Implantable RF-coiled chip packaging

In this paper, we present an embedded chip integration technology that utilizes silicon housings and flexible parylene radio frequency (RF) coils. As a demonstration of this technology, a flexible parylene RF coil has been integrated with an RF identification (RFID) chip. The coil has an inductance of 16 μH, with two layers of metal completely encapsulated in parylene-C. The functionality of the embedded chip is verified using an RFID reader module. Accelerated-lifetime soak testing has been performed in saline, and the results show that the silicon chip is well protected and the lifetime of our parylene-encapsulated RF coil at 37 °C is more than 20 years

Protein fiber linear dichroism for structure determination and kinetics in a low-volume, low-wavelength couette flow cell

High-resolution structure determination of soluble globular proteins relies heavily on x-ray crystallography techniques. Such an approach is often ineffective for investigations into the structure of fibrous proteins as these proteins generally do not crystallize. Thus investigations into fibrous protein structure have relied on less direct methods such as x-ray fiber diffraction and circular dichroism. Ultraviolet linear dichroism has the potential to provide additional information on the structure of such biomolecular systems. However, existing systems are not optimized for the requirements of fibrous proteins. We have designed and built a low-volume (200 μL), low-wavelength (down to 180 nm), low-pathlength (100 μm), high-alignment flow-alignment system (couette) to perform ultraviolet linear dichroism studies on the fibers formed by a range of biomolecules. The apparatus has been tested using a number of proteins for which longer wavelength linear dichroism spectra had already been measured. The new couette cell has also been used to obtain data on two medically important protein fibers, the all-β-sheet amyloid fibers of the Alzheimer's derived protein Aβ and the long-chain assemblies of α1-antitrypsin polymers

Xenotransplantation Clinical Trials and Equitable Patient Selection.

Xenotransplant patient selection recommendations restrict clinical trial participation to seriously ill patients for whom alternative therapies are unavailable or who will likely die while waiting for an allotransplant. Despite a scholarly consensus that this is advisable, we propose to examine this restriction. We offer three lines of criticism: (1) The risk-benefit calculation may well be unfavorable for seriously ill patients and society; (2) the guidelines conflict with criteria for equitable patient selection; and (3) the selection of seriously ill patients may compromise informed consent. We conclude by highlighting how the current guidance reveals a tension between the societal values of justice and beneficence

Corrosion Behavior of Parylene-Metal-Parylene Thin Films in Saline

In this paper, we study the corrosion behavior of parylene-metal-parylene thin films using accelerated-lifetime soak tests. The samples under test are thin film resistors with a 200 nm layer of Au sandwiched by parylene-C on both sides, fabricated with parylene-metal skin technology. The samples are tested in hot saline both passively and actively, and different failure modes are observed using optical and electron-beam metrologies. Bubbles and delamination are first seen in the samples after 2 days of soaking under passive conditions, and followed by metal corrosion. While under active conditions, either bubbles or parylene breakdowns are observed depending on the thickness of parylene packaging. These results contribute to a better understanding of the failure mechanisms of parylene packaging in body fluids

The Development of the Sunday School in the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod

The study limited itself to the Missouri Synod, including its English root, the English Synod, and touched only briefly on the Sunday school movement in so far as other denominations were concerned. It took into account the numerical growth, the official and unofficial opinions concerning the movement during its various phases of development, and the contribution of the various materials and practices. The progress of the movement was traced independently through the Missouri Synod and the English Synod prior to their amalgamation in 1911

An Examination of the Motivational and Judgemental Functions of Conscience

The paper deals with the two areas in which disagreements have been noted. It seeks to determine whether conscience: 1. judges the ethical quality of an action prior to the action or decision to act, or whether it judges only after an act has at least been decided upon. 2. has a positive motivational function. It is to be recognized that the concept of conscience has both a popular usage, and also a rather precise scientific, psychological usage. This paper is an attempt to clarify at least one aspect of the precise meaning and usage of the concept

The Relationship of Thiamin to the Visual Pathway: A Physiological, Pathological, and Clinical Study

Abstract Not Provided

Pretreatment with beta-blockers and the frequency of hypokalemia in patients with acute chest pain

Plasma potassium concentration was measured at admission in 1234 patients who presented with acute chest pain. One hundred and ninety five patients were on P blockers before admission. The potassium concentrations of patients admitted early (within four hours of onsetof symptoms) were compared with those admitted later (4-18 hours after onset of symptoms). There was a transient fall in plasma potassium concentrations in patients not pre-treated with , B blockers. This was not seen in patients who had been on P blockers before admission. Nonselective, B blockers were more effective than cardioselective agents in maintaining concentrationsof plasma potassium. These findings suggest a mechanism for the beneficial effects of ,B blockers on morbidity and mortality in acute myocardial infarction