Reconfigurable Multi-Passband Optical Filter Using Opto-VLSI Processor

A reconfigurable multi-passband optical filter of 0.5 nm linewidth and a tuning range of 8 nm is demonstrated using an opto-VLSI processor. The wavelength tunability is performed using digital phase holograms uploaded on the opto-VLSI processor

Performance analysis of Gb/s WDM FDDI network

In this paper, we propose a time-token multi-Gb/s Wavelength Division Multiplexing Fibre Distributed Data Interface (WDM/FDDI) architecture and examine its throughput efficiency and delay under heavy load for different network configuration using discrete event simulator

A Tunable Multiwavelength Laser Employing a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier and an Opto-VLSI Processor

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a stable tunable multiwavelength laser employing a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) in conjunction with an opto-very-large-scale-integration (VLSI) processor. By uploading digital phase holograms onto the opto-VLSI processor, the amplified spontaneous emission of the SOA is arbitrarily sliced and injected back into the SOA to generate multiple lasing wavelengths with a linewidth of 0.5 nm. Experimental results demonstrate a tunable multiwavelength laser with a tuning range from 1528 to 1533 nm with power fluctuations of less than 0.5 dB

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Agonists: Do They Increase Cardiovascular Risk?

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists have a significant role on glucose and fat metabolism. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are predominantly PPARγ agonists, and their primary benefit appears to be the prevention of diabetic complications by improving glycemic control and lipid profile. Recently, the cardiovascular safety of rosiglitazone was brought to center stage following meta analyses and the interim analysis of the RECORD trial. Current evidence points to rosiglitazone having a greater risk of myocardial ischemic events than placebo, metformin, or sulfonylureas. This review article discusses the mechanism of action of PPAR agonists and correlates it with clinical and laboratory outcomes in the published literature. In addition, this review article attempts to discuss some of the molecular mechanisms regarding the association between TZDs therapy and the nontraditional cardiovascular risks

A Novel MicroPhotonic Structure for Optical Header Recognition

In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a new MicroPhotonic structure for optical packet header recognition based on the integration of an optical cavity, optical components and a photoreceiver array. The structure is inherently immune to optical interference thereby routing an optical header within optical cavities to different photo receiver elements to generate the autocorrelation function, and hence the recognition of the header using simple microelectronic circuits. The proof-of-concept of the proposed MicroPhotonic optical header recognition structure is analysed and experimentally demonstrated, and results show excellent agreement between measurements and theory

Opto-VLSI-Based reconfigurable free space optical interconnects architecture

This paper presents a short-distance reconfigurable high-speed optical interconnects architecture employing a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) array, Opto-very-large-scale-integrated (Opto-VLSI) processors, and a photodetector (PD) array. The core component of the architecture is the Opto-VLSI processor which can be driven by digital phase steering and multicasting holograms that reconfigure the optical interconnects between the input and output ports. The optical interconnects architecture is experimentally demonstrated at 2.5 Gbps using high-speed 1×3 VCSEL array and 1×3 photoreceiver array in conjunction with two 1×4096 pixel Opto-VLSI processors. The minimisation of the crosstalk between the output ports is achieved by appropriately aligning the VCSEL and PD elements with respect to the Opto-VLSI processors and driving the latter with optimal steering phase holograms

The Impact of the Board of Directors' Characteristics and Ownership Structure on the Sustainable Development Disclosure in the Banks Listed on the Amman Stock Exchange

Purpose: This study tries to comprehend how corporate governance (CG) affects disclosures on economic, social, and environmental sustainability.   Theoretical framework: Recent literature has reported that CG has significant impact on disclosures on economic, social, and environmental sustainability. However, there is still much to investigate and learn about CG in sustainability process.   Design/methodology/approach: For the time period spanning 2015 to 2021, information about study variables was gathered from thirteen (13) banks listed on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) through annual reports and quantitative approach.   Findings: Study findings showed that CG components improve sustainability disclosures in general. The study results indicated that, a large board with a female director and a Corporate Social Responsibility Committee (CSRC) is better able to audit and control management choices related to sustainability issues (whether they be economic, environmental, or social) and produces better sustainability disclosure.   Research, Practical and Social implications: This study is proposed to help bank managers understand the real impact of corporate governance practices on sustainability, especially economic, environmental and social indicators of sustainability and how to improve and develop them.   Originality/value: Through quantitative and qualitative analysis, this study contributes methodologically and empirically to the literature on corporate governance and sustainability reporting in emerging and developing economies

Insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase at serine-615 contributes to nitric oxide synthesis

Insulin stimulates endothelial NO (nitric oxide) synthesis via PKB (protein kinase B)/Akt-mediated phosphorylation and activation of eNOS (endothelial NO synthase) at Ser-1177. In previous studies, we have demonstrated that stimulation of eNOS phosphorylation at Ser-1177 may be required, yet is not sufficient for insulin-stimulated NO synthesis. We therefore investigated the role of phosphorylation of eNOS at alternative sites to Ser-1177 as candidate parallel mechanisms contributing to insulin-stimulated NO synthesis. Stimulation of human aortic endothelial cells with insulin rapidly stimulated phosphorylation of both Ser-615 and Ser-1177 on eNOS, whereas phosphorylation of Ser-114, Thr-495 and Ser-633 was unaffected. Insulin-stimulated Ser-615 phosphorylation was abrogated by incubation with the PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) inhibitor wortmannin, infection with adenoviruses expressing a dominant-negative mutant PKB/Akt or pre-incubation with TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α), but was unaffected by high culture glucose concentrations. Mutation of Ser-615 to alanine reduced insulin-stimulated NO synthesis, whereas mutation of Ser-615 to aspartic acid increased NO production by NOS in which Ser-1177 had been mutated to an aspartic acid residue. We propose that the rapid PKB-mediated stimulation of phosphorylation of Ser-615 contributes to insulin-stimulated NO synthesis

Large area monolithic organic solar cells

Although efficiencies of > 10% have recently been achieved in laboratory-scale organic solar cells, these competitive performance figures are yet to be translated to large active areas and geometries relevant for viable manufacturing. One of the factors hindering scale-up is a lack of knowledge of device physics at the sub-module level, particularly cell architecture, electrode geometry and current collection pathways. A more in depth understanding of how photocurrent and photovoltage extraction can be optimised over large active areas is urgently needed. Another key factor suppressing conversion efficiencies in large area cells is the relatively high sheet resistance of the transparent conducting anode typically indium tin oxide. Hence, to replace ITO with alternative transparent conducting anodes is also a high priority on the pathway to viable module-level organic solar cells. In our paper we will focus on large area devices relevant to sub-module scales - 5 cm x 5 cm monolithic geometry. We have applied a range of experimental techniques to create a more comprehensive understanding of the true device physics that could help make large area, monolithic organic solar cells more viable. By employing this knowledge, a novel transparent anode consisting of molybdenum oxide (MoOx) and silver (Ag) is developed to replace ITO and PEDOT-free large area solar cell sub-modules, acting as both a transparent window and hole-collecting electrode. The proposed architecture and anode materials are well suited to high throughput, low cost all-solution processing