bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amelioration of the tribological behaviour of carbon/Ti–6Al–4V and graphite/Ti–6Al–4V couples by plasma nitriding of the titanium alloy
Authors: Sylvestre M , Zaidi H , Rivière J P , Eyidi D , Doyen F 
Published: August 2010

This article reports on the influence of nitriding treatment of titanium alloy on the tribological behaviour of amorphous carbon or graphite/Ti–6Al–4V couples. This contact was investigated in pin-on-disc geometry in an ambient atmosphere. The pins were made of amorphous carbon or graphite and the discs were made of Ti–6Al–4V, nitrided or not. The treatment of nitriding for this study was an N2–H2 plasma nitriding at a low temperature (700 °C) for 12 h. In these conditions, the top surface hardness was improved by a factor of 3. In this study, the mechanism of transfer and wear of carbon against Ti–6Al–4V, nitrided or not, has been studied with a scanning electron microscope, an optical microscope, etc. The analyses show that the nitriding of Ti–6Al–4V improves the tribological behaviour of the couples investigated. In fact, with the disc made of Ti–6Al–4V, the wear of carbon is very high and the disc is worn down at the end of the test. In contrast, after nitriding of the disc, the wear of carbon decreases, and there is a carbon film transfer on the disc. Moreover, with the nitriding of Ti–6Al–4V, the friction coefficient is stabilized, whereas without the nitriding of Ti–6Al–4V, the curve of the friction coefficient is marked by a very important increase during a short time. With the pin in graphite, the nitriding decreases the friction and increases the adhesion on the disc. Furthermore, the tests have shown that the contact temperature increases with the nitriding of Ti–6Al–4V.
Sildenafil: Raynaud Phenomenon
Authors: Generali Joyce , Cada Dennis J. 
Published: August 2010

Off-Label Drug Uses This Hospital Pharmacy feature is extracted from Off-Label DrugFacts, a quarterly publication available from Wolters Kluwer Health. Off-Label DrugFacts is a practitioner-oriented resource for information about specific FDA-unapproved drug uses. This new guide to the literature will enable the health care professional/clinician to quickly identify published studies on off-label uses and to determine if a specific use is rational in a patient care scenario. The most relevant data are provided in tabular form, so the reader can easily identify the scope of information available. A summary of the data—including background, study design, patient population, dosage information, therapy duration, results, safety, and therapeutic considerations—precedes each table of published studies. References direct the reader to the full literature for more comprehensive information prior to patient care decisions. Direct questions or comments regarding “Off-Label Drug Uses” to hospital pharmacy@drugfacts.com .
Sterile Preparation Evolves: A USP <797> Implementation Story
Authors: Stein Susan M. 
Published: August 2010

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) revised and renumbered the chapter describing sterile product preparation. Renumbering the document resulted in enforceable requirements for sterile preparation. This document, the infamous Chapter <797>, will improve sterile preparation in many institutions. The regulation change was a result of contaminated preparations following attempts to standardize sterile guidelines. The process to understand, review, plan, and implement change and improvement in sterile preparation process is an initially vast, but ongoing task. The journey of USP <797> implementation at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) involved education, gap analysis, reorganization, and training. Sections of Chapter <797> posed particular challenges and issues in areas including environmental and equipment, product preparation, storage, and dating, as well as, personnel training and testing. Financial implications of fully implementing the recommendations can be overwhelming. Regardless, institutions must start the process by working in their current environment, while maintaining focus on a vision of a fully compliant sterile product preparation system.
Retrospective Evaluation of Delayed Administration of Fondaparinux in Providing Comparable Safety and Efficacy Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Elective-Arthroplasty Procedures
Authors: Ottinger Joseph G. 
Published: August 2010

Purpose To evaluate the selected outcome measures of venous thromboembolic (VTE) events and major bleeding in patients undergoing a major-elective arthroplasty procedure. Comparing fondaparinux initiated 18 to 24 hours after the procedure with alternative regimens recommended by the Seventh ACCP Conference on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy consensus guidelines for prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism. Background The Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest campus has three large orthopedic groups providing services at this site. Each group has successfully managed post-surgical bleeding and prophylaxis of VTE occurrences using individually managed anticoagulation regimens. In house monitoring has shown equivalency. Recently, a new agent was FDA-approved that might provide a further reduction in venous embolic events, but potentially at the cost of increased major bleeding. Some data suggest that the ‘timing’ of an anticoagulant's dose may impact both bleeding and thrombotic event rates. However, the exact ‘optimum’ time and regimen to maximize these two divergent outcomes is still elusive. This paper is meant to provide some insight into these issues. Methods The records of all elective major orthopedic procedures involving hip or knee replacement were identified for the period of January 1 to June 30, 2004. Patients (n = 185) receiving fondaparinux 18 to 24 hours after their surgical intervention were compared with all other patients (n = 550) who received any VTE prophylaxis regimen. Electronic chart review was performed by pharmacists to collect preselected outcome data related to these procedures. Patients were evaluated for all cause 30-day readmissions related to bleeding or VTE events and any in- hospital mortality or in-hospital VTE events. Results Of 735 patients, 185 patients received fondaparinux post-operatively in the selected time frame. The remaining 550 patients received either warfarin or enoxaparin. The patients had similar demographic characteristics, and the ratios of procedural events were equivalent. Length of stay (LOS) data were also comparable. Outcome measures as assessed by a 30-day readmission rates for any morbidity, symptomatic venous embolic event, bleeding, or in-hospital VTE event were also statistically equivalent during the analyzed period. No major bleeds were seen in any of the evaluated patients. Conclusions The possibility of using fondaparinux for VTE prophylaxis and initiating therapy at the 18- to 24-hour mark post-operatively appears to provide equivalent levels of safety and efficacy compared to regimens using warfarin or enoxaparin.
Deferasirox
Authors: Cada Dennis J. , Levien Terri , Baker Danial E. 
Published: August 2010

Each month, subscribers to The Formulary Monograph Service receive five to six well-documented monographs on drugs that are newly released or are in late phase 3 trials. The monographs are targeted to your Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. Subscribers also receive monthly one-page summary monographs on the agents that are useful for agendas and pharmacy/nursing in-services. A comprehensive target drug utilization evaluation (DUE) is also provided each month. With a subscription, the monographs are sent to you in print and CD ROM forms and are available online. Monographs can be customized to meet the needs of your facility. Subscribers to the The Formulary Monograph Service also receive access to a pharmacy bulletin board, The Formulary Information Exchange (The F.I.X.). All topics pertinent to clinical and hospital pharmacy are discussed on The F.I.X. Through the cooperation of The Formulary, Hospital Pharmacy publishes selected reviews in this column. If you would like information about The Formulary Monograph Service or The F.I.X., call The Formulary at 800-322-4349. The April 2006 monograph topics are ranolazine extended release tablets, insulin human (rDNA origin) inhalation powder, sunitinib malate capsules, ibandronate intravenous, and immune globulin subcutaneous. The DUE is on ranolazine entended release tablets.
Conivaptan
Authors: Cada Dennis J. , Levien Terri , Baker Danial E. 
Published: August 2010

Each month, subscribers to The Formulary Monograph Service receive five to six well-documented monographs on drugs that are newly released or are in late phase 3 trials. The monographs are targeted to your Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. Subscribers also receive monthly one-page summary monographs on the agents that are useful for agendas and pharmacy/nursing in-services. A comprehensive target drug utilization evaluation (DUE) is also provided each month. With a subscription, the monographs are sent to you in print and CD ROM forms and are available online. Monographs can be customized to meet the needs of your facility. Subscribers to the The Formulary Monograph Service also receive access to a pharmacy bulletin board, The Formulary Information Exchange (The F.I.X.). All topics pertinent to clinical and hospital pharmacy are discussed on The F.I.X. Through the cooperation of The Formulary, Hospital Pharmacy publishes selected reviews in this column. If you would like information about The Formulary Monograph Service or The F.I.X., call The Formulary at 800-322-4349. The May 2006 monograph topics are anidulafungin, selegiline transdermal system, lubiprostone, mecasermin rinfabate injection, and rotavirus vaccine. The DUE is on anidulafungin.
Nimodipine Alert; Benzocaine Public Health Advisory; Lithium in mg or mEq; Can't Touch This!
Authors: Cohen Michael R. 
Published: August 2010

These medication errors have occurred in health care facilities at least once. They will happen again—perhaps where you work. Through education and alertness of personnel and procedural safeguards, they can be avoided. You should consider publishing accounts of errors in your newsletters and/or presenting them in your inservice training programs. Your assistance is required to continue this feature. The reports described here were received through the USP Medication Errors Reporting Program (MERP), which is presented in cooperation with the Institute for Safe Medication Practices. If you have encountered medication errors and would like to report them, you may call USP toll-free, 24 hours a day, at 800-233-7767 (800-23-ERROR). Any reports published by ISMP will be anonymous. Comments are also invited; the writers' names will be published if desired. ISMP may be contacted at the address shown below. Errors, close calls, or hazardous conditions may be reported through the ISMP ( www.ismp.org ) or USP ( www.usp.org ) Web sites or communicated directly to ISMP by calling 800-FAIL-SAFE or via E-mail at ismpinfo@ismp.org . ISMP guarantees the confidentiality and security of the information received and respects reporters' wishes as to the level of detail included in publications.
Prevalence of Nonoptimal Serum Digoxin Concentrations in a Cohort of Patients with Heart Failure
Authors: Carroll Douglas N. , Murray Timothy M. 
Published: August 2010

A recent post-hoc analysis of the Digitalis Investigation Group trial provides evidence that serum digoxin concentrations between 0.5 and 0.8 ng/mL may be optimal in the management of heart failure (HF). Purpose To evaluate the appropriateness of digoxin concentrations in patients treated for HF. Methods Serum digoxin concentrations and any subsequent changes in digoxin dosing were evaluated for hospitalized patients. Serum concentrations between 0.5 and 0.8 ng/mL were considered optimal for HF management. Results Over the period of May to November 2003, 119 patient admissions were evaluated accounting for 192 serum digoxin measurements. Of these measurements, 118 (61.5%) met both post-distributional and steady-state concentration criteria. Thirty-five (29.7%) concentrations were within the optimal range for HF, while the remaining 83 (70.3%) were either too high or low. Of those considered to be within an optimal range, eight (22.9%) received subsequent digoxin dose adjustments. Of the 83 concentrations considered to be nonoptimal for HF, only 18 (21.7%) received subsequent dose adjustments. Conclusions This study reveals that digoxin serum concentrations frequently lie outside of the optimal range for the management of HF. Response to these nonoptimal values is often inadequate or incorrect, indicating that there may be a delay in applying recent evidence into clinical practice in the patient population evaluated in this study. There appears to be a need for education about the use of digoxin in HF and adjustment in the “normal” range of digoxin concentrations reported by laboratories.
Proactively Eliminating the Risk of “Never” Events; Read-Back Works; Safety Problems with Non-formulary Drugs; Vincristine Therapy: Days “4-11” Misunderstood as Days 4 through 11
Authors: Cohen Michael R. 
Published: August 2010

These medication errors have occurred in health care facilities at least once. They will happen again—perhaps where you work. Through education and alertness of personnel and procedural safeguards, they can be avoided. You should consider publishing accounts of errors in your newsletters and/or presenting them in your inservice training programs. Your assistance is required to continue this feature. The reports described here were received through the USP Medication Errors Reporting Program (MERP), which is presented in cooperation with the Institute for Safe Medication Practices. If you have encountered medication errors and would like to report them, you may call USP toll-free, 24 hours a day, at 800-233-7767 (800-23-ERROR). Any reports published by ISMP will be anonymous. Comments are also invited; the writers' names will be published if desired. ISMP may be contacted at the address shown below. Errors, close calls, or hazardous conditions may be reported through the ISMP ( www.ismp.org ) or USP ( www.usp.org ) Web sites or communicated directly to ISMP by calling 800-FAIL-SAFE or via E-mail at ismpinfo@ismp.org . ISMP guarantees the confidentiality and security of the information received and respects reporters' wishes as to the level of detail included in publications.
Pharmacists' Right to Refuse to Dispense Prescriptions Based on Moral Grounds: A Summary of State Laws and Regulations
Authors: Hopkins Denise , Boss Marsha 
Published: August 2010

Although most states have laws that explicitly allow physicians to refuse to provide certain medical services, the policies pertaining to pharmacists are less clear. The purpose of this report is to determine which states have laws or regulations that address a pharmacist's right to refuse to dispense prescriptions based on moral grounds. Fifty Boards of Pharmacy were contacted via phone or E-mail regarding regulations as well as active or pending legislation. Information was also solicited from various state Governors' legislative offices and Web sites. Typically, individual state practice codes allow pharmacists to refuse to fill a prescription if in their professional judgment the prescription is outside the scope of practice of the prescriber; if the validity of the prescription is in question; or to protect the health and welfare of the patient. Only five states have a “conscience clause” that allows a pharmacist to refuse to fill or refill certain prescriptions, which he or she finds morally objectionable: Arkansas (contraceptives only), California, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Dakota (abortifacients and assisted suicide only). In contrast, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania have an emergency rule or regulation, which states or implies that all legal prescriptions must be dispensed or transferred. Seventeen states considered proposed bills during their respective 2005 legislative session The rights of pharmacists to refuse to dispense certain prescriptions vary widely from state to state. The protection provided to an individual pharmacist may be very broad or very specific depending on the wording of the statute or regulation.
Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) Recombinant Vaccine
Authors: Cada Dennis J. , Levien Terri , Baker Danial E. 
Published: August 2010

Each month, subscribers to The Formulary Monograph Service receive five to six well-documented monographs on drugs that are newly released or are in late phase 3 trials. The monographs are targeted to your Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. Subscribers also receive monthly one-page summary monographs on the agents that are useful for agendas and pharmacy/nursing in-services. A comprehensive target drug utilization evaluation (DUE) is also provided each month. With a subscription, the monographs are sent to you in print and CD-ROM forms and are available online. Monographs can be customized to meet the needs of your facility. Subscribers to the The Formulary Monograph Service also receive access to a pharmacy bulletin board, The Formulary Information Exchange (The F.I.X.). All topics pertinent to clinical and hospital pharmacy are discussed on The F.I.X. Through the cooperation of The Formulary, Hospital Pharmacy publishes selected reviews in this column. If you would like information about The Formulary Monograph Service or The F.I.X., call The Formulary at 800-322-4349. The December 2006 monograph topics are panitumumab, sitagliptin phosphate, fentanyl buccal tablet, arformoterol tartrate, and vorinostat. The DUE is fentanyl buccal.
Rheological Properties of Acid-Activated Bentonite Dispersions
Authors: Liang Hu-Nan , Long Zhu , Zhang Hui , Yang Shu-Hui 
Published: August 2010

AbstractAcid-activated bentonites are utilized in many applications, including those that depend on their rheological properties and behavior, but little information is available regarding the rheological characteristics of this important industrial material. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of solids concentration, salt concentration, and pH value on the shear rate, shear stress, and other flow parameters of acid-activated bentonite suspensions. Activated Na-bentonite was prepared using sulfuric acid. Flow curves of the suspensions were modeled using the Herschel-Bulkley equation, which performed well for this system. The Herschel-Bulkley yield stress increased with the solids concentration and showed a maximum and minimum at the NaCl concentrations of 0.001 M and 0.01 M, respectively, and increased again slightly with further increases in NaCl concentration. The yield stress was at a maximum and a minimum at pH values of ≈5 and ≈7, respectively, followed by a slight increase with pH under alkaline conditions. The variations in dispersion rheological properties can be attributed to the change in the particle-association modes under different conditions.
Diffusion of Calcium Chloride in a Modified Bentonite: Impact on Osmotic Efficiency and Hydraulic Conductivity
Authors: Mazzieri Francesco , Di Emidio Gemmina , Van Impe Peter O. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractChemically modified bentonites are being developed with the aim of preserving low hydraulic conductivity in the presence of potentially aggressive permeants in pollutant-containment applications. ‘Multiswellable’ bentonite (MSB) has been obtained by treating standard sodium bentonite with propylene carbonate. Research on the engineering properties of MSB has focused mainly on permeability and chemical compatibility. Solute diffusion and membrane behavior in MSB have not yet been investigated. A combined chemico-osmotic/diffusion test was performed on a MSB specimen using a 5 mM CaCl2 solution. Permeability with distilled water and with the 5 mM CaCl2 solution was measured prior to and after the chemico-osmotic/diffusion tests. The material exhibited time-dependent membrane behavior with a peak osmotic efficiency value (ω) of 0.172 that gradually shifted to zero upon breakthrough of calcium ions. Effective diffusion coefficients of calcium and chloride ions were in the range commonly described for untreated bentonite at similar porosities. After the chemico-osmotic/diffusion stage and permeation with 5 mM CaCl2, the hydraulic conductivity of MSB increased from 1.1 × 10−11 m/s to 7.0 × 10−11 m/s. The MSB was apparently converted into a calcium-exchanged bentonite at the end of the test. Prehydration and subsequent permeation might have contributed to elution of the organic additive from the clay. Further investigation is recommended to clarify the effect of prehydration on the hydraulic performance of MSB in the presence of potentially aggressive permeants.
Dissolution of Cr, Zn, Cd, and Pb Single- and Multi-Metal-Substituted Goethite: Relationship to Structural, Morphological, and Dehydroxylation Properties
Authors: Kaur Navdeep , Singh Balwant , Kennedy Brendan J. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe morphology, dehydroxylation, and dissolution properties of single- and multi-metal (Cr, Zn, Cd, and Pb)-substituted goethites prepared using hydrothermal methods are reported. The crystal morphology varied with the nature and the number of metals present in the system. The presence of Cr produced broader crystals while Zn, Cd, and Pb produced narrower crystals than pure goethite. The presence of multiple metals retards the crystal growth of the mineral. Metal substitution caused changes in the unit-cell parameters and the infrared (IR) spectra of the samples. The IR spectra were also sensitive to the morphology of the crystals. The separation of γO and δOH bending frequencies increased with increase in area and aspect ratio of the (100) crystal face. The dissolution-kinetics studies (1 M HCl, 40ºC) of single-metal-substituted goethite provided the following dissolution rate order: Zn- > Pb(II)- ≥ Pb(IV)- > unsubstituted > Cd- > Cr-goethite. More complex results were obtained for the multi-metal-substituted samples. In the di-metal-substituted goethites, incorporation of Cr suppressed the dissolution rate of Zn-substituted goethite by 85% and Cd suppressed the dissolution rate of Zn-substituted goethite by 53%. Similarly, incorporated Cr and Cd suppressed the dissolution rate of Pb(II)-substituted goethite by 50%. The dissolution rates of multi-metal-substituted goethite were linearly related to the steric strains derived from the lattice parameters of the mineral. Dissolution studies also showed that Cr, Zn, Cd, and Pb(IV) were distributed homogeneously throughout goethite crystals while Pb(II) was enriched in the near-surface regions of the crystals. Incorporation of Cr and Pb(II) increased, while Zn and Pb(IV) decreased the dehydroxylation temperature of single-metal-substituted goethites. Incorporation of Zn suppressed the effect of Cr on the dehydroxylation temperature in multi-metal-substituted goethites.
A General Factor of Personality (GFP) in the Personality Disorders: Three Studies of the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology — Basic Questionnaire (DAPP-BQ)
Authors: Rushton J. Philippe , Irwing Paul , Booth Tom 
Published: August 2010

AbstractWe used structural equation modeling to test the hypothesis that a General Factor of Personality (GFP) occupies the apex of the hierarchy of personality disorders in three validation samples of the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology — Basic Questionnaire (DAPP-BQ). In a general population sample (N= 942), we found a GFP explained 34% of the variance in four first-order factors and 33% of the variance in all 18 scales. In a twin sample (N= 1,346), a GFP explained 35% of the variance in four first-order factors and 34% of the variance in all 18 scales. In a clinical sample (N= 656), a GFP explained 34% of the variance in four first-order factors and 30% of the variance in all 18 scales.