InN dielectric function from the midinfrared to the visible range

The dispersion of the dielectric function for wurtzite InN is analytically evaluated in the region near the fundamental energy gap. The real part of the dielectric function has a logarithmic singularity at the absorption edge. This results in the large contribution into the optical dielectric constant. For samples with degenerate carriers, the real part of the dielectric function is divergent at the absorption edge. The divergence is smeared with temperatures or relaxation rate. The imaginary part of the dielectric function has a plateau far away from the absorption onset.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure

Remote epitaxy of InxGa1-xAs (0 0 1) on graphene covered GaAs(0 0 1) substrates

The heteroepitaxial growth of lattice mismatched layers is crucial for modern semiconductor device fabrication, but it is a significant challenge in epitaxy. Growth of lattice mismatched materials creates strain in the epitaxial layer, which is usually relaxed by introducing crystal defects deteriorating the device performance. Remote epitaxy on graphene covered substrates was recently proposed to offer a different relaxation pathway for the strained films. Here, we report on the remote heteroepitaxy growth by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) of InxGa1-xAs-layers (0 < x 0.5) on transfer graphene covered GaAs-(0 0 1) substrates. We show that a carefully optimized plasma treatment followed by ultra-high vacuum (UHV) annealing allows InxGa1-xAs remote epitaxy on transfer graphene covered GaAs substrates. Detailed investigations on the strain relaxation of 200 nm thick InxGa1-xAs-layers on graphene covered GaAs and for comparison on bare GaAs are presented. High-resolution X-ray-diffraction (HRXRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements reveal single crystalline growth on large areas. On bare GaAs we observe the well-known tilt of the InxGa1-xAs-layers whereas on graphene no tilt is observed. The layers grown on graphene are more relaxed than layers grown on bare GaAs and their strain relaxation is symmetric whereas on bare GaAs the strain relaxation is stronger along the [1 1 0] direction

Prediction of grip and key pinch strength in 978 healthy subjects

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hand strength is an important independent surrogate parameter to assess outcome and risk of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the predictive power of cofactors and to predict population-based normative grip and pinch strength.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A representative population survey was used as the basis for prediction analyses (n = 978). Bivariate relationships between grip/pinch strengths of the dominate hand were explored by means of all relevant mathematical functions to maximize prediction. The resulting best functions were combined into a multivariate regression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Polynoms (up to the third degree) were the best predictive functions. On the bivariate level, height was best correlated to grip (46.2% explained variance) and pinch strength (37.7% explained variance) in a linear relationship, followed by sex, age, weight, and occupational demand on the hand. Multivariate regression provided predicted values close to the empirical ones explaining 76.6% of the variance for grip strength and 67.7% for pinch strength.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The five easy-to-measure cofactors sex, age, body height, categorized occupational demand on the hand, and body weight provide a highly accurate prediction of normative grip and pinch strength.</p

Current and emerging treatment of osteoporosis

The goal of treating a patient with recent fragility fracture should not only be to treat the patient in the acute phase but also to prevent further fractures. Interventions to increase bone mass to preventing further fragility fractures can be classified as non-pharmacological and pharmacological. All European and international guidelines base the need for treatment, not on the diagnosis of osteoporosis (based on the T-score), but on the risk of fracture, which is strongly influenced by the presence of a fragility fracture, especially vertebral or femoral fractures. Before treatment, it is important to make a differential diagnosis between primary and secondary osteoporosis because anti-osteoporotic drug treatment would be useless if the primary illness causing osteoporosis is not treated too. Some studies show that anti-osteoporotic drugs are frequently interrupted within 1 month of their prescription; this happens not so much due to the occurrence of adverse events but mostly because patients have not been sufficiently informed about the importance of taking the drug and because are not receiving personalised treatment. All data confirm that, in older people, vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent and calcium intake is often not adequate. So, osteoporosis guidelines recommend calcium and vitamin D for all patients in association with antiosteoporotic therapy. We have many drugs for the treatment of patients at high risk of fracture, but we should use drugs based on evidence of their efficacy and safety in older-age subgroups, provided by targeted studies or extrapolated data. In this chapter, we describe efficacy, route of administration, adverse events and recent technical remarks of current antiresorptive and anabolic osteoporosis therapies. Furthermore, we describe emerging therapies, such as Abaloparatide and Romosozumab

Management of osteoporosis in patients hospitalized for hip fractures

Hip fracture is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and economic burden worldwide. It is also a major risk factor for a subsequent fracture. A literature search on the management of osteoporosis in patients with hip fracture was performed on the Medline database. Only one clinical drug trial was conducted in patients with a recent hip fracture. Further studies that specifically address post-fracture management of hip fracture are needed. The efficacy of anti-osteoporosis medication in older individuals and those at high risk of fall is reviewed in this paper. Adequate nutrition is vital for bone health and to prevent falls, especially in malnourished patients. Protein, calcium, and vitamin D supplementation is associated with increased hip BMD and a reduction in falls. Fall prevention, exercise, and balance training incorporated in a comprehensive rehabilitation program are essential to improve functional disability and survival. Exclusion of secondary causes of osteoporosis and treatment of coexistent medical conditions are also vital. Such a multidisciplinary team approach to the management of hip fracture patients is associated with a better clinical outcome. Although hip fracture is the most serious of all fractures, osteoporosis management should be prioritized to prevent deterioration of health and occurrence of further fracture

Symbols of Power: The Firearm Paintings of Madjedbebe (Malakunanja II)

Depictions of firearms in Australian Aboriginal rock art provide a unique opportunity to archaeologically explore the roles that this type of material culture played in times of culture contact. From the earliest interactions with explorers to the buffalo shooting enterprises of the twentieth century—firearms played complex and shifting roles in western Arnhem Land Aboriginal societies. The site of Madjedbebe (sometimes referred to as Malakunanja II in earlier academic literature) in Jabiluka (Mirarr Country), offers the opportunity to explore these shifting roles over time with an unprecedented 16 paintings of firearms spanning the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This rock art provides evidence for early firearms as objects of curiosity and threat to local groups, as well as evidence for later personal ownership and use of such weaponry. Moreover, we argue that the rock art suggests increasing incorporation of firearms into traditional cultural belief and artistic systems over time with Madjedbebe playing a key role in the communication of the cultural meanings behind this new subject matter.Arts, Education & Law Group, School of Humanities, Languages and Social SciencesFull Tex

The Background Oriented Schlieren method (BOS) for quantitative evaluation of three dimensional density distributions

Some examples of measurements with the BOS technique are shown. Results of investigations regarding the accuracy, sensitivity and resolution of the BOS-System are illustrated. The development of the BOS technique towards a quantitative measurement method is briefly described and some results of tomographic BOS-measurements at an underexpanded, free jet of air are shown

Weiterentwicklung von BOS (Background Oriented Schlieren) zu einem universellen 3D Dichtefeldmessverfahren

Diese Veröffentlichung stellt die Ergebnisse der Untersuchungen zu den Eigenschaften des BOS Systems hinsichtlich Empfindlichkeit und Genauigkeit vor. Des weiteren werden die Ergebnisse von parallel mit einem Interferometer und der BOS-Methode durchgeführten Experimenten an einem Luftfreistrahl gezeigt