Minimum Trigger Research Articles

Instrumental Assessment of Aero-Resistive Expiratory Muscle Strength Rehabilitation Devices.

Expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) is increasingly being used to treat voice, cough, and swallowing deficits in a wide range of conditions. However, a multitude of aero-resistive EMST models are commercially available, and the absence of side-by-side comparative data interferes with clinicians' ability to assess which model is best suited to a particular client's needs. The primary aim of this research was to test and compare the pressure and flow parameters of six currently available EMST models to help inform clinical decision making. We identified and tested five devices of each of six different EMST models to generate benchmark data for minimum trigger pressures across settings. The reliability was tested within each device and between five devices of the same model across settings using coefficient of variation. All six models required higher pressures to initiate flow at the highest setting compared to the lowest setting, as expected. Detailed descriptive statistics for each model/setting combination include average flow-triggering pressure for each model/setting and the variability across trials within a device and across devices of the same model. From these, ranked order of the least to most stable EMST model was derived. Systematic testing of several commercially available expiratory resistance training devices yielded clinical benchmarks and reliability data to aid clinicians in selecting an appropriate therapy device and regimen for a client based on their available airflow and air pressure as well as reliability of the device. These findings allow clinicians to directly compare key parameters across EMST devices.

Robust Adaptive Event-Triggered Fault-Tolerant Consensus Control of Multiagent Systems With a Positive Minimum Interevent Time

The distributed fault-tolerant (FT) consensus control problem of linear multiagents with disturbances is considered in this article. For undirected graphs, first, by introducing adaptive control coefficients, multiagent reliable control can be carried out fully distributed, removing the assumption that global information should be known prior. Furthermore, different from existing consensus FT studies, the limitation of continuous communication among agents is removed by developing an open-loop estimation and event-triggering mechanism (ETM). Particularly, distinct from some dwell-time methods that enforce an interevent time greater than zero at the expense of asymptotic stability, by introducing timer variables, positive interevent time and asymptotic stability can be guaranteed simultaneously by the proposed ETM in the absence of disturbances. Furthermore, a minimum positive trigger interval can be maintained for each agent even in the presence of disturbances, indicating the robustness of the event-triggered strategy. It is demonstrated that the suggested event-triggered control method performs reliable disturbance suppression for all agents in a completely distributed way with intermittent communication while excluding the Zeno behavior. Moreover, we try to generalize our results to directed strong connectivity. Finally, simulation examples are carried out to illustrate the efficacy of the suggested scheme.

The Credit Suisse CoCo wipeout: Facts, misperceptions, and lessons for financial regulation

The Credit Suisse CoCo wipeout: Facts, misperceptions, and lessons for financial regulation

Hardware Trojan Detection Using Unsupervised Deep Learning on Quantum Diamond Microscope Magnetic Field Images

This article presents a method for hardware trojan detection in integrated circuits. Unsupervised deep learning is used to classify wide field-of-view (4 × 4 mm 2 ), high spatial resolution magnetic field images taken using a Quantum Diamond Microscope (QDM). QDM magnetic imaging is enhanced using quantum control techniques and improved diamond material to increase magnetic field sensitivity by a factor of 4 and measurement speed by a factor of 16 over previous demonstrations. These upgrades facilitate the first demonstration of QDM magnetic field measurement for hardware trojan detection. Unsupervised convolutional neural networks and clustering are used to infer trojan presence from unlabeled data sets of 600 × 600 pixel magnetic field images without human bias. This analysis is shown to be more accurate than principal component analysis for distinguishing between field programmable gate arrays configured with trojan-free and trojan-inserted logic. This framework is tested on a set of scalable trojans that we developed and measured with the QDM. Scalable and TrustHub trojans are detectable down to a minimum trojan trigger size of 0.5% of the total logic. The trojan detection framework can be used for golden-chip-free detection, since knowledge of the chips’ identities is only used to evaluate detection accuracy.

Comparative study of pulsed breakdown processes and mechanisms in self-triggered four-electrode pre-ionized switches

This work investigates the pulsed breakdown processes and mechanisms of self-triggered pre-ionized switches with a four-electrode structure in nitrogen through intensified charge coupled device photographs. The diameter of the trigger plane hole mainly determines the switch’s electric field distribution. Two configurations with minimum and maximum trigger plane holes are adopted for comparison. In the switch with a minimum trigger plane hole, the maximum electric field distributes at the surfaces of the main electrodes. Although charged particles in the triggering spark channel cannot drift out, homogeneous discharges can be stimulated from both the cathode and anode surfaces through ultraviolet illumination. Two sub-gaps are likely to break down simultaneously. In the switch with a maximum trigger plane hole, the maximum electric field locates near the trigger electrodes. Discharges in both sub-gaps initiate from the trigger electrodes in the form of a positive or negative streamer. Due to the lower breakdown voltage and electric field threshold for discharge initiation, the cathode side sub-gap breaks down first. The analysis of two extreme examples can be referenced in the future design and improvement of self-triggered four-electrode switches with different trigger electrode structures.

Research on Characteristics of Copper Foil Three-Electrode Planar Spark Gap High Voltage Switch Integrated with EFI

In view of the low-energy explosion foil detonation system’s requirements for the integration technology of high-voltage switches and technical overload resistance technology, a magnetron sputtering coater is used to sputter copper film on the surface of the substrate. The thickness is 4.0 μm, the radius of the main electrode is 4 mm, the trigger electrode is 0.6 mm and 0.8 mm, and the main gaps are 0.8 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.2 mm mm, 1.8 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.2 mm, and 2.6 mm. Copper foil three-electrode planar spark gap high voltage switches are designed and manufactured; and the static self-breakdown characteristics, dynamic operating characteristics, and discharge life characteristics of the three-electrode planar spark gap high voltage switch based on copper foil are studied in this paper. The test results show that with the increase of the main electrode gap from 0.8 mm to 2.6 mm, the self-breakdown voltage of the planar spark gap switch increases, and the working voltage also increases. When the main electrode gap is a maximum of 2.6 mm, the self-breakdown voltage of the switch can reach 3480 V, which indicates that the maximum operating voltage of the switch is 3480 V. When the charging voltage is 2.0 kV, with the increase of the main electrode gap from 0.8 mm to 2.6 mm, the minimum trigger voltage value of the planar spark gap switch increases from 677 V to 1783 V (a = 0.6 mm), and from 685 V to 1766 V (a = 0.8 mm), the switch on time is 16 ns, 22 ns, 28 ns, 48 ns, 64 ns, 77 ns, 93 ns (a = 0.6 mm), and 26 ns, 34 ns, 51 ns, 67 ns, 81 ns, 102 ns (a = 0.6 mm). With the increase of the gap between the two main electrodes of the switch, the maximum static working voltage of the three-electrode plane spark gap high-voltage switch increases, the minimum trigger voltage value also increases, and the on-time of the switch gradually becomes longer. The peak current of the discharge circuit decreases and the dynamic impedance and inductive reactance of the switch also increase; as the width of the trigger electrode increases, the minimum trigger voltage decreases, the dynamic impedance and inductance decrease, and the switch operating voltage with the same parameters is higher. The easier the switch is to turn on, the lower the minimum trigger voltage. The electrode thickness of the three-electrode plane spark gap switch has a certain influence on the field strength and the service life of the switch. The results of this study provide useful references for promoting the research and development of LEEFIs.

Event-Triggered Integral Sliding Mode Anti-Disturbance Control for Nonlinear Systems Via T-S Disturbance Modeling

Under the framework of event triggering, this paper discusses a novel integral sliding mode (ISM) anti-disturbance algorithm for a class of nonlinear systems with mismatched disturbances. For the sake of describing more irregular disturbances, T-S fuzzy disturbance models are imported by choosing different basis functions and the corresponding disturbance observer (DO) is then put forward to realize the estimation of unknown disturbances. By utilizing the trigger threshold condition with the estimation information, both the integral sliding surface (ISS) and the event-triggered ISM controller are designed for compensating mismatched disturbances. It is guaranteed that the state trajectories can reach the ISS within a pre-designed finite time. Moreover, not only the system stability, but also the favorable tracking performance and the boundedness of the minimum trigger interval are simultaneously be achieved. Finally, the simulation results of an A4D aircraft model further embody the effective of designed control algorithm.

Research on Coordination Control Strategy of LCC-MMC Hybrid HVDC Transmission System under Fault

High voltage direct current based on modular multilevel converter (MMC-HVDC) has a good application prospect in engineering, but it is expensive and cannot handle DC faults and other disadvantages. So it is still not suitable for long-distance transmission. To solve these problems, this paper designs multi-terminal hybrid DC transmission system with a line commutated converter based on the rectifier side (LCC) and a modular multilevel converter based on the inverter side (MMC). Besides, for the asymmetric fault on the AC side of the system, the minimum trigger angle control strategy based on the rectifier side LCC and the maximum modulation ratio control strategy based on the inverter side MMC are proposed to improve the DC system transmission power and reduce the possibility of power transmission interruption. Finally, a model of hybrid DC transmission is built in PSCAD/EMTDC, the proposed strategy is verified its effectiveness.

Preliminary study of laser-triggered pseudospark switch

Laser-triggered pseudospark switches, also called back-lighted thyratrons (BLTs), are low pressure, high voltage, high current glow-mode switches The feasibility of BLTs is verified. The laser beams with wavelengths of 266 nm and 532 nm were used in the test. In the non-focused mode, the minimum trigger energy for 266 nm laser is 15 mJ, the anode ignition delay time is about 340 ns, and the time jitter is about 40 ns. The minimum trigger energy for 532 nm laser is 83 mJ, the anode ignition delay time is about 420 ns, and the time jitter is about 60 ns. In the focused mode, the minimum trigger energy for 266 nm laser is 4 mJ, when the laser trigger energy is 8 mJ, the anode delay time is 190 ns, the jitter is less than 1 ns. The minimum trigger energy for 532 nm laser is 6 mJ, when the laser trigger energy is 8 mJ, the anode delay time is than 240 ns, the jitter is less than 1 ns. The methods to further reduce the energy of the laser trigger will be studied in the future.

Anti-interference single-photon LiDAR using stochastic pulse position modulation

This Letter introduces an anti-interference single-photon light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system with photon-driven stochastic pulse position modulation. A photon arrival sequence with a programmable minimum interval time and trigger rate was proposed to trigger laser pulses, thus providing true nature-based randomness in modulation which is beneficial for achieving better anti-interference capability. In the proposed LiDAR system, two complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) are used as an optical receiver and to generate a random trigger pattern of a pulsed laser. To prevent the range ambiguity problem, an interval-time filter capable of controlling the minimum interval time is integrated into the LiDAR system. A trigger rate controller capable of adaptively controlling the driving voltage of a light-emitting diode coupled with the SPAD responsible for the generation of the random trigger sequence is also integrated for achieving a precise control of trigger rate. Finally, a proof-of-concept demonstration was provided through experiments, and the obtained results were consistent with theoretical predictions. At an effective trigger rate of 800 kHz, an excellent suppression ratio of 56.2 dB has been achieved in the presence of a 1 MHz periodic interference.

Microparticle Responses to Aerobic Exercise and Meal Consumption in Healthy Men.

Microparticles (MP) are shed extracellular vesicles that express the prothrombotic tissue factor (TF). Aerobic exercise may reduce MP count and TF expression. This study investigated the impact of acute running or rest followed by standardized meal consumption on MP phenotypes and TF expression. Fifteen males (age, 22.9 ± 3.3 yr; body mass, 81.9 ± 11.4 kg; V˙O2max, 54.9 ± 6.5 mL·kg·min; mean ± SD) completed 1 h of running (70% V˙O2max) or rest at 9:00 AM and consumed a standardized meal (1170 kcal, 43% CHO, 17% PRO, 40% fat) at 10:45 AM. Venous blood samples were taken at 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:30 AM. The MP concentration, diameter, phenotypes, and TF expression were assessed using nanoparticle tracking analysis and flow cytometry. Nanoparticle tracking analysis identified no changes in MP concentration or diameter in response to time or trial. Flow cytometry revealed total MP count increased from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM (1.62 ± 2.28 to 1.74 ± 2.61 × 10 L, P = 0.016, effect size (η) = 0.105), but was unaffected by trial. TF platelet-derived MP % reduced from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM (44.0% ± 21.2% to 21.5% ± 9.3%, P = 0.001, η = 0.582) after exercise only (control, 36.8% ± 18.2% to 34.9% ± 11.9%; P = 0.972). TF neutrophil-derived MP percentage reduced from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM (42.3% ± 17.2% to 25.1% ± 14.9%; P = 0.048, η = 0.801) in the exercise trial only (control, 28.5% ± 15.7% to 32.2% ± 9.6%; P = 0.508). Running induced a significant reduction in %TF platelet and neutrophil MP, suggesting a transient reduction in cardiovascular risk via reduced TF-stimulated thrombosis. This requires further investigation over longer periods in cardiovascular disease populations.

A novel trigger for pseudospark switch with high repetition rate, low jitter, and compact structure.

This paper presents the design and development of a trigger with a high repetition rate, low jitter, and compact structure for the pseudospark switch (PSS), which includes an improved Marx generator based on avalanche transistors and a corona-plasma trigger unit. The generator adopted a novel 3 × 12-stage Marx circuit based on avalanche transistors in which the failure rate of transistors in the first and second stages was significantly reduced by connecting the parallel capacitors compared to the previous similar generator. The reason for the improved performance was also discussed. The main parameters of output pulses were an amplitude of -7 kV, rise time of 6 ns, jitter of 0.2 ns, and repetition rate of 2 kHz. The corona-plasma trigger unit adopted BaTiO3 ceramics with high εr as the dielectric and was arranged in the hollow cathode of the PSS. The experiments of triggering a PSS prototype were conducted. The influence of anode voltage and pressure on the trigger delay and jitter was studied, and the minimum trigger jitter achieved <1 ns. This trigger worked for 107 shots at the repetition rate of 2 kHz continuously without obvious performance degradation and any failure of the generator. The main advantage of this trigger is the simultaneous combination of the high repetition rate, low jitter, long lifetime, and great simplicity in a compact structure.

The development of high-voltage repetitive low-jitter corona stabilized triggered switch.

The high-power switch plays an important part in a pulse power system. With the trend of pulse power technology toward modularization, miniaturization, and accuracy control, higher requirements on electrical trigger and jitter of the switch have been put forward. A high-power low-jitter corona-stabilized triggered switch (CSTS) is designed in this paper. This kind of CSTS is based on corona stabilized mechanism, and it can be used as a main switch of an intense electron-beam accelerator (IEBA). Its main feature was the use of an annular trigger electrode instead of a traditional needle-like trigger electrode, taking main and side trigger rings to fix the discharging channels and using SF6/N2 gas mixture as its operation gas. In this paper, the strength of the local field enhancement was changed by a trigger electrode protrusion length Dp. The differences of self-breakdown voltage and its stability, delay time jitter, trigger requirements, and operation range of the switch were compared. Then the effect of different SF6/N2 mixture ratio on switch performance was explored. The experimental results show that when the SF6 is 15% with the pressure of 0.2 MPa, the hold-off voltage of the switch is 551 kV, the operating range is 46.4%-93.5% of the self-breakdown voltage, the jitter is 0.57 ns, and the minimum trigger voltage requirement is 55.8% of the peak. At present, the CSTS has been successfully applied to an IEBA for long time operation.

Investigation of Double-Snapback Characteristic in Resistor-Triggered SCRs Stacking Structure

Achieving high latch-up immunity is critical for power-rail electrostatic discharge (ESD) clamp circuits in high-voltage (HV) integrated circuit products. To investigate how shunt resistance affects the transmission line pulsing current–voltage characteristics of resistance-triggered stacked silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs), a lateral SCR (LSCR) and a modified LSCR were combined in several SCR stacked structures with various shunt resistances. Compared with in tradition stacked ESD cells, the snapback margin of the SCRs does not expand and can even be reduced. A high holding voltage of 33.4 V is achieved using the resistance-triggered stacked SCR technique in a $0.11~\mu \text{m}$ 32-V HV process. A trigger voltage of approximately 51 V and a failure current of 3.3 A is achieved in this experiment. According to theorem analysis based on a voltage decoupling equation, the minimum trigger voltage can probably be further reduced to 46 V by using the resistance-triggered stacked SCR technique. This paper can offer a simple guideline for designing ESD protection circuit using the resistor-triggered SCRs stacking structure.

TARGET 5: A new multi-channel digitizer with triggering capabilities for gamma-ray atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes

TARGET 5 is a new application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) of the TARGET family, designed for the readout of signals from photosensors in the cameras of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs) for ground-based gamma-ray astronomy. TARGET 5 combines sampling and digitization on 16 signal channels with the formation of trigger signals based on the analog sum of groups of four channels. We describe the ASIC architecture and performance. TARGET 5 improves over the performance of the first-generation TARGET ASIC, achieving: tunable sampling frequency from <0.4 GSa/s to >1 GSa/s; a dynamic range on the data path of 1.2 V with effective dynamic range of 11 bits and DC noise of ∼0.6 mV; 3-dB bandwidth of 500 MHz; crosstalk between adjacent channels <1.3%; charge resolution improving from 40% to <4% between 3 photoelectrons (p.e.) and >100 p.e. (assuming 4 mV per p.e.); and minimum stable trigger threshold of 20 mV (5 p.e.) with trigger noise of 5 mV (1.2 p.e.), which is mostly limited by interference between trigger and sampling operations. TARGET 5 is the first ASIC of the TARGET family used in an IACT prototype, providing one development path for readout electronics in the forthcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA).

178 - An Adolescent Patient with Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Acquired Immunodeficiency: A Case Report and Literature Review

TARGET 5 is a new application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) of the TARGET family, designed for the readout of signals from photosensors in the cameras of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs) for ground-based gamma-ray astronomy. TARGET 5 combines sampling and digitization on 16 signal channels with the formation of trigger signals based on the analog sum of groups of four channels. We describe the ASIC architecture and performance. TARGET 5 improves over the performance of the first-generation TARGET ASIC, achieving: tunable sampling frequency from <0.4 GSa/s to >1 GSa/s; a dynamic range on the data path of 1.2 V with effective dynamic range of 11 bits and DC noise of ∼0.6 mV; 3-dB bandwidth of 500 MHz; crosstalk between adjacent channels <1.3%; charge resolution improving from 40% to <4% between 3 photoelectrons (p.e.) and >100 p.e. (assuming 4 mV per p.e.); and minimum stable trigger threshold of 20 mV (5 p.e.) with trigger noise of 5 mV (1.2 p.e.), which is mostly limited by interference between trigger and sampling operations. TARGET 5 is the first ASIC of the TARGET family used in an IACT prototype, providing one development path for readout electronics in the forthcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA).

Minimum gate trigger current degradation in 4.5 kV 4H-SiC commutated gate turn-off thyristor

The increment in minimum gate trigger current in a 4H-SiC commutated gate turn-off thyristor after the current stress test is investigated. The recombination at the intersection line of the Shockley-type stacking faults and the pn junction causes a reduction in the level of carrier injection from the anode to the gate. The current gain of the top pnp bipolar junction transistor, therefore, decreases, and the minimum gate trigger current increases. The minimum gate trigger current after the current stress test does not return to that before the current stress test at 200 °C, although the on-state voltage of the degraded thyristor returns to that of the original one when the temperature is increased to more than 150 °C. The Shockley-type stacking faults, which are parallel to the current flow from the anode to the gate and cause the increment in minimum gate trigger current, exist even if the temperature increases.

Dual-controlled oral colon-targeted delivery of bovine insulin based on mesoporous phosphonate

The time- and pH-controlled oral colon-targeted delivery system for bovine insulin was developed by dip-coating lag-time films on tablet comprising bovine insulin-loaded pH-sensitive mesoporous phosphonate (ZrBPMP-3) as tablet core and absorption enhancer of insulin, sodium glycocholate, in outer layer, in which the lag time can be controlled via adjusting coating times of lag-time films and the release of bovine insulin in the colon can be triggered by pH-sensitive ZrBPMP-3. The pH transition release experiments show that the tablet with four times lag-time films coating can carry bovine insulin passing through the stomach and small intestine with a minimum release and trigger off the release of loaded bovine insulin in the colon under dual control, time control and pH value control. Furthermore, the released bovine insulin can still retain its native conformation, as evidenced by circular dichroism spectroscopy, indicating that bovine insulin cannot denature and lose its bioactive conformation during the loading, lag-time films coating, delivery and release. In addition, it is worth mentioning that ZrBPMP-3 almost exhibits non-cytotoxicity at low concentration in MTT assays. Thus, ZrBPMP-3 as a new kind of carrier and based on which developing controllable colon-targeted delivery system have potential application in oral delivery of insulin and even other therapeutic peptides and proteins.

Toll-Like Receptor Induced CD11b and L-Selectin Response in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) -2 and -4 expression and TLR-induced cytokine response of inflammatory cells are related to atherogenesis and atherosclerotic plaque progression. We examined whether immediate TLR induced changes in CD11b and L-selectin (CD62L) expression are able to discriminate the presence and severity of atherosclerotic disease by exploring single dose whole blood TLR stimulation and detailed dose-response curves. Blood samples were obtained from 125 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and 28 controls. CD11b and L-selectin expression on CD14+ monocytes was measured after whole blood stimulation with multiple concentrations of the TLR4 ligand LPS (0.01–10 ng/ml) and the TLR2 ligand P3C (0.5–500 ng/ml). Subsequently, dose-response curves were created and the following parameters were calculated: hillslope, EC50, area under the curve (AUC) and delta. These parameters provide information about the maximum response following activation, as well as the minimum trigger required to induce activation and the intensity of the response. CAD patients showed a significantly higher L-selectin, but not CD11b response to TLR ligation than controls after single dose stimulations as well as significant differences in the hillslope and EC50 of the dose-response curves. Within the CAD patient group, dose-response curves of L-selectin showed significant differences in the presence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary occlusion and degree of stenosis, whereas CD11b expression had the strongest discriminating power after single dose stimulation. In conclusion, single dose stimulations and dose-response curves of CD11b and L-selectin expression after TLR stimulation provide diverse but limited information about atherosclerotic disease severity in stable angina patients. However, both single dose stimulation and dose-response curves of LPS-induced L-selectin expression can discriminate between controls and CAD patients.

An Experimental Setup to Measure the Minimum Trigger Energy for Magnetothermal Instability in $\hbox{Nb}_{3}\hbox{Sn}$ Strands

Magnetothermal instability may affect high critical current density superconducting strands that can quench even though the transport current is low compared to the critical current with important implications in the design of next generation superconducting magnets. The instability is initiated by a small perturbation energy which is considerably lower than the minimum quench energy (MQE). At CERN, a new experimental setup was developed to measure the smallest perturbation energy [minimum trigger energy (MTE)] which is able to trigger the magnetothermal instability in superconducting -strands. The setup is based on Q-switched laser technology which is able to provide a localized perturbation in nanosecond time scale. Using this technique the energy deposition into the strand is well defined and reliable. The laser is located outside the cryostat at room temperature. The beam is guided from room temperature on to the superconducting strand by using a UV-enhanced fused silica fiber. The strand is mounted on a VAMAS barrel. A part of the beam's energy is absorbed into the strand acting as the trigger energy for the magnetothermal instability. In this paper the experimental setup and the calibration of the absorbed energy is presented.