Mask Programmable CMOS Transistor Arrays for Wideband RF Integrated Circuits

A mask programmable technology to implement RF and microwave integrated circuits using an array of standard 90-nm CMOS transistors is presented. Using this technology, three wideband amplifiers with more than 15-dB forward transmission gain operating in different frequency bands inside a 4-22-GHz range are implemented. The amplifiers achieve high gain-bandwidth products (79-96 GHz) despite their standard multistage designs. These amplifiers are based on an identical transistor array interconnected with application specific coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission lines and on-chip capacitors and resistors. CPW lines are implemented using a one-metal-layer post-processing technology over a thick Parylene-N (15 mum ) dielectric layer that enables very low loss lines (~0.6 dB/mm at 20 GHz) and high-performance CMOS amplifiers. The proposed integration approach has the potential for implementing cost-efficient and high-performance RF and microwave circuits with a short turnaround time

Antifungal Activity of Endodontic Irrigants

Introduction: The purpose of this in vitro study was to assess the antifungal activity of final canal rinse with either three concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) (0.5, 2.6 and 6%), two concentrations of chlorhexidine (CHX) (2% and 0.2%), MTAD, Tetraclean, Hypoclean and Chlor-Xtra on Candida albicans (C. albicans) in a human tooth model. Methods and Materials: Two hundred and thirty five extracted human maxillary central and lateral incisors were used in this study. Teeth were randomly divided into nine test groups (n=25) and positive and a negative control groups (n=5). After cleaning and shaping, teeth were contaminated with C. albicans and incubated for 72 h. The irrigation solution in nine experimental groups included: 6% NaOCl, 2.6% NaOCl, 0.5% NaOCl, 2% CHX, 0.2% CHX, MTAD, Tetraclean, Hypoclean and Chlor-Xtra. After culturing on Sabouraud 4% dextrose agar, colony-forming units (CFU) were counted. Results: 6% NaOCl, 2% CHX and Chlor-Xtra were equally effective (P>0.05) and significantly superior to MTAD and Tetraclean (P<0.05). In addition, the effectiveness of Tetraclean and MTAD was significantly less than Hypoclean, NaOCl at all concentrations (6% 2.6% and 0.5%), MTAD and 0.2% CHX (P<0.05). Furthermore, Tetraclean was significantly more effective than MTAD (P<0.05). Conclusion: Antifungal activity of 6% NaOCl, Chlor-Xtra and 2% CHX was significantly greater than 2.6% NaOCl, 0.5% NaOCl, MTAD, 0.2% CHX and Tetraclea

Prirodna mješovita zaraza uzrokovana virusom influence ptica podtipa H9 i virusom zaraznog bronhitisa na farmama tovnih pilića

Although H9N2 AIV (Avian Influenza Virus) is pathotyped as a low pathogenic avian influenza virus, our extensive field experiences over the last decade show serious disease and high mortality in broiler chicken associated with this subtype in many regions of Iran. One of the possible explanations for such high mortality and great economic losses could be mixed infection with other respiratory pathogens such as infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). This investigation was conducted to study the natural co-infections of H9N2 AIV and infectious bronchitis viruses in broiler chicken flocks in Fars province, Iran. Tracheal samples were taken from chickens in 30 closely monitored broiler flocks suffering from respiratory disease with mortality higher than normal range. RT-PCR was performed using primers in order to detect the M protein and the H9 gene of avian influenza A. The multiplex nested RT-PCR was also performed to detect Massachusetts, 793B (4/91) and D274 serotypes of IBV in the samples. In this study, AIV and IBV were detected in 16 (53/3%) and 12 (40%) out of 30 flocks, respectively. The tracheal samples of 11 out of 12 flocks were positive for 4/91 strain of IBV and one for Massachusetts serotype. A mixed infection of AIV (H9 subtype) and IBV (4/91 serotype) was observed in four flocks with severe lesions and 20-30% mortality. The results of this study indicate the high occurrence of natural co-infection of AIV and IBV in Iranian broiler chicken farms showing respiratory signs and they show that the mortality rate in co-infected flocks was significantly higher than others (P<0.05).Premda podtip H9N2 virusa influence ptica (VIP) po patotipu pripada slabo patogenom virusu influence ptica, terenska iskustva posljednjih desetak godina pokazala su da je pojava teške bolesti i velikog pomora tovnih pilića u mnogim dijelovima Irana vezana uz taj podtip. Jedno od mogućih objašnjenja za tako visok pomor i velike gospodarske gubitke mogla bi biti mješovita zaraza s ostalim uzročnicima dišnih bolesti kao što je virus zaraznog bronhitisa (VZB). Ovo istraživanje poduzeto je s ciljem proučavanja prirodne mješovite zaraze virusom influence ptica H9N2 i virusom zaraznog bronhitisa u tovnih pilića u pokrajini Fars u Iranu. Uzorci obriska dušnika bili su uzeti od pilića na 30 promatranih jata tovnih pilića u kojih je bila ustanovljena dišna bolest s pomorom većim od uobičajenog. Rabljen je RT-PCR s početnicama specifičnima za dokazivanje proteina M i gena za hemaglutinin H9 virusa influence ptica A. Višestruka ugniježđena RT-PCR rabljena je za dokaz serotipova Massachusetts, 793B (4/91) i D274 u pretraživanim uzorcima. VIP je bio dokazan u 16 (53/3%), a VZB u 12 (40%) od 30 pretraženih jata. Uzorci dušnika uzeti iz 11 od 12 jata bili su pozitivni za soj 4/91 VZB i jedan za serotip Massachusetts. Mješovita infekcija virusom influence ptica podtipom H9 i virusom zaraznog bronhitisa (serotip 4/91) bila je promatrana na četirima jatima ptica s teškim poremećajima i 20-30%-tnim pomorom. Rezultati ovog istraživanja govore o pojavi prirodne koinfekcije virusom influence ptica i virusom zaraznog bronhitisa u iranskih tovnih pilića koji su pokazivali dišne znakove te da je pomor u jatima s mješovitom zarazom bio značajno veći (P<0,05) nego u ostalim jatima

Developing Compact Models for Passive Devices on IBM 45nm CMOS SOI Technology

The standard IBM 45 nm technology is widely adopted for industrial and academic purpose by integrates circuit designers. Original models provided by foundry are not accurate, which might cause inaccuracy in circuit simulations. Equivalent circuit models, using RLC elements to simulate electrical component, will effectively deliver their electrical performance. This study consists of four steps to construct these models. First, Cadence Virtuoso, the commercial circuit design software was used to run simulations and extract data for different device parameters. Second, analyzing tools, like Microsoft Excel or Matlab, are used to analyze the extracted data. Then, equations are written for each parameter. Finally, these models are implemented in the device descriptive language, Verilog-A and test circuits will be constructed to demonstrate the accuracy of the models. The accurate passive component models from this study will contribute to accelerating the circuit designing process and improving the accuracy of circuit simulations

A Sawtooth Permanent Magnetic Lattice for Ultracold Atoms and BECs

We propose a new permanent magnetic lattice for creating periodic arrays of Ioffe-Pritchard permanent magnetic microtraps for holding and controlling ultracold atoms and Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). Lattice can be designed on thin layer of magnetic films such as $Tb_6$$Gd_10$$Fe_{80}$$Co_4$. In details, we investigate single layer and two crossed layers of sawtooth magnetic patterns with thicknesses of 50 and 500nm respectively with a periodicity of 1$\mu$m. Trap depth and frequencies can be changed via an applied bias field to handle tunneling rates between lattice sites. We present analytical expressions and using numerical calculations show that this lattice has non-zero potential minima to avoid majorana spin flips. One advantage of this lattice over previous ones is that it is easier to manufacture.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure

Virtual-Source based accurate model for predicting noise behavior at high frequencies in nanoscale PMOS SOI transistors

Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology at the nanometre scale is an excellent platform to implement monolithically integratedsystems because of the low cost of manufacturing and ease of integration. Newly developed CMOS Silicon on Insulator (SOI) transistors that are currentlydeveloped are suitable for use in radio frequency circuits. They find applications in many areas such as 5G telecommunication systems, high speed Wi-Fi andairport body-scanners. Unfortunately, the models for CMOS SOI transistors that are currently used in these circuits are inaccurate because of their complexity.The models currently used require the optimization of more than 200 variables. This paper aims to accurately create a scalable model of a P-type MOS transistorusing a Virtual Source (VS) model with much less complexity. The VS model’s DC characteristics will require the optimization of only ten parameters and issupplemented with parasitic resistances, inductances and capacitances to accurately predict behaviour at radio frequencies. These parameters were optimizedtwo at a time using a multivariate optimization algorithm while fixing the remaining parameter’s values within a certain range. A simulation of the voltage andcurrent at the drain of the transistor was performed and the resulting I-V curves were plotted. A frequency simulation was also conducted in order to test thehigh frequency performance of the MOSFET. A typical I-V characteristic curve for a PMOS was obtained with no change in shape when the transistor widthwas scaled. The model’s performance under high frequencies also matched those displayed by a standard 45nm PMOS. The I-V characteristic plots that wereobtained displayed the general behaviour of a p-type MOSFET under those voltage conditions. This demonstrates that the Virtual source model is able topredict the general behaviour of the I-V characteristic curves of the p-type MOSFET as well as function properly at high frequencies typically seen in RFcircuits