Electrically tunable dual polarization states of light using lithium niobate-based nanograting.

Tuning polarization states of light electrically has unique advantages in the integration of optoelectronic devices. Here, a lithium niobate-based nanograting is proposed to dynamically tune the polarization state of both the reflected and transmitted lights simultaneously in the near-infrared range. By judiciously designing the nanograting, a quasi-bound state in the continuum (qBIC) is excited under the excitation of an obliquely incident plane wave. The excited mode with a high quality-factor and enhanced local electric field can respond to a refractive index change in nanograting structures as small as 10-4 level, which can be generated with a low external voltage via the electro-optic effect. As a result, both the polarization states of reflected and transmitted lights can be dynamically tuned from a right circular polarization to a linear polarization state. The proposed lithium niobate-based nanograting for tuning dual polarization states of light with a qBIC mode suggests a promising electrical scheme for achieving high speed optoelectronic devices.

Coherent control on the generation and annihilation of a pseudospin-induced optical vortex in a honeycomb photonic lattice.

We experimentally investigate the coherently controllable generation and annihilation of a pseudospin-induced optical vortex in an optically induced honeycomb photonic lattice in a Λ-type 85Rb atomic vapor cell. Three Gaussian coupling beams are coupled into the atomic gases to form a hexagonal interference pattern, which can induce a honeycomb photonic lattice under electromagnetically induced transparency. Then, two probe beams interfere with each other to form periodical fringes and cover one set of sublattice in the honeycomb lattice, corresponding to excite the K or K' valleys in momentum space. By properly adjusting the experimental parameters, the generation and annihilation of the induced optical vortex can be effectively controlled. The theoretical simulations based on the Dirac and Schrödinger equations are performed to explore the underlying mechanisms, which will support the observations. The demonstrated properties of such controllable optical vortex may lay the foundation for the design of vortex-based optical devices with multidimensional tunability.

Geogenic Phosphorus Enrichment in Groundwater due to Anaerobic Methane Oxidation-Coupled Fe(III) Oxide Reduction.

Accumulation of geogenic phosphorus (P) in groundwater is an emerging environmental concern, which is closely linked to coupled processes involving FeOOH and organic matter under methanogenic conditions. However, it remains unclear how P enrichment is associated with methane cycling, particularly the anaerobic methane oxidation (AMO). This study conducted a comprehensive investigation of carbon isotopes in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), CO2, and CH4, alongside Fe isotopes, microbial communities, and functions in quaternary aquifers of the central Yangtze River plain. The study found that P concentrations tended to increase with Fe(II) concentrations, δ56Fe, and δ13C-DIC, suggesting P accumulation due to the reductive dissolution of FeOOH under methanogenic conditions. The positive correlations of pmoA gene abundance versus δ13C-CH4 and Fe concentrations versus δ13C-CH4, and the prevalent presence of Candidatus_Methanoperedens, jointly demonstrated the potential significance of Fe(III)-mediated AMO process (Fe-AMO) alongside traditional methanogenesis. The increase of P concentration with δ13C-CH4 value, pmoA gene abundance, and Fe concentration suggested that the Fe-AMO process facilitated P enrichment in groundwater. Redundancy analysis confirmed this assertion, identifying P concentration as the primary determinant and the cooperative influence of Fe-AMO microorganisms such as Candidatus_Methanoperedens and Geobacter on P enrichment. Our work provided new insights into P dynamics in subsurface environments.

Spectral and temporal atomic coherence interaction in Eu3+ : NaYF4 and Eu3+ : BiPO4.

We investigate the spectral and temporal atomic coherence interaction based on out-of-phase fluorescence (FL) and spontaneous parametric four-wave mixing (SFWM) from the hexagonal phase of Eu3+ : NaYF4 and different phases of Eu3+ : BiPO4. Spectral and temporal interactions are interrelated and reduced by about 2 times due to two-photon nested dressing in contrast to the sum of each laser excitation. As the lifetime of photons increases, off-resonance profile cross-interaction decreases because cross-interaction reverses the signal at the near time gate position and keeps it consistent at the far time gate position. Moreover, the thermal phonon dressing at 300 K exhibits 6 times more eminent and obvious temporal interaction than that at 77 K. In a different phase of Eu3+ : BiPO4, there are three dark dips having stronger self-interaction; however, Eu3+ : NaYF4 has two dark dips as Eu3+ : BiPO4 has two phonon dressing. Further, the pure hexagonal phase of Eu3+ : BiPO4 demonstrates the strongest cross-interaction and longest coherent time under the dressing effect due to the smallest dressing phonon detuning and off-resonance profile cross-interaction at PMT2 because the angle quantization is the strongest. Such results can be used for designing novel quantum devices and have potential applications in quantum memory devices.

Identification of a combined hypoxia and lactate metabolism prognostic signature in lung adenocarcinoma : Author.

BACKGROUND: In the tumor microenvironment (TME), a bidirectional relationship exists between hypoxia and lactate metabolism, with each component exerting a reciprocal influence on the other, forming an inextricable link. The aim of the present investigation was to develop a prognostic model by amalgamating genes associated with hypoxia and lactate metabolism. This model is intended to serve as a tool for predicting patient outcomes, including survival rates, the status of the immune microenvironment, and responsiveness to therapy in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). METHODS: Transcriptomic sequencing data and patient clinical information specific to LUAD were obtained from comprehensive repositories of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). A compendium of genes implicated in hypoxia and lactate metabolism was assembled from an array of accessible datasets. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were employed. Additional investigative procedures, including tumor mutational load (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), functional enrichment assessments and the ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, and TIDE algorithms, were used to evaluate drug sensitivity and predict the efficacy of immune-based therapies. RESULTS: A novel prognostic signature comprising five lactate and hypoxia-related genes (LHRGs), PKFP, SLC2A1, BCAN, CDKN3, and ANLN, was established. This model demonstrated that LUAD patients with elevated LHRG-related risk scores exhibited significantly reduced survival rates. Both univariate and multivariate Cox analyses confirmed that the risk score was a robust prognostic indicator of overall survival. Immunophenotyping revealed increased infiltration of memory CD4 + T cells, dendritic cells and NK cells in patients classified within the high-risk category compared to their low-risk counterparts. Higher probability of mutations in lung adenocarcinoma driver genes in high-risk groups, and the MSI was associated with the risk-score. Functional enrichment analyses indicated a predominance of cell cycle-related pathways in the high-risk group, whereas metabolic pathways were more prevalent in the low-risk group. Moreover, drug sensitivity analyses revealed increased sensitivity to a variety of drugs in the high-risk group, especially inhibitors of the PI3K-AKT, EGFR, and ELK pathways. CONCLUSIONS: This prognostic model integrates lactate metabolism and hypoxia parameters, offering predictive insights regarding survival, immune cell infiltration and functionality, as well as therapeutic responsiveness in LUAD patients. This model may facilitate personalized treatment strategies, tailoring interventions to the unique molecular profile of each patient's disease.

Role of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (pck1) in mediating nutrient metabolism in zebrafish.

Carbohydrates are the most economical source of energy in fish feeds, but most fish have limited ability to utilize carbohydrates. It has been reported that phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (pck1) is involved in carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, and other metabolic processes. However, direct evidence is lacking to fully understand the relationship between pck1 and glucose and lipid metabolism. Here, we generated a pck1 knockout zebrafish by CRISPR/cas9 system, and a high-carbohydrate diet was provided to 60 days post-fertilization (dpf) for 8 weeks. We found that pck1-deficient zebrafish displayed decreased plasma glucose, elevated mRNA levels of glycolysis-related genes (gck, pfk, pk), and reduced the transcriptional levels of gluconeogenic genes (pck1, fbp1a) in liver. We also found decreased triglyceride, total cholesterol, and lipid accumulation and in pck1-/- zebrafish, along with downregulation of genes for lipolysis (acaca) and lipogenesis (cpt1). In addition, the observation of HE staining revealed that the total muscle area of pck1-/- was substantially less than that of WT zebrafish and real-time PCR suggested that GH/IGF-1 signaling (ulk2, stat1b) may be suppressed in pck1-deficient fish. Taken together, these findings suggested that pck1 may play an important role in the high-carbohydrate diet utilization of fish and significantly affected lipid metabolism and protein synthesis in zebrafish. pck1 knockout mutant line could facilitate a further mechanism study of pck1-associated metabolic regulation and provide new information for improving carbohydrate utilization traits.

Full characterization of vector eigenstates in symmetrically confined systems with photonic spin-orbit coupling.

The photonic spin-orbit (SO) coupling is a widely investigated effect in optical microcavities leading to various interesting physical phenomena and potential applications. We report the full sets of eigenenergies and eigenstates in a symmetrically confined potential under the effect of SO coupling induced by the transverse-electric transverse-magnetic (TE-TM) splitting, which are derived analytically via the degenerate perturbation theory. We obtained the eigenenergies and the eigenstates from the 1st to the 6th orders of excited manifold, and demonstrate unambiguously that universal rules governing the mode formation exist in such complicated photonic systems, making the modes exhibiting the features of solid and hollow skyrmions as well as spin vortices. We show that these eigenstates can be described by the SO coupled hyperspheres that can be decomposed into a series of higher-order Poincare spheres. Our results significantly extend the area of microcavity spin-optronics to the general theory of eigenvalues in confined systems, and provide an efficient theoretical frame for the information processing using microcavity-based high-dimensional vector states.

Experimental realization of multimode nonlinear parametric amplification from cascading four-wave mixing of dressed atoms.

The nonlinear parametric process is of great significance for achieving high-quality coherent optical signals and quantum correlated photons. With the development of classical and quantum information processing, the study of the properties of parametric processes is evolving in complex scenarios of multimode, which is limited in conventional nonlinear media due to strict phase matching, e.g. nonlinear crystals. Here we study the dressing-energy-level-cascaded four-wave mixing process to generate multimode optical parametric signals. Via cascading double-Λ type configuration of 85Rb D1 line, the non-degenerate energy-level-cascaded FWM is constructed to generate multimode self-parametric amplification. Moreover, with the dressing effects based on atomic coherence, the spatial and frequency multimode characteristics of energy-level-cascaded FWM parametric amplification, i.e., the modes number and pattern, are actively modulated by the pump fields detuning. Also, the spatial modes from the coupling of two coexisting spontaneous parametric FWMs can be controlled to reach tremendous scalability via the atomic coherence and Kerr non-linearity. The atomic coherence effects and unique phase-matching symmetry nature allow flexible modulation of the multimode property of the generated parametric signals within a nonlinear device, which paves a way for multimode classical and quantum information processing.

Multipartite entanglement generation with high-order non-Hermitian exceptional points from dressing-controlled atomic nonlinearity.

Multipartite entanglement has emerged as a valuable quantum resource for constructing large-scale quantum networks. However, the presence of non-Hermitian features induced by natural microscopic quantum systems significantly modifies the overall response of nonlinear parametric processes, thereby enabling direct manipulation of multipartite entanglement properties. In this study, we demonstrate the generation of multimode entanglement through atomic four-wave mixing (FWM) and analyze the properties of exceptional points (EP) under dressing control in non-Hermitian systems. By leveraging dressing-controlled atomic nonlinearity, we achieve versatile EPs and higher-order EPs by carefully tuning the atomic multi-parameter in the cascading FWM system. Additionally, we investigate the entanglement properties of various permutations of the output signal modes using the positive partial transpose (PPT) criterion. Notably, under non-Hermitian control, the application of single-, double-, and N-dressing splits leads to coherent multichannel control and further extends the scale of quantum entanglement. The outcomes of our research offer a novel approach to actively control non-Hermitian quantum phenomena without relying on artificial photonic structures. Furthermore, this paves the way for the realization of complex quantum information tasks by exploiting the non-Hermitian characteristics of the light-matter interaction.

Experimental realization of a reconfigurable Lieb photonic lattice in a coherent atomic medium.

We have experimentally demonstrated the realization of an instantaneously reconfigurable Lieb photonic lattice with a flatband in a three-level Λ-type rubidium atomic configuration. Such a coherently controllable Lieb photonic lattice is optically induced by a coupling field possessing a spatially periodic intensity distribution (generated via a spatial light modulator) under the condition of electromagnetically induced transparency. The incident weak Gaussian probe field can experience discrete diffraction and the observed probe beam at the output surface of the medium exhibits the same Lieb pattern, verifying the formation of the refractive index with a Lieb profile inside the atomic vapor cell. The potential wells and the band structure of the Lieb photonic lattice can be effectively manipulated by easily tuning the frequency of the involved laser beams. The current work can promisingly pave the way for exploring the exotic dynamics as well as tunable photonic devices in Lieb photonic lattices.

Discrete dynamics of light in an anti-parity-time symmetric photonic lattice in atomic vapors.

We demonstrate the realization of an anti-parity-time (PT)-symmetric photonic lattice in a coherent three-level Λ-type 85Rb atomic system both experimentally and theoretically. Such an instantaneously reconfigurable anti-PT-symmetric photonic lattice is "written" by two one-dimensional coupling fields, which are arranged alternately along the x direction and can modulate the refractive index of the atomic vapor in a spatially periodical manner via controllable atomic coherence. By properly adjusting the relevant atomic parameters, the phase shift between two adjacent lattice channels occurs in the constructed non-Hermitian photonic system. Such a readily reconfigurable anti-PT-symmetric photonic lattice may open the door for demonstrating the discrete characteristics of the optical waves in periodic anti-PT-symmetric photonic systems.

Genuine Tripartite Non-Gaussian Entanglement.

Triple-photon states generated by three-mode spontaneous parametric down-conversion are the paradigm of unconditional non-Gaussian states, essential assets for quantum advantage. How to fully characterize their non-Gaussian entanglement remains however elusive. We propose here a set of sufficient and necessary conditions for separability of the broad family of spontaneously generated three-mode non-Gaussian states. We further derive state-of-the-art conditions for genuine tripartite non-Gaussian entanglement, the strongest class of entanglement. We apply our criteria to triple-photon states revealing that they are fully inseparable and genuinely entangled in moments of order 3n. Our results establish a systematic framework for characterizing the entanglement of triple-photon states and thus fostering their application in quantum information protocols.

Loss Difference Induced Localization in a Non-Hermitian Honeycomb Photonic Lattice.

Non-Hermitian systems with complex-valued energy spectra provide an extraordinary platform for manipulating unconventional dynamics of light. Here, we demonstrate the localization of light in an instantaneously reconfigurable non-Hermitian honeycomb photonic lattice that is established in a coherently prepared atomic system. One set of the sublattices is optically modulated to introduce the absorptive difference between neighboring lattice sites, where the Dirac points in reciprocal space are extended into dispersionless local flat bands, with two shared eigenstates: low-loss (high-loss) one with fields confined at sublattice B (A). When these local flat bands are broad enough due to larger loss difference, the incident beam with its tangential wave vector being at the K point in reciprocal space is effectively localized at sublattice B with weaker absorption, namely, the commonly seen power exchange between adjacent channels in photonic lattices is effectively prohibited. The current work unlocks a new capability from non-Hermitian two-dimensional photonic lattices and provides an alternative route for engineering tunable local flat bands in photonic structures.

A novel fluorescent probe based on naphthimide for H2S identification and application.

In view of the superior chemical activity of selenoether bond (-Se-) and the excellent optical properties of naphthimide, a novel fluorescent probe (NapSe) with near-rectangular structure, which contains double naphthimide fluorophores linked by selenoether bond, is designed for specific fluorescence detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). NapSe has excellent optical properties: super large Stokes Shift (190 nm) and good stability in a wide pH range. The selectivity of NapSe fluorescence detection of H2S is high, and displays excellent "turn-on" phenomenon and strong anti-interference. And the fluorescence intensity increased obviously, reaching 42 times. The time response of probe NapSe is very rapid (3 min) compared with other fluorescence probes that respond to H2S. It shows high sensitivity by calculating the detection limit (LOD) as low as 5.4 µM. Notably, the identification of H2S by probe NapSe has been successfully applied to the detection of test paper and the detection of exogenous and endogenous fluorescence imaging of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Lithium in breast milk transiently affects the renal electrolytic balance of infants.

BACKGROUND: The use of lithium during breast-feeding has not been comprehensively investigated in humans due to concerns about lithium toxicity. PROCEDURE: We analyzed lithium in the kidneys of nursed pups of lithium medicated mothers, using analytical spectroscopy in a novel rat model. The mothers were healthy rats administered lithium via gavage (1000 mg/day Li2 CO3 per 50 kg body weight). RESULTS: Lithium was detected in the breast milk, and in the blood of pups (0.08 mM), of lithium-exposed dams at post-natal day 18 (P18), during breast-feeding. No lithium was detected after breast-feeding, at P25 (4 days after cessation of nursing). The lithium pups blood had elevated urea nitrogen at P18 and reduced total T4 at P18 and P25, indicating a longer-term effect on the kidneys and the thyroid gland. Multivariate machine-learning analysis of spectroscopy data collected from the excised kidneys of pups showed elevated potassium in lithium-exposed animals both during- and after breast-feeding. The elevated renal potassium was associated with low nephrin expression in the kidneys measured immunohistochemically during breast-feeding. After lithium exposure is stopped, the filtration of lithium from the kidneys reverses these effects. Our study showed that breastfeeding during lithium use has an effect on the kidneys of the offspring in rats.

Insufficient or excessive dietary carbohydrates affect gut health through change in gut microbiota and regulation of gene expression of gut epithelial cells in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).

Dietary carbohydrate levels can affect gut health, but the roles played by gut microbiota and gut epithelial cells, and their interactions remain unclear. In this experiment, we investigated gut health, gut microbiota, and the gene expression profiles of gut epithelial cells in grass carp consuming diets with different carbohydrate levels. Compared to the moderate-carbohydrate diet, low-carbohydrate diet significantly increased the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria (Ralstonia and Elizabethkingia) and decreased the abundance of metabolism in cofactors and vitamins, implying a dysregulated gut microbiota and compromised metabolic function. Moreover, low-carbohydrate diet inhibited the expression levels of key genes in autophagy-related pathways in gut epithelial cells, which might directly lead to reduced clearance of defective organelles and pathogenic microorganisms. These aforementioned factors may be responsible for the imperfect organization of the intestinal tract. High-carbohydrate diet also significantly increased the abundance of pathogenic bacteria (Flavobacterium), which directly contributed to a decrease in the abundance of immune system of the microbiota. Furthermore, the active pathways of staphylococcus aureus infection and complement and coagulation cascades, as well as the inhibition of the glutathione metabolism pathway were observed. Above results implied that high-carbohydrate diet might ultimately cause severe gut damage by affecting immune function of microbiota, mentioned immune-related pathways, and the antioxidant capacity. Finally, the correlation network diagram revealed strong correlations of the differentially immune-related gene major histocompatibility complex class I antigen (MR1) with Enhydrobacter and Ruminococcus_gnavus_group in low-carbohydrate diet group, and Arenimonas in high-carbohydrate diet group, respectively, suggesting that MR1 might be a central target for immune responses in gut epithelial cells induced by gut microbiota at different levels of dietary carbohydrate. All these results provided insight in the development of antagonistic probiotics and target genes to improve the utilization of carbohydrate.

An Image Encryption Transmission Scheme Based on a Polynomial Chaotic Map.

Most existing chaotic systems have many drawbacks in engineering applications, such as the discontinuous range of chaotic parameters, weak chaotic properties, uneven chaotic sequence outputs, and dynamic degradation. Therefore, based on the above, this paper proposes a new method for the design of a three-dimensional chaotic map. One can obtain the desired number of positive Lyapunov exponents, and can also obtain the desired value of positive Lyapunov exponents. Simulation results show that the proposed system has complex chaotic behavior and high complexity. Finally, the method is implemented into an image encryption transmission scheme and experimental results show that the proposed image encryption scheme can resist brute force attacks, correlation attacks, and differential attacks, so it has a higher security.

Therapeutic targeting of STING-TBK1-IRF3 signalling ameliorates chronic stress induced depression-like behaviours by modulating neuroinflammation and microglia phagocytosis.

Stress is well known to contribute to the development of both neurological and psychiatric diseases. In the central nervous system, a role for STING (stimulator of interferon genes) in modulating immunological responses has been widely suggested, and this protein possesses both neurotoxic and neuroprotective properties. However, the potential role of the STING signalling pathway and the underlying regulatory mechanism in chronic stress have not been well established. In this study, C57BL/6 mice were subjected to intermittent restraint stress for 14 days (6 h/day), and sucrose preference, elevated plus maze, and tail suspension tests were performed by mice subjected to chronic restraint stress (RST). Here, we showed that RST mice displayed depression-like behaviours, accompanied by increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the brain. We also observed remarkably decreased levels of the pathway components STING, p-TBK1 (phospho-TANK-binding kinase-1), and p-IRF3 (phospho-interferon regulatory factor-3) in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex of RST mice. Significant reductions in STING fluorescence intensity were also observed in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex of RST mice. Next, fluorescently labelled latex beads, flow cytometry, and CD68-positive cell counts were utilized to evaluate the phagocytic abilities of microglia in vivo and in vitro. Importantly, our results first indicated that activation of the STING pathway by administration of the STING agonist 2'3-cGAMP enhanced microglial phagocytosis and suppressed the release of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß in the brains of RST mice, which further led to antidepressant effects. Based on the results of our study, the amelioration of stress-driven depression-like behaviours by activation of the STING pathway is associated with the suppression of neuroinflammation and enhanced phagocytosis.

DNA Methylation of Cannabinoid Receptor Interacting Protein 1 Promotes Pathogenesis of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Through Suppressing Parkin-Dependent Pyruvate Kinase M2 Ubiquitination.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Methylation landscape is important for maintaining the silence of cannabinoid receptor-interacting protein 1 (CNRIP1) in some tumors. However, the role of CNRIP1 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains poorly defined. APPROACH AND RESULTS: In our study, we showed that CNRIP1 was down-regulated in ICC tissues, and low expression of CNRIP1 was significantly associated with poor prognosis of patients with ICC in 3-year overall survival and tumor-free survival. Investigating the genomic DNA methylation profile, we disclosed a CpG island site named CNRIP1 MS-2 (CNRIP1 methylation site-2) that contributes to the down-regulation of CNRIP1. In addition, the methylation level of CNRIP1 MS-2 was correlated to the pathological grade, metastasis, and tumor-node-metastasis classification in ICC. Notably, we observed that CNRIP1 suppressed tumor cell migration, invasion, and proliferation by inhibiting the activity of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2). Sustained overexpression of CNRIP1 suppressed the in vivo tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model. It was also found that CNRIP1 overexpression activated Parkin (an E3 ubiquitin ligase), which resulted in the protein degradation of PKM2 in ICC cells. CONCLUSIONS: We identified that CNRIP1 acted as a putative tumor suppressor in ICC, which suggested that CNRIP1 could be a candidate biomarker for predicting tumor recurrence in patients with ICC. Furthermore, these findings highlight a potential therapeutic approach in targeting the CNRIP1/Parkin/PKM2 pathway for the treatment of ICC.

Optimal bright multimode quantum squeezing via multi-seeding energy-level cascaded four-wave mixing.

Quantum Squeezing is one of the most important quantum resources in quantum optics and quantum information. In particular, multimode quantum squeezing, with ultra-low quantum fluctuations and quantum correlations amongst many optical modes, is essential for realizing multipartite entanglement and quantum precision measurements. In this paper, we propose an all-optically controlled scheme to generate three-mode bright quantum correlated beams from energy-level cascaded four-wave mixing (ELC-FWM). By using a linear modes transform approach, the input-output relation and the covariance matrix of the produced states are obtained. Moreover, single-, double- and triple-seeding conditions are investigated to measure the quantum squeezing properties. We find that various permutations of two- and three-mode quadrature squeezing can be generated and optimized to reach the corresponding limit, via only modulating the ratio of the multiple seeds, without need of any post-operating linear optics, e.g., beam splitters. Such weak seeding light controlled scheme suggests the modulation and the optimization of multimode quantum states might be operated at photons-level, providing a reconfigurable and integrated strategy for complex quantum information processing and quantum metrology.