Internal reflection spectroscopy for FTIR analysis of carboxylate adsorption by semi-soluble salt minerals

Journal ArticleFlotation chemists have long sought to unravel the mechanisms of carboxylate collector adsorption by semi-soluble salt minerals. In particular, the adsorption density of adsorbed carboxylates, adsorption kinetics, speciation (chemisorbed, physisorbed), orientation, and conformation are of interest. Given the importance of these phenomena in establishing the hydrophobic state at a mineral surface, in-situ surface spectroscopy studies certainly are justified. Such measurements traditionally have been difficult to perform. However, beginning in the late 1980s, a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic technique was developed that has allowed for the acquisition of a wealth of detailed information concerning carboxylate adsorption in semi-soluble salt flotation systems. The technique, internal reflection spectroscopy using single-crystal internal reflection elements, is reviewed, as it applies to semi-soluble salt flotation systems

A New Radioligand Binding Assay to Measure the Concentration of Drugs in Rodent Brain Ex Vivo

ABSTRACT We have developed a new radioligand binding assay method to measure the concentration of nonradiolabeled drugs in the brain ex vivo. This new method fuses the concepts of standard competition and saturation binding assays and uses a transformed version of the Cheng-Prusoff equation (Biochem Pharmacol 22: 3099 -3108, 1973) to calculate the drug concentration. After testing the validity of this method, we demonstrated its utility by measuring the brain concentration of sazetidine-A, a newly developed nicotinic receptor ligand, and its elimination rate after a single subcutaneous administration. Our results indicate that sazetidine-A reaches brain concentrations that are known to occupy and desensitize the majority of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding sites. Furthermore, using this method, we estimated the half-life of sazetidine-A in the rat brain to be ϳ65 min. It is important to note that the method described here to measure sazetidine-A in brain should be generalizable to other drugs acting at any receptor that can be reliably measured with a radiolabeled ligand

Electron-Like Fermi Surface and Remnant (pi,0) Feature in Overdoped La1.78Sr0.22CuO4

We have performed an angle-resolved photoemission study of overdoped La1.78Sr0.22CuO4, and have observed sharp nodal quasiparticle peaks in the second Brillouin zone that are comparable to data from Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+d. The data analysis using energy distribution curves, momentum distribution curves and intensity maps all show evidence of an electron-like Fermi surface, which is well explained by band structure calculations. Evidence for many-body effects are also found in the substantial spectral weight remaining below the Fermi level around (pi,0), where the band is predicted to lie above EF.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Final Report: Interphase Analysis and Control in Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites

This research program builds upon a multi-disciplinary effort in interphase analysis and control in thermoplastic matrix polymer matrix composites (PMC). The research investigates model systems deemed of interest by members of the Automotive Composites Consortium (ACC) as well as samples at the forefront of PMC process development (DRIFT and P4 technologies). Finally, the research investigates, based upon the fundamental understanding of the interphases created during the fabrication of thermoplastic PMCs, the role the interphase play in key bulk properties of interest to the automotive industry

Effectiveness of interventions to support the early detection of skin cancer through skin self-examination: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: As skin cancer incidence rises, there is a need to evaluate early detection interventions by the public using skin self-examination (SSE); however, the literature focuses on primary prevention. No systematic reviews have evaluated the effectiveness of such SSE interventions. OBJECTIVES: To systematically examine, map, appraise and synthesize, qualitatively and quantitatively, studies evaluating the early detection of skin cancer, using SSE interventions. METHODS: This is a systematic review (narrative synthesis and meta-analysis) examining randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasiexperimental, observational and qualitative studies, published in English, using PRISMA and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance. The MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO databases were searched through to April 2015 (updated in April 2018 using MEDLINE). Risk-of-bias assessment was conducted. RESULTS: Included studies (n = 18), totalling 6836 participants, were derived from 22 papers; these included 12 RCTs and five quasiexperiments and one complex-intervention development. More studies (n = 10) focused on targeting high-risk groups (surveillance) than those at no higher risk (screening) (n = 8). Ten (45%) study interventions were theoretically underpinned. All of the study outcomes were self-reported, behaviour related and nonclinical in nature. Meta-analysis demonstrated the impact of the intervention on the degree of SSE activity from five studies, especially in the short term (up to 4 months) (odds ratio 2·31, 95% confidence interval 1·90-2·82), but with small effect sizes. Risk-of-bias assessment indicated that 61% of the studies (n = 11) were of weak quality. CONCLUSIONS: Four RCTs and a quasiexperimental study indicate that some interventions can enhance SSE activity and so are more likely to aid early detection of skin cancer. However, the actual clinical impact remains unclear, and this is based on overall weak study (evidence) quality