Integrated wavelength-selective optical waveguides for microfluidic-based laser-induced fluorescence detection

We demonstrate the fabrication and characterization of a novel, inexpensive microchip capable of laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detection using integrated waveguides with built-in optical filters. Integrated wavelength-selective optical waveguides are fabricated by doping poly(dimethysiloxane) (PDMS) with dye molecules. Liquid-core waveguides are created within dye-doped PDMS microfluidic chips by filling channels with high refractive index liquids. Dye molecules are allowed to diffuse into the liquid core from the surrounding dye-doped PDMS. The amount of diffusion is controlled by choosing either polar (low diffusion) or apolar (high diffusion) liquid waveguide cores. The doping dye is chosen to absorb excitation light and to transmit fluorescence emitted by the sample under test. After 24 h, apolar waveguides demonstrate propagation losses of 120 dB cm(-1) (532 nm) and 4.4 dB cm(-1) (633 nm) while polar waveguides experience losses of 8.2 dB cm(-1) (532 nm) and 1.1 dB cm(-1) (633 nm) where 532 and 633 nm light represent the excitation and fluorescence wavelengths, respectively. We demonstrate the separation and detection of end-labelled DNA fragments using polar waveguides for excitation light delivery and apolar waveguides for fluorescence collection. We demonstrate that the dye-doped waveguides can provide performance comparable to a commercial dielectric filter; however, for the present choice of dye, their ultimate performance is limited by autofluorescence from the dye. Through the detection of a BK virus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product, we demonstrate that the dye-doped PDMS system is an order of magnitude more sensitive than a similar undoped system (SNR: 138 vs. 9) without the use of any external optical filters at the detector.     

Improved synthesis of (S)-7-amino-5H,7H-dibenzo[b,d]azepin-6-one, a building block for γ-secretase inhibitors

An improved synthesis of (S)-7-amino-5H,7H-dibenzo[b,d]azepin-6-one (1), involving a selective crystallization of epimeric menthylcarbamates for the resolution step followed by simultaneous cleavage of the carbamate and the lactam protecting group is described. Epimerization conditions of the undesired epimer have also been determined.     

Flavone C-glycosides from Anthurium andraeanum

We describe here the isolation of three flavone 6-C-glycosides from the leaves of Anthurium andraeanum, The two new flavones were identified through detailed spectroscopic analysis as 4"'-(3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl)-embinin (2) and 4"'-ferruloyl-embinin (3).     

Further investigations of the effect of replacing lithium by sodium on lithium silicate scintillating glass efficiency

Ce³⁺ doped lithium (⁶Li) silicate glasses are thermal neutron detectors. Prior work showed that when sodium (Na) is substituted for Li the scintillation efficiency, under beta particle stimulation, increased and then decreased as the sodium (Na) content was increased. When all the ⁶Li was replaced by Na no scintillation was observed. Raman spectra, acquired using a visible excitation source, provided no evidence of anomalous behavior. SEM microscopy did show some phase separation, but there was no obvious correlation with the scintillation efficiency. We have reexamined these glass samples using deep UV Raman excitation which reduces fluorescence interference. The newly acquired spectra show evidence of phase separation in the glasses. Specifically we see a peak at 800 cm^? 1 Raman shift which can be assigned to a vitreous silica moiety that results from phase separation. There is a strong correlation between this peak's area, the scintillation efficiency, and the Na content. The observed trend suggests that phase separation enhances scintillation and addition of Na reduces the amount of phase separation. We also see evidence of at least two defect structures that can be tentatively assigned to a three-membered ring structure and an oxygen vacancy. The latter is fairly strongly correlated with enhanced scintillation efficiency.     

Widely tunable midinfrared difference frequency generation in orientation-patterned GaAs pumped with a femtosecond Tm-fiber system

We demonstrate a midinfrared source tunable from 6.7 to 12.7 μm via difference frequency generation (DFG) in orientation-patterned GaAs, with 1.3 mW average output power. The input pulses are generated via Raman self-frequency shift of a femtosecond Tm-doped-fiber laser system in a fluoride fiber. We numerically model the DFG process and show good agreement between simulations and experiments. We use this numerical model to show an improved design using longer pump pulses.     

Optical parametric generation of a mid-infrared continuum in orientation-patterned GaAs

We have generated an ultrabroad mid-infrared continuum by using single-pass optical parametric generation (OPG) in orientation-patterned GaAs (OP-GaAs). The spectrum spans more than an octave, from 4.5 to 10.7 microm, measured 20 dB down from the peak. The 17.5 mm long, 0.5 mm thick, all-epitaxially-grown OP-GaAs sample with a 166.6-microm quasi-phase-matching period was pumped with 3.1-3.3 microm wavelength, 1 ps pulses up to 2 microJ in energy. The OPG threshold was observed at 55 nJ pump energy with the pump polarized along the [111] crystal direction. The slope efficiency near threshold was 51%, and the external conversion efficiency was as high as 15%.     

Synthesis and reactions of 3,9-diisocyanates and diisothiocyanates in the 2,4,8,10-tetraoxa-3,9-diphosphaspiro[5.5] undecane series

The synthesis of several novel phosphorus-containing isocyanates and isothiocyanates is reported. These compounds are spiranes with two six-membered dioxaphosphorinane rings in their respective molecule. The phosphorus-bonded isocyanato and isothiocyanato groups are capable of undergoing addition reactions with active hydrogen atom-containing compounds.     

Modification of milk using immobilized enzymes

The preparation and use of immobilized enzyme systems for the modification of the principle components of milk—casein, lactose, and butterfat—are discussed. Design of a pilot-scale bioreactor is described. Also the use of tea polyphenols as a crosslinking agent is reported. A review of methods for hydrolyzing lactose and characteristics of a concentrated liquid sweetener derived from dairy byproducts is presented. Further, the application of immobilized esterases to modify milk, cream, and butterfat is reported.