Low-power low-voltage chopped transconductance amplifier for noise and offset reduction

This paper describes the principle and design of a CMOS low-power, low-voltage, chopped transconductance amplifier, for noise and offset reduction in mixed analogue digital applications. The operation is based on chopping and dynamic element matching, to reduce noise and offset, without excessive increase of the charge injection residual offset. Experimental results show residual offsets of less than 150µV at 100kHz chopping frequency, a signal to noise ratio of 95dB, in audio band, for 100KHz chopping and a THD of -89dB. The power consumption is 594µW

Understanding of a negative bowel screening result and potential impact on future symptom appraisal and help-seeking behaviour: a focus group study.

This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Wiley via http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/hex.12484BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening using a faecal occult blood test (FOBt) has the potential to reduce cancer-related mortality. Symptom vigilance remains crucial as a proportion of cancers will be diagnosed between screening rounds. A negative FOBt has the potential to influence how participants respond to future symptoms of CRC. OBJECTIVE: To explore (i) understanding of a negative FOBt and (ii) the potential impact of a negative FOBt upon future symptom appraisal and help-seeking behaviour. DESIGN: Qualitative methodology utilizing focus groups with participants who received a negative FOBt within the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in Coventry and Lothian. Topics explored included: experience of screening participation, interpretation and understanding of a negative result, symptom awareness and attitudes towards help-seeking. RESULTS: Four broad themes were identified: (i) emotional response to a negative FOBt, (ii) understanding the limitations of FOBt screening, (iii) symptom knowledge and interpretation and (iv) over-reassurance from a negative FOBt. Participants were reassured by a negative FOBt, but there was variability in the extent to which the result was interpreted as an "all clear". Some participants acknowledged the residual risk of cancer and the temporal characteristic of the result, while others were surprised that the result was not a guarantee that they did not have cancer. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Participants recognized that reassurance from a negative FOBt could lead to a short-term delay in help-seeking if symptoms developed. Screening programmes should seek to emphasize the importance of the temporal nature of FOBt results with key messages about symptom recognition and prompt help-seeking behaviour.This study was funded by the National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative led by Cancer Research UK, the Department of Health, NHS England and Public Health England. Award number C12357/A12240

Clinical risk factors of colorectal cancer in patients with serrated polyposis syndrome: A multicentre cohort analysis

Objective Serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) is accompanied by an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Patients fulfilling the clinical criteria, as defined by the WHO, have a wide variation in CRC risk. We aimed to assess risk factors for CRC in a large cohort of patients with SPS and to evaluate the risk of CRC during surveillance. Design In this retrospective cohort analysis, all patients with SPS from seven centres in the Netherlands and two in the UK were enrolled. WHO criteria were used to diagnose SPS. Patients who only fulfilled WHO criterion-2, with IBD and/or a known hereditary CRC syndrome were excluded. Results In total, 434 patients with SPS were included for analysis; 127 (29.3%) were diagnosed with CRC. In a per-patient analysis =1 serrated polyp (SP) with dysplasia (OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.28 to 3.33), =1 advanced adenoma (OR 2.30; 95% CI 1.47 to 3.67) and the fulfilment of both WHO criteria 1 and 3 (OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.51) were associated with CRC, while a history of smoking was inversely associated with CRC (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.23 to 0.56). Overall, 260 patients underwent surveillance after clearing of all relevant lesions, during which two patients were diagnosed with CRC, corresponding to 1.9 events/1000 person-years surveillance (95% CI 0.3 to 6.4). Conclusion The presence of SPs containing dysplasia, advanced adenomas and/or combined WHO criteria 1 and 3 phenotype is associated with CRC in patients with SPS. Patients with a history of smoking show a lower risk of CRC, possibly due to a different pathogenesis of disease. The risk of developing CRC during surveillance is lower than previously reported in literature, which may reflect a more mature multicentre cohort with less selection bias

A Ka band, static, MCML frequency divider, in standard 90nm-CMOS LP for 60 GHz applications

This paper presents a broadband, static, 2:1 frequency divider in a bulk 90 nm CMOS LP (low-power) technology with maximum operating frequency of 35.5 GHz. The divider exhibits an enhanced input sensitivity, below 0 dBm, over a broad input range of 31 GHz and consumes 24 mA from a 1.2 V supply. The phase noise of the divider is -124.6 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset from the carrier

A 40 GHz, broadband, highly linear amplifier, employing T-coil bandwith extension technique

This paper presents a broadband, highly linear amplifier suitable for multi-standard mm-wave applications such as car radar, LMDS and satellite return channel. It can also be utilized as an efficient wideband output buffer, for measurements of mm-wave circuit components. It exhibits a 3-dB bandwidth of 40 GHz with a pass-band gain of 6 dB. The presented amplifier is highly linear with an IP3 of +18 dBm. It has been implemented in a bulk 90 nm CMOS LP (low power) technology and consumes 3.3 mW from a 1.2 V supply

A 40 GHz, broadband, highly linear amplifier, employing T-coil bandwith extension technique

This paper presents a broadband, highly linear amplifier suitable for multi-standard mm-wave applications such as car radar, LMDS and satellite return channel. It can also be utilized as an efficient wideband output buffer, for measurements of mm-wave circuit components. It exhibits a 3-dB bandwidth of 40 GHz with a pass-band gain of 6 dB. The presented amplifier is highly linear with an IP3 of +18 dBm. It has been implemented in a bulk 90 nm CMOS LP (low power) technology and consumes 3.3 mW from a 1.2 V supply

Clinical risk factors of colorectal cancer in patients with serrated polyposis syndrome: a multicentre cohort analysis

OBJECTIVE: Serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) is accompanied by an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Patients fulfilling the clinical criteria, as defined by the WHO, have a wide variation in CRC risk. We aimed to assess risk factors for CRC in a large cohort of patients with SPS and to evaluate the risk of CRC during surveillance. DESIGN: In this retrospective cohort analysis, all patients with SPS from seven centres in the Netherlands and two in the UK were enrolled. WHO criteria were used to diagnose SPS. Patients who only fulfilled WHO criterion-2, with IBD and/or a known hereditary CRC syndrome were excluded. RESULTS: In total, 434 patients with SPS were included for analysis; 127 (29.3%) were diagnosed with CRC. In a per-patient analysis ≥1 serrated polyp (SP) with dysplasia (OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.28 to 3.33), ≥1 advanced adenoma (OR 2.30; 95% CI 1.47 to 3.67) and the fulfilment of both WHO criteria 1 and 3 (OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.51) were associated with CRC, while a history of smoking was inversely associated with CRC (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.23 to 0.56). Overall, 260 patients underwent surveillance after clearing of all relevant lesions, during which two patients were diagnosed with CRC, corresponding to 1.9 events/1000 person-years surveillance (95% CI 0.3 to 6.4). CONCLUSION: The presence of SPs containing dysplasia, advanced adenomas and/or combined WHO criteria 1 and 3 phenotype is associated with CRC in patients with SPS. Patients with a history of smoking show a lower risk of CRC, possibly due to a different pathogenesis of disease. The risk of developing CRC during surveillance is lower than previously reported in literature, which may reflect a more mature multicentre cohort with less selection bias