Generation of hydrogen cyanide from flexible polyurethane foam decomposed under different combustion conditions

Experimental thermal conditions conducive to the production of high levels of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) from flexible polyurethane foam were determined. In these experiments the material was exposed to relatively low-temperature non-flaming oxidative conditions for a short time period, during which a char was formed. Further heating of the char to temperature above 500°C generated the increased HCN levels. Upon exposure to this same two-step decomposition process, a fire-retarded flexible polyurethane foam produced twice as much char and twice as much HCN. Elemental analyses indicated that the HCN concentration was directly related to the amount of char formed and its nitrogen content. Room burns of slabs of flexible polyurethane foam and chairs containing flexible polyurethane foam indicated that this same phenomenon occurs in large-scale experiments. In these NBS tests, increased concentrations of HCN were produced when the material underwent flaming combustion following a period of smoldering, presumably from heating the char that was formed during smoldering. Investigation of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the increased HCN concentrations was attempted using ion chromatography, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), pyrolysis/mass spectrometry and ₁₃C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. While the molecular structures of the nitrogen-containing compounds in the char were not elucidated, these analyses provided evidence of multiple compounds containing amine, amide, imine and nitrile functional groups as the most likely sources of the observed HCN.     

Predicting episodic memory performance of very old men and women: Contributions from age, depression, activity, cognitive ability, and speed.

Regression models were developed to explain age-related and total variance in memory and to determine the independent contribution from general processing speed, having taken into account cognitive and noncognitive individual differences. Episodic memory was assessed for 3 tasks in a population-based sample of 951 adults comprising 515 men and 436 women (aged 70–96, M?=?77.6, SD?=?5.5). Correlations between age and memory accounted for 6%–9% of the variance. Hierarchical multiple regressions showed a reduction in this age-related variance by up to 94%, after entering gender, depression, health, cognitive status, activities, and speed. General processing speed was the major mediator of age-related variance in memory. Although both the age-related variance and the speed-related variance in memory were significantly reduced by prior entry of other individual differences variables for all 3 tasks, speed remained a significant mediator of remembering, and negligible differences in the residual age-related variance were observed by inclusion of other background variables. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Determination of cadmium and lead in foods by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman background correction: test with certified reference materials

Two methods for the determination of cadmium and lead based on graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) with Zeeman background correction are described. The main difference between the methods is the method of sample destruction, bomb digestion versus dry ashing. The precision and accuracy of the methods has been tested by analysing 16 different reference materials, with cadmium concentrations varying from 2.9 micrograms/kg to 2.7 mg/kg and lead concentrations from 44 micrograms/kg to 13.5 mg/kg. The methods produced results which differ, with a few exceptions, less than 10% from the certified contents, with relative standard deviations of around 5%. The methods are not difficult to carry out, are not very laborious and without modifications are applicable to a large variety of products. The sample solutions obtained can also be used for the determination of other elements, e.g. Al, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni and Zn. The detection limits, for test portions of 1 and 5 g (wet products) are 0.5-1 microgram/kg for cadmium and 5-20 micrograms/kg for lead.     

Case study of the process and outcome of career counseling.

The process and outcome of a career counseling case was studied. Across the course of the 7 sessions, the 43-yr-old client attained her career goals and increased both her career exploration and her exploration stress. She decreased exploration stress, maintained other changes, and crystallized her career goals by the 18-mo follow-up. Compared with her behavior in personal counseling, this counselor mostly used intentions of support, insight, and feelings but gave more information and set limits in career counseling. On the basis of 5 analyses, the most helpful counselor intentions were give information, support, clarify, feelings, insight, change, reinforce change, challenge, and relationship. The helpful ingredients of career counseling are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Focus supervision: Management format for supervision practices.

Although supervision practices have received some attention from clinicians and researchers, they have also created new challenges for clinical practicum supervisors and coordinators. Because graduate-level trainees have learned more about supervision, they expect more from their supervisors; conversely, supervisors have sought limits on their comprehensive roles. This article outlines a supervision model consisting of 2 tiers: general and focus supervision. General supervision covers the global range of clinical cases, whereas in focus supervision, trainees address specific clinical skills and topics. The process of designing and implementing this model is described. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stability of Omeprazole Solutions at Various ph Values as Determined by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

A stability-indicating HPLC assay method for the quantitation of omeprazole has been developed. The developed method was used to study the effect of pH on the stability of omeprazole and to quantify the drug in capsules. The excipients present in the capsules did not interfere with the assay procedure. The pH-rate profile curve indicated that the maximum stability was at pH 11. Below pH 7.8, the decomposition was very fast. The decomposition constants have a direct relationship with the H+ concentrations of the solutions.     

Competition in a minimal-contact weight-loss program.

The present study evaluated in a controlled setting the effects of competition on a bibliotherapy weight loss program offered in a clinic setting. Fifty-nine subjects were randomly assigned to either bibliotherapy, competition, or bibliotherapy plus competition conditions. Results indicate that use of the combined competition and behavioral program produced weight losses greater than those produced by either element alone. The superiority of the bibliotherapy plus competition condition was maintained even after the contingencies of the competition were withdrawn. The results are discussed in terms of enhancing weight loss and maintenance in minimal contact programs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Phonological recoding in reading for meaning by adults and children.

Phonological recoding in reading has been studied by requiring adults or children to judge whether printed sentences are correct or not. When some sentences are orthographically unacceptable but phonologically acceptable (e.g., The girl through the ball), both children and adults make abnormally many false positives with such sentences. It is unclear whether the phonological recoding that produces this effect is attributable to assembled (nonlexical) or addressed (lexical) phonology. Two types of phonologically acceptable but orthographically unacceptable sentences were devised: Those in which the crucial item ("through" in the above example) was an irregular word (so that its phonology could only be obtained lexically), and those in which the crucial item was a homophonic nonword (so that its phonology could only be obtained by assembled phonology). Both types of sentence produced significantly high false-positive rates for adult readers and children, indicating the use of assembled and addressed phonology during sentence reading. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Supervised relaxation training: A model for greater accessibility of behavioral interventions.

Developed a method of relaxation training—supervised relaxation training—to address (1) problems of cost and availability, which limit the applicability of such training to relatively few individuals, and (2) the inherent limitations of self-help programs. Although this training method required less professional involvement than other methods, it was not intended as a self-help approach to relaxation. Using 55 volunteers (aged 19–67 yrs), 2 treatment groups and 1 control group were formed: One treatment group consisted of self-selected Ss from the community at large; the other represented Ss from a specific work site in the community. The procedure consisted of the use of a self-study manual in conjunction with professional training. Outcome was determined on the basis of changes in blood pressure, scores on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and emotional indicators on human figure drawings. MANOVA indicated a positive effect for both treatment groups. Potential applications of the program are discussed, with recommendations for the use of this procedure as a model for other skill-developing interventions. (29 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)