In this work, the near-field and far-field electric magnetic (EM) wave distributions of metallic slits was observed using tapered fiber probe and modelled using finite difference time domain (FDTD) computer simulations. The EM wave field distribution from rectangular slits with widths 100 nm, 300 nm, and 500 nm was mapped with excitation wavelength λ = 532 nm. λ/2 can be considered a characteristi

Chip based bio/chemical analysis relies on networks of fluidic channels that are connected to reaction chambers and sensors. For sensitive detection it is important to scale down the size of the channels so that they approach the relevant length scales of the molecules of interest. Here we have made sealed channels on the 100 nm scale using nanoimprinting to pattern the sacrificial polymer polynor

Object. The pathogenesis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt infection is characterized by staphylococcal adhesion to the polymeric surface of the shunt catheter. Proteins from the CSF-fibronectin, vitronectin, and fibrinogen-are adsorbed to the surface of the catheter immediately after insertion. These proteins can interfere with the biological systems of the host and mediate staphylococcal adhesi

As the tip in the atomic force microscope is scanned over the sample surface an image results which contains information from the sample as well as from the tip. This mainly results in an increase of the apparent size of the sample. If the tip is reasonably sharp the contribution from the tip is small. In some cases the widening still persists in spite of a very sharp tip. In this letter, a model

In this study we report on the first direct observation of the real shape of the atomic force microscopy (AFM) tip using the AFM technique itself, utilizing a specially designed sample geometry. This is the first report of the so-called inverse AFM mode in which the tip is actually used as the sample and vice versa. We propose how this method can, with a very high accuracy, be used for studying ob

Previous studies have presented divergent estimates of the cost of illness of COPD due to differences in methodology. The objective of this study was to examine differences between register-based estimates versus population-based estimates on the burden of COPD. This study therefore examined differences in costs of COPD among physician-diagnosed and un-diagnosed subjects. During a one-year period,

This paper reports on a retrospective analysis of hospital-based healthcare costs associated with the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). During the second half of 2001, Simrishamn Hospital, Sweden, implemented a structured Disease Management Programme (DMP) for COPD and a total of 784 patients with COPD, enrolled in the DMP, were included in the analysis. The goal was to r

Using detailed Swedish matched employer–employee data, I show evidence of within-firm job polarization. Applying a decomposition framework, I find that both within-firm and between-firm components are important for overall job polarization. Results also indicate that the degree of routineness is the most important explanation for the observed within-firm pattern. Bringing the analysis down to the

IntroductionMembrane processes can be either used in direct competition with conventional separation processes or in combination with these to cover a wider separation range. The focus of this work is on the applications in an apple juice plant using membrane processes in combination with conventional separation processes, i.e. separators and evaporators.Traditional Apple Juice Plant The tradition

Telomere repeats at chromosomal ends, critical for genomic integrity, undergo age-dependent attrition and telomere length has been associated with different disorders including cancers. In this study, based on 1469 patients and 1158 healthy controls, we show a statistically significant (P = 6 × 10-10 ) association between increased telomere length and melanoma risk. Mendelian randomization, using

Final value accrues to objects that are good for their own sakes, while instrumental value accrues to objects that are good for the sake of their effects. The following paper aims to show that this distinction cuts across some surprising areas of the evaluative domain. This means that there may be some unexpected types of value that can come in a final or instrumental form. The argument proceeds b

Soil stabilisation is a very useful technique for road construction. To utilise the full advantage of the technique the quality control must be adequate. In this study three main groups of test methods are tested and discussed. The first group deals with methods for determination of bearing capacity e.g. complete surface compaction control, static plate load test and light drop weight tester. The

Most sectors of modern society are currently undergoing rapid digitalization. With the progress of this development IT networks are becoming an ever more crucial asset whose failure are prone to cause economic losses and risks to health and safety of the population. Due to this development, it is increasingly important that IT networks are designed to be resilient, meaning that they either maintai

Emotion regulation group therapy (ERGT) is a novel treatment specifically targeting deliberate non-suicidal self-harm (DSH) in individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Identifying robust predictors of positive response to ERGT could aid clinicians in treatment selection; however, to date, only one such study has been conducted. Thus, we aimed to replicate previously identified predi

Heat transfer on the endwall upstream of the junction of the stator vane/rotor blade with the hub becomes very high due to the vortices generated as a result of an adverse pressure gradient. Control of this high heat transfer is very vital for safe operation of gas turbines. In the present experimental study, a pair of vortex generators is employed to reduce the high heat transfer on the endwall c

In this commentary, I will review the latest findings on the Bicoid (Bcd) morphogen in Drosophila, a paradigm for gradient formation taught to biology students for more than two decades. "Seeing is believing" also summarizes the erroneous steps that were needed to elucidate the mechanisms of gradient formation and the path of movement of Bcd. Initially proclaimed as a dogma in 1988 and later incor

Phytoestrogens may influence prostate cancer development. This study aimed to examine the association between prediagnostic circulating concentrations of isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, equol) and lignans (enterolactone and enterodiol) and the risk of prostate cancer. Individual participant data were available from seven prospective studies (two studies from Japan with 241 cases and 503 controls