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The sixth generation (6G) communication will use the terahertz (THz) frequency band, which requires flexible regulation of THz waves. For the conventional metallic metasurface, its electromagnetic properties are hard to be changed once after being fabricated. To enrich the modulation of THz waves, we report an all-optically controlled reconfigurable electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) effect in the hybrid metasurface integrated with a 10-nm thick MoTe[sub.2] film. The experimental results demonstrate that under the excitation of the 800 nm femtosecond laser pulse with pump fluence of 3200 μJ/cm[sup.2], the modulation depth of THz transmission amplitude at the EIT window can reach 77%. Moreover, a group delay variation up to 4.6 ps is observed to indicate an actively tunable slow light behavior. The suppression and recovery of the EIT resonance can be accomplished within sub-nanoseconds, enabling an ultrafast THz photo-switching and providing a promising candidate for the on-chip devices of the upcoming 6G communication.

The Li-CO.sub.2 battery often suffers from high overpotential and limited capacity due to the challenges associated with the adsorption of Li.sup.+ and CO.sub.2 and the decomposition of Li.sub.2CO.sub.3. Herein, hexagonal rich-stepped NiSe crystals are in situ achieved on a three-dimensional (3D) free-standing porous Ni skeleton with double continuous channel architecture (namely p-Ni@NiSe-50) through an in situ selenization process. Structural characterization and theoretical calculation are applied to demonstrate the synergistic effects of marco/microstructural design and electronic band structure regulation. As a result, the adsorption/desorption of Li.sup.+ and CO.sub.2 and the formation/decomposition of Li.sub.2CO.sub.3 are effectively promoted, simultaneously, enabling an enhanced capacity and reversibility of p-Ni@NiSe-50 as the cathode of Li-CO.sub.2 battery. An ultra-low overpotential of 0.46 V and a remarkably high energy efficiency of 83.8% (20 A cm.sup.-2) are achieved, along with a high full discharge specific capacity of 8844 Ah cm.sup.-2. Excellent long-term cycling stability (cycles up to 1000 h at a voltage gap of 1.14 V) of p-Ni@NiSe-50 is also obtained. The results of this work would provide a new insight and strategy to develop high-performance alkali metal-air batteries.

To obtain the VO.sub.2 film/CVD diamond-coated tools, the deposition process of CVD diamond coating on the VO.sub.2 film surface is investigated in this paper. Firstly, the effect of carbonization treatment on VO.sub.2 film is studied. Then, the deposition process of CVD diamond coating on the VO.sub.2 film is studied. Finally, it is studied that the change law of the VO.sub.2 film/CVD diamond coating system stresses under thermal loading. Results indicate that the CVD diamond coating can be grown on the VO.sub.2 film after carbonization and diamond seed crystal treatment. The V.sub.6C.sub.5 is the most stable material after the carbonization of the VO.sub.2 film, and it is used to connect diamond coating and VO.sub.2 film. The VO.sub.2 film/CVD diamond coating system stress undergoes a sudden change under thermal loading. After the sudden change of stress, the VO.sub.2 film/CVD diamond coating system stress is only half of the CVD diamond coating stress. The adhesion of CVD diamond coating is more than 100 N. This study can provide a new idea for the deposition of CVD diamond-coated cutting tools with high bonding performance.

To address the constraints of CuInS.sub.2 in photocatalytic applications, ZnO was synthesized using the sol-gel technique, along with the in-situ hydrothermal method to acquire the ZnO/CuInS.sub.2 heterojunction photocatalyst. Comparisons with the pure CuInS.sub.2 monomer revealed that the fabricated composites demonstrated significant improvement in photocatalytic hydrogen production under simulated sunlight exposures. The optimal hydrogen production rate reached approximately 31-fold that of CuInS.sub.2 alone. The improved photocatalytic activity of ZnO/CuInS.sub.2 can be attributed to the successful formation of the heterojunction, which facilitates the effective transfer of electrons induced by light at the interface. Moreover, the composite photocatalyst significantly reduces electron-hole recombination resulting in efficient conversion of light energy to electrical energy. This study improves the performance of photocatalytic hydrogen production performance in CuInS.sub.2, providing a valuable reference for the development of photocatalytic hydrogen production catalysts.

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) stands out as a pivotal method for curbing NO[sub.x] emissions from flue gas. The support, crucially, for SCR efficacy, loads and interacts with the active components within the catalyst. The catalysts could be amplified by the denitration performance of the catalyst by enhancements in support pore structure, acidity, and mechanical robustness. These improvements ensure efficient interaction between the support and active materials, thereby optimizing the structure and property of the catalysts. TiO[sub.2] is the most commonly used support of the NH[sub.3]-SCR catalyst. The catalyst with TiO[sub.2] support has poor thermal stability and a narrow temperature range, which can be improved. This paper reviews the research progress on the effects of various aspects of TiO[sub.2] support on the NH[sub.3]-SCR catalyst’s performance, focusing on the TiO[sub.2] crystal type, TiO[sub.2] crystal surface, different TiO[sub.2] structures, TiO[sub.2] support preparation methods, and the effects of TiO[sub.2]-X composite support on the NH[sub.3]-SCR catalyst’s performance. The reaction mechanism, denitrification performance, and anti-SO[sub.2]/H[sub.2]O poisoning performance and mechanism of TiO[sub.2] support with different characteristics were described. At the same time, the development trend of the NH[sub.3]-SCR catalyst using TiO[sub.2] as the support is prospected. It is hoped that this work can provide optimization ideas for SCR catalyst research.

We summarize the potential impact that the European Union's new General Data Protection Regulation will have on the routine use of machine‐learning algorithms. Slated to take effect as law across the European Union in 2018, it will place restrictions on automated individual decision making (that is, algorithms that make decisions based on user‐level predictors) that “significantly affect” users. When put into practice, the law may also effectively create a right to explanation, whereby a user can ask for an explanation of an algorithmic decision that significantly affects them. We argue that while this law may pose large challenges for industry, it highlights opportunities for computer scientists to take the lead in designing algorithms and evaluation frameworks that avoid discrimination and enable explanation.

This systematic review evaluates occupational health within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, focusing on ergonomic, physical, chemical, and biological hazards. It identifies significant impacts of these hazards across various professions and underscores the highlights for region-specific strategies and further research. A comprehensive search in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases until October 2023 targeted occupational health studies in the GCC, adhering to PRISMA guidelines and NIH Quality Assessment Tools. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023465909). From 2202 articles screened, 202 were included, with publications distributed as follows: Saudi Arabia (121), United Arab Emirates (26), Kuwait (20), Oman (15), Qatar (13), and Bahrain (7). Findings indicate that ergonomic hazards, characterized by musculoskeletal disorders, are influenced by job roles and work environments. Physical hazards, particularly needlestick injuries, eye safety concerns, and risks from extreme temperatures and radiation, were notable across the region. Chemical hazards, including exposure to pesticides, cement, and petrochemicals, were identified as significant health risks, necessitating better safety measures. Biological hazards, evidenced in studies from Oman, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, highlighted the risks from infectious agents and parasites, stressing the need for effective prevention and hygiene practices. The review advocates for the urgent development of comprehensive health policies to mitigate occupational hazards in the GCC. It highlights the need for collaborative efforts to address ergonomic challenges, enhance protective measures, and respond to chemical and biological risks effectively. Region-specific strategies, ongoing research, and technological advancements are crucial for ensuring workforce safety in these evolving environments.