Scalable SOA-based Banyan optical space switch on InP membrane on silicon (IMOS).

Optical switches (OS) are vital for meeting modern data centers' capacity and latency needs, overcoming the bandwidth and speed limitations that electronic switches encounter. To this end, this work proposes a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-based OS on the IMOS, a unique platform with a combination of high refractive index contrast for compactness and monolithic active-passive integration for active functionalities, thereby enabling the creation of compact SOA-based OSes. An 8 × 8 Banyan SOA-based OS is integrated on a 4 × 4 mm area on the standard 4 × 6 mm IMOS cell.

The deleted in oral cancer (DOC1 aka CDK2AP1) tumor suppressor gene is downregulated in oral squamous cell carcinoma by multiple microRNAs.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 2-associated protein 1 (CDK2AP1; also known as deleted in oral cancer or DOC1) is a tumor suppressor gene known to play functional roles in both cell cycle regulation and in the epigenetic control of embryonic stem cell differentiation, the latter as a core subunit of the nucleosome remodeling and histone deacetylation (NuRD) complex. In the vast majority of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), expression of the CDK2AP1 protein is reduced or lost. Notwithstanding the latter (and the DOC1 acronym), mutations or deletions in its coding sequence are extremely rare.

Phenotypic plasticity underlies local invasion and distant metastasis in colon cancer.

Phenotypic plasticity represents the most relevant hallmark of the carcinoma cell as it bestows it with the capacity of transiently altering its morphological and functional features while to the metastatic site. However, the study of phenotypic plasticity is hindered by the rarity of these events within primary lesions and by the lack of experimental models. Here, we identified a subpopulation of phenotypic plastic colon cancer cells: EpCAM cells are motile, invasive, chemo-resistant, and highly metastatic.

Microwave-Assisted Extraction and HPLC-UV-CD Determination of (S)-usnic Acid in .

During the years, many usnic acid (UA) conjugates have been synthesized to obtain potent endowed with biological properties. Since ()-UA is less abundant in nature than ()-enantiomer, it is difficult to source, thus precluding a deeper investigation. Among the lichens producing UA, is a valuable (S)-UA source.

Enantiomeric Resolution and Absolute Configuration of a Chiral δ-Lactam, Useful Intermediate for the Synthesis of Bioactive Compounds.

During the past several years, the frequency of discovery of new molecular entities based on γ- or δ-lactam scaffolds has increased continuously. Most of them are characterized by the presence of at least one chiral center. Herein, we present the preparation, isolation and the absolute configuration assignment of enantiomeric 2-(4-bromophenyl)-1-isobutyl-6-oxopiperidin-3-carboxylic acid (-).

Use of ventilation bag for the respiratory support during magnetic resonance imaging in Arnold-Chiari ventilated patients, a case report.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an essential diagnostic tool for neuroimaging tissues such as the spinal cord. Unfortunately, the use of MRI may be limited in ventilated patients, who cannot maintain the supine position in spontaneous breathing for the whole duration of the exam (i.e.

Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy Are at Risk of Financial Toxicity: A Patient-based Prospective Survey Study.

Purpose: Little is known about the financial burden experienced by patients receiving radiation therapy. Furthermore, currently, no financial toxicity screening tools have been validated for use in radiation oncology.

Methods And Materials: Physician surveys were used to gauge provider understanding of treatment costs and their willingness to adopt the use of financial toxicity screening tools.

Integrated optical switch matrices for packet data networks.

Integrated circuit technologies are enabling intelligent, chip-based, optical packet switch matrices. Rapid real-time re-configurability at the photonic layer using integrated circuit technologies is expected to enable cost-effective, energy-efficient, and transparent data communications. InP integrated photonic circuits offer high-performance amplifiers, switches, modulators, detectors, and de/multiplexers in the same wafer-scale processes.

Monolithic 16-wavelength selector based on a chain of passband-flattened cyclic AWGs and optical switches.

An InP monolithically integrated wavelength selector based on combinations of integrated AWGs and SOAs selects one out of up to 16 input channels. Loss-compensated, error-free WDM channel selection operation with <2.3  dB penalties is reported, with an OSNR of up to 32.

Dynamic multi-path WDM routing in a monolithically integrated 8 × 8 cross-connect.

We demonstrate for the first time WDM multi-path routing through a monolithically integrated InP/InGaAsP 8 × 8 space and wavelength selective cross-connect. Data channels are dynamically routed from four input ports to the same output port with excellent OSNR from 27.0 to 31.

Monolithic active-passive 16 × 16 optoelectronic switch.

We present what is to our knowledge the first active-passive monolithically integrated 16×16 switch. The active InP/InGaAsP elements provide semiconductor optical amplifier gates in a multistage rearrangeably nonblocking switch design. Thirty-two representative connections, including the shortest, longest, and comprehensive range of intermediate paths have been assessed across the switch circuit.

CdS-polymer nanocomposites and light-emitting fibers by in situ electron-beam synthesis and lithography.

A straightforward, electron-beam induced synthesis and patterning approach to the in situ generation of CdS nanocrystals in nanocomposite films and light-emitting electrospun nanofibers is used. Smartly combining room-temperature nanoimprinting, electrospinning, and electron-beam decomposition of nanocrystal precursors and subsequent nucleation of nanoparticles in a polymer matrix allows exploitation of the most favorable flow conditions of organics to produce various nanocomposite nanostructures.

InP monolithically integrated wavelength selector based on periodic optical filter and optical switch chain.

We present an InP monolithically integrated wavelength selector that implements a binary search for selecting N modulated wavelengths. The wavelength selector filter is realized using log(2)N an active Mach-Zehnder interferometer filter and broadband optical gating elements. Nanosecond reconfigurable operation with a spectral-alignment over 3.

Scalable InP integrated wavelength selector based on binary search.

We present an InP monolithically integrated wavelength selector that implements a binary search for selecting one from N modulated wavelengths. The InP chip requires only log(2)N optical filters and log(2)N optical switches. Experimental results show nanosecond reconfiguration and error-free wavelength selection of four modulated wavelengths with 2 dB of power penalty.

Nanotopographic control of neuronal polarity.

We employ simple geometrical rules to design a set of nanotopographies able to interfere with focal adhesion establishment during neuronal differentiation. Exploiting nanoimprint lithography techniques on cyclic-olefin-copolymer films, we demonstrate that by varying a single topographical parameter the orientation and maturation of focal adhesions can be finely modulated yielding independent control over the final number and the outgrowth direction of neurites. Taken together, this report provides a novel and promising approach to the rational design of biocompatible textured substrates for tissue engineering applications.

Differences in pollen viability in relation to different deceptive pollination strategies in Mediterranean orchids.

Background And Aims: To date, current research involving pollen viability has been evaluated in a relatively low number of orchid species. In the present study, we focused on five related Mediterranean orchid genera (Anacamptis, Orchis, Dactylorhiza, Ophrys and Serapias) that are characterized by different types of deceptive pollination.

Methods: The in vitro germination ability of increasingly aged pollinaria of eight food-, seven sexually and two shelter-deceptive species was evaluated.

Flexible pediatric and adolescent pes planovalgus: conservative and surgical treatment options.

Pediatric and adolescent flexible flatfoot is a pathomechanically complex deformity. Conservative and surgical treatment is directed at realigning the foot and alleviating symptoms. When surgical intervention is considered, there are various methods and techniques that may be performed to realign the foot.

Nanoparticle image velocimetry at topologically structured surfaces.

Nanoparticle image velocimetry (nano-PIV), based on total internal reflection fluorescent microscopy, is very useful to investigate fluid flows within approximately 100 nm from a surface; but so far it has only been applied to flow over smooth surfaces. Here we show that it can also be applied to flow over a topologically structured surface, provided that the surface structures can be carefully configured not to disrupt the evanescent-wave illumination. We apply nano-PIV to quantify the flow velocity distribution over a polydimethylsiloxane surface, with a periodic gratinglike structure (with 215 nm height and 2 mum period) fabricated using our customized multilevel lithography method.

Patterning of light-emitting conjugated polymer nanofibres.

Organic materials have revolutionized optoelectronics by their processability, flexibility and low cost, with application to light-emitting devices for full-colour screens, solar cells and lasers. Some low-dimensional organic semiconductor structures exhibit properties resembling those of inorganics, such as polarized emission and enhanced electroluminescence. One-dimensional metallic, III-V and II-VI nanostructures have also been the subject of intense investigation as building blocks for nanoelectronics and photonics.

Observations of visual sensations produced by Cerenkov radiation from high-energy electrons.

Ten cancer patients whose eyes were therapeutically irradiated with 6-18 MeV electrons reported visual light sensations. Nine reported seeing blue light and one reported seeing white light. Controls reported seeing no light.

Reconstructive breast surgery following mastectomy and adjunctive radiation therapy.

With modern radiation, surgical therapy, and surgical reconstructive techniques, it is now possible to give adequate treatment for breast cancer and to reconstruct the breast as well, using a silicone implant prosthesis. Twelve mastectomies and reconstructions were performed on 8 patients. Seven of these had pre- or postoperative irradiation to one breast region, and 1 patient received irradiation to both breast areas.