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Hydrogen peroxide is present naturally in any living cell. Although hydrogen peroxide concentration in cell is strictly regulated during normal metabolism, several human diseases lead to increased hydrogen peroxide concentration in body fluids. It is beneficial to monitor hydrogen peroxide levels in human body for early disease diagnostics. This can be done by creation of electronic device, which will use electrochemical sensor in order to perform automated hydrogen peroxide concentration measurement in a sample. The aim of the research is to use printed circuit board (PCB) technology in order to create a replaceable electrochemical hydrogen peroxide sensor that could be cheaply mass-produced to enable further development of automated health diagnostics device.

To increase the sensitivity and efficiency of a gas sensor, nanostructured ZnO and Co3O4 layers were obtained by hydrothermal synthesis directly on the electrode surface, eliminating the use of binders. Scanning electron microscope images showed that the resulting nanostructured coatings were characterised by good adhesion to the surface and high porosity, which opened up the possibility of their further use in the process of developing a gas sensor. The efficiency of the obtained nanostructured coatings and their sensitivity at room temperature to various concentrations of CO2 were determined. The resistance curves of the samples were obtained as a function of gas concentration in the chamber, for Co3O4 and ZnO nanostructures.

Mass-produced printed circuit board (PCB) electrodes were used as electrochemical cells to detect the widely-used herbicide glyphosate. Square wave voltammetry (SWV) was used to determine the presence of glyphosate in aqueous Cu(NO3)2 solution. Optimal measurement conditions for the detection of glyphosate with PCB electrodes were found. It was determined that glyphosate was able to soak into the growing plants from the substrate. Glyphosate-contaminated plant juice was distinguished from control samples using the PCB electrode. Glyphosate-contaminated plants were found to have DNA mutations.

This study has been supported by internal research grant No. 14-95/2021/10 of Daugavpils University “Development of the Nanostructured Metal Oxide Coatings and Their Application in Optical Sensing for Heavy Metal Detection”., Changes in nanostructure morphology and size may result in very different surface wettability. In this research, the impact of different morphological parameters on the wetting dynamics of ZnO nanostructured layers is studied. Six different morphologies are chosen to determine the specific wetting processes of ZnO nanostructures: nanoneedles, small diameter rods, large diameter rods, nanotubes, nanoplates, and plain thin films. Wetting dynamics is investigated using conventional sessile drop technique and a novel approach based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results show that the surface of nanostructured ZnO thin films exhibits both hydrophilic and hydrophobic wetting behaviour, depending on nanostructure form, size, and orientation. ZnO nanostructure arrays are a promising platform for electrochemical and optical sensing in aqueous solutions. The full and effective use of the sensor working surface can be ensured only under the condition of complete wetting of the nanostructured layer. Therefore, it is important to take into account the peculiarities of the wetting process of a specific morphology of nanostructures. © 2022 V. Gerbreders et al., published by Sciendo., Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART2.

The roundworms of Trichinella genus are worldwide distributed and their prevalence in nature is high. Trichinella genus parasites are the causative agents of foodborne zoonosis trichinellosis. The main prevention and control of the infection are meat inspection by the magnetic stirrer method for the detection of Trichinella larvae in muscle samples. The treatment can be effective if the parasite is discovered early in the intestinal phase. Once the Trichinella larva has reached the muscle tissue, the parasite remains therein and there is no treatment for this life cycle stage. The Trichinella species is dioecious with separate male and female individuals. The developed staining technique that uses confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) displays sufficient results for Trichinella larvae examination and this protocol is applicable to study the internal and external structures and for the sex determination of T. britovi and T. spiralis larvae samples. In the present study, a luminescent derivative was synthesized and used for staining of T. spiralis and T. britovi larvae samples for the examination by CLSM. Various fixatives, such as AFA, 70% ethanol, and Bouin's and Carnoy's solutions were tested for sample preparation. The synthesized luminescent compound demonstrates best visualization results for samples fixed in Bouin's fixative.

Novel chromium(III) complexes containing N-(3-benzanthronyl)-amidine ligands were synthesized and characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, powder XRD and SEM analysis as well as thermal analysis. The obtained results showed that synthesized complexes were less thermally stable then initial amidines. The elemental analysis suggests that the stoichiometry to be 1:3 (chromium:ligand) in prepared complexes, where the amidine molecule acts as bidentate ligand coordinated through nitrogen atoms of amidino group. Results of XRD and SEM analysis prove crystalline nature and show the morphology of these complexes. The effect of luminescence quenching during complexation of chromium cation with molecules of amidines was detected and studied.

Well-structured ZnO nanotubes are obtained by a self-selective etching method with lowering temperatures of growth during the hydrothermal process. The structural and optical properties of the obtained nanostructures are investigated by various conventional methods. The goal of the research is to compare the efficiency of ZnO nanotubes to that of ZnO nanorods during lead adsorption process from aqueous solution and demonstrate that hollow nanostructures are more effective than solid nanostructures of the same morphology due to their larger effective surface. Both nanotubes and nanorods are obtained under similar growth conditions: neither growth solution composition, nor concentration is changed. ZnO morphology is switched only by changing temperature during the growth process. The measurements are carried out to assess the efficiency of the adsorption per unit weight of ZnO nanorod and nanotube capacity of static adsorption.

The roundworms of Trichinella genus are worldwide distributed and their prevalence in nature is high. Trichinella genus parasites are the causative agents of foodborne zoonosis trichinellosis. The main prevention and control of the infection are meat inspection by the magnetic stirrer method for the detection of Trichinella larvae in muscle samples. The treatment can be effective if the parasite is discovered early in the intestinal phase. Once the Trichinella larva has reached the muscle tissue, the parasite remains therein and there is no treatment for this life cycle stage. The Trichinella species is dioecious with separate male and female individuals. The developed staining technique that uses confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) displays sufficient results for Trichinella larvae examination and this protocol is applicable to study the internal and external structures and for the sex determination of T. britovi and T. spiralis larvae samples. In the present study, a luminescent derivative was synthesized and used for staining of T. spiralis and T. britovi larvae samples for the examination by CLSM. Various fixatives, such as AFA, 70% ethanol, and Bouin's and Carnoy's solutions were tested for sample preparation. The synthesized luminescent compound demonstrates best visualization results for samples fixed in Bouin's fixative.

The article discusses the use of computer-generated holograms (CGHs) for the application as one of the security features in the relief-phase protective holograms. An improved method of calculating CGHs is presented, based on ray-tracing approach in the case of interference of parallel rays. Software is developed for the calculation of multilevel phase CGHs and their integration in the application of security holograms. Topology of calculated computer-generated phase holograms was recorded on the photoresist by the optical greyscale lithography. Parameters of the recorded microstructures were investigated with the help of the atomic-force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods. The results of the research have shown highly protective properties of the security elements based on CGH microstructures. In our opinion, a wide use of CGHs is very promising in the structure of complex security holograms for increasing the level of protection against counterfeit.

Benzanthrone derivates are now widely used in many industrial and scientific applications as dyes for polymers and textiles. In biochemical, biomedical and diagnostics investigations benzanthrone dyes are used as a lipophilic fluorescent probe since many benzanthrone derivates demonstrate bright fluorescence and they have ability to intercalate between membrane lipids. The aim of research presented here was to assess the luminescence ability of benzanthrone derivatives using microscopic visualization of biological objects. Accordingly, specimens of freshwater trematodes: Diplostomum spathaceum, Diplodiscus subclavatus and Prosotocus confusus, were stained by novel benzanthrone dyes using different fixatives. The samples were examined under a confocal laser scanning microscope. All of the dyes tested demonstrated good results for digestive and reproductive system visualization. Based on obtained results we conclude that benzanthrone dyes could be used for internal and external structure confocal laser scanning microscopic imaging of trematode specimens.

Benzanthrone derivates are now widely used in many industrial and scientific applications as dyes for polymers and textiles. In biochemical, biomedical and diagnostics investigations benzanthrone dyes are used as a lipophilic fluorescent probe since many benzanthrone derivates demonstrate bright fluorescence and they have ability to intercalate between membrane lipids. The aim of research presented here was to assess the luminescence ability of benzanthrone derivatives using microscopic visualization of biological objects. Accordingly, specimens of freshwater trematodes: Diplostomum spathaceum, Diplodiscus subclavatus and Prosotocus confusus, were stained by novel benzanthrone dyes using different fixatives. The samples were examined under a confocal laser scanning microscope. All of the dyes tested demonstrated good results for digestive and reproductive system visualization. Based on obtained results we conclude that benzanthrone dyes could be used for internal and external structure confocal laser scanning microscopic imaging of trematode specimens.

In this paper we present the synthesis and optical properties of amorphous low molecular compound 4-((4-(bis(5,5,5-Triphenylpentyl)amino)phenyl)diazenyl)benzoic acid. The surface relief gratings formation by polarization holography method on these thin films (thicknesses are 200–1700 nm) was shown. The dependence of the surface relief modulation on various parameters: recording exposure dose, the polarization state of the recording beams, the grating period and the film thickness of the material was demonstrated. Values of surface tension at the air-film before and after irradiation of the substance by polarized radiation were measured. The efficiency of surface relief formation in different medium was compared. The possibility of practical application of 4-((4-(bis(5,5,5-Triphenylpentyl)amino)phenyl)diazenyl)benzoic acid in the holography as a non-etching photoresist was showed.

New combined embossed hologram originating technique was developed by the international team of holography experts. The technique merges deep 3D holographic images with commonly used hologram security features. Deep 3D images were first recorded on photoresist with Geola's holographic printer containing their proprietary pulsed laser. Optical security features were then overexposed onto the photoresist plates containing latent images of deep 3D scenes. The photoresist plates with several exposures (containing optical security features and deep 3D images) were developed. Embossed holograms, containing such effective public security features as full colour 3D images, guilloches, rainbow patterns were manufactured. Manufactured embossed holograms also contained such optical security features as microtext and laser readable hidden image.

Two different grating formation geometries for recording onto the positive-tone photoresist with pulsed laser and continuous-wave sources are analyzed and compared. Diffraction efficiency measurements and atomic force microscopy (AFM) examination have been performed in order to investigate the optical and topographical properties of the recorded structures. Gratings patterned by a continuous-wave laser and by a pulsed laser working in the single pulse and multipulse regimes showed different surface roughness and optical properties. The possible reasons for surface roughness and effective exposure differences between gratings created with pulsed and continuous-wave laser radiations are discussed. The processing schemes for diffractive structures patterned by pulsed laser onto positive-tone photoresist for commercial hologram production are analyzed and presented in this work.

Šī darba galvenais mērķis bija izpētīt UV fotodetektora izgatavošanas iespējamību uz nanostrukturētu ZnO plāno kārtiņu bāzes, kas sintezētas termiski oksidējot Zn plānās kārtiņas. Termiskās oksidēšanas rezultātā tika novērota adatveidīgu ZnO nanostruktūru formēšanās uz kārtiņu virsmas. Izpētītas iegūto paraugu optiskās un elektriskās īpašības, kā arī fotoreakcija. Tika konstatēts, ka iegūto nanostrukturēto ZnO kārtiņu elektriskā vadītspēja ir ārkārtīgi jutīga pret UV starojumu, taču, apstarojot ar redzamo gaismu, strāva paliek gandrīz nemainīga. Kārtiņu elektriskās vadītspējas fotoreakcija ir atkarīga arī no nanostruktūru daudzuma uz virsmas. Visaugstākā UV fotovadītspēja tika novērota paraugam ar vislielāko ZnO nanoadatu koncentrāciju. UV gaismas inducētais vadītspējas pieaugums ļauj ZnO nanoadatas reversīvi pārslēgt starp stāvokļiem “ieslēgts” un “izslēgts”. Līdz ar to, šīs fotojutīgās nanoadatas var tikt izmantotas UV gaismas detektoros un optiskajos slēdžos. Šādas nanostrukturētas plānās kārtiņas var tikt pielietotas arī ķīmiskajos un bioloģiskajos sensoros, pjezoelektriskajās ierīcēs, saules elementos utt. Turklāt, šādu nanostrukturēto ZnO plāno kārtiņu sintēzes process ir salīdzinoši lēts un vienkāršs, dodot iespēju liela mēroga produkcijas ražošanai

A new concept is proposed for digital hologram production along with the relevant techniques developed in our laboratory. The main idea of the concept is to maximally separate the calculation of hologram from its optical recording on the light-sensitive media. A special file format containing information on each holographic pixel is created at the stage of calculation. The file is a device-independent by structure, and can be employed for recording a hologram using any of the existing techniques (dot-matrix, optical matrix lithography, e-beam lithography). An optical lithography device is applied to calculate the images for a spatial light modulator at the stage of hologram recording in accordance with the data from the file and in conformity with the hardware features of the device. The proposed method was tested and successfully used to record security holograms. For commercial use a software package and an optical recording system have been developed.

Selective Wet-Etching of Amorphous/Crystallized Sb-Se Thin Films The paper is focused on the development of an in situ real-time method for studying the process of wet chemical etching of thin films. The results of studies demonstrate the adequate etching selectivity for all thin film SbxSe100-x (x = 0, 20, 40, 50, 100) compositions under consideration. Different etching rates for the as-deposited and laser exposed areas were found to depend on the sample composition. The highest achieved etching rate was 1.8 nm/s for Sb40Se60 samples.

Physics Holographic Recording Device Based on LCoS Spatial Light ModulatorA PC-controlled holographic recording device has been developed in which a LC-R-2500 Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) based on reflective Liquid Crystal on Silicone (LCoS) display was used. The device allows the amplitude and phase modu-lation of coherent light wave fronts. In the optical scheme, a DPSS (Diode Pumped Solid State) laser with nanosecond pulse duration and wavelength 532 nm was applied. The holographic recording was made and tested in the amplitude and phase wave front modulation modes on a chalcogenide semiconductor photoresist As40S15S45. The experimental results are presented.

Principles of Creation and Reconstruction of Dot-Matrix HologramsA method for calculation of dot-matrix holograms is presented, whose distinction from other methods is simplicity of the formulas for the parameters of each pixel element in a hologram. At the Innovation Spectroscopy Center of DU a device for recording dot-matrix holograms has been designed, with a program using the pro-posed method for their calculation. Holograms 50x50 mm in size well corresponding to the initial graphic design were obtained.

Electric field-induced second harmonic (EFISH) generation effect in paraelectric lanthanum doped lead zirconate-titanate ceramics (PLZT) has been utilized in the local oscillator device of nonlinear optical heterodyne interferometer. Application of PLZT X/65/35 plates in low frequency rotating electric field as the reference sources of EFISH for interferometric analysis of anisotropy of thin films or surfaces of crystals is proposed. Experimental details and properties of multiphase PLZT EFISH modulator has been discussed.

The application prospect of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures largely relies on the ability to grow nanoobjects with necessary geometry. In this study well-aligned ZnO nanorod arrays with a high density and uniformity were successfully synthesized on the glass substrates by a hydrothermal method at low-temperature. The aqueous solutions of zinc nitrate hexahydrate and hexamethylenetetramine was used. The effect of seed layer (obtained by electrochemical method and by vacuum deposition method) on the alignment of ZnO nanorods has been investigated. The morphological properties of the ZnO nanorods were also examined in accordance with varying the magnetron sputtering angle for ZnO seeds deposition. It is also shown that the electric field can control the direction of the growth of ZnO nanorods. Morphological, structural and compositional characterizations of obtained films were carried out by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis methods.