Two-Dimensional VO Inverse Opal: Fabrication and Electrochromic Application.

The open-layered structure of Vanadium pentoxide (VO) has triggered significant interest in exploring its energy-related application as lithium (Li) intercalation cathode material. Various methods are extensively studied to improve the Li diffusion using thin films or nanoarchitecture. In this work, high-quality two-dimensional (2D) inverse opal α-VO films were synthesized via a modified 'dynamic hard template' infiltration strategy using sacrificial polystyrene spheres (PS, a diameter of 530 nm) photonic crystal as a template.

Ultrawide bandwidth single-mode polarization beam splitter based on dual-hollow-core antiresonant fiber.

An ultrawide bandwidth and single-mode polarization beam splitter (PBS) based on an air-gap type of dual-hollow-core antiresonant fiber (DHC-ARF) is proposed. Nested tubes are introduced into two cladding tubes between two cores to weaken the wavelength dependence of coupling length in DHC-ARF for obtaining ultrawide bandwidth. By tuning the cladding tube sizes, higher-order core modes with the lowest loss can be coupled with cladding tube modes, and thus, effectively, single-mode operation is achieved.

Effects of shikonin on the development of ovarian follicles and female germline stem cells.

Objective: To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of action of shikonin (SHK) on the development of ovarian follicles and female germline stem cells (FGSCs).

Methods: Female Kunming adult mice were administered SHK (0, 20 and 50 mg/kg) by oral gavage. Cultures of FGSCs were treated with SHK 32 μmol/l for 24 h.

Large-mode-area all-solid anti-resonant fiber with single-mode operation for high-power fiber lasers.

We investigate the feasibility of applying an anti-resonant guiding mechanism in an all-solid anti-resonant fiber (AS-ARF) to achieve a large mode area (LMA) and single mode for high-power fiber laser applications. A novel, to the best of our knowledge, AS-ARF with nonuniform rods is proposed to enhance the single-mode property and enlarge the mode area. The numerical results show that the core diameter can expand to 57, 80, and 100 µm at the wavelengths of 1.

Design of a large-mode-area pixeled leakage channel fiber with an ultrahigh loss ratio for 2 µm operation.

A novel bend-resistant large mode area fiber with pixeled structure and leakage channel is proposed for application with a tight bend radius at the 2 µm wavelength region. Two layers of discontinuous fluorine-doped silica rods, which are called pixels, are introduced in the cladding. By removing four pixels, the loss of high-order modes is enhanced significantly due to the leakage channel.

Controlling chronic low-grade inflammation to improve follicle development and survival.

Chronic low-grade inflammation is one cause of follicle development disturbance. Chronic inflammation exists in pathological conditions such as premature ovarian failure, physiological aging of the ovaries, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Inflammation of the whole body can affect oocytes via the follicle microenvironment, oxidative stress, and GM-CSF.

[Expression relationship of Hippo signaling molecules and ovarian germline stem cell markers in the ovarian aging process of women and mice].

The present study was aimed to investigate the expression relationship of Hippo signaling molecules and ovarian germline stem cell (OGSC) markers in the development schedule of OGSCs during ovarian aging in women and mice. The ovaries of 2-month-old mature (normal control) and 12-month-old (physiological ovarian aging) KM mice were sampled, and the ovarian cortex samples of young (postpuberty to 35 years old), middle age (36-50 years old) and menopausal period (51-60 years old) women were obtained with consent. The mice model of pathological ovarian aging was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide/busulfan (CY/BUS).