A single-photon sampling architecture for solid-state imaging

Advances in solid-state technology have enabled the development of silicon photomultiplier sensor arrays capable of sensing individual photons. Combined with high-frequency time-to-digital converters (TDCs), this technology opens up the prospect of sensors capable of recording with high accuracy both the time and location of each detected photon. Such a capability could lead to significant improvements in imaging accuracy, especially for applications operating with low photon fluxes such as LiDAR and positron emission tomography. The demands placed on on-chip readout circuitry imposes stringent trade-offs between fill factor and spatio-temporal resolution, causing many contemporary designs to severely underutilize the technology's full potential. Concentrating on the low photon flux setting, this paper leverages results from group testing and proposes an architecture for a highly efficient readout of pixels using only a small number of TDCs, thereby also reducing both cost and power consumption. The design relies on a multiplexing technique based on binary interconnection matrices. We provide optimized instances of these matrices for various sensor parameters and give explicit upper and lower bounds on the number of TDCs required to uniquely decode a given maximum number of simultaneous photon arrivals. To illustrate the strength of the proposed architecture, we note a typical digitization result of a 120x120 photodiode sensor on a 30um x 30um pitch with a 40ps time resolution and an estimated fill factor of approximately 70%, using only 161 TDCs. The design guarantees registration and unique recovery of up to 4 simultaneous photon arrivals using a fast decoding algorithm. In a series of realistic simulations of scintillation events in clinical positron emission tomography the design was able to recover the spatio-temporal location of 98.6% of all photons that caused pixel firings.Comment: 24 pages, 3 figures, 5 table

GTC OSIRIS transiting exoplanet atmospheric survey: detection of sodium in XO-2b from differential long-slit spectroscopy

We present two transits of the hot-Jupiter exoplanet XO-2b using the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC). The time series observations were performed using long-slit spectroscopy of XO-2 and a nearby reference star with the OSIRIS instrument, enabling differential specrophotometric transit lightcurves capable of measuring the exoplanet's transmission spectrum. Two optical low-resolution grisms were used to cover the optical wavelength range from 3800 to 9300{\AA}. We find that sub-mmag level slit losses between the target and reference star prevent full optical transmission spectra from being constructed, limiting our analysis to differential absorption depths over ~1000{\AA} regions. Wider long slits or multi-object grism spectroscopy with wide masks will likely prove effective in minimising the observed slit-loss trends. During both transits, we detect significant absorption in the planetary atmosphere of XO-2b using a 50{\AA} bandpass centred on the Na I doublet, with absorption depths of Delta(R_pl/R_star)^2=0.049+/-0.017 % using the R500R grism and 0.047+/-0.011 % using the R500B grism (combined 5.2-sigma significance from both transits). The sodium feature is unresolved in our low-resolution spectra, with detailed modelling also likely ruling out significant line-wing absorption over an ~800{\AA} region surrounding the doublet. Combined with narrowband photometric measurements, XO-2b is the first hot Jupiter with evidence for both sodium and potassium present in the planet's atmosphere.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in MNRA

The use of measured genotype information in the analysis of quantitative phenotypes in man.

We have begun a measured genotype approach to the genetic analysis of lipid and lipoprotein variability. This approach enables one to simultaneously estimate the frequencies and effects of alleles at specific loci along with the residual polygenetic variance component. In this study we consider the contribution of three common alleles at the locus coding for apolipoprotein E to interindividual variation of total cholesterol, betalipoprotein, and triglyceride levels. A sample of 102 nuclear families consisting of 434 individuals was studied. The frequencies of the ε2, ε3, and ε4 alleles in this sample are 0·137,0·740, and 0·123, respectively. In separate analyses of cholesterol and betalipoprotein levels, a complete model that includes the effects of the six apo E genotypes, unmeasured polygenes, and individual specific environmental effects fits these data significantly better than a reduced model that does not include the effects of the apo E polymorphism or a reduced model that does not include the effects of polygenes. On the average the ε2 allele lowers total cholesterol and betalipoprotein levels by 0·425 mmol/l and 0·811 units, respectively. The ε4 allele is associated with an average increase of these phenotypes by 0·255 mmol/l and 0·628 units, respectively. Simultaneous estimates of the interindividual variability of total cholesterol levels attributable to the apo E polymorphism and to residual polygenic effects are 8% and 56%, respectively. For betalipoprotein levels, we simultaneously estimate these values to be 7% and 42%, respectively. A reduced model including the effects of polygenes but not the effects of the apo E polymorphism fitted the triglyceride data as well as the complete model. The estimate of the fraction of interindividual variability associated with polygenetic effects was 26.5%. We review our present understanding of the genetic architecture underlying variability of cholesterol levels in the population at large and infer that the majority of the genetic variability may be accounted for by polymorphic gene loci with moderate effects on cholesterol levels.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65212/1/j.1469-1809.1987.tb00874.x.pd

The genetics of the Lp antigen

The frequency distribution of the quantitative activity of the Lp antigen was found to be bimodal. It is hypothesized that a major genetic factor is operating to determine the modes.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66117/1/j.1469-1809.1974.tb01991.x.pd

Linkage Analysis of Plasma ApoE in Three Ethnic Groups: Multiple Genes with Context-Dependent Effects

We performed variance component-based linkage analysis in four samples (two of non-Hispanic European-Americans from Rochester, MN; African-Americans from Jackson, MS; and Mexican-Americans from Starr County, TX) to identify chromosomal regions containing genes influencing plasma apolipoprotein E (apoE) levels. The APOE gene region on chromosome (chr) 19 was identified with a LOD ≥ 2.00 in both samples from Rochester and the sample from Jackson. Adjustment of apoE levels for differences among means of genotypes defined by the APOE ε2/3/4 alleles reduced evidence of linkage, indicating that the APOE gene was responsible for the majority of the linkage signal. In stratified linkage analyses, there was a LOD of 1.70 in the Starr County sibships with average total cholesterol (TC) above the median level for all sibships in that population. Adjustment for APOE genotype did not remove this LOD score, suggesting a second gene in this region may influence apoE variation. Evidence of linkage ( LOD = 3.32) on chr 17 was observed in the Starr County sibships with average TC below the median. Inter-individual variation in plasma apoE level may be influenced by variations in the structural gene, and at least one other gene whose effects differ among populations and are dependent on the influence of unmeasured genetic and environmental factors indexed by correlated measures of lipid metabolism.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66071/1/j.1469-1809.2004.00148.x.pd

Protein Encapsulation Using Complex Coacervates: What Nature Has to Teach Us

Protein encapsulation is a growing area of interest, particularly in the fields of food science and medicine. The sequestration of protein cargoes is achieved using a variety of methods, each with benefits and drawbacks. One of the most significant challenges associated with protein encapsulation is achieving high loading while maintaining protein viability. This difficulty is exacerbated because many encapsulant systems require the use of organic solvents. By contrast, nature has optimized strategies to compartmentalize and protect proteins inside the cell—a purely aqueous environment. Although the mechanisms whereby aspects of the cytosol is able to stabilize proteins are unknown, the crowded nature of many newly discovered, liquid phase separated “membraneless organelles” that achieve protein compartmentalization suggests that the material environment surrounding the protein may be critical in determining stability. Here, encapsulation strategies based on liquid–liquid phase separation, and complex coacervation in particular, which has many of the key features of the cytoplasm as a material, are reviewed. The literature on protein encapsulation via coacervation is also reviewed and the parameters relevant to creating protein‐containing coacervate formulations are discussed. Additionally, potential opportunities associated with the creation of tailored materials to better facilitate protein encapsulation and stabilization are highlighted

Adsorption in non interconnected pores open at one or at both ends: A reconsideration of the origin of the hysteresis phenomenon

We report on an experimental study of adsorption isotherme of nitrogen onto porous silicon with non interconnected pores open at one or at both ends in order to check for the first time the old (1938) but always current idea based on Cohan's description which suggests that the adsorption of gaz should occur reversibly in the first case and irreversibly in the second one. Hysteresis loops, the shape of which is usually associated to interconnections in porous media, are observed whether the pores are open at one or at both ends in contradiction with Cohan's model.Comment: 5 pages, 4 EPS figure

Sendaway capillary NT-proBNP in pulmonary hypertension

\ua9 Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. BACKGROUND: N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a biomarker of cardiac ventricular wall stress that is incorporated into pulmonary hypertension (PH) risk stratification models. Sendaway sampling may enable patients to perform NT-proBNP tests remotely. This UK-wide study aimed to assess the agreement of sendaway NT-proBNP with standard venous NT-proBNP and to assess the effect of delayed processing. METHODS: Reference venous NT-proBNP was collected from PH patients. Samples for capillary and venous sendaway tests were collected contemporaneously, mailed to a reference laboratory and processed at 3 and 7 days using a Roche Cobas e411 device. Differences in paired measurements were analysed with Passing-Bablok regression, percentage difference plots and the % difference in risk strata. RESULTS: 113 patients were included in the study. 13% of day 3 capillary samples were insufficient. Day 3 capillary samples were not equivalent to reference samples (Passing Bablok analysis slope of 0.91 (95% CI 0.88 to 0.93) and intercept of 6.0 (95% CI 0.2 to 15.9)). The relative median difference was -7% and there were acceptable limits of agreement. Day 3 capillary NT-proBNP accurately risk stratified patients in 93.5% of cases. By comparison, day 3 venous results accurately risk stratified patients in 90.1% of cases and were equivalent by Passing-Bablok regression. Delayed sampling of sendaway tests led to an unacceptable level of agreement and systematically underestimated NT-proBNP. CONCLUSIONS: Sendaway NT-proBNP sampling may provide an objective measure of right ventricular strain for virtual PH clinics. Results must be interpreted with caution in cases of delayed sampling

Coherent amplitudon generation in K_0.3MoO_3 through ultrafast inter-band quasi particle decay

The charge density wave system K_0.3MoO_3 has been studied using variable energy pump-probe spectroscopy, ellipsometry, and inelastic light scattering. The observed transient reflectivity response exhibits quite a complex behavior, containing contributions due to quasi particle excitations, coherent amplitudons and phonons, and heating effects. The generation of coherent amplitudons is discussed in terms of relaxation of photo-excited quasi particles, and is found to be resonant with the interband plasmon frequency. Two additional coherent excitations observed in the transients are assigned to zone-folding modes of the charge density wave state

Cluster Dynamical Mean-field calculations for TiOCl

Based on a combination of cluster dynamical mean field theory (DMFT) and density functional calculations, we calculated the angle-integrated spectral density in the layered $s=1/2$ quantum magnet TiOCl. The agreement with recent photoemission and oxygen K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy experiments is found to be good. Th e improvement achieved with this calculation with respect to previous single-site DMFT calculations is an indication of the correlated nature and low-dimensionality of TiOCl.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, improved version as publishe