Assessing Counseling Practices of Community Pharmacists in Nigeria

Inadequate counseling by pharmacists on medication–related issues could cause therapeutic failure. This study examined extent of counseling by community pharmacists; appraised their actual counseling activities; and identified barriers to counseling. The study utilized two approaches: (i) an observational cross-sectional survey of 198 randomly selected community pharmacists and (ii) stimulated-patient (SPs) method to appraise counseling practices in 106 pharmacies. Data were summarized with appropriate statistics at p<0.05. Extent of counseling was moderate (60%) and gaps exist between SPs and community pharmacists’ assessments of counseling practices. Significant associations exist between years in practice as community pharmacists (χ2=31.81, p=0.021), their ages, (χ2=55.48, p=0.043, academic qualifications (χ2=26.79, p=0.001) with extent of counseling. Barriers to counseling include absence of patient medication history (84.6%), insufficient space in pharmacies (79.6%), and training of pharmacists (78.2%). Level of counseling was suboptimal but could be improved if community pharmacists embark on continuous training to acquire more counseling skills

Causal ambiguity and partial orders in event structures

Event structure models often have some constraint which ensures that for each\ud system run it is clear what are the causal predecessors of an event (i.e. there is no causal ambiguity). In this contribution we study what happens if we remove\ud such constraints. We define five different partial order semantics that are intentional in the sense that they refer to syntactic aspects of the model. We also define an observational partial order semantics, that derives a partial order from just the event traces. It appears that this corresponds to the so-called early intentional semantics; the other intentional semantics cannot be observationally characterized. We study the equivalences induced by the different partial order definitions, and their interrelations

Pattern transfer of sub-micrometre-scaled structures into solid copper by laser embossing

Laser embossing allows the micron and submicron patterning of metal substrates that is of great interest in a wide range of applications. This replication process enables low-cost patterning of metallic materials by non-thermal, high-speed forming which is driven by laser-induced shock waves. In this study the surface topography characteristics as well as the material structure at laser embossing of sub-micrometre gratings into solid copper is presented. The topography of the laser-embossed copper pattern is analysed with atomic force microscopy (AFM) in comparison to the master surface. The height of the embossed structures and the replicated pattern fidelity increases up to a laser fluence of F ∼ 10 J/cm2. For higher laser fluences the height of the embossed structures saturates at 75% of the master pattern height and the shape is adequate to the master. Structural modifications in the copper mono crystals after the laser embossing process were investigated with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Almost no modifications were detected. The residual stress after laser embossing of 32 MPa (F = 30 J/cm2) has only a limited influence on the surface pattern formation

Implementasi Algoritma K-Means Clustering Pada Analisis Penyebaran Penyakit Pasien Pengguna Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial Kesehatan (BPJS)

Abstract Clustering technique is a technique of grouping of records in a database based on certain criteria. The clustering results are given to the end user to provide a snapshot of what is happening in the database. One method that can be used in clustering technique is a method of K-Means Clustering. K-Means Clustering method divides the data into multiple groups and can accept input in the form of data without a label. This study used the method K-Means Clustering data disease patients in an effort to find the tendency of the disease in a group of people who went to Haji Adam Malik Hospital in Medan. The results of this study are expected to be used as a reference for health education programs at once may be the anticipation of a priority service for patients especially BPJS users

Interpreting clinical trial data in multiple myeloma: translating findings to the real-world setting

Substantial improvements in survival have been seen in multiple myeloma (MM) over recent years, associated with the introduction and widespread use of multiple novel agents and regimens, as well as the emerging treatment paradigm of continuous or long-term therapy. However, these therapies and approaches may have limitations in the community setting, associated with toxicity burden, patient burden, and other factors including cost. Consequently, despite improvements in efficacy in the rigorously controlled clinical trials setting, the same results are not always achieved in real-world practice. Furthermore, the large number of different treatment options and regimens under investigation in various MM settings precludes the feasibility of obtaining head-to-head clinical trial data, and there is a temptation to use cross-trial comparisons to evaluate data across regimens. However, multiple aspects, including patient-related, disease-related, and treatment-related factors, can influence clinical trial outcomes and lead to differences between studies that may confound direct comparisons between data. In this review, we explore the various factors requiring attention when evaluating clinical trial data across available agents/regimens, as well as other considerations that may impact the translation of these findings into everyday MM management. We also investigate discrepancies between clinical trial efficacy and real-world effectiveness through a literature review of non-clinical trial data in relapsed/ refractory MM on novel agent−based regimens and evaluate these data in the context of phase 3 trial results for recently approved and commonly used regimens. We thereby demonstrate the complexity of interpreting data across clinical studies in MM, as well as between clinical studies and routine-care analyses, with the aim to help clinicians consider all the necessary issues when tailoring individual patients’ treatment approaches

PENGARUH PENGELOLAAN KEUANGAN DAN SISTEM INFORMASI AKUNTANSI TERHADAP TRANSPARANSI KINERJA KEUANGAN BUMDES

This study aims to determine the effect of financial management variables and accounting information systems on financial performance transparency variables. The research was conducted using qualitative methods and using a case study approach, and samples were taken from 32 respondents. This research was conducted in BUMDes Sauyunan, Cihideung Village, Parongpong District, West Bandung Regency with the aim of increasing understanding in managing BUMDes finance through the System Information Accounting. Hypothesis testing in this study using SPSS tools. The results showed that the Financial Management variable (X1) had no effect on the Financial Performance Transparency variable (Y), while the Accounting Information System variable (X2) had an effect on the Financial Performance Transparency variable (Y)

Multifrequency X,W-band ESR study on photo-induced ion radical formation in solid films of mono- and di-fullerenes embedded in conjugated polymers

Anion-cation radical formation in solid films of M3EH-PPV blended with C60-PCBM, C120-O-PCBM and C60-MDHE, C 120-O-MDHE under diode laser (532 nm) and Xe-lamp light excitation studied by means of X,W-band at temperatures 30-80 K is reported. Subsequent high frequency W-band ESR data demonstrate the reproducible, but variable effect of appreciable dispersion (D) contribution in the ESR spectral line for the di-fullerene anion radicals. It is suggested that the increase of the D part relative to the absorption (A) in the summarized ESR absorption line in blends with difullerenes is caused by the higher value of difullerene medium conductivity. The obtained data are quantitatively discussed by the D/A ∼ F(d/δ) functional dependence in approach of plane film geometry, where d is the film thickness and δ is the skin-depth. The influence of ν-dependent δ at D/A value has been checked using X-band LESR. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Treatment outcome of new pulmonary tuberculosis in Guangzhou, China 1993–2002: a register-based cohort study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Completion of treatment for tuberculosis (TB) is of utmost priority for TB control programs. The aims of this study were to evaluate the treatment outcome of TB cases registered in Guangzhou during the period 1993–2002, and to identify factors associated with treatment success.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two (of eight) districts in Guangzhou were selected randomly as objects of study and their surveillance database was analyzed to assess the treatment outcome and identify factors associated with treatment success for TB cases registered in Guangzhou. Six treatment outcome criteria were assessed based on guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Logistic regression was used to estimate risk factors for treatment outcome.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 6743 pulmonary tuberculosis cases (4903 males, 1840 females) were included in this study. The treatment success rate (including cured and complete treatment) was 88% (95%CI 87%–89%). One hundred and eight-six (2.8%) patients died and 401 (5.9%) patients defaulted treatment. In multivariate analysis, treatment success was found to be associated with young age, lack of cavitation and compliance with treatment.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The total treatment success rate in the current study was similar to the WHO target for all smear positive cases, while the failure rate and the default rate in 2002 were slightly higher. Good care of elderly patients, early diagnosis of cavitation and compliance with treatment could improve the success rate of TB treatment.</p