High speed, intermediate resolution, large area laser beam induced current imaging and laser scribing system for photovoltaic devices and modules.

We have developed a laser beam induced current imaging tool for photovoltaic devices and modules that utilizes diode pumped Q-switched lasers. Power densities on the order of one sun (100 mW/cm) can be produced in a ∼40 μm spot size by operating the lasers at low diode current and high repetition rate. Using galvanostatically controlled mirrors in an overhead configuration and high speed data acquisition, large areas can be scanned in short times.

Comorbidity burden at dialysis initiation and mortality: A cohort study.

Background: A high level of comorbidity at dialysis initiation is associated with an increased risk of death. However, contemporary assessments of the validity and prognostic value of comorbidity indices are lacking.

Objectives: To assess the validity of two comorbidity indices and to determine if a high degree of comorbidity is associated with mortality among dialysis patients.

Island-size distribution and capture numbers in three-dimensional [corrected] nucleation: dependence on island morphology.

The scaling of the monomer and island densities, island-size distribution (ISD), and capture-number distribution (CND) as a function of the fraction of occupied sites (coverage) and ratio D(h)/F of the monomer hopping rate D(h) to the (per site) monomer creation rate F are studied for the case of irreversible nucleation and growth of fractal islands in three dimensions (d=3) . We note that our model is a three-dimensional analog of submonolayer growth in the absence of island relaxation and may also be viewed as a simplified model of the early stages of vacancy cluster nucleation and growth under irradiation. In contrast to results previously obtained for point-islands in d=3 , for which mean-field behavior corresponding to a CND which is independent of island size was observed, our results indicate that for fractal islands the scaled CND increases approximately linearly with island size in the asymptotic limit of large D(h)/F .

Normal variations of the posterior corneal surface.

Measurements of the sphero-cylindrical components of the rear corneal surface were taken from 80 healthy right eyes in order to determine normal variations. Dimensions of this surface were strongly influenced by the front corneal surface with the exception that the rear surface exhibited more toricity. Both surfaces tended to be flatter in males compared to females and in myopes compared to hyperopes.

Steady-state accommodation and ocular biometry in late-onset myopia.

The steady-state accommodative responses of emmetropes and late-onset myopes was measured for an array of numbers located at -1, -3 and -5 dioptres using an objective infra-red optometer. Responses were compared for passive (reading numbers) and active (adding numbers) conditions. For the passive condition, the late-onset myopes showed a significantly lower accommodative response than the emmetropic group.