Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Junction Engineering-Based Modeling and Optimization of Deep Junction Silicon Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes for Device Scaling

A silicon single-photon avalanche diode (Si-SPAD) with a deep multiplication zone was fabricated using 0.11-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-CMOS technology. Deep n-well (DNW) implantation with three energy levels was performed to prepare a deep junction, and the highest breakdown voltage (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${V}_{\text {BR}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) and lowest dark count rate (DCR) were obtained at the highest DNW implantation energy. In addition, devices with different structures were manufactured: a shallow junction, deep junction with mask DNW, deep junction with mask DNW without shallow trench isolation (STI), and deep junction with blank DNW. The blank DNW structure exhibited a lower edge breakdown risk and less deviation between samples compared to those of mask DNW structure in terms of the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${V}_{\text {BR}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and DCR. Moreover, a new edge breakdown risk was observed between DNW and p-well (PW) in the DNW blank structure, which could be alleviated by adjusting the PW sizes. According to the measurement results, the STI structure was preferable in terms of fill factor. Measurements were obtained from real fabricated test device structures, and technology computer-aided design (TCAD) for various factors associated with Si-SPADs with deep multiplication structures was performed.
ULTIMATE-START: current status of the Subaru Tomography Adaptive optics Research experimenT

We present the current status of the ULTIMATE-Subaru Tomography Adaptive optics Research experimenT (ULTIMATE-START) project, an upcoming laser tomography adaptive optics (LTAO) system on the Subaru telescope. The main goal of this project is to realize high Strehl ratio AO correction not only in near-infrared bands but also in visible bands above 600 nm. Our LTAO system will be operated with four 32 × 32 Shack Hartmann wavefront sensors (SH-WFSs) and four laser guide stars (LGSs). The LTAO WFSs will be installed behind AO188, which is the current AO system on the Nasmyth platform of the Subaru telescope. We will use the low-order WFS and DM of AO188 for Tip-Tilt measurements with a natural guide star (NGS) and wavefront correction. The DM of AO188 will be upgraded to a 3228 element DM. Assembling of the LTAO WFS system has completed in 2022. Currently WFS data acquisition and tomographic wavefront (WF) estimation testing are underway. We also performed test observations of a prototype single SH-WFS unit with a NGS and LGS with the Subaru telescope. A new laser launching system has been installed. A single LGS is under on-sky performance verification for the open-use observations, and four LGS system, which can make an asterism with 10-40 arcsec diameter, will be installed in 2022. The first light of the entire LTAO system is planned in early 2023.
Folate-Targeted Curcumin-Loaded Niosomes for Site-Specific Delivery in Breast Cancer Treatment: In Silico and In Vitro Study

As the most common cancer in women, efforts have been made to develop novel nanomedicine-based therapeutics for breast cancer. In the present study, the in silico curcumin (Cur) properties were investigated, and we found some important drawbacks of Cur. To enhance cancer therapeutics of Cur, three different nonionic surfactants (span 20, 60, and 80) were used to prepare various Cur-loaded niosomes (Nio-Cur). Then, fabricated Nio-Cur were decorated with folic acid (FA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) for breast cancer suppression. For PEG-FA@Nio-Cur, the gene expression levels of Bax and p53 were higher compared to free drug and Nio-Cur. With PEG-FA-decorated Nio-Cur, levels of Bcl2 were lower than the free drug and Nio-Cur. When MCF7 and 4T1 cell uptake tests of PEG-FA@Nio-Cur and Nio-Cur were investigated, the results showed that the PEG-FA-modified niosomes exhibited the most preponderant endocytosis. In vitro experiments demonstrate that PEG-FA@Nio-Cur is a promising strategy for the delivery of Cur in breast cancer therapy. Breast cancer cells absorbed the prepared nanoformulations and exhibited sustained drug release characteristics.
Digital nudging for technical debt management at Credit Suisse

ABSTRACT Technical debt (TD) is a technical compromise wherein the ability to maintain information technology (IT) applications over the long term is sacrificed for short-term goals. TD occurs when software development teams undergo constant pressure to release applications swiftly, on a tight schedule. The accumulation of TD, which often leads to a significant cost surplus, presents a ubiquitous challenge in technology-driven organisations. To keep TD levels under control, many organisations implement top-down mechanisms that impose enterprise-wide principles on software development teams. This clinical research presents a complementary but distinct approach to managing TD. A digital nudge was introduced at Credit Suisse, a global financial services company, to help raise awareness and understanding, and stimulate actions related to TD decision-making in software development teams. This paper reports on the nudge’s clinical design, implementation, impact, and evaluation. As the nudge was effective in reducing TD in IT applications after one year of use, we demonstrate that digital nudges are viable means for guiding collective decisions in complex decision environments like that of TD management. Our findings have several implications for research and practice.
Patient satisfaction and surgical outcomes after upper eyelid blepharoplasty in Turkish population

This retrospective study was conducted to review the patient satisfaction and surgical outcomes in Turkish patients with dermatochalasis who underwent upper eyelid blepharoplasty alone or in combination with orbital fat pads removal or browpexy, by comparing them with the outcomes of the previous landmark studies on upper eyelid blepharoplasty. One hundred and sixteen eyes of 58 patients were included in this study. The mean age and the mean follow-up time were 60.1±10.4 (38-77) years and 2.4±1.8(1-6) months, respectively. Of 58 patients, 27 had blepharoplasty alone, 18 had blepharoplasty with orbital fat pads removal, and the remaining 13 had combined blepharoplasty and browpexy surgery. The female ratio (88.9%) was significantly higher in the upper eyelid blepharoplasty with orbital fat pad removal group compared to the other groups (p=.024). From baseline to final visit, margin-reflex distance increased from 2.1±0.8 mm to 3.7±0.8 mm, and blepharoplasty outcomes evaluation (BOE) score from 28.9±6.2 to 76.8±14.1 (both p<.001). Change in BOE score between pre- and post-surgery was significantly higher in patients undergoing combined blepharoplasty and browpexy surgery compared to the other groups. The mean final pretarsal skin height and brow-lid crease distance were 6.8±1.2 mm and 11.1±1.3 mm, respectively. In conclusion, upper eyelid blepharoplasty had favorable anatomical outcomes when performed as single procedure or in combination with other procedures. However, patients became more satisfied after combined blepharoplasty and browpexy compared to the other surgical procedures.
Phloridzin Reveals New Treatment Strategies for Liver Fibrosis

Liver fibrosis is an urgent public health problem which is difficult to resolve. However, various drugs for the treatment of liver fibrosis in clinical practice have their own problems during use. In this study, we used phloridzin to treat hepatic fibrosis in the CCl4-induced C57/BL6N mouse model, which was extracted from lychee core, a traditional Chinese medicine. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by biochemical index detections and ultrasound detection. Furthermore, in order to determine the mechanism of phloridzin in the treatment of liver fibrosis, we performed high-throughput sequencing of mRNA and lncRNA in different groups of liver tissues. The results showed that compared with the model group, the phloridzin-treated groups revealed a significant decrease in collagen deposition and decreased levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, laminin, and hyaluronic acid. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of the differential mRNAs was performed and revealed that phloridzin mainly affects cell ferroptosis. Gene co-expression analysis showed that the target genes of lncRNA were obvious in cell components such as focal adhesions, intercellular adhesion, and cell–substrate junctions and in metabolic pathways such as carbon metabolism. These results showed that phloridizin can effectively treat liver fibrosis, and the mechanism may involve ferroptosis, carbon metabolism, and related changes in biomechanics.
Analysis of the Correctness of Retrieving the Vertical Atmospheric Temperature Distribution from Lidar Signals of Molecular Scattering at the Main Lidar of the Siberian Lidar Station

Abstract The methodological issues of lidar measurements of the vertical distribution of atmospheric temperature up to altitudes of 90 km are considered. The method is based on lidar measurements of the vertical profile of atmospheric molecular density using the Rayleigh scattering effect. The results obtained in the upgraded channel of the Rayleigh scattering of the 2.2-m diameter lidar based on the main mirror of the Siberian Lidar Station (SLS) are discussed. One of problems in carrying out measurements with the use of large-diameter telescopes is the giant dynamic range of lidar responses. The work with this range requires special attention both to the methodology and to the experimental technique. For solving this problem, an improved technique for the retrieval of temperature from molecular backscattering lidar signals is proposed. Numerical experiments have shown that the accuracy of the temperature profile retrieval depends on the choice of the position of the calibration point and the error in setting the temperature in it. The technique of the temperature profile retrieval, when the calibration point is chosen at the top of a sounding path, is sufficiently stable even under conditions of a giant dynamic range of lidar responses at the SLS. The comparison of the results of temperature retrieval from the real lidar responses with the satellite measurement data revealed significant discrepancies associated with the distorting instrumental and atmospheric effects on the lidar signal shape. A correction procedure based on the lidar calibration can significantly reduce measurement errors.
ELCNN: A Deep Neural Network for Small Object Defect Detection of Magnetic Tile

Automatic detection of magnetic tile surface defects is an important and challenging task, especially for small objects such as cracks. To address this problem, we propose a novel framework called feature enhancement and loop-shaped fusion convolutional neural network (ELCNN), which enhances shallow features and fuses features with a loop-shaped feature pyramid structure. First, our network focuses on shallow features and maximizes their extraction and enhancement. We believe that if the shallow features cannot be completely extracted and effectively propagated, any further improvements will be futile. Second, inspired by the mechanism of looking and thinking twice, we propose a loop-shaped feature pyramid network (LFPN), which not only applies top-down and bottom-up multiscale feature fusion, but also connects features recursively to the left and right, creatively constructing a loop-shaped feature pyramid structure. The structure enables features to be propagated and fused in all directions, making each layer more directly connected. Just like the shortcut in ResNet, the loop structure is like a loop shortcut in the feature pyramid, which can make feature fusion more efficient and comprehensive. Also, the loop-shortcut can improve the flow of information and gradients throughout the network, making them easy to train. The proposed ELCNN is validated on the production line, and the results demonstrate that our network can significantly improve detection accuracy and meet real-time requirements. We also built a new large-scale dataset magnetic tile-small object dataset (MT-SOD) for the detection of small defects in magnetic tiles and proved its effectiveness in practical applications.
Feasibility study of Mg storage in a bilayer silicene anode via application of an external electric field

With the goal of developing a Si-based anode for Mg-ion batteries (MIBs) that is both efficient and compatible with the current semiconductor industry, the current research utilized classical Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation in investigating the intercalation of a Mg2+ ion under an external electric field (E-field) in a 2D bilayer silicene anode (BSA). First principles density functional theory calculations were used to validate the implemented EDIP potentials. Our simulation shows that there exists an optimum E-field value in the range of 0.2–0.4 V Å−1 for Mg2+ intercalation in BSA. To study the effect of the E-field on Mg2+ ions, an exhaustive spread of investigations was carried out under different boundary conditions, including calculations of mean square displacement (MSD), interaction energy, radial distribution function (RDF), and trajectory of ions. Our results show that the Mg2+ ions form a stable bond with Si in BSA. The effects of E-field direction and operating temperature were also investigated. In the X–Y plane in the 0°–45° range, 15° from the X-direction was found to be the optimum direction for intercalation. The results of this work also suggest that BSA does not undergo drastic structural changes during the charging cycles with the highest operating temperature being ∼300 K.
A new wavefront sensing technique for satellite-ground laser communication

Adaptive optics plays an important role to compensate the atmosphere turbulence therefore concentrate the laser energy for satellite-ground laser communication. However, as the satellite especially LEO (Low-Earth orbit) moves, the communication laser from downlink (satellite to ground) and uplink (ground to satellite) will experience a different turbulence path, called the point ahead angle (PAA). PAA can be much larger than the atmosphere isoplanatic angle for strong turbulence or fast moving satellites, causing the AO system not working. For now there is no simple and effective way to solve this problem. In this paper, a new wavefront sensing technique called Projected Pupil Plane Pattern (PPPP) is used, where the Rayleigh backscattered light of the uplink laser is used to sense the uplink path of the turbulence. Specifically, PPPP uses at least two scattered images from two different heights to reconstruct the integrated turbulence phase due to the TIE (transport-of-intensity). As PPPP uses the uplink laser itself, the PAA problem is solved automatically. We demonstrate that PPPP method can be effectively used as a simple wavefront sensor in the adaptive optics system for satellite-ground laser communication by numerical simulation for 1m class ground telescope and AO system. Several important PPPP coefficients such as the propagation heights, number of Zernike Modes for reconstruction are studied, and their optimum choices are given.
Soils, Science and Community ActioN (SoilSCAN): a citizen science tool to empower community-led land management change in East Africa

Pastoralist communities worldwide face complex challenges regarding food and feed productivity. Primary production systems are under stress, nutritional choices are changing and the relationship between development and agriculture is undergoing profound transformation. Under increasing pressure from climate and land use change, East African agro-pastoral systems are approaching a tipping point in terms of land degradation. There is an urgent need for evidence-led sustainable land management interventions to reverse degradation of natural resources that support food and water security. A key barrier, however, is a lack of high spatial resolution soil health data wherein collecting such information for each individual community is beyond their means. In this context, we tested whether bridging such data gaps could be achieved through a coordinated programme at the boundary between participation and citizen science. Key outputs included a community-led trial of a hand-held soil scanner, which highlighted a range of positive benefits and practical challenges in using this technology in this context, with identification of some potential solutions; and a targeted soil organic matter and nutrient status dataset in a small catchment-based community setting. The results show that if the practical challenges can be resolved, use of portable soil scanner technology has the potential to fill key knowledge gaps and thereby improve resilience to the threat of land degradation through locally responsive farmer and community decision-making.
Three-Level T-Type qZ Source Inverter as Grid-Following Unit for Distributed Energy Resources

Distributed energy resources (DERs), such as solar photovoltaics (PVs), are required to achieve a high performance and an efficient use of generated renewable power in grid-integrated applications, both in normal and fault operating conditions. In this article, a grid-following (GFL) multifunctional control strategy for a three-phase three-level T-type quasi-impedance source inverter (3L-T-type qZSI) is studied through simulation and experimental tests. The GFL functionality is achieved by a proportional–integral (PI)-based dq current controller for the active and the reactive power tracking. A PI-based dc controller is used for the dc-link voltage control by taking advantage of the quasi-impedance source (qZS) network ability for input voltage boosting. The dc–ac power conversion is accomplished through a space vector pulsewidth modulation (SVPWM) with inner capacitors voltages balancing capability and minimum common-mode voltage (CMV) generation. Besides, a low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) strategy was implemented to fulfill the fault requirements imposed by the Spanish standard. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate the abovementioned functionalities and validate the stability and good dynamic response of the grid-connected 3L-T-type qZSI. Thus, this work supposes a novel contribution due to the few works previously reported in the literature concerning the performance of this relatively recent inverter topology in grid-tied applications.
Informal Transactions of Low Income Houses in South Africa

Through a series of intricate informal processes and human-centric institutional arrangements, beneficiaries of South African government-subsidized housing force formally registered properties into informality. Sandile Mbatha explores the concept of informality in relation to how such beneficiaries challenge predominant understandings of property relations. These practices are embedded in complex urban tenure dynamics that prevail in post-colonial societies; societies, in which the state's imposition of predominantly western forms of tenure and property rights ignore the anthropological nature of housing.
Estimation of MPP of a Double Diode Model PV Module From Explicit I–V Characteristic

This paper presents a novel approach for the conversion of an implicit current–voltage (I–V) expression of a double diode model (DDM) photovoltaic (PV) module to an explicit expression of current in terms of voltage. A new method is proposed for the estimation of maximum power point (MPP) of a DDM PV module using the explicit I–V expression of a PV module under uniform irradiance condition. Further, a new mathematical model of a partially shaded PV array is developed using the proposed explicit expression. Since the explicit I–V expression is used for the estimation of MPP of a DDM PV module under uniform and nonuniform irradiance conditions, the estimation of MPP is simple, accurate, and efficient. The accuracy of the explicit expression is verified considering three different PV modules. A comparison of MPP of a DDM PV module extracted using the proposed method with different existing methods under different environmental conditions (DECs) is presented. The results obtained using the proposed method are validated with the experimental results under DEC. Also, the accuracy of the estimated global MPP of a PV array under partial shading conditions is verified.
A near-infrared pyramid wavefront sensor for the MMT

The MMTO Adaptive optics exoPlanet characterization System (MAPS) is an ongoing upgrade to the 6.5-meter MMT Observatory on Mount Hopkins in Arizona. MAPS includes an upgraded adaptive secondary mirror (ASM), upgrades to the ARIES spectrograph, and a new AO system containing both an optical and near-infrared (NIR; 0.9-1.8 μm) pyramid wavefront sensor (PyWFS). The NIR PyWFS will utilize an IR-optimized double pyramid coupled with a SAPHIRA detector: a low-read noise electron Avalanche Photodiode (eAPD) array. This NIR PyWFS will improve MAPS’s sky coverage by an order of magnitude by allowing redder guide stars (e.g. K & M-dwarfs or highly obscured stars in the Galactic plane) to be used. To date, the custom designed cryogenic SAPHIRA camera has been fully characterized and can reach sub-electron read noise at high avalanche gain. In order to test the performance of the camera in a closed-loop environment prior to delivery to the observatory, an AO testbed was designed and constructed. In addition to testing the SAPHIRA’s performance, the testbed will be used to test and further develop the proposed on-sky calibration procedure for MMTO’s ASM. We will report on the anticipated performance improvements from our NIR PyWFS, the SAPHIRA’s closed-loop performance on our testbed, and the status of our ASM calibration procedure.
Turkish Straits and an Important Oil Price Benchmark: Urals

The Turkish Straits is one of the busiest waterways in the World. Around 4% of the world’s crude oil trade passes through the Turkish Straits. We model the CIF Mediterranean price of Urals crude, one of the world’s most critical medium gravity crude brands that passes through the Turkish Straits. The empirical evidence provided here suggests that congestion (measured in terms of the waiting time for entering the Turkish Straits) increases the CIF Mediterranean price of Urals crude up to 5.05% and 3.09% for the İstanbul and Çanakkale straits, respectively. However, similar supporting evidence could be found for neither an important benchmark oil (Brent) nor Iranian Light, which has similar characteristics and can be considered a close substitute for Urals crude in the Mediterranean refinery market. This shows that the Turkish Straits have an important impact on the price of this important medium crude oil in world oil markets.
Addressing the Needs of People with Schizophrenia in South Africa During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract Research indicates that most people with Schizophrenia from low to middle-income countries do not receive adequate healthcare. Inadequate policies, lack of funding, poor service planning and neglect are some barriers to adequate care. Intrinsic barriers to care include stigma, lack of insight, and pathways to care that are often driven by cultural beliefs, and many systemic challenges. South Africa was not spared from the scourge of COVID-19, hosting a third of all reported cases in Africa. In a country with disparities, it would be of interest to get insight into the situation concerning the healthcare needs of people with Schizophrenia during the pandemic. A pandemic such as COVID-19 placed enormous strains on already limited and unequally distributed health care resources. In this paper, we discuss: (1) The South African healthcare system (with respect to Schizophrenia care). (2) COVID-19 policies related to the care of people with Schizophrenia (testing, access to vaccine). (3) Managing people with Schizophrenia amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (4) Recommendations.