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Recently, artificial ion conductors have been prepared by growing epitaxial heterolayers consisting of BaF[sub 2]–CaF[sub 2] using molecular beam epitaxy. The ionic conductivity of these heterolayers shows a strong dependence on the layer thickness [N. Sata, S. Eberman, K. Eberl, and J. Maier, Nature 408, 996 (2000)]. In this paper three such heterolayers with different spacings (sample A: 80 nm, sample B: 10 nm, sample C: 1 nm) are investigated by conventional transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The spacings are chosen such that they fall into the three conductivity regimes observed in N. Sata et al. (l>50 nm; 8

We present a transmission electron microscopy (TEM)/Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS)/x-ray-diffraction (XRD) study of Au evaporated on crystalline organic thin films of diindenoperylene (DIP). Cross-sectional TEM shows that the preparation conditions of the Au film (evaporation rate and substrate temperature) strongly determine the interfacial morphology. In situ XRD during annealing reveals that the organic layer is thermally stable up to about 150 °C, a temperature sufficient for most electronic applications. The x-ray measurements show that the “as-grown” Au layer exhibits a large mosaicity of around 10°. Upon annealing above approx. 120 °C the Au film starts to reorder and shows sharp (111)-diffraction features. In addition, temperature dependent RBS measurements indicate that the Au/DIP interface is thermally essentially stable against diffusion of Au in the DIP layer up to approx. 100 °C on the time scale of hours, dependent on the Au thickness. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetization reversal process of a NdFeB single layer and [NdFeB(sub x)/Nb(sub z)](sub n) multilayer by using the modified nucleation field model is discussed. However, sharp grain corners can be eliminated at a higher annealing temperature and the effective demagnetization fields [N (sub eff)] were reduced.

This article presents the systemic relationship between microstructure and magnetic properties of NdFeB single layer and [NdFeB[SUBx]/Nb[SUBz]][SUBn] multiplayer films. Temperature dependence on coercivity was fitted to a modified nucleation model to study the magnetization reversal process of films. The microstructure parameters (α[SUBK]) determined the deteriorating effect of the microstructure on coercivity. The highest values of the single and multilayer films were 0.46 and 0.69, respectively. It proved that the Nb spacer layer improved the grain boundary of the Nd[SUB2]Fe[SUB14]B matrix effectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) are the latest addition to a list of professional competencies that pharmacy educational organizations support, and accreditation organizations require, for assessment by colleges and schools of pharmacy. Objective: The study’s objective is to assess the use of Core EPAs in the patient care domain (by practice setting, position, and preceptor status) in contemporary pharmacy practice. Methods: This survey assessed the EPA activities of pharmacists practicing in North Dakota. The pharmacists were asked “how many times in the past 30 days have you delivered the following services in your practice setting?” Response options were: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 or more times. Results: Of 990 potential respondents, 457 pharmacists (46.1%) returned a survey, and 107 (10.8%) answered every survey item in the patient care domain. Respondents reported that the highest rated activity items “Collect information to identify a patient's medication-related problems and health-related needs,” and “Analyze information to determine the effects of medication therapy, identify medication-related problems, and prioritize health-related needs” were performed an average of 3.9 times per week (SD=1.8), and 3.8 times per week (SD=2.0), respectively. Both of these items, were reported for 70% of the respondents at 5 or more times per week. For these items, the highest reported practice setting was ‘other’ practice settings (e.g., long-term care, community health centers) followed by chains, hospitals, and independent pharmacies. By position, clinical pharmacists and preceptors reported the highest activity levels for most EPAs and supportive example tasks. Conclusions: This study provides empirical evidence suggesting (but not proving) that EPAs have potential as a means to assess outcomes in pharmacy education and practice. Our study sets the stage for future work that further refines and assesses core EPA activities and supportive example tasks to measure the impact of how this process relates to outcomes of care.

Positron annihilation spectroscopy on nanocrystalline Pd85Zr15 shows the segregation of Zr at the interfaces and a decrease of the fraction of nanovoids the size of 10 to 15 missing atoms upon isochronal annealing up to Ta=1100 K by which the grain size increases up to d=185 nm. In this state, the positron trapping at interfacial free volumes reversibly changes contingent upon the temperature whereas the interfacial composition is unchanged when the measuring temperature varies. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teeth exemplify architectures comprising an interplay of inorganic and organic constituents, resulting in sophisticated natural composites. Rodents (Rodentia) showcase extraordinary adaptations, with their continuously growing incisors surpassing human teeth in functional and structural optimizations. In this study, employing state-of-the-art direct atomic-scale imaging and nanoscale spectroscopies, we present compelling evidence that the release of material from ameloblasts and the subsequent formation of iron-rich enamel and surface layers in the constantly growing incisors of rodents are complex orchestrated processes, intricately regulated and independent of environmental factors. The synergistic fusion of three-dimensional tomography and imaging techniques of etched rodent́s enamel unveils a direct correlation between the presence of pockets infused with ferrihydrite-like material and the acid resistant properties exhibited by the iron-rich enamel, fortifying it as an efficient protective shield. Moreover, observations using optical microscopy shed light on the role of iron-rich enamel as a microstructural element that acts as a path for color transmission, although the native color remains indistinguishable from that of regular enamel, challenging the prevailing paradigms. The redefinition of "pigmented enamel" to encompass ferrihydrite-like infusion in rodent incisors reshapes our perception of incisor microstructure and color generation. The functional significance of acid-resistant iron-rich enamel and the understanding of the underlying coloration mechanism in rodent incisors have far-reaching implications for human health, development of potentially groundbreaking dental materials, and restorative dentistry. These findings enable the creation of an entirely different class of dental biomaterials with enhanced properties, inspired by the ingenious designs found in nature.

Purpose: The aim of this examination was to assess whether there is a change of acetabular correction after triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) and if so, whether there is a correlation with patient-specific risk factors or with certain periods in the postoperative course., Methods: A consecutive series of 241 TPO was reviewed retrospectively. The close-meshed radiographic follow-up of the first 12 weeks comprised pelvic radiographs performed immediately after the procedure, 5 days, 6 and 12 weeks after TPO. Three observers measured the lateral center edge angle, acetabular index and the craniocaudal offset of the pubic osteotomy. Patient-specific risk factors (e. g. age, gender, body mass index, nicotine abuse) and certain periods in the postoperative course were correlated with a change of acetabular correction., Results: After application of the exclusion criteria, 225 hips were available for further examination. Intraclass correlation coefficient resulted in predominantly excellent agreement between the measurements of the three observers (0.74-0.91). In 27 cases (12%), the three observers agreed on a change of acetabular correction. In 18 cases (8%), there was a slight change, in 9 cases (4%), a relevant change. The latter entailed consequences in the postoperative aftercare. General equation estimation did not show any correlation between a change of acetabular correction and patient-specific risk factors or certain periods in the postoperative course (p = 0.79-0.99)., Conclusion: Every once treated hip should be followed-up with the same attention, irrespective of the apparent risk profile. There is no rationale to skip a radiographic follow-up in the first 12 weeks after TPO., (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Most immunization rates fall below the Healthy People 2020 goals for adults. Pharmacists have the potential to have a positive effect on immunization rates through vaccine administration., Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess if an educational program developed for pharmacists could increase pharmacist-delivered statewide immunization rates., Practice Description: This study was conducted in the state of North Dakota. North Dakota law allows authorized pharmacists to provide any immunization to individuals aged 11 years or older., Practice Innovation: In collaboration with the state health department, a needs assessment of North Dakota pharmacists was conducted to determine what resources and education could increase the delivery of immunizations within the pharmacy. The results were used to develop focused continuing pharmacy education material, create an online toolkit, and provide immunization administration certification., Evaluation: The number and proportion of pharmacist-delivered immunizations and overall adult immunizations rates were compared pre- and postintervention. The North Dakota Immunization Information System was used for data comparison. In addition, the number of pharmacists registered to provide immunizations with the State Board of Pharmacy was tabulated., Results: The number of pharmacist-provided immunizations increased by more than 3900 doses. In addition, the percentage of adult immunizations provided by pharmacists and overall adult immunization rates increased throughout the state. After adjusting for seasonality, there was an increase in the number of pharmacist-delivered pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine immunizations (P < 0.001). The number of pharmacists registered to provide immunizations increased throughout the study period by 39%., Conclusion: This study suggests that focused education and resources delivered to pharmacists can increase pharmacy-based immunization rates and adult immunization rates overall. Improving adult immunization rates through greater pharmacist engagement may help to decrease overall infectious disease threats., (Copyright © 2020 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) are a list of professional tasks that pharmacy educational organizations support, and accreditation organizations encourage, for assessment by colleges and schools of pharmacy., Objective: This manuscript evaluates the perceived frequency of performing EPAs in the population health promoter (PHP) domain among pharmacists practicing in North Dakota., Methods: This survey evaluated the self-reported EPA activities of registered pharmacists living and practicing in North Dakota. For EPAs and supporting tasks in the 6 domains (including the PHP domain), respondents were asked to self-report the number of times during the last 30 days that they perform the task, using a 6 point response scale (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more times). There were 990 pharmacists surveyed, and 457 (46.1%) of pharmacists responded., Results: Within the PHP domain, pharmacists reported performing "Minimize adverse drug events and medication errors" most frequently (mean=3.4, SD=2.0), followed by "Ensure that patients have been immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases" (mean=2.3, SD 2.3), "Maximize the appropriate use of medications in a population" (mean=2.2, SD 2.3), and "Identify patients at risk for prevalent diseases in a population" (mean=1.3, SD=1.9). In these Core EPAs PHP domains, the clinical pharmacists reported the highest level, followed by pharmacy managers and staff pharmacists., Conclusions: Pharmacists in North Dakota currently perform some population health promoter activities, but not at a consistent and high level. Most of the health prevention activities were medication-related and oriented towards individual patients (micro-level), rather than at a community (population-based) macro-level., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors report no conflict of interest in the conduction of this study or the preparation of this manuscript., (Copyright: © Pharmacy Practice and the Authors.)

The availability of aberration correctors for the probe-forming lenses makes simultaneous modification and characterization of materials down to atomic scale inside a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) realizable. In this work, we report on the electron-beam-induced reconstructions of three types of antiphase boundaries (APBs) in a probe-aberration-corrected TEM. With the utilization of high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), annular bright-field STEM, and electron energy-loss spectroscopy, the motion of both heavy element Mn and light element O atomic columns under moderate electron beam irradiation are revealed at atomic resolution. Besides, Mn segregated in the APBs was observed to have reduced valence states which can be directly correlated with oxygen loss. Charge states of the APBs are finally discussed on the basis of these experimental results. This study provides support for the design of radiation-engineering solid-oxide fuel cell materials.

The influence of line defects (dislocations) on the electrical properties of polycrystalline TiO2 was investigated. Line defects were created in TiO2 during spark plasma sintering at 1000 °C and 400 MPa. TEM characterisation indicates dislocations to be preferably oriented on {110} and {101} planes. The measured electrical conductivity as a function of oxygen partial pressure and temperature revealed that the dislocations play a vital role in modifying the defect chemistry of TiO2. The presence of dislocations enhanced the ionic conductivity over a wide range of oxygen partial pressures. The observed changes can be interpreted in terms of negatively charged dislocation cores and adjacent space charge accumulation layers. The present findings point towards an alternative method to tune the electrical properties of ionic solids.

Cross-sections of cylindrically shaped nanowires are fabricated using a focused ion beam technique. They are oriented such that the electron beam direction is parallel to a low-index zone axis for high- resolution imaging. In this configuration the direction of gold nanowire growth can be determined using electron diffraction., (Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

We present a titanium-silicon oxide film structure that permits polarization modulated infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy on silicon oxide surfaces. The structure consists of a ~6 nm sputtered silicon oxide film on a ~200 nm sputtered titanium film. Characterization using conventional and scanning transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray reflectometry is presented. We demonstrate the use of this structure to investigate a selectively protein-resistant self-assembled monolayer (SAM) consisting of silane-anchored, biotin-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). PEG-associated IR bands were observed. Measurements of protein-characteristic band intensities showed that this SAM adsorbed streptavidin whereas it repelled bovine serum albumin, as had been expected from its structure.

We demonstrate that the growth of F16CuPc 1-D nanostructures can be directed by templates of gold nanoparticles. The growth occurs via vapor-phase transport, whereby the gold nanoparticles act as nucleation sites for F16CuPc molecules and promote their anisotropic growth. The F16CuPc 1-D structures adopt diameters of approximately 15-30 nm independent of the nanoparticle size. This approach enables a technologically simple and inexpensive fabrication of very uniform organic 1-D structures (aspect ratio of approximately 30) and precise control of their location and packing density.