Integrated silicon pressure sensors using wafer bonding technology

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1997.Includes bibliographical references (p. 151-156).by Lalitha Parameswaran.Ph.D

Racial Differences in Preventive and Complementary Health Behaviors and Attitudes

Screening tests have been developed for many diseases—the presence of cancer, especially—but are differentially utilized among racial/ethnic groups. In addition to standard medical screening techniques, some patients opt to use Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for prevention and treatment. The purpose of the current study is to examine racial/ethnic disparities in primary and secondary preventive health behaviors, determine differences in use of complementary and alternative health regimens, and determine which health attitudes and health self-management factors are associated with use of complementary alternative medicine. If differences among ethnic/racial groups in perceived health status, preventive health care behaviors, and use of CAM can be more fully understood, then health professionals will be able to better tailor health promotion interventions and integrate these factors

Health Information and Cancer Screening Differences for Asian Americans

This study examined differences between Asian and non-Asian Americans in sources of health information and cancer screening. A nationally representative sample of 6,722 adults in the US, including those who speak, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean was selected. Questionnaire items included demographic variables, health status, cancer screening, health care experiences, health information sources, and use of an interpreter in the patient-provider interaction. Asians used the internet more for health information, preferred a physician from their own race, had friends or relatives and staff persons serve as interpreters, and less likely to call a health care provider and pharmacist, to need an interpreter, have had a complete physical exam, pap test, mammogram, and colorectal exam, within the last two years, than non-Asian Americans. Difficulty speaking with a physician led to 2.2 times greater risk of never getting a physical exam and 4.3 times greater risk of never getting a prostate exam. Development of sources of health information relevant to Asian Americans may enhance their decision making prior to and in conjunction with receiving medical care services

Asian American Subgroup Differences in Sources of Health Information and Predictors of Screening Behavior

This study examined Asian subgroup differences in sources of health information and cancer screening, comparison of Asians and Whites in screening, and the association between health information and screening behavior. A nationally representative sample of 6,722 adults in the US, including those who speak, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean was selected. Questionnaire items developed by the Commonwealth Fund included demographic variables, health status, cancer screening, health care experiences, health information sources, and use of an interpreter in the patient-provider interaction. There were differences between subgroups in source of health information. Indians from India were more likely to use the World Wide Web than Chinese, Koreans, and Filipinos. There were differences in ease of reading or understanding instructions on the prescription bottle, information booklets provided by physicians, and in difficulty speaking with a physician. There were differences in getting a general physical and a pap test between Asian ethnic subgroups and between Asians and Whites. Certain sources of health information were positively correlated with specific screening tests. Development of particular sources of health information relevant to specific Asian subgroups and for specific screening tests may enhance their decision making prior to and in conjunction with receiving medical care services

Scattering of long wavelengths into thin silicon photovoltaic films by plasmonic silver nanoparticles

Nanoparticles and nanostructures with plasmonic resonances are currently being employed to enhance the efficiency of solar cells. Ag stripe arrays have been shown theoretically to enhance the short-circuit current of thin silicon layers. Monolayers of Ag nanoparticles with diameter d < 300 nm have shown strong plasmonic resonances when coated in thin polymer layers with thicknesses < d. We study experimentally the diffuse vs. specular scattering from monolayer arrays of Ag nanoparticles (spheres and prisms with diameters in the range 50 – 300 nm) coated onto the front side of thin (100 nm < t < 500 nm) silicon films deposited on glass and flexible polymer substrates, the latter originating in a roll-to-roll manufacturing process. Ag nanoparticles are held in place and aggregation is prevented with a polymer overcoat. We observe interesting wavelength shifts between maxima in specular and diffuse scattering that depend on particle size and shape, indicating that the nanoparticles substantially modify the scattering into the thin silicon film.United States. Air Force (United States. Army. Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center Contract FA8721-05-C-0002)Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (Contract W911NF-07-D0004

Silicon pressure sensor using wafer bonding technology

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1993.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-105).by Lalitha Parameswaran.M.S