In-situ thermal annealing of on-membrane silicon-on-insulator semiconductor-based devices after high gamma dose irradiation.

In this paper, we investigate the recovery of some semiconductor-based components, such as N/P-type field-effect transistors (FETs) and a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) inverter, after being exposed to a high total dose of gamma ray radiation. The employed method consists mainly of a rapid, low power and in situ annealing mitigation technique by silicon-on-insulator micro-hotplates. Due to the ionizing effect of the gamma irradiation, the threshold voltages showed an average shift of -580 mV for N-channel transistors, and -360 mV for P-MOSFETs. A 4 min double-cycle annealing of components with a heater temperature up to 465 °C, corresponding to a maximum power of 38 mW, ensured partial recovery but was not sufficient for full recovery. The degradation was completely recovered after the use of a built-in high temperature annealing process, up to 975 °C for 8 min corresponding to a maximum power of 112 mW, which restored the normal operating characteristics for all devices after their irradiation.

Synthesis of bio-inspired multilayer polarizers and their application to anti-counterfeiting.

Some insects, such as Papilio blumei and Suneve coronata, are known for exhibiting polarization effects on light such as color contrast or geometrical polarization rotation by reflection on their wing scales. The photonic structures found on these species that show these properties are multilayered spherical cavities or triangular grooves which polarize the light due to multiple inner reflections. These polarization effects, in addition to the intrinsic color-mixing properties of these photonic structures, are of interest in the anti-counterfeiting field due to their invisibility to the naked eye. In this paper, we report micro-fabrication techniques to produce bio-inspired cylindrical grooves (C-grooves) and triangular grooves (V-grooves) that demonstrate the same properties. Theoretical analyses were carried out by using multi-scale simulation (MS) as well as by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) in order to compare the polarization capability of both structures. The V-grooves show greater polarization contrast than the C-grooves, but the spectrum is specular. The C-grooves exhibit lower polarization effects but have a dispersive spectrum. In both cases, the structures show additional optical properties, such as diffraction, macroscopic color contrast under a polarizer, and contrast inversion due to geometries which contribute to their uniqueness.

Lytic enzymes as selectivity means for label-free, microfluidic and impedimetric detection of whole-cell bacteria using ALD-Al2O3 passivated microelectrodes.

Point-of-care (PoC) diagnostics for bacterial detection offer tremendous prospects for public health care improvement. However, such tools require the complex combination of the following performances: rapidity, selectivity, sensitivity, miniaturization and affordability. To meet these specifications, this paper presents a new selectivity method involving lysostaphin together with a CMOS-compatible impedance sensor for genus-specific bacterial detection. The method enables the sample matrix to be directly flown on the polydopamine-covered sensor surface without any pre-treatment, and considerably reduces the background noise. Experimental proof-of-concept, explored by simulations and confirmed through a setup combining simultaneous optical and electrical real-time monitoring, illustrates the selective and capacitive detection of Staphylococcus epidermidis in synthetic urine also containing Enterococcus faecium. While providing capabilities for miniaturization and system integration thanks to CMOS compatibility, the sensors show a detection limit of ca. 10(8) (CFU/mL).min in a 1.5 µL microfluidic chamber with an additional setup time of 50 min. The potentials, advantages and limitations of the method are also discussed.

Adrenocortical regulation, eating in the absence of hunger and BMI in young children.

The purpose of this study was to examine relations among adrenocortical regulation, eating in the absence of hunger, and body mass index (BMI) in children ages 5-9years (N=43). Saliva was collected before and after the Trier Social Stress Test for Children (TSST-C), and was later assayed for cortisol. Area under the curve with respect to increase (AUCi) was used as a measure of changes in cortisol release from baseline to 60min post-TSST-C. Age- and sex-specific BMI scores were calculated from measured height and weight, and eating in the absence of hunger was assessed using weighed food intake during a behavioral procedure. We also included a measure of parents' report of child impulsivity, as well as family demographic information. Participants were stratified by age into younger (5-7years) and older (8-9years) groups. In younger children, parents' reports of child impulsivity were significantly and positively associated with BMI; cortisol AUCi was not associated with BMI or eating in the absence of hunger. In older children, however, greater stress-related cortisol AUCi was related to higher BMI scores and greater energy intake in the absence of hunger. The results suggest that cortisol AUCi in response to psychosocial stress may be linked to problems with energy balance in children, with some variation by age.

Do medical homes reduce disparities in receipt of preventive services between children living in immigrant and non-immigrant families?

The patient-centered medical home model has the potential to reduce healthcare disparities among immigrant children. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between medical home (MH) participation and receipt of preventive services among immigrant children age 0-17. The study employed extant data from the National Survey of Children's Health, 2007 (NSCH). Logistic regression analyses were employed to assess the relationship between receipt of preventive services and MH status among immigrant and non-immigrant children. Due to primarily the lack of family-centered care, only 40% of immigrant children met the medical home criteria versus approximately 62% of non-immigrant children. Immigrant children have decreased odds of receiving preventive care despite MH status. Improving the family-centered care aspect of the MH is necessary to increasing medical home access to immigrant children and the receipt of preventive services for immigrant children who meet the MH criteria.

Maternal weight status modulates the effects of restriction on daughters' eating and weight.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of overweight and normal-weight mothers' restriction in child feeding on daughters' eating in the absence of hunger (EAH) and body mass index (BMI) change from age 5 to age 9 y. DESIGN: Longitudinal study of the health and development of young girls. SUBJECTS: A total of 91 overweight and 80 normal-weight mothers and their daughters, assessed when daughters were ages 5, 7, and 9 y. MEASUREMENTS: Measures included maternal restriction of daughters' intake at age 5 y, and daughters' EAH and BMI change from age 5 to 9 y. RESULTS: There were no overall differences in the level of restriction that overweight and normal-weight mothers used. However, overweight mothers' restrictive feeding practices when daughters were age 5 y predicted daughters' EAH over time, and higher EAH scores were associated with greater BMI change from age 5 to 9 y. These relationships did not hold for daughters of normal-weight mothers. CONCLUSION: More adverse effects of restriction on daughters' EAH, and links between EAH and BMI change were only noted among daughters of overweight mothers. These findings highlight the need for a better understanding of factors that contribute to within-group variation in eating behavior and weight status.

Predictors of maternal child-feeding style: maternal and child characteristics.

We investigated relationships among maternal and child characteristics, and two aspects of maternal child-feeding styles that may place daughters at risk for developing problems with energy balance. Participants included 104 overweight (BMI> or =25) and 92 non-overweight (BMI<25) mothers and their 5-year-old, non-Hispanic, White daughters. Child-feeding styles included (a) restriction of daughters' intake of energy-dense snack food, and (b) pressure to eat more food. Predictors of child-feeding styles included measures of (1) maternal investment in weight and eating issues, including dietary restraint and weight concern, (2) child adiposity, (3) maternal perceptions of the child as underweight or overweight, and (4) maternal concern for child weight. Mothers reported using more restrictive feeding practices when they were invested in weight and eating issues, when they perceived daughters as overweight, when they were concerned about daughters' weight, and when daughters were heavier. Mothers reported using more pressure in child feeding when daughters were thinner, and when mothers perceived daughters as underweight. Further analyses examined whether relationships among child-feeding styles were different for overweight and non-overweight mothers. Overweight mothers' child-feeding styles appeared to be influenced by observable child weight characteristics, concerns for the child's weight status, and mothers' own history of overweight. Non-overweight mothers' child-feeding styles appeared to be influenced by distorted perceptions of and concerns for children, as well as distorted self-perceptions.