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Several studies have demonstrated that minorities and Hispanic ethnicities have disproportionally greater burden of morbid obesity in the United States. However, the majority of bariatric procedures are performed in the non-Hispanic white population. The objective of this study was to investigate the weight loss and remission of obesity-related co-morbidities based on race and ethnicity. The Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery prospective, multicenter, observational study was used to collect patients from 10 different health centers across the United States. Retrospective analysis of a prospective, multicenter, observational study over a 5-year follow-up. All patients who underwent primary gastric bypass and provided racial/ethnic information were included in the study (n = 1695). Regardless of race or ethnicity, total weight loss was maintained over a 5-year follow-up, which included 87% of the original cohort. However, whites had on average 1.94% higher adjusted total weight loss compared with blacks (P <.0001). After adjusting for confounders there were no significant differences in resolution of co-morbidities, including diabetes. All patients regardless of race or ethnicity have significant and sustained total weight loss and resolution of co-morbidities after gastric bypass at 5-year follow-up. • All cohorts had significant weight loss maintained over 5-year follow up. • Majority of gastric bypasses were performed in the white, non-Hispanic cohort. • Patterns in outcomes are slightly different between races. • Accounting for severity of disease there is no difference in diabetes resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Before the introduction of the vaccine, mumps was the most common salivary gland disease and was one of the most common infectious diseases in children globally. Following the introduction of the mumps vaccine in 1967, the disease was almost nonexistent in the United States and was only found to occur in nonvaccinated patients, and even then, it did not present in epidemic portions because of the extent of vaccination in the population at large. Beginning in the early 2000s, viral mumps began to present itself in vaccinated populations, and currently, outbreaks are continuing to increase in number. This article presents information on the various outbreaks, a review of the virus and the disease, including symptoms and comorbidities, and new recommendations for management. Dental practitioners should be aware of the increasing incidence and prevalence of this disease, be able to recognize it, and make appropriate referrals for management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maternal nutrition may influence intrauterine fetal development. To date, the relationship between contemporary European dietary guidelines and fetal growth has not been examined.Aims: To develop a novel Periconceptual Nutrition Score (PENS) to assess maternal dietary quality in early pregnancy and examine its relationship with fetal growth.Study Design: Women were recruited conveniently at their first clinic visit and completed a supervised four day retrospective diet history. The PENS was developed using European Food Safety Authority recommended dietary intakes for pregnancy. The relationship between PENS and fetal growth was examined.Subjects: Women with a singleton pregnancy.Outcome Measures: Birthweight, small for gestational age (SGA), neonatal head circumference.Results and Conclusions: Of the 202 women, the mean age was 32.2 ± 5.0 years and 44.6% were nulliparas. The mean PENS was 9.4 ± 3.1. On multivariable regression, there was a positive relationship between the PENS and birthweight (beta = 45.3, 95%CI 14.8-75.9, P = 0.002) and neonatal head circumference (beta = 0.12, 95%CI 0.01-0.23, P = 0.03). Compared with the lowest PENS quartile, the mean birthweight was increased in the highest quartile (Mean difference 328 g, P = 0.02). The incidence of SGA was 16.4% (n = 10/61) in the lowest PENS quartile compared to 6.5% (n = 9/139) in the top three quartiles (P = 0.03). Thus, higher maternal dietary quality was associated with increased intrauterine fetal growth. The PENS is potentially useful in identifying those women before or during pregnancy who may benefit from dietary interventions that may optimise fetal growth. It may also be useful in tracking maternal dietary quality during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to tackle the challenge of generating unstructured high-order meshes of complex three-dimensional bodies, which remains a significant bottleneck in the wider adoption of high-order methods. In particular we show that by adopting a variational approach to the generation process, many of the current popular high-order generation methods can be encompassed under a single unifying framework. This allows us to compare the effectiveness of these methods and to assess the quality of the meshes they produce in a systematic fashion. We present a detailed overview of the theory and formulation of the variational framework, and we highlight how such formulation can be effectively exploited to yield a highly-efficient parallel implementation. The effectiveness of this approach is examined by considering a number of two- and three-dimensional examples, where we show how the proposed approach can be used for both mesh quality optimisation and untangling of invalid high-order meshes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotherapeutics is a rapidly growing drug class, and over 200 biotherapeutics have already obtained approval, with about 50 of these being approved in 2015 and 2016 alone. Several hundred protein therapeutic products are still in the pipeline, including interesting new approaches to treatment. Owing to patients' convenience of at home administration and reduced number of hospital visits as well as the reduction in treatment costs, subcutaneous (SC) administration of biologics is of increasing interest. Although several avenues for treatment using biotherapeutics are being explored, there is still a sufficient gap in knowledge regarding the interplay of formulation conditions, immunogenicity, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of the absorption of these compounds when they are given SC. This review seeks to highlight the major concerns and important factors governing this route of administration and suggest a holistic approach for effective SC delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a pipeline of state-of-the-art techniques for the generation of high-order meshes that contain highly stretched elements in viscous boundary layers, and are suitable for flow simulations at high Reynolds numbers. The pipeline uses CADfix to generate a medial object based decomposition of the domain, which wraps the wall boundaries with prismatic partitions. The use of medial object allows the prism height to be larger than is generally possible with advancing layer techniques. CADfix subsequently generates a hybrid straight-sided (or linear) mesh. A high-order mesh is then generated a posteriori using NekMesh, a high-order mesh generator within the Nektar++ framework. During the high-order mesh generation process, the CAD definition of the domain is interrogated; we describe the process for integrating the CADfix API as an alternative backend geometry engine for NekMesh, and discuss some of the implementation issues encountered. Finally, we illustrate the methodology using three geometries of increasing complexity: a wing tip, a simplified landing gear and an aircraft in cruise configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective to explore routine weighing in antenatal care and weight management in pregnancy with women who have been weighed during pregnancy. Design a qualitative study utilising semi-structured telephone interviews, and thematic analysis. Setting participants resided in Dublin, Ireland and had been weighed during pregnancy. Participants individual telephone interviews conducted with ten postpartum women (nine months postpartum). Findings experiences of routine weighing were positive, and participants believed it should be part of standard antenatal care. Several benefits to routine weighing were cited, including providing reassurance and minimising postpartum weight retention. It was felt that there was a lack of information provided on gestational weight gain and healthy lifestyle in pregnancy, and that healthcare professionals are ideally placed to provide this advice. Increased information provision was seen as a method to improve healthy lifestyle behaviours in pregnancy. Key conclusions and implications for practice these findings contribute to the current debate about the re-introduction of routine weighing throughout pregnancy (Allen-Walker et al., 2016). Women stated that they expected to be weighed during pregnancy and, contrary to previous claims, there was no evidence that routine weighing during antenatal care caused anxiety. From discussions it was clear that women desired more information on gestational weight gain and a healthy lifestyle, and felt that health professionals should provide this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, we contend that to enhance their competitiveness and performance, hotel properties need to develop and implement internal policies and procedures such as strategic management accounting that are consistent with their business strategies and account for changing competitive demands. We employ a sample composed of 80 hotel properties to investigate the key precursor of hotel property strategic management accounting use and its impact on hotel property customer and financial performance. The results highlight that market orientation business strategy is a key determinant of hotel property strategic management accounting use and illuminate the mediating influence of hotel property strategic management accounting use and hotel property customer performance on the relationship between hotel property market orientation business strategy use and hotel property financial performance. Recommendations are provided for both researchers and hotel managers concerning their future study of, or use of, strategic management accounting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A principal-agent relationship exists between hotel owners and the management companies which often operate their hotels. In addition, they both act as principals to a mutual agent, the hotel's General Manager, who is tasked with trying to achieve each parties' objectives. Extensive research on hotel management agreements which govern the owner-operator relationship has demonstrated that these objectives are often incongruent. However, the property-level managerial and performance implications of their goal incongruence has not been empirically examined. This study analyzes these issues using a matched sample of surveys from both owners and operators across 64 hotels operated under hotel management agreements. Using structural equations modeling, we demonstrate that owner-operator goal congruence positively impacts hotel performance and that this relationship is both mediated and moderated by the hotel General Manager's autonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generation of sufficiently high quality unstructured high-order meshes remains a significant obstacle in the adoption of high-order methods. However, there is little consensus on which approach is the most robust, fastest and produces the ‘best’ meshes. We aim to provide a route to investigate this question, by examining popular high-order mesh generation methods in the context of an efficient variational framework for the generation of curvilinear meshes. By considering previous works in a variational form, we are able to compare their characteristics and study their robustness. Alongside a description of the theory and practical implementation details, including an efficient multi-threading parallelisation strategy, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the framework, showing how it can be used for both mesh quality optimisation and untangling of invalid meshes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the educational value to medical students of a labour ward rotation.Design: Qualitative research study was performed in two tertiary level obstetric hospitals attached to a large medical school in Dublin. Medical students attending a six-week rotation in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in University College Dublin were invited to participate. As part of this rotation, students spend one week as part of the clinical team working on the labour ward. Focus groups were held in order to identify common themes and experiences of medical students during this labour ward week. Grounded theory with thematic analysis was used. The main outcome measures were the educational experience and value of a labour ward rotation to medical students.Results: Five distinct themes developed from the focus groups of 19 students. A high value was placed on patient centred bedside teaching. Midwives were identified as excellent teachers and facilitators of learning. There was a clear sense of teamwork and belonging by the students. However, students reported frustration with unclear learning objectives. Students identified extra pre-learning with pre-specified learning aims before the labour ward week as being important.Conclusion: Bedside teaching was highly valued as it advanced student's knowledge of obstetrics theory and improved communication skills. In general, medical students reported a positive experience from working in the labour word but there is scope for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the findings of a national inquiry into cases of misdiagnosis of miscarriage in the Republic of Ireland and to report the results of implementation of the findings of the inquiry, including investment in new equipment and training, new national guidelines, and rigorous annual audit of early pregnancy units.Design: Narrative description of the inquiry and its findings and results of a subsequent audit.Setting: Not applicable.Patient(s): Women with problems of bleeding and/or pain in early pregnancy who were erroneously diagnosed as having a nonviable intrauterine pregnancy.Intervention(s): After two cases of misdiagnosis of miscarriage that were widely reported in the Republic of Ireland in June 2010, a Miscarriage Misdiagnosis Review Team was commissioned by the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) to undertake a national review of other possible cases of misdiagnosis of miscarriage. The Review Team made a series of recommendations that were subsequently implemented in full. The results of the implementation of the findings of the Review Team have been the subject of three annual audits across the country.Main Outcome Measure(s): The main outcome measure was the occurrence of misdiagnosis of miscarriage in the Republic of Ireland before and after implementation of the findings of the Review Team.Result(s): Twenty-four confirmed cases of misdiagnosis of miscarriage were identified, mostly occurring between 2005 and 2010. Analysis led to a series of recommendations by the Review Team, which were implemented in full by the HSE. Over € 3 million was provided to fund implementation; 26 high-quality gynecological ultrasound machines were purchased to reequip 19 units involved in provision of care to women with suspected miscarriage. There was further allocation of resources for new equipment and improvement in the management and staffing of early pregnancy units across Ireland, with each center now having a dedicated and properly staffed Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit. A national training program in the management of early pregnancy problems has been implemented, along with regular national meetings to discuss early pregnancy problems. National clinical guidelines on the diagnosis and management of miscarriage for implementation have been distributed to all hospitals.Conclusion(s): No cases of miscarriage misdiagnosis were identified in any of the three annual audits, suggesting that implementation of the findings of the review has been successful. We believe that this is the first report of national change in practice leading to improvement in clinical outcomes in the management of suspected miscarriage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arterial baroreceptors can be divided into two categories dependent on whether their axons are myelinated (A-fiber) or unmyelinated (C-fiber). We investigated the effect of periaxonal resiniferatoxin (RTX), a blocker of C-fiber baroreceptor activity, on the open-loop static characteristics of the arterial baroreflex. The baroreceptor region of the right aortic depressor nerve was isolated, and intra-baroreceptor region pressure (BRP) was changed from 60 to 180 mm Hg in 10 anesthetized Sprague–Dawley rats. Open-loop static characteristics of the neural arc from BRP to efferent sympathetic nerve activity (SNA), peripheral arc from SNA to arterial pressure (AP), and total reflex arc from BRP to AP were estimated. Although blocking C-fiber activity with RTX resulted in a lower response range (33.7 ± 4.6% and 49.4 ± 4.8%, P < 0.01) and higher minimum SNA (78.0 ± 4.7% and 53.6 ± 5.0%, P < 0.001) of the steady-state neural arc, the peak SNA response to BRP was greater at a BRP of 160 mm Hg (− 37.87 ± 5.83% and − 26.28 ± 4.90%, P = 0.01). RTX also resulted in a lower response range (27.8 ± 5.0 mm Hg and 40.9 ± 5.2 mm Hg, P < 0.01) and higher minimum AP (92.4 ± 4.7 mm Hg and 79.1 ± 4.9 mm Hg, P < 0.001) of the total reflex arc. Despite these changes, the maximum slope of the neural arc and the maximum gain of the total reflex arc did not differ significantly after RTX. These data suggest that A-fiber baroreceptors can regulate AP and maintain the maximum gain when systemic AP is around the normal operating range. In contrast, C-fiber baroreceptors are critically important for reductions in SNA and AP when systemic AP is raised above the normal operating range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Whereas past research has examined the effect of individual-level and neighborhood-level predictors of bullying victimization separately, the current study examines their effects collectively. Methods: Middle and high school students (n=1972) in randomly selected classes within a Southeastern school district completed a battery of self-report measures. Levels of self-control (an individual-level factor) and neighborhood disorganization (a neighborhood-level factor) were regressed onto measures of the six-week prevalence of verbal, physical, and cyber bullying victimization. Results: Low self-control and neighborhood disorder were found to be associated with each type of bullying victimization, though the impact of self-control was partially mediated by neighborhood disorder when included in the same model. The effect of self-control was mediated when subsequently controlling for poly-victimization experiences. Net of these controls, neighborhood disorder continued to be associated with a statistically significant increase in the odds of bullying victimization. Conclusions: Economic and social decay within neighborhoods increased the likelihood of bullying victimizations. These effects hold true across verbal, physical and cyber victimizations, suggesting a need to consider both community characteristics when staging bullying intervention campaigns. Additionally, the findings suggest a need for further research considering the relationship between self-control and neighborhood conditions on the risk of victimization generally. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims: This study aims to identify the contribution of myelinated (A-fiber) and unmyelinated (C-fiber) baroreceptor central pathways to the baroreflex control of sympathetic nerve activity and arterial pressure. Main methods: Two binary white noise stimulation protocols were used to electrically stimulate the aortic depressor nerve and activate reflex responses from either A-fiber (3V, 20–100Hz) or C-fiber (20V, 0–10Hz) baroreceptor in anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats (n =10). Transfer function analysis was performed between stimulation and sympathetic nerve activity (central arc), sympathetic nerve activity and arterial pressure (peripheral arc), and stimulation and arterial pressure (Stim-AP arc). Key findings: The central arc transfer function from nerve stimulation to splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity displayed derivative characteristics for both stimulation protocols. However, the modeled steady-state gain (0.28±0.04 vs. 4.01±0.2%·Hz−1, P <0.001) and coherence at 0.01Hz (0.44±0.05 vs. 0.81±0.03, P <0.05) were significantly lower for A-fiber stimulation compared with C-fiber stimulation. The slope of the dynamic gain was higher for A-fiber stimulation (14.82±1.02 vs. 7.21±0.79dB·decade−1, P <0.001). The steady-state gain of the Stim-AP arc was also significantly lower for A-fiber stimulation compared with C-fiber stimulation (0.23±0.05 vs. 3.05±0.31mmHg·Hz−1, P <0.001). Significance: These data indicate that the A-fiber central pathway contributes to high frequency arterial pressure regulation and the C-fiber central pathway provides more sustained changes in sympathetic nerve activity and arterial pressure. A sustained reduction in arterial pressure from electrical stimulation of arterial baroreceptor afferents is likely mediated through the C-fiber central pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The findings of a study concerned with the locus of power between hotel owners and operators in Australia and New Zealand with hotels operated via a management contract are reported. Hypotheses are developed and tested in relation to the potential of locus of power to be associated with capital budgeting procedures. Using questionnaire survey data, support has been provided for the view that greater owner power is associated with: greater owner involvement in the capital budgeting process; greater emphasis on financial analytical tools in capital budgeting; and operators experiencing greater difficulty in securing a release of funds from the furniture, fixture and equipment reserve. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Atomoxetine (ATX) is a commonly used non-stimulant treatment for Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It primarily acts to increase noradrenalin levels; however, at higher doses it can increase dopamine levels. To date there has been no investigations into the effects of orally-administered ATX in the most commonly used model of ADHD, the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). The aim of this study was to describe the effects of doses thought to be selective (0.15mg/kg) and non-selective (0.3mg/kg) for noradrenalin on behavioural measures in the SHR. Firstly, we examined the effects of acute and chronic ATX on locomotor activity including sensitisation and cross-sensitisation to amphetamine. Secondly, we measured drug effects on impulsivity using a T-maze delay discounting paradigm. We found no effect of ATX on locomotor activity and no evidence for sensitisation or cross-sensitisation. Furthermore, there were no differences in T-maze performance, indicating no effects on impulsivity at these doses. The absence of behavioural sensitisation supports previous claims of superior safety relative to psychostimulants for the doses administered. There was also no effect on impulsivity; however, we suggest that was confounded by stress specific to SHRs. Implications for future studies, behavioural assessment of SHRs and their use as a model of ADHD are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: Victims of bullying are susceptible to a variety of detrimental consequences. It remains unclear, however, whether the type of bullying victimization and the gender of the victim matter as they relate to two mental health consequences: (1) depression, and (2) suicide ideation. Methods: We examined the effects of the bullying victimization experiences of 1,874 adolescents. Controlling for known predictors of maladaptive mental health, we assessed whether any bullying victimization and any type of bullying victimizations were associated with depression and suicide ideation. Each of these relationships was also compared across gender. Results: Reported victimization rates varied across three types of bullying. Experiencing any type of bullying victimization corresponded with higher levels of depression and suicide ideation for females and males. Females and males who were verbally bullied experienced higher rates of depression than those who were not bullied. Female cyber bully victims experienced higher levels of depression compared to male cyber bully victims. No significant gender differences in suicide ideation emerged across individuals who experienced any type of bullying. Conclusions: Assistance to victims in terms of the development and/or maintenance of their mental health must be mindful of how individuals are being victimized and the gender of the victim. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Light/medium truck drivers involved had higher FROI rates than heavy truck drivers involved in crashes. • Younger light/medium truck drivers were represented at a higher proportion in crash FROIs compared to younger heavy truck drivers. • The retail trade industry made up the largest percentage of light/medium truck local crash FROIs (47%); the transportation and warehousing industry was most frequently cited in heavy truck FROIs. • Light/medium truck crashes most frequently involved being rear-ended, running red lights, and turning in front of other vehicles. Objective: Multiple heavy truck driver injury studies exist, but there is a paucity of research on light and medium truck driver injuries. The objective of this study was to use first report of injury (FROI) data to: (a) compare demographic and injury characteristics; (b) assess workers' compensation (WC) claim disposition and lost work time status; and (c) describe injury scenarios by vehicle type for heavy truck and light/medium truck driver local crashes. Method: Kentucky Department of Workers' Claims FROI quantitative and free text data were analyzed for years 2010–2019. Of 800 total FROIs, 451 involved heavy trucks and 349 involved light or medium trucks. Results: There was a higher light/medium truck driver crash FROI rate compared to the heavy truck driver crash FROI rate. There was a higher proportion of younger light/medium truck driver crash FROIs compared to younger heavy truck driver crash FROIs. The retail trade industry made up the largest percentage of light/medium truck local crash FROIs (47%); the transportation and warehousing industry was most frequently cited in heavy truck FROIs (46%). The heavy truck types most frequently identified in FROIs were semi-trucks (13%) and dump trucks (11%). The most common light/medium truck type identified was delivery trucks (30%). Most commonly, heavy truck crash FROIs involved rollovers, driving off/overcorrecting on narrow roadways, and driving downhill/unable to downshift. Light/medium truck crash FROIs most frequently involved being rear-ended, running red lights, and turning in front of other vehicles. Conclusions: The utilization of WC FROI data highlighted top injury scenarios and specific vehicle types for targeting driver safety training among truck drivers, particularly light/medium truck drivers. Road safety policies regarding driver training, crash reviews, and in-vehicle monitoring systems are needed for truck drivers with previous crash injuries, especially for light and medium truck drivers. Practical applications: Enhanced safety training on speeding on narrow roadways, on nearing intersections, and on downshifting on hills is needed for semi-truck, dump truck, and coal truck drivers with previous crash injuries. Rear-end crash prevention training (e.g., gradual stopping and checking mirrors) is needed for drivers of furniture, automotive parts and accessories, and groceries and soft drink delivery trucks with previous crash injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A complete record of eruption activity is required for a robust volcanic hazard assessment, characterising the types and magnitude of possible activity and the relative frequency of these different types of eruptions. This paper documents a record of Holocene volcanic eruptions from Mt. Taranaki, New Zealand, with the aim of integrating the records of explosive and effusive style eruptions from this volcano. Discriminant function analysis of titanomagnetites from Mt. Taranaki is used to correlate a set of well-dated tephras from lake cores with comparatively poorly dated eruption units that outcrop on the flanks of the cone. Using this process the stratigraphic sections reveal that much of the current edifice was constructed between 6000 and 5000Cal.BP by prolific lava effusion events. The period of intensive effusive activity followed edifice modification by a major flank-collapse and debris avalanche. This demonstrates that trends in the frequency of effusive activity may vary independently of explosive eruption patterns. Examining the range of processes controlling the occurrence of a range of eruption types and the distribution of their products is essential for the production of robust probabilistic-based eruption forecasting models. In addition, the geochemical data on the widely dispersed Taranaki tephras presented here, tied to this new high-resolution eruption chronology, can be used to constrain future studies of landscape and climatic evolution across large areas of the North Island of New Zealand. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A selective methodology for the synthesis of either 3-cyanoindoles or 4-cyanoquinolines via a base-modulated palladium-catalyzed reductive N-heterocyclization from a common 1-cyano-1-(2-nitrophenyl)-1-alkene precursor is described. The required starting materials were prepared either by a Kosugi–Migita–Stille coupling of 2-halo-1-nitrobenzenes with a tributyl(1-alkenyl)stannane or by a vicarious nucleophilic substitution (VNS) of nitrobenzenes followed by a Knoevenagel condensation with an aldehyde. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: Gottfredson and Hirschi, in A General Theory of Crime, argue that the primary source of self-control is parental socialization. Specifically, parents who fail to supervise their children, to recognize their child's deviant behavior, and to punish such behavior are more likely to raise children with lower levels of self-control. Recent empirical research, however, has broadened the explanatory factors to include sources within schools, neighborhoods, and individual factors as significant contributors to the development of self-control. This study proposes that maternal smoking during pregnancy places additional limits on the development of self-control. Methods: Using a subsample of the National Longitudinal Study of Youth (N =542), we provide a comprehensive investigation of the variety of sources of self-control to include both individual and environmental covariates. Results: Results indicate that maternal smoking during pregnancy significantly impacts the development of self-control net of parental, neighborhood, and school socialization. We also found that individual sources of self-control significantly vary across race and neighborhood context. Conclusions: The sources of self-control are more complex than socialization from parents, schools, and within neighborhoods occurring in childhood and adolescence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: This article describes a new endoscopic approach for orbital floor fractures, reduction, and fixation and reports the clinical results. Patients and Methods: Ten patients who sustained either a comminuted or trap door orbital floor fracture were treated in 2 medical centers following the same surgical protocol. The indications for orbital reconstruction were limited eye movement, diplopia, and significant enophthalmos. The new approach is discussed in detail. Results: All patients healed uneventfully. No major complications were noted in the postoperative period, and good functional and esthetic results were obtained. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that endoscopic intraoral plating is a safe and effective procedure for treating orbital floor fractures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An optimized bilayer solid state solar cell is fabricated from poly[1,4-{2-methoxy-5(2′-ethylhexyloxy)}phenylene-vinylene] (MEH-PPV) and TiO2 by spin coating. Optimal and reproducible device performance has been achieved by adjusting the polymer/TiO2 layer thickness, fabricating devices under an inert atmosphere and improving the polymer/gold contact. These devices showed very small leakage currents in the dark and an open circuit voltage of 0.8V was recorded. The effect of interfacial properties, incident light intensity and irradiation time on device performance are also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Researchers investigating Gottfredson and Hirschi''s General Theory of Crime primarily concentrated their efforts on the relationship between an individual''s self-control and involvement in crime and/or analogous behaviors. Much less research examined the potential sources of an individual''s self-control. In this study, an argument was developed for the importance of exploring the contribution of the school context in the development of self-control within individuals. In particular, Gottfredson and Hirschi''s position on this front was theoretically elaborated by including school/teacher socialization practices in a larger model of the development of self-control. Using data extracted from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, it was found that the effects of school socialization on self-control were significant net of parental socialization. In addition, the effects of school socialization varied across parenting and neighborhood contexts. The theoretical implications of this research, specifically as they relate to the development of self-control, are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An 18.3 m (60 ft) simple span bridge is South Carolina''s first use of a glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bridge deck system. This paper describes the initial preparation and instrumentation of this structure including the use of surveying techniques to determine overall bridge deflections. Also outlined are the procedures used for in situ load testing the bridge. Critical design criteria such as overall deflections, effective deck widths, bending of the GFRP deck and moment distribution factors are reported for this structure. Data collected indicates that the GFRP deck and steel girders are acting in a composite manner and that the deck system is relatively stiff despite the large girder spacing used. Over the course of the next several years this bridge will be tested on a regular basis to establish the long-term performance of the GFRP deck system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]