The intensities of x-rays scattered by amorphous Fe 80 P 13 C 7 and Fe 40 Ni 40 P 14 B 6 samples have been measured as a function of photon energies E at fixed scattering angles 2θi using a Li-drifted Si detector and polychromatic x-rays generated by a 50KV full-wave rectified generator. The coherently scattered intensity per atom was calculated for free-standing samples as well as samples contained in a Be or pyrolytic graphite cell, after the evaluation of the energy dependence of the primary beam spectrum by an iterative process. The interference functions were then calculated from the data obtained in transmission and reflection, and compared with those measured with the conventional variable 2θ technique. Good agreement between energy-dispersive diffraction (also called variable wavelength technique) and variable 2θ diffraction was observed in all cases.

An outbreak of gastroenteritis affected 453 attendees (attack rate 28·5%) of six separate events held at a hotel in Singapore. Active case detection, case-control studies, hygiene inspections and microbial analysis of food, environmental and stool samples were conducted to determine the aetiology of the outbreak and the modes of transmission. The only commonality was the food, crockery and cutlery provided and/or handled by the hotel's Chinese banquet kitchen. Stool specimens from 34 cases and 15 food handlers were positive for norovirus genogroup II. The putative index case was one of eight norovirus-positive food handlers who had worked while they were symptomatic. Several food samples and remnants tested positive for Escherichia coli or high faecal coliforms, aerobic plate counts and/or total coliforms, indicating poor food hygiene. This large common-source outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis was caused by the consumption of contaminated food and/or contact with contaminated crockery or cutlery provided or handled by the hotel's Chinese banquet kitchen.

We examined functional outcomes and quality of life of whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) with integrated fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy boost (FSRT) for brain metastases treatment. Methods Eighty seven people with 1-3 brain metastases were enrolled on this Phase II trial of WBRT (30Gy/10)+simultaneous FSRT, (60Gy/10). Results Mean (Min-Max) baseline KPS, Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) and FACT-BR quality of life were 83 (70-100), 28 (21-30) and 143 (98-153). Lower baseline MMSE (but not KPS or FACT-Br) was associated with worse survival after adjusting for age, number of metastases, primary and extra-cranial disease status. Crude rates of deterioration (>10 points decrease from baseline for KPS and FACT-Br, MMSE fall to<27) ranged from 26-38% for KPS, 32-59% for FACT-Br and 0-16%for MMSE depending on the time-point assessed with higher rates generally noted at earlier time points (<6months post-treatment). Using a linear mixed models analysis, significant declines from baseline were noted for KPS and FACT-Br (largest effects at 6 weeks to 3 months) with no significant change in MMSE. Conclusions The effects on function and quality of life of this integrated treatment of WBRT+simultaneous FSRT were similar to other published series combining WBRT+SRS.

Studies for spin parameters and shapes of asteroids provide us with important information about the interior structure of asteroids and the physical processes they have undergone. A large sample of basic physical parameters can help us also understand the evolution of asteroids. There is scarce information for slowly-rotating larger asteroids because more effort is required for observing them. Because of this, we have established an international collaboration to study slowly-rotating asteroids. As the first step of this project, we have observed asteroids (168) Sibylla and (346) Hermentaria in 2014 and 2015 using several telescopes located in China, Chile, and U.S.A. Combining previous photometric data with our new data, we have performed preliminary analyses and obtained spin parameters and shapes with their uncertainties for these two slowly-rotating asteroids for the first time, using the convex inversion method and the virtual photometry Monte Carlo method. A pair of pole solutions for (168) Sibylla are found around (4.3°, 53.5°) and (183.5°, 52.6°) with a period of 47.0000 h. We have found that the shape of Sibylla resembles an oblate spheroid. For (346) Hermentaria, we have also found a pair of pole solutions around (134.5°, 16.7°) and (321.5°, 14.5°) with comparable rms-values with a spin period of about 17.79000 h, and a shape resembling a prolate spheroid.

High consumption of refined grains, particularly white rice, has been reported to be associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated the association between rice and noodle consumption and markers of glucose homeostasis, inflammation and dyslipidaemia in an Asian population. We carried out a population-based cross-sectional study in 2728 Singaporean Chinese men and women aged between 24 and 92 years. Rice and noodle intake was assessed using a validated FFQ and studied in relation to glycaemic (fasting glucose, glycated Hb, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and HOMA index for β-cell function (HOMA-β)), inflammatory (plasma adiponectin and C-reactive protein (CRP)) and lipid (fasting TAG and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C)) markers. We used multiple linear regression analyses with adjustment for total energy intake and sociodemographic, anthropometric (BMI and waist:hip ratio) and lifestyle factors. Higher rice consumption was found to be associated with higher fasting glucose concentrations (0·81 % higher values per portion increment; 95 % CI 0·09, 1·54) and HOMA-IR (4·62 %; 95 % CI 1·29, 8·07). Higher noodle consumption was also found to be significantly associated with higher fasting glucose concentrations (1·67 %; 95 % CI 0·44, 2·92), HOMA-IR (6·17 %; 95 % CI 0·49, 12·16) and fasting TAG concentrations (9·17 %; 95 % CI 3·44, 15·22). No significant association was observed between rice and noodle consumption and adiponectin, CRP and HDL-C concentrations or HOMA-β in the fully adjusted model. These results suggest that high consumption of rice and noodles may contribute to hyperglycaemia through greater insulin resistance and that this relationship is independent of adiposity and systemic inflammation.

The challenges associated with meeting 20nm technology requirements for better Cu CMP process uniformity and lower defectivity have been studied. Required improvements in uniformity were obtained through platen process optimization along with evaluation & selection of specific Cu slurries and pads and their performance reported. The principal factors influencing defect formation, including Cu barrier metallurgy, interconnect pattern density and process queue times were studied. Specific new post CMP clean chemistries were evaluated to assess their capability to suppress defect formation and their performance reported. The trade off between uniformity and defect suppression as a function slurry, pad and post Cu CMP clean chemistry is described.

The aim of tympanoplasty graft preparation is to stiffen the fascia or perichondrium and thereby to optimise ease of manipulation. We report 39 cases utilising a novel technique in which the graft is prepared in ear drops containing polyethylene glycol, flumetasone pivalate (0.02 per cent) and clioquinol (1 per cent). This technique is useful in reducing the risk of desiccation if placement is delayed, and may pose less risk of infection and mechanical damage than alternative methods.

The magnetic critical behaviors in the perovskite-like (La1−xPbx)MnO3 series with x = 0.0 ∼ 0.5 are studied by means of dc magnetic measurements. All the samples crystallize in the rhombohedral unit cell with a C R 3 space group (a 0.54 nm and c 1.33 nm). The detailed crystallographic parameters of all the samples are obtained by the refinements of the powder x-ray diffraction data using the Rietveld method. The substitution effect of Pb2+ ions on La3+ sites induces a mixed-valence state of Mn3+/Mn4+ and enhances magnetic transition temperature in the (La1−xPbx)MnO3 system. The transition temperature T C increases with the Pb content from 225 K as x = 0 to 355 K as x = 0.5. The canonical spin-glass behaviors in low fields and the scaling behaviors of magnetic physical quantities are clearly observed in all our samples. The values of the related critical exponents and the scaling functions of magnetic data are close to those of the conventional spin glass systems.

In this study, we used x-ray diffraction patterns and dc magnetic measurements to investigate the crystallographic structure, magnetic properties and scaling behavior of the distorted perovskite La0.7(Ba1−xPbx)0.3CoO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) system with a constant ratio of Co4+/Co3+. Samples with x = 0.0 and 0.1 were crystallized in the cubic structure with a ∼ 7.76 Å whereas samples with x ≥ 0.2 were crystallized in an orthorhombic Pbnm space group with a ∼ b ∼ 5.50 Å and c ∼ 7.85 Å. For all our samples the spin-glass-like behavior were observed in low temperature and low field ranges. The Pb2+ substitution on Ba2+ site does not significantly affect the ferromagnetic transition temperature T C, but does introduce large variation in the magnetic strength. In both the ferromagnetic and paramagnetic states the minimum values of the average effective moments provided by every Co ion occur at x = 0.3. We also observed the scaling behaviors of magnetic data in all samples. The derived values of the critical exponents (β, γ, δ) were consistent with those predicted by mean field theory and a three-dimensional Heisenberg model.

Postprandial hypotension may be influenced by the digestion of fat. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hypothesis that products of fat digestion mediate the hypotensive response to fat. In part A of the study, nine healthy older subjects were studied on three separate occasions in randomised order. Blood pressure, heart rate (HR), plasma TAG and gastric emptying were measured following the ingestion of equivolaemic drinks: (1) 300 ml of high-fat drink (88 % fat); (2) fat drink mixed with 120 mg orlistat (lipase inhibitor); (3) water (control). In part B of the study, ten healthy older subjects were studied on two separate occasions. Blood pressure, HR, plasma TAG and superior mesenteric artery flow were measured during 90 min intraduodenal infusions of 10 % intralipid (2·7 ml/min), with and without 120 mg orlistat. Oral fat ingestion was associated with decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressures (both P = 0·0001) that were greater when orlistat was co-administered (both P < 0·05), and an increase in HR (P = 0·0001) that was inhibited by orlistat co-administration (P < 0·03). Gastric emptying was slowed by oral fat digestion, and orlistat administration inhibited this slowing (P < 0·04). Intraduodenal fat infusion was not associated with changes in blood pressure but increased HR (P < 0·0001), an effect attenuated by orlistat (P < 0·05). In conclusion, orlistat potentiates the hypotensive response to oral fat in older adults, possibly as a result of faster gastric emptying of fat. The results do not support a role for fat digestion in lowering blood pressure.

Long wavelength (l.3pm<X<l.551un) InGaAs/InP multiquantum well (MQW) PIN structures in which the quantum confined Stark effect can be observed, are of particular interest because of their potential for high modulation contrast ratios and high speed operation. The chemistry of trichloride VPE lends itself to the growth of high purity InGaAsP heterostructures which are essential for the realization of high performance optical modulators and switches. In this study, we investigate the application of multi-frit trichloride VPE for the highly uniform epitaxial growth of InGaAs/InP MQW structures on two-inch InP substrates for advanced photonic device applications. The growth of MQW structures with various well thicknesses was studied as was the effect of substrate orientation. The structures have been characterized by infrared absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy, cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy and double crystal x-ray diffraction.

We report on the studies of low-field magnetic properties in the well-characteristic superconducting LaCaBaCu3Oy, YBa2Cu3Oy, YaBa4Cu8Oy, (La1–85Sr0–15)CuO4-y, (Tl0–5Pb0–5)Ca2Sr2Cu3Oy and (Bi2−xPbx)Ca2Sr2Cu3Oy oxides. The studies of magnetic properties include ac zero-field cooled (ZFC), field-cooled (FC), and ac susceptibilities, and their dependences on the applied magnetic field and temperature. As the applied dc magnetic field is low enough, the FC susceptibility varies flat with the increasing of temperature from low temperature, but the diamagnetic signal becomes increasing at some temperature and reaches to the maximum values, and then continously decreases with temperature, at last the diamagnetism rapidly transfers to paramagnetism with temperature going to above Tc. The magnetization reduction at low temperature significantly appears at the low dc magnetic field and exists within a lot of single-phase high-Tc superconductors. However, this phenomenon is not observed in the measurements of low-frequency ac complex susceptibility for the ac applied fields from 0.001 G to 10 G and disappears for higher dc applied field. But, there exists a two-step drop in ac and ZFC susceptibilities curve and the drop correlates with the de FC magnetization dip. The magnetic field range of the dip occurrence is dependent on specimens. The strange magnetic property may be regard with superconducting coupling link in grain boundaries and interpreted by the grain-cluster model associated with Josephson effect.

X-ray specular and non-specular scattering, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were performed to study the evolution of the microstructures and interfacial roughness in Ru/C and RU/B4C multilayers upon annealing. The microstructure of the approximately 1.4 nm thick Ru layers in the as-prepared 3.5 nm period multilayers is predominantly amorphous. The Ru layers in the Ru/B4C multilayer show RuB2 nano-crystallites after annealing at 600°C for one hour, while those in the Ru/C multilayer crystallize to form hexagonal Ru crystallites. Cross-sectional HRTEM of the annealed Ru/C multilayer also shows agglomeration of the Ru layers. Non-specular measurements of the Ru/C multilayers indicate an enhanced uncorrelated roughness upon annealing. The diffuse component in the as-prepared and annealed RU/B4C multilayers shows insignificant changes. The increase in interfacial roughness in the Ru/C multilayer results from agglomeration of the Ru after annealing, consistent with HRTEM observation.

Some metallization systems consisting of barrier metals and Au-Sn (multiple alternating layers) were studied as a bonding schemes of InP-based laser diodes to the first time used, CVD-diamond submounts. The first system to be studied, which was traditionally used in various other applications was Ti(100nm)/Pt(200nm)/Au(500nm)/Au-Sn(2.5 μm). This structure provided a molten Au-Sn layer of eutectic composition (80:20 wt%) on top of the Ti/Pt metals for about 6 sec, while heated at temperatures of 300 to 350°C, and allowed for efficient bonding of the device to the submount. Longer heating durations, however, led to reaction between Pt and Sn to consume significant amounts of Sn from the solder, thus elevating its melting temperature and resolidifying the solder. With optimum bonding conditions, a high quality bond of the InP-based laser diode to the CVD-diamond submount was observed, and a superior electrical performance of the diode was measured compared to diodes that were bonded with the standard In/BeO configurations. In order to maintain the superior performance of the InP laser diode bonded assembly but improve the thermodynamic stability of the metallurgical system and thus extending the bonding processing window, various metals such as W and Cr were studied as a replacement for the Ti/Pt barrier metals in between the CVD-diamond submount and the Au-Sn solder. While applying the W layer, a thin Ti(10nm) layer was introduced in between it and the Au-Sn to improve the solder wettability. The W layer was found to remain intact after heating at 350°C for durations as long as 5 min, and thus, due to the inert nature of the Au-Sn/W interface, the Au-Sn ratio was kept uniform at the eutectic liquid composition through a long heating duration (up to 5 min). Minimum reaction was observed, as well, at the Au-Sn/Cr interface, while executing a Ti(100nm)/Cr(200nm)/Au-Sn(1.5 μm) system, and thus allowed for an excellent bonding of the InP laser diodes to the CVD-diamond submounts.

Ta2O5 films of high reliability and low leakage current density were obtained by low temperature deposition and subsequent high temperature oxygen anneal. At higher temperatures than 410°C, growth was governed by the formation of radicals in gas phase and oxidation on the surface, while at lower temperatures by the dissociation of reactant on the surface of substrates. As a result, the films deposited at lower temperatures had undensified structures, and contained more carbon that might be a leakage current source in Ta2O5 film. During post-deposition heat treatment in 800°C oxidating ambient, carbon was removed away and silicon was diffused from the substrate into the Ta2O5 film efficiently for its as-grown porous structure. After oxygen anneal, low temperature films get denser and are crystallized to mixed phase of orthorhombic and hexagonal Ta2O5, while high temperature films crystallized to orthorhombic single phase. Ta2O5 capacitor with low temperature films showed superior leakage characteristics applicable to sub-half micron memory devices.