Raman spectroscopic study of phosphogypsum thermal reduction with the carbonaceous material.

Elemental sulphur (S) can be produced from hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in a PiPco or Iron process. In turn H2S can be stripped with carbon dioxide (CO2) from calcium sulphide (CaS) obtained from the thermal reduction of phosphogypsum with carbon. The reaction pathway for the thermal reduction of the phosphogypsum with graphite was studied using thermogravimetric analysis and in situ Raman spectroscopy.

In situ reduction study of cobalt model Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts.

Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis is an important process to manufacture hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons from mixtures of carbon monoxide and hydrogen (syngas). The catalysis process occurs on, for example, cobalt metal surfaces at elevated temperatures and pressures. A fundamental understanding of the reduction pathway of supported cobalt oxides, and the intermediate species present during the activation, can assist in developing improved industrial supported cobalt catalysts.

Multimetal Fischer carbene complexes of Group VI transition metals: synthesis, structure and substituent effect investigation.

Fischer carbene complexes of tungsten with substituents containing up to two additional different transition metals, with all the metals in electronic contact with the carbene carbon atom, were synthesised and studied both in solution and in the solid state. For the complexes of the type [W(CO)(5){C(OR')R}], the substituents chosen were heteroaromatic 2-benzo[b]thienyl (2-BT), or 2-BT π-bonded to a chromium tricarbonyl fragment ([Cr(CO)(3)(2-η(6)-BT)]) or ferrocenyl (Fc) as the R-substituent, while the OR'-substituent was systematically varied between an ethoxy or a titanoxy group, to yield the complexes 1b (R' = Et, R = 2-BT), 2b (R' = Et, R = [Cr(CO)(3)(2-η(6)-BT)]), 3b (R' = TiCp(2)Cl, R = 21-BT), 4b (R' = TiCp(2)Cl, R = [Cr(CO)(3)(2-η(6)-BT)]), 5b (R' = Et, R = Fc) and 6b (R' = TiCp(2)Cl, R = Fc). The structural features and their relevance to bonding in the multimetal carbene compounds of both these tungsten and the analogous chromium complexes were investigated as they represent indicators of possible reactivity sites in multimetal carbene assemblies.

Impacts of prescribed fires on air quality over the Southeastern United States in spring based on modeling and ground/satellite measurements.

Prescribed burning is a large aerosol source in the southeastern United States. Its air quality impact is investigated using 3-D model simulations and analysis of ground and satellite observations. Fire emissions for 2002 are calculated based on a recently developed VISTAS emission inventory.

Modeling and spectroscopic studies of bisphosphonate-bone interactions. The Raman, NMR and crystallographic investigations of Ca-HEDP complexes.

Raman spectroscopy was used to study the interactions of bovine bone, hydroxyapatite (HA, as a model of bone) and calcium hydrogen phosphate (CaHPO4) with 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, CH(3)C(OH)(PO(3)H(2))2 (HEDP, the oldest known member in the class of bisphosphonates (BPs) that is commonly used as (i) a reference compound for BP activity, a scale of a BP's potency, and (ii) a pain palliative agent). Raman spectra with diminished background fluorescence were obtained using a visible laser line of 514.5 nm.

Daily surface UV exposure and its relationship to surface pollutant measurements.

For the past 30 years, the stratospheric ozone layer has decreased in the Northern Hemisphere. The main effect of this ozone decrease was an expected increase in the UV radiation at the Earth's surface, but there has been no clear evidence of an increasing urban trend in surface UV. This study shows that specific air pollutants can reduce the increased surface levels of UV radiation and offers an explanation for why the expected surface UV increases have not been observed, especially in urban regions.

Leukemia inhibitory factor ameliorates muscle fiber degeneration in the mdx mouse.

Although the muscles of the mdx mouse lack dystrophin, the protein absent in muscles of humans affected with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the only mdx muscle to degenerate in a manner similar to those of DMD boys is the diaphragm. We have previously shown that leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a trauma factor that enhances muscle repair in vivo and, when applied exogenously, increases the fiber size of mdx skeletal muscle. Furthermore, we developed a controlled release device for LIF based on a calcium alginate rod (release rate about 0.

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) infusion stimulates skeletal muscle regeneration after injury: injured muscle expresses lif mRNA.

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is known to stimulate myoblast growth in culture via direct receptor mediated mechanisms, but it does not suppress myoblast fusion in vitro. We show here that LIF is also effective in vivo, using a muscle crush model. Administration of LIF to the site of the crush results in an increased rate of regeneration of the injured muscle.

Humeral head replacement for acute, four-part proximal humerus fractures.

Twenty-eight patients with acute, four-part proximal humerus fractures and fracture dislocations were treated with humeral head replacement. At an average follow-up of 37 months (range 12 to 96 months) one author examined 24 patients and evaluated them according to the criteria of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons. There were no infections.

Prevalence of avian hematozoa in central Vermont.

Peripheral blood smears from 1,547 birds, of 50 species, from 15 families trapped in Northfield, Vermont were examined for hematozoa. Numerous new host-parasite relationships were identified. The prevalence of all species of parasites over the 3 yr of the study was 42.

The general hospital psychiatrist as "compleat" therapist.

Four case histories have been presented to illustrate the range of therapeutic modalities which the liaison and consultation psychiatrist may be called upon to employ in the routine treatment of patients in the general hospital. These include analytically oriented insight and supportive psychotherapy, intervention with the family, collaboration with the medical and nursing staff, resolution of staff countertransference difficulties, pharmacotherapy, the turning of hospital and community resources to therapeutic account, and follow-up treatment and referral. Other more specialized modalities such as hypnosis (Frankel, 1978), amytal interview (Naples and Hackett, 1978) electroconvulsive therapy (Glaser, 1953), biofeedback and behavior therapy (Fordyce, 1978), and group therapy (Rahe, O'Neil, Hagan, and Ransom, 1975) have also proven useful.

An Unobtrusive Apparatus for Measuring Interpersonal Distances.

A relatively unobtrusive apparatus, the Interpersonal Distance Mat (IDM), is described as a means of acquiring immediate and accurate measures of interpersonal distances. Two brief experiments tested the sensitivity of the apparatus to gender differences in preferred interpersonal distance. Results from 78 male and 93 female American college students indicate that female/female dyads selected closer interaction distances than male/male dyads, but that freedom of movement may be a necessary factor in this relationship.

Changes in the visually evoked response during treatment for amblyopia in a uniocular patient.

Changes occurred in the visually evoked response (VER) during treatment for amblyopia in a uniocular patient. The VER changed before the visual acuity. After-image treatment was used to teach central fixation and this was maintained with the use of television chequerboards.

Changes in the visual evoked response during and after occlusion therapy for amblyopia.

The VER was studied in normal children aged 4--11 years and in 71 amblyopic children at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Changes in the VER in amblyopia are best observed with 20% contrast and small square sizes. The better eye of untreated amblyopia has a normal time-to-peak for P1 of the cortical response, while that of the amblyopic eye is delayed, the more so with poor binocular vision in partial agreement with our previous findings.

Effect of occlusion on the visual evoked response in amblyopia.

Average normal values for the VER were obtained in children aged 4 to 11 years. There are slight but significant differences between the values obtained and those found in adults (an increase in the time to peak of P1). In amblyopic eyes the time to peak is increased, and the amplitude reduced, roughly in proportion to the loss of visual acuity and binocularity.

Bull's eye maculopathy with early cone degeneration.

Seven patients with acquired cone degeneration were investigated. The initial visual acuities in 6 of the series were normal or near normal but later deteriorated, although they did not fall below 6/60 in any patient. All the patients tested had colour vision defects and abnormalities on electrodiagnostic testing referable to the cone system.