Analysis of Complications in Patients With a History of Cannabis Use and Tobacco Use Undergoing Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction.

Background: There is limited information regarding the perioperative effects of marijuana in breast reconstructive surgeries.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the association between a history of cannabis use and postoperative complications in the setting of implant-based breast reconstruction.

Methods: Two databases, TriNetX and PearlDiver, were queried for patients undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction.

Evaluation of radical scavenging system in amoeba during nutrient deprivation.

The frequent appearance of non-lamellar membrane arrangements such as cubic membranes (CMs) in cells under stressed or pathological conditions points to an intrinsic cellular response mechanism. CM represents highly curved, three-dimensional nano-periodic structures that correspond to mathematically well-defined triply periodic minimal surfaces. Specifically, cellular membrane may transform into CM organization in response to pathological, inflammatory and oxidative stress conditions.

Pulse-amplitude-equalized output from a rational harmonic mode-locked fiber laser.

We report, for the first time to our knowledge, the demonstration of amplitude equalization of high-repetition-rate pulses generated from a rational harmonic mode-locked Er-doped fiber laser. The output pulses are injected into another fiber laser with a nonlinear optical loop mirror. This scheme provides pulse-amplitude equalization up to the ninth rational harmonic mode-locked pulse train.

Measurement of the nonlinear refractive index of fibers with a rotating nonlinear Sagnac interferometer.

We developed a method to measure the nonlinear refractive-index coefficient of fibers using a nonlinear Sagnac interferometer. To enhance the measurement accuracy, we employed a phase-sensitive detection technique using a rotational sensitive property of the Sagnac interferometer. The measured values were reproducible to within 10 % accuracy.

Beam-array combination with planar integrated optics for three-dimensional multistage interconnection networks.

We propose a configuration of planar integrated optics for three-dimensional multistage interconnection networks. To show the feasibility of cascading operations in the planar integrated optics, we present experimental results on the beam combination of signal- and power-beam arrays at a node stage. The beam-combination efficiency measured in the experiment is ~42% of the theoretical limit.

Combined binary-phase holograms for free-space optical interconnection.

We have developed a combined binary-phase hologram (CBPH) consisting of two binary-phase holograms. The CBPH can be used effectively for optical interconnection and image processing because it suppresses the unwanted images of a conventional binary-phase hologram. The theory and properties of the CBPH and experimental results are presented.

Focusing-grating-coupler arrays for uniform and efficient signal distribution in a backboard optical interconnect.

Several one-dimensional arrays of focusing grating couplers are designed for uniform distribution of incident optical powers to several processing boards in a backboard interconnection scheme. As main design parameters, both the length and the duty cycle of each focusing grating coupler are determined on the bases of ray-optic propagation-mode analysis in a slab waveguide and of rigorous coupled-wave diffraction analysis for out-coupled radiation modes. The backboard interconnection scheme incorporating the one-dimensional focusing-grating-coupler arrays, when used to distribute a guided optical power of TE(0) mode to several converging waves radiated only toward a glass substrate, displayed a power uniformity of 5% and a total coupling efficiency of 99.

Sulfonated polystyrene as a new gradient-index medium for light-focusing elements.

We have discovered that the sulfonation of polystyrene can form a gradient-index medium useful for lightfocusing purposes. We found that the refractive index of sulfonated polystyrene varies with the degree of sulfonation and that the refractive index of the fully sulfonated polystyrene decreased by approximately 0.06 at 0.

Angular distribution of fluorescence from liquids and monodispersed spheres by evanescent wave excitation.

Experimental data on the angular distribution of fluorescence from thick liquid dye layers excited by evanescent waves are found to agree well with Fresnel theory and with an effective thickness formulation. Qualitative agreement of theory with fluorescence data obtained from monodispersed spherical particles having diameters comparable to the wavelength of the incident evanescent radiation and impregnated with dye molecules is also attained. From our results, the optimum incident and observation angles and polarizations to enhance the contrast and SNR for inelastic ATR reemission spectroscopy applied to studying micron or submicron layers of particulates can be predicted.