Speckle noise attenuation in optical coherence tomography by compounding images acquired at different positions of the sample

This study demonstrates a simple method for attenuating the speckle noise generated by coherent multiple-scattered photons in optical-coherence tomography images. The method could be included among the space-diversity techniques used for speckle reduction. It relies on displacing the sample along a weakly focused beam in the sample arm of the interferometer, acquiring a coherent image for each sample position and adding the individual images to form a compounded image. It is proven that the compounded image displays a reduction in the speckle noise generated by multiple scattered photons and an enhancement in the intensity signal caused by single-backscattered photons. To evaluate its potential biomedical applications, the method is used to investigate in vitro a caries lesion affecting the enamel layer of a wisdom tooth. Because of the uncorrelated nature of the speckle noise the compounded image provides a better mapping of the lesion compared to a single (coherent) image.     

Effect of preparation and preservation procedures on carbon and nitrogen stable isotope determinations from zooplankton

A literature survey of zooplankton stable isotope studies revealed inconsistencies between authors concerning (a) fixation and (b) allowance for gut clearance of zooplankton prior to delta13C and delta15N determinations. To address whether commonly used preservation techniques induce changes in stable isotope values, fresh lake zooplankton (control) were compared with preserved (ethanol, methanol, formaldehyde, gluteraldehyde, frozen and shock frozen) material. Differences of up to 1.1 per thousand for carbon and 1.5 per thousand for nitrogen isotopic signatures were found. Even freezing, the most frequently used method identified from the literature, caused significant changes compared with the control. We advocate the use of fresh material prepared immediately whenever possible, or complementary testing of the preservative method to be used. Larger organisms are routinely eviscerated, or specific tissues are dissected, and analysed for stable isotopes to reduce errors introduced via the gut contents. Yet zooplankton gut clearance is rarely performed: the gut content assumed to be negligible relative to organism mass. Experimental determinations of relative gut mass, from both original and compiled data, range from 1-26% for different zooplankton species. Using reported isotopic values of basal resources from natural systems, we calculated that, when analysing bulk zooplankton, inclusion of the gut mass may introduce substantial errors of >3 per thousand. Thus it appears prudent to perform the simple procedure of gut clearance, especially for copepod species.     

Copolymerization of isobutene and α-methylstyrene as a function of reaction conditions

The influence of reaction conditions (solvent, Lewis acid, temperature) on the cationic copolymerization of isobutene and α-methylstyrene was investigated. The crude product consists of low molecular nonprecipitable oligomers, polyisobutene, and poly(isobutene-co-α-methylstyrene). The amount of poly(α-methylstyrene) formed under the reaction conditions used was negligible. The degree of charge separation in the propagating cationic intermediate determines the selectivity of the reaction; that is, incorporation of monomer units into the polymer, ratio of different product fractions, and microstructure. Molecular weight distribution, copolymerization parameters, and sequence-length distribution functions were determined. The softening range of the copolymers depended on their isobutene content but appeared to be constant up to 15% isobutene in copolymers. The degradation temperature of the copolymers was between 340 and 390°C.     

The Comparison of Physicochemical Parameters,Antioxidant Activity and Proteins for the Raw Local Polish Honeys and Imported Honey Blends

Many imported honeys distributed on the Polish market compete with local products mainly by lower price, which can correspond to lower quality and widespread adulteration. The aim of the study was to compare honey samples (11 imported honey blends and 5 local honeys) based on their antioxidant activity (measured by DPPH, FRAP, and total phenolic content), protein profile obtained by native PAGE, soluble protein content, diastase, and acid phosphatase activities identified by zymography. These indicators were correlated with standard quality parameters (water, HMF, pH, free acidity, and electrical conductivity). It was found that raw local Polish honeys show higher antioxidant and enzymatic activity, as well as being more abundant in soluble protein. With the use of principal component analysis (PCA) and stepwise linear discriminant analysis (LDA) protein content and diastase number were found to be significant (p < 0.05) among all tested parameters to differentiate imported honey from raw local honeys.     

Cobalt(II) and cobalt(III) complexes with 4′‐(4‐cyanophenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine

4′‐Cyanophenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (cptpy) was employed as an N,N′,N′′‐tridentate ligand to synthesize the compounds bis[4′‐(4‐cyanophenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine]cobalt(II) bis(tetrafluoridoborate) nitromethane solvate, [Co^II(C₂₂H₁₄N₄)₂](BF₄)₂·CH₃NO₂, (I), and bis[4′‐(4‐cyanophenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine]cobalt(III) tris(tetrafluoridoborate) nitromethane sesquisolvate, [Co^III(C₂₂H₁₄N₄)₂](BF₄)₃·1.5CH₃NO₂, (II). In both complexes, the cobalt ions occupy a distorted octahedral geometry with two cptpy ligands in a meridional configuration. A greater distortion from octahedral geometry is observed in (I), which indicates a different steric consequence of the constrained ligand bite on the Co^II and Co^III ions. The crystal structure of (I) features an interlocked sheet motif, which differs from the one‐dimensional chain packing style present in (II). The lower dimensionality in (II) can be explained by the disturbance caused by the larger number of anions and solvent molecules involved in the crystal structure of (II). All atoms in (I) are on general positions, and the F atoms of one BF₄⁻ anion are disordered. In (II), one B atom is on an inversion center, necessitating disorder of the four attached F atoms, another B atom is on a twofold axis with ordered F atoms, and the C and N atoms of one nitromethane solvent molecule are on a twofold axis, causing disorder of the methyl H atoms. This relatively uncommon study of analogous Co^II and Co^III complexes provides a better understanding of the effects of different oxidation states on coordination geometry and crystal packing.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Arylglycines via Pd-Catalyzed Coupling of Schöllkopf Bis-Lactim Ethers with Aryl Chlorides

Arylglycines are important pharmacophores present in several top-selling drugs. This compound class has now been made accessible from abundant aryl chlorides by a Pd-catalyzed Schöllkopf-type amino acid synthesis. In the presence of the catalyst methylnaphthyl(XPhos)-palladium bromide, the base lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpyrrolidide and the additive ZnCl₂, tert-leucine-derived bis-lactim ethers were efficiently arylated at room temperature, reaching yields of 95 % and diastereoselectivities of 98 : 2. Hydrolysis gave the corresponding arylglycines in high enantiomeric excess.