Data Transparent and Polarization Insensitive All-Optical Switch based on Fibers with Enhanced Nonlinearity

We have developed a data transparent optical packet switch prototype employing wavelength conversion based on four-wave mixing. The switch is composed of an electro-optical control unit and an all-optical switching segment. To achieve higher switching efficiencies, Ge-doped silica suspended-core and chalcogenide arsenicselenide single-mode fibers were experimentally evaluated and compared to conventional highly-nonlinear fiber. Improved connectorization technology has been developed for Ge-doped suspended-core fiber, where we achieved connection losses of 0.9 dB. For the arsenic-selenide fiber we present a novel solid joint technology, with connection losses of only 0.25 dB, which is the lowest value presented up-to-date. Conversion efficiency of -13.7 dB was obtained for the highly-nonlinear fiber, which is in perfect correlation with previously published results and thus verifies the functionality of the prototype. Conversion efficiency of -16.1 dB was obtained with arsenic-selenide fiber length reduced to five meters within simulations, based on measurement results with a 26 m long component. Employment of such a short arsenic-selenide fiber segment allows significant broadening of the wavelength conversion spectral range due to possible neglection of dispersion

The Synthesis of [{n-Bu2Sn(S2N2)}2] and its use in the preparation of Organometallic Iridium Sulfur Nitrogen Complexes

The addition of [n-Bu2SnCl2] to a solution of [S4N3][Cl] in liquid ammonia gave after extraction of the dry reaction mixture the new tin disulfur dinitrido compound [{n-Bu2Sn(S2N2)}(2)] (1). Reaction of [{n-Bu2Sn(S2N2)}(2)] (1) with the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*) iridium derivatives [{IrCl(mu-Cl)(eta(5)-C5Me5)}(2)] or [(eta(5)-C5Me5)IrCl2(PPh3)] gave different products, which were dependent on the reactant ratios. A 1:1 reaction between 1 and [{IrCl(mu-Cl)(eta(5)-C5Me5)}(2)] gave only [(eta(5)-C5Me5)Ir(S2N2)] (2) in moderate yield; the same product in higher yield was obtained from a 2:1 reaction between 1 and [(eta(5)-C5Me5)IrCl2(PPh3)]. Reaction of 1 and [(eta(5)-C5Me5)(2)IrCl2(PPh3)] (1:1 molar ratio) in the presence of NH4[PF6] gave the unusual bimetallic species [(eta(5)-C5Me5)IrCl(PPh3)(S2N2)Ir(eta(5)-C5Me5)][PF6] (3). The X-ray crystal structures of 1, 2, and 3 are reported.PostprintPeer reviewe

Accommodating Learners With Dyslexia in English Language Teaching in Sri Lanka : teachers' knowledge, attitudes and challenges

As it is estimated that 10% of the world population has dyslexia or related learning difficulties, it is vital for language teachers to have a thorough understanding of such difficulties and of inclusive teaching techniques. It is believed that teacher training can increase teachers’ knowledge of dyslexia and inclusion, inculcate positive attitudes among them on inclusion and increase their self-efficacy beliefs. The study discussed in this paper analysed if a teacher training programme aimed at a group of ELT professionals in Sri Lanka could do the same and also the challenges that they would face in introducing inclusive practices into their context. A questionnaire and interview data revealed that the teacher training programme was able to change teachers’ negative attitudes towards dyslexia, increase their knowledge of dyslexia and inclusive practices and increase their readiness to implement inclusive classroom techniques. The findings also revealed that institutional barriers such as a rigid examination system and lack of flexibility in the curriculum may hinder how inclusive practices are implemented. In addition, negative socio-cultural ideology and some practical classroom problems may also affect implementation

Identification of ejaculated proteins in the house mouse (Mus domesticus) via isotopic labeling

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Seminal fluid plays an important role in successful fertilization, but knowledge of the full suite of proteins transferred from males to females during copulation is incomplete. The list of ejaculated proteins remains particularly scant in one of the best-studied mammalian systems, the house mouse (<it>Mus domesticus</it>), where artificial ejaculation techniques have proven inadequate. Here we investigate an alternative method for identifying ejaculated proteins, by isotopically labeling females with ¹⁵N and then mating them to unlabeled, vasectomized males. Proteins were then isolated from mated females and identified using mass spectrometry. In addition to gaining insights into possible functions and fates of ejaculated proteins, our study serves as proof of concept that isotopic labeling is a powerful means to study reproductive proteins.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We identified 69 male-derived proteins from the female reproductive tract following copulation. More than a third of all spectra detected mapped to just seven genes known to be structurally important in the formation of the copulatory plug, a hard coagulum that forms shortly after mating. Seminal fluid is significantly enriched for proteins that function in protection from oxidative stress and endopeptidase inhibition. Females, on the other hand, produce endopeptidases in response to mating. The 69 ejaculated proteins evolve significantly more rapidly than other proteins that we previously identified directly from dissection of the male reproductive tract.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our study attempts to comprehensively identify the proteins transferred from males to females during mating, expanding the application of isotopic labeling to mammalian reproductive genomics. This technique opens the way to the targeted monitoring of the fate of ejaculated proteins as they incubate in the female reproductive tract.</p

Simplicity of organizational structure in the context of organizational simplicity research

W artykule opisano zagadnienie prostoty struktury organizacyjnej w celu zidentyfikowania kluczowych czynników mogących mieć wpływ na jej ukształtowanie. Zagadnienie to zostało poddane analizie w kontekście prostoty organizacji jako systemu. W pierwszej części artykułu wyjaśniono, że struktura organizacyjna jest jednym z elementów tego systemu a następnie omówiono, w jaki sposób można dokonać analizy tego elementu - rozgraniczając go od pozostałych elementów organizacji. W drugiej części dokonano analizy dostępnych doniesień literaturowych dotyczących prostoty organizacji - ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem raportu Global Simplicity Index - i na tej podstawie zestawiono listę kluczowych czynników, jakie wpływają na ukształtowanie struktury organizacyjnej.The paper describes the problem of organizational structure simplicity, in order to identify key factors that can influence its shape. This problem is analyzed in the context of simplicity of organization understood as a system. In the first part of the article it is explained that organizational structure is one of the elements of this system and it is described how to analyze it without taking into account the rest of elements. In the second part of the article literature is analyzed, especially Global Simplicity Index Raport is considered. Based on that, the list of key factors influencing organizational structure is presented

Information technology interactive functions and organizational structure hierarchy

The article describes the relation between information technology and the hierarchy complexity. It describes the typical functions of information technology and indicates that the interactive features contribute to changes in the complexity of organizational structure hierarchy. Then presents the results of studies made among 104 companies in Poland, which aimed to determine the complexity of the hierarchy in the three groups of companies: those that use information technology with implemented interactive functions, those that do not use this kind of technologies and those what use information technologies without interactive functions, but have implemented information functions.W artykule opisano związek między technologiami informacyjnymi a złożonością hierarchii. Określono w nim typowe funkcje technologii informacyjnych i wykazano, że funkcje interaktywne w największym stopniu przyczyniają się do zmian złożoności hierarchii struktury organizacyjnej. Następnie zaprezentowano opracowanie wyników badań przeprowadzonych wśród 104 przedsiębiorstw w Polsce. Ich celem było określenie różnic w złożoności hierarchii dla trzech grup przedsiębiorstw: tych, wykorzystujących technologie informacyjne z zaimplementowanymi funkcjami interaktywnymi, tych, niewykorzystujących tego typu technologii oraz tych, które nie stosują funkcji interaktywnych, jednak dysponują funkcjami informacyjnymi

Systematics of human team diversity dimensions

W artykule opisano zagadnienie różnorodności zespołów ludzkich. Wskazano, że jest to istotny element badań związanych z funkcjonowaniem oraz efektywnością zespołów ludzkich. Zdefiniowano pojęcie różnorodności zespołów ludzkich i wskazano na występujące różnice w wynikach badań z nim związanych. Analiza występujących różnic w wynikach badań pozwoliła dojść do wniosku, że warunkiem uzyskania jednoznacznych i wiarygodnych rezultatów jest konieczność zastosowania odpowiedniej systematyki wymiarów opisujących różnorodność zespołów ludzkich. Opisano próby ich grupowania. Na podstawie wspomnianej analizy zaproponowano własną systematykę wymiarów. Zidentyfikowano dwie grupy wymiarów: związane z różnorodnością członków zespołu oraz związane z różnorodnością zadań zespołu, a następnie przyporządkowano wykorzystywane w literaturze wymiary do poszczególnych grup.The article describes the problem of the diversity of human teams. In the first part it indicates that this is an important element of research, related to the functioning and effectiveness of human teams. The concept of human teams diversity is defined and it is indicated that there are differences in the results of research on this phenomenon. On this basis, it was concluded that adequate scheme of dimensions that describes the diversity of human teams is needed for the proper analysis. In the second part of the article, the dimensions from existing literature are analyzed. On this basis, the scheme allowing their arrangement is proposed. Two groups of dimensions are identified: those associated with a diversity of team members and team tasks. Moreover, dimensions used in the literature were assigned to individual groups

Experimental mathematical model of nanosecond laser interaction with material

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