Phase sensitive absolute amplitude detection of surface vibrations using homodyne interferometry without active stabilization

A detection scheme for obtaining phase and absolute amplitude information of surface vibrations on microacoustic components using homodyne laser interferometry is described. The scheme does not require active stabilization of the optical path length of the interferometer. The detection setup is realized in a homodyneMichelson interferometer configuration, and selected measurements on a 374 MHz surface acoustic wave fan-shaped filter and two different piezoelectrically actuated micromechanical resonators are presented to demonstrate the performance of the instrument. With the current detection electronics, the interferometer is capable of detecting out-of-plane surface vibrations up to 2 GHz with a lateral resolution of better than 1 μm and with a minimum detectable vibration amplitude of ∼1 pm.Peer reviewe

Drug-Coated Versus Plain Balloon Angioplasty In Arteriovenous Fistulas : A Randomized, Controlled Study With 1-Year Follow-Up (The Drecorest Ii-Study)

Background and Aims: Stenosis due to intimal hyperplasia and restenosis after initially successful percutaneous angioplasty are common reasons for failing arteriovenous fistulas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of drug-coated balloons in the treatment of arteriovenous fistula stenosis. Design: Single-center, parallel group, randomized controlled trial. Block randomized by sealed envelope 1:1. Materials and Methods: A total of 39 patients with primary or recurrent stenosis in a failing native arteriovenous fistulas were randomized to drug-coated balloon (n=19) or standard balloon angioplasty (n=20). Follow-up was 1year. Primary outcome measure was target lesion revascularization. Results: In all, 36 stenoses were analyzed; three patients were excluded due to technical failure after randomization. A total of 88.9% (16/18) in the drug-coated balloon group was revascularized or occluded within 1year, compared to 22.2% (4/18) of the stenoses in the balloon angioplasty group (relative risk for drug-coated balloon 7.09). Mean time-to- target lesion revascularization was 110 and 193days after the drug-coated balloon and balloon angioplasty, respectively (p=0.06). Conclusions: With 1-year follow-up, the target lesion revascularization-free survival after drug-coated balloon-treatment was clearly worse. The reason for this remains unknown, but it may be due to differences in the biological response to paclitaxel in the venous arteriovenous fistula-wall compared to its antiproliferative effect in the arterial wall after drug-coated balloon treatment of atherosclerotic occlusive lesions. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03036241Peer reviewe

Characterization of energy trapping in a bulk acoustic wave resonator

Acoustic wave fields both within the active electrode area of a solidly mounted 1.8 GHz bulk acoustic waveresonator, and around it in the surrounding region, are measured using a heterodyne laser interferometer. Plate-wave dispersion diagrams for both regions are extracted from the measurement data. The experimental dispersion data reveal the cutoff frequencies of the acoustic vibration modes in the region surrounding the resonator, and, therefore, the energy trapping range of the resonator can readily be determined. The measureddispersionproperties of the surrounding region, together with the abruptly diminishing amplitude of the dispersion curves in the resonator, signal the onset of acoustic leakage from the resonator. This information is important for verifying and further developing the simulation tools used for the design of the resonators. Experimental wave field images, dispersion diagrams for both regions, and the threshold for energy leakage are discussed.Peer reviewe

Ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy setup for synchrotron-based in situ and operando atomic layer deposition research

An ambient pressure cell is described for conducting synchrotron-based x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements during atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes. The instrument is capable of true in situ and operando experiments in which it is possible to directly obtain elemental and chemical information from the sample surface using XPS as the deposition process is ongoing. The setup is based on the ambient pressure XPS technique, in which sample environments with high pressure (several mbar) can be created without compromising the ultrahigh vacuum requirements needed for the operation of the spectrometer and the synchrotron beamline. The setup is intended for chemical characterization of the surface intermediates during the initial stages of the deposition processes. The SPECIES beamline and the ALD cell provide a unique experimental platform for obtaining new information on the surface chemistry during ALD half-cycles at high temporal resolution. Such information is valuable for understanding the ALD reaction mechanisms and crucial in further developing and improving ALD processes. We demonstrate the capabilities of the setup by studying the deposition of TiO2 on a SiO2 surface by using titanium(IV) tetraisopropoxide and water as precursors. Multiple core levels and the valence band of the substrate surface were followed during the film deposition using ambient pressure XPS.Peer reviewe

Body and milk traits as indicators of dairy cow energy status in early lactation

The inclusion of feed intake and efficiency traits in dairy cow breeding goals can lead to increased risk of metabolic stress. An easy and inexpensive way to monitor postpartum energy status (ES) of cows is therefore needed. Cows' ES can be estimated by calculating the energy balance from energy intake and output and predicted by indicator traits such as change in body weight (Delta BW), change in body condition score (Delta BCS), milk fat:protein ratio (FPR), or milk fatty acid (FA) composition. In this study, we used blood plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration as a biomarker for ES. We determined associations between NEFA concentration and ES indicators and evaluated the usefulness of body and milk traits alone, or together, in predicting ES of the cow. Data were collected from 2 research herds during 2013 to 2016 and included 137 Nordic Red dairy cows, all of which had a first lactation and 59 of which also had a second lactation. The data included daily body weight, milk yield, and feed intake and monthly BCS. Plasma samples for NEFA were collected twice in lactation wk 2 and 3 and once in wk 20. Milk samples for analysis of fat, protein, lactose, and FA concentrations were taken on the blood sampling days. Plasma NEFA concentration was higher in lactation wk 2 and 3 than in wk 20 (0.56 +/- 0.30, 0.43 +/- 0.22, and 0.13 +/- 0.06 mmol/L, respectively; all means +/- standard deviation). Among individual indicators, C18:1 cis-9 and the sum of C18:1 in milk had the highest correlations (r = 0.73) with NEFA. Seven multiple linear regression models for NEFA prediction were developed using stepwise selection. Of the models that included milk traits (other than milk FA) as well as body traits, the best fit was achieved by a model with milk yield, FPR, Delta BW, Delta BCS, FPR x Delta BW, and days in milk. The model resulted in a cross-validation coefficient of determination (R(2)cv) of 0.51 and a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.196 mmol/L. When only milk FA concentrations were considered in the model, NEFA prediction was more accurate using measurements from evening milk than from morning milk (R(2)cv = 0.61 vs. 0.53). The best model with milk traits contained FPR, C10:0, C14:0, C18:1 cis-9, C18:1 cis-9 x C14:0, and days in milk (R(2)cv = 0.62; RMSE = 0.177 mmol/L). The most advanced model using both milk and body traits gave a slightly better fit than the model with only milk traits (R(2)cv = 0.63; RMSE = 0.176 mmol/L). Our findings indicate that ES of cows in early lactation can be monitored with moderately high accuracy by routine milk measurements.Peer reviewe

Recanalization treatment for acute ischemic stroke: 3-month outcome before and after implementation of routine endovascular treatment

Peer reviewe

Heterozygous frameshift mutation in keratin 5 in a family with Galli-Galli disease

BACKGROUND: Reticulate pigmentary disorders include the rare autosomal dominant Galli–Galli disease (GGD) and Dowling–Degos disease (DDD). Clinical diagnosis between some of the subtypes can be difficult due to a degree of overlap between clinical features, therefore analysis at the molecular level may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: To identify the underlying genetic defect in a 48-year-old Asian-American woman with a clinical diagnosis of GGD. METHODS: Histological analysis was performed on a skin biopsy using haematoxylin–eosin staining. KRT5 (the gene encoding keratin 5) was amplified from genomic DNA and directly sequenced. RESULTS: The patient had a history of pruritus and hyperpigmented erythematous macules and thin papules along the flexor surfaces of her arms, her upper back and neck, axillae and inframammary areas. Hypopigmented macules were seen among the hyperpigmentation. A heterozygous 1-bp insertion mutation in KRT5 (c.38dupG; p.Ser14GlnfsTer3) was identified in the proband. This mutation occurs within the head domain of the keratin 5 protein leading to a frameshift and premature stop codon. CONCLUSIONS: From the histological findings and mutation analysis the individual was identified as having GGD due to haploinsufficiency of keratin 5