Reference-free x-ray fluorescence analysis with a micrometer-sized incident beam.

Spatially resolved x-ray fluorescence (XRF) based analysis employing incident beam sizes in the low micrometer range (XRF) is widely used to study lateral composition changes of various types of microstructured samples. However, up to now the quantitative analysis of such experimental datasets could only be realized employing adequate calibration or reference specimen. In this work, we extent the applicability of the so-called reference-free XRF approach to enable reference-freeXRF analysis.

Influence of the Emitter Shape on the Field-of-View in Atom Probe Tomography.

Atom probe tomography (APT) is a unique analytical technique that offers three-dimensional elemental mapping with a spatial resolution down to the sub-nanometer. When APT is applied on complex heterogenous systems and/or under certain experimental conditions, that is, laser illumination, the specimen shape can deviate from an ideal hemisphere. Insufficient consideration of this aspect can introduce artifacts in the reconstructed dataset, ultimately degrading its spatial accuracy.

Taming the Distribution of Light in Gate-All-Around Semiconductor Devices.

Optical metrology is ubiquitous, but image-based methods cannot resolve features of dimensions much smaller than the wavelength. However, it has recently been demonstrated that light can be nanofocused into subwavelength semiconducting lines by setting the incident polarization along the direction of these lines. This Letter extends the previous studies to systems with two perpendicular gratings, as found e.

Photonic metamaterial with a subwavelength electrode pattern.

The next generation of tunable photonics requires highly conductive and light inert interconnects that enable fast switching of phase, amplitude, and polarization modulators without reducing their efficiency. As such, metallic electrodes should be avoided, as they introduce significant parasitic losses. Transparent conductive oxides, on the other hand, offer reduced absorption due to their high bandgap and good conductivity due to their relatively high carrier concentration.

Urologist Workforce and Services in Ethiopia.

Background: Urological conditions are a cause of diminishing quality of life, hence affecting productivity. Despite the need for urological treatment, it was excluded from receiving priority in both United Nation and Lancet commission. Most of the surgeries in sub-Saharan Africa are open surgeries.

Primary scrotal lipoma posing a diagnostic quandary: Experience from northern Tanzania, a case report.

Primary scrotal lipoma is a rare urological diagnosis. It is usually diagnosed incidentally as most of time initial diagnosis may be confused with other common etiology of scrotal masses. A rare case of scrotal lipoma with initial misdiagnosis of hydrocele at primary health facility is presented in this article.

Intravesical textiloma mistook for bladder stone: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: Intravesical textiloma is a rare surgical complication, that may cause nonspecific lower urinary tract symptoms. Clinicians should consider it in patients with a history of bladder surgery and persistent or new-onset urinary symptoms.

Abstract: Intravesical textiloma is a rare condition usually presents asymptomatic or with non specific symptoms.

A Bottom-Up Volume Reconstruction Method for Atom Probe Tomography.

This paper describes a reconstruction method for atom probe tomography based on a bottom-up approach accounting for (i) the final tip morphology (which is frequently induced by inhomogeneous evaporation probabilities across the tip surface due to laser absorption, heat diffusion effects, and inhomogeneous material properties), (ii) the limited (and changing) field of view, and (iii) the detector efficiency. The reconstruction starts from the final tip morphology and reverses the evaporation sequence through the pseudo-deposition of defined small reconstruction volumes, which are then stacked together to create the full three-dimensional (3D) tip. The subdivision in small reconstruction volumes allows the scheme to account for the changing tip shape and field of view as evaporation proceeds.

Biochemical and textural changes in beef from bulls and steers of different crossbreeds shortly after slaughter and during ageing.

The aim of this study was to investigate the course of glycogenolysis, ATP breakdown and fragmentation of myofibrillar proteins in the semitendinosus muscle of a progeny of Limousin×Holstein-Friesian (LM) and Charolaise×Holstein-Friesian (CH) (bulls and steers) and to describe the changes in the above parameters over time and its relationship with beef texture. The hypothesis that beef from bulls and steers of different crossbreeds required the same ageing time to achieve satisfactory tenderness was also tested. Cattle crossbreeding did not affect the amount of muscle glycogen, and castration did not differentiate it until 3 h post-mortem.

Size-dependent optical properties of periodic arrays of semiconducting nanolines.

We study the size-dependent optical properties of periodic arrays of semiconducting nanolines in the near-infrared to near-ultraviolet spectral range, where the absorption of the semiconductor increases. Using band structure calculations, we demonstrate that specific dimensions allow the slow down of the light, resulting in an enhanced absorption as compared to bulk material once the extinction coefficient of the semiconductor becomes comparable to its refractive index. Further, the refractive properties of the arrays can be tailored beyond the values of the constituting materials when the extinction coefficient of the semiconductor exceeds its refractive index.

Potential sources of compositional inaccuracy in the atom probe tomography of InGaAs.

With the objective of applying laser-assisted atom probe tomography to compositional analysis within nanoscale InGaAs devices, experimental conditions that may provide an accurate composition estimate were sought by extensively studying an InGaAs blanket film. Overall, the determined arsenic atomic fraction was found to exhibit an electric field dependent deficiency, which was more pronounced at low field conditions. Although the determined group III site-fraction also showed a (weak) field-dependent deficiency at low field conditions, it remained invariant with analysis conditions and in close agreement with the nominal value at higher field.

A variable probe pitch micro-Hall effect method.

Hall effect metrology is important for a detailed characterization of the electronic properties of new materials for nanoscale electronics. The micro-Hall effect (MHE) method, based on micro four-point probes, enables a fast characterization of ultrathin films with minimal sample preparation. Here, we study in detail how the analysis of raw measurement data affects the accuracy of extracted key sample parameters, i.

Electrical characterization of single nanometer-wide Si fins in dense arrays.

This paper demonstrates the development of a methodology using the micro four-point probe (μ4PP) technique to electrically characterize single nanometer-wide fins arranged in dense arrays. We show that through the concept of carefully controlling the electrical contact formation process, the electrical measurement can be confined to one individual fin although the used measurement electrodes physically contact more than one fin. We demonstrate that we can precisely measure the resistance of individual ca.

Laser-assisted atom probe tomography of semiconductors: The impact of the focused-ion beam specimen preparation.

This paper demonstrates the increased light absorption efficiency of semiconducting atom probe tips resulting from focused-ion-beam (FIB) preparation. We use transmission electron microscopy to show that semiconducting tips prepared with FIB are surrounded with an amorphized shell. Photomodulated optical reflectance measurements then provide evidence that FIB-induced damage leads to an increase in both sub- and supra-bandgap light absorption efficiency.

Wet-chemical etching of atom probe tips for artefact free analyses of nanoscaled semiconductor structures.

We introduce an innovative specimen preparation method employing the selectivity of a wet-chemical etching step to improve data quality and success rates in the atom probe analysis of contemporary semiconductor devices. Firstly, on the example of an SiGe fin embedded in SiO we demonstrate how the selective removal of SiO from the final APT specimen significantly improves accuracy and reliability of the reconstructed data. With the oxide removal, we eliminate the origin of shape artefacts, i.

Effects of aging treatment and freezing/thawing methods on the quality attributes of beef from Limousin×Holstein-Friesian and Hereford×Holstein-Friesian crossbreeds.

The objective was to investigate combined effects of aging-, freezing-, thawing- treatments on the water-holding capacity, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and sensory properties of beef. Semitendinosus muscles from two crossbreeds were analysed. Carcasses were conventionally aged (4days post mortem), muscles were separated and divided into samples.

Atom probe tomography analysis of SiGe fins embedded in SiO: Facts and artefacts.

We present atom probe analysis of 40nm wide SiGe fins embedded in SiO and discuss the root cause of artefacts observed in the reconstructed data. Additionally, we propose a simple data treatment routine, relying on complementary transmission electron microscopy analysis, to improve compositional analysis of the embedded SiGe fins. Using field evaporation simulations, we show that for high oxide to fin width ratios the difference in evaporation field thresholds between SiGe and SiO results in a non-hemispherical emitter shape with a negative curvature in the direction across, but not along the fin.

[Aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA)--a new sonographic marker for chromosomal aberrations in the second trimester--preliminary observations].

Objectives: Presentation of our own, preliminary experiences in the assessment of the right subclavian artery's (RSA) position during the second trimester scan.

Material And Methods: Since January 2012 our center has started to conduct the assessment of the position of the right subclavian artery in the second trimester scan. Patients who were diagnosed with an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) were referred to invasive method of prenatal diagnosis.

Prenatal diagnosis of craniosynostosis (compound Saethre-Chotzen syndrome phenotype) caused by a de novo complex chromosomal rearrangement (1; 4; 7) with a microdeletion of 7p21.3-7p15.3, including TWIST1 gene--a case report.

Craniosynostosis (a premature fusion of the cranial sutures) occurs with a frequency of 1 in 2100-2500 births and in over 40% cases is caused by known genetic factors--either single gene mutations or chromosomal rearrangements. Cases caused by complex chromosomal abnormalities are uncommon and likely associated with compound phenotype. Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (SCS) [#101400] is caused by TWIST1 gene haploinsufficiency.

[Effectiveness of multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA) in prenatal diagnosis of common aneuploidies].

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of the MLPA method (multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification) in prenatal diagnosis of common aneuploidies and compare its concordance with traditional karyotyping.

Material And Methods: From October 2008 until July 2012 we performed 195 MLPA (MRC-Holland) tests with the P095 probe mix on DNA extracted from chorionic villi or amniotic fluid from pregnant women with elevated risk for abnormal fetal karyotype and 5 tests on miscarriage DNA samples. Cell culture and traditional karyotyping were performed in parallel.

Optimal laser positioning for laser-assisted atom probe tomography.

Laser-assisted atom probe tomography is a material analysis method based on field evaporating ions from a tip-shaped sample by a combination of a standing electric field and a short (pico- or femtosecond) laser pulse. The laser-pulse thereby acts as a starting signal for a time-of-flight mass analysis of the ions whereby the thermal energy deposited in the tip by the laser pulse temporarily enables the evaporation of ions from the surface of the tip. Here we will use simulations of the laser absorption on a silicon tip to find the optimal position of the laser spot in order to maximize the mass resolution achieved during the experiments.

Light absorption in conical silicon particles.

The problem of the absorption of light by a nanoscale dielectric cone is discussed. A simplified solution based on the analytical Mie theory of scattering and absorption by cylindrical objects is proposed and supported by the experimental observation of sharply localized holes in conical silicon tips after high-fluence irradiation. This study reveals that light couples with tapered objects dominantly at specific locations, where the local radius corresponds to one of the resonant radii of a cylindrical object, as predicted by Mie theory.

Familial distal monosomy 3p26.3-pter with trisomy 4q32.2-qter, presenting with progressive ataxia, intellectual disability, and dysmorphic features.

We present a boy diagnosed with partial 3p monosomy and partial 4q trisomy. The patient was 9 years of age with intellectual disability, dysmorphic features, and ataxia. A family history and medical evaluation showed that the father manifested similar facial dysmorphic features, intellectual disability, quadriparesis, and progressive cerebrospinal ataxia.

Subtelomeric rearrangements in Polish subjects with intellectual disability and dysmorphic features.

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed in 76 patients referred to our department because of intellectual disability and dysmorphic features that can be related to subtelomeric microaberrations. In all the patients, conventional cytogenetic methods revealed normal karyotype. Four (5.

[A study on the occurrence of the deletion 22q11.2 in patients affected with a psychiatric disease].

Aim: The aim of the study was an estimation of the rate of deletion 22q11.2 among psychiatric patients and an attempt at the assessment of the degree in which this rate is influenced by the coexistence of dysmorphic features and congenital defects.

Methods: Cytogenetic examination was performed in 255 patients with psychosis.