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Hemiarthoplasty is often considered in the setting of a preserved glenoid cartilage given the high risk of revision associated with TSA. Pyrocarbon (PyC) has been used as an implant that theoretically allows for formation of a neo-membrane which would act like cartilage to reduce glenoid wear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes, radiographic outcomes, revision, and complication rates in the existing literature on shoulder hemiathroplasty using PyC.MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus were searched for articles relating to shoulder hemiarthroplasty using "pyrocarbon" or "pyrolytic carbon". Abstracts and articles were screened against predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, with a minimum of 24-month follow-up required. Data on patient demographics, clinical outcomes scores, complications, revision rates, and radiographic findings was recorded. Where appropriate, meta-analyses was performed.Twelve studies were selected for final inclusion with a total of 536 patients. Of the studies reporting pre and postoperative range of motion, there was an overall improvement in ROM. The mean Constant score post op was 70.9 with a mean improvement of 36.2 points (n=359, 9 studies). Radiographically, 22.8% of patients (n=536, 8 studies) had evidence of glenoid erosion, 10.4% of patients had changes in implant positioning and 9.9% of patients had tuberosity thinning. 1.5% of patients had radiographic subacromial space reduction while 0.7% of patients had an increase in tuberosity thickness. Across all studies, there was an 8.6% complication rate with the most common cause being glenoid erosion (2.6%, n=14). There was an overall 7.7% revision rate (n=41) with 63% of the revisions being converted to a reverse/total shoulder arthroplasty (n=26).Pyrocarbon hemiathroplasty shows overall improvements in ROM and PROs for patients, there remains concern for glenoid erosion on radiographic evaluation at a minimum two year follow-up. Although preliminary studies have shown encouraging results, this systematic review emphasizes the need for longer term follow-up studies with further radiographic evaluation of severity of glenoid erosion and association with functional outcomes and failure risk.

People living with HIV are at higher risk for acute and chronic kidney disease compared with uninfected individuals. Kidney disease in this population is multifactorial, with several contributors including HIV infection of kidney cells, chronic inflammation, genetic predisposition, aging, comorbidities, and coinfections. In this review, we provide a summary of recent advancements in the understanding of the mechanisms and implications of HIV infection and kidney disease, with particular focus on the role of direct HIV infection of renal cells.

Background Evidence supporting the efficacy of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for localized prostate cancer is accumulating, but comparative studies of patient-reported quality of life (QOL) following SBRT versus conventionally fractionated external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) or active surveillance (AS) are limited. Objective To compare QOL of patients pursuing SBRT and EBRT versus AS. Design, setting, and participants A population-based cohort of 680 men with newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer was prospectively enrolled from 2011 to 2013. Intervention SBRT, EBRT without androgen deprivation therapy, or AS. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis QOL was prospectively assessed before treatment (baseline), and at 3, 12, and 24 mo after treatment using the validated Prostate Cancer Symptom Indices, which contain four domains: sexual dysfunction, urinary obstruction/irritation, urinary incontinence, and bowel problems. Propensity weighting via logistic regression models was used to balance baseline characteristics, and the mean QOL scores of EBRT and SBRT patients were compared against AS patients as the control group. Results and limitations Compared with AS patients, EBRT patients had worse urinary obstructive/irritative symptoms and sexual dysfunction at 3 mo, and worse bowel symptoms at 3 and 24 mo. SBRT patients had similar scores as AS patients in all domains and across all time points; however, due to small sample size, worse sexual function and urinary incontinence in SBRT patients cannot be ruled out. Further research is needed to assess long-term outcomes. Conclusions In a nonrandomized cohort of men with localized prostate cancer, SBRT appeared to result in favorable QOL results through 2 yr of follow-up, but worse sexual function and urinary incontinence compared with AS cannot be ruled out completely. Larger studies with longer follow-up are needed to confirm these findings. Patient summary Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and active surveillance appear to have similar quality of life outcomes through 2 yr, although worse sexual function and urinary incontinence from SBRT cannot be ruled out completely.

SUMMARYBreast milk secretory IgA antibodies provide a first line of defense against enteric infections. Despite this and an effective vaccine, human rotaviruses (RVs) remain the leading cause of severe infectious diarrhea in children in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) where vaccine efficacy is lower than that of developed nations. Therapeutic strategies that deliver potently neutralizing antibodies into milk could provide protection against enteric pathogens such as RVs. We developed a murine model of maternal protective-transfer using systemic administration of a dimeric IgA (dIgA) monoclonal antibody. We confirmed that systemically-administered dIgA passively transferred into milk and stomach of suckling pups in a dose-dependent manner. We then demonstrated that systemic administration of an engineered potent RV-neutralizing dIgA (mAb41) in lactating dams protected suckling pups from RV-induced diarrhea. This maternal protective-transfer immunization platform could be an effective strategy to improve infant mortality against enteric infections, particularly in LMIC with high rates of breastfeeding.GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to explore the impact of Taiwan’s Family Practice Integrated Care Project (FPICP) on hospitalisation.DesignA population-based cohort study compared the hospitalisation rates for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) among FPICP participating and non-participating patients during 2011–2015.SettingThe study accessed the FPICP reimbursement database of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) administration containing all NHI administration-selected patients for FPICP enrolment.ParticipantsThe NHI administration-selected candidates from 2011 to 2015 became FPICP participants if their primary care physicians joined the project, otherwise they became non-participants.InterventionsThe intervention of interest was enrolment in the FPICP or not. The follow-up time interval for calculating the rate of hospitalisation was the year in which the patient was selected for FPICP enrolment or not.Primary outcome measuresThe study’s primary outcome measures were hospitalisation rates for ACSC, including asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes or its complications and heart failure. Logistic regression was used to calculate the ORs concerning the influence of FPICP participation on the rate of hospitalisation for ACSC.ResultsThe enrolled population for data analysis was between 3.94 and 5.34 million from 2011 to 2015. Compared to non-participants, FPICP participants had lower hospitalisation for COPD/asthma (28.6‰–35.9‰ vs 37.9‰–42.3‰) and for diabetes or its complications (10.8‰–14.9‰ vs 12.7‰–18.1‰) but not for congestive heart failure. After adjusting for age, sex and level of comorbidities by logistic regression, participation in the FPICP was associated with lower hospitalisation for COPD/asthma (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.94 in 2015) and for diabetes or its complications (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.92 in 2015).ConclusionParticipation in the FPICP is an independent protective factor for preventable ACSC hospitalisation. Team-based community healthcare programs such as the FPICP can strengthen primary healthcare capacity.

To more accurately simulate the I–V diagram of a homogeneous and a filamentary plasma discharge with an equivalent circuit model, this study employed a breaker and passive circuit components and calculated the discharge parameters, such as equivalent discharge resistances and potential distribution, in an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ). In addition, we calculated the gas-gap and dielectric capacitances of the APPJ and added a power supply equivalent circuit. Compared with other circuit models that use switches or a time-controlled current source to simulate the discharges, our present circuit model uses a breakdown-voltage-controlled breaker for the homogeneous discharge and resistors with high-frequency switches for the filamentary discharge. We employed potential simulation to obtain the equivalent dielectric capacitance in the APPJ and then derived the gas-gap capacitance. We also replaced the ideal sine wave power supply with the equivalent circuit of the common double-peak waveform power supply. MATLAB Simulink was used to construct an equivalent circuit model and the discharge area ratio, breakdown voltage and filamentary equivalent resistance were obtained via I–V waveform fitting. We measured the plasma I–V waveform with a 20 kHz frequency, various voltages (6, 12 and 15 kV), a gas flow rate of 30 standard liter per minute (SLM) and two types of gas (Ar and He). The simulated and experimental I–V waveforms were very close under the different conditions. In summary, the proposed equivalent circuit model more meaningfully describes the plasma physics to simulate homogeneous and filamentary discharges, achieving results that are compatible with our experimental observations. The findings can help with investigating plasma discharge mechanisms and full-model simulations of plasma.

Our goal is to establish a remote-plasma-based aerosol-assisted atmospheric-pressure plasma deposition (RAAPD) system for depositing protein–plasma-polymerized-ethylene coatings. The method of RAAPD is using plasma to polymerize ethylene and add protein aerosol at downstream region to coat protein–plasma-polymerized-ethylene on substrate. We investigated effects of different mixing, mesh, deposition distance, gas flow, voltage, and frequency. Results showed that downstream-mixing method reduced heat effects on protein. The optimal coating was achieved when using mesh, at a close deposition distance, with high flow rate of protein aerosol, and under high voltage. Compared with current methods, impacts of RAAPD include reducing effects of plasma generated heat, reactive species, and UV on protein, and deposition will not be limited by electrode area and substrate material.

HIV Transfer in Renal Transplantation despite ART In this case report, a low level of human immunodeficiency virus was shown to be transferred during transplantation of a kidney from an HIV-positiv...

Bone marrow aspirates (BMAs), owing to their innate osteogenic potential, are well-documented supplements to osteoconductive and/or osteoinductive materials. The calcaneal body provides foot and ankle surgeons a convenient harvest site with low morbidity and minimal cost. In the present study, we sought to identify and characterize multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in BMAs harvested from the human calcaneal body. Ten healthy patients aged 18 to 65 years were enrolled in the present study. BMAs were harvested from the patients without any reported postoperative complications related to the harvest. Cells isolated from all the aspirates were adherent to culture plates and expressed positive MSC surface markers (CD105, CD90, and CD73) and a low level of negative MSC markers (CD34 and CD45). The cells maintained the ability to proliferate and differentiate into cells of mesenchymal lineages. The BMAs from the human calcaneal body offer a healthy source of multipotent MSCs.

Aim: Patients treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) may experience oral complications associated with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). These complications may significantly affect quality of life, even many years post-HSCT. Current treatment options for oral cGVHD are limited and often include steroid or other immunomodulatory medications, which may not adequately control the oral condition. A non-immunosuppressive intervention for symptomatic relief in oral cGVHD would thus be a welcome addition to the treatment paradigm. Materials and methods: We report seven cases of oral cGVHD that were treated with photobiomodulation therapy (PBM), previously known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Patients underwent at least two PBM treatments per week in addition to local treatment with steroids, and if on systemic therapies, these were either unchanged or dosage was reduced during the period of PBM therapy. Follow-up data is presented for 4 weeks of treatment. Results: Oral pain, sensitivity, and dry mouth improved in most patients. These findings suggest PBM therapy may represent an additional approach for management of oral cGVHD, and suggest that controlled studies should be conducted to confirm the efficacy and safety of PBM therapy in oral cGVHD and to determine optimal PBM therapy protocols.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text, HIV-1 persists indefinitely in multiple cellular reservoirs despite antiretroviral therapy. We previously demonstrated HIV-1 compartmentalization in kidney and urine. Here, we further characterized viruses in urine and when available, compared them to those present in semen from HIV-1 positive participants with detectable plasma viremia to further understand the viral dynamics in the upper and lower genitourinary tract. Blood and urine samples were obtained from 19 HIV-1 positive participants. Simultaneous semen samples were obtained from 16 of the 19 participants. HIV-1 envelope (env) gene sequences were obtained by single-genome amplification (SGA) and neighbor-joining trees were constructed using the Kimura 2-parameter model. HIV-1 env gene sequences were amplified from blood in 19/19 (100%) participants, urine in 18/19 (95%) participants, and semen in 12/16 (75%). In individuals from which both urine and semen samples were obtained, differences in viral shedding between the 2 sources were observed, where HIV-1 env sequences could only be amplified from either urine or semen. Longitudinal phylogenetic analysis of urine-derived env sequences from 1 participant demonstrated that urine clusters distinct from blood are maintained over time (20 weeks), consistent with viral compartmentalization and local replication. Comparison of urine and semen derived sequences demonstrated either virus compartmentalization or equilibration. Our results demonstrate that when present, viral compartmentalization in urine persists over time. Comparison of timing of viral shedding in urine and semen samples from our cohort suggest different viral kinetics between the upper and lower genitourinary tract and sequence analysis suggests that HIV-1 populations in urine and semen can either be imported from blood or produced locally.

The federal 340B Drug Discount Program provides access to significant drug price discounts for health care organizations in the United States that serve a disproportional share of disadvantaged patients.To analyze trends over a 10-year period (2006~2016) in the price of specialty drugs, contrasting the market price with the price paid under the 340B program.Pharmacy purchase records, including the 340B drug price and the wholesale acquisition cost (WAC), were collected from a 340B-contract pharmacy group in Southern California between 2006 and 2016. Records were used to calculate price changes in the annual average price paid. The average price was calculated as the weighted price, using purchasing volume for each year as weights. Separate time series of year-to-year price changes were created by therapeutic class using the American Hospital Formulary Service Therapeutic Classification system.The 340B price growth rate patterns were similar to the profile of the WAC prices over time across all drug classes. The overall drug price growth rate per year over 10 years for WAC prices was 15% and 10% for 340B prices. For specialty drug classes, the average growth rates per year were 14% for the WAC price and 6% for the 340B price. For certain specialty drug classes, such as antineoplastic and antiretroviral drugs, the 340B price inflation rates were significantly lower than the WAC price inflation rates after 2013.The price inflation of specialty drugs exceeds the rate of inflation in the Consumer Price Index for prescription drugs. The 340B price shows a similar inflation pattern as the WAC price over time in the specialty drug categories.This study is 1 of 3 research projects that comprise Lee's dissertation. Funding to support Lee's dissertation research was provided as an unrestricted fellowship from PharMedQuest Pharmacy Services. Chang is employed by PharMedQuest Pharmacy Services, which provided the dataset for analysis. Lee reports grants from PharMedQuest Pharmacy Services, unrelated to this study. McCombs has nothing to report.

While the applications of consumer electronics are trending to with slim and stylish outlook, the space is extremely constraint within the electronic devices. WLCSP enables low profile, small form factor and relatively easy assembly process, it is perfect to meet those space constrains. However, for ultra-thin WLCSP, reduced wafer thickness would increase the risk of warpage and crack during the processing. When the silicon of WLCSP is ultra-thin (less than 200um), its mechanical strength is low, its handling post wafer lapping process is one of the major challenges. The crack risk is even higher when the wafer is big (12”) and with brittle ELK layer. The other challenge is wafer warpage, which is from the CTE miss-match between silicon and passivation polymer. Therefore, in order to diminish the wafer warpage and crack risk, experiments are performed to conduct for the risk mitigation, including laser grooving process optimization, dicing tooling selection and recipe optimization study. In this study, a test vehicle with 170um Silicon thickness was evaluated. Screen and corner DOEs which includes laser grooving conditions and dicing conditions were performed to come out the tooling selection and process windows. Finally, functional test and reliability test are all passed. This ultra-thin WLCSP has been proved to apply to the consumer electrics products.

Human perinatal tissues have been used for over a century as allogeneic biomaterials. Due to their advantageous properties including angiogenecity, anti-inflammation, anti-microbial, and immune privilege, these tissues are being utilized for novel applications across wide-ranging medical disciplines. Given continued clinical success, increased adoption of perinatal tissues as a disruptive technology platform has allowed for significant penetration into the multi-billion dollar biologics market. Here, we review current progress and future applications of perinatal biomaterials, as well as associated regulatory issues.

As mobile electronics are continuously driven for compact, slim and lightweight, miniaturization of IC packaging has been a must. There are increasing Wafer Level Chip Scale and fan-in Package (WLCSP) employed in electronics to achieve the miniaturization. Since WLCSP just is the Die with solder balls attached, WLCSP has the smallest footprint and the lightest weight compare to substrate base and lead-frame base package. However, WLCSP side wall with pure silicon is brittle, it is easily damaged and cracked during transportation and SMT processes. How to protect the WLCSP sidewall and to prevent the cracks is a rising issue for WLCSP applications. Therefore, as a molded WLCSP has aroused lots of attention in IC semiconductor industry. It not only provides side wall protection but also enhances package board level reliability by additional molding fixture around solder balls. By using a wafer form molding technology, it solves side wall crack issue and has no concern for high cost. Without rigid support and with unsymmetrical structure, the major challenges of this molded WLCSP come from the wafer warpage post backside grinding process. In order to diminish the warpage during backend processes, lots of experiments were conducted extensively to reduce the wafer warpage, including molding compound selection (which focus on its CTE and Tg adjustments), post-mold cure optimization, die thickness decision, and so on. In this paper, a test vehicle with ultra-low profile was evaluated. Stress simulation was conducted to determine the package construction and work out the bill of material. Screen and corner DOEs which includes molding compound selection and post-mold cure parameters were performed to come out the optimal material and process window. Functional test and Board reliability test have been passed as well. Additional collision test also shows good side wall protections. Hence five sides molded WLCSP has been proven to be a feasible and reliable way for the miniaturization in assembly industry.

This paper presents a 14-tap 8-bit finite impulse response (FIR) test-chip that has been designed using a novel charge-recovery logic family, called Enhanced Boost Logic (EBL), to achieve high-speed and low-power operation. Compared to previous charge-recovery circuitry, EBL achieves increased gate overdrive, resulting in low latency overhead over static CMOS design. The EBL-based FIR has been designed with only 1.5 cycles of additional latency over its static CMOS counterpart, while consuming 21% less energy per cycle, based on post-layout simulations of the two designs. The test-chip has been fabricated in a 0.13 μ m CMOS process with a fully-integrated 3 nH inductor. Correct function has been validated in the 365-600 MHz range. At its resonant frequency of 466 MHz, the test-chip dissipates 39.1 mW with a 93.6 nW/MHz/Tap/InBit/CoeffBit figure of merit, recovering 45% of the energy supplied to it every cycle.

A new class of biomimetic, bioresorbable apatitic calcium phosphate cement (CPC) biomaterial was recently developed. The handling characteristics and the ability to harden at body temperature in the presence of physiological saline makes it an attractive clinical bone substitute and delivery vehicle for therapeutic agents in orthopaedic applications. The major challenge with the material system consists in formulating an injectable paste with options for cell delivery in order to regenerate new bone faster with high quality. In this study, three different additives and/or viscosity modifiers (carboxymethylcellulose, silk and alginate) were incorporated into the CPC matrix. Injectability, cell viability and cell proliferation were evaluated by SEM, chemical content, and gene expression for osteogenesis of hMSCs. Injectable composites of CPC-gels for cell protection were achieved. The alginate provided the best outcomes, based on cell proliferation, ALP and collagen production, and osteogenic transcript increases for ALP, type I collagen, BSP and OP. Osteogenic analysis indicated lineage-specific differentiation of hMSCs into osteogenic outcomes in this CPC matrix. The results suggest that gel mixed CPC combination materials can be used as a cell delivery vehicle for bone regeneration.

This paper presents a finite impulse response (FIR) filter chip that relies on a charge-recovery logic family to achieve multi-MHz clock frequencies with subthreshold DC supply levels. Fabricated in a 0.13 ?m CMOS process with Vth,nmos = 0.40 V, the FIR operates with a two-phase power-clock in the 5 MHz-187 MHz range and with DC supplies in the 0.16 V-0.36 V range. Using a single DC supply, the chip achieves its most energy-efficient operating point when resonating at 20 MHz with a 0.27 V supply. Recovering 89 % of the energy supplied to its 57 pF per-phase load, it consumes 15.57 pj per cycle and yields 17.37 nW/Tap/MHz/InBit/ CoeffBit. Using two subthreshold DC supplies at 20 MHz, energy per cycle can be further reduced by 17.1 %, yielding 14.40 nW/Tap/ MHz/InBit/CoeffBit.

A new class of osteoconductive and osteoinductive combination biomaterials composed of calcium phosphate cement (CPC), demineralized bone matrix (DBM) and a water-soluble viscosity modifier were prepared and characterized in-vitro and in-vivo. In previous studies, a range of combinations formulations were tested in order to compare their performance characteristic. In-vitro characterization results show that the mechanical strength is decreased when the amount of DBM increases. However, DBM does not affect the CPC’s ability to set hard and convert to nanocrystalline apatitic calcium phosphate, which shares the chemical structure of natural bone as seen in x-ray diffraction. It is known that the DBM alone is osteoinductive. In-vivo osteoinductivity testing of the formulations in an intramuscular, athymic rat model demonstrated that the combination material is also osteoinductive. Two formulations were chosen for in-vivo efficacy testing based on the results of in-vitro and in-vivo characterization. These formulations were studied using rabbit critical-sized femoral core defect model. The formulations were composed of DBM with particle sizes of 250 to 710 μm, carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC) as the viscosity modifier and weight percent compositions of 50% DBM/ 45% CPC/ 5% CMC and 60% DBM/ 30% CPC/ 10% CMC. Bone integration and healing was graded at 6, 12, and 24 weeks. The two formulations were compared to the gold standard autograft at 12 weeks and to an empty defect as the negative control at 24 weeks. Based on micro-computed topography (μCT), both formulations allowed for continuity of bone throughout the defect region at all time points. No differences in dense area fraction were seen between two formulations at 6 weeks (p = 0.8661). There was no significant statistical difference between the two formulations and autograft at 12 weeks (p = 0.2467). At 24 weeks, both formulations had significantly higher dense area fractions than empty controls (p = 0.0001). Histologically, the biology of the treatment areas appeared to have returned to normal by 24 weeks with CPC appearing to be the principal osteogenic inducer. In conclusion, these combinations of CPC and DBM offers significant advantages (handling, mechanical properties and osteoinductivity) over current DBM products and can be an effective alternative to autograft in healing of bone defects.

Alpha-bsm® is a first generation self-setting, injectable and moldable apatitic calcium phosphate cement (CPC) based on amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP). ACP was prepared using low temperature double decomposition technique, from a calcium solution (0.16 M), and phosphate solution (0.26 M) in a basic (pH~13) media. ACP was than stabilized using three crystal growth inhibitors (CO32-, Mg2+, P2O74-), freeze-dried, and heated (450 °C, 1h) to remove additional moisture and some inhibitors. Dicalcium phosphate dehydrate (DCPD) was also prepared using wet chemistry at room temperature from calcium and phosphate solution, respectively, 0.3 M and 0.15 M. ACP and DCPD powder were combined at a 1:1 ratio and ground to produce Alpha-bsm® bone cement. The cement is supplied as a powder and when mixed with an appropriate amount (0.8 ml/g) of physiological saline at room temperature, forms an injectable putty-like paste. The paste has a working time of about 45 minutes at room temperature, when stored in a moist environment. The setting reaction proceeds isothermically at body temperature (37°C) in less than 20 minutes, forming a hardened, porous (total porosity 50 to 60%), low crystalline (40% comparing with HA), apatitic calcium phosphate cement with a compressive strength range of 10 to 12 MPa. Extensive pre-clinical studies (rabbit radius critical sized defect, canine tibia osteotomy, sheep tibia, primate fibula fracture healing, and primate fibula critical size defect) demonstrate that Alpha-bsm® undergoes remodeling in conjunction with new bone formation. The next generation of Bone Substitute Materials (Beta-bsmTM and Gamma-bsm TM) are formulated based on the Alpha-bsm® chemistry but differ in powder processing (e.g. milling) technique. These materials are also self-setting, injectable and/or moldable apatitic calcium phosphate cements with improved handling and mechanical properties. The setting & hardening reaction of these new CPCs proceeds isothermically in less than 5 minutes at 37°C and once hardened demonstrate a compressive strength of 30 to 50 MPa. The final product (after full conversion) is a low crystalline (40% compared with Hydroxyapatite), calcium deficient (Ca/P atomic ratio = 1.45) carbonated apatite similar to the composition and structure of natural bone mineral (crystal size: length = 26 nm, width thickness = 8 nm). A desirable feature of these cements is their high surface chemistry (with specific surface area of about 180-200 m2/g) which is ideal for remodeling and controlled release of growth factors. A pilot rabbit critically sized femoral defect study comparing the three synthetic family products demonstrate that they share similar remodeling and resorption characteristics up to 52 weeks. Physico-chemical and mechanical performance of these next generation CPCs are favorable when compared with existing CPCs in the market, specifically material working time (at room temperature), cohesivity in a wet environment and fast setting & hardening rate (at body temperature).

This paper describes RF1 and RF2, two level-clocked test-chips that deploy resonant clocking to reduce power consumption in their clock distribution networks. It also highlights RCL, a novel resonant-clock latch-based methodology that was used to design the two test-chips. RF1 and RF2 are 8-bit 14-tap finite-impulse response (FIR) filters with identical architectures. Designed using a fully automated ASIC design flow, they have been fabricated in a commercial 0.13 mum bulk silicon process. RF1 operates at clock frequencies in the 0.8-1.2 GHz range and uses a single-phase clocking scheme with a driven clock generator. Resonating its 42 pF clock load at 1.03 GHz with Vdd = 1.13 V, RF1 dissipates 132 mW, achieving a clock power reduction of 76% over conventional switching. RF2 achieves higher clock power efficiency than RF1 by relying on a two-phase clocking scheme with a distributed self-resonant clock generator. Resonating 38 pF of clock load per phase at 1.01 GHz with Vdd = 1.08 V, RF2 dissipates 124 mW and achieves 84% reduction in clock power over conventional switching. At 133 nW/MHz/Tap/InBit/CoeffBit, RF2 features the lowest figure of merit for FIR filters published to date.

This paper describes the development of a new ionic palladium catalyst, CIRCUPOSIT™6530 Catalyst, along with a tartrate-based horizontal electroless copper bath, CIRCUPOSIT™6550, to meet the performance demands of high-density-interconnect (HDI) and packaging (PKG) substrates in horizontal electroless copper plating. Implementation of the new ionic catalyst process is demonstrated through excellent coverage and reliability performance of through holes and microvias on HDI and PKG substrates following processing in horizontal equipment, as well as peel strength on low profile dielectric materials in the semi-additive process. Results also showed that the new CIRCUPOSIT™6530 Catalyst demonstrated stable performance during customer qualification.

We conducted a cadaveric study to determine the size of cartilage grafts that can be taken from the tragus without distorting tragal anatomy. Our subjects included 7 fresh cadavers—3 male and 4 female (age at death: 61 to 87 yr). Tragal cartilage grafts were harvested while leaving the lateral 3 mm of the tragal cartilage in situ to preserve the anatomic shape of the tragus. The grafts were measured and their dimensions recorded. The craniocaudal dimensions of the tragal cartilages ranged from 15 to 30 mm (mean: 21.6), and the width of each specimen ranged from 10 to 23 mm (mean: 15.3). The thickness of the cartilage was approximately 1 mm. The grafts were slightly curved along their long axis. We also review the literature regarding the dimensions of different grafts used in rhinoplasty, knowledge of which can help in preoperative planning. Tragal cartilage grafts have been used as shield, alar contour, alar batten, lateral crural onlay, dorsal onlay, and infratip lobule grafts. When a straight and/or thick graft is needed, two strips of tragal cartilage can be sutured in a mirror-image configuration.

The learning process must evolve and expand throughout one's IT career. Most would agree that's often easier said than done. Here are some ways professionals can overcome mental blocks that may prevent learning.

A 65nm CMOS 5.5GS/s non-interleaved 5-bit flash ADC with resonant clocking is presented. An on-chip 0.77nH inductor resonates the entire clock distribution network to achieve energy-efficient operation. The ADC occupies 0.035mm2 and consumes 28mW when operating at 5.5GHz, yielding 396fJ per conversion step. The clock network dissipates only 10.7% of total power, consuming 54% lower energy over CV2. By comparison, in a typical flash ADC design, 30% of total power is clock-related. From measurement results, ENOB is 4.56b and 4.11b with f in at 440MHz and 2.04GHz, respectively.

Secondary breast deformities following breast augmentation constitute some of the most challenging and difficult problems to correct. Although the application and efficacy of human acellular dermal matrix in breast reconstruction has been previously reported, there is little information in the literature relating to its indications, results, or cost in aesthetic breast surgery.This study retrospectively reviewed a single surgeon's experience in correcting secondary deformities with human acellular dermal matrix after breast augmentation from 2005 to 2009. A total of 23 patients (38 breasts) were included in the study.There were 28 breasts with surface irregularities and 22 breasts with implant malposition (12 had both). On average, 1.13 sheets of human acellular dermal matrix were used per breast per operation. At the authors' institution, this material equates to a cost to the patient of $3536 to $4856 per breast (depending on sheet size and thickness). Twenty of 23 patients (87 percent) [32 of 38 breasts (84 percent)] had improvement in their breast deformity after breast revision surgery. Three patients (six breasts) needed another cosmetic breast operation before the end of the follow-up period: two because of persistent surface irregularities and one with a request for larger implants. One patient (3 percent) had an infection in one breast, requiring removal of the human acellular dermal matrix.Human acellular dermal matrix is a useful and safe adjunct for correction of contour deformities after breast augmentation. Its high cost, however, may be a deterrent to widespread use in self-pay patients.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems consist of Electric Tags, or transponders and RF tag readers, or transceivers. Auto-tags of the RFID system have the unique ID feature and are capable of carrying information, which adds the tags more capability of which could be read only or read/write. RFID systems are now being used by more and more organizations connected with management, tracing, and control. The purpose of this study was to develop a information protection system (named PC-guard) using systems engineering and RFID technology. The login verification code can be notified in advance by using the PC-guard system because every PC user having their own Auto-tag will be checked with PC RFID reader. The information in the PC will be protected with RFID and the vibration sensor as the PC be turned on and be invaded. The development of this system using Blanchard and Fabrycky's procedure intends to bring the advantages of time saving and reduced risk using RFID technology. The developmental test and evaluation in the RFID lab had been done. The test results show that the PC-guard system can be operated well to protect the information in the PC with an active RFID tag and a PLC procedure with vibration sensor.

An ARM926EJ-STM microcontroller with a fully resonant clock distribution network and 16KB data and instruction caches has been implemented in 130nm bulk silicon. Workloads execute successfully across process and temperature corners, and at room temperature, typical-process chips run at clock speeds up to 200MHz with 1.2V supply. At resonance, the microcontroller core dissipates 0.23mW/MHz, recovering 85% of the energy in its clock distribution network. Total power savings range from 20% to 35%, depending on application workload and computation profile.

We present a 14-tap 8-bit FIR chip designed using a novel charge-recovery logic family with only 1.5 cycles of additional latency over the best possible static CMOS design. Fabricated in a 0.13µm CMOS process, the chip operates in the 365—600MHz range with a 3nH on-chip inductor. At its resonant frequency of 466MHz, it dissipates 39.1mW and recovers 45% of the energy supplied to it.

The performance of a 700 Watt SiC SIT device using state of the art silicon carbide technology is described. Operating under pulsed RF conditions of 1mS pulse width, 20% duty cycle, it can deliver 700 Watts peak power at 96 volts. More than 50% efficiency and 8.2 dB gain are attained over the bandwidth of 400-450 MHz. The power density is 1.9 watts/mil. Thermal resistance is 0.19degC/W. The junction temperature remains below 150degC at a flange temperature of 70degC. This combination of high power density and high voltage operation makes these new generation devices ideally suited for new transmitter designs in UHF radar systems.

The performance of an 800 Watt SiC SIT device using state of the art silicon carbide technology is described. Operating under pulsed RF conditions of 300uS Pulse Width, 10% Duty Cycle, it can deliver 800 Watts peak power at 96 Volts. More than 50% efficiency and 9 dB gain are attained over the bandwidth of 400–450 MHz. The power density is 3.1 Watt/Mil. Thermal resistance is 0.14°C/W. The junction temperature remains below 170°C at a flange temperature of 70°C. This combination of high power density and high voltage operation makes these new generation devices ideally suited for transmitter designs in UHF Radar systems.

In this paper we report our work on the development of a human serotonin transporter (hSERT) antagonist that can be conjugated to quantum dots. This approach has been used to target and visualize the human serotonin transporter protein (hSERT). We demonstrate that labeling is blocked by the addition of high affinity hSERT antagonists such as paroxetine. This approach may be useful for the development of fluorescent assays to study the location and temporal dynamics of biogenic amine transporters and also holds promise for the development of plate-based high throughput assays used to identify novel transporter antagonists.

The performance of a state-of-the-art L-band 800- Watts peak power module for pulsed Radar application is described. The NPN silicon bipolar junction transistor chips are designed and fabricated at Microsemi PPG. These packaged transistors are internally matched and are constructed with BeO packages for best heat dissipation. Operating under 300 uS pulse width, 10% duty cycle, the power module delivers more than 800 W output power over the bandwidth of 1200 MHz to 1400 MHz. When operated under 5 uS pulse width, 5% duty cycle, the output power exceeds 1 KW with 8.9 dB power gain across the same frequency range.