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In the era of the artificial intelligence, flexible multifunctional films that combine optical transparency, electrical conductivity, and ferromagnetism are highly beneficial for many advanced applications. Herein, we fabricated a flexible magnetic transparent conductor molybdenum doped indium oxide (IMoO) thin film on a mica substrate using a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The valence states of Mo dopants were determined to be Mo4+ and Mo6+ by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. From the measured optical transmittance spectrum, average visible (Vis) and near-infrared (NIR) transmittance (T ave_Vis and T ave_NIR) values in IMoO film are calculated to be 85.9 % and 85.4 %, respectively. The IMoO film shows an electron mobility (μ e) of around 113 cm2 V−1 s−1 and a sheet resistance (R s) of 69 Ω. We illustrate the benefits of Mo doping, which leads to increased NIR transparency and μ e compared to commercially available tin-doped indium oxide (ITO). On the other hand, the IMoO film shows clear magnetic hysteretic behaviors at room temperature, indicating the presence of ferromagnetism. The main origin of the ferromagnetism is presumably attributed to the Mo4+ ions with an electronic configuration of 4 d2. Bending cyclic tests reveal favourable mechanical durability and bending stability in the IMoO/mica films. Our systematic investigation demonstrates that IMoO film possesses a superior optoelectronic performance beyond ITO, Mn-doped indium oxide (IMnO), and Sn-Mn-codoped indium oxide (ITMnO), substantiating the potential of the IMoO/mica film as a high-performance transparent conductive magnetic material for flexible optoelectronic and spintronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, cubic perovskite SrTMO 3 (TM = V, Nb, and Mo) compounds have attracted great interest as correlated transparent conducting oxides (CTCOs). However, in theory, none of these three oxides is capable of completely covering the entire visible (Vis) light wavelength range with transparency. Herein, epitaxial orthorhombic CaMoO 3 thin films were grown on flexible mica substrates using a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method. By exploiting the tilting of MoO 6 octahedra, an optimal balance between plasma energy (ћω p) and electrical conductivity (σ) was realized in CaMoO 3. Electronic transport characterizations indicated that the σ value of CaMoO 3 is comparable to that of SrTMO 3. The optical transmittance spectra demonstrated that the CaMoO 3 film possesses superior Vis transparency compared to SrTMO 3. From the ellipsometry analysis, it was found that the O 2p – V 3d interband transition occurs at around 4.16 eV while the screened plasma energy (ћω p) is approximately 1.37 eV. The favorable absorption edges for both the long and short wavelength regions ensure the high transparency of CaMoO 3 across the entire Vis spectrum. Additionally, bending cyclic tests illustrated the excellent mechanical durability and endurance of the CaMoO 3 /mica films. The present work is instructive for exploring alternative CTCOs beyond SrTMO 3 , demonstrating that the optimal balance between ћω p and σ can be realized by manipulating the TMO 6 octahedral tilting to improve the transparent conducting performance of correlated perovskite-type oxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, flexible transparent conductors (TCs) have been widely applied for solar cells, stretchable integrated circuits, sensor networks, and human-machine interaction devices. Recently, nondoped correlated metallic oxides (CMOs) have aroused great interest as indium-free TCs. In this work, an all-inorganic flexible CMO thin film with an ultrahigh figure of merit (FOM) value was fabricated using a simple preparation technology: the direct deposition of epitaxial SrNbO 3 thin films on a stratiform mica substrate via a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) process. From the measured optical transmittance (Tr) spectra in conjunction with the ellipsometic data, it is found that SrNbO 3 film possesses a superior visible light transparency compared with commonly investigated SrVO 3 due to its larger bandgap. The charge transport measurements indicate that the dc electrical conductivity (σ) of SrNbO 3 is higher than that of SrVO 3 , attributed presumably to a weaker electron correlation and therefore a smaller effective electron mass (m *) in SrNbO 3. Bending cyclic tests reveals high mechanical durability and bending stability in SrNbO 3 films. This detailed investigation demonstrates a great potential of the all-inorganic flexible epitaxial SrNbO 3 /mica film as an indium-free TC with high performance for future optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, correlated metallic oxide (CMO) was proposed as a brand-new design strategy for transparent conductors (TCs). Among these CMOs, perovskite-type SrVO 3 with an electronic configuration of 3 d1 has been most investigated. Herein, the SrMoO 3 films, one 4 d2 perovskite CMO, were deposited on a flexible mica substrate using a pulsed laser deposition method. Our experimental results indicate that the SrMoO 3 film possesses a superior optoelectronic performance compared with SrVO 3 , owing to the weaker electronic correlations and 4 d2 electronic configuration in SrMoO 3. Bending cyclic tests indicate that the flexible SrMoO 3 /mica film has a high mechanical bending durability and stability. This 4 d2 SrMoO 3 /mica film demonstrates a great potential as a high-performance TC for flexible optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in flexible electronic devices have stimulated demands for the fabrication of multifunctional materials on highly flexible substrates. However, flexible diluted magnetic semiconductor films have been inadequately reported thus far. In this study, I grew polycrystalline manganese (Mn)-doped indium oxide (In 2 O 3) films on flexible mica substrates at three deposition temperatures (T d) using the pulsed laser deposition method. All the investigated Mn-doped In 2 O 3 films exhibited high optical transparency, high electrical conductivity, room-temperature ferromagnetism, and excellent mechanical durability. The present experimental results demonstrate that T d considerably influences the optical, electrical, and magnetic properties as well as the mechanical durability of the flexible Mn-doped In 2 O 3 films. Based on the robustness of inorganic mica at high deposition temperatures, this detailed investigation provides a strategy for fabricating flexible diluted magnetic semiconductor films, the properties of which could be carefully optimized by widely varying the T d. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As gendered AI social robot companions are widely questioned as detrimental to gender ethics and relations, it remains controversial about how simulated gender relations should be constructed in human-robot interaction. Focusing on the Chinese AI companion "Hupo", this study presents a different case of a "defiant AI companion". Through the discourse analysis of 5 heavy users' 12-h self-recorded video diaries on their daily dialogue with Hupo, the study found an AI companion's gender performance could be constructed through both resonance and dissonance of simulated intimate interactions with heterosexual male users. These practices lend insight into what I call "social exchange robots", which refer to machines that can exercise symbiotic agency through the performative restoration of interpersonal norms rooted in social exchange theories. It suggests the potential for constructing more egalitarian gender relations in simulated human-robot heterosexual relationships through more agency exhibitions from AI companions, while it also implies a risk of potential human agency reduction when users were tempted to "please" AI companions via virtual commodity consumptions. The practical and ethical implications were discussed. This study also points out a future direction toward emerging sociomorphic robot research. • The presented case of a "defiant AI companion" differs from most submissive social robot companions. • The gender performance of this AI was constructed via both resonance and dissonance in simulated intimate interactions. • The term "social exchange robots" is proposed to stress AI's performative restoration of interpersonal norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, flexible transparent conductors (TCs) with enhanced room-temperature ferromagnetism were fabricated via growing an Sn–Mn-codoped In 2 O 3 (ITMO) film on a flexible mica substrate. The ITMO/mica film shows an average transmittance (T a) of 81.9% in the visible region and a sheet resistance (R s) of 58 Ω, which are comparable to those of the flexible Sn-doped In 2 O 3 (ITO) and Mn-doped In 2 O 3 (IMO) films in the previous reports. Moreover, the ITMO/mica film exhibits a room-temperature ferromagnetism with a saturation magnetization (M s) of 29.1 emu/cc and a coercive field (H c) of 430 Oe. The ferromagnetism in ITMO/mica film is much stronger than that in the previously reported IMO/mica films. The charge transport measurements in conjunction with bending tests indicate that the ITMO/mica film possesses large critical bending strains (ϵ cr) and thus a robust mechanical durability. The optical and magnetic properties of the ITMO/mica film are also well maintained during the bending cyclic tests. The demonstration of the flexible multifunctional ITMO/mica films with remarkable performance in various aspects paves a route toward future flexible X-tronics. • Flexibility, high optical transparency, high electrical conductivity, and room-temperature ferromagnetism were integrated into an ITMO/mica film. • The ITMO/mica film shows a much stronger ferromagnetism than the previously reported IMO/mica films. • The optical, charge transport, and magnetic properties of the ITMO/mica film are also well retained during bending tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snake robots have advantages of terrain adaptability over wheeled mobile robots and traditional articulated robot arms because of their limbless thin body structure and high flexibility. They have extensive applications in tasks such as rescue, disaster recovery, inspection and minimally invasive surgery. Current research on snake robots is mainly focused on snake-like locomotion and the embodiment of these motion gaits for different applications. Modular structure and real-time control algorithms are two key aspects for snake robots operating in constrained environments. This review will attempt to address both. First, a review on the snake motion and the body structure is provided, which outlines the biological foundation of all snake robots. This is followed by the mechanical structure of snake robots, especially the structure of elemental snake modules. Finally, control algorithms for variant terrain contours and obstacle avoidance are discussed. The review also outlines emerging application areas and potential future directions of snake robots. • Structure and control of snake robots in constrained environments are addressed. • A review on the locomotion and body structure of snakes is provided. • Mechanical structure and actuators of snake robots are introduced. • Control for variant terrain contours and obstacle avoidance are discussed. • The review outlines emerging application areas and potential future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study established a preoperative risk prediction model for acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery. • Intraoperative hypotension is a significant independent risk factor for acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery. • The association between hypotension during cardiac surgery and postoperative acute kidney injury varies by preoperative risk. Acute kidney injury (AKI), a common and severe complication after cardiac surgery, has been demonstrated to be associated with intraoperative hypotension (IOH). The reproducibility of this finding and whether preoperative risk modifies the association remain unclear. We hypothesised that the relationship between IOH and AKI after cardiac surgery varies by preoperative risk. We conducted a single-centre, retrospective cohort study to analyse the association between IOH and postoperative AKI by stratifying patients using preoperative risk factors. IOH was defined as a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of less than 65 mmHg and characterised by the cumulative duration and area under the curve (AUC). Ten variables could be identified as risk factors: age, smoking status, NYHA III/Ⅳ, emergency surgery, peripheral vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, heart failure, hypertension, previous cardiac surgery, and NT-proBNP concentration. The risk prediction model divided the patients into three equal-sized preoperative risk groups. Low-risk patients demonstrated no association between AKI and IOH of any severity, while high-risk patients demonstrated a statistically significant association between AKI and IOH with a cumulative duration greater than 104 min (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 2.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10−4.74; and adjusted OR: 3.63, 95% CI: 1.77−7.58) and an AUC greater than 905 mmHg min (adjusted OR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.01−4.36; and adjusted OR: 4.00, 95% CI: 1.95−8.43). IOH is a significant independent risk factor for AKI after cardiac surgery. Patients with higher baseline risk showed a more prominent relationship between IOH and postoperative AKI than low-risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The incidence of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) in patients with diabetes mellitus was higher than the general population. • Patients with preoperative HbA1c ≥ 6.5% had a higher incidence of CPSP at 3 months compared to patients with HbA1c < 6.5%. • Preoperative HbA1c ≥ 6.5%, postoperative acute pain degree, incision infection and chemotherapy are risk factors for CPSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiO 2 films were deposited by DC pulsed magnetron sputtering with different sputtering power density (SPD). Then, as-deposited TiO 2 films were annealed at 600 °C and the anatase TiO 2 films were obtained. XPS results showed Ti/O atom ratio was kept at 1/(1.94 ± 0.04) for all as-deposited and annealed TiO 2 films. XRD results showed that the annealed TiO 2 films displayed obvious anatase (001) preferred orientation, which was deposited with SPD in 0.83 W/cm2. The cross-section TEM results showed that annealed TiO 2 film with anatase (001) preferred orientation consisted of a small quantity of columnar crystals and a majority of equiaxed crystals, which [001] crystallographic axis was parallel to the normal direction of film. AFM results revealed that with SPD in 0.83 W/cm2, the dominated diffusion effect controlled TiO 2 film growth process with Volmer-Weber mode, which contained the nano-size anatase crystal nuclei. The [001] crystal orientation of anatase crystal nuclei was uniform parallel to the normal direction of TiO 2 film growth surface. During the annealing process, the nano-size anatase crystal nuclei grew and coalesced into the large anatase grains without the change of [001] crystal orientation, which resulted in TiO 2 film with obvious (001) preferred orientation. • TiO 2 film was prepared by conventional DC pulsed magnetron sputtering technique. • As-deposited TiO 2 film contained nano-size crystal nuclei with uniform [001] axis. • Annealed TiO 2 film displayed grains with uniform [001] axis and (001) preferred orientation. • Diffusion effect controlled TiO 2 film growth process with Volmer-Weber mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]