Metal Ion and Cluster Beams for Microelectronic Research and Development: A Review

Applications of focused ion and cluster beams emitted by liquid metal ion sources are particularly attractive in microelectronic engineering. We overview this area of research and development adding recent results concerning repair, tuning and characterization obtained either by focusing ions or droplets on a microcircuit controlled by in-situ SEM observation of the process

Improvisation Planning and Jam Session Design Using Concepts of Sequence Variation and Flow Experience

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The Type and the Position of HNF1A Mutation Modulate Age at Diagnosis of Diabetes in Patients with Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY)-3

OBJECTIVE—The clinical expression of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY)-3 is highly variable. This may be due to environmental and/or genetic factors, including molecular characteristics of the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-α (HNF1A) gene mutation. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We analyzed the mutations identified in 356 unrelated MODY3 patients, including 118 novel mutations, and searched for correlations between the genotype and age at diagnosis of diabetes. RESULTS—Missense mutations prevailed in the dimerization and DNA-binding domains (74%), while truncating mutations were predominant in the transactivation domain (62%). The majority (83%) of the mutations were located in exons 1- 6, thus affecting the three HNF1A isoforms. Age at diagnosis of diabetes was lower in patients with truncating mutations than in those with missense mutations (18 vs. 22 years, P = 0.005). Missense mutations affecting the dimerization/DNA-binding domains were associated with a lower age at diagnosis than those affecting the transactivation domain (20 vs. 30 years, P = 10−4). Patients with missense mutations affecting the three isoforms were younger at diagnosis than those with missense mutations involving one or two isoforms (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS—These data show that part of the variability of the clinical expression in MODY3 patients may be explained by the type and the location of HNF1A mutations. These findings should be considered in studies for the search of additional modifier genetic factors

Morte e luto: competências dos profissionais

A concepção social de morte é resultado de um longo processo histórico, marcado por diferentes sistemas econômicos e sociais, bem como por costumes que envolvem dimensões existenciais, subjetivas e espirituais. Este artigo tem como objetivo revisar a morte, o luto e as competências profissionais nos diversos contextos. A metodologia adotada consiste na revisão bibliográfica de artigos pesquisados nas bases de dados PubMed, Scielo.org, BVS Psi, EBSCO, LILACS, PePSIC, PsycNET, Science Direct e Web of Knowledge (ISI), no período de 2008 a 2014, por meio de termos como morte, luto e profissionais, incluindo o ciclo da vida (crianças, adolescentes, adultos e idosos). Conclui-se que há deficiência na formação educacional dos profissionais que lidam com a morte e o luto, sobretudo aqueles que trabalham em contextos de saúde. Observou-se a necessidade da criação de programas voltados à educação para a morte nos currículos dos profissionais e na sociedade de maneira geral, incluindo medidas interventivas e protocolos em terapia cognitivo-comportamental para adquirir competências no enfrentamento adequado e saudável dessas experiências

Morte e luto: competências dos profissionais

A concepção social de morte é resultado de um longo processo histórico, marcado por diferentes sistemas econômicos e sociais, bem como por costumes que envolvem dimensões existenciais, subjetivas e espirituais. Este artigo tem como objetivo revisar a morte, o luto e as competências profissionais nos diversos contextos. A metodologia adotada consiste na revisão bibliográfica de artigos pesquisados nas bases de dados PubMed, Scielo.org, BVS Psi, EBSCO, LILACS, PePSIC, PsycNET, Science Direct e Web of Knowledge (ISI), no período de 2008 a 2014, por meio de termos como morte, luto e profissionais, incluindo o ciclo da vida (crianças, adolescentes, adultos e idosos). Conclui-se que há deficiência na formação educacional dos profissionais que lidam com a morte e o luto, sobretudo aqueles que trabalham em contextos de saúde. Observou-se a necessidade da criação de programas voltados à educação para a morte nos currículos dos profissionais e na sociedade de maneira geral, incluindo medidas interventivas e protocolos em terapia cognitivo-comportamental para adquirir competências no enfrentamento adequado e saudável dessas experiências

Aspectos patológicos de miopatias em frangos de corte.

As alterações patológicas que ocorrem no músculo das aves são denominadas de miopatias. A primeira miopatia descrita foi a necrose do músculo peitoral profundo em perus e frangos, que podia ser reproduzida com estímulo para batimento de asas (1). Posteriormente foi identificada a alteração conhecida como ?white striping?, caracterizada por estrias brancas de gordura na superfície do músculo peitoral superficial. Mais recentemente foram observados novos quadros como o ?wooden breast - peito madeira? (2). Podem ocorrer também alterações na coloração ou tonalidade da carne de aves devido à queda brusca e acentuada do pH muscular, levando à condição conhecida como carne PSE (pale, soft and exudative) - carne pálida, mole e exudativa - ou quando por depleção de glicogênio no músculo ocorre a carne DFD (dark, firm and dry) - carne dura, firme e seca. O presente trabalho objetiva determinar se as condições observadas nas carcaças têm relação com causas microbianas e/ou infecciosas e avaliar se estas condições apresentam riscos para a saúde do consumidor

Synthesis of localized 2D-layers of silicon nanoparticles embedded in a SiO2 layer by a stencil-masked ultra-low energy ion implantation process

We propose an original approach called “stencil-masked ion implantation process” to perform a spatially localized synthesis of a limited number of Si nanoparticles (nps) within a thin SiO2 layer. This process consists in implanting silicon ions at ultra-low energy through a stencil mask containing a periodic array of opened windows (from 50 nm to 2 um). After the stencil removal, a thermal annealing is used to synthesize small and spherical embedded nps. AFM observations show that the stencil windows are perfectly transferred into the substrate without any clogging or blurring effect. The samples exhibit a 3 nm localized swelling of the regions rich in Si nps. Moreover, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy shows that due to the quantum confinement only the implanted regions containing the Si nps are emitting light

Development and Validation of a Prediction Model of Outcome after B-Cell Maturation Antigen-Directed Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Although chimeric antigen receptor T therapy (CAR-T) cells are an established therapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), there are no established models predicting outcome to identify patients who may benefit the most from CAR-T. PATIENTS AND METHODS This is an international retrospective observational study including patients with RRMM infused with currently available commercial or academically produced anti–B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) CAR-T. We describe characteristics and outcomes in Europe (n 5 136) and the United States (n 5 133). Independent predictors of relapse/progression built a simple prediction model (Myeloma CAR-T Relapse [MyCARe] model) in the training cohort (Europe), which was externally validated (US cohort) and tested within patient- and treatment-specific subgroups. RESULTS The overall response rate was 87% and comparable between both cohorts, and complete responses were seen in 48% (Europe) and 49% (the United States). The median time to relapse was 5 months, and early relapse <5 months from infusion showed poor survival across cohorts, with the 12-month overall survival of 30% (Europe) and 14% (the United States). The presence of extramedullary disease or plasma cell leukemia, lenalidomide-refractoriness, high-risk cytogenetics, and increased ferritin at the time of lymphodepletion were independent predictors of early relapse or progression. Each factor received one point, forming the three-tiered MyCARe model: scores 0-1 (low risk), scores 2-3 (intermediate risk), and a score of 4 (high risk). The MyCARe model was significantly associated with distinct 5-month incidence of relapse/progression (P < .001): 7% for low-risk, 27% for intermediate-risk, and 53% for high-risk groups. The model was validated in the US cohort and maintained prognostic utility for response, survival, and outcomes across subgroups