Towards Structural Testing of Superconductor Electronics

Many of the semiconductor technologies are already\ud facing limitations while new-generation data and\ud telecommunication systems are implemented. Although in\ud its infancy, superconductor electronics (SCE) is capable of\ud handling some of these high-end tasks. We have started a\ud defect-oriented test methodology for SCE, so that reliable\ud systems can be implemented in this technology. In this\ud paper, the details of the study on the Rapid Single-Flux\ud Quantum (RSFQ) process are presented. We present\ud common defects in the SCE processes and corresponding\ud test methodologies to detect them. The (measurement)\ud results prove that we are able to detect possible random\ud defects for statistical purposes in yield analysis. This\ud paper also presents possible test methodologies for RSFQ\ud circuits based on defect oriented testing (DOT)

The Detection of Defects in a Niobium Tri-layer Process

Niobium (Nb) LTS processes are emerging as the technology for future ultra high-speed systems especially in the digital domain. As the number of Josephson Junctions (JJ) per chip has recently increased to around 90000, the quality of the process has to be assured so as to realize these complex circuits. Until now, very little or no information is available in the literature on how to achieve this. In this paper we present an approach and results of a study conducted on an RSFQ process. Measurements and SEM inspection were carried out on sample chips and a list of possible defects has been identified and described in detail. We have also developed test-structures for detection of the top-ranking defects, which will be used for yield analysis and the determination of the probability distribution of faults in the process. A test chip has been designed, based on the results of this study, and certain types of defects were introduced in the design to study the behavior of faulty junctions and interconnections

Testability issues in superconductor electronics

An emerging technology for solutions in high-end applications in computing and telecommunication is superconductor electronics. A system-level study has been carried out to verify the feasibility of DfT in superconductor electronics. In this paper, we present how this can be realized to monitor so-called single-flux quantum pulses. As a part of our research, test structures have been developed to detect structural defects in this technology. We also show detailed test results of those structures. It proves that it is possible to detect possible random defects and provide defect statistics for the Niobium-based fabrication process

Effect of vaginal pH on efficacy of dinoprostone gel for labour induction

Background: Induction of labour is defined as an intervention designed to artificially initiate uterine contractions leading to progressive dilatation and effacement of the cervix and birth of the baby. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of vaginal pH on the efficacy of dinoprostone gel for labor induction.Methods: A prospective study conducted on 200 subjects within 1 year in India. The Bishop score and vaginal pH (with pH paper, Sigma Chemical Company, St. Louis, USA) of subjects undergoing induction of labor with dinoprostone gel was assessed prior induction. After 6 hours of induction, PGE2 gel was repeated or labor was augmented. The vaginal pH measured was compared with age, parity, Bishop Score, time to enter into active phase of labor, and the mode of delivery. The significance of association was calculated by Chi-square test.Results: Majority subjects had pH in the range 5-6.Subjects with higher parity were associated with higher vaginal ph. Higher vaginal pH was associated with a higher Bishop score prior to induction, responded to single induction, and had a higher  number of vaginal deliveries than those with lower vaginal pH. There was no significant association found in vaginal pH and the time taken to enter into active phase of labor. Subjects with pregnancy induced hypertension were found to have higher vaginal ph.Conclusions: Parity influences vaginal pH and vaginal pH itself has a significant effect on the Bishop Score prior induction. Hence knowing the vaginal pH prior induction could be a useful tool to assess the labor outcome in induction with PGE2

Novel cis-trans interactions are involved in post-transcriptional regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1/CIP1 mRNA

BACKGROUND: A variety of pathways target CDKI p21WAF1/CIP1 expression at transcriptional, post-transcriptional as well as translational levels. We previously found that cell growth suppressing retinoid CD437 enhanced expression of p21WAF1/CIP1 and DNA damage inducible GADD45 proteins in part by elevating their mRNA stability. RESULTS: Here, we investigated molecular mechanisms of CD437-dependent post-transcriptional regulation of p21WAF1/CIP1 expression. By utilizing MDA-MB-468 HBC cells expressing chimeric rabbit beta-globin-p21WAF1/CIP1 transcripts we mapped multiple CD437-responsive sequences located within positions 1195 to 1795 of the 3\u27-untranslated region of p21WAF1/CIP1 mRNA. Several cytoplasmic proteins present in MDA-MB-468, MCF-7 HBC as well as HL-60R leukemia cells bound specifically, in vitro, with these CD437-responsive sequences. CD437 treatment of cells resulted in elevated binding of ~85 kD and ~55 kD cytoplasmic proteins with putative CD437-responsive sequences. A 12 nt RNA sequence (5\u27-UGUGGUGGCACA-3\u27) present within CD437-responsive region of p21WAF1/CIP1 mRNA displayed specific and elevated binding with the above noted proteins. Treatment of cells with ActD or CHX prior to CD437 exposure did not abrogate RNA-protein interactions. However, treatment of cytoplasmic protein extracts with proteinase K or alkaline phosphatase resulted in loss of RNA-protein interactions. CONCLUSIONS: CD437 regulates cell growth in part by regulating stability of p21WAF1/CIP1 mRNA that involves specific RNA-protein interactions that are phosphorylation-dependent, while not requiring nascent transcription or protein synthesis

Novel cis-trans interactions are involved in post-transcriptional regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21\u3csup\u3eWAF1/CIP1 \u3c/sup\u3emRNA

Abstract Background A variety of pathways target CDKI p21WAF1/CIP1 expression at transcriptional, post-transcriptional as well as translational levels. We previously found that cell growth suppressing retinoid CD437 enhanced expression of p21WAF1/CIP1 and DNA damage inducible GADD45 proteins in part by elevating their mRNA stability. Results Here, we investigated molecular mechanisms of CD437-dependent post-transcriptional regulation of p21WAF1/CIP1 expression. By utilizing MDA-MB-468 HBC cells expressing chimeric rabbit β-globin-p21WAF1/CIP1 transcripts we mapped multiple CD437-responsive sequences located within positions 1195 to 1795 of the 3\u27-untranslated region of p21WAF1/CIP1 mRNA. Several cytoplasmic proteins present in MDA-MB-468, MCF-7 HBC as well as HL-60R leukemia cells bound specifically, in vitro, with these CD437-responsive sequences. CD437 treatment of cells resulted in elevated binding of ~85 kD and ~55 kD cytoplasmic proteins with putative CD437-responsive sequences. A 12 nt RNA sequence (5\u27-UGUGGUGGCACA-3\u27) present within CD437-responsive region of p21WAF1/CIP1 mRNA displayed specific and elevated binding with the above noted proteins. Treatment of cells with ActD or CHX prior to CD437 exposure did not abrogate RNA-protein interactions. However, treatment of cytoplasmic protein extracts with proteinase K or alkaline phosphatase resulted in loss of RNA-protein interactions. Conclusions CD437 regulates cell growth in part by regulating stability of p21WAF1/CIP1 mRNA that involves specific RNA-protein interactions that are phosphorylation-dependent, while not requiring nascent transcription or protein synthesis

Energy Efficient Strategies and Renewable Energy Technologies for Desalination

ABSTRACT Energy is often the most significant factor in the affordability and sustainability of treating various different source waters with reverse osmosis membrane facilities. More than 33% of the cost to produce water using reverse osmosis (RO) technology is attributed to electrical demands. The largest energy-consuming component of the overall treatment are the high pressure pumps required to feed water to the process. Because of the high energy burden and production of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, renewable energy is being increasingly considered for desalination projects. The selection of the appropriate renewable energy resource depends on several factors, including plant size, feed water salinity, remoteness, availability of grid electricity, technical infrastructure, and the type and potential of the local renewable energy resource. The cost of desalination with renewable energy resources, as opposed to desalination with conventional energy sources, can be an important alternative to consider when reduced environmental impact and lower gas emissions are required. Considering the proposed climate protection targets that have been set and the strong environmental drivers for lowered energy usage, future water desalination and advanced water treatment systems around the world could be increasingly powered by renewable energy resources. In addition to renewables, energy optimization/minimization is deemed critical to desalting resource management. Methods employed include enhanced system design, high efficiency pumping, energy recovery devices and use of advanced membrane materials

A novel mechanism of cell growth regulation by Cell Cycle and Apoptosis Regulatory Protein (CARP)-1

Abstract Background CARP-1/CCAR1, a perinuclear phospho-protein, regulates signaling by adriamycin, steroids, or growth factors. However, intracellular events that regulate CARP-1-dependent cell growth are not fully understood. Results Here we investigated whether CARP-1 is involved in signaling induced by the protein kinase A inhibitor H89. Treatments of human breast cancer cells with H89 resulted in apoptosis that involved enhanced CARP-1 threonine phosphorylation and expression. Depletion of CARP-1, on the other hand, abrogates apoptosis induced by H89. CARP-1 binds with signal transducer TAZ and over-expression of TAZ inhibits apoptosis by CARP-1. CARP-1 (651-759) interacts with a novel, N-terminal epitope of TAZ. H89 treatment stimulates threonine phosphorylation of CARP-1 (651-759), while substitution of threonine667 to alanine interferes with its binding with TAZ and apoptosis by H89. In addition, expression of wild type or CARP-1 (651-759) causes loss of c-myc expression due, in part, to suppression of c-myc transcription. Conclusions CARP-1 threonine667 regulates H89-dependent signaling by a novel pathway that involves modulation of CARP-1 interaction with TAZ and transcriptional down-regulation of c-myc

Design and manufacture of a novel system to simulate the biomechanics of basic and pitching shoulder motion

Objectives: Cadaveric models of the shoulder evaluate discrete motion segments using the glenohumeral joint in isolation over a defined trajectory. The aim of this study was to design, manufacture and validate a robotic system to accurately create three-dimensional movement of the upper body and capture it using high-speed motion cameras. Methods: In particular, we intended to use the robotic system to simulate the normal throwing motion in an intact cadaver. The robotic system consists of a lower frame (to move the torso) and an upper frame (to move an arm) using seven actuators. The actuators accurately reproduced planned trajectories. The marker setup used for motion capture was able to determine the six degrees of freedom of all involved joints during the planned motion of the end effector. Results: The testing system demonstrated high precision and accuracy based on the expected versus observed displacements of individual axes. The maximum coefficient of variation for displacement of unloaded axes was less than 0.5% for all axes. The expected and observed actual displacements had a high level of correlation with coefficients of determination of 1.0 for all axes. Conclusions: Given that this system can accurately simulate and track simple and complex motion, there is a new opportunity to study kinematics of the shoulder under normal and pathological conditions in a cadaveric shoulder model