Combined confocal and magnetic resonance microscopy

Confocal fluorescence optical microscopy and magnetic resonance microscopy are each used to study live cells in a minimally invasive way. Both techniques provide complementary information. Therefore, by examining cells simultaneously with both methodologies, more detailed information is obtained than is possible with each microscope individually. In this paper two configurations of a combined confocal and magnetic resonance microscope are described. The first configuration is capable of studying large single cells or three-dimensional cell agglomerates, whereas the second configuration is designed for the investigation of monolayers of mammalian cells. In both cases the sample compartment is part of a temperature regulated perfusion system. Images obtained with the combined system are shown forXenopus laevis oocytes, model JB6 tumor spheroids, and a single layer of Chinese hamster ovary cells. Finally, potential applications of the combined microscope are discussed.     

Variation of interband interaction strength in odd-A nuclei

Bandcrossing in 31 rotational bands of 25 different odd-A nuclei in the rare-earth region has been analysed by using a two-band mixing formalism with a constant band interaction within the framework of the effective decoupling picture. The interband interaction strengthV between the one-quasiparticle band and the three-quasiparticle band exhibits a variation with the neutron number which is not different from the oscillatory behaviour observed in even-even nuclei and does not show signs of any appreciable phase shifting as predicted by theory. However, the overall range of variation ofV is greater than that observed in even-even systems.     

Traveling Wave Solutions for a Combustion Problem

A simple model for combustion consisting of two parabolic equations is considered. It is shown that plane wave solutions exist. Certain invariant integrals are obtained, from which a nonexistence criterion is derived. The effect of the wave speed on the shape of the wave is deduced.     

Total synthesis of (−)-radicamine B

The synthesis of a chiral cyclic nitrone with l-arabino configuration and its application in the total synthesis of radicamine B is reported. An agreement in the spectral data with natural radicamine B but specific rotation with an opposite sign warranted a revision of the absolute configuration of radicamine B.     

Self-assembly of doped semiconductor nanocrystals leading to the formation of highly luminescent nanorods

Meso-scale self-assembly of doped semiconductor nanocrystals leading to the formation of monocrystalline nanorods showing enhanced photo- and electro-luminescence properties are reported. Polycrystalline ZnS: Cu⁺-Al³⁺ nanoparticles of zinc-blended (cubic) structure with an average size of ∼4 nm were aggregated in aqueous solution and grown into nanorods of length ∼400 nm and aspect ratio ∼12. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images indicate crystal growth mechanisms involving particle-to-particle oriented-attachment assisted by sulphur-sulphur catenation leading to covalent-linkage. The nanorods exhibit self-assembly dependant luminescence properties such as quenching of the lattice defect-related emissions accompanied by enhancement of dopant-related emission, efficient low-voltage electroluminescence (EL) and super-linear voltage-brightness EL characteristics. This study demonstrates the technological importance of aggregation based self-assembly in doped semiconductor nanosystems.     

The Limiting Possibilities of Miniaturization of Open-Resonator Mirrors

Using the representation of the field of a quasioptical beam in the form of expansion over plane waves, we derive an expression determining the minimum possible size of mirrors of an open resonator (OR) in which the lowest mode with small energy losses exists. To verify the obtained expression, we study experimentally the field distribution in a semisymmetric OR using the probe method. In this case, the diameter of the scattering probe was chosen on the basis of the equation derived. The difference between the measured and calculated field distributions was smaller than 8%. It is shown that the diameter of the field spot on the OR mirrors cannot be smaller than the wavelength of a microwave oscillator. The attempts to focus a Gaussian beam to a size smaller than the wavelength lead to an increase in the diameter of the field spot.     

Approximate and Exact Small Signal Analysis for Single-Mode Fiber Near Zero Dispersion Wavelength with Higher Order Dispersion

This article presents the comparison of approximate and exact small-signal theories for analyzing the influence of the higher-order dispersion terms on dispersive optical communication systems operating near zero dispersion wavelength for linear single-mode fiber. For the approximate theory, the generalized conversion matrix has been reported and gives the transfer function of intensity and phase from the fiber input to fiber output for a laser source including the influence of any higher-order dispersion term. In addition, expressions for the small-signal frequency response and the relative intensity noise (RIN) response of an ultrafast laser diode including noises are derived. However, it is observed that the approximation assumed for the second-order dispersion term for the approximate analysis is not valid. From the approximate theory, the exact generalized conversion matrix and exact expressions for small-signal frequency response and relative intensity noise (RIN) are obtained. We show that for the exact theory, the second-order dispersion term has no effect on intensity and frequency response even at large modulating frequencies and large propagation distances contrary to the approximate theory as reported by other authors. But we show that third-order dispersion term certainly has some minute impact on the frequency and RIN response for long distance links at high modulating frequencies.     

Holographic interferometry as electrochemical emission spectroscopy of a carbon steel in 5–20 ppm TROS C-70 inhibited seawater

In the present investigation, holographic interferometry was utilized for the first time to determine the rate change of the number of the fringe evolutions during the corrosion test of a carbon steel in blank seawater and seawater with different concentrations of a corrosion inhibitor. In other words, the anodic dissolution behaviors (corrosion) of the carbon steel were determined simultaneously by holographic interferometry, as an electromagnetic method, and by the electrochemical impedance (EI) spectroscopy, as an electronic method. So, the abrupt rate change of the number of the fringe evolutions during corrosion tests, EI spectroscopy, of the carbon steel is called electrochemical emission spectroscopy. The corrosion process of the steel samples was carried out in blank seawater and seawater with different concentrations, 5–20 ppm, of TROS C-70 corrosion inhibitor using the EI spectroscopy method, at room temperature. The electrochemical-emission spectra of the carbon steel in different solutions represent a detailed picture of the rate change of the anodic dissolution of the steel throughout the corrosion processes. Furthermore, the optical interferometry data of the carbon steel were compared to the data, which was obtained from the EI. spectroscopy. Consequently, holographic interferometry is found very useful for monitoring the anodic dissolution behaviors of metals, in which the number of the fringe evolutions of the steel samples can be determined in situ.     

Modelling for the planning and management of bed capacities in hospitals

The internal dynamics of a hospital represent a complex non-linear structure. Planning and management of bed capacities must be evaluated within an environment of uncertainty, variability and limited resources. A common approach is to plan and manage capacities based on simple deterministic spreadsheet calculations. This paper demonstrates that these calculations typically do not provide the appropriate information and result in underestimating true bed requirements. More sophisticated, flexible and necessarily detailed capacity models are needed. The development and use of such a simulation model is presented in this paper. The modelling work, in conjunction with a major UK NHS Trust, considers various types of patient flows, at the individual patient level, and resulting bed needs over time. The consequence of changes in capacity planning policies and management of existing capacities can be readily examined. The work has highlighted the need for evaluating hospital bed capacities in light of both bed occupancies and refused admission rates. The relationship between occupancy and refusals is complex and often overlooked by hospital managers.     

Performance evaluation of PVdF gel polymer electrolytes

A series of gel polymer electrolytes containing PVdF as homo polymer, a mixture of 1:1 Ethylene Carbonate (EC) : Propylene Carbonate (PC) as plasticizer and lithium-bistrifluoromethane sulphone imide [imide — LiN (CF₃SO₂)₂] has been developed. Amounts of polymer (PVdF), plasticizer and the imide lithium salt have been varied as a function of their weight ratio composition in this regard. Dimensionally stable films possessing appreciable room temperature conductivity values have been obtained with respect to certain weight ratio compositions. However, conductivity data have been recorded at different possible temperatures, i.e., from 20 °C to 65 °C. XRD and DSC studies were carried out to characterize the polymer films for better amorphicity and reduced glass transition temperature, respectively. The electrochemical interface stability of the PVdF based gel polymer electrolytes over a range of storage period (24 h – 10 days) have been investigated using A.C. impedance studies. Test cells containing Li/gel polymer electrolyte (GPE)/Li have been subjected to undergo 50 charge-discharge cycles in order to understand the electrochemical performance behaviour of the dimensionally stable films of superior conductivity. The observed capacity fade of less than 20% even after 50 cycles is in favour of the electrochemical stability of the gel polymer electrolyte containing 27.5% PVdF −67.5 % EC+PC −5% imide salt. Cyclic voltammetry studies establish the possibility of a reversible intercalation — deintercalation process involving Li⁺ ions through the gel polymer electrolyte.