Abstract
We present a compact in-line fiber interferometric sensor fabricated in a boron doped two-mode highly birefringent microstructured fiber using a CO2 laser. The intermodal interference arises at the fiber output due to coupling between the fundamental and the first order modes occurring at two fiber tapers distant by a few millimeters. The visibility of intermodal interference fringes is modulated by a polarimetric differential signal and varies in response to measurand changes. The proposed interferometer was tested for measurements of the strain and temperature, respectively, in the range of 20-700 degrees C and 0-17 mstrain. The sensitivity coefficients corresponding to fringe displacement and contrast variations are equal respectively for strain -2.51 nm/mstrain and -0.02561/mstrain and for temperature 16.7 pm/degrees C and 5.74 x 10(-5) 1/degrees C. This allows for simultaneous measurements of the two parameters by interrogation of the visibility and the displacement of interference fringes. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America

Abstract
This paper presents an overview of optical fiber sensors based on multimode interference with a focus on refractometric applications. A specific configuration is presented to measure the refractive index of the surrounding liquid based on the Fresnel reflection in the fiber tip, combined with a simple interrogation technique that uses two fiber Bragg gratings as discrete optical sources, with the measurand information encoded in the relative intensity variation of the reflected signals. A resolution of 1.75 x 10(-3) RIU is achieved. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America

Abstract
Fiber Bragg Gratings are structures with remarkable characteristics that have induced new qualitative developments in the broad field of optical fiber technology, most notably in optical communications and in optical sensing. When these devices are applied for sensing, the underlying concept is the modulation of the grating Bragg wavelength by the measured and, therefore, a central issue is the sensitive and accurate conversion of the resonant wavelength into a proportional electrical signal with the adequate format for further processing. This topic is broadly known as Fiber Bragg Grating interrogation and is the subject of the present chapter. It is organized in two parts: in the first one, the techniques developed by the scientific community looking for this functionality are reviewed, with emphasis on the identification of general conceptual classes where they fit; in the second part, illustrative and state-of-the-art commercial Fiber Bragg Grating interrogation systems are described.

Abstract
A long-period grating written in the SMF-28 fibre was heat treated at 1000 degrees C for 15 days. The spectrum of the grating shifted to longer wavelengths and the resonances depth decreased as a result of structural relaxation. The background loss increased considerably for times longer than 200 h, and this loss is caused by devitrification of the fibre.

Abstract
We present and numerically characterize a surface-plasmon-resonance sensor based on an H-shaped optical fiber. In our design, the two U-shaped grooves of the H-fiber are first coated with a thin gold layer and then covered by a uniform titanium dioxide layer to facilitate spectral tuning of the device. A finite element method analysis of the sensor indicates that a refractive-index resolution of up to 5.10(3) nm/RIU can be obtained. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America

Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be isolated from several tissues in the body, have the ability to self-renewal, show immune suppressive properties and are multipotent, being able to generate various cell types. At present, due to their intrinsic characteristics, MSCs are considered very promising in the area of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this context, genetic modification can be a powerful tool to control the behavior and fate of these cells and be used in the design of new cellular therapies. Viral systems are very effective in the introduction of exogenous genes inside MSCs. However, the risks associated with their use are leading to an increasing search for non-viral approaches to attain the same purpose, even if MSCs have been shown to be more difficult to transfect in this way. In the past few years, progress was made in the development of chemical and physical methods for non-viral gene delivery. Herein, an overview of the application of those methods specifically to MSCs is given and their use in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine therapeutic strategies highlighted using the example of bone tissue. Key issues and future directions in non-viral gene delivery to MSCs are also critically addressed.