Optimization of 16 nm DG-FinFET using L25 orthogonal array of taguchi statistical method

The impact of the optimization using Taguchi statistical method towards the electrical properties of a 16 nm double-gate FinFET (DG-FinFET) is investigated and analyzed. The inclusion of drive current (I ON ), leakage current (I OFF ), and threshold voltage (V TH ) as part of electrical properties presented in this paper will be determined by the amendment of six process parameters that comprises the polysilicon doping dose, polysilicon doping tilt, Source/Drain doping dose, Source/Drain doping tilt, V TH doping dose, V TH doping tilt, alongside the consideration of noise factor in gate oxidation temperature and polysilicon oxidation temperature. Silvaco TCAD software is utilized in this experiment with the employment of both ATHENA and ATLAS module to perform the respective device simulation and the electrical characterization of the device. The output responses obtained from the design is then succeeded by the implementation of Taguchi statistical method to facilitate the process parameter optimization as well as its design. The effectiveness of the process parameter is opted through the factor effect percentage on Signal-to-noise ratio with considerations towards I ON and I OFF . The most dominant factor procured is the polysilicon doping tilt. The I ON and I OFF obtained after the optimization are 1726.88 μA/μm and 503.41 pA/μm for which has met the predictions of International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) 2013.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 and the Cerebrovascular‐Cardiovascular Systems: What Do We Know So Far?

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic of 2019 to 2020 has resulted in multiple hospitalizations, deaths, and economic hardships worldwide. Although respiratory involvement in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID ‐19) is well known, the potential cardiovascular and cerebrovascular manifestations are less understood. We performed a PubMed and Google Scholar search and reviewed relevant literature onCOVID ‐19 and cardiovascular system involvement. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 possesses high affinity for angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 receptor, which is highly concentrated in the lungs and cardiovascular tissue, thereby provoking concern for cardiovascular involvement inCOVID ‐19 cases. Preexisting cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease has been shown in previous reports to be a risk factor for severe infection. On the basis of our review of published studies,COVID ‐19 patients may be more likely to experience acute cardiac injury, arrhythmia, coagulation defects, and acute stroke and are likely to have poorer outcomes as a result. As theCOVID ‐19 pandemic continues, more data about potential cardiovascular and cerebrovascular manifestations of the disease are required.

Thrombectomy for Distal, Medium Vessel Occlusions

Mechanical Thrombectomy in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Emergency Preparedness for Neuroscience Teams

In December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused an international outbreak. The World Health Organization designated this as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, with over 200 countries affected worldwide. As of April 24, 2020, there were 2 790 986 patients with confirmed COVID-19 and 195 775 deaths worldwide, with the United States, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Turkey, and Iran surpassing China in the number of confirmed cases. In a consecutive series of 221 patients with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to a hospital in Wuhan, China, acute ischemic stroke occurred in 11(5%) of patients with a broad range of stroke subtypes. These patients with stroke were older, more likely to have cardiovascular risk factors, presenting with severe COVID-19 with multiple organ involvement. Of note, presence of COVID-19 in these patients does not imply that COVID-19 was the mechanism leading to the patient’s stroke. Shortages of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as N95 masks, facial shields, hand sanitizer, and cleansing wipes have presented a major challenge in the allocation of resources, as healthcare workers are frontline in the treatment of these patients. Redeployment of clinical staff, nursing, stroke and neurocritical care specialists to care for patients with COVID-19 may create staffing shortages for dedicated stroke care. In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to neuroscience healthcare workers, their patients, and their families, and to optimize allocation of healthcare resources, we present a modified algorithm to acute ischemic large vessel occlusion stroke workflow in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. This guidance statement is based on shared best practices, consensus among academic and nonacademic practicing vascular and interventional neurologists, literature review, and would be adapted to the available resources of a local institution. The patients with acute stroke are a vulnerable group to address because these patients often come emergently from the community with little information. Radical changes are felt to be necessary to optimize the safety of the providing team and our patients, limit unnecessary tests, conserve PPE resources and mechanical ventilator usage. This document divides into the following: prehospital phase to the Emergency Department (ED), prethrombectomy procedure, thrombectomy intraprocedure, and postreperfusion therapy phases (Table).

Early Infarct Growth Rate Correlation With Endovascular Thrombectomy Clinical Outcomes

Time elapsed from last-known well (LKW) and baseline imaging results are influential on endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) outcomes.

Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Treatment Times for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose: The pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to an unprecedented paradigm shift in medical care. We sought to evaluate whether the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to delays in acute stroke management at comprehensive stroke centers. Methods: Pooled clinical data of consecutive adult stroke patients from 14 US comprehensive stroke centers (January 1, 2019, to July 31, 2020) were queried. The rate of thrombolysis for nontransferred patients within the Target: Stroke goal of 60 minutes was compared between patients admitted from March 1, 2019, and July 31, 2019 (pre–COVID-19), and March 1, 2020, to July 31, 2020 (COVID-19). The time from arrival to imaging and treatment with thrombolysis or thrombectomy, as continuous variables, were also assessed. Results: Of the 2955 patients who met inclusion criteria, 1491 were admitted during the pre–COVID-19 period and 1464 were admitted during COVID-19, 15% of whom underwent intravenous thrombolysis. Patients treated during COVID-19 were at lower odds of receiving thrombolysis within 60 minutes of arrival (odds ratio, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.38–0.98];P =0.04), with a median delay in door-to-needle time of 4 minutes (P =0.03). The lower odds of achieving treatment in the Target: Stroke goal persisted after adjustment for all variables associated with earlier treatment (adjusted odds ratio, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.35–0.85];P <0.01). The delay in thrombolysis appeared driven by the longer delay from imaging to bolus (median, 29 [interquartile range, 18–41] versus 22 [interquartile range, 13–37] minutes;P =0.02). There was no significant delay in door-to-groin puncture for patients who underwent thrombectomy (median, 83 [interquartile range, 63–133] versus 90 [interquartile range, 73–129] minutes;P =0.30). Delays in thrombolysis were observed in the months of June and July.Conclusions: Evaluation for acute ischemic stroke during the COVID-19 period was associated with a small but significant delay in intravenous thrombolysis but no significant delay in thrombectomy time metrics. Taking steps to reduce delays from imaging to bolus time has the potential to attenuate this collateral effect of the pandemic.

Olfactory and Oral Manifestations of COVID‐19: Sex‐Related Symptoms—A Potential Pathway to Early Diagnosis

Objective The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic poses a threat to global health. Early diagnosis is an essential key to limit the outbreak of the virus. Study Design Case series, study conducted between March 25, 2020, and April 15, 2020. Setting Ambulatory, nonhospitalized patients who were quarantined in a designated hotel for COVID‐19 patients and were recruited by an advertisement at the hotel. Subjects and Methods In total, 140 patients participated in a web‐based questionnaire assessing initial symptoms of common viral diseases, olfactory and taste functions, xerostomia, and orofacial pain. Results A total of 58 men and 70 women participated. Initial symptoms were cough (59.4%), weakness (47.7%), myalgia (46.9%), fever (42.2%), headache (40.6%), impaired sense of smell (38.3%), impaired sense of taste (32.8%), sore throat (26.6%), runny nose (26.6%), and nasal congestion (22.7%). All symptoms were more frequent among women; however, only runny nose was statistically significant ( P =. 018). The most common combination of symptoms was cough and weakness (37.5%). A total of 25.8% reported olfactory and taste dysfunctions in the absence of other symptoms. In a comparison between the sexes, cough and runny nose were the most common combination in women ( P =. 018). A total of 38.3% of patients reported olfactory dysfunction as an initial symptom. Anosmia and facial pain were more common among women ( P <. 001 and P =. 01, respectively), and 56% of patients reported xerostomia. Conclusion A considerable number of patients presented with olfactory and oral disorders. Interestingly, women presented with a different cluster of symptoms than men, which may suggest a new clinical approach to diagnosing COVID‐19 disease.

Feasibility, Acceptability and Usage Patterns of a 24-Hour Mobile Phone Helpline Service for Women Discharged from a Mother-Baby Psychiatry Unit (MBU) in India

Background: For women with perinatal mental illness, phone helplines may be a useful way of accessing help. This study assessed the feasibility, acceptability, limitations, and usage patterns of a helpline service for mothers discharged from a mother-baby psychiatry unit.Methods: Mothers discharged from a mother baby unit during an 18-month period were provided with a helpline number. A social worker answered the calls. Details of the calls, including the reasons and the interventions provided, were recorded. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed by calling all users and nonusers. Satisfaction with the helpline was recorded among users, and reasons for not calling were assessed among nonusers.Results: Among 113 mothers, 51 (45%) made 248 calls. Calls were regarding medication, sleep problems, planning pregnancies, symptom exacerbation, appointments, and suicidal ideation. Some calls were related to domestic violence ( n = 13, 5.24%), and infant health and breastfeeding ( n = 11, 4.44%). Seventy-six (67%, 44 callers and 32 noncallers) were contacted. The majority (41/44) of the callers found it useful: 91% said they got help, and 95% said they would recommend it to others. However, language difficulties (9%) and technical problems (5%) were reported. Among the noncallers, the majority reported having experienced no problem related to mental health or had contacted a doctor. However, of the noncallers, one woman died of suicide, did not have access to a phone, and the family did not choose to call.Conclusions: Helpline phone service appears to be feasible and acceptable and can be adapted in other mother-baby psychiatry units in low and middle-income countries. However, in some women, the nonavailability of a phone may be a limiting factor.

Psychological Distress, Coping and Perceived Social Support Among Partners of Women with Postpartum Onset Severe Mental Illness (SMI) Admitted to a Mother–Baby Unit

Background: The presence of a severe mental illness in the mother during the postpartum period may impact the whole family and specifically have an effect on the health of the spouse. The current study aimed to assess psychological distress, coping, and perceived social support of spouses of women with postpartum onset severe mental illness.Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive research design was used, and 30 spouses of the women admitted to the mother–baby unit (MBU) for psychiatric inpatient care were included in the study. The assessments included sociodemographic details, Kessler psychological distress scale (K10), brief coping orientation to problems experienced scale (brief COPE), and Zimets’ multidimensional scale of perceived social support.Results: Around 50% of the spouses experienced severe psychological distress. Nearly 40% of spouses reported poor coping and 56.7% of spouses had moderate social support from family and friends.Conclusion: The findings indicate the need to address distress and coping in spouses of women with postpartum onset SMI.

Cerebrovascular events and outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: The SVIN COVID-19 Multinational Registry

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with a significant risk of thrombotic events in critically ill patients.