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Low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication networks have been considered as promising solutions to providing high data rate and seamless coverage, where satellite beam management plays a key role. However, due to the limitation of beam resource, dynamic network topology, beam spectrum reuse, time-varying traffic arrival and service continuity requirement, it is challenging to effectively allocate time-frequency resource of satellite beams to multiple cells. In this article, aiming at reducing time-averaged beam revisit time and mitigate inter-satellite handover, a beam management problem is formulated for dynamic LEO satellite communication networks, under inter-cell interference and network stability constraints. Particularly, inter-cell interference constraints are further simplified into off-axis angle based constraints, which provide tractable rules for spectrum sharing between two beam cells. To deal with the long-term performance optimization, the primal problem is transformed into a series of single epoch problems by adopting Lyapunov optimization framework. Since the transformed problem is NP-hard, it is further divided into three subproblems, including serving beam allocation, beam service time allocation and serving satellite allocation. With the help of conflict graphs built with off-axis angle based constraints, serving beam allocation and beam service time allocation algorithms are developed to reduce beam revisit time and cell packet queue length. Then, we further develop a satellite-cell service relationship optimization algorithm to better adapt to dynamic network topology. Compared with baselines, numerical results show that our proposal can reduce average beam revisit time by 20.8$\%$ and keep strong network stability with similar inter-satellite handover frequency.

This article demonstrates 3-D printed transmission-reflection-integrated (TRI) metasurfaces (MSs), which achieve full-space spin-decoupled channels with independent phase modulation. Under a circularly polarized (CP) incident wave illumination, the phase of left-hand circularly polarized (LHCP) and right-hand circularly polarized (RHCP) channels in the reflecting and transmitting spaces can be independently controlled. The meta-atom comprises linearly polarized (LP) patches at the top and bottom with phase delay lines connecting them. In the reflecting space, varying the size of the LP patch provides the same dynamic phase shifting for the LHCP and RHCP channels. Meanwhile, globally rotating the meta-atom introduces Pancharatnam–Berry (P–B) phase shifting for the reflected co-polarization channel. Thus, the LHCP and RHCP channels in the reflecting space can be fully decoupled. As for the transmitting space, the phase delay lines provide the same dynamic phase shifting for the LHCP and RHCP channels. Meanwhile, locally rotating the transmitting antenna provides opposite geometric phase shifting for the LHCP and RHCP channels. Thus, the LHCP and RHCP channels in the transmitting space can be decoupled as well. To demonstrate, different TRI MSs achieving quadruplex channel multiplexing under CP wave illuminations are simulated and experimentally verified.

[2]Ferrocenophanes bridged by a carbon and a heteroatom were targeted in the hope that such an asymmetric bridge gives rise to monomers suitable for ring-opening polymerization. Three strained sandwich compounds with bridging C–Si (13SiMe2), C–P (13PPh), or C–B (13BMes) moieties were prepared using a lithium–bromine exchange followed by a common salt-metathesis reaction. Single-crystal X-ray structural analyses revealed an increase of the degree of Cp ring tilting, commonly expressed as the α angle, from 12.58(9) (13SiMe2) to 16.63(2) (13PPh) to 19.66(11)° (13BMes). Despite being strained, all three species turned out to be resistant toward thermal ring-opening polymerization. The characterization of the three [2]ferrocenophanes by one- and two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy disclosed that Cp protons in α position to the bridging elements are deshielded relative to Cp protons in the β position. Experimental assignments were supported by DFT calculations of chemical shifts. The determined order of α and β Cp protons is opposite to that known for [1]ferrocenophanes. Using a set of known [n]ferrocenophanes (n= 1, 2) with significant tilted Cp rings, DFT calculations revealed that both families exhibit a different order of Cp peaks in 1H NMR spectra.

Purpose: To identify the relationship of macular outward scleral height (MOSH) with axial length (AL), macular choroidal thickness (ChT), peripapillary atrophy (PPA), and optic disc tilt in Chinese adults. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1088 right eyes of 1088 participants were enrolled and assigned into high myopia (HM) and non-HM groups. MOSH was measured in the nasal, temporal, superior, and inferior directions using swept-source optical coherence tomography images. The clinical characteristics of MOSH and the association of MOSH with AL, macular ChT, PPA, and tilt ratio were analysed. Results: The mean age of participants was 37.31 ± 18.93 years (range, 18–86 years), and the mean AL was 25.78 ± 1.79 mm (range, 21.25–33.09 mm). MOSH was the highest in the temporal direction, followed by the superior, nasal, and inferior directions (all p< 0.001). The MOSH of HM eyes was significantly higher than that of non-HM eyes, and it was positively correlated with AL in the nasal, temporal, and superior directions (all p< 0.001). Macular ChT was independently associated with the average MOSH (B = −0.190, p< 0.001). Nasal MOSH was positively associated with the PPA area and the presence of a tilted optic disc (both p< 0.01). Eyes with a higher MOSH in the superior (odds ratio [OR] = 1.008; p< 0.001) and inferior directions (OR = 1.006; p= 0.009) were more likely to have posterior staphyloma. Conclusion: MOSH is an early indicator of scleral deformation, and it is correlated positively with AL and negatively with ChT. A higher nasal MOSH is associated with a larger PPA area and the presence of a tilted optic disc. Higher MOSH values in the superior and inferior directions were risk factors for posterior staphyloma. Clinical trial registration: The study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov(Reg. No. NCT03446300).

The rapid mutation of viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, highlights the urgent need for fast and precise genomic sequencing. The traditional sequencing technique maps the DNA fragments collected from an individual to a known linear reference genome sequence. The linear reference cannot express the genetic diversity of the population, which leads to mapping bias. Therefore, researchers proposed to use a graph reference together with long reads for sequence mapping so that the mapping bias can be avoided to the greatest extent. However, the graph reference introduces irregular edges making memory access of alignment a bottleneck and meanwhile the long read quadratically increases the storage pressure in the alignment process. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a high-performance hardware accelerator for accurate sequence-to-graph alignment. To our best knowledge, this paper presents ASGDP, the first hardware accelerator designed for aligning sequences of arbitrary length reads to a graph. It is based on the traditional dynamic programming algorithm and supports flexible penalty scoring strategies. ASGDP has proposed an efficient memory access pattern in hardware and a hierarchical prediction pruning strategy in algorithm. This combined software-hardware strategy effectively alleviates the storage bottleneck of multi-edge access and improves the accuracy of pruning strategies. We demonstrate that ASGDP provides significant improvements for long reads of the sequence-to-graph alignment. For a typical 10 K long read, a single ASGDP accelerator outperforms state-of-the-art S2G mapping tools by 70.8×, 168.1×.

This article presents 3-D printed noninterleaved reflective metasurfaces (MSs), which support millimeter-wave (mm-wave) dual-band spin-decoupled quadruplex channels with independent beam-shaping. The MS’s unit cell (UC) is made of a cross-bar structure mounted on a circular-shaped patch antenna, which connects to short-ended time delay lines (TDLs). Pancharatnam–Berry (P–B) and dynamic phases are used to decouple the two spin states. Specifically, rotating the top cross-bar structure and adjusting its size provides the high-band’s P–B and dynamic phases. Rotating the circular patch antenna and adjusting the length of the TDL introduce the P–B phase and dynamic phase for the low band, respectively. In addition, the mutual interference between the dual bands is minimal. The size of the noninterleaved UC is only 4 mm, corresponding to 0.33 and 0.48 free space wavelength of the center frequency for low band (25 GHz) and high band (36 GHz), respectively. For proof of concept, an MS generating orbital angular momentum (OAM) with different topological charges in four channels is fabricated and measured. Furthermore, in addition to the independent wavefront shaping, the energy distribution ratio (EDR) in the reflected co-pol and cross-pol channels can also be independently controlled over dual-band under a circularly polarized incident wave. An MS, which generates near-field focusing with different energy distribution ratios in dual bands, is fabricated and experimentally verified for demonstration. The MS samples are prototyped using a multimaterial 3-D printing technique on a single substrate.

BackgroundThis research aims to generate normative values of hyperopia reserve and refractive progression as effective tools to estimate the risk of myopia.MethodsA 1-year follow-up study was conducted among Chinese children and adolescents aged 3–16 years selected from schools and kinder gardens using cluster sampling. All participants underwent examinations including visual acuity, axial length and cycloplegic autorefraction (1% cyclopentolate). Percentiles of spherical equivalent (SE) were calculated using Lambda-Mu-Sigma (LMS) method. Age-specific refractive progression and hyperopia reserve were determined by backward calculation.ResultsOf 3118 participants, 1702 (54.6%) were boys with a mean baseline age of 7.30 years. The 50th percentile of SE estimated by LMS decreased from 1.04 D at 3 years to −2.04 D at 16 years in boys, while from 1.29 D to −2.81 D in girls. The 1-year refractive progression of myopes (0.81 D) was greater than that of non-myopes (0.51 D). The normative value of hyperopia reserve was 2.64 (range: 2.40 D–2.88 D) at 3 years and −0.35 (range: −0.50 to −0.17) D at 16 years, with the maximum progression of 0.35 D at the age of 6 years.ConclusionAge-specific normative values of hyperopia reserve and yearly myopic shift in children and adolescents aged 3–16 years were provided, helping identify and monitor myopia and giving prevention in advance.

This article presents a C-/Ka-band aperture-shared reflectarray (RA) antenna with dual circular polarized (CP) high gain beams for vehicle communications. A dual-polarized patch antenna fed by a branch line coupler is designed as the C-band unit cell (UC). The phase-shifting for the C-band right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) and left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) can be independently controlled by adjusting the phase delay lines connected to the coupler. In contrast, the Ka-band dual circular polarization independent beam-shaping is based on the strategy of combining the Pancharatnam-Berry (PB) phase and dynamic phase. Two different kinds of Ka-band UC are designed and planted into the metallic and non-metallic regions of the C-band patch antenna, forming a heterogeneous Ka-band RA that is seamlessly integrated into the C-band RA. By properly selecting the size and rotating angles of the Ka-band UCs, the RA can also independently manipulate the LHCP and RHCP wavefronts in Ka-band. In addition, the phase-shifting for C-band and Ka-band do not affect each other. Note that the proposed strategy differs from state-of-the-art works, which either interleave UCs or place different UCs in separate layers. A RA operating at 4.4 GHz (C-band) and 30 GHz (Ka-band) with dual CP decoupled beams are fabricated and experimentally verified for demonstration.

Background/aimsWe aim to explore the effect of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) on choroid thickness (ChT) and axial length (AL).MethodsStudents of grade 2 and 3 from a primary school were included and followed for 1 year. Visual acuity, refraction, AL and ChT were measured. Morning urine samples were collected for determining SNS activity by analysing concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine using the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The most important factor (factor 1) was calculated using factor analysis to comprehensively indicate the SNS activity.ResultsA total of 273 students were included, with an average age of 7.77±0.69 years, and 150 (54.95%) were boys. Every 1 µg/L increase in epinephrine is associated with 1.60 µm (95% CI 0.30 to 2.90, p=0.02) decrease in average ChT. Every 1 µg/L increase in norepinephrine is associated with 0.53 µm (95% CI 0.08 to 0.98, p=0.02) decrease in the ChT in inner-superior region. The factor 1 was negatively correlated with the ChT in the superior regions. Every 1 µg/L increase in norepinephrine was associated with 0.002 mm (95% CI 0.0004 to 0.004, p=0.016) quicker AL elongation. The factor 1 was positively correlated with AL elongation (coefficient=0.037, 95% CI 0.005 to 0.070, p=0.023).ConclusionsWe hypothesised that chronic stress characterised by elevated level of the SNS, was associated with significant increase in AL elongation, probably through thinning of the choroid.

Low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication based on 3GPP standard is seen as a promising solution to rolling out communication services in areas without terrestrial base stations. However, due to the fast movement of satellites and large beam footprint size, the existing 5G timing advance (TA) estimation mechanism cannot be directly applied when global navigation satellite system is unavailable. In this article, an enhanced TA estimation approach is proposed for LEO satellite communication networks. Specifically, a user-side time-frequency pre-compensation method is introduced at first, which leverages frequency offset measurement on synchronization signal blocks broadcasted by satellites in initial cell search phase. For the random access phase, the upper bound of inter-preamble interference incurred by partial-period cross-correlation operations is derived for a preamble format advised by 3GPP, and it is shown that the interference level is closely related to the square of the number of such operations. Inspired by this result, a cyclic prefix free preamble format is further designed, which features extended guard time, differential power allocation and flexible preamble structure. Numerical results show that our proposal can reduce the missed detection rate of preamble within a beam. Particularly, the missed detection rates of preamble under 32, 48, and 64 users are lower than 1$\%$ when SNR = −6 dB, which is a significant improvement compared to baselines. In addition, our proposal can limit the TA estimation error of the detected users to the time length of 25 time-domain sampling points when the subcarrier spacing is 30 kHz and operation frequency is 27 GHz.

Read mapping, which maps billions of reads to a reference DNA, poses a significant performance bottleneck in genomic analysis. Current accelerators for read mapping are primarily bounded by the intensive and random memory access to huge datasets. Near-data processing (NDP) infrastructures are promising to provide extremely high bandwidth. However, existing frameworks failed to reach this potential due to poor locality and high redundancy. Our idea is to introduce prediction under the insight that candidate mapping positions become predictable when the reference is organized in coarse-grain slices. We present GEM (Genomic Memory), an ultra-efficient near-memory accelerator for read mapping. GEM adopts a novel data-centric framework, named dividing-and-predictive-scattering (DPS), which synthesizes information of seed existence to predict the target mapping locations to reduce memory access redundancy. During preparation, DPS divides the reference into coarse-grained slices and creates predictive filters to assess the likelihood of reads belonging to each slice. During mapping, DPS predicts and scatters reads to considerably fewer slices compared than without prediction. By employing small on-chip SRAM-based predictors with high accuracy, DPS minimizes unnecessary DRAM access and data movement from remote memory. In essence, DPS trades pre-seeding predictors for localized access patterns and low redundancy, hence achieving high throughput for data-intensive applications. We implement GEM by integrating coarse-grain reconfigurable architectures (CGRAs) in the logic layer of a 3D-stacked DRAM infrastructure, utilizing the massive banks as slices. GEM leverages CGRAs for their flexibility in supporting various algorithms tailored to different datasets. Bloom filters are leveraged for slice prediction, providing an error rate below 1%. Evaluation results demonstrate that GEM reduces memory requests by 95% and alignments by 87%, achieving a throughput improvement of 15.3× and 11.0× compared to compute-centric and broadcast-based baselines on the same NDP platform. Overall, GEM achieves a $3.5\times$3.5× throughput improvement and $2.1\times$2.1× energy efficiency compared to state-of-the-art ASIC accelerators.

Point clouds have been employed extensively in machine perception applications. Farthest point sampling (FPS) is a critical kernel for point cloud processing. With the rapid growth of point cloud scale, FPS introduces a large number of memory accesses, which become the bottleneck of the large-scale point cloud processing. In this article, we present QuickFPS, an architecture and algorithm co-design of FPS in large-scale point clouds. First, we systemically analyze the characteristics of FPS and put forward a bucket-based FPS algorithm. The algorithm introduces a two-level tree data structure to organize the large-scale point cloud into multiple buckets. By using two mechanisms named merged computation and implicit computation for the buckets, the external memory accesses and compute cost are significantly reduced. Then, we design an efficient domain-specific accelerator for FPS in large-scale point clouds. The accelerator takes advantage of different forms of parallelism and further improves the accelerator’s efficiency. Finally, we evaluate QuickFPS with several widely used point cloud datasets, which include small-scale and large-scale point clouds (up to 120 000 points). Overall, QuickFPS achieves performance speedups of $43.4\times$ and $12.2\times$ compared to GTX 1080Ti GPU and state-of-the-art point cloud accelerator PointAcc, respectively.

The described research aimed at the preparation of racemic, C2symmetric sila[1]ferrocenophanes with alkyl groups in 2,2′-positions to complement their known enantiopure counterparts. As the synthetic approach, the well-known Ugi aminechemistry was chosen to introduce planar chirality into the ferrocene framework. The challenge in this multistep process is the separation of a racand mesomixture of diols obtained through the reduction of 1,1′-dialkanoylferrocenes by LiAlH4or NaBH4. From the three tested alkanoyl groups, only one led to a significant excess of the racdiol, which could be separated by crystallizations and converted to rac-2,2′-diisobutyl-dimethylsila[1]ferrocene. Thermal ring-opening polymerization of this new monomer gave a poly(ferrocenylsilane) that consists of two types of diads, as revealed by two sets of peaks in its 29Si NMR spectrum centered at −5.66 and −7.74 ppm. 29Si NMR chemical shifts could be predicted with density functional theory (DFT) methods for planar-chiral bis(ferrocenyl)dimethylsilanes that were used to model these mesoand racemodiads of the polymer. These calculations realistically predict that silicon atoms of racemodiads are higher shielded than those of mesodiads. Surprisingly, the 29Si NMR peaks of both diads are split into a set of peaks, revealing a sensitivity of δ values beyond diads.

Coarse-grained reconfigurable architectures (CGRAs) can provide both energy efficiency and performance for embedded systems, and thus they are increasingly deployed in the areas of aerospace, automotive engineering, and security where reliability is also a main criterion. However, the state-of-the-art fault-tolerant strategies for CGRAs apply either temporal or spatial scheme, including redundancy, periodic detection, workload balancing, and reconfiguration, failing to exploit the feature of dynamic and partial reconfiguration of CGRAs. Also, vulnerable judging circuits and inflexible mode shifting bottleneck the reliability design of fault-tolerant CGRAs. This article proposes a novel multimode fault-tolerant framework for CGRAs, which combines spatial-redundant data paths with temporal-redundant voters and thus reduces the vulnerable judging circuits while balancing the performance and reliability. This framework can also enable a changing reliability level at runtime via an online configuration transformation method based on precompiled patterns. Within the proposed framework, we systematically searched the design space spanning various combinations of the mainstream schemes with a Markov process model to compare the effectiveness and accordingly selected five points as available modes in our design after comprehensive consideration of fault tolerance and time overhead on CGRA. The framework is comprehensively evaluated on a cycle-accurate CGRA simulator, considering both permanent and transient faults. The experimental results show that the fault coverage rate of single transient faults or permanent faults has increased from 71.74% to 93.84%, which means the fault tolerance of the system has been increased by 31.03% compared with the state-of-the-art methods. There is also a great improvement in mean-time-to-failure (MTTF) and reconfiguration latency over baseline designs.

Purpose: To analyse the topographic characteristics in macular choroidal thickness (mChT) and ocular biometry in myopic maculopathy and to explore the potential cut-off value for prediction of myopic maculopathy (MM). Methods: All participants underwent detailed ocular examinations. MM was subdivided into thin choroid, Bruch’s membrane (BM) defects, choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and myopic tractional maculopathy (MTM) according to OCT-based classification system. Peripapillary atrophy area (PPA), tilt ratio, torsion, and mChT were individually measured. Results: A total of 1947 participants were included. In multivariate logistics models, older age, longer axial length, larger PPA area, and thinner average mChT were more likely to have MM and different type of MM. Female participants were more likely to have MM and BM defects. A lower tilt ratio was more likely to be associated with CNV and MTM. The area under the curve (AUC) of single tilt ratio, PPA area, torsion, and topographic of mChT for MM, thin choroid, BM Defects, CNV, and MTM were 0.6581 to 0.9423, 0.6564 to 0.9335, 0.6120 to 0.9554, 0.5734 to 0.9312, 0.6415 to 0.9382, respectively. After combining PPA area and average mChT for predicting MM, thin choroid, BM defects, CNV, and MTM, the AUC of the combination were 0.9678, 0.9279, 0.9531, 0.9213, 0.9317, respectively. Conclusion: Progressive and continuous PPA area expanding and thin choroid play a role in the development of myopic maculopathy. The present study showed that a combination of peripapillary atrophy area and the choroidal thickness could be used to predict MM and each type of MM.

This communication demonstrates additively manufactured metal-only waveguide-based tri-band and broadband reflectarray antennas. The unit cell (UC) is implemented by cascading two metal waveguide sections with different cut-off frequencies [ $\text{f}_{\mathrm {c1}}$ and $\text{f}_{\mathrm {c2}}$ ( $\text{f}_{\mathrm {c1}} < \text{f}_{\mathrm {c2}}$ )]. When illuminated with the feed antenna, the reflectarray provides different reflection paths to compensate for the spatial phase delay over triple bands, $\text{f}_{l}$ ( $\text{f}_{l} < \text{f}_{\mathrm {c1}}$ ), $\text{f}_{m}$ ( $\text{f}_{\mathrm {c1}} < \text{f}_{m} < \text{f}_{\mathrm {c2}}$ ), and $\text{f}_{h}$ ( $\text{f}_{h} > \text{f}_{\mathrm {c2}}$ ). By tuning the length of the two waveguide sections and vertically adjusting the position of the UC, the phase-shifting over the triple bands can be independently controlled. In addition, because of the sharp selectivity of the waveguide, a reflectarray with the broadband achromatic feature can be achieved by properly selecting the tri-band’s frequency and the cut-off frequency of the waveguides. A tri-band reflectarray centering at 25 GHz (low-band), 32 GHz (middle-band), and 37 GHz (high-band) is designed first to demonstrate the independent beam shaping over triple bands. Then, two waveguide-based reflectarrays with the broadband achromatic feature are designed, which show stable performance from 22 to 38 GHz with a relative bandwidth of 53.3%. The prototypes are conveniently fabricated using additive manufacturing, and their performance is experimentally verified.

This communication demonstrates an endfire aperture-shared antenna for millimeter-wave (mm-wave) multibeam and sub-6-GHz communication applications. High-gains are achieved based on the parabolic reflectors (PRs) that can collimate the electromagnetic (EM) wave radiated from the feeds at the focal points. In contrast to the full metal-based PR in the sub-6-GHz band, the mm-wave PR is implemented using periodic metal gratings, which shows a bandgap in the mm-wave band while allowing the sub-6-GHz EM wave free to pass. In this way, the sub-6-GHz and mm-wave parabolic antennas share the same radiating aperture with near 100% aperture reuse efficiency and tiny mutual interference. Multiple mm-wave feeds are used to achieve multibeam radiation without a complicated feed network. The radiating aperture is gradually enlarged in a flared structure to enhance the gain further while maintaining a high aperture efficiency. In contrast to the state-of-the-art printed circuit board (PCB) designs, the proposed antenna is an all-metal one with the advantage of no dielectric loss. A prototype operating at the C- and Ka-bands is designed, prototyped, and measured.

AimTo assess the role of the corneal radius of curvature (CR) in the identification of fundus tessellation in children with low myopia.MethodsIn the cross-sectional study, students aged 9–12 years from 24 primary schools in Shanghai were enrolled by cluster sampling. Participants underwent measurements including cycloplegic refraction and axial length. Fundus images and choroidal thickness were obtained by swept-source optical coherence tomography. Fundus tessellation was classified into four grades according to fundus photographs.ResultsA total of 1127 children with low myopia (spherical equivalence (SE) >−3.00 dioptre (D) but ≤−0.50 D) were included, with a mean age of 10.29±0.60 years and a mean SE of −1.44±0.69 D. Fundus tessellation was found in 591 (52.4%) cases (grade 1: 428, 38.0%; grade 2: 128, 11.4%; grade 3: 35, 3.1%). Choroidal thickness decreased as fundus tessellation grade increased (p trend <0.001). According to regression analysis, higher fundus tessellation grade was independently associated with larger CR (OR, 7.499; 95% CI 2.279 to 24.675, p=0.001). For those with CR >7.9 mm, along with CR, degree and proportion of fundus tessellation increased sharply.ConclusionFundus tessellation existed in more than half of children with low myopia. Preliminary fundus photography conducted in children with low myopia with large CR would be necessary and beneficial to the early management of myopic fundus changes.Trial registration numberNCT02980445.

Graphical abstract:

The microstructure and morphology of Ti3AlC2powders not only affect the preparation of Ti3C2MXene but also have a great influence on their potential applications, such as microwave absorbers, alloy additives, or catalytic supports. However, the synthesis of Ti3AlC2powders with desired microstructure and morphology remains a challenge. Herein, hollow Ti3AlC2microrods were prepared for the first time in NaCl/KCl molten salts by using titanium, aluminum, and short carbon fibers as starting materials. It was found that the short carbon fibers not only performed as carbon source but also acted as sacrificial template. Furthermore, it was revealed that TiC and Ti2AlC were initially formed on the surface of carbon fibers. The subsequent reactions between the outer Ti, Al and the inner carbon were dominated by the Kirkendall effect which gave rise to the formation of a hollow structure. Based on this mechanism, hollow Ti3AlC2microspheres and a series of hollow TiC, Ti2AlC, and V2AlC powders were also successfully fabricated. This work provides a facile route to synthesize hollow MAX phases and may give enlightenment on preparing other hollow carbide powders via the Kirkendall effect in the molten salts.

• An effective and convenient way is proposed to prepare the MAX phase microrods. • The first study on the microwave absorption performance of MAX phases microrods. • The unique core-sheath microrod structure endows efficient microwave absorption. • The location of the doping dipole was clarified by DFT calculation. • Revealing the microwave absorption mechanism in depth. The morphology of MAX phase powders significantly influences their microwave absorption properties. However, the traditional synthesis via solid-state reactions produces irregular powders, and the preparation of MAX phase powders with specific morphology remains a challenge. Herein, (V 0.8 Ti 0.1 Cr 0.1) 2 AlC MAX phase microrods were fabricated for the first time in NaCl/KCl molten salts using vanadium, titanium, chromium, aluminum, and short carbon fibers as precursors. It was found that despite acting as a carbon source, carbon fibers also acted as sacrificial templates. By adjusting the molar ratio of metal powders and short carbon fibers, a series of carbon fiber@(V 0.8 Ti 0.1 Cr 0.1) 2 AlC microrods with core-sheath structure were also obtained. Carbon fiber@(V 0.8 Ti 0.1 Cr 0.1) 2 AlC microrods with a molar ratio of 8:2 showed the optimum microwave absorption performance. The reflection loss (RL) value reached up to –63.26 dB at 2.40 mm, and the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) was about 5.28 GHz with a thickness of 2.02 mm. Based on the electromagnetic parameter analysis and theoretical simulation, the enhanced microwave absorption performance was attributed to the synergistic effect of different factors like dielectric loss, magnetic loss, multiple reflection, and scattering. This work offers a facile route to modulate the morphology of MAX phase powders and may accelerate its application as microwave absorbers. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plain pottery excavated from the Tang Dynasty tomb of Liu Jing was taken as the research object. The color, chemical composition, microstructure, and phase were tested to investigate the influencing factors of color for plain pottery fragments. The results indicated that the contents of Fe2O3and TiO2in all fragments varied little, and the influence of humic acids in clay as well as the firing atmosphere on the appearance color of plain pottery was excluded. Therefore, the main factor affecting color saturation (C*) was identified as the firing temperature (T). More importantly, the correlation between C*and firing temperature was established by replicas fired at different temperatures. Before the appearance of the glass phase, iron-containing minerals played a major role in coloring, and after that, iron ions in the glass phase and iron crystallization rose the important function of coloring. Consequently, with the increase of firing temperature, C*value increased firstly and then decreased. The inflection point of the fitted C*− Tcurve corresponded to the glass phase formation temperature. By comparing the estimated firing temperatures obtained by the fitted C*− Tcorrelation curve with the known firing temperature of replicas, it was demonstrated that the color measurement is an ideal method for deducing the firing temperatures of ancient plain pottery.

• NiFe 2 O 4 /PPy metacomposites with tunable negative permittivity are prepared by a simple surface-initiated polymerization method. • Minimum reflection loss of NiFe 2 O 4 -PPy metacomposites is −40.8 dB. • Effective absorption bandwidth blew −10 and −20 dB is 6.08 and 2.08 GHz, respectively. • Excellent EMW absorption performance benefits from improved independence matching, EMW attenuation capacity and synergistic effects of conduction loss, dielectric loss and magnetic loss. NiFe 2 O 4 /polypyrrole (NiFe 2 O 4 /PPy) nanocomposites are prepared by a simple surface-initiated polymerization method and demonstrate negative permittivity in the low frequency regions. These nanocomposites also exhibit significantly enhanced electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption property in the high frequency regions. Compared with pure PPy, the enhanced negative permittivity is observed in the NiFe 2 O 4 /PPy nanocomposites with a NiFe 2 O 4 loading of 5.0, 10.0, 20.0 and 40.0 wt%, indicating the formation of metal-like electrical conducting network in NiFe 2 O 4 /PPy nanocomposites. Moreover, the negative permittivity could be tuned by changing the NiFe 2 O 4 loading. The minimum reflection loss (RL) of -40.8 dB is observed in the 40.0 wt% NiFe 2 O 4 /PPy composites with a thickness of only 1.9 mm. The effective absorption bandwidth below -10.0 and -20.0 dB reaches 6.08 and 2.08 GHz, respectively. The enhanced EMW absorption performance benefits from the improved independence matching, EMW attenuation capacity, and synergistic effects of conduction loss, dielectric loss (interfacial and dipole polarizations) and magnetic loss (exchange and natural resonances). This research work provides a guidance for the fabrication of nanocomposites with an excellent EMW absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AimsTo elucidate the influence of age and myopic shift on retinal development.MethodsThis 1-year longitudinal study included 769 participants aged 6–17 years. Cycloplegic refraction, axial length and swept-source optical coherence tomography were examined at baseline and follow-up. The thickness changes in the retina, ganglion cell complex (GCC) and outer retinal layers (ORL) in the macular region were calculated, and their relation with age and myopic shift was analysed with multiple linear regression analysis.ResultsThe thickness of the central foveal retinal layers was increased in children (<10 years) but unchanged or decreased in adolescents (>13 years). The thickness changes in the retina, GCC and ORL decreased with age (r=−0.24,–0.23, −0.15, respectively, all p<0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed that the changes in central foveal retinal thickness (RT) and GCC thickness were independently associated with age and baseline spherical equivalent (SE), while the changes in ORL thickness were associated with age and SE changes. In children 8–9 years, a greater increase was observed in central foveal ORL thickness in those with no myopic shift (p<0.01). The thickness of the most parafoveal and perifoveal retinal layers was less increased or more decreased in children <9 years with myopic shift (p<0.05).ConclusionsRetinal development and its relation with myopic shift varies from childhood to adolescence. Myopia-related retinal thinning may result from less increase in the RT in childhood rather than a decrease in RT in adolescents. Children under 9 years old could be at a critical age for future myopia-related retinal thinning.

Graphical abstract:

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials have received considerable attention in recent years. The EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of materials depends on not only their composition but also their microstructures. Among various microstructure prototypes, porous structures provide the advantages of low density and high terahertz wave absorption. In this study, by using carbonised wood (CW) as a template, 1-mm-thick MAX@CW composites (Ti2AlC@CW, V2AlC@CW, and Cr2AlC@CW) with a porous structure were fabricated through the molten salt method. The MAX@CW composites led to the formation of a conductive network and multilayer interface, which resulted in improved EMI SE. The average EMI SE values of the three MAX@CW composites were > 45 dB in the frequency of 0.6–1.6 THz. Among the composites, V2AlC@CW exhibited the highest average EMI SE of 55 dB.

Graphical abstract: Magnetic polyaniline nanocomposites with tunable positive magnetoresistance.

A tremella-like Mo and N codoped graphitic nanosheet array supported on activated carbon (Mo2C-MoC/AC-N) is prepared via in situ carbonization of nitrogen-rich cobalt phthalocyanine nanoparticulates anchored on activated carbon as a high-performance anode for potassium-ion batteries. The nanosheets about 5 nm thick are uniformly distributed on the surface of activated carbon for fast K-ion intercalation, and the abundant micropores in activated carbon provide additional adsorption sites of potassium ions, forming a three-dimensional architecture for potassium storage. The 3.9 atom % Mo in Mo2C-MoC/AC-N is in the form of Mo2C and MoC flakes (around 1:1) attached to the graphitic nanosheets. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the reaction with Mo2C (forming K2C) happens mainly at 0.8–0.4 V, while the reaction with MoC (forming K2C) occurs primarily at 0.4–0.01 V. The N doping (9.6 atom %) causes an interlayer spacing expansion of 0.3 Å in the graphitic nanosheets, beneficial to the potassium-ion insertion reaction to form KC8at 0.4–0.01 V. The Mo2C-MoC/AC-N anode exhibits a capacity of 457.5 mA h g–1at a current density of 0.05 A g–1and an excellent capacity of 144.4 mA h g–1at a high current of 5 A g–1with a capacity loss rate of 0.49‰ per cycle.

Graphical Abstract: The core-shell structured magnetite/polyaniline nanocomposites with tunable magnetoresistance by changing the size of magnetite nanoparticle.

Cultural relics have their unique artistic, cultural and historical value, and the protection of important cultural relics is conducive to the inheritance of historical culture. As a kind of cementing agent and binder commonly seen in cultural relics protection, epoxy resin is widely used in the bonding and consolidation of various materials in cultural relics, which has important practical application value. In this review, a systematic classification of commonly used epoxy resins, including their molecular structures, synthesis reactions and properties are provided, the problems and solutions of epoxy resin in cultural relics protection are summarized. The solutions are classified into three aspects: functional epoxy resin, blending modification, and other modification. Representative application examples of epoxy resin are listed in the field of cultural relics protection, and the development direction of epoxy resin in cultural relics protection in the future is proposed, which provides useful guidance for the modification of epoxy resin and its application in cultural relics protection in the future.

Graphical abstract:

Acetone, as widely used reagents in industry and laboratories, are extremely harmful to the human. So the detection of acetone gas concentrations and leaks in special environments at room temperature is essential. Herein, the nanocomposite combining SnO-SnO 2 (p-n junction) and Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene was successfully synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method. Because of the existence of a small amount of oxygen during the hydrothermal conditions, part of the p-type SnO was oxidized to n-type SnO 2 , forming in-situ p-n junctions on the surface of SnO. The hamburger-like SnO-SnO 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x sensor exhibited improved acetone gas sensing response of 12.1 (R g / R a) at room temperature, which were nearly 11 and 4 times higher than those of pristine Ti 3 C 2 T x and pristine SnO-SnO 2 , respectively. Moreover, it expressed a short recovery time (9 s) and outstanding reproducibility. Because of the different work functions, the Schottky barrier was formed between the SnO and the Ti 3 C 2 T x nanosheets, acting as a hole accumulation layer (HALs) between Ti 3 C 2 T x and tin oxides. Herein, the sensing mechanism based on the formation of hetero-junctions and high conductivity of the metallic phase of Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene in SnO-SnO 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x sensors was discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The compounds of mercury can be highly toxic and can interfere with a range of biological processes, although many aspects of the mechanism of toxicity are still obscure or unknown. One especially intriguing property of Hg(II) is its ability to bind DNA directly, making interstrand cross-links between thymine nucleobases in AT-rich sequences. We have used a combination of small molecule X-ray diffraction, X-ray spectroscopies, and computational chemistry to study the interactions of Hg(II) with thymine. We find that the energetically preferred mode of thymine binding in DNA is to the N3 and predict only minor distortions of the DNA structure on binding one Hg(II) to two cross-adjacent thymine nucleotides. The preferred geometry is predicted to be twisted away from coplanar through a torsion angle of between 32 and 43°. Using 1-methylthymine as a model, the bis-thymine coordination of Hg(II) is found to give a highly characteristic X-ray spectroscopic signature that is quite distinct from other previously described biological modes of binding of Hg(II). This work enlarges and deepens our view of significant biological targets of Hg(II) and demonstrates tools that can provide a characteristic signature for the binding of Hg(II) to DNA in more complex matrices including intact cells and tissues, laying the foundation for future studies of mechanisms of mercury toxicity.

Severe stress concentration occurs around circular vent holes of an industrial turbine sealing disk. This paper investigates the structural design and optimization for the vent holes to effectively reduce the maximum von Mises stress and improve the fatigue life of the turbine sealing disk. An efficient integrated design optimization method is presented based on a novel non-circular vent hole design method in combination with a variable dimension sub-model method, a self-developed modeling and meshing tool, and the Multi-Island Genetic Algorithm. The proposed non-circular vent hole is biaxial symmetric and consists of four smoothly connected arcs. The variable dimension sub-model method is utilized to obtain accurate results in the fields around the vent holes within the computationally acceptable time. The modeling and meshing tool is developed by using the Tcl/Tk Scripts to rebuild the geometry and generate the high-quality hexahedral mesh automatically. The Multi-Island Genetic Algorithm is adopted to solve the studied constrained optimization problem. After optimization, the maximum von Mises stress is reduced from 1305.644 MPa to 963.435 MPa, and the fatigue life is increased from 3091 cycles to 30,297 cycles. The results show that the proposed design and optimization methods can significantly improve the performance of the turbine sealing disk along with the remarkable drop in stress concentration.

An accurate and automated tissue segmentation algorithm for retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) images is crucial for the diagnosis of glaucoma. However, due to the presence of the optic disc, the anatomical structure of the peripapillary region of the retina is complicated and is challenging for segmentation. To address this issue, we develop a novel graph convolutional network (GCN)-assisted two-stage framework to simultaneously label the nine retinal layers and the optic disc. Specifically, a multi-scale global reasoning module is inserted between the encoder and decoder of a U-shape neural network to exploit anatomical prior knowledge and perform spatial reasoning. We conduct experiments on human peripapillary retinal OCT images. We also provide public access to the collected dataset, which might contribute to the research in the field of biomedical image processing. The Dice score of the proposed segmentation network is 0.820 ± 0.001 and the pixel accuracy is 0.830 ± 0.002, both of which outperform those from other state-of-the-art techniques.

Structural colors are widespread in myriads of natural living organisms measuring from tens to hundreds of nanometers. In recent years, amorphous photonic crystal films have received extensive attention due to their stable color rendering properties. However, the internal structure of the films is easy to be contaminated by liquid. Thus, self-cleaning performance has been considered as one of the main obstacles to the practical application of artificial structural colored films. In order to solve the issues, we used heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodacyl trimethoxysilane to modify the structural colored films. The results demonstrated that the modified colored films showed super-hydrophobic (contact angle > 160°) and high oleophobic (contact angle > 150°) properties. The rapid production of water-resistant and oil-resistant structural color coatings by spraying is significant for expanding their application in outdoor conditions (e.g., acid–base, alkali base, pollution) for a long time.

Polarizing beam splitters (PBSs) are essential components for polarization-multiplexed communication system. However, conventional PBS, such as Rochon prism and Wollaston prism, must be sufficiently thick to generate enough walk-off distance between two orthogonal polarizations due to the low birefringence of natural material. To reduce this requirement, we propose and demonstrate a three-dimensional printed low-cost low-profile Fresnel-Rochon prism. By adjusting the dimensions of the artificially engineered gratings that comprise the prism, the refractive index tensor along the x- and y-direction can differ, enabling the independent manipulation of the deflection angles of the orthogonal polarized components. Applying the Fresnel principle to this Rochon prism, the thickness can be greatly reduced while the polarization splitting and deflection angles remain unaltered. Meanwhile, the transmission efficiency of the prism is also improved as less energy is dissipated in the lossy printing material. In addition, in contrast to conventional Rochon prisms formed by two right triangle prisms, the proposed Rochon prism enjoys the benefit of simple fabrication without any further assembly procedure. Prototypes operating at 0.14-THz frequency were printed and measured to verify the idea.

In this study, Ti3(Al,Ga)C2/Al2O3composites were successfully synthesized by in situhot pressing at 1350 °C for 2 h using Ti, Al, TiC, and Ga2O3as raw materials. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used for characterizing the phase identities and microstructures of the sintered composites. The dependence of the Vickers hardness and flexural strength on the Al2O3content was found to be in single-peak type. Ti3(Al0.6,Ga0.4)C2/10.3vol%Al2O3composite exhibited significantly improved mechanical properties. Vickers hardness and flexural strength of the composite reached 6.58 GPa and 527.11 MPa, which were 40% and 74% higher than those of Ti3AlC2, respectively. Formation of solid solution and incorporation of second phase of Al2O3resulted in the opposite influence on the fracture toughness. Finally, the hardening and strengthening mechanisms were discussed in detail.

Radiotherapy (RT) is a widely explored clinical modality to combat cancer. However, its therapeutic efficacy is not always satisfied because of the severe hypoxic microenvironment in solid tumors and the high dosage of radiation harmful to the adjacent healthy tissue. Herein, Au nanoparticle–hemoglobin complex nanoparticle loaded platelets (Au-Hb@PLT) were fabricated. These Au-Hb@PLT would be activated by tumor cells, and the formed platelet-derivate particles (PM) could deliver Au nanoparticle–hemoglobin complex deeply into tumor tissue because of their small size and tumor homing ability. Hemoglobin acts as an oxygen carrier to relieve the hypoxia and gold nanoparticles work as radiosensitizers to potentiate the sensitivity of tumor cells to X-ray, thus, enhancing the in vivotherapeutic outcome even under a low-dose RT in tumor bearing mice. The enhanced antitumor effect and survival benefits endowed by the Au-Hb@PLT were confirmed in vitroand in vivo. These results demonstrate that these Au-Hb@PLT can work as an oxygen vehicle, offer a promising approach to mitigate hypoxia and improve RT efficacy with a low RT dosage.

H3PW12O40-MAS-7 and H3PW12O40-MAS-9 composite catalysts exhibiting different structural orderings were assembled from zeolite beta and ZSM-5 precursors by a one-pot template-assisted self-assembly mechanism. Characterization results suggest that H3PW12O40was encapsulated into the mesoporous framework of the aluminosilicates without alteration of mesoporosity of the composites. The sequential introduction of H3PW12O40during the synthesis of MAS-7 and MAS-9 affected the surface morphologies. The textural characteristics of the composites were improved owing to the introduction of HPW after the addition of an inorganic precursor to the template leading to a material with a high BET surface area. As novel heterogeneous solid acid catalysts, the activity of the composites was determined for the biodiesel synthesis from the unrefined green seed canola oil, giving 95.4 ± 1.4 wt % methyl ester in 10 h at 180 °C with 5.5 wt % of catalyst and a 15.5:1 methanol to oil molar ratio. The recyclability of the composites is evaluated through four consecutive reactions.

Though basalt fiber has excellent mechanical properties and attractive green feature, the ultralow interfacial strength of fiber-to-polymer greatly limits its application. Herein, investigation into the first use of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and silane coupling agent as surface modifier for basalt fiber by dint of chemical grafting strategy was presented. The resulted fiber was discovered to provide the growth of 61.5% in fiber-to-epoxy adhesion relative to untreated basalt fibers in epoxy. The change in interfacial strength is associated with the improved epoxy wetting behavior and increased covalent interactions contributed by the unique conical hollow ring architecture of β-CD that offers more acting sites to be linked and accommodated with more silane coupling agents for subsequent chemical crosslinking and physical entanglement with greater epoxy molecules. Additionally, the crack deflection by “rigid” β-CD at interphase dissipates more energy. First proved superiority of β-CD for strengthening the interphase in this work paves the way for developing green and high-performance fiber composites, responding well to the sustainable development in engineering.

Based on arrays of Au seeds fabricated with atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanoxerography, the seeded growth of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) on surface is achieved. The size evolution of Au NPs in each spot is tracked by in situ AFM and SEM images because each spot can be easily localized in the array system. The extinction microspectra extracted in real time with enhanced signals and red-shift can further monitor the increasing size of Au NPs. As a powerful platform, AFM nanoxerography makes it easy to tune the spot size and the intervals among spots in the Au NP arrays without preparing a template. It also allows for fabricating arbitrary patterns including various symbols and graphs. More interestingly, the in situ growth of Au NPs offers an approach to decreasing the interparticle distance, and thus forming closely interconnected Au nanowire assembly, exhibiting immense potential in the nanoelectronic system.

Natural amorphous photonic crystals benefit from reflectance at selective wavelengths in some specific existing natural systems. Noniridescence from natural organisms has also attracted great interest for various examples in bionic colors, pigments, and paintings. Here, Air@C@TiO2sphere was obtained by the first calcination of PS@TiO2core–shell nanoparticles in nitrogen to ensure the integrity of the shell structure followed by low-temperature calcination to obtain the appropriate color saturation. We demonstrate that, compared with the prepared colored PS@TiO2/carbon black (CB) pigments, angle-independent hollow Air@C@TiO2nanoparticles have enhanced color stability under the action of in situ synthesized carbon black (CB). Our results suggest that it is easy to change the color of these Air@C@TiO2spheres by adjusting the sphere structure sizes, which have the potential to show visual signaling.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the characteristics of retinal perfusion and its associations with high myopia. Methods: A total of 760 participants were included. Peripapillary radial peripapillary capillary perfusion, foveal avascular zone, and parafoveal perfusion were measured using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Tilted disc ratio and parapapillary atrophy were determined using swept-source optical coherence tomography. Results: A total of 760 young healthy participants with myopic eyes were included in the analysis. The mean axial length and titled disc ratio were 26.43 ± 1.14 and 0.76 ± 0.08 mm in the high-myopia group and 24.79 ± 0.75 and 0.80 ± 0.09 mm in the control group, respectively. The high-myopia group exhibited significantly larger parapapillary atrophy, lower tilted disc ratio, lower radial peripapillary capillary vessel density, larger area of foveal avascular zone, and lower deep parafoveal vessel density. In the multivariate analysis, titled disc ratio significantly correlated with radial peripapillary capillary vessel density (P= 0.0134), larger foveal avascular zone (P= 0.0062), and lower deep parafoveal vessel density (P&lt; 0.0001). Conclusions: Reduced radial peripapillary capillary and deep parafoveal vessel density and enlarged area of foveal avascular zone were observed in high myopia. Tilted disc ratio correlated with retinal perfusion.

Prenatal genetic technologies now are being implemented in LMICs, and while there is much research on the ethical, legal and social implications of such technologies in Western countries, there is a paucity of such research in LMICs, which have diverse cultural, religious, political, financial and health service contexts. This study aimed to explore views about women’s autonomous decision-making for antenatal screening held by women, men and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Pakistan. A Q-methodology study was conducted during June 2016 to January 2018 in Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 137 participants (60 women, 57 men, 20 HCPs) rank-ordered 41 statements. Following by-person factor analysis, four distinct viewpoints were identified. Three of these represent views held by women and men only: autonomous decision-making requires directive advice from doctors; autonomous decision-making requires the husband’s involvement, where independent decision-making by the woman is considered culturally inappropriate; and opting for antenatal screening is a foregone decision. One contrasting viewpoint represents predominantly HCPs: autonomous decision-making is the couple’s responsibility. These findings highlight that Western approaches to facilitating women’s autonomy for antenatal screening are unlikely to be suitable for use in Pakistan. Instead, culturally appropriate practice guidelines are needed in LMICs to enable HCPs to adopt shared decision-making approaches in a way that enables them to facilitate active and joint decision-making by couples, while ensuring women exercise their autonomy.

Chemical pigments are damaging to the environment; however, a nontoxic substance (including TiO2and SiO2) often appears white because of the incoherent multiple scattering. The addition of small black substances can enhance the structural color of the amorphous system. Herein, colored amorphous photonic crystals (APCs) with angle-independence were fabricated by TiO2-coated polystyrene core–shell nanoparticles (PS@TiO2NPs) via a healthy and time-saving sprayed method. Compared with generally used collide materials, such as PS and SiO2NPs with smooth surfaces, the rough TiO2NPs shell structure has significant advances for the underwater oil-repellent property. Thanks to the TiO2NPs adhered to PS spheres, the multiscale roughness was enhanced and the PS@TiO2/CB film was endowed with excellent underwater superoleophobicity without other extremely hydrophilic chemical compositions. Furthermore, the waterborne polyurethane improves the robustness of the film. This film is free from the adhesion of oil in the water, which can be employed into diverse undersurface systems and may boost the promising applications of APCs.

Although Li4Ti5O12(LTO) is considered as a promising anode material for high-power Li-ion batteries with high safety, the sluggish Li-ion diffusion coefficient restricts its widespread application. In this work, oxygen vacancy was successfully incorporated into LTO by an eco-friendly and cost-effective plasma process. The deficient LTO delivers much higher capacities of 173.4 mAh g–1at 1C rate after 100 cycles and 140.5 mAh g–1at 5C after 1000 cycles than those of pristine LTO. Meanwhile, even at a high rate of 20C, it displays an ultrahigh capacity of 133.1 mAh g–1after 500 cycles with a Coulombic efficiency of 100%. Detailed analysis reveals that the lithium storage mechanisms in the oxygen-deficient LTO, especially at high rate, were dominated by the insertion behavior and dual-phase conversion due to the fast ion-diffusion ability, rather than the widely reported surface capacitance by other approaches. This work highlights that defect generation by plasma in nanomaterials is an effective way to promote ion mobility, especially at high rates, and thus can be extended to other electrode materials for advanced energy-storage applications.