Si/GexSi1-x heterojunction bipolartransistors with the GexSi1-x base formed by Geion implantation in Si

We have fabricated n-p-n, Si/Ge₂Si_1-x heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) with the Ge_xSi_1-x base formed by high-dose Ge implantation followed by solid phase epitaxy. The fabrication technology is a standard self-aligned, double polysilicon process scheme for Si with the addition of the high-dose Ge implantation. The transistors are characterized by a 60 mn-wide neutral base with a Ge concentration peak of ≈8 at.% at the base-collector junction. The HBTs show good electrical characteristics and compared to Si homojunction transistors show lower base resistance, larger values of current gain, and a lower emitter-to-collector transit time     

Determining the Reuse Potential of Components Based on Life Cycle Data

Reuse of components is one of the most efficient strategies for product recovery, which requires reliable methods for assessing the quality and the remaining life of used components. A new methodology, presented in this paper, is based on the trend analysis of lifetime monitoring data. Data with similar trends were grouped and a number of analysis techniques such as Linear Multiple Regression, Dynamic Ordinary Kriging, Universal Kriging and Neural Networks were applied in order to find the most suitable methodology for each group. The methodology was validated by using lifetime monitoring data from a consumer product.     

Influence of the link overstrength factor on the seismic behaviour of eccentrically braced frames

The paper investigates the influence of the link overstrength factor on the seismic behaviour of eccentrically braced frames designed in accordance with capacity design principles. To this end, systems characterised by different level number and link length are designed according to the force-based approach, by either static or modal analysis. In order to correctly evaluate the ability of structures to develop global collapse mechanisms characterized by remarkable exploitation of the deformation capacity of links, incremental dynamic analyses are carried out with reference to either deterministic or random values of yield strength. While the first analyses are intended to lead to the conventional evaluation of the seismic response of EBFs, those referred to random values of yield strength are carried out to achieve a more correct verification of the capacity design principles and a deep comprehension of the sensitivity of the structural response to real strength distributions. On the basis of such results, the study also permits a critical analysis of the values of the behaviour factor generally proposed by building codes with reference to this structural typology.     

Drug targeting using low density lipoprotein (LDL): physicochemical factors affecting drug loading into LDL particles

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) has been found suitable as a targeting carrier for cytotoxic drugs. However, higher drug loading into LDL particles without disrupting their native integrity remains a major obstacle. The purpose of this study is to investigate the different physicochemical factors that may affect drug loading and to characterize LDL-drug conjugates. Doxorubicin (Dox) and 3', 5'-O-dipalmitoyl-5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (dpIUdR) were used as reference cytotoxic drugs. Drugs were loaded into LDL particles using the dry film method with or without surfactants, liposomal and the direct addition method. The effects of incubation temperature, time and stoichiometry of LDL-drug conjugates on drug loading were investigated. The LDL-drug conjugates were evaluated for their stability and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), denatured gel (SDS-PAGE), and electron microscopy (EM). We have suitably incorporated 45+/-10 Dox and 150+/-25 dpIUdR molecules/LDL particle. A seven-fold increase in Dox incorporation was achieved with the liposomal preparation compared to the dry film method. A 4- to 6-h incubation at 37 degreesC was suitable to restore the native structure of LDL particles. No apo B fragmentation of LDL particles was noted on denatured gel. DSC studies showed no change in the Tm of the LDL and the LDL-drug conjugates. An increase in particle size of LDL-dpIUdR, not LDL-Dox was observed in EM compared to the native LDL which may be related to higher incorporation of dpIUdR. The results indicate that physicochemical factors significantly affect drug loading efficiency and may need to be considered to optimize drug incorporation into LDL particles.     

Modeling intramedia and intermedia relationships in multimedia network analysis through multiple timescale statistics

In this paper, a hierarchical paradigm modeling both the intramedia and intermedia time relationships of multimedia sources is derived. Each multimedia source is considered as being made up of a master monomedia source, which is independent, and slave monomedia sources, which are dependent on the master. The paradigm takes different timescale statistics into account and is used to characterize intermedia relationships in terms of the second-order statistics of the multimedia source. Finally, the impact of intermedia relationships on the performance of each monomedia source making up a multimedia source is analyzed when a number of multimedia sources are multiplexed together. The error introduced in both loss and jitter performance analysis when intermedia relationships are not modeled is evaluated through a case study. Numerical results show that this error may be dramatically significant in many common scenarios.     

Performance Evaluation of Distributed Database Architectures for UMTS Service Deployed in an Urban Area

The design of distributed databases (DDBs) destined to store user information is a key issue in third-generation mobile communication systems such as UMTS. In particular, the problem of determining the most appropriate DDB architectures for UMTS is critical due to the anticipated requirements of high distribution and adaptability of information. This paper presents a model which allows different DDB architectures to be evaluated, in terms of query loads and average search times. The model proposed puts no constraints on either the DDB structure arrangement or the user position characterization. The paper also discusses a real, significant case study, concerning a query operation arising from an access procedure performed on the DDB of a communication network covering an urban area.     

Comments on `A Lyapunov function of two-dimensional linear systems'

The authors show that the function introduced in the above-titled paper by H. Mahgoub and R. Carroll (ibid., vol. AC-31, p.170-172, (1986)) is not a Lyapunov function for a discrete 2-D system     

Characterization of Si/GexSi1 − x heterojunction bipolar transistors formed by Ge ion implantation in Si

Epitaxial Si/Ge_xSi_{1 − x} heterojunctions were formed by high dose Ge ion implantation in Si followed by rapid thermal annealing at 1000°C for 10 s. This technique was adopted to fabricate Si/Ge_xSi_{1 − x} heterojunction n-p-n bipolar transistors (HBT) using a self-aligned, double polycrystalline silicon process commonly used for fast Si bipolar transistors. The devices are characterized by a 60 nm wide neutral base with a Ge concentration peak of ≈ 7 at.% at the base-collector junction. Good static and dynamic electrical characteristics are demonstrated and discussed.