Institut Pascal

We investigate the spontaneous emission of a single quantum emitter coupled to quasibound states in the continuum (QBICs) supported by dielectric gratings. Using quasinormal mode theory, we calculate the radiative enhancement induced by both regular and dimer grating structures. This approach allows us to determine the optimal dimer grating and to study the impact of structural disorder on these structures. We show that structural disorder can convert symmetry-protected bound states in the continuum in regular gratings into QBICs, opening radiative channels at normal incidence. Through statistical simulations, we identify the respective roles of dimensional and positional disorder. Finally, we show that dimer gratings retain high radiative efficiency for moderate disorder strengths below $10%$. Beyond this threshold, both structures exhibit comparable efficiencies.

The control over individual tunneling amplitudes in photonic lattices is highly desirable for photonic Hamiltonian engineering. In this work, we demonstrate the in situ control of tunneling between individual sites patterned inside an optical microcavity. The tuning is achieved by applying a voltage to a textured liquid crystal microcavity possessing photonic Rashba–Dresselhaus spin–orbit coupling. This type of spin–orbit coupling emerges due to the high birefringence of the liquid crystal material and constitutes an artificial gauge potential for photons. The proposed method is particularly interesting because it is non-invasive and highly scalable, making it suitable for integration into complex photonic systems. It can be combined with strong light–matter coupling and non-Hermitian physics already established in liquid crystal microcavities.

BackgroundThe transition from medical school to surgical residency often leaves students underprepared for essential technical procedures, impacting their confidence and patient safety. Surgical boot camps can help address this skill gap, but few articles have described exactly how to organize a boot camp. We aimed to precisely describe the simulation stations and evaluate the effectiveness of the boot camp.MethodsWe conducted a prospective, monocentric, observational study at the University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand (France) over a 3-year period, assessing technical skills and cognitive workload before and after boot camp using a validated questionnaire. We included sixty-five medical students (34 female, 31 male) who had been accepted into a general surgery residency program were included. We described precisely the 9 simulation stations.ResultsAfter the boot camp, participants reported increased confidence in basic surgical skills, with significant improvements in technical performance. Satisfaction scores were high, averaging 8.8 out of 10 for women and 9.0 for men. Segmenting the boot camp into multiple workshops made it easy to organize.ConclusionThis surgical boot camp significantly reduced the perceived cognitive workload and improved the confidence of incoming residents, addressing key challenges in pre-residency preparation. By providing a detailed description of our simulation workshops, we aim to facilitate the implementation of similar programs in other institutions.

BackgroundParkinson's disease (PD) patients on dopaminergic drugs may experience non-motor fluctuations (NMFs) which are often heterogeneous and respond variably to treatments.ObjectiveWe evaluated if personality was associated to NMFs and could modulate the NMFs responsiveness to dopaminergic medication and deep brain stimulation of the sub-thalamic nucleus (STN-DBS).MethodsFrom the PREDISTIM cohort, personality dimensions of 235 PD patients were assessed by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) before STN-DBS (V0). NMFs were evaluated using the NMFs Severity Scale at V0 and one year after STN-DBS (V1). Linear regression models were performed between TCI dimensions and NMFs at V0; and logistic regression models were done between TCI dimensions and 1) groups of dopa-sensitive patients (responders to ON medication at V0) versus non-dopa-sensitive ones, and 2) responders versus non-responders to STN-DBS at V1. Odds ratios (OR) were also calculated.ResultsSignificant associations were found between two TCI personality dimensions ("Harm Avoidance" and "Self-Directedness") and severity of NMFs in OFF medication at V0: PD patients with higher Harm Avoidance and lower Self-Directedness scores having more NMFs. TCI personality dimensions were not associated with the dopa-sensitivity while Novelty Seeking was significantly associated with the STN-DBS-responder group for the psychiatric (OR = 1.09 [1.02-1.17]) and for the dysautonomic NMFs (OR = 1.11 [1.04-1.18]).ConclusionsCertain personality dimensions (Harm Avoidance and Self-Directedness) are associated with NMFs severity at baseline, and PD patients with high Novelty Seeking seem to be better candidates for NMFs improvement after STN-DBS.