Development of multi-depth probing 3D microelectrode array to record electrophysiological activity within neural cultures

Microelectrode arrays (MEAs) play a crucial role in investigating the electrophysiological activities of neuronal populations. Although two-dimensional neuronal cell cultures have predominated in neurophysiology in monitoring in-vitro the electrophysiological activity, recent research shifted toward culture using three-dimensional (3D) neuronal network structures for developing more sophisticated and realistic neuronal models. Nevertheless, many challenges remain in the electrophysiological analysis of 3D neuron cultures, among them the development of robust platforms for investigating the electrophysiological signal at multiple depths of the 3D neurons’ networks. While various 3D MEAs have been developed to probe specific depths within the layered nervous system, the fabrication of microelectrodes with different heights, capable of probing neural activity from the surface as well as from the different layers within the neural construct, remains challenging. This study presents a novel 3D MEA with microelectrodes of different heights, realized through a multi-stage mold-assisted electrodeposition process. Our pioneering platform allows meticulous control over the height of individual microelectrodes as well as the array topology, paving the way for the fabrication of 3D MEAs consisting of electrodes with multiple heights that could be tailored for specific applications and experiments. The device performance was characterized by measuring electrochemical impedance, and noise, and capturing spontaneous electrophysiological activity from neurospheroids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. These evaluations unequivocally validated the significant potential of our innovative multi-height 3D MEA as an avant-garde platform for in vitro 3D neuronal studies

Glycine Receptor Antibody-Associated Progressive Encephalomyelitis with Rigidity and Myoclonus (PERM) During SARS-CoV-2 Infection: a Video-Case Report

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Photodetachment and photoreactions of substituted naphthalene anions in a tandem ion mobility spectrometer

Substituted naphthalene anions (deprotonated 2-naphthol and 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid) are spectroscopically probed in a tandem drift tube ion mobility spectrometer (IMS). Target anions are selected according to their drift speed through nitrogen buffer gas in the first IMS stage before being exposed to a pulse of tunable light that induces either photodissociation or electron photodetachment, which is conveniently monitored by scavenging the detached electrons with trace SF6 in the buffer gas. The photodetachment action spectrum of the 2-naphtholate anion exhibits a band system spanning 380-460 nm with a prominent series of peaks spaced by 440 cm-1, commencing at 458.5 nm, and a set of weaker peaks near the electron detachment threshold corresponding to transitions to dipole-bound states. The two deprotomers of 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid are separated and spectroscopically probed independently. The molecular anion formed from deprotonation of the hydroxy group gives rise to a photodetachment action spectrum similar to that of the 2-naphtholate anion with an onset at 470 nm and a maximum at 420 nm. Near the threshold, the photoreaction with SF6 is observed with displacement of an OH group by an F atom. In contrast, the anion formed from deprotonation of the carboxylic acid group gives rise to a photodissociation action spectrum, recorded on the CO2 loss channel, lying at much shorter wavelengths with an onset at 360 nm and maximum photoresponse at 325 nm

"Attacked me in several ways, just didn't hit me": Social representations of violence among people in psychological distress

The present study aims to characterize the dimensions of the social representation of violence for persons in psychological distress; to understand the meanings attributed to violence and how they become tangible, and to identify the triadic relations arising in enunciations about violence. Qualitative and exploratory study was carried out with 20 people in psychological distress attending a Psychosocial Care Center in Brazil. We used semi-structured interview and sociodemographic questionnaire, analyzed by content analysis and basic descriptive statistics analysis. We identified multiple social representations about violence, anchored in the participants’ own experiences, of others, and in the media, objectified into images of locations and forms in which they occurred, violent relationships, and social actors involved. Triadic relations involve society in general or people of the participants' social or regional circle. The recognition of stereotypes related to people in psychological distress and their association with the violence experienced and the several forms of violence perpetrated against this group, stands out

Representações Sociais e influência social em comentários publicados no Instagram do Ministério da Saúde sobre a COVID-19

Given the importance of preventive behaviors in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we sought to discuss the phenomenon of social influence and its informational dimension of social representations (RS), based on comments in a post about the new coronavirus made by the Ministry of Health. Health on Instagram. It started with a theoretical discussion based on the Theory of Social Representations (TRS), more specifically using a dimensional approach to SR. This is a qualitative documentary research of the descriptive-exploratory type. We analyzed 1,805 comments about a publication by the Ministry of Health on Instagram, made on March 18, 2020, on the epidemiological situation of COVID-19. A Thematic-Categorial Content Analysis was carried out, identifying the following categories: 1) Containment of collective dissemination; 2) Economic implications; 3) Coping strategies; 4) Anxiety; 5) Media information; 6) Social comparisons with other affected countries. The dimensions of information, attitude and field were identified. The identified SR is anchored to the notion of threat to health and the global economy. The moment of uncertainty favors informational influence, which can have a negative impact on the population, as well as favoring prevention actions.Dada la importancia de las conductas preventivas frente a la pandemia de la COVID-19, buscamos discutir el fenómeno de la influencia social y su dimensión informativa de las representaciones sociales (RS), a partir de los comentarios en un post sobre el nuevo coronavirus realizado por el Ministerio de Salud Salud en Instagram. Se inició con una discusión teórica basada en la Teoría de las Representaciones Sociales (TRS), más específicamente utilizando un enfoque dimensional de RS. Se trata de una investigación documental cualitativa del tipo descriptivo-exploratorio. Analizamos 1.805 comentarios sobre una publicación del Ministerio de Salud en Instagram, realizada el 18 de marzo de 2020, sobre la situación epidemiológica del COVID-19. Se realizó un Análisis de Contenido Temático-Categorial, identificándose las siguientes categorías: 1) Contención de la difusión colectiva; 2) implicaciones económicas; 3) estrategias de afrontamiento; 4) Ansiedad; 5) Información de los medios; 6) Comparaciones sociales con otros países afectados. Se identificaron las dimensiones de información, actitud y campo. La RS identificada está anclada a la noción de amenaza para la salud y la economía global. El momento de incertidumbre favorece la influencia informativa, que puede tener un impacto negativo en la población, además de favorecer las acciones de prevención.Diante da importância dos comportamentos de prevenção frente à pandemia de COVID-19, buscou-se discutir o fenômeno da influência social e sua dimensão informacional das representações sociais (RS), a partir de comentários em um post sobre o novo coronavírus feito pelo Ministério da Saúde no Instagram. Partiu-se de uma discussão teórica com base na Teoria das Representações Sociais (TRS), mais especificamente utilizando de uma abordagem dimensional das RS. Trata-se de uma pesquisa documental qualitativa do tipo descritiva-exploratória. Foram analisados 1.805 comentários acerca de uma publicação do Ministério de Saúde no Instagram, feita no dia 18 de março de 2020 sobre a situação epidemiológica da COVID-19. Realizou-se Análise de Conteúdo Temático-Categorial, identificando as seguintes categorias: 1) Contenção da disseminação coletiva; 2) Implicações econômicas; 3) Estratégias de enfrentamento; 4) Ansiedade; 5) Informações midiáticas; 6) Comparações sociais com outros países afetados. Identificou-se as dimensões de informação, atitude e campo. A RS identificada ancora-se à noção de ameaça à saúde e à economia global. O momento de incerteza favorece a influência informacional, que pode repercutir de modo negativo na população, como também favorecer as ações de prevenção

RF MEMS ohmic switches for matrix configurations

Two different topologies of radio frequency micro-electro-mechanical system (RF MEMS) series ohmic switches (cantilever and clamped–clamped beams) in coplanar waveguide (CPW) configuration have been characterized by means of DC, environmental, and RF measurements. In particular, on-wafer checks have been followed by RF test after vibration, thermal shocks, and temperature cycles. The devices have been manufactured on high resistivity silicon substrates, as building blocks to be implemented in different single-pole 4-throw (SP4 T), double-pole double-throw (DPDT) configurations, and then integrated in Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics (LTCC) technology for the realization of large-order Clos 3D networks

Forefoot pathology in rheumatoid arthritis identified with ultrasound may not localise to areas of highest pressure: cohort observations at baseline and twelve months

BackgroundPlantar pressures are commonly used as clinical measures, especially to determine optimum foot orthotic design. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) high plantar foot pressures have been linked to metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint radiological erosion scores. However, the sensitivity of foot pressure measurement to soft tissue pathology within the foot is unknown. The aim of this study was to observe plantar foot pressures and forefoot soft tissue pathology in patients who have RA.Methods A total of 114 patients with established RA (1987 ACR criteria) and 50 healthy volunteers were assessed at baseline. All RA participants returned for reassessment at twelve months. Interface foot-shoe plantar pressures were recorded using an F-Scan® system. The presence of forefoot soft tissue pathology was assessed using a DIASUS musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) system. Chi-square analyses and independent t-tests were used to determine statistical differences between baseline and twelve months. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to determine interrelationships between soft tissue pathology and foot pressures.ResultsAt baseline, RA patients had a significantly higher peak foot pressures compared to healthy participants and peak pressures were located in the medial aspect of the forefoot in both groups. In contrast, RA participants had US detectable soft tissue pathology in the lateral aspect of the forefoot. Analysis of person specific data suggests that there are considerable variations over time with more than half the RA cohort having unstable presence of US detectable forefoot soft tissue pathology. Findings also indicated that, over time, changes in US detectable soft tissue pathology are out of phase with changes in foot-shoe interface pressures both temporally and spatially.Conclusions We found that US detectable forefoot soft tissue pathology may be unrelated to peak forefoot pressures and suggest that patients with RA may biomechanically adapt to soft tissue forefoot pathology. In addition, we have observed that, in patients with RA, interface foot-shoe pressures and the presence of US detectable forefoot pathology may vary substantially over time. This has implications for clinical strategies that aim to offload peak plantar pressures