Novel polyoxometalates: Is antimony the new molybdenum?

Polyoxometalates based on Mo, W or V have been known for a long time and present a diverse range of structures, with the [XMo₁₂O₄₀]ⁿ⁻ Keggin ions (X = P, Si ,…) perhaps the best known.¹ They are still subject to intense research with >4000 papers published in the past five years. Following on from our study² of aryl arsonic acids RAsO₃H₂, which are straightforward molecular species based on four-coordinate As(V), we became interested in the corresponding antimony compounds. Although aryl stibonic acids of nominal formula RSbO₃H₂ have been known for over 100 years,³ their composition has remained uncertain, as they form only amorphous solids, have complicated titration behaviour and only limited solubility. The presumption has been that they are polymeric, based on 5- or 6-coordinate Sb with Sb-O-Sb linkages, though direct evidence is sparse.⁴ Recently, it has been shown by Beckman that if very bulky R groups are used, then relatively simple dimers such as (2,6-Mes₂C₆H₃Sb₂O₂(OH)₄(Mes=mesityl) can be isolated, but these represent a special case.

Arylstibonic acids [H₈(RSb)₁₂O₂₈]; precursors to organometallic isopolyoxostibonates [Na₂H₉(RSb)₁₂O₃₀]-, (R = aryl).

Electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry shows that arylstibonic acids, RSbO₃H₂, give rise to oxo-bridged clusters derived from [H₈(RSb)₁₂O₂₈] which act as inorganic crown ligands towards Na+ cations; structure determination of one derivative revealed a cage-like anion [Na₂H₉(p-O₂NC₆H₄Sb)₁₂O₃₀.4H₂O]-

Electrons in image states near roughened metal surfaces

Electrons near roughened Ag and Au surfaces with chemisorbed dielectric overlayers of alkanethiol or alkaneselenol self-assembled monolayers are shown to move within the sulfur or selenium head-group layer on the metal terraces. The electrons exist in image states with respect to Ag or Au step edges. There is no substantial image force between the electrons and the terraces

Psychologists Collaborating With Clergy

If a patient adheres to religious values and practices, should the treating psychologist get input from a clergyperson? How frequent is clergy-psychologist collaboration? What obstacles impede such collaboration? An exploratory survey questionnaire was sent to 200 clergy, 200 psychologists interested in religious issues, and 200 psychologists selected without regard to religious interests or values. Four themes were assessed: types of collaborative activities, frequency of collaboration, obstacles to collaboration, and ways to enhance collaboration. Strategies for promoting clergy-psychologist collaboration include challenging unidirectional referral assumptions, building trust through proximity and familiarity, and considering the importance of shared values and beliefs

On-site treatment of exertional heat stroke

Background: Exertional heat stroke is a devastating condition that can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Rapid cooling is the most effective means of treating heat stroke, but little is published on the safety and logistics of cooling patients on site at a major sporting event. Purpose: To describe an on-site exertional heat stroke treatment protocol and to compare the outcomes of patients treated on site to those transferred to hospitals. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study. Methods: Using race-day medical records and ambulance run sheets, patients who developed exertional heat stroke at the Indianapolis half-marathon from 2005 to 2012 were identified. Exertional heat stroke was defined as runners with a core temperature measured with a rectal thermometer greater than 102°F and altered mental status. Clinical information and patient outcomes were abstracted from the race medical tent and hospital charts by 3 separate trained reviewers using structured methods and a data collection form. Two reviewers, using a RedCAP database and dual-data entry, abstracted records for each patient. A third arbitrated all discrepancies between reviewers. Clinical signs, treatments, and outcomes were calculated using descriptive statistics, and data were grouped and compared for patients treated on site or transferred to local hospitals for treatment. Results: Over 235,000 athletes participated in the event over the 8-year period, with 696 seeking medical care. A total of 32 heat stroke victims were identified during the study period; of these, 22 were treated on site. Of these, 68% were treated with cold-water immersion and 59% were discharged home from the race. Ten exertional heat stroke patients were transported from the race course to local hospitals. None of them underwent cold-water immersion, and 40% of them were subsequently discharged home. No patients in the study died. Conclusion: On-site treatment of athletes who develop exertional heat stroke appears to be both safe and effective. On-site treatment may decrease the local burden of critically ill patients to emergency departments during large athletic events

An engineering approach for the application of textile composites to a structural component

An engineering approach for the application of textile composites to a structural component is addressed. The main objective is to improve impact resistance of composite blades by using some form of 3-D reinforcement. Project goals, results, and conclusions are discussed

Scale Dependence of Sex-Specific Movement in a Small-Bodied Stream Fish

Animal movement at localised scales is often modulated by competing pressures such as avoiding predators while acquiring resources and mates. The relative magnitude of these trade‐offs may affect males and females differently, often resulting in sex‐specific differences in movement. Sex‐biases in movement have been linked to mating systems (e.g. monogamy or polygamy) in birds and mammals; however, this relationship has received less attention among fishes. Using passive integrated transponder tags and a series of stationary antennas, we evaluated the movement dynamics of a small‐bodied, sexually dimorphic stream fish Fundulus olivaceus over a 30‐day period in a fourth‐order tributary to the Pascagoula River in Mississippi (U.S.A.). We documented dissimilar sex‐specific movement behaviours at different spatial scales that were likely to be facilitated by differential resource demands and competitive pressures. Females exhibited an increased propensity to engage in longer, exploratory moves (\u3e30 m); whereas most males remained active within an established territory, making few long‐distance longitudinal movements. Local activity levels (proportion of individuals moving) were positively related to density (manipulated during the study), and density was found to affect the magnitude of sex‐specific movement. In contrast to females, males increased local activity and movement distance at the reduced density, presumably to expand territory size or mate‐searching behaviours, suggesting local mate competition may suppress the movement distance of males. Despite some evidence substantiating a relationship between movement and mating system, our results suggest that the documented sex‐specific differences may be related to traits that co‐evolve with mating systems, rather than the mating system per se. Our findings also highlight the importance of spatial scale when evaluating patterns of sex‐biased movement tendencies

Mixing of Supersonic Streams

The Strutjet approach to Rocket Based Combined Cycle (RBCC) propulsion depends upon fuel-rich flows from the rocket nozzles and turbine exhaust products mixing with the ingested air for successful operation in the ramjet and scramjet modes. A model of the Strutjet device has been built and is undergoing test to investigate the mixing of the streams as a function of distance from the Strutjet exit plane. Initial cold flow testing of the model is underway to determine both, the behavior of the ingested air in the duct and to validate the mixing diagnostics. During the tests, each of the two rocket nozzles ejected up to two pounds mass per second into the 13.6 square inch duct. The tests showed that the mass flow of the rockets was great enough to cause the entrained air to go sonic at the strut, which is the location of the rocket nozzles. More tests are necessary to determine whether the entrained air chokes due to the reduction in the area of the duct at the strut (a physical choke), or because of the addition of mass inside the duct at the nozzle exit (a Fabri choke). The initial tests of the mixing diagnostics are showing promise

Performance of a repetitive task by aged rats leads to median neuropathy and spinal cord inflammation with associated sensorimotor declines

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a relationship between advancing age and susceptibility to risk factors for median neuropathies and musculoskeletal disorders. In this study, we determined if performance of a voluntary reaching task by aged rats induced sensorimotor declines, median nerve dysfunction and increased inflammatory cytokines in peripheral nerves, muscle and spinal cord neurons. Aged (14 mon) rats were trained for 15 min/day for 4 weeks to learn a high repetition, low force (HRLF) task (19 reaches/min; 15% maximum pulling force). Aged task rats performed the task for 2 h/day, 3 days/wk, for 12 weeks (until they were 18 mon of age). No behavioral changes were detected in normal controls (NC) or food-restricted controls (FR C) as they aged. However, grip strength declined in HRLF rats in weeks 6-12 (P\u3c0.01 each) and 12-week trained-only rats (TR; P\u3c0.05), compared to NC. Mechanical hypersensitivity was present in weeks 9 and 12 HRLF reach limb forepaws (P\u3c0.01 and P\u3c0.05, respectively), and 12-week HRLF support limb forepaws (P\u3c0.01) and hindpaws (P=0.03), compared to NC. By week 12, median nerve conduction velocity declined 23%, bilaterally, in HRLF (P\u3c0.001 each), and 13% in TR (P\u3c0.05), compared to NC. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) increased in 12-week HRLF muscle (P=0.005), median nerve (P\u3c0.01), and neurons in superficial lamina of HRLF cervical spinal cords (P\u3c0.01), compared to NC. interleukin 1 beta (IL1β) also increased in superficial lamina neurons (P\u3c0.01). Loss of grip strength was correlated with median nerve conduction slowing (r=0.70) as well as increased nerve and muscle TNFα (r=-0.38 and r=-0.41, respectively); decrease in forepaw withdrawal thresholds was correlated with median nerve conduction slowing (r=0.81), increased nerve TNFα (r=-0.59), and increased TNFα and IL1β in neurons in spinal cord dorsal horns (r=-0.52 and r=-0.47, respectively). Thus, aged rats performing a repetitive task exhibited sensorimotor declines that were associated with decreased median nerve conduction, and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines in the median nerve and cervical spinal cord neurons