Design and evaluation of the parent education component of a comprehensive violence prevention project in middle schools

Low parental monitoring is related to youth risk behaviors such as delinquency and aggression. The purpose of this dissertation was to describe the development and evaluation of a parent education intervention to increase parental monitoring in Hispanic parents of middle school children.^ The first study described the process of intervention mapping as used to develop Padres Trabajando por la Paz, a newsletter intervention for parents. Using theory, empirical literature, and information from the target population, performance objectives and determinants for monitoring were defined. Learning objectives were specified and a staged social-cognitive approach was used to develop methods and strategies delivered through newsletters.^ The second study examined the outcomes of a randomized trial of the newsletter intervention. Outcome measures consisted of a general measure of monitoring, parent and child reports of monitoring behaviors targeted by the intervention, and psychosocial determinants of monitoring (self-efficacy, norms, outcome expectancies, knowledge, and beliefs). Seventy-seven parents completed the randomized trial, half of which received four newsletters over an eight-week period. Results revealed a significant interaction effect for baseline and treatment for parent's reports of norms for monitoring (p =.009). Parents in the experimental condition who scored low at baseline reported increased norms for monitoring at follow-up. A significant interaction effect for child reports of parental monitoring behaviors (p =.04) reflected an small increase across baseline levels in the experimental condition and decreases for the control condition at higher baseline scores. Both groups of parents reported increased levels of monitoring at follow-up. No other outcome measures varied significantly by condition.^ The third study examined the relationship between the psychosocial determinants of parental monitoring and parental monitoring behaviors in the study population. Weak evidence for a relationship between outcome expectancies and parental monitoring behaviors suggests further research in the area utilizing stronger empirical models such as longitudinal design and structural equation modeling.^ The low-cost, minimal newsletter intervention showed promise for changing norms among Hispanic parents for parental monitoring. In light of the importance of parental monitoring as a protective factor for youth health risk behaviors, more research needs to be done to develop and evaluate interventions to increase parental monitoring. ^

Multifunctional Coordination Compounds: Design and Properties

Cleverly designed molecular building blocks provide chemists with the tools of a powerful molecular-scale construction set. They enable them to engineer materials having a predictable order and useful solid-state properties. Hence, it is in the realm of supramolecular chemistry to follow a strategy for synthesizing materials which combine a selected set of properties, for instance from the areas of magnetism, photophysics and electronics. As a successful approach, host/guest solids which are based on extended anionic, homo- and bimetallic oxalato-bridged transition-metal compounds with two-and three-dimensional connectivities have been investigated. In this report, a brief review is given on the structural aspects of this class of compounds followed by a presentation of a thermal and magnetic study for two distinct, heterometallic oxalato-bridged layer compounds.

Interaction of the Trinuclear Triangular Secondary Building Unit [Cu 3 (μ 3 -OH)(μ-pz) 3 ] 2+ with 4,4′-Bipyridine. Structural Characterizations of New Coordination Polymers and Hexanuclear Cu II Clusters. 2°

By reacting 4,4′-bipyridine (bpy) with selected trinuclear triangular CuII complexes, [Cu3(μ3-OH)(μ-pz)3(RCOO)2(LL′)] [pz = pyrazolate anion; R = CH3, CH3CH2, CH2═CH, CH2═C(CH3); L, L′ = Hpz, H2O, MeOH] in MeOH, the substitution of monotopic ligands by ditopic bpy was observed. Depending on the stoichiometric reaction ratios, different compounds were isolated and structurally characterized. One- and two-dimensional coordination polymers (CPs), as well as two hexanuclear CuII clusters were identified. One of the hexanuclear clusters self-assembles into a supramolecular three-dimensional structure, and its crystal packing shows the presence of two intersecting channels, one of which is almost completely occupied by guest bpy, while in the second one guest water molecules are present. This compound also shows a reversible, thermally induced, single-crystal-to-single-crystal transition.

Synthesis and Structural Characterizations of New Coordination Polymers Generated by the Interaction Between the Trinuclear Triangular SBU [Cu 3 (μ 3 -OH)(μ-pz) 3 ] 2+ and 4,4′-Bipyridine. 3°

The reactions of 4,4′-bipyridine with selected trinuclear triangular copper(II) complexes, [Cu3(μ3-OH)(μ-pz)3(RCOO)2Lx], [pz = pyrazolate anion, R = CH3(CH2)n (2 ≤ n ≤ 5); L = H2O, MeOH, EtOH] yielded a series of 1D coordination polymers (CPs) based on the repetition of [Cu3(μ3-OH)(μ-pz)3] secondary building units joined by bipyridine. The CPs were characterized by conventional analytical methods (elemental analyses, ESI-MS, IR spectra) and single crystal XRD determinations. An unprecedented 1D CP, generated through the bipyridine bridging hexanuclear copper clusters moieties, two 1D CPs presenting structural analogies, and two monodimensional tapes having almost exactly superimposable structures, were obtained. In one case, the crystal packing makes evident the presence of small, not-connected pores, accounting for ca. 6% of free cell volume.

Effects of Strand Geometry on Selected Properties of Long-Stand Structural Composite Lumber Made from Northeastern Hardwoods

Structural composite lumber (SCL) products often possess significantly higher design values than the top grades of solid lumber, making it a popular choice for both residential and commercial applications. The enhanced mechanical properties of SCL are mainly due to defect randomization and densification of the wood fiber, both largely functions of the size, shape and composition (species) of the wood element. Traditionally, SCL manufacturers have used thin, rectangular elements produced from either moderate density softwoods or low density hardwoods. Higher density hardwood species have been avoided, as they require higher pressures to adequately densify and consolidate the wood furnish. These higher pressures can lead to increased manufacturing costs, damage to the wood fiber and/or a product that is too dense, making it heavy and unreceptive to common mechanical fastening techniques. In the northeastern United States high density, diffuse-porous hardwoods (such as maple, beech and birch) are abundant. Use of these species as primary furnish for a SCL product may allow for a competitive advantage in terms of resource cost against products that rely on veneer grade logs. Proximity to this abundant and relatively inexpensive resource may facilitate entry of SCL production facilities in the northeastern United States, where currently none exist. However, modifications to current strand sizes, geometries or production techniques will likely be required to allow for use of these species. A new SCL product concept has been invented allowing for use of these high density hardwoods. The product, referred to as long-strand structural composite lumber (LSSCL), uses strands of significantly larger cross sectional areas and volumes than existing SCL products. In spite of the large strand size, satisfactory consolidation is achieved without excessive densification of the wood fiber through use of a symmetrical strand geometric cross-section. LSSCL density is similar to that of existing SCL products, but is due mainly to the inherent density of the species, rather than through densification. An experiment was designed and conducted producing LSSCL from both large (7/16”) and small (1/4”) strands, of both square and triangular geometric cross sections. Testing results indicate that the large, triangular strands produce LSSCL beams with projected design values of: Modulus of elasticity (MOEapp) – 1,750,000 psi; Allowable bending stress (Fb) – 2750 psi; Allowable shear stress (Fv) – 260 psi. Several modifications are recommended which may lead to improvement of these values, likely allowing for competition against existing SCL products.

NMR structural analysis of cardiac troponin C: Monitoring conformational changes induced by binding calcium, troponin I, and calcium -sensitizing drugs

Contraction of cardiac muscle is regulated through the Ca2+ dependent protein-protein interactions of the troponin complex (Tn). The critical role cardiac troponin C (cTnC) plays as the Ca2+ receptor in this complex makes it an attractive target for positive inotropic compounds. In this study, the ten Met methyl groups in cTnC, [98% 13C ϵ]-Met cTnC, are used as structural markers to monitor conformational changes in cTnC and identify sites of interaction between cTnC and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) responsible for the Ca2+ dependent interactions. In addition the structural consequences that a number of Ca2+-sensitizing compounds have on free cTnC and the cTnC·cTnI complex were characterized. Using heteronuclear NMR experiments and monitoring chemical shift changes in the ten Met methyl 1H-13C correlations in 3Ca2+ cTnC when bound to cTnI revealed an anti-parallel arrangement for the two proteins such that the N-domain of cTnI interacts with the C-domain of cTnC. The large chemical shifts in Mets-81, -120, and -157 identified points of contact between the proteins that include the C-domain hydrophobic surface in cTnC and the A, B, and D helical interface located in the regulatory N-domain of cTnC. TnI association [cTnI(33–80), cTnI(86–211), or cTnI(33–211)] was found also to dramatically reduce flexibility in the D/E central linker of cTnC as monitored by line broadening in the Met 1H- 13C correlations of cTnC induced by a nitroxide spin label, MTSSL, covalently attached to cTnC at Cys 84. TnI association resulted in an extended cTnC that is unlike the compact structure observed for free cTnC. The Met 1H-13C correlations also allowed the binding characteristics of bepridil, TFP, levosimendan, and EMD 57033 to the apo, 2Ca2+, and Ca2+ saturated forms of cTnC to be determined. In addition, the location of drug binding on the 3Ca2+cTnC·cTnI complex was identified for bepridil and TFP. Use of a novel spin-labeled phenothiazine, and detection of isotope filtered NOEs, allowed identification of drug binding sites in the shallow hydrophobic cup in the C-terminal domain, and on two hydrophobic surfaces on N-regulatory domain in free 3Ca2+ cTnC. In contrast, only one N-domain drug binding site exists in 3Ca2+ cTnC·cTnI complex. The methyl groups of Met 45, 60 and 80, which are grouped in a hydrophobic patch near site II in cTnC, showed the greatest change upon titration with bepridil or TFP, suggesting that this is a critical site of drug binding in both free cTnC and when associated with cTnI. The strongest NOEs were seen for Met-60 and -80, which are located on helices C and D, respectively, of Ca2+ binding site II. These results support the conclusion that the small hydrophobic patch which includes Met-45, -60, and -80 constitutes a drug binding site, and that binding drugs to this site will lead to an increase in Ca2+ binding affinity of site II while preserving maximal cTnC activity. Thus, the subregion in cTnC makes a likely target against which to design new and selective Ca2+-sensitizing compounds. ^

Improvement of Mechanical Properties and Life Extension of High Reliability Structural Components by Laser Shock Processing

Profiting by the increasing availability of laser sources delivering intensities above 109 W/cm2 with pulse energies in the range of several Joules and pulse widths in the range of nanoseconds, laser shock processing (LSP) is being consolidating as an effective technology for the improvement of surface mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of metals and is being developed as a practical process amenable to production engineering. The main acknowledged advantage of the laser shock processing technique consists on its capability of inducing a relatively deep compression residual stresses field into metallic alloy pieces allowing an improved mechanical behaviour, explicitly, the life improvement of the treated specimens against wear, crack growth and stress corrosion cracking. Following a short description of the theoretical/computational and experimental methods developed by the authors for the predictive assessment and experimental implementation of LSP treatments, experimental results on the residual stress profiles and associated surface properties modification successfully reached in typical materials (specifically Al and Ti alloys) under different LSP irradiation conditions are presented. In particular, the analysis of the residual stress profiles obtained under different irradiation parameters and the evaluation of the corresponding induced surface properties as roughness and wear resistance are presented.

Multi-criteria selection of structural adhesives to bond ABS parts obtained by rapid prototyping

One of the most used methods in rapidprototyping is Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), which provides components with a reasonable strength in plastic materials such as ABS and has a low environmental impact. However, the FDM process exhibits low levels of surface finishing, difficulty in getting complex and/or small geometries and low consistency in “slim” elements of the parts. Furthermore, “cantilever” elements need large material structures to be supported. The solution of these deficiencies requires a comprehensive review of the three-dimensional part design to enhance advantages and performances of FDM and reduce their constraints. As a key feature of this redesign a novel method of construction by assembling parts with structuraladhesive joints is proposed. These adhesive joints should be designed specifically to fit the plastic substrate and the FDM manufacturing technology. To achieve this, the most suitable structuraladhesiveselection is firstly required. Therefore, the present work analyzes five different families of adhesives (cyanoacrylate, polyurethane, epoxy, acrylic and silicone), and, by means of the application of technical multi-criteria decision analysis based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), to select the structuraladhesive that better conjugates mechanical benefits and adaptation to the FDM manufacturing process

Bending continuous structures with SMAs: a novel robotic fish design

In this paper, we describe our research on bio-inspired locomotion systems using deformable structures and smart materials, concretely shape memory alloys (SMAs). These types of materials allow us to explore the possibility of building motor-less and gear-less robots. A swimming underwater fish-like robot has been developed whose movements are generated using SMAs. These actuators are suitable for bending the continuous backbone of the fish, which in turn causes a change in the curvature of the body. This type of structural arrangement is inspired by fish red muscles, which are mainly recruited during steady swimming for the bending of a flexible but nearly incompressible structure such as the fishbone. This paper reviews the design process of these bio-inspired structures, from the motivations and physiological inspiration to the mechatronics design, control and simulations, leading to actual experimental trials and results. The focus of this work is to present the mechanisms by which standard swimming patterns can be reproduced with the proposed design. Moreover, the performance of the SMA-based actuators’ control in terms of actuation speed and position accuracy is also addressed.

Analysis and design of multiagent systems using MAS-CommonKADS

This article proposes an agent-oriented methodology called MAS-CommonKADS and develops a case study. This methodology extends the knowledge engineering methodology CommonKADSwith techniquesfrom objectoriented and protocol engineering methodologies. The methodology consists of the development of seven models: Agent Model, that describes the characteristics of each agent; Task Model, that describes the tasks that the agents carry out; Expertise Model, that describes the knowledge needed by the agents to achieve their goals; Organisation Model, that describes the structural relationships between agents (software agents and/or human agents); Coordination Model, that describes the dynamic relationships between software agents; Communication Model, that describes the dynamic relationships between human agents and their respective personal assistant software agents; and Design Model, that refines the previous models and determines the most suitable agent architecture for each agent, and the requirements of the agent network.

Pounding force assessment in performance-based design of bridges

Bridges with deck supported on either sliding or elastomeric bearings are very common in mid-seismicity regions. Their main seismic vulnerabilities are related to the pounding of the deck against abutments or between the different deck elements. A simplified model of the longitudinal behavior of those bridges will allow to characterize the reaction forces developed during pounding using the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center framework formula. In order to ensure the general applicability of the results obtained, a large number of system parameter combinations will be considered. The heart of the formula is the identification of suitable intermediate variables. First, the pseudo acceleration spectral value for the fundamental period of the system (Sa(Ts)) will be used as an intensity measure (IM). This IM will result in a very large non-explained variability of the engineering demand parameter. A portion of this variability will be proved to be related to the relative content of high-frequency energy in the input motion. Two vector-valued IMs including a second parameter taking this energy content into account will then be considered. For both of them, a suitable form for the conditional intensity dependence of the response will be obtained. The question of which one to choose will also be analyzed. Finally, additional issues related to the IM will be studied: its applicability to pulse-type records, the validity of scaling records and the sufficiency of the IM.

Conceptual design of the liquid metal laboratory of the TECHNOFUSION facility

The application of liquid metal technology in fusion devices requires R&D related to many phenomena: interaction between liquid metals and structural material as corrosion, erosion and passivation techniques; magneto-hydrodynamics; free surface fluid-dynamics and any other physical aspect that will be needed for their safe reliable operation. In particular, there is a significant shortage of experimental facilities dedicated to the development of the lithium technology. In the framework of the TECHNOFUSION project, an experimental laboratory devoted to the lithium technology development is proposed, in order to shed some light in the path to IFMIF and the design of chamber's first wall and divertors. The conceptual design foresee a development in two stages, the first one consisting on a material testing loop. The second stage proposes the construction of a mock-up of the IFMIF target that will allow to assess the behaviour of a free-surface lithium target under vacuum conditions. In this paper, such conceptual design is addressed.

Optimum adhesive thickness in structural adhesives joints using statistical techniques base on Weibull distribution

The geometrical factors defining an adhesive joint are of great importance as its design greatly conditions the performance of the bonding. One of the most relevant geometrical factors is the thickness of the adhesive as it decisively influences the mechanical properties of the bonding and has a clear economic impact on the manufacturing processes or long runs. The traditional mechanical joints (riveting, welding, etc.) are characterised by a predictable performance, and are very reliable in service conditions. Thus, structural adhesive joints will only be selected in industrial applications demanding mechanical requirements and adverse environmental conditions if the suitable reliability (the same or higher than the mechanical joints) is guaranteed. For this purpose, the objective of this paper is to analyse the influence of the adhesive thickness on the mechanical behaviour of the joint and, by means of a statistical analysis based on Weibull distribution, propose the optimum thickness for the adhesive combining the best mechanical performance and high reliability. This procedure, which is applicable without a great deal of difficulty to other joints and adhesives, provides a general use for a more reliable use of adhesive bondings and, therefore, for a better and wider use in the industrial manufacturing processes.

Treatment of imperfections in precast structural elements

The present work evaluates imperfections of precast concrete elements that do not meet the quality intended in design, gives rules and possible evaluation systems and offers recomendations for prevention, the effect the imperfections can have and actions for rectification. At last, the document should be read in conjunction with relevant codes and standards.

Resilience analysis of networked systems-of-systems based on structural and dynamic interdependencies

Critical infrastructures support everyday activities in modern societies, facilitating the exchange of services and quantities of various nature. Their functioning is the result of the integration of diverse technologies, systems and organizations into a complex network of interconnections. Benefits from networking are accompanied by new threats and risks. In particular, because of the increased interdependency, disturbances and failures may propagate and render unstable the whole infrastructure network. This paper presents a methodology of resilience analysis of networked systems of systems. Resilience generalizes the concept of stability of a system around a state of equilibrium, with respect to a disturbance and its ability of preventing, resisting and recovery. The methodology provides a tool for the analysis of off-equilibrium conditions that may occur in a single system and propagate through the network of dependencies. The analysis is conducted in two stages. The first stage of the analysis is qualitative. It identifies the resilience scenarios, i.e. the sequence of events, triggered by an initial disturbance, which include failures and the system response. The second stage is quantitative. The most critical scenarios can be simulated, for the desired parameter settings, in order to check if they are successfully handled, i.e recovered to nominal conditions, or they end into the network failure. The proposed methodology aims at providing an effective support to resilience-informed design.