A Proposal for an Alternative Approach to Particle Size Method Development During Early-Stage Small Molecule Pharmaceutical Development

Particle size analysis in the pharmaceutical industry has long been a source of debate regarding how best to define measurement accuracy; the degree to which the result of a measurement or calculation conforms to the true value. Defining a “true” value for the size of a particle can be challenging as the output of its measurement will differ because of variations in measurement approaches, instrumental differences and calculation methods. Consequently, for “real” particles, a universal “true” value does not exist and accuracy is therefore not a definable characteristic. Accordingly, precision is then a measure of the ability to reproducibly achieve a measurement of unknown relevance.This article proposes, in place of accuracy, a means to define the “appropriateness” of a measurement in line with the critical quality attributes (CQA) of the material being characterized. The decision as to whether the measurement is correct should involve a link to the CQA; that is, correlation should be demonstrated, without which the measured particle size cannot be defined as a critical material attribute.Correspondingly, methods should also be able to provide sufficient precision to demonstrate discrimination relating to variation in the CQA. The benefits and challenges of this approach are discussed.     

An Environmental Scan of the National and Provincial Diagnostic Reference Levels in Canada for Common Adult Computed Tomography Scans

Several regulatory bodies have agreed that low-dose radiation used in medical imaging is a weak carcinogen that follows a linear, non-threshold model of cancer risk. While avoiding radiation is the best course of action to mitigate risk, computed tomography (CT) scans are often critical for diagnosis. In addition to the as low as reasonably achievable principle, a more concrete method of dose reduction for common CT imaging exams is the use of a diagnostic reference level (DRL). This paper examines Canada's national DRL values from the recent CT survey and compares it to published provincial DRLs as well as the DRLs in the United Kingdom and the United States of America for the 3 most common CT exams: head, chest, and abdomen/pelvis. Canada compares well on the international scale, but it should consider using more electronic dose monitoring solutions to create a culture of dose optimization.     

Correction of frequency and phase variations induced by eddy currents in localized spectroscopy with multiple echo times.

As a consequence of the time-varying magnetic field induced by eddy currents, frequency drifting occurs when the sampling window of localized spectroscopy continuously shifts. The frequency drifting and the concomitant phase variations can severely affect spectroscopy results when data are acquired with multiple echo times (TEs), such as in the measurement of glutamate (Glu) concentration using the TE-averaged method. Specifically, the averaged spectra are further broadened and distorted in the presence of residual eddy currents, and editing of the coupled spins of Glu C4 protons is affected, resulting in errors in the measured relative intensity ratio. Postacquisition correction using unsuppressed water as reference can effectively minimize this detrimental effect, as manifested by the significantly enhanced signal intensity. Also, it is demonstrated that the methyl signals of creatine (Cr) at 3.0 ppm and choline (Cho) at 3.2 ppm can be used as internal references in finding frequency and phase disparities between different TEs.     

从掺混肥料的发展现状谈其国家标准制定的设想

介绍我国掺混肥料行业发展现状,存在的主要问题,提出制定掺混肥料国家标准的设想。     

中药敷脐治疗胸腰椎术后腹胀便秘的效果观察

目的探讨使用大黄厚朴煎剂热敷脐部治疗胸腰椎术后患者腹胀、便秘的疗效。方法选择2005年1月至2006年12月中山大学第二医院骨外科胸腰椎术后出现腹胀便秘的患者80例。分成两组,治疗组用大黄厚朴煎剂热敷脐部;对照组使用开塞露塞肛。观察两组患者肛门排气,排便,腹胀消除及停药复结情况。结果治疗组的总有效率95%,对照组总有效率70%;停药复结情况:治疗组5%,对照组42.5%;腹胀减轻情况:治疗组95%,对照组52.5%。结论大黄厚朴煎剂热敷脐能有效减轻肠胀气,软化大便,对于消除胸腰椎术后患者腹胀便秘明显优于使用开塞露塞肛效果。     

An exploration of gifted programs

This article presents findings on an exploration of gifted programs in the state of Missouri. Over 60 percent of the state supported public school gifted programs participated in the study. The study concludes that the guidelines for gifted education in Missouri create extreme variability in the standards of the programs. Strong national policy for gifted education is needed to insure gifted children are properly served and protected by law.     

聚酰亚胺纳米杂化材料的制备、结构和性能

介绍了聚酰亚胺（PI）纳米杂化材料的四种制备方法：溶胶－凝胶法、插层法、分散法、相转移分散聚合法。纳米粒子在PI材料中分散性良好。由于纳米粒子本身 性和纳米粒子改变了PI材料的应力作用点，随着SiO2,AIN等纳米粒子含量增加，PI杂化的玻璃化温度、热分解湿度、拉伸强度、断裂伸长率、杨式模量、密度增加，线性膨胀系数减少。对介电性能的影响因不同纳米材料而异。