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Objectives: We investigated associations of breastfeeding (BF) durations and patterns and of timing of other dietary introductions with prevalence of asthma, wheeze, hay fever, rhinitis, pneumonia, and eczema among preschool children.Methods: During April 2011-April 2012, we conducted a cross-sectional study in 72 kindergartens from five districts of Shanghai, China and obtained 13,335 questionnaires of children 4–6-years-old. We used multiple logistic regression models to evaluate the target associations.Results: Compared to children who were never BF, children who were exclusively breastfed 3–6 months had the lowest risk of asthma (adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval: 0.81, 0.72–0.91) and wheeze (0.93, 0.87–0.99); and exclusive BF >6 months was significantly associated with a reduced risk of hay fever (0.93, 0.89–0.97), rhinitis (0.97, 0.94–0.99), pneumonia (0.97, 0.94–0.99), and eczema (0.96, 0.93–0.99). No significant associations were found between time when fruits or vegetables were introduced and the studied diseases. Associations were independent of the child's sex and parent's ownership of the current residence. Longer duration BF was only significantly protective when there was no family history of atopy.Conclusions: This study suggests that heredity, but not sex and socioeconomic status, may negatively impact the effect of BF on childhood airway and allergic diseases. Our findings support China's national recommendation that mothers provide exclusive BF for the first four months, and continue partial BF for more than 6 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A material library of TiO2/CeO2/Bi2O3,which consists of 66 samples, is designed. [•] Ball milling and sintering are used to obtain TiO2/CeO2/Bi2O3 composite material. [•] The photocatalytic efficiencies of the samples are evaluated upon visible light. [•] The best sample, which the ratio of TiO2/CeO2/Bi2O3 is 2/5/3, is screened out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dampness-related exposures have been widely discovered in household, which are associated with childhood health. This study employed the Back-Propagation (BP) neural network to develop prediction models of overall dampness evaluation based on the on-site dampness inspection in 454 families. The trained models were then used to predict the overall dampness exposure in 15,266 families with five parent-reported dampness-related indicators. Two indices, including the overall-dampness- exposure-based (ODEB) score and combination-of parent-reported- based (CPRB) score, were introduced to reflect the household dampness exposure in Shanghai, and were used to build the relationship with different childhood respiratory diseases and allergies. The results indicated that the trained model of BP neural network had a reasonable accuracy with the coefficient of determination R2 greater than 0.5, and the standard deviation ratios were approaching 1.0. Both the ODEB score predicted by trained model and CPRB score were developed based on parent reported dampness indicators in the cross-sectional survey, and were significantly associated with childhood respiratory diseases after adjusting the confounders (AOR >1.3, p < 0.01, SDS factor >0). Exposure-response relationships were also found between the dampness exposure indices and health outcomes. A continuous dampness evaluation index with a reasonable accuracy was proposed based on BP neural network prediction of on-site dampness scoring, which was consistent with the CPRB score, showing an exposure-response relationship with childhood diseases. These findings provide us an approach to predict the household dampness and its related adverse health outcomes. • Dampness exposures are common in residential buildings in China. • Home dampness-related exposure is a risk for childhood allergies and respiratory diseases. • The parent-reported dampness can be linked to the inspector-observed dampness. • There are exposure-response relationships between dampness indicators and children health. • Two developed dampness indices can predict the dampness-related health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dust mites (Der f 1 and Der p 1) in 453 children's beddings were analyzed by ELISA. • Bed Der p 1, but not Der f 1, had a dose-response relationship with household dampness. • Often using air conditioner had significant associations with bed Der f 1 and Der p 1. • Frequently cleaning the bedclothes may effectively reduce bed Der f 1, but not Der p 1. During 2013–2014, we collected bed dust samples from 453 children's bedclothes in Shanghai, China, and analyzed two mite types (Der p 1 and Der f 1) in these dusts, using the enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA). In this study, we explored associations between dust mite concentrations and different family lifestyle aspects and dwelling characteristics. Der p 1 concentration was positively dose-related with cumulative numbers of dampness-related indicators in bedrooms. Use of household air conditioners often had significant associations with increased likelihood of above median concentrations of both Der f 1 (AOR, 95 % CI: 3.71, 2.07–6.63) and Der p 1 (1.93, 1.03–3.61). Changing bed sheets with a frequency of less than once per week was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of higher concentration of Der f 1 (2.42, 1.23–4.77). No significant dust mite concentration differences were found between families with different habits in relation to exposing bedclothes to sunshine, using household humidifiers, or pet-keeping. Our results indicate that Der p 1 in bedding dust was associated with home dampness-related indicators, such that controlling home dampness could effectively reduce Der p 1 numbers. Bedclothes treatments alone were insufficient to avoid the presence of Der p 1 and Der f 1 in bedding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we first report the PTB7-Th:PC 70 BM:PC 60 BM TPSCs whose active layer is capable of forming the self-assembled nano-ridged (SANR) structures, and the SANR-active layer coupled with the textured-ZnO is able to form the double ridge superimposed system with broad spectrum light trapping characteristic, offering a promising way for the efficiency enhancement of the devices. • Self-assembled nano-ridged (SANR) structures was observed in TPSCs. • SANR can significantly enhances the light absorption of the active layer. • SANR coupled with textured-ZnO is able to form double ridge superimposed system (DRSS). • DRSS shows the characteristics of broad spectrum light trapping. • TPSCs with DRSS gives a optimal PCE of 10.68%. Ternary blend polymer solar cells (TPSCs) comprising one donor and two fullerene acceptors is efficient method for improving the power conversion efficiency (PCE). In this paper, the PTB7-Th-based TPSCs which is incorporating PC 70 BM and PC 60 BM as mixed acceptors are fabricated and investigated. Impressively, the remarkable self-assembled nano-ridged (SANR) structures are discovered in the active layer with the weight ratio of 50% PC 60 BM in fullerenes. Thanks to the enlarged interface area, enhanced light absorption and balanced carrier transport, the PTB7-Th:PC 70 BM:PC 60 BM TPSCs with the SANR active layer gives an optimal PCE of 9.68%. In addition, it is worth emphasizing that by combining the textured-ZnO with the SANR active layer, a double ridge superimposed system (DRSS) with broad spectrum light trapping characteristic is constructed, which can further enhance the light absorption of the devices. Finally, benefiting from the further increase in short circuit current density (J sc), the PTB7-Th:PC 70 BM:PC 60 BM TPSCs with the DRSS gives an optimal PCE of 10.68%. This work provides a feasible ternary strategy to increase the devices performances and is proved be a simple and efficient strategy for fabricating PTB7-Th:PC 70 BM:PC 60 BM TPSCs with SANR active layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies have reported that childhood prevalence of eczema has been increasing worldwide. However, none study quantitatively evaluated prevalence trends of eczema among children and adults in the last 30 years in China.Methods and Findings: Via a systematic review of literature databases in English and Chinese, we summarized all studies reporting eczema prevalences from 1985 to 2015 in China as well as diagramed prevalence and eczematous population trends against year for different age groups. A total of 93 studies and 17 studies (16 for children and one for adults) were selected for qualitative and quantitative synthesis, respectively. Childhood lifetime-ever eczema prevalences ranged from 10.0% to 30.0%. Prevalences among 3-12-year-olds children showed increasing trends in most specific cities, but national lifetime-ever eczema prevalences among 13-14-year-olds children decreased from 10.6% in 2001 to 8.6% in 2009 in mainland China. We estimated that about 1.5 million children aged 13-14-year-olds in 2009 and 15.5 million children aged 3-6-year-olds in 2012 had lifetime-ever eczema in mainland China. Similar studies were too few to ascertain time-trends of eczema prevalence among adults. About 39.4, 20.0, and 11.6 million adults aged 15-86-year-olds in 2010 had contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis in the mainland China, respectively.Conclusions: The burden of eczema became heavier in young children, whereas perhaps had been reduced in adolescent in China. More studies for eczema prevalence in adults are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Phthalate acid esters (PAEs) have been identified to be associated with children's health. Present study was conducted to assess associations between PAEs in household dust and childhood rhinitis. Methods: Based on phase II of CCHH study (China, Children, Home, Health) conducted in Shanghai, China, 266 indoor dust samples were collected from participants' families. Concentrations of PAEs in dust samples were measured by chemical treatment and gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer. Information about individuals and residences was surveyed by questionnaires. Logistic regression models were applied to obtain the associations between PAEs and childhood rhinitis. Results: Higher concentrations of benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) were found in those families with children who had diagnosed rhinitis. Significantly higher concentrations of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and PAEs with high molecular weight (HMW-PAEs) were found in the positive group of lifetime rhinitis. Using the multiple and ordinal logistic regression models adjusted by covariates, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), DEHP, and HMW-PAEs were found to be significantly associated with diagnosed rhinitis. Boys who exposure to higher concentrations of DBP, DEHP, HMW-PAEs, and total PAEs have significant associations with diagnosed rhinitis compared with girls who exposure to lower concentration of PAEs. Conclusions: Present observational study indicated that exposure to high concentrations of DBP, DEHP, and HMW-PAEs in house settled dust was a risk factor for rhinitis for children, especially for boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The photocurrent of NiO/TiO2 porous films in methanol is much higher than usual. [•] A quantitative formula confirms the synergistic effect between the p–n junction and methanol. [•] A new insight into gas molecule photooxidation on the coupling catalyst is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report the amorphous Ge NPs film which is fabricated at room-temperature by PECVD method. The uniform, compact and smooth film is formed by orderly packing of the Ge NPs in the longitudinal direction, resulting in the formation of columnar structures in the Ge NPs film. The electrical, optical properties and energy levels of the Ge NPs film meet the requirements of the OSCs for ETL, and the PTB7:PC 70 BM OSCs with the Ge NPs ETL shows the PCE of 7.38%. [Display omitted] • The amorphous Ge NPs film is fabricated by using the PECVD method at room temperature. • The compact and orderly packing of the NPs in the longitudinal direction leads to the formation of columnar structures in the Ge NPs film. • The electrical, optical properties and energy levels of the Ge NPs film meet the requirements of the OSCs for ETL. • The PTB7:PC 70 BM OSCs with the Ge NPs ETL shows the PCE of 7.38%. The performances of the organic solar cells (OSCs) largely depends on the selection and preparation of the electron transport layer (ETL). In this paper, the uniform and compact Ge nanoparticles (NPs) film was fabricated by using the plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method at room temperature. The Ge NPs film is formed by close packing of amorphous Ge particles with an average diameter of 6.05 nm, and the film shows a fairly smooth surface with a root-mean-square (RMS) roughness of 0.6419 nm. The results shows that Ge NPs film exhibits n-type characteristics, and the longitudinal conductivity of the film is 1.90 × 10−5 S/cm, which is better than that of the ZnO NPs film. The excellent longitudinal charge transport characteristics is attributed to the existence of the columnar structures in the Ge NPs. In addition, the Ge NPs film shows a visible light transmittance comparable to that of the ZnO NPs film. More importantly, the energy levels of the Ge NPs film meets the requirements of the PTB7:PC 70 BM OSCs for the ETL, and the devices with the Ge NPs ETL shows the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.38%. The characteristic of room temperature preparation make the Ge NPs ETL may become a reliable choice for the flexible devices in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous research reports have demonstrated that the supply air volumes of cleanrooms areusuallyover-designed to satisfy air cleanliness classes, which may lead to enormous energy waste. In this study, five well-recognised international mathematical models for calculating cleanroom particle concentration were analysed, which are all based on uniform particle distribution in the cleanroom, indoor particle conservation, and mass airflow balance, and an improved and more general model has been established for calculating the minimum air change rates according to the expected air cleanliness class. Following the introduction of non-dimensional concentration correction factors, based on the least-squares method, the average relative error between the model-predicted and measured particle concentration is approximately 13.5%. Based on the improved model with correction factor, the test results demonstrate that the particle concentration depends mainly on the air change rate, particle emission rate and return airflow patterns, among others. When the air change rate per hour and ratio of particle concentrations between the return airflow and room average were varied from 40 h−1 to 120 h−1 and 0.7–1.3, respectively, the concentration consequently decreased by approximately 65% and 46%. The particle deposition caused by gravity can be neglected for small particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the relationship between outdoor air pollution and sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms, the CCHH (China, Children, Home, Health) group in Shanghai conducted a cross-sectional survey on the current incidence of SBS symptoms among residents in five districts of Shanghai during April 2011–April 2012. It also collected the related outdoor air pollutants data from Shanghai environmental monitoring center (SEMC), including nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) and particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 µm (PM 10 ). The logistic regression models were used in this paper to study the associations between air pollutants and SBS symptoms. Results were found that the daily mean concentrations of NO 2 and SO 2 met standard requirement, but that of PM 10 exceeded the limit values of the standard in China during this survey. The significant differences were found between the pollutants concentration in urban and suburban area. In addition, the incidences of three categories of SBS symptoms among residents were 79.1% for general symptoms (GS), 65.2% for mucous membrane symptoms (MS) and 35.7% for skin symptoms (SS), respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis by two case studies illustrated that three outdoor air pollutants, both their concentration quartiles and equal increment, were all associated to and taken as the risk factors for SBS symptoms, for GS OR NO2  = 1.62 (1.18–2.22), MS OR NO2  = 1.58 (1.21–2.06) and SS OR PM10  = 1.21 (1.09–1.35). Furthermore, the new pollutants expressed as the mixtures of their combination were also significantly associated with part of the SBS symptoms. The synthetic air quality indexes of all surveyed residents were calculated as III-level, which represented mild pollution. Therefore, it would be an effective way to decrease the incidence of SBS symptoms in residence to reduce the outdoor air pollution and control the penetration from outdoor to indoor environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work, a smart platform was reported with an ability to rapidly screen the gas sensing properties of metal oxide gas sensors which were loaded on a single material chip with a capability of 36 sensor films. Among the SnO2-based material sensitized with various catalysts (Mo, Pd, Cd, Mn, Pt, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Sm, Gd) in different concentrations, a significant enhancement of sensing performance was observed for the film with surface functionalized La. To intrinsically investigate its sensitization mechanism, the changes in microstructure and surface valence of the SnO2-based materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, XPS, PL, HRTEM and EDX. It is demonstrated that the hydrated lanthanum chloride transformed to La2O3 with an intermediate of LaOCl during the sintering process of the samples. Thus, the sensitization mechanism of La2O3 can be concluded into two items: (1) numerous of oxygen vacancies are newly created on the SnO2 surface through the LaOCl to La2O3 transformation resulted in the enhancement of gas-sensing properties; (2) the chemisorbed peroxide O2 2− on La2O3 surface has the ability to cause an H-abstraction reaction with hydrocarbon, which may account for the decrease of optimum temperature toward formaldehyde. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]