Short Light Research Articles

Universal crRNA Acylation Strategy for Robust Photo-Initiated One-Pot CRISPR-Cas12a Nucleic Acid Diagnostics.

Spatiotemporal regulation of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system is attractive for precise gene editing and accurate molecular diagnosis. Although many efforts have been made, versatile and efficient strategies to control CRISPR system are still desirable. Here, we proposed a universal and accessible acylation strategy to regulate the CRISPR-Cas12a system by efficient acylation of 2'-hydroxyls (2'-OH) on crRNA strand with photolabile agents (PLGs). The introduction of PLGs confers efficient suppression of crRNA function and rapid restoration of CRISPR-Cas12a reaction upon short light exposure regardless of crRNA sequences. Based on this strategy, we constructed a universal PhotO-Initiated CRISPR-Cas12a system for Robust One-pot Testing (POIROT) platform integrated with recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), which showed two orders of magnitude more sensitive than the conventional one-step assay and comparable to the two-step assay. For clinical sample testing, POIROT achieved high-efficiency detection performance comparable to the gold-standard quantitative PCR (qPCR) in sensitivity and specificity, but faster than the qPCR method. Overall, we believe the proposed strategy will promote the development of many other universal photo-controlled CRISPR technologies for one-pot assay, and even expand applications in the fields of controllable CRISPR-based genomic editing, disease therapy, and cell imaging.

Protecting against micropollutants in water storage tanks using in-situ TiO2 coated quartz optical fibers

Photocatalyst-coated optical fibers (P-OFs) using UV-A LEDs offer a highly promising solution for the degradation of micropollutants within municipal, reuse, industrial or home distribution systems, by integrating P-OFs into water storage tanks. P-OFs have photocatalysts attached to bundles of optical fibers, enabling their direct deployment within tanks. This eliminates the necessity for photocatalyst slurries, which would require additional membrane or separation systems. However, a current limitation of P-OFs is light management, specifically light oversaturation of the coated photocatalysts and short light transmission distances along fibers. This study overcomes this limitation and reveals strategies to improve the light dissipation uniformity along P-OFs, and demonstrates the performance of P-OFs on degrading a model micropollutant, carbamazepine (CBZ). Key tunable variables of fibers and light emission conditions, including photocatalyst coating patchiness (p), minimum light incident angles (θm), radiant flux launched to fibers (Φi), and fiber diameters (D), were modeled to establish their relationships with the light dissipation uniformity in TiO2-coated quartz optical fibers (TiO2-QOFs). We then validated modeling insights by conducting experiments to examine how these variables influence the generation of evanescent waves which are localized energy on fiber surfaces, leading to either photocatalyst activation or the recapture of unused light back into fibers. We observed substantial enhancements in evanescent waves generation by decreasing p and increasing θm, resulting in uniform light dissipation which reduces light oversaturation and improves light transmission distances. Moreover, these optimizations led to a remarkable three-fold improvement in CBZ degradation rates and a 65% reduction in energy consumption. Such improvement substantially reduces the capital and operational cost and enhances practicality of energy-efficient photocatalysis without additional chemical oxidants for micropollutant degradation in water storage tanks.

Influence of Aberration-Free, Narrowband Light on the Choroidal Thickness and Eye Length.

To determine whether light chromaticity without defocus induced by longitudinal chromatic aberration (LCA) is sufficient to regulate eye growth. An interferometric setup based on a spatial light modulator was used to illuminate the dominant eyes of 23 participants for 30minutes with three aberration-free stimulation conditions: (1) short wavelength (450nm), (2) long wavelength (638nm), and (3) broadband light (450-700nm), covering a retinal area of 12°. The non-dominant eye was occluded and remained as the control eye. Axial length and choroidal thickness were measured before and after the illumination period. Axial length increased significantly from baseline for short-wavelength (P < 0.01, 7.4 ± 2.2 µm) and long-wavelength (P = 0.01, 4.8 ± 1.7 µm) light. The broadband condition also showed an increase in axial length with no significance (P = 0.08, 5.1 ± 3.5 µm). The choroidal thickness significantly decreased in the case of long-wavelength light (P < 0.01, -5.7 ± 2.2 µm), but there was no significant change after short-wavelength and broadband illumination. The axial length and choroidal thickness did not differ significantly between the test and control eyes or between the illumination conditions (all P > 0.05). Also, the illuminated versus non-illuminated choroidal zone did not show a significant difference (all P > 0.05). All stimulation conditions with short- and long-wavelength light and broadband light led to axial elongation and choroidal thinning. Therefore, light chromaticity without defocus induced by LCA is suggested to be insufficient to regulate eye growth. This study helps in understanding if light chromaticity alone is a sufficient regulator of eye growth.

Nucleic Acid Plate Culture: Label-Free and Naked-Eye-Based Digital Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification in Hydrogel with Machine Learning.

Digital nucleic acid amplification enables the absolute quantification of single molecules. However, due to the ultrasmall reaction volume in the digital system (i.e., short light path), most digital systems are limited to fluorescence signals, while label-free and naked-eye readout remain challenging. In this work, we report a digital nucleic acid plate culture method for label-free, ultrasimple, and naked-eye nucleic acid analysis. As simple as the bacteria culture, the nanoconfined digital loop-mediated isothermal amplification was performed by using polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogel as the amplification matrix. The nanoconfinement of PAM hydrogel with an ionic polymer chain can remarkably accelerate the amplification of target nucleic acids and the growth of inorganic byproducts, namely, magnesium pyrophosphate particles (MPPs). Compared to that in aqueous solutions, MPPs trapped in the hydrogel with enhanced light scattering characteristics are clearly visible to the naked eye, forming white "colony" spots that can be simply counted in a label-free and instrument-free manner. The MPPs can also be photographed by a smartphone and automatically counted by a machine-learning algorithm to realize the absolute quantification of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in diverse real samples.

Extraction of optical wave structures to the coupled fractional system in magneto-optic waveguides

In this article, truncated M-fractional coupled nonlinear Schrodinger equation (NLSE) with quadratic–cubic nonlinearity is under observation. The studied model is composed of chromatic dispersion, magneto-optic parameter and inter-modal dispersion. The NLSE is the most significant physical model to explain the fluctuations of optical soliton proliferation. The NLSEs have become more popular because of the clarity with which they explain a wide range of complex physical phenomena and the depth with which they display dynamical patterns via localized wave solutions. Optical soliton propagation in magneto-optic is currently a subject of great interest due to the multiple prospects for ultrafast signal routing systems and short light pulses in communications. The optical solitons are secured in the forms of bright, dark, singular and combo solitons. In addition, hyperbolic, periodic and exponential function solutions have been recovered. The modified Sardar subequation and enhanced modified extended tanh-expansion approaches recently developed integration tools are adopted in this study for securing the solutions. In nonlinear dispersive media, optical solitons are stretched electromagnetic waves that maintain their intensity due to a balance between the effects of dispersion and nonlinearity. The effect of parameters have been observed by allotting suitable values and sketching the different shapes of the graphs.

Refrigeration experiments of gas wave rotor based on calibration-free WMS-TDLAS method

The refrigeration efficiency is mainly dependent on the low temperature generated by gas wave dynamics in oscillation channel. In this paper, a temperature rapid monitoring method for short light path based on the calibration-free wavelength modulation spectroscopy-tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (WMS-TDLAS) method is proposed. The selection of absorption wavelength, measurement procedure and data processing are specifically introduced. The wave dynamics and medium temperature under different pressure ratios and rotary speeds are studied, and the energy transfer efficiency of the gas wave refrigerator is evaluated. As the pressure ratio increases, the temperature in the cold zone behind the expansion wave gradually decreases to 257.6 K and the relative humidity of the cold zone inside the channel increases, which is caused by local condensation. At the same time, the expansion refrigeration efficiency is increasing from 27.3 % to 64.9 %. The increasing rotary speed of rotor also benefit to refrigeration efficiency from 45.8 % to 75.6 % as low temperature decreases to 252.1 K, which illustrates that rotary speed has more improvement effect on refrigeration efficiency than just higher-pressure ratio.

ICNIRP Statement on Short Wavelength Light Exposure from Indoor Artificial Sources and Human Health.

Concerns have been raised about the possibility of effects from exposure to short wavelength light (SWL), defined here as 380-550 nm, on human health. The spectral sensitivity of the human circadian timing system peaks at around 480 nm, much shorter than the peak sensitivity of daytime vision (i.e., 555 nm). Some experimental studies have demonstrated effects on the circadian timing system and on sleep from SWL exposure, especially when SWL exposure occurs in the evening or at night. The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has identified a lack of consensus among public health officials regarding whether SWL from artificial sources disrupts circadian rhythm, and if so, whether SWL-disrupted circadian rhythm is associated with adverse health outcomes. Systematic reviews of studies designed to examine the effects of SWL on sleep and human health have shown conflicting results. There are many variables that can affect the outcome of these experimental studies. One of the main problems in earlier studies was the use of photometric quantities as a surrogate for SWL exposure. Additionally, the measurement of ambient light may not be an accurate measure of the amount of light impinging on the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells, which are now known to play a major role in the human circadian timing system. Furthermore, epidemiological studies of long-term effects of chronic SWL exposure per se on human health are lacking. ICNIRP recommends that an analysis of data gaps be performed to delineate the types of studies needed, the parameters that should be addressed, and the methodology that should be applied in future studies so that a decision about the need for exposure guidelines can be made. In the meantime, ICNIRP supports some recommendations for how the quality of future studies might be improved.

Recent advances in UV-B signalling: interaction of proteins with the UVR8 photoreceptor.

The photoreceptor UVR8 mediates many plant responses to UV-B and short wavelength UV-A light. UVR8 functions through interactions with other proteins which lead to extensive changes in gene expression. Interactions with particular proteins determine the nature of the response to UV-B. It is therefore important to understand the molecular basis of these interactions: how are different proteins able to bind to UVR8 and how is differential binding regulated? This concise review highlights recent developments in addressing these questions. Key advances are discussed with regard to: identification of proteins that interact with UVR8; the mechanism of UVR8 accumulation in the nucleus; the photoactivation of UVR8 monomer; the structural basis of interaction between UVR8 and CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1 (COP1) and REPRESSOR OF UV-B PHOTOMORPHOGENESIS (RUP) proteins; the role of UVR8 phosphorylation in modulating interactions and responses to UV-B. Nevertheless, much remains to be understood and the need to extend future research to the growing list of interactors is emphasised.

Data Center Four-Channel Multimode Interference Multiplexer Using Silicon Nitride Technology.

The operation of a four-channel multiplexer, utilizing multimode interference (MMI) wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology, can be designed through the cascading of MMI couplers or by employing angled MMI couplers. However, conventional designs often occupy a larger footprint, spanning a few millimeters, thereby escalating the energy power requirements for the photonic chip. In response to this challenge, we propose an innovative design for a four-channel silicon nitride (Si3N4) MMI coupler with a compact footprint. This design utilizes only a single MMI coupler unit, operating within the O-band spectrum. The resulting multiplexer device can efficiently transmit four channels with a wavelength spacing of 20 nm, covering the O-band spectrum from 1270 to 1330 nm, after a short light propagation of 22.8 µm. Notably, the multiplexer achieves a power efficiency of 70% from the total input energy derived from the four O-band signals. Power losses range from 1.24 to 1.67 dB, and the MMI coupler length and width exhibit a favorable tolerance range. Leveraging Si3N4 material and waveguide inputs and output tapers minimizes light reflection from the MMI coupler at the input channels. Consequently, this Si3N4-based MMI multiplexer proves suitable for deployment in O-band transceiver data centers employing WDM methodology. Its implementation offers the potential for higher data bitrates while maintaining an exemplary energy consumption profile for the chip footprint.

Competition of multiphoton ionization pathways in lithium

We study the three-photon ionization of atomic lithium by intense, short light pulses, via numerically solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation. Two-photon Rabi oscillations are induced between the 2s and 4s states, which are damped due to single-photon ionization to the p continuum. Developing a minimal three-level model, we analyze the spectral features of the Autler–Townes (AT) doublet that is formed upon the resonant coupling with the laser pulse. Furthermore, we show that this 2s→→4s→p continuum pathway is the dominant process, if the duration of the laser pulse exceeds a certain value. For shorter pulses, ionization through the 2p state ( 2s→2p→4d→f continuum ) gradually becomes the dominant process, provided that the pulse is strong enough to induce several Rabi floppings. Here, we trace the competition of these ionization pathways by observing the structural changes in the shape of the AT doublet.

Synthesis of reduced graphene oxide-based hybrid materials containing imine bonds: Color properties and chemosensory properties against some anions

In this research, hybrids (HBa and HBb) were synthesized by covalent bonding of Schiff bases with reduced graphene oxide (RGO) synthesized by the modified hummer method and hydrothermally reduced. To facilitate the covalent bonding, the (–COOH) group of RGO was converted to (-COCl) with SOCl2 and Schiff bases (5) and (6) containing 1,2,3-triazole were attached to RGO. All materials were characterized using spectroscopic and analytical methods. Color changes of hybrid materials were investigated in the availability of some anions under three different light sources: daylight, long wavelength, and short wavelength light. It was observed that the end groups (Cl and Br) of the imine compounds were effective on the chemosensory property. Unlike HBa (Br), the HBb (Cl) hybrid exhibited selective sensory properties towards CO32–, CH3COO– ions. In addition, it was concluded that the materials showed blue emission according to the calculated CIE (1931) chromaticity diagram.

Resolving the Periods of the Asynchronous Polar 1RXS J083842.1–282723

1RXS J083842.1−282723 is a nearly synchronous magnetic cataclysmic variable with a simple X-ray light curve. While its orbital period was fairly well established at P orb = 98.4 minutes from optical spectroscopy, indirect estimates of P spin/P orb ranged from 0.90 to 0.96 because the short X-ray light curves could not determine the beat period to a factor of 2. We analyze a recent 50 days TESS observation, and ground-based optical time-series photometry spanning 9 yr, that together measure precise beat, orbit, and spin periods and enable the X-ray and optical modulations to be phase aligned. Although the X-ray light curves do not distinguish between a beat period of 16.11 or 32.22 hr, all of the optical evidence favors the longer value, with complete pole switching of accretion every half beat cycle. This would require P spin/P orb = 0.952. Long-term optical monitoring also shows a decline in accretion rate, and a change in the beat-folded light curve. It would be useful to obtain a new X-ray/optical observation of at least 32 hr duration to examine any associated change in accretion structure, and to confirm the spin and beat periods.

Mechanoluminescence and Mechanical Quenching of Afterglow Luminescent Particles for Wearable Photonic Display

AbstractOptical properties of afterglow luminescent particles (ALPs) in mechanoluminescence (ML) and mechanical quenching (MQ) have attracted great attention for diverse technological applications. However, these unique phenomena need to be more clearly explained for the specific photonic application. Here, ALPs are designed for the development of a wearable and rewritable photonic display system as a communication toolbox under dark conditions or underwater environments with limited communication. This display system demonstrates long‐lasting MQ after short ML along the handwritten trajectories with mechanical pressure and the written content can be easily erased by short UV light irradiation, preserving the system integrity with the high reproducibility of ML and MQ responses. The effect of trapped electrons and the recharging process on the ML and MQ is assessed, which provides insights into their underlying mechanisms. In addition, this display system exhibits remarkable resistance to humidity and retains its rewritable and photonic capabilities underwater for a long‐term period. Furthermore, the rewritable property of display system on human skin is demonstrated, confirming their effectiveness as a wearable photonic display system. Taken together, this research will pave a big new avenue to develop biophotonic materials for various biomedical applications with mechano‐optical conversions.

Redox cationic frontal polymerization: a rapid curing approach for carbon fiber-reinforced composites with high fiber content

Conventional frontal polymerization processes for epoxy-based composites rely on cations and radicals generated by a short (and local) light or heat stimulus in the presence of an iodonium salt and a radical thermal initiator. However, due to heat losses, the propagation of the exothermic curing front is often limited by sample geometry and filler concentration. Redox cationic frontal polymerization (RCFP) is a promising approach to radically expand the composition and design options of frontally cured epoxy-based composites. By adding stannous octoate as reducing agent, a higher number of radicals and cations are generated at lower temperature, which yields highly cured composite even at elevated filler content. In the current study, RCFP was used to cure standard unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced composites based on a commercially available epoxy resin and the properties were compared with its anhydride hardener-cured counterpart. Cure degree and thermal properties of the resins were determined by ATR FT-IR spectroscopy and DMA analysis. Subsequently, unidirectional composites with a fiber volume content of ~ 60% were produced via vacuum infusion and subjected to DMA, tensile, compression, and inter-laminar shear tests. The results showed a remarkable similarity between mechanical properties of RCFP and anhydride hardener-cured composites. The RCFP-cured composites exhibited even a higher damping resistance and compression strength than anhydride hardener-cured composites. The results show that RCFP allows for a significant reduction in the curing time (from several hours to 60 min), while it yields composites with properties comparable to classic anhydride-cured systems.Graphical abstract

Attosecond absorption and reflection spectroscopy of solids

Since their introduction, all-optical spectroscopy techniques based on attosecond radiation have gained the attention of the scientific community because of their energy and time resolution, combined with an easier experimental implementation with respect to other approaches based on charged particle detection. At the present time, almost ten years after the first application to a solid sample, attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy (ATAS) and attosecond transient reflection spectroscopy (ATRS) have established as powerful tools to investigate how electrons can be excited and accelerated in matter with short light pulses, a key requisite to establish ultrafast switches in quantum electronics and overcome the current rate of data processing and information encoding. In this work, we start with a historical overview of the first pioneering experiments to then introduce the fundamentals of both techniques. We conclude by discussing the current challenges and the possible future developments that are expected to bring ATAS and ATRS beyond their state of the art.

Communication—Annealing Strategies for Spray Deposited Precursor Films of p-Type CuCr1-xMgxO2

Annealing of sprayed pure and Mg doped CuCrO2 thin films by high intensity, short time light irradiation leads to a single delafossite phase at comparatively low temperatures compared with traditional furnace annealing. P-type crystalline undoped and Mg-doped CuCrO2 films were obtained within few minutes by annealing with halogen lamp between 550 °C and 650 °C in Ar atmosphere. Transport properties of Mg-doped thin films were comparable to furnace annealed samples despite much shorter annealing time. The results demonstrate that post-annealing of chemically deposited samples using light irradiation is an effective and fast method for obtaining transparent conducting delafossite thin films.

Evaluation of Phytochemical and Antioxidant Potential of Lepidagathis Pungens Nees: A Therapeutic Application

ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILING OF LEPIDAGATHIS PUNGENS NEES: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS FOR THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS&#x0D; &#x0D; Abstract:&#x0D; This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical properties, heavy metal content, inorganic elements, extract parameters, and antioxidant activities of Lepidagathis pungens Nees, a plant with potential health-promoting properties. The physicochemical analysis revealed the presence of ash values, moisture content, total fiber content, swelling index, and foaming index. Heavy metal content analysis showed that cadmium, nickel, mercury, lead, chromium, and arsenic levels were within the safe limits set by the World Health Organization, indicating the plant's safety for consumption. The presence of various essential inorganic elements such as calcium, chloride, copper, iron, magnesium, nitrate, phosphate, and potassium was also confirmed. Five different solvent extracts, including Oil ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and absolute ethanol extracts of the plant were obtained. from the whole plant, and their extractive values, colors, odors, and consistencies A determination was made. The methanol and aqueous extracts had the highest extractive values. The fluorescent analysis of the whole plant powder revealed various colors under daylight, long UV, and short UV light, depending on the solvent used. The antioxidant properties of the Lepidagathis pungens Nees extracts were assessed through their product scavenges superoxide radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and lipid peroxidations. An aqueous and methanol extract demonstrated the highest scavenging activities across all concentrations for both Lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radicals. The scavenging activity increased in an inverse relationship between dose and response. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the potential of Lepidagathis pungens Nees as a source of antioxidant compounds, particularly in methanol and aqueous extracts. The safety profile and presence of essential inorganic elements in the plant suggest its potential for use in traditional medicine or as a dietary supplement. Further research into the Inhibitors of antioxidant activity: specific compounds could lead to the development of health-promoting products or therapeutic interventions utilizing the extracts' antioxidant properties.&#x0D;

Second Harmonic Generation Control in 2D Layered Materials: Status and Outlook

AbstractSecond harmonic generation (SHG) as an essential nonlinear optical effect, has gradually shifted its research trend toward the integration and miniaturization of photonic and optoelectronic on‐chip devices in recent years. 2D layered materials (2DLMs) open up a new research paradigm of nonlinear optics due to their large second‐order susceptibility, atomically thin structure, and perfect phase‐matching. However, 2DLMs are facing a bottleneck of weak SHG conversion efficiency limit caused by short light–matter interaction lengths at a nanoscale. Moreover, advances in integrated on‐chip SHG devices based on 2DLMs rely on the continuing development of novel strategies with tunable and efficient SHG responses. Here, this review provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress in exploring highly efficient and tunable SHG responses in 2DLMs. Various modulation and enhancement strategies for the SHG response of 2DLMs are extensively studied and systematically discussed, which can be classified into two categories: symmetry breaking and light‐matter interaction enhancement. Moreover, remaining challenges and outlooks toward further extending and realizing the practical applications of 2DLMs in nonlinear on‐chip integrated devices with SHG modulation and enhancement characteristics are discussed.

Short wavelength light absorption and conversion films containing carbon nanodots for light damage prevention

The carbon nanodots (CNDs) can absorb short wavelength light and enable excited electrons to achieve light conversion to long wavelength emission by radiative transition, while accompanying the non-radiative transition of excited electrons, in order to block the short wavelength light. The CNDs were prepared from chitosan as the carbon source, and then mixed with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to prepare CNDs-based optical blocking films (CND-OBFs) containing different proportions of CNDs. Images were clearly visible through CND-OBFs under both close and long-distance observation, demonstrating good transparency. The CND-OBFs were shown to block both UV light from sunlight and harmful blue light from computers, mobile phones and white light-emitting diodes. The CND-OBFs can thus be used to effectively block short wavelength light. Samples of wood were covered with different CND-OBFs and the wood surfaces were then irradiated with UV light (340 nm, 80 W). The results show that different CND-OBFs block short wavelength light to different extents; CND-OBF containing 15.7 % CNDs can completely block short wavelength light through absorption and conversion, protecting the wood samples from discoloration. This work provides a new research approach in which CNDs are used to protect wood by blocking short wavelength light.

Greenish yellow-emitting carbon dot-based films for luminescent solar concentrator applications

The CDs@EVA #3 film in LSC enhances short-circuit current by 1.17 times, primarily through conversion of UV and short visible light into longer wavelengths.