Biology Commons^™

Interband Transitions In Electron Energy Loss Spectrometry, P. Schattschneider, P. Pongratz

Scanning Microscopy

Electron energy loss spectrometry (EELS) allows one to experimentally obtain the dielectric permittivity 𝜀:(ω, q) as a function of frequency ω and wave vector if. From 𝜀 information on inter band transitions in the probed medium can be drawn. In EELS, inter band transitions are screened by the movement of the loosely bound valence or conduction electrons. The screening effect may enhance or attenuate the strength of transitions, and tends to shift the frequencies of resonant oscillations. Another aspect of screening is the occurrence of longitudinal modes in the spectrum. So, great care has to be taken in interpreting …

Compton Scattering In Electron Energy Loss Spectrometry, P. Schattschneider, P. Pongratz, H. Hohenegger

Scanning Microscopy

It is well known that the distribution of electron momenta (electron density in momentum representation) of gases can be probed by Compton scattering of either photons (γ-rays or X-rays) or electrons. Recently it has been shown that Compton scattering of electrons is suited to the study of the electron momentum densities of solids on a microscopic scale. This technique, known as ECOSS, Electron Compton Scattering from Solids can be done in the electron microscope by electron energy loss spectrometry (EELS).

After a discussion of inherent approximations and the introduction of the reciprocal form factor a method is proposed in order …

Spatially Sensitive Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy, Helmut Kohl

Scanning Microscopy

Over the last decade electron energy loss spectroscopy has been increasingly used as a microanalytical technique. Under favorable conditions a spatial resolution better than 1 nm has been achieved. It is therefore possible to obtain spectroscopic information at an atomic scale. Such a spectrum can be used for the investigation of

- the elemental composition

- defect levels

- surface excitations

- the fine structure.

The spatial sensitivity of such experiments implies, that the initial or the final state of the scattered electrons must have a spatial structure. The theory for the scattering of wave packets will be discussed, focussing …

Secondary Electron Emission From Solids. I. Secondary Electron Spectroscopy, Michel Cailler, Jean-Pierre Ganachaud

Scanning Microscopy

The secondary electron emission spectroscopy can provide useful information about the transitions in the electronic structure from solids and deals with the detection of fine structures superimposed on the true secondary peak, in the kinetic energy range of the true secondary electrons.

Several mechanisms have been proposed for the creation of these fine structures: diffraction phenomena, plasmon decay, interband transitions to unoccupied levels, Auger transitions and more recently, autoionization emission. Some features could not be explained as being due to any bulk effect and were considered as indicative of a need to include surface wave-matching arguments in the analysis of …

Monte Carlo Simulation Of Secondary Electrons In Solids And Its Application For Scanning Electron Microscopy, M. Kotera, T. Kishida, H. Suga

Scanning Microscopy

A new Monte Carlo calculation model is introduced to simulate not only the primary electron behavior but also the secondary electron cascade in a specimen bombarded with an electron beam. Either the primary or the generated electron in a specimen having energy greater than 0.1 keV is defined as a fast electron and the single scattering model is used in the simulation which employs the Mott elastic scattering cross section and the Rao Sahib-Wittry energy loss equation. The electron having energy smaller than 0.1 keV is defined as a slow electron and the cascade model is used which takes into …

Channelling And Related Effects In Electron Microscopy: The Current Status, Kannan M. Krishnan

Scanning Microscopy

The channelling or Borrmann effect in electron diffraction has been developed into a versatile, high spatial resolution, crystallographic technique with demonstrated applicability in solving a variety of materials problems. In general, either the characteristic x-ray emissions or the electron energy-loss intensities are monitored as a function of the orientation of the incident beam. The technique, as formulated in the planar geometry has found wide applications in specific site occupancy and valence measurements, determination of small atomic displacements and crystal polarity studies. For site occupancy studies, the appropriate orientations in most cases can be determined by inspection and the analysis carried …

Electron Beam Nano-Etching In Oxides, Fluorides, Metals And Semiconductors, C. J. Humphreys, T. J. Bullough, R. W. Devenish, D. M. Maher, P. S. Turner

Scanning Microscopy

Etching, lithography, hole formation, surface restructuring and external machining can all be performed on a nanometre scale using an intense electron beam. Results are presented for a range of different materials which demonstrate the variety of mechanisms by which electron beam nano-etching can occur. For example, in crystalline 13-alumina hole formation occurs by surface indentations growing inwards to join up and form a nanometre diameter hole. In amorphous alumina, on the other hand, hole formation is from the inside-out: oxygen gas bubbles form under the electron beam, coalesce, and burst to leave a well defined nanometre diameter hole. In MgO …

Slowing Down And Scattering Of Ions In Solids, W. Heiland, H. Derks, T. Bremer

Scanning Microscopy

The interaction of particle beams with solids yields three parts, i.e. reflected particles, penetrating particles and trapped particles. At very low energies particle reflection is dominant, at very high energies penetration is the most important effect. Trapped particles are the result of energy loss processes, which on the other hand cause radiation damage in the solid. In the energy range discussed here, i.e. above energies where quantum effects, diffraction etc. are important and below energies where nuclear reactions, relativistic effects etc. may occur, the particle trajectories are classical. The energy loss process can be treated separately as nuclear and electronic …

Energy Loss Of Electrons Below 10 Kev, Hans Bichsel

Scanning Microscopy

Monte Carlo calculations are used to obtain the energy loss and spatial distribution of electrons penetrating matter. For this purpose, reliable cross section for the inelastic collisions must be known. As an approximation valid for large energy losses, the Coulomb cross section can be used. It can be modified in a simple way to account for the binding of electrons and for the exchange effect. In the Gryzinski model, collisions with moving electrons are assumed. In the quantum mechanical Bethe approximation, σ is closely related to the dipole oscillator strength (DOS), and its extension to finite momentum transfers, the generalized …

Plasmons In Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Electron Spectra, R. H. Ritchie, A. Howie, P. M. Echenique, G. J. Basbas, T. L. Ferrell, J. C. Ashley

Scanning Microscopy

A general self-energy formulation of the interaction between an electron in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) and a localized target is given. We prove a theorem relating the probability of energy transfer to that calculated classically. Local dielectric theory of target excitation for various geometries is discussed. The problem of localization of initially unlocalized excitations in the valence band of solids is treated by transforming cross sections differential in momentum transfer into dependence on an impact parameter variable. We are thereby able to account for experimental data in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) that show high spatial resolution.

Microbial Production And Consumption Of Nitrate In An Annual Grassland, John M. Stark, E. A. Davidson, M. K. Firestone

Biology Faculty Publications

Gross nitrification rates (calculated by 15N pool dilution) ranged from 12 to 46% of gross mineralization rates during the growing season of annual grasses. Pools of NH4+ and NO3 (measured as N) remained below 7 and 4 ,ug/g soil, respectively, but turned over about once a day. Microbial assimilation of NO3- occurred at rates similar to previous estimates of plant uptake. Hence two common assumptions, that nitrifying bac-teria are poor competitors for NH4+ and that microbial immobilization of NO3- is insig-nificant, are not correct for this grassland system. Soil heterogeneity probably results in NH4+ availability to NH4+ oxidizers at some …

Quantitative Evaluation Of Scanning Electron Microscopy-Examined Ciliary Morphological Changes In Control And Noise Exposed Guinea Pig Cochleas, S. Rydmarker, P. Nilsson, D. E. Dunn, C. Lindqvist

Scanning Microscopy

Many investigations of noise-induced hearing loss have demonstrated a poor correlation between hearing threshold and hair cell loss. One reason for this is that more subtle changes in the hair cell, such as detailed morphological changes of stereocilia, have not been evaluated. However, examining such changes increases the problem of distinguishing experimental pathological changes from artefacts. Preparation of the specimen for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) may result in too many artefacts for an adequate quantification of defects due to noise exposure.

One problem with some earlier studies seems to be lack of controls and/or statistical analysis for the purpose of …

Calcium Pyrophosphate Crystal Deposition: A Kinetic Study Using A Type I Collagen Gel Model, Gretchen S. Mandel, Paul B. Halverson, Melisa Rathburn, Neil S. Mandel

Scanning Microscopy

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease is characterized by deposits of triclinic (t) and monoclinic (m) CPPD crystals in articular and fibrocartilage. Many investigators have attempted to model CPPD crystal growth using both solution and a variety of gel systems. We have investigated the effect of type I collagen fibrils on CPPD crystal nucleation and growth using an ionic diffusion model. Collagen was isolated from porcine menisci using a pepsin solubilization procedure and gelled in three layers, with one containing 10 mM pyrophosphate (PPi) plus physiologic ions, the middle containing only the ions, while the third contained 25 mM …

The Secondary Blood Vessel System Of Segmental Arteries And Dorsal Aorta In Blennius Pavo And Zosterisessor Ophiocephalus. Histology, Fine Structure And Sem Of Vascular Corrosion Casts., F. Lahnsteiner, A. Lametschwandtner, R. A. Patzner

Scanning Microscopy

The secondary blood vessel system of the segmental arteries and of the dorsal aorta of the teleost fish Blennius pavo and Zosterisessor ophiocephalus are examined by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and by scanning electron microscopy of appropriately processed tissue and of vascular corrosion casts. Dorsal, lateral and ventral segmental arteries and the caudal portions of the dorsal aorta have a secondary vessel system. The secondary vessels are formed by capillaries which arise from the proximal portions of the segmental arteries and from the caudal parts of the dorsal aorta. In Z. ophiocephalus these capillaries are strongly dilated at their …

Backscattered Electron Imaging Of Partially-Demineralized Enamel, D. G. A. Nelson

Scanning Microscopy

Backscattered electron (BE) microscopy is being used increasingly as a technique to study the dissolution of dental enamel because of its high resolution and relatively easy sample preparation. Subsurface details such as striae of Retzius, cross-striations and prism microstructure have been observed with a resolution better than 0.1 micrometers using this technique. Since BE images of demineralized enamel appear very similar to microradiography images, it is tempting to interpret them in a similar fashion. We attempt to show that the interpretation of BE images is not straightforward because enamel is not a homogeneous one-phase material, but a two-component composite material …

Binding Of Ions To Nuclear Chromatin, Thomas Von Zglinicki, Heiko Ziervogel, Martina Bimmler

Scanning Microscopy

Ion concentrations in isolated lymphocyte nuclei subjected to KCl or MgCl₂ media of varying ionic strength were measured by X-ray microanalysis. Values were corrected for the contribution of free ions by estimating the volume fraction of the water space morphometrically. The amount of bound cations and Cl was constant and independent of the widely varying free ion concentration.

It is concluded that the mechanism of binding is counterion condensation but with limited cooperativity. In contrast to classical counterion condensation theory, the binding of ions occurs at oppositely charged clusters at the surface of the chromatin. Therefore, both cations and …

Effectiveness Of Dentin Bonding Agents, J. -F. Roulet, U. Blunck

Scanning Microscopy

The interface between a composite resin restoration and dentin is still a problem with regard to secondary caries and esthetics. With conventional restorative techniques the absence of bonding between the restorative material and the dentin produces marginal gaps. These gaps are populated with microorganisms or trap pigments. Therefore, adhesive techniques are required for functional and esthetic restorations.

In extracted teeth stored in 0.1% thymol solution, 8 cylindrical cavities (diameter: 3 mm; depth: 2 mm) and 8 class V cavities (1/2 of the margin in dentin) were prepared in each group and filled with composite resin. Before actual placement the following …

Electron Microscopy Of Endothelial Cell - Biopolymer Interaction, Stuart K. Williams, Timothy Schneider, Bruce E. Jarrell

Scanning Microscopy

Vascular endothelial cells form a natural antithrombogenic lining on all blood vessels. Replacement or bypass of small diameter blood vessels with artificial polymeric grafts has not been clinically acceptable due to the thrombogenic nature of polymeric material. One approach to improving the patency of vascular prosthetic devices has been the establishment of endothelial monolayers on the blood flow surface using the technique known as seeding. Scanning electron microscopy has been a major tool in evaluating the interaction of endothelial cells with polymeric surfaces resulting in a basic understanding of forces and structures regulating endothelium-polymer interactions. In-vitro and in-vivo studies have …

Comparison Of Backscattered Scanning Electron Microscopy And Microradiography Of Secondary Caries, Grayson W. Marshall Jr., Michal Staninec, Yasuhiro Torii, Sally J. Marshall

Scanning Microscopy

Carious lesions are usually studied using light microscopy and/or microradiography which require preparation of thin sections. Backscattered scanning electron microscopy (BSEM) has received little attention although it provides information similar to that obtained with microradiographs, with the potential for higher resolution. Recently, microscopes have been introduced that can be used to study wet or nonconducting specimens, offering techniques for studying specimens without desiccation or preparation of thin sections. This investigation sought to determine if secondary carious lesions have the same characteristics when studied by microradiography as when using the "wet" BSEM mode. Microradiographs were made of thin sections from restored …

The Use Of Scanning Electron Microscopy In The Analysis Of Pathological Hairs, Bo Forslind

Scanning Microscopy

The potentials of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) have only to a certain degree been exploited in the study of pathological hair fibers. In this review brief viewpoints on aspects of preparation and interpretation are discussed. It is shown that SEM will reveal important facts on the morphology of pathological hairs is appropriate experiment are performed, such as forming a knot on the fiber. Such a simple experiment will provide information on the fiber cross section, and on the tensile strength of the cuticle and the fiber. Complementary methods for qualitative and quantitative analysis of pathological hair fibers are suggested.

Release Of Hemoglobin And Potassium From Human Red Blood Cells Treated With Triton X-100 Under The Critical Micellar Concentration, P. Bogner, M. Kellermayer, C. F. Hazlewood

Scanning Microscopy

The action of detergents is thought to be connected primarily with micelle formation. However, detergent monomers can also effect biological systems. It was found in this study that human red blood cells can be disintegrated with Triton X-100 non-ionic detergent at a concentration of 0.007 %, lower than the critical micellar concentration (CMC). The time dependent release of hemoglobin and potassium was detected at 37°C and both were sigmoid in character. Although potassium was released faster than hemoglobin, a cooperative relationship between potassium and hemoglobin within the intact red blood cell is suggested by this observation.

Properties Of A New Dental Porcelain, T. K. Vaidyanathan, J. Vaidyanathan, A. Prasad

Scanning Microscopy

A high strength dental porcelain OPTEC, HSP™ has recently been introduced for use in the fabrication of crowns, three-unit anterior bridges with a single pontic, inlays, on lays, veneers, etc., without a metal substrate. This investigation reports the results of our research involving the characterization of the structure properties and thermally induced transformations of this porcelain. It has been found that the material possesses superior strength and other properties relative to conventional porcelains. The improved properties appear to result from the presence of a very fine and relatively dense distribution of leucite crystals. Scanning electron microscopy indicates, however, that the …

Ultrastructural Features Of Osteoclasts In Situ, L. De Saint-Georges, S. C. Miller, B. M. Bowman., W. S. S. Jee

Scanning Microscopy

The morphology of in situ osteoclasts on endocortical surfaces of the femoral midshaft was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Mice were perfusion fixed and bone marrow plugs were flushed out of femoral diaphyseal cylinders. The bones were split longitudinally and the endocortical surfaces examined. This method left on the bone surface most of the endosteal cells in their natural, in situ shape and position. Most of the bone surface was lined by contiguous bone lining cells covering resting bone surfaces, making a clear physical barrier between the bone and marrow compartments. On resorption surfaces, which were characterized by excavation cavities, …

Non-Fibrous Inorganic Particles In Human Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluids, P. Dumortier, P. De Vuyst, J. C. Yernault

Scanning Microscopy

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a simple and non-invasive sampling technique of the deep lung. Analytical electron microscopy was used for the identification and quantification of non-fibrous inorganic particles recovered in BAL fluid samples from 51 subjects with various occupational exposures (silica, silicates, metals and alloys, metallic oxides, precious and hard metals, abrasives). Around 4750 particles were analysed. More than sixty different compounds were identified, among which silica, kaolinite, illite, mica, Fe oxides and hydroxides, appeared to be ubiquitous. Feldspar, talc, chlorite, Al oxide, Ti oxide, tungsten carbide, stainless steel, carbonaceous compounds and flyash were also frequently encountered. From 1 to …

Studies Of Heart Development In Normal And Cardiac Lethal Mutant Axolotls: A Review, M. E. Fransen, L. F. Lemanski

Scanning Microscopy

The morphology of developing hearts in axolotls, Ambystoma mexicanum, has been studied by scanning electron microscopy in order to provide a chronology of morphogenesis that can be correlated with ongoing biochemical and immunocytochemical studies. In addition to normal embryos we have studied homozygous recessive cardiac lethal mutant axolotls. The mutant myocardium undergoes aberrant sarcomere development and lacks a normal heartbeat. Morphogenesis of mutant hearts appears to be nearly normal with respect to myocardial cell shape changes, epicardial formation, and the distribution of extracellular matrix fibrils in the cardiac jelly. This suggests that the deficient arrangement of contractile proteins in …

Cryofixation Of Heart Tissue For X-Ray Microanalysis, Alice Warley

Scanning Microscopy

Cryofixation of tissues is necessary to be able to study the concentrations of elements by X-ray microanalysis. Simple dissection of heart tissue fragments of the size needed for optimum cryofixation by the conventional methods of plunge or slam freezing leads to the development of ischaemia in the tissue fragments and a consequent redistribution of the diffusible elements. Heart tissue can be frozen in vivo using liquid nitrogen cooled Cu clad pliers, but the morphological detail is preserved better if the cooled pliers are exposed to liquefied propane immediately before freezing, Concentrations of Na are lower and concentrations of K are …

An Analytical Method Of Determining Thickness Of Multi-Layer Films With Electron Microprobe, Yen-Cai Ho, Jia-Guang Chen, Xin-Lei Wang

Scanning Microscopy

In the previous work we have developed a series of theoretical corrections for calculating the emitted X-ray intensity in multi-layer films. By the use of these theories, along with careful experimental operation of the electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and Monte Carlo iteration calculation, the thickness of each layer in multi-layer films can be determined.

To test the reliability of this method, the multi-layer film specimens Au/Cu/Si, Cu/Au/Si and Ag/Cr/Si of known thicknesses were analyzed at 20, 25, 30 and 35 keV. The percentage relative errors between the thicknesses determined using the correction procedures and those measured using nuclear backscattering are …

Interferon Beta 2/Interleukin-6 And Interleukin-3 Synergize In Stimulating Proliferation Of Human Early Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells., R. Michalevicz, D. Lifshitz, M. Revel

Scanning Microscopy

Early 4-hydroxyperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HC) resistant hematopoietic progenitor cells (pre-colony-forming units, pre-CFU) were evaluated by a two-step liquid culture system, (earlier progenitors), pre-CFU, as well as by the conventional semi-solid mixed colony assay (later progenitors) for their growth response to interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-3 (IL-3), and a combination of both factors. The effect of the IL-6/IL-3 combination was compared to that of IL-1/IL-3. IL-3 alone proved less effective in supporting earlier pre-CFU cells than later progenitor cells. In a previous work IL-6 promoted the growth of early multipotential progenitor cells circulating in hairy cell leukemia (HCL) patients. IL-6 alone did not stimulate growth …

Bone Ingrowth Into Porous Coated Canine Total Hip Replacements. Quantification By Backscattered Scanning Electron Microscopy And Image Analysis, Murali Jasty, Charles R. Bragdon, Steven Schutzer, Harry Rubash, Teresa Haire, William H. Harris

Scanning Microscopy

Bone ingrowth into titanium fiber mesh porous-surfaced canine total hip replacement prostheses was evaluated and quantified using a computer assisted image analysis system attached to a scanning electron microscope equipped with a back scattered electron detector. Excellent contrast between the bone, the porous metal and the soft tissues resulted in the backscatter mode, allowing easy differentiation of these components in real time by the image analysis based on gray scales. By three weeks the mean (± standard deviation) amount of bone ingrowth expressed as a percentage of porous layer measured 7.2% (± 1.5%) for the acetabular components, and 3.9% (± …

Achilles Tendon Replacement By A Collagen Fiber Prosthesis: Morphological Evaluation Of Neotendon Formation., Arthur J. Wasserman, Y. Pedro Kato, David Christiansen, Michael G. Dunn, Frederick H. Silver

Scanning Microscopy

Reconstituted type I collagen was processed into fibers which were subsequently severely dehydrated and cyanamide cross-linked. Fibers prepared by this method were stronger and more resistant to degradation than uncrosslinked fibers. When used as a tendon replacement prosthesis, morphological events occurred which were observed by light, scanning, transmission electron microscopy and electron histochemistry.

Resorption was the initial host response to the prosthesis and involved gradual biodegradation. Formation of a host-replacement tendon was the second response. Increased collagen fibril diameters and a transition in the proteoglycan/collagen fibril interactions occurred in the newly developing connective tissue between 3 and 10 weeks post-implantation. …