An Innovative Power-Gating Technique for Leakage and Ground Bounce Control in System-on-a-Chip (SOC)

Leakage has become one of the most dominant factors of power consumption and signal integrity of nanometer-scale integrated circuits. Recently, power-gating structures have proven to be effective in controlling leakage. In this paper an alternative dual-V _th reduced power-gating structure is proposed for better reduction of leakage currents, especially for low-power and high-performance portable devices. The proposed technique maintains an intermediate power-saving state as well as the conventional power cut-off state. The experimental results have demonstrated that the proposed technique can significantly reduce leakage current and associated power consumptions during the HOLD and CUT-OFF modes. In addition, an analysis of ground bounce due to power-mode transition in power-gating structures is presented. It is demonstrated that the proposed technique provides a way to control ground bounce during power-mode transition. Due to the presence of the intermediate state, its stepwise turning on feature will provide higher reduction of the magnitudes of peak current and voltage glitches in the power distribution network as well as the minimum time required to stabilize power and ground as compared to other similar techniques.     

Inhibition of oxytocin release during repeated milking in unfamiliar surroundings: the importance of opioids and adrenal cortex sensitivity

The aim of this study was to test if the opioid antagonist naloxone has a beneficial effect on normalization of oxytocin (OT) release during repeated milking of cows in unfamiliar surroundings. One control milking without naloxone treatment in all cows was performed in the familiar parlour. For four successive evening milkings, cows were transported to, and milked in, the operating theatre of the research station without (control group) or with naloxone administration (1 mg/kg BW) (naloxone group) before milking. After cessation of spontaneous milk flow, but not before 3 min of milking, vaginal stimulation was applied for 2 min. After milk flow ceased again, 10 IU of OT was injected intravenously to remove the remaining milk including residual milk. Milk flow was recorded continuously and blood samples were collected via a jugular vein cannula at 1-min intervals from 1 min before the start of milking until i.v. injection of OT. The inhibition of milk ejection and its normalization during repeated milking in unfamiliar surroundings was not influenced by naloxone treatment. Concentrations of cortisol and beta-endorphin during control milking and all relocations were similar in the naloxone and control groups, although their concentrations were higher after relocations than in the control. Therefore, a role of endogenous opioids in the inhibition of milk ejection in unfamiliar surroundings could not be demonstrated. In addition, the effect of exogenous ACTH1-24 (8 IU, i.v.) on the release of cortisol related to the response of cows milked in unfamiliar surroundings was studied. Cows with totally inhibited milk ejection in response to vaginal stimulation during milking after first relocation had numerically, but not significantly lower cortisol levels (8.8+/-3.4 ng/ml; AUC/min) in response to ACTH than did cows with at least partial milk ejection (38.7+/-12.9 ng/ml). Thus animals with a higher adrenal response to ACTH seemed to have less severe inhibition of milk ejection.     

Optimization of fermentation conditions for production of the jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) spirit using the response surface methodology

The jabuticaba tree (Brazilian grape tree) is a tree native to Brazil that belongs to the Myrtaceae family. The jabuticaba fruit is used in some regions of Brazil to produce juices, jams, wine, and ice cream. In this work, the fermentation conditions (temperature and °Brix) for producing jabuticaba distillate were optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal conditions for fermentation were found to be 20 °C and 22 °Brix. In repeated experiments to validate the model, experimental data exhibited good agreement with the predicted data. The distillate jabuticaba beverage showed a peculiar chemical composition with 20 volatile compounds that were identified and quantified. Isoamyl alcohols (2-methyl-1-butanol + 3-methyl-1-butanol) were the most abundant volatile compounds identified in jabuticaba spirit. Sensory analysis by tasters showed overall approval of jabuticaba distillate. In principal component analysis, when the beverage was evaluated by panelists under 24 y old tended to give favorable ratings of aroma and taste, as well as high overall scores. The group of panelists between the ages of 25 and 53 y old generally gave high marks for appearance in the principal component analysis. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study describes the study of fermentation conditions of jabuticaba pulp for production of jabuticaba spirit. Based on the results of this work, the proposed method can be an alternative for the use of the jabuticaba fruit, and may provide a new industrial outlet for this fruit.     

N-acryloxysuccinimide: Synthesis, characterization, and incorporation in dental adhesives

In an attempt to enrich the world of dentistry through the development of new materials, this study proposes to synthesize and incorporate a monomer containing the N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester reactive group to a dental adhesive. As such, this study developed a simple method to obtain NHS esters by employing acrylic acid (AA) and NHS in the presence of EDC (N-ethyl-N′-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide), from an aprotic medium. The experimental N-acryloxysuccinimide (NSA) monomer was analyzed by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance of hydrogen (¹H NMR). This monomer was then incorporated within a prepared dental adhesive, in a 5% proportion. The modified adhesive, containing NSA, was applied to the dental surface of bovine teeth to obtain an adhesive/dentin interface in vitro. The characterization of this interface by Raman spectroscopy presented the formation of new amide bonds. Moreover, through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it became possible to observe an intense penetration of this modified adhesive on the dental surface. Considering the outcome, it can be concluded that the synthesized NSA monomer provided a favorable condition for the dental adhesives to interact chemically with the dentin collagen fibers.     

Scale-up study of supercritical fluid extraction process for clove and sugarcane residue

Many scale-up criteria for supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) can be found in literature. However, the studies are often divergent and inconclusive; therefore, more studies on this field are needed. The objective of the present work was to study the scale-up of SFE process focusing application to Brazilian raw materials. A laboratory scale equipment (290 mL extraction vessel) and a pilot scale equipment (5.15 L extraction vessel) were used to study scale-up of SFE for clove and sugarcane residue. The scale-up criterion adopted consisted in maintaining solvent mass to feed mass ratio constant. The criterion was successfully used for a 15-fold scale-up of overall extraction curves for both raw materials studied; yields in pilot scale were slightly higher than in laboratory scale. The criterion studied allows a rapid and simple scale-up procedure, which can be very useful for the purpose of developing SFE technology at industrial scale in developing countries where such technology is still not available at industrial level.     

Modulatory effects of yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) on the PI3K‐AKT signaling pathway

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of yerba maté (YM) extract on the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)‐AKT signaling pathway in vivo. The mice were introduced to either standard‐ or high‐fat diet (HFD). After 8 weeks on an HFD, mice were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment conditions, water or yerba maté extract at 1.0 g/kg. After treatment, glucose blood level and hepatic insulin response were evaluated. Liver tissue was examined to determine the mRNA levels using the PI3K‐AKT PCR array. The nuclear translocation of forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) was determined by an electrophoretic mobility‐shift assay. Our data demonstrated that yerba maté extract significantly decreased the final body weight, glucose blood levels, and insulin resistance of mice. Molecular analysis demonstrated that an HFD downregulated Akt2, Irs1, Irs2, Pi3kca, Pi3kcg, and Pdk1; after yerba maté treatment, the levels of those genes returned to baseline. In addition, an HFD upregulated Pepck and G6pc and increased FOXO1 nuclear translocation. The intervention downregulated these genes by decreasing FOXO1 nuclear translocation. The results obtained demonstrate for the first time the specific action of yerba maté on the PI3K‐AKT pathway, which contributed to the observed improvement in hepatic insulin signaling.     

Determination of ecological efficiency in internal combustion engines: The use of biodiesel

This paper evaluates and quantifies the environmental impact from the use of some renewable fuels and fossils fuels in internal combustion engines. The following fuels are evaluated: gasoline blended with anhydrous ethyl alcohol (anhydrous ethanol), conventional diesel fuel, biodiesel in pure form and blended with diesel fuel, and natural gas. For the case of biodiesel, its complete life cycle and the closed carbon cycle (photosynthesis) were considered. The ecological efficiency concept depends on the environmental impact caused by CO₂, SO₂, NO_x and particulate material (PM) emissions. The exhaust gases from internal combustion engines, in the case of the gasoline (blended with alcohol), biodiesel and biodiesel blended with conventional diesel, are the less polluting; on the other hand, the most polluting are those related to conventional diesel. They can cause serious problems to the environment because of their dangerous components for the human, animal and vegetable life. The resultant pollution of each one of the mentioned fuels are analyzed, considering separately CO₂, SO₂, NO_x and particulate material (PM) emissions. As conclusion, it is possible to calculate an environmental factor that represents, qualitatively and quantitative, the emissions in internal combustion engines that are mostly used in urban transport. Biodiesel in pure form (B100) and blended with conventional diesel as fuel for engines pollute less than conventional diesel fuel. The ecological efficiency for pure biodiesel (B100) is 86.75%; for biodiesel blended with conventional diesel fuel (B20, 20% biodiesel and 80% diesel), it is 78.79%. Finally, the ecological efficiency for conventional diesel, when used in engines, is 77.34%; for gasoline, it is 82.52%, and for natural gas, it is 91.95%. All these figures considered a thermal efficiency of 30% for the internal combustion engine.     

Polymeric Materials for Gene Delivery and DNA Vaccination

Gene delivery holds great potential for the treatment of many different diseases. Vaccination with DNA holds particular promise, and may provide a solution to many technical challenges that hinder traditional vaccine systems including rapid development and production and induction of robust cell‐mediated immune responses. However, few candidate DNA vaccines have progressed past preclinical development and none have been approved for human use. This Review focuses on the recent progress and challenges facing materials design for nonviral DNA vaccine drug delivery systems. In particular, we highlight work on new polymeric materials and their effects on protective immune activation, gene delivery, and current efforts to optimize polymeric delivery systems for DNA vaccination.     

Combined electrocoagulation and TiO(2) photoassisted treatment applied to wastewater effluents from pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries

The treated wastewater consists of refractory materials and high organic content of hydrolyzed peptone residues from pharmaceutical factory. The combination of electrocoagulation (EC) followed by heterogeneous photocatalysis (TiO(2)) conditions was maximized. The EC: iron cathode/anode (12.50 cmx2.50 cmx0.10 cm), current density 763Am(-2), 90min and initial pH 6.0. As EC consequence, the majority of the dissolved organic and suspended material was removed (about 91% and 86% of the turbidity and chemical oxygen demand (COD), respectively). After EC, refractory residues still remained in the effluent. The subsequent photocatalysis: UV/TiO(2)/H(2)O(2) (mercury lamps), pH 3.0, 4h irradiation, 0.25gL(-1) TiO(2) and 10mmolL(-1) H(2)O(2) shows high levels of inorganic and organic compounds eliminations. The obtained COD values: 1753mgL(-1) for the sample from the factory, 160mgL(-1) after EC and 50mgL(-1) after EC/photocatalyzed effluents pointed out that the combined treatment stresses this water purification.     

Academic trajectories of newcomer immigrant youth.

Immigration to the United States presents both challenges and opportunities that affect students' academic achievement. Using a 5-year longitudinal, mixed-methods approach, we identified varying academic trajectories of newcomer immigrant students from Central America, China, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Mexico. Latent class growth curve analysis revealed that although some newcomer students performed at high or improving levels over time, others showed diminishing performance. Multinomial logistic regressions identified significant group differences in academic trajectories, particularly between the high-achieving youth and the other groups. In keeping with ecological–developmental and stage–environment fit theories, School Characteristics (school segregation rate, school poverty rate, and student perceptions of school violence), Family Characteristics (maternal education, parental employment, and household structure), and Individual Characteristics (academic English proficiency, academic engagement, psychological symptoms, gender, and 2 age-related risk factors, number of school transitions and being overaged for grade placement) were associated with different trajectories of academic performance. A series of case studies triangulate many of the quantitative findings as well as illuminate patterns that were not detected in the quantitative data. Thus, the mixed-methods approach sheds light on the cumulative developmental challenges that immigrant students face as they adjust to their new educational settings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)