Discovery of the Vanadium Isotopes

Twenty-four vanadium isotopes have so far been observed; the discovery of these isotopes is discussed. For each isotope a brief summary of the first refereed publication, including the production and identification method, is presented.Comment: to be published in At. Data. Nucl. Data Table

Design Strategies for Ultralow Power 10nm FinFETs

Integrated circuits and microprocessor chips have become integral part of our everyday life to such an extent that it is difficult to imagine a system related to consumer electronics, health care, public transportation, household application without these small components. The heart of these circuits is, the metal oxide field-effect transistor (MOSFET) which is used as a switch. The dimensions of these transistors have been scaled from a few micrometers to few tens of nanometer to achieve higher performance, lower power consumption and low cost of production. According to the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS), beyond 32 nm technology node, planer devices will not be able to fulfill the strict leakage requirement anymore due to overpowering short channel effects and need of multi-gate transistor is inevitable. The motivation of the thesis therefore is to investigate techniques to engineer threshold voltage of a tri-gate FinFET for low power and ultra-low power applications. The complexity of physics involved in 3D nano- devices encourages use of advanced simulation tools. Thus, Technology Computer Aided Design Tools (TCAD) are needed to perform device optimization and support device and process integration engineers. Below 20nm technology node, the Fin-shaped Field Effect Transistor or Tri-gate transistor requires extensive use of 3D TCAD simulations. The multi-gate devices such as FinFETs are considered to be one of the most promising devices for Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI). This device structural design with additional gate electrodes and channel surfaces offers dynamic threshold voltage control. In addition, it can provide better short channel performance and reduced leakage. In this study, new design strategies for 10nm node NMOS bulk FinFET transistors are investigated to meet low power (LP) (50pA/μ

Influence of purge, time of waiting and TiCl4 dosing time in a low-pressure atomic layer deposition (ALD) reactor on properties of TiO2 layer

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the ALD process parameters on mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of TiO2 layer. The TiO2 layer was deposited on stainless steel surfaces at constant temperature T = 200 °C and number of cycles nc = 500 (g ≈ 25 nm). The applied methodology consisted of potentiodynamic and impedance studies, as well as adhesion test. The obtained results were the basis for selection of surface treatment method for stainless steel implants for contact with blood. Appropriate parameters of surface treatment realized by means of the ALD method is of significant importance. It will contribute to the development of technological conditions of specified deposition parameters of TiO2 layers on steel implants

Influence of purge, time of waiting and TiCl4 dosing time in a low-pressure atomic layer deposition (ALD) reactor on properties of TiO2 layer

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the ALD process parameters on mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of TiO2 layer. The TiO2 layer was deposited on stainless steel surfaces at constant temperature T = 200 °C and number of cycles nc = 500 (g ≈ 25 nm). The applied methodology consisted of potentiodynamic and impedance studies, as well as adhesion test. The obtained results were the basis for selection of surface treatment method for stainless steel implants for contact with blood. Appropriate parameters of surface treatment realized by means of the ALD method is of significant importance. It will contribute to the development of technological conditions of specified deposition parameters of TiO2 layers on steel implants

Border Zone Mass Transit Demad in Brownsville and Laredo

This study examines whether economic conditions in Mexico influence public transportation ridership levels in the border cities of Brownsville and Laredo, Texas. Besides the standard variables generally utilized to model bus ridership, additional indicators included in the empirical analysis are northbound pedestrian traffic and the real exchange rate index. Seemingly unrelated regression parameter estimates suggest that the volume of pedestrian border crossings in both cities is positively related to changes in ridership. The real exchange rate index in Laredo is negatively related to fluctuations in ridership, implying that peso appreciation increases transit utilization in this border city

Mexico Evidence on the Regional Retail Impacts of Violent Crime

Prior research reports mixed results regarding the economic impacts of crime. This study employs data from all regions of Mexico, including border regions in both the north and the south, to examine the effects of homicides on retail activity across Mexico during a period of escalating violence. The results indicate that one additional homicide within a municipality eliminates one retail establishment and one paid job in the retail sector. Furthermore, the negative consequences of violent crime for retailers are augmented by proximity to an international border. This is consistent with previous research findings that cross-border shopping is a key feature of commerce along the international boundaries of Mexico. It suggests that crime waves may disproportionately impact border city retail activity by partially diverting customer traffic to stores located in neighboring countries. This result is also consistent with the finding of recent research that violent conflict in northern Mexico resulted in increased retail activity in some United States border cities

Border Zone Mass Transit Demad in Brownsville and Laredo

This study examines whether economic conditions in Mexico influence public transportation ridership levels in the border cities of Brownsville and Laredo, Texas. Besides the standard variables generally utilized to model bus ridership, additional indicators included in the empirical analysis are northbound pedestrian traffic and the real exchange rate index. Seemingly unrelated regression parameter estimates suggest that the volume of pedestrian border crossings in both cities is positively related to changes in ridership. The real exchange rate index in Laredo is negatively related to fluctuations in ridership, implying that peso appreciation increases transit utilization in this border city

Nominal Exchange Rate Dynamics for the Taka

Abstract. Error correction modeling is used to model the nominal exchange rate for the Bangladeshi taka. Based on existing trade volumes and trade practices, the bilateral exchange rate of the taka with the dollar is analyzed.  Annual frequency data are utilized for the study. The sample data cover the four decade period from 1976 to 2015. Results indicate that a balance of payments modeling approach performs more reliably than a monetary balances approach.Keywords. Regional economics, Business cycles, Economic indicators.JEL. F31, O53

Physiochemical properties of TiO2 nanoparticle thin films deposited on stainless steel

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of TiO2 layer to improve hemocompatibility of 316LVM stainless steel. The TiO2 layers studied in this work were deposited from TiCl4 and H2O in a low-pressure Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) reactor taking into account number of cycles and process temperature. As a part of the research electrochemical studies of the layer after 28 days exposure to artificial plasma were carried out. In particular, potentiostatic, potentiodynamic and impedance studies were conducted. The obtained results were the basis for selection of surface treatment method dedicated to blood-contacting stainless steel implants

Giant Octupole Resonance Simulation

Using a pseudo-particle technique we simulate large-amplitude isoscalar giant octupole excitations in a finite nuclear system. Dependent on the initial conditions we observe either clear octupole modes or over-damped octupole modes which decay immediately into quadrupole ones. This shows clearly a behavior beyond linear response. We propose that octupole modes might be observed in central collisions of heavy ions