Recent advances in bioinspired vision systems with curved imaging structures

Limited by the planar imaging structure,the commercial camera needs to introduce additional optical elements to compensate for the curved focal plane to match the planar image sensor.This results in a complex and bulky structure.In contrast,biological eyes possess a simple and compact structure due to their curved imaging structure that can directly match with the curved focal plane.Inspired by the structures and functions of biological eyes,curved vision systems not only improve the image quality,but also offer a variety of advanced functions.Here,we review the recent advances in bioinspired vision systems with curved imaging structures.Specifically,we focus on their applications in implementing different functions of biological eyes,as well as the emerging curved neuromorphic imaging systems that incorporate bioinspired optical and neuromorphic processing technologies.In addition,the challenges and opportunities of bioinspired curved imaging systems are also discussed.

A Robust Self-healing Polyurethane Elastomer Enabled by Tuning the Molecular Mobility and Phase Morphology through Disulfide Bonds

Elastomers with outstanding strength,toughness and healing efficiency are highly promising for many emerging fields.However,it is still a challenge to integrate all these beneficial features in one elastomer.Herein,an asymmetric alicyclic structure adjacent to aromatic disulfide was tactfully introduced into the backbone of polyurethane(PU)elastomer.Specifically,such elastomer(PU-HPS)was fabricated by polycondensing polytetramethylene ether glycol(PTMEG),isophorone diisocyanate(IPDI)and p-hydroxydiphenyl disulfide(HPS)via one-pot method.The molecular mobility and phase morphology of PU-HPS can be tuned by adjusting the HPS content.Consequently,the dynamic exchange of hydrogen and disulfide bonds in the hard segment domains can also be tailored.The optimized sample manifests outstanding tensile strength(46.4 MPa),high toughness(109.1 MJ/m^(3)),high self-healing efficiency after fracture(90.3%),complete scratch recovery(100%)and good puncture resistance.Therefore,this work provides a facile strategy for developing robust self-healing polymers.

Safety and efficacy of thalidomide in patients with transfusiondependentβ-thalassemia:a randomized clinical trial

Thalidomide inducesγ-globin expression in erythroid progenitor cells,but its efficacy on patients with transfusion-dependentβ-thalassemia(TDT)remains unclear.In this phase 2,multi-center,randomized,double-blind clinical trial,we aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of thalidomide in TDT patients.A hundred patients of 14 years or older were randomly assigned to receive placebo or thalidomide for 12 weeks,followed by an extension phase of at least 36 weeks.The primary endpoint was the change of hemoglobin(Hb)level in the patients.The secondary endpoints included the red blood cell(RBC)units transfused and adverse effects.In the placebo-controlled period,Hb concentrations in patients treated with thalidomide achieved a median elevation of 14.0(range,2.5 to 37.5)g/L,whereas Hb in patients treated with placebo did not significantly change.Within the 12 weeks,the mean RBC transfusion volume for patients treated with thalidomide and placebo was 5.4±5.0 U and 10.3±6.4 U,respectively(P<0.001).Adverse events of drowsiness,dizziness,fatigue,pyrexia,sore throat,and rash were more common with thalidomide than placebo.In the extension phase,treatment with thalidomide for 24 weeks resulted in a sustainable increase in Hb concentrations which reached 104.9±19.0 g/L,without blood transfusion.Significant increase in Hb concentration and reduction in RBC transfusions were associated with nonβ0/β0 and HBS1L-MYB(rs9399137 C/T,C/C;rs4895441 A/G,G/G)genotypes.These results demonstrated that thalidomide is effective in patients with TDT.