Leaky and waveguide modes in biperiodic holograms.

This study details a theoretical analysis of leaky and waveguide modes in biperiodic all-dielectric holograms. By tuning diffraction orders and subsequently confining local density of optical states at two distinct resonance wavelengths, we present a new class of highly sensitive refractive index biosensing platforms that are capable of resolving 35.5 to 41.

Plasmon-Driven Hot Electron Transfer at Atomically Sharp Metal-Semiconductor Nanojunctions.

Recent advances in guiding and localizing light at the nanoscale exposed the enormous potential of ultrascaled plasmonic devices. In this context, the decay of surface plasmons to hot carriers triggers a variety of applications in boosting the efficiency of energy-harvesting, photocatalysis, and photodetection. However, a detailed understanding of plasmonic hot carrier generation and, particularly, the transfer at metal-semiconductor interfaces is still elusive.

Stimulated Raman Scattering in Ge Nanowires.

Investigating group-IV-based photonic components is a very active area of research with extensive interest in developing complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) compatible light sources. However, due to the indirect band gap of these materials, effective light-emitting diodes and lasers based on pure Ge or Si cannot be realized. In this context, there is considerable interest in developing group-IV based Raman lasers.

Effect of Flaxseed Powder on Cardiovascular Risk Factor in Dyslipidemic and Hypertensive Patients.

Background: Hyperlipidemia and hypertension are the most important causes of ischemic heart disease. There is evidence that flaxseed powder can improve lipid profile and blood pressure. In this study, we want to investigate the effects of flaxseed powder consumption on patients with hyperlipidemia and hypertension.

End-of-life care in patients with advanced heart failure.

Purpose Of Review: With an aging population with heart failure, there is a growing need for end-of-life care in this population, including a focus on symptom management and quality-of-life considerations.

Recent Findings: Targeted therapies focusing on symptom control and improving quality of life is the cornerstone of providing care in patients with heart failure near the end of life. Such therapies, including the use of inotropes for palliative purposes, have been shown to improve symptoms without an increase in mortality.

Tuning Electroluminescence from a Plasmonic Cavity-Coupled Silicon Light Source.

The combination of Moore's law and Dennard's scaling rules have constituted the fundamental guidelines for the silicon-based semiconductor industry for decades. Furthermore, the enormous growth of global data volume has pushed the demand for complex and densely packed devices. In recent years, it has become clear that wired interconnects impose increasingly severe speed and power limitations onto integrated circuits as scaling slows toward a halt.

Management of Atrio-Esophageal Fistula Following Left Atrial Ablation.

Currently, no guidelines have been established for the treatment of atrio-esophageal fistula (AEF) secondary to left atrial ablation therapy. After comprehensive literature review, we aim to make suggestions on the management of this complex complication and also present a case series. We performed a review of the existing literature on AEF in the setting of atrial ablation.

Fluoroless Catheter Ablation of Cardiac Arrhythmias: A 5-Year Experience.

Background: Catheter ablations have been traditionally performed with the use of fluoroscopic guidance, which exposes the patient and staff to the inherent risks of radiation. We have developed techniques to eliminate the use of fluoroscopy during cardiac ablations and have been performing completely fluoroless catheter ablations on our patients for over 5 years.

Methods: We present a retrospective analysis of the safety, efficacy, and feasibility data from 500 consecutive patients who underwent nonfluoroscopic catheter ablation, targeting a total of 639 arrhythmias, including atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT), atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT), atrial tachycardia (AT), atrial fibrillation (AF), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), and ventricular tachycardia (VT).

Establishing a gradient between partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide and end-tidal carbon dioxide in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO) monitoring is useful in many situations. However, ETCO monitoring is unreliable in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to widespread lung inflammation. In our study, we attempt to establish the gradient between the arterial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO) and ETCO in patients with ARDS, which we defined as the PaETCO gradient.

Pulmonary Hypertension in a Patient With Congenital Heart Defects and Heterotaxy Syndrome.

Background: Heterotaxy syndrome, also called isomerism, is a condition in which abdominal and thoracic organs are located in abnormal body positions. Pulmonary hypertension (PHTN) is an uncommon clinical feature of heterotaxy syndrome.

Case Report: We describe the case of a 26-year-old male who developed PHTN as a rare manifestation of heterotaxy syndrome.

Clopidogrel-Induced Severe Hepatitis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Clopidogrel is a commonly prescribed antiplatelet agent that carries a rare risk of hepatotoxicity. We describe a case of severe clopidogrel-induced hepatitis with liver biopsy assessment. Prompt recognition and withdrawal of the offending agent are imperative to prevent progression and potentially fatal liver injury.

Tunable Plasmonic Nanohole Arrays Actuated by a Thermoresponsive Hydrogel Cushion.

New plasmonic structure with actively tunable optical characteristics based on thermoresponsive hydrogel is reported. It consists of a thin, template-stripped Au film with arrays of nanoholes that is tethered to a transparent support by a cross-linked poly(-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAAm)-based polymer network. Upon a contact of the porous Au surface with an aqueous environment, a rapid flow of water through the pores enables swelling and collapsing of the underlying pNIPAAm network.

Safety of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement in patients with continuous-flow ventricular assist devices.

In this retrospective study, the safety of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement was evaluated as maintaining adequate nutritional support for patients with left ventricular assist devices is crucial. Nineteen patients who underwent PEG tube placement were followed for an average of 40 days. Overall, minor complications such as infections, bleeding, and PEG tube malposition occurred in just 19% of patients while the rate of major complications such as perforation was 5%.

In Search for Equilibrium: Immunosuppression Versus Opportunistic Infection.

Post-transplant immunosuppression is necessary to prevent organ rejection. Immunosuppression itself can introduce complications arising from opportunistic infections. We present a case of disseminated blastomycosis manifested only as a skin lesion in an asymptomatic patient post-orthotopic heart transplantation.

Impact of Chest Pain Protocol Targeting Intermediate Cardiac Risk Patients in an Observation Unit of an Academic Tertiary Care Center.

Background: Chest pain (CP) is a frequent cause of emergency room visits in United States and adds a huge financial burden to our healthcare cost. With the addition of observation units, standard CP protocols have shown to decrease length of stay (LOS) and cost per discharge (CPD). We report our experience with the development and implementation of "CP protocol for intermediate cardiac risk patients" and its impact on healthcare resource utilization at our medical center.

The impact of education on weight loss in overweight and obese adults.

Background: Prevalence of obesity is rapidly rising. To reverse the obesity epidemic, efforts should be made to incorporate intensive weight loss programs into medical practice. The primary aim of this study was to change the behavior for achieving a mean weight loss of 5-10% of initial body weight over 6 months in overweight and obese adults.

Long-range dielectric-loaded surface plasmon polariton waveguides operating at telecommunication wavelengths.

We report on the realization of long-range dielectric-loaded surface plasmon polariton waveguides (LR-DLSPPWs) consisting of straight and bent subwavelength dielectric ridges deposited on thin and narrow metal stripes supported by a dielectric buffer layer covering a low-index substrate. Using imaging with a near-field optical microscope and end-fire coupling with a tapered fiber connected to a tunable laser at telecommunication wavelengths (1425-1545 nm), we demonstrate low-loss (propagation length ∼500 μm) and well-confined (mode width ∼1 μm) LR-DLSPPW mode guiding and determine the propagation and bend loss.