Optimization of coupling between photonic crystal resonator and curved microfiber

The evanescent coupling from a photonic crystal resonator to a micron-thick optical fiber is investigated in detail by using a 3D-FDTD method. Properly designed photonic crystal cavity and taper structures are proposed, and optimal operating conditions are found to enhance the coupling strength while suppressing other cavity losses including the coupling to the slab propagating mode and to the higher-order fiber mode. In simulation, the coupling into the fundamental fiber mode is discriminated from other cavity losses by spatial and parity filtering of the FDTD results. The coupling efficiency of more than 80% into the fundamental fiber mode together with a total Q factor of 5,200 is achieved for the fiber diameter of 1.0 um and the air gap of 200 nm between the fiber and the cavity.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure

Axial strain dependence of all-fiber acousto-optic tunable filters

We report the axial strain dependence of two types of all-fiber acousto-optic tunable filters based on flexural and torsional acoustic waves. Experimental observation of the resonant wavelength shift under applied axial strain could be explained by theoretical consideration of the combination of acoustic and optical effects. We discuss the possibility of suppressing the strain effect in the filters, or conversely, the possibility of using the strain dependence for wavelength tuning or strain sensors

A situation-aware cross-platform architecture for ubiquitous game

Multi-player online games (MOGs) are popular in these days. However, contemporary MOGs do not really support ubiquity in the sense that a seamless service across heterogeneous hardware platforms is not provided. This paper presents the architecture of the cross-platform online game, which provides a service to users from heterogeneous platforms and is equipped with a situation-aware capability for enabling the users to seamlessly move between heterogeneous platforms. The experimental results through the prototype implementations show the feasibility of the situation-aware cross-platform game

Benthic invertebrate fauna in the islets of Namuseom and Bukhyeongjeseom off Busan

AbstractThis study was conducted to examine the benthic invertebrate fauna inhabiting in the subtidal zone in and around the islets of Namuseom and Bukhyeongjeseom off the coast of Busan by SCUBA diving in September 2013. As a consequence, it was confirmed that a total of 6 phyla, 14 classes, 20 orders, 46 families, and 73 species of zoobenthos inhabit in and around those islets. The total number of species surveyed by taxon during the study is 22 species of Arthropoda (30%), 20 species of Mollusca (27%), 15 species of Cnidaria (21%), 10 species of Echinodermata (14%), four species of Poridera (5%), and two species of Chordata

Delayed Infrarenal Aortic Pseudoaneurysm Treated by Endovascular Stent Graft in Pyogenic Spondylitis

A 61-year-old male patient with pyogenic spondylodiscitis and epidural and psoas abscesses underwent posterior decompression, debridement, and instrumented fusion, followed by anterior debridement and reconstruction. Sudden onset flank pain was diagnosed 7 weeks postoperatively and was determined to be a pseudoaneurysm located at the aorta inferior to the renal artery and superior to the aortic bifurcation area. An endovascular stent graft was applied to successfully treat the pseudoaneurysm. Postoperative recovery was uneventful and infection status was stabilized

Purification and proteomic identification of putative upstream regulators of polo-like kinase-1 from mitotic cell extracts

AbstractPolo-like kinase-1 (Plk1) is phosphorylated on Thr210 for activation during mitosis. Here, we investigated the question of which kinase(s) is the specific upstream kinase of mitotic Plk1. Upstream kinases of Plk1 were purified from mitotic cell extracts through column chromatography procedures, and identified by mass spectrometry. Candidates for Plk1 kinase included p21-activated kinase, aurora A, and mammalian Ste20-like kinases. Immunoprecipitates of these proteins from mitotic cell extracts phosphorylated Plk1 on Thr210. Even if the activity of Aurora A was blocked with a specific inhibitor, Plk1 phosphorylation still occurred, suggesting that function of Plk1 could be controlled by these kinases for proper mitotic progression, as well as by Aurora A in very late G2 phase for the beginning of mitosis.Structured abstractMINT-7996332: PAK1(uniprotkb:Q13153)physically interacts(MI:0915) withPLK1(uniprotkb:P53350) bypull down(MI:0096)MINT-7996345: PAK3(uniprotkb:O75914)physically interacts(MI:0915) withPLK1(uniprotkb:P53350) bypull down(MI:0096

MR Imaging of Shaken Baby Syndrome Manifested as Chronic Subdural Hematoma

Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is a form of child abuse that can cause significant head injuries, of which subdural hematoma (SDH) is the most common manifestation. We report the MRI findings of chronic SDH in three cases of SBS, involving two-, three- and eight-month-old babies. The SDH signal was mostly low on T1-weighted images and high on T2-weighted images, suggesting chronic SDH. In chronic SDH, a focal high signal on T1-weighted images was also noted, suggesting rebleeding. Contrast-enhanced MRI revealed diffuse dural enhancement

Facile synthesis of nano-Li4 Ti5O12 for high-rate Li-ion battery anodes

One of the most promising anode materials for Li-ion batteries, Li4Ti5O12, has attracted attention because it is a zero-strain Li insertion host having a stable insertion potential. In this study, we suggest two different synthetic processes to prepare Li4Ti5O12 using anatase TiO2 nanoprecursors. TiO2 powders, which have extraordinarily large surface areas of more than 250 m2 g-1, were initially prepared through the urea-forced hydrolysis/precipitation route below 100°C. For the synthesis of Li4Ti5O12, LiOH and Li2CO3 were added to TiO2 solutions prepared in water and ethanol media, respectively. The powders were subsequently dried and calcined at various temperatures. The phase and morphological transitions from TiO2 to Li4Ti5O12 were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical performance of nanosized Li4Ti5O12 was evaluated in detail by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic cycling. Furthermore, the high-rate performance and long-term cycle stability of Li4Ti5O12 anodes for use in Li-ion batteries were discussed