Spectral multidomain approximation of elliptic problems with mixed conditions on the interfaces

The multidomain technique for elliptic problems, that allows the fulfillment of the interface conditions by means of a suitable combination of the continuity of the solution and of its normal derivative, is considered. Some choices of this combination are investigated and, in particular, a choice that allows the solution of the multidomain problem through two solutions for each subproblem, is proposed. The scheme has been discretized with a collocation method and some numerical tests are reported. Moreover the method is compared with the more classical Dirichlet/Neumann one as well as with the capacitance matrix method.This research has been supported by a grant from M.P.I. (40%).     

Modeling of current-voltage characteristics for strained andlattice matched HEMT's on InP substrate using a variational chargecontrol model

A model for the calculation of the current-voltage characteristics of strained In_0.52Al_0.48As/In_xGa_1-xAs on InP substrate High Electron Mobility Transistors (HEMT's), based on a variational charge control model, is presented. A polynomial fit of the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) density is used for the calculation of the current-voltage characteristics. The effect of strain is introduced into the 2DEG density versus gate voltage relation. Very good agreement between the calculated and measured I-V characteristics was obtained. In addition, our results show that, for an indium mole fraction of the In_xGa_1-xAs channel in the range 0.53-0.60, increasing the indium mole fraction lowers the threshold voltage and hence increases the drain current at the same gate bias     

Investigation of iron borate on the submillimeter waves

Antiferromagnetic resonance (AFMR) in iron borate at the frequency of 300 GHz at the room temperature in weak (down to 0.1T) external magnetic fieldH has been studied. The loss in AFMR line increased or decreased depending on the direction and magnitude ofH. Such properties ofFeBO ₃ monocrystals allows to design undirectional and modulation devices.     

Acquired hemophilia and rheumatoid arthritis. Value of intravenous immunoglobulins

The authors report an exceedingly rare complication of rheumatoid arthritis, i.e. acquired hemophilia due to anti-factor VIII autoantibody production. Treatment with intravenous immune globulin ensured control of hemorrhagic manifestations by inducing a transient rise in factor VIII level.     

Tramadol, M1 metabolite and enantiomer affinities for cloned human opioid receptors expressed in transfected HN9.10 neuroblastoma cells

Tramadol hydrochloride is a centrally acting synthetic analgesic in widespread clinical use. Despite different degrees of opioid-like characteristics in preclinical tests, it is characterized by lack of full naloxone reversibility or naloxone-precipitated withdrawal in humans. To investigate this apparent discrepancy, the present study measured the affinity of tramadol (and its enantiomers) and an active O-desmethyl metabolite (M1) (and its enantiomers) to cloned human opioid receptors of the mu, delta and kappa type stably expressed in HN9.10 neuroblastoma cells. At mu sites, the Ki values for tramadol, its (+) and (-) enantiomers, M1, and its (+) and (-) enantiomers were 17000, 15700, 28800, 3190, 153 and 9680 nM, respectively, compared to 7.1 nM for morphine. These results are consistent with the suggestion of a non-opioid contribution to the clinical profile of tramadol.     

The spinal muscular atrophy gene region at 5q13.1 has a paralogous chromosomal region at 6p21.3

We have examined acetaminophen (paracetamol) dosing for outpatient management of posttonsillectomy pain in children. Forty children, 5-15 years of age, undergoing tonsillectomy and their parents were randomly assigned to use a scheduled administration of acetaminophen in weight appropriate doses, 60 mg.kg-1.24h-1 orally, 90 mg.kg-1.24h-1 rectally, or to use acetaminophen 'as needed' according to present standards (control group). Postoperative pain was assessed by the child using the poker chip tool for the first three days after discharge. The prevalence of pain amongst all the children was high. The second day after discharge 22%-64% of the children in the study group and 36%-73% of the children in the control group rated severe pain. Recommended dose ranges of acetaminophen do not provide sufficient pain relief in children following tonsillectomy. Further studies are required to determine, whether higher doses of acetaminophen or analgesics with different analgesic properties will lead to improved analgesia in children following tonsillectomy.