The catalytic reduction of sulfur dioxide with methane to form carbon dioxide and sulfur has been studied over MoS 2 /Al 2 O 3 catalysts. The reaction has been found to occur with microwave (2.45 GHz) heating at recorded temperatures as much as 200 • C lower than those required when conventional heating was used. An activation energy of 117 kJ mol −1 has been calculated for the conventionally heated reaction, but an Arrhenius analysis of the data obtained with microwave heating was not possible, probably because of temperature variations in the catalyst bed. The existence of hot spots in the catalysts heated by microwave radiation has been verified by the detection of ␣-alumina at a recorded temperature some 200 • C lower than the temperature at which the ␥-to ␣-alumina phase transition is normally observed. Among four catalysts prepared in different ways, a mechanically mixed catalyst showed the highest conversion of SO 2 and CH 4 for microwave heating at a given temperature. Supported catalysts, sulfided either by conventional heating or under microwave conditions, showed little difference in the extent of SO 2 and CH 4 conversions. The highest conversions to carbon dioxide and sulfur, combined with low production of undesirable side products, was obtained when the molar ratio of SO 2 to CH 4 was equal to two, the stoichiometric ratio.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop and evaluate a structured peer support program to address the needs of providers involved in obstetric adverse outcomes. Methods:In this pilot randomized controlled trial, participants were providers who experienced an obstetric-related adverse outcome. Providers were randomly assigned to routine support (no further follow-up) or enhanced support (follow-up with a trained peer supporter). Participants completed surveys at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. The primary outcome was the use of resources and the perception of their helpfulness. Secondary outcomes were the effect on the recovery stages and the duration of use of peer support.Results: Fifty participants were enrolled and randomly assigned 1:1 to each group; 42 completed the program (enhanced, 23; routine, 19). The 2 groups were not significantly different with respect to event type, demographics, or baseline stage; in both groups, most participants started at the stage 6 thriving path. Most participants required less than 3 months of support: 65.2% did not need follow-up after the first contact, and 91.3% did not need follow-up after the second contact. Participants who transitioned from an early stage of recovery (stages 1-3) to the stage 6 thriving path reported that they most often sought support from peers (P = 0.02) and departmental leadership (P = 0.07). Those in the enhanced support group were significantly more likely to consider departmental leadership as one of the most helpful resources (P = 0.02). Conclusions:For supporting health care providers involved in adverse outcomes, structured peer support is a practicable intervention that can be initiated with limited resources.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate for potential disparities in care between Hispanic women and non-Hispanic white women diagnosed with cervical cancer utilizing the National Cancer Database.

The oxidative coupling of methane was investigated over alumina supported La 2 O 3 /CeO 2 catalysts under microwave dielectric heating conditions at different oxygen concentrations. It was observed that, at a given temperature using microwave heating, selectivities for both ethane and ethylene were notably higher when oxygen was absent than that in oxygen/methane mixtures. The differences were attributed to the localised heating of microwave radiation resulting in temperature inhomogeneity in the catalyst bed. A simplified model was used to estimate the temperature inhomogeneity; the temperature at the centre of the catalyst bed was 85°C greater than that at the periphery when the catalyst was heated by microwaves in a gas mixture with an oxygen concentration of 12.5% (v/v), and the temperature difference was estimated to be 168°C in the absence of oxygen.