High-power deuterium Raman laser at 632 nm

We demonstrate a continuous-wave deuterium Raman laser that generates more than 160 mW of Stokes output power despite severe thermal effects. This output power represents nearly an order-of-magnitude increase over any previously reported continuous-wave Raman laser and is the first such system to our knowledge that uses deuterium gas as the Raman medium. The high output power is achieved through careful consideration of the electronic feedback design, frequency actuators, and pump-laser intensity noise.     

Probing Carrier Transport in Porous Silicon with Synchrotron Radiation

In this paper we demonstrate that photo-electron emission excited by X-UV synchrotron radiation can be used as a contactless probe of the gross conduction processes in porous silicon. Moreover we demonstrate that this approach reveals the underlying conduction geometry. We show that conduction in porous silicon is to some degree controlled by percolation phenomena and finally present data which support the notion that the fundamental blocking process may be Coulomb Blockade [P.A. Lee, Physica B 189, 1–5 (1993); D. Ali and H. Ahmed, Appl. Phys. Lett. 64, 2119–2120 (1994)].     

Iron storage indices and risk of bacterial infections in hemodialysis patients

Background: Infection is the second leading cause of death among hemodialysis (HD) patients. Because iron overload may be a risk factor for bacterial infection, concerns about excessive use of intravenous (IV) iron have arisen. In this retrospective analysis, we explored the relationship between target iron storage indices, as outlined in the Dialysis Outcomes Quality Initiative (DOQI) guidelines, and the incidence of bacterial infections. Methods: We reviewed the charts of 87 HD patients who received their first course of IV iron at our dialysis unit between 1997 and 2001. Transferrin saturation (TSAT) rate, ferritin level, and other clinical/laboratory measures were recorded at baseline. Patients were followed for up to 2 years for the outcomes of bacteremia and bacterial pneumonia and censored at death, end‐of‐study observation, or kidney transplantation. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to evaluate the relationship of bacterial infections to iron storage indices. Results: Thirty‐two patients had at least one episode of bacterial infections. In multivariate analyses, after adjusting for sex and venous catheter use, iron‐replete state (ferritin > 100 ng/mL and TSAT > 20%) was associated with a threefold higher risk of bacterial infections (95% CI 1.3–6.6; p = 0.01). Although diabetes mellitus and lower serum albumin had a nonsignificant trend toward an increased risk of bacterial infections, no such relationship was seen with the first 3‐month cumulative IV iron dose. Conclusions: This study suggests an increased risk for bacterial infections at modest levels of iron stores (ferritin > 100 ng/mL and TSAT > 20%) among HD patients initiating IV iron. Large prospective studies are needed to confirm these relationships.     

A Survey and Taxonomy of GALS Design Styles

Single-clocked digital systems are largely a thing of the past. Although most digital circuits remain synchronous, many designs feature multiple clock domains, often running at different frequencies. Using an asynchronous interconnect decouples the timing issues for the separate blocks. Systems employing such schemes are called globally asynchronous, locally synchronous (GALS). To minimize time to market, large SoC designs must integrate many functional blocks with minimal design effort. These blocks are usually designed using standard synchronous methods and often have different clocking requirements. A GALS approach can facilitate fast block reuse by providing wrapper circuits to handle interblock communication across clock domain boundaries. SoCs may also achieve power savings by clocking different blocks at their minimum speeds. For example, Scott et al. describe the advantages of GALS design for an embedded-processor peripheral bus.     

The electronic structure of intermetallic borocarbide and related superconductors from high energy spectroscopy

Photoemission has been applied to study the electronic structure of YNi₂B₂C and related materials, with comparison of the results with the density of states generated from band structure calculations. The absence in photoemission of the predicted peak in the density of states at the Fermi level in undoped YNi₂B₂C, and the inconsistency of the photoemission data with a rigid-band model for the effects of Co doping on the electronic structure of YNi_2-xCo_xB₂C are discussed. In addition, recent photoemission data from the new superconductor La₃Ni₂B₂N₃ are presented.     

Continuous renal replacement therapies: an update

Continuous renal replacement modalities have found widespread use and acceptance over the last decade. The various modalities differ in the kind of access (arteriovenous v venovenous); in the application of convective clearance (continuous hemofiltration), diffusive clearance (continuous hemodialysis), or a combination of both (continuous hemodiafiltration); and in the location where the replacement fluid enters the circuit (predilution v postdilution). Continuous therapies incorporate several advantages, such as improved hemodynamic stability, the possibility for unlimited alimentation, optimal fluid balance, and gradual urea removal without fluctuations. However, it has not yet been shown whether these advantages have a significant impact on outcome and prognosis, the ultimate measure of treatment efficiency. Major disadvantages of continuous therapies are the ongoing necessity for continuous anticoagulation, immobilization of the patient, and possible side effects from lactate-containing replacement fluid or dialysate. Continuous renal replacement procedures have certainly made the management of critically ill patients easier. In particular, oligoanuric patients with diuretic resistant volume overload and hemodynamically unstable patients with acute renal failure and concomitant sepsis or multiorgan failure appear to benefit most from continuous treatment. The role of continuous hemofiltration as a method of removing serum cytokines in septic patients without renal failure is still controversial and needs further clinical assessment. Due to slow efficacy, continuous renal replacement is indicated only in rare circumstances for intoxication; this therapy also is of rather limited use in severe hyperkalemia or acidosis. Noncritically ill patients with uncomplicated renal failure (eg, due to the use of dye or antibiotics) should be treated with intermittent hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Furthermore, intermittent hemodialysis is preferable in patients with hemorrhagic diathesis because it can be easily performed without anticoagulants.     

Evaluation of test conditions during the measurement of coffee stability of instant whole milk powder

Coffee provides a harsh environment for the reconstitution of milk powder with undissolved powder being manifested as undesirable 'floaters' or 'sinkers'. A coffee test method was adapted to explore the behaviour of a range of industrial samples of coffee stable and coffee unstable instant whole milk powders, under varying pH, temperature and water hardness. The development and application of a simulation test suggests evidence of some stabilizing contribution by the coffee itself. High surface fat coverage, as determined by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, and high ionic calcium levels were associated with instances of poor coffee stability. The effects of the physicochemical characteristics of the powders on coffee stability appear to predominate when various measures were implemented, such as prior reconstitution of the powder before addition to coffee, increased agitation and use of surface active agents, which succeeded in reducing coffee sediment.     

Thermoelectric Performance of ZnO:Al/ZnO:(Al,In) Quantum Well Multilayer Structures as a Function of Indium Composition and Band-Gap Offset at High Operating Temperatures

This study investigates the thermoelectric (TE) power factor for radiofrequency (RF)-sputtered n-type ZnO:Al/ZnO:(Al,In) multilayer quantum wells (QW) and the dependence on band-gap offset at high operating temperatures. The structures are 50 periods of 10-nm-thick barrier and well layers. The TE power factors for all films are promising (>20?×?10^?4?W/m²?K); however, a decline in electronic transport is evident for each of the doped wells over a specific range of operating temperatures. This supports the need for optimum doping levels for a specific operating temperature range; e.g., 2?at.%, 5?at.%, and 8?at.% indium are optimum at 300?K to 600?K, 600?K to 725?K, and >725?K, respectively. A model has also been developed to calculate the QW electronic transport as a function of temperature and band-gap offset, which is subsequently related to doping concentration. This model confirms a loss in electrical conductivity due to charge carriers gaining enough kinetic energy to overcome the QW barrier, which results in multilayer hopping across well?Cbarrier interfaces. In addition, film microstructure and interface roughness have been determined by x-ray and spectroscopy techniques.     

Power scaling and frequency stabilization of an injection-locked Nd:YAG rod laser

The power scaling and frequency stabilization of a high-power, injection-locked, arc-lamp-pumped Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm are discussed theoretically and experimentally. Thermal lensing and induced birefringence at high pump powers are modeled, and the effectiveness of the model for compensating thermal lensing is demonstrated with four different laser heads. Two distinct active frequency-stabilization schemes for injection-locked lasers are also compared theoretically and experimentally. These efforts yield a 24-W, linearly polarized, continuous-wave, TEM(00) output with a spectral linewidth of 1.5 Hz measured by heterodyne detection.