Effects of contact resistance on the evaluation of charge carrier mobilities and transport parameters in amorphous zinc tin oxide thin-film transistors

Accurate determination of the charge transport characteristics of amorphous metal-oxide transistors requires the mitigation of the effects of contact resistance. The use of additional electrodes as voltage probes can overcome contact resistance-related limitations and yields accurate charge carrier mobility values, trap depths and temperature and carrier density dependencies of mobility as well as trap depths. We show that large differences in measured charge carrier mobility values are obtained when such contact resistances are not factored out. Upon exclusion of the contact resistance, the true temperature dependence of charge carrier mobility appears in the form of two clearly distinct mobility regimes. Analyzing these revealed mobility regions leads to a more accurate determination of the underlying transport physics, which shows that contact resistance-related artefacts yield incorrect trends of trap depth with gate voltage, potentially leading to a misconstruction of the charge transport picture. Furthermore, a comparison of low- and high-mobility samples indicates that the observed effects are more general.     

Alkoholische Getr?nke

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Using optimal control theory to identify network structures that foster synchrony

Network structures are known to influence a population’s propensity to synchronize. Previous attempts to identify synchrony promoting structures have focused on homogeneous populations. We use optimal control theory to construct networks that allow heterogeneous populations to maintain high levels of synchrony, explore the relationship between population heterogeneity and the structure of the optimal networks, and identify salient optimal network features that may enhance synchrony. In particular, we identify a new parameter, the average strength of neighbors, that may foster synchrony and observe that repulsion, in addition to attraction, can foster synchrony.     

Controlled nucleation and growth of CdS nanoparticles in a polymer matrix

In-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to monitor the thermal decomposition (thermolysis) of Cd thiolates precursors embedded in a polymer matrix and the nucleation of CdS nanoparticles. A thiolate precursor/polymer solid foil was heated to 300 degrees C in the X-ray diffraction setup of beamline W1.1 at Hasylab, and the diffraction curves were each recorded at 10 degrees C. At temperatures above 240 degrees C, the precursor decomposition is complete and CdS nanoparticles grow within the polymer matrix forming a nanocomposite with interesting optical properties. The nanoparticle structural properties (size and crystal structure) depend on the annealing temperature. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and photoluminescence (PL) analyses were used to characterize the nanoparticles. A possible mechanism driving the structural transformation of the precursor is inferred from the diffraction features arising at the different temperatures.     

On the classification of APN functions up to dimension five

We classify the almost perfect nonlinear (APN) functions in dimensions 4 and 5 up to affine and CCZ equivalence using backtrack programming and give a partial model for the complexity of such a search. In particular, we demonstrate that up to dimension 5 any APN function is CCZ equivalent to a power function, while it is well known that in dimensions 4 and 5 there exist APN functions which are not extended affine (EA) equivalent to any power function. We further calculate the total number of APN functions up to dimension 5 and present a new CCZ equivalence class of APN functions in dimension 6.     

A new construction of bent functions based on {\mathbb{Z}} -bent functions

Dobbertin has embedded the problem of construction of bent functions in a recursive framework by using a generalization of bent functions called ${\mathbb{Z}}$ -bent functions. Following his ideas, we generalize the construction of partial spreads bent functions to partial spreads ${\mathbb{Z}}$ -bent functions of arbitrary level. Furthermore, we show how these partial spreads ${\mathbb{Z}}$ -bent functions give rise to a new construction of (classical) bent functions. Further, we construct a bent function on 8 variables which is inequivalent to all Maiorana–McFarland as well as PS _ap type bents. It is also shown that all bent functions on 6 variables, up to equivalence, can be obtained by our construction.     

Separation of arteries and veins using flow-induced phase effects in contrast-enhanced MRA of the lower extremities

In 3-D contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiography of the lower extremities the goal is most often to enhance arterial structures while keeping veins and surrounding tissue unenhanced. Imaging during steady-state concentration of a blood pool agent or during poor timing of an extra-cellular contrast medium may result in simultaneous venous enhancement, making interpretation of the angiogram difficult. The aim of this study was to develop a post-processing method to separate the arteries from the veins in standard contrast-enhanced MR angiograms. The method was based on the different accumulation of flow-induced phase in the arteries and veins of the lower extremities. The method was tested in both phantom experiments and volunteers undergoing 3-D contrast-enhanced MR angiography using both an extra-cellular contrast medium and a blood pool agent. In the phantom studies, opposite directional flow was successfully separated at mean flow velocities as low as 9 cm/s. In the volunteer studies, the larger veins were successfully extinguished while the larger arteries were left unaffected. In smaller vessels with low flow velocities the separation was less successful. This was most apparent in vessels not oriented superior-inferior. The method developed here is promising for separating arteries from veins in contrast-enhanced MR angiography although the results could be further improved by either a different pulse sequence design or combining this method with other segmentation methods.     

Safety aspects of gadofosveset in clinical practice – analysis of acute and long-term complications

Purpose

The purpose of this retrospective study was to systematically search for acute adverse reactions and long-term complications in all patients that had been administered gadofosveset at our hospital.

Materials and methods

We identified 67 gadofosveset administrations during 2006–2009 in 62 patients from 8 to 84 years of age. Radiological information system (RIS) and clinical patient records were analyzed for suspected acute adverse reactions and long-term complications including nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF).The gadofosveset doses ranged between 0.024 and 0.060 mmol/kg bodyweight with a mean dose of 0.031-mmol/kg bodyweight. Follow-up time of the patients ranged from less than 1 year up to 4 years with a mean follow-up time of 2.1 years.

Results

No acute adverse events or technical failures related to the contrast medium were recorded in the RIS. No dermatological and nephrological diseases related to the gadofosveset administration were found in the clinical patient records. Four patients died during follow-up without any apparent relation to the gadofosveset exposure.

Conclusions

Based on our clinical material we conclude that gadofosveset is safe for a mixed patient population with no acute adverse events or any indications of long-term complications during the follow-up time up to four years.