The characterization of mixed oxides of TiO2/SiO2 and TiO2/Al2O3 prepared by sol−gel methods is described. Application of the TiO2/Al2O3 material for the photocatalytic decomposition of salicylic acid gave improved activity relative to TiO2-only materials. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2/SiO2, TiO2/Al2O3, and TiO2 toward the photocatalytic decomposition of phenol demonstrated the enhancement of local TiO2 sites on TiO2/SiO2 materials relative to the other materials. The characterization of the catalysts indicates that the TiO2/SiO2 materials consist of matrix-isolated TiO2 quantum particles, while the TiO2/Al2O3 materials do not.

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Fifty-two children who no longer believed in Santa Claus were individually administered a structured interview on their reactions to discovering the truth. Their parents completed a questionnaire assessing their initial encouragement of the child to believe in Santa and rating their child's reactions to discovering the truth as well as their own reactions to the child's discovery. Parental encouragement for the child to believe was very strong. Children generally discovered the truth on their own at age seven. Children reported predominantly positive reactions on learning the truth. Parents, however, described themselves as predominantly sad in reaction to their child's discovery.

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