Interfacial microrheology as a tool to study viscoelastic transitions in nanoconfined soft matter

We present a method to perform in situ microrheological measurements on monolayers of soft materials undergoing viscoelastic transitions under compression. Using the combination of a Langmuir trough mounted on the inverted microscope stage of a laser scanning confocal microscope we track the motion of individual fluorescent quantum dots partly dispersed in monolayers spread at the air-water interface. From the calculated mean square displacement of the probe particles and extending a well established scheme of the generalized Stokes-Einstein relation in bulk to the interface we arrive at the viscoelastic modulus for the respective monolayers as a function of surface density. Measurements on monolayers of glassy as well as nonglassy polymers and a standard fatty acid clearly show sensitivity of our technique to subtle variations, in the viscoelastic properties of the highly confined materials under compression. Evidence for possible spatial variations of such viscoelastic properties at a given surface density for the fatty acid monolayer is also provided.

Interfacial microrheology as a tool to study viscoelastic transitions in nanoconfined soft matter

We present a method to perform in situ microrheological measurements on monolayers of soft materials undergoing viscoelastic transitions under compression. Using the combination of a Langmuir trough mounted on the inverted microscope stage of a laser scanning confocal microscope we track the motion of individual fluorescent quantum dots partly dispersed in monolayers spread at the air-water interface. From the calculated mean square displacement of the probe particles and extending a well established scheme of the generalized Stokes-Einstein relation in bulk to the interface we arrive at the viscoelastic modulus for the respective monolayers as a function of surface density. Measurements on monolayers of glassy as well as nonglassy polymers and a standard fatty acid clearly show sensitivity of our technique to subtle variations, in the viscoelastic properties of the highly confined materials under compression. Evidence for possible spatial variations of such viscoelastic properties at a given surface density for the fatty acid monolayer is also provided.

Characterization of microstructure in laser-surface-alloyed layers of aluminum on nickel

In order to obtain basic understanding of microstructure evolution in laser-surface-alloyed layers, aluminum was surface alloyed on a pure nickel substrate using a CO2 laser. By varying the laser scanning speed, the composition of the surface layers can be systematically varied. The Ni content in the layer increases with increase in scanning speed. Detailed cross-sectional transmission electron microscopic study reveals complexities in solidification behavior with increased nickel content. It is shown that ordered B2 phase forms over a wide range of composition with subsequent precipitation of Ni2Al, an ordered omega phase in the B2 matrix, during solid-state cooling. For nickel-rich alloys associated with higher laser scan speed, the fcc gamma phase is invariably the first phase to grow from the liquid with solute trapping. The phase reorders in the solid state to yield gamma' Ni3Al. The phase competes with beta AlNi, which forms massively from the liquid. The beta AlNi transforms martensitically to a 3R structure during cooling in solid state. The results can be rationalized in terms of a metastable phase diagram proposed earlier. However, the results are at variance with earlier studies of laser processing of nickel-rich alloys.

Abrin Immunotoxin: Targeted Cytotoxicity and Intracellular Trafficking Pathway

Background: Immunotherapy is fast emerging as one of the leading modes of treatment of cancer, in combination with chemotherapy and radiation. Use of immunotoxins, proteins bearing a cell-surface receptor-specific antibody conjugated to a toxin, enhances the efficacy of cancer treatment. The toxin Abrin, isolated from the Abrus precatorius plant, is a type II ribosome inactivating protein, has a catalytic efficiency higher than any other toxin belonging to this class of proteins but has not been exploited much for use in targeted therapy. Methods: Protein synthesis assay using (3)H] L-leucine incorporation; construction and purification of immunotoxin; study of cell death using flow cytometry; confocal scanning microscopy and sub-cellular fractionation with immunoblot analysis of localization of proteins. Results: We used the recombinant A chain of abrin to conjugate to antibodies raised against the human gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor. The conjugate inhibited protein synthesis and also induced cell death specifically in cells expressing the receptor. The conjugate exhibited differences in the kinetics of inhibition of protein synthesis, in comparison to abrin, and this was attributed to differences in internalization and trafficking of the conjugate within the cells. Moreover, observations of sequestration of the A chain into the nucleus of cells treated with abrin but not in cells treated with the conjugate reveal a novel pathway for the movement of the conjugate in the cells. Conclusions: This is one of the first reports on nuclear localization of abrin, a type II RIP. The immunotoxin mAb F1G4-rABRa-A, generated in our laboratory, inhibits protein synthesis specifically on cells expressing the gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor and the pathway of internalization of the protein is distinct from that seen for abrin.

Eutectic MC Carbide Growth Morphologies of a Laser Clad TiC/FeAl Composite Coating

In this paper, eutectic MC carbide growth morphology and its evolution with laser scanning speed were studied comprehensively of a laser clad MC carbide reinforced FeAl intermetallic matrix composite coating. As the laser scanning speed increased, the growth morphology of eutectic MC carbide was found to be needle-aligned annulation, butterfly-like and well-developed dendrite.

Toxicity and imaging of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in human macrophage cells.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) have been proposed for use in many applications and concerns about their potential effect on human health have led to the interest in understanding the interactions between MWNTs and human cells. One important technique is the visualisation of the intracellular distribution of MWNTs. We exposed human macrophage cells to unpurified MWNTs and found that a decrease in cell viability was correlated with uptake of MWNTs due to mainly necrosis. Cells treated with purified MWNTs and the main contaminant Fe(2)O(3) itself yielded toxicity only from the nanotubes and not from the Fe(2)O(3). We used 3-D dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (DF-STEM) tomography of freeze-dried whole cells as well as confocal and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to image the cellular uptake and distribution of unpurified MWNTs. We observed that unpurified MWNTs entered the cell both actively and passively frequently inserting through the plasma membrane into the cytoplasm and the nucleus. These suggest that MWNTs may cause incomplete phagocytosis or mechanically pierce through the plasma membrane and result in oxidative stress and cell death.

Design,optimization and in vivo evaluation of non-viral vectors for gene therapy. Applications in ocular disorders

227 págs.

Coherent linking of periodic nano-ripples on a ZnO crystal surface induced by femtosecond laser pulses

We demonstrate the coherent linking of periodic nano-ripples formed on the surface of ZnO crystals induced by femtosecond laser pulses. By adjusting the distance between two laser scanning zones, the periodic nano-ripples induced by two separated laser writing processes can be coherently linked and the ZnO nanograting with much longer grooves is therefore produced. The length limitation of this kind of nanograting previously set by the laser focus size is thus overcome. The micro-Raman mapping technique is used to evaluate the quality of coherent linking, and the underlying physics is discussed. The demonstrated scheme is promising for producing large-size self-organized nanogratings induced by femtosecond laser pulses.

Design of adjustable superresolving filters based on birefringent crystals

A two-mode adjustable superresolving filter based on a birefringent filter is proposed. This kind of filter has superresolution in two modes of adjustment. One is rotation of the binary pupil filter on the optical axis of the system and the other is the tilt of the filter away from the pupil plane on axis parallel or perpendicular to the optical axis of the crystal. The filters act as complex amplitude filters in the former mode, and as pure phase filters in the latter. By analyzing two superresolving parameters, we obtain the optimal design parameters that ensure a large field of view, a large superresolving range, and a high setting accuracy. This kind of filter can provide more flexibility in practical applications. (c) 2006 Optical Society of America.

Three-dimensional superresolution by three-zone complex pupil filters

Complex pupil filters are introduced to improve the three-dimensional resolving power of an optical imaging system. Through the design of the essential parameters of such filters, the transmittance and radius of the first zone, three-dimensional superresolution is realized. The Strehl ratio and the transverse and axial gains of such filters are analyzed in detail. A series of simulation examples of such filters are also presented that prove that three-dimensional superresolution can be realized. The advantage of such filters is that it is easy to realize three-dimensional superresolution, and the disadvantage is that the sidelobes of the axial intensity distribution are too high. But this can be overcome by the application of a confocal system. (C) 2005 Optical Society of America.

Influences of CO2 laser annealing on mechanical and laser-induced damage properties of ZrO2 thin films

Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) thin films were deposited on BK7 glass substrates by the electron beam evaporation method. A continuous wave CO2 laser was used to anneal the ZrO2 thin films to investigate whether beneficial changes could be produced. After annealing at different laser scanning speeds by CO2 laser, weak absorption of the coatings was measured by the surface thermal lensing (STL) technique, and then laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) was also determined. It was found that the weak absorption decreased first, while the laser scanning speed is below some value, then increased. The LIDT of the ZrO2 coatings decreased greatly when the laser scanning speeds were below some value. A Nomarski microscope was employed to map the damage morphology, and it was found that the damage behavior was defect-initiated both for annealed and as-deposited samples. The influences of post-deposition CO2 laser annealing on the structural and mechanical properties of the films have also been investigated by X-ray diffraction and ZYGO interferometer. It was found that the microstructure of the ZrO2 films did not change. The residual stress in ZrO2 films showed a tendency from tensile to compressive after CO, laser annealing, and the variation quantity of the residual stress increased with decreasing laser scanning speed. The residual stress may be mitigated to some extent at proper treatment parameters. (c) 2007 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

松杉类植物花粉发育和传粉生物学的研究

本文用光学显微镜结合荧光技术对青扦花粉的发育过程进行了观察;用共聚焦显微镜观察了白扦生长花粉管细胞内的游离Ca2+分布;利用原子力显微镜对雪松和水杉花粉外壁的亚结构进行了研究：用透射电镜、扫描电镜及解剖镜等技术研究了侧柏、北美香柏、红豆杉、粗榧和白皮松的传粉机制，结果如下。 青扦花粉的发育过程与松科其它一些植物花粉的发育模式相似。从小孢子母细胞到成熟花粉约二十天左右。小孢子母细胞进入减数分裂前彼此分开，但在某些部位仍有连接。细胞质内有大量淀粉粒，在减数分裂过程中减少或消失，没有观察到明显的淀粉粒带。减数分裂中的胞质分裂为同时型，四分体为四面体型。小孢子刚从四分体释放出来时，气囊已开始形成，细胞中含大量淀粉粒。随着小孢子的发育，其体积增大，并出现液泡，细胞核移向一侧。小孢子第一次不对称分裂产生一个大的中央细胞和一个小的原叶细胞。中央细胞不久就进行第二次分裂产生精子器原始细胞和第二原叶细胞。原叶细胞形成后，其与中央细胞或精子器原始细胞之间的壁逐渐沉积胼胝质，以后随着原叶细胞的退化，胼胝质壁消失。精子器原始细胞分裂形成管细胞和生殖细胞，生殖细胞在散粉前分裂形成体细胞（精原细胞）和柄细胞（不育细胞）。成熟花粉为5细胞，但两个原叶细胞已退化消失。 白扦花粉在10%蔗糖+0.01%硼酸的液体培养基内培养12小时后开始萌发。在正常生长的花粉管中，其顶端有一个透明区，而透明区后则含有大量的贮藏物质颗粒。在停止生长的花粉管中透明区消失，而整个花粉管顶端也被储藏物质颗粒充满。正常生长的花粉管顶端有一个较高的Ca2+浓度。在停止生长的花粉管内不具有这样一个Ca2+梯度。 雪松和水杉二种花粉外壁中由孢粉素构成的亚结构单位形态相似，均呈颗粒状，但大小略有不同。雪松的长56-99 nm，宽42-74;水杉的长81-118 nm，宽43-98 nm。在雪松中这些亚单位紧密排列组成短棒状或球状的花粉外壁结构单位，再由几个到十几个这样的结构单位组成较大的岛屿状结构。在这些岛屿状结构之间有大小不一的空隙存在，整个花粉外壁由这样一些岛屿状结构交互连接形成。水杉花粉外壁的亚单位排列也较紧密，且有3-10个成群分布的趋势，但各群之间界限不明显。此外，雪松和水杉的花粉外壁亚单位均无螺旋状排列趋势，这一结果倾向于支持Southworth关于花粉外壁亚单位颗粒状并呈网状排列的观点。 白皮松胚珠倒生，其发育过程与松属的其它种相似，成熟胚珠珠孔端具两手臂状结构，有利于接收花粉。花粉具气囊。传粉期间，没有观察到传粉滴产生，但珠心顶端细胞解体形成花粉室。花粉室内可接受一至几个花粉，花粉在花粉室内的位置无明方向性。传粉时，胚珠处于大孢子线细胞时期。花粉在花粉室内萌发形成花粉管进入珠心组织，花粉管在珠心内生长一段时间后停止生长，并于次年春天重新启动生长。离体生长的花粉管顶端常有胼胝质产生，但顶端区域后的花粉管壁上却无胼胝质沉积。 侧柏、北美香柏、红豆杉和粗榧均为直生胚珠。传粉时胚珠产生传粉滴。在红豆杉胚珠发育早期，珠心表面细胞轮廓清晰;而在后期，其珠心表面则形成了一层膜状结构。这层膜状结构在传粉前随珠心细胞的解体而破裂，珠心细胞的降解产物参与了传粉滴形成。在传粉前和传粉期，珠心细胞内含大量的线粒体、内质网、高尔基体和小泡。传粉滴主要由珠心细胞分泌形成。这四种植物的花粉均无气囊，属可湿性花粉。红豆杉和粗榧的花粉水合时，内壁膨胀，外壁开裂。通常情况下，红豆杉花粉的外壁保留在传粉滴的表面，而花粉的其它部分沉入传粉滴内。侧柏和北美香柏的传粉滴授粉后，花粉进入传粉滴导致传粉滴的明显收缩。在侧柏中传粉滴授粉后100分钟内就完全收缩进入珠孔。传粉滴收缩的速率与所授花粉数量和花粉的种类有关。与侧柏亲缘关系较近植物花粉引起传粉滴的收缩速率和侧柏自身花粉引起的传粉滴收缩速率相似;反之，收缩速率变慢。侧柏传粉滴的收缩可能主要是由于花粉减弱胚珠分泌的结果。但授粉不引起红豆杉和粗榧传粉滴的明显收缩。在红豆杉和粗榧中，从授粉到传粉完全收缩需要20-24小时。这两种植物传粉滴的收缩可能主要是蒸发引起的非代谢性过程，与侧柏和美香柏属于不同的传粉滴收缩机制。

Electron beam and laser testing on the novel stripixel detectors

The novel Si stripixel detector, developed at BNL (Brookhaven National Laboratory), has been applied in the development of a prototype Si strip detector system for the PHENIX Upgrade at RHIC. The Si stripixel detector can generate X-Y two-dimensional (2D) position sensitivity with single-sided processing and readout. Test stripixel detectors with pitches of 85 and 560 mu m have been subjected to the electron beam test in a SEM set-up, and to the laser beam test in a lab test fixture with an X-Y-Z table for laser scanning. Test results have shown that the X and Y strips are well isolated from each other, and 2D position sensitivity has been well demonstrated in the novel stripixel detectors. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Large depth-of-view portable three-dimensional laser scanner and its segmental calibration for robot vision

A portable 3D laser scanning system has been designed and built for robot vision. By tilting the charge coupled device (CCD) plane of portable 3D scanning system according to the Scheimpflug condition, the depth-of-view is successfully extended from less than 40 to 100 mm. Based on the tilted camera model, the traditional two-step camera calibration method is modified by introducing the angle factor. Meanwhile, a novel segmental calibration approach, i.e., dividing the whole work range into two parts and calibrating, respectively, with corresponding system parameters, is proposed to effectively improve the measurement accuracy of the large depth-of-view 3D laser scanner. In the process of 3D reconstruction, different calibration parameters are used to transform the 2D coordinates into 3D coordinates according to the different positions of the image in the CCD plane, and the measurement accuracy of 60 mu m is obtained experimentally. Finally, the experiment of scanning a lamina by the large depth-of-view portable 3D laser scanner used by an industrial robot IRB 4400 is also employed to demonstrate the effectiveness and high measurement accuracy of our scanning system. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Detection of Copper Ion with Laser-Induced Fluorescence in A Capillary Electrophoresis Microchip

A capillary electrophoresis microchip coupled with a confocal laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detector was successfully constructed for the analysis of trace amounts of heavy metals in environmental sources. A new fluorescence dye, RBPhOH, synthesized from rhodamine B, was utilized in a glass microchip to selectively determine copper with high sensitivity. A series of factors including running buffer concentration, detection voltage, and sample loading time were optimized for maximum LIF detector response and, hence, method sensitivity.