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Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the role of purpose in life in the relationship between widowhood and cognitive decline.Methods: This study used a sample of 12,856 respondents (20,408 observations) collected from a national panel survey, the 2006-2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), that sampled older adults aged 50 or older. The study estimated growth-curve models with years since spousal death, purpose in life, and interaction between the two to predict cognition using three measures-total cognition, fluid, and crystallized intelligence scores. We also estimated growth-curve models by sex, race/ethnicity, and education.Results: While years since spousal death negatively correlated with cognition, purpose in life positively correlated with cognition. Furthermore, purpose in life had a moderating effect on the relationship between years since spousal death and cognition. This effect was found by using total cognition (coef. = 0.0515; z = 2.64; p < 0.01) and fluid intelligence scores (coef. = 0.0576; z = 3.23; p < 0.05). The same effects were salient among females (coef. = 0.0556; z = 2.19; p < 0.05), Whites (coef. = 0.0526; z = 2.52; p < 0.05), and older adults with more education (coef. = 0.0635; z = 2.10; p < 0.05).Conclusion: Higher purpose in life relates to the negative correlations between widowhood and cognition of older adults. Educational programs improving purpose in life are a possible avenue for reducing the adverse effect of widowhood on cognition and warrant future exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examined whether having a sense of purpose in life protects against cognitive decline among older adults and whether purpose in life moderates the relationship between selected risk factors (age, sex, and race/ethnicity) and cognitive abilities.Methods: This was a longitudinal analysis of existing secondary data of adults (N = 11,557) aged 50 or older using the 2006-2012 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. The study measured purpose in life, cognitive functioning score, and various covariates.Results: Growth curve modeling revealed that, after adjusting for covariates, purpose in life was positively associated with participants' total cognition scores. Purpose in life significantly moderated the relationship between age and race/ethnicity and cognitive decline. Further, purpose in life was a protective factor against cognitive decline for those who were older and black. There was no significant interaction between purpose in life and sex.Conclusion: Having a purposeful life protects against cognitive decline in older adults, and the associations varied by age and race/ethnicity, but not by sex. Potential ways to increase purpose in life are discussed in a clinical context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study investigated whether widowhood status has an effect on cognitive decline among older adults in the United States.Design: Longitudinal analysis of existing secondary data.Setting: The 1996-2012 waves of the Health and Retirement Study.Participants: A total of 6,766 individuals (28,420 observations) aged 50 years and older who responded to all questions.Measurements: Widow/widower status, cognitive functioning score, and various covariates.Results: Growth-curve models show that after controlling for covariates, widowhood status was related to cognitive decline (95% CI: -0.8090, -0.4674). We also found a linear relationship between time since spousal loss and cognitive decline. Conditional upon spousal bereavement status, higher education and having at least one living sibling were found to be protective factors against cognitive decline.Conclusions: Widowhood status accelerated cognitive decline over time among widowed older adults. Findings suggest that extra support is needed to monitor cognitive functioning for those experiencing widowhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Effect of vinylene carbonate (VC) on the electrochemical performance of the LiCoO2 cathode. [•] Solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film formation on the LiCoO2 cathode under overcharge conditions. [•] Reduced capacity fading in VC-containing electrolyte. [•] Electrochemical reaction kinetics in cathode/electrolyte interface with and without VC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Effect of fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) on the electrochemical performance of the LiCoO2 cathode. [•] Solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film formation on the LiCoO2 cathode during overcharge state. [•] Reduced electrode/electrolyte interfacial impedance in FEC additive electrode. [•] Mechanism of the electrochemical reaction at the electrode/electrolyte interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Among the various elements affecting a customer’s evaluation of automobile quality, buzz, squeak, and rattle (BSR) are considered to be major factors. We propose an integrated experimental method that can be used to reduce BSR in an instrument panel module in a vehicle cabin, especially during the early design stage of vehicle development. We devised a vibration triggering system consisting of a fixture and an electromagnetic shaker to generate an input load reproducing the excitation signal from the road to the instrument panel without distortion. Potential source regions for BSR were localized using a near-field acoustic holography map obtained from near-acoustic-field visualization equipment consisting of 48 intensity-type microphones, a data-acquisition system, and its analysis software. Finally, a sound quality evaluation of BSR from the detected potential source regions was performed using sound quality metrics. These experimental procedures were applied to characterize BSR from the instrument panel in a passenger vehicle. Based on our measurements and analysis, typical main source regions for BSR on the instrument panel were identified and quantitatively evaluated in terms of physical levels and sound quality metrics. These results revealed that the proposed experimental procedure can be used as a test procedure to identify BSR issues at an early stage in the vehicle development cycle, which could ultimately reduce production costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although natural disasters can threaten health and well-being, some people show greater resilience to their effects than others. Identifying the characteristics related to resilience has important implications for reducing the health risks in the aftermath of a disaster. Using the Conservation of Resources Theory as a framework, we study the role of resources in moderating the adverse effects of natural disasters on people's health and coping behaviors. We match 20,658 unique individuals aged 50 or older from the 2012–2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study to the county-level annual natural hazard data provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Using individual-fixed effect models, we first model whether the experience of natural disasters can predict people's health and coping behaviors. We then explore heterogeneity in such effects by interacting individual- and county-level resilience resources with the number of natural disasters. The results show that with increased exposure to natural disasters, older adults are more likely to experience difficulties performing instrumental daily activities. They also tend to have fewer overnight hospital stays, higher out-of-pocket medical expenses, and increased alcohol dependency. However, older adults with certain socio-economic characteristics ‒ white, higher education, higher income, and homeownership ‒ are better able than others to mitigate any adverse health effects of natural disasters. One significant community-level resource is a robust healthcare capacity in a county with a high ratio of healthcare practitioners, where older adults are more likely to seek hospital care and have lower alcohol dependency. Health resilience can be improved by strengthening community-level healthcare capacity, with a particular focus on residents with lower socio-economic resources. Failing to address healthcare provision inequalities may exacerbate health disparities. • We use the Conservation of Resource theory as a framework. • Natural hazards decrease people's physical health and hospital visits. • Natural hazards increase out-of-pocket medical expenses and alcohol dependency. • Individual-level resource moderates the adverse effects of natural hazards. • Healthcare capacity in the community mitigates the adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examines whether people respond heterogeneously to statewide social distancing mandates as a function of factors that proxy for health risk, economic insecurity, and media consumption. Using longitudinal data of 7400 American adults between March 10 and June 23, 2020, the study examines social-distancing and mask-wearing behaviors. We use a staggered difference-in-difference model to explore whether state policies lead to preventive behaviors. We further examine heterogeneity in individual responses to state mandates by including interaction terms with health risk, economic insecurity, and media consumption. The study finds that state policies lead to increased adoption of these behaviors. Our findings also suggest that old age and living with the elderly are key predictors of preventive behavior adoption in the presence or even absence of state mandates. However, the economically insecure, such as the unemployed, those with low incomes and net worth, or without health insurance, are less likely to adopt preventive behaviors regardless of the mandates. The adoption of the behaviors is also polarized between CNN users and Fox News/Social Media users, with greater compliance by the former. • Statewide social distancing policies increase preventive behaviors. • Those with high health risks are compliers and voluntary adopters of preventive behaviors. • The economically insecure are likely to forgo adopting preventive behaviors. • The adoption of preventive behaviors differs across different media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PLAG effectively inhibited excessive growth of LLC1 cells in an NSCLC model. • PLAG inhibited tumor growth by inducing adenosine 2B receptor (A2BR) degradation. • Unlike antagonists, PLAG terminates rather than suppresses signaling pathways. • A2BR degradation by PLAG occurs through expression and re-localization of TXNIP. Extracellular adenosine in the tumor microenvironment plays a vital role in cancer development. Specifically, activation of adenosine receptors affects tumor cell growth and adenosine release. We examined the anti-tumor efficacy of 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-3-acetyl-rac-glycerol (PLAG) in animal models, revealing the role of PLAG in inhibiting tumor progression by promoting the degradation of adenosine 2B receptors (A2BRs) in tumors. PLAG induced the expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), a type of α-arrestin that accelerates A2BR internalization by interacting with A2BR complexes containing β-arrestin. Engulfed receptors bound to TXNIP were rapidly degraded after E3 ligase recruitment and ubiquitination, resulting in early termination of intracellular signals that promote tumor overgrowth. However, in control cancer cells, A2BRs bound to protein phosphatase 2A and were returned to the cell membrane instead of being degraded, resulting in continuous receptor-mediated signaling by pathways including the Raf-Erk axis, which promotes tumor proliferation. A TXNIP-silenced cell-implanted mouse model and TXNIP knockout (KO) mice were used to verify that PLAG-mediated suppression of tumor progression is dependent on TXNIP expression. Increased tumor growth was observed in TXNIP-silenced cell-implanted mice, and the anti-tumor effects of PLAG, including delayed tumor overgrowth, were greatly reduced. However, the anti-tumor effects of PLAG were observed in cancer cell-implanted TXNIP-KO mice, which indicates that PLAG produces anti-tumor effects by enhancing TXNIP expression in tumor cells. These essential functions of PLAG, including delaying tumor growth via A2BR degradation, suggest innovative directions for anticancer drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is widely used for preventing neutropenia during chemotherapy. Polyethylene glycol-conjugated granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (PEG-G-CSF, pegfilgrastim) serves the same purpose but has a longer half-life and greater stability than G-CSF. In this study, we investigated whether 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-3-acetyl-rac-glycerol, acetylated diglyceride (PLAG), augments the therapeutic effect of pegfilgrastim on chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. We compared neutrophil counts in four groups of mice: control mice, gemcitabine-treated mice, gemcitabine/pegfilgrastim-treated mice, and gemcitabine/pegfilgrastim/PLAG-treated mice. PLAG (50 mg/kg) was orally administered every day during the treatment course. CBC analysis showed that the group treated with PLAG experienced a dramatically increased neutrophil counts on the third day following pegfilgrastim treatment. PLAG had no effect on blood cell apoptosis and neutrophil release from bone marrow. Additionally, pegfilgrastim-induced CXCR2 expression in neutrophils was markedly decreased in PLAG-treated animals. These results suggest that PLAG plays a role in inhibiting neutrophil extravasation, giving rise to an increased number of circulating neutrophils when used with pegfilgrastim during gemcitabine treatment. These data support the potential for PLAG to be used with pegfilgrastim to treat or prevent chemotherapy-induced neutropenia by modulating neutrophil transmigration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive neutrophil infiltration into the tumor microenvironment (TME) is an important factor that contributes to tumor overgrowth and limited immunotherapy efficacy. Neutrophils activate various receptors involved in tumor progression, while suppressing the infiltration and activity of cytotoxic T cells and creating optimal conditions for tumor growth. Therefore, the appropriate control of neutrophil infiltration is an effective strategy for tumor treatment. In the present study, 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-3-acetyl-rac-glycerol (PLAG) inhibited tumor overgrowth by suppressing excessive neutrophil infiltration, resulting in >74.97 % reduction in tumor size in a Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC-1) mouse model. All subjects in the positive control group died during the 90-day survival period, whereas only four subjects in the PLAG treatment group survived. PLAG had a significantly higher tumor growth inhibitory effect and survival rate than other neutrophil infiltration-targeting inhibitors (e.g., Navarixin, lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus G6D antibody [aLy6G]). The ability of PLAG to regulate neutrophil infiltration and inhibit tumor growth depends on thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). In tumors lacking TXNIP expression, PLAG failed to control neutrophil infiltration and infiltration-related factor release, and the inhibitory effect of PLAG on tumor growth was reduced. PLAG-mediated inhibition of neutrophil infiltration enhances the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), increasing the antitumor efficacy and survival rate by 30 %. In conclusion, PLAG could be a novel alternative to anti-tumor drugs that effectively targets excessive neutrophil infiltration into cancer tissues. • PLAG inhibits the growth of LLC-1 NSCLC and restores overall survival. • PLAG prevents abnormal tumor-infiltrating neutrophils. • PLAG is more effective than conventional neutrophil infiltration inhibitors. • PLAG increases the efficacy of aPD-1 ICI by regulating neutrophil infiltration. • The antitumor effect of PLAG is to degrade receptors in a TXNIP-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have experimentally identified the noise-generation mechanisms of large modern upwind wind turbines (WTs). First, the sound measurement procedures of IEC 61400-11 were used in the field test, and noise emissions from two WTs were evaluated: a stall-controlled WT with powers of 1.5MW and a pitch-regulated WT with powers of 660kW. One-third octave band levels were normalized using the scale law for the velocity dependence of the inflow broadband noise and airfoil self-noise. The results showed that for the 1.5MW WT, inflow turbulence noise was dominant over the whole frequency range. For the 660kW WT, the inflow broadband noise did not contribute across the whole audible frequency range. The distribution of noise sources in the rotor plane was visualized using a beam-forming measurement system (B&K 7768, 7752, and WA0890) consisting of 48 microphones. The array results for the 660kW WT indicated that all noise was produced during the downward movement of the blades. This finding was in good agreement with theoretical results obtained using an empirical formula that includes the effects of the convective amplification, directivity, and flow-speed dependence of the turbulence boundary-layer trailing edge noise. This agreement implies that this trailing edge noise is dominant over the whole frequency range in the case of the 660kW WT. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]