The optimal combination of wavelengths of light (spectral quality) for single leaf photosynthesis has been well characterized, but spectral quality is not well characterized in whole plants in long-term studies. Here we report the effects of eight light spectra at two photosynthetic photon fluxes (200 and 500 µmol m-2 s-1) on dry mass, leaf area index and net assimilation of seven species in replicate 21-day studies. The combination of treatments allowed us to separately assess the effects of blue and green light fraction among species and PPF. At a PPF of 500, increasing blue light from 11 to 28 % significantly decreased dry mass in tomato, cucumber, and pepper, but there was no significant effect on soybean, lettuce and wheat. At a PPF of 200, dry mass significantly decreased only in tomato across the blue light range. Effects on leaf area paralleled effects on dry mass in all species at both PPFs, indicating that the effects of blue light on dry mass were mediated by changes in leaf area. Contrary to predictions of net assimilation based on blue light response of single leaves, there was no evidence of decreasing net assimilation with increasing blue light. In contrast to the significant effect of blue light dry mass and leaf area, increasing green light fraction from zero to 30 % resulted in few significant differences. Contrary to several reports on significant green light effects on growth (both increases and decreases), we found no consistent effect of green light among species on growth, leaf area or net assimilation. Collectively, these results indicate significant differences among species in sensitivity to blue light and less sensitivity to green light, and that the effect of blue light on dry mass is primarily determined by changes in leaf area.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Introduction: Microbial biofilms have been shown to be a cause of persistent endodontic infections. It is more resistant than planktonic bacteria to host immune defenses and antimicrobials. Studies indicate that photodynamic light therapy (PDT), which involves using light at specific wavelengths, has a potent antibacterial effect on bacterial biofilm. PDT is an antimicrobial strategy that involves the use of a nontoxic photosensitizer (PS) along with a light source. The excited PS reacts with molecular oxygen to produce highly reactive oxygen species, which induce injury or death to microorganisms. PSs have a high degree of selectivity for inhibiting microorganisms without negatively affecting host mammalian cells. PDT has been suggested as an adjuvant to conventional endodontic treatment. Studies at IUSD have shown that blue light at 380 nm to 440 nm has the ability to inactivate Streptococcus mutans biofilm without any exogenous PS. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of blue light at 380 nm to 440 nm to reduce adherence of Enterococcus faecalis biofilm after NaOCl irrigation at various concentrations. Materials and Methods: E. faecalis biofilm was established for 72 hours in 96- well flat-bottom microtiter plates using Tryptic Soy Broth supplemented with 1.0-percent sucrose (TSBS). Biofilm was irradiated with blue light for 5 minutes before exposure to various concentrations of NaOCl for 30 seconds. A crystal violet biofilm assay was used to determine relative density of the biofilm. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and Sidak-adjusted multiple comparisons using a 5.0-percent significance level. Null Hypothesis: Blue light and NaOCl will not have an effect against E. faecalis biofilm adherence. Results: Overall, there was a significant effect (p < 0.05) for NaOCl and a significant effect for blue light. The effects of the combination of NaOCl and blue light were also significant. Conclusion: We reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternative hypothesis that blue light when used in conjunction with NaOCl will reduce adherence of E. faecalis biofilm.

This thesis discusses pyridinium bisretinoid compounds (PBRs), which were prepared for two purposes: 1) to use them as standards for detection of novel fluorophores in human RPE cells, which may be involved in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and 2) to use them in the development of a targeted and triggered drug delivery system for cancer therapy. We prepared a selection of PBRs using a one-pot biomimetic method; synthesis, mechanisms for formation, and characterization of these compounds is described. We also explored the photoreactivity of three novel PBR compounds and found that these PBRs form oxidation products under blue-light irradiation. The photoinduced cytotoxity of A2P and A2EE was examined in HL-60 cells. Results from this work suggest that the PBRs presented have the potential to be involved in AMD and to be developed into a targeted and triggered drug delivery system for cancer therapy.

No description available.

A produção de leite e de seus derivados lácteos geram grande impacto no setor agroindustrial. Classificado como um dos alimentos mais completos, o leite é rico em nutrientes essenciais ao crescimento e à manutenção de uma vida saudável. Em contrapartida, os constituintes do leite propiciam excelente meio de cultura para o desenvolvimento de microrganismos, desde o momento da ordenha até a chegada ao consumidor final. Neste contexto, estudos acerca de novas alternativas que auxiliem no controle da qualidade do leite são essenciais. A fotoinativação com luz azul tem surgido como uma alternativa antimicrobiana em potencial na indústria alimentícia, pois exerce atividade antimicrobiana intrínseca, sem o envolvimento de substâncias fotossensibilizadoras exógenas. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a efetividade da fotoinativação por luz azul (LED azul, &lambda;&#61; 410 ± 15 nm, 100 mW) sobre Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes e Mycobacterium fortuitum suspensos em leite integral UHT e solução PBS. Os resultados demonstraram a fotinativação de todas as cepas empregadas no estudo pela luz azul, em tempos distintos, independentemente do meio utilizado, isto é, M. fortuitum, S. aureus, E. coli e L. monocytogenes apresentaram cinética de fotoinativação diferentes entre si, quando suspensos no leite ou no PBS (p<0,0001). O fator de resistência R foi menor que 1 (R < 1) em meio leite, sendo 0,82, 0,78, 0,88 e 0,81 para S.aureus, E. coli, L. monocytogenes e M. fortuitum, nesta ordem, apresentando-se, portanto, mais sensíveis à luz azul nos tempos iniciais e ocorrendo fotoinativação em maior proporção neste período. Quando suspensos em PBS, à semelhança do meio leite, L. monocytogenes e E. coli, apresentaram valor de R < 1 (0,87 e 0,81, respectivamente), ao passo que S. aureus e M. fortuitum apresentaram R > 1, isto é, 1,06 e 1,46, respectivamente, demonstrando maior resistência à fotoinativação nos períodos iniciais e tornando-se mais sensíveis conforme o tempo de irradiação progredia. Concluiu-se que a luz azul foi capaz de fotoinativar, in vitro, cepas de S. aureus, E. coli, L. monocytogenes e M.fortuitum, suspensas em PBS e em leite integral UHT. A fotoinativação com luz azul apresenta caráter inovador, sendo uma alternativa potencialmente promissora no controle da contaminação por microrganismos na indústria láctea / The production of milk and its dairy products have great impact on the agro-industrial sector. Considered as one of the most complete foods, milk is full of essential nutrients required for growth and maintenance of a healthy life. On the other hand, the composition of milk makes it an excellent growth medium for many microorganisms, from the moment of milking to its arrival to the final consumer. In this context, studies toward the search for new alternatives are essential for milk quality improvement. The photoinactivation by blue light has emerged as an alternative antimicrobial approach in the food industry due to its intrinsic antimicrobial properties without the involvement of exogenous photosensitizers. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of blue light photoinactivation (blue LED, &lambda; &#61; 410 ± 15 nm, 100 mW) on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Mycobacterium fortuitum strains suspended in UHT whole milk and PBS medium. All used strains was sucesssfully photoinactivated by the blue light, at different moments, regardless of the medium used, i.e., M. fortuitum, S. aureus, E. coli and L. monocytogenes presented different photoinactivation kinetics when suspended in the UHT whole milk or PBS (p < 0.0001). The resistance R factor was less than 1 (R < 1) in milk medium, with 0.82, 0.78, 0.88 and 0.81 for S. aureus, E. coli, L. monocytogenes and M. fortuitum, respectively, meaning that the strains were most sensitive to blue light in the initial times, when the photoinactivation was higher. When suspended in PBS, as occurred in the the milk medium, L. monocytogenes and E. coli presented R < 1 (0.87 and 0.81, respectively), whereas S. aureus and M. fortuitum demonstrated R > 1, i.e., 1.06 and 1.46, respectively, indicating higher photoinactivation resistance in the initial stages and higher sensibility as the irradiation time progressed. We concluded that blue light promoted in vitro photoinactivation of the strains of S. aureus, E. coli, L. monocytogenes and M.fortuitum, suspended in PBS and UHT whole milk. The photoinactivation by blue light presents an innovative approach and a promising and exciting alternative for microbial contamination control in dairy industry

Recent developments in biological research, has shown that the initial maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits for protection of workers from risks associated with artificial optical radiations were more stringent than needed. Using the most recent MPE limits for artificial optical radiation this piece of work was focused on the investigation of the level of visible light attenuation needed by automatic welding filters in case of switching failure. Results from the comparison of different exposure standards were employed in investigating the need of Vis/IR and blue light transmittance requirement for automatic welding filters. Real and arbitrary spectra were taken into consideration for the worst and best case scenarios of artificial optical radiations. An excel worksheet developed during the execution of this project took into consideration the exposure from different light sources and the precision of the spectrometer used in measuring the transmittances of a welding filter. The worksheet was developed and tested with known product properties to investigate the validity of its formulation. The conclusion drawn from this project was that attenuation in the light state will be needed for products with the darkest state shade 11 or higher. Also shown is that current welding filter protects the eye well enough even in the case of switching failure. / Nya resultat inom den biologiska forskningen har visat att de tidigare gränserna för högsta tillåtna exponering (MPE) av artificiell optisk strålning för skydd av arbetare, var strängare än nödvändigt. Utgående från färska gränsvärden för artificiell optisk strålning har det här arbetet fokuserat på att undersöka vilken nivå av dämpning av det synliga ljuset som är nödvändig när ett automatiskt svetsglas fallerar att slå om vid svets. Resultat från jämförelse mellan olika standarder för maximal exponering användes som utgångspunkt för att undersöka behovet av krav på Vis/IR- och blåljustransmittans för automatiska svetsglas. Verkliga och antagna spektralfördelningar användes för att simulera olika fall av artificiell optisk strålning. Ett excel-diagram för att beräkna exponeringsvärden från olika ljuskällor samt att beräkna vikta detransmittanser utgående från spektrala transmittansmätningar på svetsfilter togs fram under projektets gång. Excel-diagrammet utvecklades och testades utgående från kända produktegenskaper för att verifiera tillförlitligheten. Slutsatsen från det här projektet är att det behövs dämpning av det synliga ljuset i ljusa läget om täthetsgraden i det mörkaste läget är 11 eller högre. Det visades också att ett befintligt automatiskt svetsglas med stor marginal ger tillräckligt skydd även om produkten fallerar att slå om vid svets.

Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 26-29).

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2016-08-18T12:43:12Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) TESE MESTRADO JESUS PAVON.pdf: 10424016 bytes, checksum: e34855e82c43c610bfad8eca83df6ebe (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-18T12:43:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) TESE MESTRADO JESUS PAVON.pdf: 10424016 bytes, checksum: e34855e82c43c610bfad8eca83df6ebe (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-09-03 / CNPq / Neste trabalho apresentamos um estudo da geração de luz no azul, em vapor de rubídio, devido à ação combinada de um trem de pulsos ultracurtos (fs) e um laser contínuo (diodo). Os dois feixes com polarizações paralelas e lineares, operando em 780 nm (diodo) e 776 nm (fs), são focalizados no centro da célula de Rb, e são responsáveis por cada etapa da transição de dois fótons 5S1/2 - 5P3/2 - 5D. Na configuração de feixes co-propagantes, uma coerência entre as transições 5S1/2 - 5P3/2 - 5D - 6P é induzida e, na condição de casamento de fase, um feixe azul, coerente, é gerado em 420 nm, através de um processo de mistura de quarto ondas. Medidas do espectro de excitação em função da frequência do laseres de diodo, para diferentes temperaturas da amostra e intensidades dos laseres incidentes, indicam uma forte competição entre os efeitos de saturação, ganho e absorção. Estudos de polarização e uma comparação com os recentes resultados de fluorescência permitem caracterizar para que parâmetros o mecanismo de mistura de ondas é responsável pelo sinal observado. Utilizando um laser de femtosegundos com uma taxa de repetição da ordem de 76 MHz, é possível observar, dentro do perfil Doppler, a contribuição dos diferentes modos do pente de frequência na geração do feixe coerente. / We present a study of blue light generation, in rubidium vapor, due to the combined action of a train of ultrashort pulses (fs) and a continuous laser (diode). The two beams with parallel and linear polarizations, operating at 780 nm (diode) and 776 nm (fs) are focused on the center of the Rb cell and are responsible for each step of the two photon transition from 55S1/2 - 5P3/2 - 5D. In the configuration of the co-propagating beams, a coherence between the 5S1/2 - 5P3/2 - 5D - 6P transitions is induced and, in phase matching condition, a blue coherent beam is generated at 420 nm through a process of four wave mixing. The measurements of excitation spectrum as a function of the frequency of the diode laser, for different temperatures of the sample and intensities of the incident laseres, indicate a strong competition among saturation, gain and absorption effects. The polarization studies and a comparison with recent results of fluorescence are used to characterize the parameters for which the wave mixing mechanism is responsible for the observed signal. Using a femtosecond laser with a repetition rate of about 76 MHz, it is possible observe, within the Doppler profile, the contribution of the different modes of the frequency comb in the generation of the coherent beam.

A produção de leite e de seus derivados lácteos geram grande impacto no setor agroindustrial. Classificado como um dos alimentos mais completos, o leite é rico em nutrientes essenciais ao crescimento e à manutenção de uma vida saudável. Em contrapartida, os constituintes do leite propiciam excelente meio de cultura para o desenvolvimento de microrganismos, desde o momento da ordenha até a chegada ao consumidor final. Neste contexto, estudos acerca de novas alternativas que auxiliem no controle da qualidade do leite são essenciais. A fotoinativação com luz azul tem surgido como uma alternativa antimicrobiana em potencial na indústria alimentícia, pois exerce atividade antimicrobiana intrínseca, sem o envolvimento de substâncias fotossensibilizadoras exógenas. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a efetividade da fotoinativação por luz azul (LED azul, &lambda;&#61; 410 ± 15 nm, 100 mW) sobre Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes e Mycobacterium fortuitum suspensos em leite integral UHT e solução PBS. Os resultados demonstraram a fotinativação de todas as cepas empregadas no estudo pela luz azul, em tempos distintos, independentemente do meio utilizado, isto é, M. fortuitum, S. aureus, E. coli e L. monocytogenes apresentaram cinética de fotoinativação diferentes entre si, quando suspensos no leite ou no PBS (p<0,0001). O fator de resistência R foi menor que 1 (R < 1) em meio leite, sendo 0,82, 0,78, 0,88 e 0,81 para S.aureus, E. coli, L. monocytogenes e M. fortuitum, nesta ordem, apresentando-se, portanto, mais sensíveis à luz azul nos tempos iniciais e ocorrendo fotoinativação em maior proporção neste período. Quando suspensos em PBS, à semelhança do meio leite, L. monocytogenes e E. coli, apresentaram valor de R < 1 (0,87 e 0,81, respectivamente), ao passo que S. aureus e M. fortuitum apresentaram R > 1, isto é, 1,06 e 1,46, respectivamente, demonstrando maior resistência à fotoinativação nos períodos iniciais e tornando-se mais sensíveis conforme o tempo de irradiação progredia. Concluiu-se que a luz azul foi capaz de fotoinativar, in vitro, cepas de S. aureus, E. coli, L. monocytogenes e M.fortuitum, suspensas em PBS e em leite integral UHT. A fotoinativação com luz azul apresenta caráter inovador, sendo uma alternativa potencialmente promissora no controle da contaminação por microrganismos na indústria láctea / The production of milk and its dairy products have great impact on the agro-industrial sector. Considered as one of the most complete foods, milk is full of essential nutrients required for growth and maintenance of a healthy life. On the other hand, the composition of milk makes it an excellent growth medium for many microorganisms, from the moment of milking to its arrival to the final consumer. In this context, studies toward the search for new alternatives are essential for milk quality improvement. The photoinactivation by blue light has emerged as an alternative antimicrobial approach in the food industry due to its intrinsic antimicrobial properties without the involvement of exogenous photosensitizers. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of blue light photoinactivation (blue LED, &lambda; &#61; 410 ± 15 nm, 100 mW) on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Mycobacterium fortuitum strains suspended in UHT whole milk and PBS medium. All used strains was sucesssfully photoinactivated by the blue light, at different moments, regardless of the medium used, i.e., M. fortuitum, S. aureus, E. coli and L. monocytogenes presented different photoinactivation kinetics when suspended in the UHT whole milk or PBS (p < 0.0001). The resistance R factor was less than 1 (R < 1) in milk medium, with 0.82, 0.78, 0.88 and 0.81 for S. aureus, E. coli, L. monocytogenes and M. fortuitum, respectively, meaning that the strains were most sensitive to blue light in the initial times, when the photoinactivation was higher. When suspended in PBS, as occurred in the the milk medium, L. monocytogenes and E. coli presented R < 1 (0.87 and 0.81, respectively), whereas S. aureus and M. fortuitum demonstrated R > 1, i.e., 1.06 and 1.46, respectively, indicating higher photoinactivation resistance in the initial stages and higher sensibility as the irradiation time progressed. We concluded that blue light promoted in vitro photoinactivation of the strains of S. aureus, E. coli, L. monocytogenes and M.fortuitum, suspended in PBS and UHT whole milk. The photoinactivation by blue light presents an innovative approach and a promising and exciting alternative for microbial contamination control in dairy industry

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae when growing on solid medium forms structured colonies. During its development, two subpopulations of cells are formed, termed as U cells ("upper cells") and L cells ("lower cells"). This nomenclature derives from their position within the colony. These cells differ from each other considering their morphology, metabolism, physiology and are characterized by varying degrees of resistance to stress. This diploma thesis deals with new methodological approaches that can be used in further research of yeast differentiation. The first part deals with yeast differentiation and de-differentiation. In the experimental part, the development of mechanically mixed yeast colonies was monitored. The development was monitored in situ in the colony section using fluorescence and "wide-field" microscopy. The ability to de-differentiate of already specialized cells was evaluated mainly according to the nature of the expression of the fluorescently labeled protein Ato1p, which serves as a protein marker of U cells. The second part deals with the optogenetic system EL222 and its possible use in yeast. Many optogenetic tools have been described to control various cellular processes using light. One of these optogenetic tools is the EL222 system, which allows the induction of...