A patterned and passivated organic-inorganic semiconductorheterojunction diode

A new process for photolithographically patterning and passivating organic-inorganic semiconductor heterojunction devices is described. It makes it possible to overcome two important barriers to the use of organic semiconductors in active optoelectronic integrated circuit applications. The organic semiconductor used was 2,4,9,10-peryelenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA), which was vacuum deposited onto the surface of a p-Si substrate. Passivation was achieved via the deposition of SiO₂ onto the organic thin film using a low-temperature process. It was found that the organic-inorganic heterointerfaces is not damaged in the fabrication process, which uses several wet chemical etchants. In addition, all processes employed are compatible with both Si, III-V, and II-VI semiconductor device fabrication technologies. Preliminary reliability tests made at elevated temperatures indicate that the organic-inorganic heterojunction, after passivation is stable over extended periods of time     

Application of operant procedures in a group of institutionalized aggressive geriatric patients.

This study used positive reinforcement schedules versus no reinforcement on a group of 6 highly aggressive, institutionalized elderly patients. Dependent measures included confirmed incidents of physical and verbal aggressive behavior monitored across an ABAB design with a 4-month phase-out period. Results indicated that aggressive behavior can be significantly decreased in a group setting and subsequently generalized to ward behavior. Ancillary aspects of the study included the role of tangible and back-up reinforcers and staff attitude and behavior. Implications for future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Statistical physics: Some basic principles of fluctuation and noise theory

Models have traditionally played a significant role in statistical mechanics. In view of the complexity of the system which statistical mechanics attempt to describe, this is not at all surprising. The study of simplified models has frequently revealed the underlying mathematical structure of many physical questions and in so doing the study of models has contributed directly to a clarification of several paradoxes which beset statistical mechanics.In this paper some of the models which appear to be useful for the discussion of non-equilibrium phenomena are examined in some detail. As usual these models are extremely simplified versions of the actual situations. It is, finally, as well to stress that although the models are mathematically simpler, the actual discussion is still sometimes quite complicated.“Mathematics is often regarded as the bread and butter of science. If the butter is omitted, the results is indigestion, loss of appetite, or both. The purpose of this book is to suggest some ways of buttering the bread. The human mind can seldom accept completely abstract ideas; they must be derived from, or illustrated by, concrete examples. Here the reader will find ways of providing for himself tangible objects which will bring that necessary contact with reality into the symbolic world of mathematics.”(Cundy and Rollett, 1961)     

On the characterization of statistically synchronizablevariable-length codes

The authors consider statistically synchronizable variable-length codes, i.e. codes that admit decoders able to self-synchronize with high probability if the input sequence of code symbols is long enough. They show that a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a statistically self-synchronizing decoder and, therefore, for a code to be statistically synchronizable, is that the code has a synchronizing sequence. They also give a decision procedure to test whether a code has a synchronizing sequence. Finally, they specialize the procedure to obtain a simple and efficient algorithm to test the statistical synchronizability property of prefix codes     

Deterministic balancing and stochastic model reduction

A recent approach to the deterministic model reduction problem is based on the notion of balancing. However, the original development of deterministic balancing did not contain any statistical considerations with which to develop a stochastic model reduction algorithm. Nevertheless, it is shown in this note that there are two stochastic model reduction algorithms in the literature which result in a deterministically balanced model. Their equivalence with deterministic balancing provides a stochastic interpretation to the deterministic algorithm.     

Bartlett formalism generating functions and Z-transforms in fluctuation and noise theory

“La theorie des fonctions generatrices s'adapte elle même et avec la plus grande generalité aux questions des probabilité les plus difficiles.”(Laplace, 1812)“An important part of probability theory consists of the derivation of the probability distribution of the sum of n random variables, each of which obeys a given probability law, and the development of asymptotic forms of these distributions valid for increasing n. Probability generating functions owe their dominant position to the simplification they permit to both problems. Their employment to obtain the successive moments of a probability distribution and to solve the difference equations of probability theory is ancillary to their chief use in connexion with sums of random variables.”(Seal, 1949)