Scott Sommerfeldt Elected ASA President

High-density multielectrode arrays (HD-MEAs) generate large, complex datasets that are challenging to efficiently manage and analyze with existing tools, especially in open-source environments. To address this, we developed the BYU Seizure and Analytics Tool (YSA), an open-source graphical user interface built in Python and C++ for efficient analysis and visualization of HD-MEA recordings. The YSA features raster plots, automated discharge detection and tracking, downsampling, playback, and export functions, enabling streamlined workflows for large-scale neural data. We demonstrate the utility of the tool in the context of seizure and status epilepticus-like activity, highlighting how the YSA facilitates rapid exploration of the spatiotemporal dynamics in brain networks. This platform provides an accessible and practical solution for HD-MEA data analysis, supporting a range of neuroscience applications.

Introduction: This study aims to explore the mechanical properties of porous microelectrodes formed from vertically aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) forests. Specifically, we investigate the range of effective CNT-based microelectrode (ME) moduli that can be fabricated and identify moduli within that range that significantly reduce strain on brain tissue during micromotion.Materials and methods: To address these questions, we developed a micromechanical measurement method, known as the dual deflection (DD) test, which is compatible with microelectrode array (MEA) form factors and can measure a wide range of moduli with a 30% uncertainty. Using the DD test with small deflections, we measured the effective Young’s modulus of freestanding CNT microelectrodes (MEs) fabricated with different carbon infiltration times (0, 15, and 30 s) at 900°C. We also developed a static 10 μm deflection finite element analysis (FEA) model to compare the brain tissue strain induced by probes with the maximum (1.7 GPa), median (72 MPa), and minimum (3.9 MPa) measured CNT moduli, along with the modulus of silicon (165 GPa) for comparison.Results: The DD test results showed mean effective moduli of 19.6 ± 14.5 MPa, 67.7 ± 22.7 MPa, and 168 ± 62.3 MPa for arrays fabricated with 0, 15, and 30 s infiltrations, respectively. The FEA model revealed that probes with the maximum CNT modulus induced similar strain to the silicon probes at the tip, while probes with the minimum and median CNT moduli showed minimal strain at the tip.Discussion: These findings suggest that CNT microelectrodes with moduli in the tens of MPa range, achievable through 15 s of carbon infiltration, can significantly reduce brain tissue strain. Additionally, we consistently observed that microelectrodes with 15 s of infiltration were apparently undamaged after deflection, making them mechanically promising candidates for neural probe arrays.

Double scheelite-type oxides of the form A+A′3+(WO4)2 are promising hosts for rare-earth-doped solid-state lasing materials. Using synchrotron X-ray and neutron powder diffraction with total scattering and pair distribution function analysis, the interplay between long-range symmetry and short-range distortions across the AA′(WO4)2 (A+ = Li, Na, K; A′3+ = La, Lu, Bi) series has been resolved. The Na- and La-containing oxides display an average tetragonal I41/a scheelite-type structure with disorder across the two A-site cations. Pronounced local-scale deviations arise from differences in A-site cation size, polarizability, and the presence of 6s2 lone pair activity, with symmetry-lowering required to model the bonding requirements of each (A/A′)O8 polyhedron. These requirements are better captured by the partial cation ordering and displacements allowed by a monoclinic I2 small-box model. When A+ = Li or K, the Lu-containing analogues order across the A site and display long-range symmetry lowering to nonscheelite monoclinic structures, consistent with the less polarizable LuO8 polyhedra. Reverse Monte Carlo modeling reveals an interplay between cation size and the polarizability of A-site cations, explaining and establishing structural design principles for tuning local environments and optimizing emission bandwidths in scheelite-based solid-state laser hosts.

We describe efforts to develop broadband mirror coatings with high performance that will extend from the far-ultraviolet (FUV) to infrared wavelengths. Our team at the Goddard Space Flight Center has developed a reactive physical vapor deposition (rPVD) process that combines a fluorination with a XeF2 gas (which grants a thin AlF3 layer) in between the Al and the metal-fluoride protection layer (either LiF or MgF2) that are done with the conventional PVD process. This recently developed rPVD process produces protected Al mirrors coatings with an improved average FUV reflectance between 10% and 15% higher (when compared with conventionally prepared samples). We have termed these coatings as XeLiF when the dielectric overcoat is LiF or XeMgF2 when the dielectric overcoat is MgF2. The XeLiF-coated Al mirrors meet current goals for advanced broadband mirrors in the FUV (R>70% at 103 nm and R>80 above 110 nm), whereas the XeMgF2 provides R>80% above 115 nm. The IR/Vis/UV reflectance for either XeLiF or XeMgF2 mirrors is similar to the theoretical reflectance of bare aluminum at wavelengths >200 nm. In addition, long-term lifetime testings of XeLiF mirrors indicate the rPVD process produces more environmentally stable coatings, where a XeLiF sample showed a degradation in the average FUV reflectance of around 1% to 2% when stored in a relative humidity of 40% over a period of 3.5 years. These results are a remarkable improvement when compared with conventionally prepared Al+LiF samples that would degrade their FUV reflectance in a matter of weeks or months when exposed to those kinds of relative humidity levels. Surface topographies on several XeLiF samples with varying Al and LiF thicknesses have been measured with an atomic force microscope (AFM). The root mean square (RMS) roughness (σ) values derived from these AFM results have ranged between 0.6 and 0.9 nm. For comparison, samples without the Xe process start off by having an RMS roughness that is 30% larger than samples treated with the XeF2 gas. We have also determined that these roughness values are showing a slight increase, ranging between 0.9 and 1.0 nm, when samples are exposed to room temperature and relative humidity as high as 50% over one week. Both of these key performance parameters (environmental stability in reflectance and smoothness of ≤1 nm) are key considerations for using the XeLiF coating in the primary and secondary mirrors of the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). We also show evidence that the rPVD coating process is compatible with deposition on Si-based gratings. It is known that XeF2 vapor is a strong Si etchant, thus the demonstration that the native SiO2 layer on Si test samples is sufficient to protect the groove profile of E-beam-ruled Si gratings from degradation is an important and significant finding.

Extreme-ultraviolet light has become more important for advancements in modern computer chip manufacturing, and as such, there needs to be more access to extreme-ultraviolet sources for observing properties of novel technology materials. Some of these extreme-ultraviolet sources need to have the ability to tune the polarization for observing dichroic properties of materials such as magnetism. We present a compact extreme-ultraviolet tabletop source, based on high harmonic generation, designed for use in polarization-sensitive imaging. The source is able to generate circularly polarized harmonics using the MAch-ZEhnder-Less for Threefold Optical Virginia spiderwort apparatus. The linearly polarized 42 and 52 eV beams have been optimized, achieving an average power of 19.4 and 8.0 nW, respectively. Using the 42 eV linearly polarized beam for ptychography, we have imaged a Siemens star test resolution target and obtained a resolution of 160 nm.

Background

Response curves are widely used in biomedical literature to summarize time-dependent outcomes, yet raw data are not always available in published reports. Meta-analysts must frequently extract means and standard errors from figures and estimate outcome measures like the area under the curve (AUC) without access to participant-level data. No standardized method exists for calculating AUC or propagating error under these constraints.

Methods

We evaluate two methods for estimating AUC from figure-derived data: (1) a trapezoidal integration approach with extrema variance propagation, and (2) a Monte Carlo method that samples plausible response curves and integrates over their posterior distribution. We generated 3,920 synthetic datasets from seven functional response types commonly found in glycemic response and pharmacokinetic research, varying the number of timepoints (4–10) and participants (5–40). All response curves were normalized to a true AUC of 1.0.

Results

The standard method consistently underestimated the true AUC, especially in curves with skewed or long-tailed structures. Monte Carlo method produced near-unbiased estimates with tighter alignment to the known AUC across all settings. Increasing the number of datapoints and participants improved performance for both methods, but the Monte Carlo approach retained robustness even under sparse conditions.

Conclusion

This is the first large-scale benchmarking of AUC estimation accuracy from graphically extracted data. The Monte Carlo method outperforms standard approaches in both accuracy and uncertainty quantification. We recommend its adoption in meta-analytic contexts where only figure-derived data are available and advocate for improved data sharing practices in primary publications.