Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparing α-Quartz-Induced Cytotoxicity and Interleukin-8 Release in Pulmonary Mono- and Co-Cultures Exposed under Submerged and Air-Liquid Interface Conditions

The occupational exposure to particles such as crystalline quartz and its impact on the respiratory tract have been studied extensively in recent years. For hazard assessment, the development of physiologically more relevant in-vitro models, i.e., air-liquid interface (ALI) cell cultures, has greatly progressed. Within this study, pulmonary culture models employing A549 and differentiated THP-1 cells as mono-and co-cultures were investigated. The different cultures were exposed to α-quartz particles (Min-U-Sil5) with doses ranging from 15 to 66 µg/cm2 under submerged and ALI conditions and cytotoxicity as well as cytokine release were analyzed. No cytotoxicity was observed after ALI exposure. Contrarily, Min-U-Sil5 was cytotoxic at the highest dose in both submerged mono- and co-cultures. A concentration-dependent release of interleukin-8 was shown for both exposure types, which was overall stronger in co-cultures. Our findings showed considerable differences in the toxicological responses between ALI and submerged exposure and between mono- and co-cultures. A substantial influence of the presence or absence of serum in cell culture media was noted as well. Within this study, the submerged culture was revealed to be more sensitive. This shows the importance of considering different culture and exposure models and highlights the relevance of communication between different cell types for toxicological investigations.
Study of Fundamental Tradeoff Between Deliverable and Private Information in Statistical Inference

viii Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 1.1 Motivation . 1 1.2 Research Tasks Completed . 4 1.3 Summary of Contributions . 12 1.4 Related Works . 15 1.5 Dissertation Organization . 23 Chapter 2: Non-Adaptive Sequential Detection of Active Edge-Wise Disjoint Subgraphs Under Privacy Constraints . 25 2.
Lowering n-6/n-3 Ratio as an Important Dietary Intervention to Prevent LPS-Inducible Dyslipidemia and Hepatic Abnormalities in ob/ob Mice

Obesity is closely associated with low-grade chronic and systemic inflammation and dyslipidemia, and the consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) may modulate obesity-related disorders, such as inflammation and dyslipidemia. An emerging research question is to understand the dietary intervention strategy that is more important regarding n-3 PUFA consumption: (1) a lower ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFAs or (2) a higher amount of n-3 PUFAs consumption. To understand the desirable dietary intervention method of n-3 PUFAs consumption, we replaced lard from the experimental diets with either perilla oil (PO) or corn oil (CO) to have identical n-3 amounts in the experimental diets. PO had a lower n-6/n-3 ratio, whereas CO contained higher amounts of PUFAs; it inherently contained relatively lower n-3 but higher n-6 PUFAs than PO. After the 12-week dietary intervention in ob/ob mice, dyslipidemia was observed in the normal chow and CO-fed ob/ob mice; however, PO feeding increased the high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) level; further, not only did the HDL-C level increase, the low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels also decreased significantly after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. Consequently, extra TG accumulated in the liver and white adipose tissue (WAT) of normal chow- or CO-fed ob/ob mice after LPS injection; however, PO consumption decreased serum TG accumulation in the liver and WAT. PUFAs replacement attenuated systemic inflammation induced by LPS injection by increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines but inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine production in the serum and WAT. PO further decreased hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in comparison with the ND and CO. Hepatic functional biomarkers (aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels) were also remarkably decreased in the PO group. In LPS-challenged ob/ob mice, PO and CO decreased adipocyte size and adipokine secretion, with a reduction in phosphorylation of MAPKs compared to the ND group. In addition, LPS-inducible endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and oxidative stress decreased with consumption of PUFAs. Taken together, PUFAs from PO and CO play a role in regulating obesity-related disorders. Moreover, PO, which possesses a lower ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFAs, remarkably alleviated metabolic dysfunction in LPS-induced ob/ob mice. Therefore, an interventional trial considering the ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFAs may be desirable for modulating metabolic complications, such as inflammatory responses and ER stress in the circulation, liver, and/or WAT.
Efficient and Highly Reliable Spintronic Non-volatile Quaternary Memory Based on Carbon Nanotube FETs and Multi-TMR MTJs

Due to the limitations of traditional binary circuits, such as high power consumption and large area and interconnections density, multi-valued logic (MVL) was offered as a solution. Quaternary logic is a form of MVL that is highly compatible with binary systems. This paper proposes a low-cost and highly reliable non-volatile quaternary memory benefiting from the adjustable threshold voltage property of gate-all-around carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (GAA-CNTFET) and non-volatile nature of magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ). The proposed quaternary memory occupies less area and consumes lower power. The simulation results show that the proposed design offers up to 53%, 41%, and 69% lower average power, static power, and write power. Moreover, it offers up to 47% and 34% lower read power delay product (PDP) and write PDP, respectively. The proposed latch also occupies up to 23% lower area than the state-of-the-art non-volatile quaternary memories.
State of the Art in Carbon Nanomaterials for Photoacoustic Imaging

Photoacoustic imaging using energy conversion from light to ultrasound waves has been developed as a powerful tool to investigate in vivo phenomena due to their complex characteristics. In photoacoustic imaging, endogenous chromophores such as oxygenated hemoglobin, deoxygenated hemoglobin, melanin, and lipid provide useful biomedical information at the molecular level. However, these intrinsic absorbers show strong absorbance only in visible or infrared optical windows and have limited light transmission, making them difficult to apply for clinical translation. Therefore, the development of novel exogenous contrast agents capable of increasing imaging depth while ensuring strong light absorption is required. We report here the application of carbon nanomaterials that exhibit unique physical, mechanical, and electrochemical properties as imaging probes in photoacoustic imaging. Classified into specific structures, carbon nanomaterials are synthesized with different substances according to the imaging purposes to modulate the absorption spectra and highly enhance photoacoustic signals. In addition, functional drugs can be loaded into the carbon nanomaterials composite, and effective in vivo monitoring and photothermal therapy can be performed with cell-specific targeting. Diverse applied cases suggest the high potential of carbon nanomaterial-based photoacoustic imaging in in vivo monitoring for clinical research.
Atividade física de gestantes e desfechos ao recém-nascido: revisão sistemática

Revisao sistematica com o objetivo de analisar a atividade fisica cotidiana durante a gestacao e os desfechos de peso ao nascer, prematuridade e restricao de crescimento intra-uterino. De 52 artigos indexados no Medline, foram incluidos 22 que apresentaram melhor qualidade metodologica. Entre os 22 artigos analisados, apenas dois nao detectaram associacao significativa da atividade fisica com os desfechos estudados. Houve grande variabilidade quanto aos indicadores da atividade fisica materna, envolvendo atividades ocupacionais, domesticas, no lazer e para locomocao de maneira global ou parcial. Entre dez que mensuraram a atividade fisica cotidiana global, apenas um artigo nao encontrou associacao. Os resultados apoiam a hipotese de que tanto o excesso quanto o deficit de atividade fisica exercem influencia negativa sobre os desfechos da gestacao.
Fully Flexible Organic LED Fabricated by a Solution-based Process

The current state of the art in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) depends on the use of glass as a substrate and hence, suffer from mechanical brittleness and lack of flexibility. In this paper, a fully flexible OLED fabricated on the highly flexible substrate, namely polyethylene terephthalate (PET), using a solution-based process is proposed. In this regard, the organic materials, i.e., PEDOT:PSS and F8BT, as the hole transport layer (HTL) and emission layer (EML), respectively, are deposited by the spin-coating technique on the PET substrate coated with indium tin oxide (ITO). The experimental results show that the flexible OLED prototype has a similar emission spectrum to that of OLED fabricated on conventional ITO-coated glass. Finally, a feasible approach is recommended to further enhance the performance of the proposed flexible OLED in terms of operating voltage and ohmic losses without any impact on its flexibility.
Phase transition of a MoS2 monolayer through top layer desulfurization by He+ ion irradiation

Two-dimensional (2D) metal monochalcogenides have recently attracted significant interest following the extensive and intensive research into transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). However, the formation of transition metal monochalcogenide remains relatively unstudied. Here, we investigate the structural and electronic changes of the MoS2 monolayer by removing the top sulfur layer using low-energy He+ ion sputtering. As a result, the substoichiometric MoS x surface induces semiconducting to the metallic phase transition. Under ambient conditions, the oxidized MoS x surface restores a semiconducting state with narrowed bandgap, p-type conduction, or possibly a semimetallic state. Our findings provide an effective way to form and improve the functionality of Janus TMD monolayers.
SOCS3 Ablation in Leptin Receptor-Expressing Cells Causes Autonomic and Cardiac Dysfunctions in Middle-Aged Mice despite Improving Energy and Glucose Metabolism

Leptin resistance is a hallmark of obesity. Treatments aiming to improve leptin sensitivity are considered a promising therapeutical approach against obesity. However, leptin receptor (LepR) signaling also modulates several neurovegetative aspects, such as the cardiovascular system and hepatic gluconeogenesis. Thus, we investigated the long-term consequences of increased leptin sensitivity, considering the potential beneficial and deleterious effects. To generate a mouse model with increased leptin sensitivity, the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) was ablated in LepR-expressing cells (LepR∆SOCS3 mice). LepR∆SOCS3 mice displayed reduced food intake, body adiposity and weight gain, as well as improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and were protected against aging-induced leptin resistance. Surprisingly, a very high mortality rate was observed in aging LepR∆SOCS3 mice. LepR∆SOCS3 mice showed cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, increased myocardial fibrosis and reduced cardiovascular capacity. LepR∆SOCS3 mice exhibited impaired post-ischemic cardiac functional recovery and middle-aged LepR∆SOCS3 mice showed substantial arhythmic events during the post-ischemic reperfusion period. Finally, LepR∆SOCS3 mice exhibited fasting-induced hypoglycemia and impaired counterregulatory response to glucopenia associated with reduced gluconeogenesis. In conclusion, although increased sensitivity to leptin improved the energy and glucose homeostasis of aging LepR∆SOCS3 mice, major autonomic/neurovegetative dysfunctions compromised the health and longevity of these animals. Consequently, these potentially negative aspects need to be considered in the therapies that increase leptin sensitivity chronically.
A Machine Learning Approach for Predicting Wage Workers’ Suicidal Ideation

(1) Background: Workers spend most of their days working. One’s working environment can be a risk factor for suicide. In this study, we examined whether suicidal ideation can be predicted using individual characteristics, emotional states, and working environments. (2) Methods: Nine years of data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey were used. A total of 12,816 data points were analyzed, and 23 variables were selected. The random forest technique was used to predict suicidal thoughts. (3) Results: When suicidal ideation cases were predicted using all of the independent variables, 98.9% of cases were predicted, and 97.4% could be predicted using only work-related conditions. (4) Conclusions: It was confirmed that suicide risk could be predicted efficiently when machine learning techniques were applied using variables such as working environments.
Characterization and Modeling of Semiconductor Power Devices Reliability

This thesis aims at studying, characterizing and modeling the trapping and de-trapping mechanisms occurring during the ON-state operation mode and leading to the degradation of semiconductor power devices. In this operating condition, the combined effect of moderate electric fields, high currents and temperatures due to self-heating effects can seriously affect the long-term reliability leading to device failure. Detailed analyses are performed on both silicon and gallium nitride based technologies by means of accelerated life test methods and electro-thermal simulations, aimed at understanding the physical origins of the degradation. In particular, this thesis provides the following contributions: i) the role of the interface and oxide trapped charge induced by negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) stress in p-channel Si-based U-MOSFETs is investigated. The impact of relevant electrical and physical parameters, such as stress voltage, recovery voltage and temperature, is accounted for and proper models are also proposed. In the field of innovative semiconductor power devices, this work focuses on the study of GaN-based devices. In particular, three different subtopics are considered: ii) a thermal model, accounting for the temperature dependence of the thermal boundary resistance (TBR), is implemented in TCAD simulator in order to realistically model self-heating effects in GaN-based power devices; iii) the degradation mechanisms induced by ON-state stress in GaN-based Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) are proposed by analyzing their dependence on the device geometry; iv) the trapping mechanisms underlying the time-dependent gate breakdown and their effects on the performance of GaN-based power HEMTs with p-type gate are investigated, and an original empirical model representing the relationship between gate leakage current and time to failure is proposed.
Design of an independent smart service platform for wind turbines

The “Internet of Things” has become more and more common. All kinds of facilities are connected to the world wide web and exchange vast amounts of information. The interconnection of wind turbines and their operators is already state of the art. However, independent and overarching platforms can become providers for additional smart services – information generated from available datasets and action plans derived from it. The present paper lists key requirements for the design of such platforms and proposes solutions to meet the requirements.
How Do Environmental Regulation and Environmental Decentralization Affect Regional Green Innovation? Empirical Research from China

Green innovation is vital in transforming China’s economic development from high speed to high quality. Environmental regulation plays an important role in stimulating regional green innovation, and appropriate environmental decentralization is the institutional basis to consolidate the innovation compensation of environmental regulation. Clarifying the relationship among environmental regulation, environmental decentralization, and green innovation is of great theoretical and practical significance for regional environmental management and green innovation development. This paper incorporates environmental regulation, environmental decentralization, and regional green innovation into the same analytical framework and constructs a fixed-effects model and a threshold panel model to empirically examine the intrinsic relationship between them based on panel data of 30 Chinese provinces from 2006 to 2015. The estimation results indicate that environmental regulation has a positive impact on regional green innovation, which is greater in developed regions than in underdeveloped regions. Environmental decentralization plays a negative role in regional green innovation, with underdeveloped regions being affected to a greater extent. The impact of environmental regulation on regional green innovation shows a threshold characteristic with the change of the degree of environmental decentralization, while the green innovation utility of environmental regulation gradually decreases with the increase of the degree of environmental decentralization.
Structured Allocation of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Patients during Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: Impact on Patient Selection and Clinical Results

Due to shortages of medical resources during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, an allocation algorithm for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) was established. We investigated the impact on patient selection and procedural results. In total, 456 TAVR patients before (pre-COVID-19 group) and 456 TAVR patients after (COVID-19 group) the implementation of our allocation algorithm were compared. Concerning patient characteristics, the COVID-19 group revealed a higher rate of cardiac decompensations/cardiogenic shocks (10.5% vs. 1.3%; p < 0.001), severe angina pectoris (Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) II, III and IV: 18.7% vs. 11.8%; p = 0.004), troponin elevation (>14 ng/L: 84.9% vs. 77%; p = 0.003) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (<45%: 18.9% vs. 12%; p = 0.006). Referring to procedural characteristics, more predilatations (46.3% vs. 35.1%; p = 0.001) and a longer procedural time (80.2 min (+/−29.4) vs. 66.9 min (+/−17.5); p < 0.001) were observed. The success rate was evenly high; no differences in safety parameters were reported. Examining the utilization of hospital resources, the COVID-19 group showed a shorter in-hospital stay (8.4 days (+/−5.9) vs. 9.5 days (+/−9.33); p = 0.041) and fewer TAVR patients were treated per month (39 (+/−4.55) vs. 46.11 (+/−7.57); p = 0.03). Our allocation algorithm supported prioritization of sicker patients with similar efficient and safe TAVR procedures. In-hospital stay could be shortened.
Awareness and Utilization of HIV Testing and Prevention Services Among Female Sex Workers in Dnipro, Ukraine: Implications for Prevention Program Strengthening From the Dynamics Study

Introduction Approximately 240,000 people live with HIV in Ukraine, concentrated among key populations, including sex workers. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play an important role in the funding and delivery of HIV testing and prevention services in Ukraine. These services are set within the context of national healthcare reforms as well as ongoing armed conflict. This study seeks to describe and understand the usage of HIV testing and prevention services among sex workers in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Methods A cross-sectional bio-behavioral survey was administered in September 2017-March 2018 among 560 sex workers working in Dnipro. Descriptive analyses of survey data are presented alongside multivariable logistic regression models identifying factors associated with NGO awareness and HIV testing in the past 12 months; adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) are reported. Results Sixty-two percent of respondents were aware of NGOs offering HIV services. Sixty-eight percent had tested for HIV in the past 12 months, and 51% of those who reported the location of their most recent test were tested at an NGO. Those with 5–9 years in sex work had greater odds of being aware of NGOs (AOR = 5.5, 95%CI: 3.2–9.7) and testing for HIV (AOR = 3.4, 95%CI: 2.0–6.0) compared to those new to the profession. Contact with outreach workers was strongly associated with increased odds of testing (AOR = 13.0, 95%CI: 7.0–24.0). Sex workers in “offices” (brothel-like venues) reported higher odds of testing than all other workplaces, while those in entertainment venues (AOR = 0.3, 95%CI: 0.2–0.5) and public places (AOR = 0.2, 95%CI: 0.1–0.3) reported lower rates. Receiving prevention services, such as free condoms, was associated with increased testing (AOR = 16.9, 95%CI: 9.7–29.3). Discussion NGOs in Dnipro, Ukraine play an important role in HIV testing and prevention for women involved in sex work. However, focused efforts should be placed on supporting access to these services for women that are newer to sex work, and those working in entertainment venues or public places. Outreach workers appear to support access to HIV prevention information and supplies and facilitate linkages to HIV testing for sex workers.
Resistive switching of Cu/Cu2O junction fabricated using simple thermal oxidation at 423 K for memristor application

Recently, extensive researches have been done on memristor to replace current memory storage technologies. Study on active layer of memristor mostly involving n-type semiconductor oxide such as TiO2 and ZnO. This paper highlight a simple water vapour oxidation method at 423 K to form Cu/Cu2O electronic junction as a new type of memristor. Cu2O is a p-type semiconductor oxide, was used as the active layer of memristor. Cu/Cu2O/Au memristor was fabricated by thermal oxidation of copper foil, followed by sputtering of gold. Structural, morphological and memristive properties were characterized using XRD, FESEM, and current-voltage, I-V measurement respectively. Its memristivity was indentified by pinch hysteresis loop and measurement of high resistance state (HRS) and low resistance state (LRS) of the sample. The Cu/Cu2O/Au memristor demonstrates comparable performances to previous studies using other methods.
Antenna Array Miniaturization using a Defected Ground Structure

A novel Defected Ground Structure (DGS) is proposed to miniaturize a 2×2 Modified Corporate Feed Planar Antenna Array (M-CFPA) with a modified corporate feeding network. The DGS altered the surface current distribution and shifted the resonance frequency to the lower side. After running a parametric sweep of length and width of the patch antenna element, achieved the miniaturized antenna array resonating at 2.4 GHz frequency. The proposed antenna array is designed using Rogers/RT Duroid 5,880 ( ) substrate with a thickness of 1.6 mm. The overall dimensions of the proposed Planar Array with DGS (PA-DGS) is 25.2723 % lesser than M-CFPA. The M-CFPA has a peak gain of 11.53 dB with a - 10 dB reflection coefficient bandwidth of 118 MHz. The proposed PA-DGS array exhibits a peak gain of 9.51 dB with 100 MHz -10 dB bandwidth. HIGHLIGHTS One of the major challenges faced in antenna array design is creating an efficient feed network An optimum feed network is designed to miniaturize the antenna array Metamaterial structures are deployed as defects in the ground plane to achieve further miniaturization GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT