Ultrafast Optical Modulation of Rationally Engineered Photonic–Plasmonic Coupling in Self-Assembled Nanocrystalline Cellulose/Silver Hybrid Material

Controlling light–matter interactions in optoplasmonic structures has recently attracted considerable attention due to their potential applications in metamaterials and metasurfaces. Here we present a bottom-up self-assembly method for large-scale organization of plasmonic silver nanorods (SNRs) into photonic liquid-crystalline cellulose nanocrystal matrices, exhibiting rationally engineered photonic–plasmonic coupling across the near-ultraviolet spectra range. In these metamaterials, we show that the resonant coupling of the photonic–plasmonic mode has a strong effect not only on the stationary optical response of guest SNRs but also on controlling light in ultrashort time scales. By using the time-resolved femtosecond pump–probe technique, we experimentally investigate the relaxation dynamics of SNRs embedded in hybrid photonic–plasmonic systems as the photonic band gap of the host matrix provides a varying local density of optical states to manipulate the radiative lifetimes of SNRs. The close correlation between the structure and optical properties allows for rational design of optoplasmonic composites with tailored plasmonics and light processing, and it also paves the way for a well-defined field enhancement substrate with applications in ultrasensitive spectroscopies

Longer time spent in bed attempting to sleep is associated with rapid renal function decline: the Dongfeng–Tongji cohort study

<p><b>Introduction:</b> Prospective evidence on the relation between time in bed and renal dysfunction remains limited. We aimed to investigate the association of time spent in bed attempting to sleep (TSBS) with renal function decline in a middle-aged and elderly Chinese population.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> About 16,733 eligible participants with a mean age of 62.3 years at baseline were included. Rapid renal function decline was defined as (baseline eGFR − revisit eGFR)/years of follow-up ≥5 mL/min per 1.73 m²/year. A total of 1738 study participants experienced rapid renal function decline after a median 4.6-year follow-up. Logistic regression models were used for multivariate analyses.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of rapid renal function decline was 1.18 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.37) for TSBS ≥9 h/night compared with TSBS 7 to <8 h/night. This association remained significant (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.38) after further adjustment for sleep quality, midday napping and usage of sleeping pills. Particularly, the association appeared to be prominent in individuals with diabetes.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Longer TSBS (≥9 h) was independently associated with an increased risk of rapid renal function decline. Our findings emphasized the importance to have optimal TSBS.Key messages</p><p>Our study firstly investigated the association between time spent in bed attempting to sleep (TSBS) and renal dysfunction in Chinese adults.</p><p>Compared with individuals TSBS 7 to <8 h, individuals with TSBS ≥9 h had 19% increased risk for rapid renal function decline after adjustment for multivariate confounders.</p><p>The association appeared to be prominent in individuals with diabetes.</p><p></p> <p>Our study firstly investigated the association between time spent in bed attempting to sleep (TSBS) and renal dysfunction in Chinese adults.</p> <p>Compared with individuals TSBS 7 to <8 h, individuals with TSBS ≥9 h had 19% increased risk for rapid renal function decline after adjustment for multivariate confounders.</p> <p>The association appeared to be prominent in individuals with diabetes.</p

Free-Standing Optically Switchable Chiral Plasmonic Photonic Crystal Based on Self-Assembled Cellulose Nanorods and Gold Nanoparticles

Photonic crystals incorporating with plasmonic nanoparticles have recently attracted considerable attention due to their novel optical properties and potential applications in future subwavelength optics, biosensing and data storage device. Here we demonstrate a free-standing chiral plasmonic film composed of entropy-driven self-<i>co</i>-assembly of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and rod-like cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). The CNCs–GNPs composite films not only preserve the photonic ordering of the CNCs matrix but also retain the plasmonic resonance of GNPs, leading to a distinct plasmon-induced chiroptical activity and a strong resonant plasmonic–photonic coupling that is confirmed by the stationary and ultrafast transient optical response. Switchable optical activity can be obtained by either varying the incidence angle of lights, or by taking advantage of the responsive feature of the CNCs matrix. Notably, an angle-dependent plasmon resonance in chiral nematic hybrid film has been observed for the first time, which differs drastically from that of the GNPs embed in three-dimensional photonic crystals, revealing a close relation with the structure of the host matrix. The current approach for fabricating device-scale, macroscopic chiral plasmonic materials from abundant CNCs with robust chiral nematic matrix may enable the mass production of functional optical metamaterials