Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses embodiments of X-ray computed tomography-based methods for the detection of onion quality factors. Such methods are advantageous in detecting internal damage to onion bulbs due to bacterial and fungal rots and mechanical damage while also providing for the overall assessment of onion bulb quality and market value. Because CT images provide cross-sectional reconstructions of the subject under study, CT scans of onion bulbs can be used not only to detect damage from disease, but also cuts and bruises that increase an onion bulb's susceptibility to disease, and the presence of shoots or seed stems and overall shape of the bulbs.

Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses embodiments of X-ray computed tomography-based methods for the detection of onion quality factors. Such methods are advantageous in detecting internal damage to onion bulbs due to bacterial and fungal rots and mechanical damage while also providing for the overall assessment of onion bulb quality and market value. Because CT images provide cross-sectional reconstructions of the subject under study, CT scans of onion bulbs can be used not only to detect damage from disease, but also cuts and bruises that increase an onion bulb's susceptibility to disease, and the presence of shoots or seed stems and overall shape of the bulbs.

Abstract: Lesions caused by insects feeding on plants are associated with the generation of regions of blue-green fluorescence in such as the cotton boll carpel wall and in the lint region. The present disclosure now provides methods and devices to rapidly and non-invasively detect and measure the insect-related fluorescence and relate the fluorescence generated to the likelihood of insect damage in a crop. In particular, the methods are related to stink bug damage in the cotton plant, but are also suitable for the detection of insect-related damage of any plant. The methods of detecting insect-induced damage in a target plant tissue may comprise exposing a target plant or a fragment thereof, to an ultraviolet or violet light; and detecting an ultraviolet light-induced fluorescence from the target plant or the fragment thereof, thereby indicating the presence of insect-related plant damage.

Abstract: Lesions caused by insects feeding on plants are associated with the generation of regions of blue-green fluorescence in such as the cotton boll carpel wall and in the lint region. The present disclosure now provides methods and devices to rapidly and non-invasively detect and measure the insect-related fluorescence and relate the fluorescence generated to the likelihood of insect damage in a crop. In particular, the methods are related to stink bug damage in the cotton plant, but are also suitable for the detection of insect-related damage of any plant. The methods of detecting insect-induced damage in a target plant tissue may comprise exposing a target plant or a fragment thereof, to an ultraviolet or violet light; and detecting an ultraviolet light-induced fluorescence from the target plant or the fragment thereof, thereby indicating the presence of insect-related plant damage.

Abstract: A device and a method for measuring viscosity that includes attaching molecular rotors to a solid surface, exposing the solid surface to a fluid having a viscosity to be measured, and taking optical measurements to determine viscosity. The solid surface is preferably quartz, polystyrene or silicate glass, such as a fiber optic probe or a glass cuvette. The molecular rotors are of the type that includes an electron-donor group and electron-acceptor group that are linked by a single bond so that the groups may rotate with respect to one another, and that exhibit a fluorescence emission when rotation is hindered.

Abstract: A device and a method for measuring viscosity that includes attaching molecular rotors to a solid surface, exposing the solid surface to a fluid having a viscosity to be measured, and taking optical measurements to determine viscosity. The solid surface is preferably quartz, polystyrene or silicate glass, such as a fiber optic probe or a glass cuvette. The molecular rotors are of the type that includes an electron-donor group and electron-acceptor group that are linked by a single bond so that the groups may rotate with respect to one another, and that exhibit a fluorescence emission when rotation is hindered.

Abstract: A device and a method for measuring viscosity that includes attaching molecular rotors to a solid surface, exposing the solid surface to a fluid having a viscosity to be measured, and taking optical measurements to determine viscosity. The solid surface is preferably quartz, polystyrene or silicate glass, such as a fiber optic probe or a glass cuvette. The molecular rotors are of the type that includes an electron-donor group and electron-acceptor group that are linked by a single bond so that the groups may rotate with respect to one another, and that exhibit a fluorescence emission when rotation is hindered.

Abstract: A method for detecting local shear stress values using molecular rotors that allows for an extremely sensitive determination of a shear stress field or a flow field, even at very low flow rates. In one embodiment, molecular rotors may be adhered to a fiber optic probe or other solid surface, and the fluorescence emission of those molecular rotors may be probed at a location of the fiber optic probe tip or other solid surface. In another preferred embodiment, rotors may be adhered to another solid surface, such as any glass or polymer substrate that may be pre-functionalized (e.g., quartz, polystyrene or silicate glass) to create a probe that may then be used for in vivo as well as in vitro viscosity measurements. In another embodiment, molecular rotors may be dissolved in a target solution, and emission intensity obtained by one of several techniques.

Abstract: A device and a method for measuring viscosity that includes attaching molecular rotors to a solid surface, exposing the solid surface to a fluid having a viscosity to be measured, and taking optical measurements to determine viscosity. The solid surface is preferably quartz, polystyrene or silicate glass, such as a fiber optic probe or a glass cuvette. The molecular rotors are of the type that includes an electron-donor group and electron-acceptor group that are linked by a single bond so that the groups may rotate with respect to one another, and that exhibit a fluorescence emission when rotation is hindered.

Abstract: A method for detecting local shear stress values using molecular rotors that allows for an extremely sensitive determination of a shear stress field or a flow field, even at very low flow rates. In one embodiment, molecular rotors may be adhered to a fiber optic probe or other solid surface, and the fluorescence emission of those molecular rotors may be probed at a location of the fiber optic probe tip or other solid surface. In another preferred embodiment, rotors may be adhered to another solid surface, such as any glass or polymer substrate that may be pre-functionalized (e.g., quartz, polystyrene or silicate glass) to create a probe that may then be used for in vivo as well as in vitro viscosity measurements. In another embodiment, molecular rotors may be dissolved in a target solution, and emission intensity obtained by one of several techniques.