Mum In Diameter Research Articles

Low-Stress Thermosonic Copper Ball Bonding

Thermosonic ball bonding processes on test chips with Al metallized bonding pads are optimized with one Au and two Cu wire types, all 25 mum diameter, obtaining average shear strengths of more than 120 MPa. The process temperature is ~110degC. Ball bonds made with Cu wire show at least 15% higher shear strength than those made with Au wire. The estimated maximum shear strength c <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">pk</sub> value determined for Cu ball bonding (c <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">pk</sub> = 3.7 plusmn 1.2) is almost 1.5 times as large as that of the Au ball bonding process (c <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">pk</sub> = 2.3 plusmn 0.9), where LSL is 65.2 MPa. However, the ultrasound level required for Cu is approximately 1.3 times than that required for Au. Consequently, about 30% higher ultrasonic forces induced to the bonding pad are measured using integrated real-time microsensors. The accompanying higher stresses increase the risk of under-pad damage. One way to reduce ultrasonic bonding stresses is by choosing the softer of the two Cu wire types, resulting in a measured ultrasonic force reduction of about 5%. A second way is to reduce the ultrasound level. While this causes the average shear strength to fall by 15%, the ultrasonic force falls by 9%. The c <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">pk</sub> value does not change significantly, suggesting that a successful Cu ball bonding operation can be run with about 0.9 times the conventionally optimized ultrasound level. The process adjusted in this way reduces the extra stress observed with Cu wire compared to that observed with Au wire by 42%.

Clustering and spatial correlations of the neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions, astrocytic plaques and ballooned neurons in corticobasal degeneration

This study tested three hypotheses: (1) that there is clustering of the neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (NCI), astrocytic plaques (AP) and ballooned neurons (BN) in corticobasal degeneration (CBD), (2) that the clusters of NCI and BN are not spatially correlated, and (3) that the lesions are correlated with disease 'stage'. In 50% of the regions, clusters of lesions were 400-800 mum in diameter and regularly distributed parallel to the tissue boundary. Clusters of NCI and BN were larger in laminae II/III and V/VI, respectively. In a third of regions, the clusters of BN and NCI were negatively spatially correlated. Cluster size of the BN in the parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) was positively correlated with disease 'stage'. The data suggest the following: (1) degeneration of the cortico-cortical pathways in CBD, (2) clusters of NCI and BN may affect different anatomical pathways and (3) BN may develop after the NCI in the PHG.

Adhaeribacter terreus sp. nov., isolated from forest soil

A bacterial strain, designated DNG6(T), was isolated from forest soil of the Changbai mountains, Heilongjiang province, China. Cells of strain DNG6(T) were Gram-negative, 0.3-0.5 mum in diameter and 1.0-2.0 mum in length, strictly aerobic and produced large amounts of extracellular fibrillar material. Growth occurred at 16-33 degrees C (optimum, 28 degrees C), at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-7.5) and in the presence of 0-1 % NaCl (optimum, 0 %). Strain DNG6(T) contained MK-7 as the major respiratory quinone and iso-C(15 : 0) (40.6 %) and summed feature 4 comprising iso-C(17 : 1) I and/or anteiso-C(17 : 1) B (26.5 %) as the major cellular fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 48.1 mol% (T(m)). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the closest relative of strain DNG6(T) was Adhaeribacter aquaticus MBRG1.5(T) with 93.9 % sequence similarity. Based on these results, it is concluded that strain DNG6(T) represents a novel species of the genus Adhaeribacter, for which the name Adhaeribacter terreus is proposed, with strain DNG6(T) (=CGMCC 1.6961(T)=NBRC 104235(T)) as the type strain.

Mixing Properties of NbN-Based SIS Mixers With NbTiN Wirings

We report on the mixing properties of waveguide SIS mixers with epitaxial NbN/AlN/NbN junctions and NbN/SiO2/NbTiN microstrips on MgO substrates. The superconducting transition temperature and 20-K resistivity of NbTiN film on the SiO2 dielectric were 14.7 K and 175 muOmega cm, respectively. The junction tuning circuit was composed of an NbN/SiO2/NbTiN microstrip and two parallel-connected NbN/AlN/NbN junctions 0.9 mum in diameter. The critical current density and normal-state resistance of the fabricated NbN junction were 13 kA/cm2 and 22 Omega, respectively. The heterodyne response was measured using 295- and 77-K blackbody sources, a local oscillator (LO) source, and a 25-mum-thick Kapton film as a beam splitter. An intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier with a bandwidth of 4-12 GHz was used in the measurements. The receiver noise temperature corrected for losses in the beam splitter and in the vacuum window of the cryocooler was 370 K at 860 GHz and was comparable to that of all-NbN mixes with NbN/MgO/NbN microstrips.

What is your diagnosis? Blood smear from an injured red‐tailed hawk

An injured juvenile red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) was evaluated at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis. The hawk was quiet, alert, and emaciated, and had a closed comminuted, mid-diaphyseal ulnar fracture. CBC results included heterophilia with a left shift, monocytosis, and increased plasma fibrinogen concentration. The blood smear included rare heterophils containing small, dark blue inclusions approximately 1-2 mum in diameter that ranged from round to coccobacillary in shape and formed variably shaped aggregates; the morphology of the inclusions was suspicious for Chlamydophila or Ehrlichia spp. pathogens. The hawk died, and histopathologic examination of tissues obtained at necropsy found severe multifocal histiocytic and heterophilic splenitis in addition to chronic hepatitis, myocarditis and epicarditis, meningoencephalitis, and airsacculitis. Using immunohistochemistry the presence of Chlamydia/Chlamydophila spp. antigen within multiple tissues was confirmed. Chlamydophila psittaci DNA was demonstrated in whole blood and fresh splenic tissue via real-time PCR. Direct fluorescent antibody staining of air-dried blood smears was positive in rare leukocytes for Chlamydia/Chlamydophila spp. antigen, and immunocytochemical staining of blood smears for Chlamydia/Chlamydophila spp. antigen was focally positive in rare heterophils. These findings may represent the first reported diagnosis of natural avian C. psittaci infection by visualization of organisms in peripheral blood heterophils. Immunocytochemical evaluation of blood smears was valuable in confirming the diagnosis and may be a useful antemortem test to discriminate between bacteria and other inclusions within heterophils.

${\rm Nb}_{3}{\rm Sn}$ Superconductors Made by an Economical Tubular Process

The tubular technique for economical production of Nb3Sn material with large numbers of subelements is being explored further by Supergenics I LLC and Hyper Tech Research Inc. The number of subelements has been raised to 271 (246 + 25) by increasing the size at which the restacking is carried out. The product exhibited no fabrication problems and was drawn down and tested at a wire diameter of 0.42 mm, where the subelements are 18 mum in diameter. Heat treatment of a 271 subelement restack has been varied and a pre heat treatment of 48 h at 575degC followed by long times at 635degC has been shown to be advantageous. Restacks with 217 subelements have been subjected to both compositional and heat treatment changes and the best results, closely approaching those found on PIT materials, have been found on samples given 500 h at 625degC.

Surface Oxidation and Magnetic Properties of Fe-Si-B-Nb Amorphous Alloy

In the present work, the forming mechanism of oxide layer during wet oxidations is presented. There can be three kinds of stress sources that develop cracks in the oxide layer during oxidation. One is the volume change by oxidation, another is thermal expansion by the heat of oxidation, and the third is the gas pressure evolved. In this investigation, the surface oxidation mechanism of Fe-Si-B-Nb amorphous powder during wet oxidation treatment is studied by the analysis of the composition and magnetic domains of the oxide layer. Fe-Si-B-Nb amorphous powder used in this research is 53-75 mum in diameter; and the morphology of oxide layers can be controlled by changing oxidation treatment time. The phase and morphology of composing insulating layer of consecutive oxide layers is characterized by SEM, XPS, EDS, TEM and Lorentz TEM.

Fabrication of Submicrometer High Current Density ${\hbox{ Nb/Al-AlN}}_{\rm x}/{\hbox{ Nb}}$ Junctions

We have developed a sub-mum Nb/Al-AlNx/Nb Josephson junction and integrated circuit fabrication process using deep-UV lithography and inductively coupled plasma etch tools. The baseline process consists of 11 masking steps including ground plane, PdAu resistor, Nb/Al-AlNx/Nb trilayer, and two additional Nb wiring layers. The AlNx tunnel barriers are grown with plasma nitridation. These junctions exhibit low subgap leakage even at current densities exceeding 100 kA/cm2. The critical current spread of a series array of 50- kA/cm2, 0.6 mum diameter junctions is under 3%. For very high current density applications, these junctions are a good candidate to replace Nb/Al-AlOx/Nb junctions particularly in future generations of very high speed, rapid single flux quantum logic circuits. In this paper we discuss our baseline fabrication process and device characterization including junction capacitance extraction from direct measurements of the Josephson plasma frequency.

The ultrastructure of a characteristic spermhead-defect in the boar: the SME-defect.

Semen samples from an eight-month-old landrace boar showing poor sperm motility were investigated at the boars' arrival to an A.I. centre. Sperm morphology was found abnormal in +/- 30% of the sperm heads, which contained a rounded, often circular hypochromatic body (eosin-nigrosin stain) about 2 mum in diameter. The body was located in the front half of the sperm head, i.e. within the region of the acrosomal cap. Later a similar defect (+/- 50%) was found in an imported 2 1/2-year-old Yorkshire boar with decreased fertility. Electron microscopy of ejaculates and testis tissue showed that the hypochromatic body was a cyst containing a body of variable size but of moderate electron density. Usually the cyst was located within the nucleus and sometimes with direct communication to the acrosonal system. During spermiogenesis the abnormal spermids may show a deep invagination into the nucleus of the acrosomal granule. Inbreeding experiments are planned in order to determine if a possible hereditary factor is involved in the defect.

Second Case of Histoplasmosis in a Captive Mara (Dolichotis patagonum): Pathological Findings

A second case of histoplasmosis in a captive mara (Dolichotis patagonum) from a colony at the wildlife park Africam Safari, Puebla, Mexico, is described, and the mara died with disseminated clinical form of the disease, affecting mostly the large intestine and adrenal. The pathological findings of this case 2 revealed severe granulomatous typhlocolitis and moderate granulomatous gastrohepatic lymphadenitis with numerous yeast-like cells, 2-4 mum in diameter, with a clear halo surrounding them inside the cytoplasm of macrophages, suggesting the parasitic form of Histoplasma capsulatum. Adrenocortical cells had abundant similar microorganisms in their cytoplasm without any associated lesion. Gomori's methenamine silver and periodic acid Schiff stained positively these microorganisms. Immunohistochemistry, using a rabbit anti-H. capsulatum serum, and transmission electron microscopy supported the diagnosis of H. capsulatum infection.

Autofocusing and edge detection schemes in cell volume measurements with quantitative phase microscopy

We have proposed and demonstrated a very sensitive volume measurement scheme for a live cell with a quantitative phase microscopy (QPM) utilizing auto-focusing and numerical edge detection schemes. An auto-focusing technique with two different focus measures is applied to find the focus dependent errors in our live cell volume measurement system. The volume of a polystyrene bead sample with 3 mum diameter has been measured for the validity test of our proposed method. We have shown that a small displacement of an object from its focusing position can cause a large volume error. A numerical edge detection technique is also used to accurately resolve the boundary between a cell and its suspension medium. We have applied this method to effectively suppress errors by the surrounding medium of a single red blood cell (RBC).

Methanofollis ethanolicus sp. nov., an ethanol-utilizing methanogen isolated from a lotus field

A novel methane-producing archaeon, designated strain HASU(T), was isolated from a lotus field. Cells were Gram-negative, non-motile, irregular cocci, 2-3 mum in diameter, and occurred singly. Growth was observed at 15-40 degrees C (optimum, 37 degrees C) and pH 6.5-7.5 (optimum, pH 7.0). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 60.9 mol%. Strain HASU(T) utilized ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, hydrogen and formate for growth and methane production. It converted ethanol to methane and acetate. Based on comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain HASU(T) was shown to be affiliated with the genus Methanofollis. It was related most closely to the type strain of Methanofollis liminatans (96.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Based on phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic characteristics, strain HASU(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Methanofollis, for which the name Methanofollis ethanolicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HASU(T) (=NBRC 104120(T)=JCM 15103(T)=DSM 21041(T)).

Dielectric liquid-in-liquid dispersion by applying pulsed voltage

Liquid-in-liquid dispersion, such as organic liquid in water or water in organic liquid, has been performed using dc or ac voltage applied between nozzle and ground electrode. In the present study, pulsed high voltage was applied to produce droplets with controlled diameter in wide range. The high voltage pulse source was capacitor discharge type with 20 - 50 Hz and ranged from 0 to several kV. Water glass was atomized in alcohol solution into diameters ranging from several mum to sub-mm, depending on applied voltage. The atomized water glass droplets were solidified by removing water molecules from the water glass. Synchronized droplet formation with pulse frequency was possible by controlling pulse voltage, width and frequency, which produced uniform sized droplets successively. When the pulse voltage was raised, the droplet formation mode changed from the synchronized formation to dispersion mode through transient mode. In the dispersion mode, droplets of several mum diameter having high uniformity were produced. Utilization of high voltage and high-speed pulse to liquid-liquid dispersion could make it possible to atomize in a conductive liquid without electrolysis.

The female gonad in two species of Microplana (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Rhynchodemidae): Ultrastructural and cytochemical investigations

The female gonad of the land planarians Microplana scharffi and Microplana terrestris consists of two small germaria located ventrally in the anterior third of the body and of two ventro-lateral rows of oblong vitelline follicles distributed between the intestinal pouches. Both these structures are enveloped by a tunica composed of an outer extracellular lamina and an inner sheath of accessory cells. Oocyte maturation is characterized by the appearance of chromatoid bodies and the development of endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes. These organelles appear to be correlated with the production of egg granules with a fenestrated/granular content of medium electron density, about 4-5 mum in diameter, which remain dispersed in the ooplasm of mature oocytes. On the basis of cytochemical tests showing their glycoprotein composition, and their localization in mature oocytes, these egg granules have been interpreted as yolk. In the vitelline follicles, vitellocytes show the typical features of secretory cells with well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes involved in the production of eggshell globules and yolk. The eggshell globules, which appear to arise from repeated coalescences of two types of Golgi-derived vesicles, contain polyphenols and, when completely mature, they measure about 1-1,2 mum in diameter and show a meandering/concentric content pattern as is typical of the situation observed in most Proseriata and Tricladida. Mature vitellocytes also contain a large amount of glycogen and lipids as further reserve material. On the basis of the ultrastructural features of the female gonad and in relation to the current literature the two species of rhynchodemids investigated appear to be closely related to the freshwater planarians belonging to the family Dugesiidae.

Actinomadura miaoliensis sp. nov., a thermotolerant polyester-degrading actinomycete

An actinomycete, strain BC 44T-5(T), with the ability to degrade poly(d-3-hydroxybutyrate) was isolated from a soil sample collected from Miaoli County, Taiwan. The isolate displayed substrate mycelia and short spore chains were borne on the aerial mycelia. Spores were non-motile, round, 1 mum in diameter and spiny. The aerial spore mass was blue. Strain BC 44T-5(T) had meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid of the cell-wall peptidoglycan. Whole-cell sugars of the novel strain were identified as glucose, galactose and madurose. Diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol were detected. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H(4)) and MK-9(H(2)). Mycolic acids were not detected. Major cellular fatty acids were iso-C(16 : 0) (14.82 %), C(16 : 0) (14.63 %), C(17 : 0) (13.79 %) and 10-methyl-C(17 : 0) (23.77 %.) The DNA G+C content of strain BC 44T-5(T) was 70.6 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic data, it is proposed that strain BC 44T-5(T) (=FIRDI 002(T)=BCRC 16873(T)=LMG 24335(T)) should be classified as the type strain of a novel species of the genus Actinomadura, Actinomadura miaoliensis sp. nov.

Chronic Exposure to Outdoor Air Pollution and Markers of Systemic Inflammation

Cohort studies suggest that long-term exposure to higher levels of outdoor air pollution increases risk of developing cardiovascular disease. One suggested mechanism is that air pollution, especially particulate matter, induces systemic inflammation, thereby increasing the risk of developing long-term pathologic changes in the cardiovascular system, We aimed to examine the association between long-term exposure to higher levels of air pollution and chronic systemic inflammation. We examined the relationship between 2 markers of systemic inflammation (fibrinogen and C-reactive protein) and measures of outdoor air pollution estimated for each postcode sector of residence, using models incorporating information on pollutant emissions from multiple sources, and atmospheric dispersion and processing, in 3 representative cross-sectional studies of the English population in 1994, 1998, and 2003. These included about 25,000 adults with fibrinogen measurements and 17,000 adults with C-reactive protein measurements. We used multilevel linear regression modeling and pooled the results from the 3 surveys using meta-analysis. We found no associations between concentrations of fibrinogen or C-reactive protein and measures of outdoor air pollution (particulate matter <10 mum in diameter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone). Specifically, we found, for each 1-microg/m(3) [corrected] increase in PM(10) concentration, a change in fibrinogen concentrations of -0.08% (95% confidence interval = -0.25 to [corrected] 0.10) and in C-reactive protein concentrations of 0.14% (-1.00 to [corrected] 1.30). Our findings do not support the hypothesis that the association between outdoor air pollution exposure and later cardiovascular disease is mediated by chronic systemic inflammation.

Monolayer and Spheroid Culture of Human Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line Cells Demonstrate Distinct Global Gene Expression Patterns and Functional Phenotypes

Understanding cell biology of three-dimensional (3D) biological structures is important for more complete appreciation of in vivo tissue function and advancing ex vivo organ engineering efforts. To elucidate how 3D structure may affect hepatocyte cellular responses, we compared global gene expression of human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) cells cultured as monolayers on tissue culture dishes (TCDs) or as spheroids within rotating wall vessel (RWV) bioreactors. HepG2 cells grown in RWVs form spheroids up to 100 mum in diameter within 72 h and up to 1 mm with long-term culture. The actin cytoskeleton in monolayer cells show stress fiber formation while spheroids have cortical actin organization. Global gene expression analysis demonstrates upregulation of structural genes such as extracellular matrix, cytoskeletal, and adhesion molecules in monolayers, whereas RWV spheroids show upregulation of metabolic and synthetic genes, suggesting functional differences. Indeed, liver-specific functions of cytochrome P450 activity and albumin production are higher in the spheroids. Enhanced liver functions require maintenance of 3D structure and environment, because transfer of spheroids to a TCD results in spheroid disintegration and subsequent loss of function. These findings illustrate the importance of physical environment on cellular organization and its effects on hepatocyte processes.

Traffic-Generated Air Pollution and Myocardial Infarction

Although long-term air pollution exposure has been linked to cardiovascular mortality, data on incidence and nonfatal coronary disease are limited and inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between long-term residential exposure to air pollution from traffic and the risk of nonfatal and fatal myocardial infarction. The records of all individuals aged 15 to 79 with a first event of myocardial infarction in Stockholm County during 1985 to 1996 were retrieved from a registry. Population controls were randomly selected from the study base stratified by age, sex, and calendar year. Individual socioeconomic data and home addresses were obtained from population censuses 1970 to 1995. Annual air pollution exposure was assessed by dispersion modeling at the home addresses of 24,347 cases and 276,926 controls. Five-year average traffic-generated air pollution exposure corresponding to a difference in nitrogen dioxide from the fifth to the 95th percentile (31 microg/m) was associated with an odds ratio for fatal myocardial infarction adjusted for age, sex, calendar year, and socioeconomic status of 1.23 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15-1.32). The corresponding odds ratio was 2.54 (1.96-3.29) among those with least expected misclassification of true individual exposure (those who did not move between censuses). Different time-windows and analyses of other pollutants including carbon monoxide and particles less than 10 mum in diameter (PM10) produced weaker associations. There was no increased risk for nonfatal myocardial infarction (ORs 0.94-0.98). Long-term exposure to traffic-generated air pollution is associated with fatal myocardial infarction but not with nonfatal infarction.

Optical-Feedback Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy Measurements of Extinction by Aerosol Particles

Optical feedback cavity ring-down spectroscopy (OF-CRDS) using a continuous wave distributed feedback diode laser at 1650 nm has been used to measure extinction of light by samples of monodisperse spherical aerosol particles <1 mum in diameter. The OF-CRDS method allows measurements of low levels of extinction of incident light to be made at repetition rates of 1 kHz or greater. A statistical model is proposed to describe the linear relationship between the extinction coefficient (alpha) and its variance (Var(alpha)). Application of this model to experimental measurements of Var(alpha) for a range of alpha values typically below approximately 1 x 10(-6) cm(-1) allows extinction cross-sections for the aerosol particles to be obtained without need for knowledge of the particle number density. Samples of polystyrene spheres with diameters of 400, 500, 600, and 700 nm were used to test the model by comparing extinction cross-sections determined from the experiment with the predictions of Mie theory calculations. Fitting of ring-down decay traces exhibiting amplitude noise to extract cavity ring-down times introduces additional quadratic and higher order polynomial dependencies of the variance that become significant for larger particle number densities and thus extinction coefficients (typically for alpha > 1 x 10(-6) cm(-1) under our experimental conditions). Aggregation of particles at larger number densities is suggested as a further source of variance in the measurements. Extinction cross-sections are severely underestimated if the measurements are made too rapidly to sample uncorrelated distributions of particle numbers and positions.

A cell‐free system for light‐dependent nuclear import of phytochrome

Translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus is an essential step in phytochrome (phy) signal transduction. In the case of phytochrome A (phyA), this step occurs with the help of FHY1 (far-red-elongated hypocotyl 1), a specific transport protein. To investigate the components involved in phyA transport, we used a cell-free system that facilitates the controlled addition of transport factors. For this purpose, we isolated nuclei from the unicellular green algae Acetabularia acetabulum. These nuclei are up to 100 mum in diameter and allow easy detection of imported proteins. Experiments with isolated nuclei of Acetabularia showed that FHY1 is sufficient for phyA transport. The reconstituted system demonstrates all the characteristics of phytochrome transport in Arabidopsis thaliana. In addition, FHY1 was also actively exported from the nucleus, consistent with its role as a shuttle protein in plants. Therefore, we believe that isolated Acetabularia nuclei may be used as a general tool to study nuclear transport of plant proteins.