BACE1 regulates the proliferation and cellular functions of Schwann cells.

BACE1 is an indispensable enzyme for generating β-amyloid peptides, which are excessively accumulated in brains of Alzheimer's patients. However, BACE1 is also required for proper myelination of peripheral nerves, as BACE1-null mice display hypomyelination. To determine the precise effects of BACE1 on myelination, here we have uncovered a role of BACE1 in the control of Schwann cell proliferation during development.

Aluminum based structures for manipulating short visible wavelength in-plane surface plasmon polariton propagation.

We report aluminum based structures for manipulation of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) propagation at short wavelength range. Our simulation shows that aluminum is a good metal to excite and propagate SPPs with blue light and that the SPP wavelength can be reduced from about 465 nm to about 265 nm by monitoring the thickness of a coated Si(3)N(4) layer above the aluminum film. It is also shown that the damping becomes more significant with the increase of the thickness of the Si(3)N(4) layer.