Hydrogel fibers for wearable sensors and soft actuators.

Owing to superior softness, wetness, responsiveness, and biocompatibility, bulk hydrogels are being intensively investigated for versatile functions in devices and machines including sensors, actuators, optics, and coatings. The one-dimensional (1D) hydrogel fibers possess the metrics from both the hydrogel materials and structural topology, endowing them with extraordinary mechanical, sensing, breathable and weavable properties. As no comprehensive review has been reported for this nascent field, this article aims to provide an overview of hydrogel fibers for soft electronics and actuators. We first introduce the basic properties and measurement methods of hydrogel fibers, including mechanical, electrical, adhesive, and biocompatible properties. Then, typical manufacturing methods for 1D hydrogel fibers and fibrous films are discussed. Next, the recent progress of wearable sensors (e.g., strain, temperature, pH, and humidity) and actuators made from hydrogel fibers is discussed. We conclude with future perspectives on next-generation hydrogel fibers and the remaining challenges. The development of hydrogel fibers will not only provide an unparalleled one-dimensional characteristic, but also translate fundamental understanding of hydrogels into new application boundaries.

Relationship Between Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms and Caregiver Burden In Breast Cancer Patients: The Mediating Role of Anxiety and Depression.

Breast cancer impacts not only the physical and mental health of patients but also the people around them-especially their caregivers. This study examined the relationship between post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and caregiver burden in breast cancer patients through the mediating pathway of anxiety and depression. METHODS: A total of 236 breast cancer patients from China completed the Chinese Version of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale (PSS), the Chinese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Chinese version of the General Anxiety Symptoms Scale (GAD-7). In addition, caregivers of these breast cancer patients were surveyed by the Caregiver Self-Assessment Questionnaire (CSAQ). RESULTS: Structural equation model showed that our model fitted well [χ2 /df = 1.966, TLI = 0.959, CFI = 0.994, RMSEA (90% CI) = 0.065 (0-0.12)] and revealed that anxiety, but not depression, mediated the relationship between PTSS in breast cancer patients and caregiver burden. CONCLUSION: The level of PTSS was positively correlated with anxiety and depression in breast cancer patients, and the level of anxiety and depression was positively related to caregiver burden. The PTSS of patients positively predicted caregiver burden and this relationship appears to be mediated by the patient's anxiety.

Mindfulness and intimate relationship satisfaction in daily life: The role of empathy.

This study examined the role of empathy in the relationship between mindfulness and intimate relationship satisfaction (IRS). Using ecological momentary assessment, 100 pairs of university students who were in relationships participated in the study. The participants were invited to complete a questionnaire measuring their current states of mindfulness, IRS, and empathy three times a day for 14 days. The results showed that empathy at the within-person level played a mediating role in the relationship between acceptance and IRS. Empathy at the within-person level also moderated the relationship between monitoring and IRS. Findings illustrated the vital role of empathy in an intimate relationship. Limitations of the study were discussed.

Perceived social support mediates the relationships of dispositional mindfulness to job burnout and posttraumatic stress disorder among chinese firefighters.

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the ways in which dispositional mindfulness is related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and job burnout among firefighters by considering the role of perceived social support. METHOD: A total of 409 Chinese firefighters completed the PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale. RESULTS: Structural equation modeling indicated that our model fit the data well (χ² = 87.16, df = 27, p < .001, χ²/df = 3.23, comparative fit index = 0.97, Tucker-Lewis Index = 0.95, root mean square error of approximation [90% confidence interval] = 0.07 [0.06, 0.09]) and revealed that perceived social support partially mediated the relationship between dispositional mindfulness, PTSD, and job burnout. CONCLUSIONS: Dispositional mindfulness had direct and indirect negative associations with PTSD symptoms and job burnout, and this relationship was mediated by perceived social support among firefighters. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Momentary and longitudinal relationships of mindfulness to stress and anxiety among Chinese elementary school students: mediations of cognitive flexibility, self-awareness, and social environment.

Mindfulness could benefit elementary school students' mental health, but little is known about the mechanisms of mindfulness in the elementary school context. The current studies explored mindfulness's relationship to stress and anxiety in elementary school students and potential mediators in the connections from proximal and distal perspectives. DESIGN: In Study 1, a daily diary approach was used to examine the mediating role of cognitive flexibility on mindfulness's dynamic association to stress and anxiety. In Study 2, we examined the longitudinal relationships between mindfulness at baseline and stress and anxiety at 6-month follow-up and the mediating roles of self-awareness (i.e., self-esteem and self-identity) and social environment (i.e., student-teacher relationship and peer relationship). MAIN OUTCOMES: From a proximal perspective, cognitive flexibility mediated the negative relationship of state mindfulness to stress and anxiety. From a distal standpoint, self-esteem mediated the relationship between dispositional mindfulness and anxiety. Perceived peer relationship mediated the association of dispositional mindfulness to stress and anxiety. CONCLUSION: For elementary school students, state mindfulness showed immediate effects, and dispositional mindfulness showed long-term effects on reducing anxiety and stress through different mechanisms. Limitations and implications were discussed.

Mindfulness, Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, and Posttraumatic Growth in Aid Workers: The Role of Self-Acceptance and Rumination.

ABSTRACT: Objective: The risk for aid workers to develop posttraumatic mental problems highlights the importance of reducing the harm of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and promoting the benefits of posttraumatic growth (PTG). This study examined the negative relationship between mindfulness and PTSS, and the positive relationship between mindfulness and PTG, and further explored the mediating roles of self-acceptance, intrusive rumination, and deliberate rumination. Methods: Aid workers from the Red Cross Organization (N = 298) were recruited in the study. They completed a series of questionnaires assessing mindfulness, self-acceptance, rumination, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and PTG. Results: Results showed that mindfulness was significantly and negatively associated with PTSD through positively predicting self-acceptance and negatively predicting intrusive rumination. Mindfulness was significantly and positively associated with PTG, although the mediating effect did not exist because the path between self-acceptance and deliberate rumination was impassable. Conclusion: The mechanisms between mindfulness, PTSD, and PTG were further explored. Limitations and implications for trauma intervention and future research were discussed.

Monte Carlo simulation and experimental evaluation of the quantum efficiency of Eu3+-doped glass at different temperatures.

The quantum efficiency (QE) is a key parameter to evaluate the optical properties of fluorescent glass. However, it is very difficult to measure the QE at high temperatures by the integrating sphere test system. In this paper, we report a new method to calculate the QE of five kinds of Eu3+-doped glasses at different temperatures based on experimental absorption and excitation spectra of Eu3+-doped glasses. The simulated QE values agree well with the experimental values of QE. Furthermore, the influence of the shape, refractive index and temperature on the QE and the spatial light intensity distribution of the Eu3+-doped glass is studied based on the Monte Carlo method. This work presents a simple method to calculate the QE and the spatial light intensity distribution at different temperatures.

Using Procedure Based on Item Response Theory to Evaluate Classification Consistency Indices in the Practice of Large-Scale Assessment.

In spite of the growing interest in the methods of evaluating the classification consistency (CC) indices, only few researches are available in the field of applying these methods in the practice of large-scale educational assessment. In addition, only few studies considered the influence of practical factors, for example, the examinee ability distribution, the cut score location and the score scale, on the performance of CC indices. Using the newly developed Lee's procedure based on the item response theory (IRT), the main purpose of this study is to investigate the performance of CC indices when practical factors are taken into consideration. A simulation study and an empirical study were conducted under comprehensive conditions. Results suggested that with negatively skewed distribution, the CC indices were larger than with other distributions. Interactions occurred among ability distribution, cut score location, and score scale. Consequently, Lee's IRT procedure is reliable to be used in the field of large-scale educational assessment, and when reporting the indices, it should be treated with caution as testing conditions may vary a lot.

Effects of UV/Ag-TiO2/O3 advanced oxidation on unicellular green alga Dunaliella salina: implications for removal of invasive species from ballast water.

The UV/Ag-TiO2/O3 process was investigated for ballast water treatment using Dunaliella salina as an indicator. Inactivation curves were obtained, and the toxicity of effluent was determined. Compared with individual unit processes using ozone or UV/Ag-TiO2, the inactivation efficiency of D. salina by the combined UV/Ag-TiO2/O3 process was enhanced. The presence of ozone caused an immediate decrease in chlorophyll a (chl-a) concentration. Inactivation efficiency and ch1-a removal efficiency were positively correlated with ozone dose and ultraviolet intensity. The initial total residual oxidant (TRO) concentration of effluent increased with increasing ozone dose, and persistence of TRO resulted in an extended period of toxicity. The results suggest that UV/Ag-TiO2/O3 has potential for ballast water treatment.