Nano-probing station incorporating MEMS probes for 1D device RF on-wafer characterization

International audienc

Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) Evaluation under Semi Arid Conditions in Eastern Algeria by Path Analysis

This study was aimed to characterize yield components and plant traits related to grain yield. Correlation and path analysis were carried out in durum wheat genotypes grown under irrigated and non-irrigated field conditions during two cropping seasons (2010/2011 and 2011/2012). In the path coefficient analysis, grain yield represented the dependent variable and the number of spikes m-2, number of grains spike-1, kernel weight and number of grains m-2 were the independent ones. Grain yield showed positive phenotypic correlation with number of spikes m-2 and number of grains per m-2under both conditions and during two cropping seasons.Path analysis revealed positive direct effect of 1000- kernels weight, number of spike m-2 and number of grains per spike on grain yield. These results indicated that the 1000- kernels weight and number of spikes m-2 followed by the number of grains per spike and number of grains per m-2 were the traits related to higher grain yield, under irrigated and late season water stress conditions.

Diagnostic study of the roughness surface effect of zirconium on the third-order nonlinear-optical properties of thin films based on zinc oxide nanomaterials

Zinc oxide (ZnO) and zirconium doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Zr) thin films were deposited by reactive chemical pulverization spray pyrolysis technique on heated glass substrates at 500 °C using zinc and zirconium chlorides as precursors. Effects of zirconium doping agent and surface roughness on the nonlinear optical properties were investigated in detail using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and third harmonic generation (THG) technique. The best value of nonlinear optical susceptibility χ(3) was obtained from the doped films with less roughness. A strong third order nonlinear optical susceptibility χ(3) = 20.12 × 10−12 (esu) of the studied films was found for the 3% doped sample

Roughness effect on photoluminescence of cerium doped zinc oxide thin films

Undoped and cerium doped zinc oxide thin films have been prepared by spray pyrolysis technique. The influence of Ce as doping agent on the optical and nonlinear optical properties was carefully investigated using transmission, X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and third harmonic generation (THG). It has been found a deep correlation between the surface roughness and the optical properties. In fact the roughness deteriorates the luminescence and nonlinear response, in a sense that the highest luminescence intensity and nonlinear susceptibility χ(3) are obtained for the smoothest layer.Doped layers are characterized with a high visible luminescence, attributed to cerium transitions, and susceptibilities in the range of 6.38 × 10−13 esu

ACOTES project: Advanced compiler technologies for embedded streaming

Streaming applications are built of data-driven, computational components, consuming and producing unbounded data streams. Streaming oriented systems have become dominant in a wide range of domains, including embedded applications and DSPs. However, programming efficiently for streaming architectures is a challenging task, having to carefully partition the computation and map it to processes in a way that best matches the underlying streaming architecture, taking into account the distributed resources (memory, processing, real-time requirements) and communication overheads (processing and delay). These challenges have led to a number of suggested solutions, whose goal is to improve the programmer’s productivity in developing applications that process massive streams of data on programmable, parallel embedded architectures. StreamIt is one such example. Another more recent approach is that developed by the ACOTES project (Advanced Compiler Technologies for Embedded Streaming). The ACOTES approach for streaming applications consists of compiler-assisted mapping of streaming tasks to highly parallel systems in order to maximize cost-effectiveness, both in terms of energy and in terms of design effort. The analysis and transformation techniques automate large parts of the partitioning and mapping process, based on the properties of the application domain, on the quantitative information about the target systems, and on programmer directives. This paper presents the outcomes of the ACOTES project, a 3-year collaborative work of industrial (NXP, ST, IBM, Silicon Hive, NOKIA) and academic (UPC, INRIA, MINES ParisTech) partners, and advocates the use of Advanced Compiler Technologies that we developed to support Embedded Streaming.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Effect of remote ischemic conditioning on atrial fibrillation and outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting (RICO-trial)

Background: Pre- and postconditioning describe mechanisms whereby short ischemic periods protect an organ against a longer period of ischemia. Interestingly, short ischemic periods of a limb, in itself harmless, may increase the ischemia tolerance of remote organs, e.g. the heart (remote conditioning, RC). Although several studies have shown reduced biomarker release by RC, a reduction of complications and improvement of patient outcome still has to be demonstrated. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common complications after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), affecting 27-46% of patients. It is associated with increased mortality, adverse cardiovascular events, and prolonged in-hospital stay. We hypothesize that remote ischemic pre- and/or post-conditioning reduce the incidence of AF following CABG, and improve patient outcome.Methods/design: This study is a randomized, controlled, patient and investigator blinded multicenter trial. Elective CABG patients are randomized to one of the following four groups: 1) control, 2) remote ischemic preconditioning, 3) remote ischemic postconditioning, or 4) remote ischemic pre- and postconditioning. Remote conditio