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Background: Anti‐K is an alloantibody stimulated in response to the KEL1 antigen and may cause hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). Provision of KEL1 negative blood to females of child‐bearing potential was not our practice. We assessed the impact of our policy and assessed feasibility of a KEL1 negative transfusion policy. Study design and methods: This is a cohort study spanning Jan 1, 2007–Jun 30, 2017 in Hamilton, Canada. Data were obtained via our institution's transfusion database. Chart reviews of females age ≤45 with anti‐K were performed; data on RBC KEL1 phenotype were obtained from the blood supplier when needed to ascertain the cause of alloimmunization. Descriptive analysis of hospital KEL1 negative inventory demand and supply was performed. Results: From Jan 2007‐Jun 2017, 8.6% of all RBC units transfused were provided to females age ≤45. There were 111 females with detectable anti‐K. Median age at time of antibody detection was 34 years (interquartile range 27–40) and 28 of 111 (25.2%) patients may have been alloimmunized by transfusion. Of 49 pregnancies, seven had complications due to anti‐K. We estimated that our existing RBC inventory (with 16% units known to be KEL1 negative in 2017) is sufficient to meet demand and support a KEL1 negative transfusion policy for females age ≤45. Conclusion: Transfusion was responsible for alloimmunization in 25% of females with anti‐K over 10 years. Analysis of supply and demand can be used to inform feasibility of a KEL1 negative transfusion policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a coherent risk measure to assess project cost overrun contingency reserves: the project expected cost overrun (ECO). It is shown that the traditional project cost-percentile metric does not qualify as a coherent risk measure and, therefore, that the ECO metric should be adopted. Obtained from the tail expectation of the project cost probability distribution, it measures the average value of project costs exceeding, at any significance level, the project cost baseline. A positive, unique, and exact closed-form solution to the ECO risk measure is devised under, among others, the normal probability distribution. The resulting project cost overrun contingency reserve may be interpreted as an insurance contract covering contingent risk factors and claimable by project managers from their project director once preidentified and agreed-upon contingent high-risk cost impacts are taken into account. The project ECO risk measure is extended to assess the project expected time overrun (ETO) and the project expected time overrun penalty (ETOP) risk measures, quantities that will prove indispensable for successfully tendering under any contractual form the minimum value of project time and project cost bids. They will be covering, at the very least, all relevant potential low-probability high-risk contingent risk factor impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: A high proportion of suspected weak D patients referred to Héma‐Québec were genotyped as weak D type 42 (368/2105, 17.5%). These patients are currently considered D with regard to RhD immunoprophylaxis in pregnancy and transfusion. The goal of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the risk of alloimmunization in weak D type 42 patients and to characterize their RhD surface molecule expression on red blood cells (RBCs) in comparison to other weak D types (1, 2 and 3). Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis using the weak D type 42 patients' medical data to verify potential anti‐D alloimmunization events was conducted. Quantitative analyses using flow cytometry were also performed on RBCs to quantify the cell surface density of the D antigen. Results: Data on 215 subjects with weak D type 42 were reviewed. None developed immune allo‐anti‐D; three had definite exposure to D+ red cells and 41 had possible exposure through pregnancy. Flow cytometry analysis showed that weak D types 1, 2, 3 and 42 had relative antigen densities of 2.7%, 2.2%, 8.1% and 3.6%, respectively, with R1R2 red cells referencing 100% density. The estimated antigen density range of weak D type 42 was 819–1104 sites per RBC. Conclusion: Our retrospective alloimmunization data analysis and antigen density study establish a basis for the consideration of a weak D type 42 individual as D+. This consideration would allow for a targeted reduction of RhD immunoprophylaxis in pregnancy and the unjustified use of D– units for transfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon dioxide is used to electrically isolate CMOS devices such as fin field effect transistors by filling gaps between the devices (also known as shallow trench isolation). The gap fill oxide typically requires a high temperature anneal in excess of 1000 °C to achieve adequate electrical properties and oxide densification to make the oxide compatible with subsequent fabrication steps such as fin reveal etch. However, the transition from Si-based devices to high mobility channel materials such as SiGe and III-V semiconductors imposes more severe thermal limitations on the processes used for device fabrication, including gap fill oxide annealing. This study provides a framework to quantify and model the effect of anneal temperature and time on the densification of a flowable silicon dioxide as measured by wet etch rate. The experimental wet etch rates allowed the determination of the activation energy and anneal time dependence for oxide densification. Dopant and self-diffusion can degrade the channel material above a critical temperature. We present a model of self-diffusion of Ge and Si in SiGe materials. Together these data allowed us to map the thermal process space for acceptable oxide wet etch rate and self-diffusion. The methodology is also applicable to III-V devices, which require even lower thermal budget. The results highlight the need for nonthermal oxide densification methods such as ultraviolet (UV) and plasma treatments. We demonstrate that several plasma treatments, in place of high temperature annealing, improved the properties of flowable oxide. In addition, UV curing prior to thermal annealing enables acceptable densification with dramatically reduced anneal temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transfusion-associated anaphylaxis has been associated with anti-immunoglobulin A (anti-IgA) of IgG class in patients with IgA deficiency. In recent years, however, the frequency and clinical impact of this syndrome has been questioned. We present a case of recurrent red blood cell (RBC) transfusion-associated anaphylactoid reactions (rigors, hypertension, transient monocytopenia, and neutropenia) associated with anti-IgA.Case Report: An 88-year-old woman developed anemia after a traumatic right humerus fracture. After receiving approximately 100 mL of RBCs she developed rigors and hypertension; her absolute neutrophil and monocyte counts decreased by 73 and 100%, respectively. All symptoms and signs resolved, and her blood counts normalized. A second RBC transfusion was given, with recurrence of rigors, hypertension, neutropenia, and monocytopenia (69 and 100% declines, respectively), along with fever. All tests for hemolysis were negative. She then received two transfusions of washed RBCs, without incident. The patient was found to be deficient in IgA (<0.05 mg/dL). Further, anti-IgA of IgG class antibodies were detected in high levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (>1000 U/mL). We reviewed case reports, case series, and reviews of IgA deficiency-associated reactions, examining whether hypertensive reactions and acute neutropenia and/or monocytopenia have been associated with anti-IgA reactions.Results: Reports of reactions associated with anti-IgA emphasize hypotension and are generally classified as "anaphylactic or anaphylaxis." No previous reports described neutropenia or monocytopenia.Conclusion: Our case suggests that adverse transfusion reactions associated with anti-IgA of IgG class may sometimes be characterized by anaphylactoid features such as rigors and hypertension, with transient monocytopenia and neutropenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted isochronal stress hysteresis measurements coupled with thermal desorption spectroscopy on silicon nitride thin films obtained by performing plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition on (001) silicon wafers. Above the deposition temperature, we observed irreversible stress build-up in parallel to substantial hydrogen effusion out of the films. We confirmed that the hydrogen dissociation and stress build-up can be modeled with similar kinetic equations. The hydrogen dissociation and stress development activation energies as well as the hydrogen diffusion coefficients were determined by fitting the experimental data with solutions to the kinetics and Fickian diffusion equations obtained with the finite difference method. A first order correlation was found between the hydrogen diffusion coefficients calculated between 400 and 800 °C and the silicon nitride film density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Denatured whey protein concentrate was fractionated by centrifugation to study the effect of its different components (sedimentable aggregates, non-sedimentable component, and diffusible component) on rennet-induced coagulation of milk and gel contraction capacity. Milk coagulation properties were characterized by optical density measurement and dynamic rheometry. The contraction kinetics of the gel during cooking was also characterized. The diffusible component of denatured whey protein concentrate showed no significant effect on coagulation or contraction parameters. Sedimentable aggregates negatively influenced the kinetics of rennet gel formation, as measured by rheology; these aggregates also reduced the contraction capacity of the gel. The non-sedimentable component negatively influenced milk coagulation properties, as measured with both optical and rheological methods, and decreased the contraction capacity of the gel. The results suggest that, beyond the effect of sedimentable whey protein aggregates, soluble proteinaceous complexes (non-sedimentable and non-diffusible) could interact with renneted casein micelles and limit gel formation and contraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the different stressor techniques used in microelectronics, in the scope of the Ultra-Thin Body & Buried Oxide Fully-Depleted Silicon On Insulator technology (UTBB FD-SOI). We compare the mechanical efficiency of the various stressors and present the impact of device dimensions (active area, gate length and pitch) on their efficiency. Our study emphasizes the high efficiency, for the FD-SOI technology, of the intrinsically strained channels, compared to the traditional embedded raised source/drain and contact-etch stop liner. With these techniques FD-SOI technology has already demonstrated channel stress higher than 1.5 GPa for n type transistor and −2.3 GPa for the p type devices and we envision channel stress values up to ±3 GPa for n and p transistor channel, respectively. This performance is partly due to the mechanical configuration of intrinsically strained channels, in parallel mode rather than in serial mode as for the previous generation of stressors, which makes them less sensitive to the scaling of the contacted gate pitch. We also highlight another key element the high mechanical stability of the UTBB technology, related to the limited channel thickness (around 6 nm) which enables achieving highly stressed channel without substantial adaptation of the integration flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the synthesis of well-defined poly(3,3‴-didodecyl-2,2′:5′,2″:5″,2‴-quaterthiophene) (PQT12) from a direct heteroarylation polymerization (DHAP) of 5-bromo-3,3‴-didodecyl-2,2′:5′,2″:5″,2‴-quaterthiophene (monomer A) and 5-bromo-3′,4″-didodecyl-2,2′:5′,2″:5″,2‴-quaterthiophene (monomer B). Experiments with different catalysts, ligands, additives, and solvents have revealed that the utilization of Herrmann-Beller catalyst and P(o-NMe2Ph)3 can lead to selective thiophene-thiophene couplings. In this regard, solid-state optical and thermal measurements were particularly useful to detect the presence of β-branching and indicate that minor molecular defects can induce important changes within the supramolecular organization. We also highlight the fact that steric protection around unsubstituted β-positions of α-bromothiophene units is needed to obtain a good selectivity of the cross-couplings at the α-positions. This can be achieved by the presence of a substituent at an adjacent β-position or the utilization of a bulky acidic additive (i.e., neodecanoic acid) in the catalytic system. These synthetic procedures applied to both monomers have led to PQT12 samples showing essentially the same optical and thermal properties and are comparable to those observed with their analogues prepared from chemical oxidation or Stille coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel variant DO*A allele with a c.370delT mutation leading to a DO-null phenotype in a Syrian family The Dombrock antigens are clinically relevant blood group antigens, known for potentially causing delayed and acute hemolytic transfusion reactions, although no hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn has been described.1,2 We report here a new DO allele in a family of Syrian origin caused by a c.370delT (p.Leu124Cys) nonsense mutation, leading to a DO-null phenotype (ISBT Allele Number I DO*01 N.05 i , GenBank Accession Number MT747635). In this report, we describe a novel I DO*A i allele (c.370delT [p.Leu124Cysfs*4]) involving a nonsense mutation, leading to absent expression of all Dombrock antigens or a DO-null phenotype. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract: A comparison of mechanical properties of amorphous silicon nitride thin films deposited with various techniques used for microelectronic applications was conducted. Nitride films with thicknesses less than 80nm were deposited on (001) oriented silicon wafers by using various methods: low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD), rapid thermal CVD (RTCVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD) and plasma enhanced CVD (PECVD). The wafer curvature method was used to show that the as-deposited LPCVD, RTCVD and ALD films exhibited tensile residual stresses that decreased with silicon richness. In contrast, the stress of the PECVD as-deposited layers ranged from tensile to ultra-compressive, depending on the exposure to high plasma power and ion bombardment during growth. After high temperature annealing, the LPCVD, RTCVD and ALD nitride stresses were almost unchanged, indicating that these films/substrate systems have significant thermal mechanical stability. In contrast, it was observed that, regardless of the initial stress, the annealed PECVD films developed tensile stress after high temperature treatment, with the same dependence of stress on refractive index as was found with the other deposition techniques. The Young''s moduli, measured by performing nano-indentation on 200nm thick nitride layers, were found for most samples to be correlated with film density. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article offers information on the dark current spectroscopy (DCS) technique which can be used for the detection and identification of metallic contaminants present at low concentration in electronic equipments. It informs that the technique works to estimate the concentration and helps in determining its dissemination mode during the contamination process. It provides information on the working of complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.

Abstract: To go further in the comprehension of hydrogen desorption mechanisms from PECVD (Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposited) silicon nitride, a method to determine the chemical composition of amorphous silicon nitride films using fast and non destructive characterization techniques has been developed. In particular, Silyph name="sbnd" />H, Sincentrations are calculated from Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy, ellipsometry and mass measurement. Next, different PECVD silicon nitride films were annealed at 600°C during 2min. Results show that hydrogen desorption from PECVD silicon nitride depends on film mass density and main chemical reactions leading to hydrogen desorption are identified thanks to the determination of Sincentrations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The ability of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) to induce epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is mediated by SMAD-dependent and SMAD-independent pathways such as the activation of Rho GTPase signalling. Upon activation, GTP-bound Rho stimulates the ROCK kinases, which in turn phosphorylate numerous substrates including the LIM kinases (LIMK). The net result of ROCK activation is increased actin–myosin contractile force generation, with a contribution from LIMK-induced actin filament stabilisation. In this study, we made use of siRNA-mediated knockdown and selective inhibitors to determine the contributions of ROCK and LIMK to TGFβ-induced responses. We find that both ROCK and LIMK are required for TGFβ stimulation of serum-response factor (SRF) transcriptional activity and actin stress fibre formation during EMT. In contrast, although LIMK inhibition had little effect on cell motility in scratch wound and Transwell migration assays, ROCK inhibition actually promoted TGFβ-induced cell motility by helping individual cells to break free from the epithelial sheet. Furthermore, we demonstrate that selective inhibition of LIMK, but not ROCK, effectively blocked TGFβ driven invasion through a layer of matrigel extracellular matrix protein. These results indicate that the roles of LIMK and ROCK in the Rho signalling pathway downstream of TGFβ are not identical and suggest that LIMK represents an attractive therapeutic target in TGFβ driven organ fibrosis and metastatic cancer spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The actions of RhoA in cytoskeletal regulation have been extensively studied. RhoA also contributes to proliferation and oncogenic transformation by less well-characterized means. Elevated RhoA signalling has been associated with human cancer; through increased RhoA expression, mutation or elevated expression of activating Rho guanine-nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), or from deletion or decreased expression of inhibitory Rho GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). Unlike the Ras oncogene, constitutively-activated GTPase-deficient RhoA mutants have not been identified in tumours. To investigate the effects of active RhoA on proliferation, we generated Swiss3T3 cells that inducibly express wild-type RhoA or GTPase-deficient active V14RhoA. We found that V14RhoA inhibited cell proliferation by retarding entry into the DNA synthetic cell cycle phase and blocking successful completion of cytokinesis, resulting in an increased incidence of binucleate cells. These effects were associated with inhibition of mitogen-induced activation of the MAPK pathway, and suppression of several proteins involved in mitosis, including anillin, ECT2 and cyclin B1 which would be expected to result in reduced activation of endogenous RhoA at the cell equator. Accumulation of active RhoA protein in the midbody of cells in telophase was inhibited in V14RhoA-expressing cells, suggesting that RhoA inactivation must occur prior to re-activation. Defective cytokinesis was also associated with prominent actin structures in V14RhoA-expressing cells, which might be incompatible with equatorial furrowing. Using super-resolution imaging based on single-molecule switching, we have significantly improved the resolution of active RhoA in midbodies. These results indicate that constitutively-active RhoA antagonizes several cellular activities that contribute to proliferation, highlighting the importance for cycling between GTP/GDP-bound states. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of cream pasteurization on the composition and microstructure of buttermilk after pasteurization, evaporation and spray-drying was studied. The composition of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) isolated from buttermilk samples was also characterized. Pasteurization of cream resulted in higher lipid recovery in the buttermilk. Spray-drying of buttermilk had a significant effect on phospholipid content and composition. After spray-drying, the phospholipid content decreased by 38.2% and 40.6%, respectively in buttermilk from raw or pasteurized cream when compared with initial buttermilks. Pasteurization of cream resulted in the highest increase in whey protein recovery in MFGM isolates compared with all other processing steps applied on buttermilk. A reduction in phospholipid content was also observed in MFGM isolates following spray-drying. Transmission electron microscopy of the microstructure of buttermilks revealed extremely heterogeneous microstructures but failed to reveal any effect of the treatments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article describes how information provided by the international community influences the design of training programs for airport security officers at the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). It explains how the integration of this information was instrumental in selecting a training program that follows the principles of a competency-based methodology. This review coincides with the fourth anniversary of the creation of CATSA and the fifth of the tragedy of September 11th, 2001. The authors identify major airport security issues, opportunities and constraints dictated by the international context, and the main strategic and methodological alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Local stressors techniques are extensively used in CMOS technologies starting with the 90nm node to compensate the mobility loss induced by extensive scale down. The purpose is to generate some strain within the silicon channel to enhance carrier mobility. To achieve nMOS performance at the 45nm node, gate stressors are required in addition to standard nitride liners. With this option, the stress generated within the gate is directly transmitted into the channel and more than 10% gain in saturation current is achievable on nMOS. Stress is generated within the polysilicon gate through annealing under a capping liner. After liner removal, a part of this stress is memorized within the gate material. Final gate stress depends on both polysilicon pre-treatments and liner properties. This paper deals with material studies performed on capping liners in parallel to tests on electrical devices. Important parameters to generate stress under capping are presented. This allows providing a simple model and guidelines for further optimization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The social dimensions of health and illness have been studied extensively from a materialistic angle. The nonmaterial or subjective factors of social experience affecting health have only recently received some attention. This paper introduces a new multidimensional concept of rank, which includes social dimensions as well as nonmaterially based elements of emotional, psychological, and spiritual strength. It proposes that rank is an important addition to the current literature of socioeconomic inequality and health and examines its relevance for the discussion of how social status inequalities affect people's global health. It suggests that rank as a signifier of power contributes to feelings of powerlessness and leads to worsened health outcomes. This paper suggests that perceived rank may play a role in the socioeconomic status (SES) effect on self-reported health. It presents a new conceptual and therapeutic model to address issues of rank-based discrimination in health care. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, the interaction observed in PMOS transistor between the boron lightly doped drain (LDD) extensions and the spacer oxide and nitride dielectrics have been studied, with a simple experimental methodology. Low thermal budget oxide obtained by sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition (SACVD) and nitride deposited by plasma process have been evaluated as spacer layers. The influence of the oxide liner hydrogen content is shown to be critical for the p type shallow junction. Indeed, during the activation anneal, hydrogen content increases the boron out diffusion from the extension into the oxide liner and yield to a significant dose loss in this area. Nitride porosity has also been studied. A lower boron dose loss is observed with a porous layer because hydrogen can degas out significantly from the oxide, during anneal, through the porous nitride film. These results confirm the model of boron out diffusion based on oxide hydrogen content proposed by Kohli. Finally, a boron diffusion mechanism driven by chemistry and enhanced by hydrogen defects is proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The modification of cell surface lipids or proteins with sialic acid is essential for many biological processes and several diseases are caused by defective sialic acid metabolism. Sialic acids cleaved off from degraded sialoglycoconjugates are exported from lysosomes by a membrane transporter, named sialin, which is defective in two allelic inherited diseases: infantile sialic acid storage disease (ISSD) and Salla disease. To develop a functional assay of human sialin, we redirected the protein to the plasma membrane by mutating a dileucine-based internalization motif. Cells expressing the plasmalemmal construct accumulated neuraminic acid at acidic pH by a process equivalent to lysosomal efflux. The assay was used to determine how pathogenic mutations affect transport. Interestingly, while two missense mutations and one small, in-frame deletion associated with ISSD abolished transport, the mutation causing Salla disease (R39C) slowed down, but did not stop, the transport cycle, thus explaining why the latter disorder is less severe. Since neurological symptoms predominate in Salla disease, our results suggest that sialin is rate-limiting to specific sialic acid-dependent processes of the nervous system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two members of the signal transducer and activator of transcription family, STAT1 and STAT2, form, together with interferon regulatory factor 9 (IRF-9), the ISGF3 complex that activates the expression of the interferon-stimulated genes (ISG). The ISGF3 complex also participates in the virus-induced alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β) gene amplification cascade by up-regulating IRF-7 gene expression. Here, we show that treatment of cells with trichostatin A (TSA), a deacetylase inhibitor, inhibits the virus-induced activation of IFN-α/β promoters and dramatically reduces the ability of different ISG promoters to respond to IFN stimulation. Impairment of IFN-α/β and ISG expression by TSA in infected cells is due to the blockage of interferon-stimulated ISGF3 complex formation, which leads to the abolition of IRF-7 gene expression. We also show that the TSA-dependent inhibition of ISGF3 is related to impaired nuclear accumulation of STAT2. Our data suggest that an acetylation/deacetylation mechanism participates in the regulation of cellular distribution and function of STAT2 in IFN-α/β signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcription of the murine interferon-A4 (IFN-A4) gene is mediated by a virus responsive element (VRE-A4) located in the promoter proximal [−120 to −43] region. VRE-A4 contains four DNA modules (A to D) which cooperate for maximal IFN-A4 activation following virus infection. The differential expression between the highly expressed IFN-A4 and the weakly inducible IFN-A11 gene promoters is essentially due to point mutations within the C and D modules of the virus-responsive element VRE-A11. We now demonstrate that in murine L929 and human 293 cells, transcription factors IRF-3 and IRF-7, which are potent activators of virus-induced type I IFN transcription, differentially affect IFN-A4 and IFN-A11 promoter activities. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays and DNase I footprinting data, our studies demonstrate that the AB modules correspond to a preferential site for IRF-7, whereas the C module is preferentially recognized by IRF-3. Furthermore, transfection of reporter constructs driven by four copies of different GAAANN hexameric motifs found within VRE-A4 indicates that the NN residues of these hexameric sequences define the preferential binding sites for IRF-3 or IRF-7. Together, these experiments clarify the molecular basis for differential expression of IFN-A genes following virus infection by delineating the sequence requirements for IRF association with the virus responsive elements of the IFN-A genes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Objectives Materials and Methods Results Conclusion Postpartum anaemia is a prevalent health problem. We aimed to determine the compliance rate for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion indication among postpartum women in a single tertiary care centre in Quebec, Canada.Retrospective cohort study including all women ≥6 h postpartum who received ≥1 RBC transfusion during their delivery hospitalization between January 2005 and February 2022. We determined our centre's compliance rate by indication as compared to current society guidelines, all published after 2015 (Network for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management, Haemostasis and Thrombosis [NATA], Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists [RCOG], American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACOG]). We then explored predictors of guideline non‐compliance and described transfusion practices in our centre.A total of 171 women were included. Our centre's compliance rate was 79.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 72.7–84.8). Predictors of guideline non‐compliance were maternal medical comorbidity or abnormal placentation, both limited by large CIs (odds ratio [OR] 2.26, CI 1.02–4.94, p = 0.04; OR 4.00, CI 1.31–12.06, p = 0.01, respectively). Postpartum haemorrhage was diagnosed among 68% of the cohort, mostly due to uterine atony (73.3%). Mean baseline and nadir haemoglobin were 111 g/L (±18) and 62 g/L (±7.7), respectively. Multiple unit initial transfusion was found in a majority of patients (63.7%). Iron therapy was administered to 51.5% of women in‐hospital and 81.9% received an oral iron prescription at discharge. There were no differences in primary or secondary outcomes subsequent to relevant guideline publication.Our centre's compliance rate for RBC transfusion indication meets current practice guidelines. Areas for improvement include single‐unit initial transfusion protocols and adjuvant iron treatment. Antenatal optimization of haemoglobin and ferritin stores may limit postpartum transfusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) for advanced logic transistor technologies are deposited by various modifications of the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method using a wide variety of precursors. Being a major electrical performance limiter, the TMD crystal grain size strongly differs between the various CVD precursor chemistries from nano‐ to millimeter‐sized crystals. However, it remains unclear how the CVD precursor chemistry affects the nucleation density and resulting TMD crystal grain size. This work postulates guiding principles to design a CVD process for highly crystalline TMD deposition using a quantitative analytical model benchmarked against the literature. The TMD nucleation density reduces favorably under low supersaturation conditions where the metal precursor sorption on the starting surface is reversible and the corresponding metal precursor desorption rate exceeds the overall deposition rate. Such reversible precursor adsorption guarantees efficient long‐range gas‐phase lateral diffusion of precursor species in addition to short‐range surface diffusion, which vitally increases crystal grain size. The proposed model explains the large spread in experimentally observed TMD nucleation densities and crystal grain sizes for state‐of‐the‐art CVD chemistries. Ultimately, it empowers the reader to interpret and modulate precursor adsorption and diffusion reactions through designing CVD precursor chemistries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the colonization and disinfection of biofilms hosting coliform-colonized carbon fines. Release of carbon fines from granular activated filter; Colonization of introduced Klebsiella pneumoniae; Transportation of the coliforms to the biofilms; Impact of chlorine on the coliform bacteria.

Abstract: The bioactive alkaloid (−)-lobeline was synthesized via the stereoselective acylation (desymmetrization) of meso-lobelanidine by vinyl acetate in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase B. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the UPST was objectived by stabilometric parameters in both bipodal and unipodal stations. Twenty-six women, 15 men, average age 34 ± 6.9 years, are divided into 2 groups by an expert practitioner according to the results of the UPST. They were then evaluated in bipodal stance on force platform (Médicapteurs©, Fusyo®, France) for 31.6 sec at 40 Hz, under 4 conditions: – open eyes; – closed eyes; – open eyes with foam and; – closed eyes with foam (Capitoner® 8sh 2 mm). Subjects were recorded in unipodal situation for 5 sec at 40 Hz on the left and right feet, eyes open and eyes closed. All registrations were randomized and volunteers with a dominant left foot (2) or a UPST dysfunction on the left were excluded (4). Data analysis was performed by two MANOVA for each experimental time. Subjects with bilateral instability to the UPST showed a significantly larger surface area of the Centre of Pressure in the bipodal situation with eyes closed (F (2.32) = 4.48; P = 0.02 (η2 = 0.22)) and in unipedal situation with eyes open, only on the left foot (F (2.32) = 5.7; P = 0.008 (η2 = 0.26)) compared to volunteers without pelvic instabilities. The subjects with right dysfunctions to the UPST showed no significant difference in stabilometric parameters compared to the control population. Subjects with bilateral pelvic instability have poorer postural stability in both bipodal and unipedal stance while isolated right pelvic instability cannot be characterized by force platform exams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The efficacy of premedication for the prevention of nonhemolytic transfusion reactions remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effect of premedication on the rate of nonhemolytic transfusion reactions after allogeneic blood transfusion.Study Design and Methods: We searched the literature using CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, and clinicaltrials.gov databases from inception until October 31, 2018. We included all randomized controlled trials comparing premedication to placebo or no treatment in patients receiving any labile blood product. Outcome measures were reported as relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Data were combined for similar outcomes where appropriate using a random-effects model. Analyses were done at both the patient and transfusion level.Results: Three randomized trials using acetaminophen and antihistamine as premedication met the inclusion criteria. A total of 517 patients received 4444 red blood cell or platelet transfusions. Pooled patient-level estimates with premedication for all nonhemolytic, febrile nonhemolytic, and minor allergic reactions were RR, 0.92 (95% CI, 0.63-1.35); RR, 0.54 (95% CI, 0.26-1.1); and RR, 1.37 (95% CI 0.81-2.31), respectively. Transfusion-level analyses also showed no benefit with premedication. Of 517 patients randomized, only 27 (5.2%) had a history of transfusion reactions.Conclusion: Routine premedication with acetaminophen and antihistamines did not prevent nonhemolytic transfusion reactions; however, the estimate of effect was greatest for febrile reactions. The impact of premedication in patients with a prior history of transfusion reactions remains unknown and requires further evaluation in future clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A factorial experimental design was used to evaluate the effect of denatured whey protein and fat concentrations in milk on rennet gel properties. The coagulation properties were characterized by dynamic rheometry. Decreased coagulation rate and storage modulus (G′) were observed when denatured whey protein concentrate (DWPC) was added to milk. Increasing the fat content barely affected milk coagulation, with a slight decrease in G′ at 60 min. The contraction kinetics of the gels during cooking was also characterized. Only the increase in DWPC reduced the contraction capacity of the gel. The use of DWPC in miniature cheese production linearly increased cheese yield and moisture. Introducing DWPC did not reduce fat retention in the curd, except at 0.75% when combined with the highest fat level (3.4%). Fat globules and DWPC aggregates are both considered to be fillers in rennet gels, but our results clearly show different impacts on gel mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nucleolar sequestration of the RelA subunit of nuclear factor (NF)-κB is an important mechanism for regulating NF-κB transcriptional activity. Ubiquitylation, facilitated by COMMD1 (also known as MURR1), acts as a crucial nucleolar-targeting signal for RelA, but how this ubiquitylation is regulated, and how it differs from cytokine-mediated ubiquitylation, which causes proteasomal degradation of RelA, is poorly understood. Here, we report a new role for p300 (also known as EP300) in controlling stimulus-specific ubiquitylation of RelA, through modulation of COMMD1. We show that p300 is required for stress-mediated ubiquitylation and nucleolar translocation of RelA, but that this effect is indirect. We also demonstrate that COMMD1 is acetylated by p300 and that acetylation protects COMMD1 from XIAP-mediated proteosomal degradation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that COMMD1 acetylation is enhanced by aspirin-mediated stress, and that this acetylation is absolutely required for the protein to bind RelA under these conditions. In contrast, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) has no effect on COMMD1 acetylation. Finally, we demonstrate these findings have relevance in a whole tissue setting. These data offer a new paradigm for the regulation of NF-κB transcriptional activity, and the multiple other pathways controlled by COMMD1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microfluidictechnology has opened new possibilities for the crystallization ofbiological macromolecules during the past decade. Microfluidic systemsoffer numerous advantages over conventional crystal growth methods.They enable easy handling of nanovolumes of solutions, extreme miniaturization,and parallelization of crystallization assays, especially for high-throughputscreening applications. Our goal was to design a versatile, low cost,and easy-to-use crystallization chip based on counter-diffusion thatis compatible with on-chip crystallographic characterization. TheChipX is a microfluidic chip made of cyclic olefin copolymer. It wasused to grow crystals of biomolecules and perform complete X-ray diffractionanalyses on synchrotron sources. Our results demonstrate that accuratecrystallographic data can be collected at room temperature directlyfrom ChipX microfluidic devices for both experimental single-wavelengthanomalous dispersion phasing and structure refinement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Enzymatic acylation is commonly used for the kinetic resolution of alcohols and amines. The simple acyl group introduced during the enzymatic reaction is usually removed or replaced by another group. Retention of more complex acyl moieties as part of the target structures would be a more efficient strategy. We have studied the enantioselective acylation of a model alcohol substrate, 1-phenylethanol, with vinyl esters bearing various functionality on the acyl moieties in the presence of three lipases (Candida antarctica, Candida rugosa and Burkholderia cepacia) frequently used in organic synthesis. C. antarctica lipase is the most versatile lipase for this type of biotransformations. We applied this strategy to the synthesis of a protein kinase C ligand and a natural product, phoracantholide. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Virus-induced expression of interferon (IFN)-A genes is regulated by two members of the IFN regulatory factor (IRF) family, IRF-3 and IRF-7, which are activated by phosphorylation during viral infection by the IKK-related serine/threonine kinases TBK1 and IκB kinase ϵ (IKKϵ). In this study, we demonstrate that three IRF-binding sites located in the virus-responsive element mediate the transcriptional activation of the IFN-A4 promoter by IRF-3. The precise arrangement of these IRF elements is required for synergistic activation of the IFN-A4 promoter following Newcastle disease virus infection or activation by TBK1 or IKKϵ. The ordered assembly of IRF-3 multimers on the promoter also determines cooperative recruitment of IRF-3 and CREB-binding protein and differential virus-induced expression of IFN-A4 gene promoter compared with IFN-A11. Naturally occurring nucleotide substitutions disrupt two of the IRF elements in the IFN-A11 gene promoter, leading to a dramatic decrease in IRF-3 and CREB-binding protein recruitment and in IRF-3-dependent transcription. Transcription of the IFN-A4 promoter by IRF-7 is mediated by two IRF elements; promoter mutants that carry a reversed IRF element retain the ability to respond to IKKϵ or TBK1 expression in the presence of IRF-7 but lose the capacity to respond to virus or kinase-induced IRF-3. Interestingly, IKKϵ or TBK1 stimulates the IRF-7-mediated transcription of IFN-A11, although at a lesser extent compared with IFN-A4. Our data indicate that virus-induced expression of IFN-A genes is dictated by the organization of IRF elements within the IFN-A promoters and that the differential IFN-A gene expression, based on the IRF-3 responsiveness, is partially compensated in the presence of IRF-7 when both factors are activated by IKKϵ or TBK1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study experiments the incidence of a 2 mm thin median bar (BM®) and truncated median bar (BMt®) plantar relief in bilateral pelvic instabilities, considering the effect of the presence or not of plantar afferences inefficiency on unipedal stabilometric performance [1]. Eleven subjects with bilateral pelvic instability at the unipedal pelvic stability test (TSPU) [1] and with a right dominant foot were evaluated. Randomized measurements were performed in bipodal stance on force platform (Médicapteurs©, Fusyo®, France) for 31.6 sec at 40 Hz and then in unipedal stance for 5 sec at 40 Hz on each foot, eyes open and eyes closed under three conditions: – Control; – BM® – BMt®. Repeated and factorial variance analyses were then carried out. The population was divided into two groups according to their Plantar Quotient (PQ) greater or less than 100 determined by the bipodal registrations [2]. Seven subjects showed a QP greater than 100 and 4 subjects a QP less than 100. The BM® and BMt® stimuli enhanced the Surface of the Centre of Pressure (CoP) on the right foot with eyes closed. Taking into account the QP, subjects with a QP greater than 100 were enhanced on the surface of the CoP with BMt® only. In this condition, both median bars (BM® and BMt®) enhanced the subjects if their QP was less than 100. This study on bilateral pelvic instabilities with thin plantar stimuli confirms their therapeutic interest in these dysfunctions of postural control and illustrates fundamental interest of two notions: – foot dominance and; – efficiency or inefficiency of plantar afferences. These results require further research that considers these intra and inter individual differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stereoselective acetylation of meso-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanediol by vinyl acetate in the presence of three lipases gave the (1R,3S)-monoester in high enantiomeric excess (ee ≥ 98%). The hydrolysis of the corresponding meso-diacetate in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase in phosphate buffer provided the opposite enantiomer. Optically active monoacetates were converted to both enantiomers of 3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylcyclohexanone, a versatile chiral building block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we demonstrate the use of Fully Depleted Silicon On Insulator (FDSOI) transistors as pH sensors with a 23 nm silicon nitride sensing layer built in the Back-End-Of-Line (BEOL). The back end process to deposit the sensing layer and fabricate the electrical structures needed for testing is detailed. A series of tests employing different pH buffer solutions has been performed on transistors of different geometries, controlled via the back gate. The main findings show a shift of the drain current (I D ) as a function of the back gate voltage (V B ) when different pH buffer solutions are probed in the range of pH 6 to pH 8. This shift is observed at V B voltages swept from 0 V to 3 V, demonstrating the sensor operation at low voltage. A high sensitivity of up to 250 mV/pH unit (more than 4-fold larger than Nernstian response) is observed on FDSOI MOS transistors of 0.06 µm gate length and 0.08 µm gate width. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lateral growth of nucleated WS 2 domains on C-plane sapphire by MOCVD in a commercial showerhead reactor was demonstrated. • The crystalline quality of coalesced WS 2 monolayers with <10% bilayer was assessed by GIXRD and 4D-STEM. • Electrical properties of the WS 2 layers were determined using backgated TLM structures demostrating I on /I off > 108 and electron mobility of 5 cm2/Vs. • Impact of the change of offcut direction of sapphire, substrate annealing temperature and WS 2 growth temperature was investigated. The nucleation of tungsten disulfide WS 2 crystallites and coalescence behaviour of monolayer WS 2 films grown on C-plane sapphire have been studied in a commercial AIXTRON close coupled showerhead metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) reactor using tungsten hexacarbonyl and di- tert -butyl sulfide as precursors. The influence of sapphire substrates offcut (both orientation and angle), as well as the substrate annealing conditions and growth temperature, on the nucleation and size of the WS 2 domains has been investigated. A higher nucleation temperature combined with increased substrate annealing temperatures was found to promote an increase in the WS 2 domain size. The dependence of surface coverage and coalescence behaviour of the WS 2 domains on the growth duration has also been determined, allowing monolayer WS 2 films with < 10 % bilayer to be obtained. Crystalline quality of the coalesced WS 2 films has been assessed by grazing incidence XRD and misorientation mapping using 4D-scanning transmission electron microscopy, showing a slight in-plane misorientation of the crystallites in the WS 2 monolayer. The electrical performance of the coalesced WS 2 films was assessed using backgated TLM structures demonstrating mobility values of up to 5 cm2/Vs and a high I on /I off ratio greater than 108. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the effect of a denatured whey protein concentrate (DWPC) and its fractions on cheese yield, composition, and rheological properties, and (2) to separate the direct effect of the DWPC or its fractions on cheese rheological properties from the effect of a concomitant increase in cheese moisture. Semihard cheeses were produced at a laboratory scale, and mechanical properties were characterized by dynamic rheometry. Centrifugation was used to induce a moisture gradient in cheese to separate the direct contribution of the DWPC from the contribution of moisture to cheese mechanical properties. Cheese yield increased and complex modulus (G*) decreased when the DWPC was substituted for milk proteins in milk. For cheeses with the same moisture content, the substitution of denatured whey proteins for milk proteins had no direct effect on rheological parameters. The DWPC was fractionated to evaluate the contribution of its different components (sedimentable aggregates, soluble component, and diffusible component) to cheese yield, composition, and rheological properties. The sedimentable aggregates were primarily responsible for the increase in cheese yield when DWPC was added. Overall, moisture content explained to a large extent the variation in cheese rheological properties depending on the DWPC fraction. However, when the effect of moisture was removed, the addition of the DWPC sedimentable fraction to milk increased cheese complex modulus. Whey protein aggregates were hypothesized to act as active fillers that physically interact with the casein matrix and confer rigidity after pressing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-Aligned Quadruple Patterning (SAQP) is used in advanced CMOS-FET technologies to enable the formation of arrays of fins at sub-40 nm pitches. As these technology nodes keep scaling down and the fins get taller for performance improvement, the patterns become denser and present very high aspect ratio (HAR). The scaling trends make the fin pattern more subject to mechanical instabilities during the processing steps. We describe in this paper a specific mechanical fin bending mode linked to the SAQP scheme targeting 24 nm pitch, the HAR and the formation and recess steps of the isolating oxide. We investigated the evolution of fin bending throughout the fin and isolation formation. We observed fins start bending at the FCVD deposition step exhibiting rotation angles up to 3 degrees. The bending was then worsened along the subsequent process steps causing mechanical failure after fin reveal where up to 7–8° of bending angles were observed. After having studied the influence of the key process steps, we can report a path to mitigate this phenomenon. Finally, we propose a simple mechanical analysis to validate quantitatively the root cause and extrapolate the mechanical robustness of this system for further scaling nodes where fin pitch is reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful early attrition of potentialproblematic compounds isof great importance in the pharmaceutical industry. The lead compoundin a recent project targeting neuropathic pain was susceptible tometabolic bioactivation, which produced reactive metabolites and showedcovalent binding to protein. Therefore, as a part of the backup seriesfor this compound several structural modifications were explored tomediate the reactive metabolite and covalent binding risk. A homomorpholinecontaining series of compounds was identified without compromisingpotency. However, when these compounds were incubated with human livermicrosomes in the presence of GSH, Cys-Gly adducts were identified,instead of intact GSH conjugates. This article examines the formationof the Cys-Gly adduct with AZX ([M+H]+486) as a representativecompound for this series. The AZX-Cys-Gly-adduct ([M+H]+662) showed evidence of ring contraction by formation of a thiazolidine-glycineand was additionally shown to be unstable. During its isolation forstructural characterization by 1H NMR spectroscopy, itwas found to have decomposed to a product with [M+H]+446.The characterization and identification of this labile GSH-derivedadduct using LC-MS/MS and 1H NMR are described, along withobservations around stability. In addition, various structurally relatedtrapping reagents were employed in an attempt to further investigatethe reaction mechanism along with a methoxylamine trapping experimentto confirm the structure of the postulated reactive intermediate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this article influence of plasma parameters on TaCN deposition using Plasma Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition (PEALD) is studied. TaCN is deposited on 300mm Si substrate with the organometallic precursor Tertiary-ButylimidoTrisDiEthyl-aminoTantalum (TBTDET) and H2/Ar plasma at different plasma power. Thickness, density, roughness, resistivity, crystallography and composition of the obtained layers were analysed by X-ray Reflection (XRR), 4 points probe measurement, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometry (XPS) respectively. Results show an evolution of the material with the increase of plasma power from a TaN-like to a TaC-like material. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rational creation of polymeric semiconductors from novel building blocks is critical to polymer solar cell (PSC) development. We report a new series of bithiopheneimide-based donor-acceptor copolymers for bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) PSCs. The bithiopheneimide electron-deficiency compresses polymer bandgaps and lowers the HOMOs—essential to maximize power conversion efficiency (PCE). While the dithiophene bridge progression R2Si→R2Ge minimally impacts bandgaps, it substantially alters the HOMO energies. Furthermore, imide N-substituent variation has negligible impact on polymer opto-electrical properties, but greatly affects solubility and microstructure. Grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) indicates that branched N-alkyl substituents increased polymer π-π spacings vs linear N-alkyl substituents, and the dithienosilole-based PBTISi series exhibits more ordered packing than the dithienogermole-based PBTIGe analogues. Further insights into structure-property-device performance correlations are provided by a thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione (TPD)-dithienosilole copolymer PTPDSi. DFT computation and optical spectroscopy show that the TPD-based polymers achieve greater subunit-subunit coplanarity via intramolecular (thienyl)S···O(carbonyl) interactions, and GIWAXS indicates that PBTISi-C8 has lower lamellar ordering, but closer π-π spacing than does the TPD-based analogue. Inverted BHJ solar cells using bithiopheneimide-based polymer as donor and PC71BM as acceptor exhibit promising device performance with PCEs up to 6.41% and Voc > 0.80 V. In analogous cells, the TPD analogue exhibits 0.08 V higher Voc with an enhanced PCE of 6.83%, mainly attributable to the lower-lying HOMO induced by the higher imide group density. These results demonstrate the potential of BTI-based polymers for high-performance solar cells, and provide generalizable insights into structure-property relationships in TPD, BTI, and related polymer semiconductors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the conception and fabrication of a microsystem for lanthanides separation and its coupling with a multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer for isotope ratio measurements. The lanthanides separation is based on the isotachophoresis technique and the microsystem conception has been adapted in order to fit with glove box limitations in view of future spent nuclear fuels analysis. The micro-device was tested by using a mixture of standard solutions of natural elements and the separation of 13 lanthanides was successfully performed. The micro-device was then coupled to a multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer for the on-line measurements of Nd and Sm isotope ratios. The isotopes of Nd and Sm were acquired online in multicollection mode after separation of the two elements with an injection amount of 5 ng. Results obtained on the Nd and Sm isotope ratio measurements on transient signals are presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: 2-Substituted glycerol derivatives 4a–g were resolved by acylation with vinyl butyrate in the presence of lipases in organic media. The reverse reaction, the enzymatic hydrolysis of the corresponding butyrates 5a–g, was also highly stereoselective and provided the opposite enantiomers. High enantioselectivities (ee >90%) and good isolated yields were obtained for all substrates using the appropriate lipase. Pseudomonas cepacia lipase or the closely related Pseudomonas sp. lipase were the most efficient enzymes for the resolution of substrates bearing smaller aliphatic groups. Candida antarctica lipase B was more suitable as the biocatalyst in the resolution of more sterically demanding aromatic substrates. 2-Benzylglycerol derivatives were resolved in the presence of Rhizopus sp. lipase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The enantioselective acylation (desymmetrization) of meso-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanediol 2 by vinyl acetate in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase B gave the corresponding (1R,2R,3S,4S)-monoester 4 in high enantiomeric purity (ee⩾98%). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

LIM kinases 1 and 2 (LIMK1/2) are centrally positioned regulators of actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Using siRNA-mediated knockdown or a novel small molecule inhibitor, we show LIMK is required for path generation by leading tumor cells and nontumor stromal cells during collective tumor cell invasion. LIMK inhibition lowers cofilin phosphorylation, F-actin levels, serum response factor transcriptional activity and collagen contraction, and reduces invasion in three-dimensional invasion assays. Although motility was unaffected, LIMK inhibition impairs matrix protein degradation and invadopodia formation associated with significantly faster recovery times in FRAP assays indicative of reduced F-actin stability. When LIMK is knocked down in MDA-MB-231 cells, they lose the ability to lead strands of collectively invading cells. Similarly, when LIMK activity is blocked in cancer-associated fibroblasts, they are unable to lead the collective invasion of squamous carcinoma cells in an organotypic skin model. These results show that LIMK is required for matrix remodeling activities for path generation by leading cells in collective invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During rapid thermal processing, nonuniformity of local radiative properties in the wafer front side is now obviously identified to results in thermal dispersion at die scale. This leads to changes in annealing temperature and thus variabilities of electrical behavior and device performances. However, these detrimental contributors remain a hard job to manage. Indeed, both optical and thermal physics are involved, a wide range of scales plays role, and many modeling challenges must be faced to understand and solve such issues. In this study, absorptivity and emissivity of various periodic patterned structures are investigated by optical modeling. It is clearly demonstrated that diffraction plays an important role when gate width dimension or space between gates become small. Then, the radiative properties can be mapped at die scale and hence a thermal simulation can be performed. Our intra-die simulated thermal gradient is in good agreement with experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]