Computational and Experimental Studies on the Effects of Monomer Planarity on Covalent Organic Framework Formation.

We report the synthesis of one new boronate ester-based covalent organic framework (COF) and two new covalent organic polymers (COPs) made with fluoranthene-containing monomers and hexahydroxytriphenylene. The structure of the monomer heavily influences whether this material forms a highly ordered mesoporous material (COF) or an amorphous, microporous material (COP). The synthesis of the fluoranthene monomers was carried out using a divergent strategy that allows for systematic structural variation and the ability to conduct a careful structure-function study. We found that small structural variations in the monomers dramatically affected the crystallinity, surface area, pore structure, and luminescence properties of the polymers. While each of the monomers contains the same fluoranthene core, the resultant pore sizes range from microporous (10 Å) to mesoporous (37 Å), with surface areas ranging from ∼500 to 1200 m2/g. To help explain how these small structural differences can have such a large effect, we carried out a series of molecular dynamics simulations on the polymers to obtain information with atomic-scale resolution on how the monomer structure affects non-covalent COF layer stacking.

Smart infusion technology: a minimum safety standard for intensive care?

There is overwhelming evidence that medication errors present a risk to patients. This risk is highest in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting and even greater when medications are administered via an infusion pump. Standard pumps will not alert for, or prevent, drug calculation, drug unit, button push, or multiple of ten errors when medication delivery data is inputted. However, the literature suggests that smart pumps programmed with hard (unchangeable) limits can significantly reduce drug errors at the point of administration. Staff at St George's Hospital paediatric ICU wanted to implement an infusion pump system that would be immediately effective in reducing medication errors at the point of administration. This article presents an overview of the relevant literature together with clinical examples from the authors' ICU, which demonstrates their experiences with smart pumps. It is the authors' firm belief that smart infusion technology sets a new minimum safety standard for intensive care.