Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Energy-Efficient Capacitance-to-Digital Converters for Low-Energy Sensor Nodes

Energy-Efficient Capacitance-to-Digital Converters for Low-Energy Sensor Nodes Hesham AbdelSalam Omran Energy efficiency is a key requirement for wireless sensor nodes, biomedical implants, and wearable devices. The energy consumption of the sensor node needs to be minimized to avoid battery replacement, or even better, to enable the device to survive on energy harvested from the ambient. Capacitive sensors do not consume static power; thus, they are attractive from an energy efficiency perspective. In addition, they can be employed in a wide range of sensing applications. However, the sensor readout circuit–i.e., the capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC)–can be the dominant source of energy consumption in the system. Thus, the development of energy-efficient CDCs is crucial to minimizing the energy consumption of capacitive sensor nodes. In the first part of this dissertation, we propose several energy-efficient CDC architectures for low-energy sensor nodes. First, we propose a digitally-controlled coarsefine multislope CDC that employs both current and frequency scaling to achieve significant improvement in energy efficiency. Second, we analyze the limitations of successive approximation (SAR) CDC, and we address these limitations by proposing a robust parasitic-insensitive opamp-based SAR CDC. Third, we propose an inverter-based SAR CDC that achieves an energy efficiency figure-of-merit (FoM) of 31fJ/Step, which is the best energy efficiency FoM reported to date. Fourth, we 5 propose a differential SAR CDC with quasi-dynamic operation to maintain excellent energy efficiency for a scalable sample rate. In the second part of this dissertation, we study the matching properties of small integrated capacitors, which are an integral component of energy-efficient CDCs. Despite conventional wisdom, we experimentally illustrate that the mismatch of small capacitors can be directly measured, and we report mismatch measurements for subfemtofarad integrated capacitors. We also correct the common misconception that lateral capacitors match better than vertical capacitors, and we identify the conditions that make one implementation preferable. In the third and last part of this dissertation, we investigate the potential of novel metal-organic framework (MOF) thin films in capacitive gas sensing. We provide sensitivity-based optimization and simple fabrication flow for capacitive interdigitated electrodes. We use a custom flexible gas sensor test setup that is designed and built in-house to characterize MOF-based capacitive gas sensors.
Genetic variants in the serum amyloid A2 (SAA2) gene as a potential marker for milk production traits in Chinese Holstein cows

Abstract Background This study was conducted to detect potential polymorphisms of the serum amyloid A2 (SAA2) gene and explore their relationships with milk production traits in Chinese Holstein cows. Objectives: This study used sequencing technology conducted in 532 Chinese Holstein cows. Methods Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified within intron 1, named g.14061A>G, g.14072G>C and g.14819C>T. Eight estimated haplotypes were identified, of which three major haplotypes had a frequency of Hap3 (‐ACC‐), Hap5 (‐GCC‐) and Hap2 (‐AGT‐), with 17.9%, 12.30% and 8.10%, respectively. Results The association analysis of single markers (g.14061A>G and g.14819C>T) and combined genotypes (Hap1/5) revealed prominent effects on milk production traits in Chinese Holstein cows (p < 0.05). Conclusions Our results suggest that the SAA2 gene is associated with economic traits in Chinese Holstein cows and may be used as candidate gene for marker‐assisted selection and management in breeding programs.
Occlusal Evaluation Using Modified Huddart and Bodenham Scoring System Following 2-Stage Palatoplasty With Hotz Plate: A Comparison Among 3 Different Surgical Protocols

Objective This study aimed to determine if the change in technique of soft palate closure or timing of hard palatal repair induced occlusal changes in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP). Design Retrospective study. Settings A medical and dental hospital in Japan. Subjects A total of 96 patients with CUCLP treated with 2-stage palatoplasty were included in the study and categorized into 3 groups (G1, G2, and G3) according to the protocol used. Interventions G1 underwent soft palate repair using Perko method at 1.5 years of age and hard palate repair using vomer flap procedure at 5.5 years of age. Furlow method was used for soft palate repair in G2 at 1.5 years of age and hard palate repair using vomer flap procedure at 5.5 years of age. The Furlow method was used to repair the soft palate in G3 at 1.5 years of age and vomer flap procedure was used to repair the hard palate at 4 years of age. Main Outcome Measures Two evaluators assessed the dental arch relationship using the modified Huddart/Bodenham (mHB) index on 2 separate occasions. Results Intra- (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]: 0.962) and inter-examiner (ICC: 0.950) reliability showed very good agreement. The frequency of crossbite present in the major and minor segments gradually decreased with each change in protocol. Mean segmental scores showed no significant difference between 3 protocols (P > .05). Good inter-arch alignment occurred with all 3 surgical protocols (G1:82.6%, G2:89.8%, and G3:91.7%). Conclusions There was no significant difference in the dental arch relationship outcomes between the 3 surgical protocols. The dentition status was comparable with all surgical protocols, even after the changes.
The role of cilia for hydrocephalus formation

Hydrocephalus is a common finding in newborns. In most cases, it is caused by intraventricular hemorrhage associated with prematurity, whereas in some patients the cause of hydrocephalus can be traced back to genetic changes, associated with disease syndromes such as RASopathies, lysosomal storage diseases, dystroglycanopathies, craniosynostosis but also ciliopathies. Ciliopathies are a group of diseases that can affect multiple organ systems due to dysfunction or the absence of cilia. Cilia are small organelles, extending from the cell surface. Nonmotile monocilia are ubiquitously present during cell development fulfilling chemosensory functions, whereas specialized epithelia such as the ependyma, lining the inner surface of the brain ventricles, exhibit multiciliated cells propelling fluids along the cell surface. This review highlights ciliopathies and their pathophysiology in congenital hydrocephalus. While nonmotile ciliopathies are often associated with severe prenatal hydrocephalus combined with other severe congenital brain malformations, motile ciliopathies, especially those associated with defects in multiciliogenesis can cause hydrocephalus and chronic lung disease.
Passivation efficacy study of Al2O3 dielectric on self-catalyzed molecular beam epitaxially grown GaAs1-x Sb x nanowires

This work evaluates the passivation efficacy of thermal atomic layer deposited (ALD) Al2O3 dielectric layer on self-catalyzed GaAs1-x Sb x nanowires (NWs) grown using molecular beam epitaxy. A detailed assessment of surface chemical composition and optical properties of Al2O3 passivated NWs with and without prior sulfur treatment were studied and compared to as-grown samples using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The XPS measurements reveal that prior sulfur treatment followed by Al2O3 ALD deposition abates III–V native oxides from the NW surface. However, the degradation in 4K-PL intensity by an order of magnitude observed for NWs with Al2O3 shell layer compared to the as-grown NWs, irrespective of prior sulfur treatment, suggests the formation of defect states at the NW/dielectric interface contributing to non-radiative recombination centers. This is corroborated by the Raman spectral broadening of LO and TO Raman modes, increased background scattering, and redshift observed for Al2O3 deposited NWs relative to the as-grown. Thus, our work seems to indicate the unsuitability of ALD deposited Al2O3 as a passivation layer for GaAsSb NWs.
KEWIRAUSAHAAN SEBAGAI PENDUKUNG KEBERHASILAN BISNIS KONTRAKTOR DI INDONESIA

Contractors as a part of construction industry run their business in many unique ways. Instead of running unique business, contractors’ business also been considered as a business in very high competition. In this bisnis environment, contractors need to implement proper business strategy in order to be success in their business. Entrepreneurship has been developed very rapidly because it has been considered as a strategy to support business success in many business areas. Considering the uniqueness of contractors’ business, therefore entrepreneurship is considered to be implemented by contractors in many unique way comparing to other businesses. This study is aimed to find the concept of entrepreneurship for contractors. Entrepreneurship in this study will be focused on corporate entrepreneurship which is elaborated into five dimensions: autonomy, competitive aggressiveness, innovativeness, proactiveness and risk taking. Data was collected by semi-structure interview with top managers of contractors in Indonesia. The transcript of the interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis that is carried out manually and then continued by using Nvivo Software. This study finds how is the implementation of those five dimensions especially for contractors. Abstrak: Kontraktor adalah perusahaan dalam industri konstruksi yang menjalankan usahanya dengan berbagai keunikannya. Selain bisnisnya yang unik, bisnis kontraktor juga dikategorikan sebagai bisnis dengan persaingan yang tinggi. Menghadapi situasi ini, kontraktor dituntut menjalankan strategi bisnis yang tepat sehingga mampu mendukung keberhasilan usahanya. Kewirausahaan yang telah berkembang pesat karena dijumpai mampu mendukung keberhasilan berbagai bidang usaha diharapkan akan mampu pula mendukung keberhasilan usaha kontraktor. Mengingat usaha kontraktor yang unik maka kewirausahaan untuk kontraktor juga akan mempunyai beberapa kekhususan dibandingkan kewirausahaan pada bidang usaha lain. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menemukan konsep kewirausahaan untuk kontraktor. Kewirausahaan pada penelitian ini difokuskan pada kewirausahaan tingkat perusahaan atau dikenal dengan kewirausahaan korporasi yang dijabarkan dalam lima dimensi, yaitu: otonomi, agresif dalam persaingan, berinovasi, proaktif dalam meraih peluang dan berani mengambil risiko. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui wawancara semi terstruktur dengan para pimpinan kontraktor di Indonesia. Hasil wawancara dianalisis dengan menggunakan analisis tematik yang diawali analisis secara manual yang kemudian dilanjutkan dengan bantuan perangkat lunak Nvivo. Hasil penelitian ini menemukan bagaimana kelima dimensi tadi diterapkan sesuai dengan keunikan bisnis kontraktor. Kata kunci: : kewirausahaan korporasi, kontraktor, Indonesia
UNNATURAL MONOPOLY: CRITICAL MOMENTS

Congress finally began the long-needed process of comprehensive telecommunication deregulation in 1994, exactly 60 years after their last major legislative effort, the Communications Act of 1934, was enacted. Legislators appear to finally realize what has been evident to many industry leaders and analysts for years—regulation isimpedingthe growthofnewtechnologies, jobs, and exports,while simultaneously denying consumers the benefits ofcompetition. Unfortunately, in an attempt to remedythe inefficiencies createdby nearlya century’s worth of regulation, Congress crafted a reform package that was anythingbut deregulatory. Both the House and Senate bills wereover 200 pages long, contained 50 new regulatory powers, and included protectionist manufacturing requirements. Largely as a result of this pro-regulatory baggage, the bill finally died in the Senate in midSeptember of 1994. BeforeCongress makes any rash decisions on howto manage competitionwithin the industry, legislators should reviewhowthe old Bell monopoly developed. Most legislators, academics, and many others believethe telephone industryis a naturalmonopoly that was privately monopolized by the aggressive actions of the American Telegraph and Telephone Company(AT&T). Thatwas hardlythe case. Although AT&T undoubtedly encouraged the monopolization of the industry, it was the actions of regulators and federal and state legislators that eventually led to the creation of a nationwide telephone monopoly. In this paperI shall argue that the reason competition did not arise within the industry earlier this century is because it was not allowed to. Specifically, three forces drove the monopolization process:
Obesity, exercise training, and BCAA supplementation: All that glitters (may not be) gold

Obesity remains a key global health concern intimately linked with cardiometabolic disease. Although the molecular underpinnings connecting obesity and type 2 diabetes are multifaceted, adiposity-induced effects can dysregulate beta cell function and multiorgan insulin sensitivity (1). Weight loss can attenuate such adverse alter -ations; however, in weight- stable conditions, the benefits of aerobic exercise training on insulin sensitivity are transient, likely affected by the proximity to the latest bout ( 2 ). Even so, continued interest persists in seeking alternatives, including dietary supplementation, to enhance the potency of exercise for optimal improvement in both performance and cardiometabolic health. amino (BCAAs), instance, unique properties that historically have made them attractive can-didates to the benefits of exercise, particularly resistance However, obesity and type 2 the of this predictive of type 2 2
Immunotherapy-induced Colitis

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of a variety of malignancies including advanced melanoma, non–small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, head and neck cancers among others. Since their introduction, there has been significant improvement in survival and prognosis in patients with advanced malignancies. Unfortunately, improved outcomes have come at a price of significant immune-related adverse events, with those of the gastrointestinal tract being the most common. Gastrointestinal immune-related adverse events frequently present as diarrhea and colitis, the severity of which can range from mild diarrhea to fulminant colitis with intestinal perforation. Currently, management of ICI-induced colitis is primarily guided by retrospective studies and expert opinion. A significant number of ICI-induced colitis responds to high-dose corticosteroids; however, some patients require further therapy with biologics. There is limited information on the factors which may predispose patients to ICI-induced colitis. Future research elucidating these risk factors along with development of a scoring system could allow for risk-stratification of patients before initiation of ICI therapy. Such a system may help clinicians and patients keep a high index of suspicion regarding ICI-induced colitis and could hopefully reduce the incidence of severe cases. Similarly, future studies should investigate protective factors against ICI-induced colitis, which could potentially allow more patients to safely benefit from ICI therapy.
Effectiveness of oral etoposide in recurrent or refractory epithelial ovarian cancer, primary peritoneal cancer and fallopian tube cancer

Abstract The aim of treatment in recurrent or refractory epithelial ovarian cancer is palliation. In a patient with platinum-resistant status, several chemotherapy regimens have been reported with similar response rates. Among these agents, the oral etoposide holds an advantage of the route of administration and management in the out-patient setting. This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of oral etoposide. Data of patients with recurrent or refractory epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal and fallopian tube cancer who received oral etoposide treatment in Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University from January 1997 to December 2017 were collected. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. The oral etoposide at a dose of 50 mg/m2 was prescribed. Sixty-six records were analysed. Median OS and median PFS were 8.3 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.8, 10.4) and 3.1 months (95%CI: 2.3, 3.9), respectively. Other factors including age, body mass index (BMI), histopathology subtype, primary treatment, result of the primary surgery, platinum status, site and size of recurrent cancer, treatment after discontinuation of oral etoposide and the line of chemotherapy regimen were not associated with the prognosis. The initial cancer stage was the only independent poor prognostic factor. The main toxicity was neutropenia. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? After the recurrence of epithelial ovarian cancer, peritoneal cancer or fallopian tube cancer, the aim of treatment in this setting is palliation with accentuating on symptomatic control and enhancing the quality of life. According to previous clinical trials, the chemotherapy regimens which were considered as a second-line or beyond the second-line therapy have been reported with similar response rates. Among these agents, the oral etoposide could be administrated by oral route. There were several articles reported the effectiveness of oral etoposide in different dosage. What do the results of this study add? This study adds that administration of oral etoposide at a dose of 50 mg/m2 showed fairish oncologic outcomes with manageable toxicity. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/ or further research? The results will provide evidence that the oral etoposide can be considerate as a choice of palliative chemotherapy because of an advantage of the route of administration and management in the out-patient setting.
Nutrition programmes for individuals living with disadvantage in supported residential settings: a scoping review

Abstract Objective: Health inequities such as chronic disease are significantly higher among individuals living with disadvantage compared with the general population and many are reported to be attributable to preventable dietary risk factors. This study provides an overview of the current nutrition interventions for individuals living with extreme disadvantage, in supported residential settings, to develop insights into the development and implementation of policies and practices to promote long-term nutritional health and well-being. Design: A scoping review searched Scopus, ProQuest, CINAHL Plus, MEDLINE, and Web of Science databases using the terms ‘resident’, ‘nutrition’, ‘disadvantage’, ‘intervention’ and their synonyms, with particular emphasis on interventions in residential settings. Setting: Residential services providing nutrition provision and support. Participants: People experiencing extreme disadvantage. Results: From 5262 articles, seven were included in final synthesis. Most interventions focused on building food literacy knowledge and skills. Study designs and outcome measures varied; however, all reported descriptive improvements in behaviour and motivation. In addition to food literacy, it was suggested that interventions need to address behaviour and motivations, programme sustainability, long-term social, physical and economic barriers and provide support for participants during transition into independent living. Socio-economic issues remain key barriers to long-term health and well-being. Conclusions: In addition to food literacy education, future research and interventions should consider utilising an academic-community partnership, addressing nutrition-related mental health challenges, motivation and behaviour change and a phased approach to improve support for individuals transitioning into independent living.
Immunophenotype of lacrimal glands in Graves orbitopathy: Implications for the pathogenesis of Th1 and Th17 immunity.

BACKGROUND Recent studies have reported a wide spectrum of ocular surface injuries in the context of autoimmune reactions in Graves' orbitopathy (GO). Increased expression of inflammatory mediators in tears of GO patients suggests that the lacrimal glands could be a target for immune responses. However, the immunophenotype for GO lacrimal microenvironment is not known. This study aimed to elucidate the pathological changes of GO lacrimal glands. METHODS In this case-control study, lacrimal glands were surgically collected from GO patients who underwent orbital decompression surgery and control subjects who underwent other ocular-related surgery. Bulk RNA-sequencing, flow cytometry with dimensional reduction, immunohistochemical and multiplexed stainings were conducted. Western blotting and Multipathway assays were performed in CD34+ fibroblasts derived from lacrimal and orbital tissues. RESULTS Increased expression of cytokines and chemokines accompanied by a variety of immune cell infiltration mainly involving T cells, B cells, and monocytes was found in GO lacrimal glands. An in-depth investigation into T cell subsets revealed interferon-γ-producing T helper (Th)1 and interleukin (IL)-17A-producing Th17 cell-dominated autoimmunity in active GO lacrimal microenvironment. Both fibrosis and adipogenesis were observed in GO lacrimal tissue-remodeling. IL-17A, not interferon-γ, stimulated transforming growth factor-β-initiated myofibroblast differentiation as well as 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2-initiated adipocyte differentiation in CD34+ lacrimal fibroblasts (LF) and orbital fibroblasts (OF), respectively. IL-17A activated many fibrotic and adipogenic-related signaling pathways in CD34+ LFs and OFs. A novel anti-IL-17A monoclonal antibody SHR-1314 could reverse the promoting effect of IL-17A on fibrosis and adipogenesis in CD34+ LFs and OFs. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide evidence for the infiltration of different lymphocytes into GO lacrimal microenvironment, where Th1 and Th17 cells characterize the onset of active lacrimal inflammation and contribute to tissue-remodeling. These findings may have potential future therapeutic implications regarding the utility of anti-IL-17A therapy, which should be studied in future research.