PURPOSE To determine the intrarater-reliability, interrater-reliability and normal reference scores of the Semmes Weinstein Monofilament test (SWM) of the feet of healthy subjects. In addition, the stability of the SWM for prospective use was assessed by determining systematic changes in sensory thresholds. METHODS Interrater-reliability was assessed on five locations of the plantar side of b...

The secondary electron emission yield of fullerene, graphite, and diamondlike carbon after low-energy N2 + ion bombardment was studied for antimultipactor applications. Nitrogen incorporation into the carbon thin films decreases their secondary emission yield, contrary to the hydrogen or oxygen effect. Carbon nitride surface textured to a nanometric scale had the property of hindering secondary...

We compiled data from eight field studies conducted between 1998 and 2010 in Europe, Siberia, and Australia to derive thresholds for the effects of pesticides on macroinvertebrate communities and the ecosystem function leaf breakdown. Dose-response models for the relationship of pesticide toxicity with the abundance of sensitive macroinvertebrate taxa showed significant differences to reference...

To investigate multipactor, we designed a testbed for S-band frequencies with geometries akin to the standard WR-284 waveguide geometry. Narrowing height from dimensions 5.5 mm suitable frequency-gap product left cutoff frequency unaffected and RF signal propagating in dominant TE10 mode. A coaxial magnetron provides test input power at 2.85 GHz peak output of 4 MW 3.5 μs pulse width, an solid-...