IRF: Institutional Repository FHNW
Welcome to the publication and research database of the FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland.
The institutional repository contains publications, projects and student theses.
Further information can be found in the IRF manual (available in German).
Communities in IRF
Select a community to browse its collections.
- APS FHNW
- HABG FHNW
- HGK Basel FHNW
- HSI FHNW
- HLS FHNW
- HSM Basel FHNW
- HSA FHNW
- HTU FHNW
- HSW FHNW
- PH FHNW
Recently added
Baseline characteristics of a cluster randomized controlled trial targeting hand hygiene in primary healthcare in Burkina Faso and Mali
(Frontiers Research Foundation, 21.05.2025) Galli, Anaïs; Winkler, Mirko S.; Hattendorf, Jan; Friedrich, Max N. D.; Bagayogo, Issa; Ballo, Aboubacar; Bänziger, Carola; Dembélé, Hassane; Keita, Mamadou Sory; Peter, Maryna; Tall, Alimata Ousséni; Utzinger, Jürg; Owen, Branwen Nia
Objectives
This study presents baseline characteristics of a cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT) on hand hygiene in primary healthcare in Burkina Faso and Mali, addressing data gaps on hand hygiene practices in these settings.
Methods
We implemented a two-arm cRCT in 48 primary healthcare facilities. Baseline data were collected (January–June 2023), followed by covariate-constrained randomization. We conducted covert hand hygiene observations, hand-rinse sampling for Escherichia coli detection, and a survey on behavioral factors among healthcare workers. The primary outcome is observed handwashing rate.
Results
Baseline data included 309 healthcare workers. Trial arms were balanced in hand hygiene adherence, behavioral factors, and E. coli contamination. Hand hygiene adherence was low (12%). E. coli contamination was very high in Burkina Faso (76%) and considerable in Mali (23%). Participants had a high intention to wash their hands (93%) but only a quarter could name all moments for hand hygiene.
Conclusion
Poor hand hygiene and E. coli contamination in our setting may heighten nosocomial infection risks. Interventions should address knowledge and build on high intentions to perform hand hygiene.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Highly increasing solubility of clofazimine, an extremely water-insoluble basic drug, in lipid-based SEDDS using digestion products of long-chain lipids
(Elsevier, 06.2025) Kandagatla, Hari P.; Kathawala, Mufaddal H.; Syed, Amber; Verbić, Tatjana Ž.; Avdeef, Alex; Kuentz, Martin; Serajuddin, Abu T.M.
Clofazimine (CFZ) is a highly effective antibiotic against leprosy and drug-resistant tuberculosis and is on the WHO List of Essential Drugs. However, no CFZ product with optimal bioavailability is available worldwide. The manufacturer withdrew its only marketed product, presumably due to poor and erratic bioavailability because of extremely low aqueous solubility in the gastrointestinal pH range. We developed a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) using a lipid digestion product (LDP) containing glyceryl monooleate and oleic acid at ∼1:2 molar ratio to increase drug solubility and ensure rapid dispersion into microemulsion. While solubilities of CFZ in glyceryl monooleate, glyceryl trioleate, and two common surfactants (Tween 80 and Kolliphor EL) were comparatively low (<15 mg/g), oleic acid provided a very high solubility of ∼500 mg/g. Because of the presence of oleic acid, the clofazimine solubility in SEDDS containing a 50:50 w/w mixture of LDP and surfactants increased to 130 mg/g. Two formulations having 50 or 100 mg CFZ in one gram of SEDDS were developed. They dispersed rapidly and almost completely in simulated intestinal fluid and in the USP pH 6.8 phosphate buffer containing 3 mM sodium taurocholate. There was some precipitation of CFZ as the HCl salt at low gastric pH during dispersion testing, but the effect could be avoided using enteric-coated capsules. Thus, an enteric-coated lipid-based formulation for CFZ with as high as 100 mg/g drug loading was developed, providing complete drug release and producing microemulsions under intestinal pH conditions.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Development of a thermodynamic model for the HF/H2SO4 /HFSO3 /H2O System Integrating Chemical Equilibrium
(Hochschule für Life Sciences FHNW, 2005) Vogel, Christian; Zogg, Andreas
Hydrogen fluoride (HF) is the starting material for many fluorine-containing materials, such as refrigerants, fluorinated plastics, and battery electrolytes. BussChemTech licenses processes for the production of anhydrous HF. During HF production, mixtures of HF and H2SO4 occur. Mixing of HF and H2SO4 leads to the following equilibrium reaction: HF + H2SO4 ⇌ HFSO3 + H2O. In previous work involving HF and H2SO4, the concentrations of components were measured with NMR to determine the equilibrium of the reaction. These measurements were carried out with various concentrations of HF and H2SO4.
The goal of this work was:
• Understand the thermodynamic equilibrium of HF/H2SO4/HFSO3/H2O system
• Modelling of the equilibrium to determine HF vapour pressure
• Improvement of HF production processes with the developed model
11 - Studentische Arbeit
Marketingmassnahmen in der Immobilienbranche am Fallbeispiel der Sägesser Immobilien GmbH
(Hochschule für Wirtschaft FHNW, 2025) Steiner, Simon; Hochstrasser, Marvin; Wyss, Daniel; Niggli, Ruth; Sägesser Immobilien GmbH, Grenchen
Die Sägesser Immobilien GmbH bietet Dienstleistungen in der Immobilienbewirtschaftung, Beratung bei Immobilien und den Verkauf von Immobilien an. Das Unternehmen ist in Grenchen ansässig und ergänzt das Angebot durch Immobilienbewertungen und Drohnenaufnahmen. Gegründet wurde das Unternehmen im Jahr 2016 durch den Inhaber, Daniel Sägesser. Zu Beginn wurde das Unternehmen durch den Inhaber nebst seiner Erwerbstätigkeit betreut, seit August 2024 widmet sich Herr Sägesser seiner Firma vollständig.
11 - Studentische Arbeit
Influence of ERP systems on the innovative ability of Swiss companies
(Hochschule für Wirtschaft FHNW, 2025) Spasic, Nikola; Meyer, Mona
ERP systems enhance operational efficiency and support strategic. They also significantly foster innovation through improved transparency, real-time data access, and process standardization. However, the rigid structures and high costs associated with ERP systems can also challenge flexibility and innovation.
11 - Studentische Arbeit