Tunneling hot electron transfer amplifiers (theta): Amplifiers operating up to the infrared

A family of novel three-terminal devices which relies on the transfer of a quasi-monoenergetic hot electron beam through a thin base is described. The devices are similar in principle to the proposed tunneling amplifier by Mead in the early sixties (“Cold Cathode” or “Metal Base” amplifiers). Results are reviewed and the probable reasons for the poor performances are pointed out. It is predicted that, with a proper choice of parameters, metal-base amplifiers can operate as switches, negative resistance devices and continuous amplifiers in the subpicosecond range.Two subclasses are described: The tunneling emitter (THETA), in the major part of the work, and the nontunneling emitter (BHETA) amplifiers. In the THETA family the metal-oxide-metal-oxide-metal (MOMOM), the MOM-semiconductor (MOMS), and the heterojunctions devices are described. Members of the BHETA family generate quasi-monoenergetic electron beams by injecting electrons by an n⁺n^? or a metal-n^? junctions, and include a variety of metals and semiconductor combinations.Very thin films are required in these devices (oxides ～15 Å, metals ～100 Å, semiconductors ～100 Å). The molecular beam epitaxy technique and lattice matching considerations are required for pinhole free semiconductors and metal films with minimum interface states. Sputter-oxidation methods are needed for thin oxide growth. Systems which combine these features with availability of microfabrication make these devices feasible today.     

A computer system for interpreting blood glucose data

This paper presents an overview on the design and implementation of a computer system for the interpretation of home monitoring data of diabetic patients. The comprehensive methodology covers the major information processing steps leading from raw data to a concise summary of what has happened between two subsequent visits. It includes techniques for summarising and interpreting data, checking for inconsistency, identifying and diagnosing metabolic problems and learning from patient data. Data interpretation focuses on extracting trend patterns and classifying/clustering daily blood glucose (BG) profiles. The software helps clinicians to explore data recorded before the main meals and bedtime, and to identify problems in the patient's metabolic control which should be addressed either by educating the patient and/or adjusting the current management regimen.     

The case for large-size mutations

There are no laws of physics or chemistry that forbid large mutations. Therefore, the "size" of a random mutation should fit the mathematics of a Poisson point process: The number of mutations (N), versus mutation size (MS), should obey an exponential relationship. Three examples are examined: A simple 15-mutation sequence; actual experimental data involving a sequence of 56,611 random action potentials (rather than mutations); and a synthetic sequence of 65,535 random mutations. In the latter example, with an average MS of 2.22 units, the largest MS is a 25-unit giant that would be associated with major changes.     

Trans-Proteomic Pipeline,a standardized data processing pipeline for large-scale reproducible proteomics informatics

Democratization of genomics technologies has enabled the rapid determination of genotypes. More recently the democratization of comprehensive proteomics technologies is enabling the determination of the cellular phenotype and the molecular events that define its dynamic state. Core proteomic technologies include MS to define protein sequence, protein:protein interactions, and protein PTMs. Key enabling technologies for proteomics are bioinformatic pipelines to identify, quantitate, and summarize these events. The Trans-Proteomics Pipeline (TPP) is a robust open-source standardized data processing pipeline for large-scale reproducible quantitative MS proteomics. It supports all major operating systems and instrument vendors via open data formats. Here, we provide a review of the overall proteomics workflow supported by the TPP, its major tools, and how it can be used in its various modes from desktop to cloud computing. We describe new features for the TPP, including data visualization functionality. We conclude by describing some common perils that affect the analysis of MS/MS datasets, as well as some major upcoming features.     

Frequency-dependent losses on high-performance interconnections

This paper compares the major classes of chip-to-chip and on-chips interconnections used in high-performance computers and communication systems and reviews their electrical characteristics. Measurement results of dielectric loss are shown and the attenuation is compared for printed-circuit-board, glass-ceramic, thin-film, and on-chip wiring. Simulation results are shown with representative driver and receiver circuits, guidelines are given for when losses are significant, and predictions are made for the sustainable bandwidths on useful wiring lengths     

Synergistic activity between a spinach-derived natural antioxidant (NAO) and commercial antioxidants in a variety of oxidation systems

Recently, there has been great interest in the potential health benefits of foods containing polyphenols, especially from plants, due to their antioxidant content. Natural antioxidant (NAO) is a unique, powerful antioxidant which was isolated in our lab from spinach leaves. The main goal of this study was to examine potential synergistic activity in combinations of NAO and commercial antioxidants. The antioxidant activity was tested in several in vitro systems including fatty acid and fat oxidation and also in cancer cell lines. We used the unique optical live cell array (LCA) technology to monitor the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in single cells over time. NAO was combined with selected commercial antioxidants, and synergistic activity that reduced ROS generation was found with three polyphenols – ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). These findings demonstrate the importance of using antioxidant ‘cocktails’ which may enhance medical effects in many kinds of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer.     

A comprehensive 2-D inductance modeling approach for VLSI interconnects: frequency-dependent extraction and compact circuit model synthesis

Although three-dimensional (3-D) partial inductance modeling costs have decreased with stable, sparse approximations of the inductance matrix and its inverse, 3-D models are still intractable when applied to full chip timing or crosstalk analysis. The 3-D partial inductance matrix (or its inverse) is too large to be extracted or simulated when power-grid cross-sections are made wide to capture proximity effect and wires are discretized finely to capture skin effect. Fortunately, 3-D inductance models are unnecessary in VLSI interconnect analysis. Because return currents follow interconnect wires, long interconnect wires can be accurately modeled as two-dimensional (2-D) transmission lines and frequency-dependent loop impedances extracted using 2-D methods . Furthermore, this frequency dependence can be approximated with compact circuit models for both uncoupled and coupled lines. Three-dimensional inductance models are only necessary to handle worst case effects such as simultaneous switching in the end regions. This paper begins by explaining and defending the 2-D modeling approach. It then extends the extraction algorithm to efficiently include distant return paths. Finally, a novel synthesis technique is described that approximates the frequency-dependent series impedance of VLSI interconnects with compact circuit models suitable for timing and noise analysis.