FPGA Based Design for Accelerated Fault-testing of Integrated Circuits

In the past few decades, integrated circuits have become a major part of everyday life. Every circuit that is created needs to be tested for faults so faulty circuits are not sent to end-users. The creation of these tests is time consuming, costly and difficult to perform on larger circuits. This research presents a novel method for fault detection and test pattern reduction in integrated circuitry under test. By leveraging the FPGA\u27s reconfigurability and parallel processing capabilities, a speed up in fault detection can be achieved over previous computer simulation techniques. This work presents the following contributions to the field of Stuck-At-Fault detection: We present a new method for inserting faults into a circuit net list. Given any circuit netlist, our tool can insert multiplexers into a circuit at correct internal nodes to aid in fault emulation on reconfigurable hardware. We present a parallel method of fault emulation. The benefit of the FPGA is not only its ability to implement any circuit, but its ability to process data in parallel. This research utilizes this to create a more efficient emulation method that implements numerous copies of the same circuit in the FPGA. A new method to organize the most efficient faults. Most methods for determinin the minimum number of inputs to cover the most faults require sophisticated softwareprograms that use heuristics. By utilizing hardware, this research is able to process data faster and use a simpler method for an efficient way of minimizing inputs

An examination of the control of endurance training, using heart rate and blood lactate analysis.

The purpose of this study was to examine the control of endurance training, using heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (La) analysis. This was done using three experiments covering the sports of endurance running, rowing and triathlon. The first aimed to establish a time efficient, incremental protocol for determining blood lactate profiles. The second examined control of training using running speed or HR in the laboratory and field. The third compared lactate threshold (Tlac) HRs between cycling and running in triathletes. A continuous 4 minute incremental (4I) protocol was compared with discontinuous 6 and 8 minute protocols, ANOVA with repeated measures revealed that there was no significant difference in HR and La measurements between the protocols. Subsequently, 4I was compared with a similar 3 minute (3I) version. Despite higher HR and La noted during the later stages of 41, the EDR - La relationship was unaffected by the protocol used. The 3I is a suitable, time efficient method of assessment. HR prescribed from 3I was compared with running speed to control training at maximal steady state blood lactate (MSS) in well-trained runners. HR appeared the better means of training control, where increased lactate within training sessions was less frequent than in the speed controlled sessions. The process of HR control during MSS training in the laboratory was also examined in elite junior rowers. In 9 out of 10 sessions MSS was not exceeded. A total of 80 other training sessions were also analysed. Thirty training sessions were performed by trained runners and 50 by trained rowers. Thirty four sessions were aimed at base endurance (BE) and 46 aimed at MSS intensity. In 20% of cases, athletes exceeded their prescribed HR. In all, 96% of the sessions were predicted correctly as either steady state or non-steady state on the basis of observed HR. HR from 3I was deemed an acceptable means of intensity control to avoid non-stable La. HR at Tlac and 2 mmo1.1-1 of blood La during 31 of both running and cycling exercise was compared in well-trained triathletes. In both cases mean HR was higher during running (t= 7.6, d.f = 15, p<0.001 and t = 7.6, d.f = 15, p<0.05, respectively). The mean difference in HR at Tlac was 13.4 b.min-1 with a range of 0 to 26. Separate tests should, therefore, be used for each mode of exercise in triathletes. In summary, it was concluded that a 3 minute incremental protocol is valid for the determination of blood lactate profiles and the prescription of HR for subsequent training prescription. Also, HR can predict blood lactate conditions during training sessions in well-trained runners and rowers. The HR for set training zones is likely to vary according to the mode of exercise employed

n-point QCD two-loop amplitude

We present an explicit expression for a particular n-gluon two loop scattering partial amplitude. Specifically we present an analytic form for the single trace ​ independent colour partial amplitude for the case where all external gluons have positive helicity

Mucosal Immunity and Self-Reported Upper Respiratory Symptoms in a Cohort of Premier League Academy Soccer Players

Introduction The measurement of a number of salivary biomarkers has become common place in Premier League Soccer teams, in an attempt to monitor responses to training, competition, lifestyle factors and stress. The purpose of this paper was to analyse markers of mucosal immunity through the second half of a competitive season in a cohort of Premier League Academy players. Methods A total of 256 saliva samples were taken during routine monitoring of a cohort 16 players in the under-18 age group of an English Premier League club Academy. Morning saliva samples were collected weekly over a period of 17 weeks between the christmas break and the end of the competitive season. The IgA concentration of the samples was determined using an IPRO Point of Care device and the remaining sample was sent to a remote laboratory for the subsequent determination of IgG and alpha-amylase (sAA) by ELISA. On any occasion that players perceived upper respiratory symptoms (URS) a WURSS questionnaire was completed and extra saliva samples (115) taken each day until symptoms had ceased. Results IgA, IgG and sAA were highly variable between subjects (with CV 57.6, 81.4 and 59.5% respectively) and within subjects (48.5, 65.9, and 46.4%) through the 17 week period. Weekly group mean (±SD) IgA ranged from 114.1 (57.5) to 318.4 (176) μg/ml, IgG from 27.4 (23.7) to 61.7 ( 30.5) μg/ml and sAA from 191.9 (100.7) to 370.6 (203) μg/ml, but no significant differences were seen due to the high individual variability. During the 17 week study period 26 incidences of URS were reported by 15 of the players and were monitored using WURSS and subsequent saliva testing. A drop in IgA by more than 40% from individual healthy mean values, within two weeks of each URS episode, was seen in 14 of the 26 episodes. A drop in IgA/sAA ratio by more than 40% of individual healthy mean values, within two weeks of each URS episode, was seen in 19 of the 26 episodes. However, using the same individualised criteria for IgA and IgA/sAA ratio there were 28 and 38 samples, respectively, where such drops did not lead to URS, with several such occurences seen within the same individuals. In cases where URS were reported, subsequent IgA during perceived symptoms was seen to rise 40% above individual healthy mean levels in 15 of the 26 episodes. Conclusion Salivary markers of mucosal immunity, particularly IgA and sAA when expressed as percentages of healthy baseline norms have good potential for predicting self-reported URS in this cohort of elite under 18 soccer players. Rather than remain suppressed through symptoms, these markers were often then seen to rise by more than 40%. Creation of individual profiles of such salivary markers seems warranted for purposes of monitoring

Full color two-loop six-gluon all-plus helicity amplitude

We present the full color two-loop six-point all-plus Yang-Mills amplitude in compact analyticform. The computation uses four dimensional unitarity and augmented recursion

Color dressed unitarity and recursion for Yang-Mills two-loop all-plus amplitudes

We present a direct computation of the full color two-loop five-point all-plus Yang-Mills amplitude using four dimensional unitarity and recursion. We present the $SU(N_c)$ amplitudes in compact analytic forms.Our results match the explicit expressions previously computed but do not require full two-loopintegral methods

Investigating The Use of a Point Of Care Salivary IgG Test In The Sporting Environment

Introduction The use of salivary diagnostics within the sporting community has gathered momentum in recent years; with the identification of hormone levels to assist in the optimisation of workloads, or antibody levels to assess individual recovery status and potential immune suppression. Immediate feedback for coaching and support staff via a Point of Care (POC) test would give a significant time advantage over standard laboratory techniques, which often reveal data to sporting squads only days later. This paper assesses a new POC product developed by Ipro for the rapid determination of salivary IgG in comparison to standard laboratory ELISA determination. Methods A total of 45 saliva samples were taken from a cohort of English Premier League Senior and Academy soccer players (22.4 ±7.2 yrs) using IPRO OFC collection kits. The samples were taken during routine monitoring: before training sessions. The same samples were assessed immediately on a POC Lateral Flow Device (LFD) to determine salivary IgG concentrations and then taken to a laboratory for subsequent analysis via ELISA within 4 hours of collection. The measurement range for ELISA was 1.75 - 105 μg/ml and POC test 1.6 - 120 μg/ml. Results Four samples exceded maximum values on both platforms and were excluded from the analysis. The remaining salivary IgG concentrations measured via ELISA ranged from 7.26 - 57.54 μg/ml and with the LFD from 2.26 - 51.81 μg/ml, with the mean difference 7.90 μg/ml. The relationship between the salivary IgG values obtained using the ELISA and POC test was represented by the formula: y = 0.8305x – 3.8109, with R2 0.8107. Conclusion The POC test used in the sporting environment showed good agreement with the ELISA method for the determination of salivary IgG. Given the quick data turnaround and efficiency in terms of cost, it represents a suitable alternative method for use in sports teams

Magnetic ordering in TCNQ-based metal-organic frameworks with host-guest interactions

Host–guest interactions between the aromatic molecules benzene, toluene, aniline and nitrobenzene and the redox-active TCNQ-based metal–organic framework (MOF), Fe(TCNQ)(4,4′-bpy) (1) (TCNQ = 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane), have been found to modulate spontaneous magnetization behaviours at low temperatures. An analogous MOF, Mn(TCNQ)(4,4′-bpy) (2) with isotropic Mn(II) ions as well as the two-dimensional compound Fe(TCNQ)(DMF)2·2DMF (3·2DMF), were also prepared as models for studying the effects of single-ion magnetic anisotropy and structural distortion on spin canting. The results indicate guest-dependent long range magnetic ordering occurs at low temperatures, which correlates with the electrostatic and steric effects of the incorporated aromatic guests.U.S. Department of Energ

Influence of a montmorency cherry juice blend on indices of exercise-induced stress and upper respiratory tract symptoms following marathon running—a pilot investigation

Background: Prolonged exercise, such as marathon running, has been associated with an increase in respiratory mucosal inflammation. The aim of this pilot study was to examine the effects of Montmorency cherry juice on markers of stress, immunity and inflammation following a Marathon. Methods: Twenty recreational Marathon runners consumed either cherry juice (CJ) or placebo (PL) before and after a Marathon race. Markers of mucosal immunity secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), salivary cortisol, inflammation (CRP) and self-reported incidence and severity of upper respiratory tract symptoms (URTS) were measured before and following the race. Results: All variables except secretory IgA and IgG concentrations in saliva showed a significant time effect (P < 0.01). Serum CRP showed a significant interaction and treatment effect (P < 0.01). The CRP increase at 24 and 48 h post-Marathon was lower (P < 0.01) in the CJ group compared to PL group. Mucosal immunity and salivary cortisol showed no interaction effect or treatment effect. The incidence and severity of URTS was significantly greater than baseline at 24 h and 48 h following the race in the PL group and was also greater than the CJ group (P < 0.05). No URTS were reported in the CJ group whereas 50 % of runners in the PL group reported URTS at 24 h and 48 h post-Marathon. Conclusions: This is the first study that provides encouraging evidence of the potential role of Montmorency cherries in reducing the development of URTS post-Marathon possibly caused by exercise-induced hyperventilation trauma, and/or other infectious and non-infectious factors

Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo