Cascading nonlinearities in an organic single crystal core fiber: The Cerenkov regime

The large nonlinear phase shifts imparted to the fundamental beam during Cerenkov second harmonic generation (SHG) in a DAN, 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)-3-acetamidonitrobenzene, single crystal core fiber are explained and modelled numerically. Cascading upconversion and downconversion processes leads to nonlinear phase shifts produced by the second order nonlinear coupling of the guided fundamental mode and the component of the Cerenkov second harmonic field trapped in the fiber cladding

Limitation Due To 3-Photon Absorption On The Useful Spectral Range For Nonlinear Optics In Algaas Below Half Band-Gap

We report measurements of the spectral dispersion and the magnitude of three-photon absorption in Al0.18Ga0.82As for photon energies between one half and one third the band gap and show that a two-parabolic-band model is valid in this material. These results indicate that there is a limited spectral range below half the band gap in AlGaAs (and presumably all semiconductors) in which the bound electronic optical nonlinearity can be used without significant multiphoton absorption

Assessment Of Single-Crystal P-Toluene Sulfonate As An All-Optical Switching Material At 1.3-Mu-M

We evaluate the potential of single crystal PTS (p-toluene sulfonate) for all-optical applications at the 1.32 mum communications wavelength by measuring the electronic and thermo-optic nonlinearities, and the multiphoton absorption with picosecond pulses. With appropriate heat sinking, duty cycles greater than 25% should be possible without significant cumulative thermal effects for 1 W operating powers

Treatment of post-traumatic degenerative changes of the radio-carpal and distal radio-ulnar joints by combining radius, scaphoid, and lunate (RSL) fusion with ulnar head replacement

Distal radial fractures are a common type of fracture. In the case of intra-articular fractures, they often result in post-traumatic arthrosis. The objective of this study is to describe a novel alternative to the established salvage techniques for the treatment of post-traumatic arthrosis of the radio-carpal and distal radio-ulnar joints (DRUJ). Six patients with radio-carpal and DRUJ arthrosis were treated with a combined radius, scaphoid, and lunate (RSL) arthrodesis and as a Herbert ulnar head prosthesis. Follow-up consisted of both radiographic and functional assessments. Functional measurements were noted both pre- and postoperatively. No non-union or pseudoarthrosis was seen; neither did any of the ulnar head prostheses show loosening. Clinical examination showed an improvement in strength, pain, and range of movement, as well as a decrease in disability. Combining RSL arthrodesis with a Herbert ulnar head prosthesis, which deals with pain while retaining partial wrist movement, can be an alternative to established salvage procedures

Perioperative events influence cancer recurrence risk after surgery.

Surgery is a mainstay treatment for patients with solid tumours. However, despite surgical resection with a curative intent and numerous advances in the effectiveness of (neo)adjuvant therapies, metastatic disease remains common and carries a high risk of mortality. The biological perturbations that accompany the surgical stress response and the pharmacological effects of anaesthetic drugs, paradoxically, might also promote disease recurrence or the progression of metastatic disease. When cancer cells persist after surgery, either locally or at undiagnosed distant sites, neuroendocrine, immune, and metabolic pathways activated in response to surgery and/or anaesthesia might promote their survival and proliferation. A consequence of this effect is that minimal residual disease might then escape equilibrium and progress to metastatic disease. Herein, we discuss the most promising proposals for the refinement of perioperative care that might address these challenges. We outline the rationale and early evidence for the adaptation of anaesthetic techniques and the strategic use of anti-adrenergic, anti-inflammatory, and/or antithrombotic therapies. Many of these strategies are currently under evaluation in large-cohort trials and hold promise as affordable, readily available interventions that will improve the postoperative recurrence-free survival of patients with cancer

Development and Validation of a Risk Score for Chronic Kidney Disease in HIV Infection Using Prospective Cohort Data from the D:A:D Study

Ristola M. on työryhmien DAD Study Grp ; Royal Free Hosp Clin Cohort ; INSIGHT Study Grp ; SMART Study Grp ; ESPRIT Study Grp jäsen.Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health issue for HIV-positive individuals, associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Development and implementation of a risk score model for CKD would allow comparison of the risks and benefits of adding potentially nephrotoxic antiretrovirals to a treatment regimen and would identify those at greatest risk of CKD. The aims of this study were to develop a simple, externally validated, and widely applicable long-term risk score model for CKD in HIV-positive individuals that can guide decision making in clinical practice. Methods and Findings A total of 17,954 HIV-positive individuals from the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) study with >= 3 estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values after 1 January 2004 were included. Baseline was defined as the first eGFR > 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 after 1 January 2004; individuals with exposure to tenofovir, atazanavir, atazanavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, other boosted protease inhibitors before baseline were excluded. CKD was defined as confirmed (>3 mo apart) eGFR In the D:A:D study, 641 individuals developed CKD during 103,185 person-years of follow-up (PYFU; incidence 6.2/1,000 PYFU, 95% CI 5.7-6.7; median follow-up 6.1 y, range 0.3-9.1 y). Older age, intravenous drug use, hepatitis C coinfection, lower baseline eGFR, female gender, lower CD4 count nadir, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) predicted CKD. The adjusted incidence rate ratios of these nine categorical variables were scaled and summed to create the risk score. The median risk score at baseline was -2 (interquartile range -4 to 2). There was a 1: 393 chance of developing CKD in the next 5 y in the low risk group (risk score = 5, 505 events), respectively. Number needed to harm (NNTH) at 5 y when starting unboosted atazanavir or lopinavir/ritonavir among those with a low risk score was 1,702 (95% CI 1,166-3,367); NNTH was 202 (95% CI 159-278) and 21 (95% CI 19-23), respectively, for those with a medium and high risk score. NNTH was 739 (95% CI 506-1462), 88 (95% CI 69-121), and 9 (95% CI 8-10) for those with a low, medium, and high risk score, respectively, starting tenofovir, atazanavir/ritonavir, or another boosted protease inhibitor. The Royal Free Hospital Clinic Cohort included 2,548 individuals, of whom 94 individuals developed CKD (3.7%) during 18,376 PYFU (median follow-up 7.4 y, range 0.3-12.7 y). Of 2,013 individuals included from the SMART/ESPRIT control arms, 32 individuals developed CKD (1.6%) during 8,452 PYFU (median follow-up 4.1 y, range 0.6-8.1 y). External validation showed that the risk score predicted well in these cohorts. Limitations of this study included limited data on race and no information on proteinuria. Conclusions Both traditional and HIV-related risk factors were predictive of CKD. These factors were used to develop a risk score for CKD in HIV infection, externally validated, that has direct clinical relevance for patients and clinicians to weigh the benefits of certain antiretrovirals against the risk of CKD and to identify those at greatest risk of CKD.Peer reviewe

Dynamic soliton steering in AlGaAs waveguides for reconfigurable optical interconnects

Dynamic steering of spatial solitons by electronically induced index changes is demonstrated for an AlGaAs waveguide. Weak signal beams of the orthogonal polarization were guided in the potential well created by the soliton, thus showing the feasibility of a dynamically reconfigurable optical interconnect

All-Optical Switching Based On Spatial Solitons In Algaas

A all-optical switching devices based on ultrafast bound- electronic nonlinearity have the potential to perform signal processing and routing at a speed in excess of 1 Thz. So far, AlGaAs operating at wavelength below half the band gap has been found to be one of the best materials for demonstrating and testing such devices and device concepts. A bright spatial soliton is a non-diffracting self-guided beam which exists due to an interplay between the self- focusing nonlinearity and the linear diffraction. In this talk, we will experimentally demonstrate all-optical switching based on spatial soliton dragging

Radiation-related Polarization Instability of Kerr Spatial Vector Solitons

We report the experimental observation and numerical simulations of a polarization instability of spatial vector solitons in an AlGaAs slab waveguide. At power levels where the nonlinear index change becomes comparable to the birefringence, the fast soliton becomes unstable. The instability is related to coupling of the fast soliton to the slow radiation modes through phase matching. The combined effects of bifurcation and radiation coupling are the processes ultimately limiting the stability of any single-polarization (fast and slow) Kerr soliton

Nonlinear Refraction And Absorption: Mechanisms And Magnitudes

We provide an in-depth treatment of the various mechanisms by which an incident light beam can produce an intensity- or flux-dependent change in the refractive index and absorption coefficient of different materials. Whenever possible, the mechanisms are initially traced to single-atom and -molecule effects in order to provide physical understanding. Representative values are given for the various mechanisms. Nine different mechanisms are discussed, starting with the Kerr effect due to atoms and/or molecules with discrete states, including organic materials such as molecules and conjugated polymers. Simplified two and/or three-level models provide useful information, and these are summarized. The nonlinear optics of semiconductors is reviewed for both bulk and quantum-confined semiconductors, focusing on the most common types II-VI and III-V. Also discussed in some detail are the different nonlinear mechanisms that occur in liquid crystals and photorefractive media. Additional nonlinear material systems and mechanisms such as glasses, molecular reorientation of single molecules, the electrostrictive effect, the nuclear effect (vibrational contributions), cascading, and the ever-present thermal effects are quantified, and representative tables of values are given. © 2010 Optical Society of America