银纳米颗粒对胆固醇荧光的增强效用研究

在传统荧光光谱技术的基础上,结合金属纳米颗粒的增强荧光技术,探索提高荧光光谱技术检测人全血溶液中胆固醇含量的精度和分辨率的方法。实验研究方面,采用波长为407 nm的激光作为激发光,照射加入一定量银纳米颗粒作为荧光增强剂的人全血溶液,研究了银纳米颗粒对人全血溶液在可见光波段的荧光增强作用。结果表明,胶体状态的银纳米颗粒可以显著增强低浓度的人全血溶液荧光光谱的强度,且不同位置荧光发射峰的荧光增强效率随银胶加入量的增加均呈现先增后减的趋势,但不同峰位置的最强增强效率对应的银胶加入量不同。理论分析方面,根据实验结果及胆固醇分子和银纳米颗粒在溶液中的分布情况,建立了分子间距模型,并根据模型计算得出胆固醇分子和银纳米粒子之间的最佳增强荧光效果间距在12.19～25 nm范围内,这个结果和其他文献中的理论值吻合较好。综上所述,使用银纳米颗粒可实现全血溶液荧光的增强,研究结果为提高检测血液中多种物质的灵敏度和精度提供了有价值的参考作用。     

Time-resolved DNA-microarray reading by an intensified CCD for ultimate sensitivity

We describe a novel technique for DNA-microarray reading based on time-resolved fluorescence measurements. We used an intensified CCD camera with picosecond resolution to acquire a set of time-delayed fluorescence images from a mutation DNA microarray marked with cyanine 3. We measured the fluorescence lifetimes of the marker and the background separately, and we used this information to calculate the amplitude map of the marker, starting from the time-delayed images. This procedure allowed us to identify hybridized spots that are not visible in fluorescence images acquired with continuous-wave detection.     

激光诱导植物荧光寿命校正技术及其特性分析

激光诱导植物荧光寿命测量法是在植物荧光光谱分析法基础上开发的一种评估植物生长状况及环境监测的新技术。根据植物叶绿素荧光信号的物理特性,利用信息仿真技术开发了一种叶绿素荧光寿命校正方法,可提高植物叶绿素荧光寿命的测量精度。利用激光诱导叶绿素荧光寿命测量系统分别测得叶绿素荧光及其背景信号,先用解卷积法叶绿素荧光信号中分离出荧光衰减函数,可获取荧光寿命估计值。再结合叶绿素荧光寿命校正技术就能反演得到高精度的植物荧光寿命。仿真与实验结果表明：该方法可实现高精度的植物荧光寿命实时监测;并对不同含量的叶绿素提取液进行了测试,构建了植物荧光寿命与叶绿素含量的对应关系模型。未来该技术可用于遥感监测海洋、湖泊、河流中藻类植物的生物含量。     

Estimation of interfacial forces in a multi-degree of freedom isolation system using a dynamic load sensing mount and quasi-linear models

A new indirect measurement concept is developed to estimate interfacial dynamic forces by employing the hydraulic mount as a dynamic force sensor. The proposed method utilizes a combination of mathematical models and operating motion and/or pressure measurements. A laboratory experiment consisting of a powertrain, three powertrain mounts (including a dynamic load sensing hydraulic mount), a sub-frame, and four bushings is then constructed to verify the proof-of-concept. Quasi-linear fluid and mechanical system models of the experiment are proposed and evaluated in terms of transfer functions and forced sinusoidal responses. The lower chamber pressure in the hydraulic mount is estimated since it is not available from measurements. This leads to an improved estimation of the effective rubber and hydraulic path parameters with spectrally varying and amplitude-sensitive properties up to 50 Hz. Finally, the reverse path spectral method is employed to predict interfacial forces at both ends of the mount by using measured motions and upper chamber pressure signals. Overall, the proposed quasi-linear fluid system model yields better indirect estimates of forces from the measured responses when compared with direct force measurements, through a simpler mechanical system model provides some insights. This work also advances prior component and transfer path type studies by providing an improved multi-degree of freedom system perspective.     

Delayed observation of laser-induced fluorescence for imaging of tumors

We report on a technique to improve fluorescence images of superficially growing tumors marked with photosensitizers. Exploiting the longer fluorescence decay times of porphyrin-based photosensitizers compared to average decay times of tissue autofluorescence, delayed detection of laser-induced fluorescence allows to suppress the autofluorescence background. The feasibility of delayed fluorescence imaging of tumors has been demonstrated in-vitro. It follows from an analysis of delayed fluorescence spectra that autofluorescence background falling into the photosensitizer fluorescence band can be reduced by up to one order of magnitude.     

Fluorescence lifetime tomography of live cells expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein embedded in a scattering medium exhibiting background autofluorescence

We present a novel fluorescence lifetime tomography system applied to a highly scattering autofluorescent phantom containing live cells expressing the fluorophore enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). The fluorescence signal was excited using a fiber-laser-pumped supercontinuum source and detected using wide-field time gating imaging. To facilitate rapid 3D reconstruction of the fluorescence lifetime distribution, the time-resolved data were Fourier-transformed in time to give complex functions that formed a data set for the Fourier domain reconstruction. Initially the presence of an unspecified background autofluorescence signal impeded reconstruction of the lifetime distribution, but we show that this problem can be addressed using a simple iterative technique.     

X射线管激发X荧光光谱连续本底扣除方法研究

X射线管是目前X射线荧光光谱分析中最常采用的激发源,它所产生的原级谱成为了X荧光光谱中本底成分的主要来源,在对这种光谱进行进一步的分析处理之前需要对其本底进行扣除,对本底估计的准确性直接影响后续处理步骤的效果。对射线管激发X荧光光谱的成分进行了分析,针对其本底特点构造了一种本底强度的估计方法,并根据实测谱线构建了理论测试谱线以便对光谱处理算法的效果进行评价。该方法利用测得X射线荧光光谱中不包含特征峰的谱段对X射线管原级谱造成的本底成分进行估计,使用只包含连续本底的谱段对整个测量谱段进行插值,从而避免了谱线特征峰重叠或对半高宽估计不当时所产生的影响。利用构建的测试光谱对SNIP法、傅里叶变换法和本文的本底估计方法的使用效果进行了比较,使用该方法估计的本底与理论本底更加接近。结果表明使用的方法对X射线管激发的X荧光光谱的本底估计准确,可以采用这种方法对连续本底进行扣除,在对实际测得的X射线荧光光谱的本底扣除中取得了较好的应用效果。     

Optimal design of engine mount using an artificial life algorithm

When designing fluid mounts, design parameters can be varied in order to obtain a desired notch frequency and notch depth. The notch frequency is a function of the mount parameters and is typically selected by the designer to occur at the vibration disturbance frequency. Since the process of choosing these parameters can involve some trial and error, it seems to be a great application for obtaining optimal performance of the mount. Many combinations of parameters are possible to give us the desired notch frequency, but the question is which combination provides the lowest depth? Therefore, an automatic optimal technique is needed to optimize the fluid mount.In this study, the enhanced artificial life algorithm (EALA) is applied to minimizing transmissibility of a fluid mount at the desired notch frequency, and at the notch and resonant frequencies. The present hybrid algorithm is the synthesis of a conventional artificial life algorithm with the random tabu search (R-tabu) method and then, the time for searching optimal solution could be reduced from the conventional artificial life algorithm and its solution accuracy became better.The results show that the performance of the optimized mount by using the hybrid algorithm has been better than that of the conventional fluid mount.     

Laser-Induced Fluorescence Bronchoscopy for Detection and Localization of Early Lung Cancer

Experimenatal results on the development of a Laser-Induced Fluorescence Bronchoscopy(LIFB) for the detection and localization of early lung cancer are reported in this paper. The system utilizes fluorescence of photosensitizer drug to provide real time video imaging for the examined lung tissue. Color filters are used to differentiate signal from background and a computer image processing technique is also applied to subtract the background. Moreover, a pseudocolor contrast enhancement method was developed to enhance the fluorescence image displayed on the vidio monitor. Suspicious areas are identified by pseudocolor image to guide biopsy, and several clinical trials show that sensitivity and contrast capability of the system should permit the detection and localization of early lung cancer.     

Laser-Induced Fluorescence Bronchoscopy for Detection and Localization of Early Lung Cancer

Experimenatal results on the development of a Laser-Induced Fluorescence Bronchoscopy(LIFB) for the detection and localization of early lung cancer are reported in this paper. The system utilizes fluorescence of photosensitizer drug to provide real time video imaging for the examined lung tissue. Color filters are used to differentiate signal from background and a computer image processing technique is also applied to subtract the background. Moreover, a pseudocolor contrast enhancement method was developed to enhance the fluorescence image displayed on the vidio monitor. Suspicious areas are identified by pseudocolor image to guide biopsy, and several clinical trials show that sensitivity and contrast capability of the system should permit the detection and localization of early lung cancer.     

Optical Properties of Micro-patterned Silver Nanoparticle Substrates

In this paper, we describe a novel technique for depositing metal nanoparticles (NPs) on a planar substrate whereby the NPs are micro-patterned on the surface by a simple stamp-printing procedure. The method exploits the attractive force between negatively charged colloidal metal NPs and positively-charged polyelectrolyte layers which have been selectively deposited on the surface. Using this technique, large uniform areas of patterned metal NPs, with different plasmonic properties, were achieved by optimisation of the stamping process. We report the observation of unusual fluorescence emission from these structures. The emission was measured using epifluorescence microscopy. Fluorescence lifetime behaviour was also measured. Furthermore, the μ-patterned NPs exhibited blinking behaviour under 469 nm excitation and the fluorescence spectrum was multi-peaked. It has been established that the fluorescence is independent of the plasmon resonance properties of the NPs. As well as optimising the novel NP μ-patterning technique, this work discusses the origin and characteristics of the anomalous fluorescence behaviour in order to characterise and minimise this unwanted background contribution in the use of metal NPs for plasmonic enhancement of fluorescence for optical biochip applications.     

Improving signal-to-noise ratio for the forensic analysis of glass using micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (μXRF) is a standard technique used for the elemental analysis of glass fragments in forensic casework. The glass specimens encountered in casework are usually small (<1 mm), thin fragments that are partially transparent to the exciting X-ray beam. In addition to providing fluorescence from the small glass fragments, the primary beam X-rays can scatter within the chamber and provide noise in the measurements. To reduce scatter from the sample stage, the fragments are typically mounted on a thin plastic film and raised on an XRF sample cup (≤3 cm in height). However, at these heights, there may still be significant scatter from the sample stage, which adversely affects the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the limit of detection (LOD). A plastic mount was designed and 3D-printed in-house to allow fragments to be raised as high as possible from the sample stage, thereby minimizing stage scatter. Most elements detected in glass showed an improvement in the SNR when using the 3D-printed mount for analyses. The greatest improvement (>30%) was observed for lower atomic number elements (Na and Mg) and higher atomic number elements (Sr and Zr). Another simple method to improve SNR is the use of primary beam filters; when using primary beam filters during analyses, elements with characteristic lines in the high-energy range (Rb, Sr, and Zr) showed the greatest improvement (>70%) in SNR. The impact of both strategies for the improvement of SNR is presented here.     

Review of Fluorescence Suppression Techniques in Raman Spectroscopy

Abstract

Raman spectroscopy is an important and powerful technique for analyzing the chemical composition of biological or nonbiological samples in many fields. A serious challenge frequently encountered in Raman measurements arises from the existence of the concurrent fluorescence background. The fluorescence intensity is normally several orders of magnitude larger than the Raman scattering signal, especially in biological samples. Such fluorescence background must be suppressed in order to obtain accurate Raman spectra. Several different techniques have been explored for this purpose. These techniques could be generally grouped into time-domain, frequency-domain, wavelength-domain, and computational methods in addition to various Raman enhancement techniques and other unconventional methods. This review briefly describes the fundamental principles of each group of methods, reports the most recent advances, and makes comparison across those major categories of techniques in terms of cost and performance in a hope to guide interested readers to select proper methods for specific applications.     

基于稳定矩阵的动态图像运动目标检测

为了对视频序列中的运动目标进行快速、准确地提取,提出了一种自适应背景模型估计方法.利用背景与前景图像在时域中不同的变化特性,构造图像的稳定矩阵函数,通过稳定矩阵元素的变化自动区分背景点和前景点,并对稳定矩阵设置上、下饱和值,使算法能在短时间内自动感知背景的突变,从而快速地建立背景图像模型并对其实时更新.同时还分析了动态图像序列的配准问题,选取局部特征模板图像,采用投影匹配原理简化计算,快速估计出全局运动矢量.实验证明,背景估计算法收敛速度快,只需10 frame图像即可建立稳定背景,对于500 pixel×200 pixel动态图像序列,整个算法时间只需35 ms,完全满足工程上25 frame/s处理能力的要求.     

基于激光诱导叶绿素荧光寿命成像技术的植物荧光特性研究

针对植物荧光遥感探测中信号易受干扰的问题, 提出了一种用于评估植物生长状况及环境监测的荧光寿命成像技术. 采用凹透镜对355 nm波长的激光扩束, 再照射植物激发叶绿素荧光, 由增强型电荷耦合器件接收荧光信号. 采用时间分辨测量法, 连续用相同激光脉冲照射植物以激发相同的荧光信号, 同时不断改变激光脉冲触发探测器启动的延时时间, 从而能够得到完整的离散荧光信号分布图像. 对植物特定位置点产生的离散荧光信号进行拟合, 再运用一种改进型的迭代解卷积法可反演高精度的荧光寿命; 进而反演图像各点的荧光寿命以生成植物的荧光寿命分布图. 该方法所绘制的荧光寿命图比荧光强度图能更准确地反映植物内部的叶绿素含量, 并对活体植物叶绿素荧光寿命的物理特性进行了初步研究, 证明叶绿素荧光寿命与植物生理状态存在一定关联; 并且叶绿素荧光寿命与活体植物所处环境存在着复杂的关系. 未来将与生物物理学家们合作, 继续探寻叶绿素荧光寿命与植物生存环境的关系.     

Application of the background standard method for the determination of Rb,Sr, Y,Zr, and Nb contents in phosphorites by x‐ray fluorescence

The aim of the present work is to demonstrate the application of the x‐ray fluorescence (XRF) technique to the determination of Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, and Nb contents in phosphorites. The effect of a chemical sample composition on fluorescence intensities of analytical lines has been taken into account using the background standard method. A novelty of the work is the detailed study of a background to choose the background position, free from the spectral line overlaps of the elements presented in the sample. The most suitable background position is the position at the angle 2θ = 29° when using the analyzing crystal LiF(200). During our investigation we faced a problem of choice of Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) for the calibration of the phosphorites. To estimate interelement effects and to choose CRMs for the calibration the intensities were theoretically calculated. The statistical processing of analytical results of the technique is carried out. This technique may be applied to the determination of Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, and Nb contents in the phosphorites. Also, the possibility has been demonstrated to use the XRF technique for geochemical investigations of rocks. Phosphorites of Bokson‐Khubsugul Basin were selected as an example. As a result of the investigation the genetic type of phosphorites was established, which corresponded to the present geodynamical depositional environment. The character of the distribution of Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, and Nb contents in the phosphorites was also studied. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

NON-LINEAR MODELLING OF HYDRAULIC MOUNTS: THEORY AND EXPERIMENT

This paper focuses on the development of a complete non-linear model of a hydraulic engine mount and the evaluation of the model using a unique experimental apparatus. The model is capable of capturing both the low- and high-frequency behavior of hydraulic mounts. The results presented here provide a significant improvement over existing models by considering all non-linear aspects of a hydraulic engine mount. Enhancements to already published non-linear models include a continuous function that follows a simplistic yet effective approach to capture the switching effect and leakage through the decoupler, and upper chamber bulge damping. It is shown that the model developed here provides the appropriate system response over the full range of loading conditions (frequency and amplitude) encountered in practice. In order to obtain the parameter values for the non-linear model, a unique test apparatus is introduced. Using the experimental set-up, it is possible to verify the model of individual components of the mount, and later on test the behavior of the whole assembly. These data also establish the relative importance of several damping, inertia and stiffness terms. In addition, the measured responses of the mounts to loading at various frequencies and amplitudes are compared to the predictions of the mathematical model. The comparisons generally show a very good agreement (better than 10%), which corroborate the non-linear model of the mount. It is felt that this work will help engineers in reducing mount design time, by providing insight into the effects of various parameters within the mount.     

基于光热效应的显微光谱技术在单粒子检测中应用和发展

高灵敏度的单粒子检测技术是纳米粒子在生物医学、化学、光电子等领域应用的前提条件。常见的单粒子检测技术主要包括基于粒子的荧光、拉曼、散射和吸收等信号而发展起来的光学显微成像及光谱技术。其中,拉曼光谱和荧光光谱技术主要适用于一些具有拉曼活性的分子/粒子或可发光的荧光分子或粒子,然而即使对于荧光效率高的有机染料分子和半导体纳米粒子,固有的光漂白和blinking现象也对单粒子探测形成了挑战。散射光谱测量是应用于单粒子检测的另外一种方法,从理论上讲,由于瑞利散射随着尺寸的减小而呈六次方减弱的趋势,在细胞或生物组织内,小尺寸粒子的散射信号很难从背景散射噪声中分离出来。众所周知,介质吸收激发光后会引起介质内的折射率变化,进而在光加热区附近出现折射率的梯度分布,称为光热效应(photothermal effect)。基于粒子光热效应的光学显微成像和光谱测量技术具有信号灵敏度高、无背景散射、原位和免标记等优点,在单粒子检测领域展现了良好的应用潜力。综述了近年来基于光热效应的显微光谱技术在单粒子检测中应用和研究发展,首先介绍了光热效应的测量原理;接着分别讨论了光热透镜测量技术、微分干涉相差测量技术和光热外差测量技术的实验装置,比较了各种测量技术的信噪比、灵敏度、分辨率等特点,并且介绍这些测量技术在单粒子检测中的应用研究进展;接着,论述了近年来研究人员在提高光热显微测量的信噪比、改善动态测量性能以及在红外波段拓展等方面的最新研究成果;最后,简单总结了光热测量技术在单粒子检测领域所面临的挑战。     

Improved methods for fluorescence background subtraction from Raman spectra

Raman spectroscopy has attracted interest as a non‐invasive optical technique to study the composition and structure of a wide range of materials at the microscopic level. The intrinsic fluorescence background can be orders of magnitude stronger than the Raman scattering, and so, background removal is one of the foremost challenges for quantitative analysis of Raman spectra in many samples. A range of methods anchored in instrumental and computational programming approaches have been proposed for removing fluorescence background signals. An enhanced adaptive weighting scheme for automated fluorescence removal is reported, applicable to both polynomial fitting and penalized least squares approaches. Analysis of the background fitting results for ensembles of simulated spectra suggests that the method is robust and reliable and can significantly improve the background fit over the range of signal, shot noise and background parameters tested, while reducing the subjective nature of the process. The method was also illustrated by application to experimental data generated from aqueous solutions of bulk protein fibrinogen mixed with dextran. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

激光诱导叶绿素荧光寿命的测量及其特性分析

提出了一种用于评估植物生长状况及环境监测的激光诱导叶绿素荧光寿命测量方法. 采用波长355 nm的激光作为光源激发叶绿素荧光, 由光电倍增管接收其荧光信号, 由于被测叶绿素荧光衰减函数与激光脉冲、仪器响应函数卷积在一起, 根据它们的特性, 运用时间分辨测量法分别测得叶绿素荧光及其背景信号, 并结合一种新型解卷积算法可分离出真实的叶绿素荧光衰减函数, 从而获取叶绿素的荧光寿命. 测试结果表明: 该方法能够实现叶绿素荧光寿命的高精度实时监测, 对不同叶绿素含量的溶液荧光寿命进行了测试, 证明叶绿素含量与其荧光寿命具有相关性, 并且拟合了叶绿素含量与荧光寿命的标定曲线. 关键词： 荧光寿命 激光诱导荧光 时间分辨测量法 叶绿素含量