Microstructure Analysis Of Thin-Films Deposited By Reactive Evaporation And By Reactive Ion Plating

Electron microscopy, stylus‐type surface profilometry, and Raman microprobe characterization show distinct differences between thin films deposited by reactive evaporation and by reactive ion plating. Reactive evaporation yields thin films with the well‐known columnar microstructure with appreciable surface roughness and other deficiencies. Low‐voltage, high‐current reactive ion plating deposition produces thin films which are smooth and dense. Cross‐section electron micrographs of ion plated coatings reveal a densely packed polycrystalline structure for ZrO2 , while TiO2 appears to form vitreous films. Molecular dynamics computer simulation of the film formation process is in good qualitative agreement with the experiments. The results suggest the expansion of the Movchan–Demchishin structure zone model with an additional zone 4 for the vitreous phase, resulting from superthermal film formation conditions (thermal spiking)

Spirits, Ghosts, Atmospheres of Capital

To identify genetic variants associated with head circumference in infancy, we performed a meta-analysis of seven genome-wide association (GWA) studies (N=10,768 from European ancestry enrolled in pregnancy/birth cohorts) and followed up three lead signals in six replication studies (combined N=19,089). Rs7980687 on chromosome 12q24 (P=8.1×10(−9)), and rs1042725 on chromosome 12q15 (P=2.8×10(−10)) were robustly associated with head circumference in infancy. Although these loci have previously been associated with adult height(1), their effects on infant head circumference were largely independent of height (P=3.8×10(−7) for rs7980687, P=1.3×10(−7) for rs1042725 after adjustment for infant height). A third signal, rs11655470 on chromosome 17q21, showed suggestive evidence of association with head circumference (P=3.9×10(−6)). SNPs correlated to the 17q21 signal show genome-wide association with adult intra cranial volume(2), Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases(3-5), indicating that a common genetic variant in this region might link early brain growth with neurological disease in later life