Ethnicity, culture, and sexual aggression: Risk and protective factors.

Explanatory models of sexual aggression were examined among mainland Asian American (n = 222), Hawaiian Asian American (n = 127), and European American men (n = 399). The Malamuth et al. (N. M. Malamuth, D. Linz, C. L. Heavey, G. Barnes, & M. Acker, 1995; N. M. Malamuth, R. J. Sockloskie, M. P. Koss, & J. S. Tanaka, 1991) confluence model of sexual aggression, which posits impersonal sex and hostile masculinity as paths to sexual aggression, was consistently supported. Culture-specific moderators of sexual aggression were also identified. Whereas loss of face was a protective factor against sexual aggression in the Asian American samples, it generally was not a protective factor among European Americans. These findings are not a function of actual or perceived minority status. An implication is that theoretical models may need to be augmented with cultural constructs for optimal application in certain ethnic group contexts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stereometric analysis of nanostructured boehmite coatings synthesized by aluminum nitride powder hydrolysis

We studied the morphological properties of precipitated, nanostructured, boehmite coatings on a polished alumina surface by exploiting the aluminum nitride (AlN) powder hydrolysis at elevated temperatures. The hydrolysis tests of the 3 wt% AlN powder suspensions in the temperature range 50–90 °C were performed in order to estimate the time needed for the synthesis of the coatings. They consisted of interlocked boehmite lamellas, positioned perpendicularly to the ceramic surface, and they exhibited a strong temperature-dependent size and surface density. The aim of this research was a quantitative assessment of the as-formed boehmite coatings. Based on electron microscopy micrographs, a stereometric analysis of the as-prepared coatings was performed in order to estimate the relevant geometric parameters of the lamellas. In spite of the temperature-dependent lamellas’ size and surface density, the specific volume of the coatings was similar for all the synthesis temperatures.     

The effect of nano-structured alumina coating on the bond strength of resin-modified glass ionomer cements to zirconia ceramics

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Y-TZP ceramic surface functionalization with a nano-structured alumina coating on bond strength of the resin modified glass ionomer dental cement. A total of 160 disc-shaped specimens were produced and randomly divided into two groups of 80. Half of the discs in each group received an alumina coating which was fabricated by exploiting the hydrolysis of aluminum nitride (AlN) powder. The shear bond strengths of the resin-modified glass ionomer cement FUJI+ (GC Japan) and the composite resin luting agent RelyX Unicem (3M ESPE, USA) were then studied for the coated and uncoated surfaces The SEM analyses revealed that the application of an alumina coating to the Y-TZP ceramics created a highly retentive surface for bonding. The bond strengths for the coated groups in both cements were significantly higher than the uncoated groups.     

Experimental‐numerical research on the seismic performance of URM buildings made of lightweight AAC blocks / Experimentell‐numerische Untersuchung zum seismischen Verhalten von unbewehrten Mauerwerksgebäuden aus Porenbetonblöcken

Masonry walls constructed with lightweight AAC blocks and thin‐layer mortar meet the increasingly strict requirements of energy efficiency and sustainability. In this sense, they represent an excellent solution for modern buildings, not only for external cladding but also as loadbearing elements. Despite the possible advantages of using lightweight AAC masonry, a specific assessment of its seismic performance is mandatory in order to set design recommendations allowing to reach safety levels consistent with those required for other masonry types complying with EN 1998 standard requirements. A comprehensive study on the seismic performance of unreinforced masonry buildings made of lightweight AAC was carried out in an integrated experimental‐numerical approach. The experimental campaign provided the necessary information to setup a reliable numerical model to be extensively used to assess the seismic performance of a number of prototype AAC masonry buildings with different characteristics, by means of both linear and nonlinear static (pushover) analysis. The results of this systematic numerical assessment were eventually used to draft design recommendations, to set parameters (behaviour factors) to be used in linear analysis and to calibrate rules for simple buildings.     

Frequency of use controls chemical leaching from drinking-water containers subject to disinfection

Microbial-, and chemical-based burden of disease associated with lack of access to safe water continues to primarily impact developing countries. Cost-effective health risk-mitigating measures, such as of solar disinfection applied to microbial-contaminated water stored in plastic bottles have been increasingly tested in developing countries adversely impacted by epidemic water-borne diseases. Public health concerns associated with chemical leaching from water packaging materials led us to investigate the magnitude and variability of antimony (Sb) and bromine (Br) leaching from reused plastic containers (polyethylene terephthalate, PET; and polycarbonate, PC) subject to UV and/or temperature-driven disinfection. The overall objective of this study was to determine the main and interactive effects of temperature, UV exposure duration, and frequency of bottle reuse on the extent of leaching of Sb and Br from plastic bottles into water. Regardless of UV exposure duration, frequency of reuse (up to 27 times) was the major factor that linearly increased Sb leaching from PET bottles at all temperatures tested (13-47 °C). Leached Sb concentrations (∼360 ng L⁻¹) from the highly reused (27 times) PET bottles (minimal Sb leaching from PC bottles, <15 ng L⁻¹) did not pose a serious risk to human health according to current daily Sb acceptable intake estimates. Leached Br concentrations from both PET and PC containers (up to ∼15 μg L⁻¹) did not pose a consumer health risk either, however, no acceptable daily dose estimates exist for oral ingestion of organo-brominated, or other plasticizers/additives compounds if they were to be found in bottled water at much lower concentrations. Additional research on potential leaching of organic chemicals from water packaging materials is deemed necessary under relevant environmental conditions.     

Effect of hydrolyzed collagen on thermal,mechanical and biological properties of poly(lactic acid) bionanocomposites

Iranian Polymer Journal - Bionanocomposites based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA), plasticized with commercial tributyl o-acetyl citrate (ATBC) and containing hydrolyzed collagen (HC) up to...     

Depassivation and repassivation of stainless steels by stepwise pH change

Immersion tests with different stainless steels have been performed, while the pH was stepwise decreased and then increased again. During 8.5-day exposure, the depassivation and repassivation pH values as a function of pitting resistance equivalent number were determined. There is always a gap between both pH values (depassivation and repassivation), indicating that for every steel, there are conditions where an existing passive layer can be maintained but cannot be rebuilt after depassivation. In such environments, the passive layer is thicker, consisting mainly of molybdenum and iron rich oxides, while chromium is dissolved. Usually, depending on conditions, the passive layer is more chromium-rich, especially the inner layer. This is relevant, for example, for acidizing jobs in oil and gas industry, proving that repassivation after acidizing will happen promptly, when the pH is increased again.     

Design of Mobile Phones for Older Adults: An Empirical Analysis of Design Guidelines and Checklists for Feature Phones and Smartphones

Design guidelines and checklists are suggested as a useful tool in the development and evaluation of interface design of mobile phones for older adults. Given the intense evolution of mobile phone design, understanding how the design guidelines and checklists have taken into account the advances in mobile phone usability for older adults is important for their correct application and future development. Thus, this study explores the usability dimensions of mobile phone design for older adults and the related changes in terms of time and the type of device (feature phones vs. smartphones) based on an expert coding of the eight mobile phone design guidelines and checklists for older adults published between 2006 and 2014. The results of the expert coding show that design guidelines and checklists most frequently deal with visual and haptic issues (e.g., high contrast, button type, and button size), whilst they hardly ever address various elements of textual interface (e.g., ease of text entry, a button’s feedback, and font type). Over time, the design guidelines and checklists have become more complex in terms of the average number of included usability categories and dimensions. For smartphones, the guidelines, on average, put more emphasis on the screen, touchscreen, text, and exterior related issues, whereas the design guidelines for feature phones stress the usability of the keypad and menus. Besides revealing potential usability dimensions that could be further expanded in the guidelines, this study also highlights the need for research that would empirically validate the design guidelines and checklists in the future.     

The Role of Endothelium in COVID-19

The 2019 novel coronavirus, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is causing a global pandemic. The virus primarily affects the upper and lower respiratory tracts and raises the risk of a variety of non-pulmonary consequences, the most severe and possibly fatal of which are cardiovascular problems. Data show that almost one-third of the patients with a moderate or severe form of COVID-19 had preexisting cardiovascular comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, heart failure, or coronary artery disease. SARS-CoV2 causes hyper inflammation, hypoxia, apoptosis, and a renin–angiotensin system imbalance in a variety of cell types, primarily endothelial cells. Profound endothelial dysfunction associated with COVID-19 can be the cause of impaired organ perfusion that may generate acute myocardial injury, renal failure, and a procoagulant state resulting in thromboembolic events. We discuss the most recent results on the involvement of endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 in patients with cardiometabolic diseases in this review. We also provide insights on treatments that may reduce the severity of this viral infection.