Physical Effects Research Articles

Christensenella minuta mitigates behavioral and cardiometabolic hallmarks of social defeat stress

Psychological stress during early development and adolescence may increase the risk of psychiatric and cardiometabolic comorbidities in adulthood. The gut microbiota has been associated with mental health problems such as depression and anxiety and with cardiometabolic disease, but the potential role of the gut microbiota in their comorbidity is not well understood. We investigated the effects and mode of action of the intestinal bacterium Christensenella minuta DSM 32891 on stress-induced mental health and cardiometabolic disturbances in a mouse model of social defeat stress. We demonstrate that administered C. minuta alleviates chronic stress-induced depressive, anxiogenic and antisocial behavior. These effects are attributed to the bacterium’s ability to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which mediates the stress response. This included the oversecretion of corticosterone and the overexpression of its receptors, as well as the metabolism of dopamine (DA) and the expression of its receptors (D1, D2L and D2S). Additionally, C. minuta administration reduced chronically induced inflammation in plasma, spleen and some brain areas, which likely contribute to the recovery of physical and behavioral function. Furthermore, C. minuta administration prevented chronic stress-induced cardiovascular damage by regulating key enzymes mediating liver fibrosis and oxidative stress. Finally, C. minuta increased the abundance of bacteria associated with mental health. Overall, our study highlights the potential of microbiota-directed interventions to alleviate both the physical and mental effects of chronic stress.

Prevalence and Influencing Factors of Body-focused Repetitive Behaviors in Turkish Medical Students

Background/Aims: Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) such as skin-picking, trichotillomania, nail-picking, nail-biting, lip-biting and skin-biting have adverse physical and psychological effects. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of BFRBs in a sample of Turkish medical students. Methods: An online survey was used to investigate the prevalence of six BFRBs —skin-picking, trichotillomania, nail-biting, nail-picking, lip-biting and skin-biting-- and psychological factors such as anxiety, depression, stress levels, impulsivity and difficulties in emotional regulation (DER) in a sample of 200 medical students. Skin Picking Scale-Revised (SPS-R), Massachusetts General Hospital Hairpulling Scale (MGH-HPS), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale–Short Form and Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale—Brief Form and specific questions for four BFRBs (nail-picking, nail-biting, lip biting and skin biting) were administered. Results: The prevalence of at least one BFRB disorder was 28.0% (n=56). The most common diagnoses were skin-picking (17.0%) and trichotillomania (10.5%), followed by skin-picking (9.0%), lip biting (8.5%), nail-picking (7%) and nail-biting (5.0%). The gender difference was found only in skin-picking disorders (females=22.9%; males=8.5%). Students with BFRB disorder (n=56) were found to have higher levels of anxiety, depression, stress, impulsivity and DER. Students in 2nd, 3rd and 5th grade are more likely to have BFRB disorders than interns. DER was a partial mediating variable between impulsivity and the presence of BFRB disorder. Conclusions: The findings of the study suggest that BFRBs are common among medical students and that these behaviors are associated with psychological factors such as depression, anxiety, stress levels, impulsivity and difficulties in emotion regulation. Screening programs and intervention strategies for BFRBs in medical students should be developed, and it is recommended that psychological factors should be considered in these interventions, emotion regulation and stress management skills should be significantly improved, and comorbid depression and anxiety should be treated.

Non-Abelian Transport Distinguishes Three Usually Equivalent Notions of Entropy Production

We extend entropy production to a deeply quantum regime involving noncommuting conserved quantities. Consider a unitary transporting conserved quantities (“charges”) between two systems initialized in thermal states. Three common formulas model the entropy produced. They respectively cast entropy as an extensive thermodynamic variable, as an information-theoretic uncertainty measure, and as a quantifier of irreversibility. Often, the charges are assumed to commute with each other (e.g., energy and particle number). Yet quantum charges can fail to commute. Noncommutation invites generalizations, which we posit and justify, of the three formulas. The noncommutation of charges, we find, breaks the equivalence of the formulas. Furthermore, different formulas quantify different physical effects of the noncommutation of charges on entropy production. For instance, entropy production can signal contextuality—true nonclassicality—by becoming nonreal. This work opens up stochastic thermodynamics to noncommuting—and so particularly quantum—charges. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Intercellular friction and motility drive orientational order in cell monolayers

Spatiotemporal patterns in multicellular systems are important to understanding tissue dynamics, for instance, during embryonic development and disease. Here, we use a multiphase field model to study numerically the behavior of a near-confluent monolayer of deformable cells with intercellular friction. Varying friction and cell motility drives a solid-liquid transition, and near the transition boundary, we find the emergence of local nematic order of cell deformation driven by shear-aligning cellular flows. Intercellular friction contributes to the monolayer's viscosity, which significantly increases the spatial correlation in the flow and, concomitantly, the extent of nematic order. We also show that local hexatic and nematic order are tightly coupled and propose a mechanical-geometric model for the colocalization of [Formula: see text] nematic defects and 5-7 disclination pairs, which are the structural defects in the hexatic phase. Such topological defects coincide with regions of high cell-cell overlap, suggesting that they may mediate cellular extrusion from the monolayer, as found experimentally. Our results delineate a mechanical basis for the recent observation of nematic and hexatic order in multicellular collectives in experiments and simulations and pinpoint a generic pathway to couple topological and physical effects in these systems.

Research on contemporary bamboo flute teaching concept

This paper analyzes the technical essentials of the scientific and international concept of contemporary bamboo flute performance, emphasizes the importance of musical style and language characteristics, and points out that each musical style carries a specific cultural background and emotional expression, and as a traditional Chinese musical instrument, its timbre changes depict the beauty and humanity of mountains and rivers in a rich and delicate way. A deep understanding of how to control the timbre through different playing techniques, such as adjusting the structure of the mouth, so that the flow between notes can be warm and delicate, or passionate and loud emotional colors. In the performance, the three elements of "confrontation, friction and pressure" are put forward, which is a concise summary of the mechanical principle of bamboo flute performance. As well as the coordinated pressure between various parts of the body, these seemingly simple physical effects are actually the key to improving the quality of the performance.

Impact of dielectric barrier discharge plasma and plasma-activated water on cotton seed germination and seedling growth

Unfavorable environmental conditions during planting can reduce seed germination and hinder seedling growth. To address this issue, manufacturers are exploring innovative and cost-effective methods, such as cold plasma discharge. This simple, low-cost, and efficient physical technique induces significant biological responses in seeds and plants without the use of traditional, environmentally hazardous chemicals. This study investigated the impact of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma and plasma-activated water (PAW), produced by gliding arc plasma, on the germination and seedling growth of My344 cotton seeds. The seeds were pre-treated with 80 W of DBD plasma for 0, 1, 2, and 3 min, and subsequently soaked for 90 min in PAW with varying pH levels of 5.82, 3.88, 3.63, and 3.38. The results showed that plasma treatment positively influenced seed germination and seedling growth. The highest germination percentage (98.89 %) was observed with 1 min of DBD treatment, followed by PAW priming at pH levels of 3.63 and 3.38. Additionally, a 3-min DBD treatment followed by soaking in PAW with a pH of 3.63 led to significant increases in stem length (76.76 %), root length (48.77 %), and wet weight (76.44 %). Furthermore, it was observed that the electrical conductivity of the seeds in all groups decreased significantly with increased PAW acidity. The physical and chemical effects of cold DBD plasma on the seed surface, as well as changes in hydrophilicity, were further examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and water contact angle imaging.

The Effectiveness of Nonpharmacological Interventions in the Management of Chemotherapy Physical Side Effects: A Systematic Review.

Despite advancements in cancer treatment, chemotherapy side effects significantly impact patients both physically and emotionally. While pharmacological treatments can mitigate these side effects, they may trigger additional side effects, exacerbating the overall discomfort experienced by patients; moreover, psychological factors influencing physical symptoms are beyond the reach of pharmacological interventions. Nonpharmacological interventions, however, offer the potential for complementary or alternative solutions. This review aims to offer a comprehensive analysis of the literature on the effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions in managing the physical side effects of chemotherapy. This review, based on a search of PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases, identified 46 relevant studies. It categorizes interventions and evaluates their effectiveness in managing common chemotherapy side effects (fatigue, nausea, pain, diarrhea, and constipation). Guided imagery, tailored exercises, and Qigong show promise in reducing fatigue, while interventions like yoga and cognitive-behavioral approaches address nausea and vomiting. Pain benefits result from guided imagery and educational interventions. Limited evidence exists for diarrhea and constipation interventions, necessitating further research. This review offers provisional conclusions, emphasizing the potential of integrating evidence-based nonpharmacological approaches alongside pharmacological interventions to enhance patient outcomes and reduce chemotherapy-induced side effects, considering factors such as accessibility, safety, customization, and adaptability in clinical settings.

Characterization and application of fine aggregate from Rio Branco do Sul – PR with quartz filler additions: innovations in concrete performance

Understanding the properties of a material is essential to ensure its efficient application and achieve good results. This study addresses the characterization and applicability of quartz sand from the Rio Branco do Sul region, Paraná (PR), Brazil, in civil construction, focusing on procedures such as ceramic block laying, plastering, and rendering. Additionally, quartz filler (quartz powder) was added as a pozzolanic additive in fractions of 10% and 20% relative to the weight of the cement, along with samples without additives, to compare the results. To evaluate performance, the test specimens were subjected to two curing processes: thermal curing, aimed at activating pozzolanic reactions between the quartz powder and the chemical components of the concrete; and wet curing, which, although it does not stimulate chemical reactions, preserves the physical effects of the addition, such as reducing the concrete’s porosity and increasing its compressive strength. The specimens were analyzed at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of age.

Patients’ Experiences With Complementary and Alternative Treatments to Manage Chemotherapy Symptoms

This phenomenological study aims to explore the experiences of individuals undergoing chemotherapy, focusing on their symptoms and the use of complementary and alternative treatments to cope with these challenges. Thirteen individuals diagnosed with cancer in a city in the central region of Turkey were interviewed using a semi-structured, in-depth approach in this phenomenological study. The criterion sampling method was employed to select participants, and interviews continued until data saturation was achieved. Thematic analysis was applied to the audio-recorded and transcribed interviews. The study adhered to the COREQ checklist for reporting qualitative research. The data analysis revealed 2 main categories (effects of cancer and chemotherapy on individuals, the use of complementary and alternative treatments to cope with the symptoms of patients receiving chemotherapy) and 6 themes (psychological effects, social impacts, physical effects, social practices, psychological practices, and physical practices). The study demonstrated that individuals faced significant psychological, physical, and social challenges due to cancer, posing difficulties in coping. The symptoms had a substantial negative impact on individuals. The research identified the use of various alternative methods, such as yoga, the Mediterranean diet, and music therapy, as coping strategies. It is recommended that individuals undergoing chemotherapy explore complementary and alternative treatment methods to effectively manage symptoms.

Modelling of SiC MOSFET power devices incorporating physical effects

Modelling of SiC MOSFET power devices incorporating physical effects

N-acetylcysteine effects on extracellular polymeric substances of Xylella fastidiosa: A spatiotemporal investigation with implications for biofilm disruption

BackgroundThe matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) present in biofilms greatly amplifies the problem of bacterial infections, protecting bacteria against antimicrobial treatments and eventually leading to bacterial resistance. The need for alternative treatments that destroy the EPS matrix becomes evident. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is one option that presents diverse effects against bacteria; however, the different mechanisms of action of NAC in biofilms have yet to be elucidated. ObjectivesIn this work, we performed microscopy studies at micro and nano scales to address the effects of NAC at single cell level and early-stage biofilms of the Xylella fastidiosa phytopathogen. MethodsWe show the physical effects of NAC on the adhesion surface and the different types of EPS, as well as the mechanical response of individual bacteria to NAC concentrations between 2 and 20 mg/mL. ResultsNAC modified the conditioning film on the substrate, broke down the soluble EPS, resulting in the release of adherent bacteria, decreased the volume of loosely bound EPS, and disrupted the biofilm matrix. Tightly bound EPS suffered structural alterations despite no solid evidence of its removal. In addition, bacterial force measurements upon NAC action performed with InP nanowire arrays showed an enhanced momentum transfer to the nanowires due to increased cell mobility resulting from EPS removal. ConclusionsOur results clearly show that conditioning film and soluble EPS play a key role in cell adhesion control and that NAC alters EPS structure, providing solid evidence that NAC actuates mainly on EPS removal, both at single cell and biofilm levels.

Recent improvements and maximum covariance analysis of aerosol and cloud properties in the EC-Earth3-AerChem model

Abstract. Given the importance of aerosols and clouds and their interactions in the climate system, it is imperative that the global Earth system models accurately represent processes associated with them. This is an important prerequisite if we are to narrow the uncertainties in future climate projections. In practice, this means that continuous model evaluations and improvements grounded in observations are necessary. Numerous studies in the past few decades have shown both the usability and the limitations of utilizing satellite-based observations in understanding and evaluating aerosol–cloud interactions, particularly under varying meteorological and satellite sensor sensitivity paradigms. Furthermore, the vast range of spatio-temporal scales at which aerosol and cloud processes occur adds another dimension to the challenges faced when evaluating climate models. In this context, the aim of this study is two-fold. (1) We evaluate the most recent, significant changes in the representation of aerosol and cloud processes implemented in the EC-Earth3-AerChem model in the framework of the EU project FORCeS compared with its previous CMIP6 version (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6; https://pcmdi.llnl.gov/CMIP6/, last access: 13 February 2019). We focus particularly on evaluating cloud physical properties and radiative effects, wherever possible, using a satellite simulator. We report on the overall improvements in the EC-Earth3-AerChem model. In particular, the strong warm bias chronically seen over the Southern Ocean is reduced significantly. (2) A statistical, maximum covariance analysis is carried out between aerosol optical depth (AOD) and cloud droplet (CD) effective radius based on the recent EC-Earth3-AerChem/FORCeS simulation to understand to what extent the Twomey effect can manifest itself in the larger spatio-temporal scales. We focus on the three oceanic low-level cloud regimes that are important due to their strong net cooling effect and where pollution outflow from the nearby continent is simultaneously pervasive. We report that the statistical covariability between AOD and CD effective radius is indeed dominantly visible even at the climate scale when the aerosol amount and composition are favourably preconditioned to allow for aerosol–cloud interactions. Despite this strong covariability, our analysis shows a strong cooling/warming in shortwave cloud radiative effects at the top of the atmosphere in our study regions associated with an increase/decrease in CD effective radius. This cooling/warming can be attributed to the increase/decrease in low cloud fraction, in line with previous observational studies.

Farmed crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) raised with dermestids (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) suffer from reduced and delayed growth, but not enough to explain reports of dramatic yield loss.

The mass production of insects for food and feed is an expanding North American industry. Facilities that mass rear insects are at risk of pest infestations because the optimal environmental conditions for rearing beneficial species may also support the development of pest species. Here, we present the first recorded results detailing the interactions between dermestids and farmed crickets. Cricket farms have reported extremely low harvest yield during heavy dermestid infestations, but the exact reasons for this low yield are unknown. Many dermestid larvae are covered in dense, detachable, barbed setae called hastisetae, which are used by the larvae as an active trapping system against arthropod predators. We designed a series of experiments to test the hypotheses that a dermestid pest of cricket farms, black larder beetle (Dermestes ater DeGeer (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)), may be directly impacting Gryllodes sigillatus Walker (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) yield through the physical effects of hastisetae ingestion and/or indirectly impacting cricket yield through competition for fishmeal, a primary source of protein in conventional cricket feed. Our predictions that G. sigillatus life history and survival would be negatively affected by dermestids were largely refuted. Females fed infested diets grew less mass, but not smaller body size, compared to females fed uninfested diets. We also found that while G. sigillatus experienced delayed growth early in life after living with dermestids, they were able to tolerate living with, and consuming, dermestid larvae. We discuss how these findings have led to new hypotheses concerning how dermestid infestations drive reductions in cricket farm yield.

On the lightweight design of laminated insulating glass units in cruise ships

ABSTRACT Modern cruise ships employ many large windows to enable passengers to enjoy the marine environment. Most windows are insulating glass units (IGUs) consisting of laminated glass and a hermetically sealed cavity. These laminated IGUs exhibit three physical effects under bending: (1) geometric nonlinearity of the glass panes, (2) shear transfer in the laminated glass, and (3) load sharing due to the hermetically sealed cavity. The Authors have previously studied the (1) and (3) effects on the window mechanical behaviour and glass pane thickness determination. Hence, this paper investigates through optimisation how all these effects together lighten the IGUs, and how the shear transfer affects the IGU mechanical behaviour with the optimised thicknesses. All three combined effects have positive effects on the IGU weight. These results are more pronounced for large and thin IGUs subjected to high design loads. For example, the choice of interlayer material is less important (for optimum weight) for small windows subjected to a low design load. Since all the effects are important, using the finite element method is recommended to achieve a lightweight window design.

Role of secondary hydrogen injection on flame stabilization of ammonia/air swirling flames

Ammonia is widely recognized as one of the most advanced hydrogen carriers and can be utilized as a fuel in gas turbines. Premixing hydrogen into the ammonia carbon free fuel system can substantially enhance stable limits, but it significantly promotes cross-reactions, leading to increased NO production. Recent findings related to other fuels suggest that the alternative approach for mitigating combustion instabilities involves introducing minimal pure hydrogen at the chamber inlet in a non-premixed mode. This may introduce a novel approach to stabilize ammonia/air swirl flames by extending the stability through a minimal hydrogen via secondary injection, with minimal impact on increasing nitrogen oxide emissions. In the present study, the flame stabilization mechanism and nitrogen oxide emission behaviors of swirl ammonia/air flames by a secondary hydrogen injection were compared with the premixed ammonia/ hydrogen/air flames. OH-/NO-PLIF and PIV techniques were applied to reveal the lean blow-off characteristics and the reacting flow features. The NOx emissions were measured by the FTIR gas analyzer. The large eddy simulation method with a developed dynamic thickened flame model was employed to further reveal the experimental findings. Experimental results show that the flame stabilization limits are largely depended on the way in which hydrogen is introduced. The secondary hydrogen injection exhibits the stronger enhancement ability for the lean/rich blow-off limits, primarily due to the local diffusion hydrogen flame at the flame root providing more active radicals and higher temperature gases. The NO emission shows an increase with the addition of premixed hydrogen, while in the secondary hydrogen injection, NO emission deteriorates due to higher temperatures, with the NO emission increasing by less than 10% compared with the ammonia flame. In the large eddy simulation analyses, the physical effects of the secondary hydrogen injection enhance the flame stability by increasing the resistance of the flame root to extinction. The heat release rate and the mass fractions of NH and H near the flame root are significantly increased by 2% secondary hydrogen injection. The enhancement of the ammonia decomposition process is stronger with secondary hydrogen injection than with fully premixed hydrogen addition. For 2% secondary hydrogen injection case, the local hydrogen injection to form a non-premixed combustion mode can provide much higher capability to increase the local heat release rate compared to the fully premixed mode.Novelty and significance statement: Introducing small amount of hydrogen to ammonia flame can effectively improving the flame stabilization in a swirl combustor. In this study, it is found that the flame stabilization limits are largely depended on the way in which hydrogen is introduced. Comparing the way of premixing hydrogen in the unburned mixture, a larger effect on blow-off limits extension was found when introducing a separate non-premixed hydrogen at the chamber inlet, which is mentioned as the secondary hydrogen injection. The lean blow-off limits can be extended from about 0.67 to 0.59 when only introducing 2% secondary hydrogen injection by heat value. The NO emission shows in the secondary hydrogen injection, NO emission deteriorates by less than 10% compared with the ammonia flame. A thickened flame model for non-premixed combustion was established and verified adequate with velocity field and flame structure. The mechanisms of enhancing flame stabilization by hydrogen introduction including physical and chemical effects for premixing and injection cases were revealed. Furthermore, the difference in the mechanisms of the two cases was emphasized.

Recent advances in biomimetic superhydrophobic surfaces: focusing on abrasion resistance, self-healing and anti-icing.

Superhydrophobic materials have been widely used in the fields of materials engineering and the coating industry due to their excellent abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance, anti-icing and antibacterial properties and have also attracted the attention of many researchers. However, in the process of application, their superhydrophobic surface is susceptible to external factors such as physical or chemical effects, resulting in the loss of low surface energy materials or the destruction of micro- and nano-rough structures, thus losing their superhydrophobic properties. This review describes the research progress in three aspects of superhydrophobic surfaces: abrasion resistance, self-healing, and anti-icing. Firstly, the definition and application of superhydrophobic surfaces, as well as the basic principle and mechanism of superhydrophobic surfaces are introduced. Then, the research status and improvement methods of superhydrophobic surfaces are presented in detail from three aspects, such as abrasion resistance, self-healing, and anti-icing. Finally, the research process of superhydrophobic surfaces is evaluated and prospected in order to provide a new perspective for the preparation of superhydrophobic surfaces with a wide range of applications and better performance.

Machine learning to guide the use of plasma technology for antibiotic degradation

Antibiotics are misused and discharged into environmental water, posing a constant potential threat to the ecosystem. Utilising plasma’s physical and chemical effects to remove antibiotics has emerged as a promising wastewater treatment technology. However, the complexity and high cost of reactor configurations represent significant limitations to the practical application of this technology. Furthermore, evaluating the degradation efficiency of antibiotics necessitates using costly and sophisticated testing instruments, coupled with time-consuming and labour-intensive experiments. The present study developed a generalised model using machine learning algorithms to predict the removal efficiency of antibiotics by a plasma system. Of the eight machine learning algorithms constructed, the ensemble model XGBoost exhibited the highest prediction accuracy, as indicated by a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.943. This correlation indicates a strong relationship between the predicted removal rates and the experimental values. Moreover, the accuracy of the prediction was enhanced through the utilisation of a multi-model stacking approach. A further quantitative assessment of the key factors affecting the efficiency of the plasma process, and their synergistic effects, is provided by the interpretable analysis of the model’s behaviour. It is anticipated that the results will facilitate the design of efficient plasma systems, reduce the need for extensive experimental screening, and improve practical applications in the removal of antibiotic contamination. This provides an informative view of the applications of plasma technology, opening the way for new environmental research questions.

If the Body Keeps the Score, What Happens When You Bring the Body to Work? Exploring the Health Effects of Trauma on Human Capital

Data reveal that the physical effects of trauma exposure increasingly surface in business, social, and other settings. Exposure to trauma at any point in life can cause employee health concerns, yet many firms do not acknowledge or address this. Herein, we combine trauma theory with human capital theory to explain how manifestations of trauma exposure— hyperarousal, intrusion, and constriction—impact employee health and performance. This article outlines how each manifestation affects human capital deployment, and thus employee performance. It further demonstrates how these human capital deployment issues have individual- and unit-level performance implications. This article offers a theory linking health effects of trauma to performance outcomes at work. It suggests how managerial awareness of trauma manifestations is a necessary step toward workplaces becoming supportive or healing. Our model offers new explanations related to why some individuals behave as they do at work and connects trauma to employee behavior and value creation.

Capacity-building among older people: investigating processes of social innovation

Capacity-building in the field of older people’s care and support, followed by empowerment through social innovation, seeks to use older people’s own skills and abilities that have not previously been considered and aims to create jobs while improving the morale and quality of life of older people. The present study uses participatory action research to analyse a social innovation cycle of job creation for older people living in neighbourhoods in Tehran as a sustainable approach. Participatory action research was used to enable people to participate directly in the research process. The results show that using a capacity-building approach in supporting older people using social innovation leads to: (1) job creation; (2) increased social interactions and communication among older people; (3) fewer negative effects of ageing, including psychological and physical effects; and (4) more active participation in society. In addition, challenges and stimuli for capacity-building are identified.

Physical effects of 3-D microenvironments on confined cell behaviors.

Cell migration is a fundamental and functional cellular process, influenced by a complex microenvironment consisting of different cells and extracellular matrix. Recent research has highlighted that, besides biochemical cues from the microenvironment, physical cues can also greatly alter cellular behavior. However, due to the complexity of the microenvironment, little is known about how the physical interactions between migrating cells and surrounding microenvironment instructs cell movement. Here, we explore various examples of three-dimensional microenvironment reconstruction models in vitro and describe how the physical interplay between migrating cells and the neighboring microenvironment controls cell behavior. Understanding this mechanical cooperation will provide key insights into organ development, regeneration, and tumor metastasis.