The microscopy cell (MicCell), a versatile modular flowthrough system for cell biology, biomaterial research, and nanotechnology

We describe a novel microfluidic perfusion system for high-resolution microscopes. Its modular design allows pre-coating of the coverslip surface with reagents, biomolecules, or cells. A poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) layer is cast in a special molding station, using masters made by photolithography and dry etching of silicon or by photoresist patterning on glass or silicon. This channel system can be reused while the coverslip is exchanged between experiments. As normal fluidic connectors are used, the link to external, computer-programmable syringe pumps is standardized and various fluidic channel networks can be used in the same setup. The system can house hydrogel microvalves and microelectrodes close to the imaging area to control the influx of reaction partners. We present a range of applications, including single-molecule analysis by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), manipulation of single molecules for nanostructuring by hydrodynamic flow fields or the action of motor proteins, generation of concentration gradients, trapping and stretching of live cells using optical fibers precisely mounted in the PDMS layer, and the integration of microelectrodes for actuation and sensing.     

Displaying scientific graphics on computer

Complex scientific graphics that reproduce well on paper may be difficult to display on computer because of the limited size and resolution of standard desktop monitors. This paper describes several methods for computer display of such large, dense graphics that preserve the usability of the graphics and support the ways users need to interact with the figures. Building on a simple structure of base panels and overlays joined by hypertext links, these methods provide ways of reorganizing figures into smaller graphical units that can be displayed easily, yet communicate all the information the original figure was designed to convey     

Electrical resistivity and magnetoresistance of carbon/graphite fibers intercalated with nitric acid and arsenic pentafluoride

A series of high performance, experimental carbon/graphite fibers was intercalated and examined with respect to their metallic conductivity behavior by resistivity and magnetoresistance versus temperature measurements. One fiber was a polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-type precursor and three were pitch base precursors. All four types showed substantially similar behavior in the pristine state with respect to room temperature resistivity and the sign and magnitude of the temperature coefficient of resistivity. After intercalation with either nitric acid or nitric acid followed by AsF₅, the PAN-based fibers displayed a resistivity versus temperature behavior qualitatively similar to their pristine counterparts but displaced to lower resistivity. On the other hand, the pitch fibers with the same intercalation treatment exhibited metallic behavior (a positive temperature coefficient of electrical resistivity and a small magnetoresistance). These manifestations of metallic behavior are usually indicative of some three dimensional graphite structure in the carbon fibers.     

Pharmacodynamics of some individual milkweed cardenolides fed to larvae of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus L.)

Adult monarch butterflies,Danaus plexippus L. (Lepidoptera: Danaidae), store only some of the cardenolides present in the larval milkweed (Asclepiadaceae) host. Feeding known doses of individual cardenolides to 4th instar monarch larvae led to more efficient larval tissue incorporation at low doses than at high ones, and favored storage of cardenolide glycosides over genins. A qualitative regulation also occurs during larval feeding; calactin and calotropin were stored as such but uscharidin was rapidly converted to a mixture of calactin and calotropin which were the forms stored by the larvae. Two genins, uzarigenin and digitoxigenin, were stored by larvae as polar cardenolide metabolites.Research supported by National Science Foundation grants DEB 7514266 and DEB 7514266-AO2 (U.C. Davis) and DEB 7514265 (Amherst College).     

Atom probe tomography of nanoscale architectures in functional materials for electronic and photonic applications

Microscopy has played a central role in the advancement of nanoscience and nanotechnology by enabling the direct visualization of nanoscale structure, leading to predictive models of novel physical behaviors. Electronic and photonic device technologies, whose features and performance are often improved through miniaturization, have particularly benefited from new capabilities in the characterization of material structure and composition. This paper reviews recent applications of atom probe tomography to semiconducting materials with nanoscale architectures that are designed to impart novel properties and device functionality by virtue of their shape and size. A review is necessary because rapid advances in atom probe instrumentation and analysis in the last decade have greatly expanded the utility of atom probe tomography to address scientific questions and technical questions in this area. The paper is organized in terms of the surface topologies of nanoscale architectures. We begin with nominally planar interfaces including thin film heterostructures and superlattices with open surfaces. Distinctive capabilities in the analysis of interfaces are introduced, as are challenges arising from measurement artifacts. We then discuss nanowires and nanowire heterostructures with surfaces that are closed along one dimension, for which atom probe tomography has provided unique and important understandings on the doping processes. Finally, we consider nanocrystals and quantum dots with completely closed surfaces. Along the way, current challenges and opportunities for atom probe tomography are highlighted, and the reader is directed to complementary reviews of more technical aspects of atom probe analysis.     

Animatronic shader lamps avatars

Applications such as telepresence and training involve the display of real or synthetic humans to multiple viewers. When attempting to render the humans with conventional displays, non-verbal cues such as head pose, gaze direction, body posture, and facial expression are difficult to convey correctly to all viewers. In addition, a framed image of a human conveys only a limited physical sense of presence—primarily through the display’s location. While progress continues on articulated robots that mimic humans, the focus has been on the motion and behavior of the robots rather than on their appearance. We introduce a new approach for robotic avatars of real people: the use of cameras and projectors to capture and map both the dynamic motion and the appearance of a real person onto a humanoid animatronic model. We call these devices animatronic Shader Lamps Avatars (SLA). We present a proof-of-concept prototype comprised of a camera, a tracking system, a digital projector, and a life-sized styrofoam head mounted on a pan-tilt unit. The system captures imagery of a moving, talking user and maps the appearance and motion onto the animatronic SLA, delivering a dynamic, real-time representation of the user to multiple viewers.     

The electrical conductivity of graphite intercalated with superacid fluorides: experiments with antimony pentafluoride

The electrical conductivity in graphite measured normal to the crystallographic c-axis is observed to increase after intercalation with acid molecules which act as acceptors. This behaviour is regarded as the result of ionization of the acid molecule which, in turn, increases the positive current carriers in the host graphite. Since the carrier density depends on the degree of ionization of the acid, it follows that the stronger the acid the greater the increase in carrier concentration, and assuming no adverse mobility effects, the greater the electrical conductivity. The hydrogen fluoride-antimony pentafluoride system produces some of the strongest acid substances known. The experiments described here represent the initial examination of the electrical conductivity resulting from intercalation of this material into graphite. The experiments consisted of intercalating graphite powder with antimony pentafluoride in a copper tube and swaging the sheathed compound into wire. The measured conductivity of the graphite intercalation compound, when the copper conductivity is subtracted out and allowance is made for departure from ideal density, is about 1×10^{6 –1} cm^–1. This is approximately 40 times the conductivity of pristine graphite and more than one and a half times the conductivity of pure copper.     

The LabMatrix system

The LabMatrix^™ is a prototyping system designed to give the user a practical and versatile platform for testing microfluidic applications in the fields of health care and life sciences. The LabMatrix^™ system consists of a microfluidic breadboard and cover that align and secure a series of specially designed LabMatrix^™ microfluidic chips. Chips are easily arranged and rearranged into a user-defined fluidic network. The LabMatrix^™ system is designed with maximum flexibility in mind, providing the user with a means to prototype a wide range of microfluidic applications in a short period.     

Clinical management of carpal tunnel syndrome: a 12-year review of outcomes

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a disorder frequently encountered by occupational health care specialists. The health care management of this disorder has involved a diverse set of clinical procedures. The present article is a review of the literature related to CTS with an emphasis on occupational-related CTS. MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycLIT, and NIOSHTIC databases from 1985-1997 were searched for treatment outcome studies related to CTS. Treatments of interest included surgery, physical therapy, drug therapy, chiropractic treatment, biobehavioral interventions, and occupational rehabilitation. A systematic review of the effects of these interventions on symptoms, medical status, function, return to work, psychological well-being, and patient satisfaction was completed. Compared to other treatments, the majority of studies assessed the effects of surgical interventions. Endoscopic release was associated with higher levels of physical functioning and fewer days to return to work when compared to open release. Limited evidence indicated: 1) steroid injections and oral use of B6 were associated with pain reduction; 2) in comparison to splinting, range of motion exercises appeared to be associated with less pain and fewer days to return to work; 3) cognitive behavior therapy yielded reductions in pain, anxiety, and depression; and, 4) multidisciplinary occupational rehabilitation was associated with a higher percentage of chronic cases returning to work than usual care. Workers' compensation status was associated with increased time to return to work following surgery. Conclusions are preliminary due to the small number of well-controlled studies, variability in duration of symptoms and disability, and the broad range of reported outcome measures. While there are several opinions regarding effective treatment, there is very little scientific support for the range of options currently used in practice. Despite the emerging evidence of the multivariate nature of CTS, the majority of outcome studies have focused on single interventions directed at individual etiological factors or symptoms and functional limitations secondary to CTS.