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This study tested whether communication neglect (CN) mediated the relationship between caregivers' reports of care receivers' cognitive status and/or problem behavior and thoughts about potential harmful behaviors (PHB) toward their care receiver. It also examined if caregivers' expressed anger and a positive pre-morbid relational history moderated the prediction of CN on PHB. Family caregivers (N = 339) in the U.S. completed the survey via Qualtrics. Results suggested that CN is a meaningful mediator explaining how PHB might occur. Caregiver expressed anger moderated the prediction of CN on PHB/physical abuse. Lastly, caregivers' perceptions of a positive pre-morbid relational history were a potential protective factor against PHB. When caregiver expressed anger was moderate or high, the prediction of CN on PHB/physical abuse was positive, but its strength was reduced as pre-morbid relational history became stronger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to improve the mechanical properties, stabilized structures, and light weight plastic packaging materials to realize diverse applications. A sheet extrusion machine is used to fabricate sandwich-structured composites, which are composed of two polymer cover sheets and a nonwoven interlayer. The samples are prepared in two batches with different cover sheets: thermoplastic polyurethane and polypropylene. Moreover, low-melting-point polyester (LMPET) fibers and Kevlar fibers are fabricated into a LMPET/Kevlar nonwoven interlayer. The laminated composites are evaluated in terms of morphologies, mechanical properties, combustion rates, and thermal behavior. Kevlar fibers are flame resistant and mechanically strong. LMPET fibers promote the interfacial bonding between layers. Thus, the laminated composites are good candidates as packaging materials, and they can be made with rigid or soft materials, depending on specified requirements. Rigid materials can provide higher strengths, and the distribution of fibers thus helps the PP-based laminated composites to obtain higher crystal stability. Moreover, using TPU with flexibility contributes to high extensibility, which grants the laminated composites with high toughness, light weight, and low restriction against the morphology. Such manufacturing is also efficient and economical, thereby satisfying the requirements of plastic packaging materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to produce sandwich-structured composite boards with flame retardance, far-infrared emissivity, and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness using nonwoven, weaving processes, and heat treatment. Needle punching and roller-type hot pressing are used to improve their tensile strength, tensile elongation, puncture strength, and burst strength. The limiting oxygen index is 30 regardless of whether the flame retardance/far-infrared emissivity/electromagnetic shielding effectiveness composite board is stainless steel (SS), SS+Ni–Cu (nickel-coated copper), or SS+Ni–Cu+Cu (copper) composite fabrics. SS+Ni–Cu and SS+Ni–Cu+Cu composite boards both have optimal thermal conductivity at the eighth test hour. SS–B composite board exhibit far-infrared emissivity of 0.81; moreover, they have optimal electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of −41dB at 2450 MHz when they are laminated into three layers at a 90° lamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fiber-reinforced polymer composites are commonly used in different fields because the evenly distributed fibers in polymer can efficiently transmit the load of a force and mechanically reinforce the polymer matrices. This study proposes producing composite sandwiches using thermoplastic polyurethane sheets as the top and bottom layers and a polypropylene/Kevlar nonwoven fabric the interlayer. Thermoplastic polyurethane sheets and a polypropylene/Kevlar nonwoven fabric are combined using the sheet extrusion method, during which the polypropylene staple fibers are melted and firmly bond the thermoplastic polyurethane sheets. The mechanical properties, thermal behavior, and surface morphology of composite sandwiches are evaluated, examining the influence of parameters. The test results show that the composite sandwiches are mechanically reinforced as a result of using the nonwoven covers. Moreover, the improved interfacial bonding between the cover layers and the interlayer inhibits delamination, and the stabilized structure subsequently decreases the level of combustion which is in conformity of the differential scanning calorimetry results. The manufacturing is creative and efficient due to one-step shaping, creating a refined composite sandwich with good mechanical properties and combustion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the simulation and modeling of dynamic puncture penetration is more complex problem due to full consideration of the tightness of the fabric and the sharp profile of the puncture. This study presents numerical simulation of complicated dynamic puncture behaviors on the basis of the roles of extension and stress-wave transmission on the deformation. The unit cell model was used to simulate the yarn crimp and extension during the uniaxial dynamic puncture process. In addition, the puncture deformation and stress distribution of woven fabrics with different elastic modulus and friction distance were simulated followed with dynamic puncture penetration. The result shows that dynamic puncture damage critically depends on the elastic modulus of yarns and the distance between yarns; the inter-yarn distance affects dynamic puncture resistance more significantly. Dynamic puncture stress nonlinearly increases with the elastic modulus, and linearly decreases with yarn distance. The research result indicates that weaving density can be increased to improve dynamic puncture resistance more obviously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new approach for intra-/inter-laminar reinforcement using needle-punching and thermal bonding was proposed for improvement of puncture resistance of multilayer compound fabrics that were composed of different kinds of nonwovens and woven fabrics. Effects of woven fabric orientation and thermal bonding on static and dynamic puncture properties were explored. Multilayer compound fabrics with different compositions of nonwoven and sequence of woven fabrics were comparatively discussed to confirm fabric and nonwoven influencing on static and dynamic puncture resistances. Puncture resistance mechanism of plied orientation and thermal bonding was analyzed for multilayer compound fabrics. The research result shows that woven fabric orientation affected static and dynamic puncture resistances more significantly when multilayer compound fabrics were comprised of high-modulus nonwovens and woven fabrics. Plied orientation correlated with the yarn density of woven fabric that was contained in compound fabrics. Contact length between woven fabric and nonwoven, as well as specific fiber toughness from nonwoven, was respectively responsible for static and dynamic puncture resistances of multilayer compound fabrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two studies compared college students' interpersonal interaction online, face-to-face, and on the telephone. A communication diary assessed the relative amount of social interactions college students conducted online compared to face-to-face conversation and telephone calls. Results indicated that while the Internet was integrated into college students' social lives, face-to-face communication remained the dominant mode of interaction. Participants reported using the internet as often as the telephone. A survey compared reported use of the Internet within local and long distance social circles to the use of other media within those circles, and examined participants' most recent significant social interactions conducted across media in terms of purposes, contexts, and quality. Internet interaction was perceived as high in quality, but slightly lower than other media. Results were compared to previous conceptualizations of the roles of internet in one's social life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]