Silicon Nanoparticles Synthetized by PECVD for Electronic Device Applications

Silicon nanoparticles (Si-NPs) stand as abundant and environmentally friendly semiconductor nanomaterials increasingly explored for applications in electronics due to their remarkable optoelectronic properties. From all available synthesis methods, gas-phase decomposition of silane is the only one that has been scaled up to industrial scale to produce high quality, size-controlled Si-NPs with a high throughput. In this work, Si-NPs were synthetized in an experimental PECVD reactor based on the gas-phase decomposition of silane using a nonthermal RF plasma. The free-standing Si-NPs were characterized by structural Raman Spectroscopy, XRD, TEM and FTIR to ascertain their size, morphology, and composition. These were then incorporated in porous PDMS triboelectric membranes and subjected to explosive sintering for the first time to form the semiconductor channel layer in paper-based FETs. Electrical characterization of the devices showed Si-NPs enhanced the power generation ability of the triboelectric membranes. Regarding the FETs, working devices with record field-effect mobilities up to μFE = 1.43 cm2 V-1 s-1, subthreshold swings of S = 0.75 V dec-1, and On/Off ratios exceeding 102 were achieved.Nanopartículas de silício (Si-NPs) são nanomateriais semicondutores abundantes e amigos do ambiente cada vez mais explorados para aplicações na eletrónica devido às suas propriedades optoelectrónicas excecionais. De todos os métodos de síntese disponíveis, a decomposição de silano em fase gasosa é o único que foi ampliado até à escala industrial para produzir grandes quantidades de Si-NPs de elevada qualidade e tamanhos controlados. Neste trabalho, Si-NPs foram sintetizadas num reator PECVD experimental baseado na decomposição em fase gasosa de silano usando um plasma RF não-térmico. As Si-NPs independentes foram caracterizadas por espectroscopia estrutural de Raman, XRD, TEM e FTIR para determinar o seu tamanho, morfologia e composição. Estas foram então incorporadas em membranas triboelétricas porosas de PDMS e sujeitas pela primeira vez a sinterização explosiva para formar o canal semicondutor em FETs à base de papel. A caracterização elétrica dos dispositivos demonstrou que as Si-NPs melhoram a capacidade de geração de potência das membranas de PDMS/Si-NP. Quanto aos FETs, dispositivos funcionais foram produzidos com mobilidades de efeito de campo recorde até μFE = 1.43 cm2 V-1 s-1, subthreshold swings de S = 0.75 V dec-1, e rácios On/Off a exceder 102

Agencia y fracaso en las fronteras ibéricas (1750-1765)

UIDB/04666/2020 UIDP/04666/2020Este artículo analiza las trayectorias de varios personajes en las fronteras amazónicas a mediados del siglo XVIII. A partir de una correspondencia inédita archivada en el Arquivo Público do Estado do Pará (Brasil), el texto estudia las dinámicas sociales en la frontera situada en la desembocadura del río Putumayo, reconstruyendo las relaciones establecidas entre misioneros, viajeros, indígenas y otros. Se explora la circulación de personas y mercancías a través de la frontera, así como las redes de competencia y colaboración entre los distintos actorespublishersversionpublishe

Trends and Determinants of Full Immunisation among Children Aged 12–23 Months: Analysis of Pooled Data from Mozambican Household Surveys between 1997 and 2015

The 1974 Expanded Program on Immunisation has saved millions of children worldwide by promoting full immunisation coverage (FIC). However, forty years later, many sub-Saharan African countries remain well below its target of 90% FIC. This study analysed the level, trends and determinants of FIC in 4322 Mozambican children aged 12–23 months from pooled data from four national surveys between 1997 and 2015. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were performed to analyse the factors associated with full immunisation coverage. Overall, the coverage of fully immunised children increased from 47.9% in 1997 to 66.5% in 2015, corresponding to a 1.8% yearly increase. The needed FIC growth rate post-2015 was 4.3 times higher. Increased maternal education and a higher household wealth index were associated with higher odds of FIS. Furthermore, attending antenatal care (ANC) visits, institutional delivery and living in southern provinces were also associated with increased odds of FIS. Between 1997 and 2015, FIC among 12–23-month-old children made modest annual gains but remained well below international targets. Factors related to access to healthcare, educational level, socioeconomic status and geographical location were associated with improved FIC. Targeted interventions to expand these factors will improve immunisation coverage among Mozambican children.publishersversionpublishe

Advancing One Health: Updated core competencies

Funding: The author ED received payment from NEOH funds for literature search and manuscript writing for this manuscript equivalent to 10 days of work. No other specific funds were received or used for writing this manuscript.publishersversionpublishe

Editor's Choice - European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2023 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Atherosclerotic Carotid and Vertebral Artery Disease

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Madrid: Casa de Velázquez, 2022 (309 pp.)

UIDB/00749/2020 UIDP/00749/2020publishersversionpublishe

Pachydermodactyly: the great mimicker of juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Arthritis in the paediatric population is the hallmark of many rheumatic inflammatory diseases, as well as other cutaneous, infectious, or neoplastic conditions. It can be quite devastating, whereby prompt recognition and treatment of these disorders are essential. However, arthritis can sometimes be mistaken for other cutaneous or genetic conditions leading to misdiagnosis and overtreatment. Pachydermodactyly is a rare and benign form of digital fibromatosis, usually manifested by swelling of the proximal interphalangeal joints of both hands, mimicking arthritis. The authors report a case of a 12-year-old boy with a one-year history of painless swelling of the proximal interphalangeal joints of both hands that was referred to the Paediatric Rheumatology department due to the suspicion of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The diagnostic work-up was unremarkable, and the patient remained asymptomatic over an 18-month follow-up period. A diagnosis of pachydermodactyly was assumed and no treatment was introduced, given the benign nature of the disorder and absence of symptoms. Therefore, it was possible to safely discharge the patient from the Paediatric Rheumatology clinic.publishersversionpublishe

Reception of José Saramago in Chinese academic criticism

UIDB/04666/2020 UIDP/04666/2020Este artigo centra-se na receção de José Saramago na crítica académica chinesa, apoiando-se na teoria da estética da receção e do efeito, nomeadamente nos contributos de Hans Robert Jauss e Wolfgang Iser. Por meio da recolha e abordagem de 39 trabalhos académicos (publicados em revistas, atas de congresso e dissertações) acerca de José Saramago e das suas obras traduzidas na China, visa-se conhecer as interpretações dos estudiosos chineses sobre a criação saramaguiana, observar a tendência de estudo relativamente a este escritor português, verificar quais as obras mais analisadas e as perspetivas de análise dominantes no campo académico chinês. Este é, pois, um estudo ainda introdutório e seminal que pretende abrir as portas a futuros trabalhos sobre a presença deste grande escritor de língua portuguesa na China. Based on the contributions of the aesthetics of reception and effect, particularly from authors such as Hans Robert Jauss and Wolfgang Iser, the present article focuses on the reception of José Saramago in Chinese academic criticism. Through the collection and analysis of 39 academic works (published in journals, conference proceedings, and dissertations) about José Saramago and his works translated into China, we aim to know the interpretations of Chinese scholars about Saramago’s creation, observe the trend of study regarding this Portuguese writer, to verify which works have been most analyzed and the dominant perspectives of analysis in the Chinese academic field. This is, therefore, an introductory and seminal study that aims to open the way to future works on the presence of this great Portuguese-speaking writer in China.publishersversionpublishe

a cohort study

Funding: This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (U19AI135964, P30AG059988), with institutional support from UL1TR001422. The funding agency played no role in the study design, collection of data, analysis, or interpretation of data.The impact of multidrug-resistant (MDR) colonization and MDR infection in critically ill cirrhosis patients remains unclear. We assessed the association of MDR colonization and MDR infection with these patients' survival. Observational cohort study including adult cirrhosis patients admitted to 5 intensive care units at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago, Illinois, USA) on January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2017. Patients admitted for elective liver transplant or with previous liver transplant were excluded. Patients were screened for MDR colonization on intensive care unit admission. Infection diagnoses during the intensive care unit stay were considered. The primary endpoint was hospital transplant-free survival. Among 600 patients included, 362 (60%) were men and median (interquartile range) age was 58.0 (49.0, 64.0) years. Median (interquartile range) Model for End-stage Liver Disease, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, and Chronic Liver Failure-Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure scores on intensive care unit day 1 were 28.0 (20.0, 36.0), 9.0 (6.0, 13.0), and 55.0 (48.0, 64.0), respectively. Overall, 76 (13%) patients were transplanted and 443 (74%) survived the hospital stay. Infections were diagnosed in 347 (58%) patients: pneumonia in 197 (33%), urinary tract infection in 119 (20%), peritonitis in 93 (16%), bloodstream infection in 99 (16%), Clostridium difficile colitis in 9 (2%), and catheter tip infection in 7 (1%). MDR colonization and MDR infection were identified in 200 (33%) and 69 (12%) patients, respectively. MDR colonization was associated with MDR infection (p < 0.001). MDR colonization or MDR infection was associated with higher number and duration of antibiotics (p < 0.001). Following adjustment for covariables (age, sex, etiology, portal hypertension, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score), MDR colonization [OR (95% CI), 0.64 (0.43, 0.95)] or MDR infection [adjusted OR (95% CI), 0.22 (0.12, 0.40)] were independently associated with lower transplant-free survival. Among critically ill cirrhosis patients, MDR colonization or MDR infection portended a worse prognosis.publishersversionpublishe

Revenue Assurance: Unicre

Internship Report presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Statistics and Information Management, specialization in Risk Analysis and ManagementRevenue Assurance é um campo interdisciplinar que combina técnicas estatísticas, gestão de risco, abrangência, tempo, análise de dados, entre outras. Foi criado com o propósito de assegurar as receitas ou a cobrança correta das receitas. Com essa ferramenta, as empresas criaram um sistema de informação vinda de diversos sistemas utilizados, para uma intra-reconciliação automática. Tudo começa com o estudo dos sistemas, tabelas, consultas, integrações e estruturas. Depois disso, um sistema de testes lógicos é criado e todas as exceções são automaticamente apontadas para um futuro tratamento. Assim, monitorização em tempo real faz que seja possível tomar decisões com base numa estratégia estabelecida e assim contribuir para a redução dos erros de faturação, preservação dos rendimentos e identificação das receitas em risco