165 MHz highly stable femtosecond Er:ZBLAN fiber laser operating at 2.8 µm.

Three-micrometer mid-infrared (MIR) femtosecond pulse sources with a high repetition rate (HRR) have potential applications in a number of fields such as biological imaging, optical frequency combs, and gas detection. In this paper, by optimizing the fiber length and the cavity structure, we demonstrated a highly stable, self-starting mode-locked fluoride fiber laser (MLFFL) with a fundamental repetition rate of ∼165 MHz and a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 90 dB. As far as we know, this stands as the highest fundamental repetition rate ever acquired directly from an ultrafast MLFFL in the >2.

Investigating the role of undercoordinated Pt sites at the surface of layered PtTe for methanol decomposition.

Transition metal dichalcogenides, by virtue of their two-dimensional structures, could provide the largest active surface for reactions with minimal materials consumed, which has long been pursued in the design of ideal catalysts. Nevertheless, their structurally perfect basal planes are typically inert; their surface defects, such as under-coordinated atoms at the surfaces or edges, can instead serve as catalytically active centers. Here we show a reaction probability > 90 % for adsorbed methanol (CHOH) on under-coordinated Pt sites at surface Te vacancies, produced with Ar bombardment, on layered PtTe - approximately 60 % of the methanol decompose to surface intermediates CHO (x = 2, 3) and 35 % to CH (x = 1, 2), and an ultimate production of gaseous molecular hydrogen, methane, water and formaldehyde.

Large population cell characterization using quantitative phase cytometer.

A major challenge in cellular analysis is the phenotypic characterization of large cell populations within a short period of time. Among various parameters for cell characterization, the cell dry mass is often used to describe cell size but is difficult to be measured directly with traditional techniques. Here, we propose an interferometric approach based on line-focused beam illumination for high-content precision dry mass measurements of adherent cells in a non-invasive fashion-we call it quantitative phase cytometry (QPC).

Adipose tissue-derived stem cells ameliorate diabetic bladder dysfunction in a type II diabetic rat model.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with a broad constellation of voiding complaints that are often multifactorial and resistant to currently available therapies. The leading causes of diabetic bladder dysfunction (DBD) include alterations in the bladder smooth muscle, neuronal degeneration, and urothelial dysfunction. Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs), a type of mesenchymal stromal cells, have shown promise as a novel tissue regenerative technique that may have utility in DBD.

Three important components in the regeneration of the cavernous nerve: brain-derived neurotrophic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

Retroperitoneal operations, such as radical prostatectomy, often damage the cavernous nerve, resulting in a high incidence of erectile dysfunction. Although improved nerve-sparing techniques have reduced the incidence of nerve injury, and the administration of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors has revolutionized the treatment of erectile dysfunction, this problem remains a considerable challenge. In recent years, scientists have focused on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in the treatment of cavernous nerve injury in rat models.

Expression of orphan receptors TR2, TR3, TR4, and p53 in heat-treated testis of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

To investigate the possible role of testicular orphan receptors (TR) TR2, TR3, and TR4 in the process of germ cell apoptosis in the heat-treated testis of monkey, we have examined the spatiotemporal expression of the 3 TR mRNAs in relation to p53 mRNA levels in the monkey testis by in situ hybridization and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction techniques. The results showed that TR2 mRNA was confined to spermatocytes; TR4 and TR3 mRNAs were expressed in both spermatocytes and spermatids. The heat treatment did not change TR2 mRNA level but significantly reduced TR4 mRNA expression in spermatocytes on days 3 and 8 after the heat treatment.

Dedifferentiation of adult monkey Sertoli cells through activation of extracellularly regulated kinase 1/2 induced by heat treatment.

Sertoli cells play a key role in triggering and regulating the process of spermatogenesis. Failure of a Sertoli cell to mature functionally will presumably render it incapable of supporting germ cell survival and development that appeared after puberty. Expression of cytokeratin 18 (ck-18) intermediate filaments indicates a state of undifferentiation usually observed in Sertoli cells of prepubertal testis.

Electronic spectroscopy of UO2 isolated in a solid Ar matrix.

Dispersed fluorescence spectra have been recorded for UO(2) isolated in a solid Ar matrix. Near UV excitation produced groups of emission bands in the 370-420 and 465-645 nm spectral regions. These bands originated from two energetically close upper levels and terminated on a range of low-lying electronic states.