Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analytical Approach to Improve the Performance of a Fully Integrated Class-F Power Amplifier with 0.13 µm BiCMOS Technology Using Drain–Bulk Capacitor Modulation

This article reports a novel technique based on drain–bulk capacitor modulation to improve the performance design of a class-F power amplifier (PA) used in low-power transceivers based on the I-Q amplitude modulation technique considering linearity–efficiency–miniaturization trade-offs. This idea is carried out by implementing a tuned capacitor in parallel with a cascode transistor on the output of the power stage to enhance the shape of the voltage–current amplitudes of the class-F PA by creating a new harmonic current component. Simulated results were obtained for the power back-off region of the proposed configuration, with an output power, power gain and power-added efficiency of 8 dBm (+ 5 dBm)B, 19 dB (+ 5 dB)B and 45% (+ 5% to 10%)B, respectively. In addition, post-layout simulations revealed a similar level of output power, a power gain of a 20 dB and a 28% power-added efficiency for an added capacitance equal to 1.3 pF. Class-F PA is implemented on a 732×605 μm2 chip’s surface. (B: indicates the improved values in the power back-off region).
Job Autonomy and Work Meaning: Drivers of Employee Job-Crafting Behaviors in the VUCA Times

In the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environment (VUCA), employees can better match the organization and jobs by crafting their job perceptions, work tasks, and relationships, which is valuable to maintain organizational sustainable competitiveness and promote employees’ personal growth. This study explores the influence mechanisms of job autonomy and work meaning on employees’ job-crafting behaviors and the moderating effect of perceived organizational change through a survey of 318 employees in Chinese companies. The results show that job autonomy and work meaning can promote employees’ job-crafting behaviors by increasing individuals’ harmonious work passion. The indirect effects of job autonomy and work meaning on employee job-crafting behaviors through harmonious work passion are stronger for individuals with high perceived organizational change relative to those with low perceived organizational change. Organizations should concentrate on job redesign to improve employees’ job autonomy and work meaning. A climate of change should also be created within the organization to keep employees aware of the crisis. Meanwhile, employees should actively use work resources to meet the changing needs of organizational development and promote individual career development through job-crafting behaviors.
Machine Learning-Based Estimation of COP and Multi-Objective Optimization of Operation Strategy for Heat Source Considering Electricity Cost and On-Site Consumption of Renewable Energy

Air conditioning is a significant consumer of electricity in buildings, accounting for around 40% of the total consumption. While previous studies have focused on planning methods to minimize electricity costs, recent years have seen an increasing need for energy management methods that consider environmental performance, such as CO2 emissions, alongside economic efficiency. This study proposes a mechanism to support stakeholders’ decision-making by calculating Pareto solutions based on the multi-objective optimization of economic and environmental characteristics for entities that own renewable energy generation facilities. Unlike many existing studies that assume a specific equation for COP (Coefficient of Performance) estimation, this study adopts a nonparametric COP estimation method using machine learning, resulting in a more realistic and flexible modeling of the system. The study also presents a model for selecting an operation strategy that balances environmental and economic goals, incorporating a thermal storage facility to improve the renewable energy rate. Specifically, we proposed and compared methods for calculating solutions using only the GA (Genetic Algorithm) and a two-step optimization method combining a GA and gradient-based optimization method, confirming the superiority of the two-step optimization method. The case study unveiled unique operational profiles corresponding to cost-saving, renewable-energy, and balanced orientation points, suggesting the existence of specific strategies tailored to each orientation. The findings of this study can help stakeholders make more informed decisions regarding energy management in air conditioning systems, with benefits for both the environment and the bottom line.
Harnessing Biofabrication Strategies to Re-Surface Osteochondral Defects: Repair, Enhance, and Regenerate

Osteochondral tissue (OC) is a complex and multiphasic system comprising cartilage and subchondral bone. The discrete OC architecture is layered with specific zones characterized by different compositions, morphology, collagen orientation, and chondrocyte phenotypes. To date, the treatment of osteochondral defects (OCD) remains a major clinical challenge due to the low self-regenerative capacity of damaged skeletal tissue, as well as the critical lack of functional tissue substitutes. Current clinical approaches fail to fully regenerate damaged OC recapitulating the zonal structure while granting long-term stability. Thus, the development of new biomimetic treatment strategies for the functional repair of OCDs is urgently needed. Here, we review recent developments in the preclinical investigation of novel functional approaches for the resurfacing of skeletal defects. The most recent studies on preclinical augmentation of OCDs and highlights on novel studies for the in vivo replacement of diseased cartilage are presented.
Synergy of Road Network Planning Indices on Central Retail District Pedestrian Evacuation Efficiency

Pedestrian evacuation is an important measure to ensure disaster safety in central retail districts, the efficiency of which is affected by the synergy of road network planning indices. This paper established the typical forms of central retail district (CRD) road networks in terms of block form, network structure and road grade, taking China as an example. The experiment was designed using the orthogonal design of experiment (ODOE) method and quantified the evacuation time under different road network planning indices levels through the Anylogic simulation platform. Using range and variance analysis methods, the synergy of network density, network connectivity, road type and road width on pedestrian evacuation efficiency were studied from the perspectives of significance, importance and optimal level. The results showed that the type of CRD will affect the importance of network planning indices, and that the network connectivity is insignificant (P 0.477/0.581) in synergy; networks with wide pedestrian primary roads (30.1~40.0 m), medium secondary roads (3.1~5.0 m/side) and high density (11.0~13.0 km/km2) have the highest evacuation efficiency. From the perspective of evacuees, this paper put forward urban design implications on CRD road networks to improve their capacity for disaster prevention and reduction.
Enhanced Recovery after Surgery and Endometrial Cancers: Results from an Initial Experience Focused on Elderly Patients

Simple Summary The incidence of endometrial cancer is especially high among women over 70 years old. Problems can be encountered if an interest in minimally invasive surgery has been expressed, as there is a lack of evidence regarding the benefits of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs with respect to endometrial cancer management. The aim of this observational prospective study was to assess ERAS programs’ impact on length of stay, early discharge, and post-operative morbidity in the general population and among patients over 70 years old. We found a significantly shorter length of stay and a higher rate of early discharge with similar rates of post-operative complications in the group associated with the ERAS pathway. These results were even more significant among the elderly. Abstract Endometrial cancer is the fifth most common cancer among French women and occurs most frequently in the over-70-year-old population. Recent years have seen a significant shift towards minimally invasive surgery and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols in endometrial cancer management. However, the impact of ERAS on endometrial cancer has not been well-established. We conducted a prospective observational study in a comprehensive cancer center, comparing the outcomes between endometrial cancer patients who received care in an ERAS pathway (261) and those who did not (166) between 2006 and 2020. We performed univariate and multivariate analysis. Our primary objective was to evaluate the impact of ERAS on length of hospital stay (LOS), with the secondary objectives being the determination of the rates of early discharge, post-operative morbidity, and rehospitalization. We found that patients in the ERAS group had a significantly shorter length of stay, with an average of 3.18 days compared to 4.87 days for the non-ERAS group (estimated decrease −1.69, p < 0.0001). This effect was particularly pronounced among patients over 70 years old (estimated decrease −2.06, p < 0.0001). The patients in the ERAS group also had a higher chance of early discharge (47.5% vs. 14.5% in the non-ERAS group, p < 0.0001), for which there was not a significant increase in post-operative complications. Our study suggests that ERAS protocols are beneficial for the management of endometrial cancer, particularly for older patients, and could lead to the development of ambulatory pathways.
On the Stochastic Volatility in the Generalized Black-Scholes-Merton Model

This paper discusses the generalized Black-Scholes-Merton model, where the volatility coefficient, the drift coefficient of stocks, and the interest rate are time-dependent deterministic functions. Together with it, we make the assumption that the volatility, the drift, and the interest rate depend on a gamma or inverse-gamma random variable. This model includes the models of skew Student’s t- and variance-gamma-distributed stock log-returns. The price of the European forward-start call option is derived from the considered models in closed form. The obtained formulas are compared with the Black-Scholes formula through examples.
Integrative Effects of Zinc Nanoparticle and PGRs to Mitigate Salt Stress in Maize

Salinity is one of the most critical problems for agricultural development and threatens future food safety. Therefore, we aimed to investigate root application of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs; 0, 50, 100 mg/L), 24-epibrassinolide (EBL; 0, 0.02, 0.04 µM), and their combinations on the growth and performance of maize (Zea mays L.) as a model plant grown under salt stress (i.e., 0, 5 and 10 dS m−1) in a hydroponic system. The results showed that the highest salt stress negatively affected growth, physiological, and biochemical traits of maize. However, the application of EBL, ZnO-NPs, and their combinations significantly mitigated salt stress and improved the growth and performance of the physiological system in maize plants. In particular, the combination treatment of 100 mg/L ZnO-NPs + 0.02 µM EBL surpassed all other root treatments and resulted in the highest root and shoot growth, leaf area, relative leaf water content, net photosynthesis, total chlorophyll content, and uptake of zinc (Zn) and potassium (K). Furthermore, it minimized salt stress by reducing Na uptake, Na/K ratio, and proline in stressed maize plants. For example, the combination treatment of 100 mg/L ZnO-NPs + 0.02 µM EBL improved root length by +175%, shoot length by +39%, leaf area by +181%, RWC by +12%, net photosynthesis by +275, total chlorophyll content by +33%, and total phenolic content by +38%, in comparison to those obtained from the control, respectively. Furthermore, it enhanced the roots and leaves uptake of Zn under high salt stress treatment (i.e., 10 dS m−1) by +125% and +94%, and K+ by +39% and +51%, as compared to those grown without any of NPs or EBL treatments, respectively. Thus, the root application of 100 mg/L ZnO-NPs + 0.02 µM EBL can be a potential option to mitigate salt stress and improve the physiological, biochemical, and performance of strategy crops such maize.
Biotechnological Production of Fumaric Acid by Rhizopus arrhizus—Reaching Industrially Relevant Final Titers

Fumaric acid is used in various areas of the chemical industry due to its functional groups. For example, it is used in the polymer industry to produce unsaturated polyester resins, which are nowadays mostly produced from fossil raw materials. With regard to sustainable biotechnological fumaric acid production, the main challenge is to develop a cost-effective and robust fermentation process with industrially relevant final titers, productivities and yields. For biotechnological fumaric acid production, mainly fungi of the genus Rhizopus are used, which require very complex and challenging morphology control. The aim of this work is the development of an effective biotechnological fumaric acid production process with R. arrhizus NRRL 1526. Significant insights into the morphology control of the fungus and optimization of production characteristics were obtained, and a final titer of 86.3 g/L fumaric acid was achieved in a batch cultivation, with a yield of 0.67 g/g and a productivity of 0.60 g/(L∙h). In addition, a fed-batch process was developed, in which the production phase was extended, and a maximum final titer of 195.4 g/L fumaric acid was achieved. According to current knowledge, this value is the highest final concentration of fumaric acid produced using biotechnology.
A Cross-Sectional Study to Identify Factors for Vaccination Uptake Amongst University Staff and Students in Northern Ireland

With the increased uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination in 2021, universities resumed face-to-face classes and clinical placements. However, even with incentives, some individuals chose not to receive a vaccination due to personal beliefs and other reasons. Understanding motivations for vaccination uptake or vaccine hesitancy is important to help develop future public health strategies. Therefore, a cross-sectional online survey was carried out among students and staff in a UK university to assess the level of vaccination and explore their views on the acceptability of incentives that may encourage uptake. Almost three quarters (74.4%) of the sample had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine with a higher proportion of staff receiving a vaccine compared to students (80.0% vs. 70.6%, p < 0.001). Vaccine hesitancy or refusal was due to the perceived lack of research and knowledge of the potential long-term effects at the time of vaccination, religious, personal and ethical beliefs and feeling like vaccinations should not be used to restrict social events, travel and medical challenges. This study shows that university staff and students had a relatively high uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination. However, the findings indicate that nearly 20 percent were unsure or unwilling to take the vaccination, therefore suggesting that clearer information and motivational strategies are needed to support the roll out of new vaccines.
Recent Trends in Active and Passive Immunotherapies of Alzheimer’s Disease

In the elderly, a debilitating condition known as dementia, which is a major health concern, is caused by Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Despite promising advances by researchers, there is currently no way to completely cure this devastating disease. It is illustrated by the deposition of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) plaques that are followed by neural dysfunction and cognitive decline. Responses against AD activate an immune system that contributes to and accelerates AD pathogenesis. Potential efforts in the field of pathogenesis have prompted researchers to explore novel therapies such as active and passive vaccines against Aβ proteins (Aβ immunotherapy), intravenous immunoglobulin, and tau immunotherapy, as well as targets that include microglia and several cytokines for the treatment of AD. Aims are now underway by experts to begin immunotherapies before the clinical manifestation, which is made possible by improving the sensitivity of biomarkers used for the diagnosis of AD to have better outcome measures. This review provides an overview of approved immunotherapeutic strategies for AD and those currently being investigated in clinical trials. We examine their mechanisms of action and discuss the potential perspectives and challenges associated with immunotherapies for AD.
Amantadine in Treatment of Dysthymia—The Pilot Case Series Study

Dysthymia is a common chronic mood disorder in which isolated symptoms of depression persist for at least 2 years. Despite the many medications recommended for the treatment of dysthymia, no recommendations have yet been made for the treatment of patients who fail to achieve clinical improvement. This justifies attempts to identify second-line drugs for the treatment of dysthymia. In an open and naturalistic case study, five patients diagnosed with dysthymia in whom at least one antidepressant treatment was ineffective were treated with amantadine. In the age- and gender-matched external control group, patients were treated with sertraline at 100 mg/day. Depressive symptoms were assessed using HDRS-17. Two men and three women were treated with 100 mg amantadine for 3 months with 3–5 months follow-up. After 1 month of treatment with amantadine, a significant reduction in the intensity of depressive symptoms was achieved in all patients, and the clinical improvement increased over the next 2 months of treatment. No deterioration in well-being was observed in any patient after discontinuation of amantadine. The effect of amantadine treatment was comparable to that of sertraline treatment in patients with dysthymia who improved with this drug. The present study indicates that amantadine is an effective and well-tolerated drug in the treatment of dysthymia. Amantadine may be associated with a quick improvement in symptoms in the treatment of dysthymia. Treatment with this drug seems to be associated with good tolerability and persistency of the therapeutic effect after the discontinuation of the treatment.
Phase-Controlled Cobalt Catalyst Boosting Hydrogenation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-Dimethylfuran

The search for non-noble metal catalysts for chemical transformations is of paramount importance. In this study, an efficient non-noble metal catalyst for hydrogenation, hexagonal close-packed cobalt (HCP-Co), was synthesized through a simple one-step reduction of β-Co(OH)2 nanosheets via a temperature-induced phase transition. The obtained HCP-Co exhibited several-times-higher catalytic efficiency than its face-centered cubic cobalt (FCC-Co) counterpart in the hydrogenation of the C=C/C=O group, especially for the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) hydrogenation (8.5-fold enhancement). Density functional theory calculations demonstrated that HMF molecules were adsorbed more firmly on the (112_0) facet of HCP-Co than that on the (111) facet of FCC-Co, favoring the activation of the C=O group in the HMF molecule. The stronger adsorption on the (112_0) facet of HCP-Co also led to lower activation energy than that on the (111) facet of FCC-Co, thereby resulting in high activity and selectivity. Moreover, HCP-Co exhibited outstanding catalytic stability during the hydrogenation of HMF. These results highlight the possibility of fabricating hydrogenation catalysts with satisfactory catalytic properties by precisely tuning their active crystal phase.
Au Single Metal Atom for Carbon Dioxide Reduction Reaction

CO2 is the gas that contributes the most to the greenhouse effect and, therefore, to global warming. One of the greatest challenges facing humanity is the reduction of the concentration of CO2 in the air. Here, we analyze the possible use of Au1@g-C3N4 electrocatalyst to transform CO2 into added-value products. We use density functional theory (DFT) to determine the reaction Gibbs energies for eight electron–proton transfer reaction paths of the electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) using a single Au atom supported on 2D carbon nitride support. Our simulations classify the Au1@g-C3N4 electrocatalysts as “beyond CO” since their formation is energetically favored, although their strong binding with a Au single atom does not allow the desorption process. DFT calculations revealed that the lowest energy pathway is CO2 (g) → COOH* → CO* → HCO* → HCOH* → CH2OH* → CH2* → CH3* → CH4 (g), where the first hydrogenation of CO to HCO is predicted as the rate-limiting step of the reaction with slightly lower potential than predicted for Cu electrodes, the most effective catalysts for CO2RR. Methane is predicted to be the main reaction product after eight proton–electron transfers (CO2 + 8 H+ + 8e− → CH4 + 2H2O). The generation of formaldehyde is discarded due to the large formation energy of the adsorbed moiety and the production of methanol is slightly less favorable than methane formation. Our computational study helps to identify suitable electrocatalysts for CO2RR by reducing the amount of metal and using stable and low-cost supports.
A Propensity-Matched Comparison of Ischemic Brain Lesions on Postprocedural MRI in Endovascular versus Open Carotid Artery Reconstruction

(1) Study purpose: The aim of our prospective single-center, matched case–control study was to compare the number and volume of acute ischemic brain lesions following carotid endarterectomy (CEA) versus carotid artery stenting (CAS) using a propensity-matched design. (2) Methods: Carotid bifurcation plaques were analyzed by using VascuCAP software on CT angiography (CTA) images. The number and volume of acute and chronic ischemic brain lesions were assessed on MRI scans taken 12–48 h after the procedures. Propensity score-based matching was performed at a 1:1 ratio to compare the ischemic lesions on postinterventional MR. (3) Results: A total of 107 patients (CAS, N = 33; CEA, N = 74) were included in the study. There were significant differences in smoking (p = 0.003), total calcification plaque volume (p = 0.004), and lengths of the lesion (p = 0.045) between the CAS and CEA groups. Propensity score matching resulted in 21 matched pairs of patients. Acute ischemic brain lesions were detected in ten patients (47.6%) of the matched CAS group and in three patients (14.2%) in the matched CEA group (p = 0.02). The volume of acute ischemic brain lesions was significantly larger (p = 0.04) in the CAS group than in the CEA group. New ischemic brain lesions were not associated with neurological symptoms in either group. (4) Conclusions: Procedure-related new acute ischemic brain lesions occurred significantly more frequently in the propensity-matched CAS group.
Evolutionary Qβ Phage Displayed Nanotag Library and Peptides for Biosensing

We selected a novel biotin-binding peptide for sensing biotin, biotinylated proteins, and nucleotides. From a 15-mer library displayed on the RNA coliphage Qβ, a 15-amino acid long peptide (HGHGWQIPVWPWGQG) hereby referred to as a nanotag was identified to selectively bind biotin. The target selection was achieved through panning with elution by infection. The selected peptide was tested as a transducer for an immunogenic epitope of the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) on Qβ phage platform separated by a linker. The biotin-tag showed no significant influence on the affinity of the epitope to its cognate antibody (SD6). The nanotag-bound biotin selectively fused either to the C- or N-terminus of the epitope. The epitope would not bind or recognize SD6 while positioned at the N-terminus of the nanotag. Additionally, the biotin competed linearly with the SD6 antibody in a competitive ELISA. Competition assays using the selected recombinant phage itself as a probe or transducer enable the operationalization of this technology as a biosensor toolkit to sense and quantify SD6 analyte. Herein, the published Strep II nanotag (DVEWLDERVPLVET) was used as a control and has similar functionalities to our proposed novel biotin-tag thereby providing a new platform for developing devices for diagnostic purposes.