The Effects of Mental Age and Chronological Age on Conservation and Classification in Normal and Retarded Children

The effect of experience, as measured by CA, and intelligence on conservation and classification ability was systematically investigated, using groups of retarded and normal subjects matched on MA and CA. Three groups of subjects were matched on a MA of 72 months: a group of 12-year old retarded subjects, a group of 16-year old retarded subjects, and a group of 6-year old normal subjects. The 6-year old normal group was also matched on CA with a mentally retarded group whose MA was 36 months. Three conservation tasks (some-all, a resemblance sorting, hierarchical classification) using both routine test items and real life items (candy and juice) were used. The results indicated that MA was the best predictor of both conservation and classification ability. Subjects also performed better on tasks using real life objects. The results offer support for a number of theoretical assumptions, such as, Inhelder\u27s (1968) theory of fixed operational thought, Piaget\u27s concept of horizontal decalage, and Flavell and Wohwill\u27s (1969) competence-performance model. It was also demonstrated that mentally retarded children were just as likely to resist the counter suggestion of the experimenter as were normal children. All children showed more confidence in their decisions when real life objects were used, by demonstrating greater resistance to counter suggestion on these tasks. The effects of educational experience and individual differences among the subjects were discussed

PEP Property Estimation Program and Chemical Property Database

PEP Overview A property Estimation Program (PEP), utilizing MCI-property, TSA-property and property correlations and UNIFAC-derived activity coefficients, has been developed for the Apple Macintosh microcomputer to provide the user with several approaches to estimate S, Kow, Pv, H, Koc, and BCF depending on the information available. Structural information required for the MCi and UNIFAC calculation routines can be entered using either Simplified Molecular Identification and Line Entry System (SMILES) notation or connection tables generated with commercially available two-dimensional drawing programs. The TSA module accepts 3-D atomic coordinates entered manually or directly reads coordinate files generated by molecular modeling software. The program’s built-in intelligence helps the user choose the most appropriate QSPR or QPPR based on the structure of the chemical of interest. In addiction, the statistical information associated with each QSPR or QPPR in PEP can be displayed to help the user determine the model’s validity. For the regression-based property estimation models, assessments of accuracy based on the 95% confidence interval and estimated precision of the experimental values are also provided along with the estimated property value. PEP also provides a batch mode that provides users with a method for the convenient, unattended calculation of MCIs, TSA and UNIFAC activity coefficients and the subsequent estimation of physical properties for large numbers of compounds. A chemical property database, containing experimental values of S, Kow, H, Pv, Koc, and BCF complied from a variety of literature sources and computerized databases was used for developing the MCI-property, TSA-Property and property-property relationships used in PEP. This database, which currently contains over 800 chemicals, is linked directly to PEP. The property estimation modules in PEP are also linked directly to the Level 1 and 2 Fugacity Models. The combination of the various property estimation methods, chemical property database, and simple environmental fate models provides users with a methodology for predicting the environmental distribution of an organic chemical in a multi-phase system requiring only the structure of the chemical of interest as input. PEP was designed to be intuitive and user friendly. The easiest way to become familiar with the PEP is to try clicking on the buttons and pull down menus found on each card. Any comments or suggestions regarding improving the operation of PEP would be greatly appreciated by the authors

Comparison of Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) and Energized Dispersive Guided Extraction (EDGE) for the Analysis of Pesticides in Leaves

Various techniques have been evaluated for the extraction and cleanup of pesticides from environmental samples. In this work, a Selective Pressurized Liquid Extraction (SPLE) method for pesticides was developed using a Thermo Fisher Scientific Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) system. This instrument was compared to the newly introduced (2017) extraction instrument, the Energized Dispersive Guided Extraction (EDGE) system, which combines Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE) and dispersive Solid Phase Extraction (dSPE). We first optimized the SPLE method using the ASE instrument for pesticide extraction from alfalfa leaves using layers of Florisil and graphitized carbon black (GCB) downstream of the leaf homogenate in the extraction cell (Layered ASE method). We then compared results obtained for alfalfa and citrus leaves with the Layered ASE method to those from a method in which the leaf homogenate and sorbents were mixed (Mixed ASE method) and to similar methods modified for use with EDGE (Layered EDGE and Mixed EDGE methods). The ASE and EDGE methods led to clear, colorless extracts with low residual lipid weight. No significant differences in residual lipid masses were observed between the methods. The UV-Vis spectra showed that Florisil removed a significant quantity of the light-absorbing chemicals, but that GCB was required to produce colorless extracts. Recoveries of spiked analytes into leaf homogenates were generally similar among methods, but in several cases, significantly higher recoveries were observed in ASE extracts. Nonetheless, no significant differences were observed among pesticide concentrations in field samples when calculated with the isotope dilution method in which labelled surrogates were added to samples before extraction. The extraction time with the ASE methods was ~45 minutes, which was ~4.5 times longer than with the EDGE methods. The EDGE methods used ~10 mL more solvent than the ASE methods. Based on these results, the EDGE is an acceptable extraction instrument and, for most compounds, the EDGE had a similar extraction efficiency to the ASE methods

Temperature effect on tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) biodegradation kinetics in hyporheic zone soils

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Remediation of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) in subsurface waters should be taken into consideration at reformulated gasoline contaminated sites since it is a biodegradation intermediate of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), and tert-butyl formate (TBF). The effect of temperature on TBA biodegradation has not been not been published in the literature.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Biodegradation of [U ¹⁴C] TBA was determined using hyporheic zone soil microcosms.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>First order mineralization rate constants of TBA at 5°C, 15°C and 25°C were 7.84 ± 0.14 × 10^-3, 9.07 ± 0.09 × 10^-3, and 15.3 ± 0.3 × 10^-3days-1, respectively (or 2.86 ± 0.05, 3.31 ± 0.03, 5.60 ± 0.14 years^-1, respectively). Temperature had a statistically significant effect on the mineralization rates and was modelled using the Arrhenius equation with frequency factor (A) and activation energy (Ea) of 154 day^-1and 23,006 mol/J, respectively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Results of this study are the first to determine mineralization rates of TBA for different temperatures. The kinetic rates determined in this study can be used in groundwater fate and transport modelling of TBA at the Ronan, MT site and provide an estimate for TBA removal at other similar shallow aquifer sites and hyporheic zones as a function of seasonal change in temperature.</p

The Sky is Falling: Chemical Characterization and Corrosion Evaluation of Deposition Produced During the Static Testing of Solid Rocket Motors

Static tests of horizontally restrained rocket motors at the ATK facility in Promontory UT, USA result in the deposition of entrained soil and fuel combustion products, referred to as Test Fire Soil (TFS), over areas as large as 30–50 mile2 (80–130 km2) and at distances up to 10–12 miles (16–20 km) from the test site. Chloride is the main combustion product generated from the ammonium perchlorate–aluminum based composite propellant. Deposition sampling/characterization and a 6-month field corrosivity study using mild steel coupons were conducted in conjunction with the February 25th 2010 FSM-17 static test. The TFS deposition rates at the three study sites ranged from 1 to 5 g/min/m2. TFS contained significantly more chloride than the surface soil collected from the test site. The TFS collected during two subsequent tests had similarly elevated chloride, suggesting that the results obtained in this study are applicable to other tests assuming that the rocket fuel composition remains similar. The field-deployed coupons exposed to the TFS had higher corrosion rates (3.6–5.0 mpy) than paired non-exposed coupons (1.6–1.8 mpy). Corrosion rates for all coupon

Older Adult Perceptions of a Self-reported Medication Risk Questionaire: A Focus Group Study

Background: Medication therapy management (MTM) has been shown to resolve medication-related problems and decrease health care expenses. Public and private health insurers, providers, and other stakeholders are looking for ways to involve patients in the MTM process. One option is to engage patients through the use of a medication risk questionnaire. Objective: To investigate older adults' perceptions of completing a medication risk questionnaire and receiving a rating of their risk for medication-related problems. Methods: Four, 75 to 90 minute focus groups were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide and copies of a medication risk questionnaire to collect qualitative data from 36 community dwelling older adults in Iowa, USA. Sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically using an iterative process. Results: The thematic analysis yielded a general theme of comprehensive medication reviews, and two themes on the medication risk questionnaire: "process and items" and "risk category reactions." Overall, participants were unfamiliar with pharmacist services beyond counseling. They were open to the questionnaire, but suggested it would be more useful as a topic for discussion with a provider than to screen patients. Despite their medication risk rating, most did not express interest in seeking a comprehensive medication review based on the result of the questionnaire as they considered themselves at low risk for problems. Conclusions: Using a medication risk questionnaire as a topic for discussion could provide health insurance plans or providers an opportunity to increase beneficiary familiarity with MTM. These beneficiary perspectives may be useful to health plan administrators and MTM providers as they pursue new ways to involve patients in the medication management process. &nbsp; Type: Student Projec

Updating Photon-Based Normal Tissue Complication Probability Models for Pneumonitis in Patients With Lung Cancer Treated With Proton Beam Therapy

Purpose: No validated models for predicting the risk of radiation pneumonitis (RP) with proton beam therapy (PBT) currently exist. Our goal was to externally validate and recalibrate multiple established photon-based normal tissue complication probability models for RP in a cohort with locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer treated with contemporary doses of chemoradiation using PBT. Methods and Materials: The external validation cohort consisted of 99 consecutive patients with locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer treated with chemoradiation using PBT. RP was retrospectively scored at 3 and 6 months posttreatment. We evaluated the performance of the photon Quantitative Analyses of Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic (QUANTEC) pneumonitis model, the QUANTEC model adjusted for clinical risk factors, and the newer Netherlands updated QUANTEC model. A closed testing procedure was performed to test the need for model updating, either by recalibration-in-the-large (re-estimation of intercept), recalibration (re-estimation of intercept/slope), or model revision (re-estimation of all coefficients). Results: There were 21 events (21%) of ≥grade 2 RP. The closed testing procedure on the PBT data set did not detect major deviations between the models and the data and recommended adjustment of the intercept only for the photon-based Netherlands updated QUANTEC model (intercept update: –1.2). However, an update of the slope and revision of the model coefficients were not recommended by the closed testing procedure, as the deviations were not significant within the power of the data. Conclusions: The similarity between the dose-response relationship for PBT and photons for normal tissue complications has been an assumption until now. We demonstrate that the preexisting, widely used photon based models fit our PBT data well with minor modifications. These now-validated and updated normal tissue complication probability models can aid in individualizing selection of the most optimal treatment technique for a particular patient

New science, synthesis, scholarship, and strategic vision for society

Harvard Forest LTER (HFR) is a two decade-strong, integrated research and educational program investigating responses of forest dynamics to natural and human disturbances and environmental changes over broad spatial and temporal scales. HFR engages \u3e30 researchers, \u3e200 graduate and undergraduate students, and dozens of institutions in research into fundamental and applied ecological questions of national and international relevance. Through LTER I–IV, HFR has added historical perspectives, expanded its scope to the New England region, integrated social, biological, and physical sciences, and developed education and outreach programs for K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students, along with managers, decision-makers, and media professionals