Control of near-field exciton emission coupling to surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) is of importance for the development of efficient organic semiconductor thin-film light sources. Here, we experimentally investigate organic exciton emitter–SPP coupling in insulator–semiconductor–metal–insulator (ISMI) waveguides, containing an organic semiconducting (i.e., conjugated) polymer film on a range of Ag metal film thicknesses, as a function of optical excitation pump power and collection polarization. An increase in transverse-magnetic-polarized emission peak intensity is observed as a function of decreasing metal film thickness from ISMI waveguides at high excitation powers, suggesting more efficient emitter–SPP coupling for thinner Ag films when the polymer undergoes stimulated emission. Furthermore, emission dichroic ratio values (defined as the ratio of transverse electric to transverse magnetic polarized emission) increase when the polymer undergoes stimulated emission for thicker metal films but decrease below a certain metal film thickness. This indicates that gain in the semiconducting polymer film reduces the extent of exciton emission coupling to SPP modes for thicker metal films. However, once the metal thickness is below a critical value, gain improves exciton–SPP coupling. These results are consistent with theoretical calculations, which show that the dominant SPP mode exhibits a greater propagation length for thinner metal films, suggesting greater near-field overlap between the semiconductor film and SPP modes.

Background Increased demand for endovascular thrombectomy has increased the likelihood of simultaneous patient presentation leading to competing demand for time-critical treatment that could adversely impact patient outcomes. We aimed to quantify the occurrence of simultaneous patient presentation at different patient volumes. Methods Empirical distributions for time of patient presentation and case duration were used to probabilistically generate arrival time and case duration for a set annual patient volume, ranging from 1 to 500 cases per year, for 16 000 independent trials at each volume. Time series were generated for each trial to represent the number of cases being performed at each minute of the year. Time series were used to calculate daily thrombectomy demand, annual concurrent demand, and hourly excess demand. Results The patient volumes at which at least one annual occurrence of concurrent demand by two patients was 50% and 97.5% likely were 45 and 101, respectively. The volumes at which at least one annual occurrence of concurrent demand by three patients was 50% and 97.5% likely were 216 and 387, respectively. There was dramatic variation in the occurrence of excess demand by two or more patients throughout the day. Conclusions The occurrence of simultaneous presentation by multiple patients for endovascular thrombectomy varies with annual patient volume and time of day. Understanding these trends and the associated patient impact can inform intelligent strategies at regional and national levels for optimizing patient care within real-world financial and operational constraints.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy remains underdiagnosed despite a growing number of effective treatment interventions that can improve care. Multimodality imaging has become integral to diagnosing and managing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, providing a comprehensive assessment of the disease. In particular, it enhances the diagnostic accuracy and deepens the understanding of the mechanisms underlying patient symptoms, enabling targeted therapeutic approaches. Additionally, multimodality imaging allows for better risk stratification, assessment of therapy response, and guidance of interventions to deliver personalized medicine. The practical tools outlined in this review can help providers integrate multimodality imaging strategies to provide better care and improve the patient experience.

Background The rise in demand for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) has increased the possibility that multiple patients with acute ischemic stroke may present concurrently and exceed local capacity to provide timely treatment. In this work, we quantitatively compared the efficacy of various strategies to mitigate demand in excess of capacity (DEC). Methods Strategies evaluated included a backup neurointerventional team for 3 hours, 8 hours, or 24 hours per day; a separate pre-intervention imaging team; and a 30% decrease in procedure duration. For each strategy, empirical distributions were used to probabilistically generate arrival time and case duration for 16 000 independent trials repeated across a range of annual case volumes. DEC was calculated from time series representing the number of concurrent cases at each minute of the year for each trial at each case volume. Results All strategies decreased DEC compared with baseline. At a representative volume of 250 cases per year, availability of a backup team for 3 hours, 8 hours, and 24 hours per day reduced DEC by 27.0%, 60.3%, and 97.2%, respectively, compared with baseline. Similarly, availability of a pre-intervention imaging team and a 30% decrease in procedure duration reduced DEC by 26.6% and 17.7%, respectively, compared with baseline. Conclusions A backup neurointerventional team, even if available only part time, was an effective strategy for decreasing DEC for EVT. Understanding the actual quantitative benefit of each strategy can facilitate rational cost–benefit analyses underlying the development of efficient and sustainable models of care.