Technique for pinpointing submicron particles in the electron microprobe

Series of electron micrographs at successively lower magnifications can localize the substrate area sufficiently for a particle to be picked up by the beam of the electron microprobe. This approach could be modified to apply to fractographic studies, particularly of oxidation products stripped from fractures

Impacts of farming practice within organic farming systems on below-ground ecology and ecosystem function

Maintaining ecosystem function is a key issue for sustainable farming systems which contribute broadly to global ecosystem health. A focus simply on the diversity of belowground organisms is not sufficient and there is a need to consider the contribution of below-ground biological processes to the maintenance and enhancement of soil function and ecosystem services. A critical literature review on the impacts of land management practices on below-ground ecology and function shows that farm management practices can have a major impact. A particular challenge for organic farming systems is to explore to what extent reduced tillage can be adopted to the benefit of below-ground ecology without critically upsetting the whole farm management balance

Assessing the Effect of Photodynamic Therapy on Peripheral Nerve and Cancer Cells Using a Thin Tissue Engineered Collagen Culture Model

Abstract not available

Resonance tube igniter

Reasonance induced in stoichiometric mixtures of gaseous hydrogen-oxygen produces temperatures /over 1100 deg F/ high enough to cause ignition. Resonance tube phenomenon occurs when high pressure gas is forced through sonic or supersonic nozzle into short cavity. Various applications for the phenomenon are discussed

Intracellular localisation of mTHPC and effect of photodynamic therapy in cells of the mammalian peripheral nervous system

Fewer nerve-related side effects have been noted after treating head and neck cancer with photodynamic therapy (PDT) compared to conventional cancer therapy. Our aim is to investigate the biological basis for any such nerve-sparing effect. In this study the intracellular localisation and effect on cell viability of the photosensitiser meta-tetrahydroxylphenylchlorin (mTHPC) was investigated in cell culture models using peripheral nerve cells. Primary cells from adult rat dorsal root ganglia (containing both neurons and glia) were used in these experiments. Localisation of mTHPC was detected using fluorescence and confocal microscopy. Levels of mTHPC fluorescence were quantified using digital image analysis. Immunocytochemistry with anti-?-III-tubulin and anti-S100 was used to distinguish neuronal and glial cell populations respectively. A cell-death assay using propidium iodide was used to evaluate neural cell susceptibility to PDT following incubation with mTHPC. The results showed that mTHPC was localised in cytoplasmic regions of neurons and glia, but was not detected in neuronal axons. Necrotic cell death was detected after PDT in these neural cell types. These results suggest that the cells of the peripheral nervous system are susceptible to PDT-mediated necrosis, but that the sparing of nerves observed during clinical PDT may be related to the heterogeneous distribution of mTHPC within neurons

Differences in sensitivity to mTHPC-mediated photodynamic therapy of neurons, glial cells and MCF7 cells in a 3-dimensional cell culture model

The effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the cells of the nervous system is an important consideration in the treatment of tumours that are located within or adjacent to the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Previous studies have reported the sparing of nerves during PDT using meta-tetrahydroxyphenylchlorin (mTHPC, Foscan®) in patients and in animal models. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mTHPC on key nervous system cells using a 3-dimensional cell culture system for the accurate detection of differences in sensitivity

Summary of booster propulsion/vehicle impact study results

Hydrogen, RP-1, propane, and methane were identified by propulsion technology studies as the most probable fuel candidates for the boost phase of future launch vehicles. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of booster engines using these fuels and coolant variations on representative future launch vehicles. An automated procedure for integrated launch vehicle, engine sizing, and design optimization was used to optimize two stage and single stage concepts for minimum dry weight. The two stage vehicles were unmanned and used a flyback booster and partially reusable orbiter. The single stage designs were fully reusable, manned flyback vehicles. Comparisons of these vehicle designs, showing the effects of using different fuels, as well as sensitivity and trending data, are presented. In addition, the automated design technique is described