Surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate based on a self-assembled monolayer for use in gene diagnostics

The development of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active substrates for cancer gene detection is described. The detection method uses Raman active dye-labeled DNA gene probes, self-assembled monolayers, and nanostructured metallic substrates as SERS-active platforms. The mercaptohexane-labeled single-stranded DNA (SH-(CH(2))(6)-ssDNA)/6-mercapto-1-hexanol system formed on a silver surface is characterized by atomic force microscopy. The surface-enhanced Raman gene (SERGen) probes developed in this study can be used to detect DNA targets via hybridization to complementary DNA probes. The probes do not require the use of radioactive labels and have a great potential to provide both sensitivity and selectivity. The effectiveness of this approach and its application in cancer gene diagnostics (BRCA1 breast cancer gene) are investigated.     

Volumetric ultrasound imaging using 2-D CMUT arrays

Recently, capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) have emerged as a candidate to overcome the difficulties in the realization of 2-D arrays for real-time 3-D imaging. In this paper, we present the first volumetric images obtained using a 2-D CMUT array. We have fabricated a 128 x 128-element 2-D CMUT array with through-wafer via interconnects and a 420-microm element pitch. As an experimental prototype, a 32 x 64-element portion of the 128 x 128-element array was diced and flip-chip bonded onto a glass fanout chip. This chip provides individual leads from a central 16 x 16-element portion of the array to surrounding bondpads. An 8 x 16-element portion of the array was used in the experiments along with a 128-channel data acquisition system. For imaging phantoms, we used a 2.37-mm diameter steel sphere located 10 mm from the array center and two 12-mm-thick Plexiglas plates located 20 mm and 60 mm from the array. A 4 x 4 group of elements in the middle of the 8 x 16-element array was used in transmit, and the remaining elements were used to receive the echo signals. The echo signal obtained from the spherical target presented a frequency spectrum centered at 4.37 MHz with a 100% fractional bandwidth, whereas the frequency spectrum for the echo signal from the parallel plate phantom was centered at 3.44 MHz with a 91% fractional bandwidth. The images were reconstructed by using RF beamforming and synthetic phased array approaches and visualized by surface rendering and multiplanar slicing techniques. The image of the spherical target has been used to approximate the point spread function of the system and is compared with theoretical expectations. This study experimentally demonstrates that 2-D CMUT arrays can be fabricated with high yield using silicon IC-fabrication processes, individual electrical connections can be provided using through-wafer vias, and flip-chip bonding can be used to integrate these dense 2-D arrays with electronic circuits for practical 3-D imaging applications.     

Fuzzy portfolio selection using genetic algorithm

This paper presents the development of fuzzy portfolio selection model in investment. Fuzzy logic is utilized in the estimation of expected return and risk. Using fuzzy logic, managers can extract useful information and estimate expected return by using not only statistical data, but also economical and financial behaviors of the companies and their business strategies. In the formulated fuzzy portfolio model, fuzzy set theory provides the possibility of trade-off between risk and return. This is obtained by assigning a satisfaction degree between criteria and constraints. Using the formulated fuzzy portfolio model, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) is applied to find optimal values of risky securities. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of proposed method.     

Analysis and online realization of the CCA approach for blind source separation.

A critical analysis of the canonical correlation analysis (CCA) approach in blind source separation (BSS) is provided. It is proved that by maximizing the autocorrelation functions of the recovered signals we can separate the source signals successfully. It is further shown that the CCA approach represents the same class of generalized eigenvalue decomposition (GEVD) problems as the matrix pencil method. Finally, online realizations of the CCA approach are discussed with a linear-predictor-based algorithm studied as an example.     

Assessment of the performances of multilayer perceptron neural networks in comparison with recurrent neural networks and two statistical methods for diagnosing coronary artery disease

Abstract: We aimed to examine the diagnostic performances of multilayer perceptron neural networks (MLPNNs) for predicting coronary artery disease and to compare them with different types of artificial neural network methods, namely recurrent neural networks (RNNs) and two statistical methods (quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) and logistic regression (LR)). MLPNNs were trained with backpropagation, quick propagation, delta-bar-delta and extended delta-bar-delta algorithms as classifiers; the RNN was trained with the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm; LR and QDA were used for predicting coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease was classified with accuracy rates varying from 79.9% to 83.9% by MLPNNs. Even though MLPNNs achieved higher accuracy rates than the statistical methods, LR (73.2%) and QDA (58.4%), their performances were lower compared to the RNN (84.7%). Among the four different types of training algorithms that trained MLPNNs, quick propagation achieved the highest accuracy rate; however, it was lower than the RNN trained with the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. RNNs, which demonstrated 84.7% accuracy and 86.5% positive predictive rates, may be a helpful tool in medical decision making for diagnosis of coronary artery disease.     

Investigating Neutronic Parameters of a Thorium Fusion Breeder with Recurrent Neural Networks

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have recently been introduced to the nuclear engineering applications as a fast and flexible vehicle to modeling, simulation and optimization. In this paper, a new approach based on recurrent neural networks (RNNs) was presented for the neutronic parameters of a thorium fusion breeder. The results of the RNNs implemented for the tritium breeding ratio computation, energy multiplication factor and net ²³³U production in a thorium fusion breeder and the results available in the literature obtained by using Scale 4.3 were compared. The drawn conclusions confirmed that the proposed RNNs could provide an accurate computation of the tritium breeding ratio computation, the energy multiplication factor and the net ²³³U production of the thorium fusion breeder.     

Synthesis and characterization of AgInSe2 for application in thin film solar cells

AgInSe₂ (AIS) films were grown on n-type Si substrates by the ultra-high-vacuum pulsed laser deposition technique from the AIS target synthesized from high-purity materials. The X-ray diffraction and microscopic studies of the films show that films are textured having terrace-like surface morphology. The optical studies of the films show that the optical band gap is about 1.24 eV. The electrical conductivity of AgInSe₂/Si films shows excellent diode characteristics. The photoconductivity of the AgInSe₂/Si device shows photocurrent of 2.8 mA at a bias-voltage of − 1 V with an open circuit voltage of 0.15 V. This shows that AIS films are very good absorber material for solar cell technology.     

Deposition thickness based high-throughput nano-imprint template

International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors 2003 projected nano-imprint lithography has the potential of high throughput, sub-20 nm resolution, and low cost [S.Y. Chou, P.R. Krauss, P.J. Renstrom, Appl. Phys. Lett. 67 (1995) 3144; Science 272 (1996) 85, J.A. Rogers, C. Mirkin, Mater. Res. Bull. 26 (2001)]. For nano-imprint lithography, a template with 1X resolution is required. The existing industrial infrastructure for supporting deep ultra violet 4X photo masks by e-beam and/or a laser beam scanning writer does not offer pitch (center-to-center distance of an array of patterned lines) less than ∼60 nm [<http://public.itrs.net/2003ITRS>]. For nano-imprint lithography to be accepted across the industry, a reproducible simple fabrication process to make a high resolution, single emboss template is essential [L. Jay Guo, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 37 (2004) R123-R141]. Here we show, a general fabrication method and fabricated nano-imprint templates with sub-15 nm template line width and 10 nm pitch length through out the entire 200 mm wafer, varying the deposition thickness of multiple alternate films, using atomic layer deposition. Although multilayer nano-imprint templates and their exciting use have been demonstrated, [W.J. Dauksher et al., J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B 22 (2004) 3306, B. Heidari, et al., The 49th international conference on electron, ion and photon beam technology and nanofabrication, Orlando, Florida, 2005, William M. Tong, et al., Proc. SPIE 5751 (2005) 46-55, N.A. Melosh, A. Boukai, F. Diana, B. Gerardot, A. Badolato, P.M. Petroff, J.R. Heath, Science 300 (2003) 112] such a small pitch was not shown and either complex lattice mismatch-based epitaxially grown films or unconventional etch chemistry was used. The bare necessity was a simple and economical fabrication process for a high throughput nano-imprint template. In that context, we have developed a template fabrication process using classical micro-fabrication techniques. Successful use of these techniques made the template fabrication process simple, economical, and expedient. Also a novel technique to provide flexible and accurate alignment for nanowire patterning has been described. In this technique, nanowire patterning is accomplished on the entire wafer with a single impression. Industry level batch-fabrication of our scheme illustrates its reproducibility and manufacturability. We anticipate, this simple, economical and time saving technique will help researchers and developers to perform their experiment on nano-scale feature patterned substrates easily and conveniently.     

Dynamic stability of cracked multi-bay frame structures

The effects of crack depth and crack location on the in-plane static and dynamic stability of cracked multi-bay frame structures subjected to periodic loading have been investigated numerically by using the finite element method. For the rectangular cross-section beam, a crack element is developed by using the principles of fracture mechanics. In addition, the effect of the number of spans and static and dynamic load parameters on static and dynamic stability analysis are also investigated. For buckling and dynamic stability analyses, the results obtained by using the present model are presented in three-dimensional graphical forms and tables.