Luminescence and Defect Properties of Novel Bluish-Green Phosphor β-Zn3(PO4)2∶Zr4+

Luminescence and defect properties of novel phosphor β-Zn3(PO4)2:Zr4 were systematically investigated. Corresponding to its lowest optical absorption transition at 240 nm, phosphor emits a bluish-green light at 485 nm, which yields the Stokes shift about 20000 cm-1. The unusual optical properties of Zr4 ion are ascribed to its uncommon coordination environment. In addition it shows intensive bluish-green long lasting phosphorescence(LLP) due to the existence of electron trap, which is generated by aliovalent substitution of Zr4 ion for the cation site in the matrix as shown in thermoluminescence(TL) spectrum.     

A new instrument for passive remote sensing: 2. Measurement of leaf and canopy reflectance changes at 531 nm and their relationship with photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence

A previously described passive remote sensing fluorimeter (see companion paper) was modified to detect changes in the reflectance of vegetation. The utility of this remote sensing technique to measure the Physiological Reflectance Index (PRI) is shown at both leaf level under laboratory conditions and at the canopy level in the field. PRI, defined as the relative changes in reflectance at 531 nm with respect to those at 570 nm (PRI=R531−R570/R531+R570), is related to xanthophyll-related, dynamic changes of non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. The robustness of this relationship by simultaneous remote sensing of PRI and chlorophyll fluorescence is strengthened. At the leaf level, the existence of two kinetically distinct components of PRI is shown. A fast (within seconds) component that is partly attributed to ΔpH induced chloroplast shrinkage, and a slow (within minutes), main component that is related to xanthophyll de-epoxidation, as demonstrated by its disappearance in the presence of DTT. Overall, PRI correlated better with non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ) than with any other measured parameter, including the photochemical efficiency of PSII. Finally, at the canopy level and under field conditions, it is shown that PRI can be a useful tool for remote sensing of water stress in grapevines.     

Correlated fluorescence lifetime and spectral measurements in living cells

Studies of proteins' interaction in cells by FRET can take benefit from two important photo-physical properties describing fluorescent proteins: fluorescence emission spectrum and fluorescence lifetime. These properties provide specific and complementary information about the tagged proteins and their environment. However, none of them taken individually can completely quantify the involved fluorophore characteristics due to their multiparametric dependency with molecular environment, experimental conditions, and interpretation complexity. A solution to get a better understanding of the biological process implied at the cellular level is to combine the spectral and temporal fluorescence data acquired simultaneously at every cell region under investigation. We present the SLiM-SPRC160, an original temporal/spectral acquisition system for simultaneous lifetime measurements in 16 spectral channels directly attached to the descanned port of a confocal microscope with two-photon excitation. It features improved light throughput, enabling low-level excitation and minimum invasivity in living cells studies. To guarantee a fairly good level of accuracy and reproducibility in the measurements of fluorescence lifetime and spectra on living cells, we propose a rigorous protocol for running experiments with this new equipment that preserves cell viability. The usefulness of SLiM approach for the precise determination of overlapping fluorophores is illustrated with the study of known solutions of rhodamine. Then, we describe reliable FRET experiments in imaging mode realized in living cells using this protocol. We also demonstrate the benefit of localized fluorescence spectrum-lifetime acquisitions for the dynamic study of fluorescent proteins. proteins.     

The Atmospheric Scanning Electron Microscope with open sample space observes dynamic phenomena in liquid or gas

Although conventional electron microscopy (EM) requires samples to be in vacuum, most chemical and physical reactions occur in liquid or gas. The Atmospheric Scanning Electron Microscope (ASEM) can observe dynamic phenomena in liquid or gas under atmospheric pressure in real time. An electron-permeable window made of pressure-resistant 100 nm-thick silicon nitride (SiN) film, set into the bottom of the open ASEM sample dish, allows an electron beam to be projected from underneath the sample. A detector positioned below captures backscattered electrons. Using the ASEM, we observed the radiation-induced self-organization process of particles, as well as phenomena accompanying volume change, including evaporation-induced crystallization. Using the electrochemical ASEM dish, we observed tree-like electrochemical depositions on the cathode. In silver nitrate solution, we observed silver depositions near the cathode forming incidental internal voids. The heated ASEM dish allowed observation of patterns of contrast in melting and solidifying solder. Finally, to demonstrate its applicability for monitoring and control of industrial processes, silver paste and solder paste were examined at high throughput. High resolution, imaging speed, flexibility, adaptability, and ease of use facilitate the observation of previously difficult-to-image phenomena, and make the ASEM applicable to various fields.     

Imaging amoeboid cancer cell motility in vivo

The availability of multi-photon intravital microscopy has recently allowed researchers to start to visualise the dynamic behaviour of cancer cells in vivo. This imaging has revealed that many cancer cells ranging from carcinoma to melanoma move in an amoeboid manner in order to invade surrounding tissue and escape from the primary tumour. This mode on cell motility is extremely rapid and does not require the activity of proteases to degrade the extra-cellular matrix (ECM). This review details the techniques that are available to study cell motility in vivo and discusses the current knowledge about the mechanisms of amoeboid cell motility.     

Photon scanning tunneling microscope,now and in the future

The concept of photon tunneling and the principle of the photon scanning tunneling microscope (PSTM) are described. The history of the PSTM and its development in China are reviewed. The principal problem in the recent development of the PSTM, together with its solution, is discussed. The distinguishing features and the future of the PSTM are described.     

The effects of refractive index heterogeneity within kidney tissue on multiphoton fluorescence excitation microscopy

Although multiphoton fluorescence excitation microscopy has improved the depth at which useful fluorescence images can be collected in biological tissues, the reach of multiphoton fluorescence excitation microscopy is nonetheless limited by tissue scattering and spherical aberration. Scattering can be reduced in fixed samples by mounting in a medium whose refractive index closely matches that of the fixed material. Using optical 'clearing', the effects of refractive index heterogeneity on signal attenuation with depth are investigated. Quantitative measurements show that by mounting kidney tissue in a high refractive index medium, less than 50% of signal attenuates in 100 μm of depth.     

Noninvasive 3D vital imaging and characterization of notochordal cells of the intervertebral disc by femtosecond near-infrared two-photon laser scanning microscopy and spatial-volume rendering

The central region of the intervertebral disc (IVD) in infant humans is made and maintained by notochordal cells (NCs). These cells disappear during maturation to be replaced by mature chondrocyte-like cells. NCs are completely different morphologically from the mature chondrocyte-like IVD cells and have complex and essential functions but little is known about them. Recently, two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM) using near-infrared (NIR) femtosecond pulsed lasers has emerged as a promising noninvasive optical technique for observing unfixed living 3D biological specimens in situ and in vitro. Several lines of evidence suggest that compared with conventional laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), femtosecond NIR laser-based TPLSM has any number of advantages including 3D resolution without a spatial filter (confocal pinhole), minimal photobleaching, and photodamage above and below the focal plane, and importantly, greater depth penetration. We have thus taken advantage of these unique features of femtosecond laser-based TPLSM for vital 3D imaging in conjunction with advanced spatial-volume rendering modalities to compare morphologies of NCs/clusters from pig caudal discs with chondrocyte-like IVD cells from bovine caudal discs, both in ex vivo tissue and when isolated and grown in vitro within 3D alginate scaffolds. Our results provide evidence that (a) ex vivo notochordal tissue consists of areas with NC clusters, and those dominated by tubular structures of low cell density (b) within 3D in vitro scaffolds the morphology of NC is heterogeneous and the cells contain distinct cytoplasmic vacuole-like structures occasionally including acidic subinclusions (c) a quantitative determination based on 3D spatial and volumetric-rendering reveals an average NC diameter of 22.05 microm (range 11.96-46.63 microm) and NC volume of 9701 microm(3) (2041-36427 microm(3)) whereas chondrocyte-like cells have a mean volume of 3279 microm(3) and diameter of 12.20 microm. Taken together, this study demonstrates that femtosecond TPLSM has unique advantages over other conventional histological and in particular LSCM for high resolution noninvasive vital characterization of notochordal and chondrocyte-like cells of IVD over extended depths beyond 300-500 microm.     

Threshold photoionization in time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Multi-photon excitation in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) is shown to lead to threshold ions with defined internal energy. A powerful technique for the production of threshold ions is based on the excitation of high long-lived Rydberg states embedded in the ionization continuum. The Rydberg molecules are separated with suitable separation techniques from ions produced by a direct multi-photon ionization process. Finally, the ionization of the Rydberg molecules in a delayed pulsed electric field leads to threshold ions. This work reviews several separation techniques, and reports on applications of threshold ionization for investigation of the structure, energetics, and dynamics of neutral molecules, molecular cations, and cluster cations.     

发光纳米材料和量子点化学传感及其机理

介绍了荧光和磷光纳米材料的种类,如无机半导体量子点,金属离子掺杂的半导体量子点,金属纳米粒子或纳米簇,硅点,碳点和石墨烯点等。接着阐述了这些纳米材料的光致发光的光物理机制和猝灭或增强的一般性原理。最后简要综述了量子点或纳米材料发光的猝灭或增强现象在化学传感中的应用和具体的响应机理。