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Plasmonic hybrid nanostructures are material combinations where the plasmonic metal structure enables optical field confinement, while the other ingredients provide additional functionality, such as emission, absorption, or optical nonlinearity. In particular, epitaxial InAs quantum dots (QDs) embedded in a single-crystal GaAs matrix are highly efficient quantum emitters that can be integrated as plasmonic–semiconductor hybrids to realize various on-chip functions. In this Letter, we demonstrate QD–plasmon coupling in a hybrid structure consisting of site-controlled InAs/GaAs quantum dot chains (QDCs) in the proximity of an Ag film. The optical properties of the QDC–plasmon system are investigated using a cleaved-edge photoluminescence (PL) geometry, which allows us to probe the vertical and horizontal polarizations of the PL emission. We demonstrate plasmonic enhancement of both PL decay rate and vertical polarization of the PL emission with decreasing separation of the QDCs and the Ag film. The ability to couple site-controlled InAs QDCs with surface plasmons is a significant step toward exploitation of high-quality epitaxial quantum dots as gain or loss compensation in subwavelength plasmonic metal structures, such as waveguide networks, quantum plasmonic structures, and metamaterials.

In recent years the tide of interest in ecocities is rising in China. The symbiotic integration of digital city and ecological city is the new model of urban development in the future. Gongqing DigiEcoCity is a strategic cooperation project between China and Finland to improve the living environment and build an ecological civilization. The paper defines the concept of DigiEcoCity and the practice of Gongqing DigiEcoCity supported by Finland in technology. Further, the paper explores the technological integration of digital city and ecocity from three aspects: Digi-concepts, Eco-concepts, City-concepts. Especially, the scalable, localisable and replicable Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for Gongqing DigiEcoCity planning are put forward and discussed to testify its ecological suitability and livability. The paper argues that Gongqing DigiEcoCity is a model for an ideal city combining the principles of sustainable development, the innovations by the digital revolution and the urban functions necessary for providing a framework of good everyday life. The paper also argues that the concept of developing digiecocity requires not only the successful completion of a project and planning, but also the long-term maintenance in the practice and their acceptance by the public.

We discuss the generation of Bessel–Gauss pulses directly from a diode-pumped solid-state laser. The laser resonator has a plano–concave configuration with the concave end mirror replaced with a diffractive phase element. As the active material, Nd-doped yttrium lithium fluoride (YLF) and GdVO_4 crystals have been used. The pulsed operation is obtained by passively Q-switching the laser using Cr^4+:yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) crystals with different unsaturated transmission coefficients. When guiding the pulses out from the resonator through the laser crystal, 5–10 ns long pulses with energies of 40–50?μJ and peak powers on the order of 10 kW are obtained. Even 70?μJ is possible, but this is achieved at the expense of slightly deteriorated beam quality in the far field.

The presence of bone-marrow-derived stem cells was investigated in a wound-healing model where subcutaneously implanted cellulose sponges were used to induce granulation tissue formation. When cellulose was coated with hydroxyapatite (HA), the sponges attracted circulating haemopoietic and mesenchymal progenitor cells more efficiently than uncoated cellulose. We hypothesized that the giant cells/macrophages of HA-coated sponges recognize HA as foreign material, phagocyte or hydrolyse it and release calcium ions, which are recognized by the calcium-sensing receptors (CaRs) expressed on many cells including haemopoietic progenitors. Our results showed, indeed, that the HA-coated sponges contained more CaR-positive cells than untreated sponges. The stem cells are, most probably, responsible for the richly vascularized granulation tissue formed in HA-coated sponges. This cell-guiding property of HA-coated cellulose might be useful in clinical situations involving impaired wound repair.

Purpose Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been widely used in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The complement cascade has an important role in the tissue reactions occurring after PDT. The Y402H polymorphism of the complement factor H (CFH) gene has been identified as a risk factor for AMD. Since CFH is central in the regulation of the complement system the authors wanted to analyze whether the CFH Y402H polymorphism modifies the PDT outcome in AMD.Methods A total of 88 patients having been treated with PDT and without further scheduled PDT sessions were analyzed. Depending on the situation at their final PDT session the patients were classified retrospectively as PDT-responders or PDT-nonresponders. All patients were genotyped for the CFH Y402H polymorphism.Results The proportion of PDT-responders was 18/26 (69.2%) in patients homozygous for the CFH Y402H risk allele, 34/50 (68.0%) in heterozygous, and 7/12 (58.3%) in patients with the normal genotype (p=0.520). The median number of PDT treatments of the PDT-responders was three for all the genotypes.Conclusions The dysfunction of the CFH related to the risk of AMD and caused by the Y402H polymorphism does not modify the outcome of PDT. Genotyping for CFH Y402H cannot be used to select patients for this treatment.

This paper discusses globally distributed telematics applications in the environmental monitoring and industrial automation application areas. The requirements on the necessary distributed computing infrastructure are described. Based on these requirements, the usefulness of component-based software architectures and open service architectures is discussed, and the applicability of the Open ServicesGateway initiative (OSGi) in these applications is evaluated.

. Purpose: To report a case of delayed fungal endophthalmitis by Paecilomyces variotii following uncomplicated cataract surgery. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of postoperative endophthalmitis by this species. Methods: We report the longterm clinical follow-up of an 83-year-old female who underwent uncomplicated sutureless, small-incision cataract surgery. She developed recurring uveitis 4 months after surgery. Vitreous tap and finally complete vitrectomy with removal of the capsular bag including the intraocular lens were performed. Fungi were studied by histopathology and culture. Results: At histopathological examination, the fungi were found to be closely related with the capsular bag. A few mononuclear inflammatory cells were encountered. At culture, Paecilomyces variotii , a common ubiquitous non-pathogenic saprophyte, was identified. Despite systemic, intravitreal and topical antifungal therapy after vitrectomy the uveitis recurred several times, but no fungal organisms were isolated from the repeat intraocular specimen. At 18 months postoperatively the subject's visual acuity was finger counting at 2 metres. At the time of surgery the operating room air-conditioning system was undergoing repairs. Cases of fungal endophthalmitis after contamination from air-conditioning ventilation systems have been reported before, but none of the cases reported have been caused by P. variotii. Conclusion: P. variotii , a non-pathogenic environmental saprophyte, may be disastrous if introduced into the eye. International recommendations on the environmental control of the operating room air-conditioning ventilation system should be strictly followed. No intraoperative surgery should be undertaken while the air-conditioning system is undergoing repairs or service.

Purpose To analyze angiographic changes in choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVM) after strontium-plaque (90Sr) irradiation for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using masked measurement of the CNVM areas and a masked subjective comparison of CNVM size and leakage.Methods We studied the baseline, 3, 6, and 12-month angiograms of 19 eyes treated with 90Sr-plaque irradiation for exudative AMD. The area of CNVM-related hyperfluorescence was measured quantitatively, and the angiograms were subjectively evaluated by a masked grader.Results In 7 of the 19 eyes the CNVM-related hyperfluorescence was too scattered to be analyzed by planimetry but masked subjective grading correlated with the clinical response to irradiation. In the remaining 12 eyes, the CNVM decreased in size in 67% of the eyes and showed leakage in 67%. Planimetry and subjective assessment of the size and leakage of the CNVMs similarly reflected the regression after irradiation.Conclusions CNVM size and leakage frequently diminish after 90Sr-plaque irradiation. Quantitative measurement of the CNVM areas, or a grading system based on masked subjective assessment, give similar results for evaluating these changes. Masked subjective grading can be used even in cases where the CNVM is too scattered to be outlined for planimetry.

Requirements for product quality and the increased number of complex speciality products as well as flexibility requirements for the usage of production equipment have emphasised the benefits of discontinuous batch production in process industries. Even if batch control has for a long time been a challenge to control engineers, emerging standards and software component technologies have now enabled them to design novel automation concepts. VTT Automation is developing a new software component-based framework for batch process management. In the experimental domain specific framework, the new batch control standard, experience with object-oriented design pattern based approach, and distributed software component technology is integrated.

Culture of cells from subretinal fluid (SRF) was performed using 29 SRF samples obtained at retinal reattachment surgery. Proliferating cells were found in 58.6% of the samples studied. The cells were of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) origin, as evidenced by their brown pigmentation in primary culture and their positive immunostaining for cytokeratins 8/18. The age of the patients did not affect the proliferative capacity of the cells. Proliferating cells were present in all samples from eyes with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) of grade C1 or more. In primary culture the cells had a fibroblast-like morphology, resembling that of ordinary RPE cells exposed to the vitreous. We conclude that the SRF of many patients with PVR contains viable proliferating RPE cells and that SRF offers a new source of RPE cells for studies on the pathogenesis of PVR.

? Background: Degradation of the extracellular matrix by secreted proteases is connected to cell migration and proliferation in invasive growth and in scar tissue formation. In retinal detachment, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells loosened from their monolayer are often seen in the subretinal fluid (SRF) and the vitreous, where they may participate in the scar tissue formation of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. To evaluate the role of SRF constituents on the release of RPE cells, we analyzed SRF in patients with retinal detachment for the presence of enzymes able to degrade extracellular matrix. ? Methods: SRF was collected altogether from 16 patients undergoing retinal reattachment surgery and analyzed for activities against some of the key enzymes in extracellular proteolysis, namely collagenases, gelatinases, elastase and cathepsin G. ? Results: Seventy-two-kilodalton gelatinase was found in all SRF samples studied, whereas the neurophil-type 92-kDa gelatinase could not be detected. Low collagenase, elastase and cathepsin G activities could also be detected in some samples. ? Conclusions: The predominant type of matrix metalloproteinase present in SRF is the 72-kDa MMP-2. The proteolytic activity in SRF may be connected to the release of RPE cells into SRF and to degradation of components of the vitreous exposed to SRF.

• Background: Formation of epiretinal membranes occurs in proliferative vitreoretinopathy, macular pucker and after penetrating trauma. Epiretinal membrane formation includes cell migration and proliferation, extracellular matrix formation and tissue contraction. Generally in scar tissue formation, the production of new extracellular matrix occurs concomitantly with its proteolytic degradation, resulting in continuous tissue remodelling. The plasminogen activator-mediated proteolytic cascade is an important mechanism for pericellular degradation of the extracellular matrix. Therefore we wanted to study the presence of the plasminogen activator-mediated proteolytic cascade in epiretinal membranes. • Methods: Specimens of 18 epiretinal and 3 subretinal membranes were obtained during vitreous surgery for retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy or macular pucker. Plasminogen activators and plasmin were characterized in frozen sections of epiretinal membranes by in situ zymography and in membrane lysates by zymography. Indirect immunofluorescence staining was performed to localize urokinase in epiretinal membranes. • Results: Urokinase was present in 17/21 and tissue-type plasminogen activator in 12/21 of the membranes studied. Active plasmin was not detected in the frozen sections of epiretinal membranes. Immunofluorescence staining localized urokinase predominantly in the areas invaded by macrophages and cells of retinal pigment epithelial origin. • Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the presence of proteolytic activity in periretinal scar tissue. Urokinase was more consistently present, but smaller amounts of tissue-type plasminogen activator were also found in the specimens. These results indicate that continuous tissue remodelling with simultaneous extracellular matrix production and breakdown regulates the growth of epiretinal membranes.

In the years 1958 to 1978, 23 patients with amblyopia were treated because of loss or impending loss of vision in the healthy eye. the age range was 8 to 72 years, the mean age being 30.5 years. Fourteen patients lost vision in their healthy eye while nine patients had impending loss of vision but the good eye was finally saved. the therapy consisted of pleoptic treatment according to Bangerter. the number of treatment sessions per patient varied from 15 to 121, the mean being 54. the average duration of each treatment session was 1.5 hours. Before treatment the mean visual acuity was of the same magnitude in all age groups. the best results were obtained in the 8-20 age group, but visual acuity improved to a similar degree even in the 21-40 and 41-60 age groups. the mean observation periods varied from 4.4 in the youngest age group to 9.5 years in the 41-60 year group. No significant decline of vision occurred during the observation period in the group in which the healthy eye was lost. On the contrary, in the group in which the healthy eye was finally saved significant long-term improvement was found only in the group aged 20 years or less. the patients who were older than 21 years showed slight initial improvement, but the visual acuities returned to pretreatment level. After treatment, all patients in the 8-20 age group were able to continue their studies or return to work. 75% of the patients in the 21-40 age group were able to return to their previous work.

A control project for a complex batch process producing organic fine chemicals is discussed. Because of process characteristics special attention was devoted to the safety of the control system. In the design of the control room general principles of man-manchine interaction were utilized. New systematic review methods were developed as Finnish contribution to the European Co-operation in the Field of Scientific and Technical Research (COST-A1 project). In alarm handling a new concept with dynamic alarm limits was introduced. Experiences are discussed. Based on these, some ideas for the development of new safety oriented design and review methods are presented.

Abstract. Transantral decompression was performed bilaterally in 27 and unilaterally in 3 patients with endocrine exophthalmos of Graves' disease. In 28 patients there was an immediate reduction of proptosis and in about half of the patients in addition a marked decrease in chemosis and conjunctival injection indicating that these signs were mostly due to orbital vascular congestion. In one patient with exophthalmos of more than 2 years duration and progressive swelling of the eye muscles no response was observed. In another patient decompression did not reduce proptosis which, however, 4 months later responded to retrobulbar irradiation. In one further patient much more marked reduction of proptosis and disappearance of persistent periorbital swellings were obtained after glucocorticoid treatment given half a year after decompression. Postoperatively diplopia occurred in about half of the patients but corrective operations were required only in a quarter of the patients.Transantral decompression is an effective method for rapid treatment of progressive exophthalmos of Graves' disease. In patients with unilateral exophthalmos the asymmetry may be reversed after unilateral operation. The authors use decompression not only in the most severe cases (categories 5 and 6a–c according to the classification of the American Thyroid Association) but also in less severe cases (categories 2b–c and 3b–c) when there is a steady progression as a primary treatment possibly combined with other forms of therapy.

• Purpose: To determine the effect of focal strontium-90 plaque radiotherapy on subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in patients with age-related macular degeneration. • Methods: Twenty patients with age-related macular degeneration, presenting with a recent subfoveal neovascular membrane, were treated with local episcleral radiotherapy using a strontium-90 applicator. The applicator was applied to the sciera under the macular region and held there tightly for 54 min to obtain a dose of 15 Gy at a depth of 1.75 mm. The main parameters evaluated at follow-up after 3, 6 and 12 months were visual acuity and changes in fluorescein angiography. Twelve untreated patients with the same criteria were followed as controls. • Results: Early effects of radiation could be seen at 3 months, but became more obvious after follow-up for 6 and 12 months. At 6 months, regression of the choroidal neovascularization was detected in 14/19 patients (74%) as a decrease in the size of the lesion or as diminished leakage in late-phase fluorescein angiography. Likewise, in 14/19 patients (74%) at 12 months the neovascular membrane was partially or totally occluded. In all patients showing regression of the choroidal neovascular membrane, the neurosensory detachment had also dried. Visual acuity was unchanged (within 1 line) or improved in 11/20 (55%) and 9/20 (45%) treated patients after 6 and 12 months, respectively. In the controls, the choroidal neovascularization had increased in size in 9/12 patients (75%) at the last follow-up (mean 12.0 months). Visual acuity was unchanged in 3/12 patients (25%). • Conclusion: Local low-energy beta irradiation with a strontium-90 applicator can induce regression of choroidal neovascularization. The effect of irradiation is seen as a decrease in the size of the choroidal neovascular membrane and disappearance of the neurosensory detachment and exudates.

A three-dimensional dynamic trap for confining a collisional neutral gas is described. The trap uses the interaction of the magnetic moments of the gas atoms with a time-dependent magnetic field. Collisions lead to the evaporative cooling of the trapped atoms and to the viscous heating of the gas, particularly at high densities. This magnetic trap may allow the attainment of Bose–Einstein condensation in spin-polarized atomic hydrogen gas.

A systematic framework for modeling process management and process control is needed to facilitate communication, management and reuse of the knowledge gained during the different phases of the plant life cycle. The integrated information model defines concepts by which the process goals can be transformed into a systematic description of process control system functions. It enables also design automation to some parts of the design process. The information model has been defined in accordance with the application protocol specifications of the STEP standardization activities.

Therapy with the CAM Vision Stimulator was given in 55 patients with amblyopia who had been referred for pleoptic treatment. Most of them had received conventional occlusion therapy and six even pleoptic therapy without any improvement. The age range was 6-14 years. The examination of visual acuity was given special consideration. Line visual acuity was examined with an E chart on which the direction of the signs could be altered to eliminate memorizing and where the spaces between the signs and lines could be logarithmically reduced. Single visual acuity was examined with single E tests and near acuity with Jaeger's chart. The number of treatment sessions varied from six to 29. averaging 15.6. The change in line, single and near vision acuity was always parallel. In 76% of the patients a line acuity of ≥ 0.5 was achieved. In 71% of the patients line acuity was improved by at least two lines. The therapeutic result was of the same magnitude in all age groups. The correlation with initial vision was clear. The line acuity of 0.05 did not improve and even in the 0.1 group improvement was only slight. The groups of anisometric amblyopia and strabismic amblyopia reacted in the same way to the therapy. The method proved useful and easy to apply in the treatment of amblyopic patients aged six years or older.

Die Ergebnisse von serologischen Syphilisuntersuchungen am Leichenblut, die im Anschluß an 922 gerichtlichen Leichenöffnungen angestellt wurden, werden beschrieben. Folgende Tests wurden verwendet: Der VDRL-Slide-Test, dieWassermannsche, die Cholesterin-Wassermannsche und dieKahnsche Reaktion. Als unbrauchbar mußten am ganzen Material 32% der Seren infolge autolytischer Vorgänge, in erster Linie Hämolyse, ausgeschaltet werden. Serologisch positiv waren 85 Seren oder 13,6% der brauchbaren Seren. Bei diesen Seren konnte Syphilis in 42 Fällen bestätigt werden, während in 43 Fällen, abgesehen von der serologischen Positivität keine weiteren Anzeichen einer Syphilis nachgewiesen werden konnten. Die Anstellung von Syphilisreaktionen am Leichenblut wird mit gewissen Reservationen als diagnostisches Hilfsmittel bei gerichtlichen Leichenöffnungen von den Verfassern empfohlen.

We show that nanoimprint lithography combined with electron-beam evaporation provides a cost-efficient, rapid, and reproducible method to fabricate conical nanostructures with very sharp tips on flat surfaces in high volumes. We demonstrate the method by preparing a wafer-scale array of gold nanocones with an average tip radius of 5 nm. Strong local fields at the tips enhance the second-harmonic generation by over 2 orders of magnitude compared with a nonsharp reference.

We discuss the Bose-Einstein condensation of a weakly interacting gas confined in different types of three dimensional magnetic traps.