bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biohybrid tensegrity actuator driven by selective contractions of multiple skeletal muscle tissues
Authors: Morita Kazuma , Morimoto Yuya , Takeuchi Shoji 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Biohybrid robots are robots composed of both biological and artificial materials that can exhibit the unique characteristics commonly found in living organisms. Skeletal muscle tissues can be utilized as their actuators due to their flexibility and ON/OFF controllability, but previous muscle-driven robots have been limited to one-degree of freedom (DOF) or planar motions due to their design. To overcome this limitation, we propose a biohybrid actuator with a tensegrity structure that enables multiple muscle tissues to be arranged in a 3D configuration with balanced tension. By using muscle tissues as tension members of tensegrity structure, the contraction of muscle tissues can cause the movement of the actuator in multiple-DOFs. We demonstrate the fabrication of the biohybrid tensegrity actuator by attaching three cultured skeletal muscle tissue made from C2C12 cells and fibrin-based hydrogel to an actuator skeleton using a snap-fit mechanism. When we applied an electric field of more than 4 V mm−1 to the skeletal muscle tissue, the fabricated actuator had a structure to tilt in multiple directions through the selective displacement of about 0.5 mm in a specific direction caused by the contractions of muscle tissue, resulting in 3D multi-DOF tilting motion. We also show that the actuator possesses superior characteristics of tensegrity structure such as stability and robustness by assessing the response of the actuator to external force. This biohybrid tensegrity actuator provides a useful platform for the development of muscle-driven biohybrid robots with complex and flexible movements.
Impact of reactive nitrogen flow on morphology, mechanical properties, and biocorrosion behavior of sputtered TiN coatings towards orthopedic applications
Authors: Van Duong Luong , Phuong Doan Dinh , Linh Nguyen Ngoc , Thinh Nguyen Quoc , Khanh Dang Quoc , Vasili Rubanik , Vasili Rubanik , Dzmitry Bahrets 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
This work aimed to investigate the effects of reactive nitrogen flow on the morphology, mechanical properties, and biocorrosion behavior of TiN coatings deposited on Ti6Al4V alloys and Si (100) wafer by direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering technique. From analysis results of x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), it revealed that the preferred orientation of the coatings changed from TiN (111) to TiN (200) plane, and the surface morphology altered from faceted structures to closed sphere structures with the increasing reactive N2 flow. The high density and fine grain size of the coating deposited with a reactive N2 flow of 25 sccm resulted in the highest hardness (24.8 ± 1.8 GPa) and the best corrosion resistance. In addition, the friction coefficient was reduced owing to the decrease in the grain size as reactive N2 flow increased from 10 to 30 sccm. Compared with Ti6Al4V substrate, TiN coatings possess better corrosion resistance, suggesting that the coating is beneficial for improving the performance of the Ti6Al4V alloys.
The structure design and cutting performance research about the groove of the indexable inserts for machining stainless steel
Authors: Lin Rongchuan , Li Yuanyou , Xie Renqi , Meng Jiahao , Wei Shasha , Huang Qingmin , Zhou Yuhui 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Stainless steel is a notoriously difficult-to-machine material, with challenges such as hard-to-break chips and severe tool wear. To address these issues, a finishing indexable insert has been designed and developed specifically for stainless steel. This tool, named HMF, was compared to commercial tools (NF4, BF) in terms of its curved groove structure and cutting performance using SEM (scanning electron microscope Sigma500), 3D scanning (KEYENCE-VR 5000) and a profiler (Mitutoyo C-200). The HMF tool utilizes a curved edge with a curved chip breaker, and a chip-breaking bump on the tool nose. The groove parameters of the HMF insert are as follows: cutting edge angle of 12°, chip breaker groove width of 1.89 mm, back wall height of 0.095 mm, and anti-chip angle of 4°49’. 3D scanning of the chip break site reveals that the HMF chip break has a higher bump and a more pronounced chip rolling effect. HMF tool chip-breaking experiments show that it has ideal chip-breaking performance in the finishing range of ap = 0.6–1.0 mm, and f = 0.1–0.25 mm r−1. Chip analysis shows that the HMF chip curl frequency increases and the chip curl is tighter as the feed rate increases, and the curl radius gradually decreases when the feed rate is greater than 0.15 mm r−1. The results of the wear performance study are as follows: all three tools show rake face crater wear when cutting stainless steel. A small amount of built-up edge appears on the HMF cutting edge. The wear life of HMF is close to NF4 and better than BF; the wear of BF is faster in the later stages of wear.
Theoretical investigation of the temperature characteristics and output parameters of an industrial crystalline silicon solar cell with a microfluidic cooling system
Authors: Lu Xiaodong , Lu Di , Li Yuan , Ni Yanan , Lun Shuxian , Li Haixia 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Operating temperature is a key factor affecting the output power of a crystalline silicon solar cell (c-Si SC). Based on solving basic semiconductor equations, Maxwell equations and heat flow equations by finite difference method, this work has theoretically investigated the influences of microfluidic cooling system on the temperature distributions and output parameters of an industrial c-Si SC packaged as a module form, where the cooling system is installed the interface between the aluminum electrode and back ethylene vinyl acetate layer and the cooling medium flowing through microchannel is selected as water. Under the influences of the cooling system, the back surface temperature of the c-Si SC is fixed at about water temperature and the front surface temperature will decrease with the water temperature decreasing. The temperature distributions of c-Si active layer and aluminum layer decrease approximately linearly along the two layer’s thickness directions. The cooling effects of the cooling system are mainly determined by water temperature and when the filling factor of microchannel is larger than 0.1, its influences on the temperature distribution of the c-Si SC are small. In the environmental temperature range from −15 °C to 60 °C, the increase rates of Voc, FF and η per degree Celsius with the water temperature decreasing are about 0.0014 V, 0.036% and 0.05%, respectively.
Experimental investigations on preparation of silica coated TiO2 nanoparticles (S-TiO2) and its mechanical characterizations as reinforcement in polylactic acid (PLA)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites
Authors: Nethula Arun , Koka Naga Sai Suman , Chanamala Ratnam , Putta Nageswara Rao 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Polymer composites exhibit unique properties that make them ideal for an extended range of industrial and engineering fields. However, the mechanical characteristics of polymer composites play a crucial role in assessing their applicability for specific load-bearing applications, and their failure mechanisms are largely influenced by these characteristics. This study examines the mechanical characteristics of Polylactic acid (PLA)/Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) polymer composites reinforced with silica-coated TiO2 nanoparticles(S-TiO2). The Sol-gel method was employed to coat nanoparticles with silica, to enhance their surface properties and functionalization, as well as to mitigate the photo-degradation of pure TiO2 nanoparticles. Morphology and micro structure of nano particles were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The PLA/TPU pellets were blended at 70/30 ratio and then reinforced with S-TiO2 at weight percentages ranging from 0.5% to 2.0%, in increments of 0.5%. SEM images have shown the existence and uniform distribution of TPU and S-TiO2 in PLA. The mechanical properties of fabricated polymer composites such as hardness, tensile strength, elongation at break, flexural strength, and impact strength were determined using various mechanical tests. Thermal behaviour of polymer composite was analysed by using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). It was found that polymer composite containing 2% by weight of S-TiO2 exhibited an increase in hardness, tensile strength, and flexural strength by 10.3%, 23.2%, and 20%, respectively.
Intangibility and Selfhood: Westworld as Allegory for Adaptation in the Digital Age
Authors: Wilkins Christina 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Despite the digital becoming ever more ubiquitous, the physical matters more than ever. We see this in interviews with actors who voice animated characters, actors who voice computer generated imagery (CGI) characters, and actors who voice other non-human characters. Many things present a challenge to the ways in which we understand the physical—the structures of meaning in the world primarily, along with the specific filmic ways we understand star bodies. These combine to create barriers to ‘seeing’ the truth of a character we might think, but this is fixated on an approach that privileges a hierarchy of actors over character. Equally, it is one that privileges body over character. The recent series of Westworld begins to challenge this, thinking about the ways in which while the physical may be required, audiences are able to think beyond it. It functions as a way to consider the digital adaptation of the self, and the return to the needs of the physical to express character. Ultimately, this article argues that although we cannot escape the physical, the hierarchies and boundaries we have in place for understanding the truth of the self remain as unfixed as ever, despite the recourse to adapting through non-physical means.
Pharmacological treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Yu-Yuan , Teng Teng , Giovane Cinzia D , Wang Rong-Ze , Suckling John , Shen Xue-Ning , Chen Shi-Dong , Huang Shu-Yi , Kuo Kevin , Cai Wen-Jie , Chen Ke-Liang , Feng Lei , Zhang Can , Liu Cai-Yan , Li Chun-Bo , Zhao Qian-Hua , Dong Qiang , Zhou Xin-Yu , Yu Jin-Tai 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Background
Pharmacological treatments are very common to be used for alleviating neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in dementia. However, decision on drug selection is still a matter of controversy.

Aims
To summarise the comparative efficacy and acceptability of currently available monotherapy drug regimens for reducing NPS in dementia.

Method
We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials between inception and 26 December 2022 without language restrictions; and reference lists scanned from selected studies and systematic reviews. Double-blind randomised controlled trials were identified from electronic databases for reporting NPS outcomes in people with dementia. Primary outcomes were efficacy and acceptability. Confidence in the evidence was assessed using Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis (CINeMA).

Results
We included 59 trials (15,781 participants; mean age, 76.6 years) and 15 different drugs in quantitative syntheses. Risperidone (standardised mean difference [SMD] −0.20, 95% credible interval [CrI] −0.40 to −0.10) and galantamine (−0.20, −0.39 to −0.02) were more effective than placebo in short-term treatment (median duration: 12 weeks). Galantamine (odds ratio [OR] 1.95, 95% CrI 1.38–2.94) and rivastigmine (1.87, 1.24–2.99) were associated with more dropouts than placebo, and some active drugs. Most of the results were rated as low or very low according to CINeMA.

Conclusions
Despite the scarcity of high-quality evidence, risperidone is probably the best pharmacological option to consider for alleviating NPS in people with dementia in short-term treatment when considering the risk–benefit profile of drugs.
Using a smartphone application to capture daily work activities: a longitudinal pilot study in a farming population
Authors: Josse Pabitra R , Locke Sarah J , Bowles Heather R , Wolff-Hughes Dana L , Sauve Jean-François , Andreotti Gabriella , Moon Jon , Hofmann Jonathan N , Beane Freeman Laura E , Friesen Melissa C 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objectives
Smartphones are increasingly used to collect real-time information on time-varying exposures. We developed and deployed an application (app) to evaluate the feasibility of using smartphones to collect real-time information on intermittent agricultural activities and to characterize agricultural task variability in a longitudinal study of farmers.

Methods
We recruited 19 male farmers, aged 50–60 years, to report their farming activities on 24 randomly selected days over 6 months using the Life in a Day app. Eligibility criteria include personal use of an iOS or Android smartphone and &gt;4 h of farming activities at least two days per week. We developed a study-specific database of 350 farming tasks that were provided in the app; 152 were linked to questions that were asked when the activity ended. We report eligibility, study compliance, number of activities, duration of activities by day and task, and responses to the follow-up questions.

Results
Of the 143 farmers we reached out to for this study, 16 were not reached by phone or refused to answer eligibility questions, 69 were ineligible (limited smartphone use and/or farming time), 58 met study criteria, and 19 agreed to participate. Refusals were mostly related to uneasiness with the app and/or time commitment (32 of 39). Participation declined gradually over time, with 11 farmers reporting activities through the 24-week study period. We obtained data on 279 days (median 554 min/day; median 18 days per farmer) and 1,321 activities (median 61 min/activity; median 3 activities per day per farmer). The activities were predominantly related to animals (36%), transportation (12%), and equipment (10%). Planting crops and yard work had the longest median durations; short-duration tasks included fueling trucks, collecting/storing eggs, and tree work. Time period-specific variability was observed; for example, crop-related activities were reported for an average of 204 min/day during planting but only 28 min/day during pre-planting and 110 min/day during the growing period. We obtained additional information for 485 (37%) activities; the most frequently asked questions were related to “feed animals” (231 activities) and “operate fuel-powered vehicle (transportation)” (120 activities).

Conclusions
Our study demonstrated feasibility and good compliance in collecting longitudinal activity data over 6 months using smartphones in a relatively homogeneous population of farmers. We captured most of the farming day and observed substantial heterogeneity in activities, highlighting the need for individual activity data when characterizing exposure in farmers. We also identified several areas for improvement. In addition, future evaluations should include more diverse populations.
Understanding the complementarity and plasticity of antibody–antigen interfaces
Authors: Myung Yoochan , Pires Douglas E V , Ascher David B 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Motivation
While antibodies have been ground-breaking therapeutic agents, the structural determinants for antibody binding specificity remain to be fully elucidated, which is compounded by the virtually unlimited repertoire of antigens they can recognize. Here, we have explored the structural landscapes of antibody–antigen interfaces to identify the structural determinants driving target recognition by assessing concavity and interatomic interactions.

Results
We found that complementarity-determining regions utilized deeper concavity with their longer H3 loops, especially H3 loops of nanobody showing the deepest use of concavity. Of all amino acid residues found in complementarity-determining regions, tryptophan used deeper concavity, especially in nanobodies, making it suitable for leveraging concave antigen surfaces. Similarly, antigens utilized arginine to bind to deeper pockets of the antibody surface. Our findings fill a gap in knowledge about the antibody specificity, binding affinity, and the nature of antibody–antigen interface features, which will lead to a better understanding of how antibodies can be more effective to target druggable sites on antigen surfaces.

Availability and implementation
The data and scripts are available at: https://github.com/YoochanMyung/scripts.
A volar skin excisional wound model for in situ evaluation of multiple-appendage regeneration and innervation
Authors: Gao Huanhuan , Liu Yiqiong , Shi Ziwei , Zhang Hongliang , Wang Mengyang , Chen Huating , Li Yan , Ji Shaifei , Xiang Jiangbing , Pi Wei , Zhou Laixian , Hong Yiyue , Wu Lu , Cai Aizhen , Fu Xiaobing , Sun Xiaoyan 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Background
Promoting rapid wound healing with functional recovery of all skin appendages is the main goal of regenerative medicine. So far current methodologies, including the commonly used back excisional wound model (BEWM) and paw skin scald wound model, are focused on assessing the regeneration of either hair follicles (HFs) or sweat glands (SwGs). How to achieve de novo appendage regeneration by synchronized evaluation of HFs, SwGs and sebaceous glands (SeGs) is still challenging. Here, we developed a volar skin excisional wound model (VEWM) that is suitable for examining cutaneous wound healing with multiple-appendage restoration, as well as innervation, providing a new research paradigm for the perfect regeneration of skin wounds.

Methods
Macroscopic observation, iodine–starch test, morphological staining and qRT-PCR analysis were used to detect the existence of HFs, SwGs, SeGs and distribution of nerve fibres in the volar skin. Wound healing process monitoring, HE/Masson staining, fractal analysis and behavioral response assessment were performed to verify that VEWM could mimic the pathological process and outcomes of human scar formation and sensory function impairment.

Results
HFs are limited to the inter-footpads. SwGs are densely distributed in the footpads, scattered in the IFPs. The volar skin is richly innervated. The wound area of the VEWM at 1, 3, 7 and 10 days after the operation is respectively 89.17% ± 2.52%, 71.72% ± 3.79%, 55.09 % ± 4.94% and 35.74% ± 4.05%, and the final scar area accounts for 47.80% ± 6.22% of the initial wound. While the wound area of BEWM at 1, 3, 7 and 10 days after the operation are respectively 61.94% ± 5.34%, 51.26% ± 4.89%, 12.63% ± 2.86% and 6.14% ± 2.84%, and the final scar area accounts for 4.33% ± 2.67% of the initial wound. Fractal analysis of the post-traumatic repair site for VEWM vs human was performed: lacunarity values, 0.040 ± 0.012 vs 0.038 ± 0.014; fractal dimension values, 1.870 ± 0.237 vs 1.903 ± 0.163. Sensory nerve function of normal skin vs post-traumatic repair site was assessed: mechanical threshold, 1.05 ± 0.52 vs 4.90 g ± 0.80; response rate to pinprick, 100% vs 71.67% ± 19.92%, and temperature threshold, 50.34°C ± 3.11°C vs 52.13°C ± 3.54°C.

Conclusions
VEWM closely reflects the pathological features of human wound healing and can be applied for skin multiple-appendages regeneration and innervation evaluation.
Cognitive reserve disorder in age-related hearing loss: cognitive cortical compensatory to auditory perceptual processing
Authors: Gao Minqian , Feng Tianci , Zhao Fei , Shen Jingxian , Zheng Yiqing , Liang Jiuxing , Yang Haidi 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study is to ascertain the mechanisms of cognitive reserve disorder in age-related hearing loss (ARHL), to study the correlation between ARHL and cognitive decline via EEG, and to reverse the adverse remodeling of auditory–cognitive connectivity with hearing aids (HAs). In this study, 32 participants were enrolled, including 12 with ARHLs, 9 with HAs, and 11 healthy controls (HCs), to undergo EEG, Pure Tone Average (PTA), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and other general cognitive tests. There were the lowest MoCA in the ARHL group (P = 0.001), especially in language and abstraction. In the ARHL group, power spectral density of the gamma in right middle temporal gyrus was significantly higher than HC and HA groups, while functional connectivity between superior frontal gyrus and cingulate gyrus was weaker than HC group (P = 0.036) and HA group (P = 0.021). In the HA group, superior temporal gyrus and cuneus had higher connectivity than in the HC group (P = 0.036). In the ARHL group, DeltaTM_DTA (P = 0.042) and CTB (P = 0.011) were more frequent than in the HC group, while there was less DeltaTM_CTA (P = 0.029). PTA was found to be associated with MoCA (r = −0.580) and language (r = −0.572), DeltaTM_CTB had a likewise correlation with MoCA (r = 0.483) and language (r = 0.493), while DeltaTM_DTA was related to abstraction (r = −0.458). Cognitive cortexes compensate for worse auditory perceptual processing in ARHL, which relates to cognitive decline. The impaired functional connectivity between auditory and cognitive cortexes can be remodeled by HAs. DeltaTM may serve as a biomarker for early cognitive decline and decreased auditory speech perception in ARHL.
Disrupted brain gray matter connectome in social anxiety disorder: a novel individualized structural covariance network analysis
Authors: Zhang Xun , Lai Han , Li Qingyuan , Yang Xun , Pan Nanfang , He Min , Kemp Graham J , Wang Song , Gong Qiyong 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Phenotyping approaches grounded in structural network science can offer insights into the neurobiological substrates of psychiatric diseases, but this remains to be clarified at the individual level in social anxiety disorder (SAD). Using a recently developed approach combining probability density estimation and Kullback–Leibler divergence, we constructed single-subject structural covariance networks (SCNs) based on multivariate morphometry (cortical thickness, surface area, curvature, and volume) and quantified their global/nodal network properties using graph-theoretical analysis. We compared network metrics between SAD patients and healthy controls (HC) and analyzed the relationship to clinical characteristics. We also used support vector machine analysis to explore the ability of graph-theoretical metrics to discriminate SAD patients from HC. Globally, SAD patients showed higher global efficiency, shorter characteristic path length, and stronger small-worldness. Locally, SAD patients showed abnormal nodal centrality mainly involving left superior frontal gyrus, right superior parietal lobe, left amygdala, right paracentral gyrus, right lingual, and right pericalcarine cortex. Altered topological metrics were associated with the symptom severity and duration. Graph-based metrics allowed single-subject classification of SAD versus HC with total accuracy of 78.7%. This finding, that the topological organization of SCNs in SAD patients is altered toward more randomized configurations, adds to our understanding of network-level neuropathology in SAD.