Parent–offspring conflict theory: An evolutionary framework for understanding conflict within human families.

Decades of research demonstrate that conflict shapes and permeates a broad range of family processes. In the current article, we argue that greater insight, integration of knowledge, and empirical achievement in the study of family conflict can be realized by utilizing a powerful theory from evolutionary biology that is barely known within psychology: parent–offspring conflict theory (POCT). In the current article, we articulate POCT for psychological scientists, extend its scope by connecting it to the broader framework of life history theory, and draw out its implications for understanding conflict within human families. We specifically apply POCT to 2 instances of early mother–offspring interaction (prenatal conflict and weaning conflict); discuss the effects of genetic relatedness on behavioral conflict between parents, children, and their siblings; review the emerging literature on parent–offspring conflict over the choice of mates and spouses; and examine parent–offspring conflict from the perspective of imprinted genes. This review demonstrates the utility of POCT, not only for explaining what is known about conflict within families but also for generating novel hypotheses, suggesting new lines of research, and moving us toward the “big picture” by integrating across biological and psychological domains of knowledge. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Protection by Thermal and Chemical Activation with Cerium Salts of the Alloy AA2017 in Aqueous Solutions of NaCl

A wide variety of anticorrosive treatments for aluminum alloys that can be employed as “green” alternatives to those based on Cr(VI) are currently under development. This article reports a study of the morphological and anticorrosive characteristics of surface layers formed on the Al–Cu alloy AA2017 by immersion treatment in baths of cerium salt, accelerated by increased temperature and the employment of hydrogen peroxide. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (XEDS) studies of the samples treated have demonstrated the existence of a heterogeneous layer formed by a film of aluminum oxide/hydroxide on the matrix, and a series of dispersed islands of cerium over the cathodic intermetallics. The protective efficacy has been evaluated using electrochemical techniques, linear polarizations (LP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and salt spray tests. The results obtained indicate that the layer provided good resistance to corrosion in media with chlorides, and the method gives a considerable reduction of the time required for the immersion treatments.     

Use of Sodium Lactate and Modified Atmosphere Packaging for Extending the Shelf Life of Ready‐to‐Cook Fresh Meal

In this work, the combined effects of sodium lactate and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) in extending the shelf life of a ready‐to‐cook fresh skewer, made up of raw pork chops and semi‐dried vegetable mix (i.e. zucchini, peppers and tomatoes), were investigated. In the first experimental step, a sodium lactate solution was used to dip pork chops at three different concentrations: 20, 40 and 60% w/w. The second part of the work was focused on the use of MAP. In particular, the following MAPs were tested: MA1 (50%O₂/30%CO₂/20%N₂), MA2 (70%O₂/30%CO₂), MA3 (30%O₂/70%CO₂) and MA4 (30%O₂/30%CO₂/40%N₂). Finally, the optimal concentration of sodium lactate and the best gas composition were combined. The samples were stored at 4 °C; their microbial and sensory qualities were monitored along the entire observation period. The results indicate that the shelf life of the investigated ready‐to‐cook meal can be extended by approximately 83%, if compared with the control skewer packaged in air. The best preservation strategy is the combination of dipping of meat pieces in 40% sodium lactate solution and packaging under MA1. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solar irradiation and PV module temperature dispersion at a large‐scale PV plant

When evaluating the performance of a photovoltaic (PV) system, it is extremely important to correctly measure the plant operating conditions: incident irradiation and cell temperature. At large‐size PV plants, the possible dispersion of the plant operating conditions may affect the representativeness of the values measured at one single point. The available literature contains many observations on irradiance dispersion (typically associated to high temporal resolution experiments) and its effects on the PV power output (unexpected power transients, power fluctuations, etc.). However no studies have been made on the long‐term energy‐related effects of geographic dispersion of solar irradiation, which could affect, for example, to the uncertainty in determining energy performance indexes like PR. This paper analyses the geographical dispersion in the PV operating conditions observed at low temporal resolutions (day, month and year) at two PV plants located, respectively, in the south of Portugal and the north of Spain. It shows that daily irradiation deviations are significantly higher than is commonly supposed. Furthermore, once the measurement points are a certain distance apart (a few hundred metres), the deviations in irradiation appear to be independent of distance. This could help to determine how many irradiance sensors to install in order to reduce uncertainty. Daily mean temperature differences between different points at a large‐scale PV plant range from 1 to 7 K and are not related to the distance between measurement points. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermal Effects on the Gas Transmission Properties of Ionomers Used in Food Packaging Applications

Polyethylene-based ionomers, due to the presence of ionic aggregates, display a time-dependent crystalline morphology if submitted to thermal treatments. As a consequence gas permeability, which is strongly affected by physical morphology, is also found to be time dependent in previously thermally treated ionomer samples. The effect of sample exposure at 65°C and of successive ageing at 35°C on gas transmission properties of three different ethylene– acrylic acid ionomers (characterized by a different amount of acrylic acid groups, percentage of neutralization and type of counterions) has been investigated. In particular the changes in oxygen and carbon dioxide permeabilities due to thermal treatments at 65°C and subsequent ageing at 35°C have been monitored. X-Ray diffraction analysis and differential scanning calorimetry have been used to elucidate these changes in transport properties.     

Short-run statistical process control: Q-Chart enhancements and alternative methods

The first two tables in Reference 1 are incorrect. Corrected tables are provided below. The errors do not affect the conclusions or the discussion in that paper.     

COVID-19 and Lung Mast Cells: The Kallikrein–Kinin Activation Pathway

Mast cells (MCs) have relevant participation in inflammatory and vascular hyperpermeability events, responsible for the action of the kallikrein–kinin system (KKS), that affect patients inflicted by the severe form of COVID-19. Given a higher number of activated MCs present in COVID-19 patients and their association with vascular hyperpermeability events, we investigated the factors that lead to the activation and degranulation of these cells and their harmful effects on the alveolar septum environment provided by the action of its mediators. Therefore, the pyroptotic processes throughout caspase-1 (CASP-1) and alarmin interleukin-33 (IL-33) secretion were investigated, along with the immunoexpression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), bradykinin receptor B1 (B1R) and bradykinin receptor B2 (B2R) on post-mortem lung samples from 24 patients affected by COVID-19. The results were compared to 10 patients affected by H1N1pdm09 and 11 control patients. As a result of the inflammatory processes induced by SARS-CoV-2, the activation by immunoglobulin E (IgE) and degranulation of tryptase, as well as Toluidine Blue metachromatic (TB)-stained MCs of the interstitial and perivascular regions of the same groups were also counted. An increased immunoexpression of the tissue biomarkers CASP-1, IL-33, ACE2, B1R and B2R was observed in the alveolar septum of the COVID-19 patients, associated with a higher density of IgE⁺ MCs, tryptase⁺ MCs and TB-stained MCs, in addition to the presence of intra-alveolar edema. These findings suggest the direct correlation of MCs with vascular hyperpermeability, edema and diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) events that affect patients with a severe form of this disease. The role of KKS activation in events involving the exacerbated increase in vascular permeability and its direct link with the conditions that precede intra-alveolar edema, and the consequent DAD, is evidenced. Therapy with drugs that inhibit the activation/degranulation of MCs can prevent the worsening of the prognosis and provide a better outcome for the patient.     

Aquaporins Are One of the Critical Factors in the Disruption of the Skin Barrier in Inflammatory Skin Diseases

The skin is the largest organ of the human body, serving as an effective mechanical barrier between the internal milieu and the external environment. The skin is widely considered the first-line defence of the body, with an essential function in rejecting pathogens and preventing mechanical, chemical, and physical damages. Keratinocytes are the predominant cells of the outer skin layer, the epidermis, which acts as a mechanical and water-permeability barrier. The epidermis is a permanently renewed tissue where undifferentiated keratinocytes located at the basal layer proliferate and migrate to the overlying layers. During this migration process, keratinocytes undertake a differentiation program known as keratinization process. Dysregulation of this differentiation process can result in a series of skin disorders. In this context, aquaporins (AQPs), a family of membrane channel proteins allowing the movement of water and small neutral solutes, are emerging as important players in skin physiology and skin diseases. Here, we review the role of AQPs in skin keratinization, hydration, keratinocytes proliferation, water retention, barrier repair, wound healing, and immune response activation. We also discuss the dysregulated involvement of AQPs in some common inflammatory dermatological diseases characterised by skin barrier disruption.     

Advances in optical engineering for future telescopes

Significant optical engineering advances at the University of Arizona are being made for design,fabrication,and con-struction of next generation astronomical te...     

Pathogenetic Mechanisms of Hypertension–Brain-Induced Complications: Focus on Molecular Mediators

There is growing evidence that hypertension is the most important vascular risk factor for the development and progression of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The brain is an early target of hypertension-induced organ damage and may manifest as stroke, subclinical cerebrovascular abnormalities and cognitive decline. The pathophysiological mechanisms of these harmful effects remain to be completely clarified. Hypertension is well known to alter the structure and function of cerebral blood vessels not only through its haemodynamics effects but also for its relationships with endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammation. In the last several years, new possible mechanisms have been suggested to recognize the molecular basis of these pathological events. Accordingly, this review summarizes the factors involved in hypertension-induced brain complications, such as haemodynamic factors, endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress, inflammation and intervention of innate immune system, with particular regard to the role of Toll-like receptors that have to be considered dominant components of the innate immune system. The complete definition of their prognostic role in the development and progression of hypertensive brain damage will be of great help in the identification of new markers of vascular damage and the implementation of innovative targeted therapeutic strategies.