Pectin–wax‐based emulsion systems could be used to form edible films and coatings with desired water permeability characteristics. Pectin is often used in food industry due to its gelling and viscosity increasing properties. Physical properties of pectin are highly dependent on its esterification degree. Waxes are commonly used as edible coatings to enhance the water barrier properties of food products. This study focuses on preparing emulsions with sunflower oil wax (SFW) and high methoxyl pectin (HMP) at different concentrations for any possible edible film or coating formulations. Sunflower oil (SFO) was added as the dispersed oil phase to these emulsions. Characterization of the emulsions was performed by using particle size, rheology, and time domain nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry measurements. Effects of HMP concentration and the presence of SFO in the emulsion formulations were explored. Mean particle size values were recorded between 1 and 3 µm. Rheology measurements showed that increasing HMP concentrations and presence of SFO in emulsions resulted in more pseudoplastic behavior. NMR transverse relaxation times (T2) were measured to detect the differences between the emulsions. Relaxation spectrum analysis was also conducted for a detailed understanding of the transverse relaxations. Addition of SFO and higher HMP concentrations decreased the T 2 values of the emulsion systems (P < 0.05). However, T2 decreasing effect of SFO was compensated at 10% (w/w) HMP concentration showing that SFO was well dispersed in this particular emulsion formulation. Changes in the rheological behavior and relaxation times provided insight on the formation and stability of the emulsions.Practical ApplicationFindings of this study can be utilized and integrated to produce edible films and coatings with different water permeability characteristics. This study showed that NMR relaxometry parameters were also effective in monitoring and determining the physical characteristics of the pectin–wax‐based emulsion systems as other conventional techniques including rheology and particle size measurements. Our NMR relaxometry findings were in correlation with the flow behavior and particle size results of the investigated emulsion systems.

Objective: Healthcare professionals may face many occupational risks and dangers. The most important risks are infections and sharp injuries (SI). This survey has investigated knowledge status and risk assessment about SI and its required precautions. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey including 18 questions was applied to 312 working staff in our hospital in 2013. The survey including multi-choice questions investigated demographic information in the first six questions. The second part involved queries whether they received SI education and in what stage they were exposed to SI; presence of protective equipment at the injury time, and their applications after SI are also questioned and last part has questions about precautions. Results: 48% of the surveyed healthcare professionals had received education in the recent year about prevention methods from SI and things to do after exposure. It was found that 97% of the surveyed healthcare professionals had information about SI. And, 56% of participants expressed that they were exposed to SI. The occupational group with the most number of exposures to SI was nurses. Needlestick injury was the most common cause of injury. Half of the participants stated that they did nothing after injury. Conclusions: This survey demonstrated that healthcare professionals knew about SI; however they didn't have enough knowledge and practice about required procedures about exposure practices. These results show that healthcare professionals need more education about things to do after injury. Klimik Dergisi 2014; 27(3): 95-8.