Coating and functionalization of high density ion track structures by atomic layer deposition

In this study flexible TiO 2 coated porous Kapton membranes are presented having electron multiplication properties. 800 nm crossing pores were fabricated into 50 m thick Kapton membranes using ion track technology and chemical etching. Consecutively, 50 nm TiO 2 films were deposited i nto the pores of the Kapton membranes by atomic layer deposition using Ti( i OPr) 4 and water as precursors at 250 °C. The TiO 2 films and coated membranes were studied by scanning electro n microscopy (SEM), X - ray diffraction (XRD) and X - ray reflectometry (XRR). Au metal electrod e fabrication onto both sides of the coated foils was achieved by electron beam evaporation. The electron multipliers were obtained by joining 3 two coated membranes separated by a conductive spacer. The results show that electron multiplication can be achie ved using ALD - coated flexible ion track polymer foils

Diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome distinguishable by 16S rRNA gene phylotype quantification

AIM: To study whether selected bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene phylotypes are capable of distinguishing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Psychosocial factors and patient and healthcare delays in large (class T3–T4) oral, oropharyngeal, and laryngeal carcinomas

Abstract Background Psychosocial factors and socioeconomic status have been associated with incidence, survival, and quality of life among patients with head and neck cancer. We investigated the association between different psychosocial factors, socioeconomic status, and patient delays in T3–T4 oral, oropharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer. Patients and methods We conducted a nationwide prospective questionnaire-based study (n = 203) over a 3-year period. Results We found no association between psychosocial factors (depression, social isolation, loneliness, and cynical hostility) and patient delay. Depression was three times more common among head and neck cancer patients compared with the general Finnish population. Head and neck cancer patients had lower educational levels and employment status, and were more often current smokers and heavy drinkers. Conclusions Although we found no association between patient delay and psychosocial factors, patients diagnosed with a large head and neck cancer appeared to have a lower socioeconomic status and higher risk for developing depression, which should be considered in clinical practice