Low-cost fabrication of microlasers based on polymeric micropedestals.

Our current work exploits direct laser writing (DLW) and low one-photon absorption (LOPA) in a low-cost three-dimensional optical fabrication system designed to print micrometric polymeric structures. Micropedestals were obtained by focusing a laser beam on a photoresist layer deposited on a silica glass substrate. Subsequent coating with rhodamine 6G dye allows these pedestals to function as microlasers upon optical excitation at 532 nm. Our microlasers, with a diameter of ∼53µm and a height of ∼40µm, exhibit a broad fluorescence peak in the spectral range 540-600 nm, in addition to narrow lasing peaks, exhibiting quality factors Q exceeding 2000 and a lasing threshold of ∼5µJcm-2. The observed free spectral range associated with the lasing peaks of ∼1.3nm is consistent with simulations, which we include in this paper. In addition, we present simulations for the longitudinal shift of the patterning laser spot, which occurs particularly for relatively thick photoresist layers, coupled with a large index contrast at the photoresist top surface. Such a shift could introduce errors in the resulting microfabricated structures if left unaccounted for. We hope that our work will contribute to the development of microlasers for various photonic applications, particularly if dimensions can be reduced, for on-chip optical communications and data processing.

Prevalence and Correlates of Injecting with Visitors from the United States Among People Who Inject Drugs in Tijuana, Mexico.

Cross-border infectious disease transmission is a concern related to drug tourism from the U.S. to Mexico. We assessed this risk among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Tijuana, Mexico. We measured the prevalence and identified correlates of injecting with PWID visiting from the U.S. among PWID in Tijuana using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Of 727 participants, 18.5% injected during the past 6 months in Mexico with U.S. PWID described mostly as friends (63%) or acquaintances (26%). Injecting with U.S. PWID was independently associated with higher education [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.13/year], deportation from the U.S. (aOR = 1.70), younger age at first injection (aOR = 0.96/year), more lifetime overdoses (aOR = 1.08), and, in the past 6 months, backloading (aOR = 4.00), syringe confiscation by the police (aOR = 3.02) and paying for sex (aOR = 2.98; all p-values < 0.05). Nearly one-fifth of PWID in Tijuana recently injected with U.S. PWID, and their reported risk behaviors could facilitate cross-border disease transmission.

Estimación de unidades de costes de atención sanitaria a pacientes con esquizofrenia / Estimation of mental health care cost units for patients with schizophrenia

Introducción. Llevar a cabo estudios de coste de la enfermedad siguiendo cohortes de pacientes en su recorrido por los dispositivos de atención requiere contar con información lo más precisa posible acerca de los costes unitarios de las diferentes intervenciones. Sin embargo, la carencia de procedimientos estandarizados limita la validez externa de los resultados obtenidos. Disponer de información metodológica acerca de los procedimientos seguidos permite contrastar la validez interna y conocer los supuestos bajo los cuales operan las estimaciones realizadas.Métodos. Se estimaron unidades de coste de la atención sanitaria que reciben los pacientes con diagnóstico de esquizofrenia atendidos por un equipo de salud mental de la Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía. Se optó por datos de fuentes primarias, trabajando por separado la atención ambulatoria y la hospitalaria. Se llevó a cabo un análisis de sensibilidad con algunas variables sometidas a incertidumbre.Resultados. Tanto en los cuidados ambulatorios como hospitalarios el mayor peso de los costes recae en el capítulo de personal, siendo esta proporción más alta en los cuidados ambulatorios. Por categoría laboral, el mayor coste recae en la atención de los psiquiatras. Las cargas horarias, excepto en psiquiatría, son similares entre los diferentes profesionales.Conclusiones. La magnitud de los costes estimados está por debajo de lo publicado en estudios internacionales, que incluyen estudios españoles. Sin embargo, los hallazgos deben ser cuidadosamente analizados por la influencia que pueden tener las opciones metodológicas realizadas

Introduction. The disease-cost study, based on the study of cohorts of patients through their visits to the mental health system, requires knowledge on the cost of each health care unit. However, lack of standardized procedures limits the external validity of the results obtained. When methodological information regarding the procedures applied is available, it makes it possible to compare the internal validity and to understand the suppositions on which the cost estimations have been made.Methods. Cost-units for the health care received by a cohort of patients diagnosed of schizophrenia were estimated. The study was performed by a community-based team and at several hospital premises belonging to the Andalusia Health Service. A sensitivity analysis was conducted whenever necessary.Results. Both in inpatients and outpatients care, personnel represents the biggest cost, this proportion being higher within the outpatient care. Among the professional categories the care given by the psychiatrists is the most expensive. Time load is similar for the different categories except for the psychiatrist.Conclusions. Cost unit estimates are lower than that which has been published internationally and within Spain. However, the findings must be carefully considered due to the influence that the different methodological options may have

Controlled-depth and cross-section preparation techniques for transmission electron microscopy subsurface studies in metals.

Thin film specimen preparation from bulk material at a controlled depth below the surface and cross-section thin film preparation for transmission electron microscope investigations of electrically conducting materials are described. Both techniques are illustrated by austenitic stainless steel, where they have been used complementary to each other for microstructural studies of subsurface ion irradiation damage. The advantages and limitations of both techniques are discussed.