Raman, infrared and XPS study of bamboo phytoliths after chemical digestion.

Raman, infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies have been used to examine the effect of various chemical digestion methods on the composition of bamboo phytoliths. Intact bilobate phytoliths, suitable for interrogation by Raman microprobe analysis, were isolated by a microwave wet ashing technique using hydrogen peroxide with nitric and hydrochloric acids. The occluded phytolith carbon presented evidence of cellulose, lignin and carboxylic acids.

Arsenic effects and behavior in association with the Fe(II)-catalyzed transformation of schwertmannite.

In acid-mine drainage and acid-sulfate soil environments, the cycling of Fe and As are often linked to the formation and fate of schwertmannite (Fe(8)O(8)(OH)(8-2x)(SO(4))(x)). When schwertmannite-rich material is subjected to near-neutral Fe(III)-reducing conditions (e.g.

Sorption of arsenic(V) and arsenic(III) to schwertmannite.

This study describes the sorption of As(V) and As(III) to schwertmannite as a function of pH and arsenic loading. In general, sorption of As(V) was greatest at low pH, whereas high pH favored the sorption of As(III). The actual pH of equivalent As(V) and As(III) sorption was strongly loading dependent, decreasing from pH approximately 8.

Quality assurance audit: a prospective non-randomised trial of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for osteolymphoma (TROG 99.04/ALLG LY02).

A quality assurance (QA) audit of the Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group and Australasian Lymphoma and Leukaemia Group trial (TROG 99.04/ALLG LY02) began after accrual of 25 patients. The trial is a prospective non-randomized study of standard treatment for osteolymphoma.

Characterisation of [125I][MePhe7]neurokinin B binding to tachykinin NK3 receptors: evidence for interspecies variance.

Human tachykinin NK3 receptors expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells were characterised using the novel radioligand [125I]iodohistidyl,[MePhe7]neurokinin B ([125I][MePhe7]neurokinin B). [125I][MePhe7]neurokinin B was shown to label human NK3 binding sites with high affinity in a saturable and reversible manner. The rank order of affinity of a range of tachykinin ligands confirmed that the tachykinin receptor expressed was the NK3 receptor type.