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Reversal learning measures the ability to form flexible associations between choice outcomes with stimuli and actions that precede them. This type of learning is thought to rely on several cortical and subcortical areas, including the highly interconnected orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA), and is often impaired in various neuropsychiatric and substance use disorders. However, the unique contributions of these regions to stimulus- and action-based reversal learning have not been systematically compared using a chemogenetic approach particularly before and after the first reversal that introduces new uncertainty. Here, we examined the roles of ventrolateral OFC (vlOFC) and BLA during reversal learning. Male and female rats were prepared with inhibitory designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs targeting projection neurons in these regions and tested on a series of deterministic and probabilistic reversals during which they learned about stimulus identity or side (left or right) associated with different reward probabilities. Using a counterbalanced within-subject design, we inhibited these regions prior to reversal sessions. We assessed initial and pre-/post-reversal changes in performance to measure learning and adjustments to reversals, respectively. We found that inhibition of the ventrolateral orbitofrontal cortex (vlOFC), but not BLA, eliminated adjustments to stimulus-based reversals. Inhibition of BLA, but not vlOFC, selectively impaired action-based probabilistic reversal learning, leaving deterministic reversal learning intact. vlOFC exhibited a sex-dependent role in early adjustment to action-based reversals, but not in overall learning. These results reveal dissociable roles for BLA and vlOFC in flexible learning and highlight a more crucial role for BLA in learning meaningful changes in the reward environment.

The last few years witnessed radical improvements in lower-limb prostheses. Researchers have presented innovative solutions to overcome the limits of the first generation of prostheses, refining specific aspects which could be implemented in future prostheses designs. Each aspect of lower-limb prostheses has been upgraded, but despite these advances, a number of deficiencies remain and the most capable limb prostheses fall far short of the capabilities of the healthy limb. This article describes the current state of prosthesis technology; identifies a number of deficiencies across the spectrum of lower limb prosthetic components with respect to users’ needs; and discusses research opportunities in design and control that would substantially improve functionality concerning each deficiency. In doing so, the authors present a roadmap of patients related issues that should be addressed in order to fulfill the vision of a next-generation, neurally-integrated, highly-functional lower limb prosthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the design of a unique revolute flexure joint, called a split-tube flexure, that enables (lumped compliance) compliant mechanism design with a considerably larger range-of-motion than a conventional thin beam flexure, and additionally provides significantly better multi-axis revolute joint characteristics. Conventional flexure joints utilize bending as the primary mechanism of deformation. In contrast, the split-tube flexure joint incorporates torsion as the primary mode of deformation, and contrasts the torsional properties of a thin-walled open-section member with the bending properties of that member to obtain desirable joint behavior. The development of this joint enables the development of compliant mechanisms that are quite compliant along kinematic axes, extremely stiff along structural axes, and are capable of kinematically well-behaved large motions.

A lumped-parameter model of a piezoelectric stack actuator has been developed to describe actuator behavior for purposes of control system analysis and design, and in particular for control applications requiring accurate position tracking performance. In addition to describing the input-output dynamic behavior, the proposed model explains aspects of nonintuitive behavioral phenomena evinced by piezoelectric actuators, such as the input-output rate-independent hysteresis and the change in mechanical stiffness that results from altering electrical load. Bond graph terminology is incorporated to facilitate the energy-based formulation of the actuator model. The authors propose a new bond graph element, the generalized Maxwell resistive capacitor, as a lumped-parameter causal representation of rate-independent hysteresis. Model formulation is validated by comparing results of numerical simulations to experimental data.

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) activity has been implicated in a number of developmental processes in the early vertebrate embryo, including mesoderm formation and neural patterning. A primary interest of our laboratory is the elucidation of the signaling cascades triggered by FGF receptor activation during early development of the frog, Xenopus laevis. We report here the characterization of SNT-1, a scaffolding protein previously implicated in FGF-mediated neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. Xenopus snt-1 is widely expressed during early development. Ventral ectodermal expression of SNT-1 produces tadpoles with multiple tails, while dorsal ectodermal expression results in tadpoles that lack eyes and other anterior structures. SNT-1 induces ventrolateral mesoderm in animal caps; this activity is completely blocked by coexpression of a dominant-inhibitory Ras construct, suggesting that SNT-1 functions as a component of the signaling pathway activated by FGF. SNT-1 directly interacts with Laloo, a Src-related kinase shown previously to function downstream of the FGF receptor. Biochemical and functional assays were used to determine the regions of interaction between SNT-1 and Laloo.