Preparation and characterisation of carbon-free Cu(111) films on sapphire for graphene synthesis

This work presents an investigation of carbon formed on polycrystalline Cu(111) thin films prepared by ion beam sputtering at room temperature on c-plane Al2O3 after thermal treatment in a temperature range between 300 and 1020°C. The crystallinity of the Cu films was studied by XRD and RBS/channeling and the surface was characterised by Raman spectroscopy, XPS and AFM for each annealing temperature. RBS measurements revealed the diffusion of the Cu into the Al2O3 substrate at high temperatures of > 700°C. Furthermore, a cleaning procedure using UV ozone treatment is presented to remove the carbon from the surface which yields essentially carbon-free Cu films that open the possibility to synthesize graphene of well-controlled thickness (layer number)

Ultrathin 2 nm gold as ideal impedance-matched absorber for infrared light

Thermal detectors are a cornerstone of infrared (IR) and terahertz (THz) technology due to their broad spectral range. These detectors call for suitable broad spectral absorbers with minimalthermal mass. Often this is realized by plasmonic absorbers, which ensure a high absorptivity butonly for a narrow spectral band. Alternativly, a common approach is based on impedance-matching the sheet resistance of a thin metallic film to half the free-space impedance. Thereby, it is possible to achieve a wavelength-independent absorptivity of up to 50 %, depending on the dielectric properties of the underlying substrate. However, existing absorber films typicallyrequire a thickness of the order of tens of nanometers, such as titanium nitride (14 nm), whichcan significantly deteriorate the response of a thermal transducers. Here, we present the application of ultrathin gold (2 nm) on top of a 1.2 nm copper oxide seed layer as an effective IR absorber. An almost wavelength-independent and long-time stable absorptivity of 47(3) %, ranging from 2 $\mu$m to 20 $\mu$m, could be obtained and is further discussed. The presented gold thin-film represents analmost ideal impedance-matched IR absorber that allows a significant improvement of state-of-the-art thermal detector technology

The SPECTRA Collaboration OMERACT Special Interest Group: Current Research and Future Directions

Objective High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) has the potential to improve radiographic progression determination in clinical trials and longitudinal observational studies. The goal of this work was to describe the current state of research presented at Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) 2016 and ensuing future directions outlined during discussion among attendees. Methods At OMERACT 2016, SPECTRA (Study grouP for xtrEme-Computed Tomography in Rheumatoid Arthritis) introduced efforts to (1) validate the HR-pQCT according to OMERACT guidelines, focusing on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and (2) find alternatives for automated joint space width (JSW) analysis. The Special Interest Group (SIG) was presented to patient research partners, physicians/researchers, and SIG leaders followed by a 40-min discussion on future directions. Results A consensus definition for RA erosion using HR-pQCT was demonstrated through a systematic literature review and a Delphi exercise. Histopathology and perfusion studies were presented that analyzed the true characteristics of cortical breaks in HR-pQCT images, and to provide criterion validity. Results indicate that readers were able to discriminate between erosion and small vascular channels. Moderate reliability (ICC 0.206–0.871) of direct erosion size measures was shown, which improved (> 0.9) only when experienced readers were considered. Quantification of erosion size was presented for scoring, direct measurement, and volumetric approaches, as well as a reliability exercise for direct measurement. Three methods for JSW measurement were compared, all indicating excellent reproducibility with differences at the extremes (i.e., near-zero and joint edge thickness). Conclusion Initial reports on HR-pQCT are promising; however, to consider its use in clinical trials and longitudinal observational studies, it is imperative to assess the responsiveness of erosion measurement quantification

Hand osteoarthritis: clinical phenotypes, molecular mechanisms and disease management

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent condition and the hand is the most commonly affected site. Patients with hand OA frequently report symptoms of pain, functional limitations, and frustration in undertaking everyday activities. The condition presents clinically with changes to the bone, ligaments, cartilage and synovial tissue, which can be observed using radiography, ultrasonography or MRI. Hand OA is a heterogeneous disorder and is considered to be multifactorial in aetiology. This review provides an overview of the epidemiology, presentation and burden of hand OA, including an update on hand OA imaging (including the development of novel techniques), disease mechanisms and management. In particular, areas for which new evidence has substantially changed the way we understand, consider and treat hand OA are highlighted. For example, genetic studies, clinical trials and careful prospective imaging studies from the past 5 years are beginning to provide insights into the pathogenesis of hand OA that might uncover new therapeutic targets in disease