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Additional file 3: Table S1. Ranking of the mean motivation to learn for 32 subgroups by educational attainment, literacy proficiency, age group, and gender.

Additional file 2: Figure S2. Simplified path diagram of the motivation to learn measurement.

Additional file 1: Figure S1. Groups (g = 32) based on age group, gender and educational attainment.

Literacy skills are essential adult competencies for economic, social, political and cultural participation, which are linked to higher quality of life. Literacy skills are known to be lower for older age groups. However, relatively little is known about cohort and period effects, which provide clues to the sociohistorical impacts on literacy, in addition to the well-known age effects, over the life course. This study analyzed three nationally representative cross-sectional survey data of the U.S. adults at five time points, from the 1994 International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS), 2003 Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (ALL), and the 2012/2014/2017 Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). The total analytic sample was 17,450 adults age between 18 and 65 years old. The literacy measures were re-scaled (0-500 points) to be comparable across the surveys. An age-period-cohort hierarchical linear model (i.e., cross-classified random effects model) was constructed using the Bayes estimator. Individuals were cross-classified based on 14 five-year birth cohort and 5 periods (survey years) information. Results showed that literacy skills improved [95% credibility-interval (CI) for linear effect of age = (0.31, 1.07), but the rate of improvement declined over time, faster rates of decline in later life stages [95% CI for quadratic effect of age = (-0.17, -0.09)]. Additionally, the notable variability across the cohorts and periods [95% CI variances = (5.34, 52.52) and (2.30, 172.01), respectively] were identified. Possible explanations for the identified age, period and cohort effects on literacy and implications for adult competencies in later life are evaluated.

Dementia is a debilitating neurodegenerative syndrome characterized by deterioration in memory, cognitive, behavioral, and physical capacity. Recent research has indicated that some early-life social determinants of health (SDH), which vary by race/ethnicity may hold clues to the onset of dementia. Although early life clinical risk factors of dementia have been identified, early-life SDH such as education, sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics are yet to be collated. This review study focused on early-life (less than18 years of age) SDH in relation to cognitive decline in later life and differences across racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. A systematic review of articles in and after January of 1999 was conducted using Scoping Reviews - an approach for evidence synthesis to determine the coverage of a body of literature. Studies that report the impact of early-life social determinants on late-life cognitive decline were identified through the searches of CINAHL, Global Health, PsycINFO, PubMed and Scopus databases. Our initial database search resulted in 823 studies, and of those, 102 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. The systematic review identified the following risk factors: lower education (34%), lower socioeconomic status (25%), Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) (14%), exposure to environmental toxins (11%), food insecurity (6.8%), and rural residence (4%). Although education and socioeconomic status are well-known risk factors of cognitive decline in later life, other understudied factors such as food insecurity and residing in rural areas are yet to be explored. Implications in terms of understanding the link between early life SDH and dementia in later life are discussed.

Additional file 1. Supplementary Figure S1: Chromatograms of standard compounds of DNA adducts. Representative chromatograms of blank (left panel) and standard compounds (right panel) in each mass transition and column retention times are shown (a: C5-methyl-dC, b: dI, c: C5-hydroxymethyl-dC, d: N6-methyl-dA, e: etheno-dA, f: N6-hydroxymethyl-dA, g: C8-oxo-dG). Supplementary Figure S2: Histogram of the quantity of each DNA adduct. The distributions according to the various amounts (molar ratios; horizontal axis) of DNA adducts (a: C5-methyl-dC, b: dI, c: C5-hydroxymethyl-dC, d: N6-methyl-dA, e: etheno-dA, f: N6-hydroxymethyl-dA, g: C8-oxo-dG) in nontumor sites of gastric cancer cases are shown. We assigned a zero value in some of the cases with considerably low or undetectable levels of adducts and depicted the histograms of molar ratios among 306 samples.

Supplemental Material, sj-pdf-1-jag-10.1177_07334648211048258 for Experiences of Older Adults During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States: An Initial Exploration of Nationally Representative Data at the Intersection of Gender and Race by Takashi Yamashita, Wonmai Punksungka, Samuel Van Vleet, Abigail Helsinger and Phyllis Cummins in Journal of Applied Gerontology

Supplemental material, Supplemental_Table_2_regression_pollution_index for Associations Between Perceived Environmental Pollution and Mental Health in Middle-Aged and Older Adults in East Asia by Takashi Yamashita, Giyeon Kim, Darren Liu and Anthony R. Bardo in Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health

Supplemental material, Supplemental_Table_1_Descriptive for Associations Between Perceived Environmental Pollution and Mental Health in Middle-Aged and Older Adults in East Asia by Takashi Yamashita, Giyeon Kim, Darren Liu and Anthony R. Bardo in Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health

Lifelong learning or continuing education over the life course has become necessary to navigate a rapidly changing technological landscape. Motivation to learn (MtL) is essential for facilitating lifelong learning. In the U.S., most of the educational opportunities are available in English. Moreover, little is known about associations between being multilingual and MtL across the life stages. This study analyzed nationally representative data from the 2012/2014/2017 Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) restricted use file (RUF). Using a previously established latent MtL construct, structural equation models were estimated by four age groups --- 25-34 (n = 2,310); 35-44 (n = 1,610); 45-54 (n = 1,670); and 55 and older (n = 2,620). Results showed that being multilingual was associated with greater MtL among younger age groups, including age 25-34 (b = 0.20, p = 0.01) and 35-44 (b = 0.28, p < 0.001), after adjusting for the demographic, socioeconomic and health characteristics of individuals. Multilingualism was not associated with MtL among older age groups, including 45-54 (b = 0.06, p = 0.50) and 55 and older (b = 0.13, p = 0.19). Findings suggest that education policies that target younger multilingual adults are likely to be effective while enhancing MtL of monolingual (i.e., English-speaking only) adults seems to be a necessary first step. Yet, a similar approach may not be effective for older adults, arguably due to more diverse life circumstances, educational needs, and learning style preferences. More detailed interpretations of empirical results and theoretical explanations are needed.

The benefits of health literacy are well-documented. Health literacy is a set of skills to locate, understand, and use health-related information to make optimal health decisions. However, relatively less is known about the long-term relationship between health literacy and overall health conditions among older adults. Additionally, health literacy and health at the intersection of gender and race/ethnicity, rather than gender and race separately, are yet to be investigated. This study analyzed sub-samples (n = 1,260 adults age 50+) of the 2010 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) health literacy module data, and the 2012, 2014, and 2016 HRS data to examine the trajectories of health based on eight physical and mental conditions (0-8 points: better-worse) among older adults. Latent growth curve mixture models were used to investigate the changes in health and six groups defined by gender (women and men) and race/ethnicity (White, Black, and Hispanic). Results showed that overall health deteriorated over time (latent-slope = 0.19, p < 0.001) but the trajectories were diverse (latent-slope variance = 0.06, p < 0.001). Greater health literacy (0-5 points: worse-best scaling), which was measured with a validated scale, was associated with better overall health only among White women and men. Notably, White women received the baseline health benefits (b = -0.20, p < 0.05) from health literacy whereas Black women (b = 0.09, p > 0.05) did not [Δb = 0.09 -(-0.20) = 0.29, p < 0.05]. Other detailed comparisons, theoretical explanations, and public health policy implications for diverse older populations were evaluated.

The novel coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has impacted the aging workforce. In addition to local data and case studies that are rapidly increasing, baseline national-level inquiries are needed for investigating relevant social inequalities. Also, the intersections of gender and race/ethnicity among older adults are critical yet understudied areas. For example, older minority women’s experience in the pandemic, compared to older men, are yet to be investigated. We analyzed the nationally representative 2020 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) COVID-19 module data. Based on the sample of 2,086 adults aged 50 years and older, employment during the pandemic as well as psychosocial measures, including social support and attitudes toward work, are examined. We used survey-weighted binary logistic regression models. Results showed that older Black women (Odds-ratio = 0.52, p = 0.02 < 0.05) were less likely to work for pay compared to White women during the pandemic. Also, older Hispanic men (Odds-ratio = 2.82, p = 0.03 < 0.05) were more likely to work for pay than older White men. Older Hispanic women (Odds-ratio = 2.41, p = 0.03 < 0.05) were more likely to worry about getting social support during the pandemic than White women. However, there was no significant differences in the changes in attitudes toward work across gender and racial/ethnic groups during the pandemic. Based on the baseline national data analysis, we discussed possible policy changes and interventions that consider the intersections of gender and race/ethnicity to help older adults re-adjust to post-pandemic work environments and labor markets.

Signal intensity of IL-33. Signal intensity of IL-33 was analyzed and summarized. To quantify signal intensity of IL-33, color images were converted to grayscale, and then the brightness was measured in five different randomly selected fibroblasts and epidermal areas per specimen. WT Wild-type mice; Basal Under physiological condition; BLM Bleomycin-treated. (PDF 57 kb)

Original films of immunoblotting with molecular weight markers. Original films of Figs. 2e and 4a. Molecular weight markers are shown. (PDF 573 kb)

Scatterplots of Fig. 1b. Scatterplots of the proportions of IL-4-, IL-13-, IL17A-, and IFN-Îł-producing splenic Tregs from bleomycin (BLM)-treated wild-type and Fli1 +/â mice (n = 6). (PDF 592 kb)

Background: Because the internet has become a primary means of communication in the long-term care (LTC) and health care industry, an elevated understanding of market segmentation among LTC consumers is an indispensable step to responding to the informational needs of consumers. Objective: This exploratory study was designed to identify underlying market segments of the LTC consumers who seek Web-based information. Methods: Data on US adult internet users (n=2018) were derived from 2010 Pew Internet and America Life Project. Latent class analysis was employed to identify underlying market segments of LTC Web-based information seekers. Results: Web-based LTC information seekers were classified into the following 2 subgroups: heavy and light Web-based information seekers. Overall, 1 in 4 heavy Web-based information seekers used the internet for LTC information, whereas only 2% of the light information seekers did so. The heavy information seekers were also significantly more likely than light users to search the internet for all other health information, such as a specific disease and treatment and medical facilities. The heavy Web-based information seekers were more likely to be younger, female, highly educated, chronic disease patients, caregivers, and frequent internet users in general than the light Web-based information seekers. Conclusions: To effectively communicate with their consumers, providers who target Web-based LTC information seekers can more carefully align their informational offerings with the specific needs of each subsegment of LTC markets.

A stereo vision system for agricultural tractors was developed. Two kinds of stereo camera unit were manufactured: one of which is mounted on the front of the tractor and the other on the cabin roof. The system can detect various formed or shaped objects, such as crop rows, ridges, uneven surfaces after tilling and marker traces in front of the tractor in agricultural fields. The system generates distant images with a 0.1-second cycle, while an internal algorithm installed in the system analyzes this distant image data three-dimensionally, and detects the positions of objects. The positional data was transferred to a steering controller of the tractor and tilling work was performed automatically by tracking these objects.

We developed a navigation system for agricultural vehicles that displays optimum work paths and guides steering to support precision farming. It comprises navigation sensors, including a GPS receiver and an azimuth sensor, and a PC that processes the inputs and displays the information. It is operated via a game controller. The control software supports configuring functions, adjusting settings, displaying results, and recording and managing information. It has functions appropriate for Japanese agriculture, allowing ease of handling and working across multiple fields. To verify its utility, we simulated work using a tractor fitted with it. It improved both work accuracy and efficiency. We confirmed its utility and ease of handling in actual farming work. Trial sales of the navigation system were begun in 2007.

Allenes, one of the compounds with cumulative double bonds, are attracting much interests due to the characteristics of their twisted π-conjugated bonds. Several allenes were synthesized to characterize their electronic features by their ground-state absorption, transient absorption and emission spectra to be found that they increase conjugation length in the excited state due to their conformational change. Photophysical process and active species were determined by laser flash photolysis and electron beam pulse radiolysis to find that intramolecular charge transfer of an allene is induced upon electron beam irradiation.

Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) is considered the next generation technology for storing electrical energy because its energy storage efficiency is higher than that of any conventional energy storage system and its charging and discharging times are short.This paper discusses the input and output circuits of SMES for DC lines, and it discusses their circuit control methods. The main items in this paper are the follows:(1) An input circuit using a high-frequency switching control method is proposed, and its stable condition (depending on the voltage range of the capacitor in the input circuit) is derived.(2) A frequency modulation method for an output circuit is proposed, and simulated results show that this circuit supplies stable power and a constant ripple voltage.(3) Experimental results of the input and output circuits using a normal-conducting coil and a current-generator are shown to confirm the analysis of the input and output circuits.

The paper studies the impact of the portfolio constraint imposed by the consumption demand for housing (the "housing constraint") on the household's optimal holdings of financial assets. Since the ratio of housing to net worth declines as the household accumulates wealth, the housing constraint induces a life-cycle pattern in the portfolio shares of stocks and bonds. For reasonable degrees of risk aversion, the changes in portfolio composition over the life-cycle can be dramatic. For example, for a coefficient of relative risk aversion of 3, the ratio of stocks to net worth in the optimal portfolio is .09 for the youngest households (ages 18-30) and .60 for the oldest (age 70 and over). Using data from the PSID on home values to construct household level panel data on the real after-tax return to owner-occupied housing, as well as data on the returns to financial assets, the paper estimates the vector of expected returns and the covariance matrix for the set of assets consisting of housing, mortgages, stocks, Treasury bonds, and T-bills. Numerical methods are used to calculate the mean-variance efficient frontier, conditional on different values of the housing constraint, and the optimal portfolios associated with different levels of relative risk aversion.

The effects of N-(3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl)anthranilic acid (N-5') on the release of the slow-reacting substance (SRS) by zymosan- or Ca ionophore-stimulated rat and human alveolar macrophages (AM) were examined in vitro. Disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) was used as a control. N-5' at concentrations of 10(-4)-10(-3) M significantly inhibited the release of SRS from both rat and human AM stimulated by zymosan. N-5' had almost the same inhibitory effect when added to the AM culture system at any time from 180 min before to 30 min after the addition of zymosan. N-5' (10(-4)-10(-3) M) also significantly inhibited the release of SRS by Ca ionophore-stimulated rat AM. N-5' (10(-6)-10(-3) M) had no significant effect on phagocytosis of yeast particles by rat AM. DSCG (10(-6)-10(-3) M) did not inhibit the release of SRS from the zymosan-stimulated rat AM. N-5' was concluded to have a relatively specific inhibitory effect on the non-immunological release of SRS from stimulated AM. It is postulated that N-5' inhibits the process of release of SRS from AM by acting after the initial stage.