Symmetry Breaking and Spin-Orbit Coupling for Individual Vacancy-Induced In-Gap States in MoS2 Monolayers.

Spins confined to point defects in atomically thin semiconductors constitute well-defined atomic-scale quantum systems that are being explored as single-photon emitters and spin qubits. Here, we investigate the in-gap electronic structure of individual sulfur vacancies in molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) monolayers using resonant tunneling scanning probe spectroscopy in the Coulomb blockade regime. Spectroscopic mapping of defect wave functions reveals an interplay of local symmetry breaking by a charge-state-dependent Jahn-Teller lattice distortion that, when combined with strong (≃100 meV) spin-orbit coupling, leads to a locking of an unpaired spin-1/2 magnetic moment to the lattice at low temperature, susceptible to lattice strain. Our results provide new insights into the spin and electronic structure of vacancy-induced in-gap states toward their application as electrically and optically addressable quantum systems.

Spin-Valley Locking for In-Gap Quantum Dots in a MoS2 Transistor.

Spins confined to atomically thin semiconductors are being actively explored as quantum information carriers. In transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), the hexagonal crystal lattice gives rise to an additional valley degree of freedom with spin-valley locking and potentially enhanced spin life and coherence times. However, realizing well-separated single-particle levels and achieving transparent electrical contact to address them has remained challenging. Here, we report well-defined spin states in a few-layer MoS2 transistor, characterized with a spectral resolution of ∼50 µeV at Tel = 150 mK. Ground state magnetospectroscopy confirms a finite Berry-curvature induced coupling of spin and valley, reflected in a pronounced Zeeman anisotropy, with a large out-of-plane g-factor of g⊥ ≃ 8. A finite in-plane g-factor (g∥ ≃ 0.55-0.8) allows us to quantify spin-valley locking and estimate the spin-orbit splitting 2ΔSO ∼ 100 µeV. The demonstration of spin-valley locking is an important milestone toward realizing spin-valley quantum bits.

Carbon Foam-Supported VS2 Cathode for High-Performance Flexible Self-Healing Quasi-Solid-State Zinc-Ion Batteries.

As the new generation of energy storage systems, the flexible battery can effectively broaden the application area and scope of energy storage devices. Flexibility and energy density are the two core evaluation parameters for the flexible battery. In this work, a flexible VS2 material (VS2 @CF) is fabricated by growing the VS2 nanosheet arrays on carbon foam (CF) using a simple hydrothermal method. Benefiting from the high electric conductivity and 3D foam structure, VS2 @CF shows an excellent rate capability (172.8 mAh g-1 at 5 A g-1 ) and cycling performance (130.2 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1 after 1000 cycles) when it served as cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries. More importantly, the quasi-solid-state battery VS2 @CF//Zn@CF assembled by the VS2 @CF cathode, CF-supported Zn anode, and a self-healing gel electrolyte also exhibits excellent rate capability (261.5 and 149.8 mAh g-1 at 0.2 and 5 A g-1 , respectively) and cycle performance with a capacity of 126.6 mAh g-1 after 100 cycles at 1 A g-1 . Moreover, the VS2 @CF//Zn@CF full cell also shows good flexible and self-healing properties, which can be charged and discharged normally under different bending angles and after being destroyed and then self-healing.

Coupling Quantum Random Walks with Long- and Short-Term Memory for High Pixel Image Encryption Schemes.

This paper proposes an encryption scheme for high pixel density images. Based on the application of the quantum random walk algorithm, the long short-term memory (LSTM) can effectively solve the problem of low efficiency of the quantum random walk algorithm in generating large-scale pseudorandom matrices, and further improve the statistical properties of the pseudorandom matrices required for encryption. The LSTM is then divided into columns and fed into the LSTM in order for training. Due to the randomness of the input matrix, the LSTM cannot be trained effectively, so the output matrix is predicted to be highly random. The LSTM prediction matrix of the same size as the key matrix is generated based on the pixel density of the image to be encrypted, which can effectively complete the encryption of the image. In the statistical performance test, the proposed encryption scheme achieves an average information entropy of 7.9992, an average number of pixels changed rate (NPCR) of 99.6231%, an average uniform average change intensity (UACI) of 33.6029%, and an average correlation of 0.0032. Finally, various noise simulation tests are also conducted to verify its robustness in real-world applications where common noise and attack interference are encountered.

Non-antiresorptive drugs associated with the development of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to provide evidence related to the association between non-antiresorptive medications and MRONJ. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The following three electronic databases were screened: PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science from December 2020 until April 2021. Two reviewers independently performed the study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment of the included studies. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used for assessing the risk of bias. A meta-analysis was performed for assessing the relationship between MRONJ and non-antiresorptive medications. RESULTS: The search strategy retrieved 996 articles. Following removal of duplicates, title, and abstract screening and full-text reading, 58 publications were eligible to be included in the review. A total of 867 cases of MRONJ were included (33% female, 55% male, 12% no gender reported). The mean age of the patients when MRONJ was diagnosed was 61 years (range 19-100 years) and the average time of diagnosis was 10 months following non-antiresorptive drug therapy. Patients with a history of corticosteroids (0.61, 95% CI 0.39, 0.82, p = < 0.001) and chemotherapy (0.59, 95% CI 0.51, 0.67, p = < 0.001) showed the highest significant effect size (ED) compared to the control group for MRONJ occurrence. CONCLUSION: A significant association existed between MRONJ and non-antiresorptive drugs. However, considering limited evidence, findings should be interpreted with caution. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The non-antiresorptive drugs might allow the dentist to apply the principle of "drug holiday" following concurrence from the drug prescribing clinician. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020173891.

An Image Encryption Algorithm Based on Discrete-Time Alternating Quantum Walk and Advanced Encryption Standard.

This paper proposes an image encryption scheme based on a discrete-time alternating quantum walk (AQW) and the advanced encryption standard (AES). We use quantum properties to improve the AES algorithm, which uses a keystream generator related to AQW parameters to generate a probability distribution matrix. Some singular values of the matrix are extracted as the key to the AES algorithm. The Rcon of the AES algorithm is replaced with the elements of the probability distribution matrix. Then, the ascending order of the size of the clone probability distribution matrix scrambles the mapping rules of the S-box and ShiftRow transformations in the AES algorithm. The algorithm uses a probability distribution matrix and plaintext XOR operation to complete the preprocessing and uses the modified AES algorithm to complete the encryption process. The technology is based on simulation verification, including pixel correlation, histograms, differential attacks, noise attacks, information entropy, key sensitivity, and space. The results demonstrate a remarkable encryption effect. Compared with other improved AES algorithms, this algorithm has the advantages of the original AES algorithm and improves the ability to resist correlation attacks.

Binary Classification Quantum Neural Network Model Based on Optimized Grover Algorithm.

We focus on the problem that the Grover algorithm is not suitable for the completely unknown proportion of target solutions. Considering whether the existing quantum classifier used by the current quantum neural network (QNN) to complete the classification task can solve the problem of the classical classifier, this paper proposes a binary quantum neural network classifical model based on an optimized Grover algorithm based on partial diffusion. Trial and error is adopted to extend the partial diffusion quantum search algorithm with the known proportion of target solutions to the unknown state, and to apply the characteristics of the supervised learning of the quantum neural network to binary classify the classified data. Experiments show that the proposed method can effectively retrieve quantum states with similar features. The test accuracy of BQM retrieval under the depolarization noise at the 20th period can reach 97% when the depolarization rate is 0.1. It improves the retrieval accuracy by about 4% and 10% compared with MSE and BCE in the same environment.

Image encryption scheme based on alternate quantum walks and discrete cosine transform.

As an important information medium, the digital image exists widely on the Internet. Quantum walks have the property of encrypting information. For the eneryption problem of optical digital images, an encryption scheme based on discrete cosine transform (DCT) and alternate quantum walks (AQW) is proposed in this paper. First, we use AQW and XOR operation to preprocess images in the spatial domain. Then, AQW are used to generate two random phase masks which can operate the preprocessed image and the DCT image, respectively. Finally, the encrypted image is obtained by using discrete cosine inverse exchange. The control parameters of AQW can replace the random phase mask as the key in the encryption and decryption process, so it is convenient for key management and transmission. The experimental simulation carried out the analysis of the image pixel histogram, the correlation of adjacent pixels, the robustness against noise and the sensitivity of secret keys, the results show that the image encryption method has strong security.

Rate Performance Modification of a Lithium-Rich Manganese-Based Material through Surface Self-Doping and Coating Strategies.

Lithium-rich manganese-based materials are currently considered to be highly promising cathode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries due to their high specific capacity (>250 mA h g-1) and low cost. A key challenge for the commercialization of these lithium-rich manganese-based materials is their poor rate performance, which is caused by the low electronic conductivity and increasing interface charge transfer resistance produced by the side reaction during the cycling procedure. In this work, we try to improve the rate performance of a lithium-rich manganese-based material Li1.2Mn0.54Co0.13Ni0.13O2 using a collaborative approach with Co-doping and NaxCoO2-coating methods. Cobalt doping can improve the electronic conductivity, and NaxCoO2 coating provides a convenient lithium-ion diffusion channel and moderately alleviates the inevitable decrease in cycling stability caused by cobalt doping. Under the synergistic effect of these two modification strategies, the surface and internal dynamics of the Li1.2Mn0.54Co0.13Ni0.13O2 material are enhanced and its rate performance is considerably improved without decay of the cycle stability.

Application of Three-Dimensional Printed Customized Surgical Plates for Mandibular Reconstruction: Report of Consecutive Cases and Long-Term Postoperative Evaluation.

ABSTRACT: This study aims to evaluate the use of customized surgical plates in patients with mandibular defects concerning postoperative aesthetics and functional outcomes during the 2-year follow-up. Preoperative virtual surgical plans and patient-specific three-dimensional printed plates were tailored for consecutive patients. Preoperative preparation, surgical produces, postoperative aesthetics, and functional outcomes were described in detail. The average follow-up period was over 2 years. In the presented clinical cases, aesthetic and functional outcomes were reported to be satisfactory.

Determining Surface Shape of Translucent Objects with the Combination of Laser-Beam-Based Structured Light and Polarization Technique.

In this study, we focus on the 3D surface measurement and reconstruction of translucent objects. The proposed approach of surface-shape determination of translucent objects is based on the combination of the projected laser-beam-based sinusoidal structured light and the polarization technique. The theoretical analyses are rigorously completed in this work, including the formation, propagation, and physical features of the generated sinusoidal signal by the designed optical system, the reflection and transmission of the projected monochromatic fringe pattern on the surface of the translucent object, and the formation and the separation of the direct-reflection and the global components of the surface radiance of the observed object. The results of experimental investigation designed in accordance with our theoretical analyses have confirmed that accurate reconstructions can be obtained using the one-shot measurement based on the proposed approach of this study and Fourier transform profilometry, while the monochromaticity and the linearly-polarized characteristic of the projected sinusoidal signal can be utilized by using a polarizer and an optical filter simultaneously for removing the global component, i.e., the noised signal contributed by multiply-scattered photons and the background illuminance in the frame of our approach. Moreover, this study has also revealed that the developed method is capable of getting accurate measurements and reconstructions of translucent objects when the background illumination exists, which has been considered as a challenging issue for 3D surface measurement and reconstruction of translucent objects.

A High-Energy-Density Hybrid Supercapacitor with P-Ni(OH)2 @Co(OH)2 Core-Shell Heterostructure and Fe2 O3 Nanoneedle Arrays as Advanced Integrated Electrodes.

Transition metal hydro/oxides (TMH/Os) are treated as the most promising alternative supercapacitor electrodes thanks to their high theoretical capacitance due to the various oxidation states and abundant cheap resources of TMH/Os. However, the poor conductivity and logy reaction kinetics of TMH/Os severely restrict their practical application. Herein, hierarchical core-shell P-Ni(OH)2 @Co(OH)2 micro/nanostructures are in situ grown on conductive Ni foam (P-Ni(OH)2 @Co(OH)2 /NF) through a facile stepwise hydrothermal process. The unique heterostructure composed of P-Ni(OH)2 rods and Co(OH)2 nanoflakes boost the charge transportation and provide abundant active sites when used as the intergrated cathode for supercapacitors. It delivers an ultrahigh areal specific capacitance of 4.4 C cm-2 at 1 mA cm-2 and the capacitance can maintain 91% after 10 000 cycles, showing an ultralong cycle life. Additionally, a hybrid supercapacitor composed with P-Ni(OH)2 @Co(OH)2 /NF cathode and Fe2 O3 /CC anode shows a wider voltage window of 1.6 V, a remarkable energy density of 0.21 mWh cm-2 at the power density of 0.8 mW cm-2 , and outstanding cycling stability with about 81% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles. This innovative study not only supplies a newfashioned electronic apparatus with high-energy density and cycling stability but offers a fresh reference and enlightenment for synthesizing advanced integrated electrodes for high-performance hybrid supercapacitors.

Quantum image processing algorithm using edge extraction based on Kirsch operator.

In this work, a quantum image processing algorithm is developed using the edge extraction method together with the Kirsch operator. In our approach, novel enhanced quantum representation (NEQR) is employed as the image representation model for processing quantum image, which generates results of edge extraction using the Kirsch operator. The proposed algorithm can perform real-time image processing with high accuracy. We carry out the design, analyses, and simulations of quantum circuits based on our approach, which shows that the image processing speed and acuracy are much better than the classical edge extraction algorithms.

Sustainable carboxylated cellulose filters for efficient removal and recovery of lanthanum.

Carboxylated cellulose filters were fabricated by oxidation of a cellulose fibrous mat via TEMPO-mediated oxidation. These carboxylated cellulose filters were employed as sustainable filters for removal and recovery of lanthanum ions (La (III)) with high adsorption capability. The surface chemistry of the carboxylated cellulose fibers before and after adsorption of La (III) was investigated systematically. The distribution of La (III) on carboxylated cellulose fibers were explored by EDX mapping approach, which revealed that the adsorption occurred on both the surface and the internal structure of the cellulose fibers. The kinetics and isotherms of the adsorption were conducted to understand the adsorption mechanism of the carboxylated cellulose filter and to learn the maximum adsorption capacity for La (III) which was as high as 33.7 mg/g. The adsorption selectivity of the carboxylated cellulose filter for La (III) was determined when interfering ions including mono- and di-covalent ions were involved. The carboxylated cellulose filter exhibited high adsorption capability and high permeation flux evidenced by the breakthrough curves of the dynamic adsorption of La (III) under an extremely low pressure of 0.07 kPa. A variety of desorption reagents were selected to recover lanthanum from the carboxylated cellulose filter, where the optimized conditions for recovery were explored. Finally, a spiral wound cartridge of the carboxylated cellulose fibrous mat was fabricated and the removal and the recovery of La (III, 2.5 ppm) from massive lanthanum-containing water were demonstrated. It was very impressive that the high rejection ratio of 94.3% was achieved under the low pressure drop of 3.0 kPa remaining throughout the separation process, and the treated solution volume was high up to 21.4 L, which was about six-times higher than that of commercially available nanofibrous adsorption membranes, indicating that the carboxylated cellulose filter could be used as a highly efficient adsorption medium for industrial recovery of rare earth metals.

Precise Point Positioning on the Reliable Detection of Tropospheric Model Errors.

Precise point positioning (PPP) is one of the well-known applications of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and provides precise positioning solutions using accurate satellite orbit and clock products. The tropospheric delay due to the neutral atmosphere for microwave signals is one of the main sources of measurement error in PPP. As one component of this delay, the hydrostatic delay is usually compensated by using an empirical correction model. However, how to eliminate the effects of the wet delay during a weather event is a challenge because current troposphere models are not capable of considering the complex atmosphere around the receiver during situations such as typhoons, storms, heavy rainfall, et cetera. Thus, how positioning results can be improved if the residual wet delays are taken into account needs to be investigated . In this contribution, a real-time procedure of recursive detection, identification and adaptation (DIA) is applied to detect the model errors which have the same effects on both phase and code observables; e.g., the model error caused by the tropospheric delay. Once the model errors are identified, additional parameters are added to the functional model to account for the measurement residuals. This approach is evaluated with Global Positioning System (GPS) data during two rainfall events in Darwin, Australia, proving the usefulness of compensated residual slant wet delay for positioning results. Comparisons with the standard approach show that the precision of the up component is improved significantly during the periods of the weather events; for the two case studies, 72.46 % and 64.41 % improvements of root mean squared error (RMS) resulted, and the precision of the horizontal component obtained by the proposed approach is also improved more than 30 % compared to the standard approach. The results also show that the identified model errors are concentrated at the beginning of both heavy rainfall processes when the front causes significant spatial and temporal gradients of the integrated water vapor above the receiver.

Development of High Performance Quantum Image Algorithm on Constrained Least Squares Filtering Computation.

Recent development of computer technology may lead to the quantum image algorithms becoming a hotspot. Quantum information and computation give some advantages to our quantum image algorithms, which deal with the limited problems that cannot be solved by the original classical image algorithm. Image processing cry out for applications of quantum image. Most works on quantum images are theoretical or sometimes even unpolished, although real-world experiments in quantum computer have begun and are multiplying. However, just as the development of computer technology helped to drive the Technology Revolution, a new quantum image algorithm on constrained least squares filtering computation was proposed from quantum mechanics, quantum information, and extremely powerful computer. A quantum image representation model is introduced to construct an image model, which is then used for image processing. Prior knowledge is employed in order to reconstruct or estimate the point spread function, and a non-degenerate estimate is obtained based on the opposite processing. The fuzzy function against noises is solved using the optimal measure of smoothness. On the constraint condition, determine the minimum criterion function and estimate the original image function. For some motion blurs and some kinds of noise pollutions, such as Gaussian noises, the proposed algorithm is able to yield better recovery results. Additionally, it should be noted that, when there is a noise attack with very low noise intensity, the model based on the constrained least squares filtering can still deliver good recovery results, with strong robustness. Subsequently, discuss the simulation analysis of the complexity of implementing quantum circuits and image filtering, and demonstrate that the algorithm has a good effect on fuzzy recovery, when the noise density is small.

Glucose-Induced Synthesis of 1T-MoS2 /C Hybrid for High-Rate Lithium-Ion Batteries.

1T phase MoS2 possesses higher conductivity than the 2H phase, which is a key parameter of electrochemical performance for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, a 1T-MoS2 /C hybrid is successfully synthesized through facile hydrothermal method with a proper glucose additive. The synthesized hybrid material is composed of smaller and fewer-layer 1T-MoS2 nanosheets covered by thin carbon layers with an enlarged interlayer spacing of 0.94 nm. When it is used as an anode material for LIBs, the enlarged interlayer spacing facilitates rapid intercalating and deintercalating of lithium ions and accommodates volume change during cycling. The high intrinsic conductivity of 1T-MoS2 also contributes to a faster transfer of lithium ions and electrons. Moreover, much smaller and fewer-layer nanosheets can shorten the diffusion path of lithium ions and accelerate reaction kinetics, leading to an improved electrochemical performance. It delivers a high initial capacity of 920.6 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1 and the capacity can maintain 870 mAh g-1 even after 300 cycles, showing a superior cycling stability. The electrode presents a high rate performance as well with a reversible capacity of 600 mAh g-1 at 10 A g-1 . These results show that the 1T-MoS2 /C hybrid shows potential for use in high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

Quantum Multi-User Broadcast Protocol for the "Platform as a Service" Model.

Quantum Cloud Computing is the technology which has the capability to shape the future of computing. In "Platform as a Service (PaaS)" type of cloud computing, the development environment is delivered as a service. In this paper, a multi-user broadcast protocol in network is developed with the mode of one master and N slaves together with a sequence of single photons. It can be applied to a multi-node network, in which a single photon sequence can be sent to all the slave nodes simultaneously. In broadcast communication networks, these single photons encode classical information directly through noisy quantum communication channels. The results show that this protocol can realize the secret key generation and sharing of multiple nodes. The protocol we propose is also proved to be unconditionally secure in theory, which indicates its feasibility in theoretical application.

Exploring the nature of cellulose microfibrils.

Ultrathin cellulose microfibril fractions were extracted from spruce wood powder using combined delignification, TEMPO-catalyzed oxidation, and sonication processes. Small-angle X-ray scattering of these microfibril fractions in a "dilute" aqueous suspension (concentration 0.077 wt %) revealed that their shape was in the form of nanostrip with 4 nm width and only about 0.5 nm thicknesses. These dimensions were further confirmed by TEM and AFM measurements. The 0.5 nm thickness implied that the nanostrip could contain only a single layer of cellulose chains. At a higher concentration (0.15 wt %), SAXS analysis indicated that these nanostrips aggregated into a layered structure. The X-ray diffraction of samples collected at different preparation stages suggested that microfibrils were delaminated along the (11̅0) planes from the Iß cellulose crystals. The degree of oxidation and solid-state (13)C NMR characterizations indicated that, in addition to the surface molecules, some inner molecules of microfibrils were also oxidized, facilitating the delamination into cellulose nanostrips.

Fine mapping of S37, a locus responsible for pollen and embryo sac sterility in hybrids between Oryza sativa L. and O. glaberrima Steud.

KEY MESSAGE: Hybrid sterility locus S37 between Oryza glaberrima and Oryza sativa results in both pollen and embryo sac sterility. Interspecific crossing between African cultivated rice Oryza glaberrima and Oryza sativa cultivars is hindered by hybrid sterility. To dissect the mechanism of interspecific hybrid sterility, we developed a near-isogenic line (NIL)-S37 using Dianjingyou1 (DJY1) as the recipient parent and an African cultivated rice variety as the donor parent. Empty pollen and embryo sac sterility were observed in F1 hybrids between DJY1 and NIL-S37. Cytological analyses showed that pollen abortion in the F1 hybrids occurred at the late binucleate stage due to a failure of starch accumulation in pollen grains. In addition, partial abortion of the embryo sac in the F1 hybrid was observed during function megaspore developing into mature embryo sac. Molecular analysis revealed that the semi-sterility was largely caused by the abortion of male and female gametophytes carrying the S37 allele from DJY1. A population of 25,600 plants derived from the hybrid DJY1/NIL-S37 was developed to fine map S37. Based on the physical location of molecular markers, S37 locus was finally delimited to a region of 205 kb on the short arm of chromosome 1 in terms of reference sequences of cv. Nipponbare. Interestingly, an about 97-kb DNA segment was deleted in the NIL-S37 based on BAC clone information of O. glaberrima. Fifty-four open reading frames (ORF) were predicted in this 205-kb region of DJY1, whereas only 31 ORFs were in that of NIL-S37. These results are valuable for cloning of S37 gene and further breaking reproductive isolation between Oryza glaberrima and Oryza sativa cultivars, as well as marker-assisted transferring of the corresponding neutral allele in rice breeding programs.