Pb2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ removal by designed functionalized swelling high-charged micas.

The increasing accumulation of toxic heavy metals in the environment has generated the need of efficient removal systems, being the adsorption method the most popular one applied in aqueous solutions. Of particular concern is the case of Pb2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ due to their high potential hazard. In this paper, we describe the feasibility of a new family of nanomaterials, swelling high charge micas, in the removal of these cations from aqueous solutions. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out in the as-made micas, NaMn, and after functionalization with ethylammonium, EA-Mn, and mercaptoethylammonium, MEA-Mn. The results have demonstrated that all of them are efficient heavy metal adsorbents, being Na-M2 the best adsorbent for Pb2+ and Cd2+, and, MEA-M2 for Hg2+.

Direct evidence of Lowenstein's rule violation in swelling high-charge micas.

The structure of high-charged micas, Na-n-micas (n = 2 and 4), a family of synthetic silicates with a wide range of applications, was investigated through the use of (17)O solid-state NMR at natural abundance in order to preserve quantitative spectral information. The use of a very high-field and highly sensitive probehead, together with (17)O NMR literature data allowed for the detection of an isolated signal at 26 ppm, assigned partially to AlOAl, as evidence of the violation of Lowenstein's rule for Na-4-mica.

Manejo clínico de los nuevos antipsicóticos / Clinical management of new antipsychotics

El alto número de pacientes con patología psicótica internados en los centros penitenciarios demanda del médico generalista encargado de su tratamiento un conocimiento del amplio arsenal farmacológico existente en la actualidad. En el presente artículo se realiza una comparación entre los antipsicóticos clásicos y los atípicos o de segunda generación. Se detallantambién sus características diferenciales, modos de empleo e indicaciones específicas establecidas por consenso y se realizan algunas consideraciones críticas

The large number of patients with psychotic disorders in prisons requires the general practitioner who treats them to be aware of the vast pharmacological resources currently available. This article compares the classic antipsychotic drugs with the atypical or second generation drugs. Details are given of their distinguishing features, modes of use and specific indications established by consensus, and some of these aspects are assessed (AU)

The effectiveness of different methods of defining traumatic brain injury in predicting postdischarge adjustment in a spinal cord injury population.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur concomitantly with spinal cord injury (SCI). Much of the initial work in this area has focused on identifying coincidence rates and risk factors; less has focused on possible long-term implications of TBI when it occurs with SCI. In this study, SCI/TBI and neurologically matched SCI-only groups were formed on the basis of clinicians' ratings of neuropsychologic test scores. SCI/TBI and SCI-only groups were also formed using Halstead Category cutoff scores, presence/absence of loss of consciousness, and clinicians' ratings of severity of TBI. Dependent measures assessed an average of two years postinjury measured personal, social, and family adjustment of the individual with SCI and that of a significant other. Loss of consciousness and nonconsensus clinical ratings of presence/absence of TBI predicted postdischarge adjustment poorly. Severity ratings in the moderate to severe range, and Category cutoff scores did have some predictive value, with patients defined as impaired being more likely to report adjustment difficulties or being described as having adjustment difficulties by a significant other. The difficulty of making unequivocal diagnoses of TBI in this population is discussed and implications for future research delineated.