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Changing the surface properties of the backside of a silicon wafer to repel oil and prevent particle binding

Choi et al. | Feb 14, 2025

Changing the surface properties of the backside of a silicon wafer to repel oil and prevent particle binding

Wafers, essential in microchip production, can develop issues like leveling problems and wafer slip due to the formation of silanol bonds on their backside, which attract silica particles and oil. Authors tested addressing this issue with a coating of [acetoxy(polyethyleneoxy)propyl]triethoxysilane (APTS) applied to the wafer’s backside, preventing particle binding and oil adherence.

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Unit-price anchoring affects consumer purchasing behavior

James et al. | Jan 15, 2025

Unit-price anchoring affects consumer purchasing behavior

This study examines how anchoring—providing numerical suggestions like "2 for $4"—can influence consumer purchasing decisions and increase revenue. The researchers tested three types of price anchors on 29 high school students shopping in a mock store.

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Mendelian randomization reveals shared genetic landscape in autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease

Lee et al. | Nov 04, 2024

Mendelian randomization reveals shared genetic landscape in autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) are distinct conditions, but research suggests a link, as individuals with ASD are 2.5 times more likely to develop AD. A study employing genome-wide association studies and Mendelian randomization revealed shared genetic factors, particularly in synaptic regulation pathways, that may increase the risk of AD in those with ASD. These findings provide insights into the genetic underpinnings connecting the two disorders.

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Investigating the inhibition of catabolic enzymes for implications in cardiovascular diseases and diabetes

Gandhi et al. | Aug 25, 2024

Investigating the inhibition of catabolic enzymes for implications in cardiovascular diseases and diabetes
Image credit: The authors

Enzymes that metabolize carbohydrates and lipids play a key role in our health, including global health challenges like cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. To learn more about these important enzymes, Gandhi and Gandhi test whether various natural substances (ginger, Aloe vera, lemon, and mint leaves) affect the activity of α-amylase and lipase enzymes.

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Impact of carbon number and atom number on cc-pVTZ Hartree-Fock Energy and program runtime of alkanes

Pan et al. | Mar 06, 2024

Impact of carbon number and atom number on cc-pVTZ Hartree-Fock Energy and program runtime of alkanes
Image credit: The authors

It's time-consuming to complete the calculations that are used to study nuclear reactions and energy. To uncover which computational chemistry tools are useful for this challenge, Pan, Vaiyakarnam, Li, and McMahan investigated whether the Python-based Simulations of Chemistry Framework’s Hartree-Fock (PySCF) method is an efficient and accurate way to assess alkane molecules.

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