Optical Vernier sensor based on a cascaded tapered thin-core microfiber for highly sensitive refractive index sensing.

This study proposes a refractive index (RI) sensor using a cascaded tapered thin-core microfiber (TTCMF) based on the Vernier effect. The thin-core fiber was made into a TTCMF by arc discharging and flame heating and then sandwiched between two single-mode fibers (SMFs). The two structures with the same SMF-TTCMF-SMF but slightly different free spectral ranges (FSRs) were cascaded to generate the Vernier effect.

Highly sensitive curvature sensor based on a sandwich multimode fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

A highly sensitive optical fiber Mach-Zehnder interference curvature sensor based on MMF-GIMMF-MMF, which was made by sandwiching the graded-index multimode fiber (GIMMF) between two pieces of very short stepped-index multimode fibers (SIMMFs) spliced with input-single-mode fiber (SMF) and output-SMF, respectively, was proposed. The core diameter of the SIMMFs and GIMMF was 105 µm and 50 µm, respectively, and cladding diameter of them were both 125 µm. The sensing principle of the MMF-GIMMF- MMF sensors and the influences of structure parameters on the interference spectrum characteristics were theoretically analyzed in detail.

Cladding mode characteristics simulation of an excessively tilted fiber grating coated with gold nanoshells.

The cladding mode characteristics simulation of an excessively tilted fiber grating (ExTFG) coated with gold nanoshells was conducted in this study. First, the effective refractive indices of the core and cladding mode before coating were obtained by solving the eigenvalue equation of the three-layer waveguide structure, and the coupling characteristics were briefly analyzed. Then and modes were selected as the research objects, and the spectral characteristics of ExTFG coated with gold nanoshells were simulated by the finite element method.

[Effect of strontium ranelate on chondrogenic differentiation of rat bone mesenchymal stem cells].

Purpose: The aim of present study was to explore the effect of strontium ranelate (SrR) on the proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of rat bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).

Methods: Rat BMSCs were isolated and cultured in chondrogenic differentiation medium containing 0.25-2.

The anti-inflammation effect of strontium ranelate on rat chondrocytes with or without IL-1β .

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) is a common disease with a high level of inflammation in the joint micro-environment and cartilage degradation. Anti-inflammation and cartilage regeneration are the key therapies for TMJ-OA, but currently, there are no novel medicines or treatments that can control its pathogenic progression. Strontium ranelate (SrR) is an anti-osteoporosis drug and is now considered a promising anti-OA drug, but the anti-inflammatory effect of SrR remains to be elucidated.

Strontium ranelate promotes chondrogenesis through inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Background: Cartilage regeneration is a key step in functional reconstruction for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) but is a difficult issue to address. Strontium ranelate (SrR) is an antiosteoporosis drug that has been proven to affect OA in recent years, but its effect on chondrogenesis and the underlying mechanism are still unclear.

Methods: Bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were induced in chondrogenic differentiation medium with or without SrR, XAV-939, and LiCl.

Symmetry of root anatomy and root canal morphology in maxillary premolars analyzed using cone-beam computed tomography.

Objective: This study aimed to use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to evaluate the root anatomy and canal morphology of maxillary premolars in a Chinese population and determine their degree of bilateral symmetry.

Design: 774 CBCT images were retrospectively analyzed, representing 1387 maxillary first premolars and 1403 second premolars. The number of roots and canals were recorded.

[Analysis and prevention of dust pollution caused by 5 common prosthetic materials].

Purpose: To analyze and evaluate dust pollution in prosthodontic clinic and make proposal for reasonable protection.

Methods: This study analyzed the particle size, element composition and dust concentration of 5 materials which were commonly used in dental restorations (veneering ceramics, cobalt-chromium alloy, photosensitive plastic, hard base resin, advanced artificial teeth) by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer（EDS） and dust concentration laser tester, in order to assess the effects of prosthodontic dust posed on medical staff health and put forward reasonable suggestions for prevention and control of dust pollution.

Results: The particle size of veneering ceramics, cobalt-chromium alloy, photosensitive plastic, hard base resin and advanced artificial teeth was (2.

Detection and characterization of the accessory mental foramen using cone-beam computed tomography.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the frequency and characteristics of accessory mental foramina (AMFs) and their bony canals in a selected Chinese population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials And Methods: Reconstructed CBCT images of the mandible in 784 Chinese patients (305 males and 479 females) were retrospectively analysed to identify the AMF. The presence, dimension and location of the AMF as well as the origin and course of the associated bony canal were evaluated and classified.

Characteristics of intrabony nerve canals in mandibular interforaminal region by using cone-beam computed tomography and a recommendation of safe zone for implant and bone harvesting.

Background: Cone-beam computed tomography can accurately show anatomic structure of intrabony nerve canals in mandibular interforaminal region.

Purpose: The aim was to evaluate the characteristics of intrabony nerve canals in mandibular interforaminal region by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and determine a safe zone for implant and bone harvesting.

Materials And Methods: Hemimandibles (824) CBCT images were obtained.

Facile template-free synthesis of vertically aligned polypyrrole nanosheets on nickel foams for flexible all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors.

This paper reports a novel and remarkably facile approach towards vertically aligned nanosheets on three-dimensional (3D) Ni foams. Conducting polypyrrole (PPy) sheets were grown on Ni foam through the volatilization of the environmentally friendly solvent from an ethanol-water solution of pyrrole (Py), followed by the polymerization of the coated Py in ammonium persulfate (APS) solution. The PPy-decorated Ni foams and commercial activated carbon (AC) modified Ni foams were employed as the two electrodes for the assembly of flexible all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors.

Analysis of the Root and Canal Morphologies in Maxillary First and Second Molars in a Chinese Population Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography.

Introduction: We analyzed and characterized the root and canal morphologies in maxillary first and second molars in a large sample of Chinese patients using reconstructed cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging.

Methods: Maxillary first (n = 1558) and second (n = 1539) molars were collected from Chinese patients (N = 844) who had undergone in vivo CBCT imaging. The root canal number and morphology were determined according to Vertucci's classification.

Temperature-Dependent Multidimensional Self-Assembly of Polyphenylene-Based "Rod-Coil" Graft Polymers.

We present a novel type of "rod-coil" graft copolymer containing a polyphenylene backbone linked with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) side chains. Such graft copolymers manifest unprecedented temperature-dependent one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) self-assembly in solution. At 20 °C, which is higher than the crystallization temperature (Tc) of the PEO chains, the achiral graft copolymers self-organize into nanoribbons that twist into ∼30 μm ultralong helices with controlled pitch depending on the grafting ratio of the PEO chains.