Effects of brefeldin-A on Golgi morphology in human cultured fibroblasts observed in three-dimensional stereo scanning electron microscopy

Brefeldin A (BFA) has been reported to cause disassembly of the Golgi. We have used three-dimensional (3-D) high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) to investigate these effects in human skin fibroblast cells. The spontaneous reassembly during prolonged exposure to BFA and some effects of forskolin were observed. A BFA concentration of 5μg/ml caused Golgi complexes to become vesicular, resulting in a progressive decrease in the size of the Golgi. Morphologic changes were visible within 2 min of BFA incubation, and by 30 min no identifiable Golgi could be found. Spontaneous reassembly of the Golgi apparatus upon the removal of the BFA or with continued long-term exposure with BFA could not be confirmed. Preliminary experiments with forskolin were not effective in reversing or inhibiting the effects of BFA in human fibroblast cells grown in culture. This inability for spontaneous reassembly and nonreversal by forskolin may reflect a differential effect of BFA in various cell types. HRSEM has proven to be useful for observing 3-D morphologic effects of BFA in Golgi.     

A new precipitate phase in Al-4wt. % Cu thin-film interconnects

We report here the identification of a new precipitate phase in thin-film Al-4wt.%Cu metallization used for interconnects on integrated circuits. The phase is based on a trigonal distortion of a face centered cubic lattice. Computer simulation of electron diffraction intensities suggests that the basis structure is isomorphous with Al₂Ca but with a large and ordered population of vacancies on Cu sites. The reason for the formation of the new phase and its implications for electromigration reliability are discussed.     

Surface designing of polypropylene by critical monitoring of the grafting conditions

The grafting of acrylic acid onto electron beam‐irradiated polypropylene was carried out using preirradiation method. The stability of peroxy radicals was investigated by electron spin resonance. It was found that the decay of peroxy radicals is much faster at 70°C than at 40°C and ambient temperature. The grafting has been observed to be strongly dependent on the monomer dilution in the reaction medium. The grafting was ascertained by attenuated total reflectance (ATR). The distribution of grafts across the samples was monitored by infrared microscopy. It was found that the graft management is considerably influenced by composition of the grafting medium. The grafting involving pure monomer leads to the surface enrichment with the polyacrylic acid chains. The samples grafted in pure monomer led to much lower contact angles as compared to the diluted monomer solution. The swelling of the grafted samples also showed a trend that was governed by the graft management. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 546–553, 2006     

A force modulation study on crystallization process in ferroelectric vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene copolymer films

This paper introduces the Force Modulation technique to the study of crystallization process in ferroelectric vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene copolymer films. Using this technique we have successfully visualized ferroelectric crystalline domains and observed that these ferroelectric domains grow out from amorphous phase, unite into strip-like structures, and finally congregate into a union. Force Modulation can weaken the influence of topography on imaging of ferroelectric domains, and reveal more details, which are difficult to be observed in topographical image.     

A hexane solution deposition of SnS2 films from tetrabutyltin via a solvothermal route at moderate temperature

SnS₂ films have been deposited on glass and alumina plate substrates by the reactions between an organotin precursor [tetrabuyltin, (CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃)₄Sn] and carbon disulfide in n-hexane at the temperature range 180-200 °C for 10-40 h. The reaction system was oxygen free and applied at a moderate temperature. The films so prepared were characterized by techniques of X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, Raman and Mössbauer spectroscopies. The films deposited on glass as well as on alumina plate have an average thickness of 30 μm, but have different rose-like morphologies, which are influenced by both the anisotropic growths of crystals and the different substrate structures. Photoluminescence measurements show that the films have an emission peak at approximately 590 nm.     

The three-dimensional architecture of the mitotic spindle,analyzed by confocal fluorescence and electron microscopy

Fluorescence microscopy techniques have become important tools in mitosis research. The well-known disadvantages of fluorescence microscopy, rapid bleaching, phototoxicity and out-of-focus contributions blurring the in-focus image are obstacles which still need to be overcome. Confocal fluorescence microscopy has the potential to improve our capabilities of analyzing cells, because of its excellent depth-discrimination and image processing power. We have been using a confocal fluorescence microscope for the study of the mechanism of poleward chromosome movement, and report here (1) a cell preparation technique, which allows labeling of fixation sensitive spindle antigens with acceptable microtubule preservation; (2) the use of image processing methods to represent the spatial distribution of various labeled elements in pseudocolour; (3) a novel immunoelectron microscopic labeling method for microtubules, which allows the visualization of their distribution in semithin sections at low magnification; and (4) a first attempt to study microtubule dynamics with a confocal fluorescence microscope in living cells, microinjected with rhodamine labeled tubulin. Our experience indicates that confocal fluorescence microscopy provides real advantages for the study of spatial colocalization of antigens in the mitotic spindle. It does not, however, overcome the basic limits of resolution of the light microscope. Therefore, it has been necessary to use an electron microscopic method. Our preliminary results with living cells show that it is possible to visualize the entire microtubule network in stereo, but that the sensitivity of the instrument is still too low to perform dynamic time studies. It will be worthwhile to further develop this new type of optical instrumentation and explore its usefulness on both fixed and living cells.     

A possible structure of the casein micelle based on high-resolution field-emission scanning electron microscopy

New electron micrographs, produced using the technique of Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, showing the details of the micellar surface, are presented. The images show the micellar surfaces without any coating, and suggest that the surface of the micelle may have a much more complex structure than has previously been demonstrated. Although there appear to be no spherical subunits (submicelles), there is evidence for the organization of the caseins into tubular structures within the micelle. The surface is not smooth, and contains gaps between the substructures. The observations are discussed in terms of published models of micellar structure, where is it suggested how the depiction of the micellar surface can be used to explain certain factors of its reactivity and behaviour.     

Tearing, folding and deformation of a carbon-carbon sp-bonded network

A monolayer and a few layers of carbon sp²-bonded networks were torn and folded by the tip of an atomic force microscope at the steps on newly cleaved highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. It was found that the preferential breaking directions and folding axes are along the symmetry directions of the graphite hexagonal structure. Depending on the force exerted by the tip, breaking may occur along other directions. The torn part of the graphene sheet can even be stretched and deformed, and does not resume its original shape after release from the tip.