A simple theory to predict the threshold voltage of short-channel IGFET's

A simple expression for the threshold voltage of an IGFET is derived from a charge conservation principle which geometrically takes into account two-dimensional edge effects. The expression is derived for zero drain voltage and is valid for short and long-channel lengths. The dependence of the threshold voltage on the source and drain diffusion depth, r_j, and channel length, L, is explicitly given. In the limit, L/r_j → ∞, the threshold voltage equation reduces to the familiar expression for the long-channel case.The theory is compared with the measured threshold voltages on IGFET's fabricated with 1·4, 3·8 and 7·4 μm channel lengths. The dependence of the threshold voltage under backgate bias voltages ranging from zero to breakdown agrees closely with the theory.     

Experimental thermal performance study of an inclined heat pipe heat exchanger operating in high humid tropical HVAC systems

In an earlier paper [Y.H. Yau, Application of a heat pipe heat exchanger to dehumidification enhancement in tropical HVAC systems – a baseline performance characteristics study, International Journal of Thermal Sciences 46 (2) (2007) 164–171], the author had established the baseline performance characteristics of the eight-row wickless heat pipe heat exchanger (HPHX) for a vertical configuration under a range of conditions appropriate for a tropical climate. Now, the same basic experimental set-up was to be used in the present research with the HPHX tilted 30°. In this configuration, the gravitational force would be expected to enhance drainage of any condensation forming on the extended fin surfaces of the HPHX evaporator section, and therefore, the effectiveness of the HPHX could be anticipated to be better than the vertical configuration, particularly when processing inlet air with high RH. The investigation has been carried out for 32 experiments with typically high RH and the results are presented in this paper. The results suggested that the possibly adverse influence of condensate forming on the fins of the HPHX was negligible, and therefore the HPHX in a typically-used vertical configuration could perform equally as well as it would if the HPHX was installed in an inclined position.     

Regulation of presynaptic NMDA responses by external and intracellular pH changes at developing neuromuscular synapses

NMDA receptors play important roles in synaptic plasticity and neuronal development. The functions of NMDA receptors are modulated by many endogenous substances, such as external pH (pHe), as well as second messenger systems. In the present study, the nerve-muscle cocultures of Xenopus embryos were used to investigate the effects of both external and intracellular pH (pHi) changes on the functional responses of presynaptic NMDA receptors. Spontaneous synaptic currents (SSCs) were recorded from innervated myocyte using whole-cell recordings. Local perfusion of NMDA at synaptic regions increased the SSC frequency via the activation of presynaptic NMDA receptors. A decrease in pHe from 7.6 to 6.6 reduced NMDA responses to 23% of the control, and an increase in pHe from 7.6 to 8.6 potentiated the NMDA responses in increasing SSC frequency. The effect of NMDA on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was also affected by pHe changes: external acidification inhibited and alkalinization potentiated [Ca2+]i increases induced by NMDA. Intracellular pH changes of single soma were measured by ratio fluorometric method using 2,7-bis (carboxyethyl)-5, 6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). Cytosolic acidification was used in which NaCl in Ringer's solution was replaced with weak organic acids. Acetate and propionate but not methylsulfate substitution caused intracellular acidification and potentiated NMDA responses in increasing SSC frequency, intracellular free Ca2+ concentration, and NMDA-induced currents. On the other hand, cytosolic alkalinization with NH4Cl did not significantly affect these NMDA responses. These results suggest that the functions of NMDA receptors are modulated by both pHe and pHi changes, which may occur in some physiological or pathological conditions.     

Optimal process conditions of shrinkage and warpage of thin‐wall parts

Optimal process conditions of thin‐wall injection molding of a cellular phone cover were investigated with the consideration of interaction effects between process parameters. L₂₇ experimental tests based on Taguchi's method were performed, and then Cyclone Scanner, PolyCAD and PolyWorks were used to measure the shrinkage and warpage of the thin‐wall injected parts to determine the optimal process conditions. Based on the results of the analysis of variables and the F‐test, interaction effects for each observed factor were determined. The results indicated that the packing pressure was the most important process parameter affecting the shrinkage and warpage of the thin‐wall part. The optimal process conditions were different for the shrinkage and the warpage. This was because during the injection process, the mechanisms affecting shrinkage or warpage were different. Compared with the results obtained with simplified thin‐wall parts in the literature, it was found that the geometry of a real commercial part did affect the optimal process conditions and the order of influence of process parameters. The optimal process conditions determined by Taguchi's method for reducing the shrinkage and warpage were verified experimentally in this work. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:917–928, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Bright two-photon emission and ultra-fast relaxation dynamics in a DNA-templated nanocluster investigated by ultra-fast spectroscopy

Metal nanoclusters have interesting steady state fluorescence emission, two-photon excited emission and ultrafast dynamics. A new subclass of fluorescent silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) are NanoCluster Beacons. NanoCluster Beacons consist of a weakly emissive Ag NC templated on a single stranded DNA ("Ag NC on ssDNA") that becomes highly fluorescent when a DNA enhancer sequence is brought in proximity to the Ag NC by DNA base pairing ("Ag NC on dsDNA"). Steady state fluorescence was observed at 540 nm for both Ag NC on ssDNA and dsDNA; emission at 650 nm is observed for Ag NC on dsDNA. The emission at 550 nm is eight times weaker than that at 650 nm. Fluorescence up-conversion was used to study the dynamics of the emission. Bi-exponential fluorescence decay was recorded at 550 nm with lifetimes of 1 ps and 17 ps. The emission at 650 nm was not observed at the time scale investigated but has been reported to have a lifetime of 3.48 ns. Two-photon excited fluorescence was detected for Ag NC on dsDNA at 630 nm when excited at 800 nm. The two-photon absorption cross-section was calculated to be ～3000 GM. Femtosecond transient absorption experiments were performed to investigate the excited state dynamics of DNA-Ag NC. An excited state unique to Ag NC on dsDNA was identified at ～580 nm as an excited state bleach that related directly to the emission at 650 nm based on the excitation spectrum. Based on the optical results, a simple four level system is used to describe the emission mechanism for Ag NC on dsDNA.     

Polymer characterization by thermal field flow fractionation with a continuous viscosity detector

A sensitive flow viscometer detector has been successfully used with time-delay, exponential-decay thermal field flow fractionation (TDE-TFFF) to produce unique information on polymers. TFFF with a concentration-dependent detector (e.g., refractometer) and a differential capillary viscometer is unable to produce a universal calibration plot that eliminates the necessity of polymer standards for accurate molecular-weight calibration. However, this system directly provides valuable information on the inherent (or intrinsic) viscosity distribution of polymers. Absolute intrinsic viscosity values are measured by TFFF without the need of calibration. Detailed TFFF/inherent-viscosity distribution profiles uniquely describe individual sample differences and are not affected by the experimental conditions used in TFFF separations. These viscosity distributions should be very useful in polymer characterization, since they are closely correlated with polymer end-use and solution properties, as well as to polymer molecule weight.     

The Role of microRNAs in Development of Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most deadly cancer worldwide, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one of the critical factors in CRC carcinogenesis. IBD is responsible for an unphysiological and sustained chronic inflammation environment favoring the transformation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) belong to a class of highly conserved short single-stranded segments (18–25 nucleotides) non-coding RNA and have been extensively discussed in both CRC and IBD. However, the role of miRNAs in the development of colitis-associated CRC (CAC) is less clear. The aim of this review is to summarize the major upregulated (miR-18a, miR-19a, miR-21, miR-31, miR-155 and miR-214) and downregulated (miR-124, miR-193a-3p and miR-139-5p) miRNAs in CAC, and their roles in genes’ expression modulation in chronic colonic-inflammation-induced carcinogenesis, including programmed cell-death pathways. These miRNAs dysregulation could be applied for early CAC diagnosis, to predict therapy efficacy and for precision treatment.     

专业认证背景下铸造工艺课程设计教学改革的探讨

工程教育专业认证是保证、改进教育质量的重要途经,是以专业全体学生的学习结果为认证的主要目标。铸造工艺课程设计是综合性较强的专业核心课程,对于学生综合能力培养具有重要作用。本文基于对重庆大学材料成型及控制工程专业铸造工艺课程设计课程目标达成情况的分析,对课程教学的教学设计、组织形式、实施方法以及学业成绩评价等方面进行了改进,突出"以学生为中心"的工程应用水平和创新能力的培养。     

POPULATION STRUCTURE IN THREE SPECIES OF CO‐DISTRIBUTED SALMONID FISHES IN THE PEACE RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES NEAR A MAJOR PROPOSED HYDROELECTRIC DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA,CANADA

Dam construction and reservoir formation represent profound anthropogenic alterations to natural riverscapes, especially in terms of connectivity in migratory fishes. The Peace River in northeastern British Columbia (BC), Canada, is the largest river system in BC, home to 39 native fishes and currently has two major hydroelectric projects, and a third one (‘Site C’) is proposed. Three co‐distributed and migratory fishes, the bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) and the mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) are key species in the Peace River ecologically and in terms of recreational fisheries. We examined microsatellite DNA variation in these species to assess genetic diversity, levels of population subdivision and connectivity to better understand potential impacts and to provide baseline information for subsequent monitoring. Expected heterozygosity and number of alleles averaged 0.65 and 7.7, 0.73 and 11.9, and 0.72 and 10.8 for bull trout (nine loci), Arctic grayling (10 loci) and mountain whitefish (10 loci), respectively. Estimates of the effective number of breeders (N_b) ranged from 35 to 255 for bull trout to over 3700 for Arctic grayling. Population subdivision (F_ST, θ) was 0.040, 0.063 and 0.023 in bull trout, Arctic grayling and mountain whitefish, respectively (all p < 0.001). Temporal differences within localities for all species accounted for <1% of total variation in allele frequencies. An estimated 6.2% (mountain whitefish), 4.6% (bull trout) and 8.8% (Arctic grayling) of fish samples were inferred (p < 0.05) to be immigrants to one locality from another locality. Our results suggest that connectivity amongst localities is important to successful completion of the life history of each species, the potential disruption of which will be a critical aspect of post‐development monitoring. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.