Ultra-Thin High-K Dielectric Profile Based NBTI Compact Model for Nanoscale Bulk MOSFET

Silicon - Negative Bias Temperature Instability (NBTI) is a key reliability and consistency issue for ultra-scaled Silicon IC technology with substantial consequences on both analog and digital...     

Bacterial Quorum Sensing and Food Industry

Abstract: Food spoilage and biofilm formation by food‐related bacteria are significant problems in the food industry. Even with the application of modern‐day food preservative techniques, excessive amounts of food are lost due to microbial spoilage. A number of studies have indicated that quorum sensing plays a major role in food spoilage, biofilm formation, and food‐related pathogenesis. Understanding bacterial quorum‐sensing signaling systems can help in controlling the growth of undesirable food‐related bacteria. This review focusses on the various signaling molecules produced by Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria and the mechanism of their quorum‐sensing systems, types of signaling molecules that have been detected in different food systems using biosensors, the role of signaling molecules in biofilm formation, and significance of biofilms in the food industry. As quorum‐sensing signaling molecules are implicated in food spoilage, based on these molecules potential, quorum‐sensing inhibitors/antagonists can be developed to be used as novel food preservatives for maintaining food integrity and enhancing food safety. Practical Application: Bacteria use signaling molecules for inter‐ and intracellular communication. This phenomenon of bacterial cell‐to‐cell communication is known as quorum sensing. Quorum‐sensing signals are implicated in bacterial pathogenicity and food spoilage. Therefore, blocking the quorum‐sensing signaling molecules in food‐related bacteria may possibly prevent quorum‐sensing‐regulated phenotypes responsible for food spoilage. Quorum‐sensing inhibitors/antagonists could be used as food preservatives to enhance the shelf life and also increase food safety.     

Structural,optical, cytotoxicity,and antimicrobial properties of MgO,ZnO and MgO/ZnO nanocomposite for biomedical applications

In this study, MgO nanoparticles were successfully fabricated and incubated inside ZnO NPs to form MgO/ZnO nanocomposite for biomedical applications. The x-ray diffraction analysis of MgO, ZnO, and MgO/ZnO has shown the single-phase x-ray diffraction patterns through X'pert High score. The crystallite sizes were calculated as 18 nm, 42 nm, and 53 nm, respectively. The average particle size of MgO, ZnO, and MgO/ZnO nanopowders depicted from secondary electron images of field emission electron microscopy were 56 nm, 400 nm, and 450 nm, respectively. The presence of MgO NPs inside ZnO NPs was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The elemental dispersive spectroscopy of MgO, given the peaks of oxygen and magnesium, also showed only zinc and oxygen peaks in ZnO, which confirms no other impurities in MgO and ZnO powders. The elemental analysis of MgO/ZnO nanocomposite showed the peaks of Zinc and Oxygen, along with a tiny peak of Mg. The photoluminescence and UV–vis spectroscopy revealed the absorbance fluorescence limit of the nanomaterials. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the several groups present in the nanocomposite. The biocompatibility of MgO, ZnO, and MgO/ZnO was observed with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The cytotoxicity studies were also performed against human cancer (liver and breast) cell lines. The MgO, ZnO, and MgO/ZnO exhibited the antimicrobial properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.     

Targets (Metabolic Mediators) of Therapeutic Importance in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), an extremely aggressive invasive cancer, is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States. The higher mortality in PDAC is often attributed to the inability to detect it until it has reached advanced stages. The major challenge in tackling PDAC is due to its elusive pathology, minimal effectiveness, and resistance to existing therapeutics. The aggressiveness of PDAC is due to the capacity of tumor cells to alter their metabolism, utilize the diverse available fuel sources to adapt and grow in a hypoxic and harsh environment. Therapeutic resistance is due to the presence of thick stroma with poor angiogenesis, thus making drug delivery to tumor cells difficult. Investigating the metabolic mediators and enzymes involved in metabolic reprogramming may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets. The metabolic mediators of glucose, glutamine, lipids, nucleotides, amino acids and mitochondrial metabolism have emerged as novel therapeutic targets. Additionally, the role of autophagy, macropinocytosis, lysosomal transport, recycling, amino acid transport, lipid transport, and the role of reactive oxygen species has also been discussed. The role of various pro-inflammatory cytokines and immune cells in the pathogenesis of PDAC and the metabolites involved in the signaling pathways as therapeutic targets have been previously discussed. This review focuses on the therapeutic potential of metabolic mediators in PDAC along with stemness due to metabolic alterations and their therapeutic importance.     

Mean-stress and oxidation effects on fatigue behaviour of CM 247 DS LC alloy

During present investigations, an attempt was made to understand the effect of mean stress and oxidation on low cycle fatigue (LCF) behaviour of CM 247 DS LC alloy at T?=?850°C. A significant reduction in fatigue life was observed during LCF tests conducted at strain ratio (R) of 0 as compared to R?=??1. Reduction in fatigue life is attributed to the synergistic effect of mean stress, oxidation and the expanding precipitates within the grain boundaries which imparts high stresses at the grain boundary leading to the intergranular cracking. Additionally, to account the effect of mean stress on fatigue life of the alloy CM 247 DS LC empirical relations developed by Smith–Watson–Topper (SWT) and Morrow were used.     

Simulation model for electron irradiated IGZO thin film transistors

An efficient drain current simulation model for the electron irradiation effect on the electrical parameters of amorphous In-Ga-Zn-O (IGZO) thin-film transistors is developed.The model is developed based on the specifications such as gate capacitance,channel length,channel width,flat band voltage etc.Electrical parameters of un-irradiated IGZO samples were simulated and compared with the experimental parameters and 1 kGy electron irradiated parameters.The effect of electron irradiation on the IGZO sample was analysed by developing a mathematical model.     

Metabolism and pharmacokinetics of 1-(2''-trimethylacetoxyethyl)-2-ethyl-3-hydroxypyridin-4-one (CP117) in the rat

A modified endoscopic technique for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using an autologous patellar tendon graft is described using the early results for 120 patients. A special technique using an oscillating hollow saw allows for the rapid and standardized harvest of cylindrical bone plugs, ensuring safe and adequate femoral press-fit fixation. The complications encountered included one fracture of a bone back on plugging in as well as two cases with revision procedures for interference screw fixation due to insufficient femoral anchorage. Within the framework of a prospective study, all 120 patients underwent a control arthroscopy after the first postoperative year showing viable and mechanically stable grafts in 64 (53.3%) of the patients. In 44 patients (36.7%), viable though somewhat lax grafts were found, whereas the remaining 12 patients (10%) only showed insufficient tissue residues. All of these cases were the result of a ventral misplacement of the femoral insertion site representing the primary complication of transtibial technique. The results of the control arthroscopies showed a highly significant correlation with the clinical results for the IKDC score obtained in a follow-up after an average 29 (18 to 36) months. The results for stability according to the IKDC rating scale showed a normal or near-normal knee function in 76.7%. With regard to the subjective results in the IKDC rating scale, 83.3% of the patients (n = 100) assessed their knee function as normal or almost normal. The location and positioning of the femoral and tibial tunnel were evaluated in an exact radiographic evaluation showing an "ideal position" of the graft in only 94 cases (78.3%). Statistically, a significant correlation of stability with the femoral fixation site could be shown.     

Fabrication of silver monoliths using Brij 52 surfactant and TiO2 nanoparticles and their applications to reduce Fast Sulphon Black F dye and sensor against Pb2+

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - Silver monoliths were prepared using Brij 52 as surfactant with and without dextran and reinforcing agents TiO2NPs by modified sol–gel...