I have an enquiry about any paper published on virus ultrastructure which uses FESEM images. I've checked the obvious Journals but one of you out there might be able to drop a note with a reference for me. No. I'm not writing a thesis (term paper, literature review). Thanks,
as an additional measure to all those already mentioned ;-) for keeping formaldehyde solutions as long as possible, I seem to remember that, before those days when we began preparing our formaldehyde immediately before use, we kept it in bottles with a lot of calcium carbonate on the bottom. This took acidification into account, but did not avoid polymerisation, of course ;-) HTH John
*********************************************************** * Jean C. Desclin (John), Associate Prof. of Histology * * Laboratory of Histology - Faculty of Medicine * * Brussels Free University (U.L.B.) * * e-mail: desclinj-at-ulb.ac.be (internet) * * snail mail: route de Lennik 808 * * B - 1070 Brussels Belgium * ***********************************************************
Hi, You may add to the in-situ experiment list some work we did here:
Work from M. Flueli thesis HREM dynamic observation of gold nanocrystals (same as J.O. Bovin, D. Smith,...) HREM dynamic observation of sintering of gold nanocrystals induced at room temperature by the electron beam (M. Flueli et al., Surf. Sci. 202 (1988) 343-353)
Work from D. Ugarte HREM in situ transformation of fullerenes into bucky onions (MRS Bull. XIX no 11 nov. 1994,39-42; Europhys. Lett. 22 (1993) 45-50
If there is some interest, I can provide a video movie (about 10 min. at total for these 3 items, at present with the european PAL standard, but NTSC may be available too).
B. Hall and D. Reinhart do electron diffraction of silver clusters produced in a supersonic He or Ar stream. They showed the co-existence in various concentrations of fcc cuboctaheras, decahedras and icosahedras. (B.D. Hall et al, Phys. Rev. B43 (1991) 3906-..., B.D. Hall et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 62 (1991) 1481-1488, B.D. Hall et al., Z. Phys. D20 (1991) 457-... and D26 (1993) S73-...)
There are also two others teams using in-situ in Lausanne (conventional TEM). One (R. Gotthardt) in the field of in-situ straining of metals at room, low or high temperature. The second one (G. Gagnon) has a video movie of thermal fatigue, up to crack generation, for an Al based alloy reinforced by oxides particles. I don't have the details right now. If these authors have not answered to your call themselves, I am ready to find more if anybody is interested.
Yours
__________________________________________________________________ Philippe Buffat Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) Centre Interdepartemental de Microscopie Electronique Address: EPFL-CIME, Batiment MX-C, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland Phone: +41(21)693 29 83 Fax: +41(21)693 44 01 (Central European Time) E-mail: philippe.buffat-at-cime.uhd.epfl.ch // pabuffat-at-cimesg1.epfl.ch ______________________________ Eudora F2.1 ___________________________
Hi, You may add to the in-situ experiment list some work we did here:
Work from M. Flueli thesis HREM dynamic observation of gold nanocrystals (same as J.O. Bovin, D. Smith,...) HREM dynamic observation of sintering of gold nanocrystals induced at room temperature by the electron beam (M. Flueli et al., Surf. Sci. 202 (1988) 343-353)
Work from D. Ugarte HREM in situ transformation of fullerenes into bucky onions (MRS Bull. XIX no 11 nov. 1994,39-42; Europhys. Lett. 22 (1993) 45-50
If there is some interest, I can provide a video movie (about 10 min. at total for these 3 items, at present with the european PAL standard, but NTSC may be available too).
B. Hall and D. Reinhart do electron diffraction of silver clusters produced in a supersonic He or Ar stream. They showed the co-existence in various concentrations of fcc cuboctaheras, decahedras and icosahedras. (B.D. Hall et al, Phys. Rev. B43 (1991) 3906-..., B.D. Hall et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 62 (1991) 1481-1488, B.D. Hall et al., Z. Phys. D20 (1991) 457-... and D26 (1993) S73-...)
There are also two others teams using in-situ in Lausanne (conventional TEM). One (R. Gotthardt) in the field of in-situ straining of metals at room, low or high temperature. The second one (G. Gagnon) has a video movie of thermal fatigue, up to crack generation, for an Al based alloy reinforced by oxides particles. I don't have the details right now. If these authors have not answered to your call themselves, I am ready to find more if anybody is interested.
Yours
__________________________________________________________________ Philippe Buffat Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) Centre Interdepartemental de Microscopie Electronique Address: EPFL-CIME, Batiment MX-C, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland Phone: +41(21)693 29 83 Fax: +41(21)693 44 01 (Central European Time) E-mail: philippe.buffat-at-cime.uhd.epfl.ch // pabuffat-at-cimesg1.epfl.ch ______________________________ Eudora F2.1 ___________________________
} Greetings from downunder } } I have an enquiry about any paper published on virus ultrastructure which uses } FESEM images. I've checked the obvious Journals but one of you out there } might be able to drop a note with a reference for me. No. I'm not writing a } thesis (term paper, literature review). Thanks, } } Mel Dickson } m.dickson-at-unsw.edu.au } fax +612-385-1067
We got some very promising results for using FESEM to image of the reovirus.
Centonze, V.E., Chen, Y., Borisy, G.G. and Nibert, M.L. (1994) High-resolution imaging of reovirus particles by cryo-scanning electron microscopy: steps in virus disassembly visualized without image refinement. Science (Submitted)
Chen, Y., Centonze, V.E., Nibert, M.L. and Borisy, G.G. (1994) Cryo-Scanning electron microscopy of reovirus structure. In: 52th Ann. Meet. MSA (eds. by G.W. Bailey and A.J. Garrett-Reed). pp. 134-135. San Francisco Press, San Francisco.
Chen, Y., Centonze, V.E., Verkhovsky, A., Nibert, M.L. and Borisy, G.G. (1994) Macromolecular imaging of cytoskeletal elements and reovirus by ultra-high resolution cryoscanning electron microscopy. In: Electron Microscopy 1994--XIIIth International Congress on Electron Microscopy (eds. by B. Jouffrey and C. Colliex). pp. 25-26. Les Editiond de Physique, Les Ulis.
Ya Chen Integrated Microscopy Resource University of Wisconsin 608-263-8481
I'm weeding my way through the equations used in x-ray analysis. In particular I was reading Reed's "Electron Microprobe Analysis, Second Ed." and I have run into a problem. Chapter 13, X-ray generation and stopping power, discusses ionisation cross-section with refence to an article by Powell, C.J. (1990) Microbeam Analysis-1990 p.13.
Unfortunately I have no access to this reference except through "Inter-Library Loans" (possibly taking 2 months). I was wondering if someone could spare the few minutes it would take to fax me this article. Please contact me directly at henne-at-sfu.ca so I can give you my fax number.
Thanks for your time. Dan Henne Simon Fraser University Sunny Vancouver Canada henne-at-sfu.ca
I am looking for advice on the purchase of a critical point dryer. We are interested in preparing platelets and Staph. Epi. for high res. EM imaging. Any comments you might have on generally salient issues or particular machines and their strengths and weaknesses would be much appreciated.
Thanks Steven J. Eppell Facility Coordinator Center for Cardiovascular Biomaterials Case Western Reserve University sje-at-po.cwru.edu
Dysktra in his book on EM tech advocated a plain 4:1 formaldehyde:glut fixative for TEM, using commercial formaldehyde. His TEMs of kidney (?) looked fine, even the specimens that were months old before embedding. Anyone else tried his recipe? Phil Oshel poshel-at-luc.edu
Thanks for the many responses to my initial posting Re: Fixative Quality Control. I've done some more reading, called a few suppliers and incorporated the responses from the microscopy listserver to create a memo for the labs I work with. A copy follows for those who are interested: ************************************************************************** We have been doing some research about the shelf life of 37% Formaldehyde. There is no definitive age after which 37% Formaldehyde is no longer useful as a stock solution. Formaldehyde chemistry is moderately complex, but after discussions with other microscopists, manufacturers and reviewing pertinent texts, the following observations are applicable. Formaldehyde should be stored at room temperature, cold temperatures encourage the formation of trioxymethylene with a resulting white precipitate. Formaldehyde should be stored tightly sealed, since exposure to air encourages the oxidation of formaldehyde to formic acid (37% formaldehyde is usually shipped with 10-15% methanol to inhibit this change). Our recommendation is, if the 37% formaldehyde solution is clear, colorless and has no precipitate, and has been stored at room temperature in a tightly sealed bottle that has not been exposed to sunlight, it should be good, however, we still do not recommend using a stock bottle that is older than 1 year, bottles that are already opened should not be used more than 6 months. Consequently, we recommend that labs purchase their formaldehyde more frequently and in smaller quantities than perhaps they have done in the past. ***************************************************************************** There's more, but this should suffice. The only additional comment is that 37% formaldehyde is not recommended for EM work and that a higher grade "methanol-free" formaldehyde or a solution made from paraformaldehyde should be used instead.
Thanks for your help:-{)
Douglas W. Cromey, M.S. Cell Biology and Anatomy Arizona Health Sciences Center 1501 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85724 (602)626-2824 dcromey-at-ccit.arizona.edu
I would suggest a used Reichert Ultracut E, this machine is proven (bullet proof).it cuts great sections, does well with cryo attachments, and can be cleaned and maintained easily without messing up any internal microciroelectronics. No I don't have one to give or sell I wish I still had one. PS- stay away from the RMC 6000. (you've been warned) the RMC 7000 is a far better machine, and is worth consideration, test it against a REichert. -Mike Rock
On Thu, 1 Dec 1994, Todd Voiles wrote:
} } We're looking for both advice and information on the purchase } (new or used) of an ultra-microtome for use in our EM facility } } Does anybody have a used one they want to sell/give us? } } Any suggestions on the type that is the best or of reputable companies } and/or sources? } } Thanks } } Center for Materials Research and Analysis } Central Facility for Electron Microscopy } University of Nebraska at Lincoln } } Todd Voiles } tvoiles-at-unlinfo.unl.edu } }
If, in your inquiries, you find that you have any use for a microtome (not ultra-microtome), we have an unused Reichert-Jung Histocut 820-II which we would part with at a very reasonable price.
Arthur Gillman Princeton, NJ
Todd Voiles wrote:
} We're looking for both advice and information on the purchase } (new or used) of an ultra-microtome for use in our EM facility } } Does anybody have a used one they want to sell/give us? } } Any suggestions on the type that is the best or of reputable companies } and/or sources? } } Thanks } } Center for Materials Research and Analysis } Central Facility for Electron Microscopy } University of Nebraska at Lincoln } } Todd Voiles
One fixative that really works much better than it should is McDowall- Trumps, which is a modified Karnovsky-type fix. It is prepared from bulk (reagent grade) glut and commercial formalin in a phosphate buffer. Its popular in clinical laboratories where much of the tissue received is pathological or from necropsy. People around here like it because its cheap (a couple of dollars per gallon) and is stable for months.
I personally like fixatives that incorporate picric acid, for its ability to retain proteins. Picric acid is not a fixative per se, but acts by precipitating proteins, rendering them insoluble. We routinely use 2% GTA- 2% formaldehyde-0.5% picric acid in cacodylate buffer. It produces good contrast in just about everything vertebrate. This "yellow" fix is stable for at least 2 months.
-=W.L. Steffens=- College of Veterinary Medicine University of Georgia
When we were looking at ultramicrotomes about 5 years ago, we evaluated the RMC MT-7 and the Reichert Ultracut E. Both of these machines were very impressive. Since neither of them are the most recent models, you may be able to find a used machine, but it won't be easy.
Early in 1995 we will have one or two positions available for postdocs with TEM and/or STEM experience on semiconductors. Most of the work is on III-V systems (GaAs and InGaAs). For more details contact me direct.
Peter Goodhew goodhew-at-liv.ac.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Professor Peter J Goodhew, Department of Materials Science & Engineering University of Liverpool LIVERPOOL Fax (44) (0)51 794 4675 L69 3BX, UK Tel (44) (0)51 794 4665 (secretary Debra) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- inter alia: Director of the MATTER project for educational software ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Does anyone have a FC4S cryomicrotomy unit for use with an Ultracut E microtome that they would like to sell? If so, please call (314-577-8480) or e-mail me back and I will contact you. Thanks Jan Ryerse, St. Louis University Health Science Center.
Isn't picric acid dangerous? What precautions do you take??On Fri, 2 Dec 1994, W.L. Steffens wrote:
} One fixative that really works much better than it should is McDowall- } Trumps, which is a modified Karnovsky-type fix. It is prepared from bulk } (reagent grade) glut and commercial formalin in a phosphate buffer. Its } popular in clinical laboratories where much of the tissue received is } pathological or from necropsy. People around here like it because its } cheap (a couple of dollars per gallon) and is stable for months. } } I personally like fixatives that incorporate picric acid, for its ability } to retain proteins. Picric acid is not a fixative per se, but acts by } precipitating proteins, rendering them insoluble. We routinely use 2% GTA- } 2% formaldehyde-0.5% picric acid in cacodylate buffer. It produces good } contrast in just about everything vertebrate. This "yellow" fix is stable } for at least 2 months. } } -=W.L. Steffens=- } College of Veterinary Medicine } University of Georgia }
} Date sent: Sat, 3 Dec 1994 15:14:59 -0600 (CST) } From: Joyce Craig {bafpjec-at-uxa.ecn.bgu.edu} } Send reply to: Joyce Craig {bafpjec-at-uxa.ecn.bgu.edu} } Subject: Re: fixatives } To: "W.L. Steffens" {STEFFENS.B-at-calc.vet.uga.edu} } Copies to: Microscopy-at-aaem.amc.anl.gov
} Isn't picric acid dangerous? What precautions do you take??On Fri, 2 Dec } 1994, W.L. Steffens wrote:
Picric acid (trinitrophenol) has similar chemical properties to its cousin, trinitrotoluene (TNT). It is only dangerous when dry. In labs that use it in fixatives, it is made up as a saturated aqueous solution stock solution...there is no reason to keep the dry powder around. If you do have stocks of the powder, keep a cm or so of water in the bottle, and avoid getting it on the threads.
Picric acid is commonly used in histology laboratories, as it is a key ingredient in the popular Bouins fixative. I've never known anyone who has had problems with it, other than trying to ship it in the mail.
-=W.L. Steffens=- College of Veterinary Medicine University of Georgia
I'm of the opinion that most critical point dryers are overloaded with bells and whistles, and have too little sample capacity (and cost too much). The one I usually tell people to look at is the Polaron. It's a good sized cylinder with inlets & outlets for water & CO2, and a couple of gauges (and a safety valve). Very simple, sturdy, usuable by anyone and reliable. The problem is finding the supplier--the way companies have been going out of business, being bought up, etc.. I *think* that it's now carried by Energy Beam Sciences, but.... maybe Ted Pella? (I forget the model name/#, but there was only one like it. No electroincs or electric anything--heating & cooling are done by water from the hot & cold taps.) Phil Oshel poshel -at-luc.edu
In message {see2d46a.052-at-wpo.it.luc.edu} Philip Oshel writes: } Steven Eppell, } } I'm of the opinion that most critical point dryers are overloaded with bells } and whistles, and have too little sample capacity (and cost too much)......
} ........No electronics or electric anything--heating & cooling are done by } water from the hot & cold taps.)
I've already replied to Steven Eppell's query on CPD's privately, but I wanted to respond on the net to Philip Oshels recent comments:
While I generally agree with Philip that the fewer bells 'n whistles on a CPD the better, I do like the electric heating feature of my Ladd CPD (Ladd Reasearch Industries, Burlington Vermont, 802-658-4961); no hot water lines to hook up, no drain needed. Twelve years ago I had a Bomar brand CPD (no longer in business) and it was heated and cooled by tap water. In the summer months, I could not get cold enough water for cooling so I had to rig up circulation through a mixture of ice and water; I built an accessory plumbing unit with 4 valves for mixing, switching hot water, cool and ice water etc, etc. It was a lot of fun to operate and even more fun to teach to others to operate.
The Ladd unit cools by expanding CO2 gas into and quickly out of the chamber, the ol' Joule-Thompson effect in action, so its clean, no extra plumbing, and makes a pleasant gurgling sound which sooths a troubled mind.
Its sample chamber is 1-3/8 inches diameter, 3-3/8 inches deep which is quite large enough for our needs here and it will hold a lot of sample baskets of various sizes.
The January 1993 list price was $3995.00.
Another lab nearby has a totally automatic CPD and they have had occasional problems with the auto-controls from time to time. In 12 years of running my manual Ladd unit, no reapairs of any kind needed to date. However, if your lab needs a CPD running very frequently, perhaps the extra expense and occasional repair is worth it.
Disclaimer: I'm not associated with Ladd in any way, other thatn being a satisfied user of their CPD.
--
Gib Ahlstrand, MMS Newsletter Editor Electron Optical Facility, University of Minnesota, Dept. Plant Pathology 495 Borlaug Hall, St. Paul, MN 55108 (612)625-8249 612-625-9728 FAX, giba-at-puccini.crl.umn.edu
Message-Id: {MAILQUEUE-101.941205093220.352-at-vanlab.paprican.ca} To: bafpjec-at-uxa.ecn.bgu.edu
I would just like to throw in a little more information regarding picric acid. It can be used safely so long as you are aware of the hazards. My (quite old) copy of "Manual of hazardous chemical reactions" from the NFPA has entered under Picric Acid:
Picric acid and bases form explosive salts. The salts with heavy metals are very sensitive to primary explosives.
Contact between picric acid and concrete floors leads to the formation of more explosion-sensitive salts, such as calcium picrate.
Cheers, Laurie
} Isn't picric acid dangerous? What precautions do you take??On Fri, 2 Dec } 1994, W.L. Steffens wrote: }
______________________________________________________________________ Laurie Frederick, A.SC.T. PAPRICAN Corrosion Control Group 3800 Wesbrook Mall The Pulp and Paper Research Vancouver, B.C. Institute of Canada Canada V6S 2L9
} I've been using that mixture (McDowall-Trumps) and as you sais it is } an excellent fixative. Could you send me the original reference, please? } Thanks in advance
I consider it a good general purpose fix and a starting point. I believe that optimal results can only be attained by experimentation. Its supposed to be a hyper-osmotic fix (about 1100 mOsmol) but much of this is contributed by the formaldehyde, which does not excert an effective osmotic pressure. The effects of it suggest that it is hypoosmotic, evidenced by the tendency for mitochondria and lysosomes to swell.
Original reference:
McDowell, E.M., and B.F. Trump. 1976. Histologic fixation suitable for diagnostic light and electron microscopy. Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. 100: 404 - 414.
-=W.L. Steffens=- College of Veterinary Medicine University of Georgia
Aloha microscopists, We are trying to fix dissociated Xenopus muscle cells, growing on glass coverslips, for antibody labelling and high res SEM. Unfortunately, the cell membranes are blebbing a few minutes after fixative is applied. We are trying a light pre-fix in paraformaldehyde or para/glutaraldehyde, followed by ab labelling, then we can postfix in a higher concentration of glut and osmium. Except for the first time (beginner's luck) everything has caused blebbing. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Aloha kakou,
Tina Weatherby Carvalho Biological EM Facility University of Hawaii tina-at-ahi.pbrc.hawaii.edu
Tina Carvalho in Hawaii asks about alternative fixatives to avoid membrane blebbing. Try the recipe in J. Histochem. Cytochem. 37:75-82, 1989, by Luther and Bloch. It might help.
**************************************************** * MICROSCOPY OF SEMICONDUCTING MATERIALS * * * * 20-23 MARCH 1995 * * * * University of Oxford * **************************************************** This conference will focus on the latest developments in the study of the structural and electronic properties of semiconducting materials. Main topic areas are: (1) Characterization of as-grown semiconductors (2) Investigation of lattice defect and impurity behavior (3) Study of the effects of semiconductor processing treatments (4) Assessment of finished electronic devices.
Special conference session on use of HRTEM, nature of epitaxial layers, metal-semiconductor contacts, exploitation of advanced scanning techniques.
The meeting is sponsored by the Institute of Physics, London (e-mail IOPCONF-at-ulcc.ac.uk.) and organized by Dr. A G Cullis and Dr.Anne Staton-Bevan.
DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS IS DECEMBER 1 BUT LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED UP TO DEC.20TH. IF YOU WISH TO SEND AN ABSTRACT NOW PLEASE ALSO FAX A COPY TO Dr.A G Cullis at FAX +44 684-894311
We have a project, looking at morphology of red cells in patients with sepsis. The cells need to be studied with SEM (normal and ultrahigh resolution) as well as TEM. We do not need to fix the samples to retain immunocytochemical characteristics. Some of the published hypo- and hyper- osmotic fixatives that we have tried do not really preserve the shape of the red cells very well. Someone with experience of this type of preparation - please help. We need a fixative that will cause the least possible amount of morphological changes such as swelling or crenation. Due to transport requirements, samples need to be left in the fixative for a few hours at least. At present we are using 2.5% phospate buffered glut with added NaCl (0.075M phosphate, pH 7.4 and 0.075M NaCl) and this seems to be the best we have tried to date. This fixative is close to being iso-osmolar to normal serum if you disregard the contribution of the Glutaraldehyde.
Jan Coetzee Unit for Electron Microscopy Tel:+27-12-420-2075 University of Pretoria Fax:+27-12-342-1738 Pretoria Internet:janc-at-ccnet.up.ac.za 0002 South Africa
Has anyone heard of a new MSDS coming out for Toludine Blue that says it is now for hood use only because it has been found to be cancer causing? A friend of mine who is an EM Tech at University of Chicago informed me that he recieved the new MSDS, but it has not found its way to my lab yet.
Any information is appreciated.
Thanks,
Dennis Shubitowski Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center
I am interested in what protocol people are using to en bloc stain with UrAc. Specifically, what buffer, pH, concentration, duration and stage. Do Uranyl acetate solutions go bad? John Johnson started a thread touching on this a while back but the responses were mostly how to avoid or remove pepper staining artifacts. TIA.
Thomas E. Phillips, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Director, Molecular Cytology Core Facility 3 Tucker Hall University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211 (314)-882-4712 (voice) (314)-882-0123 (fax)
We use a saturated solution in dH2O, pH'ed to 3.3. Tissue pieces are keeped in solution for 1 hour after the osmimium, then start with ethanol dehydration after UA.
I just returned from the Dominican Republic (Nov. 12-20, 1994) where I lectured at the Pontificia Univ. Catolica M & M. There I met Dr. Andres Peralta professor and Director of the International Programs at the Univ. Dr. Peralta founded and directs the Oncologic Regional Cibao Center. On the list of wanted equipment is an EM and assorted lab. equipment. The center is the only non-profit hospital in the Dom. Rep. offering free consultation and cancer therapy. The center is partially furnished by donations from the USA and CANADA: Beds and X-rays donated by the Santiago Cancer Foundation's branch of MIAMI; Operating table and lights donated by Hospital of Saint George Quebec; Radiotherapy Cobalt 60 unit donated by Misericordia Hospital USA, and Puerto Rico. Please contact me if you know of any surpplus hopital equipment they can use. I was very impressed by Dr. Peralta, and must say that besides the nuns I mentioned before, he is a Dominican I trust. You can either deal with the foundation directly or through me. The foundation will pay for packing, transportation and custums the Dominican Republic. The irony is that I know of their needs after giving away a Philips 301 for parts just months ago.
************************************************************ *Cesar D. Fermin, Ph.D \|*|/ Fax (504) 587-7389 * *Tulane Medical School /|*|\ Answ. Mach.(504) 584-261 * *Pathology/SL79 \|*|/ Secretary (504) 584-2436 * *New Orleans, La 70 112 /|*|\ Lab (504) 5841 * *Fermin-at-TMC.Tulane.edu -} Director of Morphological Services* ************************************************************
I have been using 0.5% UAc in dH2O following the rinse step after the OsO4 for 10- 18 hours (i.e. overnight - provides a nice break for day one), followed by 4x rinse with dH2O -at- 10-15 min.. Advantages of this are: you don't have to worry about UAc crystals (Saturation is approx. 3.5-4%), I also use this as a post sectioning stain, and it provides a good break step for things like dinner and sleep!
I have heard that UAc is light sensitive, but I'm unsure of this and I've never had any problems with storing it in clear glass.
I have discovered that UAc in acetone does breakdown - I have no idea to what but after 3 months there where some very beautiful dark golden brown crystals which had grown...if I could only figure out how to get them out of the vial and into the SEM.....
Richard E. Edelmann Electron Microscopy Facility Supervisor Marshall University - School of Medicine Huntington, West Virginia
The December 1994 issue of the Journal of Microscopy is a special issue featuring papers presented at the meeting on Confocal and Near-Field Microscopy and Three- Dimensional Image Processing in Microscopy, held in Munich, Germany, on the 25 - 28 April 1994.
Contents
In situ analysis of microbial consortia in activated sludge using fluorescently-labelled, rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes and scanning confocal laser microscopy by M. Wagner, B. Assmus, A. Hartmann, P. Hutzler & R. Amann.
In vivo analysis of angiogenesis and revascularization of transplanted pancreatic islets using confocal microscopy by F. A. Merchant, S. J. Aggarwal, K. R. Diller & A. C. Bovik.
Scanning interference and confocal microscopy by R. Juskaitis & T. Wilson.
Time- and wavelength-resolved spectroscopy in two-photon excited fluorescence microscopy by S. Andersson-Engels, I. Rokahr & J. Carlsson.
Simultaneous confocal recording of multiple fluorescent labels with improved channel separation by K. Carlsson, N. Aslund, K. Mossberg & J. Philip.
Imaging in the far-red with electronic light microscopy: requirements and limitations by C. Cullander.
Optoelectronic detector probes for scanning near-field optical microscopy by H. U. Danzebrink.
Intracellular localization of the antitumour drug adriamycin in living cultured cells: a confocal microscopy study by S. Meschini, A. Molinari, A. Calcabrini, G. Citro & G. Arancia.
Scanning force microscopy on live cultured cells: imaging and force-versus-distance investigations by D. Ricci & M. Grattarola.
Modelling of inclined and curved surfaces in the reflection scanning acoustic microscope by W. Weise, P. Zinin & S. Boseck.
Studies of porphyrin containing specimens using an optical spectrometer connected to a confocal scanning laser microscope by O. Trepte, I. Rokahr, S. Andersson-Engels & K. Carlsson.
The tetrahedral tip as a probe for scanning near-field optical microscopy at 30nm resolution by U. C. Fischer, J. Koglin & H. Fuchs.
A versatile tilting device for fluorescence microscopes by J. Bradl, M. Hausmann, B. Schneider, B. Rinke & C. Cremer.
Continuous wave excitation two-photon fluorescence microscopy by P. E. Hanninen, E. Soini & S. W. Hell.
Refractive index induced aberrations in two-photon confocal fluorescence microscopy by H. Jacobsen, P. E. Hanninen, E. Soini & S. W. Hell.
If you do not subscribe to the Journal, Copies can be ordered from Blackwell Science Ltd at a cost of œ14.9 pounds sterling, including postage & packing for UK delivery (orders outside the UK please add œ1.50 pounds sterling for postage).
Please send your order to Anna Rivers, Blackwell Science Ltd, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0EL, United Kingdom. Telephone +44 865 206206, fax +44 865 206096.
Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory National Institute of Standards and Technology Gaithersburg, MD
The MSEL anticipates an opening within the next 6-9 months for a person with expertise in transmission electron microscopy of metallic and ceramic materials. Extensive experience in HREM, image simulation, PEELS required. Experience with Gatan imaging filter and running a user facility highly desired. This position is initially a term appointment with an excellent chance of conversion to permenant within 2 years. Because we are a government laboratory, strong hiring preference will be given to US citizens. Also, because of the critical need for the aforementioned expertise, persons requiring training in these areas are not likely to be considered.
The MSEL microscope facility consists of a new JEOL 3010 TEM with PEELS, Gatan IF, etc, Philips 430 EM and 400 STEM, sample prep and image processing/simulation facilities. The position is expected to consist of 50% collaboration with researchers, 25% administration/training/vendor stuff, and 25% independent research.
A formal search announcement will be published in the usual journals in the near future.
For details or to submit your name for consideration, please contact:
Tim Foecke NIST Building 223, Rm B254 Gaithersburg, MD 20899 fax: 301-926-7975 email: tfoecke-at-nist.gov
The US government is an EEO. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
I worked with TEM of blood many years ago, primarily granulocytes. Millonig's phosphate buffered 3% glutaraldehyde was what worked best. Can't remember right now if that included sucrose or not, files are at home.
Conventional metallographic preparation involves frequent rinsing of the mounted sample between grinding and polishing stages. The final rinse is typically followed by rinsing in alcohol then acetone.
We find that using filtered and dessicated compressed air through a small diameter blow gun is usually superior in removing residues. The sample is rinsed in water alone, though sometimes a dilute soap solution is required prior to drying. This technique reduces our alcohol/acetone consumption to a mere fraction of what is was. Solvent fumes in the lab are minimal.
The multi-stage filter we use is manufactured for spray painting and is readily available from numerous sources.
Please direct any questions or feedback to: Alan Stone ASTON Chicago, IL compuserve 73004,1733
in order to compare some results I'm looking for up-to-date binding energies (/and or work funktions) measured by XPS and/or XAS from XTiO3 (X=Ba,Ca,Sr,Pb). The values should be refferenced to the Au 4f level or the fermi energy of the material.
By the way, is there a standart data base for such measured or calculated numbers on the net?
The president of the PNW Microscopy Society is Bob Kayton, Oregon Health Sciences University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portalnd, OR 97201; phone (503) 494-2504.
On Tue, 6 Dec 1994, Daniel Possin wrote:
} Hello everyone - } } How does one contact the Pacific Northwest Microscopy Society? } } Answers to question are greatly appreciated. } } Dan }
In article tphillips-at-biosci.mbp.missouri.edu (Tom Phillips) writes: } } I am interested in what protocol people are using to en bloc stain with } UrAc.
Our protocol refined over the years is to Fix in osmium tetroxide in cacodylate (or, rarely a phosphate buffer), then wash in 1% sodium acetate to remove the buffer which can precipitate the uranium, then use 2% uranyl acetate unbuffered in dh2O for one hour. we follow that with the alcohol dehydration. Use longer uranyl acetate for darker stain. The sodium acetate is a really important step as uranyl phosphate is insoluble in water and cacodylate also can precipitate it. Refer to
Terzakis J.A. (1968) Uranyl acetate, a stain and a fixative. J Ultrastructure Res. 22- 168. Positive Staining for Electron Microscopy. M. A. Hayat 1975 Van Nostrand Reinhold NY. Page 33 onward
Research Project: Atomic Resolution TEM Analysis of Intergranular Fracture ___________________________________________________________________________
A post-doctoral research fellow is required to carry out experimental and theoretical analyses in the study of interfacial segregation. The project will involve extensive use of high-resolution imaging coupled with detailed analyses using valence and core-loss EELS. Furthermore, the project will require careful modelling of EELS spectra using various theoretical approaches. Accordingly, the candidate must be a good experimentalist and have sufficient experience with electron scattering theory.
The research project is sponsored by The Ontario Centre for Materials Research and is linked with industrial partners interested in a more fundamental understanding of intergranular embrittlement in various metallic alloys.
The project will begin April 1, 1995 for up to as many as 3 years.
The research fellow will spend the majority of his/her time at nearby McMaster University where a new JEOL JEM 2010F Field-emission TEM with EDX and PEELS has recently been installed.
Those who are interested and qualified should contact me for consideration.
D.D. Perovic Department of Metallurgy and Materials Science, University of Toronto 184 College Street Toronto, Canada Tel: (416) 978-5635 Fax: (416) 978-4155 Internet: perovic-at-ecf.utoronto.ca
} I am interested in what protocol people are using to en bloc stain with } UrAc. Specifically, what buffer, pH, concentration, duration and stage. } Do Uranyl acetate solutions go bad? John Johnson started a thread touching } on this a while back but the responses were mostly how to avoid or remove } pepper staining artifacts. TIA. } }
Tom:
When using UA as an en bloc stain, do not use phosphate buffers in your fixation or you will most likely have a ppt problem. I use caco-buffer fixes and then generally stain in aqueous UA after the Osmium has been washed out (I dont buffer the stain) - an alternative is to incorporate the staining into the dehydration schedule, using an alcoholic UA
I millipore filter the stain immediately before use and incubate for 0.5 to 1 hr
Microscopical Society of Canada 22nd Annual Meeting
The MSC Executive and the Local Organising Committee cordially invite you to attend and participate in the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Microscopical Society of Canada This meeting will be held in the University Centre Building, University of Ottawa, Ottawa , Ontario, Canada, June 4-7, 1995. A varied and interesting scientific program has been planned and will consist of a combination of interdisciplinary symposia presented by speakers from around the world - separate physical and biological symposia, oral and poster presentations, a workshop on TEM specimen preparation of materials, and commercial exhibits.
Local Organising Committee Jim Corbett (Chairman, Secretary, University of Ottawa Liaison) John McCaffrey (Treasurer, Space Management, Accommodation) Jeff Fraser (Commercial Exhibits, Social Program) Graham Carpenter (Scientific Program Chair, Materials) Larry Arsenault (Scientific Program Chair, Biology) Peter Sewell (Corporate Liaison, Commercial Exhibits) Kamal Botros (Scientific Program) Louise Weaver (Scientific Program) Paula Allan-Wojtas (Registration) Shea Miller (Registration)
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF ABSTRACTS: March 15, 1995 DEADLINE FOR PRE-REGISTRATION: May 1, 1995
For further information contact:
Program:
Jim Corbett Department of Physics University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario Canada, N2L 3G1 Tel: (519) 885-1211 Fax: (519) 746-8115 e-mail: corbett-at-physics.watstar.uwaterloo.ca
Registration:
Shea Miller or Paula Allan-Wojtas Centre for Food and Animal Research Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Room 2016, K.W. Neatby Bldg. Central Experimental Farm Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0C6 Tel: (613) 957-4347, ext. 7709 (Shea), 7970 (Paula) Fax: (613) 943-2353 e-mail: millers-at-ncccot.agr.ca allanwojtasp-at-ncccot.agr.ca
We use alcoholic UA for our enbloc staining, particularly for thick section and whole mount samples for our 300 KeV instrument. We found better staining and less problems with precipitate using the alcoholic UA. We use 20% EtOH and incorporate the staining as part of our dehydration schedule. As with any UA enbloc procedures (as discussed in previous parts of this string) good washing to remove buffer is important before staining.
Jay Jerome ************************************************************** * aka: W. Gray Jerome * * Dept. of Pathology * * Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University * * Medical Center Blvd * * Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1092 * * 910-716-4972 * * jjerome-at-isnet.is.wfu.edu * **************************************************************
I am looking for a supplier of electron-sensitive film (similar to type 4489 or S0163) in 35mm roll form. Kodak no longer makes such a product. Please include a phone number and address of the distributor if available. TIA
Cheers,
David A. Howell Materials Science Dept. Michigan State University E. Lansing, MI 48824-1226 howelld-at-egr.msu.edu
Mahalo to all of you who posted suggestions for fixing our cultured cells for SEM. We have, of course, played with several factors, primarily osmolarity, with little change. Now we are considering the effects of different ions, temperature, whatever. I will let the group know what happens if/when we come to some conclusions! One of the problems is that we want to do some very high resolution SEM and/or replicas for TEM of the surface of the cells, so we have to be careful not to fix (by chemicals or freezing) any proteins, salts, whatever, from media or buffers onto the surface, since we are not going to fracture. I knew that would be a problem; I just didn't expect to have to fight blebbing, too! Suggestions still gratefully accepted!
It's 76 degrees F, sunny and windy today. Rainbows in the valleys. Happy holidays!
Aloha, Tina Weatherby Carvalho Biological EM Facility University of Hawaii
A few months ago Damon Herr, from FEI company, offered Field Emission reference articles to anyone interested. I have not been able to contact Damon at the email address he gave. Does anoyone else out there have this info. If so could you please forward it to me. I can be contacted via:
I am truly grateful to all of those who responded to my question regarding vibration isolation platforms. If I do install a platform, I shall post a message about its performance. Season's Greetings to all the Micronetters!
************************************************************************* M.V. Parthasarathy Professor of Plant Biology Section of Plant Biology 228 Plant Science Building Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850 Telephone: (607) 255-1734 Fax: (607) 255-5407 E-mail: mvp2-at-cornell.edu ***********************************************************************
Damon Heer's email address is DLH-at-FEICO.MHS.CompuServe.COM and phone # is(503)640-7500 FYI merock
On Fri, 9 Dec 1994, Leo D Frawley 03 5667464 wrote:
} A few months ago Damon Herr, from FEI company, offered Field Emission reference articles to anyone } interested. I have not been able to contact Damon at the email address he gave. Does anoyone else out there } have this info. If so could you please forward it to me. I can be contacted via: } } email frawley-at-resmel.bhp.com.au } phone 613 560 7066 } fax 613 561 6709 } } BHP Research_Melbourne Laboratories } 245 Wellington Rd, Mulgrave, Victoria 3170, Australia. } } Thanks in advance. } } Leo D Frawley } } }
Jan Coetzee, Please post a summary to the list of the responses that you get rearding fixing RBCs. This is an interesting problem. Also: for SEM, you have more problems than fixation--the drying process shrinks cells, and the shrinkage continues *after* the drying is finished. This shrinkage in not necessarily isotropic, nor consitent. Yet another thing to watch out for. Phil Oshel poshel-at-luc.edu
A comment on Gib Ahlstrand's note re: the Polaron CPD: We've had the same problem with getting cold enough tap water in the summer, but this was cured by coiling the input hose in a bucket of water and ice--no valves, extra plumbing, etc. The input water only has to get to 10 C to cool and 40 C to heat. Otherwise, I can agree that there are advantages to electrical heating, such as more precise control. But... Phil Oshel poshel-at-luc.edu
A hint for picric acid people: if you've got a jar that you suspect has dried partially, turn it upside down in a container of water for an hour or two or overnight. If the picric acid has dried anywhere, it will be on the threads, and this will dissolve it. Silly and abvious, maybe, but there are people who didn't think of it... Phil Oshel poshel-at-luc.edu
Hey Folks: We typically use UA for en bloc staining at 0.5% in a 28mM acetate/veronal buffer (pH 6.0, 1 hr, 20C) after thorough rinsing in A/V buffer to remove OsO4; then proceed with EtOH dehydration.
Good Luck, Greg Martin Cell Biology and Anatomy Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Subject:Re: 35mm e-sensitive film supplier? } } I am looking for a supplier of electron-sensitive film (similar } to type 4489 or S0163) in 35mm roll form. Kodak no longer makes such } a product. Please include a phone number and address of the distributor if } available. TIA } } Cheers, } David A. Howell } Materials Science Dept. } Michigan State University } E. Lansing, MI 48824-1226 } howelld-at-egr.msu.edu
David, We use Kodak 5302 fine grain release positve film in our 35mm TEM cameras. It is manufactured as a motion picture film but is good for EM too, and very cheap. We use the same safelights, developer and fix as the SO163/4489 EM films ( you may have to tweak the emulsion sensitivity knob on the EM though).
Richard Easingwood Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, P.O. Box 913 University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Fax:64-3-479 7254 Telephone:64-3-479 7301
I am new to AFM and am trying to establsh protocols for handling, processing, evaluating, and selecting Si AFM cantalevers for phase imaging of magnetiic media. Random sampling of unused cantalevers using FEG/SEM has revealed damage to the very tip of the cantalevers that might be caused by ESD. For phase imaging, the cantalevers are sputtered with CoCr thin films and then the cantalevers are magnetized. I would like to determine the mode of failure as well as at what stage of processing the damage is occurring. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
The aim of the Symposium is to provide a forum where participants may discuss the use of scanning electron microscopy and related methods in their work and research. The emphasis is on applications and techniques. Contributions are sought on the subjects of SEM imaging of biological and materials specimens, field emission SEM, low voltage SEM, X-ray analysis, cryo-SEM, image processing and analysis, AFM, STM, forensic analysis, laboratory management and training methods.
Pre symposium workshops(February 13-14) will be held. Half day Workshops are being given in 1. Principles and Practice of SEM, 2. Principles and Practice of X-ray analysis, 3. FESEM, 4. Advanced X-ray Analysis, 5. Cryo Micrscopy, 6. Image Processing and Analysis.
A one and one half day workshop is being given in 7.Wavelength Dispersive Analysis.
The meeting is being organised by The Australian Microbeam Analysis Society (AMAS) and is being coordinated by John Ward.
Deadline for the submission of abstracts is December 31 1994. If you wish to send an abstract please Fax a copy to Dr. Peter Miller at 613 544 1128 or email miller-at-rivett.mst.csiro.au
I recently did a staining run using a protocal I have used secessfully before. This time there was not much staining. In fact, there was hardly any gold on the formvar portion of the grid. The other times I have done this exp. there was gold stuck to formvar. Could this indecate a problem with the gold I used?
If you get gold particles on the formvar film, then there is probably a problem with you gold even before you do experiments. You should not get that sort of background when you do immunolabeling. As for the lack of labeling, if you are repeating an experiment that has worked in the past and everything is the same then it could either be your gold probe or the primary antibody. Primary antibodies and gold probes can deteriorate upon improper storage. The antibodies can aggregate, fall apart or stick to the sides of the tube. With the gold, the most common cause of signal loss is the dissociation of ligand from the gold particles. The free protein (usually protein A of IgG) occupies binding sites but cannot be seen in the microscope (no gold). Protein A-gold is more stable than IgG-gold and is the better all round marker for immunocytochemistry. Another reason for loss of signal is the use of inappropriate bocking agents which either react with the primary atibody or the gold marker (eg. rabbit serum to dilute protein A-gold; fetal calf serum to dilute antibodies to BSA). To give you a better diagnostic we need more details.
In my experience, gold labeling of formvar is usually more indicative of the primary antibody sticking to the formvar. i.e. with the same batches of goat anti-mouse gold we get different levels of formvar background with different primary antibodies. Background is usually highest with antibodies we know to be particularly "sticky". Assuming you are using the gold in an indirect immunostaining protocol, I would suspect that my primary ab had gone bad before blaming the gold. I look forward to hearing other peoples ideas.
Jay Jerome ************************************************************** * aka: W. Gray Jerome * * Dept. of Pathology * * Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University * * Medical Center Blvd * * Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1092 * * 910-716-4972 * * jjerome-at-isnet.is.wfu.edu * **************************************************************
On Mon, 12 Dec 1994, Larry Hawkey wrote:
} } Anyone who has done or is doing immuno-gold: } } I recently did a staining run using a protocal I } have used secessfully before. This time there } was not much staining. In fact, there was } hardly any gold on the formvar portion of the } grid. The other times I have done this exp. } there was gold stuck to formvar. Could this } indecate a problem with the gold I used? } } Larry hawkey } hawkey-at-neuro.duke.edu }
John Mansfield North Campus Electron Microbeam Analysis Laboratory 413 SRB, University of Michigan 2455 Hayward, Ann Arbor MI 48109-2143 Phone: (313)936-3352 FAX (313)936-3352 jfmjfm-at-engin.umich.edu or John.F.Mansfield-at-umich.edu Time: 2:46 PM
Date:12/12/94 URL: http://www.engin.umich.edu/~jfmjfm/jfmjfm.html NC EMAL
Just a reminder about the ESEM Symposium at Scanning 95 & The ESEM User Group Meeting that will follow it. Copies of the Call for Papers and User Meeting Info are enclosed but note that info is available on: http://www.engin.umich.edu/~jfmjfm/esem_folder/scanning95.html http://www.engin.umich.edu/~jfmjfm/esem_folder/user_meeting.html. __________________________ Call For Papers
Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy:
Working in the Micro-Laboratory
A Special Symposium at Scanning 95
March 28-31, 1995
at the Doubletree Hotel
Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA, USA
Dear Environmental SEM User(s):
Whether we call our instruments ESEMs, Wet SEMs or Low Vacuum SEMs, we are all Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopists. The field of Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy has now become well established, particularly because these instruments have the unique capability of forming secondary or back-scattered electron images, while the sample is in what would typically be considered an extremely poor vacuum. The sample chambers are typically quite large and can accommodate a wide variety of experimental platforms for in-situ observation. Such specialized in-situ systems include high temperature stages, cold stages, uniaxial straining and multi-point bending stages and liquid sample stages. In fact, these novel SEMs are unique micro-laboratories.
This symposium, as part of this year's SCANNING 95 meeting, will focus on ESEMs, Wet SEMs or Low Vacuum SEMs as microcharacterization laboratories. A number of invited speakers will outline application of their particular microscopes in this capacity.
Invited speakers include:
Dale Newbury National Institute for Standards and Technology, MD, USA. Title: "Scanning Electron Microscopy at Elevated Pressure: A Newcomer's Views"
Brendon Griffin Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of Western Australia. Title: "A review of detection strategies and imaging of hydrated biological specimens in the environmental SEM"
Paul Meredith Polymer & Colloids Group, Physics Department, Cambridge University, UK. Title: "In-situ hydration studies of ordinary Portland cement by environmental SEM"
This is an invitation to you and your colleagues to contribute papers to this symposium. Contributions emphasizing novel in-situ experiments (advances in hot-stage, cold-stage or deformation microscopies), studies on non-conducting materials (ceramics, polymers etc.) and examination of liquids or emulsions are most appropriate. To facilitate the organization of this symposium, please send copies of your abstracts, in the format outlined in the Abstract Preparation Booklet (see below) to the organizers by DECEMBER 15th, 1994.
John F. Mansfield Electron Microbeam Analysis Lab. University of Michigan 2455 Hayward Ann Arbor MI 48109-2143 Phone: (313) 936-3352 FAX: (313) 936-3352 email: John.F.Mansfield-at-umich.edu
Stuart McKernan High-Resolution Microscopy Center University of Minnesota 100 Union St. SE Minneapolis MN 55455-0153 Phone: (612) 624-6590 FAX: (612) 626-7530 e-mail: stuartm-at-maroon.tc.umn.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abstract Preparation Booklets & Program Information:
Mary K. Sullivan FAMS, Inc. Box 832 Mahwah, New Jersey 07430-0832 Phone: (201) 818-1010 FAX: (201) 818-0086 Email: fams-at-holonet.net
The absolute final deadline for abstract submission is February 1st 1995 Please submit TWO PAGE camera-ready manuscripts (as defined in the Abstract Preparation Booklet) & a copy on computer diskette (Mac or PC), if possible, to: ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Robert P. Becker Editor, Proceedings Issue, SCANNING 95 545 Island Road, Ramsey, NJ 07446 USA Phone: (312) 996-7215 FAX: (312) 413-3034 Email: rpbecker-at-uic.edu
Electroscan ESEM Users please check out the accompanying Web Page which describes the 1995 ElectroScan User's Meeting.
__________________________
ElectroScan User's Meeting
Doubletree Hotel
Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA, USA
Friday March 31st & Saturday April 1st 1995
In recent years this meeting has been held at ElectroScan's headquarters in Massachusetts. The location, and the fact that it is a user forum, rather than a nationally recognized conference, has precluded a number of users from attending. In an attempt to open the User Meeting to a wider audience, we are, therefore, going to hold user meetings in a variety of locations around the United States in conjunction with a national microscopy conference. Therefore, this year's meeting will be held immediately after Scanning 95 at the Doubletree Hotel on Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey, California.
Holding the User Meeting after a conference means that we have an ideal opportunity to hold a symposium at the conference dedicated to environmental scanning electron microscopy. An associated Web Page describes the symposium "Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy: Working in the Micro-Laboratory" This symposium will, naturally, be open to all who are interested in environmental scanning electron microscopy, while the User Meeting will be limited to ElectroScan users only. Since the conference, and hence the environmental scanning electron microscopy symposium, will precede the User Meeting, the format of the User Meeting will be different to those held in Massachusetts. Users who wish to make presentations describing the novel experiments that have been performed in the ElectroScan ESEM, should submit abstracts for the conference symposium. This will provide a broader audience for the presentations. However, anyone who feels that there are particular details of their work that would be of interest to the ElectroScan users only, should request a time slot at the User Meeting to describe those additional details. As in past User Meetings, representatives from ElectroScan will be present at the meeting to describe the latest developments of the ESEM and the direction in which future developments are heading. They will also discuss the options that current users have for upgrading their current instruments and will be open to suggestions for instrumental improvements. A number of representatives from other vendors may describe how their equipment may enhance the capabilities of the ESEM. There will be an open question and answer period at the User Meeting to allow for general discussion. If you have a topic for discussion you should contact the organizers of the User Meeting as soon as possible so that your topic can be integrated into the schedule.
Tentative Schedule
Friday March 31st
Evening Reception.
Saturday April 1st
Morning Follow-up of "Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy: Working in the Micro-Laboratory" sessions. Question and answer with the authors. ElectroScan representatives: The Gaseous Secondary Electron Detector (GSED) and comparison with the Environmental Secondary Detector (ESD). Colorview - a new variation on the viewport. Image archiving and networkability. Upgrading E3 instruments. Other discussion announcements.
Lunch
Afternoon ElectroScan representatives continued. Other Vendors Representatives. Open Forum Discussion - Any matters not previously covered.
Questions, comments, suggestions and topics for discussion should be forwarded to the organizers:
Organizers:
John F. Mansfield Electron Microbeam Analysis Lab. University of Michigan 2455 Hayward Ann Arbor MI 48109-2143 Phone: (313) 936-3352 FAX: (313) 936-3352 email: John.F.Mansfield-at-umich.edu
Stuart McKernan High-Resolution Microscopy Center University of Minnesota 100 Union St. SE Minneapolis MN 55455-0153 Phone: (612) 624-6590 FAX: (612) 626-7530 e-mail: stuartm-at-maroon.tc.umn.edu
Ed Griffith ElectroScan 66 Concord Street Wilmington, MA 01887 Phone: (410)643-2494 FAX: (410) 643-237
We want to make sure we have the correct names and addresses of all users, so please fill out the User's Directory Update.
A while ago I corresponded with several people about a SuperCard stack detailing the inner workings of an SEM.......
I never have been able to get ahold of it....does anyone have any information.....I'd really like to get it before the spring semester so I can use it for my class.....
Thanx in advance Center for Materials Research and Analysis Central Facility for Electron Microscopy University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Please send any responses directly to raharris-at-ucdavis.edu. I am no longer on the listserv.
Our facility is considering selling a used JEOL 100SX. It is currently under repair by JEOL and we are wondering if we should continue with the costly repairs and then sell it. Is there any market for a used scope? The scope is like new and has had few users. It was under a service contract but as soon as the contract expired it cooked the objective lens. Our use has gone way down and we wonder if we should continue the repairs and keep the scope or sell the scope. Has anyone had any luck selling used scopes?
Rick A. Harris raharris-at-ucdavis.edu Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Biology University of California, Davis 916 752 2914 fax 916 752 1449
'ordinary' tiff files have 8 bytes at the start encoding the width and height of the file ie how many pixels wide, how many rows long, then the rows of pixels 0=black, 255 = white ie simple numeric grey level directly encoded. after the h rows of w bytes each, there is a variable section that can contain labels etc Look at the file with a utility like LIST by Breug (best $15 I ever spent!!!!!!) in hexadecimal mode If you know width and height eg 512 * 400 for EDAX files then just skip 8 bytes, read binary 512 bytes as first row, etc for 400 times and ignor the rest. There are many tiff formats that are more complex but I believe most conform to this basic structure. I can transfer EDAX files from RT11 (DEC) to pc by a utility rt2pc.exe given me by EDAX, I think it is public domain or close.... This is 12 bit data encoded as integers, 2 bytes/ pixel. converting to 1 byte / pixel unsigned integer ie 0-255 = increasing grey scale gives a tiff file readable by Optimus in the PC and photoshop, etc on the mac alan pooley marine sci sem lab rutgers univ
The aim of the Symposium is to provide a forum where participants may discuss the use of scanning electron microscopy and related methods in their work and research. The emphasis is on applications and techniques. Contributions are sought on the subjects of SEM imaging of biological and materials specimens, field emission SEM, low voltage SEM, X-ray analysis, cryo-SEM, image processing and analysis, AFM, STM, forensic analysis, laboratory management and training methods.
Pre symposium workshops(February 13-14) will be held. Half day Workshops are being given in 1. Principles and Practice of SEM, 2. Principles and Practice of X-ray analysis, 3. FESEM, 4. Advanced X-ray Analysis, 5. Cryo Micrscopy, 6. Image Processing and Analysis.
A one and one half day workshop is being given in 7.Wavelength Dispersive Analysis.
The meeting is being organised by The Australian Microbeam Analysis Society (AMAS) and is being coordinated by John Ward.
Deadline for the submission of abstracts is December 31 1994. If you wish to send an abstract please Fax a copy to Dr. Peter Miller at 613 544 1128 or email miller-at-rivett.mst.csiro.au
We would like to observe the dislocations in Mg-10%Sn alloys and prepared some TEM specimens by Twin-Jet electropolishing method. But I've never got good specimens because of differentiate etching.
Does anyone know good etchants and polishing conditions ?
If I got it right, this is some kind of a mailing list? I would be happy to get any current information on electron microscopy and laboratories working in the field.
Regards, plehtine-at-butler.cc.tut.fi
in real life MSc Pirjo Lehtinen from the Centre for Electron Microscopy, Tampere University of Technology, Finland.
There is regular, full-time position available in the Shared Scientific Services of The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine. The Jackson Laboratory is a nonprofit, independent laboratory founded in 1929 on the premise that the causes of cancer and other diseases could be discovered through mammalian research. The Laboratory specializes in mammalian genetics using inbred laboratory mice as model systems to study human health problems such as cancer, diabetes, anemias, heart disease, muscular dystrophy, and aging. Located on a large island in the Gulf of Maine and surrounded by Acadia National Park, The Jackson Laboratory is currently undergoing a major expansion of its scientific staff and research facilities.
Duties include operation and training of end users on a PC-based image analysis system, and the performance of customer-directed analysis of biological samples. Also included is the regular maintenance and alignment of upright and inverted research-level microscopes, with the following optics; brightfield, darkfield, phase contrast, differential interference contrast and fluorescence and associated cameras, computers and video equipment.
A successful candidate would have a minimum of 2 years experience in microscopic imaging and/or experience in rudimentary computer programming. The applicant must also be able to work independently in a multi-user facility and to deal with people on a one-to-one basis. Individual will be expected to attend seminars and participate in interest groups disseminating information about current microscopic imaging techniques. The salary range begins at $28,000 plus benefits, and is negotiable depending upon level of experience.
Interested applicants should send CV to:
Joanne C. Bradt Employment Specialist The Jackson Laboratory 600 Main Street Bar Harbor, ME. 04609 (207) 288-3371 ext. 1281 (207) 288-3371 ext 1082 FAX jcb-at-aretha.jax.org
Hey Folks - Everyone's comments are excellent; I would add that gold particles over the formvar may not be the most relevant indication of a problem with your gold probe. The background labeling over the sections in the absence of a specific probe (e.g. primary Ab) may be more important in assessing the "stickyness" of gold probes. I've had batches of IgG-Gold which gave very low (basically nothing) levels of labeling over tissue sections incubated with a mock primary and significantly higher levels over the formvar -- using primary Ab still gave excellent results. Of course this doesn't matter unless you can get away with not taking pictures which include the formvar film! Also -- leaving off the Carbon coating on the grids can reduce binding of gold probes. Since levels of labelling and background can vary so much for probes from different suppliers, different batches from the same supplier, and with regard to different specific probes, it can't be over emphasized to run a lot of negative (and positive) controls to "tease out" what's really going on.
Good Luck! Greg Martin Cell Biology and Anatomy Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
The program Virtual SEM v 1.2 (formerly SuperSEM) written by B. Griffin and A. van Riessen of the Univ. of Western Australia has been donated to the MSA/MAS public domain library for distribution. It can be downloaded from the ANONYMOUS FTP site.
Warning: The program is ~11 Mbytes in size and if you have a slow FTP link be prepared for a long wait! It is a MACINTOSH SuperCard standalone program! So if you don't have a Mac don't bother to download the SuperCard Stack. You do not need Supercard to run the program. You must download this program using BINARY mode. Also note this FTP site has a limited number of accessible lines so if you have trouble getting through try again at a later time.
I am seeking for a software which allows me to build a cell, draw structures, and simulating diffraction patterns and high resolution TEM images. I prefer a software that runs on MacIntosh. Does anyone have any suggestion on the software, and how and where to get or purchase a copy? I was told that CrystalKit and MacTampas will do the job but I don't have any clue how to get or purchase them. Any suggestion on this matter will be appreciated.
Jessica Chang Research Associate School of Electrical Engineering Purdue University W. Lafayette, IN 47907-1285 E-mail: changj-at-ecn.purdue.edu
I am studying cell walls in thick sections using the EM replica technique. Until now I used glass microscope slides as a base, floating the replica's off in HF. For practical reasons I would like to use a degradable base that I can cut to replica size, e.g. with a razor. In the literature acetyl cellulose sheets have been used for this purpose, but I cannot find this product in the catalogs we have here. Does anyone know a (US) supplier or have any other suggestions.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Herman Meekes Biological Sciences ______________ ______________ University of Missouri ---__ \ / __--- 109 Tucker Hall ------__\---/__------ Columbia, MO. 65211 \( )/ Tel: 314-882-0171 V Fax: 314-882-0123 / \ e-mail: hmeekes-at-biosci.mbp.missouri.edu /___\
I am seeking for a software which allows to build cells, draw structures, and simulating diffraction patterns and high resolution TEM images. I prefer a software that runs on Mac. Does anyone have any idea about what software and where to get or purchase a copy?
I was told that CrystalKit and MacTampas will do the job but I don't have any clue how to get or purchase them. Any suggestion on this matter will be appreciated.
Regards,
Jessica Chang Research Associate School of Electrical Engineering Purdue University W. Lafayette, IN 47907-1285 E-mail: changj-at-ecn.purdue.edu
The term TIFF derives from "Tag Image File Format", meaning that the TIFF file header (or trailer) containing information about the data in the image file is made up of fields identified by a unique tag. The tags have been "specified" by software and hardware manufacturers to facilitate the exchange of image data among different operating systems etc. The TIFF format Rev. 4.0 document was published by Aldus and Microsoft and other manufacturers in 1987: newer revisions may have appeared at later dates. In general, the TIFF header is much longer that just a few bytes specifying the width and height of the image: this format is more like the "raw" image format that some commercial instrumentation generates. The TIFF file header is variable in length and can only be deciphered if you know the meaning of the various tags. The length of the header (or trailer) can be easily determined, if you know the size of the image and the pixel data type (8bit, 16bit, or other), by comparing the length of the raw image data with the size of the file. The first eight bytes in a TIFF file header (always at the beginning of the file) have the following meaning: Bytes 0-1 specifies the byte order in the file (essentail for 16- or 32-bit data) II (hex 4949) from least to most significant byte MM (hex 4D4D) from most to least-significant byte
Bytes 2-3 TIFF version number
Bytes 4-7 this long word contains the offset (in bytes) of the first Image File Directory, which may be at any location in the file after the header but must begin on a word boundary. (the first byte in the file has an offset of 0) At this point the discussion gets complicated, because in principle you may have more than one IFD, more than one image per file, and so on. Assuming that you only have one IFD in your file, this IFD consists of a 2-byte count of the number of fields, followed by a sequence of 12-byte field entries. Each 12-byte field entry has the following format: bytes 0-1 Tag for the field bytes 2-3 field type bytes 4-7 length of the field (1=byte, 2=ASCII, 3=SHORT (2-byte unsigned integer), 4=LONG (4-byte unsigned integer), 5=RATIONAL) bytes 8-11 file Offset in bytes of the Value of the field
The entries in an IFD must be sorted in ascending order by tag. If the Value fits within 4 bytes, the Offset is interpreted to contain the Value instead of pointing to the Value (in general,this is the case for width and height values).
The Tags and other parameters for image width and height are (N means number of values):
ImageWidth Tag = 256 (hex 100) Type = SHORT N = 1
ImageLength (height) Tag = 257 (hex 101) Type = SHORT N = 1
Many other tags and fields are defined in this document. In general, you should look for these identifiers if you do not know the organization of the TIFF file: of course, if you only deal with one particular file format generated by a unique instrument, you may have to figure out the file organization once and take a few shortcuts in your program thereafter. The contact persons listed in the document are (don't forget, this doc is dated April 31, 1987):
Tim Davenport Aldus Corporation 411 First Ave. South Suite 200 Seattle, WA 98104
Manny Vellon Windows Marketing Group Microsoft Corporation 16011 NE 36th Way Box 97017 Redmond, WA 98073-9717
If you cannot reach anybody at either location, you can contact me and I will send you a copy of the document I have. Best regards, Massimo
_________________________________ Massimo Sassaroli Dept. of Physiology & Biophysics Box 1218 Mount Sinai School of Medicine 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl. New York, NY 10029-6574
You may buy cellulose acetate sheets from Ted Pell Inc., Redding, CA 96099, Tel:916 243 2200, Fax:916 243 3761. Catalog numbers are G255 (150 x 100 mm, thickness 35 microns, pack of 20 sheets), G254 (150 x 150 mm, thickness 100 microns, pack of 20 sheets) and G254A (150 x 150 mm, thickness of 125 microns, pack of 20 sheets).
The full description of the TIFF specification can be obtained from vendors like Microsoft or Aldus. The format is not at all as simple as indicated in a recent mail. However, it is quite possible to create a TIFF header manually without programming. One way to do this is to create a "dummy" file with a package that can save to tiff. Make a TIFF file with the dimensions in pixels and the gray depth (e.g. 8 bit gray) as the one You want. Fill the entire image with either black or white. Then save as TIFF (no compression). Now it is easy to locate and view the TIFF header with a hex dump program.(You can try to repeat with another image resolution and compare the headers for fun). Now, the header can be removed and saved. Then this header can be used as a template and copied (any number of times) to any raw image file that conforms to the data described in the header. I did this for 256x256 and 512x512 grayscale images respectively. Then converting a raw file to TIFF was a matter of using the DOS copy + command. Used properly, this command adds the proper tiff header to a raw image. The best part is that this can be done in batch processing, converting a great number of images in only a few seconds. With some more effort, a modification of the header to compensate for a Biorad header (76 bytes ??) these files can probably be converted in the same way. This way You don4t need a special package to open an image as raw and save it as TIFF, which will take a while to do if You have many files to process. Once the "nasty" part described above is done once (ask Your local computer freek) then conversion is a snap.
This is no method for computer purists but it works very well.
Best luck
============================================= Mikael Gustafsson MD, PhD Dept Med. Microbiology and Dept Internal Medicine, Cardiology section University Hospital of Linkoping S 581 85 LINKOPING SWEDEN
I am a teacher of Electron Microscopy at Seneca College in Toronto, Canada. I would like to subscribe to the forum as I feel it can be a valuable teaching tool. Please advise me as to how to subscribe. Thanks.LAUREL SCHOLLEN SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND APPLIED CHEMISTRY SENECA COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY 1750 FINCH AVENUE EAST NORTH YORK, ONTARIO CANADA M2J 2X5 TEL(416)491-5050 EXT 2390 FAX(416)491-0854 EMAIL ADDRESS: SCHOLLEN-at-ASET.SENECAC.ON.CA
I would like to subscribe to this forum. Please advise method. ThanksLAUREL SCHOLLEN SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND APPLIED CHEMISTRY SENECA COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY 1750 FINCH AVENUE EAST NORTH YORK, ONTARIO CANADA M2J 2X5 TEL(416)491-5050 EXT 2390 FAX(416)491-0854 EMAIL ADDRESS: SCHOLLEN-at-ASET.SENECAC.ON.CA
We are recently having problems with distortion of single crystal gold (100) foils on copper grids supplied to us. We use these foils as a lattice image resolution check, but are finding the foils are so badly buckled that only very small areas remain at the exact orientation for strong fringe contrast at a given tilt angle. The problem gets worse after heating the foils in vacuum. Does anyone have similar problems and/or can advise on a source of undistorted foils?
I am unclear from your message why you are considering cathodoluminescence? Standard secondary electron detection should work fine for counting cells. The general appearance of each cell type by sem is well known (White et al, 1982, Artery 11:33) and with metal coating any SEM will give you very good low-noise images for rapid counting directly off the CRT screen. If you need to pick out subpopulations of cells by immuno-labeling, colloidal gold (30 nm) works well and can also be visualized by secondary electrons or very rapidly by backscatter. We routinely count blood cell and platelet adherence to foreign material this way. IMHO, analysis of blood cell adherence is generally more rapid and reproducible by SEM than by light microscope coupled image analysis, at least in our hands and for our applications. Is there some special reason you think cathodoluminescence is necessary?
Jay Jerome ************************************************************** * aka: W. Gray Jerome * * Dept. of Pathology * * Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University * * Medical Center Blvd * * Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1092 * * 910-716-4972 * * jjerome-at-isnet.is.wfu.edu * **************************************************************
On Tue, 13 Dec 1994 A.Brandwood-at-unsw.EDU.AU wrote:
} We are doing some experiments which involve counting and image analysis of } blood platelets and other cells on different polymer materials. We have } used eosin staining for fluorescence in LM. We would like to be able to } carry out some equivalent technique in SEM, in order to be able to get a } clear image of the cells so that we can later quantitate cell numbers and } shapes without having to attempt too much enhancement of low contrast/noisy } SEM micrographs. } } A colleague has suggested cathodo-luminescence (CL, we have the appropriate } detector on our SEM). Does anyone have any experience with CL? In } particular, what are appropriate stains for cells (something that will bind } to cell membranes would be best in our application. } } I will, of course, post a summary of replies. } } Arthur Brandwood. } - } --------------------------------------------------------------------- } Arthur Brandwood. A.Brandwood-at-unsw.edu.au } Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering } University of New South Wales Phone: +61 2 385 3906 } Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia Fax: +61 2 663 2108 }
From the paper written by Berger, Mayer and Kohl in Ultramicroscopy 55 (1194) 101-112, the focus conditions of energy loss images were different from that of the zero loss image. Because of the large decrease in the intensity, the focus condition of 200 eV loss image was used for Oxygen K-edge images. I had similar situation in acquiring energy loss images, I had to change focus conditions when I shifted from zero loss image to energy loss images.
Now, somebody claimed that the EELS spectrum was shifted by increasing a corresponding increase in high voltage of the microscope (this is true), so the focus condition should not change.
Could you tell me about your experience in acquiring energy loss images in EM912. Did you have to change focus condition when you shifted from zero loss to energy loss images? Thanks.
Have a NICE DAY!!
*************************************************************************** * Jong-Shing Bow ** *** * Center for Solid State Science ** TEL: (602)965-4534 *** * Arizona State University ** FAX: (602)965-9004 *** * Tempe, AZ 85287-1704 ** Email:smtp%"bow-at-csss.la.asu.edu" *** ***************************************************************************
At 8:02 94/12/14 +0200, Jouko K. Maeki wrote: .... Jouko} To awoid telling you things that you have already tried, please, indicate Jouko} which solutions and conditions you have tested. Jouko} Jouko} Jouko M{ki
The solutions and conditions that we've already tried were following as:
Electropolishing solutions: 1. Perchloric Acid 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 100 ml n-Butyl Cellosolve (2-Butoxyethanol) 20 ml Ethanol Bal.
2. Hydrochloric Acid 130 ml, 10 ml n-Butyl Cellosolve 100 ml, 60 ml Methanol 670 ml, 430 ml
3. Nitric Acid 150 ml Ethanol 300 ml
4. Magnesium Perchlorate { Mg(ClO4)2 } 11.2 g Lithium Chloride { LiCl } 5.3 g Methanol 500 ml n-Butyl Cellosolve 100 ml * We've been trying to electropolish using Bernie Kestel's solution.
Electropolishing conditions: Temperature -30 ~ -40 C Voltage 5 ~ 50 V Current ~ 30 mA Cathode SUS
Does anyone know other solutions?
-- Tohoku University Dept. of Materials Processing Hirotoshi Enoki Dept. of Materials Science Mayumi Suzuki
---------------------------------------------------------------- Hirotoshi Enoki E-mail: enoki-at-material.tohoku.ac.jp Dept of Materials Processing, Faculty of Engineering Tohoku University, Sendai, JAPAN ----------------------------------------------------------------
John Mansfield North Campus Electron Microbeam Analysis Laboratory 413 SRB, University of Michigan 2455 Hayward, Ann Arbor MI 48109-2143 Phone: (313)936-3352 FAX (313)936-3352 jfmjfm-at-engin.umich.edu or John.F.Mansfield-at-umich.edu Time: 9:26 AM
Date:12/15/94 URL: http://www.engin.umich.edu/~jfmjfm/jfmjfm.html NC EMAL
Hi there, my apologies to people who are not ESEM users but this is the one of the only ways I know to try and get email addresses.
If you are a user of an environmental scanning electron microscope, please reply to this message. I have a regular mailing list of all ElectroScan ESEM users and Hitachi and JEOL low vacuum SEM users, but I am trying to see how many of you I can reach electronically. Thanks. I know Topcon makes a Wet SEM, but I am unable to get the mailing list from their representative, he seemed guard it jealously!
Using image analysis to quantify the shapes of cells, especially platelets, adherent to polymers can be quite difficult since it is very difficult to separate the cell from the background. I have no experience using cathodoluminescence, however I have used SE and BSE SEM, HVEM, and various modes of light microscopy to analyse platelet-material interaction. Since it appears that SEM is required or appropiate my suggestion is to bite the bullet and use your image analyis system to outline the platelets by hand. Getting the right contrast to permit digital recognition of platelets in all morphological forms (from nearly spherical to very flat pancake-like shapes) on less than perfectly smooth surfaces, which also have a variety of electron interaction properties, is very difficult. While the use of markers to specifically label the platelet may work, this too has problems. While we routinely use colloidal gold for many studies of platelet function I would in general not recommend such techniques for this task for the following:
1. There is always some non-specific background adsorption of the probe to the surface. On different polymers this background would be expected to vary since adsorption is a function of the surface chemistry of the polymers. 2. It is difficult to choose an appropiate marker to uniformly label platelets since many platelet structures change their distribution when the platelet morphology or activation level changes. This includes most (by absolute number) of the glycoproteins on the platelet surface, cytoskeletal components, and others. 3. Platelets on surfaces are rarely entirely isolated from other platelets: they aggregate. No matter how good your digital thresholding is, it will be unable to isolate individuals from clusters of platelets.
Since we rarely have a problem in detecting cell borders by eye (brain) I feel that your best bet is to do the isolation using the interactive feature of your digital image analysis sytem. Alternatively, depending on the nature of the platelet-polymer interaction, you may find it appropiate to analyse platelet shapes using non-digital methods (eg: see Goodman et al., J. Biomed. Material Research 23: 105, 1989, and 27:683, 1993). If you have any further questions on the quantification of platelet shapes, I would be happy to discuss them off the Microscopy server.
Steven L. Goodman ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Steven L. Goodman, Ph.D. Dept. Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences 608-262-0816 (office) University of Wisconsin 608-262-7420 (FAX) 1655 Linden Drive Madison, WI 53706 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
The School of Optometry at the University of New South Wales has for disposal a Siemens I (1960) Elmiskop TEM. Included are complete spare power supplies and 2 spare high voltage cables. Spare parts galore., heaps of filaments.
ALL THIS IS FREE TO SOME LUCKY PERSON WHO WILL TAKE IT AWAY!
To get this fine antique, call Brian Pirie, School of Optometry, Newton Building, University of New South Wales, SYDNEY, NSW 2052 Australia.
I recently received a message from a colleague at CNRS in France. It seems there exists an email file entitled "Good Times" which will reformat your hard drive if downloaded. I wondered whether anyone else has heard about this. The warning is to not download this email file if received.
D.D. Perovic University of Toronto perovic-at-ecf.utoronto.ca
------------------- A - T - T - E - N - T - I - O - N ------------------- | CIAC is available 24-hours a day via its two skypage numbers. To use | | this service, dial 1-800-759-7243. The PIN numbers are: 8550070 (for | | the CIAC duty person) and 8550074 (for the CIAC manager). Please keep | | these numbers handy. | -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to the fourth issue of CIAC Notes! This is a special edition to clear up recent reports of a "good times" virus-hoax. Let us know if you have topics you would like addressed or have feedback on what is useful and what is not. Please contact the editor, Allan L. Van Lehn, CIAC, 510-422-8193 or send E-mail to ciac-at-llnl.gov.
$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$ $ Reference to any specific commercial product does not necessarily $ $ constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or favoring by $ $ CIAC, the University of California, or the United States Government.$ $-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$
THE "Good Times" VIRUS IS AN URBAN LEGEND
In the early part of December, CIAC started to receive information requests about a supposed "virus" which could be contracted via America OnLine, simply by reading a message. The following is the message that CIAC received:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Here is some important information. Beware of a file called Goodtimes. | | | | Happy Chanukah everyone, and be careful out there. There is a virus on | | America Online being sent by E-Mail. If you get anything called "Good | | Times", DON'T read it or download it. It is a virus that will erase your | | hard drive. Forward this to all your friends. It may help them a lot. | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS IS A HOAX. Upon investigation, CIAC has determined that this message originated from both a user of America Online and a student at a university at approximately the same time, and it was meant to be a hoax.
CIAC has also seen other variations of this hoax, the main one is that any electronic mail message with the subject line of "xxx-1" will infect your computer.
This rumor has been spreading very widely. This spread is due mainly to the fact that many people have seen a message with "Good Times" in the header. They delete the message without reading it, thus believing that they have saved themselves from being attacked. These first-hand reports give a false sense of credibility to the alert message.
There has been one confirmation of a person who received a message with "xxx-1" in the header, but an empty message body. Then, (in a panic, because he had heard the alert), he checked his PC for viruses (the first time he checked his machine in months) and found a pre-existing virus on his machine. He incorrectly came to the conclusion that the E-mail message gave him the virus (this particular virus could NOT POSSIBLY have spread via an E-mail message). This person then spread his alert.
As of this date, there are no known viruses which can infect merely through reading a mail message. For a virus to spread some program must be executed. Reading a mail message does not execute the mail message. Yes, Trojans have been found as executable attachments to mail messages, the most notorious being the IBM VM Christmas Card Trojan of 1987, also the TERM MODULE Worm (reference CIAC Bulletin B-7) and the GAME2 MODULE Worm (CIAC Bulletin B-12). But this is not the case for this particular "virus" alert.
If you encounter this message being distributed on any mailing lists, simply ignore it or send a follow-up message stating that this is a false rumor.
Karyn Pichnarczyk CIAC Team ciac-at-llnl.gov
- ------------------------------ Contacting CIAC
If you require additional assistance or wish to report a vulnerability, call CIAC at 510-422-8193, fax messages to 510-423-8002 or send E-mail to ciac-at-llnl.gov. For emergencies and off-hour assistance, call 1-800-SKY-PAGE (759-7243) and enter PIN number 8550070 (primary) or 8550074 (secondary). The CIAC Duty Officer, a rotating responsibility, carries the primary skypager. The Project Leader carries the secondary skypager. If you are unable to contact CIAC via phone, please use the skypage system.
- ------------------------------ This document was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor the University of California nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or favoring by the United States Government or the University of California. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or the University of California, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
- ------------------------------ End of CIAC Notes Number 94-04 94_12_06 ****************************************
The so-called "Good Times virus" received a great deal of attention for a time here at the University of Michigan, and warnings were given several times on our network. Some of our computer people eventually decided that it was a hoax. I don't know how they reached this conclusion.
----------------------------------
On Thu, 15 Dec 1994, PEROVIC Doug Dragan wrote:
} } I recently received a message from a colleague at CNRS in France. It seems there } exists an email file entitled "Good Times" which will reformat your hard drive } if downloaded. I wondered whether anyone else has heard about this. The warning } is to not download this email file if received. } } D.D. Perovic } University of Toronto } perovic-at-ecf.utoronto.ca }
Reply... RE} Virus warning Bogus! Reply from: John Mansfield North Campus Electron Microbeam Analysis Laboratory University of Michigan 2455 Hayward Ann Arbor MI 48109-2143 Phone: (313)936-3352 FAX: (313)936-3352 jfmjfm-at-umich.edu or John_Mansfield-at-mse.engin.umich.edu URL: http://www.engin.umich.edu/~jfmjfm/jfmjfm.html
This message which warns about the so called "Good Times" virus, is a hoax. I have been informed of this from a reliable source (Adam Engst, who publishes the newsletter Tidbits). If you think about it the mere act of reading a text message cannot really hurt your system. Those of you who have automatic downloaders and decoders (zip, binhex etc) like I do could get bitten but the resulting code would have to launch itself and I think that is a little far-fetched. So dont worry! Jfm.
--------------------------------------
I recently received a message from a colleague at CNRS in France. It seems there exists an email file entitled "Good Times" which will reformat your hard drive if downloaded. I wondered whether anyone else has heard about this. The warning is to not download this email file if received.
D.D. Perovic University of Toronto perovic-at-ecf.utoronto.ca
------------------ RFC822 Header Follows ------------------ Received: by mse.engin.umich.edu with SMTP;16 Dec 1994 00:27:27 -0400 Received: by judgmentday.rs.itd.umich.edu (8.6.9/2.2) with X.500 id XAA12532; Thu, 15 Dec 1994 23:23:53 -0500 Received: from AAEM.AMC.ANL.GOV by judgmentday.rs.itd.umich.edu (8.6.9/2.2) with SMTP id XAA12527; Thu, 15 Dec 1994 23:23:51 -0500
I would like to request info on Monte Carlo Programs (for broadening of beams w.r.t. to x-ray interaction) available, to be used on a P.C. You can contact me directly if you wish.
Thanks
Fred Pearson McMaster University Phone: (905) 525-9140 ext. 24609 Fax: (905) 521-2773 email: eoptics-at-mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca
Do NOT use non-polar solvents - such as ethylene dichloride, chloroform, xylene, toluene, propylene oxide, etc. I would stay away from acetone as well although I don't think Formvar is very soluable in it. Use water based solutions or perhaps water/alcohol solutions only. Try to stay away from strong detergents, if possible, to reduce the chance of removing your films accidentally. A relatively weak detergent shouldn't hurt.
I hope this helps.
Dan
On Fri, 16 Dec 1994, Tim Foecke wrote:
} I want to suspend a powder and pick it up on a carbon-coated } Formvar film. What should I NOT use as a suspension medium? } } Tim Foecke, NIST } tfoecke-at-nist.gov } }
We've been discussing computer viruses here and the possibility of infecting a computer via a downloaded file or E-mail. Files other than *.exe, *.sys, and *.com (PC systems) can be infectous if the virus is a FAT table (File Allocation Table) infection. If the virus infects the FAT simply running a DIR of an infected FAT can tigger the virus to become active. Therefore it is possible that an E-mail message could load a virus into your computer but it would have to downloaded to your system as John Mansfield suggested. Simply viewing it on screen using a network mail system would not infect your system. Richard E. Edelmann Electron Microscopy Facility Supervisor Marshall University - School of Medicine Huntington, West Virginia
John} This message which warns about the so called "Good Times" John} virus, is a hoax. I have been informed of this from a John} reliable source (Adam Engst, who publishes the newsletter John} Tidbits). If you think about it the mere act of reading a John} text message cannot really hurt your system. Those of you John} who have automatic downloaders and decoders (zip, binhex John} etc) like I do could get bitten but the resulting code would John} have to launch itself and I think that is a little John} far-fetched. So dont worry! Jfm.
Admittedly this "Good Times" virus is a hoax put lest we get over-confident in our security we should remember the "Worm" virus that caused so much damage on the Internet just a few years ago was the result of a security hole in the mail system. Also before mail handlers filtered 8-bit characters you could send escape sequences that would run any command you wanted on a VT-100. Also with some of the new multimedia mail much of the "multimedia" is run through an arbitrary program on you computer. Try running Mosaic on a WWW site that has a postscript file to view. I will generally call ghostscript on your computer to view it. Again, there are hooks in HTML to call an arbitrary program and run it on your computer. That arbitrary program could be "format" for a clever hacker. As Captain Pickard says, "The price we pay is constant vigilance." (The Drumhead).
-- Kevin Burton Noran Instruments voice: (608) 831-6511 x317 2551 West Beltline Highway, Room 532 FAX: (608) 836-7224 Middleton, WI 53562 email: kburton-at-noran.com
In article {3ccd9q$j98-at-lucy.infi.net} , wmdawes-at-infi.net (William Dawes) writes: } } [snip] Is there no place for commercial interests on the internet? Do } they not also serve our needs? Can't they coexist? } } This is important to me, as I am a 'downsized' 30-year scientist who } would like to make a living using the net. What standard is at stake } here? Would you also find it inappropriate to advertise job openings } or oneself through a resume? } Dear William, There are newsgroups for jobs offered and wanted, and perhaps there should also be commercial newsgroups as well. For those with only e-mail access, this would not be useful, so perhaps lists accept- ing commercial announcements--microscopy does this to a limited extent-- should require some indication in the subject heading. Those using a PC for email might have a problem with space, so there are strong arguments for restricting the volume. Time will probably fix this concern to the satisfaction of most internet users, but there is obvious controversy at this time. Yours, Bill Tivol
Hello, I am currently in the position of having to make a scope acquisition decision in only a few days. Under consideration is the Topcon scope SR-50. Has anyone worked with this scope? Please tell me about performance, age or about when this scope came out, and what you thought of it. Is it comparable to a Topcon WB-6 with a LaB6 attachment? Thanks in advance,
Lou Ann Miller University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine 217-244-1566 lmiller-at-ux1.cso.uiuc.edu
There have been a lot of responses regarding my recently posted question about simulation softwares for diffraction patterns and high resultion images. I thank all of you who generously shared your information with me. The following is a summary of the collected information which may be useful to the other microscopists. (Note: Some of the information I got, e.g. phone numbers, are not updated. I have them corrected here. I am not associated with any of the companies.)
1) CrystalKit/MacTempas are available from
TOTAL Resolution 20 Florida Street Berkeley, CA 94707 (510) 527-9100 Fax (510) 527-9151 Attention: Roar Kilaas E-mail: Roar_Kilaas-at-macmail3.lbl.gov
Both programs are available in both 68K and native PowerPC versions. the PowerPC version of MacTempas runs about 7 times faster for large calculations on an 8100/80 than on a quadra 950. CrystalKit likewise runs much faster on the PowerPC platform as well.
2) Simply
This is a freeware developed by Univesity of Lyons - France and runs on PC.
3) EMS, available from P.S. Stadelmann 12M - EPFL Swiss Federal Institute of Technology CH-1015 Lausanne Switzerland
Ref. PA Stadelmann, Ultramicroscopy 21 (1987) 131-146
and Cerius, available from Molecular Simulations 16 New England Executive Park Burlington MA 01803-5297 U.S.A.
These two packages run on Silicon Graphics workstations.
4) Desktop Microscopist. It allows you to build unit cells knowing the atom types and positions. You can then rotate the cell in 3 dimension. It will calculate expected diffraction patterns, stereographics projections, and x-ray patterns.
Best Regards,
Jessica Chang School of Electrical Engineering Purdue University West Lafayette, IN 47907-1285 E-mail: changj-at-ecn.purdue.edu
There have been a lot of responses regarding my recently posted question about simulation softwares for diffraction patterns and high resultion images. I thank all of you who generously shared your information with me. The following is a summary of the collected information which may be useful to the other microscopists. (Note: Some of the information I got, e.g. phone numbers, are not updated. I have them corrected here. I am not associated with any of the companies.)
1) CrystalKit/MacTempas are available from
TOTAL Resolution 20 Florida Street Berkeley, CA 94707 (510) 527-9100 Fax (510) 527-9151 Attention: Roar Kilaas E-mail: Roar_Kilaas-at-macmail3.lbl.gov
Both programs are available in both 68K and native PowerPC versions. the PowerPC version of MacTempas runs about 7 times faster for large calculations on an 8100/80 than on a quadra 950. CrystalKit likewise runs much faster on the PowerPC platform as well.
2) Simply
This is a freeware developed by Univesity of Lyons - France and runs on PC.
3) EMS, available from P.S. Stadelmann 12M - EPFL Swiss Federal Institute of Technology CH-1015 Lausanne Switzerland
Ref. PA Stadelmann, Ultramicroscopy 21 (1987) 131-146
and Cerius, available from Molecular Simulations 16 New England Executive Park Burlington MA 01803-5297 U.S.A.
These two packages run on Silicon Graphics workstations.
4) Desktop Microscopist. It allows you to build unit cells knowing the atom types and positions. You can then rotate the cell in 3 dimension. It will calculate expected diffraction patterns, stereographics projections, and x-ray patterns.
Best Regards,
Jessica Chang School of Electrical Engineering Purdue University West Lafayette, IN 47907-1285 E-mail: changj-at-ecn.purdue.edu
Neuroscience List {neur-sci-at-net.bio.net} , Microscopy List {microscopy-at-aaem.amc.anl.gov} , Info-EI List {info-ei-at-mom.spie.org} , Image Processing List {image-l-at-vm3090.ege.edu.tr} , Functional Neuroimaging List {lat-at-po.cwru.edu} , Confocal Microscopy List {confocal-at-ubvm.bitnet} , Cell Bio List {cellbiol-at-net.bio.net} Message-Id: {Pine.3.05.1.9412171009.A12826-9100000-at-pauline.sdsc.edu} Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
What are the best meetings worldwide for 3D imaging/cell biology/neuroscience? Please reply to this list for the benefit of all. Thanks for your contribution.
Marc
Marc C. Brande, M.S. SD3D Email List:3D Imaging San Diego 3D Imaging Group To subscribe/unsubscribe:listserv-at-bobcat.etsu.edu 3840 Camino Lindo To post a message:sd3d-at-bobcat.etsu.edu San Diego, CA 92122 Email:BRANDE-at-SDSC.EDU Voice:619-587-4830
We are considering the possibility of purchasing the DEBEN RESEARCH LTD. low vacuum/environmental adapter for SEM. Does anyone have any experience with it? It would be greatly appreciated if someone could advice on its reliability, ease of use, possibility of easy conversion from low to high vacuum operation and back, etc. I would also appreciate any recommendations on other environmental adaptors available.
Thanks a lot, Alex Titkov Electron Microscopy Unit RMIT Applied Physics GPO Box 2476V Melbourne VIC 3001 alex-at-bunyip.ph.rmit.edu.au Fax: (03) 660 3837
Seasons Greetings!! We are trying to use anti-beta-galactosidase as a marker enzyme in some immunohistochemsitry labelling, much like alkaline phosohatase and horse radish peroxidase are used. We have tried it a number of times and get no labelling. We are running regular APAAP controls which do label. Any suggestions?? I have talked to Sigma about this since our components come from them, but they can't figure it out as it works for their ELISA's. Any help greatly appreciated.
Mark Elliott, Pulmonary Research Lab, UBC Vancouver Canada
How was your tissue fixed? Was the antibody made against an antigen that was fixed with the same fixative? Was the antibody selected (if it is a monoclonal) for/by immunocytochemical acitivity? Antibodies made against unfixed antigens often will not recognize that antigen in fixed tissues. It is most often best to match the antigen fixation with the tissue fixation. Check with Sigma about this. Without more information, I can't suggest anything else.
Dan
On Mon, 19 Dec 1994 MELLIOTT-at-prl.pulmonary.ubc.ca wrote:
} Seasons Greetings!! } We are trying to use anti-beta-galactosidase as a marker enzyme in } some immunohistochemsitry labelling, much like alkaline phosohatase } and horse radish peroxidase are used. We have tried it a number of } times and get no labelling. We are running regular APAAP controls } which do label. Any suggestions?? I have talked to Sigma about this } since our components come from them, but they can't figure it out as } it works for their ELISA's. Any help greatly appreciated. } } Mark Elliott, } Pulmonary Research Lab, } UBC } Vancouver Canada }
Hello All, We have a user that is labeling plant tissues with de-colorized Aniline Blue (specific for 1,3-glucans). He is curious about the excitation and emission spectra, and I can't find much info. We are currently using a Nikon UV-1A filter set with a Zenon bulb. His tissue fluorescences from blue to yellow. Any comments or references will be greatly appreciated. TIA,
C. Michael Stanley, Ph.D. Associate Director Molecular Cytology Core Facility Molecular Biology 2 Tucker Hall University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO. 65211 (314) 882-4895 fax= 314-882-0123
A postdoctoral position jointly supported by The West Company, Lionville, PA and Penn State University, University Park, PA is available starting March 1995 for an initial period of two years. Candidates applying for the position should be knowledgeable in the area of cell biology or related field, and competent in designing, implementing and interpreting experiments. Knowledge in Electron Microscopy is essential and familiarity with freeze-fracture is desirable. Successful candidate would be expected to work independently. The main focus of the project is to support the development of novel drug delivery systems.
Competitive salary will be based on experience and include benefits. Applicants should send their curriculum vitae to: Dr. June Rae Merwin, The West Company, 101 Gordon Drive, P.O. Box 645, Lionville, PA 19341-0645, or call Dr. Merwin at 610-594-3187. !
************************************************************************* M.V. Parthasarathy Professor of Plant Biology Section of Plant Biology 228 Plant Science Building Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850 Telephone: (607) 255-1734 Fax: (607) 255-5407 E-mail: mvp2-at-cornell.edu ***********************************************************************
After receiving a couple of answers to my earlier question, and re-reading my questions I realized I should have made the question a little clearer. We currently use the alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) system for detecting anitgens in lung tissue. However, the problem we are having is that in guinea pig lung we get a nonspecific binding of the antibodies (primary, secondary and conjugate) within the airway epithelium. This occurs on cryosections and in order to get rid of it we must fix the slides in formalin. This creates a problem when we are staining for antigens which are fixative sensitive. Using the peroxidase-anti-peroxidase (PAP) method is not an option since there is high level of endogenous peroxidase in teh lung. The blocking methods to remove this are quite harsh on the frozen tissue and thus morphology is greatly compromised. Therefore we are looking at using beta-galactosidase as the capture enzyme. The antibody we are using is from Sigma, as is the beta -galactosidase. They use both of these in their ELISA studies at SIGMA. Therefore, the problem of fixation of the tissue etc as suggested by Dan Possin is not relevant. We are using an insoluble substrate so will be appropriate for immunohistochemistry, and indeed in a test tube we get a colour reaction. The problem is we get no reaction on tissue which we know has antigen in it-when we run APAAP on adjacent slides we get good labelling. The problem I think is in trying to conjugate the anti-beta-gal with the beta-gal. Anybody have any methods to verify that this has occured??? Are there any other suggestions??? I have talked with Sigma Tech Services about this a couple of times and they have no idea what might be wrong. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Inspired by the success of this forum, a group of Canberra EM microscopists thought it would be a good idea to set up something similar within Australia, for the benefit of microscopists within Australia, but also ex-patriates and anyone else who might be interested in messages of less general interest than are posted world-wide.
The computer staff at the Research School of Biological Sciences, Australian National University, have made space available on a server. You can join the list by emailing directly to me, or by emailing to maiser-at-rsbs-central.anu.edu.au , with "subscribe AUSTEM" as the message.
Happy Christmas,
Sally Stowe ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sally Stowe Australian National Univ. Facility Coordinator Canberra, AUSTRALIA ANU Electron Microscopy Unit Ph 61 6 249 2743 RSBS, Box 475 Email stowe-at-rsbs-central.anu.edu.au FAX 61 6 249 4891
On Sat, 17 Dec 1994 lmiller-at-ux1.cso.uiuc.edu wrote:
} Hello, } I am currently in the position of having to make a scope acquisition } decision in only a few days. } Under consideration is the Topcon scope SR-50. Has anyone worked with this } scope? Please tell me about performance, age or about when this scope came } out, and what you thought of it. Is it comparable to a Topcon WB-6 with a } LaB6 attachment? } Thanks in advance, } } Lou Ann Miller } University of Illinois } Veterinary Medicine } 217-244-1566 } lmiller-at-ux1.cso.uiuc.edu } Dear Lou Ann Without regard to a specific model or manufacturer, if you have the time, establish the features and instrument requirements that you need for your investigations. Some of these are; resolution, sample size, range of sample translation (x,y,z), method of sample exchange, number of operators that will use it, ease of operation, and SERVICE, SERVICE, SERVICE.
Your resolution requirement will tell you what kind of electron gun will be needed (tungsten, LaB6 or FEG), and a large chamber will usually allow increased sample translation, while a vacuum interlock for sample exchange will greatly increase productivity. The types of detectors may also be important to you.
This is by no means a complete list of questions for you to answer, but I hope it will get you started before you sign the check.
Seasons Greetings Has anyone any ideas re the detrimental effects on TEM photographic plates after long term dessication (2-3 months), also long term storage of un-opened packages of same at low temperature (4-10oC)? What are the "symptoms" shown on the exposed micrograph negative? As I purchase in bulk, I would like opinions as to how TEM plates can and should be stored. Thanks in advance John////////
John F. Putterill Electron Microscopy Unit Tel: (Int) 27-12-529-9174 Pathology Section Fax: (Int) 27-12-529-9165 Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute E-mail: john-at-moon.ovi.ac.za Private Bag X05 Onderstepoort 0110 South Africa
} On Tue, 20 Dec 1994 11:27:11 EST1, } SALLY STOWE writes: } } } } } Inspired by the success of this forum, a group of Canberra EM } } microscopists thought it would be a good idea to set up something } } similar within Australia } } but... is there a need? The beauty of Listservs is that national } boundaries don't } matter... } } Arthur Brandwood
I agree with Arthur Brandwood's comments.
Arthur Day, Electron Microscopy Group Ansto Advanced Materials Program Phone: 61-2-717-3457 PMB 1, Menai (Sydney), NSW, 2234 Fax: 61-2-543-7179 Australia Email: ard-at-atom.ansto.gov.au
Dear readers, I think the global list-server is the best forum, rather than a regional group as recently mooted, however I do have a suggestion regarding list structure. I wonder if anyone else finds that about half of the messages posted are ignored (deleted without reading) since the subject is not within their interest range. I know that microscopy is a broad discipline, but lets face it, MSA runs parallel sessions for Biological and Materials Sciences (so do most Microscopy Societies) for the very good reason that the two are very different fields.
Should we have a pair of list-servers, one for Biological Science and one for Materials Science? You could join both just as easily as joining one, you could send information and comments to both almost as easily as to one. I notice quite a lot of people unsubscribing from the list- server recently, why? I did unsubscribe myself once because I found the mail box so full I couldn't afford the time to read it all, happily I find more time now. I don't want to divide the community, I want to get more people involved.
} Seasons Greetings } Has anyone any ideas re the detrimental effects on TEM photographic } plates after long term dessication (2-3 months), also long term } storage of un-opened packages of same at low temperature (4-10oC)? } What are the "symptoms" shown on the exposed micrograph negative?
"Sparking" is the only symptom I have come across personally. This is caused by excessive dryness of the negative prior to loading in the film cassette (metal). A static charge builds up on the film itself which then discharges, sometimes causing visible sparks, when the film is loaded into the plate holder prior to use. SO163 is particularly prone to this if dessicated for more than a couple of days (your local R.H. will affect this). After sparking, negatives often resemble an all-night exposure of the sky during a large thunderstorm - very attractive, but perhaps not quite what is desired!
The leaflet that comes with the film should have details on recommended storage. There may be some detrimental effect on the dynamic response with long-term storage, whilst all film has an expiry date. Hopefully, there's a chemist here who can tell us exactly what happens here.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. S.L. King Dept. Electronics and Electrical Engineering, University College London Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE England
Season Greetings to all of you (including our Australian friends!)
I hope you will NOT create a seperate listserver dedicated to EM in Australia (notwithstanding I only use LM). What purpose might seperation serve. There is already enough separation in the world. Lets stick together and share out knowledge i.s.o. falling apart.
Regards,
Kees.
To my opinion "Knowledge is Power" is wrong and should read "Knowledge is Responsibility" -- Kees van der Wulp TNO - Nutrition & Food Research Institute INTERNET : vanderwulp-at-mbl.tno.nl Division of Toxicology VOICE : +31 15 843101 PO-Box 5815 FAX : +31 15 843989 2280 HV RIJSWIJK (NL) General TNO Info : http://www.tno.nl THE NETHERLANDS
I've recently noticed that some of my older viewgraphs (~2 years old) that were printed on a Tektronix-Phaser dye sublimation printer have started to fade. The degradation is not uniform, but rather occurs in patchy regions. It also appears that the problem is primarily with view-graphs that I have stored in vinyl sheet protectors; viewgraphs stored for a comparable time in polyethylene protectors appear to be ok.
Has anyone had similar problems?
+---------------------------------------------+ ! Douglas L. Medlin ! ! Physical Properties of Materials Department ! ! Organization 8715 ! ! Sandia National Laboratories ! ! Livermore, California 94551 ! ! ! ! (510) 294-2825 ! ! dlmedli-at-california.sandia.gov ! +---------------------------------------------+
We are using a Kodak dye-sublimation engine (Codonics printer) and have had good stability when storing in polyethylene protectors. Pages left out of protectors seem stable except for areas that had fingerprints. Slight fading and coloring of black regions seems to occur for unprotected prints left on the wall. We do not know about long- term stability as our oldest prints are from eight months ago. Any data on long-term stability of dye-sub prints would be interesting.
Most vinyls are not acid-free, hence, the organic dyes will react with the acid residues. Try storing your images, whether they be viewgraphs, slides, negatives, or prints in archival, acid-free, polyethylene sheet protectors.
Russ Cook Argone National Laboratory Argonne, IL 60439
Dear John, We have some old LoDose and MRF-32 film which has been stored in a refrigerator for ~15 years. We get very good performance from it. However, I am aware of problems with over-desiccated film. In particular with LoDose, static discharges can leave some remarkable dendritic patterns. They are quite lovely in themselves, but they do compromise the image one wants. How this translates to less sensitive film (4489, SO163, etc.) I don't know. Our normal EM films get used up fairly quickly (~6 mos. average). Good luck. Yours, Bill Tivol
I took a bit too much for granted in posting the notice about an Australian listserver. To be honest, it never crossed my mind that anyone would assume there was any intention to duplicate the functions of this forum on a smaller scale, as far as questions with any sort of generality are concerned. What on earth would be the point? I would also be sorry to see this server split into Biological and Materials SCience groups - many EM units, including this one, work at least to some extent in both biological and non-biological areas, and the cross-fertilization of ideas is often valuable.
The intention of AUSTEM is to act as a clearing house for local questions of the "borrowing a cup of sugar" sort. Someone in Canberra may need a machine part, some film, particular sized grids or stubs really urgently - it makes sense to call the rest of Australia, but not Wheeling, West Virginia. Somebody may need a lift from Cairns to the next conference in Melbourne...there isn't much point clogging a terminal in Amsterdam.
We actually have a Canberra-wide listserver as well - it isnt used much, but it's there if we need it. Its been running about a year, and takes almost no time to maintain.
I dont see anything wrong with one global/many national/myriad local listservers. All it needs is a modicum of common sense on the part of the person making the posting. The local servers should take much less maintenance than the global one - I really appreciate the job Nestor is doing, but I wasnt proposing to lighten his load!
Sally ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sally Stowe Australian National Univ. Facility Coordinator Canberra, AUSTRALIA ANU Electron Microscopy Unit Ph 61 6 249 2743 RSBS, Box 475 Email stowe-at-rsbs-central.anu.edu.au FAX 61 6 249 4891
For those of you that remember, we had a round robin test of greyscale printers at last year's MSA meeting in NewOrleans. I have kept all the submission from that test and intend on bringing them back to the next meeting in Kansas City. I will send out a call to each person who submitted a print(s) to the round robin test and ask that they print a new copy (if possible) of the same test image. We will then have a direct comparison of data that is very nearly 1 year old. All prints are being stored together in a plain folder in an office/lab environment, out of direct sunlight in a file cabinet.
Cheers.. Nestor Zaluzec Your Friendly Neighborhood SysOp
} I've recently noticed that some of my older viewgraphs (~2 years old) } that were printed on a Tektronix-Phaser dye sublimation printer } have started to fade. The degradation is not uniform, but rather } occurs in patchy regions. It also appears that the problem is } primarily with view-graphs that I have stored in vinyl sheet protectors; } viewgraphs stored for a comparable time in polyethylene protectors } appear to be ok. } } Has anyone had similar problems? } ! Douglas L. Medlin !
We have had Mitsubishi CP100B video copier prints get stuck to the inside of (presumably pvc) photograph wallet things, with loss of colour when you extract them.
I have recently been doing research on obtaining the tip geometry of atomic force microscope probes using the AFM and VLSI calibration grids. The procedure yeilds three dimensional information of the tip which can be used as an inspection technique or for "deconvoluting" the images.
Thus far, we have used the grids supplied by Digital Instruments. These are circular depressions about 500 nm in diameter and spaced 1000 nm apart. These are limited for our purposes when examining square pyramidal probes (think of fitting a square peg in a round hole).
I would therefore like to ask you if you would know of a manufacturer of other VSLI grids. I would be most interested in the sources of such standards rather than the vendors.
Any comments or assistance would be appreciated.
Peter Markiewicz, pmarkiew-at-alchemy.chem.utoronto.ca
Subject: Time:12:12 PM OFFICE MEMO RE:Files for film Date:12/21/94
I have obtained crystal clear plastic files which are advertised as being made of archival-quality polypropylene, containing no PVC, and being suitable for long-term protection of all photographs, slides, and negatives, from 20th. Century Plastics, 3628 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016 (800-767-0777). Results to date have been good.
} In article {3ccd9q$j98-at-lucy.infi.net} , } wmdawes-at-infi.net (William Dawes) writes: } } } } [snip] Is there no place for commercial interests on the internet? Do } } they not also serve our needs? Can't they coexist? } } } Dear William,
what you hve to remember is that many of the folks on newsgroups acess ther internet through commercial companies so they are paying for each message they recieve - alowing commercial messages in a regular newsgroup is like sending advertising through regular mail with postage due
a separate commercial newsgroup is the only alternative that I see
Subject: Time:12:12 PM OFFICE MEMO RE:Files for film Date:12/21/94
I have obtained crystal clear plastic files which are advertised as being made of archival-quality polypropylene, containing no PVC, and being suitable for long-term protection of all photographs, slides, and negatives, from 20th. Century Plastics, 3628 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016 (800-767-0777). Results to date have been good.
I use this same product from 20th Century Plastics for my personal photos. Over the last 3 yrs at least, kept in a dry, dark cabinet the photos have aged respectably (no detrimental effects).
P. Joyce
Peter J. Joyce Graduate Research Assistant - Materials Science & Engineering University of Texas at Austin (512) 471-5723
Use either sodium methoxide or sodium ethoxide. These can be made by making a saturated solution of sodium hydroxide in either 100% ethanol or methanol. It takes a little time to mature and you end up with a sherry coloured liquid. By sherry colour I mean a fino not an amontillado or an oloroso ! When using, dilute 1:1 in either EtOH or MeOH. It's powerful stuff so use with caution.
Best wishes for the holiday season
Patrick Echlin Director, Multi-Imaging Centre, Cambridge UK
At the University of Delaware we are planning to put all our electron microscopes under one umbrella organization and are looking into the idea of using third party vendors for some/all of our service contract needs. We have JEOL, Philips, Zeiss, Cambridge and Amray TEMs and SEMs along with Kevex and EDAX EDS systems. Questions: a) Does anyone know of independent vendors for service contracts on TEMs and SEMs? b) What sort of experiences have folks had with them? c) Do folks think service contracts are really worthwhile for EDS detectors and are there third party vendors?
Feel free to reply to me personally and I'll post a synopsis of useful replies later. Happy holidays.
Rick Hall Materials Science University of Delaware
Message-Id: {9412221559.AA02912-at-riker.ml.wpafb.af.mil} To: WALCKSD:ml:wpafb, SCHELTFJ:ml:wpafb Subj: Dissolving Araldite Orig-Author: {"Ronald M. Anderson" {ron-anderson-at-VNET.IBM.COM} }:ddn:wpafb ----------------------------------------------------------- We potted some complex shaped parts in Araldite epoxy. Now we want to dissolve the epoxy completely and get the parts back. (It's a long story......).
Does anyone know how to chemically dissolve Araldite? Private response suggested. I'll summarize if there is anyone else who will admit to smearing goop all over valuable specimens.
Thanks to everyone who has provided help to me and my organization throughout this past year. May everyone be blessed with a happy and joyful holiday and the best of wishes for the coming year! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! Phil
SOLICITATION FOR NRC OR ASEE-ONT POSTDOCS AT NRL TRIBOLOGY SECTION, SURFACE CHEMISTRY BRANCH, NRL.
Dear University Colleague,
We are looking for post-doctoral candidates interested in tribology research from a surface science point of view. The NRL Tribology program offers cooperative research associateships (to US citizens only - sorry) in programs covering surface films, tribochemistry, microscopic aspects of adhesion/friction/wear and new approaches to probing friction at the atomic scale. These programs are described in more detail in the two write-ups below. (The deadlines for the two 1995 NRC competitions are 15 Jan 1995 and 15 April, repectively.) Please pass this message on to potential candidates.
CONTACT: Dr. Irwin L. Singer Naval Research Laboratory-Code 6176 Washington DC 20375 TEL: (202) 767-2327; FAX: (202) 767-3321; E-MAIL: SINGER-at-CHEM.NRL.NAVY.MIL
or, the post-doc coordinator:
Ms. Jessica Hileman NRL Prgram Coordinator Naval Research Laboratory-Code 1005.7 Washington DC 20375 TEL: (202) 767-3865 E-MAIL: HILEMAN-at-UTOPIA.NRL.NAVY.MIL !#1. "MACHO" COATINGS BUILT ATOM-BY-ATOM
Protective coatings for metals and ceramics will enable common engineering materials to be used in extreme environments. Until recently, however, poor coating adhesion and uncontrollable film microstructures prevented their full exploitation. Ion beam processing adds a new measure of control for tailoring the chemistry and structure of coatings. The Tribology Group at NRL is using ion-beam assisted deposition techniques to control the elastic-plastic properties of thin films designed to protect surfaces subjected to stress and oxidation during sliding contact. A dual ion beam deposition system, with a third ion assist gun, makes it possible to grow multilayer composite films with compositions and structures never before achievable by physical vapor deposition techniques. Thin films have been grown with microstructures that vary from amorphous to polycrystalline to single crystal, depending on the bombardment energy of the ion-assist beam. Friction coefficients of solid lubricant films grown by these techniques have 10 times lower friction than the best lubricating oils. Can you figure out the chemical and structural basis for protective coatings? To assist you, we supply extensive analytical facilities, including high resolution SAM, XPS, and Raman for characterizing the film before, during (Raman, SAM) and after wear; we use simple testing devices (computerized friction and wear machines, scratch testers, indentation mechanics techniques,...) to understand sliding behavior as well as film failure; we develop sliding contact models to interpret sliding wear processes; we use thermochemical calculations to account for the tribochemical products formed during sliding; and, most importantly, we look for post-docs who can dream up clever testing and analytical approaches to reveal the structure-property relationships of protective coatings.
REFERENCES I.L. Singer et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 57, (1990) 995-997. I.L. Singer Surf. Coatings Technol., 49 (1991) 474-481. I.L. Singer in Fundamentals of Friction eds. I.L. Singer and H.M. Pollock (Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, 1992) pp. 237-261. L.E. Seitzman, et al., Surf. Coatings Technol. 52 (1992) 93-98. P.D. Ehni and I.L. Singer, Appl. Surf. Sci., 59 (1992) 45-53. I.L. Singer et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 65 (1994) 3191-3193. !#2. NEW WAYS OF PROBING THE PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF FRICTION AT THE ATOMIC SCALE.
Fundamental studies of sliding contacts can lead to new understanding of friction processes and wear reduction. The processes are extremely complex, but can be linked to chemical reactions or structural instabilities at the velocity accommodating interface. What makes this science doubly difficult is that sliding takes place at a buried interface. New proximal probes, like atomic force microscopy, are being developed to examine these changes locally. The evolving surface compositions and microstructures are analyzed by proximal probes as well. More traditional microscopies (SAM, SIMS, XPS, FTIR, EDX, TEM) help characterize evolving surface compositions and microstructures, providing data to model the tribochemical and tribomechanical events. But how do we follow the chemical and structural changes that take place in the buried interface in real time? Atomic interactions occur in picoseconds and materials transform in microseconds. New and clever experimental and theoretical approaches are needed to unravel friction processes at the time and length scales on which they occur. Have you got any ideas how to probe friction and wear processes in real time: e.g. to quantify energy dissipated during sliding via phonon spectroscopy? Can you devise experiments with the AFM/FFM that can investigate the relationships between static friction and fracture processes, between kinetic friction and surface forces? Can you perform simulations of friction events, develop hybrid models that can extend computational simulations from the nm/femtosec scale to the !m/!sec scale? Do you have ideas for bridging the gap between surface chemistry and deformation structures? This solicitation is for new approaches to identify the microscopic phenomena underlying macroscopic behavior during sliding.
REFERENCES Fundamentals of Friction eds. I.L. Singer and H.M. Pollock (Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, 1992). I.L. Singer, "Friction and Energy Dissipation at the Atomic Scale - A Review," J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A 12 (1994) 2605-2616. Irwin ****************************************** Irwin Singer NRL - Code 6170 Washington DC 20375 tele: 202-767-2327; fax: 202-767-3321 *******************************************
I'm currently working on importing some artifically created images (e.g. bitmaps) into the NanoScope III file format used by the software of NanoScope III AFM/STM by Digital Instruments. For that purpose i've to assign height information to the colours in the bitmap. I'm using 256-indexed bitmaps. This would mean that in case of a depth scale of lets say 10 nm, i've to assign 0.039 nm / colour step.
According the NanoScope III manual the height of a data point can be derived from the values in the file using the following formula (height data assumed):
h = (d/65536)*C
with : h ... height [nm] d ... data point (signed int)
and C :
C = Zscale * (Zattenuation/65536) * ((Zmax*2)/65536) * Zsensitivity
This means i can create the signed int value used in the NanoScope file format using the given height for each bitmap colour by:
d = (65536 * h)/C (cutting off decimals from height being a float)
it now turns out that in the simplest case of a bitmap with 2 colours (0 and 255) and an assigned max height difference of lets say 10 nm, the resulting height difference in the NanoScope III software when displaying the image is only 5 nm. This means, the resulting height difference is only half of the value it should be.
My question now is : does anyone here know the formula given by Digital in detail? Where comes the 2 in the term "Zmax*2" in C from? Has anyone already experienced similar effects?
And: no, i'm not calculating this on a Pentium ;)
Thanx for your help in advance ...
-gmf
********************************************************************** Gernot M. Fuchs voice : xx43-1-58801-4932 TU - VIENNA email : gfuchs-at-email.tuwien.ac.at Getreidemarkt 9/7/151 bitnet : gfuchs-at-awituw64.bitnet A-1060 AUSTRIA/EUROPEAN UNION fax : xx43-1-567813
WWW: http://www.iac.tuwien.ac.at/foxi.html
Vienna University of Technology Institute of Analytical Chemistry - Nanolab **********************************************************************
MicroscopyListserver Archive Email Extraction Software Version NJZ07060908