Tablet ejection: A systematic comparison between force, static friction, and kinetic friction.

The magnitude of the frictional forces during the ejection of porous pharmaceutical tablets plays an important role in determining the occurrence of tabletting defects. Here, we perform a systematic comparison between the maximum ejection force, static friction coefficient, and kinetic friction coefficient. All of these metrics have different physical meanings, corresponding to different stages of ejection.

Effect of Varying Stiffness and Functionalization on the Interfacial Failure Behavior of Isotactic Polypropylene on Hydroxylated γ-AlO by MD Simulation.

This study focuses on polymer-metal joints consisting of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) or iPP grafted with maleic anhydride (iPP-g-MA) and hydroxylated γ-AlO, which is a model for an oxidized aluminum surface, and investigates the contributions of the Young's moduli of iPP and iPP-g-MA and chemical functionality (MA groups) in iPP-g-MA to the interfacial failure behaviors using the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method. First, our calculations demonstrated that the tensile strength observed in interfacial failures of the joints increases as Young's modulus of the polymer in the joints increases. This is because a higher stiffness makes it harder for a void to form within the polymer matrix under the applied tensile strain and to reach the interface.

Constrained Density Functional Theory: A Potential-Based Self-Consistency Approach.

Chemical reactions, charge transfer reactions, and magnetic materials are notoriously difficult to describe within Kohn-Sham density functional theory, which is strictly a ground-state technique. However, over the last few decades, an approximate method known as constrained density functional theory (cDFT) has been developed to model low-lying excitations linked to charge transfer or spin fluctuations. Nevertheless, despite becoming very popular due to its versatility, low computational cost, and availability in numerous software applications, none of the previous cDFT implementations is strictly similar to the corresponding ground-state self-consistent density functional theory: the target value of constraints (e.

Highly Oriented Direct-Spun Carbon Nanotube Textiles Aligned by In Situ Radio-Frequency Fields.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) individually exhibit exceptional physical properties, surpassing state-of-the-art bulk materials, but are used commercially primarily as additives rather than as a standalone macroscopic product. This limited use of bulk CNT materials results from the inability to harness the superb nanoscale properties of individual CNTs into macroscopic materials. CNT alignment within a textile has been proven as a critical contributor to narrow this gap.

Evaluation of a Virtual Team-Based Project Designed to Improve Chronic Wound Patient Care in Ontario, Canada.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes Ontario Skin and Wound Care project, a virtual team-based endeavor designed to improve the care of patients with chronic wounds.

Methods: The study team conducted phone interviews with healthcare professionals (n = 8) regarding their patients (n = 10). The management recommendations were grouped, and the study participants questioned concerning the implementation of the recommendations.

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF ANAPLASMA INFECTIONS IN EASTERN MOOSE (ALCES ALCES AMERICANA) AND WINTER TICKS (DERMACENTOR ALBIPICTUS) IN MAINE, USA.

Eastern moose (Alces alces americana) are heavily parasitized by winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus), the dominant cause of increased calf mortality in the northeastern US. Although much work has focused on the direct negative effects of winter tick on moose, it remains unknown whether diseases transmitted by ticks may also affect moose health or pose a risk to other species. We explored the role that moose and winter ticks play in transmission of the tick-borne bacterial pathogens, Anaplasma spp.

A Meta-Analysis of Conductive and Strong Carbon Nanotube Materials.

A study of 1304 data points collated over 266 papers statistically evaluates the relationships between carbon nanotube (CNT) material characteristics, including: electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties; ampacity; density; purity; microstructure alignment; molecular dimensions and graphitic perfection; and doping. Compared to conductive polymers and graphitic intercalation compounds, which have exceeded the electrical conductivity of copper, CNT materials are currently one-sixth of copper's conductivity, mechanically on-par with synthetic or carbon fibers, and exceed all the other materials in terms of a multifunctional metric. Doped, aligned few-wall CNTs (FWCNTs) are the most superior CNT category; from this, the acid-spun fiber subset are the most conductive, and the subset of fibers directly spun from floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition are strongest on a weight basis.

Wound Bed Preparation 2021.

General Purpose: To present the 2021 update of the Wound Bed Preparation paradigm.

Target Audience: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care.

Learning Objectives/outcomes: After participating in this educational activity, the participant will: 1.

Evaluation of Longitudinal and Tubular Compression Treatment for Lower Limb Edema.

Background: Many patients with lower limb edema do not tolerate traditional higher-pressure compression devices and require alternative devices for edema control.

Methods: Two systems were evaluated for control of bilateral or unilateral lower limb edema: an elasticized longitudinal stockinette (ELS; EdemaWear; Compression Dynamics, Omaha, Nebraska) and an elasticized tubular bandage (ETB; Tubigrip; Mölnlycke Health Care, Norcross, Georgia). Twenty-five patients were recruited; patients with bilateral edema (n = 12) wore the ELS on one limb, and the ETB on the other.

Definitions of local density in density-dependent potentials for mixtures.

Density-dependent potentials are frequently used in materials simulations because of their approximate description of many-body effects at minimal computational cost. However, in order to apply such models to multicomponent systems, an appropriate definition of total local particle density is required. Here, we discuss two definitions of local density in the context of many-body dissipative particle dynamics.

Unprecedented dipole alignment in α-phase nylon-11 nanowires for high-performance energy-harvesting applications.

Dipole alignment in ferroelectric polymers is routinely exploited for applications in charge-based applications. Here, we present the first experimental realization of ideally ordered dipole alignment in α-phase nylon-11 nanowires. This is an unprecedented discovery as dipole alignment is typically only ever achieved in ferroelectric polymers using an applied electric field, whereas here, we achieve dipole alignment in as-fabricated nanowires of 'non-ferroelectric' α-phase nylon-11, an overlooked polymorph of nylon proposed 30 years ago but never practically realized.

Validated 60-Second General Foot Screen: A Pilot Trial and Guide to Diagnoses and Treatment.

General Purpose: To provide information on a 60-second General Foot Screen to assist in the prevention and/or identification and management of common foot problems.

Target Audience: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care.

Learning Objectives/outcomes: After participating in this educational activity, the participant should be better able to:1.

High throughput production of single-wall carbon nanotube fibres independent of sulfur-source.

Floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FC-CVD) methods offer a highly scalable strategy for single-step synthesis and assembly of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into macroscopic textiles. However, the non-uniform axial temperature profile of a typical reactor, and differing precursor breakdown temperatures, result in a broad distribution of catalyst particle sizes. Spun CNT fibres therefore contain nanotubes with varying diameters and wall numbers.

Invariance of experimental observables with respect to coarse-graining in standard and many-body dissipative particle dynamics.

Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) is a well-established mesoscale simulation method. However, there have been long-standing ambiguities regarding the dependence of its (purely repulsive) force field parameter on temperature as well as the variation of the resulting experimental observables, such as diffusivity or surface tension, with coarse-graining (CG) degree. Here, we rederive the temperature dependence of DPD interaction parameter and revisit the role of the CG degree in standard DPD simulations.

A cross-sectional assessment of diabetes self-management, education and support needs of Syrian refugee patients living with diabetes in Bekaa Valley Lebanon.

Background: Patients with diabetes require knowledge and skills to self-manage their disease, a challenging aspect of treatment that is difficult to address in humanitarian settings. Due to the lack of literature and experience regarding diabetes self-management, education and support (DSMES) in refugee populations, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) undertook a DSMES survey in a cohort of diabetes patients seen in their primary health care program in Lebanon.

Methods: Structured interviews were conducted with diabetes patients in three primary care clinics between January and February 2015.

Evaluating a Surfactant-Containing Polymeric Membrane Foam Wound Dressing with Glycerin in Patients with Chronic Pilonidal Sinus Disease.

General Purpose: To present an evaluation of a surfactant-containing polymeric membrane foam wound dressing for use on patients with chronic pilonidal sinus disease.

Target Audience: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care.

Learning Objectives/outcomes: After completing this continuing education activity, you should be able to:1.

The effect of crystal structure on the electromechanical properties of piezoelectric Nylon-11 nanowires.

Crystal structure is crucial in determining the properties of piezoelectric polymers, particularly at the nanoscale where precise control of the crystalline phase is possible. Here, we investigate the electromechanical properties of three distinct crystalline phases of Nylon-11 nanowires using advanced scanning probe microscopy techniques. Stiff α-phase nanowires exhibited a low piezoelectric response, while relatively soft δ'-phase nanowires displayed an enhanced piezoelectric response.

Validation of the Healthy Foot Screen: A Novel Assessment Tool for Common Clinical Abnormalities.

General Purpose: The purpose of this learning activity is to provide information about the Healthy Foot Screen, a new tool for assessment of common foot abnormalities.

Target Audience: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care.

Learning Objectives/outcomes: After completing this continuing education activity, you should be able to:1.

Photonic Sorting of Aligned, Crystalline Carbon Nanotube Textiles.

Floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition uniquely generates aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) textiles with individual CNT lengths magnitudes longer than competing processes, though hindered by impurities and intrinsic/extrinsic defects. We present a photonic-based post-process, particularly suited for these textiles, that selectively removes defective CNTs and other carbons not forming a threshold thermal pathway. In this method, a large diameter laser beam rasters across the surface of a partly aligned CNT textile in air, suspended from its ends.

The impact of team based interprofessional comprehensive assessments on the diagnosis and management of diabetic foot ulcers: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are increasingly prevalent, and associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and cost. An interprofessional approach to DFU management is critical given the etiological complexity involved. This study aimed to assess the impact of an interprofessional team approach on DFU diagnosis and management for a cohort of patients receiving treatment in an Ontario Canada home care setting.

Update: Topical Antimicrobial Agents for Chronic Wounds.

General Purpose: To provide information on the use of topical antimicrobial agents for the treatment of chronic wounds.

Target Audience: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care.

Learning Objectives/outcomes: After participating in this educational activity, the participant should be better able to:1.

Diabetes risk reduction in primary care: Evaluation of the Ontario Primary Care Diabetes Prevention Program.

Objectives: Lifestyle interventions can reduce type 2 diabetes risk. The Primary Care Diabetes Prevention Program (PCDPP) was implemented by the Government of Ontario to lower diabetes risk. This study first evaluated the program, and second used a validated tool to estimate a potential population impact if the program were implemented more broadly in the province.

Characterization of microplastic and mesoplastic debris in sediments from Kamilo Beach and Kahuku Beach, Hawai'i.

Sediment samples were collected from two Hawai'ian beaches, Kahuku Beach on O'ahu and Kamilo Beach on the Big Island of Hawai'i. A total of 48,988 large microplastic and small mesoplastic (0.5-8mm) particles were handpicked from the samples and sorted into four size classes (0.

Enhanced ordering reduces electric susceptibility of liquids confined to graphene slit pores.

The behaviours of a range of polar and non-polar organic liquids (acetone, ethanol, methanol, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), carbon tetrachloride and water) confined to 2D graphene nanochannels with thicknesses in the range of 4.5 Å to 40 Å were studied using classical molecular dynamics and hybrid density functional theory. All liquids were found to organise spontaneously into ordered layers parallel to the confining surfaces, with those containing polar molecules having their electric dipoles aligned parallel to such surfaces.