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Local field potentials evoked by body action and mental action verbs were recorded in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) of 18 patients with Parkinson's disease through the electrodes implanted for deep brain stimulation. Compared with the medication on-condition, the medication off-condition showed a difference in activity in the early time segments, mainly in the right STN, with larger amplitudes for body action verbs. In the on-condition a similar pattern was detected in the left STN. These patterns of early differences in activity evoked by different types of verbs might indicate the potential of the STN to rapidly detect relevant behavioural clues in verbal content and to integrate these in subsequent cortico-subcortical interactions. In addition, these lateralizations allow speculations about shifts in processing activity correlating with dopaminergic denervation. Whether this detection relies on phonological, semantic or grammatical clues remains an open question.

SUMMARY This research sheds a new light on the potency of non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) enzymes xylanase, glucanase, and pectinase to save on total protein and digestible amino acids in broiler feed. It was demonstrated previously that advised dosages of further described NSP enzyme concepts can decrease FCR1500 by ≥3% in broilers on various non-reformulated diets, allowing for energy reformulation. Hence the hypothesis that higher dosages are needed to release sufficient NSP encapsulated protein for protein and digestible amino acid reformulation. Two NSP enzyme concepts at double the advised dosage were compared with protease at advised dosage (positive control, confirmed in former trial) in an experimental broiler performance essay. A standard (S) and negative control (NC) diet with relatively 3% less total protein and digestible amino acids, were formulated. The NC diet was supplemented with 1 of 3 commercial enzymes: 1) 40,000 endo-1,4-β-xylanase XU/g (EC 3.2.1.8) and 9,000 endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase BGU/g (EC 3.2.1.6) (XG) (double the advised dosage, 200 ppm), 2) 10,700 endo-1,4-β-xylanase XU/g (EC 3.2.1.8), 6,150 endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase BGU/g (EC 3.2.1.6) and 230 pectinase PGLU/g (EC 3.2.1.15) (XGP) (double the advised dosage, 400 ppm) or 3) concentrated protease (PRO) at advised dosage (300 ppm). Performance (feed intake, body weight gain and feed to gain) were similar in broilers fed XG, XGP and PRO supplemented NC diets and equaled the S diet. The present study demonstrates that 200 and 400ppm of mentioned XG and XGP concepts respectively, enable a 3% reformulation on total protein and digestible amino acids. This allows for considerable cost saving of common broiler formula, in present case 3.97 to 4.67€/ton less in starter and 2.37 to 3.07€/ton less in grower feed (calculation of raw materials based on Belgian ingredient prices July 2015). This is mediated by 1) a total protein and digestible amino acid reduction, using 2) mentioned NSP enzyme concepts that are about 43 to 20% cheaper (at double the advised dosage) than protease in current European settings.

We use the concept of a Map of Interfacial Periodicity to visualize and classify the periodicity at hetero-phase boundaries. Periodicity in the plane of the interface is a necessary condition to achieve an optimized bonding arrangement across the interface. A periodic boundary plane may be achieved by plane matching, i.e., a 2D match of crystal planes within the plane of the interface, or plane alignment, i.e., matching of lattice planes that are aligned across the interface. The latter mechanism results in axiotaxy and aligned epitaxy and improves robustness for the ‘matching’ nature of the interface with respect to perturbations in grain orientation or interfacial roughness. Examples are presented for different types of epitaxial interfaces between tetragonal α -FeSi 2 or orthorhombic NiSi and Si(001), two systems that are known to exhibit both axiotaxial and epitaxial texture components.

Diagnosis of chronic progressive lymphoedema (CPL) in draught horses, including the Belgian Draught Horse, is mainly based on clinical evaluation of typical lower limb lesions. A deficient perilymphatic elastic support, caused by a pathological elastin degradation in skin and subcutis, has been suggested as a contributing factor for CPL. Elastin degradation products induce the generation of anti-elastin Ab (AEAb), detectable in horse serum by ELISA. For a clinically healthy group of draught horses, a significantly lower average AEAb-level than 3 clinically affected groups (mild, moderate and severe symptoms) was demonstrated previously. To improve CPL-diagnosis, we evaluated the AEAb-ELISA as an in vitro diagnostic aid in individual horses. Test reproducibility was assessed, performing assays independently in 2 laboratories on a total of 345 horses. Possible factors associated with AEAb-levels (age, gender, pregnancy, test lab and date of blood collection) were analyzed using a mixed statistical model. Results were reproducible in both laboratories. AEAb-levels in moderately and severely affected horses were significantly higher than in healthy horses. Nevertheless, this was only demonstrated in barren mares, and, there was a very large overlap between the clinical groups. Consequently, even when a high AEAb cut-off was handled to obtain a reasonable specificity of 90%, a very low sensitivity (21%) of AEAb for CPL-diagnosis was obtained. Results on the present sample demonstrate that the described ELISA procedure is of no use as a diagnostic test for CPL in individual horses.

Chronic progressive lymphedema (CPL) is a well-known problem in the Belgian draft horse. However, tools for clinical diagnosis have not been standardized. Therefore, the exact disease prevalence and the possible CPL risk factors have not been investigated in the Belgian breed yet. The aim of the present study was to assess a uniform CPL clinical examination method to increase diagnostic objectivity as well as to determine the occurrence and severity of lesions. Using univariate and stepwise multivariable logistic regression models, the association of factors, such as age-gender interaction, coat color and season, with CPL occurrence was examined. In this study, it was demonstrated that CPL is highly prevalent in the Belgian draft horse: 60.66% of the horses of the total sample were affected, including a large proportion of young horses (< 3 years), whereas 85.86% was affected in a subset of older horses (≥ 3 years). In the latter, the lesions were more explicit as CPL is a chronic disorder. In some horses (i.e. 14% of the yearlings), mild clinical symptoms appeared at approximately the age of one, while distinct onset of the disease occurred from the age of three onwards. The factors age-gender interaction, coat color and season, which are significantly associated with CPL occurrence, were identified and quantified. In this study, a standardized diagnostic protocol is proposed that will enhance future data collection and furthermore will offer a foundation for quantitative genetic research. Ultimately, it will help to reduce CPL occurrence in the Belgian draft horse by means of selection.

The objective of this review was to summarise and evaluate the current state of knowledge about chronic progressive lymphoedema in draught horses. Clinical signs of this multifactorial disorder are mainly restricted to the lower limbs, comprising progressively deteriorating skin, swelling and deformation. Although typical lesions were first reported at the beginning of the 20th century, chronic progressive lymphoedema was recognised as a specific syndrome only in 2003, and since then research has driven forward. Despite the high prevalence in some breeds and the serious economic impact, the pathogenesis is not fully understood, and the available treatment options remain symptomatic and noncurative. There is a need to improve diagnostic techniques and to develop selection tools.

The solid state reaction between 30 nm Pd films and various Ge substrates (Ge(100), Ge(111), polycrystalline Ge and amorphous Ge) was studied by means of in situ X-ray diffraction and in situ sheet resistance measurements. The reported phase sequence of Pd2Ge followed by PdGe was verified on all substrates. The texture of the germanides was analysed by pole figure measurements on samples quenched in the Pd2Ge and in the PdGe phase on both Ge(100) and (111) substrates. We report an epitaxial growth of Pd2Ge on Ge(111) and on Ge(100). The formed PdGe has an axiotaxial alignment on Ge(111). On Ge(100), the axiotaxial texture is observed together with a fibre texture. The higher formation temperature of PdGe on Ge(111) could be related to the epitaxial alignment of the Pd2Ge parent phase on Ge(111).

Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) in horses represents an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated hypersensitivity to salivary antigens from biting midges (Culicoides spp.). The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the performances of IgE ELISAs using recombinant Culicoides spp. Obsoletus group salivary gland antigens or crude whole body extracts ('ObsWBE'), C. nubeculosus recombinant proteins (Culn1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 10) and Obsoletus group recombinant proteins (Culo1 and 2). IgE levels were measured in plasma of 343 Warmblood horses classified as IBH-affected (n=167) and IBH-unaffected (n=176) according to the owners' descriptions. IBH-affected horses were subdivided based on the severity of their clinical signs at sampling and whether or not their IBH history was considered to be classical. The accuracies of the tests increased when clinical signs at sampling were more pronounced or when the IBH history could be considered as classical. A combination of IgE levels against the three best performing Culicoides spp. recombinant proteins (Culn4, Culo1 and Culo2) and ObsWBE resulted in the best performing test. When IBH-affected horses showing a classical history of the disease and severe clinical signs were compared with IBH-unaffected horses, the Youden's index at the optimal cut-off for the three tests in combination was 0.67. This optimal cut-off had a sensitivity of 70%, a specificity of 97% and a total accuracy of 92%. The performance of the IgE ELISA was affected by the severity of IBH clinical signs at sampling and was improved when IgE levels against several recombinant proteins were combined.

Silicides and germanides are compounds consisting of a metal and silicon or germanium. In the microelectronics industry, silicides are the material of choice for contacting silicon based devices (over the years, CoSi2, C54-TiSi2, and NiSi have been adopted), while germanides are considered as a top candidate for contacting future germanium based electronics. Since also strain engineering through the use of Si1−xGex in the source/drain/gate regions of MOSFET devices is an important technique for improving device characteristics in modern Si-based microelectronics industry, a profound understanding of the formation of silicide/germanide contacts to silicon and germanium is of utmost importance. The crystallographic texture of these films, which is defined as the statistical distribution of the orientation of the grains in the film, has been the subject of scientific studies since the 1970s. Different types of texture like epitaxy, axiotaxy, fiber, or combinations thereof have been observed in such films. In...

We investigated the phase formation and texture of nickel silicides formed during the reaction of 10nm sputter deposited nickel with Si"1"-"xC"x epitaxial layers on Si(100) substrates, having a carbon content between 0 and 2.5 atomic percent. It was found that both the formation temperature as well as the texture of the metal-rich phases is influenced by the amount of carbon in the Si"1"-"xC"x layer. To determine the influence of the location of the carbon during the silicidation process we also investigated the reaction of 10nm nickel on Si(100) substrates, where carbon was either alloyed in the nickel layer or deposited as an interlayer at the interface between the nickel and the substrate. Depending on the location of the carbon, a different thermal stability of the layer was found.

Synchrotron radiation was used to study the texture of polycrystalline CoSi2 films that were formed by a solid-state reaction between a 30 nm Co film and Si(111), (110) and (001) substrates. All films were strongly textured, and several texture components were identified. We discuss the simultaneous occurrence of axiotaxy (i.e. alignment of lattice planes across the interface) and several different types of epitaxy in each of the films. Comparison of the different texture components observed on the three substrate orientations suggests a strong preference for the alignment of CoSi2{110} planes in the film with Si{110} planes in the substrate, and twinning around Si[111] directions.

Ruthenium films were grown by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (ALD) on Si(100) and ALD TiN. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the as-deposited films on Si(100) were polycrystalline, on TiN they were (002) oriented. After annealing at 800^oC for 60s, all Ru films were strongly (002) textured and very smooth. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) demonstrated that the lateral grain size of the annealed films was several 100nm, which was large compared to the 10nm thickness of the films. No ruthenium silicide was formed by annealing the ALD Ru films on Si(100). Comparison with sputter deposited films learned that this occurred because the ammonia plasma created a SiO"xN"y reaction barrier layer prior to film growth.

We investigate Co silicide phase formation when extra Si is added within an as deposited 50nm Co film. The addition of Si is investigated for both the Co/SiO"2 and Co/Si(100) system. A series of 10 Co-Si mixed films with a Si content varying from 21 to 59 at.% was prepared and investigated during annealing with in situ X-ray diffraction. The oxide system is used as reference system to identify phases that initially crystallize in an amorphous mixture of a given composition. Multiple phases can nucleate, and the temperature of crystallization depends on the Co-Si atomic ratio. Upon heating of the Co(Si)/Si system, the first reaction is a similar crystallization reaction of the Co(Si) mixture. Once the first phase is formed, one has the normal system of a silicide phase in contact with an unlimited amount of Si from the substrate, and the sequential phase formation towards CoSi"2 is established. For deposited layers of composition ranging from 48%Si to 52%Si, the CoSi is the first phase to form and increasing the amount of Si leads to a remarkable improvement of the thermal stability of CoSi on Si(100). CoSi"2 nucleation was extensively delayed by 150^oC compared to the reaction observed from a pure Co film on Si(100). Electron backscatter diffraction measurements reveal that in this range, the gradual Si increase systematically leads to bigger CoSi grains (up to 20@mm). This shows that the grain size of the CoSi precursor strongly affects the nucleation of the following CoSi"2 phase. Laser-light scattering measurements suggest that adding more than 42%Si reduces the roughness of the CoSi"2 layer.

With Council Regulation 2821/98 zinc bacitracin, spiramycin, tylosin and virginiamycin, and with Commission Regulation 2788/98 olaquindox, were banned from animal feed as feed additives. To control the compliance of the ban a single multi-analyte liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) method for their detection and quantification in animal feed was developed. A 2.5 g aliquot of feedstuff was extracted with 10 ml of methanol/water (70/30, v/v), and 3 ml of this extract was applied on an OASIS ® column after dilution with 27 ml of water. Elution was performed with 2 ml of acetonitrile/water (50/50, v/v) and the eluant diluted to acetonitrile/water (30/70, v/v). An amount of 20 μl was injected onto a Kromasil C 18 liquid chromatography column. A gradient program, consisting of a mixture of acetonitrile and water (both containing 0.3% formic acid) was used for the separation of the compounds. The method was validated according to the draft SANCO 1085/2000. The detection capability of the method for all compounds was −1 .

Vortices confined to micro-sized thin superconducting Pb squares are visualized using scanning Hall probe microscopy (SHPM). High resolution images are obtained after field cooling to 4.2 K for different magnetic fields using a standard AC-method for the Hall voltage readout. Vortex configurations for vorticity 1, 2 and 3 are observed and compared with theoretical predictions for the vortex patterns.

Belgian draught horses (BDH) are susceptible to chronic progressive lymphedema (CPL). The main cause is a failure of the lymphatic system of skin and subcutis, resulting in excessive protein rich interstitial fluid (lymphedema). Symptoms are mainly restricted to skin anomalies and deformations of the lower limbs. Initial signs (from 1.5 yr) are often missed in younger horses, however, with disease progression, increased disability frequently justifies early euthanasia in older horses (from 6 yr). As a genetic background is suggested and disease prevalence in BDH approaches 70%, urgent measures are needed. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for CPL in a BDH population. Analyses were performed on two datasets, comprising clinical examinations (CPL-scores), collected at official horse contests and stable visits throughout Belgium. The first dataset comprised all collected data, whereas in the second data set, scores for horses younger than 3 years were omitted. Age (years), coat color and sex were included as fixed effects, whereas date of recording was a random effect. Variance component estimates were obtained using the REML method (VCE6) by means of an animal model. Heritability coefficients (standard error, SE) for CPL ranged from 0.25 (0.07) to 0.46 (0.09). Phenotypic and genetic correlations (SE) for CPL-scores between fore -and hind limbs were high and respectively counted 0.85 and 0.96 (0.02). Date of recording was a factor of importance, where the proportion of variance (SE) ranged from 0.16 (0.05) to 0.22 (0.04). To improve reliability of estimated breeding values, continued collection of CPL-scores is advised. This study indicates the potential to reduce chronic progressive lymphedema occurrence in BDH through selection. ispartof: 64th annual EAAP meeting vol:131 issue:6 pages:522-528 ispartof: location:Nantes status: published

The objective of this review was to summarise and evaluate the current state of knowledge about chronic progressive lymphoedema in draught horses. Clinical signs of this multifactorial disorder are mainly restricted to the lower limbs, comprising progressively deteriorating skin, swelling and deformation. Although typical lesions were first reported at the beginning of the 20th century, chronic progressive lymphoedema was recognised as a specific syndrome only in 2003, and since then research has driven forward. Despite the high prevalence in some breeds and the serious economic impact, the pathogenesis is not fully understood, and the available treatment options remain symptomatic and noncurative. There is a need to improve diagnostic techniques and to develop selection tools.

Silicides and germanides are compounds consisting of a metal and silicon or germanium. In the microelectronics industry, silicides are the material of choice for contacting silicon based devices (over the years, CoSi2, C54-TiSi2, and NiSi have been adopted), while germanides are considered as a top candidate for contacting future germanium based electronics. Since also strain engineering through the use of Si1-xGex in the source/drain/gate regions of MOSFET devices is an important technique for improving device characteristics in modern Si-based microelectronics industry, a profound understanding of the formation of silicide/germanide contacts to silicon and germanium is of utmost importance. The crystallographic texture of these films, which is defined as the statistical distribution of the orientation of the grains in the film, has been the subject of scientific studies since the 1970s. Different types of texture like epitaxy, axiotaxy, fiber, or combinations thereof have been observed in such films. In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that film texture can have a profound influence on the formation and stability of silicide/germanide contacts, as it controls the type and orientation of grain boundaries (affecting diffusion and agglomeration) and the interface energy (affecting nucleation during the solid-state reaction). Furthermore, the texture also has an impact on the electrical characteristics of the contact, as the orientation and size of individual grains influences functional properties such as contact resistance and sheet resistance and will induce local variations in strain and Schottky barrier height. This review aims to give a comprehensive overview of the scientific work that has been published in the field of texture studies on thin film silicide/germanide contacts. Published by AIP Publishing.

To investigate the influence of global plastic deformations on girth weld defect tolerance inpipelines, a parametric finite element model has been developed. This paper provides an experimentalvalidation of the model. It describes the test setup and instrumentation used for the evaluation of plasticstrain fields around a notch in a tension loaded non-welded X65 mini wide plate. LVDT measurements anddigital image correlation (DIC) results are compared to each other and to the results of finite elementsimulations. Whereas some deviation is observed owing to unavoidable experimental uncertainties andlimitations of finite element modelling, the overall correspondence is more than satisfying.

We discuss the effect of scaling of the Ni thickness on the formation and stability of nickel silicide contacts. When scaling the Ni thickness from 15nm down to 5nm, the start of the agglomeration of the resulting NiSi layer is gradually shifted towards lower temperature. The influence of the microstructure of the polycrystalline NiSi layer on the agglomeration behavior, and methods to stabilize the NiSi film will be discussed. For an as deposited Ni film with a thickness less than 5nm, a completely different behavior is observed, where annealing results in the formation of a Ni silicide phase that exhibits an epitaxial orientation with respect to the Si substrate. Based on sheet resistance measurements and scanning electron microscopy, this ultra-thin film is surprisingly stable during post-annealing at high temperatures.

We study the vortex structure in a Pb film deposited on top of a periodic array of ferromagnetic square microrings by combining two high resolution imaging techniques: Bitter decoration and scanning Hall probe microscopy (SHPM). The periodicity and strength of the magnetic pinning potential generated by the square microrings are controlled by the magnetic history of the template. When the square rings are in the magnetized dipolar state, known as the onion state, the strong stray field generated at the domain walls prevents the decoration of vortices. SHPM images show that the stray field generated by the dipoles is much stronger than the vortex field in agreement with the results of simulations. Real space vortex imaging has revealed that, in the onion state, the corners of the square rings act as effective pinning centers for vortices., Comment: To be published in Phys. Rev. B

The statistical distribution of grain orientations in a poly-crystalline thin film, called texture, is an important characteristic. The presence of preferred orientations is important for the macroscopical behaviour of the film due to an anisotropy of certain properties, like resistivity, carrier mobility, etc. Therefore it is important to know, which types of texture evolve for a certain combination of substrate and film material and in which way they depend on the sample preparation.

Ballistic Hall magnetometry is used to investigate the magnetization of a mesoscopic superconducting Pb square as a function of magnetic field (H) and temperature (T). Vortex penetration and expulsion fields are determined from magnetization curves at different temperatures below Tc and are combined in an experimental T-H phase diagram. Enhanced stability of the symmetry-matching vorticities L=1 and L=4 is observed. The experimental results are compared with theoretical calculations using the nonlinear Ginzburg-Landau theory for a thin square. ispartof: Physical review. B, Condensed matter and materials physics vol:76 issue:18 pages:1-4 status: published

The (2w)! reversible transformations on w wires, i. e. reversible logic circuits with w inputs and w outputs, together with the action of cascading, form a group, isomorphic to the symmetric group S 2w . Therefore, we investigate the group Sn as well as one of its subgroups isomorphic to S n/2 × S n/2 . We then consider the left cosets, the right cosets, and the double cosets generated by the subgroup. Each element of a coset can function as the representative of the coset. Different choices of the coset space and different choices of the coset representatives lead to four different syntheses for implementing an arbitrary reversible logic operation into hardware. Comparison leads to a best choice: a single coset space, with representatives that are generalized TOFFOLI and FREDKIN gates.

Extended abstract of a paper presented at MC 2007, 33rd DGE Conference in Saarbrücken, Germany, September 2 – September 7, 2007

The phase formation of cobalt germanides on Ge(100) and Ge(111) substrates was investigated using in situ X-ray diffraction, starting from room-temperature sputter-deposited Co films. The formation temperature of the CoGe{sub 2} phase was dependent on the substrate orientation. X-ray pole figures and electron backscatter diffraction measurements were used to identify the texture and microstructure of the CoGe{sub 2} and the preceding Co{sub 5}Ge{sub 7} films. A significant difference in preferential orientation was found in the Co{sub 5}Ge{sub 7} films, depending on the substrate orientation. This influences the formation temperature of the CoGe{sub 2} and results in the coexistence of Co{sub 5}Ge{sub 7} and CoGe{sub 2} on Ge(111) in a large temperature window.

The morphological stability of NiSi is investigated when 40% of Si is mixed into an as deposited 10 nm Ni film. When annealing at 3 °C/s, scanning electron microscopy images and in situ sheet-resistance measurements show that NiSi agglomeration is delayed by more than 100 °C. In situ x-ray diffraction reveals that NiSi grows from an unusual transient hexagonal θ-nickel-silicide phase. The significant improvement of the NiSi film’s morphological stability can be related to its microstructure, with large grains and a strong texture. This peculiar microstructure is compared to the microstructure of the θ-nickel-silicide precursor by electron backscattering diffraction and pole figures.

The growth kinetics of ternary Co1−xNixSi2 thin films was studied in real time. The “Kissinger” method was applied to the results of ramped sheet resistance measurements to extract the apparent activation energy for the growth process. By simultaneously acquiring sheet resistance, x-ray diffraction and laser light scattering data on one hand and combining resistance measurements and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry on the other hand, we could distinguish between the initial, nucleation controlled thin film growth, and the subsequent diffusion controlled growth. The apparent activation energy for the initial growth decreases with increasing Ni concentration as a result of a lower nucleation barrier for the ternary disilicide. The markedly different microstructure of the ternary Co1−xNixSi2 films with respect to pure CoSi2 layers lies at the origin of a lower activation energy for the diffusion controlled growth of the ternary films. Despite the low activation energy, these films grow at a much slower...

We have studied the effect of the addition of Pt on the growth stress and thermal stress of NiSi films. Platinum was added in the form of an interlayer (Ni/Pt/Si), capping layer (Pt/Ni/Si), and as an alloying element within the as-deposited Ni film (Ni–Pt/Si). The evolution of film stress during the solid-state reaction was monitored using in situ curvature measurements. The large transient compressive growth stress observed during the reaction of pure Ni with Si was significantly reduced for samples with a Pt interlayer or alloy. Based on in situ XRD measurements, this reduction in the compressive growth stress could be related to the disappearance of Ni rich phases from the phase sequence and an overall increase in the silicidation temperature during ramp anneals. Pt was also found to affect the buildup of thermal stress while cooling down the sample after Ni1−xPtxSi formation. The presence of Pt as a solute in the monosilicide causes a significant increase in the stress relaxation temperature, and ther...

Mixed Co1-xNixSi2 films (0 = 50% Ni, the (100) orientation dominates the thin-film texture, due to the growth of a NiSi2-rich film at the substrate interface. The changing nucleation site, due to this phase separation, and the differing growth kinetics can significantly alter the texture of ternary films. These two factors should be taken into consideration when implementing ternary alloys in devices, since their physical properties, stability, roughness, resistance, etc., depend critically on the texture of the films. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics. ispartof: Journal of Applied Physics vol:103 issue:6 status: published

The growth of epitaxial layers of hexagonal {theta}-nickel-silicide on Si(100) and Si(111) substrates is reported. They form at 370 C on Si(100) and 360 C on Si(111), from codeposited Ni/Si mixtures, containing 37 to 42 atom % Si and the equivalent of a 50 nm Ni layer. These codeposited layers model the Ni/Si mixing layer at the interface in sputter-deposited films. The occurrence and stability at room temperature conflict with the phase diagram for bulk Ni/Si. Congruent crystallization is shown to initiate the growth of this metastable phase.

Electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) was used to characterize the texture of NiSi films. The various texture components (i.e., the types of preferred orientation, e.g., axiotaxy or epitaxy) could be identified, and their volume fraction could be quantified. Moreover, the spatial distribution of texture components could be studied in blanket films. Orientation imaging microscopy using EBSD is a promising technique to study the texture of silicide or germanide films both on blanket and patterned substrates.

Single crystal CaS:Eu and SrS:Eu luminescent particles were synthesized via a solvothermal route at relatively low temperature (200°C). The as-obtained suspensions were strongly photoluminescent (PL), pointing at good Eu incorporation. The phosphors showed a broad PL emission band with an emission peak at 663 and 623 nm for CaS:Eu and SrS:Eu, respectively. The synthesis method meets the growing interest in small monodisperse particles. The composition and morphology of the particles was evaluated with transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray and electron backscatter diffraction, particles were found to be mostly monocrystalline. X-ray diffraction showed a cubic structure with space group Fm3m. To control the growth of the crystallites, thioglycerol was added as capping agent, narrowing the size distribution and facilitating the growth of the single crystals.

Rectosigmoidal varices are a extremely uncommon manifestations of portal hypertension but can cause massive hematochezia. Rectal varices occur as submucosal anastomoses between the superior rectal veins of the inferior mesenteric system and the middle and inferior rectal veins of the iliac system. In portal hypertension there is an increased flow and pressure through these anastomotic channels. Rectal varices are so rare beause in most people the rich coronary azygos system is better developed and thus shunts more blood. Because of congenital or anatomic variations, the rectal anastomosis are better developed in some people and will shunt more blood, causing rectal varices.

In this retrospective study, 287 patients with acute renal failure observed between 1980 and 1985 were divided into 2 groups, according to age: group 1 of 65 years or more (n = 100) and group 2 between 17 and 64 years (n = 187). In both age groups the whole spectrum of causes of acute renal failure was found, but within that spectrum a higher incidence of post-renal failure, acute renal vascular disease and of hypovolaemic acute renal failure was noted in group 1 versus group 2. On the other hand, pigment-induced acute renal failure was lower in group 1 (4%) versus group 2 (13%). The overall survival was 54% in the elderly versus 56% in the younger patients (NS). A close relationship between survival and the number of postadmission complications was found in both groups. Interestingly, the presence of severe hypokalaemia (less than 3.5 mmol/l) and metabolic alkalosis (plasma HCO3 greater than 30 mmol/l) was associated with a very high mortality of 73% and 86% respectively in the elderly patients. Complete or incomplete recovery of renal function was the same in both age groups. It is concluded that age alone should not be used as a discriminating factor in therapeutic decisions concerning acute renal failure in an older patient.

In this retrospective study, 287 patients with acute renal failure observed between 1980 and 1985 were divided into 2 groups, according to age: group 1 of 65 years or more (n = 100) and group 2 between 17 and 64 years (n = 187). In both age groups the whole spectrum of causes of acute renal failure was found, but within that spectrum a higher incidence of post-renal failure, acute renal vascular disease and of hypovolaemic acute renal failure was noted in group 1 versus group 2. On the other hand, pigment-induced acute renal failure was lower in group 1 (4%) versus group 2 (13%). The overall survival was 54% in the elderly versus 56% in the younger patients (NS). A close relationship between survival and the number of postadmission complications was found in both groups. Interestingly, the presence of severe hypokalaemia (less than 3.5 mmol/l) and metabolic alkalosis (plasma HCO3 greater than 30 mmol/l) was associated with a very high mortality of 73% and 86% respectively in the elderly patients. Complete or incomplete recovery of renal function was the same in both age groups. It is concluded that age alone should not be used as a discriminating factor in therapeutic decisions concerning acute renal failure in an older patient.

Nickel silicide films are used as contacting materials in the micro electronics industry. It was recently [1] discovered that these films exhibit a peculiar type of texture, which was called 'axiotaxy', whereby certain lattice planes in the NiSi grains are preferentially aligned to (110)-type lattice planes in the single crystal Si substrate. In this contribution, we present a quantitative study of this phenomenon, using both XRD pole figure measurements and EBSD. Furthermore, we report a correlation between the texture of these NiSi films and their morphological stability during annealing at high temperature. In spite of the small grain size in these films, EBSD could be used to determine the volume fractions of the various texture components. This provided quantitative support for the claim that axiotaxy is the main texture component in these films, as about 40% of the grains belong to one of the axiotaxial texture components, and the remaining fraction exhibits a random orientation. A discussion of the techniques used during the measurement and analysis of the EBSD data is presented, as this must be given special consideration in view of the peculiar type of texture encountered in these films. Secondly, both XRD and EBSD were performed after annealing the NiSi films at various temperatures and durations. It is known that thin NiSi films have a strong tendency to agglomerate [2]. Our data indicates a correlation between the texture evolution and the agglomeration of the NiSi layer. Grains with axiotaxial orientation were observed to grow and thicken during the annealing process, by consuming neighboring randomly oriented grains. This suggests that the texture of the NiSi layer is a determining factor for the morphological stability of the film. The fact that grains with axiotaxial orientation grow during heat treatment can be related to the one dimensional periodicity at the interface, which lowers the interface energy and thus provides a driving force for the preferred growth of these grains. The agglomeration of NiSi films results in a significant increase of the sheet resistance. Therefore, these results illustrate the importance of texture control for the application of these films as contacts in micro-electronic devices.