Niobium and niobium-iron coatings on API 5LX 70 steel applied with HVOF

The present study aimed to create and characterize niobium and niobium-iron60% coatings applied to steel API 5L X70 using the hypersonic thermal spray process (HVOF). The morphologies of the coatings were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and profilometry, while the coatings’ hardnesses was evaluated using the Vickers hardness test. The coatings’ corrosion resistance was evaluated by monitoring their open circuit potential and potentiodynamic polarization and performing electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in a 0.05 M NaCl solution. The results showed that the niobium-iron coating contained minor porosity regions, while such defects occurred over large regions of the niobium coating. In terms of corrosion resistance, the coatings obtained in this work promoted a reduction in the substrate’s corrosion rate, but the presence of discontinuities such as porosity compromised the barrier effects of these coatings

Cost-effectiveness of ziconotide in intrathecal pain management for severe chronic pain patients in the UK

Objective: To examine the cost-effectiveness of using intrathecal ziconotide in the treatment of severe chronic pain compared to best supportive care for patients with intractable chronic pain in the United Kingdom. Methods: Using a simulation model, the analysis evaluated the cost and health economic consequences of using ziconotide as a treatment for severe chronic pain. The modelled population and clinical data were based on a randomised controlled trial in which the main outcome was reduction in pain as measured by the visual analogue scale of pain intensity (VASPI). Resource use data were elicited using a modified Delphi panel and costed using published sources. Utility values were derived from a separate research study. The main outcome measure was the cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). Extensive scenario analysis was conducted to evaluate parameter uncertainty. Results: Overall, findings were robust to most assumptions. The cost-effectiveness of ziconotide compared to best supportive care (BSC) was 27 pound 443 per QALY (95% CI 18304-38504) pound. Scenarios were investigated in which discount rates, the time horizon, the threshold for qualifying as a responder, pump-related assumptions, utilities, ziconotide drug dose, and the patient discontinuation rate with ziconotide were varied. The most sensitive parameter was the dosage of ziconotide: using the lower and upper bounds of the average ziconotide dosage observed in the long-term open-label study changed the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) to 15500 pound [8206-25405] pound and 44700 pound [30541-62670] pound. Conclusions: Ziconotide may offer an economically feasible alternative solution for patients for whom current treatment is inappropriate or ineffective. The main study limitation is that some model inputs, mainly related to resource use, are based on assumptions or expert interviews