Abstract: This invention relates new radiopharmaceutical conjugates for use in improved methods of diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The radiopharmaceutical conjugate comprises, in sequence: a metabolite that targets tumour cells, bound to a chelating agent capable of containing a radionuclide, bound to a linker capable of binding with an EPR agent in vitro or in vivo; or a chelating agent capable of containing a radionuclide, bound to a metabolite that targets tumour cells, bound to a linker capable of binding with an EPR agent in vitro or in vivo. The radiopharmaceutical conjugates of the present invention provide active and passive targeted radio nuclide delivery systems that can help to improve the biodistribution and pharmacological toxicity of the radiopharmaceuticals used for the diagnosis and therapy of cancer.

Abstract: A process for producing a hexafluorophosphate salt comprises neutralizing hexafluorophosphoric acid with an organic Lewis base, to obtain an organic hexafluorophosphate salt. The organic hexafluorophosphate salt is reacted with an alkali hydroxide selected from an alkali metal hydroxide (other than LiOH) and an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, in a non-aqueous suspension medium, to obtain an alkali hexafluorophosphate salt as a precipitate. A liquid phase comprising the non-aqueous suspension medium, any unreacted organic Lewis base and any water that has formed during the reaction to form the precipitate, is removed. Thereby, the alkali hexafluorophosphate salt is recovered.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for parenteral or oral administration containing a radioactive compound which can be used diagnostically or therapeutically. The composition comprises a micro-emulsion constituted by a dispersion of vesicles or microsponges of a fatty acid based component in an aqueous or other pharmacologically acceptable carrier in which nitrous oxide is dissolved, the fatty acid based component comprising at least one long chain fatty acid based substance selected from the group consisting of free fatty acids and derivatives of free fatty acids, and the radioactive compound.

Abstract: A process for treating a zirconium containing feedstock includes fluorinating a feedstock comprising dissociated zircon (‘DZ’) to obtain a zirconium fluorine compound and a silicon fluorine compound. The zirconium fluorine compound is separated from the silicon fluorine compound is provided. Optionally, the zirconium fluorine compound is reacted with a non-fluorine halogen, an alkali metal non-fluorine halide or an alkaline-earth metal non-fluorine halide, thereby to obtain a zirconium non-fluorine halide. The zirconium fluorine compound or, when present, the zirconium non-fluorine halide is subjected to plasma reduction, in a plasma reduction stage, in the presence of a reductant, to obtain metallic zirconium.

Abstract: A process for treating a feedstock is provided. The feedstock comprises a mineral and/or a metal oxide/silicate derived from or associated with a mineral. The process comprises treating the feedstock by reacting, in a reaction step, the mineral and/or the metal oxide/silicate derived from or associated with a mineral, with an ammonium acid fluoride having the generic formula NH4F.xHF, wherein 1<x?5. An ammonium fluorometallate compound is produced as a reaction product.

Abstract: A process for treating a feedstock comprising tantalum- and/or niobium-containing compounds is provided. The process includes contacting the feedstock with a gaseous fluorinating agent, thereby to fluorinate tantalum and/or niobium present in the feedstock compounds. The resultant fluorinated tantalum and/or niobium compounds are recovered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing radionuclides. According to the method, a target medium comprising at least a target nuclide material is irradiated in an irradiation zone with neutron irradiation. Radionuclides form in the target nuclide material as a result of the irradiation, and at least some of the formed radionuclides are ejected from the target nuclide material. The ejected radionuclides are then captured and collected in a carbon-based recoil capture material which does not have an empty cage structure at crystallographic level.

Abstract: A process for treating a zirconium containing feedstock includes fluorinating a feedstock comprising dissociated zircon (‘DZ’) to obtain a zirconium fluorine compound and a silicon fluorine compound. The zirconium fluorine compound is separated from the silicon fluorine compound is provided. Optionally, the zirconium fluorine compound is reacted with a non-fluorine halogen, an alkali metal non-fluorine halide or an alkaline-earth metal non-fluorine halide, thereby to obtain a zirconium non-fluorine halide. The zirconium fluorine compound or, when present, the zirconium non-fluorine halide is subjected to plasma reduction, in a plasma reduction stage, in the presence of a reductant, to obtain metallic zirconium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a bisphosphonate covalently bonded to a nanostructure. This invention also relates to a bisphosphonate having incorporated therein a radioisotope selected from 32p or 33P, preferably 33p, wherein the bisphosphonate is covalently bonded to a nanostructure directly or by way of a linker, and to the use thereof in a method of treating calcific tumours in a patient.

Abstract: A process for treating a zirconia-based material comprises reacting, in a reaction step, the zirconia-based material with ammonium bifluoride, NH4F.HF. An ammonium fluorozirconic compound is produced.

Abstract: A radioactive material handling assembly (10) includes an outer housing (12) and an inner cell (14). The inner cell defines a radioactive material containment/handling chamber (16) and is removably mountable inside the outer housing. Handling means is operable from outside the inner cell to handle radioactive materials located in the containment/handling chamber. At least one of the outer housing and the inner cell is predominantly of a shielding material which is opaque to radioactivity.

Abstract: A process for recovering a gaseous component comprising at least one fluorine-containing compound from a mixture of gaseous compounds. The process includes, in a separation zone (12), bringing a mixture of gaseous constituents, including at least one fluorine-containing constituent, into contact with a gas permeable separating medium (16) comprising a polymeric compound, so that a first gaseous component comprising at least one fluorine-containing constituent is separated from a second gaseous component comprising the balance of the gaseous constituents. The first gaseous component is withdrawn from the separation zone as a permeate (34) or a retentate, while the second gaseous component is withdrawn from the separation zone as the retentate (26), when the first gaseous component is withdrawn as the permeate, and as the permeate, when the first gaseous component is withdrawn as the retentate.

Abstract: A process for depolymerizing fluoropolymers includes continuously feeding a solid fluoropolymer, in particulate form, into a horizontal cylindrical first reaction zone. The fluoropolymer particles enter the first reaction zone at one end. Within the first reaction zone, a central axle from which protrudes at least one paddle, continuously rotates. The rotating paddle serves to advance the fluoropolymer particles along the reaction zone while agitating them. As the fluoropolymer particles pass along the reaction zone, they are subjected to an elevated temperature, thereby depolymerizing the fluoropolymer into a fluoro-containing compound-rich gas phase. A residual solids phase is withdrawn at the other end of the first reaction zone, as is the gas phase. Optionally, the gas phase is passed through a second reaction zone which is also at an elevated temperature. The gas phase is quenched, thereby to recover the fluoro-containing compounds as gaseous products.

Abstract: A process for producing an inorganic doped-zircon pigment includes calcining a base mixture comprising raw plasma-dissociated zircon, a chromophore, and at least one mineralizer, to produce a raw pigment. The raw pigment is refined to obtain an inorganic doped-zircon pigment.

Abstract: A process for upgrading an inferior grade of zircon to a superior grade thereof includes mixing the inferior grade of zircon, in comminuted form, with at least one mineralizer, to obtain a zircon/mineralizer mixture, which is a calcined product. The calcined product is washed, and thereafter, in a comminution step, the washed calcined product is comminuted to obtain a superior grade of zircon, which is suitable for use as a glaze opacifier.

Abstract: A method of treating a fluorocarbon feedstock includes generating, in a high temperature zone, an electrical arc between at least one cathode and at least one anode, generating in the high temperature zone and by means of the electrical arc and a plasma gas, an upwardly burning thermal plasma having a tail flame, allowing a solid particulate fluorocarbon feedstock comprising at least on fluorocarbon compound to form a reactive thermal mixture with the thermal plasma tail flame, with the fluorocarbon compound dissociating into at least one fluorocarbon precursor or reactive species, and cooling the reactive thermal mixture to form, from the fluorocarbon precursor of reactive species, at least one more desirable fluorocarbon compound.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the activation by oxyfluorination of at least part of a surface of a solid, which process includes exposing, under selected conditions of temperature and pressure and for a selected reaction time, at least part of the surface of the material of the solid to an oxfluorinating atmosphere. The oxyfluorinating atmosphere is a gas/vapor mixture which includes at least one fluorine-containing gas which reacts with the material of the exposed surface, at least one oxygen-containing gas which reacts with the material of the exposed surface, and water vapor. The gases in the oxyfluorinating atmosphere act to oxyfluorinate the exposed surface, thereby to activate it, and the water vapor acts to enhance the activation.

Abstract: A method of treating a fluorocarbon feedstock includes generating, in a high temperature zone, an electrical arc between at least one cathode and at least one anode, generating in the high temperature zone and by means of the electrical arc and a plasma gas, a thermal plasma having a tail flame, allowing a fluorocarbon feedstock comprising at least one fluorocarbon compound to form a reactive thermal mixture with the thermal plasma tail flame, with the fluorocarbon compound dissociating into at least one fluorocarbon precursor or reactive species having fewer carbon atoms than the fluorocarbon compound, and cooling the reactive thermal mixture to form, from the fluorocarbon precursor or reactive species, a fluorocarbon product.

Abstract: A method of treating a fluorocarbon feedstock includes radio frequency induction heating of a zone of a reaction chamber to a temperature not exceeding 950° C. The feedstock heats up in the heating zone, and the reaction chamber pressure and heating zone temperature are chosen so that a fluorocarbon compound present in the feedstock dissociates or depolymerizes into a more desired fluorocarbon compound. A hot product gas, which includes the more desired fluorocarbon compound, is formed and then quenched to stabilize the more desired fluorocarbon compound.