A New Approximation of Fermi-Dirac Integrals of Order 1/2 by Prony’s Method and Its Applications in Semiconductor Devices

Electronic devices are vital for our modern life. Semiconductor devices are at the core of them. Semiconductor devices are governed by the transport and behavior of electrons and holes which in turn are controlled by Fermi-Level or the Quasi-Fermi Level. The most frequently used approximation for the population of electrons and holes based on the Boltzmann approximation of Fermi-Dirac distribution. However when the Fermi-level is closer to the majority carrier band edge, by less than 3kT, it causes significant errors in the number of the carriers. This in turn causes errors in currents and other quantities of interest. In heavily doped semiconductors, it is desirable to use Fermi-Dirac Integral itself. However this is a tabulated function and therefore approximations are developed. Most of the approximation are mathematically cumbersome and complicated and they are not easily differentiable and integrable. Although several approximations have been developed, some with very high precision, these are not simple nor are they sufficiently useful in semiconductor device applications. In this thesis after exploring and critiquing these approximations, a new set of approximations is developed for the Fermi-Dirac integrals of the order 1/2. This analytical expression can be differentiated and integrated, still maintaining high accuracy. These new approximation is in the form of an exponential series with few terms using Prony’s method. Application of this approximation for semiconductor device calculations are discussed. Substantial errors in carrier densities and Einstein relation are shown when compared with Boltzmann approximation. The efficacy of the approximation in the calculation of Junctionless transistor quantities is demonstrated as an example

A new approximation of Fermi-Dirac integrals of order 1/2 for degenerate semiconductor devices

The final publication is available at Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.spmi.2018.03.072 © 2018. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/There had been tremendous growth in the field of Integrated circuits (ICs) in the past fifty years. Scaling laws mandated both lateral and vertical dimensions to be reduced and a steady increase in doping densities. Most of the modern semiconductor devices have invariably heavily doped regions where Fermi-Dirac Integrals are required. Several attempts have been devoted to developing analytical approximations for Fermi-Dirac Integrals since numerical computations of Fermi-Dirac Integrals are difficult to use in semiconductor devices, although there are several highly accurate tabulated functions available. Most of these analytical expressions are not sufficiently suitable to be employed in semiconductor device applications due to their poor accuracy, the requirement of complicated calculations, and difficulties in differentiating and integrating. A new approximation has been developed for the Fermi-Dirac integrals of the order 1/2 by using Prony's method and discussed in this paper. The approximation is accurate enough (Mean Absolute Error (MAE) = 0.38%) and easy enough to be used in semiconductor device equations. The new approximation of Fermi-Dirac Integrals is applied to a more generalized Einstein Relation which is an important relation in semiconductor devices

Nurses’ Adherence to Surgical Safety Guidelines for Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery

Background: Patient\u27s safety events at the operating room can be completely avoidable by adhering to surgical safety practices that aims to improve adherence to evidence-based safety practices, communication and team work during critical time points as during surgical procedure, before induction of anesthesia, before incision and before the patient leaves the room. Objective: This study aimed to assess nurses\u27 adherence to surgical safety guidelines for patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Subjects and methods: Design: A descriptive exploratory research design was used to achieve the aim of this study. Setting: This study was conducted at the Operating Departments affiliated to Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Study subjects: A convenient sample of all available nurses (75) from the previously mentioned departments was included in the study. Tools of data collection: Structured interview questionnaire included two parts: demographic characteristics of the studied nurses and surgical safety guidelines checklist. Result: This study presented that less than half of the studied scrub nurses and only minority of the circulating nurses and anesthesia nurses had competent practices at the operating room respectively. Conclusion: The study concluded there were statistically significant relations between competent practices of scrub nurses and their attendance of training courses related to surgical safety and between competent practices of circulating nurses, their age and years of experience, while, there were no statistically significant relations between competent practices of anesthesia nurses, their gender and attendance of training course. Recommendation: Ongoing staff development programs and continuing education are important for improving staff performance and maintaining patients\u27 safety

Dermatological Lesions of Cholesterol Embolization Syndrome and Kaposi Sarcoma Mimic Primary Systemic Vasculitis: Case Report Study

Primary systemic vasculitis can present with a wide spectrum of manifestations ranging from systemic non-specific features such as fever, malaise, arthralgia, and myalgia to specific organ damage. We describe two cases of cholesterol embolization syndrome and Kaposi sarcoma mimicking primary systemic vasculitis, both of which were characterized by features such as livedo reticularis, blue toe syndrome, a brown, purpuric skin rash, and positive p-ANCA associated with Kaposi sarcoma. Establishing the right diagnosis was challenging, and thus we aim in this study to highlight the possible ways to distinguish them from primary systemic vasculitis. Keywords: Dermatological lesions, Cholesterol embolization syndrome, Kaposi sarcoma, vasculitis mimic

The Impact of Cyanobacteria on Human Health

The aim of the current study is, what are cyanobacteria, what are the types of cyanobacteria, what are their benefits to human health and the environment, what are the risks of cyanobacteria to human health. The questionnaire was created electronically via the Google Drive program, and then it was distributed via mobile phone on the social networking program (WhatsApp). Using e-mail for all participants to respond to the questionnaire. 600 questionnaires were distributed to all mobile groups, and 550 questionnaires were received on the researcher’s e-mail. (The target group is residents of the Holy City of Mecca, aged 25-55 years)

Antenatal Magnesium Sulfate for Preterm Neuroprotection: A Single-Center Experience from Kuwait Tertiary NICU

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the impact of antenatal exposure of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) on short- and long-term outcomes in preterm neonates born less than 32 weeks gestation. Methods: Single-center retrospective cohort study of 229 neonates born between 24 and 32 weeks gestation was conducted from January 2018 through December 2018 in a level III neonatal care unit in Kuwait. Antenatal MgSO4 exposure was collected from the medical records, and the indication was for neuroprotection effect. Brain MRI was done on 212 neonates (median gestational age 36 weeks), and brain injury was assessed using the Miller’s score. Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed by Bayley-III scales of infant development at 36 months corrected age (N = 146). The association of exposure to MgSO4 with brain injury and neurodevelopmental outcomes was examined using multivariable regression analysis adjusting for gestational age at MRI and variables with p value <0.05 on univariate analysis. Results: Among the 229 neonates, 47 received antenatal MgSO4. There were no differences between the groups in gestational age and birth weight. MgSO4 exposure was not associated with an increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, chronic lung disease, retinopathy of prematurity, and mortality. The incidence of cerebellar hemorrhage was significantly less in the MgSO4 group (0% vs. 16%, p value = 0.002). Neonates who received MgSO4 had lower risks of grade 3–4 intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) adjusted OR 0.248 (95% CI: 0.092, 0.66), p = 0.006; moderate-severe white matter injury (WMI) adjusted odd ratio 0.208 (95% CI: 0.044, 0.96), p = 0.046; and grade 3–4 IVH and/or moderate-severe WMI adjusted OR 0.23 (95% CI: 0.06, 0.84), p = 0.027. Neurodevelopmental assessment at 36 months corrected age showed better motor (adjusted beta coefficient 1.08 [95% CI: 0.099, 2.06]; p = 0.031) and cognitive composite scores (adjusted beta coefficient 1.29 [95% CI: 0.36, 2.22]; p = 0.007) in the MgSO4 group. Conclusion: Antenatal exposure to MgSO4 in preterm neonates less than 32 weeks was independently associated with lower risks of brain injury and better motor and cognitive outcomes

Analysis of double‐diffusive transport and entropy generation in a wavy cylindrical enclosure with inner heated core : effects of MHD and radiation on Casson Cu─H 2 O nanofluid

This study investigates double‐diffusive transport and entropy generation in a wavy cylindrical enclosure containing Cu─H2O Casson nanofluid under magnetic field and thermal radiation effects. The governing equations were solved numerically using the finite element method with Galerkin formulation. The investigation covered parametric ranges including Rayleigh number (10³ ≤ Ra ≤ 10⁶), Hartmann number (0 ≤ Ha ≤ 40), magnetic field inclination (0° ≤ γ ≤ 90°), nanoparticle volume fraction (0 ≤ φ ≤ 0.15), Casson parameter (0.1 ≤ η ≤ 1), radiation parameter (0 ≤ Rd ≤ 4), thermal conductivity parameter (0 ≤ λ ≤ 4), Lewis number (0.5 ≤ Le ≤ 5), and buoyancy ratio (0.25 ≤ Nz ≤ 1.5). Results demonstrated that increasing Ra from 10³ to 10⁶ enhanced heat transfer by 60%, while increasing Ha to 40 reduced fluid circulation by 75%. The Casson parameter significantly influenced flow characteristics, with stream function values increasing by 75% as η approached Newtonian behavior. Thermal radiation parameters jointly moderated temperature gradients, with Rd causing a 15%–20% reduction in thermal stratification. The Lewis number and buoyancy ratio showed strong coupled effects, with the Sherwood number increasing by 150% as Le increased from 0.5 to 5. These findings have practical applications in advanced heat exchanger design, thermal energy storage systems, electronic cooling technologies, and biomedical devices, where controlled heat and mass transfer of non‐Newtonian fluids is crucial

Intravenous tirofiban in acute ischemic stroke patients not receiving reperfusion treatments: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundReperfusion treatments with intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) can improve patients’ outcomes significantly. Yet, a substantial portion of patients miss the opportunity to receive reperfusion treatments. In this study, we aimed to assess the role of intravenous tirofiban in this specific population.MethodsA search was performed in Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, and Web of Science databases from inception until August 2024. The random-effects model was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Efficacy endpoints included excellent (modified Rankin scale of 0–1) and good (modified Rankin scale of 0–2) functional outcomes at 90 days. Safety outcomes included symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), any ICH, and 90-day mortality.ResultsFour randomized clinical trials, including a total of 1,199 patients, were included. Of these, 599 patients (50%) received tirofiban. The meta-analysis demonstrated that tirofiban was associated with significantly higher rates of both excellent (OR 1.63 [95% CI, 1.24–2.13]; I2 = 0) and good (OR 1.65 [95% CI, 1.19–2.29]; I2 = 0) functional outcomes at 90 days. No significant differences were observed in sICH, any ICH, or 90-days mortality.ConclusionTreatment with intravenous tirofiban can be beneficial without increased risk in patients with AIS who are not eligible for reperfusion treatment. Further studies are still needed to validate the generalizability of these findings.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024590097, CRD42024590097

Healthcare Management In Promoting Role Of Paramedics And Nurses In Critical Care; Review

Healthcare unit managers play a crucial role in promoting the importance of paramedics and nurses in critical care. They are responsible for ensuring the health and well-being of nurses and paramedics, as well as maintaining high-quality care. However, there is a lack of research focused on the actions and organizational strategies employed by healthcare unit managers to support nurses, as well as the specific working environments that facilitate such support. This paper utilizes a mixed methods approach, combining qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys with healthcare unit managers and nurses. The findings highlight the crucial role of healthcare unit managers\u27 accessibility to their nursing staff in promoting nurses. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of responsive support from the care unit managers\u27 superiors, administration, and managerial colleagues in creating favorable working conditions. The care unit manager\u27s own support was highly supported by the superior manager, and this support was positively connected with nurses