Luca Sterpone

Bio: Luca Sterpone is an academic researcher from Polytechnic University of Turin. The author has contributed to research in topics: Fault injection & Field-programmable gate array. The author has an hindex of 24, co-authored 222 publications receiving 3125 citations. Previous affiliations of Luca Sterpone include Instituto Politécnico Nacional.

A New Algorithm for the Analysis of the MCUs Sensitiveness of TMR Architectures in SRAM-Based FPGAs

Abstract: In this paper we present an analytical analysis of the fault masking capabilities of triple modular redundancy (TMR) hardening techniques in the presence of multiple cell upsets (MCUs) in the configuration memory of SRAM-based field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The analytical method we developed allows an accurate study of the MCUs provoking domain crossing errors that defeat TMR. From our analysis we have found that most of the failures affect configurable logic block's routing resources. The experimental analysis has been performed on two realistic case study circuits. Experimental results are presented and discussed showing in particular that 2-bits MCUs may corrupt TMR 2.6 orders of magnitude more than single cell upsets (SCUs).

Hybrid Fault Detection Technique: A Case Study on Virtex-II Pro's PowerPC 405

Abstract: Hardening processor-based systems against transient faults requires new techniques able to combine high fault detection capabilities with the usual design requirements, e.g., reduced design-time, low area overhead, reduced (or null) accessibility to processor internal hardware. This paper proposes the adoption of a hybrid approach, which combines ideas from previous techniques based on software transformations with the introduction of an Infrastructure IP with reduced memory and performance overheads, to harden system based on the PowerPC 405 core available in Virtex-II Pro FPGAs. The proposed approach targets faults affecting the memory elements storing both the code and the data, independently of their location (inside or outside the processor). Extensive experimental results including comparisons with previous approaches are reported, which allow practically evaluating the characteristics of the method in terms of fault detection capabilities and area, memory and performance overheads

A 3-D Simulation-Based Approach to Analyze Heavy Ions-Induced SET on Digital Circuits

Abstract: Radiation-induced single-event transients (SETs) are the leading cause of mal-operations in CMOS nanometric integrated circuits. The increasing complexity of advanced CMOS digital circuits makes SET effects investigation a rising challenge. In this work, we propose a 3-D-oriented simulation approach able to model the passage of heavy ion particles through the physical structures of modern digital circuits implemented with ultrananometric manufacturing processes. The proposed approach is able to generate the transient voltage pulse in response to a heavy-ion track and identify the effects of the sensitive volume and contact structure. We present heavy-ion radiation test experiments performed on a 65-nm Flash-based CMOS technology process and, as proof-of-concept, we successfully compared the SET cross sections showing comparable results.

Soft Errors in SRAM-FPGAs: A Comparison of Two Complementary Approaches

Abstract: As SRAM-based field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are introduced in safety- or mission-critical applications, the availability of suitable Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools for predicting systems dependability becomes mandatory for designers. Nowadays designers can opt either for workload-independent EDA tools, which provide information about system's dependability disregarding the workload the system is supposed to elaborate when deployed in the mission, or workload-dependent approaches. In this paper, we compare two tools for predicting the effects of soft errors in circuits implemented using SRAM-based FPGAs, a workload-independent one (STAR) and a workload-dependent one (FLIPPER). Experimental results show that the two tools are complementary and can be used fruitfully for obtaining accurate predictions.

Biological properties of extracellular vesicles and their physiological functions

Abstract: In the past decade, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been recognized as potent vehicles of intercellular communication, both in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This is due to their capacity to transfer proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, thereby influencing various physiological and pathological functions of both recipient and parent cells. While intensive investigation has targeted the role of EVs in different pathological processes, for example, in cancer and autoimmune diseases, the EV-mediated maintenance of homeostasis and the regulation of physiological functions have remained less explored. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the physiological roles of EVs, which has been written by crowd-sourcing, drawing on the unique EV expertise of academia-based scientists, clinicians and industry based in 27 European countries, the United States and Australia. This review is intended to be of relevance to both researchers already working on EV biology and to newcomers who will encounter this universal cell biological system. Therefore, here we address the molecular contents and functions of EVs in various tissues and body fluids from cell systems to organs. We also review the physiological mechanisms of EVs in bacteria, lower eukaryotes and plants to highlight the functional uniformity of this emerging communication system.

Extracellular vesicles: biology and emerging therapeutic opportunities

Abstract: Within the past decade, extracellular vesicles have emerged as important mediators of intercellular communication, being involved in the transmission of biological signals between cells in both prokaryotes and higher eukaryotes to regulate a diverse range of biological processes. In addition, pathophysiological roles for extracellular vesicles are beginning to be recognized in diseases including cancer, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative disorders, highlighting potential novel targets for therapeutic intervention. Moreover, both unmodified and engineered extracellular vesicles are likely to have applications in macromolecular drug delivery. Here, we review recent progress in understanding extracellular vesicle biology and the role of extracellular vesicles in disease, discuss emerging therapeutic opportunities and consider the associated challenges.

Atheroprotective communication between endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells through miRNAs.

Abstract: The shear-responsive transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) is a critical regulator of endothelial gene expression patterns induced by atheroprotective flow. As microRNAs (miRNAs) post-transcriptionally control gene expression in many pathogenic and physiological processes, we investigated the regulation of miRNAs by KLF2 in endothelial cells. KLF2 binds to the promoter and induces a significant upregulation of the miR-143/145 cluster. Interestingly, miR-143/145 has been shown to control smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypes; therefore, we investigated the possibility of transport of these miRNAs between endothelial cells and SMCs. Indeed, extracellular vesicles secreted by KLF2-transduced or shear-stress-stimulated HUVECs are enriched in miR-143/145 and control target gene expression in co-cultured SMCs. Extracellular vesicles derived from KLF2-expressing endothelial cells also reduced atherosclerotic lesion formation in the aorta of ApoE(-/-) mice. Combined, our results show that atheroprotective stimuli induce communication between endothelial cells and SMCs through an miRNA- and extracellular-vesicle-mediated mechanism and that this may comprise a promising strategy to combat atherosclerosis.