STI process steps for sub-quarter micron CMOS

This paper presents Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) process steps for sub-1/4 μ CMOS technologies. Dummy active areas, vertical trench sidewalls, excellent gap filling, counter mask etch step and CMP end point detection, have been used for a 0.18 μm CMOS technology. Electrical results obtained with a 5.5 nm gate oxide thickness show good isolation down to 0.3 μm spacing. Good transistor performances have been demonstrated.     

分子振动态及其跃迁的激光相干控制

讨论了激光合成相干叠加态的原理及其性质 ,针对 XY2 型分子 ,证明了合成局域模振动的可行性 ,然后给出相干叠加态的跃迁几率特征 ,发现它仍表现出相干的特性 ,对之进行分析研究表明 ,分子的振动态具有可控性 ,态跃迁几率具有可控性。     

Chances of cure are not compromised with sphincter-saving procedures for cancer of the lower third of the rectum

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to compare patterns of recurrence and long-term outcome after sphincter-saving procedures (SSPs) and abdominoperineal resection (APR) in patients with tumors located in the lower third of the rectum. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of 1001 patients operated on for primary rectal adenocarcinoma between 1980 and 1991. All patients with tumors located between 5 and 7 cm from the anal verge and treated with curative intent were included. RESULTS: Of the 261 patients who met our criteria, 162 had undergone SSP and 99 had undergone APR. The local recurrence rates for SSP and APR were 8% and 11%, respectively (p = 0.41), and the distant metastases rates were 23% and 28%, respectively (p = 0.35). Recurrence and distant metastases rates for SSP and APR, respectively, did not differ by TNM classification: state I, 10% versus 9% (p = 0.9); stage II, 25% versus 43% (p = 0.13); and stage III, 56% versus 57% (p = 0.92). Five-year disease-free survival rates for SSP and APR patients were 70.5% and 62.3%, respectively (p = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: Tumors in the lower third of the rectum can be treated with sphincter-saving procedures without compromising the chance of cure.     

Role of nitric oxide in the regulation of the hepatic microcirculation in vivo

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator in the regulation of vascular tone. However, no data exist on the physiological role of NO in the regulation of the hepatic microcirculation. This study was designed to evaluate the role of NO in the hepatic microcirculation in vivo under physiological conditions. METHODS: The hepatic microcirculation was investigated in anesthetized rats by intravital fluorescence microscopy after injection of fluorescein-isothiocyanate-labeled erythrocytes. Following assessment of baseline sinusoidal perfusion, animals were randomly treated with L-NMMA (n=6), L-arginine (n=6), nitroprusside sodium (NPS, n=5) or a comparable volume of NaCl (n=4). Drugs were given through a portal vein catheter at three doses (Dx), each followed by intravital microscopy. L-NMMA was given: 5 mg/kg (D1), 25 mg/kg (D2), 50 mg/kg (D3); L-arginine 30 mg/kg (D1), 150 mg/kg (D2), 300 mg/kg (D3); and NPS continuously 80 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1). RESULTS: L-NMMA induced a significant increase of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) (114 vs. 129 mm Hg; p<0.05). In contrast, MAP of NPS-treated animals decreased (107 vs. 91 mm Hg; p<0.01) whereas MAP of animals receiving L-arginine did not significantly differ. Sinusoidal blood flow revealed dose-dependent changes: L-NMMA significantly decreased perfusion of sinusoids (D1: 65%, D2: 57%, D3: 50% of baseline, p<0.05). Injection of L-arginine increased the sinusoidal flow even with the lowest dose (D1: 137%, D2: 133%, D3: 123%, p<0.05). Continuous infusion of NPS had little effect on sinusoidal blood flow at the first and second times of microscopy but sinusoidal blood flow was significantly increased at the third time (D1: 103%, D2: 106%, D3: 122%). CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of NOS results in a dose-dependent disturbance of the hepatic microcirculation despite significantly increased MAP, whereas L-arginine increases the sinusoidal blood flow. The results indicate an important role for NO in the regulatory mechanisms of hepatic sinusoidal perfusion under physiological conditions.     

Long-term results after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for chronic myelogenous leukemia in chronic phase: a report from the Chronic Leukemia Working Party of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term results of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for chronic myeloid leukemia. A retrospective analysis was carried out of the outcome of 373 consecutive transplants performed at 38 European institutions between 1980 and 1988 and reported to the registry of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. All transplants were carried out for first chronic phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia using unmanipulated marow cells from HLA-identical sibling donors. The probability of survival and leukemia-free survival at 8 years were 54% (95% CI: 49-59) and 47% (95% CI: 41-52) respectively. The probabilities of developing acute GVHD (II-IV) at 100 days and chronic GVHD at 4 years after transplant were 47% (95% CI: 41-53) and 52% (95% CI: 46-58) respectively. The probabilities of transplant-related mortality and leukemic relapse 8 years after BMT were 41% (95% CI: 36-48) and 19% (95% CI: 14-25), respectively. Transplant within 12 months of diagnosis was associated with reduced transplant-related mortality (34 vs 45%, P = 0.013) and resulted in improved leukemia-free survival (52 vs 44%, P = 0.03). The probability of relapse was significantly reduced in patients who developed chronic GVHD (RR = 0.33, P = 0.004). The probability of relapse occurring more than 2 years after transplant was increased more than five-fold in patients transplanted from a male donor (RR = 5.5, P = 0.006). Sixty-seven patients in hematologic remission were studied for residual disease by two-step RT/PCR for BCR-ABL mRNA and 61 (91%) tested negative. We conclude that bone marrow transplantation can induce long-term survival in approximately one-half of CML patients; the majority of survivors have no evidence of residual leukemia cells when studied by molecular techniques. The probability of late relapse is increased with use of a male donor.     

A controlled evaluation of an elementary school primary prevention program for eating problems

Researchers have recently called for the development of primary prevention of eating disorders programs aimed at elementary school students. The present study reports on the development of a curriculum for fifth graders designed to encourage healthy eating, exercise, and body image while discouraging calorie-restrictive dieting, exercising for weight loss, and the development of body dissatisfaction. The program consisted of ten lessons taught by the classroom teachers. The influence of the curriculum on (1) knowledge about nutrition, body fat, and dieting; (2) attitudes about fat people and own body (body esteem); and (3) behaviors, including attempts at weight reduction, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and exercising, were evaluated in a pre-post controlled experimental design. There were 222 white public school children who participated in both the pre- and posttesting, 167 of whom were in the classrooms receiving the curriculum. Results indicated that knowledge was broadly improved by the curriculum. There were information improvements in terms of nutrition, effects of dieting, and causes of body fat. Attitudinal changes were less pronounced, although the curriculum did positively affect attitudes about fat people. Behavior, including eating patterns, exercise patterns, weight reduction attempts, and teasing of fat children, was not changed by participation in the curriculum.