Diarrhea is one of the most commonly encountered minor ailments in the community pharmacies. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, the majority of pharmacists in Iraq did not manage diarrheal cases in a proper way. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the benefit of a new mobile application (diarrhea management step by step) to improve the pharmacist's role in the management of diarrhea. The study was conducted from 21th September to 21th October 2021 using a pre-post design via a simulated patient (SP) technique. A validated diarrhea scenario was presented to each pharmacist by the SP twice, once before and the other after giving the mobile application to the pharmacist. Furthermore, pharmacists were asked to rate the application in regard to its ease of use, reducing the time needed for management of diarrhea cases, reducing diagnostic errors, reducing medication errors, and applicability in daily clinical practice. The study sample involved 50 community pharmacists. However, only 47 completed the study. After using the application, all questions necessary to assess diarrhea were significantly improved. Moreover, the average number of questions asked to the SP was significantly increased. On the other hand, providing the SP with an appropriate non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment was also significantly improved. Additionally, counseling the SP with the necessary information about dispensed medication was improved; however, significant improvement was detected only in regard to information about the drug dose and dosing frequency. Most participated pharmacists strongly agreed with the application ease of use, its ability to reduce diagnosis and medication errors, and its applicability for use in daily clinical practice. In conclusion the tested application is an effective method to improve the pharmacist's role in the assessment and management of diarrhea.
The cost-effective removal of heavy metal ions represents a significant challenge in environmental science. In this study, we developed a straightforward and efficient reusable adsorbent by amalgamating chitosan and vermiculite (forming the CSVT composite), and comprehensively investigated its selective adsorption mechanism. Different techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer, Emmett, Teller (BET) analysis were employed for this purpose. The prepared CSVT composite exhibited a larger surface area and higher mesoporosity increasing from 1.9 to 17.24 m2/g compared to pristine chitosan. The adsorption capabilities of the
... Show MoreThe impacts of numerous important factors on the Energy Absorption (EA) of torsional Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams strengthened with external FRP is the main purpose and innovation of the current research. A total of 81 datasets were collected from previous studies, focused on the investigation of EA behaviour. The impact of nine different parameters on the Torsional EA of RC-beams was examined and evaluated, namely the concrete compressive strength (f’c), steel yield strength (fy), FRP thickness (tFRP), width-to-depth of the beam section (b/h), horizontal (ρh) and vertical (ρv) steel ratio, angle of twist (θu), ultimate torque (Tu), and FRP ultimate strength (fy-FRP). For the evaluation of the energy absorption capacity at di
... Show MoreA Schiff base ligand (L) was synthesized via condensation of
A Schiff base ligand (L) was synthesized via condensation of
New polymer blend with enhanced properties was prepared from (80 %) epoxy resin (Ep), (20%) unsaturated polyester resin (UPE) as a matrix material. The as-obtained polymer blend was further reinforced by adding Sand particles of particle size (53 μm) with various weight fraction (5, 10, 15, 20 %). Thermal conductivity and sorption measurements are performed in order to determine diffusion coefficient in different chemical solutions (NaOH, HCl) with concentration (0.3N) after immersion for specific period of time (30 days). The obtained results demonstrate that the addition of sand powder to (80%EP/20%UPE) blend leads to an increase of thermal conductivity, with an optimum/minimum diffusion coefficient in (HCl)/(NaOH), respectively.
Skeletal Class II malocclusion is commonly treated with functional appliances, but bulkiness and discomfort usually affect the compliance. Modifications of these appliances using clear thermoplastic materials could improve comfort and esthetics; though clinical evidence remains limited.
To assess the clinical effectiveness of a Modified Twin Block (MTB) appliance, fabricated from 2 mm biocompatible polyethylene terephthalate modified with Glycol