Normative Systems and their Revision: An Algebraic Approach

The paper discusses normative systems and their revision within an algebraic framework. If a system is logically well-formed, certain norms, called connecting norms, determine the system as a whole. It is maintained that, if the system is well-formed, a relation “at least as low as” determines a lattice or quasi-lattice of its connecting norms. The ideas are presented mainly in the form of comments on a legal example concerning acquisition of movable property by extinction of another person's previous rights.     

Tunneling through Thin Oxides—New Insights from Microscopic Calculations

In this paper, we summarize our recent efforts to analyze transmission probabilities of extremely thin SiO₂ gate oxides using microscopic models of Si[100]-SiO₂-Si[100] heterojunctions. We predict energy-dependent tunneling masses and their influence on transmission coefficients, discuss tunneling probabilities and analyze effects arising from the violation of parallel momentum conservation. As an application of the present method, gate currents in short bulk MOSFETs are calculated, including elastic defect-assisted contributions.     

Mesa and planar SiGe-HBTs on MBE-wafers

SiGe-HBTs have the potential for outstanding analog and digital or mixed-signal high frequency circuits widely based on standard Si technology. Here we review on MBE grown transistors and circuits. Processes and results of a research-like SiGe HBT and two possible production relevant HBT versions are presented. The high frequency results with f_max and f_T up to 120 GHz and a minimum noise figure of 0.9 dB at 10 GHz demonstrate the advantage of using MBE samples with steep and high base doping and high germanium contents. A comparison to the concept of reported low doped, low germanium and triangular profiled SiGe base layers, realized by UHV-CVD, is given. In addition, some circuit demonstrators of SiGe-ICs will be presented.     

T cells of the human intestinal lamina propria are high producers of interleukin-10

BACKGROUND: The transmission of hepatitis A virus (HAV) has been associated with the use of a number of solvent/detergent-treated factor VIII concentrates and possibly a factor IX concentrate. These reports have emphasized the necessity of using virus-inactivation methods for plasma products that are capable of inactivating nonenveloped viruses such as HAV. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A simple, highly accurate titration procedure for HAV, which allows extensive kinetic investigations of virus-inactivation procedures, has been developed. This system has now been used to evaluate the efficacy of vapor heating in inactivating HAV after the addition of the virus to a range of human plasma products. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that HAV was significantly more thermostable than other picornaviruses, which reinforced the fact that such viruses cannot be used as model viruses for HAV-inactivation studies. A one-step vapor-heating procedure was demonstrated to inactivate between 5.9 and > 6.3 log10 of HAV in different products. A two-step vapor-heating procedure had the capacity to inactivate between > 8.7 and > 10.4 log10 of HAV. Both procedures were more effective in inactivating HAV than was the pasteurization procedure used for virus inactivation in human albumin solutions. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate the efficacy of vapor heating in inactivating high-titer HAV after the spiking of plasma products with virus. This study confirms and explains the results of controlled clinical trials and long-term clinical usage with respect to the lack of HAV transmission by such vapor-heated products.     

A randomized trial of cisplatin, etoposide and bleomycin (PEB) versus carboplatin, etoposide and bleomycin (CEB) for patients with 'good-risk' metastatic non-seminomatous germ cell tumors

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy will cure 70% to 80% of patients with metastatic non-seminomatous germ cell tumors but is associated with the possibility of severe neuro-, oto- and nephro-toxicities. Carboplatin, a cisplatin analogue, is an active drug in testicular cancer with a more favourable spectrum of side effects. In a randomized trial, the German Testicular Cancer Study Group compared a combination regimen of carboplatin, etoposide and bleomycin (CEB) to standard cisplatin, etoposide and bleomycin (PEB) chemotherapy for patients with 'minimal-' and moderate-disease' non-seminomatous germ cell tumors, according to the Indiana University classification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: PEB was given for three cycles at standard doses (given days 1-5), and the CEB regimen consisted of carboplatin (target AUC of 5 mg/ml x min) on day 1, etoposide 120 mg/m2 on days 1 to 3 and bleomycin 30 mg on days 1, 8 and 15. Four cycles of CEB were given, with the omission of bleomycin in the fourth cycle. Thus, the cumulative doses of etoposide and bleomycin applied in the two treatment arms were comparable. Fifty-four patients were entered on the trial, 29 were treated with PEB and 25 with CEB chemotherapy. Patients were stratified according to disease extent (minimal versus moderate) and the degree of tumor marker elevation. Thirty-two patients (59%) belonged to the group with minimal disease and low markers. RESULTS: No significant difference in response to chemotherapy was seen between the two arms, with CR rates of 81% for the PEB arm and 76% for CEB treatment. However, more patients treated with CEB (32% versus 13%) have relapsed after therapy, and 4 patients (16%) have died of disease progression after CEP in contrast to 1 (3%) after PEB therapy. The first interim analysis of negative events (relapse, vital tumor at secondary resection, death from disease and therapy-associated death) showed a significantly higher rate after CEB than after PEB therapy, and the trial was terminated early. After a median follow-up of 33 months for all patients, the calculation of negative events is still significantly in favour of PEB-treated patient, particularly since three late relapses > 2 years have been observed in the CEB arm (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: This randomized trial demonstrates that even with the use of adequate doses of etoposide and full-dose bleomycin, carboplatin cannot altogether replace cisplatin in patients with testicular cancer. Treatment with the PEB regimen remains the standard approach in patients with 'good-risk' non-seminomatous germ cell tumors.     

High-temperature,high-pressure thermophysical measurements on liquid zinc

Wire-shaped zinc samples were resistively volume heated as part of a fast-capacitor discharge circuit. Time-resolved measurements with submicrosecond resolution of the current through the specimen, the voltage drop across it, and the thermal expansion of the specimen as a function of time allow determination of the enthalpy, electrical resistivity, and density at different temperatures up to superheated liquid states of zinc far above the normal boiling point. High static pressures, up to 3800 bar of the ambient medium water, were used. An estimate of the critical pressure for zinc is given by investigations of the stability of the sample with a framing CCD camera, taking pictures of different samples varying the ambient static pressure. The critical volume and the critical temperature are obtained by means of an extrapolation of measured data at different pressures.Paper presented at the Fourth International Workshop on Subsecond Thermophysics, June 27–29, 1995, Köln, Germany.