Parents' view of the cognitive outcome one year after pediatric epilepsy surgery.

Objectives: The cognitive outcome of pediatric epilepsy surgery has mainly been examined on the basis of standardized tests. Here, we analyzed the outcome in six cognitive domains from the parents' view.

Methods: Included were consecutive surgical pediatric patients whose parents filled-in a comprehensive questionnaire on cognitive problems in children and adolescents (Kognitive Probleme bei Kindern und Jugendlichen (KOPKIJ); Gleissner et al.

Introducing natural thermoplastic shellac to microfluidics: A green fabrication method for point-of-care devices.

We present a sustainable fabrication method for cheap point-of-care microfluidic systems, employing hot embossing of natural shellac as a key feature of an energy-efficient fabrication method that exclusively uses renewable materials as consumables. Shellac is a low-cost renewable biomaterial that features medium hydrophilicity (e.g.

Asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometers without an interaction window in polymer foils for refractive index sensing.

We report on the fabrication and characterization of integrated Mach-Zehnder interferometers in polymer foil without an interaction window. The interferometers are based on inverted rib waveguides, which allow single mode behavior even for waveguide widths larger than a few micrometers. The phase change between the two interferometer arms upon a refractive index change of the analyte that serves as the upper cladding is generated by the asymmetricity of the two interferometer arms.

Cladded self-written multimode step-index waveguides using a one-polymer approach.

Low-loss optical-coupling structures are highly relevant for applications in fields as diverse as information and communication technologies, integrated circuits, or flexible and highly-functional polymer sensor networks. For this suitable and reliable production methods are crucial. Self-written waveguides are an interesting solution.

Long-term outcome of hemispheric surgery at different ages in 61 epilepsy patients.

Objective: Hemispheric neurosurgery is an established treatment for severe epilepsy caused by extended unilateral brain pathology. However, it is still an unresolved question at which age surgery should best be performed. In light of decreasing plasticity and the cumulative impact of seizures and anticonvulsants on neurodevelopment, early surgery appears preferable.