This study aimed to comprehensively understand the performance and degradation of both p- and n-channel vertical double diffused MOS (VDMOS) transistors under bias temperature stress. Conducted experimental investigations involved various stress conditions and annealing processes to analyze the impacts of BT stress on the formation of oxide trapped charge and interface traps, leading to threshold voltage shifts. Findings revealed meaningful threshold voltage shifts in both PMOS and NMOS devices due to stresses, and the subsequent annealing process was analyzed in detail. The study also examined the influence of stress history on self-heating behavior under real operating conditions. Additionally, the study elucidated the complex correlation between stress-induced degradation and device reliability. The insights contribute to optimizing the performance and permanence of VDMOS transistors in practical applications, advancing semiconductor technology. This study underscored the importance of considering stress-induced effects on device reliability and performance in the design and application of VDMOS transistors.

Body temperature is an important indicator that may indicate the possibility of the existence of various pathological conditions and diseases. In the head and neck area, an infrared camera allows accurate temperature measurements of all regions of interest. The analysis of temperature characteristics of the region of interest of the head and neck in healthy subjects in terms of comparison of values in relation to the side of the face in the same person, and the comparison of values relative to the sex of the subjects is the topic of this research. These analyses are performed to create temperature maps of the face and determine physiological values. The research was conducted with the participation of 30 healthy people, 16 women and 14 men of different ages. Thermal imaging was performed in controlled conditions with infrared thermographic camera Varioscan 3021ST, while the software package IRBIS Professional 2.2 was used for thermogram analysis. Results show that the temperatures in female subjects at the submandibular region are significantly lower than in male subjects with an average temperature difference of 0.46?C, and the temperatures in female subjects at the supraorbital region are on average 0.5?C higher than in male subjects.

A new three-dimensional (3D) model of a high-power composite ultrasonic transducer is proposed and evaluated in this paper. This transducer comprises two active layers, each with at least two mechanically series-connected piezoelectric elements. A metal mass element is clamped between active layers with two bolts to create a sandwich structure comprising back and front metal radiation masses. The electromechanical equivalent circuit of the transducer, representing a general one-dimensional (1D) model, is first derived and presented in this paper. The general 1D model takes into account all existing transducer components, including both central bolts, in addition to the proposed 3D model. Additionally, when effects of the bolts are excluded, the resonance frequency equation was analytically derived based on the general 1D model. The composite transducer is designed and manufactured. For a large number of electrical connection combinations, transducer resonance frequencies are measured and compared with the results obtained from 3D and 1D models. The results indicate that the resonance frequencies obtained from 1D model are in line with the measured frequencies for the first thickness mode only. However, for all thickness and radial oscillation modes and their mutual coupling the analytically obtained frequencies from 3D model correspond well to the measured frequencies. In addition, the presented results in this paper contribute to a better understanding of the geometry and material properties of the composite piezoelectric transducer parts impact on transducer behavior.

Objective: To evaluate the nature and rate of sports injuries in medical students, as well as the risk factors at these events. Methods: All student-athletes (218) from a Medical School, integrated in at least one of the six team sport modalities (soccer, rugby, indoor soccer, handball, basketball, and volleyball) in 2017, were included. Injuries affecting their performance, regardless of time loss, were included. Athlete-exposure (A-E) was defined as one student-athlete participating in one practice or game. Results: Injury rates were significantly higher in junior medical students (1st - 3rd year) (7.58 per 1000 A-E, 95%CI = 6.11-9.06) than in senior medical students (4th - 6th year) (4.49 per 1000 A-E, 95%CI = 3.26-5.73) (p < 0.001). Multi-sports athletes had higher injury rates (10.69 per 1000 A-E, 95%CI = 8.22-13.17) than single-sport athletes (4.49 per 1000 A-E, 95%CI = 3.51-5.47) (p = 0.002). More than 60% of reported injuries occurred in the lower limbs and the mechanism that accounted for most injuries in games was player contact (51%); whereas in practice, it was non-contact (53%). Conclusion: Junior medical students present a higher injury rate than seniors. Medical students practicing more than one modality had a higher injury rate than those involved in just one sport modality. Level of Evidence IV, Cross-Sectional Study.