Scalable ultra-sensitive detection of heterogeneity via coupled bistable dynamics

We demonstrate how the collective response of $N$ globally coupled bistable elements can strongly reflect the presence of very few non-identical elements in a large array of otherwise identical elements. Counter-intuitively, when there are a small number of elements with natural stable state different from the bulk of the elements, {\em all} the elements of the system evolve to the stable state of the minority due to strong coupling. The critical fraction of distinct elements needed to produce this swing shows a sharp transition with increasing $N$, scaling as $1/\sqrt{N}$. Furthermore, one can find a global bias that allows robust {\em one bit} sensitivity to heterogeneity. Importantly, the time needed to reach the attracting state does not increase with the system size. We indicate the relevance of this ultra-sensitive generic phenomenon for massively parallelized search applications.Comment: 4 Pages, 4 Figure

Contribution to the architecture and implementation of Bi-NoC routers for multi-synchronous GALS systems

Networks-on-Chip (NoC) is an emerging on-chip interconnection centric platform that influences the modern high speed communication infrastructure to improve on-chip communication challenges in the recent many core System-on-Chip (SoC) designs. Continuing shrinkage of feature dimensions of Nano-scale semiconductor devices has been raised serious concerns of the reliability, signal integrity, and quality of services (QoS) of traditional bus based on-chip interconnect infrastructure. NoC represents a major standard move to address these concerns by incorporating state-of-the-art of high-speed data network components (such as routers and switches) and packet-based routing protocols in novel on-chip network infrastructure. A NoC¿s aim is to provide a reliable on-chip communication platform to facilitate scalable gigascale SoC design. A multi-synchronous bi-directional NoC's router architecture is proposed in this thesis to enhance the performance of available on-chip communication platform. Using parameterized RTL implementation, we first divide microarchitecture into six blocks as multi-synchronous FIFO, Arbiters, Route Computation, Switch Allocator, Virtual channel Allocator, and Network Interface. Overall architecture of the proposed NoC router consists of five bi-directional ports which supports data transfer between two clock domain of completely arbitrary phase and frequency; and best suited for the Distributed Scalable Predictable Interconnect Networks (DSPIN). In this router, each communication channel allows itself to be dynamically reconfigured to transmit flits in either direction. This added flexibility promises better bandwidth utilization, lower packet delivery latency, and higher packet consumption rate. We first evaluated performances of each blocks in terms of power, area, and delay with optimizes these blocks to satisfy network key parameters, as well as the impact of allocation on overall network performance. Using structural modeling style and parametric Verilog HDL, all blocks are individually implemented, tested and verified. Finally, all individual blocks are combined to implement bi-directional router¿s architecture as a whole. Here, we vary the number of nodes for performance evaluation. A multi-synchronous bi-directional router microarchitecture have been implemented in this thesis, is sufficient to provide throughput challenges, interconnect issues, low latency and high bandwidth in the future Globally Asynchronous Locally Synchronous Systems (GALS) system. In concise, to enhance the performance of on-chip communications of GALS Systems, a dynamic reconfigurable multi-synchronous router architecture is proposed and implemented to increase the NoC efficiency with changing the path of the communication link in the runtime traffic situation. In order to address GALS issues and bandwidth requirements, the proposed multi-synchronous bidirectional NoC¿s router is developed and it gives reliable higher packet consumption rate, better bandwidth utilization with lower packet delivery latency. All the input/output ports of the proposed router behave as a bi-directional ports and communicate through a novel multi-synchronous first-in first-out (FIFO) buffer. The bidirectional port is controlled by a dynamic channel control module which provides a dynamic reconfigurable channel to the router itself and associated with sub-modules. This proposed multi-synchronous bidirectional router architecture is synthesized using Xilinx ISE 14.7 and FPGA Virtex 6 family device XC6VLX760 is considered as target technology. The performance of the proposed architecture is evaluated in terms of power, area, and delay.Las redes en chip (NoC) constituyen una plataforma de interconexión en chip emergente que influye en la moderna infraestructura de comunicación de alta velocidad para mejorar los desafíos de comunicación en chip de los recientes diseños de sistemas en chip (SoC). La continua reducción de las dimensiones de los dispositivos semiconductores a escala nanométrica ha planteado serias preocupaciones en cuanto a la fiabilidad, la integridad de la señal y la calidad de los servicios (QoS) de la infraestructura de interconexión en chip basada en canal tradicional. NoC representa un paso estándar importante para abordar estas cuestiones incorporando tecnología moderna de componentes de red de datos de alta velocidad (como enrutadores y conmutadores) y protocolos de enrutamiento basados en paquetes en la nueva infraestructura de red en chip. El objetivo de NoC es proporcionar una plataforma de comunicación en chip fiable para facilitar el diseño escalable de SoC. En esta tesis se propone una arquitectura de enrutador NoC bidireccional multi-síncrono para mejorar el rendimiento de la plataforma de comunicación en chip disponible. Utilizando una implementación RTL parametrizada, primero dividimos la microarquitectura en seis bloques como FIFO multi-síncrono, arbitradores, Cálculo de Rutas, Asignador de Conmutadores, Asignador de canales virtuales e Interfaz de Red. La arquitectura general del enrutador NoC propuesto consta de cinco puertos bidireccionales que soportan la transferencia de datos entre dos dominios de reloj de fase y frecuencia completamente arbitrarias; además, se muestra más adecuada para las Redes de Interconexión Predecibles Escalables y Distribuidas (DSPIN). En este enrutador, cada canal de comunicación permite ser reconfigurado dinámicamente para transmitir las unidades de control de flujo en cualquier dirección. Esta flexibilidad añadida promete una mejor utilización del ancho de banda, una menor latencia de entrega de paquetes y una mayor tasa de consumo de paquetes. Primero evaluamos las prestaciones de cada bloque en términos de potencia, área y retraso, optimizando estos bloques para satisfacer los parámetros clave de la red, así como el impacto de la asignación en el rendimiento general de la red. Utilizando el estilo de modelado estructural y el Verilog HDL paramétrico, todos los bloques se implementan, prueban y verifican individualmente. Finalmente, todos los bloques individuales se combinan para implementar la arquitectura de enrutador bidireccional como un todo. Aquí, variamos el número de nodos para la evaluación del rendimiento. En forma concisa, para mejorar el rendimiento de las comunicaciones en chip de los sistemas GALS, se propone e implementa una arquitectura de enrutador multi-síncrono reconfigurable dinámico para aumentar la eficiencia de NoC con el cambio de la ruta del enlace de comunicación en la situación de tráfico en tiempo de ejecución. Con el fin de abordar los problemas de GALS y los requisitos de la banda ancha, el enrutador de NoC bidireccional multi-síncrono propuesto se desarrolla y proporciona una mayor tasa de consumo de paquetes, una mejor utilización de la banda ancha con menor latencia de entrega de paquetes. Todos los puertos de entrada / salida del enrutador propuesto se comportan como puertos bidireccionales y se comunican a través de un nuevo búfer multi-síncrono de tipo FIFO (primera entrada primera salida). El puerto bidireccional es controlado por un módulo de control de canal dinámico que proporciona un canal reconfigurable dinámico al propio enrutador y asociado con sub-módulos. Esta propuesta arquitectura de enrutador bidireccional multi-síncrono se sintetiza utilizando Xilinx ISE 14.7 y el dispositivo FPGA Virtex 6 XC6VLX760 se considera como la tecnología objetivo. El rendimiento de la arquitectura propuesta se evalúa en términos de potencia, área y retraso

A multi-synchronous bi-directional NoC (MBiNoC) architecture with dynamic self-reconfigurable channel for the GALS infrastructure

Abstract To enhance the performance of on-chip communications of Globally Asynchronous Locally Synchronous Systems (GALS), a dynamic reconfigurable multi-synchronous router architecture is proposed to increase network on chip (NoC) efficiency by changing the path of the communication link in the runtime traffic situation. In order to address GALS issues and bandwidth requirements, the proposed multi-synchronous bidirectional NoC’s router is developed and it guarantees higher packet consumption rate, better bandwidth utilization with lower packet delivery latency. All the input/output ports of the proposed router behave as a bi-directional ports and communicate through a novel multi-synchronous first-in first-out (FIFO) buffer. The bidirectional port is controlled by a dynamic channel control module which provides a dynamic reconfigurable channel to the router itself and associated sub-modules. This proposed multi-synchronous bidirectional router architecture is synthesized using Xilinx ISE 14.7 and FPGA Virtex 6 family device XC6VLX760 is considered as target technology and its performance is evaluated in terms of power, area and delay.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Immunohistochemical evaluation of neuronal dysfunction in paediatric patients with Hirschsprung’s disease and allied disorder

Background: Neonatal bowel obstruction may result due to defect in the intestine wall which may be classified as neuropathic, myopathic or idiopathic types according to the pathological changes observed. The present study was conducted between September 2014 to December 2015 with the aim to study histomorphological changes and evaluate the role of various IHC markers (calretinin, S-100, CD117) in Hirschsprung’s disease (HD) to assess neuronal dysfunction in these patients.Methods: Thirty cases with clinical suspicion of HD were included in our study. The tissue sections were processed and wax blocks were prepared. Histopathological diagnosis was established on routine H and E. Representative sections were further subjected to IHC staining with calretinin, CD117 and S-100 protein. A descriptive study was carried out. Chi-square was used with P-value less than 0.05 accepted as statistically significant.Results: Out of 30 cases with clinical suspicion of HD, 13 cases were diagnosed as HD, 10 as Non-HD motility disorder whereas 7 were without any definitive diagnosis. All the cases were subjected to IHC staining using calretinin. Out of 13 cases diagnosed as HD, 1 case showed presence of ganglion cell using calretinin. All 7 equivocal cases were accurately diagnosed by calretinin. Thus 12 cases were confirmed HD while 18 were diagnosed as Non HD motility disorder. On statistical analysis, sensitivity (92.3%) of calretinin was lower than specificity (100%). Nerve bundle hypertrophy was observed in 11 cases of HD and 9 cases of Non-HD motility disorder using S-100 as an IHC marker. CD117 was used to demonstrate altered density and distribution of ICCs was statistically significant in cases of Non-HD motility disorder.Conclusions: IHC is being widely used as a reliable adjunctive test in evaluation of motility disorders of bowel. In view of its ease and reproducibility, it can be routinely used, avoiding need for repeated biopsies, and delay in treatment

Yield Evaluation of Nutrient-rich Potato Clones in High Hill of Nepal

A study was conducted to evaluate the yield of nutrient-rich potato clones in high-hill districts: Dolakha and Jumla of Nepal during the years 2013 and 2014, respectively. Fourteen potato clones were tested as on-station and on-farm experiments at both districts, and those fourteen clones were compared to ‘Lady Rosita' and ‘Jumli Local' respectively as the check varieties in the first year experiment, 2013. Eight promising clones were selected from the first year experiment, and were evaluated and compared with same local varieties in the consecutive year, 2014. Two clones namely; CIP 395112.32 (19.3 tha-1) and CIP 393073.179 (17.8 tha-1) exhibited superior marketable tuber yield than that of ‘Lady Rosita'(14.2 tha-1) in Dolakha and five CIP clones namely; 395112.32 (25.5 tha-1), 393073.179 (22.5 tha-1), 394611.112 (20.9 tha-1), 390478.9 (19.9 tha-1) and 395017.229 (17.0 tha-1) showed higher marketable tuber yield than ‘Jumli Local'(14.5 tha-1). Based on two years' phenotypic and tuber yield result, clones CIP 395112.32 and CIP 393073.179 are recommended to potato growers at high hills of Nepal for commercial cultivation.Journal of Nepal Agricultural Research Council Vol.3 2017: 6-1

Daily Bread: Women’s Self-Help Microfinance and the Social Meanings of Money

In this article we explore the impacts and implications of ‘Rojiroti’, a women’s self-help group (SHG) microfinance scheme operating in poor communities in Bihar, India. We focus particularly on how improvements found in women’s circumstances and in children’s health might result from Rojiroti SHG membership. Through data from five focus groups and 19 individual interviews with women in communities where Rojiroti operates, we discover how the scheme is regarded and how it affects women’s management of household budgets. Moreover, we explore the relational aspects of SHG microfinance and the ways that it can alter family and social dynamics. Drawing on notions of ‘earmarked’ money (Zelizer, 1997) and ‘safeguarded’ money (Wilkis, 2017), we argue that the money itself has meaning and non-pecuniary value in the form of other currencies including power and agency, which can lead to improved wellbeing and health of families

Nanostructures Technology, Research, and Applications

Contains reports on twenty-four research projects and a list of publications.Joint Services Electronics Program Grant DAAHO4-95-1-0038Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/Semiconductor Research Corporation SA1645-25508PGU.S. Army Research Office Grant DAAHO4-95-1-0564Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/U.S. Navy - Naval Air Systems Command Contract N00019-95-K-0131Suss Advanced Lithography P. O. 51668National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contract NAS8-38249National Aeronautics and Space Administration Grant NAGW-2003Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/U.S. Army Research Office Grant DAAHO4-951-05643M CorporationDefense Advanced Research Projects Agency/U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research Contract N66001-97-1-8909National Science Foundation Graduate FellowshipU.S. Army Research Office Contract DAAHO4-94-G-0377National Science Foundation Contract DMR-940034National Science Foundation Grant DMR 94-00334Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/U.S. Air Force - Office of Scientific Research Contract F49620-96-1-0126Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Contract SV630304National Aeronautics and Space Administration Grant NAG5-5105Los Alamos National Laboratory Contract E57800017-9GSouthwest Research Institute Contract 83832MIT Lincoln Laboratory Advanced Concepts ProgramMIT Lincoln Laboratory Contract BX-655

Spatial, temporal, and demographic patterns in prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019 : a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Ending the global tobacco epidemic is a defining challenge in global health. Timely and comprehensive estimates of the prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden are needed to guide tobacco control efforts nationally and globally. Methods We estimated the prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden for 204 countries and territories, by age and sex, from 1990 to 2019 as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study. We modelled multiple smoking-related indicators from 3625 nationally representative surveys. We completed systematic reviews and did Bayesian meta-regressions for 36 causally linked health outcomes to estimate non-linear dose-response risk curves for current and former smokers. We used a direct estimation approach to estimate attributable burden, providing more comprehensive estimates of the health effects of smoking than previously available. Findings Globally in 2019, 1.14 billion (95% uncertainty interval 1.13-1.16) individuals were current smokers, who consumed 7.41 trillion (7.11-7.74) cigarette-equivalents of tobacco in 2019. Although prevalence of smoking had decreased significantly since 1990 among both males (27.5% [26. 5-28.5] reduction) and females (37.7% [35.4-39.9] reduction) aged 15 years and older, population growth has led to a significant increase in the total number of smokers from 0.99 billion (0.98-1.00) in 1990. Globally in 2019, smoking tobacco use accounted for 7.69 million (7.16-8.20) deaths and 200 million (185-214) disability-adjusted life-years, and was the leading risk factor for death among males (20.2% [19.3-21.1] of male deaths). 6.68 million [86.9%] of 7.69 million deaths attributable to smoking tobacco use were among current smokers. Interpretation In the absence of intervention, the annual toll of 7.69 million deaths and 200 million disability-adjusted life-years attributable to smoking will increase over the coming decades. Substantial progress in reducing the prevalence of smoking tobacco use has been observed in countries from all regions and at all stages of development, but a large implementation gap remains for tobacco control. Countries have a dear and urgent opportunity to pass strong, evidence-based policies to accelerate reductions in the prevalence of smoking and reap massive health benefits for their citizens. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

Spatial, temporal, and demographic patterns in prevalence of chewing tobacco use in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019 : a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Interpretation Chewing tobacco remains a substantial public health problem in several regions of the world, and predominantly in south Asia. We found little change in the prevalence of chewing tobacco use between 1990 and 2019, and that control efforts have had much larger effects on the prevalence of smoking tobacco use than on chewing tobacco use in some countries. Mitigating the health effects of chewing tobacco requires stronger regulations and policies that specifically target use of chewing tobacco, especially in countries with high prevalence. Findings In 2019, 273 center dot 9 million (95% uncertainty interval 258 center dot 5 to 290 center dot 9) people aged 15 years and older used chewing tobacco, and the global age-standardised prevalence of chewing tobacco use was 4 center dot 72% (4 center dot 46 to 5 center dot 01). 228 center dot 2 million (213 center dot 6 to 244 center dot 7; 83 center dot 29% [82 center dot 15 to 84 center dot 42]) chewing tobacco users lived in the south Asia region. Prevalence among young people aged 15-19 years was over 10% in seven locations in 2019. Although global agestandardised prevalence of smoking tobacco use decreased significantly between 1990 and 2019 (annualised rate of change: -1 center dot 21% [-1 center dot 26 to -1 center dot 16]), similar progress was not observed for chewing tobacco (0 center dot 46% [0 center dot 13 to 0 center dot 79]). Among the 12 highest prevalence countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palau, Sri Lanka, and Yemen), only Yemen had a significant decrease in the prevalence of chewing tobacco use, which was among males between 1990 and 2019 (-0 center dot 94% [-1 center dot 72 to -0 center dot 14]), compared with nine of 12 countries that had significant decreases in the prevalence of smoking tobacco. Among females, none of these 12 countries had significant decreases in prevalence of chewing tobacco use, whereas seven of 12 countries had a significant decrease in the prevalence of tobacco smoking use for the period. Summary Background Chewing tobacco and other types of smokeless tobacco use have had less attention from the global health community than smoked tobacco use. However, the practice is popular in many parts of the world and has been linked to several adverse health outcomes. Understanding trends in prevalence with age, over time, and by location and sex is important for policy setting and in relation to monitoring and assessing commitment to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Methods We estimated prevalence of chewing tobacco use as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 using a modelling strategy that used information on multiple types of smokeless tobacco products. We generated a time series of prevalence of chewing tobacco use among individuals aged 15 years and older from 1990 to 2019 in 204 countries and territories, including age-sex specific estimates. We also compared these trends to those of smoked tobacco over the same time period. Findings In 2019, 273 & middot;9 million (95% uncertainty interval 258 & middot;5 to 290 & middot;9) people aged 15 years and older used chewing tobacco, and the global age-standardised prevalence of chewing tobacco use was 4 & middot;72% (4 & middot;46 to 5 & middot;01). 228 & middot;2 million (213 & middot;6 to 244 & middot;7; 83 & middot;29% [82 & middot;15 to 84 & middot;42]) chewing tobacco users lived in the south Asia region. Prevalence among young people aged 15-19 years was over 10% in seven locations in 2019. Although global age standardised prevalence of smoking tobacco use decreased significantly between 1990 and 2019 (annualised rate of change: -1 & middot;21% [-1 & middot;26 to -1 & middot;16]), similar progress was not observed for chewing tobacco (0 & middot;46% [0 & middot;13 to 0 & middot;79]). Among the 12 highest prevalence countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palau, Sri Lanka, and Yemen), only Yemen had a significant decrease in the prevalence of chewing tobacco use, which was among males between 1990 and 2019 (-0 & middot;94% [-1 & middot;72 to -0 & middot;14]), compared with nine of 12 countries that had significant decreases in the prevalence of smoking tobacco. Among females, none of these 12 countries had significant decreases in prevalence of chewing tobacco use, whereas seven of 12 countries had a significant decrease in the prevalence of tobacco smoking use for the period. Interpretation Chewing tobacco remains a substantial public health problem in several regions of the world, and predominantly in south Asia. We found little change in the prevalence of chewing tobacco use between 1990 and 2019, and that control efforts have had much larger effects on the prevalence of smoking tobacco use than on chewing tobacco use in some countries. Mitigating the health effects of chewing tobacco requires stronger regulations and policies that specifically target use of chewing tobacco, especially in countries with high prevalence. Copyright (c) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe

Measuring progress and projecting attainment on the basis of past trends of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals in 188 countries: an analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are grounded in the global ambition of “leaving no one behind”. Understanding today’s gains and gaps for the health-related SDGs is essential for decision makers as they aim to improve the health of populations. As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2016 (GBD 2016), we measured 37 of the 50 health-related SDG indicators over the period 1990–2016 for 188 countries, and then on the basis of these past trends, we projected indicators to 2030