Flexible microelectronics: New application for thin‐film transistors in fingerprint sensors

Abstract— Thin‐film transistors (TFTs) are field‐effect transistors that can be used to create large‐scale‐integrated (LSI) circuits. The combination of high‐performance TFTs and transfer technology of the TFTs has the potential to foster the rise of a new flexible microelectronics industry. This paper discusses the current status of flexible microelectronics, using a TFT fingerprint sensor (FPS) as an example. Technology used in active‐matrix displays can easily be applied to the TFT FPS. TFT technology should not be confined to the display industry; its use should be expanded into the semiconductor industry. With the result presented in this paper, we declare a new era of flexible microelectronics open.     

Influence of the thermal effect on the TEM00 mode output power of a laser-diode side-pumped solid-state laser

A fraction of pump power has been converted to TEM(00) mode laser power for a side-pumped solid-state laser by use of a space-dependent rate equation. We investigated the pump-to-mode (TEM(00)) ratio when scaling laser-diode side-pumped solid-state lasers to high-power levels by including the thermal effect in the space-dependent rate equation. Based on the assumption that Gaussian pump power is the same at any cross section of a laser rod, we resolved the output power with a space-dependent rate equation; temperature distribution in the laser rod was obtained; the optical path difference distribution was derived, and we estimated the diffraction losses that result from thermally induced spherical aberration by use of the Strehl intensity ratio. We determined that thermally induced diffraction losses are strongly dependent on pump power and on the pump-to-mode ratio.     

The metabolism and distribution of docosapentaenoic acid (n−6) in rats and rat hepatocytes

In this study, a new marine oil that contains 45% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22∶6n−3) and 13% docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22∶5n−6) was administered to rats. The metabolism and distribution of DPA in rats was investigated. In experiment 1, the effects of DHA and n−6 fatty acids (linoleic acid, I A; arachidonic acid, AA; and DPA) on AA contents were investigated in vivo. LA group: LA 25%, DHA 30%; LA-DPA group: LA 15%, DPA 10%, DHA 35%; LA-AA-DPA group: LA 10%, AA 5%, DPA 10%, DHA 35% were administered to rats for 4 wk. In the liver, the AA content in the LA-DPA and LA-AA-DPA groups was significantly higher than in the LA group. The decreased AA contents in the LA group might be caused by DHA administration. Although DHA also was administered in the LA-DPA and LA-AA-DPA groups, the AA contents in these two groups did not decrease. These results suggested that DPA retroconverted to AA, blunting the decrease in AA content caused by DHA administration. To conduct a detailed investigation on DPA metabolism and its relation with AA and DHA, rat hepatocytes were cultured with pruified DPA and DHA for 24 h. We discovered the retroconversion of DPA to AA occurred only when AA content was decreased by a high DHA administration; it did not occur when AA content was maintained at a normal level.     

Exact radon rebinning algorithm for the long object problem in helical cone-beam CT

This paper addresses the long object problem in helical cone-beam computed tomography. We present the PHI-method, a new algorithm for the exact reconstruction of a region-of-interest (ROI) of a long object from axially truncated data extending only slightly beyond the ROI. The PHI-method is an extension of the Radon-method, published by Kudo, Noo, and Defrise in issue 43 of journal Physics in Medicine and Biology. The key novelty of the PHI-method is the introduction of a virtual object fpsi(x) for each value of the azimuthal angle psi in the image space, with each virtual object having the property of being equal to the true object f(x) in some ROI omegam. We show that, for each psi, one can calculate exact Radon data corresponding to the two-dimensional (2-D) parallel-beam projection of fpsi(x) onto the meridian plane of angle psi. Given an angular range of length pi of such parallel-beam projections, the ROI omegam can be exactly reconstructed because f(x) is identical to fpsi(x) in Omegam. Simulation results are given for both the Radon-method and the PHI-method indicating that 1) for the case of short objects, the Radon- and PHI-methods produce comparable image quality, 2) for the case of long objects, the PHI-method delivers the same image quality as in the short object case, while the Radon-method fails, and 3) the image quality produced by the PHI-method is similar for a large range of pitch values.     

The control of switching DC-DC converters-a general LWR problem

The control of switching DC-DC converters is reviewed. It is regarded as a general linear quadratic regulator (LQR) problem, and an innovative optimal and robust digital controller is proposed. The control strategy adopted can achieve good regulation, rejection of modest disturbances, and the ability to cater to switching converters with RHP zeros. This controller design is a general approach that is applicable to all PWM-type DC-DC converters with their circuit topologies known or unknown. Modern CAD techniques are used to reach the final control law. Application to a published Cuk converter is used as an example, and the performance is evaluated     

Risk factors for high blood lead levels among the general population in Taiwan

BACKGROUND: Tacrolimus (FK506) may represent a major advance in the management of allograft rejection after solid organ transplantation. In August 1994 a European heart transplantation pilot study was initiated to assess the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus when administered exclusively through an oral route. METHODS: Eighty-two heart transplant recipients were randomized to treatment (2:1 ratio) with either tacrolimus- (n=54) or cyclosporine-based therapy (n=28). RESULTS: No significant differences were evident between the two treatment groups in either rejection or survival rates at 1 year. Kaplan-Meier estimates of the freedom from rejection were 26.3% and 18.5%, respectively, for the tacrolimus and cyclosporine treatment groups (p=.444). Survival rates were 79.6% and 92.9% (p=.125). At 3 of the 5 centers, patients received antithymocyte globulin during the immediate postoperative period and fared better than those who did not (with acute rejection-free rates of 49.2% and 26.7% for tacrolimus and cyclosporine, respectively [p=.080], as opposed to 7.1% and 8.3% [p=.965]; patient survival rates of 84.6% and 93.3% [p=.382] vs 75.0% and 92.3% [p=.243]). The overall rates of infection, impaired renal function (31.5% vs 21.4%), and glucose intolerance (7.0% vs 4.3%) did not differ significantly between the tacrolimus and cyclosporine treatment groups. Tacrolimus seemed to possess an advantage with regard to a reduced requirement for antihypertensive therapy (59.5% vs 87.5%, p=.025). CONCLUSIONS: Immunosuppression with oral tacrolimus provides a viable alternative to treatment with cyclosporine, particularly when administered in conjunction with antibody therapy. Further studies are warranted to optimize the administration of tacrolimus in this indication.     

Contribution of phospholipase C-beta3 phosphorylation to the rapid attenuation of opioid-activated phosphoinositide response

Our objective was: (1) to determine the appropriate dose of new ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide particles for magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). This agent comprised of a single iron oxide crystal stabilized with a carbohydrate-polyethylene glycol coat (PEG-Ferron/NC 100150 injection); (2) to determine the proper flip angle for PEG-Ferron-enhanced 3 D time-of-flight (TOF) MRA sequence; and (3) to compare the enhancement of peripheral vessels following PEG-Ferron and GdDTPA-BMA. MRA parameters were: TR/TE = 50/2.1 ms, NEX = 1, FOV = 30 x 30 x 1.8 cm, and matrix = 256 x 128 x 64. In anesthetized beagle dogs (n = 10), the effects of PEG-Ferron and GdDTPA-BMA on regional signal were monitored for 45 min and compared. The lowest dose of PEG-Ferron (0.05 mmol/kg) produced the best enhancement of primary, secondary and tertiary vessels. The flip angle 60 degrees provided better enhancement than 20 degrees on contrast enhanced images. Unlike GdDTPA-BMA, PEG-Ferron allowed prolonged delineation (> 45 min) of the pelvis and lower extremities circulation. PEG-Ferron provided greater Contrast-to-noise ratio CNR (80.2 +/- 6.2, P < 0.05) than GdDTPA-BMA (63.5 +/- 2.5). It may be possible for blood pool contrast-enhanced 3 D TOF MRA to provide valuable information for visualization of vascular tree including guiding interventions.     

L?fgren syndrome after silicone breast prosthesis implantation

The authors review the case of a 30-year old female hair-dresser, into the breasts of whom silicone-gel implants have been implanted for cosmetic reasons. Ten months after the operation L?fgren-syndrome evolved, which improved only temporarily after the removal of the implants. The present symptom-free state, existing for 6 months now, required a 17-month corticoid therapy. The authors share the view that in rare cases silicon-gel implants might induce an autoimmune reaction, which is unforeseeable. When it is rightly presumed that human adjuvant disease or some other specified systemic disease is evolving, it is advisable that the implants should be removed and the patient should be treated with immunological therapy.     

Treatment outcome with radiation therapy after breast augmentation or reconstruction in patients with primary breast carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Analyses were performed to determine local control and cosmetic outcome of breast carcinoma patients with prosthetically augmented or reconstructed breasts who had received radiation therapy (RT). METHODS: Twenty-one newly diagnosed breast carcinoma patients with prosthetically augmented or reconstructed breasts were treated with external beam RT. All patients received whole breast RT (median dose, 50.4 gray [Gy]) and 19 were boosted to a median dose of 60.4 Gy. A median dose of 50.4 Gy was delivered to the regional lymph nodes in 12 patients. Tissue equivalent bolus material was used in six patients. Seventeen patients received adjuvant systemic therapy. Cosmetic results were evaluated at 3-6-month intervals. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 32 months, good/excellent cosmetic results were observed in 71% of patients (100% in those with augmented breasts and 54% in those with reconstructed breasts). Four patients (19%) with fair/poor cosmetic outcomes required implant removal and/or revision. Multiple clinical and treatment-related factors were analyzed for their impact on cosmetic outcome. A worsened cosmetic result was observed with increasing stage (P = 0.076), breast reconstruction (vs. augmentation) (P = 0.030), and bolus application (P = 0.016). All patients with fair/poor cosmetic outcomes had time intervals from implant insertion to RT ranging from 53-213 days. Two patients developed an isolated local recurrence within the augmented breast. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with prosthetically augmented breasts can undergo RT and expect good/excellent cosmetic results. Patients with reconstructed breasts are at a significantly greater risk for cosmetic failure. This risk may be related to the higher percentage of patients with advanced disease, those who received bolus application, and those who received earlier delivery of RT (after the cosmetic procedure) in reconstructed breasts.     

Upregulation of aquaporin 2 water channel expression in pregnant rats

Water retention is characteristic of pregnancy but the mechanism(s) of the altered water metabolism has yet to be elucidated. The collecting duct water channel, aquaporin 2 (AQP2), plays a pivotal role in the renal water regulation, and we hypothesized that AQP2 expression could be modified during pregnancy. Sprague-Dawley female rats were studied on days 7 (P7), 14 (P14), and 20 (P20) of pregnancy, and expression of AQP2 in papillae was examined. Nonpregnant (NP) littermates were used as controls. Plasma osmolalities were significantly lower in pregnant rats by day 7 of gestation (P7 283.8+/-1.82, P14 284.3+/-1.64, P < 0.001, P20 282. 4+/-1.32, P < 0.0001, vs. NP 291.8+/-1.06 mosmol/kgH2O). However, plasma vasopressin concentrations in pregnant rats were not significantly different than in nonpregnant rats (NP 1.03+/-0.14, P7 1.11+/-0.21, P14 1.15+/-0.21, P20 1.36+/-0.24 pg/ml, NS). The mRNA of AQP2 was increased early during pregnancy: AQP2/beta actin: P7 196+/-17.9, P14 200+/-6.8, and P20 208+/-15.5%, P < 0.005 vs. NP (100+/-11.1%). AQP2 protein was also increased during pregnancy: AQP2 protein: P7 269+/-10.0, P14 251+/-12.0, P < 0.0001, and P20 250+/-13.6%, P < 0.001 vs. NP (100+/-12.5%). The effect of V2 vasopressin receptor antagonist, OPC-31260, was then investigated. AQP2 mRNA was suppressed significantly by OPC-31260 administration to P14 rats (AQP2/beta actin: P14 with OPC-31260 39.6+/-1.7%, P < 0.001 vs. P14 with vehicle) and was decreased to the same level of expression as NP rats receiving OPC-31260. Similar findings were found with the analysis of AQP2 protein. The decreased plasma osmolality of P14 rats was not modified by OPC-31260. The results of the study indicate that upregulation of AQP2 contributes to the water retention in pregnancy through a V2 receptor-mediated effect. In addition to vasopressin, other factors may be involved in this upregulation.