Power dependence of supercontinuum noise in uniform and tapered PCFs.

We experimentally investigate the noise properties of picosecond supercontinuum spectra generated at different power levels in uniform and tapered photonic crystal fibers. We show that the noise at the spectral edges of the generated supercontinuum is at a constant level independent on the pump power in both tapered and uniform fibers. At high input power the spectral bandwidth is limited by the infrared loss edge, this however has no effect on the noise properties.

Deep-blue supercontinnum sources with optimum taper profiles--verification of GAM.

We use an asymmetric 2 m draw-tower photonic crystal fiber taper to demonstrate that the taper profile needs careful optimisation if you want to develop a supercontinuum light source with as much power as possible in the blue edge of the spectrum. In particular we show, that for a given taper length, the downtapering should be as long as possible. We argue how this may be explained by the concept of group-acceleration mismatch (GAM) and we confirm the results using conventional symmetrical short tapers made on a taper station, which have varying downtapering lengths.

California Breast Cancer Prevention Initiatives: Setting a research agenda for prevention.

The environment is an underutilized pathway to breast cancer prevention. Current research approaches and funding streams related to breast cancer and the environment are unequal to the task at hand. We undertook the California Breast Cancer Prevention Initiatives, a four-year comprehensive effort to set a research agenda related to breast cancer, the environment, disparities and prevention. We identified 20 topics for Concept Proposals reflecting a life-course approach and the complex etiology of breast cancer; considering the environment as chemical, physical and socially constructed exposures that are experienced concurrently: at home, in the community and at work; and addressing how we should be modifying the world around us to promote a less carcinogenic environment. Redirecting breast cancer research toward prevention-oriented discovery could significantly reduce the incidence and associated disparities of the disease among future generations.

Responses of baccalaureate and graduate programs to the emergence of choice in nursing accreditation.

Specialized accreditation in nursing is a widely recognized and respected hallmark of program quality. The advent of a second specialized accrediting agency for baccalaureate and higher degree programs in nursing prompted a survey of these programs to determine their choice of nursing accreditation agency, factors influencing their choice, their perceptions of the value added by nursing accreditation, and the difficulties encountered with the accreditation process. These study variables and the relationships between choice of accrediting agency and types of degree-granting nursing education programs offered by the institution, agency membership in the National League of Nursing (NLN) or the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), expected date of next accreditation visit, geographic region, public versus private status, and type of institution (Carnegie classification) were analyzed. Findings revealed that nearly a quarter (24%) of respondents intend to continue with the NLN Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), whereas 30% indicated they have already switched to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or intend to do so prior to their next accreditation cycle. However, nearly a quarter (24%) of respondents said they plan to be accredited by both agencies for the immediate future, and 21% indicated they are still undecided. Study findings suggest an end to single-source accreditation, and the beginning of a new market-oriented approach.