Broadband optical spectral shift analysis of dielectric coatings.

High-energy laser facilities require high reflection multilayer coatings on meter-scale substrates. Due to stringent use specifications, a precise control of deposition parameters is necessary to tailor the optical and mechanical properties of components. The resulting coatings are sensitive to relative humidity variations, leading to a shift of their optical spectra called spectral shift. This spectral shift is generally observed on a narrow range, near the operating wavelength. Here we extend the concept of spectral shift to a broader spectral range. This analysis serves as a tool to study the behavior of a multilayer coating spectrum with relative humidity. To validate the spectral shift determination method, we compared the spectral shift of single layers induced by the relative humidity with simulated optical properties induced by either thickness or refractive index variations. In addition to the validation of the approach, the fitting results and the comparison between spectral shift shapes show that relative humidity variations mainly impact the refractive index of the layers and SiO2 is more sensitive than HfO2.

Current and emerging pharmacotherapy for the treatment of childhood acute myeloid leukemia.

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rare disease that is profoundly heterogeneous at a molecular and clinical level. Although, in recent clinical trials, the 5-year event-free survival rates for childhood AML ranged between 49% and 64%, bone marrow relapse still occurs in up to one-third of cases. New therapies are required to continue progress in this aggressive hematological disease. Optimistically, we anticipate that the next challenge may be not a lack of appropriate therapies but an abundance of potentially effective strategies and a question of how best to incorporate them into pediatric clinical practice. AREAS COVERED: The focus of this review is to highlight all promising agents currently under investigation for pediatric AML, including nucleoside analogs, epigenetic modifiers, targeted small-molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, novel chemotherapeutics, and immunotherapies. EXPERT OPINION: While AML outcomes have improved over time for pediatric AML patients, our challenge is how to improve outcomes with our new knowledge of genetic and epigenetic aberrations. We posit to incorporate active therapy options into combination strategies and utilize targeted and immunotherapy approaches, as more opportunities are available.