Abstract: Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for assessing biological aging. For example, methods and materials that can be used to determine if a mammal (e.g., a human) has an advanced biological age, is at risk of developing one or more adverse outcomes (e.g., adverse outcomes associated with medical intervention at an advanced biological age) following a medical intervention, and/or is likely to be responsive to one or more senotherapeutic agents are provided herein. In some cases, methods and materials for using one or more senotherapeutic agents to improve one or more outcomes for a mammal following a medical intervention (e.g., surgery) are also provided.

Abstract: A volatile organic compound purge system is provided for a motor vehicle. The purge system includes a blower and a computing device. The computing device is configured to operate in a shipping mode whereby the blower is periodically operated to draw fresh air into and purge volatile organic compounds from an interior of the motor vehicle as the motor vehicle is being shipped from a first point to a second point.

Abstract: A vehicle cooling system may include a variable displacement compressor, and a controller configured to, in response to a determination that the compressor is operating within a gurgling zone that is defined by a predefined range of compressor speeds and currents, generate a current signal defining a displacement for the compressor based on a speed of the compressor and an ambient temperature to control the displacement to reduce refrigerant flow noise.

Abstract: A vehicle cooling system may include a variable displacement compressor, and a controller configured to, in response to a determination that the compressor is operating within a gurgling zone that is defined by a predefined range of compressor speeds and currents, generate a current signal defining a displacement for the compressor based on a speed of the compressor and an ambient temperature to control the displacement to reduce refrigerant flow noise.

Abstract: A volatile organic compound purge system is provided for a motor vehicle. The purge system includes a blower and a computing device. The computing device is configured to operate in a shipping mode whereby the blower is periodically operated to draw fresh air into and purge volatile organic compounds from an interior of the motor vehicle as the motor vehicle is being shipped from a first point to a second point.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a multilayer stretchy drawstring and methods of making the same. The drawstring of the disclosed subject matter is a stretched multilayer coextruded or laminated film that offers good balance between easy stretching at low strain and high strain hardening at high strain. The multilayer film includes a first layer of elastomeric polymer and second and third layers of thermoplastic polymer and is stretched beyond the deformation limit of the thermoplastic polymer and allowed to recover. This novel drawstring can be incorporated into a bag to enable the bag to be securely fitted to the upper portion of a trash container while not interfering with the intrinsic strength and operation of the drawstring.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a multilayer stretchy drawstring and methods of making the same. The drawstring of the disclosed subject matter is a stretched multilayer coextruded or laminated film that offers good balance between easy stretching at low strain and high strain hardening at high strain. The multilayer film includes a first layer of elastomeric polymer and second and third layers of thermoplastic polymer and is stretched beyond the deformation limit of the thermoplastic polymer and allowed to recover. This novel drawstring can be incorporated into a bag to enable the bag to be securely fitted to the upper portion of a trash container while not interfering with the intrinsic strength and operation of the drawstring.

Abstract: A fastener for a plastic bag comprising a male track including a male profile and an optional first fin extending from the male profile and a female track including a female profile and an optional second fin extending from the female profile. At least one of the first and second fins and/or one of the male and female profiles comprises a cyclic olefin copolymer or a combination of a cyclic olefin copolymer and one or more additional polymers. The cyclic olefin copolymer has a glass transition temperature, Tg, of greater than about 20° C. as determined by ASTM D3418. The cyclic olefin copolymer may comprise from about 10 to about 90 mol. % norbornene. The additional polymer is selected from a polyolefinic resin, an engineering resin, and a combination thereof.

Abstract: An end termination for use with a reclosable polymeric bag comprises providing a mixture comprising from about 70 to about 95 wt. % of a polyolefin, from about 5 to about 25 wt. % hydrocarbon, from about 0.01 to about 2 wt. % mold release agent, from about 0.1 to about 1 wt. % primary antioxidant, and at least about 0.06 wt. % secondary antioxidant.

Abstract: A fastener for a plastic bag comprising a male track including a male profile and a first fin extending from the male profile and a female track including a female profile and a second fin extending from the female profile. The first fin includes a first fin portion and the second fin includes a second fin portion. The first and second fin portions are joined to each other along a one-time breakable preferential area of weakness. At least one of the first and second fins and/or one of the male and female profiles comprises a cyclic olefin copolymer or a combination of a cyclic olefin copolymer and one or more additional polymers. The cyclic olefin copolymer has a glass transition temperature, Tg, of greater than about 20° C. as determined by ASTM D3418. The additional polymer is selected from a polyolefinic resin, an engineering resin, and a combination thereof.

Abstract: A fastener for a plastic bag comprising a male track including a male profile and an optional first fin extending from the male profile and a female track including a female profile and an optional second fin extending from the female profile. At least one of the first and second fins and/or one of the male and female profiles comprises a cyclic olefin copolymer or a combination of a cyclic olefin copolymer and one or more additional polymers. The cyclic olefin copolymer has a glass transition temperature, Tg, of greater than about 20° C. as determined by ASTM D3418. The cyclic olefin copolymer may comprise from about 10 to about 90 mol. % norbornene.

Abstract: A flexible disposable cutting board comprises a polyolfin resin, such as polypropylene, and from about 10 to about 85 wt. % calcium carbonate. The cutting board generally has a thickness of from about 5 mils to about 12 mils. The flexible, disposable cutting board is preferably cut resistant, foldable, and has water and microwave stability. The cutting board preferably has foldability without cracking after being stored.

Abstract: A process for preparing an end termination for use with a reclosable polymeric bag comprises providing a mixture comprising from about 70 to about 95 wt. % of a polyolefin, from about 5 to about 25 wt. % hydrocarbon, from about 0.01 to about 2 wt. % mold release agent, from about 0.1 to about 1 wt. % primary antioxidant, and at least about 0.06 wt. % secondary antioxidant. Next, the mixture is heated approximately to its appropriate application temperature and the melted mixture is injected into a mold. After the mixture is cooled to form the end termination, the end termination is ejected from the mold.

Abstract: A soft, bright and strong tissue paper product and a process for preparing such a tissue paper product is provided. The inventive tissue paper product is prepared from raw cotton linter fibers and demonstrates unexpected medical benefits or advantages in addition to a balance of properties.

Abstract: A polymeric multilayer film is disclosed that has improved gloss, dart drop and total energy dart drop while having structural qualities that are not significantly compromised. The film is composed of first film layer of a low polydispersity polyethylene copolymer and a second film layer of a high molecular weight high density polyethylene (HMW HDPE) polymer. The first film layer polymer has a polydispersity of from about 1 to about 4. In a preferred embodiment, this low polydispersity polymer is formed in the presence of a metallocene catalyst. The HMW HDPE polymer has a melt index of less than 0.1 and a density of at least about 0.940 g/cm.sup.3. Any of the layers of the film may be constructed of polymer blends with additional layers being contemplated.

Abstract: A polymeric multilayer film is disclosed that has improved optical qualities while having structural qualities that are not significantly compromised. The film is composed of outer film layers of a low polydispersity polymer which are placed around at least one inner film layer of a high molecular weight high density polyethylene (HDPE) polymer. The outer film layer polymer has a polydispersity of from about 1 to about 4. In a preferred embodiment this low polydispersity polymer is formed in the presence of a metallocene catalyst. The inner film layer high molecular weight HDPE polymer has a melt index of less than 0.1 and a density of at least about 0.940 g/cm.sup.3. Any of the layers of the film may be constructed of polymer blends.