466 research outputs found
Ripple-to-dome transition: the growth evolution of Ge on vicinal Si(1 1 10) surface
We present a detailed scanning tunnelling microscopy study which describes
the morphological transition from ripple to dome islands during the growth of
Ge on the vicinal Si(1 1 10) surface . Our experimental results show that the
shape evolution of Ge islands on this surface is markedly different from that
on the flat Si(001) substrate and is accomplished by agglomeration and
coalescence of several ripples. By combining first principle calculations with
continuum elasticity theory, we provide an accurate explanation of our
experimental observations
Hug-like island growth of Ge on strained vicinal Si(111) surfaces
We examine the structure and the evolution of Ge islands epitaxially grown on
vicinal Si(111) surfaces by scanning tunneling microscopy. Contrary to what is
observed on the singular surface, three-dimensional Ge nanoislands form
directly through the elastic relaxation of step-edge protrusions during the
unstable step-flow growth. As the substrate misorientation is increased, the
islands undergo a shape transformation which is driven by surface energy
minimization and controlled by the miscut angle. Using finite element
simulations, we show that the dynamics of islanding observed in the experiment
results from the anisotropy of the strain relaxation.Comment: 4 figure
Islanding, growth mode and ordering in Si heteroepitaxy on Ge(001) substrates structured by thermal annealing
Si/Ge heteroepitaxial dots under tensile strain are grown on nanostructured
Ge substrates produced by high-temperature flash heating exploiting the
spontaneous faceting of the Ge(001) surface close to the onset of surface
melting. A very diverse growth mode is obtained depending on the specific
atomic structure and step density of nearby surface domains with different
vicinal crystallographic orientations. On highly-miscut areas of the Ge(001)
substrate, the critical thickness for islanding is lowered to about 5 ML, in
contrast to the 11 ML reported for the flat Ge(001) surface, while on
unreconstructed (1x1) domains the growth is Volmer-Weber driven. An explanation
is proposed considering the diverse relative contributions of step and surface
energies on misoriented substrates. In addition, we show that the bottom-up
pattern of the substrate naturally formed by thermal annealing determines a
spatial correlation for the dot sites
Step-step interaction on vicinal Si(001) surfaces studied by scanning tunneling microscopy
We report on measurements of step-step interaction on a flat Si(111)−(7×7) surface and on vicinal Si(001) surfaces with miscut angles ranging between 0.2° and 8°. Starting from scanning tunneling microscopy images of these surfaces and describing steps profile and interactions by the continuum step model, we measured the self-correlation function of single steps and the distribution of terrace widths. Empirical parameters, such as step stiffness and step-step interaction strength, were evaluated from the images. The present experiment allows to assess the dependence of the step-step repulsion on miscut angle, showing how parameters drawn from tunneling images can be used to interpolate between continuum mesoscopic models and atomistic calculations of vicinal surfaces
ON THE COMPUTATIONAL HARDNESS OF THE CODE EQUIVALENCE PROBLEM IN CRYPTOGRAPHY
Code equivalence is a well-known concept in coding theory. Re-cently, literature saw an increased interest in this notion, due to the intro-duction of protocols based on the hardness of finding the equivalence between two linear codes. In this paper, we analyze the security of code equivalence, with a special focus on the hardest instances, in the interest of cryptographic usage. Our work stems from a thorough review of existing literature, identifies the various types of solvers for the problem, and provides a precise complexity analysis, where previously absent. Furthermore, we are able to improve on the state of the art, providing more efficient algorithm variations, for which we include numerical simulation data. In the end, the goal of this paper is to provide a complete, single point of access, which can be used as a tool for designing schemes that rely on the code equivalence problem
Inverse association of circulating SIRT1 and adiposity. A study on underweight, normal weight, and obese patients
Context: Sirtuins (SIRTs) are NAD+-dependent deacetylases, cellular sensors to detect energy availability, and modulate metabolic processes. SIRT1, the most studied family member, influences a number of tissues including adipose tissue. Expression and activity of SIRT1 reduce with weight gain and increase in conditions of starvation. Objective: To focus on SIRT1 plasma concentrations in different conditions of adiposity and to correlate SIRT1 with fat content and distribution, energy homeostasis and inflammation in under-weight, normal-weight, and obese individuals. Materials and Methods: 21 patients with anorexia nervosa, 26 normal-weight and 75 patients with obesity were evaluated. Body fat composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, ultrasound liver adiposity, echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness (EFT), inflammatory (ESR, CRP, and fibrinogen), and metabolic (FPG, insulin, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides) parameters, calculated basal metabolic rate (BMR) and plasma SIRT1 (ELISA) were measured. Results: SIRT1 was significantly higher in anorexic patients compared to normal-weight and obese patients (3.27 ± 2.98, 2.27 ± 1.13, and 1.36 ± 1.31 ng/ml, respectively). Linear regression models for each predictor variable adjusted for age and sex showed that SIRT1 concentration was inversely and significantly correlated with EFT, fat mass %, liver fat content, BMR, weight, BMI, WC, LDL-cholesterol, insulin, ESR. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that age and EFT were the best independent correlates of SIRT1 (β = -0.026 ± 0.011, p = 0.025, and β = -0.516 ± 0.083, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Plasma SIRT1 shows a continuous pattern that inversely follows the whole spectrum of adiposity. SIRT1 significantly associates with EFT, a strong index of visceral fat phenotype, better than other indexes of adiposity studied here
How to assess appearance distress and motivation in plastic surgery candidates: Italian validation of Derriford Appearance Scale 59 (DAS 59)
The Derriford Appearance Scale (DAS) 59 was specifically designed to measure psychosocial adjustment in patients with appearance problems. Previous studies using the DAS59 have proven it to be a reliable method of assessing the appearance-related quality of life after plastic surgery procedures. The aim of this study was to develop a valid and reliable Italian version of the DAS59
Abrupt changes in the graphene on Ge(001) system at the onset of surface melting
By combining scanning probe microscopy with Raman and x-ray photoelectron
spectroscopies, we investigate the evolution of CVD-grown graphene/Ge(001) as a
function of the deposition temperature in close proximity to the Ge melting
point, highlighting an abrupt change of the graphene's quality, morphology,
electronic properties and growth mode at 930 degrees. We attribute this
discontinuity to the incomplete surface melting of the Ge substrate and show
how incomplete melting explains a variety of diverse and long-debated peculiar
features of the graphene/Ge(001), including the characteristic nanostructuring
of the Ge substrate induced by graphene overgrowth. We find that the
quasi-liquid Ge layer formed close to 930 degrees is fundamental to obtain
high-quality graphene, while a temperature decrease of 10 degrees already
results in a wrinkled and defective graphene film.Comment: in pres
Driving with temperature the synthesis of graphene films on Ge(110)
We systematically investigate the chemical vapor deposition growth of
graphene on Ge(110) as a function of the deposition temperature close to the Ge
melting point. By merging spectroscopic and morphological information, we find
that the quality of graphene films depends critically on the growth temperature
improving significantly by increasing this temperature in the 910-930 {\deg}C
range. We correlate the abrupt improvement of the graphene quality to the
formation of a quasi-liquid Ge surface occurring in the same temperature range,
which determines increased atom diffusivity and sublimation rate. Being
observed for diverse Ge orientations, this process is of general relevance for
graphene synthesis on Ge
Indirect basal metabolism estimation in tailoring recombinant human TSH administration in patients affected by differentiated thyroid cancer: A hypothesis-generating study
Purpose: Recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) is currently used in follow-up of patients affected by differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Age, sex, weight, body mass index, body surface area (BSA) and renal function are known factors affecting serum TSH peak levels, but the proper rhTSH dose to deliver to single patient remains elusive. In this study, the correlations of basal metabolic rates with serum TSH peak following rhTSH administration were investigated.Methods: We evaluated 221 patients affected by thyroid cancer that received a standard dose rhTSH. Blood samples were collected at pre-established time points. Data on body weight, height, and BSA were collected. The Mifflin-St Jeor and Fleisch equations were used to assess basal metabolism.Results: The median value (range) of serum TSH peaks was 142 +/- 53 mu U/ml. Serum TSH peaks were significantly lower in males than in females (p = 0.04). TSH values also increased with age. Data showed a significant decrease of TSH peak levels at day 3 from the administration of rhTSH when basal metabolic rates increased (p = 0.002 and p = 0.009, respectively). Similar findings were observed at day 5 (p = 0.004 and p = 0.04, respectively). A multivariate analysis of several factors revealed that patients' basal metabolism (obtained using the Mifflin-St Jeor but not Fleisch equation) predicts serum TSH level peak at day 3 (p < 0.001). These results were used to generate a new formula based on Mifflin-StJeor equation which reveals as a promising tool in tailoring rhTSH dose.Conclusion: Basal metabolism appears an improving factor in tailoring diagnostic rhTSH dose in patients affected by DTC
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