The rate of occupational noise-induced hearing loss among male workers in Israel and implication on hearing surveillance frequency.

Objectives: To investigate the annual rate of NIHL in Israel, a modern economy with relatively low industrial hazardous noise exposure. To review international protocols of hearing surveillance. To recommend an effective, efficient, hearing screening frequency protocol.

Adherence to Voice Therapy Recommendations Is Associated With Preserved Employment Fitness Among Teachers With Work-Related Dysphonia.

Objectives: Referral to voice therapy and recommendations for voice rest and microphone use are common interventions in occupational medicine aimed at preserving the working capability of teachers with occupation-related voice problems. Research on the impact of such interventions in terms of employment is lacking. This study examined changes in fitness (ie, ability) to work of dysphonic teachers referred to an occupational clinic and evaluated employment outcomes following voice therapy, voice rest, and microphone use.

PbS nanosculptured thin film for phase retarder, anti-reflective, excellent absorber, polarizer and sensor applications.

Lead-sulphide (PbS) nanosculptured thin film (nSTF) is prepared using a glancing angle deposition (GLAD) technique and the physical vapour deposition (PVD) process. The morphology of the GLAD films clearly shows that an anisotropic structure is obtained and is composed of micro-sheets with sharp top edges (a few tens of nanometres tip width). Due to this anisotropy, optical birefringence is induced in the nSTF as well as linear dichroism.

Chalcogenide waveguides on a sapphire substrate for mid-IR applications.

We report on the fabrication of arsenic tri-sulfide chalcogenide strip waveguides on a sapphire substrate, suitable for guiding 0.55-5 μm wavelengths. Propagation losses measured using the Fabry-Perot resonator technique are 2.

Liquid crystal high-resolution optically addressed spatial light modulator using a nanodimensional chalcogenide photosensor.

The fabrication and performance of an optically addressed spatial light modulator (OASLM) based on nematic liquid crystal and nanodimensional amorphous arsenic trisulfide (a-As2S3) chalcogenide glassy films are described. The photoconductive a-As2S3 layers are used both as photoalignment material and as a photosensor. The use of the OASLM as a color converter is demonstrated in the transmission mode.