Search

Optical frequency combs1,2 establish a rigid phase-coherent link between microwave and optical domains and are emerging as high-precision tools in an increasing number of applications3 . Frequency combs with large intermodal spacing are employed in the field of microwave photonics for radiofrequency arbitrary waveform synthesis4,5 and for the generation of terahertz tones of high spectral purity in future wireless communication networks6,7 . Here, we demonstrate self-starting harmonic frequency comb generation with a terahertz repetition rate in a quantum cascade laser. The large intermodal spacing caused by the suppression of tens of adjacent cavity modes originates from a parametric contribution to the gain due to temporal modulations of population inversion in the laser8,9 . Using multiheterodyne self-detection, the mode spacing of the harmonic comb is shown to be uniform to within 5?×?10-12parts of the central frequency. This new harmonic comb state extends the range of applications of quantum cascade laser frequency combs10–13 . Self-starting harmonic frequency comb generation with a THz repetition rate in a q?uantum cascade l?aser is demonstrated?. T?he mode spacing uniformity is verified to within 5?×?10-12parts of the central frequency. The findings extend the range of applications of quantum cascade laser frequency combs.

The article reviews the exhibition "Musiques! Échos de l'Antiquité," at Musée du Louvre-Lens in Lens, France till January 15, 2018.

The article discusses various musical performances to be held in France in 2016, including a performance of "Così fan tutte," by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the Festival international de Colmar and the Festival Messiaen.

A calendar of events for music from March 1-31, 2016 is presented which include performance of composer Johannes Brahms, opera "Don Giovanni," by composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and concert of conductor Ivan Fischer.

A calendar of events for music and theater from November 1-30, 2015 is presented which include Festival Terpsichore in Saint-Louis, France, concert of conductor Simon Rattle and opera "Don Quichotte," by composer Francesco Bartolemeo Conti.

Optical Helmholtz resonators (OHRs) have been adapted from acoustics designs for light absorbing structures, exhibiting extreme light confinement. Here, extraordinary transmission of light is theoretically demonstrated through symmetric OHRs, comprising a cavity with two λ/500 narrow slits on either side. This device has appealing features to act as a spectral bandpass filter in the context of multispectral imaging, in particular its high angular tolerance because of the localized nature of the resonance. Besides, the cavity can be modeled as an inductor and the two slits can be modeled as capacitors, the whole design acting as a LC circuit thus preventing any harmonic features.

Focusing light onto nanostructures thanks to spherical lenses is a first step in enhancing the field and is widely used in applications. Nonetheless, the electromagnetic response of such nanostructures, which have subwavelength patterns, to a focused beam cannot be described by the simple ray tracing formalism. Here, we present a method for computing the response to a focused beam, based on the B-spline modal method adapted to nanostructures in conical mounting. The eigenmodes are computed in each layer for both polarizations and are then combined for the computation of scattering matrices. The simulation of a Gaussian focused beam is obtained thanks to a truncated decomposition into plane waves computed on a single period, which limits the computation burden.

A calendar of events for music from March-July 2016 is presented which include opera "Alcina," concert of harpsichordist Céline Frisch and Festival Présences music festival.

A calendar of events for music from January 1-31, 2016 is presented which include concert of pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, opera "Simon Boccanegra," by composer Giuseppe Verdi and concert of conductor John Eliot Gardiner.

A calendar of events for music from December 1-31, 2015 is presented which include concert of pianist Philippe Bianconi, opera "La Damnation de Faust," by composer Hector Berlioz and concert of conductor Paavo Järvi.

Quinupristin/dalfopristin (Q/D) is a novel streptogramin antibiotic for the treatment of severe gram‐positive infections. The purpose of this open, nonrandomized, parallel‐group, phase I trial was to evaluate Q/D pharmacokinetics after single and repeated doses under the two different dosing regimens corresponding to the effective doses and to evaluate tolerability. Two groups of 10 healthy volunteers received multiple 1‐hour intravenous infusions of 7.5 mg/kg Q/D either every 8 or 12 hours for 4 or 5 days, respectively. Plasma concentrations of Q, D, and metabolites were determined using high‐performance liquid chromatography and selective microbiological assays. The two regimens q8h and q12h lead to the same disposition profile after single and repeated ad‐ministration. Single‐dose data confirmed the high plasma clearances of Q and D (about 0.90 l/h/kg) obtained previously. Unchanged drugs were the main components in plasma, with each of the three metabolites representing about 20% (in terms of the AUC ratio) of the parent drugs. Comparable steady‐state concentrations were reached from day 2 of both regimens. A similar moderate increase in Cmaxand AUC (about 20%) of parent drugs was observed between the first and last day of treatment. This phenomenon, which was also observed for the metabolites, was not expected considering the short terminal disposition half‐lives of the parent drugs and trough plasma concentrations of all components mostly below the limits of quantitation at steady state, whatever the dosing regimen. The clearances of parent drugs at steady state were about 20% lower as compared with that observed following the first drug administration (statistically significant difference). No trend suggesting a treatment effect on any laboratory parameter, vital signs, or electrocardiographic parameters was identified. However, 80% of subjects reported venous adverse events probably related to treatment.

A calendar of events for music from September 1-30, 2015 is presented which include Festival de l'Orangerie de Sceaux music festival, concert of conductor Andris Nelsons and opera "L'Elixir d'amour," by Gaetano Donizetti.

ABSTRACTQuinupristin-dalfopristin may be useful for treatment of organisms causing peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis, including methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. The pharmacokinetic profiles of single intravenous doses of this combination streptogramin antibiotic of 7.5 mg/kg of body weight were characterized for eight noninfected patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Comparison was made to pharmacokinetic profiles determined for eight healthy volunteers matched by age, sex, and race. Drug was measured in dialysate up to 6 h following the dose. Plasma and dialysate were assayed for parent compounds and metabolites. Mean pharmacokinetic parameters were compared between groups. No statistically significant differences were observed between groups for maximal concentrations in plasma, times to maximal concentration, areas under the curve, distribution volumes, rates of total body clearance, or half-lives in plasma for quinupristin and dalfopristin. No statistically significant differences were observed in maximal concentrations in plasma, times to maximal concentration, areas under the curve, or half-lives for cysteine, the glutathione conjugates of quinupristin, or the pristinamycin IIA metabolite of dalfopristin. The measurements in dialysate of the parent and most metabolites were below the expected MICs. Dialysis clearance was insignificant. Quinupristin-dalfopristin was well tolerated in both groups, causing only mild adverse events that resolved prior to discharge from the study. The disposition of quinupristin, dalfopristin, or their primary metabolites following a single dose was unaltered in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis. Intravenous dosing of this antibiotic combination is unlikely to be adequate for the treatment of peritonitis associated with peritoneal dialysis.

A stereoselective and specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) was developed for aprikalim (RP 52891), a novel potassium channel opener. Antibodies were produced in rabbits immunized with the pure levorotatory enantiomer (1R.2R) of the hapten derivative bearing an acid function at the end of the lateral chain and conjugated to bovine serum albumin. In displacement studies with the enantiomerically pure radioligand (radioiodinated tyrosine methyl ester conjugate of the hapten derivative), the opposite enantiomer showed only 0.1 % crossreaction. Negligible binding occurred when analogues or metabolites of aprikalim were tested for cross-reactivity. The detection limit was 0. 25 ng/mL (9.31 X 10-10M) in a 20-nLplasma sample. The assay was used successfully to determine aprikalim pharmacokinetics in mice, monkeys, and dogs. Beagle dogs were given a 10 jug/kg intravenous (iv) bolus dose or 10 /tg/kg iv bolus followed by 0.1 fig!kg/min infused over 30min (nonhypotensive doses which reduce myocardial infarct size significantly). The plasma concentrations declined monoexponentially with a mean overall elimination half-life of 1.53h and a mean plasma clearance of 52mL/min (5.1 mL/min/ kg). A slow-release oral formulation produced a significant delay in the rate of absorption, a 4-fold decrease in the peak plasma level, and a 2-fold decrease in apparent oral bioavailability relative to that observed for an oral solution. A comparison of aprikalim pharmacokinetic parameters in mouse, monkey, and dog revealed great similarity in disposition characteristics in these species.

The article evaluates the architectural design of Elbphilharmonie, concert hall located in Hamburg, Germany, that was designed by architectural firm Herzog and de Meuron.

The article lists several music programs including "Puccini: La Fanciulla del West", "Verdi: La Traviata", and "Strauss: La Chauve-Souris."

The article discusses poet Victor Hugo's perspective on deaf people who can listen to the infinite, and the importance of unpublished archives and rare recordings that help in retracing the artistic legacy.

The article focuses on the television broadcasting of film "Mozart Superstar," on television channel Arte on September 4, 11 and 21, 2016.

The article informs about two video recordings that are broadcasted on video sharing website YouTube including "Aksel Arias Bach," by soloist Aksel Rykkvin and "cat concerto," by composer Franz Liszt.

The article informs about the television broadcasting of concert of conductor Zubin Mehta and Orchestre philharmonique on April 17, 2016.

The article informs about the television broadcasting of Une académie pour les soeurs Weber, a concert by violoncellist Sabine Devieilhe on March 13, 2016.

The article informs about the television broadcasting of music of composer Antonio Vivaldi on February 7, 2016.

The article informs about the television broadcasting of composer Giuseppe Verdi's concert on December 7, 2015 which was performed by music director Riccardo Chailly at the Scala de Milan in Milan, Italy.

The article informs about the television broadcasting of various works of composer Nicolas Derny including "Concerto pour violon," "Symphonie no 1," and "Kullervo."

The article presents an interview with Catherine Pégard, President of Public Establishment of Museum and National Estate of Versailles who discusses music in Versailles, France, an exhibition about the death of French king Louis XIV and the funding and performances of the Royal Opera of Versailles.

The article focuses on the broadcasting of television adaptation of composer Gaetano Donizetti's opera "L'Elixir d'amour," on September 17, 2015.

The article reviews several operas to be held in Aix-en-Provence, France including "Alcina," on July 10, 2015, "Le Turc en Italie" on July 19, 2015 and "Le Monstre du labyrinthe," on July 8, 2015.

The article informs about operas that will be broadcasted on television on June 21, 2015 which include "Davide Penitente," "La Belle Hélène," and "Sacre du Printemps."