Intrinsic Reliability improvement in Biaxially Strained SiGe p-MOSFETs

In this letter we not only show improvement in the performance but also in the reliability of 30nm thick biaxially strained SiGe (20%Ge) channel on Si p-MOSFETs. Compared to Si channel, strained SiGe channel allows larger hole mobility ({\mu}h) in the transport direction and alleviates charge flow towards the gate oxide. {\mu}h enhancement by 40% in SiGe and 100% in Si-cap SiGe is observed compared to the Si hole universal mobility. A ~40% reduction in NBTI degradation, gate leakage and flicker noise (1/f) is observed which is attributed to a 4% increase in the hole-oxide barrier height ({\phi}) in SiGe. Similar field acceleration factor ({\Gamma}) for threshold voltage shift ({\Delta}VT) and increase in noise ({\Delta}SVG) in Si and SiGe suggests identical degradation mechanisms.Comment: 4 figures, 3 pages, accepted for publication in IEEE ED

A study of NBTI in HfSiON/TiN p-MOSFETs using ultra-fast on-the-fly (UF-OTF) IDLIN technique

Negative Bias Temperature Instability (NBTI) is studied in HfSiON/TiN p-MOSFETs having thin (2 nm) and thick (3 nm) HfSiON layer on top of 1 nm SiO₂ interfacial layer. By using ultra fast on the fly IDLIN technique, the impact of stress temperature (T) and oxide field (EOX) on NBTI time evolution is studied. The thickness of the HfSiON layer is shown to have negligible impact on time, T and EOX dependence of NBTI. The impact of time-zero (t0) delay on power law time exponent (n), EOX acceleration (Γ) of degradation and EOX acceleration (β) of time to fail (ttF) is also studied. The t0 does not impact Γ but strongly impacts n, β and hence extracted safe operating voltage (VGSAFE)

Transcriptome analysis reveals common differential and global gene expression profiles in bluetongue virus serotype 16 (BTV-16) infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in sheep and goats

Bluetongue is an economically important infectious, arthropod borne viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants, caused by Bluetongue virus (BTV). Sheep are considered the most susceptible hosts, while cattle, buffalo and goats serve as reservoirs. The viral pathogenesis of BTV resulting in presence or absence of clinical disease among different hosts is not clearly understood. In the present study, transcriptome of sheep and goats peripheral blood mononuclear cells infected with BTV-16 was explored. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified were found to be significantly enriched for immune system processes - NFκB signaling, MAPK signaling, Ras signaling, NOD signaling, RIG signaling, TNF signaling, TLR signaling, JAK-STAT signaling and VEGF signaling pathways. Greater numbers of DEGs were found to be involved in immune system processes in goats than in sheep. Interestingly, the DEHC (differentially expressed highly connected) gene network was found to be dense in goats than in sheep. Majority of the DEHC genes in the network were upregulated in goats but down-regulated in sheep. The network of differentially expressed immune genes with the other genes further confirmed these findings. Interferon stimulated genes - IFIT1 (ISG56), IFIT2 (ISG54) and IFIT3 (ISG60) responsible for antiviral state in the host were found to be upregulated in both the species. STAT2 was the TF commonly identified to co-regulate the DEGs, with its network showing genes that are downregulated in sheep but upregulated in goats. The genes dysregulated and the networks perturbed in the present study indicate host variability with a positive shift in immune response to BTV in goats than in sheep

Lessons learned during covid-19 pandemic, a worldwide survey: evolution of global neurosurgical practice

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a multitude of surveys have analyzed the impact virus spreading on the everyday medical practice, including neurosurgery. However, none have examined the perceptions of neurosurgeons towards the pandemic, their life changes, and the strategies they implemented to be able to deal with their patients in such a difficult time. Methods: From April 2021 to May 2021 a modified Delphi method was used to construct, pilot, and refine the questionnaire focused on the evolution of global neurosurgical practice during the pandemic. This survey was distributed among 1000 neurosurgeons; the responses were then collected and critically analyzed. Results: Outpatient department practices changed with a rapid rise in teleservices. 63.9% of respondents reported that they have changed their OT practices to emergency cases with occasional elective cases. 40.0% of respondents and 47.9% of their family members reported to have suffered from COVID-19. 56.2% of the respondents reported having felt depressed in the last 1 year. 40.9% of respondents reported having faced financial difficulties. 80.6% of the respondents found online webinars to be a good source of learning. 47.8% of respondents tried to improve their neurosurgical knowledge while 31.6% spent the extra time in research activities. Conlcusions: Progressive increase in operative waiting lists, preferential use of telemedicine, reduction in tendency to complete stoppage of physical clinic services and drop in the use of PPE kits were evident. Respondents' age had an impact on how the clinical services and operative practices have evolved. Financial concerns overshadow mental health