Adsorption, desorption, and mobility of two insecticides in Malaysian agricultural soil.

Laboratory studies utilizing radioisotopic techniques were conducted to determine the adsorption, desorption, and mobility of endosulfan (6,7,8,9,10,10-hexachloro-1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-6,9-methano-2,4,3-benzodioxanthiepin3-oxide) and methamidophos (O,S-dimethyl phosphorothioate) in sandy loam and clay soils of the Cameron Highlands and the Muda rice-growing area, respectively. High Freundlich adsorption distribution coefficients [Kads(f)] for endosulfan (6.74 and 18.75) and low values for methamidophos (0.40 and 0.98) were obtained in the sandy loam and clay soils, respectively. The observed Koc values for endosulfan were 350.85 (sandy loam) and 1143.19 (clay) while Koc values of 20.92 (sandy loam) and 59.63 (clay) were obtained for methamidophos. Log Kow of 0.40 and 1.25 were calculated for endosulfan as well as -1.96 and -1.21 for methamidophos in the sandy loam and clay soils, respectively. Desorption was common to both pesticides but the desorption capacity of methamidophos from each soil type far exceeded that of endosulfan. Soil thin layer chromatography (TLC) and column studies showed that while methamidophos was very mobile in both soils, endosulfan displayed zero mobility in clay soil.

Pilot study of explicit grading criteria in the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Part II. Examination.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify specific competencies that differentiated passing from failing performance on the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Part II oral board certification examination. METHOD: A total of 363 candidates were rated in 18 areas of competence defined by behavioral criteria. Data were analyzed to determine which areas best discriminated between passing and failing candidates. RESULTS: In both parts of the examination, the ability to develop a comprehensive treatment plan was most influential. After that, specific interview and observational skills discriminated best. Failing candidates had most difficulty detecting and following informational and affective cues in their interview of a patient and presenting a biopsychosocial formulation and comprehensive treatment plan. CONCLUSIONS: Specific candidate competencies related to passing and failing performances can be identified and assessed by a rating scale of observable behaviors on the board certification examination in psychiatry.