Temperature dependent Band gap Correction model using tight-binding approach for UTB device simulations

<div>Ultra-thin body (UTB) devices are being used in many electronic applications operating over a wide range of temperatures. The electrostatics of these devices depends on the band structure of the channel material, which varies with temperature as well as channel thickness. The semi-empirical tight binding (TB) approach is widely used for calculating channel thickness dependent band structure of any material, at a particular temperature, where TB parameters are defined. For elementary semiconductors like Si, Ge and compound semiconductors like GaAs, these TB parameters are generally defined at only 0 K and 300 K. This limits the ability of the TB approach to simulate the electrostatics of these devices at any other intermediate temperatures.</div><div>In this work, we analyze the variation of band structure for Si, Ge and GaAs over different channel thicknesses at 0 K and 300 K (for which TB parameters are available), and show that the band curvature at the band minima has minor variation with temperature, whereas the change of band gap significantly affects the channel electrostatics. Based on this finding, we propose an approach to simulate the electrostatics of UTB devices, at any temperature between 0 K and 300 K, using TB parameters defined at 0 K, along with a suitable channel thickness and temperature dependent band gap correction. </div>

Temperature dependent Band gap Correction model using tight-binding approach for UTB device simulations

<div>Ultra-thin body (UTB) devices are being used in many electronic applications operating over a wide range of temperatures. The electrostatics of these devices depends on the band structure of the channel material, which varies with temperature as well as channel thickness. The semi-empirical tight binding (TB) approach is widely used for calculating channel thickness dependent band structure of any material, at a particular temperature, where TB parameters are defined. For elementary semiconductors like Si, Ge and compound semiconductors like GaAs, these TB parameters are generally defined at only 0 K and 300 K. This limits the ability of the TB approach to simulate the electrostatics of these devices at any other intermediate temperatures.</div><div>In this work, we analyze the variation of band structure for Si, Ge and GaAs over different channel thicknesses at 0 K and 300 K (for which TB parameters are available), and show that the band curvature at the band minima has minor variation with temperature, whereas the change of band gap significantly affects the channel electrostatics. Based on this finding, we propose an approach to simulate the electrostatics of UTB devices, at any temperature between 0 K and 300 K, using TB parameters defined at 0 K, along with a suitable channel thickness and temperature dependent band gap correction. </div>

Cafeteria Online: Nudges for Healthier Food Choices in a University Cafeteria—A Randomized Online Experiment

Many people do not consume as much healthy food as recommended. Nudging has been identified as a promising intervention strategy to increase the consumption of healthy food. The present study analyzed the effects of three body shape nudges (thin, thick, or Giacometti artwork) on food ordering and assessed the mediating role of being aware of the nudge. Students (686) and employees (218) of a German university participated in an online experimental study. After randomization, participants visited a realistic online cafeteria and composed a meal for themselves. Under experimental conditions, participants were exposed to one out of three nudges while choosing dishes: (1) thin body shape, (2) thick body shape, and (3) the Giacometti artwork nudge. The Giacometti nudge resulted in more orders for salad among employees. The thin and thick body shape nudges did not change dish orders. Awareness of the nudge mediated the numbers of calories ordered when using the Giacometti or thin body shape nudges. These findings provide useful insights for health interventions in occupational and public health sectors using nudges. Our study contributes to the research on the Giacometti nudge by showing its effectiveness when participants are aware (it is effective under conditions where it is consciously perceived).

Biometric indices and population parameters of three polynemid fishes from Batang Lassa Estuary of East Malaysia

The length-weight relationships (LWRs), condition factor (Kn), growth, mortality and exploitation status of three polynemid fishes, i.e., Filimanus xanthonema (Valenciennes, 1831), Polynemus melanochir (Valenciennes, 1831) and Polynemus paradiseus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Batang Lassa River estuary were estimated. Fish samples were caught during April 2019 to September 2020 using the ESBN (locally called Gnian) having 1.25 to 4.00 cm mesh size. The total length (TL) and body weight of each individual fish was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm and 0.01 g respectively. The growth coefficients (b) for F. xanthonema, P. melanochir and P. paradiseus, were 2.880, 2.717 and 2.724 with the R2 values 0.956, 0.972 and 0.936 respectively. Estimated growth coefficients indicated a negative allometric growth pattern for all three threadfin fishes. To date, information regarding length-weight relationships for F. xanthonema and P. melanochir is insufficient whereas the information is available for P. paradiseus. About 40–48% of fishes exhibited flat or thin body shape (Kn < 1), 48–50% were rounded or fat (Kn > 1) and only 1–3% of fishes showed proportional body shape (Kn = 1). The growth parameters L∞, K and ϕ’ were estimated at 15.75 cm, 0.95 yr−1 and 2.37 for F. xanthonema; 27.61 cm 0.87 yr−1 and 2.82 for P. melanochir; and 27.30 cm, 0.58 yr−1 and 2.64 for P. paradiseus; respectively. The estimated natural mortality (M) included 2.10, 1.69 and 1.30 yr−1; the fishing mortality (F) 0.57, 0.67 and 0.60 yr−1; and exploitation ratio (E) 0.21, 0.28 and 0.31 for F. xanthonema, P. melanochir and P. paradiseus respectively. The study concluded that the stocks are still under exploitation (E < 0.5) condition. However, the studied Batang Lassa estuary could be a potential nursery ground considering the minimum lengths of 5.0, 3.8 and 4.0 cm for F. xanthonema, P. melanochir and P. paradiseus respectively. Therefore, management initiatives are needed to escape juvenile catches.