The dynamics of innovations and citations

We present a model in which patent citations occur as new ideas are produced from combinations of existing ideas. An idea's usability in this process is represented as an interval in a variety space of ideas, whose length determines the likelihood of citation. This process endogenously derives exponential aging of patents, which is consistent with empirical observations. The endogeneity of aging sets our process apart from the standard preferential attachment literature

Best practice approaches for stress measurements on thin layer stacks

As illustrated for single cases, the residual stress analysis based on FIB milling and DIC analysis has a large potential to determine residual stresses in thin layer systems. For the introduction of the FIB-DIC approach as industrial method, measurement automation with time saving fast measurement routines, cost efficient and validated measurement procedures are a basic prerequisite. A best practice report under preparation (in [6]) will give the industrial user guidance to implement and use the FIBDIC method with own equipment. Besides instructions to get started fast, a wide experience in applying the FIB-DIC method will be presented. It allows preparation of suitable measurement routines for customer specific problems, avoiding elaborate trial-and-error tests

Best practice approaches for stress measurements on thin layer stacks

As illustrated for single cases, the residual stress analysis based on FIB milling and DIC analysis has a large potential to determine residual stresses in thin layer systems. For the introduction of the FIB-DIC approach as industrial method, measurement automation with time saving fast measurement routines, cost efficient and validated measurement procedures are a basic prerequisite. A best practice report under preparation (in [6]) will give the industrial user guidance to implement and use the FIBDIC method with own equipment. Besides instructions to get started fast, a wide experience in applying the FIB-DIC method will be presented. It allows preparation of suitable measurement routines for customer specific problems, avoiding elaborate trial-and-error tests

Taking a bite out of nutrition and arbovirus infection.

Nutrition is a key factor in host-pathogen defense. Malnutrition can increase both host susceptibility and severity of infection through a number of pathways, and infection itself can promote nutritional deterioration and further susceptibility. Nutritional status can also strongly influence response to vaccination or therapeutic pharmaceuticals. Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) have a long history of infecting humans, resulting in regular pandemics as well as an increasing frequency of autochthonous transmission. Interestingly, aside from host-related factors, nutrition could also play a role in the competence of vectors required for transmission of these viruses. Nutritional status of the host and vector could even influence viral evolution itself. Therefore, it is vital to understand the role of nutrition in the arbovirus lifecycle. This Review will focus on nutritional factors that could influence susceptibility and severity of infection in the host, response to prophylactic and therapeutic strategies, vector competence, and viral evolution

Intrinsic stress measurement by FIB ion milling becomes an industrial-strength method

Intrinsic stresses in semiconductor and MEMS devices significantly affect functional behaviour and reliability. Trusted knowledge on stress amount and sign is a basic need developing new products. Electronics and MEMS devices often demand an extremely high spatial resolution of stress states. Only a few methods, like X-ray / electron diffraction [1, 2] and microRaman spectroscopy [3, 4] have been established as indirect stress measurement tools. Even finite element simulation reaches its limits to predict reliably mechanical stresses, if systems are rather complex and material laws are insufficiently known [5, 6]. Stress measurement by means of FIB based ion milling and subsequent quantification of stress relief pattern is a new approach, published first, 10 years ago [7]. In the meanwhile the method has been utilized and strengthened by several research labs [8-10]. Currently an extensive European program is realized to qualify this method for commercialization and to apply it under industrial conditions [11]. This contribution gives an overview on the measurement method, the current state-of-art on the method qualification, on measurement capabilities and limits. For example, typical research lab applications on thin layer stacks and 3D integration components like TSVs are demonstrated as well

Vectors, hosts, symptomology and estimated numbers of cases and deaths of selected arboviruses.

<p>Vectors, hosts, symptomology and estimated numbers of cases and deaths of selected arboviruses.</p

Seroprevalence studies associating nutrition with infection susceptibility and arbovirus infection in humans.

<p>Seroprevalence studies associating nutrition with infection susceptibility and arbovirus infection in humans.</p

Studies observing the effect of nutrition on vector competence.

<p>Studies observing the effect of nutrition on vector competence.</p

Relationships between arboviral disease severity and nutritional factors in humans.

<p>Relationships between arboviral disease severity and nutritional factors in humans.</p