Near-field transmission matrix microscopy for mapping high-order eigenmodes of subwavelength nanostructures.

As nanoscale photonic devices are densely integrated, multiple near-field optical eigenmodes take part in their functionalization. Inevitably, these eigenmodes are highly multiplexed in their spectra and superposed in their spatial distributions, making it extremely difficult for conventional near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) to address individual eigenmodes. Here, we develop a near-field transmission matrix microscopy for mapping the high-order eigenmodes of nanostructures, which are invisible with conventional NSOM. At an excitation wavelength where multiple modes are superposed, we measure the near-field amplitude and phase maps for various far-field illumination angles, from which we construct a fully phase-referenced far- to near-field transmission matrix. By performing the singular value decomposition, we extract orthogonal near-field eigenmodes such as anti-symmetric mode and quadruple mode of multiple nano-slits whose gap size (50 nm) is smaller than the probe aperture (150 nm). Analytic model and numerical mode analysis validated the experimentally observed modes.

Physical, mechanical and water barrier properties of yuba films incorporated with various types of additives.

BACKGROUND: To apply yuba as an edible film, we evaluated film properties after adding various additives, including plasticizer (glycerol and sorbitol), cross-linking agent (oxidized ferulic acid), emulsifier (sodium pyrophosphate), thicker (sodium carboxymethyl cellulose) and lipid (beeswax), alone or in combination (sodium pyrophosphate and sorbitol; sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and glycerol; and beeswax and glycerol). RESULTS: The addition of beeswax and oxidized ferulic acid enhanced the water resistance of the film, showing a decreased solubility in water and swelling ratio. The results for tensile strength and elongation showed opposite trends, except for sorbitol, sodium pyrophosphate, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and glycerol. Tensile strength of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (9.3 MPa) was increased compared to that of yuba without additive (3.5 MPa). Elongation was increased in glycerol (132%) compared to that in the control (8%). Water vapor permeability decreased in all samples by 0.7 to 8 times compared to that of the control. X-ray diffraction analysis found that blending additives influenced the crystalline degree and second structure of the film. Atomic force microscopy revealed that the control (37 nm) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and glycerol (47 nm) exhibited smooth surface and lower roughness values compared to glycerol (84 nm) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and glycerol (87 nm). CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed that yuba could be used as edible film with a wide range of applications depending on types of additive and purpose of use. The results of the present study revealed that sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and glycerol-added yuba film had exceptional edible film properties, including water resistance, elongation and water vapor permeability based on principal component analysis. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

The association between paralytic side and health-related quality of life in facial palsy: a cross-sectional study of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2012).

BACKGROUND: Facial palsy is known to have correlations with low level of quality of life. However, little is known about the association between preference based health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and paralytic side of facial palsy. METHODS: This study used Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2008-2012) data, only when the facial palsy examination had been included in the survey contents. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to obtain optimal regression coefficients in the association between paralytic side of the facial palsy and HRQoL measured by EuroQoL-5 Dimension (EQ-5D). We also analyzed the association between the deteriorated domains of EQ-5D and facial palsy in both subgroups by using multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: We included the data of 28,106 participants aged ≥19 years who were examined as facial palsy according to House-Brackmann score and completed EQ-5D questionnaire in KNHANES 2008-2012. The mean EQ-5D score was significantly low and percentages of deteriorated numbers in its domains were significantly high in facial palsy group. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that, after adjusting for confounding variables, left facial palsy is associated with impaired HRQoL compared with right-sided palsy. Among the domains of EQ-5D, only 'self-care' domain was directly affected by the disease in left facial palsy patients. These findings could be used in developing model and conducting analyses of economic evaluation about facial palsy interventions.

Author Correction: Maximizing energy coupling to complex plasmonic devices by injecting light into eigenchannels.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.

Maximizing energy coupling to complex plasmonic devices by injecting light into eigenchannels.

Surface plasmon polaritons have attracted broad attention in the optoelectronics field due to their ability to merge nanoscale electronics with high-speed optical communication. As the complexity of optoelectronic devices increases to meet various needs, this integration has been hampered by the low coupling efficiency of light to plasmonic modes. Here we present a method to maximize the coupling of far-field optical waves to plasmonic waves for arbitrarily complex devices. The method consists of experimentally identifying the eigenchannels of a given nanostructure and shaping the wavefront of incident light to a particular eigenchannel that maximizes the generation of plasmonic waves. Our proposed approach increases the coupling efficiency almost four-fold with respect to the uncontrolled input. Our study will help to facilitate the integration of electronics and photonics.

Control of randomly scattered surface plasmon polaritons for multiple-input and multiple-output plasmonic switching devices.

Merging multiple microprocessors with high-speed optical networks has been considered a promising strategy for the improvement of overall computation power. However, the loss of the optical communication bandwidth is inevitable when interfacing between optical and electronic components. Here we present an on-chip plasmonic switching device consisting of a two-dimensional (2D) disordered array of nanoholes on a thin metal film that can provide multiple-input and multiple-output channels for transferring information from a photonic to an electronic platform. In this device, the surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) generated at individual nanoholes become uncorrelated on their way to the detection channel due to random multiple scattering. We exploit this decorrelation effect to use individual nanoholes as independent antennas, and demonstrated that more than 40 far-field incident channels can be delivered simultaneously to the SPP channels, an order of magnitude improvement over conventional 2D patterned devices.

Far-field control of focusing plasmonic waves through disordered nanoholes.

Control of near-field waves is the key to going beyond the diffraction limit in imaging and manipulating target objects. Here we present the focusing of plasmonic waves, a type of near-field waves, by the wavefront shaping of far-field waves. We coupled far-field waves to a random array of holes on a thin gold film to generate speckled plasmonic waves. By controlling the phase pattern of the incident waves with the wavelength of 637 nm, we demonstrated the focusing of plasmonic waves down to 170 nm at arbitrary positions. Our study shows the possibility of using disordered nanoholes as a plasmonic lens with high flexibility in the far-field control.

The efficacy and safety of a proposed herbal moisturising cream for dry skin and itch relief: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial--study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Moisturisers prevent and treat dry skin. They can also protect sensitive skin, improve skin tone and texture, and mask imperfections. Herbal medicines or their extracts have been available as topical formulations and cosmetics. Arctium lappa L. (Asteraceae) has been used to treat inflammatory disorders and various skin problems. It could be a candidate herbal medicine for treating dry skin condition.This study aims to establish the efficacy and safety of a proposed herbal moisturising cream containing Arctium lappa L. seed extract, which has been approved by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for use in cosmetics. METHODS/DESIGNS: This study is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with two parallel groups (proposed herbal moisturising cream vs. placebo cream). We will recruit 66 healthy male and female participants, aged 20 to 65 years, who have been diagnosed with dry skin conditions. Participants will be randomly allocated to receive either the proposed herbal moisturising cream or a placebo cream for four weeks. Each participant will be examined for signs and symptoms before and after using the cream. Skin hydration, sebum (oily secretion) levels and transepidermal water loss (TEWL; constitutive loss of water from the skin surface) will be assessed. Participants will also be asked to fill out a health-related quality of life questionnaire. Safety will be assessed using blood tests, urine analysis, a pregnancy test, and the assessment of vital signs. DISCUSSION: This trial will utilise high-quality methodologies in accordance with both consolidated standards for reporting trials guidelines and the guidelines for clinical trials of cosmetics products that are aimed at expressions and advertisement approval in Korea. It will evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a proposed herbal moisturising cream containing Arctium lappa L. seed extract to treat dry skin conditions and provide itch relief. Moreover, we will also employ health-related quality of life questionnaires to assess changes in the quality of life. The results of this study will be used to present the evidence needed to request advertising/display allowances, in compliance with the recently amended Cosmetics Act for advertisement in Korea. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN46216631.

Hwangryunhaedoktang in adult patients with atopic dermatitis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-centre trial--study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Atopic Dermatitis is a chronic relapsing eczematous skin disease with increasing prevalence and rising costs. It has a clear impact on a patient's quality of life. Many patients are worried about the use of usual care techniques, such as corticosteroids and antihistamine due to the widespread fear of adverse effects. Complementary and alternative medical approaches have been employed to relieve symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis. Hwangryunhaedoktang is among the most strongly preferred and widely used herbal medicines for Atopic Dermatitis in Korea, as it causes very few serious adverse effects.We aim to establish basic clinical efficacy and safety data for Hwangryunhaedoktang, which is approved as an herbal medication by the Korean Food and Drug Administration, in adult patients with Atopic Dermatitis. METHODS/DESIGNS: This study is a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled, two-centre trial with two parallel arms (Hwangryunhaedoktang and a placebo). The diagnosis of Atopic Dermatitis will be made according to the criteria of Hanifin and Rajka by two different Oriental medicine doctors. We will include participants experiencing typical conditions of intermittent or continuous Atopic Eczema for six or more months. Participants will receive Hwangryunhaedoktang or a placebo-drug for eight weeks. The total duration of each arm is eleven weeks. Each participant will be examined for signs and symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis before and after taking medication. A follow-up to evaluate the maintenance of safety will be performed two weeks after the final administration of medication. DISCUSSION: This trial will utilize high quality trial methodologies in accordance with consolidated standards of reporting trials guidelines. It will provide evidence for the clinical efficacy and safety evaluation of Hwangryunhaedoktang in adult patients with Atopic Dermatitis. Moreover, we will also employ health-related quality of life questionnaires to assess the changes in quality of life.

Bojungikgitang and banhabaekchulchonmatang in adult patients with tinnitus, a randomized, double-blind, three-arm, placebo-controlled trial--study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Tinnitus is the perception of hearing a sound for which there is no external acoustic source. It is often associated with sudden, temporary hearing loss and has a clear impact on a patient's quality of life. Despite numerous trials, there are no treatments that can be considered well established in terms of providing replicable long-term tinnitus reduction. Complementary and alternative medical approaches have been employed to relieve symptoms of tinnitus. Bojungikgitang and banhabaekchulchonmatang are among the most strongly preferred and widely used herbal medicines for tinnitus in Korea, as they cause very few serious adverse effects.We aim to establish basic clinical efficacy and safety data for bojungikgitang and banhabaekchulchonmatang, which are approved as herbal medications by the Korea Food and Drug Administration in adult patients with tinnitus. METHODS/DESIGN: This study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with three parallel arms (bojungikgitang, banhabaekchulchonmatang, and a placebo). Participants included in the study met the following criteria: typical conditions of intermittent or continuous tinnitus, for more than three months, with involuntary perceptions of the concept of a sound in the absence of an external source. Participants received bojungikgitang, banhabaekchulchonmatang, or a placebo-drug for eight weeks. The total duration of each arm was eleven weeks. Each participant was examined for signs and symptoms of tinnitus before and after taking medication. Post-treatment follow-up was performed two weeks after the final administration of medication. DISCUSSION: This trial provided evidence for the efficacy and safety of bojungikgitang and banhabaekchulchonmatang in adult patients with tinnitus. The primary outcome measure was the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, an assessment used to identify difficulties that may be experienced due to tinnitus. The secondary measures were included an Acoustic Examination and the Visual Analogue Scale. We employed the Euro-Qol 5-Dimension and the Health Utilities Index Mark 3, a health-related quality of life questionnaire. Safety was assessed by complete blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood chemistry, urine analysis, PA chest film, brain computed tomography, otologic examination, and vital signs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN23691284.

The role of prophylactic cerclage in preventing preterm delivery after electrosurgical conization.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pregnancy outcomes after electrosurgical conization. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 56 singleton pregnancies after electrosurgical conization of the uterine cervix. Of the 56 cases, 25 women underwent prophylactic cerclage with McDonald procedure (cerclage group), and 31 were managed expectantly (expectant group). Pregnancy outcomes including rate of preterm delivery were compared, and the effect of potential risk factors such as depth of cone, interval between conization and pregnancy, and cervical length on the risk of preterm delivery was assessed. RESULTS: The rate of preterm delivery was significantly higher in women with a history of electrosurgical conization than those without (32.1% vs. 15.2%, p<0.001). However, preterm delivery rate was not different between the two groups (expectant group vs. cerclage group; <28 week, 6.5% vs. 8.0%, p=1.000; <34 week, 19.4% vs. 20.0%, p=1.000; <37 week, 29.0% vs. 36.0%, p=0.579). All obstetric and neonatal outcomes were similar in the two groups. Even when we confined the study subjects to 19 women (19/56, 33.9%) with cervical length less than 25 mm, the preterm delivery rate also was not significantly different between the expectant (n=7) and cerclage group (n=12). Finally, the potential risk factors for preterm delivery were not associated with risk of preterm delivery in patients with a history of electrosurgical conization. CONCLUSION: The rate of preterm delivery was significantly higher in women with a history of electrosurgical conization before pregnancy. However, prophylactic cervical cerclage did not prevent preterm delivery in these patients.