Analytical description of subwavelength plasmonic MIM resonators and of their combination.

We show that a periodic array of metal-insulator-metal resonators can be described as a high refractive index metamaterial. This approach permits to obtain analytically the optical properties of the structure and thus to establish conception rules on the quality factor or on total absorption. Furthermore, we extend this formalism to the combination of two independent resonators.

Complex optical index of single wall carbon nanotube films from the near-infrared to the terahertz spectral range.

We retrieve the complex optical index of single-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) films in the 0.6-800 μm spectral range. Results are obtained from a complete set of optical measurements, reflection and transmission, of free-standing CNT films using time domain spectroscopy in the terahertz (THz) and Fourier transform infrared (IR) spectroscopy in the visible-IR.

Wideband omnidirectional infrared absorber with a patchwork of plasmonic nanoantennas.

In this Letter, we demonstrate experimentally that a patchwork of four metal-insulator-metal patches leads to an unpolarized wideband omnidirectional infrared absorption. Our structure absorbs 70% of the incident light on a 2.5 μm bandwidth at 8.

[Memory Bistros to maintain social ties for Alzheimer patients and their carers].

More than twenty Memory Bistros in cafés situated in town centres across France provide a meeting place for people suffering from Alzheimer's disease and their family and friends. Overcoming their isolation, restoring, maintaining and reinforcing social ties, supporting carers, helping patients to express themselves are some of the objectives of these weekly get-togethers which are free to attend and offer a place of free expression.

Effects of short vs. prolonged mechanical ventilation on antioxidant systems in piglet diaphragm.

Objective: Prolonged controlled mechanical ventilation (MV) is known to induce diaphragmatic oxidative stress that seems to be an important factor reducing force-generating capacity. To better understand the cellular mechanisms involved, this work examined the effect of short vs. prolonged MV on antioxidant defense in the diaphragm.