Design space for low sensitivity to size variations in [110] PMOS nanowire devices: The implications of anisotropy in the quantization mass

A 20-band sp3d5s* spin-orbit-coupled, semi-empirical, atomistic tight-binding model is used with a semi-classical, ballistic, field-effect-transistor (FET) model, to examine the ON-current variations to size variations of [110] oriented PMOS nanowire devices. Infinitely long, uniform, rectangular nanowires of side dimensions from 3nm to 12nm are examined and significantly different behavior in width vs. height variations are identified and explained. Design regions are identified, which show minor ON-current variations to significant width variations that might occur due to lack of line width control. Regions which show large ON-current variations to small height variations are also identified. The considerations of the full band model here show that ON-current doubling can be observed in the ON-state at the onset of volume inversion to surface inversion transport caused by structural side size variations. Strain engineering can smooth out or tune such sensitivities to size variations. The cause of variations described is the structural quantization behavior of the nanowires, which provide an additional variation mechanism to any other ON-current variations such as surface roughness, phonon scattering etc.Comment: 24 pages, 5 figure

Financial Ratios, Size, Industry and Interest Rate Issues in Company Failure: An Extended Multidimensional Scaling Analysis

Three-way multidimensional scaling methods are used to study the differences between UK failed and continuing companies from 1993 to 2001. The technique allows for visual representations of the results, so that qualitative information can be brought to bear when judging the health of a company. It is shown that it is important to take into account company size and area of activity. Results also suggest that the ratio structure of the companies varies between years in response to changes in the interest rates, suggesting that the frontier between failing and continuing firms moves in response to the economic cycle

Young people’s experiences using electric powered indoor-outdoor wheelchairs (EPIOCs): Potential for enhancing users’ development?

Purpose: To examine the experiences of severely physically disabled young people using electric powered indoor/outdoor chairs (EPIOCs). Methods: A priori interview questions examined young people’s functioning with EPIOCs, pain and discomfort with EPIOC use and accidents or injuries resulting from EPIOC use. Eighteen young people (13 males and 5 females) aged 10 -18 (mean 15) years were interviewed by telephone using a qualitative framework approach. Participants were interviewed 10 -19 (mean 14.5) months after delivery of the chair. Diagnoses included muscular dystrophy (n = 10), cerebral palsy (n = 5), and ‘other’ (n =3). Results: Many children reported positive functioning following EPIOC use, including increased independence and social activities like wheelchair football. However, EPIOC use was also associated with pain and discomfort, as well as perceived lack of safety, and minor accidents. Most young people and their families were fairly satisfied with the service and provision of their wheelchairs. Conclusions: The findings suggest that disabled children’s development may benefit from the use of electric powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs, although the advantages may come at certain costs to young people’s perceived and real safety. Recommendations to powered wheelchair providers include the demonstrated need for additional driving training as these young people mature

Prospects of low-dimensional and nanostructured silicon-based thermoelectric materials : findings from theory and simulation

Silicon based low-dimensional materials receive significant attention as new generation thermoelectric materials after they have demonstrated record low thermal conductivities. Very few works to-date, however, report significant advances with regards to the power factor. In this review we examine possibilities of power factor enhancement in: (i) low-dimensional Si channels and (ii) nanocrystalline Si materials. For low-dimensional channels we use atomistic simulations and consider ultra-narrow Si nanowires and ultra-thin Si layers of feature sizes below 15 nm. Room temperature is exclusively considered. We show that, in general, low-dimensionality does not offer possibilities for power factor improvement, because although the Seebeck coefficient could slightly increase, the conductivity inevitably degrades at a much larger extend. The power factor in these channels, however, can be optimized by proper choice of geometrical parameters such as the transport orientation, confinement orientation, and confinement length scale. Our simulations show that in the case where room temperature thermal conductivities as low as κ l = 2 W/mK are achieved, the ZT figure of merit of an optimized Si low-dimensional channel could reach values around unity. For the second case of materials, we show that by making effective use of energy filtering, and taking advantage of the inhomogeneity within the nanocrystalline geometry, the underlying potential profile and dopant distribution large improvements in the thermoelectric power factor can be achieved. The paper is intended to be a review of the main findings with regards to the thermoelectric performance of nanoscale Si through our simulation work as well as through recent experimental observations

In the name of the father: Manliness, control and social salvation in the works of George MacDonald

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University London.This thesis considers the representation of manly identity in the works of George MacDonald, and the way in which that identity is formed in relation to shifting power networks and contemporary social discourses. I argue that the environment of technological and societal change experienced in the mid-Victorian era (in the wake of industrialisation, urbanisation, changes in suffrage and war) led to a cultural need to re-align social, political, physical and economic power within a framework of male moral strength. Taking his lead from Thomas Carlyle and German transcendentalism, MacDonald promoted a paternalist ‗ideal‘ of manliness that articulated a synthesis of moral and physical power, yet which also served to promote a paradigm of domestic authority within diverse areas of male interaction. The dual purposes of this ideal were the defence of national identity (the purview of what I term the ‗Soldier body‘), and the enforcement of a paternalist authority hierarchy that is swiftly subsumed within a hierarchy of social status. As a result, we see the growth of close inter-relationships between the representation of manly identity and the language of class, heavily influenced by Christian socialist narratives of individual development through social education and quiescence. Moreover, we begin to witness disturbing scenes of violence and control, as aspects of MacDonald‘s culture defy confinement within his model of patriarchal domestic authority

Bowen Family Systems Theory: Exposure of children's triangulation, cross-cultural validation of differentiation, and embedment of co-sleeping phenomenon

The thesis situates in the context of Bowen Family Systems Theory. Thesis’ introduction presents Bowen Theory’s systemic themes and core constructs that were originally developed from clinical observations of nuclear families. Thesis’ main corpus consists of four published articles. Two of the articles ground in clinical findings made during my family and school counselling practice (concerning the potential fallacies of medical-model oriented diagnoses, and the potential detrimental effects of co-sleeping family practice). Remaining two articles examine theoretically and extend empirically Bowen Theory’s cross-cultural applicability. Thesis concludes with an integrative discussion of the published articles with current empirical literatur