Recent uci_eng items

Steady-state exceptional-point degeneracy and sensitivity of nonlinear saturable coupled oscillators

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A coupled-oscillator system displays enhanced sensitivity of its saturated steady-state (SS) oscillation frequency to small parameter perturbations near an exceptional-point degeneracy (EPD), a property that can be used to realize EPD-based sensors. Linear PT-symmetric systems, consisting of two coupled resonators, exhibit EPDs around which square-root sensitivity is observed. However, linear models are insufficient for realistic systems that rely on nonlinear, saturable-gain elements, particularly when PT-symmetry is broken. Thus, we study the SS of a general system of two coupled oscillators featuring EPDs and saturable nonlinear gain, using coupled-mode theory. We do this by synthesizing and extending prior SS analyses of the system’s stability and its square-root and cubic-root oscillation frequency sensitivity at a unique third-order SS-EPD. We add an SS analysis of saturated gain, energy, and oscillation-frequency sensitivity in the vicinity of the third-order SS-EPD, enabling...

Optimization of Antenna Array Configurations Using Deep Learning

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We introduce a deep learning-based optimization method that enhances the design of sparse phased array by reducing grating lobes. Our approach begins with a generation of sparse antenna array configurations, efficiently addressing the non-convex challenges and high degrees of freedom in array design. We then employ neural networks, trained on 70,000 and tested on 30,000 configurations, to approximate a non-convex cost function that measures the ratio between the energy of the main lobe and the side lobe level. The approximation is differentiable and allows for the minimization of the cost function by gradient descent with respect to the antenna’s elements coordinates, yielding a new optimized configuration. A custom penalty mechanism is also implemented, integrating various physical and design constraints into our optimization method. The effectiveness of our method is tested on the ten configurations with the lowest initial cost values, showing a further reduction in cost by...

Optimization of Sparse Phased Arrays Using Deep Learning

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Antenna arrays enhance communication, sensing, and imaging in fields like wireless communications, radar, and radio astronomy by improving signal quality and range through beamforming and spatial multiplexing. However, they face challenges such as mutual coupling, calibration issues, and increased complexity compared to single antennas. These issues require careful engineering to optimize array performance across applications. We present an optimization technique based on deep learning that improves the design of sparse phased arrays by minimizing grating lobes. This method starts with generating configurations for sparse antenna arrays, effectively tackling the non-convex challenges and the high degrees of freedom involved in array design. We utilize neural networks, trained on 70,000 and tested on 30,000 configurations, to estimate a non-convex cost function that evaluates the energy ratio between the main lobe and side lobe levels. This estimation is differentiable, facilitating...

Sea-level contribution from Thwaites Glacier doubles in an observation-constrained ice-sheet model.

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Thwaites Glacier is a major contributor to Antarctic mass loss and a key source of uncertainty in future sea-level rise. Ocean-driven melting at its grounding line drives rapid retreat, yet most models treat the transition between grounded and floating ice as a sharp boundary, neglecting kilometer-scale seawater intrusions that develop as the grounding line migrates and forms a grounding zone. Here, we show that actively-melting grounding zones are required to reproduce nearly three decades of observed retreat, thinning, and acceleration of Thwaites Glacier in a calibrated ice-sheet model, with successful reconstruction occurring only when grounding zones are represented as 2-5 km wide regions. Extending this model forward, we show that grounding-zone processes govern glacier's detachment from stabilizing seafloor ridges, enabling unpinning as early as 2038 and producing up to 30 ± 6 mm of global mean sea-level rise by 2100 - approximately double previous projections...

Sparse Phased Array Optimization Using Deep Learning

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Antenna arrays are widely used in wireless communication, radar systems, radio astronomy, and military defense to enhance signal strength, directivity, and interference suppression. We introduce a deep learning-based optimization approach that enhances the design of sparse phased arrays by reducing grating lobes. This approach begins by generating sparse array configurations to address the non-convex challenges and extensive degrees of freedom inherent in array design. We use neural networks to approximate the non-convex cost function that estimates the energy ratio between the main and side lobes. This differentiable approximation facilitates cost function minimization through gradient descent, optimizing the antenna elements' coordinates and leading to an improved layout. Additionally, we incorporate a tailored penalty mechanism that includes various physical and design constraints into the optimization process, enhancing its robustness and practical applicability. We demonstrate...

Microencapsulated Tumor Organoids Maintain Drug Sensitivity Stratification

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Drug sensitivity profiling on patient-derived organoids mirrors patient response for gastrointestinal cancers and is currently being evaluated in clinical trials to guide treatment decisions. However, long expansion times are typically... Drug sensitivity profiling on patient-derived organoids mirrors patient response for gastrointestinal cancers and is currently being evaluated in clinical trials to guide treatment decisions. However, long expansion times are typically required to achieve adequate cell numbers. Accordingly, miniaturization of organoid cultures can be leveraged to reduce assay time and increase the number of compounds tested. Microencapsulation by droplet microfluidics has been applied to produce miniaturized organoid cultures, but the predictive accuracy has yet to be fully established. Here, we show that drug response can be preserved while reducing pancreatic cancer organoid culture volume by 100-fold. Testing five standard-of-care chemotherapeutics in miniaturized...

Mass balance of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets from the 1970s to 2023

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are major drivers of global mean sea level rise and are predicted to continue to do so in the future. However, they also represent the largest source of uncertainty in projections of future sea level rise making robust estimates of observed ice sheet mass changes critical. Here, we compare and combine 42 independent estimates of ice sheet mass balance derived from satellite observations of temporal changes in ice sheet flow, volume, and gravitational attraction to determine the ice sheet mass balance from 1972 (Greenland) and 1979 (Antarctica) until 2023. We then use regional climate models to partition the total mass balance into contributions associated with surface mass balance and ice dynamical imbalance. The ice sheets lost 11,309 ± 565 billion tonnes of ice between 1979 and 2023, with glacier dynamical imbalance driving 84% of the ice loss and surface mass balance the remainder. This dataset can be used to track the contribution of...

Research Priorities for Robust Climate Assessments in the United States

Wed, 7 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract Scientific assessments play a critical role in synthesizing evidence to support evidence-based decision-making in many sectors and topics. For climate change, large-scale assessments like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the U.S. National Climate Assessment (NCA) reports help many different users—from national government to local governments, Indigenous Peoples and communities, the private sector, the social sector, and the scientific community itself—navigate the complex field of climate risks, impacts, and integrated solutions. While cocreation with users is essential to developing actionable assessments, this paper lays the groundwork for future processes by identifying many advancing and emerging areas of relevant knowledge ready for assessment or additional near-term research. Drawing on the expertise of many scholars who were formerly tasked with producing the Sixth NCA and authors of other national or subnational climate assessment reports,...

Research Priorities for Robust Climate Assessments in the United States

Wed, 7 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract Scientific assessments play a critical role in synthesizing evidence to support evidence‐based decision‐making in many sectors and topics. For climate change, large‐scale assessments like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United States (U.S.) National Climate Assessment (NCA) reports help many different users—from national government to local governments, Indigenous Peoples and communities, the private sector, the social sector, and the scientific community itself—navigate the complex field of climate risks, impacts, and integrated solutions. While co‐creation with users is essential to developing actionable assessments, this paper lays the groundwork for future processes by identifying many advancing and emerging areas of relevant knowledge ready for assessment or additional near‐term research. Drawing on the expertise of many scholars who were formerly tasked with producing the Sixth NCA and authors of other national or sub‐national climate...

Spatial frequency domain imaging of the oculofacial region in control patients

Fri, 2 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) is a wide-field optical imaging modality that applies patterned illumination at multiple center wavelengths (470 to 851nm) to quantify the properties of subsurface tissue in vivo. Imaging of the periocular region will guide diagnostic and therapeutic decision making in inflammatory and infiltrative conditions by quantifying parameters such as tissue oxygen saturation and hemoglobin concentration. We previously used a fabricated tissue simulating facial phantom to study the geometric impact of complex ocular adnexal anatomy inherent to the periocular region and identified robust and accurate regions of interest (ROI) by which to image patients. Twenty-five control patients were imaged under an approved IRB protocol using the Reflect RS™ (Modulim, Inc., Irvine, CA) to measure calibrated diffuse reflectance images over a 15 x 20cm 2 field of view, with a spatial resolution of ~0.5mm. “En face” and “side profile” views were captured along established...

Unsupervised clustering FLIM-phasor from multifunctionalized nanoparticles in living cancer cells

Fri, 2 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In the present work, we developed a data-driven algorithm for the automated segmentation of fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) images, enhancing the analysis of multifunctionalized nanoparticles (NPs) within living cancer cells. FLIM, a powerful microscopy technique, generates images that capture the fluorescence lifetime across a sample at the pixel level, revealing critical details about the molecular environment. Traditionally, FLIM image analysis has relied on manual segmentation with the phasor plot approach, a graphical representation of FLIM data in aGandScoordinate system, which is susceptible to user bias and inconsistency. Here, we present an automated and free of user-biased thresholding and segmentation algorithm that streamlines with clustering techniques to automatically identify phasor-clusters in the phasor plot space, reducing user dependency and providing a reproducible strategy under tested conditions image segmentation. We demonstrate...

BPS2026 – ESPRESSO: Spatiotemporal omics based on organelle phenotyping reveals dynamic cell state transitions

Fri, 2 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

BPS2026 – ESPRESSO: Spatiotemporal omics based on organelle phenotyping reveals dynamic cell state transitions

An Optimized Bioluminescent Lantern for RNA Imaging

Fri, 2 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A complete understanding of RNA dynamics requires methods to continuously image transcripts in living systems. We recently developed a panel of bioluminescent tools for multiplexed RNA detection, comprising luciferase fragments fused to RNA-binding proteins (RNA lanterns). The RNA lanterns assembled a light-emitting luciferase upon binding unique, structured RNA tags. Different colors of emission were produced via bioluminescence resonance energy transfer to fluorescent protein fusions. In this work, we systematically optimized the RNA lantern platform for enhanced performance in live cells. A luciferase-fluorescent protein linkage was identified that enabled improved energy transfer and enhanced photon outputs. The RNA lantern was further optimized for selective recognition of structured RNA tags. The new RNA lantern-tag combination is orthogonal to existing probes and enabled the first demonstration of three-color bioluminescent RNA visualization in live cells. Overall, this...

The ENIGMA Consortium: large-scale collaborative analyses of neuroimaging and genetic data

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Consortium is a collaborative network of researchers working together on a range of large-scale studies that integrate data from 70 institutions worldwide. Organized into Working Groups that tackle questions in neuroscience, genetics, and medicine, ENIGMA studies have analyzed neuroimaging data from over 12,826 subjects. In addition, data from 12,171 individuals were provided by the CHARGE consortium for replication of findings, in a total of 24,997 subjects. By meta-analyzing results from many sites, ENIGMA has detected factors that affect the brain that no individual site could detect on its own, and that require larger numbers of subjects than any individual neuroimaging study has currently collected. ENIGMA’s first project was a genome-wide association study identifying common variants in the genome associated with hippocampal volume or intracranial volume. Continuing work is exploring genetic associations...

A sequence motif enables widespread use of noncanonical redox cofactors in natural enzymes

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Noncanonical redox cofactors (NRCs) are low-cost alternatives to the natural redox cofactors nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+) for biomanufacturing, offering exquisite electron-delivery control, yet their adoption is limited by the scarcity of compatible enzymes. Screening the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) family, we identified a conserved RH/QxxR motif that enables widespread NRC activity among natural enzymes. Bostaurus ALDH3a1 exhibits unprecedented turnover with nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN+), with kcat values exceeding NAD+ and surpassing most engineered NRC-active enzymes by 10–105-fold. Structural analyses reveal that this motif reinforces cofactor positioning and preorganizes the active site independently of the NAD+ adenosine monophosphate moiety. This motif supports activity across simple-synthetic NRCs such as 1-(2-carbamoylmethyl)nicotinamide and, when introduced into diverse ALDH scaffolds, enhances...

Systematic Underestimation of Nonlinear and Synergistic Soil Moisture‐Precipitation Coupling in Convection‐Permitting Models

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract Soil moisture‐precipitation coupling critically shapes Earth's water and energy cycles, yet it remains difficult to quantify because land‐atmosphere interactions are nonlinear, multivariate, and state‐dependent. This study applies the High‐Dimensional Model Representation (HDMR) framework to observation‐based data sets over the contiguous United States to diagnose temporal SM‐precipitation amount coupling, defined here as the influence of morning land‐atmosphere states on same‐day afternoon rainfall. HDMR decomposes structural, correlative, and cooperative controls of morning precursors and shows that traditional linear approaches, such as correlation analysis, underestimate coupling strength, explaining only 6%–8% of precipitation variance in regions where HDMR identifies soil moisture (SM) contributions of up to about 20%. The first‐order decomposition reveals a direct wet‐soil advantage in the eastern Great Plains, while convective available potential energy (CAPE)...

Asynchronous Common-Stream for Rate-Splitting: A Two-User MISO Analysis

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Asynchronous Common-Stream for Rate-Splitting: A Two-User MISO Analysis

Charge readout electronics for the DUNE horizontal drift far detector: design and performance in ProtoDUNE-HD

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

DUNE (Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment) is a long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment currently under construction, whose far detectors will be the largest liquid argon time projection chambers ever built. This detector design calls for custom-built cryogenic front-end electronics to meet its performance requirements. This paper describes the charge readout electronics that will be used in the DUNE horizontal drift (HD) far detector and presents performance results using data from the ProtoDUNE-HD detector, a 770 ton liquid argon time projection chamber operated at the CERN Neutrino Platform in 2024 that served as the final prototype of the DUNE HD design.

A standardized data specification for reproducible, verifiable structured light and multispectral image sets

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Spatial Frequency Domain Imaging (SFDI) is a quantitative wide-field imaging technique that uses light and diffuse optical spectroscopic principles to rapidly generate tissue optical property images. However, SFDI datasets present significant workflow challenges: they can be large (on the order of gigabytes), contain multiple image formats, and require computationally intensive processing. Additionally, SFDI images typically require calibration measurements, further complicating data organization. The proliferation of calibration data, imaging data, and processing options creates technical overhead and leads to reproducibility issues. While multiple "Open SFDI"initiatives exist, no standardized storage format has emerged, making the replication of published SFDI research difficult. Commercial solutions like Modulim's directory-based format contain trade secrets and lack open-source processing options. We are developing an open standard for SFDI images, extensible to multispectral...

Biological and Biologically Inspired Functional Nanostructures: Insights into Structural, Optical, Thermal, and Sensing Applications

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Biological materials developed over millennia consist of simple biogenic materials, yet exhibit exceptional functional properties. Leveraging design features from these structures with engineered nanomaterial components can lead to bio-inspired structures that demonstrate superior performance over traditional engineering materials. We describe nanoscale based architectures in biological systems, their role in enhancement of structural, optical, thermal and sensing properties, and their subsequent translation to bio-inspired structures. In structurally robust biological materials, we highlight nanoscale design features that enhance strength and stiffness, while retaining toughness. In optically active biological materials, we show how periodic nanostructures manipulate electromagnetic waves resulting in structural coloration as well as antireflective and camouflaging properties. Thermally regulating biological materials utilize nanopores and other nanostructural features to statically...

Characterization of global and region-specific transcriptomic alterations in the bladder following acute partial bladder outlet obstruction in female mini-swine.

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO) is a fibroproliferative disorder that results in poorly compliant, high-pressure bladders due to lower urinary tract occlusion. The mechanisms governing pBOO-induced bladder remodeling remain poorly understood. The goals of the present study were to profile global and region-specific transcriptomes of porcine bladders in response to pBOO using RNA sequencing and to identify genes and pathways differentially affected in the bladder dome and trigone by obstructive injury. Nine adult female Yucatan mini-swine were randomized and divided into either nonsurgical controls (n = 5) or those subjected to pBOO for 4 weeks (n = 4). Post-pBOO swine demonstrated bladder smooth muscle hypertrophy as well as significant declines in bladder capacity (35% ± 7% of baseline) and compliance (38% ± 10% of baseline). The global transcriptome of obstructed bladders revealed enrichment of processes related to loss of urothelial barrier function, immune activation,...

Mapping Polyamide–DNA Interactions in Human Cells Reveals a New Design Strategy for Effective Targeting of Genomic Sites

Wed, 9 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Targeting the genome with sequence-specific synthetic molecules is a major goal at the interface of chemistry, biology, and personalized medicine. Pyrrole/imidazole-based polyamides can be rationally designed to target specific DNA sequences with exquisite precision in vitro; yet, the biological outcomes are often difficult to interpret using current models of binding energetics. To directly identify the binding sites of polyamides across the genome, we designed, synthesized, and tested polyamide derivatives that enabled covalent crosslinking and localization of polyamide-DNA interaction sites in live human cells. Bioinformatic analysis of the data reveals that clustered binding sites, spanning a broad range of affinities, best predict occupancy in cells. In contrast to the prevailing paradigm of targeting single high-affinity sites, our results point to a new design principle to deploy polyamides and perhaps other synthetic molecules to effectively target desired genomic sites...

Axonal theta oscillations evoke bursting in target hippocampal subregions.

Wed, 9 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

OBJECTIVE: Local field potentials (LFPs) measured in the extracellular matrix of the brain are postulated to arise from the integration of synaptic ionic currents and spread by volume conduction. However, there is a lack of consensus on whether these spatiotemporal voltage gradients are just an epiphenomenon of spiking or if the LFPs play a functional role in information processing. APPROACH: To examine a potential functional role of LFPs in information processing, we developed a microfluidic device that allows neurons from the hippocampal formation to self-wire through microfluidic channels, effectively isolating the activity of single axons between subregions of the network. RESULTS: We recorded spontaneous theta-band activity (4-10 Hz) in these axons whose power spectra were independent of simultaneous spiking activity. The highest theta amplitudes above noise were seen intermittently in a sparse set of axons from the CA3 into the CA1. Source neurons for the axonal theta were...

Breaking the age-related redox spiral for regeneration.

Wed, 9 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Breaking the age-related redox spiral for regeneration.

Resource Allocation with Multi-Team Collaboration Based on Hamilton’s Rule

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This paper presents a multi-team collaboration strategy based on Hamilton’s rule from ecology that facilitates resource allocation among multiple teams, where agents are considered as shared resource among all teams that must be allocated appropriately. We construct an algorithmic framework that allows teams to make bids for agents that consider the costs and benefits of transferring agents while also considering relative mission importance for each team. This framework is applied to a multi-team coverage control mission to demonstrate its effectiveness. It is shown that the necessary criteria of a mission evaluation function are met by framing it as a function of the locational coverage cost of each team with respect to agent gain and loss, and these results are illustrated through simulations.

Cascade Dielectrophoretic Separation for Selective Enrichment of Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)-Producing Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Maintaining favorable biological productivities in photosynthetic biomanufacturing systems, especially when the risk of contamination with competing microbes is high, remains a challenge to achieve while maintaining economic feasibility. This study presents a dielectrophoresis (DEP)-based microfluidic approach for isolating a desired strain within a co-culture. The cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (a strain capable of producing the bioplastic precursor polyhydroxybutyrate, or PHB) was enriched from mixed cultures containing the competing cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 (which does not naturally produce PHB). A DEP cascade electrode system was established to increase purification efficiency through sequential enrichment, which leveraged inherent differences in cell morphology and dielectric properties, to achieve the selective separation of these strains under physiological conditions. A substantial increase in the relative abundance of PHB-producing...

Optimized Hough Circle Transform for Automated Microparticle Counting in Microfluidic Platforms

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Accurate identification and enumeration of microscopic particles are important for microfluidic analysis, electrokinetic studies, and microscopy-based characterization of microfabricated systems. This study presents an optimized Hough Circle Transform (HCT) workflow for automated particle detection, sizing, and counting. Gold interdigitated electrode arrays (IDEAs) were fabricated on wafer substrates to generate electroosmotic flow, and 3 μm and 5 μm polystyrene microbeads were used as model particles. The final workflow incorporates parallelized multicore parameter optimization and composite statistical metrics based on detection accuracy and frame-to-frame standard deviation, enabling a small manually counted calibration set to be converted into locked detection parameters. In the final validation workflow, 10 manually counted calibration frames were used to optimize HCT parameters for each of four scenarios, and the locked parameters were then validated on 50 new frames per...

Maternal allostatic load in pregnancy is prospectively associated with child adiposity and metabolic function across infancy and early childhood.

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

BACKGROUND: Empirical evidence suggests that the origins of obesity and metabolic dysfunction can be traced to stress-related exposures in prenatal life. The aim of the present study was to examine the prospective association of a composite, multi-system measure of maternal biological stress in pregnancy -- allostatic load (AL) -- with offspring adiposity and insulin resistance across infancy and early childhood. METHODS: In N = 55 mother-child dyads, maternal allostatic load was operationalized as a latent variable representing the following components: pre-pregnancy BMI, cortisol, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), free fatty acids, and systolic/diastolic blood pressure. Offspring percent total (%FM) and abdominal (%AbFM) fat were quantified with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at birth (newborn), 6-mo, and ∼5 yrs age, and HOMA-IR was quantified at ∼5 yrs age. Generalized estimating equation modeling was used to...

Microdystrophins partially rescue deficits of Duchenne muscular dystrophy iPSC-cardiomyocytes

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe muscle wasting disease caused by the lack of dystrophin. Dilated cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of death in DMD patients. Smaller variants of dystrophin, called microdystrophins, amenable to packaging into adeno-associated virus (AAV), have been shown to be effective in improving skeletal muscle function in animal models. However, the functional benefit of these microdystrophins in the DMD heart remains unclear. To determine the efficacy of microdystrophin gene therapy, we compared three microdystrophin variants in DMD cardiomyocytes (CMs) differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We used three DMD lines of different genetic backgrounds and benchmarked against controls expressing full-length dystrophin. We also tested a dystrophin variant, minidystrophin, which is larger than the microdystrophins. Our results show that microdystrophins partially rescue disease phenotypes; however, the results are variable...

Foundation Models for Zero-Shot Segmentation of Scientific Images without AI-Ready Data

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Zero-shot and prompt-based models have excelled at visual reasoning tasks by leveraging large-scale natural image corpora, but they often fail on sparse and domain-specific scientific image data. We introduce Zenesis, a no-code interactive computer vision platform designed to reduce data readiness bottlenecks in scientific imaging workflows. Zenesis integrates lightweight multimodal adaptation for zero-shot inference on raw scientific data, human-in-the-loop refinement, and heuristic-based temporal enhancement. We validate our approach on Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM) datasets of catalyst-loaded membranes. Zenesis outperforms baselines, achieving an average accuracy of 0.947, Intersection over Union (IoU) of 0.858, and Dice score of 0.923 on amorphous catalyst samples; and 0.987 accuracy, 0.857 IoU, and 0.923 Dice on crystalline samples. These results represent a significant performance gain over conventional methods such as Otsu thresholding and standalone...

Optimized hip-knee-ankle exoskeleton assistance at a range of walking speeds

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract Background Effective autonomous exoskeletons will need to be useful at a variety of walking speeds, but we do not know how optimal exoskeleton assistance should change with speed. Optimal exoskeleton assistance may increase with speed similar to biological torque changes or a well-tuned assistance profile may be effective at a variety of speeds. Methods We optimized hip-knee-ankle exoskeleton assistance to reduce metabolic cost for three participants walking at 1.0 m/s, 1.25 m/s and 1.5 m/s. We measured metabolic cost, muscle activity, exoskeleton assistance and kinematics. We performed two tailed paired t-tests to determine significance. Results Exoskeleton assistance reduced the metabolic cost of walking compared to wearing the exoskeleton with no torque applied by 26%, 47% and 50% at 1.0, 1.25 and 1.5 m/s, respectively. For all three participants, optimized exoskeleton ankle torque was the smallest for slow walking, while hip and knee torque changed slightly with...

Mitigation of hydrogen crossover in liquid alkaline water electrolysers using gas recombination catalysts

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The rising demand for hydrogen calls for improvements in the efficiency of liquid alkaline water electrolysers (LAWEs), which can be fulfilled by advanced electrodes or separators. Nevertheless, they also intensify hydrogen crossover and safety concerns, thus mandating efficient mitigation strategies. Here we studied the correlation between cathodes and hydrogen crossover behaviours and mitigated safety risks by designing a gas recombination catalyst (GRC). We attribute the elevated hydrogen crossover associated with platinum-based cathodes to their preferential utilization for the hydrogen evolution reaction that creates elevated hydrogen supersaturation, as evidenced by direct measurements of dissolved hydrogen concentration. Varying the placement of platinum layers relative to the cathode–separator interface also supports this conclusion. The implementation of a GRC reduces hydrogen crossover by 95% without affecting LAWE performance and functions for over 1,000 h at 1 A cm−2....

Two Faces of Mitral Stenosis: Uncovering Structural and Hemodynamic Signatures of Rheumatic and Mitral Annular Calcification–Induced Disease

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

BACKGROUND: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is common and associated with increased cardiovascular risk and, when severe, mitral stenosis (MS). MAC-related MS differs anatomically and hemodynamically from rheumatic MS (RMS), challenging standard diagnostic methods. This study compares structural and flow characteristics, including kinetic energy losses, across MAC-related MS, RMS, and normal mitral valves, and evaluates the applicability of conventional diagnostic metrics in MAC. METHODS: Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic data sets from 70 patients (22 normal mitral valves, 26 RMS valves, 22 MAC valves) were used to obtain linear, area, and volumetric measurements for valve comparison. Representative valves from each group were converted into 3-dimensional silicone models for in vitro testing in a heart flow simulator. Transmitral flow was assessed with particle image velocimetry, flow energetics were quantified, and coefficients of contraction...

From Polymer Structure to Valve Function: A Multiscale Evaluation of Polycarbonate Polyurethanes for Polymeric Mitral Valves

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

PurposePolymeric heart valves (PHVs) offer the potential to combine the durability of mechanical valves with the favorable hemodynamics of bioprosthetic valves; however, establishing clear relationships between polymer properties and valve-level function remains a key challenge. This study evaluates polycarbonate-based polyurethanes as candidate scaffold materials for polymeric mitral valves through a multiscale structure–function approach.MethodsTwo aromatic polycarbonate-based thermoplastic polyurethanes, Carbothane AC-4095A (CB95-AC) and QuadraSil ARCS 90A (Qsil), were characterized using rheological, mechanical, and spectroscopic analyses. Trileaflet valve scaffolds were fabricated and evaluated using particle image velocimetry (PIV), pressure–flow measurements, and accelerated wear testing (AWT) up to 50 million cycles. Preliminary in vivo performance was assessed following implantation of a CB95-AC valve in an ovine model.ResultsQsil exhibited higher solution viscosity,...

Structure of iridium oxide catalysts dictates performance differences for proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A systematic catalyst loading study reveals the higher catalytic activity of amorphous iridium oxide arises from bulk participation via suggested electrochemical descriptors, while identifying loading-independent intrinsic electrochemical properties. Proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) are promising zero-emission technologies. However, their high cost remains a barrier to widespread adoption. Iridium oxide is commonly used as an oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst, and its cost and scarcity make it essential to reduce its loading while increasing its activity. Evaluation of iridium oxide activity should be carried out in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) configuration to replicate realistic operating conditions. Herein, we present a comprehensive benchmarking framework to accurately evaluate the amorphous and crystalline iridium oxides at the MEA level. By systematically varying the catalyst loading, this study confirmed that each MEA was utilized...

Anion-exchange membrane water electrolysis: insights from round-robin testing

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

As research and industrial interest in anion-exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) grows, there is an increasing need for reliable baselines and cross-lab validation of results. The wide variety of material sets and operating conditions under consideration for AEMWE has thus far limited efforts for standardization. In this study, round-robin testing was conducted in deionized water and KOH-based supporting electrolyte by 5 institutions from academia, national laboratories, and industry to provide baseline performance data and identify sources of cross-lab variability. Baseline membrane electrode assemblies were fabricated with commercial catalysts, membranes, and transport layers using standard techniques and tested using reagent-grade electrolytes, aiming for accessibility rather than state-of-the-art performance. From all tests, the average voltage at 1 A/cm2 was 2.72 ± 0.17 V and 1.87 ± 0.03 V in deionized water and 0.1 M KOH, respectively. The maximum in-house and cross-lab...

Microfluidic Precision Engineered Artificial GARP Presenting Cells for Regulatory T-Cell Induction

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

PurposeThe incidence of autoimmune diseases has increased in Western societies, highlighting the need for novel treatment strategies. Current therapies, including biologics, are limited by high costs, potential adverse effects, and often lack specificity and long-term efficacy. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial for maintaining immune tolerance and represent a promising target for autoimmune disease therapies. However, current methods for inducing Tregs, such as in vitro cytokine combinations and in vivo antigen-specific approaches, face challenges in stability and effectiveness. This research aims to develop an innovative artificial cell platform to enhance Treg induction for autoimmune disease treatment.MethodsThis study developed artificial GARP-presenting cells (aGPCs), an innovative artificial cell platform designed to mimic natural cellular functions and enhance Treg induction. We evaluated aGPC efficacy in inducing Tregs both in vitro and in vivo, comparing results...

Correlating ultrasonic communication with behavior in a small-scale rat colony living in a naturalistic habitat

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Traditional studies of rat communication have focused on a few individuals in simplified laboratory settings, leaving colony-level vocal-behavioral dynamics largely unexplored. Here, we examined the nocturnal lives of a rat colony housed in an enhanced naturalistic habitat (ENH). Using infrared cameras and ultrasound microphones, we recorded 18,412 ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) alongside social behaviors. Analyses revealed structurally distinct USVs not previously characterized statistically or behaviorally. Notably, 22 kHz calls-typically associated with aversion-occurred across multiple social behaviors lacking obvious aversive context. Brief exposure to cat hair elicited uniquely modified 22 kHz calls as rats fled to their burrows, remaining hidden for two days. The introduction of an unfamiliar caged rat, and the disruption of the colony's social structure then showed how social stressors alter vocal-behavioral dynamics. These findings reveal the structured and context-sensitive...

Heart–Lung Interactions in Pulmonary Hypertension due to Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Pulmonary hypertension associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (PH-HFpEF) is a common and high-risk clinical condition characterized by the convergence of pulmonary vascular dysfunction and right ventricular (RV) stress. Despite its prevalence, the pathophysiological mechanisms of development and progression of PH-HFpEF remain largely unknown. Consequently, there are no current therapies that target PH-HFpEF other than optimization of treatment for HFpEF and some limited adaptation of therapies for pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). This review examines PH-HFpEF through the lens of heart-lung interactions, integrating evidence across hemodynamic, molecular, and cellular scales. We highlight how chronic venous pressure overload, impaired pulmonary vascular reserve, and increased pulsatile load reshape RV afterload and contribute to RV-pulmonary arterial uncoupling, particularly during physiological stress such as exercise. We further discuss how endothelial...

Stronger pre-surgical functional connectivity networks are associated with improved surgical outcome in temporal lobe epilepsy

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the network differences in pre-surgical resting-state EEG between individuals with unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy who become seizure-free and those who continue to have seizures after epilepsy surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 15 individuals with unilateral TLE who were seizure-free (SF) after epilepsy surgery and 13 who continued to have seizures post-surgery (nSF). Functional connectivity was measured using cross-correlation techniques on clips of resting-state scalp EEG that were free of any visually apparent epileptiform abnormalities. RESULTS: Stronger pre-surgical functional connectivity was associated with favorable post-surgical outcomes. The SF group demonstrated significantly higher connectivity strength, particularly in cross-hemispheric and intra-hemispheric networks involving the ictal hemisphere (P = 0.02). Functional connectivity strength predicted post-surgical seizure freedom with 75 % accuracy...

Prediction of treatment response in infantile epileptic spasms syndrome using EEG phase–amplitude coupling

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

OBJECTIVE: Treatment selection for infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) is complex and multifaceted, and currently no electroencephalogram (EEG) biomarkers can guide this decision by predicting treatment response. We tested the predictive value of phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) as IESS patients are known to have elevated PAC. METHODS: We analyzed retrospective EEG recordings from 40 IESS patients, before and after treatment, and 20 healthy controls. Patients were classified as responders (n = 25) or nonresponders (n = 15) based on short-term treatment outcomes. We measured PAC in each EEG using modulation index (MI) and mean vector length (MVL) and analyzed the relationship between pre- and posttreatment values and the ability of pretreatment values to predict response. RESULTS: MI and MVL values decreased with treatment in almost all subjects. However, nonresponders had significantly higher pretreatment MI than responders (p < 0.05), suggesting utility for predicting...

From state of the practice to state of the art: improving equity analysis in regional transportation plans

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in the United States develop long-range Regional transportation plans (RTPs), which are required in order for municipalities to receive federal funds for transportation projects. Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires MPOs to submit an equity analysis to demonstrate that their RTPs do not discriminate against protected groups. This paper (i) identifies and evaluates the current range of practices in transportation equity analysis in RTPs for the largest MPOs, and (ii) provides practical steps for MPOs to improve their equity analyses. To identify the range of practices, we assess how MPOs define equity goals, identify populations of concern, integrate their equity analysis into their RTP documents, use community input, and whether they meet or exceed legal standards. Additionally, we evaluate how MPOs use travel forecasting models in their equity analyses and the quality of their models; we also describe practical steps...

Physiological ripples during sleep in scalp electroencephalogram of healthy infants

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Physiological ripples during sleep in scalp electroencephalogram of healthy infants

EEG functional connectivity as a marker of evolution from infantile epileptic spasms syndrome to Lennox–Gastaut syndrome

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

OBJECTIVE: Timely diagnosis and effective treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) improve prognosis and lower health care costs, but the transition from infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) to LGS is highly variable and insidious. Objective biomarkers are needed to monitor this progression and guide clinical decision-making. METHODS: We retrospectively collected longitudinal EEG data at the Children's Hospital of Orange County from 15 children who were diagnosed with IESS and later with LGS between 2012 and 2021. Electroencephalography studies were from IESS and LGS diagnoses, between the two diagnoses, and following LGS diagnosis. Functional connectivity networks were calculated using a cross-correlation-based method and assessed relative to diagnostic timepoint, treatment response, and the presence of clinical markers of disease, age, and amplitude of interictal spikes. RESULTS: Connectivity strength was high at LGS diagnosis and decreased after favorable response to...

Ion-exchange-mediated pre-association gates interfacial PCET

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Interfacial proton-coupled electron transfer (I-PCET) is typically viewed as a single elementary reaction despite general recognition that analogous solution-phase reactivity requires proton donor-acceptor pre-association. Herein, we examine the role of pre-association in I-PCET to a graphite-conjugated carboxylic acid (GC-COOH) surface by quantifying electrolyte pH and I-PCET kinetics as a function of NaClO4 concentrations up to 17 mol kg−1. In acidic and acetate-buffered media, we observed attenuations in the I-PCET rate relative to those expected given the solution pH. To account for the influence of electrolyte concentration on I-PCET rate, we propose a multiple-step model wherein the exchange of interfacial Na+ for H3O+ to form a hydrogen-bonded pre-association complex precedes rate-limiting concerted proton-electron transfer. In this model, the increased electrolyte concentration inhibits H3O+ pre-association, a phenomenon that is recovered in molecular dynamics simulations....

Semi-autonomous liquid handling via on-chip pneumatic digital logic

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This report presents a liquid-handling chip capable of executing metering, mixing, incubation, and wash procedures largely under the control of on-board pneumatic circuitry. The only required inputs are four static selection lines to choose between the four machine states, and one additional line for power. State selection is simple: constant application of vacuum to an input causes the device to execute one of its four liquid handling operations. Programmed control of 31 valves, including fast coordinated cycling for peristaltic pumping, is accomplished by pneumatic digital logic circuits built out of microfluidic valves and channels rather than electronics, eliminating the need for the off-chip control machinery that is typically required for integrated microfluidics.

Electric vehicle charging as a monthly budget: portfolio preferences across working Americans

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We examine electric vehicle (EV) charging location preferences by investigating how drivers allocate monthly charging sessions across home, workplace, and public locations. In contrast to earlier studies that treat charging location as a one-time, discrete choice, we examine preferences for combinations of all three locations over a monthly period. We employ a multiple discrete–continuous extreme value (MDCEV) model using stated preference data from 881 employed EV drivers across the United States. Results show that 88.9% of charging decisions involve multiple locations. Home charging is preferred overall, followed by workplace and public. Drivers with private driveways, single-family homes, or solar panels, as well as older adults have higher home charging preferences, though battery storage moderates the pull of solar toward home. Urban residents rely more on public charging, while workplace charging is highly price-elastic, offering employers a demand management lever. Our...

SCREENING FOR EARLY LIFE UNPREDICTABILITY IN PEDIATRIC PRIMARY CARE IDENTIFIES CHILD OBESITY RISK

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

SCREENING FOR EARLY LIFE UNPREDICTABILITY IN PEDIATRIC PRIMARY CARE IDENTIFIES CHILD OBESITY RISK

Limbic‐predominant age‐related TDP‐43 encephalopathy, but Not Alzheimer's Disease, neuropathological changes are associated with Physical Performance Decline in the Oldest Old: Insights from The 90+ Study

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

AbstractBackground

To examine physical performance longitudinal trajectories in relation to Alzheimer's Disease Neuropathological Changes (ADNC) and Limbic‐predominant age‐related TDP‐43 encephalopathy neuropathological changes (LATE‐NC) at autopsy. ADNC and LATE‐NC have similar cognitive presentations, but it is unclear whether physical presentation is similar as well.

Method

Participants were from The 90+ Study, a longitudinal study of aging among individuals 90 years and older with evaluations every 6 months. We used 4 physical performance measures including gait speed, the Five Times Sit to Stand test (5XSST), grip strength, balance, and a composite summing the 4 measures. Each measure was scored from 0 (unable to perform) to 4 (best performance), the composite from 0 to 16. Neuropathological changes from brain autopsies were dichotomized: ADNC as intermediate/high versus none/low and LATE‐NC as present versus absent. To examine the longitudinal association of ADNC...

ESPRESSO: Spatiotemporal omics based on organelle phenotyping reveals dynamic cell state transitions

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

ESPRESSO: Spatiotemporal omics based on organelle phenotyping reveals dynamic cell state transitions

Characterizing wildfire behavior with ECOSTRESS land surface temperature across four California case studies

Wed, 3 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Since 2000, wildfires in the western United States have increased in both frequency and intensity due to hydro-meteorological shifts, prolonged drought, and expanded human activity. Although geostationary systems enable rapid detection and moderate-resolution sensors offer broad coverage, a gap persists for high-spatial-resolution thermal observations that can assess fine-scale fire behavior. The ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) provides 70-meter land surface temperature (LST) observations with 1–5 days average revisit intervals, providing enhanced spatial detail for active-fire analysis. In this study, we evaluate the capability of ECOSTRESS Level 2 LST data, which uses 5 thermal bands, to characterize wildfire behavior across four California fires: Carr (2018), Kincade (2019), August Complex (2020), and Dixie (2021). We developed a consistent framework to identify hotspots (LST ≥ 60 ° C ), estimate a satellite-derived rate-of-spread...

Integrated Strain–Flow Analysis for Early Assessment of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

PurposeEarly detection of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is essential in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) but remains challenging using conventional echocardiography. This study investigates the feasibility of a noninvasive, physics-based framework using three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography that integrates myocardial strain and volumetric flow analysis to characterize RV mechanical performance across stages of PAH.MethodsA prospective pilot study (N = 15) enrolled healthy controls, PAH patients with preserved RV size, and PAH patients with RV dysfunction. Deformation was evaluated by principal strain analysis and by conventional (longitudinal, circumferential) components. Hemodynamic metrics included hemodynamic forces and energetic properties that were derived using a physics-informed volumetric echocardiographic particle image velocimetry (V-Echo-PIV) method applied to contrast-enhanced acquisitions.ResultsDeformation analysis revealed that longitudinal...

Hippocampal ensembles represent sequential relationships among discrete nonspatial events

Thu, 7 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

ABSTRACT The hippocampus is critical to the temporal organization of our experiences, including the ability to remember past event sequences and predict future ones. Although this fundamental capacity is conserved across modalities and species, its underlying neuronal mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here we recorded hippocampal ensemble activity as rats remembered a sequence of nonspatial events (5 odor presentations unfolding over several seconds), using a task with established parallels in humans. Using novel statistical methods and deep learning techniques, we then identified new forms of sequential organization in hippocampal activity linked with task performance. We discovered that sequential firing fields (“time cells”) provided temporal information within and across events in the sequence, and that distinct types of task-critical information (stimulus identity, temporal order, and trial outcome) were also sequentially differentiated within event presentations. Finally,...

High Performance Dental Ceramics Through 3D Printing

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

DLP 3D printing offers a promising route for fabricating customized dental ceramics, but achieving dense and reliable parts remains challenging. This project develops high solid loading glass-ceramic slurries using two glass compositions milled to controlled particle sizes and incorporated into photocurable resin systems. Processing parameters like viscosity, exposure conditions, and particle distribution were optimized to improve printability and reduce defects. Printed parts were debound and sintered to promote densification, followed by microstructural and thermal characterization.

Characterization of dynamics of encapsulated small molecule Nile red in biodegradable polymer using 2D IR methods

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Biodegradable polymers are seen as a promising option for drug delivery. Here, we applied 2D IR methods with scattering removal to characterize the vibrational dynamics of encapsulated Nile red in amphiphilic block copolymer polyethylene glycol-block-polycaprolatone. Nile red was chosen because it is a commonly used hydrophobic dye molecule. Comparing the absorptive spectra, the splitting of diagonal peaks in nonrephasing spectra confirms the encapsulation of Nile red in the presence of polymer droplets. Pump-probe lifetime data exhibit multiple exponential decays and oscillations, which were fitted to quantify the encapsulation. Waiting time dependent 2D IR spectra were acquired and simulated to characterize the dynamics of the encapsulated Nile red. From these results, we can determine that a portion of the Nile red population, in the presence of polymer, exhibits distinctly different vibrational dynamics, consistent with encapsulation within coacervate microdroplets.

Integrating Aircraft Performance in Traffic Flow Management Analysis for Advanced Air Mobility

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Integrating advanced air mobility (AAM) into existing airspace will require substantial research and development regarding how diverse vehicles can operate cooperatively and safely in congested environments. Effective integration of AAM will hinge on the ability to develop robust, alternative traffic flow management techniques tailored specifically to the unique demands of AAM. This research introduces an air traffic management simulation framework for AAM operations, implemented in the open-source platform BlueSky. The framework characterizes airspace through demand models and vertiport networks and integrates high-fidelity vehicle performance and source noise models, enabling a deeper evaluation of flow management methods and the connection between noise and aircraft operations for mixed fleets of unique AAM vehicles. Performance is assessed through metrics of efficiency, safety, energy usage, and community noise exposure. The framework is exercised for an example AAM airspace...

Analysis of Operational Factors Contributing to Aircraft Overflight Noise Variation

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Significant variations in measured overflight noise are observed from airport monitor networks, even for similar aircraft flying comparable operational procedures. Operational factors, including aircraft configuration, acceleration and deceleration procedures, thrust profiles, and associated environmental factors, can impact noise. To assess these impacts, operational Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast surveillance and weather data were associated with noise monitor recordings for a 3-year period at Seattle-Tacoma and John Wayne International Airports for Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-700, and Airbus A320 aircraft. The impact of flight procedures on noise observations is assessed by evaluating flight profiles by airline to investigate the impact of differences in departure and arrival procedures. It was observed that aircraft weight and thrust correlate positively with noise on departure. At John Wayne Airport, there is evidence that thrust variations can result in large...

Ultrasound-Integrated Urinary Catheter for Minimally-Invasive Cervical & Fetal Monitoring

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Over 4 million births occur in the United States annually, and nearly all laboring mothers undergo multiple manual exams to assess cervical dilation and effacement as part of labor progression. Assessing cervical dilation is a critical part of labor management. However, manual cervical exam poses a risk of infection that can lead to maternal and fetal complications, and these exams are subjective with variability rates as high as 50%. Our innovation leverages the anatomical proximity of the bladder and uterus to obtain labor metrics. 75% of mothers receive an epidural for pain management and are unable to feel their lower body, resulting in the need for a urinary catheter to drain the bladder. We propose an ultrasound-integrated urinary catheter to provide continuous, objective measurements of both cervical dilation and fetal vitals while seamlessly integrating into the existing standard for labor management. The ultrasound-integrated urinary catheter could transform obstetric...

Evaluating synthesized speech intelligibility in noise

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Humans can modify their speech to improve intelligibility in noisy environments. With the advancement of speech synthesis technology, machines may also synthesize voices that remain highly intelligible in noise condition. This study evaluates both the subjective and objective intelligibility of synthesized speech in speech-shaped noise from three major speech synthesis platforms. It was found that synthesized voices have a similar intelligibility range to human voices, and some synthesized voices were more intelligible than human voices. It was also found that two modern automatic speech recognition systems recognized 10% more words than human listeners.

Towards Verifying Crash Consistency

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Compute Express Link (CXL) memory sharing, persistent memory, and other related technologies allow data to survive crash events. A key challenge is ensuring that data is consistent after crashes such that it can be safely accessed. While there has been much work on bug-finding tools for persistent memory programs, these tools cannot guarantee that a program is crash-consistent. In this paper, we present a language, CrashLang, and its type system, that together guarantee that well-typed data structure implementations written in CrashLang are crash-consistent. CrashLang leverages the well-known commit-store pattern in which a single store logically commits an entire data structure operation. In this paper, we prove that well-typed CrashLang programs are crash-consistent, and provide a prototype implementation of the CrashLang compiler. We have evaluated CrashLang on five benchmarks: the Harris linked list, the Treiber stack, the Michael–Scott queue, a Read-Copy-Update binary search...

Detrended fluctuation analysis of amygdala-hippocampal beta synchrony reveals network rigidity in depression associated with temporal lobe epilepsy.

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Objective Depressive symptoms are common in individuals with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), yet the network dynamics linking limbic circuitry to mood disturbance in TLE remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated whether the temporal organization of amygdala-hippocampal beta synchrony reflects depressive symptom burden in individuals with TLE undergoing intracranial EEG (iEEG) monitoring. Approach We analyzed iEEG recordings from 14 adults with TLE who underwent intracranial monitoring as part of routine pre-surgical evaluation. Dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) in the beta band was calculated between the amygdala and the hippocampus, and the temporal structure of the dFC was quantified using detrended fluctuation analysis. Random permutation of epochs was performed to assess the influence of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) on the network dynamics. We additionally extracted the ultra-slow fluctuations in dFC and assessed whether the timing of the IEDs was phase-locked...

Automated Insertion of Flushes and Fences for Persistency

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

CXL shared memory and persistent memory allow the contents of memory to persist beyond crashes. Stores to persistent or CXL memory are typically not immediately made persistent; developers must manually flush the corresponding cache lines to force the data to be written to the underlying storage. Correctly using flush and fence operations is known to be challenging. While state-of-the-art tools can find missing flush instructions, they often require bug-revealing test cases. No existing tools can ensure the absence of missing flush bugs. In this paper, we present PMRobust, a compiler that automatically inserts flush and fence operations to ensure that code using persistent memory is free from missing flush and fence bugs. PMRobust employs a novel static analysis with optimizations that target newly allocated objects. We have evaluated PMRobust on persistent memory libraries and several persistent memory data structures and measured a geometric mean overhead of 0.26% relative to...

NeoFusion: Fully Mechanical Syringe Pump for Low-Resource Countries

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

There are approximately 6,500 newborn deaths each day. Despite many of these deaths being preventable by proper access to quality healthcare, the world continues to see a health crisis that disproportionately impacts low-and-middle income countries (LMICs), with about 98% of newborn deaths occurring in these regions. The WHO has identified syringe pumps as necessary medical devices because they can gradually deliver precise amounts of medication, fluids, nutrients, and electrolytes to neonates. However, the majority of syringe infusion pumps currently on the market depend on electricity, which can be unreliable in areas lacking proper infrastructure. Our solution, NeoFusion, does not require electricity and is fully mechanical, powered by the potential energy stored in a spring. Preliminary trials with our prototype achieved accurate and adjustable flow rates. In future designs, we will incorporate a visual and auditory alarm system for occlusions.

Electromyography (EMG) Controlled Prosthetic Hand

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Traditional prosthetics are often prohibitively expensive ($5,000–$100,000+) and can require invasive medical procedures to function. To address this, we developed a low-cost, electromyography (EMG) controlled prosthetic hand that utilizes an embedded convolutional neural network (CNN) to translate muscle signals into mechanical motion. Using a non-invasive dry-electrode on the wrist, raw EMG data is processed and classified in under 40 milliseconds on average. The CNN accurately identifies three predefined hand gestures with >90% accuracy. By keeping total manufacturing costs, including electronics, mechanical hardware, and filament, to just $260, this project demonstrates the viability of highly accessible, neural-network-driven prosthetics.

Quantifying Removal of Selenium by Aquatic Plants via Methylation and Volatilization in San Joaquin Marsh (SJM)

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The San Joaquin Marsh (SJM) is a constructed wetland located in Irvine, California within the Newport Bay watershed that offers hiking trails to residents and serves as a protected wildlife sanctuary. A prominent feature of the habitat is the natural wetland treatment system, where urban runoff and groundwater travels through a series of ponds with vegetation, and the effluent (clean water) makes its way towards upper Newport Bay and the ocean. One major pollutant of emerging concern present in the marsh is selenium (Se), a naturally occurring element in the surrounding foothills around the area. At high levels, Se can be toxic to native aquatic plants and animals present in this ecosystem. Our team is working with Dr. Jian Peng from AtkinsRéalis, our Industry Advisor, to quantify the levels of Se volatilization occurring in the watershed, focusing primarily on the SJM and San Diego Creek. The goal of this project is to gather data and analyze the amount of Se removal via volatilization....

Flapping-Wing Micro-Air-Vehicle Project (FMMAV)

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We are a student-led research team dedicated to bridging the gap between natural flight and modern engineering by studying the complex aerodynamics of flapping wings. Our project focuses on evolving our quadflapper and novel prototypes into high-performance aerial vehicles that challenge the efficiency of traditional propeller drones.

Photon Flight

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Photon Flight is a FAA Group 1 fiber optic tethered drone developed for search-and-rescue operations. The drone uses a bidirectional SFP fiber module paired with single mode fiber optic cable to prevent signal interference and operate in damaged infrastructure without GPS availability. A mounted camera leverages pretrained AI models for autonomous tracking of targets and live feed video.

UCI Rocket Project Solids: RPS-003 Light Fury

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The UCI Rocket Project Solids (RPS) undergraduate team presents their 2025-26 design and manufacturing process for their latest rocket: Light Fury. RPS operates on a one-year design cycle while implementing new design aspects to expand the depth of the team's engineering capabilities. This APCP-based solid propellant rocket features a 5U Cubesat payload with a deployable rover and UCI's first-ever active control airbrake system, alongside custom-manufactured carbon fiber and fiberglass airframes and fins. Light Fury is set to compete in the 2026 International Rocket Engineering Competition in Texas, where the rocket must reach an exact 10,000ft. apogee achieved by the airbrake system. This poster details their progress throughout the 2025-26 year, from initial design choices, testing procedures, static fires, and launches on their testbed rocket: Night Fury.

Wireless Drone Charging Station

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Drone operation time is constrained by battery capacity and the need for manual recharging. This project developed an autonomous wireless charging station based on resonant inductive coupling. A two-stage inverter operating at 166.7 kHz drives the coupled coils, and the received power is rectified and buck-regulated to 8.4 V for the battery rail. This confirms end-to-end power transfer through the full chain; however, charging does not start when the battery is connected, indicating a load-dependent issue such as insufficient current delivery. Future work will characterize the system under load and implement appropriate charge control to enable reliable battery charging.

Drone Magnetic Deployment System: Electro-Permanet Magnets

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Mag-Vengers partnered with Design West Technologies (DWT) to develop a compact drone deployment system to remotely release multi-gas sensors while minimizing size, weight, and power (SWaP). The design replaces conventional mechanisms with electro-permanent magnets (EPMs), which draw power only during switching between “ON” and “OFF”, reducing mass and improving energy efficiency while enabling reliable individual release during high-speed flight. The system is compatible with DWT’s existing drone platforms, supports flexible mounting configurations, and carries at least 6 sensor pucks. Each EPM operates with short 5 A pulses to produce 19.4 N holding force. Simulation and testing were used to optimize performance and ensure safe, repeatable deployment.

Controlling an Infinity Fountain Infinitely