bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Adaptive Social Behavior Inventory (Asbi): A New Assessment of Social Competence in High-Risk Three-Year-Olds
Authors: Hogan Anne E. , Scott Keith G. , Bauer Charles R.
Published: March 2007

This article describes a new inventory for preschool social development. Scale construction was undertaken as an ancillary project in a multi-site study of early intervention for high-risk infants. Scale development began with extensive review; piloting was conducted to ensure appropriateness for mothers of varying educational levels. Descriptive and psychometric data on the 30-item inventory are presented for the sample of 545 3-year-olds. The three subscales are Express, Comply, and Disrupt. Intercorrelations among the scales are reported, as well as correlations with other competence variables. Differences are noted for gender and site, but not birthweight. Potential value of the inventory is discussed.
Comparison of Hospitalized Depressed Patients and Matched Normal Controls on Tests that Differ in their Level of Cognitive Complexity
Authors: Kaufman Alan S. , Grossman Ira , Kaufman Nadeen L.
Published: March 2007

Some research results have suggested that depressed patients perform better on effortless tasks than they do on tasks that require sustained effort. Some of those investigations employed questionable measures or poor control groups. In this investigation, the cognitive performance of 56 hospitalized adolescent and adult inpatients diagnosed with clinical depression was compared to the performance of a matched control group of normal individuals. The samples were compared on reliable and valid tasks that differ in their level of cognitive complexity, using Luria's theory as a basis of categorization. Luria's Block 1 functions of attention-orientation, assessed by a test of Mental Status, represented a level of low cognitive complexity. Luria's Block 2 functions of successive and simultaneous processes, assessed by tests of Number Recall and Gestalt Closure, represented a level of medium cognitive complexity. Luria's Block 3 functions of high-level planning ability, assessed by a test called Four-Letter Words, represented a level of high cognitive complexity. The normal and depressed samples did not differ significantly on any of the tasks, which suggests that they perform as well on effortful tasks as on effortless tasks.
Comparability of the WPPSI-R and the S-B:IV among Preschool Children
Authors: McCrowell Kelly L. , Nagle Richard J.
Published: March 2007

This study sought to establish concurrent validity between the Stanford-Binet: Fourth Edition (S-B:IV) and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised (WPPSI-R). Both tests were administered in a counterbalanced order to 30 preschool children who were attending a summer enrichment program. The results indicated that the Full-Scale IQ of the WPPSI-R and the Composite SAS of the S-B:IV yielded similar scores. Additional findings suggest that although no significant differences existed between the abstract/visual scales of both measures, a significant difference did exist between the two verbal scales. Analysis that compared the S-B:IV Factor scores to WPPSI-R IQs found the same pattern of results. The practical implications of these findings, and their usefulness for school psychologists who work with preschool-aged children, are discussed.
Factor Structure of the WISC-III for Students with Learning Disabilities
Authors: Kush Joseph C.
Published: March 2007

The factor structure of the WISC-R for both regular and special education populations has been well documented. Published data also have indicated that the factor structure of the WISC-R is similar across special education populations. However, with the development of the WISC-III, comparable information is not yet well established. With the addition of a new subtest, and a hypothesized new fourth factor, additional data with regard to the psychometric properties of the WISC-III are required. This study examined the factor structure of the WISC-III, using an oblique method of rotation, in a sample of students with learning disabilities. Results provide support for the construct validity of the Verbal and Performance factors, but empirical support was less evident for the use of the other factor scores, Freedom from Distractability and Processing Speed. Implications for school psychologists are presented, and directions for future research are provided.
Validity of Screening Tests for Learning Disabilities: A Comparison of Three Measures
Authors: Kilpatrick David A. , Lewandowski Lawrence J.
Published: March 2007

Two groups of 20 children (8 to 10 years of age) were administered three screening tests used to assess learning disabilities, each of which represents one of three approaches: the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test (Bender), an example of the “single test” approach; the Quick Neurological Screening Test (QNST), which represents the “soft neurological sign” approach; and the Screening Test for the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery-Children's Revision (ST-LNNB), which represents a “neuropsychological” approach. One group of subjects was comprised of children with learning disabilities (LD), and the comparison group was a random sample of nondisabled (ND) students. The groups were matched carefully for IQ, age, and grade. Results indicated that there were no significant group differences on either the Bender or the QNST. On the ST-LNNB, the LD group performed significantly more poorly than the ND group (p < .0001). The classification accuracy rate of the ST-LNNB was 97.5%, with 39 of the 40 subjects correctly classified according to their group status (i.e., LD or ND). The findings suggest that the Bender and QNST should not be used as tools to suggest the presence or absence of a learning disability. The ST-LNNB may be a valid instrument for screening for learning disabilities, although more study will be needed prior to clinical application.
Improvement in Academic Screening Instruments? A Concurrent Validity Investigation of the K-FAST, MBA, and WRAT-3
Authors: Flanagan Dawn P. , McGrew Kevin S. , Abramowitz Elaine , Lehner Lois , Untiedt Stephanie , Berger Dave , Armstrong Howard
Published: March 2007

The present study examined the extent to which the scores from the K-FAST, MBA, and WRAT-3 are comparable in degree of correlation and mean scores in a sample of university students (N = 62). Results generally provided concurrent validity evidence for the three academic screening tests, although several significant differences were found between measures. An examination of test intercorrelations and test content revealed that the reading and writing domains are not assessed similarly across batteries. The intercorrelations between reading scores were relatively low, ranging from .31 (K-FAST and WRAT-3) to .48 (MBA and WRAT-3). The MBA provides the broadest assessment of reading (word recognition, word comprehension, passage comprehension), followed by the K-FAST. The WRAT-3 Reading test assesses mainly word recognition, as demonstrated by a .68 correlation with the MBA Identification test. The MBA also provides the broadest assessment of writing (punctuation, capitalization, spelling, word usage), followed by the WRAT-3 (which assesses only spelling). The math scores from the three batteries were most consistently correlated ( rs ranging from .52 to .54), a finding that supports the validity of the mathematics scores obtained from these instruments. Recommendations for the use and interpretation of the K-FAST, MBA, and WRAT-3 are offered, and avenues for future research are suggested.
Further Validation of the Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale
Authors: Huebner E. Scott , Laughlin James E. , Ash Chris , Gilman Rich
Published: March 2007

The psychometric properties of a children's life satisfaction measure (MSLSS; Huebner, 1994) were assessed with a middle school sample of 291 students. Similar to findings with elementary school students, the MSLSS demonstrated preliminary evidence of reliability and validity for research purposes. The results of confirmatory factor analyses supported the five satisfaction domains identified in previous research with younger students, along with a single higher-order general life satisfaction factor. Relationships among life satisfaction domains, demographic variables, and social desirability responses were discussed. Potential uses of the MSLSS and future research needs were also discussed.
Supplementary WAIS-III Tables for Determining Subtest Strengths and Weaknesses
Authors: LoBello Steven G. , Thompson Anthony P. , Evani Venugopala
Published: March 2007

Analysis of relative subtest strengths and weaknesses is a familiar procedure used in the interpretation of Wechsler Scale data. The WAIS-II test manual provides some tables to facilitate this process but does not include a table for subtest analysis when six Performance Scale subtests are administered. Six Performance Scale subtests must be administered if examiners are to obtain both the Performance IQ and the Processing Speed index score. In addition, the WAIS-I1I manual does not include tables for use when certain optional subtests are substituted for subtests that are spoiled during test administration. Three tables are provided in this article for such circumstances. They may be used for determining both the significance and infrequency of differences between individual subtest scaled scores and the mean Verbal or Performance subtest score.
The Development of Flame Retarded Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomers
Authors: Sutker Burton J. , Walter Steve
Published: March 2007

Thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers have been effectively flame retarded with organobromine compounds and antimony oxide synergists.
Evaluation of Three Methods of Rendering Upholstery Fabrics Smolder Resistant
Authors: Williams Sharon S. , Damant Gordon H.
Published: March 2007

Three methods of rendering upholstery fabrics smolder resistant were evaluated by determining the rate and extent of percent weight loss of a small scale mock-up system when the fabrics, with and without treatment, were tested in combination with F.R. cotton batting, F.R. polyurethane foam and resinated polyester fiber batting. A lit cigarette was placed in the crevice formed by the abutment of vertical and horizontal panels. The three methods of treatment in cluded two types of backcoating and a methyl borate vapor phase treatment of the entire fabric.
Comments On the Effect of Gas Velocity On Oxygen Index Measurements
Authors: Wharton R.K.
Published: March 2007

For certain materials, the velocity of the mixed gas stream used in an oxygen index determination has been reported to exert a strong influence on the ex perimental result. It is now possible to rationalise these reported dependences which are shown to result from the form of column used in the test. A proposed modification to the column outlet eliminates the dependence of oxygen index on gas velocity over the range of gas velocity permitted by the testing standards.
Influence of Heating Rates On the Toxicity of Evolved Combustion Products: Results and a System for Research
Authors: Gad Shayne Cox , Smith Ann C.
Published: March 2007

The significance of the rate of heating of materials to the nature and toxi cologic consequences of combustion products formed by natural and man-made products was evaluated using a system designed to allow exact control and reproducibility of this variable. Using this system, the decomposition products of Douglas Fir, Hem Fir, and a high density polyethylene were characterized in terms of gases evolved, lethality, and ability to incapacitate at sample heating rates of 20, 30, 40, and 50 °C per minute. For all three materials, the rate of heating was found to have marked influences on both the decomposition prod ucts and their toxicologic impact. This influence was not such as to be ex plainable as just a decomposition rate phenomenon.
Surface Addition of Flame Retardants in Acrylic Cast Sheets
Authors: Guerra Gaetano , Riccio Vincenzo , Nicolais Luigi
Published: March 2007

A technique for the addition of flame retardants into outer layers of polymeric articles rather than in the whole mass is described. It is pointed out that this technique can be usefully applied in incorporating some flame retardant ad ditives in acrylic cast sheets.
Use of Release Rate Tests To Evaluate Upholstery Systems
Authors: Smith Edwin E.
Published: March 2007

Release rate tests were made on upholstery systems at several radiant heat flux levels to determine the effect a fiberglass barrier has on their com bustibility. Four fabrics and two foams were used. From results of release rate tests on these typical upholstery systems, with and without the barrier, it was possible to determine the amount of combustible material (foam and batting) behind the barrier that is "burned" as a function of time and incident flux.
Effect of Experimental Conditions On the Evolution of Combustion Products Using a Modified University of Pittsburgh Toxicity Test Apparatus
Authors: Grand Arthur F.
Published: March 2007

A study was performed on four materials, under several different combustion conditions, using a furnace and test parameters similar to one version of the "University of Pittsburgh Toxicity Test" procedure. Two of the materials were natural char-forming specimens, Douglas fir and cotton, and two were synthetic thermoplastics, polypropylene and polystyrene. Several different test conditions were used in an effort to determine the effect of varying the conditions from the "standard." Weight loss data, temperatures, and concentrations of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and oxygen were recorded.
A National Foundation for Applied Combustion Toxicology
Authors: Packham Steven C.
Published: March 2007

On October 25, 1985, legal papers of incorporation were filed in the State of Delaware to establish the National Foundation for Applied Combustion Toxicology (NFACT) as a not-for-profit corporation. One objective of this new organization is to provide independent guidance on evaluation of materials for the toxicity of their combustion products for use by manufacturers, specifiers, authorities having jurisdiction and other concerned parties. It also plans research and educational projects in participation with other private and public organizations to improve fire safety.
The Behaviour of Compacted Cotton Fibers in Hot Low Velocity Air Stream
Authors: Karim G.A. , Mehta S.
Published: March 2007

The degradation and morphology of compacted cotton fibers placed in hot oxidizing low velocity streams have been examined using a scanning electron microscope. The effects of sample compactness, stream velocity, stream tem perature and exposure time on the degradation of the cotton fibers were estab lished.
Spread of Fire Effects Between Rooms: A Computational Model
Authors: Anderson Charles E. , O'Kelley Donna K. , Grand Arthur F.
Published: March 2007

A methodology is presented for computing the spread of fire effects such as heat, smoke, and other combustion products between rooms in a multi-room fire scenario. The methodology extends the Harvard Computer Fire Code V for computing the dynamic history of a fire in a single room to connecting rooms by adding the appropriate flow physics. Finally, an example is presented where an object is burning in a room which is connected to a second room via a door way. The evolution of the hot layer and vent flows are discussed, and compared to the same evolution of a single room structure.
Bioassay Procedures for Fire Effluents: Basic Principles, Criteria and Methodology
Authors: Klimisch H.J. , Doe J.E. , Hartzell G.E. , Packham S.C. , Pauluhn J. , Purser D.A.
Published: March 2007

A comprehensive and critical review of the state-of-the-art of biological assays acceptable in combustion toxicology evidenced the following:
An Investigation of the Ignition and Combustion of Loosely Compacted Commercial Steel Wool
Authors: Karim G.A. , Mehta S.A.
Published: March 2007

The ignition and combustion characteristics of loosely compacted commercial steel wool samples when introduced promptly into low velocity heated air streams and the morphology of the quenched residues were investigated. The effects of the important factors of sample compactness, stream temperature and velocity, and exposure time were established. Comparative tests were also made under similar conditions involving similarly prepared samples of cotton, sheep wool, fiber glass wool, and processed cigarette tobacco.
Toxic Gas Tests with Several Pure and Mixed Gases Using Mice
Authors: Sakurai Toshiro
Published: March 2007

Mice were exposed to pure toxic gases which are commonly gener ated in fire incidents, such as CO, CO 2, HCl, HCN, NH3, NO2, N2 (oxygen defi cient), both as single gases and in mixtures. Acute toxicities for 5- to 30-minute exposures of these gases at various concentrations were examined using such indices as incapacitation time and apnoea time. Relationships between the ex posure temperature and the incapacitation time or apnoea time were also ex amined. Similar tests were performed using mixtures of 2, 3 or 4 gases at various concentrations, changing exposure temperature and humidity, as in the case of the single gases.
Flaming Combustion Characteristics of Upholstered Furniture
Authors: Schuhmann John G. , Hartzell Gordon E.
Published: March 2007

A designed set of upholstered chairs, differing variously with respect to foam, fabric and the use of an interliner, was subjected to rate of heat release studies using a specially constructed room calorimeter. Although the ease of ignition was found to be influenced by the covering fabric, major prog ress toward reducing fire risk was demonstrated through the use of improved materials such as combustion modified high resiliency foam and melamine modified foam. The presence of an interliner in the chair construction was addi tionally effective and, when used together with the modified foams, resulted in optimum fire performance.
A Method to Determine the Potential Toxicity of Smoke from Burning Polymers: I. Experiments with Douglas Fir
Authors: Caldwell Daniel J. , Alarie Yves C.
Published: March 2007

A small scale apparatus has been developed using a radiant source to burn Douglas fir specimens. Three irradiance levels were selected: 21, 35 and 50 kW/m2. Burning took place within an enclosure which was ventilated under known airflows, from levels just sufficient to maintain flaming combus tion to higher levels providing for more efficient flaming combustion. For each experiment flaming combustion was maintained for 30 minutes. The following variables were measured in each experiment: time to ignition, mass loss rate, flame height, O2 consumed, CO2 and CO produced and heat release. From CO measurements potential lethal conditions for mice or humans were evaluated using either CO production in ppm-min or using an equation to calculate COHb levels in blood. Within the range of irradiance levels and airflow levels evaluated the smoke produced by Douglas fir under flaming conditions can be below lethal potential to rapidly incapacitating and lethal. This new small- scale combustion module/animal exposure chamber system, termed the University of Pittsburgh II method (UPitt II) is a significant departure from previous attempts to evaluate toxicity of smoke from burning polymeric mate rials. It is also a significant improvement over previous systems because well defined burning conditions can be established over a wide range of irradiance and ventilation levels, not possible to examine with previous methods. Further more, performance of the specimens can be given in terms of time to ignition, flame height and heat release.
Air Quality Problems Inside a House Following a Fire
Authors: Tsuchiya Yoshio
Published: March 2007

Fire-damaged houses are often refurbished for further use. In some cases occupants complain about odours from the fire in the refurbished houses. Experimental box fires and a field study of refurbished houses were un dertaken to investigate the problem. Concentrations of combustion products from fires in the experimental box were measured for up to 30 days afterwards and the decay of concentrations of the combustion products was calculated. The decay was faster in humid conditions than in dry conditions. There was a cor relation between the boiling point of compounds and the decay constant. Some compounds remained in higher-than-normal concentrations for several hun dred or several thousand days. Field studies of refurbished houses showed re sults consistent with the experimental study.
Extinguishment of Diffusion Flames of Polymeric Materials by Halon 1301
Authors: Tewarson A. , Khan M.M.
Published: March 2007

Halon 1301 flame extinction results are discussed for the com bustion of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), eight composite materials, and carbon in the gas phase. Two types of combustion and flame extinction experi ments were performed: (1) in the Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FMRC) flammability apparatus (50 kW scale) for PMMA and composite materials, and (2) in the FMRC electrical arc apparatus for carbon in the gas phase.

For char forming composite materials, mass transfer from the surface was low, turbulent diffusion flames were not generated, and flame extinction oc curred between 3 to 4.5% of Halon 1301, close to the value reported for the lam inar diffusion flames of polymers. For non-charring PMMA, mass transfer from the surface was high, flames were turbulent, and flame extinction was found at about 6% of Halon 1301, contrary to the accepted value of about 4% for the lam inar diffusion flames of polymers. With Halon 1301 the conditions for flame in stability and extinction for combustion efficiency less than about 0.40, with sig nificant increase in the amounts of products of incomplete combustion (such as CO and hydrocarbon), were in agreement with flame instability and extinction found for fuel-rich conditions inside well-ventilated laminar and turbulent diffusion flames, in ceiling layers of combustion products, in enclosure fires, in ventilation-controlled buoyant diffusion flames of polymers, and for flame ex tinction of heptane flames by water.

Experiments in the FMRC electrical arc apparatus showed that in the gas phase combustion of carbon vapors generated in high energy arc, chemical heat release rate and combustion efficiency decreased with increase in Halon 1301. At about 7.5% of Halon 1301, conditions were close to flame extinction and at 9.0%, oxidative pyrolysis of carbon was indicated. Concentrations of Br- and F- ions, generated from the decomposition of Halon 1301, were also measured. Concentration of Br- ions was higher than the concentration of F- ions, al though there are three F atoms and only one Br atom in Halon 1301. There was brown deposit on the walls of the apparatus with extensive corrosion of rubber gaskets, electrical fan, and other components.

The techniques discussed in this article appear to be attractive for the assess ment of flame extinguishability and corrosive characteristics of fire suppres sants to replace ozone layer depleting Halons.
Acute and Long-Term Effects of Polyvinylchloride (PVC) Smoke on the Respiratory System of the Baboon and a Comparison with the Effects of Hydrogen Chloride (HCl
Authors: Kaplan Harold L. , Switzer Walter G. , Hinderer Robert K. , Anzueto Antonio
Published: March 2007

The acute and long-term effects of smoke produced by flaming and nonflaming combustion of PVC were investigated in the baboon and com pared with those produced by HCl. Four groups of three anesthetized adult male baboons ( Papio cynocephalus) were exposed for 15 minutes to air (con trols), flaming or nonflaming PVC smoke containing a targeted 5000 ppm con centration of HCl, or to HCl at a targeted concentration of 5000 ppm. The ani mals responded to flaming or nonflaming PVC smoke with an increase in frequency and minute volume, accompanied by decreased arterial pH and PaO2 and increased PaCO2 values. Although pulmonary function tests, CO2 chal lenge tests, or arterial blood gas measurements in PVC smoke-exposed animals showed sporadic differences from controls at 90, 180, or 360 days postexposure, the results did not indicate the development of impaired pulmonary function. These results were consistent with the absence of exposure-related respiratory tract pathology, although an inflammatory cell response was noted in the minor airways of one animal exposed to flaming PVC smoke. The effects of flam ing or nonflaming PVC smoke were generally similar to those of HCl, in dicating that HCl is retained in the upper respiratory tract, even in the pres ence of particulates in smoke.
The Combustion of a Liquid Fuel Droplet during Forced Convection
Authors: Teodorczyk Andrzej , Wójcicki Stanislaw
Published: March 2007

A new experimental technique was used to investigate single fuel droplet combustion during forced convection: the burning droplet was freely suspended in the controlled air stream, without any additional support. Based on the photo-records of the burning process, the characteristics of the change of square of droplet diameter with time were made and the actual values of burning constants were determined for four hydrocarbon fuels: ben zene, n-heptane, iso-octane and toluene. The experiments were also carried out under micro-gravity and free convection conditions for the same set of fuels. The investigations have allowed the comparison of the burning mechanism of a single droplet for the three different external conditions and have compared quantitatively the burning constants. On the basis of the color pictures of the droplet burning under forced convection conditions and the temperature and gas concentration measurements within the flame, the mechanism of combus tion of fuel droplet was explained. The physical and mathematical models of the process have been proposed which included the aerodynamics of the droplet located in the high Reynolds number air stream, the energy balance of the evaporating droplet and the chemical reaction in the flow. The models have made it possible to determine the quantitative dependence of the burning con stant of different kinds of fuels on Reynolds number, the flow field parameters and the physical and chemical parameters of the liquid and its close surround ings. The calculated values of the parameters describing the burning pro cess have been compared to the experimental data and to the results reported by other investigators. The model has revealed the importance of the feed back mechanism between physical processes involved during droplet combus tion.
Phosphorus-Bromine Flame Retardant Synergy in a Polycarbonate/Polyethylene Terephthalate Blend
Authors: Green Joseph
Published: March 2007

The literature contains many claims to phosphorus/bromine flame retardant synergy. Many of these reports appear to be based upon a nonlinear response-concentration relationship. This paper shows convincing data for synergy in a a 2/1 polycarbonate/polyethylene terephthalate blend. The literature also shows phosphorus efficiency as a flame retardant to be 3-8 times more effective than bromine, depending on the polymer and flame retar dant. These data show phosphorus to be about ten times more effective than bromine in a 2/1 polycarbonate/PET blend. Brominated phosphates, where both bromine and phosphorus are in the same molecule, were also studied. In one case synergy is further enhanced when both phosphorus and bromine are in the same molecule. On a weight basis, phosphorus and bromine in the same molecule are perhaps the most efficient flame retardant combination.
Validation of a Zone Model for Predicting Smoke Obscuration in Rooms
Authors: Gandhi Pravinray D.
Published: March 2007

Fires in a room often start small with the ignition of a combusti ble item such as a waste paper basket. As the fire grows, a smoke layer develops at the ceiling level. The smoke, as it descends, obscures signs and egress routes thus making it difficult to escape from the fire-affected room. In this paper, a brief discussion is given on the measurement of smoke and the importance of various smoke measurement parameters and the differential equations for calculating the smoke obscurations in a room are presented. The predictions of the model are then compared with obscuration data available from room corner fire tests involving three type of wall lining materials. The comparisons are in reasonable agreements with the test data. Some loss of smoke information is observed for polystyrene foam material and this resulted in the model under predicting the smoke obscuration as compared to the fire test. This loss of infor mation is suspected to be due to deposition of the soot on the duct surfaces dur ing the transport process.
On the Dynamics of Flaming Combustion in Packed Beds of Forest Materials: Part I
Authors: Jones J.C. , Thoms G. , Hughes K.C.
Published: March 2007

Flaming combustion propagation rates for four forest materials from Australian sources are measured and, in some experiments, flame heights estimated. Factors considered in the interpretation of the results include the thermal thickness of the fuel elements and enhancement of propagation rates by Eucalyptus oil where present.
Computerized Fire Risk Assessment Models: A Regulatory Effectiveness Analysis
Authors: Brannigan Vincent , Meeks Carol
Published: March 2007

Computerized Fire Risk Assessment Models have been proposed for regulatory use. The models normally are used to examine alternative designs to determine whether they are equivalent to standard code approved Structures. However, mathematical equivalence in a model may not constitute social or technical equivalence, if the assumptions and methods used in the model are not property specified. Regulatory Effectiveness Analysis is a tool which can be used to determine whether the model satisfies the regulator's legal requirements, and whether it is properly responsive to public judgments of fire safety. Model builders should expect detailed examination of the specifications and data used in the model, and be prepared to show competent verification and validation of the model results.
Heat Transfer of a Smoldering Flammable Substrate. Part 2. A Theoretical Model and Its Application
Authors: Yi Sung-Chul , Seong Youl Bae  , Seong Hun Kim
Published: March 2007

This paper is the second part of two describing the development of a theoretical model for the heat transfer of a flammable substrate. The mathe matical model presented in Part 1 of this series of papers is the first known suc cessful attempt to describe the interaction between a cigarette and a substrate analytically.

The calculated distribution profile of temperature approximates the experi mental results measured using thermocouples. Then, the predicted temperature distribution in the substrate was fit to the corresponding measured values with a nonlinear, least-squares fitting routine to obtain a net heat flux from the moving heat source to the substrate. The average of heat flux from the burning cigarette to the substrate through the window is approximately 1.56 ± 0.01 cal/(s cm2).
The Flammability Aspects of Decorative Trimmings,. Part 3: Decorative Trimmings Used on Soft Furnishings— A New Test Method
Authors: D'Silva A.P.
Published: March 2007

A new test method has been developed to investigate the flamma bility of trimmings used on soft furnishings. The trimming was attached to a sam ple of the soft furnishing fabric by steel pins. The trimming/fabric combination was then fixed on a specially designed steel frame that could be slotted on to the BS 5438: 1976 test rig. The frame supporting the trimming could be rotated along the vertical plane so that the trimming/fabric junction could be inclined at vari ous angles with respect to the flame. It was found that the rate of propagation of the flame across the length of the trimming was dependant on fibre type and the angle of alignment. The transfer of flame from trimming to the host fabric also de pended on the fibre type of both the trimming and the host fabric. It may be possi ble to use this method to assess the flammability of the trimmings attached to upholstered furniture, using a small flame, where by all types of trimming (cords, cut ruche, fringes) could be tested for flammability and flame transfer at various degrees of alignment, e.g., horizontal, vertical, etc.
Indirect Method of Estimating a Fire Pool Area in a Closed Compartment
Authors: Nikitin Yevgeniy V.
Published: March 2007

A new indirect method of estimating a fire pool area by measuring air pressure variation in a closed compartment was developed. As a result of ex perimental and theoretical research, it was shown that for each burning material, a fire pool area is directly proportional to the maximum rate of gas pressure in crease during a fire development within a closed compartment. This result was reached based on the hypothesis that at the first period of fire development, the largest portion of the fire energy transfers to the surrounding enclosure by means of radiative heat release from the flame. Corresponding formulas for calculating a fire pool area by the maximum rate of gas pressure were created. The new method is more effective due to the considerable simplicity of measuring air pressure in a closed compartment rather than other physical parameters of milieu in a fire compartment.
Self-Extinction of Fire in a Closed Compartment
Authors: Nikitin Yevgeniy V.
Published: March 2007

A flame self-extinction phenomenon, which takes place during a fire within a closed compartment, is explained based on the thermal theory of the initiation of flaming combustion. The moment that flame extinction occurs is de termined by observing the gas temperature (or pressure) curves' breaks which are consistent with spontaneous and spasmodic heat-transfer changes during self-extinction of the flame.
Rates of Radiative and Convective Heat Transfer in a Cabin Fire
Authors: Jones J.C.
Published: March 2007

As a contribution to the recent debate [1-5] on the "cabins" con cept, formal analysis of heat transfer in a cabin fire is performed. It is shown that under conditions approaching those required for flashover only about a third of the heat transfer is convective, the remainder being radiative.
Bench Scale Fire Resistive Test
Authors: Lin Ching-Yuan , Cheng Shao-Tsai
Published: March 2007

Based on the section factor and sectional unfold, this study devel ops a bench scale fire resistive test for sprayed fire resistive material of steel structural members. H shape steel beams are converted into the size of 45 cm x 45 cm steel plates with varying thicknesses. Steel beams and plates are coated by sprayed fire resistive materials and manufactured to fire test specimens. In addi tion, the relationship among fire rating (R), spraying thickness (t), and section factor (W/D) of the two scale fire tests are established and compared by applying a standard time-temperature curve under CNS 12514 specification and using a one dimensional heated model for plate specimen and a three dimensional heated model for the beam specimen to proceed with the fire resistive test. Experimental results indicate that, in terms of its practical nature and safety, adopting 350°C as the critical temperature facilitates the evaluation of sprayed materials for fire protection of structural steel members, particularly when using test specimens of bench scale steel plates.
Flame Spread Over Solid Surface Coated with a Layer of Noncombustible Porous Material
Authors: Wang J.H. , Chao Christopher Y.H.
Published: March 2007

Small-scale experiments are performed to determine the influ ence of noncombustible coating material on the behavior of flame propagation over solid fuels. Thick polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) sheets are used as com bustible materials, and sand layer is used as the solid coating material in the ex periments. The results of the experiments show that the size of the sand and the thickness of the sand layer have significant effects on the flame spread rate. The influence is through the amount of heat flux absorbed by the unburned fuel sur face and the mass diffusion of the vaporized fuel to react with the oxygen in the ambient air. As the sand layer thickness increases, the flame spread rate de creases. An inverse trend is observed with the increase of the sand size. In this pa per, a simplified heat transfer model is proposed for the flame spread rate over the combustible material with a layer of noncombustible porous material. The exper imental results have been found to be in agreement with the results from the model. Results from this study can be used in two areas. One is in understanding how flame spread is retarded by application of porous material as an extinguish ing agent. Another aspect is that more and more household items nowadays have a noncombustible coating on the surface as a means of decoration, more funda mental information on how the flame spreads is useful in future building fire safety designs.
Further Archival Material Apropos of Underground Methane Explosions- Part 2. Gas Detection Methods
Authors: Jones J.C.
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 Company, Incor porated .
Forgetting to Plan
Authors: Baum Howell S.
Published: March 2007

Conventionally, planning for the future de pends on collecting information and analyzing it rationally in order to control contingency. In reality, contingency persists, and communi ties react in ways that defeat planning. Seeing problems and uncertainty, communities often retreat to a past they remember in idealized ways to find gratification they do not expect from the future. They choose nostalgia or fantasy rather than looking realistically at current conditions. Thus communities resist planning not out of ignorance, but out of knowledge. They know the past, its satisfac tions, and its centrality to their identity, and they want to maintain it against change. Hence planning depends on forgetting: forget ting a static image of the past in order to re member the past as a time of contingency and to see the past linked in time to the present and the future.
A New in vivo Evaluation Method of Antithrombogenicity Using a Polymer-Coated Suture Inserted into the Peripheral Vein
Authors: Noishiki Yasuharu
Published: March 2007

An in vivo test for the estimation of blood compatibility of pliable sutures coated with the test polymer was developed. An 18 gauge needle was inserted into the peripheral vein of a dog under general anesthesia and a polymer- coated suture was inserted through the needle into the lumen of the vessel. After a given period of time the vein in which the suture had been inserted was opened and observations were carried out by light microscopy, and by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. This method has several advantages; it is a simple procedure, there is minimal surgical intervention, and vessel injury is negligible.
Effects of Polyethylene Glycol Substitution on Enzyme Activity
Authors: Yoshinaga Kohji , Shafer Steven G. , Harris J. Milton
Published: March 2007

The effects of polyethylene-glycol (PEG) substitution on protein activity, us ing alkaline phosphatase as a model, have been studied. Such variables as PEG molecular weight, degree of substitution, and PEG mono- and di-functionality have been examined. Modification with the monomethyl ether of PEG 1900 (M- PEG-1900) does not alter enzyme activity until greater than 40% of the protein lysine groups are substituted, at which point increasing the degree of modifica tion gives increasing deactivation. Substitution with M-PEG-5000 gives more deactivation than does substitution with M-PEG-1900. Interestingly, modifica tion with PEG itself gives active protein conjugates in which there is little de pendence on molecular weight or degree of substitution.
Potential of Sugar Residues Attached to N-(2- Hydroxypropyl)methacryl amide Copolymers as Targeting Groups for the Selective Delivery of Drugs
Authors: Seymour L.W. , Duncan R. , Kopecková P. , Kopeček J.
Published: March 2007

Soluble copolymers of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) have already shown potential as targetable drug-carriers. Here HPMA copolymers were synthesized which contained N-linked aminosugars attached to the poly mer backbone via a diglycyl side-chain. Following radioiodination their body distribution in rats was investigated. Incorporation of mannosamine or glu cosamine caused enhanced deposition in liver macrophages following intra venous and intraperitoneal administration, and increased retention at the site of injection when the carrier was administered subcutaneously. Macrophage pinocytic uptake of certain HPMA copolymers was also assessed using rat peri toneal macrophages cultured in vitro. It was demonstrated that polymers bear ing mannosamine or glucosamine are internalized rapidly by a common recep tor and that the interaction can be inhibited by free D-mannose, L-fucose, but not by D-glucose.
Synthesis and Characterization of Polyanionic Materials for Testing of Antitumor Activity. I-The 1:2 Cyclocopolymer of Citraconic Anhydride and Divinyl Ether
Authors: Butler George B. , Tollefson Norris M. , Gifford George E. , Flick David A.
Published: March 2007

The cyclopolymer of citraconic anhydride and divinyl ether was resynthesized for the purpose of optimizing its antitumor activity with respect to molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. Thus, the cyclocopolymer was syn thesized under a variety of conditions which included use of chain-transfer agents, and the samples were fractionated. Evaluation of the various fractions against P-388 lymphocytic leukemia cells showed that the effectiveness of the material is highly dependent on both molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. An optimum sample resulted in an increase in survival times of treated vs. control animals of 267%.
Antibiotic Impregnated Acrylic Bone Cements: A Comparative Study of the Mechanical Properties
Authors: Krause William R. , Hofmann Aaron
Published: March 2007

This study describes a series of mechanical tests to determine the correlations between the strength properties of acrylic bone cement with anti biotic additives and the amount of antibiotic released from the cement. Mechanical test specimens were fabricated from Zimmer LVC and Surgical Simplex RO cements with 2.5 and 5.0 weight percent gentamicin sulfate addi tions. The compressive and tensile strength, as well as the fracture toughness, of control (non-antibiotic) and antibiotic cement specimens were determined. These results were correlated with immunoassay results of the amount of anti biotic released from the samples. Dramatic decreases in strength of the anti biotic cement during the first week correlated with an exponential decrease of released antibiotic over the same time period.
N-Carboxybutyl Chitosan and Fibrin Glue in Cutaneous Repair Processes
Authors: Muzzarelli R.A.A. , Toschi E. , Ferioli G. , Giardino R. , Fini M. , Rocca M. , Biagini G.
Published: March 2007

N-carboxybutyl chitosan and fibrin glue were studied in wound healing. Open wounds were performed on the back of 12 New Zealand rabbits by removing cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue down to superficial muscle's fascia. The rabbits were divided in two groups: the first one was treated weekly with N-carboxybutyl chitosan and the second one with fibrin glue. No signifi cant differences in healing time and no suppurative complications were observed. On the 15th day, the fibrin glue group histology showed initial heal ing with a multilayered epithelial tissue more evident than in the other group. The vascular structures were present in both groups but the histoarchitectural order of the stromal matrix was better in the N-carboxybutyl chitosan group. On the 30th day, complete reepithelialization was observed for the N-car boxybutyl chitosan group with all the epithelial cellular layers represented. Underlying connective tissue was mature but looser than for the fibrin glue group. Results show that with regard to biological functions, both fibrin glue and N-carboxybutyl chitosan provided positive results in tissue healing processes. Furthermore, N-carboxybutyl chitosan produced a more regular histoarchitectural restoration, with very limited inflammatory processes. N-carboxybutyl chitosan presents interesting features that can open new per spectives in tissue reconstruction.
Percolation and Release of Cisplatin Loaded in Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) Microspheres for Chemoembolization
Authors: Deyme M. , Spenlehauer G. , Benoit J.-P.
Published: March 2007

The dissolution kinetics, in an aqueous medium, of a water solu ble drug dispersed in an insoluble polymeric matrix, depends highly on the drug loading. A computer model of cisplatin loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres dissolution confirms the hypothesis that only the drug crystals connected to the surface of the microspheres are capable of dissolving through a site percolation mechanism. This behavior may also be possible with other drug release systems, limiting their use for controlled release.
Biocompatibility of Biopolymers
Authors: Volfova I. , Říhová B. , VetviČKa V. , Rossmann P. , Ulbrich K.
Published: March 2007

This study examines the biocompatibility of two different syn thetic copolymers; a water soluble copolymer based on [N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide] (HPMA) and an insoluble polymer based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). Activation of classical and alternative complement pathways, phagocytic function, bone marrow status, and humoral immune re sponses were assessed after long-term application of the copolymers to mice of the C57BL/10ScSn strain. Histological examination was also performed on sec tions of liver, spleen and kidney. Our results indicate that a total dose of 2 g of HPMA copolymer/1 kg of body weight and 2.5 x 109 particles/mouse of HEMA microspheres did not affect any of the immune parameters that were studied.
Novel Hydroxyl Containing Polyesters and Polycarbonates by the Copolymerization of Glycidyl Ethers of Protected Alditols and Cyclic Anhydrides
Authors: Chiellini Emo , Bemporad Luca , Solaro Roberto
Published: March 2007

Novel functional biodegradable polyesters and polycarbonates have been prepared by copolymerization of either succinic anhydride or carbon dioxide with the glycidyl ethers of protected alditols, such as glycidylisopropyl ideneglycerol and glycidyldiisopropylidenepentitols, and their mixtures with propylene oxide in the presence of organo-metal catalysts. Highly hydrophilic polyesters have also been prepared by copolymerization of succinic anhydride with N-glycidylpyrrolidone. Polyesters and polycarbonates of protected alditols thus obtained have been transformed into the corresponding polyhydroxylated polymers by selective removal of side-chain isopropylidene protecting groups. The hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance of the polymeric products can be tuned by changing the nature of the glycidyl ether, by varying the glycidyl ether/propyl ene oxide molar ratio in the feed mixture and by controlling the extent of iso propylidene groups' removal.
Problems, Errors, and Opportunities in the Treatment of Father-Daughter Incest
Authors: RYAN THOMAS S.
Published: March 2007

The treatment of father-daughter incest presents certain difficulties that are consistent from case to case. Programmatic treatment services have allowed the concentration of information regarding those management programs and treatment errors. Problems and errors are discussed, along with the opportunities they present.