Strain characterization of FinFETs using Raman spectroscopy

Metal induced strain in the channel region of silicon (Si) fin-field effect transistor (FinFET) devices has been characterized using Raman spectroscopy. The strain originates from the difference in thermal expansion coefficient of Si and titanium-nitride. The Raman map of the device region is used to determine strain in the channel after preparing the device with the focused ion beam milling. Using the Raman peak shift relative to that of relaxed Si, compressive strain values up to – 0.88% have been obtained for a 5 nm wide silicon fin. The strain is found to increase with reducing fin width though it scales less than previously reported results from holographic interferometry. In addition, finite-element method (FEM) simulations have been utilized to analyze the amount of strain generated after thermal processing. It is shown that obtained FEM simulated strain values are in good agreement with the calculated strain values obtained from Raman spectroscop

A study to determine fertility status in the Canakkale-Lapseki agricultural areas, Turkey

International Conference on the Future of the Mediterranean Rural Environment -- 2000 -- MENEMEN, TURKEYThis research was conducted on the high-quality agricultural land between the towns of Lapseki and Umurbey in the Canakkale region of Turkey, where total agricultural land covers 353,589ha. Soil samples, representing a total area of 66 10 ha, where mostly cherry, peach, sour cherry, kiwi and vegetables are grown, were taken within the depths of 0-30 and 30-60 cm. Soil samples were collected from 123 different points in the sampled area. Two samples were taken at every point, making a total of 246 soil samples, which were analysed to determine their physical and chemical properties. The results show the productivity characteristics of these agricultural soils. The results indicate that the soils are highly calcareous, with high pH, low levels of organic matter and phosphorous, and very rich in potassium. The sampled soils are deficient in zinc and iron (approximately 70% of the samples), manganese (50-55% of the samples), but have an excess copper content (approximately 95% of the samples). (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd.Cranfield Univ,Turkish Gen Directorate rural Ser

Editorial of Special Issue of National Identities: Alevism as an ethno-religious identity: Contested boundaries

No abstract for editorial but this is the opening paragraph: This special issue on Alevism and trans/national Alevi identity critically engages with the relationship between religion, ethnicity and national identity. The core issues are as follows: • how ethnicity and religion are conceptualised for a relatively invisible ethnic group in different national contexts; • how religion and ethnicity intersect when Alevism is both a faith and an ethnic identity, especially when conceptions of that identity are contested; • how identity is shaped through state policies within different national policy contexts and how etic definitions of minority communities are constructed by the state or other agencies with the power to impose them on the community in contrast to the emic or self-definitions of Aleviness from within the Alevi community; • how despite the fragmented, heterogeneous nature of Alevi communities, there is also a sense of a single, transnational imaginary community, at least for the purposes of political assimilation/integration and activism; • how education and other arenas of political, religious and cultural engagement at local, national and transnational levels create the possibilities, both positively and negatively, for future action/policy to situate minority ethnic communities

Medicinal plants grown in soil amended with struvite recovered from anaerobically pretreated poultry manure wastewater

ABSTRACT 3--P = 1:1:1, pH = 9.0) was tested as a slow release fertilizer on the growth of four medicinal plants including garden rocket (Eruca sativa), dill (Anethum graveolens), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and parsley (Petroselinum crispum) in a series of labscale greenhouse experiment. Pot trial tests indicated that rates of increase in fresh weights, dry weights and fresh heights of plants grown in soil fertilized with the recovered struvite were determined as 405%, 488%, and 51% for garden rocket; 154%, 191%, and 44% for dill; 152%, 379%, and 27% for fennel; 141%, 208%, and 22% for parsley, respectively, compared to the control pot. Results of a static bioassay test proved that the use of plants cultivated in MAP pots as the feeding material did not cause any acute toxicity symptoms or mortality in guppy fish (Lebistes reticulatus), and all survived and exhibited normal visual responses at the end of 170-h exposure. Findings of this study confirmed that the recovered struvite from UASB effluent provided a valuable slow release fertilizer for the agricultural use, resulting an edible multi-nutrient animal feed

Common extensor origin release in recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis - role justified?

The aim of our study was to analyse the efficacy of operative management in recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis of elbow. Forty patients included in this study were referred by general practitioners with a diagnosis of tennis elbow to the orthopaedic department at a district general hospital over a five year period. All had two or more steroid injections at the tender spot, without permanent relief of pain. All subsequently underwent simple fasciotomy of the extensor origin. Of forty patients thirty five had improvement in pain and function, two had persistent symptoms and three did not perceive any improvement. Twenty five had excellent, ten had well, two had fair and three had poor outcomes (recurrent problem; pain at rest and night). Two patients underwent revision surgery. Majority of the patients had improvement in pain and function following operative treatment. In this study, an extensor fasciotomy was demonstrated to be an effective treatment for refractory chronic lateral epicondylitis; however, further studies are warranted

Systemic and local antibiotic prophylaxis in the prevention of Staphylococcus epidermidis graft infection

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the in vivo efficacy of local and systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in the prevention of Staphylococcus (S.) epidermidis graft infection in a rat model and to evaluate the bacterial adherence to frequently used prosthetic graft materials. METHODS: Graft infections were established in the subcutaneous tissue of 120 male Wistar rats by implantation of Dacron/ePTFE grafts followed by topical inoculation with 2 × 10(7 )CFUs of clinical isolate of methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis. Each of the graft series included a control group, one contaminated group that did not receive any antibiotic prophylaxis, two contaminated groups that received systemic prophylaxis with teicoplanin or levofloxacin and two contaminated groups that received teicoplanin-soaked or levofloxacin-soaked grafts. The grafts were removed 7 days after implantation and evaluated by quantitative culture. RESULTS: There was significant bacterial growth inhibition in the groups given systemic or local prophylaxis (P < 0.05). Methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis had greater affinity to Dacron graft when compared with ePTFE graft in the untreated contaminated groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that the usage of systemic or local prophylaxis and preference of ePTFE graft can be useful in reducing the risk of vascular graft infections caused by staphylococcal strains with high levels of resistance

Identifying sex- and gender-specific endocrinological, lifestyle, psychosocial, and socio-cultural targets for Alzheimer's disease prevention in Africans: the female brain health and endocrine research in Africa (FemBER-Africa) project

Dementia rates are rising globally, with the burden increasing most rapidly in low- to middle-income countries. Despite this, research into Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) among African populations remains limited, with existing models based on Western cohorts that overlook sex-, gender-, and ancestry-specific factors. The Female Brain Health and Endocrine Research in Africa (FemBER-Africa) project, hosted at the Brain and Mind Institute, Aga Khan University, Kenya, will establish a deeply phenotyped cohort of 250 African individuals across the ADRD spectrum. It will assess sex-specific risk factors linked to ethnicity, lifestyle, and endocrinological variables using fluid-based biomarkers (blood and saliva), neuroimaging (magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography), and culturally adapted cognitive tests. By comparing data with Western and diasporic cohorts, the study aims to identify ancestry-specific and shared mechanisms driving ADRD risk and progression. The findings will support targeted, culturally relevant prevention and intervention strategies, addressing the underrepresentation of African populations in global dementia research. Highlights By 2030, > 78 million individuals are expected to have dementia, with the highest burden among women in low- to middle-income countries. Despite this, African populations remain underrepresented in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) research. Existing ADRD risk models fail to account for the unique influence of sex, gender, and ancestry on dementia risk. Female-specific reproductive and hormonal factors, including menopause transition and hormone therapy use, are poorly integrated into current models. The Female Brain Health and Endocrine Research in Africa (FemBER-Africa) project is the first large-scale study to examine sex- or gender-specific and endocrine contributors to ADRD in an African population, using advanced diagnostic, biomarker, and culturally adapted cognitive assessments. The study will assess how biological (hormonal, metabolic), lifestyle (physical activity, diet), and socio-cultural (education, health-care access) factors interact to influence ADRD risk in African women. Insights from FemBER-Africa will inform the development of sex- and gender-specific, culturally adapted ADRD prevention strategies, enhancing the precision and equity of dementia mitigation efforts globally

Mother-to-infant transmission of transfusion transmitted virus

Abstract Not Availabl