Reduction of oxygen impurity at GaN/beta-Si(3)N(4)/Si interface via SiO(2) to Ga(2)O conversion by exposing of Si surface under Ga flux

The removal of native oxide from Si (1 1 1) surfaces was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and secondary ion mass spectra (SIMS) depth profiles. Two different oxide removal methods, performed under ultrahigh-vacuum (UHV) conditions, were carried out and compared. The first cleaning method is thermal desorption of oxide at 900 degrees C. The second method is the deposition of metallic gallium followed by redesorption. A significant decrease in oxygen was achieved by thermal desorption at 900 degrees C under UHV conditions. By applying a subsequent Ga deposition/redesorption, a further reduction in oxygen could be achieved. We examine the merits of an alternative oxide desorption method via conversion of the stable SiO(2) surface oxide into a volatile Ca(2)O oxide by a supply of Ga metals. Furthermore, ultra thin films of pure silicon nitride buffer layer were grown on a Si (1 1 1) surface by exposing the surface to radio-frequency (RF) nitrogen plasma followed by GaN growth. The SIMS depth profile shows that the oxygen impurity can be reduced at GaN/beta-Si(3)N(4)/Si interfaces by applying a subsequent Ga deposition/redesorption. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fe–Cr/Al2O3 metal-ceramic composites: Nature and size of the metal particles formed during hydrogen reduction

Fe-Cr/Al2O3 metal-ceramic composites prepared by hydrogen reduction at different temperatures and for different periods have been investigated by a combined use of Mössbauer spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy in order to obtain information on the nature of the metallic species formed. Total reduction of Fe3+ does not occur by increasing the reduction time at 1320 K from 1 to 30 h, and the amount of superparamagnetic metallic species is essentially constant (about 10%). Temperatures higher than 1470 K are needed to achieve nearly total reduction of substitutional Fe3+. Interestingly, iron favors the reduction of chromium. The composition of the Fe-Cr particles is strongly dependent on their size, the Cr content being higher in particles smaller than 10 nm.

Antigen detection assay with parasite specific monoclonal antibodies for diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis

Background: Lymphatic filariasis is a painful and profoundly disfiguring disease. Infection is usually acquired in childhood but its visible manifestations occur later in life, causing temporary or permanent disability. The importance of developing effective assays to diagnose, monitor and evaluate human lymphatic filariasis has been emphasized by the WHO. Methods: High-affinity monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for recombinant filarial antigen WbSXP-1 were developed. An ELISA based capture assay using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for WbSXP-1 was used for detection of circulating filarial antigen. Results: High-affinity monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were developed that specifically binds both W. bancrofti and B. malayi mf antigens. Two mAbs (1F6H3 and 2E12E3) of subclass IgG2a and IgM showed high affinity, avidity and reactivity to recombinant and mf native antigen. Both the mAbs were used in combination as capture antibodies and polyclonal as detection antibody to develop the assay. The assay showed very high sensitivity towards W. bancrofti mf positive samples compared to endemic normal samples (P<0.0001). Conclusion: A capture assay using high-affinity monoclonal antibodies for WbSXP-1 was developed for the detection of filarial circulating antigen in clinical samples from bancroftian infection. Besides, this would also help in epidemiological studies in endemic areas of filarial infections. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pt-Au/C cathode with enhanced oxygen-reduction activity in PEFCs

Carbon-supported Pt-Au (Pt-Au/C) catalyst is prepared separately by impregnation, colloidal and micro-emulsion methods, and characterized by physical and electrochemical methods. Highest catalytic activity towards oxygen-reduction reaction (ORR) is exhibited by Pt-Au/C catalyst prepared by colloidal method. The optimum atomic ratio of Pt to Au in Pt-Au/C catalyst prepared by colloidal method is determined using linear-sweep and cyclic voltammetry in conjunction with cell-polarization studies. Among 3:1, 2:1 and 1:1 Pt-Au/C catalysts, (3:1) Pt-Au/C exhibits maximum electrochemical activity towards ORR. Powder X-ray diffraction pattern and transmission electron micrograph suggest Pt-Au alloy nanoparticles to be well dispersed onto the carbon-support. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy data suggest that the atomic ratios of the alloying elements match well with the expected values. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) operating at 0 center dot 6 V with (3:1) Pt-Au/C cathode delivers a maximum power-density of 0 center dot 65 W/cm (2) in relation to 0 center dot 53 W/cm (2) delivered by the PEFC with pristine carbon-supported Pt cathode.

Energy Reduction in SRAM using Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Management

This paper describes a dynamic voltage frequency control scheme for a 256 X 64 SRAM block for reducing the energy in active mode and stand-by mode. The DVFM control system monitors the external clock and changes the supply voltage and the body bias so as to achieve a significant reduction in energy. The behavioral model of the proposed DVFM control system algorithm is described and simulated in HDL using delay and energy parameters obtained through SPICE simulation. The frequency range dictated by an external controller is 100 MHz to I GHz. The supply voltage of the complete memory system is varied in steps of 50 mV over the range of 500 mV to IV. The threshold voltage range of operation is plusmn100 mV around the nominal value, achieving 83.4% energy reduction in the active mode and 86.7% in the stand-by mode. This paper also proposes a energy replica that is used in the energy monitor subsystem of the DVFM system.

Identifying Robust Plans through Plan Diagram Reduction

Estimates of predicate selectivities by database query optimizers often differ significantly from those actually encountered during query execution, leading to poor plan choices and inflated response times. In this paper, we investigate mitigating this problem by replacing selectivity error-sensitive plan choices with alternative plans that provide robust performance. Our approach is based on the recent observation that even the complex and dense "plan diagrams" associated with industrial-strength optimizers can be efficiently reduced to "anorexic" equivalents featuring only a few plans, without materially impacting query processing quality. Extensive experimentation with a rich set of TPC-H and TPC-DS-based query templates in a variety of database environments indicate that plan diagram reduction typically retains plans that are substantially resistant to selectivity errors on the base relations. However, it can sometimes also be severely counter-productive, with the replacements performing much worse. We address this problem through a generalized mathematical characterization of plan cost behavior over the parameter space, which lends itself to efficient criteria of when it is safe to reduce. Our strategies are fully non-invasive and have been implemented in the Picasso optimizer visualization tool.

The phenomenon of notch in an NEMP simulator and its reduction

The effect of variation in the switching instant of the output switch of the pulser circuit used in energizing an NEMP simulator on the voltage fed to the simulator and hence the electric field within the working volume of the simulator has been studied. Depending upon the instant at which the output switch closes, the amplitude and the wave shape of the voltage that is fed to the illuminator varies. This wave shape of the output voltage from the pulser circuit determines the shape and characteristics of the electric field within the working volume of the simulator. To study the effect of variation in the switching instant on the vertical electric field within the working volume, the vertical electric field has been computed in time and frequency domains. For certain switching instants, the electric field shows a sharp reduction in its amplitude after the peak which is called the notch. The presence of notch results in the test object not getting illuminated with all the frequencies of interest. The notch has been successfully reduced by suitably modifying the pulser circuit.