2,254 research outputs found
Moisture resistance of SU-8 and KMPR as structural material for integrated gaseous detectors
This paper treats the moisture resistance of SU-8 and KMPR, two photoresists considered as structural material in microsystems. Our experiments focus on the moisture resistance of newly developed radiation imaging detectors containing these resists. Since these microsystems will be used unpackaged, they are susceptible to all kinds of environmental conditions. Already after one day of exposure to a humid condition the structural integrity and adhesion of SU-8 structures, measured by a shear test is drastically reduced. KMPR photoresist shows much stronger moisture resistance properties, making it a suitable alternative in our application. © 2008 Elsevier Science. All rights reserved
Use of neural networks for the identification of new z>=3.6 QSOs from FIRST-SDSS DR5
We aim to obtain a complete sample of redshift > 3.6 radio QSOs from FIRST
sources having star-like counterparts in the SDSS DR5 photometric survey
(r<=20.2). We found that simple supervised neural networks, trained on sources
with SDSS spectra, and using optical photometry and radio data, are very
effective for identifying high-z QSOs without spectra. The technique yields a
completeness of 96 per cent and an efficiency of 62 per cent. Applying the
trained networks to 4415 sources without DR5 spectra we found 58 z>=3.6 QSO
candidates. We obtained spectra of 27 of them, and 17 are confirmed as high-z
QSOs. Spectra of 13 additional candidates from the literature and from SDSS DR6
revealed 7 more z>=3.6 QSOs, giving and overall efficiency of 60 per cent. None
of the non-candidates with spectra from NED or DR6 is a z>=3.6 QSO,
consistently with a high completeness. The initial sample of z>=3.6 QSOs is
increased from 52 to 76, i.e. by a factor 1.46. From the new identifications
and candidates we estimate an incompleteness of SDSS for the spectroscopic
classification of FIRST 3.6<=z<=4.6 QSOs of 15 percent for r<=20.2.Comment: 16 pages, 9 figures accepted for publication in MNRA
870 micron continuum observations of the bubble-shaped nebula Gum 31
We are presenting here a study of the cold dust in the infrared ring nebula
Gum 31. We aim at deriving the physical properties of the molecular gas and
dust associated with the nebula, and investigating its correlation with the
star formation in the region, that was probably triggered by the expansion of
the ionization front. We use 870 micron data obtained with LABOCA to map the
dust emission. The obtained LABOCA image was compared to archival IR,radio
continuum, and optical images. The 870 micron emission follows the 8 micron
(Spitzer), 250 micron, and 500 micron (Herschel) emission distributions showing
the classical morphology of a spherical shell. We use the 870 micron and 250
micron images to identify 60 dust clumps in the collected layers of molecular
gas using the Gaussclumps algorithm. The clumps have effective deconvolved
radii between 0.16 pc and 1.35 pc, masses between 70 Mo and 2800 Mo, and volume
densities between 1.1x10^3 cm^-3 and 2.04x10^5 cm^-3. The total mass of the
clumps is 37600 Mo. The dust temperature of the clumps is in the range from 21
K to 32 K, while inside the HII region reaches ~ 40 K. The clump mass
distribution is well-fitted by a power law dN/dlog(M/Mo) proportional to
M^(-alpha), with alpha=0.93+/-0.28. The slope differs from those obtained for
the stellar IMF in the solar neighborhood, suggesting that the clumps are not
direct progenitors of single stars/protostars. The mass-radius relationship for
the 41 clumps detected in the 870 microns emission shows that only 37% of them
lie in or above the high-mass star formation threshold, most of them having
candidate YSOs projected inside. A comparison of the dynamical age of the HII
region with the fragmentation time, allowed us to conclude that the collect and
collapse mechanism may be important for the star formation at the edge of Gum
31, although other processes may also be acting.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures. Accepted for publication in A&
Campo tensional en el entorno de una fisura. Determinación de KI y KII usando técnicas fotoelásticas
Trabajo reproducido y difundido en el repositorio idUS con permiso de la Asociación Española de Ingeniería Mecánica (AEIM)Tras introducir la forma general del campo de tensiones en
un borde de grieta se hace una exposición detallada de los
métodos para medir K I y K II, resaltando sus ventajas e
inconvenientes. Por su generalldad, se ha implementado un
método que desarrolla en serie las funciones de tensión. La
introducción de las medidas fotoelásticas (que pueden ser de
campo lejano) conduce a un sistema sobredetermlnado no
lineal de ecuaclones, que es resuelto por un métooo de
Neewton-Raphson y mínimos cuadrados. Sobre una
aplicación experimental se comentan las caracterlstlcas de
este métodoFirst of all, the general form of the crack-tip stress
field is introduced. Then, a detailed review of K I-K II methods
is pressented, showing thelr features. A stress-functions
series expansion method has been implemented, due to its
generality. Experimental far-fleld isochromatic polnts are
used to fit the series expanslon coefflclents and the
overdeterminlstlc non-linear equation system is solved with
a Newton-Rapshon least-squares method. Finally the
features of thls method are dlscussed uslng an experimental
applicatio
HIV testing practices among men who have sex with men in Buenos Aires, Argentina
The objective of the study was to explore HIV-testing practices among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in light of current international health guidelines that recommend frequent HIV testing for MSM who engage in high-risk behavior. Participants, who were recruited using respondent-driven sampling (RDS), were 500 mostly young, nongay-identified MSM of low socioeconomic status, high levels of unemployment, living mainly in the less-affluent areas surrounding Buenos Aires, and lacking health insurance. They provided blood samples for HIV testing and responded to a Computer Assisted Self Interview. Fifty-two percent had never been tested for HIV, and 20% had been tested only once; 17% were found to be HIV infected, of whom almost half were unaware of their status. Main reasons for never having tested previously were: not feeling at risk, fear of finding out results, and not knowing where to get tested. Among those previously tested, men had been tested a median of 2 times with their most recent test having occurred a median of 2.7 years prior to study enrollment. Of those who had not tested positive before entering the study, only 41% returned for their results. HIV testing was infrequent and insufficient for early detection of infection, entry into treatment, and protection of sexual partners. This was particularly the case among nongay-identified MSM. Testing campaigns should aim to help MSM become aware of their risk behavior, decrease fear of testing by explaining available treatment resources and decreasing the stigma associated with HIV, and by publicizing information about free and confidential testing locations. Rapid HIV testing should be made available to eliminate the need for a return visit and make results immediately available to individuals who are tested.Fil: Carballo Diéguez, Alex. Columbia University; Estados UnidosFil: Balán, Iván C.. Columbia University; Estados UnidosFil: Dolezal, Curtis. Columbia University; Estados UnidosFil: Pando, María de los Ángeles. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Microbiología. Centro Nacional de Referencia para el Sida; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Marone, Ruben. Nexo Asociación Civil; ArgentinaFil: Barreda, Victoria. Nexo Asociación Civil; ArgentinaFil: Ávila, María Mercedes. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Microbiología. Centro Nacional de Referencia para el Sida; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; Argentin
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