Abstract
Skeletal muscle dispersion and optical clearing (OC) kinetics were studied experimentally to prove the existence of the refractive index (RI) matching mechanism of OC. Sample thickness and collimated transmittance spectra were measured during treatments with glucose (40%) and ethylene glycol (EG; 99%) solutions and used to obtain the time dependence of the RI of tissue fluids based on the proposed theoretical model. Calculated results demonstrated an increase of RI of tissue fluids and consequently proved the occurrence of the RI matching mechanism. The RI increase was observed for the wavelength range between 400 and 1000 nm and for the 2 probing molecules explored. We found that for 30 min treatment with 40% glucose and 99% EG, RI of sarcoplasm plus interstitial fluid was increased at 800 nm from 1.328 to 1.348 and from 1.328 to 1.369, respectively.

Abstract
A remote sensor for radon continuous measurement using polymeric scintillation optical fibers was developed and evaluated. Successful preliminary results showed detection of natural occurring radon from a container with rocks rich in uranium oxides. © OSA 2018 © 2018 The Author(s)

Abstract
This paper presents preliminary results of common water thermal conductivity measurements using an all-fiber sensor based in conventional hot-wire method concept. The thermal conductivity of common water at room temperature obtained is 0.699 W/mK. Although the result is relatively distinct, about 14%, from the reference value found in literature, it is promising and indicates the feasibility of using the experimental arrangement for measuring thermal properties of materials with higher accuracy, provided that improvements already foreseen in future work be incorporated. © OSA 2018 © 2018 The Author(s)

Abstract
We investigated if a recently proposed method can differentiate yogurt bacteria trapped by a polymeric lensed fiber tip, through back-scattered signal analysis. Results suggest that it can be a valuable contribution for foodborne analysis/bacteria identification.

Abstract
A new fabrication method of polymeric optical fiber tweezers with a multi-mode tip is presented. Preliminary results show higher robustness, improved ability for 2D trapping and differentiation of particles based on back-scattering analysis. © OSA 2018 © 2018 The Author(s)

Abstract
The placement of an Erbium-doped Fiber Amplifier and a Fabry-Perot cavity inside a fiber ring resonator can generate a sinusoidal modulation in the optical signal obtained. The characterization of this behavior is achieved by changing the length of the Fabry-Perot cavity, which acts as a sensing device. A theoretical model of the optical signal modulation obtained with such configuration is also presented.