Abstract: An optical switching device (20) includes a substrate (39) and first and second optical waveguides (23, 25) having respective first and second tapered ends (62, 64), which are fixed on the substrate in mutual proximity one to another. A pair of electrodes (36, 38) is disposed on the substrate with a gap therebetween. A cantilever beam (32) is disposed on the substrate within the gap and configured to deflect transversely between first and second positions within the gap in response to a potential applied between the electrodes. A third optical waveguide (21) is mounted on the cantilever beam and has a third tapered end (60) disposed between the first and second tapered ends of the first and second waveguides, so that the third tapered end is in proximity with the first tapered end when the cantilever beam is in the first position and is in proximity with the second tapered end when the cantilever beam is in the second position.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first waveguide having a longitudinal axis and a first end facet inclined at a non-normal angle to the longitudinal axis, and a second waveguide, which has a second end facet and is fixed with the second end facet in proximity to and parallel with the first end facet. An actuator is coupled to move the first end facet of the first waveguide in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis between a first position in which a distance between the first and second end facets is less than 25 nm, and a second position in which the distance between the first and second end facets is greater than 300 nm.

Abstract: Based on the observation that the application of small amounts of exogenous acid sphingomyelinase to generate endogenous ceramide, or provision of exogenous long-chain natural C16-ceramide resulted in rapid translocation of vacuolar daunorubicin into the nucleus in multi-drug resistant (MDR) cells, the present invention relates to a nano-liposomal preparation that includes C16-ceramide. Exposure of MDR cells to the C16:0 ceramide-based nanoliposomes provide a mechanism to reverse MDR in chemoresistant cells and tumors, by inducing rapid translocation of chemotherapeutic agent from cytoplasmic vesicles to the nucleus.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel tetra-pyridine compound and a composition containing this compound for protecting and preserving cells, tissues and organs against ischemia-reperfusion injury. A method and use of the tetra-pyridine compound for preventing or treating ischemia-reperfusion injury or for protecting and preserving excorporeal tissue or organ from ischemia and oxygen radical-related damage are also provided.