RESUMEN
We show here, using fundamental energy storage relationships for capacitors, that there are severe constraints upon what can be realized utilizing ferroelectric materials as FET dielectrics. A basic equation governing all small signal behavior is derived, a negative capacitance quality factor is defined based upon it, and thousands of carefully measured devices are evaluated. We show that no instance of negative capacitance occurs within our huge database. Furthermore, we demonstrate that highly nonlinear biasing behavior in a series stack could be misinterpreted as giving a negative capacitance.
RESUMEN
T-20, a synthetic peptide corresponding to a region of the transmembrane subunit of the HIV-1 envelope protein, blocks cell fusion and viral entry at concentrations of less than 2 ng/ml in vitro. We administered intravenous T-20 (monotherapy) for 14 days to sixteen HIV-infected adults in four dose groups (3, 10, 30 and 100 mg twice daily). There were significant, dose-related declines in plasma HIV RNA in all subjects who received higher dose levels. All four subjects receiving 100 mg twice daily had a decline in plasma HIV RNA to less than 500 copies/ml, by bDNA assay. A sensitive RT-PCR assay (detection threshold 40 copies/ml) demonstrated that, although undetectable levels were not achieved in the 14-day dosing period, there was a 1.96 log10 median decline in plasma HIV RNA in these subjects. This study provides proof-of-concept that viral entry can be successfully blocked in vivo. Short-term administration of T-20 seems safe and provides potent inhibition of HIV replication comparable to anti-retroviral regimens approved at present.
