Fabrication and Electrical Characterization of Low-Temperature Polysilicon Films for Sensor Applications.

The development of low-temperature piezoresistive materials provides compatibility with standard silicon-based MEMS fabrication processes. Additionally, it enables the use of such material in flexible substrates, thereby expanding the potential for various device applications. This work demonstrates, for the first time, the fabrication of a 200 nm polycrystalline silicon thin film through a metal-induced crystallization process mediated by an AlSiCu alloy at temperatures as low as 450 °C on top of silicon and polyimide (PI) substrates.

Endothelial function in HIV-infected patients with low or mild cardiovascular risk.

Background: Highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected patients is associated with metabolic side effects, which could cause an increased cardiovascular risk in these patients. Non-invasive study of endothelial function by brachial artery ultrasound can detect subclinical atherosclerosis. Several studies have assessed endothelial function in HIV-infected patients with associated cardiovascular risk factors.

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis. The long course of a rare disease.

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis is a rare systemic disease. The patients usually develop an erosive polyarthritis in a few years. The most effective treatment is still unclear due to the few reports published of this disease.