An optically clocked transistor array with dual serial-to-parallel and parallel-to-serial conversion capability for optical label swapping

We propose an optically clocked transistor array optoelectronic integrated circuit (OEIC) for both serial-to-parallel and parallel-to-serial conversion (demux/mux), enabling an interface between high-speed asynchronous burst optical labels and CMOS circuitry for optical label swapping. Dual functionality of the OEIC reduces size, power, and cost of the optical label swapper. The capability for greater than 20-Gb/s conversion operation is demonstrated.     

Impact of crosstalk in an arrayed-waveguide multiplexer onN×N optical interconnection

The impact of crosstalk in an arrayed-waveguide N×N wavelength multiplexer is investigated precisely in relation to its application to wavelength-routing N×N all optical networks. In such systems multiple crosstalk light which has the same wavelength as the signal results in signal-crosstalk beat noise. We confirm that the noise is Gaussian and obtain the relation between crosstalk and power penalty. It is shown that the crosstalk must be less than -38 dB for a 16×16 system to keep the power penalty below 1 dB at a bit error rate of 10^-9     

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     

Effect of Milling on Slip Casting of Partially Stabilized Zirconia

Specimens of partially stabilized zirconia were slip cast from aqueous suspensions and sintered at 1500°C for 3 h. The relative density of the cast specimens and the firing shrinkage of the sintered specimens depend on the milling time for the suspension. Vickers hardness and K_IC values of 11.46±s0.07 GN/m² and 6.10 ±0.04 MN.m^3/2, respectively, were obtained for all sintered specimens. The dispersion of the suspension is important in increasing the relative density of the cast specimens.     

Biotransformation of three aromadendrane‐type sesquiterpenoids by Aspergillus wentii

BACKGROUND: The biotransformation of sesquiterpenoids, which are a large class of naturally occurring compounds, using microorganisms as a biocatalyst to produce useful novel organic compounds was investigated. The biotransformation of sesquiterpenoids, (+)‐aromadendrene ( 1 ), (−)‐alloaromadendrene ( 2 ) and (+)‐ledene ( 3 ) has been investigated using Aspergillus wentii as a biocatalyst. Results: Compound 1 was converted to (−)‐(10S,11S)‐10,13,14‐trihydroxyaromadendrane ( 4 ). Compound 2 was converted to (+)‐(1S,11S)‐1,13‐dihydroxyaromadendrene ( 5 ) and (−)‐5,11‐epoxycadin‐1(10)‐en‐14‐ol ( 6 ). Compound 3 was converted to compound 6 , (+)‐(10R,11S)‐10,13‐dihydroxyaromadendr‐1‐ene ( 7 ) and (+)‐(10S,11S)‐10,13‐dihydroxyaromadendr‐1‐ene ( 8 ). The structure of the metabolic products has been elucidated on the basis of their spectral data. CONCLUSION: Compound 1 gave only one product that was hydroxylated at C‐10, C‐13 and C‐14. By contrast, compounds 2 and 3 gave a number of products, one of which was common. The differences in oxidation of 1–3 are due to the configuration of the C‐1 position. Compounds 4–8 were new compounds. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Structural Changes in Titin and Nebulin Filaments Specific to Calcium Ions at 0.1 mM: Factors of Meat Tenderization During Postmortem Aging

ABSTRACT Postmortem structural changes in titin and nebulin filaments were investigated by incubating isolated myofibrils in a solution containing 0.1 mM calcium ions and various concentrations of a protease inhibitor. The inhibition curves showed 2 abnormal steps with increases in the concentration of leupeptin or calpastatin domain I. While the amounts of unchanged titin and nebulin were constant in the 1st step, the 2nd occurred at higher protease inhibitor concentrations. These facts indicated that excess amounts of leupeptin and calpastatin domain I caused deterioration in titin and nebulin properties, thus interfering with the binding of calcium ions. We concluded that the severance of titin and nebulin filaments in the 1st step were induced by calcium ions at 0.1 mM.     

Analysis of immunoglobulin-synthesizing cells in human dental periapical lesions by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry

The iron status of 22 children and adolescents with Crohn's disease (mean age: 13 years) was evaluated. Eleven patients were suffering from active disease with inflammation, identified by at least one abnormal value for serum orosomucoid, C-reactive protein or sedimentation rate (group I). Eleven patients were in clinical remission and showed no biological evidence of inflammation (group II). Hemoglobin and red cell indices, erythrocyte protoporphyrin, serum iron, transferrin, serum ferritin and basic red cell ferritin were determined in all patients. The usual indicators of iron status, particularly serum ferritin, were affected by the inflammatory processes, but basic red cell ferritin appeared to be independent of inflammation. Basic red cell ferritin can therefore be considered to be a reliable indicator of iron status in children and adolescents with Crohn's disease.     

Protective effects of CD-832 on organ damage in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Effects of a newly developed Ca2+ channel antagonist, (4R)-(-)-2-(nicotinoylamino)ethyl 3 nitrooxypropyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl) 3,5-pyridine-dicarboxylate (CD-832), on hypertensive complications in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSPs) were compared with effects of diltiazem. We examined changes in histological and hematological parameters in SHRSPs given the following treatments at 8 to 20 weeks of age: (a) CD-832; (b) diltiazem; (c) no treatment. CD-832 and diltiazem were added to the diet, in doses of 0.05 and 0.15% (approximately 30 and 100 mg/kg per day), respectively, throughout the experimental period. In untreated control SHRSPs, systolic blood pressure increased and severe renal lesions such as fibrinoid necrosis, smooth muscle proliferation, glomerular and tubular lesions and some cardiac fibrosis were observed at age 20 weeks. 12-week repeated-administration of CD-832 and diltiazem led to a comparable hypotension and decreased heart rate. CD-832 and diltiazem decreased the ratios of weights of kidney and heart to body weight and the concentration of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in serum, compared to values in controls. In SHRSPs treated with CD-832 and diltiazem, the incidence of renal lesions and myocardial fibrosis was significantly reduced when compared with control SHRSPs. These results suggest that 12-week repeated-administration of CD-832 prevents the development of hypertension and the incidence of organ damage in SHRSPs. CD-832 and diltiazem were equally efficacious in preventing organ damage but this organ-protective effect was obtained at a lower dose for CD-832 (30 mg/kg per day) than that of diltiazem (100 mg/kg per day).     

Hair analysis for drugs of abuse. VI. The excretion of methoxyphenamine and methamphetamine into beards of human subjects

The excretion of methoxyphenamine (MOP) and methamphetamine (MA) into beards has been studied. Six healthy male subjects orally took 50 mg of MOP at a single dose and 7 doses for a successive 7 days. Their beard hairs were collected by an electric shaver every morning until MOP disappeared from the beard. After washing with 0.1% SDS, the beard samples were extracted with methanol-5 N HCl (20:1) under ultra-sonication for 1 h and the solution was kept overnight. MOP in the extract was determined by GC/MS using deuterium labelled MOP as an internal standard after trifluoroacetyl-derivatization. The drug concentrations in beard and the reproducibility of analysis were compared with the three procedures, unwashed, 0.1% SDS (wash I) and the additional ethanol (wash II) wash. The drug concentration in beard after SDS wash was 0.5-2.5 ng/mg lower than that in unwashed beard during the first 5-6 days. The drug concentration in beard after ethanol wash was much lower than that in the unwashed beard. The drug excreted into beard was detected 10 approximately 12 days for a single dose and 12-14 days for 7 doses after the last dosage at the cut off level of 1 ng/mg. On the contrary, the drug excreted in urine was not detected after more than 3 days after use. O-Desmethyl MOP, a major metabolite of MOP, was also detected in beard. The procedures were applied to the detection of MA in beard of MA abusers. It was realized that a beard sample was more useful than a urine sample assuming a longer detection.