Selective formation of copper nanoparticles from acid mine drainage using nanoscale zerovalent iron particles

Nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) has been investigated for the selective formation of Cu nanoparticles from acid mine drainage (AMD) taken from a legacy mine site in the UK. Batch experiments were conducted containing unbuffered (pH 2.67 at t=0) and pH buffered (pH 99.9% removal of all metals within 1 h when nZVI ≥1.0 g/L) from unbuffered AMD despite the coexistent of numerous other metals in the AMD, namely: Na, Ca, Mg, K, Mn and Zn. An acidic pH buffer enabled similarly high Cu removal but maximum removal of only <1.5% and <0.5% Cd and Al respectively. HRTEM-EDS confirmed the formation of discrete spherical nanoparticles comprised of up to 68% wt. Cu, with a relatively narrow size distribution (typically 20-100 nm diameter). XPS confirmed such nanoparticles as containing Cu0 , with the Cu removal mechanism therefore likely via cementation with Fe0 . Overall the results demonstrate nZVI as effective for the one-pot and selective formation of Cu0 -bearing nanoparticles from acidic wastewater, with the technique therefore potentially highly useful for the selective upcycling of dissolved Cu in wastewater into high value nanomaterials

Sorption and fractionation of rare earth element ions onto nanoscale zerovalent iron particles

The removal behaviour of rare earth element (REE), (Sc, Y, La-Lu), ions onto nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) particles has been investigated. Batch sorption isotherms were conducted using REE-bearing acid mine drainage (AMD) and a range of different synthetic REE solutions, which were exposed to nZVI at 0.1-4.0 g/L. Maximum adsorption capacity of Yb and La was 410 and 61 mg/g respectively (1000 mg/L LaCl3 and YbCl3 starting concentration, initial pH=4.5, T=294 K), the highest currently reported in the literature. Aqueous REE removal to ultratrace concentrations (99.9% removal) was also recorded after 30 min (the first sampling interval) exposure of ≥0.5 g/L nZVI to 10 mg/L aqueous REE solutions (nitrate counterion). Similar rapidity and near-total removal ability was recorded for the exposure of nZVI to the AMD, however, a greater nZVI concentration was required, with the removal of all REEs (with the exception of La, Ce, Nd and Gd) to <1 µg/L when exposed to nZVI at 4.0g/L for 30 mins. In all systems nZVI was selective for the removal of HREE ions in preference to LREE ions, with the mechanism determined using HRTEM-EDS and XPS analysis as via surface mediated precipitation. Overall the results demonstrate nZVI as exhibiting great promise as an effective and versatile agent for simultaneous REE ion recovery and fractionation

Towards 'Precision Mining' of wastewater: Selective recovery of Cu from acid mine drainage onto diatomite supported nanoscale zerovalent iron particles

This paper introduces the concept of ‘Precision Mining’ of metals which can be defined as a process for the selective in situ uptake of a metal from a material or media, with subsequent retrieval and recovery of the target metal. In order to demonstrate this concept nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) was loaded onto diatomaceous earth (DE) and tested for the selective uptake of Cu from acid mine drainage (AMD) and subsequent release. Batch experiments were conducted using the AMD and nZVI-DE at 4.0–16.0 g/L. Results demonstrate nZVI-DE as highly selective for Cu removal with >99% uptake recorded after 0.25 h when using nZVI-DE concentrations ≥12.0 g/L, despite appreciable concentrations of numerous other metals in the AMD, namely: Co, Ni, Mn and Zn. Cu uptake was maintained in excess of 4 and 24 h when using nZVI-DE concentrations of 12.0 and 16.0 g/L respectively. Near-total Cu release from the nZVI-DE was then recorded and attributed to the depletion of the nZVI component and the subsequent Eh, DO and pH recovery. This novel Cu uptake and release mechanism, once appropriately engineered, holds great promise as a novel ‘Precision Mining’ process for the rapid and selective Cu recovery from acidic wastewater, process effluents and leach liquors

Participatory Situational Analysis: How can policy and regulation support resource recovery? Synthesis workshop report

The results presented in this report arise from four workshops that took place throughout the UK in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. Using a ‘participatory situational analysis approach each workshop strived to answer the question: “If we wanted to realise resource recovery in the UK, how would it be possible within our policy and regulatory context?” Stakeholders attending the workshops ranged from academia, government, industry and the NGO WRAP. This report captures their insights into the diverse legislative areas that need to be integrated and aligned when aiming for a more circular economy, the ways in which policy and regulation enable this, and which particular actors need to be involved and the actions they should take. Taking the results into account, an action plan with seven key elements was recommended. This report is the outcome of the RRfW mini-project ‘Participatory situational analysis for the implementation of RRfW technologies and vision‘

Microparticles in acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence supports the role of cell-derived microparticles (MPs) in the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between coronary and systemic MP levels, investigate the correlation between MPs, inflammatory markers and Troponin T in patients with ACS. METHODS: Thirty seven patients with ACS scheduled for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) were studied. Eleven patients with stable angina (SA) were included as a control group. AnnexinV+MPs (AnV+MPs) and activated platelet-monocyte aggregates (PMA) from right atrium (RA) and culprit coronary artery (CO) distal to culprit lesion were measured using flow cytometry. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), Interleukin - 6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor - α (TNF-α), serum amyloid A (SAA) and Troponin T were assayed. RESULTS: Total and cell specific AnV+MP expression were higher in the ACS group in both the CO and RA, with greater levels detected in the CO. Platelet activation showed positive correlation with Troponin-T and platelet MP in both CO and RA of the ACS group (r=0.4 for both; p=0.04 & p=0.03 respectively). Inflammatory markers levels did not differ between the ACS and SA patients. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated coronary and systemic MP levels and positive correlation of platelet activation with Troponin-T and platelet MPs suggest a pathogenic role for MPs in ACS

Male Imprisoned Firesetters Have Different Characteristics than Other Imprisoned Offenders and Require Specialist Treatment

Objective: This study investigated whether a group of firesetters (n = 68) could be distinguished, psychologically, from a matched group of non-firesetting offenders (n = 68). Method: Participants completed measures examining psychological variables relating to fire, emotional/ self-regulation, social competency, self-concept, boredom proneness, and impression management. Official prison records were also examined to record offending history and other offense-related variables. A series of MANOVAs were conducted with conceptually related measures identified as the dependent variables. Follow up discriminant function and clinical cut-off score analyses were also conducted to examine the best discriminating variables for firesetters. Results: Firesetters were clearly distinguishable, statistically, from non-firesetters on three groups of conceptually related measures relating to: fire, emotional/self-regulation, and self-concept. The most successful variables for the discrimination of firesetters determined via statistical and clinical significance testing were higher levels of anger-related cognition, interest in serious fires, and identification with fire and lower levels of perceived fire safety awareness, general self-esteem, and external locus of control. Conclusions: Firesetters appear to be a specialist group of offenders who hold unique psychological characteristics. Firesetters are likely to require specialist treatment to target these psychological needs as opposed to generic offending behavior programs

Mechanisms of Size Control and Polymorphism in Viral Capsid Assembly

We simulate the assembly dynamics of icosahedral capsids from subunits that interconvert between different conformations (or quasi-equivalent states). The simulations identify mechanisms by which subunits form empty capsids with only one morphology but adaptively assemble into different icosahedral morphologies around nanoparticle cargoes with varying sizes, as seen in recent experiments with brome mosaic virus (BMV) capsid proteins. Adaptive cargo encapsidation requires moderate cargo-subunit interaction strengths; stronger interactions frustrate assembly by stabilizing intermediates with incommensurate curvature. We compare simulation results to experiments with cowpea chlorotic mottle virus empty capsids and BMV capsids assembled on functionalized nanoparticles and suggest new cargo encapsidation experiments. Finally, we find that both empty and templated capsids maintain the precise spatial ordering of subunit conformations seen in the crystal structure even if interactions that preserve this arrangement are favored by as little as the thermal energy, consistent with experimental observations that different subunit conformations are highly similar

The long-run behaviour of the terms of trade between primary commodities and manufactures : a panel data approach

This paper examines the Prebisch and Singer hypothesis using a panel of twenty-four commodity prices from 1900 to 2010. The modelling approach stems from the need to meet two key concerns: (i) the presence of cross-sectional dependence among commodity prices; and (ii) the identification of potential structural breaks. To address these concerns, the Hadri and Rao (Oxf Bull Econ Stat 70:245–269, 2008) test is employed. The findings suggest that all commodity prices exhibit a structural break whose location differs across series, and that support for the Prebisch and Singer hypothesis is mixed. Once the breaks are removed from the underlying series, the persistence of commodity price shocks is shorter than that obtained in other studies using alternative methodologies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Screening for psychological distress in patients with lung cancer: results of a clinical audit evaluating the use of the patient Distress Thermometer

Patients with lung cancer frequently suffer psychological distress and guidelines in the United Kingdom recommend screening of all cancer patients for this problem. The audit investigated use of the Distress Thermometer in terms of staff adherence to locally developed guidelines, patient willingness to use the tool, its impact on referral rates to clinical psychology services and concordance between the tool and the clinical assessment. Use of the Distress Thermometer was audited over a 3-month period in one lung cancer outpatient clinic. Referrals to clinical psychology services in response to clearly delineated referral indicators were assessed. Patient-reported outcomes were compared with practitioner assessment of need during clinical consultations to see whether the tool was measuring distress effectively. Thirty three of 34 patients used the Distress Thermometer during the audit period. Ten reported distress levels above 4 in the emotional or family problems domains. On ten occasions, the clinical interview identified problems not elicited by the Distress Thermometer. Guidelines were adhered to by staff, and patients were offered information about local support services and referral to clinical psychology services where indicated. Whilst all patients were happy to receive written information about further sources of support, none wanted to be referred to psychological services at that time. The Distress Thermometer is acceptable to patients with lung cancer in outpatient settings but it did not increase referrals for psychological support. Staff found it to be a useful tool in opening up communication about patient issues although it should not replace a comprehensive clinical interview