Low phase noise millimeter-wave frequency sources using InP-basedHBT MMIC technology

A family of millimeter-wave sources based on InP heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) monolithic microwave/millimeter-wave integrated circuit (MMIC) technology has been developed. These sources include 40-GHz, 46-GHz, 62-GHz MMIC fundamental mode oscillators, and a 95-GHz frequency source module using a 23.8-GHz InP HBT MMIC dielectric resonator oscillator (DRO) in conjunction with a GaAs-based high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) MMIC frequency quadrupler and W-band output amplifiers. Good phase noise performance was achieved due to the low 1/f noise of the InP-based HBT devices. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of millimeter-wave sources using InP-based HBT MMIC's     

Ontogenetic changes in pharyngeal morphology correlate with a diet shift from arthropods to dreissenid mussels in round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus)

The potential of predators to regulate populations of dreissenid mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) has been addressed since early in the dreissenid invasion of North America. Round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus) larger than approximately 60 mm have been shown to prey extensively on dreissenids, whereas smaller round gobies feed mainly on aquatic insects and crustaceans. We propose that ontogenetic changes in pharyngeal morphology may contribute to this diet shift in round gobies. Pharyngeals of 69 round gobies ranging from 31 to 164 mm total length were investigated using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Areas of lower pharyngeals and pharyngobranchial 2 increased allometrically with fish length. Pharyngeals of round gobies smaller than 50 mm contained narrow (< 0.1 mm diameter) papilliform teeth that are consistent with eating soft-bodied prey. By the time round gobies reached approximately 80 mm in length, pharyngeals contained larger diameter (0.3-0.5 mm) molariform teeth typical of those found in molluscivorous fish. Pharyngeal teeth of the largest round gobies also showed considerable wear. Although changes in pharyngeal morphology may contribute to the previously described diet shift in round gobies as they age, genetic and environmental factors both likely influence pharyngeal remodeling and therefore merit further investigation.     

Nonopioid analgesics shorten the duration of postoperative ileus

Morphine inhibits propagating and stimulates nonpropagating colon contractions in monkeys and humans. The use of morphine or other opioids that inhibit propulsive contractions prolongs postoperative ileus. In contrast, ketorolac tromethamine, a nonsteroidal analgesic, has no effect on colon contractions in monkeys. In 14 patients having elective abdominal operations, bipolar electrodes were implanted on the right (n = 13) and left (n = 10) colon. Group A (n = 8) received ketorolac, 30 mg IM q6h, for pain relief. Group B (n = 6) needed supplemental morphine, 2-10 mg IV or IM, plus ketorolac to control their pain. Myoelectric activity was recorded from each subject on postop Days 1-5 and analyzed by computer for electrical control activity (ECA), short and long electrical response activity (ERA), and propagation of long ERA. There was a difference between the two groups in return of propagated long ERA bursts that correlated with clinical recovery from postoperative ileus. Postoperative analgesia with ketorolac resulted in faster resolution of ileus compared to morphine plus ketorolac because opioid-induced motor abnormalities in the colon were avoided.     

All-active monolithic InP-based HBT VCO with tunable HEMT inductor

A novel HEMT-HBT VCO is presented; it is the first all-active analogue VCO demonstrated using InP HEMT-HBT integrated MMIC technology. The MMIC monolithically integrates an InP common-collector HBT oscillator with a tunable InP HEMT active inductor using selective MBE. The novel HEMT-HBT VCO can provide performance advantages over analogue VCOs such as the multi-vibrator, and has direct implications for high speed clock recovery circuits needed in InP based optoelectronic IC applications     

Decoding of triple-error-correcting b.c.h. codes

An algorithm is presented for the decoding of triple-error-correcting binary b.c.h, codes. The algorithm is particularly suitable for parallel implementation and requires no invertors.     

The Effectiveness of Antibrowning Dip Treatments to Reduce After‐Cooking Darkening in Potatoes

Abstract: After‐cooking darkening (ACD) is an inherent and undesirable trait that develops in cooked potatoes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sodium acid sulfate (SAS) dip treatments compared to other antigraying treatments and a control to reduce ACD in boiled, Katahdin potatoes. Dip treatments were applied for 3 min prior to boiling and included: 3% SAS, 3% citric acid (CA), 3% sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP), along with a distilled water control. SAS‐ and CA‐treated potatoes had slightly, but significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher b* and chroma values, which indicates a more intense yellow potato color, with less graying, compared to the control. SAS‐ and CA‐treated potatoes also had significantly (P≤ 0.001) lower pH values for inner and outer potato surfaces than the control. No significant (P > 0.05) differences were detected for total phenolic or mineral contents among treatments. CA and SAPP samples had slightly, but significantly (P≤ 0.05) higher moisture contents than the control. Sensory test results showed no significant differences for color, aftertaste, or overall acceptability. However, CA‐treated samples were rated significantly (P≤ 0.05) lower for flavor than all other treatments and panelists commented on sour notes. CA‐ and SAS‐treated potatoes were scored slightly, but significantly lower for texture than other treatments due to a waxy outer layer. However, SAS was the most acidic dip treatment, but did not significantly affect flavor. Overall, results suggest that SAS was similarly accepted by consumers in comparison to CA and SAPP, which is the industry standard to reduce ACD. Practical Application: After‐cooking darkening (ACD) is an undesirable potato trait that occurs after potatoes have been processed. Sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) has been used as the industry standard to reduce ACD. Sodium acid sulfate (SAS) treatments prior to boiling appeared to be comparable to SAPP and citric acid in effectiveness to reduce ACD. SAS did not negatively affect the flavor of boiled potato samples according to sensory results. The SAS treatment may be more beneficial for potatoes intended for potato salad products.     

Rhabdopeptides as Insect‐Specific Virulence Factors from Entomopathogenic Bacteria

Six novel linear peptides, named “rhabdopeptides”, have been identified in the entomopathogenic bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila after the discovery of the corresponding rdp gene cluster by using a promoter trap strategy for the detection of insect‐inducible genes. The structures of these rhabdopeptides were deduced from labeling experiments combined with detailed MS analysis. Detailed analysis of an rdp mutant revealed that these compounds participate in virulence towards insects and are produced upon bacterial infection of a suitable insect host. Furthermore, two additional rhabdopeptide derivatives produced by Xenorhabdus cabanillasii were isolated, these showed activity against insect hemocytes thereby confirming the virulence of this novel class of compounds.     

Some sources of variance in skin conductance.

Investigated factors that might contribute to the variance associated with skin conductance in 30 Whites and 11 Blacks (aged 20–39 yrs). Using dorsal and palmar measures of skin reflectance on the hand, psychometric variables, electrodermal indices, and heart rate, Blacks were found to have lower levels of skin conductance than Whites. There were no differences in heart rate or in self-report measures of arousal between the groups, and the contribution of personality variables to skin conductance variance was, in part, anomalous. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Theoretical and experimental DC characterization of InGaAs-basedabrupt emitter HBT's

The DC characteristics of InP-InGaAs and InAlAs-InGaAs HBT's with abrupt emitter-base junctions are studied using a thermionic-field emission boundary-condition model. The model incorporates tunneling and thermionic emission into a one-dimensional drift-diffusion numerical scheme and accounts for breakdown and bulk recombination mechanisms. The effects of abrupt heterojunction transport and electrical junction displacement on the current gain h_FE and on the turn-on voltage are investigated. The simulations indicate that the spacer layer design has a profound effect on the DC behavior of these devices. A detailed performance comparison of different emitter structures indicates that InP-emitter HBT's show a more uniform h_FE than InAlAs-emitter HBT's especially at low current densities. Experimental data from a fabricated InAlAs-InGaAs abrupt emitter single HBT was compared to the theoretical predictions of the model. The analysis reveals that several injection and recombination mechanisms are responsible for the emitter-base forward characteristics. In the collector, the exact velocity-field profile and an anomalous multiplication factor are responsible for kinks in the output common-emitter characteristics and for soft breakdown of the collector-base junction     

Initializing RAM-based logarithmic processors

A logarithmic processor is proposed that uses external RAM for holding the table required for logarithmic subtraction. The proposed processor requires that the RAM be initialized before any computations occur. We give an algorithm to initialize the RAM using the limited arithmetic unit of the processor. The algorithm is ten times faster than a bit by bit computation of the logarithm and antilogarithm. Bounds are developed for comparing the error of this algorithm against the error of earlier algorithms. Simulation results show that this algorithm avoids catastrophic cancellation, and is as accurate as any previously known single precision algorith.