Flicker noise in gate overlapped polycrystalline silicon thin-filmtransistors

A study of the noise performance of gate overlapped polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistors (TFTs) is presented. Low-frequency noise measurements were carried out on n- and p-type samples fabricated by excimer laser crystallization. It is shown that the carrier number fluctuation model applies not only to n-type but also to p-type devices. The density of oxide traps was extracted from the noise measurements and was of the order of 10¹⁸-10¹⁹ eV^-1 cm^-3     

Influence of eccentricity on the frequency limitations of circular-pad via-holes

We study the influence of the technologically caused eccentricity of a circular-pad via-hole. We derive an eigenvalue equation using a rigorous method based on a linear transformation of the via-hole polar coordinates. The eigenvalue equation is used to compute the modal resonant frequencies and the modal fields of the eccentric via. It is shown that the via-hole misalignment shifts the modal frequencies and influences its frequency band. The proposed model is verified with published experimental data, and is also compared with results generated with the full-wave simulator Agilent Momentum-2002.     

What defense doesSchouwia purpurea (Cruciferae) have against the desert locust?

A field study of the food eaten by solitary desert locusts was carried out in a winter breeding area in Mauritania. The food eaten, determined by the plant epidermis found in fecal pellets, was compared to the plant's availability in the habitat.Schouwia purpurea, well represented in the diets, was dominant at the study site. Adults had a preference forTribulus terrester. Growth and feeding on these two plants were compared. The high water content ofS. purpurea leaves limited the dry matter eaten and slowed down growth. Glucosinolates were separated and quantified by gas chromatography. There are 132mol/g dry matter in green leaves. In multiple choice tests, with paper disks, glucosinolate extracts were phagostimulant at a low concentration (21mol/g dry matter) and repulsive at a higher one (214mol/ g dry matter). Biting behavior onS. purpurea was recorded and analyzed on video. The importance ofSchouwia purpurea in desert locust habitats and its defenses is discussed.     

A cost-effective heuristic to schedule local and remote memory in cluster computers

Cluster computers represent a cost-effective alternative solution to supercomputers. In these systems, it is common to constrain the memory address space of a given processor to the local motherboard. Constraining the system in this way is much cheaper than using a full-fledged shared memory implementation among motherboards. However, memory usage among motherboards can be unfairly balanced.     

Recovery of Oil,Erucic Acid,and Phenolic Compounds from Rapeseed and Rocket Seeds

Erucic acid‐enriched oil, sought for industrial purposes, from rapeseed (agronomic plant) and rocket seeds (non‐agronomic plant) was extracted by three different processes: supercritical CO₂, mechanical expression, and hexane extraction. Oil extraction yields were determined and the extracted oils were characterized for their fatty acid and phenolic compound compositions. Higher oil yields were achieved using hexane compared to mechanical expression and supercritical CO₂ extractions. Fatty acid analysis indicated a higher content of erucic acid in rapeseed oil than in rocket oil. In addition, supercritical CO₂ extraction allowed better recovery of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activities. The most prominent identified polyphenols were vanillin, sinapic acid, syringic acid, and apigenin.     

Fatty acids,sterols, and tocopherols composition in seed oil extracts from four moroccan ecotypes of Ceratonia siliqua L.

Morphological characterization was investigated by agro-morphological criteria related to carob seed size in four different moroccan regions collected in 2018 and 2019. There was no significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) on the seeds lengths and widths. However, a significant difference between seeds thickness and total seeds weight per pod (p ≤ 0.05) were observed between these four populations. The fatty acid, sterol, tocopherol, hydrocarbon, and the unoxygenated composition of carob seed extracts (Ceratonia siliqua L.) were studied. The mean fat yield of the seeds obtained is 1.53%–2.17%, 2.14%–2.15%, 1.61%–1.62%, 1.71%–1.75% for, respectively, the P1 (Meknes), P2 (Fez), P3 (Khemisset), and P4 (Marrakech) in 2018 and 2019. The seed oil was extracted with hexane and the analysis of the fatty fraction was performed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Results show that the major fatty acids for 2018 and 2019 are linoleic acid (61.48%–61.52%, 52.12%–52.14%, 57.76%–58.15%, 61.33%–61.52%), palmitic acid (15.78%–15.81%, 16.44%–16.45%, 19.11%–18.37%, 20.24%–20.32%), oleic acid (11.03%–11.04%, 8.72%–8.82%, 8.51%–8.61%, 8.41%–8.53%), stearic acid (4.35%–3.14%, 5.40%–5.43%, 3.12%–3.13%, 0.96%–1.56%), and cerotic acid (0.62%–0.53%, 4.51%–4.52%, 4.03%–4.06%, 3.84%–3.87%). The unsaturated fatty acids (69.39% in 2018 and 69.68% in 2019) are the most dominant in the four seed extracts compared to the saturated fatty acids. In addition, the oil carob seeds analysis revealed the presence of γ-tocopherol, α-tocopherol and four sterols that included campesterol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol. Moreover, the determination of hydrocarbon and un-oxygenated compounds confirmed the existence of major compounds such as heptadecane, 2-methyltriacontane, 1-iodo hexadecane and 1-iodo octadecane. The hierarchical analysis based on the morphological and chromatographic characterization of the seeds allowed the identification of three groups. Consequently, the first group consisted of populations from Marrakesh (P4) and Khemisset (P3), the second group consisted of the P1 from Meknes, and the P2 from Fez constituted the third group.     

Demand function estimate for residential water in Oman

Current subsidies to residential water users in Oman are estimated at USD 314 million/y. This study estimates the demand function for residential water in Muscat, Oman, for households living in villas. A two-stage least squares econometric model with lagged average water price was used with socio-economic variables. Price elasticity for residential water in Muscat was estimated as –2.10. This high price elasticity is explained by the large proportion of water used for outdoor purposes. This study indicates that it may be possible to manage water demand in Muscat through modifying the price of water and reforming subsidies for residential water.