Specific Ion Effects on the Behavior of Mixtures of Sodium Iso-Butyl Xanthate and Sodium Diethyl Dithiophosphate during the Flotation of a Cu-Ni-PGM Ore: Effects of CaCl2 and NaCl

Inorganic electrolytes present in the process water used during froth flotation may have both beneficial and detrimental effects. These effects are said to be ion specific, as some ions may result in enhanced froth stability, increased mineral recoveries and decreased concentrate grades, while others may bring the opposite effects. Onsite process water quality variations have intensified the need to understand the relationship between inorganic electrolytes and flotation reagents on flotation performance. The use of mixtures of thiol collectors in sulfide flotation is a common practice across the globe; however, very few investigations have considered these in process waters of varying compositions. This study considers the effect of common cations, Na+ and Ca2+, in process water on the behavior of mixtures of thiol collectors. Single-salt solutions of NaCl and CaCl2 at an ionic strength of 0.0213 mol·dm−3 were used to investigate the behavior of mixtures of two thiol collectors. These were carefully selected to understand how mixtures of thiol collectors behave in the presence of a monovalent cation versus a polyvalent cation. Bench-scale froth flotation tests were conducted using a Cu-Ni-PGM ore from the Merensky Reef. The results have shown that the divalent cation, Ca2+, resulted in higher %Cu and %Ni recoveries at all collector mixtures compared to the monovalent cation, Na+. The concentrate grades were, however, slightly compromised, as slightly more gangue reported to the concentrate in the presence of Ca2+. This behavior is attributed to the effect of polyvalent cations on bubble coalescence and froth stability.

Facilitated polymer capture by charge inverted electroosmotic flow in voltage-driven polymer translocation

The optimal functioning of nanopore-based sequencing tools necessitates rapid polymer capture by anionic membrane pores. This goal can be achieved by polyvalent cation addition that inverts the direction of the electroosmotic flow. The inverted flow drags the polymer in the trans direction and speeds up its capture by the nanopore.

The Effectiveness of Ameliorant to Increase Carbon Stock of Oilpalm and Rubber Plantation on Peatland

Application of peatland amelioration can improve soil quality, reduce GHG emissions, and increase carbon sequestration. The research aimed to study the effect of peatland amelioration on oil palm and rubber carbon stock improvement. Research was conducted from August 2013 until June 2014. The researches on oil palm were done in Arang-arang Village, Kumpeh Subdistrict, Muaro Jambi District, and in Lubuk Ogong Village, Bandar Seikijang Sub-district, Pelalawan District. Both sites are in Jambi and Riau Province. The research on rubber was done in Jabiren Village, Jabiren Raya Subdistrict, Pulang Pisau District, Central Kalimantan Province. The study used a Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD), in four treatments and four replications. The treatments were pugam (peat fertilizer enriched by polyvalent cation), manure; empty fruit bunch compost, and control (no application). The measurement of C stock was performed 10 months after application using nondestructive methods. The results showed that peatland amelioration treatments had no significant effect to improve C stock on oil palm in 6 years old and 7 years old of rubber. After 10 months of amelioration application, the treatments increased C - stock of oil palm and rubber were 2.1-2.4 Mg ha-1 and 5-11 Mg ha-1, respectively. Longer time observation may be needed to study the effect of ameliorant on C-stock of annual crops.

There is no ‘Conundrum’ of InsP 6

Indirect assays have claimed to quantify phytate (InsP 6 ) levels in human biofluids, but these have been based on the initial assumption that InsP 6 is there, an assumption that our more direct assays disprove. We have shown that InsP 6 does not and cannot (because of the presence of an active InsP 6 phosphatase in serum) exist in mammalian serum or urine. Therefore, any physiological effects of dietary InsP 6 can only be due either to its actions in the gut as a polyvalent cation chelator, or to inositol generated by its dephosphorylation by gut microflora.

Impact of Educational Interventions to Prevent Drug Interactions between Oral Fluoroquinolone or Tetracycline Antibiotics with Polyvalent-Cation Supplements

Purpose Fluoroquinolone and tetracycline antibiotics are routinely used for the treatment of a variety of bacterial infections. A disadvantage with their oral administration is the potential for a drug interaction leading to decreased absorption when coadministered with oral supplements containing polyvalent cations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of several inservices aimed at educating nursing staff on reducing this drug interaction. Methods To assess the impact of the educational interventions, a retrospective chart review was conducted in two phases to determine the incidence of the drug interaction. Phase 1 was conducted before implementation of the educational inservices. Following the educational inservices, phase 2 was conducted to determine their impact on reducing coadministration. Results This interaction occurs frequently in hospitals; we found that these antibiotics were given within 2 hours of polyvalent-cation containing supplements in 72.5% of patients before inservices. An inservice involving multiple approaches significantly reduced the frequency of the drug interaction to 10%; P < 0.001. Conclusion Educational inservices directed toward nursing staff were successful in significantly reducing the incidence of this drug interaction.