Search

This study discusses the effect of spin-polarized injection and photo-ionization on MnZnO films formed on the surface of GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In a magnetic field, the optical output power of GaN-based LEDs increased by about 60% and 50% at injection currents of 20 and 100 mA, respectively. Spin-polarized injection from a MnZnO film and photo-ionization in GaN-based LED can efficiently improve the optical output power of a GaN-based LED. At forward bias of 3.4 V, the forward current of GaN-based LED with MnZnO film in a magnetic field of 0.5 T includes an injection current of 33.71 mA, spin-polarized current of 0.97 mA, and photo-ionized current of 0.4 mA.

We demonstrate a concentration scheme based on a reversed tracing concept utilizing a conventional sidelit backlighting configuration. The optical arrangement consists of a groove sheet and a wedge plate without any coating or surface treatment. The proposed layout simultaneously exhibits two main features: coupling the collimated solar radiance into a wedge plate and guiding the flux to the exit plane of the wedge plate for use in direct daylight. The measurement revealed an optical efficiency of 52% in conjunction with an inverse aspect ratio of 9.51. In addition to the two-dimensional sidelit scheme, the proposed structure can also be rotationally convolved and extended to a three-dimensional solar concentrator with a high concentration ratio, which will certainly have an impact on solar energy and other optical functions because of its simplicity and versatility.

This paper presents a methodology for including the photometric raw data sets into the diffuse illumination design process. The method is based on computing the luminance distribution on the outgoing side of diffusing elements from measured bidirectional scattering distribution functions (BSDFs). The model is limited to specimens that create rotationally symmetric scattering distribution. The calculation procedure includes the linear superposition and the correcting feedback. As an application example, the method is verified by a commercially available diffusing sheet illuminated by a 32-inch backlighting module. Close agreement (correlation coefficient = 98.6%) with the experimental measurement confirmed the validity of the proposed procedure.

Septic arthritis is a rare complication of acupuncture. We present a patient with rheumatoid arthritis who developed septic arthritis of the right knee after consecutive weekly sessions of acupuncture therapy for 3 weeks. The infection was localized by musculoskeletal sonography and magnetic resonance imaging, with culture of the synovial fluid aspirated from the joint yielding Listeria monocytogenes. The patient responded well to antibiotic treatment and regained joint mobility. A high index of suspicion for an infectious process is required for prompt diagnosis and treatment of acupuncture-induced joint infections in rheumatoid arthritis patients who might have additional risk factors for infection.

Background: Montelukast and ketotifen are commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory medications used in the treatment of childhood asthma., Methods: To investigate the modulation effect of montelukast and ketotifen, the levels of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were analyzed in a group of 30 children with mild persistent asthma., Results: Patients on montelukast therapy for 8 weeks had significantly decreased levels of eNO and plasma MMP-9, which were associated with improved symptoms and enhanced peak expiratory flow but not significantly associated with increased level of tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). In contrast, treatment with ketotifen produced no significant changes in these parameters until 4-6 weeks into the therapy and no effect on plasma MMP-9., Conclusion: Leukotriene antagonists, such as montelukast, may be better non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for preventing airway inflammation in mild childhood asthma.

We present a novel fiber-based near-field optical head consisting of a straw-shaped writing probe and a flat gap sensing probe. The straw-shaped probe with a C-aperture on the end face exhibits enhanced transmission by a factor of 3 orders of magnitude over a conventional fiber probe due to a hybrid effect that excites both propagation modes and surface plasmon waves. In the gap sensing probe, the spacing between the probe and the disk surface functions as an external cavity. The high sensitivity of the output power to the change in the gap width is used as a feedback control signal. We characterize and design the straw-shaped writing probe and the flat gap sensing probe. The dual-probe system is installed on a conventional biaxial actuator to demonstrate the capability of flying over a disk surface with nanometer position precision.

In a nano-ridge waveguide under oblique illumination, we demonstrated transmission enhancement resulting from a hybrid effect between propagation modes and surface plasmon wave. The measured near-field intensity with 44-degree illumination was 1.6 times higher than that illuminated with normal incident light. Consequently, a wedge-shaped fiber probe was proposed to serve as a compact near-field light source.

We present a C-aperture encircled by a groove that makes possible the hybrid effect of coupling surface plasmon resonance to propagating waves. Compared to a single C aperture, the groove-encircled aperture can increase transmission by a factor of 2.45 in the near field and by a factor of 1.88 in the far field, showing good agreement with our theoretical calculation.

Unlabelled: We report on identical twin brothers, one of whom presented at 14 months of age with fever and clinical, laboratory and histological evidence of Epstein-Barr virus-associated haemophagocytic syndrome (EBV-AHS) and 4 months later with typical signs and symptoms of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH). The other twin, without previous symptoms, also displayed at that time LCH associated with signs of recent EBV infection, but without symptoms of haemophagocytic syndrome. No mutation in the SH2D1A gene, as observed in X-linked lymphoproliferative disease, or in the perforin gene as observed in some cases of hereditary haemophagocytic syndrome, was found., Conclusion: the occurrence of haemophagocytic syndrome and Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, although genetically based, can be triggered by environmental agents and viruses, in particular Epstein-Barr virus.