Transcutaneous fluorescence spectroscopy as a tool for non-invasive monitoring of gut function: first clinical experiences

Gastro-intestinal function plays a vital role in conditions ranging from inflammatory bowel disease and HIV through to sepsis and malnutrition. However, the techniques that are currently used to assess gut function are either highly invasive or unreliable. Here we present an alternative, non-invasive sensing modality for assessment of gut function based on fluorescence spectroscopy. In this approach, patients receive an oral dose of a fluorescent contrast agent and a fibre-optic probe is used to make fluorescence measurements through the skin. This provides a readout of the degree to which fluorescent dyes have permeated from the gut into the blood stream. We present preliminary results from our first measurements in human volunteers demonstrating the potential of the technique for non-invasive monitoring of multiple aspects of gastro-intestinal health.

Cure Monitoring of Epoxy Resin by Simultaneous DSC/FTIR

The cross-linking kinetics of an epoxy/amine resin system was studied using the conventional DSC and FTIR spectroscopy, respectively. Conventional DSC was modified to accommodate two fibre optic probes which could be used to monitor the spectra of epoxy/amine resin system during cure. The cross-linking kinetics for the epoxy/amine resin system obtained via the conventional DSC and FTIR and simultaneous DSC/FTIR were similar. The feasibility of using a simple bifurcated fibre optic probe to link the DSC to the FTIR spectrometer was demonstrated.

Field Spectroscopy Measurements over Asprokremmos Dam in Cyprus Intended for Water Quality Monitoring

High concentrations of suspended particulate matter in reservoir waters directly affect the water treatment plants by occurring damages to the filters during the pretreatment. The objective of this project is to define the support that can be derived from the use of remote sensing techniques in order to determine the spatial variations of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in Asprokremmos Dam in Paphos District in Cyprus. Such techniques have been successfully applied to the retrieval of TSS concentration and other water quality parameters in various geographical locations and environmental settings. This paper describes the results obtained by an existing running campaign in which in-situ spectroradiometric measurements and water sampling measurements of turbidity have been acquired at the study area. A GER-1500 field sperctro-radiometer equipped with a fibre optic probe is used to retrieve the spectral signatures of the Asprokremmos Dam and a portable turbidity meter is used for the determination of turbidity values. Ground-truth data based on the spectro-radiometric measurements were simulated to comply with the Landsat TM/ETM+ visible and infrared bands, so that identification of the ‘best-suited’ spectral region in which turbidity can be retrieved, was performed.