Rare Earth Separation Using Monazite and Xenotime

A collection of methods to separate rare earth elements are presented here. The first is a two-step separation method using low temperature direct synthesis of monazite followed by a low temperature precipitation of xenotime. Another method presented is a homogeneous precipitation using phytic acid. Both methods were met with limited success, the two step phosphoric acid method shows promise as a rough separation and improves on old fractional crystallization methods. Additionally a method of synthesizing “clean”, stoichiometric monazite is presented. Initial results show simply limiting the amount of phosphorous added in a direct precipitation method makes improvements over commercially available LaPO4 without washing with hazardous chemicals

Electron Conductive and Proton Permeable Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube Membranes

We report the fabrication of membranes hundreds of micrometers thick that demonstrate efficient electron conduction and proton transport through vertically aligned arrays of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (NTs) impregnated by epoxy. Electrical transport was Ohmic with a conductivity of 495 mS cm^–1. Protons traversed the membrane through the NT bore with a current of 5.84 × 10^–6 A. Good electron and proton transport, chemical robustness, and simple fabrication suggest NT membranes have potential in artificial photosynthesis applications

Quantitative analysis at local and national level: getting it right and why it matters

The formulation of evidence-based policy necessitates rigorous, objective evaluation of policy initiatives and, consequently, there has been a significant growth in evaluation of social policy over the last ten years. Alongside this, there is a recognition that the application of new policy initiatives needs to be flexible in order to be relevant to local populations. As a result, pilots and pathfinders are encouraged to undertake local evaluations in addition to national evaluations commissioned by central government. These dual evaluations are seen as a vehicle to provide evidence on effectiveness whilst accommodating heterogeneity of needs and provision. We suggest that without clear delineation of roles, dual evaluations are inefficient, likely to put additional pressure on busy practitioners (and the recipients of new services) to comply with varying data demands, and present policy makers with confusing messages. In this article we focus on the potential for local and national evaluations to reach different conclusions by demonstrating how a simplistic application of quantitative techniques at local level can lead to inappropriate conclusions which contradict national findings. We make a number of recommendations that might facilitate better coordination of local and national evaluations

Subject Benchmark Statement: Creative Writing

No abstract available

Age and frailty are independently associated with increased COVID-19 mortality and increased care needs in survivors: results of an international multi-centre study

Introduction: Increased mortality has been demonstrated in older adults with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but the effect of frailty has been unclear. Methods: This multi-centre cohort study involved patients aged 18 years and older hospitalised with COVID-19, using routinely collected data. We used Cox regression analysis to assess the impact of age, frailty and delirium on the risk of inpatient mortality, adjusting for sex, illness severity, inflammation and co-morbidities. We used ordinal logistic regression analysis to assess the impact of age, Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and delirium on risk of increased care requirements on discharge, adjusting for the same variables. Results: Data from 5,711 patients from 55 hospitals in 12 countries were included (median age 74, interquartile range [IQR] 54–83; 55.2% male). The risk of death increased independently with increasing age (>80 versus 18–49: hazard ratio [HR] 3.57, confidence interval [CI] 2.54–5.02), frailty (CFS 8 versus 1–3: HR 3.03, CI 2.29–4.00) inflammation, renal disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer, but not delirium. Age, frailty (CFS 7 versus 1–3: odds ratio 7.00, CI 5.27–9.32), delirium, dementia and mental health diagnoses were all associated with increased risk of higher care needs on discharge. The likelihood of adverse outcomes increased across all grades of CFS from 4 to 9. Conclusion: Age and frailty are independently associated with adverse outcomes in COVID-19. Risk of increased care needs was also increased in survivors of COVID-19 with frailty or older age.</p