In the present study, batch and fixed bed experiments were conducted in order to compare clinoptilolite and vermiculite for the removal of Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cr³⁺ from aqueous solutions under the same experimental conditions. Ion-exchange equilibrium is examined by use of batch equilibrium isotherms, distribution coefficients, and maximum exchange levels (MEL). Fixed bed experiments were conducted, and breakthrough curves and operational capacity were determined. Furthermore, diffusion coefficients were estimated by use of simplified fixed bed models. Concerning the comparison of the two minerals, in all experiments, for both batch (distribution coefficients and MEL) and fixed bed (breakthrough points and operating capacity (OC)), vermiculite showed better performance than clinoptilolite for all metals. Vermiculite selectivity series derived from batch distribution coefficients as well as in fixed beds is Cr³⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Mn²⁺ and is the same for clinoptilolite for liquid-phase equilibrium at relative concentration of X < 0.2. For more concentrated equilibrium solutions, the clinoptilolite selectivity changes for Cr³⁺ and remains the same for the other two metals, i.e. Zn²⁺ > Mn²⁺ > Cr³⁺. MEL are 14.4–26.9 mg/g and 34.2–43.6 mg/g for clinoptilolite and vermiculite, respectively, and OC is found to be 3.6–7.9 mg/g and 12.8–29.3 mg/g for clinoptilolite and vermiculite, respectively, 25–75% lower than MEL. The application of the simplified fixed bed model is successful for Zn in both minerals and Cr³⁺-vermiculite system. For Cr³⁺-clinoptilolite system, the model is not applicable due to the sigmoidal shape of the isotherm while for Mn, the model fails in low concentrations for both minerals, and it seems to approach experimental data only for X > 0.2–0.3. Solid-phase diffusion coefficients were estimated to be in the order of magnitude of 10⁻⁸ cm²/s for clinoptilolite and 10⁻⁹ cm²/s for vermiculite.

Primary Progressive Aphasia describes a language-led dementia and its variants. There is little research exploring the experiences of living with this disease. Metaphor, words that represent something else, have been studied extensively in health-related narratives to gain a more intimate insight into health experiences. This study explored the metaphors used spontaneously by people with PPA, their care partners (family), and speech and language therapists/pathologists (SLT/Ps) providing support along the continuum of care. This study examined two previously collected data sets comprising naturalistic talk where metaphors were not the specific focus, the first from focus groups conducted with people with PPA and their families and the second from focus groups conducted with SLT/Ps working with people with PPA. Transcribed data were analysed for metaphor use through an iterative narrative approach. In all, 237 examples of metaphorical language were identified in the data, with 14 metaphors from people with PPA, 116 from the families and 106 from SLT/Ps. Different metaphors were used by participants to describe their experiences depending on which variant of PPA they were living with, and people also described their disease differently over time. SLT/Ps also used metaphors, however, their language reflected the structured, professional perspective of delivering speech and language therapy services. SLT/Ps should listen for and recognise the metaphorical language used by people with PPA and their families to ensure therapeutic alignment, see beyond the PPA to recognise the individual’s needs, and provide person-centred and empathic support.

Background: Research exploring the context in which ASD and offending are associated is limited, despite stereotyped perceptions that individuals with ASD are more violent than their typically developing peers. To address this gap, this research explored the influence of ASD, mental health and behavioural presentation, adverse childhood experiences, and demographic characteristics on offending presentations in a forensic youth sample. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of a retrospective cohort, utilising secondary data of 327 young people from a forensic London-based service (83% male, M_age = 14.9 years old, SD = 1.90). Results: One hundred forty-two of these young people presented with either confirmed or suspected ASD diagnoses (83.8% male, M_age = 14.8 years old, SD = 1.84). Five offending categories (violence, sexually harmful behaviour, drug possession/supply, gang involvement, theft) and 32 offending behaviours were analysed in total. Poisson and negative binomial regression analyses indicated that ASD traits only increased the rate ratio of violent offences (p = 0.036) and gang involvement (p = 0.002). The use of substances significantly increased the rate ratio of theft (p = 0.012), gang involvement (p = 0.004), and drug possession/supply (p = 0.012). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that ASD, in the context of substance use, may increase a young person’s risk for more variable violent offences or gang involvement. Findings are discussed in the context of current research and recommendations for clinical practice and future research are made.