Mode-locked diode-pumped vanadate lasers operated with PbS quantum dots

The use of glasses doped with PbS nanocrystals as intracavity saturable absorbers for passive Q-switching and mode locking of c-cut Nd:Gd0.7Y0.3VO4, Nd:YVO4, and Nd:GdVO4 lasers is investigated. Q-switching yields pulses as short as 35 ns with an average output power of 435mW at a repetition rate of 6-12 kHz at a pump power of 5-6W. Mode locking through a combination of PbS nanocrystals and a Kerr lens results in 1.4 ps long pulses with an average output power of 255 mW at a repetition rate of 100 MH

PREVALENCE OF BIOLOGICAL EXPOSIRE AMOUNG NURSING STUDENTS: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY.

Abstract Blood-transmitted infections such as viral hepatitis B, or human immunodeficiency virus , are a real danger to health workers. Student nurses are also exposed to biological risks during their clinical training. This study was carried out to assess the incidence and nature of such risks in student nurses in Italy, evaluating all the cases of biological exposure in the G. D'Annunzio University Hospital of Chieti from 2002 to 2006. Student nurses were monitored for 6 months after exposure. A total number of 2047 students was observed; 665 first -year (32.49%), 691 second-year (33.76%) and 691 third-year (33.76%). During training a total of 135 (6.6%) instances of biological exposure occurred, average age 24.94 (R.19-45; SD 5.52), 99 females (73.3%). Although there was a lower incidence in third-year students (-27%), most of them occurred in the Medical Department (86 =63.7%). Needle pricks were the primary cause of exposure while the tabs used for measuring blood-sugar levels also represented a high risk. Although risks were lower in last-year students, it is clear that more attention should be paid to prevention , increasing awareness of infection control and monitoring biological exposure throughout the entire training period

Encouragement and protection of breast-feeding: conoscitive study

Abstract The factors associated with exclusive breast-feeding in a Naples health district were studied in October 2008 in the period between the first and second vaccinations (neonates aged between 60 and 120 days) . Questions regarded both the mother and the child and the answers were collected in a database and compared with other methods of nutrition or mixed methods. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate logistic regression. Results showed that only 38.5% of the mothers interviewed practiced breast-feeding alone while 20% did mixed feeding and 41.5% preferred artificial feeding. The variables negatively related to breast-feeding were: breast problems, older-aged mothers, Cesarean section, first experience of breast-feeding, lack of rooming-in and/or prenatal preparative courses. Positively associated variables were: higher level of education of the mother, higher level of information regarding the advantages of breast-feeding. The conclusions of this study confirm those of previous studies regarding the relationship between exclusive breast-feeding and biological and social factors