Different Electro-Optical Modulators for High Transmission-Data Rates and Signal-Quality Enhancement

We show how to optimize design parameters for different electro-optical modulators where the effective refractive index plays an essential role in the evaluation of the bandwidth structure. We investigate the effect of operating parameters on the switching, modulating voltage, device performance index, and optical bandwidth for different material-based electro-optical modulators and evaluate the transmission bit rate using nonreturn-to-zero (NRZ) coding transmission technique. As well as lithium niobate (LiNbO3), gallium arsenide (GaAs), and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polymer EOMs have been developed for extensive use in high-speed- and high-transmission-performance optical-fibertransmission systems. This is because they offer the advantages of modulation exceeding multi-Gbit/s combined with a low driving voltage.     

Maximization of repeater spacing in ultrawide-wavelength-division multiplexing optical communication systems based on multipumped laser diodes

We show that the amplifier bandwidth can be further increased and the gain spectrum can be tailored if one uses pumping with multiple laser wavelengths. We consider the wide-gain amplifier where four sets of multipumps are employed. We process two multiplexing techniques in long haul transmission cables where the number of channels is up to 9600 in ultrawide-wavelength-division multiplexing (UWWDM) with employment of the ultrawide-space-division multiplexing (UW-SDM) technique to merge the number of links up to 400 in the optical-fiber core over wide ranges of affecting sets of parameters. As well as the repeater spacing using a multi-pumping Raman amplifier, we investigate N _R pumps in the optical pumping wavelength (from 1.36 to 1.44 μm) to amplify optical channels where the optical wavelength range (1.45–1.65 μm) satisfies near infrared optical transmission region.     

Operation performance characteristics of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) under high thermal neutron irradiated fields

To operate and read out even the innermost detectors under any particular conditions, electronics and optical components must be developed accordingly. For semiconductor lasers, on which we will concentrate here, it has been found that an inner temperature increase has a direct impact on the light power emitted by the device. It was found that the effects of radiation on the behavior of semiconductor lasers are convolved with those of temperature. An optimized coupling to the cooling of the laser device reduces the thermal effects in the material. Therefore, a test stand to qualify the effect of heat in the device and the adoption of the heat sink is realized. In this paper, we create a model describing the degradation of the light power and voltage characteristic of a semiconductor-laser undergoing irradiation where the high temperature effects are taken into account. This VCSEL-device model can be used to predict the behavior and operation-performance characteristics (rise time, 3 dB bandwidth, light power, resonance frequency, and transmission bit rate) of a laser being irradiated with different neutron doses. We check the robustness of the model against the high fluence (in excess of 10¹⁵ neutrons/cm²). We take into account the study of different semiconductor- and polymeric material-based VCSEL devices such as aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs), indium gallium arsenide phosphors (InGaAsP), and polymeric polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) under the same operating conditions.     

Antifungal Properties of Essential Oils and Their Compounds for Application in Skin Fungal Infections: Conventional and Nonconventional Approaches

Essential oils (EOs) are known to have varying degrees of antimicrobial properties that are mainly due to the presence of bioactive compounds. These include antiviral, nematicidal, antifungal, insecticidal and antioxidant properties. This review highlights the potential of EOs and their compounds for application as antifungal agents for the treatment of skin diseases via conventional and nonconventional approaches. A search was conducted using three databases (Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar), and all relevant articles from the period of 2010–2020 that are freely available in English were extracted. In our findings, EOs with a high percentage of monoterpenes showed strong ability as potential antifungal agents. Lavandula sp., Salvia sp., Thymus sp., Citrus sp., and Cymbopogon sp. were among the various species found to show excellent antifungal properties against various skin diseases. Some researchers developed advanced formulations such as gel, semi-solid, and ointment bases to further evaluate the effectiveness of EOs as antifungal agents. To date, most studies on the application of EOs as antifungal agents were performed using in vitro techniques, and only a limited number pursued in vivo and intervention-based research.     

Rifaximin Protects against Malathion-Induced Rat Testicular Toxicity: A Possible Clue on Modulating Gut Microbiome and Inhibition of Oxidative Stress by Mitophagy

Testicular dysfunction is caused by chronic exposure to environmental pollution, such as malathion, which causes oxidative stress, promoting cell damage. Autophagy is a key cellular process for eliminating malfunctioning organelles, such as the mitochondria (mitophagy), an eminent source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Autophagy is crucial for protection against testicular damage. Rifaximin (RFX) is a non-absorbable antibiotic that can reshape the gut microbiome, making it effective in different gastrointestinal disorders. Interestingly, the gut microbiome produces short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the circulation, which act as signal molecules to regulate the autophagy. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effects of RFX on gut microbiota and its circulating metabolites SCFA and linked them with the autophagy in testicular tissues in response to malathion administration. Moreover, we divided the groups of rats that used malathion and RFX into a two-week group to investigate the mitophagy process and a four-week group to study mitochondriogenesis. The current study revealed that after two weeks of cotreatment with RFX, apoptosis was inhibited, oxidative stress was improved, and autophagy was induced. More specifically, PINK1 was overexpressed, identifying mitophagy activation. After four weeks of cotreatment with RFX, there was an increase in acetate and propionate-producing microflora, as well as the circulating levels of SCFAs. In accordance with this, the expression of PGC-1α, a downstream to SCFAs action on their receptors, was activated. PGC-1α is an upstream activator of mitophagy and mitochondriogenesis. In this sense, the protein expression of TFAM, which regulates the mitochondrial genome, was upregulated along with a significant decrease in apoptosis and oxidative stress. Conclusion: we found that RFX has a positive regulatory effect on mitophagy and mitochondria biogenesis, which could explain the novel role played by RFX in preventing the adverse effects of malathion on testicular tissue.     

First Evidence of Anti-Steatotic Action of Macrotympanain A1, an Amphibian Skin Peptide from Odorrana macrotympana

Many different amphibian skin peptides have been characterized and proven to exert various biological actions, such as wound-healing, immunomodulatory, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects. In this work, the possible anti-steatotic effect of macrotympanain A1 (MA1) (FLPGLECVW), a skin peptide isolated from the Chinese odorous frog Odorrana macrotympana, was investigated. We used a well-established in vitro model of hepatic steatosis, consisting of lipid-loaded rat hepatoma FaO cells. In this model, a 24 h treatment with 10 µg/mL MA1 exerted a significant anti-steatotic action, being able to reduce intracellular triglyceride content. Accordingly, the number and diameter of cytosolic lipid droplets (LDs) were reduced by peptide treatment. The expression of key genes of hepatic lipid metabolism, such as PPARs and PLINs, was measured by real-time qPCR. MA1 counteracted the fatty acid-induced upregulation of PPARγ expression and increased PLIN3 expression, suggesting a role in promoting lipophagy. The present data demonstrate for the first time a direct anti-steatotic effect of a peptide from amphibian skin secretion and pave the way to further studies on the use of amphibian peptides for beneficial actions against metabolic diseases.     

Application of PMR Spectroscopy in Pharmaceutical Analysis Assay of Furosemide

An analytical method is described for the analysis of furosemide, [4-chloro-2-furfurylamino-5-sulfamoylbenzoic acid], using PMR. The procedure reported in this study is simple, rapid and gives accurate results 98.19 ± 1.34% and 99.23 ± 0.88% for furosemide ampoules and tablets respectively. Furthermore, the PMR spectrum obtained provides a mean for qualitative identification of the drug and checking its purity.     

NOVEL SULPHOARYLAZO 4-PYRAZOLONE-BASED TARTRAZINE DYE ANALOGUES

In a multistep synthesis, a novel series of 4-pyrazolone–based tartrazine dye analogues were prepared benzimidazol-5-yl acetoacetamide derivative I. Chemical structure of the hitherto prepared dyestuffs were confirmed on the basis of correct elemental analysis as well as spectral data. The degree of exhaustion of the hitherto synthesized 3-[2-(oxoimidazo-5-yl) carboxamido] tartrazine dye analogues was determined and found to be in the range of 92.6–97.8%. The latter high ratios might be ascribed to the presence of the cyclic amide function in structure of these dyestuffs.