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Implantation of cochlear implants (CI) triggers various biological reactions in the patient's cochlea. Being unable to remove the foreign structure by itself, the body insulates the implant by surrounding it with connective tissue. Modification of the CI electrodes surfaces is one way to reduce the adhesion of connective tissue. Electrospinning is an electrohydrodynamic process used to generate thin mats. These fine micro networks can be used to alter the surface of CI electrodes. In this study, fiber meshes consisting of the hydrophobic poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE) were used to investigate their contribution to electric conductivity and their cytotoxic potential for fibroblasts. The fiber mesh was cut into 0 14 mm circular samples. Conventional SEM-holders were used as sample holders for the electrical measurements. Using a self-constructed chamber with four identical measuring cells, the increase in impedance due to the additional layer of fibers was investigated. In addition, cytotoxicity assays with rectangular samples as described in ISO 10993-12 were performed. For further investigations, model electrodes out of platinum-iridium wire were manufactured such that their surface area resembles that of CI electrodes. These models were embedded in silicone (Sylgard 184) and electrically analysed to test different wettability methods. Measured impedances for the fiber mesh samples show a mean increase in impedances of 225.99 ± 107.09 Ω compared to the reference samples. The only constraint in biocompatibility was found with 100% extraction solution (69 ± 4.88% cell viability). The mean surface area of the model electrodes was 0.386 ± 0.024 mm2 with impedances of about 1 kH (1024.19 ± 107.61 H). Cytotoxic and electric characterisation of PVDF-TrFE electrospun fiber meshes was successfully performed. Reliable model electrodes were manufactured and can be used in further investigations regarding the influence of the fiber mats on the impedance of CI electrodes. Additionally, cell proliferation behaviour on the fiber mats will be investigated to refine the cytotoxic influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isostructural trivalent lanthanide and actinide amidinates bearing the N,N' -bis(isopropyl)benzamidinate ( i Pr 2 BA) ligand [Ln III /An III ( i Pr 2 BA) 3 ] (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Yb, Lu; An = U, Np) have been synthesized and characterized in both solid and solution states. All compounds were examined in the solid state utilizing single crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD), revealing a notable deviation in the actinide series with shortened bond lengths compared to the trend in the lanthanide series, suggesting a nonionic contribution to the actinide-ligand bonding. Quantum-chemical bonding analysis further elucidated the nature of these interactions, highlighting increased covalency within the actinide series, as evidenced by higher delocalization indices and greater 5 f orbital occupation, except for Th(III) and Pa(III), which demonstrated substantial 6 d orbital occupancies. An in-depth paramagnetic NMR study in solution also sheds light on the covalent character of actinide-ligand bonding, with the separation of pseudocontact (PCS) and contact shift (FCS) contributions employing the Bleaney and Reilley method. This analysis unveiled significant contact contributions in the actinide complexes, indicating enhanced covalency in actinide-ligand bonding. To corroborate these observations, an accurate PCS calculation method based on the Kuprov equation, incorporating both the distribution of electronic spin density and magnetic susceptibility obtained from CASSCF calculations, was applied and compared with experimental values.

Background: Spinometry is a radiation-free method to three-dimensional spine imaging that provides additional information about the functional gait patterns related to the pelvis and lower extremities. This radiation-free technology uses the surface topography of the trunk to analyze surface asymmetry and identify bony landmarks, thereby aiding the assessment of spinal deformity and supporting long-term treatment regimes. Especially reliable dynamic spinometric data for spine and pelvis are necessary to evaluate the management of non-specific back pain., Research Aim: This study aims to generate reliable dynamic spinometric data for spine and pelvis parameters that can serve as reference data for future studies and clinical practice., Methods: This study assessed 366 subjects (185 females) under static and 360 subjects (181 females) under dynamic (walking on a treadmill at 3 km/h and 5 km/h) conditions. The DIERS Formetric 4Dmotion® system uses stripes of light to detect the surface topography of the spine and pelvis and identifies specific landmarks to analyze the spine during standing and walking., Results: Relevant gender effects were calculated for lordotic angle (η p 2  = 0.22) and pelvic inclination (η p 2  = 0.26). Under static conditions, female subjects showed larger values for both parameters (lordotic angle: 41.6 ± 8.60°; pelvic inclination: 25.5 ± 7.49°). Regarding speed effects, three relevant changes were observed (sagittal imbalance: η p 2  = 0.74, kyphotic angle: η p 2  = 0.13, apical deviation: η p 2  = 0.11). The most considerable changes were observed between static condition and 3 km/h, especially for sagittal imbalance and lordotic angle. For these parameters, relevant effect sizes (d > 0.8) were calculated between static and 3 km/h for males and females. Concerning clinical vertebral parameters, only lordotic angle and pelvic inclination were correlated with each other (r = 0.722)., Conclusion: This study generated a gender-specific reference database of asymptomatic individuals for static and dynamic spinometry. It demonstrated that the DIERS Formetric 4Dmotion® system could capture natural changes in static and dynamic situations and catalogue functional adaptations of spino-pelvic statics at different speeds. The lordotic angle is an indirect marker of pelvic inclination, allowing spinometry to identify individuals at risk even under dynamic conditions., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:Rene Schwesig reports was provided by Martin Luther University of Halle Wittenberg Faculty of Medicine. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Objective: There has been a steady rise in research characterizing executive functioning (EF) impairments in autistic individuals but limited research investigating EF strengths. This review provides a summary of current EF research in autistic adults with a focus on EF challenges and strengths and potential sources of heterogeneity in research findings. New avenues for addressing gaps in our understanding of EF strengths are proposed. Method: A review of the EF literature was conducted. One hundred twenty-four studies of inhibition, working memory, cognitive flexibility, fluency, planning, decision-making, and subjective measures of EF in autistic adults were included. Results: Autistic adults with average intellectual functioning demonstrate difficulties with cognitive flexibility, phonemic fluency, and working memory. Strengths in planning, decision-making, and semantic verbal fluency were evident in some but not all studies. Findings regarding inhibition are inconclusive. Key findings across each EF domain are discussed and sources of potential heterogeneity across studies were evaluated. The type of measure used appears to contribute to heterogeneous findings. Subjective EF measures revealed more consistent findings of deficits in autistic adults than objective EF measures. Conclusions: Research reveals areas of EF weaknesses as well as strengths in autistic adults. Unlike EF challenges, EF strengths are not well understood. Future research identifying EF strengths is needed to improve services and supports for autistic adults. Further investigation of potential factors that interact with or constrain EF such as comorbid disorders, verbal ability, sensory processing, and other factors specific to autism will be critical to move the field forward and increase understanding of how EF is related to everyday functioning in autistic adults.