A Low Power Current Sensing Scheme for CMOS SRAM

A low power current sensing scheme for CMOS SRAM is presented in this paper. The proposed scheme includes a modified current conveyor as the column selector, and a new designed low power current sense amplifier to sense the small differential current signals in data lines. The output of the sense amplifier is fed to a clock control RS latch both for power reduction and longer output valid time. This current sensing scheme is clocked asynchronously and the timing control circuits are also discussed. Simulation results show that a sensing speed with 3ns less is achieved by this scheme and the sensing speed is insensitive to both bit line and data line capacitances

Polymer - Xerogel Composites for Controlled Release Wound Dressings

Many polymers and composites have been used to prepare active wound dressings. These materials have typically exhibited potentially toxic burst release of the drugs within the first few hours followed by a much slower, potentially ineffective drug release rate thereafter. Many of these materials also degraded to produce inflammatory and cytotoxic products. To overcome these limitations, composite active wound dressings were prepared here from two fully biodegradable and tissue compatible components, silicon oxide sol–gel (xerogel) microparticles that were embedded in tyrosine-poly(ethylene glycol)-derived poly(ether carbonate) copolymer matrices. Sustained, controlled release of drugs from these composites was demonstrated in vitro using bupivacaine and mepivacaine, two water-soluble local anesthetics commonly used in clinical applications. By systematically varying independent compositional parameters of the composites, including the hydrophilic:hydrophobic balance of the tyrosine-derived monomers and poly(ethylene glycol) in the copolymers and the porosity, weight ratio and drug content of the xerogels, drug release kinetics approaching zero-order were obtained. Composites with xerogel mass fractions up to 75% and drug payloads as high as 13% by weight in the final material were fabricated without compromising the physical integrity or the controlled release kinetics. The copolymer–xerogel composites thus provided a unique solution for the sustained delivery of therapeutic agents from tissue compatible wound dressings

Modeling the iron oxides and oxyhydroxides for the prediction of environmentally sensitive phase transformations

Iron oxides and oxyhydroxides are challenging to model computationally as competing phases may differ in formation energies by only several kJ/mol, they undergo magnetization transitions with temperature, their structures may contain partially occupied sites or long-range ordering of vacancies, and some loose structures require proper description of weak interactions such as hydrogen bonding and dispersive forces. If structures and transformations are to be reliably predicted under different chemical conditions, each of these challenges must be overcome simultaneously, while preserving a high level of numerical accuracy and physical sophistication. Here we present comparative studies of structure, magnetization, and elasticity properties of iron oxides and oxyhydroxides using density functional theory calculations with plane-wave and locally-confined-atomic-orbital basis sets, which are implemented in VASP and SIESTA packages, respectively. We have selected hematite, maghemite, goethite, lepidocrocite, and magnetite as model systems from a total of 13 known iron oxides and oxyhydroxides; and use same convergence criteria and almost equivalent settings in order to make consistent comparisons. Our results show both basis sets can reproduce the energetic stability and magnetic ordering, and are in agreement with experimental observations. There are advantages to choosing one basis set over the other, depending on the intended focus. In our case, we find the method using PW basis set most appropriate, and combine our results to construct the first phase diagram of iron oxides and oxyhydroxides in the space of competing chemical potentials, generated entirely from first principlesComment: 46 pages - Accepted for publication in PRB (19 journal pages), January 201

Bench-to-bedside review: Biotrauma and modulation of the innate immune response

The innate immune network is responsible for coordinating the initial defense against potentially noxious stimuli. This complex system includes anatomical, physical and chemical barriers, effector cells and circulating molecules that direct component and system interactions. Besides the direct effects of breaching pulmonary protective barriers, cyclic stretch generated during mechanical ventilation (MV) has been implicated in the modulation of the innate immunity. Evidence from recent human trials suggests that controlling MV-forces may significantly impact outcome in acute respiratory distress syndrome. In this paper, we explore the pertinent evidence implicating biotrauma caused by cyclic MV and its effect on innate immune responses

The Feasibility of Imaging Myocardial Ischemic/Reperfusion Injury Using \u3csup\u3e99m\u3c/sup\u3eTc-labeled Duramycin in a Porcine Model

When pathologically externalized, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is a potential surrogate marker for detecting tissue injuries. 99mTc-labeled duramycin is a peptide-based imaging agent that binds PE with high affinity and specificity. The goal of the current study was to investigate the clearance kinetics of 99mTc-labeled duramycin in a large animal model (normal pigs) and to assess its uptake in the heart using a pig model of myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury. Methods The clearance and distribution of intravenously injected 99mTc-duramycin were characterized in sham-operated animals (n = 5). In a closed chest model of myocardial ischemia, coronary occlusion was induced by balloon angioplasty (n = 9). 99mTc-duramycin (10–15 mCi) was injected intravenously at 1 hour after reperfusion. SPECT/CT was acquired at 1 and 3 hours after injection. Cardiac tissues were analyzed for changes associated with acute cellular injuries. Autoradiography and gamma counting were used to determine radioactivity uptake. For the remaining animals, 99mTc-tetrafosamin scan was performed on the second day to identify the infarct site. Results Intravenously injected 99mTc-duramycin cleared from circulation predominantly via the renal/urinary tract with an α-phase half-life of 3.6 ± 0.3 minutes and β-phase half-life of 179.9 ± 64.7 minutes. In control animals, the ratios between normal heart and lung were 1.76 ± 0.21, 1.66 ± 0.22, 1.50 ± 0.20 and 1.75 ± 0.31 at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 hours post-injection, respectively. The ratios between normal heart and liver were 0.88 ± 0.13, 0.80 ± 0.13, 0.82 ± 0.19 and 0.88 ± 0.14. In vivo visualization of focal radioactivity uptake in the ischemic heart was attainable as early as 30 min post-injection. The in vivo ischemic-to-normal uptake ratios were 3.57 ± 0.74 and 3.69 ± 0.91 at 1 and 3 hours post-injection, respectively. Ischemic-to-lung ratios were 4.89 ± 0.85 and 4.93 ± 0.57; and ischemic-to-liver ratios were 2.05 ± 0.30 to 3.23 ± 0.78. The size of 99mTc-duramycin positive myocardium was qualitatively larger than the infarct size delineated by the perfusion defect in 99mTc-tetrafosmin uptake. This was consistent with findings from tissue analysis and autoradiography. Conclusion 99mTc-duramycin was demonstrated, in a large animal model, to have suitable clearance and biodistribution profiles for imaging. The agent has an avid target uptake and a fast background clearance. It is appropriate for imaging myocardial injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion

Atrial arrhythmogenicity of KCNJ2 mutations in short QT syndrome:Insights from virtual human atria

Gain-of-function mutations in KCNJ2-encoded Kir2.1 channels underlie variant 3 (SQT3) of the short QT syndrome, which is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). Using biophysically-detailed human atria computer models, this study investigated the mechanistic link between SQT3 mutations and atrial arrhythmogenesis, and potential ion channel targets for treatment of SQT3. A contemporary model of the human atrial action potential (AP) was modified to recapitulate functional changes in IK1 due to heterozygous and homozygous forms of the D172N and E299V Kir2.1 mutations. Wild-type (WT) and mutant formulations were incorporated into multi-scale homogeneous and heterogeneous tissue models. Effects of mutations on AP duration (APD), conduction velocity (CV), effective refractory period (ERP), tissue excitation threshold and their rate-dependence, as well as the wavelength of re-entry (WL) were quantified. The D172N and E299V Kir2.1 mutations produced distinct effects on IK1 and APD shortening. Both mutations decreased WL for re-entry through a reduction in ERP and CV. Stability of re-entrant excitation waves in 2D and 3D tissue models was mediated by changes to tissue excitability and dispersion of APD in mutation conditions. Combined block of IK1 and IKr was effective in terminating re-entry associated with heterozygous D172N conditions, whereas IKr block alone may be a safer alternative for the E299V mutation. Combined inhibition of IKr and IKur produced a synergistic anti-arrhythmic effect in both forms of SQT3. In conclusion, this study provides mechanistic insights into atrial proarrhythmia with SQT3 Kir2.1 mutations and highlights possible pharmacological strategies for management of SQT3-linked AF

Stellar Loci. VII. Photometric Metallicities of 5 Million FGK Stars Based on GALEX GR6+7 AIS and Gaia EDR3

We combine photometric data from GALEX GR6+7 AIS and Gaia EDR3 with stellar parameters from the SAGA and PASTEL catalogs to construct high-quality training samples for dwarfs ($\rm 0.4< BP-RP<1.6$) and giants ($\rm 0.6< BP-RP <1.6$). We apply careful reddening corrections using empirical temperature- and extinction-dependent extinction coefficients. Using the two samples, we establish a relationship between stellar loci (NUV$-$BP vs. BP$-$RP colors), metallicity, and $\rm M_G$. For a given BP$-$RP color, a 1 dex change in [Fe/H] corresponds to an approximately 1 magnitude change in NUV$-$BP color for solar-type stars. These relationships are employed to estimate metallicities based on NUV$-$BP, BP$-$RP, and $\rm M_G$. Thanks to the strong metallicity dependence in the GALEX NUV-band, our models enable a typical photometric-metallicity precision of approximately $\sigma_{\rm [Fe/H]}$ = 0.11 dex for dwarfs and $\sigma_{\rm [Fe/H]}$ = 0.17 dex for giants, with an effective metallicity range extending down to [Fe/H] $= -3.0$ for dwarfs and [Fe/H] $= -4.0$ for giants. We also find that the NUV-band based photometric-metallicity estimate is not as strongly affected by carbon enhancement as previous photometric techniques. With the Gaia and GALEX data, we have estimated metallicities for about 5 million stars across almost the entire sky, including approximately 4.5 million dwarfs and 0.5 million giants. This work demonstrates the potential of the NUV-band for estimating photometric metallicities, and sets the groundwork for utilizing the NUV data from space telescopes such as the upcoming Chinese Space Station Telescope.Comment: 24 pages, 19 figures, accepted by ApJ

Comparison of Hermetic Storage of Wheat with Traditional Storage Methods in India

India is among the countries experiencing high postharvest losses. Four hermetic bags, two metallic bins, and two gunny bag (also known as jute or burlap bag) piles each containing 1 tonne of wheat were instrumented with temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide sensors. Representative samples from each structure were collected each month and tests for moisture, germination, insect-damaged grain, and milling yield were performed. After nine months, wheat stored in hermetic bags had higher germination (87%) and lower insect-damaged grain percentages (0% to 0.33% with a mean value of 0.2%). Hermetic bags with deliberately introduced Rhyzopertha dominica successfully eliminated the pests. Gunny bag piles had infestations; metallic bins also were infested. Wheat moisture content in all structures varied depending upon ambient conditions; moisture variation was largest in gunny bag piles. Milling yields were lowest for gunny bag piles. Hermetic bags can be an effective and environmentally friendly solution for reducing storage losses of wheat in India

Acute Systemic Inflammatory Response to Lipopolysaccharide Stimulation in Pigs Divergently Selected for Residual Feed Intake

Background: It is unclear whether improving feed efficiency by selection for low residual feed intake (RFI) compromises pigs’ immunocompetence. Here, we aimed at investigating whether pig lines divergently selected for RFI had different inflammatory responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure, regarding to clinical presentations and transcriptomic changes in peripheral blood cells. Results: LPS injection induced acute systemic inflammation in both the low-RFI and high-RFI line (n = 8 per line). At 4 h post injection (hpi), the low-RFI line had a significantly lower (p= 0.0075) mean rectal temperature compared to the high-RFI line. However, no significant differences in complete blood count or levels of several plasma cytokines were detected between the two lines. Profiling blood transcriptomes at 0, 2, 6, and 24 hpi by RNA-sequencing revealed that LPS induced dramatic transcriptional changes, with 6296 genes differentially expressed at at least one time point post injection relative to baseline in at least one line (n =4 per line) (|log2(fold change)| ≥ log2(1.2); q \u3c 0.05). Furthermore, applying the same cutoffs, we detected 334 genes differentially expressed between the two lines at at least one time point, including 33 genes differentially expressed between the two lines at baseline. But no significant line-by-time interaction effects were detected. Genes involved in protein translation, defense response, immune response, and signaling were enriched in different co-expression clusters of genes responsive to LPS stimulation. The two lines were largely similar in their peripheral blood transcriptomic responses to LPS stimulation at the pathway level, although the low-RFI line had a slightly lower level of inflammatory response than the high-RFI line from 2 to 6 hpi and a slightly higher level of inflammatory response than the high-RFI line at 24 hpi. Conclusions: The pig lines divergently selected for RFI had a largely similar response to LPS stimulation. However, the low-RFI line had a relatively lower-level, but longer-lasting, inflammatory response compared to the high-RFI line. Our results suggest selection for feed efficient pigs does not significantly compromise a pig’sacute systemic inflammatory response to LPS, although slight differences in intensity and duration may occur