Hybrid Metal-Dielectric Metasurfaces for Refractive Index Sensing

Hybrid metal-dielectric nanostructures have recently gained prominence because they combine strong field enhancement of plasmonic metals and the several low-loss radiation channels of dielectric resonators, which are qualities pertaining to the best of both worlds. In this work, an array of such hybrid nanoantennas is successfully fabricated over a large area and utilized for bulk refractive index sensing with a sensitivity of 208 nm/RIU. Each nanoantenna combines a Si cylinder with an Al disk, separated by a SiO2 spacer. Its optical response is analyzed in detail using the multipoles supported by its subparts and their mutual coupling. The nanoantenna is further modified experimentally with an undercut in the SiO2 region to increase the interaction of the electric field with the background medium, which augments the sensitivity to 245 nm/RIU. A detailed multipole analysis of the hybrid nanoantenna supports our experimental findings

Endovascular treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms: a single-center experience

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of covered stent-grafts in the endovascular treatment (ET) of popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted over a period of 52 months in 18 consecutive patients (17 men; mean age +/- SD, 70 years +/- 11) undergoing ET of PAAs with the Viabahn endograft in a single center. Patient symptoms, aneurysm characteristics, technical outcomes, complications, and follow-up were assessed. RESULTS: Aneurysm diameters ranged from 12 to 51 mm with a mean of 30 mm (+/-11). Thirteen aneurysms (72.2%) were partially thrombosed and 12 patients (66.6%) had symptoms of lower limb ischemia at presentation (11 chronic and one acute). The technical success rate was 94%. Intraprocedural emboli and endoleak occurred in one and two patients, respectively. Fourteen patients were available for follow-up after successful treatment, with a mean follow-up time of 15 months (range, 7-37 months). All stent-grafts were patent after 1 month, with no mortality or limb loss. The primary patency rate with complete exclusion of the aneurysm at 6 months was 86%. Pre- and postprocedural noninvasive arterial studies were available in 10 patients, demonstrating improvement of the ankle-brachial index from 0.96 +/- 0.41 to 1.17 +/- 0.18, respectively (P = .06). CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular stent-graft repair of PAAs is a feasible treatment option. However, further follow-up studies regarding the durability of results are required

Addition of Pt(IPr) Groupings to Ru5 Carbide Gives New Mixed-Metal Pt–Ru Cluster Complexes

The reaction of Pt(IPr)(SnBu 3 t )(H), 1 [IPr = N-heterocylic carbene ligand N,N ′-bis-(2,6-(diisopropyl) phenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene] with Ru5(μ 5 -C)(CO)15, 2, in 1.2:1 (and 2.2:1) ratio in benzene solvent at refluxing temperature afforded the octahedral monoplatinum–pentaruthenium cluster complexes PtRu5(IPr)(CO)15(μ 6 -C), 3 in 54 % (10 %) yield, PtRu5(IPr)(CO)14(H)2(μ 6 -C), 4 in 6 % (10 %) yield and the diplatinum–pentaruthenium cluster complex Pt2Ru5(IPr)2(CO)15(μ 6 -C), 5 in 2 % (36 %)yield. Complex 3 readily reacts with H2 at room temperature to give complex 4. Compound 5 exhibits dynamical activity in solution where the two Pt(IPr) groups are exchanging rapidly. All three compounds were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses