bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An experimental study on the mechanics and control of SMA-actuated bioinspired needle
Authors: Acharya Sharad Raj , Hutapea Parsaoran 
Published: September 2023

AbstractActive needles demonstrate improved accuracy and tip deflection compared to their passive needle counterparts, a crucial advantage in percutaneous procedures. However, the ability of these needles to effectively navigate through tissues is governed by needle-tissue interaction, which depends on the tip shape, the cannula surface geometry, and the needle insertion method. In this research, we evaluated the effect of cannula surface modifications and the application of a vibrational insertion technique on the performance of shape memory alloy (SMA)-actuated active needles. These features were inspired by the mosquito proboscis’ unique design and skin-piercing technique that decreased the needle tissue interaction force, thus enhancing tip deflection and steering accuracy. The bioinspired features, i.e., mosquito-inspired cannula design and vibrational insertion method, in an active needle reduced the insertion force by 26.24% and increased the tip deflection by 37.11% in prostate-mimicking gel. In addition, trajectory tracking error was reduced by 48%, and control effort was reduced by 23.25%, pointing towards improved needle placement accuracy. The research highlights the promising potential of bioinspired SMA-actuated active needles. Better tracking control and increased tip deflection are anticipated, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes and minimized risk of complications during percutaneous procedures.
Proper choice of hyperparameters in reservoir computing of chaotic maps
Authors: Chen Wei , Gao Jian , Yan Zixiang , Xiao Jinghua 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Reservoir computing (RC) are powerful to learn and predict dynamical behaviors. However, it has been found that both the reservoir size and the hyperparameters can greatly affect the learning ability of RC on dynamical systems, the mechanism of which still remains unclear. This paper discusses the influence of hyperparameters of RC with different sizes of reservoir on learning typical chaotic maps. An analytic method is purposed to obtain the hyperparameters that can exhibit better learning ability of RC by analyzing high order derivatives of the error loss function. In the case of RC with one or two nodes, the well-performing hyperparameters are analytically obtained for learning the logistic map, which are consistent with numerical results. The analytic method also shows its ability in RC with multiple nodes to learn singer and sine chaotic maps. This work provides deeper insight in learning and predicting behaviors of RC as well as presents guidance for the selection of hyperparameters of RC to learn chaotic systems.
3D bioprinted endothelial cell-microglia coculture for diabetic retinopathy modeling
Authors: Wu Haixiang , Xu Fangcheng , Luo Yunfang , Zhang Yibao , Tang Min 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common diabetes complication leading to vision impairment or blindness due to retinal vasculature alterations. Hyperglycemia induces structural alterations, inflammation, and angiogenic factor upregulation. Current treatments targeting vascular endothelial growth factor are insufficient for approximately 20% of DR patients, necessitating alternative approaches. Microglia (MG), essential for retinal homeostasis, remains underexplored in DR. This study used digital light processing bioprinting to construct a 3D coculture model of endothelial cells (ECs) and MG under varying glucose conditions, with a hydrogel stiffness of 4.6–7.1 kPa to mimic the extracellular matrix property of retina plexiform. Our results showed that high glucose levels influenced both EC and microglial phenotypes, gene expression, and angiogenic potential. Increasing glucose from 5 mM to 25 mM reduces drug efficacy by 17% for Aflibercept in EC monoculture, and 25% and 30% for Aflibercept and Conbercept in EC-MG coculture, respectively, suggesting that diabetic condition and MG presence could interfere with drug responses. In conclusion, our findings emphasize the importance of cellular interactions and microenvironmental factors in DR therapy, aiming to identify novel strategies and improve understanding of MG’s role in disease pathogenesis.
Magnetic field assisted stabilization of circular double wall domain lattice in oxidized Fe3GeTe2 flakes
Authors: Pappas P , Georgopoulou-Kotsaki E , Lintzeris A , Dimoulas A 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
The family of 2D ferromagnets is in the center of research for novel spintronics applications. Among the various 2D ferromagnets, Fe3GeTe2 has drawn significant attention since it combines a high Curie temperature with a van der Waals structure, which allows easy exfoliation, and a high spin polarization/large spin–orbit coupling. The presence of interfacial DMI in 2D ferromagnets have a significant impact on the behavior of magnetic domain walls, which are fundamental in magnetic memory and logic devices. By controlling the interfacial DMI, it is possible to manipulate the motion of domain walls and the magnetic domain configuration, which is essential for the development of efficient and reliable magnetic devices. In this study, we investigate the effect of an, inversion symmetry breaking, oxidized layer on the magnetic domain structure of Fe3GeTe2 flakes due to the emergence of interfacial DMI. By combining magneto-optical Kerr effect microscopy images and micromagnetic simulations, we study the formation of a circular double wall (CDW) domain lattice in oxidized flakes under specific field cooling and magnetic field sweeping protocols. Their formation is attributed to a competition between the exchange interaction both symmetric and antisymmetric (associated to interfacial DMI), magnetocrystalline anisotropy and the external magnetic field. The CDW domains have a diameter of several microns, a magnetic structure resembling that of a skyrmionium and are arranged in regular lattice that survives thermal fluctuations close to T
c. Our results suggest that these CDW domains transition to Néel type skyrmions after a magnetic field threshold. These findings could have important implications for the design and optimization of 2D ferromagnetic materials for spintronic applications.
Enhancing mechanical properties of cellular core sandwich panels: a review of topological parameters and design improvements
Authors: Charkaoui Assil , Hassan Noha M , Bahroun Zied 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Sandwich panels’ exceptional mechanical properties and low density, owing to their multifunctional characteristics and innovative design, made them a popular choice in numerous industries. Sandwich panels with cellular cores are known for their exceptional energy absorption properties, which make them effective energy absorbers for high-impact scenarios such as accidents or explosions. For advancing research on sandwich panels, it is vital to develop innovative designs that can enhance their energy absorption and flexural stiffness. This review outlines the most essential topological parameters that influence the mechanical properties of cellular core structures. This paper gives insight into recent advancements related to optimizing sandwich panel structures for various engineering applications. The topological parameters investigated by researchers include core structure, thickness, number of layers, and material. The choice of core material governs the overall mechanical behavior of the panel. In this paper, various structures, including foam, honeycomb, lattice, corrugated, bioinspired, and various materials, are compared. Functionally graded structures were also explored in the literature as they can significantly optimize the response of sandwich panels in high and low-velocity impact applications. Similarly, a multi-layered core structure can enhance the total stiffness and specific energy absorption of the panel.
The mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Schäfer Sarah K , Lindner Saskia , Kunzler Angela M , Meerpohl Jörg J , Lieb Klaus 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Background
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, many experts pointed to potential adverse mental health effects for older adults. By contrast, many studies in young to middle-aged adults found older age to be associated with reduced mental burden. However, a systematic review on older adults is missing.

Objectives
To comprehensively assess the pandemic’s mental health impact on older adults.

Data sources
We searched nine databases from December 2019 to April 2022.

Study selection
We included longitudinal and repeated cross-sectional studies assessing pre- and/or peri-pandemic mental distress and/or positive mental health indicators (e.g. wellbeing) on at least two occasions.

Data synthesis
We identified 108 studies comprising 102,136 participants (≥60 years). After removal of outliers, there was a small increase in mental distress from pre-to-peri-pandemic assessments, standardised mean difference (SMD) = 0.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.01, 0.18]. Furthermore, a small peri-pandemic decrease in anxiety symptoms was observed, whereas other symptoms remained unchanged. For positive mental health indicators, wellbeing and quality of life showed an initial decrease, whereas overall positive mental health increased during the pandemic, SMD = 0.08, 95% CI [0.01, 0.15]. Being female was related to larger peri-pandemic increases in mental distress.

Conclusions
Based on many studies, this review demonstrated small decreases in mental health during early stages of the pandemic in older adults, with evidence for later recovery. These findings are similar to those for younger adults and correct earlier claims that older adults are at particular risk for negative mental health consequences. The results ask for further research into resilience and adaptation processes in older adults.
Cooking skills modify the association between oral health and mortality
Authors: Tani Yukako , Yamamoto Takafumi , Kusama Taro , Kinugawa Anna , Aida Jun , Fujiwara Takeo , Kondo Katsunori 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Poor oral health has been linked to an increased risk of mortality. People with good cooking skills may be able to cope with problems caused by oral dysfunction, such as restricted food choice. This study investigated whether cooking skills modified the association between oral health status and mortality. A 3-year follow-up was conducted among participants of the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, a population-based cohort study of Japanese adults aged 65–101 years. Oral health assessment comprised number of teeth and three oral functions (awareness of swallowing difficulty, decline in masticatory function, and dry mouth). Cooking skills were assessed using a valid scale adapted for Japanese participants. Mortality from 2016 to 2019 was analysed for 10,121 respondents. Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios for mortality risk adjusting for potential confounders, including sociodemographic factors and health status. During the follow-up, there were 488 deaths (4.8% of all participants). Both fewer teeth and poor oral function were associated with a greater mortality risk. Cooking skills modified the association only for oral function. Stratification by cooking skill score showed that the hazard ratios for ≥2 oral difficulties (vs. none) was 2.06 (95% confidence interval: 1.43–2.96) among those with low cooking skills and 1.25 (95% confidence interval: 0.92–1.71) among those with high cooking skills after adjusting for potential confounders. Improving cooking skills may be key to mitigating health risks owing to poor oral functions.
Placental insufficiency and heavier placentas in sheep after suppressing CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling during implantation
Authors: Ashley Ryan L , Trigo Elisa M , Ervin Jacqueline M 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
During implantation, trophoblast cell invasion and differentiation is predominantly important to achieving proper placental formation and embryonic development. The chemokine, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) working through its receptor C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is implicated in implantation and placentation but precise roles of this axis are unclear. Suppressing CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling at the fetal-maternal interface in sheep reduces trophoblast invasion, disrupts uterine remodeling, and diminishes placental vascularization. We hypothesize these negative impacts during implantation will manifest as compromised fetal and placental growth at midgestation. To test, on day 12 postbreeding, osmotic pumps were surgically installed in 30 ewes and delivered intrauterine CXCR4 inhibitor or saline for 7 or 14 days. On day 90, fetal/maternal tissues were collected, measured, weighed, and maternal (caruncle) and fetal (cotyledon) placenta components separated and analyzed. The objectives were to determine if (i) suppressing CXCL12/CXCR4 during implantation results in reduced fetal and placental growth and development and (ii) if varying the amount of time CXCL12/CXCR4 is suppressed impacts fetal/placental development. Fetal weights were similar; however greater placental weight and placentome numbers occurred when CXCL12/CXCR4 was suppressed for 14 days. In caruncles, greater abundance of fibroblast growth factor 2, vascular endothelial growth factor A, vascular endothelial growth factor A receptor 1 (FLT-1), and placental growth factor were observed after suppressing CXCL12/CXCR4. Similar results occurred in cotyledons except less vascular endothelial growth factor in 7 day group and less fibroblast growth factor in 14 day group. Our data underscore the importance of CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling during placentation and provide strong evidence that altering CXCL12-mediated signaling induces enduring placental effects manifesting later in gestation.
Polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics cause placental dysfunction in mice
Authors: Dibbon Katherine C , Mercer Grace V , Maekawa Alexandre S , Hanrahan Jenna , Steeves Katherine L , Ringer Lauren C M , Simpson André J , Simpson Myrna J , Baschat Ahmet A , Kingdom John C , Macgowan Christopher K , Sled John G , Jobst Karl J , Cahill Lindsay S 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Maternal exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics has been shown to result in fetal growth restriction in mice. In this study, we investigated the placental and fetal hemodynamic responses to plastics exposure in mice using high-frequency ultrasound. Healthy, pregnant CD-1 dams were given either 106 ng/L of 5 μm polystyrene microplastics or 106 ng/L of 50 nm polystyrene nanoplastics in drinking water throughout gestation and were compared with controls. Maternal exposure to both microplastics and nanoplastics resulted in evidence of placental dysfunction that was highly dependent on the particle size. The umbilical artery blood flow increased by 48% in the microplastic-exposed group and decreased by 25% in the nanoplastic-exposed group compared to controls (p &lt; 0.05). The microplastic- and nanoplastic-exposed fetuses showed a significant decrease in the middle cerebral artery pulsatility index of 10% and 13%, respectively, compared to controls (p &lt; 0.05), indicating vasodilation of the cerebral circulation, a fetal adaptation that is part of the brain sparing response to preserve oxygen delivery. Hemodynamic markers of placental dysfunction and fetal hypoxia were more pronounced in the group exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics, suggesting nanoplastic exposure during human pregnancy has the potential to disrupt fetal brain development, which in turn may cause suboptimal neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Grey matter heterotopia subtypes show specific morpho-electric signatures and network dynamics
Authors: Vermoyal Jean-Christophe , Hardy Delphine , Goirand-Lopez Lucas , Vinck Antonin , Silvagnoli Lucas , Fortoul Aurélien , Francis Fiona , Cappello Silvia , Bureau Ingrid , Represa Alfonso , Cardoso Carlos , Watrin Françoise , Marissal Thomas , Manent Jean-Bernard 
Published: September 2023

AbstractGrey matter heterotopia (GMH) are neurodevelopmental disorders associated with abnormal cortical function and epilepsy. Subcortical band heterotopia (SBH) and periventricular nodular heterotopia (PVNH) are two well-recognized GMH subtypes in which neurons are misplaced, either forming nodules lining the ventricles in PVNH, or forming bands in the white matter in SBH. Although both PVNH and SBH are commonly associated with epilepsy, it is unclear whether these two GMH subtypes differ in terms of pathological consequences or, on the contrary, share common altered mechanisms.Here, we studied two robust preclinical models of SBH and PVNH, and performed a systematic comparative assessment of the physiological and morphological diversity of heterotopia neurons, as well as the dynamics of epileptiform activity and input connectivity. We uncovered a complex set of altered properties, including both common and distinct physiological and morphological features across heterotopia subtypes, and associated with specific dynamics of epileptiform activity. Taken together, these results suggest that pro-epileptic circuits in GMH are, at least in part, composed of neurons with distinct, subtype-specific, physiological and morphological properties depending on the heterotopia subtype.Our work supports the notion that GMH represent a complex set of disorders, associating both shared and diverging pathological consequences, and contributing to forming epileptogenic networks with specific properties. A deeper understanding of these properties may help to refine current GMH classification schemes by identifying morpho-electric signatures of GMH subtypes, to potentially inform new treatment strategies.
Visual, delay, and oculomotor timing and tuning in macaque dorsal pulvinar during instructed and free choice memory saccades
Authors: Schneider Lukas , Dominguez-Vargas Adan-Ulises , Gibson Lydia , Wilke Melanie , Kagan Igor 
Published: September 2023

AbstractCausal perturbations suggest that primate dorsal pulvinar plays a crucial role in target selection and saccade planning, though its basic neuronal properties remain unclear. Some functional aspects of dorsal pulvinar and interconnected frontoparietal areas—e.g. ipsilesional choice bias after inactivation—are similar. But it is unknown if dorsal pulvinar shares oculomotor properties of cortical circuitry, in particular delay and choice-related activity. We investigated such properties in macaque dorsal pulvinar during instructed and free-choice memory saccades. Most recorded units showed visual (12%), saccade-related (30%), or both types of responses (22%). Visual responses were primarily contralateral; diverse saccade-related responses were predominantly post-saccadic with a weak contralateral bias. Memory delay and pre-saccadic enhancement was infrequent (11–9%)—instead, activity was often suppressed during saccade planning (25%) and further during execution (15%). Surprisingly, only few units exhibited classical visuomotor patterns combining cue and continuous delay activity or pre-saccadic ramping; moreover, most spatially-selective neurons did not encode the upcoming decision during free-choice delay. Thus, in absence of a visible goal, the dorsal pulvinar has a limited role in prospective saccade planning, with patterns partially complementing its frontoparietal partners. Conversely, prevalent visual and post-saccadic responses imply its participation in integrating spatial goals with processing across saccades.
Cortical and subcortical contributions to non-motor inhibitory control: an fMRI study
Authors: Pan Xin , Wang Zhaoxin 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Inhibition is a core executive cognitive function. However, the neural correlates of non-motor inhibitory control are not well understood. We investigated this question using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and a simple Count Go/NoGo task (n = 23), and further explored the causal relationships between activated brain regions. We found that the Count NoGo task activated a distinct pattern in the subcortical basal ganglia, including bilateral ventral anterior/lateral nucleus of thalamus (VA/VL), globus pallidus/putamen (GP/putamen), and subthalamic nucleus (STN). Stepwise regressions and mediation analyses revealed that activations in these region(s) were modulated differently by only 3 cortical regions i.e. the right inferior frontal gyrus/insula (rIFG/insula), along with left IFG/insula, and anterior cingulate cortex/supplementary motor area (ACC/SMA). The activations of bilateral VA/VL were modulated by both rSTN and rIFG/insula (with rGP/putamen as a mediator) independently, and the activation of rGP/putamen was modulated by ACC/SMA, with rIFG/insula as a mediator. Our findings provide the neural correlates of inhibitory control of counting and causal relationships between them, and strongly suggest that both indirect and hyperdirect pathways of the basal ganglia are involved in the Count NoGo condition.
Top-down influence of areas 21a and 7 differently affects the surround suppression of V1 neurons in cats
Authors: Yu Hao , Chen Shunshun , Ye Zheng , Zhang Qiuyu , Tu Yanni , Hua Tianmiao 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Surround suppression (SS) is a phenomenon whereby a neuron’s response to stimuli in its central receptive field (cRF) is suppressed by stimuli extending to its surround receptive field (sRF). Recent evidence show that top-down influence contributed to SS in the primary visual cortex (V1). However, how the top-down influence from different high-level cortical areas affects SS in V1 has not been comparatively observed. The present study applied transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to modulate the neural activity in area 21a (A21a) and area 7 (A7) of cats and examined the changes in the cRF and sRF of V1 neurons. We found that anode-tDCS at A21a reduced V1 neurons’ cRF size and increased their response to visual stimuli in cRF, causing an improved SS strength. By contrast, anode-tDCS at A7 increased V1 neurons’ sRF size and response to stimuli in cRF, also enhancing the SS. Modeling analysis based on DoG function indicated that the increased SS of V1 neurons after anode-tDCS at A21a could be explained by a center-only mechanism, whereas the improved SS after anode-tDCS at A7 might be mediated through a combined center and surround mechanism. In conclusion, A21a and A7 may affect the SS of V1 neurons through different mechanisms.