The sorption of Pb and Cd from aqueous solutions by spent Agaricus bisporus was investigated. The effects of contact time, pH, ionic medium, initial metal concentration, other metal ions presence and ligands were studied in batch experiments at 25°C. Maximum sorption for both metals was found to occur at an initial pH of around 5.5. The equilibrium process was well described by the Langmuir isotherm model, with maximum sorption capacities of 0.2345 and 0.1273 mmol g−1 for Pb and Cd respectively. Kinetic data followed the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. The presence of NaCl and NaClO4 caused a reduction in Cd sorption, while Pb sorption was not remarkably affected. The presence of other metals did not affect Pb removal, while the Cd removal was much reduced. HCl or EDTA solutions were able to desorb Cd from the spent Agaricus bisporus (SAB) completely, while an approximately 60% and 15% desorption yield was obtained for Pb when HCl 0.01 mol L−1 or EDTA 0.001 mol L−1 were used, respectively. The results of FTIR, SEM and EDX analysis indicated that other mechanisms, such as surface complexation and electrostatic interactions, must be involved in the metal sorption in addition to ion exchange. © 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering

Almost all modern rotation of factor loadings is based on optimizing a criterion, for example, the quartimax criterion for quartimax rotation. Recent advancements in numerical methods have led to general orthogonal and oblique algorithms for optimizing essentially any rotation criterion. All that is required for a specific application is a definition of the criterion and its gradient. The authors present the implementations of gradient projection algorithms, both orthogonal and oblique, as well as a catalogue of rotation criteria and corresponding gradients. Software for these is downloadable and free; a specific version is given for each of the computing environments used most by statisticians. Examples of rotation methods are presented by applying them to a loading matrix from Wehmeyer and Palmer.

Results suggest that a cancer diagnosis may lead to enduring feelings of vulnerability as well as positive changes in meaning; however, these perceptions have very different mental health correlates.

There is a time lag in the effect of sublingually administered testosterone on genital arousal in women. In addition, a consecutive increase in vaginal arousal might cause higher genital sensations and sexual lust.

Meaningful symptom dimensions, identified across four samples of women, were associated with demographic and breast cancer-related variables. The BCPT Symptom Scales offer a valuable refinement of the original BCPT Symptom Checklist to assess side effects associated with the treatment and prevention of breast cancer.