Electro-Reflectance Spectra of Blue Bronze

We show that the infrared reflectance of the quasi-one dimensional charge-density-wave (CDW) conductor K0.3MoO3 (blue bronze) varies with position when a voltage greater than the CDW depinning threshold is applied. The spatial dependence and spectra associated with these changes are generally as expected from the electro-transmission [B.M. Emerling, et al, Eur. Phys. J. B 16, 295 (2000)], but there are some differences which might be associated with changes in the CDW properties on the surface. We have examined the electro-reflectance spectrum associated with CDW current investigation for light polarized parallel to the conducting chains for signs of expected current-induced intragap states, and conclude that the density of any such states is at least an order of magnitude lower than expected.Comment: 1)submitted to Eur. Phys. J B 2) revised (July 24) to a) better emphasize results and b) with new figure insets to make paper more self-containe

Alkoxide Complexes of Some Tri- & Tetra-valent Metals: Part I- Conductometric & Potentiometric Studies on Some Aluminium Alkoxide Complexes in Non-aqueous Solvents

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Silicon materials task of the low cost solar array project. Phase 3: Effect of impurities and processing on silicon solar cells

The 13th quarterly report of a study entitled an Investigation of the Effects of Impurities and Processing on Silicon Solar Cells is given. The objective of the program is to define the effects of impurities, various thermochemical processes and any impurity-process interactions on the performance of terrestrial silicon solar cells. The Phase 3 program effort falls in five areas: (1) cell processing studies; (2) completion of the data base and impurity-performance modeling for n-base cells; (3) extension of p-base studies to include contaminants likely to be introduced during silicon production, refining or crystal growth; (4) anisotropy effects; and (5) a preliminary study of the permanence of impurity effects in silicon solar cells. The quarterly activities for this report focus on tasks (1), (3) and (4)

Retrospective Analysis of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Physician Medical Control Calls

INTRODUCTION: Although emergency medical services (EMS) standing-order protocols provide more efficient and accurate on-scene management by paramedics, online medical direction (OLMD) has not been eliminated from practice. In this modern era of OLMD, no studies exist to describe the prevalence of reasons for contacting OLMD. OBJECTIVES: The primary goal of this study was to describe the quantity of and reasons for calls for medical direction. We also sought to determine time diverted from emergency physicians due to OLMD. Finally, we hoped to identify any areas for potential improvement or additional training opportunities for EMS providers. METHODS: This was a descriptive study with retrospective data analysis of recorded OLMD calls from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016. Data were extracted by research personnel listening to audio recordings and were entered into a database for descriptive analysis. We abstracted the date and length of call, patient demographic information (age and gender), category of call (trauma, medical, cardiac, or obstetrics), reason for call, and origin of call (prehospital, interhospital, nursing home, or discharge). RESULTS: The total number of recordings analyzed was 519. Calls were divided into four categories pertaining to their nature: 353 (68.5%) medical; 70 (13.6%) trauma; 83 (16.1%) cardiac; and 9 (8%) were obstetrics related. Repeat calls regarding the same patient encounter comprised 48 (9.4%) of the calls. Patient refusal of transport was the most common reason for a call medical direction (32.3% of calls). The total time for medical direction calls for the year was 26.6 hours. The maximum number of calls in a single day was seven, with a mean of 2.04 calls per day (standard deviation [SD] +/- 1.18). The mean call length was 3.06 minutes (SD +/- 2.51). CONCLUSION: Our analysis shows that the use of OLMD frequently involves complex decision-making such as determination of the medical decision-making capacity of patients to refuse treatment and transport, and evaluation of the appropriate level of care for interfacility transfers. Further investigation into the effect of EMS physician-driven medical direction on both the quality and time required for OLMD could allow for better identification of areas of potential improvement and training

Isolation of a serine Kunitz trypsin inhibitor from leaves of Terminalia arjuna

A serine Kunitz protease inhibitor was isolated from the semi-mature leaves of Terminalia arjuna, a host plant for Antheraea mylitta, using ammonium sulphate fractionation, gel permeation chromatography and trypsin–sepharose affinity chromatography. A 29-fold purification of T. arjuna Trypsin Inhibitor (TaTI) with a yield recovery of 3.2% was achieved. The purified protease inhibitor (TaTI) was resolved into a single protein band corresponding to molecular weight of 19.0 kDa on 12% SDS–PAGE under non-reducing conditions, whereas an additional band of 21.5 kDa was observed when the same fraction was resolved on SDS–PAGE under reducing conditions in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol. TaTI inhibited both trypsin and chymotrypsin, but showed higher affinity for trypsin compared to chymotrypsin. However, it is more effective on bovine trypsin than midgut trypsin of tasar silkworm. TaTI retains its activity over a wide range of temperatures (0–100°C) and pH (2.0–8.0), with pH optimum of 8.0. These observations indicate that TaTI is not only specific to tasar silkworm but also to bovine serine proteases. Hence it can be considered as a generalist protease inhibitor