Over the past three decades, ultrashort laser pulses have been demonstrated to be a very powerful tool to investigate materials properties at the nanoscale. A key driving force is the high-time resolution required to study heat transfer across interfaces and in thin films. The Time-Domain Thermoreflectance (TDTR) is now widely used. This optical technique offers an interesting alternative to electrical approaches such as the 3ω method. We present a complete study of the TDTR signals. We investigate the influence of the modulation frequency on the measured signals and we show how this experimental parameter could be set to enhance or reduce the sensitivity to a specific thermal parameter. The dependence of the measured “apparent” thermal conductivity of the thin film as a function of the modulation frequency is discussed. Results are applied to investigate thermal properties of a series of InGaAs samples with embedded ErAs nanoparticles.

In Belgium, non-typhoidal salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis are the two most frequently reported foodborne illnesses. During 2005, a 71% decrease of Salmonella Enteritidis infections compared with the average annual number cases in the period 2000–2004 was recorded by the Belgian National Reference Centre for Salmonella and Shigella. After the peak of 1999, the total number of salmonellosis cases decreased gradually, with the exception of 2003 when an increase was again recorded due to the rise of isolates belonging to the serotype Enteritidis. PT4, the predominant phage type of serotype Enteriditis over recent years (except in 2003), became the second most prevalent phage type in 2005 after PT21. We present in this paper the epidemiology (incidence and trends) of human salmonellosis in Belgium and assess the role of the vaccination programme in layer flocks on the decline of the incidence of human salmonellosis and foodborne outbreaks due to S. Enteritidis.

The synthesis of two new tert-butyl carbonic anhydride monomers, 4-vinylbenzoic and methacrylic tert-butyl carbonic anhydride was achieved successfully. Radical polymerization at 45°C yielded tert-butyl pyrocarbonate protected materials. Thermographic analysis showed that both polymers decompose cleanly at 135°C. The lithographic performance of both materials was evaluated in presence of 2,4,6-tris-(trichloromethyl)-s-triazine as photoacid generating species. It was demonstrated that the large polarity change resulted in a chemically amplified positive photoresist system

A case of schwannoma of the larynx is presented. Clinical findings are presented together with magnetic resonance images. The literature is reviewed. The surgical technique is discussed and the histology is described.