Design for Manufacturing of Electro-Mechanical Assemblies in the Aerospace Industry

Electronic design engineers struggle continuously to obtain a satisfactory trade-off between item performance and cost. On one hand, they would like to employ the best material and components available on the market and opt for time-consuming manufacturing processes in order to obtain high-performance parts. On the other hand, such choice would lead to high recurring cost making the part less attractive in the market. In this scenario, industrial engineering team becomes a crucial industrial entity. It assists the Design Engineers by providing design rules or guidelines. This guidance is intended to provide recommendation to the development team in order to define what is technically feasible and achievable inside an industrial process contest. These rules should not be too strict in order to guarantee acceptable part performance and therefore market attractiveness. The rules contain guidelines on mechanical, process and material aspects. This chapter will focus on design for manufacturing of electro-mechanical parts for the aerospace industry typically being a high-end and high-performance part. Nevertheless, cost and time remain a key aspect to guarantee. The effects of such rules on mechanical and electrical performance will be highlighted and discusses, with a specific focus ion high frequency electrical assemblies (1–30 GHz). It will also contain a review on microelectronic production techniques that impact on the part’s electrical performance

UWB Circuits and Sub-Systems for Aerospace, Defence and Security Applications

In order to maintain technological superiority over other systems, modern equipment for aerospace, defence and security (ADS) applications require advanced integrated circuits operating at microwave and millimetre wave frequencies. High integration is necessary to obtain low SWaP-C features thus enabling the installation of this category of equipment in unfriendly environments: compact spaces, and subject to heavy mechanical loads and temperature stress. This chapter reviews the topology, technology and trends of microwave circuits in UWB systems for ADS applications. Amplification at high frequency is a crucial function: high power amplifiers in the transmit (Tx) chain and low-noise amplifiers in the receive (Rx) chain will be revised, in addition to medium-power (gain) amps. Signal conditioning and routing is also essential: MIMO architecture are becoming the standard and therefore switching and signal phasing and attenuation is increasingly needed, to obtain the desired beam steering and shaping. Each type of circuits leverages the benefits of either gallium nitride (GaN) or gallium arsenide (GaAs), and the role of the semiconductor will be explained. Finally, an outline on multi-functional circuits (single-chip front-ends and core-chips) will be presented: the trend is to realize the whole microwave section of a Tx/Rx module with only to MMICs that perform all the functionalities requested at microwave frequencies

Ultralow-Power Digital Control and Signal Conditioning in GaAs MMIC Core Chip for X-Band AESA Systems

This work presents the design and characterization of an ultralow-power core chip for electronically scanned arrays at X-band, implemented in 0.25-/0.5-μm E-/D-mode gallium arsenide (GaAs) pHEMT technology. In particular, design details are given about the two core functional blocks embedded in the microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC): a 12-bit phase and amplitude control circuit and an 18-bit serial-to-parallel (S2P) interface. The S2P interface was designed resorting to a custom symmetric device model, expressly conceived for the time-domain simulations required for digital circuits. Due to the adoption of a differential structure with resistive pull-ups, it achieves a state-of-the-art power consumption of 2.2 mW/bit and nearly 87% yield. The analog circuit includes a 6-bit phase shifter (PS) and a 6-bit attenuator. To mitigate risks, two different PS architectures have been developed and are compared in this work, discussing advantages and drawbacks of the different solutions. Since the two designs share the same target specifications, a truly fair comparison can be made not only in terms of performance but also concerning robustness and repeatability, thus providing useful guidelines for the selection of the most appropriate strategy. In particular, it is shown that one architecture outperforms the other by about 2 dB and 1.5° in terms of insertion loss and rms phase error, respectively

Stacked or folded? impact of chelate cooperativity on the self-assembly pathway to helical nanotubes from dinucleobase monomers

Self-assembled nanotubes exhibit impressive biological functions that have always inspired supramolecular scientists in their efforts to develop strategies to build such structures from small molecules through a bottom-up approach. One of these strategies employs molecules endowed with self-recognizing motifs at the edges, which can undergo either cyclization-stacking or folding-polymerization processes that lead to tubular architectures. Which of these self-assembly pathways is ultimately selected by these molecules is, however, often difficult to predict and even to evaluate experimentally. We show here a unique example of two structurally related molecules substituted with complementary nucleobases at the edges (i.e., G:C and A:U) for which the supramolecular pathway taken is determined by chelate cooperativity, that is, by their propensity to assemble in specific cyclic structures through Watson-Crick pairing. Because of chelate cooperativities that differ in several orders of magnitude, these molecules exhibit distinct supramolecular scenarios prior to their polymerization that generate self-assembled nanotubes with different internal monomer arrangements, either stacked or coiled, which lead at the same time to opposite helicities and chiroptical propertiesFunding from the European Research Council (ERC-Starting Grant 279548 PROGRAM-NANO) MCIN (RED2018- 102331-T, PID2020-116921GB-I00, and TED2021-132602BI00), the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (PRIN project prot. 2017A4XRCA_003), the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports of the Czech Republic (CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_019/0000754, e-INFRA CZ (ID:90254)), the Swedish Research Council (2018- 4343), and the Swedish e-Science Research Centre (SeRC) is gratefully acknowledged. The authors also acknowledge the provision of supercomputer resources from the Swedish National Infrastructure for Computing (SNIC). F.A. is grateful to MCIN and Next Generation EU funding for a “Ramon-yCajal” fellowship (RyC-2021-031538-I). A.dJ. is grateful to EU funding from a MSCA-IEF action (897507-SuprAlloCat

Epidemiology of Human Parvovirus 4 Infection in Sub-Saharan Africa

Human parvovirus 4 infections are primarily associated with parenteral exposure in western countries. By ELISA, we demonstrate frequent seropositivity for antibody to parvovirus 4 viral protein 2 among adult populations throughout sub-Saharan Africa (Burkina Faso, 37%; Cameroon, 25%; Democratic Republic of the Congo, 35%; South Africa, 20%), which implies existence of alternative transmission routes

Discovery and Genomic Characterization of a Novel Ovine Partetravirus and a New Genotype of Bovine Partetravirus

Partetravirus is a recently described group of animal parvoviruses which include the human partetravirus, bovine partetravirus and porcine partetravirus (previously known as human parvovirus 4, bovine hokovirus and porcine hokovirus respectively). In this report, we describe the discovery and genomic characterization of partetraviruses in bovine and ovine samples from China. These partetraviruses were detected by PCR in 1.8% of bovine liver samples, 66.7% of ovine liver samples and 71.4% of ovine spleen samples. One of the bovine partetraviruses detected in the present samples is phylogenetically distinct from previously reported bovine partetraviruses and likely represents a novel genotype. The ovine partetravirus is a novel partetravirus and phylogenetically most related to the bovine partetraviruses. The genome organization is conserved amongst these viruses, including the presence of a putative transmembrane protein encoded by an overlapping reading frame in ORF2. Results from the present study provide further support to the classification of partetraviruses as a separate genus in Parvovirinae

Why Functional Pre-Erythrocytic and Bloodstage Malaria Vaccines Fail: A Meta-Analysis of Fully Protective Immunizations and Novel Immunological Model

Background: Clinically protective malaria vaccines consistently fail to protect adults and children in endemic settings, and at best only partially protect infants. Methodology/Principal Findings: We identify and evaluate 1916 immunization studies between 1965-February 2010, and exclude partially or nonprotective results to find 177 completely protective immunization experiments. Detailed reexamination reveals an unexpectedly mundane basis for selective vaccine failure: live malaria parasites in the skin inhibit vaccine function. We next show published molecular and cellular data support a testable, novel model where parasite-host interactions in the skin induce malaria-specific regulatory T cells, and subvert early antigen-specific immunity to parasite-specific immunotolerance. This ensures infection and tolerance to reinfection. Exposure to Plasmodium-infected mosquito bites therefore systematically triggers immunosuppression of endemic vaccine-elicited responses. The extensive vaccine trial data solidly substantiate this model experimentally. Conclusions/Significance: We conclude skinstage-initiated immunosuppression, unassociated with bloodstage parasites, systematically blocks vaccine function in the field. Our model exposes novel molecular and procedural strategies to significantly and quickly increase protective efficacy in both pipeline and currently ineffective malaria vaccines, and forces fundamental reassessment of central precepts determining vaccine development. This has major implications fo

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Circuiti e sottosistemi a microonde e onde millimetriche per ricevitori a basso rumore e antenne intelligenti

Questo lavoro affronta gli aspetti riguardanti le metodologie e tecniche di analisi e progettazione per alcune funzionalità in front-end ricevitori a radiofrequenza ad elevata sensibilità e riconfigurabili. Tali funzionalità sono: l’amplificazione a basso rumore e il controllo dell’ampiezza di un segnale a RF. Infine, un’ulteriore investigazione ha focalizzato gli aspetti e le criticità in circuiti multi-funzione a elevata integrazione. E’ stata mostrata una metodologia per progettazione di amplificatori a basso rumore a microonde che ha portato a definire le relazioni di adattamento simultaneamente ottenibile in ingresso e uscita in un LNA. Il principale risultato di tale investigazione è l’individuazione di un grafico che permette di valutare in modo sinottico il guadagno di trasduzione e gli adattamenti I/O di una rete 2-porte amplificatrice una volta fissata l’impedenza di sorgente, e quindi il fattore di rumore del LNA. Sull’argomento degli amplificatori a basso rumore a onde millimetriche, è stato proposto un insieme di metodi analitici e sintetici che coprono le tematiche dalla scelta della tecnologia del dispositivo attivo al test del LNA realizzato. E’ stato ripreso il significato della Misura di Rumore nella progettazione a basso rumore a onde millimetriche investigando anche le tematiche della simulazione EM planare e 3D a onde millimetriche. All’interno della tematica sul controllo dell’ampiezza di un segnale a RF è stato investigato in profondità lo sfasamento parassita connesso al cambio di stato in attenuatori digitali a commutazione. E’ stata suggerita una tecnica circuitale e sono state ricavate equazioni di progetto che permettono di compensare tale sfasamento indesiderato, fornendo una relazione che consente di dimensionare l’elemento reattivo che compensa tale effetto sgradito. Infine, sulla materia della progettazione di circuiti-multi funzione a elevata integrazione è stata investigata la realizzabilità di un modulo contenente diverse funzionalità: controllo dell’ampiezza del segnale, amplificazione, scelta del modo T/R, controllo della fase del segnale e conversione seriale/parallelo dei dati di comando. Sono state presentate le procedure di progetto di alcuni sottosistemi nonché i criteri e i passi seguiti nella fase di integrazione.This work deals with aspects relating to analysis and design methodologies and techniques for some circuits in high sensitivity and reconfigurable front-end RF receivers. These circuits are: low noise amplifier and RF attenuators. Finally, further investigation has focused aspects and issues of multi-function high integration circuits. A methodology for designing microwave low noise amplifiers is reported. The latter has led to define the I/O matching relationships simultaneously achievable in an LNA. The main result of this investigation is the identification of a chart that allows to synoptically evaluating the achievable gain and I/O matching of a 2-port amplifier, once the source impedance is fixed and consequently the LNA noise factor. A set of analytical and synthetic methods on millimetre wave low noise amplifiers has been proposed, covering topics from the active device technology selection to test the realized LNA. The meaning of the noise measure parameter is reprised for designing millimetre wave low-noise. The issues of and 3D planar EM millimetre wave simulation is also investigated. The parasitic phase shift in digital attenuators has been investigated in depth. Such parasitic effect is related to the change of state in digital switched attenuators. A technique has been suggested and circuit equations were derived that allow to compensate such unwanted phase shift, providing design relations that allows to estimate the value of the reactive element that compensates for this undesirable effect. Finally, in the field of multi-function high-integration circuits design, the feasibility of a module containing several functionalities has been investigated. The latter are: control of the signal amplitude, amplification, selection of Tx/Rx mode, control the phase of the signal and serial to parallel control data conversion. The design procedures of some sub-modules, together with the criteria and the steps followed in the process of integration, have been reported

Structural and Functional Characterization of the ABA-Water Deficit Stress Domain from Wheat and Barley: An Intrinsically Disordered Domain behind the Versatile Functions of the Plant Abscissic Acid, Stress and Ripening Protein Family

International audienceThe ASR protein family has been discovered thirty years ago in many plant species and is involved in the tolerance of various abiotic stresses such as dehydration, salinity and heat. Despite its importance, nothing is known about the conserved ABA-Water Deficit Stress Domain (ABA-WDS) of the ASR gene family. In this study, we characterized two ABA-WDS domains, isolated from durum wheat (TtABA-WDS) and barley (HvABA-WDS). Bioinformatics analysis shows that they are both consistently predicted to be intrinsically disordered. Hydrodynamic and circular dichroism analysis indicate that both domains are largely disordered but belong to different structural classes, with HvABA-WDS and TtABA-WDS adopting a PreMolten Globule-like (PMG-like) and a Random Coil-like (RC-like) conformation, respectively. In the presence of the secondary structure stabilizer trifluoroethanol (TFE) or of increasing glycerol concentrations, which mimics dehydration, the two domains acquire an α-helical structure. Interestingly, both domains are able to prevent heat- and dehydration-induced inactivation of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Furthermore, heterologous expression of TtABA-WDS and HvABA-WDS in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae improves its tolerance to salt, heat and cold stresses. Taken together our results converge to show that the ABA-WDS domain is an intrinsically disordered functional domain whose conformational plasticity could be instrumental to support the versatile functions attributed to the ASR family, including its role in abiotic stress tolerance. Finally, and after validation in the plant system, this domain could be used to improve crop tolerance to abiotic stresses..This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC B