Mechanism of thermal field and electric field in resistive random access memory using the high/low-k side wall structure

In the Internet of things (IoT) era, low power consumption memory will be a critical issue for further device development. Among many kinds of next-generation memories, resistive random access memory (RRAM) is considered as having the most potential due to its high performance. To prevent unrecoverable hard break-down of a RRAM device, the RRAM should be collocated with a transistor for external current compliance. With decreasing device cell size, however, the operating voltage of the transistor will become smaller and smaller. Previous study has determined that the forming voltage of RRAM increases when device cell size is reduced, which is a very crucial issue especially when the device is scaled down. We have proposed a high-k sidewall spacer structure in RRAM to solve the dilemma of increasing forming voltages for device cell scaling down. Based on the COMSOL-simulated electrical field distributions in the high-k RRAM. In addition, thermal conductivity of sidewall spacer influenced resistive switching behavior. Suitable thermal conductivity of sidewall materials can enhance resistive switching behavior. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Charge-Trapping Devices Using Multilayered Dielectrics for Nonvolatile Memory Applications

Charge-trapping devices using multilayered dielectrics were studied for nonvolatile memory applications. The device structure is Al/Y2O3/Ta2O5/SiO2/Si (MYTOS). The MYTOS field effect transistors were fabricated using Ta2O5 as the charge storage layer and Y2O3 as the blocking layer. The electrical characteristics of memory window, program/erase characteristics, and data retention were examined. The memory window is about 1.6 V. Using a pulse voltage of 6 V, a threshold voltage shift of ~1 V can be achieved within 10 ns. The MYTOS transistors can retain a memory window of 0.81 V for 10 years

Novel biodegradable sandwich-structured nanofibrous drug-eluting membranes for repair of infected wounds: an in vitro and in vivo study

Dave Wei-Chih Chen1,2, Jun-Yi Liao3, Shih-Jung Liu2, Err-Cheng Chan41Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 2Department of Mechanical Engineering, 3Graduate Institute of Medical Mechatronics, 4School of Medical Technology, Chang Gung University, Kwei-San, Tao-Yuan, TaiwanBackground: The purpose of this study was to develop novel sandwich-structured nanofibrous membranes to provide sustained-release delivery of vancomycin, gentamicin, and lidocaine for repair of infected wounds.Methods: To prepare the biodegradable membranes, poly(D, L)-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA), collagen, and various pharmaceuticals, including vancomycin, gentamicin, and lidocaine, were first dissolved in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol. They were electrospun into sandwich-structured membranes with PLGA/collagen as the surface layers and PLGA/drugs as the core. An elution method and a high-pressure liquid chromatography assay were used to characterize in vivo and in vitro drug release from the membranes. In addition, repair of infected wounds in rats was studied. Histological examination of epithelialization and granulation at the wound site was also performed.Results: The biodegradable nanofibrous membranes released large amounts of vancomycin and gentamicin (well above the minimum inhibition concentration) and lidocaine in vivo for more than 3 weeks. A bacterial inhibition test was carried out to determine the relative activity of the antibiotics released. The bioactivity ranged from 40% to 100%. The nanofibrous membranes were functionally active in treating infected wounds, and were very effective as accelerators in early-stage wound healing.Conclusion: Using the electrospinning technique, we will be able to manufacture biodegradable, biomimetic, nanofibrous, extracellular membranes for long-term delivery of various drugs.Keywords: nanofibrous, sandwich-structured, drug-eluting membranes, electrospinning, release characteristics, repair, wound infectio

Effect of end-stage renal disease on long-term survival after a first-ever mechanical ventilation: a population-based study

The 30-day, 6-month, and 1-, 2-, 5-, and 10-year survival rate differences in the ESRD Pos and ESRD Neg groups from the beginning. (DOCX 17 kb

Experiences with a simple laparoscopic gastric tube construction

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is a complex operation, and the detailed optimal surgical procedure has not been well described. Our aim was to evaluate use of a simple method of laparoscopic gastric tube construction as minimally invasive surgery for patients with esophageal cancer. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 26 consecutive patients who underwent MIE for esophageal cancer in the Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center between September 2009 and August 2011. Perioperative data and postoperative complications were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The patient group consisted of 22 men and 4 women. MIE was performed successfully in all patients. The mean operative time was 430.4 ± 60.6 minutes, and the mean estimated operative blood loss was 135.0 ± 97.8 mL. There were no cases of conversion to open surgery during the procedure. The postoperative complication rate was 53.8%, and there was no surgical mortality. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend this novel method of total laparoscopic staplized formation of gastric tube to facilitate gastric pull-up

Actinomycosis of the Gallbladder: A Case Report

Introduction: Actinomycosis of the gallbladder is extremely rare and may mimic a malignancy leading to delayed diagnosis and/or inappropriate treatment.Presentation of case: Here we report the case of an 82-year-old man who presented with right upper abdominal discomfort for one month. Radiographically, an ill-defined mass was found in the gallbladder fossa that invaded the adjacent abdominal wall and liver bed. In addition, a stone was found in the gallbladder lumen. The imaging features suggested a gallbladder carcinoma. An initial CT-guided needle biopsy showed an inflammatory process. The subsequent open cholecystectomy revealed a contracted, thick-walled gallbladder surrounded by a soft tissue mass near the fundus. Histologically, the gallbladder revealed acute and chronic cholecystitis and microabscesses containing sulfur granules in the soft tissue mass, which showed Gram-positive filamentous bacilli. Under the diagnosis of gallbladder actinomycosis, the patient received post-operative antibiotics for 7 weeks and was well 5 months after diagnosis.Conclusion: Our case demonstrated that a gallbladder actinomycosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with cholelithiasis and cholecystitis presenting an invasive mass in the gallbladder fossa

Increased spinal prodynorphin gene expression in reinflammation-associated hyperalgesia after neonatal inflammatory insult

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neuroplasticity induced by neonatal inflammation is the consequence of a combination of activity-dependent changes in neurons. We investigated neuronal sensitivity to a noxious stimulus in a rat model of neonatal hind-paw peripheral inflammation and assessed changes in pain behaviour at the physiological and molecular levels after peripheral reinflammation in adulthood.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A decrease in paw withdrawal latency (PWL) after a heat stimulus was documented in rats that received inflammatory injections in their left hind paws on postnatal day one (P1) and a reinflammation stimulus at postnatal 6-8 weeks of age, compared with normal rats. An increase in the expression of the prodynorphin (<it>proDYN</it>) gene was noted after reinflammation in the spinal cord ipsilateral to the afferents of the neonatally treated hind paw. The involvement of the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) in peripheral inflammatory pain hypersensitivity was evidenced evident by the increase in phospho-ERK (pERK) activity after reinflammation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results indicate that peripheral inflammation in neonates can permanently alter the pain processing pathway during the subsequent sensory stimulation of the region. Elucidation of the mechanism underlying the developing pain circuitry will provide new insights into the understanding of the early pain behaviours and the subsequent adaptation to pain.</p