Statistical forecasting algorithm on circuit level gain transformation due to negative bias temperature instability for the microwave frequency spectrum

Negative Bias Temperature Instability (NBTI) is a critical reliability issue for CMOS technology, as this directly impacts the CMOS circuit performance parameters causing system failure. Moreover, NBTI behavior for radio frequency (RF) signals needs more understanding. On the device level, there has been much research on the relation between NBTI and RF. Many of those works contradict each other on the question of RF dependency with NBTI. Hence, the behavior of NBTI must be analyzed at the circuit level using a prediction technique. In this article, we analyzed the circuit level impact of NBTI for microwave frequency and developed a gain transformation technique for RF circuits in the microwave frequency range. To do this, we employed a 65 nm conventional ring oscillator as an RF block and carried out an aging simulation on it. A compatibility analysis was performed on low and high bandwidth microwave signals. The implemented statistical technique can determine the actual operable frequency range, so that the RF circuit can perform with minimal NBTI effect.     

CD33 monoclonal antibody conjugated Au cluster nano-bioprobe for targeted flow-cytometric detection of acute myeloid leukaemia

Protein stabilized gold nanoclusters (Au-NCs) are biocompatible, near-infrared (NIR) emitting nanosystems having a wide range of biomedical applications. Here, we report the development of a Au-NC based targeted fluorescent nano-bioprobe for the flow-cytometric detection of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cells. Au-NCs with ～ 25-28 atoms showing bright red-NIR fluorescence (600-750 nm) and average size of ～ 0.8 nm were prepared by bovine serum albumin assisted reduction-cum-stabilization in aqueous phase. The protein protected clusters were conjugated with monoclonal antibody against CD33 myeloid antigen, which is overexpressed in ～ 99.2% of the primitive population of AML cells, as confirmed by immunophenotyping using flow cytometry. Au-NC-CD33 conjugates having average size of ～ 12 nm retained bright fluorescence over an extended duration of ～ a year, as the albumin protein protects Au-NCs against degradation. Nanotoxicity studies revealed excellent biocompatibility of Au-NC conjugates, as they showed no adverse effect on the cell viability and inflammatory response. Target specificity of the conjugates for detecting CD33 expressing AML cells (KG1a) in flow cytometry showed specific staining of ～ 95.4% of leukaemia cells within 1-2 h compared to a non-specific uptake of ～ 8.2% in human peripheral blood cells (PBMCs) which are CD33(low). The confocal imaging also demonstrated the targeted uptake of CD33 conjugated Au-NCs by leukaemia cells, thus confirming the flow cytometry results. This study demonstrates that novel nano-bioprobes can be developed using protein protected fluorescent nanoclusters of Au for the molecular receptor targeted flow cytometry based detection and imaging of cancer cells.     

Analytical technique for the two-dimensional stress wave model of memory alloy dampers

In this paper vibration damping capacity of shape memory alloys (SMA) is studied which is based on two-dimensional Oberaigner, Fischer and Tanaka model. The thermodynamic based active and passive control paradigms in SMA are presented. The model solution is presented along with modification based on exact solution for the most general case of a set of conditions based upon general thermal regimes. For the particular cases, four examples of different thermal and mechanical loadings are given. This study incorporates the static thermal changes and dynamic thermal states.     

Unsteady squeezed Casson nanofluid flow by considering the slip condition and time-dependent magnetic field

The present flow problem investigates the incompressible and squeezed flow between two parallel plates. The mathematical formulation includes the constitutive equations of Casson nanofluid, which is treated as a lubricant. Brownian movement, slip condition, and thermophoretic mechanisms are also considered. The formulated model is tackled by Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg fourth- and fifth-order numerical scheme joint with shooting criteria. Momentum, thermal, and mass species behavior is executed by plots of distinct physical constraints values. It is found that the velocity component is boosted for the larger squeezed parameter whereas the temperature component shows the same behavior for Brownian motion and thermophoresis parameter. Near the lower half of the plate, velocity increases for the slip parameter whereas it decreases for magnetic and Casson parameters.     

Natural fibers and zinc hydroxystannate 3D microspheres based composite paper sheets for modern bendable energy storage application

For modern high-tech flexible energy storage devices, it becomes important to synthesize micro-/nanostructures as per the required shape and morphology with superior physical and electro-active characteristics. This work shares the fabrication and characterization of ZnSn(OH)₆ (Zinc hydroxystannate [ZHS]) prepared by facile microwave-assisted technique and furthermore converted into flexible sheets by employing lignocelluloses (LC) known as natural fibers, collected from Carica papaya leaf petiole as a substrate to provide the flexible matrix. X-ray diffraction measurements confirm the successful crystalline structure of ZHS. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed the solid spherical structure of ZHS microspheres. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the composite formation of ZHS and LC-based composite sheets (ZHS/LC sheets). Electrochemical measurements that is, cyclic voltammetry (CV), Galvanostatic charge/discharge, and electrochemical impedance (EIS) spectroscopy revealed the electroactive behavior of ZHS/LC paper sheets as working electrode for energy storage applications. CV measurements revealed the specific capacitance of 100 F/g and EIS measurements confirmed the decrease in the resistance of LC fiber after the growth of ZHS microspheres. Presented flexible ZHS based paper sheets will be highly feasible for the modern bendable/flexible/disposable energy storage applications.     

Effect of concrete edge distance on the hysteretic response of roof joint

Roof joint connects the upper roof structure to the lower RC columns in large-span structures. However, during several earthquakes, concrete edge failure of roof joint observed in several previous earthquakes shows potential collapse damage of the large-span structures. This paper presents an experimental and numerical study on the performance of roof joints under quasi-static cyclic loading. The effects of concrete edge distance of anchor rods and using horizontally slotted holes in the base plate were investigated and discussed by means of ultimate shear resistances, failure modes, hysteretic responses, anchor strains, and stirrup strains. It was found that concrete edge failure was prone to occur if the edge distance was taken as per current design practice. However, with the use of slotted holes in the base plate, the concrete edge failure could be suppressed due to the sliding between the base plate and the mortar layer. A refined theoretical model was proposed to evaluate the ultimate shear resistance and predict the failure mode. Finite Element Models (FEMs) were also developed to verify the proposed theoretical model in terms of the ultimate shear resistance and the failure mode under both monotonic and cyclic loading.     

Cold plasma treatment advancements in food processing and impact on the physiochemical characteristics of food products

Food Science and Biotechnology - Cold plasma processing is a nonthermal approach that maintains food quality while minimizing the effects of heat on its nutritious qualities. Utilizing activated,...     

Elimination of solidification shrinkage defects in the casting of aluminum alloy

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - In this study, the analysis is carried out to optimize in-gate position and size of riser for casting mold. The baseline size of riser for the casting...