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Objective. The European Eureka project ‘Artificial larynx’ aims at realizing an implantable artificial larynx, consisting of artificial vocal folds, artificial epiglottis, tissue connector for tracheal fixation and valve mechanism to switch between breathing and speaking. The last part has been realized. Because its functioning is identical to a tracheostomal valve, it was tested as such. Materials and methods. The device consists of two valves: a speech valve, that will be open during normal breathing and closed by strong expiration and a cough valve that opens during coughing and closes automatically during inhalation. Magnets keep the valves in the breathing position. The magnetic force can be varied. Several prototypes have been tested in vitro and in situ. Results. The prototypes showed good in vitro behaviour. The range of adjustability of speech and cough was wide enough, flow resistance acceptable. This was confirmed by preliminary in vivo experiments. Patients were enthusiastic; hands‐free speaking and coughing is possible. Conclusion. Numerous problems have to be solved to produce an artificial larynx. Each solution generated up till now, however, can already be applied to improve the existing rehabilitation process of laryngectomized patients.

This article considers María Lugones's work in Pilgrimages/Peregrinajes (2003), especially her association of the fragmented self with modernity, in order to understand the existential grounds of what she calls an impure, perceptually aware, mestizaje. It suggests that the impure Latina self validated thereby may be seen retrospectively as the forerunner of the decolonial feminist self who unveils the coloniality of gender analysis. Noting some discrepancies between them, the article questions whether Lugones's use of Quijano's world systems theory leads to an overdetermining historical approach that disables the spirit of inquiry for diversely situated Latinas, even as the theory itself invokes the heterogeneity of their experiences. The dilemma is illustrated by two types of peregrinas: a community-bound peregrina who easily undertakes the decolonial turn, and a diasporic peregrina who may or may not pass its guarded gate. The question remains: what difference does the divergence between these two peregrinas's paths make?

This paper describes a high performance bipolar process based on bonded SO1 wafers featuring deep trench isolation, double polysilicon self-alignment, and a substrate-erosion free composite spacer scheme. The process provides transistors with excellent dc and ac parameters. Gate delay times of 19.6 ps, powerdelay products of 8.6 fJ, and 2:l frequency dividers operating up to 22.4 GHz are prominent performance data which are -to the authors knowledge -best values ever reported for SOI-based bipolar technologies.

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