Direct generation of multicolor Bessel beams from a Pr3+: WPFG fiber laser.

Multicolor visible high-order Bessel (Bessel-vortex) beams which have a helical wavefront and a long confocal length have garnered significant interest for applications in materials processing and biomedical technologies. In this paper, we demonstrate the direct generation of multicolor (523, 605 and 637 nm) Bessel-vortex beams from a Pr3+-doped water-proof fluoro-aluminate glass (Pr3+: WPFG) fiber laser with an intracavity lens which induces chromatic and spherical aberration. The handedness of the generated Bessel-vortex beam is selectively controlled through lateral displacement of the intra-cavity lens.

Optical skyrmions in the Bessel profile.

Optical skyrmions formed in terms of polarization are topological quasi-particles, and they have garnered much interest in the optical community owing to their unique inhomogeneous polarization structure and simplicity in their experimental realization. These structures belong to the Poincaré beams satisfying the stable topology. We theoretically investigated the non-diffracting and self-healing Poincaré beams based on the superposition of two orthogonal Bessel modes by the longitudinal mode matching technique. These Poincaré beams are topologically protected, and we suggest them as optical skyrmions in the corresponding Stokes vector fields. These optical skyrmions are quasi-skyrmions, and their range of propagation depends on the range of superposed Bessel modes. We have shown longitudinal mode matching of superposed Bessel beams is a necessary condition for the generation of propagation-invariant and non-diffracting skyrmions. The proposed longitudinal mode matching technique facilitates the generation of skyrmions with tunable position and range without any on-axis intensity modulations along the propagation axis. A suitable experimental configuration is suggested to realize variable order skyrmions in Bessel modes. The suggested experimental configuration can produce optical skyrmions even in ultra-short laser pulses with high mode conversion efficacy. This work can provide a new direction for the generation of skyrmions with completely new textures and features with reference to existing skyrmions originating from Laguerre-Gaussian modes.

Red, orange, and dual wavelength vortex emission from Pr:WPFGF fiber laser using a microscope slide output coupler.

Visible vortex beams have a large array of applications; however, the sources are often large or complex. Here, we present a compact vortex source with red, orange, and dual wavelength emission. This Pr:Waterproof Fluoro-Aluminate Glass fiber laser uses a standard microscope slide as an interferometric output coupler, yielding high quality first order vortex modes in a compact setup. We further demonstrate the broad (∼5 nm) emission bands in the orange (610 nm), red (637 nm) and near-infrared regions (698 nm), with the potential for green (530 nm) and cyan (485 nm) emission. This is a low-cost, compact and accessible device giving high quality modes for visible vortex applications.

Direct generation of lower-order cylindrical vector vortex modes from an end-pumped Pr3+:LiYF4 laser.

We report the direct generation of vector vortex laser modes at 640 nm from a compact, diode end-pumped continuous-wave P r 3+:L i Y F 4 (YLF) laser that utilizes an intracavity lens and diaphragm. On-axis displacement of the intracavity lens, combined with appropriate choice of the intracavity diaphragm, enables selective generation of a desired radial and azimuthal vector laser mode. Such compact, vector vortex laser sources based on P r 3+:Y L F in the visible wavelength region are a significant enabling technology for a wide range of applications.

Two-photon microscopy with enhanced resolution and signal-to-background ratio using hollow Gaussian beam excitation.

Two-photon microscopy (TPM) offers deeper imaging depth inside the scattering medium, however, it suffers from limited resolution owing to the longer excitation wavelength. We demonstrate the use of a hollow Gaussian beam (HGB) at the therapeutic window to improve the resolution and signal-to-background ratio (SBR). The HGB was produced by omitting the azimuthal phase term from the vortex mode, and the excitation point spread function (PSF) can be readily tuned by the mode order. The performance of the TPM with HGB was evaluated by experimentally imaging 100 nm fluorescent beads to estimate the PSF. The HGB improved the lateral resolution of the TPM by 36% in contrast to the conventional TPM. The HGB also furnishes an improvement of SBR by eliminating the out-of-focus light owing to its ring shape. Furthermore, we have used a translating lens-based module for additional lateral resolution tuning and reduced the resolution further down to 44% with respect to conventional TPM. Finally, we have performed imaging with merely two-dimensional scanning of a 50 µm thick mouse brain slice (Thy-YFP H-line) using the developed TPM with HGB. Our compact, robust, and low-cost design of the HGB generation scheme can easily be integrated into the commercial TPM to accommodate the improvements.

Direct generation of 523†nm orbital Poincaré mode from a diode-pumped Pr3+:LiYF4 laser with an off-axis optical needle pumping geometry.

We demonstrate an ultra-compact (8 mm-long) green orbital Poincaré Pr3+:LiYF4 (YLF) laser, in which the intracavity lasing modes are represented as eigenmodes on an equivalent orbital Poincaré sphere (eOPS). This is achieved through the simple application of an 'optical-needle' pumping geometry in conjunction with off-axis laser mode-manipulation. Optical vortices that are produced and mapped on north and south poles of the eOPS exhibit a maximum output power of 304 mW with a pump-to-laser-output slope efficiency of 12%. In addition, higher-order structured modes, including Ince Gaussian (IG), helical IG (HIG), Hermite-Laguerre Gaussian (HLG) and vortex lattices, can be directly generated from the laser cavity.

Ultraviolet intracavity frequency-doubled Pr3+:LiYF4 orbital Poincaré laser.

Here we demonstrate intracavity frequency-doubling of an ultra-compact (cavity length < 20 mm) Pr3+:LiYF4 (YLF) orbital Poincaré laser, in which the fundamental modes are represented on an equivalent orbital Poincaré sphere (eOPS) and a singularities hybrid evolution nature sphere (SHENS). The generated ultraviolet (UV, 320 nm) output carries orbital angular momentum (OAM), and it typically exhibits an optical bottle beam with a 3-dimensional dark core, formed of a coherent superposition of eigen Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) modes. Such ultraviolet structured light beams with OAM offer many advanced applications from microscopy to materials processing.

Formulation and evaluation of ileo-colonic targeted matrix-mini-tablets of Naproxen for chronotherapeutic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

In this present research work, the aim was to develop ileo-colonic targeted matrix-mini-tablets-filled capsule system of Naproxen for chronotherapeutic treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. So Matrix-mini-tablets of Naproxen were prepared using microsomal enzyme dependent and pH-sensitive polymers by direct compression method which were further filled into an empty HPMC capsule. The compatibility was assessed using FT-IR and DSC studies for pure drug, polymers and their physical mixtures. The prepared batches were subjected to physicochemical studies, drug content estimation, in-vitro drug release and stability studies. When FTIR and DSC studies were performed, it was found that there was no interaction between Naproxen and polymers used. The physicochemical properties of all the prepared matrix-mini-tablets batches were found to be in limits. The drug content percentage in the optimized formulation F18 was found to be 99.24 ± 0.10%. Our optimized matrix-mini-tablets-filled-capsule formulation F18 releases Naproxen after a lag time of 2.45 ± 0.97 h and 27.30 ± 0.86%, 92.59 ± 0.47%, 99.38 ± 0.69% at the end of 5, 8, 12 h respectively. This formulation was also found to be stable as per the guidelines of International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use. Thus, a novel ileo-colonic targeted delivery system of Naproxen was successfully developed by filling matrix-mini-tablets into an empty HPMC capsule shell for targeting early morning peak symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Alternative total synthesis of dendrodolide-L.

A new synthetic route for the total synthesis of dendrodolide-L has been developed from known chiral epoxides. The key reactions involved in this synthesis are regioselective ring-opening of epoxide, Yamaguchi esterification and ring-closing metathesis reactions (RCM) to result the target compound.

Eimeria species occurrence varies between geographic regions and poultry production systems and may influence parasite genetic diversity.

Coccidiosis is one of the biggest challenges faced by the global poultry industry. Recent studies have highlighted the ubiquitous distribution of all Eimeria species which can cause this disease in chickens, but intriguingly revealed a regional divide in genetic diversity and population structure for at least one species, Eimeria tenella. The drivers associated with such distinct geographic variation are unclear, but may impact on the occurrence and extent of resistance to anticoccidial drugs and future subunit vaccines. India is one of the largest poultry producers in the world and includes a transition between E. tenella populations defined by high and low genetic diversity. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with the prevalence of Eimeria species defined by high and low pathogenicity in northern and southern states of India, and seek to understand factors which vary between the regions as possible drivers for differential genetic variation. Faecal samples and data relating to farm characteristics and management were collected from 107 farms from northern India and 133 farms from southern India. Faecal samples were analysed using microscopy and PCR to identify Eimeria occurrence. Multiple correspondence analysis was applied to transform correlated putative risk factors into a smaller number of synthetic uncorrelated factors. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify poultry farm typologies, revealing three distinct clusters in the studied regions. The association between clusters and presence of Eimeria species was assessed by logistic regression. The study found that large-scale broiler farms in the north were at greatest risk of harbouring any Eimeria species and a larger proportion of such farms were positive for E. necatrix, the most pathogenic species. Comparison revealed a more even distribution for E. tenella across production systems in south India, but with a lower overall occurrence. Such a polarised region- and system-specific distribution may contribute to the different levels of genetic diversity observed previously in India and may influence parasite population structure across much of Asia and Africa. The findings of the study can be used to prioritise target farms to launch and optimise appropriate anticoccidial strategies for long-term control.

Synthesis of sildenafil analogues from anacardic acid and their phosphodiesterase-5 inhibition.

Anacardic acid (6-pentadecylsalicylic acid), a major component of cashew nut shell liquid, consists of a heterogeneous mixture of monoenes, dienes, and trienes. The enes mixture of anacardic acid was hydrogenated to a saturated compound. Using saturated anacardic acid as a starting material, analogues of sildenafil [a potent phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE(5)) inhibitor and an orally active drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction] were synthesized, to observe the effect of the pentadecyl side chain on PDE(5) inhibition. The synthesized compounds were characterized by spectral studies and tested for PDE(5) inhibition, and the results were compared with those obtained with sildenafil.

Process for isolation of cardanol from technical cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) nut shell liquid.

Commercially available technical cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) nut shell liquid (CNSL) contains mainly cardanol (decarboxylated anacardic acid) and cardol. Cardanol, the monophenolic component of technical CNSL, is widely used as a synthon for the preparation of a number of polymers and agricultural products. This paper describes the separation of cardanol from toxic cardol. Technical CNSL was dissolved in a mixture of methanol and ammonium hydroxide (8:5) and extracted with hexane to obtain cardanol. The resultant methanolic ammonia layer was extracted with a mixture of ethyl acetate and hexane to yield cardol. This is the first industrially feasible process based on solvent extractions for the isolation of cardanol from technical CNSL.

Optical studies of Sm³âº ions doped zinc alumino bismuth borate glasses.

Zinc Alumino Bismuth Borate (ZnAlBiB) glasses doped with different concentrations of samarium (Sm(3+)) ions were prepared by using melt quenching technique and characterized for their lasing potentialities in visible region by using the techniques such as optical absorption, emission and emission decay measurements. Radiative properties for various fluorescent levels of Sm(3+) ions were estimated from absorption spectral information using Judd-Ofelt (JO) analysis. The emission spectra and con-focal photoluminescence images obtained by 410 nm laser excitation demonstrates very distinct and intense orange-red emission for all the doped glasses. The suitable concentration of Sm(3+) ions in these glasses to act as an efficient lasing material has been discussed by measuring the emission cross-section and branching ratios for the emission transitions. The quantum efficiencies were also been estimated from emission decay measurements recorded for the (4)G5/2 level of Sm(3+) ions. From the measured emission cross-sections, branching ratios, strong photoluminescence features and CIE chromaticity coordinates, it was found that 1 mol% of Sm(3+) ions doped ZnAlBiB glasses are most suitable for the development of visible orange-red lasers.

Evidence of AIDS-related mortality in Mumbai, India.

From an estimated 85,200 HIV-infected individuals in Mumbai in 1997, at least 4120 excess deaths attributed to AIDS occurred among 15-54-year-olds. To prevent repetition of this excess in other parts of India, priority intervention programmes should be instituted quickly because the window of opportunity is closing quickly.

PIP: Evidence for AIDS-related mortality in Mumbai, India, is presented in this article. Data from the death registry of the Public Health Department were used to analyze deaths that occurred between 1987 and 1997. The observed number of deaths was substantially greater than the expected number of deaths beginning with 1990. From an estimated 85,200 HIV-infected individuals in 1997, at least 4120 excess deaths attributed to AIDS occurred among 15-54 year olds. The increasing mortality over the years is significant and observed in both sexes. Among men and women aged 25-44 years the excess number of deaths was largely due to tuberculosis and other causes including AIDS. During the 11-year period, the rates of tuberculosis-related death increased by 70-140%. Recognizing the fact that tuberculosis is the most common opportunistic infection among AIDS patients in developed countries, a significant proportion of tuberculosis-related deaths could also be AIDS-associated.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of benzimidazole/benzothiazole and benzoxazole derivatives as cyclooxygenase inhibitors.

We have synthesised a series of 2-[[2-alkoxy-6-pentadecylphenyl)methyl]thio]-1H-benzimidazoles/benzothiazoles and benzoxazoles from anacardic acid and investigated their ability to inhibit human cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme (COX-2). The active compounds were screened for cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) inhibition. Compound 13 is 384-fold and 19 is more than 470-fold selective towards COX-2 compared to COX-1. Thus, this class of compounds may serve as excellent candidates for selective COX-2 inhibition.