Inkjet‐Printed Tungsten Oxide Memristor Displaying Non‐Volatile Memory and Neuromorphic Properties

Printed electronics including large-area sensing, wearables, and bioelectronic systems are often limited to simple circuits and hence it remains a major challenge to efficiently store data and perform computational tasks. Memristors can be considered as ideal candidates for both purposes. Herein, an inkjet-printed memristor is demonstrated, which can serve as a digital information storage device, or as an artificial synapse for neuromorphic circuits. This is achieved by suitable manipulation of the ion species in the active layer of the device. For digital-type memristor operation resistive switching is dominated by cation movement after an initial electroforming step. It allows the device to be utilized as non-volatile digital memristor, which offers high endurance over 12 672 switching cycles and high uniformity at low operating voltages. To use the device as an electroforming-free, interface-based, analog-type memristor, anion migration is exploited which leads to volatile resistive switching. An important figure of merits such as short-term plasticity with close to biological synapse timescales is demonstrated, for facilitation (10–177 ms), augmentation (10s), and potentiation (35 s). Furthermore, the device is thoroughly studied regarding its metaplasticity for memory formation. Last but not least, the inkjet-printed artificial synapse shows non-linear signal integration and low-frequency filtering capabilities, which renders it a good candidate for neuromorphic computing architectures, such as reservoir computing

Pathways towards a sustainable future envisioned by early-career conservation researchers

Scientists have warned decision-makers about the severe consequences of the global environmental crisis since the 1970s. Yet ecological degradation continues and little has been done to address climate change. We investigated early-career conservation researchers' (ECR) perspectives on, and prioritization of, actions furthering sustainability. We conducted a survey (n = 67) and an interactive workshop (n = 35) for ECR attendees of the 5th European Congress of Conservation Biology (2018). Building on these data and discussions, we identified ongoing and forthcoming advances in conservation science. These include increased transdisciplinarity, science communication, advocacy in conservation, and adoption of a transformation-oriented social–ecological systems approach to research. The respondents and participants had diverse perspectives on how to achieve sustainability. Reformist actions were emphasized as paving the way for more radical changes in the economic system and societal values linked to the environment and inequality. Our findings suggest that achieving sustainability requires a strategy that (1) incorporates the multiplicity of people's views, (2) places a greater value on nature, and (3) encourages systemic transformation across political, social, educational, and economic realms on multiple levels. We introduce a framework for ECRs to inspire their research and practice within conservation science to achieve real change in protecting biological diversity.</p

Enhanced production of D-lactate in cyanobacteria by re-routing photosynthetic cyclic and pseudo-cyclic electron flow

Cyanobacteria are promising chassis strains for the photosynthetic production of platform and specialty chemicals from carbon dioxide. Their efficient light harvesting and metabolic flexibility abilities have allowed a wide range of biomolecules, such as the bioplastic polylactate precursor D-lactate, to be produced, though usually at relatively low yields. In order to increase photosynthetic electron flow towards the production of D-lactate, we have generated several strains of the marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 (Syn7002) with deletions in genes involved in cyclic or pseudo-cyclic electron flow around photosystem I. Using a variant of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii D-lactate dehydrogenase (LDHSRT, engineered to efficiently utilize NADPH in vivo), we have shown that deletion of either of the two flavodiiron flv homologs (involved in pseudo-cyclic electron transport) or the Syn7002 pgr5 homolog (proposed to be a vital part of the cyclic electron transport pathway) is able to increase D-lactate production in Syn7002 strains expressing LDHSRT and the Escherichia coli LldP (lactate permease), especially at low temperature (25°C) and 0.04% (v/v) CO2, though at elevated temperatures (38°C) and/or high (1%) CO2 concentrations, the effect was less obvious. The Δpgr5 background seemed to be particularly beneficial at 25°C and 0.04% (v/v) CO2, with a nearly 7-fold increase in D-lactate accumulation in comparison to the wild-type background (≈1000 vs ≈150 mg/L) and decreased side effects in comparison to the flv deletion strains. Overall, our results show that manipulation of photosynthetic electron flow is a viable strategy to increase production of platform chemicals in cyanobacteria under ambient conditions.Nanyang Technological UniversityPublished versionThis work was supported by NTU grants M4080306 to BN and M4081714 to PN

Increasing Black, Indigenous and People of Color participation in clinical trials through community engagement and recruitment goal establishment

Longstanding social and economic inequities elevate health risks and vulnerabilities for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Engagement of BIPOC communities in infectious disease research is a critical component in efforts to increase vaccine confidence, acceptability, and uptake of future approved products. Recent data highlight the relative absence of BIPOC communities in vaccine clinical trials. Intentional and effective community engagement methods are needed to improve BIPOC inclusion. We describe the methods utilized for the successful enrollment of BIPOC participants in the U.S. Government (USG)-funded COVID-19 Prevention Network (CoVPN)-sponsored vaccine efficacy trials and analyze the demographic and enrollment data across the efficacy trials to inform future efforts to ensure inclusive participation. Across the four USG-funded COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials for which data are available, 47% of participants enrolled at CoVPN sites in the US were BIPOC. White enrollment outpaced enrollment of BIPOC participants throughout the accrual period, requiring the implementation of strategies to increase diverse and inclusive enrollment. Trials opening later benefitted considerably from strengthened community engagement efforts, and greater and more diverse volunteer registry records. Despite robust fiscal resources and a longstanding collaborative and collective effort, enrollment of White persons outpaced that of BIPOC communities. With appropriate resources, commitment and community engagement expertise, the equitable enrollment of BIPOC individuals can be achieved. To ensure this goal, intentional efforts are needed, including an emphasis on diversity of enrollment in clinical trials, establishment of enrollment goals, ongoing robust community engagement, conducting population-specific trials, and research to inform best practices