Analog layout design automation: ILP-based analog routers

The shrinking design window and high parasitic sensitivity in the advanced technology have imposed special challenges on the analog and radio frequency (RF) integrated circuit design. In this thesis, we propose a new methodology to address such a deficiency based on integer linear programming (ILP) but without compromising the capability of handling any special constraints for the analog routing problems. Distinct from the conventional methods, our algorithm utilizes adaptive resolutions for various routing regions. For a more congested region, a routing grid with higher resolution is employed, whereas a lower-resolution grid is adopted to a less crowded routing region. Moreover, we strengthen its speciality in handling interconnect width control so as to route the electrical nets based on analog constraints while considering proper interconnect width to address the acute interconnect parasitics, mismatch minimization, and electromigration effects simultaneously. In addition, to tackle the performance degradation due to layout dependent effects (LDEs) and take advantage of optical proximity correction (OPC) for resolution enhancement of subwavelength lithography, in this thesis we have also proposed an innovative LDE-aware analog layout migration scheme, which is equipped with our special routing methodology. The LDE constraints are first identified with aid of a special sensitivity analysis and then satisfied during the layout migration process. Afterwards the electrical nets are routed by an extended OPC-inclusive ILP-based analog router to improve the final layout image fidelity while the routability and analog constraints are respected in the meantime. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of our proposed methods in terms of both circuit performance and image quality compared to the previous works

Access Control Synthesis for Physical Spaces

Access-control requirements for physical spaces, like office buildings and airports, are best formulated from a global viewpoint in terms of system-wide requirements. For example, "there is an authorized path to exit the building from every room." In contrast, individual access-control components, such as doors and turnstiles, can only enforce local policies, specifying when the component may open. In practice, the gap between the system-wide, global requirements and the many local policies is bridged manually, which is tedious, error-prone, and scales poorly. We propose a framework to automatically synthesize local access control policies from a set of global requirements for physical spaces. Our framework consists of an expressive language to specify both global requirements and physical spaces, and an algorithm for synthesizing local, attribute-based policies from the global specification. We empirically demonstrate the framework's effectiveness on three substantial case studies. The studies demonstrate that access control synthesis is practical even for complex physical spaces, such as airports, with many interrelated security requirements

Effects of deoxynivalenol and deepoxy-deoxynivalenol on bovine ovarian theca cell function

La mycotoxine déoxynivalénol (DON) et son métabolite déépoxy-déoxynivalenol (DOM-1) ont des effets significatifs sur la modification de la fonction des cellules thècales de l’ovaire bovin. L'objectif de cette étude était d'identifier les différentes voies de signalisation impliquées dans le mécanisme d'action de DON et DOM-1 par la spectrométrie de masse. Méthodes: Les cellules thécales de l'ovaire bovin ont été récoltées à partir des vaches adultes, indépendamment du stade du cycle œstral, et ont été cultivées à une densité de 500000 cellules viables dans 1 ml de milieu de McCoy pendant 5 jours. Les cellules ont ensuite été traitées au jour 5 de la culture avec 1 ng/ml de DON ou DOM-1 pendant 30 minutes et des échantillons cellulaires de protéins totales ont été préparés pour spectrométrie de masse. Résultats: la spectrométrie de masse a montré que DON et DOM-1 induisent une surexpression simultanée de ERK1/2, MAPK14 (p38alpha) et MAPK13 (p38delta). La spectrométrie de masse a également indiqué que 94 peptides ont été surexprimés tels que GNGT1, EDN1 et YWHAB. Ils régulent la plupart des voies de prolifération des cellules et sont impliqués dans la biosynthèse des lipides et des glucides. Néanmoins, 255 peptides ont été régulés à la baisse, tels que CALR3, PTGES3, RAD21, ACVR2B et TGFBR1 dont leurs activités sont principalement l'activation ou la désactivation des processus apoptotiques, et le métabolisme du glucose et de la choline. Nos résultats montrent que DON et DOM-1, à une dose de 1 ng/ml, ont le potentiel de stimuler la surexpression de MAPK distinctes et réguler négativement les voies de signalisation spécifiques qui stimulent la prolifération les cellules de la thèque de l’ovaire de bovin.The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) and its metabolite deepoxy-DOM-1 have significant effects on bovine ovarian theca cell function. The objective of this study was to identify different signaling pathways involved in the mechanism of action of DON and DOM-1 by mass spectrometry. Methods: bovine ovarian theca cells were harvested from adult cows independently of the stage of the estrous cycle, and were cultured at a density of 500000 viable cells in 1 ml McCoy’s medium for 5 days. The cells were then treated on day 5 of culture with 1 ng/mL DON or DOM-1 for 30 minutes and total cell protein was collected for mass spectrometry. Results from mass spectrometry showed that both DON and DOM-1 induce simultaneous upregulation of ERK1/2 , MAPK14 (p38alpha) and MAPK13 (p38delta). Mass spectrometry also indicated that 94 peptides such as GNGT1, EDN1 and YWHAB were upregulated. They mostly regulate cell proliferation pathways and are involved in biosynthesis of lipid and carbohydrates. Nevertheless, 255 peptides such as CALR3, PTGES3, RAD21, ACVR2B and TGFBR1 were downregulated whose activities are mainly activation or deactivation of apoptotic processes, and glucose and choline metabolism. Our findings show that both DON and DOM-1 at least at a low dose (1 ng/ml) have the potential to stimulate upregulation of distinct MAPKs and downregulate specific signaling pathways that stimulate bovine ovarian theca cell proliferation

Effects of Selected Plant Growth Regulators on Regeneration of Mangosteen (Garcinia Mangostana L.) Using Tissue Culture Technique

The in-vitro plantlet regeneration system via organogenesis and callus induction was developed from various mangosteen explants (seed, shoot tip, stem and leaf) using various plant growth regulators (PGR). For shoot induction, the mangosteen half seed, leaf and stem explants sufficiently achieved shoot regeneration rates above 60% of total explants cultured (70%, 60% and 60% respectively) on various auxin and cytokinin supplementation into the basal MS medium [4.0 mgL-1 (w/v) BAP with 0.2 mgL-l (w/v) NAA for seed; 1.0 mgL-l (w/v) BAP in combination with 0.05 mgL-1 (w/v) KIN for stem; 2.0 mgL-l (w/v) of BAP for leaf]. Shoot induction from the shoot tip explant was not successful. However, among the three explants, the leaf explant gave the highest mean number of s hoots at 46.5 ( seed and stem at 9.3 and 8 . 9 respectively). Mean shoot height h ow ever, was 0.48 em for leaf, while it was h igher for shoots generated from stem and seed explants (0.7 em and 0.8 em respectively). The shoots rooted successfully o n ful l strength M S medium w ithout IBA w i th high percentage of root formation (87%) and number of roots ( 3 . 8 ) (seven months after culture). The p l an tlets were then successfully potted and acclimatized o n medium containing soil + sand+ organic matter+ vermiculite m i x ture (2:2: 1: 1) which gave the h ighest n umber of l eaves (6.5), plant height (3.5cm) and percentage of plant survival ( 8 0%). As for callus induction, i nduction from seed and leaves w as 90% on medium with 0.5 mgL-' (w/v) NAA, whi le i nduction from shoot tip and stem was 90% and 83% respectively on medium with 0.2 mgL-' ( w/v) KIN. Our study has successfully developed a plant regeneration s ystem from e asil y avai lable stem and green juvenile leaf explants, as compared to the seasonall y available and limited seed and you n g leaf expl ants that are generall y reported by other researches. Furthermore, callus induction was successfu l from various mangosteen explants for future uti lization in the development of a plant regeneration protocol from callus, as callus also has the potential of producing improved varieties via various genetic modification techniques today

Toll-Like Receptor 4 in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Good Time to Target?

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is considered a major cause of death in the world. ARDS is defined by life-threatening pulmonary edema and hypoxemia with a mortality rate of up to 40%. Recent advances in understating cellular aspects of the syndrome have shed light on possible new treatments and reduction of mortality. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) involved in adaptive and innate immunity. They are present in the alveoli and their activation can lead to inflammatory responses and finally acute lung injury. Among them, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is abundantly available on the epithelial cells of the alveoli and also on resident monocytes. TLR4 is one of the players that can promote alveolar damages during ARDS. Here, we focus on the TLR4 role in ARDS pathophysiology. We also present the potential therapies for the syndrome based on TLR4 inhibition

Women\u27s Human Capital and Economic Growth in the Middle East and North Africa

The process of demographic transition has increased the share of the working-age population in Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This situation has created an opportunity for economic growth, called the demographic dividend. Global comparisons show that a favorable age structure has not always resulted in a boost in economic growth. In order to take a full advantage of the MENA’s demographic dividend, it is important to identify different factors contributing to economic growth in this region. Investment in women’s human capital is expected to have important implications for the region’s economic growth and for maximizing the benefits created by the demographic dividend. Using a range of data sources, this paper aims to determine the association between women’s human capital (measured by adult educational attainment and health status) and economic growth (measured by gross national income per capita) in MENA. The findings show a positive association between these two. Specifically, the national-level income is generally higher in countries with lower maternal mortality and higher female literacy, female tertiary education, female life and healthy life expectancies at birth and professional childbirth attendance. Thus, investment in women’s human capital can accelerate the pace of development in MENA