CBRAM technology: transition from a memory cell to a programmable and non-volatile impedance for new radiofrequency applications.

Electrical resistance control programming of conductive bridging random access memory (CBRAM) radio frequency (RF) switches could benefit the development of electronically controlled non-volatile RF attenuators and other reconfigurable devices. The object of this study is to adapt a conventional CBRAM based memory cell to be used as an RF switch, and to demonstrate the feasibility of programming non-volatile RF CBRAM switches to achieve specific target resistances within a range of continuous values. The memory-RF technologic transition implies a drastic increase of the geometry in order to handle a much higher power, a decrease of the transition capacitance in order to operate at much higher frequencies, and a decrease of the LRS to a few ohms, which is critical for RF applications. These studies are initially performed on an in-house made RF CBRAM cell array at DC frequency, and then extended successfully to a co-planar waveguide (CPW) based shunt mode RF switch with an integrated CBRAM cell. Reliability of the proposed technique is validated through detailed analysis of factors like repeatability of the process, time stability of programmed states, and statistics of time taken to converge to a desired resistance value for an arbitrary RF CBRAM switch.

Association between ambient temperature and humidity, vaginal temperature, and automatic activity monitoring on induced estrus in lactating cows.

The objective of this study was to determine the association between ambient temperature and humidity, vaginal temperature, and automated activity monitoring in synchronized cows. Lactating Holstein cows (n = 641; 41.5 ± 9.4 kg of milk/d) were fitted with leg-mounted pedometers, resulting in 843 evaluated activity episodes of estrus. Vaginal temperature was monitored using thermometers attached to an intravaginal device as part of a timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol; vaginal temperature was recorded every 10 min for 3 d. Ambient temperature and relative humidity were monitored using an external thermometer placed in the center of each pen. Milk production and body condition score (BCS) data were collected at the time of thermometer insertion. All statistical analysis was performed in R (https://www.r-project.org/) using Pearson correlation, analysis of variance, and logistic regression. Heat stress was calculated based on the percentage of time the cow spent with a vaginal temperature ≥39.1°C (PCT39) 9 to 11 d before TAI, and was classified as high (≥22.9%) or low (<22.9%). The mean vaginal temperature was 38.9 ± 0.2°C, and the mean maximum and minimum vaginal temperatures were 39.7 ± 0.5°C and 38.0 ± 0.8°C, respectively, with an average amplitude of 1.71 ± 0.9°C. Mean relative increase (RI) of estrus walking activity was 237.0 ± 160%. Animals with low BCS had a lower RI compared with cows with medium BCS (260.31 ± 17.45% vs. 296.42 ± 6.62%). Cows in early lactation showed lower RI compared with mid- and late-lactation animals (265.40 ± 9.90% vs. 288.36 ± 11.58% vs. 295.75 ± 11.29% for early, mid, and late lactation, respectively). Temperature-humidity index (THI) conditions categorized as low (THI ≤65) were associated with greater RI compared with medium (>65 to <70) and high THI (≥70). We detected no significant effect of PCT39 or milk production on RI, whereas parity exhibited a tendency. Cows that displayed greater RI at estrus had greater pregnancies per artificial insemination (P/AI) than cows with low RI (27 vs. 20%) or no RI (27 vs. 12%). Primiparous cows had greater P/AI than multiparous cows (27 vs. 20%), and cows in early and mid lactation had improved P/AI than those in late lactation (26 vs. 22 vs. 16% for early, mid, and late lactation, respectively). An interaction was observed between PCT39 and THI on P/AI, where a subpopulation of cows with high PCT39 had decreased P/AI under high THI conditions, but no differences in P/AI were observed for high PCT39 cows under medium or low THI conditions (13 vs. 24 vs. 26%). Future research should aim to refine variables related to hyperthermia and to understand the effects of body temperature on estrus expression and pregnancy rates.

Factors affecting immunoglobulin concentration in colostrum of healthy Holstein cows immediately after delivery / Fatores que afetam o nível de imunoglobulina no colostro de vacas holandesas sadias imediatamente após o parto

This study analyzed the influence of the number of milkings, number of births, and udder quarter in immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration in the colostrum of healthy Holstein cows. It was collected two samples of colostrum by manual milking, getting the first jets to completion of bacteriological examination and immunoglobulin levels by radial immunodiffusion test in agar gel. Positive samples for bacteriological examination were excluded from this investigation. Medians of immunoglobulin's G, A and M in the colostrum collected before the first and second milking were respectively 9,200 and 6,400mg/dL (p=0.0029); 400 and 200mg/dL (p=0.0018); 800 and 400mg/dL (p=0.0001). Median immunoglobulin concentration in animals that calved once, twice or three times or in cows that calved 4 to 6 times were 6,400; 6,400; 3,200 and 11,200mg/dL IgG; 100, 200, 100 and 800mg/dL IgA ; and 400, 400, 100 and 800mg/dL IgM, respectively. Concentrations of IgG, IgA and IgM were greater in animals that calved more than 4 times (p<0.05). Medians of IgG, IgA and IgM in the right fore quarter (RF), right hind quarter (RH), left fore quarter (LF) and left hind quarter (LH) were, respectively, 7,800; 6,400; 7,800 and 6,400mg/dL; 200, 200, 200 and 200mg/dL; and 400, 400, 400 and 400mg/dL. Ig concentrations in the colostrum of Holstein cows were influenced by the number of milkings after delivery and number of lactations. These variations may be considered risk factors to passive immunity transfer to newborn calves, predisposing them to diseases and causing economic losses to dairy production.

A pesquisa avaliou a influência do número de ordenhas, número de parições e quarto mamário na concentração de imunoglobulinas (Ig) do colostro de vacas hígidas da raça Holandesa. Foram colhidas duas amostras de colostro por ordenha manual, obtendo-se os primeiros jatos para a realização do exame bacteriológico e determinação dos níveis de imunoglobulinas pelo teste de imunodifusão em gel de ágar. As amostras positivas ao exame bacteriológico foram eliminadas desta investigação. Os valores medianos obtidos para a concentração de imunoglobulinas das classes G, A e M do colostro colhido antes da primeira e segunda ordenha foram, respectivamente de 9.200 e 6.400mg/dL (p=0,0029); 400 e 200mg/ dL (p=0,0018); 800 e 400mg/dL (p=0,0001), respectivamente. Os valores medianos da concentração de imunglobulinas, nos animais com apenas 1 parto, 2, 3 ou nas vacas com 4 a 6 partos foram de 6.400, 6.400, 3.200 e 11.200mg/ dL para a IgG; 100, 200, 100 e 800mg/dL para a IgA; e 400, 400, 100 e 800mg/dL para a IgM, respectivamente. As concentrações de IgG, IgA e IgM foram superiores nos animais com mais de 4 partos (p<0,05). Os valores medianos de IgG, IgA e IgM obtidos nos quartos mamários anterior direito (AD), posterior direito (PD), anterior esquerdo (AE) e posterior esquerdo (PE) foram respectivamente 7.800, 6.400, 7.800, 6.400mg/dL; 200, 200, 200, 200mg/dL; e 400, 400, 400 e 400mg/dL, não observando-se diferenças estatísticas (p>0,05) entre os quartos mamários. Os teores de Igs do colostro de vacas Holandesas sofrem influência do número de ordenhas pós-parto e número de lactações. Estas variações podem ser consideradas fatores de risco associados à falha na transferência de imunidade passiva em bezerros neonatos, predispondo-os às doenças e ocasionando perdas produtivas á pecuária.

Esporotricosis Linfangítica / Lymphangitic sporotrichosis

Se describe el caso de un paciente varón, agricultor de 54 años, procedente de Bagua con lesiones nodulares gomosas abscedadas circunscritas al trayecto linfático del miembro superior izquierdo de aproximadamente 6 semanas de evolución a quien luego del cultivo micológico a temperatura ambiental se halló conidios simpodiales compatibles con el complejo Sporothrix Schenckii por lo que recibió tratamiento antibiótico y antimicótico con respuesta clínica favorable.(AU)

We describe the case of a male patient, 54 year old farmer, from Bagua with gummy abscessed nodular lesions confined to the path node in the left upper limb about 6 weeks duration whose mycological culture after sympodial conidia were found compatible with the complex Sporothrix Schenckii. For which he received antibiotic and antifungal treatment with a favorable clinical response.(AU)

Hypoosmotic- and pressure-induced membrane stretch activate TRPC5 channels.

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels mediate a wide array of sensory functions. We investigated the role of TRPC5, a poorly characterized channel widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system, as a potential osmosensory protein. Here we show that hypoosmotic stimulation activates TRPC5 channels resulting in a large calcium influx. The response to osmotically induced membrane stretch is blocked by GsMTx-4, an inhibitor of stretch activated ion channels. Direct hypoosmotic activation of TRPC5 is independent of phospholipase C function. However, the osmotic response is inhibited in a cell line in which PIP(2) levels are reduced by regulated overexpression of a lipid phosphatase. The response was restored by increasing intracellular PIP(2) levels through the patch pipette. The mechano-sensitivity of the channel was probed in the whole-cell configuration by application of steps of positive pressure through the patch pipette. Pressure-induced membrane stretch also activated TRPC5 channels, suggesting its role as a transducer of osmo-mechanical stimuli. We also demonstrated the expression of TRPC5 in sensory neurones which together with the osmo-mechanical characteristics of TRPC5 channels suggest its putative role in mechanosensory transduction events.