Microvolumetric determination of thrombomodulin based on competitive immunoreaction using a portable glucometer.

A new method of reducing the amount of reagent and sample for determination of thrombomodulin (TM) was developed based on competitive immunoreaction using a portable glucometer (PGM). Two types of nanocomposites, TM protein-modified magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs-TM) and TM antibody-/glucose oxidase-modified gold nanoparticles (Ab-GNPs-GOx), were prepared. Their binding product, MNPs-TM-Ab-GNPs-GOx, in the microvolumetric solution was used to catalyze the oxidation of glucose, leading to a decline of the glucose content. The TM-involved competitive immunoreaction had a negative effect on the generation of MNPs-/GNPs-based nanocomposites and inhibited the catalytic oxidation of glucose. The glucose content difference in the microvolumetric solution, which was revealed by a PGM, was in proportion to the logarithm of the TM concentration from 25 ng mL-1 to 2.5 µg mL-1. The limit of detection was 5.7 ng mL-1. Microvolumetric solution and a PGM were used in the measurement, which overcame some deficiencies of classical methods in chemo/biosensing, for example, special instrument, complicated measurement procedure, and high cost.

Humanoid shaped optical fiber plasmon biosensor functionalized with graphene oxide/multi-walled carbon nanotubes for histamine detection.

Histamine is a biologically active molecule that serves as a reliable predictor of the quality of fish. In this work, authors have developed a novel humanoid-shaped tapered optical fiber (HTOF) biosensor based on the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) phenomenon to detect varying histamine concentrations. In this experiment, a novel and distinctive tapering structure has been developed using a combiner manufacturing system and contemporary processing technologies. Graphene oxide (GO)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are immobilized on the HTOF probe surface to increase the biocompatibility of biosensor. In this instance, GO/MWCNTs are deployed first, then gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Consequently, the GO/MWCNTs help to give abundant space for the immobilization of nanoparticles (AuNPs in this case) as well as increase surface area for the attachment of biomolecules to the fiber surface. By immobilizing AuNPs on the surface of the probe, the evanescent field can stimulate the AuNPs and excite the LSPR phenomena for sensing the histamine. The surface of the sensing probe is functionalized with diamine oxidase enzyme in order to enhance the histamine sensor's particular selectivity. The proposed sensor is demonstrated experimentally to have a sensitivity of 5.5 nm/mM and a detection limit of 59.45 µM in the linear detection range of 0-1000 µM. In addition, the probe's reusability, reproducibility, stability, and selectivity are tested; the results of these indices show that the probe has a high application potential for detecting histamine levels in marine products.

Signal-enhanced multi-core fiber-based WaveFlex biosensor for ultra-sensitive xanthine detection.

In this work, we introduce a novel multimode fiber (MMF) - seven core fiber (SCF) - MMF (MCM) optical fiber biosensor, also known as the WaveFlex biosensor (plasma wave assisted fiber biosensor), based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) for qualitative detection of xanthine. Xanthine is a purine base widely distributed in human blood and tissues, and commonly used as an indicator for various disease detections. The MCM sensor incorporates a tapered optical fiber structure, fabricated using the combiner manufacturing system (CMS), and is designed with SCF and MMF. By effectively harnessing LSPR, the sensor boosts the attachment points of biomolecules on the probe surface through immobilized tungsten disulfide (WS2)-thin layers, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and carbon nitride quantum dots (C3N-QDs). The functionalization of xanthine oxidase (XO) on the sensing probe further enhances the sensor's specificity. The proposed WaveFlex biosensor exhibits a remarkable sensitivity of 3.2 nm/mM and a low detection limit of 96.75 µM within the linear detection range of 100 - 900 µM. Moreover, the sensor probe demonstrates excellent reusability, reproducibility, stability, and selectivity. With its sensitivity, biocompatibility, and immense potential for detecting human serum and fish products, this WaveFlex biosensor presents a promising platform for future applications.

Homemade low-cost fabrication technique and stability analysis of a U-shaped fiber sensor structure.

In this work, the fabrication method of a U-shaped optical fiber (UOF) structure using single-mode fiber is proposed. Few UOF sensors have been developed to date, but the fabrication process has not been described in detail. Here, its subsequent homemade fabrication, optimization strategies, and analysis are thoroughly explored. Further, the influence of transmission on U-shaped diameter is explored. The transmitted intensity is mainly used to assess the strength of the evanescent field. For this purpose, three different diameters of 2 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm UOFs are fabricated. The results show that the transmission of the U-shaped structure is dependent on the diameter of the UOF. Thereafter, different concentrations of glucose solutions are detected using the optimized stable UOF structure to showcase the sensing properties. Overall, this work is essential for beginners who want to conduct research on optical fiber sensors with a curved shape.

Effective splicing technique of different cladding diameter-based optical fibers and performance evaluation.

In this work, the fabrication and sensing performance of fusion structures based on single-mode fiber (SMF) and multimode fiber (MMF) with different cladding diameters are discussed, and the effects of different lengths of MMF and fiber etching on sensing performance are analyzed. First, the transmitted intensity measurement experiment is performed, and the results indicate that the performance of the SMF-MMF-SMF(SMS)-based structure is better for sensing purposes. In addition, the results demonstrate that the performance of etched fiber is better than that of non-etched fiber. The etched fiber structure with lower fiber diameters produces more evanescent waves and is better for sensing purposes. Therefore, the proposed structure has certain development potential as an application of future optical fiber sensors.

Development and stability analysis of an S-tapered optical fiber-based sensor structure.

In this paper, three S-tapered fiber (STF) structures with different diameters (40, 60, and 80 µm) are fabricated using conventional single-mode fiber. First, the reproducibility of the proposed S-tapered structure is confirmed through an analysis of the diameter distribution. Considering the transmitted intensities of the three various diameter, S-tapered structures reveal that the STF with a 40 µm diameter produces more evanescent waves and is more sensitive to external refractive index variations. Therefore, the STF structure with a 40 µm diameter was evaluated for the detection of different concentration of glucose solutions, demonstrating that the structure has the potential to be utilized to develop a highly sensitive fiber sensor.

Development of a core-offset-based SMS fiber structure for detection of various biomolecules.

This paper discusses the details about the fabrication of single-mode fiber (SMF)- and multi-mode fiber (MMF)-based core-offset sensor structures for biomolecules detection. SMF-MMF-SMF (SMS) and SMF-core-offset MMF-SMF (SMS structure with core-offset) are proposed in this paper. In the conventional SMS structure the incident light is introduced from the SMF to the MMF and then passes through the MMF to the SMF. However, in the SMS-based core offset structure (COS) the incident light is introduced from the SMF to the core offset MMF and then passes through the MMF to the SMF, and more incident light leaks at the fusion point between the SMF and the MMF. This structure causes more incident light to leak out from the sensor probe, forming evanescent waves. By analyzing the transmitted intensity, the performance of COS can be improved. The results show that the structure of the core offset has great potential for the development of fiber-optic sensors.

Feasibility analysis of an SMS-/MSM-/SMSMS-based optical fiber sensor structure.

The paper discusses the application of single-mode fiber (SMF) and multimode fiber (MMF) to the fabrication of a sensor structure based on the hetero-core optical fiber structure. The proposed structures are SMF-MMF-SMF (SMS), MMF-SMF-MMF (MSM), and SMF-MMF-SMF-MMF-SMF (SMSMS). The transmitted intensity of the probe is used to estimate the strength of the evanescent field. The results indicate that the SMSMS structure generates more evanescent waves that penetrate deeper into the sensing probe, increasing its sensitivity. As a result, the SMSMS structure has enormous development potential in the field of sensing.

Performance analysis of an SMF-/MMF-based single/double/quadruple tapered optical fiber structure.

This paper primarily discusses the structural performance analysis of a single/double/quadruple tapered optical fiber (TOF) structure based on single-mode fiber (SMF) and multi-mode fiber (MMF). Furthermore, the TOF's performance, including its diameter distribution, transmitted intensity, and reproducibility, is also evaluated. According to the experimental results, it can be concluded that the quadruple TOF structure based on SMF has a higher density of evanescent waves (EWs) on the surface of the tapered area, which is essential for the fabrication of high-sensitivity optical fiber sensors. The structure proposed in this article is feasible, and it can be used for optical fiber sensing while offering significant practical and promising applications as well.

17.8 fs broadband Kerr-lens mode-locked Yb:CALGO oscillator.

Pulses as short as 17.8 fs with a spectral bandwidth of 145 nm and central wavelength of 1118 nm have been generated from a Kerr-lens mode-locked Yb:CALGO oscillator. The oscillator operating at an average power of 26 mW and a repetition rate of 95.9 MHz is pumped by a cost-effective single-mode fiber coupled laser diode emitting 800 mW at 976 nm. The dispersion is compensated using a prism pair combined with broadband chirp mirrors. To the best of our knowledge, the pulse durations corresponding to approximately 4.8 optical cycle pulses are the shortest achieved durations through a Yb-doped bulk oscillator.

Phase retrieval and diffractive imaging based on Babinet's principle and complementary random sampling.

We proposed an iterative method for phase retrieval and diffractive imaging based on Babinet's principle and complementary random sampling (CRS). We demonstrated that the whole complex amplitude (not sieved) of an object wave can be accurately retrieved from the diffraction intensities of the object wave sampled by a group of binary CRS masks and the diffractive imaging for the object can be realized through a single digital inverse diffraction. Some experimental results are given for the demonstration. Our experimental results reveal that, using CRS, the influence of a binary random sampling mask on the retrieved field can be well eliminated, and the accuracy and efficiency of the phase retrieval can be greatly improved.

Simple method for generation of vector beams using a small-angle birefringent beam splitter.

A simple and practical system for generation of vector beams with arbitrary polarization and complex-amplitude distributions is proposed. The system mainly consists of a scalar computer-generated hologram (CGH), a small-angle birefringent beam splitter (BBS), and a Fourier lens with a filtering aperture (FA). The CGH is placed in front of the Fourier lens. The BBS is inserted between the CGH and the Fourier lens. When the CGH specially designed according to the method described in this Letter is illuminated by a plane beam or a Gaussian beam, a desired vector beam can be obtained through the FA placed at the back focal plane of the Fourier lens. Because no coupling element and half-wave plate are to be placed between the CGH and the BBS, the extinction ratios of both the two orthogonal polarization components for the vector beam can be better than 10(-5) and so high-quality vector beams can be generated.

Diffraction algorithm suitable for both near and far field with shifted destination window and oblique illumination.

We propose a method for diffraction simulation with both shifted destination window and a large oblique illumination. Based on the angular spectrum theory, we first derive a generalized transfer function (GTF) and a generalized point-spread function (GSPF) suitable for free-space diffraction simulation when both a shifted destination window and a large oblique illumination are taken into account. Then we analyze the sampling error caused by sampling of the GTF and the GSPF for numerical simulation based on fast Fourier transform (FFT), and find out an analytical formula for determining a criteria distance of Zc. Theoretical analysis and simulation results prove that the FFT-based GTF sampling algorithm is valid for diffraction simulation with a diffraction distance less than or equal to Zc, while the FFT-based GSPF sampling is only suitable for the simulation with a distance larger than or equal to Zc. Based on theoretical analysis, we propose the hybrid GTF-GSPF algorithm suitable for simulation of both near- and far-field diffractions with shifted destination window and large oblique source illumination at the same time. Finally, some simulation results are given to verify the feasibility of the algorithm.

Zero difference algorithm for phase shift extraction in blind phase-shifting holography.

A simple noniterative algorithm for retrieval of the unknown phase shifts in phase-shifting holography is proposed. In this algorithm, the phase shift value between two phase-shifting holograms can be calculated through a simple analytical formula that is derived according to the fact that there exist some points whose intensity difference between two phase-shifting holograms is equal to zero. Both the simulated and experimental results demonstrated the feasibility of this so-called zero difference algorithm over a wide range of phase shifts.

Application of Fenton chemistry in electrochemical determination of pyrophosphatase activity and fluoride.

Fenton chemistry has aroused widespread concern due to its application in the green oxidation and mineralization of organic wastes. Inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPase) catalyzes the hydrolysis of pyrophosphate ions (PPi) and provides a thermodynamic driving force for many biosynthetic reactions. Fluoride (F-) is widely applied to fight against tooth decay and reduce cavities. The electrochemical determination of PPase activity and F- was realized based on Fenton chemistry in this work. Glassy carbon electrode modified with poly (azure A) and acetylene black (GCE/PAA-AB) was fabricated. Hydroxyl radicals (∙OH) that were generated from a Cu2+-catalyzed Fenton-type reaction could oxidize PAA in the near-neutral medium, leading to a great increase of the cathodic peak current (Ipc). A coordination reaction between PPi and Cu2+ exerted a negative effect on Fenton reaction and hindered the Ipc enhancement. Cu2+-PPi complex was decomposed due to the hydrolysis of PPi induced by PPase, which caused the reappearance of the notably increased current response. F- could effectively inhibit PPase activity. As a result, the stable Cu2+-PPi complex remained and the high Ipc suffered from the decline again. The Ipc difference was used for the highly sensitive determination of PPase activity in the content range of 0.001-20 mU mL-1 with a detection of limit (LOD) at 0.6 µU mL-1 and that of F- in the concentration range of 0.01-100 µM with a LOD at 7 nM. The proposed PPase and F- sensor displayed a good selectivity, stability and reproducibility, and a high accuracy.

Ventral pallidum GABA neurons bidirectionally control opioid relapse across rat behavioral models.

Opioid addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder. Whether addicted individuals are forced to abstain or they decide themselves to quit using drugs, relapse rates are high-especially upon encountering contexts and stimuli associated with prior opioid use. Rodents similarly show context- and cue-induced reinstatement of drug seeking following abstinence, and intriguingly, the neural circuits underlying these relapse-like behaviors differ when abstinence is involuntarily imposed, responding is extinguished, or animals decide themselves to cease taking drug. Here, we employ two complementary rat behavioral models of relapse-like behavior for the highly reinforcing opioid drug remifentanil, and asked whether GABAergic neurons in the ventral pallidum (VPGABA) control opioid seeking under these behavioral conditions. Specifically, we asked how chemogenetically stimulating VPGABA neurons with clozapine-N-oxide (CNO) influences the ability of contextual or discrete remifentanil-paired cues to reinstate drug seeking following either voluntary abstinence (punishment-induced; GroupPunish), or extinction training (GroupExt). In GroupPunish rats, we also chemogenetically inhibited VPGABA neurons, and examined spontaneous VP activity (Fos) during cued reinstatement. In both GroupPunish and GroupExt rats, stimulating Gq-signaling in VPGABA neurons augmented remifentanil reinstatement in a cue- and context-dependent manner. Conversely, engaging inhibitory Gi-signaling in VPGABA neurons in GroupPunish suppressed cue-induced reinstatement, and cue-triggered seeking was correlated with Fos expression in rostral, but not caudal VP. Neither stimulating nor inhibiting VPGABA neurons influenced unpunished remifentanil self-administration. We conclude that VPGABA neurons bidirectionally control opioid seeking regardless of the specific relapse model employed, highlighting their fundamental role in opioid relapse-like behavior across behavioral models, and potentially across species.