Sensitivity of static noise margins to random dopant variations in 6-T SRAM cells

The random dopant induced fluctuations of static noise margins (SNM) in 6-T SRAM cells are analyzed by using the formalism of doping sensitivity functions, which show how sensitive the SNM are to variations of the doping concentration at different locations inside the cell. The technique presented in this article is based on a full circuit perturbation theory at the level of each device transport model. It provides important information for the design and optimization of SNM and can capture correlation effects of doping fluctuations inside the same semiconductor device and between more devices. The bias points and the magnitude of random dopant induced fluctuations are computed by solving the Poisson, current continuity, and density–gradient equations for all the devices self-consistently (mixed-mode simulation). Simulation results for a well scaled SRAM cell with 30 nm channel length transistors show that the most sensitive regions to doping fluctuations extend for approximately 10 nm below the oxide/semiconductor interface and are located in the middle of the conduction channels for both the p-channel and n-channel transistors. It is apparent that random dopant induced fluctuations can significantly impinge on the yield and reliability of SRAM circuits and constitute a fundamental limit for further scaling unless these devices are properly optimized.     

Design of random doping fluctuation resistant structures of semiconductor devices

An automated technique is presented for the computation of the doping profiles that minimize the intrinsic fluctuations of various parameters induced by random doping fluctuations in semiconductor devices. The technique is based on the computation of the doping sensitivity functions of the parameters under consideration and the constrained minimization of the standard deviation of fluctuations by using the Lagrange multipliers technique. The technique is then applied to the minimization of the random doping induced fluctuations of the threshold voltage in 40-nm channel length MOSFET device.     

Special Issue on Generating Realistic Visual Data of Human Behavior

International Journal of Computer Vision -     

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles in collagen gel improves their medical use in periodontitis treatment

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) suspensions were biosynthesized by silver ions reduction in the presence of collagen, a nontoxic, organic polymer, intending to improve their medical use in periodontitis treatment. Spectrophotometric measurements showed a time- and concentration-dependent increase of AgNP formation in each suspension variant. Transmission electron microscopy revealed spherical morphology of AgNP in collagen and their mean diameter size was around 30?nm. The particle size distribution and zeta potential values of AgNP in collagen were determined by dynamic light scattering measurements. The surface charge of AgNP in collagen was positive, while commercial AgNP stabilized in citrate had negative surface charge. In vitro cytotoxicity testing of AgNP in collagen showed that they were biocompatible with human gingival fibroblasts in a wider range of concentrations than commercial nanoparticles. The antibacterial activity of AgNP in collagen against two pathogenic strains present in the periodontal pocket was dose-dependent and higher than that of AgNP in citrate. All these results demonstrated that AgNP prepared in collagen gel had improved properties, like small diameter, positive surface charge, high biocompatibility in human gingival fibroblasts, efficiency against bacterial growth and, thus, better therapeutic potential in periodontal disease treatment.     

Bending vibrations of adaptive cantilevers with external stores

The vibrational behavior of cantilevers carrying externally mounted stores and featuring adaptive capabilities is investigated. The structure is modeled as a thin-walled beam, and the adaptive capabilities are provided by a system of piezoactuators bonded or embedded into the structure. Based on the converse piezoelectric effect, the piezoactuators produce a localized strain field in response to an applied electric field and, as a result, an adaptive change in the dynamic response characteristics is achieved. Implementation of a control law relating the applied electrical field to one of the mechanical quantities characterizing the motion of the beam, enables one to obtain the free vibration characteristics as a function of the applied voltage (or in other terms, of the feedback gain).The obtained numerical results suggest that the application of this technology can play a major role in the enhancement of the dynamic response and the control of free vibration characteristics of this type of structures.     

Modeling and bending vibration control of nonuniform thin-walled rotating beams incorporating adaptive capabilities

This paper addresses the problems of modeling and bending vibration control of tapered rotating blades modeled as nonuniform thin-walled beams and incorporating adaptive capabilities. The blade model incorporates non-classical features such as transverse shear, secondary warping and includes the centrifugal and Coriolis force fields. For the non-adaptive system, an assessment of a number of non-classical features including the taper characteristics is accomplished. The adaptive capabilities are provided by a system of piezoactuators bonded to the structure surface and spread over the entire span of the beam. Based on the converse piezoelectric effect and on the out-of-phase actuation, the piezoactuators produce a localized strain field in response to the applied voltage, and consequently, a change of the dynamic response characteristics is induced. A combined feedback control law relating the piezoelectrically induced transversal bending moment at the beam tip with the kinematical response quantities appropriately selected is used, and the beneficial effects upon the closed-loop dynamic characteristics of the blade are highlighted.     

Phosphate esters with a complex structure of an alkyl‐aryl type considered as base oils

This paper presents results of work carried out to produce phosphate esters of the alkyl‐aryl type. Three new triesters of mixed structure have been synthesised using a special alcohol with an aryl content, e.g., 2‐phenoxy ethanol, and a very long branched alcohol, e.g., isotridecanol. The influence of the aryl content and the effect of the long aliphatic chain on the main tribological properties have been investigated.     

Performance analysis of the tracking of the global extreme on multimodal patterns using the Asymptotic Perturbed Extremum Seeking Control scheme

This paper presents the capability of the Asymptotic Perturbed Extremum Seeking Control (aPESC) scheme to track the Global Extreme on multimodal patterns. The multimodal patterns are simulated based on power characteristics generated by a photovoltaic (PV) array under Partial Shading Conditions (PSCs). The aPESC scheme is tested to evaluate the performance of locating, searching and tracking of the Global Maximum Power Point (GMPP). The following performance indicators such as the searching resolution, tracking accuracy, tracking efficiency, and tracking speed are used to compare the performance of the GMPP tracking (GMPPT) algorithms. The aPESCH1 scheme proposed has been implemented in MATLAB/Simulink package to evaluate the performance indicators mentioned above. The results prove that the proposed aPESCH1 scheme is effective and simple to be implemented.     

Evaluation of Transport Capacity through Liquid Membranes of Some Crown Ether‐Siloxane Copolymers

The complexation ability of some linear crown ether‐siloxane copolymers of ester or amide type with cations as K⁺ and NH₄⁺ was investigated spectrophotometrically in order to select the polysiloxane receptors that achieve good ion transport ability by bulk liquid membrane systems. The transport properties of the potassium picrate through a liquid membrane using siloxane‐crown ether polyamide as carrier were discussed.     

Emotion regulation and decision making under risk and uncertainty.

It is well established that emotion plays a key role in human social and economic decision making. The recent literature on emotion regulation (ER), however, highlights that humans typically make efforts to control emotion experiences. This leaves open the possibility that decision effects previously attributed to acute emotion may be a consequence of acute ER strategies such as cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. In Study 1, we manipulated ER of laboratory-induced fear and disgust, and found that the cognitive reappraisal of these negative emotions promotes risky decisions (reduces risk aversion) in the Balloon Analogue Risk Task and is associated with increased performance in the prehunch/hunch period of the Iowa Gambling Task. In Study 2, we found that naturally occurring negative emotions also increase risk aversion in Balloon Analogue Risk Task, but the incidental use of cognitive reappraisal of emotions impedes this effect. We offer evidence that the increased effectiveness of cognitive reappraisal in reducing the experience of emotions underlies its beneficial effects on decision making. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)