Recent progress in the synthesis of nanostructured magnesium hydroxide

This review highlights synthetic routes for producing nanostructured magnesium hydroxide and focuses on how these various preparative approaches can produce Mg(OH)2 nanoparticles with controlled size and morphology. Mg(OH)2 nanocrystals with rod-, needle-, hollow tube- or platelet-like morphology can be synthesised by the modification of chemical and physical experimental parameters such as the selection of magnesium precursor, solvent and temperature or by employing surface modifiers and templates. Techniques based on hydrothermal/solvothermal treatments, microwave heating and (co-)precipitation are dominant in the production of Mg(OH)2 at the nanoscale, but other materials design approaches are now emerging. Bulk Mg(OH)2 has been extensively studied over decades and finds use in a wide range of applications. Moreover, the hydroxide can also serve as a precursor for other commercially important materials such as MgO. Nanostructuring the material has proven extremely useful in modifying some of its most important properties – not least enhancing the performance of Mg(OH)2 as a non-toxic flame retardant – but equally it is creating new avenues of applied research. We evaluate herein the latest efforts to design novel synthesis routes to nano-Mg(OH)2, to understand the mechanisms of crystallite growth and to tailor microstructure towards specific properties and applications

IEC Fusor Mobile Shielding Unit

The VCU Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) Fusor Senior Design Project provides Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) with a mobile fusor complete with the necessary shielding to protect operators as well as the general public from potentially hazardous radiation. The VCU IEC fusor is a Farnsworth-Hirsch type reactor, and consists of five basic components; a high voltage power supply, vacuum system, gas regulation system, primary reactor vessel assembly, and radiation shielding. These components were serviced and reassembled on a customized mobile cart. In addition to these components, a specimen holder and viewing monitor were added to the design. The specimen holder provides a practical method for neutron activation experiments, while the viewing monitor allows for safer visualization and operation of the fusor. An engineered cart provides the operator easy transportation of the shielding, fusor, and necessary components. The shielding consists of layers of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Borated Polyethylene (BPE), and lead to minimize radiation dose exposure to limits acceptable by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). A camera inside the shielding is connected to a display monitor in order to provide a visual depiction of the deuterium ionization and fusion process. This allows operators and audiences to view the internal workings of the fusor from a safe distance. Lastly, an operator’s manual has been drafted to assist future operators with running the fusor. With these additions to the existing design, the fusor assembly serves as a vital asset for researchers, as well as an educational tool for students and teachers.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/capstone/1199/thumbnail.jp

The spatial location of firms: distributional clustering and sectorial polarization in a GIS

In questo lavoro, attraverso un processo di georeferenziazione, sono state localizzate tutte le attività economiche presenti nel territorio del Comune di Pesaro, una città di medie dimensioni caratterizzata da un consolidato distretto manifatturiero e da importanti realtà commerciali e turistiche. Dal Sistema Informativo Territoriale (SIT, o Geographic Information System – GIS) derivano statistiche economiche e cartografie tematiche che, congiuntamente, descrivono il tessuto imprenditoriale. Le analisi successive elaborate su di esse sono rilevanti e utili agli operatori locali e ai policy makers, ai fini strategici, di controllo o di pianificazione, di sviluppo economico o di marketing. Il lavoro si inserisce nel sentiero di sviluppo della moderna cartografia, intesa come strumento di analisi e non soltanto – riduttivamente – come una rappresentazione statica della realtà. Infatti, sfruttando l’informazione che deriva dalla georeferenziazione e dalle mappe tematiche, l’analisi è stata approfondita per mezzo di tecniche avanzate di spatial analysis, quali la Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) e la Ripley’s K. Queste metodologie consentono di studiare la polarizzazione e la densità delle attività economiche nel territorio, analizzando l’interconnessione fra di esse e disaggregando i settori di attività.In this research a Geographic Information System (GIS) is constructed using data on firms and businesses located in the municipality of Pesaro, Marche, Italy. Pesaro is a mid-sized town, characterized by a remarkable industrial district – furniture manufacturing – and tourism. Combining economic evaluations with descriptive statistics and sectorial mapping, the spatial location of firms is analysed throughout the paper. The spatial analysis is then deepened by means of advanced techniques such as the Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and the Ripley’s K. The paper follows the path of modern cartography – intended as a tool of analysis rather than a mere representation of reality – and contributes to the existing literature. The results show how sectors tend to cluster unlikely, with significant distributional differences. The observed differences are explained mainly by the characteristics of firms, such as dimension and the sector of activity. The results are interesting to policy makers and local administrators for urban planning, industrial policy, economic development strategy and marketing

Summary of Benchmark Ins. Co. v. Sparks, 127 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 33

An appeal from a District Court’s denial of summary judgment

Cervical esophagotomy for removal of an ingested clam shell: a very uncommon foreign body ingestion

OBJECTIVE: To report the removal of an ingested clam shell that was firmly impacted in the esophagus. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 77-year-old man presented at our hospital with acute dysphagia after eating a seafood risotto. An urgent dedicated examination (noncontrast helical multislice computed tomography scan of the neck and flexible esophagoscopy) detected a clam shell lodged in the upper esophagus. After several unsuccessful endoscopic attempts, a lifesaving cervical esophagotomy was performed and the foreign body was retrieved. CONCLUSION: This patient who ingested clam shell recovered well following the retrieval of the foreign body by performing a lifesaving cervical esophagotomy