Measurement of the birefringence variation induced by dihydrogen diffusion into a polarization-maintaining fiber.

We report continuous measurements of the transmission spectrum of a fiber loop mirror interferometer composed of a Panda-type polarization-maintaining (PM) optical fiber during the diffusion of dihydrogen (H) gas into the fiber. Birefringence variation is measured through the wavelength shift of the interferometer spectrum when the PM fiber is inserted into a gas chamber with H concentration from 1.5 to 3.

Image-based autofocusing system for nonlinear optical microscopy with broad spectral tuning.

We present an image-based autofocusing system applied in nonlinear microscopy and spectroscopy with a wide range of excitation wavelengths. The core of the developed autofocusing system consists of an adapted two-step procedure maximizing an image score with six different image scorings algorithms implemented to cover different types of focusing scenarios in automated regime for broad wavelength region. The developed approach is combined with an automated multi-axis alignment procedure.

Reshaping the Second-Order Polar Response of Hybrid Metal-Dielectric Nanodimers.

We combine the field confinement of plasmonics with the flexibility of multiple Mie resonances by bottom-up assembly of hybrid metal-dielectric nanodimers. We investigate the electromagnetic coupling between nanoparticles in heterodimers consisting of gold and barium titanate (BaTiO or BTO) nanoparticles through nonlinear second-harmonic spectroscopy and polarimetry. The overlap of the localized surface plasmon resonant dipole mode of the gold nanoparticle with the dipole and higher-order Mie resonant modes in the BTO nanoparticle lead to the formation of hybridized modes in the visible spectral range.

Anapoles in Free-Standing III-V Nanodisks Enhancing Second-Harmonic Generation.

Nonradiating electromagnetic configurations in nanostructures open new horizons for applications due to two essential features: a lack of energy losses and invisibility to the propagating electromagnetic field. Such radiationless configurations form a basis for new types of nanophotonic devices, in which a strong electromagnetic field confinement can be achieved together with lossless interactions between nearby components. In our work, we present a new design of free-standing disk nanoantennas with nonradiating current distributions for the optical near-infrared range.

Direct axillary artery cannulation in cardiac surgery: clinical outcomes.

Objective Axillary artery cannulation is still regarded with distrust by surgeons because the artery is supposed to be fragile, difficult to access, and its cannulation is often considered time-consuming. This study was carried out to assess our results in a series of patients, using a simplified surgical approach to axillary artery cannulation. Methods Data were collected retrospectively from our prospective database.

Enhanced Second-Harmonic Generation from Sequential Capillarity-Assisted Particle Assembly of Hybrid Nanodimers.

We show enhanced second-harmonic generation (SHG) from a hybrid metal-dielectric nanodimer consisting of an inorganic perovskite nanoparticle of barium titanate (BaTiO) coupled to a metallic gold (Au) nanoparticle. BaTiO-Au nanodimers of 100 nm/80 nm sizes are fabricated by sequential capillarity-assisted particle assembly. The BaTiO nanoparticle has a noncentrosymmetric crystalline structure and generates bulk SHG.

Results of elective cardiac surgery in patients with severe obesity (body mass index≥35 kg/m2).

Background: The increasing number of obese patients eligible for cardiac surgery requires risks and benefits to be balanced in this population.

Aims: To study the results of cardiac surgery in severely obese patients (body mass index [BMI]≥35 kg/m2).

Methods: In this retrospective study of 3564 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery between 2004 and 2012, the population was divided into two groups: BMI 20-34.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with direct axillary artery perfusion.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can be done through several cannulation sites. Axillary artery cannulation is commonly performed through a Dacron graft sutured in an end-to-side fashion to the axillary artery. Direct cannulation of the axillary artery appears a reliable technique with low rate of complications.

On chip shapeable optical tweezers.

Particles manipulation with optical forces is known as optical tweezing. While tweezing in free space with laser beams was established in the 1980s, integrating the optical tweezers on a chip is a challenging task. Recent experiments with plasmonic nanoantennas, microring resonators, and photonic crystal nanocavities have demonstrated optical trapping.

[Current treatment of acute type A aortic dissection. Surgical treatment and treatment of malperfusion syndrome].

Acute type A aortic dissection is a surgical emergency. Treatment is based on dissected ascending aortic replacement and correction of an associated aortic insufficiency. Catheterization of the axillary artery, open distal anastomosis and systematic resection of the intimal tear are the main surgical evolutions of the last years.

Long-term results of the bentall operation versus separate replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic valve.

Background And Aims Of The Study: Aortic valve disease associated with ascending aorta dilatation can be treated either by separate replacement of the aortic valve and ascending aorta, or by a composite valved graft.

Methods: Between 1974 and 1999, 117 patients underwent a Bentall operation (BP), and 63 a separate replacement procedure (SP) of the ascending aorta and aortic valve. Anatomic lesions were dystrophic aneurysm in 79 patients, annuloectasia in 65, chronic dissection in 14, acute dissection in 18, and other etiology in four.