Reducing Average and Peak Test Power Through Scan Chain Modification

Parallel test application helps reduce the otherwise considerable test times in SOCs; yet its applicability is limited by average and peak power considerations. The typical test vector loading techniques result in frequent transitions in the scan chain, which in turn reflect into significant levels of circuit switching unnecessarily. Judicious utilization of logic in the scan chain can help reduce transitions while loading the test vector needed. The transitions embedded in both test stimuli and the responses are handled through scan chain modifications consisting of logic gate insertion between scan cells as well as inversion of capture paths. No performance degradation ensues as these modifications have no impact on functional execution. To reduce average and peak power, we herein propose computationally efficient schemes that identify the location and the type of logic to be inserted. The experimental results confirm the significant reductions in test power possible under the proposed scheme.     

Highly Efficient,Bright, and Stable Colloidal Quantum Dot Short‐Wave Infrared Light‐Emitting Diodes

Unbalanced charge injection is deleterious for the performance of colloidal quantum dot (CQD) light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) as it deteriorates the quantum efficiency, brightness, and operational lifetime. CQD LEDs emitting in the infrared have previously achieved high quantum efficiencies but only when driven to emit in the low‐radiance regime. At higher radiance levels, required for practical applications, the efficiency decreased dramatically in view of the notorious efficiency droop. Here, a novel methodology is reported to regulate charge supply in multinary bandgap CQD composites that facilitates improved charge balance. The current approach is based on engineering the energetic potential landscape at the supra‐nanocrystalline level that has allowed to report short‐wave infrared PbS CQD LEDs with record‐high external quantum efficiency in excess of 8%, most importantly, at a radiance level of ≈5 W sr^?1 m², an order of magnitude higher than prior reports. Furthermore, the balanced charge injection and Auger recombination reduction has led to unprecedentedly high operational stability with radiance half‐life of 26 068 h at a radiance of 1 W sr^?1 m^?2.     

Conditions for high pressure inactivation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oysters

The objective of this study was to identify the high pressure processing conditions (pressure level, time, and temperature) needed to achieve a 5-log reduction of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in live oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Ten strains of V. parahaemolyticus were separately tested for their resistances to high pressure. The two most pressure-resistant strains were then used as a cocktail to represent baro-tolerant environmental strains. To evaluate the effect of temperature on pressure inactivation of V. parahaemolyticus, Vibrio-free oyster meats were inoculated with the cocktail of V. parahaemolyticus and incubated at room temperature (approximately 21 degrees C) for 24 h. Oyster meats were then blended and treated at 250 MPa for 5 min, 300 MPa for 2 min, and 350 MPa for 1 min. Pressure treatments were carried out at -2, 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 45 degrees C. Temperatures >/=30 degrees C enhanced pressure inactivation of V. parahaemolyticus. To achieve a 5-log reduction of V. parahaemolyticus in live oysters, pressure treatment needed to be >/=350 MPa for 2 min at temperatures between 1 and 35 degrees C and >/=300 MPa for 2 min at 40 degrees C.     

Microbial profile and bacterial characterisation of naturally debittered Hurma olives compared to non‐debittered Erkence variety during ripening period

Naturally debittered Hurma olive is grown in a specific area in Karaburun peninsula in Turkey. It is characterised by its sweet taste and it differs from other varieties by losing its bitterness caused by phenolic compounds during its maturation period on the tree. Therefore, Hurma olive does not require any further debittering process to be served as table olive. This study was particularly interested in the comparison of the microbial profile of Hurma olive during its 8 weeks of maturation period in two subsequent harvest years and Erkence (not naturally debittered) olive. In addition, main bacterial profile of both Hurma and Erkence olives were isolated and identified. Aerobic mesophilic microorganism (AMM), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Staphylococci, Micrococcaceae, yeasts and moulds (Y&Ms) were detected (counted and isolated) in the olive drupes during the maturation period. Isolated bacteria were identified as different spp. of Bacillaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Micrococcoceae and Pseudomonadaceae.     

Nitrification of fertilizer wastewaters in a biofilm reactor

The nitrification characteristics of fertilizer wastes were investigated in a biofilm system using a submerged aerated filter. The attachment of biomass on packing media was studied. Supplement of organic carbon in the form of glucose and yeast extract enhanced biofilm formation although the nitrifiers did not require organic carbon for growth. After an attachment period, continuous operation of the reactor at different loading rates and dissolved oxygen levels was investigated. The maximum achievable nitrification rate was strongly dependent on the dissolved oxygen. In the dissolved oxygen range of 3·2–3·5 mg dm⁻³, the maximum ammonia removal rate was about 0·17 kg NH₄ N m⁻³ day⁻¹. When the dissolved oxygen was increased to 4·9 mg dm⁻³, removal rates as high as 0·41 kg NH₄ N m⁻³ day⁻¹ could be obtained. Nitrite accumulation depended on the bulk nitrogen and dissolved oxygen concentrations.     

The Role of Oncostatin M and Its Receptor Complexes in Cardiomyocyte Protection,Regeneration, and Failure

Oncostatin M (OSM), a member of the interleukin-6 family, functions as a major mediator of cardiomyocyte remodeling under pathological conditions. Its involvement in a variety of human cardiac diseases such as aortic stenosis, myocardial infarction, myocarditis, cardiac sarcoidosis, and various cardiomyopathies make the OSM receptor (OSMR) signaling cascades a promising therapeutic target. However, the development of pharmacological treatment strategies is highly challenging for many reasons. In mouse models of heart disease, OSM elicits opposing effects via activation of the type II receptor complex (OSMR/gp130). Short-term activation of OSMR/gp130 protects the heart after acute injury, whereas chronic activation promotes the development of heart failure. Furthermore, OSM has the ability to integrate signals from unrelated receptors that enhance fetal remodeling (dedifferentiation) of adult cardiomyocytes. Because OSM strongly stimulates the production and secretion of extracellular proteins, it is likely to exert systemic effects, which in turn, could influence cardiac remodeling. Compared with the mouse, the complexity of OSM signaling is even greater in humans because this cytokine also activates the type I leukemia inhibitory factor receptor complex (LIFR/gp130). In this article, we provide an overview of OSM-induced cardiomyocyte remodeling and discuss the consequences of OSMR/gp130 and LIFR/gp130 activation under acute and chronic conditions.     

Maximization of total surface area of Pt-SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalyst by the Taguchi method

The maximization of the total surface area of Pt-SnO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst was studied by using the Taguchi method of experimental design. The catalysts were prepared by sol-gel method. The effects of HNO₃, H₂O and aluminum nitrate concentrations and the stirring rate on the total surface area were studied at three levels of each. L₉ orthogonal array leading nine experiments was used in the experimental design. The parameter levels that give maximum total surface area were determined and experimentally verified. In the range of conditions studied it was found that, medium levels of HNO₃ and H₂O concentration and lower levels of aluminum nitrate concentration and stirring rate maximize the total surface area.