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Conductive‐bridge random access memory (CBRAM) emerges as a promising candidate for next‐generation memory and storage device. However, CBRAMs are prone to degenerate and fail during electrochemical metallization processes. To address this issue, herein we propose a self‐repairability strategy for CBRAMs. Amorphous NbSe2 was designed as the resistive switching layer, with Cu and Au as the top and bottom electrodes, respectively. The NbSe2 CBRAMs demonstrate exceptional cycle‐to‐cycle and device‐to‐device uniformity, with forming‐free and compliance current‐free resistive switching characteristics, low‐operation voltage, and competitive endurance and retention performance. Most importantly, the self‐repairable behavior is discovered for the first time in CBRAM. The device after failure can recover its performance to the initially normal state by operating with a slightly large reset voltage. The existence of Cu conductive filament and excellent controllability of Cu migration in the NbSe2 switching layer has been revealed by a designed broken‐down point approach, which is responsible for the self‐repairable behavior of NbSe2 CBRAMs. Our self‐repairable and high‐uniform amorphous NbSe2 CBRAM may open the door to the development of memory and storage devices in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vision sensors are becoming increasingly ubiquitous, and they continuously collect, store, communicate, and process vast amount of sensitive data that are vulnerable to being stolen and misused. Existing cryptosystems based on complex cipher algorithms generally require extensive computational resources, making them difficult to use in vision sensors that have limited processing capabilities. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel in situ image cryptography scheme based on a neuromorphic vision sensor comprising all-optically controlled (AOC) memristors. Due to the unique light wavelength and irradiation history-dependent bidirectional persistent photoconductivity of AOC memristors, a visual image can be stored, encrypted, decrypted, denoised, and destroyed within a vision sensor. A decrypted image can be encoded in situ and then accurately recognized through a memristive neural network. Encrypted and destroyed images are capable of withstanding hacking attacks even with trained neural networks. Our cryptography scheme enables complete cryptographic operations entirely on a sensor and, therefore, effectively safeguards visual information. This work provides a simple yet efficient solution to the security challenges faced by vision sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuromorphic computing (NC) is a new generation of artificial intelligence. Memristors are promising candidates for NC owing to the feasibility of their ultrahigh‐density 3D integration and their ultralow energy consumption. Compared to traditional electrical memristors, the emerging optoelectronic memristors are more attractive owing to their ability to combine the advantages of both photonics and electronics. However, the inability to reversibly tune the memconductance with light has severely restricted the development of optoelectronic NC. Here, an all‐optically controlled (AOC) analog memristor is realized, with memconductance that is reversibly tunable over a continuous range by varying only the wavelength of the controlling light. The device is based on the relatively mature semiconductor material InGaZnO and a memconductance tuning mechanism of light‐induced electron trapping and detrapping. It is found that the light‐induced multiple memconductance states are nonvolatile. Furthermore, spike‐timing‐dependent plasticity learning can be mimicked in this AOC memristor, indicating its potential applications in AOC spiking neural networks for highly efficient optoelectronic NC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sox2 knockout in HCs increased the number of Type I HCs and decreased the number of Type II HCs. • The effect of Sox2 -knockout persisted into adulthood, resulting in an increased number of Type I HCs. • The results demonstrated that SOX2 plays a critical role in Type I and Type II HC fate determination. The vestibular system of the inner ear contains Type I and Type II hair cells (HCs) generated from sensory progenitor cells; however, little is known about how the HC subtypes are formed. Sox2 (encoding SRY-box 2) is expressed in Type II, but not in Type I, HCs. The present study aimed to investigate the role of SOX2 in cell fate determination in Type I vs. Type II HCs. First, we confirmed that Type I HCs developed from Sox2- expressing cells through lineage tracing of Sox2- positive cells using a CAG-tdTomato reporter mouse crossed with a Sox2-CreER mouse. Then, Sox2 loss of function was induced in HCs, using Sox2 flox transgenic mice crossed with a Gfi1-Cre driver mouse. Knockout of Sox2 in HCs increased the number of Type I HCs and decreased the number of Type II HCs, while the total number of HCs and Sox2- positive supporting cells did not change. In addition, the effect of Sox2 -knockout persisted into adulthood, resulting in an increased number of Type I HCs. These results demonstrate that SOX2 plays a critical role in the determination of Type II vs. Type I HC fate. The results suggested that Sox2 is a potential target for generating Type I HCs, which may be important for regenerative strategies for balance disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Mutations in TBC1 D24 have been linked to a variety of epileptic syndromes and recently to syndromic hearing impairment DOORS syndrome and nonsyndromic hearing impairment DFNB86. All TBC1 D24 mutations reported so far were inherited in the recessive mode. In a dominant family segregated with late-onset, progressive, nonsyndromic hearing impairment, linkage analysis revealed a 2.07 Mb candidate region on chromosome 16p13.3 that contains TBC1 D24. Whole-exome sequencing identified a heterozygous p.Ser178Leu variant of TBC1 D24 as the only candidate mutation segregating with the hearing loss within the family. In perinatal mouse cochlea, we detected a restricted expression of Tbc1d24 in the stereocilia of the hair cells as well as in the spiral ganglion neurons. Our study suggested that the p.Ser178Leu mutation of TBC1 D24 is a probable cause for dominant, nonsyndromic hearing impairment. Identification of TBC1 D24 as the stereocilia-expressing gene may shed new light on its specific function in the inner ear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Threshold switching (TS) memristors are promising candidates for artificial neurons in neuromorphic systems. However, they often lack biological plausibility, typically functioning solely in an excitation mode. The absence of an inhibitory mode limits neurons' ability to synergistically process both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic signals. To address this limitation, we propose a novel memristive neuron capable of operating in both excitation and inhibition modes. The memristor's threshold voltage can be reversibly tuned using voltages of different polarities because of its bipolar TS behavior, enabling the device to function as an electronically reconfigurable bi-mode neuron. A variety of neuronal activities such as all-or-nothing behavior and tunable firing probability are mimicked under both excitatory and inhibitory stimuli. Furthermore, we develop a self-adaptive neuromorphic vision sensor based on bi-mode neurons, demonstrating effective object recognition in varied lighting conditions. Thus, our bi-mode neuron offers a versatile platform for constructing neuromorphic systems with rich functionality.

Room temperature sodium-sulfur (RT Na-S) batteries are highly competitive as potential energy storage devices. Nevertheless, their actually achieved reversible capacities are far below the theoretical value due to incomplete transformation of polysulfides. Herein, atomically dispersed Fe-N/S active center by regulating the second-shell coordinating environment of Fe single atom is proposed. The Fe-N 4 S 2 coordination structure with enhanced local electronic concentration around the Fermi level is revealed via synchrotron radiation X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and theoretical calculations, which can not only significantly promote the transformation kinetics of polysulfides, but induce uniform Na deposition for dendrite-free Na anode. As a result, the obtained S cathode delivers a high initial reversible capacity of 1590 mAh g -1 , nearly the theoretical value. This work opens up a new avenue to facilitate the complete transformation of polysulfides for RT Na-S batteries., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The development of hair cells in the auditory system can be separated into steps; first, the establishment of progenitors for the sensory epithelium, and second, the differentiation of hair cells. Although the differentiation of hair cells is known to require the expression of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, Atoh1, the control of cell proliferation in the region of the developing cochlea that will ultimately become the sensory epithelium and the cues that initiate Atoh1 expression remain obscure. We assessed the role of Wnt/β-catenin in both steps in gain- and loss-of-function models in mice. The canonical Wnt pathway mediator, β-catenin, controls the expression of Atoh1. Knock-out of β-catenin inhibited hair-cell, as well as pillar-cell, differentiation from sensory progenitors but was not required to maintain a hair-cell fate once specified. Constitutive activation of β-catenin expanded sensory progenitors by inducing additional cell division and resulted in the differentiation of extra hair cells. Our data demonstrate that β-catenin plays a role in cell division and differentiation in the cochlear sensory epithelium.

Objective: By watching the effects of cochlear implants in the children with cochlear nerve defects, to evaluate the relationship and efficiency of HRCT AND MRI in diagnostic for cochlear nerve defects., Method: The imaging dates and the post-operative effects of the 10 cochlear nerve defect patients were retrospectively analyzed., Result: Three patients with bilateral IAC stenosis by HRCT and cochlear nerve defects by MRI but no other abnormal. Seven other patients showed normal IAC by HRCT including 1 showed type IP- I plus vestibular semi circular canal dysplasia. These 7 patients MRI showed 3 bilateral cochlear nerve absent and 4 bilateral cochlear nerve dysplasia. Ten cases of children after 12-32 month follow-up, 3 patients began speaking simple language, whose MAIS scale, CAP and SIR scores improved. One case just began speaking but pronunciation vague. Four cases had reactions to sounds, and can say monosyllabic words. Two cases without effects (1 CI abolished). Compared with other patients with normal cochlear nerve, the effects of the 10 cases were disappointed., Conclusion: The effects of cochlear implant for the patients with cochlear nerve defects were poor. The preoperative MRI as sessment including oblique sagittal view for cochlear nerve is necessary. The preoperative communication with the parents telling ineffective result possibility is important.

Objective: To evaluate the applicative value of computer assisted navigation system in endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery., Method: Forty-nine endoscopic surgery procedures were performed with the help of computer assisted navigation system, among which there were 25 cases of recurrent sinusitis and nasal polyps, 9 cases of nasal and sinus tumour, 7 cases of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, 2 cases of meningoencephalocele, 4 cases of congenital choanal atresia, 1 case of pituitary tumor and 1 case of foreign body in middle cranial fossa., Result: The preoperative time was 5-13 minutes for preparation, 7 minutes in average. The target error was less than or equal to 1.5 mm. All the 49 cases had successful surgery without complications., Conclusion: Computer assisted navigation system can help the surgeon to determine the sinus, skull base and adjacent anatomic landmarks correctly, improve surgical accuracy and safety, and reduce intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Objective: To observe the clinical therapeutic effects of electro-acupuncture in the treatment of cervical spondylopathy of the vertebroarterial type., Methods: According to the consulting order, the patients were randomly divided into a treatment group (29 cases treated with electro-acupuncture), and a control group (28 cases treated with simple acupuncture). 20 treatments were given to patients in both groups., Results: The markedly effective rate of the treatment group was 75% and that of the control group was 61.54% (P<0.05)., Conclusion: Electro-acupuncture has a better therapeutic effect than the simple acupuncture in the treatment of cervical spondylopathy of the vertebroarterial type.

Objective: To confirm the clinical therapeutic effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on Bell's palsy., Methods: 480 cases from 4 hospitals were enrolled for this study, among whom 439 cases completed the whole course of the study. The patients were randomly divided into the following 3 groups, a control group(treated with prednisone, vitamin B1, vitamin B12 and dibazol), an acu-moxibustion group (treated with filiform needle plus moxibustion), and a basic treatment plus acu-moxibustion group (treated with oral medicine like those in the control group plus acupuncture, and with moxibustion like in the acu-moxibustion group). The whole treatment course lasted 4 weeks. The therapeutic effects were evaluated according to the symptoms and signs, House-Brackmann grading scale and facial disability indexes(FDI)., Results: All the 4 centers (hospitals) completed this study well, with no statistically significant difference found among the 4 centers in therapeutic effects. The patients with different conditions were well distributed in the 3 groups, thus the basic general data were comparable (P > 0.05). The therapeutic effects of the two treatment groups were better than the control group (respectively P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), and it was the best in the acu-moxibustion group (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: Acupuncture and moxibustion may exert definite therapeutic effects on Bell's palsy, better than that of the basic treatment group or the basic treatment plus acu-moxibustion group.