Low-power FSMs in FPGA: Encoding alternatives

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/3-540-45716-X_36Proceedings of 12th International Workshop, PATMOS 2002 Seville, Spain, September 11–13, 2002In this paper, the problem of state encoding of FPGA-based synchronous finite state machines (FSMs) for low-power is addressed. Four codification schemes have been studied: First, the usual binary encoding and the One-Hot approach suggested by the FPGA vendor; then, a code that minimizes the output logic; finally, the so-called Two-Hot code strategy. FSMs of the MCNC and PREP benchmark suites have been analyzed. Main results show that binary state encoding fit well with small machines (up to 8 states), meanwhile One-Hot is better for large FSMs (over 16 states). A power saving of up to the 57% can be achieved selecting the appropriate encoding. An areapower correlation has been observed in spite of the circuit or encoding scheme. Thus, FSMs that make use of fewer resources are good candidates to consume less power.Ministry of Science of Spain, under Contract TIC2001-2688-C03-03, has supported this work. Additional funds have been obtained from Projects 658001 and 658004 of the Fundación General de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

Quantum walks: a comprehensive review

Quantum walks, the quantum mechanical counterpart of classical random walks, is an advanced tool for building quantum algorithms that has been recently shown to constitute a universal model of quantum computation. Quantum walks is now a solid field of research of quantum computation full of exciting open problems for physicists, computer scientists, mathematicians and engineers. In this paper we review theoretical advances on the foundations of both discrete- and continuous-time quantum walks, together with the role that randomness plays in quantum walks, the connections between the mathematical models of coined discrete quantum walks and continuous quantum walks, the quantumness of quantum walks, a summary of papers published on discrete quantum walks and entanglement as well as a succinct review of experimental proposals and realizations of discrete-time quantum walks. Furthermore, we have reviewed several algorithms based on both discrete- and continuous-time quantum walks as well as a most important result: the computational universality of both continuous- and discrete- time quantum walks.Comment: Paper accepted for publication in Quantum Information Processing Journa

Photoluminescence Studies in ZnxCd1-xTe Single Crystals

The crystalline quality of ZnxCd1-xTe single crystals prepared by a modified Bridgman method with 0≤x≤0.05 has been analyzed using photoluminescence. The spectrum of a typical sample is dominated by lines originating from the recombination of free and bound excitons. Lines due to free excitons in their ground and first excited states are observed in both the pure CdTe and the mixed crystals. Excitons bound to Dc vacancies are observed in the pure CdTe crystal but not in the mixed crystal. Weaker and broader features appearing at energies below the exciton emission range were associated with transitions involving free-to-bound and bound-to-bound levels. The origin of the various lines in the spectra was deduced from the detailed measurements of the dependence of the spectrum on temperature and excitation intensity

Photoconductive Characterization of ZnxCd1-xTe (0≤x≤0.25) Single Crystal Alloys

Large grain polycrystalline and single crystals of ZnxCd1-xTe grown by a modified Bridgman method were studied using the photoluminescence and photoconductivity techniques. The temperature dependence of the band gap, as determined by photoluminescence, follows the Varshni equation for measuring temperature in the range of 15-290 K. One of the fitted parameters, the Debye temperature, monotonically decreases with the increase of the atomic zinc concentration. A close correlation between the photoluminescence and photoconductivity measurements is also found. Samples in which the photoluminescence spectra exhibit emission bands associated to cadmium vacancies and other structural defects, show a photoresponse curve which includes, in addition to the intrinsic band, another broad band at lower energies. Using the ionization energies of the defect related bands in the photoluminescence spectra we have identified the second band in the photoresponse curve due to the photoexcitation of trapped carriers at levels related with the structural defects

Effective antimicrobial activity of ZnO and Yb-doped ZnO nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Nanostructured Zn1-xYbxO (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1) powders were prepared by the solution method using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sucrose. The effect of the ytterbium doping content on the structural, morphological, optical and antimicrobial properties was analyzed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the hexagonal wurtzite structure was retained, and no secondary phases due to doping were observed. The crystallite size was under 20nm for all the Zn1-xYbxO (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1) powders. The optical band gap was calculated, and the results revealed that this value increased with the ytterbium content, and the Eg values varied from 3.06 to 3.10 eV. The surface chemistry of the powders was analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the results confirmed the oxidation state of ytterbium as 3+ for all the samples. Zn1-xYbxO (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1) nanoparticles were tested as antimicrobial agents against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, resulting in a potential antimicrobial effect at most of the tested concentrations. These results were used in an artificial neural network (ANN). The results showed that it is possible to generate a model capable of forecasting the absorbance with good precision (error of 1–2%)

Annealing Behavior of the Photoluminescence Lines in CdTe and Znx Cd1-x Te Single Crystals

The main lines in the photoluminescence spectra of Zn1Cd1-xTe single crystals grown by a modified Bridgman method in the compositional range of 0≤X≤0.25 have been identified. All crystals show only near-band-edge emission. To assist in the identification, various samples with different compositions were annealed under a Cd atmosphere. In the pure crystals, the prominent (A°, X) bound exciton line, as well as the doublet at longer wavelengths, disappear after the annealing. In contrast, the treatments do not change significantly the PL spectra of the mixed crystals

Immunomodulatory oligonucleotide IMT504: effects on mesenchymal stem cells as a first-in-class immunoprotective/immunoregenerative therapy

The immune responses of humans and animals to insults (i.e., infections, traumas, tumoral transformation and radiation) are based on an intricate network of cells and chemical messengers. Abnormally high inflammation immediately after insult or abnormally prolonged pro-inflammatory stimuli bringing about chronic inflammation can lead to life-threatening or severely debilitating diseases. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplant has proved to be an effective therapy in preclinical studies which evaluated a vast diversity of inflammatory conditions. MSCs lead to resolution of inflammation, preparation for regeneration and actual regeneration, and then ultimate return to normal baseline or homeostasis. However, in clinical trials of transplanted MSCs, the expectations of great medical benefit have not yet been fulfilled. As a practical alternative to MSC transplant, a synthetic drug with the capacity to boost endogenous MSC expansion and/or activation may also be effective. Regarding this, IMT504, the prototype of a major class of immunomodulatory oligonucleotides, induces in vivo expansion of MSCs, resulting in a marked improvement in preclinical models of neuropathic pain, osteoporosis, diabetes and sepsis. IMT504 is easily manufactured and has an excellent preclinical safety record. In the small number of patients studied thus far, IMT504 has been well-tolerated, even at very high dosage. Further clinical investigation is necessary to demonstrate the utility of IMT504 for resolution of inflammation and regeneration in a broad array of human diseases that would likely benefit from an immunoprotective/immunoregenerative therapy.Fil: Zorzopulos, Jorge. Immunotech; ArgentinaFil: Opal, Steven M.. Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island; Estados Unidos. Alpert Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Hernando Insúa, Andrés. Fundación Pablo Cassara; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Juan M.. Fundación Pablo Cassara; ArgentinaFil: Elías, Fernanda. Fundación Pablo Cassara; ArgentinaFil: Fló, Juan. Immunotech; ArgentinaFil: López, Ricardo A.. Imunotech; ArgentinaFil: Chasseing, Norma Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Lux, Victoria Adela R.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Coronel, Maria Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Franco, Raul. Imunotech; ArgentinaFil: Montaner, Alejandro D. Fundación Pablo Cassara; ArgentinaFil: Horn, David L. David Horn Llc; Estados Unido

Structural basis for regulation of a CBASS-CRISPR-Cas defense island by a transmembrane anti-σ factor and its ECF σ partner

17 pags., 8 figs.How CRISPR-Cas and cyclic oligonucleotide-based antiphage signaling systems (CBASS) are coordinately deployed against invaders remains unclear. We show that a locus containing two CBASS and one type III-B CRISPR-Cas system, regulated by the transmembrane anti-σ DdvA and its cognate extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ DdvS, can defend Myxococcus xanthus against a phage. Cryo-electron microscopy reveals DdvA-DdvS pairs assemble as arrow-shaped transmembrane dimers. Each DdvA periplasmic domain adopts a separase/craspase-type tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR)-caspase HetF-associated with TPR (TPR-CHAT) architecture with an incomplete His-Cys active site, lacking three α-helices conserved among CHAT domains. Each active site faces the dimer interface, raising the possibility that signal-induced caspase-like DdvA autoproteolysis in trans precedes RseP-mediated intramembrane proteolysis and DdvS release. Nuclear magnetic resonance reveals a DdvA cytoplasmic CHCC-type zinc-bound three-helix bundle that binds to DdvS σ2 and σ4 domains, undergoing σ4-induced helix extension to trap DdvS. Altogether, we provide structural-mechanistic insights into membrane anti-σ-ECF σ regulation of an antiviral CBASS-CRISPR-Cas defense island.this work was supported by grants Pid2021- 123336nB- c21 (to M.e.- A.), Pid2021- 123336nB- c22 (to S.P.), Pid2020- 112821GB- i00 (to d.P.- U.), and Pid2019- 104423GB- i00 and Pid2022- 143177nB- i00 (to i.U.- B.) funded by the Ministerio de ciencia e innovación (Mcin)/Agencia estatal de investigación (Aei)- Spain (Mcin/Aei/10.13039/ 501100011033) and the “eRdF A way of making europe”; grant 21939/Pi/22 (to M.e.- A.) funded by Fundación Séneca- Murcia (Spain); Ph.d. fellowships from the Ministerio de Universidades- Spain (to A.l.- R.), and Mcin- Aei to J.A.l.- R. i.t. is an ikerbasque Research Fellow (Basque Foundation for Science- Spain). J.P.l.- A. holds a PtA contract granted by Mcin/Aei. d.B.- B. was supported by the Plan de Recuperación, transformación y Resiliencia (PRtR) funded by the nextGenerationeU (PRtR- c17.i1) program. cryo- eM was performed at the Basque Resource for electron Microscopy located at instituto Biofisika (UPv/ ehU, cSic), supported primarily by the department of education and the innovation Fund of the Basque Government, with additional support from Fundación Biofísica Bizkaia and Mcin with funding from european Union nextGenerationeU (PRtR- c17.i1).Peer reviewe

Campaña de sensibilización para el proyecto Ciudad Amigable con los Mayores en Guadalajara, Jalisco. Equipo de Producción y Posicionamiento

Este reporte explica la forma en que se ha trabajado en el proyecto “Alter Código” durante el periodo escolar otoño 2018. El objetivo del proyecto se enfoca en generar una imagen digna de la vejez y la forma en la cual se vive. Durante el proceso se trabajó con investigación etnográfica y visitas de campo enriqueciendo nuestros aprendizajes durante el proceso. Así mismo, dimos seguimiento a la campaña de sensibilización “Los años cuentan”, la campaña de redes para el posicionamiento del PAP en el entorno académico y generamos nuevos contenidos y eventos relaciones con dichas campañas con el propósito de impactar en la sociedad y transformar la visión que se tiene en torno a este tema.ITESO, A.C

Extraordinary room-temperature photoluminescence in WS2 monolayers

Individual monolayers of metal dichalcogenides are atomically thin two-dimensional crystals with attractive physical properties different from their bulk layered counterpart. Here we describe the direct synthesis of WS2 monolayers with triangular morphologies and strong room-temperature photoluminescence (PL). Bulk WS2 does not present PL due to its indirect band gap nature. The edges of these monolayers exhibit PL signals with extraordinary intensity, around 25 times stronger than the platelets center. The structure and composition of the platelet edges appear to be critical for the PL enhancement effect. Electron diffraction revealed that platelets present zigzag edges, while first-principles calculations indicate that sulfur-rich zigzag WS2 edges possess metallic edge states, which might tailor the optical response reported here. These novel 2D nanoscale light sources could find diverse applications including the fabrication of flexible/transparent/low-energy optoelectronic devices