On-chip Generation of Sine-wave Summing Digital Signals: an Analytic Study Considering Implementation Constraints

In the context of biosensor as much as Built-In-Self Test (BIST), on-chip sine-wave signal generation is a recurring research topic. Considering the implementation constraints, it implies a trade-off between the amount of resources and the signal quality. An attractive solution consists in combining several digital signals to build this analog sine-wave. The objective of this paper is to give an analytic study of various potential digital-based solutions. Thanks to this study, we prove that the technique consisting in setting the phase shifts and various amplitude values of the square-wave signals is the most efficient approach. This study allows the selection of the optimal square-wave signal parameters to cancel low-order harmonics of the generated signal. We proposed a solution for specification-oriented definition of the architecture.     

Unexploited Acacia cyanophylla seeds: potential food sources of ω6 fatty acids and antioxidants?

BACKGROUND: In order to investigate new sources of dietary phytochemicals, recent studies have focused on underexploited seeds. In this study the total lipid contents, fatty acid profiles and levels of soluble proteins, minerals and antioxidants in seeds from 12 Acacia cyanophylla ecotypes commonly grown in Tunisia were determined. RESULTS: Total lipids averaged 101.7 g kg^?1 on a dry weight basis. Linoleic (61.11–65.45% of total fatty acid content), oleic (19.67–22.85%) and palmitic (9.18–9.98%) acids were the principal fatty acids. Smaller proportions of stearic (1.49–1.82%), vaccenic (1.13–2.05%) and palmitoleic (0.34–0.58%) acids were also quantified. Proteins (by Kjeldahl assay) averaged 107.2 g kg^?1 on a dry weight basis. Total phenolics averaged 1.91 g gallic acid equivalent kg^?1 dry weight (DW) and total flavonoids averaged 0.40 g rutin equivalent kg^?1 DW. The free radical‐scavenging activity determined by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl assay averaged 0.59 mmol L^?1 Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), while that determined by 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) assay averaged 0.28 mmol L^?1 TEAC. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study confirm the presence of ω6 fatty acids at high levels in A. cyanophylla seeds. These metabolites could be used as such and/or extracted for the formulation of supplements and/or ingredients to provide a ratio close to the ideal for the ω3/ω6 balance. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Polyphenol content and modulatory activities of some tropical dietary plant extracts on the oxidant activities of neutrophils and myeloperoxidase

Young leaves of Manihot esculenta Crantz (Euphorbiaceae), Abelmoschus esculentus (Malvaceae), Hibiscus acetosella (Malvaceae) and Pteridium aquilinum (Dennstaedtiaceae) are currently consumed as green vegetables by peoples in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Asia and their migrants living in Western Europe. Sub-Saharan peoples use Manihot, Abelmoschus and Hibiscus also in the folk medicine to alleviate fever and pain, in the treatment of conjunctivitis, rheumatism, hemorrhoid, abscesses, ... The present study investigates the effects of aqueous extracts of those plants on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the release of myeloperoxidase (MPO) by equine neutrophils activated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The ROS production was measured by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL), and the release of total MPO by an ELISA method. The study also investigates the effect of the extracts on the activity of MPO by studying its nitration activity on tyrosine and by using a new technique called SIEFED (Specific Immunological Extraction Followed by Enzymatic Detection) that allows studying the direct interaction of compounds with the enzyme. In all experiments, the aqueous extracts of the plants developed concentration-dependent inhibitory effects. A moderate heat treatment did not significantly modify the inhibitory capacity of the extracts in comparison to not heated ones. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were determined with an HPLC-UV/DAD analysis and a spectroscopic method using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Some polyphenols with well-known antioxidant activities (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, rosmarinic acid and rutin) were found in the extracts and may partly explain the inhibitory activities observed. The role of those dietary and medicinal plants in the treatment of ROS-dependent inflammatory diseases could have new considerations for health.     

Thermal and mechanical modeling during dry turning operations

As assumed by ISO 14000 environmental management norms, machining performance concerns also environmental issues. Dry cutting is one of the objectives of many manufacturing development projects: by reducing industrial wastes, costs should be reduced. But dry cutting changes thermo-mechanical interactions between workpiece, tools, and chips. These changes could produce damages on workpiece quality. In order to prevent these issues, this paper propose a new approach to predict cutting temperature in dry turning by using an analytical model of thermal distribution on the workpiece surface subject to a rotating heat source. This modeling is validated by several experimental tests on AISI 1040 Steels.     

Emulsifying Properties of Angum Gum (Amygdalus scoparia Spach) Conjugated to β-Lactoglobulin through Maillard-Type Reaction

In this study, emulsifying properties of Angum gum were improved by covalent bonding with β-lactoglobulin (BLG). Angum gum is a natural gum exudate from mountain almond trees (Amygdalus scoparia Spach). Covalent linkage of β-lactoglobulin-Angum gum conjugate was confirmed using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Emulsifying properties of emulsions containing β-lactoglobulin:Angum gum (1:1) conjugates were studied with the advancement of Maillard reaction. Dry-heating time showed no significant (p > 0.05) effect on the emulsion activity index; however, emulsion stability index were significantly increased over time and emulsion stability index of two weeks incubated β-lactoglobulin-Angum gum conjugate was significantly different (p < 0.05) from others (β-lactoglobulin-Angum gum mixture, 0, 2, 6 days, and 2 weeks). Moreover, the creaming index decreased with advancement of Maillard-type conjugation of β-lactoglobulin:Angum gum (1:1). β-lactoglobulin-Angum gum conjugates (1:1, 1:2, and 2:1) exhibited much better emulsification performance than Angum gum and gum Arabic alone at the same emulsifier/oil ratio (1.5 wt. % total biopolymer/ 40% v/v oil). In addition, assessing droplet size distribution during storage and freeze-thaw treatment revealed that β-lactoglobulin:Angum gum (1:1) conjugate had finer droplet size compared to other β-lactoglobulin/Angum gum mixing ratios (1:2 and 2:1), Angum gum and gum Arabic.     

Ventilation performance prediction for buildings: Model assessment

Designing ventilation systems for buildings requires a suitable tool to assess the system performance. This investigation assessed seven types of models (analytical, empirical, small-scale experimental, full-scale experimental, multizone network, zonal, and CFD) for predicting ventilation performance in buildings, which can be different in details according to the model type. The analytical model can give an overall assessment of a ventilation system if the flow could be approximated to obtain an analytical solution. The empirical model is similar to the analytical model in terms of its capacities but is developed with a database. The small-scale model can be useful to examine complex ventilation problems if flow similarity can be maintained between the scaled model and reality. The full-scale model is the most reliable in predicting ventilation performance, but is expensive and time consuming. The multizone model is a useful tool for ventilation design in a whole building, but cannot provide detailed flow information in a room. The zonal model can be useful when a user has prior knowledge of the flow in a room. The CFD model provides the most detailed information about ventilation performance and is the most sophisticated. However, the model needs to be validated by corresponding experimental data and the user should have solid knowledge of fluid mechanics and numerical technique. Thus, the choice for an appropriate model is problem-dependent.     

Blue pigment colors from wall painting churches in danger (Portugal 15th to 18th century): identification, diagnosis, and color evaluation

Samples of blue wall paint layers from selected 15th to 18th century religious mural paintings from southern Portugal (Alentejo) have been analyzed using a multi-analytical methodology involving the combination of in situ visible spectro-colorimetry with microanalytical techniques such as optical and scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. In situ analyses and micro-sampling were carried out in nine different churches, many in an advanced state of deterioration. The objectives of this study were: (a) to identify and compare the pigments that were used in the blue paint layers across the Alentejo region and through time by analysis of the elemental and mineralogical composition and pictorial techniques, and (b) to correlate the data between the actual color of the paint layer and the state of conservation of the pigments. For the paintings dated from the 16th century forward, the results show a generalized use of smalt blue. To a lesser extent, natural azurite was used despite the geological richness of the region in copper and pyrite ores. In only one painting was an optical blue made of carbon black and lime found. The pigments, pure or mixed with red and yellow ochres, were coarsely ground and used in different concentrations to create three-dimensional effects. These parameters as well as the presence of iron oxides in underlayer paints influence the colorimetric coordinates in the more transparent smalt blue paint layers. The state of conservation of the pigments plays an important role in the alteration of the paint color. A clear example of this is the fading of the smalt blue in several paintings due to lixiviation processes.     

Sub-micron imaging on high-topography wafers using spray coating and projection lithography

We propose a method to image inside deep trenches (50 μm) using spray-coated resist and the ASML PAS 5500/100 system with the new functionality multi-step imaging. Multi-step imaging allows extending the focus offset range of the PAS 5500/100 system from ±30 μm to ±200 μm. Isolated trenches and contact holes were both imaged inside the deep trenches and on the surface of the wafer to study the versatility of the new functionality. A resolution of 700 nm in 3 μm thick photoresist, at the bottom of 50 μm deep, 200 μm wide trench, was obtained with this process. Finally, multi-focus exposure that consists in exposing the same image several times at various focus offsets was performed in order to image thick photoresist on high topographic substrates.     

Structural characterization of a A-type linked trimeric anthocyanin derived pigment occurring in a young Port wine

A new trimeric flavylium derivative pigment was detected for the first time in a young Port wine and structurally characterised using both API-LC ESI MS/MS and NMR techniques. Its structure comprises a malvidin-3-glucoside molecule (terminal unit) linked to two units of flavans (extension units) involving two A-type linkages (C4 → C8 and C7–O–C2 ether linkages). The energies of the minimized geometries for all four conformations of this compound were calculated and comparing the structures of all isomers, it was verified that the binding mode (α or β) between the first and second anthocyanin unit does not have a key role in the compound stability. However, for isomers 1 and 2 where the interaction between the second and third anthocyanin units occurs by a “β” mode in opposition to the “α” mode verified in isomers 3 and 4, revealed a higher stability.