Trends and challenges in VLSI technology scaling towards 100 nm

Summary form only given. Moore's Law drives VLSI technology to continuous increases in transistor densities and higher clock frequencies. This tutorial will review the trends in VLSI technology scaling in the last few years and discuss the challenges facing process and circuit engineers in the 100nm generation and beyond. The first focus area is the process technology, including transistor scaling trends and research activities for the 100nm technology node and beyond. The transistor leakage and interconnect RC delays will continue to increase. The tutorial will review new circuit design techniques for emerging process technologies, including dual Vt transistors and silicon-on-insulator. It will also cover circuit and layout techniques to reduce clock distribution skew and jitter, model and reduce transistor leakage and improve the electrical performance of flip-chip packages. Finally, the tutorial will review the test challenges for the 100nm technology node due to increased clock frequency and power consumption (both active and passive) and present several potential solution

Structural and electrical properties of zinc oxides thin films prepared by thermal oxidation

We report on zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films (d = 55–120 nm) prepared by thermal oxidation, at 623 K, of metallic zinc films, using a flash-heating method. Zinc films were deposited in vacuum by quasi-closed volume technique onto unheated glass substrates in two arrangements: horizontal and vertical positions relative to incident vapour. Depending on the preparation conditions, both quasi-amorphous and (0 0 2) textured polycrystalline ZnO films were obtained. The surface morphologies were characterized by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. By in situ electrical measurements during two heating–cooling cycles up to a temperature of 673 K, an irreversible decrease of electrical conductivity of as flash-oxidized Zn films was revealed. The influence of deposition arrangement and oxidation conditions on the structural, morphological and electrical properties of the ZnO films is discussed

Constructing Healthy Experiences through Human-Animal Interactions for Autistic Children and Their Families: Implications for Research and Education

A significant body of research in the field of animal assistance in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) therapy indicates that positive human-animal interactions (HAIs), such as playing with therapy dogs or dogs presence while reading Social Stories, improve the social interactions and the level of the behavioral indicators of positive moods (smiling, laughing) in autistic children. In this chapter, we aim to present a series of evidence-based modalities of including animal-assisted activities in standard therapeutic settings but also in the home environment (e.g., interactions with family animals), targeting the socio-emotional development of autistic children and their optimal communication with the family members, including the companion animals. The studies presented here are discussed from the perspective of potential mechanisms, such as oxytocin system, and several attachment-related views. Our studies point toward the valorization of companion animals in the process of development and optimizing the interpersonal communication abilities of ASD children in a positive and engaging manner for both humans and animals

A Profile Outline of Higher Education E-Tutoring Programs for the Digital-Native Student – Literature Review

AbstractIn today's digital literacy society, education is facing challenges that emphasize the need to reconsider the traditional paper-pencil methods of instruction. Thus, e-tutoring programs have the potential to enhance students’ academic achievement through counselling and learning-supporting activities. The present paper examines the results of the literature research (i.e. systematic review) related to e-tutoring in higher education, aiming to outline a profile for the higher education e-tutoring programs. Also, we aim to identify the Service-Learning related features of the e-tutoring programs found in the literature. The purpose of this study is to aid instructors designing friendly and more effective e-tutoring programs, well-suited for the digital-native student

The Hubble Constant determined through an inverse distance ladder including quasar time delays and Type Ia supernovae

Context. The precise determination of the present-day expansion rate of the Universe, expressed through the Hubble constant $H_0$, is one of the most pressing challenges in modern cosmology. Assuming flat $\Lambda$CDM, $H_0$ inference at high redshift using cosmic-microwave-background data from Planck disagrees at the 4.4$\sigma$ level with measurements based on the local distance ladder made up of parallaxes, Cepheids and Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), often referred to as "Hubble tension". Independent, cosmological-model-insensitive ways to infer $H_0$ are of critical importance. Aims. We apply an inverse-distance-ladder approach, combining strong-lensing time-delay-distance measurements with SN Ia data. By themselves, SNe Ia are merely good relative distance indicators, but by anchoring them to strong gravitational lenses one can obtain an $H_0$ measurement that is relatively insensitive to other cosmological parameters. Methods. A cosmological parameter estimate is performed for different cosmological background models, both for strong-lensing data alone and for the combined lensing + SNe Ia data sets. Results. The cosmological-model dependence of strong-lensing $H_0$ measurements is significantly mitigated through the inverse distance ladder. In combination with SN Ia data, the inferred $H_0$ consistently lies around 73-74 km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$, regardless of the assumed cosmological background model. Our results agree nicely with those from the local distance ladder, but there is a >2$\sigma$ tension with Planck results, and a ~1.5$\sigma$ discrepancy with results from an inverse distance ladder including Planck, Baryon Acoustic Oscillations and SNe Ia. Future strong-lensing distance measurements will reduce the uncertainties in $H_0$ from our inverse distance ladder.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, A&A letters accepted versio