Amorphous metallizations for high-temperature semiconductor device applications

The initial results of work on a class of semiconductor metallizations which appear to hold promise as primary metallizations and diffusion barriers for high temperature device applications are presented. These metallizations consist of sputter-deposited films of high T sub g amorphous-metal alloys which (primarily because of the absence of grain boundaries) exhibit exceptionally good corrosion-resistance and low diffusion coefficients. Amorphous films of the alloys Ni-Nb, Ni-Mo, W-Si, and Mo-Si were deposited on Si, GaAs, GaP, and various insulating substrates. The films adhere extremely well to the substrates and remain amorphous during thermal cycling to at least 500 C. Rutherford backscattering and Auger electron spectroscopy measurements indicate atomic diffussivities in the 10 to the -19th power sq cm/S range at 450 C

Induction of Cell Membrane Protrusions by the N-terminal Glutaredoxin Domain of a Rare Splice Variant of Human Thioredoxin Reductase 1

18 páginas, 5 figuras, 1 esquema, 1 película.The human thioredoxin system has a wide range of functions in cells including regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, immune system modulation, antioxidant defense, redox control of transcription factor activity, and promotion of cancer development. A key component of this enzymatic system is the selenoprotein thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1), encoded by the TXNRD1 gene. Transcription of TXNRD1 involves alternative splicing, leading to a number of transcripts also encoding isoforms of TrxR1 that differ from each other at their N-terminal domains. Here we have studied the TXNRD1_v3 isoform containing an atypical N-terminal glutaredoxin (Grx) domain. Expression of the transcript of this isoform was found predominantly in testis but was also detected in ovary, spleen, heart, liver, kidney, and pancreas. By immunohistochemical analysis in human testis with antibodies specific for the Grx domain of TXNRD1_v3, the protein was found to be predominantly expressed in the Leydig cells. Expression of the TXNRD1_v3 transcript was also found in several cancer cell lines (HCC1937, H23, A549, U1810, or H157), and in HeLa cells, it was induced by estradiol or testosterone treatments. Surprisingly, green fluorescent protein fusions with the complete TXNRD1_v3 protein or with only its Grx domain localized to distinct cellular sites in proximity to actin, and furthermore, had a potent capacity to rapidly induce cell membrane protrusions. Analyses of these structures suggested that the Grx domain of TXNRD1_v3 localizes first in the emerging protrusion and is then followed into the protrusions by actin and subsequently by tubulin. The results presented thus reveal that TXNRD1_v3 has a unique and distinct expression pattern in human cells and suggest that the protein can guide actin polymerization in relation to cell membrane restructuring.This study was supported by grants from the Swedish Cancer Society, the Swedish Research Council (Medicine), the Åke Wibergs Foundation and Karolinska Institutet.Peer reviewe

Mechanisms for conduction via low-frequency noise measurements of High-Tc Thin-film microbridges

We have investigated possible mechanisms for conduction in high-T/sub c/ thin-film microbridges biased into the voltage state via the low-frequency noise properties. Measurements on thinned YBCO microbridges indicate that the voltage noise power spectral density S/sub V/(f) is proportional to the DC voltage.Peer Reviewe

Magnetic field sensitivity of variable thickness microbridges in tbcco, bscco and ybco.

We describe results of a study comparing the magnetic field sensitivities of variable thickness bridge (VTB) arrays fabricated in TBCCO, BSCCO, and YBCO thin films. Identical structures were patterned in a variety of films, and the bridges were thinned by four different methods. Analysis of the data yields experimental evidence as to the suitability of these types of films for devices such as the superconducting flux flow transistor (SFFT) which is based on this geometry. The volt-ampere characteristics of the arrays were measured in low uniform magnetic fields (⩽130 G) and in nonuniform fields (⩽5 G) produced by a nearby control line. For these films in this geometry, no measurable effect of the control line magnetic field was observed. Large values of transresistance and current gain could only be attained through a thermal mechanism when the control line was driven normal. Upper bounds for (magnetically generated) transresistance (⩽5 mΩ) and current gains (⩽0.005) have been inferred from the uniform field data assuming a standard best-case device geometry. All volt-ampere curves followed closely a power law relationship (V~I n), with exponent n ~1.2-10. We suggest materials considerations that may yield improved device performancePeer Reviewe

A Case Study of Laser Wind Sensor Performance Validation by Comparison to an Existing Gage

A case study concerning validation of wind speed measurements made by a laser wind sensor mounted on a 190 square foot floating platform in Muskegon Lake through comparison with measurements made by pre-existing cup anemometers mounted on a met tower on the shore line is presented. The comparison strategy is to examine the difference in measurements over time using the paired-t statistical method to identify intervals when the measurements were equivalent and to provide explanatory information for the intervals when the measurements were not equivalent. The data was partitioned into three sets: not windy (average wind speed measured by the cup anemometers ≤ 6.7m/s) windy but no enhanced turbulence (average wind speed measured by the cup anemometers \u3e 6.7m/s), and windy with enhanced turbulence associated with storm periods. For the not windy data set, the difference in the average wind speeds was equal in absolute value to the precision of the gages and not statistically significant. Similar results were obtained for the windy with no enhanced turbulence data set and the average difference was not statistically significant (α=0.01). The windy with enhanced turbulence data set showed significant differences between the buoy mounted laser wind sensor and the on-shore mast mounted cup anemometers. The sign of the average difference depended on the direction of the winds. Overall, validation evidence is obtained in the absence of enhanced turbulence. In addition, differences in wind speed during enhanced turbulence were isolated in time, studied and explained

Magnetic field sensitivity of variable thickness microbridges in tbcco, bscco and ybco

We describe results of a study comparing the magnetic field sensitivities of variable thickness bridge (VTB) arrays fabricated in TBCCO, BSCCO, and YBCO thin films. Identical structures were patterned in a variety of films, and the bridges were thinned by four different methods. Analysis of the data yields experimental evidence as to the suitability of these types of films for devices such as the superconducting flux flow transistor (SFFT) which is based on this geometry. The volt-ampere characteristics of the arrays were measured in low uniform magnetic fields (⩽130 G) and in nonuniform fields (⩽5 G) produced by a nearby control line. For these films in this geometry, no measurable effect of the control line magnetic field was observed. Large values of transresistance and current gain could only be attained through a thermal mechanism when the control line was driven normal. Upper bounds for (magnetically generated) transresistance (⩽5 mO) and current gains (⩽0.005) have been inferred from the uniform field data assuming a standard best-case device geometry. All volt-ampere curves followed closely a power law relationship (V~I n), with exponent n ~1.2-10. We suggest materials considerations that may yield improved device performance [-]Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Role of NBI fuelling in contributing to density peaking between the ICRH and NBI identity plasmas on JET

Density peaking has been studied between an ICRH and NBI identity plasma in JET. The comparison shows that 8 MW of NBI heating/fueling increases the density peaking by a factor of two, being R/L (n) = 0.45 for the ICRH pulse and R/L (n) = 0.93 for the NBI one averaged radially over rho (tor) = 0.4, 0.8. The dimensionless profiles of q, rho *, upsilon *, beta (n) and T (i)/T (e) approximate to 1 were matched within 5% difference except in the central part of the plasma (rho (tor) < 0.3). The difference in the curvature pinch (same q-profile) and thermo-pinch (T (i) = T (e)) between the ICRH and NBI discharges is virtually zero. Both the gyro-kinetic simulations and integrated modelling strongly support the experimental result where the NBI fuelling is the main contributor to the density peaking for this identity pair. It is to be noted here that the integrated modeling does not reproduce the measured electron density profiles, but approximately reproduces the difference in the density profiles between the ICRH and NBI discharge. Based on these modelling results and the analyses, the differences between the two pulses in impurities, fast ions (FIs), toroidal rotation and radiation do not cause any such changes in the background transport that would invalidate the experimental result where the NBI fuelling is the main contributor to the density peaking. This result of R/L (n) increasing by a factor of 2 per 8 MW of NBI power is valid for the ion temperature gradient dominated low power H-mode plasmas. However, some of the physics processes influencing particle transport, like rotation, turbulence and FI content scale with power, and therefore, the simple scaling on the role of the NBI fuelling in JET is not necessarily the same under higher power conditions or in larger devices

Retrospective evaluation of the use of pembrolizumab in malignant mesothelioma in a real-world Australian population

Introduction: We investigated the efficacy and toxicity of pembrolizumab in patients with mesothelioma from a real-world Australian population. We aimed to determine clinical factors and predictive biomarkers that could help select patients who are likely to benefit from pembrolizumab. Method: Patients with mesothelioma who were treated with pembrolizumab as part of the Insurance and Care New South Wales compensation scheme were included. Clinical information was collected retrospectively. Tumor biomarkers such as programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), BAP1, and CD3-positive (CD3+) tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were examined using archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples. Results: A total of 98 patients were included with a median age of 70 years (range, 46–91 y); 92% were men; 76% had epithelioid subtype; 21% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0. Pembrolizumab was used as second-line or subsequent-line treatment in 94 patients and as first-line treatment in four patients. The overall response rate was 18%, and the disease control rate was 56%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.8 months (95% confidence interval: 3.6–6.2), and the median overall survival (OS) was 9.5 months (95% confidence interval: 6.6–13.7). Immune-related adverse events occurred in 27% of patients, of which nine (9%) were of grade 3 or higher. In the multivariable analysis, factors independently associated with longer PFS included baseline ECOG status of 0 (median PFS: 12 mo versus 4 mo, p < 0.01) and PD-L1 tumor proportion score of greater than or equal to 1% (median PFS: 6 mo versus 4 mo, p < 0.01). Baseline platelet count of less than or equal to 400 × 109/liter was independently associated with longer PFS and OS (median PFS: 6 mo versus 2 mo, p = 0.05; median OS: 10 mo versus 4 mo, p = 0.01), whereas lack of pretreatment dexamethasone was independently associated with OS but not PFS (median OS: 10 mo versus 3 mo, p = 0.01). The odds of response were higher for patients with baseline ECOG status of 0 (p = 0.02) and with greater than or equal to 5% CD3+ TILs in the tumor (p < 0.01). PD-L1 expression, BAP1 loss, and CD3+ TILs in the stroma were not significantly associated with the overall response rate. Conclusions: Immunotherapy is a reasonable treatment option for patients with mesothelioma. Our results are comparable to other clinical trials investigating pembrolizumab in mesothelioma in terms of response. Good performance status assessment remains the most robust predictor for patient outcomes. CD3+ TILs in the tumor may help select patients that are likely to respond to pembrolizumab, whereas factors such as PD-L1 expression, baseline platelet count, and lack of pretreatment dexamethasone may help predict survival outcomes from pembrolizumab treatment

Overview of JET results for optimising ITER operation

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Crown copyright. Reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office.The JET 2019-2020 scientific and technological programme exploited the results of years of concerted scientific and engineering work, including the ITER-like wall (ILW: Be wall and W divertor) installed in 2010, improved diagnostic capabilities now fully available, a major neutral beam injection upgrade providing record power in 2019-2020, and tested the technical and procedural preparation for safe operation with tritium. Research along three complementary axes yielded a wealth of new results. Firstly, the JET plasma programme delivered scenarios suitable for high fusion power and alpha particle (α) physics in the coming D-T campaign (DTE2), with record sustained neutron rates, as well as plasmas for clarifying the impact of isotope mass on plasma core, edge and plasma-wall interactions, and for ITER pre-fusion power operation. The efficacy of the newly installed shattered pellet injector for mitigating disruption forces and runaway electrons was demonstrated. Secondly, research on the consequences of long-term exposure to JET-ILW plasma was completed, with emphasis on wall damage and fuel retention, and with analyses of wall materials and dust particles that will help validate assumptions and codes for design and operation of ITER and DEMO. Thirdly, the nuclear technology programme aiming to deliver maximum technological return from operations in D, T and D-T benefited from the highest D-D neutron yield in years, securing results for validating radiation transport and activation codes, and nuclear data for ITER.Peer reviewe