Optimization of multi-grating volume holographic spectrum splitters for photovoltaic applications.

Recent research has shown that using multiple diverse-bandgap photovoltaic (PV) cells in conjunction with a spectrum splitting optical system can significantly improve PV power generation efficiency. Although volume Bragg gratings (VBGs) can serve as effective spectrum splitters, the inherent dispersion of a VBG can be detrimental given a broad-spectrum input. The performance of a single holographic spectrum splitter element can be improved by utilizing multiple single volume gratings, each operating in a slightly different spectral band.

Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue Among Critical Care Nurses.

Background: Although critical care nurses gain satisfaction from providing compassionate care to patients and patients' families, the nurses are also at risk for fatigue. The balance between satisfaction and fatigue is considered professional quality of life.

Objectives: To establish the prevalence of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue in adult, pediatric, and neonatal critical care nurses and to describe potential contributing demographic, unit, and organizational characteristics.

Channel density and efficiency optimization of spectral beam combining systems based on volume Bragg gratings in sequential and multiplexed arrangements.

Spectral-beam-combining (SBC) systems utilizing multiple volume Bragg gratings must be carefully analyzed to maximize channel density and efficiency, and thus output radiance. This analysis grows increasingly difficult as the number of channels in the system increases, and heuristic optimization techniques are useful tools for exploring the limits of these systems. We explore three classes of multigrating SBC systems: cascaded, where each grating adds a new channel to the system in sequence; sandwiched, where several individual gratings are placed together and all channels enter the system at the same facet; and multiplexed, where all of the gratings occupy the same holographic optical element (HOE).

Nursing job satisfaction, certification and healthcare-associated infections in critical care.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between nursing job satisfaction and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in adult critical care.

Methods: Multilevel modelling was used to examine the relationship between nursing job satisfaction and two HAIs, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI).

Results: Units with nurses that reported satisfaction with organisational policies were associated with a 6.

A comparison of two differing doses of promethazine for the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Purpose: To compare the use of promethazine 6.25 mg intravenous (IV) (experimental group) with promethazine 12.5 mg IV (control group) among adult ambulatory surgery patients to control established postoperative nausea or vomiting (PONV).