A Dynamic Range Enhanced Readout Technique with a Two-Step TDC for High Speed Linear CMOS Image Sensors

This paper presents a dynamic range (DR) enhanced readout technique with a two-step time-to-digital converter (TDC) for high speed linear CMOS image sensors. A multi-capacitor and self-regulated capacitive trans-impedance amplifier (CTIA) structure is employed to extend the dynamic range. The gain of the CTIA is auto adjusted by switching different capacitors to the integration node asynchronously according to the output voltage. A column-parallel ADC based on a two-step TDC is utilized to improve the conversion rate. The conversion is divided into coarse phase and fine phase. An error calibration scheme is also proposed to correct quantization errors caused by propagation delay skew within −Tclk~+Tclk. A linear CMOS image sensor pixel array is designed in the 0.13 μm CMOS process to verify this DR-enhanced high speed readout technique. The post simulation results indicate that the dynamic range of readout circuit is 99.02 dB and the ADC achieves 60.22 dB SNDR and 9.71 bit ENOB at a conversion rate of 2 MS/s after calibration, with 14.04 dB and 2.4 bit improvement, compared with SNDR and ENOB of that without calibration

A novel long-lasting antifouling membrane modified with bifunctional capsaicin-mimic moieties via in situ polymerization for efficient water purification

Capsaicin-mimic materials are promising candidates for antifouling membrane fabrication. However, the membrane fabrication is usually complicated and the long-term operation of the resulting membrane is unstable. In this work, we developed an "in situ polymerization-blending" technique to prepare capsaicin-containing polysulfone membranes. This facile one-pot synthesis applied a capsaicin derivative containing two carbon-carbon double bonds (N-(2-hydroxyl-3-methyl acrylamide-4,6-dimethyl benzyl) acrylamide, (HMDA)). The presence of carbon-carbon double bonds enabled the self-polymerization of HMDA, leading to stable anchoring of the capsaicin derivative on the membrane. The composite membrane exhibited higher pure water permeability (up to 3124.7 L m h MPa, over two times higher than that of the pure membrane) without compromising the humic acid rejection efficiency. In addition, the composite membranes also exhibited significantly improved resistance to organic fouling (humic acid) and bacteria (E. coli)/algae (Prorocentrum donghaiense) growth. The presence of unreacted carbon-carbon double bonds on HMDA also allowed gradual polymerization when exposed chronically to air or water environments, which ensured good operational stability over 2 months. The novel membrane fabrication technique in this work offers significant opportunities to exploit the unique properties of capsaicin derivatives in the fabrication of various separation membranes

N6-methyladenosine-modified circ_104797 sustains cisplatin resistance in bladder cancer through acting as RNA sponges

Abstract Background Bladder cancer (BCa) ranks among the predominant malignancies affecting the urinary system. Cisplatin (CDDP) remains a cornerstone therapeutic agent for BCa management. Recent insights suggest pivotal roles of circular RNA (circRNA) and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in modulating CDDP resistance in BCa, emphasizing the importance of elucidating these pathways to optimize cisplatin-based treatments. Methods Comprehensive bioinformatics assessments were undertaken to discern circ_104797 expression patterns, its specific interaction domains, and m6A motifs. These findings were subsequently corroborated through experimental validations. To ascertain the functional implications of circ_104797 in BCa metastasis, in vivo assays employing CRISPR/dCas13b-ALKBH5 were conducted. Techniques, such as RNA immunoprecipitation, biotin pull-down, RNA pull-down, luciferase reporter assays, and western blotting, were employed to delineate the underlying molecular intricacies. Results Our investigations revealed an elevated expression of circ_104797 in CDDP-resistant BCa cells, underscoring its pivotal role in sustaining cisplatin resistance. Remarkably, demethylation of circ_104797 markedly augmented the potency of cisplatin-mediated apoptosis. The amplification of circ_104797 in CDDP-resistant cells was attributed to enhanced RNA stability, stemming from an augmented m6A level at a distinct adenosine within circ_104797. Delving deeper, we discerned that circ_104797 functioned as a microRNA reservoir, specifically sequestering miR-103a and miR-660-3p, thereby potentiating cisplatin resistance. Conclusions Our findings unveil a previously uncharted mechanism underpinning cisplatin resistance and advocate the potential therapeutic targeting of circ_104797 in cisplatin-administered patients with BCa, offering a promising avenue for advanced BCa management

A novel UV-crosslinked sulphonated polysulfone cation exchange membrane with improved dimensional stability for electrodialysis

To improve the dimensional stability of electrodialysis membranes, a series of crosslinked sulphonated polysulfone cation exchange membranes with different degrees of sulfonation were prepared by a simple and low energy consumption method, namely UV-crosslinking. The crosslinking reaction was performed by UV irradiation and using 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl-diphenyl-phosphine oxide (TPO) as photoinitiator and trimethylolpropane tri-acrylate (TMPTA) as crosslinker. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) results showed that crosslinking leads to a denser and smoother surface. Compared with the swelling and water uptake results of pristine membranes, the crosslinked membranes exhibited an enhanced dimensional stability, especially at higher temperature (40-70 degrees C). The thermogravimetric analysis and measurement of mechanical properties indicated that the crosslinked membrane has better mechanical and thermal properties. The electrochemical properties were analyzed, and the membrane after crosslinking showed a better ion permselectivity. When applied in electrodialysis and compared to the commercial membrane with a NaCl removal ratio of 75.6%, the crosslinked membranes showed a more efficient performance (NaCl removal ratio = 89.1% for SPSU-60). These improvements showed that the crosslinked membranes can be promising candidates for high-temperature and industrial application

Formation of morphologically confined nanospaces via self-assembly of graphene and nanospheres for selective separation of lithium

© 2018 The Royal Society of Chemistry. Selective separation of lithium ions is crucial to recycle lithium from saline lakes. Here, a novel multilayer framework membrane was constructed based on graphene oxide and sulfonated amino-polystyrene nanospheres (rGO@SAPS) via amide condensation reaction and self-assembly. With the large specific surface area of these nanospheres and the anchored multitudinous sulfonate groups and amino groups, the synthesized rGO@SAPS formed unique membranes with morphologically confined nanospaces, and are applicable for the selective separation of Li+ under an electric field. It was estimated that in an electrodialysis system (solution velocity 250 mL min-1, current density 12.73 mA cm-2 and membrane thickness 10 μm), the selective separation efficiency parameter (retention or separation parameter between two different ions) of Mg2+/Li+ and K+/Li+ of rGO@SAPS-2 in 20 min is 46.13% and 9.90%, respectively.status: publishe

Preparation of High-Flux Nanoporous Solvent Resistant Polyacrylonitrile Membrane with Potential Fractionation of Dyes and Na₂SO₄

In this study, a high-flux organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) membrane with the permeance of 66.7 Lm^–2 h^–1 bar^–1 in methanol and 38.0 Lm^–2 h^–1 bar^–1 in ethanol was successfully prepared from nanoporous PAN by phase inversion and hydrolyzation in sodium hydroxide solution. The polymer concentration and hydrolysis time were varied to control the final morphology and performance. The ternary phase diagram and viscosity measurements were used to describe precipitation thermodynamics and kinetics of the phase inversion process. The prepared membranes had a typical asymmetric structure, which could be observed from images of the cross section, comprising a dense skin layer and a porous substructure in the sublayer. It was found that the polymer concentration has an apparent influence on the morphology, selectivity and permeability of the prepared membranes. FTIR analysis, ζ-potential and water contact angle measurements confirm a molecular chain rearrangement as hydrogen bonds were formed between CONH₂ and COOH groups during the carboxyl modification process. Moreover, an increase of the surface hydrophilicity was obtained by hydrolysis. A good solvent resistance and a satisfactory separation performance in the nanofiltration range were achieved with hydrolyzed PAN membranes in polar as well as nonpolar solvents. The relationship between solvent permeation and combined solvent properties (viscosity, molar diameter and solubility parameter) indicated a strong interaction of selected solvents with polymers except alkanes. The hydrolyzed PAN membrane was applied to fractionation of dyes and Na₂SO₄ solution compared to commercial NF membrane. The high dye rejection and salt permeance remained constant with the salt addition for high flux hydrolyzed PAN showing the fractionation potential for dyes and divalent salts, and establishing the strong advantage over commercial NF membranes

Effects of rAAV transgene combined with expression of miRNA to inhibit antigen presentation

In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of rAAV vectors incorporating either miRNA or shRNA in reducing transgene-specific immunity.</p