Degradation characteristics of metal/Al2O3/n-InGaAs capacitors

Implementation of new materials in Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor stacks requires capabilities to predict long-time degradation as well as the impact of process changes on degradation processes. In this work, the degradation under constant voltage stress of metal gate/Al2O3/InGaAs stacks is studied for different pre-dielectric deposition treatments. The results show that the degradation, particularly under negative bias, is strongly affected by the oxide-semiconductor surface treatment of the samples. Two contributions (interface states and bulk traps) dominate depending on the stress conditions. Surface treatment with NH4OH shows a better quality of the interface in term of interface states; however, it contributes to generation of positive charge on the dielectric layer.Fil: Palumbo, Félix Roberto Mario. Technion - Israel Institute of Technology; Israel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Inbar, Moshe. Technion - Israel Institute of Technology; Israel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

GENDER-RELATED DEVELOPMENTAL INSTABILITY AND HERBIVORY OF PISTACIA ATLANTICA ACROSS A STEEP ENVIRONMENTAL GRADIENT

Abstract: To examine gender-related developmental instability and herbivory of a plant across a steep climatic gradient, we studied Pistacia atlantica DESF., a dioecious tree of the Irano-Turanian zone in the Middle East. Leaves were sampled from five populations along a climatic gradient in Israel from mesic Mediterranean to xeric (and geographically peripheral) sites. Leaves of the xeric populations were ca. 25% smaller in size (length) than leaves of other populations. Leaf developmental instability (an indicator of stress) was examined using the measurement of leaf asymmetry (LA), estimated by the deviation from the origin of paired lateral leaflets and by the presence vs. absence of the terminal leaflet. LA was not correlated with the climatic (site) gradient and had the highest, though not significantly, levels in the intermediate ecotonal zone between the Mediterranean and the arid ecosystems. Male trees were 13% higher in LA than females. Density of two specialist gall-forming aphids varied with site but was not affected by plant gender. Gender-related developmental instability is discussed in relation to resource allocation in early spring. Because the study was limited to five populations further research is clearly needed

Thrombosis, Atherosclerosis and Atherothrombosis – New Insights and Experimental Protocols

Previous studies have shown that TSPO as well as apolipoprotein E (Apo E) can be associated with processes such as cholesterol metabolism, oxidative stress, apoptosis, glial activation, inflammation, and immune responses. As a ligand for cell-surface lipoprotein receptors, apolipoprotein E can prevent atherosclerosis by clearing cholesterol-rich lipoproteins from plasma. Furthermore, TSPO takes part in the regulation of gene expression for proteins involved in adhesion, which potentially may play a role in platelet aggregation. There are indications that the Apo E protein is involve in platelet aggregation, while TSPO platelet levels have been found to be increased with various neurological disorders, in particular, in stress-related disorders. The role of platelets in atherogenesis and the potential therapeutic impact of TSPO ligands on disease prevention are of great interest. To determine TSPO binding characteristics in this paradigm, we applied binding assays with [3H]PK 11195 on isolated platelets and erythrocyte membranes. The in vivo findings in Apo E knockout mice revealed that TSPO levels appear to be enhanced in platelets and erythrocytes of Apo E knockout mice, and thus suggest that TSPO and Apo E expression may be interconnected in relation to some aspect of the host defense response. Other organs tested, such as liver, testis, brain, heart, aorta, lung, kidney and spleen, did not show a difference in TSPO binding levels between Apo E knockout mice and wild-type mice. This suggests that TSPO levels may be part of a feedback control system for steroid production (responding to alterations in steroid levels), rather than being regulated by a feed-forward signal provided by cholesterol (i.e. TSPO levels in relation to steroidogenesis are not being regulated by cholesterol levels in vivo)

Gemcitabine in Bone Sarcoma Resistant to Doxorubicin-Based Chemotherapy

Subjects and Methods: Seven patients with progressive localized or metastatic chemo-resistant osteosarcoma were treated by gemcitabine.The protocol included gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2/w for 7 consecutive weeks, followed by 1 week rest. If no progression was observed,maintenance by gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2/w for 3 weeks every 28 days was given until failure was clinically or radiologically evident

Morphometry of the Crater Basalt Volcanic Field, Chubut

Los parámetros morfométricos del Campo Volcánico del Basalto Cráter (CVBC) en la provincia de Chubut fueron analizados en un entorno de Sistema de Información Geográfica (SIG), Modelos Digitales del Terreno (MDT) y mapas geológicos. Los diámetros basales (Dc) de 26 conos de escoria varían entre 18 y 611 m, con una mediana de 135 m y un promedio de 159 m. Se establecieron ecuaciones de las relaciones de las alturas con los diámetros basales de los conos de escoria, (Hco = 0.08 Dco), y para también para los diámetros de los cráteres respecto a los diámetros basales (Dcr = 1.73 Dco). Los rumbos de elongación dominantes son N-S, NE-SO y E-O. El aportillamiento de los conos volcánicos tiene direcciones preferenciales N, NE y SE. La tasa de erosión de los faldeo es de 9º cada millón de años.Fil: Haller, Miguel Jorge F.. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; ArgentinaFil: Meister, Carlos Miguel Ramon. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; ArgentinaFil: Risso, Corina Maria Ana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Inbar, Moshe. University of Haifa; Israe

Psychological features of modern elementary school students

Сучасні учні початкової школи значно відрізняються від своїх однолітків кінця ХХ початку ХХІ сторіччя. Для успішного їх навчання учитель повинен знати основні особливості.Modern elementary school students are significantly different from their peers at the end of the twentieth century of the twenty-first century. For their successful training, the teacher must know the main features