Synthetic two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides such as, tungsten disulphide (WS₂), tungsten diselenide (WSe₂), molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂) as well as mixed molybdenum tungsten disulphide (Mo_0.5W_0.5S₂) single crystals were grown by the chemical vapor transport method using halogens (bromine or chlorine) as transport agents. Multi- layer samples were cleaved from the single crystals, and their nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were obtained from both open aperture and closed aperture Z-scan measurements using a picosecond mode-locked Nd: YAG laser operating at a wavelength of 1064 nm, with pulse duration of 25 ps, and 20 Hz repetition rate. Both WS₂ and MoS₂ exhibited nonlinear saturable absorption (SA), whereas WSe₂ and Mo_0.5W_0.5S₂ showed nonlinear two-photon absorption (2PA). A large 2PA coefficient β as high as + 1.91x10^-8 cm/W was obtained for the Mo_0.5W_0.5S₂, and an index of refraction coefficient γ = -2.47x10^-9 cm²/W was obtained for the WSe₂ sample.

Objectives: Vitamin D has been believed to have a bearing in the pathogenesis of knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study was done to search the literature and review the correlation between vitamin D levels in knee OA in the adult population and the outcome of vitamin D supplementation in knee OA. Methods: An exhaustive search of Pub Med and Cochrane library database was done with keywords vitamin D, knee and osteoarthritis for a period from Jan 2005 to December 2015. All Randomized Control Trials (RCT), Cohort, Case-control, cross-sectional studies were included in the present systematic review. Results: The search resulted in a total of 86 studies; out of which 11 studies were included in the current review. There were two Randomized Control Trial (RCT), one case-control, four cross-sectional and four cohort studies. These studies comprised of a total of 5137 participants (ranging from 46 to 1248) Our results suggested there was a moderate evidence of positive association in vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and progression of radiographic OA (ROA), as assessed by Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) grading. However, VDD was not associated with the incidence of ROA and MRI-detected change in focal cartilage defect. However, this study has a limited evidence for a positive correlation in VDD and the cartilage volume loss. There was also limited evidence showing no role of vitamin D therapy in reducing cartilage volume loss and knee pain in Knee OA. Conclusion: The VDD is common and has been associated with knee OA, in an adult population. However, there is still inconsistent evidence regarding the prevention of incidence and progression of ROA after vitamin D therapy. There is a need for multicentric and well-conducted randomized studies with larger samples to conclude the positive effect of Vitamin D therapy.

A widely tunable (30 nm) fiber laser based on a double Sagnac loop mirror configuration is proposed and demonstrated. A semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) placed between the two loop mirrors acts as the gain medium. The fiber laser has two output ports with adjustable optical power outputs. Wavelength tunability is obtained through the use of a thin film tunable filter, while optical power adjustability is accomplished by proper adjustment of each of the loop mirror reflectivity via a polarization controller. A total output power of + 9 dBm is measured and the potential for higher output powers is discussed. Optical power stability of better than +/- 0.15 dB is measured for 6 hours.

This publisher's note amends the Funding section of a recent publication [Opt. Express24, 20685 (2016].

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Nonlinear optical characterizations were performed on monodispersed silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) of various sizes using a picosecond Z-scan technique with excitation wavelengths of 532 nm and 1064 nm. The Ag NPs were fabricated using a heterogeneous condensation technique in a gas medium. The nonlinear refraction values were higher for the monodispersed Ag NPs whose surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak is closer to the excitation wavelength. The higher nonlinear optical response is explained in terms of an electric field enhancement near the SPR. Moreover, the fabrication method allows the tailoring of the nonlinear refraction index of the Ag NPs by tuning the SPR peak of the sample. A comparison of the nonlinear refraction index of the monodispersed and polydispersed Ag NPs showed that the nonlinear refractive index of the monodispersed Ag NPs is higher.

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