Unsafe storage of poisons in homes with toddlers

BACKGROUND: The objective of this project was to assess the current nature and level of preventive actions that parents take to avoid unintentional poisoning among toddlers (11-18 months old). METHODS: In 2004, we conducted a cross-sectional observational survey with self-administered questionnaires among parents with toddlers (n=1,722). Data were obtained on storage locations of medicines and cleaning products and supervision of children. RESULTS: Overall, 50.1% of the toddlers were exposed to unsafe storage of possible poisonous products in the home. Parents were more likely to store medicines safely than cleaning products, and products were most often stored unsafely in the kitchen, where children were left unattended most often (69%). Households with one child were associated with unsafe storage of both medicines and cleaning products. Lower educational level of the mother and unemployment of the mother were both associated with safe storage of medicines. Mother's ethnicity, the child's ability to walk, and the education level of the father were associated with storage of cleaning products. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study are an important first step for the development of effective interventions to reduce unintentional poisoning in toddlers' homes.     

The role of substance use and psychosocial characteristics in explaining unintentional injuries

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between the use of various substances and selected psychosocial characteristics with unintentional injury. Cross-sectional data was collected from groups of subjects in treatment for a primary problem with cocaine (n = 300), cannabis (n = 128), alcohol (n = 110), other drugs (n = 35), tobacco (n = 249), or gambling (n = 199). Subjects completed a self-administered questionnaire that included questions on various psychosocial scales (i.e., risk-taking/impulsivity, chronic stress, coping, and social supports), frequency of drug and alcohol use, and unintentional injuries in the year prior to treatment. For the univariate analyses, both frequency of cocaine and cannabis use, risk-taking/impulsivity, stress, and coping were significantly related to injuries. For the multivariate analyses, only risk-taking/impulsivity, stress, age, and sex were significantly related to injuries. The results provide important information regarding factors associated with reported injuries among individuals in addiction treatment.     

Synthesis of SAPO-11 and AIP04-11 molecular sieves in the presence of Cu(ll)

The possible incorporation of Cu(II) into SAPO-11 (CuSAPO-11) and AIPO₄-11 (CuAPO-11) by adding Cu(II) compounds during synthesis in the presence of di-n-propylamine or diisopropylamine templates has been assessed. The location of Cu(ll) is identified by electron spin resonance and electron spin echo modulation spectroscopies. Cu(ll) ions do not incorporate into framework positions of SAPO-11 and AIPO₄-11, i.e., Cu(II) in CuSAPO-11 is located in the same position as Cu(ll) introduced byaqueous ion-exchange and Cu(ll) in CuAPO-11 is located in an extraframework position of AlPO₄-11. It is of ancillary interest that in the presence of Cu(ll) the SAPO-5 phase can be obtained as a major product by varying the temperature and time of crystallization.     

Preparation and characterisation of polyamide 11/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites for use in angioplasty balloon applications

With increased demands on catheter balloon functionality, there is an emphasis to blend new materials which can improve mechanical performance. Polymer nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending polyamide 11 (PA 11) with organically modified montmorillonite nanoclay. The effects of incorporating the nanoclay on the short-term mechanical properties of PA 11 were assessed using a design of experiments (DoEs) approach. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis techniques (DMA) were used to characterise the morphology of the nanocomposites. Design of experiments studies revealed that the optimum nanocomposites properties can be achieved by carefully controlling the melt compounding parameters. XRD and TEM data proved that exfoliated clay morphologies existed within the matrix at low clay loading (2%). Whereas the interaction between the polymer matrix and nanoclay was quantified in the DMA spectra, showed a significant increase in storage modulus (up to 80%). The reinforcing effect of nanoclay within the PA 11 was further investigated using mechanical testing, where significant increases in the ultimate tensile strength and strain at break of reinforced tri-layer balloon tubing were observed.     

Characteristics of single vehicle rollover fatalities in three Australian states (2000-2007)

An analysis of 2000–2007 single vehicle rollover fatalities in three Australian states was carried out using data from the Australian National Coroners Information System. In this paper, successive selection criteria were applied to the initial dataset to analyse:

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  Occupant fatalities in single passenger car crashes (1743 cases),

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  Occupant fatalities in single passenger car rollovers (474 cases),

overall, rollovers accounted for 35% of all occupant fatalities in a single vehicle transport injury event. For these fatalities, the occupant was ejected or stayed contained in equal proportions. However, results showed strong disparities between the more urban and densely populated states of New South Wales and Victoria, compared to the Northern Territory in terms of crash type distribution and containment of the occupant. Differences were also found in rollover initiation, speed at initiation and number of turns. Overall, the strongest association of fatal neck/thoracic spine injuries with head injuries was found for the contained, restrained occupant. This analysis of single vehicle rollover fatalities is consistent with previous findings. It also shows that in Australia, strategies for rollover injury risk mitigation will need to take into account a broad range of characteristics to be effective.     

Depolymerization of Pu(IV) Polymer in 0.5-3 M HNO3 in the Presence of Reductants and Oxidants

Methods of depolymerization of polymeric Pu(IV) in 0.5-3 M HNO₃ in the presence of reductants [hydroquinone, H₂O₂, hydroxylamine, U(IV)] and oxidants [KMnO₄, H₂O₂ + Fe(NO₃)₃, Na₂S₂O₈ + catalysts, Co(III)] were studied. The ratios of various oxidation states and complex species of plutonium in such systems were determined by electronic absorption spectroscopy. A mechanism of depolymerization of Pu(IV) by sodium persulfate in 0.5-3 M HNO₃ in the presence of Co(II) salts was proposed. The stepwise stability constant of the PuO₂SO₄ complex K ₁ was estimated.     

Experimental Analysis of Cutting Forces in Microdrilling of Austenitic Stainless Steel (X5CrNi18-10)

This article presents an experimental investigation on microdrilling of austenitic stainless steel which is a difficult material for machining because of its properties like high strain-hardening rate, low thermal conductivity, and high fracture toughness. Microholes are produced on X5CrNi18-10 austenitic stainless steel workpiece using 0.5 mm diameter solid carbide microdrills. Two factors (cutting speed and feed) and three levels (low–center–high) full-factorial design of experiment are performed. Response surface methodology is used to developed mathematical models (quadratic and bilinear regression models) for cutting forces in microdrilling. The experimental analysis shows that feed affects the cutting force components (radial and thrust) significantly. Additionally, it also shows that there are only minor effects from cutting speed, square of cutting speed, square of feed and product of speed, and feed on the cutting forces. Finally, the optimized cutting conditions are proposed for minimum cutting forces.     

Extraction of REE(III), U(VI), and Th(IV) from Nitric Acid Solutions with N-Akyl(aryl)carbamoylmethylphosphine Oxides in the Presence of an Ionic Liquid

Radiochemistry - It was found that the extraction of REE(III), U(VI), and Th(IV) from nitric acid solutions with N-alkyl(aryl)carbamoylmethyl phosphine oxides Ph2P(O)CH2C(O)NHR (R = C9H19, Ph,...     

Extraction of REE(III), U(VI), and Th(IV) from Nitric Acid Solutions with Carbamoylmethylphosphine Oxides in the Presence of Dinonylnaphthalenesulfonic Acid

The extraction of REE(III), U(VI), and Th(IV) from nitric acid solutions with solutions of carbamoylmethylphosphine oxides (CMPOs) considerably increases in the presence of dinonylnaphthalenesulfonic acid. The stoichiometry of the extractable complexes was determined, and the influence of the aqueous phase composition, kind of organic diluent, and CMPO structure on the efficiency of the extraction of the metal ions was analyzed.     

Extraction of REE(III), U(VI), and Th(IV) from Nitric Acid Solutions with Diphenyl(dibutylcarbamoylmethyl)phosphine Oxide in the Presence of Quaternary Ammonium Bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imides

Radiochemistry - The extraction of REE(III), U(VI), and Th(IV) from nitric acid solutions with solutions of diphenyl(dibutylcarbamoylmethyl)phosphine oxide considerably increases in the presence of...     

Extraction of REE(III), U(VI), and Th(IV) from Nitric Acid Solutions with Carbamoylmethylphosphine Oxides in the Presence of Bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide Ions

Extraction of microamounts of REE(III), U(VI), and Th(IV) with solutions of carbamoylmethylphosphine oxides (CMPOs) in organic diluents from aqueous HNO₃ solutions containing lithium bis[(trifluoromethyl) sulfonyl]imide (LiTf₂N) was studied. The efficiency of the REE(III), U(VI), and Th(IV) extraction from nitric acid solutions with CMPO solutions considerably increases in the presence of Tf₂N^– ions in the aqueous phase. The stoichiometry of the extractable complexes was determined, and the influence of the structure of the CMPO molecule, kind of organic diluent, and aqueous phase composition on the efficiency of the U(VI), Th(IV), and REE(III) extraction into the organic phase was considered.     

Electrochemical preparation of composite coatings of 3,4-etylenodioxythiophene (EDOT) and 4-(pyrrole-1-yl) benzoic acid (PyBA) with heteropolyanions

The possibility of incorporating 4-(pyrrole-1-yl) benzoic acid, (PyBA), and heteropolyacids (SiMo₁₂) during the electrodeposition of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), PEDOT, is demonstrated in the paper. The formed novel composite material was applied on the electrode surface as a moderately thin (ca. 0.9–1 μm thick) PEDOT/PyBA/SiMo₁₂ coating. The physicochemical identity of our composite coating was established with the use of electrochemical, spectroscopic, and microscopic techniques. The fact that carboxylate-containing PyBA units link with positively charged and PEDOT structures tend to improve the overall stability and adherence of composite coatings to glassy carbon and stainless steel. The PEDOT/PyBA composite serves as a stable host matrix for large negatively charged silicium heteropolymolybdates inorganic species. Consequently, due to the formation of denser polymeric structures and due to the existence of electrostatic repulsion effects, the large polyanion-containing composite coatings are capable of blocking the access of smaller pitting-causing anions (chlorides) to the surface of stainless steel.     

The use of silver(I)-2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]acetate as precursor in the deposition of thin silver layers on float glass by the atmospheric pressure combustion chemical vapor deposition process

The innovative use of silver(I)-2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]acetate ([AgO₂C(CH₂OCH₂)₃H], 3) as precursor for the deposition of silver on float glass by applying the atmospheric pressure combustion chemical vapor deposition process is described. As nucleation layer tungsten oxide was utilized, conformal, closed and dense silver layers of ca. 70 nm thickness were obtained. They are adhesive and high reflective with a resistivity of 5 ? 10⁻⁸ Ωm.     

Oxygen gas permeability in water and mechanical properties of poly(n-butylamino)-(di-allylamino) phosphazene membranes cured with the irradiation

Poly(n-butylamino) (di-allylamino)phosphazenes were prepared by the reaction of (NPCl₂) _n withn-butylamine and di-allylamine. After the membranes were prepared by the casting method, they were irradiated by ultraviolet electron beam,⁶⁰Co -rays. It was found from Fourier transform-infrared data that the CH=CH₂/N-H ratios of the irradiated membranes decreased with increasing dose. Also, the membrane did not dissolve in tetrahydrofuran or other organic solvents. This supported the idea that the CH=CH₂ bond was cleaved by the irradiation and the cross-linking occurred intermolecularly. Oxygen gas permeability values,D _k, of the irradiated membrane were determined from oxygen permeability and mechanical properties were determined with a Tensilon instrument.D _k values decreased with increasing Young's modulus in the case of low concentrations of di-allylamine.     

A study on comparative analysis of SUVs before and after correction with use of recovery coefficient (RC) in partial volume effect (PVE)

This study calculated the recovery coefficient (RC) to correct for the partial volume effect (PVE) of a positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanner by conducting a phantom experiment and analysing the standardised uptake value (SUVs) before and after the correction by applying the calculated RC to the data of a real PET/CT scan. An American College of Radiology (ACR) phantom was used to dilute 20·72 MBq (0·56 mCi) fluorine-18 fluoro-deoxy-glucgose (¹⁸F-FDG) uniformly in 1000 ml distilled water, which was injected into a hot cylinder (2·5, 1·6, 1·2 and 0·8 cm in diameter). In addition, ¹⁸F-FDG in 33·30 MBq (0·90 mCi), 22·20 MBq (0·60 mCi) and 16·65 MBq (0·45 mCi) was diluted uniformly in 6440 ml distilled water, which was filled with background radioactivity. Subsequently, the experiment was conducted three times under a hot cylinder to background radioactivity ratio (H/B ratio) of 4∶1, 6∶1 and 8∶1. The equipment of Biograph Truepoint 40 was used to conduct a phantom experiment and scan patients based on the whole body protocol. This research purposed 30 patients who visited this hospital to undergo a PET/CT scan from July to August 2011 and were diagnosed with lung cancer. The RC calculated based on the study results was used to compare and analyse the SUVs before and after the PVE correction. When the H/B ratio was 4∶1, the RC was 0·75, 0·72, 0·40 and 0·27 at a hot cylinder diameter of 2·5, 1·6, 1·2 and 0·8 cm, respectively. When the H/B ratio was 6∶1, the respective RC was 0·74, 0·59, 0·55 and 0·43. The respective RC at an H/B ratio of 8∶1 was 0·77, 0·76, 0·58 and 0·42. Overall, the RC decreased with decreasing size of the hot spot region. Among the patients diagnosed with lung cancer, 30 patients were selected randomly for sampling to compare and analyse the maximum SUVs before and after the correction. The average SUVs before and after the correction were 7·83 and 10·31.     

A Group of Cu（Zr）-based BMGs with Critical Diameter in the Range of 12 to 18 mm

A group of Cu（Zr）-based bulk metallic glasses （BMGs） with critical diameter （De） in the 12 to 18 mm range have been obtained using copper mould casting. In the Cu-Zr-Y-Al quaternary system, a new record of Dc=14 mm was established for Cu-based compositions, and 16 mm for compositions based on equi-atomic CuZr. Additional partial substitution of Hf for Zr further elevated the Dc to 18 mm at Cu42Zr43Hf1.5Y3.5Al10.     

Thermal conductivity of gaseous CFCl3 (Freon 11) and CF2Cl2 (Freon 12) and their mixtures with N2 at 292K

Thermal conductivity of the gases CFCl₃ (Freon 11), CF₂Cl₂ (Freon 12), and their binary mixtures with nitrogen have been measured at 292 K. The results for the mixtures are compared with various theoretical models, which give the thermal conductivity as a function of concentration using properties of the pure components. From the experimental results, the mutual diffusion coefficients for the two systems are calculated.     

4-(2-吡啶偶氮)-间二苯酚光度法测定奶粉中的锌含量

研究了显色剂4-(2-吡啶偶氮)-间二苯酚与锌的显色反应。在pH=9.0的硼砂-盐酸缓冲溶液中,非离子表面活性剂OP存在下,锌与4-(2-吡啶偶氮)-间二苯酚反应形成红色配合物,其最大吸收波长为500nm,表观摩尔吸光系数为6.24×104L·moL-1·cm-1。锌含量在0-60μg/50mL范围内符合比尔定律。该方法用于测定奶粉中的锌含量测定,加标回收率为97.8%-103.6%,相对标准偏差小于3.6%。     

Structural and photophysical properties of lanthanide complexes with N-(diphenylphosphoryl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide

Lanthanide complexes with N-(diphenylphosphoryl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide (HPMSP) as new sensitizers of visible luminescence were obtained. The series of stable lanthanide complexes Na[Ln(PMSP)₄], where Ln = Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺ were characterized by X-ray diffraction, IR, absorption, emission, and excitation spectra at 295 and 77 K as well as luminescence decay times and intrinsic emission quantum yields. The Tb complex, exhibiting relatively efficient ligand-to-metal energy transfer and strong metal-centred emission, is a promising candidate for effective UV-to-visible energy converters. Temperature dependent quenching of sensitized ⁵D₀ europium emission and presence of ⁵D₁ emission are discussed.     

Interaction of U(VI), Np(VI), and Pu(VI) ions with unsaturated heteropolytungstates of the 17th and 11th series in aqueous solutions

The stability constants of the complexes of U(VI), Np(VI), and Pu(VI) with the heteropolyanions (HPAs) P₂W₁₇O ₆₁ ^10? , SiW₁₁O ₃₉ ^8? , and PW₁₁O ₃₉ ^7? in solutions with pH from ?0.3 (2 M H⁺) to 5–5.5 in the presence of Na or K salts (up to 2 M) and without them were measured. All the complexes have exclusively the 1: 1 composition; their stability constants β^M(VI) in neutral solutions at a low ionic strength are close to 10⁸ 1 mol^?1. In 0.1–2.0 M acid solutions, log β^M(VI) for the complexes with P₂W₁₇O ₆₁ ^10? is within 1.4–3.9. The slope of the pH dependence of log β^M(VI) does not exceed 1.75; this fact suggests that no more than two protons are displaced from HPA upon complexation in acid solutions. In the presence of 1–2 M sodium salts, the β^M(VI) values reach a maximum at pH ～3 and drastically decrease with a further increase in pH. Actinides(VI) interact with HPAs appreciably more weakly than do actinides(III), which is apparently due to the fact that the denticity of HPAs in the complexes with An(VI), apparently, does not exceed 2.