Numerical Analysis of 3-Dimensional Scaling Rules on a 1.2-kV Trench Clustered IGBT

3-dimensional scaling rules for the cathode cells and threshold voltages of a 1.2-kV Trench Clustered IGBT (TCIGBT) are investigated using calibrated models in Synopsys Sentaurus TCAD tools. Scaling down results in an enhancement of current gain of the inherent thyristor action which reduces the forward voltage drop even more than that of a scaled Trench IGBT (TIGBT). For identical switching losses, at a scaling factor k=3, the forward voltage drop is reduced by 20% at 300K and 30% at 400K when compared to the conventional TCIGBT (k=1). Most importantly, despite its lower conduction losses than an equivalent TIGBT, a scaled TCIGBT structure can maintain its short circuit capability, due to the additional scaling principle applied to the n-well and p-well regions, maintaining the self-clamping feature. Thus, TCIGBT is a more efficient chip-for-chip, reliable replacement of a TIGBT for energy savings in applications

Synthesis And Characterization Of Zno And Zno:ga Films And Their Application In Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

Highly crystalline ZnO and Ga-modified zinc oxide (ZnO:Ga) nanoparticles containing 1, 3 and 5 atom% of Ga 3+ were prepared by precipitation method at low temperature. The films were characterized by XRD, BET, XPS and SEM. No evidence of zinc gallate formation (ZnGa 2O 4), even in the samples containing 5 atom% of gallium, was detected by XRD. XPS data revealed that Ga is present into the ZnO matrix as Ga 3+, according to the characteristic binding energies. The particle size decreased as the gallium level was increased as observed by SEM, which might be related to a faster hydrolysis reaction rate. The smaller particle size provided films with higher porosity and surface area, enabling a higher dye loading. When these films were applied to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) as photoelectrodes, the device based on ZnO:Ga 5 atom% presented an overall conversion efficiency of 6% (at 10 mW cm -2), a three-fold increase compared to the ZnO-based DSSCs under the same conditions. To our knowledge, this is one of the highest efficiencies reported so far for ZnO-based DSSCs. Transient absorption (TAS) study of the photoinduced dynamics of dye-sensitized ZnO:Ga films showed that the higher the gallium content, the higher the amount of dye cation formed, while no significant change on the recombination dynamics was observed. The study indicates that Ga-modification of nanocrystalline ZnO leads to an improvement of photocurrent and overall efficiency in the corresponding device. © 2008 The Royal Society of Chemistry.1114871491O'Regan, B., Gratzel, M., (1991) Nature, 353, p. 737. , -740Kroon, J.M., Bakker, N.J., Smit, H.J.P., Liska, P., Thampi, K.R., Wang, P., Zakeeruddin, S.M., Tulloch, G.E., (2007) Prog. Photovoltaics, 15, p. 1. , -18Ma, T., Akiyama, M., Abe, E., Imai, I., (2005) Nano Lett., 5, p. 2543. , -2547Ko, K.H., Lee, Y.C., Jung, Y.J., (2005) J. Colloid Interface Sci., 283, p. 482. , -487Kakiuchi, K., Hosono, E., Fujihara, S., (2006) J. Photochem. Photobiol., A, 179, p. 81. , -86Keis, K., Magnusson, E., Lindstrom, H., Lindquist, S.-E., Hagfeldt, A., (2002) Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells, 73, p. 51. , -58Horiuchi, H., Katoh, R., Hara, K., Yanagida, M., Murata, S., Arakawa, H., Tachiya, M., (2003) J. Phys. Chem. B, 107, p. 2570. , -2574Katoh, R., Furube, A., Tamaki, Y., Yoshihara, T., Murai, M., Hara, K., Murata, S., Tachiya, M., (2004) J. Photochem. Photobiol., A, 166, p. 69. , -74Keis, K., Vayssieres, L., Rensmo, H., Lindquist, S.-E., Hagfeldt, A., (2001) J. Electrochem. Soc., 148, p. 149. , -A155Rensmo, H., Keis, K., Lindstrom, H., Sodergren, S., Solbrand, A., Hagfeldt, A., Lindquist, S.E., Muhammed, M., (1997) J. Phys. Chem. B, 101, p. 2598. , -2601Minami, T., Sato, H., Nanto, H., Takata, S., (1985) Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., 24, p. 781. , -L784Park, S.-M., Ikegami, T., Ebihara, K., (2006) Thin Solid Films, 513, p. 90. , -94Nonaka, M., Matsushima, S., Mizuno, M., Kobayashi, K., (2002) Chem. Lett., p. 580. , -581Ohkita, H., Cook, S., Ford, T.A., Greenham, N.C., Durrant, J.R., (2006) J. Photochem. Photobiol., A, 182, p. 225. , -230Haque, S.A., Tachibana, Y., Willis, R.L., Moser, J.E., Gratzel, M., Klug, D.R., Durrant, J.R., (2000) J. Phys. Chem. B, 104, p. 538. , -547Haque, S.A., Tachibana, Y., Klug, D.R., Durrant, J.R., (1998) J. Phys. Chem. B, 102, p. 1745. , -1749Gonçalves, A.S., Lima, S.A.M., Davolos, M.R., Antônio, S.G., Paiva-Santos, C.O., (2006) J. Solid State Chem., 179, p. 1330. , -1334Roberts, N., Wang, R.P., Sleight, A.W., Warren, W.W., (1998) Phys. Rev. B, 57, p. 5734Wang, R., Sleight, A.W., Cleary, D., (1996) Chem. Mater., 8, p. 433. , -439Passlack, M., Schubert, E.F., Hobson, W.S., Hong, M., Moriya, N., Chu, S.N.G., Konstadinidis, K., Zydzik, G.J., (1995) J. Appl. Phys., 77, p. 686. , -693Bhosle, V., Tiwari, A., Narayan, J., (2006) J. Appl. Phys., 100, p. 033713. , -033716Nazeeruddin, M.K., Kay, A., Rodicio, I., Humphrybaker, R., Muller, E., Liska, P., Vlachopoulos, N., Gratzel, M., (1993) J. Am. Chem. Soc., 115, p. 6382. , -6390Imai, Y., Watanabe, A., (2005) J. Mater. Sci., 15, p. 743. , -749Willis, R.L., Olson, C., O'Regan, B., Lutz, T., Nelson, J., Durrant, J.R., (2002) J. Phys. Chem. B, 106, p. 7605. , -7613Green, A.N.M., Palomares, E., Haque, S.A., Kroon, J.M., Durrant, J.R., (2005) J. Phys. Chem. B, 109, p. 12525. , -1253

RaisAware: uma ferramenta de auxílio à Engenharia de Software colaborativa baseada em análises de dependências

This paper presents RaisAware, a collaborative software development tool aimed at supporting the relationship between software architecture and coordination of software development activities. RaisAware’s design is based on dependency analysis between software development artifacts created during the implementation phase and software developers’ activities. We describe the theoretical motivations for our tool, detail its design and implementation, and present an evaluation of the tool using open-source project data. Finally, we provide recommendations for future work in this direction.Keywords: collaborative software development, call-graph, co-changes, dependency analysis, software architecture, coordination.Este artigo apresenta a RaisAware, uma ferramenta de auxílio ao desenvolvimento colaborativo de software. RaisAware explora o relacionamento sociotécnico entre a arquitetura do software e a coordenação do trabalho de desenvolvimento de software através da análise de dependências entre os artefatos produzidos na etapa de codificação e entre as atividades dos desenvolvedores. As motivações teóricas para a ferramenta são apresentadas, assim como detalhes do projeto e implementação da RaisAware. Uma avaliação da ferramenta também é apresentada, utilizando-se dados reais de projetos de software livre. O artigo conclui com sugestões de trabalhos futuros.Palavras-chave: desenvolvimento colaborativo de software, call-graph, co-changes, análise de dependências, arquitetura de software, coordenação

Effect of antibodies to intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 on the protection of distant organs during reperfusion syndrome in rats

We investigated kidney and lung alterations caused by intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 (ICAM-1) blockade after ischemia and reperfusion of hind limb skeletal muscles. Rats were submitted to ligature of the infrarenal aorta for 6 h. The animals were randomized into three groups of 6 rats each: group I, sacrificed after ischemia; group II, reperfusion for 24 h, and group III, reperfusion for 24 h after receiving monoclonal anti-ICAM-1 antibodies. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, potassium, pH and leukocyte counts. Samples were taken from the muscles of the hind limbs and from the kidneys and lungs for histological analysis and measurement of the neutrophil infiltrate by myeloperoxidase staining. The groups did not differ significantly with regard to the laboratory tests. There were no major histological alterations in the kidneys. An intense neutrophil infiltrate in the lungs, similar in all groups, was detected. Myeloperoxidase determination showed that after reperfusion there was significantly less retention of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in the muscles (352 ± 70 vs 1451 ± 235 × 10² neutrophils/mg; P<0.01) and in the kidneys (526 ± 89 vs 852 ± 73 × 10² neutrophils/mg; P<0.01) of the animals that received anti-ICAM-1 before perfusion compared to the group that did not. The use of anti-ICAM-1 antibodies in this experimental model minimized neutrophil influx, thus reducing the inflammatory process, in the muscles and kidneys after ischemia and reperfusion of the hind limbs.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de CirurgiaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de ClínicaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de PatologiaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de CirurgiaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de ClínicaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de PatologiaSciEL

Investigation of the Mechanisms Underlying the Gastroprotective Effect of Cymbopogon Citratus Essential Oil

Cymbopogon citratus is a medicinal plant popularly used in Brazil for the treatment of various diseases, and the research interest in this plant is justifiable because of its potential medicinal value in stomachache and gastric ulcer. This study was aimed to test the validity of this practice by using experimental models of gastric ulcer and to clarify the mechanisms of gastroprotection by C. citratus leaves essential oil (EOCC). EOCC was evaluated for the ability to protect the gastric mucosa against injuries caused by necrotizing agents (absolute ethanol and aspirin) in rodents. The results of this study revealed that EOCC posses a dose-independent anti-ulcer effect against the different experimental models. EOCC pretreatment depicted a higher preventive index in ethanol-(88%) and aspirin-induced (76%) acute ulceration. On pretreatment of mice with indomethacin, the cyclooxygenase inhibitor slightly suppressed the gastroprotective effect of EOCC (48.5%). Furthermore, EOCC gastroprotection was not attenuated in mice pretreated with L-NAME (85.2%), glibenclamide (100%), or yohimbine (79.7%), the respective inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase, K+ATP channel activation, and α2 receptors. These results confirmed the traditional use of C. citratus for the treatment of gastric ulcer. Thus, we provide the first evidence that EOCC reduces gastric damage induced by ethanol, at least in part, by mechanisms that involve endogenous prostaglandins

Cosmic Dynamics in F(R,ϕ)F(R,\phi) Gravity

In this paper we consider FRW cosmology in $F(R,\phi)$ gravity. It is shown that in particular cases the bouncing behavior may appears in the model whereas the equation of state (EoS) parameter may crosses the phantom divider. For the dynamical universe, quantitatively we also find parameters in the model which satisfies two independent tests:the model independent Cosmological Redshift Drift (CRD) test and the type Ia supernova luminosity distances.Comment: 15 pages, 12 figure

Physiological quality, content and activity of antioxidants in soybean seeds artificially aged.

ABSTRACT - The objective of this study was to evaluate physiological quality, content, and activity of antioxidants, in soybean seeds subjected to accelerated aging during different periods. Seeds of cultivars BRS 258, BRS 262 and BRS 268, subjected to accelerated aging during 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours and non-aged seeds were used. After each aging period, the seed were evaluated by tests of: germination; first count and tetrazolium. The total of phenolic compounds, total flavonoides, total of isoflavones, and activity for eliminating ABTS°+ radicals were quantified. There were differences among cultivars according to vigor and viability only after seeds were aged. Cultivars BRS 158 and BRS 268 have shown better seed physiological quality in each aging period; however, not presenting higher amounts of isoflavones and efficiency in removing free radicals. For all cultivars, the values for total of phenolic compounds, as well as total of flavonoids have shown quadratic positive behavior; the values for isoflavones remained constant and the vigor and viability showed contrary trend to activity of antioxidant agents. RESUMO: Qualidade fisiológica, conteúdo e atividade de antioxidantes presentes em sementes de soja envelhecidas artificialmente. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade fisiológica, o conteúdo e a atividade de agentes antioxidantes presentes em sementes de soja envelhecidas durante diferentes períodos. Foram utilizadas sementes das cultivares BRS 258, BRS 262 e BRS 268, envelhecidas durante 12, 24, 36 e 48 h e sementes não envelhecidas. Após cada período de envelhecimento, as sementes foram avaliadas pelo testes de: germinação; primeira contagem e tetrazólio. Foram quantificados: compostos fenólicos totais; flavonóides totais; total de isoflavonas e atividade eliminadora do radical ABTS°+. Houve diferença entre as cultivares em relação ao vigor e viabilidade somente quando foram envelhecidas. BRS 158 e BRS 268 apresentaram melhor qualidade fisiológica de sementes em cada período de envelhecimento, porém, não apresentaram maior quantidade de isoflavonas e eficiência no sequestro dos radicais livres. Para todas as cultivares, os valores de compostos fenólicos totais, assim como os flavonóides totais, apresentaram comportamento quadrático positivo; os valores das isoflavonas permaneceram constantes e o vigor e a viabilidade apresentaram tendência contrária à atividade dos agentes antioxidantes