At present, an important research area is the search for materials that are compatible with CMOS technology and achieve a satisfactory response rate and modulation efficiency. A strong local field of graphene surface plasmon polariton (SPP) can increase the interaction between light and graphene, reduce device size, and facilitate the integration of materials with CMOS. In this study, we design a new modulator of SPP-based cycle branch graphene waveguide. The structure comprises a primary waveguide of graphene–LiNbO3–graphene, and a secondary cycle branch waveguide is etched on the surface of LiNbO3. Part of the incident light in the primary waveguide enters the secondary waveguide, thus leading to a phase difference with the primary waveguide as reflected at the end of the branch and interaction coupling to enhance output light intensity. Through feature analysis, we discover that the area of the secondary waveguide shows significant localized fields and SPPs. Moreover, the cycle branch graphene waveguide can realize gain compensation, reduce transmission loss, and increase transmission distance. Numerical simulations show that the minimum effective mode field area is about 0.0130l2, the gain coefficient is about 700 cm–1, and the quality factor can reach 150. The structure can realize the mode field limits of deep subwavelength and achieve a good comprehensive performance.

Disheveled is a major regulator of WNT signalling pathway. It has been shown that WNT signaling is important for regulating synaptic plasticity. However, it is not still clear how Dsh is regulating synaptic plasticity. In this study, we used various methods to investigate how Dsh regulates synaptic plasticity. Our further studies will reveal unknown molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying WNT signaling dependent synaptic plasticity.

원스텝 방식으로 투과 타입의 홀로그램을 제작할 수 있는 디지털 광학 시스템에 대해 연구 하였다. 원스텝 방식의 광학 시스템에서는 LCos panel과 DLP Project를 사용해 홀로그램 영상을 촬영하였다. 평면 타입의 홀로그래픽 스테레오그램을 합성 할 때는 반사형의 LCos panel를 사용하여 요소 홀로그램을 제작했다. 시차 이미지를 LCos panel에 순차적으로 표시하면서 기록 재료를 이동시켜 홀로그래픽 스테레오그램으로 합성하였다. 레인보우 홀로그램과 이미지 홀로그램을 노광할 때는 DLP Project를 사용하였다. 레인보우 홀로그램의 광학 시스템에서는 DLP Project와 결상 렌즈 사이에 슬릿을 설치하고 슬릿의 실상을 기록재료 뒤쪽에 재생되도록 구성하였다. DLP Project 별도의 구동 드라이버가 필요 없었고 진동에도 강해 안정적으로 노광하기에 적합하였다. 디지털 방식을 광학 시스템에 도입하여 원스텝으로 투과 타입의 얇은 홀로그램을 실현 가능하는 것을 확인하였다.

Tumor cells express altered metabolic activities often linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Such mitochondrial defects can inhibit oxidative phosphorylation, change the cellular redox status (NAD+/NADH), increase production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cause DNA damage that further supports tumorigenesis and a metastatic phenotype1,2. Mitochondrial Complex I (NADH dehydrogenase) is a major site of ROS production in mitochondria and regulator of the NAD+/NADH ratio. This study is focused on mitochondrial complex I as a possible modulator of tumorigenesis and progression in breast cancer. We used NADH dehydrogenase from yeast, called NDI1, to augment complexI activity in metastatic human breast cancer cells. We followed NDI1 functionality and impact on tumor cell behavior in vitro and tumor progression in vivo. Augmentation of NADH dehydrogenase activity through NDI1 resulted in an enhanced NAD+/NADH ratio and slight inhibition of ROS production. Importantly, NDI1 expression inhibited metastasis and tumor growth in the mammary fad pad of immune deficient mice, as seen by non-invasive bioluminescence imaging and histology. The mechanisms involve NDI1-induced inhibition of the AKT/mTOR survival pathway and autophagy stimulation. Knock-down of ATG5 partially reversed the anti-metastatic effect of NDI1, demonstrating that enhancement of autophagy is responsible for NDI1-mediated inhibition of breast cancer spreading. The results indicate that mitochondrial complex I activity can drastically impact tumorigenesis and metastasis in breast cancer, and that augmentation of complex I function through NDI1 can inhibit tumor formation and cancer progression through NAD+/NADH ratio modulation.

Insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are targets for insecticides. Despite the importance of the nAChR as a major target for insecticide action, modulators of nAChRs in insects remain unidentified. Here we describe the cloning and identification of a nAChR modulator gene in an insect. This gene was isolated by searching the firefly Pyrocoelia rufa cDNA library, and the geneitself encodes a protein 120 amino acids in length, named Pr-lynx1. Pr-lynx1 shares all the features, including a cysteine-rich consensus motif and common gene structure, of the Ly-6/neurotoxin superfamily. The recombinant Pr-lynx1, which is expressed as a 12-kDa polypeptide in baculovirus-infected insect Sf9 cells, is normally present at the cell surface asa GPI-anchored protein. Northern and Western blot analyses revealed that Pr-lynx1 is expressed in various tissues, such as the ganglion, brain, mandibular muscle, proventriculus, leg muscle, and epidermis. This expression pattern is similar to the distribution of nAChRs as assayed by α3 nAChR immunoreactivity. Co-expression of Pr-lynx1 in Xenopus oocytes expressing α3β4 nAChRs results in an increase in acetylcholine-evoked macroscopic currents, indicating a functional role of Pr-lynx1 as a protein modulator for nAChRs. This study on Pr-lynx1 is the first report of a modulator of nAChRs in an insect species.

Various pesticides known or suspected to interfere with steroid hormone function were screened toy effects in leydig cells on catalytic activity and mRNA expression of aromatase. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is a widespread environmental pollutan

1x2 방향성결합형 광 변조기를 LiNbO3 기판상에 양자교환에 의한 자기정렬 방식으로 제작하였다. 양자교환후 광 도파로의 안정을 위해 열처리를 하였다. 본 연구에서는 광 도파로를 제작한 후 열처리 시간에 의한 도파로의 굴절을 변화의 관계에 대하여 연구하였으며 전계효과가 우수한 자기정렬방식을 선택하였다. 제작된 1x2 방향성결합형 광 변조기는 변조전압 8.0V에서 크로스토오크가 -29.5dB의 매우 우수한 특성을 나타내었다.

디지털 방사선 검출기의 주된 연구동향은 영상의 해상도 향상, 대면적화, 동영상 구현 등… 이라 할 수 있다. 이런 연구는 방사선 변환과정에 따라 크게 직접변환 방식과 간접 변환 방식으로 나눌 수 있으며 각각 고유한 장단점을 내포 하고 있다. 간접변환 방식의 경우 형광체의 사용으로 인한 Light scattering 문제로 해상력의 저하 그리고 직접방식의 경우는 낮은 system 안정성과 동영상 구현의 어려움 등이 대표적이라 할 수 있다. 이런 문제를 해결하기 위한 연구로 써 액정을 이용한 엑스선 검출기 연구가 진행되었으나 그 구조의 특성상 균일한 액정의 주입이 어려워 제작에 있어 많 은 어려움이 있다. 따라서 본 논문에서는 기존의 문제점을 해결할 수 있는 구조를 제안하고 이를 Simulation 통해 제안 된 구조의 가능성을 검토해 보았다.