A Passive UHF RF Identification CMOS Tag IC Using Ferroelectric RAM in 0.35-μm Technology

A passive UHF RF identification (RFID) tag IC with embedded 2-KB ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM) for rewritable applications enables a 2.9 times faster read-and-write transaction time over EEPROM-based tag ICs. The resulting FeRAM-based tag has a nominally identical communication range for both read and write operations, which is indispensable for data write applications. The evaluated tag communication range with a folded dipole antenna is from 0 m to 4.3 m, at the 953-MHz carrier frequency with 4-W transmitting Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) from a reader/writer. The developed tag IC features two circuit blocks to maximize the communication range in 0.35-mum CMOS/FeRAM technology. First is a CMOS-only full-wave rectifier, which can improve the measured efficiency by up to 36.6% by reducing the input parasitic capacitances and optimization of multiplier structure. This efficiency is more than twice that of previously-published results. Second is a low-voltage current-mode ASK demodulator to accommodate a low-breakdown voltage of FeRAM, which converts the ASK power modulation into a linearly modulated current over an incoming power range of 27 dB, corresponding to the entire communication range. The developed demodulator can thus resolve the primary design tradeoff issue between device protection and detection sensitivity in the conventional voltage-mode demodulator     

Anaerobic Biodegradation Tests of Poly(lactic acid) under Mesophilic and Thermophilic Conditions Using a New Evaluation System for Methane Fermentation in Anaerobic Sludge

Anaerobic biodegradation tests of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) powder were done at the thermophilic (55 °C) and mesophilic temperature (35 °C) under aquatic conditions [total solid concentrations of the used sludge were 2.07% (at 55 °C) and 2.24% (at 35 °C)] using a newly developed evaluation system. With this system, the evolved biogas is collected in a gas sampling bag at atmospheric pressure. This method is more convenient than using a pressure transducer or inverted graduated cylinder submerged in water. PLA was degraded about 60% in 30 days, about 80% in 40 days and about 90% in 60 days at 55 °C. On the other hand, the PLA degradation started in 55 days at 35 °C and degradation rate was much slower than at 55 °C.     

Kinetic diversity in the fusion of exocytotic vesicles

Age is the most important factor for the durability of biological valves. With an original design the Carpentier-Edwards pericardial valve showed improved results at 10 years. The influence of age on valve related complications is studied with a 10 year follow up on 807 valvular replacements. METHODS: Between January 1984 and December 1993, 807 patients underwent valve replacements with a Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis. Patients, 193 were younger than 60 years, 284 between 60 and 70 years and 330 patients were older than 70 years. All patients but seven were followed up for an average of 4.18 years after their operation and total follow up was 3373 patient years. Patients were divided into three groups of age: group I, less than 60 years; group II, 60-70 years; group III, over 70 years. A retrospective comparison was made between age groups. RESULTS: At 11 years, valve related complications included 97 patients with 27 valve related deaths. Rates of valve related death increase with age linearized rate were 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2%, respectively. No difference was observed for rates of all valve related morbidity: 2.6, 2.4 and 3.5%, respectively. Risk of thromboembolism increased with age, linearized rates were: 0.3, 0.7 and 1.3%. Risk of deterioration and reoperation decreased with age, rates of deterioration were 0.8, 0.1 and 0%. Other valve related events had the same incidence in all groups. No statistical difference was observed between group II and group III for deteriorations and reoperations. CONCLUSIONS: The performance of the Carpentier-Edwards pericardial valve is the same at 10 years in group II and III. This study supports the clinical use of this tissue valve in patients over 60 years. The results in group I are satisfactory, nevertheless, a more durable biological valve is needed for young patients.     

Secondary neutral and ionized particle measurements under MeV-energy ion bombardment

We have measured both secondary neutral and ionized particles from an InSb target under 3.0 MeV Si ion bombardment. Measurements of both ions and neutrals have not been carried out so far in the MeV-energy range. The mass spectra and axial emission energy distributions of secondary particles were investigated. Secondary ions were measured with a linear- and a reflective-type time-of-flight technique, whereas secondary neutral particles were photo-ionized by a UV pulsed laser (ArF: 193 nm) and measured with a reflective-type time-of-flight technique. Different results were obtained for neutral particles in comparison with ionized particles. The mean energy of neutral Sb atoms was much lower than that of neutral In atoms, whereas the mean energies of secondary In and Sb ions were nearly equal.     

Physiological role of Ca2+-permeable nonselective cation channel in endothelin-1-induced contraction of rabbit aorta

The alpha-amylase of Streptomyces sp. IMD 2679 was subject to catabolite repression. Four different growth rates were achieved when the organism was grown at 40 degrees C and 55 degrees C in the presence and absence of cobalt, with an inverse relationship between alpha-amylase production and growth rate. Highest alpha-amylase yields (520 units/ml) were obtained at the lowest growth rate (0.062 h-1), at 40 degrees C in the absence of cobalt, while at the highest growth rate (0.35 h-1), at 55 degrees C in the presence of cobalt, alpha-amylase production was decreased to 150 units/ml. As growth rate increased, the rate of specific utilisation of the carbon source maltose also increased, from 46 to 123 micrograms maltose (mg biomass)-1 h-1. The pattern and levels of alpha-glucosidase (the enzyme degrading maltose) detected intracellularly in each case, indicate that growth rate effectively controls the rate of feeding of glucose to the cell, and thus catabolite repression.     

Structural Analysis of the Complex between Penta-EF-Hand ALG-2 Protein and Sec31A Peptide Reveals a Novel Target Recognition Mechanism of ALG-2

ALG-2, a 22-kDa penta-EF-hand protein, is involved in cell death, signal transduction, membrane trafficking, etc., by interacting with various proteins in mammalian cells in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner. Most known ALG-2-interacting proteins contain proline-rich regions in which either PPYPXnYP (type 1 motif) or PXPGF (type 2 motif) is commonly found. Previous X-ray crystal structural analysis of the complex between ALG-2 and an ALIX peptide revealed that the peptide binds to the two hydrophobic pockets. In the present study, we resolved the crystal structure of the complex between ALG-2 and a peptide of Sec31A (outer shell component of coat complex II, COPII; containing the type 2 motif) and found that the peptide binds to the third hydrophobic pocket (Pocket 3). While amino acid substitution of Phe⁸⁵, a Pocket 3 residue, with Ala abrogated the interaction with Sec31A, it did not affect the interaction with ALIX. On the other hand, amino acid substitution of Tyr¹⁸⁰, a Pocket 1 residue, with Ala caused loss of binding to ALIX, but maintained binding to Sec31A. We conclude that ALG-2 recognizes two types of motifs at different hydrophobic surfaces. Furthermore, based on the results of serial mutational analysis of the ALG-2-binding sites in Sec31A, the type 2 motif was newly defined.     

Application of microalgae hydrolysate as a fermentation medium for microbial production of 2-pyrone 4,6-dicarboxylic acid

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Differential expression of alpha 1(IV), alpha 2(IV), alpha 5(IV) and alpha 6(IV) collagen chains in the basement membrane of basal cell carcinoma

Type IV collagen, the major component of basement membrane, consists primarily of alpha 1(IV) and alpha 2(IV) chains. Recently, other types of collagen IV chains, i.e. alpha 3(IV), alpha 4(IV), alpha 5(IV) and alpha 6(IV) chains, have been identified by protein chemistry and molecular cloning. We have examined the diversity of the assembly of alpha (IV) chains of the basement membrane surrounding tumour nests of basal cell carcinomas, in tissues from 11 patients, by immunohistochemical analysis using specific monoclonal antibodies to six alpha (IV) chain. The immunostaining profile of each chain differed with respect to the histological subtypes of basal cell carcinoma. In the morphea-like subtype, which was more invasive, alpha 1(IV) and alpha 2(IV) chains were discontinuously stained, and alpha 5(IV) and alpha 6(IV) chains were entirely absent. However, in the superficial subtype, which was non-aggressive, alpha 1(IV), alpha 2(IV), alpha 5(IV) and alpha 6(IV) chains were well stained compared with the other subtypes of basal cell carcinoma. In addition, in the solid subtype, which showed slow growth and ulceration, alpha 1(IV) and alpha 2(IV) chains were continuously stained, and alpha 5(IV) and alpha 6(IV) chains were discontinuous or absent. The assembly of alpha 5(IV) and alpha 6(IV) chains into the basement membrane was inhibited in the solid and morphea subtypes of BCC. This differential expression of type IV collagen chains seems to be associated with the invasive potential of basal cell carcinoma.     

Structure of the human type XIX collagen (COL19A1) gene, which suggests it has arisen from an ancestor gene of the FACIT family

Type XIX collagen is a newly discovered member of the FACIT (fibril-associated collagens with interrupted triple helices) group of extracellular matrix proteins. Based on the primary structure, type XIX collagen is thought to act as a cross-bridge between fibrils and other extracellular matrix molecules. Here we describe the complete exon/intron organization of COL19A1 and show that it contains 51 exons, spanning more than 250 kb of genomic DNA. The comparison of exon structures of COL19A1 and other FACIT family genes revealed several similarities among these genes. The structure of exons encoding the noncollagenous (NC) 1-collagenous (COL) 1-NC 2-COL 2-NC 3-COL 3-NC 4 domain of the alpha1(XIX) chain is similar to that of the NC 1-COL 1-NC 2-COL 3-NC 3 domain of the alpha2(IX) chain except for the NC 3 domain of alpha1(XIX). The exons encoding the COL 5-NC 6 domain of alpha1(XIX) are also similar to those of the COL 3-NC 4 domain of alpha1(IX) chain. Previously, COL19A1 was mapped to human chromosome 6q12-q14, where COL9A1 is also located. Likewise, the present work shows that the mouse Col19a1 gene is located on mouse chromosome 1, region A3, where Col9a1 has also been mapped. Taken together, the data suggest that COL19A1 and COL9A1 (Col19a1 and Col9a1) were duplicated from the same ancestor gene of the FACIT family. Three CA repeat markers with high heterozygosity were found in COL19A1. These markers may be useful for linkage analysis of age-related inheritable diseases involved in eyes and/or brain.