Two-Dimensional Full-Vectorial Finite Element Analysis of NRD Guide Devices

Nonradiative dielectric waveguide (NRD guide) is a promising platform for realizing compact millimeter waveguide circuits. NRD guide devices have been simulated by several numerical simulation approaches so far and these approaches treat 3-D structure because electric and magnetic fields in NRD guides vary in whole directions. In this letter, we propose a 2-D full-vectorial finite element analysis for efficient simulation of NRD guide devices

Optimal design of NRD guide devices using 2D full-vectorial finite element method

In this paper, we propose an optimal design approach based on a concept of mosaic-like structure for achieving high performance NRD devices. In order to improve design efficiency, we employ the recently proposed two-dimensional full vectorial finite element method (2D-FVFEM) which can accurately model 3D structure of NRD as a numerical simulation method. As an optimization method, we employ either direct binary search (DES) algorithm or genetic algorithm (GA) depending on design problems. In order to show the usefulness of our approach, design examples of crossing and T-branch waveguides are considered and high transmission efficiency greater than 99.9% for crossing waveguide and 49.8%: 49.8% for T-branch waveguide is achieved. The numerical results by 2D-FVFEM are verified by 3D-FVFEM

Genotyping of Human Papillomaviruses by a Novel One-Step Typing Method with Multiplex PCR and Clinical Applications▿

We describe here a rapid, high-throughput genotyping procedure that allows the simultaneous detection of 16 high- and low-risk genital human papillomavirus (HPV) types by multiplex PCR in a single reaction tube. Multiplex PCR is based on the amplification of HPV DNA by sets of HPV genotype-specific primers, and the genotypes of HPV are visually identified by the sizes of amplicons after they are separated by capillary electrophoresis. The procedure does not include a hybridization step with HPV-specific probes and is rapid and labor-saving. We detected all 16 HPV genotypes (types 16, 58, 52, 51, 56, 31, 18, 39, 66, 59, 6, 33, 30, 35, 45, and 11) with a high sensitivity and a high degree of reproducibility. By using this newly developed method, we conducted a pilot study to examine the correlation between the prevalence and genotype distributions of HPV and the cytological group classifications for 547 cervical samples. Compared with the group of samples considered normal (14.7%), there was a significant increase in the prevalence of HPV in women with atypical squamous cells of unknown significance (61.3%), low-grade intraepithelial lesions (75.8%), and high-grade intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) (82.2%). The prevalence and distribution of type 58 were correlated with cytological malignancies, with the highest prevalence in women with HSILs. In conclusion, the novel multiplex PCR method described appears to be highly suitable not only for the screening of cervical cancer precursor lesions but also for the characterization of genotype distributions in large-scale epidemiological studies and HPV vaccination trials

New Sesquiterpene Lactone Dimer, Uvedafolin, Extracted from Eight Yacon Leaf Varieties (<i>Smallanthus sonchifolius</i>): Cytotoxicity in HeLa, HL-60, and Murine B16-F10 Melanoma Cell Lines

Uvedafolin, <b>1</b>, a new sesquiterpene lactone dimer, was isolated from the leaves of <i>Smallanthus sonchifolius</i> with five related compounds, <b>2</b>–<b>6</b>, and their cytotoxicity was assessed against three tumor cell lines (HeLa, HL-60, B16-F10 melanoma). The stereostructure of <b>1</b> was newly elucidated by ESI-TOF-MS, 1D/2D NMR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Dimers <b>1</b> and <b>2</b> had the most effective IC₅₀ values, 0.2–1.9 μM, against the three tumor cell lines when compared with monomers <b>3</b>–<b>6</b> (IC₅₀ values 0.7–9.9 μM) and etoposide (IC₅₀ values 0.8–114 μM). The ester linkages of two sets of monomers, uvedalin, <b>5</b>, and sonchifolin, <b>6</b>, for <b>1</b>, and enhydrin, <b>4</b>, and sonchifolin, <b>6</b>, for <b>2</b>, as well as the acetyl group at the C-9 position, were essential for the high cytotoxicity. Dimers <b>1</b> and <b>2</b> would have potential as anticancer agents