Adaptive optical interconnects: The ADDAPT project

Existing optical networks are driven by dynamic user and application demands but operate statically at their maximum performance. Thus, optical links do not offer much adaptability and are not very energy-effcient. In this paper a novel approach of implementing performance and power adaptivity from system down to optical device, electrical circuit and transistor level is proposed. Depending on the actual data load, the number of activated link paths and individual device parameters like bandwidth, clock rate, modulation format and gain are adapted to enable lowering the components supply power. This enables exible energy-efficient optical transmission links which pave the way for massive reductions of CO2 emission and operating costs in data center and high performance computing applications. Within the FP7 research project Adaptive Data and Power Aware Transceivers for Optical Communications (ADDAPT) dynamic high-speed energy-efficent transceiver subsystems are developed for short-range optical interconnects taking up new adaptive technologies and methods. The research of eight partners from industry, research and education spanning seven European countries includes the investigation of several adaptive control types and algorithms, the development of a full transceiver system, the design and fabrication of optical components and integrated circuits as well as the development of high-speed, low-loss packaging solutions. This paper describes and discusses the idea of ADDAPT and provides an overview about the latest research results in this field

An Eight lanes 7Gb/s/pin Source Synchronous Single-Ended RX with Equalization and Far-End Crosstalk Cancellation for Backplane Channels

This paper presents a versatile crosstalk cancellation scheme for single-ended multi-lane backplane links. System-level investigations show that a scheme, which combines analog filters and decision-feedback crosstalk compensation on the receiver (RX) side only, can efficiently remove crosstalk patterns in straight channels as well as boards with reflections due to via stubs. An eight-lane single-ended RX has been manufactured in 32-nm SOI CMOS to validate our findings. A CTLE and eight-tap decision feedback equalizer equalize the channel without transmitter feedforward equalizer. A continuous time crosstalk canceller reduces precursors by nearest neighbors, while the residual postcursors from all aggressors are suppressed by direct feedback 7x8-tap decision-feedback crosstalk canceller (DFXC). Measurements with flip-chip packaged RX show that the RX macro can equalize both a 30-dB insertion loss single-ended channel with 0-dB signal-to-crosstalk at Nyquist and a channel with 28-dB attenuation with the signal-to-crosstalk ratio of 6 dB combined with reflections due to via stubs. The RX operates up to 7 Gb/s/pin with PRBS11 data at bit error rate (BER) <10⁻¹², and occupies 300x350 μm² with an energy efficiency of 5.9 mW/Gb/s from 1-V supply

Fixed drug eruption: state of the art

Fixed drug eruption (FIDE) is a common type of cutaneous adverse drug reaction. There may be a genetic background as significant associations have been identified between HLA types and specific FDE. Systemic provocation is still the gold standard for establishing the offending agent in FIDE, but topical provocation testing offers a promising alternative approach. A standardized method does not exist, and the approach must likely be varied for different agents. The mystery of site preference in FIDE is still unresolved. Possible explanations include properties of the drug, trauma and viscerocutaneous reflex patterns

Allergic contact cheilitis from a lipstick misdiagnosed as herpes labialis: Subsequent worsening due to Zovirax contact allergy

A 29-year-old Turkish woman with allergic contact cheilitis from a lipstick was misdiagnosed as herpes labialis and subsequently worsened with the application of Zovirax (R) cream. Patch tests were positive to Zovirax (R) cream, propylene glycol, the patient's favourite lipstick and propyl gallate. No reaction was seen with Zovirax (R) ophthalmic ointment and Zovirax (R) tablet. The propylene glycol component of the Zovirax (R) cream and the propyl gallate component of the lipstick were regarded as the responsible contact sensitizers. The differential diagnosis was challenging due to concomitant contact sensitization with these agents

Ceftriaxone-induced fixed drug eruption - First report

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is an unusual type of cutaneous adverse drug reaction that is characterized by recurrent site-specific lesions each time the drug responsible is taken. FDE from cephalosporins has been rarely reported, and to the best of our knowledge there is no published report of ceftriaxone-induced FDE in the literature. We report the first case of a 54-year-old Turkish woman who presented with ceftriaxone-induced FDE. Topical provocation with ceftriaxone sodium salt (1% in water [aq.], 5% aq., 10% in petrolatum [pet.], 20% pet.) remained negative both at previously affected sites and in the unaffected skin of the back. Therapeutic re-exposure with intravenous ceftriaxone I g confirmed the diagnosis. The patient tolerated amoxicillin and cefazolin, suggesting that the sensitizing portion was not the P-lactam ring. Identification of the antigenic determinants of FDE-inducing drugs will make predicting safe alternatives in patients with FDE an easier task