Sol–gel deposited ceria thin films as gate dielectric for CMOS technology

In this work, cerium oxide thin films were prepared using cerium chloride heptahydrate, ethanol and citric acid as an additive by sol–gel spin-coating technique and further characterized to study the various properties. Chemical composition of deposited films has been analysed by FTIR which shows existence of CeO₂. The samples have been optically characterized using ellipsometry to find refractive index of 2·18 and physical thickness which is measured to be 5·56 nm. MOS capacitors were fabricated by depositing aluminum (Al) metal using the thermal evaporation technique on the top of CeO₂ thin films. Capacitance–voltage measurement was carried out to calculate the dielectric constant, flat-band voltage shift of 18·92, 0·3–0·5 V, respectively and conductance–voltage study was carried out to determine the D_it of 1·40 × 10¹³ eV^???1 cm^???2 at 1 MHz.     

EXTENDED STORAGE LIFE OF LITCHI FRUIT USING CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE AND LOW TEMPERATURE

The postharvest quality of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) cv. Bombay stored under controlled atmosphere (CA) at 3.5% O₂and 3.5% CO₂, 2C temperature and 92–95% relative humidity was studied. Fruits were also held in regular atmosphere (RA) maintained at 2C temperature and 92–95% relative humidity. Fruits kept at normal ambient conditions were used as controls. Various quality attributes measured revealed that fruits stored in CA exhibited Hunter “a” values of 11.2 after 56 days of storage, indicating the beneficial effect of CA on retaining the red color of litchi fruits. Fruits held in RA exhibited Hunter “a” values (7.9) lower than that of CA‐stored litchi, showing that browning of litchi was noticeable in RA. Loss of weight was lowest (4.9%) for the fruits stored in CA compared to those stored in RA (11.0%) and control (33.1%). Loss of acidity and ascorbic acid content of fruits stored in CA were less than that of RA. The smallest increase of litchi firmness and pericarp puncture strength of 2.2 and 3.9 times of initial level, respectively, were observed even after 56 days of storage in CA. Total soluble solid of litchi increased from 19.3° Brix at harvest to 23.0° Brix until 48 days of storage in CA after which it declined to 22.8 °Brix. The sensory evaluation of aril color and taste showed that the fruits held in CA were rated good throughout 56 days of storage.     

A Research Note Effect of Natural Fermentation on the Extractability of Minerals from Pearl Millet Flour

Natural fermentation of pearl millet flour was carried out at 20°, 30°, 40°, and 50°C for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr. The fermentation improved the HCI-extractability of minerals including calcium, zinc, iron, manganese and copper in pearl millet flour. The highest extractability of minerals was observed at 96 hr at all the temperatures.     

Comparison between Measured and Model ( LBLand BRE) Predicted Infiltration Rates for a Passive Solar Test Cell

The pressurization technique is applied to the test cell at the JRC, Ispra, and important parameters for the LBL and BRE air infiltration models are calculated. The predictions of these models are compared with the tracer gas (SF₆) measurements. The differences between measured and predicted values of the air infiltration rates axe quite large. When the model parameters calculated from the tracer gas measurements are used, both models predict infiltration rates in good agreement with the field measurements. This means the physical models are acceptable but there is a need to refine the procedure for determination of model parameters.     

Hypoparathyroidism associated with severe mineral bone disease postrenal transplantation, treated successfully with recombinant PTH

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is commonly, if not universally, associated with derangements in bone and mineral metabolism, characterized by hyperphosphatemia, low calcitriol levels, and secondary hyperparathyroidism. The spectrum of these disorders is termed renal osteodystrophy or chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disease complex. Aggressive phosphorus control is the cornerstone of management to prevent debilitating complications. Dietary control, phosphate binders, and administration of active vitamin D analogues is the most common initial therapy. Frequently parathyroidectomy is required to reverse or slow the pathological changes when medical management fails. The most common adverse effect of parathyroidectomy is hypocalcemia. We describe a case report of severe hypocalcemia (secondary to surgical hypoparathyroidism) and "hungry bone syndrome," treated successfully with teriparatide (Forteo^®) in a patient who underwent renal transplantation following subtotal parathyroidectomy.     

Concept of priority in the evaluation of a multidisk system

A multidisk computer system is considered. Various requests arrive at the system and a disk may serve the purpose of source and/or destination for information. The concept of priority queues is incorporated and different measures of system effectiveness are obtained, tn particular, a detailed analysis is carried out for preemptive resume discipline. A comparison of systems with and without priorities is illustrated numerically.     

Formation of MoSi2-SiC composite powder by reacting Si3N4 with molybdenum and carbon

Abstracts are not published in this journal This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Surface texture modification of spin-coated SiO2 xerogel thin films by TMCS silylation

The SiO₂ xerogel thin films were deposited successfully by sol?Cgel technique via the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) with ethanol as a solvent. Further, the deposited thin films were treated wet chemically by trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) and hexane solution with 10% and 15% volume ratio to remove the hydroxyl groups from the surface of deposited SiO₂ thin films. These as deposited and surface-modified films were characterized by ellipsometer, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer and contact angle meter. The presence of 2900 and 850?cm^?1 peaks of CH₃ vibrations in FTIR spectra of surface-modified films confirms the hydrphobisation of SiO₂ surface. The maximum contact angle of 108·7° was observed for the surface-modified film at 10% TMCS.     

Transmetallation and gadolinium: Do low iron stores prevent the development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in high‐risk end‐stage renal disease patients?

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a systemic disorder that occurs in patients with renal failure and manifests as a thickening of the skin and flexion contractures of the joints. The etiology may involve an exposure to a gadolinium (Gd)‐based magnetic resonance contrast agent. It has been proposed that in hemodialysis (HD) patients, iron mobilization (decreased total iron‐binding capacity, increased iron level, and transferrin oversaturation) causes a transmetallation reaction and the release of free Gd from its chelator with the deposition of both Gd and iron in the affected tissues leading to fibrosis. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the use of gadopentetate dimeglumine leads to iron mobilization and to the development of NSF in HD patients. A retrospective chart analysis of 236 HD patients was performed and patients who had received a Gd‐containing contrast agent were selected for analysis of their iron studies before and after the Gd exposure. A total of 25 patients were identified as having had a magnetic resonance imaging study and all were administered gadopentetate dimeglumine and no patients had any signs or symptoms suggestive of NSF. Six patients had the appropriate iron studies, which showed no statistically significant difference in the serum iron, total iron‐binding capacity, ferritin, or transferrin saturation before and after exposure to gadopentetate dimeglumine. Our data suggest that the use of gadopentetate dimeglumine in HD patients did not cause iron mobilization and transmetallation therefore may partially explain the lack of development of NSF seen in our patient population.     

PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND NUTRITIONAL ATTRIBUTES IN 20 BLACK SOYBEAN LINES (GLYCINE MAX L.) OF HIMALAYAN REGION, INDIA

ABSTRACT

The physicochemical compositions of 20 black‐seeded soybean lines were analyzed for different nutritional and cooking quality parameters. The range of variation for different characteristics was 1.04–1.20 g/mL for density, 17.34–30.20 kg for hardness, 72.7–214.4 µg/seed for hydration capacity, 1.06–1.24 for hydration index, 75.6–203.4 µL/seed for swelling capacity, 0.99–1.58 swelling index, 32.1–39.8% for protein, 10.8–19.6% for oil, 3.93–6.15% for total minerals, 131–205 mg/100 g for phosphorus, 6.4–13.9 mg/100 g for iron, 0.49–0.89 mg/g for trypsin inhibitor, 2.1–6.4 mg/g for phytic acid and 60.4–13.4 µg/g for polyphenols. Based on 18 physicochemical and nutritional attributes, 20 black soybean germplasm lines were grouped into four clusters using nonhierarchical Euclidean cluster analysis. The DARL‐BK‐615 and VRB‐PS‐1453 were found to be more diverse than others. The DARL‐BK‐615 was found best for low trypsin inhibitor and high mineral contents (Zn, Mn, Cu), while VRB‐PS‐1453 was found best for protein content and required the lowest time for cooking. The selection for the improvement of physicochemical nutritional attributes and antinutritional factors can be independently effective in black soybean genotypes.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This study has shown that sufficient variability for cooking quality, protein, oil, micronutrients and antinutritional factors exist in black soybean germplasm lines of the Himalayan region of India, which can be independently improved by the breeders. Different genotypes in four diverse groups may be used to develop improved lines with better nutritional and cooking quality coupled with low antinutritional factors for consumption as pulses. Germplasm lines with high protein, low levels of antinutrients and superior nutritional and cooking quality are useful materials for the improvement of quality in high‐yielding soybean lines.