A novel method for the synthesis of solvent-free Mg(B3H8)2.

This communication presents a novel and solvent-free method to synthesise Mg(B3H8)2 via the gas-solid reaction between B2H6 and Mg2NiH4, which overcomes the limitations of wet chemical methods requiring solvent removal.

In situ X-ray Raman spectroscopy study of the hydrogen sorption properties of lithium borohydride nanocomposites.

Nanoconfined alkali metal borohydrides are promising materials for reversible hydrogen storage applications, but the characterization of hydrogen sorption in these materials is difficult. Here we show that with in situ X-ray Raman spectroscopy (XRS) we can track the relative amounts of intermediates and final products formed during de- and re-hydrogenation of nanoconfined lithium borohydride (LiBH4) and therefore we can possibly identify the de- and re-hydrogenation pathways. In the XRS of nanoconfined LiBH4 at different points in the de- and re-hydrogenation, we identified phases that lead to the conclusion that de- and re-hydrogenation pathways in nanoconfined LiBH4 are different from bulk LiBH4: intercalated lithium (LiCx), boron and lithium hydride were formed during de-hydrogenation, but as well Li2B12H12 was observed indicating that there is possibly some bulk LiBH4 present in the nanoconfined sample LiBH4-C as prepared. Surprisingly, XRS revealed that the de-hydrogenated products of the LiBH4-C nanocomposites can be partially rehydrogenated to about 90% of Li2B12H12 and 2-5% of LiBH4 at a mild condition of 1 bar H2 and 350 °C. This suggests that re-hydrogenation occurs via the formation of Li2B12H12. Our results show that XRS is an elegant technique that can be used for in and ex situ study of the hydrogen sorption properties of nanoconfined and bulk light-weight metal hydrides in energy storage applications.

Disease activity assessment in ankylosing spondylitis in a Chinese cohort: BASDAI or ASDAS?

Recently, the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), a new index, has been shown to be validated and highly discriminatory in assessing ankylosing spondylitis (AS) disease activity. This study is to evaluate the performance of ASDAS in a local Chinese cohort of AS in a cross-sectional setting and to compare it with the existing instrument, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). Consecutive patients with AS were recruited from a local rheumatology clinic. Data, including BASDAI, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for spinal pain, and patient and physician global assessments were gathered during clinic visit. Inflammatory markers, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and high-sensitivity (hs)-CRP were collected. ASDAS was calculated accordingly. The discriminatory capacity of BASDAI and ASDAS was compared by: (1) standardized mean difference statistics, (2) R (2) in linear regressions, and (3) area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) in logistic regression models. Both ASDAS and BASDAI showed satisfactory predictive value on disease activity with reference to patient and physician global assessment. R (2) in linear regression models ranged from 0.6-0.7. Both indices also demonstrated good discriminatory capacity as evidenced by a relatively high AUC (> 0.8) under the logistic regression models using either patient or physician global assessment score ≥4 and <4 as cut off of high and low disease activity status, respectively. Although we could not demonstrate significant differences in the performance between them, subgroup analysis suggested better discriminatory ability of ASDAS in the high inflammatory marker subgroup. ASDAS and BASDAI showed similarly good performance in a cross-sectional setting in a local Chinese AS cohort. ASDAS performed better in subgroup with raised inflammatory markers.

Design and synthesis of copper-cobalt catalysts for the selective conversion of synthesis gas to ethanol and higher alcohols.

Combining quantum-mechanical simulations and synthesis tools allows the design of highly efficient CuCo/MoO(x) catalysts for the selective conversion of synthesis gas (CO+H2) into ethanol and higher alcohols, which are of eminent interest for the production of platform chemicals from non-petroleum feedstocks. Density functional theory calculations coupled to microkinetic models identify mixed Cu-Co alloy sites, at Co-enriched surfaces, as ideal for the selective production of long-chain alcohols. Accordingly, a versatile synthesis route is developed based on metal nanoparticle exsolution from a molybdate precursor compound whose crystalline structure isomorphically accommodates Cu(2+) and Co(2+) cations in a wide range of compositions. As revealed by energy-dispersive X-ray nanospectroscopy and temperature-resolved X-ray diffraction, superior mixing of Cu and Co species promotes formation of CuCo alloy nanocrystals after activation, leading to two orders of magnitude higher yield to high alcohols than a benchmark CuCoCr catalyst. Substantiating simulations, the yield to high alcohols is maximized in parallel to the CuCo alloy contribution, for Co-rich surface compositions, for which Cu phase segregation is prevented.

Clinical pharmacy interventions in paediatric electronic prescriptions.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the frequency, nature and determinants of clinical pharmacy interventions in paediatric electronic prescriptions. DESIGN: Prospective cohort with nested case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary children's hospital, The Netherlands. PATIENTS: Patients 0-18 years with at least one drug prescription admitted to hospital between 1 March 2004 and 1 January 2008, excluding patients receiving intensive care. INTERVENTIONS: Electronic medication prescriptions for paediatric inpatients were verified and if necessary interventions were made by the paediatric clinical pharmacy. Prescriptions requiring intervention (cases) were compared with prescriptions not requiring interventions (controls). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of clinical pharmacy interventions, per 10 000 paediatric electronic prescriptions, and the determinants thereof. RESULTS: Interventions were made for 1577 (1.1%) of 138 449 prescriptions. 81% of the interventions concerned correction of a prescription that might have had adverse clinical consequences. Interventions in prescriptions for antibacterial agents for systemic use were made most often. Most corrections concerned wrong doses (45%). 1577 cases were compared with 1983 controls. The risk of interventions was higher for children aged 1 month to 2 years than for 12-18-year-olds (OR=1.97 (95% CI 1.63 to 2.38)). The risk for 'free-text' prescriptions was five times higher than for 'standardised structured template' prescriptions. No differences were found between day, evening and night shift prescriptions. Significantly more interventions were made in the oral dosage form (OR=1.63 (95% CI 1.41 to 1.88)) and administration route (OR=1.80 (95% CI 1.55 to 2.09)) than for other reasons. CONCLUSIONS: Paediatric prescribing errors occur frequently and are not completely prevented by electronic prescribing systems. This study provides information for improvements in electronic prescribing for paediatric patients. Incorporating tailored solutions, such as minimised free-text entry, certain obligatory fields and integrated dose checking and indications, can improve the quality and efficiency of electronic prescribing in paediatrics.