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The classical Fourier heat conduction theory as well as the widely used Fick’s diffusion law predicts an infinite wave velocity. This is physically unrealistic. By generalizing the classical Fourier’s and Fick’s laws, this paper presents a hyperbolic diffusion law to apply heat and moisture coupling. The transient response of the hygro-thermo-elastic field in infinitely long hollow cylinders subjected to sudden heat and moisture shock on the inner and outer surfaces is studied. With the aid of the Laplace transform and the decoupling technique, the closed-form solutions of temperature, moisture, elastic displacement and stresses are determined respectively. The analytical results show that the thermal and moisture relaxation time effect between temperature and moisture is significant for composites. Compared with the classic counterpart, the finite hygrothermal wave speed of the pipe is achieved and decreases with the relaxation time rising. The temperature, moisture, elastic displacement and stresses are calculated. Numerical results are displayed graphically to show the influence of the phase lag of heat/moisture flux on the response of the hygro-thermo-elastic fields. Non-Fourier and non-Fick effects are remarkable between the classic model and hyperbolic hygrothermal coupling model. Some drawbacks induced by the classical Fourier’s and Fick’s laws are averted.

In this work, we demonstrate room temperature ferromagnetism in nonpolar, m-plane manganese doped gallium nitride (m-GaN:Mn) epitaxial thin films synthesized using plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy on nonpolar, m-plane sapphire (Al2O3) substrates. We observed that Mn doping concentration plays a key role in stabilizing the valence state of Mn ions thereby influencing the magnetic and transport properties. Chemical characterization by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray absorption near edge spectra, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy affirm homogeneous valence state Mn+3 in lightly doped samples, while higher doping levels cause a heterogeneous Mn+0 and Mn+2 mixed valence states. Magnetic measurements indicate that films with low doping levels show the signature of room temperature ferromagnetism, while films with higher doping show antiferromagnetic/spin glass behavior besides the indication of MnGa alloys. Temperature dependent resistivity measurements show that both the samples are semiconducting with deep level defect states. Our findings suggest the possibility of incorporating spin functionality in non-polar optoelectronic devices.

The emergence of quantization at the nanoscale, the quantum size effect (QSE), allows flexible control of matter and is a rich source of advanced functionalities. A QSE-induced transition into an insulating phase in semimetallic nanofilms was predicted for bismuth a half-century ago and has regained new interest with regard to its surface states exhibiting nontrivial electronic topology. Here, we reveal an unexpected mechanism of the transition by high-resolution angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy combined with theoretical calculations. Anomalous evolution and degeneracy of quantized energy levels indicate that increased Coulomb repulsion from the surface states deforms a quantum confinement potential with decreasing thickness. The potential deformation drastically modulates spatial distributions of quantized wave functions, which leads to acceleration of the transition even beyond the original QSE picture. This discovery establishes a complete picture of the long-discussed problem in bismuth and highlights the new class of size effects dominating nanoscale transport in systems with metallic surface states., 22 pages, 10 figures (Supplementary Information included), accepted for publication in Science Advances

The interplay of nonclassical light and surface plasmons has attracted considerable attention due to fundamental interests and potential applications. To gain more insight into the quantum nature of the photon-surface-plasmon coupling, time-resolved detection of the interaction is invaluable. Here we demonstrate the time-resolved detection of photon-surface-plasmon coupling by exploiting single and entangled photons with long coherence time to excite single optical plasmons. We examine the nonclassical correlation between the single photons and single optical plasmons in such systems using the time-resolved Cauchy-Schwarz inequality. We also realize single optical plasmons with programmable temporal wavepacket by manipulating the waveform of incident single photons. The time-resolved detection and coherent control of single optical plasmons offer new opportunities to study and control the light-matter interaction at the nanoscale., Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures

We have performed angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy on transition-metal dichalcogenide $1T\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{HfTe}}_{2}$ to elucidate the evolution of electronic states upon potassium (K) deposition. In pristine ${\mathrm{HfTe}}_{2}$, an in-plane hole pocket and electron pockets are observed at the Brillouin-zone center and corner, respectively, indicating the semimetallic nature of bulk ${\mathrm{HfTe}}_{2}$, with dispersion perpendicular to the plane. In contrast, the band structure of heavily K-dosed ${\mathrm{HfTe}}_{2}$ is obviously different from that of bulk and resembles the band structure calculated for monolayer ${\mathrm{HfTe}}_{2}$. It was also observed that lightly K-dosed ${\mathrm{HfTe}}_{2}$ is characterized by quantized bands originating from bilayer and trilayer ${\mathrm{HfTe}}_{2}$, indicative of staging. The results suggest that the dimensionality crossover from 3D (dimensional) to 2D electronic states due to systematic K intercalation takes place via staging in a single sample. The study provides a strategy for controlling the dimensionality and functionality of novel quantum materials.

High-quality crystalline (Cr,Sb)-doped Bi2Se3 (Cr-BSS) films were synthesized using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The effect of Cr- and Sb-doping on the transport and magnetic properties of Cr-BSS films was systematically investigated. The sheet carrier density N2D was found to be reduced to ∼6 × 1012 cm−2 in this quaternary compound at room temperature. This has not previously been observed in a Cr–Bi2Se3-based magnetic topological insulator (TI). Moreover, owing to the Sb dopants, the weak localization (WL)-like positive magnetoconductance in magnetic Cr–Bi2Se3 (Cr-BS) was enhanced. The enhancement is attributed to the emergence of ferromagnetism, as evidenced from the field-dependent Hall resistance and magnetic moment. The obvious tunable electrical and magnetic properties by the Sb dopant in this system are well suited for applications based on magnetic TI devices.

Retinoblastoma seriously threats to human health and life. Molecular targeted therapy of retinoblastoma supplies the direction of research in the future. This study aims to investigate the impact of DUSP1 on human retinoblastoma SO-Rb5 cell senescence.Angiotensin II (AGII) was used to induce human retinoblastoma SO-Rb5 cell senescence model. DUSP1 over-expression plasmid and small interfere RNA (siRNA) were transfected into SO-Rb5 cells by Lipofectamine. Dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1), p53, p16, and protein kinase B (Akt) signaling expressions were detected with Western blot assay. SH-6 was applied to inhibit Akt signaling in SO-Rb5 cells. Cell senescence was evaluated by using β-galactosidase test.DUSP1 level increased in SO-Rb5 cells induced by AGII. Senescence protein p53 and p16 significantly upregulated in SO-Rb5 cell senescence model, together with β-galactosidase staining. DUSP1 plasmid transfection significantly enhanced DUSP expression, triggered SO-Rb5 cell senescence, and inhibited Akt signaling activation. DUSP1 siRNA exhibited the opposite effects. SH-6 significantly increased SO-Rb5 cell senescence induced by AGII through inhibiting Akt signaling.DUSP1 facilitated human retinoblastoma SO-Rb5 cell senescence induced by AGII through inhibiting Akt signaling pathway.

Phone: þ886 6 2533131#3129, Fax: þ886 6 2426911In this work, the InGaN/AlGaN multiple-quantum-well(MQW) near-ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs)with different aluminum compositions in the barrier layers areinvestigated and fabricated. The aluminum compositions ofLED I, II, and III are 0, 2.5, and 3.85%, respectively. The lightoutput powers of LED I, II, and III at an injection current of350mA are 95.46, 135.48mW, and 179.54mW, respectively.The lightoutput power measured from LEDIII was88% largerthan that of LED I. The peak external quantum efficiency wasenhancedfrom9.24to17.26%.Thisresultwasattributedtotheimprovement of carrier confinement in the active region byusing AlGaN-based barrier layers. The hot-cold effect ofLEDs as functions of junction temperature currently is a veryimportant key issue for actual application to LEDs. As thetemperature increased, the injected carriers became excited andeasily escaped from the active layer. Thus, the light outputpower of the LED decreased as the temperature increased.Compared with LED I and LED II, the light output power ofLED III with better carrier confinement was decreased moreslowly with increasing temperature.

A previous genetic study has suggested that schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) share common disease-associated genes. However, whether individuals with first-degree relatives (FDRs) with schizophrenia have a higher risk of these major psychiatric disorders requires further investigation. This study used Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database and identified 151 650 patients with schizophrenia and 227 967 individuals with FDRs with schizophrenia. The relative risks (RRs) of schizophrenia and other major psychiatric disorders were assessed in individuals with FDRs with schizophrenia. The individuals with FDRs with schizophrenia exhibited higher RRs (95% confidence interval) of major psychiatric disorders, namely schizophrenia (4.76, 4.65-4.88), bipolar disorder (3.23, 3.12-3.35), major depressive disorder (2.05, 2.00-2.10), ASD (2.55, 2.35-2.77) and ADHD (1.31, 1.25-1.37) than were found in the total population. Several sensitivity analyses were conducted to confirm these results. A dose-dependent relationship was observed between the risks of major psychiatric disorders and the numbers of FDRs with schizophrenia. The increased risks of major psychiatric disorders were consistent in different family relationships, namely among parents, offspring, siblings and twins. Our study supports the familial dose-dependent co-aggregation of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, ASD and ADHD, and our results may prompt governmental public health departments and psychiatrists to focus on the mental health of individuals with FDRs with schizophrenia.

Single photon emitters are indispensable to photonic quantum technologies. Here we demonstrate waveform-controlled high-purity single photons from room-temperature colloidal quantum dots. The purity of the single photons does not vary with the excitation power, thereby allowing the generation rate to be increased without compromising the single-photon quality., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures

The topology of pure Bi is controversial because of its very small ($\sim$10 meV) band gap. Here we perform high-resolution angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy measurements systematically on 14$-$202 bilayers Bi films. Using high-quality films, we succeed in observing quantized bulk bands with energy separations down to $\sim$10 meV. Detailed analyses on the phase shift of the confined wave functions precisely determine the surface and bulk electronic structures, which unambiguously show nontrivial topology. The present results not only prove the fundamental property of Bi but also introduce a capability of the quantum-confinement approach., Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures

The local electronic and atomic structures of the high-quality single crystal of SrFeO3-δ (δ~0.19) were studied using temperature-dependent x-ray absorption and valence-band photoemission spectroscopy (VB-PES) to investigate the origin of anisotropic resistivity in the ab-plane and along the c-axis close to the region of thermal hysteresis (near temperature for susceptibility maximum, Tm~78 K). All experiments herein were conducted during warming and cooling processes. The Fe L 3,2-edge X-ray linear dichroism results show that during cooling from room temperature to below the transition temperature, the unoccupied Fe 3d e g states remain in persistently out-of-plane 3d 3z 2 -r 2 orbitals. In contrast, in the warming process below the transition temperature, they change from 3d 3z 2 -r 2 to in-plane 3d x 2 -y 2 orbitals. The nearest-neighbor (NN) Fe-O bond lengths also exhibit anisotropic behavior in the ab-plane and along the c-axis below Tm. The anisotropic NN Fe-O bond lengths and Debye-Waller factors stabilize the in-plane Fe 3d x 2 -y 2 and out-of-plane 3d 3z 2 -r 2 orbitals during warming and cooling, respectively. Additionally, a VB-PES study further confirms that a relative band gap opens at low temperature in both the ab-plane and along the c-axis, providing the clear evidence of the charge-density-wave nature of SrFeO3-δ (δ~0.19) single crystal.

The lead-free ceramics with composition of (Na 0.5 K 0.5 ) 0.998 Ca 0.001 Nb 1+x/5 O 3 + 1 mol% CuO (NKCN-x-C1) were synthesized by the mixed-oxide method with the sintering temperature at 1080 °C. The effects of excess Nb 2 O 5 doping on the phase structure, microstructures, dielectric, piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties with the x mole variation were systematically investigated. Experimental results showed that the grains in the microstructures slightly decreased with increasing the excess Nb contents, and the corresponding bulk densities were enhanced for NKCN-x-C1 ceramics. Furthermore, they showed that the samples presented the optimum values of density ρ = 4.45 g/cm 3 , dielectric constant ɛ 33 T / ɛ 0 = 255, dielectric loss tan δ = 0.003, electromechanical coupling coefficient, k t = 0.46 (thickness mode), K p = 0.38 (planar mode), the high mechanical quality factor Q m = 2800, and internal dipolar field ( E i ) 5.4 kV/cm. The high E i value induced the high Q m value due to the defect dipole increase. Then, we successfully construct 3-MHz ultrasonic transducers utilizing our developed piezoceramics and examine their acoustic power characteristics driven by a power driver with an open-loop control. Thus, the non-stoichiometric ceramics presents the good electrical properties, which is suitable for power transducers applications.

The design and a prototype of the vacuum system of a low-emittance 3 GeV synchrotron light source, the Taiwan photon source (TPS) (with circumference of 518.4 m), are described. The TPS vacuum system has low-outgassing aluminum beam ducts, a low-impedance structure, an oil-less pumping system, and oil-less fabrication. Little dust, a stable mechanical structure, and highly reliable components are achieved for this vacuum system. A prototype (length 14 m) of the TPS vacuum system was fabricated. Two bending-magnet chambers, 4 m long, were made with computer-numerical control machining and lubricated with ethanol to protect the aluminum surface from oil contamination. Cleaning with ozonized water was applied to decrease the rate of photostimulated desorption from the chamber surfaces. Then an automatic welding system is used to implement the side welding seams of bending chambers. The design considerations, the critical factors in fabrication, and the test results of the vacuum system prototype are presented.

Recent genetic evidence suggests a robust association of the CARD14 single nucleotide polymorphism rs11652075 (c.C2458T/p.Arg820Trp) and other rare mutations in this gene with psoriasis. To assess whether combined data support the relationship between CARD14 rs11652075 and susceptibility to this disease, we conducted a meta-analysis. PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for relevant papers published in English. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effect models. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the Cochran's Q and I2 statistics. A total of five published studies, including 32,807 psoriasis patients and 45,458 controls, met our inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled OR of the association between the minor allele of this polymorphism and psoriasis was 0.877 (95%CI = 0.834-0.922; P < 0.001). In a stratified analysis, pooled ORs relating to European and Asian ancestry were 0.883 (95%CI = 0.822-0.948) and 0.872 (95%CI = 0.812-0.936), respectively. Those calculated for studies with case sample sizes above and below 1000 were 0.912 (95%CI = 0.870- 0.956) and 0.824 (95%CI = 0.734-0.924), respectively. No publication bias was present, and the exclusion of any single dataset did not substantially alter the corresponding pooled ORs. Due to the limited data available regarding clinical classification of cases and genotypes, subgroup stratification by clinical type was not performed. Our results demonstrate a significant association between the CARD14 rs11652075 polymorphism and psoriasis.

Genome-wide association studies have identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs4722404, in the caspase recruitment domain family member 11 (CARD11) gene, which is associated with atopic dermatitis. Previous genetic studies have also reported genomic similarities between psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. However, little is known regarding the association between rs4722404 and psoriasis vulgaris (PsV). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between rs4722404 and the risk and clinical features of PsV in a southern Chinese Han cohort. This hospital-based case-control study included 355 patients with PsV and 213 control subjects (N = 568); the samples were analyzed using a standard SNaPshot assay. We identified no association between the SNP and risk of PsV. However, a stratified analysis according to the age of onset, family history, and psoriasis area and severity index sub-phenotypes revealed a significant correlation between the C allele and CC+CT genotype of rs4722404 and an increased risk of early-onset PsV (≤40 years) compared to that of late-onset PsV (>40 years) (odds ratio, OR = 1.486; P = 0.026 for C allele and OR = 1.718, P = 0.023 for CC+CT genotype). The results of this study suggested that the SNP rs4722404 in CARD11 could increase the risk of early-onset PsV. Further studies must analyze the potential function of CARD11 in the pathogenesis of PsV.

Graphene and its bilayer are two-dimensional systems predicted to show exciting many-body effects near the neutrality point. The ideal tool to investigate spectrum reconstruction effects is angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) as it probes directly the band structure with information about both energy and momentum. Here we reveal, by studying undoped exfoliated bilayer graphene with ARPES, two essential aspects of its many-body physics: the electron-phonon scattering rate has an anisotropic k-dependence and the type of electronic liquid is non-Fermi liquid. The latter behavior is evident from an observed electron-electron scattering rate that scales linearly with energy from 100 meV to 600 meV and that is associated with the proximity of bilayer graphene to a two-dimensional quantum critical point of competing orders.

This paper reported the effect of seed layer stress on the fabrication of monolithic polymer-metal MEMS microstructure and what is a better material for the seed layer. The monolithic microstructure is gaining more and more attentions in MEMS application, especially in three-dimensional microstructure and inkjet printhead. The polymer–metal MEMS microstructure can be fabricated by combining the lithography and electroforming technologies. It is an integrated technology by batch process at low cost. The metal seed layer with large stress will lead to cracks and failure during the process integration. Several metal materials and thicknesses were studied to find a better candidate as the seed layer for the monolithic MEMS microstructure. The relationship between the monolithic MEMS structure and seed layer selection is also discussed. The lower residual stress of seed layer will result in a better surface condition for the followed integration process. The pure Ti metal and two-layer Ti/Au composite are the better seed layer materials in this study for the followed electroforming process of the monolithic polymer-metal MEMS microstructure.

The effect of a postharvest application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on fruit decay and quality in peaches stored at 25°C were investigated. Peach fruit (Prunus persica Batsch cv Hujing) were harvested at firm-mature stage and treated with 1, 10,100 or 500 μmol/L MeJA vapor at 20 °C for 24 h before stored at 25 °C for 8 days. Changes in fruit decay rate, decay index, firmness, vitamin C, total soluble solids (TSS), total titratable acidity (TA) contents, electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were monitored during storage. The results indicated that peach fruit showed fruit decay on day 2 during storage at 25 °C.[...]

Monitoring gene expression is important to optimize gene therapy protocols and ensure that the proper tissue distribution is achieved in clinical practice. We developed a noninvasive imaging system based on the expression of artificial antibody receptors to trap hapten-labeled imaging probes. Functional membrane-bound anti-dansyl antibodies (DNS receptor) were stably expressed on melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo. A bivalent (DNS)2-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic 111Indium probe specifically bound to cells that expressed DNS receptors but not control scFv receptors. Importantly, the 111In probe preferentially localized to DNS receptors but not control receptors on tumors in mice as assessed by gamma camera imaging. By 48 h after intravenous injection, the uptake of the probe in tumors expressing DNS receptors was 72 times greater than the amount of probe in the blood. This targeting strategy may allow noninvasive assessment of the location, extent and persistence of gene expression in living animals and in the clinic.

A new method of fabricating micromould inserts that is compatible with semiconductor manufacturing is proposed. Diffusion of phosphorous at a high temperature is first used to increase the electric conductivity of the surface of the silicon wafer to generate a silicon-based seed layer for electroforming. If the process temperature and the duration of doping with phosphorous are controlled, then the electric conductivity of this novel silicon-based seed layer can be expected to equal that of a metal seed layer. Then, a structure layer of amorphous silicon is successfully formed onto the silicon-based seed layer, by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The structure layer has none of the defects that would be present if a metal seed layer were used to replace the silicon-based seed layer. Finally, a silicon-based master microstructure was created by using ICP-RIE to etch the structure layer. The silicon-based master has been demonstrated to be useable in successfully fabricating, by electroforming, a metal micromould insert with a large area and high aspect ratio.

As-grown superconducting Bi-riched Bi2Sr2CuO6+δ single crystals have been grown by the traveling solvent floating zone technique. The superconducting transition temperature Tc was about 6 K and the room temperature resistivity was about 2×10−3 Ohm-cm. Transport properties, such as resistivity, magnetoresistance and Hall effect were measured from overdoped to underdoped samples annealed in inert atmosphere at 650°C. The transition temperature can be raised to 12 K after post annealing. The Hall measurement shows that the hole carrier density decrease after annealing. The temperature dependence of Hall angle is T1.5, not quadratic as observed for most high-Tc superconducting oxides such as YBa2Cu3O7. The variation of onset Tc with different external magnetic field is very different from high-Tc superconductors. The in-plane conductivity shows the dependence of ln T and can be explained by weak localization theory.

In its 2006 report "Preventing Medication Errors," the Institute of Medicine (IOM) estimated that more than 1.5 million preventable adverse drug events (ADEs) occur annually in the United States. Many organizations, including the IOM, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, the US Food and Drug Administration, and the Leap Frog Group for Patient Safety have advocated the implementation of technologies to reduce ADEs, particularly in the hospital setting. Many technologies have emerged in recent years to reduce ADEs at various points in the medication use process; however, interfacing some of these key technologies with existing hospital systems poses significant challenges.

We have performed a high resolution angle-resolved photoemission study on ultrathin NiO and CoO films on Ag(1 0 0) surfaces. The NiO and CoO thin films were grown on Ag(1 0 0) at room temperature and 180 ∘ C , respectively, for an O 2 pressure of 7.5 × 10 - 7 Torr . The thickness of thin film was determined by a quartz monitor and RHEED. A clearest ( 2 × 1 ) low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) pattern was observed at a NiO coverage of 0.9 monolayer(ML), consistent with literature. LEED shows a clear ( 1 × 1 ) pattern indicating well-ordered domains for the 2 ML NiO and CoO thin films. Angler-integrated photoemission spectra (AIPES) show a finite density of states at the Fermi level for the 2 ML NiO thin film, suggesting a metallic character, while the 2 ML CoO thin film was insulating. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) was used to detect the band dispersion of 2 ML NiO and CoO thin films. Very different band dispersions of the valence bands were observed. The insulating nature of bulk NiO and CoO is related to their antiferromagnetic order, but the unusual metallic behavior of ultra NiO thin film may affect its magnetic order. The detail comparison of electronic structure for 2 ML NiO and CoO thin films will be discussed.

We have performed a high resolution angle-resolved photoemission study on ultrathin NiO films on Ag(1 0 0) surfaces. The NiO thin films were prepared on Ag(1 0 0) at room temperature by Ni deposition in O2 atmosphere. The thickness of NiO thin films were determined by a quartz monitor and reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED). The low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) result shows a two-domain ( 2 × 1 ) pattern for the 0.9 monolayer (ML) NiO thin film at the optimum O2 pressure of 7.5 × 10 - 7 Torr at room temperature with subsequent annealing to 450 K. The ( 2 × 1 ) pattern evolves to a ( 1 × 1 ) pattern upon further annealing to 620 K in the presence of O2 or upon increasing film thickness. Photoemission spectra show finite density of states at Fermi level for 0.9 ML ( 2 × 1 ) NiO and 2 ML ( 1 × 1 ) NiO on Ag(1 0 0). Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy was used to measure the band dispersion of the 0.9 and 2 ML NiO thin films on Ag(1 0 0), as well as of a 10 ML film. The band dispersion of the 10 ML thick film was similar to that of the bulk crystals. Weak dispersion of valence bands was observed on the ( 2 × 1 ) NiO thin film, and it was very different from that on the ( 1 × 1 ) for 0.9 ML and 2 ML NiO thin films. The interpretation of the electronic structure of these thin films is presented.

We have isolated and characterized several recombinant lambda phage clones carrying growth hormone (GH) cDNA of striped bass (Morone saxatilis). Nucleotide sequence and the predicted amino acid sequence of sbGH was determined from a recombinant clone carrying the longest cDNA insert. The sbGH cDNA encodes a pre-hormone of 204 amino acid residues. Comparison of the predicted amino acid sequence of sbGH with those of other vertebrates revealed different degrees of sequence identity: approximately 98% with European sea bass; 90% with bluefin tuna; bonito and red seabream; 71% with winter flounder; 64% with salmonids; 55% with carp; and 38% with human. Expression of the mature sbGH cDNA (without the signal peptide sequence) in E. coli cells under regulation of the lambda phage PL promoter produced a polypeptide of 20 kDa. Following renaturation, this recombinant hormone was shown to be biologically active in a radioreceptor competition binding assay and in the induction of hepatic insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) mRNA synthesis in vivo.

The failure ratios of the three typical time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) failure modes, including top interface, sidewall and bottom corner areas, have been identified for a direct polishing ultra low k (ULK) dielectric Cu back-end-of-line (BEOL) structure at 40nm node. The Cu surface roughness of the metal lines, and the adhesion and thickness of the metal capping layers are strongly correlated to the top interface failure mode. The dielectric constant of the ULK and the concentration of the aluminum-doped Cu (CuAl) seed layer could be related to the sidewall failure mode. The bottom corner failures are induced by inappropriate Cu barrier re-sputter processes. In this study, the TDDB reliability performance can be effectively improved by evaluating a post-Cu chemical mechanical polishing (Cu CMP) cleaning process with smooth Cu surface roughness, developing a better step coverage with multi-layer capping layer, using a slightly higher dielectric constant ULK film, replacing a conventional pure Cu with a CuAl seed layer and optimizing the Cu barrier layer deposition process. The lifetime of the TDDB can be significantly improved over three orders (larger than 10000 years) as implementing an optimized integrated Cu with ULK BEOL structures at 40nm technology node.

A vacuum system of 3 GeV Taiwan photon source (TPS, with circumference 518.4 m), is designed for low-outgassing aluminium beam ducts, low-impedance structure, oil-less pumping system and oil-less fabrication. A prototype (total length 14 m) of the TPS vacuum system has been fabricated. This one-cell prototype vacuum system consists of two bending-magnet chambers (~4 m long each), two straight chambers (~3 m long each), supporting stands, five beam positioning monitors and pumps. Two bending-magnet chambers were made by computer-numerical control machining, which was lubricated with ethanol to protect the surface from oil contamination. Next, these two bending chambers were cleaned with ozonated water to decrease the rate of thermal outgassing and photo-stimulated desorption. The rest chambers were also cleaned by chemical cleaning method. An automatic welding system then was used to implement the side-welding seams of bending chambers in a temperature- and humidity-controlled cleanroom. The bending and straight chambers were welded into one piece by ‘on-site welding’. After baking at 150°C for 24 h, an optimizing pressure could be achieved at 4.9 nPa.

We report the design and construction of an ultrahigh vacuum compatible cryogenic manipulator for angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. This design allows six-axis motions in order to measure the band dispersion and Fermi surface of novel electronic materials. Three translational and polar angular motions are implemented by commercial stages. The azimuthal angle of the crystal can be rotated by up to ±90°, and the range of tilt motion varies from 95° to –10°. The sample position is designed at the centre of the above rotation goniometers. The sample holder is cooled using a continuous-flow cryostat. With liquid helium and nitrogen used for the cryostat, the temperature performance of the sample holder is tested and discussed.