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Micro/Nano-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS/NEMS) applications for in vivo cell studies open a wide range of new applications in medicine, biology, and biochemistry. This has lead to develop devices for local drug delivery, microneedles for DNA injection, and micronozzles for cell holding among others.The work presented in this manuscript is framed within two projects: MINAHE and MINAHE II. The main goal of MINAHE was the development of technologies suitable for fabrication of micro/nano tools. Tools fabricated under MINAHE has found application in gold surface patterning and sub-picoliter dosage driven by an Atomic Force Microscope. MINAHE II employed these micro/nano tools on cellular applications.Following the current integration trend in microelectronics, two different integrative technologies have been developed and will be discussed here. The first technology presented is based on Microsystems technology combined with Focused Ion Beam (FIB) nanomilling. The fabricated device has been fitted to an Atomic Force Microscopic (AFM) for gold surface patterning. Experience developed in the first generation of micro/nano dispensers promoted a number of upgrades to produce a new generation of dispensers with emphasis for application in the Life Sciences. Technological processes were developed from component definition to back-end fabrication. Microchannel were defined on- substrate with micronozzles at the tip. The whole ensemble had AFM chip dimensions. This design favoured the use of microchannels as micro/nanodispensors and could effectively be used as surface functionalization tools. Once the components were identified, fabrication processes took place at Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, INM-CNM (CSIC) Clean Room (100-10000) facilities. First generation of micro/nanodispensers has sucessfully formed Self Assambled Monolayers (SAM). Experience developed in the first generation micro/nanodispensers promoted a number of upgrades to produce a Second generation of dispensers with an emphasis for applications in the Life Sciences. Transparent new devices were defined with specific shapes for cell manipulation. Anisotropic etching was replaced by Dry Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE) for improved process control. Packaging was improved with anodic bonding between silicon and glass chips and individual chip yield was increased by manual cleaving instead of wafer dicing. Transparent wall micro/nanodispensers would be designed due to biological application. To avoid lysis (cellular damage) or broken nozzles, some nozzles were designed sharply, in order to pierce wall and membrane surrounding live cells. FIB nanomachined render this type of nozzle. A crucial advantage in MEMS technology is versatility and monolithic integration. MEMS versatility can yield different devices although using the same technological process. We took advantage of this feature and manufactured microelectrodes, microfilters and micromixers as well. As a conclusion, it is worth emphasizing that research in this work range from micro/nanotechnologies to chemistry and biology. The first generation fabricated technology successfully formed SAM over gold surfaces. The second generation pierced walls and membranes in live cell. These devices present quite some advantages compared to conventional glass capillary. The proposed technology allows extreme definition of sizes and shapes in order not to damage cells. Microelectrodes fabricated will be tested inside a neuron cell to record electrical measurements. Work to develop this new application is still in progress.

Women who have experienced violence in their intimate partnerships have consistently reported poorer physical and mental health and higher medical care utilization than women who have not experienced intimate partner violence. Because of the many deleterious impacts of relationship abuse, investigations into coping processes among women who have experienced intimate partner violence take on heightened importance. The complexity of circumstances and the unique responses to intimate partner violence indicate that women employ as many coping strategies as are available to them at the time. Effective coping behaviours and the recovery environment are critical for battered women’s positive adjustment (Carlson, 1997; Sullivan & Bybee, 1999). This study examined the relationships between emotion-focused coping, symptoms of post-traumatic stress and exposure to intimate partner violence in a sample of 670 women across the Prairie Provinces. The Composite Abuse Scale, Emotion-Focused Coping Strategies questionnaire, and the Posttraumatic Stress Checklist were used to measure the variables. Findings confirmed a strong correlation between greater exposure to abuse and symptoms of posttraumatic stress. They also confirmed that greater use of emotion-focused coping strategies was associated with escalation of abuse and more symptoms of posttraumatic stress within this group of women. This study adds to the current body of literature on ways women cope with intimate partner violence.

This study investigates the contemporary urbanization process of sub-Saharan Africa. The region is predicted to experience a surge in urban population growth the forthcoming decades, yet why and how this is happening is not very clear. Theory often considers urbanization to be a part of a modernization process where people migrate from rural areas to urban. But depictions of reality suggest that rural-to-urban migration might be less significant than previously thought, and neither is it given that urbanization causes prosperity in sub-Saharan Africa. This thesis tries to complement the gap of knowledge regarding the mechanisms of urbanization in sub-Saharan Africa. Statistical data is organized and assembled by using the structured, focused comparison method and then analyzed in order to create an understanding of urbanization and urban population growth in this particular region. The result of this study suggests that the mechanisms for urban population growth change over time. Urban population growth is often thought to be driven by rural-to-urban migration. However, nowadays there is a correlation between urban population growth and population increase, which did not exist a couple of decades ago. It is clear that urbanized countries are, typically, more advanced regarding economic growth, but it is unsure whether this factor affects socio-economic development. The findings underscore the vast complexity of urbanization and urban population growth, as well as the heterogeneity of sub-Saharan Africa. Yet there is potential for a new theoretical framework that can provide explanations to the processes sub-Saharan Africa is expected to undergo.

Abstract English Abstract From small hospitals to large medical centers, the Taiwan healthcare organizations today are unable to significantly increase investments or generate more revenue due to the strict regulations of current National Health Insurance and Global Budget policies. This predicament is further complicated by the healthcare system¡¦s inability to change from its traditional mass production architecture and mentality. Mass customization (MC) and focused factories (FF) are being applied across many industries with great success ¡V achieving quality at low cost. These are new concepts that can bring significant customer value, allowing organizations¡¦ quality and profitability to improve from increasingly commoditized businesses. This consumer-centric transformation can be one way for Taiwan¡¦s healthcare organizations to get closer to patients¡¦ needs and step out of the traditional confines of the NHI and healthcare delivery. These novel ideas are so akin to the healthcare ideal, yet the traditional healthcare design and Taiwan¡¦s anti-market healthcare policies effectively impedes changes and progress in this direction. This paper intends to assert that MC and FF can be one effective solution to the problems in Taiwan¡¦s healthcare organizations ¡V specifically for the specialty community hospitals. In this way, these small hospitals can capture the value premiums of this new consumerism trend and transform itself into a competitive business, creating higher values for life and health for its customers. This paper will begin with an in-depth background and SWOT analysis of the Taiwan healthcare system and its participants. After an understanding of this industry, a pertinent literature review of the MC and FF concepts and mechanics will be done. A case comparison study of three specialty healthcare organizations will be done to evaluate their differences in competitive strategy, marketing orientation, operational effectiveness, human resources advantage, and organizational performance. The three organizations include a traditional specialty hospital (Gee-Tien Ear Nose & Throat Hospital), a single procedure-based focus factory (Shouldice Hospital), and a disease management focus factory (MedCath Corporation). Finally, a full discussion will ensue to assess the applicability of FF and MC concepts for specialty community hospitals in the Taiwan healthcare market. Keywords: Specialty Hospitals, Mass Customization, Focused Factory, Taiwan Healthcare

The fabrication characteristic of focused ion beam (FIB) for fused quartz was investigated. With the progress of nanotechnology, new technologies and devices are invented constantly. In nanofabrication, FIB has several advantages such as high material removal rate, high resolving power and direct fabrication in some selected areas without etching mask. Therefore, it had been studied in detail to fabricate nano-structures by FIB. In this study, we found out the effect of nano-machining by adjusting the parameters of FIB system such as: beam current, overlap, and dwell time. The fabricated features together with their surface morphology and profile were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). Results show that when beam current was smaller, overlap was 50% and dwell time was 10£gs could get best performance by FIB.

We have observed a large spin-splitting in device made of AlxGa1-xN/GaN quantum wires. Based on this observation, we proposed a new spintronic application, the spin-hall quantum-ring interferometer, by the spin-Hall effect, Rashba and Dresselhaus effects. This device we use the ICP Etch System to etch the contact pattern, and then use the Multi-Target Sputter to deposit the protecting layer, and then use the E-Beam Evaporator to make the contact. Finally, using the Focus Ion Beam, we fabricate the quantum-ring and gate successfully. This thesis is focused on discussing the design of the fabrication and try to solve the problem in order to be able to detect the signal of the quantum-ring interferometer at low temperature and high magnetic condition.

The purpose of this study was to assess the differential effects of grammatical and telegraphic input on word learning and language productivity in children with expressive language delays. Two case studies are presented. In Study 1, the participant received focused stimulation treatment over eight sessions. Type of language input (i.e. telegraphic or grammatical) was alternated across sessions. In Study 2, the participant received focused stimulation treatment over 16 sessions divided into two eight-session phases. Language input was alternated across phases. Participant characteristics limited definitive conclusions regarding word learning. Productive language differences during treatment sessions were observed for both participants. Participant 1, who entered treatment with a larger vocabulary and spontaneous production of some word combinations, demonstrated a higher mean length of utterance in words (MLUw) in more of the sessions under the grammatical condition. Participant 2, who demonstrated severe deficits in speech intelligibility, imitated the clinician more often in the telegraphic sessions. Results support the need for improved systematic study of language input variables in treatment as well as the careful selection of language input protocols based on initial client abilities and treatment outcome goals. / text

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