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Atomic systems have long provided a useful material platform with unique quantum properties. The efficient light-matter interaction in atomic vapors has led to numerous seminal scientific achievements including accurate and precise metrology and quantum devices. In the last few decades, the field of thin optical elements with miniscule features has been extensively studied demonstrating an unprecedented ability to control photonic degrees of freedom, both linearly and non-linearly, with applications spanning from photography and spatial light modulators to cataract surgery implants. Hybridization of atoms with such thin devices may offer a new material system allowing traditional vapor cells with enhanced functionality. Here, we fabricate and demonstrate chip-scale, quantum diffractive optical elements which map atomic states to the spatial distribution of diffracted light. Two foundational diffractive elements, lamellar gratings and Fresnel lenses, are hybridized with atomic channels containing hot atomic vapors which demonstrate exceptionally strong frequency dependent behaviors. Providing the design tools for chip-scale atomic diffractive optical elements develops a path for a variety of compact thin quantum-optical elements., Comment: 9 Pages, including supplementary

Objective. To identify the role of thrombolytic therapy in acute embolic stroke due to infective endocarditis.Design. Case report.Setting. University hospital.Patient. A 70-year-old male presented with acute onset aphasia and hemiparesis due to infective endocarditis. His head computerized tomographic scan revealed left parietal sulcal effacement. He was given intravenous tissue plasminogen activator with significant resolution of the neurologic deficits without complications.Main Outcome Measures. Physical examination, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, radiologic examination results.Conclusions. Thrombolytic therapy in selected cases of stroke due to infective endocarditis manifesting as major neurologic deficits can be considered as an option after careful consideration of risks and benefits. The basis for such favorable response rests in the presence of fibrin as a major constituent of the vegetation. The risk of precipitating hemorrhage with thrombolytic therapy especially with large infarcts and mycotic aneurysms should be weighed against the benefits of averting a major neurologic deficit.

Echocardiographic findings in the fastest growing segment of our population, the very elderly, are limited in the literature. We performed a retrospective analysis of 431 consecutive nonagenarians who underwent transthoracic echocardiography (2-dimensional, M-mode, pulse and continuous wave Doppler with color flow mapping) at our center. Mean age was 92.4 years, with women being the majority (73% vs 27%). Men were more likely than women to have coronary artery disease (45% vs 36%, p = 0.03), impaired left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (51% vs 40%, p

This paper evaluates the RF tuning and the microwave nonlinear response of SrTiO3 thin films by measuring the third harmonics and third-order intermodulation (IMD) products of several coplanar waveguide transmission lines fabricated directly on SrTiO3 thin-film samples. From these measurements, we obtained the distributed nonlinear capacitance per unit length as a function of RF bias voltage C(Vrf) using an accurate equivalent circuit to model the spurious signal generation. A unique value of C(Vrf) is used to describe the third-harmonic generation at frequencies 3f1 and 3f2, and the IMD products at frequencies 2f1+f2 and 2f2+f1, where f1 and f2 represent the fundamental frequencies of the two-tone excitation signal. We compare C(Vrf) with the distributed nonlinear capacitance measured as a function of the dc-bias voltage C(Vdc) and obtain excellent agreement at 50 and 76 K. From these results, we conclude that full tunability can be achieved on nanosecond time scales, and that spurious signals generated in SrTiO3 ferroelectric transmission lines at microwave frequencies can be modeled based on dc-biased measurements

We propose a modified two-tone method that could be used for sensitive measurements of the intrinsic microwave surface impedance (Zs) of thin superconductor films and the tand of a low-loss dielectric. An open-gap resonator scheme is used to measure the penetration depth of thin superconductor films and extract the intrinsic Zs of the superconductor films from its measured effective surface resistance and penetration depth. We use a very small gap of 10 um between the top plate and the rest parts of the resonator. The loss tangent of rutile in the low 10^-7 range and the dielectric constant as high as ~110 are observed at temperatures below 10 K at ~15.2 GHz, which enable to measure the Rs of the 10 mm-in-diameter YBCO films as low as \~100 micro-ohm at the same frequency (f). The discrepancy between the effective surface resistance at ~15.2 GHz and that at ~8.5 GHz scaled to ~15.2 GHz appears less than 6 % when the relations of Rs ~ f^2 and loss tangent ~ f are used. We describe usefulness of our measurement method for measuring the intrinsic microwave properties of various superconductor samples.

Optimization of lipid management is a crucial aspect in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Currently, HMG-CO reductase inhibitors (statins) are a mainstay of therapy. While this class of drugs has proven efficacy at lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), their effects on other important lipid parameters, such as high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides, are less robust.The current paper will address the significance of these secondary targets and review currently available therapies, including a new formulation of delayed-release fenofibric acid. A comprehensive MEDLINE search (1966 to September 2009) was performed.The reader will gain a comprehensive review of the importance of secondary cholesterol targets, as well as the effectiveness of currently available therapies to address non-LDL-C. The role of the newly released fenofibric acid will also be addressed, as well as its potential use in combination therapy with a statin.Adequate treatment of lipid parameters beyond LDL-C is an essential component in the treatment of dyslipidemia. The fibrate class of drugs has proven efficacy in improving secondary targets; however, concerns regarding severe myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have limited their combination with statins. Recently, a new fibrate derivative, fenofibric acid, has become available. Studies to date reflect a positive safety and tolerability profile when combined with statins. This may offer a new tool to address the important secondary cholesterol targets that are becoming increasingly recognized as important contributors to cardiovascular outcomes.

This work evaluates the microwave nonlinear properties of ferroelectric BaSrTiO thin films by measuring the frequency response of several coplanar transmission lines and interdigital capacitor structures as a function of the applied electric field from 150 Hz to 40 GHz. From these measurements, we obtain the distributed nonlinear capacitance C(Vdc) as a function of dc bias. We also measure the harmonic generation at microwave frequencies in ferroelectric transmission lines, and use an accurate circuit model to obtain C(Vrf), the nonlinear capacitance as a function of rf bias. Information about the tuning speed of the film is obtained from a comparison between the two nonlinear capacitances. Characterization of this mechanism is also required to assess the spurious signal generation in ferroelectric-based devices.