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The CuO–CeO 2 –MeO x (Me = Zr, Ti, Mn, Al; x = 1.5–2) solids were tested in the preferential CO oxidation reaction in hydrogen-rich gas mixtures (PROX). We study an effect of a support (MeO x ) the CO conversion and selectivity in the PROX reaction showing that monoclinic zirconia (m-zirconia) with low surface area is the most effective support. The optimal catalyst composition was determined by varying copper and ceria loadings over m-zirconia. XRD and XPS studies indicate that a good catalytic performance of m-zirconia supported copper–ceria catalysts may be attributed to the presence of dispersed Cu-containing species that interact with CeO 2 and ZrO 2 .

The gas phase methane oxidative carbonylation was studied in the presence of molecular oxygen over silica materials including their mechanical mixtures with rhodium chalcogen chlorides obtained in non-aqueous inorganic media. The formation of Rh4SCl7, Rh4S9Cl2, Rh4Se5Cl3 and Rh3Se3Cl solids was confirmed by elemental analysis, IR absorption spectroscopy, XPS and X-ray diffraction. Silica, vanadium-, and molybdenum-containing mesoporous molecular sieves have been used as supports. It was found that productivity of oxygenates (methanol, methyl acetate and acetic acid) depends mainly on the method of the catalyst preparation and the type of the support.

Gas phase carbonylation of methane is studied in the presence of molecular oxygen over pure carbon carriers and carbon supported rhodium chalcogen halides. Activated carbons and fullerene blacks have been used as carbon supports. XPS and IR-spectroscopy data show the formation of rhodium chalcogen halides in solids prepared by different methods. We have found that the productivity of acetic acid by carbon supported rhodium chalcogen halides depends strongly on the carbon carrier and the method of the catalyst preparation. Namely, the catalyst with highest productivity for the acetic acid is prepared by synthesizing the rhodium chalcogen halide over the carbon support followed by thermal destruction. We have also found that rhodium chalcogen halides over activated carbons are more active compared with fullerene supported catalysts.

The dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) is a candidate gene in the search for a genetic etiology of schizophrenia and for pharmacogenetic factors in the response to antipsychotic treatment. Previous work has not found linkage or association of a polymorphism in exon 3 of this gene with diagnosis of schizophrenia or response to clozapine. In this study we examined this association in Israeli schizophrenic subjects treated with clozapine, compared to ethnically matched controls. Another polymorphism of this gene, in exon 1, was also studied. Both polymorphisms showed no association with schizophrenia or treatment response. A significant difference in allelic distribution of DRD4 exon 3 polymorphism was found between Ashkenazi and non-Ashkenazi control subjects.