ZnO nanorods for efficient third harmonic UV generation

ZnO nanorods grown by both high temperature vapour phase transport and low temperature chemical bath deposition are very promising sources for UV third harmonic generation. Material grown by both methods show comparable efficiencies, in both cases an order of magnitude higher than surface third harmonic generation at the quartz-air interface of a bare quartz substrate. This result is in stark contrast to the linear optical properties of ZnO nanorods grown by these two methods, which show vastly different PL efficiencies. The third harmonic generated signal is analysed using intensity dependent measurements and interferometric frequency resolved optical gating, allowing extraction of the laser pulse parameters. The comparable levels of efficiency of ZnO grown by these very different methods as sources for third harmonic UV generation provides a broad suite of possible growth methods to suit various substrates, coverage and scalability requirements. Potential application areas range from interferometric frequency resolved optical gating characterization of few cycle fs pulses to single cell UV irradiation for biophysical studies

ZnO nanorods for efficient third harmonic UV generation: erratum

We correct Eq. (1) of our previous paper showing the pulse duration (τ) dependence on group delay dispersion (β2) and initial duration of the unchirped pulse coming from the laser (τ0). The correct form of the equation was used in all the calculations in the previous paper however, so in all other respects our previous results and conclusions are unchanged

THG of ZnO nanorods for efficient third order interferometric FROG

Efficient third harmonic generation was found in ZnO nanorod layers grown by phase transport and low temperature chemical bath deposition method. Interferometric frequency-resolved optical gating of few cycle fs pulses was demonstrated

Depression Among Adults With Diabetes: Prevalence, Impact, and Treatment Options

Patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are two times more likely to experience depression than their peers without diabetes. Comorbid depression results in deleterious effects on glycemic control, worsened diabetes complications, functional disability, and premature mortality. Once identified, depression can be effectively treated with antidepressant medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. Patients and providers should monitor depressive symptoms to identify their recurrence and work collaboratively to address barriers to care that exist in both urban and rural areas

Regulation of biological paternity investigation: comparative perspective

O objetivo deste artigo analisar comparativamente a legisla o relativa investiga o de paternidade biológica de crianças nascidas fora do casamento no brasil e em países europeus, com base em pesquisa de documentos legislativos pela internet e na consulta de bibliografia jurídica no mbito do direito da família. Foi elaborada uma tipologia legislativa verdade biológica absoluta e verdade biológica relativa atendendo s seguintes variáveis: formas de atribui o da paternidade (voluntária/ordem do tribunal); tipo de consentimento exigido para realiza o do teste genético (voluntário/forçado); autor da investiga o (estado/outros); e limite temporal da investiga o (existência de prazos processuais/ausência de prazo processual). A verdade biológica absoluta ocorre quando a investigação de paternidade decorre obrigatoriamente, podendo ser ordenado e forçado pelo tribunal o recurso ao teste genético. observou-se a prevalência da verdade biológica relativa. Em todos os países analisados verificou-se que o recurso ao teste genético preponderante no estabelecimento das relações de filiação. Mesmo em países em que necessário o consentimento para a realização de teste de DNA existem modalidades de submiss o mais subtis, que incluem a aplicação de multas ou a gera o da presunção da paternidade com base na recusa em realizar exame genético.The aim of this article is to do a comparative analysis relative to the investigation of biological paternity of children born out of wedlock in Brazil and european countries, based on the research of legislative documents through the internet and the consultation of legal bibliography in the area of family law. The legislative typology was made - absolute biological truth and relative biological truth according to the following variables: forms of paternal attribution (voluntary/court ordered), type of demanded consent for the performance of the genetic test (voluntary/forced), author of the investigation (state/other) and the time limit of the investigation (existence of process deadlines/no process deadlines). The absolute biological truth occurs when the investigation of paternity is compulsory and the court might order and force the submission to a genetic test. The dominating trend is relative biological truth. In all analysed countries it has been verified that the resource to genetic testing is preponderant when establishing affiliation relations. Even in countries where it's not possible to force an individual to the submission of a genetic exam, there are more subtle ways of submission, that include the application of fines or the assumption of paternity based on a refusal to perform the genetic exam.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

WRN helicase unwinds Okazaki fragment-like hybrids in a reaction stimulated by the human DHX9 helicase

Mutations in the Werner gene promote the segmental progeroid Werner syndrome (WS) with increased genomic instability and cancer. The Werner gene encodes a DNA helicase (WRN) that can engage in direct protein–protein interactions with DHX9, also known as RNA helicase A or nuclear DNA helicase II, which represents an essential enzyme involved in transcription and DNA repair. By using several synthetic nucleic acid substrates we demonstrate that WRN preferably unwinds RNA-containing Okazaki fragment-like substrates suggesting a role in lagging strand maturation of DNA replication. In contrast, DHX9 preferably unwinds RNA–RNA and RNA–DNA substrates, but fails to unwind Okazaki fragment-like hybrids. We further show that the preferential unwinding of RNA-containing substrates by WRN is stimulated by DHX9 in vitro, both on Okazaki fragment-like hybrids and on RNA-containing ‘chicken-foot’ structures. Collectively, our results suggest that WRN and DHX9 may also cooperate in vivo, e.g. at ongoing and stalled replication forks. In the latter case, the cooperation between both helicases may serve to form and to dissolve Holliday junction-like intermediates of regressed replication forks

“Extreme" porn? The implications of a label

Despite its prevalence, the term ‘extreme’ has received little critical attention. ‘Extremity’ is routinely employed in ways that imply its meanings are self-evident. However, the adjective itself offers no such clarity. This article focuses on one particular use of the term – ‘extreme porn’ – in order to illustrate a broader set of concerns about the pitfalls of labelling. The label ‘extreme’ is typically employed as a substitute for engaging with the term’s supposed referents (here, pornographic content). In its contemporary usage, ‘extreme’ primarily refers to a set of context-dependent judgements rather than absolute standards or any specific properties the ‘extreme’ item is alleged to have. Concurrently then, the label ‘extreme’ carries a host of implicit values, and the presumption that the term’s meanings are ‘obvious’ obfuscates those values. In the case of ‘extreme porn’, this obfuscation is significant because it has facilitated the cultural and legal suppression of pornography

Key issues in the design of pay for performance programs

Pay for performance (P4P) is increasingly being used to stimulate healthcare providers to improve their performance. However, evidence on P4P effectiveness remains inconclusive. Flaws in program design may have contributed to this limited success. Based on a synthesis of relevant theoretical and empirical literature, this paper discusses key issues in P4P-program design. The analysis reveals that designing a fair and effective program is a complex undertaking. The following tentative conclusions are made: (1) performance is ideally defined broadly, provided that the set of measures remains comprehensible, (2) concerns that P4P encourages "selection" and "teaching to the test" should not be dismissed, (3) sophisticated risk adjustment is important, especially in outcome and resource use measures, (4) involving providers in program design is vital, (5) on balance, group incentives are preferred over individual incentives, (6) whether to use rewards or penalties is context-dependent, (7) payouts should be frequent and low-powered, (8) absolute targets are generally preferred over relative targets, (9) multiple targets are preferred over single targets, and (10) P4P should be a permanent component of provider compensation and is ideally "decoupled" form base payments. However, the design of P4P programs should be tailored to the specific setting of implementation, and empirical research is needed to confirm the conclusions

Improving attendance for cardiovascular risk assessment in Australian general practice: an RCT of a monetary incentive for patients

Extent: 6p.Background: Preventive health care is an important part of general practice however uptake of activities by patients is variable. Monetary incentives for doctors have been used in the UK and Australia to improve rates of screening and immunisation. Few studies have focussed on incentives for patients to attend preventive health care examinations. Our objective was to investigate the use of a monetary incentive to increase patient attendance with their general practitioner for a cardiovascular risk assessment (CVRA). Methods: A pragmatic RCT was conducted in two Australian general practices. Participating GPs underwent academic detailing for cardiovascular risk assessment. 301 patients aged 40–74, who did not have cardiovascular disease, were independently randomised to receive a letter inviting them to a no cost cardiovascular risk assessment with their GP, or the same letter plus an offer of a $25 shopping voucher if they attended. An audit of patient medical records was also undertaken and a patient questionnaire administered to a sub sample of participants. Our main outcome measure was attendance for cardiovascular risk assessment. Results: In the RCT, 56/301(18.6%) patients attended for cardiovascular risk assessment, 29/182 (15.9%) in the control group and 27/119 (22.7%) in the intervention group. The estimated difference of 6.8% (95% CI: -2.5% to 16.0%) was not statistically significant, P = 0.15. The audit showed that GPs may underestimate patients’ absolute cardiovascular risk and the questionnaire that mailed invitations from GPs for a CVRA may encourage patients to attend. Conclusions: A small monetary incentive does not improve attendance for cardiovascular risk assessment. Further research should be undertaken to determine if there are other incentives that may increase attendance for preventive activities in the general practice setting.Nigel Stocks, James Allan, Oliver Frank, Sue Williams and Philip Rya