Packaging of RF Mems Switching Functions on Alumina Substrate

Recently the strong demands in wireless communication requires expanding development for the application of RF MEMS (Radio Frequency micro electro mechanical systems) sensing devices such as micro-switches, tunable capacitors because it offers lower power consumption, lower losses, higher linearity and higher Q factors compared with conventional communications components. To accelerate commercialisation of RF MEMS products, development for packaging technologies is one of the most critical issues should be solved beforehand.Comment: Submitted on behalf of TIMA Editions (http://irevues.inist.fr/tima-editions

ML4Chem: A Machine Learning Package for Chemistry and Materials Science

ML4Chem is an open-source machine learning library for chemistry and materials science. It provides an extendable platform to develop and deploy machine learning models and pipelines and is targeted to the non-expert and expert users. ML4Chem follows user-experience design and offers the needed tools to go from data preparation to inference. Here we introduce its atomistic module for the implementation, deployment, and reproducibility of atom-centered models. This module is composed of six core building blocks: data, featurization, models, model optimization, inference, and visualization. We present their functionality and easiness of use with demonstrations utilizing neural networks and kernel ridge regression algorithms.Comment: 32 pages, 11 Figure

KNOWLEDGE RISKS AND SUSTAINABILITY: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON LEBANESE KNOWLEDGE-INTENSIVE FIRMS

Today’s business environment is characterized by a growing number of knowledge risks. There has been a paucity of empirical research on the impact of knowledge risks on business sustainability. This paper looks at the direct and indirect consequences of knowledge risks on a firm\u27s sustainability. A questionnaire was administered with a sample of 427 respondents from Lebanese knowledge-intensive firms. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the research framework. The findings indicate that knowledge risks and knowledge loss have a direct and significant detrimental impact on business sustainability. The performance of organizations has a direct and significant positive impact on sustainability. The mediating effect of organizational performance in the relationship between knowledge risks and sustainability of the business was demonstrated. However, the link between human knowledge risks and both organizational performance and sustainability was not significant. Outcomes of the study will persuade knowledge-intensive firms’ managers to deploy knowledge management approaches and reduce potential knowledge risks

Effect of Dispersions of Al2O3 on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Pure Copper and Copper-Nickel Alloy

This paper illustrates the mechanical and physical properties of pure Cu and Cu-Ni (50-50 wt. %) alloy mixed with Al2O3 (1-4 wt. %) as micro-particles reinforcement materials. The attained composite alloy specimens\u27 characteristics were estimated such as microstructure, relative density, electrical and thermal conductivity, hardness, and compression yield stress properties to adjust the suitable optimum percentage of reinforcing material which has the best physical and mechanical properties with different main matrix materials whether pure Cu powder or Cu-Ni mechanical alloy. The micron-sized Al2O3 was added to enhance the mechanical and physical properties of the pure Cu and Cu-Ni alloy composites. The electrical and thermal conductivity for pure Cu alloy composites were improved compared to the copper-nickel alloy matrix composites material. The hardness and compression yield stress of pure copper has enhancement values and for Cu-Ni alloy composites have enhancement values and for Cu-Ni base composites, hardness and compression yield stress have improved with the most positive enhancement values

Small Footprint Multilayered Millimeter-Wave Antennas and Feeding Networks for Multi-Dimensional Scanning and High-Density Integrated Systems

This paper overviews the state-of-the-art of substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) techniques in the design and realization of innovative low-cost, low-profile and low-loss (L3) millimeter-wave antenna elements, feeding networks and arrays for various wireless applications. Novel classes of multilayered antenna structures and systems are proposed and studied to exploit the vertical dimension of planar structures to overcome certain limita-tions in standard two-dimensional (2-D) topologies. The developed structures are based on two techniques, namely multi-layer stacked structures and E-plane corners. Differ-ent E-plane structures realised with SIW waveguide are presented, thereby demonstrating the potential of the proposed techniques as in multi-polarization antenna feeding. An array of 128 elements shows low SLL and height gain with just 200g of the total weight. Two versions of 2-D scanning multi-beam are presented, which effectively combine frequency scanning with beam forming networks. Adding the benefits of wide band performance to the multilayer structure, two bi-layer structures are investigated. Different stacked antennas and arrays are demonstrated to optimise the targeted antenna performances in the smallest footprint possible. These structures meet the requirement for developing inexpensive compact millimeter-wave antennas and antenna systems. Different structures and architectures are theoretically and experimentally studied and discussed for specific space- and ground-based appli-cations. Practical issues such as high-density integration and high-volume manufacturability are also addressed

A REVIEW OF KNOWLEDGE RISK CONCEPTION

Knowledge is regarded as a critical source of sustainable competitive advantage. However, knowledge has a negative aspect as well. Organizations face a variety of risks as a result of a lack of knowledge, its disappearance, incorrect application, or other consequences of knowledge-related use. Various knowledge risk dimensions were reported in the literature. The authors summarized and analyzed the theoretical perspectives on knowledge risks based on certain criteria such as comprehensiveness, clarity and flexibility. This research has provided an extended knowledge risk taxonomy of Durst and Zieba (2018). The taxonomy now includes a strategic knowledge risks group that embraces knowledge loss, knowledge leakage, and knowledge gaps risks. This type of knowledge risks has long-term severe impacts on organizational performance and must be managed by senior management/executives. Further research shall be conducted to empirically test and validate the proposed taxonomy

Solid Pseudopapillary Tumor of the Pancreas: A Case Report

Introduction: Solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) of the pancreas is rare, accounting for 0.13-2.7% of all pancreatic tumors. It has specific clinical, pathological and radiological characters that make it quite different from other pancreatic tumors.Presentation of case:  A 15-year-old girl with SPT of the pancreas diagnosed after surgical resection with histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmation. As no clear role for adjuvant treatment, she was elected for follow up.Conclusion: Although SPT is a rare tumor without notable symptoms. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice. The place of chemotherapy or radiotherapy needed to be elucidated

ESTROGENS IMPROVE THE CARDIOVASCULAR ALTERATIONS IN FRUCTOSE-INDUCED INSULIN RESISTANT OVARIECTOMIZED RATS

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the possible improving effects of 17-β estradiol (EST) and genistein (GEN) on the cardiovascular changes associated with fructose (21% in drinking water for 8 weeks)-induced insulin resistance.Methods: Sham-operated and ovariectomized mature female rats were included in this study. Insulin-resistant ovariectomized animals were sc treated with EST (100 µg/kg) or GEN (1 mg/kg) on the daily basis for 21 consecutive days.Results: Induction of insulin resistance in both sham-operated and ovariectomized rats decreased the vascular responsiveness of isolated aortic rings towards the vasoconstrictor norepinephrine and the vasodilator acetylcholine (Ach) with no changes towards the vasodilator sodium nitroprusside. Fructose-induced insulin resistance was also associated with an elevation in the blood pressure (BP) with decreased serum level of nitric oxide (NO). Treatment of insulin-resistant ovariectomized rats with either EST or GEN improved the vascular responsiveness of isolated aortic rings towards Ach and succeeded to reduce the elevated BP. Moreover, both EST and GEN decreased the insulin resistance/compensatory hyper insulinaemia. Treatment with EST increased serum NO level.Conclusion: EST and GEN have the ability to improve the endothelium-dependent relaxation in insulin-resistant ovariectomized rats and modulate the elevated BP.Â

Liposarcome dorsal: aspect clinique rare

Décrit la première fois par Virchow en 1860, le liposarcome est une tumeur mésenchymateuse rare. Cette rareté est relative car les liposarcomes représentent quand même 14 à 18 % de l'ensemble des tumeurs malignes des parties molles et ils constituent le plus fréquent des sarcomes des parties molles. Pour la majorité des auteurs, il ne se développerait jamais sur un lipome ou une lipomatose préexistant. Nous rapportons un cas de volumineux liposarcome de la face dorsale du tronc. L'histoire de la maladie, l'aspect clinique inhabituel « de tumeur dans tumeur », l'aspect de la pièce opératoire nous fait évoquer la possibilité de la transformation maligne d'un lipome bénin préexistant

Structural, magnetic, electrical and supraconducting properties of the high temperature superconductor Nd(SrBa)Cu3O6+z Effect of argon annealing

We have studied the structural and superconducting properties of two samples superconductors Nd(SrBa)Cu3O6+z. One was a conventionally annealed sample at 450°C in oxygen (0) and the other was heated in argon at 850°C followed by oxygen annealing (A0). The Tc of the sample (O) was 68 K and that of (AO) sample was 78 K. This was confirmed by our AC susceptibility, resistivity and Seebeck effect measurements. Further, there was an enhancement in the shielding and the intergranular critical current. The X-ray and neutron data showed a tetragonal structure, and that the (O) sample had a higher impurity level arising from Nd entering the Sr/Ba sites that may result in a decrease in the carrier density (p) which also was confirmed by our thermopower measurements. A combination of several factors such as changes in the Cu (1) apical oxygen distance, chain oxygen ordering, increase in p and in-phase purity for the (AO) sample may qualitatively account for the observed data.We have studied the structural and superconducting properties of two samples superconductors Nd(SrBa)Cu3O6+z. One was a conventionally annealed sample at 450°C in oxygen (0) and the other was heated in argon at 850°C followed by oxygen annealing (A0). The Tc of the sample (O) was 68 K and that of (AO) sample was 78 K. This was confirmed by our AC susceptibility, resistivity and Seebeck effect measurements. Further, there was an enhancement in the shielding and the intergranular critical current. The X-ray and neutron data showed a tetragonal structure, and that the (O) sample had a higher impurity level arising from Nd entering the Sr/Ba sites that may result in a decrease in the carrier density (p) which also was confirmed by our thermopower measurements. A combination of several factors such as changes in the Cu (1) apical oxygen distance, chain oxygen ordering, increase in p and in-phase purity for the (AO) sample may qualitatively account for the observed data