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The vast majority of conventional photovoltaic (PV) module technologies suffer from inactive areas, for example, due to the front contact finger grids or interconnection lines, which are essential for efficient extraction of the photocurrent. Invisibility cloaking by freeform surfaces is a new concept to guide incident light of the entire solar spectrum and all angles of incidence away from these inactive areas to the active areas of the PV modules. In this work, a freeform surface design is incorporated into a standard encapsulation layer of conventionally front glass covered PV modules. For a copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film PV module, a relative improvement in power conversion efficiency of 6.5% is presented, which demonstrates that the entire optical losses of the inactive area can be recovered. The design of the freeform surface is optimized based on rigorous ray-tracing simulations, which further allow discriminating and quantifying the underlying optical effects. Moreover, in order to demonstrate the scalability of the freeform surface cloak, a prototype CIGS thin-film PV module (comprised of nine monolithically interconnected solar cells) exhibiting fully-cloaked interconnection lines is presented.

Background Whipple disease (WD) is a rare disease caused by the bacterium Tropheryma whipplei (TW), which manifestations may range from joint and GI-tract involvement to severe neurological complications. Objectives To present a clinical case of WD with non-erosive seronegative polyarthritis, sacroiliitis, abdominal and CNS involvement, and immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome after antibiotic therapy. Methods Case report. Prospective follow-up of the patient E. with WD, who was diagnosed HLA-B27-negative nonerosive seronegative rheumatoid arthritis in 2013. The disease was partially responsive to glucocorticoids with temporary effect to different DMARDs (MTX, leflunomid, etanercept, abatacept, tocilizumab either as monotherapy or in combination). Results A 54 y.o. male patient E. was admitted to the Rheumatological department with complaints of joint swelling, low back pain, weight loss, diarrhoea, headache and low grade fever. Peripheral joint arthritis appeared about 4 years ago with progressive worsening of general condition and development of additional complaints during the past year. From 2013 to 2017 the patient received in-hospital and outpatient treatment because of active seronegative polyarthritis without sufficient effect. On admission: clinical examination and joint ultrasound (US) investigation revealed the signs of polyarthritis. Neurological evaluation showed organic psychiatric disorder with signs of pseudodementia, bradykinesia without focal neurological deficits. Because of both incomplete responsiveness to DMARD-therapy and suspicion of chronic infection or malignant neoplasm, abdominal US and transthoracic echocardiography, gastroscopy, colonoscopy, immunofixation, bone marrow biopsy, chest X-ray and bone scintigraphy, tests for viral hepatitis (B,C), HIV, Lues and QFT-Tb were performed, however without objective evidence of the cause. PET-CT was performed as well, but showed no signs of malignancy or infection. MRI revealed bifrontal brain atrophy, low-grade bilateral sacroiliitis and degenerative changes of the cervical spine. For differential diagnosis PCR stool investigation for TW was performed and was positive. Upon the suspicion of WD duodenoscopy with duodenal biopsy were done. Histological examination showed PAS-positive macrophages, typical for WD. Immunohistochemical analysis also supported the diagnosis. PCR investigation of liquor and synovial fluid from ankle joint for TWi were also positive. Antibiotic treatment using a 2 week course of parenteral Ceftriaxon 2 g/day was initiated. On the third day of the treatment the patient developed immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome with febrile temperature and increased inflammatory markers. The symptoms regressed after additional prednisolon 20 mg/day prescription. Because of organic brain syndrome, administration of Co-trimoxazole was recommended. Under the antibacterial therapy the patient had rapid positive response. PCR stool test in October 2017 didn’t detect TW. Conclusions This presentation emphasises the importance of excluding a rare infection as a cause of atypical inflammatory arthropathy. In patients with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis or axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis, who don’t adequately response to immunosuppression, Whipple disease should be taken into account. Disclosure of Interest None declared

The ability to create superoleophobic surfaces repellent toward low-surface-tension liquids is important for various applications, and has been recently demonstrated using re-entrant or doubly re-entrant microtopography. Liquid droplets on such surfaces feature composite liquid-solid-air interfaces, whereas composite liquid-lubricant-air interfaces would have potential for additional repellency. Here, the development of a novel slippery superoleophobic surface with low adhesion is demonstrated via combining doubly re-entrant microtopography with slippery lubricant-infused porous surfaces. This is realized by using 3D direct laser writing to fabricate doubly re-entrant micropillars with dedicated nanostructures on top of each pillar. The top nanostructures stabilize the impregnated slippery lubricant, while the re-entrant geometry of the micropillars prevents lubricant from spreading. The slippery layer reduces the adhesion of liquid to the pillars, as proved using scanning droplet adhesion microscopy (SDAM), while the doubly re-entrant micropillars make the surface superoleophobic. This novel interface combining two extremes, superoleophobicity and slippery lubricant-infused surface, is of importance for designing superoleophobic and superhydrophobic surfaces with advanced liquid repellent, anti-icing, or anti-fouling properties.

Headaches are a frequent health problem among children and adolescents. The ocurrence of headaches and the resulting impairments in the quality of life and activities of daily living are modulated by biopsychosocial interactions, which necessitate a complex treatment program. The Dresden Childrens Headache Program (DreKiP) is a multidisciplinary therapy program consisting of eight modules for children and adolescents: education, stress relief, relaxation techniques, physical fitness, climbing therapy, art therapy and sensory training. In addition, there are six modules containing parallel workshops for parents. This outpatient program lasts 2-3 months and is performed parallel to the daily and school routine. Therapy groups consist of 6-8 patients in each age group. In total patients receive 15 h and the parents 7 h of therapy. Concomitant with the program, headache-associated data, such as headache frequency, medication use and school absence are documented. So far 32 children and adolescents in groups of 11, 14-15, 14-16, 17 and 17-18 years old completed the program. Of the 32 patients 19 presented with migraine and tension type headache, 6/32 with migraine and 7/32 with tension type headache only. The median number of headache days was 15 per month and 4 official school absence days per month. Preliminary results 6 months after the end of the therapy program showed reduced frequency of headaches in three quarters of our patients. The headache frequency was reduced from an initial median of 15 days per month to a median of 8 days per month after the program. The multidisciplinary program DreKiP improves the use of therapeutic means in children and adolescents with primary headaches. Children and adolescents with headache-related impairment in activities of daily life in school and leisure times constitute the target group of this therapy.

In transformation optics, coordinate transformations are usually mapped onto equivalent (meta-)material parameter distributions. In 2015, we introduced an approach mapping coordinate transformations onto dielectric free-form surfaces. We presented model experiments on cloaking of reflective contact fingers on solar cells. We now report on the fabrication of masters by 3D laser lithography used for soft imprinting. For prototype silicon heterojunction solar cells investigated under 1-sun illumination, we demonstrate the predicted 9% relative efficiency increase. We additionally show that our approach is adaptable to Lambertian sources, thereby cloaking light-emitting diode contacts to achieve spatially homogeneous emission.

In this paper an on-chip device capable of wavelength-selective generation of vortex beams is demonstrated. The device is realized by integrating a spiral phase-plate onto a MEMS tunable Fabry-Perot filter. This vortex-MEMS filter, being capable of functioning simultaneously in wavelength and orbital angular momentum (OAM) domains at around 1550 nm, is considered as a compact, robust and cost-effective solution for simultaneous OAM- and WDM optical communications. Experimental spectra for azimuthal orders 1, 2 and 3 show OAM state purity >92% across 30 nm wavelength range. A demonstration of multi-channel transmission is carried out as a proof of concept.

In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate simultaneous wavelength and orbital angular momentum (OAM) multiplexing/demultiplexing of 10 Gbit/s data streams using a new on-chip micro-component-tunable MEMS-based Fabry-Perot filter integrated with a spiral phase plate. In the experiment, two wavelengths, each of them carrying two channels with zero and nonzero OAMs, form four independent information channels. In case of spacing between wavelength channels of 0.8 nm and intensity modulation, power penalties relative to the transmission of one channel do not exceed 1.45, 0.79 and 0.46 dB at the hard-decision forward-error correction (HD-FEC) bit-error-rate (BER) limit 3.8 × 10sup-3/supwhen multiplexing a Gaussian beam and OAM beams of azimuthal orders 1, 2 and 3 respectively. In case of phase modulation, power penalties do not exceed 1.77, 0.54 and 0.79 dB respectively. At the 0.4 nm wavelength grid, maximum power penalties at the HD-FEC BER threshold relative to the 0.8 nm wavelength spacing read 0.83, 0.84 and 1.15 dB when multiplexing a Gaussian beam and OAM beams of 1st, 2nd and 3rd orders respectively. The novelty and impact of the proposed filter design is in providing practical, integrable, cheap, and reliable transformation of OAM states simultaneously with the selection of a particular wavelength in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). The proposed on-chip device can be useful in future high-capacity optical communications with spatial- and wavelength-division multiplexing, especially for short-range communication links and optical interconnects.

In this work, detailed energy yield modelling based on experimental data of all-angle invisibility cloaks for solar cell contact fingers is used to underline their high improvement potential under realistic conditions.

We demonstrate an on-chip device capable of wavelength-selective generation of vortex beams, which is realized by a spiral phase plate integrated onto a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) tunable filter. This vortex MEMS filter, being capable of functioning simultaneously in both wavelength and orbital-angular-momentum (OAM) domains at the 1550 nm wavelength regime, is considered as a compact, robust, and cost-effective solution for simultaneous OAM- and wavelength-division multiplexed optical communications. The experimental OAM spectra for azimuthal orders 1, 2, and 3 show an OAM state purity >92% across a wavelength range of more than 30 nm.

Community based housing for people with dementia is gaining importance. In co-operation between the people concerned, their relatives, professionals and volunteers, person-centred care, nursing and guidance can be realised within small units. Questions regarding end of life, dying, grief and the role of palliative care form the basis of the exploratory qualitative study presented here. Coping with end of life, ethical decisions and the relevance of hospice and palliative care in the field are highlighted. The results of the study show that "shared flats for people with dementia" are good places for death and dying. Close relationships, good communication with relatives and highly motivated professionals can be regarded as powerful resources. So far only few co-operations between hospice and palliative care exist. Areas of improvement encompass clinical issues and coping with bereavement.

We discuss invisibility cloaking of metal grid electrodes on Lambertian light emitters by using dielectric free-form surfaces. We show that cloaking can be ideal in geometrical optics for all viewing directions if reflections at the dielectric-air interface are negligible. We also present corresponding white-light proof-of-principle experiments that demonstrate close-to-ideal cloaking for a wide range of viewing angles. Remaining imperfections are analyzed by ray-tracing calculations. The concept can potentially be used to enhance the luminance homogeneity of large-area organic light-emitting diodes.

We present a light-extraction approach allowing for single-pass and omniangle outcoupling of light from light-emitting diodes (LED). By using transformation optics, we perceive a feasible graded-index structure that is a transition from the LED exit facet to a low refractive index region with expanded space that represents air. Apart from the material dispersion of the constituents, our approach is wavelength independent. The suggested extractor is geometrically compact with size parameters comparable to the width of an LED and therefore well adapted for pixelated LEDs. A beam-expanding functionality is possible while fully preserving the outcoupling efficiency by applying index and geometry truncation.

Nontransparent contact fingers on the sun-facing side of solar cells represent optically dead regions which reduce the energy conversion per area. We consider two approaches for guiding the incident light around the contacts onto the active area. The first approach uses graded-index metamaterials designed by two-dimensional Schwarz–Christoffel conformal maps, and the second uses freeform surfaces designed by one-dimensional coordinate transformations of a point to an interval. We provide proof-of-principle demonstrators using direct laser writing of polymer structures on silicon wafers with opaque contacts. Freeform surfaces are amenable to mass fabrication and allow for complete recovery of the shadowing effect for all relevant incidence angles.

We employ coordinate transformations to design two different optical structures for cloaking of reflective front contacts on solar cells. The cloaking performance is verified in a proof-of-principle experiment and using ray tracing simulations.

Objective Previous studies have shown that the nuclear Ro/SSA autoantigens involved in photosensitive cutaneous lupus manifestations are regulated by ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. UVB exposure triggers the release of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) from keratinocytes in the epidermis and from mast cells in the dermis. The present study aimed to characterize the effect of TNFα on messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of the intracellular 52-kd Ro/SSA autoantigen in primary human keratinocytes and to elucidate the TNFα receptor (TNFR) signaling pathways mediating this effect. Methods Expression of 52-kd Ro/SSA mRNA in primary human keratinocytes was investigated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (LightCycler system) using GAPDH as the housekeeping gene. Expression of 52-kd Ro/SSA protein was studied by flow cytometry after staining intracellular protein with IgG purified from an anti–52-kd Ro/SSA–positive serum. TNFR function was assessed by culturing cells in the presence and absence of neutralizing antibodies directed against the TNFR subunits TNFRI and TNFRII. Results TNFα-induced up-regulation of 52-kd Ro/SSA mRNA expression peaked at 4 hours, followed by up-regulation of intracellular 52-kd Ro/SSA protein expression at 24 hours, independently of apoptosis. Between different donors, a high variability of both constitutive expression levels and TNFα-induced changes in 52-kd Ro/SSA mRNA and protein expression was observed. The up-regulatory effect of TNFα on 52-kd Ro/SSA mRNA and protein expression was inhibited by anti-TNFRI antibodies but enhanced by anti-TNFRII antibodies. Conclusion The finding that TNFα up-regulates 52-kd Ro/SSA expression in keratinocytes via TNFRI suggests that it may play a role in the pathogenesis of anti-Ro/SSA–associated cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Background D-Squames®, have gained wide acceptance for assessing skin desquamation. The amount of corneocytes adhering to D-Squames® can be assessed visually by trained observers or by computerized image analysis. Different image analysis algorythms for the evaluation of D-Squames® have been published but have not been compared with each other. It was our aim to develop an image analysis system that does not require an expensive image analysis programming tool but should be optimized for routine tasks of analysing large numbers of samples. A second objective of this study was to compare two published image analysis algorythms and visual grading. Material and Methods The hardware components of the system are a CCD camera connected to a frame grabber card and a light box equipped with fluorescent tubes on two sides that provide a relatively cool, diffuse and even illumination of the sample. The following features were included into the software: generation and identification of bar codes for sample identification; semiautomatic recognition of ROI (region of interest), integration of study design into the analysing process, rapid calculation of desquamation index (DI: integration of the per cent area covered by scales and their thickness distribution) and/or scaling index (SI: distribution of grey values), data storage and export for further analysis. In a first step the system was validated by examining D-Squames covering a wide range of desquamation, by examining different ROI shapes (circle and square), by performing repeat measurements with different positions of the samples and by repeat measurements after re-callibrating the system. In a second step the effect of treatment with different moisturizers was evaluated by the two image analysis parameters DI and SI and compared with hydration measurements (Corneometer®). Results The shape of the ROI showed no influence on the results (variability < 5%). Reproducibility of measurements was satisfactory (COV CDI): 1.7%, COV (SI): 2.6%).There was a good correlation between image analysis results and visual evaluation (means of 3 technicians) (r = 0.986) as well as between the two different image analysis parameters DI and SI (r = 0.971). In the clinical study moisturizer treatment resulted in variable reduction of desquamation that was closely correlated with increase in stratum corneum hydration (r = 0.97). Conclusion Analysing D-Squames® with the image analysis system proved to be reproducible, independent of the shape of ROI, cost effective and fast and easy to operate. It has shown to be a suitable and reliable method for the objective determination of desquamation levels.

This work demonstrates a performance improvement of state-of-the-art silicon solar cells by cloaking their metal contact fingers. The cloaking free-form surfaces are fabricated on silicon heterojunction solar cells using direct laser writing of polymers and subsequent soft imprinting. Cloaking performance is determined experimentally by measuring spatially resolved and angle-resolved current generation and the spectral response of the cell. The short-circuit current density of the cell increases by 7.3%; its power-conversion efficiency is enhanced by 9.3%. Overcompensation of the shadowing loss is found to be caused by improved light-gathering and light-trapping in the polymer layer. The experimental findings are in good agreement to ray-tracing simulations.

Objective The ubiquitously expressed intracellular protein formerly designated p68 has been identified as autoantigen at both the antibody and the T cell level in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods We used 2 independent approaches, Edman degradation and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time-of-flight mass spectrometry, to characterize p68, and we compared its features with those of the endoplasmic reticulum stress protein BiP. Results In synovial sections from RA patients, BiP was highly overexpressed as compared with control sections. Under in vitro stress conditions, BiP was found to translocate to the nucleus and the cell surface. BiP-specific autoantibodies were present in 63% of 400 RA patients, in 7% of 200 patients with other rheumatic diseases, and in none of the healthy subjects. Thus, BiP-specific autoantibodies represent a new diagnostic marker in RA. Furthermore, we found that BiP-specific T cell reactivity was altered in RA. In healthy individuals and patients with other rheumatic diseases, BiP-reactive T cells were undetectable. In RA, overt T cell reactivity to BiP was observed or could be induced by specifically blocking antigen presentation to potentially regulatory T cells. Conclusion Since overexpression of BiP has been shown to decrease the sensitivity of cells to killing by cytotoxic T cells, BiP overexpression and BiP-specific autoimmunity may be involved in the pathogenesis of RA.

Clock and data recovery (CDR) circuits are key electronic components in future optical broadband communication systems. In this paper, we present a 40-Gb/s integrated CDR circuit applying a phase-locked loop technique. The IC has been fabricated in a 50-GHz f/sub T/ self-aligned double-polysilicon bipolar technology using only production-like process steps. The achieved data rate is a record value for silicon and comparable with the best results for this type of circuit realized in SiGe and III-V technologies.

The ELSA RF linac photoinjector has been designed to deliver high-brightness electron beams. The present paper deals with the transverse and longitudinal emittance measurements, at different locations along the ELSA beam line, and the analysis of their variations as a function of the photoinjector parameters: magnetic field generated by the anode focusing lens, bunch charge and pulse duration. While transverse emittance has been already studied in other similar installations, there has been little study of the electron beam longitudinal dynamics. Experimental results are presented and compared to simulation-code expectations. For 2.0 nC, 85 A electron bunches, a normalized rms emittance of 2 π mm mrad and a brightness of 4.5 × 1013 A/(πm rad)2 at the linac exit have been measured as well as less than 10 keV rms energy spread (or less than 0.1% at 16.5 MeV).

By hydrogenation of fluorene 1 using different catalysts, mixtures containing variable amounts of the six possible diastereomers of perhydrofluorene 2 were obtained. The 13C NMR spectra of all diastereomers have been determined in these mixtures whithout previous separation procedures. By molecular mechanics calculations the structures of the preferred conformations were simulated for all diastereomers. The substituent induced 13C NMR chemical shifts in conformers were calculated by using increments for the non-bonding 1,3-synaxial interactions. Three stereochemical increments, combined with the shift values found earlier by Beierbeck and Saunders, were sufficient to calculate the chemical shift differences of conformers empirically. The assignment of relative configurations of the diastereomers was possible by comparison of the empirically calculated and experimental 13C chemical shifts of the clearly distinguishable bridgehead carbons. The difference between calculated and experimentally determined shift values was only 1.3 ppm, averaged over all bridgehead carbons.

A non-isochronous beam transport system can be used to reduce the pulse length of an electron beam with a proper correlation in energy and time. By performing magnetic bunching at relativistic beam energies a high-peak current is achieved while the emittance growth due to space charge forces is minimized. When combined with an rf-gun photocathode injector, magnetic bunching has the potential to produce an electron beam with a low transverse emittance and a high-peak current necessary for efficient free-electron laser operation. The ELSA rf photocathode accelerator beam line contains a 180°, three dipole, non-isochronous bend which has been used to bunch the electron beam. A compression factor of 3 has been achieved in preliminary tests. Pulse length measurements over a range of compression factors can provide the longitudinal emittance using an emittance analysis technique similar to that for the transverse emittance. Experimental results of beam bunching, longitudinal and transverse emittances and a discussion of beam brightness are presented.

Analyses of experimental data and comparison with numerical simulations are presented. Conclusions are drawn from a three year operation for the design of a new cavity for the photo-injector.

Jugendkriminalitat ist ubiquitar und episodisch. Dieser Befund ist inzwischen allgemein anerkannt. Ubiquitat zeigte sich in einer Fulle von Befragungsstudien uber delinquentes Verhalten: Die grose Mehrheit der Jugendlichen berichtete dabei von eigenen Rechtsbruchen. Den episodischen Charakter erkannte man aus diversen Langsschnittstudien, die teils kriminelle Karrieren, teils delinquente Lebenslaufe untersuchten. Man wollte die chronischen Kriminellen identifizieren, fand allerdings uberwiegend Tater, die bald wieder konform geworden waren. Dies hatte Brisanz. Der traditionelle Ansatz der Kriminologie wurde in Frage gestellt. Seit Lombroso die positive Schule der Kriminologie begrundete, glaubte man, Kriminalitat dadurch erklaren zu konnen, dass man eine Trennlinie zwischen Straffalligen und Konformen zieht und etwaige Unterschiede zwischen beiden Gruppen als Kriminalitatsursachen wertet. Wenn allerdings Straftaten nur zeitweilig begangen werden, danach aber nicht mehr, sollte man nicht nach Unterschieden zwischen Menschen, sondern besser nach Unterschieden zwischen Lebensphasen derselben Menschen fragen. Statt der traditionellen inter-individuellen Vergleichsperspektive ist also eine intra-individuelle Fragestellung sinnvoll: nach der sich wandelnden Rolle von Kriminalitat im gesamten Lebensverlauf von Menschen. Zu erklaren ware etwa die Entwicklung von einer - auch abweichendes Verhalten einschliesenden - „Sturm und Drang“ - Phase der Jugend hin zur Lebensweise erwachsener Menschen, die zunehmend auf Vermeidung von Risiken gerichtet ist.

The ELSA free-electron laser has delivered its first FEL photons at a wavelength of about 23 μm. Electron bunches were produced by a 144 MHz photoinjector, accelerated to 16.5 MeV by a 433 MHz linac and transported through a three-dipole U-turn into a 3.2 cm period hybrid undulator.

Community based housing for people with dementia is gaining importance. In co-operation between the people concerned, their relatives, professionals and volunteers, person-centred care, nursing and guidance can be realised within small units. Questions regarding end of life, dying, grief and the role of palliative care form the basis of the exploratory qualitative study presented here. Coping with end of life, ethical decisions and the relevance of hospice and palliative care in the field are highlighted. The results of the study show that "shared flats for people with dementia" are good places for death and dying. Close relationships, good communication with relatives and highly motivated professionals can be regarded as powerful resources. So far only few co-operations between hospice and palliative care exist. Areas of improvement encompass clinical issues and coping with bereavement.