High-breakdown-voltage AlInAs/GaInAs junction-modulated HEMT's(JHEMT's) with regrown ohmic contacts by MOCVD

A technology for increasing both the two-terminal gate-drain breakdown and subsequently the three-terminal-off-state breakdown of AlInAs/GaInAs high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) to record values without substantial impact on other parameters is presented. The breakdown in these structures is dependent on the multiplication of electrons injected from the source (channel current) and the gate (gate leakage) into the channel. In addition, holes are generated by high fields at the drain and are injected back into the gate and source electrodes. These phenomena can be suppressed by increasing the gate barrier height and alleviating the fields at the drain. Both have been achieved by incorporating a p⁺-2DEG junction as the gate that modulates the 2DEG gas and by utilizing selective regrowth of the source and drain regions by MOCVD. The 1-μm-gate-length devices fabricated have two-terminal gate-drain and three-terminal-off-state breakdown voltages of 31 V and 28 V, respectively     

Antigenic stimuli do not influence thymic B lymphocytes: a morphological and functional study in germ-free and conventionally reared piglets

We have recently reported that thymic B lymphocytes (TBL) are the first B-cell subpopulation undergoing isotype switching to IgG and IgA during embryonic life. The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of antigenic stimulation on TBL location and activity using a germ-free (GF) newborn pig model, in which maternal antibodies and antigens do not affect B-cell development. Immunohistological analysis showed that TBL were disseminated mainly in the thymic medulla. There were no differences in the distribution of TBL, both in GF newborn piglets before and after colonization with Escherichia coli and in older conventionally reared (CONV) piglets. The number of immunoglobulin (Ig)-secreting cells measured by the ELISPOT method was not influenced by microflora and food antigens. IgM-positive cells secreting IgM and CD45RC-positive cells spontaneously producing IgM, IgG, and IgA were detected in newborn thymus. Our findings suggest that TBL differentiation and Ig switching to IgG and IgA-secreting cells is not influenced by external antigens and that the thymic microenvironment plays an important role in this process.     

Control of power factor correcting boost converter withoutinstantaneous measurement of input current

This paper proposes a new control method for the constant-frequency control of power factor correcting boost power converter using a sinewave template modulated PWM signal which eliminates the need for instantaneous measurement of the line current for the switching control of the boost converter. The control strategy is based on the notion that the line current can be forced to trace a deterministic waveform such as a sinusoid by considering the implicit model of the sinewave in the boost converter controller structure. The modulating sinewave template is generated using the line voltage, the boost converter output voltage and the load current. The paper provides the analysis and the design of the controller and presents simulation and implementation results to demonstrate its effectiveness     

Distributed interactive simulation in the evolution of DoD warfaremodeling and simulation

Distributed interactive simulation (DIS) is a revolutionary development that is changing permanently many features of Defense Department work. The field of warfare modeling and simulation (M&S) is quite large, however, and this paper reviews its evolution and how DIS fits within it. A few things are clear. First, DIS is exceedingly valuable for training. Second, DIS could be a powerful means for improving the quality of planning and analysis if used wisely for occasional well designed experiments. These could 1) provide insights about real-world processes involving human performance and behavior (including decision making), 2) help inform and calibrate models, and 3) help test plans in a quasioperational environment. Third, distributed war gaming, which depends on DIS technology, is already lowering boundaries among developers, planners, and warfighters. This can shorten development processes and improve the results through virtual prototyping; it can also improve operational readiness. To achieve these potential benefits, however, will require a holistic approach, conceptual breakthroughs, and profoundly difficult model development efforts. The challenges include developing integrated hierarchies of models, developing adaptive decision models and other models of human behavior, developing and using new forms of uncertainty-sensitive analysis, and learning how to use DIS experiments effectively     

Diagnosis and treatment of iatrogenic ureteral injury

Diagnosis and treatment of 17 patients who sustained 20 iatrogenic ureteral injuries were analyzed. Primary operations in which ureteral injury occurred are almost gynecologic procedures and general surgery. Injuries were managed by ureteroureterostomy in four, ureteral stent in one, removal suture ligation and ureteral double J-catheter in one, ureteroneocystostomy in ten, psoas-hitch technique and ureteroneocystostomy in one, nephrectomy in two. All patients with appropriate repair were followed-up periods of three to five years. Renal function of these patients had optimal results. When ureteral injury occurs, B-US, IVU, cystoscopy, retrograde ureterography or infusion of dye may be useful. An appropriate repair should be chosen according to length and position of ureteral injuries. Reoperation was optimal in two to three weeks. Immediate recognition of accidental ureteral injury provides optimal results. Patients with unrecognized injuries had suboptimal results.     

Identification of osteopontin in human dental calculus matrix

Osteopontin is a prominent non-collagenous component of bone matrix, although it is expressed in several other tissues. Recently, osteopontin was reported to be involved in urinary stone formation and atherosclerotic lesions of the aorta, suggesting that it may be a key protein associated with these types of pathological mineralization. In this study, whether or not human dental calculus contains osteopontin was investigated by immunoblotting and immunohistochemical analyses. After extraction of calculus proteins with EDTA and separation of the proteins by electrophoresis, immunoblotting analysis revealed the presence of osteopontin. Two forms of osteopontin appeared at 61 and 68 kDa on 10% polyacrylamide gel and the proteins were digested with thrombin, a highly specific protease. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that osteopontin was localized in dental calculus adherent to tooth roots. These findings indicate that osteopontin is, in fact, present in human dental calculus and may be involved in calculus formation as the stone matrix.