33 research outputs found
Different vimentin expression in two clones derived from a human colocarcinoma cell line (LoVo) showing different sensitivity to doxorubicin
We selected two clones, isolated from the human colocarcinoma cell line LoVo, showing a sensitivity to doxorubicin similar to (LoVo clone 5) or three times lower than (LoVo clone 7) the parental cell line. Since vimentin was atypically expressed in a human breast carcinoma cell line made resistant to doxorubicin, we looked at vimentin expression in these two clones with spontaneously different sensitivity to the drug. For comparison we used the parental cell line LoVo WT and LoVo/DX made resistant pharmacologically. mRNA for vimentin was undetectable by Northern blot analysis in LoVo WT and in LoVo clone 5, while expression of this gene was high in LoVo clone 7 and in LoVo/DX. This increase in mRNA levels was not related to an amplification of DNA, as suggested by Southern blot analysis. Immunofluorescence and immunocytochemistry findings confirmed, at protein level, the mRNA data. In LoVo clones 5 and 7, there were respectively 8.6% and 71% vimentin-positive cells, although the two clones showed similar expression of multidrug resistance gene 1 (mdr-1) and accumulated intracellular doxorubicin at similar levels. Similarly, drug efflux was the same for both clones. Our results show for the first time that cells resistant to doxorubicin express vimentin independently of the mdr glycoprotein. However when cells from clone 5 were transfected with human vimentin cDNA, they did not become resistant, indicating that vimentin can be considered as a marker of resistance in these cells but does not give rise to a resistant phenotype by itself
Unveiling Retention Physical Mechanism of Ge-rich GST ePCM Technology
In this work, a comprehensive study of Ge-rich Phase Change Memory set and reset state retention realized by coupling electrical and physical characterizations is presented. The presence of amorphous residuals inside the active region of PCM devices is, for the first time, demonstrated through High Resolution Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy. The role of such formations was studied by means of electrical characterization and supported by modeling analysis. By comparing the low and high state resistive behavior the retention physics has been analytically modeled with the same framework for both states
Large Area Growth and Phase Selectivity of MoTe2 Nanosheets through Simulation-Guided CVD Tellurization
sponsorship: P.P.T. and S.G. contributed equally to this work. The authors acknowledge M. Alia (CNR-IMM) for Mo e-beam deposition, S. Mirenayat (CNR-IMM) for help in the preparation, CVD growth, and Raman measurements; and D. Codegoni, P. Targa, and A. Serafini (STMicroelectronics, Physics Lab, Agrate) for HR-TEM measurements. The authors also acknowledge L. G. Nobili (Politecnico di Milano) and M. Cocuzza (Politecnico di Torino) for academic tutorship. Financial support from aStar (PRIN grant n. 2017RKWTMY, Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Universita e della Ricerca) and Challenges (grant no. 861857, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, call DT-NMBP-08-2019) projects is also acknowledged. Open Access Funding provided by Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche within the CRUI-CARE Agreement. (aStar (PRIN grant, Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Universita e della Ricerca)|2017RKWTMY, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme|861857, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme|DT-NMBP-08-2019, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche within the CRUI-CARE Agreement, H2020 - Industrial Leadership|861857)status: Published onlin
Highly sensitive detection of inorganic contamination
As the detection of inorganic contaminants is of steadily increasing importance for the improvement
of yields in microelectronic applications, the aim of one of the joint research activity within the
European Integrated Activity of Excellence and Networking for Nano- and Micro-Electronics
Analysis (ANNA, site: www.ANNA-i3.org) is the development and assessment of new methodologies
and metrologies for the detection of low concentration inorganic contaminants in silicon and in
novel materials. A main objective consist in the benchmarking of various analytical techniques
available in the laboratories of the participating ANNA partners, including the improvement of the
respective detection limits as well as the quantitation reliablity of selected analytical techniques
such as total-reflection x-ray fluorescence (TXRF) analysi
Improving Ge-rich GST ePCM reliability through BEOL engineering
This paper discusses the effect of back-end of line (BEOL) process on cell performance for a Phase-Change Memory embedded in a 28nm FD-SOI platform (ePCM). The impact of BEOL is first shown by describing the microscopic evolution of the active Ge-rich GST alloy during process. Ge clustering has been proven to occur during the fabrication process, impacting the pristine resistance and the after forming cell performance. Two different BEOL processes are then benchmarked in terms of key performance. An optimized process is then identified, and an extensive electrical characterization of array performance and reliability is performed on the full 16MB chip. The optimized BEOL process results in a memory cell fully compatible with the requirements for demanding automotive applications
BEOL Process Effects on ePCM Reliability
The effect of back-end of line (BEOL) process on cell performance and reliability of Phase-Change Memory embedded in a 28nm FD-SOI platform (ePCM) is discussed. The microscopic evolution of the Ge-rich GST alloy during process is the focus of the first part of the paper. A new metric for quantification of active material modifications is introduced to better follow its evolution with process sequence. Ge clustering has been shown to occur during the fabrication, impacting the pristine resistance and the after forming cell performance. Two different BEOL processes are then benchmarked in terms of key performance. An optimized process is identified, and an extensive electrical characterization of array performance and reliability is done on the full 16MB chip. The optimized BEOL process results in a memory cell fully compatible with the requirements for demanding automotive applications
Development of resistance to the lowering of plasma free fatty acids induced by pyrazole derivatives
Error estimation of the Nickel concentration for calibration using an ATOMIKA 8030W TXRF wafer surface analyzer
Totalreflexions-Röntgenfluoreszenzanalyse (TXRF) hat sich zur Untersuchung von Kontaminationen auf Waferöberflächen in der Halbleitertechnik etabliert. Mittlerweile bieten eine Reihe von Anbietern verschiedene Geräte in diesem Bereich an. Eines dieser Geräte, eine ATOMIKA 8030W, steht im Atominstitut der Technischen Universität Wien. Um Aussagen über die Verlässlichkeit zu ihrer Quantifizierung machen zu können, ist die Kenntnis der Unsicherheit der Messergebnisse unerlässlich. Dadurch ist auch die Vergleichbarkeit von Ergebnissen verschiedener Labors untereinander einfacher. Zu diesem Zweck gibt es mittlerweile einige Anleitungen zur Angabe von Unsicherheiten, anhand derer für das Kalibrierungselement Ni eine Fehlerabschätzung gemacht und die wichtigsten Beiträge zur Unsicherheit aufgeschlüsselt wurde. Um eine direkte Verbindung mit dem SI-System herstellen zu können, wurden neue Standardreferenzmaterialien erworben, einerseits als Probe und andererseits als Kalibrierstandard. Die Probenvorbereitung wurde eingehend untersucht. Mit mechanischen Pipetten werden Probenlösungen durch Verdünnung mit dreifach destilliertem Wasser hergestellt und die Mengen durch Wägen mit einer Laborwaage verifiziert. Mit Kenntnis der Unsicherheit der Waage wurde die Präzision der Pipetten bei verschiedenen Ausgabevolumina berechnet. Die Genauigkeit der Waage wurde als kritischer Faktor bei der Probenherstellung identifiziert. Bei der Messung von Mehrelementstandards wurde eine systematische Abweichung der Messergebnisse entdeckt. Auch bei der Messung von reinen Ni-Proben trat dies auf. Mit den Ergebnissen dieser Messungen wurde ein Korrekturfaktor und dessen Unsicherheit berechnet. Durch wiederholte Messungen des Kalibrierungsstandards wurde bestimmt, wie die Messergebnisse der ATOMIKA 8030W unter Wiederholungsbedingungen schwanken. Daraus wurde eine Unsicherheit bestimmt, die über einen Faktor in die Quantifizierungsformel einfließt. Im Rahmen der Teilnahme an einem Projekt der European Integrated Activity of Excellence and Networking for Nanö and MicröElectronics Analysis (ANNA) wurden eigens hergestellte Proben von mehreren Labors, die TXRF betreiben, vermessen und die Ergebnisse untereinander verglichen. Dabei wurden die Ergebnisse mit anderen etablierten Methoden verifiziert. Die Ergebnisse zeigten deutliche Schwankungen, was die Bestimmung der Reproduzierbarkeit der Messmethode zu diesem Zeitpunkt unmöglich gemacht hat. Es zeigten sich jedoch deutlich der Einfluss der unterschiedlichen Messgeometrien, der Probenmorphologie und der Einfluss der Kalibrierung. Die TXRF arbeitet mit der Annahme, dass die Kalibrierfunktion linear ist. Es wurde eine Eichgerade gemessen und ein Bereich festgelegt in dem Linearität gegeben ist. Auch hier wurde der Einfluss der Probenform deutlich, die für höhere Konzentrationen offenbar nicht reproduzierbar ist. Abschließend wurde die angepasste Quantifizierungsformel bei der Auswertung zweier Multielementstandards getestet und die Größe des Einflusses der unterschiedlichen Fehlerbeiträge am Beispiel für Ni wurde bestimmt. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit wurden veröffentlicht in: B. Beckhoff, A. Nutsch, R. Altmann, G. Borionetti, C. Pello, M. L. Polignano, D. Codegoni, S. Grasso, E. Cazzini, M. Bersani, P. Lazzeri, S. Gennaro, M. Kolbe, M. Müller, P. Kregsamer und F. Posch, "Highly sensitive detection of inorganic contamination", UCPSS 2008 Proceedings book: Solid state Phenomena 145-146 (2009), S. 101-104 C. Streli, P. Kregsamer, F. Posch und M. Fugger, äccreditation for wafer surface analysis with TXRF-, IAEA Report on Technical meeting on Quality assurance for Nuclear spectrometry techniques, G4-TM-36923, Vienna, 12.-16.10.2009 B. Beckhoff, A. Nutsch, R. Altmann, G. Borionetti, C. Pello, M. L. Polignano, D. Codegoni, S. Grasso, E. Cazzini, M. Bersani, S. Gennaro, M. Kolbe, M. Müller, P. Kregsamer und F. Posch, ässessing Various Analytical Techniques With Different Lateral Resolution By Investigating Spin-coated Inorganic Contamination On Si Surfaces-, ECS Trans 25(3), S. 311-323, (2009) proceedings of the ALtech conference, October, ViennaTotal reflection X-ray Fluorescence Analysis (TXRF) has established itself in the investigation of contaminations on wafer surfaces. By now a number of providers offer different systems in this area. One of these, an ATOMIKA 8030W is situated at the ATI (Institute of Atomic and Subatomic Physics). To gauge the reliability of its quantification the knowledge of the uncertainty of measuring results is vital. Additionally the comparison of results between different laboratories becomes easier. For this reason a number of manuals and guides on the expression of uncertainties have been written. With these an estimation of the uncertainty for the calibration element Ni should be made and the major contributing factors identified and analysed. In order to provide a direct connection to the SIünit system, new standard reference materials were purchased for the preparation of well-known samples and for calibration. Sample preparation was thoroughly investigated. For the mixing of sample solutions mechanical pipettes were used in the dilution process. The amounts of liquid were verified using a laboratory scale. Since the uncertainty of the scale was well-known the output volumes and their uncertainties were calculated. The accuracy of the laboratory scale was identified a major factor in the preparation of samples. During the measurement of multiple element solutions a systematic deviation of the results was discovered. Measurement of pure Ni-samples also showed this behaviour. With the results of these measurements a correction factor and its uncertainty to account for the bias was calculated. Repeated measurements of the calibration standard provided information on the repeatability of results of the ATOMIKA 8030W. To account for the uncertainty associated with the repeatability a factor was calculated to modify the quantification formula. The ATI took part in a joint project of the European Integrated Activity of Excellence and Networking for Nanö and MicröElectronics Analysis (ANNA). Well-known samples were measured by several laboratories employing TXRF methods and the results compared. The results were verified with other verified methods and showed significant deviations between the laboratories, which made it impossible at this time to determine the reproducibility of TXRF. The influence of different measurement geometries, sample morphology and calibration standards was shown. TXRF works on the assumption that the calibration function is linear. For verificä tion purposes the calibration function for Ni was measured and the linearity for a range of mass determined. In the higher mass range the influence of the shape of the sample was noticeable, which is not reproducible for solutions with higher concentrations. Finally the modified quantification formula was used to determine the uncertainty of the measurement results of two multielement standards and the influence of different uncertainty contributions was determined for Ni in these samples. The results of this work were published in: B. Beckhoff, A. Nutsch, R. Altmann, G. Borionetti, C. Pello, M. L. Polignano, D. Codegoni, S. Grasso, E. Cazzini, M. Bersani, P. Lazzeri, S. Gennaro, M. Kolbe, M. Müller, P. Kregsamer and F. Posch, "Highly sensitive detection of inorganic contamination", UCPSS 2008 Proceedings book: Solid state Phenomena 145-146 (2009), p. 101-104 C. Streli, P. Kregsamer, F. Posch and M. Fugger, äccreditation for wafer surface analysis with TXRF-, IAEA Report on Technical meeting on Quality assurance for Nuclear spectrometry techniques, G4-TM-36923, Vienna, 12.-16.10.2009 B. Beckhoff, A. Nutsch, R. Altmann, G. Borionetti, C. Pello, M. L. Polignano, D. Codegoni, S. Grasso, E. Cazzini, M. Bersani, S. Gennaro, M. Kolbe, M. Müller, P. Kregsamer and F. Posch, ässessing Various Analytical Techniques With Different Lateral Resolution By Investigating Spin-coated Inorganic Contamination On Si Surfaces-, ECS Trans 25(3), p. 311-323, (2009) proceedings of the ALtech conference, October, Vienn
Anorectic activity of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in mice, rats and guinea-pigs
Abstract
The present study aimed to establish the role of the metabolite norfluoxetine in the anorectic activity of fluoxetine, and to relate the anorectic doses (ED50) to the brain concentrations of the parent drug and its metabolite. Fluoxetine showed anorectic activity at increasing intraperitoneal doses (ED50 = 391, 34·7 and 21·7 μmol kg−1 in mouse, rat and guinea-pig, respectively) and norfluoxetine was slightly more active (24·3, 22·9 and 19·1 μmol kg−1, respectively) in all three species. In terms of maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC) within the experimental period (0–90 min), brain concentrations varied widely and were poorly related to the dose; guinea-pig appeared to be much more sensitive to fluoxetine than was mouse or rat. Administered norfluoxetine was present in the brain of the three species in approximately the same order as fluoxetine, i.e. lower in guinea-pig than in mouse or rat. The Cmax and AUC of norfluoxetine after fluoxetine administration was 50–60% of the values after an equiactive dose of norfluoxetine in mouse and guinea-pig, and more than 80% in rat.</jats:p
