Three-Dimensional Composition Analysis of SnAg Solder Bumps Using Ultraviolet Femtosecond Laser Ablation Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

The application of a novel UV fs Laser Ablation Ionization Mass Spectrometry approach for chemical depth profiling of low-melting point, high surface roughness SnAg solder bump features is presented. The obtained submicrometer resolved three-dimensional compositional data reveal unprecedented information on the distribution of individual elements inside the solder bump matrix. Moreover, the determination of matrix-matched relative sensitivity coefficients allows the first report on quantitative assessment of the SnAg alloy composition. These results significantly contribute to an in-depth understanding of the SnAg plating process. This experimental procedure may find application in future additive performance screening.

Úlceras por presión en pacientes ingresados en Medicina Interna: factores asociados y mortalidad / Pressure ulcers in patients hospitalized in Internal Medicine: associated factors and mortality

Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de las úlceras por presión en pacientes hospitalizados en Medicina Interna y los factores clínicos y riesgo de muerte asociados a su presencia. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio prospectivo de cohortes con pacientes ingresados en Medicina Interna. Se recogieron la edad, sexo, presencia de úlceras por presión, grado de la úlcera, índice de Barthel, escala de Norton, categoría diagnóstica mayor, duración de la estancia hospitalaria y peso del grupo relacionado de diagnóstico. Se compararon las características clínicas de los pacientes con o sin úlceras y se analizó la mortalidad al cabo de 3 años en función de la presencia de úlceras. Resultados. Se incluyeron 699 pacientes, de los que 100 (14,3%) presentaron úlceras por presión (27 de grado I, 17 de grado II, 21 de grado III, 25 de grado IV y 10 de grado no conocido). El índice de Barthel (OR 0,985 IC95% 0,972-0,998; p=0,022) y la escala de Norton (OR 0,873 IC95% 0,780-0,997; p=0,018) se asociaron de forma independiente con las úlceras. Durante el ingreso fallecieron el 23% de los pacientes con úlceras, al cabo de un año el 68% y a los 3 años el 83%. La presencia de úlceras por presión se asoció de forma independiente con la mortalidad (HR 1,531, IC95% 1,140-2,056, p=0,005). Conclusiones. Las úlceras por presión son frecuentes en los pacientes hospitalizados en Medicina Interna y su presencia se asocia con mayor mortalidad a corto, medio y largo plazo (AU)

Objective. To determine the prevalence of pressure ulcers in patients hospitalized in internal medicine and the clinical factors and risk of death associated with its presence. Patients and methods. Prospective cohort study with patients hospitalized in internal medicine. We recorded the age, sex, presence of pressure ulcers, degree of ulceration, Barthel index, Norton scale, major diagnostic category, length of hospital stay and weight of the diagnosis-related groups. We compared the clinical characteristics of the patients with or without ulcers and analysed the mortality after 3 years based on the presence of ulcers. Results. The study included 699 patients, 100 of whom (14.3%) had pressure ulcers (27 with grade I, 17 with grade II, 21 with grade III, 25 with grade IV and 10 with unknown grade). The Barthel index (OR 0.985; 95% CI 0.972-0.998; p=.022) and Norton scale (OR 0.873; 95% CI 0.780-0.997; p=.018) are independently associated with ulcers. Twenty-three percent of the patients with ulcers died during hospitalization, 68% died within a year, and 83% died within 3 years. The presence of pressure ulcers was independently associated with mortality (HR, 1.531; 95% CI 1.140-2.056; p=.005). Conclusions. Pressure ulcers are common in patients hospitalized in internal medicine, and their presence is associated with higher short, medium and long-term mortality (AU)

Pressure ulcers in patients hospitalized in Internal Medicine: associated factors and mortality. / Úlceras por presión en pacientes ingresados en Medicina Interna: factores asociados y mortalidad.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of pressure ulcers in patients hospitalized in internal medicine and the clinical factors and risk of death associated with its presence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study with patients hospitalized in internal medicine. We recorded the age, sex, presence of pressure ulcers, degree of ulceration, Barthel index, Norton scale, major diagnostic category, length of hospital stay and weight of the diagnosis-related groups. We compared the clinical characteristics of the patients with or without ulcers and analysed the mortality after 3 years based on the presence of ulcers. RESULTS: The study included 699 patients, 100 of whom (14.3%) had pressure ulcers (27 with grade I, 17 with grade II, 21 with grade III, 25 with grade IV and 10 with unknown grade). The Barthel index (OR 0.985; 95% CI 0.972-0.998; p=.022) and Norton scale (OR 0.873; 95% CI 0.780-0.997; p=.018) are independently associated with ulcers. Twenty-three percent of the patients with ulcers died during hospitalization, 68% died within a year, and 83% died within 3 years. The presence of pressure ulcers was independently associated with mortality (HR, 1.531; 95% CI 1.140-2.056; p=.005). CONCLUSIONS: Pressure ulcers are common in patients hospitalized in internal medicine, and their presence is associated with higher short, medium and long-term mortality.

Electrochemical control of a non-covalent binding between ferrocene and beta-cyclodextrin.

The forces required for the detachment of ferrocene (Fc) from ß-cyclodextrin (ßCD) in a single host (ßCD)-guest (Fc) complex were investigated using force spectroscopy under electrochemical conditions. The redox state of the guest Fc moiety as well as the structure of the supporting matrix was found to decisively affect the nanomechanical properties of the complex.