On the extinction coefficient in confocal polarization microscopy

The extinction coefficient in conventional polarized light microscopes is non-zero, even with perfect polars, solely because of the image formation process in these instruments. The imaging in confocal microscopes is different from conventional instruments and it is shown that in this case an infinite extinction coefficient results in the ideal case whereas a finite value is always to be expected with conventional instruments. Images of the same microelectronic specimen taken in both conventional and confocal polarized light microscopes are compared.     

The interpretation of rate curves arising from membrane permeation studies

The evaluation of rate curves arising from the permeation of salicylic acid through human and pig skin is discussed. The approaches based upon steady state and time lag analyses are commented on in comparison with a more complete mathematical model.
Some model zeolite/polystyrene membranes are also discussed.
Interprétation des courbes découlant d'études de perméabilité des membranes     

Information Content in Neural Net Optimization

Reduction in the size and complexity of neural networks is essential to improve generalization, reduce training error and improve network speed. Most of the known optimization methods heavily rely on weight-sharing concepts for pattern separation and recognition. In weight-sharing methods the redundant weights from specific areas of input layer are pruned and the value of weights and their information content play a very minimal role in the pruning process. The method presented here focuses on network topology and information content for optimization. We have studied the change in the network topology and its effects on information content dynamically during the optimization of the network. The primary optimization uses scaled conjugate gradient and the secondary method of optimization is a Boltzmann method. The conjugate gradient optimization serves as a connection creation operator and the Boltzmann method serves as a competitive connection annihilation operator. By combining these two methods, it is possible to generate small networks which have similar testing and training accuracy, i.e. good generalization, from small training sets. In this paper, we have also focused on network topology. Topological separation is achieved by changing the number of connections in the network. This method should be used when the size of the network is large enough to tackle real-life problems such as fingerprint classification. Our findings indicate that for large networks, topological separation yields a smaller network size, which is more suitable for VLSI implementation. Topological separation is based on the error surface and information content of the network. As such it is an economical way of reducing size, leading to overall optimization. The differential pruning of the connections is based on the weight content rather than the number of connections. The training error may vary with the topological dynamics but the correlation between the error surface and recognition rate decreases to a minimum. Topological separation reduces the size of the network by changing its architecture without degrading its performance,     

Simulation of specimen-induced aberrations for objects with spherical and cylindrical symmetry

Wavefront aberrations caused by the refractive index structure of the specimen are known to compromise signal intensity and three‐dimensional resolution in confocal and multiphoton microscopy. However, adaptive optics can measure and correct specimen‐induced aberrations. For the design of an adaptive optics system, information on the type and amount of the aberration is required. We have previously described an interferometric set‐up capable of measuring specimen‐induced aberrations and a method for the extraction of the Zernike mode content. In this paper we have modelled specimen‐induced aberrations caused by spherical and cylindrical objects using a ray tracing method. The Zernike mode content of the wavefronts was then extracted from the simulated wavefronts and compared with experimental results. Aberrations for a simple model of an oocyte cell consisting of two spherical regions and for a model of a well‐characterized optical fibre are calculated. This simple model gave Zernike mode data that are in good agreement with experimental results.     

Cryofixing single cells and multicellular specimens enhances structure and immunocytochemistry for light microscopy

Cryofixation is widely held to be superior to chemical fixation for preserving cell structure; however, the use of cryofixation has been limited chiefly to electron microscopy. To see if cryofixation would improve sample structure or antigenicity as observed through the light microscope, we cryofixed Nicotiana alata and Lilium longiflorum pollen tubes and Tradescantia virginina stamen hairs by plunge freezing. After freeze-substitution, and embedding in butylmethylmethacrylate, we found using the light microscope that the superiority of cryofixation over chemical fixation was obvious. Cryofixation, unlike chemical fixation, did not distort cell morphology and preserved microtubule and actin arrays in a form closely resembling that of living cells.
Additionally, to test further the usefulness of cryofixation for light microscopy, we studied the appearance of cells and the retention of antigenicity in a plunge-frozen multicellular organ. Roots of Arabidopsis thaliana were either chemically fixed or plunge frozen, and then embedded in the removable methacrylate resin used above. We found that plunge freezing preserved cell morphology far better than did chemical fixation, and likewise improved the appearance of both actin and microtubule arrays. Plunge-frozen roots also had cells with more life-like cytoplasm than those of chemically fixed roots, as assessed with toluidine-blue staining or high-resolution Nomarski optics. Damage from ice crystal formation could not be resolved through the light microscope, even in the interior of the root, 40–75 μm from the surface. We suggest that plunge freezing would enhance many investigations at the light microscope level, including those of multicellular organs, where damage from ice crystals may be less severe than artefacts from chemical fixation.     

Deterministic models of accumulation conveyor dynamics

This paper presents equations for determining the bounds on maximum throughput capacity, the length of conveyor required for accumulation, and the time for a queue to dissipate after blocking the flow on a live roller and on a zero pressure accumulation conveyor. Input flow in ease-feet per minute is assumed to be known and deterministic but may be either less, or greater, than the capacity of the output metering belt.