Stress Measurements Research Articles

Effect of Nanostructure Morphology and Concentration on the Piezoelectric Performance of Flexible Pressure Sensor based on PVDFTrFE/ Nano-ZnO Composite Thin Film

Background: The development of high-performance piezoelectric pressure sensors with outstanding sensitivity, good linearity, flexibility, durability, and biocompatibility is of great significance for smart robotics, human healthcare devices, smart sensors, and electronic skin. Thus, considerable progress has been achieved in enhancing the piezoelectric property of PVDF-TrFEbased composite pressure sensors by adding various ZnO nanostructures in PVDF-TrFE polymer acting as a nucleating agent and dielectric material. Aims: In this work, flexible pressure sensors with a sandwich structure based on PVDFTrFE/ nano-ZnO composite sensing film were fabricated using a simple spin-coating method and post-annealing process, while electrospinning and high-voltage polarization processes were not adopted. Methods: Poly (vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE)/nano-ZnO composite films were prepared via spin coating to fabricate flexible piezoelectric pressure sensors. ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), tetrapod ZnO (T-ZnO) and ZnO nanorods (ZnO NRs) were used as nano-fillers for piezoelectric PVDF-TrFE, to enhance the beta-crystal ratio as well as the crystallinity of PVDF-TrFE. The structural and surface morphologies of the composite films were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: Among three different types of ZnO nanostructures with a concentration range (0-7.5 wt%), the sensor with 0.75 wt% ZnO NRs nanofiller exhibits a maximum output voltage of 1.73 V under an external pressure of 3 N and a maximum sensitivity of 586.3 mV/N at the range of 0-3 N. Further, the sensor can generate a clear piezoelectric voltage under bending and twisting deformation as well as compression and tensile deformation. Conclusion: To summarize, the addition of different concentrations of nano-ZnO can remarkably improve the piezoelectric performance of the composite sensor, and ZnO NRs can achieve better piezoelectric properties of the sensor as compared to ZnO NPs and T-ZnO. In addition, the sensor with 0.75 wt% ZnO NRs as nanofiller has the highest piezoelectric response, which is about 2.4 times that of the pure PVDF-TrFE sensor. It is demonstrated that the sensor has great potential applications in wearable health monitoring systems and mechanical stress measurement electronics.

Cultural stressors, acculturation processes, and mental health among adolescents in Korean multicultural families.

To ascertain, among a sample of Korean multicultural adolescents, the longitudinal predictive effects of acculturative stress and parent-adolescent conflict on depressive symptoms and life satisfaction, both (a) directly and (b) indirectly through Korean and heritage cultural practices and identifications. We analyzed longitudinal data from the nationally representative Korean Multicultural Adolescents Panel Study (MAPS; 2011-2016). The sample consisted of 1,433 households at Wave 3 (the first timepoint used in the present analyses), and 92.7% of families were retained until the end of the study. Adolescents completed measures of acculturative stress and parent-adolescent conflict at Timepoint 1, heritage and Korean cultural practices and identifications at Timepoints 2 and 3, and depressive symptoms and life satisfaction at Timepoint 4. Acculturative stress at Timepoint 1 predicted both depressive symptoms and life satisfaction at Timepoint 4 indirectly through Korean cultural practices and identifications. Parent-adolescent conflict at Timepoint 1 directly predicted depressive symptoms at Timepoint 4 and predicted life satisfaction indirectly through heritage-cultural practices and identifications. These links were invariant across adolescent sex. Among Korean multicultural adolescents, acculturative stressors inhibit engagement in Korean cultural practices and identification as Korean, whereas conflict with parents inhibits engagement in heritage cultural practices and identification with the foreign-born parent's cultural heritage. Decreased Korean and heritage cultural practices and cultural identifications predict increased depressive symptoms and lowered life satisfaction. These findings suggest that culturally stressful experiences can impair psychological functioning among Korean multicultural adolescents by undermining acculturation to both Korean and heritage cultural systems. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The association between sensory processing and stress in the adult population: A systematic review.

There is emerging empirical evidence indicating that differences in self-reported sensory processing may be associated with differences in levels of stress in the adult populations. Understanding how sensory processing relates to stress is of clinical relevance, given the well-established impact of stress on physical health, mental health and well-being. Although several studies have examined the association between sensory processing and stress in adult populations, no published reviews have systematically summarised and synthesised these findings. We aimed to fill this gap by conducting a systematic review to synthesise the available evidence examining the association between self-reported sensory processing and self-reported measures of stress in the adult population. The review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-S) checklist. Twenty studies were included in the final review. Quality assessment was conducted with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Overall, the evidence is strong for an association between differences in sensory processing and self-reported stress in adults. This association was found across a range of populations and measures of stress, in cross-sectional studies. The most commonly used measure of sensory processing was the Highly Sensitive Person Scale, which was consistently moderately associated with a range of measures of stress. The quality of the included studies was generally good, with most meeting four or five out of five criteria. Longitudinal studies are lacking. There is strong evidence for a cross-sectional association between sensory processing and stress in an adult population. Further research, in particular longitudinal studies and studies including clinical populations, would be of benefit in order to establish causality.

Measurement and Control of Residual Stress of High-Grade and Large-Diameter Welded Pipe for Oil and Gas Transportation

Measurement and Control of Residual Stress of High-Grade and Large-Diameter Welded Pipe for Oil and Gas Transportation

Popular Musician Occupational Stress and Psychological Ill Health: An Exploratory Factor Analysis.

Popular musicians are exposed to many occupational stressors, including unpredictable work schedules, touring and economic precarity, that have been associated in prior studies with psychological ill health. This study sought to identify occupational stressors most strongly associated with depression, anxiety, and alcohol misuse in popular musicians. An online survey was completed by 317 popular musicians that included the Musician Occupational Stress Scale (MOSS), a validated measure of occupational stress in popular musicians. An exploratory principle-factor analysis (EFA) investigated the dimensions of response pat¬terns in the items comprising the MOSS. Four factors were identified that predicted 50% of musician occupational stress: Work Insecurity Stress, Tour Stress, Performance Stress, and Professional Relationship Stress. In addition to financial distress, each factor was significantly associated with depression and anxiety and Tour Stress also was associated with alcohol misuse. After adjusting for all other factors and financial distress, only Work Insecurity Stress remained associated with depression (odds ratio [OR]= 5.42; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.23-9.09) and anxiety (OR=5.95; 95% CI = 3.51-10.11). Tour Stress became inversely associated with depression (OR= 0.59; 95% CI = 0.40-0.89) and anxiety (OR=0.60; 95% CI = 0.40-0.89). After adjustment, alcohol misuse was associated with Professional Relationship Stress (OR=1.66; 95% CI = 1.04-2.65) but inversely correlated with Performance Stress (OR=0.60; 95% CI = 0.40-0.91). The four-factor model was shown to reliably simplify driving associations of occupational stressors that negatively impact psychological functioning in popular musicians. Dissemination of these findings could have practical implications in developing effective outreach messaging to promote psychological resilience and guide psychotherapeutic intervention strategies for this high-risk occupational group.

Validation of the German long and short versions of the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale.

The UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale is a widely used self-report measure of impulsivity, but there is currently no validated German version that includes the Positive Urgency scale. We combined existing German translations of UPPS scales and included the Positive Urgency dimension to validate the UPPS-P in a sample of 399 participants. In addition, we developed a revised short version of the UPPS-P (SUPPS-P) with 20 items and conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to verify the structure in an independent validation sample with 349 participants. To determine evidence of convergent and discriminant validity, we used measures of impulsivity, depression, anxiety, stress, problematic alcohol and substance use. CFA of the five factorial structure of the UPPS-P demonstrated acceptable fits and evidence of validity and reliability for the subscales. Psychometric characteristics of the SUPPS-P using the original item configuration were not satisfactory. As a result, we developed a revised German version of the SUPPS-P and confirmed the five-factor structure using a CFA in the validation sample. For the revised version, model fits and evidence of validity and internal consistencies were good. Associations with other constructs were as expected. For example, whereas Sensation Seeking was associated moderately with problematic alcohol use, lacking associations of Lack of Premeditation to internalizing symptoms showed evidence of discriminant validity. The German translations of both UPPS-P and SUPPS-P are valid tools for measuring impulsive behaviors. They are well-suited for exploring the associations between different facets of impulsivity and psychopathological phenomena.

The change of physical properties of calcium carbonate nanomaterials cured soil in road substrates

The utilization of appropriate materials to enhance road subgrade’s physical characteristics is crucial for current transportation construction and maintenance. This study proposes a curing method that employs calcium carbonate nanomaterials to address the problem of soil displacement and settlement in roadway subgrades. A method was developed during the study to explore the optimal curing material ratio. Additionally, this study developed a method for testing and analyzing the mechanical properties of soils cured with nanomaterials, including measures of tensile stress, triaxial shear stress, and Moore’s damage envelope. The study demonstrated that the unconfined compressive strength of the soil treated with calcium carbonate nanomaterials was 0.40 MPa after 7 days of curing with a 6% doping of the curing agent. Increasing the doping to 18% resulted in a breaking load of the soil reaching 0.100 kN. Furthermore, the triaxial shear stress–strain curve of the soil exhibited a slope of 264.47 during the linear phase when the curing agent was dosed at 6%. The slope of the linear phase of the stress–strain curve for triaxial shear at 6% curing agent doping was found to be 264.47. The cured soil molar pack line exhibited an internal friction angle of 22.66 degrees at the same curing agent dosage. The displacement analysis of the replacement roadbed with cured soil revealed a maximum observed displacement of only 377 mm after filling the embankment using the study method. The experimental results provide support for the hypothesis of the study, which suggests that the application of calcium carbonate nanoparticles can significantly enhance the physical characteristics of road subgrade.

Association of social determinants of health (SDH), allostatic load (AL) and incident cancers in the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis (MESA).

10562 Background: AL may represent accumulated physiologic stress from adverse SDH. We assess the relationship of AL and incident cancer risk in MESA, a cohort free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) at baseline. Methods: MESA participants at Exam 1 (July 2000-August 2002) were included, except those with prevalent cancers other than non-melanoma skin, median follow-up, 16.5 years. We assigned the composite AL measure 1 point for each individual biomarker in the worst quartile for total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, C-reactive protein, and IL-6. One point each was assigned for BMI>25 or <18kg/m2; creatinine>1.2mg/dL (women) or >1.4mg/dL(men), systolic (≥140mmHg), diastolic (≥90mmHg) blood pressure; heart rate>100bpm; coronary artery calcium score>0 and history of diabetes. AL score (mean=3.09, SD=1.76) ranged 0-12. Other covariates included sociodemographic variables. Where missing, data for individual biomarkers were imputed using Multivariate Imputation by Chained Equations in R prior to calculating AL score. Cox regression models assessed AL in the whole population and stratified by race/ethnicity. Results: 6808 participants comprised the analytic sample; 1022 (15%) were diagnosed with new cancer during follow-up. Chinese (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 0.46,0.36-0.60) and Hispanic/Latino (aHR,95%CI 0.60,0.50-0.72) participants were less likely to develop new cancers compared with White participants. Each AL point increase was associated with increased new cancer risk (aHR,95%CI 1.07,1.03-1.11). In models stratified by race/ethnicity, AL association with new cancer risk persisted only for Black (aHR,95%CI 1.07, 1.00-1.14, p=0.04) and Hispanic/Latino (aHR,95%CI 1.17, 1.07-1.28, p=0.001) participants. Conclusions: AL as a composite measure of physiologic stress and self-reported Chinese and Hispanic/Latino race/ethnicity independently correlated with incident cancer risk in a cohort free of CVD at baseline. Race/ethnicity may moderate the effects of AL. [Table: see text]

Ultrasonic immersion testing of residual stress in plates using collinear Lamb wave mixing technique

Nondestructive estimation of residual stresses has been a major challenge in engineering. Herein, the collinear Lamb wave mixing method is proposed for residual stress measurement in metal plates under immersion ultrasonic testing. Numerical simulations have been conducted to investigate the influences of excitation parameters on the performance of the wave mixing method. The results showed that the receiver position and cycle numbers of primary waves affect the amplitude of the method, and optimal excitation parameters recommended. Ultrasonic immersion experiments are conducted on two types of plate-like specimens using the collinear Lamb wave mixing method. Experimental results showed that the proposed method is effective for measuring the residual stress in metal plates. The immersion ultrasonic testing can significantly reduce the influence of inconsistent coupling conditions between the transmitters and the specimen on experimental results, therefore it is more reliable than conventional contact testing.

Effectiveness of a Mental Health Chatbot for People With Chronic Diseases: Randomized Controlled Trial.

People with chronic diseases tend to experience more mental health issues than their peers without these health conditions. Mental health chatbots offer a potential source of mental health support for people with chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine whether a mental health chatbot can improve mental health in people with chronic diseases. We focused on 2 chronic diseases in particular: arthritis and diabetes. Individuals with arthritis or diabetes were recruited using various web-based methods. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. Those in the treatment group used a mental health chatbot app (Wysa [Wysa Inc]) over a period of 4 weeks. Those in the control group received no intervention. Participants completed measures of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7), and stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10) at baseline, with follow-up testing 2 and 4 weeks later. Participants in the treatment group completed feedback questions on their experiences with the app at the final assessment point. A total of 68 participants (n=47, 69% women; mean age 42.87, SD 11.27 years) were included in the analysis. Participants were divided evenly between the treatment and control groups. Those in the treatment group reported decreases in depression (P<.001) and anxiety (P<.001) severity over the study period. No such changes were found among participants in the control group. No changes in stress were reported by participants in either group. Participants with arthritis reported higher levels of depression (P=.004) and anxiety (P=.004) severity than participants with diabetes over the course of the study, as well as higher levels of stress (P=.01); otherwise, patterns of results were similar across these health conditions. In response to the feedback questions, participants in the treatment group said that they liked many of the functions and features of the app, the general design of the app, and the user experience. They also disliked some aspects of the app, with most of these reports focusing on the chatbot's conversational abilities. The results of this study suggest that mental health chatbots can be an effective source of mental health support for people with chronic diseases such as arthritis and diabetes. Although cost-effective and accessible, these programs have limitations and may not be well suited for all individuals. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04620668; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04620668.

Mechanics of gradient nanostructured metals

The emergence of heterogeneous nanostructured materials (HNMs) offers exciting opportunities to achieve outstanding mechanical properties. Among these materials, gradient nanotwinned (GNT) Cu is a prominent class of HNMs, demonstrating superior strengths by gaining extra strengths compared to non-gradient counterparts. Its layered gradient structure provides a simplified quasi-one-dimensional model system for understanding the extra strengthening effects of structural gradients and resulting plastic strain gradients. This paper presents a comprehensive report for recent experimental and modeling studies on the mechanics of GNT Cu, covering advances in controlled material processing, back stress measurement, deformation field characterization, dislocation microstructure analysis, and strain gradient plasticity modeling. These studies unveil the spatiotemporal evolution of both plastic strain gradients and extra back stresses originating from structural gradients. Direct connections are established between the sample-level extra strength of GNT Cu and the synergistic strengthening effects induced by local nanotwin structures and their gradients. We emphasize the critical role of the size of the representative volume element in assessing the effects of plastic strain gradient and extra back stress. Moreover, lower-order strain gradient plasticity models are validated through experimental characterizations of GNT Cu, paving the way for future investigation into the mechanics of gradient nanostructured metals. Finally, we provide an outlook on research needs for understanding the mechanics of gradient nanostructured metals and, more broadly, HNMs, towards achieving exceptional mechanical properties.

The Di-Eu-Stress State Scale (DESS Scale)

Abstract: This paper describes the development and empirical validation of an instrument for measuring state distress and eustress, the Di-Eu-Stress State (DESS) Scale. In three studies, factorial validity (Study 1), construct validity (Study 2), predictability, and predictive validity (Study 3) were tested. We used data from 1,250 participants including 819 undergraduates and 431 employees from seven distinct cross-sectional and one ecological momentary assessment (EMA) sample. Study 1: Following exploratory factor analysis, two cross-sectional and one multilevel confirmatory factor analyses supported the resultant two-factor structure of distress and eustress across different contexts and measurement methods as well as against established holistic stress measures. Study 2: Construct validity of the DESS Scale was evaluated with convergent and discriminant measures as well as against established holistic stress measures. Study 3: Multilevel regression models showed the assumed results of demands and resources as antecedents of distress and eustress, respectively, as well as of the prediction of job and study satisfaction by distress and eustress. We discuss the key findings and limitations of each study as well as the practical implications of the DESS Scale in both the field of stress research and the vocational world. Suggestions for further validation of the DESS Scale are proposed.

Neutron Diffraction Measurements of Residual Stresses for Ferritic Steel Specimens over 80 mm Thick

The maximum thickness for ferritic steel specimens’ residual stress measurements using neutron diffraction is known to be about 80 mm. This paper proposes a new neutron diffraction configuration of residual stress measurements for cases that are over 80 mm thick. The configuration utilizes a neutron beam with a wavelength of 1.55 Å diffracted from the (220) plane with a diffraction angle (2θ) of 99.4°. The reason for the deep penetration capability is attributed to the chosen wavelength having enough intensities due to the low cross-section near the Bragg edge and the reduced beam path length (~16 mm) reflected by the large diffraction angle. Neutron diffraction experiments with this configuration can decrease strain errors up to ±150 με, corresponding to a stress of about ±30 MPa.

No association between peripheral serotonin-gene-related DNA methylation and brain serotonin neurotransmission in the healthy and depressed state.

Methylation of serotonin-related genes has been proposed as a plausible gene-by-environment link which may mediate environmental stress, depressive and anxiety symptoms. DNA methylation is often measured in blood cells, but little is known about the association between this peripheral epigenetic modification and brain serotonergic architecture. Here, we evaluated the association between whole-blood-derived methylation of four CpG sites in the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) and six CpG sites of the tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) gene and in-vivo brain levels of serotonin transporter (5-HTT) and serotonin 4 receptor (5-HT4) in a cohort of healthy individuals (N = 254) and, for 5-HT4, in a cohort of unmedicated patients with depression (N = 90). To do so, we quantified SLC6A4/TPH2 methylation using bisulfite pyrosequencing and estimated brain 5-HT4 and 5-HTT levels using positron emission tomography. In addition, we explored the association between SLC6A4 and TPH2 methylation and measures of early life and recent stress, depressive and anxiety symptoms on 297 healthy individuals. We found no statistically significant association between peripheral DNA methylation and brain markers of serotonergic neurotransmission in patients with depression or in healthy individuals. In addition, although SLC6A4 CpG2 (chr17:30,236,083) methylation was marginally associated with the parental bonding inventory overprotection score in the healthy cohort, statistical significance did not remain after accounting for blood cell heterogeneity. We suggest that findings on peripheral DNA methylation in the context of brain serotonin-related features should be interpreted with caution. More studies are needed to rule out a role of SLC6A4 and TPH2 methylation as biomarkers for environmental stress, depressive or anxiety symptoms.

Neuromodulation of Cardiovascular Risks Associated With Cardiotoxic Chemotherapy: A First-in-Human Randomized Pilot Study. Neuromodulation in Cancer Study (NCAN).

Cardiotoxic chemotherapy is used to treat malignancies such as breast cancer and lymphoma. These treatments predispose patients to cardiotoxicity that can lead to cancer treatment-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). The use of high doses of anthracyclines or in combination with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 antagonists is associated with a progressively higher risk of CTRCD. CTRCD is preceded by increased activation of the sympathetic nervous system and abnormal left ventricular mechanical deformation as measured by abnormal global longitudinal strain (GLS). Low-level tragus stimulation (LLTS) is a new, safe, noninvasive technique that offers great potential to reduce increased sympathetic activation and improve GLS. Here, we describe a study method to examine the effects of LLTS on autonomic balance and cardiac function in breast cancer or lymphoma patients treated with anthracyclines. A first-in-human pilot, randomized, double-blind feasibility study will evaluate 104 patients (age >50y) with breast cancer or lymphoma who receive anthracyclines with one additional CTRCD risk factor. Patients undergo 2 weeks of LLTS daily (1 h/d). Autonomic balance will be measured using heart rate variability metrics. Strain imaging using GLS will be performed pre and post-LLTS. Endothelial inflammation and oxidative stress measures will be performed using in vitro assays at baseline and after 2 weeks. We hypothesize that LLTS stabilizes sympathovagal imbalance and improves cardiac performance in anthracycline-treated patients with breast cancer or lymphoma.

Acute psychosocial stress modulates neural and behavioral substrates of cognitive control.

Acute psychosocial stress affects learning, memory, and attention, but the evidence for the influence of stress on the neural processes supporting cognitive control remains mixed. We investigated how acute psychosocial stress influences performance and neural processing during the Go/NoGo task-an established cognitive control task. The experimental group underwent the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) acute stress induction, whereas the control group completed personality questionnaires. Then, participants completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) Go/NoGo task, with self-report, blood pressure and salivary cortisol measurements of induced stress taken intermittently throughout the experimental session. The TSST was successful in eliciting a stress response, as indicated by significant Stress > Control between-group differences in subjective stress ratings and systolic blood pressure. We did not identify significant differences in cortisol levels, however. The stress induction also impacted subsequent Go/NoGo task performance, with participants who underwent the TSST making fewer commission errors on trials requiring the most inhibitory control (NoGo Green) relative to the control group, suggesting increased vigilance. Univariate analysis of fMRI task-evoked brain activity revealed no differences between stress and control groups for any region. However, using multivariate pattern analysis, stress and control groups were reliably differentiated by activation patterns contrasting the most demanding NoGo trials (i.e., NoGo Green trials) versus baseline in the medial intraparietal area (mIPA, affiliated with the dorsal attention network) and subregions of the cerebellum (affiliated with the default mode network). These results align with prior reports linking the mIPA and the cerebellum to visuomotor coordination, a function central to cognitive control processes underlying goal-directed behavior. This suggests that stressor-induced hypervigilance may produce a facilitative effect on response inhibition which is represented neurally by the activation patterns of cognitive control regions.

Associations between epigenetic age acceleration and longitudinal measures of psychosocioeconomic stress and status

Relationships between epigenetic aging markers and psychosocial variables such as socioeconomic status and stress have been well-documented, but are often examined cross-sectionally or retrospectively, and have tended to focus on objective markers of SES or major life events. Here, we examined associations between psychosocial variables, including measures of socioeconomic status and social stress, and epigenetic aging markers in adulthood, using longitudinal data spanning three decades from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. The largest effects were observed for epigenetic markers of change in health, such as DunedinPACE and GrimAge, and for associations involving education, income, net assets, general social stress, inequality-related stress, and financial stress. Analyses of polygenic indices suggests that at least in the case of education, the link to epigenetic aging cannot be accounted for by common genetic variants.

Effect of Lanthanum Carbonate on Serum Phosphate, Oxidative Stress, and Vascular Dysfunction in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Vascular endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness are common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and independently predict cardiovascular disease (CVD). Elevated serum phosphorus, even within the normal range, associates with CVD and mortality in CKD. Excess phosphorus may increase oxidative stress leading to vascular dysfunction. Randomized double-blind trial in which we compared lanthanum carbonate, a non-calcium phosphate binder, with placebo on vascular function and endothelial and circulating measures of oxidative stress and inflammation in 54 participants with CKD 3b-4 and normal phosphorus levels. The primary endpoints were change in brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMDBA) and carotid-to-femoral pulse-wave velocity (cfPWV) at 12 weeks. Mechanistic endpoints were changes from baseline in FMDBA after ascorbic acid infusion and circulating and endothelial markers of oxidative stress and inflammation. Age was 65±8 years and eGFR 38±14 mL/min/1.73m2. At 12 weeks serum phosphorus did not change with lanthanum (3.44±0.47 mg/dL vs. 3.44±0.52 mg/dL; p=0.94) but tended to increase with placebo (3.42±0.80 mg/dL vs. 3.74±1.26 mg/dL; p=0.09). FMDBA and cfPWV did not change from baseline in either group. FMDBA lanthanum 3.13%±2.87% to 2.73%±2.48% vs. placebo 3.74%±2.86% to 3.09%±2.49%; p=0.67. cfPWV lanthanum 1214±394 cm/sec to 1216±322 cm/sec vs. placebo 993±289 cm/sec to 977±254 cm/sec; p=0.77. Ascorbic acid infusion to inhibit oxidative stress did not differentially affect FMDBA. Circulating and endothelial markers of oxidative stress and inflammation did not differ between groups. Lanthanum carbonate did not discernibly affect vascular endothelial function, arterial stiffness, or markers of endothelial oxidative stress among participants with CKD 3b-4 and normophosphatemia.

Research on the optical properties and effect of the transparent epoxy for the JUNO central detector

The Central Detector (CD) of the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) has a large acrylic sphere containing 20,000 tons of liquid scintillator (LS) and is immersed in high purity water. The CD consists of 263 acrylic spherical panels and two chimneys, which are bonded together by mass polymerization. Transmittance and stress are critical factors for the CD, with transmittance affecting JUNO's energy resolution and stress affecting the structural integrity of the detector. The bonding areas of the CD are of particular concern, leading to the development of specialized measurement systems for acrylic stress and transmittance. Stress measurements revealed the presence of higher than expected levels of stress in the bonding areas, requiring assessments and protective measures. The application of a transparent epoxy on the bonding areas was proposed as an effective structural protection measure, although it may reduce the transmittance of these areas. Consequently, the optical properties of the transparent epoxy, such as refractive index and absorbance at 420 nm, were studied using acrylic samples to analyze the effect of the epoxy application on the transmittance performance of the CD. These results are detailed and discussed in this article.

Correlations of Physical and Psychological Health in Parents of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have social communication difficulties and restricted, repetitive, and/or sensory behaviors or interests. The prevalence of ASD is now 1 in 36 individuals. Parents of individuals with ASD face challenges that can affect their physical and psychological well-being. With the long-term goal to tailor an exercise program, the purpose of this study was 2-fold: (1) establish the baseline physical and mental health of parents of individuals with ASD and (2) estimate the relationship of physiologic variables with psychological variables of health for parents of individuals with ASD. This descriptive, cross-sectional study (N = 44) explored physical health measures and the correlation between physical and psychological health, using measures of anxiety, stress, parenting depression, and positive thinking for parents who care for individuals with ASD. The common characteristics that these parents shared was high body fat and low physical activity. Body fat was negatively correlated to total step count (r = -0.428, P < .05), grip strength (r = -0.319, P < .5), and total distance walked in the week (r = -0.661, P < .01), and positively correlated to 5-times sit to stand (r = 0.337, P < .05). Low activity correlated to increased parenting stress of advocating for child's needs (r = -0.310, P = .043). Understanding relationships between physical and psychological health informs effective interventions and support systems for parents. Parents need supports to be able to prioritize exercise. Future studies should include a larger sample to verify these effects.