Earticle

본 논문에서는 저전력 기술인 DVFS (Dynamic Voltage Frequency Scaling) 응용을 위하여, 동작주파수의 변화에도 소비전력이 일 정한 특성을 갖는 전류모드 회로를 적용함에 있어서, 저속 동작에서 소비전력이 과다한 전류모드 회로의 문제점을 전류모드 회로에 서 sub-threshold 영역 동작의 MOSFET을 적용함으로써 소비전력을 최소화하는 설계기술을 소개한다. 회로설계는 MOSFET BSIM 3모델을 사용하였으며, 시뮬레이션한 결과, strong-inversion 동작일 때 소비전력은 900uW 이었으나, sub-threshold 영역으 로 동작하였을 때, 소비전력이 18.98uW 가 되어, 98 %의 소비전력의 절감효과가 있음을 확인하였다.

In this paper, when applying current-mode circuit design technique showing constant power dissipation none the less operation frequency, to the low power design of dynamic voltage frequency scaling, we introduce the low power current-mode circuit design technique applying MOSFET in sub-threshold region, in order to solve the problem that has large power dissipation especially on the condition of low operating frequency. BSIM 3, was used as a MOSFET model in circuit simulation. From the simulation result, the power dissipation of the current memory circuit with sub-threshold MOSFET showed 18.98uW, which means the consumption reduction effect of 98%, compared with 800uW in that with strong inversion. It is confirmed that the proposed circuit design technique will be available in DVFS using a current-mode circuit design.

본 논문에서는 IoT(Internet of Things) 시스템의 기본 구성이 되는 센서 네트워크에 사용될 수 있는 MOSFET(Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor)의 Sub-threshold 동작을 이용하는 OP-AMP(Operational amplifier) 설계를 제안한다. MOSFET의 Sub-threshold 동작은 전원전압을 낮추는 효과로 회로 시스템을 초저전력으로 유도할 수 있는 특징이 있기 때문에 배터리를 사용하는 IoT의 센서 네트워크 시스템의 초저전력화에 매우 유용한 회로설계 기술이라고 할 수 있다. $0.35{\mu}m$ 공정을 이용한 시뮬레이션 결과, VDD를 0.6 V로 설계할 수 있었으며, OP-AMP 의 Open-loop Gain은 43 dB, 또한 설계한 OP-AMP의 소비전력은 $1.3{\mu}W$가 계산되었다. 또한, Active Layout 면적은 $64{\mu}m{\times}105{\mu}m$이다. 제안한 OP-AMP는 IoT의 저전력 센서 네트워크에 다양한 응용이 가능할 것으로 기대된다.

In this paper, we suggest the design of OP-AMP using MOSFET in the operation of sub-threshold condition as a basic unit of an IoT. The sub-threshold operation of MOSFET is useful for an ultra low power consumption of sensor network system in the IoT, because it cause the supply voltage to be reduced. From the simulation result using 0.35 um CMOS process, the supply voltage, VDD can be reduced with 0.6 V, open-loop gain of 43 dB and the power consumption was evaluated with about $1.3{\mu}W$ and the active size for an integration was measured with $64{\mu}m{\times}105{\mu}m$. It is expected that the proposed circuit is applied to the low power sensor network for IoT.

Background: Unleaded petrol contains significant amounts of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX). Toxic responses following occupational exposure to unleaded petrol have been evaluated only in limited studies. The main purpose of this study was to ascertain whether (or not) exposure to unleaded petrol, under normal working conditions, is associated with any hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic response. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 200 employees of Shiraz petrol stations with current exposure to unleaded petrol, as well as 200 unexposed employees, were investigated. Atmospheric concentrations of BTX were measured using standard methods. Additionally, urine and fasting blood samples were taken from individuals for urinalysis and routine biochemical tests of kidney and liver function. Results: The geometric means of airborne concentrations of BTX were found to be $0.8mg\;m^{-3}$, $1.4mg\;m^{-3}$, and $2.8mg\;m^{-3}$, respectively. Additionally, means of direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea and plasma creatinine were significantly higher in exposed individuals than in unexposed employees. Conversely, serum albumin, total protein, and serum concentrations of calcium and sodium were significantly lower in petrol station workers than in their unexposed counterparts. Conclusion: The average exposure of petrol station workers to BTX did not exceed the current threshold limit values (TLVs) for these chemicals. However, evidence of subtle, subclinical and prepathologic early liver and kidney dysfunction was evident in exposed individuals.

In this paper, the 1/f noise characteristics of n-channel MOSFET (NMOSFET) and p-channel MOSFET (PMOSFET) are analyzed in depth as a function of body bias. The normalized drain current noise, $S_{ID}/I_D{^2}$ showed strong dependence on the body bias in the sub-threshold region for both NMOSFET and PMOSFET, and NMOSFET showed stronger dependence than PMOSFET on the body bias. On the contrary, both of NMOSFET and PMOSFET do not exhibit the dependence of $S_{ID}/I_D{^2}$ on body bias in strong inversion region, although the noise mechanisms of two MOSFETs are different from each other.

Quantitative evaluation of immune responses is essential for establishing reliable criteria to assess vaccine-induced protection in fish. In this study, the microneutralization titer (MN₅₀) was investigated as a potential functional indicator associated with vaccine-induced immunity in rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) through the integration of serological analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) evaluation. Fish were intraperitoneally immunized with three antigen concentrations (10¹⁰, 10⁹, and 10⁸ viral genome copies/mL) of a formalin-inactivated red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) vaccine, and both relative percent survival (RPS) and serum MN₅₀ titers were evaluated. Following the RSIV challenge, the vaccinated groups exhibited significantly higher survival than the control (p < 0.01), with RPS values of 90.0%, 66.7%, and 33.3% for the high-, middle-, and low-dose groups, respectively. The log₂ MN₅₀ antibody titers increased significantly from one week post-vaccination and remained consistently higher than those of the control group (3.01 ± 0.0), in which no neutralizing activity was detected. To quantitatively evaluate the association between MN₅₀ levels and protective efficacy, ROC curve analysis was performed among the vaccinated groups. The ROC analysis yielded an AUC of 0.7177 (95% CI: 0.6245-0.8108, p < 0.0001), and the optimal cut-off value calculated using Youden's J index was log₂ MN₅₀ > 8.489. These findings indicate that MN₅₀ has potential applicability as a serological parameter associated with vaccine-induced protection in fish and may contribute to the development of standardized serological criteria for assessing aquaculture vaccines.

The purposes of the study were (1) to evaluate the olfactory identification ability in those who have bad breath, (2) to determine the olfactory detection threshold for methyl mercaptan in normal subjects and those who have bad breath, and (3) to evaluate the effect of oral hygiene care on the olfactory detection threshold for methyl mercaptan. Sixteen male subjects with bad breath (male odor group), 9 male subjects without bad breath (male non-odor group), and 10 female subjects without bad breath (female non-odor group) were included for the study. Olfactory identification ability was assessed by administrating the Cross-Cultural Smell Identification Test (CC-SIT), and the olfactory detection threshold for methyl mercaptan was measured by two-alternative forced-choice single-staircase detection threshold procedure in a double-blinded condition. The geometric mean of the last four staircase reversal points of a total of seven reversals is used as the threshold. For the male odor group, after 1 month of intensive oral hygiene care for reducing oral volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) concentration, the olfactory detection threshold for methyl mercaptan was measured again and compared to the initial value. The ANOVA was used to test the group difference of olfactory threshold and olfactory identification ability and the paired t-test was used to test the difference of olfactory threshold between before and after reduction of oral VSC in male odor group. The results were as follows : 1. There was no significant difference in olfactory identification ability among those who have bad breath and normal male or female subjects. 2. The olfactory detection threshold for methyl mercaptan was about 8.4 ppb in normal male and female. 3. There was a tendency that male subjects with bad breath showed a higher olfactory detection threshold for methyl mercaptan when compared to those of no bad breath. 4. The olfactory detection threshold for methyl mercaptan returned to a normal level after 1 month of intensive oral hygiene care for reducing oral VSC.

In this study, we systematically investigated the effects of thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD) conditions on the electrical characteristics of conductive-filament-based volatile threshold switching memristors with a Pt/Al₂O₃/Ag structure. Although volatile threshold switching memristors have attracted significant attention for neuromorphic computing applications such as spiking neural networks, the impact of dielectric deposition conditions on their switching behavior remains relatively unexplored. The number of ALD cycles was varied from 40 to 200, and the deposition temperature was varied from 50 to 250℃ to evaluate their effects on threshold voltage (V_th), off-state resistance (R_off), and device yield. Devices fabricated using 75-150 ALD cycles showed clear volatile threshold switching behavior with relatively high device yield, whereas excessively low or high cycle numbers resulted in short-type and open-type failures, respectively. In addition, V_th and R_off tended to increase at higher deposition temperatures, while the device yield significantly degraded above 150℃. These results indicate that the number of ALD cycles and the deposition temperature define a critical process window for achieving volatile threshold switching while suppressing both short-type and open-type failures. This study provides practical guidelines for optimizing dielectric ALD conditions in conductive-filament-based volatile threshold switching memristors for future neuromorphic hardware applications.