Functional near-infrared spectroscopy in non-invasive neuromodulation

Non-invasive cerebral neuromodulation technologies are essential for the reorganization of cerebral neural networks,which have been widely applied in the field of central neurological diseases,such as stroke,Parkinson’s disease,and mental disorders.Although significant advances have been made in neuromodulation technologies,the identification of optimal neurostimulation paramete rs including the co rtical target,duration,and inhibition or excitation pattern is still limited due to the lack of guidance for neural circuits.Moreove r,the neural mechanism unde rlying neuromodulation for improved behavioral performance remains poorly understood.Recently,advancements in neuroimaging have provided insight into neuromodulation techniques.Functional near-infrared spectroscopy,as a novel non-invasive optical brain imaging method,can detect brain activity by measuring cerebral hemodynamics with the advantages of portability,high motion tole rance,and anti-electromagnetic interference.Coupling functional near-infra red spectroscopy with neuromodulation technologies offe rs an opportunity to monitor the cortical response,provide realtime feedbac k,and establish a closed-loop strategy integrating evaluation,feedbac k,and intervention for neurostimulation,which provides a theoretical basis for development of individualized precise neuro rehabilitation.We aimed to summarize the advantages of functional near-infra red spectroscopy and provide an ove rview of the current research on functional near-infrared spectroscopy in transcranial magnetic stimulation,transcranial electrical stimulation,neurofeedback,and braincomputer interfaces.Furthermore,the future perspectives and directions for the application of functional near-infrared spectroscopy in neuromodulation are summarized.In conclusion,functional near-infrared spectroscopy combined with neuromodulation may promote the optimization of central pellral reorganization to achieve better functional recovery form central nervous system diseases.

An Active Deception Defense Model Based on Address Mutation and Fingerprint Camouflage

The static and predictable characteristics of cyber systems give attackers an asymmetric advantage in gathering useful information and launching attacks.To reverse this asymmetric advantage,a new defense idea,called Moving Target Defense(MTD),has been proposed to provide additional selectable measures to complement traditional defense.However,MTD is unable to defeat the sophisticated attacker with fingerprint tracking ability.To overcome this limitation,we go one step beyond and show that the combination of MTD and Deception-based Cyber Defense(DCD)can achieve higher performance than either of them.In particular,we first introduce and formalize a novel attacker model named Scan and Foothold Attack(SFA)based on cyber kill chain.Afterwards,we develop probabilistic models for SFA defenses to provide a deeper analysis of the theoretical effect under different defense strategies.These models quantify attack success probability and the probability that the attacker will be deceived under various conditions,such as the size of address space,and the number of hosts,attack analysis time.Finally,the experimental results show that the actual defense effect of each strategy almost perfectly follows its probabilistic model.Also,the defense strategy of combining address mutation and fingerprint camouflage can achieve a better defense effect than the single address mutation.

Assessing target optical camouflage effects using brain functional networks:A feasibility study

Brain functional networks model the brain's ability to exchange information across different regions,aiding in the understanding of the cognitive process of human visual attention during target searching,thereby contributing to the advancement of camouflage evaluation.In this study,images with various camouflage effects were presented to observers to generate electroencephalography(EEG)signals,which were then used to construct a brain functional network.The topological parameters of the network were subsequently extracted and input into a machine learning model for training.The results indicate that most of the classifiers achieved accuracy rates exceeding 70%.Specifically,the Logistic algorithm achieved an accuracy of 81.67%.Therefore,it is possible to predict target camouflage effectiveness with high accuracy without the need to calculate discovery probability.The proposed method fully considers the aspects of human visual and cognitive processes,overcomes the subjectivity of human interpretation,and achieves stable and reliable accuracy.

Towards complex scenes: A deep learning-based camouflaged people detection method for snapshot multispectral images

Camouflaged people are extremely expert in actively concealing themselves by effectively utilizing cover and the surrounding environment. Despite advancements in optical detection capabilities through imaging systems, including spectral, polarization, and infrared technologies, there is still a lack of effective real-time method for accurately detecting small-size and high-efficient camouflaged people in complex real-world scenes. Here, this study proposes a snapshot multispectral image-based camouflaged detection model, multispectral YOLO(MS-YOLO), which utilizes the SPD-Conv and Sim AM modules to effectively represent targets and suppress background interference by exploiting the spatial-spectral target information. Besides, the study constructs the first real-shot multispectral camouflaged people dataset(MSCPD), which encompasses diverse scenes, target scales, and attitudes. To minimize information redundancy, MS-YOLO selects an optimal subset of 12 bands with strong feature representation and minimal inter-band correlation as input. Through experiments on the MSCPD, MS-YOLO achieves a mean Average Precision of 94.31% and real-time detection at 65 frames per second, which confirms the effectiveness and efficiency of our method in detecting camouflaged people in various typical desert and forest scenes. Our approach offers valuable support to improve the perception capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles in detecting enemy forces and rescuing personnel in battlefield.

Spatial sensitivity to absorption changes for various near-infrared spectroscopy methods:A compendium review

This compendium review focuses on the spatial distribution of sensitivity to localized absorption changes in optically diffuse media,particularly for measurements relevant to near-infrared spectroscopy.The three temporal domains,continuous wave,frequency domain,and time domain,each obtain different optical data types whose changes may be related to effective homogeneous changes in the absorption coefficient.Sensitivity is the relationship between a localized perturbation and the recovered effective homogeneous absorption change.Therefore,spatial sensitivity maps representing the perturbation location can be generated for the numerous optical data types in the three temporal domains.The review first presents a history of the past 30 years of work investigating this sensitivity in optically diffuse media.These works are experimental and theoretical,presenting one-,two-,and three-dimensional sensitivity maps for different Near-Infrared Spectroscopy methods,domains,and data types.Following this history,we present a compendium of sensitivity maps organized by temporal domain and then data type.This compendium provides a valuable tool to compare the spatial sensitivity of various measurement methods and parameters in one document.Methods for one to generate these maps are provided in Appendix A,including the code.This historical review and comprehensive sensitivity map compendium provides a single source researchers may use to visualize,investigate,compare,and generate sensitivity to localized absorption change maps.

What If I Told You Camouflage is a Myth? Animal Coloration is Mainly A-biotic and not Biotic (Camouflage)

In the present article,the author posits that the perception that animals apparently display a strategy of avoiding detection by means of camouflage—i.e.,by disguising themselves in the natural colours of their environment—is not the actual case in nature but,rather,merely anecdotal.Animal coloration is mainly a-biotic(eco-physiological)and not biotic(camouflage).The contention regarding the absence of the phenomenon of camouflage among animals as a common evolutionary response is based on three arguments:(1)that reflecting the natural colours of the environment is linked to ecophysiology;(2)that predator and prey constitute“an evolutionary pair”and,accordingly,they know how to identify one another(in order to survive they employ different strategies,of which camouflage is not one of them);and (3)that the approach of relating animal camouflage to reflecting the colours of the environment is an anthropocentric one.Rather than the accepted biotic-ethological approach(colour camouflage),the present article suggests the recognition of a-biotic and eco-physiological conditions as a distinct research field,whose title“Reflection of environmental colours by animals”,along with this article,calls for eco-physiologists to demonstrate that this approach indeed offers a special contribution to the understanding of colouration in animals.

A highly sensitive ratiometric near-infrared nanosensor based on erbium-hyperdoped silicon quantum dots for iron(Ⅲ) detection

Ratiometric fluorescent detection of iron(Ⅲ)(Fe^(3+))offers inherent self-calibration and contactless analytic capabilities.However,realizing a dual-emission near-infrared(NIR)nanosensor with a low limit of detection(LOD)is rather challenging.In this work,we report the synthesis of water-dispersible erbium-hyperdoped silicon quantum dots(Si QDs:Er),which emit NIR light at the wavelengths of 810 and 1540 nm.A dual-emission NIR nanosensor based on water-dispersible Si QDs:Er enables ratiometric Fe^(3+)detection with a very low LOD(0.06μM).The effects of pH,recyclability,and the interplay between static and dynamic quenching mechanisms for Fe^(3+)detection have been systematically studied.In addition,we demonstrate that the nanosensor may be used to construct a sequential logic circuit with memory functions.

Cortical activity in patients with high-functioning ischemic stroke during the Purdue Pegboard Test:insights into bimanual coordinated fine motor skills with functional near-infrared spectroscopy

After stroke,even high-functioning individuals may experience compromised bimanual coordination and fine motor dexterity,leading to reduced functional independence.Bilateral arm training has been proposed as a promising intervention to address these deficits.However,the neural basis of the impairment of functional fine motor skills and their relationship to bimanual coordination performance in stroke patients remains unclear,limiting the development of more targeted interventions.To address this gap,our study employed functional near-infrared spectroscopy to investigate cortical responses in patients after stroke as they perform functional tasks that engage fine motor control and coordination.Twenty-four high-functioning patients with ischemic stroke(7 women,17 men;mean age 64.75±10.84 years)participated in this cross-sectional observational study and completed four subtasks from the Purdue Pegboard Test,which measures unimanual and bimanual finger and hand dexterity.We found significant bilateral activation of the sensorimotor cortices during all Purdue Pegboard Test subtasks,with bimanual tasks inducing higher cortical activation than the assembly subtask.Importantly,patients with better bimanual coordination exhibited lower cortical activation during the other three Purdue Pegboard Test subtasks.Notably,the observed neural response patterns varied depending on the specific subtask.In the unaffected hand task,the differences were primarily observed in the ipsilesional hemisphere.In contrast,the bilateral sensorimotor cortices and the contralesional hemisphere played a more prominent role in the bimanual task and assembly task,respectively.While significant correlations were found between cortical activation and unimanual tasks,no significant correlations were observed with bimanual tasks.This study provides insights into the neural basis of bimanual coordination and fine motor skills in high-functioning patients after stroke,highlighting task-dependent neural responses.The findings also suggest that patients who exhibit better bimanual performance demonstrate more efficient cortical activation.Therefore,incorporating bilateral arm training in post-stroke rehabilitation is important for better outcomes.The combination of functional near-infrared spectroscopy with functional motor paradigms is valuable for assessing skills and developing targeted interventions in stroke rehabilitation.

Near-infrared cholangiography with intragallbladder indocyanine green injection in minimally invasive cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)remains one of the most commonly performed procedures in adult and paediatric populations.Despite the advances made in intraoperative biliary anatomy recognition,iatrogenic bile duct injuries during LC represent a fatal complication and consist an economic burden for healthcare systems.A series of methods have been proposed to prevent bile duct injury,among them the use of indocyanine green(ICG)fluorescence.The most commonly reported method of ICG injection is the intravenous administration,while literature is lacking studies investigating the direct intragallbladder ICG injection.This narrative mini-review aims to assess the potential applications,usefulness,and limitations of intragallbladder ICG fluorescence in LC.Authors screened the available international literature to identify the reports of intragallbladder ICG fluorescence imaging in minimally invasive cholecystectomy,as well as special issues regarding its use.Literature search retrieved four prospective cohort studies,three case-control studies,and one case report.In the three case-control studies selected,intragallbladder near-infrared cholangiography(NIRC)was compared with standard LC under white light,with intravenous administration of ICG for NIRC and with standard intraoperative cholangiography(IOC).In total,133 patients reported in the literature have been administered intragallbladder ICG administration for biliary mapping during LC.Literature includes several reports of intragallbladder ICG administration,but a standardized technique has not been established yet.Published data suggest that NIRC with intragallbladder ICG injection is a promising method to achieve biliary mapping,overwhelming limitations of IOC including intervention and radiation exposure,as well as the high hepatic parenchyma signal and time interval needed in intravenous ICG fluorescence.Evidence-based guidelines on the role of intragallbladder ICG fluorescence in LC require the assessment of further studies and multicenter data collection into large registries.

RBC Membrane Camouflaged Semiconducting Polymer Nanoparticles for Near-Infrared Photoacoustic Imaging and Photothermal Therapy

Semiconducting conjugated polymer nanoparticles(SPNs)represent an emerging class of phototheranostic materi-als with great promise for cancer treatment.In this report,low-bandgap electron donoracceptor(DA)-conjugated SPNs with sur-face cloaked by red blood cell membrane(RBCM)are developed for highly e ective photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy.The resulting RBCM-coated SPN(SPN@RBCM)displays remarkable near-infrared light absorption and good photosta-bility,as well as high photothermal conver-sion e ciency for photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy.Particularly,due to the small size(<5 nm),SPN@RBCM has the advantages of deep tumor penetration and rapid clearance from the body with no appreciable toxicity.The RBCM endows the SPNs with prolonged systematic circulation time,less reticuloendothelial system uptake and reduced immune-recognition,hence improving tumor accumulation after intravenous injection,which provides strong photoacoustic signals and exerts excellent photothermal therapeutic e ects.Thus,this work provides a valuable paradigm for safe and highly e cient tumor pho-toacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy for further clinical translation.

Dual Attribute Adversarial Camouflage toward camouflaged object detection

The object detectors can precisely detect the camouflaged object beyond human perception.The investigations reveal that the CNNs-based(Convolution Neural Networks)detectors are vulnerable to adversarial attacks.Some works can fool detectors by crafting the adversarial camouflage attached to the object,leading to wrong prediction.It is hard for military operations to utilize the existing adversarial camouflage due to its conspicuous appearance.Motivated by this,this paper proposes the Dual Attribute Adversarial Camouflage(DAAC)for evading the detection by both detectors and humans.Generating DAAC includes two steps:(1)Extracting features from a specific type of scene to generate individual soldier digital camouflage;(2)Attaching the adversarial patch with scene features constraint to the individual soldier digital camouflage to generate the adversarial attribute of DAAC.The visual effects of the individual soldier digital camouflage and the adversarial patch will be improved after integrating with the scene features.Experiment results show that objects camouflaged by DAAC are well integrated with background and achieve visual concealment while remaining effective in fooling object detectors,thus evading the detections by both detectors and humans in the digital domain.This work can serve as the reference for crafting the adversarial camouflage in the physical world.

A camouflage target detection method based on local minimum difference constraints

To address the problems of missing inside and incomplete edge contours in camouflaged target detection results,we propose a camouflaged moving target detection algorithm based on local minimum difference constraints(LMDC).The algorithm first uses the mean to optimize the initial background model,removes the stable background region by global comparison,and extracts the edge point set in the potential target region so that each boundary point(seed)grows along the center of the target.Finally,we define the minor difference constraints term,combine the seed path and the target space consistency,and calculate the attributes of each pixel in the potential target area to realize camouflaged moving target detection.The algorithm of this paper is verified based on a public data sofa video and test videos and compared with the five classic algorithms.The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm yields good results based on integrity,accuracy,and a number of objective evaluation indexes,and its overall performance is better than that of the compared algorithms.

Near-infrared spectroscopy method for rapid proximate quantitative analysis of nutrient composition in Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas

Glycogen,amino acids,fatty acids,and other nutrient components affect the flavor and nutritional quality of oysters.Methods based on near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy(NIRS)were developed to rapidly and proximately determine the nutrient content of the Pacific oyster Crassostreagigas.Samples of C.gigas from 19 costal sites were freeze-dried,ground,and scanned for spectral data collection using a Fourier transform NIR spectrometer(Thermo Fisher Scientific).NIRS models of glycogen and other nutrients were established using partial least squares,multiplication scattering correction first-order derivation,and Norris smoothing.The R_(C) values of the glycogen,fatty acids,amino acids,and taurine NIRS models were 0.9678,0.9312,0.9132,and 0.8928,respectively,and the residual prediction deviation(RPD)values of these components were 3.15,2.16,3.11,and 1.59,respectively,indicating a high correlation between the predicted and observed values,and that the models can be used in practice.The models were used to evaluate the nutrient compositions of 1278 oyster samples.Glycogen content was found to be positively correlated with fatty acids and negatively correlated with amino acids.The glycogen,amino acid,and taurine levels of C.gigas cultured in the subtidal and intertidal zones were also significantly different.This study suggests that C.gigas NIRS models can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods for the rapid and proximate analysis of various slaughter traits and may also contribute to future genetic and breeding-related studies in Pacific oysters.

Synchronous measurements of prefrontal activity and pulse rate variability during online video game playing with functional near-infrared spectroscopy

Interactions between the central nervous system(CNS)and autonomic nervous system(ANS)play a crucial role in modulating perception,cognition,and emotion production.Previous studies on CNS–ANS interactions,or heart–brain coupling,have often used heart rate variability(HRV)metrics derived from electrocardiography(ECG)recordings as empirical measurements of sympathetic and parasympathetic activities.Functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS)is a functional brain imaging modality that is increasingly used in brain and cognition studies.The fNIRS signals contain frequency bands representing both neural activity oscillations and heartbeat rhythms.Therefore,fNIRS data acquired in neuroimaging studies can potentially provide a single-modality approach to measure task-induced responses in the brain and ANS synchronously,allowing analysis of CNS–ANS interactions.In this proof-of-concept study,fNIRS was used to record hemodynamic changes from the foreheads of 20 university students as they each played a round of multiplayer online battle arena(MOBA)game.From the fNIRS recordings,neural and heartbeat frequency bands were extracted to assess prefrontal activities and shortterm pulse rate variability(PRV),an approximation for short-term HRV,respectively.Under the experimental conditions used,fNIRS-derived PRV metrics showed good correlations with ECG-derived HRV golden standards,in terms of absolute measurements and video game playing(VGP)-related changes.It was also observed that,similar to previous studies on physical activity and exercise,the PRV metrics closely related to parasympathetic activities recovered slower than the PRV indicators of sympathetic activities after VGP.It is concluded that it is feasible to use fNIRS to monitor concurrent brain and ANS activations during online VGP,facilitating the understanding of VGP-related heart–brain coupling.

A small-spot deformation camouflage design algorithm based on background texture matching

In order to solve the problem of poor fusion between the spots of deformation camouflage and the background,a small-spot deformation camouflage design algorithm based on background texture matching is proposed in this research.The combination of spots and textures improved the fusion of the spot pattern and the background.An adversarial autoencoder convolutional network was designed to extract background texture features.The image adversarial loss was added and the reconstruction loss was improved to improve the clarity of the generated texture pattern and the generalization ability of the model.The digital camouflage was formed by obtaining the mean value of the square area and replacing the main color.At the same time,the spots in the square area with a side length of 2 s were subjected to simple linear iterative clustering to form irregular small-spot camouflage.A dataset with a scale of 1050 was established in the experiment.The training results of three different loss functions were investigated.The results showed that the proposed loss function could enhance the generalization of the model and improve the quality of the generated texture image.A variety of digital camouflages with main colors and irregular small-spot camouflage were generated,and their efficiency was tested.On the one hand,intuitive evaluation was given by personnel observing the camouflage pattern embedded in the background and its contour map calculated by the canny operator.On the other hand,objective comparison result was formed by calculating the 4 evaluation indexes between the camouflage pattern and the background.Both results showed that the generated pattern had a high degree of fusion with the background.This model could balance the relationship between the spot size,the number of main colors and the actual effect according to actual needs.

High efficiency and high transmission asymmetric polarization converter with chiral metasurface in visible and near-infrared region

Polarization manipulation of light is of great importance because it could promote development of wireless communications,biosensing,and polarization imaging.In order to use natural light more efficiently,it is highly demanded to design and fabricate high performance asymmetric polarization converters which could covert the natural light to one particular linearly polarized light with high efficiency.Traditionally,polarizers could be achieved by controllers with crystals and polymers exhibiting birefringence.However,the polarizers are bulky in size and the theoretical conversion efficiency of the polarizers is limited to 0.5 with unpolarized light incidence.In this paper,we propose a polarization converter which could preserve high transmission for one linearly polarized light and convert the orthogonal linearly polarized light to its cross-polarized with high transmittance based on a multi-layer chiral metasurface.Theoretical results show that normally incident y-polarized light preserves high transmittance for the wavelength range from 685 nm to 800 nm while the orthogonal normally incident x-polarized light is efficiently converted to the y-polarized light with high transmittance from 725 nm to 748 nm.Accordingly,for unpolarized light incidence,transmittance larger than 0.5 has been successfully achieved in a broadband wavelength range from 712 nm to 773 nm with a maximum transmittance of 0.58 at 732 nm.

Deep-red and near-infrared organic lasers based on centrosymmetric molecules with excited-state intramolecular double proton transfer activity

Organic lasers that emit light in the deep-red and near-infrared(NIR)region are of essential importance in laser communication,night vision,bioimaging,and information-secured displays but are still challenging because of the lack of proper gain materials.Herein,a new molecular design strategy that operates by merging two excited-state intramolecular proton transfer-active molecules into one excited-state double proton transfer(ESDPT)-active molecule was demonstrated.Based on this new strategy,three new materials were designed and synthesized with two groups of intramolecular resonance-assisted hydrogen bonds,in which the ESDPT process was proven to proceed smoothly based on theoretical calculations and experimental results of steady-state and transient spectra.Benefiting from the effective six-level system constructed by the ESDPT process,all newly designed materials showed low threshold laser emissions at approximately 720 nm when doped in PS microspheres,which in turn proved the existence of the second proton transfer process.More importantly,our well-developed NIR organic lasers showed high laser stability,which can maintain high laser intensity after 12000 pulse lasing,which is essential in practical applications.This work provides a simple and effective method for the development of NIR organic gain materials and demonstrates the ESDPT mechanism for NIR lasing.

Superiority of indocyanine green-enhanced near-infrared fluorescence-guided imaging for laparoscopic lymph node dissection in patients with early-stage endometrial cancer: A retrospective cohort study

Objective:Laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection(LPND),which is an effective therapy for endometrial cancer,is challenging because of the complexity of the procedure and the occurrence of postoperative complications.This study aimed to explore whether indocyanine green(ICG)-enhanced nearinfrared(NIR)fluorescence-guided LPND is superior to LPND in the context of early-stage endometrial carcinoma.Methods:In this retrospective study,we included the medical records of 190 patients with early-stage endometrioid adenocarcinoma who underwent LPND at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine between January 2019 and January 2021.Depending on whether ICG-enhanced NIR fluorescence guidance was used,the patients were assigned to the ICG group or non-ICG group.Patients were followed-up for one year after surgery.Data on demographic characteristics,pathological results,operative outcomes,and complications were collected and analyzed.Results:The baseline characteristics were comparable between the ICG group and non-ICG group,including age,BMI,pregnancy history,and preoperative hemoglobin.For surgical outcomes,the patients in ICG group had significantly lower intraoperative blood loss(50 mL vs.120 mL,p<0.001),less postoperative pelvic drainage time(4.14±1.44 d vs.5.70±1.89 d,p¼0.001),shorter duration of hospital stay(5.26±1.41 d vs.7.37±1.85 d,p¼0.003),higher number of positive pelvic lymph nodes(PLNs)(1 vs.0,p¼0.003),and more PLN-positive cases(16.0%vs.3.6%,p¼0.003)than the patients in non-ICG group.However,no significant differences were noted in blood transfusion requirement,operative time,hemoglobin level decreases,number of PLNs harvested,or the presence of lymphocysts between the two groups.Conclusion:Our study showed that ICG-enhanced NIR fluorescence-guided operation may improve the accuracy and safety of LPND.

Near-infrared leaf reflectance modeling of Annona emarginata seedlings for early detection of variations in nitrogen concentration

Nitrogen(N)monitoring is essential in nurseries to ensure the production of high-quality seedlings.Nearinfrared spectroscopy(NIRS)is an instantaneous,nondestructive method to monitor N.Spectral data such as NIRS can also provide the basis for developing a new vegetation spectral index(VSI).Here,we evaluated whether NIRS combined with statistical modeling can accurately detect early variations in N concentration in leaves of young plants of Annona emargiaata and developed a new VSI for this task.Plants were grown in a hydroponics system with 0,2.75,5.5or 11 mM N for 45 days.Then we measured gas exchange,chlorophylla fluorescence,and pigments in leaves;analyzed complete leaf nutrients,and recorded spectral data for leaves at 966 to 1685 nm using NIRS.With a statistical learning approach,the dimensionality of the spectral data was reduced,then models were generated using two classes(N deficiency,N)or four classes(0,2.75,5.5,11 mM N).The best combination of techniques for dimensionality reduction and classification,respectively,was stepwise regression(PROC STEPDISC)and linear discriminant function.It was possible to detect N deficiency in seedlings leaves with 100%precision,and the four N concentrations with93.55%accuracy before photosynthetic damage to the plant occurred.Thereby,NIRS combined with statistical modeling of multidimensional data is effective for detecting N variations in seedlings leaves of A.emarginata.

Photoprotective Ability of Sunscreens against Ultraviolet, Visible Light and Near-Infrared Radiation

Despite the widespread prevalence of daily sunscreen usage, solar-induced skin damage continues to occur. We have previously reported that solar visible light and near-infrared, in addition to ultraviolet radiation, perform as aging factors and induce deleterious effects such as photoaging, vasodilation, muscle thinning, skin ptosis, photoimmunosupression and photocarcinogenesis. Despite this, most commonly used sunscreens only block ultraviolet radiation. To evaluate the complete solar-spectrum blocking ability of sunscreens produced by internationally well-known companies, a double-beam spectrophotometer was used to optically measure the transmission spectra. The spectrophotometer utilizes a unique, single monochromatic design covering a wavelength range of 240 to 2600 nm. Sunscreens (thickness, 0.1 mm, SPF50+, PA+++ or ++++) from internationally well-known companies blocked 78.8% - 99.9% of ultraviolet, 33.4% - 99.6% of visible light, and 27.0% - 76.4% of near-infrared. It can be concluded that while most commercially available sunscreens filter ultraviolet radiation, they are not effective at blocking visible light and near-infrared radiation. The results of this study imply that sunscreens that provide comprehensive photoprotection from ultraviolet through to near-infrared should be considered to prevent skin photodamage.