Experience Gained from the Development and Execution of a Multidisciplinary Multi-syndrome Hereditary Colon Cancer Family Conference.

Genetic healthcare professionals provide genetic cancer risk assessment and follow-up care for patients facing hereditary cancers. To meet the needs of those affected by hereditary colorectal cancer, City of Hope and the Hereditary Colon Cancer Foundation collaborated to develop a "Family Day" conference. We describe the development of our conference based upon the Hereditary Colon Cancer Foundation's "Family Day" program model, with refinements completed using the Participatory Action Research theoretical framework, which incorporated input from conference participants and researchers. Thirty-one participants attended the conference, representing patients with, or families, friends, and caregivers of those with, multiple colorectal cancer predisposition syndromes, including Lynch, familial adenomatous polyposis, and juvenile polyposis. Participants who completed the feedback surveys (n = 22) were highly satisfied with the presentation content, ranking the keynote lecture on family communication the highest of the conference events. Participants also provided feedback regarding how to improve future conferences. In conclusion, we share our experience and provide guidance for developing a successful hereditary colon cancer predisposition patient and family conference.

Gas-phase uranyl, neptunyl, and plutonyl: hydration and oxidation studied by experiment and theory.

The following monopositive actinyl ions were produced by electrospray ionization of aqueous solutions of An(VI)O(2)(ClO(4))(2) (An = U, Np, Pu): U(V)O(2)(+), Np(V)O(2)(+), Pu(V)O(2)(+), U(VI)O(2)(OH)(+), and Pu(VI)O(2)(OH)(+); abundances of the actinyl ions reflect the relative stabilities of the An(VI) and An(V) oxidation states. Gas-phase reactions with water in an ion trap revealed that water addition terminates at AnO(2)(+)·(H(2)O)(4) (An = U, Np, Pu) and AnO(2)(OH)(+)·(H(2)O)(3) (An = U, Pu), each with four equatorial ligands. These terminal hydrates evidently correspond to the maximum inner-sphere water coordination in the gas phase, as substantiated by density functional theory (DFT) computations of the hydrate structures and energetics. Measured hydration rates for the AnO(2)(OH)(+) were substantially faster than for the AnO(2)(+), reflecting additional vibrational degrees of freedom in the hydroxide ions for stabilization of hot adducts. Dioxygen addition resulted in UO(2)(+)(O(2))(H(2)O)(n) (n = 2, 3), whereas O(2) addition was not observed for NpO(2)(+) or PuO(2)(+) hydrates. DFT suggests that two-electron three-centered bonds form between UO(2)(+) and O(2), but not between NpO(2)(+) and O(2). As formation of the UO(2)(+)-O(2) bonds formally corresponds to the oxidation of U(V) to U(VI), the absence of this bonding with NpO(2)(+) can be considered a manifestation of the lower relative stability of Np(VI).

Understanding fluxes as media for directed synthesis: in situ local structure of molten potassium polysulfides.

Rational exploratory synthesis of new materials requires routes to discover novel phases and systematic methods to tailor their structures and properties. Synthetic reactions in molten fluxes have proven to be an excellent route to new inorganic materials because they promote diffusion and can serve as an additional reactant, but little is known about the mechanisms of compound formation, crystal precipitation, or behavior of fluxes themselves at conditions relevant to synthesis. In this study we examine the properties of a salt flux system that has proven extremely fertile for growth of new materials: the potassium polysulfides spanning K(2)S(3) and K(2)S(5), which melt between 302 and 206 °C. We present in situ Raman spectroscopy of melts between K(2)S(3) and K(2)S(5) and find strong coupling between n in K(2)S(n) and the molten local structure, implying that the S(n)(2-) chains in the crystalline state are mirrored in the melt. In any reactive flux system, K(2)S(n) included, a signature of changing species in the melt implies that their evolution during a reaction can be characterized and eventually controlled for selective formation of compounds. We use in situ X-ray total scattering to obtain the pair distribution function of molten K(2)S(5) and model the length of S(n)(2-) chains in the melt using reverse Monte Carlo simulations. Combining in situ Raman and total scattering provides a path to understanding the behavior of reactive media and should be broadly applied for more informed, targeted synthesis of compounds in a wide variety of inorganic fluxes.

Electron transfer dissociation of dipositive uranyl and plutonyl coordination complexes.

Reported here is a comparison of electron transfer dissociation (ETD) and collision-induced dissociation (CID) of solvent-coordinated dipositive uranyl and plutonyl ions generated by electrospray ionization. Fundamental differences between the ETD and CID processes are apparent, as are differences between the intrinsic chemistries of uranyl and plutonyl. Reduction of both charge and oxidation state, which is inherent in ETD activation of [An(VI) O(2) (CH(3) COCH(3) )(4) ](2+) , [An(VI) O(2) (CH(3) CN)(4) ](2) , [U(VI) O(2) (CH(3) COCH(3) )(5) ](2+) and [U(VI) O(2) (CH(3) CN)(5) ](2+) (An = U or Pu), is accompanied by ligand loss. Resulting low-coordinate uranyl(V) complexes add O(2) , whereas plutonyl(V) complexes do not. In contrast, CID of the same complexes generates predominantly doubly-charged products through loss of coordinating ligands. Singly-charged CID products of [U(VI) O(2) (CH(3) COCH(3) )(4,5) ](2+) , [U(VI) O(2) (CH(3) CN)(4,5) ](2+) and [Pu(VI) O(2) (CH(3) CN)(4) ](2+) retain the hexavalent metal oxidation state with the addition of hydroxide or acetone enolate anion ligands. However, CID of [Pu(VI) O(2) (CH(3) COCH(3) )(4) ](2+) generates monopositive plutonyl(V) complexes, reflecting relatively more facile reduction of Pu(VI) to Pu(V).

Periodic trends in actinide phosphonates: divergence and convergence between thorium, uranium, neptunium, and plutonium systems.

The hydrothermal reactions of both PuO(2)(2+) and PuO(2) with phosphonates results in the formation of Pu(IV) phosphonates. Pu(CH(3)PO(3))(2), Pu[CH(2)(PO(3))(2)](H(2)O), and UO(2)Pu(H(2)O)(2)[CH(2)(PO(3))(PO(3)H)](2) have been isolated from these reactions and structurally characterized. Pu(CH(3)PO(3))(2) contains six-coordinate Pu(IV) and adopts a structure closely related to that of alpha-Zr(HPO(4))(2). Pu[CH(2)(PO(3))(2)](H(2)O) forms a novel three-dimensional network with seven-coordinate Pu(IV) and chelating/bridging [CH(2)(PO(3))(2)](4-) anions. The heterobimetallic U(VI)/Pu(IV) diphosphonate, UO(2)Pu(H(2)O)(2)[CH(2)(PO(3))(PO(3)H)](2), also forms a three-dimensional network. To complete the An[CH(2)(PO(3))(2)](H(2)O)(n) (An = Th, U, Np, Pu; n = 1, 2) and UO(2)An(H(2)O)(2)[CH(2)(PO(3))(PO(3)H)](2) series, Th[CH(2)(PO(3))(2)](H(2)O)(2) and UO(2)Th(H(2)O)(2)[CH(2)(PO(3))(PO(3)H)](2) have also been prepared. These compounds are isostructural with their Np(IV) analogues.

Further examples of the failure of surrogates to properly model the structural and hydrothermal chemistry of transuranium elements: insights provided by uranium and neptunium diphosphonates.

In situ hydrothermal reduction of Np(VI) to Np(IV) in the presence of methylenediphosphonic acid (C1P2) results in the crystallization of Np[CH2(PO3)2](H2O)2 (NpC1P2-1). Similar reactions have been explored with U(VI) resulting in the isolation of the U(IV) diphosphonate U[CH2(PO3)2](H2O) (UC1P2-1), and the two U(VI) diphosphonates (UO2)2[CH2(PO3)2](H2O)3.H2O (UC1P2-2) and UO2[CH2(PO3H)2](H2O) (UC1P2-3). Single crystal diffraction studies of NpC1P2-1 reveal that it consists of eight-coordinate Np(IV) bound by diphosphonate anions and two coordinating water molecules to create a polar three-dimensional framework structure wherein the water molecules reside in channels. The structure of UC1P2-1 is similar to that of NpC1P2-1 in that it also adopts a three-dimensional structure. However, the U(IV) centers are seven-coordinate with only a single bound water molecule. UC1P2-2 and UC1P2-3 both contain U(VI). Nevertheless, their structures are quite distinct with UC1P2-2 being composed of corrugated layers containing UO 6 and UO 7 units bridged by C1P2; whereas, UC1P2-3 is found as a polar three-dimensional network structure containing only pentagonal bipyramidal U(VI). Fluorescence measurements on UC1P2-2 and UC1P2-3 exhibit emission from the uranyl moieties with classical vibronic fine-structure.

In situ hydrothermal reduction of neptunium(VI) as a route to neptunium(IV) phosphonates.

A lamellar neptunium(IV) methylphosphonate, Np(CH3PO3)(CH3PO3H)(NO3)(H2O).H2O, has been prepared under hydrothermal conditions via the in situ reduction of NpVI to NpIV. The single crystal structure of this compound shows polar layers that are joined to one another via a hydrogen-bonding network involving interlayer water molecules. Magnetic susceptibility measurements demonstrate that the NpIV ions are magnetically isolated from one another.

Novel dinuclear uranyl complexes with asymmetric schiff base ligands: synthesis, structural characterization, reactivity, and extraction studies.

The reaction of uranyl nitrate with asymmetric [3O, N] Schiff base ligands in the presence of base yields dinuclear uranyl complexes, [UO2(HL1)]2.DMF (1), [UO2(HL2)]2.2DMF.H2O (2), and [UO2(HL3)]2.2DMF (3) with 3-(2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)propane-1,2-diol (H3L1), 4-((2,3-dihydroxypropylimino)methyl)benzene-1,3-diol (H3L2), and 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)propane-1,2-diol (H3L3), respectively. All complexes exhibit a symmetric U2O2 core featuring a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry around each uranyl center. The hydroxyl groups on the ligands are attached to the uranyl ion in chelating, bridging, and coordinate covalent bonds. Distortion in the backbone is more pronounced in 1, where the phenyl groups are on the same side of the planar U2O2 core. The phenyl groups are present on the opposite side of U2O2 core in 2 and 3 due to electronic and steric effects. A similar hydrogen-bonding pattern is observed in the solid-state structures of 1 and 3 with terminal hydroxyl groups and DMF molecules, resulting in discrete molecules. Free aryl hydroxyl groups and water molecules in 2 give rise to a two-dimensional network with water molecules in the channels of an extended corrugated sheet structure. Compound 1 in the presence of excess Ag(NO3) yields {[(UO2)(NO3)(C6H4OCOO)](NH(CH2CH3)3)}2 (4), where the geometry around the uranyl center is hexagonal bipyrimidal. Two-phase extraction studies of uranium from aqueous media employing H3L3 indicate 99% reduction of uranyl ion at higher pH.

Why does Kevlar decompose, while Nomex does not, when treated with aqueous chlorine solutions?

Kevlar and Nomex are high-performance polymers which have wide varieties of applications in daily life. Recently, they have been proposed to be biocidal materials when reacted with household bleach (sodium hypochlorite solution) because they contain amide moieties which can be chlorinated to generate biocidal N-halamine functional groups. Although Nomex can be chlorinated without any significant decomposition, Kevlar decomposes under the same chlorination conditions. In this study, two mimics for each of the polymers were synthesized to simulate the carboxylate and diaminophenylene components of the materials. It was found that the p-diaminophenylene component of the Kevlar mimic is oxidized to a quinone-type structure upon treatment with hypochlorous acid, which then decomposes. However, such a mechanism for the Nomex mimic is not possible. In this paper, based upon these observations, a plausible answer will be provided to the title question.

Critical role of water content in the formation and reactivity of uranium, neptunium, and plutonium iodates under hydrothermal conditions: implications for the oxidative dissolution of spent nuclear fuel.

The reactions of 237NpO2 with excess iodate under acidic hydrothermal conditions result in the isolation of the neptunium(IV), neptunium(V), and neptunium(VI) iodates, Np(IO3)4, Np(IO3)4.nH2O.nHIO3, NpO2(IO3), NpO2(IO3)2(H2O), and NpO2(IO3)2.H2O, depending on both the pH and the amount of water present in the reactions. Reactions with less water and lower pH favor reduced products. Although the initial redox processes involved in the reactions between 237NpO2 or 242PuO2 and iodate are similar, the low solubility of Pu(IO3)4 dominates product formation in plutonium iodate reactions to a much greater extent than does Np(IO3)4 in the neptunium iodate system. UO2 reacts with iodate under these conditions to yield uranium(VI) iodates solely. The isotypic structures of the actinide(IV) iodates, An(IO3)4 (An=Np, Pu), are reported and consist of one-dimensional chains of dodecahedral An(IV) cations bridged by iodate anions. The structure of Np(IO3)4.nH2O.nHIO3 is constructed from NpO9 tricapped-trigonal prisms that are bridged by iodate into a polar three-dimensional framework structure. Second-harmonic-generation measurements on a polycrystalline sample of the Th analogue of Np(IO3)4.nH2O.nHIO3 reveal a response of approximately 12x that of alpha-SiO2. Single-crystal magnetic susceptibility measurements of Np(IO3)4 show magnetically isolated Np(IV) ions.

Structural polarity induced by cooperative hydrogen bonding and lone-pair alignment in the molecular uranyl iodate Na2[UO2(IO3)4(H2O)].

Na2[UO2(IO3)4(H2O)] has been synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions. Its structure consists of Na+ cations and [UO2(IO3)4(H2O)](2-) anions. The [UO2(IO3)4(H2O)](2-) anions are formed from the coordination of a nearly linear uranyl, UO2(2+), cation by four monodentate IO(3-) anions and a coordinating water molecule to yield a pentagonal bipyramidal environment around the uranium center. The water molecules form intermolecular hydrogen bonds with the terminal oxo atoms of neighboring [UO2(IO3)4(H2O)](2-) anions to yield one-dimensional chains that extend down the b axis. There are two crystallographically unique iodate anions in the structure of Na2[UO2(IO3)4(H2O)]. One of these anions is aligned so that the lone-pair of electrons is also directed along the b axis. The overall structure is therefore polar, owing to the cooperative alignment of both the hydrogen bonds and the lone-pair of electrons on iodate. The polarity of the monoclinic space group C2 (a = 11.3810(12) A, b = 8.0547(8) A, c = 7.6515(8) A, beta = 90.102(2) degrees , Z = 2, T = 193 K) found for this compound is consistent with the structure. Second-harmonic generation of 532 nm light from a 1064 nm laser source yields a response of approximately 16x alpha-SiO2.