Porous clays and pillared clays-based catalysts. Part 2: A review of the catalytic and molecular sieve applications

Metal oxide pillared clay (PILC) possesses several interesting properties, such as large surface area, high pore volume and tunable pore size (from micropore to mesopore), high thermal stability, strong surface acidity and catalytic active substrates/metal oxide pillars. These unique characteristics make PILC an attractive material in catalytic reactions. It can be made either as catalyst support or directly used as catalyst. This paper is a continuous work from Kloprogge's review (J.T. Kloprogge, J. Porous Mater. 5, 5 1998) on the synthesis and properties of smectites and related PILCs and will focus on the diverse applications of clay pillared with different types of metal oxides in the heterogeneous catalysis area and adsorption area. The relation between the performance of the PILC and its physico-chemical features will be addressed.

Generation of Naphthoquinone Radical Anions by Electrospray Ionization: Solution, Gas-Phase, and Computational Chemistry Studies

Radical anions are present in several chemical processes, and understanding the reactivity of these species may be described by their thermodynamic properties. Over the last years, the formation of radical ions in the gas phase has been an important issue concerning electrospray ionization mass spectrometry studies. In this work, we report on the generation of radical anions of quinonoid compounds (Q) by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The balance between radical anion formation and the deprotonated molecule is also analyzed by influence of the experimental parameters (gas-phase acidity, electron affinity, and reduction potential) and solvent system employed. The gas-phase parameters for formation of radical species and deprotonated species were achieved on the basis of computational thermochemistry. The solution effects on the formation of radical anion (Q(center dot-)) and dianion (Q(2-)) were evaluated on the basis of cyclic voltammetry analysis and the reduction potentials compared with calculated electron affinities. The occurrence of unexpected ions [Q + 15](-) was described as being a reaction between the solvent system and the radical anion, Q(center dot-).The gas-phase chemistry of the electrosprayed radical anions was obtained by collisional-induced dissociation and compared to the relative energy calculations. These results are important for understanding the formation and reactivity of radical anions and to establish their correlation with the reducing properties by electrospray ionization analyses.

Gas-phase dissociation of 1,4-naphthoquinone derivative anions by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Gas-phase dissociation pathways of deprotonated 1,4-naphthoquinone (NQ) derivatives have been investigated by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). The major decomposition routes have been elucidated on the basis of quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level. Deprotonation sites have been indicated by analysis of natural charges and gas-phase acidity. NQ anions underwent an interesting reaction under collision-induced dissociation conditions, which resulted in the radical elimination of the lateral chain, in contrast with the even-electron rule. Possible pathways have been suggested, and their mechanisms have been elucidated on the basis of Gibbs energy and enthalpy values for the anions previously described at each pathway. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Synthesis and characterization of trans-[Ru(NO)Cl(L)(4)](PF(6))(2) (L = isonicotinamide; 4-acetylpyridine) and related species

The trans-[RUCl(2)(L)(4)], trans-[Ru(NO)Cl (L)(4)](PF(6))(2) (L = isonicotinamide and 4-acetylpyridine) and trans-[Ru(NO)(OH)(py)(4)]Cl(2) (py = pyridine) complexes have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, UV-visible, infrared, and (1)H NMR spectroscopies, and cyclic voltammetry. The MLCT band energies of trans-[RUCl(2)(L)(4) increase in the order 4-acpy < isn < py. The reduction potentials of trans-[RuCl(2)(L)(4)] and trans-[Ru(NO)Cl(L)(4)](2+) increase in the order py < isn < 4-acpy. The stretching band frequency. v(NO), of the nitrosyl complexes ranges from 1913 to 1852 cm(-1) indicating a nitrosonium character for the NO ligand. Due to the large pi-acceptor ability of the equatorial ligands, the coordinated water is much more acidic in the water soluble trans-[Ru(NO)(H(2)O)(py)(4)](3+) than in trans-[Ru(NO)(H(2)O)(NH(3))(4)](3+) (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Novel Treatment Immediately after Myelomeningocele Repair Applying Low-Level Laser Therapy in Newborns: A Pilot Study

Background/Aims: The use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in neurosurgery is still hardly disseminated and there are situations in which the effects of this therapeutic tool would be extremely relevant in this medical field. The aim of the present study is to analyze the effect of LLLT on tissue repair after the corrective surgical incision in neonates with myelomeningocele, in an attempt to diminish the incidence of postoperative dehiscences following surgical repair performed immediately after birth. Materials and Methods: Prospective pilot study with 13 patients submitted to surgery at birth who received adjuvant treatment with LLLT (group A). A diode laser CW, lambda = 685 nm, p = 21 mW, was applied punctually along the surgical incision, with 0.19 J delivered per point, accounting for a total of 4-10 J delivered energy per patient, according to the surgical wound area and then compared with the results obtained in 23 patients who underwent surgery without laser therapy (group B). Results: This pilot study disclosed a significant decline in dehiscences of the surgical wounds in neonates who were submitted to LLLT (7.69 vs. 17.39%). Conclusion: This new adjuvant therapeutic modality with LLLT aided the healing of surgical wounds, preventing morbidities, as well as shortening the period of hospital stay, which implies a reduction of costs for patients and for the institution. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel

Participatory ergonomics: Understanding the contributions of reflection groups in a hospital food service

Aim: To identify how the methodology of Reflection Groups (RG) can contribute to approach social-psychological problems, so often observed as obstacles in PE efforts. The objective was also to verify the contributions from RG to the implementation of ergonomics recommendations, which were a starting point and organized group discussions. Method: A concrete case was used as an illustration, and studied in depth: RG with administration and production workers` representatives from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of a cardiologic hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil. RG are temporary thinking groups, taking place outside the workplace and having delegative and consultive participation. They make use of Operative Groups, an adapted form of tripartite group, activity as an instrumental resource, group dynamic techniques and videotaping. In 2007, 31 meetings took place during paid working hours with 7 groups of different composition, ranging from 1.5 h to 3 h. Results: Additionally to the positive effects in communication and psychosocial environment, RG could also contribute to changes in interpersonal relationships, cooperation, personal and work behaviours. By dealing with aspects which could hinder the explicit task: fears, conflicts, and stereotyped beliefs and behaviours; resistance to change could be broken and group members could learn. RG allowed input about new risks; continuous information and feedback about ongoing ergonomics interventions so that immediate corrective action could be taken. The main form of participation was in administrative, organizational, and psychosocial problems which required a better clarification and identification of their real causes, commitment, and elaboration of strategies and negotiation of different stakeholders in their solution. Conclusion: RG takes advantage of homogeneous and heterogeneous groups, in face to face communication. The interactions in the groups are task-oriented (explicit task) but attaining groups` goals depends on a relational interaction (implicit task). Relevance to industry: Reflection groups can bring important contributions to ergonomics and industry because they favour the discussion, disclosure of problems and incorporation of solutions, enabling interventions in working organization, psychosocial environment and relationships in a collective and participatory approach, promoting health and social integration. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Rebound acid hypersecretion after withdrawal of gastric acid suppressing drugs: new evidence of similitude

Background: Homeopathy is based on the principle of similitude (similia similibus curentur) using medicines that cause effects similar to the symptoms of disease in order to stimulate the reaction of the organism. Such vital, homeostatic or paradoxical reaction of the organism is closely related to rebound effect of drugs. Method: Review of the literature concerning the rebound effects of drugs used to suppress gastric acidity, particularly proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Results: The mechanism of action of these effects is discussed. Rebound in terms of clinical symptoms and physiological effects occur in about 40% of people taking PPIs, their timing depends on the half-life of the drug and the adaptation period of the physiological mechanisms involved. The wide use of PPIs may be linked to the rising incidence of carcinoid tumours. Conclusions: These findings support Hahnemann`s concept of secondary action of drugs. We are developing a homeopathic materia medica and repertory of modern drugs on the basis of reported rebound effects. Homeopathy (2011) 100, 148-156.

Is oral nutritional therapy effective for the treatment of chylothorax? A case report

We report a case of a female patient who underwent corrective aortic coarctation surgery that progressed to chylothorax on the fifth postoperative day. Because the patient was clinically stable and had a functioning digestive tract, the nutritional team decided to treat her by oral nutritional support with a low-lipid diet, rich in medium-chain triacylglycerols. After 20 d, the patient returned to her habitual home diet and did not develop pleural spilling, showing full healing of the thoracic duct. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic accuracy of paediatric echocardiograms interpreted by individuals other than paediatric cardiologists

Objective: To assess the diagnostic error rate among echocardiograms undertaken by individuals other than paediatric cardiologists in our referral area. Methodology: External group: The charts and echocardiographic results of all patients who had undergone outside echocardiograms between January 1996 and December 1999 were reviewed (110). Age at echocardiography, diagnostic complexity, presence of any diagnostic errors and the severity of any diagnostic errors were identified. Internal group: To assess our own error rate, the initial echocardiographic diagnoses of 100 patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation or corrective surgery were compared with the post-catheterisation or postoperative diagnoses. Age and diagnostic complexity were also assessed in the control group. Results: Diagnostic errors occurred in 47/110 patients (44%) of the externally studied group (of which 24% were either major or life threatening) as opposed to 3/100 of the internally studied group, despite the internally studied group being of increased diagnostic complexity. Errors were more common and of increased severity in infants less than 1 month of age but extended throughout all age groups. Major and life threatening errors increased with increasing diagnostic complexity. In the externally studied group, 8/47 errors were patients inappropriately designated as normal. Four of these patients required cardiac surgery or interventional cardiac catheterisation. Conclusions: This study suggests an unacceptably high error rate in paediatric echocardiographic diagnoses by non-paediatric cardiologists throughout all age groups. Such errors are more likely in younger infants and with increasing diagnostic complexity.

Effect of fruit maturity on the response of 'Kensington' mango fruit to heat treatment

The effects of conditioning and hot water treatments on immature and mature 'Kensington' mangoes were examined. A hot water treatment of 47 degreesC fruit core temperature held for 15 min increased weight loss (50%), fruit softness (15%), disrupted starch hydrolysis and interacted with maturity to reduce the skin yellowness (40-51%) of early harvested fruit. Immature fruit were more susceptible to hot water treatment-induced skin scalding, starch layer and starch spot injuries and disease. Conditioning fruit at 40 degreesC for up to 16 h before hot water treatment accelerated fruit ripening, as reflected in higher total soluble solids and lower titratable acidity levels. As fruit maturity increased, the tolerance to hot water treatment-induced skin scalding and the retention of starch layers and starch spots increased and susceptibility to lenticel spotting decreased. A conditioning treatment of either 22 degrees or 40 degreesC before hot water treatment could prevent the appearance of cavities at all maturity levels. The 40 degreesC conditioning temperature was found to be more effective in increasing fruit heat tolerance than the 22 degreesC treatment; the longer the time of conditioning at 40 degreesC, the more effective the treatment (16 v. 4 h). For maximum fruit quality, particularly for export markets, it is recommended that mature fruit are selected and conditioned before hot water treatment to reduce the risk of heat damage.

Nitrification in a Vertisol subsoil and its relationship to the accumulation of ammonium-nitrogen at depth

Unusually high concentrations of ammonium have been observed in a Vertisol below 1 m depth in southeast Queensland. This study investigated the possibility that an absence of nitrification is allowing this ammonium to accumulate and persist over time, and examined the soil environmental characteristics that may be responsible for limiting nitrifying organisms. The possibility that anaerobiosis, soil acidity, soil salinity, low organic carbon concentrations, and/or an absence of active nitrifying microorganisms were responsible for limiting nitrification was examined in laboratory and field studies. The presence/absence of anaerobic conditions was determined qualitatively using a field test to give an indication of electron lability. In addition, an incubation study was conducted and soil environmental conditions were improved for nitrifying organisms by adjusting the pH from 4.4 to 7, adjusting the electrical conductivity from 1.6 to 0.5 dS/m, amending with a soluble carbon substrate at a rate of 500 mg/kg, and using microorganisms from the surface horizon to inoculate to the subsoil. Over a 180-day period no nitrification was detected in the control samples from the incubation study, indicating that an extremely low rate of nitrification is likely to be responsible for allowing ammonium to accumulate in this soil. Analysis of the effect of soil environmental conditions on nitrification revealed that anaerobic conditions did not exist at depth and that pH, EC, organic carbon, and inoculation treatments added in isolation had no effect on nitrification. However, when inoculum was added to the soil in combination with pH, a significant increase in nitrification was observed, and the greatest amount of nitrification was observed when inoculum, pH, and EC treatments were added in combination. It was concluded that the reason for the low rate of nitrification in this soil is primarily the absence of a significant population of active nitrifying microorganisms, which may have been unable to colonise the subsoil environment due to its acidic, and to a lesser extent, its saline environment.

A new preventive maintenance strategy for items sold under warranty

When products are sold under warranty, the manufacturer incurs additional costs for warranty servicing. Preventive maintenance actions can be used to reduce this cost and these are worthwhile only if the extra cost incurred is less than the reduction achieved. In this paper we propose a new preventive maintenance policy where the parameters are selected optimally to minimize the total warranty servicing cost.

Work domain analysis and sensors II: Pasteurizer II case study

In this paper we use sensor-annotated abstraction hierarchies (Reising & Sanderson, 1996, 2002a,b) to show that unless appropriately instrumented, configural displays designed according to the principles of ecological interface design (EID) might be vulnerable to misinterpretation when sensors become unreliable or are unavailable. Building on foundations established in Reising and Sanderson (2002a) we use a pasteurization process control example to show how sensor-annotated AHs help the analyst determine the impact of different instrumentation engineering policies on a configural display that is part of an ecological interface. Our analyses suggest that configural displays showing higher-order properties of a system are especially vulnerable under some conservative instrumentation configurations. However, sensor-annotated AHs can be used to indicate where corrective instrumentation might be placed. We argue that if EID is to be effectively employed in the design of displays for complex systems, then the information needs of the human operator need to be considered while instrumentation requirements are being formulated. Rasmussen's abstraction hierarchy-and particularly its extension to the analysis of information captured by sensors and derived from sensors-may therefore be a useful adjunct to up-stream instrumentation design. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of synthesis parameters on the formation of mesoporous SAPOs

The synthesis and characterization of high-quality mesoporous silicoaluminophosphates (SAPOs) with a hexagonally arranged pore structure and a good thermal stability are described. The influence of some important synthesis parameters including temperature, time, and Si content in the synthesis gel was examined. The local environments of Al, P, and Si were investigated using MAS NMR spectroscopy. The acidity of the mesoporous SAPOs was studied and compared with those of aluminosilicate MCM-41 and SAPO-5. Results show that both the synthesis temperature and time have a significant impact on the formation of mesoporous SAPOs, whereas the presence of Si in the synthesis gel has a direct influence on the structure type and the quality of the resulting mesoporous SAPO materials. High-quality mesoporous SAPOs can be synthesized from the synthesis gels with Si/Al ratio smaller than 0.5 in the presence of cationic surfactants in a weakly basic aqueous solution. The mesoporous SAPO materials show interesting acidity properties, possessing both strong and mild sites. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

Surgical programme at Royal Alexandra Hospital, Sydney, for Papua New Guinea children with congenital heart disease, 1978-1994

Objective : To report the history of the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children (RAHC) Papua New Guinea (PNG) cardiac surgical programme and describe the selection, preoperative clinical features and postoperative outcome of children with congenital heart disease managed by the programme. Methods : Details for each of the PNG cardiac patients admitted to RAHC following selection by visiting cardiologists between 1978 and 1994 were entered into a database, and analysed and interpreted. Results : A congenital heart defect was confirmed in 165 of the 170 children selected. The male to female ratio was 1:1 and the mean age on admission to RAHC was 5.5 years. Almost all of the children for whom data were available (98%) had a weight for age and 41% had a height for age less than the 3rd centile. One-sixth had delayed milestones. A large number were tachypnoeic, in heart failure, or had pulmonary hypertension on admission. Ventricular septal defect and tetralogy of Fallot were the commonest defects, and lesions such as aortic stenosis, coarctation of the aorta and transposition of the great arteries were absent or rare. Thirty-one (19%) of the children selected initially did not receive surgery because of pulmonary hypertension, or because the lesions did not fall within the programme guidelines for operation. One hundred and twenty-nine children had corrective and four had palliative procedures. Half of the operated children had postoperative complications. Eight children died, all following open-heart procedures, giving a case fatality rate of 6%. Preoperative tachypnoea, hepatomegaly, cardiac failure and pulmonary hypertension were strongly associated with poor outcome. Conclusions : The programme was an arduous exercise for all organizations concerned, but achieved comparatively good short-term outcomes. The experience gained should assist in planning for similar programmes.