Microstructural Thermal Zones in Reaction of Nanoenergetics.

Despite the potential of nanoenergetics as promising energy sources with high energy densities and fast energy release, our limited ability to predict combustion speeds restricts the utilization of nanoenergetics. Here, we provide a comprehensive analysis of thermal microstructures subject to heterogeneous reactions and propose a new scaling for combustion wave speeds. To control reaction heterogeneity, two different particle interfacial morphologies of physically mixed and core-shell Al/CuO nanoparticles were synthesized.

Characteristics of Gasless Combustion of Core-Shell Al@NiO Microparticles with Boosted Exothermic Performance.

The microstructures and thermochemical behavior of the energetic composites composed of core-shell structured μAl@NiO microparticles were characterized. These core-shell microparticles were synthesized using a wet-chemistry-based one-pot process, where the assembly was proposed to be driven by the electrostatic force between negatively charged Al and positively charged Ni-NH ions. Electron microscopic images demonstrated the formation of NiO nanoparticles adhering to the surface of microsized Al particles with different equivalence ratios.

DATA-DRIVEN IMAGING GEOMETRIC RECOVERY OF ULTRAHIGH RESOLUTION ROBOTIC MICRO-CT FOR IN-VIVO AND OTHER APPLICATIONS.

We introduce an ultrahigh-resolution (50) robotic micro-CT design for localized imaging of carotid plaques using robotic arms, cutting-edge detector, and machine learning technologies. To combat geometric error-induced artifacts in interior CT scans, we propose a data-driven geometry estimation method that maximizes the consistency between projection data and the reprojection counterparts of a reconstructed volume. Particularly, we use a normalized cross correlation metric to overcome the projection truncation effect.

Robustness of Optimal Circadian Rhythm Entrainment under Model Perturbation.

The optimal circadian rhythm entrainment problem has been studied based on mathematical models, e.g. the Kronauer model.

Efficient Estimation of the Human Circadian Phase via Kalman Filtering.

Circadian rhythms play a vital role in maintaining a person's well-being but remain difficult to quantify accurately. Numerous approaches exist to measure these rhythms, but they often suffer from performance issues on the individual level. This work implements a Steady-State Kalman Filter as a method for estimating the circadian phase shifts from biometric signals.

Fast tuning of observer-based circadian phase estimator using biometric data.

Circadian rhythms play a vital role in maintaining an individual's well-being, and they have been shown to be the product of the master oscillator in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) located in the brain. The SCN however, is inaccessible for assessment, so existing standards for circadian phase estimation often focus on the use of indirect measurements as proxies for the circadian state. These methods often suffer from severe delays due to invasive methods of sample collection, making online estimation impossible.

Trajectory Generation for Flexible-Joint Space Manipulators.

Space manipulator arms often exhibit significant joint flexibility and limited motor torque. Future space missions, including satellite servicing and large structure assembly, may involve the manipulation of massive objects, which will accentuate these limitations. Currently, astronauts use visual feedback on-orbit to mitigate oscillations and trajectory following issues.

Influence of Surface Properties of Nanostructured Ceria-Based Catalysts on Their Stability Performance.

As the poor cycling stability of CeO catalysts has become the major obstacle for applications of diesel particulate filters (DPF), it is necessary to investigate how to reduce their structural and compositional changes during soot oxidation. In this study, different ratios of Samarium (Sm) were doped into the lattice of CeO nanoparticles to improve the catalytic performance as well as surface properties. The stability was investigated by recycling the catalyst, mixing it with soot again, and repeating the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) tests seven times.

Two-dimensional materials for electrochemical CO reduction: materials, / characterizations, and perspective.

Electrochemical CO reduction (CO ECR) is an efficient approach to achieving eco-friendly energy generation and environmental sustainability. This approach is capable of lowering the CO greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere while producing various valuable fuels and products. For catalytic CO ECR, two-dimensional (2D) materials stand as promising catalyst candidates due to their superior electrical conductivity, abundant dangling bonds, and tremendous amounts of surface active sites.

Optimization of light exposure and sleep schedule for circadian rhythm entrainment.

The circadian rhythm, called Process C, regulates a wide range of biological processes in humans including sleep, metabolism, body temperature, and hormone secretion. Light is the dominant synchronizer of the circadian rhythm-it has been used to regulate the circadian phase to cope with jet-lag, shift work, and sleep disorder. The homeostatic oscillation of the sleep drive is called Process S.

Ectopic HCN4 expression drives mTOR-dependent epilepsy in mice.

The causative link between focal cortical malformations (FCMs) and epilepsy is well accepted, especially among patients with focal cortical dysplasia type II (FCDII) and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). However, the mechanisms underlying seizures remain unclear. Using a mouse model of TSC- and FCDII-associated FCM, we showed that FCM neurons were responsible for seizure activity via their unexpected abnormal expression of the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated potassium channel isoform 4 (HCN4), which is normally not present in cortical pyramidal neurons after birth.

Actigraphy-based parameter tuning process for adaptive notch filter and circadian phase shift estimation.

We report herein the application of an adaptive notch filter (ANF) algorithm to minute-by-minute actigraphy data to estimate the continuous circadian phase of eight healthy adults. As the adaptation rates and damping factor of the ANF algorithm have large impacts on the ANF states and circadian phase estimation results, we propose a method for optimizing these parameters. The ANF with optimal parameters is further used to estimate the circadian phase shift from the actigraphy data.

Time optimal entrainment control for circadian rhythm.

The circadian rhythm functions as a master clock that regulates many physiological processes in humans including sleep, metabolism, hormone secretion, and neurobehavioral processes. Disruption of the circadian rhythm is known to have negative impacts on health. Light is the strongest circadian stimulus that can be used to regulate the circadian phase.

Real-Time Observation of Carbon Oxidation by Driven Motion of Catalytic Ceria Nanoparticles within Low Pressure Oxygen.

Carbon particulate matter (PM) is an undesirable aerosol pollutant formed from combustors such as power plants, refineries, and engines. The most common and effective method of mitigating PM emission is the capture of particulates using a filter, before particles are released into the atmosphere. In order to develop and improve advanced filtering materials, a better understanding is required of their chemical and mechanical behavior.

Combustion Characteristics of Physically Mixed 40 nm Aluminum/Copper Oxide Nanothermites Using Laser Ignition.

This paper reports on the ignition and flame propagation characteristics of aluminum/copper oxide (Al/CuO) nanothermite at different packing density, manufactured from 40 nm commercial Al and CuO nanopowders. A 3.5 W continuous wave laser was used to ignite the samples in argon at atmospheric pressure, and a high speed camera captured the flame propagation.

Hydrodynamic shrinkage of liquid CO Taylor drops in a straight microchannel.

Hydrodynamic shrinkage of liquid CO drops in water under a Taylor flow regime is studied using a straight microchannel (length/width ~100). A general form of a mathematical model of the solvent-side mass transfer coefficient (k ) is developed first. Based on formulations of the surface area (A) and the volume (V) of a general Taylor drop in a rectangular microchannel, a specific form of k is derived.

Investigation of the effects of phase transformations in micro and nano aluminum powders on kinetics of oxidation using thermogravimetric analysis.

Aluminum micro and nanoparticles are key ingredients in the synthesis of nano energetic materials. Hence it is important to characterize the kinetics and the rate controlling process of their oxidation. The literature shows that the mass diffusion and phase transformation within the aluminum oxide shell are important.

Highly pressurized partially miscible liquid-liquid flow in a micro-T-junction. II. Theoretical justifications and modeling.

This is the second part of a two-part study on a partially miscible liquid-liquid flow (carbon dioxide and deionized water) that is highly pressurized and confined in a microfluidic T-junction. In the first part of this study, we reported experimental observations of the development of flow regimes under various flow conditions and the quantitative characteristics of the drop flow including the drop length, after-generation drop speed, and periodic spacing development between an emerging drop and the newly produced one. Here in part II we provide theoretical justifications to our quantitative studies on the drop flow by considering (1) CO_{2} hydration at the interface with water, (2) the diffusion-controlled dissolution of CO_{2} molecules in water, and (3) the diffusion distance of the dissolved CO_{2} molecules.

Highly pressurized partially miscible liquid-liquid flow in a micro-T-junction. I. Experimental observations.

This is the first part of a two-part study on a partially miscible liquid-liquid flow (liquid carbon dioxide and deionized water) which is highly pressurized and confined in a microfluidic T-junction. Our main focuses are to understand the flow regimes as a result of varying flow conditions and investigate the characteristics of drop flow distinct from coflow, with a capillary number, Ca_{c}, that is calculated based on the continuous liquid, ranging from 10^{-3} to 10^{-2} (10^{-4} for coflow). Here in part I, we present our experimental observation of drop formation cycle by tracking drop length, spacing, frequency, and after-generation speed using high-speed video and image analysis.

Synthesis of Vertically-Aligned Zinc Oxide Nanowires and Their Application as a Photocatalyst.

Vertically aligned zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires were hydrothermally synthesized on a glass substrate with the assistance of a pre-coated ZnO seeding layer. The crystalline structure, morphology and transmission spectrum of the as-synthesized sample were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry, respectively, indicating a wurzite ZnO material of approximately 100 nm wire diameter and absorbance at 425 nm and lower wavelengths. The photocatalytic activity of the sample was tested via the degradation of methyl orange in aqueous solution under UV-A irradiation.

Outbred CD1 mice are as suitable as inbred C57BL/6J mice in performing social tasks.

Inbred mouse strains have been used preferentially for behavioral testing over outbred counterparts, even though outbred mice reflect the genetic diversity in the human population better. Here, we compare the sociability of widely available outbred CD1 mice with the commonly used inbred C57BL/6J (C57) mice in the one-chamber social interaction test and the three-chamber sociability test. In the one-chamber task, intra-strain pairs of juvenile, non-littermate, male CD1 or C57 mice display a series of social and aggressive behaviors.

Convulsive seizures from experimental focal cortical dysplasia occur independently of cell misplacement.

Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), a local malformation of cortical development, is the most common cause of pharmacoresistant epilepsy associated with life-long neurocognitive impairments. It remains unclear whether neuronal misplacement is required for seizure activity. Here we show that dyslamination and white matter heterotopia are not necessary for seizure generation in a murine model of type II FCDs.

FBG1 Is the Final Arbitrator of A1AT-Z Degradation.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is the leading cause of childhood liver failure and one of the most common lethal genetic diseases. The disease-causing mutant A1AT-Z fails to fold correctly and accumulates in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of the liver, resulting in hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in a subset of patients. Furthermore, A1AT-Z sequestration in hepatocytes leads to a reduction in A1AT secretion into the serum, causing panacinar emphysema in adults.