Optical fiber connection navigation system using visible light communication in central office
An optimized optical-fiber-connection system for central offices is described. This system employs visible-light communication to reduce costs while maintaining the functions and usability of an earlier system. Little skill is needed to realize optical-fiber connection.
Design and Performance of Novel Optical Fiber Distribution and Management System With Testing Functions in Central Office
This paper describes the design and performance of a novel central office optical fiber distribution and management system for optical access networks. We clarify the requirements for an optical fiber distribution and management system with a testing function. We propose integrated distribution modules (IDMs) and high-count indoor cables for high-capacity cable termination and cross connection, a management system using identification tags for easy administration and reference with respect to the distribution facilities, and a new optical fiber line testing system using an optical testing module with a 1650 nm optical time-domain reflectometer for in-service testing. We evaluated the prototype system. The prototype IDM could accommodate 4000 fibers and the insertion loss of the communication lines and the system dynamic range of testing system met our requirements for use in an optical access network including a 7 km outside cable and an eight-branch optical splitter. We compared the cost and testing time required for the conventional and proposed systems. We found that the proposed distribution system can reduce the distribution cost by 40% and connection work time by 12% compared with the conventional system. We also found that the testing system can reduce the system cost by 63% compared with the conventional testing system and required testing time is 73% less than testing time by hand, thus reducing the operations, administration, and maintenance costs.
The Prevalence of Dietary Supplement Use among College Students: A Nationwide Survey in Japan
To clarify the prevalence of dietary supplement use among college students, we conducted Internet-based nationwide questionnaire surveys with 157,595 Japanese college students aged between 18 to 24 years old who were registrants of Macromill Inc. (Tokyo, Japan). Among the 9066 respondents (response rate 5.8%), 16.8% were currently using dietary supplements. The prevalence of dietary supplement use did not differ significantly between males (17.1%) and females (16.7%). However, it increased according to their grade (13.1% to 20.5%), and it was higher in medical and pharmaceutical college students (22.0%) compared to others (16.7%). The main purpose of dietary supplement use was for the health benefits in both males and females. Other reasons were to build muscle in males, and as a beauty supplement and for weight loss in females. According to the purpose of dietary supplement use, the most commonly-used dietary supplements were vitamin/mineral supplements in both males and females, then protein and weight loss supplements in males and females, respectively. Although most students obtained information about dietary supplements via the Internet, they typically purchased the supplements from drug stores. Of the students surveyed, 7.5% who were currently using or used to use dietary supplements experienced adverse effects, with no significant difference between genders (8.8% in male, 7.0% in female). In conclusion, the prevalence of dietary supplement use increased with grade among college students in Japan. Some of them experienced adverse effects. Education may be important to prevent adverse effects resulting from supplement use in college.