Electrical properties of N2O/NH3 plasma grownoxynitride on strained-Si

Growth of ultrathin (<100 Å) oxynitride on strained-Si using microwave N₂O and NH₃ plasma is reported. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results indicate a nitrogen-rich layer at the strained-Si/SiO₂ interface. The electrical properties of oxynitrides have been characterized using a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structure. A moderately low value of insulator charge density (6.1×10¹⁰ cm^-2) has been obtained for NH₃ plasma treated N₂O oxide sample. Nitrided oxide shows a larger breakdown voltage and an improved charge trapping properties under Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) constant current stress     

NADPH-diaphorase-stained neurons after experimental epilepsy in rats

The aim of this study was to determine the neuronal participation of nitric oxide (NO) in experimental epilepsy. To reach this objective, we established the amount of cells presenting nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and the amygdaline concentrations in the L-arginine-nitric oxide synthesis pathway. A group of fully epileptic rats, induced by the kindling procedure and that had reached at least 10 generalized seizures, was studied. We evaluated behavioral stages, electroencephalographic activities, and histochemical NOS-positive cells and carried out high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) determinations of arginine, citrulline, and glutamic acid. Our results showed that behavioral and electrographic frequency, and duration of epileptic activities, were increased during the kindling process. Image processing system of NOS cells showed two types of intensities in cell stains in hippocampus, caudate-putamen, and amygdala. When we independently counted the two types of NOS stain cells, a selective increase in the number and density of weak-stained cells was observed, while dark-stained cells did not change in the studied structures. Additionally, arginine, citrulline, and glutamic acid concentrations in amygdala increased in kindled animals. The differential and specific increase in the stained cells expressing the nitric oxide synthase, as well as the increase in concentrations of the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway in amygdala, suggested a relationship with the progressive augmentation in the electrophysiological hyperactivity characteristic of generalized epilepsy.     

Estimates of the dollar value of employee output in utility analyses: An empirical test of two theories.

Examined distributions of estimates of the dollar value of performance in studies employing the method of F. L. Schmidt et al (1979) for estimating the standard deviation of job performance (SDy) and found evidence that (1) the mean 50th percentile estimate is biased downward, (2) estimates of SDy appear to be a constant percentage of the 50th percentile estimate, and (3) estimates of SDy as a percentage of the 50th percentile value (SDp) are quite similar to empirical SDp values based on actual employee output. These findings suggest that the downward bias in the mean estimate of the 50th percentile causes the mean estimates of SDy to be similarly biased downward, but does not bias the estimates of SDp. Finally, an objective method for estimating the value of average employee output is described. The product of this value and the mean supervisory estimate of SDp yields an unbiased estimate of SDy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Encoded moire inspection based on a computer solid model

An investigation into a system linking a computer solid modeler to an active stereo imaging inspection station is presented. Given the computer solid model of a surface, a projected pattern can be encoded so that the reflections from the object's surface exhibit a uniformly simple pattern when the object's surface and the modeled surface are identical. Research concerning the method of generating projection patterns, as well as the sensitivity of the system, is discussed. A prototype system consisting of a computer graphics workstation; a flexible projector, and a machine vision system was used to inspect two different manufactured parts     

Analytic physics-based expressions for the empirical parameters ofthe Statz-Pucel MESFET model

The authors present a novel approach to the evaluation of the DC parameters of a semiempirical MESFET model: starting from the analytical expression of the drain current derived from a previously proposed physics-based model, they provide a method to calculate the empirical DC parameters of the so-called Raytheon model. The comparison between computed and measured DC characteristics is quite satisfactory on GaAs microwave FETs of 1 μm or more gate length. By adding to the results obtained in this work an adequate model of the stray capacitances, the circuit performance can be optimized using the technological characteristics of active devices     

NOTCHED FATIGUE BEHAVIOUR OF TWO COLD ROLLED STEELS

Abstract— A SAE1010 plain carbon steel and a SAE945X HSLA steel were cold rolled to various thickness reductions. Centre notched specimens were tested under stress control at a stress ratio of—1. The effect of loading direction on the fatigue strength was examined. The notched specimen fatigue strength was only slightly increased by cold rolling, since two opposing factors: the smooth specimen fatigue strength and the notch sensitivity, were increased by cold rolling. The notched specimen fatigue strength in the transverse direction was approximately the same as that in the longitudinal direction. An empirical equation and equations derived from fracture mechanics and Neuber's rule were applied to predict the fatigue notch factor for the sharp and blunt notch geometries examined. A reasonable agreement between the predictions and the experimental results was observed for the sharp notches. For the blunt notches, the predicted fatigue notch factors were conservative.