Biomedical subjects

A E Carruthers

Publications and source records attributed to A E Carruthers.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Optically bound microscopic particles in one dimension.

Counterpropagating light fields have the ability to create self-organized one-dimensional optically bound arrays of microscopic particles, where the light fields adapt to the particle locations and vice versa. We develop a theoretical model to describe this situation and show good agreement with recent experimental data [Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 128301 (2002)] for two and three particles, if the scattering force is assumed to dominate the axial trapping of the particles. The extension of these ideas to two- and three-dimensional optically bound states is also discussed.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

One-dimensional optically bound arrays of microscopic particles.

A one-dimensional optically coupled array of colloidal particles is created in a potential well formed by two counterpropagating Gaussian light beams. This array has analogies to linear chains of trapped atomic ions. Breathing modes and oscillations of the center of mass are observed. The stability of the array is in accordance with the Kramers model.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Adjusting the balance in health-care quality.

In an increasingly informed society there has been a growing interest by consumers in evaluating the quality-of-care provided by their practitioners. This task is complicated by an asymmetry in the technical knowledge required to assess health-care quality between consumers and health providers. Recently attempts have been made to incorporate patient views into the assessment of quality to try and address this asymmetry. A number of quality initiatives have been developed to help provide consumers with markers of practitioner competency including professional training programmes and examinations, quality standards and quality assurance activities. International trends include federal funding for quality improvement activities within practices, and greater use of information technology to provide error warning systems for practitioners, to monitor practice patterns, and to promote better communication of information between health services. It is important in developing these new initiatives that 'symmetrical' approaches which capture consumers' views on quality are employed.

Clinical Competence↗