ABSTRACT
Background: Cough is a common symptom in cystic fibrosis (CF), and an increase in cough is an important sign of worsening lung disease and pulmonary exacerbation, the most common cause of hospitalization in people with CF. Objective monitoring of cough could be an important outcome measure for clinical trials, especially in children too young to perform pulmonary function tests. There are no accurate, objective methods of quantifying the frequency, severity, and duration of cough. Devices that have been tested to measure cough are neither highly reliable nor user friendly. We developed a mechano-acoustic sensor (MAS): a 4.8- cm- x 2.8-cm- (1 inch) long, thin, lightweight, stretchable, wireless device that adheres easily and securely to the skin surface and is worn at the base of the neck. The devicewas validated in adults being monitored for COVID- 19. This study evaluated usability and acceptability to children and their parents. Method(s): In Cohort 1, a small, flexible, fully wireless accelerometer-based MASwas applied to the suprasternal notch of children with CF using gentle adhesives. Participants were asked to perform activities that included forced coughs while sitting, lying down, and performing activities such as jumping or jogging and other pharyngolaryngeal activities such as swallowing, speaking, and throat clearing. The sessions were an average of about 30 minutes long. In Cohort 2, participants were asked to test the device for a longer period of wearable time (4-6 hours) in various settings, including outpatient clinics, inpatient rooms, and outside clinic and athome environments. Upon completion, all participants from both cohorts were asked to fill out the Acceptability and Usability Questionnaire, which consisted of six questions ranked on a 4-point Likert scale. Result(s): Cohort 1 included 21 children aged 3 to 18 (mean age 9.25 +/- 4.85), and Cohort 2 included 12 children aged 7 to 18 (mean age 12.15 +/- 4.42). On 31 (94%) questionnaires returned, 35.5% of participants strongly agreed and 61.3% agreed with the statement "I [or my child] like(s) wearing the cough sensor." Similarly, most participants found the cough sensor easy to use (74.2% strongly agreed, 25.8% agreed) and comfortable to wear (64.5% strongly agreed, 29.0% agreed), although they found the adhesive sticker difficult to take off and the device too obvious or large. Conclusion(s): Although qualitative and quantitative acceptability and usability data were overall positive, we have redesigned the cough sensor for comfort and are continuing enrollment. The new sensor, 3.5 x 1.6 x 0.8 cm, is smaller and sits lower on the neck so participants can better conceal it underneath clothing (Figure 1). We are providing universal adhesive remover wipes to all participants. Future work includes long-term monitoring (1-2 weeks) of pulmonary exacerbations using the new devices and further assessing usability and acceptability from participants.(Figure Presented) Figure 1. New cough sensor design with a longer neck and a smaller body, allowing it to be better concealed underneath a shirtCopyright © 2022, European Cystic Fibrosis Society. All rights reserved
ABSTRACT
The overview describes the main directions and results of the 36th Eg-MRS International Conference, 36th Eg-MRS-2022 held in Cairo, Egypt, 24-25 September 2022. It gives the details about the participants and the proceedings.The Volume contains Proceedings of the 36th Eg-MRS International Conference, Eg-MRS-2022:Modernization, Innovations and Progress” which was held in Cairo, Egypt in September 24-25, 2022.. The Conference held online using Zoom due to COVID-19.The purpose of the Conference is to share the results and prospects of the achievements in using advanced scientific, innovative and information technologies in materials sciences and its applications.In fact, this is the third year of publishing a special issue of Eg-MRS international conferences under the umbrella of IOP material sciences and engineering. The first one was in November 2019;Hurghada, Egypt [1]. The second and third was in August 2020 & July 2022 which was online due to COVID-19 [2,3 ]All conference organizers/editors are required to declare details about their peer review. Therefore, please provide the following information:• Type of peer review: Single-blind / Double-blind / Triple-blind / Open / Other (please describe) Double-blind• Conference submission management system: Online: https://cutt.us/mo8G5• Number of submissions received: 50• Number of submissions sent for review: 30• Number of submissions accepted: 11• Acceptance Rate (Number of Submissions Accepted / Number of Submissions Received × 100): 22%• Average number of reviews per paper: 3• Total number of reviewers involved: 20• Any additional info on review process: No• Contact person for queries: Prof Arafa H.Aly;arafaaly@aucegypt.eduPlease submit this form along with the rest of your files on the submission date written in your publishing agreement.The information you provide will be published as part of your proceedings.
ABSTRACT
Air purifiers play a vital role in fighting the spread of airborne transmitted diseases like COVID-19, rubeola, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and varicella-zoster, which represent a fundamental challenge. This paper introduces a new enhancement to ultraviolet (UV) air purifiers in air ventilation systems, which delivers a higher inactivation UV dose, eliminating the need for either higher exposure time or a stronger UV source. The modified transfer matrix method in the cylindrical geometry represents the main tool of our theoretical considerations. The new enhancement utilizes an annular photonic crystal (APC) for reflecting UV radiation 99%. The numerical simulation shows that the structure is stable over a wide range of operating scales that fit the extensive range of air purifiers, working at different scales. Additionally, the possibility of using APC over a wide range of UV sources is investigated. Air purifiers play a vital role in fighting the spread of airborne transmitted diseases like COVID-19, rubeola, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and varicella-zoster, which represent a fundamental challenge.
ABSTRACT
Covid-19 pandemic posed new global restrictions affected movement and tourists’ travel behavior and habits. This study aims to investigate and monitor these effects to understand the new features of tourists’ behavior in general and Saudis in particular. The study depending on closed-ended questionnaire directed to 374 Saudi air travelers to investigate their travel habits and behavior before and after the pandemic, using t-test and chi- square to analyze it. The study resulted that covid-19 travel restrictions affected travelers’ preferences, habits and intentions, especially concerning destination choice, reservation methods, tourist activities, and means of transportation, accommodation and trip duration. © 2022 Editura Universitatii din Oradea. All rights reserved.