ANN Model For SiGe HBTs Constructed From Time-Domain Large-Signal Measurements

We construct a large-signal artificial neural network (ANN) model for SiGe HBTs, directly from time-domain large-signal measurements. It is known that HBTs are very sensitive to self-heating and therefore we explicitly study the effect on the model accuracy of the incorporation of the self-heating effect in the behavioural model description. Finally, we show that this type of models can be accurate at extreme operating conditions, where classical compact models start to fail

Start-up inertia as an origin for heterogeneous flow

For quite some time non-monotonic flow curve was thought to be a requirement for shear banded flows in complex fluids. Thus, in simple yield stress fluids shear banding was considered to be absent. Recent spatially resolved rheological experiments have found simple yield stress fluids to exhibit shear banded flow profiles. One proposed mechanism for the initiation of such transient shear banding process has been a small stress heterogeneity rising from the experimental device geometry. Here, using Computational Fluid Dynamics methods, we show that transient shear banding can be initialized even under homogeneous stress conditions by the fluid start-up inertia, and that such mechanism indeed is present in realistic experimental conditions

Intestinal Beta-carotene absorption and cleavage in men: response of Beta-carotene and retinyl esters in the triglyceride-rich lipoprotein fraction after a single oral dose of Beta-carotene 1-3

Postprandial response curves of β-carotene and retinyl esters in a triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) fraction were evaluated as a potential measure of β-carotene uptake and cleavage. β-Carotene, retinyl ester, and triglyceride concentrations in the TRI, fraction (density < 1.006 kg/L) and plasma were measured in 10 men for 8 or 16 h after an oral dose of 15 mg β- carotene. The β-carotene response, unlike the triglyceride and retinyl ester response, can be evaluated in the TRL fraction but not in plasma. Intraindividual variations in the triglyceride-adjusted response of β- carotene and retinyl palmitate in TRL fractions were 23% and 20% and interindividual variations were 42% and 36%, respectively. A low β-carotene response was associated with a high ratio between retinyl palmitate and β- carotene responses (r = -0.56, P = 0.013). In conclusion, the measurement of β-carotene and retinyl esters in the TRL fraction after a dose of β- carotene with a vitamin A-free meal may be an appropriate method to study β- carotene uptake and cleavag

Is an Impacted Morselized Graft in a Cage an Alternative for Reconstructing Segmental Diaphyseal Defects?

Large diaphyseal bone defects often are reconstructed with large structural allografts but these are prone to major complications. We therefore asked whether impacted morselized bone graft could be an alternative for a massive structural graft in reconstructing large diaphyseal bone defects. Defects in the femora of goats were reconstructed using a cage filled with firmly impacted morselized allograft or with a structural cortical autograft (n = 6 in both groups). All reconstructions were stabilized with an intramedullary nail. The goats were allowed full weightbearing. In all reconstructions, the grafts united radiographically. Mechanical torsion strength of the femur with the cage and structural cortical graft reconstructions were 66.6% and 60.3%, respectively, as compared with the contralateral femurs after 6 months. Histologically, the impacted morselized graft was replaced completely by new viable bone. In the structural graft group, a mixture of new and necrotic bone was present. Incorporation of the impacted graft into new viable bone suggests this type of reconstruction may be safer than reconstruction with a structural graft in which creeping substitution results in a mixture of viable and necrotic bone that can fracture. The data suggest that a cage filled with a loaded morselized graft could be an alternative for the massive cortical graft in reconstruction of large diaphyseal defects in an animal model

Extraction of small-signal model parameters of Si/SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistor using least squares support vector machines

A novel straightforward methodology for extracting bias-dependent small-signal equivalent circuit model parameters (SSECMPs) of silicon/silicon–germanium heterojunction bipolar transistors is presented. The inverse mapping between SSECMPs and scattering (S) parameters is established and fitted using simulated data of the SSECM. Since the problem has large input space, S-parameters at many frequency points, the least squares support vector machines concept is used as regression technique. Physical SSECMPs values are obtained using the proposed methodology. Moreover, an excellent agreement is noted between the S-parameters measurements and their simulated counterpart using the extracted SSECMPs in the frequency range from 40 MHz to 40 GHz at different bias conditions

Impregnation of bone chips with antibiotics and storage of antibiotics at different temperatures: an in vitro study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Allograft bone used in joint replacement surgery can additionally serve as a carrier for antibiotics and serve as a prophylaxis against infections. However, <it>in vitro </it>dose-response curves for bone chips impregnated with different kinds of antibiotics are not available. In addition, while it would be desirable to add the antibiotics to allograft bone chips before these are stored in a bone bank, the effects of different storage temperatures on antibiotics are unknown.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Five different antibiotics (cefazolin, clindamycin, linezolid, oxacillin, vancomycin) were stored, both as pills and as solutions, at -80°C, -20°C, 4°C, 20°C and 37°C; in addition, bone chips impregnated with cefazolin and vancomycin were stored at -80°C and -20°C. After 1 month, 6 months and 1 year, the activity of the antibiotics against <it>Staphylococcus epidermidis </it>was measured using an inoculated agar. The diameter of the <it>S. epidermidis</it>-free zone was taken as a measure of antibiotic activity.</p> <p>In a separate experiment, <it>in vitro </it>dose-response curves were established for bone chips impregnated with cefazolin and vancomycin solutions at five different concentrations.</p> <p>Finally, the maximum absorbed amounts of cefazolin and vancomycin were established by impregnating 1 g of bone chips with 5 ml of antibiotic solution.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A decrease of the <it>S. epidermidis</it>-free zone was seen with oxacillin and cefazolin solutions stored at 37°C for 1 month, with vancomycin stored at 37°C for 6 months and with cefazolin and oxacillin solutions stored at 20°C for 6 months. The activity of the other antibiotic solutions, pills and impregnated bone chips was not affected by storage. The <it>in vitro </it>dose-response curves show that the free-zone diameter increases logarithmically with antibiotic concentration. The absorbed antibiotic amount of one gram bone chips was determined.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Storage of antibiotics in frozen form or storage of antibiotic pills at temperatures up to 37°C for 12 months does not affect their activity. However, storage of antibiotic solutions at temperatures above 20°C does affect the activity of some of the antibiotics investigated. The <it>in vitro </it>dose-response curve can be used to determine the optimal concentration(s) for local application. It provides the opportunity to determine the antibiotic content of bone chips, and thus the amount of antibiotics available locally after application.</p

Community Resilience and Crime Prevention:Applying the Community Engagement Theory to the Risk of Crime

Citizens are increasingly expected to take a more participatory role in society, which increases the need for them to be knowledgeable about a wide range of uncertain risks and to properly prepare themselves in case these risks become reality. To date, most attention regarding risk preparedness has focused on natural hazards. In the past decade, however, human-made safety risks have gained notoriety in the public’s eye. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the psychological drivers on an individual, community and institutional level of the Community Engagement Theory also apply to the context of social safety hazards such as crime. The study was conducted via an online survey. In total, 1245 Dutch citizens who were already a member of the citizen panel of their municipality at the time of data collection participated in the online study. The results of this research show that the Community Engagement Theory is not only applicable for natural hazards, but also for human-made risks such as crime. Psychological drivers of all three levels, individual, community, and marginally institutional level, are relevant in explaining the willingness to report and intervene when witnessing a crime. This research gives insight and guidance for policy makers and practitioners regarding stimulating reporting and intervening behavior of crime, and citizens information-gathering.</p

Learning From Experience : An Impact Assessment Of Work By The Bernard van Leer foundation in Kenya, Colombia, Germany and Poland.

The Foundation funded an independent evaluation to examine the impact that it had made in young children's lives in four countries: Kenya, Colombia, Poland and Germany. A five-person evaluation team conducted an in-depth examination of work funded by 92 million in investments over the course of 40 years. This report shares the findings

Results of 3,668 primary total hip replacements

Contains fulltext : 109388.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)1 april 201

Citizen participation in the police domain:The role of citizens' attitude and morality

Although there is a large potential of citizen capital in fighting crime and creating safer neighborhoods, in reality, only a small fraction of citizens is actively participating. This study examines the relationship between different types of actual participation behavior in the police domain from a citizen's stance and 3 different but interconnected psychological drivers: the attitude toward citizen participation, moral values, and moral emotions. A total of 217 Dutch citizens filled out an online questionnaire, assessing these drivers and the actual participatory actions they engaged in over the past year. The results show that 4 broad categories of participation behavior can be distinguished: social control (e.g., correcting others regarding their behavior); responsive participation (e.g., calling the police); collaborative participation (e.g., meeting with a police officer); and detection (e.g., joining a neighborhood watch). As expected, moral values had an indirect influence on participation via attitude and moral emotions. The attitude toward citizen participation was positively related to all four types of reported behavior, while the influence of moral emotions only related to social control and responsive behavior. These results can be used in the design and testing of interventions to stimulate citizen participation