Refining siliceous zeolite framework structures with Si 2D -resolved NMR spectroscopy.

A modified shifted-echo PIETA pulse sequence is developed to acquire natural abundance Si 2D -resolved spectra in crystalline silicates. The sequence is applied to the highly siliceous zeolites Sigma-2 and ZSM-12. The 2D -resolved spectra are used to develop a silicate framework structure refinement strategy based on Si-O, O-O, and Si-Si distance restraints and analytical relationships between local structure and Si chemical shifts and geminal couplings.

A critical appraisal of South African oncology pharmacy standards: A comparison with international best practice standards.

Introduction: The demand for oncology pharmacy services is set to increase as the burden of cancer rises in sub-Saharan Africa. Oncology pharmacists may be exposed to antineoplastic drugs (ADs) and need comprehensive health and safety guidelines. The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the local oncology pharmacy practice standards, by critically evaluating them against international best practice standards.

Virtual reality in functional neurological disorder: a theoretical framework and research agenda for use in the real world.

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common and disabling condition at the intersection of neurology and psychiatry. Despite remarkable progress over recent decades, the mechanisms of FND are still poorly understood and there are limited diagnostic tools and effective treatments. One potentially promising treatment modality for FND is virtual reality (VR), which has been increasingly applied to a broad range of conditions, including neuropsychiatric disorders.

Exposure of formal and informal nail technicians to organic solvents found in nail products.

Nail technicians are exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from nail products used in their daily work, which may cause adverse health effects. This study aimed to assess VOC exposure of nail technicians in the South African formal and informal sectors and to provide a task-based exposure assessment of different nail applications. Personal passive sampling was conducted on 10 formal and 10 informal nail technicians located in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg and the Braamfontein area, over 3 days.

Quantitative Self-Assessment of Exposure to Solvents among Formal and Informal Nail Technicians in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Participatory research, including self-assessment of exposure (SAE), can engage study participants and reduce costs. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility and reliability of a SAE regime among nail technicians. The study was nested in a larger study, which included exposure assessment supervised by experts, i.