A Unified Approach for Performance Degradation Analysis from Transistor to Gate Level

In this paper, we present an extensive analysis of the performance degradation in MOSFET based circuits. The physical effects that we consider are the random dopant fluctuation (RDF), the oxide thickness fluctuation (OTF) and the Hot-carrier-Instability (HCI). The work that we propose is based on two main key points: First, the performance degradation is studied considering BULK, Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) and Double Gate (DG) MOSFET technologies. The analysis considers technology nodes from 45nm to 11nm. For the HCI effect we consider also the time-dependent evolution of the parameters of the circuit. Second, the analysis is performed from transistor level to gate level. Models are used to evaluate the variation of transistors key parameters, and how these variation affects performance at gate level as well.The work here presented was obtained using TAMTAMS Web, an open and publicly available framework for analysis of circuits based on transistors. The use of TAMTAMS Web greatly increases the value of this work, given that the analysis can be easily extended and improved in both complexity and depth

Current Clinical Practices in Pakistan and Hospital Pharmacist’s Perception towards Their Role: A Qualitative Approach

The professional role of the pharmacist in hospital setting is changing from a focus on preparation of medication to patient oriented approach and now pharmacist assists the patient to get best possible results from medication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of hospital pharmacists towards their role in the healthcare system of Pakistan. A qualitative study design was adopted. Face to face interviews were conducted using a semi structure interview guide. A total of nineteen interviews were conducted and become the part of the study. All the interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed for its content. Thematic content analysis yielded five major themes: 1) perception regarding pharmacist-patient interaction, 2) perception towards reducing prescription errors, 3) perception towards pharmacy curriculum, 4) perception towards pharmacist engagement in hospital policies, and 5) perception regarding clinical role of pharmacists.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Study of drug release retardant capability of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and carbopol in matrix tablets

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of nature of polymers like HPMC, carbopol-934P and their content levels on the release profiles of water soluble drug, diclofenac potassium. For this purpose, different tablets were prepared by wet granulation technique using HPMC-K15, carbopol-934P and blends of HPMC with carbopol-934P. Release kinetics was evaluated using USP apparatus II at 50 rpm in phosphate buffer pH 6.8 for 12 h. HPMC showed less release retardant effect compared to carbopol-934P at same concentration, while blends of these polymers gave an intermediate release profile, i.e. decreasing the quantity of carbopol-934P while increasing the amount of HPMC, increased the release of drug from matrix tablets. The release retarding capacity of two used polymers is as follows: Carbopol- 934P > HPMC-K15. Formulations containing HPMC exhibited first order release, while all other formulations showed zero order pattern. Present study showed that drug release retardant effect of carbopol was higher as compared to HPMC. It also confirmed that release rate of drug is mainly controlled by drugpolymer ratios.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Current Clinical Practices in Pakistan and Hospital Pharmacist’s Perception towards Their Role: A Qualitative Approach

The professional role of the pharmacist in hospital setting is changing from a focus on preparation of medication to patient oriented approach and now pharmacist assists the patient to get best possible results from medication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of hospital pharmacists towards their role in the healthcare system of Pakistan. A qualitative study design was adopted. Face to face interviews were conducted using a semi structure interview guide. A total of nineteen interviews were conducted and become the part of the study. All the interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed for its content. Thematic content analysis yielded five major themes: 1) perception regarding pharmacist-patient interaction, 2) perception towards reducing prescription errors, 3) perception towards pharmacy curriculum, 4) perception towards pharmacist engagement in hospital policies, and 5) perception regarding clinical role of pharmacists.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

HPLC profile of phenolic acids and flavonoids of Ocimum sanctum and O. basilicum

This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC), as well as the phenolic profile of two species of O. sanctum (OS) and O. basilicum (OB). The TPC, TFC, and cultivated sanctum's phenolic profiles were similar. The TPC of OS and OB produced 386 and 383 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per 100 g, whereas 201 and 203 mg quercetin equivalent (QE) per 100 g of the extract was obtained during the TFC assay. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined by scavenging of DPPH radicals with an inconsiderable difference. HPLC techniques separated the individual phenolic acids and flavonoids. Phenolic acids (gallic, caffeic, ferulic, sinapic, and syringic) and flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin, rutin, apigenin, and kaempferol) were commonly identified and quantified in the chromatogram of OS and OB. The maximum gallic acid and quercetin content were found among phenolic acids and flavonoids. The maximum yield of quercetin was analyzed in both extracts

Effect of organic and inorganic regimes on growth, production and quality characteristics of cauliflower

Increasing crop yield through balanced use of fertilizers in combination with organic acids is a need of the time to limit the use of costly chemical fertilizers as well as to minimize the environmental pollution in Pakistan.This trial aimed to investigate the benefits of organic and inorganic regimes application on growth, yield and quality of cauliflower. In this study, organic (Farmyard manure (FYM), Poultry manure (PM), Spent mushroom Compost (SMC) at the rate of (15:3:6 t ha-1), inorganic (NPK @ 100:60:60 kg ha1) regimes and Cauliflower cultivars (Kohat local, Hollywood, Lucky, White beauty and Pearl) were used. The organic regime showed highest value for number of leaves plant-1, leaf area, chlorophyll content, plant height, curd diameter, curd weight, curd dry matter content and total yield of the cauliflower. Regarding cultivars, the minimum days to germination, maximum number of leaves plant-1, chlorophyll content, curd diameter, curd weight, curd dry matter content and total yield were recorded in cultivar Lucky. While cultivar White beauty showed maximum leaf area, plant height and curd pH. From the results it is concluded that cultivar Lucky performed well in organic regimes and recommended for better quality and high yield production in Peshawar valley.111

Agro-morphological and genetic diversity studies in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm using microsatellite markers

Background Knowledge of the genetic diversity and population structure of germplasm collections is an important foundation for crop improvement. Rice production across a broad range of rice-growing environments results in a diverse array of local rice varieties. Many rice varieties have been lost as a result of biodiversity loss and are now grown in Pakistan. Methods and results To protect the biodiversity of rice varieties, an experiment was carried out to check the genetic and morphological variations between 8 exotic and 7 local rice genotypes, using 5 different SSR markers, i.e., RM3, RM259, RM341, RM520, and RM11943. The analysis of morphological and quality traits of rice observed significant variation across genotypes. The results revealed that genotype Irri-Pak attained the highest plant height and primary branch plant-1, while genotype Mushkan produced a higher number of productive tillers and obtained a higher fertility factor (%). Similarly, the highest value for panicle length was observed for genotype Faker-e-Malakand, 1000-grains weight in genotype Calmochi, and maximum days to maturity was noticed in genotype Swati-2014. Moreover, the genotype Brio attained the highest value of stem diameter, while maximum seed length was noted in the genotype Sug Dasi. The highest number of primary branches plant(-1) in genotype Ibge-I and secondary branches plant(-1) in genotype Calmochi were noticed. A higher concentration of sodium and potassium was observed for the genotype Marte, while the genotype Muskan attained the maximum content of copper. Moreover, the highest concentration of iron in genotype Originario, zinc in genotype JP-5, and cadmium content were noticed in genotype Ibge. Similarly, the dendrogram analysis for quantitative parameters showed three clusters at 74.13% similarities. Whereas all the genotypes of European origin formed a separate cluster. A set of 5 simple sequence repeat primers, covering four chromosomes, amplified a total of 14 alleles and showed 100% polymorphism with an average PIC value ranging from 0.39 to 0.91. The UPGMA cluster analysis separated the 15 rice genotypes into 3 main groups based on 32.5% similarities and the highest genetic distance (45.1%) was observed between two genotypes (Fakher-e-malakand and Musa), having different geographical origins. There was no genetic distance between the genotypes Marte and Brio, irrespective of having the same origin. Conclusions The maximum genetic distances were noted for genotype, Fakhre-e-Malakand and Musa having a different origin, while the minimum genetic distance was shown by genotypes, Marte and Onice, from the same origin.Peer reviewe

Measurement of natural frequency and mechanical damping of thin brass diaphragm by pulsed laser generated vibrations

Damped harmonic oscillator model based fitting of nanosecond pulsed laser induced amplitude variations of clamped vibrating circular plate is used to estimate the mechanical damping and natural frequency of the sample in current work. Laser Pulses of 50 mJ energy, 20 ns duration, and focused at a spot of 4 mm diameter at the center of the circular thin brass sheet of 100 µm thickness is used to generate vibrations in the target. Quadrature Michelson interferometer (QMI) with CW laser focused on the opposite side of the target surface is used to measure the amplitude of vibrations. Variations of fringe frequencies are identified in the frequency domain. Finite element based numerical modal analyses are also performed in ANSYS Workbench for the verification of experimental results for the same geometry and materials. Experimental frequencies of vibrations are found to match nearly 2 percent of FEM modes. Moreover, Elastic parameters are also found using the first two mode frequencies and a reasonable agreement is observed while comparing with the elastic parameter data of brass. Current work in itself is a unique attempt of getting mechanical parameters for the determination of elastic parameters in a single laser pulse impulse excited measurement for thin clamped targets

Cadmium phytotoxicity: issues, progress, environmental concerns and future perspectives

Cadmium, a high toxicity element, is a potential threat to plant and human health, and a dangerous pollutant in the environment. Uptake and accumulation by crops represent the main entry pathway for potentially health-threatening toxic metals into human and animal food. Crops and other plants take up Cd from the soil or water and may distribute it in their roots and shoots. Soil and/or water are usually contaminated with Cd through natural sources, industrial effluent, and anthropogenic activities. In this review, the sources of Cd contamination, evaluation of the phytotoxic effects on plants, and mode of action of Cd toxicity, were summarized. Plant defensive strategies upon excess Cd are also considered in this review. Cd-induced effects include oxidative stress, disintegration of the photosynthetic apparatus, reduction in gas exchange parameters, nutrient imbalance, and subcellular organelle degradation. In addition, Cd severely impairs biomolecules such as DNA, protein, and lipids. Although plants are sessile in nature, they are equipped with certain mechanisms to cope with unfavorable conditions. These mechanisms include synthesis of metal-helating proteins, expression of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, organic acids, and plant root–mycorrhiza association. The built-in system of plant tolerance to Cd can be further enhanced by the application of exogenous organic and inorganic metal sources. This review will broaden the knowledge about the Cd accumulation in plants and the responses to metal exposure, as well as our understanding of metal tolerance and overcoming this serious issue for sustainable agriculture and human health worldwide. Highlights Cd accumulation has harmful effects in an organism. Cd has been listed 7th out of 275 compounds in the priority list of hazardous materials. Cd remains in the soil for 15–1100 years. Plants usually imply certain strategies to overcome Cd toxicity. Plants built-in systems can be enhanced to overwhelmed this problem.Cadmium, a high toxicity element, is a potential threat to plant and human health, and a dangerous pollutant in the environment. Uptake and accumulation by crops represent the main entry pathway for potentially health-threatening toxic metals into human and animal food. Crops and other plants take up Cd from the soil or water and may distribute it in their roots and shoots. Soil and/or water are usually contaminated with Cd through natural sources, industrial effluent, and anthropogenic activities. In this review, the sources of Cd contamination, evaluation of the phytotoxic effects on plants, and mode of action of Cd toxicity, were summarized. Plant defensive strategies upon excess Cd are also considered in this review. Cd-induced effects include oxidative stress, disintegration of the photosynthetic apparatus, reduction in gas exchange parameters, nutrient imbalance, and subcellular organelle degradation. In addition, Cd severely impairs biomolecules such as DNA, protein, and lipids. Although plants are sessile in nature, they are equipped with certain mechanisms to cope with unfavorable conditions. These mechanisms include synthesis of metal-helating proteins, expression of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, organic acids, and plant root–mycorrhiza association. The built-in system of plant tolerance to Cd can be further enhanced by the application of exogenous organic and inorganic metal sources. This review will broaden the knowledge about the Cd accumulation in plants and the responses to metal exposure, as well as our understanding of metal tolerance and overcoming this serious issue for sustainable agriculture and human health worldwide. Highlights Cd accumulation has harmful effects in an organism. Cd has been listed 7th out of 275 compounds in the priority list of hazardous materials. Cd remains in the soil for 15–1100 years. Plants usually imply certain strategies to overcome Cd toxicity. Plants built-in systems can be enhanced to overwhelmed this problem

Genetic diversity among tomato accessions based on agro-morphological traits

It is of great importance to know about the genetic diversity, conservation and classification for further utilization of tomato germplasm resources. Therefore, 40 tomato accessions were evaluated on the basic of agro-morphological traits for genetic diversity in 2014. The experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm, University of Haripur and farmer field in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Principal component analysis showed that five out of 27 principal components with an eigenvalue above 1.0 were considered for 74.10% of the total variance. The major contributing traits in variations were days to flowering (DFL), days to fruiting (DFR), fruit size (FS), fruit weight plant-1 (FW), yield plot-1 (YPP), yield hectare-1 (YPH), leaf length (LL), predominant fruit shape (PDFS), fruit length (FL), fruit width (FWidth), clusters plant-1 (CPP), fruits plant‑1 (FPP) and plant height (PH). The scattered plot of the PC’s revealed that the accessions were scattered in all the quarters, which is also a representative that high level of genetic variability was present. FW and FL were positively correlated with YPH. However, the remaining yield components indirectly contributed YPH. Cluster analysis divided 40 accessions into four main clusters (I, II, III and IV), each of which having 12, 11, 07 and 10 accessions. The accessions in clusters I and II were statistically similar and performed better in terms of yield and yield related traits. Grouping into different clusters was associated with their agro-morphological differences. These results could be serving as a useful resource for further characterization, preservation and breeding programs