Key mutations on spike protein altering ACE2 receptor utilization and potentially expanding host range of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Increasing evidence supports inter-species transmission of SARS-CoV-2 variants from humans to domestic or wild animals during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which is posing great challenges to epidemic control. Clarifying the host range of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants will provide instructive information for the containment of viral spillover. The spike protein (S) of SARS-CoV-2 is the key determinant of receptor utilization, and therefore amino acid mutations on S will probably alter viral host range. Here, to evaluate the impact of S mutations, we tested 27 pseudoviruses of SARS-CoV-2 carrying different spike mutants by infecting Hela cells expressing different angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) orthologs from 20 animals. Of these 27 pseudoviruses, 20 bear single mutation and the other 7 were cloned from emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, including D614G, Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2), Lambda (B.1.429), and Mu (B.1.621). Using pseudoviral reporter assay, we identified that the substitutions of T478I and N501Y enabled the pseudovirus to utilize chicken ACE2, indicating potential infectivity to avian species. Furthermore, the S mutants of real SARS-CoV-2 variants comprising N501Y showed significantly acquired abilities to infect cells expressing mouse ACE2, indicating a critical role of N501Y in expanding SARS-CoV-2 host range. In addition, A262S and T478I significantly enhanced the utilization of various mammal ACE2. In summary, our results indicated that T478I and N501Y substitutions were two S mutations important for receptor adaption of SARS-CoV-2, potentially contributing to the spillover of the virus to many other animal hosts. Therefore, more attention should be paid to SARS-CoV-2 variants with these two mutations.

Cytotoxic and Anti-Inflammatory Sesquiterpenes from the Whole Plants of Centipeda minima.

Sixteen new sesquiterpene lactones (1-16) along with 13 known analogues (17-29) were isolated from the whole plants of Centipeda minima. The structures of 1-16 were delineated by the combination of NMR spectroscopic experiments, HRESIMS, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, and ECD spectra. Compounds 23-26 showed potent cytotoxicity against Hela, HCT-116, and HepG2 cells with IC50 values of 0.8-2.6, 0.4-3.3, and 1.1-2.6 µM, respectively. Compounds 8, 15, and 24 exhibited significant inhibitory activity on the production of nitric oxide in the lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cell line, with IC50 values ranging from 0.1 to 0.2 µM.

Bleaching of photodarkening in Tm-doped silica fiber with deuterium loading.

We demonstrate the rapid photodarkening (PD) phenomenon in Tm-doped fiber (TDF) core pumped by a laser at 1080 nm and the bleaching effect of deuterium (${{\rm D}_2}$D2) on PD TDF. By ${{\rm D}_2}$D2 loading for seven days, the PD-induced excess loss (PIEL) in the visible (VIS) and near-infrared (NIR) region have been largely eliminated, and no degradation was observed within 30 days. PD resistance of the ${{\rm D}_2}$D2 pretreated TDF has been investigated as well. The formation of color centers based on defects and precursors in the silica matrix and the mechanism of ${{\rm D}_2}$D2 bleaching are discussed.

Detection and genome characterization of two novel papillomaviruses and a novel polyomavirus in tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) in China.

BACKGROUND: Papillomaviruses (PVs) and polyomaviruses (PyVs) infect diverse vertebrates including human and cause a broad spectrum of outcomes from asymptomatic infection to severe disease. There has been no PV and only one PyV detected in tree shrews, though the genomic properties of tree shrews are highly similar to those of the primates. METHODS: Swab and organ samples of tree shrews collected in the Yunnan Province of China, were tested by viral metagenomic analysis and random PCR to detect the presence of PVs and PyVs. By PCR amplification using specific primers, cloning, sequencing and assembling, genomes of two PVs and one PyV were identified in the samples. RESULTS: Two novel PVs and a novel PyV, named tree shrew papillomavirus 1 and 2 (TbelPV1 and TbelPV2) and polyomavirus 1 (TbelPyV1) were characterized in the Chinese tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis). The genomes of TbelPV1, TbelPV2, and TbelPyV1 are 7410 bp, 7526 bp, and 4982 bp in size, respectively. The TbelPV1 genome contains 7 putative open-reading frames (ORFs) coding for viral proteins E1, E2, E4, E6, E7, L1, and L2; the TbelPV2 genome contains 6 ORFs coding for viral proteins E1, E2, E6, E7, L1, and L2; and the TbelPyV1 genome codes for the typical small and large T antigens of PyV, as well as the VP1, VP2, and VP3 capsid proteins. Genomic comparison and phylogenetic analysis indicated that TbelPV1 and TbelPV2 represented 2 novel PV genera of Papillomaviridae, and TbelPyV1 represented a new species of genus Alphapolyomavirus. Our epidemiologic study indicated that TbelPV1 and TbelPV2 were both detected in oral swabs, while TbelPyV1 was detected in oral swabs and spleens. CONCLUSION: Two novel PVs (TbelPV1 and TbelPV2) and a novel PyV (TbelPyV) were discovered in tree shrews and their genomes were characterized. TbelPV1, TbelPV2, and TbelPyV1 have the highest similarity to Human papillomavirus type 63, Ursus maritimus papillomavirus 1, and Human polyomavirus 9, respectively. TbelPV1 and TbelPV2 only showed oral tropism, while TbelPyV1 showed oral and spleen tropism.

Impact of gamma-ray radiation-induced photodarkening on mode instability degradation of an ytterbium-doped fiber amplifier.

The laser performance of a high-power ytterbium-doped fiber amplifier is mainly hindered by the onset of mode instability. In this work, the slope efficiency and mode instability threshold of the ytterbium-doped fiber under various gamma-ray radiation doses have been measured. Experimental results reveal that gamma-ray radiation-induced photodarkening degrades mode instability severely, and gamma-ray radiation-induced mode instability degradation can be partly bleached by hours of pump-light injection. It is shown that gamma-ray radiation-induced photodarkening results in a steep reduction of slope efficiency and mode instability threshold; moreover, the entire irradiated fiber can be partly bleached by hours of pump-light injection and exhibits both time and gamma-ray radiation-dose saturation properties. The experimental results indicate that mode instability mitigation can be partly realized by pump-light injection and implies photodarkening suppression is beneficial for TMI mitigation, which is very promising for the advancement of high-power fiber lasers.

Radical passive bleaching of Tm-doped silica fiber with deuterium.

We demonstrate the almost complete 2 µm laser power recovery of the gamma-ray-irradiated thulium (Tm)-doped silica fiber under deuterium loading. The optical-optical slope efficiency and the cladding absorption spectra of the Tm-doped fiber with gamma-ray irradiation and deuterium treatment have been measured for comparison. It was found that the slope efficiency of the irradiated Tm-doped fiber could be recovered to 96.1% of the pristine after deuterium bleaching, which significantly degraded from 60.7% to 25.3% after irradiation. Meanwhile, the additional absorption attenuation of the irradiated Tm-doped with D2 treatment completely vanished. Based on the comprehensive comparison of cladding absorption spectra, the probable mechanism of the deuterium bleaching effect on irradiated Tm-doped fiber has also been discussed.

Active radiation hardening of Tm-doped silica fiber based on pump bleaching.

Tm-doped fiber laser or amplifier can be applied in varied adverse environments. In this work, we demonstrate the pump bleaching of Tm-doped silica fiber with 793nm pump source under gamma-ray irradiation in the range 50Gy-675Gy. The recovery time, the fiber slope efficiency and the fiber cladding absorption spectra after irradiation and bleaching have been measured. It is found that the recovery time and radiation induce absorption are positively associated with doses, however, the fiber slope efficiency of irradiated TDF and bleached TDF are both negatively correlated with doses. Based on the simulation of the fiber core temperature, the probable mechanism of pump bleaching is also discussed.

Pump bleaching of Tm-doped fiber with 793 nm pump source.

We demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, the strong recovery of the optical-optical slope efficiency of gamma-ray-irradiated Tm-doped fiber under 793 nm laser diode (LD) pumping. The fiber optical-optical slope efficiency, the fiber cladding absorption spectra, and the fluorescence spectra of the Tm-doped fiber before and after 500 Gy gamma-ray irradiation have been measured for comparison. It is found that the fiber optical-optical slope efficiency had significant degradation from 56.3% to 26.7% after irradiation and recovered to 40.8% after 15 h pump bleaching. Based on comparative analysis of fiber cladding absorption spectra among pristine fiber, irradiation, and bleaching, the reasons for the strong recovery have also been discussed.

Tuning the spin-crossover behaviour of a hydrogen-accepting porous coordination polymer by hydrogen-donating guests.

A Hoffman-like coordination polymer with appreciable porosity and uncoordinated pyridyl groups, namely, [Fe(2,5-bpp){Au(CN)2}2]⋅x Solv (2,5-bpp = 2,5-bis(pyrid-4-yl)pyridine; Solv = solvent), was synthesised and characterised. A series of fascinating spin-crossover behaviours with abrupt, stepwise and hysteretic features were obtained by exchange with a range of protic solvents (ethanol, n-propanol, isopropyl alcohol, sec-butanol and isobutanol). Guest-host hydrogen-bonding interactions involving the H-accepting site of the framework are primarily responsible for the pronounced cooperativity of these spin-crossover behaviours. Meanwhile, the tunable critical temperatures over a range of about 130 K are presumably attributable to a certain degree of competition between internal pressure and local electronic influences of solvents.

High-temperature spin crossover in two solvent-free coordination polymers with unusual high thermal stability.

Two solvent-free two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymers, (2)∞[Fe(ptim)2] (1) and (2)∞[Fe(ptpy)2] (2) (Hptim = 2-(5-(4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)pyridine; Hptpy = 2-(5-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)pyridine), have been successfully prepared by solvothermal reactions. Their iron atoms are bridged by the corresponding multidentate anionic ligands into dense neutral structures. The magnetic data reveal that complexes 1 and 2 are rare examples exhibiting reversible one-step high-temperature spin crossover behaviors with spin transition temperatures of 419 and 416 K, respectively. Moreover, these structures also display remarkable thermal stability up to 714 K (for 1) and 690 K (for 2), which are confirmed by thermogravimetric and variable-temperature powder X-ray diffraction analyses.

Enhanced spin-crossover behavior mediated by supramolecular cooperative interactions.

Three one-dimensional (1D) hetereobimetallic coordination polymers [Fe(II)(L)2(AgCN)2]·Solv (L = bpt(-), 1; L = Mebpt(-), Solv = 1.75EtOH, 2; L = bpzt(-), 3) with in situ generated AgCN species were synthesized by solvothermal reactions of Fe(II) salt, K[Ag(CN)2], and the corresponding ligands [bptH = 3,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole, MebptH = 3-(3-methyl-2-pyridyl)-5-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole, and bpztH = 3,5-bis(pyrazin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole]. They were further characterized by X-ray crystallography, magnetic and photomagnetic measurements, and differential scanning calorimetry. Single-crystal X-ray analyses show that they are isostructural with 1D zigzag chain structures with rhombus {Fe2Ag2} units, in which the substituted bpt(-) ligand connects the Fe(II) ion and AgCN species in a cis bridging mode. Then the zigzag chains are packed into three-dimensional supramolecular structures by π···π interactions. Most importantly, weak Ag···N interactions (2.750 Å at 150 K) between the π-stacked neighboring chains present in complex 3. Magnetic susceptibility measurements exhibit that complex 1 displays characteristic paramagnetic behavior in the temperature range investigated. Complex 2 undergoes a gradual spin-crossover (SCO) with critical temperatures T(1/2)↓ = 232 K and T(1/2)↑ = 235 K, whereas 3 exhibits an abrupt SCO with critical temperatures T(1/2)↓ = 286 K and T(1/2)↑ = 292 K. The magnetostructural relationships suggest that the magnetic behaviors can be modulated from paramagnetic behavior to abrupt and hysteretic SCO near room temperature through adjustment of the electronic substituent effect and intermolecular interactions.

Guest-effected spin-crossover in a novel three-dimensional self-penetrating coordination polymer with permanent porosity.

Porous and nonporous 3D heterobimetallic coordination polymers based on the 1,4-di(pyridin-4-yl)benzene ligand (dpb), [Fe(dpb){Ag(CN)2}{Ag2(CN)3}]·nSolv (1·nSolv; nSolv = DMF·EtOH, 2DMF·MeCN) and [Fe(dpb)2{Ag(CN)2}2] (2), have been synthesized by diffusion technique, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray analysis shows that 1·nSolv consists of a 3D self-penetrating network with in-situ-generated [Ag2(CN)3](-) species and displays one of the largest volume values of porosity (299 Å(3) per iron atom) after desolvation for the Hoffman-like porous SCO coordination polymers to date. In contrast, nonporous compound 2 is composed of two independent interpenetrated 3D nets with in-situ-generated [Ag(dpb)(CN)2](-) species. Their significant distinctions of structural architectures lead to dramatically different magnetic properties: 1·nSolv displays two-step guest-effected SCO with hysteresis, whereas 2 presents characteristic paramagnetic behavior.

Spin-crossover behavior in two new supramolecular isomers.

Two spin-crossover (SCO) supramolecular isomers formulated as [Fe(Mebpt){Au(CN)2}]n·xH2O (1, x = 0, and 2·H2O, x = n, MebptH = 3-(5-methyl-2-pyridyl)-5-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole) have been successfully isolated and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, variable-temperature powder X-ray diffraction, and magnetic measurements. Structural analysis reveals that 1 is a two-dimensional coordination layer and 2·H2O is a one-dimensional coordination ladder structure, in which the Mebpt(-) ligands are coordinated in trans and cis bridging mode in 1 and 2·H2O, respectively. Dramatically, their SCO properties are further influenced by the octahedral coordination configuration of Fe(II). In 1, only the Fe(II) centers in trans configuration exhibit spin transition (Tc = 303 K), while in 2·H2O and the dehydrated 2, gradual two-step SCO (Tc1 = 235 K, Tc2 = 313 K) and one-step SCO behaviors (Tc = 315 K) occur, respectively.

[Effects of Polystyrene Microplastics Combined with Cadmium Contamination on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Physiological Ecology of Lactuca sativa].

Contaminants such as microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals are commonly found in soils, both of which are extremely difficult to degrade and can easily form compound contamination, altering the physicochemical properties of the soil and thus potentially changing the growth and physiological and ecological characteristics of plants. In order to study the effects of the combined contamination of soil MPs and heavy metals on soil properties and plant growth, polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) with a particle size of 3 µm and the heavy metal cadmium were selected in the study. The changes in the physicochemical properties of soil and their effects on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seed germination and seedling growth were studied at various exposure concentrations of PS-MPs (0, 10, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg·kg-1) and combined with different Cd contamination concentrations (0, 1.2, and 6.0 mg·kg-1), respectively. The results showed that soil organic matter (SOM), available phosphorus (AP), alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen (AHN), and available kalium (AK) showed significant decreases as the intensity of PS-MPs combined with Cd contamination increased. Simultaneously, PS-MPs combined with Cd contamination also significantly reduced the germination rate of lettuce seeds, but low concentrations of PS-MPs slowed down the effect of Cd (6.0 mg·kg-1) contamination on lettuce seeds, and high concentrations of PS-MPs enhanced the effect of Cd (6.0 mg·kg-1). The fresh weight, dry weight, and plant height of lettuce seedlings showed an increasing and then decreasing trend with increasing exposure to PS-MPs. Chlorophyll content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) showed a decreasing trend, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) content showed an overall increasing trend under different Cd concentrations. The main physicochemical indicators of the soil were negatively correlated with MDA of lettuce seedlings, whereas other indicators of the seedlings were positively correlated. The combined contamination of PS-MPs and Cd could affect the germination of plant seeds and the physiological and ecological characteristics of seedlings by changing the physicochemical properties of the soil. Both exposure to single PS-MPs contaminants and the combination of PS-MPs with Cd inhibited the germination of lettuce seeds and affected the physiological activities of their seedlings, and the inhibition was significantly increased with increasing exposure. Low exposure to PS-MPs or the combination of PS-MPs with Cd contamination exhibited a promotive effect on lettuce seedling growth. High exposure to PS-MPs combined with Cd contamination exhibited significant ecological effects on lettuce seedlings, and high exposure to PS-MPs exacerbated the ecotoxicological effects of Cd contaminants on lettuce seedlings, and PS-MPs and Cd exhibited synergistic effects. The results can provide some reference for assessing the ecological effects of MPs and heavy metal pollution in soil-plant systems.

[The modification of apoptosis correlated gene, protein and protein activity in rat hippocampus induced by benzo[a] pyrene sub-chronic exposure].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of subchronic exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) on the mRNA and protein expression levels of apoptosis-related genes (bax, bcl-2, caspase-3, caspase-6, and caspase-9) and the activities of Caspase-3, Caspase-6, and Caspase-9 in the hippocampal neurons of rats and to investigate the neurotoxic mechanism by which B[a]P induces the apoptosis of neurons. METHODS: Fifty-two healthy SD rat were randomly divided into five groups according to preliminary neurobehavioral test results: blank control group, solvent control group, and 1.0, 2.5, and 6.25 mg/kg B[a]P exposure groups; the rats in exposure groups were intraperitoneally injected with B[a]P every other day for 90 days. The Morris water maze was used to test the learning and memory ability of rats; flow cytometry was used to measure the apoptosis ratio of hippocampal neurons; real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of apoptosis-related genes; spectrophotometry was used to measure the activities of their en-coded proteins. RESULTS: Compared with the blank control group, solvent control group, and 1.0 mg/kg B[a]P exposure group, the 2.5 and 6.25 mg/kg B[a]P exposure groups hada significantly longer mean escape latency period (P < 0.05) and a significantly increased number of times of platform crossing (P < 0.05), and the 6.25 mg/kg B[a]P exposure group had significantly lower length and percentage of time spent in the platform quadrant (P < 0.05). The early apoptosis ratio rose as the dose of B[a]P increased (P trend < 0.05); the early apoptosis ratios of 1.0, 2.5, and 6.25 mg/kg B[a]P exposure groups were significantly higher than those of blank control group and solvent control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the blank control group, solvent control group, and 1.0 and 2.5 mg/kg B[a]P exposure groups, the 6.25 mg/kg B[a]P exposure group had significantly increased Bax expression (P < 0.05) and significantly decreased Bcl-2 expression and Bcl-2/Bax ratio (P < 0.05). The 2.5 and 6.25 mg/kg B[a]P exposure groups had significantly higher expression levels of Caspase-3 and Caspase-6 than the blank control group, solvent control group, and 1.0 mg/kg B[a]P exposure group (P < 0.05). The activities of Caspase-3, Caspase-6, and Caspase-9 were significantly higher in the 2.5 and 6.25 mg/kg B[a]P exposure groups than in the blank control group and solvent control group (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the activities of Caspase-3, Caspase-6, and Caspase-9 and early apoptosis ratio of hippocampal neurons in rats (r = 0.793, P = 0.019; r = 0.886, P = 0.006; r = 0.773, P = 0.025). There were no significant differences in the mRNA expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, Caspase-6, and Caspase-9 among these groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Subchronic exposure to B[a]P can induce apoptosis of hippocampal neurons; its mechanism may be related to the fact that B[a]P can induce upregulated expression of Bax, inhibit expression of Bcl-2, lead to decrease in Bcl-2/Bax ratio, induce upregulated expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-6, and cause increase in the activities of Caspase-3, Caspase-6, and Caspase-9.

[Effects of subchronic benzo[a]pyrene exposure on hippocampal cholinergic system in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of subchronic benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) exposure on the neurobehavior and hippocampal acetylcholine (Ach) level, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and mRNA and protein expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α7 subtype (nAChR α7) in rats, and to investigate the neurotoxic mechanism of B[a]P. METHODS: Sixty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group, solvent control group, and B [a]P exposure groups. Each rat in the exposure groups was intraperitoneally injected with B[a]P at 1.0, 2.5, or 6.25 mg/kg once every other day for 90 days. The learning and memory ability of the rats was examined by Morris water maze test and step-down test; the hippocampal Ach level was measured by alkaline hydroxylamine method; the AChE activity was measured by DNTB method; the mRNA and protein expression levels of hippocampal nAChR α7 were measured by quantitative PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: The 2.5 and 6.25 mg/kg B[a]P exposure groups showed significantly lower learning and memory abilities than the blank control group and solvent control group (P < 0.05); also, the two groups had significantly lower hippocampal Ach levels than the blank control group, solvent control group, and 1.0 mg/kg B[a]P exposure group (P < 0.05). The 6.25 mg/kg B[a]P exposure group showed significantly lower hippocampal AChE activity than the blank control group, solvent control group, and 1.0 mg/kg B[a]P exposure group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the mRNA and protein expression levels of nAChR α7 among all groups (P > 0.05). The hippocampal Ach level was negatively correlated with the mean escape latency period and total distance travelled (r = -0.567, P < 0.01; r = -0.503, P < 0.01) but positively correlated with the time in platform quadrant (r = 0.800, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Subchronic B[a]P exposure may impair the learning and memory ability in rats, which is related to the downregulation of hippocampal Ach level.

Puerol and pueroside derivatives from Pueraria lobata and their anti-inflammatory activity.

Five undescribed puerols and puerosides and three known analogues were obtained from the roots of Pueraria lobata. Their structures were determined by comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data and chemical methods. Since puerol D and puerol C were racemic compounds, resolved into their enantiomers, and their absolute configurations were determined by experimental and calculated ECD spectra. Six of the isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory activities on NO generation and the expression of inflammatory factors in the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The results showed that (S)-puerol C, (R)-puerol C, isokuzubutenolide A and kuzubutenolide A significantly decreased the NO production (IC50 values in the range of 16.87-39.95 µM). Meanwhile, (S)-puerol C, isokuzubutenolide A and kuzubutenolide A also reduced the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6).

Multi-Band Emission of Pr3+-Doped Ca3Al2O6 and the Effects of Charge Compensator Ions on Luminescence Properties.

Multi-band emission luminescence materials are of great significance owing to their extensive application in diverse fields. In this research, we successfully prepared a series of Pr3+-doped Ca3Al2O6 multi-band emission phosphors via a high-temperature solid-state method. The phase structure, morphology, luminescence spectra and decay curves were investigated in detail. The Ca3Al2O6:Pr3+ phosphors can absorb blue lights and emit lights in the 450-750 nm region, and typical emission bands are located at 488 nm (blue), 525-550 nm (green), 611-614 nm (red), 648 nm (red) and 733 nm (deep red). The influence of the Pr3+ doping concentration was discussed, and the optimal Pr3+ doping concentration was determined. The impacts of charge compensator ions (Li+, Na+, and K+) on the luminescence of Pr3+ were also investigated, and it was found that all the charge compensator ions contributed positively to the emission intensity. More importantly, the emission intensity of the as-prepared phosphors at 423 K can still maintain 65-70% of that at room temperature, and the potential application for pc-LED was investigated. The interesting results indicate that the prepared phosphors may serve multifunctional and advanced applications.

A hollow beam supercontinuum generation by the supermode superposition in a GeO2 doped triangular-core photonic crystal fiber.

A GeO2 doped triangular-core photonic-crystal fiber (PCF) is designed and fabricated to allow the generation of a hollow beam through a nonlinear-optical transformation by femtosecond pulses at 1040 nm from a high power Yb-doped PCF laser oscillator. The hollow beam supercontinuum is obtained at far field by adjusting incident light polarization to excite the high order supermode, behaving as a mode convertor. The supercontinuum ranging from 540 to 1540 nm is achieved with an average power of 1.04 W.