Glucose sensing with phenylboronic acid functionalized hydrogel-based optical diffusers

Phenylboronic acids have emerged as synthetic receptors that can reversibly bind to cis-diols of glucose molecules. The incorporation of phenylboronic acids in hydrogels offers exclusive attributes; for example, the binding process with glucose induces Donnan osmotic pressure resulting in volumetric changes in the matrix. However, their practical applications are hindered because of complex readout approaches and their time-consuming fabrication processes. Here, we demonstrate a microimprinting method to fabricate densely packed concavities in phenylboronic acid functionalized hydrogel films. A microengineered optical diffuser structure was imprinted on a phenylboronic acid based cis-diol recognizing motif prepositioned in a hydrogel film. The diffuser structure engineered on the hydrogel was based on laser-inscribed arrays of imperfect microlenses that focused the incoming light at different focal lengths and direction resulting in a diffused profile of light in transmission and reflection readout modes. The signature of the dimensional modulation was detected in terms of changing focal lengths of the microlenses due to the volumetric expansion of the hydrogel that altered the diffusion spectra and transmitted beam profile. The transmitted optical light spread and intensity through the sensor was measured to determine variation in glucose concentrations at physiological conditions. The sensor was integrated in a contact lens and placed over an artificial eye. Artificial stimulation of variation in glucose concentration allowed quantitative measurements using a smartphone’s photodiode. A smartphone app was utilized to convert the received light intensity to quantitative glucose concentration values. The developed sensing platform offers low cost, rapid fabrication, and easy detection scheme as compared to other optical sensing counterparts. The presented detection scheme may have applications in wearable real-time biomarker monitoring devices at point-of-care settings

Multiwall carbon nanotube microcavity arrays

Periodic highly dense multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) arrays can act as photonic materials exhibiting band gaps in the visible regime and beyond terahertz range. MWCNT arrays in square arrangement for nanoscale lattice constants can be configured as a microcavity with predictable resonance frequencies. Here, computational analyses of compact square microcavities (≈0.8 × 0.8 μm2) in MWCNT arrays were demonstrated to obtain enhanced quality factors (≈170-180) and narrow-band resonance peaks. Cavity resonances were rationally designed and optimized (nanotube geometry and cavity size) with finite element method. Series (1 × 2 and 1 × 3) and parallel (2 × 1 and 3 × 1) combinations of microcavities were modeled and resonance modes were analyzed. Higher order MWCNT microcavities showed enhanced resonance modes, which were red shifted with increasing Q-factors. Parallel microcavity geometries were also optimized to obtain narrow-band tunable filtering in low-loss communication windows (810, 1336, and 1558 nm). Compact series and parallel MWCNT microcavity arrays may have applications in optical filters and miniaturized optical communication devices

Silver nanoparticle-loaded contact lenses for blue-yellow color vision deficiency

Contact lenses can be functionalized to offer advanced capabilities transcending their primary applications in vision correction and cosmetics. Herein, 40 and 60 nm spherical silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are integrated within poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) contact lenses toward fabrication of SNP-loaded contact lenses with excellent optical and material properties as wearables for blue-yellow color vision deficiency (CVD) patients. The morphology and optical properties of the SNPs are characterized prepolymerization using the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and an optical spectrophotometer. Then, the transmission spectra of the SNP-loaded contact lenses at different concentrations along with the wettability and water content are measured, to demonstrate the effect of NPs’ addition on the lenses’ optical and material characteristics. Results indicate that the transmission spectra of SNP-loaded contact lenses, with optimum concentrations, filter out problematic wavelengths of visible light (485–495 nm), which will facilitate better color distinction for blue-yellow CVD patients. The contact lenses’ optical properties are analogous to the commercial colorblind glasses, indicating their effectiveness as color filtering wearables. Finally, the cytobiocompatability analysis of the contact lenses to RAW 264.7 culture of cells shows that they are biocompatible, and the cell viability remains higher than 75% after 24 h in contact with the lenses

Light-directed writing of chemically tunable narrow-band holographic sensors

This tunable holographic sensor offers interrogation and a reporting transducer as well as an analyte-responsive hydrogel, rendering it label-free and reusable. A single 6 ns laser pulse is used to fabricate holographic sensors consisting of silver nanoparticles arranged periodically within a polymer film. The tunability of the sensor is demonstrated through pH sensing of artificial urine and validated through computational modeling. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

STATISTICAL COMPARATIVE PETIOL ANATOMY OF Salvia SP.

ABSTRACT In this study, petiol anatomy of 17 Salvia sp. taxa were compared statistically. In all the studied taxa, some differences were found in the petiole shape, number of vascular bundles and the presence of chlorenchyma. Anatomical variations in 17 Salvia taxa have been investigated by means of numerical methods (Analysis of variance and Pearson correlation). By the analysis of the investigated taxa from 17 leaf anatomy related characters, it has been determined that epidermis width and trachea diameter are the best character pairs which represent the variations in them. It has been also found that the results from numerical analysis of the leaf anatomy characters can provide additional evidences that correspond to the anatomy for the recognition of the taxa

AN ANATOMICAL STUDY OF Scilla (SCILLOIDEAE) SECTION Chionodoxa AND Scilla bifolia IN TURKEY

WOS: 000399157700009In the present study Scilla luciliae, S. forbesii, S. sardensis, S. siehei, Scilla x allenii and S. bifolia are compared anatomically. Some differences have been found in root, scape, and leaf anatomy of the taxa, and commented. S. luciliae, S. forbesii, S. sardensis and S. siehei have a metaxylem at the center of the root, others have 3-4 number metaxylem. Vascular bundles in two row in S. luciliae and S. forbesii in a single row in S. sardensis, Scilla x allenii and S. bifolia though in three rows in S. siehei. Aerenchyma tissue is present in mesophyll of five taxa leaf except S. sardensis. The anatomical variations in the taxa have been investigated by means of numerical methods (Analysis of variance and Pearson correlation). By the analysis of the investigated taxa from 12 anatomy related characters, it has been also found that the results from numerical analysis of anatomy characters can provide additional evidences, which correspond to the anatomy for the recognition of the taxa.Ege UniversityEge University [2006 FEN 052]; Turkish Research Council (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [106T598]This study has been supported by the project of Doctorate thesis of first author [the name of this thesis: Taxonomy, Ecology and Reproduction of Genus Chionodoxa Boiss. (Liliaceae)]. We thank the Research Fund of Ege University (project number: 2006 FEN 052), and the Turkish Research Council (TUBITAK) (project number: 106T598) for providing financial support

An anatomical study of Scilla (Scilloideae) section Chionodoxa and Scilla bifolia in Turkey [Um estudo anatômico de Chionodoxa incluída na Scilla (Scilloideae) e Scilla bifolia na Turquia]

In the present study Scilla luciliae, S. forbesii, S. sardensis, S. siehei, Scilla x allenii and S. bifolia are compared anatomically. Some differences have been found in root, scape, and leaf anatomy of the taxa, and commented. S. luciliae, S. forbesii, S. sardensis and S. siehei have a metaxylem at the center of the root, others have 3-4 number metaxylem. Vascular bundles in two row in S. luciliae and S. forbesii in a single row in S. sardensis, Scilla x allenii and S. bifolia though in three rows in S. siehei. Aerenchyma tissue is present in mesophyll of five taxa leaf except S. sardensis. The anatomical variations in the taxa have been investigated by means of numerical methods (Analysis of variance and Pearson correlation). By the analysis of the investigated taxa from 12 anatomy related characters, it has been also found that the results from numerical analysis of anatomy characters can provide additional evidences, which correspond to the anatomy for the recognition of the taxa. © 2017, Sociedade Brasileira da Ciencia das Plantas Daninha. All rights reserved.106T598 2006 FEN 052This study has been supported by the project of Doctorate thesis of first author [the name of this thesis: Taxonomy, Ecology and Reproduction of Genus Chionodoxa Boiss. (Liliaceae)]. We thank the Research Fund of Ege University (project number: 2006 FEN 052), and the Turkish Research Council (TUBITAK) (project number: 106T598) for providing financial support. -