Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resistive switching study on diffusive memristors using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Diffusive memristors demonstrate volatile resistive switching powered by the diffusion of silver nanoparticles through the matrix of silicon dioxide. The equivalent circuit of the high resistance state has been studied via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for two types of devices which demonstrate either analog or abrupt switching characteristics. It was found that the resistance component has a relatively good agreement with the differential resistance obtained from the I–V curves, whereas the capacitance visibly increases in the analog switching devices with increasing bias voltage as its conductive precursor filament starts forming with increasing voltage and redistribution of silver nanoparticles starts to occur at the top electrodes. Such an effect is not observed for abrupt switching device, which rapidly enters its conductive state for a small increase in bias voltage. This experimental approach allows for the identification of different types of electrical circuit behaviors in a memristive device, even before resistive switching takes place.
A Soft-Switched Single-Stage Single-Phase PFC Converter for Bidirectional Plug-In EV Charger

This paper proposes a novel zero-current assisted soft-switching bidirectional single-stage single-phase isolated power factor correction (PFC) based converter for plug-in EV charger. An isolated topology consists of a current-fed full-bridge converter with bidirectional switches on the ac-side that is connected with a full-bridge converter on the dc-side of a high-frequency transformer (HFT). HFT offers galvanic isolation for safety and high power density, and it is the most desired specification for a battery charger. The converter enables zero current switching (ZCS) of ac-side switches and zero current turn-ON for dc-side switches without any active clamp circuit or passive snubbers, which significantly reduced switching losses, footprints, and cost. The proposed modulation strategy and control technique are presented for promising the soft-switching operation of all semiconductor devices throughout the range for all modes with bidirectional power flow capability. These merits make the converter more feasible, robust, and reliable with high power density for an EV application. A comprehensive study of proposed steady-state operation, design, and simulation results is reported. A proof-of-concept hardware laboratory prototype rated at 1.5 kW is established and tested to validate the claims and proposed converter performance.
The Importance of Reading Books in students’ life

Books play an important role of a teacher, guide, and friend in our life. Why is it important to read books? Why do students need books? This is the research question we have raised, according to the chairman of the Publishers Association, Petrit Ymeri, which was invited to the UET Forum, in a conversation with students and lecturers at the end of of the 20th edition of the book in Tirana: where he showed the problems facing the book, from VAT to bad translations. One of the concerns raised by UET students in their questions, was the battle of paper book with the digital book and the world of social networks that has involved young people. Concretely, he argued that, “the book is always fashionable, it’s a paper or a digital book, we get it online, download it or not, we read, as Umberto Eco said that we need to flip our eyes when we read on the phone or ipad. The book of paper, continues to be the winner everywhere, because the book of the paper can be re-read. We all know, besides the pleasure we have in our hands, but even when you make a note, you go back to read it again”. (Mapo, 2018). A study published in Social Science & Health shows that reading books has a significant relationship to increase lifespan. A team of public health researchers from Yale University looked at data for 3,635 Americans over age 50 collected from 1992 to 2012. Adjusting for age, sex, race, education, wealth, marital status, and depression they found, that those who read books were more likely to live longer. (Flood, 2016). In this study, we want to measure book readership of students. How many students are currently reading and how to encourage readers of the future? POLIS No. 18, ISSUE 2/ 2019 55 We have compiled a self – questionnaire that measures student involvement with the genre of reading, engagement in fairs, the participation in city libraries, etc. About 80 questionnaires were distributed to see the current situation of students in a Private University (European University of Tirana).
Analysis of Physiological Signals Based on Nonlinear Methods

Nonlinear Dynamics Theory is a brand-new branch of science which combines with System Dynamics,Deterministic Theory,Random Probability Theory and so on. It has been widely used in the applications of biomedical engineering. The physiology signal has been proved to be chaos signal by academia. So the Nonlinear Dynamics Theory can be applied to extract the feature parameters,such as largest Lyapunov Exponent and Approximate Entropy. It also plays an important role in early diagnosis,therapy and prognosis assessment of diseases.
Compact hand-guided 3D scanning terahertz sensor platforms with 3D-printed aspherical telecentric f-θ lens

Abstract We report on the development of a handheld three-dimensional (3D) terahertz scanning system with an aspherical telecentric 3D-printed f-θ lens using selective laser sintering. The lens covers a broader scan line of 50 mm with its larger aperture, compared to the 20 mm range in our initial work, which was presented at the European Microwave Week 2021. In order to evaluate the adaptability of the optomechanical components with different sensor units, two different integrated frequency-modulated continuous wave radar modules based on monolithic microwave integrated circuit technology, operating in W- and D-bands are tested within the measurement scheme. The optomechanical part consists of a galvanometer scanner mirror and the f-θ lens. The optical system enables B-scans perpendicular to the manual translational movement of the sensor unit by its user. An integrated guiding wheel system with rotary encoder makes it possible to correlate the measurement points to their respective locations, enabling complete 3D volumetric inspection of the corresponding structures, which is particularly useful for the inspection along cracks and welds.
Combination of Novel Therapies and New Attempts in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the most lethal human malignancies, and it is rapidly falling without any effective therapeutic options. Although radical surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are performed on patients, the curative effect is suboptimal, and the survival rate is still poor. The discovery of altered gene pathways involved in this aggressive disease has advanced, but molecular targeted drugs targeting these pathways are still in clinical trials. To date, there is no effective way to treat this disease, so it is particularly urgent to find new treatments. At present, multimodal therapy is gradually being applied in clinical practice, which provides a new possibility for prolonging the survival time and improving the prognosis of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the current clinical multimodal therapy for patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer to evaluate its effect on improving the survival of patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer at different stages.
Structural Characterization, Technofunctional and Rheological Properties of Sesame Proteins Treated by High-Intensity Ultrasound

Plant-derived proteins, such as those from sesame seeds, have the potential to be used as versatile food ingredients. End-use functionality can be further improved by high-intensity ultrasound treatments. The effects of high-intensity ultrasound on the properties of sesame protein isolates from cold-pressed sesame cake were evaluated. The SDS-PAGE demonstrated no significant changes in the molecular weight of proteins. Ultrasound treatments resulted in decreased particle size with a more uniform distribution, resulting in the exposure of hydrophobicity and free −SH groups and increased zeta potential. Although FTIR spectra of proteins were similar after ultrasonication, a partial increase in the intensity of the amide A band was observed. The ultrasound significantly (p < 0.05) affected the secondary structure of proteins. While optical micrographics revealed a dispersed structure with smaller particles after treatments, microstructural observations indicated more rough and irregular surfaces. Water solubility was improved to 80.73% in the sample subjected to 6 min of ultrasonication. Sesame protein solutions treated for 4 and 6 min exhibited viscoelastic structure (storage modulus (G′) > loss modulus (G′′)). In addition, the gelation temperature of proteins decreased to about 60–65 °C with increasing treatment time. Overall, ultrasound is a useful technique for the modification of sesame protein isolates.
Non-commutative generalization of some probabilistic results from representation theory

The subject of this thesis is the non-commutative generalization of some probabilistic results that occur in representation theory. The results of the thesis are divided into three different parts. In the first part of the thesis, we classify all unitary easy quantum groups whose intertwiner spaces are described by non-crossing partitions, and develop the Weingarten calculus on these quantum groups. As an application of the previous work, we recover the results of Diaconis and Shahshahani on the unitary group and extend those results to the free unitary group. In the second part of the thesis, we study the free wreath product. First, we study the free wreath product with the free symmetric group by giving a description of the intertwiner spaces: several probabilistic results are deduced from this description. Then, we relate the intertwiner spaces of a free wreath product with the free product of planar algebras, an object which has been defined by Bisch and Jones. This relation allows us to prove the conjecture of Banica and Bichon. In the last part of the thesis, we prove that the minimal and the Martin boundaries of a graph introduced by Gnedin and Olshanski are the same. In order to prove this, we give some precise estimates on the uniform standard filling of a large ribbon Young diagram. This yields several asymptotic results on the filling of large ribbon Young diagrams
Ultra-Sensitive and Fast Humidity Sensors Based on Direct Laser-Scribed Graphene Oxide/Carbon Nanotubes Composites

In this paper, the relative humidity sensor properties of graphene oxide (GO) and graphene oxide/multiwalled nanotubes (GO/MWNTs) composites have been investigated. Composite sensors were fabricated by direct laser scribing and characterized using UV-vis-NIR, Raman, Fourier transform infrared, and X-ray photoemission spectroscopies, electron scanning microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and impedance spectroscopy (IS). These methods confirm the composite homogeneity and laser reduction of GO/MWNT with dominant GO characteristics, while ISresults analysis reveals the circuit model for rGO-GO-rGO structure and the effect of MWNT on the sensor properties. Although direct laser scribing of GO-based humidity sensor shows an outstanding response (|ΔZ|/|Z| up to 638,800%), a lack of stability and repeatability has been observed. GO/MWNT-based humidity sensors are more conductive than GO sensors and relatively less sensitive (|ΔZ|/|Z| = 163,000%). However, they are more stable in harsh humid conditions, repeatable, and reproducible even after several years of shelf-life. In addition, they have fast response/recovery times of 10.7 s and 9.3 s and an ultra-fast response time of 61 ms when abrupt humidification/dehumidification is applied by respiration. All carbon-based sensors’ overall properties confirm the advantage of introducing the GO/MWNT hybrid and laser direct writing to produce stable structures and sensors.
A Concept for Optimal Warehouse Allocation Using Contextual Multi-Arm Bandits

: This paper presents and demonstrates a conceptual approach for applying the Linear Upper Confidence Bound algorithm, a contextual Multi-arm Bandit agent, for optimal warehouse storage allocation. To minimize the cost of picking customer orders, an agent is trained to identify optimal storage locations for incoming products based on information about remaining storage capacity, product type and packaging, turnover frequency, and product synergy. To facilitate the decision-making of the agent for large-scale warehouses, the action selection is performed for a low-dimensional, spatially-clustered representation of the warehouse. The capability of the agent to suggest storage locations for incoming products is demonstrated for an exemplary warehouse with 4,650 storage locations and 30 product types. In the case study considered, the performance of the agent matches that of a conventional ABC-analysis-based allocation strategy, while outperforming it in regards to exploiting inter-categorical product synergies.
Pre-Processing a Polymer Blend into a Polymer Alloy by KinetiSol Enables Increased Ivacaftor Amorphous Solid Dispersion Drug Loading and Dissolution

This study compares the effects of pre-processing multiple polymers together to form a single-phase polymer alloy prior to amorphous solid dispersion formulation. KinetiSol compounding was used to pre-process a 1:1 (w/w) ratio of hypromellose acetate succinate and povidone to form a single-phase polymer alloy with unique properties. Ivacaftor amorphous solid dispersions comprising either a polymer, an unprocessed polymer blend, or the polymer alloy were processed by KinetiSol and examined for amorphicity, dissolution performance, physical stability, and molecular interactions. A polymer alloy ivacaftor solid dispersion with a drug loading of 50% w/w was feasible versus 40% for the other compositions. Dissolution in fasted simulated intestinal fluid revealed that the 40% ivacaftor polymer alloy solid dispersion reached a concentration of 595 µg/mL after 6 h, 33% greater than the equivalent polymer blend dispersion. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance revealed changes in the ability of the povidone contained in the polymer alloy to hydrogen bond with the ivacaftor phenolic moiety, explaining the differences in the dissolution performance. This work demonstrates that the creation of polymer alloys from polymer blends is a promising technique that provides the ability to tailor properties of a polymer alloy to maximize the drug loading, dissolution performance, and stability of an ASD.
Optimal Scheduling of Electric Vehicle Charging with Deep Reinforcement Learning considering End Users Flexibility

The rapid growth of decentralized energy resources and especially Electric Vehicles (EV), that are expected to increase sharply over the next decade, will put further stress on existing power distribution networks, increasing the need for higher system reliability and flexibility. In an attempt to avoid unnecessary network investments and to increase the controllability over distribution networks, network operators develop demand response (DR) programs that incentivize end users to shift their consumption in return for financial or other benefits. Artificial intelligence (AI) methods are in the research forefront for residential load scheduling applications, mainly due to their high accuracy, high computational speed and lower dependence on the physical characteristics of the models under development. The aim of this work is to identify households' EV cost-reducing charging policy under a Time-of-Use tariff scheme, with the use of Deep Reinforcement Learning, and more specifically Deep Q-Networks (DQN). A novel end users flexibility potential reward is inferred from historical data analysis, where households with solar power generation have been used to train and test the designed algorithm. The suggested DQN EV charging policy can lead to more than 20% of savings in end users electricity bills.
Postmortem Brains from Subjects with Diabetes Mellitus Display Reduced GLUT4 Expression and Soma Area in Hippocampal Neurons: Potential Involvement of Inflammation

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important risk factor for dementia, which is a common neurodegenerative disorder. DM is known to activate inflammation, oxidative stress, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) generation, all capable of inducing neuronal dysfunctions, thus participating in the neurodegeneration progress. In that process, disturbed neuronal glucose supply plays a key role, which in hippocampal neurons is controlled by the insulin-sensitive glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4). We investigated the expression of GLUT4, nuclear factor NF-kappa B subunit p65 [NFKB (p65)], carboxymethyllysine and synapsin1 (immunohistochemistry), and soma area in human postmortem hippocampal samples from control, obese, and obese+DM subjects (41 subjects). Moreover, in human SH-SY5Y neurons, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and glycated albumin (GA) effects were investigated in GLUT4, synapsin-1 (SYN1), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), synaptophysin (SYP) proteins, and respective genes; NFKB binding activity in the SLC2A4 promoter; effects of increased histone acetylation grade by histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) inhibition. Hippocampal neurons (CA4 area) of obese+DM subjects displayed reduced GLUT4 expression and neuronal soma area, associated with increased expression of NFKB (p65). Challenges with TNF and GA decreased the SLC2A4/GLUT4 expression in SH-SY5Y neurons. TNF decreased SYN1, TH, and SYP mRNAs and respective proteins, and increased NFKB binding activity in the SLC2A4 promoter. Inhibition of HDAC3 increased the SLC2A4 expression and the total neuronal content of CRE-binding proteins (CREB/ICER), and also counterbalanced the repressor effect of TNF upon these parameters. This study revealed reduced postmortem human hippocampal GLUT4 content and neuronal soma area accompanied by increased proinflammatory activity in the brains of DM subjects. In isolated human neurons, inflammatory activation by TNF reduced not only the SLC2A4/GLUT4 expression but also the expression of some genes related to neuronal function (SYN1, TH, SYP). These effects may be related to epigenetic regulations (H3Kac and H4Kac status) since they can be counterbalanced by inhibiting HDAC3. These results uncover the improvement in GLUT4 expression and/or the inhibition of HDAC3 as promising therapeutic targets to fight DM-related neurodegeneration.
The Value Relevance of Accounting Numbers in Presence of the Equity Method Before and After IFRS 11: Evidence from France

ABSTRACT This article studies the effects of IFRS 11 on the value relevance of accounting numbers (VRAN) in France. In 2014, IFRS 11 made the equity method (EM) mandatory to account for joint ventures (JVs) and disallowed proportionate consolidation, the method previously preferred by French groups. Panel method regressions are used to examine the evolution of value relevance in listed groups’ financial statements over a long period (2007–2020). Generalization of the EM reallocates the VRAN, and post-IFRS 11 EM-related numbers are significantly and negatively linked to market value, raising questions about their faithfulness. These results concern all groups using the EM, whatever method they previously used for JVs. This study also looks at the standard-setters’ proposed integral/non-integral classification of net income from JVs and associates, which is found to be non-value relevant. These results have implications at standard-setting level for improving the quality of financial reporting, and for investors.
Geometric Aspects of the Space of Triangulations

These are the notes of my talk presented in the colloquium on discrete curvature at the CIRM, in Luminy (France) on November 21st, 2013, in which we study the space of triangulations from a purely geometric point of view and revisit the results presented in [21] and [20] (joint works with Patrick Mullen, Fernando De Goes and Mathieu Desbrun). Motivated by practical numerical issues in a number of modeling and simulation problems, we first introduce the notion of a compatible dual complex (made out of convex cells) to a primal triangulation, such that a simplicial mesh and its compatible dual complex form what we call a primal-dual triangulation. Using algebraic and computational geometry results, we show that for simply connected domains, compatible dual complexes exist only for a particular type of triangulation known as weakly regular. We also demonstrate that the entire space of primal-dual triangulations, which extends the well known (weighted) Delaunay/Voronoi duality, has a convenient, geometric parameterization. We finally discuss how this parameterization may play an important role in discrete optimization problems such as optimal mesh generation, as it allows us to easily explore the space of primal-dual structures along with some important subspaces.
Attachment orientations moderate people’s preferences for market versus communal relationships under a control threat

In two studies, we examined the effects of a control threat and attachment orientation on people’s preferences for market relationships. In Study 1, experiencing a control threat increased the willingness to seek practical support in the market rather than ask a close person for help among participants with higher attachment anxiety. In a well-powered preregistered Study 2, we replicated these results and demonstrated that they also hold for situations in which emotional support is desired. In addition, we demonstrated that the effect of a control threat on the preference for market-based support is moderated by attachment orientations above the effect of objective and subjective socioeconomic status. The effects we found suggest that people’s involvement in market relationships may fulfill important psychological needs, serving as a buffer against attachment insecurities.
Rate of Intraoperative Crystalloid Administration During Thoracic Surgery Is Causal in Reducing Postoperative Hospital Length of Stay

Background: Studies in thoracic surgery have long raised concerns that intraoperative administration of intravenous fluids exacerbates or causes postoperative complications and hence advocate fluid restriction. Methods: This retrospective 3-year study investigated the role of intraoperative crystalloid administration rates on the duration of postoperative hospital length of stay (phLOS) and on the incidences of previously reported adverse events (AEs) in 222 consecutive patients following thoracic surgery. Results: Higher rates of intraoperative crystalloid administration were significantly associated with shorter phLOS (P=0.0006) and with less variance in phLOS. Dose-response curves showed progressive decreases in the postoperative incidences of surgical, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, other, and long-term AEs with higher intraoperative crystalloid administration rates. Conclusion: The rate of intravenous crystalloid administration during thoracic surgery was significantly associated with duration of and variance in phLOS, and dose-response curves showed progressive decreases in the incidences of AEs associated with this surgery. We cannot confirm that restrictive intraoperative crystalloid administration benefits patients undergoing thoracic surgery.
Establishing new cutoffs for Cohen's d: An application using known effect sizes from trials for improving sleep quality on composite mental health

Cohen's d conventional effect size cutoffs [small (0.2), medium (0.5), and large (0.8)] might not be representative of the reported distribution of effect sizes across the different areas of health. Effect size cutoffs might vary not only depending on the area of research, but also on the type of intervention and population. That is, they are context dependent. Therefore, we present strategies to redefine small, medium, and large effect size based on 25, 50, and 75th percentile, respectively.