Three-dimensional flow visualization system by holographic interferometry

A holographic system has been developed to visualize a three-dimensional fluid flow. The system consists principally of a thermoplastic film, a monochrome video camera, a microcomputer with image-processing capability and a printer. The system makes it possible to measure a slow flow. Two examples of such, the bimodal mixed-mode convection flows within a Bénard cell, are presented

Self-Contained Induction of Neurons from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

BACKGROUND: Neurons and glial cells can be efficiently induced from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells in a conditioned medium collected from rat primary-cultured astrocytes (P-ACM). However, the use of rodent primary cells for clinical applications may be hampered by limited supply and risk of contamination with xeno-proteins. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We have developed an alternative method for unimpeded production of human neurons under xeno-free conditions. Initially, neural stem cells in sphere-like clusters were induced from human ES (hES) cells after being cultured in P-ACM under free-floating conditions. The resultant neural stem cells could circumferentially proliferate under subsequent adhesive culture, and selectively differentiate into neurons or astrocytes by changing the medium to P-ACM or G5, respectively. These hES cell-derived neurons and astrocytes could procure functions similar to those of primary cells. Interestingly, a conditioned medium obtained from the hES cell-derived astrocytes (ES-ACM) could successfully be used to substitute P-ACM for induction of neurons. Neurons made by this method could survive in mice brain after xeno-transplantation. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: By inducing astrocytes from hES cells in a chemically defined medium, we could produce human neurons without the use of P-ACM. This self-serving method provides an unlimited source of human neural cells and may facilitate clinical applications of hES cells for neurological diseases

Monolithically Integrated Waveband Selective Switch Using Cyclic AWGs

We propose a novel waveband-selective switch that uses cyclic Arrayed-Waveguide Gratings. The device is fabricated on one chip using Planer Lightwave Circuit technologies. Tests demonstrate that the designed performance is successfully realized