Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for inspection, under a microscope, of end connectors of fiber optic cables are provided. In one aspect, a light ring including a circular array of light sources provides darkfield illumination to an end connector being inspected under a microscope. Each of the light sources may be lit in series and the resulting shadows may be used to identify dirt on the end connector, as well as to determine whether any dirt identified on the end connector can be cleaned off. In another aspect, a light ring combined with a redirection ring (e.g., a reflector and/or refractor ring) may provide darkfield illumination. In yet another aspect, a series of images may be captured and analyzed to automatically identify dirt on the end connector, as well as to determine whether any identified dirt can be cleaned off.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, systems, and methods comprising engineered effector proteins and uses thereof. These effector proteins may be characterized as CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins. Various compositions, systems, and methods of the present disclosure may leverage the activities of these effector proteins for the modification, detection, and engineering of nucleic acids.

Abstract: Provided herein, in certain embodiments, are programmable nucleases, guide nucleic acids, and complexes thereof. Certain programmable nucleases provided herein comprise a RuvC domain. Also provided herein are nucleic acids encoding said programmable nucleases and guide nucleic acids. Also provided herein are methods of genome editing, methods of regulating gene expression, and methods of detecting nucleic acids with said programmable nucleases and guide nucleic acids.

Abstract: A variable optical attenuator (VOA) may include an input collimator with an input fiber connected on one side and an output collimator with an output fiber connected on one side, where the collimators are on a same surface of a VOA enclosure. A retroreflector may receive a light beam from the input collimator and reflect the light beam to the output collimator. The VOA may include an attenuation element positioned between the input collimator and the retroreflector and/or another attenuation element positioned between the retroreflector and the output collimator to provide variable attenuation to the light beam. The attenuation elements may be moved to set an attenuation level by one or more adjustment elements such as a miniature motor. The attenuation element may include a gradient index (GRIN) element, a polarizer, a neutral density filter, or a wavelength tunable filter.

Abstract: A system for a high resolution optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) using various optical configurations to reduce polarization dependent loss (PDL) is disclosed. The system may include a birefringent element to receive an input optical beam. The birefringent element may then split the optical beam into at least two exit beams. The system may also include an optical configuration comprising at least one optical element. The optical configuration may receive the at least two exit beams from the birefringent element and transform at least one of the two exit beams using the at least one optical element to provide two parallel beams with parallel polarizations. The optical configuration may then output the two parallel beams with parallel polarizations to a downstream optical element, such as a diffraction grating, or other optical element.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, systems, and methods for engineering hematopoietic stem cells that engineered by using polypeptides, such as effector proteins, and guide nucleic acids. Also, provided herein are the engineered hematopoietic stem cells, methods of manufacturing such hematopoietic stem cells, and methods of treating a disease or disorder using such hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions of effector proteins. The compositions may comprise engineered guide nucleic acids. Also disclosed are the methods and systems for detecting and modifying target nucleic acids using the same. The compositions may provide nucleic acid modification and/or detection at relatively high temperatures.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, systems, and methods comprising effector proteins and uses thereof. These effector proteins may be characterized as CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins. Various compositions, systems, and methods of the present disclosure may leverage the activities of these effector proteins for the modification, detection, and engineering of nucleic acids.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, systems, and methods comprising effector proteins and uses thereof. These effector proteins are shown to be active with guide RNAs and may be characterized as CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins. Various compositions, systems, and methods of the present disclosure leverage the activities of these effector proteins for the modification, detection, and engineering of nucleic acids.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, systems, and methods comprising effector proteins and uses thereof. These effector proteins may be characterized as CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins. Various compositions, systems, and methods of the present disclosure may leverage the activities of these effector proteins for the modification, detection, and engineering of nucleic acids.

Abstract: According to examples, a system for measuring polarization dependent loss (PDL) for a device-under-test (DUT) may include a tunable laser, a polarization element and a power meter. The tunable laser may emit an optical signal to sweep across an optical band at a constant rate. The polarization element may scramble polarizations states of the optical signal emitted from the tunable laser. The power meter may take power measurements associated with the optical signal emitted from the tunable laser, wherein the power measurements from the power meter are used to determine a maximum insertion loss (IL) and a minimum insertion loss (IL) associated with the device-under-test (DUT). An average insertion loss (IL) and a polarization dependent loss (PDL) for the device-under-test (DUT) may be calculated based on the maximum insertion loss (IL) and the minimum insertion loss (IL) associated with the device-under-test (DUT).

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, systems, and methods comprising effector proteins, effector partners, and uses thereof. These effector proteins may be characterized as CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins. Various compositions, systems, and methods of the present disclosure may leverage the activities of these effector proteins for the modification, detection, and/or engineering of nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods of use for a Type VI CRISPR/Cas nuclease. Type VI CRISPR/Cas nucleases are able to bind to a target nucleic acid, thereby activating trans-collateral nuclease activity on nucleic acid reports. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides methods to modify ribonucleic acid sequences using the programmable nucleases disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes CRISPR/Cas proteins and guide RNA combinations that are capable of modifying nucleic acids at high temperatures. These compositions are especially useful for systems and methods of nucleic acid detection, including diagnostic devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods of use for Type V CRISPR/Cas proteins. Type V CRISPR/Cas proteins may be configured to bind and modify nucleic acids in a sequence specific manner.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, systems, and methods comprising effector proteins and uses thereof. These effector proteins are shown to be active with guide RNAs and may be characterized as CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins. Various compositions, systems, and methods of the present disclosure leverage the activities of these effector proteins for the modification, detection, and engineering of nucleic acids.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, systems, and methods comprising effector proteins, effector partners, and uses thereof. These effector proteins may be characterized as CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins. Various compositions, systems, and methods of the present disclosure may leverage the activities of these effector proteins for the modification, detection, and/or engineering of nucleic acids.

Abstract: A system for a high resolution optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) using various optical configurations to reduce polarization dependent loss (PDL) is disclosed. The system may include a birefringent element to receive an input optical beam. The birefringent element may then split the optical beam into at least two exit beams. The system may also include an optical configuration comprising at least one optical element. The optical configuration may receive the at least two exit beams from the birefringent element and transform at least one of the two exit beams using the at least one optical element to provide two parallel beams with parallel polarizations. The optical configuration may then output the two parallel beams with parallel polarizations to a downstream optical element, such as a diffraction grating, or other optical element.

Abstract: A variable optical attenuator (VOA) may include an input collimator with an input fiber connected on one side and an output collimator with an output fiber connected on one side, where the collimators are on a same surface of a VOA enclosure. A retroreflector may receive a light beam from the input collimator and reflect the light beam to the output collimator. The VOA may include an attenuation element positioned between the input collimator and the retroreflector and/or another attenuation element positioned between the retroreflector and the output collimator to provide variable attenuation to the light beam. The attenuation elements may be moved to set an attenuation level by one or more adjustment elements such as a miniature motor. The attenuation element may include a gradient index (GRIN) element, a polarizer, a neutral density filter, or a wavelength tunable filter.

Abstract: A system for a high resolution optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) using various optical configurations to reduce polarization dependent loss (PDL) is disclosed. The system may include a birefringent element to receive an input optical beam. The birefringent element may then split the optical beam into at least two exit beams. The system may also include an optical configuration comprising at least one optical element. The optical configuration may receive the at least two exit beams from the birefringent element and transform at least one of the two exit beams using the at least one optical element to provide two parallel beams with parallel polarizations. The optical configuration may then output the two parallel beams with parallel polarizations to a downstream optical element, such as a diffraction grating, or other optical element.