Exploring the electron density in plasmas induced by extreme ultraviolet radiation in argon

The new generation of lithography tools use high energy EUV radiation which ionizes the present background gas due to photoionization. To predict and understand the long term impact on the highly delicate mirrors It is essential to characterize these kinds of EUV-induced plasmas. We measured the electron density evolution in argon gas during and just after irradiation by a short pulse of EUV light at 13.5 nm by applying microwave cavity resonance spectroscopy. Dependencies on EUV pulse energy and gas pressure have been explored over a range relevant for industrial applications. Our experimental results show that the maximum reached electron density depends linearly on pulse energy. A quadratic dependence - caused by photoionization and subsequent electron impact ionization by free electrons - is found from experiments where the gas pressure is varied. This is demonstrated by our theoretical estimates presented in this manuscript as well.Comment: submitted to J. Phys. D. 16 pages, 8 figure

Innovative Work Behavior: To What Extent and How Can HRM Practices Contribute to Higher Levels of Innovation Within SMEs?

In this chapter, the influence of HR practices and more specifically the Ned Herrmanns development tool HBDI on the development of innovative work behavior (IWB) is described. Innovative work behavior today is important for organizations to stay in a competitive position. Also for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), like the case study in this chapter, innovation is essential to keep the SME’s competitive advantage. As people are the most important resource in service companies, and they can contribute to innovation via their motivation and skills, the role of human resource management is important. In this book chapter, we analyze the positive influence of various HR practices on IWB. One of these HR practices is the HBDI tool, a specifically designed questionnaire which gives people insight into their problem-solving styles. The outcomes of the study in this chapter show that both HR practices and also the HBDI tool have a positive influence on developing innovative work behavior and on innovation performance

Drugs, structures, fragments : substructure-based approaches to GPCR drug discovery and design

This thesis is all about cheminformatics, and its impact on drug discovery. A number of strategies are discussed that apply computational methods for the analysis and design of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) ligands. Frequent substructure mining is applied to find the common structural motifs that are discriminative for predefined classes of GPCR ligands. In addtion, this approach is extended to cluster GPCRs to suggest a new classification for this receptor superfamily. Furthermore, substructure analysis is utilised to screen for new adenosine A2A receptor ligands. Finally, an automated de novo design approach is described that is used for the design of new adenosine A1 receptor ligands using a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm.Top Institute Pharma (Project: GPCR forum; project number: D1-105).UBL - phd migration 201

ASAS/WHO ICF Core Sets for ankylosing spondylitis (AS): how to classify the impact of AS on functioning and health

Objective: To report on the results of a standardised consensus process agreeing on concepts typical and/or relevant when classifying functioning and health in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) based on the International Classification of Functioning and Health (ICF).Methods: Experts in AS from different professional and geographical backgrounds attended a consensus conference and were divided into three working groups. Rheumatologists were selected from members of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS). Other health professionals were recommended by ASAS members. The aim was to compose three working groups with five to seven participants to allow everybody's contribution in the discussions. Experts selected ICF categories that were considered typical and/or relevant for AS during a standardised consensus process by integrating evidence from preceding studies in alternating working group and plenary discussions. A Comprehensive ICF Core Set was selected for the comprehensive classification of functioning and a Brief ICF Core Set for application in trials.Results: The conference was attended by 19 experts from 12 countries. Eighty categories were included in the Comprehensive Core Set, which included 23 Body functions, 19 Body structures, 24 Activities and participation and 14 Environmental factors. Nineteen categories were selected for the Brief Core Set, which included 6 Body functions, 4 Body structures, 7 Activities and participation and 2 Environmental factors.Conclusion: The Comprehensive and Brief ICF Core Sets for AS are now available and aim to represent the external reference to define consequences of AS on functioning

New insights in understanding the pathogenesis of spondyloarthropathies

Spondyloarthropathies (SpA) are characterised by dysregulation of the inflammatory processes and bone metabolism which may be clarified by gene expression profiles. Sharma and colleagues showed associations of axial SpA with the innate immune system, inflammation markers and markers of bone remodeling. Drawbacks of this study are the patient selection based on uveitis, which limits the extrapolation of these data, and the racial difference between index cases and controls, which contributes to differences in gene expression. Nevertheless, this study provides a direction for unraveling the intriguing balance between inflammation and ossification in ankylosing spondylitis