Catalytically propelled 3D printed colloidal microswimmers

Synthetic microswimmers are widely employed model systems in the studies of out-of-equilibrium phenomena. Unlike biological microswimmers which naturally occur in various shapes and forms, synthetic microswimmers have so far been limited almost exclusively to spherical shapes. Here, we exploit 3D printing to produce microswimmers with complex shapes in the colloidal size regime. We establish the flexibility of 3D printing by two-photon polymerisation to produce particles smaller than 10 microns with a high-degree of shape complexity. We further demonstrate that 3D printing allows control over the location of the active site through orienting the particles in different directions during printing. We verify that particles behave colloidally by imaging their motion in the passive and active states and by investigating their mean square displacement. In addition, we find that particles exhibit shape-dependant behavior, thereby demonstrating the potential of our method to launch a wide-range of in-depth studies into shape-dependent active motion and behaviour.Biological and Soft Matter Physic

Segmenting internet banking adopter and non-adopters in the Turkish retail banking sector

Purpose ? This study aims to identify perceptual, experience related, demographic, socio-economic and situational characteristics of internet banking adopters and non-adopters. In particular, perceptual differences between IB adopters and non-adopters are to be examined. Design/methodology/approach ? Based on relevant literature and previous research that included interviews with leading internet banking managers in Turkey, a questionnaire was designed. Face-to-face questionnaires were distributed to 155 convenience samples of internet users. Findings ? There were significant differences between adopters and non-adopters of the service in terms of their perceptual, experience and consumer related characteristics. Internet banking adopters perceived internet banking use as less risky, more user-friendly and more useful compared to internet banking non-adopters. Internet banking non-adopters who intend to use the service in the future (i.e. later adopters) perceived internet banking use as less risky and more useful compared to non-adopters who do not intend to use the service (i.e. laggards). Internet banking adopters were also found to have more experience with mobile internet, and have higher income and longer working hours. Practical implications ? The managerial implications of the study are that the banks in Turkey should reduce the risk perceptions of non-adopters, particularly the ones who do not intend to use the service in the future (i.e. laggards). They should also motivate non-adopter segments to have more experience with more general internet based services. The initial target to diffuse internet banking in Turkey should include the segments which have greater income and longer working hours. Originality/value ? This study applies the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to identify the perceptual differences between internet banking adopter and non-adopter segments and sub-segments in the Turkish context

Endoresektion von gro en uvealen Melanomen nach Protonenbestrahlung

Hintergrund Gro e uveale Melanome, die sich in der Nähe der Papille und oder der Fovea befinden, haben wegen der zu erwartenden Spätkomplikationen eine ungünstige Prognose bezüglich des Visus und Bulbuserhaltes. Die Endoresektion dieser Tumoren ist eine neue Behandlungsmodalität, die möglicherweise Vorteile in der Therapie dieser komplizierten Fälle bieten wird. Patienten und Methode Bei 32 Patienten mit gro en uvealen Melanomen mittlere Tumor Prominenz 9,1 mm, mittleres Tumorvolumen 0,77 cm3 , wurde nach primärer Protonenbestrahlung mit 60 CGE eine Endoresektion über eine Pars plana Vitrektomie durchgeführt. Der präoperative Visus betrug 0,2 Median und die mediane Nachbeobachtungszeit war 12 Monate. Ergebnisse Der postoperative Visus betrug nach einer Nachbeobachtungszeit von 12 Monaten 0,12 Median, mittlerer Visusverlust 0,08 . Die Wahrscheinlichkeit der Entwicklung einer Strahlenretinopathie bzw. strahleninduzierten Optikusneuropathie nach 12 Monaten wurde mit 35 bzw. 28 berechnet. Die Wahrscheinlichkeit der Notwendigkeit einer Enukleation in den ersten 12 Monaten betrug 9 . Es fanden sich keine Tumorrezidive. Metastasen traten bei 2 Patienten auf. Schlussfolgerungen Bei gro en uvealen Melanomen ist die Endoresektion nach vorausgegangener Protonenbestrahlung eine sinnvolle Behandlungsalternative zu der bisher durchgeführten alleinigen Bestrahlung bzw. Enukleation. Sie ermöglicht einen langfristigen Bulbus und Visuserhalt bei einem hohen Anteil der Patiente