Holographic projector using one lens

It is shown that the lens count in a Fourier holographic projector can be reduced by encoding the equivalent lens power in sets of Fresnel holograms. By using appropriately calculated Fresnel holograms in a reflective configuration to effectively share a lens between the beam-expansion and demagnification stages of a holographic projector, a reduction in lens count from four to one is demonstrated.     

Practical all-fiber source of high-power, 120-fs pulses at 1 micrometre

Amplification of femtosecond pulses at 1.03 micrometre in a standard Yb-doped single-mode fiber is reported. A pulse energy of 8 nJ and an average power of 400 mW are obtained, limited by available pump power. To our knowledge these are the highest pulse energy and average power obtained from an integrated, single-mode fiber amplifier. After dechirping, 120-fs, 6-nJ pulses are obtained. A practical fiber-based source with performance comparable with that of a bulk solid-state laser is thus demonstrated, and scaling to substantially higher powers will be possible.     

Magnetic resonance imaging screening in women at genetic risk of breast cancer: imaging and analysis protocol for the UK multicentre study. UK MRI Breast Screening Study Advisory Group

The imaging and analysis protocol of the UK multicentre study of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a method of screening for breast cancer in women at genetic risk is described. The study will compare the sensitivity and specificity of contrast-enhanced MRI with two-view x-ray mammography. Approximately 500 women below the age of 50 at high genetic risk of breast cancer will be recruited per year for three years, with annual MRI and x-ray mammography continuing for up to 5 years. A symptomatic cohort will be measured in the first year to ensure consistent reporting between centres. The MRI examination comprises a high-sensitivity three-dimensional contrast-enhanced assessment, followed by a high-specificity contrast-enhanced study in equivocal cases. Multiparametric analysis will encompass morphological assessment, the kinetics of contrast agent uptake and determination of quantitative pharmacokinetic parameters. Retrospective analysis will identify the most specific indicators of malignancy. Sensitivity and specificity, together with diagnostic performance, diagnostic impact and therapeutic impact will be assessed with reference to pathology, follow-up and changes in diagnostic certainty and therapeutic decisions. Mammography, lesion localisation, pathology and cytology will be performed in accordance with the UK NHS Breast Screening Programme quality assurance standards. Similar standards of quality assurance will be applied for MR measurements and evaluation.     

The microwave spectrum of piperidine: Equatorial and axial ground states

The microwave spectra of piperidine and N-deuterated piperidine were investigated between 8 and 40 GHz. The ground states of both equatorial and axial conformers have been identified by both type-A and type-C transitions, and the substitution coordinates of the imino hydrogen have been determined for both conformers. Dipole-moment components for the equatorial conformer are μ_a = 0.178 D, μ_c = 0.80 D, μ = 0.82 D, and for the axial conformer are μ_a = 1.07 D, μ_c = 0.521 D, μ = 1.19 D. The quadrupole coupling constants for the axial conformer are: χ_aa = ?3.80 MHz, χ_bb = 2.91 MHz, χ_cc = 0.83 MHz and for the equatorial conformer χ_cc = ?4.83 MHz. The rotational constants indicate a significant flattening of the ring in axial piperidine compared with equatorial piperidine. The equatorial conformer is the more abundant; intensity measurements on several sets of lines indicate the excess energy of the axial conformer to be 3.1 ± 0.3 kJ mole^?1. This represents a significant change from our earlier reported value and is now more in line with measurements obtained by other methods.     

Use of the surfactant 3-(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethyl-ammoniopropane sulfonate in hydrophobic interaction chromatography of proteins

Isocratic hydrophobic interaction chromatography of five proteins has been carried out using mobile phases containing the surfactant 3-(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammoniopropane sulfonate (CHAPS). Linear relationships were found between log k' and ammonium sulfate concentrations for all the proteins with CHAPS in the submicellar concentration range. The slope of such a plot decreases monotonically as CHAPS concentration is increased. To a first approximation, the effect of CHAPS on protein retention can be explained in terms of a competitive binding model. However, CHAPS does show differential effects on the elution of proteins, substantially altering selectivity. The use of a normalized capacity factor, k'/k'o, proves useful for comparing retention times of different proteins as a function of CHAPS concentration. The magnitudes of k'/k'o were found to be inversely correlated with the slopes of plots of log k' vs. ammonium sulfate concentration in the absence of CHAPS. Adsorption isotherms for CHAPS were determined over the working range of ammonium sulfate. The binding of CHAPS to the SynChropak Propyl stationary phase and its effects on retention were found to be readily reversible. For each protein, plots of k'/k'o vs. surface concentration of CHAPS were superposable for data obtained at different salt concentrations. These findings support a competitive binding model. A simple geometric argument for stationary phase occupancy provides a qualitative explanation for the observed surfactant selectivity.     

Spectral Interferences in Light Element Analysis

 Interferences (overlaps) occurring when lines of other elements affect either peak or background measurements can cause errors in quantitative WD analysis, but may be minimised by suitable choices of analysis conditions such as spectrometer crystal, background offsets, and pulse-height analyser settings. Computer spectrum-simulation is much more effective than reference to wavelength tables for investigating interferences. The ‘Virtual WDS’ simulation program developed by the present authors, hitherto applied only to ‘ordinary’ elements (Z ≥ 11), has been extended to light elements for which evaporated multilayers are used in place of true crystals. ‘Virtual WDS’ utilises experimentally recorded light-element K spectra and L and M spectra of heavier elements in the same wavelength range. It is impractical to record all high-order peaks, so computed line profiles are used, with widths and intensities interpolated from a limited set of observations. The relative positions of first and higher order peaks are affected significantly by the refractive index of the multilayer, requiring modification of the Bragg equation. Suppression of high orders by pulse-height analysis is less effective than for ‘normal’ wavelengths, owing to the breadth of the pulse-height distribution for low X-ray energies. Simulation using a Gaussian expression aids optimisation of threshold and window-width settings.     

Fibers from a low dielectric constant fluorinated polyimide: Solution spinning and morphology control

Control of the internal morphology of wet-spun fibers from a fluorinated polyimide has been achieved by varying the rate of polymer coagulation through adjustments in nonsolvent/solvent miscibility and precipitation strength of the coagulation bath. Filament internal morphologies ranged from very porous or sponge-like to fully solid. Intermediate structures included fibers containing a spongy core with a nonporous skin, sponge-like fibers containing large voids, and a relatively solid material containing randomly spaced small voids. The cross-sectional shape of the fiber is dependent upon the coagulation process as well as the volume contraction of the initial extrudate. Drawn fibers (3×) retained the original asspun cross-sectional shape and also lost porosity. Mechanical properties of poly(6FDA-4BDAF) fibers have an inverse relationship to filament porosity. Maximum modulus and break strength for drawn fibers is approximately 6 CPa and 200 MPa, respectively. Asspun mechanical properties were dependent upon the processing conditions and have moduli between 0.4–3.0 Gpa and break strengths of 10–160 MPa. A dielectric constant of 2.50 for nonporous films was measured over a frequency range between 1.0 MHz to 1.8 GHz, showing little dispersion. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.