Theoretical Investigation of Intersections of Metal-Insulator-Silicon-Insulator-Metal Waveguides

We theoretically investigate simple, circle-shaped, and diamond-shaped intersections of metal-insulator-silicon-insulator-metal (MISIM) waveguides. Because of the strong light confinement of the hybrid plasmonic waveguides, the simple intersection does not work efficiently. The low efficiency of the simple intersection is improved in the other intersections, and the diamond-shaped intersection is superior to the circle-shaped one. When the footprint of the diamond-shaped intersection is just 1.96 ??m2, its throughput is between -0.68 and -0.78 dB in the wavelength interval between 1.45 and 1.60 ?? m, and its crosstalk is smaller than -18 dB in the interval. This compact, efficient intersection may pave the way to on-chip hybrid networks of photonic and plasmonic devices.ope

Telepresence and Aesthetic Experiences on Online Stores: A Brand-Website Image Congruence Perspective

Multichannel integration has often been studied from operational perspectives, with much less attention paid on the symbolic image aspect of channel integration. Based on the integration of schema and congruity theory, this study demonstrates the importance of seamless channel integration from a symbolic image congruence perspective, using data from an online survey with 458 female consumers. Specifically, findings of this study suggest that a high image fit of a brand\u27s website to its original brand image may increase the consumer\u27s acceptance of the website\u27s aesthetic appeal and help them feel telepresence (i.e., feel as if they were in the brand\u27s physical store) while shopping online, which in turn leads to increased patronage intent for the website. Further research is needed to disentangle the cross-channel image fit phenomenon and factors that influence the fit perception

Cooper-Pair Spin Current in a Strontium Ruthenate Heterostructure

It has been recognized that the condensation of spin-triplet Cooper pairs requires not only the broken gauge symmetry but also the spin ordering as well. One consequence of this is the possibility of the Cooper-pair spin current analogous to the magnon spin current in magnetic insulators, the analogy also extending to the existence of the Gilbert damping of the collective spin-triplet dynamics. The recently fabricated heterostructure of the thin film of the itinerant ferromagnet SrRuO3 on the bulk Sr2RuO4, the best-known candidate material for the spin-triplet superconductor, offers a promising platform for generating such spin current. We will show how such heterostructure allows us to not only realize the long-range spin valve but also electrically drive the collective spin mode of the spin-triplet order parameter. Our proposal represents both a new realization of the spin superfluidity and a transport signature of the spin-triplet superconductivity.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Current-driven motion of magnetic topological defects in ferromagnetic superconductors

Recent years have seen a number of instances where magnetism and superconductivity intrinsically coexist. Our focus is on the case where spin-triplet superconductivity arises out of ferromagnetism, and we make a hydrodynamic analysis of the effect of a charge supercurrent on magnetic topological defects like domain walls and merons. We find that the emergent electromagnetic field that arises out of the superconducting order parameter provides a description for not only the physical quantities such as the local energy flux density and the interaction between current and defects but also the energy dissipation through magnetic dynamics of the Gilbert damping, which becomes more prominent compared to the normal state as superconductivity attenuates the energy dissipation through the charge sector. In particular, we reveal that the current-induced dynamics of domain walls and merons in the presence of the Gilbert damping give rise to the nonsingular $4\pi$ and $2\pi$ phase slips, respectively, revealing the intertwined dynamics of spin and charge degrees of freedom in ferromagnetic superconductors.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure

Compact Silicon Slot Waveguide Intersection Based on Mode Transformation and Multimode Interference

Silicon slot waveguide intersections are necessary for photonic-integrated circuits based on silicon slot waveguides. We theoretically investigate a compact silicon slot waveguide intersection, which consists of mode transformers and a multimode strip waveguide crossing. The mode transformer before the crossing converts the slot waveguide mode into strip waveguide modes with amplitudes and phases appropriate for efficient operation of the crossing, which is based on multimode interference. The reverse conversion happens in the mode transformer after the crossing. The investigated intersection has a throughput of -0.078 dB, a crosstalk of -41 dB, and a footprint of 79.2 mu m(2). Its properties are better than those of previous silicon slot waveguide intersections, and especially its footprint is less than 33% of the previous ones. The intersection may be used for matrix switches based on silicon slot waveguides

Behavior of Connections Between SHS Columns & W-section Beams

Connections between SHS (Square Hollow Section) columns and W-section beams are generally fabricated by welding with or without endplates in the factory. These welded connections possess some finite degree of rotational stiffness which falls between fully rigid and ideally pinned joints. The influence of partially restrained connections on structural response not only changes the moment distribution but also increases frame drift. In this paper, a series of connection tests joining SHS column and W-section beam were executed and the test results compared with theoretical values. A method to utilize nonlinear moment-rotation relations of beam-to-column connections in steel framed structures is proposed. For the problem of contact in endplate-type connections, a simple and efficient method is also introduced

Impacts of gender, weather, and workplace differences in farm worker's gear

Background: The farmers cannot help working in outdoor conditions which have high humidity and solar radiation during the harvest period. Wearable items including clothing are the nearest environment of human body, and to understand the current state of them can be a way to set up an active prevention strategy against the health risk from heat stress in summertime agriculture. The aim of this study was to investigate the work wear and accessories which the elderly farmers used during agricultural working. Methods: One hundred twenty farmers (49 males and 71 females) working in nine separate sites on different days took part in this study. The average age of subjects was 61 years old. We examined the types of working posture, clothing, and items that the farmers used and/or wore. We also interviewed the farmers to know why they used such items while working. Results: The results of this study were as follows: (1) Farmers worked in the thermal environment which was over wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) reference value, and the farmers could suffer heat stress due to workload induced from wearing conventional long-sleeved shirts and long trousers which were 0.66 clo in average under this summertime working thermal condition. (2) The farmers tended to change the layer of upper clothing for adapting to weather condition. (3) The types of footwear used seemed to be related with facilities as well as weather, and farmers tended to wear lighter footwear when the weather is hotter or when they work in PVC greenhouse. The majority of elderly farmers wore loafers and rubber shoes which had indistinguishable thin soles. (4) The types of hats showed the difference between facilities as well as gender and only 31.7 % of all participants used long brims. (5) Korean elderly farmers did not use any active cooling item as agricultural auxiliary tools in summer harvesting time. Conclusions: Korean elderly farmers worked in poor surroundings which could threaten their health and safety and seemed not to adjust their workload and clothing during summer harvest season. Thus, it would be necessary to monitor individual responses in order to ensure that the risk of heat stress is preventedopen