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ABSTRACTIn this study, the diversity of Alternariaspecies in section Nimbyaassociated with symptomatic plants in the Cyperaceae and Juncaceae families was assessed. Multilocus sequence analyses of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and parts of Alternariamajor allergen (Alt a 1), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1) genes revealed the presence of two previously known species, A. scirpivoraand A. caricicola, and three new species, which are described here as A. cypericola, sp. nov., A. heyranica, sp. nov., and A. junci-acuti, sp. nov. These new species were characterized morphologically with respect to the dimensions of conidia, the number of pseudosepta in mature conidia, and the type of conidium apical beak. According to the results of phylogenetic analyses, the presence of long, filiform true beak is not a reliable morphological indicator for grouping species in sections Alternantheraeand Nimbyaand phylogenetic species recognition should be used. All identified species were described, illustrated, and their morphology and phylogenetic relationships with other species in Alternariasection Nimbyawere discussed.

In this study, the diversity ofCurvulariaspecies from Iran was explored by integration of morphology and molecular data. Seventy-nineCurvulariaisolates were recovered from plant species with leaf spot symptoms. A phylogeny based on sequences of the ITS-rDNA region and the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene clustered our isolates in 16 species clades within the genusCurvularia, viz.,C. americana,C. coatesiae,C. coicis,C. ellisii,C. eragrostidicola,C. geniculata,C. hawaiiensis,C. heteropogonicola,C. inaequalis,C. intermedia,C. mebaldsii,C. nicotiae,C. prasadii,C. spicifera,C. subpapendorfii, andC. tuberculata.Of those,C. coatesiae,C. eragrostidicola,C. geniculata,C. mebaldsii,C. nicotiae,C. prasadiiandC. subpapendorfiirepresent new records for the mycobiota of Iran.New hosts species are reported forC. americana,C. coatesiae,C. eragrostidicola,C. nicotiae,C. prasadiiandC. subpapendorfii.

Continuous monitoring of physiological parameters has remained an essential component of patient care. With an increased level of consciousness regarding personal health and wellbeing, the scope of physiological monitoring has extended beyond the hospital. From implanted rhythm devices to non‐contact video monitoring for critically ill patients and at‐home health monitors during Covid‐19, many applications have enabled continuous health monitorization. Wearable health sensors have allowed chronic patients as well as seemingly healthy individuals to track a wide range of physiological and pharmacological parameters including movement, heart rate, blood glucose, and sleep patterns using smart watches or textiles, bracelets, and other accessories. The use of metamaterials in wearable sensor design has offered unique control over electromagnetic, mechanical, acoustic, optical, or thermal properties of matter, enabling the development of highly sensitive, user‐friendly, and lightweight wearables. However, metamaterial design for wearables has relied heavily on manual design processes including human‐intuition‐based and bio‐inspired design. Artificial intelligence (AI)‐based metamaterial design can support faster exploration of design parameters, allow efficient analysis of large data‐sets, and reduce reliance on manual interventions, facilitating the development of optimal metamaterials for wearable health sensors. Here, AI‐based metamaterial design for wearable healthcare is reviewed. Current challenges and future directions are discussed. Artificial intelligence (AI)‐based metamaterial design can support faster exploration of design parameters, allow efficient analysis of large data‐sets, and reduce reliance on manual interventions, facilitating the development of optimal metamaterials for wearable health sensors. Here, AI‐based metamaterial design for wearable healthcare is reviewed. Current challenges and future directions are discussed.

In a taxonomic survey on the genusExserohilum(Pleosporales, Ascomycota) in Iran, leaf samples were collected from plant species with leaf spot symptoms. Monosporic fungal cultures were established using a spore dilution method.Exserohilumisolates were characterized based on a combination of morphological features and sequence data from the ITS+5.8S rDNA region. In this study we report three species ofExserohilumviz.Exserohilum rostratum,E. turcicumandE. monocerasamong whichE. monocerasis newly recorded for the mycobiota of Iran fromEchinochloa colonaandSetaria sp.Exserohilum turcicum is newly reported onSorghum halepense andPaspalum dilatatumin Iran; while, several new hosts are recorded forE. rostratum namelyAloe vera,S. bicolor,S. halepense,Oryza sativaandSaccharum officinarumin Iran.Setaria sp. andP. dilatatumare recorded as new hosts forE. monoceras andE. turcicumworldwide, respectively. We provide full descriptions and illustrations for each of the three species.