A novel method to determine the FOCAL energy range

Determination of the energy range is an important precondition of focus calibration using alignment procedure (FOCAL) test. A new method to determine the energy range of FOCAL off-lined is presented in this paper. Independent of the lithographic tool, the method is time-saving and effective. The influences of some process factors, e.g. resist thickness, post exposure bake (PEB) temperature, PEB time and development time, on the energy range of FOCAL are analyzed.

Systematic considerations for the patterning of photonic crystal devices by electron beam lithography

Photonic crystal devices with feature sizes of a few hundred nanometers are often fabricated by electron beam lithography. The proximity effect, stitching error and resist profiles have significant influence on the pattern quality, and therefore determine the optical properties of the devices. In this paper, detailed analyses and simple solutions to these problems are presented. The proximity effect is corrected by the introduction of a compensating dose. The influence of the stitching error is alleviated by replacing the original access waveguides with taper-added waveguides, and the taper parameters are also discussed to get the optimal choice. It is demonstrated experimentally that patterns exposed with different doses have almost the same edge-profiles in the resist for the same development time, and that optimized etching conditions can improve the wall angle of the holes in the substrate remarkably. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

长时间电流积分数字仪的设计；The development of a long-time current integration digitizer

本文介绍的长时间电流积分数字仪,是用电流-频率(I-F)转换电路将微弱电流转换成脉冲信号,结合后级脉冲计数器及处理控制电路,实现对10pA-10μA量级输入电流的长时间测量。该仪器可用于电离室、法拉第筒等输出电流或电荷的测量,测量时间范围1s-192h。该电路的设计实现,为长时间测量电流或电荷,并进行束流监测提供了一种可行、通用、高性价比的好方法。

Development of functionalized terbium fluorescent nanoparticles for antibody labeling and time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay application

Silica-based functionalized terbium fluorescent nanoparticles were prepared, characterized and developed as a fluorescence probe for antibody labeling and time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay. The nanoparticles were prepared in a water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsion containing a strongly fluorescent Tb3+ chelate. N,N.N-1,N-1-12,6-bis(3'-aminomethyl-1'-pyrazolyl)phenylpyridine] tetrakis(acetate)-Tb3+ (BPTA-Tb3+), Triton X-100, octanol, and cyclohexane by controlling copolymerization of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and 3-[2-(2- aminoethylamino)-ethylamino]propyl-trimethoxysilane (AEPS) with ammonia water. The characterizations by transmission electron microscopy and fluorometric quantum methods show that the nanoparticles are spherical and uniform in size, 45 +/- 3 nm in diameter, strongly fluorescent with fluorescence yield of 10% and a long fluorescence lifetime of 2.0 ms. The amino groups directly introduced to the nanoparticle's surface by using AEPS in the preparation made the surface modification and bioconjugation of the nanoparticles easier. The nanoparticle-labeled anti-human alpha-fetoprotein antibody was prepared and used for time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay of (x-fetoprotein (AFP) in human serum samples. The assay response is linear from 0.10 ng ml(-1) to about 100 ng ml(-1) with the detection limit of 0.10 ng ml(-1). The coefficient variations (CVs) of the method are less than 9.0%. and the recoveries are in the range of 84-98% for human serum sample measurements. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development Of Biosensor Based On Imaging Ellipsometry

The concept of biosensor based on imaging ellipsometry was proposed ten years ago. Its principle and the methodology as well as some solutions to problems which have to be faced during the development are mentioned. Its properties of phase sensitive, high throughput and fast sampling, as well as label-free, sensitivity better than 1 ng/ml for Immunoglobulin G, and real-time analysis for protein interaction process, etc. provide a potential for applications in biomedicine field. The recent biosensing development with total internal reflection imaging ellipsometry is presented also. [GRAPHICS] An example of 48 protein arrays in matrix. (C) 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The Development of Biosensor with Imaging Ellipsometry

The concept of biosensor with imaging ellipsometry was proposed about ten years ago. It has become an automatic analysis technique for protein detection with merits of label-free, multi-protein analysis, and real-time analysis for protein interaction process, etc. Its principle, andrelated technique units, such as micro-array, micro-fluidic and bio-molecule interaction cell, sampling unit and calibration for quantitative detection as well as its applications in biomedicine field are presented here.

Development of arc root attachment in the nozzle of 1 kW N2 and H2-N2 arcjet thrusters

Arc root behavior affects the energy transfer and nozzle erosion in an arcjet thruster. To investigate the development of arc root attachment in 1 kW class N2 and H2-N2 arcjet thrusters from the time of ignition to the stably working condition, a kinetic series of end-on view images of the nozzle obtained by a high-speed video camera was analyzed. The addition of hydrogen leads to higher arc voltage levels and the determining factor for the mode of arc root attachment was found to be the nozzle temperature. At lower nozzle temperatures, constricted type attachment with unstable motions of the arc root was observed, while a fully diffused and stable arc root was observed at elevated nozzle temperatures.

Stress within the postseizure time window inhibits seizure recurrence

Recurrence is a key characteristic in the development of epilepsy. It remains unclear whether seizure recurrence is sensitive to postseizure stress. Here, tonic-clonic seizures were induced with a convulsive dose of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), and acute seizure recurrence was evoked with a subconvulsive dose of the drug. We found that stress inhibited seizure recurrence when applied 30 minutes or 2 hours, but not 4 hours, after the tonic-clonic seizure. The time-dependent anti-recurrence effect of stress was mimicked by the stress hormone corticosterone and blocked by co-administration of mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptor antagonists. Furthermore, in a PTZ-induced epileptic kindling model, corticosterone administered 30 minutes after each seizure decreased the extent of seizures both during the kindling establishment and in the following challenge test. These results provide novel insights into both the mechanisms of and therapeutic strategies for epilepsy. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

SOCIAL-DEVELOPMENT OF INFANTS OF MACACA-THIBETANA AT MOUNT-EMEI, CHINA

The development of infant Macaca thibetana was studied at Mount Emei, China, and compared to that of other macaque species. It was found that there are many common features in the process of infant socialization in species of the genus Macaca: mothers play an important and active role, other group members influence the infants' development to a greater or lesser extent and play is a major activity in the life of infants. Some differences were found to exist, however, between macaque species. These included differences in maternal care behaviour such as 'len', leaving time and weaning time. Paternal behaviours were also found to vary within and among species. Tibetan macaque males care for infants extensively, and they may use infants as an agonistic buffer. The natural and social environment may also influence differences between macaque species in infant development.

The Essential Role of Endogenous Ghrelin in Growth Hormone Expression during Zebrafish Adenohypophysis Development

Ghrelin, a multifunctional hormone, including potent GH stimulation activity, has been suggested to be important during embryonic development. Expression of ghrelin has been confirmed in the zebrafish pancreas during embryonic stages. Interfering with ghrelin function using two specific antisense morpholino oligonucleotides causes defects during zebrafish embryonic development. In ghrelin morphants the expression of GH was abolished in zebrafish somatotropes, whereas the expression patterns of the other key molecules involved in hypothalamic-pituitary development and distinct pituitary hormones genes remain largely intact at the appropriate time during zebrafish adenohypophysis development. Effective rescue of the ghrelin morphants with exogenous ghrelin mRNA showed that the correct gene had been targeted. Moreover, by analyzing the efficiencies of the ghrelin morphants rescue experiments with various forms of exogenous mutant ghrelin mRNAs, we also demonstrated the essentiality of the form acyl-ghrelin on GH stimulation during zebrafish adenohypophysis development. Our in vivo experiments, for the first time, also provided evidence of the existence of functional obestatin in the C-terminal part of zebrafish proghrelin peptides. Our research here has demonstrated that zebrafish is a unique model for functional studies of endogenous ghrelin, especially during embryonic development. (Endocrinology 150: 2767-2774, 2009)

Antisense for gonadotropin-releasing hormone reduces gonadotropin synthesis and gonadal development in transgenic common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Generating transgenic fish with desirable traits (e.g., rapid growth, larger size, etc.) for commercial use has been hampered by concerns for biosafety and competition if these fish are released into the environment. These obstacles may be overcome by producing transgenic fish that are sterile, possibly by inhibiting hormones related to reproduction. In vertebrates, synthesis and release of gonadotropin (GtH) and other reproductive hormones is mediated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Recently two cDNA sequences encoding salmon-type GnRH (sGnRH) decapeptides were cloned from common carp (Cyprinus carpio). This study analyzed the expression of these two genes using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in different tissues carp at varying developmental stages. Transcripts of both genes were detected in ovary and testis in mature and regressed, but not in juvenile carp. To evaluate the effects of sGnRH inhibition, the recombinant gene CAsGnRHpc-antisense, expressing antisense sGnRH RNA driven by a carp beta-actin promoter, was constructed. Blocking sGnRH expression using antisense sGnRH significantly decreased GtH in the blood of male transgenic carp. Furthermore, some antisense transgenic fish had no gonadal development and were completely sterile. These data demonstrate that sGnRH is important for GtH synthesis and development of reproductive organs in carp. Also, the antisense sGnRH strategy may prove effective in generating sterile transgenic fish, eliminating environmental concerns these fish may raise. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Development of EST-SSRs by an efficient FIASCO-based strategy: A case study in rare minnow (Gobiocyrpis rarus)

Type I markers are useful for comparative mapping and other genetic analyses, but relatively difficult to develop. In the present study a microsatellite (SSR)-enriched cDNA library was constructed for the first time using the fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeats (FIASCO) method in a small fish, Chinese rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus). A total of 97.4% of the expressed sequence tags (ESTs) contained targeted CA-repeats, in which 29 unique EST-SSRs were identified. Ten out of the 28 loci for which primer pairs were designed were polymorphic with alleles ranging from three to seven (mean 4.50). Some of these EST-SSRs can be amplified in other species. These results proved that cDNA-FIASCO is an efficient way to isolate novel EST-SSRs in a fish.

Development of tolerance against toxic Microcystis aeruginosa in three cladocerans and the ecological implications

This is the first experimental study to compare difference in the development of tolerance against toxic Microcystis among multi-species of cladocerans (Daphnia, Moina and Ceriodaphnia) pre-exposed to two M. aeruginosa PCC7820 strains (MC-containing and MC-free). Zooplankton were divided into S population (fed Scenedesmus), M-F population (fed Scenedesmus + MC-free Microcystis), and M-C population (fed Scenedesmus + MC-containing Microcystis). M-F and M-C populations were pre-exposed to Microcystis strains for 4 weeks, and their newborns were collected for experiments. A pre-exposure to MC-containing or MC-free Microcystis increased tolerance against toxic Microcystis. The marked increases in survival rate and median lethal time (LT50, 100-194% increase) in the M-C population of Ceriodaphnia suggest that small-sized cladocerans may develop stronger tolerance against Microcystis than large-sized ones when both groups are exposed to toxic Microcystis. This may explain why dominant Daphnia is usually replaced by small-sized cladocerans when cyanobacteria bloomed in summer in eutrophic lakes. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.