MarciaTesta: An Automatic Generator of Test Programs for Microprocessors' Data Caches

SBST (Software Based Self-Testing) is an effective solution for in-system testing of SoCs without any additional hardware requirement. SBST is particularly suited for embedded blocks with limited accessibility, such as cache memories. Several methodologies have been proposed to properly adapt existing March algorithms to test cache memories. Unfortunately they all leave the test engineers the task of manually coding them into the specific Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) of the target microprocessor. We propose an EDA tool for the automatic generation of assembly cache test program for a specific architectur

Validation & Verification of an EDA automated synthesis tool

Reliability and correctness are two mandatory features for automated synthesis tools. To reach the goals several campaigns of Validation and Verification (V&V) are needed. The paper presents the extensive efforts set up to prove the correctness of a newly developed EDA automated synthesis tool. The target tool, MarciaTesta, is a multi-platform automatic generator of test programs for microprocessors' caches. Getting in input the selected March Test and some architectural details about the target cache memory, the tool automatically generates the assembly level program to be run as Software Based Self-Testing (SBST). The equivalence between the original March Test, the automatically generated Assembly program, and the intermediate C/C++ program have been proved resorting to sophisticated logging mechanisms. A set of proved libraries has been generated and extensively used during the tool development. A detailed analysis of the lessons learned is reporte

Studio pilota prospettico per testare l’efficacia dell’immunoprofilassi attiva mediante schedula di vaccinazione rinforzata e a lungo termine con vaccino ricombinante S in combinazione con lamivudina ed immunoglobuline anti-HBs (HBIg) come strategia di prevenzione della ricorrenza di infezione da virus dell’epatite B in pazienti sottoposti a trapianto di fegato per malattia HBV correlata

L’immunoprofilassi attiva dopo trapianto di fegato con il vaccino ricombinante HBsAg è una potenziale strategia di prevenzione della ricorrenza di infezione da HBV dopo trapianto di fegato per malattia HBV-correlata. Studi precedenti sull’impiego della vaccinazione standard hanno mostrato risultati controversi, mentre l’utilizzo del nuovo adiuvante 3-deacilatomonosforil- lipide-A (MPL) ha incrementato in modo molto significativo la percentuale di risposta in termini di produzione anticorpale anti-HBs. Obiettivo: lo scopo principale è stato quello di testare l’efficacia di una schedula di vaccinazione rinforzata, a lungo termine (12 mesi) ed accelerata (dosi mensili) utilizzando il vaccino ricombinante S con e senza la concomitante somministrazione di Immunoglobuline anti-HBs (HBIg). Metodi: sono stati arruolati 18 pazienti (M/F:13/5) trapiantati di fegato per cirrosi HBV-correlata e follow-up dal trapianto di 73±38 mesi. Tutti i pazienti erano HBsAg e HBV DNA negativi nel sangue e cccDNA negativi nel fegato; 5 (27,7%) erano co-infetti con HCV e 6 (27,7%) con HDV. Il protocollo di studio prevede 12 dosi di vaccino somministrate mensilmente e per via intramuscolare (HBsAg 20μg e MPL 50μg) insieme alla Lamivudina (100 mg/die). Ciascuna delle prime 6 dosi di vaccino (primo ciclo) è stata somministrata entro i 7 giorni successivi alla somministrazione per via endovenosa di 2000 UI di HBIg, mentre le successive 6 dosi di vaccino sono state somministrate dopo la completa sospensione delle HBIg (secondo ciclo). Il titolo di anti-HBs è stato misurato prima di ciascuna dose di vaccino e durante il follow-up. Tutti i pazienti erano mantenuti con terapia immunosoppressiva a basse dosi. Risultati: tutti i pazienti hanno completato l’intero programma di vaccinazione (primo e secondo ciclo/fase), ed hanno ricevuto 12 dosi di vaccino adiuvato da MPL e sono stati monitorati durante i primi 3 mesi di follow-up. Non è stato riportato alcun evento avverso, ne alcun caso di ricorrenza di infezione da HBV. Alla fine del primo ciclo di vaccinazione 17/18 (94,4%) pazienti avevano un titolo di anti-HBs superiore a 100 IU/L (389±445 UI/L) e 2 (11,1%) un titolo superiore a 500 UI/L. Alla fine del follow-up 9/18 (50%) and 3/18 (16,6%) avevano un titolo di anti-HBs superiore a 100 IU/L (510±427 UI/L) e 500 UI/L, rispettivamente. Conclusioni: 9 mesi dopo la sospensione delle HBIg la metà dei pazienti ha raggiunto e mantenuto un titolo anticorpale protettivo di anti-HBs (>100 UI/L). Questa schedula di vaccinazione con il vaccino ricombinante S adiuvato da MPL e rinforzata, somministrata in combinazione con HBIg e Lamivudina, sembra essere più efficace delle precedenti schedule vaccinali anti-HBV standard fino ad ora testate, e si attende la conferma di tale efficacia al termine di un follow-up più lungo.Post-transplant active immunization with HBsAg vaccine is a potential prophylaxis strategy against HBV-recurrence after liver tranplantation due to HBV-related disease. Previous studies showed conflicting results using standard vaccines, whereas the use of the new adjuvant 3- deacylated monophosphoryl-lipid-A (MPL) significantly increased patient’s immunization rate through an high anti-HBs titre increase. Aim: We investigated the efficacy of a long-term (12 months) accelerated (monthly doses) reinferced vaccination schedule using the MPL-adjuvanted recombinant S vaccine administered with and without concomitant HBIg. Methods: 18 patients (M/F:13/5) transplanted for HBV-related cirrhosis 73±38 months earlier were recruited. All were HBsAg and HBV DNA negative in serum and cccDNA negative in liver tissue; 5 (27.7%) were coinfected with HCV and 5 (27.7%) with HDV. Study protocol consisted of 12 consecutive monthly intramuscular vaccine doses (HBsAg 20μg plus MPL 50μg) given together with lamivudine (100 mg/daily). Each of the initial 6 doses (first cycle) was administered within 7 days after 2000 IU HBIg i.v. infusion, while the last 6 doses were given after complete HBIg withdrawal (second cycle). HBsAb titre was determined before each vaccine dose and during the follow-up. All patients were maintaiened on low-level immunosuppression. Results: all patients completed the whole vaccination program, receiving 12 adjuvanted vaccine doses (first and second cycles) and were monitored during 3 months follow-up after vaccination end. No side effects occurred, nor evidence of HBV recurrence. At the end of first cycle 17/18 (94.4%) patients achieved an anti-HBs titre greater than 100 IU/L (mean 389±445 IU/L) and 2 (11.1%) a titre greater than 500 IU/L. At the end of follow-up 9/18 (50%) and 3/18 (16,6%) had an anti-HBs titre greater than 100 (mean 510±427 UI/L) and 500 IU/L, respectively. Conclusions: nine months after HBIg withdrawal half of the patients reached and maintained a protective anti-HBs titre (>100 IU/L). This intensive schedule using the MPL-adjuvanted recombinant S vaccine, given in combination with HBIg and lamivudine, seems to be more effective than previous HBV vaccination protocols, although a longer follow-up is needed to assess its final effectiveness

An area-efficient 2-D convolution implementation on FPGA for space applications

The 2-D Convolution is an algorithm widely used in image and video processing. Although its computation is simple, its implementation requires a high computational power and an intensive use of memory. Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) architectures were proposed to accelerate calculations of 2-D Convolution and the use of buffers implemented on FPGAs are used to avoid direct memory access. In this paper we present an implementation of the 2-D Convolution algorithm on a FPGA architecture designed to support this operation in space applications. This proposed solution dramatically decreases the area needed keeping good performance, making it appropriate for embedded systems in critical space application

Vapour - Liquid Equilibrium measurements of CO2 based mixtures: Experimental apparatus and testing procedures

At present, the accurate evaluation of the thermo-physical behaviour of multicomponent fluids represents a crucial element for studying and simulating low CO2 emission energy conversion technologies. In order to extend the range of application of the available thermodynamic models, an intense experimental research activity has been performed in recent years. The main purpose of this paper is to describe the experimental and modelling procedures applied by the authors to measure and to analyse data extracted from the Vapour-Liquid Equilibrium apparatus recently installed at LEAP laboratory. This test rig allows the characterization of mixture phase equilibrium properties on the basis of the static-analytical method, within the pressure and temperature ranges of 0-20 MPa and -60-200°C. Finally, the paper reports the most relevant features and the main guidelines for the instruments calibration procedures. © 2013 The Authors

Callisto and Europa gravity measurements from JUICE 3GM experiment simulation

The JUpiter Icy Moons Explorer is an ESA mission set for launch in 2023 April and arrival in the Jovian system in 2031 July to investigate Jupiter and its icy satellites with a suite of 10 instruments. The mission will execute several flybys of the icy moons Europa, Callisto, and Ganymede before ending the mission with a 9-month orbit around Ganymede. The 3GM experiment on board the spacecraft will exploit accurate range and Doppler (range-rate) measurements to determine the moons’ orbit, gravity field, and tidal deformation. The focus of this paper is on the retrieval of Europa’s and Callisto’s gravity field, without delving into the modeling of their interior structures. By means of a covariance analysis of the data acquired during flybys, we assess the expected results from the 3GM gravity experiment. We find that the two Europa flybys will provide a determination of the J2 and C22 quadrupole gravity field coefficients with an accuracy of 3.8 × 10−6 and 5.1 × 10−7, respectively. The 21 Callisto flybys will provide a determination of the global gravity field to approximately degree and order 7, the moon ephemerides, and the time-variable component of the gravitational tide raised by Jupiter on the moon. The k2 Love number, describing the Callisto tidal response at its orbital period, can be determined with an uncertainty σk2 ∼ 0.06, allowing us to distinguish with good confidence between a moon with or without an internal ocean. The constraints derived by 3GM gravity measurements can then be used to develop interior models of the moon

Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Rationale for Extending VEGF Inhibition Increasing Intravitreal Aflibercept Dose

Background: The effects of various dosages and treatment regimens on intravitreal aflibercept concentrations and the proportion of free vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to total VEGF were evaluated using a drug and disease assessment model. The 8 mg dosage received specific attention. Methods: A time-dependent mathematical model was developed and implemented using Wolfram Mathematica software v12.0. This model was used to obtain drug concentrations after multiple doses of different aflibercept dosages (0.5 mg, 2 mg, and 8 mg) and to estimate the time-dependent intravitreal free VEGF percentage levels. A series of fixed treatment regimens were modeled and evaluated as potential clinical applications. Results: The simulation results indicate that 8 mg aflibercept administered at a range of treatment intervals (between 12 and 15 weeks) would allow for the proportion of free VEGF to remain below threshold levels. Our analysis indicates that these protocols maintain the ratio of free VEGF below 0.001%. Conclusions: Fixed q12-q15 (every 12-15 weeks) 8 mg aflibercept regimens can produce adequate intravitreal VEGF inhibition