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We developed a CTL vaccine vector by modification of the RPS-Vax system, a mucosal vaccine vector derived from a poliovirus Sabin 1 strain, and generated an oral CTL vaccine against HIV-1. A DNA fragment encoding a cytoplasmic transduction peptide (CTP) was integrated into the RPS-Vax system to generate RPS-CTP, a CTL vaccine vector. An HIV-1 p24 cDNA fragment was introduced into the RPS-CTP vector system and a recombinant poliovirus (rec-PV) named vRPS-CTP/p24 was produced. vRPS-CTP/p24 was genetically stable and efficiently induced Th1 immunity and p24-specific CTLs in immunized poliovirus receptor-transgenic (PVR-Tg) mice. In challenge experiments, PVR-Tg mice that were pre-immunized orally with vRPS-CTP/p24 were resistant to challenge with a lethal dose of p24-expressing recombinant vaccinia virus (rMVA-p24). These results suggested that the RPS-CTP vector system had potential for developing oral CTL vaccines against infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considers how the properties of plasma enhanced chemical vapor decomposition (PECVD) have been modeled using neural network models. Experimental design for modeling the PECVD process; Neural network modeling; Recipe synthesis using genetic algorithms; Results of the synthesis; Conclusions.

Investigates silicon nitride plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) modeling using neural networks. Characterization of silicon nitride deposition; Neural process modeling; Network optimization; Temperature and pressure effects.

Abstract: This research examined how information‐seeking tactics and sense of workplace community are related to one another. Data from Korea showed that workers (n = 314) who preferred overt tactics of seeking information (i.e., direct questioning) also reported a stronger sense of workplace community. Information types and sources did not moderate the relationship between information‐seeking tactics and sense of workplace community. Information types, however, moderated the relationship between importance of information and sense of workplace community and the relationship between coworker availability as an information source and sense of workplace community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a neural network, the refractive index of a film deposited in a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition is characterized. The deposition process was characterized by a 26-1 fractional factorial experiment. Experimental variables and ranges include 20–40 W radio frequency (RF) power, 80–160 Pa pressure, 180–260 sccm SiH4 flow rate, 1–1.4 sccm NH3 flow rate, 0–1000 sccm N2 flow rate, and 200–300°C substrate temperature. To examine the effect of the interaction between variables on the refractive index, a predictive neural network model was constructed. Prediction accuracy was optimized as a function of training factors. Model predictions were certified experimentally. Many complex interactions between the variables not reported previously were revealed. The power effect was transparent only in such plasma conditions as high SiH4 or NH3 flow rate. The temperature effect was conspicuous under high pressure. Deposition mechanisms were qualitatively estimated in conjunction with the reported linear dependency of refractive index on SiH/NH ratio. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Silicon oxynitride films were etched in a C2F6 inductively coupled plasma. A prediction model of microtrenching depth (MD) was constructed by using a neural network and a genetic algorithm. For a systematic modeling, etching data were collected by using a statistical experimental design. The process parameters and ranges were 400–1000W, 30–90W, 6–12mTorr, and 30–60sccm for source power, bias power, pressure, and C2F6 flow rate, respectively. The root mean-squared prediction error of the constructed model was about 0.019. The model was utilized to generate 3-D plots, which were used to examine etch mechanisms under various plasma conditions. Depending on the plasma conditions, parameter effects on MD were quite different. For most of the parameter variations, MD variations were strongly related to profile angle variations. The effect of bias power on MD seems to be dominated by polymer deposition due to the variations in C2F6 flow rates maintained in the chamber. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]