Low-power and high-performance SRAM design in high variability advanced CMOS technology

As process technologies shrink, the size and number of memories on a chip are exponentially increasing. Embedded SRAMs are a critical component in modern digital systems, and they strongly impact the overall power, performance, and area. To promote memory-related research in academia, this dissertation introduces OpenRAM, a flexible, portable and open-source memory compiler and characterization methodology for generating and verifying memory designs across different technologies.In addition, SRAM designs, focusing on improving power consumption, access time and bitcell stability are explored in high variability advanced CMOS technologies. To have a stable read/write operation for SRAM in high variability process nodes, a differential-ended single-port 8T bitcell is proposed that improves the read noise margin, write noise margin and readout bitcell current by 45%, 48% and 21%, respectively, compared to a conventional 6T bitcell. Also, a differential-ended single-port 12T bitcell for subthreshold operation is proposed that solves the half-select disturbance and allows efficient bit-interleaving. 12T bitcell has a leakage control mechanism which helps to reduce the power consumption and provides operation down to 0.3 V. Both 8T and 12T bitcells are analyzed in a 64 kb SRAM array using 32 nm technology. Besides, to further improve the access time and power consumption, two tracking circuits (multi replica bitline delay and reconfigurable replica bitline delay techniques) are proposed to aid the generation of accurate and optimum sense amplifier set time.An error tolerant SRAM architecture suitable for low voltage video application with dynamic power-quality management is also proposed in this dissertation. This memory uses three power supplies to improve the SRAM stability in low voltages. The proposed triple-supply approach achieves 63% improvement in image quality and 69% reduction in power consumption compared to a single-supply 64 kb SRAM array at 0.70 V

Apoptosome assay by Split-luciferase constructs

Introduction: Apoptosis is a process of programmed cell death that plays several critical roles in normal biological events happening in multi cellular organisms. Tissue homeostasis, defense against pathogens and involvement in development by controlling the number of cells are some of these critical roles. The two best-described activation mechanisms are the intrinsic (also called the mitochondrial pathway) and the extrinsic pathways. The formation of a supramolecular complex called apoptosome in mammals is tightly linked to ignition of the intrinsic pathway. This complex mainly consists of Apaf-1 molecules (apoptotic factor protease activating 1). The assembled Apaf-1 in apoptosome leads to the formation of functional caspase-9 that it further triggers the caspase cascade, a fundamental cascade that subsequently causes cell death. So detecting the formation of the apoptosome complex will help to screen the drugs and substances inducing intrinsic pathways also it helps in cell death related researches. Methods and Results: we utilized previously developed split luciferase biosensor to investigate apoptosome activity of cells that were treated with Tunicamycin. Tunicamycin is an inhibitor of glycosylation that disturbs protein folding machinery in eukaryotic cells. Tunicamycin causes accumulation of unfolded proteins in cell endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and induces ER stress. ER stress is an essential mechanism for cellular homeostasis which has a role in cell death via reprogramming of protein processing, regulation of autophagy and apoptosis. Therefore, it can trigger apoptosis by induction of protein release such as cytochrome c that stimulates apoptosome formation. The biosensor consists of two separate constructs, N-terminal luciferase-Apaf-1 and C-terminal luciferase-Apaf-1. These constructs are cotransfected into mouse embryonic fibroblasts cells by polyethyleneimine (PEI). When apoptosome complex forms the assembling of Apaf-1 proteins brings the Nlucs and Clubs in spatial proximity that enables the enzyme to catalyst its substrate luciferin and bioluminescence. Split luciferase activity measured in several times after induction by Tunicamycin Conclusions: apoptosome activity has fluctuation mode and we can control this complex activity by pharmacokinetic features of related drugs

Urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) and Cystatin C in Early Detection of Pediatric Acute Kidney Injury; a Diagnostic Accuracy Study

Introduction: There is a controversy regarding accuracy of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and Cystatin C in early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI). The present study aimed to compare the diagnostic value of two biomarkers in this regard. Method: In the present diagnostic accuracy study, all children between the ages of 1 month to 14 years were entered. Pediatric Risk, Injury Failure, Loss, End-stage renal disease (pRIFLE) criteria was used for identification of children with AKI as the reference test. Blood samples were taken from all patients at baseline and 48 hours after admission to assess serum creatinine and Cystatin C level. In addition, a urine sample was obtained within 6 hours of admission in order to measure NGAL level. In the end, area under the receiving operating characteristics (ROC) curve, sensitivity, and specificity of urine NGAL (uNGAL) and Cystatin C in early detection of AKI were compared. Results: Data from 96 children with the mean age of 27.31±36.24 months were entered (56.25% girls). Area under the ROC curve of uNGAL level in diagnosis of AKI in children was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.80 to 1.00) and area under the ROC of Cystatin C was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.77 to 1.00). Both tests had the same value in diagnosis of AKI (p=0.89). The best cut-off point of uNGAL for diagnosing AKI was 125 mg/L. uNGAL had a sensitivity and specificity of 0.92 (0.62 to 0.99) and 0.69 (0.57 to 0.78), respectively. The best cut-off point of serum Cystatin C level was 0.4 mg/L. Cystatin C had a sensitivity and specificity of 0.92 (0.62 to 0.99) and 0.64 (0.52 to 0.74), respectively. Conclusion: The present study showed that uNGAL level has the same value as serum Cystatin C level in early diagnosis of AKI

Mutation analysis of connexin 26 gene and del (GJB6-D13S1830) in patients with hereditary deafness from two provinces in Iran

Mutations in the connexin 26 (Cx26) gene at the DFNB1 locus on chromosome 13q12 are associated with autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL). There are many known mutations in this gene that cause hearing loss. A single frameshift, at position 35 (35delG) accounts for 50% of mutations in the Caucasian population with carrier frequencies of 1.5-2.5%. In this study we investigated the prevalence of Cx26 gene mutations by directly sequencing the coding exon of this gene belonging to ARNSHL individuals from 53 families in Qom and Markazi provinces of Iran. Seven different Cx26 variants were identified. Five Cx26 mutations including 35delG, 233delC, 176del16, W24X, L90P were found in 10 of 53 families (18.87%). One olymorphism V153I was also found. One variant A171T with unknown effects was also detected. Six of the 53 families were observed to have GJB2 mutations in both alleles (11.32%). The most common mutation was 35delG. Three out of 10 families (30%) with GJB2 variants contained 35delG mutation in both alleles and the frequency of 35delG allele was 0.50 among 10 out of 53 families. Also screening for the 342-kb GJB6 deletion mutant did not reveal any large deletion among families studied. Thus, in the two provinces, contribution of GJB2 (Gap Junction Protein Beta 2) mutations to familial deafness appears to be less significant. This necessitates further assessment of the other known genes regions as well as a search for new genetic factors in hereditary deafness in the Iranian population

Contribution of GJB2 mutations and Four common DFNB loci in autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing impairment in Markazi and Qom provinces of Iran

This study aimed to investigate the contribution of four common DFNB ("DFN" for deafness and "B" for autosomal resessive locus) loci and GJB2 gene mutations (exon 2) in hearing impairment in individuals living in Markazi and Qom provinces of Iran. Forty consanguineous Iranian families with at least three affected individuals in family or pedigree who suffer from an autosomal recessive non-syndromic congenital hearing impairment were the subjects of this study. Blood samples were taken from both hearing and non-hearing individuals, DNA was extracted and amplified by using specific primers for the coding region of GJB2 gene (exon 2). The PCR product of GJB2 gene was then sequenced. Also short tandem repeat (STR) markers amplified by using specific primers for loci DFNB2, DFNB3, DFNB4 and DFNB21. At least 2 microsatellite markers (STR) for each DFNB locus exceeding to 4-6 markers for the linked families were used. The amplified markers were analyzed by conventional Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis followed by silver staining. Six families were homozygous or compound heterozygous for GJB2 mutations and were excluded from further studies. Linkage analysis was carried out for the remaining 34 families by genotyping the flanked STR markers of DFNB2, DFNB3, DFNB4 and DFNB21 loci. Six families showed linkage; including one family to DFNB2, two families to DFNB3 and three families to DFNB4 locus while no family showed linkage to DFNB21 locus. Undoubtedly, the best understanding of the genetic basis of hearing loss in Iranian population will be achieved by performing similar experiments in other provinces and also by analyzing more loci

Screening of three common mtDNA mutations among subjects with autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss in Sistan va Baluchestan province, Iran

Background: Non-syndromic hearing loss may be induced by mutations in both nuclear and mitochondrial genes. Mutations in mtDNA are present in less than 1% of the children with pre-lingual deafness but are more prevalent later. Most of the molecular defects responsible for mitochondrial disorder, associated with hearing loss may be induced by mutations in the 12SrRNA and tRNA genes. This aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of three common mtDNA mutations including A1555G, A3243G and A7445G in a cohort of autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) subjects in Sistan va Baluchestan province. Material and Methods: In this descriptive- experimental based study, a total of 110. ARNSHL subjects from Sistan va Baluchestan province were investigated for three common mtDNA mutations using PCR-RFLP procedure. The possible mutations were confirmed by direct sequencing. Results: None of the A1555G and A7445G mutations were detected in this study. However, we found one sample to carry A3243G mutation (0.9%). Moreover abolishing a MTTL1 restriction site close to A3243G mutation revealed a G3316A allelic variant in 0.9% of patients studied. Conclusion: This study showed that mtDNA mutations are responsible for less than 1% of pre-lingual ARNSHL associated subjects. The present study will improve the genetic counseling of hearing impaired patients in Sistan va Baluchestan province, Iran

Why is Gold Forbidden for Men in Islam? An original study

Background and Objectives According to Islamic doctrines, the use of gold for men has been banned. In general, any advised subject in Islam is useful for the body and what has definitely forbidden for a man is definitely harmful for him although its reasons have not been exactly specified. However, Muslims believe that there is certainly a sound reason behind this prohibition. This issue was studied in vitro on fertile men in the city of Babol by means of gold Nano particles. Materials and Methods: A total seminal fluid from 20 healthy individual volunteers from the city of Babol whose fertility had been approved was examined for the gold content through atomic absorption at the wavelength of 242.8nm with Hollow gold cathode lamp. Prior to analyzing all the collected samples, they were put into a mixture of thick citrate and per chloric acids at a ratio of 1 to 6. Findings: In the samples studied, the amount of gold in the semen was found to be in the range of 0.32 to 1.92 µg/ml with a mean value 0.89 µg/ml and the standard deviation of 0.61µg/ml. Conclusion: In the present study, the existing gold in the full seminal fluid was estimated after complete digestion. (oxidation of organic materials; so the amount of  identified gold and the  plasma levels of semen were separated like  sperm). Therefore, the hypothesis of the presence of gold in sperm seems to be true. Due to the scarcity of articles in this regard and the previous studies, it seems that more studies are needed in order to shed light on the role of the gold on men's fertility. From the viewpoint of Islam, this study proved the presence of gold in seminal fluid. In addition, the decrease in sperm movement after the influx of gold shows the forbiddance of old for men

Investigating the effect of Primrose Capsule (Primula Flower Oil) on cervix preparation and commencement of child delivery pains

Introduction: Oenothera biennis (primrose) oil is oneof the most common herbal medicines used for preparingcervix but its effectiveness is yet to be proved. Thereare limited articles on the effectiveness of this medicinein inducing delivery. The present study was designed andconducted with the objective of investigating the effectivenessof vaginal administering of evening primrose ininducing delivery.Study Method: the present study is a triple blind caseevidenceclinical trial. Out of the individuals featuring therequired qualifications for entering the study, 160 wererandomly selected and assigned into two equal groups.Following the acquisition of the consent letter, the participantswere subjected to clinical examinations. Theirpreliminary information was recorded. Then, two softprimrose capsules were placed in the posterior choledosacof the intervention group participants. Placebo capsuleswere used in control group. Next, the patients wereasked to leave a contact number for the future requiredfollow-ups in terms of the delivery pain commencementand labor duration and delivery time. In the end, the collectedinformation was analyzed using SPSS.Result: based on the analyses, the two groups were notfound significantly different in terms of the demographicdata. Moreover, no significant difference was observed interms of the interval between the primrose administrationand delivery pain initiation (T1) and the interval betweenprimrose use till delivery (T2) as compared to the controlgroup (P>0.05).Discussion: it seems that the vaginal application of primrosecapsule is not effective in cervix preparation. However,there is a need for further research in this area. Thecurrent studies on the effectiveness of the evening primroseis limited to two researchers that have also foundresults consistent with what has been found here and twoother studies with results not in accordance with the currentpaper’s findings. More comparative studies seem tobe useful in this regard

Investigating the effect of Primrose Capsule (Primula Flower Oil) on cervix preparation and commencement of child delivery pains

Introduction: Oenothera biennis (primrose) oil is oneof the most common herbal medicines used for preparingcervix but its effectiveness is yet to be proved. Thereare limited articles on the effectiveness of this medicinein inducing delivery. The present study was designed andconducted with the objective of investigating the effectivenessof vaginal administering of evening primrose ininducing delivery.Study Method: the present study is a triple blind caseevidenceclinical trial. Out of the individuals featuring therequired qualifications for entering the study, 160 wererandomly selected and assigned into two equal groups.Following the acquisition of the consent letter, the participantswere subjected to clinical examinations. Theirpreliminary information was recorded. Then, two softprimrose capsules were placed in the posterior choledosacof the intervention group participants. Placebo capsuleswere used in control group. Next, the patients wereasked to leave a contact number for the future requiredfollow-ups in terms of the delivery pain commencementand labor duration and delivery time. In the end, the collectedinformation was analyzed using SPSS.Result: based on the analyses, the two groups were notfound significantly different in terms of the demographicdata. Moreover, no significant difference was observed interms of the interval between the primrose administrationand delivery pain initiation (T1) and the interval betweenprimrose use till delivery (T2) as compared to the controlgroup (P>0.05).Discussion: it seems that the vaginal application of primrosecapsule is not effective in cervix preparation. However,there is a need for further research in this area. Thecurrent studies on the effectiveness of the evening primroseis limited to two researchers that have also foundresults consistent with what has been found here and twoother studies with results not in accordance with the currentpaper’s findings. More comparative studies seem tobe useful in this regard