A TCAD study on the effect of process parameters on silicon optical phase shifter performance

On-chip integrated optical phase shifters are an important part of optical phase modulators. The performance of such modulators relies heavily on the phase shifter performance, which in turn depends on multiple process parameters. This paper reports the study of the effect of different process parameters on the performance of a silicon PN optical phase shifter obtained by process simulation using Silvaco® TCAD. The effect of dopant implantation dose, implantation energy, annealing temperature and time, wafer temperature, wafer tilt and rotation, and pre-amorphization on the phase and absorption of light is discussed. The 3-dB modulation bandwidth of a lumped phase shifter and the dependency of the performance metrics on different process parameters are presented. Monte Carlo numerical simulation shows that the free-carrier absorption has a much greater dependency on the process parameters than the phase shift. The study shows that ion channeling poses a limiting factor on the phase shifter performance, which can be improved by tilting the wafer or using a pre-amorphized substrate for implantation. The study shows that the 3-dB modulation bandwidth is highly dependent on the wafer tilt angle, rotation angle, and the lattice structure of the solid substrate. A bandwidth improvement of more than 5× is observed with 1.7× lower absorption for a pre-amorphized sample at −5 V compared to a crystalline sample with the same process flow

Investigation of Hazardous Materials in Firecrackers using LIBS Coupled with a Chemometric Method and FTIR Spectroscopy

This article reports the detection and quantification of toxic constituents in firecrackers using LIBS coupled with PCA and FTIR. Spectral signatures of lethal elements along with other elements and electronic bands of Cyanide, AlO, BaO, and CaO are seen in their LIBS spectra which confirms the presence of inorganic and organic compound in the fireworks. The concentration of each constituent/element is determined using the CF-LIBS method and results are compared with ICP-OES results. The concentration of Al is in adequate amount except S4 (b). Li and Ba are present in all samples with maximum amount in S4 (b) and S3 respectively. Molecular stretching of SO4-, C4 H8 - , CuCl- , CO3 - , and NO3 - are observed in the FTIR spectra of the samples. The combined results of LIBS and FTIR recommends the presence of BaNO3 , LiCO3 , SrCO3 , Al-chip, and charcoal in the firecrackers. To discriminate various firecrackers, PCA of the LIBS data is performed. The results show that S3 and S4 (b) are more harmful as they contain higher concentration the compounds of Al, Ba, Li, Sr i.e BaNO3 , LiCO3 , SrCO3 , (Cu3 As2 O3 Cu(C2 H3 O2 )2 )

Synergistic Effect of Exercise and Phellodendron Amurense on Muscle Mass Preservation in a Prostate Cancer Mouse Model

Muscle loss has detrimental effects on the body. It leads to a reduction in physical function, strength, endurance, and quality of life. In men with prostate cancer (PCa), a large percentage of men will suffer from muscle loss, a debilitating adverse effect caused by both the chronic illnesses or from the treatment of these illnesses. Studies have shown that the implementation of a routine exercise elicits muscle preservation in patients with PCa. Previously, our group has found that the natural product phellodendron amurense (PA) preserves muscle mass similar to exercise. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that combining PA and exercise will have a synergistic effect on muscle preservation and strength. METHOD: Twenty-four, 10-week-old transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice were randomized into one of four study groups: Exercise (running wheel) group, PA group, exercise plus PA, or no treatment control. PA was pelleted into the feed at a dose of 600 mg/kg and provided ad lib. Body mass was measured each week. Fore limb and all limb grip strength was measured at baseline and end of study (Columbus Instruments, Columbus, OH). Mice completed 10 repetitions on the apparatus with the first five repetitions using only the forelimbs and the last five repetitions using all four limbs. After euthanasia, the right gastrocnemius and soleus were collected, cleaned and weighted. One way and two-way analysis of variance was performed with tukey’s post-hoc test. Significance was set at pRESULTS: Analysis of body weight revealed significant differences between groups (F(3,20) = 2.93, P = 0.0311). Post hoc analysis revealed significantly lower body mass at the end of the study in the combination exercise plus PA group (25.83 ± 1.72 g) compared to the control group (28.70 ± 1.70 g; p=0.03). Higher soleus mass was found in the mice from the exercise only (11.6 ± 5 mg) and combination exercise plus PA (11.5 ± 3.271 mg) groups compared to the no treatment control group (10.33 ± 3.445 mg), however, these results did not reach significance. No statistical significance was found in the measurement of forelimb or all limb grip strength. CONCLUSION: Our initial hypothesis of synergy was not supported, however, there is preliminary evidence that exercise and PA independently reduces the loss of slow twitch skeletal muscle induced by cancer. Future research is required to validate these results

Reduction of Defect and Variation using Six Sigma Methodology inan Instrument Manufacturing Company

Our Project centres around the implementation of the Six Sigma DMAIC methodology, a structured approach utilized by organizations to effectively address challenges and achieve their objectives. The project's objective is to decrease the rejection rate of valves and variation in the Instrument Manufacturing Company process in Gujarat, India. Following the systematic steps of Define, Measure, Analysis, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) within the Six Sigma framework, the project study aims to identify the root cause(s) of defects and provide a reliable solution to reduce or eliminate them thereby enhancing operational capabilitiesmaking it a valuable tool for the organization

Exercise Does not Stimulate Citrate Synthase Activity in Cachectic Muscle

Cachexia causes metabolic alterations in skeletal muscle mitochondria stimulated by inflammatory imbalance towards pro-inflammatory signaling. Previous work by our group has demonstrated that exercise significantly increases muscle mass in cases of advanced tumors in transgenic mice. Furthermore, we have discovered that the natural product Nexrutine® has anti-inflammatory properties which can be beneficial in protecting mitochondria. PURPOSE: To compare the effects of exercise and Nexrutine® on mitochondrial density in skeletal muscle taken from transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) models. METHODS: This project is a continuation of a larger study investigating the effects of exercise and Nexrutine® on the attenuation of muscle wasting in TRAMP mice. For this analysis, gastrocnemius from 14 TRAMP mice from control (n=5), Nexrutine® (600 mg/kg; n=5), and voluntary wheel running (VWR) groups (n=4) that completed 20 weeks of intervention were used. Mitochondrial activity was quantified using a commercially available citrate synthase assay (Cayman Chemical, USA). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey’s post-hoc was performed. Correlations between muscle mass and citrate synthase activity was performed for each group. Alpha was set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: All mice presented with tumors upon necropsy. VWR mice ran on average 6.67 kilometers per day. Nexrutine® group consumed 1.49 mg Nexrutine® per day on average. No significant differences in muscle mass or citrate synthase were observed between groups. Briefly, the control group had 7.31% and 20.75% greater citrate synthase compared to Nexrutine® and exercise groups, respectively. Exercise group was observed to have 35.25% higher than Nexrutine® group. When all samples were combined, a significant positive correlation was observed between muscle mass and citrate synthase (p= 0.04). CONCLUSION: Contrary to our hypothesis, the results suggest neither exercise nor Nexrutine® positively affect citrate synthase activity in cachectic muscle. Future work by our group will focus on reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial complex activity to further understand how cachexia affects skeletal muscle mitochondrial efficiency

Improving Adherence to Essential Birth Practices Using the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist With Peer Coaching: Experience From 60 Public Health Facilities in Uttar Pradesh, India.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to evidence-based essential birth practices is critical for improving health outcomes for mothers and newborns. The WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) incorporates these practices, which occur during 4 critical pause points: on admission, before pushing (or cesarean delivery), soon after birth, and before discharge. A peer-coaching strategy to support consistent use of the SCC may be an effective approach to increase birth attendants' adherence to these practices. METHODS: We assessed data from 60 public health facilities in Uttar Pradesh, India, that received an 8-month staggered coaching intervention from December 2014 to September 2016 as part of the BetterBirth Trial, which is studying effectiveness of an SCC-centered intervention on maternal and neonatal harm. Nurse coaches recorded birth attendants' adherence to 39 essential birth practices. Practice adherence was calculated for each intervention month. After 2 months of coaching, a subsample of 15 facilities was selected for independent observation when the coach was not present. We compared adherence to the 18 practices recorded by both coaches and independent observers. RESULTS: Coaches observed birth attendants' behavior during 5,971 deliveries. By the final month of the intervention, 35 of 39 essential birth practices had achieved >90% adherence in the presence of a coach, compared with only 7 of 39 practices during the first month. Key behaviors with the greatest improvement included explanation of danger signs, temperature measurement, assessment of fetal heart sounds, initiation of skin-to-skin contact, and breastfeeding. Without a coach present, birth attendants' average adherence to practices and checklist use was 24 percentage points lower than when a coach was present (range: -1% to 62%). CONCLUSION: Implementation of the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist with coaching improved uptake of and adherence to essential birth practices. Coordination and communication among facility staff, as well as behaviors with an immediate, tangible benefit, showed the greatest improvement. Difficult-to-perform behaviors and those with delayed or theoretical benefits were less likely to be sustained without a coach present. Coaching may be an important component in implementing the Safe Childbirth Checklist at scale.Note: At the time of publication of this article, the results of evaluation of the impact of the BetterBirth intervention were pending publication in another journal. After the impact findings have been published, we will update this article on the effect of the intervention on birth practices with a reference to the impact findings

Pantoprazole Sodium Loaded Microballoons for the Systemic Approach: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Purpose: Various floating and pulsatile drug delivery systems suffer from variations in the gastric transit time affecting the bioavailability of drugs. The objective of the study was to develop Pantoprazole Sodium (PAN) microballoons that may prolong the gastric residence time and could enhance the drug bioavailability. Methods: Microballoons were prepared using Eudragit®L100 by adopting emulsion solvent diffusion method with non-effervescent approach, in vitro studies were performed and the in vivo evaluation was carried out employing ethanol induced ulceration method. Optimization and validation were carried out through Design Expert® software. Results: The results demonstrate an increase in percentage yield, buoyancy, encapsulation efficacy and swelling. Particles were in the size range 80-100 µm following zero order release pattern. SEM study revealed their rough surface with spherical shape, internal cavity and porous walls. DSC thermo gram confirms the encapsulation of drug in amorphous form. Significant anti ulcer activity was observed for the prepared microballoons. The calculated ulcer index and protection were 0.20±0.05 and 97.43 % respectively for LRS-O (optimized formulation). Conclusion: This kind of pH dependent drug delivery may provide an efficient dosage regimen with enhanced patient compliance

DataSheet1_A TCAD study on the effect of process parameters on silicon optical phase shifter performance.pdf

On-chip integrated optical phase shifters are an important part of optical phase modulators. The performance of such modulators relies heavily on the phase shifter performance, which in turn depends on multiple process parameters. This paper reports the study of the effect of different process parameters on the performance of a silicon PN optical phase shifter obtained by process simulation using Silvaco® TCAD. The effect of dopant implantation dose, implantation energy, annealing temperature and time, wafer temperature, wafer tilt and rotation, and pre-amorphization on the phase and absorption of light is discussed. The 3-dB modulation bandwidth of a lumped phase shifter and the dependency of the performance metrics on different process parameters are presented. Monte Carlo numerical simulation shows that the free-carrier absorption has a much greater dependency on the process parameters than the phase shift. The study shows that ion channeling poses a limiting factor on the phase shifter performance, which can be improved by tilting the wafer or using a pre-amorphized substrate for implantation. The study shows that the 3-dB modulation bandwidth is highly dependent on the wafer tilt angle, rotation angle, and the lattice structure of the solid substrate. A bandwidth improvement of more than 5× is observed with 1.7× lower absorption for a pre-amorphized sample at −5 V compared to a crystalline sample with the same process flow.</p