A bioinspired optoelectronically engineered artificial neurorobotics device with sensorimotor functionalities

Development of the next generation of bio- and nano-electronics is inseparably connected to the innovative concept of emulation and reproduction of biological sensorimotor systems and artificial neurobotics. Here, we report for the first time principally new artificial bioinspired optoelectronic sensorimotor system for the controlable immitation of opto-genetically engineered neurons in the biological motor system. The device is based on inorganic optical synapse (In-doped TiO2 nanofilm) assembled into a liquid metal (galinstan) actuator. The optoelectronic synapse generates polarised excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials to trigger the liquid metal droplet to vibrate and then mimic the expansion and contraction of biological fibre muscle. The low-energy consumption and precise modulation of electrical and mechanical outputs are the distinguished characteristics of fabricated sensorimotor system. This work is the underlying significant step towards the development of next generation of low-energy the internet of things for bioinspired neurorobotic and bioelectronic system

A sectorial scheme of gate-all-around field effect transistor with improved electrical characteristics

Reliability and controllability for a new scheme of gate-all-around field effect transistor (GAA-FET) with a silicon channel utilizing a sectorial cross section is evaluated in terms of Ion/Ioff current ratio, transconductance, subthreshold slope, threshold voltage roll-off, and drain induced barrier lowering (DIBL). In addition, the scaling behavior of electronic figures of merit is comprehensively studied with the aid of physical simulations. The electrical characteristic of proposed structure is compared with a circular GAA-FET, which is previously calibrated with an IBM sample at the 22 nm channel length using 3D-TCAD simulations. Our simulation results show that sectorial cross section GAA-FET is a superior structure for controlling short channel effects (SCEs) and to obtain better performance compared to conventional circular cross section counterpart

Implicit Theories of Leadership and Followership: A Qualitative Exploration of Research Gaps and Directions for Future Research

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify research gaps and provide an integrative and comprehensive review related to implicit leadership theory (ILTs) and implicit followership theory (IFTs) in the last five years. Design/ methodology/ approach: Using a qualitative systematic review and the content analysis method, we analyzed, summarized, and categorized articles’ recommendations to provide a comprehensive perspective of research gaps and directions for future studies. Findings: Through analyzing 45 articles published in 2016-2021, firstly, we clarified the distinction between empirical and theoretical articles. In addition, the results of ILTs and IFTs research gaps were reported in four main categories including antecedents, consequences, measurement development, and content and structure of ILTs and IFTs. Finally, we offered many suggestions and directions for future research based on the research gaps we identified. Originality/ value: the growing interest in ILTs and IFTs as two of the most absorbing topics in leadership literature has led to the accumulation and dispersal of knowledge. This, in turn, prevents scholars to obtain a holistic and clear approach to theory development and related research gaps. To address the lack of coherence and clarity about ILTs and IFTs research gaps, we provide an integrative and comprehensive review of related research gaps in order to create a framework for future studies

Nanoscale all-oxide-heterostructured bio-inspired optoresponsive nociceptor

Retina nociceptor, as a key sensory receptor, not only enables the transport of warning signals to the human central nervous system upon its exposure to noxious stimuli, but also triggers the motor response that minimizes potential sensitization. In this study, the capability of two-dimensional all-oxide-heterostructured artificial nociceptor as a single device with tunable properties was confirmed. Newly designed nociceptors utilize ultra-thin sub-stoichiometric TiO2-Ga2O3 heterostructures, where the thermally annealed Ga2O3 films play the role of charge transfer controlling component. It is discovered that the phase transformation in Ga2O3 is accompanied by substantial jump in conductivity, induced by thermally assisted internal redox reaction of Ga2O3 nanostructure during annealing. It is also experimentally confirmed that the charge transfer in all-oxide heterostructures can be tuned and controlled by the heterointerfaces manipulation. Results demonstrate that the engineering of heterointerfaces of two-dimensional (2D) films enables the fabrication of either high-sensitive TiO2-Ga2O3 (Ar) or high-threshold TiO2-Ga2O3 (N-2) nociceptors. The hypersensitive nociceptor mimics the functionalities of corneal nociceptors of human eye, whereas the delayed reaction of nociceptor is similar to high-threshold nociceptive characteristics of human sensory system. The long-term stability of 2D nociceptors demonstrates the capability of heterointerfaces engineering for effective control of charge transfer at 2D heterostructured devices

Cultural Differences in Writing English Native and Non-Native Acknowledgment texts: A Contrastive Study

This study investigates the similarities and differences in different cultures between English natives and non-natives speakers in writing acknowledgments. Six major sections of acknowledgments in both English natives and non-natives were examined. Forty- three dissertations and books from different fields, 11 by English natives and 32 by non-natives including Iranians (Fourteen written by Iranians, seven in English and seven in Persian) were analyzed in percentages, and the quantitative results of the analysis were examined statistically. The results showed that the cultural origins and the teamwork had the most differences. There was the least gap due to supervisor and advisor, and the most gaps were seen between writing acknowledgments of natives and non-natives, which were due to family and God. The average of word counts of natives and non-natives writings came to a great similarity

The Effect of Interaction through Social Networks Sites on Learning English in Iranian EFL Context

This study aims to investigate the effect of interaction in social network websites on enhancing acquisition of English language in students studying in language institutes. Since the emergence of Social Network Sites (SNS) in 2005, they have been potentially affective in area of education in general and foreign language learning in particular. Language learners may use social networks sites (SNS) as a mean to get engaged and motivated in meaningful communicative situations. This study was conducted among 40 active and regular EFL intermediate level EFL learners in Qalame Bartar Language institute joining a Facebook group who are familiar with using computer and internet as participants of the study. The data were collected from the learners’ interactional exchanges in the weekly posts, from social interaction and discussion in SNSs; research conducted in related subject and the tests given to these participants after using SNS for 60 days. Based on data analysis, the EFL learners’ language learning skills in the treatment group highly increased during this period in comparison to the control group. The findings indicate interaction through SNS putting learner in real communicative situations plays an important role in enhancing the development of foreign language learning

The Effect of Three Phase Approach on Iranian EFL Learners’ Reading Comprehension

This research examined the strategies employed in the Three Phase Approach ( Pre-reading /During-reading / Post-reading ) stages of instruction language learning. This study aimed at determining the difference in the strategy use by each stage at Pre-Intermediate level. To fulfill the purpose of the study, a piloted sample Preliminary English Test (PET) was administered to a total number of 30 Iranian female teenage EFL learners at Kish Language School, Tehran. Then, the Homogeneity test was administered to a total number of 120 Iranian female teenage EFL learners and 80 learners were homogenized to pass the pre-test. The selected participants were then non-randomly assigned into three experimental groups: Pre-reading / During-reading / Post reading. In one of the groups, the pre-reading tasks, in the second group, the while-reading tasks and in the last group, the post-reading tasks were practiced through 10 sessions and at the end of the course, the participants in each group were given the reading section of another sample PET as a posttest to measure their reading comprehension. Subsequently, the mean score of all three groups and the control group on the posttest were compared which led to implying that the null hypothesis was supported. In other words, no significance Difference was found between the three experimental groups – pre, post and during reading – and the control group

Interpersonal Metadiscourse in Compositions Written by Iranian ESP Students

The aim of this study was to investigate two types of Hyland's interpersonal metadiscourse (MD) used in compositions written by male and female students. Twelve students including 5 males and 7 females aged between 26 -33 who have been studying chemistry engineering in Islamic Azad University, Shahreza Branch were selected. Without any instruction, they were given a topic to write an eighty-word composition in ten minutes. Compositions were collected and were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Data was analyzed quantitatively in the result section and discussed qualitatively in discussion and conclusion sections. Findings showed that students employed all types of metadiscourse except for two subcategories of interactive MD namely endophoric markers and evidentials. Self mentions were the most frequently used, and hedges and boosters were the least in both males and females. Differences between genders in using MD with different degrees of occurrence are present in the overall interpersonal metadiscourse

Cultural Differences in Writing English Native and Non-Native Acknowledgment texts: A Contrastive Study

This study investigates the similarities and differences in different cultures between English natives and non-natives speakers in writing acknowledgments. Six major sections of acknowledgments in both English natives and non-natives were examined. Forty- three dissertations and books from different fields, 11 by English natives and 32 by non-natives including Iranians (Fourteen written by Iranians, seven in English and seven in Persian) were analyzed in percentages, and the quantitative results of the analysis were examined statistically. The results showed that the cultural origins and the teamwork had the most differences. There was the least gap due to supervisor and advisor, and the most gaps were seen between writing acknowledgments of natives and non-natives, which were due to family and God. The average of word counts of natives and non-natives writings came to a great similarity

Interpersonal Metadiscourse in Compositions Written by Iranian ESP Students

The aim of this study was to investigate two types of Hyland's interpersonal metadiscourse (MD) used in compositions written by male and female students. Twelve students including 5 males and 7 females aged between 26 -33 who have been studying chemistry engineering in Islamic Azad University, Shahreza Branch were selected. Without any instruction, they were given a topic to write an eighty-word composition in ten minutes. Compositions were collected and were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Data was analyzed quantitatively in the result section and discussed qualitatively in discussion and conclusion sections. Findings showed that students employed all types of metadiscourse except for two subcategories of interactive MD namely endophoric markers and evidentials. Self mentions were the most frequently used, and hedges and boosters were the least in both males and females. Differences between genders in using MD with different degrees of occurrence are present in the overall interpersonal metadiscourse