Low Stress Research Articles

Selected Beneficial Microbes Alleviate Salinity Stress in Hydroponic Lettuce and Pak Choi

Hydroponics is widely used in greenhouse and vertical farming production because these facilities can precisely control environmental conditions such as lighting, temperature, and vapor pressure deficit. However, the fertilizer solutions have a short life span, and they often do not have adequate microbial populations to enhance plant growth. Previous studies have shown the potential of beneficial microbes to promote plant production and alleviate abiotic and biotic stressors in the field, and studies on their use in controlled environments such as greenhouses and vertical farms are limited in the literature. In this study, we selected several plant growth promoting microbes (PGPMs) and tested their effects on alleviating salinity stress in ‘Rex’ lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and ‘Red Pac’ pak choi (Brassica chinensis) grown in deep water culture hydroponics. Our goal was to use one stressor, salinity, that induces profound symptoms in plant morphology. A three-cycle study was conducted using five PGPMs [Bacillus, Glomus, Lactobacillus, Trichoderma, and Bacillus/Pseudomonas/Trichoderma (B/P/T) mix] and two salinity levels [no salinity and salinity treatment, with 120 mM, 40 mM, and 80 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) solution used for the first, second, and third cycles, respectively]. We measured the effects of PGPMs and salinity on plant growth and quality and the solution pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Salinity stress decreased lettuce and pak choi leaf area and shoot fresh weight and increased plant leaf chlorophyll and anthocyanin contents with increased solution EC. Under high-salinity stress (120 mM NaCl), the addition of Trichoderma reduced pak choi leaf area and fresh weight but increased solution pH, whereas under low salinity stress (40 mM NaCl), Trichoderma increased pak choi leaf chlorophyll content. Under moderate-salinity stress (80 mM NaCl) condition, the addition of Glomus sp. increased lettuce fresh weight and leaf area, and B/P/T mix increased pak choi leaf area. In conclusion, using the selected PGPMs in low to moderate-salinity stress could increase lettuce and pak choi growth and quality parameters. These results have some practical applications in the future when more saline water is used for production.

Healthy and diseased tensile mechanics of mouse lung parenchyma

The mechanics of the lung, consisting of high deformation, non-linear, rapid and cyclic loading, remain a critical unknown, hindering advancements in the field despite the pressing urgency of incurable and often fatal pulmonary diseases; such multi-scale ailments impair organ mechanical function by inducing tissue-level alterations. Here, the tensile mechanics of healthy and diseased murine lung parenchyma with induced variable fibrosis and emphysema are compared—exploring multi-rate and directional tissue elasticity and energetics. Remarkably, parenchymal tissue is found to be notably elastic and non-hysteresis prone. Additionally, chronic fibrosis-induced tissues reveal significantly reduced compliance compared to age-matched controls, indicating characteristic stiffening; moreover, maximum stress tends to be greater in exposed than controls. Emphysematous tissues tend to show lower maximum stress than controls, reflective of hallmark tissue destruction and softening. Furthermore, faster loading rate is found to generally yield elevated stiffness and maximum stress, significantly for fibrosis group exposed tissue—this interdependence between loading rate and tissue disease is notable considering the dynamics of breathing. Generally, control tissues are found to be isotropic, as are emphysematous tissues, but fibrosis may lead to increased anisotropy. Additionally, fibrotic and mature-healthy lungs are found to show age effect trends, such as increased strain energy. Along with these findings, this study additionally facilitates future analyses of other diseases by establishing lung biaxial testing protocols for small-scale murine specimens, which can serve as practical and ethical models for exploring human diseases. Overall, this study offers fundamental material characterizations which will enable future formulations of experimentally informed computational models.

Effects of pleiotropic ompR and envZ alleles of Escherichia coli on envelope stress and antibiotic sensitivity.

The EnvZ-OmpR two-component system of Escherichia coli regulates the expression of the ompF and ompC porin genes in response to medium osmolarity. However, certain mutations in envZ confer pleiotropy by affecting the expression of genes of the iron and maltose regulons not normally controlled by EnvZ-OmpR. In this study, we obtained two novel envZ and ompR pleiotropic alleles, envZT15P and ompRL19Q, among revertants of a mutant with heightened envelope stress and an outer membrane (OM) permeability defect. Unlike envZ, pleiotropic mutations in ompR have not been described previously. The mutant alleles reduced the expression of several outer membrane proteins (OMPs), overcame the temperature-sensitive growth defect of a protease-deficient (ΔdegP) strain, and lowered envelope stress and OM permeability defects in a background lacking the BamB protein of an essential β-barrel assembly machinery complex. Biochemical analysis showed OmpRL19Q, like wild-type OmpR, is readily phosphorylated by EnvZ, but the EnvZ-dependent dephosphorylation of OmpRL19Q~P was drastically impaired compared to wild-type OmpR. This defect would lead to a prolonged half-life for OmpRL19Q~P, an outcome remarkably similar to what we had previously described for EnvZR397L, resulting in pleiotropy. By employing null alleles of the OMP genes, it was determined that the three pleiotropic alleles lowered envelope stress by reducing OmpF and LamB levels. The absence of LamB was principally responsible for lowering the OM permeability defect, as assessed by the reduced sensitivity of a ΔbamB mutant to vancomycin and rifampin. Possible mechanisms by which novel EnvZ and OmpR mutants influence EnvZ-OmpR interactions and activities are discussed.IMPORTANCEMaintenance of the outer membrane (OM) integrity is critical for the survival of Gram-negative bacteria. Several envelope homeostasis systems are activated when OM integrity is perturbed. Through the isolation and characterization of novel pleiotropic ompR/envZ alleles, this study highlights the involvement of the EnvZ-OmpR two-component system in lowering envelope stress and the OM permeability defect caused by the loss of proteins that are involved in OM biogenesis, envelope homeostasis, and structural integrity.

Simulation of stress in a blood vessel due to plaque sediments in coronary artery disease.

Atherosclerosis is a cardiovascular disease mainly caused by plaque deposition in blood vessels. Plaque comprises components such as thrombosis, fibrin, collagen, and lipid core. It plays an essential role in inducing rupture in a blood vessel. Generally, Plaque could be described as three kinds of elastic models: cellular Plaque, hypocellular Plaque, and calcified Plaque. The present study aimed to investigate the behavior of atherosclerotic plaque rupture according to different lipid cores using Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI). The blood vessel was also varied with different thicknesses (0.05, 0.25, and 0.5 mm). In this study, FSI simulation with a cellular plaque model with various thicknesses was investigated to obtain information on plaque rupture. Results revealed that the blood vessel with Plaque having a lipid core represents higher stresses than those without a lipid core. Blood vessels' thin thickness, like a thin cap, results in more considerable than Von Mises stress. The result also suggests that even at low fracture stress, the risk of rupture due to platelet decomposition at the gap was more significant for cellular plaques.

Reintroduction of self-facilitating feedbacks could advance subtidal eelgrass (Zostera marina) restoration in the Dutch Wadden Sea

Extensive subtidal eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows (~150 km2) once grew in the Dutch Wadden Sea, supporting diverse species communities, but disappeared in the 1930s and have been absent ever since. Identifying the most critical bottlenecks for eelgrass survival is a crucial first step for reintroduction through active restoration measures. Seagrasses are ecosystem engineers, inducing self-facilitating feedbacks that ameliorate stressful conditions. Consequently, once seagrass, including its self-facilitating feedbacks, is lost, reintroduction can be challenging. Therefore, we aimed to test whether 1) sediment stabilization and 2) hydrodynamic stress relief would facilitate eelgrass survival in a field experiment replicated at two sites in the Dutch Wadden Sea. We induced feedbacks using biodegradable root-mimicking structures (BESE-elements) and sandbag barriers. Root mimics had a significant positive effect, increasing the chances of short-term survival by +67% compared to controls. Contrary to our expectations, barriers decreased short-term survival probabilities by -26%, likely due to hydrodynamic turbulence created by the barrier edges, leading to high erosion rates (-14 cm). Site selection proved crucial as short-term survival was entirely negated on one of the two study sites after five weeks due to high floating and epiphytic macroalgae loads. No long-term survival occurred, as plants died at the other site two weeks later. Overall, we found that sediment stabilization by root-mimicking structures was promising, whereas manipulating hydrodynamic forces using sandbag barriers had adverse effects. A mechanistic understanding of transplant failures is required before attempting large-scale restoration. Our study indicates that for seagrass restoration in the Wadden Sea, one should carefully consider 1) the reintroduction of positive feedbacks through restoration tools, 2) donor population choice and transplantation timing, and 3) site selection based on local biotic and abiotic conditions. Optimizing these restoration facets might lower additive stress to a degree that allows long-term survival.

Different earthquake nucleation conditions revealed by stress drop and b-value mapping in the northern Chilean subduction zone

Stress drop is an earthquake property indicative for the characteristic relation of slip to fault dimension. It is furthermore affected by fault strength, fault topography, the presence of fluids, rupture size, slip, and velocity. In this article, the stress drop image of an entire subduction zone, namely for the seismically highly active northernmost part of Chile, is combined with mapped b-values and their corresponding magnitude distribution in order to better constrain the conditions under which earthquakes of different provenances may nucleate. The underlying recent earthquake catalog contains over 180,000 events, covering 15 years of seismicity, from which more than 50,000 stress drop estimates were computed. Their spatial average segments the subduction zone into different parts, i.e., average stress drop between seismotectonic areas is different, although this difference is small compared to the natural scatter of stress drop values. By considering stress drop variations, b-value map, magnitude distribution, and thermal models, candidate earthquake nucleation mechanisms are identified which can explain the observed distributions. This is done for two exemplary regions: (1) The plate interface, where principally lower stress drop events are found, while at the same time a high spatial heterogeneity of stress drop values is observed. This indicates relatively smooth or lubricated rupture surfaces, and locally it suggests the existence of alternating regions controlled by strong asperities, weaker material, or creep. (2) The highly active intermediate depth (ID) seismicity region, where the variation of stress drop and b-value point to a gradual change of nucleation mechanism from dehydration embrittlement at the top of the ID cloud, over dehydration driven stress transfer in its central part, to thermal runaway shear mechanisms at its bottom. In both cases, the combination of stress drop and b-value distribution helps to better understand the origin and the differences of the observed seismicity.

Investigation of Three‐Channel Heterostructure and High‐Electron‐Mobility Transistor with Quaternary In0.1Al0.5Ga0.4N Barrier

Herein, a high‐quality In0.1Al0.5Ga0.4N/GaN three‐channel (TC) heterostructure and the high‐electron‐mobility transistor (HEMT) based on it are proposed and investigated. The quaternary nitrides offer additional flexibility in adjusting the lattice constant and bandgap, enabling the achievement of a nearly strain‐free high‐Al‐content barrier. By stacking three In0.1Al0.5Ga0.4N/GaN heterostructures, a high 2D electron gas density of 2.59 × 1013 cm−2 and a high electron mobility of 1707 cm2 V−1 s−1 are achieved. As compared with the AlGaN/GaN TC heterostructure, the In0.1Al0.5Ga0.4N/GaN TC heterostructure reduces the sheet resistance by 39%, resulting in a 40 % reduction in the on‐resistance of the TC HEMT. Additionally, the inverse piezoelectric effect of the In0.1Al0.5Ga0.4N/GaN TC‐HEMT is investigated by negative‐gate voltage bias step‐stress experiments. During the stress experiments, no irreversible degradation is observed in the In0.1Al0.5Ga0.4N/GaN TC‐HEMT, while the AlGaN/GaN TC‐HEMT exhibits a significant deterioration beyond the critical voltage. The reliability related to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the devices can be further improved due to the lower stress in the lattice‐matched quaternary barrier.

Altered cortical synaptic lipid signaling leads to intermediate phenotypes of mental disorders.

Excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance plays important roles in mental disorders. Bioactive phospholipids like lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) are synthesized by the enzyme autotaxin (ATX) at cortical synapses and modulate glutamatergic transmission, and eventually alter E/I balance of cortical networks. Here, we analyzed functional consequences of altered E/I balance in 25 human subjects induced by genetic disruption of the synaptic lipid signaling modifier PRG-1, which were compared to 25 age and sex matched control subjects. Furthermore, we tested therapeutic options targeting ATX in a related mouse line. Using EEG combined with TMS in an instructed fear paradigm, neuropsychological analysis and an fMRI based episodic memory task, we found intermediate phenotypes of mental disorders in human carriers of a loss-of-function single nucleotide polymorphism of PRG-1 (PRG-1R345T/WT). Prg-1R346T/WT animals phenocopied human carriers showing increased anxiety, a depressive phenotype and lower stress resilience. Network analysis revealed that coherence and phase-amplitude coupling were altered by PRG-1 deficiency in memory related circuits in humans and mice alike. Brain oscillation phenotypes were restored by inhibtion of ATX in Prg-1 deficient mice indicating an interventional potential for mental disorders.

Finite element analysis of reconstruction plates in mandibular defects

Segmental defects in the mandibular bone can occur after local trauma, infection, or surgical resection. Several reconstructive possibilities are currently available, and temporary stabilization of bone segments with reconstruction plates is commonly used when immediate bone reconstruction is not possible. However, little attention has been paid to the biomechanical aspects involved in this approach, and studies conducted with biomodels face the difficulty of simulating the muscular forces involved. The use of Finite Element Analysis allows for the mathematical evaluation of structures in a controlled environment, applying forces at any point and/or direction, assessing material deformation, as well as the tension applied to them. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate reconstruction plates used on segmental defects through mathematical analysis using finite elements. After simulation, lower stress values were found on thicker plates, suggesting greater resistance to fracture. Conversely, significantly increased stress values on the screws were present in thicker plates.

Establishment of acquired tracheoesophageal fistula using a modified magnetic compression technique in rabbits and its postmodeling evaluation

BACKGROUND Previous studies have validated the efficacy of both magnetic compression and surgical techniques in creating rabbit tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) models. Magnetic compression achieves a 100% success rate but requires more time, while surgery, though less frequently successful, offers rapid model establishment and technical maturity in larger animal models. AIM To determine the optimal approach for rabbit disease modeling and refine the process. METHODS TEF models were created in 12 rabbits using both the modified magnetic compression technique and surgery. Comparisons of the time to model establishment, success rate, food and water intake, weight changes, activity levels, bronchoscopy findings, white blood cell counts, and biopsies were performed. In response to the failures encountered during modified magnetic compression modeling, we increased the sample size to 15 rabbit models and assessed the repeatability and stability of the models, comparing them with the original magnetic compression technique. RESULTS The modified magnetic compression technique achieved a 66.7% success rate, whereas the success rate of the surgery technique was 33.3%. Surviving surgical rabbits might not meet subsequent experimental requirements due to TEF-related inflammation. In the modified magnetic compression group, one rabbit died, possibly due to magnet corrosion, and another died from tracheal magnet obstruction. Similar events occurred during the second round of modified magnetic compression modeling, with one rabbit possibly succumbing to aggravated lung infection. The operation time of the first round of modified magnetic compression was 3.2 ± 0.6 min, which was significantly reduced to 2.1 ± 0.4 min in the second round, compared to both the first round and that of the original technique. CONCLUSION The modified magnetic compression technique exhibits lower stress responses, a simple procedure, a high success rate, and lower modeling costs, making it a more appropriate choice for constructing TEF models in rabbits.

A novel soft‐switching quadratic high voltage gain trans‐inverse DC/DC converter

AbstractThis paper suggests a new non‐isolated high step‐up DC/DC converter with soft‐switching performance and low input current ripple for renewable energy generation systems. In this introduced circuit, a three‐winding coupled‐inductor combined with a quadratic boost circuit and voltage multiplier cell to obtain high voltage gains. The advanced features of the proposed topology are its ultra‐high voltage gain, soft‐switching performance, low voltage stress across the switching components, continuous input current with low ripple, and the existence of a common ground between the input source and output load. Due to the partial trans‐inverse property in the suggested topology, higher voltage gains can be achieved under smaller turns ratios of the coupled in comparison to the other typical topologies, which leads to efficiency improvement. Moreover, in this introduced circuit, the voltage stress on the single power switch is mitigated using a regenerative clamp circuit. The theory and operating principle of the suggested converter, along with the steady‐state analysis and efficiency interpretation of the proposed converter are discussed in detail. Finally, to verify the theoretical analysis, a 200 W (25 V/400 V) sample prototype is established.

Exploring the Relationship between Social Support and Parental Stress in Mothers of Children with Autism

Parents of children with autism, especially mothers, experience more parental stress compared to mothers of typical children. The aim of this research was to discuss the relationship between social support perceived to mothers of children with autism and parental stress levels, and to investigate the relationship between the characteristics of the mothers/their children and parental stress. Fifty mothers of children with autism in Banten Province completed the Social Support Index (SSI) and Parental Stress Scale (PSS) through a Google Form. The data was analyzed using Pearson Correlation and multiple regression analysis. Results show that the mothers had high social support (M = 61.72) and experienced lower stress in parenting their children (M = 39.56). Moreover, SSI has a significant negative correlation with PSS (r = -.519, p = .01), indicating that the higher social support accepted by mothers of children with autism, the lower level of parental stress they experienced. Surprisingly, mothers of children with autism who have siblings have lower parental stress than those of them without siblings.

Effect of heat treatment processes on the Cu-electrodeposited through glass vias (TGV) plate

Based on laser-induced deep etching technology and through-hole filling techniques, TGV interposers were successfully fabricated. The residual stress in the Cu overburden film directly affects the yield improvement after subsequent grinding of the interposer. Therefore, we studied the evolution of residual stress, microstructural changes, and micro-nano mechanical properties within the Cu overburden film after heat treatment at different temperatures. Residual stress analysis using the sin2Ψ method with an X-ray diffractometer (XRD) indicates that during the process of increasing temperature from 100°C to 200°C, the internal residual stress in the Cu overburden film changes from compressive stress to tensile stress. Furthermore, the maximum absolute value of the residual stress, 70.09 MPa, appears at room temperature, and the minimum absolute value of the residual stress, 15.59 MPa, occurs after the heat treatment process at 200°C. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) microstructural analysis shows that the application of heat treatment can effectively accelerate static recrystallization (SRX), promote a higher proportion of high-angle grain boundaries (HAGB), and refine grain size. Additionally, a (001) preferred orientation at high residual stress states and a (111) preferred orientation at low residual stress states are observed. Nanoindentation test results indicate that the Cu overburden film treated at 100°C has the most potential for removal during the grinding process.

Anomalous Aortic Origin of a Coronary Artery in Pediatric Patients

Abstract Purpose of Review We present a contemporary approach to risk assessment and management of patients with anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA). Recent Findings Anomalous left coronary artery from the right aortic sinus (L-AAOCA) with interarterial course carries a high risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD); therefore, current guidelines recommend exercise restriction and surgical intervention. Recent data in intraseptal and juxtacommissural L-AAOCA showed inducible perfusion abnormalities, leading to consideration of surgical intervention. Anomalous right coronary artery from the left aortic sinus (R-AAOCA) carries a much lower risk and stress perfusion imaging is helpful in identifying patients with inducible ischemia. Perfusion abnormalities resolve following successful surgical intervention of AAOCA. Computational modeling techniques identifying risk features shows promise in the evaluation of AAOCA. Summary Stress perfusion imaging is helpful in assessing AAOCA upon presentation and following surgical intervention. Computational modeling has potential in bridging knowledge gaps in AAOCA.

Prevalence of Stress Level in Physiotherapy Professors in Gujarat - An Observational Study

BACKGROUND: Physiotherapist as a professional, is impacting professionally and personally. Due to job instability and job viability especially for private practitioners which affecting psychological status. AIM: The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of stress level in physiotherapy professors in Gujarat METHOD: The observational study was carried out among 103 physiotherapy professors. In which 69 female and 34 male who had willingness to participate in the study according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Written consent was taken by individuals. The participants filled a Google self-designed, close-ended questionnaire of PSS (10 items) which was circulated via WhatsApp in different physiotherapy groups. Descriptive analysis was done using Microsoft excel. RESULT: 8.73% high stress,72.81% moderate stress,18.45% low stress found in physiotherapy professors. In this study 67.94% stress found in assistant professors,28.15% in associate professors and 3.88% in Principle. CONCLUSION: So, this study concluded that high prevalence of stress is found in Assistant Professors, moderate prevalence in Associate Professors and low prevalence in Principal. Study also depicting female perceiving high stress rather male. Keywords: Stress, Physiotherapy, Professor, Gujarat

A Study of Microstructural Tensile and Fatigue Properties Coupled with Digital Image Correlation of Hybrid Manufactured Inconel 718 Parts by Extrusion and Powder Bed Fusion

To overcome challenges associated with Additive Manufacturing (AM), a combination of AM and Conventional Manufacturing (CM) could be explored, enabling the production of hybrid structures. Nonetheless, realizing aerospace hybrid structures requires investigation into the process‐structure‐properties relationships of the AM and CM‐material and the interface zone between them. In this work, Inconel 718 is deposited onto extruded bars of the same material by Powder Bed Fusion (PBF). The interface zone from the CM zone to the PBF zone is investigated using destructive and non‐destructive testing. It is found that fractures during tensile tests occur in the CM zone. The PBF zone proved to be stronger than the CM zone (average yield strength of 1295 and 1167 MPa, respectively). A higher strength of PBF parts is related to the finer microstructure of δ‐phase precipitates and dendrite cell structure. The fatigue limit of the hybrid samples is high (Sa = 305 MPa, R=0.1). Coupled fatigue and digital image correlation at the highest stress amplitude show distinctive plastic flow dominating the CM zone. In reverse, fracture of hybrid parts at lower stress amplitudes forms preferentially in the PBF zone because of process‐related defects (gas pores and lack of fusion).This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Factors influencing stress and resilience among Egyptian medical students: a multi-centric cross-sectional study

BackgroundPsychological stress is a common psychological comorbidity among medical students and worsens their quality of life. Psychological resilience is thought to have a protective role against stress. However, evidence regarding the prevalence of stress and resilience alongside their associated factors is scarce, especially in the Middle East. This is the first multicenter, cross-sectional study to investigate resilience and stress among Egyptian medical students.MethodsThe current cross-sectional study was conducted on 2465 university students in seven public universities in Egypt. The universities were selected using the simple randomization method. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire consisting of four parts: demographic data, socioeconomic tool represented in the Family Affluence Scale (FAS), the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Data was analyzed in SPSS version 26 software.ResultsThe majority of the students were stressed (86.5%), most of whom had severe stress (48.9%). Most of the students had low resilience (49.9%), while only 3.2% had high resilience. In the logistic regression analysis, being a female, living alone, spending long hours on social media, and thinking of suicide or leaving medicine were associated with being stressed and having low resilience. Medical students with low resilience were significantly more liable to stress [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.667, confidence interval (CI): 2.709–4.965, P = 0.000], and vice versa [AOR = 3.709, CI: 2.746–5.009, P = 0.000]. Interestingly, high socioeconomic status showed a significant association with high resilience (P = 0.004); nonetheless, it was not associated with stress (P = 0.993). Academic grades were not associated with both the level of stress and resilience. Aging, being in clinical or academic stages, smoking, having a chronic disease, and being financially-supported are neither associated with stress nor resilience.ConclusionsThe present study revealed that Egyptian medical students had low resilience and high stress, with a significant relationship between both of them. Further investigations via longitudinal study design to understand the resilience-stress relationship are recommended. Developing and implementing resilience-improving strategies in medical schools is highly recommended to decrease the prevalence of stress and its subsequent burdens.

Initial validation of the Health Environment Rating Scale-Early Childhood Consultation-Classroom (HERS-ECC-C).

The present study validated a newly developed easy-to-use observational instrument, the Health Environment Rating Scale-Early Childhood Consultation-Classroom version (HERS-ECC-C), to measure the quality of the classroom environment within early care and education centers participating in a mental health consultation program in a diverse area of the southeastern United States.Using a confirmatory factor analysis, three factors emerged capturing critical aspects of a high-quality classroom environment and demonstrated good reliability: (1) Supportive Practices, Positive Socioemotional Practices, and Classroom Management (α=.88), (2) Health and Family Communication (α=.79), and (3) Individualizing to Children's Needs (α=.80). Criterion-related validity was established through concurrent associations between the three HERS-ECC-C subscales and the domains of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) and predictive associations with the Childcare Worker Job Stress Inventory. The HERS-ECC-C Supportive Practices and Health and Family Communication subscales were associated with all three CLASS domains, and the Individualizing to Children's Needs subscale was associated with the CLASS Instructional support domain. Higher HERS-ECC-C subscale scores were associated with lower teacher-reported job stress. Findings provide initial evidence to support the use and continued development of the HERS-ECC-C as a tool to evaluate programs and classrooms engaged in mental health consultation professional development interventions.

Pressure‐Induced Dense and Robust Ge Architecture for Superior Volumetric Lithium Storage

AbstractThe germanium (Ge) anode attains wide attention in lithium‐ion batteries because of its high theoretical volumetric capacity (8646 mAh cm−3). However, the huge volume expansion (≈230%) results in its poor electrochemical performances. The strategies reported in the literature to solve the issue often cause a low packing density, lowering the volumetric capacity. Here, a pressure‐induced route is proposed to fabricate a Ge architecture, in which nano‐sized Ge (≈15 nm) is encapsulated by robust TiO2 and highly conductive carbon, which offer the advantages of a low stress–strain characteristic, low volume expansion in thickness change, high electrical conductivity (463.2 S m−1), high Li‐ion diffusion coefficient (9.55 × 10−9–8.51 × 10−12 cm2 s−1), and high tapping density (1.79 g cm−3). As a result, the dense architecture obtains outstanding volumetric capacities of 3559.8 mAh cm−3 at 0.1 A g−1 and 2628.2 mAh cm−3 at 20 A g−1, along with excellent cycling life over 5000 cycles at 10 A g−1. Remarkably, the full cell achieves a high volumetric energy density of 1760.1 Wh L−1, along with impressive fast‐charging performances and long cycling life. This work provides a new synthesis strategy and deep insight into the design of high‐volumetric capacity alloy‐based lithium‐ion‐battery anodes.

Vascular endothelial cell morphology and alignment regulate VEGF-induced endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation.

Nitric oxide (NO) production by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibits platelet and leukocyte adhesion while promoting vasorelaxation in smooth muscle cells. Dysfunctional regulation of eNOS is a hallmark of various vascular pathologies, notably atherosclerosis, often associated with areas of low shear stress on endothelial cells (ECs). While the link between EC morphology and local hemodynamics is acknowledged, the specific impact of EC morphology on eNOS regulation remains unclear. Morphological differences between elongated, aligned ECs and polygonal, randomly oriented ECs correspond to variations in focal adhesion and cytoskeletal organization, suggesting differing levels of cytoskeletal prestress. However, the functional outcomes of cytoskeletal prestress, particularly in the absence of shear stress, are not extensively studied in ECs. Some evidence suggests that elongated ECs exhibit decreased immunogenicity and enhanced NO production. This study aims to elucidate the signaling pathways governing VEGF-stimulated eNOS regulation in the aligned EC phenotype characterized by elongated and aligned cells within a monolayer. Using anisotropic topographic cues, bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) were elongated and aligned, followed by VEGF treatment in the presence or absence of cytoskeletal tension inhibitors. Phosphorylation of eNOS ser1179, AKT ser437 and FAK Tyr397 in response to VEGF challenge were significantly heightened in aligned ECs compared to unaligned ECs. Moreover this response proved to be robustly tied to cytoskeletal tension as evinced by the abrogation of responses in the presence of the myosin II ATPase inhibitor, blebbistatin. Notably, this work demonstrates for the first time the reliance on FAK phosphorylation in VEGF-mediated eNOS activation and the comparatively greater contribution of the cytoskeletal machinery in propagating VEGF-eNOS signaling in aligned and elongated ECs. This research underscores the importance of utilizing appropriate vascular models in drug development and sheds light on potential mechanisms underlying vascular function and pathology that can help inform vascular graft design.