c-Axis Aligned 3 nm Thick In2O3 Crystal Using New Liquid DBADMIn Precursor for Highly Scaled FET Beyond the Mobility-Stability Trade-off.

Oxide semiconductors (OS) are attractive materials for memory and logic device applications owing to their low off-current, high field effect mobility, and superior large-area uniformity. Recently, successful research has reported the high field-effect mobility (µFE) of crystalline OS channel transistors (above 50 cm2 V-1 s-1). However, the memory and logic device application presents challenges in mobility and stability trade-offs. Here, we propose a method for achieving high-mobility and high-stability by lowering the grain boundary effect. A DBADMIn precursor was synthesized to deposit highly c-axis-aligned C(222) crystalline 3 nm thick In2O3 films. In this study, the 250 °C deposited 3 nm thick In2O3 channel transistor exhibited high µFE of 41.12 cm2 V-1 s-1, Vth of -0.50 V, and SS of 150 mV decade-1 with superior stability of 0.16 V positive shift during PBTS at 100 °C, 3 MV cm-1 stress conditions for 3 h.

Design of a Current Sensing System with TIA Gain of 160 dBΩ and Input-Referred Noise of 1.8 pArms for Biosensor.

This paper proposes a high-gain low-noise current signal detection system for biosensors. When the biomaterial is attached to the biosensor, the current flowing through the bias voltage is changed so that the biomaterial can be sensed. A resistive feedback transimpedance amplifier (TIA) is used for the biosensor requiring a bias voltage. Current changes in the biosensor can be checked by plotting the current value of the biosensor in real time on the self-made graphical user interface (GUI). Even if the bias voltage changes, the input voltage of the analog to digital converter (ADC) does not change, so it is designed to plot the current of the biosensor accurately and stably. In particular, for multi-biosensors with an array structure, a method of automatically calibrating the current between biosensors by controlling the gate bias voltage of the biosensors is proposed. Input-referred noise is reduced using a high-gain TIA and chopper technique. The proposed circuit achieves 1.8 pArms input-referred noise with a gain of 160 dBΩ and is implemented in a TSMC 130 nm CMOS process. The chip area is 2.3 mm2, and the power consumption of the current sensing system is 12 mW.

Type-II Red Phosphorus: Wavy Packing of Twisted Pentagonal Tubes.

Elemental phosphorus exhibits fascinating structural varieties and versatile properties. The unique nature of phosphorus bonds can lead to the formation of extremely complex structures, and detailed structural information on some phosphorus polymorphs is yet to be investigated. In this study, we investigated an unidentified crystalline phase of phosphorus, type-II red phosphorus (RP), by combining state-of-the-art structural characterization techniques. Electron diffraction tomography, atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), powder X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy were concurrently used to elucidate the hidden structural motifs and their packing in type-II RP. Electron diffraction tomography, performed using individual crystalline nanowires, was used to identify a triclinic unit cell with volume of 5330 Å3 , which is the largest unit cell for elemental phosphorus crystals up to now and contains approximately 250 phosphorus atoms. Atomic-resolution STEM imaging, which was performed along different crystal-zone axes, confirmed that the twisted wavy tubular motif is the basic building block of type-II RP. Our study discovered and presented a new variation of building blocks in phosphorus, and it provides insights to clarify the complexities observed in phosphorus as well as other relevant systems.

Manipulation of resonance orders and absorbing materials for structural colors in transmission with improved color purity.

We present an improved color purity of additive transmissive structural color filters by controlling a resonance order and by inserting a highly absorbing material. The proposed structure consists of a single metal sandwiched by two transparent dielectric media serving as a cavity to minimize the ohmic loss in the metal mirrors, which is distinctly different from a conventional Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity that is in general designed to have two metal mirrors. Low reflections at an air-dielectric interface cause a quality-factor of a resonance to be reduced, causing a degraded color purity, which can be improved by employing a 1st order resonance that exhibits a narrower bandwidth than a fundamental FP resonant mode (0th order). For a red color with the improved purity, introducing an ultrathin absorbing layer in the middle of a top cavity enables the 1st resonance to be trivially influenced while selectively suppressing a 2nd order resonance appearing at the shorter wavelength region. Moreover, angle-insensitive performances up to 60° are attained by utilizing a cavity material with high index of refraction. Besides, the fabrication of the structural coloring devices involves a few deposition steps, thus rendering the approach suitable for applications over the large area. The described concept could be applied to diverse applications, such as colored solar panels, sensors, imaging devices, and decorations.

A Low-Power Analog Processor-in-Memory-Based Convolutional Neural Network for Biosensor Applications.

This paper presents an on-chip implementation of an analog processor-in-memory (PIM)-based convolutional neural network (CNN) in a biosensor. The operator was designed with low power to implement CNN as an on-chip device on the biosensor, which consists of plates of 32 × 32 material. In this paper, 10T SRAM-based analog PIM, which performs multiple and average (MAV) operations with multiplication and accumulation (MAC), is used as a filter to implement CNN at low power. PIM proceeds with MAV operations, with feature extraction as a filter, using an analog method. To prepare the input feature, an input matrix is formed by scanning a 32 × 32 biosensor based on a digital controller operating at 32 MHz frequency. Memory reuse techniques were applied to the analog SRAM filter, which is the core of low power implementation, and in order to accurately grasp the MAC operational efficiency and classification, we modeled and trained numerous input features based on biosignal data, confirming the classification. When the learned weight data was input, 19 mW of power was consumed during analog-based MAC operation. The implementation showed an energy efficiency of 5.38 TOPS/W and was differentiated through the implementation of 8 bits of high resolution in the 180 nm CMOS process.

Optimal Sparse Eigenspace and Low-Rank Density Matrix Estimation for Quantum Systems.

Quantum state tomography, which aims to estimate quantum states that are described by density matrices, plays an important role in quantum science and quantum technology. This paper examines the eigenspace estimation and the reconstruction of large low-rank density matrix based on Pauli measurements. Both ordinary principal component analysis (PCA) and iterative thresholding sparse PCA (ITSPCA) estimators of the eigenspace are studied, and their respective convergence rates are established. In particular, we show that the ITSPCA estimator is rate-optimal. We present the reconstruction of the large low-rank density matrix and obtain its optimal convergence rate by using the ITSPCA estimator. A numerical study is carried out to investigate the finite sample performance of the proposed estimators.

How and When the Cassie-Baxter Droplet Starts to Slide on Textured Surfaces.

A theoretical analysis of the sliding of a Cassie-Baxter droplet on a microstructured surface is conducted. The conventional theory based on the force balance has been frequently used to predict the sliding condition of the droplet; however, the sliding condition cannot be precisely determined because the theory requires the available ranges of the contact angles at the rear and front ends of the droplet. In this study, by calculating the droplet shape and examining the stability of a droplet at every possible pinning point, we propose a new theoretical model that can predict the sliding condition of a two-dimensional (2D) Cassie-Baxter droplet without any a priori measurement but using only the surface information. With the proposed theory, we answer two open questions in sliding research: (i) whether the sliding initiates with front end slip or rear end slip and (ii) whether the advancing and receding contact angles measured on the horizontal surface are comparable with the front and rear contact angles of the droplet at the onset of sliding. Additionally, a new droplet translation motion mechanism promoted by a cycle of condensation and evaporation is suggested, which can be further utilized for precise droplet transportation. Finally, the theoretical results are validated against the 2D line-tension-based front-tracking method (LTM), which can seamlessly capture the attachment and detachment between the droplet and the textured surface.

Gravitational Effect on the Advancing and Receding Angles of a Two-Dimensional Cassie-Baxter Droplet on a Textured Surface.

Advancing and receding angles are physical quantities frequently measured to characterize the wetting properties of a rough surface. Thermodynamically, the advancing and receding angles are often interpreted as the maximum and minimum contact angles that can be formed by a droplet without losing its stability. Despite intensive research on wetting of rough surfaces, the gravitational effect on these angles has been overlooked because most studies have considered droplets smaller than the capillary length. In this study, however, by combining theoretical and numerical modeling, we show that the shape of a droplet smaller than the capillary length can be substantially modified by gravity under advancing and receding conditions. First, based on the Laplace pressure equation, we predict the shape of a two-dimensional Cassie-Baxter droplet on a textured surface with gravity at each pinning point. Then, the stability of the droplet is tested by examining the interference between the liquid surface and neighboring pillars and analyzing the free energy change upon depinning. Interestingly, it turns out that the apparent contact angles under advancing and receding conditions are not affected by gravity, while the overall shape of a droplet and the position of the pinning point are affected by gravity. In addition, the advancing and receding of the droplet with continuously increasing or decreasing volume are analyzed, and it is shown that the gravitational effect plays a key role in the movement of the droplet tip. Also, the gravitational effect on the degree of the stability of the droplet upon the external effect such as vibration is discussed. Finally, the theoretical predictions were validated against line tension-based front tracking modeling (LTM) that seamlessly captures the attachment and detachment between the liquid surface and the solid substrate. Our findings provide a deeper understanding on the advancing and receding phenomena of a droplet and essential insight into designing devices that utilize the wettability of rough surfaces.

Hydrophobicity Evolution on Rough Surfaces.

Hydrophobicity is abundant in nature and obtainable in industrial applications by roughening hydrophobic surfaces and engineering micropatterns. Classical wetting theory explains how surface roughness can enhance water repellency, assuming a droplet to have a flat bottom on top of micropatterned surfaces. However, in reality, a droplet can partially penetrate into micropatterns to form a round-bottom shape. Here, we systematically investigate the evolution of evaporating droplets on micropatterned surfaces with X-ray microscopy combined with three-dimensional finite element analyses and propose a theory that explains the wetting transition with gradually increasing penetration depth. We show that the penetrated state with a round bottom is inevitable for a droplet smaller than the micropattern-dependent critical size. Our finding reveals a more complete picture of hydrophobicity involving the partially penetrated state and its role in the wetting state transition and can be applied to understand the stability of water repellency of rough hydrophobic surfaces.

In Vitro Screening of a Culturable Soybean Cyst Nematode Cyst Mycobiome for Potential Biological Control Agents and Biopesticides.

Fungal biological control of soybean cyst nematodes (SCN) is an important component of integrated pest management for soybean. However, very few fungal biological control agents are available in the market. In this study, we have screened fungi previously isolated from SCN cysts over 3 years from a long-term crop rotation field experiment for their ability to antagonize SCN using (i) parasitism, (ii) egg hatch inhibition, and (iii) J2 mortality. We evaluated egg parasitism using an in-vitro egg parasitism bioassays and scored parasitism using the egg parasitic index (EPI) and fluorescent microscopy. The ability of these fungi to produce metabolites causing egg hatch inhibition and J2 mortality was assessed in bioassays using filter-sterilized culture filtrates. We identified 10 high-performing isolates each for egg parasitism and toxicity toward SCN eggs and J2s and repeated the tests after storage for 1 year of cryopreservation at -80°C to validate the durability of biocontrol potential of the chosen 20 isolates. Although the parasitic ability changed slightly for the majority of strains after cryopreservation, they still scored 5/10 on EPI scales. There were no differences in the ability of fungi to produce antinemic metabolites after cryopreservation.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license.

Toxoplasma gondii GRA9 Regulates the Activation of NLRP3 Inflammasome to Exert Anti-Septic Effects in Mice.

Dense granule proteins (GRAs) are essential components in Toxoplasma gondii, which are suggested to be promising serodiagnostic markers in toxoplasmosis. In this study, we investigated the function of GRA9 in host response and the associated regulatory mechanism, which were unknown. We found that GRA9 interacts with NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) involved in inflammation by forming the NLRP3 inflammasome. The C-terminal of GRA9 (GRA9C) is essential for GRA9-NLRP3 interaction by disrupting the NLRP3 inflammasome through blocking the binding of apoptotic speck-containing (ASC)-NLRP3. Notably, Q200 of GRA9C is essential for the interaction of NLRP3 and blocking the conjugation of ASC. Recombinant GRA9C (rGRA9C) showed an anti-inflammatory effect and the elimination of bacteria by converting M1 to M2 macrophages. In vivo, rGRA9C increased the anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effects and subsequent anti-septic activity in CLP- and E. coli- or P. aeruginosa-induced sepsis model mice by increasing M2 polarization. Taken together, our findings defined a role of T. gondii GRA9 associated with NLRP3 in host macrophages, suggesting its potential as a new candidate therapeutic agent for sepsis.

Large-scale uniform optical focus array generation with a phase spatial light modulator.

In this Letter, to the best of our knowledge, we report a new method to generate uniform large-scale optical focus arrays (LOFAs). By identifying and removing undesired phase rotation in the iterative Fourier transform algorithm (IFTA), our approach rapidly produces computer-generated holograms of highly uniform LOFAs. The new algorithm also shows a faster compensation of system-induced LOFA intensity inhomogeneity than the conventional IFTA. After only three adaptive correction steps, we demonstrate LOFAs consisting of O(103) optical foci with an intensity uniformity greater than 98%.

Development and validation of the COugh Assessment Test (COAT).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A cough-specific quality-of-life questionnaire is recommended to assess the impact of cough; however, a simple instrument to quantify cough is required for everyday clinical practice. This study was aimed to develop a short patient-completed questionnaire (COugh Assessment Test, COAT). METHODS: The COAT was developed and validated by comparison with the Korean version of Leicester Cough Questionnaire (K-LCQ) and cough numeric rating scale (NRS, 0-10, 11-point scale) for chronic cough patients. RESULTS: Item selection identified five items regarding cough frequency, daily activity, sleep disturbance, fatigue and cough hypersensitivity (0-4 scaling of items, 0-20 score range) through reliability test cohort (n = 78). Test-retest reliability was strong (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.88). The final COAT was compared with K-LCQ and cough NRS in a validation cohort (n = 323). In Rasch analysis, COAT fitted well to a unidimensional model. Pearson correlations of COAT versus K-LCQ (i) before treatment, (ii) after treatment; COAT versus cough NRS (iii) before treatment, (iv) after treatment; (v) delta-COAT versus delta-cough NRS, (vi) delta-COAT versus delta-K-LCQ were (i) -0.71, (ii) -0.81, (iii) 0.69, (iv) 0.82, (v) -0.66 and (vi) 0.72, respectively. CONCLUSION: The COAT is a useful, simple questionnaire for assessing and monitoring cough.

Efficient Extraction of Light from a Nitrogen-Vacancy Center in a Diamond Parabolic Reflector.

Quantum emitters in solids are being developed for a range of quantum technologies, including quantum networks, computing, and sensing. However, a remaining challenge is the poor photon collection due to the high refractive index of most host materials. Here we overcome this limitation by introducing monolithic parabolic reflectors as an efficient geometry for broadband photon extraction from quantum emitter and experimentally demonstrate this device for the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond. Simulations indicate a photon collection efficiency exceeding 75% across the visible spectrum and experimental devices, fabricated using a high-throughput gray scale lithography process, demonstrating a photon extraction efficiency of (41 ± 5)%. This device enables a raw experimental detection efficiency of (12 ± 1)% with fluorescence detection rates as high as (4.114 ± 0.003) × 106 counts per second (cps) from a single NV center. Enabled by our deterministic emitter localization and fabrication process, we find a high number of exceptional devices with an average count rate of (3.1 ± 0.9) × 106 cps.

A Design of Small Area, 0.95 mW, 612⁻1152 MHz Open Loop Injection-Locked Frequency Multiplier for IoT Sensor Applications.

This paper presents a 612⁻1152 MHz Injection-Locked Frequency Multiplier (ILFM). The proposed ILFM is used to send an input signal to a receiver in only the I/Q mismatch calibration mode. Adopting a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) to calibrate the receiver places a burden on this system because of the additional area and power consumption that is required. Instead of the PLL, to satisfy high-frequency, low-jitter and low-area requirements, a Ring Oscillator is adopted in the system. The free-running frequency of the ILFM is automatically and digitally calibrated to reflect the frequency of the injected signal from the harmonics of the reference clock. To control the frequency of the ILFM, the load current is digitally tuned with a 6-bit digital control signal. The proposed ILFM locks to the target frequency using a digitally controlled Frequency Locked Loop (FLL). This chip is fabricated using 1-poly 6-metal 0.18 µm CMOS and has achieved the wide tuning range of 612⁻1152 MHz. The power consumption is 0.95 mW from a supply voltage of 1.8 V. The measured phase noise of the ILFM is -108 dBc/Hz at a 1 MHz offset.

Design of a Low-Power, Small-Area AEC-Q100-Compliant SENT Transmitter in Signal Conditioning IC for Automotive Pressure and Temperature Complex Sensors in 180 Nm CMOS Technology.

In this paper, a low-power and small-area Single Edge Nibble Transmission (SENT) transmitter design is proposed for automotive pressure and temperature complex sensor applications. To reduce the cost and size of the hardware, the pressure and temperature information is processed with a single integrated circuit (IC) and transmitted at the same time to the electronic control unit (ECU) through SENT. Due to its digital nature, it is immune to noise, has reduced sensitivity to electromagnetic interference (EMI), and generates low EMI. It requires only one PAD for its connectivity with ECU, and thus reduces the pin requirements, simplifies the connectivity, and minimizes the printed circuit board (PCB) complexity. The design is fully synthesizable, and independent of technology. The finite state machine-based approach is employed for area efficient implementation, and to translate the proposed architecture into hardware. The IC is fabricated in 1P6M 180 nm CMOS process with an area of (116 µm × 116 µm) and 4.314 K gates. The current consumption is 50 µA from a 1.8 V supply with a total 90 µW power. For compliance with AEC-Q100 for automotive reliability, a reverse and over voltage protection circuit is also implemented with human body model (HBM) electro-static discharge (ESD) of +6 kV, reverse voltage of -16 V to 0 V, over voltage of 8.2 V to 16 V, and fabricated area of 330 µm × 680 µm. The extensive testing, measurement, and simulation results prove that the design is fully compliant with SAE J2716 standard.

Antiinflammatory Effects of Functionally Active Compounds Isolated from Aged Black Garlic.

The antiinflammatory effects of functionally active compounds isolated from aged black garlic (AGE-1 and AGE-2) were investigated using a lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response model. To examine the potential antiinflammatory properties of AGE-1 and AGE-2, cell viability as well as nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, and pro-inflammatory cytokine [interleukin-6 (IL-6), TNF-α, and IL-1ß] levels were measured. The mRNA and protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The results indicated that AGE-1 and AGE-2 were not cytotoxic to macrophages. Nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 levels decreased significantly with increasing concentration of AGE-1 (IC50 = 29.6 and 1.41 µg/mL, respectively), but not AGE-2. The secretion of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1ß was also suppressed by AGE-1 in a dose-dependent manner, and inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA, and protein expression decreased with AGE-1 treatment. Furthermore, AGE-1 attenuated the phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38, and c-Jun terminal kinase in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells. These results suggested that compound AGE-1 may have significant effects on inflammatory factors and could potentially be used as an antiinflammatory therapeutic agent. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Analysis of Insecticides in Dead Wild Birds in Korea from 2010 to 2013.

Wild birds are exposed to insecticides in a variety of ways, at different dose levels and via multiple routes, including ingestion of contaminated food items, and dermal, inhalation, preening, and embryonic exposure. Most poisoning by insecticides occurs as a result of misuse or accidental exposure, but intentional killing of unwanted animals also occurs. In this study, we investigated insecticides in the gastric contents of dead wild birds that were suspected to have died from insecticide poisoning based on necropsy. The wild birds were found dead in various regions and locations such as in mountains, and agricultural and urban areas. A total of 182 dead wild birds of 27 species were analyzed in this study, and insecticide residue levels were determined in 60.4% of the total samples analyzed. Monocrotophos and phosphamidon were the most common insecticides identified at rates of 50.0% and 30.7% of the insecticide-positive samples, respectively. Other insecticides identified in dead wild birds included organophosphorous, organochlorine and carbamate insecticides. However, there was limited evidence to conclusively establish the cause of death related to insecticides in this study. Nevertheless, considering the level of insecticide exposure, it is speculated that the exposure was mainly a result of accidental or intentional killing, and not from environmental residue.

One-year prognosis and the role of brain natriuretic peptide levels in patients with chronic cor pulmonale.

Data on the clinical outcomes and role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients with chronic cor pulmonale are limited. A total of 69 patients with chronic cor pulmonale, admitted for dyspnea (January 2007 to September 2011) to three university hospitals, were retrospectively reviewed. All of the patients had right ventricular (RV) dysfunction on echocardiography. The median age was 70.0 yr, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (40.6%) and tuberculosis-destroyed lung (TDL, 27.5%) were the leading causes of chronic cor pulmonale. At the 1-yr follow-up, the mortality rate was 15.9%, and the readmission rate was 53.7%; patients with TDL had higher mortality (31.6% vs. 10.0%; P=0.059) and readmission rates (78.9% vs. 43.8%; P=0.009) than those with non-TDL diseases. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for admission BNP levels to predict readmission was 0.788 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.673-0.904), and the sensitivity and specificity of the cut-off value were 80.6% and 77.4%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, high admission BNP levels were a significant risk factor for subsequent readmission (hazard ratio, 1.049; 95% CI, 1.005-1.094). Additionally, admission BNP levels were well correlated with cardiac troponin I (r=0.558), and delta BNP also correlated with delta RV systolic pressure (n=25; r=0.562). In conclusion, among hospitalized patients with chronic cor pulmonale, admission high BNP levels are a significant risk factor for subsequent readmission. Therefore, more intensive monitoring and treatment are needed in patients with higher BNP levels.

Toward a miniature endomicroscope: pixelation-free and diffraction-limited imaging through a fiber bundle.

A fiber bundle is widely used for endoscopic imaging due to its direct image delivery capability. However, there exists an inevitable pixelation artifact, which limits spatial resolution to the diameter of individual fibers. In this Letter, we present a method that can eliminate this artifact and achieve diffraction-limited spatial resolution. We exploited the binary control of a digital micromirror device to measure a transmission matrix of a fiber bundle and to subsequently control mode mixing among individual fibers. In doing so, we achieved a 22 kHz scanning rate of a diffraction-limited focused spot and obtained fluorescence endoscope imaging (58 µm × 58 µm) with near video-rate (10.3 Hz) acquisition. Our study lays a foundation for developing an ultrathin and high-resolution microendoscope.