Morphological properties of Ag₂SeTe nano thin films prepared by thermal evaporation

Semiconducting silver selenide telluride (Ag₂SeTe) thin films were prepared with different thicknesses onto glass substrates at room temperature using thermal evaporation technique. The structural properties were determined as a function of thickness by X‐ray diffraction exhibiting no preferential orientation along any plane; however, the films are found to have peaks corresponding to mixed phase. The morphology of these films was studied using scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscopy respectively, and is reported. The morphological properties are found to be very sensitive to the thin film thickness. The composition of the films is also estimated using energy dispersive analysis using X‐rays and are also reported.     

Intestinal strongyloidiasis--a rare opportunistic infection

We describe the features of intestinal strongyloidiasis in six patients; five of them were immunosuppressed (four on corticosteroids, one with chronic renal failure). Vomiting and diarrhea were the predominant symptoms. Duodenal mucosa on endoscopy varied from normal to severe ulceration. Albendazole 400 mg/day for two weeks was effective. This condition should be considered in immunosuppressed individuals with gastrointestinal symptoms, especially since these symptoms may be mistakenly attributed to the underlying disease.     

Deposition parameter studies and surface acoustic wavecharacterization of PECVD silicon nitride films on lithium niobate

Silicon nitride films were deposited by a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition technique using silane-ammonia as the reactant gas mixture. The influence of the process parameters such as flow ratio of the reactant gases, pressure, substrate temperature, RF power, time of deposition and electrode spacing on the deposition and etch rates were investigated. From the matrix of deposition conditions, the deposition parameters for high quality films applicable to surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology were found. Experimental results on the acoustic loss, reflectivity and velocity dispersion for the fabricated devices are presented