Abstract: A bipolar junction transistor (BJT) includes a silicon carbide (SiC) collector layer of first conductivity type, an epitaxial silicon carbide base layer of second conductivity type on the silicon carbide collector layer, and an epitaxial silicon carbide emitter mesa of the first conductivity type on the epitaxial silicon carbide base layer. An epitaxial silicon carbide passivation layer of the first conductivity type is provided on at least a portion of the epitaxial silicon carbide base layer outside the silicon carbide emitter mesa. The epitaxial silicon carbide passivation layer can be configured to fully deplete at zero device bias. Related fabrication methods also are disclosed.

Abstract: A reflective analysis methodology based upon an interactive, dynamic questioning procedure that implements reflective practices of individual learners. Comprehensive educational activities are designed to model cognitive behaviors of successful students. During interactive diagnostic testing, the learner is asked to reflect on the degree of certainty for each of his answers. After completing the diagnostic test, reflective questions are posed specifically responsive to the learner's answers to selected items. This series of reflective questions is designed to cause the student to search for patterns, clues, and problem-solving strategies related to the specific content being studied. In so doing, thinking behaviors that the student has used or should have used are analyzed, and concomitantly constructs strategic modeling from a database of comprehensive instructional activities for addressing a given concept or skill in the future.

Abstract: A reflective analysis methodology based upon an interactive, dynamic questioning procedure that implements reflective practices of individual learners. Comprehensive educational activities are designed to model cognitive behaviors of successful students. During interactive diagnostic testing, the learner is asked to reflect on the degree of certainty for each of his answers. After completing the diagnostic test, reflective questions are posed specifically responsive to the learner's answers to selected items. This series of reflective questions is designed to cause the student to search for patterns, clues, and problem-solving strategies related to the specific content being studied. In so doing, thinking behaviors that the student has used or should have used are analyzed, and concomitantly constructs strategic modeling from a database of comprehensive instructional activities for addressing a given concept or skill in the future.

Abstract: An electrode for providing TCET, especially via the earlobes of the patient, comprises an electrical conductor for application to the skin, connected to a lead for supplying the TCET signal from a signal generating device, characterized in that the conductor comprises a generally conical needle point capable of penetrating the epidermis so as to provide good electrical contact over a very small area. The electrode can be used in the impedance of less than 100 k.OMEGA.; and with apparatus for generating an electrical signal for use in TCET, adapted to provide a signal at a current of less than 200 .mu.A (0.2 mA), especially when adapted to provide an AC signal in which each positive pulse is relatively short and high without being spiked and the following negative pulse is relatively wide and low, the total amount of positive and negative charge being balanced. Methods of providing TCET treatment to patients using the electrode and apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A method of applying an electrical signal transcranially includes the steps of generating a series of signal trains and applying the signal trains across the head of a subject, wherein each of the trains comprises a number of pulses and is separated from other trains by off periods, during which the signal is not applied. The signal trains are of such short duration that substantially no nerves within the subject's brain that receive the signal trains are demyelinized. In certain embodiments, the signal trains and the off periods are of irregular duration such that the activation of nerves of the brain by a signal is of a substantially continuous rate as the application of the signal train proceeds. The invention also includes particular characteristics of signals used to treat respective afflictions, including drug addictions and habituations, appetite disturbances, stress, insomnia, and pain.