A low-power vertical dual-gate neurotransistor with short-term memory for high energy-efficient neuromorphic computing.

Neuromorphic computing aims to emulate the computing processes of the brain by replicating the functions of biological neural networks using electronic counterparts. One promising approach is dendritic computing, which takes inspiration from the multi-dendritic branch structure of neurons to enhance the processing capability of artificial neural networks. While there has been a recent surge of interest in implementing dendritic computing using emerging devices, achieving artificial dendrites with throughputs and energy efficiency comparable to those of the human brain has proven challenging. In this study, we report on the development of a compact and low-power neurotransistor based on a vertical dual-gate electrolyte-gated transistor (EGT) with short-term memory characteristics, a 30 nm channel length, a record-low read power of ~3.16 fW and a biology-comparable read energy of ~30 fJ. Leveraging this neurotransistor, we demonstrate dendrite integration as well as digital and analog dendritic computing for coincidence detection. We also showcase the potential of neurotransistors in realizing advanced brain-like functions by developing a hardware neural network and demonstrating bio-inspired sound localization. Our results suggest that the neurotransistor-based approach may pave the way for next-generation neuromorphic computing with energy efficiency on par with those of the brain.

Exposure to organophosphate ester flame retardants and plasticizers during pregnancy: Thyroid endocrine disruption and mediation role of oxidative stress.

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are widely used as flame retardants and plasticizers in consumer and industrial products. Human exposure to OPEs raises concerns due to their endocrine disruptive potentials. Till now, the effects of OPEs on thyroid hormones (THs) and the mediating role of oxidative stress in pregnant women have not been studied. In this study, prenatal urinary concentrations of OPE metabolites (mOPEs), levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and oxidative stress levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in pregnant women (n = 360) from a coastal urbanized region and moderate socioeconomic status. Neonatal TSH in heel blood was also measured in newborns (n = 309). Dibutyl phosphate (DBP) and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) were extensively detected with a median creatinine-adjusted level of 0.19 µg/g and 0.66 µg/g, respectively, and the median of ∑mOPEs was 1.82 µg/g. DBP and DPHP were included in the analysis. The concentrations of DBP and DPHP were positively associated with either maternal or neonatal TSH levels, while not for maternal FT3 and FT4 levels. Positive associations for maternal and neonatal TSH were particularly observed in girls as stratified by newborn sex suggesting a sex-selective difference. Furthermore, 8-OHdG, the biomarker of DNA damage, was found to be a major mediator (>60%) for the association between neonatal TSH and DPHP, suggesting that DNA damage is involved in fetal thyroid function disruption. On the other hand, MDA showed a partially suppressing effect (<40%) for the associations between mOPEs and neonatal TSH, which needs further clarification. For maternal TSH, both 8-OHdG and MDA showed moderate mediating effects while the direct effects of mOPEs on maternal TSH also contributed. These results suggest thyroid disrupting effects of OPE exposure on mothers and fetuses during pregnancy and the potential influence mediated by the oxidative stresses of DNA damage and lipid peroxidation.

Application of the Effect of Latitude on the Starting of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Epidemic on Early Warning in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common infectious gastrointestinal disease in children under the age of 5. Many studies have documented that meteorological variables, especially temperature, are associated with HFMD. Since the general climate patterns occur as latitude increases, so latitude may indirectly influence the peak time of HFMD. The objective of this study was to explore the effect of latitude on the starting of an HFMD epidemic in Dalian, which can help in the development of an early warning model of HFMD in difference latitude districts. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze the tendency of HFMD incidence rate over the year. A circular distribution method was used to calculate the gold standard of beginning of the HFMD epidemic. A negative binomial regression model was used to establish the early warning of the starting of the HFMD epidemic. The annualized crude incidence rate of HFMD disease in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China as a whole was 169.14 per 100,000 from 2009 to 2013.The incidence rate of HFMD varied considerably by district during the study period, but there was no significant declining or rising trend in disease incidence over the years by district of Dalian. The circular statistical analysis results showed that there was latitudinal gradient in the starting of the HFMD epidemic except for region B; the starting time of HFMD epidemic of Region A was earlier than other regions range 9 days to 18 days. The starting time of the HFMD epidemic differs from region to region with different latitudes in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China. This result can provide a scientific basis for early warning of HFMD.

Base-Mediated Synthesis of Unsymmetrical 1,3,5-Triazin-2-amines via Three-Component Reaction of Imidates, Guanidines, and Amides or Aldehydes.

A simple and efficient method for the base-mediated synthesis of unsymmetrical 1,3,5-triazin-2-amines has been developed. The protocol uses readily available imidates, guanidines, and amides or aldehydes as the starting materials, cesium carbonate as the base, no catalyst or additive is required, and the three-component reaction provides diverse 1,3,5-triazin-2-amines in moderate to good yields with tolerance of wide functional groups.

Using a Negative Binomial Regression Model for Early Warning at the Start of a Hand Foot Mouth Disease Epidemic in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China.

BACKGROUND: The hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a human syndrome caused by intestinal viruses like that coxsackie A virus 16, enterovirus 71 and easily developed into outbreak in kindergarten and school. Scientifically and accurately early detection of the start time of HFMD epidemic is a key principle in planning of control measures and minimizing the impact of HFMD. The objective of this study was to establish a reliable early detection model for start timing of hand foot mouth disease epidemic in Dalian and to evaluate the performance of model by analyzing the sensitivity in detectability. METHODS: The negative binomial regression model was used to estimate the weekly baseline case number of HFMD and identified the optimal alerting threshold between tested difference threshold values during the epidemic and non-epidemic year. Circular distribution method was used to calculate the gold standard of start timing of HFMD epidemic. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2014, a total of 62022 HFMD cases were reported (36879 males and 25143 females) in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China, including 15 fatal cases. The median age of the patients was 3 years. The incidence rate of epidemic year ranged from 137.54 per 100,000 population to 231.44 per 100,000population, the incidence rate of non-epidemic year was lower than 112 per 100,000 population. The negative binomial regression model with AIC value 147.28 was finally selected to construct the baseline level. The threshold value was 100 for the epidemic year and 50 for the non- epidemic year had the highest sensitivity(100%) both in retrospective and prospective early warning and the detection time-consuming was 2 weeks before the actual starting of HFMD epidemic. CONCLUSIONS: The negative binomial regression model could early warning the start of a HFMD epidemic with good sensitivity and appropriate detection time in Dalian.

Total ionizing dose (TID) effects of γ ray radiation on switching behaviors of Ag/AlO x /Pt RRAM device.

The total ionizing dose (TID) effects of (60)Co γ ray radiation on the resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices with the structure of Ag/AlO x /Pt were studied. The resistance in low resistance state (LRS), set voltage, and reset voltage are almost immune to radiation, whereas the initial resistance, resistance at high resistance state (HRS), and forming voltage were significantly impacted after radiation due to the radiation-induced holes. A novel hybrid filament model is proposed to explain the radiation effects, presuming that holes are co-operated with Ag ions to build filaments. In addition, the thermal coefficients of the resistivity in LRS can support this hybrid filament model. The Ag/AlO x /Pt RRAM devices exhibit radiation immunity to a TID up to 1 Mrad(Si) and are highly suitable for radiation-hard electronics applications.