Solid-State Synthesis of Monazite-type Compounds Containing Tetravalent Elements

International audienceOn the basis of optimized grinding/heating cycles developed for several phosphate-based ceramics, the preparation of brabantite and then monazite/brabantite solid solutions loaded with tetravalent thorium, uranium, and cerium (as a plutonium surrogate) was examined versus the heating temperature. The chemical reactions and transformations occurring when heating the initial mixtures of AnO2/CeO2, CaHPO4·2H2O (or CaO), and NH4H2PO4 were identified through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis experiments. The incorporation of thorium, which presents only one stabilized oxidation state, occurs at 1100 °C. At this temperature, all the thorium−brabantite samples appear to be pure and single phase as suggested by XRD, electron probe microanalyses, and μ-Raman spectroscopy. By the same method, tetravalent uranium can be also stabilized in uranium−brabantite, i.e., Ca0.5U0.5PO4, after heating at 1200 °C. Both brabantites, Ca0.5Th0.5PO4 and Ca0.5U0.5PO4, begin to decompose when increasing the temperature to 1400 and 1300 °C, respectively, leading to a mixture of CaO and AnO2 by the volatilization of P4O10. In contrast to the cases of thorium and uranium, cerium(IV) is not stabilized during the heating treatment at high temperature. Indeed, the formation of Ca0.5Ce0.5PO4 appears impossible, due to the partial reduction of cerium(IV) into cerium(III) above 840 °C. Consequently, the systems always appear polyphase, with compositions of CeIII1-2xCeIVxCaxPO4 and Ca2P2O7. The same conclusion can be also given when discussing the incorporation of cerium(IV) into La1-2xCeIIIx-yCeIVyCay(PO4)1-x+y. This incomplete incorporation of cerium(IV) confirms the results obtained when trying to stabilize tetravalent plutonium in Ca0.5PuIV0.5PO4 samples

Ab initio study of bilateral doping within the MoS2-NbS2 system

We present a systematic study on the stability and the structural and electronic properties of mixed molybdenum-niobium disulphides. Using density functional theory we investigate bilateral doping with up to 25 % of MoS2 (NbS2) by Nb (Mo) atoms, focusing on the precise arrangement of dopants within the host lattices. We find that over the whole range of considered concentrations, Nb doping of MoS2 occurs through a substitutional mechanism. For Mo in NbS2 both interstitial and substitutional doping can co-exist, depending upon the particular synthesis conditions. The analysis of the structural and electronic modifications of the perfect bulk systems due to the doping is presented. We show that substitutional Nb atoms introduce electron holes to the MoS2, leading to a semiconductor-metal transition. On the other hand, the Mo doping of Nb2, does not alter the metallic behavior of the initial system. The results of the present study are compared with available experimental data on mixed MoS2-NbS2 (bulk and nanoparticles).Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

Acute aquatic toxicity to zebrafish and bioaccumulation in marine mussels of antimony tin oxide nanoparticles

Antimony tin oxide (Sb2O5/SnO2) is effective in the absorption of infrared radiation for applications, such as skylights. As a nanoparticle (NP), it can be incorporated into films or sheets providing infrared radiation attenuation while allowing for a transparent final product. The acute toxicity exerted by commercial Sb2O5/SnO2 (ATO) NPs was studied in adults and embryos of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Our results suggest that these NPs do not induce an acute toxicity in zebrafish, either adults or embryos. However, some sub-lethal parameters were altered: heart rate and spontaneous movements. Finally, the possible bioaccumulation of these NPs in the aquacultured marine mussel Mytilus sp. was studied. A quantitative analysis was performed using single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (sp-ICP-MS). The results indicated that, despite being scarce (2.31 × 106 ± 9.05 × 105 NPs/g), there is some accumulation of the ATO NPs in the mussel. In conclusion, commercial ATO NPs seem to be quite innocuous to aquatic organisms; however, the fact that some of the developmental parameters in zebrafish embryos are altered should be considered for further investigation. More in-depth analysis of these NPs transformations in the digestive tract of humans is needed to assess whether their accumulation in mussels presents an actual risk to humans.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia | Ref. 2020.04021.CEECIN

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Review of EELS over the last 50 years by Christian Colliex

International audienceNo abstract availabl

Structure et propriétés physiques de matériaux polyaromatiques par MET, EELS, et RX.

TOULOUSE3-BU Sciences (315552104) / SudocSudocFranceF

EXELFS as a structural tool for studies of low Z-elements

Résumé. 2014 Des études de pertes d’énergie d’électrons effectuées en microscopie électronique à moyenne et haute tension nous ont permis de mettre en évidence les modulations EXELFS sur les dis-tributions associées aux excitations du niveau atomique K des éléments de faibles numéros atomiques (Z ~ 16). Ces modulations constituent une source d’information importante sur l’ordre atomique local dans les matériaux légers. Après un rappel des bases physiques et des principes de traitement du signal EXELFS, nous discutons les aspects essentiels de la technique expérimentale dans son applica-tion en microscopie électronique à transmission à moyenne tension. Les possibilités de la technique sont étudiées à travers trois types de résultats obtenus à partir d’échantillons de graphite, de nitrure de bore hexagonal, de carbone amorphe et de carbure de silicium cubique. Ces exemples ont été choi-sis de manière à discuter la précision de la technique, les possibilités de détermination de l’ordre à courte distance dans la matière cristalline et amorphe et à faire apparaître, en particulier, l’influence des effets de diffusion multiple dans les échantillons. Abstract. 2014 By using high and medium voltage microscopes we have been able to obtain EELS spectra showing EXELFS modulations above the K edge of low atomic number Z ~ 16, elements. These modulations supply important structural information about the local atomic environment of th

Photolysis-Driven, Room Temperature Filling of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes

International audienc