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Title III of the Older Americans Act requires congregate nutrition sites (CNSs) to provide nutrition education. In 2015, we assessed 19 CNSs in Appalachian South Carolina for nutrition education readiness. Nutrition education readiness and general education readiness were both low. Overall, the CNSs were not ready to deliver education interventions due to lack of training/education, funds, drivers, and communication technologies. Addressing these problems could improve the likelihood that education would be effective. The readiness concepts described here can be used by Extension educators to determine whether delivery sites are ready to effectively provide education programs.

The use of focus groups to formatively evaluate community-based curricula after development and before pilot testing is not highlighted in the literature. In the study discussed in this article, research with four focus groups, composed of 46 women aged 65 years and older and belonging to eight South Carolina Family and Community Leaders clubs, was conducted to evaluate the Cooking Healthy, Eating Smart (CHES) curriculum. The CHES curriculum was tailored based on suggestions from the older adults. Extension professionals can better prepare a curriculum for pilot testing in the community by conducting a formative evaluation using focus groups with community members at this particular stage of development.

Neutrophil recruitment to the lung after lipopolysaccharide (LPS; endotoxin) inhalation is primarily dependent on Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4) signaling, because it is virtually absent in mice deficient in Tlr4. However, among strains wild type for Tlr4, the magnitude of neutrophil recruitment to the lung after LPS inhalation is variable, suggesting the involvement of genes other than Tlr4. To identify genes associated with the inflammatory response to inhaled LPS, we evaluated the transcriptional response in lungs of 12 inbred strains of mice, 8 which are wild type for Tlr4 and 4 of which lack functional Tlr4. Using the promoter integration in microarray analysis algorithm, we scanned our gene list for transcription factor-binding sites significantly overrepresented among Tlr4 wild-type strains with high neutrophil influx in the lung after LPS inhalation. This analysis identified the interferon (IFN)-stimulated response element (ISRE) as the most overrepresented transcription factor (present in 24% of the promoters) associated with the neutrophil influx to the lower respiratory tract. To test the validity of this observation, we evaluated IFN-[alpha]-deficient mice and found that the presence of IFN-[gamma] is essential for robust neutrophil recruitment to the lower respiratory tract and modulation of key regulatory cytokines and chemokines after LPS inhalation. In conclusion, using a genomic approach, we identified the ISRE as a transcriptional element associated with the neutrophil response to inhaled LPS and demonstrated for the first time that IFN-[gamma] plays a critical role in LPS-induced neutrophil recruitment to the lower airways. endotoxin; environmental airway disease; murine; microarray; transcription factor

In a densely populated and hazard-prone megalopolis like Metro Manila, the ability to execute a rapid evacuation protocol is crucial in saving lives and minimizing the damage during disastrous events. However, there is no centralized database on the location of evacuation centers (ECs) in Metro Manila and the available lists are not up-to-date. This study geotagged the current list of ECs in Metro Manila obtained from different government agencies to evaluate the spatial distribution using Geographical Information System (GIS). This is important since the immediate evacuation of residents depends on the proximity and safe location of the ECs. A total of 870 ECs were geo-tagged and validated using the street view of Google EarthTM. EC-to-population ratios were calculated for each of the 16 cities and one municipality of Metro Manila. Values range from ~3,000 to 81,000 persons per EC. Distance analysis using Thiessen Polygon shows that the ECs are not evenly distributed with proximity areas ranging from 0.0009 to 9.5 km2. Out of the total number of mapped ECs, 392 (45%) are situated in flood-prone areas while 108 (12%) are within the 1-km buffer hazard zone of an active faultline. Re-evaluation of the locations and the number of ECs per city or municipality is highly recommended to facilitate prompt evacuation when disasters strike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human noroviruses are the leading cause of foodbome disease in the United States, sickening 19 to 21 million Americans each year. Vomit and diarrhea are both highly concentrated sources of norovirus particles. For this reason, establishing appropriate cleanup procedures for these two substances is critical. Food service establishments in states that have adopted the 2009 or 2013 U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Code are required to have a program detailing specific cleanup procedures. The aim of our study was to determine the alignment of existing vomit and diarrhea cleanup procedures with the 11 elements recommended in Annex 3 of the 2011 Supplement to the 2009 Food Code and to determine their readability and clarity of presentation. In July 2015, we located vomit and diarrhea cleanup procedures by asking Norovirus Collaborative for Outreach, Research, and Education stakeholders for procedures used by their constituency groups and by conducting a Google Advanced Search of the World Wide Web. We performed content analysis to determine alignment with the recommendations in Annex 3. Readability and clarity of presentation were also assessed. A total of 38 artifacts were analyzed. The mean alignment score was 7.0 ± 1.7 of 11 points; the mean clarity score was 6.7 ± 2.5 of 17 points. Only nine artifacts were classified as high clarity, high alignment. Vomit and diarrhea cleanup procedures should align with Annex 3 in the Food Code and should, as well, be clearly presented; yet, none of the artifacts completely met both conditions. To reduce the spread of norovirus infections in food service establishments, editable guidelines are needed that are aligned with Annex 3 and are clearly written, into which authors could insert their facility-specific information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human noroviruses (HuNoV) cause an estimated 58% of foodborne disease in the U.S. One widely used approach to preventing foodborne disease is education and training of food handlers from farm to table. Our aim was to determine the accuracy and readability of food safety education materials targeting consumers with information about HuNoV. Our search of the USDA Food Safety Education and Training database yielded 144 artifacts that met our inclusion criteria. Only 9 specifically mentioned HuNoV. Information regarding length of handwashing, type of drying device, and avoidance of bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods was missing from 93, 117, and 140 artifacts, respectively. Only two recommended minimizing contact with sick persons, while eight discouraged sick individuals from preparing food for others. None had recommendations for vomit and fecal matter clean-up, nor did any mention a concentration of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solution to disinfect surfaces contaminated with HuNoV. The mean Flesch Reading Ease score, a measure of readability, was 39.4, indicating that a university degree is needed to read the materials included in our sample. If we are to reduce the burden of illness associated with HuNoV, consumers need easy-toread written materials on known prevention and control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dependence of ultimate tensile strength (UTS) on the parameters of low voltage and high voltage electron beam welding (LV- and HVEBW) has been analyed by changing one factor at a time (COFAAT) and by Taguchi's method for AZ series magnesium alloys. COFAAT is a conventional method for trend analysis of each parameter. However, its cost is high and a long time is needed, and interactions between parameters are ignored. On the other hand, Taguchi's method cannot only reduce the number of experiments, but also provide precise optimum parameters and predicted UTS even when a few data points are lost. According to the results of analysis of variance, the strength of a weldment is affected by oscillation of the beam, the focal position, the welding speed, the accelerating voltage, the beam current and stress relief, in order of impact. The general trend is for the optimum parameters to include a non-oscillating beam, focus at the bottom and no stress relief. With regard to welding speed, accelerating voltage and beam current, there are no specific trends. Finally, the differences in welds between LV- and HVEBW for AZ series forged alloys have been examined to study the mechanism of pore formation, which results from the dissolution of precipitates to reform molecular oxygen. It is also emphasised that the area and shape of the weld cross-section are related to the input power and welding speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutrophil recruitment to the lung after lipopolysaccharide (LPS; endotoxin) inhalation is primarily dependent on Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4) signaling, because it is virtually absent in mice deficient in Tlr4. However, among strains wild type for Tlr4, the magnitude of neutrophil recruitment to the lung after LPS inhalation is variable, suggesting the involvement of genes other than Tlr4. To identify genes associated with the inflammatory response to inhaled LPS, we evaluated the transcriptional response in lungs of 12 inbred strains of mice, 8 which are wild type for Tlr4 and 4 of which lack functional Tlr4. Using the promoter integration in microarray analysis algorithm, we scanned our gene list for transcription factor-binding sites significantly overrepresented among Tlr4 wild-type strains with high neutrophil influx in the lung after LPS inhalation. This analysis identified the interferon (IFN)-stimulated response element (ISRE) as the most overrepresented transcription factor (present in 24% of the promoters) associated with the neutrophil influx to the lower respiratory tract. To test the validity of this observation, we evaluated IFN-γ-deficient mice and found that the presence of lFN-γ is essential for robust neutrophil recruitment to the lower respiratory tract and modulation of key regulatory cytokines and chemokines after LPS inhalation. In conclusion, using a genomic approach, we identified the ISRE as a transcriptional element associated with the neutrophil response to inhaled LPS and demonstrated for the first time that lFN-γ plays a critical role in LPS-induced neutrophil recruitment to the lower airways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the origin of blue photoluminescence (PL) in porous alumina membrane, we have prepared an anodic aluminum oxide film with a pore diameter of 40 nm in oxalic acid solution by a two-step anodization process. Our results show that the as-prepared alumina membrane is amorphous and exhibits a broad emission band peaking at around 452 nm with two sub-peaks located at 443 nm and 470 nm. As indicated by the PL excitation spectra, there are two excitation peaks which can account for the sub-peaks observed in the PL emission band. We have proposed that the broad emission band with two sub-peaks can be attributed to two luminescence centers in porous alumina membranes, namely, oxygen defects and oxalic impurities. Furthermore, we have rationalized that the two emission centers show similar influence on the PL band in the blue region based on a simple model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorylation of mouse p53 at Ser[sup 18] occurs after DNA damage. To determine the physiological roles of this phosphorylation event in p53-dependent DNA damage responses, a Ser[sup 18] to Ala missense mutation was introduced into the germline of mice. Thymocytes and fibroblasts from the knock-in mice show reduced transactivation of many p53 target genes following DNA damage. p53 protein stabilization and DNA binding are similar in knock-in and wild type mice, but C-terminal acetylation was defective, consistent with a role for Ser[sup 18] in the recruitment of transcriptional co-activators. The apoptotic response of knock-in thymocytes to ionizing radiation is intermediate between that of wild type and p53 null thymocytes. Despite impaired transcriptional and apoptotic responses, the knock-in mice are not prone to spontaneous tumorigenesis. This indicates that neither phosphorylation of p53 on Ser[sup 18] by ATM nor a full transcriptional response is essential to prevent spontaneous tumor formation in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of gas nitriding pressure on the formation of nanocrystalline nitrided layer and its effect on the performance of the Fe-9Al-28Mn-1.8C alloy (in wt.%) were investigated. Plasma nitriding was conducted at 450 °C for 12 h under nitriding pressures ranging from 133 to 798 Pa. The results evidently demonstrated that, due to the unique as-quenched microstructure of the present alloy, the effect of nitriding and aging could be achieved simultaneously with one-step plasma nitriding scheme. Both the thickness of nitrided layer and the nitrogen concentration at the outmost surface were found to increase with increasing gas nitriding pressure in the range of 133-798 Pa. Detailed microstructural analyses indicated that the nitrided layer is composed predominantly of nanocrystalline face-centered-cubic (FCC) B1-AlN and FCC γ'-Fe4N with minor amount of expanded austenite phase, which accounts for the excellent surface microhardness and corrosion resistance in 3.5% NaCl solution. The increase in gas nitriding pressure led to a thicker nitrided layer and smaller AlN particles, which in turn, resulted in higher surface microhardness and better corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Like most phages with double-stranded DNA, phage T4 exits the infected host cell by a lytic process requiring, at a minimum, an endolysin and a holin. Unlike most phages, T4 can sense superinfection (which signals the depletion of uninfected host cells) and responds by delaying lysis and achieving an order-of-magnitude increase in burst size using a mechanism called lysis inhibition (LIN). T4 r mutants, which are unable to conduct LIN, produce distinctly large, sharp-edged plaques. The discovery of r mutants was key to the foundations of molecular biology, in particular to discovering and characterizing genetic recombination in T4, to redefining the nature of the gene, and to exploring the mutation process at the nucleotide level of resolution. A number of r genes have been described in the past 7 decades with various degrees of clarity. Here we describe an extensive and perhaps saturating search for T4 r genes and relate the corresponding mutational spectra to the often imperfectly known physiologies of the proteins encoded by these genes. Focusing on r genes whose mutant phenotypes are largely independent of the host cell, the genes are rI (which seems to sense superinfection and signal the holin to delay lysis), rIII (of poorly defined function), rIV (same as sp and also of poorly defined function), and rV (same as t, the holin gene). We did not identify any mutations that might correspond to a putative rVI gene, and we did not focus on the famous rII genes because they appear to affect lysis only indirectly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]