Experimental electric field visualisation of multi-mode dynamics in a short cavity swept laser designed for OCT applications

An experimental study into the modal dynamics of a short cavity, fast frequency-swept laser is presented. This commercially available external cavity swept source is designed for use in optical coherence tomography (OCT) applications and displays a number of dynamic lasing regimes during the course of the wavelength sweep. Interferometric full electric field reconstruction is employed, allowing for measurement of the laser operation in a time-resolved, single-shot manner. Recovery of both the phase and intensity of the laser output across the entire sweep enables direct visualization of the laser instantaneous optical spectrum. The electric field reconstruction technique reveals the presence of multi-mode dynamics, including coherent mode-locked pulses. During the main part of the imaging sweep, the laser is found to operate in a second harmonic sliding frequency mode-locking regime. Examination of the modal evolution of this coherent regime reveals evidence of previously unobserved frequency switching dynamics

Investigation of the Effects of University Field Courses on Distance Education

This research focuses on examining the effects of university field courses on distance education and the integration of distance education into courses. A group of 357 university students studying biomedical engineering at universities in the Kosovo region and the Russian Federation volunteered to participate in the research.  A quantitative research method was used in the study. In the research, the "Distance Education" measurement tool developed by the researchers was used as a data collection tool. The questionnaire was developed and edited by experts in the field. Data were collected using an online survey. The collected data were ana-lysed using the SPSS program. Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values, one-way ANOVA and T-test were applied to analyse the data obtained from the Distance Education measurement tool. This re-search concluded  that the majority of university students consider them-selves competent enough to use distance education technologies in the learning environment in the field courses, and they do not have difficulty using the systems in the field courses and their universities do not have sufficient equipment for the use of distance education technologies

Fullerenols Prevent Neuron Death and Reduce Oxidative Stress in <i>Drosophila</i> Huntington’s Disease Model

Huntington’s disease (HD) is one of the human neurodegenerative diseases for which there is no effective treatment. Therefore, there is a strong demand for a novel neuroprotective agent that can alleviate its course. Fullerene derivatives are considered to be such agents; however, they need to be comprehensively investigated in model organisms. In this work, neuroprotective activity of C60(OH)30 and C120O(OH)44 fullerenols was analyzed for the first time in a Drosophila transgenic model of HD. Lifespan, behavior, oxidative stress level and age-related neurodegeneration were assessed in flies with the pathogenic Huntingtin protein expression in nerve cells. Feed supplementation with hydroxylated C60 fullerene and C120O dimer oxide molecules was shown to diminish the oxidative stress level and neurodegenerative processes in the flies’ brains. Thus, fullerenes displayed neuroprotective activity in this model