The current status and recent advancements in the use of the FFC Cambridge process for the production of low cost titanium and titanium powders is presented. This will include an overview of the process, current and future process equipment and recent results in terms of chemistry, structure and properties of powder and consolidated product. The future direction and activities for the FFC Cambridge process will also be briefly discussed.

Immunization practices and knowledge of vaccine contraindications among pediatric residents were assessed at five pediatric training facilities by surveying 227 pediatric residents. Residents administer vaccines even in the presence of an afebrile minor illness. They are less likely to vaccinate if a fever (<102F) is present. Only 57% of residents report administering vaccines at the 15-month well-child checks. Many residents had difficulty recognizing true and false contraindications, though third-year residents did better than first-year residents. Failure during residency to utilize 15-month well visits and ill visits in the presence of a fever and the lack of knowledge of true and false vaccine contraindications may be causes of missed opportunities to vaccinate among residents. Immunization practices resulting in missed opportunites to vaccinate seen during during residency may influence later immunization practices.

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Healthcare facility staff use a wide variety of cleaning and disinfecting products during their daily operations, many of which are associated with respiratory or skin irritation or sensitization with repeated exposure. The objective of this study was to characterize the prevalence of cleaning and disinfection product use, glove use during cleaning and disinfection, and skin/allergy symptoms by occupation and identify the factors influencing glove use among the healthcare facility staff. A questionnaire was administered to the current employees at a midwestern Veterans Affairs healthcare facility that elicited information on cleaning and disinfection product use, glove use during cleaning and disinfection, skin/allergy symptoms, and other demographic characteristics, which were summarized by occupation. The central supply/environmental service (2% of the total survey population) and nursing occupations (licensed practical nurse: 3%, nurse: 26%, nursing assistant: 3%, other nurses: 10% of the total survey population, respectively) had the highest prevalence of using cleaning or disinfecting products, specifically quaternary ammonium compounds, bleach, and alcohol. Glove use while using products was common in both patient care and non-patient care occupations. The factors associated with glove use included using bleach or quaternary ammonium compounds and using cleaning products 2–3 or 4–5 days per week. A high frequency of glove use (≥75%) was reported by workers in most occupations when using quaternary ammonium compounds or bleach. The use of alcohol, bleach, and quaternary ammonium compounds was associated with skin disorders (p < 0.05). These research findings indicate that although the workers from most occupations report a high frequency of glove use when using cleaning and disinfection products, there is room for improvement, especially among administrative, maintenance, and nursing workers. These groups may represent populations which could benefit from the implementation of workplace interventions and further training regarding the use of personal protective equipment and the potential health hazards of exposure to cleaning and disinfecting chemicals.