Biocompatible Soft Fluidic Strain and Force Sensors for Wearable Devices.

Fluidic soft sensors have been widely used in wearable devices for human motion capturing. However, thus far, the biocompatibility of the conductive liquid, the linearity of the sensing signal, and the hysteresis between the loading and release processes have limited the sensing quality as well as the applications of these sensors. In this paper, silicone based strain and force sensors composed of a novel biocompatible conductive liquid (potassium iodide and glycerol solution) are introduced. The strain sensors exhibit negligible hysteresis up to 5 Hz, with a gauge factor of 2.2 at 1 Hz. The force sensors feature a novel multi-functional layered structure, with micro-cylinder-filled channels to achieve high linearity, low hysteresis (5.3% hysteresis at 1 Hz), and good sensitivity (100% resistance increase at a 5 N load). The sensors' gauge factors are stable at various temperatures and humidity levels. These bio-compatible, low hysteresis, and high linearity sensors are promising for safe and reliable diagnostic devices, wearable motion capture, and compliant human-computer interfaces.

Understanding the Unique Needs of Hospitalized Adolescents and Young Adults Referred for Psychology Consults.

Hospitalized children and adolescents/young adults (AYA) frequently have mental health concerns that may be addressed by consulting psychology. We examined demographic, medical, referral, intervention, and disposition differences between children (≤11 years) and AYA referred for a psychology consult at a pediatric hospital (N = 1091). Referred AYA were more likely to be female, have shorter lengths of stay, and repeat psychology consults. Children were more likely to be referred for anxiety or feeding; AYA were more often referred for depression, pain, somatic complaints, or maladjustment. AYA were more often the target of intervention, receiving cognitive behavioral or problem-focused coping interventions, and more often recommended for psychological follow-up. AYA present unique medical and psychological challenges when hospitalized. Understanding these challenges will help providers improve the care and treatment of AYA. Academic training and future research recommendations are provided.