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The dynamic behavior of dislocations in heavily germanium (Ge)-doped silicon (Si) crystals with concentrations up to 2.5 × 10[sup 20] cm[sup -3], and Ge and boron (B) codoped Si crystals with concentrations of 4×10[sup 19] and 9×10[sup 18] cm[sup -3], respectively, is investigated using the etch pit technique in comparison with that in undoped and B-doped Si crystals. Strong suppression of the generation of dislocations from a surface scratch is found for Ge and B codoped Si in comparison with that observed for Ge-doped and B-doped Si. The velocity of dislocations in Ge and B codoped Si crystals is found to be lower than that of dislocations in B-doped, Ge-doped, and undoped Si. The coexistence of Ge and B impurities in Si is considered to be effective at immobilizing and retarding the velocity of dislocations in Si. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose to analyze the phenomenon of Christian prayer by way of combining two different analytical frameworks. We start by applying Schutz's theories of 'intersubjectivity,' 'inner time,' 'politheticality,' and 'multiple realities,' and then proceed by drawing on the ideas and insights of linguistic philosophers, notably, Wittgenstein's 'language-game,' Austin's 'speech act,' and Evans's 'logic of self-involvement'. In conjoining these accounts, we wish to demonstrate how their combination sheds new light on understanding the phenomenon of prayer. Prayer is a complex phenomenon that involves two major dimensions: the private and the social, as Matthew (6: 6) and Acts (1: 14), respectively, demonstrate. Schutz's study of the phenomenon of 'inner time' and the 'polithetical' structure of consciousness, at both the subjective and intersubjective level, provides a useful lens to analyze these two dimensions. In addition, prayer, in following a specific set of rules, can also be considered as a specific, i.e., religious 'language-game'. In the last analysis, however, we propose to analyze prayer (and, finally, religion) within the Schutzian framework of 'multiple realities,' 'enclaves,' and 'symbolic appresentation,' which permits accessing the 'religious finite province of meaning' in the very midst of the paramount reality of everyday life. In a nutshell, we claim that Christian prayer is a practice of constructing and living within a 'religious province of meaning' in the everyday world; it is a practice that revolves around self-involving language-activities such as praising, confessing, thanksgiving, or requesting to God, which enable the praying subject to transfigure the language of everydayness and 'see through' (Schutz) the world of everyday life in order to let it appear in a different light, e.g., the light of grace, gift, and salvation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic behavior of dislocations in highly boron (B)-doped Si crystals with concentration up to 2.5x10[sup 20] cm[sup -3] is investigated using the etch pit technique. Suppression of the generation of dislocations from a surface scratch is found for B-doped Si and the critical stress for dislocation generation increases with B concentration, which is interpreted in terms of dislocation locking due to impurity segregation. The velocity of dislocations in B-doped crystals is revealed to increase by increasing the B concentration. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known and objective Multicriteria decision analysis ( MCDA) has been generally considered a promising decision-making methodology for the assessment of drug benefit-risk profiles. There have been many discussions in both public and private sectors on its feasibility and applicability, but it has not been employed in official decision-makings. For the purpose of examining to what extent MCDA would reflect the first-hand, intuitive preference of evaluators in practical pharmaceutical assessments, we conducted a questionnaire survey involving the participation of employees of pharmaceutical companies. Methods Showing profiles of the efficacy and safety of four hypothetical drugs, each respondent was asked to rank them following the standard MCDA process and then to rank them intuitively (i.e. without applying any analytical framework). Results and discussion These two approaches resulted in substantially different ranking patterns from the same individuals, and the concordance rate was surprisingly low (17%). Although many respondents intuitively showed a preference for mild, balanced risk-benefit profiles over profiles with a conspicuous advantage in either risk or benefit, the ranking orders based on MCDA scores did not reflect the intuitive preference. What is new and conclusion Observed discrepancies between the rankings seemed to be primarily attributed to the structural characteristics of MCDA, which assumes that evaluation on each benefit and risk component should have monotonic impact on final scores. It would be difficult for MCDA to reflect commonly observed non-monotonic preferences for risk and benefit profiles. Possible drawbacks of MCDA should be further investigated prior to the real-world application of its benefit-risk assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD), water levels at some stations have increased. However, the factors that cause this rise in the VMD have not been identified. We considered four factors that may have contributed to the water level rise: (1) increased runoff from upstream, (2) sea-level rise, (3) land subsidence, and (4) decrease in flood mitigation function because of construction of high dykes. We analysed daily maximum and minimum water levels, and mean daily water levels from 24 monitoring stations from 1987 to 2006. Using daily and annual water level differences, we classified the delta into two groups: one is dominated by flows from upstream, while the other is tide dominated. We then tested the trends of annual maximum and minimum water levels using the Mann-Kendall test, and identified the slope of the trend using the method of Sen. The areas of dyke construction were estimated using the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and Land Surface Water Index (LSWI) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. Results show (1) river inflow has little impact on rising water levels in the VMD, (2) the influence of high dykes on water level rise could not be quantified in this study, and (3) both maximum and minimum water levels significantly increased in the tide-dominated area. Trend of annual minimum water level can be considered as the sum sea-level rise and land subsidence. Therefore, we attribute 6.05 mm year−1 (80%) to land subsidence and 1.42 mm year−1 (20%) to sea level rise, indicating that inundations have been severe in the VMD, caused primarily by land subsidence. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In germanium (Ge) crystal growth, a serious problem in growing high quality Ge crystals is the formation of germanium-oxide-particles on the melt surface. In addition, B doping in Ge crystals is very difficult because of the segregation coefficient, which is greater than unity, and the instability of free B atoms in the Ge melt. We have found a unique solution, which is CZ-Ge crystal growth from a melt covered by boron oxide (B2O3). Ge crystals which are dislocation-free and/or oxygen-enriched can be grown by these improved CZ techniques. Current and planned research using such Ge crystals is introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endotoxin (Et) adsorption therapy with a column of polymyxin B-immobilized fibers (PMX) is effective in improving the partial pressure of arterial oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (PaO2/FiO2 ratio) and increasing mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) in sepsis. S100A12 and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end product (sRAGE) are useful as early markers of acute lung injury. Purpose: To investigate the effect of improving the PaO2/FiO2 ratio by PMX-direct hemoperfusion (PMX-DHP) on production of S100A12 and sRAGE. Subjects and Methods: Sepsis patients after surgery for perforation of the lower gastrointestinal tract were adopted as the subjects. We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 20 patients on mechanical ventilation and continuous administration of norepinephrine. We recorded PaO2/FiO2 ratio, MAP, and norepinephrine doses. S100A12, sRAGE, and Et levels were measured before and after PMX-DHP. Results: The PaO2/FiO2 ratio and MAP improved significantly after PMX-DHP (p < 0.05). S100A12 and Et decreased significantly after PMX-DHP (p < 0.05). No differences were observed in sRAGE. Conclusion: S100A12 is useful as a marker that reflected improvement in the PaO2/FiO2 ratio after PMX-DHP. We consider PMX-DHP to be useful as adjunctive therapy for sepsis that reduces the Et and corrects the pathology in the early stage. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Glucose control is essential to avoid hypoglycemia in postoperative patients. Aim: To conduct a preliminary examination to evaluate the feasibility of the use of an artificial pancreas for glucose control as well as the accuracy of assessment by the artificial pancreas of the insulin dose required. Subjects and Methods: Glucose control using an artificial pancreas was undertaken in 8 postoperative sepsis patients. The blood glucose level was set at 80-150 mg/dl. Blood glucose levels over time, insulin dose requirements, and occurrence of hypoglycemia (≤40 mg/dl) were recorded for each patient. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on the total insulin dose they received over the 7 days (HG, n = 4: consisting of patients who required a higher insulin dose; LG, n = 4: patients who required a lower insulin dose). The data of the 2 groups were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The blood glucose level before glucose control was 203.3 ± 9.9 mg/dl and could be controlled in all patients to within the target range. No hypoglycemia events were recorded for any of the patients. The insulin dose in the HG and LG groups was 21,824.8 ± 6,030.4 and 6,254.5 ± 3,402.3 mU/kg (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Accurate glucose control could be achieved with the artificial pancreas. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatially resolved electrical and spectroscopic behavior around isolated grown-in dislocation in p-type undoped GaAs crystals grown by liquid-encapsulated Czochralski technique is investigated. Surface spreading resistance is found to remarkably increase at about 100 μm in diameter around dislocations. In a corresponding area, photoluminescence intensity of the 1.49-eV and 1.44-eV acceptor level peaks decreases. However, that of 0.8-eV deep level peak does not vary. These results demonstrate that dislocations should give rise to carrier density variation due to the relative concentration change of levels around them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]