bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inorganic Glass Forming Systems as Intumescent Flame Retardants for Organic Polymers
Authors: Myers Ronald E. , Licursi Eugene
Published: March 2007

This paper describes the development of several inorganic-based, non- halogenated, intumescent flame retardant additives for organic polymers. Low melting phosphate-sulfate glasses, borate/carbonate glass forming systems and ammonium pentaborate are discussed with respect to their role in converting otherwise flammable polymers into heat resistant, ablative materials.

Ammonium pentaborate is shown to be particularly effective as an intumes cent, char-forming additive for thermoplastic polyurethanes. The pentaborate undergoes relatively low temperature thermal decomposition accompanied by in situ glass formation. When subjected to an open flame, the pentaborate/poly urethane composition generates an intumescent char. The resulting glassy foam approximates an ideal char structure in that it provides virtually instantaneous, thermal insulative protection to a substrate and is able to resist thermo- oxidative degradation due to the inorganic, glassy nature of the char.
Toxicity of Thermal Decomposition Products from Composites
Authors: Kennah Harold Edwin , Stock Maryanne F. , Alarie Yves
Published: March 2007

Composite materials and a type of wood (pecan) were tested for the toxicity of their smoke when thermally decomposed. No major problem was en countered in testing composite materials. Because of the chemical variety of composite materials, a wider range of principal toxicants than when testing single polymers may be expected, however, this was not found. This report con firms an earlier report that composites can be tested for the acute lethality of the smoke they produce as easily as single polymers have been tested.
Ammonium Hexafluorophosphate as a Flame Retardant for Cellulose
Authors: Mohamed K. Syed , Padma D.K.
Published: March 2007

Ammonium hexafluorophosphate has been investigated as a flame retardant. A piece of whatman filter paper, α-cellulose, which was dipped in an aqueous solution of ammonium hexafluorophosphate (AHFP) (2-10%) and dried, car bonized when ignited without catching fire. The effect of AHFP on the decom position and combustion of α-cellulose has been studied using TG, DTA and DTG. The observed flame retardant property of AHFP has been attributed to its decomposition favouring the dehydration pathway. The fluorine in AHFP facilities and accelerates this pathway representing a true case of synergism.
Hydrogen Chloride Transport and Decay in a Large Apparatus: II. Variables Affecting Hydrogen Chloride Decay
Authors: Beitel J.J. , Bertelo C.A. , Carroll W.F. , Grand A.F. , Hirschler M.M. , Smith G.F.
Published: March 2007

Hydrogen chloride decay, defined as the deposition of hydrogen chloride from fire (and other) atmospheres onto surfaces, has been studied as a function of atmospheric humidity, of size or configuration of the apparatus used, of type of surface in the apparatus and of rate of air movement. This decay means that, in a static system with a sorptive surface, hydrogen chloride has a half-life of 3 min or less, before disappearing from the atmosphere. A simplified mechanism has been devised to identify reactions which simulate the processes involved in hydrogen chloride generation, transport and decay. Mathematical fitting of the hydrogen chloride concentration-time profiles obtained from a large-scale and two small-scale apparatuses was carried out. The "parameters" calculated in this way have been used as a method for screening system vari ables and identifying dependencies.
Risk Oriented Evaluation of Fire Gas Toxicity Based on Laboratory Scale Experiments- The DIN 53436 Method
Authors: Prager F.H. , Einbrodt H.J. , Hupfeld J. , Muller B. , Sand H.
Published: March 2007

Small scale laboratory tests are described which show that the DIN 53436 method is applicable to studying smouldering processes as well as flaming fires with respect to fire atmospheres generated. This is shown by the temperature build up and the concentration of CO2 and CO versus time. In order to obtain a uniform combustion with fast burning samples too a modified protocol was developed.
Fair and Realistic Flammability Tests for Carpets
Authors: Benisek L. , Palin M.J. , Woollin R.
Published: March 2007

A comparison of the results of ten commercial carpets evaluated in the NBS Flooring Radiant Panel Test for spread of flame and in the ISO 5657 Ignit ability Test for ease of ignition indicated an inverse correlation between these two flammability properties.
Quantification of Smoke Generated from Wood in the NBS Smoke Chamber
Authors: Tran Hao C.
Published: March 2007

The Aminco-NBS smoke density chamber (ASTM Method E 662) was used to study dynamic smoke generation from wood. Solid red oak and Douglas fir ply wood were tested at three levels of heat flux under nonflaming exposure. Smoke particulate concentrations were obtained using a filtration method.
Study of Smoke Emission of Materials Used in Passenger Rail Vehicles
Authors: Kamiński A.
Published: March 2007

Smoke emission of 47 materials used in passenger rail vehicles has been eval uated on the ORE smoke density chamber. Equation for rate of luminance decrease vs. time was derived for very accurate approximation of results.

Majority of the materials present small smoke emission and meet inter national railway flammability and smoke requirements. PVC containing materials, some polyester laminates and rubber products must be replaced.
Flame Retardant Effects in PVC-Epoxidised Natural Rubber Miscible Blends: Halogen and Non-Halogen Based Additives
Authors: Varughese K.T. , De P.P. , De S.K.
Published: March 2007

Effects of four flame retardant additives, (1) antimony trioxide, (2) zinc borate, (3) chlorinated paraffin wax and (4) decabromodiphenyl ether in a PVC-epoxidised natural rubber miscible composition in the presence of a phthalate plasticizer and a phosphate plasticizer were studied. Mixing was done in a Brabender plasticorder at 180 °C. Incorporation of additives did not affect the miscibility of the blend components, and the strength property re tained between 83% and 91%. The processibility of the blend was improved due to chlorinated paraffin wax and slightly impaired due to zinc borate. Antimony trioxide and decabromodiphenyl ether had little influence on the processibility. The flame retardant additives were more effective in a phthalate plasticizer medium than in a phosphate plasticizer medium. The thermal stability of com ponents was mutually influenced by the additive and the matrix. The vapor phase flame inhibiting action of antimony trioxide in PVC compositions was more pronounced in a phthalate plasticizer medium than in a phosphate plas ticizer medium. Phosphate plasticizer in general induced a condensed phase mechanism in the presence of a flame retardant additive.
Evaluation of Smoke Toxic Potency Test Methods: Comparison of the NBS Cup Furnace, the Radiant Furnace and the UPITT Tests
Authors: Kaplan Harold L. , Switzer Walter G. , Hirschler Marcelo M. , Coaker A. William
Published: March 2007

A number of smoke toxicity screening tests are being used, and some have been proposed for regulatory purposes. These methods differ markedly in the combustion device, the combustion conditions, the exposure conditions and even the test animal. However, virtually all use an LC50 value, or some lethality determination, as the principal or sole measure of toxicity. In this study, lethal potencies were determined by the NBS Cup Furnace, the Radiant Furnace and the UPITT test methods for one nylon- and four PVC based materials. These results were correlated with analytical data to identify the major toxicants responsible for the lethalities. This study shows that, while all of these methods have deficiencies, the UPITT method has more serious lim itations. The use of this method to determine LC 50 values for screening materials may lead to erroneous assessments of the toxic hazards of these materials to humans.
Flammable Liquids in Plastic Containers Small Scale Burn Tests
Authors: Goodman Donald , Carroll William F. , Beitel Jesse J.
Published: March 2007

A series of small-scale test-burn experiments were conducted at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in order to study variables which might affect the fire performance of plastic packages containing flammable liquids. The study demonstrated that manipulation of packaging variables could de crease the rate of fire growth as well as the peak rate of heat release by up to 70%. Critical variables were thermal insulation of bottles within the cartons, the material of construction and size of the bottles, and the use of flame retar dant in the corrugated packaging. The research identified ways in which plas tic bottles could be protected but made no attempt to optimize either methods or economics. Further experimental work as well as technical innovation in packaging design is needed.
Contemporary Role of the Researcher in Fire Disaster Litigation in the United States
Authors: Fetterly James L. , Schroeder Robert A.
Published: March 2007

The Forum is intended to provide for dialogue and discussion among fire experts, scientists and consultants. Contributions to The Forum will not be refereed in the conventional sense, but will be subject to review by the Journal's Editorial Board relative to appropriateness, clarity, timeliness, and scope of interest. The Editorial Board will be the sole judge of those contributions to be published. Opinions expressed, however, are those of the authors and not of the Editors or Technomic Publishing Com pany, Incorporated.
Chemistry of Flame Retardants: II. NMR and HPLC Analysis of PYROVATEX CP
Authors: Kapura Aleksandr A.
Published: March 2007

A commercial durable flame retardant for cotton, PYROVATEX CP, generally shown in the literature as N-methylol-3-dimethoxyphosphoryl propionamide, has been found not to be an individual compound but consists of several major species: N-methylol-3-dimethoxyphosphorylpropionamide, N-methoxymethyl-3-dimethoxyphosphorylpropionamide, N,N'-oxydimethyl enebis(3-dimethoxyphosphorylpropionamide) and 3-dimethoxyphosphorylpro pionamide. Various grades and sources of PYROVATEX CP have these compo nents in different proportions. The complexity of PYROVATEX CP composition is the result of complications in treating 3-dimethoxyphosphorylpropionamide with commercial formaldehyde containing methanol.
The Use of Cellulose Sample for Material's Flammability and Pyrolysis Tests
Authors: Daikoku M. , Venkatesh S. , Saito K.
Published: March 2007

During transient pyrolysis tests of charring and non-charring materials, we noticed that sample preparation is crucial to obtain reliable data, on which theoretical models are based. Different researchers use different sam ple preparation techniques which some time causes disagreement in the results and create ambiguity when test results are compared. In this paper, we propose a bench mark sample preparation technique to clarify the experimen tal ambiguity and establish a reliable/common data base. Pyrolysis tests were performed by exposing PMMA, douglas-fir particle board (DFPB), and cellulose samples to external radiant heat using quartz and cone heaters. The cellulose sample is suggested for its homogeneity and combustion characteristics simi lar to natural wood in order to eliminate a variety of experimental uncertain ties due to inhomogeneity of particle board and wood samples for use in pyroly sis tests. Temperatures were measured at the front and back surfaces and at other intermediate locations using fine thermocouples. Thermal conductivity of DFPB and cellulose was then approximated from the measured temperature distributions as the sum of a linear temperature dependent term and a radia tion penetration effect into the pourous structure in the pre-lyrolysis zone. Ef fect of in-depth radiation absorption through the surface of the PMMA samples was estimated for various external radiant heat flux values; and it was found that in-depth radiation is an important factor in controlling the rate of heat transfer into the sample.
Chemical Modeling of Fire Gases
Authors: Tsuchiya Yoshio
Published: March 2007

When a fuel containing C, H, and O burns, CO2 and H2O are the major combustion products and, depending on the conditions, CO, unburnt gasified fuel, and other products of incomplete combustion are produced. In this paper, chemical modeling to calculate rates of generation and mass fractions of various products in reference to the fuel/O2 equivalence ratio is presented. In addition to chemical balances, empirical CO/CO 2 ratios are used. CO is con sidered to be the most significant factor for toxicity hazard assessment in build ing fires. This modeling provides generation rates and mass fractions of CO among other species of gases. This model can be used as a sub-model in fire models for estimating CO.
A Short Note on Using a Time Constant in Specifying Smoke Filling Time in an Atrium Under an Unsteady Fire
Authors: Chow W.K.
Published: March 2007

A time constant derived from a t-squared fire with the geometry of an atrium is proposed to specify the smoke filling time. The smoke filling pro cesses in 27 atria with volume varying from 2,500 to 35,000 m3 were simulated by the fire zone model CFAST version 2.0. The atria are located adjacent to a "fire" shop at a lower level. Correlation relationships between the smoke filling time and the time constant are derived. Further, performance of smoke control systems in the atria are evaluated.
The Degradation Front Model- A Tool for the Chemical Study of the Degradation of Epoxy Resins in Fire
Authors: Le Bras Michel , Rose Nathalie , Bourbigot Serge , Henry Yves , Delobel René
Published: March 2007

This work studies two different epoxy resin systems using cone calorimeter data and the results of classical thermogravimetric analyses. It presents a discussion of the chemical behavior of the resins using cone calorimeter results (mainly the rate of heat release). The thermogravimetric analyses give the invariant kinetic parameters (IKP) and a computation of the distribution of probabilities associated with the kinetic functions which allow a kinetic representation of the resins' degradations. Then, the study using the cone calorimeter allows to obtain kinetic data under the conditions of a fire and to compute the temperature of the degradation front (zone where the weight loss occurs). Comparison of the values of this temperature and of the tempera ture measured in the lowest volume of the sample allows the comparison of the protective character of the carbon-based shields which form in the first step of the resins' degradation.
Theoretical Modeling of Intumescent Fire-Retardant Materials
Authors: Shih Y.C. , Cheung F.B. , Koo J.H.
Published: March 2007

A theoretical model is developed to predict the thermochemical be havior of intumescent fire-retardant coatings. The model is based on the assump tion that the intumescent reaction is analogous to the phase change process occurring over a finite temperature range. From the numerical results, it is found that the histories of the substrate temperature can be accurately predicted by choosing adequate pseudo latent heat and temperature range for the intumes cent reaction, and the bending evidence observed in experiments can be success fully predicted by the present intumescence model. Finally, it is shown that the present model can readily be extended to simulate the intumescent process with multi-intumescent zones.
Measured Thermal Diffusivities of Upholstery Materials
Authors: Jones J.C.
Published: March 2007

Thermal diffusivity values are a useful addition to the specifica tions of upholstery materials, yet are often absent from such specs. Thermal dif fusivity values of various upholstery materials across a range of packing densities are presented and discussed herein.
Enhanced Flame Retardancy of Polypropylene with Magnesium Hydroxide, Melamine and Novolac
Authors: Weil Edward D. , Lewin Menachem , Ho Sheng Lin
Published: March 2007

It has been found that, even at levels of magnesium hydroxide too low to impart flame retardancy to polypropylene, the addition of melamine makes it possible to reduce burning time under UL 94 conditions sufficiently to meet the V-2 rating. However, flaming drips still persist, so that a V-0 rating by UL 94 can not be obtained. It was then found that by the further addition of a novolac at lev els as low as 1%, together with melamine, a UL 94 V-0 rating could be reached. Levels of magnesium hydroxide could be as low as 30-50%, allowing the formula tion to be flexible. The novolac caused a useful dimension-stabilizing effect above the melting point of polypropylene. Some thermal evidence suggested that a novolac-magnesia gel may be formed.
Flame Retardancy Behavior of Zinc Borate
Authors: Youming Yang  , Xichang Shi  , Ruirong Zhao
Published: March 2007

The effect of boron chloride formation from zinc borate in burn ing PVC was elucidated. By thermodynamic calculation, experiment, and infra red spectrum analysis, the conditions for boron halide formation when PVC was burned were addressed. It is found that when boron halide is produced, the B2O3 glass layer is destroyed and boron is volatilized, which is unfavorable to flame retardancy.
Pragmatic Rationality and Planning Theory
Authors: Verma Niraj
Published: March 2007

Can rationality and pragmatism be integrated? By responding to some of the most compelling arguments against the rational paradigm, this paper uses the pragmatism of William James to construct a new notion of pragmatic rationality in planning. This rationality looks towards consequences rather than causes, integrates facts and values, and rejects the search for ultimate foundations.
The Planning Profession and Pedestrian Safety: Lessons From Orlando
Authors: Miles-Doan Rebecca , Thompson Gregory
Published: March 2007

The planning profession's traditional focus on pedestrian safety in neighborhoods has led to institutional neglect of pedestrian safety along urban arterial roads. To determine whether such neglect has had serious consequences, we present a case analysis of pedestrian-auto crashes in Orange County, Florida. Orange County's major city, Orlando, is typical of post-World War II development throughout the United States, and findings from that area may be taken as representative. Drawing on law enforcement information on pedestrian- motor vehicle collisions, the case analysis relates the geographic distribution of pedestrian/auto crashes to different types of streetscapes and the alcohol impairment status of pedestrians. The analysis implicates those segments of arterial roadways that are lined with strip commercial activities as an important factor in pedestrian injuries and deaths. The problems are worsened where strip commercial activities include establish ments selling or serving alcohol. We conclude by calling for a reevaluation of planning practice that designates urban arterials as traffic-moving facilities and nothing else.
Discretion, Flexibility, and Certainty in British Planning: Emerging Ideological Conflicts and Inherent Political Tensions
Authors: Tewdwr-Jones Mark
Published: March 2007

In Britain, as the nature of the state's involvement in the spatial planning process changed to reflect political concerns (such as the need for employment-generating development or concern for the environment), so have the methods employed by the government to secure consistency, certainty, and continuity in policy execution. A desire to create more certain conditions for developers, the public, and investors through greater use of plans has both decreased discretionary decision making and shifted it from some parts of the spatial planning process to others. Since certainty has formed the underlying tenet to statutory changes to the planning system after 1990 and has found policy expression through national planning guidance, British planning could now be at the juncture of an unhappy ideological conflict between the discretionary nature of British planning and the more certain, less pragmatic forms of spatial planning. In this paper, I suggest that the changing political context of planning in the 1980s and 1990s has led to an ideological conflict in the operation of spatial planning, which involves issues related to administrative law, professionalism, and flexibility and certainty.
An Intertemporal Efficiency Test of a Greenbelt: Assessing the Economic Impacts of Seoul's Greenbelt
Authors: Lee Chang-Moo
Published: March 2007

Greenbelts have been a widely used planning tool for preserving open space and containing the physical expansion of built-up areas. Al though both the economic costs and the ben efits of greenbelts have been studied, there have been no attempts to integrate the two. In this paper, I attempt to illummate the argu ment by measuring the aggregate net metro politan economic gain or loss (in both house hold utility and land value) of a marginal release of greenbelt land for development in Seoul, a city that has strong open-space pro tections and severe urbanization pressures. I present the calculation for four points in time to discover how the net benefit changes over the long run. The trend shows that Seoul's greenbelt achieved economic efficiency as the city grew, but lost economic efficiency once the congestion effect kicked in. I conclude that a fixed boundary for a greenbelt cannot be a net benefit forever, and thus the original greenbelt designation should be reexamined penodically.
Stated Preference for Pedestrian Proximity: An Assessment of New Urbanist Sense of Community
Authors: Audirac Ivonne
Published: March 2007

New urbanist sociospatial reforms, like previ ous urban planning and design syntheses such as the superblock, rely on the assumption that the physical design of communities results in social sense of community. New urbanism's sense of community relies on developing pe destrian-friendly neighborhoods and assumes that suburbanites are so deprived of physical sense of community that they would gladly trade-off the lot size found in ordinary subur bia for pedestrian proximity to shared neigh borhood amenities. Using a consumer-attitude survey of Floridians, this work investigates the likelihood that individuals would exchange a large yard for pedestrian proximity to five community amenities The analysis finds contradicting evidence for new urbanist as sumptions about suburban preferences, but also finds some groups favorably responding to the trade-offs. The paper ends with a dis cussion of implications of findings and needs for future research.
Temperature Dependence of Circadian Rhythms in Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrels
Authors: Lee Theresa M. , Homes Warren G. , Zucker Irving
Published: March 2007

We tested the hypothesis that the free-running period and phase angles of entrainment of circadian locomotor activity rhythms of golden-mantled ground squirrels (Spermophilus lateralis) vary as a function of body temperature (Tb). Animals were maintained in a light-dark cycle (LD 14: 10), and at 6-week intervals ambient temperature (Ta) was changed from 20° to 30°C, or vice versa. Data were collected during the animals' homeothermic and heterothermic phases. Subsequently, squirrels were housed in dim constant illumination with the same alternating temperature sequence. In heterothermic ground squirrels (those capable of Tb < 34°C), a decrease in Ta from 30° to 20°C caused phase delays in activity onset, phase advances in activity termination, and a decrease in duration of the active phase; increases in Ta from 20° to 30°C produced the opposite effect on each of these parameters. The free- running period of the activity rhythm of heterothermic squirrels increased and decreased in response to 10°C decreases and increases in Ta, respectively. Changes in Ta did not affect circadian parameters in homeothermic squirrels. Seasonal variations in circadian organization previously observed in this species appear to reflect the influence of endogenous fluctuations in body temperature. Tissue temperature has a major influence on circadian rhythms of golden-mantled ground squirrels.
Macrophage-Mediated Antitumor Activity Induced by Poly(Itaconic Acid-co-Styrene
Authors: Takatsuka Ryozo , Konda Susumu
Published: March 2007

The injection of OK-432 led to an increase in both the number of PEC and the percent of macrophage in the PEC. The injection of poly(itaconic acid-co- styrene) (PIS) led to no increase in either the number of PEC or the percent of macrophage in the PEC compared to an injection of saline. Both PIS and OK- 432 induced a high level of cytostatic activity against MCA tumor cells. The combination of PIS and OK-432 resulted in a marked increase in PEC number and the percent of macrophages, as well as induced a high level of macrophage- mediated cytostatic activity. Although repeated injections of PIS alone into mice bearing MCA or LLC tumor cells showed no significant increase in median survival time, repeated injections of PIS together with OK-432 led to an increase in median survival time. The results showed that PIS and OK-432 enhanced synergically to induce in vivo antitumor activity in tumor bearing mice.
Functional Monomers and Polymers CLXXVII.* Synthesis and Interaction Studies of Water Soluble Nucleic Acid Analogs: Polyethyleneimine Derivatives Containing Uracil and 5- Fluorouracil
Authors: Wada Takehiko , Inaki Yoshiaki , Takemoto Kiichi
Published: March 2007

Nucleic acid analogs were prepared by grafting uracil and 5-fluorouracil de rivatives containing a hydroxy group onto linear polyethyleneimine. The polymers contained about 90 unit% of the nucleic acid bases, and were freely soluble in water at neutral pH value. They were found to form polymer com plexes with polynucleotide by specific base-base interaction in aqueous solu tion.
Poly(amino acid) Copolymers as a Potential Soluble Drug Delivery System. 1. Pinocytic Uptake and Lysosomal Degradation Measured In Vitro
Authors: Mccormick-Thomson L. Anne , Duncan Ruth
Published: March 2007

The suitability of poly(amino acid) copolymers as soluble drug- carriers is determined in part by their rate of pinocytic uptake by cells and intracellular degradation. Poly(amino acid) copolymers, poly(GluNa,Tyr) (1:1) or (4:1) and poly(GluNa,Tyr,Ala) (1:1:1) or (6:3:1) were radioiodinated and their rate of uptake and intracellular degradation measured using rat visceral yolk sacs cultured in vitro as a model system. Pinocytic uptake of these poly(amino acid) copolymers was 10-100 times greater than the rate measured for fluid- phase pinocytosis in the yolk sac, and it was dependent on their composition, poly(GluNa,Tyr) (4:1) being captured fastest. Inhibition of tissue association of radioactivity by incubation at 4°C confirmed uptake to be an active process. Intracellular degradation proceeded rapidly in all cases and was similarly related to copolymer amino acid composition. When the 125I-labelled poly- (amino acid) copolymers were incubated with isolated rat liver lysosomal en zymes they were degraded to yield TCA soluble radioactivity, poly(GluNa, Tyr,Ala) (6:3:1) being degraded most rapidly (completely degraded within 2h) and poly(GluNa,Tyr) (1:1) degraded very slowly. Lysosomal thiol-dependent (cysteine) proteinases were partly responsible for the observed degradation as judged by leupeptin (24μg/ml) inhibition of degradation.
Biocompatible Particles Based on Block-Copolymer Aggregates for Intravascular Administration
Authors: Petrak K.
Published: March 2007

The aggregation between hydrophobic/hydrophilic block copoly mer unimers in water was analyzed. Based on the molecular weight and com position of the block polymer, the number of unimers in each particulate aggre gate, the size of the particle and the size of the particle core, the average distance between the solvated chains attached to the micelle core was calculated. The distance between the terminally attached chains was com pared with the Flory radius Rf which was related to the extent that the chains were forced to stay in the "brush" conformation. By selecting the proper struc ture of block copolymer, micelles composed of water-soluble polymer chains were prepared with a "near ideal" saturated surface.
New Bioartificial Polymeric Material: Poly(ethylene glycol) Cross-Linked with Albumin. I. Synthesis and Swelling Properties
Authors: D'urso E.M. , Fortier G.
Published: March 2007

A new family of translucide hydrogels obtained by cross-linking of bifunctionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of various molecular masses (M, 2,000 to 35,000) with an albumin protein, namely bovine serum albumin (BSA), is described. The composition and the structure of these hydrogels have been investigated on the basis of the molar ratio of reagents, and through measurements of PEG and BSA released during washing and swelling steps. It appears that an excess of activated PEG is required in the reaction mixture to allow the gel formation with PEG of molecular mass ranging from 3,350 to 10,000. Above these Mr of PEG, smaller amounts of PEG are needed to carry out the gel formation. Experimental results suggest that the cross-link density decreases when the molecular mass of PEG increases. These hydrogels are characterized by a very high swelling ability with equilibrium water contents (EWC) ranging from 96.6 to 97.5% in distilled water containing NaN3 at 0.02% (w/v). The swelling factors (SF) ranged from 14 to 40 according to the incuba tion medium and to the PEG molecular mass involved. The swelling rates increased with increasing PEG molecular mass used to synthesize the hy drogel. This family of hydrogels possesses a good porosity since diffusion of bovine serum albumin out of the hydrogel network was observed in a long-term period.
Enzymatic Degradation of Poly(ethylene glycol) Modified Dextrans
Authors: Chiu Hsin-Cheng , Koñák Cestmír , Kopečková Pavla , KopeČek Jindrich
Published: March 2007

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), with molecular weight 2,000 and 5,100, were conjugated to dextran (T40) with three different degrees of substi tution. The biodegradation of the six PEG-dextran conjugates was evaluated, using dextranase, isolated rat cecum cell free extracts (CFE), and rat liver lysosomal enzymes. All the substrates were degraded by dextranase; however, the rate of the degradation decreased with an increase in the degree of modification as well as in the molecular weight of PEG. When incubated with CFE, these conjugates were degraded with reduced rates, but a similar trend was observed, indicating the presence of an endo-acting dextranase in the rat cecum contents. The modified dextrans, however, resisted degradation by lyso somal enzymes in vitro during 36 h incubation at 37°C. The degradation of modified dextrans was evaluated by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). For the degradation of dextran conjugates by dextranase, two additional methods were also employed, i.e., static light scattering (SLS), and dynamic light scat tering (DLS). The results, as compared to those published on the modification of dextrans with low molecular weight reagents, demonstrated the PEGs' unique effects on the interaction of modified substrates with proteins. It ap pears that PEG conjugation reduced the enzymatic degradability of dextran conjugates not only due to the modification of dextran structure and the sterical hindrance to the formation of the enzyme-substrate complex, but also by the participation of PEG chains in the repulsion of enzyme molecules.
Observation of Spouse Abuse
Authors: DAVIS LIANE V. , CARLSON BONNIE E.
Published: March 2007

The results of a study of the children of battered women indicate that intervention with these children, half of whom were themselves abused, should become a professional priority. The serious effects are influenced by the gender and age of the child. Children who both witness the spousal abuse and are victims of abuse appear more seriously affected than those who are only witnesses. Intervening in domestic violence shelters and in schools is recommended.
Behavior Problems in Young Sexually Abused Boys
Authors: FRIEDRICH WILLIAM N. , BEILKE ROBERT L. , URQUIZA ANTHONY J.
Published: March 2007

A sample of 31 boys sexually assaulted in the previous 18 months was compared on the Child Behavior Checklist with 33 boys who had a diagnosis of oppositional or conduct disorder. The boys ranged in age from 3 to 8 years old. The conduct-disordered boys were being seen in outpatient therapy with their parents. The two groups did differ significantly, with the sexually abused group being less externalizing and more sexualized than the conduct disorder group.
Patterns of Adjustment to Violence in Families of the Mentally Ill
Authors: SWAN RAYMOND W. , LAVITT MELISSA
Published: March 2007

Violent behavior of the psychologically handicapped individual and its effect on the family was studied using a large national sample (N = 1,156). Subjects answered a questionnaire concerning their relatives' behavior and their own reactions to aggressive and destructive acts. Approximately 38% of the sample was classified as violent. The variables that best discriminated between violent and nonviolent individuals were education, compliance with medication, alcohol abuse, employment, number of hospitalizations, income, and age. Resources and violence were inversely related. It was found that the higher the income, the better the self-reported level of family adjustment. Living in or out of the family home had no effect on adjustment. Families of nonviolent relatives reported a higher level of adjustment both in the first year of illness and at present. When families were asked how they altered their behavior in response to violence, five categories of response were reported: no alteration, self-restriction, distancing from relative, assertion of limits, and calming the patient. A significant difference in adjustment was found between the families using distancing and calming with the latter perceiving the best degree of adjustment.
Children Who Molest
Authors: JOHNSON TONI CAVANAGH , BERRY CARMEN
Published: March 2007

Children under the age of 13 who initiate sexually abusive behavior with other children are currently being underidentified and misunderstood. In response to the need for specialized treatment resources for child perpetrators, the Support Program for Abuse Reactive Kids (SPARK) was begun in the Child Sexual Abuse Center at Children's Institute International in January 1985. The program format, including the admissions criteria, treatment model, and testing/evaluation process, is described.
The Prevalence of Coercive Sexual Experience Among Teenage Mothers
Authors: GERSHENSON HAROLD P. , MUSICK JUDITH S. , RUCH-ROSS HOLLY S. , MAGEE VICKI , RUBINO KATHERINE KAMIYA , ROSENBERG DEBORAH
Published: March 2007

This study examined the prevalence of coercive sexual experience in a population of teenage mothers. In total, 61% of the respondents reported such experiences; one-third had experienced unwanted sexual intercourse. The victims generally knew the perpetrators. Nearly 30% had been abused by a family member. Nonfamily perpetrators tended to be boyfriends, dates, and friends of the young mothers. The prevalence rates are roughly equivalent to those reported by Russell and by Wyatt.
Assaults Against Residents of a Psychiatric Institution
Authors: NIBERT DAVID , COOPER SALLY , CROSSMAKER MAUREEN
Published: March 2007

Research indicates that the incidence of physical and sexual assault of people with disabilities is high. Anecdotal information on conditions inside state-operated institutions for people with mental disabilities suggests that residents are at high risk for assault. This study focuses on the assault experiences of 58 residents of a Midwestern state-operated psychiatric institution. Sixty percent of the women and 36% of the men reported that they had been raped during their lifetime. Seventy-one percent of the participants reported that they had been threatened with violence while inside a psychiatric institution. Fifty-three percent reported that they had been physically assaulted, and 38% reported that they had been sexually assaulted inside a psychiatric institution. Fifty-two percent of the assaulted residents reported that they had been physically assaulted the most by other residents, and 39% reported that they had been physically assaulted the most by staff members. Of the residents reporting sexual assault, 55% reported that they had been sexually assaulted the most by other residents, and 27% reported being sexually assaulted the most by institution staff. This study suggests a significant need to reduce the vulnerability to assault of people with disabilities, both inside and outside institutional settings.
Battered Wives
Authors: AVNI NOGA
Published: March 2007

Unstructured interviews with 32 women, recorded during their sojourn in a shelter for battered wives in Israel, constituted the basis for this study, the purpose of which is to explore the premarital relations between battered wives and their fiances from the phenomenological aspect. It was found that the patriarchal attitude displayed by the fiance, rather than violence during courtship, was the best predictor of future abuse. Because patriarchy was also characteristic of their fathers, it was concluded that these women simply move from one male-dominated home to another. The same background which is responsible for the women's readiness to accept male authority is also the cause of their tendency to marry when they are young and inexperienced. As a result, the suitor becomes supervisor and master.
Letting Out the Secret:
Authors: LOCKHART LETTIE L. , WHITE BARBARA W. , CAUSBY VICKI , ISAAC ALICIA
Published: March 2007

Over the past 2 decades, a variety of studies on domestic violence has confirmed that abuse is widespread. This increased attention to violence in intimate relationships has been focused on heterosexual couples, despite the assertion that 4-10% of the population is homosexual. Violence among lesbian couples has largely been ignored by family violence researchers, but clinical practitioners who are sought out by the battered and/or the batterers for therapy are well aware of the extent and nature of the battering that takes place in these relationships, and that battering is not limited to heterosexual relationships. This exploratory study takes a step toward an understanding of lesbian violence by examining the incidence, forms, and correlates of violence in lesbian relationships. Based upon the responses of 284 lesbians to a questionnaire, it was found that lesbian violence is not a rare phenomenon. This finding reflects the need for further research into this social problem in all intimate relationships, including homosexual relationships.
Psychoanalytic Insights and the Prevention of Pseudosuccess in the Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Batterers
Authors: SCALIA JOSEPH
Published: March 2007

The need for psychoanalytic informedness in the currently predominant cognitive-behavioral approaches to treating male batterers is addressed against the background of the author's experiences with this population. Examined and explained are the batterer's typical defense mechanisms, the therapist's unconscious reactions to those defense mechanisms, and how confrontation consequently can be unrealizedly misused, that is, executed abusively as opposed to constructively. The ultimate unconscious collusion by therapist and client to mistakenly perceive treatment as successful is then examined, followed by an hypothesis of the collusion's effect on the batterer and his spouse.
Actuarial Prediction of Sexual Recidivism
Authors: QUINSEY VERNON L. , RICE MARNIE E. , HARRIS GRANT T.
Published: March 2007

An actuarial approach to predicting sexual recidivism among known sex offenders is illustrated with a reanalysis of follow-up data of rapists and child molesters. One hundred seventy-eight sex offenders who had been assessed at a maximum security psychiatric facility were followed for an average of 59 months of opportunity to reoffend. Twenty-eight percent were convicted of a new sex offense and 40% were arrested, convicted, or returned to the psychiatric facility for a violent (including sex) offense. Rapists were more likely to recidivate than child molesters. Psychopathy, measures of previous criminal history, and phallometric indexes of deviant sexual interests were found to be useful predictors of sexual recidivism. A predictor scale was formed by weighting each predictor that was significant in the regression analyses by a number reflecting its univariate correlation with the criterion. A linear relationship (r = .45) was found between scores on the predictor scale and reconviction for a sexual offense.
Administering Salaries and Short-Term Incentives
Authors: Ellic Bruce R.
Published: March 2007

Reviewing all employees' compensation once or twice a year instead of on each employee's anniversary date can minimize inequities in performance ratings, ease problems of salary control, conserve management time, and reduce management's involvement in the routine aspects of compensation administration—thereby freeing time for more carefully considered compensation decisions.
The Scaling Method of Job Evaluation
Authors: Elizur Dov
Published: March 2007

It is doubtful that many compensation specialists have heard of a Guttman scale. But here is a fascinating case study of the use of Guttman's techniques to construct a unidimensional— freedom of action—job evaluation plan.
An Incentive Plan for Middle Management: A New Approach at International Harvester Company
Authors: Hrabak William H.
Published: March 2007

A part of an overall company incentive compensation system, international Harvester's Key Management Incentive Plan is integrated with the company's planning system in a way that encourages teamwork and maximum effort.
Long-Term Incentives for Management, Part 2: What's New in Stock Option and Appreciation Right Plans
Authors: Jay Wendy
Published: March 2007

After a rundown on stock option history, this installment in the series examines various stock option permutations— each designed to retain the usefulness of this device, under changing limitations, for the executive and the firm.
Pay Inequities: How Many Exist Within Your Organization?
Authors: Ellig Bruce R.
Published: March 2007

Inequities can infiltrate your pay structure from many internal and external sources.
Devising Pay Strategies for Diversified Companies
Authors: Salscheider James
Published: March 2007

Compensation programs for subsidiaries of diversified companies should reflect the individual firm's stage of development, its business strategy, and the practices that characterize its industry.
Takeover Protection for Executives: The "Golden Parachute"
Authors: Mcmillan John D. , Reisinger Gregory S.
Published: March 2007

A record high for corporate takeovers in the last couple of years has spurred more firms to offer ...
Incentive Plans: Over the Long Term
Authors: Ellig Bruce R.
Published: March 2007

The wide variety of long-term incentive plans used to compensate senior executives —including both market-value plans and those based on company performance— are examined in terms of eight design considerations.
Business-Health Coalitions
Authors: Lee Rick
Published: March 2007

Collaborative efforts by regional employers have had a major impact on medical-care costs and developments.
How to Reform the Military Retirement System
Authors: Patten Thomas H.
Published: March 2007

The cost of paying military pensions has reached the point where the entire military retirement system needs to be reexamined and changed. For guidance, government leaders need to learn from the private sector's experience.
Needle Sharing, Shooting Galleries, And Aids Risks Among Intravenous Drug Users In San Francisco: Criminal Justice And Public Health Policy
Authors: Waldorf Dan , Reinarman Craig , Murphy Sheigla
Published: March 2007

This article presents descriptive data on needle sharing and shooting gallery utilization by members of a small sample of intravenous drug users (IVDUs) from the San Francisco bay area. We found that most of this sample of IVDU's experimented for many months before obtaining their own "works," and that nearly 80% shared injection equipment, mostly with spouses or close friends. Moreover, the vast majority had frequented shooting galleries, although these tended to be smaller and less formal than those reported in New York. Their reasons for sharing syringes and using shooting galleries were primarily practical, including, ironically, the need to avoid carrying illicit injection equipment for fear of arrest. The implications of these findings for both criminal justice and public health policy are discussed, including suggestions for how law enforcement might help reduce the spread of AIDS.
Drug-Addicted, Pregnant Women: Punishment Or Treatment?
Authors: Alexander Rudolph
Published: March 2007

Frustrations over the drug problem in the United States have led to calls for increasing penalties for traffickers and for holding drug users accountable. The latter has been heard more recently with respect to drug-addicted, pregnant women. At the same time, a portion of the public has called for treating these drug-addicted women. Consequently, drug-addicted, pregnant women have received both punitive action and treatment endeavors. Many advocates for these women, however, state that a woman's rights to privacy and autonomy are violated when efforts are made to punish or forcibly treat them. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to discuss the rationales for both punishment and treatment for drug-addicted, pregnant women and the implications of both policies.
Victims' Rights And The Son Of Sam Law: Implications For Free Speech And Research On Offenders
Authors: Alexander Rudolph
Published: March 2007

In 1978, New York passed legislation to prohibit criminals receiving money from selling their stories to publishers and movie producers. The legislation, called the "Son of Sam law," resulted from the publicity associated with the 1978 serial murders by David Berkowitz. Subsequently, more than 40 states and the federal government passed similar legislation. Proponents of this legislation hailed it as a step toward victims' rights, but opponents viewed it as a serious encroachment upon the First Amendment of the U. S. Constitution. In 1991, the U. S. Supreme Court unanimously held this law to be unconstitutional, which victims' rights advocates saw as a serious blow to their movement. However, the law was more complex than a simple conflict between victims' rights and criminals' rights. The law's reach extended to cover a very broad range of literature and even threatened research conducted by social scientists. This essay discusses the Son of Sam law and its ramifications.
The Risk of Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins in Human Milk
Authors: Bartmess John E.
Published: March 2007

Recently, the news media have reported the presence of the carcinogenic compounds commonly called dioxins in human milk. Based on published Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) levels, the amounts of dioxins in human milk are below the level shown to have any toxic effect in test animals, but above the level recommended by the EPA as safe.
Linkages Between Immunization and Breastfeeding Promotion Programs
Authors: Kim-Farley Robert , Collins Constance , Tinker Anne
Published: March 2007

Breastfeeding promotion and immunization are important interventions of child survival programs, especially in developing countries. Linkages between breastfeeding promotion programs and the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in developing countries mean that health care workers can make use of every contact with the mother and child to reinforce the educational messages of both programs. Breastfeeding does not interfere with vaccinations administered in accordance with the routine schedule recommended by the EPI Global Advisory Group for use in developing countries. Breastfeeding benefits the EPI and the EPI also benefits breastfeeding. The maximum reduction of morbidity and mortality will be achieved when all child survival interventions are applied in a balanced, complementary manner as envisaged in the concept of primary health care.