Measurements of distribution of self-bias potential on an RF-plane electrode in plasma etching devices

The self-bias potential (V_dc) induced on an RF-powdered electrode (153 mm Ø) in a plasma is measured using electrical probes which are buried in, de-insulated from, and RF-connected to the electrode. The configuration of the probes allows to study the distribution of V_dc discretely on the electrode. The potential is homogeneous in the absence of external magnetic field. In the presence of a homogeneous magnetic field parallel to the electrode, it is reduced and a monotonous gradient takes place in its distribution due to the plasma shift induced by E × B drift. When the magnetic field is rotated along the axis of the RF-electrode at a frequency less than 50 Hz, the distribution, which is almost identical to the one in a static field, rotates with the magnetic field. On the coordinate system rotating with the magnetic field, the probes are regarded to be rotating. The potential distribution is obtained as a continuous function of the azimuthal angle. Thus the rotation of the field provides information for the experimental interpolation.     

Novel technique for SiO2 formed by liquid-phasedeposition for low-temperature processed polysilicon TFT

A technique for SiO₂ formation by liquid-phase deposition (LPD) at nearly room temperature for low-temperature processed (LTP) polysilicon thin-film transistor (poly-Si TFT) was developed. LPD SiO₂ film with a lower P-etch rate shows a dense structure. LPD SiO₂ also exhibits good electrical characteristics. LTP poly-Si thin-film transistors (TFTs) with LPD SiO ₂ as the gate insulator have been fabricated and investigated. Their characteristics indicate performance adequate for their use as pixel transistors in liquid crystal displays (LCDs)     

An expert system with temporal reasoning for alarm processing inpower system control centers

The alarm lists presented to control center operators are usually difficult to interpret. The authors present an expert system that processes the alarm lists in Portuguese control centers. This system makes an intelligent synthesis of the available information and presents it in a flexible and structured way. It uses an original approach to deal with temporal reasoning and real-time constraints. The system incorporates an explanation module that enables its use as a tutor for novice operators     

The importance of electrochemistry-related etching in thegate-groove fabrication for InAlAs/InGaAs HFETs

For the first time, the surface metal on nonalloyed ohmic electrodes is found to significantly change the profiles of gate grooves, when resist openings are employed to monitor drain current during wet-chemical gate recess for sub-micron InAlAs/lnGaAs heterojunction field-effect transistors (HFETs). The surface metal of Ni enhances the etching rate in comparison with that in the absence of electrodes by a factor of 4 and 10, laterally and vertically, which is favorable to fabricate deep gate grooves with small side etching. The Pt surface metal, however, leads to preferential etching of InGaAs over InAlAs, which can be useful to realize large side etching. The existence of an electrochemistry-related etching component, which arises when the ohmic electrodes are present during recess etching, is considered to be responsible for these behaviors     

Learning long-term dependencies with gradient descent is difficult

Recurrent neural networks can be used to map input sequences to output sequences, such as for recognition, production or prediction problems. However, practical difficulties have been reported in training recurrent neural networks to perform tasks in which the temporal contingencies present in the input/output sequences span long intervals. We show why gradient based learning algorithms face an increasingly difficult problem as the duration of the dependencies to be captured increases. These results expose a trade-off between efficient learning by gradient descent and latching on information for long periods. Based on an understanding of this problem, alternatives to standard gradient descent are considered.     

Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata. Two case reports

AIM: To study the action of quercetin (Que) on inhibiting platelet aggregation. METHODS: Active oxygen free radicals produced by xanthine/xanthine oxidase (Xan/XO) reaction was used, platelet aggregation was determined by the turbidimetric method, and the Xan/XO oxyradicals generating reaction by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (Che) method. RESULTS: Active oxygen free radicals enhanced the platelet aggregation induced by ADP 1.6 mumol.L-1. The rate of maximal aggregation increased from 29%-38% for ADP to 59%-70% for ADP + Xan/XO. The enhancement was abolished by the treatment of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with Que 650 mumol.L-1 or hydrocortisone (Hyd) 900 mg.L-1. Both Que and Hyd scavenged the active oxyradicals in vitro. The Che was decreased by 75.7% (Que 4 mumol.L-1) and 79.0% (Hyd 900 mg.L-1) as compared with control. CONCLUSION: Active oxygen free radicals participated in the platelet aggregation, and scavenging oxyradicals by Que was one of mechanisms of inhibiting platelet aggregation.     

Introducing computer tools into a first course in electricalengineering

At a school where engineering students have immediate access to a personal computer, it is important that they become familiar with that tool early in their studies. In introductory engineering courses it is also important that the students learn to perceive the computer as a tool and not as an end in itself. Achieving these goals requires a careful integration of computer usage into such courses by the instructors. In this paper we examine this issue in the context of a first course in electrical engineering that has been taught at the US Naval Academy, and we present specific examples of assignments we have used in our effort to accomplish these goals     

High fibre bread containing brewer's spent grains and its effect on lipid metabolism in rats

Bread samples containing milled brewer's spent grain (BSG) at levels of 10–25% were prepared. The protein content of the bread ws found to be 15.4, 16.3 and 18.8%, when BSG was added at levels of 10, 20 and 25%, respectively. Fibre content however was 4.9, 6.4 and 7.5%, repectively. Amino acid pattern of the bread samples revealed that most of the essential amino acids were found in considerable amounts compared to the FAO provisional pattern with exception to lysine, threonine and tryptophan which showed deficiencies. The bread samples were fed to rats for 28 days, after which total lipids and cholesterol were measured. The results indicated impaired growth weight (7.1–10.0%) compared with the control. Total lipids as well as total cholesterol were also reduced by 5.7–8.0% and 6.0–8.3%, respectively. Sensory evaluations of prepared bread showed high score acceptance for fino bread, rolls and baton salie amounted to 70.0, 63.0 and 62.7%, respectively.