Investigating microcrystalline cellulose crystallinity using Raman spectroscopy.

Unlabelled: Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is a semi-crystalline material with inherent variable crystallinity due to raw material source and variable manufacturing conditions. MCC crystallinity variability can result in downstream process variability. The aim of this study was to develop models to determine MCC crystallinity index (%CI) from Raman spectra of 30 commercial batches using Raman probes with spot sizes of 100 µm (MR probe) and 6 mm (PhAT probe).

Near-infrared monitoring of roller compacted ribbon density: Investigating sources of variation contributing to noisy spectral data.

The aim of this study was to highlight how variability in roller compacted ribbon quality can impact on NIR spectral measurement and to propose a simple method of data selection to remove erroneous spectra. The use of NIR spectroscopy for monitoring ribbon envelope density has been previously demonstrated, however to date there has been limited discussion as to how spectral data sets can contain erroneous outliers due to poor sample presentation to the NIR probes. In this study compacted ribbon of variable quality was produced from three separate blends of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)/lactose/magnesium stearate at 8 Roll Force settings (2-16kN/cm).

Treating patients with eating disorders: an examination of treatment providers' experiences.

Patients with eating disorders bring unique challenges to treatment providers. The purpose of this study was to explore treatment providers' experiences working with patients with eating disorders. Specifically, we investigated 1) the frequency and management of commentary about the treatment providers' appearance from patients, 2) personal changes in affect, vigilance around appearance, and eating behaviors in treatment providers, and 3) feedback and suggestions about effectively working with these patients.