Design considerations for the Tandem Junction Solar Cell

Structure and operation of the tandem junction cell (TJC) are described. The impact of using only back contacts is discussed. A model is presented which explains operation of the TJC in terms of transistor action. The model is applied to predict TJC performance as a function of physical parameters

Improving HTc Josephson Junctions (HTc JJ) by annealing: the role of vacancy-interstitial annihilation

We have studied the annealing effect in transport properties of High temperature Josephson Junctions (HTc JJ) made by ion irradiation. Low temperature annealing (80 degrees Celsius) increases the JJ transition temperature (TJ) and the Ic.Rn product, where Ic is the critical current and Rn the normal resistance. We found that the spread in JJ characteristics can be lowered by sufficient long annealing times. Using random walk numerical simulations, we showed that the characteristic annealing time and the evolution of the spread in JJ characteristics can be explained by a vacancy-interstitial annihilation process rather than by an oxygen diffusion one.Comment: 7 pages and 3 figures submitted to Applied Physics Letter

Optimization of Adaptation - A Multi-objective Approach for Optimizing Changes to Design Parameters

Dynamic optimization problems require constant tracking of the optimum. A solution for such a problem has to be adjustable in order to remain optimal as the optimum changes. The manner of changing design parameters to predefined values is dealt with in the field of control. Common control approaches do not consider the optimality of the design, in terms of the objective function, while adjusting to the new solution. This study highlights the issue of the optimality of adaptation, and defines a new optimization problem – ”Optimization of Adaptation”. It is a multiobjective problem that considers the cost of the adaptation and the optimality while the adaptation takes place. An evolutionary algorithm is proposed in order to solve this problem, and it is demonstrated, first, with an academic example, and then with a real life application of a robotic arm control

Super switching and control of in-plane ferroelectric nanodomains in strained thin films

With shrinking device sizes, controlling domain formation in nanoferroelectrics becomescrucial. Periodic nanodomains that self-organize into so-called ‘superdomains’ have beenrecently observed, mainly at crystal edges or in laterally confined nanoobjects. Here we showthat in extended, strain-engineered thin films, superdomains with purely in-plane polarizationform to mimic the single-domain ground state, a new insight that allows a priori design ofthese hierarchical domain architectures. Importantly, superdomains behave like strain-neutralentities whose resultant polarization can be reversibly switched by 90 deg, offering promisingperspectives for novel device geometries

The Effect of Neutral Atoms on Capillary Discharge Z-pinch

We study the effect of neutral atoms on the dynamics of a capillary discharge Z-pinch, in a regime for which a large soft-x-ray amplification has been demonstrated. We extended the commonly used one-fluid magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD) model by separating out the neutral atoms as a second fluid. Numerical calculations using this extended model yield new predictions for the dynamics of the pinch collapse, and better agreement with known measured data.Comment: 4 pages, 4 postscript figures, to be published in Phys. Rev. Let

Budesonide foam versus budesonide enema in active ulcerative proctitis and proctosigmoiditis

Background: Rectal budesonide is an effective treatment of active ulcerative proctitis or proctosigmoiditis. Aim: To compare the therapeutic efficacy, tolerability and safety, and patient's preference of budesonide foam vs. budesonide enema. Methods: Patients with active ulcerative proctitis or proctosigmoiditis (clinical activity index >4 and endoscopic index ≥4) were eligible for this double-blind, double-dummy, randomized, multicentre study. They received 2 mg/25 mL budesonide foam and placebo enema (n = 265), or 2 mg/100 mL budesonide enema and placebo foam (n = 268) for 4 weeks. Primary endpoint was clinical remission (clinical activity index ≤4) at the final/withdrawal visit (per protocol). Results: A total of 541 patients were randomized - 533 were evaluable for intention-to-treat analysis and 449 for per protocol analysis. Clinical remission rates (per protocol) were 60% for budesonide foam and 66% for budesonide enema (P = 0.02362 for non-inferiority of foam vs. enema within a predefined non-inferiority margin of 15%). Both formulations were safe and no drug-related serious adverse events were observed. Because of better tolerability and easier application most patients preferred foam (84%). Conclusion: Budesonide foam is as effective as budesonide enema in the treatment of active ulcerative proctitis or proctosigmoiditis. Both budesonide formulations are safe, and most patients prefer foam.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Multidimensional rasch models for partial credit scoring

Rasch models for partial-credit scoring are discussed and a multidimensional version of the model is formulated. A model may be specified in which consecutive item responses depend on an underlying latent trait. In the multidimensional partial-credit model, different responses may be explained by different latent traits. Data from van Kuyk’s (1988) size concept test and the Raven Progressive Matrices test were analyzed. Maximum likelihood estimation and goodness-of-fit testing are discussed and applied to these datasets. Goodness-of-fit statistics show that for both tests, multidimensional partial-credit models were more appropriate than the unidimensional partial-credit model. Index terms: X2 testing, exponential family model, multidimensional item response theory, multidimensional Rasch model, partial-credit models, Progressive Matrices test, Rasch model

Cellular Ser/Thr-Kinase Assays Using Generic Peptide Substrates

High-throughput cellular profiling has successfully stimulated early drug discovery pipelines by facilitating targeted as well as opportunistic lead finding, hit annotation and SAR analysis. While automation-friendly universal assay formats exist to address most established drug target classes like GPCRs, NHRs, ion channels or Tyr-kinases, no such cellular assay technology is currently enabling an equally broad and rapid interrogation of the Ser/Thr-kinase space. Here we present the foundation of an emerging cellular Ser/Thr-kinase platform that involves a) coexpression of targeted kinases with promiscuous peptide substrates and b) quantification of intracellular substrate phosphorylation by homogeneous TR-FRET. Proof-of-concept data is provided for cellular AKT, B-RAF and CamK2δ assays. Importantly, comparable activity profiles were found for well characterized B-Raf inhibitors in TR-FRET assays relying on either promiscuous peptide substrates or a MEK1(WT) protein substrate respectively. Moreover, IC50-values correlated strongly between cellular TR-FRET assays and a gold standard Ba/F3 proliferation assay for B-Raf activity. Finally, we expanded our initial assay panel by screening a kinase-focused cDNA library and identified starting points for >20 cellular Ser/Thr-kinase assays