Semi-nested RT-PCR enables sensitive and high-throughput detection of SARS-CoV-2 based on melting analysis.

Background: Asymptomatic transmission was found to be the Achilles' heel of the symptom-based screening strategy, necessitating the implementation of mass testing to efficiently contain the transmission of COVID-19 pandemic. However, the global shortage of molecular reagents and the low throughput of available realtime PCR facilities were major limiting factors.

Methods: A novel semi-nested and heptaplex (7-plex) RT-PCR assay with melting analysis for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been established for either individual testing or 96-sample pooled testing.

General optical discrete z transform: design and application.

This paper presents a generalization of the discrete z transform algorithm. It is shown that the GOD-ZT algorithm is a generalization of several important conventional discrete transforms. Based on the GOD-ZT algorithm, a tunable general optical discrete z transform (GOD-ZT) processor is synthesized using the silica-based finite impulse response transversal filter.

Optical chirp z-transform processor with a simplified architecture.

Using a simplified chirp z-transform (CZT) algorithm based on the discrete-time convolution method, this paper presents the synthesis of a simplified architecture of a reconfigurable optical chirp z-transform (OCZT) processor based on the silica-based planar lightwave circuit (PLC) technology. In the simplified architecture of the reconfigurable OCZT, the required number of optical components is small and there are no waveguide crossings which make fabrication easy. The design of a novel type of optical discrete Fourier transform (ODFT) processor as a special case of the synthesized OCZT is then presented to demonstrate its effectiveness.

On the interrelations between an optical differentiator and an optical Hilbert transformer.

We show analytically and numerically that a practically realizable first-order optical Hilbert transformer (OHT) can simultaneously function as a negative/positive first-order temporal optical differentiator (OD) in the stopband and a broadband ±90° phase shifter in the passbands. An integrated-optic OHT based on a four-tap finite impulse response filter is designed using the Remez iteration algorithm and is numerically verified.

Analysis of inverse-Gaussian apodized fiber Bragg grating.

Inverse-Gaussian apodized fiber Bragg gratings (IGAFBGs) are numerically studied using the transfer matrix method and fabricated by the commonly used phase-mask scanning technique in a single-step scanning process. The IGAFBG can serve as a dual-wavelength passband filter, whose wavelength spacing can be continuously tuned by introducing a tunable chirp through applying a strain gradient in principle. Also, an IGAFBG with identical dual passbands having 0.

Design of a high-speed optical dark-soliton detector using a phase-shifted waveguide Bragg grating in reflection.

A theoretical study of a new application of a simple pi-phase-shifted waveguide Bragg grating (PSWBG) in reflection mode as a high-speed optical dark-soliton detector is presented. The PSWBG consists of two concatenated identical uniform waveguide Bragg gratings with a pi phase shift between them. The reflective PSWBG, with grating reflectivities equal to 0.

Design of an optical temporal integrator based on a phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating in transmission.

We present a theoretical study of a new application of a simple pi-phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating (PSFBG) in transmission mode as a high-speed optical temporal integrator. The PSFBG consists of two concatenated identical uniform FBGs with a pi phase shift between them. When the reflectivities of the FBGs are extremely close to 100%, the transmissive PSFBG can perform the time integral of the complex envelope of an arbitrary input optical signal with high accuracy.

Optical and physical properties of solgel-derived GeO2:SiO2 films in photonic applications.

The functionality of optical components relies heavily on the composition-dependent properties of germanosilicate materials, which include the refractive index, photosensitivity, and microstructural properties. Recent studies and parallel developments are presented of germanosilicate films with composition x of Ge content (i.e.

New approach for the design of an optical square pulse generator.

What is believed to be a new approach for the design and analysis of a reconfigurable optical square pulse generator using the concept of temporal optical integration and the digital signal processing method is presented. The reconfigurable square pulse generator is synthesized using compact active semiconductor-based waveguide technology, and it consists simply of the cascade of a tunable microring resonator (or a tunable all-pole filter) and a tunable asymmetrical Mach-Zehnder interferometer (or a tunable all-zero filter). The reconfigurable generator can convert an input picosecond pulse (i.

Optical integrator for optical dark-soliton detection and pulse shaping.

The design and analysis of an Nth-order optical integrator using the digital filter technique is presented. The optical integrator is synthesized using planar-waveguide technology. It is shown that a first-order optical integrator can be used as an optical dark-soliton detector by converting an optical dark-soliton pulse into an optical bell-shaped pulse for ease of detection.

Two-stage hybrid optimization of fiber Bragg gratings for design of linear phase filters.

We present a new hybrid optimization method for the synthesis of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) with complex characteristics. The hybrid optimization method is a two-tier search that employs a global optimization algorithm [i.e.

Concentration-induced nonuniform power in tunable erbium-doped fiber lasers.

We report, for the first time to our knowledge, the presence of concentration-induced nonuniform power in tunable erbium-doped fiber lasers. A theoretical model is proposed with pair-induced quenching taken into account. We obtain good agreement between numerical and experimental results of a high-concentration erbium-doped fiber ring laser with a large tuning range of over 100 nm.

Room-temperature multiwavelength erbium-doped fiber ring laser employing sinusoidal phase-modulation feedback.

An effective method for achieving a room-temperature multiwavelength erbium-doped fiber ring laser is presented. Simultaneous multiwavelength lasing with 0.5-nm intervals is achieved both experimentally and theoretically by addition of sinusoidal phase modulation in the ring cavity to prevent single-wavelength oscillation.