Analytical Modeling for Translating Statistical Changes to Circuit Variability by Ultra-Deep Submicron Digital Circuit Design

This paper presents a physics-based compact gate delay model that includes all short-channel phenomena prevalent at the ultra-deep submicron technology node of 32 nm. To simplify calculations, the proposed model is connected to a compact α-power law-based (Sakurai-Newton) model. The model has been tested on a wide range of supply voltages. The model accurately predicts nominal delays and the delays under process variations. It has been shown that at lower technology nodes, the delay is more sensitive to threshold voltage variations, specifically at the sub-threshold operating region as compared with effective channel length variations above the threshold region.     

Extrusion of highly filled flexible polymer sheet

Highly-filled polymer systems include color masterbatches, feedstocks for powder injection molding, and rigid sheets with high levels of flame retardants, but they have not been explored for flexible sheet. This work investigated the (a) selecting a polymer matrix with enough melt strength and flexibility to form a stable sheet with high filler loading, (b) the maximum achievable filler loading for the sheet, and (c) optimizing the process of extruding a highly-filled flexible polymer system. Extrusion grade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) provided sufficient flexibility and permitted a maximum filler loading of 36 vol% (~78 wt%). Good dispersion of the nanoparticle filler, however, required two passes through multiple screw extruders and a small reduction in the viscosity of the LDPE. Sheet with thickness of 415 μm, surface roughness of <1 μm, and sufficient flexibility was extruded continuously at a rate of 10 m/min., but it required a more traditional coat hanger manifold to prevent filler hang up in the sheet die. The filler particles were distributed uniformly through the core and skin of the sheet, giving the sheet good mechanical properties.     

Earthworm coelomocytes as nanoscavenger of ZnO NPs

Earthworms can ‘biotransform’ or ‘biodegrade’ chemical contaminants, rendering them harmless in their bodies, and can bioaccumulate them in their tissues. They ‘absorb’ the dissolved chemicals through their moist ‘body wall’ due to the interstitial water and also ingest by ‘mouth’ while soil passes through the gut. Since the advent of the nanotechnology era, the environmental sink has been continuously receiving engineered nanomaterials as well as their derivatives. Our current understanding of the potential impact of nanomaterials and their natural scavenger is limited. In the present investigation, we studied the cellular uptake of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) by coelomocytes especially by chloragocytes of Eisenia fetida and their role as nanoscavenger. Results from exposure to 100- and 50-nm ZnO NPs indicate that coelomocytes of the earthworm E. fetida show no significant DNA damage at a dose lower than 3 mg/l and have the potential ability to uptake ZnO NPs from the soil ecosystem and transform them into microparticles.     

Application of ameliorated Harris Hawks optimizer for designing of low-power signed floating-point MAC architecture

Neural Computing and Applications - Recently established Harris Hawks optimization (HHO) has natural behaviour for finding an optimum solution in global search space without getting trapped in...     

Metal–organic frameworks for electronics: emerging second order nonlinear optical and dielectric materials

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been intensively studied over the past decade because they represent a new category of hybrid inorganic–organic materials with extensive surface areas, ultrahigh porosity, along with the extraordinary tailorability of structure, shape and dimensions. In this highlight, we summarize the current state of MOF research and report on structure–property relationships for nonlinear optical (NLO) and dielectric applications. We focus on the design principles and structural elements needed to develop potential NLO and low dielectric (low-κ) MOFs with an emphasis on enhancing material performance. In addition, we highlight experimental evidence for the design of devices for low-dielectric applications. These results motivate us to develop better low-dielectric and NLO materials and to perform in-depth studies related to deposition techniques, patterning and the mechanical performance of these materials in the future.     

Investigating the performance of satellite and reanalysis rainfall products at monthly timescales across different rainfall regimes of Ethiopia

Continuous availability of a variety of satellite and reanalysis rainfall products have triggered the use of such products as an alternate source of rainfall data in sparsely gauge networked areas. However, before utilizing them a detailed validation of these datasets are essential to have some level of guarantee. In many parts of Africa in general and most parts of Ethiopia particularly in the lowland areas, gauge stations are very sparse and unevenly distributed. In addition, due to the nature of complex topography and geographical location, Ethiopian rainfall shows high variability both temporally and spatially. In view of the above, the present study is aimed at statistically evaluating such rainfall products across different rainfall regimes (regions with different rainfall characteristics as defined by National Meteorological Agency (NMA) of Ethiopia). In the current study, five satellite and two reanalysis rainfall products such as African Rainfall Climatology version 2 (ARC2), Tropical Applications of Meteorology using SATellite and ground-based observations (TAMSAT), Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission-3B43 version 7 (TRMM 3B43v7), Climate Prediction Center Morphing Technique (CMORPH), Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Stations version 2 (CHIRPSv2), the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) and the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecast Reanalysis (ERA-Interim) are considered based on their spatial coverage, spatial resolution, temporal resolution, latency period and length of data records. Evaluation is done at monthly and seasonal time scales against the observed gauge rainfall data provided by the National Meteorological Agency of Ethiopia across entire Ethiopia in two different manners, first by considering the entire country as one homogeneous unit and secondly in a distributed manner across the three rainfall regimes of Ethiopia. The obtained results show that: (i) CHIRPSv2 and TRMM 3B43v7 show better performance during June to September (the main rainfall season) and during February to May (the smaller rainfall season) in regimes 1 and 2. (ii) In regime 3 these products show good performance from October to November (smaller rainy season of this regime) and March to May (main rainy season of this regime); (iii).CMORPH, TAMSAT and ARC2 show moderate performance in all three regimes; (iv) CFSR and ERA-Interim exhibit poor performance in all rainfall regimes. Overall, the detailed analysis of statistical evaluation results of the rainfall products at monthly timescale shows that CHIRPSv2 performs comparatively better than the other tested rainfall products across all rainfall regimes. However, the best performance of CHIRPSv2 is obtained in regime 2 followed by regime 1 and regime 3.     

Neuroprotective Strategies for Traumatic Brain Injury: Improving Clinical Translation

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) induces secondary biochemical changes that contribute to delayed neuroinflammation, neuronal cell death, and neurological dysfunction. Attenuating such secondary injury has provided the conceptual basis for neuroprotective treatments. Despite strong experimental data, more than 30 clinical trials of neuroprotection in TBI patients have failed. In part, these failures likely reflect methodological differences between the clinical and animal studies, as well as inadequate pre-clinical evaluation and/or trial design problems. However, recent changes in experimental approach and advances in clinical trial methodology have raised the potential for successful clinical translation. Here we critically analyze the current limitations and translational opportunities for developing successful neuroprotective therapies for TBI.     

Metronidazole-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers to improve skin deposition and retention in the treatment of rosacea

The objective of the present investigation was to improve the skin deposition and retention of metronidazole (MTZ) in rosacea therapy by incorporating it into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). The main challenge in this endeavor was the partial hydrophilicity of MTZ, which mandated careful selection of excipients, including solid and liquid lipids, surfactants, and their ratios in combination. NLCs were produced by the phase inversion temperature method and finally converted into a gel for topical application. The prepared nanoparticles were evaluated for their particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, solid-state characteristics, surface morphology, in vitro drug release, and permeation through excised skin. The gel was additionally characterized for its pH, drug content, viscosity, and spreadability. The prepared nanoparticles were spherical in shape and of size less than 300?nm. Incorporation of judiciously chosen excipients made possible a relatively high entrapment efficiency of almost 40%. The drug release was found to be biphasic, with an initial burst release followed by sustained release up to 8?hours. In comparison to the plain drug gel, which had a tissue deposition of 11.23%, the NLC gel showed a much superior and desirable deposition of 26.41%. The lipophilic nature of the carrier, its size, and property of occlusion enabled greater amounts of drug to enter and be retained in the skin, simultaneously minimizing permeation through the skin, i.e. systemic exposure. The results of the study suggest that NLCs of anti-rosacea drugs have the potential to be used in the therapy of rosacea.