Blue SHG enhancement by silver nanocubes photochemically prepared on a RbTiOPO4 ferroelectric crystal.

Silver nanocubes with low size dispersion have been selectively photo-deposited on the positive surface of a periodically poled RbTiOPO4 ferroelectric crystal. The obtained nanocubes show preferential orientations with respect to the substrate suggesting epitaxial growth. The plasmonic resonances supported by the nanocubes are exploited to enhance blue SHG at the domain walls.

Selective plasmon enhancement of the 1.08 µm Nd3+ laser Stark transition by tailoring Ag nanoparticles chains on a PPLN Y-cut.

Selective photoluminescence enhancement of the specific Nd(3+) Stark transition for which laser gain has been obtained in Nd(3+)/LiNbO3 is demonstrated by means of plasmonic resonances with the appropriate symmetry configuration. By using the nonpolar Y-cut of a periodically poled LiNbO3 crystal as platform for photoreduction of metallic nanostructures, periodically distributed chains of Ag nanoparticles oriented parallel to the ferroelectric c-axis are obtained. This alternative metallic nanostructure configuration supports the resonance between the localized surface plasmon and exclusively the π-polarized Stark laser line of Nd(3+) ions at 1.08 µm, while maintaining the remaining crystal field transitions unchanged. The work provides the experimental proof on how plasmonic-based optical antennas can be used to influence selectively rare earth optical Stark transitions to improve the performance of solid state laser gain media.

rTMS stimulation to induce plastic changes at the language motor area in a patient with a left recidivant brain tumor affecting Broca's area.

INTRODUCTION: Extent of resection is one of the most powerful predictors of outcome in surgery of gliomas. Tumors located within areas governing eloquence may impede a total tumor resection. Functional plasticity may be induced by therapeutic means, such as cortical stimulation with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Thus, rTMS is a potential tool to induce an improvement of functions of eloquence menaced by brain tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We report a case of a 59-year-old woman operated for a left sided precentral oligodendroglioma with awake intraoperative stimulation, whose tumor could not be completely removed because it affected areas governing language. Nine months later the tumor progressed and the motor language functions worsened. We submitted the patient to rTMS directed to Broca's area, next to the anterior pole of the tumor, with the aim of improving motor language function before a new tumor resection attempt. We performed 12 daily sessions of theta-burst rTMS followed by intensive language rehabilitation for 10 minutes, and 5 different aspects of language were measured before, immediately after and 10 minutes after each session. RESULTS: Repetition and nomination worsened immediately after each rTMS session, and improved after 10 min of rehabilitation. However, basal values improved globally along the experiment. Also, the impact of rTMS on motor language was increasingly less along the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: rTMS induces changes in Broca's area and this effect can be potentially used to improve language function in tumors located at or close to eloquent cortical areas.

International efforts to disseminate and develop the model of human occupation.

This paper documents efforts in Canada, France, Finland, Germany, Hispanoamerica, Israel, Japan, The Netherlands, and Taiwan to disseminate the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO). We aim to characterize the challenges involved, the strategies used, and the impact of these efforts in diverse cultural and social conditions.