Surface integrity of Mg-based nanocomposite produced by Abrasive Water Jet Machining (AWJM)

This paper investigates the influence of jet traverse speed on the surface integrity of 0.66 wt% Al2O3 nanoparticle reinforced metal matrix composite (MMC) generated by Abrasive Water Jet Machining (AWJM). Surface morphology, surface topography, and surface roughness (SR) of the AWJ surface were analyzed. The machined surfaces of the nanocomposites were examined by laser confocal microscope and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Microhardness and elasticity modulus measurement by nanoindentation testing were also performed across thickness of the samples to see depth of the zone, affected by AWJ cutting. The result reveals that extent of grooving by abrasive particle and irregularity in AWJ machined surface increases as the traverse speed increased. Similarly, the rise in value of surface roughness parameters with traverse speed was also seen. In addition, nanoindentation testing represents the lower hardness and elastic modulus due to softening occurs in AWJ surface

Use of Benzodiazepines and Association with Falls in Older People Admitted to Hospital: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background Hypnosedatives are commonly prescribed for anxiety and sleep problems. Changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of benzodiazepines (BZDs) during ageing may increase their potential to cause adverse outcomes

Microstructure and mechanical properties of ZrO2-reinforced MoSi2 matrix composites

The purpose of the present investigation was to explore microstructure and mechanical properties of two types of composite materials with different amounts of secondary phase (10% and 15% ZrO2), and their comparison with monolithic MoSi2. Following metallographic analyses the identification of phases and residual pores in microstructure was realised. The main criteria for assessment of mechanical properties were hardness, mechanical strength, and fracture toughness determined by two different methods. The results showed that materials with added ZrO2 particles had better mechanical properties compared to the monolithic one and these properties improved with increase of the ZrO2 content. Comparison of the two methods of fracture toughness measurement indicates better sensitivity and reliability of the IS method which is less influenced by human factor. The results of EDX analysis showed that the microstructures of the toughened materials contain monolithic MOSi2 phase, Mo5Si3 phase and secondary ZrO2 phase

Does hospital admission provide an opportunity for improving pharmacotherapy among elderly inpatients?

ABSTRACT The purpose of the work was to assess the incidence of potential drug interactions (pDDI), major pDDI, and the use of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) at hospital admission, during hospitalization, and at discharge to evaluate whether hospital admission provides an opportunity for improving pharmacotherapy in elderly patients at a University hospital that has a clinical pharmacist. A prospective cohort study was carried out using data from the medical records of patients admitted to an internal medicine ward. All admissions and prescriptions were monitored between March and August 2006. Micromedex(r) DrugReax(r) and Beers Criteria 2015 were used to identify pDDI, major pDDI, and PIMs, respectively. A comparison of admission and discharge prescriptions showed the following: an increase in the proportion of patients using antithrombotic agents (76 versus 144; p<0.001), lipid modifying agents (58 versus 81; p=0.024), drugs for acid-related disorders (99 versus 152; p<0.001), and particularly omeprazole (61 versus 87; p=0.015); a decrease in the number of patients prescribed psycholeptics (73 versus 32; p<0.001) and diazepam (54 versus 13; p<0.001); and a decrease in the proportion of patients exposed to polypharmacy (16.1% versus 10.1%; p=0.025), at least one pDDI (44.5% versus 32.8%; p=0.002), major pDDI (19.9% versus 12.2%; p=0.010) or PIM (85.8% versus 51.9%; p<0.001). The conclusion is that admission to a hospital ward that has a clinical pharmacist was associated with a reduction in the number of patients exposed to polypharmacy, pDDI, major pDDI, and the use of PIMs among elderly inpatients