Associations between patient factors and medication adherence: a Jordanian experience

Objective: To explore the effect of patient characteristics and health beliefs on their medication adherence. Methods: Patients (n=167) with chronic conditions (mean age 58.9; SD=13.54, 53% males) were recruited from March 2009- to March 2010 using a cross sectional study design. Data collected included patients’ demographics, medical conditions, medications therapeutic regimen, frequency of physician visits and health beliefs. Patient self-reported adherence to medications was assessed by the researcher using a validated and published scale. Treatment related problems (TRPs) were evaluated for each patient by competent clinical pharmacists. Associations between patient characteristics/health beliefs with adherence were explored. Results: About half of the patients (46.1%) were non-adherent. A significant association was found between lower adherence and higher number of disease states (p<0.001), higher number of medications (p=0.001), and higher number of identified TRPs (p = 0.003). Patient adherence was positively affected by older age, higher educational level, and higher number of physician visits per month, while it was negatively affected by reporting difficulties with getting prescription refills on time. Conclusion: This study identified different factors that may negatively affect adherence, including higher number of medications and disease states, higher number of identified TRPs and inability to getting prescription refills on time. Hence, more care needs to be provided to patients with complex therapeutic regimens in order to enhance adherence.

Study on the influence of li-grease EP and AW performance by exfoliated MoS2 nanosheet additive

Tribological behavior of de-agglomerated and exfoliated active molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets as additives in lithium based grease was investigated. MoS2 nanosheets were prepared by mechano-chemical process in a planetary ball mill with selective organic molecules particularly lecithin (a source of phosphorus (exfoliating/stabilizing agent)) along with antiwear additives (ZDDP). Tribological evolutions show significant influence of MoS2 nanosheets on the friction coefficient, WSD (wear scar diameter) and extreme pressure properties of lithium based grease. The elemental composition analysis of the wear track shows the presence of Mo, S, and P on the surface protective layer, revealing the formation of a tribofilm containing MoS2 nanosheets along with phosphorus based moieties.

Algunas consideraciones del alza de la azúcar en la República Dominicana

Introducción La estructura económica y social  de la República Dominicana, se alteró radicalmente, en los últimos veinticinco años del siglo XIX. A mitad de siglo, la economía de Santo Domingo era de subsistencia. Su sector externo se limitaba a la exportación de ganado a Haití y a pequeñas cantidades de productos forestales a Europa. Sin embargo, ya para fines de siglo Santo Domingo había alcanzado la economía exportadora de hoy: azúcar, café, tabaco y frutas tropicales para el mercado mundial.