Hybrid uranyl-vanadium nano-wheels.

Hybrid uranyl-vanadium oxide clusters intermediate between transition metal polyoxometalates and uranyl peroxide cage clusters were obtained by dissolving uranyl nitrate in the ionic liquid 3-ethyl-1-methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate mixed with an aqueous solution containing vanadium. Where sulfate was present, wheel-shaped {U20V20} crystallized and contains ten sulfate tetrahedra, and in the absence of added sulfate, {U2V16}, a derivative of {V18}, was obtained.

Synthesis, structure, and infrared spectroscopy of the first Np5+ neptunyl silicates, Li6(NpO2)4(H2Si2O7)(HSiO4)2(H2O)4 and K3(NpO2)3(Si2O7).

Two Np(5+) silicates, Li(6)(NpO(2))(4)(H(2)Si(2)O(7))(HSiO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(4) (LiNpSi1) and K(3)(NpO(2))(3)(SiO(3)OH)(2) (KNpSi1), were synthesized by hydrothermal methods. The crystal structures were determined using direct methods and refined on the basis of F(2) for all unique data collected with Mo Kalpha radation and an APEX II CCD detector. LiNpSi1 crystallizes in orthorhombic space group Pnma with a =13.189(6) A, b = 7.917(3) A, c = 10.708(5) A, V = 1118.1(8) A3, and Z = 2. KNpSi1 is hexagonal, P62m, a = 9.734(1) A, c = 3.8817(7) A, V = 318.50(8) A3, and Z = 1. LiNpSi1 contains chains of edge-sharing neptunyl pentagonal bipyramids linked into two-dimensional sheets through direct linkages between the neptunyl polyhedra and the vertex sharing of the silicate tetrahedra. The structure contains both sorosilicate and nesosilicate units, resulting in a new complex neptunyl silicate sheet. KNpSi1 contains edge-sharing neptunyl square bipyramids linked into a framework structure through the sharing of vertices with the silicate tetrahedra. The neptunyl silicate framework contains channels approximately 6.0 A in diameter. These structures exhibit significant departures from other reported Np(5+) and U(6+) compounds and represent the first reported Np(5+) silicate structures.

A novel open framework uranyl molybdate: synthesis and structure of (NH4)4[(UO2)5(MoO4)7](H2O)5.

Single crystals of (NH(4))(4)[(UO(2))(5)(MoO(4))(7)](H(2)O)(5) have been synthesized hydrothermally using (NH(4))(6)Mo(7)O(24), (UO(2))(CH(3)COO)(2).2H(2)O, and H(2)O at 180 degrees C. The phase has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction using a merohedrally twinned single crystal: it is hexagonal, P6(1), a = 11.4067(5) A, c = 70.659(5) A, V = 7961.9(7) A(3), and Z = 6. The structure is based upon an open framework with composition [(UO(2))(5)(MoO(4))(7)](4-) that is composed of UO(7) pentagonal bipyramids that share vertexes with MoO(4) tetrahedra. The framework has large channels (effective pore size: 4.8 x 4.8 A(2)) parallel to the c axis and a system of smaller channels (effective pore size: 2.5 x 3.6 A(2)) parallel to [100], [110], [010], [110], [110], and [110]. The channels are occupied by NH(4)(+) cations and H(2)O molecules. The topological structure of the uranyl molybdate framework can be described either in terms of fundamental chains of UO(7) pentagonal bipyramids and MoO(4) tetrahedra or in terms of tubular building units parallel to the c axis.

Syntheses and crystal structures of two topologically related modifications of Cs(2)[(UO(2))(2)(MoO(4))(3)].

Two polymorphs of Cs(2)(UO(2))(2)(MoO(4))(3) have been synthesized by hydrothermal (alpha-phase) and high-temperature (beta-phase) routes. Both were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction: alpha-Cs(2)(UO(2))(2)(MoO(4))(3), orthorhombic, Pna2(1), a = 20.4302(15) A, b = 8.5552(7) A, c = 9.8549(7) A, Z = 4; beta-Cs(2)(UO(2))(2)(MoO(4))(3), tetragonal, P4(2)/n, a = 10.1367(8) A, c = 16.2831(17) A, Z = 4. The structures of both phases consist of linked UO(7) pentagonal bipyramids and MoO(4) tetrahedra: alpha-Cs(2)(UO(2))(2)(MoO(4))(3) is a framework compound with large channels parallel to the c axis. Two cesium sites are located in these channels and are coordinated by 8 and 10 oxygen atoms. The structure of beta-Cs(2)(UO(2))(2)(MoO(4))(3) contains corrugated [(UO(2))(2)(MoO(4))(3)] sheets that are parallel to (001). The cesium cations are located between the sheets and are coordinated by eight oxygen atoms. The structures are topologically related; both can be described in terms of chains of 5-connected UO(7) pentagonal bipyramids and 3- and 4-connected MoO(4) tetrahedra.

Building unit and topological evolution in the hydrothermal DABCO-U-F system.

Compounds NDUF-1 ([C(6)H(14)N(2)](UO(2))(2)F(6); P2(1)/c, a = 6.9797(15) A, b = 8.3767(15) A, c = 23.760(5) A, beta = 91.068(4) degrees, V = 1388.9(5) A(3), Z = 4), NDUF-2 ([C(6)H(14)N(2)](2)(UO(2))(2)F(5)UF(7).H(2)O), NDUF-3 ((NH(4))(7)U(6)F(31); R3, a = 15.4106(8) A, c = 10.8142(8) A, V = 2224.1(2) A(3), Z = 3), and NDUF-4 ([NH(4)]U(3)F(13)) have been synthesized hydrothermally from fixed composition reactant mixtures over variable time periods [DABCO (C(6)H(12)N(2)), UO(2)(NO(3))(2).6H(2)O, HF, and H(2)O; 2-14 days]. Observed is a systematic evolution of the structural building units within these materials from the UO(2)F(5) pentagonal bipyramid in NDUF-1 and -2 to the UF(8) trigonal prism in NDUF-2 and finally to the UF(9) polyhedron in NDUF-3 and -4 as a function of reaction time. Coupled to this coordination change is a reduction of U(VI) to U(IV) as well as a breakdown of the organic structure-directing agent from DABCO to NH(4)(+). These processes contribute to a structural transition from layered topologies (NDUF-1) to chain (NDUF-2), back to layered (NDUF-3), and ultimately to framework (NDUF-4) connectivities. The synthesis conditions, crystal structures, and possible transformation mechanisms within this system are presented.

Depositional facies and aqueous-solid geochemistry of travertine-depositing hot springs (Angel Terrace, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, U.S.A.).

Petrographic and geochemical analyses of travertine-depositing hot springs at Angel Terrace, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, have been used to define five depositional facies along the spring drainage system. Spring waters are expelled in the vent facies at 71 to 73 degrees C and precipitate mounded travertine composed of aragonite needle botryoids. The apron and channel facies (43-72 degrees C) is floored by hollow tubes composed of aragonite needle botryoids that encrust sulfide-oxidizing Aquificales bacteria. The travertine of the pond facies (30-62 degrees C) varies in composition from aragonite needle shrubs formed at higher temperatures to ridged networks of calcite and aragonite at lower temperatures. Calcite "ice sheets", calcified bubbles, and aggregates of aragonite needles ("fuzzy dumbbells") precipitate at the air-water interface and settle to pond floors. The proximal-slope facies (28-54 degrees C), which forms the margins of terracette pools, is composed of arcuate aragonite needle shrubs that create small microterracettes on the steep slope face. Finally, the distal-slope facies (28-30 degrees C) is composed of calcite spherules and calcite "feather" crystals. Despite the presence of abundant microbial mat communities and their observed role in providing substrates for mineralization, the compositions of spring-water and travertine predominantly reflect abiotic physical and chemical processes. Vigorous CO2 degassing causes a +2 unit increase in spring water pH, as well as Rayleigh-type covariations between the concentration of dissolved inorganic carbon and corresponding delta 13C. Travertine delta 13C and delta 18O are nearly equivalent to aragonite and calcite equilibrium values calculated from spring water in the higher-temperature (approximately 50-73 degrees C) depositional facies. Conversely, travertine precipitating in the lower-temperature (< approximately 50 degrees C) depositional facies exhibits delta 13C and delta 18O values that are as much as 4% less than predicted equilibrium values. This isotopic shift may record microbial respiration as well as downstream transport of travertine crystals. Despite the production of H2S and the abundance of sulfide oxidizing microbes, preliminary delta 34S data do not uniquely define the microbial metabolic pathways present in the spring system. This suggests that the high extent of CO2 degassing and large open-system solute reservoir in these thermal systems overwhelm biological controls on travertine crystal chemistry.

Navigation and the mobility of older drivers.

OBJECTIVES: Age related difficulties in navigating are believed to restrict driving mobility. A decline in mobility can have negative implications for peoples' well-being and independence. This problem may be more serious than the increased risk of collision that occurs with old age. The aim of this research was to determine the extent to which age-related difficulties in navigating restrict car travel. METHODS: A postal questionnaire survey of 1,186 United Kingdom (U.K.) motorists (aged 21 to 85 years) was conducted to determine more about people's mobility, the restrictions to their driving, and their driving experience. RESULTS: As predicted, respondents were found to report more navigation problems with increasing old age. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that navigation problems relate to reduced mobility (miles per week, trips per week, and average driving frequency) when controlling for other predictors of mobility (age, gender, employment, health, residential location, fitness, and ability to afford driving). DISCUSSION: This research highlights the need to have better navigational support for drivers, particularly elderly drivers. Improved roads signs and in-vehicle navigation aids are two solutions that might help enhance the mobility of elderly drivers.