Measurement of contrast transfer function in super-resolution microscopy using two-color fluorescence dip spectroscopy

The contrast transfer function (CTF) of super-resolution microscopy was quantitatively investigated using a fluorescent scale. The scale has minute fluorescent line patterns, finer than 100 nm, and is suitable for measuring CTF in super-resolution microscopy. The measured CTF shows that super-resolution microscopy can indeed improve the optical properties of fluorescent images and enable us to observe a structure with the spatial resolution overcoming the diffraction limit. From the CTF, it has been found that super-resolution microcopy can resolve a 100 nm line-and-space pattern and provides a contrast of 10%. The CTF corresponds to a PSF with a full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 130 nm. An evaluation using a 100 nmphi fluorescent bead consistently supports the results given by the CTF for super-resolution microscopy.     

Experimental and numerical studies in model composites Part I: Experimental results

Results on strength, apparent toughness, fatigue crack growth and fiber debonding on specially made composite materials are reported. The compact tension composite specimen used consisted of an epoxy matrix and layers of long aligned glass or kevlar fibers that were equally spaced. The experimental data on crack initiation strength showed that for a range of fiber spacing , the composite's strength _A , scaled with the fiber spacing in the form of % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGak0dh9WrFfpC0xh9vqqj-hEeeu0xXdbba9frFj0-OqFf% ea0dXdd9vqaq-JfrVkFHe9pgea0dXdar-Jb9hs0dXdbPYxe9vr0-vr% 0-vqpWqaaeaabaGaciaacaqabeaadaqaaqaaaOqaaiabeo8aZnaaBa% aaleaaieGacaWFbbaabeaakmaakaaabaGaeq4UdWgaleqaaOGaeyyp% a0JaeqOUdSgaaa!3EB5!\[\sigma _A \sqrt \lambda = \kappa \]. The apparent toughness of the composite specimens increased with a decrease in fiber spacing. Two sets of fatigue crack propagation experiments were performed. The first one was on specimens with the same fiber spacing and under different applied loads. The second set was on specimens with different fiber diameter and the same loading conditions. While crack arrest was observed in the first set, crack arrest was seen in the second set for the relatively large diameter fibers and specimen fracture for the relatively thin fibers. A method, based on fracture mechanics principles and crack opening displacements, for evaluating bridging tractions is outlined. Using this method, simulations for the bridging tractions and stress intensity factor were carried out using a linear crack opening profile. The total stress intensity factor was found to decrease with crack length. The debonding in the bridging zone, on specimens with different fiber spacing, was evaluated using a one dimensional debonding analysis. The model was calibrated with the debonding on the first fiber and consequently used to describe debonding on the bridging zone of specimens with different fiber spacing. In spite of the assumptions adopted in the present studies, the model seems to describe debonding well.     

Active and non-active porosity in concrete Part I: Experimental evidence

The findings of an experimental study are described, documenting and quantifying the influence of concrete porosity on its mechanical properties in saturated and dry states. Concrete porosity consists of capillary and entrained air, and described respectively as active and non-active, depending on its influence on mechanical properties with changing moisture state. It was found that the active (capillary) porosity influence on mechanical properties is more pronounced with decreasing moisture. The influence of non-active (entrained-air) porosity on concrete mechanical properties is invariant of moisture state.     

Experimental and analytical studies in crack initiation under fatigue: Part I — Experimental studies

Mechanistic investigations of damage evolution before crack initiation in an amorphous polymer show that damage consists of a core of highly dense crazing and a peripheral less dense zone of crazing. Damage characterization is carried out at consecutive configurations of the damage zone. Analysis of the kinematics of damage at different times involves comparisons of the inertia moments of damage distributions. The results indicate that damage evolution between consecutive configurations can be approximated by a linear transformation of the space variables. Thus, the process of damage growth can be described by translation and deformation of the damage zone. The growth rates of the damage zone movements decrease until crack initiation. In all cases, the average densities exhibit a damping type behavior with the number of cycles. The crack initiates within a core zone immediately ahead of the stress concentrator. The experimental results suggest that damage density within the core zone is independent of the loading conditions considered herein. This value is approximately equal to the damage density around the crack tip during slow crack propagation. The crack length at initiation is found to increase exponentially with the stress level. A simple decaying exponential relationship relates the crack initiation times and the applied stress level. This result is consistent with the fracture models based on absolute reaction theories.     

Vapour cloud explosions — an analysis based on accidents: Part I

The accidental release of a combustible gas or liquid may result in an explosive vapour cloud which upon ignition will form a threat to the surrounding area. Models have been developed in order to quantify this effect, but still many questions regarding the accuracy and reliability of such models have to be answered. As research shows the topic to be very complicated, an alternative approach is presented in this paper. This approach is based on the accidents that happened in the past and it is presented in two parts. Part I covers the derivation of trends under which the accidents took place, whereas part II describes a comparison of accidents with a theoretical model.     

Experimental study on pressure drop and heat transfer in pipelines for brine based ice slurry. Part I: Operational parameters correlations

Ice slurry flow through horizontal pipes is studied experimentally in order to find out its heat transfer and isothermal friction properties. Using 9% NaCl brine as the carrier fluid, different flow conditions are discussed with a view to analyse each involved variable. In this Part I, experimental data are directly correlated and easy-to-use expressions for the Darcy friction factor and the Nusselt number were obtained as functions of non-dimensional parameters expressing flow and geometrical properties. The most remarkable conclusion obtained is a clear influence of the ice particle–pipe diameter ratio in the pressure drop parameters, not previously taken into account, which must be confirmed in heat transfer process. The thermal and hydraulic performance of ice slurry flowing through corrugated pipes is also analysed showing, with regard to smooth pipe, the same behaviour in pressure drop and opposite behaviour in heat transfer.     

Dynamic crack propagation in steel line pipes. Part I: Experimental investigation

An experimental-theoretical research project on dynamic crack propagation on steel line pipes intended for arctic service was developed. The aim of this study is to characterize the dynamic material behavior, to propose line pipe qualification tests, and to identify the variables that govern the dynamic fracture process and their relationships. The first part of this research involves the experimental work and outlines a practical test to assess fitness for service of arctic pipelines. Burst tests of line pipes samples at low temperature were carried out and crack extension vs. time was measured. The axial crack fracture mechanism was quasi-cleavage in the center of the pipe wall with lateral shear lips. A pressure range for LBB (leak before break) condition was obtained. In Part II of this research a new model for the assessment of the dynamic material properties from the analysis of test results obtained in Part I is developed.     

Optical beating of polychromatic light and its impact on time-resolved spectroscopy. Part I: Theory

Optical beating of polychromatic light is reviewed and its potential impact on time-resolved spectroscopy is analyzed. In particular, the dependence of the quasi-random beating of thermal light on quantities including average power, spectral shape, and spectral width are reviewed.     

Impedance spectroscopy in reinforced concrete: Experimental procedure for monitoring steel corrosion Part II Polarization effect

An original experimental procedure is proposed to monitor the accelerated corrosion of a reinforcing steel embedded in a cement-based material by impedance spectroscopy. The principle of this procedure is based on the coupling of a constant electric field applied to accelerate the ionic transfer through cement-based material and a sinusoidal potential perturbation imposed to measure the impedance response. Preliminary tests were performed on a three-point configuration measurement using an electric field of 300 V/m typically imposed in electro-diffusion tests. Results highlighted some limitations induced by the strong value of the electric field. Then, an optimization of the procedure is suggested in order to get a convenient accelerated tool for studying the corrosion activity of a reinforcing steel embedded in cement-based materials.     

Part I: surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy investigation of amino acids and their homodipeptides adsorbed on colloidal silver

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectra (SERS) were measured for various amino acids: L-methionine (Met), L-cysteine (Cys), Lglycine (Gly), L-leucine (Leu), L-phenylalanine (Phe), and L-proline (Pro) and their homodipeptides (Met-Met, Cys-Cys, Gly-Gly, LeuLeu, Phe-Phe, and Pro-Pro) in silver colloidal solutions. The geometry and orientation of the amino acids or dipeptides on the silver surface, and their specific interaction with the surface, were deducted by detailed spectral analysis of the SERS spectra. This analysis has allowed us to propose the particular surface geometry of amino acids or dipeptides and also implied that C-C bonds were almost parallel to the surface, as evidenced by the absence of marker bands in the skeletal C-C stretching region of the spectra. Additionally, using "time-dependent" SERS measurements we solved an existing controversy regarding the binding specificity of Gly-Gly on the silver surface.     

Experimental studies on shear failure of freeze-bonds in saline ice: Part I. Set-up, failure mode and freeze-bond strength

The strength of freeze-bonds in thin saline ice has been investigated through two series (in 2008 and 2009) of experiments in the Hamburg Ship Model Basin (HSVA) as a function of the normal confinement (σ), the submersion time (Δt) and the initial ice temperature (T_i). The freeze-bonds were mostly formed in a submerged state, but some were also formed in air. The experimental set-up was improved in the 2009 experiments. In 2008 a ductile-like failure mode dominated (78%), whereas in 2009 the brittle-like dominated (93%). We suggest that this is a combined ice and test set-up effect. The 2009 experimental procedures allowed for careful sample handling giving higher strength and it was softer. Both these things should provoke a more brittle-like force-time response. The average freeze-bond strength in brittle-like samples was around 9 kPa while in ductile-like samples was around 2 kPa. The maximum freeze-bonds strength were measured for short submersion times, from 1 to 20 min, and reached a maximum value of 30 kPa.A Mohr-Coulomb like failure model was found appropriate to represent the freeze-bond shear strength as function of the normal confinement. Saline freeze-bonds in saline water had cohesion/friction angle around 4 and 1.4 kPa/25° for the brittle- and ductile-like samples respectively, which fitted well with previously published data.A bell-shape dependence for τ_c vs. Δt was found, which agreed with the predictions by Shafrova and Høyland (2007). We suggest that this is essentially a freeze-bond porosity effect and propose three phases in time with subsequent cooling, heating and equilibrium to account for this trend. Qualitative experiments showed that the submersion time and the initial ice temperature were strongly coupled.To account for the connection between contact time, block dimensions and ice properties and the freeze-bond strength, dimensionless number were used. Fourier scaling was more appropriate than Froude scaling to scale freeze-bonds.The freeze-bonding made in air developed fast (in less than 30 s) when the ice was cold and dry, but no freeze-bonding occurred for the same contact times when the ice was warm and wet.     

Impedance spectroscopy in reinforced concrete: Procedure for monitoring steel corrosion Part I Development of the experimental device

An original experimental protocol is devised to monitor the corrosion of a reinforcing steel embedded in a cement-based material by impedance spectroscopy. The principle of this method is based on the use of a sinusoidal potential applied to measure the impedance response. Preliminary tests were performed from a three-point configuration measurement using classical reference electrodes. Results highlighted the limitations of the introduction of such a reference electrode at high frequencies. Simulations from electric circuits suggested an explanation for these high frequency artifacts. They are mainly due to the high impedance value of the reference electrode which leads to the generation of some artifacts in the impedance response of the studied system. Finally a convenient solution is proposed to eliminate these perturbations and so obtain a suitable measurement of the impedance response of the reinforcing steel/cement based material system at high frequencies.     

混凝土Ⅰ型裂缝扩展准则比较研究

采用小跨高比三点弯曲梁研究了混凝土的断裂性能。基于对跨高比为2.5和4的三点弯曲梁断裂参数计算公式的线性插值,给出了计算小跨高比三点弯曲梁断裂参数的公式。通过开展3种小跨高比三点弯曲梁试验及文献中的试验数据对该文公式进行了验证,结果表明：随试件高度从100 mm增大至200 mm,基于小跨高比三点弯曲梁所得的起裂断裂韧度基本保持不变,而失稳断裂韧度则逐渐增大,但增幅较小。该文所给公式计算所得的双K断裂参数与文献中已有方法所得结果基本相同。解析法得到的起裂断裂韧度与试验法所得结果吻合较好。通过对文献中的试验数据的分析,进一步验证了该文所给的方法可以用于研究小跨高比三点弯曲梁的断裂性能。     

Fatigue crack growth in thin notched woven glass composites under tensile loading. Part I: Experimental

Helicopter blades are made of composite materials mainly loaded in fatigue and have normally relatively thin skins. A through-the-thickness crack could appear in these skins. The aim of this study is to characterize the through-the-thickness crack propagation due to fatigue in thin woven glass fabric laminates. A technological test specimen is developed to get closer to the real loading conditions acting on these structures. An experimental campaign is undertaken which allows evaluating crack growth rates in several laminates. The crack path is linked through microscopic investigations to specify damage in woven plies. Crack initiation duration influence on experimental results is also underlined.     

Effect of a finite-size pinhole on noise performance in single-, two-, and three-photon confocal fluorescence microscopy

It is known that signal level in single-, two- and three-photon confocal fluorescence microscopy increases with the size of the detector. Here we evaluate the signal-to-noise and the signal-to-background criteria for these microscopes. We investigate the effect of pinhole size on their ability to detect a weakly fluorescent point object in the presence of a uniformly fluorescence background. Numerical results based on a paraxial approximation theory show that optimization of these criteria gives an optimal value for pinhole size, which results in an improved imaging performance. The resulting improvement in noise performance, compared with the use of a large detector, is greater for three-photon than for two-photon confocal fluorescence microscopes.     

Size effects in concrete fracture: Part I, experimental setup and observations

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the influence of microstructural parameters, such as aggregate size, and macroscopic parameters, such as specimen dimensions, on brittle fracture. Maximum aggregate size was used as a representative parameter of aggregate distribution in agreement with ASTM C136 standards. Six groups of geometrically similar concrete specimens with various dimensions and aggregate sizes were prepared. Similarity of the specimens was strictly maintained by scaling the specimen dimensions from one group to another by a factor of two starting from a specimen size of (width × total depth × thickness) 105×105×12.5mm to 1680×1680×200mm. Two separate sets of removable pre-cast notches were designed to determine the effect of initial notch size. A considerable effort was devoted to the design of the loading fixture to have a reproducible crack initiation and controlled crack growth. Several loading fixtures were evaluated prior to selection of the one used in the experimental program. Quasi-static splitting cyclic loading in edge cleavage configuration was applied. A servo-hydraulic Instron machine was used for testing. The fracture process was monitored by optical and acoustic imaging techniques. Three forms of comparisons of the test results with respect to the specimen and aggregate sizes were adopted. The first corresponded to the various specimen sizes cast with the same maximum aggregate size. The second comparison was based on the geometrically identical specimens cast with various maximum aggregate sizes. The third form of comparison dealt with complete geometrical similarity, i.e., all dimensionless geometrical characteristics including specimen thickness to maximum aggregate size ratio were identical. Results from this study indicated that as the specimen size decreases, the envelope becomes larger within the first and third forms of comparison. In the second form of comparison, i.e., geometrically identical specimens cast with various maximum aggregate sizes, the area under the envelope was greater as the maximum aggregate size increased. The existence of a trend in dimensionless critical load-CMOD envelopes despite the apparent geometrical and physical similarity of the test conditions is the direct indication of a scale effect, i.e., the modified fracture energy, indicates the existence of a strong scale effect: increases with the specimen dimensions as well as maximum aggregate size.     

In vitro biomechanical properties,fluorescence imaging,surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy,and photothermal therapy evaluation of luminescent functionalized CaMoO4:Eu@Au hybrid nanorods on human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells

Highly dispersible Eu³⁺-doped CaMoO₄@Au-nanorod hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) exhibit optical properties, such as plasmon resonances in the near-infrared region at 790 nm and luminescence at 615 nm, offering multimodal capabilities: fluorescence imaging, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) detection and photothermal therapy (PTT). HNPs were conjugated with a Raman reporter (4-mercaptobenzoic acid), showing a desired SERS signal (enhancement factor 5.0 × 10⁵). The HNPs have a heat conversion efficiency of 25.6%, and a hyperthermia temperature of 42°C could be achieved by adjusting either concentration of HNPs, or laser power, or irradiation time. HNPs were modified with antibody specific to cancer biomarker epidermal growth factor receptor, then applied to human lung cancer (A549) and mouse hepatocyte cells (AML12), and in vitro PTT effect was studied. In addition, the biomechanical properties of A549 cells were quantified using atomic force microscopy. This study shows the potential applications of these HNPs in fluorescence imaging, SERS detection, and PTT with good photostability and biocompatibility.