A deep learning method for empirical spectral prediction and inverse design of all-optical nonlinear plasmonic ring resonator switches

All-optical plasmonic switches (AOPSs) utilizing surface plasmon polaritons are well-suited for integration into photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and play a crucial role in advancing all-optical signal processing. The current AOPS design methods still rely on trial-and-error or empirical approaches. In contrast, recent deep learning (DL) advances have proven highly effective as computational tools, offering an alternative means to accelerate nanophotonics simulations. This paper proposes an innovative approach utilizing DL for spectrum prediction and inverse design of AOPS. The switches employ circular nonlinear plasmonic ring resonators (NPRRs) composed of interconnected metal-insulator-metal waveguides with a ring resonator. The NPRR switching performance is shown using the nonlinear Kerr effect. The forward model presented in this study demonstrates superior computational efficiency when compared to the finite-difference time-domain method. The model analyzes various structural parameters to predict transmission spectra with a distinctive dip. Inverse modeling enables the prediction of design parameters for desired transmission spectra. This model provides a rapid estimation of design parameters, offering a clear advantage over time-intensive conventional optimization approaches. The loss of prediction for both the forward and inverse models, when compared to simulations, is exceedingly low and on the order of 10-4. The results confirm the suitability of employing DL for forward and inverse design of AOPSs in PICs.

Acceptation of Folk Medicine and its "secrets" in a Swiss Burn Centre

In Switzerland 'Secret' is a folk medicine called upon for burns. It has belonged to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage since 2012. It is supposed to ease pain and accelerate the healing process of burns. As the practice is widely used in the population, this observational study investigated the opinion of caregivers and patients from the National Burn Center of Lausanne. Qualitative observational study based on a survey including ten questions aimed at identifying the professionals' perception of the phenomenon. Questions were developed from repeated encounters in the burn center. Data collection took five months. Thirty-six healthcare professionals (HP) and 12 selected patients (or parents for minors) discharged after burns were interviewed on a voluntary basis: all of the HPs knew about 'Secret' from the workplace, and 26 from home: 33 were convinced that it might be useful and reduce pain. The perceived efficiency of the practice (36 respondents) differs depending on professional category and personal experience. Only one HP considered the practice to be dangerous. The nurses and auxiliary nurses expressed that it should be used more widely. The 12 patients considered it as a complementary step, not a replacement for medical care. Health professionals globally considered this practice safe and helpful. The patients were interested in using parallel approaches and were careful about their expectations. This openness is probably an indication that HPs believe that acceptance of the culture and beliefs of patients and their families might positively affect response to treatment, whatever the burn size.

Burn patient care lost in good manufacturing practices?

Application of cell therapies in burn care started in the early 80s in specialized hospital centers world-wide. Since 2007, cell therapies have been considered as "Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products" (ATMP), so classified by European Directives along with associated Regulations by the European Parliament. Consequently, regulatory changes have transformed the standard linear clinical care pathway into a more complex one. It is important to ensure the safety of cellular therapies used for burn patients and to standardize as much as possible the cell sources and products developed using cell culture procedures. However, we can definitely affirm that concentrating the bulk of energy and resources on the implementation of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) alone will have a major negative impact on the care of severely burned patients world-wide. Developing fully accredited infrastructures and training personnel (required by the new directives), along with obtaining approval for clinical trials to go ahead, can be a lengthy process.We discuss whether or not these patients could benefit from cell therapies provided by standard in-hospital laboratories, thus avoiding having to meet rigid regulations concerning the use of industrial pharmaceutical products. "Hospital Exemption" could be a preferred means to offer burn patients a customized and safe product, as many adaptations may be required throughout their treatment pathway. Patients who are in need of rapid treatment will be the ones to suffer the most from regulations intended to help them.

The effect of rehabilitation on quality of life in female breast cancer survivors in Iran

Background:

The purpose of this study was to compare the quality of life (Qol) of female breast cancer survivors who received rehabilitation intervention beside medical care and survivors who received medical care alone.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty-seven female breast cancer survivors were assigned to usual medical care (control group) or to usual medical care plus rehabilitation intervention (experimental group). Qol of all patients was assessed before, 1 week and 3 months after intervention. The intervention consisted of physiotherapy, education and individual counseling. The authors used the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer core questionnaire and breast module (EORTC QLQ-C30/BR23) for the assessment of Qol.

Results:

Patients who received rehabilitation had significantly better Qol. Overall, mean of Qol scores improved gradually in experimental group from before to 1 week and 3 months after intervention. In contrast, minimal change was observed between pre/post and follow-up measures for control group.

Conclusion:

Rehabilitation after breast cancer treatment has the potential for physical, psychological and overall Qol benefits.

Therapeutic options for the treatment of tinea capitis: Griseofulvin versus fluconazole

BACKGROUND

Tinea capitis is a relatively common fungal infection of childhood. Griseofulvin has been the mainstay of treatment for many years. However, newer oral antifungal agents are being used more frequently.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of fluconazole in comparison with griseofulvin in the treatment of tinea capitis.

METHODS

We performed a single-blind, randomized, prospective evaluation of 40 patients with a clinical and mycologic diagnosis of tinea capitis. One group received fluconazole for 4 weeks. The other group received griseofulvin for 6 weeks. Five clinical parameters were evaluated. Mycologic examinations were performed at baseline and at the end of 8 weeks.

RESULTS

Patients ranged in age from 1 to 16 years; 80% were boys and 20% were girls. Mycologic examinations disclosed Trichophyton verrucosum in 40% of patients, T. violaceum in 40% and Microsporum canis in 20%. At week 8, the griseofulvin-treated group showed a cure rate of 76%, and the fluconazole-treated group 78%. The cure rates were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Fluconazole constitutes an alternative but, because of greater availability and lower cost, griseofulvin remains the treatment of choice for tinea capitis.

Quality of life in thalassemia major: reliability and validity of the Persian version of the SF-36 questionnaire

AIMS

The objective of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the eight-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire translated into Persian for use in Iranian patients with thalassemia major.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a standard "forward-backward" translation procedure, the English language version of the questionnaire was translated into Persian. Two hundred patients with thalassemia major following up at the Thalassemia Center, Dastgheib Hospital, Shiraz, Iran, were enrolled in this study.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The reliability and internal consistency of the questionnaire were assessed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient and Spearman's correlation, respectively. Validity was assessed using convergent and discriminant validity.

RESULTS

The mean age of 200 subjects enrolled in the study was 19.81+/-4.07 years. Reliability analysis showed satisfactory results (Cronbach's a coefficient = 0.915). The factor analysis showed that all items were in the same groups as previous studies with the exception of role emotional and general health that had been substituted. Most of the patients were in lower range of normal for both mental and physical summary status.

CONCLUSIONS

The study finding showed that the Persian version of SF-36 questionnaire has a good structural characteristic and is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring the quality of life of patients with thalassemia major.

Detection of somatotropin receptors on human monocytes

The expression of somatotropin receptors on human peripheral blood monocytes was investigated. Binding of [125I]somatotropin to human monocytes was found to be specific and saturable. The binding was rapid and time-dependent, and was abolished by pretreatment of monocytes with trypsin. Scatchard plot analysis revealed that each cell bore more than 8 x 10(3) binding sites with an affinity constant of 1 x 10(8) M-1.