Large Format Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Substrate Optimized for Enhancement and Uniformity.

Gratings have been widely investigated both theoretically and experimentally as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates, exhibiting, under appropriate circumstances, increased far-field extinctions and near-field intensities over those of an appropriately equivalent number of isolated particles. When the grating order transitions from evanescent to radiative, narrow resonance peaks are observed in the extinction spectrum whose properties can be manipulated by controlling the grating's geometric parameters. Here we report the application of the architectural principles of grating fabrication using a square two-dimensional array of gold-coated nanostructures that achieves SERS enhancements of 10(7) uniformly over areas of square centimeters. The high-performance grating substrates were fabricated using commonly available foundry-based techniques that have been chosen for their applicability to large-scale wafer processing. Additionally, we restricted ourselves to a parametric regime that optimizes SERS performance in a repeatable and reproducible manner.

Music for patients with hematological malignancies undergoing bone marrow biopsy: a randomized controlled study of anxiety, perceived pain, and patient satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of random assignment to music versus usual care on anxiety, perceived pain level and patient satisfaction in patients undergoing bone marrow biopsies. METHOD: Patients were randomized to music or usual care after completing a baseline questionnaire. All patients completed a post-procedure questionnaire. RESULTS: Study participants (N=59) had a mean age of 50.9 years (SD = 13.9; range 22-78). Post-procedure state anxiety (STAI) and pain rating (VAS) were not significantly different between groups (STAI p=0.766; VAS p=0.771). However, patient satisfaction with music was high; 66% of these patients said they very much preferred to listen to music at a future biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: While there were no significant group differences for the music intervention compared to standard of care for anxiety or perceived pain, additional feedback indicated that patients found the music intervention beneficial and requested use of music during future procedures.