Preparation and characterization of air nanofilters based on cellulose nanofibers.

One of the most important environmental issues in the world today is the problem of air pollution, which includes particulate matter (PM) and greenhouse gases (mainly CO2). The production of efficient sustainable filters to overcome this concern as well as to provide an alternative to synthetic petroleum-based filters remains a demanding challenge. The purpose of this research was to first produce novel cellulose nanofibers (CNF) based nanofilter from a combination of CNF and chitosan (CS) and then evaluate its applicability for air purification. A number of structural and chemical properties as well as CO2 and PM adsorption efficiency of the modified CNF, were determined using advanced characterization techniques. After pretests, we determined the optimum loading for the CS was 1 wt%, and upon producing the samples, the CNF loadings (1, 1.5, and 2 wt%) were chosen as one variable. For particle absorption, the PM sizes (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 2.5 µm) were kept as other variables. Based on SEM results, we concluded the higher the concentration of CNF the higher the specific surface area and the lower the porosity and the diameter of the pores, which was confirmed by the BET test. Furthermore, the results showed that increasing the concentration of modified CNFs increases the adsorption rate of CO2 and PM and that the highest adsorption of CO2 and PM belonged to the 2% modified CNF.

An Ethno-phenomenological Study of Pregnant Women's Experiences regarding Household Roles.

BACKGROUND: Household labor has been indicated as a feminine role even in the present millennium, in which gender role orientations have been changed. As pregnancy is an important time for studying the division of household labor, this study aimed to discover the meaning of the pregnant women's experiences of household roles. METHODS: An ethno-phenomenological study, in which van Manen approach to phenomenology was its core and focused ethnographic approach was its supplementary component, was used to conduct this study. 25 pregnant women with maximum variation were recruited via the purposeful sampling during 2016-2017 in Mashhad, Iran. In-depth semi-structured interviews, vignette interviews as well as observations were used for data collection. Six-step van Manen's descriptive-interpretive phenomenological approach was used for concurrent data collection and analysis. MAXQDA, version 10, was used for data organization. RESULTS: Data analysis led to the emergence of an overarching theme entitled: "couples' preservation, keeping up and protection of the household roles". This was derived from two subthemes including the mother's efforts to play the household roles and spouse confrontation with the household chores. CONCLUSION: The consequence of all endeavors of pregnant women along with their husbands develops the experience of preserving and maintaining the importance of household roles. As pregnancy is an important period for considering division of household responsibilities, it is necessary to design and implement gender sensitive programs to empower pregnant women and their families as well.

Cd and Pb bioaccumulation in Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) in relation to the role of metal contents in wetland sediments.

The Choghakhor Wetland in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province (Iran) has a significant role in maintaining water and sediment quality, because the wetland acts as a sink for contaminants that can pollute the aquatic ecosystem and affect human health. The present study uses a simple geostatistical technique to investigate the spatial variability of Cd and Pb in the Choghakhor Wetland to link the spatial variations of sediments to heavy metal contents in Myriophyllum spicatum. It was hypothesized that the heavy metal contents in the Choghakhor Wetland sediments impacted the concentration values in macrophytes. The value of heavy metals in sediments ranges from 0.54- to 1.84-µg/g dry weight (dw) for Cd, and from 1.32- to 2.46-µg/g dw for Pb, with a mean value of 1.12- and 1.82-µg/g dw, respectively. The mean value of Cd and Pb was 1.14- and 1.67-µg/g dw, respectively, in the aquatic macrophyte Myriophyllum spicatum, with corresponding ranges of 0.9-1.83-µg/g dw and 1.33-1.95-µg/g dw. There was a spatial structure in the Cd and Pb contents in the wetland sediments, with lower contents in the northern zone despite the values quantified in the south. We observed a direct spatial relationship between the Cd content in sediments and the Cd concentration in M. spicatum, and confirmed an effect of plant uptake for Cd. However, there were no significant differences between Pb in sediments and Pb in samples of M. spicatum, which implied that other factors like discharged industrial waste could also affect the accumulation of metals in plants. It can be concluded that spatial patterns indicated differences in the territory of the sediment Cd content at the Choghakhor Wetland localization in association with sediment enrichment. However, it was surprising that Pb did not show this pattern despite anthropic pressure.

Pregnant Women's Experiences of Social Roles: An Ethnophenomenological Study.

BACKGROUND: The role of women and men is changing across the world, and women, including pregnant women, are adopting newer roles in traditional societies like Iran. This study aimed to explore the meaning of pregnant women's experiences regarding their social roles in the sociocultural context of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out using an ethnophenomenological approach. Participants included 16 pregnant women who attended health centers, hospitals, and private obstetric clinics in Mashhad, Iran, between 2016 and 2017 and were selected based on purposive sampling. In-depth semistructured interviews, vignette interviews, participant observations, and field notes were used to collect data. To analyze data, six-step van Manen's (1997) descriptive-interpretive phenomenological approach was used. RESULTS: Through data analysis, the overarching theme of "selection, management, and adjustment of various roles to play social roles" was emerged. This was consisted of four themes: "Mother's perspective regarding out-of-home employment, incompatibility between pregnancy and social roles, mother's management strategies to play different roles, and husband's authority regarding mother's employment." CONCLUSIONS: The consequence of reciprocal endeavors of pregnant women along with their husbands as well as their work environment expectations tends to selection, management, and adjustment of feminine roles. Since the employment of pregnant women leads to their more physical and psychological involvement, not only the problems of working women but also the expectations and rules of the workplaces as well as the requests of their husbands should be taken into account.

Men's Confrontation with Pregnancy from Women's Point of View: an Ethno Phenomenological Approach.

Introduction: In providing pregnancy services, particular attention is given to the mother and her infant and comparatively less consideration is paid to men's role. This study aimed to explore how Iranian men are confronted with pregnancy from pregnant women's point of view. Methods: This study was conducted, using an ethno-phenomenological approach. 25 Pregnant women were recruited via purposeful sampling from health centers, hospitals, and private obstetric clinics in Mashhad, Iran. In-depth semi-structured interviews (n=25), vignettes, (n=13) as well as observation were used for data collection. The data were organized with MAXQDA software version 10 and analyzed, using van Manen descriptive- interpretive phenomenological approach. Results: The main theme which emerged was: "adaptation, skillfulness and self-actualization of man in confrontation with pregnancy". This was derived from two themes: 1) "spouse's emotional engagement" subthemes spouse's emotional confrontation with pregnancy occurrence, man's sentimentality following being an expectant father, husband`s confrontation with wife's motherhood, man's emotional excitement, seeing the symptoms of fetal survival, husband's gender orientation and 2)"Concentration, vigilance and active efforts of spouse during pregnancy" subthemes managing wife towards successful pregnancy, efforts to acquire paternal skills and pregnancy as an issue to expand spouse's mental horizons. Conclusion: Besides an overwhelming sense of emotion, men tend to be supportive in managing successful pregnancy. As an opportunity window pregnancy seems to develop thinking, vision and horizons of life among men and increases their responsibility. By promoting male participation in pregnancy, important steps could be taken to improve maternal and infant health using spouses` support approach.

Effect of Propylene Glycol on the Sealing Ability of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Calcium-Enriched Mixture Cement Apical Barriers.

INTRODUCTION: Propylene glycol (PG) improves the handling, physical, and chemical properties of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of PG on the sealing ability of MTA and calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) apical barriers. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 70 extracted human maxillary single-rooted teeth were prepared using ProTaper rotary system. The apical 3 mm of the root tips were resected and the root canals were enlarged with Peeso reamers up to #4, to create open apex teeth. The teeth were then randomly divided into four experimental (n=15) and two control (n=5) groups. Group1: MTA+ MTA liquid, group2; MTA+MTA liquid (80%) + PG (20%), group3; CEM+CEM liquid, group4; CEM+ liquid (80%) + PG (20%). Cements were mixed with their respective mixing agents and a 4-mm thick apical plug was fabricated. The microleakage was measured on day 1, 3, 7 and 21 using a fluid filtration technique. The repeated measures ANOVA and Sidak test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: All experimental groups demonstrated various amounts of microleakage. No significant difference was found between MTA and CEM cement (P=0.193), regardless of time and liquid components. There was no significant difference was observed between liquids (P=0.312) in all time intervals. The rate of microleakage decreased over time and a significant differences was observed between all intervals (P<0.05), except 3-7 and 7-21 (P=0.190) days. CONCLUSION: PG demonstrated neither a positive nor a negative effect on the sealing ability of Angelus MTA and CEM cement.

The Effect of Intracanal Medicaments on Microleakage of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Apical Plugs.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of calcium hydroxide, double and triple antibiotic paste on the sealing ability of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) apical plugs. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 90 extracted teeth with single canals were prepared and randomly divided into four experimental groups (n=20). Intra-canal medicaments were applied for 3 weeks. MTA was placed through the access opening and condensed to the apical area and then fluid filtration technique was utilized to evaluate sealing ability after 1, 7, 14 and 30 days. RESULTS: Triple antibiotic paste significantly reduced the sealing ability of MTA plug compared with double antibiotic paste (P=0.024) and normal saline (P=0.04) groups on day 1. The sealing ability was not different on days 14 and 30 between experimental groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: All medicaments can be used without any long term effect on microleakage.

Diagnosis and Treatment of a Type III Dens Invagination Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

A 20-year-old man presented with the history of pain and swelling in the anterior maxillary segment. The periapical radiography was indicative of a dental anomaly in right maxillary lateral incisor. Due to the insufficient information from conventional radiography, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was ordered. CBCT showed apical root resorption, large apical lucency and two separate canals with distinct apical foramen (Oehlers type III dens invagination). The CBCT image was used as a guide for dentine removal with an ultrasonic tip. Conventional root canal therapy was done using lateral compaction technique. One-and two-year follow-up radiographies revealed periapical repair and absence of symptoms.

Nonemergent Patients in the Emergency Department: An Ethnographic Study.

BACKGROUND: Triage in the interactive atmosphere of the emergency department (ED) has been described as complex and challenging. Nonemergent ED visits have been accompanied by ethical and legal conflicts. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of ED nurses' practice regarding triage of nonemergent patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Focused micro-ethnography based on Spradley's developmental research sequence (DRS) was used. This study was conducted in an emergency department. Data was collected through complete participant observations along with formal and informal interviews, and then analyzed using DRS. RESULTS: Nine key informants were interviewed formally. Four main categories emerged from the nurses' culture: nonemergent patient as an uninvited guest, nonemergent patient as an elephant in a dark room, nonemergent patient as an aggressive client, and being nonemergency unless at risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: Providing care in the emergency department is significantly affected by nonemergent patients, as the emergency department is a place for critically ill patients thus awareness training program is recommended.