No abstract

No abstract

The OATU enables prompt and efficient access of patients to medical oncology facilities in the event of toxicity due to chemotherapy. Unnecessary emergency room use is avoided while oncology outpatient and hospitalisation facilities are optimised.

No abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing mortality in neutropenic patients with haematologic malignancies or solid tumours with bloodstream infection (BSI). All episodes of BSI occurring in adult neutropenic patients with haematologic malignancies or solid tumours were prospectively recorded from January 2006 to December 2013. We analysed the factors influencing mortality in both groups of patients. We documented 602 consecutive episodes of BSI; 510 occurred in patients with haematologic malignancies and 92 in patients with solid tumours. The overall case-fatality rates were 12% and 36%, respectively. Independent risk factors associated with a higher case-fatality rate in patients with haematologic malignancies were: intensive care unit admission (odds ratio (OR), 15.2; 95% confidence interval (CI), 5.4-42.7), advanced neoplasm (OR, 8.7; 95% CI, 2.9-25.7), corticosteroid therapy (OR, 7.0; 95% CI, 3-16.4), multidrug-resistant Gram-negative BSI (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.2-11.8) and a Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer risk score of <21 (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.3-7.4). By contrast, coagulase-negative staphylococci BSI (OR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.004-0.5) and empirical antibiotic combination therapy (OR, 0.1; 95% CI, 0.05-0.3) were found to be protective. Independent risk factors for overall case-fatality rate in patients with solid tumours were: shock at presentation (OR, 14.3; 95% CI, 3.2-63.8), corticosteroid therapy (OR, 10; 95% CI, 2.3-44) and advanced neoplasm (OR, 7.8; 95% CI, 1.4-41.4). Prognostic factors identified in this study may help to detect those patients at higher risk of death in each group. Medical intervention addressing some of these factors might improve the outcome of BSI in neutropenic patients with haematologic malignancies or solid tumours.

We have investigated the effect of pressure on the hydrogen bonding in liquid methanol using Raman spectroscopy. Specifically, we have measured the OH and CO stretching modes and assigned the bands, in agreement with recent IR and crossed molecular beam experiments on methanol clusters. At about 7 to 8 kbar, we note indications that the intrinsic nature of the methanol clusters in our samples has changed. Our results provide support for and extend conclusions derived from Monte Carlo simulations, explain anomalies observed by previous researchers, and provide new insights into general hydrogen-bonding phenomena.

No abstract

In recent years, the study of renewable energies and its practical application has increased significantly. Solar energy feasibility entails the development of energy storage systems since solar power plants need to be working in unfavorable weather or night periods. The main heat transfer fluid (HTF) used on these plants is a salt mixture of 60% NaNO3/40% NaNO3 which must be kept above 220 °C to prevent freezing. This high operating temperature causes corrosion problems for steels in contact with the HTF, reducing the lifetime of the solar plants. The present research studies the potential of an alumina‐forming austenitic (AFA) stainless steel (OC‐4, Fe‐25Ni‐14Cr‐3.5Al‐2.5Nb wt% base) as a candidate material for solar plant heat exchangers and pipes. Corrosion behavior of OC‐4, relative to 304 stainless steel and T22 steel, was studied by gravimetric analysis and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The AFA OC‐4 exhibited better corrosion resistance in HTF at 390 °C than the currently used 304 austenitic stainless steel.