Functional gate metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors using tunnel injection/ejection of trap charges enabling self-adjustable threshold voltage for ultralow power operation

Metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) with a functional gate, which enables self-adjustment of threshold voltage (Vth), were proposed for ultralow power operation and fabricated with conventional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. In the on-current state of fabricated nMOSFETs, electron ejection from the charge trap layer by direct tunneling makes Vth low and increases on-current further. In the off-current state, electron injection into the charge trap layer makes Vth high and suppresses subthreshold leakage current. Although the characteristic time of electron transfer of the functional gate from on-current state to off-current state is fairly long, the logic mode operating principle has been verified with the experimental device. Reduction of tunnel oxide thickness (Tox) will reduce the time, which will lead to the practical use of the proposed device for CMOS logic application

Reference Grade Characterization of Polymorphisms in Full-Length HLA Class I and II Genes With Short-Read Sequencing on the ION PGM System and Long-Reads Generated by Single Molecule, Real-Time Sequencing on the PacBio Platform

Although NGS technologies fuel advances in high-throughput HLA genotyping methods for identification and classification of HLA genes to assist with precision medicine efforts in disease and transplantation, the efficiency of these methods are impeded by the absence of adequately-characterized high-frequency HLA allele reference sequence databases for the highly polymorphic HLA gene system. Here, we report on producing a comprehensive collection of full-length HLA allele sequences for eight classical HLA loci found in the Japanese population. We augmented the second-generation short read data generated by the Ion Torrent technology with long amplicon spanning consensus reads delivered by the third-generation SMRT sequencing method to create reference grade high-quality sequences of HLA class I and II gene alleles resolved at the genomic coding and non-coding level. Forty-six DNAs were obtained from a reference set used previously to establish the HLA allele frequency data in Japanese subjects. The samples included alleles with a collective allele frequency in the Japanese population of more than 99.2%. The HLA loci were independently amplified by long-range PCR using previously designed HLA-locus specific primers and subsequently sequenced using SMRT and Ion PGM sequencers. The mapped long and short-reads were used to produce a reference library of consensus HLA allelic sequences with the help of the reference-aware software tool LAA for SMRT Sequencing. A total of 253 distinct alleles were determined for 46 healthy subjects. Of them, 137 were novel alleles: 101 SNVs and/or indels and 36 extended alleles at a partial or full-length level. Comparing the HLA sequences from the perspective of nucleotide diversity revealed that HLA-DRB1 was the most divergent among the eight HLA genes, and that the HLA-DPB1 gene sequences diverged into two distinct groups, DP2 and DP5, with evidence of independent polymorphisms generated in exon 2. We also identified two specific intronic variations in HLA-DRB1 that might be involved in rheumatoid arthritis. In conclusion, full-length HLA allele sequencing by third-generation and second-generation technologies has provided polymorphic gene reference sequences at a genomic allelic resolution including allelic variations assigned up to the field-4 level for a stronger foundation in precision medicine and HLA-related disease and transplantation studies

Conduction mechanism of Si single-electron transistor having a one-dimensional regular array of multiple tunnel junctions

Uniformly doped Si single-electron transistors consisting of a one-dimensional regular array of multiple tunnel junctions (MTJs) and islands have been fabricated. The Coulomb blockade effect is found to play an important role in carrier conduction in the MTJ system at low temperatures (6 K). The conduction mechanism can be interpreted well by considering soliton. The soliton extends less than three islands in our MTJs, and the energy of a single soliton is found to be 0.024 eV from an analysis of low-temperature current–voltage characteristics. For high-temperature operation, it is effective to reduce the parasitic capacitance of each island, which leads to an increase in soliton length

Fabrication of Si single-electron transistors having double SiO2 barriers

We fabricated Si single-electron transistors (SETs) having double SiO2 barriers and a polycrystalline Si (poly-Si) dot. The fabrication method of this device is completely compatible with the complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor technology, and the position of the poly-Si dot is self-aligned between the source and drain regions. The device exhibits drain current (Id) oscillation against gate voltage. From the dot size dependence of the electrical characteristics, the Id oscillation is considered to be due to the Coulomb blockade effect caused by poly-Si grains in the poly-Si dot. The self-alignment of the poly-Si dot in the fabrication process also means that the SET is promising for practical use

Successful Treatment of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome with Both Diffuse Peritonitis and Necrotizing Fasciitis

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is a life-threatening disease caused by infection of beta-hemolytic streptococci. Here, we report an uncommon case of STSS with both diffuse peritonitis and necrotizing fasciitis and summarize previous cases. The patient was diagnosed with STSS due to an infection of the soft tissue of the lower extremity after surgery for diffuse peritonitis. The general condition had rapidly deteriorated with multiple organ dysfunction. Immediate intensive care, including mechanical ventilation, hemodiafiltration, and repeated debridement, is indispensable for a favorable outcome

Controlling highly prevalent Staphylococcus aureus mastitis from the dairy farm

In 57 Holstein cows where the dairy farm uses a milking parlor system, the somatic cell count (SCC) increased persistently in the bulk milk (monthly mean 52.3 × 10^4 cells/ml; range 21 to 94 × 10^4 cells/ml). We detected S. aureus in 24 (41.2%) of the 54 lactating cows and in 29 (12.8%) of 227 quarters of the 57 milking cows in the herd. A control program was implemented in an effort to eradicate S. aureus mastitis from this dairy farm. The control plan established improved handling of the lactating cows, improved milking procedures, dry-cow therapy, and culling of infected cows. The program was monitored for 3.5 years by frequent checkups on the rate of S. aureus infection, the SCC, and the changes in milk composition. Eighteen months after the control program was started, the rate of S. aureus infection in the quarter milk decreased dramatically, and no S. aureus isolates were found in the milk of the remaining cows. The SCC in the bulk milk of the herd dropped to a monthly mean of <20 × 10^4cells/ml. In conclusion, the control program was effective for controlling persistent S. aureus mastitis in this dairy herd

Epidemiology of virus-induced asthma exacerbations: with special reference to the role of human rhinovirus

Viral respiratory infections may be associated with the virus-induced asthma in adults as well as children. Particularly, human rhinovirus (HRV) is strongly suggested a major candidate for the associations of the virus-induced asthma. Thus, in this review, we reviewed and focused on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of virus-induced asthma with special reference on human rhinovirus. Furthermore, we added our preliminary data regarding the clinical and virological findings in the present review