Demonstration of tantalum as a structural material for MEMS thermal actuators.

This work demonstrates the processing, modeling, and characterization of nanocrystalline refractory metal tantalum (Ta) as a new structural material for microelectromechanical system (MEMS) thermal actuators (TAs). Nanocrystalline Ta films have a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and Young's modulus comparable to bulk Ta but an approximately ten times greater yield strength. The mechanical properties and grain size remain stable after annealing at temperatures as high as 1000 °C.

Mechanochemical Effects of Adsorbates at Nanoelectromechanical Switch Contacts.

Herein, classical molecular dynamics simulations are used to examine nanoscale adsorbate reactions during the cyclic opening and closing of nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) switches. We focus upon how reactions change metal/metal conductive contact area, asperity morphology, and plastic deformation. We specifically consider Pt, which is often used as an electrode material for NEMS switches.

Risk of chronic ankle instability: A reliability study on radiographic assessment of the ankle joint geometry.

Background: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a multifactorial disabling condition. Ideally all factors contributing to CAI are identified and implemented in a risk assessment model. However, they need to meet strict reliability requirements.

Communication of prognosis in head and neck cancer patients; a descriptive qualitative analysis.

Objectives: In shared decision making it is important to adequately, timely and actively involve patients in treatment decisions. Sharing prognostic information can be of key importance. This study describes whether and how prognostic information on life expectancy is included during communication on diagnosis and treatment plans between physicians and head and neck (H&N) oncologic patients in different phases of disease.

Crystalline polymer nanofibers with ultra-high strength and thermal conductivity.

Polymers are widely used in daily life, but exhibit low strength and low thermal conductivity as compared to most structural materials. In this work, we develop crystalline polymer nanofibers that exhibit a superb combination of ultra-high strength (11 GPa) and thermal conductivity, exceeding any existing soft materials. Specifically, we demonstrate unique low-dimensionality phonon physics for thermal transport in the nanofibers by measuring their thermal conductivity in a broad temperature range from 20 to 320 K, where the thermal conductivity increases with increasing temperature following an unusual ~T trend below 100 K and eventually peaks around 130-150 K reaching a metal-like value of 90 W m K, and then decays as 1/T.

Capillary-induced crack healing between surfaces of nanoscale roughness.

Capillary forces are important in nature (granular materials, insect locomotion) and in technology (disk drives, adhesion). Although well studied in equilibrium state, the dynamics of capillary formation merit further investigation. Here, we show that microcantilever crack healing experiments are a viable experimental technique for investigating the influence of capillary nucleation on crack healing between rough surfaces.

Experience of palliative care for patients with head and neck cancer through the eyes of next of kin: impact of an Expert Center.

Background: Literature is scarce on the palliative care experiences of patients with head and neck cancer. We report our experience in this patient population after the establishment of our Expert Center.

Methods: We administered a questionnaire to 40 surviving relatives of patients with head and neck cancer after the establishment of our Expert Center and compared the results to a similar group of patients with head and neck cancer before the establishment of our Expert Center.

Photocatalytic degradation of bacteriophages evidenced by atomic force microscopy.

Methods to supply fresh water are becoming increasingly critical as the world population continues to grow. Small-diameter hazardous microbes such as viruses (20-100 nm diameter) can be filtered by size exclusion, but in this approach the filters are fouled. Thus, in our research, we are investigating an approach in which filters will be reusable.

Symptoms of patients with incurable head and neck cancer: prevalence and impact on daily functioning.

Background: There is lack of research on symptoms in patients with head and neck cancer in the palliative phase. The aim of this study was to explore symptom prevalence and the impact of these symptoms on daily functioning in patients with incurable head and neck cancer. Also, discrepancies between patients and family caregivers are described.

Brief report: a phase IIa, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of apilimod mesylate, an interleukin-12/interleukin-23 inhibitor, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of apilimod mesylate, an oral interleukin-12 (IL-12)/IL-23 inhibitor, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We performed a phase IIa, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept study of apilimod, in combination with methotrexate, in 29 patients with active RA (3:1 ratio of apilimod-treated to placebo-treated patients) in 3 stages. Patients received apilimod 100 mg/day or placebo for 4 weeks (stage 1) or 8 weeks (stage 2).

Recordings of consultations are beneficial in the transition from curative to palliative cancer care: a pilot-study in patients with oesophageal or head and neck cancer.

Purpose: There is reluctance in providing incurable cancer patients with recordings of their consultation. In this pilot-study, we explored the feasibility and utility of providing consultation recordings when patients are told a new diagnosis of non-curable cancer, and the impact of the recordings on quality of life and the openness to discuss cancer-related issues in the family.

Method: Seventeen patients with a new diagnosis of incurable oesophageal or head and neck cancer were randomized to receive a CD (n = 10) or no CD (n = 7) of their consultation in which the diagnosis was told and the decision to provide only palliative care was discussed.

Survival of patients with palliative head and neck cancer.

Background: The purpose of this study was to describe patient characteristics and prognostic factors for survival in the palliative stage of patients with head and neck cancer.

Methods: Since November 2003, all patients with palliative head and neck cancer treated in our hospital have been recorded in a central database. In total, 262 deceased patients were included in this retrospective study.

Goal processes & self-efficacy related to psychological distress in head & neck cancer patients and their partners.

Unlabelled: PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE OF THE RESEARCH: In this cross-sectional study we used a self-regulation perspective to better understand the experience of psychological distress in head & neck (H&N) cancer patients and their partners. We examined which goals they valued and the extent to which patients and partners experience goal disturbance. Furthermore, associations were explored between goal disturbance, goal re-engagement, (goal)self-efficacy, and psychological distress.

Early hyperbaric oxygen therapy for reducing radiotherapy side effects: early results of a randomized trial in oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal cancer.

Purpose: Comparison of quality of life (QoL) and side effects in a randomized trial for early hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) after radiotherapy (RT).

Methods And Materials: From 2006, 19 patients with tumor originating from the tonsillar fossa and/or soft palate (15), base of tongue (1), and nasopharynx (3) were randomized to receive HBOT or not. HBOT consisted of 30 sessions at 2.

Effect of 5 weeks horizontal bed rest on human muscle thickness and architecture of weight bearing and non-weight bearing muscles.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in thickness, fascicle length (L (f)) and pennation angle (theta) of the antigravity gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles, and the non-antigravity tibialis anterior (TA) and biceps brachii (BB) muscles measured by ultrasonography in ten healthy males (aged 22.3 +/- 2.2 years) in response to 5 weeks of horizontal bed rest (BR).

Whole muscle contractile parameters and thickness loss during 35-day bed rest.

Extended exposure to microgravity leads to significant musculoskeletal adaptations. Contractile parameters of four skeletal muscles (biceps brachii-BB, vastus medialis-VM, biceps femoris-BF and gastrocnemius medialis-GM) were measured in ten healthy males (aged 22.3 +/- 2.

Experience of palliative care for patients with head and neck cancer through the eyes of next of kin.

Background: Little is known about how palliative care is experienced by patients with head and neck cancer and their relatives. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze this care from the point of view of surviving relatives.

Methods: Fifty-five surviving relatives of patients with head and neck cancer treated at our department were enrolled in this study.

The temporal responses of protein synthesis, gene expression and cell signalling in human quadriceps muscle and patellar tendon to disuse.

We hypothesized that rates of myofibrillar and patellar tendon collagen synthesis would fall over time during disuse, the changes being accompanied in muscle by decreases in focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation and in gene expression for proteolytic enzymes. We studied nine men (22 +/- 4 years, BMI 24 +/- 3 kg m(-2) (means +/- s.d.

Changes in antagonist muscles' coactivation in response to strength training in older women.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess changes in neuromuscular function of the plantarflexor and dorsiflexor muscles after 1 year of strength training of these muscles in elderly women. Twelve participants were assigned to a training (74.2 +/- 3.

Time course of muscular, neural and tendinous adaptations to 23 day unilateral lower-limb suspension in young men.

Muscles and tendons are highly adaptive to changes in chronic loading, though little is known about the adaptative time course. We tested the hypothesis that, in response to unilateral lower limb suspension (ULLS), the magnitude of tendon mechanical adaptations would match or exceed those of skeletal muscle. Seventeen men (1.

Quality of life during the first 3 months following discharge after surgery for head and neck cancer: prospective evaluation.

Objective: To identify patient groups that are prone to poorer quality of life (QoL) during the first 3 months following discharge from the hospital after surgery for head and neck cancer.

Design: Prospective evaluation of the QoL of surgically treated head and neck cancer patients measured with questionnaires at discharge and at 6 weeks and 3 months after discharge.

Setting: Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery of the Erasmus University Medical Centre, a tertiary health care centre in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Impact on quality of life of a telemedicine system supporting head and neck cancer patients: a controlled trial during the postoperative period at home.

Objectives: Telemedicine applications carry the potential to enhance the quality of life of patients, but studies evaluating telemedicine applications are still scarce. The evidence regarding the effectiveness of telemedicine is limited and not yet conclusive. This study investigated whether telemedicine could be beneficial to the quality of life of cancer patients.

Bone loss from the human distal tibia epiphysis during 24 days of unilateral lower limb suspension.

Bone loss during immobilization is well documented. Currently, the only means of studying this in human beings is bed rest, which is resource intensive and inconvenient for the subjects. Unilateral lower limb suspension (ULLS) has been suggested as an alternative, but has not previously been demonstrated to cause bone loss.

Palliative care for head and neck cancer patients in general practice.

Conclusion: The findings of this study justify the goals of the Expert Centre such as the improvement of somatic and psychosocial care and consultation.

Objective: A recent review showed that little attention is paid to palliative care for head and neck patients. The Erasmus MC has initiated an Expert Centre of Palliative Care Head and Neck Oncology with special interest in patient care, consultation and research.