Isolation of single yeast cells by optical trapping

Individual yeast cells can be successfully isolated and recultured on plates with a new isolation method making use of optical trapping with infrared laser light. The cells can be selected on morphological criteria by high resolution microscopy. The isolation device is constructed from two coverslips separated by spacers, in which selected cells are transferred to a plastic capillary, using the optical trap. To test the procedure, selection experiments were done with a mixture of two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, distinguishable both in fluorescence microscopy and on agar plates. These experiments showed that only selected cells were isolated, and close to 100% of the isolated stationary-phase cells formed colonies on agar plates, indicating a high recovery. A lower recovery was obtained with exponential-phase cells, possibly because of a higher sensitivity to laser irradiation. Applications for this method may include the isolation of mutants with altered morphology and the isolation of subpopulations of yeast cultures, for their separate investigation or for the initiation of pure cultures.     

Hydrogen production during zinc deposition from alkaline zincate solutions

The determination of the amount of hydrogen produced during the electrodeposition of zinc from alkaline zincate solutions was carried out using the rotating ring-disc electrode (RRDE) technique. The experimental conditions for which the RRDE technique offers reliable results are discussed. Hydrogen production during zinc deposition was studied for a range of cathodic (disc) current densities (20–500 A m^–2) and electrolyte compositions (1–7 M KOH, 0.01–0.2 M zincate). It was found that an increasing amount of hydrogen was formed with increasing (disc) current density and decreasing KOH and zincate concentration. The impact of hydrogen formation during the charging process on nickel oxide/zinc secondary battery performance is expected to be small. It is concluded that in battery electrolytes (8 M KOH, 1 M zincate) hydrogen is formed chiefly by corrosion of the zinc electrode rather than by electrochemical formation during the electrochemical reduction of zinc.     

Hydrolytic degradation of ionically cross-linked polyphosphazene microspheres

The hydrolytic degradation of gel microspheres based on calcium cross-linked phosphazene polyelectrolytes, poly[di(carboxylatophenoxy)phosphazene] (PCPP) and poly[(carboxylatophenoxy) (glycinato)phosphazene] (PCGPP), was investigated. These microspheres are of importance as carriers in protein and cell encapsulation. Both PCPP and PCGPP ionotropic polyphosphazene hydrogels are degradable in an aqueous environment (pH 7.4, 37°C). The degradation rates can be increased by incorporation of hydrolysis sensitive glycinato groups as the pendant structures in the polymer (PCGPP). Hydrolysis of these polymer hydrogels led to low molecular weight (<1,000 Da) products. The erosion and molecular weight profiles varied also according to the molecular weight of the polyphosphazene constituting the gel beads. Another approach to affect the degradation rates consists of coating microspheres with poly-L -lysine. Ionotropic polyphosphazene hydrogels have potential as biodegradable devices for controlled drug delivery systems. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The cycling behaviour of zinc electrodes in a nickel oxide-zinc accumulator

The behaviour of porous zinc electrodes was investigated by monitoring the potential distribution along the surface of the electrode during charging and discharging in a nickel oxide-zinc battery. Impedance measurements of the zinc electrode were taken as a function of state-of-charge and of the cycle number. The composition of the electrode was varied with HgO and PbO additives. Shape change was observed for all electrodes. The observed potential distribution has led to the tentative explanation that the shape change phenomenon is caused by diffusion of zincate along the surface.     

Clinicopathologic analysis of microscopically invasive breast carcinoma

Breast biopsy or mastectomy cases having diagnoses of carcinoma in situ with "microinvasion," "minimal invasion," "focal invasion," or "suggestive of invasion" were reviewed and all histologically identified foci of invasive disease from each case were measured using an ocular micrometer. Cases in which any single focus of invasion was greater than 5 mm or the added size of separate invasive foci exceeded 10 mm were excluded, resulting in a study group of 75 patients. Invasive neoplasm was present in the initial biopsy in 69 of 75 cases (92%); however, residual invasive neoplasm was found in the subsequent lumpectomy/mastectomy from 14 of these (20%). In 59% of cases, two or more histologically separate foci of invasion were identified. Invasive foci consisted of isolated cells or cell clusters, each less than 1 mm (microfocal invasion), in 33% of cases. In 12 cases, the sum of individual invasive foci was 5 to 10 mm. Axillary lymph nodes (LN) from 5 of 69 patients (7%) contained metastatic carcinoma (four cases, one LN positive; one case, two LN positive). The cumulative sizes of all invasive foci in the LN-positive group were microfocal invasion (one case), 0.6 mm (one case), 1.1 mm, 2.5 mm, and 5.8 mm. The difference in frequency of axillary node metastasis between tumors with microfocal and measurable invasion (4.3% v 8.6%) was not statistically significant. Follow-up data were available on 55 cases (mean interval, 66.1 months). One (node-negative) patient had duct carcinoma in situ recurrence in the same breast 4 years after initial treatment. Another (with unknown node status) developed an axillary lymph node metastasis 13 months after initial treatment (96% disease-free survival). We conclude that microscopic stromal invasion in breast carcinoma, at least in the setting of significant in situ component, is often initiated from multiple foci. Patients with microscopically invasive breast carcinoma have a small but significant risk of axillary metastases, although a highly favorable survival.     

Coping with Chaos in Change Processes

In their efforts to change organizations, managers and change consultants are time and again confronted with the limited controllability of organizations, the complexity and indeterminacy of change processes and the uncertain and ambiguous effects of their actions. In short, they are confronted with chaos. Some managers and consultants try to enhance their (illusion of) control over organizations by attempting to reduce chaos, while others accept and embrace chaos and base their change practice on it. This article focuses on the second group. Based on a study of literature and a series of interviews with experienced change consultants, a typology is developed, in which an enlightened modern, an ironic, and a postmodern way of coping with chaos in change processes is elaborated. The typology may help change consultants and managers with the development of their way of working and the articulation of their professional identity.