Stationary-fiber rotary probe with unobstructed 360° view for optical coherence tomography

A side-scanning fiber probe is a critical component for optical coherence tomography in medical imaging and diagnosis. We propose and fabricate an on-axis rotating probe that performs in situ, circumferential scanning that is shadow-free (not susceptible to shadow effects caused by the motor's wires). A miniature motor that incorporates a bored-out shaft for the optical fiber is located at the distal end of the probe, which results in a more stable and uniform circumferential scan, free from wire-shadow interference effects. More importantly, this design, novel to our knowledge, compared to other probes avoids the insertion losses introduced by optical coupling components and the multitude of optical interfaces, which is very important for sensing weak signals backscattered from structures deep in the tissue.     

Valence band x-ray emission spectra of compressed germanium

We report measurements of the valence band width in compressed Ge determined from x-ray emission spectra below the Ge K edge. The width of the valence band does not show any pressure dependence in the semiconducting diamond-type structure of Ge below 10 GPa. On the other hand, in the metallic beta-Sn phase above 10 GPa the valence band width increases under compression. Density-functional calculations show an increasing valence band width under compression both in the semiconducting phase (contrary to experiment) and in the metallic beta-Sn phase of Ge (in agreement with observed pressure-induced broadening). The pressure-independent valence band width in the semiconducting phase of Ge appears to require theoretical advances beyond the density-functional theory or the GW approximation.     

Diamond anvil cell radial x-ray diffraction program at the National Synchrotron Light Source

During the past decade, the radial x-ray diffraction method using a diamond anvil cell (DAC) has been developed at the X17C beamline of the National Synchrotron Light Source. The detailed experimental procedure used with energy dispersive x-ray diffraction is described. The advantages and limitations of using the energy dispersive method for DAC radial diffraction studies are also discussed. The results for FeO at 135?GPa and other radial diffraction experiments performed at X17C are discussed in this report.     

Preparation of branched structures with long DNA duplex arms

Branched structures with long DNA duplex arms have been constructed through biotin-streptavidin binding and characterized by gel electrophoresis and atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging.     

利用偏振控制器连续调节光纤环镜的反射率

研究了一种新型光纤环镜(FLM)的原理与特性，这种FLM由在普通光纤环镜中插入光纤型偏振控制器(PC)构成.通过等效光路分析建立了该FLM的理论模型，并对其反射特性进行了数值模拟.研究表明，通过改变PC的状态，即改变其双折射效应的快轴取向或强度，可连续调节FLM的反射率，反射率谱具有宽带特性，主要受光纤耦合器工作带宽的影响.此外，对FLM的反射特性还进行了实验研究.实验结果也证实，通过调节PC状态，FLM反射率可在其最大和最小值之间连续调节，实验测得FLM最大和最小反射率分别可达93%和2%.根据PC双折 关键词： 光纤环镜 偏振控制器 光纤耦合器 反射率     

Preparation of cellulose I nanowhiskers with a mildly acidic aqueous ionic liquid: reaction efficiency and whiskers attributes

Cellulose I nanowhiskers were prepared in relatively high yield (48 ± 2 %) by single-stage hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose with an aqueous solution of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([Bmim]HSO₄). This reaction occurred under mildly acidic reaction conditions with an [H⁺]/[AGU] ratio of 0.24 mol/mol, i.e., 2 orders of magnitude lower than with concentrated sulfuric acid. The nanowhiskers exhibited small width and width distribution and also smaller length than nanowhiskers obtained with concentrated acid. With a relatively low content of sulfur they also exhibited higher thermal stability than whiskers obtained with concentrated sulfuric acid. The lower solvating power of the aqueous ionic liquid compared to that of concentrated sulfuric acid likely contributes to the greater hydrolysis efficiency in the present system.     

Ni-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays on shape memory alloy

Self-organized Ni-Ti-O nanotube arrays were fabricated through a direct anodization of NiTi shape memory alloy in glycerol-based electrolyte. The growth of Ni-doped TiO₂ nanotube arrays was mainly affected by anodization voltage and temperature. Higher anodization voltage facilitated the growth of uniform nanotube arrays. Large-area open-ended Ni-Ti-O nanotube arrays could form on the surface of the shape memory alloy under a higher anodization temperature. The oxide nanotubes had a gradually changed composition along the growth direction of the nanotube and presented a thermal stability up to 400 °C. The nanotubular oxide demonstrated a much better hydrophilic behavior than that of the traditional oxide layer grown on NiTi substrate through air oxidization. The successful fabrication of Ni-doped TiO₂ nanotube arrays here makes it feasible to further explore excellent physical and chemical as well as biomedical properties of the nanotube-modified surfaces of the NiTi shape memory alloy.     

Digital image correlation approach to cracking and decohesion in a brittle coating/ductile substrate system

By using a digital image correlation technique, the full/local field strain in a brittle coating/ductile substrate system during tension has been successfully monitored. One of the most important experimental results indicates that the distribution of interfacial shear stress in the segmented coating is antisymmetric about the center, which clarifies several controversial assumptions introduced in theoretical models. Two key mechanical properties of thermal barrier coatings, fracture strength in coating and interfacial adhesion strength, were determined as 35.0 ± 4.6 and 14.1 ± 3.2 MPa, respectively, which are consistent with available experimental data.     

<Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc(CO)<Subscript>3</Subscript>–AOPA colchicine conjugate as a potential tumor imaging agent

This work reports the synthesis, radiolabeling and preliminary biodistribution results in tumor-bearing mice of the ^99mTc(CO)₃–AOPA colchicine conjugate. The novel ligand was successfully synthesized by conjugation of N-(acetyloxy)-2-picolylamino (AOPA) to deacetylcolchicine via a short carbonyl-methylene linker. Radiolabeling was performed in high yield with [^99mTc(CO)₃]⁺ core. ^99mTc(CO)₃–AOPA colchicine conjugate was hydrophilic and was stable at room temperature. Biodistribution studies in tumor-bearing mice showed that ^99mTc(CO)₃–AOPA colchicine conjugate accumulated in the tumor with good uptake and retention. However, its clearance from normal organs was not so fast, resulting in poor T/NT ratios. Further modification on the linker or/and ^99mTc-chelate to improve the tumor targeting efficacy and in vivo kinetic profiles is currently in progress.