Characterization of high-density current stressed IGBTs and simulation with an adapted SPICE sub-circuit

Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors are devices integrating a MOSFET and a bipolar transistor in a Darlington configuration. These devices have been studied before and after conduction stress. During high temperature operations (200°C) hot carriers can induce degradation in gate oxide, at silicon–oxide interface and into the base–emitter junction. The used IGBT SPICE sub-circuit can describe electrical aging in dynamic and static operation. The knowledge of which parameters are influenced during specific functional stress permits us to compensate for these changes or improve the implementation of the component in a circuit, as well as its use in field conditions.     

Optimizing medical data quality based on multiagent web service framework

One of the most important issues in e-healthcare information systems is to optimize the medical data quality extracted from distributed and heterogeneous environments, which can extremely improve diagnostic and treatment decision making. This paper proposes a multiagent web service framework based on service-oriented architecture for the optimization of medical data quality in the e-healthcare information system. Based on the design of the multiagent web service framework, an evolutionary algorithm (EA) for the dynamic optimization of the medical data quality is proposed. The framework consists of two main components; first, an EA will be used to dynamically optimize the composition of medical processes into optimal task sequence according to specific quality attributes. Second, a multiagent framework will be proposed to discover, monitor, and report any inconstancy between the optimized task sequence and the actual medical records. To demonstrate the proposed framework, experimental results for a breast cancer case study are provided. Furthermore, to show the unique performance of our algorithm, a comparison with other works in the literature review will be presented.     

Multiplexed immunohistochemical detection of tumor markers in breast cancer tissue using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

We optimized multiplexed immunohistochemistry (IHC) on breast cancer tissue. Up to 20 tumor markers are routinely evaluated for one patient, and thus, a common analysis results in a series of time consuming staining procedures. As an alternative, we used lanthanides for labeling of primary antibodies, which are applied in IHC. Laser ablation (LA) ICPMS was elaborated as a detection tool for multiplexed IHC of tissue sections. In this study, we optimized sample preparation steps and LA ICPMS parameters to achieve a sufficient signal-to-background ratio. The results prove the high selectivity of applied antibodies, which was sustained after labeling. Up to three tumor markers (Her 2, CK 7, and MUC 1) were detected simultaneously in a single multiplex analysis of a 5 μm thin breast cancer tissue at a laser spot size of 200 μm. Furthermore, the LA ICPMS results indicate a significantly higher expression level of MUC 1 compared to Her 2 and CK 7, which was not obvious from the conventionally stained tissue sections.     

Mineralogical and industrial characterization of the Batn El-Ghoul clay deposits, southern Jordan

The non-calcareous and thinly laminated Batn El-Ghoul clay deposit is a part of the Clayey Shale Unit of Lower Silurian age in Jordan. Its thickness is of about 50 m and it overlies a bituminous clayey deposit. 128 samples were selected from three boreholes and afterwards were subjected to detailed petrological, mineralogical and chemical analyses. The clay deposit is essentially composed of kaolinite as predominant mineral, with subsidiary mica-illite, vermiculite, smectite, chlorite, and mixed-layer mica-smectite. The non-clay minerals are quartz, feldspars, goethite and, occasionally, secondary gypsum. The Fe₂O₃ content is relatively high (7%) and is a detrital mineral. Palynomorph assemblages suggested a marine environment although authigenic micas are common. The clay deposits originated from highly weathered surfaces related to the basement. Industrial tests have proved the suitability of the clay deposit for ceramic industry.     

Geology and location of major coarse aggregate resources in Lebanon, Eastern Mediterranean

 With the ongoing construction in Lebanon associated with renewal and urban expansion, the demand for coarse aggregates has soared. Traditionally, small quarries have been opened near to the centres of demand. However, in view of the detrimental environmental impact of these workings, a large number have been closed by the Lebanese government. In order to ensure that in the future the effect of quarrying on the environment is minimized, a survey of major coarse aggregate resources in Lebanon was undertaken. This paper reports on the field investigations in twenty quarries, covering some 80% of the Lebanese territory. Received: 29 July 1999 · Accepted: 20 August 1999     

Pharmacologic enhancement of atrial electrical defibrillation efficacy: role of ibutilide

This paper reviews a number of studies relating to religion and coping with chronic illness, emphasizing those aspects relevant to palliative care. After pointing out that religious and existential needs are common in chronic illness, a critical examination is made of those studies which purport to demonstrate associations between spiritual beliefs, religious practices and psychological prognosis. Recommendations are made as to how religious issues can be dealt with in clinical practice, with particular relevance to the multidisciplinary palliative care team.     

Effects of thyroid hormone on cardiac beta-adrenergic responsiveness in conscious baboons

BACKGROUND: Many of the cardiovascular manifestations of thyroid hormone excess resemble those produced by sympathoadrenal stimulation. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of thyroid hormone excess on myocardial beta-adrenergic expression and responsiveness to infused agonists in the primate heart. METHODS AND RESULTS: The responses of left ventricular isovolumic contraction (dP/dt(max)) and relaxation (tau) during graded dobutamine infusion were studied both before and after 4 weeks of thyroid hormone administration in 8 chronically instrumented baboons. At matched (atrially paced) heart rates, thyroid hormone significantly increased resting dP/dt(max) (3073+/-1034 versus 2318+/-829 mm Hg/s, P<.05) and decreased tau (24.0+/-5.5 versus 28.2+/-5.4 ms, P<.05). The change from baseline for dP/dt(max) and tau in response to beta1-adrenergic stimulation was significant at each dobutamine dose (2.5 to 10 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)), but when expressed as a percent change, it was similar before versus after thyroid hormone. Similar changes were found when beta2-adrenergic stimulation was produced by terbutaline infusion in three additional baboons. beta-Adrenergic receptor (betaAR) expression was higher in five thyroxine-treated than in five control baboons (37.4+/-1.2 versus 15.7+/-3.2 fmol/mg, P<.001), and this was due to a greater increase in the beta2AR (5.9+/-1.5 to 20.6+/-1.2 fmol/mg, P<.001) than the beta1AR (9.7+/-1.7 to 16.8+/-0.1 fmol/mg, P<.01) subtype. CONCLUSIONS: In the primate heart, thyroid hormone produces positive inotropic and lusitropic effects in the resting state and upregulates both beta1AR and beta2AR, with the beta2AR increase predominating. At equivalent rates, however, thyroid hormone excess does not appear to enhance the sensitivity of left ventricular contractility and relaxation to either beta1- or beta2-adrenergic stimulation.