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Electro-optically co-modulated ZnS synaptic memristor for neuromorphic recognition systems
Memristor-based neuromorphic computing offers a revolutionary strategy to address the limitations of traditional computing architectures. Developing synaptic memristors co-modulated by electrical and optical signals is crucial for realizing neural networks with high-efficiency parallel processing and in-memory computing, yet it remains a significant challenge. Herein, wide-bandgap zinc sulfide (ZnS) is introduced to design Ag/ZnS/FTO optoelectronic synaptic memristors. The devices verify reliable resistive switching (RS) behavior, primarily attributed to being dominated by sulfur vacancies (VS), with a narrow Set/Reset distribution (variation < 0.04/0.03 V), an On/Off ratio of ∼26, and a retention time exceeding 104 s. Under electrical, especially near-infrared light (808 and 980 nm) stimulation, these memristors accurately mimic diverse synaptic plasticity functions, including excitatory post-synaptic current, short-term/long-term memory, long-term potentiation/depression, paired-pulse facilitation/depression, spike-timing-dependent plasticity, spike-voltage-dependent plasticity, spike-dependent dynamic plasticity, spike-rate-dependent plasticity, and Ebbinghaus learning–forgetting behaviors. Notably, applying to handwritten digit recognition on the MNIST dataset, the system achieves an 88.25% classification accuracy, demonstrating its potential for practical neuromorphic applications. These findings open an avenue for the development of sulfide-based optoelectronic synaptic devices and advanced neuromorphic computing systems.
Out-of-phase tropical Atlantic–Pacific response after volcanic eruptions over the Last Millennium in PMIP4/past1000 simulations
Anderson localization of electrons in high Fe-doped transition metal dichalcogenide 1T-Fe0.4Ta0.6Se2 single crystals
We report the synthesis of 1T-Fe0.4Ta0.6Se2 single crystal along with its magnetic and transport properties. Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements reveal anisotropic behavior with no long-range magnetic order down to 1.8 K. Low-temperature transport measurements exhibit a three-dimensional variable-range hopping regime, indicative of the localization of electronic states at the Fermi level. These observations shed light on the complex physical properties of the 1T-TaX2 (X = S, Se) family, especially the electronic properties tuned by 3d element doping for potential applications.
Evaluating the knowledge of general dental practitioners regarding local anesthetic injections in pediatric patients
Preparation and characterization of zirconium-doped indium oxide conducting films with high infrared transparency
This work reports the zirconium-doped indium oxide (IZRO) transparent conductive thin films on infrared optical quartz glass (JGS-3) substrates via room-temperature RF magnetron sputtering. The effects of annealing temperature and oxygen flow ratio on electrical and optical properties were systematically investigated. The optimized IZRO film with 3 sccm oxygen flow and 700 °C annealing temperatures exhibited an average optical transmittance of 91.5% in the wavelength of 1300–1550 nm and a minimum resistivity of 1.37 × 10−3 Ω·cm with a carrier concentration of 2.46 × 1020 cm−3. The results of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the enhanced electrical conductivity can be attributed to the activation of Zr doping through high-temperature annealing. Meanwhile, the structural and morphological properties of the obtained films were investigated in detail. The IZRO films have potential in the field of short-wave infrared (SWIR) optoelectronic devices due to their SWIR transparent conductive properties.
Synergistic antifungal and anti-aflatoxigenic effects of lactic acid bacteria and golden berry in a functional high-protein beverage
Abstract High-protein beverages are valued for their health benefits, but they face threats from toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins This study developed a novel, functional high-protein beverage (HPB) by synergistically combining whey protein concentrate (WPC), fermented by specific bacteria, with Physalis peruviana (golden berry) powder (at a 1:5; w/w). Three bacterial strains— Lactobacillus plantarum (BS-2), L. pentosus (BS-1), and L. paracasei (BS-3)—were involved for the fermentation, individually and in combinations. Fortification with golden berry significantly enhanced the phytochemical profile, increasing phenolic content (22.97 ± 0.56 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (97.15 ± 2.58 mg QE/g), and antioxidant capacity compared to the control. The BS-2 strain exhibited the strongest antifungal activity, inhibiting fungal growth by 53.8 ± 0.41% and completely suppressing the aflatoxin B 2 production by Aspergillus parasiticus . Rheological analysis showed that BS-2 and the three-strain mixture significantly increased viscosity ( p < 0.05), enhancing beverage stability. Sensory evaluation ( n = 40) revealed that the BS-2 fermented Physalis -HPB was the most preferred, earning the highest overall score. During 21-day shelf-life tests under fungal challenge, beverages fermented with BS-2 and mixed strains maintained the lowest fungal CFU counts at 4 °C, demonstrating superior microbial stability. These findings show that combining P. peruviana with probiotic fermentation enhances the functional, sensory, and safety qualities of HPBs, suggesting a promising bio-based approach to reduce fungal spoilage and mycotoxin hazards in dairy beverages.
Pre‐Polymerization and Pre‐Etching Dominated by Carbon Dots to Fabricate the Sub‐Nanometer Microporous Carbon for Supercapacitors
Abstract The self‐templating method is a facile and low‐cost strategy to synthesize porous carbon materials, but the obtained products usually have low yields, limited specific surface areas (SSAs), and broad pore size distributions. It is a great challenge for the self‐templating method to prepare the sub‐nanometer (0.5–1.0 nm) microporous carbon that is preferred for high‐performance supercapacitors. In this study, carbon dots (CDs) are employed as the sole precursor to prepare porous carbon without using any activating agents. The obtained carbon materials have large SSA (2733.6 m 2 g −1 ), high micropore area ratio (92.5%), high packing density (0.82 g cm −3 ), high yield (12%), and concentrated sub‐nanometer pore structure. The formation mechanism of such porous carbon and the unique functions of CDs as self‐templates are interpreted by various characterizations. When used as electrodes for supercapacitors, this carbon material exhibits specific capacitance up to 639 F g −1 and is compatible with electrolytes of wide pH values and enlarged voltage windows (1.3–1.7 V). The symmetric devices assembled by such material exhibit low self‐discharge behaviors, excellent energy densities (15.9–44.1 Wh kg −1 ), and good cycling performance even under the commercial‐level mass loading (10 mg cm −2 ) on electrodes.
A biomimetic microchannel wearable sensing patch for enriching trace body fluids and promoting spatial circulation
Wearable patches, as an advanced biosensing technology, possess significant innovative potential and market value in the realms of self-diagnosis and wearable devices. This study introduces a microchannel wearable sensing patch (MWSP) inspired by biomimetic structures that replicate the functions of plant roots, stems, veins, and leaves. This patch facilitates micro-collection, rapid enrichment, and transpiration circulation of sweat on the skin's surface, enabling accurate detection of blood glucose levels in human sweat. Experimental results demonstrate that this biomimetic MWSP exhibits a high sensitivity of 5.55 μA mM−1 cm−2 for detecting glucose concentrations. Furthermore, the anti-gravity unidirectional flow guiding membrane, which simulates leaf transpiration, effectively enhances local microcirculation of plaques and boosts evaporation efficiency by 5.83 times. This biomimetic patch presents opportunities for the advancement of wearable sensing technology.
KIF26A regulates the development and function of the main olfactory epithelium in mice
Room temperature large magnetodielectric and magnetoimpedance in (NiMnFeAlZn)3O4 high entropy oxide
Spinel-structured high entropy oxide (HEO) establishes a unique class of multifunctional materials, where intrinsic chemical disorder and multi-site tenancy enable a unique interplay between spin and charge dynamics. In this work, we report the interplay between magnetic field and dielectric and impedance behaviors in such a chemically complex HEO. For this purpose, a spinel-structured (NiMnFeAlZn)3O4 single-phase compound was synthesized via the solid-state method, its microstructure was analyzed at the atomic level, and its electronic, magnetic, dielectric, and impedance properties were systematically characterized. The detailed atomic-level microstructure and electronic properties analyses revealed a strong site presence by Zn2+ and Al3+ in tetrahedral and octahedral sublattices, respectively, while Ni, Mn, and Fe cations with mixed-valence state are distributed across both sublattices. Thermomagnetization studies and detailed analyses of magnetic data using the modified Arrott plot method and the modified Curie–Weiss law revealed a ferrimagnetic-to-paramagnetic phase transition around 217 K. The dielectric and impedance studies showed a strong temperature- and frequency-dependent behavior, underscoring the intrinsic association between spin and charge dynamics. As a result, a notably large room-temperature magnetodielectric (MD) effect (10.3%) and magnetoimpedance (MZ) response (−13%) were observed at 2.2T. Comparative analysis of the square of normalized magnetization with normalized MD and MZ, along with the field-dependent thermomagnetization, not only confirmed that these enhanced functionalities stem from the field-induced magnetic ordering but also highlighted the importance of harnessing the couplings in these spinel-based HEOs for applications in next-generation electromagnetic, memory, sensing, and spintronic applications.
Designing a cascaded exponential PID controller via starfish optimizer for DC motor and liquid level systems
Shear-wave multi-frequency pulse for single-shot viscoelastic sensing
Time-resolved estimation of viscoelastic properties is essential for capturing dynamic mechanical changes in soft materials and biological tissues. Viscoelastic parameters can be estimated from shear-wave velocity (SWV) dispersion, but repeated excitations at different frequencies limit temporal resolution. We introduce a method of SWV dispersion measurement using a shear-wave multi-frequency pulse (SW-MFP) that encodes several chosen frequencies into a single excitation. Shear elasticity and viscosity estimates are obtained by fitting the measured SWV dispersion to the Kelvin–Voigt model. Experiments were performed using a compact setup with dual plane wave ultrasound transducers and a miniaturized SW actuator. Tissue-mimicking phantoms with varied viscoelastic properties were distinguished by their SWV dispersion curves and corresponding viscoelastic parameter estimates. These results demonstrate SW-MFP for single-shot viscoelastic sensing, providing a pathway toward real-time viscoelastic characterization of dynamic soft materials in biomedical and industrial applications.
Novel and cost-efficient design of stand-alone PV system with simulation using PVsyst and experimental validation
Abstract Solar energy is gaining global prominence and is rapidly becoming a major energy source worldwide. According to reports, Egypt had made significant progress in solar energy installations by September 2022, reaching a total capacity of approximately 3.70 GW and setting renewable energy targets of 42% by 2035. Efficient and accurate PV system design is essential to meet future energy demands. This study presents a novel, cost-effective methodology for designing and validating a stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) system using PVsyst software, with a specific focus on evaluating the load requirements of the Solar Energy Lab at Mansoura University, located in the center of the Nile Delta, Egypt. A 2.64 kWp stand-alone system, integrated with a battery storage unit, is designed using PVsyst. The Lab’s annual energy demand is estimated at approximately 4279.78 kWh, while the system’s simulated generation reaches 4418.01 kWh, achieving a performance ratio (PR) of 0.81. PR analysis reveals seasonal variation, with January recording the highest value of 80% due to lower module temperatures, while June records the lowest at 76% as a result of higher temperatures. The annual average PR stands at 81%, with a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of $0.082/kWh, indicating an optimized system design. The system’s performance is influenced by losses due to environmental factors such as dust, humidity, and temperature. A solar fraction of 87% reflects high reliability in meeting energy demand. To further enhance system efficiency, this study introduces a dynamic algorithm for system design, validated through simulations and a three-month experimental campaign using Watchpower software. The validated approach offers a scalable framework for academic institutions and facilities seeking to implement reliable, low-cost, off-grid PV systems in data-constrained environments.
Redox‐Acidity Interplay in Eu‐Promoted PtSn <sub>2</sub> Catalysts for Selective and Stable Propane Dehydrogenation
Abstract Heterogeneous catalysts based on Pt alloys are widely employed in propane dehydrogenation (PDH), yet challenges such as coking and poor nanoparticle stability hinder their broader industrial deployment. Strategies to enhance dispersion and tune the catalyst surface properties remain at the forefront of catalyst design. Here, we demonstrate a new class of PtSn 2 ‐based catalysts promoted by rare‐earth elements for efficient and stable PDH. Among the rare‐earth screened, europium (Eu) delivers the most pronounced promotional effect, enabling the formation of ∼1.3 nm PtSn 2 nanoparticles with improved thermal stability. Through its redox flexibility (Eu 3+ /Eu 2+ ), Eu modulates the electronic environment of Pt, tunes surface acidity, and suppresses coke accumulation by directing carbon species away from active sites and onto the support. This work shows that rare‐earth elements can serve as multifunctional promoters in alloy catalysts, influencing both structural dispersion and catalytic surface chemistry. The optimized catalyst (0.5% Pt‐3% Sn‐2% Eu on γ‐Al 2 O 3 ) achieves a 40.6% propylene yield at 575 °C and a low deactivation rate (0.047 h −1 ), under conditions relevant to industrial practice. Our findings offer a new strategy for designing high‐performance diluted alloy catalysts through rare‐earth promotion, applicable to other dehydrogenation and hydrocarbon upgrading reactions where coke suppression and acid–base balance are critical.
Why does CO2 plasma chamber seasoning favor nanocrystalline silicon growth?
The use of a CO2 plasma treatment (often called “seasoning”) on a hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) coated plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition chamber is known to be effective in accelerating the incubation and nucleation of hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) layers, which are typically grown using a plasma of silane (SiH4) heavily diluted in H2. Utilizing the simple diagnostic technique of optical emission spectroscopy, we show that this accelerated nucleation is primarily due to the prevention of etching and recycling of silicon (as SiH4) from the walls by the predominantly H2 plasma during nc-Si:H growth. In addition, this CO2 plasma treatment results in a decreased recombination of atomic hydrogen on the walls, increasing the atomic hydrogen density in the chamber. Both of these effects act to shift the process conditions toward nc-Si:H growth. We quantify the recycling of silicon from the coated walls as a SiH4 flow rate, giving an effective reduction of 1.8 sccm (for our reactor geometry), and show that a CO2 plasma treatment of an a-Si:H coated chamber is equivalent to having bare metal chamber walls.
Carbonate electrolytes manipulate lattice oxygen dynamics of oxyhydroxides toward efficient and durable water oxidation
KDM6B induces demethylation of H3K27me3 in MFN1 to modulate aberrant mitophagy in sepsis-induced acute lung injury
Effects of oxygen thermal annealing on AlN trench metal-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MESFETs) on single-crystal AlN substrates
This work reports the demonstration of ultrawide bandgap (UWBG) semiconductor AlN trench metal-semiconductor field-effect transistors, where the impact of oxygen thermal annealing treatment on device electrical properties was comprehensively studied. The gate trench regions were characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscope (AFM). XPS results indicated increased Al–O bonding and stronger formation of AlON layer at the surface, while AFM results showed smoother surface morphology after the treatment. Electrical measurements suggested an increase in the Schottky barrier height under the gate and suppressed fast interface trap states after the treatment. Compared with the device without the treatment, the device with the treatment exhibited more than 22 times improvement in on/off ratio and nearly three times enhancement in breakdown voltage due to reduced leakage and improved interface. Temperature-dependent electrical and interface trap characteristics were also measured and compared. This work can serve as an important reference for the development of UWBG AlN transistors for future high-voltage high-temperature electronics.