Molecular cloning of human Frizzled-6

The Frizzled genes encode receptors for WNTs, secreted glycoproteins implicated in development as well as in carcinogenesis. In this paper, we report molecular cloning of Hfz6, the human homologue of Mfz6. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that the Hfz6 gene encodes the 706 amino-acid protein with seven transmembrane domains, a cystein-rich domain in the N-terminal extracellular region, two N-linked glycosylation sites, and two cystein residues in the second and third extracellular loops. Hfz6 mRNA 4.4-kb in size was detected in various normal adult and fetal tissues, and a larger amount of Hfz6 mRNA was detected in both fetal lung and fetal kidney. The Hfz6 gene has been mapped to human chromosome 8q22.3-q23.1. In conclusion, we have cloned Hfz6, which encodes a seven-transmembrane receptor with the cystein-rich domain in the N-terminal extracellular region, but without the Ser/Thr-X-Val motif in the C-terminus.     

Asymmetric dilation of multiwavelength cross-connect switches forlow-crosstalk WDM optical networks

We predict that, for wavelength division multiplexing optical-network applications, an asymmetrically dilated configuration of a 2×2 cross-connect is significantly better in terms of overall crosstalk when the levels of the bar-port crosstalk and the cross-port crosstalk are significantly different from each other, as is the case with optical-frequency filters which utilize grating-assisted coupling. As a verification, we present a simulation study with 2×2 polarization-diversified acousto-optic tunable filters. We present a recursive method to extend the principle of asymmetric dilation to larger-size cross-connect switches, and make a recommendation for an asymmetrically dilated 4×4 cross-connect configuration     

Finite element beam propagation method for three-dimensionaloptical waveguide structures

A beam propagation method (BPM) based on the finite element method (FEM) is described for longitudinally varying three-dimensional (3-D) optical waveguides. In order to avoid nonphysical reflections from the computational window edges, the transparent boundary condition is introduced. The present algorithm using the Pade approximation is, to our knowledge, the first wide-angle finite element beam propagation method for 3-D waveguide structures. To show the validity and usefulness of this approach, numerical results are shown for Gaussian-beam excitation of a straight rib waveguide and guided-mode propagation in a Y-branching rib waveguide     

A fully soft-switched extended-period quasi-resonantpower-factor-correction circuit

This paper presents the design criteria, procedure, and implementation of a soft-switched power-factor-correction (PFC) circuit based on the extended-period quasi-resonant (EPQR) principles. All power electronic devices including switches and diodes in the circuit are fully soft switched. The design method is demonstrated in a prototype circuit. The operating principles are confirmed with computer simulation and experimental results. A comparison of the EP-QR operation and zero-voltage-transition (ZVT) pulse-width modulation (PWM) method     

Application of neural networks and machine learning in networkdesign

Communication network design is becoming increasingly complex, involving making networks more usable, affordable, and reliable. To help with this, we have proposed an expert network designer (END) for configuring, modeling, simulating, and evaluating large structured computer networks, employing artificial intelligence, knowledge representation, and network simulation tools. We present a neural network/knowledge acquisition machine-learning approach to improve the END's efficiency in solving the network design problem and to extend its scope to acquire new networking technologies, learn new network design techniques, and update the specifications of existing technologies     

Densification involved in the UV-based photosensitivity of silicaglasses and optical fibers

A comprehensive survey of photosensitivity in silica glasses and optical fiber is reviewed. Recent work on understanding the mechanisms contributing to germanium or aluminum doped fiber photosensitivity is discussed within the framework of photoelastic densification models     

Digitally tunable optical filters using arrayed-waveguide grating(AWG) multiplexers and optical switches

Two novel configurations for digitally tunable optical filters based on arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) multiplexers are described in detail with emphasis on the connection of the AWG multiplexer and optical switches. Performance comparisons show that conventional configurations are disadvantaged by the switch size required and loss imbalance among the optical frequency-division-multiplexed (FDM) channels; the proposed configurations require only O(√(N)) switch elements to select one of N FDM channels, and the loss imbalance is lower by up to 75% in decibel     

A new lateral MOS-gated thyristor with controlling base-current

A new lateral MOS-gated thyristor, called the Base-Current-Controlled Thyristor, is described. This device is designed so that most holes at the on-stage reach the P base through the floating P⁺ region adjacent to the P base and the on-state MOSFET. At the turn-off stage, the interruption of the hole current to the P base due to switching off the above MOSFET occurs simultaneously with the conventional turn-off operation. The concept of this device is verified experimentally by using the fabricated lateral device with the external MOSFET. This device exhibits a better trade-off relation between the on-state voltage and the turn-off time compared uith the conventional MOS-gated thyristor     

A wafer level monitoring method for plasma-charging damage usingantenna PMOSFET test structure

A novel monitoring method for plasma-charging damage is proposed. This method performs a quick and accurate evaluation using antenna PMOSFET. It was found that not only hot-carrier (HC) lifetime but transistor parameters such as initial gate current and substrate current were changed according to the degree of plasma-charging damage. However, the present work suggests that monitoring the shift of drain current after a few seconds of HC stress is a more accurate method to indicate plasma-charging damage. The monitoring method using the present test structure is demonstrated to be useful for realizing highly reliable devices     

A unified diode model for circuit simulation

A new commercially available diode model is described. This unified model is capable of simulating the widest range of diode technologies of any presently available. The emphasis of this paper is on describing the model's extensive features and flexibility in the different domains of operation and is of particular interest in power applications