Colloidal microgels - untapped potential?

Colloidal microgels are discrete cross-linked polymeric nanoparticles that may be prepared from a range of different monomer types. These monomers may confer dispersion sensitivity to a wide range of stimuli including temperature, pH, salinity and the addition of co-solvents. Microgels are spherical and are typically in the size range from 50 nm up to 1000 nm. They are prepared by a polymerization of a monomer or monomers in the presence of a crossliner

Using Web 2.0 Tools such as Google Apps in Library Instruction Sessions with Non-Traditional Students

Much has been written about traditional undergraduate students and their familiarity with Web 2.0 tools. But how “tech savvy” are non-traditional students? How can tools such as Google Apps be used in library instruction with these students? Troy University Montgomery Campus serves an especially diverse student body; roughly two-thirds are adult, non-traditional students (average age of 28). Librarians on this campus surveyed students in library instruction classes to find out their knowledge and use of Web 2.0 technologies such as social networking, image and video sharing, collaborative authoring tools, communication tools, social games/spaces and blogs. Survey results show that many of the students not only had never used these tools, but they had never even heard of them. As a result of these findings, librarians now incorporate some of these Web 2.0 technologies in their library instruction sessions. Presenters will discuss how librarians introduce students to Web 2.0 tools in library instruction and explain how online tools such as Google Apps can be used not only as a collaborative authoring tool for students, but also for librarians designing instruction sessions. For example, class assignments using documents, spreadsheets, and presentations can be created and shared, opened, and edited by multiple users at the same time. Students can be surveyed and their feedback results sent to a spreadsheet. PowerPoint slides can be created and published to the web for viewing at any time. The presenters will conclude by sharing both the benefits and drawbacks of using Google Apps in library instruction sections

Correction: Studies of intermolecular interactions in solid dispersions using advanced surface chemical analysis

Correction for ‘Studies of intermolecular interactions in solid dispersions using advanced surface chemical analysis’ by M. Maniruzzaman et al., RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 74212–74219

Effect of pressure on the melting point of pluronics in pressurized carbon dioxide

The melting points of Pluronic F-77, F-127, F-68, F-38, and F-108 were investigated in pressurized CO2 between a pressure range of 2.0–50.0 MPa. Unprocessed and CO2-processed Pluronic samples were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). A melting point depression in the range of 18.1 (± 0.5 K) to 19.3 (± 0.3 K) was observed for all Pluronics studied in this work. The melting point of Pluronics in pressurized CO2 was found to be independent of their molecular weight and poly(propylene oxide) [PPO] content. Analysis by DSC and PXRD revealed that CO2 processing had no impact on the morphology of Pluronics

A review of hot-melt extrusion: process technology to pharmaceutical products [Review article]

Over the last three decades industrial adaptability has allowed hot-melt extrusion (HME) to gain wide acceptance and has already established its place in the broad spectrum of manufacturing operations and pharmaceutical research developments. HME has already been demonstrated as a robust, novel technique to make solid dispersions in order to provide time controlled, modified, extended, and targeted drug delivery resulting in improved bioavailability as well as taste masking of bitter active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). This paper reviews the innumerable benefits of HME, based on a holistic perspective of the equipment, processing technologies to the materials, novel formulation design and developments, and its varied applications in oral drug delivery systems

A quality by design (QbD) twin—screw extrusion wet granulation approach for processing water insoluble drugs

In this study, a Quality by Design (QbD) approach was used to identify the effect of formulation parameters in a twin screw wet extrusion granulation process for the manufacturing of ibuprofen (IBU) granules with increased dissolution rates. A fractional factorial Design of Experiment (DoE) was used to investigate the effect of the excipient composition, binder amount and liquid to solid (L/S) ratio (independent variables) on drug dissolution rates, median particle size diameter and specific surface area (dependent variables). The intra-granular addition of the binder in inorganic/polymer blends processed with ethanol as granulating liquids facilitated the formation of granules at various particle sizes. DoE regression analysis showed that all formulation parameters affect the dependent variables significantly. The enhanced dissolution rates were attributed not only to the IBU particle size reduction and adsorption in the porous inorganic network but also to the high specific surface area of the produced granules. Dynamic vapour sorption showed increased water absorption for granules with small particle size distribution and high specific surface area

Healthcare scandals and the failings of doctors: do official inquiries hold the profession to account?

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore whether official inquiries are an effective method for holding the medical profession to account for failings in the quality and safety of care. Design/methodology/approach: Through a review of the theoretical literature on professions and documentary analysis of key public inquiry documents and reports in the UK National Health Service (NHS) the authors examine how the misconduct of doctors can be understood using the metaphor of professional wrongdoing as a product of bad apples, bad barrels or bad cellars. Findings: The wrongdoing literature tends to present an uncritical assumption of increasing sophistication in analysis, as the focus moves from bad apples (individuals) to bad barrels (organisations) and more latterly to bad cellars (the wider system). This evolution in thinking about wrongdoing is also visible in public inquiries, as analysis and recommendations increasingly tend to emphasise cultural and systematic issues. Yet, while organisational and systemic factors are undoubtedly important, there is a need to keep in sight the role of individuals, for two key reasons. First, there is growing evidence that a small number of doctors may be disproportionately responsible for large numbers of complaints and concerns. Second, there is a risk that the role of individual professionals in drawing attention to wrongdoing is being neglected. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge this is the first theoretical and empirical study specifically exploring the role of NHS inquiries in holding the medical profession to account for failings in professional practice

Creating a Culture of Mentoring @ Your Library

The need to find and retain high quality leadership for libraries is one of the top seven issues for academic libraries. With a significant percentage of librarians planning to retire in the next decade, retaining professionals is imperative. Librarians must not only be retained, but mentored and developed for future leadership roles in the academic library community (Hisle, 2002). Creating a “culture of mentoring” helps the organization, individuals in the organization, and those with whom they interact. This culture provides integrity (accountability) throughout the organization, and opportunities for learning, for feedback and for improvement of performance throughout the organization. Libraries are using mentoring to orient new librarians, to assist them through the promotion and tenure process, and to provide information to librarians interested in advancement