Removal of 142Pr from nuclear purity water using hydroxyapatite.

The adsorption of praseodymium using hydroxyapatite was evaluated. The hydroxyapatite (HAP) was characterized by X-ray diffraction (JCPDS 01-04-3708), scanning electron microscopy, BET specific surface area (54.2 m2/g), and point of zero charge (6.5). Adsorption kinetics and isotherms were evaluated at pH of 3 and 142Pr was determined using a gamma spectrometer. The adsorption of praseodymium was fast (1 min of contact) with an adsorption capacity of 1.68 mg/g and the data were best adjusted to the pseudo-second-order model, whereas the data of adsorption isotherm were best adjusted to the Langmuir model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 39.16 ± 0.20 mg/g. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that a physicochemical mechanism took place in the adsorption of praseodymium by HAP (adsorption enthalpy = 31.65 kJ/mol), the randomness of the system increased (adsorption entropy = 0.16 kJ/mol), and according with Gibbs free energy, the adsorption process was spontaneous at high temperature. The praseodymium in the hydroxyapatite is stable, it could not be desorbed using different solutions (ammonium sulfate, calcium chloride, sodium chloride, hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide).

Radioactive waste treatments by using zeolites. A short review.

Radionuclides in the environment is an important issue, many techniques have been developed for the removal of radionuclides from the environment. One of those techniques is the adsorption and natural and synthesized materials have been used to remove different radionuclides from water. The adsorbents used for removal of radionuclides should have high retention capacity and they should be resistant to radiation. One of the natural materials used is the zeolites due to its high ion exchange capacities, adsorption efficiency, resistance to radiation and abundance. The present review describes the advances made on radioactive waste treatments using zeolites as adsorbents, the elements: cesium, strontium, cobalt, molybdenum, uranium, plutonium, americium, samarium, and europium were selected according to their nuclear importance and their presence in the environment. Firstly, a brief description of the zeolites is given and then a review on the separation of these radionuclides from water by using zeolites is presented.

Professional burnout among Spanish medical oncologists.

INTRODUCTION: Studies on physician burnout in Spain show a significant presence of the syndrome among our professionals. Some studies highlight the speciality of medical oncology as one of the most affected. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of burnout syndrome among the group of medical oncologists affiliated to the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), as well as to assess the weight of sociodemographic variables, background and consequences involved in the process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anonymous protocol was posted to medical oncologist members of the SEOM (n=795). This protocol comprised a scale of sociodemographic variables and three scales of the Medical Professional Burnout Questionnaire. In response we received 200 complete protocols and statistical analyses were conducted with the programme SPSS, version 14.0. RESULTS: The sample showed high burnout levels in the areas of exhaustion and loss of expectations, with perception of time pressure to conduct work and social deterioration perceived in the profession as the two background elements with the greatest weight to explain the syndrome. The health consequences (physical and emotional) for the phy - sician are clear. Initial results show that conducting research and lecturing tasks could be a protective factor against developing the syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest the importance of developing prevention and intervention lines for medical oncology burnout. In this sense, issues such as work time management and motivational aspects related to research tasks could be worth considering.

Professional burnout among Spanish medical oncologists

INTRODUCTION: Studies on physician burnout in Spain show a significant presence of the syndrome among our professionals. Some studies highlight the speciality of medical oncology as one of the most affected. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of burnout syndrome among the group of medical oncologists affiliated to the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), as well as to assess the weight of sociodemographic variables, background and consequences involved in the process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anonymous protocol was posted to medical oncologist members of the SEOM (n=795). This protocol comprised a scale of sociodemographic variables and three scales of the Medical Professional Burnout Questionnaire. In response we received 200 complete protocols and statistical analyses were conducted with the programme SPSS, version 14.0. RESULTS: The sample showed high burnout levels in the areas of exhaustion and loss of expectations, with perception of time pressure to conduct work and social deterioration perceived in the profession as the two background elements with the greatest weight to explain the syndrome. The health consequences (physical and emotional) for the phy - sician are clear. Initial results show that conducting research and lecturing tasks could be a protective factor against developing the syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest the importance of developing prevention and intervention lines for medical oncology burnout. In this sense, issues such as work time management and motivational aspects related to research tasks could be worth considering (AU)

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