A Simple Method for the Reinforcement of UV‐Cured Coatings via Sol‐Gel Photopolymerization

A difunctional methacrylate oligomer was mixed with a variable amount of a MAPTMS precursor in the presence of both a radical and a cationic photoinitiator. The simultaneous photolysis of both photosensitive molecules upon UV irradiation allowed the single‐step generation of a type‐II polymethacrylate/polysiloxane nanocomposite film. Methacrylate and methoxysilyl conversions during irradiation were efficiently monitored by FTIR spectroscopy. The inorganic structure of the resulting silica‐based hybrid films was characterized using ²⁹Si solid‐state NMR. Finally, the reinforcement ability of the resulting hybrid films was also assessed by using a unique range of characterization techniques: DMA, scratch test, and nanoindentation.

     

Searching for the protein targets of bioactive molecules

The identification of all protein targets of a given drug or bioactive molecule within the human body is a prerequisite for an understanding of its beneficial and deleterious activities. Current approaches to reveal protein targets often fail to reveal physiologically relevant interactions. Here we review a recently introduced yeast-based approach for the identification of the binding partners of small molecules. We discuss the advantages and limitations of the approach using the clinically approved drug sulfasalazine as an example.     

An improved accelerated weathering protocol to anticipate Florida exposure behavior of coatings

A new accelerated weathering protocol has been developed which closely replicates the performance of automotive and aerospace coating systems exposed in South Florida. IR spectroscopy was used to verify that the chemical composition changes that occurred during accelerated weathering in devices with a glass filter that produced a high fidelity reproduction of sunlight’s UV spectrum matched those that occurred during natural weathering. Gravimetric water absorption measurements were used to tune the volume of water absorption during accelerated weathering to match that which occurred during natural weathering in South Florida. The frequency of water exposure was then scaled to the appropriate UV dose. A variety of coating systems were used to verify the correlation between the physical failures observed in the accelerated weathering protocol and natural weathering in South Florida. The new accelerated weathering protocol correctly reproduced gloss loss, delamination, cracking, blistering, and good performance in a variety of diverse coating systems. For automotive basecoat/clearcoat paint systems, the new weathering protocol shows significant acceleration over both Florida and previous accelerated weathering tests. For monocoat aerospace systems, the new weathering protocol showed less acceleration than for automotive coatings, but was still an improvement over previous accelerated tests and was faster than Florida exposure.     

Tobacco withdrawal signs and symptoms among women with and without a history of depression.

A past history of depression is associated with a decreased likelihood of quitting smoking. Tobacco withdrawal may be a mechanism through which depression history impedes smoking cessation. This research examined the influence of depression history on unmedicated tobacco withdrawal signs (polysomnographic measures of sleep) and symptoms (self-reported urge, negative affect, hunger, and sleep) among women (N/& =/&13). Depression history was associated with differential withdrawal-induced changes in several REM sleep parameters. Self-report and other polysomnography (sleep fragmentation, slow-wave sleep) measures displayed statistically significant withdrawal effects but did not discriminate between depression history groups. These results suggest that REM sleep parameters may be sensitive to differential tobacco withdrawal responses that are not readily apparent through self-reported symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Long-term memory for the terrorist attack of September 11: Flashbulb memories, event memories, and the factors that influence their retention.

More than 3,000 individuals from 7 U.S. cities reported on their memories of learning of the terrorist attacks of September 11, as well as details about the attack, 1 week, 11 months, and/or 35 months after the assault. Some studies of flashbulb memories examining long-term retention show slowing in the rate of forgetting after a year, whereas others demonstrate accelerated forgetting. This article indicates that (a) the rate of forgetting for flashbulb memories and event memory (memory for details about the event itself) slows after a year, (b) the strong emotional reactions elicited by flashbulb events are remembered poorly, worse than nonemotional features such as where and from whom one learned of the attack, and (c) the content of flashbulb and event memories stabilizes after a year. The results are discussed in terms of community memory practices. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Emergency Contracting Strategies for Federal Projects

During the past decade, government agencies have struggled to adequately respond to emergency events that require labor, materials, equipment, and services provided by construction contractors. In fact, the criticism directed at government agencies during their response to, and recovery after, recent events is a testament to the insufficient contracting strategies that were implemented. Countless media headlines highlighted the fragmented approach used to hire contractors expeditiously, and several agencies were criticized for their inconsistent contracting methods. As a result, a study was initiated to investigate the differences between normal federal contracting procedures, as outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and emergency acquisition procedures that are permitted by the FAR. The study found six examples of waivers to the usual regulations or expedited contracting techniques permitted by the FAR. Furthermore, the study highlighted five emergency contract strategies that are available to the Navy (as one example of a government agency with contracting authority) and may be available to other governmental contracting authorities as well. Consequently, the purpose of this paper is to identify emergency contract strategies that can be used by government agencies and to outline the criteria that must be met to use each strategy.     

Experiences of Trauma and DNA Methylation Profiles among African American Mothers and Children

Potentially traumatic experiences have been associated with chronic diseases. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation (DNAm), have been proposed as an explanation for this association. We examined the association of experiences of trauma with epigenome-wide DNAm among African American mothers (n = 236) and their children aged 3–5 years (n = 232; N = 500), using the Life Events Checklist-5 (LEC) and Traumatic Events Screening Inventory—Parent Report Revised (TESI-PRR). We identified no DNAm sites significantly associated with potentially traumatic experience scores in mothers. One CpG site on the ENOX1 gene was methylome-wide-significant in children (FDR-corrected q-value = 0.05) from the TESI-PRR. This protein-coding gene is associated with mental illness, including unipolar depression, bipolar, and schizophrenia. Future research should further examine the associations between childhood trauma, DNAm, and health outcomes among this understudied and high-risk group. Findings from such longitudinal research may inform clinical and translational approaches to prevent adverse health outcomes associated with epigenetic changes.     

Dialogic intervisualizing in multimodal inquiry

International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning - Problem-based learning (PBL) designs are addressing the demands and potentials of an information-saturated era where accessing...     

Teaching personal safety skills for potential prevention of sexual abuse: A comparison of treatments.

71 children from 2 grade groups (kindergarten and 1st grade and 5th and 6th grades) participated in either (a) a filmed program ("Touch"; Illusion Theater Co. & Media Ventures, Inc., 1984); (b) a behavioral skills training (BST) program in which modeling, behavioral rehearsal, and social reinforcement were used to teach safety skills; (c) a combination of the two; or (d) a no-treatment control presentation. In comparison with the control presentation, the BST program, alone or in combination with the film, was more effective than the film alone in enhancing knowledge about sexual abuse. Posttreatment group comparisons suggested the superiority of the BST program for enhancing personal safety skills. The treatments were not differentially effective across gender or age, but older Ss performed significantly better than did younger Ss. The knowledge and skill gains made directly after treatment were maintained for the 3 mo between posttest and follow-up assessments. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)