Optical cross-connect system incorporated with newly developedoperation and management system

The optical cross-connect (OXC) system described in this paper increases the operation flexibility and reliability of the trunk-line optical networks used for data communication. It features an OXC node comprised of a photonic switching network and a conventional electric switching network that are connected hierarchically. The operation and management scheme proposed for this OXC system uses the concept of an optical path and an optical section. The OXC system allows hitless network reconfiguration by switching the photonic switches gradually and without interference effects. An experimental OXC network showed that a broken optical path is restored, by rerouting, within 50 ms. Experiments using a LiNbO₃ 8×8 photonic switch matrix also showed that the OXC system provides photonic hitless switching. These results confirm the feasibility of flexibly reconfigurable and fast-restorable OXC systems     

Access and metro networks based on WDM technologies

This paper describes the technical issues of access and metro networks based on wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technologies, some solutions, and an experimental demonstration. A WDM star access network with colorless optical network units (ONUs) is proposed. For realizing the colorless ONU, two approaches are introduced; optical carrier supply and spectrum slicing. In addition, a WDM metro ring network with scalable optical add/drop multiplexers (OADMs), namely the tapped-type OADM, is proposed to effectively accommodate the large amount of traffic issued from access networks. Prototypes are constructed and used to verify the feasibility of the proposed WDM technologies.     

Annealing effects of a high-quality ZnTe substrate

The sharp photoluminescence (PL) and optical-reflection spectra in the bandedge region of the high-quality nondoped ZnTe substrate (100) were observed at 4.2 K. Free exciton, associated with lower and upper polaritons (EX^L and EX^U) at 2.382 eV and 2.381 eV, respectively, were clearly observed. This meant that this substrate was high quality. The intensity of a bound exciton peak (2.375 eV), which is caused by a Zn vacancy, of a neutral acceptor decreased with an increase of the Zn vapor pressures.     

模拟流体中真核状态鞭毛运动和纤毛运动的放大推进机构

由于大部分的生物体都具有相对的自发性、功能性和有效率性，模仿生物体动作的机械研究在工程领域是非常重要的。根据这个观点，我们研究了一种基于水中微生物动作的微型推进机构。     

Identification of linear systems with time delay and unknown order

This paper proposes a system identification method for linear systems with time delay and unknown order. We hypothesize a number of candidate models, which have different order, because system order is unknown. In each model, we estimate the model parameters based on the maximum likelihood method by using nonlinear optimization technique. Then both local optimization technique and global search method are used because the estimated parameters may fall into a local minimum. After all candidate model's parameters are estimated, one model is selected among these models to estimate the system order by using a posteriori probability based on Bayes's theorem. Finally, the validity of the proposed method is demonstrated by numerical examples. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 145(3): 61–68, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.10166     

Studies of aqueous resins

Summary Polyesters were modified by introducing small amounts of sodium sulfonate groups as hydrophilic groups in their backbones. Stable aqueous dispersions of the polyesters could be obtained by using 2-butoxyethanol (BEA) as a cosolvent. To clarify the role of the cosolvent, they were separated into two layers, polymer and supernatant layers, byultracentrifugation. Cosolvent contents were found to be different in the former and latter layers; i.e., the contents of BEA in the former layer are low in the case of crystalline polyesters and high in the case of noncrystalline ones. Characteristics of the dispersions such as viscosity are strongly affected by the content of the cosolvent.     

Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 envelope glycoprotein binds to CD8 as well as to CD4 molecules on human T cells

We report here that human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) envelope glycoprotein (gp105), but not HIV-1 gp120, can bind to CD8 molecules as well as to CD4 molecules on human T cells. This phenomenon may lead to differences in the life cycles of HIV-1 and HIV-2, and it may be related to the differences in disease manifestations of HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection, including longer survival of HIV-2-infected patients.     

Postoperative delayed emptying in pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy using pancreaticogastrostomy: comparison of the reconstruction position

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We frequently use pancreaticogastrostomy after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PpPD). Although it is a useful and effective technique, it sometimes requires prolonged delayed emptying. We considered the best position for pancreaticogastrostomy in such a way as to reduce this period of delayed emptying. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From 1991 to 1996, 17 patients whose blood sugar was controlled and who were kept on H2 blocker were selected from among 25 patients who underwent PpPD and were reconstructed by pancreaticogastrostomy. We investigated the history of the relationship between reconstruction position and delayed emptying, reconstruction position and minor leakage, minor leakage and delayed emptying, reconstruction position and stomach mobility without leakage. RESULTS: The delayed emptying was shorter for a reconstruction position in the area above the angulus rather than below it. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the area above the angulus is the preferred site for pancreaticogastrostomy after PpPD.     

Modulation of GABAC response by Ca2+ and other divalent cations in horizontal cells of the catfish retina

GABAC responses were recorded in cultured cone-driven horizontal cells from the catfish retina using the patch clamp technique. At a holding potential of -49 mV, a bicuculline-resistant inward current (IGABA) was observed when 10 microM GABA was applied. The amplitude of IGABA increased as the extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o) was increased. Concentration-response curves of IGABA at 2.5 and 10 mM -Ca2+-o had similar EC50 (3.0 and 3.1 microM) and Hill coefficients (1.54 and 1. 24). However, the maximal response estimated at 10 mM [Ca2+]o was larger than the maximal response at 2.5 mM [Ca2+]o. Increasing Ca influx through voltage-gated Ca channels and the resulting rise in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration had no effects on IGABA. However, IGABA was inhibited by extracellular divalent cations, with the following order of the inhibitory potency: Zn2+ > Ni2+ > Cd2+ > Co2+. The inhibitory action of Zn2+ on the [Ca2+]o-dependent IGABA increase was noncompetitive. The action of [Ca2+]o on IGABA was mimicked by Ba2+ or Sr2+. These results demonstrate that the extracellular domain of GABAC receptors has two functionally distinct binding sites represented by Ca2+ (facilitation) and Zn2+ (inhibition). Since [Ca2+]o and [Zn2+]o change into the opposite direction by light, it seems likely that they modify cooperatively the efficacy of the positive feedback consisting of the GABAC receptor.