Reliable and easy-to-use SERS spectroscopy probe using a tapered opto-fluidic photonic crystal fiber.

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is one of the most sensitive biosensing techniques that offers label free detection for a variety of applications. Generally, SERS spectroscopy is performed on nano-functionalized planar substrates with plasmonic structures or colloidal nanoparticles. Recently, photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) have gained great interest for SERS based bio sensing applications due to the immense advantages such as improved sensitivity, flexibility and remote sensing capability that it offers compared to the planar substrates.

Environmental control on fish and macrocrustacean spring community-structure, on an intertidal sandy beach.

The inter-annual variability of the fish and macrocrustacean spring community on an intertidal sandy beach near the Canche estuary (North of France) was studied from 2000 to 2013 based on weekly spring sampling over an 11-year period. Twenty-eight species representing 21 families were collected during the course of the study. The community was dominated by a few abundant species accounting for > 99% of the total species densities.

[Contribution of computerized cisternography using hydrosoluble contrast media or CT transit to the diagnosis of post-traumatic cerebrospinal rhinorrhea].

Based on a series of 100 cases, the authors present the value of CT transit in craniofacial traumatology. This examination, systematically performed in cases of fistulogenic fracture, is able to confirm or exclude the presence of an osteomeningeal breach, which is often difficult to detect during the immediate post-traumatic period. CT transit also allows precise localisation of the breach, which guides the operative procedure.