Bipolar Output Research Articles

Early Retinal Neuronal Dysfunction in Diabetic Mice: Reduced Light-Evoked Inhibition Increases Rod Pathway Signaling.

PurposeRecent studies suggest that the neural retinal response to light is compromised in diabetes. Electroretinogram studies suggest that the dim light retinal rod pathway is especially susceptible to diabetic damage. The purpose of this study was to determine whether diabetes alters rod pathway signaling.MethodsDiabetes was induced in C57BL/6J mice by three intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (STZ; 75 mg/kg), and confirmed by blood glucose levels > 200 mg/dL. Six weeks after the first injection, whole-cell voltage clamp recordings of spontaneous and light-evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents from rod bipolar cells were made in dark-adapted retinal slices. Light-evoked excitatory currents from rod bipolar and AII amacrine cells, and spontaneous excitatory currents from AII amacrine cells were also measured. Receptor inputs were pharmacologically isolated. Immunohistochemistry was performed on whole mounted retinas.ResultsRod bipolar cells had reduced light-evoked inhibitory input from amacrine cells but no change in excitatory input from rod photoreceptors. Reduced light-evoked inhibition, mediated by both GABAA and GABAC receptors, increased rod bipolar cell output onto AII amacrine cells. Spontaneous release of GABA onto rod bipolar cells was increased, which may limit GABA availability for light-evoked release. These physiological changes occurred in the absence of retinal cell loss or changes in GABAA receptor expression levels.ConclusionsOur results indicate that early diabetes causes deficits in the rod pathway leading to decreased light-evoked rod bipolar cell inhibition and increased rod pathway output that provide a basis for the development of early diabetic visual deficits.

A new single inductor bipolar multi-output (SIBMO) DC–DC converter driven by constant on-time with improved performance

This study is dedicated to design and realization of a new single inductor bipolar multi-output (SIBMO) DC---DC converter with performance improvement. A bandgap is first designed to offer a stable input bias with capability to work against inevitable input voltage variations for avoiding possible p-n breakdowns. A new drive technique based on constant on-time (COT) is developed for the designed SIBMO with assistance from level shifters and zero current detection circuits to drive MOS devices. The designed circuit is capable of boosting input voltage 2.8 V to four bipolar outputs of +6, ?6, +12 and ?12 V. The COT proposed herein adopts a new technique of time multiplexing to offer stable multi-outputs with an off-chip inductor for fast switchings. This new COT is different from the conventional pulse width modulation which usually operates with fixed frequencies. The COT is particularly favorable in regards of crossing regulation and high transfer efficiency in cases of unbalanced loads. The proposed SIBMO and COT are applicable to drive systems of organic light-emitting diodes, optical sensors, and portable electronic devices, displays, etc. The designed on-chip SIBMO and COT are fabricated via the TSMC 0.25 µm high-voltage CMOS process. Experimental results clearly show the capability of the designed SIBMO chip to offer four bipolar, stabilized output voltages with a total power consumption minimized to 320 mW and the switching frequency varying from 650 to 500 kHz. Most importantly, the maximum efficiency reaches 83.1 %.

Light adaptation alters inner retinal inhibition to shape OFF retinal pathway signaling.

The retina adjusts its signaling gain over a wide range of light levels. A functional result of this is increased visual acuity at brighter luminance levels (light adaptation) due to shifts in the excitatory center-inhibitory surround receptive field parameters of ganglion cells that increases their sensitivity to smaller light stimuli. Recent work supports the idea that changes in ganglion cell spatial sensitivity with background luminance are due in part to inner retinal mechanisms, possibly including modulation of inhibition onto bipolar cells. To determine how the receptive fields of OFF cone bipolar cells may contribute to changes in ganglion cell resolution, the spatial extent and magnitude of inhibitory and excitatory inputs were measured from OFF bipolar cells under dark- and light-adapted conditions. There was no change in the OFF bipolar cell excitatory input with light adaptation; however, the spatial distributions of inhibitory inputs, including both glycinergic and GABAergic sources, became significantly narrower, smaller, and more transient. The magnitude and size of the OFF bipolar cell center-surround receptive fields as well as light-adapted changes in resting membrane potential were incorporated into a spatial model of OFF bipolar cell output to the downstream ganglion cells, which predicted an increase in signal output strength with light adaptation. We show a prominent role for inner retinal spatial signals in modulating the modeled strength of bipolar cell output to potentially play a role in ganglion cell visual sensitivity and acuity.

A bipolar output voltage pulse transformer boost converter with charge pump assisted shunt regulator for thermoelectric energy harvesting

This system presents an energy harvesting system that generates bipolar output voltage (±1 V) based on a miniature 1:1 turn-ratio pulse transformer boost converter using sub-threshold level input voltage source. A shunt regulator is designed using six-transistor Schmitt-Trigger core to limit the boost converter output voltage. Another power stage, i.e. a fully integrated on-chip single-stage cross-coupled charge pump, then generates 3 V output from the unused extra output power of boost converter, which is shunted otherwise. The increased voltage headroom generated is instrumental for sensor, analog and RF circuits. Charge pump clock frequency is designed to adaptively tracking the input voltage, which is sensed using power-saving time-domain digital technique. Based on a standard CMOS 0.13-µm technology, chip measurement verified the operations of the boost converter, shunt regulator and bipolar charge pump prototypes, respectively. Simulations confirmed the full system operations. During start-up, the system only requires minimum start-up input voltage of 36 mV at input power of 5.8 µW.

High Step-Up DC–AC Inverter Suitable for AC Module Applications

In this paper, a novel grid-connected high step-up inverter is proposed. The topology is composed of two stages. The first stage is a single-switch high step-up dc–dc converter with bipolar outputs, and the second stage is a conventional half-bridge dc–ac grid-connected inverter. Negative grounding of the photovoltaic (PV) module has resulted in elimination of unwanted ground leakage currents in the PV system. Simple structure, employing few semiconductor switches, simple control, and high efficiency are the features of the proposed topology. Theoretical analysis and principal operation of the circuit are discussed. An experimental prototype is implemented to verify the performance of the proposed inverter. The experimental results confirm the aforementioned features and the theoretical analysis of the converter operation.

Eight-Channel Fully Adjustable Pulse Generator

This paper describes an eight-channel differential pulse generator based on a fast differential bipolar transistor output stage. It has been designed specifically to test new multichannel time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) instruments, while maintaining a wide range of regulation possibilities in terms of frequency, amplitude, delay, and duty cycle. The input signal for each channel can be provided either by an on-board programmable frequency synthesizer or by an external reference shared by all channels. The chosen input is delivered to a delayer loop controlled by a field programmable gate array (FPGA), which provides the desired delay, minimizing the jitter contribution. The delayed signal is fed to an analog differential stage that provides the fast output, whose amplitude and offset are adjusted by a digital-to-analog converter, controlled by the FPGA. The experimental results on the instrument show an output slew rate of 1600 V/ $\mu \text{s}$ over the complete full-scale range, which is between −2 and 6 V. The feedback delayer regulates the delay between 0 ns and 30 $\mu \text{s}$ whereas the high time is adjustable from a minimum of 10 ns to a maximum of 30 $\mu \text{s}$ . Finally, the frequency range is from 2 kHz to 50 MHz. All these adjustable parameters are managed by a microcontroller that works as an interface between the FPGAs and dedicated PC software. The implemented structure allows the system to achieve a time resolution down to 6 ps across all channels, making this instrument perfect for testing high time resolution TCSPC systems.

High voltage DC–AC conversion in standard 1.2 V CMOS technology

A monolithic DC---AC converter is realized in a 130 nm 1.2 V CMOS technology using a class-D half-bridge topology. Several dies are combined to achieve a full-bridge topology, realizing a bipolar output voltage. This output voltage can be increased using a stacking technique. As a result, AC output voltages up to 4 V have been achieved, which is more than three times the nominal 1.2 V supply voltage of the technology. Problems such as hot carrier degradation and oxide breakdown are absent, since each subblock operates within the standard voltage limits. The passives are integrated on-chip. Consequently, the bill of materials (BOM) is heavily reduced. In a standard half-bridge topology, bulky external components are needed to filter off the DC-offset. This main obstacle of an off-chip capacitor and inductor is alleviated in the full-bridge topology, reducing the BOM even more. An output peak-to-peak voltage of 3.8 V is achieved at a maximal efficiency of 58.3 %. A total output power of 56 mW is obtained.

4-bit Bipolar Triangle Voltage Waveform Generator Using Single-Flux-Quantum Circuit

SFQ digital-to-analog converters (DACs) are one of the candidates for AC voltage standards. We have proposed SFQ-DACs based on frequency modulation (FM). Bipolar output is required for applications of AC voltage standards, while our previous SFQ-DACs generated only positive voltages. In this paper, we present our design of a 4-bit bipolar triangle voltage waveform generator comprising an SFQ-DAC. The waveform generator has two output ports. Synthesized half-period waveforms are alternately generated in one of the output ports. The bipolar output is realized by observing the differential voltage between the ports. We confirmed a 72-μVPP bipolar triangle voltage waveform at the frequency of 35.7Hz.

Divertor Power Supply System for J-TEXT

J-TEXT, formerly known as TEXT-U, has been under reconstruction since 2004. Recently the J-TEXT team is reconstructing the divertor system by developing a new divertor power supply system, which provides 400 V/25 kA bipolar dc output in 0.5 s. This power supply system features pulsed power applications on the 12-pulse power converter design. Its embedded controller fully supports the newly developed J-TEXT CODAC system, and the real-time current feedback control strategy is implemented with good performance. These results ensure further reconstruction progress in the divertor system.

100-kV High Voltage Power Supply With Bipolar Voltage Output and Adaptive Digital Control

This paper presents a 100-kV high frequency transformer/rectifier package, which is capable of a dual output polarity operation. An H-Bridge inverter drives the primary of the high voltage (HV) transformer at a frequency of 20 kHz. The inverter is driven by a Microchip dsPIC33F digital signal controller using peak current mode control with adaptive slope compensation. The HV-tank has two HV-coax output cables with a grounded shield on each cable. If the center conductor of the coax cable designated as negative output is grounded, positive voltage is obtained from the coax cable designated as positive output and vice versa. This paper provides design details and experimental results from tests of the entire system.

Cross-synaptic synchrony and transmission of signal and noise across the mouse retina.

Cross-synaptic synchrony--correlations in transmitter release across output synapses of a single neuron--is a key determinant of how signal and noise traverse neural circuits. The anatomical connectivity between rod bipolar and A17 amacrine cells in the mammalian retina, specifically that neighboring A17s often receive input from many of the same rod bipolar cells, provides a rare technical opportunity to measure cross-synaptic synchrony under physiological conditions. This approach reveals that synchronization of rod bipolar cell synapses is near perfect in the dark and decreases with increasing light level. Strong synaptic synchronization in the dark minimizes intrinsic synaptic noise and allows rod bipolar cells to faithfully transmit upstream signal and noise to downstream neurons. Desynchronization in steady light lowers the sensitivity of the rod bipolar output to upstream voltage fluctuations. This work reveals how cross-synaptic synchrony shapes retinal responses to physiological light inputs and, more generally, signaling in complex neural networks.

Retinal bipolar cells: elementary building blocks of vision.

Retinal bipolar cells are the first ‘projection neurons’ of the vertebrate visual system—all of the information needed for vision is relayed by this intraretinal connection. Each of the at least 13 distinct types of bipolar cells systematically transforms the photoreceptor input in a different way, thereby generating specific channels that encode stimulus properties, such as polarity, contrast, temporal profile and chromatic composition. As a result, bipolar cell output signals represent elementary ‘building blocks’ from which the microcircuits of the inner retina derive a feature-oriented description of the visual world.

Design and FPGA Implementation of a Novel Bipolar Triple-Output Switched Resonant Converter

This paper proposes a novel triple output switched resonant converter with bipolar outputs, two of them positive and one negative. No extra hardware is needed for obtaining the additional third negative output with reference to existing circuits. The topology is scalable to more outputs. The steady state analysis of the converter is done and design considerations are explained using an ‘energy balance’ approach. The design is adapted for outputs which may have different power ratings with suitable design examples. Control strategy for the converter is described and hardware implementation with an FPGA system is discussed

Design of Integrated Bipolar Symmetric Output DC–DC Power Converter for Digital Pulse Generators in Ultrasound Medical Imaging Systems

This paper presents a bipolar symmetric output switching dc–dc converter for digital pulse generators in ultrasound medical imaging systems. The proposed power stage architecture can generate symmetric bipolar supply voltages, while operating in a time-interleaving manner. Meanwhile, in order to power unipolar pulse generators with the same peak-to-peak pulse amplitude, the power stage can also be reconfigured to deliver a 2× unipolar output voltage. The power converter employs an adaptive <formula formulatype="inline" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex Notation="TeX">${\Delta}I$</tex></formula> charge balance control scheme to ensure that the outputs are symmetrically balanced and well regulated. At the circuit level, to utilize a single feedback controller for both power stage topologies, the assignment of a suitable chip ground is discussed. A prototype is fabricated using a 0.25-μm CMOS process and occupies a chip area of 6 mm <formula formulatype="inline" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex Notation="TeX">$^{2}$</tex></formula> . For an input supply voltage of 1.5 V, the dc–dc converter can regulate the bipolar outputs at a nominal voltage level of ±2.5 V and at 5 V for the unipolar output configuration and a maximum load current of 45 mA for both. The bipolar output power converter achieves a maximum efficiency of 83.4% at a load power of 187.5 mW, with the voltage balance error maintained within ± 2% over the entire load range.

A single-phase embedded Z-source DC-AC inverter.

In the conventional DC-AC inverter consisting of two DC-DC converters with unipolar output capacitors, the output capacitor voltages of the DC-DC converters must be higher than the DC input voltage. To overcome this weakness, this paper proposes a single-phase DC-AC inverter consisting of two embedded Z-source converters with bipolar output capacitors. The proposed inverter is composed of two embedded Z-source converters with a common DC source and output AC load. Though the output capacitor voltages of the converters are relatively low compared to those of a conventional inverter, an equivalent level of AC output voltages can be obtained. Moreover, by controlling the output capacitor voltages asymmetrically, the AC output voltage of the proposed inverter can be higher than the DC input voltage. To verify the validity of the proposed inverter, experiments were performed with a DC source voltage of 38 V. By controlling the output capacitor voltages of the converters symmetrically or asymmetrically, the proposed inverter can produce sinusoidal AC output voltages. The experiments show that efficiencies of up to 95% and 97% can be achieved with the proposed inverter using symmetric and asymmetric control, respectively.

Nitric oxide mediates activity-dependent plasticity of retinal bipolar cell output via S-nitrosylation.

Coding a wide range of light intensities in natural scenes poses a challenge for the retina: adaptation to bright light should not compromise sensitivity to dim light. Here we report a novel form of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity, specifically, a "weighted potentiation" that selectively increases output of Mb-type bipolar cells in the goldfish retina in response to weak inputs but leaves the input-output ratio for strong stimuli unaffected. In retinal slice preparation, strong depolarization of bipolar terminals significantly lowered the threshold for calcium spike initiation, which originated from a shift in activation of voltage-gated calcium currents (ICa) to more negative potentials. The process depended upon glutamate-evoked retrograde nitric oxide (NO) signaling as it was eliminated by pretreatment with an NO synthase blocker, TRIM. The NO-dependent ICa modulation was cGMP independent but could be blocked by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), indicating that NO acted via an S-nitrosylation mechanism. Importantly, the NO action resulted in a weighted potentiation of Mb output in response to small (≤-30 mV) depolarizations. Coincidentally, light flashes with intensity ≥ 2.4 × 10(8) photons/cm(2)/s lowered the latency of scotopic (≤ 2.4 × 10(8) photons/cm(2)/s) light-evoked calcium spikes in Mb axon terminals in an NEM-sensitive manner, but light responses above cone threshold (≥ 3.5 × 10(9) photons/cm(2)/s) were unaltered. Under bright scotopic/mesopic conditions, this novel form of Mb output potentiation selectively amplifies dim retinal inputs at Mb → ganglion cell synapses. We propose that this process might counteract decreases in retinal sensitivity during light adaptation by preventing the loss of visual information carried by dim scotopic signals.

A synaptic signature for ON- and OFF-center parasol ganglion cells of the primate retina.

In the primate retina, parasol ganglion cells contribute to the primary visual pathway via the magnocellular division of the lateral geniculate nucleus, display ON and OFF concentric receptive field structure, nonlinear spatial summation, and high achromatic temporal-contrast sensitivity. Parasol cells may be homologous to the alpha-Y cells of nonprimate mammals where evidence suggests that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated synaptic excitation as well as glycinergic disinhibition play critical roles in contrast sensitivity, acting asymmetrically in OFF- but not ON-pathways. Here, light-evoked synaptic currents were recorded in the macaque monkey retina in vitro to examine the circuitry underlying parasol cell receptive field properties. Synaptic excitation in both ON and OFF types was mediated by NMDA as well as α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)/kainate glutamate receptors. The NMDA-mediated current-voltage relationship suggested high Mg2+ affinity such that at physiological potentials, NMDA receptors contributed ∼20% of the total excitatory conductance evoked by moderate stimulus contrasts and temporal frequencies. Postsynaptic inhibition in both ON and OFF cells was dominated by a large glycinergic "crossover" conductance, with a relatively small contribution from GABAergic feedforward inhibition. However, crossover inhibition was largely rectified, greatly diminished at low stimulus contrasts, and did not contribute, via disinhibition, to contrast sensitivity. In addition, attenuation of GABAergic and glycinergic synaptic inhibition left center-surround and Y-type receptive field structure and high temporal sensitivity fundamentally intact and clearly derived from modulation of excitatory bipolar cell output. Thus, the characteristic spatial and temporal-contrast sensitivity of the primate parasol cell arises presynaptically and is governed primarily by modulation of the large AMPA/kainate receptor-mediated excitatory conductance. Moreover, the negative feedback responsible for the receptive field surround must derive from a nonGABAergic mechanism.

Efficacy of Hemostasis for Epidural Venous Plexus and Safety for Neural Structure Using Soft Coagulation System in Spinal Surgery

A laboratory investigation using porcine model. To clarify the effectiveness of the soft coagulation system for stopping bleeding from the epidural vein using different outputs and the safety in terms of tissue damage including spinal cord injury. Problems associated with coagulation using an electrosurgical device, such as carbonization of tissue or adhesion to the electrode, have been highlighted. So called "soft coagulation" has been developed to solve these problems. Its' utility as well as the safety of the neural structure in spine surgery has never been reported. A total of 3 animals and 45 spinal segments were used. Total laminectomy was performed to expose the dural tube and epidural venous plexus. Stable bleeding was induced by a 22 G needle puncture. Soft coagulation monopolar output (SCM), soft coagulation bipolar output (SCB), and conventional bipolar output (CB) were used as the coagulators. Valid hemostasis was defined as macroscopically complete bleeding stoppage by coagulation within 3 minutes. The neurological assessment was evaluated by somatosensory evoked potential. Histologic analysis was performed to determine the area of thermal damage. Valid hemostasis ratio was 75.0% of SCM group, 68.8% of SCB group, and 30.8% of CB group. Somatosensory evoked potential monitoring revealed that spinal cord injury was observed in 4 lesions (25%) of the SCM group. Neither bipolar groups (SCB and CB) showed any changes in waveform pattern. Histologic analysis revealed that severe thermal damages were observed in the epidural space of the SCM group. The usefulness of soft coagulation is revealed in terms of bleeding stoppage from epidural vessels and reduced soft-tissue damage compared with the conventional electric device. However, assessing the potential risk of severe neural tissue damage including spinal cord injury, a bipolar soft coagulation is strongly recommended for use in spine surgery.

무인기용 경량 PEM 연료전지 스택용 마그네슘 분리판의 성능평가

표면에 얇은 은(Ag)층이 증착된 마그네슘 분리판을 PEM 연료전지의 그라파이트 분리판의 대체 재질로 검토하였다. <TEX>$180^{\circ}C$</TEX>의 온도 환경에서 마그네슘 모재 표면에 <TEX>$3{\mu}m$</TEX>의 얇은 은층을 물리적 증착방법(PVD)을 이용하여 증착하였다. 제작된 마그네슘 분리판을 대상으로 PEM 연료전지 스택 적용 가능성을 확인하기 위하여 다수의 실험을 수행하였다. PEM 연료전지의 동작환경과 동일한 pH에서의 부식실험을 통하여 보호막이 형성된 마그네슘 분리판은 부식으로부터 모재를 적절히 보호하였지만 보호막이 형성되지 않은 경우 심각한 부식이 발생됨을 확인하였다. 제작된 마그네슘 분리판의 접촉저항은 <TEX>$20m{\Omega}-cm^2$</TEX>이하로 기존의 분리판 대비 우수한 성능을 보였다. 이러한 낮은 접촉저항으로 인하여 전기전도도가 개선되어 연료전지의 성능이 향상됨을 확인하였다. 마그네슘 모재의 낮은 밀도와 기계가공의 용이성 때문에 동일한 연료전지 스택의 출력을 기준으로 약 30~40 %의 중량절감이 가능한 것으로 판단되었다. A magnesium bipolar plate whose surface was protected by thinly deposited silver layer was investigated as an alternative to existing graphite bipolar plate of PEM fuel cells. Thin silver layer of <TEX>$3{\mu}m$</TEX> was deposited on a magnesium alloy substrate by physical vapor deposition (PVD) method in an environment of <TEX>$180^{\circ}C$</TEX>. A number of tests were conducted on the fabricated magnesium based bipolar plates to determine their suitability for use in PEM fuel cell stacks. The test on corrosion resistance in the same pH condition as in a PEM operation demonstrated the layer protected the magnesium alloy substrate, while unprotected substrate suffered from severe corrosion. The contact resistance of the fabricated bipolar plate was less than <TEX>$20m{\Omega}-cm^2$</TEX> which was superior to the conventional bipolar plates. A single cell was constructed using the fabricated bipolar plates and power output was measured. Due to the enhanced conductivity caused by low contact resistance, slight increase was observed in current density and output voltage. With low density of the magnesium substrate and ease on machining, the weight reduction of the stack of 30~40 % is possible to produce the same power output.

Two-Photon Imaging of Nonlinear Glutamate Release Dynamics at Bipolar Cell Synapses in the Mouse Retina

Alpha/Y-type retinal ganglion cells encode visual information with a receptive field composed of nonlinear subunits. This nonlinear subunit structure enhances sensitivity to patterns composed of high spatial frequencies. The Y-cell's subunits are the presynaptic bipolar cells, but the mechanism for the nonlinearity remains incompletely understood. We investigated the synaptic basis of the subunit nonlinearity by combining whole-cell recording of mouse Y-type ganglion cells with two-photon fluorescence imaging of a glutamate sensor (iGluSnFR) expressed on their dendrites and throughout the inner plexiform layer. A control experiment designed to assess iGluSnFR's dynamic range showed that fluorescence responses from Y-cell dendrites increased proportionally with simultaneously recorded excitatory current. Spatial resolution was sufficient to readily resolve independent release at intermingled ON and OFF bipolar terminals. iGluSnFR responses at Y-cell dendrites showed strong surround inhibition, reflecting receptive field properties of presynaptic release sites. Responses to spatial patterns located the origin of the Y-cell nonlinearity to the bipolar cell output, after the stage of spatial integration. The underlying mechanism differed between OFF and ON pathways: OFF synapses showed transient release and strong rectification, whereas ON synapses showed relatively sustained release and weak rectification. At ON synapses, the combination of fast release onset with slower release offset explained the nonlinear response of the postsynaptic ganglion cell. Imaging throughout the inner plexiform layer, we found transient, rectified release at the central-most levels, with increasingly sustained release near the borders. By visualizing glutamate release in real time, iGluSnFR provides a powerful tool for characterizing glutamate synapses in intact neural circuits.