Visualization of the Microtubules of Glutaraldehyde-Fixed Cells by Reflection-Enhanced Backscatter Confocal Microscopy

2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-123
Author(s):  
Charles H. Keith ◽  
Mark A. Farmer

Performing reflection-mode (backscatter-mode) confocal microscopy on cells growing on reflective substrates gives images that have improved contrast and are more easily interpreted than standard reflection-mode confocal micrographs (Keith et al., 1998). However, a number of factors degrade the quality of images taken with the highest-resolution microscope objectives in this technique. We here describe modifications to reflection-enhanced backscatter confocal microscopy that (partially) overcome these factors. With these modifications of the technique, it is possible to visualize structures the size—and refractility—of individual microtubules in intact cells. Additionally, we demonstrate that this technique, in common with fluorescence techniques such as standing wave widefield fluorescence microscopy and 4-Pi confocal microscopy, offers improved resolution in the Z-direction.

Author(s):  
David W. Piston

Two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy provides attractive advantages over confocal microscopy for three-dimensionally resolved fluorescence imaging. Two-photon excitation arises from the simultaneous absorption of two photons in a single quantitized event whose probability is proportional to the square of the instantaneous intensity. For example, two red photons can cause the transition to an excited electronic state normally reached by absorption in the ultraviolet. In our fluorescence experiments, the final excited state is the same singlet state that is populated during a conventional fluorescence experiment. Thus, the fluorophore exhibits the same emission properties (e.g. wavelength shifts, environmental sensitivity) used in typical biological microscopy studies. In practice, two-photon excitation is made possible by the very high local instantaneous intensity provided by a combination of diffraction-limited focusing of a single laser beam in the microscope and the temporal concentration of 100 femtosecond pulses generated by a mode-locked laser. Resultant peak excitation intensities are 106 times greater than the CW intensities used in confocal microscopy, but the pulse duty cycle of 10−5 maintains the average input power on the order of 10 mW, only slightly greater than the power normally used in confocal microscopy.


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 544c-544
Author(s):  
A. Hakim ◽  
A. Purvis ◽  
E. Pehu ◽  
I. Voipio ◽  
E. Kaukovirta

Both external and internal quality of fruits such as tomatoes can be evaluated by different methods, but all most all of the methods are destructive. For this reason, there is a need to reassess some of the alternative techniques. Nondestructive quality evaluation is an attractive alternative. The principles of different nondestructive quality evaluation techniques such as optical, physical, and fluorescence techniques applied to tomato fruit is explained. Successful application of these techniques that could be used for evaluation of different quality attributes are illustrated. The advantages of nondestructive quality evaluation techniques are that they are very fast, easy, labor- and time-intensive, and inexpensive. These techniques could also be useful to evaluate the quality of other vegetables.


Author(s):  
Kirsanov S.I.

Despite nearly a century of research on diseases affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles and associated structures, this problem still remains open. Pain syndrome caused by TMJ diseases ranks first in terms of prevalence among non-odontogenic pain syn-dromes in the maxillofacial region and leads to a signifi-cant deterioration in the quality of life of patients. The high prevalence of these diseases in female patients and the presence of a number of factors of a somatic, psycho-logical and social nature, contributing to such a high prevalence, indicate the need for more close attention of researchers to these aspects, which can become a way to develop new effective methods for the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ diseases in this category of patients. A review of scientific literature was carried out in order to identify topical scientific issues related to the study, di-agnosis and treatment of TMJ diseases.


Author(s):  
Jacob Brink Jansson ◽  
Ruth Sørensen ◽  
Kirsten Riis

Cathodic protection is a very well-known method of preventing or stopping reinforcement corrosion and thereby extending the service life of reinforced concrete civil structures. However, a number of factors, which among others are design, materials and components, installation methods, quality of workmanship, and operation and maintenance of the cathodic protection system, have influence on the functionality and effectivity of the cathodic protection system. The optimum design that fulfils the Client''s requirements to cost, traffic disruption, service life, etc. shall be determined in accordance with the structure layout and the ability of the Client''s organisation to conduct operation and maintenance. It is critical to ensure that all components are installed properly to achieve the expected service life of the system. Regular and correct operation and maintenance is also crucial to ensure the functionality and effectivity system.


Author(s):  
Н. Р. Асадуллина

Formulation of the problem. The article reflects the assessment of the competitiveness of processed fruit and vegetable products, the qualitative characteristics of fruit and vegetable products are substantiated, as well as the parameters of the degree of consistency of expert opinions based on the calculation of the concordance coefficient. The purpose of the research is to reflect and characterize existing methods of integrated assessment of the competitiveness of processed fruit and vegetable products. The object of research – the process of determining the quality of products produced, as well as the competitiveness of processed fruit and vegetable products. The methods used in the research – logical, comparative, analytical, scientific and methodological. The hypothesis of the research is to assume the dependence of the competitiveness of processed fruit and vegetable products and its sales volumes. The statement of basic materials. The buyer prefers products depending on the purpose and use of this product. In the course of further processing, the buyer pays attention to the volume of packaging, the suitability of the packaging for the content of the product in it, the maximum time for the storage of products. The article suggests such indicators of quality of processed fruit and vegetable production: biochemical composition of products; packaging of products; design and design of products; appearance and consistency; terms of product suitability; cost of production per kilogram of production. The originality and practical significance of the research is that the author substantiates the degree of influence of the proposed indicators on competitiveness on the basis of expert assessments. The number of points is determined depending on the number of factors considered. The degree of consensus of expert opinions is established on the basis of calculating the coefficient of concordation. Conclusions of the research. In the process of packaging the product and its production must take into account the directions of its use. For further industrial consumption, processed fruit and vegetable products can be made with a higher content of dry soluble substances, vitamins, sugars, and acidity. This will save on the cost of packaging, transport costs, and handling operations.


2012 ◽  
Vol 538-541 ◽  
pp. 895-900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Chen Huang

A number of factors must be considered when selecting a convention site. Typically, most selections are based on the decision makers’ knowledge and experience, which may lead to biased decisions based on the decision makers’ subjective judgment. This study establishes decision-making evaluation factors and attributes for convention site selection based on a literature review. After surveying experts’ opinions using questionnaires, we employed the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) to analyze the weighting of the factors and attributes. The results show that of the five evaluation factors, site environment is the most important, followed by meeting and accommodation facilities, local support, extraconference opportunities, and costs. Additionally, the five most important attributes among the 20 evaluation attributes are the suitability of convention facilities, suitability and quality of local infrastructure, climate, city image, and political conflict or terrorist threats.


2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (3-4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pejo Đurašinović

Our topic focuses on the pre-war system of values, then the period of decadence and destruction of the system of values and value orientations in general, and the postwar system with its different views on values that goes through a period of the formation of awareness of values. The young will play the most important role in the formation of the new system of values.The phenomenon of values among young people today is a complex social problem that is influenced by a large number of factors. These various factors can be classified into biological, social and individual factors.


Author(s):  
Kátia Lemos ◽  
Sara Serra ◽  
Amidel Barros

Based on the premise that the quality of the audit is related to the quality of the financial reporting, the purpose of this chapter is to verify if the audit is a determining factor in derivative financial instruments disclosures. However, the academic literature has revealed that audit quality is influenced by a number of factors, such as gender, experience, and auditor's fees, as well as the type of audit firm (Big4 or not Big4). In order to achieve the proposed objective, a disclosure index was prepared, based on the requirements of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), applied to companies listed on Euronext Lisbon, excluding the sports corporations. The results revealed that the level of disclosure is influenced by the size of the audited company and by the auditor's gender, being greater in the larger companies and in the companies audited by a male auditor.


Author(s):  
Hendrik Knoche ◽  
M. Angela Sasse

This chapter provides an overview of the key factors that influence the quality of experience (QoE) of mobile TV services. It compiles the current knowledge from empirical studies and recommendations on four key requirements for the uptake of mobile TV services: (1) handset usability and its acceptance by the user, (2) the technical performance and reliability of the service, (3) the usability of the mobile TV service (depending on the delivery of content), and (4) the satisfaction with the content. It illustrates a number of factors that contribute to these requirements ranging from the context of use to the size of the display and the displayed content. The chapter highlights the interdependencies between these factors during the delivery of content in mobile TV services to a heterogeneous set of low resolution devices.


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