bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamic, IPSC-derived hepatic tissue tri-culture system for the evaluation of liver physiology in vitro
Authors: Scheidecker Benedikt , Poulain Stéphane , Sugimoto Masahiro , Kido Taketomo , Kawanishi Takumi , Miyajima Atsushi , Kim Soo Hyeon , Arakawa Hiroshi , Kato Yukio , Nishikawa Masaki , Danoy Mathieu , Sakai Yasuyuki , Leclerc Eric 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Availability of hepatic tissue for the investigation of metabolic processes is severely limited. While primary hepatocytes or animal models are widely used in pharmacological applications, a change in methodology towards more sustainable and ethical assays is highly desirable. Stem cell derived hepatic cells are generally regarded as a viable alternative for the above model systems, if current limitations in functionality and maturation can be overcome. By combining microfluidic organ-on-a-chip technology with individually differentiated, multicellular hepatic tissue fractions, we aim to improve overall functionality of hepatocyte-like cells, as well as evaluate cellular composition and interactions with non-parenchymal cell populations towards the formation of mature liver tissue. Utilizing a multi-omic approach, we show the improved maturation profiles of hepatocyte-like cells maintained in a dynamic microenvironment compared to standard tissue culture setups without continuous perfusion. In order to evaluate the resulting tissue, we employ single cell sequencing to distinguish formed subpopulations and spatial localization. While cellular input was strictly defined based on established differentiation protocols of parenchyma, endothelial and stellate cell fractions, resulting hepatic tissue was shown to comprise a complex mixture of epithelial and non-parenchymal fractions with specific local enrichment of phenotypes along the microchannel. Following this approach, we show the importance of passive, paracrine developmental processes in tissue formation. Using such complex tissue models is a crucial first step to develop stem cell-derived in vitro systems that can compare functionally with currently used pharmacological and toxicological applications.
Sheet-based extrusion bioprinting: a new multi-material paradigm providing mid-extrusion micropatterning control for microvascular applications
Authors: Hooper Ryan , Cummings Caleb , Beck Anna , Vazquez-Armendariz Javier , Rodriguez Ciro , Dean David 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
As bioprinting advances into clinical relevance with patient-specific tissue and organ constructs, it must be capable of multi-material fabrication at high resolutions to accurately mimick the complex tissue structures found in the body. One of the most fundamental structures to regenerative medicine is microvasculature. Its continuous hierarchical branching vessel networks bridge surgically manipulatable arteries (∼1–6 mm) to capillary beds (∼10 µm). Microvascular perfusion must be established quickly for autologous, allogeneic, or tissue engineered grafts to survive implantation and heal in place. However, traditional syringe-based bioprinting techniques have struggled to produce perfusable constructs with hierarchical branching at the resolution of the arterioles (∼100-10 µm) found in microvascular tissues. This study introduces the novel CEVIC bioprinting device (i.e. Continuously Extruded Variable Internal Channeling), a multi-material technology that breaks the current extrusion-based bioprinting paradigm of pushing cell-laden hydrogels through a nozzle as filaments, instead, in the version explored here, extruding thin, wide cell-laden hydrogel sheets. The CEVIC device adapts the chaotic printing approach to control the width and number of microchannels within the construct as it is extruded (i.e. on-the-fly). Utilizing novel flow valve designs, this strategy can produce continuous gradients varying geometry and materials across the construct and hierarchical branching channels with average widths ranging from 621.5 ± 42.92% µm to 11.67 ± 14.99% µm, respectively, encompassing the resolution range of microvascular vessels. These constructs can also include fugitive/sacrificial ink that vacates to leave demonstrably perfusable channels. In a proof-of-concept experiment, a co-culture of two microvascular cell types, endothelial cells and pericytes, sustained over 90% viability throughout 1 week in microchannels within CEVIC-produced gelatin methacryloyl-sodium alginate hydrogel constructs. These results justify further exploration of generating CEVIC-bioprinted microvasculature, such as pre-culturing and implantation studies.
Enhanced high-temperature tribological performance of fluorinated tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C:F) coatings in sliding applications
Authors: Bhowmick Sukanta , Shirzadian Shayan , Alpas Ahmet T 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
This study investigated the dry sliding behaviour of fluorinated tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C:F) coatings against uncoated 52100 steel at temperatures ranging from 25 °C to 300 °C. The ta-C:F coatings demonstrated significant reductions in both the coefficient of friction(COF) during the running-in stage and at steady state, particularly within the temperature range of 25 °C to 200 °C, surpassing the performance of well-established a-C:H coatings. SEM analyses revealed the formation of transfer layers on the contact surface of 52100 steel when tested against ta-C:F coatings at temperatures up to 200 °C, while none were detected at temperatures ≥250 °C. Raman spectroscopy indicated a transition from sp3 to sp2 carbon structures in the carbonaceous transfer layers with increasing temperature, and XPS scans confirmed an increase in fluorine (F) concentration within these layers, correlating with reduced COF. The comparative analysis at 120 °C emphasized the intrinsic advantages of ta-C:F coatings in high-temperature applications, demonstrating a nearly 50% lower COF (0.08) when compared to traditional boundary-lubricated steel-to-steel sliding contacts. These findings have significant implications for enhancing the efficiency and durability of various mechanical systems, particularly in industries like automotive and manufacturing.
Optimization of the mechanical and vibrational damping properties of a hybrid rubber particle and glass fibre railway sleeper composite
Authors: Mbatha Abednigo Jabu , Alugongo A A , Nkomo N Z 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
In the locomotive industry, the railway structural material is frequently subjected to harsh loads and vibration, and the current durability and vibration-resilience capabilities of the sleepers are insufficient. The aim of this paper is to fabricate a railway sleeper composites with enhanced mechanical and vibrational properties. A full factorial experimental design was followed in the composite fabrication with the rubber particles and fibreglass volume fraction ratio varied between 5 and 20% and 5 to 8% respectively. Modelling and optimisation of the mix design was then carried out using numerical modelling techniques. ANOVA tests were carried out to show the model’s accuracy in predicting tensile strength, compression strength, flexural strength, and vibrational damping, as shown by R2 values of 60.69%, 86.60%, 60.05% and 81.41%, respectively. However, the model was not reliable for the composite hardness which had an R2 value of 37.87%. The optimisation model developed in the study indicated that rubber particles of size of 150 μm at volume fraction of 7.48% and fibreglass volume fraction of 8% gave the optimum mechanical and vibrational properties.
The feasibility of K XRF bone lead measurements in mice assessed using 3D-printed phantoms
Authors: Bider R C , Sheehan B , Bock N , McNeill F E 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
This article describes the development of a system for in vivo measurements of lead body burden in mice using 109Cd K x-ray fluorescence (XRF). This K XRF system could facilitate early-stage studies on interventions that ameliorate or reverse organ tissue damage from lead poisoning by reducing animal numbers through a cross-sectional study approach. A novel mouse phantom was developed based on a mouse atlas and 3D-printed using PLA plastic with plaster of Paris ’bone’ inserts. PLA plastic was found to be a good surrogate for soft tissue in XRF measurements and the phantoms were found to be good models of mice. As expected, lead detection limits varied with mouse size, mouse orientation, and mouse position with respect to the source and detector. The work suggests that detection limits of 10 to 20 μg Pb per g bone mineral may be possible for a 2 to 3 hour XRF measurement in a single animal, an adequate limit for some pre-clinical studies. The 109Cd K XRF mouse measurement system was also modeled using the Monte Carlo code MCNP. The combination of experiment and modeling found that contrary to expectation, accurate measurements of lead levels in mice required calibration using mouse-specific calibration standards due to the coherent scatter peak normalization failing when small animals are measured. MCNP modeling determined that this was because the coherent scatter signal from soft tissue, which until now has been assumed negligible, becomes significant when compared to the coherent scatter signal in bone in small animals. This may have implications for some human measurements. This work suggests that 109Cd K x-ray fluorescence measurements of lead body burden are precise enough to make the system feasible for small animals if appropriately calibrated. Further work to validate the technology’s measurement accuracy and performance in vivo will be required.
Do environmental target constraints promote corporate pollution reduction?
Authors: Li Zhaoyang , Kong Lingqian , Xu Kai 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
In order to improve the environment quality, in 2007 the Chinese government implemented a policy document on environmental target constraints called the ‘Letter of Responsibility’. Based on this impact, we collect the environmental target constraints (ETC) data of 276 cities in China, and use the Differences-in-Differences (DID) method to evaluate the impact of local government ETC on enterprise pollution. The results show that ETC can significantly curb the pollution emission level of enterprises. This effect varies significantly between enterprises of different regions, scales, ownerships, and total factor productivities (TFPs). ETC can promote enterprise emission reduction by inducing green innovation, improving corporate tax burden and financing constraints, and promoting enterprise exit. Economic growth target constraints will weaken the inhibitory effect of ETC on corporate pollution. This paper provides important empirical evidence for deepening China’s official environmental assessment system and environmental governance.
Toxic air pollution and concentrated social deprivation are associated with low birthweight and preterm Birth in Louisiana
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Authors: Terrell Kimberly A , St Julien Gianna N , Wallace Maeve E 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Previous studies indicate that pollution exposure can increase risks of adverse birth outcomes, but Black communities are underrepresented in this research, and the potential moderating role of neighborhood context has not been explored. These issues are especially relevant in Louisiana, which has a high proportion of Black residents, an entrenched history of structural racism, the most pounds of toxic industrial emissions annually, and among the nation’s highest rates of low birthweight (LBW), preterm birth (PTB), and infant mortality. We investigated whether air pollution and social polarization by race and income (measured via the index of concentration at the extremes [ICE]) were associated with LBW and PTB among Louisiana census tracts (n = 1101) using spatial lag models. Data sources included 2011–2020 birth records, U.S. Census Bureau 2017 demographic data, and 2017 respiratory hazard (RH) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Both RH and ICE were associated with LBW (z = 4.4, P < 0.0001; z = −27.0, P < 0.0001) and PTB (z = 2.3, P = 0.019; z = −16.7, P < 0.0001), with no interaction. Severely polluted tracts had 36% higher and 25% higher risks of LBW and PTB, respectively, versus unpolluted tracts. On average, 2166 low birthweight and 3583 preterm births annually were attributable to pollution exposure. Tracts with concentrated social deprivation (i.e. low ICE scores) had 53% higher and 34% higher risks of LBW and PTB, respectively, versus intermediate or mixed tracts. On average, 1171 low birthweight and 1739 preterm births annually were attributable to concentrated deprivation. Our ecological study found that a majority of adverse birth outcomes in Louisiana (i.e. 67% of LBW and PTB combined) are linked to air pollution exposure or disadvantage resulting from social polarization. These findings can inform research, policy, and advocacy to improve health equity in marginalized communities.
Recent advances in multimodal sensing integration and decoupling strategies for tactile perception
Authors: Kong Huijun , Li Weiyan , Song Zhongqian , Niu Li 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Human skin perceives external environmental stimulus by the synergies between the subcutaneous tactile corpuscles. Soft electronics with multiple sensing capabilities by mimicking the function of human skin are of significance in health monitoring and artificial sensation. The last decade has witnessed unprecedented development and convergence between multimodal tactile sensing devices and soft bioelectronics. Despite these advances, traditional flexible electronics achieve multimodal tactile sensing for pressure, strain, temperature, and humidity by integrating monomodal sensing devices together. This strategy results in high energy consumption, limited integration, and complex manufacturing process. Various multimodal sensors and crosstalk-free sensing mechanisms have been proposed to bridge the gap between natural sensory system and artificial perceptual system. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of tactile sensing mechanism, integration design principles, signal-decoupling strategies, and current applications for multimodal tactile perception. Finally, we highlight the current challenges and present the future perspectives to promote the development of multimodal tactile perception.
Model-aided climate adaptation for future maize in the US
Authors: Hsiao Jennifer , Kim Soo-Hyung , Timlin Dennis J , Mueller Nathaniel D , Swann Abigail L S 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Over the next three decades rising population and changing dietary preferences are expected to increase food demand by 25%–75%. At the same time climate is also changing—with potentially drastic impacts on food production. Breeding new crop characteristics and adjusting management practices are critical avenues to mitigate yield loss and sustain yield stability under a changing climate. In this study, we use a mechanistic crop model (MAIZSIM) to identify high-performing trait and management combinations that maximize yield and yield stability for different agroclimate regions in the US under present and future climate conditions. We show that morphological traits such as total leaf area and phenological traits such as grain-filling start time and duration are key properties that impact yield and yield stability; different combinations of these properties can lead to multiple high-performing strategies under present-day climate conditions. We also demonstrate that high performance under present day climate does not guarantee high performance under future climate. Weakened trade-offs between canopy leaf area and reproductive start time under a warmer future climate led to shifts in high-performing strategies, allowing strategies with higher total leaf area and later grain-filling start time to better buffer yield loss and out-compete strategies with a smaller canopy leaf area and earlier reproduction. These results demonstrate that focused effort is needed to breed plant varieties to buffer yield loss under future climate conditions as these varieties may not currently exist, and showcase how information from process-based models can complement breeding efforts and targeted management to increase agriculture resilience.
EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression
Authors: Brennan Bill , Belser Alex 
Published: March 2024

AbstractEMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression: A New Approach for the Whole Person is a comprehensive guidebook for clinicians that presents a novel therapeutic framework for administering psychedelic medicines. The EMBARK model was developed in response to the growing interest in psychedelic medicines for treating mental health disorders, particularly depression, and the identified gaps in existing models of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT). The conventional history of PAT research has been criticized for missing critical histories of harm and the stories of marginalized groups, highlighting the need for a comprehensive, ethical, and inclusive framework. Previous PAT models have been found to lack attentiveness to the body, focus on the therapist-participant relationship, counseling for spiritual experiences, and ethical considerations. They also suffered from underdeveloped therapeutic frames and a reliance on single evidence-based, non-psychedelic PAT approaches. The EMBARK model addresses these shortcomings by offering a transdiagnostic and trans-drug approach adaptable to various indications and psychedelic medicines. It is built upon four Cornerstones of Care: Trauma-Informed Care, Culturally Competent Care, Ethically Rigorous Care, and Collective Care, reflecting a foundational belief that efficacious treatment is ethical treatment. The EMBARK acronym points to six Clinical Domains that commonly emerge in psychedelic experiences: Existential-Spiritual, Mindfulness, Body Aware, Affective-Cognitive, Relational, and Keeping Momentum. For the treatment of depression, twelve mechanisms of therapeutic change are outlined. It also provides a comprehensive guide to the clinical considerations and treatment factors, including therapist credentials, skills, therapeutic presence, personal growth, experiential training, and personal commitment to receiving supervision, peer consultation, and support as a provider. The EMBARK approach incorporates evidence-based treatment techniques and points to an emerging evidence-base for the approach from ongoing randomized controlled trials (RCTs). EMBARK psychedelic therapy is intended to be open-sourced to the clinical community for development and adaptation to other psychedelic medicines (e.g., DMT, LSD, MDMA, ketamine) other contexts (e.g. group therapy, conjoint/couples therapy), diverse populations (e.g., LGBTQIA+ participants) and to inform the development of psychedelic practitioner trainings.
An Overview of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Authors: Brennan Bill , Belser Alex 
Published: March 2024

AbstractChapter 1 introduces the concept of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) and the EMBARK psychedelic therapy model, a new approach to PAT and psychological support. The chapter serves as an orientation to the book, outlining its structure and intended audiences. It discusses the growing interest in psychedelic medicines for treating mental health disorders, particularly depression. The authors provide a conventional history of PAT research and criticize this history for missing critical histories of harm and the stories of marginalized groups. The EMBARK model is introduced, offering a transdiagnostic and trans-drug approach adaptable to various indications and psychedelic medicines. The authors review common PAT elements, including the preparation, medicine, and integration phases of treatment; therapist dyads; set and setting; and the importance of providing a therapeutic container. The chapter also characterizes the emerging evidence base for EMBARK, mentioning ongoing randomized clinical trials piloting the EMBARK model and the free EMBARK Open Access training program.
Considerations Prior to Meeting With a Participant
Authors: Brennan Bill , Belser Alex 
Published: March 2024

AbstractChapter 4 provides a comprehensive guide to the considerations and treatment factors that should be attended to prior to initiating psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT). It discusses the importance of therapists’ credentials, competencies, skills, personal growth, experiential training, personal psychedelic experiences, and personal commitment to receiving supervision, peer supervision, and support as a provider. It discusses the importance of cultivating a therapeutic presence using two illustrative EMBARK acronyms: CUSHION and FRAZZLE. The chapter also discusses the need for thorough screening for medical and psychiatric conditions, contraindications with other medications, and overall suitability. It includes a section on the consideration and controversies regarding the use of touch in psychedelic therapy, exploring both historical and current perspectives. An “enhanced consent” and “double consent” process is recommended. The chapter also addresses the setup of the physical space, the creation of appropriate music playlists, attendance to cultural factors, working in dyads, and considerations when involving other providers and the participant’s family members.
Bringing It Home and Carrying It Forward
Authors: Brennan Bill , Belser Alex 
Published: March 2024

AbstractChapter 8 concludes the book with a reflection on the intense and meaningful journey of providing psychedelic-assisted therapy. It acknowledges the book’s aim to provide a comprehensive guide to practicing psychedelic therapy, rooted in the best available evidence and ethical considerations. The chapter points to future opportunities in the field, including a shift from a treatment-focused approach to a more integrated conceptualization and treatment process. It raises important questions about the best use of psychedelics in mental health care, suggesting that they may be more suited to promoting overall well-being than simply reducing symptoms. It also discusses the important but overlooked role of community support and explores the question of what collective changes would best support the integration of psychedelic therapy into our culture’s approach to healing. Future directions for EMBARK in psychedelic therapy research and practice are outlined. The chapter concludes by honoring the reader’s interest in psychedelic therapy.
Effects of early predation and social cues on the relationship between laterality and personality
Authors: Panizzon Paolo , Gismann Jakob , Riedstra Bernd , Nicolaus Marion , Brown Culum , Groothuis Ton 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Individual differences in laterality and personality are expected to covary, as emotions are processed differently by the two hemispheres, and personality involves emotional behavior. Fish species are often used to investigate this topic due to the large variability in personality and laterality patterns. While some species show a positive relationship between lateralization strength and boldness, others show a negative relationship, and some show no relationship. A new way to assess the robustness of such a relationship is to manipulate both laterality and personality to examine how this affects their relationship. To this end, we conducted a fully factorial design experiment manipulating predation and group size during early development. Results showed that the strength of laterality was influenced by predation threat, while social tendency and boldness were influenced by group size. These findings suggest that early life conditions can have an impact on laterality and social behavior. The relationship between laterality and personality traits, while present, was heavily influenced by the specific trial conditions but not by the different developmental conditions. In summary, the relationship between laterality and behaviors appears to be context-dependent, yet resilient to early environmental manipulations.