Convergent and discriminant validity of three measures of stage of change.

The University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (E. A. McConnaughy, J. O. Prochaska, & W. F. Velicer, 1983), the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (W. R. Miller & J. S. Tonigan, 1996), and the Readiness to Change Questionnaire (S. Rollnick, N. Heather, R. Gold, & W. Hall, 1992) are commonly used multidimensional measures of stage of change. The authors examined the convergent and discriminant validity of drug-use versions of these 3 measures through multitrait-multimethod analysis in a population of indigent, out-of-treatment drug users (N = 377). Agreement in stage-of-change assignment and the relationship between stage of change and drug-use behaviors were also examined. Confirmatory factor analysis suggests that the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale may have questionable convergent validity with the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment and Readiness to Change Questionnaire. There was moderate agreement in stage assignment. Analysis of behavior did provide some support for the construct validity of the measures. The results suggest that these drug-use stage-of-change measures may not be equivalent. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Labeling of Phosphatidylinositol Lipid Products in Cells through Metabolic Engineering by Using a Clickable myo-Inositol Probe

Phosphatidylinositol (PI) lipids control critical biological processes, so aberrant biosynthesis often leads to disease. As a result, the capability to track the production and localization of these compounds in cells is vital for elucidating their complex roles. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and application of clickable myo-inositol probe 1 a for bioorthogonal labeling of PI products. To validate this platform, we initially conducted PI synthase assays to show that 1 a inhibits PI production in vitro. Fluorescence microscopy experiments next showed probe-dependent imaging in T-24 human bladder cancer and Candida albicans cells. Growth studies in the latter showed that replacement of myo-inositol with probe 1 a led to an enhancement in cell growth. Finally, fluorescence-based TLC analysis and mass spectrometry experiments support the labeling of PI lipids. This approach provides a promising means for tracking the complex biosynthesis and trafficking of these lipids in cells.     

The Mechanism of Grain Boundary Serration and Fan-Type Structure Formation in Ni-Based Superalloys

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - A model of discontinuous precipitation of γ′ phase at grain boundaries (GBs) in polycrystalline Ni-based superalloys during continuous...     

The rapid detection of methyl tert-butyl ether (MtBE) in water using a prototype gas sensor system.

The gasoline additive Methyl-tertiary-Butyl Ether (MtBE) is the second most common contaminant of groundwater in the USA and represents an important soil contaminant. This compound has been detected in the groundwater in at least 27 states as a result of leaking underground storage facilities (gasoline storage tanks and pipelines). Since the health effects of MtBE are unclear the potential threat to drinking water supplies is serious. Therefore, the ability to detect MtBE at low levels (ppb) and on-line at high-risk groundwater sites would be highly desirable. This paper reports the use of 'commercial' and metal oxide sensor arrays for the detection of MtBE in drinking and surface waters at low ppb level (microg.L(-1) range). The output responses from some of the sensors were found to correlate well with MtBE concentrations under laboratory conditions.     

Elderly Mobility and the Occupancy Status of Single-Family Homes

This research explores the occupancy status and tenure transitions of single-family homes from which elderly homeowners recently moved. First, we compare the housing and neighborhood characteristics of homes vacated by nonelderly and elderly homeowners. Then, we use a multinomial logit model to test the extent to which these characteristics are associated with the home's subsequent vacancy and tenure status. The results indicate that a lack of recent updates and modern amenities may hinder subsequent owner occupancy of homes vacated by the oldest homeowners.     

Experimental Investigation of Whirl in Self-Acting Air-Lubricated Journal Bearings

Bearing characteristics influencing the threshold speed at which large-amplitude self-excited whirl occurs in complete, air-lubricated journal bearings were experimentally investigated. Various combinations of rotors having clearance ratios, Ψ = c/r, ranging from 0.268 × 10^?3 to 2.350 × 10^?3 and symmetrical bearing assemblies having slenderness ratios, L ′ = L/D, ranging from ¼ to 1 were tested.

By varying slenderness and clearance ratios and unit load, by opening or closing supply orifices, or by adding imbalance, the whirl threshold speed could be varied between zero and the limit set by the available power.

Experimental methods of identifying the cylindrical and conical modes of synchronous and self-excited whirl are described. The whirl hysteresis region and the nature of whirl at speeds above the threshold are examined. Three methods of avoiding large-amplitude self-excited whirl are discussed.     

Kilogram‐Scale Asymmetric Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation of a Tetrasubstituted Fluoroenamide

Ruthenium‐catalyzed asymmetric homogeneous hydrogenation (AHH) is used as the key step of a multi‐kilogram scale synthesis of an enantiomeric fluoropiperidine. The AHH of a tetrasubstituted β‐fluoroenamide is carried out under mild conditions using a Ru/Josiphos catalyst with high ee (98%).     

The Bernoulli CUSUM Chart for Detecting Decreases in a Proportion

This article considers the Bernoulli CUSUM chart for detecting a decrease in the proportion p of nonconforming items when a continuous stream of Bernoulli observations from the process is available. The properties of the Bernoulli CUSUM chart can be obtained using a Markov chain model. However, in some cases, the number of transient states in the Markov chain may be so large that it is not feasible to work directly with the transition matrix. This article provides a solution to the equations used in defining the Markov chain so that properties of the chart can be obtained without explicitly using the transition matrix. This solution allows the practitioner to determine the control limit required to give a specified in‐control performance. A simple example is used to show that using the Bernoulli CUSUM chart is a better option than the standard practice of artificially grouping the observations into samples of size n > 1 and using a Shewhart chart. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.