Effective elimination of laser interference fringing in fluorescence microscopy by spinning azimuthal incidence angle

Laser illumination used in both conventional widefield epi-fluorescence as well as in total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy is subject to nonuniformities in intensity that obscure true image details. These intensity variations are interference fringes arising from coherent light scattering and diffraction at every surface in the laser light's optical path, including the lenses, mirrors, and coverslip. We present an inexpensive technique for effectively eliminating these interference fringes based upon introduction of the excitation laser beam by oblique through-the-objective incidence coupled with rapid azimuthal rotation of the plane of incidence. Although this rotation can be accomplished in several ways, a particularly simple method applicable to a free laser beam is to use an optical wedge, spun on a motor, which diverts the beam into a hollow cone of fixed angle. A system of lenses converts this collimated beam cone into a focused spot that traces a circle at the objective's back focal plane. Consequently, a collimated beam with fixed polar angle and spinning azimuthal angle illuminates the sample. If the wedge is spun rapidly, then the different interference patterns at every particular azimuthal incidence angle average out over a single camera exposure to produce an effectively uniform field of illumination.     

Sustainability Index to Assess the Environmental Impact of Heat Supply Systems

A sustainable heat supply is studied by defining indicators to evaluate local heat supply systems based on renewable energies compared to fossil energy reference scenarios. Besides the energy production, the evaluation considers the heat distribution network and long‐term storage. The indicators include ecological, economic, and social aspects.     

"Therapist Multicultural Competency: A Study of Therapy Dyads": Correction.

Reports an error in "Therapist Multicultural Competency: A Study of Therapy Dyads" by Jairo N. Fuertes, Thomas I. Stracuzzi, Jennifer Bennett, Jennifer Scheinholtz, A. Mislowack, Mindy Hersh and David Cheng (Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 2006[Win], Vol 43[4], 480-490). The fifth author's name should be spelled as follows: Alexa Mislowack. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2006-23019-010.) This study examined the role of therapist multicultural competence (TMC). Fifty-one therapy dyads completed measures of therapist multicultural competency, working alliance, and their satisfaction with therapy. Clients also completed measures of therapist attractiveness, expertness, trustworthiness, and empathy. Results showed strong associations between clients' ratings of TMC and ratings of the working alliance, therapist empathy, and satisfaction. Clients' combined rating of therapist expertness, attractiveness, and trustworthiness were not associated with their TMC ratings but were significantly associated with therapists' self-appraised TMC ratings. Therapists' ratings of their TMC were associated with their ratings of the working alliance and satisfaction with their work. Results are discussed in the context of the relevant literature, as are implications for training and research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Differential coordinates for local mesh morphing and deformation

Published online: 14 February 2003     

Synthesis and Degradation of Schiff Bases Containing Heterocyclic Pharmacophore

This paper reports on the synthesis and characterization of two Schiff bases bearing 1,2,4-triazolic moieties, namely 4H-4-(2-hydroxy-benzylidene-amino)-5-benzyl-3-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole and 4H-4-(4-nitro-benzylidene-amino)-5-benzyl-3-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole using thin layer chromatography, melting interval, elemental analysis, spectroscopy and thermal stability studies.     

Development of New Collagen/Clay Composite Biomaterials

The fabrication of collagen-based biomaterials for skin regeneration offers various challenges for tissue engineers. The purpose of this study was to obtain a novel series of composite biomaterials based on collagen and several types of clays. In order to investigate the influence of clay type on drug release behavior, the obtained collagen-based composite materials were further loaded with gentamicin. Physiochemical and biological analyses were performed to analyze the obtained nanocomposite materials after nanoclay embedding. Infrared spectra confirmed the inclusion of clay in the collagen polymeric matrix without any denaturation of triple helical conformation. All the composite samples revealed a slight change in the 2-theta values pointing toward a homogenous distribution of clay layers inside the collagen matrix with the obtaining of mainly intercalated collagen-clay structures, according X-ray diffraction analyses. The porosity of collagen/clay composite biomaterials varied depending on clay nanoparticles sort. Thermo-mechanical analyses indicated enhanced thermal and mechanical features for collagen composites as compared with neat type II collagen matrix. Biodegradation findings were supported by swelling studies, which indicated a more crosslinked structure due additional H bonding brought on by nanoclays. The biology tests demonstrated the influence of clay type on cellular viability but also on the antimicrobial behavior of composite scaffolds. All nanocomposite samples presented a delayed gentamicin release when compared with the collagen-gentamicin sample. The obtained results highlighted the importance of clay type selection as this affects the performances of the collagen-based composites as promising biomaterials for future applications in the biomedical field.     

Nuclear power,climate change and energy security: Exploring British public attitudes

Public attitudes towards nuclear power in the UK have historically been deeply divided, but as concern about climate change and energy security has exerted an increasing influence on British energy policy, nuclear power has been reframed as a low-carbon technology. Previous research has suggested that a significant proportion of people may ‘reluctantly accept’ nuclear power as a means of addressing the greater threat of climate change. Drawing on the results of a national British survey (n=1822), the current study found that attitudes towards nuclear remain divided, with only a minority expressing unconditional acceptance. In general, people who expressed greater concern about climate change and energy security and possessed higher environmental values were less likely to favour nuclear power. However, when nuclear power was given an explicit ‘reluctant acceptance’ framing – allowing people to express their dislike for nuclear power alongside their conditional support – concerns about climate change and energy security became positive predictors of support for nuclear power. These findings suggest that concern about climate change and energy security will only increase acceptance of nuclear power under limited circumstances—specifically once other (preferred) options have been exhausted.     

Ermittlung der Gleichgewichtskonstante der Kieselsäurereduktion in Eisen-Kohlenstoff-Silicium-Sauerstoff-Schmelzen durch Sauerstoffpartialdruckmessungen

Reaktionsbereiche von Kohlenstoff und Silicium im System Eisen–Kohlenstoff–Silicium–Sauerstoff. Definition der ?Übergangstemperatur? bei der Kieselsäurereduktion. Temperaturabhängigkeit des Sauerstoffpartialdrucks, gemessen mit Sauerstoffkonzentrationsketten mit Mullit als Festelektrolyt. Ermittlung der Gleichgewichtskonstante für die Kieselsäurereduktion und für die Auflösungsreaktion von Sauerstoff in kohlenstoff- und siliciumreichen Eisenschmelzen.     

DC/AC three phase converter with resonant circuit at the input and intermediate RF circuit for supplying a three phase asynchronous motor

Contents This paper presents a dc/ac three phase converter aimed to supply an asynchronous three phase motor with variable voltage and frequency. Equipping the input with a resonant circuit, the switching loss in the semiconductor devices is reduced and the EMO problem is less severe because the resonant voltage pulses have a lower dv/dt.

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Ein Umrichter mit Resonanzkreis am Eingang und RF-Zwischenkreis zur Speisung eines Drehstrom-Asynchronmotors

Übersicht In der Arbeit wird ein Umrichter zur Speisung eines Drehstrom-Asynchronmotors mit variabler Spannung und Frequenz vorgestellt. Dadurch, daß am Eingang ein Resonanzkreis vorgesehen ist, werden die Schaltverluste in den Halbleiterkomponenten des Umrichters reduziert. Die Probleme durch die elektromagnetische Störabstrahlung nehmen ab, da die Resonanzpulse kleinere Steigungen dv/dt haben.

     

Nonlinear analysis of static and dynamic stability of metallic chimneys

Due to the situations arising from pollution, the problem of equipping the industrial metallic chimneys (or their extensions, using additional segments) with special antipolluting devices, is of general concern in most of the industrialized countries. The antipolluting devices or the extensions of the chimneys introduce extral loadings. The investigation of the stability of these structures was well as the increasing of their degree of stability by several methods (stiffening rings, increasing the stiffness of the rotation plate, etc.) are some of the problems still unanswered in the literature. The present study aims at solving part of the above problems in a nonlinear analysis via a Lagrangean formulation combined with a dynamic condensation technique.