Long Wave Infrared Type II Superlattice Focal Plane Array Detector

The XBn/XBp family of barrier detectors enables diffusion limited dark currents comparable with HgxCd1-xTe Rule-07 and high quantum efficiencies. SCD’s XBp type II superlattice (T2SL) detector contains InAs/GaSb and InAs/AlSb T2SLs, and was designed for the long wave infrared (LWIR) atmospheric window using k · p based modeling of the energy bands and photo-response. Wafers are grown by molecular beam epitaxy and are fabricated into focal plane array (FPA) detectors using standard FPA processes, including wet and dry etching, indium bump hybridisation, under-fill, and back-side polishing. The 640 × 512 pixel, 15 μm pitch, detector goes by the name of ‘Pelican-D LW’ and exhibits a quantum efficiency of ~ 50 per cent with background limited performance at an operating temperature of 77 K. It has a cut-off wave length of ~ 9.5 μm, with a pixel operability of above 99 per cent. The detector gives a very stable image with a residual non uniformity of below 0.04 per cent over its useful dynamic range. A new digital read-out integrated circuit has been designed so that the complete detector closely follows the configuration of SCD’s MWIR Pelican-D detector

A personalized, intense physical rehabilitation program improves walking in people with multiple sclerosis presenting with different levels of disability: A retrospective cohort

Copyright © 2015 Kalron et al.Background: People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) endure walking limitations. To address this restriction, various physical rehabilitation programs have been implemented with no consensus regarding their efficacy. Our objective was to report on the efficacy of an integrated tailored physical rehabilitation program on walking in people with multiple sclerosis categorized according to their level of neurological disability. Methods: Retrospective data were examined and analyzed. Specifically, data obtained from all patients who participated in the Multiple Sclerosis Center's 3 week rehabilitation program were extracted for in depth exploration. The personalized rehabilitation program included three major components modified according to the patient's specific impairments and functional needs: (a) goal directed physical therapy (b) moderately intense aerobic exercise training on a bicycle ergometer and (c) aquatic therapy chiefly oriented to body structures appropriate to movement. Gait outcome measurements included the 10 meter, 20 meter, Timed up and go and 2 minute walking tests measured pre and post the rehabilitation program. Three hundred and twelve people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis were included in the final analysis. Patients were categorized into mild (n = 87), moderate (n = 104) and severely (n = 121) disabled groups. Results: All clinical walking outcome measurements demonstrated statistically significant improvements, however, only an increase in the 2 minute walking test was above the minimal clinical difference value. The moderate and severe groups considerably improved compared to the mild gait disability group. Mean change scores (%) of the pre-post intervention period of the 2 minute walking test were 19.0 (S.E. = 3.4) in the moderate group, 16.2 (S.E. = 5.4) in the severe group and 10.9 (S.E. = 2.3) in the mild gait disability group. Conclusions: We presented comprehensive evidence verifying the effects of an intense goal-directed physical rehabilitation program on ambulation in people with multiple sclerosis presenting with different neurological impairment levels