Anatomical descriptions of silicified woods from Madagascar and Indonesia by scanning electron microscopy

Fine structure and tissue substitution by minerals were investigated in silicified woods from Madagascar and Indonesia by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. The silicified woods maintained the exterior morphology of once grown trees and showed typical inner structures of conifers. Radial planes of the silicified wood from Madagascar revealed tracheids as a major component of the axial system in the secondary xylem. Tracheids were mainly characterized by numerous bordered pits where a thickening in the middle (torus) was surrounded with the membrane (margo). The torus appeared to contrast with the fibrillar network of the margo. As a component of the axial system in the secondary phloem, sieve elements were found to have many sieve pores that were filled with seemingly crystalline materials. To correlate the colors of the silicified wood from Indonesia with elemental composition, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry was employed in this study. Silicon was present as a basic component of the silicified wood. Calcium and iron were detected from red-colored regions, whereas magnesium was found in blue-colored regions. These results suggest that tissues of silicified woods had been substituted by minerals over the past period, while retaining the inherent morphology of the tree species. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis could be applied to unravel structural details and composition of plant fossils in palaeobotany.     

Visualising impregnated chitosan in Pinus radiata early wood cells using light and scanning electron microscopy

Chitosan, a deacetylated product of an abundant naturally occurring biopolymer chitin, has been used in a range of applications, particularly in food and health areas, as an antimicrobial agent. In the work reported here Pinus radiata wood was impregnated with chitosan as an environmentally compatible organic biocide (Eikenes et al., 2005a, Eikenes et al., 2005b) to protect wood against wood deteriorating microorganisms and to thus prolong the service life of wooden products. We developed sample preparation techniques targeted to visualise impregnated chitosan within wood tissues using light microscope and field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). Sections were viewed with the light microscope without staining with a dye as well as after staining with the dye toluidine blue. Light microscopy was also undertaken on sections that had been stained with 1% aqueous osmium tetroxide (OsO₄). For SEM observations, the sections were treated with OsO₄ and then examined with the FE-SEM, first in the secondary electron imaging mode (SEI) and then in the backscattered electron imaging (BEI) mode, imaging the same areas of a section in both SEI and BEI modes. The preparation techniques employed and the combined use of light and scanning electron microscopy provided valuable complementary information, revealing that chitosan had penetrated into the cavities (cell lumens, intercellular spaces) of all sizes present within wood tissues and had also impregnated early wood cell walls. The information obtained is discussed in relation to its importance in further development of chitosan formulations and refinement of impregnation technologies to optimise chitosan impregnation into and distribution within wood tissues as well as in assessing chitosan efficacy.     

Simulations of Water Flow Through Bordered Pits of Conifer Xylem

Bordered pits between tracheids play an important role in the water conductivity of conifer xylem. There have been many attempts to model xylem as a water conducting medium, and to estimate its permeability. As the microscopic structure of xylem is highly complex, it is however very difficult to numerically solve the flow equations. New methods have recently been developed by which the flow is simulated rather than found by solving appropriate equations. In this work the lattice-Boltzmann method was used to simulate the flow in bordered pits of conifer xylem, and their permeability was thereby determined. To this end the permeability of two-dimensional screens was also analyzed.     

The effect of ultrasonic intensity on physicochemical properties of Chinese fir

Cavitation intensity is affected by ultrasonic intensity (UI) and is a key parameter to describe experimental results during ultrasonic treatment. The relationship between the UI and physicochemical properties of Chinese fir was investigated. In this study, four frequencies (25, 28, 40, and 59 kHz) were used at the same intensity of 240 W and the same duration of 35 min. The UI during the ultrasonic treatment was determined, and the chemical components were determined. The chemical structure, crystallinity, morphology, and extractives of wood were respectively analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The results showed that higher crystallinity was associated with a larger integrated area under the curve of the ultrasonic intensity (UIA). The largest UIA was observed at 25 kHz, followed by those at 40, 59, and 28 kHz. The relative content of hemicellulose was strongly affected by the ultrasonic treatment. No chemical reactions were observed in the wood, whereas the ultrasonic treatment affected the torus of the bordered pits and facilitated the migration of extractives. In general, the higher the UIA, the stronger the effect of the cavitation was. The most significant changes in the physicochemical properties were observed at 25 kHz. The instantaneous ultrasonic intensity (IUI) changed over time, and the UIA was closely associated with changes in the physicochemical properties of the wood. The results of this study demonstrate that UI has a significant influence on the physicochemical properties of wood.     

KDP晶体前表面修复轮廓的光强调制能力影响

在高功率激光系统中,精密微机械修复是减缓磷酸二氢钾（KDP）晶体表面缺陷增长的有效方法,使用精密微铣削机床可以加工出球面型与高斯型修复轮廓。为得到最优的修复结构参数,建立了晶体前表面球面型与高斯型修复轮廓的电磁场有限元模型,通过改变轮廓的宽度、深度等参数,对两种修复轮廓的光强调制能力进行对比研究。仿真结果表明光强调制能力主要是由修复轮廓的衍射效应及入射光在修复界面处的二次入射所引起的干涉作用共同决定;针对初始损伤点,建议采用宽深比大于5的修复轮廓,从而有效提高KDP晶体表面缺陷点的激光损伤阈值,对于宽深比大于10的修复轮廓建议选用高斯型;对宽1000 m,深20 m的两种修复表面的激光损伤实验表明,高斯型修复轮廓具有较高的抗损伤能力,实验与仿真结果相一致。     

Observations of cavitation erosion pit formation

Previous investigations showed that a single cavitation bubble collapse can cause more than one erosion pit (Philipp & Lauterborn [1]). But our preliminary study showed just the opposite – that in some cases a single cavitation pit can result from more than one cavitation event. The present study shows deeper investigation of this phenomenon. An investigation of the erosion effects of ultrasonic cavitation on a thin aluminum foil was made. In the study we observed the formation of individual pits by means of high speed cameras (>1000 fps) and quantitatively evaluated the series of images by stereoscopy and the shape from shading method. This enabled the reconstruction of the time evolution of the pit shape. Results show how the foil is deformed several times before a hole is finally punctured. It was determined that larger single pits result from several impacts of shock waves on the same area, which means that they are merely special cases of pit clusters (pit clusters where pits overlap perfectly). Finally it was shown that a thin foil, which is subjected to cavitation, behaves as a membrane. It was concluded that the physics behind erosion depends significantly on the means of generating cavitation (acoustic, hydrodynamic, laser light) and the specimen characteristics (thin foil, massive specimen), which makes comparison of results of materials resistance to cavitation from different experimental set-ups questionable.Further development of the shape from shading method in the scope of cavitation erosion testing will enable better evaluation of cavitation erosion models.     

Effects of ultrasound on the enzymatic degradation of pectin

Ultrasound-assisted enzymatic maceration (UAEM) has gained considerable interest in the fruit juice industry, owing to its potential to increase juice yield and content of polyphenols while simultaneously saving time and energy. In this study, the effects of UAEM (ultrasonic probe, 20 kHz, 21 W*cm⁻² and 33 W*cm⁻²) on pectin degradation in a continuous circulation system were investigated over 60 and 90 min. Main pectinolytic enzymes activities of (polygalacturonase, pectin lyase and pectin methylesterase) of a commercial enzyme preparation were examined for individual synergistic effects with US. Pectin hydrolysis by UAEM differed significantly compared to treatment with ultrasound or enzymes alone regarding the profile of degradation products compared to treatment with ultrasound or enzymes alone. Ultrasound fragmented pectin to less branched oligomers of medium molecular weight (Mp approx. 150 kDa), which were further degraded by pectinolytic activities. The low molecular weight fraction (<30 kDa), which is known to be beneficial for juice-quality by adding nutritional value and stabilizing polyphenols, was enriched in small oligomers of homogalacturonan-derived, rhamnogalacturonan I-derived, and rhamnogalacturonan II-derived residues. Synergistic effects of ultrasound application enhanced the effective activities of polygalacturonase and pectin lyase and even prolonged their performance over 90 min, whereas the effective activity of pectin methylesterase was not affected. Final marker concentrations determined by each enzyme assay revealed a considerable higher total process output after UAEM treatment at reduced temperature (30 °C) comparable to the output after conventional batch maceration at 50 °C. The obtained results demonstrate the high potential of UAEM to produce high-quality juice by controlling pectin degradation while reducing process temperature and equally highlight the matrix and enzyme specific effects of a simultaneous US treatment.     

熔石英损伤修复坑下游光场调制的数值模拟与实验研究

系统研究了熔石英激光损伤修复后的形貌特征,根据测量数据建立了典型的损伤修复坑三维模型,利用标量衍射理论并结合快速傅里叶变换算法研究了修复坑在351 nm激光辐照下游光场调制的分布规律.研究表明,修复坑引起的光场调制会使得下游不同距离位置处出现环形光场增强区和轴上位置光场增强点;环形光场增强区位置距离修复元件较近,其环形调制极大值主要受修复坑深度的影响,且随修复坑深度的增大而逐渐增加;轴上位置光场增强点位置距离修复元件较远,其轴上调制极大值主要受修复坑边缘凸起高度的影响,且随凸起高度的增大而快速增加;环形调制极大值或轴上调制极大值增大的同时,其分布位置与修复元件之间的距离均会逐渐减小.实验验证表明,利用三维修复坑模型得到的下游光场调制数值模拟结果与实验测量结果具有较好的一致性.本研究结果对控制熔石英元件损伤修复形貌特征以抑制调制增强效应给出了具体的控制方向,对修复工艺的改进与完善提供了非常有意义的参考.     

Chemical properties of the extracellular matrix of the snail nervous system: A comprehensive study using a combination of histochemical techniques

The extracellular matrix (ECM) consists of various types of protein and carbohydrate polymers with red-ox and acid–base properties that have a crucial impact on tissue homeostasis. In the present study, a combination of both frequently applied and also specialized histochemical staining methods were used to reveal the chemical properties of the ECM of the snail central nervous system (CNS) which has a long been favored experimental model for comparative neurobiologists. Reactions such as silver ion reduction to label oxidative elements and different protein fibers, visible and fluorescent periodic-Schiff (PAS) reaction for the detection of unbranched chain of carbohydrates, and cationic dyes (acridine orange and alcian blue) for differentiating acidic carbohydrates were used. Illumination of sections stained with toluidine blue at pH 4.0 by a fluorescent light (λ ex546/em580 nm), visualized components of the extraneural space (ECM molecules and glial cells) of the adult and also the developing CNS. Silver, toluidine blue and azure A were used to detect specific molecule bands in CNS extracts separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Some molecules showed both negative character and had carbohydrate side chains revealed by the Solanum tuberosum lectin probe. In a comparison of a freshwater aquatic (Lymnaea stagnalis) and a terrestrial (Helix pomatia) species, the ECM showed similarities in the composition of the periganglionic sheath and interperikaryonal space. The sheath was rich in alcian blue-positive sulfated proteoglycans infiltrated the space between collagen and reticular fibers, whereas in the interperikaryonal space PAS- and acridine orange-positive neutral and weakly acidic carbohydrates were detected. The ganglionic neuropil was mostly filled with PAS-positive material, but negatively charged sulfated and carboxylated molecules detected by acridine orange and alcian blue were present only in Helix. A low carbohydrate content was also found in the neuropil of both adult and developing Lymnaea, but most of the ECM components appeared only during the postembryonic juvenile stages. Comparing the SDS-PAGE of the periganglionic sheath and neural tissue extracts, toluidine blue (pH 4.0) and azure A (pH 2.0) revealed negatively charged molecules; some were found in both fractions. These results show, for the first time, the general chemical characteristics of the ECM of the snail CNS, indicating differences in the composition of the ganglion neuropil between aquatic and terrestrial species. Hence, a different strategy for retaining water by the neural tissue is suggested in species living in different environments.     

Sonoluminescence and sonochemiluminescence from a microreactor

Micromachined pits on a substrate can be used to nucleate and stabilize microbubbles in a liquid exposed to an ultrasonic field. Under suitable conditions, the collapse of these bubbles can result in light emission (sonoluminescence, SL). Hydroxyl radicals (OH()) generated during bubble collapse can react with luminol to produce light (sonochemiluminescence, SCL). SL and SCL intensities were recorded for several regimes related to the pressure amplitude (low and high acoustic power levels) at a given ultrasonic frequency (200kHz) for pure water, and aqueous luminol and propanol solutions. Various arrangements of pits were studied, with the number of pits ranging from no pits (comparable to a classic ultrasound reactor), to three-pits. Where there was more than one pit present, in the high pressure regime the ejected microbubbles combined into linear (two-pits) or triangular (three-pits) bubble clouds (streamers). In all situations where a pit was present on the substrate, the SL was intensified and increased with the number of pits at both low and high power levels. For imaging SL emitting regions, Argon (Ar) saturated water was used under similar conditions. SL emission from aqueous propanol solution (50mM) provided evidence of transient bubble cavitation. Solutions containing 0.1mM luminol were also used to demonstrate the radical production by attaining the SCL emission regions.     

四光束干涉单次曝光构造含平面缺陷三维周期性微纳结构

本文使用多光束干涉方法构造三维周期性微纳结构.通过多次匀胶与单次曝光结合, 在负光刻胶SU8上刻蚀出含平面缺陷的类金刚石结构(fcc-like)光子晶体.扫描电子显微镜(SEM)观测显示, 相比无缺陷光子晶体结构,该结构在(111)晶面上存在清晰可见的平面缺陷.通过控制匀胶时的转速, 可以精确控制平面缺陷厚度在适合的范围.傅里叶红外反射光谱测试显示完整周期微纳结构在(111)方向上 有明显的特征峰,两个特征反射峰中心波长接近1.2 μm和2.4 μm. 含缺陷的结构则在反射光谱特征峰中掺入了明显的凹陷,并且随着平面缺陷的厚度增大, 缺陷模从处于2.4 μm禁带移至1.2 μm禁带处.提取SEM图中的结构参数, 用FDTD方法模拟分析,发现模拟结果与实验值基本一致,证明了平面缺陷不但存在,而且面积较大.     

Use of light, scanning electron microscopy and bioassays to evaluate parasitism by entomopathogenic fungi of the red scale insect of palms (Phoenicococcus marlatti Ckll., 1899)

We have evaluated the parasitism of the red scale insect of the date palm (Phoenicococcus marlatti) by entomopathogenic fungi, using light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and low temperature scanning electron microscopy (LTSEM). Beauveria bassiana, Lecanicillium dimorphum and Lecanicillium cf. psalliotae, were inoculated directly on the scale insects or on insect infested plant material. We found that L. dimorphum and L. cf. psalliotae developed on plant material and on scale insects, making infection structures. B. bassiana was a bad colonizer of date palm leaves (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and did not parasite the scale insects.     

不同类型修复坑形貌对光传输的影响北大核心CSCD

建立了不同类型熔石英元件损伤修复坑形貌的三维模型,利用标量衍射理论并结合快速傅里叶变换算法研究了在351nm激光辐照下修复坑形貌对光传输的影响规律。研究表明,无论是锥形、抛物形或是高斯形修复坑形貌,均会产生离轴位置的环形光场调制增强区,其环形调制极大值均主要受修复坑深度影响,随着修复坑深度的增大而增大,而其分布位置随着修复坑深度的增加逐渐靠近修复元件后表面,随着修复坑底面半径的增大而远离修复元件后表面;同时,当修复坑深度与底面半径一定时,三类修复坑形貌中以抛物形修复坑形貌最为理想。     

不同类型修复坑形貌对光传输的影响

建立了不同类型熔石英元件损伤修复坑形貌的三维模型,利用标量衍射理论并结合快速傅里叶变换算法研究了在351 nm激光辐照下修复坑形貌对光传输的影响规律。研究表明,无论是锥形、抛物形或是高斯形修复坑形貌,均会产生离轴位置的环形光场调制增强区,其环形调制极大值均主要受修复坑深度影响,随着修复坑深度的增大而增大,而其分布位置随着修复坑深度的增加逐渐靠近修复元件后表面,随着修复坑底面半径的增大而远离修复元件后表面;同时,当修复坑深度与底面半径一定时,三类修复坑形貌中以抛物形修复坑形貌最为理想。     

Microstructural features assessment of different waterlogged wood species by NMR diffusion validated with complementary techniques

Wood is a hygroscopic, multi-scale and anisotropic natural material composed of pores with different size and differently oriented. In particular, archaeologically excavated wood generally is waterlogged wood with very high moisture content (400%–800%) that need to have a rapid investigation at the microstructural level to obtain the best treatment with preservative agents. Time-dependent diffusion coefficient D(t) quantified by Pulse Field Gradient (PFG) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) techniques provides useful information about complex porous media, such as the tortuosity (τ) describing pore connectivity and fluid transport through media, the average-pore size, the anisotropic degree (a_n). However, diffusion NMR is intrinsically limited since it is an indirect measure of medium microstructure and relies on inferences from models and estimation of relevant diffusion parameters. Therefore, it is necessary to validate the information obtained from NMR diffusion parameters through complementary investigations. In this work, the structures of five waterlogged wood species were studied by PFG of absorbed water. D(t) and τ of water diffusing along and perpendicular to vessels/tracheids main axes together with relaxation times and a_n were quantified. From these parameters, the pore sizes distribution and the wood microstructure characterization were obtained. Results among wood species were compared, validated and integrated by micro-imaging NMR (μ-MRI), environmental-scanning electron-microscope (ESEM) images, wood dry density and imbibition times measurement of all woods. The work suggests that a_n vs τ rather than the estimated pore size diversifies and characterize the different wood species. As a consequence diffusion-anisotropy vs tortuosity could be an alternative method to characterize and differentiate wood species of waterlogged wood when high resolution images (μ-MRI and ESEM) are not available. Moreover, the combined use of D(t) and micro-MRI expands the scale of dimensions observable by NMR covering all the interesting length scales of wood.     

甲苯胺蓝荧光猝灭法测定核酸

以甲苯胺蓝为荧光探针,基于DNA对甲苯胺蓝的荧光猝灭作用,建立了一种定量测定DNA的新方法。在pH 8.5的Tris-HCl缓冲溶液中,测定小牛胸腺DNA的线性范围为0.1～6.0 μg·mL-1,检测限为27 ng·mL-1。该方法应用于实际样品樟树嫩叶中的DNA含量的测定,获得了满意结果。     

Plasma sterilization using the RF glow discharge

In the present work, glow discharge oxygen plasma was used to sterilize the Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheets. In a self-designed plasma reaction equipment, active species (electron, ion, radical, UV light, etc.) were separated effectively, and the discharge area, afterglow area and remote area were plotted out in the plasma field. Before and after plasma treatment the cell morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that after treatment of 30 s the germicidal effect is 4.26, 3. 84, 2.61, respectively in the three areas on the following conditions: discharge power was 40 W and gas flux was 20 cm³/min. SEM results revealed the cell morphology before and after plasma treatment. The walls or cell membrane cracking was testified by determining the content of protein using coomassie light blue technique. The results from electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) and double Langmuir electron probe showed that electron, ion and oxygen free radical played important roles in sterilization in the discharge area, but only oxygen radicals acted to sterilize the bacteria in the afterglow area and the remote area.     

熔石英后表面坑点型划痕对光场调制的近场模拟

建立了坑点型划痕的旋转抛物面模型, 用三维时域有限差分方法研究了熔石英后表面坑点型划痕随深度、 宽度、 间距以及酸蚀量变化对波长λ =355 nm入射激光的调制.研究表明, 这类划痕调制最强区位于相邻两坑点的连接区, 且越靠近表面调制越强.当其宽深比为2.0---3.5、 坑点间距约为坑点宽度的1/2时, 可获得最大光场调制, 最大光强增强因子(LIEF)为11.53; 当坑点间距大于坑点宽度时, 其调制大为减弱, 相当于单坑的场调制.对宽为60δ (δ =λ/12), 深和间距均为30δ的坑点型划痕进行刻蚀模拟, 刻蚀过程中最大LIEF为11.0, 当间距小于300 nm时, 相邻坑点由于衍射形成场贯通.     

动态超高压微射流对糯米淀粉结构的影响

以6%的糯米淀粉溶液为原料,并采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM),紫外-可见(UV/Vis),偏光显微(PLM),X射线衍射(XRD)分析动态超高压微射流处理对糯米淀粉微观结构的影响。结果表明：动态超高压微射流处理后,扫描电镜显示不同压力处理下的糯米淀粉颗粒结构受到不同程度的破坏,经过160 MPa处理后,淀粉颗粒被冲击成片状; 紫外-可见分析中碘兰值变小,支链淀粉含量减小,表明超高压处理过程中支链淀粉的结构被破坏; 偏光显微显示糯米淀粉颗粒的偏光十字随着处理压力的增加逐渐模糊,经160 MPa处理后,多数淀粉颗粒偏光十字消失; X射线衍射分析表明在120 MPa处理后,相对结晶度开始降低,但降低幅度较小。     

Effect of enclosed fluid on the dynamic response of inflated torus

Large inflatable structures have been the subject of renewed interest for scientists/engineers in recent years due to their potential space applications such as communication antennas, solar thermal propulsion and space solar power. The major advantages of using inflatable structures in space are their extremely low-weight, on-orbit deployability and inherent low launch volume. An inflated torus is a key component of many inflated space structures such as a thin membrane reflector. In view of their importance, structural static and dynamic behavior of inflated torus need to be investigated. In order to develop a more realistic model, dynamic interaction between the enclosed fluid and the torus has been included in the present work. An appreciable decrease in the modal frequencies is observed when fluid–structure interaction is taken into account. Some additional modes are also obtained. It is concluded that fluid–structure interaction significantly affects the dynamic behavior of inflatable space structures.