Silicon micromachined EBG resonator and two-pole filter with improved performance characteristics

A novel micromachined resonator at 45 GHz based on a defect in a periodic electromagnetic bandgap structure (EBG) and a two-pole Tchebyshev filter with 1.4% 0.15 dB equiripple bandwidth and 2.3 dB loss employing this resonator are presented in this letter. The periodic bandgap structure is realized on a 400 /spl mu/m thick high-resistivity silicon wafer using deep reactive ion etching techniques. The resonator and filter can be accessed via coplanar waveguide feeds.     

Bücherschau

Ohne Zusammenfassung VDI     

Ärztliche Verantwortung gegenüber Palliativpatienten unter dem neuen Paradigma der Kundenorientierung

Definition of the problem

Establishing a good physician–patient relationship based on mutual trust and professional responsibility is a central element in physicians’ professionalism. Recently, however, there has been considerable debate in the field of medical ethics regarding trends toward an economic approach to medicine, which could potentially undermine healthy doctor–patient relationships. Part of this economic approach to medicine involves viewing the patient as an autonomous customer. But what does the customer role mean for vulnerable patients who are restricted in their autonomy and what effect does it have on the physician–patient relationship?

Arguments

In the following article, we pursue the question whether the physicians’ responsibility and the physician–patient relationship change when the (vulnerable) patient attributes the customer role to him-/herself. The study was conducted within the field of palliative care because terminally ill patients represent an especially vulnerable patient population. We base our argumentation in this article on the results of a qualitative interview study that investigated terminally ill patients’ attitudes regarding the topic “the patient as customer” as well as autonomy and decision-making.

Conclusion

The interview results show that autonomy must be understood in relational terms; furthermore, the analysis of the interviews indicates that the physician plays a crucial role in enabling the patient’s autonomy, regardless of whether patients view themselves as a patient or a customer. Subsequently, we deliberate whether the patients’ statements point to potential changes in the doctor–patient relationship and physicians’ responsibility towards patients. Based on these findings, practical implications for the doctor–patient relationship are considered in regard to the “Ethics of Care”, emphasizing the need for an individualized approach to working with patients, especially those with particularly vulnerable conditions.     

Gas phase sensors for bases using rhodamine B in nafion films

A sensor and dosimeter specific to inorganic and organic amine bases composed of Rhodamine B dissolved in Nafion is prepared and evaluated. UV‐vis, emission, and IR spectroscopies are used to monitor the presence of a variety of analytes, including aliphatic and aromatic amines. The Rhodamine B serves as a visual indicator of the presence of an analyte by turning from brown to pink upon exposure to aliphatic amines after sufficient exposure, thus acting as a visual monitor. The Rhodamine B also acts as a fluorescent sensor, which turns on upon exposure to the analyte. The sulfonic acid groups in the Nafion protonate the bases, giving unique signatures in the IR spectra allowing for differentiation of the bases. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Electronic conductivity of lead dioxide powder: separation of core and surface resistance of the particles

The electronic conductivity of active battery materials has seldom been investigated in detail. The problem is to separate the resistance contributions located in the particle cores and in the particle surfaces. In this paper battery PbO₂, the best-known model substance, has been studied.     

Intramembrane receptor-receptor interactions: integration of signal transduction pathways in the nervous system

Based on a hypothesis that post-mortem cellular (chiefly nuclear) changes in the white blood cells could reliably be correlated with the time interval since death, (ti), serial observations were made on the counts (total, differential) and light-microscopically observable 'degenerations' of white blood cells obtained from 30 non-refrigerated cadavers (experimental group) and similar cells obtained from 200 hospital patients (control group). While neutrophils degenerated rapidly, lymphocytes did so slowly; the eosinophils and monocytes degenerated at rates between these extremes. In cadaveric blood total counts of identifiable leucocytes on average dropped to zero by 84 hours, identifiable eosinophils and monocytes were first to 'disappear' (by 60 hours), followed by neutrophils (by 66 hours), and finally lymphocytes: identifiable lymphocytes disappeared completely at or around 84 hours from the time of death. This 'differential degeneration' was surprising but useful. Based on the use of all four characteristics--total and differential white cell counts, differential degeneration and morphology of cells--a method for a reasonably exact estimation of ti is presented. The method is appropriate for ti up to 84 hrs (3 1/2 days). Zero white cell counts (total, differential) and bizarre morphology (unidentifiable white blood cells) indicate a ti > 84 hrs. Avenues for further research are indicated.