Search

In the 21st century, there have been significant indigenous advancements in the field of physiotherapy. However, there still exist certain sociocultural and spiritual beliefs among practitioners. Through meticulous examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and physical intervention, physiotherapists utilise mechanical movements and force to treat impairments and help improve function, mobility, and quality of life. The cultural framework plays a crucial role in how individuals experience health, illness, and disability. Simultaneously, sociocultural factors are pivotal in the physical function, health, and illness of individuals. This paper explores the social, cultural and spiritual influences on physiotherapy across different societal and professional contexts. While there have been several recent studies providing snapshots of advancements in technologies in the healthcare system, there are not as many focusing on these three aspects in the clinical practice of physiotherapists. Due to the different eras in the history of physiotherapy, the present article demonstrates how physiotherapists are influenced by social, cultural, and spiritual domains. It is challenging to generalise the results in every situation and geographical area. Therefore, physiotherapists should be proactive in addressing these healthy beliefs at the grassroots level within the healthcare society. To create a personalised treatment plan, goal-setting, and care plan for the patient, the physiotherapist finds great value in understanding the patient's sociocultural and spiritual history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spectroscopic ellipsometry is a high-precision and powerful optical characterization technique, which can be categorized into two fundamental types of standard and generalized ellipsometry. The latter can obtain the complete Jones matrix to investigate various anisotropic samples. However, terahertz generalized ellipsometry has traditionally relied on frequency-domain instrumentation, which is limited in bandwidth, complicated in polarization manipulation, and slow in operation. In this study, we propose a highly accurate and efficient terahertz time-domain generalized ellipsometer based on a polarization beam coupler-splitter configuration. It measures four independent complex spectra in real-time without mechanical movement, providing ultrahigh data throughput. Each polarizer-antenna unit constructively superimposes their filtering effect, resulting in a 45–65 dB extinction ratio that approaches the system dynamic range. The superb illumination and detection linearity provides an outstanding polarization accuracy and eliminates the need for complicated calibration. Reflection characterization of the magneto-optical properties of an InAs wafer demonstrates the generalized ability to simultaneously obtain multiple dielectric functions. Transmission ellipsometric imaging of liquid crystals subjected to an inhomogeneous electric field further highlights the excellent efficiency. The proposed technique significantly expands the capabilities of terahertz spectroscopy, paving ways to anisotropic materials, in situ monitoring, and polarization-sensitive devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central to the development and survival of all organisms is the regulation of gene expression, which begins with the process of transcription catalyzed by RNA polymerases. During transcription of protein-coding genes, the general transcription factors (GTFs) work alongside RNA polymerase II (Pol II) to assemble the preinitiation complex at the transcription start site, open the promoter DNA, initiate synthesis of the nascent messenger RNA, transition to productive elongation, and ultimately terminate transcription. Through these different stages of transcription, Pol II is dynamically phosphorylated at the C-terminal tail of its largest subunit, serving as a control mechanism for Pol II elongation and a signaling/binding platform for co-transcriptional factors. The large number of core protein factors participating in the fundamental steps of transcription add dense layers of regulation that contribute to the complexity of temporal and spatial control of gene expression within any given cell type. The Pol II transcription system is highly conserved across different levels of eukaryotes; however, most of the information here will focus on the human Pol II system. This review walks through various stages of transcription, from preinitiation complex assembly to termination, highlighting the functions and mechanisms of the core machinery that participates in each stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral nerves are subjected to mechanical tension during limb movements and body postures. Nerve response to tensile stress can be assessed in vivo with shear-wave elastography (SWE). Greater tensile loads can lead to greater stiffness, which can be quantified using SWE. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to perform an overview of the effect of joint movements on nerve mechanical properties in healthy nerves. The initial search (July 2023) yielded 501 records from six databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Science Direct). A total of 16 studies were included and assessed with a modified version of the Downs and Black checklist. Our results suggest an overall tendency for stiffness increase according to a pattern of neural tensioning. The main findings from the meta-analysis showed a significant increase in nerve stiffness for the median nerve with wrist extension (SMD [95%CI]: 3.16 [1.20, 5.12]), the ulnar nerve with elbow flexion (SMD [95%CI]: 2.91 [1.88, 3.95]), the sciatic nerve with ankle dorsiflexion (SMD [95%CI]: 1.13 [0.79, 1.47]), and the tibial nerve with both hip flexion (SMD [95%CI]: 2.14 [1.76, 2.51]) and ankle dorsiflexion (SMD [95%CI]: 1.52 [1.02, 2.02]). The effect of joint movement on nerve stiffness also depends on the nerve segment, the amount of movement of the joint mobilized, and the position of other joints comprised in the entirety of the nerve length. However, due to the limited number of studies, many aspects of nerve behavior together with the effect of using different ultrasound equipment or transducers for nerve stiffness evaluation still need to be fully investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano/micromotors are artificial robots at the nano/microscale that are capable of transforming energy into mechanical movement. In cancer diagnosis or therapy, such "tiny robots" show great promise for targeted drug delivery, cell removal/killing, and even related biomarker sensing. Yet biocompatibility is still the most critical challenge that restricts such techniques from transitioning from the laboratory to clinical applications. In this review, we emphasize the biocompatibility aspect of nano/micromotors to show the great efforts made by researchers to promote their clinical application, mainly including non-toxic fuel propulsion (inorganic catalysts, enzyme, etc.), bio-hybrid designs, ultrasound propulsion, light-triggered propulsion, magnetic propulsion, dual propulsion, and, in particular, the cooperative swarm-based strategy for increasing therapeutic effects. Future challenges in translating nano/micromotors into real applications and the potential directions for increasing biocompatibility are also described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a monocular biological microscope with colorful 3D reconstruction and an extended depth of field using an electrically tunable lens. It is based on a 4f optical system with an electrically tunable lens at the confocal plane. Rapid and extensive depth scanning while maintaining consistent magnification without mechanical movement is achieved. We propose an improved Laplacian operator that considers pixels in diagonal directions to provide enhanced fusion effects and obtain more details of the object. Accurate 3D reconstruction is achieved using the shape-from-focus method by tuning the focal power of the electrically tunable lens. We validate the proposed method by performing experiments on biological samples. The 3D reconstructed images obtained from the biological samples match the actual shrimp larvae and bee antenna samples. Two standard gauge blocks are used to evaluate the 3D reconstruction performance of the proposed method. The experimental results show that the extended depth of fields are 120 µm, 240 µm, and 1440 µm for shrimp larvae, bee tentacle samples, and gauge blocks, respectively. The maximum absolute errors are −39.9 μm and −30.6 μm for the first and second gauge blocks, which indicates 3D reconstruction deviations are 0.78% and 1.52%, respectively. Since the procedure does not require any custom hardware, it can be used to transform a biological microscope into one that effectively extends the depth of field and achieves highly accurate 3D reconstruction results, as long as the requirements are met. Such a microscope presents a broad range of applications, such as biological detection and microbiological diagnosis, where colorful 3D reconstruction and an extended depth of field are critical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a new calibration standard for a CMOS-based autocollimator using an optical angle generator with a submillimeter strip reflector (OAG-SSR). The OAG-SSR combines the advantages of existing standards while minimizing their limitations by generating reference angles in the form of a reflected diffraction pattern from the strip reflector. This method provides angular values along the measuring range of the autocollimator without any mechanical movement, enabling a faster calibration process. This feature is suitable for the autocollimator integrated with production lines. In this work, we applied the propagation of uncertainty method and the Monte Carlo simulation for uncertainty evaluations. The expanded uncertainty of the reference angle from the OAG-SSR is 2.5 ″ with an approximately 95% confidence level for the calibration range of 1270 ". • A new calibration method for CMOS-based autocollimator. • Optical angle generator with a submillimeter strip reflector. • Full-range autocollimator calibration without mechanical movement. • Manufacturing inline calibration for CMOS-based autocollimator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular actin networks exhibit a wide range of sizes, shapes, and architectures tailored to their biological roles. Once assembled, these filamentous networks are either maintained in a state of polarized turnover or induced to undergo net disassembly. Further, the rates at which the networks are turned over and/or dismantled can vary greatly, from seconds to minutes to hours or even days. Here, we review the molecular machinery and mechanisms employed in cells to drive the disassembly and turnover of actin networks. In particular, we highlight recent discoveries showing that specific combinations of conserved actin disassembly-promoting proteins (cofilin, GMF, twinfilin, Srv2/CAP, coronin, AIP1, capping protein, and profilin) work in concert to debranch, sever, cap, and depolymerize actin filaments, and to recharge actin monomers for new rounds of assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to tremolo as one of the most important techniques of playing the domra using a plectrum. The article analyzes the use of tremolo in the practice of performing on various instruments – struck string, string, wind instruments, piano. Tremolo on domra in modern performance is considered in several aspects – as a way to lengthen the sound and a specific coloristic technique. At the same time, a new look at tremolo as a special unique means of artistic expression is offered. The research angle focuses on auditory problems in the process of technical implementation of tremolo and the use of tremolo intensity as a means of overcoming inertial mechanical movements and negative perception of uniform sound. Using the example of modern works for domra and mandolin by Oleg Bezborodko, Valery Ivko, Yasuo Kuwahara, Evgen Milka, Oleksandr Oliinyk, Boryslav Stronko, the main functions of tremolos and the problems of their performance specification are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creating personalized 3D printing objects has become increasingly popular with the advance in end-user modeling tools and fabrication techniques. However, it remains challenging for novice makers to design and fabricate functional objects with mechanical motion such as linear or rotational. To empower users to add mechanical movements to their models for particular needs, we first investigate the commonly used 3D printable mechanisms and parameterize four mechanical primitives. We then provide a computational approach to reconfigure the mechanical primitives to user-provided 3D models, with an underlying structural optimization procedure according to a specified bending force. We further showcase a set of design examples and conduct a user study to demonstrate the potential of our approach in creating personalized functional artifacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy harvesters used in self-powered wireless sensing technology, which has the potential to completely solve the power supply problem of the sensing nodes from the source, usually require mechanical movement or operate in harsh environments, resulting in a significant reduction in device lifespan and reliability. Therefore, the influencing factors and failure mechanisms of the operating status of self-powered wireless sensors were analyzed, and an innovative evaluation index system was proposed, which includes 4 primary indexes and 13 secondary indexes, including energy harvesters, energy management circuits, wireless communication units, and sensors. Next, the weights obtained from the subjective analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and objective CRITIC weight method were fused to obtain the weights of each index. A self-powered sensor evaluation scheme (FE-SPS) based on fuzzy comprehensive evaluation was implemented by constructing a fuzzy evaluation model. The advantage of this scheme is that it can determine the current health status of the system based on its output characteristics. Finally, taking vibration energy as an example, the operational status of the self-powered wireless sensors after 200 h of operation was comprehensively evaluated. The experimental results show that the test self-powered wireless sensor had the highest score of "normal", which is 0.4847, so the evaluation result was "normal". In this article, a reliability evaluation strategy for self-powered wireless sensor was constructed to ensure the reliable operation of self-powered wireless sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of petroleum exploration and drilling, the current drilling tools are facing more difficulty situations, which lead to these problems such as low drilling speed, weak rock breaking ability or short service time. Based on this background, we propose a new drilling tool is proposed in this paper. By analyzing the force of the cam roller system, the dynamic differential equations of the horizontal drill string are established. The key parameters' influences on the axial impact force of the new tool are studied first. Based on the new outputs, the vibration characteristics of drill string system are studied. For discovering the internal mechanism, the impact part dynamic analysis of this new tool is carried out, so as the contact force between roller and cam, the impact force between upper shaft body and pad. Furthermore, for verifying the rationality and accuracy of theoretical calculation, these parameters' results are compared and analyzed under different drilling weights. Through laboratory and field tests, the impact frequency and impact force of this new drilling tool are analyzed, the effectiveness of theoretical models are also demonstrated. This research can provide an effective technical references to solve the current drilling difficulty in new situations. The rotary impact screw drilling tool has the function of impact while rotating, realizing the combination of shear and impact rock breaking, so as to improve the mechanical drilling speed. The impact load on the drill bit is produced by the combined action of hydraulic and mechanical forces. The impact force is generated in the form of mechanical structure movement, and it is a continuous and stable periodic impact force, which makes the bottomhole assembly produce benign vibration. Through experiments, the effectiveness of theoretical calculation and dynamic model is proved successfully, and the drilling tool can effectively improve the drilling rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, efforts have been made to identify new anti-cancer therapies. Various types of nanomaterials, including silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), are being considered as an option. In addition to its well-known antibacterial activity, AgNPs exhibit cytotoxic potential in both physiological and cancer cells by inducing stress-mediated autophagy and apoptotic cell death. A rapidly growing collection of data suggests that the proper regulation of autophagic machinery may provide an efficient tool for suppressing the development of cancer. In this light, AgNPs have emerged as a potential anti-cancer agent to support therapy of the disease. This review summarizes current data indicating the dual role of AgNP-induced autophagy and highlights factors that may influence its protective vs. its toxic potential. It also stresses that our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of autophagy machinery in cancer cells, as well as AgNP-triggered autophagy in both normal and diseased cells, remains insufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The marine free-living organism Trichoplax (phylum Placozoa) resembles a unicellular amoeba in shape and type of movement. Trichoplax diverged from the main evolutionary tree in the Neoproterozoic Era. Trichoplax provides one of the simplest models of multicellular animals and a strong example of how cells of an organism interact to form an ensemble during its development and movement. Two orthologs of the mouse Piezo1 protein (6B3R) were found in two Trichoplax haplotypes, H1 and H2, as a result of a search for similar sequences in the NCBI databases. Spatial models of the respective proteins XP_002112008.1 and RDD46920.1 were created via a structural alignment with 6KG7 (mouse Piezo2) template. Their domain structures were analyzed, and a limited graph of protein‒protein interactions was constructed for the hypothetical mechanosensor XP_002112008.1. The possibility of signal transduction from the mechanoreceptor to membrane complexes, the cytoplasm, and the cell nucleus was shown. Trichoplax mechanoreceptors were assumed to play a role in perception of force stimuli from neighbor cells and the environment. Based on the results, the primitive Trichoplax organism was proposed as the simplest multicellular model of mechanical and morphogenetic movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of rechargeable sensors is a promising solution for wireless sensor networks. On this type of network, mobile charging vehicles (MCVs) are used for charging sensors using wireless energy charging (WEC) technology. In on demand charging, a sensor sends a charging request to the service station, and the MCV visits the sensor to transfer energy. The major drawbacks of using MCV-based WEC are its high energy consumption rate due to mobility, long service time, and slow charging rate. Because of these reasons, sensors deplete their energy and become dead before the MCV reaches the requesting nodes to recharge them. We have adapted the partial charging scheme to serve a larger number of charging requests and have tried to reduce unnecessary movements of the MCV. In this article, our objectives are to improve the survival ratio and energy utilization efficiency of the MCV. Due to the mechanical movement of the MCV and its limited battery capacity, sometimes it is impossible to charge all the requesting sensors in a single charging round. Therefore, MCV takes multiple rounds to charge the sensors, and it is a continuous process to keep the network alive. We finally evaluate the performance of our proposed algorithm using extensive simulations and compare it with two other existing approaches. The simulation results show that our proposed algorithm improves the survival ratio by 30–40%, reduces the number of dead nodes significantly, and also improves the energy utilization efficiency of the MCV in comparison with existing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators based on polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3)O 3 –PbTiO 3 (PMN- x PT compositions for x between 30 and 35) particles with various filler ratios from 10 to 30 vol% were fabricated through the electrospinning method. The phase and microstructural characterizations revealed that the homogenous and continuous fiber-shaped composite structure with good interfacial interaction between the PMN-PT particles and the PVDF matrix was achieved. It was found that the diameter of the neat PVDF fibers was approximately 354 nm, whereas the PVDF/PMN-35PT fibers with ceramic particle concentrations of 10, 20, and 30 vol% had average diameters of 317, 249, and 163 nm, respectively. The piezoelectric performance tests indicated that the 30 vol%PVDF/PMN-35PT nanogenerator had a 3 times greater electrical power efficiency (10.59 μW) at 20 Hz compared to that of the pure PVDF nanogenerator (3.56 μW) at 15 Hz under the same resistance load of 1 MΩ. All in all, the incorporation of PMNT-PT particles into the PVDF appears to be a good approach for the fabrication of high-performance flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator applications for biomechanical energy harvesting of devices converting the mechanical movements of organs such as cardiac and lung into electrical energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelia maintain a functional barrier during tissue turnover while facing varying mechanical stress. This maintenance requires both dynamic cell rearrangements driven by actomyosin-linked intercellular adherens junctions and ability to adapt to and resist extrinsic mechanical forces enabled by keratin filament-linked desmosomes. How these two systems crosstalk to coordinate cellular movement and mechanical resilience is not known. Here we show that in stratifying epithelia the polarity protein aPKCλ controls the reorganization from stress fibers to cortical actomyosin during differentiation and upward movement of cells. Without aPKC, stress fibers are retained resulting in increased contractile prestress. This aberrant stress is counterbalanced by reorganization and bundling of keratins, thereby increasing mechanical resilience. Inhibiting contractility in aPKCλ−/− cells restores normal cortical keratin networks but also normalizes resilience. Consistently, increasing contractile stress is sufficient to induce keratin bundling and enhance resilience, mimicking aPKC loss. In conclusion, our data indicate that keratins sense the contractile stress state of stratified epithelia and balance increased contractility by mounting a protective response to maintain tissue integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the modern Globalized world, the migration movement is accompanied by a population of childbearing age, which in turn gives rise to a geo-demographic birth rate process. The study examines and analyzes the birth rate process on the territory of Bulgaria within the framework of the last two censuses. The aim is to apply a comparative analysis of the process in rural areas related to the results obtained, the deductions and the conclusion, applying the European classification NUTS 1. The research uses the National Methodology for the study of fertility and the application of the fertility rate. The ratio between rural areas during the study period will present the real geo-demographic picture of the country. The study includes the mechanical movement and the birth rate as geodemographic processes in the rural areas of Bulgaria according to the NUTS classification for a certain period of time. In the conclusion, conclusions are drawn based on the analysis and results, and recommendations for a future period of time are also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automating the camera Lucida method which is a standard way for focusing microscopic images is a very challenging study for many scientists. Hence, actually combining hardware and software to automate microscopic imaging systems is one of the most important issues in the field of medicine as well. This idea reduces scanning time and increases the accuracy of user's results in this field. Closed-loop control system has been designed and implemented in the hardware part to move the stage in predefined limits of 15°. This system produces 50 consecutive images from parasites at the mentioned spatial distances in two directions of the z-axis. Then, by introducing our proposed relational software with combining images, a high-contrast image can be presented. This colored image is focused on many subparts of the sample even with different ruggedness. After implementing the closed-loop controller, stages movement was repeated eight times with an average step displacement of 20 μm which were measured in two directions of the z-axis by a digital micrometer. On average, the movement's error was 1 μm. In software, the edge intensity energy index has been calculated for image quality evaluation. The standard camera Lucida method has been simulated with acceptable results based on experts' opinions and also mean squared error parameters. Mechanical movement in stage has an accuracy of about 95% which will meet the expectations of laboratory user. Although output-focused colored images from our combining software can be replaced by the traditional fully accepted Camera Lucida method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mobile crushing station is one of the main equipment of the semi-continuous open-pit mining system. The discharge arm and the receiving equipment are manually aligned, which has the problems of long alignment time and low alignment accuracy, which affects the working efficiency of the mining system. According to the development and application of space rendezvous and docking technology at home and abroad, the advantages and disadvantages of different measurement methods are compared and analysed, and the method of applying binocular measurement technology to system positioning in the automatic alignment system of the discharge arm is determined. There are three movements in the mechanical part of the designed discharge arm alignment control system, including the rotary motion of the visual measurement mechanism and the horizontal rotation and telescopic motion of the discharge arm. According to the kinematic analysis and binocular vision measurement theory, the deviation model of the alignment control of the discharge arm is established. A binocular vision measurement and localization method based on the combination of stereo calibration and template matching is proposed, which achieves surprising measurement accuracy. An automatic alignment method of the discharge arm of the mobile crushing station is proposed based on the binocular vision and fuzzy control method. Its validity is verified by simulation and experiment. The strategy of motion decomposition is applied to the alignment system to avoid unnecessary motion of the discharge arm. The research results all show that the alignment method can achieve the angle deviation within ±0.5 degrees, the distance deviation within ±15 mm, and the test alignment time is about 5 minutes, which is better than other alignment control models; the alignment accuracy and the alignment time are improved by more than 50%. The method can control the discharge arm to complete the alignment task quickly and smoothly, which lays a foundation for the further automatic research of the discharge arm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biogenesis of mitochondria requires the import of approximately 1,000 different precursor proteins into and across the mitochondrial membranes. Mitochondria exhibit a wide variety of mechanisms and machineries for the translocation and sorting of precursor proteins. Five major import pathways that transport proteins to their functional intramitochondrial destination have been elucidated; these pathways range from the classical amino-terminal presequence-directed pathway to pathways using internal or even carboxy-terminal targeting signals in the precursors. Recent studies have provided important insights into the structural organization of membrane-embedded preprotein translocases of mitochondria. A comparison of the different translocases reveals the existence of at least three fundamentally different mechanisms: two-pore-translocase, β-barrel switching, and transport cavities open to the lipid bilayer. In addition, translocases are physically engaged in dynamic interactions with respiratory chain complexes, metabolite transporters, quality control factors, and machineries controlling membrane morphology. Thus, mitochondrial preprotein translocases are integrated into multi-functional networks of mitochondrial and cellular machineries. Mitochondria import a large variety of proteins from the cytosol. Busch et al. discuss how recent structural and functional findings have revealed a diversity of molecular mechanisms of protein translocation and insertion into membranes. Furthermore, they review the integration of the protein translocation machineries into multi-functional mitochondrial and cellular networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fourier ptychographic microscopy (FPM) is a computational high‐throughput technique for high‐resolution and wide field‐of‐view (FOV) imaging applications such as cell biology, medicine screening, and digital pathology. By integrating angle‐varied illumination, iteration phase retrieval, and synthetic aperture, it achieves a significantly enhanced imaging resolution beyond the diffraction limit of the objective lens while retaining its original large FOV without any mechanical movement. However, sufficient data redundancy is a prerequisite for the convergence of the iteration algorithm, which in turn requires dozens or even hundreds of raw images to get a decent resolution, leaving ample room for further improvement. In this paper, an efficient synthetic aperture scheme for FPM is proposed, termed ESA‐FPM. It employs both coherent and incoherent illuminations to maximize the efficiency of data utilization and achieve high spatial‐bandwidth product (SBP) reconstruction with few acquisitions. The data redundancy requirements are further analyzed, suggesting that ESA‐FPM reaches imaging resolution of 3NAobj$3NA_{\rm obj}$ using only seven images. The experiment with USAF target demonstrates that ESA‐FPM achieves theoretical resolution with only 1.6% of the data of conventional FPM. A customized miniaturized ESA‐FPM system with a high‐numerical‐aperture, low‐magnification objective lens, and a high‐brightness LED array is built, demonstrating its potential for biomedical and pathological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in nanotechnology have enabled the creation of novel materials with specific electrical and physical characteristics. This leads to a significant development in the industry of electronics that can be applied in various fields. In this paper, we propose a fabrication of nanotechnology-based materials that can be used to design stretchy piezoelectric nanofibers for energy harvesting to power connected bio-nanosensors in a Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN). The bio-nanosensors are powered based on harvested energy from mechanical movements of the body, specifically the arms, joints, and heartbeats. A suite of these nano-enriched bio-nanosensors can be used to form microgrids for a self-powered wireless body area network (SpWBAN), which can be used in various sustainable health monitoring services. A system model for an SpWBAN with an energy harvesting-based medium access control protocol is presented and analyzed based on fabricated nanofibers with specific characteristics. The simulation results show that the SpWBAN outperforms and has a longer lifetime than contemporary WBAN system designs without self-powering capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, the integrated attitude and landing control scheme for quadruped robots in asteroid landing mission scenario is discussed. Compared with the gravitational field environment of the Earth, the gravitational field near most asteroids has a smaller gravitational acceleration, a non-negligible horizontal acceleration component, and obvious uneven distribution characteristics. In this study, an integrated control method is proposed which focuses on the challenging attitude and landing control schemes of quadruped robots near asteroids by using reinforcement learning in conjunction with an auto-tuned reward function. In the proposed method, attitude adjustment and landing control are trained as a whole. By relying on the trained controller, the quadruped robot can reorient automatically to the most suitable attitude for landing according to gravity and terrain information, thus only relying on the movement of mechanical legs (and not on any additional actuators like reaction wheels) during the entire process. To solve the problem of sparse reward in the process of multi-objective reinforcement learning, an autotuning method of a multi-objective reward function is proposed to improve the training speed. The effectiveness of the proposed landing control method of a quadruped robot is verified near irregular rod-shaped asteroid 216 Kleopatra. The numerical simulation results show that the quadruped robot can adjust reliably its attitude and finally land on irregular terrain without floating and escaping again, even when the gravitational acceleration is unknown and subject to large horizontal components. • Integrated attitude and landing control scheme for quadruped robots in asteroid landing. • Quadruped robots' controller trained by reinforcement learning. • Solving the sparse reward problem by reward function weights autotuning method. • The quadruped robot can reorient automatically only relying on the movement of mechanical legs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As we learn, dynamic memory processes build structured knowledge across our experiences. Such knowledge enables the formation of internal models of the world that we use to plan, make decisions, and act. Recent theorizing posits that mnemonic mechanisms of differentiation and integration - which at one level may seem to be at odds - both contribute to the emergence of structured knowledge. We tested this possibility using fMRI as human participants learned to navigate within local and global virtual environments over the course of 3 days. Pattern similarity analyses on entorhinal cortical and hippocampal patterns revealed evidence that differentiation and integration work concurrently to build local and global environmental representations, and that variability in integration relates to differences in navigation efficiency. These results offer new insights into the neural machinery and the underlying mechanisms that translate experiences into structured knowledge that allows us to navigate to achieve goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In years past, much of the discussion around International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law has been dedicated to considering the convergence of the two regimes; to discover a way to increase respect for the protection of the individual in armed conflict. Meanwhile, egregious violations of individual's human rights continue to occur in armed conflicts – those in Ukraine, Yemen, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and many others. This paper surveys the relationship between the two international disciplines, and considers that though IHL and IHRL are two regimes that have different aims, both contain norms that strive for the protection of the individual in armed conflict. Ultimately, this paper argues that protection of individuals in armed conflict can be strengthened by importing IHL norms into the IHRL framework. This cross-pollination allows treaty bodies to interpret, and make comments about, State Parties' adherence to IHL that can increase respect for those norms, given IHRL's associated enforcement mechanisms and communications machinery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eukaryotic cells have evolved membrane-bound organelles, including the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi, mitochondria, peroxisomes, chloroplasts (in plants and green algae) and lysosomes/vacuoles, for specialized functions. Organelle quality control and their proper interactions are crucial both for normal cell homeostasis and function and for environmental adaption. Dynamic turnover of organelles is tightly controlled, with autophagy playing an essential role. Autophagy is a programmed process for efficient clearing of unwanted or damaged macromolecules or organelles, transporting them to vacuoles for degradation and recycling and thereby enhancing plant environmental plasticity. The specific autophagic engulfment of organelles requires activation of a selective autophagy pathway, recognition of the organelle by a receptor, and selective incorporation of the organelle into autophagosomes. While some of the autophagy machinery and mechanisms for autophagic removal of organelles is conserved across eukaryotes, plants have also developed unique mechanisms and machinery for these pathways. In this review, we discuss recent progress in understanding autophagy regulation in plants, with a focus on autophagic degradation of membrane-bound organelles. We also raise some important outstanding questions to be addressed in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embedded retaining walls equipped with ground heat exchangers is one kind of energy geostructures, harvesting the shallow ground energy for heating and cooling buildings. However, past investigations mainly focus on the thermal assessment of energy walls, but pay limited attention to mechanical wall behavior and associated ground response. At present, there is no standard preliminary code for assessing the long-term mechanical performance of energy walls. In this study, a comprehensive literature review is conducted to summarize the existing studies on the long-term mechanical behavior of both conventional retaining walls and thermo-active ones, respectively. The review identifies three most critical mechanical factors for energy walls (i.e., horizontal wall movement, ground settlement, and basement heave), while their permissible values can be referred to standard preliminary design criteria of conventional retaining walls in the short-term and limited long-term field measurements. For elaborating the application of design criteria, a parametric study is implemented to evaluate the long-term mechanical performance of energy walls in stiff clay under various thermal conditions, including the influence of thermal solicitations, station temperature and asymmetrical operation mode. The vivid assessing results show that the thermal-induced mechanical movements due to geothermal operation may cause unfavorable serviceability issues (e.g., cracks), but are unlikely to bring critical damages to the structural performance. The identified critical mechanical factors and evaluation of thermal influences in this study provide some guidance for the mechanical assessment of long-term energy wall behavior, particularly in the light of limited field measurements and demonstration cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, as fossil fuel reserves have decreased and energy requirements have increased worldwide, wind energy, which has various advantages, such as ubiquitous, sustainable, clean, and infinite energy capacitance, has attracted increasing attention. In particular, wind‐driven fluttering‐type triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), which can utilize mechanical movement induced by wind energy based on the coupling of the triboelectric effect and electrostatic induction, have been widely studied. However, previous studies have not discussed structural device designs to harvest bidirectional wind energy. Herein, a wind‐driven bidirectional fluttering triboelectric nanogenerator (WBF‐TENG) is reported, which has a dual flagpole and slot structure design to generate electrical output against wind blowing from both directions. Considering natural wind flow in random direction, WBF‐TENG is more effective compared with the previous unidirectional fluttering TENGs. The electrical output of the WBF‐TENG is quantitatively measured and analyzed in terms of the peak and root mean square outputs depending on various design parameters and wind velocities. The findings demonstrated that the WBF‐TENG can be utilized as a swing safety light by continuously turning on 76 LEDs when riding a swing during right and left direction movements. Furthermore, the WBF‐TENG can scavenge omnidirectional wind energy by vertically stacking two devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To obtain phase-contrast X-ray images, single-grid imaging systems are effective, but Moire artifacts remain a significant issue. The solution for removing Moire artifacts from an image is grid rotation, which can distinguish between these artifacts and sample information within the Fourier space. However, the mechanical movement of grid rotation is slower than the real-time change in Moire artifacts. Thus, Moire artifacts generated during real-time imaging cannot be removed using grid rotation. To overcome this problem, we propose an effective method to obtain phase-contrast X-ray images using instantaneous frequency and noise filtering. Result: The proposed phase-contrast X-ray image using instantaneous frequency and noise filtering effectively suppressed noise with Moire patterns. The proposed method also preserved the clear edge of the inner and outer boundaries and internal anatomical information from the biological sample, outperforming conventional Fourier analysis-based methods, including absorption, scattering, and phase-contrast X-ray images. In particular, when comparing the phase information for the proposed method with the x-axis gradient image from the absorption image, the proposed method correctly distinguished two different types of soft tissue and the detailed information, while the latter method did not. Conclusion: This study successfully achieved a significant improvement in image quality for phase-contrast X-ray images using instantaneous frequency and noise filtering. This study can provide a foundation for real-time bio-imaging research using three-dimensional computed tomography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decades, compliant mechanisms have been widely studied but their application has not been widespread due to their susceptibility to fatigue and the lack of systematic design methodologies. In this paper, the authors propose a new approach to be used in the automated machinery mechanism design (the mechanisms are usually subjected to predominant inertial loads) that exploits the capability of the compliant joints to store and release elastic energy in order to reduce the motor torque requirements. Thanks to the carbon-fiber reinforced 3D printing technologies, the compliant joint stiffness can be properly designed to obtain, for the considered mechanism, a resonant condition during its nominal functioning. Moreover, topology optimization can be successfully employed to reduce the mechanism component inertia (keeping the same overall mechanism stiffness) and thus, further diminish the torque requirements. In order to assess the quality of the proposed approach, a pusher mechanism used in a real automated machine has been considered. A prototype has been manufactured to evaluate the effect of the compliant joint introduction and the topology optimization on the motor torque reduction. To validate the results, an experimental campaign has been conducted. Comparison between the standard design approach and the new one emphasizes the superior contribution of compliant joint introduction on the motor torque reduction: a 97% and 96% reduction on the RMS and peak motor torque, respectively, is achieved resorting to the new design approach. Although a high repeatability is achieved, a slight deviation of the trajectory with respect to the ideal one is however registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(A) tails are present on almost all eukaryotic mRNAs, and play critical roles in mRNA stability, nuclear export, and translation efficiency. The biosynthesis and shortening of a poly(A) tail are regulated by large multiprotein complexes. However, the molecular mechanisms of these protein machineries still remain unclear. Recent studies regarding the structural and biochemical characteristics of those protein complexes have shed light on the potential mechanisms of polyadenylation and deadenylation. This review summarizes the recent structural studies on pre-mRNA 3′-end processing complexes that initiate the polyadenylation and discusses the similarities and differences between yeast and human machineries. Specifically, we highlight recent biochemical efforts in the reconstitution of the active human canonical pre-mRNA 3′-end processing systems, as well as the roles of RBBP6/Mpe1 in activating the entire machinery. We also describe how poly(A) tails are removed by the PAN2-PAN3 and CCR4-NOT deadenylation complexes and discuss the emerging role of the cytoplasmic poly(A)-binding protein (PABPC) in promoting deadenylation. Together, these recent discoveries show that the dynamic features of these machineries play important roles in regulating polyadenylation and deadenylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteriocin production in lactic acid bacteria (LAB) has always been considered as a highly desirable trait as it enhances the strain's utility in different industrial applications. Bacteriocin producing LAB strains are considered to have higher bacterial fitness as they are able to easily establish themselves into target microbial niche and hence are more effective starter cultures in food fermentation and/or probiotic strains. The rapid advancement in genomic research revealed the true bacteriocin producing capacity of some select novel LAB strains capable of producing multiple bacteriocins which further improves their utility in different application systems. What is common to these novel strains is the remarkable sharing of some elements in the biosynthetic process enabling them to accomplish the extraordinary feat of producing multiple bacteriocins without exhausting its energy. Contrary to the common understanding that biosynthetic enzymes are specific to their cognate bacteriocins, multiple bacteriocin producing strains employ shared biosynthetic elements between their multiple bacteriocins. The quorum-sensing three-component regulatory system, bacteriocin maturation and transport mechanisms are shared among multiple bacteriocins in these strains. Nevertheless, although these novel strains possess enormous application potential, their safety with regards to their potential virulence and pathogenicity needs to be confirmed through comprehensive genotypic characterization. Here, we compile the occurrence of multiple bacteriocin production in some novel LAB strains and highlight specific examples of the unique sharing mechanism of its biosynthetic machinery because a good understanding how these novel strains synthesize their multiple bacteriocins can aid in maximizing their application potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative biologists have typically used one or more of the following methods to assist in evaluating the proposed functional and performance significance of individual traits: comparative phylogenetic analysis, direct interspecific comparison among species, genetic modification, experimental alteration of morphology (for example by surgically modifying traits), and ecological manipulation where individual organisms are transplanted to a different environment. But comparing organisms as the endpoints of an evolutionary process involves the ceteris paribus assumption: that all traits other than the one(s) of interest are held constant. In a properly controlled experimental study, only the variable of interest changes among the groups being compared. The theme of this paper is that the use of robotic or mechanical models offers an additional tool in comparative biology that helps to minimize the effect of uncontrolled variables by allowing direct manipulation of the trait of interest against a constant background. The structure and movement pattern of mechanical devices can be altered in ways not possible in studies of living animals, facilitating testing hypotheses of the functional and performance significance of individual traits. Robotic models of organismal design are particularly useful in three arenas: (1) controlling variation to allow modification only of the trait of interest, (2) the direct measurement of energetic costs of individual traits, and (3) quantification of the performance landscape. Obtaining data in these three areas is extremely difficult through the study of living organisms alone, and the use of robotic models can reveal unexpected effects. Controlling for all variables except for the length of a swimming flexible object reveals substantial non-linear effects that vary with stiffness. Quantification of the swimming performance surface reveals that there are two peaks with comparable efficiency, greatly complicating the inference of performance from morphology alone. Organisms and their ecological interactions are complex, and dissecting this complexity to understand the effects of individual traits is a grand challenge in ecology and evolutionary biology. Robotics has great promise as a "comparative method," allowing better-controlled comparative studies to analyze the many interacting elements that make up complex behaviors, ecological interactions, and evolutionary histories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the lack of accurate and reliable discrete element simulation parameters in the study of the soilmachine interaction mechanism and the design of machinery in the planting areas of rhizomes in hilly mountainous areas, EDEM software was used to calibrate the parameters. The soil angle of repose test was used to calibrate the contact parameters between soil particles, and the soil sliding test was used to calibrate the contact parameters between soil and machinery. The Box-Behnken optimization method was used to establish the multiple regression model of the angle of repose and the sliding angle, and the optimal contact parameters between soil particles were obtained by solving the model. The optimal combination of contact parameters was used to conduct tests on the angle of repose and soil sliding angle and the errors between the simulation and physical tests were 3.94% and 3.66%, respectively. In order to further verify the accuracy of the calibrated and optimized discrete element model parameters, the rotary tillage ridge field test and the simulation test were used for comparative analysis, and the relative errors of the simulated test results and the field test results for ridge height, ridge top width, and ditch bottom width were obtained, respectively. 4.45%, 6.96%, 8.56%, the error is within the acceptable range. The rotary tillage and ridging effects are consistent in simulation and field tests, confirming the accuracy and reliability of the calibration of soil parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work proposes a mono-axial piezoelectric energy harvester based on the innovative combination of magnetic plucking and indirect impacts, e.g., impacts happening on the package of the harvester. The harvester exploits a permanent magnet placed on a non-magnetic mass, free to move within a predefined bounded region located in front of a piezoelectric bimorph cantilever equipped with a magnet as the tip mass. When the harvester is subjected to a low-frequency external acceleration, the moving mass induces an abrupt deflection and release of the cantilever by means of magnetic coupling, followed by impacts of the same mass against the harvester package. The combined effect of magnetic plucking and indirect impacts induces a frequency up-conversion. A prototype has been designed, fabricated, fastened to the wrist of a person by means of a wristband, and experimentally tested for different motion levels. By setting the magnets in a repulsive configuration, after 50 s of consecutive impacts induced by shaking, an energy of 253.41 μJ has been stored: this value is seven times higher compared to the case of harvester subjected to indirect impacts only, i.e., without magnetic coupling. This confirms that the combination of magnetic plucking and indirect impacts triggers the effective scavenging of electrical energy even from low-frequency non-periodical mechanical movements, such as human motion, while preserving the reliability of piezoelectric components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the promising non-volatile memories (NVMs), resistive random access memory (RRAM) has attracted extensive attention. Conventional RRAM is deeply dependent on external power to induce resistance-switching, which restricts its applications. In this work, we have developed a self-powered RRAM that consists of a Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3 (PCMO) film and a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). With a traditional power supply, the resistance switch ratio achieves the highest switching ratio reported so far, 9 × 107. By converting the mechanical energy harvested by a TENG into electrical energy to power the PCMO film, we demonstrate self-powered resistance-switching induced by mechanical movement. The prepared PCMO shows excellent performance of resistance switching driven by the TENG, and the resistance switch ratio is up to 2 × 105, which is higher than the ones ever reported. In addition, it can monitor real-time mechanical changes and has a good response to the electrical signals of different waveforms. This self-powered resistance switching can be induced by random movements based on the TENG. It has potential applications in the fields of self-powered sensors and human-machine interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell polarity is regulated by both intrinsic properties of the cell and extrinsic factors in the environment. Wnts are secreted glycoproteins in graded distribution, and they function as morphogens to instruct cell fate and as guidance cues to steer axon growth cone, respectively. Recent studies suggest that Wnts also instruct cell polarization in diverse contexts, by engaging cytoskeletal machineries or transcriptional mechanisms. Here we review the literature of cell polarity control by Wnt glycoproteins, with an emphasis on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans , a multi-cellular organism in which the importance of polarity-inducing factors can be verified in vivo. In both embryonic and postembryonic cell lineages that undergo asymmetric division, Wnts act as directional signals to instruct the asymmetry of mitosis. In C. elegans , Wnts polarize neuroblasts to control their directional migration, and they also specify axon-dendrite polarity by providing spatial instruction for postmitotic neurons. Together this review summarizes recent advances and unsolved issues in cell polarity control by Wnt glycoproteins. [Display omitted] • Axon guidance cues and morphogens such as Wnts can instruct cell polarity. • Wnts polarize asymmetric cell divisions in vitro and in vivo. • Wnts regulate axon-dendrite polarity in C. elegans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autophagy is an essential cellular process involving degradation of superfluous or defective macromolecules and organelles as a form of homeostatic recycling. Initially proposed to be a "bulk" degradation pathway, a more nuanced appreciation of selective autophagy pathways has developed in the literature in recent years. As a glycogen-selective autophagy process, "glycophagy" is emerging as a key metabolic route of transport and delivery of glycolytic fuel substrate. Study of glycophagy is at an early stage. Enhanced understanding of this major noncanonical pathway of glycogen flux will provide important opportunities for new insights into cellular energy metabolism. In addition, glycogen metabolic mishandling is centrally involved in the pathophysiology of several metabolic diseases in a wide range of tissues, including the liver, skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and brain. Thus, advances in this exciting new field are of broad multidisciplinary interest relevant to many cell types and metabolic states. Here, we review the current evidence of glycophagy involvement in homeostatic cellular metabolic processes and of molecular mediators participating in glycophagy flux. We integrate information from a variety of settings including cell lines, primary cell culture systems, ex vivo tissue preparations, genetic disease models, and clinical glycogen disease states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extending the depth of field (DOF) is especially essential in thick and 3D sample imaging. However, it's difficult to achieve both large DOF and high resolution in a zoom microscope. Currently, the use of optical sectioning to expand DOF still has the problem of inconstant magnification. Here, we develop an extended the depth of field (EDOF) and zoom microscope, which can realize EDOF with constant magnification and high resolution. Besides, the proposed microscope can achieve optical axial scanning at different NA and magnifications in real time without any mechanical movement. The proposed varifocal lens is employed to realize optical axial scanning, zooming, and keeping constant magnification when extending the DOF. Experimental results show that the proposed microscope can realize a continuous optical zoom of 10–40×, NA from 0.14 to 0.54, and the DOF of microscope can be extended to 1.2 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microtubular scaffold of motile cilia—the axoneme, is decorated with dynein arms, which are large multiprotein complexes essential for ciliary motility. Dynein arms are arranged along the length of the axoneme in a precise repeating pattern, converting chemical energy from ATP hydrolysis into ciliary mechanical movement. How these complicated molecular machines are assembled coordinately and accurately, starting from mere polypeptide chains in the cytoplasm, remains a fascinating yet perplexing question. Rapidly emerging evidence, from multiple studies carried out with different model organisms and with various methodologies, has highlighted the existence of a dedicated assembly pathway. Here, we summarize recent progress made in clarifying the axonemal dynein arm assembly process, focusing on individual assembly steps, including cytoplasmic preassembly, intraflagellar transport, and axonemal docking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to use complex tools is thought to depend on multifaceted motor-to-mechanical transformations within the left inferior parietal lobule (IPL), linked to cognitive control over compound actions. Here we show using neuroimaging that demanding transformations of finger movements into proper mechanical movements of functional parts of complex tools invoke significantly the right rather than left rostral IPL, and bilateral posterior-to-mid and left anterior intraparietal sulci. These findings emerged during the functional grasp and tool-use programming phase. The expected engagement of left IPL was partly revealed by traditional region-of-interest analyses, and further modeling/estimations at the hand-independent level. Thus, our results point to a special role of right IPL in supporting sensory-motor spatial mechanisms which enable an effective control of fingers in skillful handling of complex tools. The resulting motor-to-mechanical transformations involve dynamic hand-centered to target-centered reference frame conversions indispensable for efficient interactions with the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multibody mechanical systems (i.e., serial, and parallel robots) have a wide range of applications in the industrial field. In technological processes, these systems perform mechanical movements, in which the active forces have a certain time variation law and, hence, induce higher-order accelerations in the mechanical system, which become central functions in acceleration energies. The advanced dynamics study of multibody systems, often characterized by symmetry, is conducted by applying the differential and variational principles. Lagrange–Euler equations and their time derivatives are commonly used. Here, the central function is the kinetic energy and its higher-order time derivatives. Additionally, the generalization of Gibbs–Appell equations, where the central function is represented by the first and higher-order acceleration energy, can be applied. This paper aims to establish a relation between the kinetic energy and acceleration energy for different material systems. This purpose is achieved by applying the absolute second-order time derivative on the expressions of kinetic energy, corresponding to different material systems. Following this differential calculation and by applying some constraints, the relationship between kinetic energy and acceleration energy is obtained. For validating the relation between kinetic energy and acceleration energy of the first, second and third order, an application is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]