Dynamic Force Measurement at the Microgram Level, with Application to Myofibrils of Striated Muscle

We describe a system for measurement of the dynamic mechanical properties of small bundles of myofibrils of muscle. Underwater fiber-optic sensing of tension via displacement of a quartz beam has been accomplished with a noise level of about 100 nanoNewtons in a bandwidth of 1 to 40 Hz.     

CX3CL1 Action on Microglia Protects from Diet-Induced Obesity by Restoring POMC Neuronal Excitability and Melanocortin System Activity Impaired by High-Fat Diet Feeding

Both hypothalamic microglial inflammation and melanocortin pathway dysfunction contribute to diet-induced obesity (DIO) pathogenesis. Previous studies involving models of altered microglial signaling demonstrate altered DIO susceptibility with corresponding POMC neuron cytological changes, suggesting a link between microglia and the melanocortin system. We addressed this hypothesis using the specific microglial silencing molecule, CX3CL1 (fractalkine), to determine whether reducing hypothalamic microglial activation can restore POMC/melanocortin signaling to protect against DIO. We performed metabolic analyses in high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice with targeted viral overexpression of CX3CL1 in the hypothalamus. Electrophysiologic recording in hypothalamic slices from POMC-MAPT-GFP mice was used to determine the effects of HFD feeding and microglial silencing via minocycline or CX3CL1 on GFP-labeled POMC neurons. Finally, mice with hypothalamic overexpression of CX3CL1 received central treatment with the melanocortin receptor antagonist SHU9119 to determine whether melanocortin signaling is required for the metabolic benefits of CX3CL1. Hypothalamic overexpression of CX3CL1 increased leptin sensitivity and POMC gene expression, while reducing weight gain in animals fed an HFD. In electrophysiological recordings from hypothalamic slice preparations, HFD feeding was associated with reduced POMC neuron excitability and increased amplitude of inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Microglial silencing using minocycline or CX3CL1 treatment reversed these HFD-induced changes in POMC neuron electrophysiologic properties. Correspondingly, blockade of melanocortin receptor signaling in vivo prevented both the acute and chronic reduction in food intake and body weight mediated by CX3CL1. Our results show that suppressing microglial activation during HFD feeding reduces DIO susceptibility via a mechanism involving increased POMC neuron excitability and melanocortin signaling.     

Chemical Coupled PEDOT:PSS/Si Electrode: Suppressed Electrolyte Consumption Enables Long‑Term Stability

Huge volume changes of Si during lithiation/delithiation lead to regeneration of solid-electrolyte interphase(SEI)and consume electrolyte.In this article,γ-glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane(GOPS)was incorporated in Si/PEDOT:PSS electrodes to construct a flexible and conductive artificial SEI,effectively suppressing the consumption of electrolyte.The optimized electrode can maintain 1000 mAh g^−1 for nearly 800 cycles under limited electrolyte compared with 40 cycles of the electrodes without GOPS.Also,the optimized electrode exhibits excellent rate capability.The use of GOPS greatly improves the interface compatibility between Si and PEDOT:PSS.XPS Ar+etching depth analysis proved that the addition of GOPS is conducive to forming a more stable SEI.A full battery assembled with NCM 523 cathode delivers a high energy density of 520 Wh kg^−1,offering good stability.     

快速煅烧分解石灰石对其吸收CO2和SO2的影响

在加热过程中,应用一种新型的快速加热装置——铂膜反应器,及时准确地获得样品质量和颗粒温度,来研究石灰石的煅烧分解,并对石灰石加热速率高达750℃/s下的分解反应特性,及其对分解后产生的氧化钙吸收CO2和脱硫的化学反应特性进行了研究.实验表明,在初始加热阶段,高升温速率明显阻碍了煅烧分解的进行,这对分解后的CaO吸收CO2的效果影响不大.当加热速率升高时,石灰石分解后产生的CaO吸收CO2和脱硫过程中,钙利用率显著下降.     

油水两相非达西试井分析新进展及其展望

简述了低渗透油藏、油水两相低渗透油藏非达西试井分析研究的新进展。提出对低渗透油藏应建立公认的非达西渗流数学模型,准则数、数值试井模型及分析方法,指出低渗透油藏是否存在非达西渗流,除加强渗流特征的影响因素、渗流形成机理的研究之外,还要从实验上能够模拟代表真实的现场条件的体现度。     

Measures of larval lake whitefish length and abundance as early predictors of year-class strength in Lake Michigan

Many lake whitefish stocks in Lake Michigan have experienced substantial declines in growth and condition since the 1990s. Reduced growth and condition could result in reduced quality or quantity of eggs produced by spawning females, which in turn could negatively impact recruitment. We evaluated the potential for reduced recruitment by measuring early life stage density and length, and we discuss the utility of these measures as early indicators of lake whitefish year-class strength. Overall, mean larval density (number per 1000 m³ ± SE) in Lake Michigan was greater in 2006 (373.7 ± 28.3) than in 2005 (16.6 ± 24.8); whereas, mean length (mm ± SE) of larval lake whitefish was smaller in 2006 (12.87 ± 0.07) than in 2005 (14.38 ± 0.13). The ratio of zooplankton to fish density did not show an expected relationship with larval fish density or length. Rather, variation in larval density was best explained by a multiple-regression model that included larval length, spring wind intensity, and adult stock density as predictor variables. Our results suggest that the density of larval lake whitefish is not directly regulated by temperature or zooplankton density at the time of emergence, but that a potential for density-dependent regulation exists when larval emergence rates are high. We conclude that the observed declines in growth and condition of adult lake whitefish are not resulting in substantial reductions in recruitment.     

Miniaturized Flexible Electronic Systems with Wireless Power and Near‐Field Communication Capabilities

A class of thin, lightweight, flexible, near‐field communication (NFC) devices with ultraminiaturized format is introduced, and systematic investigations of the mechanics, radio frequency characteristics, and materials aspects associated with their optimized construction are presented. These systems allow advantages in mechanical strength, placement versatility, and minimized interfacial stresses compared to other NFC technologies and wearable electronics. Detailed experimental studies and theoretical modeling of the mechanical and electromagnetic properties of these systems establish understanding of the key design considerations. These concepts can apply to many other types of wireless communication systems including biosensors and electronic implants.     

具有ESD防护及过流保护功能的VDMOS设计

提出了一种芯片集成实现ESD防护及过流保护功能的VDMOS器件设计。在对电流采样原理分析的基础上,提出了一种适用于功率器件的局域电流采样方法及对应的过流保护电路结构,该方案具有结构简单、低功耗的特点。利用反向串联多晶硅二极管实现对VDMOS器件栅氧化层的ESD保护。完成了VDMOS的工艺流程设计,实现了保护电路中各子元件与主功率器件的工艺兼容。二维数值模拟表明:所设计的过流保护电路在室温下能实现38.4 A的限流能力,ESD保护能够达到2 000 V(HBM),能有效提高VDMOS在系统中的稳定性和可靠性。     

Role of interfacial-charge in the growth of GaN on α-SiC

The growth of GaN and A1N films on (0001) substrates of 6H-SiC has produced high-quality opto-electronic films. The SiC surface at the interface with GaN or A1N is either Si-terminated or C-terminated, and the Si-terminated interface is known to be the better substrate, producing higher-quality films. The polarity of the interface is important, as recognized by Sasaki and Matsuoka. We propose that the main relevant parameter for characterizing the interface and its potential for producing high-quality opto-electronic GaN or A1N films is the interfacial charge, which leads to the best films when the charge is positive and relatively large. The positive charge reduces the size of the Nions at the interface and hence improves the local lattice match. (The charges are approximately −0.45 lei and +0.55 lei on the interfacial N and Si atoms, respectively.) Therefore, while the polarity of the interface is important, the polarity's effect on the local lattice mismatch is what leads to a high-quality interface. These ideas are consistent with XPS data and are supported by electronegativity arguments, by calculations for ordinary mono-bonded GaN/SiC superlattices (with N-Si and Ga-C interfaces) and by computations for superlattices with tri-bonded interfaces. We predict that the tri-bonded N-Si interface of GaN/SiC should produce excellent GaN and AIN films.     

Energy cost and error performance of range-aware, anchor-free localization algorithms

Many applications that use sensor data from a wireless sensor network (WSN) require corresponding node position information as well. Therefore, it is not surprising that a common figure of merit for localization algorithms is the accuracy of the position estimate produced. Similarly, the amount of communication required by a localization algorithm is often of paramount interest as well since it is common knowledge that communication expends the most energy in a WSN. However, localization algorithms seldom characterize their communication cost. Furthermore, when they do it is often merely qualitative and is typically described as “expensive”. For two types of range-aware, anchor-free localization algorithms we found the opposite to be true. Rather than being expensive, the communication costs were quite modest. So much so that we maintain range-aware, anchor-free localization algorithms should be chosen on the basis of the accuracy required by the intended application independent of the communication cost.In this paper, we examine the effect of node degree, node distribution, range error and network size on distance error and communication cost for both incremental and concurrent versions of range-aware, anchor-free algorithms. The concurrent algorithm is twice as accurate as the incremental, but less efficient. Furthermore, node degree influences the energy cost of the algorithms the most, but neither algorithm uses more than a surprisingly small 0.8% of a 560 mA h battery. This result indicates less energy efficient localization algorithms can be tolerated, especially if they provide better accuracy. Furthermore, if energy does need to be conserved, there is not much savings available within the localization algorithm and savings must be found in other areas such as the MAC protocol or routing algorithm.