Camouflaging, not sensory processing or Autistic identity, predicts eating disorder symptoms in Autistic adults

The objective of this study was to explore the role that Autistic identity, sensory processing and camouflaging behaviours have on eating disorder symptomology in Autistic adults. Previous research has focused on cognitive and sensory factors to explain the association between autism and eating disorders, but the roles of social identity and camouflaging are yet to be explored. Autistic participants (N=180) were recruited from NHS settings and community groups. The participants completed online questionnaires measuring autistic identity, camouflaging behaviours, sensory processing, autistic traits and eating disorder symptoms. Multiple regression revealed that camouflaging significantly predicted eating disorder symptoms. Although sensory processing was related, it did not significantly predict eating disorder symptom severity. Additionally, there was no significant relationship between autistic identity and eating disorder symptom severity. This study highlights the impact that camouflaging behaviours and sensory processing can have on eating disorder symptomatology in autism and may indicate important considerations for the treatment of eating disorders in Autistic people

Contributions of kinematics and viscoelastic lap deformation on the suface figure during full aperture polishing of fused silica

A typical optical fabrication process involves a series of basic process steps including: (1) shaping, (2) grinding, (3) polishing, and sometimes (4) sub-aperture tool finishing. With significant innovation and development over the years in both the front end (shaping using CNC machines) and the back end (sup-aperture tool polishing), these processes have become much more deterministic. However, the intermediate stages (full aperture grinding/polishing) in the process, which can be very time consuming, still have much reliance on the optician's insight to get to the desired surface figure. Such processes are not presently very deterministic (i.e. require multiple iterations to get desired figure). The ability to deterministically finish an optical surface using a full aperture grinding/polishing will aid optical glass fabricators to achieve desired figure in a more repeatable, less iterative, and more economical manner. Developing a scientific understanding of the material removal rate is a critical step in accomplishing this. In the present study, the surface figure and material removal rate of a fused silica workpiece is measured as a function of polishing time using Ceria based slurry on a polyurethane pad or pitch lap under a variety of kinematic conditions (motion of the workpiece and lap) and loading configurations. The measured results have been applied to expand the Preston model of material removal (utilizing chemical, mechanical and tribological effects). The results show that under uniform loading, the surface figure is dominated by kinematics which can be predicted by calculating the relative velocity (between the workpiece and the lap) with time and position on the workpiece. However, in the case where the kinematics predict a time-averaged removal function over the workpiece that is uniform, we find experimentally that the surface deviates significantly from uniform removal. We show that this non-uniform removal is caused by the non-uniform stress distribution resulting from the viscoelastic nature of the lap. The viscoelastic lap results in a strain difference across the part due to a time dependent deformation of the lap as it travels pass the workpiece. A quantitative viscoelastic model has been developed to explain this effect. The effects of the viscoelastic lap on the removal function can be removed by pre-straining the lap before it contacts the workpiece which have shown better than l/4 surfaces being maintained with continuous removal

Scratch Forensics

Scratches on optical components which are formed during fabrication, cleaning, handling and end-use, are widespread and almost always detrimental. The impact of scratches on the end-use of the optic includes increased optical scatter, reduced system performance, and reduced strength. In the case of optics used in high intensity laser applications, prevention of scratches is paramount because they are closely associated with laser damage. Evaluation of the characteristics (dimensions, location on optic, shape, and orientation) of a scratch can serve a powerful tool to identify the cause of the scratch and lead to mitigations to prevent their reoccurrence. It is likely that opticians have used such techniques for hundreds of years. In recent years, by applying techniques of fracture mechanics and tribology, several new semi-quantitative rules-of-thumb have been developed allowing one to estimate the size and shape of the scratch inducing asperity or rogue particle, the load on the particle, the depth of the fractures in the scratch, and properties of material housing the rogue particle. The following discussion reviews some these techniques, which as a whole, we refer to as 'Scratch Forsenics'

Dynamic condensation of water at crack tips in fused silica glass

Water molecules play a fundamental role in the physics of slow crack propagation in glasses. It is commonly understood that, during stress-corrosion, water molecules that move in the crack cavity effectively reduce the bond strength at the strained crack tip and, thus, support crack propagation. Yet the details of the environmental condition at the crack tip in moist air are not well determined. In a previous work, we reported direct evidence of the presence of a 100 nm long liquid condensate at the crack tip in fused silica glass during very slow crack propagation (10^-9 to 10^-10 m/s). These observations are based on in-situ AFM phase imaging techniques applied on DCDC glass specimens in controlled atmosphere. Here, we discuss the physical origin of the AFM phase contrast between the liquid condensate and the glass surface in relation to tip-sample adhesion induced by capillary bridges. We then report new experimental data on the water condensation length increase with relative humidity in the atmosphere. The measured condensation lengths were much larger than what predicted using the Kelvin equation and expected geometry of the crack tip.Comment: Accepted in JNCS. In pres

Debris and Shrapnel Mitigation Procedure for NIF Experiments

All experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) will produce debris and shrapnel from vaporized, melted, or fragmented target/diagnostics components. For some experiments mitigation is needed to reduce the impact of debris and shrapnel on optics and diagnostics. The final optics, e.g., wedge focus lens, are protected by two layers of debris shields. There are 192 relatively thin (1-3 mm) disposable debris shields (DDS's) located in front of an equal number of thicker (10 mm) main debris shields (MDS's). The rate of deposition of debris on DDS's affects their replacement rate and hence has an impact on operations. Shrapnel (molten and solid) can have an impact on both types of debris shields. There is a benefit to better understanding these impacts and appropriate mitigation. Our experiments on the Omega laser showed that shrapnel from Ta pinhole foils could be redirected by tilting the foils. Other mitigation steps include changing location or material of the component identified as the shrapnel source. Decisions on the best method to reduce the impact of debris and shrapnel are based on results from a number of advanced simulation codes. These codes are validated by a series of dedicated experiments. One of the 3D codes, NIF's ALE-AMR, is being developed with the primary focus being a predictive capability for debris/shrapnel generation. Target experiments are planned next year on NIF using 96 beams. Evaluations of debris and shrapnel for hohlraum and capsule campaigns are presented

Aniline incorporated silica nanobubbles

We report the synthesis of stearate functionalized nanobubbles of SiO2 with a few aniline molecules inside, represented as C6H5NH2@SiO2@stearate, exhibiting fluorescence with red-shifted emission. Stearic acid functionalization allows the materials to be handled just as free molecules, for dissolution, precipitation, storage etc. The methodology adopted involves adsorption of aniline on the surface of gold nanoparticles with subsequent growth of a silica shell through monolayers, followed by the selective removal of the metal core either using sodium cyanide or by a new reaction involving halocarbons. The material is stable and can be stored for extended periods without loss of fluorescence. Spectroscopic and voltammetric properties of the system were studied in order to understand the interaction of aniline with the shell as well as the monolayer, whilst transmission electron microscopy has been used to study the silica shell

MRF Applications: Measurement of Process-dependent Subsurface Damage in Optical Materials using the MRF Wedge Technique

Understanding the behavior of fractures and subsurface damage in the processes used during optic fabrication plays a key role in determining the final quality of the optical surface finish. During the early stages of surface preparation, brittle grinding processes induce fractures at or near an optical surface whose range can extend from depths of a few mm to hundreds of mm depending upon the process and tooling being employed. Controlling the occurrence, structure, and propagation of these sites during subsequent grinding and polishing operations is highly desirable if one wishes to obtain high-quality surfaces that are free of such artifacts. Over the past year, our team has made significant strides in developing a diagnostic technique that combines magnetorheological finishing (MRF) and scanning optical microscopy to measure and characterize subsurface damage in optical materials. The technique takes advantage of the unique nature of MRF to polish a prescribed large-area wedge into the optical surface without propagating existing damage or introducing new damage. The polished wedge is then analyzed to quantify subsurface damage as a function of depth from the original surface. Large-area measurement using scanning optical microscopy provides for improved accuracy and reliability over methods such as the COM ball-dimple technique. Examples of the technique's use will be presented that illustrate the behavior of subsurface damage in fused silica that arises during a variety of intermediate optical fabrication process steps

Utilization of Magnetorheological Finishing as a Diagnostic Tool for Investigating the Three-Dimensional Structure of Fractures in Fused Silica

We have developed an experimental technique that combines magnetorheological finishing (MRF) and microscopy to examine fractures and/or artifacts in optical materials. The technique can be readily used to provide access to, and interrogation of, a selected segment of a fracture or object that extends beneath the surface. Depth slicing, or cross-sectioning at selected intervals, further allows the observation and measurement of the three-dimensional nature of the sites and the generation of volumetric representations that can be used to quantify shape and depth, and to understand how they were created, how they interact with surrounding material, and how they may be eliminated or mitigated

Effect of rogue particles on the sub-surface damage of fused silica during grinding/polishing

The distribution and characteristics of surface cracks (i.e., sub-surface damage or scratching) on fused silica formed during grinding/polishing resulting from the addition of rogue particles in the base slurry has been investigated. Fused silica samples (10 cm diameter x 1 cm thick) were: (1) ground by loose abrasive grinding (alumina particles 9-30 {micro}m) on a glass lap with the addition of larger alumina particles at various concentrations with mean sizes ranging from 15-30 {micro}m, or (2) polished (using 0.5 {micro}m cerium oxide slurry) on various laps (polyurethanes pads or pitch) with the addition of larger rogue particles (diamond (4-45 {micro}m), pitch, dust, or dried Ceria slurry agglomerates) at various concentrations. For the resulting ground samples, the crack distributions of the as-prepared surfaces were determined using a polished taper technique. The crack depth was observed to: (1) increase at small concentrations (>10{sup -4} fraction) of rogue particles; and (2) increase with rogue particle concentration to crack depths consistent with that observed when grinding with particles the size of the rogue particles alone. For the polished samples, which were subsequently etched in HF:NH{sub 4}F to expose the surface damage, the resulting scratch properties (type, number density, width, and length) were characterized. The number density of scratches increased exponentially with the size of the rogue diamond at a fixed rogue diamond concentration suggesting that larger particles are more likely to lead to scratching. The length of the scratch was found to increase with rogue particle size, increase with lap viscosity, and decrease with applied load. At high diamond concentrations, the type of scratch transitioned from brittle to ductile and the length of the scratches dramatically increased and extended to the edge of the optic. The observed trends can explained semi-quantitatively in terms of the time needed for a rogue particle to penetrate into a viscoelastic lap. The results of this study provide useful insights and 'rules-of-thumb' relating scratch characteristics observed on surfaces during optical glass fabrication to the characteristics rogue particles causing them and their possible source