Design of multi-innovation hierarchical fractional adaptive algorithm for generalized bilinear-in-parameter system using the key term separation principle.

This paper mainly studies the issue of fractional parameter identification of generalized bilinear-in-parameter system(GBIP) with colored noise. Hierarchical fractional least mean square algorithm based on the key term separation principle(K-HFLMS) and multi-innovation hierarchical fractional least mean square algorithm based on the key term separation principle (K-MHFLMS) are presented for the effective parameter estimation of GBIP system. The K-MHFLMS expands the scalar innovation into the vector innovation by making full use of the system input and output data information at each recursive step.

Wi-Fi signal for soil moisture sensing.

Measuring soil moisture is essential in various scientific and engineering disciplines. Over recent decades, numerous technologies have been employed for in situ monitoring of soil moisture. Currently, dielectric-based sensors are the most popular measurement technology and provide acceptable accuracy for various measurement purposes.

Ligand Identification in CryoEM and X-ray Maps Using Deep Learning.

Motivation: Accurately identifying ligands plays a crucial role in the process of structure-guided drug design. Based on density maps from X-ray diffraction or cryogenic-sample electron microscopy (cryoEM), scientists verify whether small-molecule ligands bind to active sites of interest. However, the interpretation of density maps is challenging, and cognitive bias can sometimes mislead investigators into modeling fictitious compounds.

Targeted memory reactivation during sleep improves emotional memory modulation following imagery rescripting.

Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR) during sleep benefits memory integration and consolidation. In this pre-registered study, we investigated the effects of TMR applied during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep following modulation and updating of aversive autobiographical memories using imagery rescripting (ImR). During 2-5 nights postImR, 80 healthy participants were repeatedly presented with either idiosyncratic words from an ImR updated memory during sleep (experimental group) or with no or neutral words (control groups) using a wearable EEG device (Mobile Health Systems Lab-Sleepband, MHSL-SB) [1] implementing a close-loop cueing procedure.

A Computational Approach for Internal Tendon Routing Channels in a Tendon-Driven Continuum Joint.

Tendon-driven continuum soft robots are currently applied in research and are given a promising perspective for future applications. For the routing of the tendons from the actuator to the point where the loading is demanded, two routing possibilities exist in the literature: internal routing of the tendons with the help of structurally embedded Bowden sheaths and external tendon routing where the tendon is not in contact with the soft structure. The application of the latter is a clear disadvantage for applications due to the high risk of interference with the tendon, for example, causing the tendon to break.

Fluidic Oscillation-Based Pneumatic Actuation for Soft Locomotion and Grasping.

Most pneumatic actuators used in robotics are controlled by valves that contain moving parts (e.g., spool or rotor) and electronics to change the direction or pressure of the air flow.

Contextualizing predictive minds.

The structure of human memory seems to be optimized for efficient prediction, planning, and behavior. We propose that these capacities rely on a tripartite structure of memory that includes concepts, events, and contexts-three layers that constitute the mental world model. We suggest that the mechanism that critically increases adaptivity and flexibility is the tendency to contextualize.

A portable wireless spirometer device for long-term pulmonary function monitoring and training.

Portable wireless respiration sensing devices provide a promising solution to the limitations of traditional spirometers, offering practical options for daily use and long-term monitoring. In this study, we introduce a compact and lightweight respiration sensing device (4.2 × 4.

Evaluation of different robotic grippers for simultaneous multi-object grasping.

For certain tasks in logistics, especially bin picking and packing, humans resort to a strategy of grasping multiple objects simultaneously, thus reducing picking and transport time. In contrast, robotic systems mainly grasp only one object per picking action, which leads to inefficiencies that could be solved with a smarter gripping hardware and strategies. Development of new manipulators, robotic hands, hybrid or specialized grippers, can already consider such challenges for multi-object grasping in the design stages.

Modeling and Evaluation of Penetration Process Based on 3D Mechanical Simulation.

In biological micromanipulation, cell penetration is a typical procedure that precedes cell injection or oocyte enucleation. During this procedure, cells usually undergo significant deformation, which leads to cell damage. In this paper, we focus on modeling and evaluating the cell penetration process to reduce cell deformation and stress, thereby reducing cell damage.

Optical tweezer-assisted cell pairing and fusion for somatic cell nuclear transfer within an open microchannel.

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), referred to as somatic cell cloning, is a pivotal biotechnological technique utilized across various applications. Although robotic SCNT is currently available, the subsequent oocyte electrical activation/reconstructed embryo electrofusion is still manually completed by skilled operators, presenting challenges in efficient manipulation due to the uncontrollable positioning of the reconstructed embryo. This study introduces a robotic SCNT-electrofusion system to enable high-precision batch SCNT cloning.

Self-Reporting Multiple Microscopic Stresses Through Tunable Microcapsule Arrays.

Self-reporting materials have emerged as a promising tool for real-time monitoring of stress and damage in structural materials. When critical stress is applied to these materials, an optical response is triggered - for example by dye release, or molecular cleavage. A key challenge is to extend these systems to respond to multiple different stress levels.

The effects of 17β-trenbolone and bisphenol A on sexual behavior and social dominance via the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in male mice.

17β-Trenbolone (17-TB) is well documented as an environmental endocrine disruptor in aquatic biological studies, but its effects on mammals remain poorly understood. Furthermore, 17-TB acts as a hormone with properties similar to testosterone, and the consequences of juvenile exposure on adult social behavior remain uncertain. Bisphenol A (BPA) acts as an estrogen-like hormone, compared to 17-TB.

Fluoxetine Ameliorates Cognitive Deficits in High-Fat Diet Mice by Regulating BDNF Expression.

High-fat diet (HFD) induced obesity is associated with depression-related behavioral and neurogenic changes and may lead to cognitive impairment. Fluoxetine (FXT), the most commonly used antidepressant, may alleviate depressive symptoms by increasing neurogenesis, but the potential efficacy of FXT for HFD-induced cognitive deficits is unclear. In this study, we established an obese HFD mouse model by feeding three-week-old male C57BL/6N mice with a chronic HFD for 18 weeks, then assessed adipose tissue morphology by magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology, assessed cognitive function by Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests, and detected DCX and BrdU expression in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) region by immunofluorescence bioassay.

Corrigendum: SonoBox: development of a robotic ultrasound tomograph for the ultrasound diagnosis of paediatric forearm fractures.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2024.

Psychophysics of user acceptance of social cyber-physical systems.

A mini-review of the literature, supporting the view on the psychophysical origins of some user acceptance effects of cyber-physical systems (CPSs), is presented and discussed in this paper. Psychophysics implies the existence of a lawful functional dependence between some aspect/dimension of the stimulation from the environment, entering the senses of the human, and the psychological effect that is being produced by this stimulation, as reflected in the subjective responses. Several psychophysical models are discussed in this mini-review, aiming to support the view that the observed effects of reactance to a robot or the uncanny valley phenomenon are essentially the same subjective effects of different intensity.

Viscoelastic modeling based force control framework for enhancing operation safety of soft tissue for orthopedic surgical robots.

In robot-assisted laminectomy, precise control of touch force on the spinal cord during the dissection of ossified ligaments is critical to prevent dura mater tearing and ensure surgical safety. However, the complex viscoelastic characteristics of tissue at the lesion site pose a significant challenge for accurately applying touch force. This paper proposes a safe touch force servo framework based on tissue model identification and preoperative optimization of the force controller.

Social Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disability and on the Autism Spectrum through Assistive Technologies: Current Needs and Future Priorities.

Context: Contemporary technologies, such as mainstream and specialised Assistive Technologies (ATs), are seen as effective. However, there is a noticeable gap between technological progress and the ability to customise these technologies to meet the unique needs and characteristics of neurodivergent individuals, particularly those on the Autism Spectrum and people with Intellectual Disability (pwID).

Purpose: The goal of this study is to investigate the present requirements and future priorities acknowledged by specialists in the field regarding the progress of social inclusion for this population, making use of ATs.

Robotic manipulation of cardiomyocytes to identify gap junction modifiers for arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death among young adults. Aberrant gap junction remodeling has been linked to disease-causative mutations in plakophilin-2 (). Although gap junctions are a key therapeutic target, measurement of gap junction function in preclinical disease models is technically challenging.

Space Analogs and Behavioral Health Performance Research review and recommendations checklist from ESA Topical Team.

Space analog research has increased over the last few years with new analogs appearing every year. Research in this field is very important for future real mission planning, selection and training of astronauts. Analog environments offer specific characteristics that resemble to some extent the environment of a real space mission.

Insights into the Biological Activity and Bio-Interaction Properties of Nanoscale Imine-Based 2D and 3D Covalent Organic Frameworks.

Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) emerged as versatile materials with promising potential in  biomedicine. Their customizable functionalities and tunable pore structures make them valuable for various biomedical applications such as biosensing, bioimaging, antimicrobial activity, and targeted drug delivery. Despite efforts made to create nanoscale COFs (nCOFs) to enhance their interaction with biological systems, a comprehensive understanding of their inherent biological activities remains a significant challenge.