Valley and pseudospin-valley topologically protected edge states in symmetric pillared phononic crystals

We present a symmetric double-sided pillared phononic crystals (PPnCs) that can emulate both quantum spin Hall effect (QSHE) and quantum valley Hall effect (QVHE) by solely imposing different geometric perturbations. Indeed, the Dirac cones can occur in the low (deep subwavelength) and high frequency regime by judiciously turning the parameters of the attached pillars and even a double Dirac cone can be achieved. We realize the valley-protected, the pseudospin-protected or the pseudospin-valley coupled edge states with the proposed platform. Besides, we show a variety of refraction phenomena (positive, negative and evanescent) of the valley-polarized edge state at the zigzag termination when emulating QVHE. Further, we illustrate the valley-dependent feature of the pseudospin-valley coupled edge state and demonstrate the valley based splitting of the pseudospin-protected edge states in a Y-junction wave guide.Comment: 4 figure

Wave propagation in one-dimensional nonlinear acoustic metamaterials

The propagation of waves in the nonlinear acoustic metamaterials (NAMs) is fundamentally different from that in the conventional linear ones. In this article we consider two one-dimensional NAM systems featuring respectively a diatomic and a tetratomic meta unit-cell. We investigate the attenuation of the wave, the band structure and the bifurcations to demonstrate novel nonlinear effects, which can significantly expand the bandwidth for elastic wave suppression and cause nonlinear wave phenomena. Harmonic averaging approach, continuation algorithm, Lyapunov exponents are combined to study the frequency responses, the nonlinear modes, bifurcations of periodic solutions and chaos. The nonlinear resonances are studied and the influence of damping on hyper-chaotic attractors is evaluated. Moreover, a "quantum" behavior is found between the low-energy and high-energy orbits. This work provides an important theoretical base for the further understandings and applications of NAMs

Light modulation in phoxonic nanocavities

We report on the occurrence of strong nonlinear acousto-optic interactions in phoxonic structures, that support, simultaneously, acoustic and optical localized resonant modes, under the influence of acoustic losses. Deploying a detailed theoretical investigation of the acousto-optic coupling in the specific case of a one-dimensional phoxonic cavity, realized by homogeneous SiO2 and Si layers, we demonstrate the possibility for an enhanced modulation of light with sound through multi-phonon exchange mechanisms. A full electrodynamic and elastodynamic multiple scattering approach is employed to describe the optical and acoustic modes, and to account for their mutual interaction and the underlying effects both in time and frequency domains. In particular, we discuss the influence of hypersonic attenuation on the acousto-optic interaction by considering typical acoustic losses in the GHz regime

Phononic Crystal Made of Multilayered Ridges on a Substrate for Rayleigh Waves Manipulation

International audienceWe present a phononic crystal to achieve efficient manipulation of surface acoustic waves (SAW). The structure is made of finite phononic micro-ridges arranged periodically in a substrate surface. Each ridge is constructed by staking silicon and tungsten layers so that it behaves as one-dimensional phononic crystal which exhibits band gaps for elastic waves. The band gap allows the existence of resonance modes where the elastic energy is either confined within units in the free end of the ridge or the ones in contact with the substrate. We show that SAW interaction with localized modes in the free surface of the ridge gives rise to sharp attenuation in the SAW transmission while the modes confined within the ridge/ substrate interface cause broad band attenuations of SAW. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the coupling between the two kinds of modes within the band gap gives high SAW transmission amplitude in the form of Fano like peaks with high quality factor. The structure could provide an interesting solution for accurate SAW control for sensing application for instance

Pillar-type acoustic metasurface

International audienceWe theoretically investigate acoustic metasurfaces consisting of either a single pillar or a line of identical pillars on a thin plate, and we report on the dependence on the geometrical parameters of both the monopolar compressional and dipolar bending modes. We show that for specific dimensions of the resonators, a bending and a compressional modes may be simultaneously excited. We study their interaction with an anti-symmetric Lamb wave, whether or not they occur at the same frequency, with particular consideration for the amplitude and phase of waves emitted by the pillars at resonance. Especially, the analysis of both the amplitude and the phase of the wave at the common resonant frequency downstream a line of pillars, demonstrates that the reemitted waves allow for the transmission with phase shift of π

Tunable waveguide and cavity in a phononic crystal plate by controlling whispering-gallery modes in hollow pillars

International audienceWe investigate the properties of a phononic crystal plate with hollow pillars and introduce the existence of whispering-gallery modes (WGMs). We show that by tuning the inner radius of the hollow pillar, these modes can merge inside both Bragg and low frequency band gaps, deserving phononic crystal and acoustic metamaterial applications. These modes can be used as narrow pass bands for which the quality factor can be greatly enhanced by the introduction of an additional cylinder between the hollow cylinder and the plate. We discuss some functionalities of these confined WGM in both Bragg and low frequency gaps for wavelength division in multiplexer devices using heteroradii pillars introduced into waveguide and cavity structures

An evaluation of the use of paediatric X-ray imaging in public health centres within primary health care in Malta

INTRODUCTION: Despite the possible harms of ionising radiation, guidelines for the use of X-rays in children are not available locally. International guidelines are also limited.AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate all X-rays taken in paediatric patients in Primary HealthCare in Malta over a period of six months.METHOD: A list of all X-rays taken in children aged 0-16 years during the period of July 2020 till December 2020 in all publicly funded Primary HealthCare health centres in Malta was compiled using the Radiology Information System (RIS), Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) and iSOFT Clinical Manager (iCM). A form was designed using Microsoft Excel® to facilitate collection of data. Patient demographics were collected, and data was evaluated for the type of X-ray ordered, reason for request and source of referral, as well as the result of the X-rays and any subsequent follow-up organised.RESULTS: Over the six-month period studied, 1176 children were referred for X-ray imaging with 1324 X-rays being taken. These were mostly 13-16 years of age, with the majority being male. Most patients were referred by general practitioners working in health centres, with X-rays of the upper limb being the most ordered radiographs. The commonest reason for requesting an X-ray was a history of trauma. In total, 75.8% of X-rays ordered were reported as normal. Only 4.3% of all requests referred to existing guidelines. With reference to lower limb X-rays, Ottawa rules were referred to in 11.4% of X-ray requests, with 78.6% of these being reported as normal. Follow-up visits were planned for 34% of children referred for X-ray.CONCLUSION: The results of this evaluation show that most X-rays in the paediatric population were taken in view of trauma, and approximately 75% of all X-rays taken were normal. Educating doctors about the use of judicial x-ray imaging and development of local guidelines might help to reduce unnecessary investigations.peer-reviewe

039: Platelet reactivity predicts both ischemic and bleeding events at one year follow-up in acute coronary syndome patients receiving prasugrel

There are evidences of a link between platelet reactivity inhibition and thrombotic and bleeding events. We have previously demonstrated that PR after prasugrel loading dose (LD) predicts short-term thrombotic events. We aimed to further investigate the relationship between PR under prasugrel and one-year thrombotic and bleeding events.MethodPatients were prospectively included in this multicentre study if they had a successful PCI for an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and received prasugrel. Vasodilator-Stimulated Phosphoprotein (VASP index) was measured after prasugrel LD. Endpoint included the rate of thrombotic events (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis) and bleeding events (TIMI) at one year.ResultsThree hundreds and one patients were enrolled. Nine patients (3%) were lost to follow-up at one year. The rates of thrombotic and bleeding events at one year were 7.5 and 6.8% respectively. The mean VASP index after a 60mg LD of prasugrel was 34}23% and 76 patients (25%) were considered as having high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR). Patients with HTPR had a higher rate of thrombotic events compared to good responders (19.7 vs 3.1%;p<0.001). Patients with a minor or major non-CABG related TIMI bleeding had lower PR compared to patients with no bleeding events (21}18 vs 35}23%;p=0.008). In multivariate analysis, the VASP index predicted both thrombotic and bleeding events (OR: 1.44 (95% CI: 1.2–1.72; p<0.001 and 0.75 (95% CI: 0.59–0.96;p=0.024 (respectively, per 10% increase)).ConclusionPlatelet reactivity measurement after prasugrel LD predicts both ischemic and bleedings events at one year follow-up for ACS patients undergoing PCI