Cavity Controlled Upconversion in CdSe Nanoplatelet Polaritons.

Exciton-polaritons provide a versatile platform for investigating quantum electrodynamics effects in chemical systems, such as polariton-altered chemical reactivity. However, using polaritons in chemical contexts will require a better understanding of their photophysical properties under ambient conditions, where chemistry is typically performed. Here, we used cavity quality factor to control strong light-matter interactions and in particular the excited state dynamics of colloidal CdSe nanoplatelets (NPLs) coupled to a Fabry-Pérot optical cavity.

Room-temperature strong coupling between CdSe nanoplatelets and a metal-DBR Fabry-Pérot cavity.

The generation of exciton-polaritons through strong light-matter interactions represents an emerging platform for exploring quantum phenomena. A significant challenge in colloidal nanocrystal-based polaritonic systems is the ability to operate at room temperature with high fidelity. Here, we demonstrate the generation of room-temperature exciton-polaritons through the coupling of CdSe nanoplatelets (NPLs) with a Fabry-Pérot optical cavity, leading to a Rabi splitting of 74.

Efficient Hole Transfer from CdSe Quantum Dots Enabled by Oxygen-Deficient Polyoxovanadate-Alkoxide Clusters.

A limitation of the implementation of cadmium chalcogenide quantum dots (QDs) in charge transfer systems is the efficient removal of photogenerated holes. Rapid hole transfer has typically required the functionalization of hole acceptors with groups that can coordinate to the surface of the QD. In addition to being synthetically limiting, this strategy also necessitates a competitive binding equilibrium between the hole acceptor and native, solubilizing ligands on the nanocrystal.

Localized Charge on Surfactant-Wrapped Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

As-synthesized, semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are nominally charge neutral. However, ionic surfactants that are commonly used to disperse SWCNTs in solution can lead to significantly charged aggregates adsorbed to the nanotube. Here, electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) was used to characterize the static-charge interactions between individual SWCNTs and the local environment.

Optimization of ultraviolet Raman spectroscopy for trace explosive checkpoint screening.

Raman spectroscopy has long been considered a gold standard for optically based chemical identification, but has not been adopted in non-laboratory operational settings due to limited sensitivity and slow acquisition times. Ultraviolet (UV) Raman spectroscopy has the potential to address these challenges through the reduction of fluorescence from background materials and increased Raman scattering due to the shorter wavelength (relative to visible or near-infrared excitation) and resonant enhancement effects. However, the benefits of UV Raman must be evaluated against specific operational situations: the actual realized fluorescence reduction and Raman enhancement depend on the specific target materials, target morphology, and operational constraints.

Percutaneous renal artery intervention versus medical therapy in patients with renal artery stenosis: a meta-analysis.

Aims: Patients with renal artery stenosis are treated with percutaneous intervention, but randomised studies are inconclusive. We aimed to compare renal percutaneous revascularisation versus medical therapy.

Methods And Results: A systematic search for randomised controlled studies yielded three studies comparing renal angioplasty and two studies comparing renal angioplasty with stenting versus medical therapy, respectively.

The effect of device advisories on implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators have been shown to improve survival by terminating life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias. As the devices have become more complex, there has been an increase in the incidence of device and lead malfunction. The device manufacturers issue advisories and recalls to alert physicians of the potential for malfunction.

Should recent defibrillator and lead advisories affect decisions to refer patients for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy?

Purpose Of Review: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) have been shown to improve survival by terminating life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. As ICDs have become more complex, there has been an increase in the incidence of device and lead malfunctions. Advisories and recalls are issued by device manufacturers to alert physicians to potential malfunction, but the management is typically left to the physician.

Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis: current therapy and future developments.

Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis affects between 2 and 4 million people in the United States alone and likely has a higher prevalence than previously thought. Renal artery stenosis has been increasingly recognized in recent years, especially in patients with cardiovascular disease. It has been associated with hypertension, renal dysfunction, and sudden onset of pulmonary edema.

Clinical judgment versus decision analysis for managing device advisories.

Introduction: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and pacemaker (PM) advisories may have a significant impact on patient management. Surveys of clinical practice have shown a great deal of variability in patient management after a device advisory. We compared our management of consecutive patients in a single large university practice with device advisories to the "best" patient management strategy predicted by a decision analysis model.

Benefit of primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in the setting of chronic kidney disease: a decision model analysis.

Introduction: Primary prevention ICD trials have excluded patients with CKD. Comorbidities and lower life expectancy in patients with CKD make the benefit of primary prevention ICD implantation uncertain.

Methods: A decision analysis model was devised to evaluate the risks and benefits of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) implantation in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who meet current criteria for a primary prevention ICD.

Gender disparity in the use of cardiac resynchronization therapy in the United States.

Background: Although several studies have shown the effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) for advanced congestive heart failure (CHF), gender differences in utilization of CRT are not known.

Methods: We used the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) to study national rates for admissions due to CHF along with procedures for initial CRT implantation, including both CRT-defibrillator (CRT-D) and CRT-pacemakers (CRT-P) during the years of 2002-2004. Chi-square tests were used for comparison between number of women and men.

Focus on management of pacemaker and ICD advisories, recalls, and alerts.

Because the number of implantable cardiac devices has dramatically increased, device alerts and advisories have become a part of routine clinical practice. When a physician is faced with the management of a patient with an implanted device that has been the subject of a recall or advisory, the major concern facing the clinician is how to manage the patient and whether the device needs to be replaced. A rational approach to evaluating patients with a device or lead that is the subject of a US Food and Drug Administration advisory requires evaluating the competing risks of elective device or lead replacement versus keeping the recalled device or lead in place.

Management of recalled pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: a decision analysis model.

Context: Limited information exists to direct clinical management after an implantable device has been put under advisory. A better understanding of the risks and benefits of device replacement compared with continued clinical follow-up would be helpful to clinicians.

Objective: Using the tools of decision analysis, to determine the best management approach (immediate device replacement vs continued monitoring) in the setting of a device advisory.

Acute myocardial infarction and heart failure: role of apoptosis.

Apoptosis is a key pathologic feature in acute myocardial infarction and heart failure. Experimental animal studies have shown beneficial effects of inhibiting apoptosis. Understanding the mechanisms involved in the apoptotic cascade may be useful in better understanding of heart failure and its management.