Optical properties of red emitting self-assembled InP/(Al0.20Ga0.80)0.51In0.49P quantum dot based micropillars.

Using focused ion beam etching techniques, micropillar cavities were fabricated from a high reflective AlAs/AlGaAs distributed Bragg reflector planar cavity containing self-assembled InP quantum dots in (Al(0.20)Ga(0.80))(0.51)In(0.49)P barrier layers. The mode spectra of pillars with different diameters were investigated using micro-photoluminescence, showing excellent agreement with theory. Quality factors of the pillar cavities up to 3650 were observed. Furthermore, for a microcavity pillar with 1.26 mum diameter, single-photon emission is demonstrated by performing photon correlation measurements under pulsed excitation.

Methemoglobinemia in critically ill patients during extended hemodialysis and simultaneous disinfection of the hospital water supply.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the cause of methemoglobinemia in patients undergoing extended daily hemodialysis/hemodiafiltration we analyzed the relationship between methemoglobinemia and the water disinfection schedule of the hospital. METHODS: We reviewed all arterial blood gas analyses, obtained over a one-year period, in patients undergoing extended hemodialysis/hemodiafiltration, and compared the methemoglobin concentrations obtained on the days when the water supply was disinfected, using a hydrogen peroxide/silver ion preparation, with data measured on disinfection-free days. RESULTS: The evaluation of 706 measurements revealed a maximum methemoglobin fraction of 1.0 (0.8; 1.2) % (median and 25th; 75th percentiles) during hemodialysis/hemodiafiltration on the disinfection-free days. The methemoglobin fraction increased to 5.9 (1.3; 8.4) % with a maximal value of 12.2% on the days of water disinfection (P < 0.001 compared to disinfection-free days). Spot checks on hydrogen peroxide concentrations in the water supply, the permeate, and the dialysate, using a semi-quantitative test, demonstrated levels between 10 and 25 mg/l during water disinfection. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that even a regular hospital water disinfection technique can be associated with significant methemoglobinemia during extended hemodialysis. Clinicians should be aware of this potential hazard.

A content analysis of advertisements for psychotherapy workshops: implications for disseminating empirically supported treatments.

This study involved a content analysis of 261 unique advertisements for psychotherapy workshops that appeared in two bimonthly clinical magazines, Psychotherapy Networker and Counselor, during a 2-year period. Two independent judges coded each advertisement and documented the type and prevalence of advertising appeals used. From the seminal diffusion of innovations model, Rogers' (2003) five perceived characteristics of innovations found to influence adoption in diverse fields were not well represented in these workshops appeals, appearing less than 10% each. Few advertisements cited specific empirically supported treatments or presented any evidence of treatment effectiveness beyond expert testimonials. The most frequently noted appeals were to benefit the clinician (e.g., earning education credit or developing skills), characteristics that enhance credibility of the workshop (e.g., reference to storied history or mention of faculty), and features of the advertisements itself (e.g., use of superlatives and exclamation points). Promotional strategies to advertise psychotherapy workshops can be used to inform the dissemination of empirically supported treatments.