Critical Mineral Relationships in Global Coal Ash

Critical Mineral Relationships in Global Coal Ash Authors Dr. Denise Levitan - United States - United States Geological Survey Abstract Coal ash can be enriched in critical minerals (as defined by the U.S. Geological Survey’s 2022 list), including rare earth elements (REEs), relative to many other geologic materials. This study compiled literature-reported chemical data from approximately 600 coal-fired power plant ash samples for a meta-analysis. All samples had reported concentration measurements for each of the lanthanides and yttrium (collectively termed REY), but the availability of additional chemical parameters, information about feed coals, and plant specifications varied. Initial analysis of ash chemical data included univariate statistical summaries and bivariate correlations. The total (summed) REY concentration data were approximately log-normally distributed with a geometric mean around 400 ppm. Around 70% of the samples evaluated had total REY concentrations exceeding the U.S. Department of Energy’s suggested 300 ppm interest level. Total REY concentrations showed strong direct correlations with individual REEs (including scandium, measured in ~70% of samples), thorium, and titanium. Individual REE concentrations were used to calculate outlook coefficient (Coutl), a measure of critical REEs relative to excessive REEs defined by Seredin and Dai (2012, DOI:10.1016/j.coal.2011.11.001). Coutl generally ranged between 0.5 and 2.5, with an approximate log-normal distribution and a geometric mean around 1.0. Over 95% of samples evaluated had Coutl above the “promising” threshold of 0.7, but these values were not correlated with total REY concentrations. Thus, a high concentration of REY does not necessarily indicate a favorable proportion of critical REEs; both factors may need to be considered when evaluating coal ash as a source material. The initial results of this study substantiate the potential use of coal ash as a source of critical minerals, particularly REEs. Most of the samples evaluated in this worldwide dataset had promising concentrations of total REY and/or proportions of economically favorable REEs, but the variability suggests some ash types are likely more promising REE sources

Lenalidomide after Stem-Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma

Data are lacking on whether lenalidomide maintenance therapy prolongs the time to disease progression after autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma

Mineralogy of Mine Waste at the Vermont Asbestos Group Mine, Belvidere Mountain, Vermont

Samples from the surfaces of waste piles at the Vermont Asbestos Group mine in northern Vermont were studied to determine their mineralogy, particularly the presence and morphology of amphiboles. Analyses included powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and Raman spectroscopy. Minerals identified by XRD were serpentine-group minerals, magnetite, chlorite, quartz, olivine, pyroxene, and brucite; locally, mica and carbonates were also present. Raman spectroscopy distinguished antigorite and chrysotile, which could not be differentiated using XRD. Long-count, short-range XRD scans of the (110) amphibole peak showed trace amounts of amphibole in most samples. Examination of amphiboles in tailings by optical microscopy, SEM, and EPMA revealed non-fibrous amphiboles compositionally classified as edenite, magnesiohornblende, magnesiokatophorite, and pargasite. No fibrous amphibole was found in the tailings, although fibrous tremolite was identified in a sample of host rock. Knowledge of the mineralogy at the site may lead to better understanding of potential implications for human health and aid in designing a remediation plan

Summary of the 2020 AHRQ research meeting on 'advancing methods of implementing and evaluating patient experience improvement using consumer assessment of healthcare providers and systems (CAHPS®) surveys'.

BackgroundThe Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality held a research meeting on using Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) data for quality improvement (QI) and evaluating such efforts.Topics covered.Meeting addressed: 1)What has been learned about organizational factors/environment needed to improve patient experience? 2)How have organizations used data to improve patient experience? 3)What can evaluations using CAHPS data teach us about implementing successful programs to improve patient experience?Key themesProviders and stakeholders need to be engaged early and often, standardize QI processes, complement CAHPS data with other data, and compile dashboards of CAHPS scores to identify and track improvement. Rigorous study designs are valuable, but much can be learned and accomplished through practical organization-level studies

A phase I study of the first-in-class antimitochondrial metabolism agent, CPI-613, in patients with advanced hematologic malignancies.

PURPOSE: The lipoate derivative CPI-613 is a first-in-class agent that targets mitochondrial metabolism. This study determined the effects of CPI-613 on mitochondrial function and defined the MTD, pharmacokinetics, and safety in patients with relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Human leukemia cell lines were exposed to CPI-613 and mitochondrial function was assayed. A phase I trial was conducted in which CPI-613 was given as a 2-hour infusion on days 1 and 4 for 3 weeks every 28 days. RESULTS: CPI-613 inhibited mitochondrial respiration of human leukemia cells consistent with the proposed mechanism of action. In the phase I trial, 26 patients were enrolled. CPI-613 was well tolerated with no marrow suppression observed. When the infusion time was shortened to 1 hour, renal failure occurred in 2 patients. At 3,780 mg/m(2), there were two dose-limiting toxicities (DLT). At a dose of 2,940 mg/m(2) over 2 hours, no DLTs were observed, establishing this as the MTD. Renal failure occurred in a total of 4 patients and resolved in all but 1, who chose hospice care. CPI-613 has a triphasic elimination with an alpha half-life of approximately 1.34 hours. Of the 21 evaluable, heavily pretreated patients, 4 achieved an objective response and 2 achieved prolonged stabilization of disease for a clinical benefit rate of 29%. Following drug exposure, gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from responders demonstrated immune activation. CONCLUSION: CPI-613 inhibits mitochondrial function and demonstrates activity in a heavily pretreated cohort of patients