Visible Wavelength Color Filters using Dielectric Subwavelength Gratings for Backside-illuminated CMOS Image Sensor Technologies

We report transmissive color filters based on subwavelength dielectric gratings that can replace conventional dye-based color filters used in backside-illuminated CMOS image sensor (BSI CIS) technologies. The filters are patterned in an 80-nm-thick poly-silicon film on a 115-nm-thick SiO_2 spacer layer. They are optimized for operating at the primary RGB colors, exhibit peak transmittance of 60-80%, and an almost insensitive response over a ±20° angular range. This technology enables shrinking of the pixel sizes down to near a micrometer

Update of the ICUD-SIU consultation on upper tract urothelial carcinoma 2016: treatment of low-risk upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Introduction The conservative management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) has historically been offered to patients with imperative indications. The recent International Consultation on Urologic Diseases (ICUD) publication on UTUC stratified treatment allocations based on high- and low-risk groups. This report updates the conservative management of the low-risk group. Methods The ICUD for low-risk UTUC working group performed a thorough review of the literature with an assessment of the level of evidence and grade of recommendation for a variety of published studies in this disease space. We update these publications and provide a summary of that original report. Results There are no prospective randomized controlled studies to support surgical management guidelines. A risk-stratified approach based on clinical, endoscopic, and biopsy assessment allows selection of patients who could benefit from kidney-preserving procedures with oncological outcomes potentially similar to radical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision, with the added benefit of renal function preservation. These treatments are aided by the development of high-definition flexible digital URS, multi-biopsies with the aid of access sheaths and other tools, and promising developments in the use of adjuvant topical therapy. Conclusions Recent developments in imaging, minimally invasive techniques, multimodality approaches, and adjuvant topical regimens and bladder cancer prevention raise the hope for improved risk stratification and may greatly improve the endoscopic treatment for low-risk UTUC

Taking stock of 10 years of published research on the ASHA programme: Examining India’s national community health worker programme from a health systems perspective

Background: As India’s accredited social health activist (ASHA) community health worker (CHW) programme enters its second decade, we take stock of the research undertaken and whether it examines the health systems interfaces required to sustain the programme at scale. Methods: We systematically searched three databases for articles on ASHAs published between 2005 and 2016. Articles that met the inclusion criteria underwent analysis using an inductive CHW–health systems interface framework. Results: A total of 122 academic articles were identified (56 quantitative, 29 mixed methods, 28 qualitative, and 9 commentary or synthesis); 44 articles reported on special interventions and 78 on the routine ASHA program. Findings on special interventions were overwhelmingly positive, with few negative or mixed results. In contrast, 55% of articles on the routine ASHA programme showed mixed findings and 23% negative, with few indicating overall positive findings, reflecting broader system constraints. Over half the articles had a health system perspective, including almost all those on general ASHA work, but only a third of those with a health condition focus. The most extensively researched health systems topics were ASHA performance, training and capacity-building, with very little research done on programme financing and reporting, ASHA grievance redressal or peer communication. Research tended to be descriptive, with fewer influence, explanatory or exploratory articles, and no predictive or emancipatory studies. Indian institutions and authors led and partnered on most of the research, wrote all the critical commentaries, and published more studies with negative results. Conclusion: Published work on ASHAs highlights a range of small-scale innovations, but also showcases the challenges faced by a programme at massive scale, situated in the broader health system. As the programme continues to evolve, critical comparative research that constructively feeds back into programme reforms is needed, particularly related to governance, intersectoral linkages, ASHA solidarity, and community capacity to provide support and oversight

Ion irradiation-induced modifications in the surface morphology of Ge20Se74Bi6 thin films

The swift heavy ion-induced changes in the surface morphology of Ge20Se74Bi6 thin films are observed using atomic force microscopy. Ge20Si74Bi6 thin films were irradiated with Ni ion of 75 MeV energy and the beam current during irradiation was 5 pnA and fluence was varied for different samples from 5 x 10(12) to 10(14) ions/cm(2). The AFM micrographs indicate special features on the surface resulting from electronic energy loss. (c) 200

Synthesis and Electrochemical Analysis of Biologically Active Novel NiIIHMTAA and CuIIHMTAA Complexes

788-792NiIIHMTAA-14 and CuIIHMTAA-14 (HMTAA-14 = dichloro[2,4,9,13,15,20-hexamethyldibenzo-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecatetraene]) macrocyclic complexes have been synthesized by template method and characterized by multiple characterization techniques. Electrochemical studies of NiIIHMTAA-14 and CuIIHMTAA-14 macrocyclic complexes carried out on Pt disc (tip-06.1204.120.) electrode (2 mm diameter) in methanol, DMSO and acetonitrile by employing cyclic voltammetry revealing that these macrocycles undergo one-electron electrochemical processes to form stable Ni(HMTAA)0 and Cu(HMTAA)+ species. Preliminary investigation of antimicrobial activities of these novel macrocyclic complexes has also been studied