What do faculty members know about universal design and digital accessibility? A qualitative study in computer science and engineering disciplines

Universal Access in the Information Society - Purpose Students in higher education are a diverse group comprising people with different backgrounds and abilities. Regulations require that digital...     

Prognostic DNA Methylation Markers for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PC) is the most commonly diagnosed neoplasm and the third most common cause of cancer-related death amongst men in the Western world. PC is a clinically highly heterogeneous disease, and distinction between aggressive and indolent disease is a major challenge for the management of PC. Currently, no biomarkers or prognostic tools are able to accurately predict tumor progression at the time of diagnosis. Thus, improved biomarkers for PC prognosis are urgently needed. This review focuses on the prognostic potential of DNA methylation biomarkers for PC. Epigenetic changes are hallmarks of PC and associated with malignant initiation as well as tumor progression. Moreover, DNA methylation is the most frequently studied epigenetic alteration in PC, and the prognostic potential of DNA methylation markers for PC has been demonstrated in multiple studies. The most promising methylation marker candidates identified so far include PITX2, C1orf114 (CCDC181) and the GABRE~miR-452~miR-224 locus, in addition to the three-gene signature AOX1/C1orf114/HAPLN3. Several other biomarker candidates have also been investigated, but with less stringent clinical validation and/or conflicting evidence regarding their possible prognostic value available at this time. Here, we review the current evidence for the prognostic potential of DNA methylation markers in PC.     

AFM nanopatterning of transition metal oxide thin films

In this paper we show diverse methods for patterning transition metal oxide (TMO) thin films by Local Anodic Oxidation (LAO) using an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). At first, direct lithography by current-controlled LAO of TMO thin films and selective wet etching is presented. For insulating films or those whose AFM patterns cannot be selectively removed by wet etching, fabrication of nanomasks is required; thus, the fabrication of Molybdenum and TMO nanomasks is reported. As a further development, we show the AFM fabrication of Mo/poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) nanomasks through multistep processes combining LAO of Mo and dry etching of PMMA. Detailed discussions and comparisons between these methods are presented.     

Submicrometric SrTiO3-δ based devices realized by an atomic force microscope

SrTiO₃ (STO) is one of the key compounds in the emerging field of oxide electronics. Because of the low carrier concentration needed to turn it into the conducting state (10¹⁸ e/cm³) and to its high bulk mobility (10⁴ cm²/Vs @ 4.2 K), we consider STO suitable as functional conducting element in future oxide based devices.In this work we show how by applying a negative voltage to the conducting tip of an atomic force microscope it is possible to modify on sub-micron scale structural and electrical properties of conducting SrTiO_3-δ thin films grown on insulating LaAlO₃ substrates, thus realizing sub-micrometric STO electrical circuits. After discussing the mechanisms of the process, we present the fabrication of a SrTiO_3-δ based side gate field effect transistor.     

Design of series-resonant convertor with normalised state-plane diagram

Using the normalised state-plane diagram, a novel approach to series-resonant convertor design is described. The design procedure as well as steady-state responses are given for convertors operated in the frequency range 0.5?fs/fO?1.     

Vacuum extraction based response equipment for recovery of fresh fuel spills from soil

Accidental overturns of fuel tankers can have, depending on soil types, severe consequences. This applies, particularly in areas of shallow soils where the groundwater is located 2-4m below the ground surface. By rapid, vacuum extraction based recovery emergency services, which would normally be the first to arrive on the scene, could minimize consequences of fresh fuel spills and even prevent groundwater contamination, the primary purpose of emergency response. Powerful vacuum extraction-based response (PER), equipment has been developed to recover freshly spilt volatile fuels from the soil, primary by emergency services, but also by other trained responders. The main components of mobile PER-equipment are perforated extraction pipes, a recovery vacuum tank, a vacuum pump and an incinerator. The PER-equipment has been tested in summer and sub-zero winter conditions, and in both cases 50-80% of fresh gasoline spilled into sandy soil was recovered during the first 2h of operation. Gasoline was recovered in both liquid and vapor form, and hydrocarbon vapors were destroyed by controlled incineration at a safe distance from the spill. Recovery of less volatile diesel oil is not so effective from the sandy soil, but about 30% of it could be pumped from a fresh pool directly after a seepage time of 15 min.     

SrTiO3 Based Side Gate Field Effect Transistor Realized by Submicron Scale AFM Induced Local Chemical Reactions

In this work we will show how it is possible to apply the so called nano-oxidation technique to pattern electrical circuits on oxygen deficient SrTiO₃ (STO) thin films. We will focus on two aspects: the chemical reactions which are triggered at the surface of oxygen deficient STO thin films by the voltage biased tip of an atomic force microscope (AFM) and the exploitation of this phenomenology to pattern insulating regions on oxygen deficient STO thin films in the submicron regime. Due to the insulating nature of the AFM modified regions and to the possibility to remove selectively the modified parts, planar electrical circuits entirely designed over STO thin films can be fabricated. A prototype of planar side gate field effect thin film transistor in which STO acts both as active channel and as gate electrode is presented and discussed.