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The activation of process-induced positive charging (PIPC) precursors after device fabrication is examined and it is shown that the loss of certain species from the gate edge through lateral diffusion is responsible for it. That studies have shown that water- and chlorine-related species have played a major role, the reactivation of the passivation precursor is examined and the results have shown that it is not thermally accelerated.

Experiments are conducted to examine the positive charge formed in silicon oxynitride (SiON) during negative bias temperature stress (NBTS). It is observed that three varying types of positive charges can be induced by NBTS, namely, as-grown hole trapping, antineutralization positive charge (ANPC), and cyclic positive charge and that the relative importance of positive charge formation depends on measurement interruption time.

Byline: M.H. Chang, Y.D. Hwang A nuclear desalination system has been developed through a thermal coupling of the MEDTVC process and SMART an integral type of advanced reactor producing rated thermal power of 330 MW. The integrated SMART desalination plant is consists of four units of the MEDTVC process to produce 40,000 m/day of potable water. The number of units varies according to water production demand. The thermal coupling between SMART and each MEDTVC unit was made using a steam transformer by considering coupling optimisation conditions. The steam transformer has a function as an intermediate loop and protects any radioactive carry-over to the desalination system. The safety analysis performed on the integrated SMART system showed no safety concerns due to the coupling of the desalination system to the nuclear system. The economic evaluation of water production cost showed that the SMART nuclear desalination system can produce potable water comparable to or more economically than the other options with respect to water production costs.

We previously demonstrated in house sparrows substantial absorption in vivo of L-glucose, the stereoisomer of D-glucose that does not interact with the intestine's D-glucose transporter. The mechanism, as first proposed by Pappenheimer and coworkers in 1987, might be solvent drag through paracellular spaces, activated by Na+-coupled nutrient transport. This hypothesis predicts that absorption of L-glucose might be highest when it is administered orally in the presence of D-glucose and/or amino acids. We tested this in two experiments with house sparrows (Passer domesticus) using pharmacokinetic methods to measure absorption. In Exp. 1, fractional absorption of L-glucose (administered by oral garage and measured by enzymatic method in plasma) in fed sparrows was higher (0.46 +-0.02, n = 7) than in sparrows fasted 12. h (0.40 +- 0.01, n = 6) (simple t-test T = -2.27, P = 0.044, DF= 11).The greater absorption was apparently not due simply to longer retention time of digesta, because no significant difference was found for retention times. In Exp. 2, fractional absorption of radiolabeled L-glucose was significantly higher when administered to fasted birds in solution with 200 mM D-glucose (+ 80 mM NaCl) than when administered with 200 mM mannitol (+ 80 mM NaCl) (respectively, 0.79 + 0.04 vs. 0.66 + 0.03; T= -2.47, P=0.035, DF= 9). In the former group, the absorption rate of L-glucose, determined by pharmacokinetic methods, was 67% faster (P = 0.032). Our results are consistent with the solvent-drag hypothesis, and indicate that small, hydrophilic compounds are absorbed faster and to a greater extent when there are nutrients (e.g., sugar, amino acids) in the gut. Supported by FONCYT (01-03101) to ECV, and NSF IBN-9723793 toWHK.

Phthalates strongly and adversely affect reproduction, development and liver function. We did a cumulative risk assessment for simultaneous exposure to nine phthalates using the hazard index (HI) and the levels of nine phthalates in 1200 foodstuff samples. DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate) present the highest level (mean: 0.443 mg/kg) in 1200 samples, and the highest average daily dose (ADD) was found in DEHP, ΣDBP(i + n) (the sum of dibutyl phthalate [DBP] isomers [DnBP + DiBP]) posed the highest risk potential of all the phthalates. In seven phthalates, the 95th percentiles of the ADDs for ΣDBP(i + n) in 0–6-yr-old children accounted for 91% (79–107%) of the tolerable daily intake, and the 95th percentiles of the HIs for the anti-androgenic effects of five phthalates in 0–3-yr-old children and 4–6-yr-old girls were >1. We conclude that the health of younger Taiwanese may be adversely affected by overexposure of phthalate-contaminated foods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The stability of viscous flow between concentric rotating cylinders with an axial flow due to an axial pressure gradient is considered. The governing equations with respect to three-dimensional disturbances are derived and solved by a direct numerical procedure. Results are given for the case of small-gap approximation. Three typical cases &b.mu; = -1, 0 and 0.5 are studied, where &b.mu; represents the fatio of angular velocity of the outer cylinder to that of the inner cylinder. The value of the axial Reynolds number R is up to 100. It is found that the critical disturbance is a non-axisymmetric mode when the value of R is sufficiently large, and the transition of the onset mode with R is demonstrated in detail. Results for the critical Taylor number, wave number, vortex incline angle, and relative wave velocity are also determined. The present stability analysis is found to be in agreement with previous experimental studies and particularly reveals the stability characteristics with the variation of &b.mu;. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpuse: It has been postulated that fluid overload and lipid metabolic derangement is more common in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients than in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in body composition in HD and PD patients. Methods: We compared whole body composition using bioimpedence analysis (BIA) in 14 hemodialysis patients and 14 peritoneal dialysis patients. BIA was performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after initiation of HD or PD Results: Compared with HD patients, PD patients had a higher ratio of extracellular fluid/total body fluid at 12 months (0.39 vs 0.34, p<0.05) and a lower level of serum albumin (3.6g/dL vs. 3.9g/dL, p<0.05). There were no differences in skeletal muscle mass, body fat mass, visceral fat area or serum total cholesterol level between HD and PD patients. Conclusions: Extracellular fluid overload and hypoalbuminemia were more common in PD patients than in HD patients. Serial assessment and monitoring of nutrition and volume status are needed for early recognition and management in these patients [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the long-term effectiveness of oral steroids given for 2 weeks compared with 4 weeks in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Prednisolone for 2 weeks versus 4 weeks for CTS at 12 months; Relative benefit reduction among patients.