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Theoretical basis This case offers the students to see the impact business ethics concepts, including corporate social responsibility, ethical obligation, ethical strategy, alienation, corporate activism, sociopolitical activism, symbolism, transparency, integrity, decoupled organization, opportunism, moral muteness or moral exclusion, etc. Through the student’s own ethical sensitivity, they can then make an informed decision grounded in fundamental ethical theories such as Utilitarianism, Kantianism, Ethics of Care, Virtue Theory, Confucianism, etc. Research methodology Data for this case has been gathered entirely from publicly available secondary sources, including online resources, mainstream media reports, biased (opinion-based) media outlets, social media statements from all stakeholder groups (students, business, university) and meeting minutes from campus organizations. None of the named individuals nor entities, in this case, have ever been contacted by the authors. Case overview/synopsis In Fall 2020, Boise State University contracted a locally owned and operated coffee shop to open a location on-campus. The shop owner was engaged to a police officer who had been permanently injured in an altercation with a dangerous fugitive. For his sacrifice, this police officer was awarded the Medal of Honor from the City of Boise. To support her fiancé, the coffee shop owner displayed a Thin Blue Line flag on the front door of her off-campus location. Students heard of this display and began to voice their objections through administrative and social media channels. The business countered back at claims that they supported racism and ultimately asked to be released from their contract with the university. They closed their on-campus business, having operated the location for less than two months. Media representation of this case created a vocal response both from those who support the business’ use of this imagery and those who support the student’s decision to boycott this business on ethical grounds. Complexity academic level Business ethics: 300–400 level; Business strategy: 300–400 level.

Background: Genetic cancer risk assessment is a multidisciplinary approach that enables the invaluable opportunity to recommend measures aimed at decreasing the risk of recurrence and new cancer diagnoses in individuals with inherited cancer predisposition. However, different challenges may limit the uptake of risk-reducing (RR) strategies among patients in underserved settings. This study describes the implementation of RR surgeries or surveillance studies and related barriers among carriers of breast cancer-associated germline pathogenic variants (PV). Methods: PV carriers were identified at two referral cancer centers in Mexico ≥6 months after receiving test results and genetic counseling. From October 2020 to June 2021, participants were invited to answer a multiple-choice survey assessing their uptake rate of RR measures according to NCCN guidelines by type of PV, as well as the challenges that had hindered this uptake. Descriptive statistics and Chi-squared or Fisher’s exact tests were used for data analysis. Results: In total, 162 carriers (median age: 42.5 years [range 21-73]) answered the survey. Most were women (89%), lived in an urban setting (91%), were married/in domestic partnership (72%), had at least high school education (69%), and were employed (51%). Monthly household income was lower than the minimum wage in 25% of cases and most patients had public (53%) or no (32%) healthcare coverage. Overall, 105 (65%) had a personal history of cancer, most commonly unilateral (77%) or bilateral (13%) breast cancer. PV were found in BRCA1/BRCA2 (75%), CHEK2 (11%), PALB2 (6%), ATM (4%), RAD51C (3%), and less frequently (3%) in TP53, NF1 or PTEN. Carriers underwent at least one of the recommended RR surgeries and surveillance studies in 61% and 69% of cases, respectively. Specifically, 52/124 (42%) of female BRCA1/BRCA2, PALB2, PTEN or TP53 PV carriers had undergone RR mastectomy, while 45/77 (58%) of eligible BRCA1/BRCA2 or RAD51C PV carriers had RR salpingo-oophorectomy. As for surveillance studies, carriers performed all, some and none of the recommended examinations according to their PV in 34%, 35% and 31% of cases, respectively. When an annual mammogram was recommended, 69/109 (63%) underwent the study in the previous year; in the case of breast MRI, only 23/103 (22%) had performed it in the last year. Notably, 132 (81%) carriers reported ≥1 challenge that hindered the uptake of RR strategies (median: 2 [range 0-10]). The main barriers were lack of insurance coverage of the recommended interventions (60%), financial limitations (50%), belief that their physician had not requested the studies or procedures (36%), and fear (25%). Uptake of RR strategies was not associated with carriers’ age, education level, employment status, income, place of residence, or type of mutation (high-risk vs moderate- or low-risk PV). Significant associations are reported in the Table. Conclusion: An important proportion of PV carriers in this resource-constrained setting underwent all or some of the recommended RR strategies, with the most cited uptake challenges being financial barriers and lack of endorsement by their physician. Targeted interventions to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and improve patient-physician communication and patients’ understanding of the implications of carrying a genetic mutation are warranted to enhance the uptake of RR surgeries and surveillance strategies among PV carriers. Variables associated with the uptake of RR strategiesVariableUnderwent ≥1 RR surgeryDid not undergo any RR surgeryp-valueVariableUnderwent all or some surveillance studiesDid not undergo any surveillance studiesp-valueMarital status.012Gender Citation Format: Cynthia Villarreal-Garza, Fernanda Mesa-Chavez, Yanin Chavarri-Guerra, Dione Aguilar y Mendez, Andrea Becerril-Gaitan, Bryan F Vaca-Cartagena, Salvador G Santiesteban, Alejandro Aranda-Gutierrez, Daniela Obregon-Leal, Melina Miaja-Avila, Maria F Ochoa Chavez, Andres Rodriguez-Faure, Hermes J Franco Jimenez, Jeffrey N Weitzel. Uptake of risk-reducing strategies and related challenges among carriers of breast cancer-associated germline pathogenic variants in Mexico [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-09-11.

The use of analytics data in digital marketing has had a profound impact on the way marketers create consumer relationships and how firms make decisions. However, the marketing analytics literature offers little guidance on how digital marketing analytics tools should be selected and leveraged in service to the firm’s overall strategy. Foundational marketing theory and research concerning the origin of consumer value and the primary importance of the consumer decision journey to strategy formation offer a pathway to evaluating digital marketing tools and analysis in a strategic and theoretically sound manner. This paper builds on seminal marketing thought to propose a conceptual framework that places use of digital marketing analytics tools and channels in the context of a firm’s marketing plan. The framework has diverse applications across many industries and platforms and can help markers avoid falling victim to digital marketing analytics myopia, even as evolving technologies and broader societal forces like the response to Covid-19 accelerate the digitalization of marketing.

When hiring for an open position, the branch manager of Intermountain Trust Bancorp was challenged with an ethical dilemma he was not anticipating. An internal applicant challenged the hiring manager's ethical values by insisting that their friendship and other external employment factors be taken into consideration in the hiring decision. This is a classic case of a candidate using undue influence1 to manipulate a colleague and gain employment. In what started as a routine decision, the manager was faced with an unforeseen ethical quagmire. This case describes a real situation that had local impact on the stakeholders of a regional bank, and provides a true example of the types of difficult situations that can affect candidate selection in hiring decisions.

Background/Objectives Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) are prevalent diseases. There is, however, a lack of understanding of the link between diet and IMIDs, how much dietary patterns vary between them and if there are food groups associated with a worsening of the disease. Subjects/Methods To answer these questions we analyzed a nation-wide cohort of n = 11,308 patients from six prevalent IMIDs and 2050 healthy controls. We compared their weekly intake of the major food categories, and used a Mendelian randomization approach to determine which dietary changes are caused by disease. Within each IMID, we analyzed the association between food frequency and disease severity. Results After quality control, n = 11,230 recruited individuals were used in this study. We found that diet is profoundly altered in all IMIDs: at least three food categories are significantly altered in each disease (P < 0.05). Inflammatory bowel diseases showed the largest differences compared to controls (n >= 8 categories, P < 0.05). Mendelian randomization analysis supported that some of these dietary changes, like vegetable reduction in Crohn's Disease (P = 2.5 x 10(-10), OR(95% CI) = 0.73(0.65, 0.80)), are caused by the disease. Except for Psoriatic Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, we have found >= 2 food groups significantly associated with disease severity in the other IMIDs (P < 0.05). Conclusions This cross-disease study demonstrates that prevalent IMIDs are associated to a significant change in the normal dietary patterns. This variation is highly disease-specific and, in some cases, it is caused by the disease itself. Severity in IMIDs is also associated with specific food groups. The results of this study underscore the importance of studying diet in IMIDs.

Background/Objectives Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) are prevalent diseases. There is, however, a lack of understanding of the link between diet and IMIDs, how much dietary patterns vary between them and if there are food groups associated with a worsening of the disease. Subjects/Methods To answer these questions we analyzed a nation-wide cohort of n = 11,308 patients from six prevalent IMIDs and 2050 healthy controls. We compared their weekly intake of the major food categories, and used a Mendelian randomization approach to determine which dietary changes are caused by disease. Within each IMID, we analyzed the association between food frequency and disease severity. Results After quality control, n = 11,230 recruited individuals were used in this study. We found that diet is profoundly altered in all IMIDs: at least three food categories are significantly altered in each disease (P < 0.05). Inflammatory bowel diseases showed the largest differences compared to controls (n >= 8 categories, P < 0.05). Mendelian randomization analysis supported that some of these dietary changes, like vegetable reduction in Crohn's Disease (P = 2.5 x 10(-10), OR(95% CI) = 0.73(0.65, 0.80)), are caused by the disease. Except for Psoriatic Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, we have found >= 2 food groups significantly associated with disease severity in the other IMIDs (P < 0.05). Conclusions This cross-disease study demonstrates that prevalent IMIDs are associated to a significant change in the normal dietary patterns. This variation is highly disease-specific and, in some cases, it is caused by the disease itself. Severity in IMIDs is also associated with specific food groups. The results of this study underscore the importance of studying diet in IMIDs.

Nanostructured gold surfaces were prepared by potentiostatic, potentiodynamic or galvanostatic Au electrodeposition on glassy carbon electrodes. The nanostructured gold electrodes (nsAu/GC) were used for the determination of dopamine (DA) in aqueous media. A directly proportional relationship was found between the peak current for DA (obtained by square wave voltammetry, SWV) and its concentration for all cases. However, the best performance for DA determination was attained with potentiodynamically electrodeposited surfaces. The SWV peak current was linearly dependent on DA concentration up to 10 μM, with a detection limit (3σ) of 0.57 μM, and a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9966. A study on the effect of common interfering species such as ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA) on DA determination was also carried out. The use of a nanostructured surface gives rise to peaks for AA and UA that appear at 0.15–0.20 V above the peak potential for DA. The detection limit obtained for dopamine is below 1 μM in the presence of 0.1 mM AA and 0.1 mM UA. Thus, nanostructuring of glassy carbon surfaces with gold conveniently and easily improves the detection of DA in the presence of their principal interfering species.

Schools play an important role in any community because children spend most of their time in schools for their education. Unfortunately, schools are exposed to natural hazards such as earthquakes, typhoons, and floods like other structures. However, implementing an effective Early Warning System (EWS) can help school administrators, occupants, and communities prepare against these hazards. EWS is an essential component of a disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) plan. Its purpose is to generate and disseminate timely and meaningful information of possible extreme events to administrators and eventually to the students. However, it is difficult to ascertain the quality of a school’s EWS to address any upcoming hazards. With this, the authors designed a workshop with toolkits to guide school administrators in evaluating their organizational structure within the context of DRR. The toolkits assessed the soft and hard measures of the school, particularly its DRRM and EWS. A method was developed to measure the EWS in schools based on the toolkits. A radar scoring system was used to measure the school’s key elements: Risk Knowledge, Monitoring and Warning Services, Dissemination and Communication, Response Capabilities. Indices for each element and EWS as a whole were obtained. Modes of warning and communication were ranked. In Lipa City’s case, the results showed that the schools have an average of 74.050 EWS index, meaning the EWS is of good quality but can still be improved. This method can be applied to other schools to assess their EWS.

Background: COVID-19 has been a challenge for health systems worldwide. Many hospitals were converted into COVID-19 centers, including our center. Diagnostic studies, ambulatory procedures, and elective surgeries were canceled, and emergency care and inpatient services were closed for patients without COVID-19. Lack of access to hospital services represents a problem in the care of cancer, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Our aim was to analyze the impact of hospital conversion to a COVID-19 center on the follow-up and management of patients in our urologic oncology clinic. Methods: We analyzed data of all patients in our urologic oncology clinic with appointments scheduled from March 16th to May 31st. A fellow reviewed all cases to evaluate if appointments were eligible for regular visit, telemedicine, or postponement and patients were contacted. Demographic, disease, and treatment characteristics were obtained. Population was analyzed according to type of visit (standard of care vs. clinical trial). We examined univariate associations between groups. A p-value ≤0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results: A total of 336 patients were included; the median age was 65 (18-94) years, and 306 (91.1%) were men. The main neoplasms were prostate (49.4%), kidney (20.2%), germ cell tumors (21.4%), urothelial (8.6%), and penile (0.3%) cancer. 46.7% of patients were in active treatment, and 11.9% were enrolled in a clinical trial. Remote communication was established with 184/224 (82.1%) patients. We planned to reschedule the visits of 224/336 (66.7%) patients. Medical appointments were rescheduled to a median of 91 days (IQR 65-105 days). All patients enrolled in clinical trials visited the clinic as scheduled. Among patients eligible for telemedicine, 105 (46.9%) were on surveillance, 68 (30.4%) on hormone therapy, 45 (20.1%) on no active treatment, and 6 (2.7%) on other therapy. The majority of the 111 patients who had an in-person appointment were receiving chemotherapy (24.3%), followed by immunotherapy (15.3%), targeted therapy (15.3%), and hormone therapy (13.5%). 13.5% had no active treatment and 9.0% were on surveillance. Comparing non-protocol versus protocol patients, we found a significant difference in loss of follow-up (12.2% vs 0% p = 0.012). During the study period, two (0.6%) confirmed cases and one (0.3%) death due to COVID-19 were recorded. Conclusions: In our initial experience, rescheduling of visits and remote follow-up was possible in most patients during hospital conversion to a COVID-19 center. Despite the constrained resources and communication barriers of LMICs, the rate of patients lost to follow-up was not increased during the pandemic in our center. Telemedicine was possible, particularly for those on surveillance and hormone therapy. Comparing standard clinical care versus clinical trial patients, we found a significant difference in terms of loss to follow-up. Citation Format: Salvador G. Santiesteban, Haydee Verduzco-Aguirre, Christianne Bourlon, Maria T. Bourlon. Impact of a hospital conversion to COVID-19 center on cancer care of patients in a urologic oncology clinic in Mexico [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer; 2020 Jul 20-22. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(18_Suppl):Abstract nr PO-019.

Objective To determine the incidence and risk factors of first cardiovascular event (CVE) in patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRD). Methods Analysis of data after 2.5 years of follow-up from the prospective study CARMA project, that includes patients with CIRD [rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA)] and matched individuals without CIRD from 67 hospitals in Spain. CVE cumulative incidence per 1000 patients was calculated after 2.5 years from the start of the project. Weibull proportional hazard model was used to calculate hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of the risk factors. Results 2595 (89.1%) patients completed the 2.5 years of follow-up visit. Cumulative incidence of CVE in patients with CIRD was 15.30 cases per 1000 patients (95% CI: 12.93-17.67), being higher in the subgroup with AS; 22.03 (95% CI: 11.01-33.04). Patients with AS (HR: 4.11; 95% CI: 1.07-15.79), those with older age (HR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.05-1.13), systolic hypertension (HR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00-1.04) and long duration of the disease (HR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.03-1.12) were at higher risk of first CVE during the 2.5 years of follow-up. In contrast, female gender was a protective factor (HR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.18-1.00). Conclusion Among CIRD patients prospectively followed-up at rheumatology outpatient clinics, those with AS show higher risk of first CVE. Besides cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, being a man and older

Objective Cardiovascular (CV) disease is one of the main causes of morbi-mortality in spondyloarthritis (SpA), partially explained by traditional CV risk factors. Information on lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], a non-conventional risk factor, in SpA is scarce. In this study we assessed the prevalence of hyperlipoproteinaemia(a) in SpA patients and analysed the possible related factors. Methods A baseline analysis was made of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients and controls included in the CARMA project (CARdiovascular in RheuMAtology), a 10-year prospective study evaluating the risk of CV events in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed using hyperlipoproteinaemia( a) (Lp(a) >50 mg/dl) as a dependent variable and adjusting for confounding factors. Results 19.2% (95% CI: 16.80-22.05) of the SpA patients [20.7% (95% CI: 16.91-24.82) of those with AS and 17.7% (95% CI: 14.15-21.75) of those with PsA] and 16.7% (95% CI: 13.23-20.86) of the controls had hyperlipoproteinaemia(a) (p=0.326). Adjusting for age and sex, SpA patients were more likely to have hyperlipoproteinaemia(a) than controls (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.00-2.04; p=0.05), especially those with AS (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.18-2.77; p=0.007). In the adjusted model, apolipoprotein B in all patients, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in AS, and female sex in PsA, were associated with hyperlipoproteinaemia(a). No disease-specific factors associated with hyperlipoproteinaemia(a) were identified. Conclusion SpA patients show a moderately increased risk of hyperlipoproteinaemia(a) compared to controls, especially those with AS. Lp(a) determination may be of interest to improve the CV risk assessment in SpA patients.

The ARCO study (Study on Adherence of Rheumatoid Arthritis patients to SubCutaneous and Oral Drugs), a multicenter, non-interventional retrospective study, was primarily designed to assess the percentage of patients [aged >= 18 years with an established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosis] with non-adherence to prescribed subcutaneous biologicals. This paper reports data for the secondary objective from a subset of patients, namely to evaluate non-adherence to prescribed oral antirheumatic drugs in RA patients in Spain using the validated Compliance Questionnaire Rheumatology (CQR). Patients also completed the Morisky-Green Medication Adherence Questionnaire, Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire, and a questionnaire (developed and validated in Spain) on patient satisfaction with RA treatment and preferences. A total of 271 patients (76.7% females; mean age 55.6 years) were being treated with oral drugs for RA, of which 234 completed the CQR questionnaire. Non-adherence was reported in 49/234 (20.9%) patients. The proportion of non-adherence in younger patients (aged 48 years (p = 0.006). Patients with a perception of lower efficacy also had a higher risk of non-adherence (p = 0.012). Multivariable analysis showed that younger age and male gender were independently associated with risk of non-adherence. There was only slight agreement between the CQR and MoriskyGreen assessment tools (kappa coefficient = 0.186), possibly reflecting the fact that both questionnaires measure slightly different aspects of medication adherence. In conclusion, one out of five RA patients was identified as at risk for non-adherence with the CQR, and this was more frequent in younger patients and in males.

As rectoceles are prevalent in women, rectocele repair is a commonly performed procedure, executed by gynecologists and colon and rectal surgeons. A common difficulty in treating rectoceles is that they are not typically found in isolation, but frequently in association with other structural abnormalities noted on physician examination and imaging, e.g.: enterocele, sigmoidocele, colpocele, rectal intussusception, and solitary rectal ulcer, to name a few. In addition there are associated functional disorders: anismus, pudendal neuropathy, irritable bowel syndrome, rectal hypo sensation, and anxiety/depression. Therefore it is no surprise that the array of treatment modalities ranges from dietary fiber, laxatives, enemas, pelvic floor pelvic training, psychotherapy, to surgery by transanal, trans perineal or transvaginal or abdominal approach. This chapter will address the complications of transanal, trans perineal and transvaginal approaches. The stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) is also discussed.

Objective To evaluate non-adherence to prescribed subcutaneous biologicals in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in Spain. Methods ARCO (Study on Adherence of Rheumatoid Arthritis patients to SubCutaneous and Oral Drugs) was a multicentre, non-interventional retrospective study involving 42 rheumatology clinics from representative hospitals throughout Spain. The primary objective was to assess the percentage of patients (aged >= 18 years with an established RA diagnosis) with non-adherence to prescribed subcutaneous biologicals using clinical records and hospital pharmacy dispensing logs as the primary information sources. Adherence was assessed using the Medication Possession Ratio (MPR). Additionally, patients completed the Morisky-Green Medication Adherence Questionnaire. Results A total of 364 patients (77.5% females, mean age 54.9 years, median RA duration since diagnosis 7.8 years) were enrolled in ARCO. Non-adherence (MPR

The Michael reaction of 1,3-dicarbonyls with α,β-unsaturated esters and nitriles has been carried out very efficiently, under mild and neutral conditions, in the presence of a catalytic amount of trans -hydrido( η 1 - O -enolato) ruthenium(II) complex ( 2 ), which is prepared from the reaction of Ru(cod)(cot) ( 1 ) (cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene; cot = cycloocta-1,3,5-triene) with dimethyl malonate in the presence of 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dpe).

The use of Private Security Companies (PSC) and Private Military Companies (PMC) for providing security services in conflict and post-conflict situations in many countries has been the subject of ongoing critical discussion among many scholars and media for many years. These companies are also operating in a post-conflict country such as Timor-Leste. However, they are not properly regulated and their number has been increasing since the country’s independence in 1999. The thesis provides an assessment of the legal status and responsibilities of PSCs and PMCs, and their impact on Timor-Leste recovery efforts. In addition, the thesis proposes a proper legal framework to manage and regulate them under Timor-Leste national law. The methodology of this research is normative legal research, which is based on basic principles, norms, and regulations of legal frameworks. It uses primary and secondary data gathered from the Timor-Leste government, PSC offices in Timor-Leste, and United Nations documents relating to PSCs and PMCs. It also utilises cases and national legislations relating to the use of PSCs and PMCs from other countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Indonesia. The research examines key legal issues, such as the regulation and monitoring of PSCs and PMCs, based on the principles and regulations of international law and the experiences of other countries relating to the use of PSCs and PMCs. In addition, it examines the impact of PSCs and PMCs on Timor-Leste national law and attempts to provide a possible proper regulation that can be used to manage and regulate these companies in Timor-Leste. This research focuses primarily on Timor-Leste and the impact of PSC and PMC operation for Timor-Leste society, legal system, and security improvement.

Lithium N,N-dimethylaminoborohydride (LiMe2NBH3) reduced both 3α-azidocholest-5-ene and 3β-azidocholest-5-ene in air to give the corresponding 3α-aminocholest-5-ene and 3β-aminocholest-5-ene in 98% isolated yields. Aliphatic and benzylic azides were also reduced with LiMe2NBH3 to give the corresponding amines in isolated yields ranging from 85 to 98%. The reductions were complete in 1–3 hours and required only a simple acid-base extraction to isolate the desired amines.

La entrevista dietética es una herramienta imprescindible en el proceso de evaluación del estado nutricional del individuo y, por supuesto, en cualquier planteamiento de intervención dietética, especialmente en el abordaje de tratamientos dietéticos en enfermos crónicos. La complejidad de la recogida de información tanto a nivel individual como en estudios nutricionales poblacionales, requiere de modelos de cuestionarios consensuados y de herramientas que faciliten la identificación de la información recogida. El siguiente artículo se ha basado en el documento de consenso sobre entrevista dietética, elaborado por un grupo de trabajo constituido durante el I Congreso de la Asociación Española de Dietistas y Nutricionistas, Barcelona, 2002.

Lithium aminoborohydrides (LiABH3) are a new class of powerful yet selective reducing agents that reproduce, in air, virtually all of the transformations for which lithium aluminum hydride is now used. LiABH3’s can be readily prepared as solids or generated in situ, are non-pyrophoric, and liberate hydrogen only slowly with protic solvents above pH 4. LiABH3’s can be handled in dry air as easily as sodium borohydride and retain their chemical activity for at least 6 months when stored under nitrogen or dry air at 25 °C. LiABH3’s can be synthesized from any primary or secondary amine, thus allowing control of the steric and electronic environment of these reagents.

The Michael reaction of 1,3-dicarbonyls with α,β-unsaturated esters and nitriles has been carried out very efficiently, under mild and neutral conditions, in the presence of a catalytic amount of trans -hydrido( η 1 - O -enolato) ruthenium(II) complex ( 2 ), which is prepared from the reaction of Ru(cod)(cot) ( 1 ) (cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene; cot = cycloocta-1,3,5-triene) with dimethyl malonate in the presence of 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dpe).

Boron (B) doping of plasma deposited silicon films have been widely studied and applied in many devices, while B-doping of germanium has been poorly reported in literature. We have reported previously about Ge:H films with low density of localized states deposited by LF plasma with optimal hydrogen dilution.This work is devoted to a study of boron incorporation and its effect on electronic properties in Ge:H films. The films were obtained by low frequency (LF) plasma deposition from GeH4+SiH4 +B2H6 mixture diluted with hydrogen. The deposition parameters were as follow: substrate temperature Ts = 300 oC, discharge frequency f= 110 kHz, pressure P= 0.6 Torr, power W= 300 W, germane flow QGeH4= 50 sccm, silane flow, hydrogen flow QH2=3500 sccm, diborane flow was varied in the range of QB2H6=0 to 20 sccm providing boron concentration in gas phase in the range of Y=0 to 4%. Composition of the films was characterized by SIMS profiling. Hydrogen bonding was studied by FTIR. Temperature dependence of conductivity measured in DC regime in vacuum thermostat was employed to study carrier transport. Optical measurements provided optical gap, sub-gap absorption and refraction index. Boron incorporation in solid film demonstrated fast increase in the range of Y = 0 to 1.4% and then increase became slower. Hydrogen concentration in the films was determined by absorption of Ge-H stretching mode at k ≈ 1870 cm−1 and it showed weak increase with change of Y from 0 to 4%. Activation energy of conductivity increased in the range of Y = 0 to 1.5% suggesting a compensation of electron conductivity, reaching maximum value Ea =0.5 eV (corresponding approximately to Eg/2) at Y= 1.5%. Then Ea reduced to minimum value Ea = 0.27 eV at Y= 3.5% showing a trend to saturation with further Y increase. This behavior is related to change of charge transport from electron to intrinsic at Y= 1.5% and further to hole transport.

ANNALI UNIVERSIT` DI FERRARA

GIOLOGIE MIDITIRRANIENNE

Behavioral and learning disturbances have been found in mice with partial trisomy 16, a new model for Down syndrome. Basal production of cyclic AMP in the hippocampus of trisomic mice was shown to be impaired. In addition, the responses of adenylyl cyclase to the stimulation of beta-adrenoceptors with isoprenaline and of the catalytic subunit with forskolin were both severely depressed.

Possibly one of the greatest misconceptions about Chicano historiography is the view that published intellectual writings by Chicanos are of recent vintage, traceable only over several decades. This assumption is in part supported by the large and growing body of contemporary published materials by and about Chicanos, especially within the past 15 years.

At the time the abstract for this meeting was submitted, we had observed a successful mating in a breeding pair of germfree beagles; hence, the title “Reproduction in Germfree Beagles.” However, now this title could be expanded to “Successful Reproduction in Germfree Beagles.” On April 7, 1968, second generation germfree dogs were whelped in our laboratory. The following is a description of the events leading up to this accomplishment.