Test-access planning and test scheduling for embedded core-based system chips

This thesis describes parts of the research work that has been carries out at Philips Research Laboratories, Eindhoven, related to the development of TR-ARCHITECT. TR-ARCHITECT uses a five step heuristic algorithm to design a test architecture. TR-ARCHITECT designs and optimized test architectures with respect to the required ATE vector memory dept and test-application time. TR-ARCHITECT optimizes wrapper and TAM design in conjunction

Forward Body Biased Low Power 4.0-10.6 GHz Wideband Low Noise Amplifier

A forward body biased low power Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) is designed using Common Gate (CG) topology. By using current reuse technique between the first stage and second stage Common Source topology accompanied with forward body biasing leads to low power dissipation. A series to parallel tank circuit at this stage leads to wideband design. A shunt peaking inductor at the drain terminal of second stage causes the higher frequency peak to increase leading to wide bandwidth. Two CS cascade stages are used to increase the overall gain of the proposed LNA with a buffer stage at the output for output matching. The proposed LNA attained maximum gain of 26.39 dB with a gain greater than 16 dB over entire range. The circuit gives reflection coefficient less than – 10 dB with NF 2.7 dB. With Vdd of 0.925 V, a DC current of 8.32 mA is consumed giving 7.7 mW power consumption

A long term functional and radiological outcome assessment study of management of high grade acromioclavicular joint injury

Background: Acromioclavicular joint dislocation (ACD) of Rockwood types III and above require surgical intervention. We used a unique technique for CC interval fixation using endobutton with two separate small incisions, which did not need dissection through the joint at all. It replaces the anatomical course of conoid and trapezoid part of the CC ligament. The purpose of the present study was to describe an innovative method of fixation and evaluate its functional outcome using subjective as well as objective measures. We aimed to determine whether this fixation method could be an optimal alternative to address this injury.Methods: A total of 24 patients were enrolled for this prospective longitudinal study. Coraco-clavicular distance was calculated radiologically preoperatively and at the final follow up.  Clinically, the final outcome was assessed using the Shoulder Constant score and visual analogue scale (VAS) for residual pain at the final follow up.Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two shoulders and results were considered as an excellent in terms of constant shoulder score. The VAS was 0.42 (0-1) at final follow-up. The coraco-clavicular distance (CC) reduced significantly postoperatively and was comparable to the contralateral side.Conclusions: Our study results suggested that this is a simple, safe and effective technique which needed minimal dissection

A questionnaire-based comparison of conventional teaching methods to computer assisted learning in experimental pharmacology for undergraduate medical students

Background: Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) for teaching experimental pharmacology is now widely accepted as alternative to animal experiments. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of undergraduate medical students by conventional teaching methods (lecture and discussion) and CAL.Methods: This was a questionnaire based observational study involving 109 MBBS students of fifth semester. The students were taught experimental pharmacology practical by both conventional methods (lecture with discussion) and computer assisted learning (CAL). Questionnaire and their filled responses by these students were taken at the end of lecture-discussion (pre-CAL) and after the CAL experiments (post-CAL), covering the same topics of experimental pharmacology. Pre-CAL and post-CAL data were assessed statistically.Results: In the pre-CAL session, only 53.39%, 47.56%, 53.39% and 49.5% of the students were having the scores above 40% in the rabbit eye, DRC and potentiation, frog heart and dog BP experiment respectively, which was increased to 77.44%, 75.48%, 75.47% and 75.48% of the students respectively in the post-CAL assessment. A statistically significant difference (p <0.05) in the performance was observed among the students in the pre-CAL and post-CAL assessment.Conclusions: CAL is a good alternative to animal experimentation. Lecture with discussion, followed by CAL experiments on the same topics, enhanced the performance of students as shown by improvement in post-CAL scores

Effect of oral and intravenous hydration therapy on amniotic fluid index, maternal and perinatal outcome in borderline oligohydramnios

Background: The aim was to determine whether oral route of maternal hydration was advantageous over intravenous route in terms of increasing AFI and improving maternal and perinatal outcome in women having borderline oligohydramnios.Methods: At Aarogya hospital, 150 women in third trimester with borderline oligohydramnios (BO) AFI 5.1-8 cm, were divided randomly into two groups, oral hydration group (OG) and intravenous hydration (IVG). Each case was studied on OPD basis. After 2 hours, 48 hours and 1 week of oral or IV hydration. AFI was reassessed by same sonographer. Pre-delivery AFI and various outcome measures were recorded for both groups.Results: There was an increase in AFI by 44.5% in OG from 0 hour till delivery as compared to 30.7% increase in IVG. MSL occurred in 8 (10.7%) women in OG compared to 17 (22.6%) in IVG. FD was found in 4 (5.3%) in OG requiring LSCS compared to 16 (21.3%) in IVG. Total of 59 (78.7%) patients in OG has spontaneous vaginal delivery as compared to 42 (56%) in IVG. Perinatal outcome was better with OG than IVG 67 (89%) had Apgar at 1 min >8 in OG than 58 (77%) in IVG. Apgar score <8 at 1 min was seen in 8 (10.7%) in OG while 17 (22.7 %) in IVG. Overall, 7 (9.3%) required NICU admission in OG and 12 (16%) in IVG.Conclusions: AFI increment persisted longer in OG as compared to IVG. Maternal and perinatal outcome were better with oral hydration therapy than IV hydration

Prepubertal Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Leydig Cells: Isolation, Culture and Characterization

Abstract: Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is an economically important livestock species in India. Male buffaloes display delayed sexual maturity as compared to the bulls (Bos taurus). Serum testosterone level, the key regulator of sexual maturity of males, is reported to be low in male buffaloes in comparison to bulls. Testosterone secretion and progression of spermatogenesis is mediated essentially by Leydig cells in the males. Establishment of primary culture for buffalo Leydig cells can provide an excellent tool to investigate the factors which regulate testicular steroidogenesis. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to isolate, culture and characterize buffalo Leydig cells. Immunohistological analysis revealed that cytochrome P450, family 11, subfamily A, polypeptide 1 (CYP11A1) specifically mark the Leydig cells in prepubertal buffalo testis. Using enzymatic digestion and Percoll density gradient centrifugation, a cell population that consisted of approximately 95% pure Leydig cells was obtained as indicated by CYP11A1 staining. Purified Leydig cells were cultured in DMEM/F12 supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS) for 72 h. The cultured Leydig cells proliferated, expressed Leydig-cell specific transcripts (STAR, HSD3B1, HSD3B6, and CYP17A1) and proteins (CYP11A1, HSD3B and LHCGR), and secreted testosterone. It was concluded from the present study that buffalo Leydig cells can be maintained in culture for 72 h. The primary culture of buffalo Leydig cells can be used for studying acute responses, biochemical properties and other factors regulating testicular steroidogenesis, independent of other testicular cell types

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Manifestations in Type 2 Diabetes: A Single Centre, Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: The study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal manifestations in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Materials and methods: In this single center, cross sectional study, 300 patients with clinically documented T2D were recruited from the outpatient clinic. Demographics, diabetes history, family history, treatmentmodalities, musculoskeletal symptoms were self-reported by participants. Anthropometric measurements and musculoskeletal examination were conducted by investigators. Complete blood count, fasting and postprandial plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), urine analysis, and X rays of the symptomatic joints were performed. Results: Of 300 patients with T2D, musculoskeletal manifestations were observed in 50.7%. Osteoarthritis of the knee was the most common manifestation (20.3%) followed by carpal tunnel syndrome (10.7%), adhesive capsulitis (8.3%), diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (7.3%), diabetic cheiroarthropathy (6.0%), flexor tenosynovitis (2.3%), and Dupuytren’scontracture (0.7%). Age (p = 0.001), T2D duration (p = 0.004), BMI (p = 0.031) and HbA1c (p= 0.006) were associated with increased prevalence of musculoskeletal manifestations. Conclusions: Prevalence of musculoskeletal manifestationsis higher in people with T2D. Advanced age, longer duration of disease, overweight and high HbA1c levels are associated with increased prevalence of musculoskeletal manifestations