Dynamically variable focal length microlens by microfluidic and electroactive polymer approaches

This research is on a development of a variable focusing microlens system. The studies of modern researchers have thrown new light on this subject, which has aroused intense interest in making tunable focusing microlenses. The most well-known methods are liquid crystal and electrowetting. Both methods require electrodes immersed in the electrolyte solution, causing severe optical distortion, and require complicated fabrication processes. Few attempts have thus far been developed to make variable focusing lens using other approaches. However, two novel actuation mechanisms have been developed in this work for generating significant forces to change the physical dimensions of an elastic polymeric lens structure to control the focal length. The two proposed actuation mechanisms are: (1) the microfluidic and (2) the Electro-Active Polymer (EAP) actuations. By pneumatically regulating the pressure of the microfluidic chamber, the elastic lens can be deformed, causing the changes in the focal length. EAP is another method to transfer electrical energy to mechanical deformation. This energy transformation causes the deflection on the lens and induces its focal plane to be shifted. For the microfluidic lens system, a novel PDMS to PDMS casting process to fabricate 3D convex elastic microlens diaphragm is developed. This new fabrication technique has a potential for producing low-cost elastic microlens arrays. Microlenses, with a diameter of 600∼1400 μm, are fabricated using this fabrication technique. The curvature changes of the microlens were from 1210μm to 3238μm. With this wide range of curvature changes, one can control the back focal length from 3.82 mm to 10.64 mm, and the numerical aperture from 0.09 to 0.24. The numerical aperture of this optical device can then reach 0.24, about 4 times that of a conventional planar diaphragm (NA = 0.05). Moreover, a new “two-step copolymerization” technique has been developed to fabricate an elastic silicone-based gradient refractive index (GRIN) lens. This is a flat lens with a gradient refractive index distribution within the lens structure. Moreover, this GRIN lens is elastic, so it is deformable with high elongation under mechanical stresses. Finally, this lens is made by a dielectric material, and can be integrated easily into an EAP actuator, generating enough mechanical force to cause the deflection on the GRIN lens and induce a shift in focal length. The characteristics of GRIN lenses and EAP actuation have been studied in this work. It appears that this is the first reported work proposing a dynamically tunable focusing GRIN lens with an EAP actuation. Further research needs to be carrying out for optimizing the proposed approach for its desired application

Event Technology and Attendee Experience: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda

The events industry is experiencing growth, both as a sector of the tourism industry and in the technology that impacts the attendee experience during an event. While research into event-related technologies is robust, there is not much research on the specific roles that technology can play in facilitating attendees’ experiences at an event. This study proposes to use the PRISMA approach to gain a comprehensive understanding of technology-enabled experiences within the context of events. Results will drive future research in this area of study

Retarding Progression of Myopia with Seasonal Modification of Topical Atropine

Purpose: To investigate whether seasonal modification in the concentration of atropine drops is effective in retarding the progression of myopia. Methods: Two hundred and forty eyes of 120 healthy preschool- and school-age children in Chiayi region, Taiwan were recruited. The treatment group consisted of 126 eyes of 63 children who received atropine eye drops daily for one year and the control group included 114 eyes of 57 children who received nothing. The concentration of atropine eye drops was modified by seasonal variation as follows: 0.1% for summer, 0.25% for spring and fall, and 0.5% for winter. Refractive error, visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and axial length were evaluated before and after intervention. Results: Mean age was 9.1±2.8 years in the atropine group versus 9.3±2.8 years in controls (P=0.88). Mean spherical equivalent, refractive error and astigmatism were -1.90±1.66 diopters (D) and -0.50±0.59 D in the atropine group; corresponding values in the control group were -2.09±1.67 D (P=0.97) and -0.55±0.60 D (P=0.85), respectively. After one year, mean progression of myopia was 0.28±0.75 D in the atropine group vs 1.23±0.44 D in controls (P<0.001). Myopic progression was significantly correlated with an increase in axial length in both atropine (r=0.297, P=0.001) and control (r=0.348, P<0.001) groups. No correlation was observed between myopic progression and IOP in either study group. Conclusion: Modifying the concentration of atropine drops based on seasonal variation, seems to be effective and tolerable for retarding myopic progression in preschool- to school-age children

S100A14 Protein Expression in Prostate Cancer Cell Lines

https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/surp2023/1000/thumbnail.jp

Psychological Well-Being and Restorative Biological Processes: HDL-C in Older English Adults

Rationale Psychological well-being is associated with better cardiovascular health, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Objective This study investigates one possible mechanism by examining psychological well-being\u27s prospective association with lipid levels, focusing on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Methods Participants were 4757 healthy men and women ages ≥50 from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing with clinical data from three times, three to five years apart. Psychological well-being was assessed at baseline using the Control, Autonomy, Satisfaction, and Pleasure scale; HDL-C, triglycerides, and total cholesterol were assayed from blood samples. Descriptive statistics and linear mixed models were used to examine associations between psychological well-being and lipid levels over time; the latter controlled for confounders and health behaviours. Results In descriptive analyses, HDL-C levels were initially higher in people with greater psychological well-being. Among those who met recommended levels of HDL-C at baseline, fewer individuals with higher versus lower psychological well-being dropped below HDL-C recommendations over time. Mixed models indicated that HDL-C increased over time (β = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.58 to 0.69) and higher baseline psychological well-being was associated with higher baseline HDL-C (β = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.03 to 0.99). A significant well-being by time interaction indicated individuals with higher versus lower well-being exhibited a more rapid rate of increase in HDL-C over follow-up. Higher psychological well-being was also significantly associated with lower triglycerides, but main effects for both HDL-C and triglycerides were attenuated after accounting for health behaviours. Conclusion Higher psychological well-being is associated with healthier HDL-C levels; these effects may compound over time. This protective effect may be partly explained by health behaviours

The effects of graded levels of calorie restriction : IV. Non-linear change in behavioural phenotype of mice in response to short-term calorie restriction

We would like to acknowledge the BSU staff for their invaluable help with caring for the animals. The work was supported by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council BBSRC (BB/G009953/1 and BB/J020028/1).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The effects of graded levels of calorie restriction : II. Impact of short term calorie and protein restriction on circulating hormone levels, glucose homeostasis and oxidative stress in male C57BL/6 mice

This work was supported by BBSRC BB009953/1 awarded to JRS and SEM. PK and CD were funded by the Erasmus exchange programme. JRS, SEM, DD, CG, LC, JJDH, YW, DELP, DL and AD are members of the BBSRC China Partnership Award, BB/J020028/1.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The effects of graded levels of calorie restriction : VIII. impact of short term calorie and protein restriction on basal metabolic rate in the C57BL/6 mouse

We are grateful to the animal house staff for looking after the animals. The work was supported by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council BBSRC (grants BB/G009953/1 and BB/J020028/1) to JRS and SEM. DD was supported by a studentship from the Centre for Genome Enabled Biology and Medicine, Aberdeen, UK, and CG was supported by a BBSRC EastBio studentship. Joint meetings were funded by a BBSRC China partnering award (BB/JO20028/1).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Longitudinal Associations Between Psychological Well-Being and the Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables

Background: Psychological well-being is associated with longevity and reduced risk of disease, but possible mechanisms are understudied. Health behaviors like eating fruits and vegetables may link psychological well-being with better health; however, most evidence is cross-sectional. Purpose: This study investigated psychological well-being’s longitudinal association with fruit and vegetable consumption across as many as 7 years. Method: Participants were 6,565 older adults from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, which includes men and women aged 50 years or older. Psychological well-being was assessed with 17 items from the Control, Autonomy, Satisfaction, Pleasure Scale. Fruit and vegetable consumption was initially assessed during 2006–2007 and then approximately every 2 years through 2012–2013. Covariates included sociodemographic factors, health status, and other health behaviors. Results: Mixed linear models showed that higher baseline levels of psychological well-being were associated with more fruit and vegetable consumption at baseline (β = 0.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.02, 0.08]) and that fruit and vegetable consumption declined across time (β = −0.01, 95% CI [−0.02, −0.004]). Psychological well-being interacted significantly with time such that individuals with higher baseline psychological well-being had slower declines in fruit and vegetable consumption (β = 0.01, 95% CI [0.01, 0.02]). Among individuals who initially met recommendations to consume 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables (N = 1,719), higher baseline psychological well-being was associated with 11% reduced risk of falling below recommended levels during follow-up (hazard ratio = 0.89, 95% CI [0.83, 0.95]). Conclusions: Findings suggest that psychological well-being may be a precursor to healthy behaviors such as eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved