Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Graphene, layered materials and hybrid structures for advanced photodetectors

Photodetectors are essential in optoelectronics as they allow the conversion of optical signals into electrical outputs. Silicon, germanium and III-V semiconductors currently dominate the photodetector market. In this dissertation I exploit the potential of layered materials to demonstrate a class of photodetectors able to challenge existing technological issues. I first demonstrate a fabrication method for high-mobility, chemical-vapour-deposited graphene devices which could help to increase the responsivity in graphene-based photodetectors. I then show three examples of graphene-based Schottky photodetectors working at the telecommunication wavelength λ=1550nm, two for free-space illumination and one for on-chip applications. These are able to achieve responsivities up to 1A/W with relatively-low operation voltage (-3V), similar to those achieved with germanium. I then target the mid-infrared range (λ ∼10μm), where emission from objects at room temperature has a peak. I show graphene-based pyroelectric bolometers with temperature coefficient of resistance up to 900%/K, two orders of magnitude higher compared to current solutions based on thin oxide membranes. I present flexible photodetectors working in the visible range (λ=642nm) with gatetunable graphene/MoS2 heterostructures and show responsivity up to 45A/W, 82% transparency, and low voltage operation (-1V). The responsivity is two orders of magnitude higher compared to semiconducting flexible membranes. Graphene/MoS2 photodetectors can be bent without loss in performance down to a bending radius of 1.4cm. I finally report on the investigation of superconducting properties of layered materials with the target of realizing ultra-sensitive superconducting photodetectors. Unconventional superconductivity is induced in graphene by proximity with a cuprate superconductor. I used gating to turn semiconducting, few-layer MoS2 into a superconductor, which allowed us to unveil the presence of a multi-valley transport in the superconducting state. Electrical properties of the layered superconductor NbSe2 are then studied. I then used NbSe2 ultrathin flakes to realize superconducting photodetectors at λ=1550nm, reaching a sensitivity down to few thousand photons.
Inhibition of cellular activation of retroviral replication by CD8+ T cells derived from non‐human primates

To test the hypothesis that CD8+ T cells inhibit viral replication at the level of cellular activation, an Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV)‐transformed cell line (FEcl) from a simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)‐seropositive sooty mangabey monkey was transfected with a human CD4 gene and shown to be replication‐competent for HIV‐1, HIV‐2 and SIV. Utilizing a dual‐chamber culture system, it was found that inhibition of viral replication can be mediated by a soluble factor. The FEcl cell line was transiently transfected with an LTR‐driven CAT reporter gene. It was found that autologous CD8+ T cells markedly inhibited CAT activity. Furthermore, co‐transfection of the FEcl cell line with an LTR‐driven tat plasmid and LTR‐CAT was able to quantitatively mitigate the suppressive effect. Thus, this inhibition appears to be directed at cellular mechanisms of viral transcription. Control transfections with an LTR‐driven CAT plasmid with a mutation at the NFkB binding site yielded no CAT activity, suggesting that most viral replication as measured by CAT activity is dependent, to a large extent, upon cellularly derived NFkB binding proteins.
Cellular Network Traffic Scheduling With Deep Reinforcement Learning

Modern mobile networks are facing unprecedented growth in demand due to a new class of traffic from Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as smart wearables and autonomous cars. Future networks must schedule delay-tolerant software updates, data backup, and other transfers from IoT devices while maintaining strict service guarantees for conventional real-time applications such as voice-calling and video. This problem is extremely challenging because conventional traffic is highly dynamic across space and time, so its performance is significantly impacted if all IoT traffic is scheduled immediately when it originates. In this paper, we present a reinforcement learning (RL) based scheduler that can dynamically adapt to traffic variation, and to various reward functions set by network operators, to optimally schedule IoT traffic. Using 4 weeks of real network data from downtown Melbourne, Australia spanning diverse traffic patterns, we demonstrate that our RL scheduler can enable mobile networks to carry 14.7% more data with minimal impact on existing traffic, and outpeforms heuristic schedulers by more than 2x. Our work is a valuable step towards designing autonomous, "self-driving" networks that learn to manage themselves from past data.
Functional Outcomes After Rectal Resection for Deep Infiltrating Pelvic Endometriosis: Long-term Results

BACKGROUND: Curative management of deep infiltrating endometriosis requires complete removal of all endometriotic implants. Surgical approach to rectal involvement has become a topic of debate given potential postoperative bowel dysfunction and complications. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess long-term postoperative evacuation and incontinence outcomes after laparoscopic segmental rectal resection for deep infiltrating endometriosis involving the rectal wall. DESIGN: This is a retrospective study of prospectively collected data. SETTINGS: This single-center study was conducted at the University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland. PATIENTS: Patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis involving the rectum undergoing rectal resection from June 2002 to May 2011 with at least 24 months follow-up were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Aside from endometriosis-related symptoms, detailed symptoms on evacuation (points: 0 (best) to 21 (worst)) and incontinence (0–24) were evaluated by using a standardized questionnaire before and at least 24 months after surgery. RESULTS: Of 66 women who underwent rectal resection, 51 were available for analyses with a median follow-up period of 86 months (range: 26–168). Forty-eight patients (94%) underwent laparoscopic resection (4% converted, 2% primary open), with end-to-end anastomosis in 41 patients (82%). Two patients (4%) had an anastomotic insufficiency; 1 case was complicated by rectovaginal fistula. Dysmenorrhea, nonmenstrual pain, and dyspareunia substantially improved (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Overall evacuation score increased from a median of 0 (range: 0–11) to 2 points (0–15), p = 0.002. Overall incontinence also increased from 0 (range: 0–9) to 2 points (0–9), p = 0.003. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its retrospective nature and moderate number of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic segmental rectal resection for the treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis including the rectal wall is associated with good results in endometriotic-related symptoms, although patients should be informed about possible postoperative impairments in evacuation and incontinence. However, its clinical impact does not outweigh the benefit that can be achieved through this approach. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww. com/DCR/A547.
Identification of Metabolic Pathways Essential for Fitness of Salmonella Typhimurium In Vivo

Bacterial infections remain a threat to human and animal health worldwide, and there is an urgent need to find novel targets for intervention. In the current study we used a computer model of the metabolic network of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and identified pairs of reactions (cut sets) predicted to be required for growth in vivo. We termed such cut sets synthetic auxotrophic pairs. We tested whether these would reveal possible combined targets for new antibiotics by analyzing the performance of selected single and double mutants in systemic mouse infections. One hundred and two cut sets were identified. Sixty-three of these included only pathways encoded by fully annotated genes, and from this sub-set we selected five cut sets involved in amino acid or polyamine biosynthesis. One cut set (asnA/asnB) demonstrated redundancy in vitro and in vivo and showed that asparagine is essential for S. Typhimurium during infection. trpB/trpA as well as single mutants were attenuated for growth in vitro, while only the double mutant was a cut set in vivo, underlining previous observations that tryptophan is essential for successful outcome of infection. speB/speF,speC was not affected in vitro but was attenuated during infection showing that polyamines are essential for virulence apparently in a growth independent manner. The serA/glyA cut-set was found to be growth attenuated as predicted by the model. However, not only the double mutant, but also the glyA mutant, were found to be attenuated for virulence. This adds glycine production or conversion of glycine to THF to the list of essential reactions during infection. One pair (thrC/kbl) showed true redundancy in vitro but not in vivo demonstrating that threonine is available to the bacterium during infection. These data add to the existing knowledge of available nutrients in the intra-host environment, and have identified possible new targets for antibiotics.
“Making the world more open and connected”: Mark Zuckerberg and the discursive construction of Facebook and its users

The dominance of online social networking sites (SNSs) sparks questions and concerns regarding information privacy, online identity, and the complexities of social life online. Since messages created by a technology’s purveyors can play an influential role in our understanding of a technology, we argue that gaining a complete understanding of the role of social media in contemporary life must include qualitative exploration of how public figures discuss and frame these platforms. Accordingly, this article reports the results of a discourse analysis of Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s public language, foregrounding the evolution of his discourse surrounding Facebook’s self-definitions, the construction of user identity, and the relationship between Facebook and its users.
What Factors Influence Union and Refracture of Congenital Pseudarthrosis of the Tibia? A Multicenter Long-term Study

Objective: To identify factors influencing union of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT), refractures, and integrity of the tibia at maturity. Methods: Data of 119 children operated for Crawford-type IV CPT and followed-up till skeletal maturity were analyzed. Logistic regression and recursive partitioning analyses were used to test associations between several variables and the outcome. Results: Primary union occurred in 86% of children. At maturity, 69% remained soundly united. The odds ratio for failure of primary union was 3.89 (95% confidence interval, 1.05-14.40; P=0.042) when bone morphogenetic protein was used, and children who had a combination of the Ilizarov technique and intramedullary nailing were at risk for unsound union at maturity (odds ratio, 6.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.24-30.83; P=0.026). No other association reached statistical significance. On recursive partitioning, use of the Ilizarov technique, transfixing the ankle and subtalar joints, use of cortical graft and not operating on the fibula were associated with a better outcome; use of bone morphogenetic protein and combining intramedullary nailing with the Ilizarov technique were associated with poor results. Conclusions: A larger sample is needed to confirm which factors truly influence the outcome of CPT. This may be feasible if data are collected prospectively through a multicenter registry.
Association and Expression of Virulence from Plasmids of the Group B Strain in Pseudomonas syringae pv. eriobotryae

Pseudomonas syringae pv. eriobotryae causes serious stem canker in loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) trees. This study was conducted to determine whether plasmids are involved with its virulence. The strain NAE89, which belonged to the B group, harbored two plasmids at approximately 6.2 and 50 Mdal that caused stem canker and halo leaf spots on loquat plants. Following digestion with BamHI and ligation into the BamHI cloning site of the broad range host cosmid pLAFR3, four DNA fragments at 3.8, 6.6, 12.3, and 22.8 kb were generated. Although the plasmid-encoded virulence gene psvA was undigested with the BamHI, the halo leaf spot gene may be adjacent to the psvA gene was digested. A pLAFR3 cosmid clone was introduced into the non-pathogenic PE0 and NAE89-1 strains by triparental matings and the pathogenicity was recovered. As a result, the pLAFR3 cosmid clone was introduced into the largest size DNA fragment of 22.8 kb and determined to be the causal agent of canker on the stem of the loquat. This study revealed that the psvA gene, previously found in the 50 Mdal plasmid, was also observed in the 22.8 kb DNA fragment.
Strong Neutron Sources - How to cope with weapon material production capabilities of fusion and spallation neutron sources?

Historically the production of plutonium for weapon purposes took place in dedicated fission reactors by irradiation of U-238 in the fuel or the reactor blanket and subsequent separation of the produced plutonium. Only within a nuclear fission reactor it was possible to provide the neutron fluxes necessary for a significant production of plutonium. However, in future other strong neutron sources – such as fusion power plants or spallation neutron sources (SNS) – could also potentially be used to produce fissile material for weapon purposes. In this article we investigate the potential and relevance for weapon material production in such facilities and sketch what should be done to strengthen these technologies against a non-peaceful use. The focus of this article will be mainly on fusion, but some conclusions also apply to SNS. What we propose in this article is a thought experiment in preventive arms control, or – more ambitiously – in anticipatory governance of future nuclear technologies.
Epidemiology and outcomes of health-care-associated pneumonia: results from a large US database of culture-positive pneumonia.

CONTEXT Traditionally, pneumonia developing in patients outside the hospital is categorized as community acquired, even if these patients have been receiving health care in an outpatient facility. Accumulating evidence suggests that health-care-associated infections are distinct from those that are truly community acquired. OBJECTIVE To characterize the microbiology and outcomes among patients with culture-positive community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), health-care-associated pneumonia (HCAP), hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). DESIGN AND SETTING A retrospective cohort study based on a large US inpatient database. PATIENTS A total of 4,543 patients with culture-positive pneumonia admitted into 59 US hospitals between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2003, and recorded in a large, multi-institutional database of US acute-care hospitals (Cardinal Health-Atlas Research Database; Cardinal Health Clinical Knowledge Services; Marlborough, MA). MAIN MEASURES Culture data (respiratory and blood), in-hospital mortality, length of hospital stay (LOS), and billed hospital charges. RESULTS Approximately one half of hospitalized patients with pneumonia had CAP, and > 20% had HCAP. Staphylococcus aureus was a major pathogen in all pneumonia types, with its occurrence markedly higher in the non-CAP groups than in the CAP group. Mortality rates associated with HCAP (19.8%) and HAP (18.8%) were comparable (p > 0.05), and both were significantly higher than that for CAP (10%, all p < 0.0001) and lower than that for VAP (29.3%, all p < 0.0001). Mean LOS varied significantly with pneumonia category (in order of ascending values: CAP, HCAP, HAP, and VAP; all p < 0.0001). Similarly, mean hospital charge varied significantly with pneumonia category (in order of ascending value: CAP, HCAP, HAP, and VAP; all p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The present analysis justified HCAP as a new category of pneumonia. S aureus was a major pathogen of all pneumonias with higher rates in non-CAP pneumonias. Compared with CAP, non-CAP was associated with more severe disease, higher mortality rate, greater LOS, and increased cost.
Pegging the Interest Rate on Bank Reserves: A Resolution of New Keynesian Puzzles and Paradoxes

We develop a model of monetary policy with a simple departure from the basic New Keynesian (NK) model. In this model, the central bank sets independently the interest rate on bank reserves and the nominal stock of bank reserves. As long as demand for real reserves is not fully satiated, the model delivers local-equilibrium determinacy under permanently exogenous monetary-policy instruments. As a result, it does not share the puzzling and paradoxical implications of the basic NK model under a temporary interest rate peg (e.g., in the context of a liquidity trap). More specifically, it offers a resolution of the “forward-guidance puzzle,” a related puzzle about fiscal multipliers, and the “paradox of flexibility,” even for an arbitrarily small departure from the basic NK model. It still solves or attenuates these puzzles and that paradox for a vanishingly small departure, and also solves the “paradox of toil” in that case. We argue that our non-satiation assumption is reasonable for analyzing the role of monetary policy during the Great Recession.
Challenges in clinical nutritional research: How adaptive design can help?

Angiogenesis is an essential process for tissue growth and embryo development. However, inflammation, abnormal wound healing, vascular diseases, and tumor development and progression can result from inappropriate angiogenesis. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can activate various cells and alter endothelium function and angiogenesis. This study investigated the underlying molecular events involved in LPS-induced angiogenesis and revealed a novel strategy for controlling abnormal angiogenesis. LPS treatment promoted wound healing and tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) cultures and induced their expression of miR-146a. miR-146a was previously shown to regulate angiogenesis in HUVECs. Knockdown of miR-146a expression antagonized LPS-induced angiogenesis in vitro. Moreover, bioinformatic analyses predicted TGF-β1 as a target gene for miR-146a, which was confirmed by aluciferase reporter assay. Expression of miR-146a in HUVECs resulted in downregulation of TGF-β1 in HUVECs, whereas a miR-146a inhibitor upregulated the expression of TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 downstream proteins, such as phosphoraylation-Smad2 and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1). Furthermore, the TGF-β1 signaling inhibitor SB431542 impaired the ability of miR-146a knockdown to suppress LPS-induced angiogenesis. Thus, LPS-induced angiogenesis of HUVECs functions through miR-146a upregulation and TGF-β1 inhibition. This study suggests that knockdown of miR-146a could activate TGF-β1 signaling to inhibit angiogenesis as a potential therapy for angiogenesis-related diseases.
Control of quantum phenomena: past, present and future

Quantum control is concerned with active manipulation of physical and chemical processes on the atomic and molecular scale. This work presents a perspective of progress in the field of control over quantum phenomena, tracing the evolution of theoretical concepts and experimental methods from early developments to the most recent advances. Among numerous theoretical insights and technological improvements that produced the present state-of-the-art in quantum control, there have been several breakthroughs of foremost importance. On the technology side, the current experimental successes would be impossible without the development of intense femtosecond laser sources and pulse shapers. On the theory side, the two most critical insights were (i) realizing that ultrafast atomic and molecular dynamics can be controlled via manipulation of quantum interferences and (ii) understanding that optimally shaped ultrafast laser pulses are the most effective means for producing the desired quantum interference patterns in the controlled system. Finally, these theoretical and experimental advances were brought together by the crucial concept of adaptive feedback control (AFC), which is a laboratory procedure employing measurement-driven, closed-loop optimization to identify the best shapes of femtosecond laser control pulses for steering quantum dynamics towards the desired objective. Optimization in AFC experiments is guided by a learning algorithm, with stochastic methods proving to be especially effective. AFC of quantum phenomena has found numerous applications in many areas of the physical and chemical sciences, and this paper reviews the extensive experiments. Other subjects discussed include quantum optimal control theory, quantum control landscapes, the role of theoretical control designs in experimental realizations and real-time quantum feedback control. The paper concludes with a perspective of open research directions that are likely to attract significant attention in the future.
Static Sector Characteristics and Operational Errors

A study was conducted to determine if static sector characteristics are related to the occurrence of operational errors (OEs) at the Indianapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZID). The data consisted of a three-year sample of OEs that had occurred in ZID airspace. Sectors were treated as the unit of analysis (n=40). The static characteristics included: a number of major airports, cubic volume in nautical miles, sector strata, number of shelves, number of VORTACs, number of satellite airports, and number of intersections. Pearson correlations revealed that cubic volume in nm (r = -.31, p = .049) and sector strata (r = -.31, p = .049) were significantly correlated with the number of OEs. The static sector characteristics were entered into a regression procedure as predictors with the number of OEs as the criterion. The regression analysis produced a model containing cubic volume in nautical miles, number of major airports, and sector strata as significant predictors. This model accounted for 43% of the variance in OEs (R = .65). No other static sector characteristics were significant predictors of OE incidence in this sample. The correlation between cubic volume in nautical miles and number of OEs indicated that, as sector size decreased, the number of OEs increased. However, the predictive utility of cubic volume in nm may be due to underlying dynamic traffic characteristics inherent in different-sized sectors, rather than a direct relationship between sector size and incidence of OEs. This relationship needs to be explored in future research. The regression analysis suggests that static sector characteristics can account for some of the variance in OE occurrence in ZID airspace and, thus, can increase our understanding of the factors that lead to an OE.