolus obtained were studied as well as the quantity of saliva incorporated. Food comfortability was assessed by means of a questionnaire asking about in-mouth comfort, bolus formation, pain, and perceived texture and flavor. Results showed that food comfortability was positively correlated to the ease of forming the bolus which depended on the food texture. Thus, the bolus formed with the Whipped product which required more saliva, was harder than the other three products and so judged the least comfortable. This product was characterized by a dry and sticky texture. On the other hand, the Soft and Processed products led to a softer food bolus that was more easily formed, and thus were judged as more comfortable. Their textures were perceived as soft, fatty and melting. This work highlights the importance of considering food bolus formation and related properties when looking for the link between food product characteristics and the enjoyment of eating in the case of the elderly population.

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Food consumption is by far the most important point where food's organoleptic properties can be perceived and can elicit sensory pleasure. Ageing is often accompanied by oral impairments. Those impairments may impact food perception by changing texture perception and the release of flavor components, which have a significant impact on food acceptability. The present study aimed at evaluating the impact of oral health on the perception of food comfortability in an elderly population. This was achieved by asking elderly people with a good oral health and elderly people with poor oral health to rate six cereal products and six meat products using a food comfortability questionnaire. Thirty-seven and 35 elderly people (65-87 years old) underwent either a cereal or meat session, respectively. The present study showed very few effects of dental and saliva status on food perception. For the cereal products, a significant effect of dental status was observed for one texture descriptor and one flavor descriptor, and a significant effect of salivary status was observed for two texture descriptors and one flavor descriptor. For the meat products, a significant effect of dental status and a significant effect of salivary status were observed on one flavor descriptor. For both products, no significant impact of dental or salivary status was observed on the general perception of food oral comfort nor on food bolus formation. Future studies exploring the impact of a broader set of oral parameters and potential adapting factors are needed to further explore the results of the present study. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: During oral food consumption, mastication, salivation, and swallowing play a key role in the acceptance of food and beverages by modulating the perception of texture, taste, and aroma, as well as providing eating comfort by assisting the food breakdown process into a bolus that can be safely swallowed. The age-related oral impairments such as loss of teeth, decrease in salivary flow or dysphagia are known to have an impact on food consumption. However, very few products are developed to skirt those impairments. Therefore, in the context of an ageing population, there is a need to develop functional foods that meet the specific nutritional needs of the elderly population, as well as a well-balanced flavor and texture framework. Considering the large interindividual variability observed on the elderly people, developing adapted functional foods is a major challenge for the food industry and society.

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The comfortability and safety on resort were investigated in terms of resort environments focusing on atmosphere temperature.<br>With regard to the comfortability, first, a discomfort index (DI) defined with atmosphere temperature and relative humidity was demonstrated to be associated with indicators of autonomic nerve activities derived from heart beat variability at the level around DI-70 which was classified into the category of “comfortable for most of people”.<br>Secondarily, it was suggested that the index could be available to evaluate comfortability for given time courses at different resort points with an example of its hourly average in 24 hours a day for a representative month in each season. With regard to the safety, first, stroke incident rate of each month was associated with monthly average atmosphere temperature when the relationship was analyzed using around ten thousands patients data for 7 years from the community-based stroke registration for in Toyama prefecture. On top of that, it has been demonstrated that the atmosphere temperature on one and two days prior to the stroke development was independently effective on the risk of cerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoidal hemorrhage development with the adjustment for patient's sex and age, calendar year, season, relative humidity and atmosphere pressure. Secondarily, morning raise in blood pressure was affected by the room temperature (10°C and 25°C). The lower temperature the more raise in blood pressure.