Flexible generation of azimuthally/radially polarized beams and hybrid polarized vortex beams using a thinned helical fiber grating.

An efficient method allowing the flexible generation of the azimuthally/radially polarized (AP/RP) beam and the hybrid polarized vortex (HPV) beam has been proposed and experimentally demonstrated by using a thinned helical fiber grating (T-HFG) with an intermediate period. This is the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that such three kinds of cylindrical vector beams can be flexibly generated by using only one fiber component. The proposed method provides the potential application of the HFG to not only the laser processing but also the optical manipulator and the optical tweezer.

One-year outcomes of a novel venous stent for symptomatic iliofemoral venous obstruction: prospective cohort study.

Background: A stent with characteristics of a hybrid design may have advantages in improving the patency of symptomatic iliofemoral vein obstruction. This study assessed the safety and effectiveness of the V-Mixtent Venous Stent in treating symptomatic iliofemoral outflow obstruction.

Methods: Eligible patients had a Clinical-Etiologic-Anatomic-Physiologic (CEAP) C classification of ≥ 3 or a Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) pain score of ≥ 2.

Full C- and L-band covered second-order OAM mode generator based on a thinned helical long-period fiber grating.

A full C- and L-band covered second-order orbital-angular-momentum (OAM) mode generator has been proposed and experimentally demonstrated, which is realized by using a helical long-period fiber grating (HLPG) but inscribed in a thinned four-mode fiber. By optimizing the design of grating period and fiber diameter of the proposed HLPG, an ultra-broadband rejection filter with a depth of ∼23 dB, a bandwidth of ∼156 nm @-10 dB (ranging from 1522 nm to 1678 nm) and a bandwidth of ∼58 nm @-20 dB (ranging from 1574 nm to 1632 nm), has been successfully obtained as a typical sample. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of such ultra-broadband second-order OAM mode generator by using only one fiber component, i.

Temperature-insensitive high-sensitivity refractive index sensor based on a thinned helical fiber grating with an intermediate period.

A temperature-insensitive high-sensitivity refractive index sensor is proposed and experimentally demonstrated, which is based on utilization of a thinned helical fiber grating but with an intermediate period (THFGIP). Attributed to the reduced diameter and an intermediate period of the grating, the proposed sensor has a high surrounding refractive-index (SRI) sensitivity and a low temperature sensitivity. The average SRI sensitivity of the proposed sensor is up to 829.

Periplaneta Americana (L.) extract activates the ERK/CREB/BDNF pathway to promote post-stroke neuroregeneration and recovery of neurological functions in rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Periplaneta americana (L.) (PA) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years for the effect of invigorating blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Modern pharmacological research shown that PA extract exhibits promising effects in promoting wound healing and regeneration, as well as in brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD).

Probe-type all-fiber tiny-displacement sensor based on orbital-angular-momentum interferometry.

In this study, a probe-type all-fiber tiny-displacement sensor is proposed and experimentally demonstrated, which is realized by using an all-fiber orbital-angular-momentum (OAM) interferometer, where a probe is especially adopted and inserted into the testing arm of the OAM interferometer. The proposed device takes full advantages of the OAM interferometer and the probe-type fiber sensor, making it completely available to the tiny-displacement measurement. As a result, changes in displacement (ranging from 0 nm to 750 nm) with a real resolution of ∼8.

Full C-band covered and DWDM channelized high channel-count all-fiber orbital-angular-momentum mode generator based on the fiber gratings.

To generate the orbital-angular-momentum (OAM) modes at multiple wavelengths, which exactly fit with the dense-wavelength-division-multiplex (DWDM) channel grids, is important to the DWDM-based OAM mode-division-multiplex (MDM) fiber communication system. In this study, a full C-band covered and DWDM channelized OAM mode generator is firstly proposed and experimentally demonstrated, which is realized especially by using a broadband helical long-period fiber grating (HLPG) combined with a phase-only sampled multichannel fiber Bragg grating (MFBG). As a proof-of-concept example, the DWDM channelized two complementary 51-channel OAM mode generators have been successfully demonstrated, each of which has a channel spacing of 100 GHz (∼0.

Recognition of the orbital-angular-momentum spectrum for hybrid modes existing in a few-mode fiber via a deep learning method.

In this study, we theoretically and experimentally demonstrate that the convolutional neural network (CNN) in combination with the residual blocks and the regression methods can be used to precisely and quickly reconstruct the OAM spectrum of a hybrid OAM mode no matter how the consistent OAM modes have the same or different order indices in both the azimuthal and the radial direction. For cases of the simulation testing, the mean errors of all recognized parameters for hybrid OAM modes in a four-mode fiber (4MF) and a six-mode fiber (6MF) are smaller than 0.003 and 0.

The efficacy of Da Chaihu decoction combined with metformin tablets for type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of Da Chaihu decoction combined with metformin tablets on patients with type 2 diabetes compared with metformin alone.

Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis is written based on 2020 PRISMA Extension for Chinese Herbal Medicines 2020 (PRISMA-CHM 2020) reporting guidelines. We reviewed all the relevant studies from a search of the following databases from inception to February 2022 without any language restriction: Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Information, Wanfang Data, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database(CBM).

Ultra-broad edge filter based on a periodically twisted graded-index fiber and its application to a power-interrogated temperature sensor.

A novel and reliable method enabling to produce an ultra-broad edge-filter (UBEF) is firstly proposed and demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally, which is realized by using a periodically-twisted graded-index few-mode fiber (GI-FMF). By using the proposed method, an UBEF with a dynamic wavelength-range up to ∼380 nm is numerically obtained. Furthermore, an UBEF with a linear dynamic range larger than ∼300 nm in wavelength and ∼12.

Synthesizing the complex orbital-angular-momentum spectrum of hybrid modes existed in a few-mode fiber.

In this study, a simple and reliable method enabling to well synthesize the complex orbit-angular-momentum (OAM) spectrum of hybrid mode in a few-mode fiber is proposed and numerically demonstrated, which is realized by using the so-called inverse scattering method based on the genetic algorithm (GA), where the main Fourier components of a specially-selected ring in intensity distribution of the hybrid mode is used as the optimization objective. As a proof-of-concept example, power spectrum of a hybrid mode consisted of the first- and second-order OAM modes was successfully reconstructed with an accuracy higher than 0.99.

Broadband flat-top second-order OAM mode converter based on a phase-modulated helical long-period fiber grating.

In this study, a broadband flat-top second-order orbital angular momentum mode (OAM) converter is proposed and demonstrated using a phase-modulated second-order helical long-period fiber grating (HLPG). The proposed HLPG is designed to be inscribed in a thinned four-mode fiber and operated at wavelengths near the dispersion turning point (DTP). In contrast to most of the HLPG-based OAM mode generators reported to date, where the high-order OAM mode and flat-top broadband have rarely been achieved simultaneously, a second-order OAM(OAM-2) mode converter with a flat-top bandwidth of 113 nm @ -20 dB (ranging from 1530-1643 nm) and a depth fluctuation of less than 3 dB @-26 dB has been successfully demonstrated in this study, such flat-top bandwidth covers the entire C + L bands and represents the best result of the HLPGs reported to date.

Simultaneous generation of the second- and third-order OAM modes by using a high-order helical long-period fiber grating.

An all-fiber orbital angular momentum (OAM) mode generator enabling simultaneous generation of the second- and the third-order OAM modes with conversion efficiencies larger than 95% has been proposed and experimentally demonstrated, which is realized by using a high-order helical long-period fiber grating (HLPG) written in a thinned four-mode fiber. This is the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that two such OAM modes have been simultaneously obtained at wavelengths ranging from 1450 to 1620 nm by using only one fiber component, i.e.

Demonstration of the mode-selection rules obeyed in a single-helix helical long-period fiber grating.

A simple method enabling the validation of the mode-selection rules obeyed in a single-helix helical long-period fiber grating (SHLPG) has been demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally, which is realized by investigating and analyzing the circular dichroism (CD) and the polarization dependence loss (PDL) spectra of the utilized SHLPG. It is confirmed for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that in terms of the SHLPG's helicity, the core mode ${{\rm HE}_{\textbf{11}}}$HE with either the left circular polarization or the right circular polarization will be selectively coupled into the higher HE or the TE/TM mode, respectively. As a result, the SHLPG would exhibit an enhanced CD, as well as an enhanced PDL near the resonant wavelengths of the HE and TE/TM modes, respectively.

All-fiber second-order orbital angular momentum generator based on a single-helix helical fiber grating.

An all-fiber orbital angular momentum (OAM) generator enabling direct turning of the fundamental mode (${{\rm HE}_{11}}$HE) to the second OAM modes (${ l} = {\pm 2}$l=±2) with an efficiency of $\sim90\% $∼90% has been proposed and experimentally demonstrated, which is realized based on utilization of a second-order helical fiber grating written in a few-mode fiber. This is the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that an all-fiber second-order OAM has been achieved with using only one component, i.e.

Optimal design and fabrication of multichannel helical long-period fiber gratings based on phase-only sampling method.

In this study, a novel and efficient method enabling fabrication of a multichannel helical long-period fiber grating (HLPG) with almost the same channel spacing and the same rejection depth has been proposed and demonstrated for the first time both theoretically and experimentally, which is realized based on utilization of the so-called phase-only sampling technique. Unlike the previous amplitude-type sampling method where either a strong rectangular-type or a Sinc-like index-modulation distribution is generally demanded, the proposed method requires the minimum as well as a uniform index-modulation to the designed multichannel gratings, which considerably facilitates the fabrication process and makes the multichannel HLPGs to be fabricated in even a conventional single-mode fiber (SMF) by using the CO laser writing technique. As examples, a 3-channel and a 9-channel HLPGs have been successfully demonstrated numerically and experimentally.

Analysis for the phase-diffusion effect in a phase-shifted helical long-period fiber grating and its pre-compensation.

Through analyzing the structure of the phase-shifted helical long-period fiber grating (HLPG), which is fabricated based on the thermally twisting method, we have shown that there exists a phase-diffusion effect when the thermal region is larger than the grating period itself, i.e., the inserted phase preset at particular period will be diffused to several neighboring periods, which causes a large distortion in the transmission spectrum.

Phase-shifted helical long-period fiber grating and its characterization by using the microscopic imaging method.

We demonstrate a simple and robust method to write a phase-shifted helical long-period fiber grating (HLPG), where an equivalent phase-shift is formed by changing the local period of the grating during the fabrication process. Furthermore, we propose and demonstrate a simple method to characterize the phase-shift formed in a HLPG, which is realized by directly analyzing the imaging pattern of the fabricated HLPG using a stereo microscope under a white light illumination. Unlike the previous methods which are indirectly realized either by measuring the transmission spectrum of the fabricated HLPG or by analyzing the differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopic images of the fabricated HLPG, the proposed method can be used to well estimate the grating period as well as the phase-shift inserted in the HLPG in situ, which could considerably facilitate the fabrication technique of the HLPG by using CO laser.

Flat-top band-rejection filter based on two successively-cascaded helical fiber gratings.

We propose and demonstrate a novel method to produce a flat-top band-rejection filter, which is realized by successively cascading two helical long-period fiber gratings (HLPG) with opposite helicities. Unlike most of the other LPG-based flat-top filters obtained to date, the proposed HLPGs have no complex apodization in the grating's amplitude, and only a relatively shorter length (less than 4.6 cm) is needed, thus making this kind of HLPGs easily and particularly suitable to be fabricated by using the CO laser technique.

Helical long-period grating formed in a thinned fiber and its application to a refractometric sensor.

A new kind of helical long-period grating (HLPG) written by using a CO2 laser is proposed and experimentally demonstrated, in which a sapphire tube (to be used as a miniature oven with a constant temperature inside) is specially utilized in place of the commonly used ZnSe focused-lens. The proposed method allows fabrication of a HLPG in a thinned fiber with a diameter smaller than several tens of micrometers. As an application of this kind of HLPG, a unique fiber sensor that allows for temperature-insensitive measurement of the refractive index is proposed and experimentally demonstrated, which is based on utilization of two cascaded HLPGs but with different transverse diameters.

Power-interrogated and simultaneous measurement of temperature and torsion using paired helical long-period fiber gratings with opposite helicities.

A power-interrogated sensor which allows for simultaneous measurement of temperature and torsion is proposed and experimentally demonstrated, which is based on utilization of paired helical long-period fiber gratings (HLPG) with opposite helicities. Unlike most of the previous fiber grating-based sensing system, here the paired HLPGs are simultaneously used as both the sensing and the interrogating elements and thus the bulk and high-cost wavelength-interrogating device can be eliminated. Moreover not only the torsion but also the torsion direction can be determined simultaneously.

The effect of tamoxifen on expression of ER, PR, Cerb-B2, and ki-67 in C3H mice spontaneous breast cancer model and the relation with chemotherapeutic effect.

To explore the effect of tamoxifen on expression of ER, PR, Cerb-B2, and ki-67 in C3H mice spontaneous breast cancer model and further explore its relation with chemotherapeutic effect. Forty male C3H mice with spontaneous breast cancer aged 10 months were selected, and randomly divided into model group and tamoxifen group, with 20 mice in either group. Model group received intraperitoneal injection of normal saline, tamoxifen group received 5 mg/Kg tamoxifen injection.

Phase-shift formed in a long period fiber grating and its application to the measurements of temperature and refractive index.

A novel approach to calibrate a phase-shift formed in a long-period fiber grating (LPG) is firstly proposed and numerically demonstrated, which is based on the use of either intensity- or wavelength-interrogation technique to the main loss-peak of the phase-shift LPG in the spectrum. Moreover, by using a CO laser with high-repetition-rate pulses emission, an equivalent phase-shift is successfully created at middle of the LPG. As an application of the proposed calibration scheme, measurement for the temperature and the refractive index of the ambient solution has been proposed and successfully demonstrated by using a phase-shifted LPG.

Simultaneous dispersion and dispersion-slope compensator based on a doubly sampled ultrahigh-channel-count fiber Bragg grating.

A simultaneous dispersion and dispersion-slope compensator based on a doubly sampled fiber Bragg grating (FBG) with 153 channels has been demonstrated, which is obtained by simultaneously chirping the period of the seed grating and the periods of the two sampling functions. These two sampling functions are optimized with the simulated annealing algorithm and the Gerchberg-Saxton iterative method. Moreover, the spectral inclination (in reflection) inherently due to the different magnitudes of the channel dispersion has been successfully equalized.

Multi-channel notch filter based on a phase-shift phase-only-sampled fiber Bragg grating.

We propose a novel method for the implementation of a tunable multi-channel notch filter based on a thermally induced phase-shift phase-only sampled fiber Bragg grating (FBG). The proposed method is numerically and experimentally demonstrated. A 51-channel notch filter with a bandwidth (FWHM) of 0.