Attosecond-pump attosecond-probe x-ray spectroscopy of liquid water.

Attosecond-pump/attosecond-probe experiments have long been sought as the most straightforward method for observing electron dynamics in real time. Although there has been much success with overlapped near-infrared femtosecond and extreme ultraviolet attosecond pulses combined with theory, true attosecond-pump/attosecond-probe experiments have been limited. We used a synchronized attosecond x-ray pulse pair from an x-ray free-electron laser to study the electronic response to valence ionization in liquid water through all x-ray attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy (AX-ATAS). Our analysis showed that the AX-ATAS response is confined to the subfemtosecond timescale, eliminating any hydrogen atom motion and demonstrating experimentally that the 1b1 splitting in the x-ray emission spectrum is related to dynamics and is not evidence of two structural motifs in ambient liquid water.

Direct observation of ultrafast exciton localization in an organic semiconductor with soft X-ray transient absorption spectroscopy.

The localization dynamics of excitons in organic semiconductors influence the efficiency of charge transfer and separation in these materials. Here we apply time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy to track photoinduced dynamics of a paradigmatic crystalline conjugated polymer: poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) commonly used in solar cell devices. The π→π* transition, the first step of solar energy conversion, is pumped with a 15 fs optical pulse and the dynamics are probed by an attosecond soft X-ray pulse at the carbon K-edge. We observe X-ray spectroscopic signatures of the initially hot excitonic state, indicating that it is delocalized over multiple polymer chains. This undergoes a rapid evolution on a sub 50 fs timescale which can be directly associated with cooling and localization to form either a localized exciton or polaron pair.

Seven-Year Experience with Office Microlaparoscopy and Hysteroscopy

Since 1989 more than 1200 office-based endoscopies have been performed at our facility. Visualization was initially achieved with 1.6-mm optical catheters, but recently, we have used larger-diameter fiber and glass rod endoscopes. Ancillary instruments progressed from 5- to 2-mm diameters, although occasionally we used up to 20-mm cannula punctures. Anesthesia remained consistent, with local infiltration followed by conscious sedation given by an on-site anesthesiologist. Lately, alternative methods of anesthesia including hypnosis and acupuncture have had some initial success. To date, we have performed 156 tubal ligations, 293 diagnostic laparoscopies, 151 treatments of endometriosis, 43 ovarian cyst aspirations, 29 adhesiolyses, 263 second-look procedures, 21 ectopic pregnancy removals, 198 diagnostic hysteroscopies, 64 endometrial biopsies, 20 fibroid resections, and 39 endometrial ablations. Patient response has been rewarding, thanks to decreased time off work, decreased cost of procedures to health insurance carriers, and immediate satisfaction from the diagnosis and treatment of their conditions.

Applications of the laparoscopic ultrasonic aspirator for advanced gynecologic operative endoscopic procedures.

We evaluated the efficacy of a new laparoscopic ultrasonic aspirator and applied it in gynecologic endoscopy. Two procedures were selected for preliminary evaluation of the instrument; ultrasonic aspiration for selective presacral neurectomies and total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH). The aspirator worked successfully in evacuating soft tissue and in adequately exposing the presacral plexus. In TLH we were able to skeletonize the broad ligament adventitia all the way to the level of the uterine arteries bilaterally, including exposure of the ureters. The time required for the procedures varied from case to case, and strongly depended on tissue type and on instruments used to dissect and improve visualization of the operative field. The aspirator may prove useful as an adjunctive in the surgical management of endometriosis, in laparoscopic lymphadenectomy, and in treating complex adhesions after further evaluation is completed.

Smoking in hospital: a survey of attitudes of staff, patients, and visitors.

A survey was carried out on attitudes to smoking in hospital. Analysis of 411 interviews showed that the majority (64%) of those questioned approved of some restrictions on patients smoking in the wards. Eighteen per cent would have liked to see a complete ban on smoking, while an identical number favoured no restrictions at all. Smoking habit influenced response; only 8% of smokers, compared with 25% of non-smokers, would have liked to see a total ban on smoking. Attitudes to smoking varied according to the status of the persons interviewed; only 6% of visitors and 7% of nurses approved of a complete ban on smoking, compared with 32% of medical students and 27% of doctors. The results suggest that the introduction of smoking and non-smoking areas in hospital wards would be approved by the majority of patients, staff, and visitors.