Information Assurance Technology Forecast 2008

A virtual roundtable (featuring panelists Steven Bellovin, Terry Benzel, Bob Blakely, Dorothy Denning, Whitfield Diffie, Jeremy Epstein, and Paulo Verissimo) discussing the next 15 years in computer security.     

Administering amphotericin B--a practical approach

Despite the introduction in recent years of novel antifungal agents, the potency and broad spectrum of activity of amphotericin B have ensured that it remains the treatment of choice for most deep-seated mycoses. However, this agent is not without significant toxicity, particularly in patients who are already seriously ill and/or who are receiving other potentially nephrotoxic drugs. We review the various routes by which amphotericin B can be administered, focusing mainly on the intravenous route. The use of more rapid infusion rates, lipid-complexed preparations, sodium supplementation in salt-depleted patients and strategies to reduce the incidence of infusion-related reactions and nephrotoxicity are also considered. Finally, detailed recommendations for the administration of amphotericin B are provided.     

Linearity of Air-Biased Coherent Detection for Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy

The performance of air-biased coherent detection (ABCD) in a broadband two-color laser-induced air plasma system for terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) has been investigated. Fundamental parameters of the ABCD detection, including signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), dynamic range (DR), and linearity of detection have been characterized. Moreover, the performance of a photomultiplier tube (PMT) and an avalanche photodiode (APD) as photodetector in the ABCD have been compared. We have observed nonlinear behavior of PMT detector, which leads to artificial gain factor in TDS spectroscopy. The APD turns out to have superior linearity and three times higher dynamic compared to the PMT.     

iFlash:80℃活化漂白与新型皂洗

加工技术与设备的发展通常会使加工时间缩短.但是新型助剂的应用也可减少加工时间,大大降低成本.随着iFlash系统的应用,漂白温度可降至80℃,活性染料染色后皂洗的时间也大大缩短.因此,织物间歇式染色得到优化,在不增加额外投资的情况下运行更经济.     

A selectively deposited poly-gate ITLDD process with self-alignedLDD/channel implantation

An inverse-T lightly doped drain (ITLDD) CMOS process which features improved hot-carrier effects and self-aligned source/drain and channel implantation profiles is presented. Compensation effects by the heavy channel doping on the light N^-/P^- profile are minimized in this ITLDD structure, because the implants are self-aligned to the polysilicon-gate edge. In addition, because selective polysilicon deposition rather than an incomplete poly-gate etchback is used to define the ITLDD structure, a simpler, more manufacturable process is obtained due to improved control of the thin poly-gate shelf thickness     

Use of low‐level plasma for enhancing the shrink resistance of wool fabric treated with a silicone polymer

This study examines the effects of an atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) pre‐treatment on the shrink resistance of wool fabric treated subsequently, by the pad/dry method, with an aqueous emulsion of the amino‐functional polydimethylsiloxane, SM 8709. Optimal shrink resistance (with no impairment of fabric handle) was obtained after a low‐level plasma treatment (1–3 s exposure time), using 5% of the polymer emulsion. Higher levels of silicone polymer could be used to achieve shrink resistance in the absence of a plasma pre‐treatment, but the fabric handle would be adversely affected. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies showed that the bulk of the covalently bound surface lipid layer was removed after a plasma exposure time of 30 s. For treatment times of 3 s or less, however, the removal was incomplete, suggesting that optimum shrink resistance (after treatment with the silicone polymer) was associated with the modification of the surface layer rather than its complete destruction. Scanning electron micrographs (SEMs) revealed that the plasma pre‐treatment did not lead to any physical modifications (such as smoothening of the scale edges), even for long exposure times, and had no significant impact on the extent or nature of the inter‐fibre bonding of the polymer. Confocal microscopy showed uniform spread of polymer on single fibres. It is concluded that the main impact of the plasma pre‐treatment was to enhance the distribution of polymer both on and between fibres and to improve adhesion of polymer to the fibre.     

The Control of Shrinkage and Thermal Instability in SU‐8 Photoresists for Holographic Lithography

The negative‐tone epoxy photoresist, SU‐8, expands ≈1% by volume after postexposure baking. However, if the maximum optical fluence is comparable to that at the insolubility threshold, as in a holographic exposure, the developed resist shrinks (≈35% by volume) due to the removal of light oligomers not incorporated into the polymeric network. IR spectroscopy shows that, at this level of exposure, only 15% of the epoxy groups in the insoluble polymer have reacted; consequently microstructural elements soften and collapse at >100 °C. When the light oligomers are removed, the sensitivity of the resist is unchanged, provided that 5% (w/w) of a high‐molecular‐weight reactive plasticizer (glycidoxy‐terminated polyethylene glycol) is added, but it shrinks less on development and, when used as a photonic crystal template, shows improved uniformity with less cracking and buckling. Reinforcing the polymer network by reaction with the polyfunctional amine (bis‐N,N′‐(3‐aminopropyl)ethylenediamine) increases the extent of cross‐linking and the thermal stability, allowing inverse replicas of photonic crystal templates to be fabricated from both Al:ZnO and Zr₃N₄ using atomic layer deposition at temperatures up to 200 °C.     

Encrypting the global information infrastructure

Information. Global conncetivity. Electronic commerce. Competition. Economic espionage. Global organized crime. Chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons. Terrorism. Conflict. Economic and social instability. Violations of privacy and human rights. Erosion of trust. These are some of the global realities we live with today. They explain why cryptography must be an integral part of the Global Information Infrastructure to protect privacy, intellectual property, and financial assets, and to provide a foundation of trust for electronic commerce. They also explain why we ought to proceed thoughtfully in the deployment of this technology.     

An ELISA method for the rapid and simple determination of aflatoxin in human serum

A rapid, simple method for the determination of aflatoxin in human serum using anti-aflatoxin antisera in an indirect, double antibody microtitration plate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is described. Direct assay of serum necessitated the availability of a large sample volume, due to the presence of 'non-specific' interference. Addition of methanol to sera removed the interference enabling the analysis to be performed on small volumes (0.5 ml) of serum. The sensitivity of the assay is 20 pg ml-1. Total assay time, including sample preparation, is 4.5 h. No aflatoxin was found in any of the UK samples analysed.