High-intensity interminiband terahertz emission from chirped superlattices

Electroluminescence at lambdasimilar to69 mum (4.3 THz) is reported from interminiband transitions in quantum-cascade structures with superlattice active regions. Spontaneous emission gives a low-temperature linewidth of 2 meV (0.48 THz) with linear light-current characteristics observed up to high-current densities (625 A/cm(2)), resulting in record output powers of 500 pW. Devices operate up to above liquid-nitrogen temperature, with both emission wavelength and current-voltage characteristics in good agreement with theoretical predictions. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics

Single-mode operation of terahertz quantum cascade lasers with distributed feedback resonators

Distributed feedback terahertz quantum-cascade lasers emitting at 4.34 and 4.43 THz are presented. Mode selection is based on a complex-coupling scheme implemented into the top-contact layer by a combination of wet chemical etching and ohmic-contact deposition. Single-mode emission stable at all injection currents and operating temperatures is shown, with a side-mode suppression ratio exceeding 20 dB. Peak output powers of up to 1.8 mW are obtained at low temperatures. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics

Terahertz quantum-cascade lasers based on an interlaced photon-phonon cascade

A THz (lambdasimilar to80 mum) quantum-cascade laser utilizing alternating photon- and phonon-emitting stages has been developed to achieve efficient extraction of electrons from the lower laser level. Thermal backfilling of electrons is drastically reduced leading to an operation up to 95 K and a weak temperature dependence of the power versus current slope efficiency. The threshold current density is 280 A cm(-2) at 6 K and increases to 580 A cm(-2) at 90 K. Peak output powers of 10 mW at 30 K and 4 mW at 80 K are obtained. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics

High-performance continuous-wave operation of superlattice terahertz quantum-cascade lasers

The cw operation of chirped-superlattice quantum-cascade lasers emitting at lambdasimilar to67 mum (4.4 THz) is analyzed. Collected (min. 33% efficiency) output powers of 4 mW per facet are measured at liquid helium temperatures and a maximum operating temperature of 48 K is reached. Under pulsed excitation at duty cycles of 0.5%-1%, slightly higher (10%) peak powers are reached, and the device can be operated up to 67 K. Low threshold current densities of 165 and 185 A cm(-2) are observed in pulsed and cw operation, respectively. The operation of the laser is examined using the Hakki-Paoli technique to estimate the net gain of the structure. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics

Phase-locked arrays of surface-emitting graded-photonic-heterostructure terahertz semiconductor lasers

We have demonstrated that a hybrid laser array, combining graded-photonic-heterostructure terahertz semiconductor lasers with a ring resonator, allows the relative phase (either symmetric or anti-symmetric) between the sources to be fixed by design. We have successfully phase-locked up to five separate lasers. Compared with a single device, we achieved a clear narrowing of the output beam profile

Mobility and Maternal Position during Childbirth in Tanzania: An Exploratory Study at Four Government Hospitals.

Emerging research evidence suggests a potential benefit in being upright in the first stage of labour and a systematic review of trials suggests both benefits and harmful effects associated with being upright in the second stage of labour. Implementing evidence-based obstetric care in African countries with scarce resources is particularly challenging, and requires an understanding of the cumulative nature of science and commitment to applying the most up to date evidence to clinical decisions. In this study, we documented current practice rates, explored the barriers and opportunities to implementing these procedures from the provider perspective, and documented women's preferences and satisfaction with care. This was an exploratory study using quantitative and qualitative methods. Practice rates were determined by exit interviews with a consecutive sample of postnatal women. Provider views were explored using semi-structured interviews (with doctors and traditional birth attendants) and focus group discussions (with midwives). The study was conducted at four government hospitals, two in Dar es Salaam and two in the neighbouring Coast region, Tanzania. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Practice rates for mobility during labour and delivery position; women's experiences, preferences and views about the care provided; and provider views of current practice and barriers and opportunities to evidence-based obstetric practice. Across all study sites more women were mobile at home (15.0%) than in the labour ward (2.9%), but movement was quite restricted at home before women were admitted to labour ward (51.6% chose to rest with little movement). Supine position for delivery was used routinely at all four hospitals; this was consistent with women's preferred choice of position, although very few women are aware of other positions. Qualitative findings suggest obstetricians and midwives favoured confining to bed during the first stage of labour, and supine position for delivery. The barriers to change appear to be complicated and require providers to want to change, and women to be informed of alternative positions during the first stage of labour and delivery. We believe that highlighting the gap between actual practice and current evidence provides a platform for dialogue with providers to evaluate the threats and opportunities for changing practice

A semiconductor source of triggered entangled photon pairs?

The realisation of a triggered entangled photon source will be of great importance in quantum information, including for quantum key distribution and quantum computation. We show here that: 1) the source reported in ``A semiconductor source of triggered entangled photon pairs''[1. Stevenson et al., Nature 439, 179 (2006)]} is not entangled; 2) the entanglement indicators used in Ref. 1 are inappropriate, relying on assumptions invalidated by their own data; and 3) even after simulating subtraction of the significant quantity of background noise, their source has insignificant entanglement.Comment: 5 pages in pre-print format, 1 tabl

High order optical sideband generation with Terahertz quantum cascade lasers

Optical sidebands are generated by difference frequency mixing between a resonant bandgap near-infrared beam and a terahertz (THz) wave. This is realized within the cavity of a THz quantum cascade laser using resonantly enhanced non-linearities. Multiple order optical sidebands and conversion efficiencies up to 0.1% are shown

Group interventions to improve health outcomes : a framework for their design and delivery

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

A Guided Workbook Intervention (WorkPlan) to Support Work-Related Goals Among Cancer Survivors: Protocol of a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Returning to and staying at work following illness is associated with better physical and psychological functioning. Not working has been shown to be associated with reduced self-esteem, lowered self-efficacy, and decreased belief in one's ability to return to the workplace. Although there is a growing body of research looking at what predicts return to work following cancer treatment, there are fewer studies examining interventions targeting return to work. Objective: The primary objective is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a theoretically led workbook intervention designed to support cancer patients in returning to work to inform a fully powered randomized controlled trial (RCT). Methods: This is a multicenter feasibility RCT where the main analysis uses a qualitative approach. Sixty participants (aged 18-65 years) who have received a diagnosis of cancer and who intend to return to work will be randomized to either the WorkPlan intervention group or a usual care group (ratio 1:1). Participants in the intervention group will receive a guided workbook intervention (which contains activities aimed at eliciting thoughts and beliefs, identifying targets and actions, and concrete steps to achieve goals) and will receive telephone support over a 4-week period. The primary outcome measure is time taken to return to work (in days), and secondary outcome measures include mood, quality of life, illness perceptions, and job satisfaction. Data will be collected through postal questionnaires administered immediately postintervention and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. In addition, interviews will be undertaken immediately postintervention (to explore acceptability of the intervention and materials) and at 12-month follow-up (to explore perceptions of participation in the trial and experiences of returning to work). Results: Enrollment for the study will be completed in May 2016. Data analysis will commence in April 2017, and the first results are expected to be submitted for publication in late 2017. Conclusions: Currently no standardized return-to-work intervention based on targeting cancer patient beliefs is in existence. If the intervention is shown to be feasible and acceptable, the results of this study will inform a future full RCT with the potential to provide a valuable and cost-efficient tool in supporting cancer survivors in the return-to-work process