Rigorous and approximate solutions for the three-conductor lossy transmission lines problem

The coupled first-order linear differential equations governing the voltage and the current on three-conductor lossy (identical) transmission lines are solved by two methods. One method is rigorous, and the other one is approximate and applies in the low- and high-frequency ranges. Although the rigorous solution is a numerical one, the approximate solution consists of explicit expressions that are easy to calculate and give physical insight into the coupling process. Experimental results that are available for two parallel identical lossy wires of finite length situated above a perfectly conducting ground (when only one of the wires is driven by a source) and previously published theoretical results compare satisfactorily with the results obtained by the two methods.<>     

Leaky-wave propagation and radiation for a narrow-beammultiple-layer dielectric structure

Previous work has demonstrated that very narrow beam radiation patterns can be obtained from a simple source embedded within multiple dielectric layers of appropriate thicknesses above a ground plane. The configuration consists of dielectric layers having permittivities ϵ₁ and ϵ₂ stacked in an alternating arrangement, with ϵ₂>ϵ₁. This narrow-beam effect can be attributed to weakly attenuated leaky waves that exist on the structure. Simple asymptotic formulas for the propagation and attenuation constants are derived. The formulas show how the beamwidth varies with the number of layers and the material constants. The exact radiation pattern is compared with the leaky-wave pattern for a specific case to demonstrate the role of the leaky waves in determining the total pattern     

The anti-apoptosis function of Bcl-2 can be genetically separated from its inhibitory effect on cell cycle entry

The Bcl-2 family of proteins regulate apoptosis, some antagonizing cell death and others facilitating it. It has recently been demonstrated that Bcl-2 not only inhibits apoptosis but also restrains cell cycle entry. We show here that these two functions can be genetically dissociated. Mutation of a tyrosine residue within the conserved N-terminal BH4 region had no effect on the ability of Bcl-2 or its closest homologs to enhance cell survival and did not prevent heterodimerization with death-enhancing family members Bax, Bak, Bad and Bik. Neither did this mutation override the growth-inhibitory effect of p53. However, on stimulation with cytokine or serum, starved quiescent cells expressing the mutant proteins re-entered the cell cycle much faster than those expressing comparable levels of wild-type proteins. When wild-type and Y28 mutant Bcl-2 were co-expressed, the mutant was dominant. Although R-Ras p23 has been reported to bind to Bcl-2, no interaction was detectable in transfected cells and R-Ras p23 did not interfere with the ability of Bcl-2 to inhibit apoptosis or cell cycle entry. These observations provide evidence that the anti-apoptotic function of Bcl-2 is mechanistically distinct from its inhibitory influence on cell cycle entry.     

High purity LPE InP

Typical LPE InP layers have previously been limited to liquid nitrogen mobilities of 25,000 cm²/ V-sec, which implies a total impurity concentration of 9 × 10¹⁵/cm³. Of the donor impurities identified in InP, Si is reported to have the highest segregation coefficient, with a value of 30 at typical growth temperatures of 650–700°C (1) . Because of this large segregation coefficient, and the fact that commercially available In has typical Si concentrations in the 0.1 ppm range, it is necessary to take additional purification steps on LPE starting materials to reproducibly obtain epitaxial layers with total impurity concentrations below the previously mentioned limit. This paper will discuss a novel approach to the problem by employing a baking scheme to reduce Si contamination. Thermodynamics of the SiO₂ , H₂, Si, H₂O system will be considered which lead to a detailed schedule of time-temperature cycles for the removal of Si from an In based melt. Experimental data are presented which corroborates our thermodynamic, model, and which reproducibly yields epitaxial layers with 77°K mobilities in the range of 50,000–67,000 cm²/V-sec, and total impurity concentration below 2 × 10¹⁵/cm³ . Limiting factors in obtaining higher purity are discussed and suggestions are made for overcoming this problem.     

Dependence of t.e.o. efficiency on NL product

As the NL product is increased, an increase in efficiency of t.e.o. devices is observed. This effect is theoretically explained in terms of the induced current caused by the moving space charge in the active layer. A limit on current peak/valley ratio for various NL product devices is presented.     

The location of hydrogen in the kinetics of oxidation of ferrous alloys by superheated steam

The rate of emission of hydrogen from the metal surface and from the oxide surface has been determined during the oxidation of ferrous alloys at 501°C. The kinetics were in accordance with the assumption of a parabolic rate law, and the rate constants were in agreement with those calculated from the thickness of the oxide layer at the end of the reaction. The proportion of hydrogen emitted from the metal to that from the oxide surface showed a dependence on the partial pressure of steam for the 9%Cr-1%Mo alloy at 501°C. The ratio was dependent on the alloy composition, and also on temperature, as shown by results for the 9%Cr-1%Mo alloy at 450 and 552°C. For this alloy, the activation energy and rate constants are consistent with a rate-determining step dependent on cation diffusion. The oxide film is almost impermeable to hydrogen gas. A possible oxidation mechanism is suggested.     

Impact of protein deprivation on protein and DNA synthesis in the developing rat pancreas

The metabolic effects of protein malnutrition on growth and development of the exocrine pancreas are largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of protein malnutrition on pancreatic protein and DNA synthesis during postnatal development. Rat dams and their offspring were fed a protein-deficient diet (6% casein) or a control diet (25% casein) during gestation, lactation and after weaning. Pancreatic protein and DNA synthesis were measured in vitro at postnatal ages 1, 3, 10, 23, 36 and 60 days, by assessing [3H]leucine and [3H]thymidine incorporation in freshly isolated acini. Different patterns of protein synthesis were seen in the two groups. At birth, pancreatic protein synthesis was low in both control and malnourished animals. At day 3, protein synthesis in the control acini increased 10-fold while synthesis in acini of the malnourished animal group was only 50% of age-matched control values. No differences in protein synthesis were detected between the control and malnourished groups between 10 and 36 days of age. At 60 days (adulthood), acinar protein synthesis declined in the control-fed rats, but a significant increase was observed in the malnourished animals (p < 0. 0005). At birth, DNA synthesis was high in the acini from both control and malnourished animals. The low-protein diet induced a slight reduction in DNA synthesis at day 3, without altering the general pattern during later stages of development. In conclusion, protein deprivation has variable effects on pancreatic protein and DNA synthesis at different stages of postnatal development. Furthermore, the mechanisms of control within acini appear to be intrinsically regulated.     

Bcl-2 and Fas/APO-1 regulate distinct pathways to lymphocyte apoptosis

Activation of the cell surface receptor Fas/APO-1 (CD95) induces apoptosis in lymphocytes and regulates immune responses. The cytoplasmic membrane protein Bcl-2 inhibits lymphocyte killing by diverse cytotoxic agents, but we found it provided little protection against Fas/APO-1-transduced apoptosis in B lymphoid cell lines, thymocytes and activated T cells. In contrast, the cowpox virus protease inhibitor CrmA blocked Fas/APO-1-transduced apoptosis, but did not affect cell death induced by gamma-radiation or serum deprivation. Signalling through Fas/APO-1 did not down-regulate Bcl-2 or induce its antagonists Bax and Bcl-xS. In Fas/APO-1-deficient lpr mice, Bcl-2 transgenes markedly augmented the survival of antigen-activated T cells and the abnormal accumulation of lymphocytes (although they did not interfere with deletion of auto-reactive cells in the thymus). These data raise the possibility that Bcl-2 and Fas/APO-1 regulate distinct pathways to lymphocyte apoptosis.