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3D printing of micro-nano devices and their applications
In recent years, the utilization of 3D printing technology in micro and nano device manufacturing has garnered significant attention. Advancements in 3D printing have enabled achieving sub-micron level precision. Unlike conventional micro-machining techniques, 3D printing offers versatility in material selection, such as polymers. 3D printing technology has been gradually applied to the general field of microelectronic devices such as sensors, actuators and flexible electronics due to its adaptability and efficacy in microgeometric design and manufacturing processes. Furthermore, 3D printing technology has also been instrumental in the fabrication of microfluidic devices, both through direct and indirect processes. This paper provides an overview of the evolving landscape of 3D printing technology, delineating the essential materials and processes involved in fabricating microelectronic and microfluidic devices in recent times. Additionally, it synthesizes the diverse applications of these technologies across different domains.
Effect of regional crosstalk between sympathetic nerves and sensory nerves on temporomandibular joint osteoarthritic pain
Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) is a common disease often accompanied by pain, seriously affecting physical and mental health of patients. Abnormal innervation at the osteochondral junction has been considered as a predominant origin of arthralgia, while the specific mechanism mediating pain remains unclear. To investigate the underlying mechanism of TMJ-OA pain, an abnormal joint loading model was used to induce TMJ-OA pain. We found that during the development of TMJ-OA, the increased innervation of sympathetic nerve of subchondral bone precedes that of sensory nerves. Furthermore, these two types of nerves are spatially closely associated. Additionally, it was discovered that activation of sympathetic neural signals promotes osteoarthritic pain in mice, whereas blocking these signals effectively alleviates pain. In vitro experiments also confirmed that norepinephrine released by sympathetic neurons promotes the activation and axonal growth of sensory neurons. Moreover, we also discovered that through releasing norepinephrine, regional sympathetic nerves of subchondral bone were found to regulate growth and activation of local sensory nerves synergistically with other pain regulators. This study identified the role of regional sympathetic nerves in mediating pain in TMJ-OA. It sheds light on a new mechanism of abnormal innervation at the osteochondral junction and the regional crosstalk between peripheral nerves, providing a potential target for treating TMJ-OA pain.
Pathogen stress heightens sensorimotor dimensions in the human collective semantic space
Infectious diseases have been major causes of death throughout human history and are assumed to broadly affect human psychology. However, whether and how conceptual processing, an internal world model central to various cognitive processes, adapts to such salient stress variables remains largely unknown. To address this, we conducted three studies examining the relationship between pathogen severity and semantic space, probed through the main neurocognitive semantic dimensions revealed by large-scale text analyses: one cross-cultural study (across 43 countries) and two historical studies (over the past 100 years). Across all three studies, we observed that increasing pathogen severity was associated with an enhancement of the sensory-motor dimension in the collective semantic space. These patterns remained robust after controlling for the effects of sociocultural variables, including economic wealth and societal norms of tightness. These results highlight the universal dynamic mechanisms of collective semantics, such that pathogen stress potentially drives sensorially oriented semantic processing.
Human-structure and human-structure-human interaction in electro-quasistatic regime
Augmented living equipped with electronic devices requires widespread connectivity and a low-loss communication medium for humans to interact with ambient technologies. However, traditional radiative radio frequency-based communications require wireless pairing to ensure specificity during information exchange, and with their broadcasting nature, these incur energy absorption from the surroundings. Recent advancements in electroquasistatic body-coupled communication have shown great promise by utilizing conductive objects like the human body as a communication medium. Here we propose a fundamental set of modalities of non-radiative interaction by guiding electroquasistatic signals through conductive structures between humans and surrounding electronic devices. Our approach offers pairing-free communication specificity and lower path loss during touch. Here, we propose two modalities: Human-Structure Interaction and Human-Structure Human Interaction with wearable devices. We validate our theoretical understanding with numerical electromagnetic simulations and experiments to show the feasibility of the proposed approach. A demonstration of the real-time transfer of an audio signal employing an human body communications-based Human-Structure Interaction link is presented to highlight the practical impact of this work. The proposed techniques can potentially influence Human-Machine Interaction research, including the development of assistive technology for augmented living and personalized healthcare.
Skeletal interoception and prospective application in biomaterials for bone regeneration
Accumulating research has shed light on the significance of skeletal interoception, in maintaining physiological and metabolic homeostasis related to bone health. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of how skeletal interoception influences bone homeostasis, delving into the complex interplay between the nervous system and skeletal system. One key focus of the review is the role of various factors such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in skeletal health via skeletal interoception. It explores how nerves innervating the bone tissue communicate with the central nervous system to regulate bone remodeling, a process critical for maintaining bone strength and integrity. Additionally, the review highlights the advancements in biomaterials designed to utilize skeletal interoception for enhancing bone regeneration and treatment of bone disorders. These biomaterials, tailored to interact with the body’s interoceptive pathways, are positioned at the forefront of innovative treatments for conditions like osteoporosis and fractures. They represent a convergence of bioengineering, neuroscience, and orthopedics, aiming to create more efficient and targeted therapies for bone-related disorders. In conclusion, the review underscores the importance of skeletal interoception in physiological regulation and its potential in developing more effective therapies for bone regeneration. It emphasizes the need for further research to fully understand the mechanisms of skeletal interoception and to harness its therapeutic potential fully.
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