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Background: Tai Chi and Baduanjin are nonpharmacological interventions that are widely applied among cancer patients. Objective: This meta-analysis aimed to assess the effect of Tai Chi and Baduanjin on breast cancer patients by summarizing and pooling the results of previous studies. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library and several databases were searched up to December 1, 2023, to identify high-quality RCTs. Relevant terms such as Tai Chi and Baduanjin were used as keywords. Stata 15.0 software and Review Manager (version 5.3; Cochrane Training) were used to screen the studies, extract the data, code the data, and perform the meta-analysis. The mean differences (MDs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% CIs were used to calculate continuous variables. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias. The PICOS framework was used to develop the following eligibility criteria: (i) population - breast cancer patients; (ii) intervention - Tai Chi and Baduanjin intervention; (iii) comparison - Tai Chi and Baduanjin group and different intervention (e.g., regular intervention, routine rehabilitation training, waiting list, sham Qigong, usual care, no intervention); (iv) outcomes - cognitive ability, shoulder joint function, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep quality, quality of life; and (v) study design - randomized controlled trial. Results: From January 2013 to December 2023, we included a total of 16 RCTs involving 1247 patients. A total of 647 patients were in the experimental group and were treated with Tai Chi and Baduanjin, while 600 patients were in the control group and were treated with traditional methods. The results of our meta-analysis indicate that Tai Chi and Baduanjin yield outcomes that are comparable to those of traditional treatment methods. Specifically, Tai Chi and Baduanjin significantly increased cognitive function, increased shoulder joint function, improved sleep quality indicators and improved quality of life indicators. Furthermore, Tai Chi and Baduanjin significantly reduced anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, and fatigue symptoms among breast cancer patients. Sensitivity analysis was performed, a funnel plot was constructed. No publication bias was indicated by Egger's or Begg's test. Conclusion: Overall, Tai Chi and Baduanjin are viable and effective nonpharmacological approaches for treating breast cancer patients, as they yield better results than traditional treatment methods. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the limited number of controlled trials, small sample sizes, and low quality of the evidence. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ , identifier CRD42023469301. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses optical properties (luminescence) of diluted (24 dilution factor) lucigenin (Lc) aqueous solutions. Six series of Lc aqueous solutions, with 50 samples in each series, were studied. The series were diluted on different days within random schedules, following a unified procedure: the first sample in all the series was the Lc (C Lc = 8.2 × 10−7 mol/L) stock solution, while the rest of the samples were obtained by successive dilution with the ratio of 24. For the first three samples, the Lc luminescence intensity decrease appropriately complied with the exponential function model (the dilution ratio: none for the stock solution, for the second and the third, 24 and 24 × 24 = 242, respectively). Starting from the fourth sample for statistical processing of luminescence data, the seven largest values were selected from the built rank distribution of emission intensity values. This method helps eliminate the influence of "random large bounces" when calculating the correlation coefficient. Up to the 50th studied sample, a challenging linear gradual decrease in the intensity of recorded photometric values was noted (correlation coefficients for all series being close to −0.9). Similar analysis of six reference series of pure water "dilution" samples did not exhibit any correlation between the highest emission values in the studied wavelength range (specific for Lc bandwidth, 480–505 nm) and the sample's dilution number. It can be assumed that photometric values, recorded in the series of Lc sequentially diluted aqueous solutions after substance (Lc) elimination (theoretically expected after the 13th sample within the used experimental setup), could be attributed to the gradual destruction of long-lived aqueous structures formed in the process of hydration of Lc molecules during its dissolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the thermodynamic and fluid dynamic influences on the clamping force of high-strength bolts (HSBs) within a temperature range of -20℃ to 60℃, reflective of the climatic conditions prevalent in northern China. Eight HSB specimens were subjected to focused experimental investigations to quantify the effects of thermal expansion and the dynamics of clamping force relaxation under varying thermal environments. It was determined that initial clamping force relaxation, significantly influenced by thermal dynamics, was completed within seven hours at a controlled temperature of 24℃, with observed losses ranging from 1.01% to 3.44%. Furthermore, a substantial degradation of clamping force was recorded, attributed to a thermal gradient, where losses increased up to 19.02% as temperatures rose from 20℃ to 60℃. The findings culminated in the development of a thermofluid model, which effectively estimates clamping force behaviour across the studied temperature spectrum. To mitigate the adverse effects of thermal relaxation, a recommendation was made to increase the standard tightening force by 5%, thereby providing critical guidelines for optimising the mechanical integrity of steel connections under thermal stress. These insights are expected to enhance the understanding of clamping force stability in high-strength bolted joints within extreme thermal environments, contributing to the advancement of structural integrity assessments in engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Substance abuse is a widespread problem, with high rates of treatment dropout. Stress plays a crucial role in this problem, so innovative interventions with stressed patients can assist them in completing treatment. Methods: This study is a randomized controlled trial with 60 participants who have substance abuse disorder undergoing detoxification at a residency facility in Tehran, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: watching a 360° video of nature, a 360° video of a city environment, or no virtual experience. The intervention was performed only for one session. Psychological stress was measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and Perceived Stress Scale before and after the intervention. Physiological stress was assessed through respiratory rate, skin conductance, and heart rate recordings during the virtual reality (VR) experience. Data analysis was performed using R software (version 4.2). Results: Paired t‐test results indicated significant psychological differences before and after virtual nature experiences, but not in the control and city groups. The repeated measure ANOVA showed a significant reduction in skin conductance (p < 0.01) and respiratory rate (p < 0.01) scores in the nature group. Conclusion: The findings suggest that VR relaxation could be a potentially beneficial intervention for reducing stress in patients during detoxification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental disorders and often accompanied with sleep disturbance which can in turn exacerbate anxiety symptoms, creating a vicious cycle. In addition to psychopharmacological therapy, the effectiveness of psychotherapy as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating anxiety disorders and insomnia has been well documented and widely accepted, but it is labor‐intensive and costly. However, virtual reality (VR)–integrated CBT may improve this condition but needs more evidences to support its extensive application in routine clinical practice. Objectives: This explorative study was aimed to conduct a retrospective analysis to evaluate the acute (2 weeks) augmented effect of VR‐integrated relaxation and mindfulness exercising in improving anxiety and insomnia symptoms for patients who were diagnosed with anxiety disorders and concurrently with prominent insomnia symptoms and admitted to the Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital of Jinan University during January 2021 to June 2021. Methods: All patients who were admitted to the department of psychiatry during January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021 were screened with inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria, and the sociodemographic and clinical data of those included patients were collected from the electronic medical record system of the hospital using a self‐designed case report form (CRF). Subjects who were administrated with medication alone were designated as conventional group, and those receiving treatment of medication combined with VR‐integrated CBT (VR relaxation and mindfulness exercising) as VR group. The baseline and 2‐week posttreatment data were compared between the two groups. Results: In total, there were 103 patients (70 female, 68%) included in the study. Among all, 68 (66.02%) were designated as the "VR group," and 35 (33.98%) as the "conventional group." The majority of patients (67%) were diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Twenty‐three (22.3%) patients had a comorbid diagnosis with primary insomnia, and insomnia was just one of the accompanying symptoms with anxiety for the rest 80 subjects. No statistically significant differences were found between VR and conventional groups in all baseline sociodemographic and clinical characteristics except for occupation. There were statistically significant differences for the remission rates of anxiety symptoms or insomnia symptoms and reduction of Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale or Insomnia Severity Index total scores between conventional and VR groups. Greater remission rates or score reductions were found in VR group than in conventional group either for anxiety or for insomnia. Robust differences still existed when controlled for the variable "occupation." Conclusions: Two‐week augmented VR‐integrated relaxation and mindfulness exercising is acutely beneficial for relieving both anxiety and insomnia symptoms and worth being recommended for routine clinical practice. Further prospective and randomized study compared to traditional CBT to explore its acute and long‐term effect on anxiety and insomnia is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an analysis of the stress evolution of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) at loading, relaxation, and recovery stages in a multi‐relaxation‐recovery (RR) test. The analysis is based on a three‐branch spring‐dashpot model that uses the Eyring's law to govern the viscous behavior. The spring‐dashpot model comprises two viscous branches to represent the short‐ and long‐term time‐dependent stress responses to deformation, and a quasi‐static branch to represent the time‐independent stress response. A fast numerical analysis framework based on genetic algorithms was developed to determine values for the model parameters so that the difference between the simulation and the experimental data could be less than 0.08 MPa. Using this approach, values of the model parameters were determined as functions of deformation and time so that the model can simulate the stress response at loading, relaxation, and recovery stages of the RR test. The simulation also generated 10 sets of model parameter values to examine their consistency. The study concludes that the three‐branch model can serve as a suitable tool for analyzing the mechanical properties of HDPE, and values for the model parameters can potentially be used to characterize the difference among PEs for their mechanical performance. Highlights: Developed computer programs to determine parameter values automatically.Explained the unusual stress drop during stress recovery after unloading.Evaluated the statistical range of the parameter values for the good fitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given a connected bounded open Lipschitz set Ω ⊂ R², we show that the relaxed Cartesian area functional A̅ (u,Ω) of a map u ∈ W1,1(Ω;S¹) is finite, and we provide a useful upper bound for its value. Using this estimate, we prove a modified version of a De Giorgi conjecture adapted to W1,1(Ω;S¹), on the largest countably subadditive set function ... (u,⋅) smaller than or equal to A̅ (u,⋅). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary surfactant serves as a barrier to respiratory epithelium but can also regulate airway smooth muscle (ASM) tone. Surfactant (SF) relaxes contracted ASM, similar to β2‐agonists, anticholinergics, nitric oxide, and prostanoids. The exact mechanism of surfactant relaxation and whether surfactant relaxes hyperresponsive ASM remains unknown. Based on previous research, relaxation requires an intact epithelium and prostanoid synthesis. We sought to examine the mechanisms by which surfactant causes ASM relaxation. Organ bath measurements of isometric tension of ASM of guinea pigs in response to exogenous surfactant revealed that surfactant reduces tension of healthy and hyperresponsive tracheal tissue. The relaxant effect of surfactant was reduced if prostanoid synthesis was inhibited and/or if prostaglandin E2‐related EP2 receptors were antagonized. Atomic force microscopy revealed that human ASM cells stiffen during contraction and soften during relaxation. Surfactant softened ASM cells, similarly to the known bronchodilator prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and the cell softening was abolished when EP4 receptors for PGE2 were antagonized. Elevated levels of PGE2 were found in cultures of normal human bronchial epithelial cells exposed to pulmonary surfactant. We conclude that prostaglandin E2 and its EP2 and EP4 receptors are likely involved in the relaxant effect of pulmonary surfactant in airways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1H spin–lattice relaxation experiments have been performed for gels based on fish collagen in order to analyze water dynamics. The covered frequency range ranges from 10 kHz to 10 MHz; in some cases, the temperature has varied as well. The relaxation data have been reproduced in terms of two models of water motion—a model including two relaxation contributions associated with the diffusion of water molecules on the macromolecular surfaces and a second model being just a phenomenological power law. The concept of surface diffusion has led to a very good agreement with the experimental data and a consistent set of parameters, with the diffusion coefficients being about five orders of magnitude slower compared to bulk water for one of the pools and considerably faster for the second one (smaller by factors between 2 and 20 compared to bulk water). In some cases, the attempt to reproduce the data in terms of a power law has led to a good agreement with the experimental data (the power law factor varying between 0.41 and 0.57); however, in other cases, the discrepancies are significant. This outcome favors the concept of surface diffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ceramic Sr(NiNb)0.5O3, incorporating silver doping in the A site, was synthesized using a sol–gel route and subjected to comprehensive analysis through various experimental techniques. X-ray diffraction data analysis indicates a rhombohedral crystal structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination reveals densely packed grains with minimal surface porosity. A thorough investigation of electrical properties, encompassing dielectric constant, loss tangent, electrical impedance, modulus, conductivity, etc., was conducted across a wide frequency range (103–106 Hz) and temperature range (260–340 K). This analysis provided valuable insights into structure–property relationships and conduction mechanisms. The discussion highlights the significance of interface effects, space charge polarization, and Maxwell–Wagner dielectric relaxation in achieving the material's high dielectric constant at low frequencies and elevated temperatures. Examination of temperature dependence through Nyquist plots elucidates the contributions of grain behavior to the material's resistive and capacitive properties. The dielectric permittivity, dissipation of energy, and electrical characteristics like impedance, modulus and conductivity are notably influenced by the frequency of the applied electric field and temperature. Overall, the material exhibits promising potential for industrial applications such as energy storage, given its intriguing properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of vehicle cabin seats is crucial in transportation, as it directly affects the safety and comfort of both drivers and passengers. To design seat parameters that enhance sitting comfort, a quantitative evaluation of sitting comfort involving an understanding of users' physiological responses is necessary. This study aimed to assess users' physiological responses to relaxation induced by changes in seat parameters using electroencephalography and electrocardiography. We examined the physiological responses and subjective evaluations of relaxation in fifteen participants, focusing on the effects of reclining, ottoman, and slab. The results demonstrated an improvement in the subjective level of relaxation with changes in all seat parameters set here. However, central nervous system responses and autonomic nervous system reactions varied based on alterations in posture angles and seat pressure distributions. This underscores the importance of physiological markers, encompassing indicators of autonomic and central nervous system responses, in evaluating relaxation in relation to changes in posture angles and seat pressure distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract While Early Live Adversity (ELA) is a known risk factor for mental and physical diseases, the investigation into the mechanisms behind this connection is ongoing. In the present study, we investigated whether ELA blunts the relaxation response in healthy adults. Using a within-subjects design, we employed a paced breathing exercise (four seconds inhale, six seconds exhale) and a 360° nature video as relaxation interventions while measuring physiological relaxation using heart rate variability and subjective relaxation using the Relaxation State Questionnaire. A total of 103 participants (63.11% female; agemean = 22.73 ± 3.43 years) completed the Parental Bonding Instrument and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire to assess ELA retrospectively. For subjective relaxation, a blunted relaxation reaction was associated with lower scores of paternal care and higher scores of paternal overprotection, physical abuse, physical neglect, and emotional abuse. For heart rate variability emotional abuse in interaction with nicotine consumption was related to a blunted relaxation response. This indicates that experiencing ELA negatively affects the relaxation capability in a healthy sample and emphasizes the importance of assessing relaxation at a physiological and subjective level.

Mirror epoxy, used in its pure form with a resin-to-hardener ratio of 100:50, is emerging as an innovative material widely used in modern flooring. Its appeal lies in its smooth, shiny surface, offering a unique and contemporary aesthetic. However, understanding its long-term viscoelastic behavior is essential to ensure the durability and performance of floor coverings under various conditions of use. This study examines the evolution of the Schapery model for mirror epoxy, focusing on its long-term viscoelastic behavior. Creep tests at constant loads and ambient temperature are carried out in order to numerically determine the static nonlinearity factors g and g 0 formulated in the Schapery model. To validate this model, other relaxation tests at constant deformations are carried out under the same conditions, which allowed us to determine the nonlinearity factors h and h 0 formulated in this model using the same method. A remarkable consistency between the variations in the experimental and numerical values of the model programmed on MATLAB allows us to conclude that the Schapery model describes the real behavior of the mirror epoxy in a satisfactory manner.

The ceramic Sr(NiNb)0.5O3, incorporating silver doping in the A site, was synthesized using a sol–gel route and subjected to comprehensive analysis through various experimental techniques. X-ray diffraction data analysis indicates a rhombohedral crystal structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination reveals densely packed grains with minimal surface porosity. A thorough investigation of electrical properties, encompassing dielectric constant, loss tangent, electrical impedance, modulus, conductivity, etc., was conducted across a wide frequency range (103–106 Hz) and temperature range (260–340 K). This analysis provided valuable insights into structure–property relationships and conduction mechanisms. The discussion highlights the significance of interface effects, space charge polarization, and Maxwell–Wagner dielectric relaxation in achieving the material’s high dielectric constant at low frequencies and elevated temperatures. Examination of temperature dependence through Nyquist plots elucidates the contributions of grain behavior to the material’s resistive and capacitive properties. The dielectric permittivity, dissipation of energy, and electrical characteristics like impedance, modulus and conductivity are notably influenced by the frequency of the applied electric field and temperature. Overall, the material exhibits promising potential for industrial applications such as energy storage, given its intriguing properties.

Abstract Background Although broadband music with inaudible high-frequency components may benefit human well-being, this research area is largely unexplored and lacks sufficient studies on the topic. This study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of broadband and audible band music on relaxation states and cognitive function in young adults. Methods A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in a professional soundproof laboratory from December 22, 2022, to January 18, 2023 with 32 participants randomly assigned to two groups, “Day 1 broadband + Day 2 audible band” (n = 16) and “Day 1 audible band + Day 2 broadband” (n = 16), listening to either broadband or audible band music (the same music piece played on the piano and harp) for two sessions of 15 min each on two consecutive days. Cognitive function was measured using CNS Vital Signs at pre-listening, after the 1st session, and after the 2nd session, while heart rate was monitored throughout the experiment. Visual Analog Scale was also administered for self-reported arousal, stress, thinking ability, and attention following each listening session. Results No significant differences were found in heart rate, cognitive flexibility, and executive function between the broadband listening group and the audible band-listening group (p > 0.05). However, the broadband group exhibited significant differences in mean heart rate at several time points, as well as a significant improvement in VAS stress level during the 2nd listening session compared to the 1st (p

Abstract New data analysis based on a spring‐dashpot model is developed to provide very close simulation of stress variation in polyethylene (PE) when subjected to a multi‐relaxation (MR) test. The model consists of a quasi‐static branch and two (long‐ and short‐term) viscous branches. The study shows that viscous stresses applied to the two dashpots and the model parameters can be quantified as functions of displacement (stroke) by simulating closely the stress variation in relaxation. Using these parameters, influences of stress triaxiality and material grade on PE's stress response at relaxation stages are examined, and along with experimental data at the loading stages, spring constants in the two viscous branches are determined. The results indicate that among three PE grades, spring constants and their trend of variation are similar in the long‐term viscous branch, but not in the short‐term counterpart. The results also show that by decreasing specimen gauge length 10 times to increase stress triaxiality, spring constants in the two viscous branches become closer to each other. The work concludes that the new data analysis can determine all parameters in the model, which can then be considered to quantify the role of the viscous stress response for PE's load‐carrying performance. Highlights Use a simple model to simulate complex, multiple relaxation behaviors of PE. Determine all model parameter values to characterize PE's relaxation behavior. Illustrate the effect of stress triaxiality on PE's viscous stress response. Show the similarity and difference of the viscous stress response among 3 PEs.

Background: Insomnia is a common sleep disorder characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep or sleep that is unrefreshing or of poor quality. It is a serious public health concern where pharmacological insomnia treatments are often only advised for short term. Nadanusandana relaxation can be a safe, simple, and most effective treatment for insomnia as an adjuvant yogic treatment. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Nadanusandana relaxation on autonomic variables in patients with insomnia. Settings and Design: A prospective randomized controlled trial conducted on subjects who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were divided equally into two groups. Group 1 along with naturopathy and yogic intervention practiced Nadanusandana relaxation (n = 50) and Group 2 underwent only naturopathic and yogic practices (n = 50). Subjects and Methods: Subjects were assessed for heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure, and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores before and after treatment. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS 21.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The Nadanusandana relaxation group observed a significant increase in average RR interval, the square root of the mean squared difference between adjacent N-N intervals, the fraction of consecutive RR intervals that differ by more than 50 ms, and high frequency (HF), and a significant decrease in low frequency (LF) and LF/HF ratio was observed in HRV.. A very substantial drop in both the diastolic and systolic blood pressure during blood pressure readings. Sleep quality questionnaire analyzed a significant decrease in ISI score and in PSQI. Conclusion: Nadanusandana relaxation reduces sympathetic tone and shifts sympathovagal balance toward vagal dominance in regular practice. Hence, the result claims that this technique can be effective in reducing sleep disturbances, lowering blood pressure, and improving sleep quality in insomnia.

Abstract The purpose of this research was to ascertain how progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) technique affected hip fracture patients' anxiety, sleep quality, and post-operative pain. This parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted on 100 patients with hip fracture hospitalized in one of the reference orthopedic hospitals in Tehran, Iran who were selected using convenience sampling and randomly were placed in two PMR group (n = 50) and control group (n = 50). Data were collected by Demographic information questionnaire, Visual analogue scale for pain rating, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The PMR technique was the progressive muscle relaxation technique, which was started the night after the surgery for three nights before going to bed. Data were collected on two occasions, including before the PMR technique and the day after the last stage of the PMR technique. The data were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed significant within-group changes in both groups' post-operative pain, sleep quality, and anxiety scores (P

Abstract Purpose In light of the mounting prevalence of stress in contemporary society and the growing interest in stress reduction methods, this review investigates the potential of taiji as a viable strategy for alleviating stress. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CENTRAL), PsycINFO, and Web of Science were searched up to April 2023 to identify randomized controlled trials of taiji. Studies in both patients and healthy populations were considered. They had to provide a measure of perceived stress and include a no treatment or placebo control group. Data were extracted by two reviewers. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated for perceived stress, biological stress markers, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL). Meta-regression analyses were performed to identify sources of heterogeneity. Results Eleven trials with a total of 1323 patients comparing taiji to no intervention met the inclusion criteria. The included studies varied strongly with regard to patient characteristics, taiji intervention, and methodological quality. The overall SMD for perceived stress was significant at -0.41 (95% confidence interval, CI, -0.63 to -0.19; I2 = 63%). Exclusion of studies with less than 100 participants yielded a diminished SMD at -0.26 (95% CI, -0.45 to -0.06). The SMD for perceived stress at follow-up was significant (-0.25, 95% CI -0.46 to -0.05). Secondary outcomes highlighted improvements in anxiety and physical QoL, while depression, mental QoL, and biological stress markers remained unchanged. Conclusions Results underscore taiji's potential in mitigating perceived stress in both patients and healthy populations, paralleled by enhancements in depressive symptoms, anxiety levels, and physical QoL.

Abstract Background This study investigated the relaxation effect of PGE2 on the ureter and its role in promoting calculi expulsion following calculi development. Methods By using immunofluorescence and Western blot, we were able to locate EP receptors in the ureter. In vitro experiments assessed the impact of PGE2, receptor antagonists, and agonists on ureteral relaxation rate. We constructed a model of ureteral calculi with flowable resin and collected ureteral tissue from postoperative side of the ureter after obstruction surgery. Western blot analysis was used to determine the protein expression levels of EP receptors and the PGE2 terminal synthase mPGES-1. Additionally, PGE2 was added to smooth muscle cells to observe downstream cAMP and PKA changes. Results The expression of EP2 and EP4 proteins in ureteral smooth muscle was verified by Western blot analysis. According to immunofluorescence, EP2 was primarily found on the cell membrane, while EP4 was found in the nucleus. In vitro, PGE2 induced concentration-dependent ureteral relaxation. Maximum diastolic rate was 70.94 ± 4.57% at a concentration of 30µM. EP2 antagonists hindered this effect, while EP4 antagonists did not. Obstructed ureters exhibited elevated mPGES-1 and EP2 protein expression (P

Highly varying process conditions drive polymers into nonequilibrium molecular conformations. This has direct implications for the resulting structural and mechanical properties. This study rigorously investigated processing-property relations from a microscopic perspective. The corresponding models use a mesoscale molecular dynamics (MD) approach. Different loading conditions, including uniaxial and biaxial stretching, along with various cooling conditions, were employed to mimic process conditions on the micro-scale. The resulting intricate interplay between equi-biaxial stretching, orientation, and crystallization behavior in long polyethylene chains was reviewed. The study reveals notable effects depending on different cooling and biaxial stretching procedures. The findings emphasize the significance of considering distributions and directions of chain ordering. Local inspections of trajectories unveil that crystal growth predominantly occurs in regions devoid of entanglements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although broadband music with inaudible high-frequency components may benefit human well-being, this research area is largely unexplored and lacks sufficient studies on the topic. This study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of broadband and audible band music on relaxation states and cognitive function in young adults. Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in a professional soundproof laboratory from December 22, 2022, to January 18, 2023 with 32 participants randomly assigned to two groups, "Day 1 broadband + Day 2 audible band" (n = 16) and "Day 1 audible band + Day 2 broadband" (n = 16), listening to either broadband or audible band music (the same music piece played on the piano and harp) for two sessions of 15 min each on two consecutive days. Cognitive function was measured using CNS Vital Signs at pre-listening, after the 1st session, and after the 2nd session, while heart rate was monitored throughout the experiment. Visual Analog Scale was also administered for self-reported arousal, stress, thinking ability, and attention following each listening session. Results: No significant differences were found in heart rate, cognitive flexibility, and executive function between the broadband listening group and the audible band-listening group (p > 0.05). However, the broadband group exhibited significant differences in mean heart rate at several time points, as well as a significant improvement in VAS stress level during the 2nd listening session compared to the 1st (p < 0.05). On the other hand, significant improvements in cognitive flexibility and executive function were observed in the audible band group across different time points (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Comparative analysis showed that broadband and audible band music influenced cognitive function differently. Short-term audible band music listening significantly improved cognitive flexibility and executive function, while short-term broadband music listening significantly reduced reaction time in cognitive tests. Additionally, broadband music consistently resulted in lower mean heart rates compared to audible band music at all time points, suggesting that it may be more effective in promoting relaxation and reducing stress, although these differences were not statistically significant. Since the cognitive enhancing effects of broadband music may be counteracted by the drowsy effect of the selected relaxing music, using different types of music may be necessary to confirm its effects in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The classic pump scheduling or optimal water flow (OWF) problem for water distribution networks (WDNs) minimizes the cost of power consumption for a given WDN over a fixed time horizon. In its exact form, the OWF is a computationally challenging mixed-integer nonlinear program (MINLP). It is complicated by nonlinear equality constraints that model network physics, discrete variables that model operational controls, and intertemporal constraints that model changes to storage devices. To address the computational challenges of the OWF, this paper develops tight polyhedral relaxations of the original MINLP, derives novel valid inequalities (or cuts) using duality theory, and implements novel optimization-based bound tightening and cut generation procedures. The efficacy of each new method is rigorously evaluated by measuring empirical improvements in OWF primal and dual bounds over 45 literature instances. The evaluation suggests that our relaxation improvements, model strengthening techniques, and a thoughtfully selected polyhedral relaxation partitioning scheme can substantially improve OWF primal and dual bounds, especially when compared with similar relaxation-based techniques that do not leverage these new methods. History: Accepted by David Alderson, Area Editor for Network Optimization: Algorithms & Applications. Funding: This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Grid Modeling project, Coordinated Planning and Operation of Water and Power Infrastructures for Increased Resilience and Reliability. Incorporation of the PolyhedralRelaxations Julia package was supported by Los Alamos National Laboratory's Directed Research and Development program under the project Fast, Linear Programming-Based Algorithms with Solution Quality Guarantees for Nonlinear Optimal Control Problems [Grant 20220006ER]. All work at Los Alamos National Laboratory was conducted under the auspices of the National Nuclear Security Administration of the U.S. DOE, Contract No. 89233218CNA000001. This work was also authored in part by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, for the U.S. DOE, Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308. Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information (https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2022.0233) as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository (https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2022.0233). The complete IJOC Software and Data Repository is available at https://informsjoc.github.io/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The description of various loading types within the frame of viscoelasticity, such as creep–recovery and stress relaxation in a wide time scale, by means of the same model and similar model parameters is always an interesting topic. In the present work, a viscoelastic model that was analyzed in previous works has been utilized to describe the main standard loading types of viscoelasticity with the same set of model parameters. The relaxation function of this model includes a distribution function followed by the energy barriers that need to be overcome by the molecular domains when a stress field is applied. This distribution function attains a decisive role in the analysis and it was shown that it can be determined on the basis of the loss modulus master curve experimental results. Thereafter, requiring no additional parameters, the creep compliance, the relaxation modulus of poly-lactic acid (PLA) in a wide time scale, as well as creep–recovery at various stresses could be predicted. It was also found that by employing the distribution function associated with the PLA matrix, the creep–recovery experimental data of PLA/hybrid nanocomposites could subsequently be predicted. Therefore, the proposed analysis was shown to be a useful method to predict the material's viscoelastic response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hierarchical (first-order) structured deformations are studied from the variational point of view. The main contributions of the present research are the first steps, at the theoretical level, to establish a variational framework to minimize mechanically relevant energies defined on hierarchical structured deformations. Two results are obtained here: (i) an approximation theorem and (ii) the assignment of an energy to a hierarchical structured deformation by means of an iterative procedure. This has the effect of validating the proposal made in Deseri and Owen (J. Elast. 135:149–182, 2019) to study deformations admitting slips and separations at multiple submacroscopic levels. An explicit example is provided to illustrate the behavior of the proposed iterative procedure and relevant directions for future research are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conceptual metaphor DEATH IS REST is a metaphor that appears with great frequency in discourse expressing the concept of "death" in Vietnamese and English. Its basic structure is a partial mapping schema with the characteristic of “rest” activated in association with the abstract idea of “death”. Through analyzing the two languages used, Vietnamese and English, the results of this study aim to point out similarities and differences as well as provide some insights into the mechanism of perceiving "death" in Vietnamese and English through the mindset of “rest”. The conclusions of the study can be used as a reference source for other studies on conceptual metaphors and applied language teaching relating to cultural factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New data analysis based on a spring‐dashpot model is developed to provide very close simulation of stress variation in polyethylene (PE) when subjected to a multi‐relaxation (MR) test. The model consists of a quasi‐static branch and two (long‐ and short‐term) viscous branches. The study shows that viscous stresses applied to the two dashpots and the model parameters can be quantified as functions of displacement (stroke) by simulating closely the stress variation in relaxation. Using these parameters, influences of stress triaxiality and material grade on PE's stress response at relaxation stages are examined, and along with experimental data at the loading stages, spring constants in the two viscous branches are determined. The results indicate that among three PE grades, spring constants and their trend of variation are similar in the long‐term viscous branch, but not in the short‐term counterpart. The results also show that by decreasing specimen gauge length 10 times to increase stress triaxiality, spring constants in the two viscous branches become closer to each other. The work concludes that the new data analysis can determine all parameters in the model, which can then be considered to quantify the role of the viscous stress response for PE's load‐carrying performance. Highlights: Use a simple model to simulate complex, multiple relaxation behaviors of PE.Determine all model parameter values to characterize PE's relaxation behavior.Illustrate the effect of stress triaxiality on PE's viscous stress response.Show the similarity and difference of the viscous stress response among 3 PEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of tempering temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of high-strength medium-thickness steel plate was studied by rolling + relaxation + online quenching + tempering process. After quenching at 670 °C, the yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, and impact energy at − 20 °C of high-strength steel could reach 1002, 1240 MPa, 12%, and 148 J, respectively. After tempering between 560 and 650 °C, they could be 1051-1139 MPa, 1100-1160 MPa, 14.2-17.8%, and 150-240 J, accordingly. The precipitates and carbides were the main factors causing the increase in yield strength, while the lath width was the main factor causing the decrease in yield strength when the tempering temperature increased from 560 to 650 °C. Some dislocations were pinned by precipitates so that they were difficult to move when tempering. Thus, dislocation density decreased dramatically in the early stage of tempering (560 °C) and then decreased slowly. The increase in tempering temperature could reduce the dislocation density and increase the proportion of high-angle grain boundaries to consume more energy by changing the crack propagation direction, thus improving the impact toughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions worldwide, and psychotherapeutic techniques can be employed to help manage and mitigate symptoms. While the available therapies are numerous, key strategies often involve cognitive and/or embodiment techniques. Within body-centered methods, breathing-oriented approaches are particularly prevalent, using either attention towards or active control of breathing. As the perception of body states (i.e., interoception) is thought to be an integral component of emotion generation, these embodiment and breathing techniques may be key in addressing the miscommunication between the brain and body that is thought to exist with anxiety. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of acute administration of psychological interventions for state anxiety. Results: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement and registered prospectively in PROSPERO. A literature search for randomized controlled trials was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus. We considered interventions that focused on cognitive, embodiment or breathing strategies, or a combination of these technaiques. Twelve studies met our inclusion criteria, and study characteristics, quality and effect sizes were assessed. A single cognitive study was found to produce a moderate reduction in state anxiety, while moderate to large effects were found across studies assessing embodiment practices. In contrast, studies which utilized breathing-based interventions alone produced inconsistent results, with both attention towards and active control of breathing producing large to no effects depending on the technique employed. Finally, consistent moderate effects were found with combination techniques that involved passive attention (e.g., towards cognitions, body and/or breathing), with active combination techniques producing inconsistent results. Discussion: While study numbers are limited regarding brief interventions, cognitive and embodiment techniques are consistently helpful for reducing state anxiety, while breathing-based exercises need to consider the specific technique employed, and how successful this may be for each individual. Furthermore, combined practices such as mindfulness can also be successful, although care must be taken when introducing an active change to one or more elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free water fraction (FWF) represents the amount of water per unit volume of brain parenchyma, which is not bound to macromolecules. Its excess in multiple sclerosis (MS) is related to increased tissue loss. The use of mcDESPOT (multicomponent driven single pulse observation of T1 and T2), a 3D imaging method which exploits both the T1 and T2 contrasts, allows FWF to be derived in clinically feasible times. However, this method has not been used to quantify changes of FWF and their potential clinical impact in MS. The aim of this study is to investigate the changes in FWF in MS patients and their relationship with tissue damage and cognition, under the hypothesis that FWF is a proxy of clinically meaningful tissue loss. To this aim, we tested the relationship between FWF, MS lesion burden and information processing speed, evaluated via the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). In addition to standard sequences, used for T1‐ and T2‐weighted lesion delineation, the mcDESPOT sequence with 1.7 mm isotropic resolution and a diffusion weighted imaging protocol (b = 0, 1200 s/mm2, 40 diffusion directions) were employed at 3 T. The fractional anisotropy map derived from diffusion data was used to define a subject‐specific white matter (WM) atlas. Brain parenchyma segmentation returned masks of gray matter (GM) and WM, and normal‐appearing WM (NAWM), in addition to the T1 and T2 lesion masks (T1L and T2L, respectively). Ninety‐nine relapsing–remitting MS patients (age = 43.3 ± 9.9 years, disease duration 12.3 ± 7.7 years) were studied, together with twenty‐five healthy controls (HC, age = 38.8 ± 11.0 years). FWF was higher in GM and NAWM of MS patients, compared to GM and WM of HC (both p <.001). In MS patients, FWF was the highest in the T1L and GM, followed by T2L and NAWM, respectively. FWF increased significantly with T1L and T2L volume (ρ ranging from 0.40 to 0.58, p <.001). FWF in T2L was strongly related to both T1L volume and the volume ratio T1L/T2L (ρ = 0.73, p <.001). MS patients performed worse than HC in the processing speed test (mean ± SD: 54.1 ± 10.3 for MS, 63.8 ± 10.8 for HC). FWF in GM, T2L, perilesional tissue and NAWM increased with SDMT score reduction (ρ = −0.30, −0.29, −0.33 respectively and r = −.30 for T2L, all with p <.005). A regional analysis, conducted to determine which NAWM regions were of particular importance to explain the relationship between FWF and cognitive impairment, revealed that FWF spatial variance was negatively related to SDMT score in the corpus callosum and the superior longitudinal fasciculus, WM structures known to be associated with cognitive impairment, in addition to the left corticospinal tract, the sagittal stratum, the right anterior limb of internal capsule. In conclusion, we found excess free water in brain parenchyma of MS patients, an alteration that involved not only MS lesions, but also the GM and NAWM, impinging on brain function and negatively associated with cognitive processing speed. We suggest that the FWF metric, derived from noninvasive, rapid MRI acquisitions and bearing good biological interpretability, may prove valuable as an MRI biomarker of tissue damage and associated cognitive impairment in MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigated the relaxation effect of PGE2 on the ureter and its role in promoting calculi expulsion following calculi development. Methods: By using immunofluorescence and Western blot, we were able to locate EP receptors in the ureter. In vitro experiments assessed the impact of PGE2, receptor antagonists, and agonists on ureteral relaxation rate. We constructed a model of ureteral calculi with flowable resin and collected ureteral tissue from postoperative side of the ureter after obstruction surgery. Western blot analysis was used to determine the protein expression levels of EP receptors and the PGE2 terminal synthase mPGES-1. Additionally, PGE2 was added to smooth muscle cells to observe downstream cAMP and PKA changes. Results: The expression of EP2 and EP4 proteins in ureteral smooth muscle was verified by Western blot analysis. According to immunofluorescence, EP2 was primarily found on the cell membrane, while EP4 was found in the nucleus. In vitro, PGE2 induced concentration-dependent ureteral relaxation. Maximum diastolic rate was 70.94 ± 4.57% at a concentration of 30µM. EP2 antagonists hindered this effect, while EP4 antagonists did not. Obstructed ureters exhibited elevated mPGES-1 and EP2 protein expression (P < 0.01). Smooth muscle cells treated with PGE2 displayed increased cAMP and phosphorylated PKA. Conclusions: PGE2 binding to EP2 induces ureteral relaxation through the cAMP-PKA pathway. This will provide a new theoretical basis for the development of new therapeutic approaches for the use of PGE2 in the treatment of ureteral stones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inline analytics in industrial processes reduce operating costs and production rejection. Dedicated sensors enable inline process monitoring and control tailored to the application of interest. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance is a well-known analytical technique but needs adapting for low-cost, reliable and robust process monitoring. A V-shaped low-field NMR sensor was developed for inline process monitoring and allows non-destructive and non-invasive measurements of materials, for example in a pipe. In this paper, the industrial application is specifically devoted to the quality control of anode slurries in battery production. The characterization of anode slurries was performed with the sensor to determine chemical composition and detect gas inclusions. Additionally, flow properties play an important role in continuous production processes. Therefore, the in- and outflow effects were investigated with the V-shaped NMR sensor as a basis for the future determination of slurry flow fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The syndrome of heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) makes up about half of the HF population. The HF mechanisms in these patients are varied and not fully understood. In addition, the term "diastolic HF" was switched to HFpEF because of difficulties in measuring the left ventricular (LV) diastolic performance. In the late stages, HFpEF carries a prognosis that is as bad as or worse than that of HFrEF. Hence, it is important to recognize LV diastolic impairment at an earlier stage so that the causal mechanisms, if any, can be treated to retard its progression. Despite the availability of numerous disease-modifying agents for HFrEF, there are hardly any available treatments for HFpEF. With our aging population, there will be an epidemic of HFpEF and hence this entity needs attention and respect. In this paper, we review the fundamental mechanisms of HFpEF, the physiology of LV filling and how LV diastolic function can be comprehensively measured. We also speculate how this may help with the early recognition of diastolic HF and its treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In light of the mounting prevalence of stress in contemporary society and the growing interest in stress reduction methods, this review investigates the potential of taiji as a viable strategy for alleviating stress. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CENTRAL), PsycINFO, and Web of Science were searched up to April 2023 to identify randomized controlled trials of taiji. Studies in both patients and healthy populations were considered. They had to provide a measure of perceived stress and include a no treatment or placebo control group. Data were extracted by two reviewers. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated for perceived stress, biological stress markers, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL). Meta-regression analyses were performed to identify sources of heterogeneity. Results: Eleven trials with a total of 1323 patients comparing taiji to no intervention met the inclusion criteria. The included studies varied strongly with regard to patient characteristics, taiji intervention, and methodological quality. The overall SMD for perceived stress was significant at -0.41 (95% confidence interval, CI, -0.63 to -0.19; I2 = 63%). Exclusion of studies with less than 100 participants yielded a diminished SMD at -0.26 (95% CI, -0.45 to -0.06). The SMD for perceived stress at follow-up was significant (-0.25, 95% CI -0.46 to -0.05). Secondary outcomes highlighted improvements in anxiety and physical QoL, while depression, mental QoL, and biological stress markers remained unchanged. Conclusions: Results underscore taiji's potential in mitigating perceived stress in both patients and healthy populations, paralleled by enhancements in depressive symptoms, anxiety levels, and physical QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, pattern mining has evolved from a slow-moving, repetitive three-step process to a much more agile and iterative/user-centric mining model. A crucial element of this framework is the capability to rapidly provide a set of diverse patterns to the user. This paper proposes a pattern mining approach based on constraint programming that incorporates a non-redundancy/diversity constraint into closed pattern enumeration. The level of diversity is controlled through a threshold on the maximum pairwise Jaccard similarity of pattern occurrences. We show that the Jaccard measure does not have nice (anti-)monotonicity properties w.r.t. the general-to-specific enumeration. To address this limitation, we propose anti-monotonic lower and upper-bound relaxations of the Jaccard similarity with nice pruning-enabling properties, and connect the final results to the original Jaccard Index. To evaluate the effectiveness of our relaxations, we conduct a comprehensive comparison against several existing pattern mining techniques designed to control redundancy. Experimental results illustrate that our approach provides an effective solution for mining diverse itemsets, showing competitive performance in both runtime and flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this work are to study the rheological behaviors of a microemulsion of Glucopone–water–hydrocarbon systems and to use a fractional model to describe several experimental results of these systems. Four different types of hydrocarbons were considered. The frequency dependent storage, G′, and loss modulus, G″, were investigated below the critical strain. The critical strain was found to decrease as the alkane chain lengths increased, while the opposite behavior was observed for zero shear viscosity, η0. Most of the microemulsions exhibited stable elastic fluid behavior (G′ > G″) below 10 rad s−1 angular frequency. For all systems, elastic modulus values were found to be greater than loss modulus in the frequency range studied, indicating more elastic behaviors. Shear-thinning behaviors were observed, and the complex viscosity decreased with an increase in hydrocarbon chain lengths. The effects of hydrocarbon types on the rheological behaviors were more profound in the dodecane systems which showed maximum values of G′ and η0. The Friedrich–Braun model was introduced and was used to describe several experimental results on Alkyl polyglocoside solutions. Fractional rheology successfully described the viscoelastic phenomena in Glucopone surfactant solutions and the comparisons between the experimental results and the theoretical predictions were found to be satisfactory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anxiety is an important and recurrent problem in people with severe mental illness (SMI). The aim of this work is to measure the effectiveness of the Music Therapy nursing intervention in reducing anxiety in outpatients diagnosed with SMI (bipolar disorder and schizophrenia). The intervention was structured over five weeks (ten 1-h sessions, twice weekly). Objective measures (blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate) and subjective measures (anxiety response and the subjective perception of relaxation) were taken before and after every session. Our results show that this nursing intervention entails an objective reduction of the respiratory rate ((−4.5, −0.5) breaths per minute), the heart rate ((−5.80, −2.13) bpm), and it evidences a reduction in the subjective perception of anxiety (16.08% mean reduction in state anxiety). Considering all the sessions, the subjective perception of relaxation increased 97.33% of the time. This study provides evidence that the Music Therapy intervention can effectively promote relaxation and reduce anxiety symptoms in people with SMI. This study was retrospectively registered at Clinical Trials with Protocol Identifier NCT06315049. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundTai Chi and Baduanjin are nonpharmacological interventions that are widely applied among cancer patients.ObjectiveThis meta-analysis aimed to assess the effect of Tai Chi and Baduanjin on breast cancer patients by summarizing and pooling the results of previous studies.MethodsThe PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library and several databases were searched up to December 1, 2023, to identify high-quality RCTs. Relevant terms such as Tai Chi and Baduanjin were used as keywords. Stata 15.0 software and Review Manager (version 5.3; Cochrane Training) were used to screen the studies, extract the data, code the data, and perform the meta-analysis. The mean differences (MDs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% CIs were used to calculate continuous variables. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias. The PICOS framework was used to develop the following eligibility criteria: (i) population - breast cancer patients; (ii) intervention - Tai Chi and Baduanjin intervention; (iii) comparison - Tai Chi and Baduanjin group and different intervention (e.g., regular intervention, routine rehabilitation training, waiting list, sham Qigong, usual care, no intervention); (iv) outcomes - cognitive ability, shoulder joint function, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep quality, quality of life; and (v) study design - randomized controlled trial.ResultsFrom January 2013 to December 2023, we included a total of 16 RCTs involving 1247 patients. A total of 647 patients were in the experimental group and were treated with Tai Chi and Baduanjin, while 600 patients were in the control group and were treated with traditional methods. The results of our meta-analysis indicate that Tai Chi and Baduanjin yield outcomes that are comparable to those of traditional treatment methods. Specifically, Tai Chi and Baduanjin significantly increased cognitive function, increased shoulder joint function, improved sleep quality indicators and improved quality of life indicators. Furthermore, Tai Chi and Baduanjin significantly reduced anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, and fatigue symptoms among breast cancer patients. Sensitivity analysis was performed, a funnel plot was constructed. No publication bias was indicated by Egger’s or Begg’s test.ConclusionOverall, Tai Chi and Baduanjin are viable and effective nonpharmacological approaches for treating breast cancer patients, as they yield better results than traditional treatment methods. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the limited number of controlled trials, small sample sizes, and low quality of the evidence.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42023469301.

ABSTRACT Background Anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental disorders and often accompanied with sleep disturbance which can in turn exacerbate anxiety symptoms, creating a vicious cycle. In addition to psychopharmacological therapy, the effectiveness of psychotherapy as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating anxiety disorders and insomnia has been well documented and widely accepted, but it is labor‐intensive and costly. However, virtual reality (VR)–integrated CBT may improve this condition but needs more evidences to support its extensive application in routine clinical practice. Objectives This explorative study was aimed to conduct a retrospective analysis to evaluate the acute (2 weeks) augmented effect of VR‐integrated relaxation and mindfulness exercising in improving anxiety and insomnia symptoms for patients who were diagnosed with anxiety disorders and concurrently with prominent insomnia symptoms and admitted to the Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital of Jinan University during January 2021 to June 2021. Methods All patients who were admitted to the department of psychiatry during January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021 were screened with inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria, and the sociodemographic and clinical data of those included patients were collected from the electronic medical record system of the hospital using a self‐designed case report form (CRF). Subjects who were administrated with medication alone were designated as conventional group, and those receiving treatment of medication combined with VR‐integrated CBT (VR relaxation and mindfulness exercising) as VR group. The baseline and 2‐week posttreatment data were compared between the two groups. Results In total, there were 103 patients (70 female, 68%) included in the study. Among all, 68 (66.02%) were designated as the “VR group,” and 35 (33.98%) as the “conventional group.” The majority of patients (67%) were diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Twenty‐three (22.3%) patients had a comorbid diagnosis with primary insomnia, and insomnia was just one of the accompanying symptoms with anxiety for the rest 80 subjects. No statistically significant differences were found between VR and conventional groups in all baseline sociodemographic and clinical characteristics except for occupation. There were statistically significant differences for the remission rates of anxiety symptoms or insomnia symptoms and reduction of Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale or Insomnia Severity Index total scores between conventional and VR groups. Greater remission rates or score reductions were found in VR group than in conventional group either for anxiety or for insomnia. Robust differences still existed when controlled for the variable “occupation.” Conclusions Two‐week augmented VR‐integrated relaxation and mindfulness exercising is acutely beneficial for relieving both anxiety and insomnia symptoms and worth being recommended for routine clinical practice. Further prospective and randomized study compared to traditional CBT to explore its acute and long‐term effect on anxiety and insomnia is needed.

Abstract Introduction Substance abuse is a widespread problem, with high rates of treatment dropout. Stress plays a crucial role in this problem, so innovative interventions with stressed patients can assist them in completing treatment. Methods This study is a randomized controlled trial with 60 participants who have substance abuse disorder undergoing detoxification at a residency facility in Tehran, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: watching a 360° video of nature, a 360° video of a city environment, or no virtual experience. The intervention was performed only for one session. Psychological stress was measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and Perceived Stress Scale before and after the intervention. Physiological stress was assessed through respiratory rate, skin conductance, and heart rate recordings during the virtual reality (VR) experience. Data analysis was performed using R software (version 4.2). Results Paired t‐test results indicated significant psychological differences before and after virtual nature experiences, but not in the control and city groups. The repeated measure ANOVA showed a significant reduction in skin conductance (p

The article discusses optical properties (luminescence) of diluted (24 dilution factor) lucigenin (Lc) aqueous solutions. Six series of Lc aqueous solutions, with 50 samples in each series, were studied. The series were diluted on different days within random schedules, following a unified procedure: the first sample in all the series was the Lc (CLc = 8.2 × 10−7 mol/L) stock solution, while the rest of the samples were obtained by successive dilution with the ratio of 24. For the first three samples, the Lc luminescence intensity decrease appropriately complied with the exponential function model (the dilution ratio: none for the stock solution, for the second and the third, 24 and 24 × 24 = 242, respectively). Starting from the fourth sample for statistical processing of luminescence data, the seven largest values were selected from the built rank distribution of emission intensity values. This method helps eliminate the influence of “random large bounces” when calculating the correlation coefficient. Up to the 50th studied sample, a challenging linear gradual decrease in the intensity of recorded photometric values was noted (correlation coefficients for all series being close to −0.9). Similar analysis of six reference series of pure water “dilution” samples did not exhibit any correlation between the highest emission values in the studied wavelength range (specific for Lc bandwidth, 480–505 nm) and the sample’s dilution number. It can be assumed that photometric values, recorded in the series of Lc sequentially diluted aqueous solutions after substance (Lc) elimination (theoretically expected after the 13th sample within the used experimental setup), could be attributed to the gradual destruction of long-lived aqueous structures formed in the process of hydration of Lc molecules during its dissolution.

Introduction: The essential oil of Shikuwasa (Citrus depressa Hayata) primarily contains limonene and γ-terpinene, which have potential applications in stress management and relaxation. However, the psychological or physiological relaxation effects of Shikuwasa essential oil on humans are still unknown. This study aims to investigate the short-term relaxation effects of Shikuwasa essential oil, one of the less-studied varieties, compared to inhaling odour-free air in young female adults. Methods: and analysis: This study is a two-arm, parallel-group, open-label, randomised controlled superiority trial. Forty young female adults will be assigned with a 1:1 allocation ratio to either the Shikuwasa essential oil inhalation group or the odour-free air inhalation group. The primary outcome measure will be subjective tense arousal (subscale of the Japanese version of the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology Mood Adjective Checklist). Secondary outcomes include objective measures: miosis rate and peripheral skin temperature for evaluating autonomic nervous activity, and cerebral blood flow (assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy) for evaluating central nervous activity. Since these objective outcome measures cannot be performed at the same time, we divide our experiment into three phases and participants will inhale sample vials for 2 min in each experiment. We will also evaluate individual preferences/impressions regarding inhaled samples and any adverse events. Ethics and dissemination: The study protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki (reference no: I-0074). The findings of this study will be disseminated to academic and professional audiences via publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at academic conferences, and to the broader public via public talks and media/press releases. All study findings, whether negative or positive, will be reported. Trial registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR), UMIN000053914. Prospectively registered on March 20, 2024.

Praseodymium-modified lanthanum ferrites with general formula La1-xPrxFeO3 [x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5] were prepared using the sol-gel auto combustion technique. The X-ray diffraction patterns of all samples supported the orthorhombic crystal structure with the Pbnm space group. With increasing Pr concentration, it was discovered that the average crystallite size dropped from 44.29 to 29.83 nm. An LCR metre was used to evaluate the frequency-dependent dielectric characteristics between 100 Hz and 1 MHz at room temperature. A single semicircle on the Nyquist plots highlights the impact of grain resistance on electrical behaviour. The depressed semicircles at intermediate frequencies might be created by the grain boundary effect, while semicircles depressed at high frequencies imply grain conduction. The dielectric behaviour of lanthanum ferrites is explained based on Koop’s theory. The loss factor resulting from domain wall resonance displayed the same dielectric constant dispersion behaviour. At high frequencies, orthoferrites were shown to have lower dielectric losses. This is due to the constrained motion of the domain wall, which suggests that magnetically tunable filters and oscillators are possible practical uses.

One of the theoretical requirements of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measure­ments is that the studied system should not be varying with time. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case of physical systems. In the literature, quite a few methods exist to check and correct a posteriori the effect of time-variance, allowing to use conventional equivalent circuit models to fit and interpret the data. We suggest a different approach where, for a given electro­chemical mechanism and specific experimental conditions, assuming stationarity during each measurement, a time- and frequency-dependent expression of the Faradaic impe­dance is derived from the kinetic equations. The case of a potential relaxation at zero current following an anodic steady-state polarization is considered for a system where a Volmer-Heyrovský corrosion mechanism is supposed to take place.

Abstract Pulmonary surfactant serves as a barrier to respiratory epithelium but can also regulate airway smooth muscle (ASM) tone. Surfactant (SF) relaxes contracted ASM, similar to β2‐agonists, anticholinergics, nitric oxide, and prostanoids. The exact mechanism of surfactant relaxation and whether surfactant relaxes hyperresponsive ASM remains unknown. Based on previous research, relaxation requires an intact epithelium and prostanoid synthesis. We sought to examine the mechanisms by which surfactant causes ASM relaxation. Organ bath measurements of isometric tension of ASM of guinea pigs in response to exogenous surfactant revealed that surfactant reduces tension of healthy and hyperresponsive tracheal tissue. The relaxant effect of surfactant was reduced if prostanoid synthesis was inhibited and/or if prostaglandin E2‐related EP2 receptors were antagonized. Atomic force microscopy revealed that human ASM cells stiffen during contraction and soften during relaxation. Surfactant softened ASM cells, similarly to the known bronchodilator prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and the cell softening was abolished when EP4 receptors for PGE2 were antagonized. Elevated levels of PGE2 were found in cultures of normal human bronchial epithelial cells exposed to pulmonary surfactant. We conclude that prostaglandin E2 and its EP2 and EP4 receptors are likely involved in the relaxant effect of pulmonary surfactant in airways.

Background: Depression has been expected to be the second-leading cause of disability, followed by autism, attention and hyperactivity disorder, and learning disorder. Yoga therapy has found to be beneficial in managing psychiatric disorders. Aim: The present study undertakes a scoping review of research on yoga therapy in psychiatric disorders among children and adolescents. Methods: Online database was used to identify papers published 2004–2023, from which we selected 11 publications from the United States, Canada, Iran, India, and Australia that used yoga therapy as a primary outcome variable among participants aged 3 years or older. Results: The papers reviewed were randomized controlled trials. All studies examined yoga therapy, but one study used mindfulness-based therapy and used few techniques of yoga therapy. The studies examined the effect of yoga therapy on early childhood and adolescence on various psychiatric symptoms such as stress, inattention, hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, and many more. Conclusion: While the quality of studies is generally high, research on yoga therapy among children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders would benefit from careful selection of methods and reference standards, suitability for yoga therapy, and prospective cohort studies linking early childhood exposures with yoga therapy outcomes throughout childhood and adolescence.

Objective: To examine the effects of Jacobson's Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique (JPMRT) on menstrual pain and symptoms, anxiety, quality of life (QoL), social activity, and work/school performance in primary dysmenorrhea (PD). Materials and methods: Women with PD were randomly divided into two groups as relaxation and control groups. JPMRT was applied three times a week from the estimated date of ovulation to the onset of the next menstruation. No treatment was performed in the control group. Pain intensity, menstrual symptoms, anxiety, impacts on QoL, social activity, and work/school performance were assessed before and after the interventions. Results: After the interventions, there was a further decrease in menstrual pain intensity, menstrual symptoms, anxiety level, the impact of QoL, and the work/school performance scores in the relaxation group than in the control group (p

Abstract Floatation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy) minimizes stimulation of the nervous system by immersing subjects in an environment without sound or light while they effortlessly float in thermoneutral water supersaturated with Epsom salt. Here we investigated the relationship between altered states of consciousness (ASC) and its association with the affective changes induced by Floatation-REST. Using a within-subject crossover design, 50 healthy subjects were randomized to 60 min of Floatation-REST or 60 min of Bed-REST (an active control condition that entailed lying supine on a warm waterbed in a dark and quiet room). Following Floatation-REST, subjects felt significantly more relaxed, less anxious, and less tired than after Bed-REST. Floatation-REST also induced significantly more pronounced ASC characterized by the dissolution of body boundaries and the distortion of subjective time. The loss of body boundaries mediated the loss of anxiety, revealing a novel mechanism by which Floatation-REST exerts its anxiolytic effect.