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We identified and cloned a mouse double homeobox gene (Duxbl), which encodes two homeodomains. Duxbl gene, a tandem triplicate produces two major transcripts, Duxbl and Duxbl-s. The amino acid sequences of Duxbl homeodomains are most similar to those of human DUX4 protein, associated with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. In adult tissues, Duxbl is predominantly expressed in female reproductive organs and eyes, and slightly expressed in brain and testes. During gonad development, Duxbl is expressed from embryonic to adult stages and specifically expressed in oocytes and spermatogonia. During embryonic development, Duxbl is transcribed in limbs and tail. However, Duxbl proteins were only detected in trunk and limb muscles and in elongated myocytes and myotubes. In C2C12 muscle cell line, Duxbl expression pattern is similar to differentiated marker gene, Myogenin, increased in expression from 2 days onward in differentiating medium. We suggest that Duxbl proteins play regulatory roles during myogenesis and reproductive developments. Developmental Dynamics 239:927-940,

We report on the realization of adiabatic light transfer in lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) waveguides. This peculiar adiabatic tunneling scheme was implemented in a three-waveguide coupling configuration with the intermediate waveguide being inclined with respect to the outer waveguides to facilitate the adiabatic passage process. We have investigated and determined the adiabatic conditions of the LiNbO₃ device in terms of the structure configuration of the waveguide system and found optimal structure parameters by both simulation and experimental approaches. Broadband adiabatic couplings of bandwidth ~456 and 185 nm and peak coupling efficiencies of >0.96 have been obtained with a 2-cm long device for TE- and TM-polarized fundamental modes, respectively. Longer (5 cm) devices were also studied and found to be useful in increasing the adiabaticity of the device, especially for the TM-polarized mode.