I would like to submit the following abstract for an oral presentation. I believe it represents the introduction of an entirely new form of analytical microscopy that will soon be available as a commercial product.
Ive pasted the text and also attached a word7 document.
Sincerely
Dr. M Reading
Thermal Analysis For The 21st Century - mTA M. Reading, D. J. Hourston and M. Song, IPTME, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK. H. M. Pollock and A Hammiche, School of Physics and Chemistry, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, UK. T Lever, TAI Instruments, Leatherhead, Surrey UK, J Lecenby, 18 Hill Street, Essex CB10 1JD, UK. There are three major problems with our current thermal methods: the first is a purely practical one, experiments often take too long, especially thermomechanical measurements, the second is related to sampling. Frequently the sample is either too small, or too thin or buried within a larger component from which it is difficult to extract. The third is more fundamental, the information they provide is not spatially resolved. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is a technique in which the tip of a probe is rastered over a surface to build up an image of the surface topography. Our apparatus is based on a conventional AFM where the tip of the probe has been replaced by an ultra-miniature resistive heater. The resistance also serves as means of measuring temperature, thus the tip, when used in conjunction with a reference probe, serves as a micro Modulated Temperature DSC cell. The tip is held at a constant average temperature and rastered over the sample surface in contact mode to build up an image. The data collected are the topography, as in traditional AFM, plus thermal conductivity, measured from the average (DC) signal plus thermal diffusivity, as measured from the response to the modulation (AC signal). Having imaged the sample, any point in the image can be selected and the probe tip is placed on it. The temperature of the tip can then be scanned in exactly the same way as conventional thermal analysis to obtain calorimetric measurements of transitions. In addition when the tip is placed on a selected point a carefully controlled force is applied to it. As the temperature increases the sample often softens and the probe indents further into the sample. This measurement is closely analogous to a ThermoMechanical Analysis (TMA) measurement. Both the calorimetric and mechanical property measurements are made simultaneously at heating rates in excess of 500 Celsius/minute. These micro-thermal analysis measurements solve all of the problems outlined in the opening paragraph. It also opens up a new range of applications for thermal methods in polymer science, catalysis, pharmaceuticals and composites by providing a powerful new form of analytical microscopy.
Douglas R. Keene asked the following: ============================================= A friend asked if I might know of a method to detect the identity of small contaminants (about one tenth to three tenths of a micron) on the surface of a photoresist coating on silica wafers. They have no good clues as to what it is, though it would help to know if it is organic. I have no experience with materials microscopy, though with a background in biological EM I wondered if OsO4 might be useful, since bound OsO4 could be detected via EM microanalysis. Perhaps there is a fluorescent dye which binds generic organics? If anyone has a suggestion, I would be very happy to take notes. =============================================== This is never a trivial kind of investigation. We have had this kind of problem, some times on polymer films or molded plastic parts and a few times on photoresist over the years. I am talking about features that are well enough into the submicron range in size that most of the other kinds of approaches that might come to mind just would not apply.
We have found that plain ordinary thin section TEM has often times provided either all the information needed to answer the question or else has made major strides in getting to the point where the question could be answered. And another advantage relative to the alternatives is that the TEM work, if managed properly, can be done for a fraction of the cost of the alternative approaches.
In the case of a polymer film, we first lightly coat with gold (sputtering) the film surface, then embed. The gold layer acts as a passivation layer to keep the embedding resin from dissolving or swelling or other wise interacting with the unknown particles. Usually, on the basis of electron contrast alone, one can make an educated guess as to whether the observed features are organic or something else and if the latter, EDS with SAED can provide even more information.
If on the surface of photoresist, the top surface has to be stripped off. After gold coating, we use as a stripping agent polyacrylic acid (PAA), and this is where we must keep our fingers crossed: We need at least some amount of the photoresist to strip off which sometimes happens and sometimes does not. Once stripped off, we lightly coat with aluminum that stripped surface (so the two surfaces are not confused once in section form and in the TEM), embed only that side, then in water dissolve away the PAA and embed that side as a secondary step. Now it is in a form to diamond knife thin section and the discussion would be the same as for the polymer film.
If the nature of the system was such that we could not get the photoresist to strip off with the PAA, we would then have to thin down in some way, the silicon wafer, probably first by mechanical milling and then a final step of plasma etching in a plasma etcher using CF4 gas. Then what is left can be embedded and thin sectioned.
Hope this information will in some way be of value.
Chuck
=================================================== Charles A. Garber, Ph. D. Ph: 1-(610)-436-5400 President 1-(800)-2424-SPI SPI SUPPLIES FAX: 1-(610)-436-5755 PO BOX 656 e-mail: cgarber-at-2spi.com West Chester, PA 19381-0656 USA Cust. Service: spi2spi-at-2spi.com
Look for us! ############################ WWW: http://www.2spi.com ############################ ==================================================
We have purchased the VIDX X-ray microanalysis system. It is easy to use, inexpensive, and has overall great value. Latter this year, as money gets freed we will be adding active imaging and elemental mapping to the system.
Medjet Inc., a publicly held research and development firm specializing in the design and development of ophthalmic surgical devices, has a position available immediately within its Department of Clinical Studies. Preferred candidates will have completed a bachelors degree in the biological sciences with prior experience in all phases of light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, photography, and animal handling. The individual will assist in the coordination, execution, and documentation of all research activities including clinical studies involving animal and human subjects. Job functions will include preparing specimens for histological analysis, operating and maintaining equipment within the histology facilities, and documenting the results of all analysis.
Headquarters are located in Edison, NJ. Interested applicants should forward a resume with cover letter to the attention of Daniel Caruso. Candidates will be considered until the position is filled.
Medjet Inc. Suite 301 1090 King Georges Post Road Edison, NJ 08837 Phone: (732) 738-3990 Fax: (732) 738-3984
I am responsible for organising an ESEM symposium in London, UK in July 1998 as part of Micro 98 under the banner of the RMS.I am soliciting contributed papers and/or posters for this meeting. There are a number of invited speakers presenting applications talks and I need the widest possible representation of users. If you wish to submit an abstract for consideration please contact either me or the RMS. Many thanks
Chris
Chris Gilpin Biological Sciences Electron Microscope Unit G452 Stopford Building Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PT phone +44 161 275 5170 fax +44 161 275 5171 http://www.biomed.man.ac.uk/biology/emunit/emhome.html
In the past, the Epson Stylus Photo has received support as an inexpensive, near photo-quality printer. Has anyone had experience with the HP Photo Printer (~$100 more) and been able to compare the black and white and the color output of these two printers under meaningful conditions? In particular, is anyone using the HP printer with a Mac and, if so, how was the printer interfaced? In addition, any experiences with the negative/slide scanner (~$500) available from HP are also of interest. Thanks for any comments.
john
John Sutko Dept. Pharmacology/318 Univ. Nevada, Reno Reno, NV 89557
I am a student at NMSU and am studying developmental myelination on the TEM. Recently I've noticed that the myelin rings around the axons don not appear to show clearly defined intraperiod lines (only part of a line is visible and does not extend completely around...). Could this be due to fixation or dehydration/embedding? Are there any specialized protocols for myelin or protocols that limit the loss of lipids? I am using a standard biological protocol (dialdehydic fix, cacodylate buffers, post-fix osmium, dehydration-30,50,70,80,90,95,100-pproplyene oxide, embedding:araldite:EMbed (50/50), section, stain:uranyl acetae, lead citrate)
Do any of you have experience with analyzing residual packaging materials on small parts (i.e. electronic components, precision mechanical parts, samples submitted for F/A, etc.)? I'm primarily interested in success stories in which people have analyzed the components, found contaminants relating to packaging such as low-density polyethylene plastic, and then made a change to a non-contaminating packaging.
Thanks,
Harold J. Crossman Senior Scientist OSRAM SYLVANIA INC. Lighting Research Center 71 Cherry Hill Dr. Beverly, MA 01915 (978) 750-1717 crossman-at-osi.sylvania.com
Among other things, I run an EM service facility; I have 4 TEMs, 5 microtomes-3 with cryo attachments, and ancillary stuff. We don't do analytical analyses, but I can put you in touch with someone who does. We do biological TEM, thin sectioning, ultrathin cryosectioning for immunolabeling, negative staining, etc. Feel free to contact me if I can help you. See below.
On Tue, 13 Jan 1998, Anthony Domenicucci wrote:
} Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 09:12:41 -0500 } From: Anthony Domenicucci {domenicu-at-US.ibm.com} } To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } Subject: Shared Facilities for STEM/TEM } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } I am gathering information on Microscopy Facilities which rent time to } industry. I am interested in facilities which have the following capabilities } - e.g. High resolution TEM and STEM, EELS and Image Filtering, High Angle } Annular Dark Field. I would appreciate any help gathering this info. } }
Sara E. Miller, Ph. D. P. O. Box 3020 Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC 27710 Ph: 919 684-3452 FAX: 919 684-8735
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I am looking for a non-volatile, slightly viscous liquid with a refractiv= e index greater than 1.80. Are there are some new materials available w= ith these chracteristics?
by ursa.cus.cam.ac.uk with smtp (Exim 1.853 #1) id 0xzUtX-00046L-00; Mon, 2 Feb 1998 23:03:15 +0000
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-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- Glynis de Silveira University of Cambridge Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy E-m:gds1002-at-cam.ac.uk Pembroke Street, UK Tel:+44(0)1223 334434 CB2 3QZ Fax:+44(0)1223 334567
I have an old (30++ yrs) Kinney that's going to salvage soon. The only number I can find on it is SC3CT. I do not have time to take it apart for you, but if you can use it and want to arrange to have it shipped, it's yours. Where are you?
On Tue, 20 Jan 1998, David L Johnson wrote:
} Date: Tue, 20 Jan 1998 08:23:59 -0600 } From: David L Johnson {jptmvl-at-mailbox.syr.edu} } To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } Subject: high vacuum evaporator parts needed } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Dear Community-- } We have a Kinney High Vacuum Evaporator (Model SC-2), and I'm trying to } locate an OFEC Hi Vacuum Globe Valve, size 1" (sweat type, straight } through). This is for the Backing circuit--the seat is OK, but the } brass bellows on the valve has given up. I contacted Kinney (now part of } Tuthill Corp) and they know nothing.... } jptmvl-at-mailbox.syr.edu } thanx } } }
Sara E. Miller, Ph. D. P. O. Box 3020 Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC 27710 Ph: 919 684-3452 FAX: 919 684-8735
} A colleague of mine is looking for a means to fluorescently label } bacteria prior to seeding onto a surface for testing. The dye must } not interfere with normal functioning of the bacteria including } adherence and growth. The result would be viewed under confocal or } regular fluor. LM. Does such a label exist?
I would suggest that you try the PkH2 dye from Sigma. We use this in mammalian cells, and are able to keep the cells alive for several weeks after labeling. The dye really screams. Of course, one would expect some decrease of intensity as cells proliferate, but this will be dependent on the number of doublings. One can always re-label cells as the proliferate. The dye is fixable as long as you do not use detergents or any extracting reagents, such as acetone and alcohols. It intercalates into lipid bilayers and fluoresces strongly with 488 excitation.
Joe Goodhouse Confocal Core Facility Molecular Biology Princeton University jgoodhouse-at-molecular.princeton.edu
We are looking for a high resolution color digital camera system as follows:
- hi res color digital camera (like the Leaf camera or better) - computer interfaced to the camera (prefer Macintosh but might consider Silicon Graphics) - lots of RAM in computer - CD writer (like APS Jaz/CDR combo) - large monitor, graphics tablet - image analysis package - ability to use camera on variety of light microscopes (Olympus, Leica, Nikon) - ability to use camera on copy stand
I invite vendors or satisfied users to send or phone me with comments & quotes. Please include $$ amounts. Of course, we need the info by Thursday of this week at the latest.
Many, many thanks.
#################################################################### John J. Bozzola, Ph.D., Director Center for Electron Microscopy Neckers Building, Room 146 - B Wing Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL 62901 U.S.A. Phone: 618-453-3730 Fax: 618-453-2665 Email: bozzola-at-siu.edu Web: http://www.siu.edu/departments/shops/cem.html ####################################################################
Dear Samantha, maybe my first reply was not sent correctly because of a electrical = circuit/net crash down in our hospital. Therefore once more again: maybe your problem is one of "sectioning plane". What about the = thickness of your ultrathins?; Do you have, and if yes, did you use and = prove ultrastructural appearance by means of a goniometer stage?
Hopefully it helps a bit, have a joyful day, best regards
Dr. Wolfgang MUSS Department of Pathology, LKA EM-Laboratory Muellner Hauptstrasse 48 A-5020 SALZBURG AUSTRIA/Europe
phone: ++43++ 662 + 4482 + 4720 Ext fax: ++43++ 662 + 4482 + 882 Ext. e-mail: W.Muss-at-lkasbg.gv.at (note: "l" right to "-at-" is a small "L")
---------- Von: S. CICERO[SMTP:scicero-at-NMSU.Edu] Gesendet: Montag, 02. Februar 1998 12:34 An: microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com Betreff: TEM of myelin
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I am a student at NMSU and am studying developmental myelination on the TEM. Recently I've noticed that the myelin rings around the = axons don not appear to show clearly defined intraperiod lines (only part of = a=20 line is visible and does not extend completely around...). Could this be due to fixation or dehydration/embedding? Are there any specialized protocols for myelin or protocols that limit the loss of lipids? I am using a standard biological protocol (dialdehydic fix, cacodylate = buffers, post-fix osmium, dehydration-30,50,70,80,90,95,100-pproplyene oxide, embedding:araldite:EMbed (50/50), section, stain:uranyl acetae, lead citrate)
The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
I apologize for scrambling my previous note to the list server. I actually sent ascii text, no pictures, etc. and have no idea what went wrong. If this message is scrambled, I will troubleshoot with our network police (who have absolute control and change things whimsically with no notice or accountability).
I only hope optical retardation is not inducing in me the mental kind.
My original question is below--please let me know if this is scrambled.
I want to observe interference colors using polarized light microscope and capture the image using a video camera. Using ImageTool, I can obtain RGB values of the colors at various points of the image. Using the RGB values only, I want to estimate the retardation. At the least, from the RGB values I should be able to "calculate" a color on a Michel-Levy chart to get a retardation. I realize I may not know which order I am looking at, but I may know other details about the sample to allow me to predict which order. For instance, based on RGB values only, I may be able to know the color is red and it would have associated retardation possibilities of 550nm, 1100nm, ... I would then "pick" the correct value based on my knowlege of thickness, typical birefringence values for the material, etc.
Question: can anyone image a conversion from RGB values to retardation values?
My impression is that this is an artifact which is usually due to geometry rather than to fixation; if the myelin layers are not oriented precisely perpendicular to the plane of section, they will appear to be smeared in transmission. Since it is highly unlikely that this requirement will be met everywhere around an entire axon, you will see some areas which appear sharp and others which appear blurry. If you have a tilting stage, you may be able to test whether this is the case by tilting the sample and looking to see whether some fuzzy parts become sharp (this will depend on the angle of tilt of the plane of the myelin relative to the tilt axis of the sample holder).
Marie
} } I am a student at NMSU and am studying developmental myelination } on the TEM. Recently I've noticed that the myelin rings around the axons } don not appear to show clearly defined intraperiod lines (only part of a } line is visible and does not extend completely around...). Could this be } due to fixation or dehydration/embedding? Are there any specialized } protocols for myelin or protocols that limit the loss of lipids? I am } using a standard biological protocol (dialdehydic fix, cacodylate buffers, } post-fix osmium, dehydration-30,50,70,80,90,95,100-pproplyene oxide, } embedding:araldite:EMbed (50/50), section, stain:uranyl acetae, lead } citrate) } } Does anyone have any suggestions? } } Thank You! } } Samantha Cicero
Dr. Marie E. Cantino Dept. of Physiology and Neurobiology, U-131 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 06269 Ph: 860-486-3588 Fax: 860-486-1936
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In the past, I have worked on getting a good fixation where I could visualize major and minor dense lines in the myelin. One post-fixation protocol that we came up with worked pretty well. It is at the Osmium post fix stage.
1% Osmium 1.5% Potassium Ferricyanide 0.1M Buffer (in your case, cacodylate)
Fix the same amount of time you normally would with standard Osmium.
Good luck,
Cheri Owen Neuroscience Imaging Core Emergency Medicine Wayne State University Detroit, MI 48201
We have set up a new light microscopy digital imaging station. Now we need to learn what to do with it!
Does anyone have feed back on good image analysis workshops that give a solid foundation in image analysis for the money? Or bad experiences? Or does anyone think it is better to just read the manual and muddle through?
Robert Underwood Morphology Core Univ. of Washington
Samantha, If you haven't gotten this bit of advice yet, go to potassium ferrocyanide reduced osmium, there is a refernce where it is used specifically for myelin preservation, (if you need that reference get back to me) it should do the trick.
Mike D JHMI Microscopy Facility
On Mon, 2 Feb 1998, S. CICERO wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } I am a student at NMSU and am studying developmental myelination } on the TEM. Recently I've noticed that the myelin rings around the axons } don not appear to show clearly defined intraperiod lines (only part of a } line is visible and does not extend completely around...). Could this be } due to fixation or dehydration/embedding? Are there any specialized } protocols for myelin or protocols that limit the loss of lipids? I am } using a standard biological protocol (dialdehydic fix, cacodylate buffers, } post-fix osmium, dehydration-30,50,70,80,90,95,100-pproplyene oxide, } embedding:araldite:EMbed (50/50), section, stain:uranyl acetae, lead } citrate) } } Does anyone have any suggestions? } } Thank You! } } Samantha Cicero } }
} ... In the TEM. Recently I've noticed that the myelin rings around the axons } do not appear to show clearly defined intraperiod lines (only part of a } line is visible and does not extend completely around...). Could this be } due to fixation or dehydration/embedding? Are there any specialized
Samantha:
If the line doesn't appear to extend completely around the myelin sheath, the most likely explanation is a slight tilt from perpendicular orientation in the section. Only textbook photos are always perpendicular or parallel to the plane of section. Try a tilt stage, and you may find that you can see the intraperiod line appear at one tilt angle and disappear at others. Because an axon and accompanying myelin are not perfect cylindars, one side may not be exactly parallel to the other side of the sheath. and thus both are not perpendicular to any one plane of section and only a partial intraperiod line will be seen.
If you still never see the expected layers, then I would start to look for other causes, such as fixation or chemical exposures of the animals before fixation.
-Dennis
Dr. M. Dennis Goode Phone (301) 405-6917 Department of Zoology Fax (301) 314-9358 University of Maryland e-mail goode-at-zool.umd.edu College Park MD 20742 ************************************************************* "If the Lord Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the creation, I should have recommended something simpler." -Alphonso X of Castile, 15th Century
I am looking for suggestions on features we should consider for an EM lab renovation. We are currently in the design process for renovating a building which will house two TEMS, 2 SEMs, an AES, and a darkroom. With this opportunity to design the EM labs, we want to take all reasonable precautions and make the necessary improvements to optimize these areas. This includes necessities for EM operation as well as conveniences.
While this currently unoccupied building readily passes vibrational and magnetic field tests, I am trying to minimize the impact of the labs, offices, and electrical/ventilation systems which will surround the EM labs. Alderson's book (suggested on the list a while back) was a great help for the initial design stages. What suggestions do you have either for the design of the laboratories or for the related equipment? While my primary interest is for the TEM labs, I would welcome any suggestions for the other EM rooms or dark room as well.
One major concern I have is with mechanical vibration isolation. We would like to limit a priori the effects of the surrounding labs and services. Any suggestions which would limit the effects of mechanical vibrations at the TEMs, or reduce the level of ambient vibrations, would be particularly helpful.
Richard Fonda
_____________________________________________________________ Richard W. Fonda Naval Research Laboratory (202) 767-2622 Code 6324 (202) 767-2623 fax Washington DC 20375 _____________________________________________________________
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Topic: Microwaving for SEM We have been experimenting with the microwave for TEM, and want to use it = also for SEM samples, which of course are larger. We do both Glut, Os, = and conductive staining techniques.
Questions Does anyone have experience with microwaving for SEM samples? How large of samples do you use? What protocols do you use? and times in the microwave? Wattage and type of microwave? Do you use iced samples or any special conditions for SEM samples? Any thoughts on results as compared to standard preps?
Thanks for any info. We are setting up experiments and need some = starting point for SEM samples.
Thanks in advance for any input. Judy M.
Judy Murphy Microscopy Technology Center San Joaquin Delta College 5151 Pacific Ave Stockton, CA 95207 209/954-5284 FAX 209/954-5600 e-mail; jmurphy-at-sjdccd.cc.ca.us
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Listers,
I know a lot of you are real smart when it comes to computer images & stuff. I have an optical disc drive on my SEM and would like to go to something that most people have (we have the only optical disc drive on campus). Folks here have suggested Zip Drives. Now, I'm an idiot when it comes to computer stuff, is a Zip drive good enough for storing images and will people get decent images back when they put them on their lab computers? I've heard that Zip drives and the discs are fairly inexpensive, is that true?
Thanks in advance for all your fine help.
Still preferring to make photographs,
Paula = )
Paula Sicurello UC Berkeley Electron Microscope Lab psic-at-uclink4.berkeley.edu
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Dear Richard, } } One major concern I have is with mechanical vibration isolation. We would } like to limit a priori the effects of the surrounding labs and services. } Any suggestions which would limit the effects of mechanical vibrations at } the TEMs, or reduce the level of ambient vibrations, would be particularly } helpful. } You are right to be concerned. One difficulty is that there is no one prescription for minimizing mechanical vibrations. If the building and ground is very rigid, it will transmit vibrations due to traffic and wind, so you must isolate the equipment with, e.g., a pneumatic platform, but if the building and ground are not rigid, and do not transmit vibrations read- ily, you might need to anchor the equipment so that, e.g., air conditioning vibrations do not affect the EMs. Furthermore, the frequency spectrum of the vibrations is important. Our HVEM responds greatly to 20 Hz vibrations, but not to ~22 Hz vibrations. Sometimes a spring-mass-spring type of moun- ting--as we use for our vacuum pumps--will lower transmission of vibrations, and it can be tuned to damp specific frequencies. Good luck. Yours, Bill Tivol
} Folks here have suggested Zip Drives. Now, I'm an idiot when it } comes to computer stuff, is a Zip drive good enough for storing images
If the capacity is large enough to hold the image, then, yes. The important thing is the information--the string of 0's and 1's--not the form it's written in (assuming your equipment can read that form). Thus, the only necessary criterion is the capacity. There are also considerations of convenience, i.e., can one read in the info in a reasonably short time or is the info compatable with other interested parties' equipment. The Zip drive does well on both counts.
} and will people get decent images back when they put them on their lab } computers?
If and only if the images were decent in the first place. The digital info will be read without added noise [of course all computers are perfect, aren't they? Oh, right, the early pentiums. ;-)]. Zip disks should certainly hold the info without significant loss, so they will pass this test.
} I've heard that Zip drives and the discs are fairly inexpensive, is } that true? } Yes. } } Still preferring to make photographs, } They still record much more info than any available digital system. Yours, Bill Tivol
We are considering Image Pro Plus (IPP) from Media Cybernetics for automating image acquisition and analysis. Does anyone know if Image Pro commands can be driven from Visual Basic, such as through an Active X or similar control? The promotional literature I have seen so far for IPP only mentions VB in terms of within-program macro scripting. (No luck contacting Media Cybernetics or its local vendor yet). We are thinking of using Visual Basic to be the core of a comprehensive microscope automation, image acquisition, and image analysis program. Any other ideas or tips would be very appreciated. Thank you.
Cynthia J. Zeissler Physical Scientist National Institute of Standards and Technology cynthia.zeissler-at-nist.gov 301-975-3910
We've just had our EDS detector crystal replaced and I am now getting complaints that the copper peak that is present whenever we collect spectra (including hole counts) is too large. We've placed the repaired detector at the same position as before and are using a Pt top-hat aperture. My questions: 1) What is the source of the Cu peak when we collect a hole count? 2) How can I minimize the presence of the Cu peak? 3) How big of a Cu peak, is too big of a Cu peak?
} ..., } } I know a lot of you are real smart when it comes to computer images } & stuff. I have an optical disc drive on my SEM and would like to go to } something that most people have (we have the only optical disc drive on } campus). Folks here have suggested Zip Drives. Now, I'm an idiot when it } comes to computer stuff, is a Zip drive good enough for storing images and } will people get decent images back when they put them on their lab } computers? } I've heard that Zip drives and the discs are fairly inexpensive, is } that true? } } ...
One virtue of optical drives (... over zip or jaz drives ...) is file integrity and longevity ... that is, if you want to consider "archival" abilities, then stay with optical. In this regard, you probably want to only consider one possibility, that being a CD writer ... the prices are way down and the media is less than $10/600Mb ... you get archival quality optical and a CD compatible across all platforms. The only disadvantage to access times for writing and reading files ... CDs will not compete with magnetic media in this regard.
... hope this helps :o) cheerios, shAf -- {\/} /\ {\/} /\ {\/} /\ {\/} /\ cogito, ergo zZOooOM /\ {\/} /\ {\/} /\ {\/} /\ {\/} Michael Shaffer, R.A. - http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~mshaf/ Geological Science's Electron Probe Facility at the University of Oregon mshaf-at-darkwing.uoregon.edu or mshaf-at-oregon.uoregon.edu
We are using an Agfa Duoscan (1000 dpi) for digitizing HRTEM images.
At the moment we are saving the images to disk, transfering the tif files via Apple File Exchange to the Mac, then using Digital Micrograph to give us an FFT, for printing/exporting etc.
Question:
Is there software available, (freeware or...) that would allow us to perform the "FFT" on the "PC" that we are using to digitize the HRTEM?
Thanks in advance
Fred Pearson Electron Optics Coordinator
******************************************************** Fred Pearson Brockhouse Institute for Materials Research McMaster University 1280 Main St. West Hamilton, Ontario Canada L8S 4M1
Salzburg, 3rd of Febr., 1998, local time 10.55 p.m.
Dear listmembers, I am confronted with a type of resin, called "LX 112", which obviousely = is not available via a European EM supplier or at least very unusual to = use in Europe=20 (if this is false, please correct me). Concerning questions for the POP-OFF-technique (previous postings) I = learned of the use of that resin "LX 112". It seems to me either to be a = substitute for EPON or a Spurr's like resin.
I know from Abstracts in the MSA-Proceedings that MASCORRO J.A. and = KIRBY G.S. described Novel EPOXY/Anhydride Alternatives.....(EMBED 812 & = LX112), MSA Proc. 47th Ann.Meeting, 1989, p.1000/1001, & MSA Proc. 49th = Ann Meeting, 1991, 292/293, &.....EM-VIEWS (Texas A&M Univ., Issue #8, = 1993, p. 23-24)
Unfortunately, no supplier address, physical properties, etc. were = mentioned (maybe it is an invention of J. A. MASCORRO himself?).
If anyone out there could provide me with the address data of a = supplying company, even in the USA, and some comments on working with it = (for instance, experience with hardener, catalyst and or accelerator, = embedding quality, physical properties like the type of polymerization, = etc) it would be a great help for me (and Eva KELLER: enjoy the day, = greetings!).
Thanking you in advance very best regards
Wolfgang
__________________________________
Dr. Wolfgang MUSS Department of Pathology, LKA EM-Laboratory Muellner Hauptstrasse 48 A-5020 SALZBURG AUSTRIA/Europe
phone: ++43++ 662 + 4482 + 4720 Ext fax: ++43++ 662 + 4482 + 882 Ext. e-mail: W.Muss-at-lkasbg.gv.at (note: "l" right to "-at-" is a small "L") _______________________________________________________________
The Microscopy and Microanalysis Center at the University of Maryland at = College Park is searching for an assistant to help maintain two TEMs, = one electron microprobe and an environmental SEM. The MMC is a campus = facility that provides service to faculty, students, and outside users. = The facility is also used for teaching and research. The qualified = candidate should have experience in the maintenance of electron = microscopes and their use. Background on electronics and vacuum = technology is required. The starting salary is $30,000 to $35,000 = depending on experience. =20
Interested candidates should send resume and list of three references = to:=20 Lourdes Salamanca-Riba at either riba-at-eng.umd.edu,=20 Fax No. (301) 314-9467, or=20 Materials and Nuclear Engineering Department University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-2115
The University of Maryland is an equal opportunity affirmative action = employer.
} } Does anyone have feed back on good image analysis workshops that give a } solid foundation in image analysis for the money? Or bad experiences? } Or does anyone think it is better to just read the manual and muddle } through?
Obviously my reply is suspect since I teach the course, but over the last 15 years we've had more than 1000 students attend the three-day workshops on quantitative image analysis that we teach at N. C. State University every May, and most of them tell us they feel the course has been worthwhile, and prove it by sending their colleagues. Info is available on-line at http://members.aol.com/IPCourse
First, what kind of optical drive do you have? We have an HP magneto-optical which will store about 650 MB on each side of a disk (1300 MB total). But it too is the only one we have found in the area, and it is going bad. It will not reliably accept cartridges. Once it takes a cartridge, it appears to be fine. It would be great if you might be able to help us out in a pinch.
Now as to your question, ZIP drives cost $15 or less per 100 MB cartridge. That it is a little expensive and small. The good point is that they are becoming fairly common. Thus it may be a good media for passing around. We have one, but don't use it much yet. The internal IDE or SCSI variety will give much better performance than the external parallel variety. They also now have a combination model to work with SCSI or parallel. It auto-senses.
I might suggest a CD writer. The platters are fairly cheap - less that $3 per 600 MB disk. The writers are coming down in price and are available for under $500. The main benefit is just about everybody and their brother (or sister) have one readily available. We are using one from HP and it seems to be working fine for us.
Hope this helps some.
At 12:12 PM 2/3/98 -0800, you wrote: } Listers, } } I know a lot of you are real smart when it comes to computer images } & stuff. I have an optical disc drive on my SEM and would like to go to } something that most people have (we have the only optical disc drive on } campus). Folks here have suggested Zip Drives. Now, I'm an idiot when it } comes to computer stuff, is a Zip drive good enough for storing images and } will people get decent images back when they put them on their lab } computers? } I've heard that Zip drives and the discs are fairly inexpensive, is } that true? } } Thanks in advance for all your fine help. } } } Still preferring to make photographs, } } } Paula = ) ---------------------------------------------------- Warren E. Straszheim 23 Town Engineering Iowa State University Ames IA, 50011 Phone: 515-294-8187 FAX: 515-294-8216
Zips are a good choice, the drives and disks are relatively inexpensive. You can install them on both Mac and PC platforms easily. You can also get some cheap software that allows you to read the Mac formatted drives on PC's. I use Conversions Plus, I buy PC disks, and quick format them in Mac format (takes 8 seconds). This has solved my long filename compatibility problems across the two platforms.
With respect to storage, garbage in garbage out. If you have good digital images, they will retain their quality, it is not a function of the storage media that you use. Copying a digital image many times does not degrade the quality of the image.
The number of images on a disk is dependent on the file size of the images and the bit resolution. I good rule of thumb for a grey level image with 8 bit level is that an image in the 1 Mbyte size range will give you a reasonably good image in the 4 x 5 inch size at a resolution of 300 dpi. you can put about 90 such images on the ZIP disk.
However, things get bigger with high resolution and number of color channels. If you collect a 10 or 12 bit image, it will still have to be stored with a16 bit format; the file size will be twice the size of the 8 bit image (8 bits of depth gives you the 256 gray levels). If your image is color and you choose RGB mode (i.e. 3 color channels) then you will need to multiply the size by 3. If you double the image resolution, e.g. change 300 to 600, you will need to multiply the file size by a factor of 4.
Example: a 1Mb file at 8 bit, grey scale, and 300 dpi would be 24Mb (1 x 2 x 3 x 4) for a color(x3), 12 bit (x2), 600 dpi (x4) image.
I hope this helps.
-Scott Walck
Scott D. Walck, Ph.D. PPG Industries, Inc. Guys Run Rd. (packages) P.O. Box 11472 (letters) Pittsburgh, PA 15238-0472
(412) 820-8651 (office) (412) 820-8161 (fax)
"The opinions expressed are those of Scott D. Walck and not of PPG Industries, Inc. nor of any PPG-associated companies."
I know a lot of you are real smart when it comes to computer images & stuff. I have an optical disc drive on my SEM and would like to go to something that most people have (we have the only optical disc drive on campus). Folks here have suggested Zip Drives. Now, I'm an idiot when it comes to computer stuff, is a Zip drive good enough for storing images and will people get decent images back when they put them on their lab computers? I've heard that Zip drives and the discs are fairly inexpensive, is that true?
Thanks in advance for all your fine help.
Still preferring to make photographs,
Paula = )
Paula Sicurello UC Berkeley Electron Microscope Lab psic-at-uclink4.berkeley.edu
------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Reply to: RE} FFT programs for PC
Hi Fred,
we recently bought an Image Processing toolkit with plug-ins for Photoshop. It runs under Mac as well as Windows and has, among a lot of other things, FFT. The package is from Reindeer Games. I haven't tested it very severely but it did give me good power spectra. Unfortunately the documentation is rather limited and I can't find their full address.
Hope this helps anyway.
Nick Schryvers
--------------------------------------
We are using an Agfa Duoscan (1000 dpi) for digitizing HRTEM images.
At the moment we are saving the images to disk, transfering the tif files via Apple File Exchange to the Mac, then using Digital Micrograph to give us an FFT, for printing/exporting etc.
Question:
Is there software available, (freeware or...) that would allow us to perform the "FFT" on the "PC" that we are using to digitize the HRTEM?
Thanks in advance
Fred Pearson Electron Optics Coordinator
******************************************************** Fred Pearson Brockhouse Institute for Materials Research McMaster University 1280 Main St. West Hamilton, Ontario Canada L8S 4M1
------------------ RFC822 Header Follows ------------------ Received: by ematserv.ruca.ua.ac.be with ADMIN;4 Feb 1998 00:19:07 +0100 Received: from Sparc5.Microscopy.Com (sparc5.microscopy.com [206.69.208.10]) by nets.ruca.ua.ac.be (8.8.6/8.8.6) with SMTP id AAA28511; Wed, 4 Feb 1998 00:15:13 +0100 (MET) Received: (from daemon-at-localhost) by Sparc5.Microscopy.Com (8.6.11/8.6.11) id PAA28980 for dist-Microscopy; Tue, 3 Feb 1998 15:58:46 -0600 Received: from mcmail.CIS.McMaster.CA (mcmail.CIS.McMaster.CA [130.113.20.6]) by Sparc5.Microscopy.Com (8.6.11/8.6.11) with ESMTP id PAA28977 for {microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} ; Tue, 3 Feb 1998 15:58:44 -0600 Received: from localhost (eoptics-at-localhost) by mcmail.CIS.McMaster.CA (8.8.5/8.8.5) with SMTP id RAA29191 for {microscopy-at-MSA.Microscopy.com} ; Tue, 3 Feb 1998 17:00:09 -0500 (EST)
Dear microscopist,
some weeks ago I asked for adresses for purchasing collodium. Thanks to all who answered me! Now I got pyroxilin (= collodium) 2% in amylacetate. When I put one drop onto water, it spreads incredibly. So the resulting film is much to thin and tears immediately when I get the grid into the EM. Is the 2% solution to weak? Is there another method to produce a thicker film?
I am trying the collodium support for I get enormous binding of the *primary* antibodies to the formvar sometimes. I find it often, that primary antibodies bind to formvar, but not to that extend that I saw with two antibodies from eggyolk and rabbit. Any suggestions how to overcome this?
Thanks a lot in advance
Birgit
Dr. Birgit Neubohn Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) Corrensstr. 3 D-06466 Gatersleben-Deutschland
Several years ago, we were in a similar situation. The company renovated a vacant building so all us R&D folk could play in the same place. Of course it passed inspection - there was nothing in it. After moving, we found that we ran into numerous problems with EM fields for a variety of reasons. We eventually found the sources and had the problems corrected, but with quite a bit of unnecessary expense and down time.
If I had to do it again, I'd bring in the vibration and field experts during the design stage.
If you'd like to, contact me at the address below and I can give you a reference.
Harold J. Crossman Senior Scientist OSRAM SYLVANIA INC. Lighting Research Center 71 Cherry Hill Dr. Beverly, MA 01915 (978) 750-1717 crossman-at-osi.sylvania.com }
} Is there software available, (freeware or...) that would allow us to } perform the "FFT" on the "PC" that we are using to digitize the HRTEM?
Try simple and fast program (I belive it is freeware) ProFFT (pro stands for Project and not Professional). Pics should be in *.bmp format. The program can be found at:
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/.5/asme/WIN_ENG/PROFFT.ZIP or ftp.wustl.edu/systems/ibmpc/umich.edu/windows/graphics/bmp/profft.zip or ftp.iij.ad.jp/win3/desktop/profft.zip or ...
Limitations: (from readme.txt): The pictures to be transformed has to have the following characteristics: They must be square and their width and height has to be in a power of 2 (16, 32, 64, ..., 2^n). They must be in the DIB (Device Independent Bitmap) format specified for Windows 3.X and OS/2. In addition they must have 8 bitplanes (that is a maximum of 256 colours/grayscales) and must have a grayscale palette. The palette is presumed to have colour 0 as black all the way up to 255 as white (so that 127 equals 50% gray).
To all, A client of ours is urgently in need of a condenser aperture holder for the Philips EM 400, early model. We only need the insert, not the whole assembly with the bellow.We would appreciate any help. Please call George at KAM CONSULTING at 718-729-1997or E-Mail him at: dimitri-at-interport.net or E-Mail me directly or call 215-699-6160 Thank you, Peter A. Stolzenberg, PESTO INC.
For doing immunoelectron microscopy I would suggest that if at all possible you completely eliminate the collodion and formvar films.
Also, the kind of metal that is used in the grid seems to somehow affect non- specific binding as well.
If it is a question of supporting your sections during the immunolabeling, I would suggest you use a fairly high mesh (300 or 400 mesh) gold grid, preferably with a hexagonal mesh pattern, with no supporting film. Just put the sections on the grids, dry them, and begin the immunolabeling procedure.
If this is not possible, and you absolutely must use a supporting film, you can try increasing the salt concentration in your buffer washing steps. If you are using phosphate buffered saline or any other recipe with NaCl in it, it is probably around 150 mM (0.9%). Try boosting the NaCl to 5X normal. This would make it 750 mM, or 4.5% by weight.
If you use the high salt buffer, remember to incubate the grids in a couple of changes of regular strength (150 mM) saline before you go to the next step, to get the salt back into the range of physiologic strength! High Salt concentrations will often get rid of non-specific binding.
I hope this is of some assistance. Let us know how it works.
Best regards, Bob ********************************* Robert (Bob) Chiovetti E. Licht Company / USA / 1-800-865-4248 rchiovetti-at-aol.com
********************************* Leica (Wild, Leitz, Bausch&Lomb, Cambridge, AO, Reichert-Jung) / Technical Instrument Company / American Volpi / Fostek / Stocker and Yale / AEI North America / OptiQuip / Dolan-Jenner / Osram / G.E. / Philips / Ushio / Boeckler Instruments / Heidenhain / Narishige / Colorado Video / Visual Environments of California, Inc. / Kinetic Systems / Pacific Precision Laboratories, Inc. / Pryor Scientific / Compumotor / Sutter Instrument Co. / Advanced Database Systems / Cohu / Javeline Electronics / Optronics / Diagnostic Instruments, Inc. / Dage MTI / Hitachi / Panasonic / Polaroid / Kodak / Mitsubishi / Sony
Regarding John Russ' reply: I am a graduate of the NCSU course and readily recommend it to anyone who is looking for a solid foundation in digital imaging. I hope my response is not as "suspect" as John's -the only "kickback" I get from the course is the knowledge!
There is a software called Scion Image. It's a software based on NIH Image ( a Mac based freeware from NIH). You can download it from the web site( http://www.scioncorp.com) or call 301-695-7870 for help.
Best regards,
On Tue, 3 Feb 1998, Fred Pearson wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } We are using an Agfa Duoscan (1000 dpi) for digitizing HRTEM images. } } At the moment we are saving the images to disk, transfering the tif files } via Apple File Exchange to the Mac, then using Digital Micrograph to give } us an FFT, for printing/exporting etc. } } Question: } } Is there software available, (freeware or...) that would allow us to } perform the "FFT" on the "PC" that we are using to digitize the HRTEM? } } Thanks in advance } } Fred Pearson } Electron Optics Coordinator } } ******************************************************** } Fred Pearson } Brockhouse Institute for Materials Research } McMaster University } 1280 Main St. West } Hamilton, Ontario } Canada L8S 4M1 } } ******************************************************** } }
Tseng-Ming Chou (Alex) Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering Stevens Institute of Technology Castle Point on Hudson, Hoboken, NJ 07030 e-mail: tchou-at-attila.stevens-tech.edu tchou-at-menger.eecs.stevens-tech.edu The Microstructure Group of Stevens
One idea is to get both a Zip Drive and a CD read/writer. Store your images on the Zip disks and when you get six to eight filled up, transfer the files to a CD. Then recycle the Zips. The Zip drive is more agile when working with individual files. Writing to the CD is best done in a few (6 to 8 if you are copying from 6 to 8 Zip disks) sessions. Using the Zip disks allows you to make changes before archiving the final file(s). Often a lab or department with several computers used in image handling will have Zip Drives on each computer, and a single CD writer that is external & portable. This arrangement will give you the write/read/change/write again flexibility of the Zips and the efficient & permanence of the CDs. And you won't have to buy truck loads of Zip disks......just a car load of CDs.
Joiner Cartwright, Jr., Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Pathology Baylor College of Medicine Houston, Texas U.S.A.
2% should be o.k., but collodine solutions have this wonderful property in that you can stack the layers. I usually use 4%, I gently place one drop on the watre surface, as you've noted as the drop spreads you note that it reaches maximum spread and then 'bounces" back a little, right when it bounces back I add one more drop to the middle. The second drop spreads on top of the first giving a thicker film. You can use the color index (just like sectioning) to tell you approximately how thick the film is and just keep adding drops of the 2% until you get a color/thickness you like.
Richard E. Edelmann, Ph.D. Electron Microscopy Facility Supervisor 352 Pearson Hall Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056 Ph: 513.529.5712 Fax: 513.529.4243 E-mail: edelmare-at-muohio.edu
A couple of related notes on recent postings . . .
The first posting: } } Does anyone have feed back on good image analysis workshops that give a } } solid foundation in image analysis for the money? Or bad experiences? } } Or does anyone think it is better to just read the manual and muddle } } through? } } Obviously my reply is suspect since I teach the course, but over the last 15 } years we've had more than 1000 students attend the three-day workshops on } quantitative image analysis that we teach at N. C. State University every May, } and most of them tell us they feel the course has been worthwhile, and prove } it by sending their colleagues. Info is available on-line at } http://members.aol.com/IPCourse } } John Russ
And the second posting: } we recently bought an Image Processing toolkit with plug-ins for Photoshop. It } runs under Mac as well as Windows and has, among a lot of other things, FFT. } The package is from Reindeer Games. I haven't tested it very severely but it } did give me good power spectra. Unfortunately the documentation is rather } limited and I can't find their full address.
It turns out the the Image Processing Toolkit is a companion to John Russ's book "The Image Processing Handbook." They can be purchased, or received when attending the image analysis course at NC State. I've attended the course and feel it was well worth the money. Definitely better than "muddling through"!
The toolkit actually has pretty decent documentation in the form of "tutorials" in pdf (Adobe Acrobat, a reader for which can be downloaded free--from www.adobe.com I believe) format on the CD. I'm sure info on the toolkit can be found at the web address Dr. Russ gave above.
Disclaimer--I have no affiliation with Russ, NC State, or Reindeer Games Software. I'm just a satisifed customer!
Jim Passmore Analytical Chemist Cryovac North America
There is a lot of overhead (ie wasted capacity) involved in storing files=
to CDROM. For one at a time storage of images, the overhead will use a lo= t more disk than the image. Best thing is to batch the images on to Zip or hard drive, wait till you got a lot, hopefully at a logical break in the stream of images, then archive them to CDROM. Some labs I know buffer images on the SEM hard drive, push the images in batches up a network to a departmental server, then recycle the SEM stora= ge space. The deparmental server has a CDROM writer on it, when a suitable block of images (generally a full CDROMs worth), is collected, a CD is written, and the server space recycled.
Thank you to those who responded to my question about methods to detect contaminants on the surface of photoresist. As I mentioned in my message, I am a biological microscopist. I gained alot of respect for those of you doing materials microscopy...you even know a language that I have never heard before! The responses are listed below, for anyone interested.
My original message to the microscopy list server (microscopy-at-Sparc5.Microscopy.Com):
Hello to the Microscopy group!
A friend asked if I might know of a method to detect the identity of small contaminants (about one tenth to three tenths of a micron) on the surface of a photoresist coating on silica wafers. They have no good clues as to what it is, though it would help to know if it is organic. I have no experience with materials microscopy, though with a background in biological EM I wondered if OsO4 might be useful, since bound OsO4 could be detected via EM microanalysis. Perhaps there is a fluorescent dye which binds generic organics? If anyone has a suggestion, I would be very happy to take notes.
Many thanks,
Doug ---------------------- Douglas R. Keene Associate Investigator Shriners Hospital Microscopy Unit Portland, Oregon 97201 DRK-at-shcc.org
Dear Doug:
I passed your question on to Wesley Nieven at Surface Science Labs and he offered the following response. I hope it helps!
Best regards-
David Henriks South Bay Technology, Inc.
} From Wesley Nieven:
There are several methods one could use. They are highly dependent on analyst skill and experience. There is some degree of dependence on equipment capability, e.g. a cheap, 'routine' FTIR instrument would not do the job. Other methods that can "see" films/contaminants this small will not give info you can use, e.g. AFM would likely see the contaminant but would not provide any chemical or ID information (only topography).
Contaminants on photoresist can be difficult especially if they are very thin, e.g. less than 0.5 micron. It is very doubtful at the 0.2 micron realm that histological or optical microscopy methods will work. There are several methods available, each giving different degrees/content of information about contaminant.
1. The 'simplest' method is FTIR. However, 'simple' is not perhaps the best choice of words. Depending on contaminant film thickness, FTIR with ATR multi-reflection, you may be able to "see" the film. The photoresist background will need to be dealt with (a non-trivial matter). FTIR would require a substantial lateral size of the contaminant, say 100 micron or more for this technique to work. The FTIR would not identify a specific organic per se and would not identify a biological.
2. ESCA or XPS are very good at analyzing very thin films. Depth of information for XPS is about 100 Angstroms (0.01 microns). Lateral information area is about 10 microns. It can detect all elements greater than He at concentrations about 0.1-1.0% and give quantitative results (accuracy depends on standards, etc.) ESCA/XPS can also give some chemical state information, e.g. nitrogen as azide vs nitride, carbon as CFx vs carbide, etc. This can be extremely useful but chemical state info is not completely unambiguous. ESCA/XPS requires ultra-high vacuum ( {10e-9 torr) and samples must be compatible. Photoresist should not be a problem, but if contaminant has high volatility or is very hydrated (bio-mass) then this method may not work as is.
3. TOF SIMS (Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy) is a mass spec method with extreme surface sensitivity. TOF information comes from top 2-3 monolayers of sample and can easily see films of one monolayer/monoatom thickness. Mass resolution is good (typ. M/deltaM = ~10,000) and spatial (lateral) resolution is reasonable (about 0.2 microns) but not simultaneously. TOF also requires ultra-high vacuum but a cold stage (offered by one or two of the TOF manufacturers) can work with volatile and somewhat hydrated samples. Specific identification 'MAY' be possible with TOF. Info from TOF is molecular/elemental mass fragments from surface. Complex organics can often be identified (with standard) and "reverse assembly" of molecular mass fragments can sometimes be done to yield exact parent molecule. TOF has excellent elemental/molecular sensitivity with some elements detected at ppb range or lower.
Caveats; the FTIR method, although more commonly available, is the least likely to work especially if the film is very thin and in small spots. FTIR for this application requires a very skilled analyst (your routine lab guy is not likely to be successful even if there is enough material to do the job) and a high quality machine (FTIR w IR microscope, multi-pass ATR cell, etc.)
ESCA/XPS is an expensive technique (instruments usually cost about $0.4 million) and requires experienced operator. Commercial analytical laboratories are probably the best bet. Cost for this analysis would probably run from $450-$1500 depending on what you need from the analysis. TOF instruments are even more expensive (typ. $0.7million) and require very skilled, experienced analysts. There are not very many of these machines around the country. Commercial analytical labs are your only real choice here.
Analysis would probably run around $750-$1000.
Contact me directly and I can supply you with additional information. (and also a commercial analytical lab as I am the Technical Advisor for one of them! {grin} We do this sort of analyses all the time.)
Phone (650) 962 8767, 800 321 4775 Fax (650) 962 0923 e-mail: wnieveen-at-surface-science.com ------------------------- You can try FTIR using diamond anvil cell microscopy/FTIR technique. -------------------------- Perhaps you should find someone with some surface analytical equipment - x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (will give elemental and chemical state information, analysis depth ~5 nm, area 50 um - 1 cm across depending on instrumentation), secondary ion mass spectrometry (especially time-of-flight SIMS) (will give fingerprint mass spectra, especially useful if you have your unknown and some candidates under suspicion and good for differentiating between different organics of similar structure, analysis diameter say .1 um upwards, analysing outer monolayer of contaminant, could etch through to guestimate thickness, could create maps to see if coverage uniform. Probably better in this case as carbon and oxygen spectra in XPS can be a pain to analyse. Another possibility, though the size/thickness of your contamination might be a problem here, could be Raman spectroscopy (very akin to infrared spectroscopy) if you can find one locally with microanalysis possibilities. Again (as with anything, really) if you have any candidate contaminants to compare the unknown to, it makes life easier.
Of course, none of this is useful if you either don't have access to the equipment or money to pay for time.
Silicon wafer samples are great for surface analytical machines (much the same as for microscopes I guess) - nice and flat, can easily be cut to size
Best of luck,
Keith
-- Dr. Keith R. Hallam University of Bristol, Interface Analysis Centre, Oldbury House, 121, St. Michael's Hill, Bristol, BS2 8BS, England Telephone: + 44 (0)117 925 5666 | E-mail: k.r.hallam-at-bristol.ac.uk Facsimile: + 44 (0)117 925 5646
| URL: http://zeus.bris.ac.uk/~phkrh/
Hi Doug,
We routinely use EDS either in a Hitachi S-4700 FE-SEM or an ADEM Lab6 SEM to detect trace contaminates on Photo Resist. Typically, the eV energy of the element that may be present times 1.5 will give you the desired beam energy to use. I would suggest starting at lower KeV and move upward. We also use a backscatter detector to image instead of the secondary detector due to charging.
Deposits on photoresist are a big problem in the micro circuit industry, finding out what they are may be equal in status!
Lets talk you through a SEM protocol.
1. Photoresist is made up of very light elements which will help in the SEM as other materials will almost certainly be heavier and be better imaged by the system, this will enable you to see detail down to tenths of a micron with no problems.
2. Your analytical problems are much greater. To display a reasonably good range of light elements in an EDX system we need at least 10kV. The problem is that for carbon we are punching the beam in at least 1.3 microns (by the Monte Carlo calculation) so to be certain that the only information comes from the deposit is really impossible, its too small. Do not let your contact be fooled into believing that if we place a small probe onto a solid sample we only obtain information from the point the probe strikes - not true!
3. If you do manage to stain the material with TEM type stains all you will get is a higher signal due to the metal being more emissive than an organic deposit, will this prove anything as the analytical problems remain the same?
Lets see what the MSA wizards come up with?
Good luck
Steve Chapman Senior Consultant E.M. Protrain, Oxford, UK Tel & Fax 44 (0)1844 353161
---------------------- Douglas R. Keene Associate Investigator Shriners Hospital Microscopy Unit Portland, Oregon 97201 DRK-at-shcc.org
It is a little hard to imagine a scenario where the new crystal itself could be causing the copper counts (either directly or indirectly). Mind you, in the field of EDS systems, there are many wierd and wonderful things that can happen!
You say that you have put the detector back in original position. Do you mean in the axial direction? Is it possible, for example, that the snout has been bent slightly, so it is now at a different height? If so, then the collimator may be looking at a different view of the sample holder. It is also possible that the collimator has been installed incorrectly (or was perhaps incorrectly installed before and is now correct!) Perhaps even a different, less effective collimator was installed during the repair.
The hole count arises because of unfocussed radiation (both electrons and x-rays) which reaches the sample area, within view of the detector collimator. Anything which is hit by this radiation will generate characteristic x-rays. This would occur, for example, if your samples are mounted on copper grids or support rings. If parts of your sample holder are made of bronze (which is very common) then you may see copper originating from here. Another possible source might be an objective aperture blade which, though retracted, can still be hit by stray radiation. Do you still get the copper x-rays with the sample holder removed from the microscope? If so, then something else is being irradiated in the 'scope. Usually the objective polepieces are coated with carbon dag, or perhaps have a beryllium liner, so you dont see any characteristic x-rays from them, but even if they are bare, you would expect to see not copper but iron, perhaps with come cobalt (depending upon the alloy used in the polepieces).
Are you using a low-background sample holder for your x-ray work? This would have a beryllium insert to hold the sample, keeping the bronze parts further from the sample itself.
The purpose of the top hat aperture is to trap as many as possible of the x-rays and scattered electrons that arise from the edge of the beam-defining part of the aperture.
Different microscopes have widely different hole count characteristics, and as you didn't mention which model you are using it is not possible to give a hard number for what the hole count should be. In our instruments (which are VG's, known for their extremely low hole counts) the hole count would be around 0.1% of the count obtained from a reasonably thin area of the sample.
Good Luck,
Tony Garratt-Reed
Anthony J. Garratt-Reed MIT Room 13-1027 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 United States of America
Dear Robin, } } We've just had our EDS detector crystal replaced and I am now getting } complaints that the copper peak that is present whenever we collect } spectra (including hole counts) is too large. We've placed the repaired } detector at the same position as before and are using a Pt top-hat } aperture. My questions: } 1) What is the source of the Cu peak when we collect a hole count?
My guess is that either electrons or brehmsstrahlung x-rays from above the specimen are illuminating the (presumably copper) grid. When you replaced the detector did you also change the aperture? If not, then there should be no changes in illumination from before, so I can't account for any change in Cu peak.
} 2) How can I minimize the presence of the Cu peak?
Shielding both above the specimen to reduce stray electrons and x-rays and below the specimen to eliminate electrons backscattered from the objective pole piece will help. See my short communication in J. Elect. Microsc. Tech. 13:274-276 (1989) for how we did it.
} 3) How big of a Cu peak, is too big of a Cu peak? } If Cu is an element of interest, or if the Cu peaks overlap an element of interest, e.g. Os, Zn, any size is too big. If not, then if the Cu peaks cause significant dead time in the detector or significant continuum background, they're too big. You can measure the latter with "hole" counts where the "hole" is 1) a true hole and 2) a part of the specimen which contains the matrix (plastic, ice, glucose, etc. for bio- logical specimens, whatever surrounds the area of interest for materials specimens) but not the element of interest. 1) gives a measure of the stray radiation in the column, and 2) gives a measure of the stray radi- ation produced by the specimen. You can minimize 1), but you have to change the nature of the specimen to minimize 2). Good luck. Yours, Bill Tivol
We just received our new microtome unit. (Leica RM 2165) We wanted to prepare thin slice for optical and SEM observation. Suggestion on embedding media and staining procedure will be very appreciate. We have tried the disposable "WC" blade from Leica on section of 1" and we were able to get a good slice but I never relly look at this type of samples before. What is the best way to look at it: glue for glass slide and objectives for optical microscope. Thank's in advance. Line Mongeon ( Line is the french ways to right Lynn) Technologist premier. e-mail address: Mongeon-at-NTC.Noranda.com
Brigit, Try a smaller petri for spreading or two drops, interfernce colors will help with judging thickness. Personally I make my own from the parlodion sticks. Good luck.
Mike D JHMI Microscopy Facility
On Wed, 4 Feb 1998, Birgit Neubohn wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Dear microscopist, } } some weeks ago I asked for adresses for purchasing collodium. Thanks to all } who answered me! } Now I got pyroxilin (= collodium) 2% in amylacetate. } When I put one drop onto water, it spreads incredibly. So the resulting } film is much to thin and tears immediately when I get the grid into the EM. } Is the 2% solution to weak? } Is there another method to produce a thicker film? } } I am trying the collodium support for I get enormous binding of the } *primary* antibodies to the formvar sometimes. I find it often, that } primary antibodies bind to formvar, but not to that extend that I saw with } two antibodies from eggyolk and rabbit. Any suggestions how to overcome } this? } } Thanks a lot in advance } } Birgit } } } Dr. Birgit Neubohn } Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) } Corrensstr. 3 } D-06466 Gatersleben-Deutschland } } Tel.: (+49) 039482 5447 } Fax: (+49) 039482 5139 } e-mail: neubohn-at-ipk-gatersleben.de } } } }
If you are considering ZIP discs / drives (which are great) also consider JAZZ discs / drives, which are essentially the same, but hold much more data, and images take up data storage space. Also you may wish to look into a CD recorder unit, which is also a great way to store digital images. Although no digital image can compare to the resolution of film, not yet anyway. best of luck -Mike
On Tue, 3 Feb 1998, Paula Sicurello wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Listers, } } I know a lot of you are real smart when it comes to computer images } & stuff. I have an optical disc drive on my SEM and would like to go to } something that most people have (we have the only optical disc drive on } campus). Folks here have suggested Zip Drives. Now, I'm an idiot when it } comes to computer stuff, is a Zip drive good enough for storing images and } will people get decent images back when they put them on their lab } computers? } I've heard that Zip drives and the discs are fairly inexpensive, is } that true? } } Thanks in advance for all your fine help. } } } Still preferring to make photographs, } } } Paula = ) } } Paula Sicurello } UC Berkeley } Electron Microscope Lab } psic-at-uclink4.berkeley.edu } } }
Richard- one way of isolating equipment (in AFM and other scanning probe microscopies) which may or may not work for your situation is to suspend the equipment from the ceiling, designing the damping system into the suspension system...? -Mike
On Tue, 3 Feb 1998, Richard Fonda wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Dear list members, } } I am looking for suggestions on features we should consider for an EM lab } renovation. We are currently in the design process for renovating a } building which will house two TEMS, 2 SEMs, an AES, and a darkroom. With } this opportunity to design the EM labs, we want to take all reasonable } precautions and make the necessary improvements to optimize these areas. } This includes necessities for EM operation as well as conveniences. } } While this currently unoccupied building readily passes vibrational and } magnetic field tests, I am trying to minimize the impact of the labs, } offices, and electrical/ventilation systems which will surround the EM } labs. Alderson's book (suggested on the list a while back) was a great } help for the initial design stages. What suggestions do you have either } for the design of the laboratories or for the related equipment? While my } primary interest is for the TEM labs, I would welcome any suggestions for } the other EM rooms or dark room as well. } } One major concern I have is with mechanical vibration isolation. We would } like to limit a priori the effects of the surrounding labs and services. } Any suggestions which would limit the effects of mechanical vibrations at } the TEMs, or reduce the level of ambient vibrations, would be particularly } helpful. } } Richard Fonda } } _____________________________________________________________ } Richard W. Fonda Naval Research Laboratory } (202) 767-2622 Code 6324 } (202) 767-2623 fax Washington DC 20375 } _____________________________________________________________ } } }
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Regarding Image Analysis Course
There are actually two image analysis courses offered at NC State, one by = John Russ and one by John Mackenzie. I have taken both the courses and both are good but for different = purposes.
John Russ' courses deals mostly with image measurement and what one needs = to do to make that possible. John MacKenzie's course is an excellent basic course in what digital = imaging is all about, how to make and print good looking photographs, = scanning images, how one needs to set up to do digital imaging, etc.
For a basic digital imaging course, John Mackenzie's course is more tuned = in to making good looking images and the digital basics. John Russ' is really more advanced dealing with doing image measurement, = manually and by computer.
Just my thoughts for what they are worth. Judy M.
Judy Murphy Microscopy Technology Center San Joaquin Delta College 5151 Pacific Ave Stockton, CA 95207 209/954-5284 FAX 209/954-5600 e-mail; jmurphy-at-sjdccd.cc.ca.us
Regarding John Russ' reply: I am a graduate of the NCSU course and readily recommend it to anyone who is looking for a solid foundation in digital imaging. I hope my response is not as "suspect" as John's -the only "kickback" I get from the course is the knowledge!
Cheers
Bill Heeschen The Dow Chemical Company
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Birgit, we routinely use 2% collodion films cast on distilled water. You didn't mention carbon coating your films after they were placed on grids. This is necessary to dissipate the energy from the beam. I try not to use films if it can be avoided. However, with troublesome plant or bacterial samples it is often needed. Hank Adams Electron Microscopy Lab New Mexico State University Las Cruces,NM 88003 phone: 505-6463600 fax: 505-6465665
I know this may be "species specific" but we use a magneto-optical (MO) drive system with our JEOL 5800LV SEM for image storage. The disks are 260MB-acres of space for bitmap or tif image storage. I don't know if MO drives are not as readily available as rewritable CD's but thought I'd mention them.
Tracey Pepper Bessey Microscopy Facility Iowa state University
Look in the tutorial section of the disk and you will find a good instruction and tutorial on the plug-ins. There are also the same images that they use in the manual so that you can try things out yourself. They are Adobe ".pdf" files and there is a reader on the CD. You should also consider getting John Russ' companion book, "The Image Processing Handbook". The URL for the website is http://members.aol.com/ImagProcTK/index.htm
John has info on a short course at http://vims.ncsu.edu/matsci/IPCFacul.html
and his email address is john_russ-at-ncsu.edu
He has answered questions for me in the past and he has addressed questions on the listserver as well.
-Scott
Scott D. Walck, Ph.D. PPG Industries, Inc. Guys Run Rd. (packages) P.O. Box 11472 (letters) Pittsburgh, PA 15238-0472
(412) 820-8651 (office) (412) 820-8161 (fax)
"The opinions expressed are those of Scott D. Walck and not of PPG Industries, Inc. nor of any PPG-associated companies."
we recently bought an Image Processing toolkit with plug-ins for Photoshop. It runs under Mac as well as Windows and has, among a lot of other things, FFT. The package is from Reindeer Games. I haven't tested it very severely but it did give me good power spectra. Unfortunately the documentation is rather limited and I can't find their full address.
Hope this helps anyway.
Nick Schryvers
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We are using an Agfa Duoscan (1000 dpi) for digitizing HRTEM images.
At the moment we are saving the images to disk, transfering the tif files via Apple File Exchange to the Mac, then using Digital Micrograph to give us an FFT, for printing/exporting etc.
Question:
Is there software available, (freeware or...) that would allow us to perform the "FFT" on the "PC" that we are using to digitize the HRTEM?
Thanks in advance
Fred Pearson Electron Optics Coordinator
******************************************************** Fred Pearson Brockhouse Institute for Materials Research McMaster University 1280 Main St. West Hamilton, Ontario Canada L8S 4M1
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There will be a demo of the Hitachi variable pressure SEM in conjunction with the joint FL AVS and Florida Society for Microscopy meeting at the University of Central Florida in Orlando February 23-25, 1998.
For more information or to set up a demo appointment please contact me directly. You my bring you own samples to the demo.
************************************************************************* Lucille A. Giannuzzi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor Dept. of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Eng.
Director, Cirent/UCF Materials Characterization Facility President, Florida Society for Microscopy
University of Central Florida phone (407) 823-5770 PO Box 162450 fax (407) 823-0208 4000 Central Florida Blvd. email lag-at-pegasus.cc.ucf.edu Orlando, FL 32816-2450 USA ----------------------------------------------------------------------- "Good judgement comes from experience.
Experience comes from making bad judgement."
Mark Twain *************************************************************************
most e.m. units are at ground floor or basement level so consider the risk of flooding. This may be natural flooding (when the drains block with leaves in autumn/fall), the lab above may often flood or someone leaves the tap on in the darkroom. Precautions may range from a pair of wellies and sandbags to sills and sealable doors (I've seen something like that in a London University). But at the very least it should be possible to isolate the electrics to microscope and lab in an emergency.
Flooding is less likely than vibration and magnetic fields but it does happen and can be disastrous.
Malcolm Haswell e.m. unit University of Sunderland UK ----------
Dear list members,
I am looking for suggestions on features we should consider for an EM lab renovation. We are currently in the design process for renovating a building which will house two TEMS, 2 SEMs, an AES, and a darkroom. With this opportunity to design the EM labs, we want to take all reasonable precautions and make the necessary improvements to optimize these areas. This includes necessities for EM operation as well as conveniences.
While this currently unoccupied building readily passes vibrational and magnetic field tests, I am trying to minimize the impact of the labs, offices, and electrical/ventilation systems which will surround the EM labs. Alderson's book (suggested on the list a while back) was a great help for the initial design stages. What suggestions do you have either for the design of the laboratories or for the related equipment? While my primary interest is for the TEM labs, I would welcome any suggestions for the other EM rooms or dark room as well.
One major concern I have is with mechanical vibration isolation. We would like to limit a priori the effects of the surrounding labs and services. Any suggestions which would limit the effects of mechanical vibrations at the TEMs, or reduce the level of ambient vibrations, would be particularly helpful.
Richard Fonda
_____________________________________________________________ Richard W. Fonda Naval Research Laboratory (202) 767-2622 Code 6324 (202) 767-2623 fax Washington DC 20375
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The idea to copy a "batch" of zip disks to CD-R is very good. Do beware that some sources cannot feed data fast enough to a CD-R (especially =} 2x) and will cause a "buffer under run" at the CD-R. This will make a frisbe rather than a data disk. A SCSI Zip may be fast enough, but it should not be assumed that it will work (I have not tied). A solution is to assemble the intended DC-R contents on a HDD 650 Meg partition. A fast SCSI HDD is best, but I have had only one buffer under run failure using my P166 with a EIDE/WD3.2 HDD.
Woody White McDermott Technology, Inc. http://www.mtiresearch.com
Home: woody.white-at-worldnet.att.net http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/3722 (Sorry about the $%#* cookies and browser openings that randomally hit - but it is free!)
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One idea is to get both a Zip Drive and a CD read/writer. Store your images on the Zip disks and when you get six to eight filled up, transfer the files to a CD. Then recycle the Zips. The Zip drive is more agile when working with individual files. Writing to the CD is best done in a few (6 to 8 if you are copying from 6 to 8 Zip disks) sessions. Using the Zip disks allows you to make changes before archiving the final file(s). Often a lab or department with several computers used in image handling will have Zip Drives on each computer, and a single CD writer that is external & portable. This arrangement will give you the write/read/change/write again flexibility of the Zips and the efficient & permanence of the CDs. And you won't have to buy truck loads of Zip disks......just a car load of CDs.
Joiner Cartwright, Jr., Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Pathology Baylor College of Medicine Houston, Texas U.S.A.
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I should have mentioned the following in my post yesterday:
When casting Collodine on water it is important that you use a large enough container so that the solution can spread to its full extent and not be limited by 'running into' the sides of the container. When it hits the side(s) of the contianer the film will pileup in that area resulting in an uneven film thickness.
Any circular dish seems to work, but I prefer using 10 -12" pyrex baking dishes purchased from local home stores (i.e. K-mart, Wallmart, etc.). They are very cost effective ($3-9 US), and have nice thick walls which stand up nicely to general lab abuse.
Good casting again!
Richard E. Edelmann, Ph.D. Electron Microscopy Facility Supervisor 352 Pearson Hall Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056 Ph: 513.529.5712 Fax: 513.529.4243 E-mail: edelmare-at-muohio.edu
"CONGRESS.SYS Corrupted: Re-boot Washington D.C. (Y/N)?"
BUEHLER also offers an Image Analysis course two times a year. The first of these has already concluded, but space is available for our summer course. BUEHLER is a manufacturer of Image Analysis Systems, but, although we do use BUEHLER products to conduct the class, this course is not focused on sales. It is a technical description of the methods and mechanisms of Image Analysis for Materials Science.
The following is a description of our class as printed in our course schedule:
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF IMAGE ANALYSIS Instructor: M. Hoffmann Quantitative analysis of specimens is invaluable for the development and maintenance of a quality product. Principles of Image Analysis is an introductory course teaching the basic theory and practice of image analysis. The course provides hands-on experience and will cover many common measurements such as nodularity, area percentage of constituents, coating thickness, and ASTM E112 grain size. No experience in image analysis is required, but an understanding of microstructural evaluation, specimen preparation, and computer literacy is assumed. 2.2 CEUs Jan. 20-22 Irvine, CA Aug. 17-19 Lake Bluff, IL
A wide selection of other materials related courses are available. Please see this list on our Web Site (http://www.buehlerltd.com) or call for a course schedule.
For more details on course availability and prices, please contact Sandy Kaucic at (800)323-9330, Ext. 4679.
Regards, Scott D. Holt BUEHLER, LTD PO Box 1 41 Waukegan Rd. Lake Bluff, IL 60044 USA (847)295-6500, Ext. 4546 http://www.buehlerltd.com
The abstract deadline has been extended to Friday February 13th for the Microscopy and Microanalysis '98 meeting to be held in Atlanta GA from July 12-16th, 1998. Please do not delay. Get your abstracts in as soon as possible. Check out the website at :
for more details on planned symposia as well as abstract submission.
Kathi
Kathleen B. Alexander Metals and Ceramics Division Oak Ridge National Laboratory P.O. Box 2008 MS-6376 Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6376 PH (423) 574-0631 FAX (423) 574-0641
I have a student that is trying to deterimine the grain size of a metal that has twins. He is using the line intercept method and is wondering how he should treat the twin bondaries. It isn't always clear what is a twin and what may be a grain. Does anyone know how to correct for this or how twins are treated in this type of analysis. Thanks.
Roberto Garcia EMF Manager Wright State University
If you become interested in CDs: Rewritable (CD-RW) is the latest form of CD storage. Look for the newer CD-RW drives with "packet writing" capability. You will still need a compatable disk drive and software. For extensive information check out the web sights for some of the 'brand' name CD-RW devices. You can find these names in recent computer products sales flyers etc.
Original message was:
} I know a lot of you are real smart when it comes to computer images } & stuff. I have an optical disc drive on my SEM and would like to go to } something that most people have (we have the only optical disc drive on } campus). Folks here have suggested Zip Drives. Now, I'm an idiot when it } comes to computer stuff, is a Zip drive good enough for storing images and } will people get decent images back when they put them on their lab } computers? } I've heard that Zip drives and the discs are fairly inexpensive, is } that true?
} Thanks in advance for all your fine help.
} } Still preferring to make photographs,
} Paula = )
} Paula Sicurello } UC Berkeley } Electron Microscope Lab } psic-at-uclink4.berkeley.edu
James S. Romanow The University of Connecticut Physiology and Neurobiology Department Electron Microscopy Facility U-131 Storrs, CT 06269 bsgphy3-at-uconnvm.uconn.edu 860 486-2914 voice 860 486-1936 fax
Just to remind those of you still in shock after the SuperBowl, the deadline for applications to the UBC "Live Cell" course is at the end of this month. Enrollment is limited but there is still room.
Basic information about the course is to be found below. Many more details including the complete course brochure, this year's tentative Program Outline, some 3D results from last year's course and AN APPLICATION FORM (!) can be found at:
10-Day Short Course on 3D Microscopy of Living Cells
June 17 - 28, 1998
and
Second, Post-course Workshop on
3D Image Processing June 30 - July 2
in association with the UBC BioSciences Microscopy Facility and the Department of Computer Science
University of British Columbia Vancouver, BC, Canada
Organized by Prof. James Pawley University of Wisconsin-Madison
=46aculty
* Jon Art University of Illinois * Pin Ching Cheng State U. of New York, Buffalo * Rachel Errington University of Nijmegen * Elaine Humphrey University of British Columbia * Jim Pawley University of Wisconsin-Madison * Ernst Stelzer EMBL, Heidelberg * Michael Weis Agriculture Canada * Nick White Oxford University * Dan Focht Bioptechs, PA * Ted Inou=E9 Universal Imaging, PA * Larry Keenan Cell Robotics, NM * Paul Millard Molecular Probes, OR * Sigrid Myrdal Multidimensional Imaging, WA * Paul Negulescu Aurora Biosciences, CA * Hans Van der Voort Scientific Volume Imaging, NL
TUITION
Course tuition is $1,950 US and includes lunches. On receipt of 50% deposit, all students will receive preliminary group assignments and a copy of the textbook, Handbook of Biological Confocal Microscopy, (Plenum, 1995). The tuition fee includes single tickets for the Opening Reception, the Manufacturer's Reception and the Beach Party, the textbook and all handouts. Accommodations and meals other than lunch are not included in the tuition fee.
APPLICATIONS
Applicants will complete a questionnaire to assess knowledge level and field of interest. Enrollment will be limited to about 24 participants. Selection will be made on the basis of background and perceived need. Those without previous LM experience will be provided with basic texts on request to read before the course begins. Application forms can be down-loaded from the WWW site at
Prof. James Pawley, Rm. 1235, 1500 Johnson Dr., Madison, WI, USA 53706. Phone: 1-608-263-3147, Fax 1-608-265-5315, Email: jbpawley-at-facstaff.wisc.edu
Application deadlines:
Application forms must be received by March 1, 1998!
Successful applicants will be notified by April 1, and a deposit of 50% must be received by April 15, 1998 to reserve your position. In general, refunds of the deposit will only be possible if your position can be filled from the Waiting List. The remainder of the fees are due before registration.
DATES:
Applications must be received by Mar. 1/98 deposit due Apr. 15/98 Registration 8:00 - 7:00 pm Wednesday, June 17/98 Last class will end with lunch Sun., June 28/98
*******************************
3D Image Processing Workshop
June 30 - July 2, 1998
The course is designed for biologists who need to make measurements on 3D microscopical data sets and then display the results in an effective manner. The course will be taught in a computer laboratory belonging to the Computer Sciences Department at the University of British Columbia which contains 27 SGI Indy workstaions and much of the other equipment needed for the measurement and display of 3D digital image data. Software from a variety of vendors serving the 3D microscopy market will be described, demonstrated and available for use.
Course Organizers
* Nick White Oxford University * Hans Van der Voort Scientific Volume Imaging, NL
=46aculty * Pin Ching Cheng State U. of New York, Buffalo * Rachel Errington University of Nijmegen * Alain Fournier Computer Science, UBC * Sigrid Myrdal Seattle, WA
Tuition (including lunch) $700 (US)
**************************************** Prof. James B. Pawley, Ph. 608-263-3147 Room 1235, Engineering Research Building, FAX 608-265-5315 1500 Engineering Dr., Madison, WI, 53706 JBPAWLEY-at-FACSTAFF.WISC.EDU "A scientist is not one who can answer questions but one who can question answers." Theodore Schick Jr.,
I have a CCD attatched to the bottom of my Philips EM430 that, over the years, has acquired a bit of dust, lost samples, Be rings, etc... I want to be able to clean the surface off before I start my in-situ work, but am a little tentative about doing this. Is there anything I should / shouldn't do if I want to keep my job, i.e. what are the best ways to destroy a CCD from the inside? What would be the best method of going about this? Should I remove the whole camera or is it best to do this inside the column? Thanks in advance for any help.
Brian Gorman bgorman-at-umr.edu Graduate Research Assistant (573) 341-4405 Electronic Materials Applied Research Center 303 Materials Research Center University of Missouri - Rolla Rolla, MO 65409 http://www.umr.edu/~bgorman
According to my ancient copy of DeHoff and Rhines, "Quantitative Microscopy," grain size is determined per phase. As twins are crystallographic phenomena within the grains of any given phase they should not be counted. You can use a linear intercept method to measure mean twin intercept distance if you like, but don't confuse the twins with the grain boundaries.
This explanation makes intuitive sense as well. Dislocations are a crystallographic phenom within the grains of any given phase but you wouldn't count dislocations along with grain (or twin) boundaries when measuring *grain* size.
The different diffraction contrast shades of black and white, as a function of tilt, for individual grains, the b/w contrast of twins, and the odd dislocation seen in a TEM of a polycrystalline material are the main reason that video based grain size measuring machines *don't* work! (It's been a while since anyone kicked that sleeping dog)
Hello all, An associate is interested in purchasing a basic second hand SEM with EDS for his private consulting (glass technology) company. If you know of available instruments, I welcome you to contact me privately. Dealers welcome. Thank you in advance for the information.
Regards, Mark S. Angelone Penn State University Materials Characterization Lab 814-865-0344 angelone-at-geosc.psu.edu
I need a protocol for the immunogold labelling of Golgi membranes deposited on grids covered with 1% formvar and stained with Uranyl acetate. So far I have tried several conditions by using as primary antibody the monoclonal one directed against the cytoplasmic tail of Giantin: but unsuccesfully !!
Dr. Roberto Weigert Consorzio Mario Negri Sud Department of Cell Biology and Oncology Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory Via Nazionale S.M. Imbaro, 66030 Chieti Italy Phone: 0039-872-570-354 Fax: 0039-872-578-240
If you consider a JAZZ drive it is cheaper to buy a newly introduced Syquest SparQ which has a capacity of Jazz drive at about the price of a Zip drive.
Ann Fook
Ann Fook Yang EM Unit, Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre, Agriculture Agri-Food Canada, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0C6
} } } MIKE ROCK {merock-at-du.edu} 02/04/98 04:55pm } } }
If you are considering ZIP discs / drives (which are great) also consider JAZZ discs / drives, which are essentially the same, but hold much more data, and images take up data storage space. Also you may wish to look into a CD recorder unit, which is also a great way to store digital images. Although no digital image can compare to the resolution of film, not yet anyway. best of luck -Mike
On Tue, 3 Feb 1998, Paula Sicurello wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Listers, } } I know a lot of you are real smart when it comes to computer images } & stuff. I have an optical disc drive on my SEM and would like to go to } something that most people have (we have the only optical disc drive on } campus). Folks here have suggested Zip Drives. Now, I'm an idiot when it } comes to computer stuff, is a Zip drive good enough for storing images and } will people get decent images back when they put them on their lab } computers? } I've heard that Zip drives and the discs are fairly inexpensive, is } that true? } } Thanks in advance for all your fine help. } } } Still preferring to make photographs, } } } Paula = ) } } Paula Sicurello } UC Berkeley } Electron Microscope Lab } psic-at-uclink4.berkeley.edu } } }
Grain size measurement is the subject of two ASTM standards. Standard E 112 describes manual methods, and even has an adjunct comparison chart showing twinned grains. Grain size by image analysis is the subject of ASTM standard E 1382. The latest version was written in 1997, and both standards can be found in ASTM Annual Book of Standards, Vol. 03.01. Some version of the Book of Standards can usually be found in the library. In E 1382, Section 6.3 discusses twin boundaries, and as Ron Anderson said, they should be ignored. A thorough discussion of this topic can be found in an article by George Vander Voort (1984), in which he states, "When measuring the grain size of austenitic metals, annealing twins are ignored." If one is using a completely automatic method, it is necessary to use software to remove the twins. E 1382 calls it "image amendment techniques." An article on one such an approach is in ASTM STP 1165.
G. F. Vander Voort, "Grain Size Measurement," Practical Applications of Quantitative Metallography, ASTM STP 839, McCall and Steel, eds., ASTM, Philadelphia, 1984, 85-131.
J. J. Friel and E. B. Prestridge, "Artificial Intelligence for Twin Identification," Metallography: Past, Present, and Future, ASTM STP 1165, G. F. Vander Voort, et al eds., ASTM, Philadelphia, 1993, 243-253.
At 10:03 AM 2/5/98 -0400, Kathi Alexander wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Dear Kathi,
It was my understanding that the MSA dates had been changed to the week of July 26. Please clarify!
Barbara Foster Microscopy/Marketing & Education 125 Paridon Street, Suite B Springfield, MA 01118 PH: (413)746-6931 FX: (413)746-9311 email: mme-at-map.com
REDUCED FEE REGISTRATION DEADLINE January 31, 1998 Workshop on Tripod Polishing
Workshop Objective This course will cover all aspects of pre-thinning and focus on final thinning for TEM via Tripod Polishing. Due to the limited class size an= d the extensive hands-on opportuinities, this course is well suited to novices as well as advanced Tripodders. Attendees will also learn the latest techniques available in ion milling and in plasma cleaning for TEM=
samples. The course will include sections on:
How to do it and why should I? What's really going on and what am I really seeing? How to prepare small, specific area cross-sections. The problem of wildly differing materials (eg tungsten). Rapid preparation of TEM cross-sections. Preparation of a wide range of materials: semiconductors, ceramics, metals,...
Hands-on Opportunity This course will be unique in that it will provide a hands-on opportunity=
for every class participant. Tripod Polishers, Polishing Wheels, and pre-thinning equipment will be made available to all participants and actual samples will be prepared - by the students - as part of the course= =2E =
This is a great opportunity to get your hands dirty and actually learn by=
doing. The instructors will walk you through each step of the process an= d then let you loose on the equipment. This course is designed to teach th= e Tripod Polishing technique. Silicon samples will be provided to the students and used as the basis for the course teaching.
Workshop Location and Dates South Bay Technology - San Clemente, CA Dates: Friday & Saturday - March 13 & 14
Previous Participants (partial list) INTEL, AMD, Motorola, LSI Logic, Conner Peripherals, Univ of Maryland, Un= iv of New Mexico, UNAM (Mexico), LG Electronics (Korea), Battelle, MEMC, MVA=
Inc., Univ of Michigan, U.S. Bureau of Mines, IBM, Naval Research Lab, Purdue Univ, Univ of Alabama, Univ of Arizona, Univ of Colorado, Univ of Wisconsin.
Class Size Due to the intensive hands-on aspects of this course, class size will be strictly limited to 10 participants.
Registration Fee: $795 (includes lunches and Friday night Dinner) $695 if registration fee paid by January 31, 1998=
Registration Deadline: 30 days prior to workshop
For additional Information: Monica Pflaster South Bay Technology, Inc. 1120 Via Callejon San Clemente, CA 92673 TEL: 800-728-2233 FAX: 714-492-1499 e-mail: sbt-at-southbaytech.com
ON-LINE Registration available at: http://www.southbaytech.com
Registration Form
To register for the workshop, please fill out this form and send it, with=
registration fee to:
South Bay Technology, Inc. =
Workshop on Tripod Polishing 1120 Via Callejon San Clemente, CA 92673 USA
Payment must be made in the form of a check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. Checks must be drawn on a U.S. Bank and made payable to Sout= h Bay Technology, Inc. Credit card orders by FAX may be sent to South Bay Technology at 714-492-1499. Please do not send credit card information v= ia e-mail.
Name: = =
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Affiliation: = =
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Address: = =
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City: State: = =
Zip: Country:_________ Telephone: FAX: = =
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} } I know a lot of you are real smart when it comes to computer images } } & stuff. I have an optical disc drive on my SEM and would like to go to } } something that most people have (we have the only optical disc drive on } } campus). Folks here have suggested Zip Drives. Now, I'm an idiot when it } } comes to computer stuff, is a Zip drive good enough for storing images and } } will people get decent images back when they put them on their lab } } computers? } } I've heard that Zip drives and the discs are fairly inexpensive, is } } that true? } } } Thanks in advance for all your fine help. } } } } } Still preferring to make photographs, } } } } Paula = ) } } } Paula Sicurello } } UC Berkeley } } Electron Microscope Lab } } psic-at-uclink4.berkeley.edu } Sorry I am a bit slow to respond to this one, but it is of particular interest to me.
I just got back from visiting a friend on the west coast that deals with commercial imaging, and I have some insightes you may all be interested in. If these things have been said already I apologize in advance.
In Regaurds to storage of images:
There are two (and many more) important things to consider, storage space and access.
CD-Rom Pro's
A CD-ROM offers alot of storage space (up to 640 MB). Most PC's and Mac's these days have a CD rom reading device (or one can be cheaply added). Cd-ROMs are not mag-media and thus are safer in magnetic fields. The life time of a CD ROM is ~50 years in atmosphere and estimated over 100 in an inert atmosphere (vacuums are actually bad for CD-R's, they can cause "crazing" (sp?) of the read surface). Blank CD's are down to about $2 now.
CD-R con's
A single write CD-R presents the problem that, unless one has a large number of images, alot of the CD is wasted in writing. Further, Single write CD's do not alow a user to modify a file after it is written to the CD. Packet writing can help. It allows the user to sequencially write packets to the CD. The problems faced here are:
The computer used to read the packeted cd must have software that allows it to do so....UNFORTUNATLY, companies that put out CD-R writers have not come up with a standard - This is a major "CON"
Multiple write CD-R's are better. They allow a limited number of rewrites to the CD. This allows for some modification of a CD. There are still compatability issues with these CD devices as well as a question about CD-R life time.
One major CON to cd-r's is the cost of a writing drive. They start at ~$300 and go as high as ~$1000.
ZIP DRive Pro's
Welcome to the floppy of the future!! A ZIP disks holds about 100 MB and has a life time of 5-10 years (estimated). I currently purchase them for $12 each (I have seen them as high as $20). Zips are fully rewritable (they are basically just like floppies). Many new computers come with ZIP drives, new ones can be added for $100-300 (depending on the configuration of your computer system). My friend's imaging company no longer even uses the old 3.5" floppies..."They are usless," in his words. ZIP drives are portable. At the Institute I work at we have 3 ZIP drives that can be checked out and put on nearly any of our computers. We don't need a zip for each one, just a port (though I would very much like my own). ZIP disks have far fewer compatibility issues than CD-Rs. To deal with compatability here, all of our ZIP's are PC formatted. This is because our Macs can all read PC disk (as well as our Pc's) but not vice versa.
ZIP Drive CON's
Zip dizks are magnetic media and are thus damaged by X-rays and EM fields. They have shorter lifspans than CD-R's. ZIP disks hold 1/6 what a CD-R holds. They cost more than a CD-R.
Advice from an Imaging Company:
My Friend's Company (and I am triing to move in this direction myself) does the following, ZIP disks are used for file transfer (the images they deal with are huge and keeping them on disk is easier than tranferring them over the network). ZIPs are NOT used for archiving, only as working copies. Then when a project is finished, it is burned onto a CD-R. To avoid compatibility problems they have devised an archiving system.
There's my 2cents...for what they are worth.
Image analysis and transfer on ZIP Long term storage on CD-R
Christopher (P.S. Forgive the grammer and spelling errors....I'm in a hurry)
I wholly agree with Ron Anderson. I have only seen reliable automatic identification of twins in cases where the grain size is large relative to the distance between grain boundaries. Using manual counting techniques allows one to evaluate whether a particular boundary is a grain or twin boundary. Unfortunately, that distinction can also be difficult. A couple distinguishing features of twins:
1) twins tend to be linear or have linear segments corresponding to the coherent twin boundary orientation 2) the low interfacial energy of twins does not cause a large deflection in the intersected grain boundary, which is typically caused when a grain boundary (usually high energy) intersects another grain boundary.
If the equipment is available, I believe that grain sizes can also be determined while excluding twins with EBSP in an SEM to map the grain orientations across a region.
Good luck, Richard Fonda
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_____________________________________________________________ Richard W. Fonda Naval Research Laboratory (202) 767-2622 Code 6324 (202) 767-2623 fax Washington DC 20375 _____________________________________________________________
Wouldn't it be easier for everyone to read if messages announcing workshops, conferences, meetings, etc., contained a reference to place (country, state) in a subject line?
--------------------------------------------------------------- --------- The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America $695 if registration fee paid by January 31, 1998 Registration Deadline: 30 days prior to workshop For additional Information: Monica Pflaster South Bay Technology, Inc. 1120 Via Callejon San Clemente, CA 92673 TEL: 800-728-2233 FAX: 714-492-1499 e-mail: sbt-at-southbaytech.com ON-LINE Registration available at: http://www.southbaytech.com Registration Form To register for the workshop, please fill out this form and send it, with registration fee to: South Bay Technology, Inc. Workshop on Tripod Polishing 1120 Via Callejon San Clemente, CA 92673 USA Payment must be made in the form of a check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. Checks must be drawn on a U.S. Bank and made payable to South Bay Technology, Inc. Credit card orders by FAX may be sent to South Bay Technology at 714-492-1499. Please do not send credit card information via e-mail. Name:
VISA MasterCard Card #_________________________________ Expiration Date________ Signature of Cardholder_________________________ Cardholder name (Please print):________________________________________
by caesar.wits.ac.za (8.8.7/8.8.5) with ESMTP id IAA05339 for {MICROSCOPY-at-MSA.MICROSCOPY.COM} ; Fri, 6 Feb 1998 08:00:29 +0200 (GMT) Received: from GECKO/SpoolDir by gecko.biol.wits.ac.za (Mercury 1.21); 6 Feb 98 07:59:01 GM+2 Received: from SpoolDir by GECKO (Mercury 1.21); 6 Feb 98 07:58:33 GM+2
I am analysing bulk alloys of high atomic number elements eg. Re, Ir (Z=75, 77) in a light element matrix eg Al (Z=13) at 20 kV with an EDS system in an SEM using ZAF corrections and pure element standards. Typically, the high Z elements have L alpha peaks at around 9kV, M alpha peak at around 2kV. The high Z content ranges from 0.1 to 50 at%.
As I understand it, correction factors for L lines are better than for M lines. However, the M peak is much higher than the L peak at 20kV, so statistics are better. At the low concentrations of high Z element, I only see an M peak, not L peak. There is about up to 2 at% difference analysing using both peaks over the alloy composition ranges and such a difference is a problem for our work. Unfortunately I do not have any alloy standard to check results against! So which peak to use? Yes, someone analysed on a microprobe (using WDS) utilising same area on a sample and same standards and got a third answer which gave no direction to my question!
Any advise would be gratefully received. Thanks in advance. Mike
Michael J Witcomb PhD Electron Microscope Unit University of the Witwatersrand Private Bag 3 WITS 2050 South Africa
I suppose that would make it easier for people to delete messages in whic= h they have no interest. I apologize for any inconvenience. I never real= ly thought about there being geographical boundaries for the workshop as we have had people attend the workshop from throughout the USA, Asia, Europe= , Africa etc. =
I do appreciate your comments and will try to be more considerate in the future.
} } } } } Please visit us at http://www.southbaytech.com { { { { {
Manufacturers of precision sample preparation equipment and supplies for metallography, crystallography and electron microscopy.
Message text written by INTERNET:ATitkov-at-micl.com.au }
Wouldn't it be easier for everyone to read if messages announcing workshops, conferences, meetings, etc., contained a reference to place (country, state) in a subject line?
} } I have a CCD attatched to the bottom of my Philips EM430 that, over the } years, has acquired a bit of dust, lost samples, Be rings, etc... I want } to be able to clean the surface off before I start my in-situ work, but am } a little tentative about doing this. Is there anything I should / } shouldn't do if I want to keep my job, i.e. what are the best ways to } destroy a CCD from the inside? What would be the best method of going } about this? Should I remove the whole camera or is it best to do this } inside the column? Thanks in advance for any help. }
I've heard You shouldn't use a "Dust Off" or similar because such a strong stream of air could damage the scintillator. I've seen an expert use a little pump that looks and functions very much like a syringe, but I guess a clean plastic syringe with a biggish hole should do (without needle). In any case use it gently. (Never touch the scintillator with anything hard or with Your fingers).
You might also have oil dropletts on the scintillator. You can use certain solvents and materials to wipe the surface, but You should definitely ask the manufacturer about that.
-- Philip Koeck Karolinska Institutet Dept. of Bioscience Novum S-14157 Huddinge Sweden Tel.: +46-8-608 91 86 Fax.: +46-8-608 92 90 Email: Philip.Koeck-at-csb.ki.se http://www_scem.csb.ki.se/pages/philip.html
From recent experience, I advise that anyone buying a new CD-RW system consider the following:
You should be aware that CD-RWs have low reflectance compared to CD-R media. The consequence of this is that CD-RWs CANNOT be read using many 'older' CD-ROM drives which will happily read CD-Rs. If you are using the media for archiving, then CD-Rs are safer anyway (also cheaper).
"Packet writing" is another good way or writing discs that others may not be able to read! I know this may sound a bit quaint to some, but we are still using Windows 3.11 and any disc written with packets is unusable in this environment. It's fine for a Windows95 or NT world but if your data is to be really portable, avoid packets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Simon Dumbill, AEA Technology plc, 220, Harwell Didcot Oxfordshire OX11 0AB UK
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If you become interested in CDs: Rewritable (CD-RW) is the latest form of CD storage. Look for the newer CD-RW drives with "packet writing" capability. You will still need a compatable disk drive and software. For extensive information check out the web sights for some of the 'brand' name CD-RW devices. You can find these names in recent computer products sales flyers etc.
Original message was:
} I know a lot of you are real smart when it comes to computer images } & stuff. I have an optical disc drive on my SEM and would like to go to } something that most people have (we have the only optical disc drive on } campus). Folks here have suggested Zip Drives. Now, I'm an idiot when it } comes to computer stuff, is a Zip drive good enough for storing images and } will people get decent images back when they put them on their lab } computers? } I've heard that Zip drives and the discs are fairly inexpensive, is } that true?
} Thanks in advance for all your fine help.
} } Still preferring to make photographs,
} Paula = )
} Paula Sicurello } UC Berkeley } Electron Microscope Lab } psic-at-uclink4.berkeley.edu
James S. Romanow The University of Connecticut Physiology and Neurobiology Department Electron Microscopy Facility U-131 Storrs, CT 06269 bsgphy3-at-uconnvm.uconn.edu 860 486-2914 voice 860 486-1936 fax
Fri, 6 Feb 1998 14:09:49 +0000 Received: from localhost (rdoole-at-localhost) by ermine.ox.ac.uk (1.1/8.8.3) with SMTP id OAA29239 for {Microscopy-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com} ; Fri, 6 Feb 1998 14:09:42 GMT
Hi,
Are there any users out there with experience using the Gatan GIF with a 2Kx2K MSC camera? If so please contact me (off list) as we are interested in finding out practical information about its use, data handling etc.
Thanks, Ron
========================================================================== = Mr. Ron Doole e-mail ron.doole-at-materials.ox.ac.uk Department of Materials, phone +44 (0) 1865 273701 University of Oxford, fax +44 (0) 1865 283333 Parks Road. Oxford. OX1 3PH. UK. ========================================================================== ==
I seem to recall a company named "Discryptic Designs" located in Seattle, WA that was marketing two products called "Pattern Isolator" which is a simple pc based FFT plug-in for Adobe Photoshop. The company also had another plug-in product called "Color Isolator".
I no longer have an address for Discriptic Designs but perhaps the phone company can provide a number where you can contact them to obtain further information.
Dan Purdy Ottawa, Canada tel: (613) 741-8939 fax: (613) 741-0511
At 05:00 PM 2/3/98 -0500, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------} Qu estion: } } Is there software available, (freeware or...) that would allow us to } perform the "FFT" on the "PC" that we are using to digitize the HRTEM? } } Thanks in advance } } Fred Pearson } Electron Optics Coordinator } } ******************************************************** } Fred Pearson } Brockhouse Institute for Materials Research } McMaster University } 1280 Main St. West } Hamilton, Ontario } Canada L8S 4M1 } } ********************************************************
Zip Drives/Discs win in the temporary storage category.
CD-ROM(the writeable CD's) win in the archiving category. Someone said make sure and use the gold CD's.
Honorable mention: SyQuest SparQ (capacity of a Jazz, price of a Zip)
Dis-honorable mention: Jazz Drives (apparently have a lot of problems)
Sad, but true addendum- After all this great advice from you guys, it turns out my imaging computer is too old & slow to even work a Zip drive. I was going to Zip for temporary storage, and optical for archiving. And, as always, there's no money to upgrade. SIGH!
Paula Sicurello UC Berkeley Electron Microscope Lab psic-at-uclink4.berkeley.edu
Dear colleagues! I need analytical formula (or formulas) for dependense intensity of unelastic scattered electrons from propagation vector (wave angle). It must take into account temperature factor (Debye-Waller), plasmon scattering etc. My case is 300-600 A (angstrom) amorphous films. Thank you very much for attention to my question. With best wishes to all Alexsandr Domantovski RRC "Kurchatov Institute" Moscow, Russia.
by dogwood.botany.uga.edu (8.8.8/8.8.8) with SMTP id OAA16707 for {Microscopy-at-Sparc5.Microscopy.com} ; Fri, 6 Feb 1998 14:51:02 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: {199802061951.OAA16707-at-dogwood.botany.uga.edu} Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Brian,
We had a CCD camera set up like you described and when it needed cleaning the Gatan man did the job. He removed the camera and gently flowed acetone (or some solvent) over the scintillator to rinse the oil, dust, whatever, off. It worked. I wasn't brave enough to do the cleaning (a CCD is a mega expensive item if ya mess up). I recommend that you contact the manufacturer and get their advice. good luck, beth
} Brian Gorman wrote: } } } } } I have a CCD attatched to the bottom of my Philips EM430 that, over the } } years, has acquired a bit of dust, lost samples, Be rings, etc... I want } } to be able to clean the surface off before I start my in-situ work, but am } } a little tentative about doing this. Is there anything I should / } } shouldn't do if I want to keep my job, i.e. what are the best ways to } } destroy a CCD from the inside? What would be the best method of going } } about this? Should I remove the whole camera or is it best to do this } } inside the column? Thanks in advance for any help.
************************************** Beth Richardson EM Lab Coordinator Botany Department University of Georgia Athens, GA 30602
Mike Rock's suggestion to suspend an instrument from the cieling using springs is indeed a feasible approach. I visited a laboratory in China this summer where the vibration problems in an old building were handled in exactly that way. Their instruments were all sitting on platforms which were suspended from the ceiling by groups of eight or ten springs (each spring about one inch in diameter and 5 feet long) attached at the corners, and at other strategic locations around the platforms as needed to compnesate for the weight distribution, and anchored in the ceiling. Small adjustments needed to keep the platforms level were achieved by varying the number of springs in the groups, and by varying the tension on some of the individual springs by means of turnbuckles. I may have a picture of the setup, if anyone is seriously interested.
Wilbur C. Bigelow, Prof. Emeritus Materials Sci. & Engr., University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2136 e-mail: bigelow-at-umich.edu; Fx:734-763-4788; Ph:734-764-3321
It would seem to me that the best way to avoid the possibility of having an instrument lab flooded would be to have an ample drain in the floor of each lab room. If you don't trust the local sewer or drain system, then a sump pump could also be installed. A word of caution, be sure that the cement-workers who do the floors are sober during the process; otherwise, you're likely to end up with the situation I have in the basement of my house - there's a lovely drain, but the floor around it has the contour of a volcano, and so water can't spontaneously reach the drain.
Wilbur C. Bigelow, Prof. Emeritus Materials Sci. & Engr., University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2136 e-mail: bigelow-at-umich.edu; Fx:734-763-4788; Ph:734-764-3321
I need analytical formula (or formulas) for dependense intensity of unelastic scattered electrons from propagation vector (wave angle). It must take into account temperature factor (Debye-Waller), plasmon scattering etc. My case is 300-600 A (angstrom) amorphous films. Thank you very much for attention to my question. With best wishes to all Alexsandr Domantovski RRC "Kurchatov Institute" Moscow, Russia. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lenz (Z Naturforsch. 91, 1954, 185-204) provided an atomic formula for the inelastic angular distribution which seems to work quite well for amorphous films. It does not include phonon scattering. An angle-integrated version of this formula is given in Egerton, "EELS in the Electron Microscope", 2nd edition (Plenum, 1996), and also a computer program which includes plural scattering.
Ray Egerton, Physics Dept, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada T6G 2J1 Phone: 403-492-5095, FAX: 403-492-0714, e-mail: egerton-at-phys.ualberta.ca ------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would think that whether or not you count twin boundaries in image inalysis procedures would depend somewhat on just what it is you are making the measurements for. If you are primarily concerned with determining kthe phase composition of the material, then I would agree that twins should be ignored; however, if you are trying to correlate your measurements with hardness or strength, then It would seem to me that they should be counted, because they would tend to impede dislocation movement and hence have a strengthening effect. And, Ron is right, trying to do such measurements with a computerized program can be frustrating, largely because it is extremely difficult to get uniform etching. Grain boundaries tend to end up being discontinously etched, and while the eye can make allowance for this, computers have a difficult time doing so.
Wilbur C. Bigelow, Prof. Emeritus Materials Sci. & Engr., University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2136 e-mail: bigelow-at-umich.edu; Fx:734-763-4788; Ph:734-764-3321
Does anyone have a great protocol for showing dynein arms in axonemes? Even when the orientation is right, the dynein doesn't seem to show up as well as we would like.
Thanks
Dr. Marie E. Cantino Dept. of Physiology and Neurobiology, U-131 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 06269 Ph: 860-486-3588 Fax: 860-486-1936
First, I am assuming the CCD you refer to is likely a GATAN camera. If so, I offer this advice(and it comes with the many voices of experience): Unless the objectives "fall: off the scintillating surface via either CAREFULLY turning the camera on it's side to pour out the trash, OR by CAREFULLY "encouraging" the trash out by applying a slight metered air stream (e.g. try a spray/vacuum bulb such as used on new born babies to relieve nasal blockage) after laying the camera on its side. Once off the surface of the polished scintillator and on the side wall, CAREFULLY using a long-stick swab can remove the trash the rest of the way.
I stressed the word "CAREFULLY" because you don't want to rub the shiny scintillator surface. It scratches as easy as the phosphor on a viewing screen. If the above does not work, send the camera back to GATAN for a scintillator recoating. The cost is about $400 or so and their turn around time is very good. Good luck!
CLay Jordan Customer Service Engineer FEI/Philips Electron Optics
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Hi everybody!
I have a CCD attatched to the bottom of my Philips EM430 that, over the years, has acquired a bit of dust, lost samples, Be rings, etc... I want to be able to clean the surface off before I start my in-situ work, but am a little tentative about doing this. Is there anything I should / shouldn't do if I want to keep my job, i.e. what are the best ways to destroy a CCD from the inside? What would be the best method of going about this? Should I remove the whole camera or is it best to do this inside the column? Thanks in advance for any help.
Brian Gorman bgorman-at-umr.edu Graduate Research Assistant (573) 341-4405 Electronic Materials Applied Research Center 303 Materials Research Center University of Missouri - Rolla Rolla, MO 65409 http://www.umr.edu/~bgorman
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I'm trying to revive an old (mid 50's I'm told) Zeiss UltraPhot2 and am running into the obvious lack-of-parts-problem. I've contacted Zeiss with minimal luck - a few photocopies of old docs and that's it.
Any ideas or leads to parts?
I'm told that the old Universals shared some parts with the UltraPhots.
This is for personal use so there's limited budget (of course!).
I've been following the discussion on various media for archiving and thought I might add another thought. Iomega ZIP drives are gaining a reputation (deserved or not) for a fault that's become known as the "Click of Death". Soon after I read about this, my own 100mb drive (factory installed by Dell) began exhibiting some of the symptoms: repeated rhythmic clicking when trying to access the disk, computer system lock-up for extended periods when trying to use the drive, messages on-screen that the disk is "write-protected" or full, when no write-protection is in force, inability to write to or read from the disk, and general weirdness (drive designations changing from one startup to another, for one thing).
Iomega has admitted this fault, but denies that it's common. Check their info at www.iomega.com. For another perspective, check the site at http://www.thirdeyesp.com/jatin/iomega/#lmformation.
Caution with valuable data is definitely in order. I can no longer reliably access my own ZIP drive.
For what it's worth.
Randy
Randy Tindall 2017 Princess Jeanne Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001-4157
} A word of caution, be sure that the } cement-workers who do the floors are sober during the process; otherwise, } you're likely to end up with the situation I have in the basement of my } house - there's a lovely drain, but the floor around it has the contour of } a volcano, and so water can't spontaneously reach the drain.
This volcano floor syndrome is not unusual. Rather than lack of sobriety, it is more likely due the difference in density of the floor drain plumbing and the poured concrete. The concrete being much heavier than water will float up the drain (and adjacent cement) unless the drain/plumbing are anchored in place somehow (from below or above).
Bill
} {)))'} {'(((} { Bill Trevarrow, PhD. Zebrafish Facility Director Institute of Neuroscience University of Oregon 1254 Eugene, OR 97403-1254 } {)))'} {'(((} { Off.Tel: (541) 346-4598 Fac. Tel: (541) 346-4512 Fax: (541) 346-4548 e-mail: trevarro-at-uoneuro.uoregon.edu } {)))'} {'(((} {
} I'm trying to revive an old (mid 50's I'm told) Zeiss UltraPhot2 and am } running into the obvious lack-of-parts-problem. } I've contacted Zeiss with minimal luck - a few photocopies of old docs } and that's it. } } Any ideas or leads to parts?
---------- } From: Lincoln, Ian {IAN.LINCOLN-at-kla-tencor.com} } To: 'MSA List' {Microscopy-at-Sparc5.Microscopy.Com} } Subject: LM - Reviving old Zeiss UltraPhot2 } Date: Friday, February 06, 1998 8:16 PM } } Hello all, } } I'm trying to revive an old (mid 50's I'm told) Zeiss UltraPhot2 and am } running into the obvious lack-of-parts-problem. } I've contacted Zeiss with minimal luck - a few photocopies of old docs } and that's it. } } Any ideas or leads to parts? } } I'm told that the old Universals shared some parts with the UltraPhots. } } This is for personal use so there's limited budget (of course!). } } Thanks sincerely for all replies in advance, } } Ian Lincoln } We still carry parts for the older Zeiss equipment. Please contact us at sylviapns-at-worldnet.att.net or call P & S Products at 732-671-5759. Pete Dondl
I adress everybody, who has experience with an XL30 ESEM FEG. I am interested in any kind of user feedback on this instrument, positive or negative. I would be very happy to get information about weak points and shortcomings of that machine in the daily work.
I typically use my Ultracut E microtome with a diamond knife. However, I now have an application that will require me to use glass knives.
I have realized that I do not know how to adjust the height of a glass knife in the knife holder. I am aware of the gauge on the left-hand side, but how does one adjust knife height. The owner's manual merely says that "the height of the cutting edge has to be aligned with the top of the height gauge before fixing the knife with clamping screw".
It would seem to me that merely raising the knife above the surface of the wedge insert would create a less stable knife.
Thank you.
Don ______________________________________________________________________ Donald L. Lovett e-mail: lovett-at-tcnj.edu Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Biology voice: (609) 771-2876 P.O. Box 7718 fax: (609) 637-5118 The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ 08628-0718
Just to be fair, here is the other side of the story:
update on clicking death Feb 5 98
"Click of death" a matter of math By Paul Festa February 5, 1998, 1:15 p.m. PT news analysis
Problems with Iomega's storage products are emblematic of this category of inexpensive, portable products, according to analysts.
Complaints about both the 100MB Zip drive and the 1GB Jaz drive have spawned Web sites and bulletin boards devoted to anti-Iomega griping. These include the Click Death Home Page, special areas in online publications such as MacInTouch, and voluminous postings in newsgroups including "alt.iomega.zip.jazz" and "comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.misc."
But analysts say that the ire directed against Iomega is merely the product of the company's enormous success in selling millions of drives, and also a function of the product's inexpensive construction.
"When you've sold 12 million drives, even a 1 percent failure rate is going to mean a lot of complaints," said International Data Corporation analyst Bob Amatruda. "Ship 12 million and you're a victim of your own success."
Iomega announced last quarter that it had shipped more than 12 million Zip drives since it launched the product in March 1995. Company spokesperson Tyler Thatcher today said that the company sells about 1 million Zip drives every month, so the 12 million figure is already out of date.
Iomega refused to disclose its rate of failure or product return, referring only to the statement it made last week that pegged its customer complaints at below industry norms.
Amatruda said one basic problem with removeable storage was that it was removeable. "People think nothing of sticking them into your shirt pocket or throwing them in the car," he said. "There's a certain level of environmental risk, by the sheer fact of its being removeable."
Disk Trend analyst Jim Porter said the removeable storage technology used by Iomega and its competitors was particularly susceptible to dust contamination because of the microscopic distance between the tape and the drive head.
"The distance from the surface to the disk head is between two and four millionths of an inch," he said. "That's a lot less than any microscopic dust particle. Anything could cause a problem."
Porter stressed that not only were Iomega's products within industry norms for failure, but that the risk for failure was statistically insignificant.
"The risk with removeable media is higher, but it's not even approaching the level that the average user needs to be worried about it," he said. "When you drive the car out of the garage, statistically you're not going to get killed going down the block. But you might."
*****
And here are more details directly from Iomega (issued a couple of days ago):
Iomega today issued a statement saying that "of the more than 12 million Zip drives shipped, Iomega is aware of a small percentage of customer complaints, a number lower than industry norms."
Iomega did not acknowledge the "click of death" problem. The company's Web site, however, has a page that describes it.
Iomega later amended its statement to acknowledge the problem.
"A number of Iomega's customers call from time to time describing a 'clicking' sound emanating from their Zip drive, which can be a symptom of a variety of problems in Zip drives, as well as in other kinds of drive products in general," the statement read. "Iomega continually works with its customers to resolve the particular problems they are experiencing. Iomega also continually evaluates its own product testing data to ensure the highest quality standards."
A source who identified himself as a former Iomega technician said the problem was well-known within the company when he started working there more than two years ago. He said the problem was not common, but noted that it accounted for about half of the malfunctioning drives on which he worked.
The source said the clicking sound is caused by the read/write head bumping against its movement stops--bumpers that keep the head within its intended range--while searching for and not finding track 0 on the Zip disk. When the "click of death" problem happens, the read/write head fails to find that track, which contains vital directory information, because the head has become misaligned.
The cause for that misalignment?
"The drive and disk are not extremely sturdy," the source said. "They're not flimsy, but people like to carry them around, and depending on how your car rides, after six to eight months, you might get the problem."
The source also said that dropping the drive, exposing it to the electromagnetism of a computer monitor, and other external factors could cause the misalignment. He noted that internal drives were less susceptible to the problem, and stressed that, apart from the sturdiness of the casing, the products themselves were not defective.
"I don't think the drives are faulty in any way," he said, noting that he had just authorized the purchase of 50 Zip drives for the company where he is currently employed.
The source said he also had encountered a related problem reported in newsgroups: a domino effect in which misaligned heads damage disks, which in turn misalign heads of other drives, which then damage more disks.
"It's fairly rare," he said. "But it does happen." ********
We have more than 20 Zips in my group, which have been in use for more than 2 years, and as far as I am aware, we have had no failures. I wonder if the drives died quietly, like many of the hard drives or floppy drives we have had fail in the same period of time, would this be a big issue? :-)
Larry
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Dr. Lawrence F. Allard Senior Research Staff Member High Temperature Materials Laboratory Oak Ridge National Laboratory 1 Bethel Valley Road Bldg. 4515, MS 6064 PO Box 2008 Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6064
Dr. Allard's response to my recent posting about ZIP drives gives a valuable perspective on this problem, if indeed it is a problem at all.
To clarify a couple of points, the drive on my computer is internal, factory-installed in a mini-tower and located about four feet away from the monitor. It has seen very little use in the three months I've owned this system and has never been subjected to shock. On the other hand, the disk which was in use when the problems originally showed up had been, I discovered, carried in a briefcase without its own protective case, on at least one occasion. Now the drive acts up with any disk. This may be relevant to Dr. Allard's information.
I have also read Iomega's web page and other material, and I found a couple things a little odd. The repeated statement or implication that the drives are "not extremely sturdy" juxtaposes strangely with the statement that "I don't think the drives are faulty in any way". If they are indeed so delicate and prone to dust contamination, I can only repeat that trusting valuable or irreplaceable data to them should be a matter for caution and backups. (Of course, backups should always be made regardless of the medium used.) Apparently the days of rugged 3 1/2" and 5 1/4" (remember them?) drives and disks are past. Mine still function flawlessly from a decade ago, but....
I agree with Dr. Allard that many users of these drives have had ZERO problems with them. Check out the options and buy what suits your needs, but be aware of what others have experienced, good and bad.
All the best,
Randy
Randy Tindall 2017 Princess Jeanne Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001-4157
In the accessories-box of your Ultracut E there should be (or have been when it was new) a small metal plate that fits in the knifeholder's botto= m and acts as a raiser, so that you can use standard glass knives. If this plate has been lost, you might take one from another ultramicrotome, measure its thickness and make (or have one made) that fi= ts your particular knife holder. On the other hand, there is of course the option to get one from Leica.
Second, I too was a bit surprised at the implications that Zips should be handled a bit gently. In my experience, I have chucked drives into suitcases or shipping boxes or briefcases etc and carted them all over the world (well, at least once to Japan), and I routinely carry a half dozen disks, unprotected by their jewel cases, in my computer briefcase. I have never had a problem with drives or disks. In fact, on one occasion shortly after I got my first external Zip drive a couple of years ago (still in use in my home office), I was transferring data when my son knocked the drive off the top of my stack of peripherals and I found it hanging by the cable, still merrily dumping data without a hitch. So my impression has been from the beginning that the drives and disks are basically bulletproof. But now I may just be a bit less cavalier in handling the disks, given that they contain a lot of data, and are certainly susceptible to dust contamination, as are any similar floppy-type devices. (It would be nice to have some plastic envelopes for the disks, rather than those bulky jewel cases, don't you think?)
But I still think that Zips are the best thing going for the purposes they satisfy, and I am not planning to discard all of the drives and disks we presently use at my lab if I ever have one fail on me... I'm sure our users would revolt, since they universally depend heavily on Zips to take their images home with them.
Just MHO.
Larry PS you can always try the famous "throw test"...take a Zip disk and sail it down the hallway 40-50 feet, then stick it in your drive and see if it works. I'll bet it does, and I also bet you won't be as lucky with any other type of high density removable storage...
PPS As is well-known, I have held shares in Iomega for several years, as well as in several other drive manufacturers. But all of the above details are true anyway.... :-).
} Dr. Allard's response to my recent posting about ZIP drives gives a valuable } perspective on this problem, if indeed it is a problem at all. } } To clarify a couple of points, the drive on my computer is internal, } factory-installed in a mini-tower and located about four feet away from the } monitor. It has seen very little use in the three months I've owned this } system and has never been subjected to shock. On the other hand, the disk } which was in use when the problems originally showed up had been, I } discovered, carried in a briefcase without its own protective case, on at } least one occasion. Now the drive acts up with any disk. This may be } relevant to Dr. Allard's information. } } I have also read Iomega's web page and other material, and I found a couple } things a little odd. The repeated statement or implication that the drives } are "not extremely sturdy" juxtaposes strangely with the statement that "I } don't think the drives are faulty in any way". If they are indeed so } delicate and prone to dust contamination, I can only repeat that trusting } valuable or irreplaceable data to them should be a matter for caution and } backups. (Of course, backups should always be made regardless of the medium } used.) Apparently the days of rugged 3 1/2" and 5 1/4" (remember them?) } drives and disks are past. Mine still function flawlessly from a decade } ago, but.... } } I agree with Dr. Allard that many users of these drives have had ZERO } problems with them. Check out the options and buy what suits your needs, } but be aware of what others have experienced, good and bad. } } All the best, } } Randy } } } Randy Tindall } 2017 Princess Jeanne } Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001-4157 } } rtindell-at-nmsu.edu (work) } nrtindall-at-zianet.com (home)
Dr. Lawrence F. Allard Senior Research Staff Member High Temperature Materials Laboratory Oak Ridge National Laboratory 1 Bethel Valley Road Bldg. 4515, MS 6064 PO Box 2008 Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6064
It is interesting to hear about sudden "out of the sky" problems with ZIP removables. You may want to check my odyssey notes of the SyQuest drives below, to rule out similarities to your ZIP situation.
As I had heaps of trouble with SyQuest 44 MB Drives, which were quite occasional in nature, but devastating in effect, I chased down some common denominators for SyQuest related problems.
I did not find any SyQuest 44 MB drive, which ever broke, although they SEEMED broke at times. It is the **circumstances** where they are hooked up to, which make them work or not.
(1) If the external case, where the SyQuest sits in, has had it, you would not get an alert. Instead, your disks re-re-mount, keep scratching, or just stop in the middle of a disk access. They even might freeze the computer for some time. Only remedy is, to get a new case with new power supply. You also can screw the device directly into a minitower, such as I did into a Macintosh Quadra 800 (regular SCSI bus) - to immediately stop the problem, or into another minitower such as Macintosh Quadra 840AV (one of the fastest SCSI buses ever) - to continue screwing up, I caused also an internal SCSI cable fire (but was able to extinguish within minutes).
The same holds true for CD-recorders. They operate perfectly on one SCSI chain, but they just do not work on others.
We thought also, Martin's SyQuest has gone broke. But then I ripped it out of the external case and shoved it directly into a Macintosh II something (yes, we had to saw something off the case), and it keeps working more than perfect upt to date as it never did before.
SCSI chain problems can be aggravated or alleviated by anything such as different cables, different harddisks etc. Some new harddisks such as certain Quantum Fireballs at one stage were thought by some people to have a bug, only until FWB released the support file for their RAID toolkit for this particular Harddisk, and now everything is perfect.
(2) If the controller gets slightly too hot, it stops working. Cooling seems to be very important. I know someone who lost a whole harddisk simply because he failed to regularly check the FAN of the external harddisk case and give it some oil. Internal disk slots may be properly ventilated (remember the additional fan you could get in case you wanted to put two drives in the lowest slot in a Quadra 800 ?) - but they may not be (cheap mini towers).
(3) There is such a thing as bad media. Once dropped, once next to a power cable, bye bye data. That is why I reformat them when they come back by mail and I managed to retrieve all data.
CD - burning and having multiple external (and internal) harddisks for on-the-fly and hot-start-system-restore setup has taken these time consuming problems away from me up to some extent. I would never put anything on a removable medium, which is not backupped on at least two other removable media.
My thoughts on
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wolf Schweitzer MD mailto:wschweitzer-at-access.ch
The biggest problem with the Zip-like drives (and here I am including *all* these sons and daughters of the Winchester) is that they are all transitional technologies and that there is little real knowledge about their obsolescence cycle. They are simply not archival devices.
That means that they may be great for temporary storage of data -- for transferring data from one machine to another, etc. -- but they are probably not (in my opinion) the best thing for archving or for keeping your *only* copy of data.
The thing that many folk getting into digital imaging forget is that sticking data on a disk (or tape) is not a fire-and-forget strategy for keeping data.
There are three things to worry about:
1) Media degradation 2) Media obsolescence 3) Format obsolescence
Different media have different half-lives. Older 9-track tapes, for instance, often had errors as early as 5 years into their life cycles, and typical obsolescence was about 7 years. Newer tapes are better, and Exabyte estimates a 30-year lifetime for its 8mm tapes ***if*** you don't use them much (e.g. a tape used for a daily backup will not last anywhere near that).
Disks, including Winchester variants, tend to have a much shorter life span. That means that if you are saving stuff to these disks as archival, you will need to recopy the data in a couple of years.
As a case in point, I used to archive data on 88MByte Syquest disks. I have one disk written in 1993 in which only about 40% of the images are readable without error, another 30% are partially readable with errors in the image, and the rest are beyond useful salvaging.
But more important, remember that in 10 years nobody will be using Zip (or Syquest or whatever) drives, and you may not be able to find a machine that will even be able to read your data. Eight months ago, for instance, we got rid of our last 9-track tape drive in my lab. We had approximately 300 9-track tapes full of data, and we can no longer get to it without going somewhere else.
How many new computers are sold today with 5 1/4" floppy drives? When was the last time you saw an 8-inch floppy drive? An 11-inch drive? A paper-tape machine? A card-reader? Or, more to the point, 10MByte Bernoullis (which were also made by Iomega), 20MByte Bernoullis, 22 MByte Syquests, etc.?
In 20 years, CD-ROM players will be as common as 8-track players in new cars.
Finally, in 20 years, many of the formats you are storing images on will no longer be supported. How many of your applications can read ILBM and other Amiga format files? /usr/image files? Over the next few years, common formats, including .gif and others will become either vanishingly rare or astonishingly mutated. Remember that neither GIF nore JPEG formats are "standard" for the net -- that has gone to PNG. There are early TIFF files around that many new applications cannot read because of the nonstandardization of compression in "standard" TIFF. Those of you who know UNIX freeware know that the famous libtiff library supports only a subset of TIFF variants.
All of this is to say that the occasional error in a Zip disk is pretty much to be expected, not only because of the magic of low error rates in large sales volumes, but also because it is not *meant* to be an archival or permanent media. It is a transitional media for temporary storage of data. As such, they are great.
If you are moving data from one machine to another, if you are looking for a place to park data with moderate turnover, etc. they are tremendous. However, hey are not archival devices, and I'm not sure it's a good idea to have your only copy of important data on one of these things if you are looking for a sole or long-term storage solution.
billo
On Sat, 7 Feb 1998, Randy Tindall wrote:
} } Dr. Allard's response to my recent posting about ZIP drives gives a valuable } perspective on this problem, if indeed it is a problem at all....
------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Thanks to all who responded to my request to DTSA spectra. I = unfortunately had a 40 ft tree fall at my home, tearing out gas and water = lines and several other things, SO I will try the spectra sent and = respond to other questions, but it will take me a couple of weeks to get = to it because of this unscheduled emergency.
Also, for those who asked what format to send, the MSA format is OK, as = it can be read by DTSA. Thanks Judy M.
Judy Murphy Microscopy Technology Center San Joaquin Delta College 5151 Pacific Ave Stockton, CA 95207 209/954-5284 FAX 209/954-5600 e-mail; jmurphy-at-sjdccd.cc.ca.us
(SMTPD32-4.03) id A0912BAD0032; Sun, 08 Feb 1998 18:32:33 EST Message-ID: {34DE40A0.4C4C-at-map.com}
Reminder: The deadline for early registration is rapidly approaching!
"Optimizing Light Microscopy" A lively lecture-demonstration on Light Microscopy offering a wide range of tips and techniques from set-up to trouble shooting, contrast enhancement to video microscopy. March 16 - New York City - The Beacon Hotel March 18 - Springfield, MA - The Radisson/ West Springfield March 20 - Boston, MA - Tufts Medical School/Multi-Media Resource Center
Tuition includes a copy of the newly released book Optimizing Light Microscopy. Discounts are available for early registration or multiple registration from the same lab.
For further information, contact Barbara Foster or Ken Piel at Microscopy/Microscopy Education: (413)746-6931 or respond by email: mme-at-map.com.
Does anyone know of any sources for having basic SEM analysis done without EDX capabilities? Are the images available in a digital format for distribution? I would also like to know the hourly rates and turn around time if possible.
} Date: Sun, 8 Feb 1998 18:43:40 +1000 } To: microscopy-at-Sparc5.Microscopy.Com } From: Wolf Schweitzer {wschweitzer-at-access.ch} } Subject: Re: Possible cautions about ZIP drives } Cc: } Bcc: } X-Attachments: } } It is interesting to hear about sudden "out of the sky" problems with ZIP } removables. } You may want to check my odyssey notes of the SyQuest drives below, to } rule out } similarities to your ZIP situation. } } } As I had heaps of trouble with SyQuest 44 MB Drives, which were quite } occasional in } nature, but devastating in effect, I chased down some common denominators } for SyQuest } related problems. } } I did not find any SyQuest 44 MB drive, which ever broke, although they } SEEMED broke } at times. It is the **circumstances** where they are hooked up to, which } make them work or not. } } } (1) If the external case, where the SyQuest sits in, has had it, you would } not get an alert. } Instead, your disks re-re-mount, keep scratching, or just stop in the } middle of a disk access. } They even might freeze the computer for some time. Only remedy is, to get } a new case with } new power supply. You also can screw the device directly into a minitower, } such as I did into } a Macintosh Quadra 800 (regular SCSI bus) - to immediately stop the } problem, or into another } minitower such as Macintosh Quadra 840AV (one of the fastest SCSI buses } ever) - to continue } screwing up, I caused also an internal SCSI cable fire (but was able to } extinguish within minutes). } } The same holds true for CD-recorders. They operate perfectly on one SCSI } chain, but they } just do not work on others. } } We thought also, Martin's SyQuest has gone broke. But then I ripped it out } of the external case } and shoved it directly into a Macintosh II something (yes, we had to saw } something off the case), } and it keeps working more than perfect upt to date as it never did before. } } SCSI chain problems can be aggravated or alleviated by anything such as } different cables, } different harddisks etc. Some new harddisks such as certain Quantum } Fireballs at one stage were } thought by some people to have a bug, only until FWB released the support } file for their RAID } toolkit for this particular Harddisk, and now everything is perfect. } } } (2) If the controller gets slightly too hot, it stops working. Cooling } seems to be very important. I know } someone who lost a whole harddisk simply because he failed to regularly } check the FAN of the } external harddisk case and give it some oil. Internal disk slots may be } properly ventilated } (remember the additional fan you could get in case you wanted to put two } drives in the lowest slot } in a Quadra 800 ?) - but they may not be (cheap mini towers). } } (3) There is such a thing as bad media. Once dropped, once next to a power } cable, } bye bye data. That is why I reformat them when they come back by mail and } I managed to retrieve all data. } } } CD - burning and having multiple external (and internal) harddisks for } on-the-fly and hot-start-system-restore setup has taken these time } consuming problems away from me up to some } extent. I would never put anything on a removable medium, which is not } backupped on at least two } other removable media. } } My thoughts on } }
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wolf Schweitzer MD mailto:wschweitzer-at-access.ch
I am sure that you can delete this message right now, if you have never ever used Link ISIS Suite Revision 3.2.
I got a few "?" about the basic functions of the software as following:
When I try to download a spectrum as a TIFF file into a floppy disk (select File/Export as TIFF (Solid Spectrum)), the machine does behave by herself, but the file saved is as big as over 300k. It would be only about 10k if the same spectrum would be captured by using a software such as Paint Shop Pro (PSP). Why?
If you think that this is not a problem at all, and the advantage to use the built-in function is to save your time, please be careful!!! You may loss your important data as there is no warning notes on the screen when the floppy disk is over-flow! --- 10's file names would be on the list but only a couples of them has been saved.
The similar problem existed when you try to save Linescan results. You can do it by selecting Print/File/Save Results as TIFF. The file saved in this way could be as big as over 200k, compared to only about 10k captured with PSP. The another problem with this function is that you must pull the print preview window away from the sight of "camera" --- do not cover the linescan group windows which you want to save. Why? Why not?
{P} I am sure that you can delete this message right now, if you have never ever used {U} Link ISIS Suite Revision 3.2 {/U} .
{P} I got a few "?" about the basic functions of the software as following:
{P} When I try to download a spectrum as a TIFF file into a floppy disk (select File/Export as TIFF (Solid Spectrum)), the machine does behave by herself, but the file saved is as big as over 300k. It would be only about 10k if the same spectrum would be captured by using a software such as Paint Shop Pro (PSP). Why?
{P} If you think that this is not a problem at all, and the advantage to use the built-in function is to save your time, please be careful!!! You may loss your important data as there is no warning notes on the screen when the floppy disk is over-flow! --- 10's file names would be on the list but only a couples of them has been saved.
{P} The similar problem existed when you try to save Linescan results. You can do it by selecting Print/File/Save Results as TIFF. The file saved in this way could be as big as over 200k, compared to only about 10k captured with PSP. The another problem with this function is that you must pull the print preview window away from the sight of "camera" --- do not cover the linescan group windows which you want to save. Why? Why not?
I am looking for an image analysis for a research department. It should be based on a Windows PC, easy to handle and programmable by a macro language. It should be easely addapt to different problems. It should have different algorithem for detection/segmentation as well as the separation of particles. The image analysis will be used for light microscopy as well as for SEM and TEM.
Are there any papers, where image anaysis programs are compared?
Which is a good listserver for image analysis?
Are there any suggestions for a good image analysis program?
I am actually working with semithin sections of SPURR embedded microarthropods after Formaldehyde-Cetyl Pyridinium Chloride fixation. These sections shall be stained with a mixture of Toluidine-Blue/Methylene-Blue/Sodiumtetraborate to give sharp results. The problem we have is that this staining is rapidly fading if the slides are mounted with media like Entellan or Eukitt, probably due to the Xylene content. This might be also a problem of SPURR because with other resins like LR-White or GMA this doesn't happen. My attemps to use SPURR as a mounting media, followed by heating at 70 degrees overnight, were not very sufficient because the resin remained sticky for unknown reasons.
Any comments, eg. about alternative mounting media, are welcome.
Jens
--------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Jens Buecking Tel. +49-(0)421-218 3745 University of Bremen Fax. +49-(0)421-218 4620 Dep. of Biology Email jbueck-at-biologie.uni-bremen.de Leobener Str. - NW2 28359 Bremen ---------------------------------------------------------------
Ian, I have an Ultraphot III, still the best optical microscope we have on site (Incredibly versatile - you can do anything! And beautifully engineered). I would also be interested to hear of any parts / accesories which may be around. But no, you can't have any of my bits. I like the machine too much.
Regards,
Richard Beanland GMMT Ltd., Caswell, Towcester, Northants NN12 8EQ UK
} Hello all, } } I'm trying to revive an old (mid 50's I'm told) Zeiss UltraPhot2 and am } running into the obvious lack-of-parts-problem. } I've contacted Zeiss with minimal luck - a few photocopies of old docs } and that's it. } } Any ideas or leads to parts? } } I'm told that the old Universals shared some parts with the UltraPhots. } } This is for personal use so there's limited budget (of course!). } } Thanks sincerely for all replies in advance, } } Ian Lincoln
Ron, Try Anatech, Ltd. in Springfield, VA (1-800-752-7629) or (703-941-8860). I don't know who else supports Hummer products and I'm obviously not endorsing any one vendor.
Bruce F. Ingber Biologist- Electron Microscopy USDA-ARS, SRRC 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70124
} ---------- } From: Hybertson, Ron[SMTP:ron_hybertson-at-ms1.mankato.msus.edu] } Sent: Friday, February 06, 1998 8:39 AM } To: Microscopy-at-Sparc5.Microscopy.Com } Subject: Hummer Info } } ---------------------------------------------------------------------- } -- } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of } America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to } ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } ---------------------------------------------------------------------- } -. } } I am looking for a vendor of the HUMMER V sputter coater electrode. } } } } }
I need the post adress Mrs E.Weck or Mrs E.Leistner (from Munchen ?), They are author's; Metallographische Anleitung zum Farbatzen nach dem Tauchverfahren Teil I, II and III edited in Dusseldorf - DVS 1983
best regards for all
Krzysztof Jan Huebner
{hubner-at-IOd.krakow.pl} :-)
FOUNDRY RESEARCH INSTITUTE Research Materials Department Manager Structural and Physical Research Laboratory str. Zakopianska 73 Call (*48 12) 2665022 ext.356 30-418 KRAKOW - POLAND Fax (+48 12) 2660870
Small World introduces a new one day EDS course. The course gives you the practical knowledge you need to run better samples. If you don't have time to attend the week long courses, but would like to become a better analyst, this is the course for you. Check out our web site for more information:
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Drosophila/Resin 2/9/98 10:32 = AM
Dear Microscopists: I am looking for a protocol for the embedding of drosophila embryos in = either epoxy resin or spurr resin. Would anyone be able to help? Thanks = in advance. Linda Chicoine Center for Cell Imaging Yale University New Haven, CT USA 203-785-3646 phone 203-785-7226 fax
I am starting a study in which the size and distribution (may be shape) of fat globules in milk samples can be of relevance. I wonder if I can visualize these fat globules by LM (and if so, how, directly after some staining) or if other techniques (I might think of SEM with cryofracture) are appropriate.
I would be very grateful to any advice I receive.
Yours,
Antonio Molina-Garcia, Inst. del Frio, CSIC Madrid, SPAIN Dr. P.D. Sanz Engineering Department Instituto del Fr=EDo (C.S.I.C.) Ciudad Universitaria Calle Ramiro de Maeztu, s/n 28040-Madrid E-Spain
You have hit the nail directly on the head...I could not have said it better. As the technology develops, there will be a necessity to constantly transfer onto up-to-date storage media important data that you have archived. That is probably one advantage of film...it lasts a long time, and would be able to be re-printed, or simply scanned and digitally output, for the forseeable future. But I certainly do not expect that in the year 2010 it is a guarantee that all my lab's CD-ROMs filled with TEM and SEM images will be able to be read out on anything but some clunker CD player we have kept around for that purpose. Of course, by that time I will be retired, and probably won't give a hoot... ;-).
Larry
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Dr. Lawrence F. Allard Senior Research Staff Member High Temperature Materials Laboratory Oak Ridge National Laboratory 1 Bethel Valley Road Bldg. 4515, MS 6064 PO Box 2008 Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6064
} I have realized that I do not know how to adjust the height of a glass } knife in the knife holder.
Don: Our standard procedure is to focus the binocs in the middle of the gauge, then bring the edge of the knife into focus by lowering or raising. Hope this helps, and this height adjustment is probably more related to the cutting arc than to knife stability.
Margaret Springett e-mail hukee.margaret-at-mayo.edu IEM Specialist at Mayo Foundation 1426 Guggenheim Rochester, Mn. 55905
I'm trying to put together a protocol for a user that wants to embed (for TEM) cultured cells without removing them from the surface that they are attached to. I understand that certain kinds of plastic dishes and coverslips tolerate being processed for thin sectioning and can even be sectioned. Could someone enlighten me on the types of plastic involved (PERMANOX ?) and where I might find these items? I'm more interested in coverslips than petri dishes, but I'm open to being influenced otherwise.
I've checked the MSA listserv archives (Thanks Nestor) and several vendor sites, but I still don't have a clear answer. Vendors are certainly welcome to respond.
Perhaps if we keep this off-list, I can just post a summary of the responses.
Thanks, Doug ..................................................................... : Douglas W. Cromey, M.S. Dept. of Cell Biology & Anatomy : : Sr. Research Specialist University of Arizona : : (office: AHSC 4212A) P.O. Box 245044 : : (voice: 520-626-2824) Tucson, AZ 85724-5044 USA : : (FAX: 520-626-2097) (email: doug-cromey-at-ns.arizona.edu) : :...................................................................: http://www.pharmacy.arizona.edu/exp_path.html Home of: "Microscopy and Imaging Resources on the WWW"
Hi, Are there any users out there using 800 - 1000 degrees heating stages in a SEM?
We would like to look at phase transformations in metal alloys. We also project to buy a new SEM. One of the questions is: Is the secondary electron contrast not too low in such conditions (will it be possible to detect something at high temperature?)
Any experience in this domain would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks Monique repoux-at-cemef.cma.fr
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Monique Repoux Tel: 33 (0)4 93 95 74 13 CEMEF 33 (0)4 93 95 75 91 Ecole des Mines de Paris B.P. 207 Fax: 33 (0)4 93 65 43 04 06904 SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS CEDEX e-mail: repoux-at-cemef.cma.fr FRANCE -----------------------------------------------------------------------
I work in an EM Lab in Minneapolis, MN. Our work is primarily clinical--EM done on biosies of renal and neuromuscular tissue as well as some tumor cases. My question is this: Does anyone have an idea of approximately how many EM Labs are out there (primarily in the US) that function primarily as a clinical laboratory like ours?? I know there are a great deal of research labs tied in with universities, but I am specifically looking for clinical labs. If any one has any information, they can contact me by email at: hcmcemlab-at-sprintmail.com
Donald- there is (or was) an insert (a wedge shaped one on those machines) which set the appropriate knife height assuming you're making "standard" knives -Mike
On Sat, 7 Feb 1998, Donald Lovett wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } I typically use my Ultracut E microtome with a diamond knife. However, I } now have an application that will require me to use glass knives. } } I have realized that I do not know how to adjust the height of a glass } knife in the knife holder. I am aware of the gauge on the left-hand side, } but how does one adjust knife height. The owner's manual merely says that } "the height of the cutting edge has to be aligned with the top of the } height gauge before fixing the knife with clamping screw". } } It would seem to me that merely raising the knife above the surface of the } wedge insert would create a less stable knife. } } Thank you. } } Don } ______________________________________________________________________ } Donald L. Lovett e-mail: lovett-at-tcnj.edu } Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Biology voice: (609) 771-2876 } P.O. Box 7718 fax: (609) 637-5118 } The College of New Jersey } Ewing, NJ 08628-0718 } } } }
This is a nice question and very often not understood. Putting it basically, with frame averaging the SEM scans the same frame = ( whole picture ) a number of times and stores these images in the same = location in memory. So as the information of you sample is present in = each picture this will become very prominent. All the noise that occurs = in the image is very erratic and so with successive frames will = disappear with reference to the actual image. Frame averaging is like taking a number of course print transparencies = of the same image and lying them one on top of each other. So when = operating in this mode you can select how many images you would like to = store one on top of another. If you select say three images as the third = image is completed the fourth will then replace the first, the fifth = will replace the second and so on. The more images you have piled on top = of each other the clearer the image will appear. However if you now = change the image by moving the stage or the mage, then it will take that = number of frames selected before the change is fully visible. With line scan the SEM will scan the same line a number of times each = time averaging out the noise from the true info to ensure a clear image. If you have a delicate sample then frame averaging is the only choice. = Here the energy of the beam is scanned over the whole area of the = sample. In line scan mode, scanning the beam repeatedly over the same = line can damage the sample. If you are using small spot sizes or low kV operations on a SEM you will = find that the image is very noisy. To then use a bit of frame averaging = makes it easier to see what is happening. Typically on a LEO S 360 we = would use Frame ave of 2 and then a scan rate of TV/8. In this way you have a fairly quick scan rate to reduce sample damage = and still enough response on the change of the image by selecting only a = 2 frame ave, rather than say a 8 or 10 frame ave. If sample damage is not a problem, line average will give the clearest = picture as this replicates what the photo crt does to give you a good = micrograph.
I hope that explains it a bit for you.=20 I am sure there are going to be much more detailed explanations from far = more experiences operators than myself. Best advice I can give you is try it and see what happens. =20 Luc Harmsen Anaspec, South Africa Technical support for E.M. operators, world wide. anaspec-at-icon.co.za TEL: ++ 27 (0) 11 476 3455 FAX: ++ 27 (0) 11 476 7290=20
----------
Hi =20 COuld anyone explain the difference and advantages of these two=20 scanning mode in the SEM? =20 Thanks F
At 03:38 PM 2/9/98 +1100, you wrote: } Hi, Netmates, } } I am sure that you can delete this message right now, if you have } never ever used Link ISIS Suite Revision 3.2. } } I got a few "?" about the basic functions of the software as } following: } } When I try to download a spectrum as a TIFF file into a floppy disk } (select File/Export as TIFF (Solid Spectrum)), the machine does behave } by herself, but the file saved is as big as over 300k. It would be only } about 10k if the same spectrum would be captured by using a software } such as Paint Shop Pro (PSP). Why? } } If you think that this is not a problem at all, and the advantage to } use the built-in function is to save your time, please be careful!!! You } may loss your important data as there is no warning notes on the screen } when the floppy disk is over-flow! --- 10's file names would be on the } list but only a couples of them has been saved. } } The similar problem existed when you try to save Linescan results. } You can do it by selecting Print/File/Save Results as TIFF. The file } saved in this way could be as big as over 200k, compared to only about } 10k captured with PSP. The another problem with this function is that } you must pull the print preview window away from the sight of "camera" } --- do not cover the linescan group windows which you want to save. Why? } Why not?
I only have version 3.1 so I cannot comment on saving spectra, but I can comment some on the Linescan issue.
ISIS saves the results as DIB (device indepent bitmap) files which are effectively the same as Windows BMP files. When I saved a 6-field linescan group, it was stored as a 24-bit color image 784x280 pixels and required 684 Kb. That is 784x280 pixels times 3 bytes per pixel = 660 KB plus some extra header info for good measure. If I resave the image to a different format, I got the size down to 76 Kb as a PCX file or 44 Kb as a JPG file (not recommended).
In other words, it is pretty much as you should expect. I don't know if ISIS always saves in 24-bit true color mode (my monitor was set up as 16-bit color at the time). But DIB does not do image compression of any kind. TIF, GIF, and PCX do compression and can really knock the size down when the images have large areas of the same shade. JPG does compression too, but at the expense of fine details. I would not suggest it for line are or spectra. It is good for pictures. Your PSP probably uses image compression as a matter of course.
As far as making sure the print preview window must be moved, I think it is a software bug. I am not sure if it is on Microsoft's or Oxford's side, but I guess it is a feature of MS. As far as getting no error when the floppy fills up, I don't know about that one. Might be another MS "feature". I would rather save to hard disk for sake of speed, and then use a file manager to move the files to a floppy.
Hope this helps. ---------------------------------------------------- Warren E. Straszheim 23 Town Engineering Iowa State University Ames IA, 50011 Phone: 515-294-8187 FAX: 515-294-8216
At 12:42 PM 2/9/98 +0000, you wrote: } Hi } } COuld anyone explain the difference and advantages of these two } scanning mode in the SEM? } } Thanks } F
I am much more familiar with the distinction between point averaging and frame averaging.
Point "averaging" has to do with multiple measurements (or lengthened measurements) per point during a single frame scan. For example, instead of dwelling for 25 us per raster point, the dwell might be increased to 100 us or 4 successive readings might be averaged.
Frame averaging has to do with making multiple raster scans over the same area and summing and averaging the readings at each point. For the previous example, the whole frame would be scanned 4 times and averaged point-by-point.
Line averaging might be a similar thing dealing with multiple passes on a line before moving on to the next line.
The problem with frame averaging can be drift between successive frames for long frame times. It would result in blurry images. The drift would still be there for point or line averages but might not be noticeable. The drawback with point averaging would be the increased electron dose per unit of time. There would not be time to recover before the next measurement. That may not be a problem for many samples, but might be important to others. ---------------------------------------------------- Warren E. Straszheim 23 Town Engineering Iowa State University Ames IA, 50011 Phone: 515-294-8187 FAX: 515-294-8216
For most applications standard embedding protocols can be used with drosophila tissues. I typically use EmBed resin. Dehydrate with ethanol using 20--30 minute soaks, infiltrate with resin:propylene oxide 1:1 for 2 hours-overnight, fresh epoxy resin for 2 hours-overnight, fresh resin, polymerize at 60C for 48 hours. I find that 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes work well as processing containers. If orientation is important (usually) then I spread the embryos out on a flexible mold and use minimal resin. It should be about the thickness of a coverslip ~.1-.1mm. I cut out the desired embryo after only 24 hours of polymerization and mount it on a block (previously made with Beem capsules) with a small drop of epoxy and polymerize for another 24 hours. Wooden applicator sticks sharpened to a small flat tip work well to manipulate the embryos in the unpolymerized epoxy. Larry D. Ackerman (415) 476-8751 Howard Hughes Medical Institute FAX (415) 476-5774 UCSF, Box 0724, Rm U426 533 Parnassus Ave. mishot-at-itsa.ucsf.edu San Francisco, CA 94143
How fresh should the working dilution of 2% buffered glutaraldehyde be for diagnostic TEM? Our biopsy material is infrequent, and we don't want to make up quantities that would end up being discarded before viable use. Thanks Ronnie Houston Cytochemistry & Molecular Pathology Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children Dallas
Dear Jens, this problem arises very often and I have it seen with Epon, Spurr's as = well as also Lowicryl. What the exact mechanisms is, I can't tell you ( = I think/thought about the mounting medium itself, the xylene/toluene, = also the resin(s) itself, weak binding of the -normally- highly alkaline = staining solutions like your toluidineblue/methylene blue variant in = sodium-borate buffer: I guess, about pH 9-10, or??) I wrote "thought about it" because I don't have any problem with this = sort of "leaching out of staining" in mounted semithin sections (which I = noted sometimes starting immediately after having had sections mounted, = i.e. within 2-3 days or so, as well as after 1-2 years: no staining of = the sections at all, but veils of blue and red over the whole cover slip = area).
My suggestion: If you don't need to mount your sections permanently, try = the following: DON'T mount your sections at all: save EUKITT/ENTELLAN, SAVE TIME and = MONEY: Stain your sections as usual, be happy, if you get brilliant = staining. If you want to *look only* to your stained sections (e.g. for = correlative TEM: searching for locations/areas for subsequent = ultrathins) your sections readily show the details wanted without a = cover slip and mounting. If you want to PHOTOGRAPH your SECTIONS: place small drops of immersion oil onto your sections, cover with a = cover slip as usual (taking care of air bubble formation) for viewing = with normal objectives (e.g. x4, x10, x25, etc., provided correct = Koehler's illumination). Best results with immersion oil objectives (e.g. x50, x60, x100) with = drops of immersion oil onto the sections, WITHOUT using a cover slip = (directly).
How to store those sections then: get rid of the cover slip (slipping = away the cover glass, immerse object slide into xylene or toluene bath = (2 x 2-5 min), preferably in a coplin jar with lid; then wipe gently = with soft, clean cloth and or dry the slide by means of compressed air = (pressured air, or something like "DUST OFF".....).
You can store your slides then without any problem: you will have = brilliant staining after 5 years too, if stored in (a) light-tight and = dustfree box(es). If it happens after long time storage (what sometimes appears to happen) = that your staining is not any more that brilliant as you expected, then = only repeat your staining once more again........(no need of de-mounting = your sections etc.....)
This technique/possibility (unfortunately *not patented*) I am dealing = since now 15 years of diagnostic correlative LM/TEM-practice (all of the = semithins will be stored for later comparison if needed....) without any = problem .
Hope this helps, best regards
Dr. Wolfgang MUSS , just finishing a long working day, Department of Pathology, LKA EM-Laboratory Muellner Hauptstrasse 48 A-5020 SALZBURG AUSTRIA/Europe
phone: ++43++ 662 + 4482 + 4720 Ext fax: ++43++ 662 + 4482 + 882 Ext. e-mail: W.Muss-at-lkasbg.gv.at (note: "l" right to "-at-" is a small "L")
---------- Von: Jens Buecking[SMTP:jbueck-at-biologie.uni-bremen.de] Gesendet: Montag, 09. Februar 1998 13:44 An: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com Betreff: LM - fading of stained SPURR sections
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Dear all,
I am actually working with semithin sections of SPURR embedded microarthropods after Formaldehyde-Cetyl Pyridinium Chloride fixation. These sections shall be stained with a mixture of Toluidine-Blue/Methylene-Blue/Sodiumtetraborate to give sharp results. The problem we have is that this staining is rapidly fading if the = slides are mounted with media like Entellan or Eukitt, probably due to the = Xylene content. This might be also a problem of SPURR because with other resins like LR-White or GMA this doesn't happen. My attemps to use SPURR as a mounting media, followed by heating at 70 degrees overnight, were not = very sufficient because the resin remained sticky for unknown reasons.
Any comments, eg. about alternative mounting media, are welcome.
Jens
--------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Jens Buecking Tel. +49-(0)421-218 3745 University of Bremen Fax. +49-(0)421-218 4620 Dep. of Biology Email jbueck-at-biologie.uni-bremen.de Leobener Str. - NW2 28359 Bremen ---------------------------------------------------------------
Assuming you have some standards for the line and it is at a decent energy, should it really make any difference whether a K, L, or M line was used? The excitation is already done, and isn't a 3 keV x-ray behave the same regardless of how it was generated?
I know that we get in trouble if we try to do "standardless" analysis on one of our systems with an L-series line. Somehow the database seems to account for K and M lines well enough, but seems to have a systematic problem with L lines. Therefore, we standardize.
At 07:58 AM 2/6/98 GMT+2, you wrote: } I am analysing bulk alloys of high atomic number elements eg. Re, Ir } (Z=75, 77) in a light element matrix eg Al (Z=13) at 20 kV with an } EDS system in an SEM using ZAF corrections and pure element } standards. Typically, the high Z elements have L alpha peaks at } around 9kV, M alpha peak at around 2kV. The high Z content ranges } from 0.1 to 50 at%. } } As I understand it, correction factors for L lines are better than } for M lines. However, the M peak is much higher than the L peak at } 20kV, so statistics are better. At the low concentrations of high Z } element, I only see an M peak, not L peak. There is about up to 2 } at% difference analysing using both peaks over the alloy composition } ranges and such a difference is a problem for our work. } Unfortunately I do not have any alloy standard to check results } against! So which peak to use? Yes, someone analysed on } a microprobe (using WDS) utilising same area on a sample and same } standards and got a third answer which gave no direction to my } question! } } Any advise would be gratefully received. Thanks in advance. } Mike ---------------------------------------------------- Warren E. Straszheim 23 Town Engineering Iowa State University Ames IA, 50011 Phone: 515-294-8187 FAX: 515-294-8216
At 12:42 9/02/98 +0000, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America We have a Leica/Cambridge S-360 on which you can choose either line or frame averaging to achieve the same exposure or amount of integration (noise reduction).
I usually use line averaging - around 40-50 scans per line depending onthe signal strength. Line averaging conceals any image drift if the specimen is somehow moving.
BUT frame averaging is very good for reducing charging aretefact. The dwell time per point can be made fast enough that the chage deposited is small and leaks away between frames.
***************************************************** Mel Dickson, Director. Electron Microscope Unit, University of New South Wales. Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
Ok, I know it is a little early for most of you to be considering the Microscopy and Microanalysis Meeting in 1999 (in Portland Oregon, by the way), but I want to try and get some feedback on the subject of physical science tutorials.
I am in charge of organizing the physical science tutorials and I am seeking input from the microscopy and microprobe community.
What would you like to see in the way of tutorials at the 1999 meeting?
Please make suggestions directly to me and I will summarize to the net if the need arises.
In 1997 we had tutorials on environmental scanning electron microscopy (Stuart McKernan, Brendon Griffin and Chris Gilpin) and electron back scattering pattern acquistion and analysis (Joe Michael).
In 1998 we will have specimen preparation (tripod polishing, microtoming of inorganic materials will be highlighted). This will be "The Ron and Tom Show" starring Ron Anderson and Tom Malis.
Further in the past there have been tutorials on a wide variety of subjects. Some of the most popular were those related to computer acquistion and processing of images. In fact anything computer related seems to be popular. Is there still interest here or is everyone now comfortable with their computer systems?
Please let me know by replying to this email or by calling the number below.
Thanks.
Cheers
Jfm.
________________________ Note new Area Code (734) ________________________ John Mansfield North Campus Electron Microbeam Analysis Laboratory 417 SRB, University of Michigan 2455 Hayward, Ann Arbor MI 48109-2143 Phone: (734) 936-3352 FAX (734) 936-3352 Cellular Phone: (734) 715-2510 (Leaving a phone message at 936-3352 is preferable to 715-2510) Email: jfmjfm-at-engin.umich.edu URL: http://emalwww.engin.umich.edu/people/jfmjfm/jfmjfm.html
Hi Jens, I have a suggestion for increasing the intensity of staining in hydrophobic resins (eg Spurr's). Your stain solution should be made up at high pH so that protons in solution don't compete with stain molecules for binding sites (recipe below). The metachromicity of toluidine blue depends on water molecules being present and so mounting media like Entellen (Xylene base?) ruin this effect. My trick is to exhale fairly forcefully onto the sections just before adding a solvent-based mounting medium. This adds just enough water so that colours appear as desired. If you do enough slides at once the hyperventilation combined with the effect of breathing mountant fumes gives one a special feeling all over. I have not noticed fading in slides prepared this way.
0.5% toluidine blue in 0.1% sodium carbonate (pH 11.1).
You should be able to make up other stain solutions to high pH in a similar fashion. Cheers, John
} Dear all, } } I am actually working with semithin sections of SPURR embedded } microarthropods after Formaldehyde-Cetyl Pyridinium Chloride fixation. } These sections shall be stained with a mixture of } Toluidine-Blue/Methylene-Blue/Sodiumtetraborate to give sharp results. } The problem we have is that this staining is rapidly fading if the slides } are mounted with media like Entellan or Eukitt, probably due to the Xylene } content. This might be also a problem of SPURR because with other resins } like LR-White or GMA this doesn't happen. My attemps to use SPURR as a } mounting media, followed by heating at 70 degrees overnight, were not very } sufficient because the resin remained sticky for unknown reasons. } } Any comments, eg. about alternative mounting media, are welcome. } } Jens } } } } --------------------------------------------------------------- } Dr. Jens Buecking Tel. +49-(0)421-218 3745 } University of Bremen Fax. +49-(0)421-218 4620 } Dep. of Biology Email jbueck-at-biologie.uni-bremen.de } Leobener Str. - NW2 } 28359 Bremen } ---------------------------------------------------------------
================= C. John Runions Section of Ecology and Systematics Corson Hall Cornell University Ithaca, New York USA 14853
Publication of the Proceedings of the 15th Pfefferkorn Conference, Silver Bay 1996
We are pleased to report that publication of these proceedings is now well advanced. It is expected that the final stages of preparing the material for the printer will be rapid and that printing will begin shortly. We are informed that the Proceedings of the 13th and 14th Pfefferkorn Conferences are ready for printing. Peter Hawkes, Joachim Frank and Owen Saxton, editors of PF15.
I wish to establish the dates and site of the FIRST MEXICAN CONGRESS ON ELECTRON MICROSCOPY. It may well have been held in 1992 but this is not sure. If anyone has firm information, please let me know, any photocopies of abstract booklets etc will be very welcome. Peter Hawkes hawkes-at-cict.fr Fax: (+33) 562 25 79 99
Hi folks - The MSA/Lawrence Hall of Sciencs middle school microscopy manual will be published in a few months. The LHS editor has asked me for microscopy-related quotations to use in publicity and in the manual itself. Do you have any favorites, from the great or the not-so-great? I'm looking for sentences, not paragraphs...
Thanks! Caroline
Caroline Schooley Educational Outreach Coordinator Microscopy Society of America Box 117, 45301 Caspar Point Road Caspar, CA 95420 Phone/FAX (707)964-9460 Project MICRO: http://www.MSA.microscopy.com/ProjectMICRO/Books.html Intertidal invertebrates: http://www.fortbragg.k12.ca.us/AG/PCI/
{fontfamily} {param} Geneva {/param} {smaller} Dear Electron Microscopists:
This is an announcement and call-for-paper for a book entitled " {bold} Progress In Transmission Electron Microscopy {/bold} ". This book belongs to a "Frontiers of Science and Technology for the 21st Century" book series planned and implemented by The Association of Chinese Scientists and Engineers-USA (ACSE), and will be published by Tsinghua University Press (China). Here I would like to invite your valuable contributions.
The book will be in English and ISBN code will be obtained for international distribution. The purpose of this TEM book is to promote international exchange and communication in TEM field. Being a chapter author of this book, your ideas, scientific findings and achievements, as well as your admirable accomplishments in TEM field will be best known by electron microscopists in the world.
Two volumes are planned for the book: {bold} I. Concepts and Techniques {/bold} ; and {bold} II. Applications in Materials Science {/bold} . The contributed papers/chapters may include review articles, scientific findings and achievements, new concepts, designs, methods, technologies, or summaries of research and development experience. One or more chapters on certain subjects can be contributed by each author (and co-authors). The prospective authors will be from international TEM communities. Please contact me as soon as possible if you would like to have your direct contribution, or you want to recommend chapter authors. Should you have any questions or you want detailed information, please feel free to contact me, or soon you can visit our wibe site http://www.acse.org.
Salzburg, 10th Febr, 1998, local time 03.05 a.m. Yes, I am still working
Dear Ronnie, still your posting came in:
IMO, it (time of "freshness") depends on=20 -the quality of Glutaraldehyde used (original supply bottle with or w/o = dimers or even polymers, check this with the data sheet provided by the = supplier) -the alkalinicity of your solution (the higher pH, -say pH 7.0------7.6 = would be the range of GA-solutions used, the faster you'll get a = polymerization of the aldehyde/s) -how you store the solution (RT, chilled -at- 4 degr.C), tightly = closed/sealed or perhaps if/wether you provided sometime a glass vial = with a snap lid or stopper that doesn't/didn't seal tightly (I have seen = this: after 1 month in the refrigerator, half of the provided solution = was evaporated from the vial due to water condensation in the fridge)
In our lab GA-containing fixatives are prepared freshly (-at-100 ml), which = will last for about 1 week, sometimes 1 and 1/2.=20 If sent out to outdoor facilities I would suggest to either give the = vials (containing approx. 5 ml) an expiration date (say 2-3 weeks if = properly stored), if greater amounts (say 50-100 ml) are provided, = expiration would be 3-4 weeks, if stored properly. BUT: you don't know (do you know??) what "folks out there" are able to = do with your fixatives and vials you provided! (sometimes I got aware of = this fact by "seeing it"). Another question with respect to this is = sampling behaviour in an outdoor facility (e.g. operating theatre) if = you don't have a clue how and when your specimen was handled/put into = the fixative.......
My experience using "some or any " supply(ier) of glutaraldehyde = sometimes was "bad fixation, poor infiltration and polymerization of = resin, poor sectioning performance, and last but not least, bad = ultrastructural morphology (which could be seen before EM-viewing by the = staining properties of semithin sections too). Therefore, check the = source as well as the quality of your GA very carefully....
Just only my 0.2 cents hope this helps very best regards and "Good morning all"
Dr. Wolfgang MUSS Department of Pathology, LKA EM-Laboratory Muellner Hauptstrasse 48 A-5020 SALZBURG AUSTRIA/Europe
phone: ++43++ 662 + 4482 + 4720 Ext fax: ++43++ 662 + 4482 + 882 Ext. e-mail: W.Muss-at-lkasbg.gv.at (note: "l" right to "-at-" is a small "L")
---------- Von: Ronnie Houston[SMTP:rhh1-at-airmail.net] Gesendet: Montag, 09. Februar 1998 22:58 An: microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com Betreff: Glutaraldehyde fixn - how fresh?
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How fresh should the working dilution of 2% buffered glutaraldehyde be for diagnostic TEM? Our biopsy material is infrequent, and we don't want to make up quantities that would end up being discarded before viable use. Thanks Ronnie Houston Cytochemistry & Molecular Pathology Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children Dallas
Jennifer Willmott wrote: ============================================== Does anyone know of any sources for having basic SEM analysis done without EDX capabilities? Are the images available in a digital format for distribution? I would also like to know the hourly rates and turn around time if possible. =============================================== There are a number of independent analytical and testing laboratories in the USA ( I assume that is where you are located) offering these kinds of services, both with and without EDS capabilities.
When I want to find something in the EM world, one of the first resources I reach to is that of Microworld Resources at {http://www.mwrn.com/} and in this case, you will find a nice listing of laboratories offering EM related services.
Another excellent resource, also listing services firms is the Microscopy Vendor Data Base at {http://www.kaker.com/} .
You can also find out the names of ACIL member laboratories offering SEM services via the ACIL website at {http://www.acil.org/} . ACIL is the professional, scientific, and trade association for independent testing, analytical, and research laboratories.
And for those laboratories, at least those in the USA, offering such services that are accredited to the standard of ISO Guide 25 by A2LA (American Association for Laboratory Accreditation), if accreditation is important to you, you might want to look at {http://www.a2la.org/} to help you narrow down your search.
Chuck
=================================================== Charles A. Garber, Ph. D. Ph: 1-(610)-436-5400 President 1-(800)-2424-SPI SPI SUPPLIES FAX: 1-(610)-436-5755 PO BOX 656 e-mail: cgarber-at-2spi.com West Chester, PA 19381-0656 USA Cust. Service: spi2spi-at-2spi.com
Look for us! ############################ WWW: http://www.2spi.com ############################ ==================================================
{fontfamily} {param} Geneva {/param} {smaller} Dear Electron Microscopists:
This is an announcement and call-for-paper for a book entitled " {bold} Progress In Transmission Electron Microscopy {/bold} ". This book belongs to a "Frontiers of Science and Technology for the 21st Century" book series planned and implemented by The Association of Chinese Scientists and Engineers-USA (ACSE), and will be published by Tsinghua University Press (China). Here I would like to invite your valuable contributions.
The book will be in English and ISBN code will be obtained for international distribution. The purpose of this TEM book is to promote international exchange and communication in TEM field. Being a chapter author of this book, your ideas, scientific findings and achievements, as well as your admirable accomplishments in TEM field will be best known by electron microscopists in the world.
Two volumes are planned for the book: {bold} I. Concepts and Techniques {/bold} ; and {bold} II. Applications in Materials Science {/bold} . The contributed papers/chapters may include review articles, scientific findings and achievements, new concepts, designs, methods, technologies, or summaries of research and development experience. One or more chapters on certain subjects can be contributed by each author (and co-authors). The prospective authors will be from international TEM communities. Please contact me as soon as possible if you would like to have your direct contribution, or you want to recommend chapter authors. Should you have any questions or you want detailed information, please feel free to contact me, or soon you can visit our wibe site http://www.acse.org.
I'm in the process of buying a new ion mill and would appreciate any opinions on VCR's new XLA/2000, the Technoorg-Linda IV3 and the Bal-tec RES010. I have most of the technical data, but information about maintanace, how user friendly the system is and your general level of satisfaction with your ion mill will be appreciated. Anything you don't like about the system you have?
Please reply to me directly, I will compile a summary for the list server if anybody is intersted.
Many thanx
Sara Prins Surface and Structure Analytical Services Division for Materials Research CSIR PO Box 305 Pretoria South Africa TEL +27 12 8413974 FAX +27 12 8414395
Ziel Rainer (Tel 49(0)6022-812645) wrote: } } Dear all, } } I am looking for an image analysis for a research department. It should be } based on a Windows PC, easy to handle and programmable by a macro language. It } should be easely addapt to different problems. It should have different } algorithem for detection/segmentation as well as the separation of particles. } The image analysis will be used for light microscopy as well as for SEM and } TEM. } } Are there any papers, where image anaysis programs are compared? } } Which is a good listserver for image analysis? } } Are there any suggestions for a good image analysis program? } } Kind regards } } Rainer Ziel } } R.Ziel-at-Akzo.NL
If You have a fast PC with at least 64 MB RAM and Unix running on it You should consider what is probably the most advanced programmable image processing system available for free:
http://www.khoral.com/ ftp://ftp.khoral.com/
Hope that helps
-- Philip Koeck Karolinska Institutet Dept. of Bioscience Novum S-14157 Huddinge Sweden Tel.: +46-8-608 91 86 Fax.: +46-8-608 92 90 Email: Philip.Koeck-at-csb.ki.se http://www_scem.csb.ki.se/pages/philip.html
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Hi folks - The MSA/Lawrence Hall of Sciencs middle school microscopy manual will be published in a few months. The LHS editor has asked me for microscopy-related quotations to use in publicity and in the manual itself. Do you have any favorites, from the great or the not-so-great? I'm looking for sentences, not paragraphs...
Thanks! Caroline
Caroline Schooley Educational Outreach Coordinator Microscopy Society of America Box 117, 45301 Caspar Point Road Caspar, CA 95420 Phone/FAX (707)964-9460 Project MICRO: http://www.MSA.microscopy.com/ProjectMICRO/Books.html Intertidal invertebrates: http://www.fortbragg.k12.ca.us/AG/PCI/
id AA23102; Tue, 10 Feb 98 07:26:59 CST Received: (from x400-at-localhost) by mta.mcdermott.com (8.7.1/8.7.1) id HAA23343 for Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com; Tue, 10 Feb 1998 07:08:57 -0600 (CST) X-Authentication-Warning: mta.mcdermott.com: x400 set sender to Woody.N.White%650-at-wtgw.mcdermott.com using -f Received: by MCI; Tue, 10 Feb 1998 8:12:00 -0600
Hello all, What is the best way to visualize the HRP stained tissue at EM level? Tissue is run up in EPON and the thick section shows well defined areas at light level. Thanks...
Neelima Shah Electron Microscoppy Core Facility University Of Pennsylvania
Caroline Schooley of MSA recently asked for favorite quotations regarding the microscope and microscopy. I sent her the following quote which I read years ago I think in the frontispiece of a microscopy book: "Where the telescope ends, the microscope begins. Which of the two has the grander view?" I have lost the origin of this quote. I think it might have been Lord Kelvin but I'm not sure. Does anyone out there know the origin of this quote? Thanks.
Roy Christoffersen Texas Center for Superconductivity 3201 Cullen Houston, TX 77204-5932 roy-at-bayou.uh.edu (713) 743-8273 FAX: (713) 743-2787
Doug, I use Thermanox circular coverslips. They fit perfectly into 24 well tissue culture plates. They have a coating on one side for cell adhesion and they're sterile. I have used them for several cell types. Futhermore, they tolerate solvents and dehydrants used for TEM. I have cut them without too much difficulty in situ in plastic and also popped them off in liquid nitrogen. Several vendors handle them. Hank Adams Electron Microscopy Lab New Mexico State University Las Cruces,NM 88003 phone: 505-6463600 fax: 505-6465665
Can anyone on the listserver help with this one? I'd love to use it! CS } } I am happy to oblige you with one of my favorite quotations } regarding the microscope as follows: "Where the telescope ends, the } microscope begins. Which of the two has the grander view?". Unfortunately } years ago I lost the origin of this quote and I would love to determine its } origin. I believe it may have been Lord Kelvin, but I am not sure. If you } could uncover its origin please let me know. Thanks. } } Roy Christoffersen } Texas Center for Superconductivity } 3201 Cullen } Houston, TX 77204-5932 } roy-at-bayou.uh.edu } (713) 743-8273 } FAX: (713) 743-2787
Caroline Schooley Educational Outreach Coordinator Microscopy Society of America Box 117, 45301 Caspar Point Road Caspar, CA 95420 Phone/FAX (707)964-9460 Project MICRO: http://www.MSA.microscopy.com/ProjectMICRO/Books.html Intertidal invertebrates: http://www.fortbragg.k12.ca.us/AG/PCI/
Hello all, What is the best way to visualize the HRP stained tissue at EM level? Tissue is run up in EPON and the thick section shows well defined areas at light level. Thanks...
Neelima Shah Electron Microscoppy Core Facility University Of Pennsylvania
Ronnie- considering you are working with biopsy material, you should use FRESH fixative. fixatives go bad quite rapidly once in a buffer. concentrated glutaraldehyde (50-70%) is much more stable, and can be stored for probably over a month (check with your supplier) and still work well as a fixative -Mike
On Mon, 9 Feb 1998, Ronnie Houston wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } How fresh should the working dilution of 2% buffered glutaraldehyde be } for diagnostic TEM? } Our biopsy material is infrequent, and we don't want to make up } quantities that would end up being discarded before viable use. } Thanks } Ronnie Houston } Cytochemistry & Molecular Pathology } Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children } Dallas }
I recall there were some papers published by Marc Horisberger back in the late 70's about milk fat globules viewed in SEM (he was then working for Nestle - of course!). I believe one of them was in J. Histochem. Cytochem. He also used gold particles to label the globules, BTW. Sorry no specifics. Using this in a citation index might help you get started on the right thread. I hope this helps. Regards, Michel
**************************************************** Michel Deschuyteneer, Ph.D. deschuyt-at-sbbio.be Scientist Electron Microscopy Laboratory
SmithKline Beecham Biologicals Rue de l'Institut, 89 B1330 Rixensart, BELGIUM Tel: +32-2-656 9290 Fax: +32-2-656 8164 **************************************************** Standard disclaimer: the opinions expressed in this communication are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of SmithKline Beecham. ****************************************************
} Hi folks - } The MSA/Lawrence Hall of Sciencs middle school microscopy manual } will be published in a few months. The LHS editor has asked me for } microscopy-related quotations to use in publicity and in the manual itself. } Do you have any favorites, from the great or the not-so-great? I'm looking } for sentences, not paragraphs... } } Thanks! Caroline }
Hi Caroline,
A couple of my favourites:
********************************************* Faith is a fine invention For gentlemen to see; But microscopes are prudent In an emergency.
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) Poems, Second Series ca 1880 XXX ************************************************
In the age of One World, the power of the microscope will be one doesn't know how many times greater that that of [the instrument of] today. [Viewed through the instrument of today] an ant looks like an elephant. [Viewed through the instrument of] the future, the size of a microbe will be like that of the great, skyborne p'eng bird.
K'ang Yu-wei (1858-1927) Ta T'ung Shu: The One-world Philosophy of K'ang Yu-wei transl. L.G. Thompson (1958) London: Allen & Unwin
A microscope is the same as a telescope - you just point a microscope down.
Peter Sewell, LAB-6 Inc., (1940? - ) (1984), on the event of my being hired for a position in Peter's electron microscopy lab. The only marginally relevant experience I had at the time was at an astrophysical observatory.
-------------------------------------------- Michael Cammer email sent from an account of the Analytical Imaging Facility The Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University 1300 Morris Park Ave. Bronx, NY 10461 (718) 430-2890 FAX: (718) 430-8996 http://leper1.ca.aecom.yu.edu/aif/ --------------------------------------------
On Mon, 2 Feb 1998, Goodhouse, Joseph wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } On Fri, 30 Jan 1998 kszaruba-at-MMM.COM wrote: } } } A colleague of mine is looking for a means to fluorescently label } } bacteria prior to seeding onto a surface for testing. The dye must } } not interfere with normal functioning of the bacteria including } } adherence and growth. The result would be viewed under confocal or } } regular fluor. LM. Does such a label exist? }
We're looking for an independant service person to help us maintain our Hitachi H-7000 TEM. Scope is located in Denver, Colorado. please contact Mike Rock {merock-at-du.edu} TIA
Has anyone used an Alps printer to make EM hardcopy? I have been gathering information about the Alps MD-1000 and 2300 models but have some questions; longevity of the prints, image quality (mostly black and white) and reliability? The price seems attractive when compared to a dye sub unit.
Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you, Jim
James S. Romanow The University of Connecticut Physiology and Neurobiology Department Electron Microscopy Facility U-131 Storrs, CT 06269 bsgphy3-at-uconnvm.uconn.edu 860 486-2914 voice 860 486-1936 fax
I received a variety of replies to the post concerning service contracts. = Most of these replies were from laboratories that are located in continenta= l USA. Some replies echoed that they thought that service contracts were = not cost-effective but a *thinly disguised rip-off - especially when one = finds in dealing with a wide range of EM and non EM equipment* that the = non-EM contracts subsidize the cost of EM contracts. For example, = *manufacturers simply calculate the value of the service contract NOT on = the complexity and service requirements of the particular item of = equipment, but simply on a percentage of the value of the equipment. So I = am quoted the same figure for a purely electronic item where 'maintenance' = consists of dusting circuit boards as for an equal value EM where the = maintenance needs are far greater due to the greater mechanical -vacuum = -pneumatic -electronic complexity of the device.* Others valued the = expertise and speed guaranteed by original vendor contracts (*. . . = instrument manufacturers will give priority to their contract customer*). = There was at least one example of long delays (approximately two months) = in obtaining service from the original vendor when no longer under = contract ( * . . . is due to the fact that instrument manufacturers will = give priority to their contract customers*). Even under contract, = original vendors are getting =A1tough=A2 (i.e., charging for expenses) = when the problems stem from other than their equipment (e.g., power = supply). That is understandable.
At least several replies warned that some third parties will bid on = equipment that their staff was not familiar with or were not able to work = on. Either way, third part vendors are unable to carry a satisfactory = inventory of parts and must purchase parts from the original vendor. For = example, *It is critical for prompt service that the engineer can arrive = with replacement boards in hand, swap the boards to revive the scope, and = take the defective boards back home to fix at their leisure. If the 3rd = party agency can't maintain a complete inventory of the needed computer = parts, you are off-line for as long as it takes to fix each board.* This = can cause delays in service that are crippling to a small laboratory.
Service providers did agree *there is a lack of third party service = providers [but] that being said, you should still be able in most cases to = reduce your maintenance costs by 20% by considering third party sources.* = One advantage is that *most small service providers are much more flexible = in their contract services, and can usually provide services tailored to = your maintenance needs - i.e., can adjust their contracts to your = requirements for preventive maintenance, emergency service and replacement = parts needs . . . [And are] always willing to provide customized = contracts designed to reduce your maintenance costs.*
Many replies discussed the role of =A1insurance companies=A2 in providing = service. For example, *A new creature on the market, these organizations = seek to justify themselves by providing a reduction in service costs by = reducing the 'insurance' inherent in a service contract and by trying to = artificially increase competition. They basically work by providing = service on a billable, rather than contract, basis. They will use = whatever service provider they deem reasonable and cheap. When you sign = up with them, you are turning over to them any and all decisions over who = will actually provide service on your instrument and what time frame the = service will be performed in. . . . There simply aren't that many service = providers available to foster the competitive pricing that this approach = requires. When you go with an insurance company, you will not be on [a] = service contract with the manufacturer. * A similar beast is the =A1insurance=A2 that works on billable not = contractual basis. Is this not the same as demand service with a third = party in between? Anyway, this arrangement, is supposed to be transparent = to the user, *in the sense that we just call the usual service provider = when the instrument is down, and the service provider bills XXX directly. = In this way, the quality of service should not be affected. However, I = already experience two shortcomings: One due to the fact that if the = estimated cost of repair is above $5,000 - prior approval from XXX is = required to conduct the service. If the cost is substantially higher, XXX = may decide to get a "second opinion" from a repair service of their choice = (imagine the delays and consequences of having many "experts" try their = hands at your fine instrument!).* There were stories of intolerable = delays, quotes, and more quotations, second opinions and equipment that = remains unrepaired and awaiting more paper shuffling with this type of = service. Not something many clinical or commercial laboratories are able = to tolerate. =20
In summary, original manufacturer service contracts, (not demand service) = although expensive, are favored for computerized electron microscopes, = third-party service may be cost effective for older or less-sophisticated = instruments, and there is general dissatisfaction with insurance-type = service arrangements due to the slowness of repair.
To all that responded, thank you.
Peter O. Steele, Ph.D., PMIAC, Special Anatomic Pathology, All Children's Hospital St. Petersburg, FL, USA
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily that of = my employer.
Why has not Man a microscopic eye? For this plain reason, Man is not a Fly. Say what the use, were finer optics giv'n, T' inspect a mite, not comprehend the heav'n.
Alexander Pope 1733.
"One can be fooled by appearances, which happens only too frequently, whether one uses a microscope or not." Voltaire in Micromegas
"We'll try it," the professor said to me, grimly, ' with every adjustment of the microscope known to man. As God is my witness, I'll arrange this glass so that you see cells through it or I'll give up teaching. In twenty-two years of botany, I -' He cut off abruptly for he was beginning to quiver all over, like Lionel Barrymore, and he genuinely wished to hold onto his temper; his scenes with me had taken a great deal out of him.
So we tried it with every adjustment of the microscope known to man. With only one of them did I see anything but blackness or the familiar lacteal opacity, and that time I saw, to my pleasure and amazement, a variegated constellation of flecks, specks, and dots. These I hastily drew. The instructor, noting my activity, came back from an adjoining desk, a smile on his lips and his eyebrows high in hope. He looked at my cell drawing. "What's that?" he demanded, with a hint of a squeal in his voice. "That's what I saw, " I said. "You didn't, you didn't, you didn't!, he screamed, losing control of his temper instantly, and he bent over and squinted into the microscope. His head snapped up. "That's your eye!" he shouted. "You've fixed the lens so that it reflects! You've drawn your eye!" James Thurber in University Days in My Life and Hard Times.
The texture of Cells of Cork and of some other frothy Bodies could not be so curious, but that possible, if I could use some further diligence, I might find it to be discernable with a Microscope. ... me thinks, it seems very probable, that Nature has in these passages, as well as in those of Animal bodies, very many appropriated Instruments and contrivances, whereby to bring her designs and end to pass, which not improbable, but that some diligent Observer, if help Microscopes, may in time detect.
Robert Hooke in Micrographia: or Some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses, 1665.
Thomas E. Phillips, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Director, Molecular Cytology Core Facility 3 Tucker Hall University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211 (573)-882-4712 (voice) (573)-882-0123 (fax)
I agree for the most part with these comments, most particularly about long-term storage on magnetic media (even Macworld had a warning about that).
The problem of file format standards is perhaps the more important issue, however. Perhaps this is a something that the microscopy community in particular, and the scientific community in general can accomplish some good? Instead of just talking, get together with the instrument manufacturers, and agree on industry standards (like was supposedly done with the jpeg and mpeg standards), and use some marketing muscle to get the software industry to follow them.
Researchers may not be big players in industry decisions, but perhaps we only need to get the ball rolling, and the rest of the mountainside will follow?
I am more sanguine about the life expectency of CD-ROMs. There is a *big* consumer market for audio CDs, and this will keep CD-ROM readers available for a long time (turntables, phono cartridges, and LPs are still available in stores due to analog HiFi nuts). So, archiving images on CD-ROMs isn't a big worry.
Phil
} You have hit the nail directly on the head...I could not have said it } better. As the technology develops, there will be a necessity to } constantly transfer onto up-to-date storage media important data that you } have archived. That is probably one advantage of film...it lasts a long } time, and would be able to be re-printed, or simply scanned and digitally } output, for the forseeable future. But I certainly do not expect that in } the year 2010 it is a guarantee that all my lab's CD-ROMs filled with TEM } and SEM images will be able to be read out on anything but some clunker CD } player we have kept around for that purpose. Of course, by that time I will } be retired, and probably won't give a hoot... ;-). } } Larry } Dr. Lawrence F. Allard } Senior Research Staff Member } High Temperature Materials Laboratory } Oak Ridge National Laboratory } 1 Bethel Valley Road } Bldg. 4515, MS 6064 } PO Box 2008 } Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6064
[...] } } In 20 years, CD-ROM players will be as common as 8-track players } } in new cars. [...] } } Finally, in 20 years, many of the formats you are storing images } } on will no longer be supported. How many of your applications } } can read ILBM and other Amiga format files? /usr/image files? Over } } the next few years, common formats, including .gif and others } } will become either vanishingly rare or astonishingly mutated. } } Remember that neither GIF nore JPEG formats are "standard" for the } } net -- that has gone to PNG. There are early TIFF files around } } that many new applications cannot read because of the } } nonstandardization of compression in "standard" TIFF. } } Those of you who know UNIX freeware know that the famous } } libtiff library supports only a subset of TIFF variants. } } } } billo
Dear List, We have been using Sanyo Cadnica NL5100 flashlights, and they are so reliable that the last person who knew where to order them from has left before we needed to reorder. However, it is now time to replace the few which have died or evaporated, so does anyone on this list know where to order them (or where to order even better ones)? TIA. Yours, Bill Tivol
Hi folks - The MSA/Lawrence Hall of Sciencs middle school microscopy manual will be published in a few months. The LHS editor has asked me for microscopy-related quotations to use in publicity and in the manual itself. Do you have any favorites, from the great or the not-so-great? I'm looking for sentences, not paragraphs...
Here is my favorite.
...by the help of Microscopes, there is nothing so small, as to escape our inquiry; hence there is a new visable World discovered to the understanding ....By this the Earth it self, which lyes so near us, under our feet, shews quite a new thing to us, and in every little particle of its matter, we now behold almost as great a variety of Creatures, as we were able before to reckon up in the Whole Universe it self....
Robert Hooke (Micrographia, 1664)
Bill Monroe EM Center Mississippi State University
} How fresh should the working dilution of 2% buffered glutaraldehyde be } for diagnostic TEM? } Our biopsy material is infrequent, and we don't want to make up } quantities that would end up being discarded before viable use. } Thanks } Ronnie Houston } Cytochemistry & Molecular Pathology } Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children } Dallas
Storage life of Glutarldehyde depends upon a number of factors including:
1) type of buffer 2) ph of buffer 3) temperature of storage enviroment
Our suggestion, based on your infrequency of use is to make your solution fresh each time. As little as 50 mL of 2% buffered Glut can be prepared from one 2 mL ampule of 50% Glut. Of course we at Ladd would be happy to supply Glutarldehyde in any concentrations you would like. Please feel free to call me (1-800-451-3406) if you wish to discuss your problem in greater detail.
Dr. Charles Duvic
Ladd Research 13 Dorset Lane Williston, VT 05495 tel 1-800-451-3406 (US) tel 1-802-878-6711 (outside the US) fax 1-802-878-8074
My Initial Question: -------------------------------------
Here is a positive microscopical quotation and a negative one. Note the dates. The quotations and their journal citations are from the preface to Harold F. Schaeffer, Microscopy for Chemists, Van Nostrand, New York, 1953.
[The microscope is] "man's noblest, supreme, and most far-reaching tool."
Adrianus Pijper, South African Journal of Science 26, 58-72 (1939), cited in J. Royal Microscopical Society 62, 36-50 (1942).
"It is rather remarkable how slow American chemists have been in realizing the importance of the microscope as an adjunct to every chemical laboratory. . . . [The microscope is] as much a necessity in every analytical laboratory as is the balance."
When dealing with fading of epoxy sections you must consider at least, at least 3 things: 1) The pH of your mounting medium 2) the chemical activity of your stain 3) the little known, but extremely important, continued chemical reactivity of the epoxy in your sections.
Mounting media come in many differing versions. Try one with a pH near 7.0 such as Cytoseal. The "blues" engage in redox shifts. Basically you cannot cancel this property out. At least, 10% of the epoxy in your sections is not polymerized, and these monomers are free to engage in chemical activity. Therefore, it is never a good idea to use epoxides as a mounting medium as they may encourage color changes or fading in the dye. Study your mounting media at hand. Also try Cytoseal. Add a little bit of the dye to a few mls of your liquid mounting medium in a test tube. Check for fading. Some may taake a week, some just hours, depending on the dye-medium interaction. Make sure, sure, sure, that your blocks are very well polymerized (and of course, infiltrated). Looking at all this may give you an idea as to what is going on. You may even find that really good infiltration with extended polymerization coupled with a mounting medium that is neutral will help to a great degree solve your problem. If not, please contact me again, because I know of some other, but more complicated attacks on the problem. So long, Hildy
"...can the human soul be glimpsed through a microscope? Maybe, but you'd definitely need one of those very good ones with two eyepieces."
Woody Allen
quoted at the beginning of B.A. Palevitz et al. (1981) Protoplasma 109: 23-55
"You can observe a lot by watching."
Lawrence Berra, as quoted in Sports Illustrated, vol. 60 (no. 14), p. 94, 2 April 1984
quoted at the beginning of B.A. Palevitz and P.K. Hepler (1985) Planta 164: 473-479
cheers, Rosemary
Rosemary White Department of Biological Sciences Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia phone 61-3-9905 5670 fax 61-3-9905 5613 email r.g.white-at-sci.monash.edu.au
I am interested in measuring density gradients within a 100 um granule....more specifically, i need a method of determining the density profile of this granule. Methods that have been proposed include: stereology methods, conductivity measurements, and light intensity measurements through a microtomed section. However, i don't have any details on these methods. Any suggestions or possible references would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thank you in advance!!
Michael Mandanas Particulate Materials Center Pennsylvania State University 218 IMRL Bldg. University Park, PA 16802
We have a problem with embedding whole lenses in Spurrs because the embedding medium is remaining sticky close to the lens, leaving the block virtually impossible to section. Any suggestions would be welcome?
We make gold-conjugated lipids which might be useful for this - they work for labeling liposomes (see Adler-Moore, J. 1994. AmBisome targeting to fungal infections. Bone Marrow Transplantation, 14, S3-S7; you can also see the 1996 MSA abstract about gold-labeled liposomes as a pdf file on the web at
Dear all, We have a periodic table in our TEM lab with X-ray energies and other data given for each element. This is very useful for quick reference and I would like to get hold of one for my office. I have no idea where it came from, however, and don't know if any of the manufacturers of EMs or EDX systems produces such a thing these days. Please contact me if you know where I could get such an item.
Thanks
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ian MacLaren, Tel: (44) (0) 121 414 3447 IRC in Materials for FAX: (44) (0) 121 414 3441 High Performance Applications, email: I.MacLaren-at-bham.ac.uk The University of Birmingham, http://web.bham.ac.uk/I.MacLaren/ Birmingham B15 2TT, England. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Looking for any references / recommendations for stage heaters (i.e. 37C - 50C) for Light Microscope systems. (I realize this is a repeat of previous discussions but I didn't keep the info and now I have a user who wants one.)
Thanks.
Richard E. Edelmann, Ph.D. Electron Microscopy Facility Supervisor 352 Pearson Hall Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056 Ph: 513.529.5712 Fax: 513.529.4243 E-mail: edelmare-at-muohio.edu
"CONGRESS.SYS Corrupted: Re-boot Washington D.C. (Y/N)?"
I could be doing great things, if I weren't so busy looking at* little things.
I got this from a post card I bought on Fisherman's Warf in San Francisco many years ago. Author Unknown
*original was "so busy doing little things"
} -----Original Message----- } From: Microscopy-request } [SMTP:Microscopy-request-at-sparc5.microscopy.com] } Sent: Monday, February 09, 1998 4:01 PM } To: microscopy } Subject: Quotations? } } ---------------------------------------------------------------------- } -- } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of } America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to } ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } ---------------------------------------------------------------------- } -. } } Hi folks - } The MSA/Lawrence Hall of Sciencs middle school microscopy } manual } will be published in a few months. The LHS editor has asked me for } microscopy-related quotations to use in publicity and in the manual } itself. } Do you have any favorites, from the great or the not-so-great? I'm } looking } for sentences, not paragraphs... } } Thanks! Caroline } } Caroline Schooley } Educational Outreach Coordinator } Microscopy Society of America } Box 117, 45301 Caspar Point Road } Caspar, CA 95420 } Phone/FAX (707)964-9460 } Project MICRO: http://www.MSA.microscopy.com/ProjectMICRO/Books.html } Intertidal invertebrates: http://www.fortbragg.k12.ca.us/AG/PCI/ } }
Dear all, We have a periodic table in our TEM lab with X-ray energies and other data given for each element. This is very useful for quick reference and I would like to get hold of one for my office. I have no idea where it came from, however, and don't know if any of the manufacturers of EMs or EDX systems produces such a thing these days. Please contact me if you know where I could get such an item.
Thanks
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ian MacLaren, Tel: (44) (0) 121 414 3447 IRC in Materials for FAX: (44) (0) 121 414 3441 High Performance Applications, email: I.MacLaren-at-bham.ac.uk The University of Birmingham, http://web.bham.ac.uk/I.MacLaren/ Birmingham B15 2TT, England. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A neighboring pathology/histology was CAP inspected yesterday and were informed by CAP inspectors that no pre-written, prelabeled, slides or cassessts are allowed? I had not heard of this. The Pathologist is ever so happy as she does not approve of the prewritten slides or cassetts. She said that histotechs make too many mistakes and she has "caught" them. (not here, but in her previous, another state, institution employed). She said that even with another tech, sometimes two different techs, compareing blocks against sectioned/stained H&E, techs turn out slide with mistakes, mistakes! She prefers sectioning one block, and labeling that slide when sectioning. Gosh, is it just me or are we regressing instead of progressing? Any imput would be appreciated. But what I want to know, is it a CAP ruleing not to use these prelabeling devises anymore? Or a recommendation or what? I know that CAP strongly recommends/suggest that a time clock be placed to date and time when frozen section arrives and date & time when reported. Teresa
by dns1.mcn.org (8.8.8/8.8.8) with ESMTP id JAA21645 for {microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} ; Wed, 11 Feb 1998 09:27:19 -0800 (PST) X-Sender: schooley-at-mcn.org Message-Id: {v03007801b1079322d97a-at-[204.189.12.139]} Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Can anyone provide the source of these nice quotes? You can reply to me at schooley-at-mcn.org.
} Two of my favorite quotations are given below. Since they were picked } up at workshops or conferences many years ago, I have unfortunately } forgotten the attributions. Both "quotations" are paraphrases of the } original statements taken from memory. } } 1) "One who sees more, knows more." (Quotation in reference to the } basic rationale for increasing resolution in microscopes.) } } 2) "Taking a photograph of a specimen using a scanning electron } microscope is like taking a picture of a rose.... using an atomic bomb as } the flashbulb." (Speaker was pointing out that examination of some } specimens in a SEM is not exactly a gentle procedure, hence the need } for good specimen prep. I definitely remember this statement from the } early 1980's by someone conducting the Lehigh summer basic SEM } course.) } } If you find these useful, please let me know. } } Michael M. Craig } Department of Biomedical Sciences } Southwest Missouri State University } Springfield, MO 65804-0094 } mmc519f-at-wpgate.smsu.edu
I am point counting with the electron microprobe on polished thin sections of sandstone, and am using an image analysis program to determine porosity (grey levels) and mineral count (X-ray). I would appreciate hearing from anyone with information or references on this method.
Regards,
Bob MacKay Robert MacKay Department of Earth Sciences Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3J5 Tel: 902 494-7087 Fax: 902 494-6889 e-mail rmackay-at-ac.dal.ca
Dear All, I am looking for some simple (possibly public domain) software for energy dispersive x-ray analysis which is capable of full standardless quantification of EDX spectra obtained from a TEM. This sounds trivial but I do have a special requirement. I wish to enter the spectrum data through the keyboard of the computer on which the software is installed. i.e. I wish to enter detector take-off angle, accelerating voltage, elements detected, line type and intensity, sample thickness and density etc through the keyboard and then allow the software to perform a fully ZAF corrected standardless quantification. Does anybody know of any software that can do this. Your answers are appreciated.
FEI Company in Hillsboro, Oregon has the following position available:
SEM/FIB Applications Engineer
FEI Company Hillsboro, Oregon (Portland metro)
Job Summary: Develop and demonstrate to various customers the full capabilities of FEI FIB and SEM systems and related equipment
Responsibilities:
* Demonstrate system and operation and applications * Assist staff and customers in developing applications * Act as an internal resource for helping resolve system problems for internal and external customers * Conduct on-site and remote customer training * Other duties as temporarily assigned by immediate supervisor
Minimum Qualifications:
* BS/equivalent in Physics, Material Science or related discipline * 2 years experience operating SEM, TEM, EDS * Exceptional interpersonal communication skills * Computer literate, experience with MS Windows programs including but not limited to MS Word, Excel, and Visual Basic * Willing to work in clean rooms * Eligible to work in the United States * Eligible for passport and willing to travel up to 25%, domestic and overseas
For over 27 years, FEI Company has been a world leader in providing superior field emission products and applications to our customers throughout the world.
Each employee at FEI works in an open, team-oriented environment and is given the opportunity to fully apply their skills and intellect to a wide variety of challenging problems in manufacturing, engineering or business. Working alongside some of the world's foremost experts in the area of field emission technology, both new and experienced employees will lean and gain by the opportunities of working at FEI Company.
Join FEI Company and benefit from out compensation and benefits packages which include fully paid medical, dental, vision, and life for employees and their families, profit sharing, tuition assistance, wellness program and 401(k) with match.
Please submit resume to Lisa Olivia either by FAX: 503.640.7509 or email: lolivia-at-feico.com.
Lisa Olivia Recruiter FEI Company PH) 503.844.2601 FAX) 503.640.7509 email: lolivia-at-feico.com
I don't think that is a CAP deficency, however an inspector can make a comment or recommendation. I've done several Anatomic CAP inspections myself, I think the issue of pre-labeling slides comes up more so than with cassettes in the gross room. I think if you get in several specimens at a time and are preparing them with cassettes for the pathologist, it would be difficult to do one at a time. In fact I don't know many pathologists who would be patient enough for waiting for you to make up cassettes one case at a time. The person doing the gross, be it a pathologist or PA, should also want to check the number on the cassettes against the number on the requisition to ensure accuracy. Like anything else, if your medical director insists you should do this practice, well then you don't have a choice.
There are a number of fundamental bits of infornation involved in calculating the correction factors involved in microbeam analyses (e.g. ionization cross sections, electron transition probabilities, mass absorption coefficients, etc., etc.). In general, these factors are much more accurately known for the K-series lines than for L and M lines, and so analyses with K lines are usually likely to be more accurate, whether standards or standardless methods are employed.
Wilbur C. Bigelow, Prof. Emeritus Materials Sci. & Engr., University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2136 e-mail: bigelow-at-umich.edu; Fx:734-763-4788; Ph:734-764-3321
Can Anyone recommend a Canadian supplier for nylon lint free gloves. The type I am interested in are the tailored fit style (they look like butlers gloves) not the baggy type. I used to get them through JBEM services but can no longer.
From my SEM, I'm sending images to people, .tiff images inserted into Microsoft's Power Point. A problem is that a single .tiff image is over 1 megabyte and inserting 20 or 30 into a Power Point presentation makes for a 20 or 30 megabyte e-mail message and I get all sorts of grief from the people that I send it to. Now, I can convert these images into .jpeg files and the amount of memory that they take is substantially reduced, 1027 kb becomes 126 kb and there is a loss in quality but, depending upon the sample, I can accept the loss in absolute image quality at times. I can view the .jpegs in Thumbs and LViewPro, but the big problem is that Power Point, and I believe Word also, does not let you insert a .jpeg image into a document. So, if I send a .jpeg image to a person I can tell them to get thumbs to view it, by itself, but I'd like to put the .jpegs into a report much like Power Point, where the spaces for graphics and text are ready to go, graphics with explanation. Is there software like Power Point that I can set up a .jpeg presentation? Or, is there another image file that I can convert the .tiff to, instead of a .jpeg, compressing it to a smaller size than a .tiff? Is there someone out there going through this also?
Applied Optical Microscopy (An American Chemical Society Short Course, held in conjunction with PITTCON) Three days and two evenings of total immersion in microscopy; the last day is dedicated to polarized light. A full lab course, with exercises on alignment, contrast techniques, basic measurement, polarized light, and videomicroscopy. Great for biologists, too. An ideal opportunity to discuss your favorite problem with an expert microscopist.
Comments from some of last year's students: "It's so nice to have someone discuss the "why"!" "The course opened=85my eyes to many interesting techniques which I can't=
wait to get back and try!" "An excellent lab class!" "It doesn't matter what your current level of microscopy knowledge is, you will benefit from this course =85. [and] I'll come with you --- there's always more to learn!"
Registration information: February 27, 28, March 1 - ITT Sheraton, New Orleans, LA Course #AOPT9802: $895 for ACS members; $995 for non-members =
For further details: 1. Contact Barbara Foster, course coordinator, at Microscopy/Microscopy Education Ph: (413)746-6931 Fx: (413)746-9311 email: mme-at-map.com 2. See the ACS web site: www.ACS.org/education click Professional Development (side bar) then: short courses then: analytical
Thanks to the many people who responded to my question! For those who might be intersted, the original question is given below followed by a summary of responses.
Karen
} A colleague of mine is looking for a means to fluorescently label } bacteria prior to seeding onto a surface for testing. The dye must } not interfere with normal functioning of the bacteria including } adherence and growth. The result would be viewed under confocal or } regular fluor. LM. Does such a label exist? } } Acridine Orange was tried a while ago for a slightly different } experiment and found to show too much bleeding under confocal. } Also, UV excitation is out. On the Confocal Listserve there was a } discussion some time ago mentioning dyes from Molecular Probes such as } RH414, the Syto dyes esp. #10, Live/Dead, TMRE, as well as others. I } have no personal experience with any of these. Does one stand out for } this purpose? } } Thanks as always, } Karen } } -- } Karen Zaruba, kszaruba-at-mmm.com } Life Sciences Sector Laboratory, } 3M Center Bldg. 270-1S-01 } 3M Company, St. Paul, MN 55144
==============================
Answers Received from Microscopy Listserve and Confocal Listserve:
1. The most popular suggestion by far was GFP! One respondent had experience with an E.coli strain that had been transfected with GFP. After many cell divisions other dyes such as Live/Dead would not carry over but GFP would.
2. Fluorescein diacetate: "The diester is not fluorescent and, being nonionic, can get into the cell. Once in, intracellular enzymes hydrolyze off the acetates, giving fluorescein which is ionic and does not get out very easily. There was a publication in Proceedings of the (USA) National Academy of Science around 1967-8. I tried it just enough to know that it does work. Since then other fluorogenic substrates have been developed, and some of them might work better."
3. Proteins labeled with fluorescein could be fed to the bacteria.
4. Nile Red
5. PkH2 from Sigma. Noted the dye is high intensity, and mammalian cells could be kept alive for several weeks after labeling. There was some loss in intensity with proliferation. "The dye is fixable as long as you do not use detergents or any extracting reagents, such as acetone and alcohols. It intercalates into lipid bilayers and fluoresces strongly with 488 excitation."
6. Syto 16 from Molecular Probes Found this most promising out of Syto's 11-16, nontoxic until exposed to laser when cells often became "PI positive (leaky cellular membrane)."
7. Reference to Dr. Graham Darling's work (for nonspecific fluorochrome): "Canadian Journal of Microbiology (1996): A novel fluorochrome for the microscopic observation of microbial morphology in wet mounts. They (Chan and Darling) synthesized the following compound trans-4-p(p-N,N-dimethylaminostyryl)-N-butoxycarbonylmethylpyridinium and used it to follow bacterial and spore growth for up to seven days. I know that it is commercially available now."
8. Finally a caution that each cell type may be more or less susceptible to the dye toxicity, and one should grow out the strain in the dye, looking for normal morphology, before using the dye. Comments on specific dyes: "The RH dyes and TMRE are membrane stains and tend to make the cells look like little halos, and they work fairly universally (stain all cells - but dead ones don't stain well with TMRE). The nucleic acid stains (green and red Sytos) are nice but these don't all work with all cell types (strange how cells still grow with the stain stuck all over the DNA....)."
Our approach, which our customers believe is a lot more user friendly, is to send 2 or 3 images (usually jpeg) in an e-mail and then overnight mail the 20 or 30 prints and/or files on CD-r or whatever for next day delivery.
I can understand why you would be getting grief sending out a 30 MB mail message. I think the powers-that-be have limited our mail messages to 10 MB which is still a heck of a message. My personal opinion is that mail is probably not the right way to disseminate images unless you just have no other way. I would suggest an FTP server of some kind for distributing the images. If you set up an anonymous FTP service, outsiders should be able to retrieve their own images. I have not tried it, but I think they should even be able to access the files via the Web by pointing to your directory. You should not have to be running a Web server. You can take a look at our site for an example.
There are a number of options for setting up such a service. Personal Web Server for Windows 95 also allows for an FTP server. There are other programs like QVT-Net and War-FTP which will serve up FTP as well. But back to your immediate problem...
You should be able to import JPEG images into Word and PowerPoint - I can in my PowerPoint Version 7. You might have to explicitly load a JPEG graphics filter first. I don't think the older Office products loaded many graphics filters by default. You had to customize the setup to get them. The results should be a file with a name similar to JPEGIM*.FLT in GRPHFLT in the shared Microsoft Apps area. That was the MSAPPS subdirectory under Windows 3.x and is the "Common Files/Microsoft Shared" directory under my 95 version.
Microsoft distributed a product called MS Imager on its Office CD up through version 6 (and mayber later). It now distributes Wang Image with either 95 or Office (or both). They both can process JPEG images. You should be able find those around somewhere or another, or else contact me for further details.
Some TIFF writers support compression. However, it is often not very effective on EM images. Same goes with GIF and PCX.
JPEG gets such good results because it is a lossy image compression algorthm, but it is quite good for most images, especially if you opt for a more faithful rendition. Because some very fine detail is sacrificed they are able to achieve very high compression ratios. I am not aware of any other standard formats that provide near as much compression. You probably will want to get yourself setup to work with JPEG.
BTW, could this be what they meant when they said "the devil is in the details"?
At 02:57 PM 2/11/98 EST, you wrote: } From my SEM, I'm sending images to people, .tiff images inserted into } Microsoft's Power Point. A problem is that a single .tiff image is over } 1 megabyte and inserting 20 or 30 into a Power Point presentation makes for a } 20 or 30 megabyte e-mail message and I get all sorts of grief from the people } that I send it to. } Now, I can convert these images into .jpeg files and the amount of } memory that they take is substantially reduced, 1027 kb becomes 126 kb and } there is a loss in quality but, depending upon the sample, I can accept } the loss in absolute image quality at times. } I can view the .jpegs in Thumbs and LViewPro, but the big problem is } that Power Point, and I believe Word also, does not let you insert a .jpeg } image into a document. So, if I send a .jpeg image to a person I can tell } them to get thumbs to view it, by itself, but I'd like to put the .jpegs into } a report much like Power Point, where the spaces for graphics and text are } ready to go, graphics with explanation. } Is there software like Power Point that I can set up a .jpeg } presentation? Or, is there another image file that I can convert the .tiff } to, instead of a .jpeg, compressing it to a smaller size than a .tiff? } Is there someone out there going through this also? } ---------------------------------------------------- Warren E. Straszheim 23 Town Engineering Iowa State University Ames IA, 50011 Phone: 515-294-8187 FAX: 515-294-4563
I am an amateur entomologist/microscopist/naturalist . I am looking for a trinocular microscope with excellent resolution and definition for microphotography purposes with koeler illumination ,magnification is not critical , I would be satisfyed up to 600X or 800X. Clarity and definition being first and formost I am looking for a real bargain , like a university or instituition that is getting rid of equipement at exceptionally low prices . THANK YOU ,RICHARD CLARKE : rclarke-at-total.net.
Kalvin Electron Microscope Lab Rm 1257 W Lenox Hill Hospital 100 E 77th St NY NY 10021
Friends:
YIKES! Anyone who trusts ZIP, Jaz, tape drives, and CD's for archived data is risking disaster!
The only way to go is magneto-optical. PERIOD! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
later
-gene
_____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
Could not help but pass these paragraphs along to you, Caroline. The author is "anonymous".
The Toad
In days of old, those far off times of high romaance and magic, A toad was an enchanted prince, A transformation tragic.
Today the toad is studied as A scientific topic No prince is found, although we look With vision microscopic.
And yet, the prince is there - he's there As clearly as can be. Forget your microscope, my friend, And use your eyes to see!
Nancy R. Smith Director of Operations Microscope And Graphic Imaging Center California State University, Hayward Hayward, CA 94542 http://www.csuhayward.edu/SCI/sem
The Center for Solid State Science at Arizona State University is looking for a unique Academic Associate to manage its new Materials Visualization & Analysis Facility and assist in coordination of education/outreach activities. The Facility will be networked to the advanced imaging and analysis capabilities of the Goldwater Materials Science Laboratories via a Windows NT based operating system providing on-site and off-site network access for education, research and research training. The appplicant must have a B.S./M.S. in Chemistry, Physics, Engineering or a related discipline. At least two-years experience with NT system management, C++, Java, and Visual Basic is strongly desirable. Materials Science, molecular modeling, education/outreach, and higher end computer (e.g., UNIX, SGI) experience are also desirable. The application deadline is April 1st, 1998 or the first of each month thereafter until the position is filled. Send a resume and names of three references to: Dr. Michael J. McKelvy, Chair, Search Committee, Center for Solid State Science, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1704. Arizona State University is an AA/EEO employer.
John C. Wheatley Lab Manager Arizona State University Center for Solid State Science PSA-213 BOX 871704 Tempe, AZ 85287-1704
New versions of Power Point and Word in Office 97 (and now Office 98) = accept .jpeg images as easily as any other format. I just did this for = a presentation myself.
Good luck,
Tom Thomas C. Isabell, Ph.D. Research Scientist E.A. Fischione Instruments, Inc. tci-at-fischione.com webpage: www.fischione.com
-----Original Message-----
From my SEM, I'm sending images to people, .tiff images inserted = into=20 Microsoft's Power Point. A problem is that a single .tiff image is over =
1 megabyte and inserting 20 or 30 into a Power Point presentation makes = for a=20 20 or 30 megabyte e-mail message and I get all sorts of grief from the = people=20 that I send it to. =20 Now, I can convert these images into .jpeg files and the amount of=20 memory that they take is substantially reduced, 1027 kb becomes 126 kb = and=20 there is a loss in quality but, depending upon the sample, I can accept=20 the loss in absolute image quality at times. I can view the .jpegs in Thumbs and LViewPro, but the big problem = is=20 that Power Point, and I believe Word also, does not let you insert a = .jpeg=20 image into a document. So, if I send a .jpeg image to a person I can = tell them to get thumbs to view it, by itself, but I'd like to put the = .jpegs into=20 a report much like Power Point, where the spaces for graphics and text = are=20 ready to go, graphics with explanation. Is there software like Power Point that I can set up a .jpeg=20 presentation? Or, is there another image file that I can convert the = .tiff=20 to, instead of a .jpeg, compressing it to a smaller size than a .tiff? Is there someone out there going through this also?=20
{!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"} {HTML} {HEAD}
{META content=3Dtext/html;charset=3Diso-8859-1 = http-equiv=3DContent-Type} {META content=3D'"MSHTML 4.72.2106.6"' name=3DGENERATOR} {/HEAD} {BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff} {DIV} {FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2} I've been asked to examine the grain = boundaries=20 of calcium metal with an SEM. Can anyone suggest a sample prep=20 technique?? {/FONT} {/DIV} {DIV} {FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2} {/FONT} {/DIV} {DIV} {FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2} Nan H. Laudenslager {/FONT} {/DIV} {DIV} {FONT size=3D2} Specialty Minerals. Inc. {/FONT} {/DIV} {/BODY} {/HTML}
In response to: =============================================== Can Anyone recommend a Canadian supplier for nylon lint free gloves. The type I am interested in are the tailored fit style (they look like butlers gloves) not the baggy type. I used to get them through JBEM services but can no longer. ================================================ These gloves are available from most of the major suppliers of EM consumable products, in addition to SPI, also Pella, EMS, Fullam, and Ladd. You can find them in our electronic catalog on our website given below.
While on the topic of gloves, one question we are asked frerquently is what are the relative advantages/disadvantage of cotton vs. nylon for handling the filament cap, housing, etc. Some seem to believe passionately in one and are anti the other. Even service engineers from the same microscope manufacturer give opposite recommendations!
Chuck
=================================================== Charles A. Garber, Ph. D. Ph: 1-(610)-436-5400 President 1-(800)-2424-SPI SPI SUPPLIES FAX: 1-(610)-436-5755 PO BOX 656 e-mail: cgarber-at-2spi.com West Chester, PA 19381-0656 USA Cust. Service: spi2spi-at-2spi.com
Look for us! ############################ WWW: http://www.2spi.com ############################ ==================================================
A broad summation, but basically true. Here are some different angles:
Manufacturer service: Generally considers providing service a necessary evil. Service personnel are not given an upward migration path, thus leading to high turnover and a generally low rate of service engineer competency. Part charges are generally 1000 - 1500 percent of the market value (99% of instrument problems require the replacement of electronic industry standard parts).
In a system as complex as an EM, manufacturer service engineers seldom carry with them replacement modules. While they can order such parts for rapid delivery, anyone can order those parts for similar delivery - including you or a third party service source.
Third party sources: You take your chances. There are competent third party sources out there, but there are also the incompetents. Experience with the particular instrument you are using is not necessarily a large hurdle, but it could be if the individuals don't have a broad experience. There is, more than likely, nothing special about the design of your particular instrument. The field of EM has not made any revolutionary changes for a long time. Make sure that you have an 'out', a reasonable cancellation clause for contract services.
I am, admittedly, biased towards third party providers, being one. At the same time, I can honestly state that I have saved my customers millions of dollars over the 16+ years I have been in business, and managed to provide a level of service at least equal to the manufacturers.
Third party service providers have a great deal more flexibility in catering to the customer needs than a manufacturer's service organization. Aside from the contractual flexibility, third party service providers bring a competetive ability in labor and replacement part pricing.
'HMO' style providers: These services seek to pit third party providers against each other in order to reduce pricing through competition. All service will be provided through billable service.
This is not necessarily bad. Many of the instruments out there do not require the low latency response time that service contracts provide. These organizations essentially take your active involvement out of the provision of service. Consider the time and expense of your involvement in seeking and maintaining ongoing service for your instruments, you may find that your involvement in the process is more costly than you realize.
However, if you require a high instrument up-time, you must plan on a contractual relationship that can offer you some guarantees.
Instrument service contracts essentially are comprised of a few, differing, components. Expected labor time and expenses, part replacement costs and catastrophic expenses. This latter category is the 'insurance' that bloats service contracts. However, it also amortizes those infrequent, but possibly expensive, problems that contribute to the long term maintenance of an instrument.
If you are fortunate enough to be able to justify the replacement of large capital equipment in a short period of time, you may be best served by the 'HMO' services out there, or perhaps the third party service sources. If that expensive system that you bought will have to last a long time, the manufacturer or a third party service provider will probably serve you best.
The common, middle of the road, answer may well be a carefully chosen third party service source that has a proven track record and a broad experience. That, however, can be hard to find. You will have to take an active role in the provision of service if you choose this route.
} -------------------------------------------------------------------- } ---- The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of } America To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to } ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -------------------------------------------------------------------- } ---. } } I received a variety of replies to the post concerning service } contracts. Most of these replies were from laboratories that are } located in continental USA. Some replies echoed that they thought } that service contracts were not cost-effective but a *thinly } disguised rip-off - especially when one finds in dealing with a wide } range of EM and non EM equipment* that the non-EM contracts } subsidize the cost of EM contracts. For example, *manufacturers } simply calculate the value of the service contract NOT on the At } least several replies warned that some third parties will bid on } equipment that their staff was not familiar with or were not able to } work on. Either way, third part vendors are unable to carry a } satisfactory inventory of parts and must purchase parts from the } original vendor. For example, *It is critical for prompt service } that the engineer can arrive with replacement boards in hand, swap } the boards to revive the scope, and take the defective boards back } home to fix at their leisure. If the 3rd partyService providers did } agree *there is a lack of third party service providers [but] that } being said, you should still be able in most cases to reduce your } maintenance costs by 20% by considering third party sources.* One } advantage is that *most small service providers are much more } flexible in their contract services, and can usually provide } services tailored to your maintenance needs - i.e., can adjust their } contracts to your requirements for preventive maintenance, emergency } service and replacement partMany replies discussed the role of } insurance companies in providing service. For example, *A new } creature on the market, these organizations seek to justify } themselves by providing a reduction in service costs by reducing the } 'insurance' inherent in a service contract and by trying to } artificially increase competition. They basically work by providing } service on a billable, rather than contract, basis. They will use } whatever service provider they deem reasonable and cheap. When you } sign up with them, In summary, original manufacturer service } contracts, (not demand service) although expensive, are favored for } computerized electron microscopes, third-party service may be cost } effective for older or less-sophisticated instruments, and there is } general dissatisfaction with insurance-type service arrangements due } to the slowness of repair. } } To all that responded, thank you. } } Peter O. Steele, Ph.D., PMIAC, } Special Anatomic Pathology, } All Children's Hospital } St. Petersburg, FL, USA } } } } } Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily } that of my employer. } } } } } Allen R. Sampson Advanced Research Systems 317 North 4th. Street St. Charles, IL 60174 PH 630.513.7093 FAX 630.513.7092 Email: ars-at-mcs.net WWW: http://www.mcs.net/~ars Analytical instrument maintenance services
We are using a PC machine for the following discussion.
What version of Powerpoint are you using? We have a similar problem here at PPG. We also have a 1Mbyte limit in our firewall for our Email, -Bummer.
Our standard Office version is two versions old (V4.0). We have one machine that we have Office97 loaded on. If we save a Word document that has a few Tif images in both Word97 and Word version 6 from Word97, then the Word97 document can sometimes be 10-15% of the file size that the Word 6 version takes up. I think that the Powerpoint97 does the same thing. I'm pretty sure what they are doing is saving the files in a compressed mode.
You have two options: 1) update to Office 97 (Word97 Powerpoint97, etc.) or 2) use a compression utility such as PKZip to send the document and have your colleague at the other end decompress it. I've recently zipped a 11Mb Word 6 document that had several images and graphs to about 3Mb doing this.
As to your other point, you can insert a jpeg file into a document if you have the graphics filter for it. The following lines are from my Win.ini file for the jpeg filter:
You can go to the Microsoft site and get this and other graphic and text filters.
However, this does not buy you anything. If you insert a tif or a jpeg image into Word or Powerpoint, then the filter will also uncompress the image to all its glory when it translates it into the document. Sorry.
-Scott
Scott D. Walck, Ph.D. PPG Industries, Inc. Guys Run Rd. (packages) P.O. Box 11472 (letters) Pittsburgh, PA 15238-0472
(412) 820-8651 (office) (412) 820-8161 (fax)
"The opinions expressed are those of Scott D. Walck and not of PPG Industries, Inc. nor of any PPG-associated companies."
From my SEM, I'm sending images to people, .tiff images inserted into Microsoft's Power Point. A problem is that a single .tiff image is over 1 megabyte and inserting 20 or 30 into a Power Point presentation makes for a 20 or 30 megabyte e-mail message and I get all sorts of grief from the people that I send it to. Now, I can convert these images into .jpeg files and the amount of memory that they take is substantially reduced, 1027 kb becomes 126 kb and there is a loss in quality but, depending upon the sample, I can accept the loss in absolute image quality at times. I can view the .jpegs in Thumbs and LViewPro, but the big problem is that Power Point, and I believe Word also, does not let you insert a .jpeg image into a document. So, if I send a .jpeg image to a person I can tell them to get thumbs to view it, by itself, but I'd like to put the .jpegs into a report much like Power Point, where the spaces for graphics and text are ready to go, graphics with explanation. Is there software like Power Point that I can set up a .jpeg presentation? Or, is there another image file that I can convert the .tiff to, instead of a .jpeg, compressing it to a smaller size than a .tiff? Is there someone out there going through this also?
Has anybody had any experience in cutting cryo sections of fixed, decalcified bone (mouse femurs) using a cryostat, for light microscopy? If so I would appreciate some helpful hints. Thank-you, Susie Nilsson C/o Sarah Ellis Research Division Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute Locked Bag #1 A'Beckett Street Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia
I would like to know how much someone must pay for the 'GATAN DigitalMicrograph' software version 3.x. for education or business. Any information is highly appreciated.
The FTP server has worked very well for us these past few years. I post a client's images (usually as .tiffs) to our firewall-protected anonymous-access site, usually the day after they were produced, and give them a little handout with accessing instructions clearly described. the client usually has a week or two to get them from the site before our system administrator routinely removes them. And yes, once or twice I've had to re-post them because the client was a little late getting them off. As for image archiving, since there's been a fair bit of traffic about this lately, I use CD's. We have a NORAN Voyager system, which produces images as ".greys", a format only Voyager understands, but can also produce copies as .tiffs. My archive CDs (one for each client) contain each image as both a .tiff and the original .grey. The client gets a similar CD. He/she probably can't do much with the .grey, but it serves as as an off-site archive, should something happen to ours. As far as longevity of CDs goes, I think I can reasonably expect them to last at least a decade or two in optimum storage conditions. By that time surely the scientific project the images were acquired for has run its course, to publication or whatever. Besides, I'll be retired or otherwise gone and probably won't care a whole hell of a lot.
F.C. Thomas MicroAnalysis Facility Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic) Bedford Institute of Oceanography Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Canada B2Y 4A2
I am looking for a dry detector for EDAX attached to Philips TEM CM-10. Could you please let me know where I can find one. E-mail addresseas or telephone numbers of the dealers or the manufacturerers is what I am looking for.
} YIKES! Anyone who trusts ZIP, Jaz, tape drives, and CD's for archived } data is risking disaster! } } The only way to go is magneto-optical. PERIOD! } ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
On the other hand, however, we have had significant problems with a MO drives and disks with disks becoming several cases of disks becoming unreadable after a while and one MO drive which totally died.
Whilst, they are not archiving media, Zips are handy, cheap and, so far, I have had more problems with 1.4Mb floppies than with Zips. The only Zip disk that I have had that died was replaced free by Iomega.
Seems like no media is perfect and multiple copies of data are always a good idea.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ian MacLaren, Tel: (44) (0) 121 414 3447 IRC in Materials for FAX: (44) (0) 121 414 3441 High Performance Applications, email: I.MacLaren-at-bham.ac.uk The University of Birmingham, http://web.bham.ac.uk/I.MacLaren/ Birmingham B15 2TT, England. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Why are you sending images in PowerPoint? That is a presentation software package for making slides, handouts, etc. Why not use PhotoShop for archiving and manipulating images. It allows you to do so much more with the images, is cross-plateform, permits saving in all sorts of file formates including JPEG and compressed TIFF. If you don't already have Adobe PhotoShop, I strongly recommend you getting it. Although it is an enormously powerful image processing program, the average microscopist only needs a relatively few features so the learning curve is not too bad. The ability and control you have to adjust gamma, contrast and brightness, image size, cripping, layout using levels, etc. is invaluable in addition to having all kinds of filtering available if desired. Color correction and balance is also at your fingertips if needed. You then are free to export the image to any object oriented program such as a drawing program or PowerPoint for making your final presentation figure.
Debby Sherman, manager Microscopy Center in Agriculture Purdue University West lafayette, IN 47907-1057 765-494-6666 E-mail: sherman-at-aux.btny.purdue.edu
--------------------------------------
From my SEM, I'm sending images to people, .tiff images inserted into Microsoft's Power Point. A problem is that a single .tiff image is over 1 megabyte and inserting 20 or 30 into a Power Point presentation makes for a 20 or 30 megabyte e-mail message and I get all sorts of grief from the people that I send it to. Now, I can convert these images into .jpeg files and the amount of memory that they take is substantially reduced, 1027 kb becomes 126 kb and there is a loss in quality but, depending upon the sample, I can accept the loss in absolute image quality at times. I can view the .jpegs in Thumbs and LViewPro, but the big problem is that Power Point, and I believe Word also, does not let you insert a .jpeg image into a document. So, if I send a .jpeg image to a person I can tell them to get thumbs to view it, by itself, but I'd like to put the .jpegs into
a report much like Power Point, where the spaces for graphics and text are ready to go, graphics with explanation. Is there software like Power Point that I can set up a .jpeg presentation? Or, is there another image file that I can convert the .tiff to, instead of a .jpeg, compressing it to a smaller size than a .tiff? Is there someone out there going through this also?
by gater3.sematech.org (8.7.6/F-1.12) with ESMTP id IAA10792; Thu, 12 Feb 1998 08:27:20 -0600 Received: from franklin.sematech.org by SEMATECH.Org (PMDF V5.1-10 #26085) with ESMTP id {01ITHI4BLJA08WYU2S-at-SEMATECH.Org} for microscopy-at-Sparc5.Microscopy.Com; Thu, 12 Feb 1998 08:27:17 CST Received: from localhost (root-at-localhost) by franklin.sematech.org with SMTP (8.7.6/8.7.3) id IAA05270 for {microscopy-at-Sparc5.Microscopy.Com} ; Thu, 12 Feb 1998 08:27:05 -0600 (CST)
Mark (and everyone else),
If you really feel that jpeg compression is the way to go, you can have your customers view them with a program that they likely already have... called Netscape (or Microsoft Internet Explorer for that matter). You can set up an html file that calls the images up, or let people call them up the images individually from whatever folder they might rest in.
I've been thinking about these things because I am also trying out various ways of sending digital images, at the moment I am still using large tiff format files, and I am putting these on a hard drive that is accessible to everyone on our in-house network. there are still "issues" with this solution, I am still working out file protection issues, but this hasn't been a problem (just a concern).
One reason I haven't gone to jpeg images is that, as you had mentioned, they don't go easily into Microsoft powerpoint... which is where most of my customers want to put them.
Brendan Foran SEMATECH Austin, TX
Standard disclaimer: these are my opinions, and should not be assumed to reflect those of my employer.
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From my SEM, I'm sending images to people, .tiff images inserted into Microsoft's Power Point. A problem is that a single .tiff image is over 1 megabyte and inserting 20 or 30 into a Power Point presentation makes for a 20 or 30 megabyte e-mail message and I get all sorts of grief from the people that I send it to. Now, I can convert these images into .jpeg files and the amount of memory that they take is substantially reduced, 1027 kb becomes 126 kb and there is a loss in quality but, depending upon the sample, I can accept the loss in absolute image quality at times. I can view the .jpegs in Thumbs and LViewPro, but the big problem is that Power Point, and I believe Word also, does not let you insert a .jpeg image into a document. So, if I send a .jpeg image to a person I can tell them to get thumbs to view it, by itself, but I'd like to put the .jpegs into a report much like Power Point, where the spaces for graphics and text are ready to go, graphics with explanation. Is there software like Power Point that I can set up a .jpeg presentation? Or, is there another image file that I can convert the .tiff to, instead of a .jpeg, compressing it to a smaller size than a .tiff? Is there someone out there going through this also?
} } YIKES! Anyone who trusts ZIP, Jaz, tape drives, and CD's for archived } data is risking disaster! } } The only way to go is magneto-optical. PERIOD!
I am curious why magneto-optical is preferred over CD (write once)? What size MO?
In our situation, we use all of the above (including MO's of 128 and 230 MB) but prefer CD's for archiving since they may be read by all platforms (using ISO9660).
#################################################################### John J. Bozzola, Ph.D., Director Center for Electron Microscopy Neckers Building, Room 146 - B Wing Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL 62901 U.S.A. Phone: 618-453-3730 Fax: 618-453-2665 Email: bozzola-at-siu.edu Web: http://www.siu.edu/departments/shops/cem.html ####################################################################
Is anyone else interested in lobbying to have Caroline's microscopy quotes list posted to the group? If it isn't too much trouble, of course - but some that were sent to the list have been wonderful (Woody Allen's, especially)...Would anyone be offended at the "wasted' bandwidth?
Just a warning about Microsoft Powerpoint 97. We've had a problem importing tiff files with this software. Hopefully the newer version has corrected the problems
Yeah, but our 2-year-old HP M-O drive will no longer reliably accept its cartridges. These were the 1300 MB cartridges with 650 MB on a side. I hoped that we could find another in the area to back us up, but we seem to have the only one in town. You wouldn't happen to have an HP 1300T drive would you? {G}
I guess we all have to beware.
At 05:12 PM 2/11/98 -0600, you wrote: } } Kalvin Electron Microscope Lab } Rm 1257 W } Lenox Hill Hospital } 100 E 77th St } NY NY 10021 } } Friends: } } YIKES! Anyone who trusts ZIP, Jaz, tape drives, and CD's for archived } data is risking disaster! } } The only way to go is magneto-optical. PERIOD! } } later } } -gene ---------------------------------------------------- Warren E. Straszheim 23 Town Engineering Iowa State University Ames IA, 50011 Phone: 515-294-8187 FAX: 515-294-4563
Here is a brief summary of the replies I received about the M&M1999 physical science tutorials:
1. "How about GIF and perhaps PEELS?"
2. Defect recognition and analysis in crystalline materials.
3. Accessing and using on-line crystallogrphic databases
4. SEM Techniques
5. Optimizing the microscope for XEDS and WDS detection
6. XEDS imaging and interpretation, the right ways and the wrong ways.
7. Automation and Remote Control
8. More sample preparation (cross section of ALL methods)
9. Cross section samples with the FIB
10. Spectrum imaging
It looks like some of these clearly overlap and so I may have the basis of a couple of tutorials. If there are further suggestions and/or comments please feel free to send them. If you merely want to vote (for or against) any of the suggestions then that is OK too.
Regards
Jfm
________________________ Note new Area Code (734) ________________________ John Mansfield North Campus Electron Microbeam Analysis Laboratory 417 SRB, University of Michigan 2455 Hayward, Ann Arbor MI 48109-2143 Phone: (734) 936-3352 FAX (734) 936-3352 Cellular Phone: (734) 715-2510 (Leaving a phone message at 936-3352 is preferable to 715-2510) Email: jfmjfm-at-engin.umich.edu URL: http://emalwww.engin.umich.edu/people/jfmjfm/jfmjfm.html
Somewhere I am sure this has been mentioned before, but considering this thread, I mention again....
JPG files are great for reducing the (file) size in order to send them out for "review". This method of image compression is, however, "lossy". That is, image information is lost forever during compression. Various degrees of compression are available for JPGs. At minimum loss it is very difficult to tell something has happened to the image using the naked eye. At maximum compression, the loss is significant and quite visible in most images. It is also my understanding that recalling and saving a JPG repeatedly will, to some degree add more data loss.
For archiving scientific images, especially when the image may later be subject to "image analysis", editing, or close realtime scrutiny, a lossless mode of saving is indicated. TIFF and PCX file types are such examples.
Woody White McDermott Technology, Inc. woody.n.white-at-mcdermott.com http://www.mtiresearch.com
} } The only way to go is magneto-optical. PERIOD! } } I am curious why magneto-optical is preferred over CD (write once)? } What size MO? } } In our situation, we use all of the above (including MO's of 128 and 230 } MB) but prefer CD's for archiving since they may be read by all platforms } (using ISO9660).
I would NOT rely on MO for archiving because of the lack of a standard disk format. ( Well -- there is an ECMA "standard", but I don't know of any vendors implementing it! )
Not only is it not cross platform, but even changes in the DOS/Windows disk format will break it -- this happened to us going from DOS 3.x to 4 & 5 . MO Disks formatted under 3.x were unreadable under v4 or v5.
Disks are also not necessarily portable if you change disk controllers.
From my experience, neither the MO disk vendors, SCSI controller vendors, or Microsoft seem very concerned with questions of data archive integrity. Their solution to incompatible changes is always the same: "Just backup and reformat"
CDs at least have a standard that you can expect will be supported for many years.
---| Steven D. Majewski (804-982-0831) {sdm7g-at-Virginia.EDU} |--- ---| Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics |--- ---| University of Virginia Health Sciences Center |--- ---| P.O. Box 10011 Charlottesville, VA 22906-0011 |--- All power corrupts and obsolete power corrupts obsoletely." - Ted Nelson
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I just received bulk mail from mailto:art_and_mikey-at-justamateurs.com. Has anyone else received the sexsite advertisement??? Even if I was single out somehow, the Microscopy list was responsible somehow because it had the Microscopy text header ...
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } I just received bulk mail from } mailto:art_and_mikey-at-justamateurs.com. Has anyone else received the } sexsite advertisement??? Even if I was single out somehow, the } Microscopy list was responsible somehow because it had the Microscopy } text header ... } } } cheerios, shAf } -- } {\/} /\ {\/} /\ {\/} /\ {\/} /\ cogito, ergo zZOooOM /\ {\/} /\ {\/} /\ {\/} /\ {\/} } } Michael Shaffer, R.A. - http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~mshaf/ } Geological Science's Electron Probe Facility at the University of Oregon } } mshaf-at-darkwing.uoregon.edu or mshaf-at-oregon.uoregon.edu } } }
We get these from time to time. Luckily most of us hit the "delete" = button from the header details.
Just a reminder NOT to hit reply and type "remove" as it's not you who's = on their list, it's the list server. You'll only succeed in = broadcasting your message to the whole list.
Cheers, Roger
Roger Wallis General Manager Optiscan P/L Confocal Microscopy PO Box 1066 Mt. Waverley MDC Victoria 3149 Australia Tel: (61) 3-9562-7741 Fax: (61) 3-9562-7742 e-mail: rogerw-at-optiscan.com.au URL: http://www.optiscan.com.au ______________________________
} I just received bulk mail from } mailto:art_and_mikey-at-justamateurs.com. Has anyone else received the } sexsite advertisement??? Even if I was single out somehow, the } Microscopy list was responsible somehow because it had the Microscopy } text header ...
We all received it. The list-manager should modify the software so that only identified registered subscribers can submit messages to the server. Other lists have done so.
No disrespect intended, but I can't let this go by unaddressed. My apologies in advance, Nestor.
You state: } "Manufacturer service: } Generally considers providing service a necessary evil. Service } personnel are not given an upward migration path,..."
It appears that to you there is no "upward migration path", which I assume is to mean some nebulous region of importance in one's mind, and that results in a better paycheck. Due to the complexity of EMs, service engineers cannot help but constantly increase their skills and expertise. Our "upward mobility" is always in motion. It doesn't stagnate and the permutation of service problems are infinite, challenging, and enlightening...and it, too, results in better paychecks.
} "...thus leading to high turnover and a generally low rate of } service engineer competency."
Of the 70+ service engineers in the company I work for, the average length of time the company is 10 to 15 years with several 25+ years service, the least 3 1/2 years. Turnover is very rare and to my knowledge has never been due to the lack of upward mobility. I will not take issue with your statment that there is a 'generally low rate of service engineer competency'. I assume you hire the best...so do we. AND manufacturer service engineers are constantly being trained and updated on any EM service modifications and new products.
} "Part charges are generally 1000 - 1500 percent of the market value } (99% of instrument problems require the replacement of electronic } industry standard parts)."
Though the manufacturer list price to non-contract customers is significantlly higher, your calculator either converts microns to furlongs-per-fortnight or your batteries need replacing. When occasion arises where industry standard parts can be used, we use them. Its less expensive and it saves our company money as well. In light of the life of a microscope and the service required over that course of that period, there are times when you eat the bear or the bear eats you. In most cases, the service records will reflect that at the time a scope is retired, even at manufacturer cost, the contract customer still comes out ahead.
} "In a system as complex as an EM, manufacturer service engineers } seldom carry with them replacement modules. While they can order } such parts for rapid delivery, anyone can order those parts for } similar delivery - including you or a third party service source."
I think here you will find that the price you pay for your part will be at list price while the contract customer will not feel that sting.
Admittedly, your statement put me on the defensive. EM service engineers, no matter what company they work for, take considerable pride in what they do even though we may work on different sides of the market share table.
Respectfully,
Clay Jordan District Customer Service Engineer FEI/Philips Electron Optics
Well, we all have to do our part...I had a few minutes to kill, so I did a little investigation on this particular "justamateurs.com" website, AKA "208.153.103.7".
A "traceroute" revealed the gateway and the route through the 'Net for these spammers. I e-mailed and complained to their upstream providers. Who knows, it might make a difference. But then again...
Do your part to fight Spam!
Bob ********************************* Robert (Bob) Chiovetti E. Licht Company / 1-800-865-4248 rchiovetti-at-aol.com
********************************* Leica (Wild, Leitz, Bausch&Lomb, Cambridge, AO, Reichert-Jung) / Technical Instrument Company / American Volpi / Fostek / Stocker and Yale / AEI North America / OptiQuip / Dolan-Jenner / Osram / G.E. / Philips / Ushio / Boeckler Instruments / Heidenhain / Narishige / Colorado Video / Visual Environments of California, Inc. / Kinetic Systems / Pacific Precision Laboratories, Inc. / Pryor Scientific / Compumotor / Sutter Instrument Co. / Advanced Database Systems / Cohu / Javeline Electronics / Optronics / Diagnostic Instruments, Inc. / Dage MTI / Hitachi / Panasonic / Polaroid / Kodak / Mitsubishi / Sony
} Attachment converted: Macintosh HD:Compress (TEXT/MSWD) (0000912D)
I would just like to appeal to everybody in this mailserver not to use attachments! It is one thing to delete a mail that is not within the scope of own interest but quite another thing to fiddle out all unwanted attachments from attachment folders. For longer statements please use personal Email! Thanks to everybody Hiltrud Mueller-Sigmund
Dr. Hiltrud Mueller-Sigmund Institut fuer Mineralogie, Petrologie und Geochemie Albertstrasse 23b, 79104 Freiburg (Germany) Tel.: (+49)-203-6388/-6396 Fax: -6407
I'm from Germany, Zip-drives are not such widely distributed here compared to the states, so they are no "must" for us (except people from the states come here with their data ...). I have nothing against ZIP-drives, I only want to ask why people state that they are cheap and handy for image transfer? In Germany they cost } = 15 US-Dollars in a normal Computer shop. For my feeling this is not cheap for 100 MB. Most media are cheaper (and faster), including MOs, CD-RW, Hard Discs (!) etc. Or do you pay only 5$ in the states?
Dr. Arthur Schuessler University of Heidelberg Zellenlehre Im Neuenheimer Feld 230 D-69120 Heidelberg Germany
We have a JEOL 1200II STEM and are considering the purchase of a double = tilt holder for SAED.
Does anyone have experience with the JEOL double-tilt, or is there a = better choice?? It's a very expensive item for a very specific = technique, and I have no personal experience.
Thanks,
Nan Laudenslager Analytical Testing Group Specialty Minerals, Inc.
{!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"} {HTML} {HEAD}
{META content=3Dtext/html;charset=3Diso-8859-1 = http-equiv=3DContent-Type} {META content=3D'"MSHTML 4.72.2106.6"' name=3DGENERATOR} {/HEAD} {BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff} {DIV} {FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2} We have a JEOL 1200II STEM and are = considering=20 the purchase of a double tilt holder for SAED. {/FONT} {/DIV} {DIV} {FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2} {/FONT} {/DIV} {DIV} {FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2} Does anyone have experience with the = JEOL=20 double-tilt, or is there a better choice?? It's a very expensive item = for a very=20 specific technique, and I have no personal experience. {/FONT} {/DIV} {DIV} {FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2} {/FONT} {/DIV} {DIV} {FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2} Thanks, {/FONT} {/DIV} {DIV} {FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2} {/FONT} {/DIV} {DIV} {FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2} Nan Laudenslager {/FONT} {/DIV} {DIV} {FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2} Analytical Testing = Group {/FONT} {/DIV} {DIV} {FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2} Specialty Minerals,=20 Inc. {/FONT} {/DIV} {/BODY} {/HTML}
14th International Congress on Electron Microscopy
Cancun, Mexico
August 31 to September 4 1998
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The deadline for receipt of abstracts has been extended to
February 28
If you need further information please feel free to contact me - or to consult the Congress web site which has full details: http://icem.inin.mx . Alwyn Eades Department of Materials Science and Engineering Lehigh University 5 East Packer Avenue Bethlehem Pennsylvannia 18015-3195 Phone 610 758 4231 Fax 610 758 4244 jae5-at-lehigh.edu
Vin Berry vinod.berry-at-gep.ge.com } ---------- } From: shAf[SMTP:mshaf-at-darkwing.uoregon.edu] } Sent: Thursday, February 12, 1998 4:21 PM } To: Microscopy Listserver; Nestor } Subject: bulk ads on Microscopy list } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } I just received bulk mail from } mailto:art_and_mikey-at-justamateurs.com. Has anyone else received the } sexsite advertisement??? Even if I was single out somehow, the } Microscopy list was responsible somehow because it had the Microscopy } text header ... } } } cheerios, shAf } -- } {\/} /\ {\/} /\ {\/} /\ {\/} /\ cogito, ergo zZOooOM /\ {\/} /\ {\/} /\ {\/} /\ {\/} } } Michael Shaffer, R.A. - http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~mshaf/ } Geological Science's Electron Probe Facility at the University of Oregon } } mshaf-at-darkwing.uoregon.edu or mshaf-at-oregon.uoregon.edu } }
We have a PSEM 501 which has a couple of HT problems (needs new HT cascade generator and gun silicone potting needs replacing). However, we are replacing it shortly and do not wish to spend any more money on it. It is thus available for spares to those of you still running them. SED, BSED, some signal processing, alpha numeric generator etc. Any parts left will be disposed of at the end of February.
Ron
========================================================================== = Mr. Ron Doole e-mail ron.doole-at-materials.ox.ac.uk Department of Materials, phone +44 (0) 1865 273701 University of Oxford, fax +44 (0) 1865 283333 Parks Road. Oxford. OX1 3PH. UK. ========================================================================== ==
1. Zip disks are typically available for $15 or less as singles, but if you purchase in 6-packs or 10-packs, they are in the $10-12 range, and sometimes discounted even more. Iomega-brand Zips command the highest prices, but Sony and Maxell and Fuji also are licensed suppliers whose co-branded disks typically are a bit lower priced.
2. I believe that Zip drive data transfer rates are a *lot* faster than any optical drive, but of course do not match hard drive speeds. Check direct comparison reviews such as in PC Magazine, June 1996 for numbers. However, they are "fast enough", and can run many commonly used programs directly from the disk with ease, giving hardly any feel of running slower than from a hard disk. In fact, one of my colleagues had a hard drive failure some time ago, and ran most of her programs such as Word and QuarkExpress directly from the Zip for a long time.
3. I don't know about Germany (but hope to find out personally when I visit in April :-) ) but in the US you can take a Zip disk into any Kinko's Copies, for example, and be assured that you will be able to use their Zip drives to read your disk. You could do that with a CD also, of course, but probably not with assurance using any other type of removable media.
4. We have a CD writer in our lab, and in two years as far as I am aware, not a single user has requested to take their data home on a CD...these days virtually everybody comes with Zips because they are so handy to be able to dump images on without the hassles of CD writers. However, we do all of our permanent image archiving on CDs. So everything has its price and its advantages and disadvantages....
Larry
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Dr. Lawrence F. Allard Senior Research Staff Member High Temperature Materials Laboratory Oak Ridge National Laboratory 1 Bethel Valley Road Bldg. 4515, MS 6064 PO Box 2008 Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6064
Fellow microscopists, Can anyone recommend a general plant cytochemistry book/monograph? TIA Hank Adams Electron Microscopy Lab New Mexico State University Las Cruces,NM 88003 phone: 505-6463600 fax: 505-6465665
Regarding the now ongoing debate I will side 100% with Allen. I have witnessed everything he describes first hand. My colleagues at this and at other institutions have had virtually identical experiences. I find it interesting that all of us have had these experiences with a company that shares the same name as Mr. Jordan's e-mail address. I have not deleted any of the remarks so others can compare with their own experiences.
Clay Jordan wrote: } } Allen, } } No disrespect intended, but I can't let this go by unaddressed. My } apologies in advance, Nestor. } } You state: } } "Manufacturer service: } } Generally considers providing service a necessary evil. Service } } personnel are not given an upward migration path,..." } } It appears that to you there is no "upward migration path", which I } assume is to mean some nebulous region of importance in one's mind, } and that results in a better paycheck. Due to the complexity of EMs, } service engineers cannot help but constantly increase their skills and } expertise. Our "upward mobility" is always in motion. It doesn't } stagnate and the permutation of service problems are infinite, } challenging, and enlightening...and it, too, results in better } paychecks. } } } "...thus leading to high turnover and a generally low rate of } } service engineer competency." } } Of the 70+ service engineers in the company I work for, the average } length of time the company is 10 to 15 years with several 25+ years } service, the least 3 1/2 years. Turnover is very rare and to my } knowledge has never been due to the lack of upward mobility. I will } not take issue with your statment that there is a 'generally low rate } of service engineer competency'. I assume you hire the best...so do } we. AND manufacturer service engineers are constantly being trained } and updated on any EM service modifications and new products. } } } "Part charges are generally 1000 - 1500 percent of the market value } } (99% of instrument problems require the replacement of electronic } } industry standard parts)." } } Though the manufacturer list price to non-contract customers is } significantlly higher, your calculator either converts microns to } furlongs-per-fortnight or your batteries need replacing. When occasion } arises where industry standard parts can be used, we use them. Its } less expensive and it saves our company money as well. In light of the } life of a microscope and the service required over that course of that } period, there are times when you eat the bear or the bear eats you. In } most cases, the service records will reflect that at the time a scope } is retired, even at manufacturer cost, the contract customer still } comes out ahead. } } } "In a system as complex as an EM, manufacturer service engineers } } seldom carry with them replacement modules. While they can order } } such parts for rapid delivery, anyone can order those parts for } } similar delivery - including you or a third party service source." } } } I think here you will find that the price you pay for your part will } be at list price while the contract customer will not feel that sting. } } Admittedly, your statement put me on the defensive. EM service } engineers, no matter what company they work for, take considerable } pride in what they do even though we may work on different sides of } the market share table. } } Respectfully, } Clay Jordan } District Customer Service Engineer } FEI/Philips Electron Optics } "OK...Who put Stop-Leak in the water chiller?"
Geoff -- *************************************************************** Geoff McAuliffe, Ph.D. Neuroscience and Cell Biology Robert Wood Johnson Medical School 675 Hoes Lane Piscataway, NJ 08854 voice: (732)-235-4583; fax -4029 e-mail: mcauliff-at-umdnj.edu ***************************************************************
I am using a fluorescence scope to examine whole mounts of unfixed leaf material, when using a triple excitation filter #83000 for DAPI/FITC/TR we have been finding that the leaf material will heat up to a point that charring of the specimen is observed. This is with the standard heat absorbing glass filters on an Olympus BX60 in place. Could this be some unblocked leakage of IR with this filter set? As it is not seen when using single band excitation for each fluorochome separately.
If this is the fact would it dangerous (from the point of Hg lamp brakage) to install a gold hot mirror filter to block to IR above 650 nm.
Thanks
Russ Spear Russell N. Spear Sr. Research Specialist Dept. of Plant Pathology Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison
Just to keep a little perspective here, I must say that my experience does not coincide with Geoff's. At least not in the case of Mr. Jordan's company. During my tenure as a facility administrator I have owned TEM's from 4 manufacturers. While I have had some problems with the service from 1 of the manufacturer's, I have never had any problems with Mr. Jordan's company and I have operated a 410LS since 1983. During that time I have dealt with the same two service engineers. My experience is shared with another facility on campus with three more of their devices. Indeed, it is the quality of their service that allows me to recommend their company over any of the others I have dealt with. Sure, my experience is somewhat anecdotal, but so is everyone's. I cannot agree with Allen or Geoff.
Respectfully,
Rick A. Harris, Director Microscopy and Image Analysis Facility Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology 1241 Life Sciences Addition University of California Davis, CA 530 752 2914 530 752 3085 fax raharris-at-ucdavis.edu
Enroll us in your lobby. And, space permitting, I'd like to publish them in the next issue of The Microscope Book. Regards, Elinor Solit, The Cambrex Group
On Thu, 12 Feb 1998, Caroline Schooley wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } Is anyone else interested in lobbying to have Caroline's microscopy quotes } } list posted to the group? If it isn't too much trouble, of course - } } but some that were sent to the list have been wonderful (Woody Allen's, } } especially)...Would anyone be offended at the "wasted' bandwidth? } } } } Tamara Howard } } CSHL } } Plan B: They're so good that perhaps they belong in the MICRO section of } the MSA web page; want to look at them all, Nestor? } } Caroline } } } Caroline Schooley } Educational Outreach Coordinator } Microscopy Society of America } Box 117, 45301 Caspar Point Road } Caspar, CA 95420 } Phone/FAX (707)964-9460 } Project MICRO: http://www.MSA.microscopy.com/ProjectMICRO/Books.html } Intertidal invertebrates: http://www.fortbragg.k12.ca.us/AG/PCI/ } }
The cost of the drive itself is also an important consideration as is=20 the wide acceptance of the Zip=2E =20 =20 John Humenansky Braun Intertec Minneapolis, MN =20 fax: 612-942-4844
------------------------------------------------------------------------=20 The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America=20 =20 =20 I'm from Germany, Zip-drives are not such widely distributed here compared=20 to the states, so they are no "must" for us (except people from the states=20 come here with their data =2E=2E=2E)=2E I have nothing against ZIP-drives, I only want to ask why people state that= =20 they are cheap and handy for image transfer? In Germany they cost } =3D 15=20 US-Dollars in a normal Computer shop=2E For my feeling this is not cheap fo= r=20 100 MB=2E Most media are cheaper (and faster), including MOs, CD-RW, Hard=20 Discs (!) etc=2E Or do you pay only 5$ in the states? =20 =20 Dr=2E Arthur Schuessler University of Heidelberg Zellenlehre Im Neuenheimer Feld 230 D-69120 Heidelberg Germany =20 Fax: 06221 544913 =20
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I just had another thought about Zip drives that have not been covered in the previous conversations about portable media.
I don't want a large capacity portable disk to carry around my data and working files. I have the option here of doing this with 1Gb Jaz drives and still choose the Zip drives. Most times, I only have a few images in the 1-2 Mb range with Powerpoint files for presentations that are in the 10-30 Mb range and perhaps some spectra and a WordPerfect file. I can label this disk with the topic that it covers and carry it home and work with it there. Ok, sometimes I need two Zip disks, but two of them can still fit in my pocket easily. I consider the Zip disks my working disks. When the information is ready for archiving, it gets burned onto a CD.
If I have too much stuff on one disk, I forget what's on it and can't keep up with it. I also think that I run too much of a risk if something happens to it. My mode of operation is to use the Zip for the current file and backup the file on the hard drive of the last machine that I used. This way, if I loose the Zip disk, I can still go back to the last machine that I used.
Just my two cents.
-Scott
Scott D. Walck, Ph.D. PPG Industries, Inc. Guys Run Rd. (packages) P.O. Box 11472 (letters) Pittsburgh, PA 15238-0472
(412) 820-8651 (office) (412) 820-8161 (fax)
"The opinions expressed are those of Scott D. Walck and not of PPG Industries, Inc. nor of any PPG-associated companies."
Hank Adams wrote: ============================================ Fellow microscopists, Can anyone recommend a general plant cytochemistry book/monograph? ============================================= One book that is a very good seller, is the following:
You can get an over view of the book and the complete Table of Contents listing on our website given below.
Chuck
=================================================== Charles A. Garber, Ph. D. Ph: 1-(610)-436-5400 President 1-(800)-2424-SPI SPI SUPPLIES FAX: 1-(610)-436-5755 PO BOX 656 e-mail: cgarber-at-2spi.com West Chester, PA 19381-0656 USA Cust. Service: spi2spi-at-2spi.com
Look for us! ############################ WWW: http://www.2spi.com ############################ ==================================================
Hi! I received a sample of fungus (potato blight) grown on an agar, with the request to process it for SEM. Does anybody know the best way to aproach it? Thanks Dorota e-mail Wadowska-at-UPEI.ca
Dear Hank, an excellent but almost impossible book to procure (it's out of print) is:
O'Brien, T.P. and McCully, M.E. (1981) The study of plant structure: Principles and selected methods. Termarcarphi Printing Ltd., Melbourne. ISBN 0 9594174 0 0
Also good is:
Berlyn, G.P. and Miksche, J.P. (1976) Botanical microtechnique and cytochemistry. Iowa State University Press. ISBN 8138 0220 2
Both a little dated (is there a later edition of Berlyn and Miksche?) but very good for basic techniques. Cheers, John
================= C. John Runions Section of Ecology and Systematics Corson Hall Cornell University Ithaca, New York USA 14853
Note also Research post doc position at ASU. Contact Lindsay lab http://green.la.asu.edu/
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ George Sibbald, President Molecular Imaging Corporation; Technology leader "in situ" SPM 9830A South 51st Street, Suite A124 Phoenix, AZ 85044, USA Phone(602)753-4311, Fax(602)753-4312 http://www.molec.com/
Nestor, my apologies in advance for continuing this digression, however, some out there may be interested in this behind-the-scenes look.
} Allen, } } No disrespect intended, but I can't let this go by unaddressed. } My apologies in advance, Nestor. } } You state: } } "Manufacturer service: } } Generally considers providing service a necessary evil. } Service } personnel are not given an upward migration } path,..." } } It appears that to you there is no "upward migration path", } which I assume is to mean some nebulous region of importance in } one's mind, and that results in a better paycheck. Due to the } complexity of EMs, service engineers cannot help but constantly } increase their skills and expertise. Our "upward mobility" is } always in motion. It doesn't stagnate and the permutation of } service problems are infinite, challenging, and } enlightening...and it, too, results in better paychecks.
Nothing nebulous about it. Young people entering a field like to find a horizon beyond their current position. Yes, a field engineer's salary will increase over the years, as will any profession. The problem generally relates to the first statement above, that manufacturers consider service a necessary evil.
Few manufacturers really recognize the benefits of a good service organization. To corporate management, it is a pesky drain on corporate profits. To engineering, it is something that will eventually be engineered out of the picture. While I put this in rather dire terms, there are a few very revealing questions I could pose to any manufacturer. How many corporate management positions have been filled by former field engineers? More to the point, how much training have your field engineers been given in cross selling your products?
} } "...thus leading to high turnover and a generally low rate of } } service engineer competency." } } Of the 70+ service engineers in the company I work for, the } average length of time the company is 10 to 15 years with } several 25+ years service, the least 3 1/2 years. Turnover is } very rare and to my knowledge has never been due to the lack of } upward mobility. I will not take issue with your statment that } there is a 'generally low rate of service engineer competency'. } I assume you hire the best...so do we. AND manufacturer service } engineers are constantly being trained and updated on any EM } service modifications and new products.
My statements were intentionally broad - there are some good companies out there. However, there are far more that can not maintain a competant service force and service presence. I can attest to Philips service as generally being found adequate by customers, since I have only infrequently been requested to provide service on your instruments (however, since I primarily work on SEMs, perhaps that relates more to your market share in that area).
} } "Part charges are generally 1000 - 1500 percent of the market } value } (99% of instrument problems require the replacement of } electronic } industry standard parts)." } } } Though the manufacturer list price to non-contract customers is } significantlly higher, your calculator either converts microns } to furlongs-per-fortnight or your batteries need replacing. } When occasion arises where industry standard parts can be used, } we use them. Its less expensive and it saves our company money } as well. In light of the life of a microscope and the service } required over that course of that period, there are times when } you eat the bear or the bear eats you. In most cases, the } service records will reflect that at the time a scope is } retired, even at manufacturer cost, the contract customer still } comes out ahead.
I could provide an endless list of remarkable part charges by nmanufacturers. Most companies serve parts from their own storerooms where part costs include a very healthy margin for the procurement and storage. I will also add that some manufacturers modify third party assemblies or software to lock customers into them as a sole source.
Here's a simple example from just a few years ago. The venerable DEC LSI-11 used in EDS was generally assembled from a variety of suppliers. Seldom was the customer supplied with the complete operating system, often the system utilities required for complete maintenance were intentionally left out. I had a customer who had a 40MByte hard drive go bad who was quoted $6000 for its replacement. The manufacturer felt safe in asking this price because they had made a slight modification to the driver board and had not supplied the hard drive formatting utility with the system.
In this case, a simple call to the manufacturer of the driver board got us a free copy of the formatting utility and the drive was found through a number of sources for $400.
Your reply does raise a question, though. Are you stating that Philips charges more for parts to non-contract customers than it does to contract customers? Is this legal?
Yes, Philips can easily claim that contract customers come out ahead. I have seen the labor rates you charge for your billable services.
} } "In a system as complex as an EM, manufacturer service } engineers } seldom carry with them replacement modules. } While they can order } such parts for rapid delivery, anyone } can order those parts for } similar delivery - including } you or a third party service source." } } } I think here you will find that the price you pay for your part } will be at list price while the contract customer will not feel } that sting.
Once again, is this practice legal? While there are certain games you can play to entice customers into contracts such as response time and labor rates, I don't think that you would be on good legal ground charging different part prices. In dealing with manufacturers for part orders, I have never even been asked if I own one of their instruments, much less whether I have one under contract. But then, I have obviously not had to order a Philips part.
} Admittedly, your statement put me on the defensive. EM service } engineers, no matter what company they work for, take } considerable pride in what they do even though we may work on } different sides of the market share table.
True enough, for those who find their niche here. But there are obviously still some very serious differences of opinion on customer service.
} Respectfully, } } Clay Jordan } District Customer Service Engineer } FEI/Philips Electron Optics
Allen R. Sampson Advanced Research Systems 317 North 4th. Street St. Charles, IL 60174 PH 630.513.7093 FAX 630.513.7092 Email: ars-at-mcs.net WWW: http://www.mcs.net/~ars Analytical instrument maintenance services
I have tried examining Ca metal that had been mounted and polished. The = tricky part is getting the mount into the SEM before the surface = oxidizes enough to interfere.
I thought about adding something to the last polishing felt to seal the = surface. Maybe a formvar solution?? Any other thoughts??
Thanks,
Nan Laudenslager Analytical Testing Group Specialty Minerals, Inc. nhl-at-early.com
{!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"} {HTML} {HEAD}
{META content=3Dtext/html;charset=3Diso-8859-1 = http-equiv=3DContent-Type} {META content=3D'"MSHTML 4.72.2106.6"' name=3DGENERATOR} {/HEAD} {BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff} {DIV} {FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2} I have tried examining Ca metal that = had been=20 mounted and polished. The tricky part is getting the mount into the SEM = before=20 the surface oxidizes enough to interfere. {/FONT} {/DIV} {DIV} {FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2} {/FONT} {/DIV} {DIV} {FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2} I thought about adding something to = the last=20 polishing felt to seal the surface. Maybe a formvar solution?? Any other =
Dorota, I would take plug-like samples of the fungi and the agar below it using a widened pipette tip place the samples into a small plastic petri dish along with a beem capsule lid containing 1 or 2% osmium tetroxide (in buffer if you wish). Seal and insert this into a larger petri dish. Seal and place the nested dishes in a dark box in a fume hood for 48 hours. Examine every 12-15 hours and replace osmium with fresh soln. The fungi should turn black and the agar only a pale grey. Remove fixative to a waste container with vegetable oil and allow the sample to air dry for 24 hours. Trim off the agar, glue the disk of fungi to an aluminum stub with double sticky tape, add colloidal silver to the edge of the sample and tape. Sputter-coat with 10 nm of gold or gold/palladium. If the fungi has loose threads or fruiting bodies, I would prepare another stub with double sticky tape and touch it to the surface of another plug to obtained structures fully adhering to the stub-- again add a drop of colloidal silver and sputter-coat. This is known as vapor fixation and is very effective for hydophobic organisms such as fungi. I do not have a reference handy but can look for it at the lab on Monday. Good luck! Rosemary
At 3:33 PM 2/13/98 -0400, Dorota Wadowska wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
At 01:36 AM 2/14/1998 -0600, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
I would like to toss in my experiences regarding EM service contracts. We had our Brand X SEM on a service contract for several years. The manufacturer promoted an excellent service engineer to another position and region. His replacement was not properly trained on our instrument and could not handle the volume of instruments entrusted to his care. Consequently, our instrument began to suffer and complaints were not dealt with constructively. Other local users of this brand had similar frustrations.
I spent a lot of time and energy persuading the manufacturer to correct their problems and compensate us for their transgressions. After an extension of the contract expired, I searched for a third party service provider and found....Allen Sampson. I can certainly vouch that, while I am not contracted for next-day service, the technical competence is at least as good as, if not better than the manufacturer's. Additionally, we purchase standard replacement parts for a fraction of the list price.
While I have to assume some of the maintenance decisions myself and be responsible for obtaining replacement parts, the instrument is running just fine. This situation may not be for everyone, but it is working out very well for me now. Perhaps if Brand X would have retained the original service engineer or not had so many organizational overhauls, I might still be on their service contract.
We had another situation some time where the service oragnaization was so atrocious, the local service engineer (good and competent) was so fed up with his company that he quit as our system was being installed. The system never performed as the manufacturer quoted, and they flat out said that they would not honor their quote. After eight months of fighting with them, their system was removed to our shipping dock for them to retrieve.
The point is that there are good and bad vendors. As consumers of high ticket items we need to protect ourselves by written contract and sharing information about errant vendors (within legal/ethical boundaries). I would like to believe that there would be an uncompromising level of professionalism by the vendors, given the relatively small niche market and risk of a bad reputation. Forums like this can help us all by exposing us to different opinions, options and experiences.
Regards,
Alan Stone
I am not affiliated with Allen Sampson in any manner other than being a service client. This is an unsolicited posting without compensation. Alan Stone ASTON Metallurgical Services Chicago
While I don't want to get embroiled in heated discussions about service contracts, I will comment briefly on my own experience. The value of a service contract depends largely on the manufacturer and their service for your particular geographical location. I have had a service contract with Amray which has been well worth the money - great service engineers who have been around for as long as the contract has (15 years) and a very quick response time. But I have also had contracts with other manufacturers (who shall remain nameless) which were not worth anything - incompetent service, poor phone support, constantly changing personnel, long wait times for service, etc... At the risk of stating the obvious, it makes sense to evaluate the manufacturer service during the first year of service and then make a decision as to whether to continue or find a third party. Good service can promote future sales of instrumentation and bad service can prevent future sales.
SEM/EMP I am examining geological thin sections with nucleic acid stains at high magnification with an oil immersion objective. Subsequently, I wish to examine these samples with the SEM/EMP. The question I prose is what is the best way to remove the immersion oil so that I can examine this sample under an electron beam?
Ken Tobin Guyot Hall Dept. of Geosciences Princeton University Princeton, NJ 08544 Ph: 609-258-1383 FAX: 609-258-1274 e-mail: tobin-at-geo.princeton.edu
Literary microscopists: There has been amazing response to my request for quotes for the MSA/LHS middle school microscopy manual; I've received a lot directly, in addition to the ones that have appeared on this listserver. Many of you have requested copies, but it's too large a file to post here (2100 words, 7 pages!). So here's the solution: They'll appear at intervals as "fillers" in the MSA Bulletin, and I'm asking Nestor to post the whole thing in the MICRO section of the MSA web page; I'll let the listserver know when it's there. Those of you who contributed did so for nonprofit educational purposes; this added use is in the same spirit, but if you don't want your contribution used, please let me know. And if you have "just one more", send it on!
Thank you for the lovely Valentine.... Caroline
Caroline Schooley Educational Outreach Coordinator Microscopy Society of America Box 117, 45301 Caspar Point Road Caspar, CA 95420 Phone/FAX (707)964-9460 Project MICRO: http://www.MSA.microscopy.com/ProjectMICRO/Books.html Intertidal invertebrates: http://www.fortbragg.k12.ca.us/AG/PCI/
Although it is true that the initials cost of MO media is high (about US$10 for 230 MB of reusable space) the gain in stability and safety make it a superior media for archiving data.
It is categorically untrue that MO disks are subject to stray magnetic fields, as some of you have stated. While they ARE magnetic media, the particles are embedded in polymer that must be heated to 700 degrees by the laser before they can be realigned. You could place one of the disks in a car, then pick up the car with a giant electro-magnet at the junk yard--and your data would be safe! In fact, data stored in this way is guaranteed for a minimum of 30 years.
In our facility, flow cytometric data has been stored in this way for many years, on a variety of devices with no failure of machine or media. Just treat the machine right! Don't leave media in the machine all the time. ( This invites dust). Remove the media before moving the machina around.
In addition MO is faster than CD-ROM with sustained transfer rate of 2MB/second on 540 and 640 MB diskettes and faster yet on direct over write (LIMDOW) capable machines and media.
later -gene
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The Boulder Laboratory for High Voltage Electron Microscopy seeks a person to maintain and improve its 1,000KV electron microscope and associated equipment. Job will include research on instrumentation for high resolution imaging of cells. Experience with electronics required. Experience with the following is desirable: repairing electron microscopes and high vacuum systems, UNIX systems administration, C programming, and implementing computer control of equipment. Salary $40,000 to $55,000, depending on experience. Send resume and references by Feb. 20 to J.R. McIntosh, Univ. Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0347.
The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.
Quite often, the MO disk formated from one drive could not be read from another drive (with another brand). Any ideal how to deal with such problem?
Thanks
gene a s wrote: } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } To All: } } Although it is true that the initials cost of MO media is high (about } US$10 for 230 MB of reusable space) the gain in stability and safety } make it a superior media for archiving data. } } It is categorically untrue that MO disks are subject to stray magnetic } fields, as some of you have stated. While they ARE magnetic media, the } particles are embedded in polymer that must be heated to 700 degrees by } the laser before they can be realigned. You could place one of the disks } in a car, then pick up the car with a giant electro-magnet at the junk } yard--and your data would be safe! In fact, data stored in this way is } guaranteed for a minimum of 30 years. } } In our facility, flow cytometric data has been stored in this way for } many years, on a variety of devices with no failure of machine or media. } Just treat the machine right! Don't leave media in the machine all the } time. ( This invites dust). Remove the media before moving the machina } around. } } In addition MO is faster than CD-ROM with sustained transfer rate of } 2MB/second on 540 and 640 MB diskettes and faster yet on direct over } write (LIMDOW) capable machines and media. } } later } -gene } } _____________________________________________________________________ } You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. } Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com } Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
-- ******************************************************** Dr. Yifan Cheng Internatioanl Institute for Advanced Research Central Research Laboratories Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 3-4 Hikaridai, Seika, Kyoto 619-02, Japan
please take care when exchanging the TEM film magazines. Inserting the new magazines slightly misaligned could result in a blocking of the transport mechanism (like last Friday)!
This usually causes more or less intensive service work!
Thanks to all the people who suggested manufacturers that could provide me with a periodic table with X-ray data printed on it. Suggestions included (in no particular order): EDAX Noran Oxford Instruments Philips Kevex Princeton-Gamma-Tech In the end, both Noran and EDAX sent me copies of their periodic tables in the post so I now have what I need.
Thanks again everyone
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ian MacLaren, Tel: (44) (0) 121 414 3447 IRC in Materials for FAX: (44) (0) 121 414 3441 High Performance Applications, email: I.MacLaren-at-bham.ac.uk The University of Birmingham, http://web.bham.ac.uk/I.MacLaren/ Birmingham B15 2TT, England. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
To those using Dr. John Russ's Image Processing Toolkit, I have a question...
Has anyone tried using the FILTER / IP*MEASURE / GLOBAL selection? When I do, the Area Fraction is reported but not the total image area. I am trying to find a simple way to measure the total image area (calibrated) as a reference for other measurements (count and area fraction), but can't seem to do it.
I am using version 2.1.0 running under Windows 95 and Adobe Photoshop 4.0. I have dowloaded the updates up to #04.
BTW, I think these Plug-Ins are wonderful! I've been using them for about 6 months, off and on, and this is my first stumbling block. Thanks in advance for any suggestions, Karen
-- Karen Zaruba, Life Sciences Sector Laboratory, 3M Company, St. Paul, MN 55144 kszaruba-at-mmm.com
*The opinions above are my own, not necessarily my employer's*
Very soon, in fact on wednesday, I have to fix some bone marrow for EM epon and lowicryl embedding. I do not know if the sample comes from spine aspirates or from a hip puncture. Any help about the best way to fix this material would be really appreciated, Thank you Daniele -- =
************************************************************** * Dani=E8le SPEHNER, CJF 94-03 INSERM * * Etablissement de Transfusion Sanguine de STRASBOURG * * 10 rue Spielmann, B.P. 36- 67065 Strasbourg-Cedex, FRANCE. * * Tel : (33) 03 88 21 25 25 - Fax : (33) 03 88 21 25 21 * **************************************************************
{/bigger} Double-tilt holders are essential for Materials Science applications. Perhaps you can buy a used holder off of the list server. I would also look into a Gatan holder (if available). Replacement hex-type screws for the JEOL are very pricey about $800.00 and they are easy to lose. Good luck !!
I found some treasures in the lab for a microscope we don't have anymore. Phillips I think? We had the 300 in the past, but since it's long gone, these items are of no use to me. Maybe someone out there has a need?
Items: 6 film boxes for Phillips, about 3 7/8" X 4 1/4" X 2 3/4", complete with the film plates, 4 are supply, 2 are receivers
O-ring set for the same instrument: part # like R208, SOR104, R4118, R4137/MS28775-2201/PO2563, etc. you get the idea... unused in zip-lock plastic bags.
First come, first serve!
************************************************************ It's true- the inmates ARE running the asylum... ************************************************************ Laura Rhoads Electron Microscopy Facility Director Department of Biology Western Kentucky University 1 Big Red Way Bowling Green, KY 42101-3576
} Has anyone tried using the FILTER / IP*MEASURE / GLOBAL selection? When } I do, the Area Fraction is reported but not the total image area. I am } trying to find a simple way to measure the total image area (calibrated) } as a reference for other measurements (count and area fraction), but } can't seem to do it.
Good suggestion- it will be incorporated in the next release... (and thanks for the kind words) John Russ
Service should be a MAJOR consideration in the decision to purchase an instrument. The extra bells and whistles that swayed you towards a particular brand aren't worth much later when your scope is down for other reasons.
Also, this thread began with a survey of service contract options. One overlooked option is doing some of the service yourself and taking advantage of discount service contracts offered by most manufacturers. By doing some of your own repairs, you may 1) save some money, 2) learn more about your instrument, 3) develop some empathy for field service engineers (who aren't getting much respect in this discussion).
Owen
Disclaimer: My employer hired me because of the views expressed in this message.
============================= Owen P. Mills Michigan Technological University Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Rm 512 MME Building Houghton, MI 49931 906-487-2002 906-487-2934 FAX opmills-at-mtu.edu
The microbe is so very small You cannot make him out at all, But many sanguine people hope To see him through a microscope. His jointed tongue that lies beneath A hundred curious rows of teeth; His seven tufted tails with lots Of lovely pink and purple spots, On each of which a pattern stands, Composed of forty separate bands; His eyebrows of a tender green; All these have never yet been seen - But scientists,who ought to know, Assure us that they must be so ... Oh. Let us never, never doubt What nobody is sure about.
Hilaire Belloc (probably)
Diana van Driel Department of Clinical Ophthalmology Sydney University GPO Box 4337 Sydney AUSTRALIA 2001
There's another thing that manufacturers are up against and so are we independents, but not usually to the same degree. Look at the job description:
You want someone who is technically competent, not just with theory, but with real-world horse-sense. And competent not only in both digital and analog electronics, but vacuum, precision mechanics, particle physics, x-ray chemistry, computer technology, software, and..."oh, it would be nice if you could talk intelligently to your customers about their field of interest and help them with their applications problems in materials, microelectronics, geology, biology, medicine, forensics, and failure analysis, just to name a few".
You want someone who can work alone day after day after week after year. You want someone who is willing to work out of a suitcase most of the time but you really want the maturity and stability of a married person with a family. You want someone who is stubborn (ornery?) enough to stick with any problem he comes across, including PEBCAK (problem exists between chair and keyboard). You want someone who can deal pleasantly with all customers, good and bad. You want someone with the self motivation to actually go to work each day and put their best into it without any supervision. You want someone to whom you can give a corporate AMEX card, company car, and $5-15,000 (or more) worth of tools and parts and not worry about getting ripped off.
Trying to find any 2 or maybe 3 of these in one person can sometimes be a job! Trying to find them all is nearly impossible because many of the requirements tend towards being mutually exclusive in most people.
The manufacturers are really up against it because they have a clearly defined and growing customer base. They HAVE TO have enough warm bodies out in the field even if they don't all meet spec. I remember as eastern service manager knowing who I needed to fire, but needing the warm body to be able to send even more.
Alan, you and I worked for a damned good company before it was Perkin-Elmered, but even ETEC had poor engineers and the occassional thief. You are also right that service personnel don't generally make it to upper management. It's a terrible loss to these companies because the focus of any customer service person worth his/her salt is solidly on the customer (not the potential customer, shareholder, etc.). They know what the business is as no MBA could ever begin to comprehend.
We have the advantage of sizing our companies to the number of properly skilled people we have, if we want to. We can also say "No, I don't care to do business with you." for what ever reason we deem sufficient. The manufacturers don't really have those luxuries.
The person that shows up on site is the most important part of the puzzle. This was shown to me when I started Quality Images. Many people were willing to give up the security of being serviced by the manufacturer, which was still in business at the time, to be certain who would show up on site.
Yes, there are excellent field engineers out there working for manufacturers, some of whom support their field staff better or worse than others. My hat is off to those who like this work and put their all into it. But then I can say that about virtually any person in any occupation who puts their all into it.
Alan and Clay, I don't have to tell you that this is a tough business to be in in some ways, but I don't think all of the users appreciate that it's tough. That said, you also know that it can be one of the most satisfying jobs there is and a fair portion of the users are just wonderful people to hang around with.
As for pricing.....This business is expensive. ETEC's mark-ups were huge, to my way of thinking, and at the time, their contracts were among the most expensive, but they had to be bought because they were broke (for reasons other than service, but broke just the same). We can restrain our service area, if we choose. The manufacturers can't, unless they restrain their sales area (decidedly unlikely for an international company). By virtue of their size, they have far more overhead, but they have access to all the parts, all the documentation, all the software, all the source code and the largest group of people qualified to work on their equipment.
Given all that, they still manage to alienate some people sufficiently to cause them to risk it all for a different person on site. There have also been independent service companies that have made confirmed manufacturer fans of some users.
There is room for all of us. Not every user's needs are the same, just as not every engineer's mode of operation is the same. Some of us, who are truly loved at some sites, can be truly disliked at others. Some people swear by their instrument, others swear at the same model. Who's right and who's wrong?
To the users, take this series of letters with a grain or two of salt because if you don't already know, I'll tell you a little secret...... field service engineers tend to be very opinionated, myself included.
As to whether you should have a contract and who you should have it with, the pros and cons have been pretty well covered by others. Everything is a trade-off. It's like running your SEM.....do you want high magnification or good depth of field with lots of signal? You have to make a decision. Hopefully your decision will suit your needs. That is the bottom line.
Ken Converse owner Quality Images 16 Creek Rd. Delta, PA 17314 717-456-5491 717-456-7996 fax qualityimages-at-netrax.net
Some of you may remember our old friend the HODJA (or Mullah) Nasr-ed-Din. Here are two more stories about him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was a cold winter night, clear and frosty with a full moon. At about 10:30, a friend came to visit the Hodja, and found him outside his house crawling around on hands and knees.
"What are you doing?" asked the friend.
"I've dropped a coin, and I'm looking for it" replied the Hodja.
"May I help you search?" offered the friend.
And so the two men crawled around together for over an hour, until it was around midnight. The friend was starting to feel frustrated.
"Don't you have any idea where you dropped it?" he asked.
"Oh yes," replied the Hodja, "in the bedroom."
"Then why aren't we looking there?"
"Because it's dark in the bedroom, and there's a full moon out here!"
At one phase in my life as a scientist (!?) I was involved in a succession of three-month contracts funded by Company C. Their materials were mainly in the form of thin films, and in order to do a cross-sectional examination, I had to sandwich them between thicker layers using a certain polymeric "butter". Of course, supplier S had it in stock, and delivery would be a week at most. Six weeks in fact, so in the meantime I had to direct my research somewhere else, like the Hodja searching for his coin.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Hodja once came home at lunchtime, carrying 3 pounds of liver, which he handed to his wife, to prepare for his dinner. But during the afternoon, some of her friends came round, so she cooked it and they all ate it together. In the evening, the Hodja came home and found his expected dinner missing.
"Wife, where's the liver I brought home for dinner!" he roared.
Suddenly his wife spotted the cat, and had an idea.
"The cat ate it!" she cried.
"Oh really?" said the Hodja "we'll soon see about that".
He picked up a pair of scales, and put the cat on it. It weighed exactly 3 pounds.
"There you are!" cried his wife triumphantly.
The Hodja looked puzzled for an instant, then asked:
"3 pounds, yes. But if this is the cat, where is the meat? And if this is the meat, where is the cat?"
Sometimes the supplier of an end product comes along with two specimens, and asks, why has A failed, and B not? Alas, when one comes to study the situation, one finds that A is made from "Crummilon" and B from "Tackynar", i.e. two competing grades of the same material (or even worse, and old and new version the same material), but A was moulded by procedure X, and B was extruded by procedure Y, then A was used in environment 1 and B in environment 2. And so forth ...
And there is political pressure from various quarters to blame the original material, the production method, the user, whatever or whoever.
One subjects A and B to one's state-of-the-art morphological analysis, and does find some differences. But where does one put the blame? One can suggest answers, but one generally has not enough information to choose between meat and cat.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Robert H.Olley Phone: | | J.J.Thomson Physical Laboratory {direct line +44 (0) 118 9318572 | | University of Reading {University internal extension 7867 | | Whiteknights Fax +44 (0) 118 9750203 | | Reading RG6 6AF Email: R.H.Olley-at-reading.ac.uk | | England URL: http://www.reading.ac.uk/~spsolley | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+
If you are running Win 3.1, this seems to be a normal "feature" {g} . Less likely with W95. In 3.1, sometimes two different programs/drivers can try to use the same memory locations - crash! Otherwise... The first other thing that comes to mind is flaky memory. This can be true even if boot-up checks fine. If available, try swapping for some different memory.
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Hi,
There is some sort of minor software problem with our Edax computer. A few times a day, during heavy use, the computer will declare a general protection error. The only way out of this error is to close all programs and exit windows and then restart. After restart nothing appears to be strange, until several hours later another general protection error occurs. I have been looking for a pattern, but have been unsuccessful to date.
by vgernet.net with SMTP; 17 Feb 1998 14:48:20 -0000 Received: from web.vgernet.net (root-at-web.vgernet.net [205.219.186.3]) by photon.vgernet.net (8.7.6/8.7.3) with ESMTP id JAA18977 for {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} ; Tue, 17 Feb 1998 09:48:19 -0500 Received: from spm11.vgernet.net (spm11.vgernet.net [206.25.237.111]) by web.vgernet.net (8.7.6/8.7.3) with SMTP id JAA10352 for {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} ; Tue, 17 Feb 1998 09:48:15 -0500
Dear fellow microscopists,
I was really hoping that someone else would send this message, but no such luck {grin} .
As part of the exchange regarding service contrasts, comments were made about the high prices charged by manufacturers for service spares. The situation looks like this from the perspective of this manufacturer of specimen preparation equipment:
Our customers know that we manufacture most of the equipment which we sell. They expect that, when they need to replace a part, we will have the part in stock for immediate shipment, reducing their down time to a day or two at the worst. This means, in effect, that we need to inventory all of the parts and subassemblies for all of the instruments we build. In the case of a relatively complex table-top instrument, like the JB-4 microtome, this can be a few hundred line items.
As a result, we need to charge customers a sufficiently high price for the spare parts to cover our cost of maintaining this inventory. Our markup on spare parts is larger than our markup on the instruments themselves, and certainly larger than our margin on items which we simply order as needed for resale. The reason for this is not greed, but our company policy to provide the most rapid possible turnaround to customers who have purchased our equipment.
Best regards, Steven E. Slap, Vice-President ******************************** Energy Beam Sciences, Inc. Adding Brilliance To Your Vision ebs-at-ebsciences.com http://www.ebsciences.com/ ********************************
} From {http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac/CIACHoaxes.html}
Among mostly serious information it also contains the following spoof of the Good Times virus hoax that is just too good not to repost here, although it of course has nothing whatsomuchever to do with translation. Same could be said about Join the crew, I believe...
READ THIS:
Goodtimes will re-write your hard drive. Not only that, but it will scramble any disks that are even close to your computer. It will recalibrate your refrigerator's coolness setting so all your ice cream goes melty. It will demagnetize the strips on all your credit cards, screw up the tracking on your television and use subspace field harmonics to scratch any CD's you try to play.
It will give your ex-girlfriend your new phone number. It will mix Kool-aid into your fishtank. It will drink all your beer and leave its socks out on the coffee table when there's company coming over. It will put a dead kitten in the back pocket of your good suit pants and hide your car keys when you are late for work.
Goodtimes will make you fall in love with a penguin. It will give you nightmares about circus midgets. It will pour sugar in your gas tank and shave off both your eyebrows while dating your girlfriend behind your back and billing the dinner and hotel room to your Discover card.
It will seduce your grandmother. It does not matter if she is dead, such is the power of Goodtimes, it reaches out beyond the grave to sully those things we hold most dear.
It moves your car randomly around parking lots so you can't find it. It will kick your dog. It will leave libidinous messages on your boss's voice mail in your voice! It is insidious and subtle. It is dangerous and terrifying to behold. It is also a rather interesting shade of mauve.
Goodtimes will give you Dutch Elm disease. It will leave the toilet seat up. It will make a batch of Methanphedime in your bathtub and then leave bacon cooking on the stove while it goes out to chase gradeschoolers with your new snowblower.
Listen to me. Goodtimes does not exist.
It cannot do anything to you. But I can. I am sending this message to everyone in the world. Tell your friends, tell your family. If anyone else sends me another E-mail about this fake Goodtimes Virus, I will turn hating them into a religion. I will do things to them that would make a horsehead in your bed look like Easter Sunday brunch.
We have started using ProLong Anti-Fade from Molecular Probes and have been very pleased. However, CY-3 is the one I haven't tried it with.
Bob
On Fri, 13 Feb 1998, Patricia A. Glazebrook wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } We are trying to find supplier of citiflour anti-fade solution. Any other } suggestions for mounting CY3 specimens? } } Thank-you, } Pat Glazebrook }
} I don't know if this would help or not but it's a bit of a twist on the idea suggested by Caroline Schooley. When we mount our immunofluorescent slides we coverslip with mounting media as usual, but then we seal the edges with nail polish to prevent it from drying out. Just an idea . . .
Pat Hales McGill University Dept. of Anatomy & Cell Biology hales-at-hippo.medcor.mcgill.ca } } } } I am new to this, both the internet and microscopy so if my questions are } } inappropriate for this forum, please excuse me and discard. } } } } My son Paul is 11 and received a good student microscopy for Christmas a } } year ago. He is an avid science student and is currently making slides of } } every feather he can find and is interested in his slides being more } } permanent. } } I have been trying to help him, but have not had much success. We started } } with the gum spirit in the Edmund Sci. microscope slide kit, but it takes } } forever to dry and seems to shrink as it dries causing terrible bubbles. I } } finally got some Cytoseal 60 locally and have had much more success however } } we still have problems with air bubbles creeping in from the edges days or } } weeks later. } } Are we using too much or not enough cytoseal? Do we need to seal the edges } } with something else? Is heating suggested to fully cure? How long should } } it take to dry? I thought this stuff was supposed to be fast, but it seems } } like days or weeks later the interior of the slide is still liquid. (or is } } it supposed to stay that way?) After drying should the specimen be soaked } } in solvent and if so which one? } } } } Any other tips for making simple slides would be appreciated. I've been } } hunting the net and found lots of good information, but not the answers to } } these. } } } } Thank you in advance and Paul also thanks you. } } } } David Bacque } } Proud father and mentor of an avid young scientist } } } } } } --------------------------------------------------------------------------- } } } } } } } Pat Hales McGill University Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology hales-at-hippo.medcor.mcgill.ca
Can anyone verify that this is by Hilaire Belloc? Caroline } } THE MICROBE } } The microbe is so very small } You cannot make him out at all, } But many sanguine people hope } To see him through a microscope. } His jointed tongue that lies beneath } A hundred curious rows of teeth; } His seven tufted tails with lots } Of lovely pink and purple spots, } On each of which a pattern stands, } Composed of forty separate bands; } His eyebrows of a tender green; } All these have never yet been seen - } But scientists,who ought to know, } Assure us that they must be so ... } Oh. Let us never, never doubt } What nobody is sure about.
Caroline Schooley Educational Outreach Coordinator Microscopy Society of America Box 117, 45301 Caspar Point Road Caspar, CA 95420 Phone/FAX (707)964-9460 Project MICRO: http://www.MSA.microscopy.com/ProjectMICRO/Books.html Intertidal invertebrates: http://www.fortbragg.k12.ca.us/AG/PCI/
A few months ago I posted a message asking for suggestions for a grade of stainless steel to use in making parts for a specimen holder rod for a side entry TEM stage. After discussing the matter with several metallurgists, and searching the literature for as much relevant info as I could find, I finally settled on trying grade 310 stainless steel, and am pleased indeed to report that it has worked out quite well. I used it to make the part that holds the specimen grid in a special rod for a 200 kV HRTEM, and there has been no sign of any magnetic interference, even at magnifications of 700,000.
Type 310 Stainless steel has a nominal composition of 24-26% Cr, 19-22% Ni, (with 0.25% max for carbon and 2.0 max for Mn), with the balance Fe. This is a somewhat higher level of chromium content than other common grades of StSteel(e.g. 302 has 17-19%, 316 has 16-18%, 304 has 18 to 20%, etc.), and this, according to my metallurgist friends, is what gives it its lower magnetic permeability. In any event, it worked out satisfactorily in this rather critical application, and so might be worth keeping in mind for anyone else who might get involved in a similar design problem.
Wilbur C. Bigelow, Prof. Emeritus Materials Sci. & Engr., University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2136 e-mail: bigelow-at-umich.edu; Fx:734-763-4788; Ph:734-764-3321
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You think that's something. We've had people put the TEM camera & the film holder in backwards! We've had people put the lid to the holders on upside down & then put them into the TEM. I have a GREAT service man (third party) and he phoned me from Croatia to talk me through unjamming the camera (that means it was 3 in the morning for him).
Ah, students, you gotta love 'em.
Paula = )
Paula Sicurello UC Berkeley Electron Microscope Lab psic-at-uclink4.berkeley.edu
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } At 02:08 AM 1/14/98 -0500, Hermann Reese wrote: } } There is one easy way to determine if it is hardware-memory related (chip } } failure): when Windows reports the General Protection Error, one can quit } } Windows and immediately afterwards run Defrag (form root directory). Defrag } } will test the system memory on start-up and generate a warning when it } } finds faulty memory. If it finds no problems in memory, just exit Defrag } } or, even better, run it in } } full-optimization mode (can only do good to your system). } } If it does find a problem, it would indeed be best to buy new memory. } } I will have to try this test at my next opportunity, although I am somewhat } doubtful that it will catch the error. I mentioned that I had used a variety } of utilites to check memory besides the initial memory test at boot up and } the himem memory test. I used a memory check within WinProbe and a couple of } DOS utility sets. They all reported the memory to be fine. However, certain } Windows applications (like MS Word) exercised the memory in a more stringent } manner and caused failures. Perhaps the newer crop of utilities does } exercise memory in the manner that 32-bit apps do and would catch such } problems. } } And like Hermann said, running DEFRAG is a good thing anyway. Probably one } of the overlooked reasons for system slowdown. And his comments about } resource leaks is a good one. I know older versions of Microsoft Excel and } Trumpet Winsock for Win 3.x had such problems. I can pass along a shareware } app that can help you track the resources by type if it would be helpful to } anyone. } ---------------------------------------------------- } Warren E. Straszheim } 23 Town Engineering } Iowa State University } Ames IA, 50011 } Phone: 515-294-8187 FAX: 515-294-8216 } } E-Mail: wesaia-at-iastate.edu (or: wes-at-ameslab.gov) } http://www.marl.iastate.edu/marl/ (re: SEM) } http://www.public.iastate.edu/~iprt_info/cfce/ (re: coal) } } electron microscopy, x-ray analysis, image analysis, computer applications
I have had similar problems with a workstation. In my case, it related to overheating on the Pentium chip. Is your fan blowing as hard as it could?
My family and I are considering a re-location from Michigan to the Racine/Chicago/Milwaukee area. I'm looking for a general overview of organizations and/or companies which employ the use of high end microscopy such as X-ray micro-analysis and so forth for potential employment. We are curious.........any responses are highly appreciated.......
Thanks in advance
Cary Black Dow Chemical phone: (517) 636-5760 e-mail: ckblack-at-dow.com
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It's a new year, and time for the annual invitation to serve as a Guest Editor for topical papers to be published in Microscopy Research and Technique. We have finally caught up, and this Spring, will be publishing all papers within 6 month of acceptance. If you have an idea for a topical set, contact the editor-in-chief, Dr. John E. Johnson, Jr., at sdinfo-at-worldnet.att.net
While we are tossing this around, I'd like to add some comments to Steve's posting.
I certainly recognize the cost of maintaining an inventory, as well as recouping some of your engineering, manufacturing and patent (if any) costs. Your comments are valid for proprietary components. However, I had a high quote for a part which was not in stock and nor produced by the microscope manufacturer.
The component, actually considered a consummable on the service contract, failed. I called the microscope manufacturer and was quoted around $300 with a three week delivery. An internet search coughed up the location of the primary manufacturer. They quoted $30 (one tenth) with next day shipment.
You could debate if it was worth the $240 difference (we bought 2) for my half hour search and phone call, but it did save me from being down for a few weeks.
Regards,
Alan Stone
At 09:48 AM 2/17/98 -0500, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
I am in need of information concerning a replacement for 3Ms Dry Silver Recording Paper 7774, which was being handled by Ted Pella. I was told by 3M that IMATION was going to handle the paper, but IMATION says it has been suspended as a product. Does anyone know of a stockpile somewhere? I don't want to go back to wet processing! Thanks in advance for your help. Dennis
Dennis Bellotto Pathology Microscopy Services K1.210 mail code:9073 UT Southwestern Medical Center 5323 Harry Hines Blvd. Dallas, TX 75235 (214)648-3597 bellotto.dennis-at-tumora.swmed.edu "I am EM"
I have long had this tacked to my bulletin board. These are the words of the judge in a court case in which expert microscopist testimony was called upon -
"....but one general remark may be made on the microscopic testimony, and it is, that there are those who see a thing, and also those who do not see it -- those who do see it, cannot see it unless it is there, and those who cannot see it do not see it at all. But very skillful persons looking for a thing and not seeing it, creates a strong presumption that it is not there. But when other persons do find it, it goes far to displace the notion it is not there."
-- The Lord President, Torbanehill Case, 1853.
The case (involving classification of coals) was delightfully written up in an article in McCrone's Publication "The Microscope" a couple of years ago.
Dave Calvert Eastman Chemical Co. P.O. box 1972 Lincoln Street Kingsport, TN 37664 voice: (423) 229-4943 fax: (423) 229-4558 calvert-at-eastman.com
I know this topic has been discussed many times in the past, but things change rapidly, so here it is, again!
I am soliciting opinions of the Fargo Premerapro Elite at $2,000 and the Tek 450 at $8,000, as well as from fans of any other full-sized color dye-sublimation up to about $8,000-$10,000.
We already know what we are getting for ink-jet printers, so I really only need to know about dye-subs.
Mahalo for all your expertise!
Tina
http://www.pbrc.hawaii.edu/bemf/microangela **************************************************************************** * Tina (Weatherby) Carvalho * tina-at-pbrc.hawaii.edu * * Biological Electron Microscope Facility * (808) 956-6251 * * University of Hawaii at Manoa * http://www.pbrc.hawaii.edu/bemf* ****************************************************************************
One (or possibly two) postdoctoral fellowships are now available for the development and application of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), energy-filtered electron microscopy, and x-ray microanalysis. This biomedical research will be centered around a VG HB501 field-emission STEM equipped with EELS spectrum-imaging and EDX, and a Philips CM120 TEM equipped with an imaging filter and EDX. Both instruments are also equipped for specimen cryotransfer.
Possible research topics include: developing EELS spectrum-imaging in both the STEM and EFTEM; measuring subcellular ion distributions by x-ray spectroscopy and EELS; determining structures of macromolecular assemblies; and cryo-electron microscopy. Successful candidates should be prepared to learn and apply appropriate specimen preparation techniques (such as protein purification, rapid freezing, cryosectioning, etc).
Positions require a recent Ph.D. in biophysics or related discipline, and experience in electron microscopy. A Ph.D in physics or materials science might also be acceptable along with a commitment to apply new physical techniques to biomedicine in collaboration with other NIH laboratories.
U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status is required.
For further information contact:
Dr. Richard Leapman Biomedical Engineering & Physical Sciences Program National Institutes of Health Bldg. 13, Rm. 3N17 Bethesda, MD 20892 Tel: (301) 496-2599 FAX: (301) 496-6608 e-mail: leapman-at-helix.nih.gov
Kenneth Converse summarizes this topic quite well.
MOST service engineers are very competent, hard working, intelligent people. However there are a few bad apples in every bushel, which can spoil the image of any EM manufacturer. There are at least four methods of dealing with the service (manufacturer service contract, 3rd party service {contract or time & materials} , the Insurance company method, or service it yourself). All can work effectively and usually depend on $ and personnel.
I have personally tried each of these methods (except for the Ins. Co. method... which I researched... considered, and eventually used to bring the manufacturers to the bargaining table for service agreements which were more reasonable). My bias on the subject goes to the manufacturer service engineers, (not to slight the independent service engineers out there, cuz they're probably the most knowledgeable & versatile ones out there) but I feel the cost of servicing this equipment should be included into the sale of the instrument. I have heard this is done in some countries (Taiwan? China?), why not here in the U.S.? This would ensure proper maintenance by people who should have a vested interest in the company, it's image, and the equipment.
Currently we are not under contract with anyone, I am servicing the TEM, and when and if the scope needs a service engineer to visit/repair, we have chosen to pay time and materials. Time will tell.
Paula- I've heard of someone leaving a flashlight down the camera chamber, under the camera box, then pulling a vacuum on the whole mess. Service was required. -Mike;-)
On Tue, 17 Feb 1998, Paula Sicurello wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } Dear TEM users, } } } } please take care when exchanging the TEM film magazines. Inserting the } } new magazines slightly misaligned could result in a blocking of the } } transport mechanism (like last Friday)! } } } } This usually causes more or less intensive service work! } } } } thanks } } } } Johannes } } You think that's something. We've had people put the TEM camera & the film } holder in backwards! We've had people put the lid to the holders on upside } down & then put them into the TEM. I have a GREAT service man (third } party) and he phoned me from Croatia to talk me through unjamming the } camera (that means it was 3 in the morning for him). } } Ah, students, you gotta love 'em. } } } Paula = ) } } Paula Sicurello } UC Berkeley } Electron Microscope Lab } psic-at-uclink4.berkeley.edu } } }
If any of you are saving quotes as they are posted, here's the citation and slight text revision of today's contribution. (Supplied by the Lawrence Hall of Science editor, who is VERY happy with your efforts.) Caroline
Hilaire Belloc, in More Beasts for Worse Children: THE MICROBE
The Microbe is so very small You cannot make him out at all, But many sanguine people hope To see him down a microscope. His jointed tongue that lies beneath A hundred curious rows of teeth; His seven tufted tails with lots Of lovely pink and purple spots, On each of which a pattern stands, Composed of forty separate bands; His eyebrows of a tender green; All these have never yet been seen But Scientists,who ought to know, Assure us they must be so ... Oh! Let us never, never doubt What nobody is sure about!
Caroline Schooley Educational Outreach Coordinator Microscopy Society of America Box 117, 45301 Caspar Point Road Caspar, CA 95420 Phone/FAX (707)964-9460 Project MICRO: http://www.MSA.microscopy.com/ProjectMICRO/Books.html Intertidal invertebrates: http://www.fortbragg.k12.ca.us/AG/PCI/
Nothing much on Belloc, but the 1955 Bartlett's Quotations in my company library yielded up the following:
Victor Hugo (Les Miserables):
Where the telescope ends, the microscope begins. Which of the two has the grander view?
Philosophy is the microscope of thought.
Jonathan Swift:
So, naturalists observe, a flea Hath smaller fleas that on him prey; And these have smaller still to bite 'em; And so proceed _ad infinitum_. Thus every poet in his kind, Is bit by him that comes behind.
I learned this many years ago as:
Great fleas have little fleas Upon their backs to bite 'em And little fleas have lesser fleas And so ad infinitum.
It is easy to imagine that Swift had probably seen Hooke's famous drawing of an enlarged flea.
Leonard Corwin Fort Dodge Animal Health (Analytical Research) Princeton, NJ 08543-0400 corwinl-at-pt.cyanamid.com
Caroline Schooley wrote } And if you have "just one more", send it on!
So I sent this on to Caroline who said I should put it on the listserver.
The background is that my brother, Iain Probert, sent it to me after the X-files, a TV show, used a number of my "bug pictures" in an episode just before Christmas.
A christmas ode for the scientifically minded :
Twas the night before christmas And deep in the lab Something came crawling } From under a slab
It crawled to the agar To take a peek At all the bacteria Lying asleep
It slithered through the jelly (as icky things do) Depositing slime And gobbets of goo
Moving on to the 'scope' With a single aim To spell out a message Addressed to Elaine
'Dear Human' it wrote With some ink from a gland 'Forgot your card, Please understand'
Having studied your kind And obtained my degree On a theses titled 'Humans and their relations with me'
I find that you pry Into all that we do Without recognising We need privacy too!
You took photos of each of my chums All of my aunties And Each of my sons
You sold these photos to some t.v. show Keeping the money Isn't that so ?
If you use our photos, to give others a fright You really don't know us For it is simply not right !
Now that we've informed you Please make amends Or we'll consult our lawyers Messrs S Bends
We'll put an end to your scary sights By wearing bright colours And thick woolly tights
Viruses and bacteria Will aim to be cute And all of your ventures Will go down the chute
But heck, as it's christmas We'll give you a break Here is one scary picture And it isn't a fake !
Out of pouch, it took with a sigh, It's favourite photo Of Elaine's right eye
Dr. Elaine Humphrey Biosciences Electron Microscopy Facility University of British Columbia 6270 University Blvd Vancouver, BC CANADA, V6T 1Z4 Phone: 604-822-3354 FAX: 604-822-6089 e-mail: ech-at-unixg.ubc.ca
Oops!! I fowarded this message to a colleague and didn't notice that the microscopy server was still on the CC: line. I hoped you enjoyed it anyway.
} From {http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac/CIACHoaxes.html}
Among mostly serious information it also contains the following spoof of the Good Times virus hoax that is just too good not to repost here, although it of course has nothing whatsomuchever to do with translation. Same could be said about Join the crew, I believe...
READ THIS:
Goodtimes will re-write your hard drive. Not only that, but it will scramble any disks that are even close to your computer. It will recalibrate your refrigerator's coolness setting so all your ice cream goes melty. It will demagnetize the strips on all your credit cards, screw up the tracking on your television and use subspace field harmonics to scratch any CD's you try to play....
I don't have a Tek or PrimeraPro Elite, but we do have one of the earlier PrimeraPro-s that sold fro a little more than $1000.
The short answer is, "you will get what you pay for". The Primera gave fairly nice color, but it seemed rather slow and the prints were pricey in dye-sub mode. We were running it from 486-66 machines, so things have probably improved a lot. We did not opt for the Postscript option which might have helped some. It seems the expensive dye subs may crank out the images quicker. Its fine for occasional use, but I would probably consider another option if doing a lot of color printing.
My 2-cents worth.
. At 10:02 AM 2/17/98 -1000, you wrote: } Hello, all- } } I know this topic has been discussed many times in the past, but things } change rapidly, so here it is, again! } } I am soliciting opinions of the Fargo Premerapro Elite at $2,000 and the } Tek 450 at $8,000, as well as from fans of any other full-sized color } dye-sublimation up to about $8,000-$10,000. } } We already know what we are getting for ink-jet printers, so I really only } need to know about dye-subs. } } Mahalo for all your expertise! } } Tina ---------------------------------------------------- Warren E. Straszheim 23 Town Engineering Iowa State University Ames IA, 50011 Phone: 515-294-8187 FAX: 515-294-4563
One of my facility users has some freeze-dried sperm which she now needs to embed and section for TEM. May I ask anyone with some experience in this for advice?! I don't know specifically what she needs to see, yet.
Mucho mahalo, Tina
**************************************************************************** * Tina (Weatherby) Carvalho * tina-at-pbrc.hawaii.edu * * Biological Electron Microscope Facility * (808) 956-6251 * * University of Hawaii at Manoa * http://www.pbrc.hawaii.edu/bemf* ****************************************************************************
The main problem as I see it will be some kind of fixation and contrasting without rehydrating the specimens. In my checkered past we had a freeze-dryer / molecular distillation dryer / whatever that had a side access port and a small heated chamber on it. We placed small amounts of OsO4 crystals and paraformaldehyde powder in the chamber (one at a time), gently heated the chamber, opened the valve and did vapor fixation on the dried specimens. After each fixation step we re-pumped the chamber to remove as much of the excess vapors as possible.
You could probably do something similar with a bell jar or desiccator, a few feet of Tygon tubing, a test tube and a vacuum stopcock. There are a few things to watch out for:
1. Do the osmium vapor fixation first! We found that if we hit the specimens with aldehyde first it interfered with the penetration of the osmium vapors. The aldehyde probably formed some kind of "crust" or barrier at the surface of the specimens.
2. Be careful (of course) pumping out the osmium vapors. We equipped the vacuum pump inlet with a liquid nitrogen cold trap for this purpose. We also changed the pump oil very frequently. It tended to turn black quickly, indicating that the pump oil was a very good secondary osmium trap!
3. extend the infiltration time with lots of changes of resin. The osmium tended to diffuse out of the tissue and we ended up with specimens embedded in a black cloud of osmium in the final blocks. Too much of this, and it interferes with the polymerization of the resin (we used Spurr's).
Hope this helps!
All the best,
Bob ********************************* Robert (Bob) Chiovetti E. Licht Company / 1-800-865-4248 rchiovetti-at-aol.com
********************************* Leica (Wild, Leitz, Bausch&Lomb, Cambridge, AO, Reichert-Jung) / Technical Instrument Company / American Volpi / Fostek / Stocker and Yale / AEI North America / OptiQuip / Dolan-Jenner / Osram / G.E. / Philips / Ushio / Boeckler Instruments / Heidenhain / Narishige / Colorado Video / Visual Environments of California, Inc. / Kinetic Systems / Pacific Precision Laboratories, Inc. / Pryor Scientific / Compumotor / Sutter Instrument Co. / Advanced Database Systems / Cohu / Javeline Electronics / Optronics / Diagnostic Instruments, Inc. / Dage MTI / Hitachi / Panasonic / Polaroid / Kodak / Mitsubishi / Sony
See if you can find a copy of Negative Staining by MA Hayat and SE Miller, McGraw Hill.
On Wed, 14 Jan 1998, Roberto Weigert wrote:
} Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 14:01:51 +0200 } From: Roberto Weigert {weigert-at-cmns.mnegri.it} } To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } Subject: TEM: negative staining } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Hi, } } I am interesting in the negative staining technique on whole-mount } preparation and I have some questions: } } 1) I would like to know the mechanism by which the contrasters (PTA, } Uranyl acetate etc. ) interact with the biomembranes } 2) What kind of artifacts could the contraster induce and how to avoid them ? } 3) and the same question about the putative artifacts induced by the air drying } } Thank you } } Roberto } } ______________________________________________________________________________ } } Dr. Roberto Weigert } Consorzio Mario Negri Sud } Department of Cell Biology and Oncology } Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory } Via Nazionale } S.M. Imbaro, 66030 Chieti } Italy } Phone: 0039-872-570-354 } Fax: 0039-872-578-240 } } }
Sara E. Miller, Ph. D. P. O. Box 3020 Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC 27710 Ph: 919 684-3452 FAX: 919 684-8735
We are looking to purchase an Image Slave system for our SEM in the near future. We would appreciate in hearing from users of this system, particularly on a Cambridge S360, on good points, bad points, advantages and disadvantages, and any other comments you may have about this system.
Look forward to hearing from you,
Rich.
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard Lander Electron Microscope Technician South Campus Electron Microscope Unit Otago School of Medical Sciences P.O. Box 913 Dunedin New Zealand. Tel. National 03 479 7301 Fax. National 03 479 7254
"Southernmost EM Unit in the World!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi dear all, Could anyone provide me some informations about Phosphine 3R (microme n=B0 1001) used as lipid staining under fluorescence microscopy. The only information I possess is Popper (1944). Thanks to all in advance. Pascal
************************************ Pascal VEYS Laboratory of Plant Biology Catholic University of Louvain Place Croix du Sud 5 (bte 14) B 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve Belgium Phone : 0032 10473004 =46ax : 0032 10473471 Email : Veys-at-bota.ucl.ac.be ************************************
Hi, Our students have problems with their carbon/collodion grids; collodion to thick and/or bubling, carbon not well stticking to the plastic, not enough uniform and hydrophobic.. We are working with 2D crystals grown on lipid layers, which are transfered onto the EM grids, therefore the quality of the carbon support is critical. I've remembered that some people used to bake the carbon/collodion grids, but I do not have the reference. Any information on this method and on carbon/collodion (see other plastics) is very wellcome. TIA svetla
*----------------------------------------------------------------------* * Svetla Stoilova-McPhie, PhD | E-mail: svetla-at-bmb.leeds.ac.uk * * School of Biochemistry & | c/o EM Unit, Astbury Building * * Molecular Biology | Tel: +44 (0)113 233 3034 * * The University of Leeds | Fax: +44 (0)113 233 3167 * * LEEDS LS2 9JT | * * United Kingdom | * *----------------------------------------------------------------------*
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you might want to check out the Codonics NP1660. It does Dye sub as well = as their new "Vista" media which is black and white photo quality for 50 = cents per sheet. I have to admit I have a Codoncis 1660 but the vista = media has not arrived. The vista media requires no ribbon so it is = actually 50 cents per sheet. Of course you want to also find out when = they are shipping the vista media. They showed it at MSA in August and = it looked great. Just my thoughts, but it gives you the best of both worlds.
Judy M.
Judy Murphy, PhD Microscopy Technology Center San Joaquin Delta College 5151 Pacific Ave Stockton, CA 95207 209/954-5284 FAX 209/954-5600 e-mail; jmurphy-at-sjdccd.cc.ca.us
I know this topic has been discussed many times in the past, but things change rapidly, so here it is, again!
I am soliciting opinions of the Fargo Premerapro Elite at $2,000 and the Tek 450 at $8,000, as well as from fans of any other full-sized color dye-sublimation up to about $8,000-$10,000.
We already know what we are getting for ink-jet printers, so I really = only need to know about dye-subs.
Mahalo for all your expertise!
Tina
http://www.pbrc.hawaii.edu/bemf/microangela **************************************************************************= ** * Tina (Weatherby) Carvalho * tina-at-pbrc.hawaii.edu = * * Biological Electron Microscope Facility * (808) 956-6251 = * * University of Hawaii at Manoa * = http://www.pbrc.hawaii.edu/bemf* **************************************************************************= **
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Tina, I have taken tissue that I prepared for and viewed in the SEM several times and just placed them into absolute ethanol, then embedded them normally. I have done this with very delicate specimens. Of course they were fixed and postfixed previously for SEM. If these tissue have not and you need the contrast, you probably could run the samples down a descending series of alcohols to water and then fix, etc. Another option would be to expose the sample to osmium tetroxide vapors first before going into the 100%. That maybe the only fixation you need before embedding. I would try both and compare. Good luck Hank Adams Electron Microscopy Lab New Mexico State University Las Cruces,NM 88003 phone: 505-6463600 fax: 505-6465665
I need to be able to transfer spectra acquired by my TN-5500 system to a PC, but as yet I have not be able to figure out how to accomplish it. The spectra can be stored on floppy disks but I have no means to copy the floppy disks to the PC. The PC has Kermit and FTP as a means for data and image transfer. The TN-5500 system is not connected to an ethernet card, so FTP is not viable as the means for transfer. Any help on the matter would be greatly appreciated.
List I am trying to understand FFTs of images acquired with a CCD on a TEM (what a lot of acronyms!) Can anyone recommend a book which may help me. Things like - what does astigmatism look like in the transform, defocus, periodicity etc
Many thanks
Chris
Chris Gilpin Biological Sciences Electron Microscope Unit G452 Stopford Building Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PT phone +44 161 275 5170 fax +44 161 275 5171 http://www.biomed.man.ac.uk/biology/emunit/emhome.html
Speaking from the experiences of friends.... I concur with Warren. It is my understanding that to produce a relatively inexpensive dye-sub, the Fargo is mostly an electro-mechanical device, leaving most of the "computing" to your PC. If this is true, any speed evaluation of this system should use a PC similar to what you will have...
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Hello, all-
I know this topic has been discussed many times in the past, but things change rapidly, so here it is, again!
I am soliciting opinions of the Fargo Premerapro Elite at $2,000 and the Tek 450 at $8,000, as well as from fans of any other full-sized color dye-sublimation up to about $8,000-$10,000.
We already know what we are getting for ink-jet printers, so I really only need to know about dye-subs.
(1.37.109.15/16.2) id AA130053347; Wed, 18 Feb 1998 11:35:47 -0600
Responding to the message of {001501bd3c86$27597420$555b5882-at-cg.man.ac.uk} from "Chris Gilpin" {Chris.Gilpin-at-man.ac.uk} : } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } List } I am trying to understand FFTs of images acquired with a CCD on a TEM (what } a lot of acronyms!) } Can anyone recommend a book which may help me. } Things like - what does astigmatism look like in the transform, defocus, } periodicity etc } } Many thanks } Try "Transmission Electron Microscopy" by Williams and Carter, published by Plenum 1996 ISBN 0-306-45247-2 (hardbound) ISBN 0-306-45324-X (softbound)
Chapter 30 has good illustraions of FFTs of various aberrations.
__________________ Stuart McKernan stuartm-at-tc.umn.edu Microscopy Specialist CIE Characterization Facility, University of Minnesota Phone: (612) 626-7594 100 Union Street S. E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 Lab: (612) 624-6590
I've just had a colleague ask me if I had any information regarding = obtaining a "reflecting goniometer". I've never used one ... but = thisperson wants to measure the angles between crystal morphologies ...
{!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"} {HTML} {HEAD}
{META content=3Dtext/html;charset=3Diso-8859-1 = http-equiv=3DContent-Type} {META content=3D'"MSHTML 4.72.2106.6"' name=3DGENERATOR} {/HEAD} {BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff} {DIV} {FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial size=3D2} RE: reflecting=20 goniometer {/FONT} {/DIV} {DIV} {FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial size=3D2} {/FONT} {/DIV} {DIV} {FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial size=3D2} = {FONT=20 color=3D#000000} I've just had a colleague ask me if I had any = information=20 regarding obtaining a "reflecting goniometer". I've = never used=20 one ... but thisperson wants to measure the angles between crystal =
Gary Lovell wrote: } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } I need to be able to transfer spectra acquired by my TN-5500 system to a PC, } but as yet I have not be able to figure out how to accomplish it. The } spectra can be stored on floppy disks but I have no means to copy the floppy } disks to the PC. The PC has Kermit and FTP as a means for data and image } transfer. The TN-5500 system is not connected to an ethernet card, so FTP } is not viable as the means for transfer. Any help on the matter would be } greatly appreciated.
Garry,
One way is capturing data from the printer port on the TN side with program Kermit or with my program. We have this solution for our Edax 9100 Digital LSI computer. Years ago we wrote simple program in the Basic and this program is available on the http://www.kaker.com.
-- Henrik Kaker SEM-EDS Laboratory Metal Ravne d.o.o. Koroska c. 14 2390 Ravne Slovenia Tel: +386-602-21-131 Fax: +386-602-20-436 SEM-EDS Lab http://www2.arnes.si/guest/sgszmera1/index.html MVD Database http://www.kaker.com/mvd/vendors.html Kaker.Com http://www.kaker.com
The Electron Microscopy Laboratory of the Department of Physiology and Neurobiology at the University of Connecticut in Storrs seeks an Academic Assistant/Electron Microscopy Specialist. This laboratory provides electron microscopy services and training to faculty, staff and students. Qualifications for the position include an MS degree in a biological discipline with at least 5 years of experience in ultrathin sectioning of biological material and operation of transmission electron microscopes. Preference will be given to applicants with additional expertise in a variety of methods, such as immuno electron microscopy, analytical electron microscopy, cryo electron microscopy, negative staining and/or computer image processing. This individual must have good communication skills and be able to work independently. Duties will include: carrying out all steps in the preparation of samples, transmission electron microscopy, and photographic processing of micrographs; training of students in sample preparation and use of laboratory equipment; ordering of supplies; and routine laboratory maintenance. To apply, send resume and names, addresses and phone numbers of three professional references to: Dr. Marie Cantino, U-131, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. 06269-2131.
Dr. Marie E. Cantino Dept. of Physiology and Neurobiology, U-131 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 06269 Ph: 860-486-3588 Fax: 860-486-1936
Any reason why you can't use carbon/Formvar films? Your students may find them easier to produce using the glass slide dip method.
Regards,
Ted Dunn Hawaii
In a message dated 98-02-18 13:45:58 EST, you write:
{ { svetla-at-bmb.leeds.ac.uk To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
Hi, Our students have problems with their carbon/collodion grids; collodion to thick and/or bubling, carbon not well stticking to the plastic, not enough uniform and hydrophobic.. We are working with 2D crystals grown on lipid layers, which are transfered onto the EM grids, therefore the quality of the carbon support is critical. I've remembered that some people used to bake the carbon/collodion grids, but I do not have the reference. Any information on this method and on carbon/collodion (see other plastics) is very wellcome. TIA svetla } }
{fontfamily} {param} Arial {/param} {smaller} I've just had a colleague ask me if I had any information regarding obtaining a "reflecting goniometer". I've never used one ... but thisperson wants to measure the angles between crystal morphologies ...
Neither have I. If the crystals are large enough to image in a light microscope, they can use the vernier on the circular stage which comes standard with any polarizing microscope. Alternatively, there is a small device which fits on the stage called a spindle stage which has a tiny spindle to which the crystal is attached and a goniometer to measure crystal angle. If either approach is feasible and they need further instructions, please have them contact me off-line.
I am in need of information concerning a replacement for 3Ms Dry Silver Recording Paper 7774, which was being handled by Ted Pella. I was told by 3M that IMATION was going to handle the paper, but IMATION says it has been suspended as a product. Does anyone know of a stockpile somewhere? I don't want to go back to wet processing! Thanks in advance for your help. Dennis
Dennis Bellotto Pathology Microscopy Services K1.210 mail code:9073 UT Southwestern Medical Center 5323 Harry Hines Blvd. Dallas, TX 75235 (214)648-3597 bellotto.dennis-at-tumora.swmed.edu "I am EM"
Tina, I have had the Kodak 8600 for a couple of years. I got for $6700 with ethernet, raster only when they came out with the 8650? and these were discounted!! I am truly greatful for my unexpected timing. It is an excellent printer for BW and color. So far, knock on wood, it has been a workhorse. It is networked to a PowerMac 8100/100 and parrellel-ported to a HP Vectra XU 150 . The network connection prints faster but it works great on both through Adobe PhotoShop. Good Luck with your choice. Hank Adams Electron Microscopy Lab New Mexico State University Las Cruces,NM 88003 phone: 505-6463600 fax: 505-6465665
Hi =20 Is anyone using a suitable technique which retains scales when=20 preparing SEM cross-section samples (~ 1 um scales). Is some kind of=20 coating needed to stop the scale falling off when cutting/=20 grinding/polishing ? =20 Cheers =20 f.
I have used a full reflecting goniometer. They are typically used in mineralogy (I was introduced to the technique as a student by JDH Donnay, a true guru of crystal morphology). I am sure they are, if still available, NOT cheap; you might check mineralogy supply houses. Better yet, if this is a one-time thing, find a geology/mineralogy lab with an instrument you could visit.
What you actually need depends somewhat on the crystal system; for orthogonal systems, you might get away with measuring in a microscope if you dont need high accuracy; the true goniometers have precision adjustments in 3-d space, just like X-ray goniometers, because this is necessary for studying low symmetry systems. Sad to say, we surplussed one 10-15 years ago... Good luck...
-- ******************************************************************** Pat Kingman Structural Response Team Immediate plans: Code jock....Computer hawk....Cybercadet...
It might be worth Exploring Electrolitically Coating your oxide scales with either Nickel or Copper, or preferably with both sequentially ( 1-2um Ni followed by 20-30 um Cu layer), in order to provide the necessary Support Layer to your britlle scales before, you actually attempt to slice them, grind them or polish them.
The electrolytially coated Oxide layers will then be easily handled and Examined. Let me know, if you need more specific details about the actual technique but let me know what scales are you trying to examine on what metallic sunstrates.
Is anyone using a suitable technique which retains scales when preparing SEM cross-section samples (~ 1 um scales). Is some kind of coating needed to stop the scale falling off when cutting/ grinding/polishing ?
Cheers
f. ................................................................................................. Dr. Georgios FOURLARIS Lecturer in Materials Department of Materials, School of Process, Environmental and Materials Engineering University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
} I am working with isolated Golgi membranes deposited on 300 mesh nickel } grids covered with 1% formvar (+/- carbon film), then fixed and stained } with a negative contraster. The problem is that the membranes are not } strongly attached to the film and due to the air drying they glide and } cluster togheter creating a big problem in the evaluation of the results. } } Have anyone of you the solution for my problem ? } I suggest carbon-coating the grids, then glow-discharging them for ~1 min just before putting the specimen on. Good luck. Yours, Bill Tivol
Reflecting goniometers are discussed in older books on optical crystallography. I found a treasure trove of these in the library of a nearby college with a geology department. Mineralogists are really into this kind of work.
Leonard Corwin Fort Dodge Animal Health (Analytical Research) Princeton, NJ 08543-0400 corwinl-at-pt.cyanamid.com
Our lab wants to do cryosectioning for TEM. We have a Reichert Ultracut E ultramicrotome. We have been told that Leica no longer makes the cryo equipment to fit the Ultracut E. Does anyone have the cryo equipment for the Ultracut E just laying around the lab? If yes, would you be interested in selling, trading or whatever for it?
Hi Pascal, I use phosphine 3R to stain neutral lipids and reference:
Clark, G. (1981) Staining Procedures 4th ed. Williams and Wilkins Co. Baltimore.
Good luck, John.
____________________________ } Hi dear all, } Could anyone provide me some informations about Phosphine 3R (microme n=B0 } 1001) used as lipid staining under fluorescence microscopy. The only } information I possess is Popper (1944). } Thanks to all in advance. } Pascal _____________________________
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D C. John Runions, Ph.D Section of Ecology and Systematics Corson Hall Cornell University Ithaca, New York USA 14853
Since we have been talking a lot about servicing lately...
We have a Plasmatherm Batchtop RIE in our wet lab, bought in May '96, and we want to have it serviced as it keeps coming up to atmosphere overnight. Getting someone from Plasmatherm to come up from the States will cost a lot of money, and being a small company, we don't quite have it. I was wondering if there was anyone around the Ottawa/Montreal/Toronto area who is familiar with this piece equipment and vacuum systems in general. Even someone within Canada (the poor canadian dollar makes it cheaper) would be okay.
Going one step further...if anyone near here (Ottawa) has this RIE also and would be interested in sharing costs of flying a serviceperson (is that the correct word?) that would be a big help. Forever trying to save money!
Please let me know if you have any suggestions. Thanks!
Marisa Ahmad R&D Semiconductor Insights, Inc. tel: (613) 599-6500 ext 4197 fax: (613) 599-6501
At 08:48 AM 2/19/98 +0000, frank.sarrazit-at-avestasheffield.com wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
At one point we developed a procedure for QC on carborized tungsten EM filaments. We found that electrolytically coating the sample for about 15 minutes really stabilized the easily-destroyed carborized coating. The result: we were able to mount, grind, and polish sample which had two phases of distinctly different hardness. An extra benefit: the copper color really highlighted the surface structure of the carborized layer in cross section.
For other types of very delicate materials, see the Buehler vacuum embedder. It is a very crafty variation on a standard dessicator, fitted with a rotatable table to carry a selection of samples and a ladle with which to pour mounting resin. Wasi Ahmed of their labs mounted a cigar with the ash still on it and was able to cross section the resulting sample without disturbing the ash!
Hope these ideas are helpful.
Best regards, Barbara Foster Consortium President Microscopy/Microscopy Education 125 Paridon Street - Suite B Springfield, MA 01118 USA PH: (413)746-6931 FX: (413)746-9311 email: mme-at-map.com **************************************************** Microscopy/Microscopy Education America's first consortium of microscopy experts offering customized on-site training & applications solutions in all areas of microscopy, sample preparation, and image analysis
RMC is sponsoring its Fifth Materials Ultramicrotomy Course.
The course will be September 29-October 2, 1998 in Tucson, Arizona.
This is the premier course for using microtomy for problem solving in materials sciences. The course combines a series of morning lectures with afternoon laborator= y sessions that =
bring theory and practice together. Both fundamental and advanced techniques are discussed, demonstrated, then practiced by the students.
Previous attendees have praised and endorsed the course for all materials=
scientists wanting to =
learn or refine their sample preparation skills via microtomy. =
The staff are all very experienced with problem solving in EM. The cours= e covers embedding techniques and resins, types of knives, section harvesting techniques, etching, staining, evaluating artifacts vs.real defects. The types of materials range from semiconductors to polymers, metals and ceramics.
Please call, fax or visit our web site for more information.
Steve Miller RMC 3450 S. Broadmont, Suite 100 Tucson, AZ 85713 Phone: 520-903-9366 Fax: 520-903-0132
My question relates to the focusing of a laser beam in epifluorescence confocal microscopy, i.e. when the same objective is used to both excite and collect fluorescence. The objective I'm using is 40X N.A. 1.3 oil immersion, infinity corrected.
Ideally I want to match the focus of the laser with the object plane (in-focus plane) of the objective. Clearly the convergence or divergence of the laser as it enters the back aperture of the objective will affect the location of laser focus. My current thinking is that, since the objective is infinity corrected, the laser should be parallel as it enters the objective. Does anyone know if I've reached the right conclusion about this? As a related question, is it correct to say that rays from a point source in the focal plane are parallel as they exit from an infinity corrected objective?
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I have an application requiring a considerable degree of stereological analysis (2 and 3D segments need examining):- can anybody recommend a set or sets of software that they know of or have found particularly useful/friendly for their apps.
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If the glow discharging doesn't work, you might also try treating the grids with poly-L-lysin.
Sara E. Miller, Ph. D. P. O. Box 3020 Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC 27710 Ph: 919 684-3452 FAX: 919 684-8735
Microscopists, A student in the lab is looking at DNA protein complexes on the TEM. Some references say postive staining with UA gives the best resolution, others say negative staining is fine. But the protocols all appear very similar if not the same. How is UA used to produce the two effects? And if there is any body who has direct experience with this stuff, what works best for you? How do you stain? Any opinions, suggestions, refernces are most welcome. Thank you, Kim
-------------------
Kim DeRuyter Histology and Electron Microscopy PO Box 755780 University of Alaska Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-5780 fnksd1-at-aurora.alaska.edu (907)-474-5452
Our URL is: RMC-Scientific.com/microtomes/ Our email is: RMC-at-RMC-Scientific.com =
Steve Miller, Director of Sales, North America Ultramicrotomy Products Steve.Miller-at-RMC-Scientific.com Address: 3450 S. Broadmont, Suite 100, Tucson, AZ, 85713 Phone: 520-903-9366 Fax: 520-903-0132
I look at cells in a tissue culture dish on an inverted microscope stage and would like to mark their location in the dish so I can return to that same position at a later time. I have heard of a special 'lens' that acts as a scribe that, while rotating the turret to swing it in place, it scratches the underside of the dish with a special hard tip. It has no ocular capabilities, so you cannot see as you are scratching. Does anyone know where these would be available?
Barring this cumbersome solution, has anyone solved this problem in some other way (i.e. less expensive, simpler).
judy
Judy Trogadis Eye Research Institute and University of Toronto Toronto Hospital, Western Div. 399 Bathurst St. Toronto, Canada M5T 2S8
Beth Richardson wrote: } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } hi, } does anyone have the url for RMC? } } thanks for the help, } beth } } ************************************** } Beth Richardson } EM Lab Coordinator } Botany Department } University of Georgia } Athens, GA 30602 } } Phone - (706) 542-1790 } FAX - (706) 542-1805 } Email - beth-at-dogwood.botany.uga.edu } **************************************
Address is:
RMC, Inc. 4400 S. Santa Rita Ave. Tuscon, AZ 85714 USA Tel: 602 889 7900 Fax: 602 741 2200
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At 10:06 AM 2/19/98 +0000, brian haab wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Your assumptions are correct. In infinity corrected optics, the objective focuses on the part of the specimen which is at its front focal plane. Following basic physics, the light emerges from the back of the objective parallel (careful here!) either to the optic axis (if the feature is located on -axis) or to some principle beam which passes through the optical center of the lens (if the feature is off axis). In any event, the light will then be collected by the tube lens and imaged at the Primary Image Plane (physically located about 2 mm below the seat of the eyepiece).
Your assumptions re: the laser are also correct: The laser beam is collimated (& traveling parallel to the optic axis) on the way to the sample. It is then brought to a point of focus by the objective, at its focal plane (what would be called the "front focal plane" if looking at the information from the sample side). This diffraction limited spot is the actual "probe" for the confocal microscope.
For a more complete discussion on confocal, we strongly recommend Jim Pawley's Handbook of Biological Confocal Microscopy (2nd ed./Plenum/NY). For a more complete discussion of the difference between infinity corrected optics and fixed tube length systems, try "Optimizing Light Microscopy for Biological and Clinical Labs". For ordering info on the latter, contact me privately.
Best regards, Barbara Foster Consortium President Microscopy/Microscopy Education 125 Paridon Street - Suite B Springfield, MA 01118 USA PH: (413)746-6931 FX: (413)746-9311 email: mme-at-map.com **************************************************** Microscopy/Microscopy Education America's first consortium of microscopy experts offering customized on-site training & applications solutions in all areas of microscopy, sample preparation, and image analysis
Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology Workshop on Quantitative Approaches to the Estimation of Changes in Organs, Tissue, and Cells
Wednesday, May 6, 1998 8:30 AM-5:00 PM Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Room 5602 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Major Speakers and Topics:
Old and New Stereology William T. Greenough, Beckman Institute
What's in a Number? New Stereological Approaches to the Quantification of Biological Structure Peter R. Mouton, Stereology Lab, John Hopkins University, Baltimore
Overview of Segmentation Techniques for Biological Staining Detection and Analysis Peter Eggleston, Amerinex Applied Imaging, Amherst, MA
Cytoarchitectonic Parcellation of Cerebral Cortex Joseph Nunez, Department of Psychology, University of Illinois
Stereology I: Point Counting and Cycloid Grid Anna Klintsova, Beckman Institute
Stereology II: Optical and Physical Disector Janice Juraska, Department of Psychology, University of Illinois
Densitometry: Concepts and Pitfalls Scott Irwin, Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois
Densitometric Evaluation of Immunocytochemical Reactions and in situ Hybridization Roberto Galvez, Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois
Image Analysis Software Bridget Carragher, Beckman Institute
There will also be time set aside for a hands-on demonstration of stereology, with Nick Kisseberth, Joseph Nunez, Anna Klintsova, Beckman Institute; and for a demonstration of semi-quantitative densitometry analysis of radiolabelled in situ hybridization reaction, with Marc Cohen, Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois.
Workshop Organizer:
Anna Klintsova, Research Scientist, Beckman Institute
Registration Information:
The workshop is limited to 65 participants, taken on a first-come, first-served basis. A $30.00 workshop fee covers the costs of continental breakfast, lunch, coffee breaks, and materials. Participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging. Checks should be made out to the "University of Illinois."
There are ten (10) student fellowships available. The workshop fee will be waived for those receiving a fellowship. To apply for a fellowship, the student must write a brief statement about why the workshop is important to his/her research.
Register by sending your name, address, telephone number, fax number, and email address, and whether or not you will need parking; as well as your fellowship statement, if you are applying for a fellowship, and your check to:
Julie Weaver Beckman Institute University of Illinois 405 North Mathews Avenue Urbana, IL 61801 Tel.: 217-244-4906; Fax: 217-244-8371 Email: jweaver-at-uiuc.edu
DEADLINE for both registration and fellowship application is April 15, 1998. Your registration will be considered complete when we receive your check. Registration and fellowship acceptance will be confirmed by April 22.
I'm posting this request for a friend of mine. He's looking for the schematics and any technical information (diagrams, etc.) for a Pfeiffer pumping unit control TCS100 for a Balzers BAF300 or BAF301 freeze etch unit (it's a high vac unit).
I guess he's trying to rebuild it & it's kinda old & of course the info. did not follow the machine.
Thanks for all your help.
Paula = )
Paula Sicurello UC Berkeley Electron Microscope Lab psic-at-uclink4.berkeley.edu
To whom it may concern, I am currently in the market for a Hitachi 600AB or a Jeol 1200CX TEM.This instrument will primarily be used for asbestos analysis.
Thank you,
Kevin MacKinnon Micro Analytical Laboratories, Inc. Emeryville, CA 94608 (415)653-0824
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Here is my experience on the inside of the pricing of spare parts for service. I have worked for several instrument companies over the years in service support engineering and have been on the front lines of the "how much to charge for parts" problem many times. Nominally spare parts prices were set so we could could make a fair margin to cover costs and profit while maintaining a fair price for customers. As a service advocate I wanted low prices to improve customer satisfaction, but for the company the real object of the game was to maximize the selling price without making the customers go away.
The problem starts because most companys' CFOs want the cost of goods to be about 25% to 33% of the selling price. In most instrument manufacturing businesses this ratio is observed for the finished produts. They also extend this policy down to spare parts. Thus if you doing the pricing of small spare parts you are usually are told to make the price around 3X the cost. As the cost of the items goes up the multiplier will go down but there is still a big markup.
For some items I would find that a spare part would go through 2 or three markups before we sold it as a replacement part. For instance a small part might be priced for $30 by the orginal manufacture and sold to a distributor. That distributor marks it up to $90 for sale to the instrument manufacturer as a spare part. It gets marked up again by 3X and becomes a $270 part!
The practice of multiple markups is worse with Japanese companies. In many cases, orders for spare parts may go through serveral companies and mark ups before thay reach the USA service organization from the factory. And that is also why it takes so long to get parts from Japan!
I know this sounds awful, but it is a real practice at many of our instrument companies. It does pay to find the original manufacturer for these parts.
Disclaimer: Now that I run my own business I don't do it that way!
Ronald Vane XEI Scientific
alan stone wrote: }
} While we are tossing this around, I'd like to add some comments to Steve's } posting. } } I certainly recognize the cost of maintaining an inventory, as well as } recouping some of your engineering, manufacturing and patent (if any) costs. } Your comments are valid for proprietary components. However, I had a high } quote for a part which was not in stock and nor produced by the microscope } manufacturer. } } The component, actually considered a consummable on the service contract, } failed. I called the microscope manufacturer and was quoted around $300 } with a three week delivery. An internet search coughed up the location of } the primary manufacturer. They quoted $30 (one tenth) with next day shipment. } } You could debate if it was worth the $240 difference (we bought 2) for my } half hour search and phone call, but it did save me from being down for a } few weeks. } } Regards, } } Alan Stone }
Hi The lab.of Electron Microscopy, Faculty of Bioengineering, National University of Entre Rios, Argentina, is searching an AFM to received it in donation. The microscope will be used in research & development and teaching. We pay all the charges of the shipment. Please, contact to
=================================================== Fernando D. Balducci Laboratorio de Microscopia Electronica Facultad de Ingenieria - Bioingenieria Universidad Nacional de Entre Rios Argentina e-mail: microsc-at-fi.uner.edu.ar tel: 54 43 975100 fax: 54 43 975077
McCrone Accessories & Components, 800-622-8122, has a device that marks a ring with ink on the glass. It is not clear from the catalog whether you can see through it. It mounts with RMS threads.
Leonard Corwin Fort Dodge Animal Health (Analytical Research) Princeton, NJ 08543-0400 corwinl-at-pt.cyanamid.com
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I look at cells in a tissue culture dish on an inverted microscope stage and would like to mark their location in the dish so I can return to that same position at a later time. I have heard of a special 'lens' that acts as a scribe that, while rotating the turret to swing it in place, it scratches the underside of the dish with a special hard tip. It has no ocular capabilities, so you cannot see as you are scratching. Does anyone know where these would be available?
Barring this cumbersome solution, has anyone solved this problem in some other way (i.e. less expensive, simpler).
judy
Judy Trogadis Eye Research Institute and University of Toronto Toronto Hospital, Western Div. 399 Bathurst St. Toronto, Canada M5T 2S8
I have to agree with Owen here. I have run EMs both under manufacturer service contract and self-serviced by an in-house engineer. I have seen excellent, cost-effect service from some companies, and execrable call-them-when-you-want-it-broken service from another company. So a thing to note: if you go 3rd party, from where do they hire their engineers? If the engineers are mostly hired from manufacturers with whom you've had poor service experience, then you're not likely to be happy with the 3rd party, either. If the 3rd party engineers come from a manufacturer with good service, then you likely will be happy. Barring company administrators, of course.
Also keep in mind that service can vary with geography, because personnel does. Not just engineers, but administrators. Recall that bad administrators can break the best engineers.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned: at one time, a 3rd party service company (whom I won't mention, as this was 2-3 years ago, and they may not be doing this anymore) offered me a service contract with a rebate for the "insurance" part of the contract. That is, if we didn't need any parts, most or all of that part of the contract was either rebated or applied to the next year's contract. This should be more common for both 3rd party and manufacturer contracts.
My conclusions are that service is "...a MAJOR consideration in the decision to purchase a [brand of] instrument...". But also, the cost-effectiveness of in-house service should be part of the decision. People have discussed the relative costs of manufacturer vs 3rd party service (or insurance), but the costs of downtime and do-it-yourself must also be considered.
In all the discussions of service contracts, I don't recall ever seeing an actual cost-accounting of the various service options. This would include not only downtime and employee costs for in-house work, but the cost of operating a scope at less-than-spec because the service isn't good enough to return the scope to operating conditions, the costs of getting the scope tweaked to the best possible performance when there is no actual requirement for ultimate resolution, the cost of replacing an entire X thousand dollar circuit board instead of the $20 IC chip that went bad vs the hours spent a) finding the bad chip, b) finding a place to buy 1 or 2 chips instead of the 100s or 1000s that manufacturers buy, c) verifying that was the problem, and d) repeating the cycle to fix the problems [often on the same board] uncovered by replacing the first part. And many more such considerations.
I particularly agree with Owen's last comment about the lack of respect for service engineers (except for one company).
Phil disclaimer: since I'm an editor, I'd love to have someone write an article for us about how to do cost-accounting as part of a purchase decision.
} My two cents. } } Service should be a MAJOR consideration in the decision to purchase an } instrument. The extra bells and whistles that swayed you towards a } particular brand aren't worth much later when your scope is down for other } reasons. } } Also, this thread began with a survey of service contract options. One } overlooked option is doing some of the service yourself and taking } advantage of discount service contracts offered by most manufacturers. By } doing some of your own repairs, you may 1) save some money, 2) learn more } about your instrument, 3) develop some empathy for field service engineers } (who aren't getting much respect in this discussion). } } Owen } } Disclaimer: My employer hired me because of the views expressed in this } message. } } Owen P. Mills } Michigan Technological University } Metallurgical & Materials Engineering } opmills-at-mtu.edu
****be famous! send in a tech tip or question*** Philip Oshel Technical Editor, Microscopy Today PO Box 5037 Station A Champaign, IL 61825-5037 oshel-at-shout.net or poshel-at-hotmail.com
At 04:52 PM 2/19/98 -0500, Judy Trogadis wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
When I used to work at Cambridge Instruments (now Leica), they sold a marking objective which you could rotate into position. It just had a simple ink stamp on it. I only had my hands on it once but as I remember, it had a collar on it and you just moved the marking ring toward the slide/dish and gently pressed to leave an impression. I'd suggest you try your local Leica rep or dealer.
Barbara Foster Consortium President Microscopy/Microscopy Education 125 Paridon Street - Suite B Springfield, MA 01118 USA PH: (413)746-6931 FX: (413)746-9311 email: mme-at-map.com **************************************************** Microscopy/Microscopy Education America's first consortium of microscopy experts offering customized on-site training & applications solutions in all areas of microscopy, sample preparation, and image analysis
Hello We want to scan series sections from myocardial tissue directly from the histological slide into our computer. What scanning resolution (dpi) do we need in order to recognize a fiber with a diameter of about 25 =B5m? Thank you Dr. Klaus Redmann Experimental Heart Surgery University Clinic M=FCnster, Germany redmann-at-uni-muenster.de
Folks: I believe Michael Shaffer is referring to a four axis stage for a light microscope. This stage is mounted on a mic. used for Petrographic examination of geological thin sections. We have such a stage for a Zeiss microscope. It has the stage, several glass spheres for light diffraction and a low ma condenser. This stage cost over $7k US when it was purchased. We no longer have any use for the stage and would like to either sell, trade, barter it. Our preference would be to see it go to a research/ teaching group. We are willing to entertain any inquiries. Regards; Jon McGovern J. P. McGovern and Associates e-mail: jmcgover-at-cadvision.com
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RE} TEM wanted 2/20/98 8:41 AM Dear Kevin,
The McCrone Research Institute in Chicago is selling their Jeol 1200EX. I= t is used primarily for asbestos analysis. Anyone interested should conta= ct John Shane (312-842-7100) or see the website at www.mcri.org. I will b= e posting the ad soon.
thanks.
John Shane Director of Research McCrone Research Institute
--------------------------------------
To whom it may concern,=20 =09I am currently in the market for a Hitachi 600AB or a Jeol 1200CX TEM.This instrument will primarily be used for asbestos analysis.=20
Thank you,=20
Kevin MacKinnon Micro Analytical Laboratories, Inc.=20 Emeryville, CA 94608 (415)653-0824
_____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
id sma000173; Fri Feb 20 16:30:41 1998 Received: from c1pa008.lkasbg.gv.at (c1pa008.lkasbg.gv.at [10.1.42.8]) by hermes.lkasbg.gv.at (8.8.5/8.8.5) with SMTP id RAA21071; Fri, 20 Feb 1998 17:32:33 +0100 Received: by c1pa008.lkasbg.gv.at with Microsoft Mail id {01BD3E1D.59359760-at-c1pa008.lkasbg.gv.at} ; Fri, 20 Feb 1998 16:34:00 +-100 Message-ID: {01BD3E1D.59359760-at-c1pa008.lkasbg.gv.at} Pascal Veys {veys-at-bota.ucl.ac.be}
Salzburg, 20th Febr. 1998, local time: 3.55 p.m.
Dear Pascal, hope, some of the information given below can be of help:
1) ex: BANCROFT J.D., STEVENS A. (Eds), Theory and Practice of = Histological Techniques, 4th Ed., CHURCHILL-LIVINGSTONE, 1996; ISBN = 0-443-04760-X: only subject index reference to "phosphine-solubility = (=3D appendix VI, Solubility of some Dyes; p.739): } } Phosphine: generic name: Basic Orange 15, 3rd ed. CINo.: 46045, = soluble in water; soluble in alcohol. { { {
2) ROMEIS, Mikroskopische Technik, 17ed, 1989 (URBAN&SCHWARZENBERG = Publ., German): p. 377: (translated):=20 subchapter: Fluorescence Microscopy " Only lipopigments like Lipofuscin, Carotinoids and Vitamin A show = Auto- fluorescence. Secondary fluorescence only can be obtained by vital = or subvital staining with fluorescent dyes. Cell Cultures, = tease-preparations, as well as unfixed cryostat-sections are/can be = treated for 3-5 minutes with/in a 0.5% aqueous solution of } Rhodamine B { = or } Phosphine 3R (Popper, 1951, see below); after staining washing in = isotonic salt solution (NaCl, physiological), mounting in = glycerol....Lipids, cholesterol-esters included, will display a = silvery-white to green fluorescence. Fatty acids, soaps as well as = cholesterol will not be evidenced. POPPER 1951 (see above) in the reference list of this book is cited only = as=20 POPPER H. (1941): Histologic distribution of vitamin A in human organ = under normal and pathological conditions. Arch. Path. 31, 766-802.
3) Old, but a source of "treasures" for stainings: LILLIE RD, FULLMER HM = (Eds) 4th Ed. Histopathologic Technic and Practical Histochemistry, McGRAW HILL 1976 p. 144/145:=20 subchapter Fat Stains: } } In fluorescence microscopy several acid and basic dyes have been used = in simple aqueous solution of fat stains. Of these, PHOSPHINE, a basic = acridine dyestuff seems to be one of the best. Also used are..... { { = Informations contained from subchapter "Staining of Lipids with esterified Sudan dyes" (p. 571, = 572) FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPY: .......POPPER (1941) used either..... or a 3 = min stain in 0.1% aqueous Phosphine (CI 46 0 45).......produced a = silvery white fluorescence and demonstrated more fats than traditional = strong alcoholic Sudan methods..... { { {
Maybe I could go on giving more informations, but I shall stop here; if you want to get more informations (chemical structures, etc., more = procedures, etc....) you are kindly invited to specify more detailed = your needs on the dye....
Hope this helps for the moment, best regards
Dr. Wolfgang MUSS Department of Pathology, LKA EM-Laboratory Muellner Hauptstrasse 48 A-5020 SALZBURG AUSTRIA/Europe
phone: ++43++ 662 + 4482 + 4720 Ext fax: ++43++ 662 + 4482 + 882 Ext. e-mail: W.Muss-at-lkasbg.gv.at (note: "l" right to "-at-" is a small "L")
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Hi Pascal, I use phosphine 3R to stain neutral lipids and reference:
Clark, G. (1981) Staining Procedures 4th ed. Williams and Wilkins Co. Baltimore.
Good luck, John.
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D C. John Runions, Ph.D Section of Ecology and Systematics Corson Hall Cornell University Ithaca, New York USA 14853
At 04:38 PM 2/19/98 -0800, Paula Sicurello wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
I have that. How do you want to get it?
Rick A. Harris, Director Microscopy and Image Analysis Facility Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology 1241 Life Sciences Addition University of California Davis, CA 530 752 2914 530 752 3085 fax raharris-at-ucdavis.edu
} 3M corporation has quit making Dry Silver Recording Paper #7774. A } friend of mine uses it to print his electron micrograph negatives and } is in desperate need of this type of developing paper. We have talked } to everyone under the sun, cruised the Internet and Web sites without } any luck. Kodak does not make it. Does anyone know of a supplier or } does anyone have a hugh stash they might be willing to sell, trade, } barter, etc?
This paper was discontinued because it contains mercury and the prints were considered toxic waste and have to be treated appropriately.
John Bozzola 71 Concordia Drive Carbondale, IL 62901 Internet address (SIU): bozzola-at-siu.edu Internet address (home): JBozzola-at-aol.com
Since my last posting about transfering TN-5500 spectra to a PC I have managed to send spectra information( headers and each channels intensity) as ASCI data to the PC. I have not however found a means to convert the data into a graphics file. Kermit was used to capture the xfered data. The PC is connected to a Novel network but the only means of TN-5500 data or spectra to be xfered is by means of a serial port connection beween the two systems. Any information concerning software that can be located on the PC for converting the data to a graphics file and then converting the graphics file to a TIF file would be greatly appreciated. If anyone is interested, the spectra data was xfered by using Noran's XI module(file type 5, number 442), which requires two other type 6 files( 4000 and 4065 ) be present on the operating system.
You may be doing about as well as you can. Those old PDP-11s can be setup on the ethernet for a price in order to use FTP to ship files under the TCP/IP protocol. But I don't know of any PDPs being set up to do Novell. Kermit may be the mose expedient solution.
When I did similar transfers from our Kevex, I imported the data into Excel for graphing. I had to parse it properly which isn't too bad if the channel counts are one per line. You could then "fancy up" the chart with whatever format and labeling you like. The later versions of Excel also allow you to define customized chart types and to set the default chart type for new charts. Once you have that set up, it should be quite straightforward to convert the data over.
Since the chart would be prepared in Excel (or something like it), you would not have to save it as a bitmap (TIF or BMP) unless you really had to. It would be better to keep it in chart format or at least as a picture or windows metafile format in order to retain the fine detail and allow for possible editting later.
Then again, maybe somebody has more details of a customized program to do all this in one step.
At 11:05 AM 2/20/98 -0600, you wrote:
} Since my last posting about transfering TN-5500 spectra to a PC I have } managed to send spectra information( headers and each channels intensity) as } ASCI data to the PC. I have not however found a means to convert the data } into a graphics file. Kermit was used to capture the xfered data. The PC } is connected to a Novel network but the only means of TN-5500 data or } spectra to be xfered is by means of a serial port connection beween the two } systems. Any information concerning software that can be located on the PC } for converting the data to a graphics file and then converting the graphics } file to a TIF file would be greatly appreciated. If anyone is interested, } the spectra data was xfered by using Noran's XI module(file type 5, number } 442), which requires two other type 6 files( 4000 and 4065 ) be present on } the operating system. } } ---------------------------------------------------- Warren E. Straszheim 23 Town Engineering Iowa State University Ames IA, 50011 Phone: 515-294-8187 FAX: 515-294-4563
The New England Society for Microscopy announces its February Meeting
Dear fellow microscopists,
At 09:16 AM 2/20/98 -0400, Leonard Corwin wrote:
} McCrone Accessories & Components, 800-622-8122, has a device that } marks a ring with ink on the glass. It is not clear from the catalog } whether you can see through it. It mounts with RMS threads.
I didn't respond to this on the first go-round, because I didn't think that it was what the orinal poster (Judy) wanted, but we (Energy Beam Sciences) have made a device like this, called the Slide Marker, for over 20 years.
Best regards, Steven E. Slap, Vice-President ******************************** Energy Beam Sciences, Inc. Adding Brilliance To Your Vision ebs-at-ebsciences.com http://www.ebsciences.com/ ********************************
At 4:52 PM 2/19/98 -0500, Judy Trogadis wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Judy
Ernest F. Fullam, Inc sells a device similar to the one you describe. The the toll free phone # is 800-833-4024 or you can try 518-785-5533. Fax# is 518-785-8647. The item is called an EFFA microdotter, and the catalog ('92--'93) # is 13400. Good luck1
I think a point of clarification is needed here. The instrument described by Michael Shaffer is an optical goniometer. It is used to measure the angles between the faces of crystals. The crystals, usually small (i.e. mm sized) are mounted on a graduated rotating stage and illuminated through a source that is coaxial with an observing telescope. By rotating the stage so that first one, then another face is illuminated (i.e. reflecting), and by taking readings on the stage, it is possible to obtain interfacial angles to {1 degree. These devices were once in common use among crystallographers, but I have neither seen nor used one for 20 years. Perhaps the best chance Michael Shaffer has to get one is by asking at the nearest geology department, they may have one (gathering dust?) somewhere.
The instrument described by Jon McGovern sounds like a universal stage. This is an attachment (for a polarizing microscope) that is used to rotate a thin section (of a transparent or translucent optically anisotropic solid) so that its optical directions can be located. The glass hemispheres are used to "sandwich" the section during observation. Normally objectives with a long working distance will be needed because the glass hemispheres tend to be quite large.
Hope this helps.
Roger Mason
At 08:34 AM 20/02/98 -0700, Jon McGovern wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
At 09:09 AM 2/19/98 -0500, Pat Kingman wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
One more note on this topic: In microscopy terms, we frequently refer to this type of accessory as a "universal rotating stage". It is useful in both orthoscopic and conoscopic observations (i. e., maximum birefringence, crystal angles, etc.).
As I understand it, the glass hemispheres come in different refractive indices, chosen to correlate with the refractive indices of the mineral/material under study. From the descriptions, it also appears that you need ultralong working distance objectives and condensers. And, if you are going to do conoscopic work, the NAs need to be large.
I quickly found two good references in our library ( I am sure there are more): 1. A treasured (but out of print) booklet from the old Leitz: "Polarized-light Microscopy: Principles, Instruments, Applications" by Walter Patzelt (p. 87) 2. Hartshorne, N. H., and Stuart, A. Crystals and the Polarising Microscope, 4th ed., Arnold (London), 62-63. I noted with interest that Hartshorne and Stuart mention a simple instrument, designed by Wollaston in 1809 (!) that strongly resembles the spindle stage designed by Don Bloss (available, I believe, through McCrone Associates).
In any event, good luck with the hunt!
Barbara Foster Consortium President Microscopy/Microscopy Education 125 Paridon Street - Suite B Springfield, MA 01118 USA PH: (413)746-6931 FX: (413)746-9311 email: mme-at-map.com **************************************************** Microscopy/Microscopy Education America's first consortium of microscopy experts offering customized on-site training & applications solutions in all areas of microscopy, sample preparation, and image analysis
Does anyone on this listserve know of recent salary surveys for microscopists (EM, etc) in the university and private/ industrial sectors? The last one of know of was published by EMSA in 1984. Anything more recent would be helpful. TIA Hank Adams Electron Microscopy Lab New Mexico State University Las Cruces,NM 88003 phone: 505-6463600 fax: 505-6465665
We specialize in just SEM. Our goal is to provide high quality results without high cost. We use digital imaging for flexibility and to decrease turnaround time. Visit us at http://www.freeyellow.com/members/smartfelten/ If you are an overbooked SEM operator, we would love to help you out! ========================================================================== == === Ric Felten Owner SMARTech PO Box 439 Goshen CT, 06756 (860)491-3299 e-mail: rfelten-at-esslink.com
A couple of timely news releases today shed some further light on the question of the reliability of Zip drives, from our earlier thread on this subject.
In the first, Paul Festa of CNET NEWS.com reported on the official report from Iomega that only a fraction of 1 percent of Zip drives have exhibited any problems. The article is at:
http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,19342,00.html
In the second, Dan Briody of InfoWorld Electric wrote an article titled "Goodbye floppy? Micron offers Zip drive standard." It reports the March shipment of Micron's Millenia line of PCs which will offer Zip drives standard as the a:drive, with 1.4MB floppies as optional. The article is at:
It seems to me evident that a major computer manufacturer with a long time experience in installing Zips in their computers would probably not make the jump to offer Zips as a standard replacement for the floppy if there were any *real* problem with the reliability of the drive.
I am happy to hear that the failure rate is below 1 percent. I figure that there are 20-25 Zips presently in use in my group, so we can buy another 75 drives before we should expect one of them to fail....
Larry
Dr. Lawrence F. Allard Senior Research Staff Member High Temperature Materials Laboratory Oak Ridge National Laboratory 1 Bethel Valley Road Bldg. 4515, MS 6064 PO Box 2008 Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6064
There is one more factor besides reliability in replacement of floppy drives with zips.
Trouble shooting and computer maintenance....
You can boot your Hard drive from a floppy, but unless something is drastically changed , even using Norton Utilities 3.0 you can not boot up off a zip. Though Norton Utilites 3.0 lets you reboot a Win 95 system from a zip AND a floppy.
Something to watch for when wanting to toss your floppy drive.
..... Speaking as one who has had to do Hard Drive crash recovers...
Lou Ann
} It seems to me evident that a major computer manufacturer with a long time } experience in installing Zips in their computers would probably not make } the jump to offer Zips as a standard replacement for the floppy if there } were any *real* problem with the reliability of the drive. }
*************************** Lou Ann Miller Microscopic Imaging Lab College of Vet. Medicine University of Illinois 2001 S Lincoln Ave Urbana,Illinois 61801 217-244-1566 lamiller-at-ux1.cso.uiuc.edu
Microscopy Home Page: http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/MicImagLab/MicImagLab.html
Central States Microscopy Society http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/HomePages/LouAnnMiller/CSMS/csms.html
Personal Home Page: http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/HomePages/LouAnnMiller/LAM.html
Dear Listers, I'm seeking input from those who are currently using either RMC's MT-XL/CR-X or Leica's UCT-FCS cryoultramicrotome. It would be housed in a multi-user facility and primarily used for biological samples (plant, animal including insects)polymers and fibers. The information I seek is: a) reliability of instrument b) maintenance / service during and after warranty
TIA Rosemary
#################################################### Rosemary Walsh Electron Microscope Facility for the Life Sciences The Biotechnology Institute for Research and Education 1 South Frear Lab University Park, PA 16802 814-865-0212 email:rw9-at-psu.edu ####################################################
I don't know about PCs, but this is not true for Macs. Put a system folder on a Zip disk, either by Installing one or copying one over and "blessing" it--open, then close the folder. When starting the Mac, hold down command+option+shift+delete (DOCS), and the Mac will start up from the Zip drive.
Macs will happily start up from their internal hard drive, an external hard drive, a CD-ROM, a floppy, a Zip, Jaz, Sy Quest, paper towel, or anything else as long as the device is readable by a Mac and has a blessed system folder on it. Norton or any other utility program not needed, this is a feature of the Mac OS.
Speaking as some one who has done this [well, not the paper towel ... 8-) ] .
Phil
} There is one more factor besides reliability in replacement of floppy } drives with zips. } } Trouble shooting and computer maintenance.... } } You can boot your Hard drive from a floppy, but unless something is } drastically changed , even using Norton Utilities 3.0 you can not boot up } off a zip. Though Norton Utilites 3.0 lets you reboot a Win 95 system from } a zip AND a floppy. } } Something to watch for when wanting to toss your floppy drive. } } ..... Speaking as one who has had to do Hard Drive crash recovers... } } Lou Ann } } } It seems to me evident that a major computer manufacturer with a long time } } experience in installing Zips in their computers would probably not make } } the jump to offer Zips as a standard replacement for the floppy if there } } were any *real* problem with the reliability of the drive. } }
I replied to Lou Ann Miller's message this morning, but forgot to cc the listserver. Here is again:
Lou Ann:
I'm afraid you are slightly behind times on your information about booting off a Zip. First, you have *always* been able to boot off a Zip (or other peripheral drive) if you used a Mac (as I reported earlier, one of my colleagues used a Zip exclusively for quite a long time when her hard drive crashed). This is now the case on PCs also...again, I am sure that Micron Electronics would not be putting Zips as the a:drive on an entire line of their product, and making floppies optional, if you could not boot from the Zip....
Larry (So, is *this* the last word?.... ;-) )
Dr. Lawrence F. Allard Senior Research Staff Member High Temperature Materials Laboratory Oak Ridge National Laboratory 1 Bethel Valley Road Bldg. 4515, MS 6064 PO Box 2008 Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6064
Recently returning to the EM fold after an absence of several years, I have been unhappy with the staining of LM sections with Toluidine Blue/Borax or Tolouidine Blue/Basic Fuschin.Buried in a cupboard however I found a bottle labelled Richardsons Stain which seems to work very well. However I have no idea whats in it, (its either Toluidine Blue or Methylene Blue based).I am loathe and embarressed to admit that the bottle is labelled in my own handwriting, however advancing years and alzheimers have combined to defeat my memory. Any help would be much appreciated.
Peter Smith AgResearch Wallaceville Upper Hutt New Zealand
see: RICHARDSON KC., JARETT L., and FINKE EH: Embedding in epoxy resins for ultrathin sectioning in electron = microscopy. Stain Technol. vol } 35 {(1960), 313-323 Maybe this receipt would fit your needs.
But: there is another staining formula, know to me for a long time (I = used it as a student in the 1970ies) also as "Richardson's staining", = essentially a polychromatic staining for Epon resin sections, containing = Methylene blue and Azure II. The formula I got from a technician at the = University of Salzburg, at that time the formula was written into the = lab handbook there. I searched for the origin of that formula /method = and the only facts I got were: "after MALLORY (& RICHARDSON KC et al. 1968)" but I was not able to = verify any paper dealing with such a staining procedure as follows:
Essentially it is an=20 aqueous Methylene blue - Azure II in Borax-buffer (high pH, appr. = 9-10). Solution prepared preferably in an Erlenmeyer-flask
1) prepare 2% Borax (di-sodium-tetraborate: Na2B4O7) in a.bidest. 2) after complete dissolution of Borax-powder: add 1 g methyleneblue, add 1 g Azure-II-dye (would recommend to use certified dyestuff) 3) mix well/gently agitate (magnetic stirrer) let stand and/or mix at = least over night (to get saturation of the dyes as complete as possible) 4) filtrate the solution into a tightly (pref. screw capped) closeable, = brown lab-bottle (100-250 ml, light protection necessary): use as = working solution, but filtrate solution before staining sections (either = by adding drops of staining solution to the slide/section, then heating = on the hot plate to the boiling point: but don't let cook!, jet washing = with squeeze-bottle) The staining solution ready for use is stable for several months (even a = year).
Note: I personally used this stain successfully for staining 2 ?m = semithin Epon sections of whole rat hypothalamus for a long time.=20 But I had to change to another polychromatic staining (which I apply = very successfully now for 6 years and as another, earlier modification = another 7 years before) due to problems in stainability of = "Epon"-sections when the original "EPON 812 R[superscript] = (SHELL/MONSANTO)" was not available any more (suspected changed = polymerization properties...chemical nature.....).
Therefore it would be interesting to hear of your special = problems/antipathies in staining sections with Toluidineblue/borax or = toluidineblue/basic fuchsin (which I assume to be diluted in alkaline = buffer solution too). Also it would be of utmost interest which type of = resin (name, dealing company) you currently are using.
NOTE 2: Hildegard H. CROWLEY, also described a "SUPERIOR METHYLENE BLUE-AZURE II Stain for semithin sections" which essentially is the same mixture as above, and Leslie WESTON also = had a posting for that as follows:
MSA-Listserver 14th Oct. 1997: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America=20
Are we talking about Richardson's stain? (I don't have the reference to hand, but I could find it if anyone wants.) This is a 1:1 mixture of 1% methylene blue in 1% borax with 1% Azure II in water. It is my routine stain for thick sections and gives brilliant metachromatic results, even without an alcohol rinse.
Lesley Weston (e-mail: lesley-at-unixg.ubc.ca )
On Tue, 14 Oct 1997, HILDEGARD CROWLEY=20 e-mail: hcrowley-at-du.edu
wrote:
} = ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of = America=20 } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to = ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } = -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } =20 } =20 } Hi, } =20 } The CI number for Methylene blue is 52015. } The CI number for Azure B (sometimes called Azure I) is 52010. } There is no CI number for Azure II since it is a 1:1 mixture of the = the=20 } two stains above. } Could you simply mix 52015 and 52010? I have not done this, simply=20 } because the Azure II worked fine, and I don't have time to fix things=20 } which already work reliably. I cannot think of any reason why mixing = the two=20 } stains rather than buying the azure II would alter the situation. } We buy our methylene blue and our Azure II from Sigma. I do not know = if=20 } the percentage of active stain varies per gram between batches. This = is=20 } something one=20 } needs to be aware of given the vast interactions between LM stains and =
} embedding epoxies. I also used to buy very nice stains from Fisher = (but=20 } someone stole our Fisher Catalog)! PS. I do not have any commercial=20 } interest in either of the companies mentioned. The price of these = stains=20 } can vary enormously so it pays to check several sources. Just make = sure=20 } that the company states the CI number of the product they are selling. } Please note that the stain improves with age. Make a lot and let it = sit=20 } in the dark at rt. Also please note that if the stained section is = not=20 } rinsed with alcohol (75% - destained, and then with 100%), the result=20 } will not be as brilliant as it should be. =20 } Bye, } Hildy } =20
Hope this helps, if any questions more: require
Best regards and have a good day Wolfgang
Dr. Wolfgang MUSS Department of Pathology, LKA EM-Laboratory Muellner Hauptstrasse 48 A-5020 SALZBURG AUSTRIA/Europe
phone: ++43++ 662 + 4482 + 4720 Ext fax: ++43++ 662 + 4482 + 882 Ext. e-mail: W.Muss-at-lkasbg.gv.at (note: "l" right to "-at-" is a small "L")
Recently returning to the EM fold after an absence of several years, I = have been unhappy with the staining of LM sections with Toluidine = Blue/Borax or Tolouidine Blue/Basic Fuschin. Buried in a cupboard = however I found a bottle labelled Richardsons Stain which seems to work = very well. However I have no idea whats in it, (its either Toluidine = Blue or Methylene Blue based). I am loathe and embarressed to admit that = the bottle is labelled in my own handwriting, however advancing years = and alzheimers have combined to defeat my memory. Any help would be much = appreciated.
Peter Smith AgResearch Wallaceville Upper Hutt New Zealand
This has been a remarkable thread, full of input from a variety of sources. I think that we have managed to show that there are a variety of possible solutions to the problem, but first, let's consider the options.
If the responses are indicative, and my own experience shows that they are, service from any source is spotty at best. It basically comes down to the service engineer that you will commonly deal with. An SEM is one of the most complex instruments manufactured. It requires a unique individual to not only provide for appropriate service of an SEM but to also provide a customer orientation that can match itself to the expectations of a user. I can confirm that there are those who work for manufacturers who can maintain this balance, as there are those who work for themselves or third party services.
Ken Converse mentioned some of the requirements and costs of maintaining a service engineer, but he was vague in his descriptions. I have seen companies that are very comfortable in justifying spending upwards of $250,000 a year for service engineers, in salary, benefits and travel expenses. Needless to say, the engineer's salary and benefits are the lessor in this equation. At the same time, these same companies will extend additional thousands or tens of thousands of dollars for bringing new hires to the factory for 'factory' training, even if the facility is out of country.
This points to a very inefficient method of training and resource management. At the expenditure levels of some companies, it would make far more sense to provide 4 times the number of service personnel and back those field engineers with a secondary level of expertise of technical specialists and field trainers. I have actually witnessed service organizations whose secondary level of expertise required importing personnel from overseas. A very inefficient use of manpower and a drastic increase in the departmental expenses.
On the other hand, third party services are often taking advantage of the high service costs of the manufacturers. Given the markups, it is very easy to underbid the manufacturers by 10% - 20% and still make a very good living. By undertaking third party service, though, you are opening yourself up to the experience and knowledge of a limited group of field engineers. While the basic engineering of EMs has not changed for years, there can be significant differences in the designs of individual manufacturers. Finding service engineers who can understand and adapt to these differences can be difficult.
The 'HMO' type insurance agencies can, perhaps, offer even greater savings. However, they come with even greater risks. There is no guarantee who will be servicing your instrument. These agencies will pit the manufacturers and the third party sources against each other, and award service to the party that offers the lowest price. There will be no guarantee that the same service personnel, or even the same company, will provide service from call to call.
It basically comes down to how much responsibility you are willing to take for the maintenance of your instrument. There are those who have posted here who do most of the primary service themselves. I basically promote this approach. The more you know about your instrument, the better you can make decisions on the service of it. Being directly tied to the maintenance of your instrument makes you far more informed on the service options available to you.
It is all too common, though, for users to take the easy course of relying on the manufacturer for service. Just as it is all too easy for those management types out there to go for the 'HMO' type service management organizations who offer to cut service costs by attractive amounts. I firmly believe that third party service organizations can offer a reasonable middle ground - consistent service personnel along with flexible contract and billable terms. In most cases, you will be married to your instrument for some time. Try the various alternatives and make up your own mind as to the suitability to your needs. However, think ahead and protect yourself in two ways - demand complete documentation when purchasing - including full schematics, and demand service guarantees when shopping around.
Once again, I am speaking from a biased viewpoint - I am a third party service provider for SEMs and other equipment. However, this being such an esoteric field, I believe that it is especially important that all sources be exploited and supported since the competition can only benefit everyone.
Allen R. Sampson Advanced Research Systems 317 North 4th. Street St. Charles, IL 60174 PH 630.513.7093 FAX 630.513.7092 Email: ars-at-mcs.net WWW: http://www.mcs.net/~ars Analytical instrument maintenance services
I found the Richardsons Stain in P. Boecks book "Der Semid=FCnnschnitt":
1% Azur II in A.dest 1% Methyleneblue in 1% Borax mixed 1+1
Dry sections, staine for 1-2 minutes at 60 degrees (hetating plate), rinse slides in A. dest, drying and mounting (immersion oil or whatever).
The original method is described in: Richardson KC, Jarett L, Finke EH (1960) Embedding in epoxy resins for ultrathin sectioning in electron microscopy. Stain Technol. 35: 313-325
Probably there are some modifications of this method, but I hope this helps.
Jens
--------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Jens Buecking Tel. +49-(0)421-218 3745 University of Bremen Fax. +49-(0)421-218 4620 Dep. of Biology Email jbueck-at-biologie.uni-bremen.de Leobener Str. - NW2 28359 Bremen ---------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNATIONAL COURSES OF LIGHT MICROSCOPY, PHOTOMICROGRAPHY AND LASER SCANNING CONFOCAL MICROSCOPY GARGNANO (Lake of Garda) October 1998
The Course is a post-graduated theoretical/practical course, with propedeutical lectures and practical stages on microscopy, photomicrography and confocal microscopy. The course will take place in Gargnano (Lake of Garda) in October 1998.
All information and registration details (participation fee, date, special accomodation) at at the following Web address.
http://imiucca.csi.unimi.it/endomi/micro.html
Thank you Paolo Castano
_____________________________________________________ Prof. Paolo Castano UNIVERSITY OF MILAN INSTITUTE OF HUMAN ANATOMY - CHAIR OF HUMAN ANATOMY FOR PHARMACY Via Mangiagalli, 31 - 20133 Milan (Italy)
Stock 2: 1% Methylene Blue in 1% Borax (Sodium Borate)
Mix stocks 1:1 and store in a syringe with 0.22um filter.
Protocol for 0.5 um EPON or LRGold sections:
1) Transfer sections to drop of ddH2O on a glass slide and warm on a hot plate until water has evaporated.
2) Cover the still-warm sections with stain for 10-30 seconds.
3) Rinse with a stream of ddH2O.
4) Dry sections with a jet of air, then use a KimWhipe to dry the entire slide.
5) Mount in immersion oil.
I've also used this stain on 0.1um cryosections used for orientation prior to cutting cryoultrathins.
} Recently returning to the EM fold after an absence of several years, I } have been unhappy with the staining of LM sections with Toluidine } Blue/Borax or Tolouidine Blue/Basic Fuschin.Buried in a cupboard however } I found a bottle labelled Richardsons Stain which seems to work very } well. However I have no idea whats in it, (its either Toluidine Blue or } Methylene Blue based).I am loathe and embarressed to admit that the } bottle is labelled in my own handwriting, however advancing years and } alzheimers have combined to defeat my memory. Any help would be much } appreciated. } } Peter Smith } AgResearch Wallaceville } Upper Hutt } New Zealand } } smithp-at-agresearch.cri.nz
Happy Staining
Greg Martin Light/Confocal Microscopy and Image Analysis Specialist Biological Imaging Service The Jackson Laboratory TJL Box 43 600 Main Street Bar Harbor. ME 04609
Thanks to Roger Mason for clarifying & verbalizing the distinction between these instruments much better than I did. The "reflecting goniometer" of my experience is (as he describes) a separate, free standing instrument used to measure angles between faces of crystals with well-developed morphology by reflection. So if this is what is wanted, a mineralogy lab (or supply house) is the place to look, as this was a method used in classical mineralogy, probably now largely fallen into disuse. (I was actually taught its use as a preliminary adjunct to space group determination of non-orthogonal crystals.)
Since universal stages, spindle stages, etc are used with polarizing microscopes, it's not surprising that most optical microscopists would think in those terms.
I'm not a mineralogist, but maybe a place to start looking for sources is the Mineralogy Society Website, which has many links http://www.minsocam.org/
Now I'll show my age by saying that in my view, some of these classic methods provided rather elegant and insightful solutions to questions that we now just subdue by brute computational force. If this individual has a neat way to answer a question by measuring crystal morphology, all power to him or her....
Pat Kingman (ex-crystallographer/microscopist now computer jock)
-- ******************************************************************** Pat Kingman Structural Response Team Immediate plans: Code jock....Computer hawk....Cybercadet...
As you say, find out what your source wants. You can improvise something on the cheap (see previous post), or you can rummage, or if already active in x-ray work, you could add reflection to an x-ray goniometer.
FWIW, there exists a fancy spindle stage which will cross over from optical to x-ray work; I know nothing about it but the source, which I found using a search engine on the internet (http:// charles-supper.com/prod01.htm). McCrone's spindle stage is graduated to 10 deg; you would do better with the standard pol stage, even without a vernier. Add a laser pointer if you want. The spindle stage rotates about a horizontal axis on a (usually rotating) stage and is effectively a one-axis goniometer. So is the pol stage.
Leonard Corwin Fort Dodge Animal Health (Analytical Research) Princeton, NJ 08543-0400 corwinl-at-pt.cyanamid.com
A single crystal optical goniometer is available with retired crystallographer for use at the US Geological Survey in Reston, VA. It is under the able guidance of Howard Evans who restored the goniometer to its present excellent condition. In spite of the death of crystallography, mineralogy and petrology at the United States Geological Survey some worthwhile instrumentation survives but only in the hands of Emeritus volunteers.
We invite you to Reston to measure your crystal forms.
Cheers, Gordon
Gordon L. Nord Jr. Scientist Emeritus, Eastern Energy Team 956 National Center Office: 703-648-6745 U. S. Geological Survey FAX: 703-648-6419 Reston, VA 20192 gnord-at-mactem.er.usgs.gov USA
Microscopists, A plant physiologist at our lab would like to stain chilling-injured tissue with a stain specific for oxidative injury. We've tried staining fresh tissue with 10-acetyl-3,7-dihydroxy-2-dodecylphenoxazine and examining it with a confocal microscope without any definitive results. Has anybody been sucessful at this, and if so with what stains/ techniques?
Thanks, Dennis Margosan USDA-ARS 2021 S. Peach Avenue Fresno, CA 93727
} You can boot your Hard drive from a floppy, but unless something is } drastically changed , even using Norton Utilities 3.0 you can not boot up } off a zip. Though Norton Utilites 3.0 lets you reboot a Win 95 system from } a zip AND a floppy. } But you can boot a Mac from a zip.
Bill
} {)))'} {'(((} { Bill Trevarrow, PhD. Zebrafish Facility Director Institute of Neuroscience University of Oregon 1254 Eugene, OR 97403-1254 } {)))'} {'(((} { Off.Tel: (541) 346-4598 Fac. Tel: (541) 346-4512 Fax: (541) 346-4548 e-mail: trevarro-at-uoneuro.uoregon.edu } {)))'} {'(((} {
by mail.unixg.ubc.ca with smtp (Exim 1.71 #1) id 0y724z-0004iv-00; Mon, 23 Feb 1998 09:54:13 -0800
Richardson's stain is 1% Methylene Blue made up in 1% borax, mixed in equal parts with 1% Azure II. You have to filter it to use it. Hope this helps.
Lesley Weston.
On Mon, 23 Feb 1998, Smith, Peter wrote:
} } Recently returning to the EM fold after an absence of several years, I } have been unhappy with the staining of LM sections with Toluidine } Blue/Borax or Tolouidine Blue/Basic Fuschin.Buried in a cupboard however } I found a bottle labelled Richardsons Stain which seems to work very } well. However I have no idea whats in it, (its either Toluidine Blue or } Methylene Blue based).I am loathe and embarressed to admit that the } bottle is labelled in my own handwriting, however advancing years and } alzheimers have combined to defeat my memory. Any help would be much } appreciated. } } Peter Smith } AgResearch Wallaceville } Upper Hutt } New Zealand } } smithp-at-agresearch.cri.nz }
I would like to purchase a copy of N. H. Hartshorne and A. Stuart, Crystals and the Polarising Microscope, Arnold, London, 1969. Please respond directly to me if you have a lead.
Leonard R. Corwin Fort Dodge Animal Health Cyanamid Agricultural Research Center Quaker Bridge & Clarksville Roads PO Box 400 Princeton, NJ 08543-0400 609-716-2278 609-275-5239 fax corwinl-at-pt.cyanamid.com
Hi again, Thanks to those who have replied so far to my posting a couple of days ago, Re: Image slave for S360.
However, a question for those plant TEM'ers out there;
We have a user doing some work on brown macrophyte (seaweed), which is proving very difficult to fix and infiltrate for TEM. It is a very large 'plant' with a VERY thick cell wall and we are interested in structures of Chloroplasts and cell wall junctions. There is also quiet a bit of a polysacharide mucus around the outside of it too. As far as infiltration goes, we have tried Agar 100 (normal epoxy), and Spurrs, with extended infiltration times etc but have had limited success. Literature searhces on this type of thing have been relatively unfruitful to date.
Would love to hear from anyone who deals/has dealt with this stuff before and interested in fixation and infiltration regimes, and any other ideas or relevant references we could look at.
Look forward to hearing from you,
Rich.
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard Lander Electron Microscope Technician South Campus Electron Microscope Unit Otago School of Medical Sciences P.O. Box 913 Dunedin New Zealand. Tel. National 03 479 7301 Fax. National 03 479 7254
"Southernmost EM Unit in the World!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------
} A colleague in our Biophysics department makes birefringence } measurements on collagen fibres in paraffin sections of } formaldehyde-fixed specimens. She has come across a 1985 paper } in which related work was done with "Carson's" fixative, } for which no reference or recipe was given. I've not been } able to find this in various texts, ancient & modern. } Thanks in advance for all the replies that will surely } roll in. } John A. Kiernan } Department of Anatomy, } The University of Western Ontario, } LONDON, Canada N6A 5C1 } E-mail: kiernan-at-uwo.ca
A paper was done by FL Carson, comparing paraformaldehyde and formalin in two phosphate buffers to determine an "ideal" fixative for biopsy tissues sent for TEM. the reference for the paper is: American Journal of Clinical Pathology 59:365, 1973
Margaret Springett e-mail hukee.margaret-at-mayo.edu IEM Specialist at Mayo Foundation 1426 Guggenheim Rochester, Mn. 55905
The original reference for Modified Millonig's (Carson's fixative) is:
Carson, FL, Martin, JH, Lynn, JA: Formalin fixation for electron microscopy: A re-evaluation. Am J Clin Pathol 59: 365-73, 1973. The pH and milliosmolality more close approximates that of plasma then the usual formulation of neutral buffered formalin. The EM preparations are virtually indistinguishable from those fixed in paraformaldehyde solutions. It has been used as a dual purpose fixative in many labs. There is less lysis with the modified Millonig's than with NBF and the paraffin-embedded tissues are slightly more difficult to section.
Freida Carson
Margaret Springett e-mail hukee.margaret-at-mayo.edu IEM Specialist at Mayo Foundation 1426 Guggenheim Rochester, Mn. 55905
With 'El Nino' continuing to make it's presence felt here and water restrictions becoming more stringent we have been reassessing our use of water in the EM Unit. One area of extreme water wastage is our double distilled water setup, perhaps we should be using deionised water instead.
As a result we would be interested in peoples opinions about using distilled water (double distilled) vs deionised water for making up their EM solutions (fixatives, buffers, stains, cytochemical reagents etc).
I guess our attempt is to be a little more 'environmentally correct'!
Would appreciate your thoughts,
Yours,
------------------------------------------------------------ Allan Mitchell Technical Manager South Campus Electron Microscope Unit C/-Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology School of Medical Sciences P.O. Box 913 Dunedin New Zealand
Fax (03) 479 7254 Phone (03) 479 7301
'The Southernmost EM Unit in the World'
,,, (o o) ------------------oOO-(_)-OOo----------------------------------
I have an early 1980's vintage Zeiss Universal pol. scope with a Diagnostics Instruments adapter and Sony 960 CCD camera. There is an annoying "hotspot" visible in both the live and stored images. This is accentuated in certain instances such as low contrast, slightly crossed polars, etc. The hotspot is almost undetectable in images of samples diffusing a significant amount of light. It is my opinion that the microscope optics are contributing this problem. However, I certainly have an open mind. I have made the following observations: -The microscope is set-up for Kohler illumination. Inserting the diffuser before the lamp housing produces only a slight improvement. -There is virtually no issue when using this camera with the appropriate adapter for our Wild M400 photomacroscope or Olympus Provis Light microscope. -I have tried 2 different Diagnostic Instruments adapters (.6x, .45x) and 3 sets of adapter lenses. In addition, a Dage camera (c-mount) to a "live" monitor shows the same hot spot. -Pol. objectives of that vintage were not flat field. I tried a series of flat field objectives...alas...the field is flat...the hot spot remains. -Local service reps have not been able to implicate the source. -Polaroid and 35mm imaging produces no visible "hot spot". I would be extremely grateful to anyone who could offer suggestions as I have agonized over this for quite some time. Thank you.
Diana Kittleson Pillsbury Technology East 737 Pelham Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55114 dkittleson-at- pillsbury.com
We seek a Technical Coordinator of the Integrated Microscopy Core laboratory in the Department of Cell Biology at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. An outstanding career opportunity awaits a skillful applicant with considerable experience in biological light and electron microscopy willing to work with faculty and students. Knowledge of computers and digital microscopy is desired, but not essential. The position entails coordinating a busy core facility, and providing technology and services for a research-intensive faculty. The successful applicant must be experienced in modern specimen preparation, transmission EM and related instrumentation. The laboratory is a well-equipped, state-of-the-art facility (2-TEMs, confocal, deconvolution, two-photon, CCDs, microinjection...).
Salary, working conditions, and cost of living are excellent. Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action and Equal Access Employer.
Interested applicants should send a CV (email or fax) to:
Michael A. Mancini, Ph.D. B.R. Brinkley, Ph.D. Co-Directors Integrated Microscopy Core Department of Cell Biology Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX 77030 mancini-at-bcm.tmc.edu 713 798 8952 (voice) 713 790 0545 (fax)
In the two different places where I have used EM, I have had variable experiences. In one situation (East Coast), we took tap water and ran it first through several particle filters (string type, followed by porous ceramic), followed by two large (about the size of tanks of compressed air) deionizer cartridges (one high capacity, one high efficiency) followed by two activated carbon filters and then a millipore filter. This was then autoclaved (for sterility and to eliminate carbon dioxide). This water was normally used for large scale production of interferons in tissue culture systems. The cells grew beautifully and I never had any problems with stain precipitates or fixatives.
Now, (Midwest), the same arrangement gave problems with residual organics that could not be removed by deionization alone. So, we use a much smaller scale system (18 x 4 inch cannisters) consisting of: one string or ceramic type particulate filter, two deionizers (one high capacity followed by a high efficiency) and two activated carbons. These feed into a large still that further purifies down to 1-2 micromhos per cm. This is a 10 fold improvement over deionization/carbon alone. The water is excellent, no precipitates with stains, etc. But distillation is needed in this environment, unfortunately.
My advice, try the deionization/carbon setup first. Do some fixation and staining and if no precipitates occur, you're set. If precipitates, then you'll need to distill. Use some "good" water as a control in this test. We used some water "imported" from Iowa in this test but the source (a person in this case) dried up. Well, the person didn't dry up ........ you know what I mean....
My dry sense of humor .....
} With 'El Nino' continuing to make it's presence felt here and water } restrictions becoming more stringent we have been reassessing our use of } water in the EM Unit. One area of extreme water wastage is our double } distilled water setup, perhaps we should be using deionised water instead. } } As a result we would be interested in peoples opinions about using } distilled water (double distilled) vs deionised water for making up their } EM solutions (fixatives, buffers, stains, cytochemical reagents etc). } } I guess our attempt is to be a little more 'environmentally correct'! } } Would appreciate your thoughts.
#################################################################### John J. Bozzola, Ph.D., Director Center for Electron Microscopy Neckers Building, Room 146 - B Wing Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL 62901 U.S.A. Phone: 618-453-3730 Fax: 618-453-2665 Email: bozzola-at-siu.edu Web: http://www.siu.edu/departments/shops/cem.html ####################################################################
I've been asked by a colleague what if anything I knew about the problem of fungi (presumably) that can grow on and etch the front lens of microscope objective lenses, making them useless for any work. This problem may be correlated with tropical or near-tropical environmental conditions.
I couldn't help him at all with any substantive information, but I'll bet this newsgroup can provide answers or leads. Any help would be appreciated. TIA, M. Nesson-- _______________________________________________________________________ Michael Nesson, Ph.D. Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics 2011 Ag&LS, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-7305 (541)737-5245 FAX:(541)737-0481 nessonm-at-ucs.orst.edu
We have a Noran Voyager EDXS system attached to a JEOL 2010 TEM. It is one of the older systems and runs under Sunview. We are able to do linescans by setting the endpoints of the line, the elements of interest, image signal and the number of points as well as the dwell time at each point.
One of my colleagues would like to do a continuous linescan between two points. This feature is available in the Link ISIS system under speedmap/linescan but is not available for the Voyager. The beam is repeatedly scanned over the line and data gradually built up until the desired number of scans is carried out.
Does anyone know if it is possible get the Voyager to do this in some way?
Thanks very much in advance.
Colin Veitch
Instrumentation Scientist CSIRO Division of Wool Technology PO Box 21, BELMONT, Vic. 3216. Australia.
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This has been a remarkable thread, full of input from a variety of sources. I think that we have managed to show that there are a variety of possible solutions to the problem, but first, let's consider the options.
If the responses are indicative, and my own experience shows that they are, service from any source is spotty at best. It basically comes down to the service engineer that you will commonly deal with. An SEM is one of the most complex instruments manufactured. It requires a unique individual to not only provide for appropriate service of an SEM but to also provide a customer orientation that can match itself to the expectations of a user. I can confirm that there are those who work for manufacturers who can maintain this balance, as there are those who work for themselves or third party services.
Ken Converse mentioned some of the requirements and costs of maintaining a service engineer, but he was vague in his descriptions. I have seen companies that are very comfortable in justifying spending upwards of $250,000 a year for service engineers, in salary, benefits and travel expenses. Needless to say, the engineer's salary and benefits are the lessor in this equation. At the same time, these same companies will extend additional thousands or tens of thousands of dollars for bringing new hires to the factory for 'factory' training, even if the facility is out of country.
This points to a very inefficient method of training and resource management. At the expenditure levels of some companies, it would make far more sense to provide 4 times the number of service personnel and back those field engineers with a secondary level of expertise of technical specialists and field trainers. I have actually witnessed service organizations whose secondary level of expertise required importing personnel from overseas. A very inefficient use of manpower and a drastic increase in the departmental expenses.
On the other hand, third party services are often taking advantage of the high service costs of the manufacturers. Given the markups, it is very easy to underbid the manufacturers by 10% - 20% and still make a very good living. By undertaking third party service, though, you are opening yourself up to the experience and knowledge of a limited group of field engineers. While the basic engineering of EMs has not changed for years, there can be significant differences in the designs of individual manufacturers. Finding service engineers who can understand and adapt to these differences can be difficult.
The 'HMO' type insurance agencies can, perhaps, offer even greater savings. However, they come with even greater risks. There is no guarantee who will be servicing your instrument. These agencies will pit the manufacturers and the third party sources against each other, and award service to the party that offers the lowest price. There will be no guarantee that the same service personnel, or even the same company, will provide service from call to call.
It basically comes down to how much responsibility you are willing to take for the maintenance of your instrument. There are those who have posted here who do most of the primary service themselves. I basically promote this approach. The more you know about your instrument, the better you can make decisions on the service of it. Being directly tied to the maintenance of your instrument makes you far more informed on the service options available to you.
It is all too common, though, for users to take the easy course of relying on the manufacturer for service. Just as it is all too easy for those management types out there to go for the 'HMO' type service management organizations who offer to cut service costs by attractive amounts. I firmly believe that third party service organizations can offer a reasonable middle ground - consistent service personnel along with flexible contract and billable terms. In most cases, you will be married to your instrument for some time. Try the various alternatives and make up your own mind as to the suitability to your needs. However, think ahead and protect yourself in two ways - demand complete documentation when purchasing - including full schematics, and demand service guarantees when shopping around.
Once again, I am speaking from a biased viewpoint - I am a third party service provider for SEMs and other equipment. However, this being such an esoteric field, I believe that it is especially important that all sources be exploited and supported since the competition can only benefit everyone.
Allen R. Sampson Advanced Research Systems 317 North 4th. Street St. Charles, IL 60174 PH 630.513.7093 FAX 630.513.7092 Email: ars-at-mcs.net WWW: http://www.mcs.net/~ars Analytical instrument maintenance services
by haymarket.ed.ac.uk (8.8.7/8.8.7) with ESMTP id IAA27489 for {Microscopy-at-Sparc5.Microscopy.Com} ; Tue, 24 Feb 1998 08:14:43 GMT Received: from SAC005/SpoolDir by ed.sac.ac.uk (Mercury 1.32); 24 Feb 98 08:23:11 GMT Received: from SpoolDir by SAC005 (Mercury 1.32); 24 Feb 98 08:22:58 GMT
Dear all, We are interested in the phosphoglycerate kinase activity in fungi. Does anybody have a staining protocol for the detection of this activity in cells? Armelle Gollotte Biotechnology Department Scottish Agricultural College West Mains Road Edinburgh EH9 3JG Tel: (44) 131 667 1041 Fax: (44) 131 667 2601 a.gollotte-at-ed.sac.ac.uk
} From: Richard Lander {richard.lander-at-stonebow.otago.ac.nz} } To: Microscopy-at-Sparc5.Microscopy.Com } Subject: Distilled vs Deionised Water? } Date: 24 February 1998 00:11
} With 'El Nino' continuing to make it's presence felt here and water } restrictions becoming more stringent we have been reassessing our use of } water in the EM Unit. One area of extreme water wastage is our double } distilled water setup, perhaps we should be using deionised water instead. } } As a result we would be interested in peoples opinions about using } distilled water (double distilled) vs deionised water for making up their } EM solutions (fixatives, buffers, stains, cytochemical reagents etc). } } I guess our attempt is to be a little more 'environmentally correct'!
I've used deionised and/or reverse osmosis purified water for years. Never had any problems with it. The only time I had to use distilled was many years back when we made our own Gold Colliods. Had to use distilled-deionised water, nothing else worked. Don't know why. At present we use deionised which has been pre-cleaned with a reverse osmosis unit. It comes out of the unit at 18 MgOhm. (At least, that is what the gauge says) But if you need to save water, reverse osmosis runs a lot of raw input water to waste, so it probably isn't any less wasteful than distillation, but running raw water through a deionising resin is expensive on cartridges.
Couldn't you recycle the cooling water to your distillation unit somehow? Through an old EM cooling unit maybe?
I have had a question directed to me regarding water-soluble resins which do not quench fluorescence. Normally the worker cuts cryostat sections but this time the specimens are too small.
The dye used is di-I (whatever that is), it cannot be dehydrated because it is highly soluble in ethanol (and presumably other solvents). All I ever use is epoxies. The desired section thickness is initially around 5-10 microns. Confocal is also being considered. Any tips gratefully accepted!
} As a result we would be interested in peoples opinions about using } distilled water (double distilled) vs deionised water for making up their } EM solutions (fixatives, buffers, stains, cytochemical reagents etc). } ______
My experience has been that from time to time, resin exchange deionized water results in random precipitates on sections. Switching to glass distilled water resolved the problem. I would use ion exchange water with caution.
______________________________________________________________________ Donald L. Lovett e-mail: lovett-at-tcnj.edu Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Biology voice: (609) 771-2876 P.O. Box 7718 fax: (609) 637-5118 The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ 08628-0718
The resins that you mentioned (Spurr, Epon, and Araldite), all need to be removed (etched) prior to staining with either aquous or alcoholic based dyes(there are exceptions). These resins can be etched (removed) with a solution called "Ethoxide". Ethoxide is made as follows:
Make a saturated solution of Sodium Hydroxide in 100% Ethanol and let stand in the dark for at least 48 hours. The solution will turn yellowish when ready.
To make this into a working solution mix equal parts of the above solution and tolulene.
In a fume hood wearing DOUBLE gloves, eye protection, etc. dip the slide gently in the working solution untill you can see that the resin has been removed, dip the slide in 95% ethanol for a minute and then place in a buffer (pH 7.4) for at least 5 minutes prior to staining. You can stain with your normal procedure for the H&E starting with a DI water rinse. I have even done some beautiful Trichromes on sections treated this way.
Some things to be mindful of though........
Do only one slide at a time as it it is very easy to etch out the tissue too.
These sections are much thinner in general than the paraffin sections normally stained with H&E and you may have to increase the staining times a little.
Ethoxide is VERY caustic!!! One drop can do you a lot of damage and pain. I lost a fingernail the second time I used the stuff because of a hole in my glove, it was one of the most painful experiences I've ever had!
There may be a safer and/or easier way to do this but this was what I did before GMA hit the market place back in the early 70's (almost in my 5th decade ;-)). I also have to admit that I haven't done any plastic work in a few years so this could very well be out of date(like me).
I'm going to cross post this to both the Microscopy and the Histology listservs and hope that someone may have a better technique.
-- Begin original message --
} Robert Schoonhoven wrote: } } } } Joan, } } } } Knowing the specific resin would be a help. I have several methods for } H&E staining and they are dependent on the type of plastic the } tissue in embedded in. } } } Robert Schoonhoven } } Dear Dr. Schoonhoven: } } I would be delighted to receive, via e-mail, snail mail or by posting } to the list, your methods for H&E on Spurr, Epon, and Araldite. } Thanks in advance. } } Geoff } -- } *************************************************************** } Geoff McAuliffe, Ph.D. } Neuroscience and Cell Biology } Robert Wood Johnson Medical School } 675 Hoes Lane Piscataway, NJ 08854 } voice: (732)-235-4583; fax -4029 e-mail: mcauliff-at-umdnj.edu } *************************************************************** }
-- End original message --
regards, Bob Robert Schoonhoven Laboratory of Molecular Carcinogenesis and Mutagenesis Dept. of Environmental Sciences and Engineering University of North Carolina CB#7400 Chapel Hill, NC 27599 Phone office 919-966-6343 Lab 919-966-6140 Fax 919-966-6123
** I'm willing to make the mistakes if someone else is willing to learn from them* *
I would like to improve my double-labelling of vesicles and cytoskeleton in cultured neurons for fluorescence microscopy. For vesicle markers I used monoclonal anti-synaptophysin conjugated with a FITC antibody (whole molecule) and for microfilament markers, I use rhodamine phalloidin.
I have been having problems with the fixation followed by permeabilization schedule. Vesicles do stain and cytoskeleton also does, but vesicles appear to clump as to want to "leave" the cytoskeletal "mesh"-kind of looks like apocrine secretion but these cells are indeed merocrine! We want to see where the vesicles are with respect to exocytosis at different time frames with agonist stimulation.
Does anyone out there have a good protocol for this? I have been using a schedule of a modified Karnovsky's fix for an hour followed by PEG-8000 wash and a 1.25%PEG-8000/0.2%TX-100 in PHEM buffer permeabilization for 10 min. Too long? Thanks in advance for anyones' help.
What do you need to get rid of? Ions, that is salts? Then deionized should be enough.
But! I have rarely found this to be sufficient for microscopy. Organics and non-ionic components are usually more of a problem in water than salts are. I've always have more troubles using deionized water than I have had using distilled. And since distillation may not remove all ions, I've even had to use deionized-distilled.
I don't think water use is the issue here, though. Distillation does consume some water, but it shouldn't be wasting water. It does use more power. Deionization typically uses cartridges, which must be either regenerated (using water) or thrown away. Not counting the manufacture of the resins for the cartridges, or the salts added to your waste water stream. (And deionization consumes water also.)
So I would think distillation is the "better for the environment" solution, as well as being better for your solutions' environment.
Phil
} Hi there again, } } With 'El Nino' continuing to make it's presence felt here and water } restrictions becoming more stringent we have been reassessing our use of } water in the EM Unit. One area of extreme water wastage is our double } distilled water setup, perhaps we should be using deionised water instead. } } As a result we would be interested in peoples opinions about using } distilled water (double distilled) vs deionised water for making up their } EM solutions (fixatives, buffers, stains, cytochemical reagents etc). } } I guess our attempt is to be a little more 'environmentally correct'! } } Would appreciate your thoughts, } } Yours, } } } ------------------------------------------------------------ } Allan Mitchell } Technical Manager } South Campus Electron Microscope Unit } C/-Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology } School of Medical Sciences } P.O. Box 913 } Dunedin } New Zealand } } Fax (03) 479 7254 } Phone (03) 479 7301 } } } 'The Southernmost EM Unit in the World' } } ,,, } (o o) } ------------------oOO-(_)-OOo----------------------------------
I am sure you are right regarding the hot-spot being in the optics of the Zeiss. There are at least 2 possibilities that might cause this. The first is the magnification of the objective. All the lower power Zeiss 1x, 2.5x and even 4x ( and I'm sure most others) had a hot spot in the middle. This can be eliminated to a certain extent, but is due to nature of the beast. Our newer Zeiss axioplan scope had objectives with removable collars on the front to reduce hot spots. Trying polarizing filters (either plane or circular) might help. The second cause is imaging low reflecting surfaces. I am not sure of the exact optical reasons, but it has to do with light reflecting off the specimen and front of the lens. You didn't say whether you had transmitted or reflected light, but each technique has it own problems with low mag hotspots. I suggest that you speak to the Zeiss people in NY. They used to have some really good people to help customers with these type of problems.
Regards, Mike ================================================ Michael L. Boucher Sr. mboucher-at-isd.net WEBPAGE http://www.isd.net/mboucher ================================================
There are stills on the market which far exceed deionized water units in water quality that not only re-use the cooling water in the distillation chamber (thus "preheated") but are also self-cleaning. True there is some "waste" of water (could be saved as tap water to wash dishes I suppose??) I have no financial interest in any companies which produce such stills but have used one made by Weiss Scientific Glass of Beaverton, Oregon which at the time was the only one on the market which recycled the water AND was self-cleaning (water exceeded some of the older "triple-distilled" models in quality). I am unrelated to and have no financial interest in the above mentioned company. Bob Mixon
I was wondering if someone would have some suggestions and also information on where one could acquire Nitrogen standards (except nitrides), in particular some that would be satisfactory to analyze N in silicate material. There is a paper by Ramseyer et al. (1993; J. of Sedimentary Petrology, 63, 1092-1099), that discusses K-NH4-Feldspar in which they are referring to the use of N-doped synthetic cordierite????
Thank you
Cheers
Yves
Yves Thibault Dept. of Earth Sciences B & G Bldg University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, CANADA, N6A 5B7 phone : (519) 661-3186 fax : (519) 661-3198 e-mail : ythibaul-at-julian.uwo.ca
We moved from a lab with deionized water feeding a glass still into a new facility with a reverse osmosis purifier followed by deonization/charcoal tanks, plumbed through the labs with a recirculating system. For EM stains, tissue culture, and molecular biology, we use this water after passing it through a Barnstead NANOpure polishing unit. The RO water is available in all labs and is sufficient for general histology and immunocytochemistry, and EM fixatives. The polishing unit is relatively conveniently located in our tissue culture lab. We have had no problems from the polished water in the 2 years that we have been using it.
Water distillers are no longer allowed to be installed at this campus due to their high energy costs and water inefficiency. My past experiences with non-distilled water systems left me very skeptical of deionization units until we installed our DI/destiller system in 1986. The still was partly to provide backup when the DI system failed. But, the DI system never failed. Our current system has been in use 2 years, so far the only problems have stemmed from lowest bidder installation, not from water quality.
-- Glen MacDonald Virginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center Box 357923 University of Washington Seattle, WA 98195-7923 glenmac-at-u.washington.edu (206) 616-4156 (206) 616-1828 fax
} I've been asked by a colleague what if anything I knew about the problem } of fungi (presumably) that can grow on and etch the front lens of } microscope objective lenses, making them useless for any work. } This problem may be correlated with tropical or near-tropical } environmental conditions. } } I couldn't help him at all with any substantive information, but I'll bet } this newsgroup can provide answers or leads.
The Midwest is not the tropics, but we have have two experiences with fungi growing inside of presumably sealed microscope components. In both instances, the fungus grew inside of the prism/beam splitting chamber of a Leica OrthoPlan II. The front-mirrored surfaces were covered with the fungus which then became visible when using the microscope. Besides being annoying, it obscured fine detail. The entire assembly had to be sent back to Germany for cleaning. Leica was most gracious about doing this gratis but now, three years later, the fungus is back. Apparently, it grows on the front surface mirrors which must be replaced.
I have heard that in the tropics, optics (binoculars, or "sealed" optical systems) should be stored in a desiccated environment when not actually being used. Otherwise, fungi get into the "sealed" lens components, grow and etch the glass surfaces or even grow on the lens cement until they completely fill the optics.
My own thinking on this matter would be to periodically "gas" the sensitive components using formaldehyde gas. For example, remove the optics, place in a zip-lock bag with some formalin (38% formaldehyde) and allow gas to permeate the optics. HOWEVER, we need to have some input from microscope manufacturers since the formaldehyde may affect some components inside the lenses. On the other hand, left alone, the lenses will surely be ruined by the fungi.
#################################################################### John J. Bozzola, Ph.D., Director Center for Electron Microscopy Neckers Building, Room 146 - B Wing Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL 62901 U.S.A. Phone: 618-453-3730 Fax: 618-453-2665 Email: bozzola-at-siu.edu Web: http://www.siu.edu/departments/shops/cem.html ####################################################################
There are stills on the market which far exceed deionized water units in water quality that not only re-use the cooling water in the distillation chamber (thus "preheated") but are also self-cleaning. True there is some "waste" of water (could be saved as tap water to wash dishes I suppose??) I have no financial interest in any companies which produce such stills but have used one made by Weiss Scientific Glass of Beaverton, Oregon which at the time was the only one on the market which recycled the water AND was self-cleaning (water exceeded some of the older "triple-distilled" models in quality). I am unrelated to and have no financial interest in the above mentioned company. Bob Mixon
} I have heard that in the tropics, optics (binoculars, or "sealed" optical } systems) should be stored in a desiccated environment when not actually } being used. Otherwise, fungi get into the "sealed" lens components, grow } and etch the glass surfaces or even grow on the lens cement until they } completely fill the optics.
Well, I am in the tropics, but we are currently having a drought because all you U.S. coastline people have stolen our water!
} My own thinking on this matter would be to periodically "gas" the sensitive } components using formaldehyde gas. For example, remove the optics, place in } a zip-lock bag with some formalin (38% formaldehyde) and allow gas to } permeate the optics. HOWEVER, we need to have some input from microscope } manufacturers since the formaldehyde may affect some components inside the } lenses. On the other hand, left alone, the lenses will surely be ruined by } the fungi.
I would love to find out if this would work! Once discovered, keeping the affected glass optics dry prevents spread of the fungus, but it gets going again if rehydrated, I think.
My experiences with containers and humidity has led me to a number of conclusions. First, zipper-type plastic bags don't really keep out moisture all that well for very long. Don't rely on them. And I'd bet the formaldehyde vapors would permeate OUT of the bag, as well, so don't do this at home. I am ready to stand corrected, of course.
Secondly, Parafilm does an amazing job of sealing things up. It took me a long time to figure out that Parafilm wrapped around the lid of any old jar will keep indicator dessicant blue for years. I trust it, now. My camera equipment is in a peanut butter jar with dessicant and Parafilmed. (Anyone remember my rant about peanut butter jars for storage a year or so ago?)
Next, of all the commercial sealable food storage containers out there, I have found Tupperware brand to be the best at sealing out humidity. I have had a couple of hilarious Tupperware parties for scientists where the poor salesperson was bewildered by our refusal to play the games, and our discussion of pathology and oceanography. It's easier to go to the local supermarket for Rubbermaid or equal brand, but they just don't do the job.
And something I found out the *hard* way - Drierite (CaSO4) can be corrosive, so we have switched to silica gel.
We sometimes put a "head" of N2 gas before sealing things.
My $.04 (twice as long as it should be).
Tina
http://www.pbrc.hawaii.edu/bemf/microangela **************************************************************************** * Tina (Weatherby) Carvalho * tina-at-pbrc.hawaii.edu * * Biological Electron Microscope Facility * (808) 956-6251 * * University of Hawaii at Manoa * http://www.pbrc.hawaii.edu/bemf* ****************************************************************************
At 06:20 PM 2/23/98 -0800, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
I eventually had to replace lens elements in a high-priced macro lens. Other than trying to keep the lenses in a low-humidity environment (i.e., storing in containers with silica gels), I'm not personally aware of any preventative for fungus growing on lens surfaces or lens coatings. Nor, unfortunately, am I aware of any cheap fixes.
Maybe some other people have better solutions.
Randy Tindall Electron Microscope Laboratory Box 3EML New Mexico State University Las Cruces, NM 88003
We have had a couple of experiences with distilled vs deionised water issues. First when using glass distilled water our isolations of sperm cells from the pollen of Plumbago worked just fine. The university went to a campus wide Reverse Osmosis (RO) system and our isolations began to fail. Now we use RO water that has been deionised the isolations again work just fine. We are using a single high-efficiency DI filter cartridge which delivers water in the 18 MgOhm range according to the meter on the unit. Another related issue concerns the plumbing for the distilled/RO water supplied to the building. The taps that were installed were made of PVC which in itself is fine, but the anti-siphon valves that were installed were metal and incorrect for a distilled/RO water tap. We were informed that the lines should have had anti-siphon valves for DI/RO water installed and that the anti-siphon valves we had on there were probably leaching elements into the DI/RO water. The replacement taps (several of ours were broken) were of the metal variety and I was informed that they were tin lined and very expensive (thankfully replaced under repair to building!). So to make a long story short, we have had no troubles since going to DI water although we are deionizing water that has already been through reverse osmosis. For some reason the reverse osmosis water alone is not good enough for our purposes. As a secondary concern the way that the water is delivered may be an issue. I do not know if the anti-siphon valves were a problem or not as our isolations worked fine even though we had anti-siphon valves in place that were not "proper" for DI/RO water taps. As far as EM solutions - we use deionized water and have seen no problems. Greg -- ======================================================== Greg Strout Electron Microscopist, University of Oklahoma e-mail: gstrout-at-ou.edu Opinions expressed herein are mine and not neccessarily those of the University of Oklahoma ========================================================
I am intersted in finding out how many of the clinical EM labs there are out there that are currently using digital imaging to process their EM micrographs. If digital imaging is being used, how is it being used? (ie, scanning negatives, or using a digital camera attached to the TEM, or any other adaptations.) I would also be interested in knowing what types of equipment are being used, ie scanners, cameras, sofware, storage, etc.
Any information would be appreciated! I can be contacted at: hcmcemlab-at-sprintmail.com
Thanks for your help! Kerstin Halverson, M.S., BEMT (MSA) Hennepin County Medical Center EM Lab
Hi ! Is anyone aware of a good manual detailing microscopy techniques using membrane filters ? I work for a filter company and I am constantly being asked for recommendations/protocols for visualizing cells etc captured on microporous membranes. Have you ever run across such a book ? Your assistance is GREATLY appreciated ! Most of my clientrs are interested in light microscopy/general staining and occasionally SEM and TEM techniques.
Lisa Vickers Millipore Corporation 80 Ashby Rd Bedford, Ma. 02173
Be warned that this problem not only occurs in tropical, humid climates, Wellington , New Zealand can hardly be called tropical. We experienced this problem on a surgical microscope .The problem appeared over winter/early spring when the weather was damp but hardly tropical. Luckily we caught the problem before any permenant damage was done. The microscope which is not used to often is now stored in a dry atmosphere and inspected regularly as once the problem has occurred it is far more likely to reoccur (residual spores etc)
Could anyone please point me in the right direction with regard to the preparation of an Ethylene Vinyl Acetate film for ultrathin sectioning and TEM investigation.
We are a biological lab used to working with muscles, livers, brains and the like; this material is a new challenge for us.
The questions I would like answered include;
- does it need fixing before processing, if so fix in what (Glut, OsO4, buffer??)
- do you dehydrate in solvent ?
- what resin should I use ?
A protocol or references would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
Allan Mitchell } } ------------------------------------------------------------ } Allan Mitchell } Technical Manager } South Campus Electron Microscope Unit } C/-Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology } School of Medical Sciences } P.O. Box 913 } Dunedin } New Zealand } } Fax (03) 479 7254 } Phone (03) 479 7301 } } } 'The Southernmost EM Unit in the World' } } ,,, } (o o) } ------------------oOO-(_)-OOo---------------------------------- } } ----------------------------------------------------------------------- } Richard Lander } Electron Microscope Technician } South Campus Electron Microscope Unit } Otago School of Medical Sciences } P.O. Box 913 } Dunedin } New Zealand. } Tel. National 03 479 7301 Fax. National 03 479 7254 } } "Southernmost EM Unit in the World!" } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ }
Richard Easingwood South Campus Electron Microscope Unit School of Medical Sciences University of Otago PO Box 913, Dunedin NEW ZEALAND
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All-
We are currently seeking a source for single-crystal YAG scintillators to use in a high-voltage TEM camera. Our current YAG is a 25mm disk that appears to be radiation damaging after several years use at 1.5MeV. Ideally, we need a larger YAG disk, up to 50mm diameter, with optically-flat surfaces and 0.1mm thickness. If necessary, we should be able to have a thicker disk, say 0.5mm, ground locally to the required 100 micron. Any leads to suppliers or tips on experiences of YAGs vs phosphors would be welcome.
by yowie.cc.uq.edu.au (8.8.8/8.8.8) with SMTP id MAA00057; Wed, 25 Feb 1998 12:45:10 +1000 (GMT+1000)
} -Randy it is a very common problem for fungi to get into the layers that make up a lens. In my experience it is incurable,(Anyone please correcr me if there is now something that I don't know about). In my 25+ years in the humid tropics I never had the fungi problem while other people around me did. I have always attributed this to the fact that I never covered my microscope, prefering to let the air circulate around it. I know that it is considered sacrilage not to cover your microscope but my microscopes have certainly outlasted numerous others and never had the dreaded fungi.
Christine Lee, Senior Scientific Officer, Veterinary Pathology, University of Queensland.
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Interesting supposition. However, given that I have been a Service Engineer, Technical Specialist and Service Manager for some 25 years, I'm not sure that you are quite on mark.
I also don't think that most here would accept this as a reasonable response in what has otherwise been an interesting thread.
I do find it interesting that you have not taken any other part in this discussion. I do remember your fellow Philips employee Clay Jordan's remarks though. I think you should put him back on the line, at least he gave an appearance of some neural activity.
My apologies to all.
} Once again Allen has shown his negative bias against SEs (Service } Engineers). With this type of bias all you get is BS. } } John Beardslee } FEI / Philips
Allen R. Sampson Advanced Research Systems 317 North 4th. Street St. Charles, IL 60174 PH 630.513.7093 FAX 630.513.7092 Email: ars-at-mcs.net WWW: http://www.mcs.net/~ars Analytical instrument maintenance services
Mike O'Keefe wrote: ================================================== We are currently seeking a source for single-crystal YAG scintillators to use in a high-voltage TEM camera. Our current YAG is a 25mm disk that appears to be radiation damaging after several years use at 1.5MeV. Ideally, we need a larger YAG disk, up to 50mm diameter, with optically- flat surfaces and 0.1mm thickness. If necessary, we should be able to have a thicker disk, say 0.5mm, ground locally to the required 100 micron. Any leads to suppliers or tips on experiences of YAGs vs phosphors would be welcome. ===================================================== The problem is less a matter of making it that thin than it is in the transport of getting it into the hands of the customer without it breaking. We could in theory supply such a disc however what we would not be able to do is to guarantee that it would not arrive broken and also, guarantee that you could get it installed in your system without its breaking once in your possession. If we were talking about something of nominal value, it would be different but these things are not cheap either.
Supplying you with the disc that is on the order of 0.5 mm is no problem, contact me off line and we can talk about it. However, I would urge caution because at 100 um, the disc will be extremely fragile and only those with the most magic of fingers I am told can do it. But even then we have been told about the polished disc shattering when installation was attempted.
I am not sure there are any simple answers here but the problem is one that has our attention.
Chuck
=================================================== Charles A. Garber, Ph. D. Ph: 1-(610)-436-5400 President 1-(800)-2424-SPI SPI SUPPLIES FAX: 1-(610)-436-5755 PO BOX 656 e-mail: cgarber-at-2spi.com West Chester, PA 19381-0656 USA Cust. Service: spi2spi-at-2spi.com
Look for us! ############################ WWW: http://www.2spi.com ############################ ==================================================
I expect you will be inundated with responses from US suppliers but over the years we have obtained a range of YAG crystals from Agar Scientific in the UK. Phone (44) 1279 813591 or fax (44) 1279 815106. They are obviously the middle men but seem to know where to go for most things. Usual disclaimers - I'm a happy customer.
Ron ========================================================================== = Mr. Ron Doole e-mail ron.doole-at-materials.ox.ac.uk Department of Materials, phone +44 (0) 1865 273701 University of Oxford, fax +44 (0) 1865 283333 Parks Road. Oxford. OX1 3PH. UK. ========================================================================== ==
The LM maintenance section at our local (latitude 19) University years ago researched that topic. Most of the microscopes are kept in airconditioning and then no precautions are required but for the Coral Sea island research station they enclose a teaspoon of paraformaldehyde powder in a small paper bag within the microscope case. This protects the microscope for a year or two and apparently has no ill effect on lenses and the mechanical parts. Another alternative are the "plug-in and forget" new desiccating cabinets. They keep relative humidity below 20%; a true innovation. I must declare an interest: ProSciTech sells these. Cheers Jim Darley
ProSciTech Microscopy PLUS PO Box 111, Thuringowa QLD 4817 Australia Phone +61 7 4774 0370 Fax: +61 7 4789 2313 Great microscopy catalogue, 500 Links, MSDS, User Notes **************************** www.proscitech.com.au *****
} Microscopists: } } I've been asked by a colleague what if anything I knew about the problem } of fungi (presumably) that can grow on and etch the front lens of } microscope objective lenses, making them useless for any work. } This problem may be correlated with tropical or near-tropical } environmental conditions. } } I couldn't help him at all with any substantive information, but I'll bet } this newsgroup can provide answers or leads. } Any help would be appreciated. } TIA, } M. Nesson-- } _______________________________________________________________________ } Michael Nesson, Ph.D. Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics } 2011 Ag&LS, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-7305 } (541)737-5245 FAX:(541)737-0481 nessonm-at-ucs.orst.edu } } }
We have encountered the same type of fungus here in New York City, growing on the surface of a diamond knife. As the fungus approached the sharp edge of the knife, that portion was ruined. The precipitating cause seemed to be a knife storage box which was air tight, and our own carelessness. If the knife was placed into the box wet, and the box shut before the knife had dried, the fungus grew. Over time, the fungus eventually attacked the entire knife surface, despite efforts to dry the knife after each use. David Hall Department of Neuroscience 1410 Pelham Parkway Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NY 10461
Credits to all that have contributed to this thread;
But does anyone know the name of this type of fungus? What type of glass does it grow on and what component of the glass is so attractive to it?
Before my business became overwhelmingly active I used to restore old optical systems for historical exhibition. I no longer have time for that now but after years of seeing great optics ruined by this fungus I am glad others have raised this topic. Hopefully I'll learn more about it.
Hi Could you explain me why you don`t see those hot spots on photomicrography? Even if the field observed on them are smaller, those spots should also be there? I still think they are related to C-Mount used and internal reflection of them. also the front glass covering the CMOS has something to do with it. Norm At 10:11 24/02/98 +0000, Mike Boucher wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
I needed some primary cells for lab in a hurry, so I trypsinized= my unsuspecting technician...seriously, the technician in our EM= Facility has moved to California so there is an opening which must= be filled. The official description follows:
EM TECHNICIAN- The Department of Biology at Western Kentucky University= is accepting applications for a full-time, permanent Electron Microscopy= Technician position available July 1, 1998. The major responsibility= of this position is to oversee activities associated with the= multi-disciplinary user EM Facility. The Facility houses two JEOL= 100B TEMs, one JEOL 5400LV SEM with EDS, a darkroom, and biological= sample preparation equipment. The technician will be responsible= for the day-to-day operations of the Facility including maintenance= of the instruments and trouble-shooting, sample preparations, inventory= of equipment and supplies, training of users, and providing research= support for faculty, students, and outside users of the Facility.= The person hired will be encouraged to assist in obtaining outside= support for the Facility through contracts. The technician will= report directly to the Facility Director. The qualified candidate= will have a B.S. degree (M. S. preferred) and at least two years= experience in aspects of electron microscopy. Additional duties= will be assigned and may include supervising laboratory preparations= for cell and molecular biology courses and full support for the= darkroom. Send letter of application, curriculum vitae and three= letters of reference to: Dr. Laura S. Rhoads, Department of Biology,= Western Kentucky University, 1 Big Red Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101-3576.= Screening of applications will begin April 10, 1998. Questions may= be addressed to laura.rhoads-at-wku.edu. Women and minorities are especially= encouraged to apply. WKU is an affirmative action/equal opportunity= employer.
Please post this message for your colleagues. Thank you.
************************************************************ It's true- the inmates ARE running the asylum... ************************************************************ Laura Rhoads Electron Microscopy Facility Director Department of Biology Western Kentucky University 1 Big Red Way Bowling Green, KY 42101-3576
Hi! Anybody know anything about Sputter Coaters? Having trouble with EMSCOPE model SC500A, Auto sequencing not operating correctly. Any ideas?? Peter Toronto
This message is in MIME format. The first part should be readable text, while the remaining parts are likely unreadable without MIME-aware tools. Send mail to mime-at-docserver.cac.washington.edu for more info.
Are you people *sure* this problem is biological, caused by a fungus? Might it not be a devitrification of the glass? I worked several years ago with a student in Art Conservation from the nearby Winterthur museum. Her specialty was lockets which contained pictures behind glass. The glass in these often had the exact problem you describe. Although the stuff on the surface of the glass looked like a growth of some kind, it was actually a gel of glass material in water. She told me this is common knowledge in her field, and is in all the textbooks. One giveaway that this is something done by the glass is that it only happens to flint glass, not to crown. You'd think a fungus would do it the other way around; what would preferentially grow on a material that is 10 or more percent lead? Is there a newsgroup or mailing list for optical repair to which we could submit this question? If there is no fungus, then fumigation won't help, and dessication is the only preventative.
Robert Wieland wieland-at-me.udel.edu Electron Microscope Specialist University of Delaware Neither Yankee nor Dixie, east of the Mason-Dixon line (look it up). You can't go faster than light, you can't get colder than absolute zero, and you can't help somebody by not telling them the truth.
First Announcement (SHORT VERSION, only ASCII-Text) NOTE:=20 a SECOND (extended) VERSION (extended ASCII-Text only) will be posted = soon to this listserver. a THIRD VERSION, containing only a WORD-attachment will be forwarded = later.=20 Apologize for that procedure but we would like to have posted this = information to ALL members of this List-Server community (also those members, = accepting only e-mails by ASCII-text without attachments and without = Internet-connections).
=20 Dear colleague(s), as a member of the Scientific Committee I would like to announce=20
SIXTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP ON
MOLECULAR MORPHOLOGY
to be held at: SALZBURG, Austria (Europe), OCTOBER 5-9, 1998
ORGANIZING FACULTIES: The University of Salzburg, Medical Research Coordination Center Salzburg General Hospital (St. Johanns-Spital LKA),=20 Institute of Pathological Anatomy The International Society of Molecular Morphology, Oklahoma City, OK, = USA The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
TOPICS will include: } in-situ { PCR; super-sensitive } in-situ { hybridization and catalyzed = reporter deposition (CARD) technology; automated single gene copy = staining; immunohistopathology and tumor markers; telepathology; = } in-situ {-techniques in pathology; peptide technologies; multicolor = fluorescence; flow cytometry; autometallography; immunogold-silver = staining and Nanogold; EM immuno- and } in-situ { labeling; permanent = multiple immunostaining; organotypic brain slices; electrophysiology; = tumor viruses; cytoskeleton; corrosion casts; computer image analysis; = DNA ploidy; luminescence analysis; argyrophilia and = argentaffinity.......
PLENARY LECTURERS: Julia M. POLAK (London, U.K.): Nitric Oxide in Health and Disease Virginia M. ANDERSON (Brooklyn, N.Y.): Impact of Molecular Morphology on = the New Millenium Jules ELIAS (New York, N.Y.): Molecular } in-situ { techniques in = Pathology and Biology ............ INVITED WORLD-CLASS LECTURERS will include:
Omar BAGASRA (Philadelphia, P.A., USA) Gorm DANSCHER (Aarhus, Denmark) Lawrence DeBAULT (Oklahoma City, OK, USA) Ursula FALKMER (Trondheim, Norway) Gian-Luca FERRI (Cagliari, Italy) Lars GRIMELIUS (Uppsala, Sweden) Jiang GU (Laurel, N.J., USA) James HAINFELD (Upton, N.Y., USA) Victor SMALL (Salzburg, Austria) S. K. TANG (Kew, Australia) Raymond TUBBS (Cleveland, OH, USA)=20
WET-WORKSHOPS and DEMONSTRATIONS are planned: see forthcoming Announcement II (long version), this List-server
(a limited number of seats in the wet-workshops is available on a "first = come-first serve"-basis)=20
Congress fee will be Austrian Schilling (ATS) 5,000.- (approx. US$ = 385.-) including all lectures, coffee, tea and cakes.
For FURTHER INFORMATIONS and for your convenience an
INTERNET-WEBPAGE is available (completed by March, 1st, 1998) at:
} } } } http://www.kongress.at/IMMC { { { {
For further informations, pre-registration and seat-reservation in = special workshops, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Gerhard W. HACKER Medical Research Coordination Center LKA SALZBURG c/o Dept. Pathol.-Anatomy Muellner Hauptstrasse 48 A-5020 SALZBURG, AUSTRIA Phone: ++43++662-4482-4730 ext., Fax: ++43++662-4482-882 ext., or:
e-mail: g.hacker-at-lkasbg.gv.at
Thank you very much for your attention, best regards to all the List-members
Dr. Wolfgang MUSS Department of Pathology, LKA EM-Laboratory Muellner Hauptstrasse 48 A-5020 SALZBURG AUSTRIA/Europe
phone: ++43++ 662 + 4482 + 4720 Ext fax: ++43++ 662 + 4482 + 882 Ext. e-mail: W.Muss-at-lkasbg.gv.at (note: "l" right to "-at-" is a small "L")
First Announcement (SECOND -extended- VERSION ( ASCII-Text only)=20 NOTE:=20 a THIRD VERSION, containing only a WORD-attachment will be forwarded = later.=20 Apologize for that procedure but we would like to have posted this = information to ALL members of this List-Server community (also those members, = accepting only e-mails by ASCII-text without attachments and without = Internet-connections).
=20 Dear colleague(s), as a member of the Scientific Committee I would like to announce=20
SIXTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP ON
MOLECULAR MORPHOLOGY
to be held at: SALZBURG, Austria (Europe), OCTOBER 5-9, 1998
ORGANIZING FACULTIES: The University of Salzburg, Medical Research Coordination Center Salzburg General Hospital (St. Johanns-Spital LKA),=20 Institute of Pathological Anatomy The International Society of Molecular Morphology, Oklahoma City, OK, = USA The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
For your convenience an INTERNET-WEBPAGE is available=20 (completed by March 1st, 1998) at: } } } http://www.kongress.at/IMMC { { {
SCOPE: State-of-the-art conference of today's latest morphological } in = situ { molecular techniques for LM and EM, each represented by = world-class leaders. Aimed for beginners as well as for advanced = scientists who will find first-hand information, the possibility of = fruitful discussion, as well as wet-workshop training
TOPICS will include: } in situ { PCR; super-sensitive } in situ { hybridization and catalyzed = reporter deposition (CARD) technology; automated single gene copy = staining; immunohistopathology & tumor markers; telepathology; } in situ { = techniques in pathology; peptide technologies; multicolor fluorescence; = flow cytometry; autometallography; immunogold-silver staining and = Nanogold; EM-Immuno- and } in situ { labeling; permanent multiple = immunostaining; organotypic brain slices; electrophysiology; tumor = viruses; cytoskeleton; corrosion casts; computer image analysis; = DNA-ploidy; luminescence analysis; argyrophilia and argentaffinity.
PLENARY LECTURES: Julia M. POLAK (London, UK): Nitric Oxide in Health and Disease Virginia M. ANDERSON (Brooklyn, N.Y.): Impact of Molecular Pathology on the New Millenium Jules ELIAS (New York, N.Y.): Molecular } in-situ { Techniques in = Pathology and Biology Jules ELIAS will also give a series of sunrise-lectures introducing = molecular biology to medical professionals
CONGRESS FEE: Austrian Schilling (ATS) 5,000.- (approx. US-$ 385.-) INCLUDING: all lectures, coffee, tea and cakes
MAIN LECTURES: at now, 27 "invited" main lectures given by renowned = scientists in their field are scheduled: INVITED WORLD-CLASS LECTURERS will include:
Omar BAGASRA (Philadelphia, P.A., USA): } in-situ { PCR Gorm DANSCHER (Aarhus, Denmark): Autometallography=20 Lawrence DeBAULT (Oklahoma City, OK, USA): } in-situ { transcription Ursula FALKMER (Trondheim, Norway): DNA ploidy and IHC Gian-Luca FERRI (Cagliari, Italy): Multicolor = fluorescence Lars GRIMELIUS (Uppsala, Sweden): Endocrine Pathology and = Silver Jiang GU (Laurel, N.J., USA): = Telepathology James HAINFELD (Upton, N.Y., USA): Nanogold and undecagold Victor SMALL (Salzburg, Austria): Cytoskeleton S. K. TANG (Kew, Australia): = "Thin-Prep"-Smears Raymond TUBBS (Cleveland, OH, USA): Automated CARD-ISH and Flow Cytometry of lymphoproliferative disorders
WORK-SHOPS and DEMONSTRATIONS (additional, small fees): besides a series of parallel wet-workshops most important to the = interested community: } in-situ { PCR; Manual ultrasensitive } in situ { hybridization; = Nanogold-silver-staining for immunohistochemistry and DNA/RNA detection; = Immunogold-silver staining for Electron Microscopy; CARD-} in situ { = hybridization for LM & Electron Microscopy; Automated single gene copy = DNA and RNA detection; multicolor fluorescence; Interactive DNA ploidy analysis; Telepathology; = luminescence analysis; Calcium analysis using confocal laser microscopy; = .........
For further information, pre-registration, seat-reservation in special = workshops,=20 visit the INTERNET-WEBPAGEs (completed by March 1st, 1998) at:
} } } http://www.kongress.at/IMMC { { { =20 or please contact: Prof. Dr. Gerhard W. HACKER,=20 Medical Research Coordination Center, LKA Salzburg Muellner Hauptstrasse 48 A-5020 SALZBURG AUSTRIA Phone: ++43++ 662-4482-4730 Fax: ++43++ 662-4482-882 or, preferentially by e-mail: g.hacker-at-lkasbg.gv.at
Yours respectfully,
Dr. Wolfgang MUSS Department of Pathology, LKA, EM-Laboratory Muellner Hauptstrasse 48 A-5020 SALZBURG AUSTRIA/Europe
phone: ++43++ 662 + 4482 + 4720 Ext fax: ++43++ 662 + 4482 + 882 Ext. e-mail: W.Muss-at-lkasbg.gv.at (note: "l" right to "-at-" is a small "L")
Stephan Helfer Royal Botanic Garden Inverleith Row Edinburgh EH3 5LR Scotland UK
} Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 07:34:09 -0500 } To: microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } From: "Dr. David Hall" {hall-at-aecom.yu.edu} } Subject: lens-eating fungi
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } We have encountered the same type of fungus here in New York City, growing } on the surface of a diamond knife. As the fungus approached the sharp edge } of the knife, that portion was ruined. The precipitating cause seemed to } be a knife storage box which was air tight, and our own carelessness. If } the knife was placed into the box wet, and the box shut before the knife } had dried, the fungus grew. Over time, the fungus eventually attacked the } entire knife surface, despite efforts to dry the knife after each use. } David Hall } Department of Neuroscience } 1410 Pelham Parkway } Albert Einstein College of Medicine } Bronx, NY 10461 } } phone (718) 430-2195 FAX (718) 430-8821 }
As chemists, we use multiple-cartridge deionizers to prepare "pure" water for analytical purposes. The resistivity does not tell you if the water will grow cells or do other things. Apart from functionality, you may wish to find out how noisy the units are in operation if you will be nearby, especially if they periodically turn on a recycling pump. In my experience, Barnstead units are much quieter than Millipore ones.
Leonard Corwin Fort Dodge Animal Health (Analytical Research) Princeton, NJ 08543-0400 corwinl-at-pt.cyanamid.com
Hello from northeast Ohio, An ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer can be of varying hardness depending on the percentage of each component - i.e., 20-30% vinyl acetate produces a rubbery material while a concentration above 75% produces a very rigid material. Most of the polymers are rubbery. In any case, the ethylene component has a low Tg (glass transition temperature) and the polymer should be cryo-ultramicrotomed at temperatures below -70oC. You should be able to stain the sections afterwards using a saponification/OsO4 technique. I am assuming that you are trying to see the different phases. Alternatively, very small pieces of the plastic could be immersed in fresh RuO4, embedded in plastic and ultramicrotomed. Good luck, this polymer is not that easy to stain. Vicky (Bauer) Bryg Microscopist Ferro Corp. (216) 641-8585 x6613 vbauer-at-ferro.geis.com (ignore the long address above)
We're looking desperately for anyone who can help with software for an EDAX 9100--the version we need is version 2.2 or 2.3 with the FT0 and FT1 designation on single-sided 8 inch floppies. Any help or leads would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to contact me off-list at vrieck-at-spectra-inc.com. TIA,
Vern Rieck Principal Engineer Spectra, Inc. Hanover, NH 603-643-4390
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Job Posting:
Sr. R&D Scientist, Department of Microscopy and Image Analysis, Helene Curtis-Unilever Home and Personal Care USA. Rolling Meadows, Illinois
Experienced microscopist with B.S, M.S. or PhD in biology or chemistry, with 5 to 10 years microscopy work experience. Individual must be able to work independently, problem solve, and have the capability and initiative to run the microscopy facility, perform new technique development and supervise microscopy personnel. Qualified individual should have proficiency in TEM, SEM, EDS, light microscopy, microtomy, immunohistochemistry, and cryomicroscopy. Salary is competitive.
Please respond to this posting to : Joanne M. Crudele, Manager, Microscopy and Image Analysis, Helene Curtis, 3100 Golf Rd., Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008. (847) 734-3712 or fax (847) 734-3686.
with smtp id {m0y7meC-00035RC-at-www.qtmsys.com} (Debian /\oo/\ Smail3.1.29.1 #29.33); Wed, 25 Feb 98 14:37 EST Message-Id: {3.0.32.19980225143807.00688fc0-at-blackhole.qtmsys.com} X-Sender: dbailey-at-blackhole.qtmsys.com X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Pro Version 3.0 (32)
I don't know much about that, but Fungi grow also in Arsen-solutions and many HIGHLY toxic materials - probably an interesting field for research. I've also seen pictures in a german textbook, where a fungus was shown growing on "ordinary" glass, leaving behind it etching traces where the hyphae were grown. And since people wrote that fumigation helps, it should also be a living thing within the microscopes?
it was written in the list: Are you people *sure* this problem is biological, caused by a fungus? Might it not be a devitrification of the glass? ..... what would preferentially grow on a material that is 10 or more percent lead? Is there a newsgroup or mailing list for optical repair to which we could submit this question? If there is no fungus, then fumigation won't help, and dessication is the only preventative.
Dr. Arthur Schuessler University of Heidelberg Zellenlehre Im Neuenheimer Feld 230 D-69120 Heidelberg Germany
One of the fungi that does this is Aureobasidium pullulans, it is also seen often growing on tile grout in bathrooms. My best guess it is using carbon in the coatings or cements, or thin oil films that form from the air.
Russ
} Subject: Re: Lens-eating Fungi?? } Date sent: Wed, 25 Feb 98 09:47:11 -0400 } From: Dan {dan-at-bioptechs.com} } To: {Microscopy-at-Sparc5.Microscopy.Com}
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Credits to all that have contributed to this thread; } } But does anyone know the name of this type of fungus? } What type of glass does it grow on and what component of the glass is so } attractive to it? } } Before my business became overwhelmingly active I used to restore old } optical systems for historical exhibition. } I no longer have time for that now but after years of seeing great optics } ruined by this fungus I am glad others have raised this topic. } Hopefully I'll learn more about it. } } Dan } } } } } Russell N. Spear Sr. Research Specialist Dept. of Plant Pathology Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison
Apparently, the last salary survey for microscopists, actually the em variety, was published in 1984 by EMSA. I have had several direct ( to me) and a few responses over this listserver stating they were interested in my findings. However, I came up with zip (although more people seem interested in zip drives then this topic). It would seem the time is ripe for another survey, maybe by same organization or one of the other publications that cover microscopy. With most members of MSA setup with email and thus could reply to a questionnaire electronically, it would seem to be less work then the last time. Just a suggestion and my two centavos worth. Hank Adams Electron Microscopy Lab New Mexico State University Las Cruces,NM 88003 phone: 505-6463600 fax: 505-6465665
Please, unsubscribe Thanks, Lic. Veronica Campanucci -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lic. Veronica Andrea Campanucci Laboratorio de Fisiologia de Insectos Dpto. de Ciencias Biologicas Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Tel (54 1) 781-5021 to 29, ext. 332 Universidad de Buenos Aires FAX (54 1) 782-0582/544-7893 (1428) Buenos Aires e-mail: veronica-at-bg.fcen.uba.ar Argentina HTTP://biolo.bg.fcen.uba.ar/physinse.htm --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Looking for recommendations and/or references for reader's favorite methods for rotary replication of purified proteins. Any and all details of the method are greatly appreciated. I will be using a Balzers 400T to generate the replicas.
TIA, Steve Samuelsson
Steve Samuelsson, Ph.D. Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc. PO Box 8006 8700 Mason-Montgomery Road Mason, OH. 45040-8006 (513) 622-1753 office (513) 622-1752 lab (513) 622-1196 fax samuelsson.sj-at-pg.com
I would like to thank all of you for your responses about photo-quality printers. I will post a summary of responses in a day or two.
We have heard a rumor that the Codonics dye-sub printer is powered by the Kodak printer engine. Can anyone comment on this?
Mahalo, Tina
http://www.pbrc.hawaii.edu/bemf/microangela **************************************************************************** * Tina (Weatherby) Carvalho * tina-at-pbrc.hawaii.edu * * Biological Electron Microscope Facility * (808) 956-6251 * * University of Hawaii at Manoa * http://www.pbrc.hawaii.edu/bemf* ****************************************************************************
Group - With Hank Adam's suggestion on this subject, I will take on the effort to complete a proper salary survey for microscopy with our publication "Microscopy Today." In that we have some 8,000 microscopy readers in the U.S., the publication (plus this vehicle) would seem ideal for the effort. What I first need is any help YOU each can allow to the most effective format. Categories, education, experience, etc. The results, of course, will be available on this medium (and our publication) at no charge. If you are interested in this subject, kindly do assist me in the creation of a proper and effective format. It is only with a good format will the survey results truly be of value. Regards to all, Don Grimes, Microscopy Today
Here is a summary of peoples ideas re: distilled water vs de-ionised. Thanks to all who responded. **************************** John Bozzola wrote: In the two different places where I have used EM, I have had variable experiences. In one situation (East Coast), we took tap water and ran it first through several particle filters (string type, followed by porous ceramic), followed by two large (about the size of tanks of compressed air) deionizer cartridges (one high capacity, one high efficiency) followed by two activated carbon filters and then a millipore filter. This was then autoclaved (for sterility and to eliminate carbon dioxide). This water was normally used for large scale production of interferons in tissue culture systems. The cells grew beautifully and I never had any problems with stain precipitates or fixatives. Now, (Midwest), the same arrangement gave problems with residual organics that could not be removed by deionization alone. So, we use a much smaller scale system (18 x 4 inch cannisters) consisting of: one string or ceramic type particulate filter, two deionizers (one high capacity followed by a high efficiency) and two activated carbons. These feed into a large still that further purifies down to 1-2 micromhos per cm. This is a 10 fold improvement over deionization/carbon alone. The water is excellent, no precipitates with stains, etc. But distillation is needed in this environment, unfortunately. My advice, try the deionization/carbon setup first. Do some fixation and staining and if no precipitates occur, you're set. If precipitates, then you'll need to distill. Use some "good" water as a control in this test. We used some water "imported" from Iowa in this test but the source (a person in this case) dried up. Well, the person didn't dry up ........ you know what I mean....
******************************* Julian Smith wrote:
I'm not sure it results in a net savings, but I use the following system and like it very much: 1. Spun-fiber 9=B5m filter 2. RO cartridge (80-liter/day system, often sold to private homes at the beaches here, to remove sulfide and iron) 3. Mixed-bed DI 4. Storage jug with recirculating pump for mixed-bed DI 5. Milli-Q system
I use the water in the storage jug for final rinse on dishes and for all non-critical solution mixing (I make my EM fixatives up in it, for instance). It's about the same as our house distilled, about 8=B5S. I use the Milli-Q water for all critical stuff, ranging from Locke&Krishnan silver staining to PCR and protein electrophoresis. No problems so far.
The RO cartridge has a rejection ratio of about 10:1 though, so for every 10 liters of water in the jug, I'm putting about 90 down the drain.
HTH Julian
************************** =46rom: "Brian G. Demczyk" {demczyk-at-erxindy.rl.plh.af.mil}
There is no problem with using deionized water as long as a bit of "tapwater" is added, as well. Typically a cup or two in a recirculation unit filled with deion water is sufficient.
*************************** =46rom: Donald Lovett {lovett-at-TCNJ.EDU}
My experience has been that from time to time, resin exchange deionized water results in random precipitates on sections. Switching to glass distilled water resolved the problem. I would use ion exchange water with caution.
******************************* =46rom: Stephen Griffiths {s.griffiths-at-ucl.ac.uk} I've used deionised and/or reverse osmosis purified water for years. Never had any problems with it. The only time I had to use distilled was many years back when we made our own Gold Colliods. Had to use distilled-deionised water, nothing else worked. Don't know why. At present we use deionised which has been pre-cleaned with a reverse osmosis unit. It comes out of the unit at 18 MgOhm. (At least, that is what the gauge says) But if you need to save water, reverse osmosis runs a lot of raw input water to waste, so it probably isn't any less wasteful than distillation, but running raw water through a deionising resin is expensive on cartridges.
Couldn't you recycle the cooling water to your distillation unit somehow? Through an old EM cooling unit maybe?
What do you need to get rid of? Ions, that is salts? Then deionized should be enough.
But! I have rarely found this to be sufficient for microscopy. Organics and non-ionic components are usually more of a problem in water than salts are. I've always have more troubles using deionized water than I have had using distilled. And since distillation may not remove all ions, I've even had to use deionized-distilled.
I don't think water use is the issue here, though. Distillation does consume some water, but it shouldn't be wasting water. It does use more power. Deionization typically uses cartridges, which must be either regenerated (using water) or thrown away. Not counting the manufacture of the resins for the cartridges, or the salts added to your waste water stream. (And deionization consumes water also.)
So I would think distillation is the "better for the environment" solution, as well as being better for your solutions' environment.
Phil
**************************** =46rom: Donald Lovett {lovett-at-tcnj.edu}
My experience has been that from time to time, resin exchange deionized water results in random precipitates on sections. Switching to glass distilled water resolved the problem. I would use ion exchange water with caution.
*************************************** =46rom: DAVID PATTON {D-PATTON-at-wpg.uwe.ac.uk}
I have read about cases when EM stains have been adversely affected by contaminated (from filter breakdown products) de-ionised water. Mind you I have also read of stills with elevated Si in the water from the still glassware.
Dave **************************** =46rom: Glen MacDonald {glenmac-at-u.washington.edu}
We moved from a lab with deionized water feeding a glass still into a new facility with a reverse osmosis purifier followed by deonization/charcoal tanks, plumbed through the labs with a recirculating system. For EM stains, tissue culture, and molecular biology, we use this water after passing it through a Barnstead NANOpure polishing unit. The RO water is available in all labs and is sufficient for general histology and immunocytochemistry, and EM fixatives. The polishing unit is relatively conveniently located in our tissue culture lab. We have had no problems from the polished water in the 2 years that we have been using it.
Water distillers are no longer allowed to be installed at this campus due to their high energy costs and water inefficiency. My past experiences with non-distilled water systems left me very skeptical of deionization units until we installed our DI/destiller system in 1986. The still was partly to provide backup when the DI system failed. But, the DI system never failed. Our current system has been in use 2 years, so far the only problems have stemmed from lowest bidder installation, not from water quality.
********************************* =46rom: Robert Mixon {mixonr-at-ohsu.edu}
There are stills on the market which far exceed deionized water units in wat= er quality that not only re-use the cooling water in the distillation chamber (thus "preheated") but are also self-cleaning. True there is some "waste" of wate= r (could be saved as tap water to wash dishes I suppose??) I have no financial interest in any companies which produce such stills but have used one made b= y Weiss Scientific Glass of Beaverton, Oregon which at the time was the only o= ne on the market which recycled the water AND was self-cleaning (water exceeded some of the older "triple-distilled" models in quality). I am unrelated to and have no financial interest in the above mentioned company. Bob Mixon
We have had a couple of experiences with distilled vs deionised water issues. First when using glass distilled water our isolations of sperm cells from the pollen of Plumbago worked just fine. The university went to a campus wide Reverse Osmosis (RO) system and our isolations began to fail. Now we use RO water that has been deionised the isolations again work just fine. We are using a single high-efficiency DI filter cartridge which delivers water in the 18 MgOhm range according to the meter on the unit. Another related issue concerns the plumbing for the distilled/RO water supplied to the building. The taps that were installed were made of PVC which in itself is fine, but the anti-siphon valves that were installed were metal and incorrect for a distilled/RO water tap. We were informed that the lines should have had anti-siphon valves for DI/RO water installed and that the anti-siphon valves we had on there were probably leaching elements into the DI/RO water. The replacement taps (several of ours were broken) were of the metal variety and I was informed that they were tin lined and very expensive (thankfully replaced under repair to building!). So to make a long story short, we have had no troubles since going to DI water although we are deionizing water that has already been through reverse osmosis. For some reason the reverse osmosis water alone is not good enough for our purposes. As a secondary concern the way that the water is delivered may be an issue. I do not know if the anti-siphon valves were a problem or not as our isolations worked fine even though we had anti-siphon valves in place that were not "proper" for DI/RO water taps. As far as EM solutions - we use deionized water and have seen no problems. *************************************** End of messages
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard Lander Electron Microscope Technician South Campus Electron Microscope Unit Otago School of Medical Sciences P.O. Box 913 Dunedin New Zealand. Tel. National 03 479 7301 Fax. National 03 479 7254
"Southernmost EM Unit in the World!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi! Anybody know anything about UNICO light microscopes? There are from United Products & Instrunents Inc. Any help or leads would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to contact me off-list at e-mail cited below. Thak yours, very much.
Gabriel Adriano Rosa Area Microscopia Electronica, Depto. Cs. Biologicas Fac. de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires Ciudad Universitaria, 4 piso, Pab. II, CP 1428, Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA
I try to measure fluorescence on non-transparent materials (e.g. plastics). What I need is a microscope or other scanning instrument with a resolution of about 1 =B5m. =46luorescence must be counted. The instrument must be very sensitive, the more, the better. (I suggest, laser as source for excitation should be the best). What is the most sensitive detection method? CCD and/or photomultiplier? Are there any systems commercially available? Thanks for answering or good tips! Armin Misch
In my past years as a microscope optical engineer, I tend to agree with = Russell. The fungi always attacked the soft internal lens coatings, not = the hardened coatings of exposed lens. If there is a problem on the = outside of the objective, I would first think of scratch damage or = similar. Whilst the fungi can be successfully removed from the lens = elements, it also means removing the soft coatings which in turn = compromise the chromatic correction of the lens. The coating can be = re-applied, however it is expensive. It is a popular practice for many = manufacturers of sea going binoculars to charge the body with nitrogen = and I know that at least one microscope manufacturer did this with = special order scopes to countries at risk. Also tried was an additive = to the coating material which, again available on special order, seemed = to increase the life of the optics.
The tips on prevention already discussed do go a long way in minimising = the risks. Some coatings seem to be better in this regard than others. = Also, to complicate matters more, there are variations in the quality of = the coatings from scope to scope.
Roger
Roger Wallis General Manager Optiscan P/L Confocal Microscopy PO Box 1066 Mt. Waverley MDC Victoria 3149 Australia Tel: (61) 3-9562-7741 Fax: (61) 3-9562-7742 e-mail: rogerw-at-optiscan.com.au URL: http://www.optiscan.com.au ______________________________
----------
One of the fungi that does this is Aureobasidium pullulans, it is=20 also seen often growing on tile grout in bathrooms. My best guess=20 it is using carbon in the coatings or cements, or thin oil films that=20 form from the air.
Russ
} Subject: Re: Lens-eating Fungi?? } Date sent: Wed, 25 Feb 98 09:47:11 -0400 } From: Dan {dan-at-bioptechs.com} } To: {Microscopy-at-Sparc5.Microscopy.Com}
} = ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of = America=20 } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to = ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } = -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } =20 } Credits to all that have contributed to this thread; } =20 } But does anyone know the name of this type of fungus? } What type of glass does it grow on and what component of the glass is = so=20 } attractive to it? } =20 } Before my business became overwhelmingly active I used to restore old=20 } optical systems for historical exhibition. } I no longer have time for that now but after years of seeing great = optics=20 } ruined by this fungus I am glad others have raised this topic. =20 } Hopefully I'll learn more about it. } =20 } Dan } =20 } =20 } =20 } =20 } Russell N. Spear Sr. Research Specialist Dept. of Plant Pathology Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison
Precise information about the goniometer tilt direction is important for many TEM applications. Historically alpha-MnO2 crystals have been used to measure the rotation angle between images and diffraction patterns in TEMs. However, for stereo analysis one needs to know the absolute tilt axis direction relative to the micrographs. I have used Kikuchi line motion to get this information. I am wondering what methods are used by others.
Salzburg, 26th of Febr., 1998, local time: 07.00 a.m.
Dear List-members, GOOD MORNING ALL
APOLOGIES and EXCUSES (or "NO EXCUSES ANY MORE" 0;) ):
} } For YOUR INFORMATION: { { THERE WILL BE NO POSTINGS ANY MORE, ESPECIALLY NO POSTING AS AN = "ATTACHMENT".
SIXTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP ON MOLECULAR MORPHOLOGY
to be held at: SALZBURG, Austria (Europe), OCTOBER 5-9, 1998
ORGANIZING FACULTIES: The University of Salzburg, Medical Research Coordination Center Salzburg General Hospital (St. Johanns-Spital LKA),=20 Institute of Pathological Anatomy The International Society of Molecular Morphology, Oklahoma City, OK, = USA The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
For FURTHER INFORMATIONS and for your convenience an
INTERNET-WEBPAGE is available (completed by March, 1st, 1998) at:
} } } } http://www.kongress.at/IMMC { { { {
For further informations, pre-registration and seat-reservation in = special workshops, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Gerhard W. HACKER Medical Research Coordination Center LKA SALZBURG c/o Dept. Pathol.-Anatomy Muellner Hauptstrasse 48 A-5020 SALZBURG, AUSTRIA Phone: ++43++662-4482-4730 ext., Fax: ++43++662-4482-882 ext., or:
e-mail: g.hacker-at-lkasbg.gv.at
Thank you very much for your attention and my } } deepest apologies { { to = you all reminding me of "NO ATTCHMENTS" to the LIST (I had a bad night = for those statements and reminders)
best regards to all of you, wish you a bright day
Dr. Wolfgang MUSS Department of Pathology, LKA EM-Laboratory Muellner Hauptstrasse 48 A-5020 SALZBURG AUSTRIA/Europe
phone: ++43++ 662 + 4482 + 4720 Ext fax: ++43++ 662 + 4482 + 882 Ext. e-mail: W.Muss-at-lkasbg.gv.at (note: "l" right to "-at-" is a small "L")
NO ANNOUNCEMENT of the Conference BY "ATTACHMENT(S)"
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YES, Codonics models 1600 (dye-sub) and 1660 (dye sub and thermal) are built around Kodak engines. In fact they physically look like the Kodak printers. However, the programming and other features are very different. The Codonics printers are UNIX machines complete with 540mb hard drive, floppy drive for updating programming and many additional features built into the software to permit much greater flexibility than the Kodak printer. They have a good reputation for mechanical reliability and Codonics has been quite good as far as phone support for questions, etc. We purchased a Codonics 1660 a few months ago and, although I have certainly made suggestions to the company to improve some features, overall we are quite pleased.
Debby Sherman, Manager Microscopy Center in Agriculture Purdue University
--------------------------------------
I would like to thank all of you for your responses about photo-quality printers. I will post a summary of responses in a day or two.
We have heard a rumor that the Codonics dye-sub printer is powered by the Kodak printer engine. Can anyone comment on this?
Mahalo, Tina
http://www.pbrc.hawaii.edu/bemf/microangela **************************************************************************** * Tina (Weatherby) Carvalho * tina-at-pbrc.hawaii.edu * * Biological Electron Microscope Facility * (808) 956-6251 * * University of Hawaii at Manoa * http://www.pbrc.hawaii.edu/bemf* ****************************************************************************
Job opportunity: Automatic Diatom Identification and Classification (ADIAC)
A three-year fixed term position is available immediately at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh as part of an EC-funded project (ADIAC) to create a system for identifying diatoms automatically by computer. The post will have a strong taxonomic component and will involve using existing database-management and image-analysis software to build a computerized database of names and digital images of diatoms which will be used as the essential foundation and reference for programs developed by a multinational team.
Applicants should have a PhD or equivalent, and relevant expertise, which could include one or more of the following: plant taxonomy, especially of algae or diatoms, light microscopy, digital image capture and manipulation, and familiarity with a wide range of computing techniques. Ability to meet deadlines and work in a team is essential.
In accordance with UK immigration requirements, priority will be given to EU nationals. Starting salary will be in the range GBP15,000-17,000, and will be pensionable. Applicants should send full cv including the names and addresses of two referees to the Personnel Department, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, UK. Closing date 20 March 1998. Contact Stephen Droop at this address for further details, or e-mail: s.droop-at-rbge.org.uk.
*********************************************************** Stephen J.M. Droop Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, UK
We need to know what wavelength region you are interested in to answer your questions.
Laser(s) provide the brightest sources for your work, are "easiest" to couple into the microscope and ease the detection system requirements (less filtering problems, etc.). However, most provide only one wavelength. Multiple lasers may be employed but this can get expensive. Also, laser(s) are more likely to cause bleaching of the samples (or contaminants) that you might find confusing (or worse than confusing).
If you need to measure fluorescence over a broad spectrum, you may want to use an arc lamp and a number a matching spectral filters (Omega Optical makes a nice selection and has a good web site to explore). This may require you to make longer exposures.
CCDs can be more sensitive than PMTs in certain regions of the spectrum. A liquid nitrogen (LN)cooled CCD camera can be very sensitive and might be more useful for other experiments than PMTs.
At SEQ, we use both arc lamps and lasers. We also have used PMTs, LN cooled CCD cameras and image intensified cameras (for video rate microscopy).
P.S. Be very careful in cleaning and handling your plastics. Surface contamination could drive you crazy. Also, be sure you know the transmission/adsorption/reflection properties of pour plastic samples. This is particularly important if you are interested in a broad spectrum. In particular, many plastics can be quite transparent in the near infrared.
-----Original Message-----
Colleagues:
Any suggestions for this individual? Reply both to him and the listserver. He is not a subscriber.
I try to measure fluorescence on non-transparent materials (e.g. plastics). What I need is a microscope or other scanning instrument with a resolution of about 1 µm. Fluorescence must be counted. The instrument must be very sensitive, the more, the better. (I suggest, laser as source for excitation should be the best). What is the most sensitive detection method? CCD and/or photomultiplier? Are there any systems commercially available? Thanks for answering or good tips! Armin Misch
This inquiry pertains to the life of OSRAM HBO 103W/2 bulbs used for fluorescence microscopy.
During the last two years, and as recently as this morning, I've had several bulbs fail to light at low hour counts, e.g., 50-60 hrs. The problem does not seem to be the power supply, at least directly. New bulbs always light without fail. This causes me to think the problem involves a defect(s) in the bulb itself, perhaps induced by the power supply.
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2/26/98 9:39 AM Two-beam simulations
Jordi Arbiol i Cobos inquired
} Precise information about any computer program that allow me to } simulate the TWO -BEAM CONDITION. } Any help will be greatly apreciated.
We are currently running two-beam code for dislocation loop simulations.
One good source of information is the Oak Ridge National Laboratory report "Catalog of Computer Simulated TEM Images of Small FCC and BCC Dislocation Loops", by L. Sykes, W. Copper, and J. Hren, published February 1981. I believe the report number is ORNL/TM-7619. It includes a detailed discussion of two-beam dynamical simulation of dislocation loops and the report also contains a hard copy of their 2-beam simulation code. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Tyrone L. Daulton Materials Science Division Argonne National Laboratory 9700 South Cass Ave Argonne, IL 60439
Irradiation Effects Group & Electron Microscopy Center Email: tyrone_daulton-at-qmgate.anl.gov Voice: 630-252-5079 Fax: 630-252-4798
Several months ago, I saw a small brochure on chromosome painting. I believe it was for mouse. I'm trying to remember the company that developed these kits and am having no luck. Does anyone out there have any experience with this?
I think we spoke on the phone about this once, because I was having the same problem with an old Zeiss Standard scope. Only shows up with video, not Polaroid, etc. Also MUCH more noticeable with low mag's (10x and less) than higher.
The only thing I found to help was to change the condenser lens. (I also tried diffusing near the lamp, having the scope completely cleaned and serviced, trying different objectives, etc.) If you're lucky you have a "flip-out" lever to remove the high mag. condenser when not needed (or desired) for the low mag objectives. If not, as my case, I had to unscrew the high mag. lens and remove it, but remind people who use higher mag's that they should put it back in when they use the scope. Also, trying a lower N.A. condenser might help. Also the Kohler illumination setup must be re-done after a change of condenser.
Good luck, Karen
dkittleson-at-pillsbury.com wrote: } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } I have an early 1980's vintage Zeiss Universal pol. scope with a } Diagnostics Instruments adapter and Sony 960 CCD camera. There is an } annoying "hotspot" visible in both the live and stored images. This is } accentuated in certain instances such as low contrast, slightly crossed } polars, etc. The hotspot is almost undetectable in images of samples } diffusing a significant amount of light. It is my opinion that the } microscope optics are contributing this problem. However, I certainly } have an open mind. I have made the following observations: } -The microscope is set-up for Kohler illumination. Inserting the } diffuser before the lamp housing produces only a slight improvement. } -There is virtually no issue when using this camera with the appropriate } adapter for our Wild M400 photomacroscope or Olympus Provis Light } microscope. } -I have tried 2 different Diagnostic Instruments adapters (.6x, .45x) and } 3 sets of adapter lenses. In addition, a Dage camera (c-mount) to a } "live" monitor shows the same hot spot. } -Pol. objectives of that vintage were not flat field. I tried a series } of flat field objectives...alas...the field is flat...the hot spot } remains. } -Local service reps have not been able to implicate the source. } -Polaroid and 35mm imaging produces no visible "hot spot". } I would be extremely grateful to anyone who could offer suggestions as I } have agonized over this for quite some time. Thank you. } } Diana Kittleson } Pillsbury Technology East } 737 Pelham Blvd. } St. Paul, MN 55114 } dkittleson-at- pillsbury.com
-- Karen Zaruba, Life Sciences Sector Laboratory, 3M Company, St. Paul, MN 55144 kszaruba-at-mmm.com
"If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learned how to live." - Lin Yu Tang [Of course, a perfectly useless afternoon is a rare thing indeed!] *The opinions above are my own, not necessarily my employer's*
Rick Felten 02/26/98 01:25 PM I would like some opinions about the price/performance ratios of upgrading my EDS system through IXRF vs Kexex. I am currently using a Hitachi S2400 SEM. I am interested in thoughts about the maturity of the software, level of "Bugs", and ability to provide both hardware and software service. Please include your experience with either.
Thanks for your comments
Ric Felten of MacDermid Inc., a Specialty Chemical Company in Waterbury, Ct USA
I have not been paying attention to this thread, so don't know if it has been pointed out that SINCE this problem is with video only, the gain/contrast setting is probably contributing. This is an adjustment which is not available with film cameras. I have a similar experience with my nice Olympus BX-50 when I boost the contrast tremendously to see objects with little inherent contrast. I am clearly seeing spatial variation in illumination, which I can't eliminate by adjusting the lamp or adding a mild diffuser. CCD cameras have such a wide range of adjustment that they can easily show the limitations in design of even pretty good pretty recent scopes.
Of course there will be more spatial variation at low mag than at hi mag. For a perfectionist using hi mag only, the solution might be a Fiber optic light scrambler, though this may not work at low mag. see http://www.technicalvideo.com/. Otherwise, check your illumination & optimize it as much as possible.
I think we spoke on the phone about this once, because I was having the same problem with an old Zeiss Standard scope. Only shows up with video, not Polaroid, etc. Also MUCH more noticeable with low mag's (10x and less) than higher. . . . } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } I have an early 1980's vintage Zeiss Universal pol. scope with a } Diagnostics Instruments adapter and Sony 960 CCD camera. There is an } annoying "hotspot" visible in both the live and stored images. This is } accentuated in certain instances such as low contrast, slightly crossed } polars, etc. The hotspot is almost undetectable in images of samples } diffusing a significant amount of light. It is my opinion that the } microscope optics are contributing this problem. . . . . . . Karen Zaruba,
"If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learned how to live." - Lin Yu Tang [Of course, a perfectly useless afternoon is a rare thing indeed!] *The opinions above are my own, not necessarily my employer's*
This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------A92459C6DB2E52D547FE1B7E Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; x-mac-type="54455854"; x-mac-creator="4D4F5353" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Diana: I had a similar problem with our Zeiss Standard scope when we worked with low mag obj. lenses using a video capture camera in the third ocular tube. The problem was solved by painting the front reflective surface of the metal adapter on the end of the camera with carbon dag. Apparently light reflected from this surface was causing the problem. Doug Bray
I think we spoke on the phone about this once, because I was having the same problem with an old Zeiss Standard scope. Only shows up with video, not Polaroid, etc. Also MUCH more noticeable with low mag's (10x and less) than higher.
The only thing I found to help was to change the condenser lens. (I also tried diffusing near the lamp, having the scope completely cleaned and serviced, trying different objectives, etc.) If you're lucky you have a "flip-out" lever to remove the high mag. condenser when not needed (or desired) for the low mag objectives. If not, as my case, I had to unscrew the high mag. lens and remove it, but remind people who use higher mag's that they should put it back in when they use the scope. Also, trying a lower N.A. condenser might help. Also the Kohler illumination setup must be re-done after a change of condenser.
Good luck, Karen
dkittleson-at-pillsbury.com wrote: } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } I have an early 1980's vintage Zeiss Universal pol. scope with a } Diagnostics Instruments adapter and Sony 960 CCD camera. There is an } annoying "hotspot" visible in both the live and stored images. This is } accentuated in certain instances such as low contrast, slightly crossed } polars, etc. The hotspot is almost undetectable in images of samples } diffusing a significant amount of light. It is my opinion that the } microscope optics are contributing this problem. However, I certainly } have an open mind. I have made the following observations: } -The microscope is set-up for Kohler illumination. Inserting the } diffuser before the lamp housing produces only a slight improvement. } -There is virtually no issue when using this camera with the appropriate } adapter for our Wild M400 photomacroscope or Olympus Provis Light } microscope. } -I have tried 2 different Diagnostic Instruments adapters (.6x, .45x) and } 3 sets of adapter lenses. In addition, a Dage camera (c-mount) to a } "live" monitor shows the same hot spot. } -Pol. objectives of that vintage were not flat field. I tried a series } of flat field objectives...alas...the field is flat...the hot spot } remains. } -Local service reps have not been able to implicate the source. } -Polaroid and 35mm imaging produces no visible "hot spot". } I would be extremely grateful to anyone who could offer suggestions as I } have agonized over this for quite some time. Thank you. } } Diana Kittleson } Pillsbury Technology East } 737 Pelham Blvd. } St. Paul, MN 55114 } dkittleson-at- pillsbury.com
-- Karen Zaruba, Life Sciences Sector Laboratory, 3M Company, St. Paul, MN 55144 kszaruba-at-mmm.com
"If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learned how to live." - Lin Yu Tang [Of course, a perfectly useless afternoon is a rare thing indeed!] *The opinions above are my own, not necessarily my employer's* -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return-Path: {Microscopy-request-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} Received: from Sparc5.Microscopy.Com by admin3.cc.uleth.ca (MX V4.2 AXP) with SMTP; Thu, 26 Feb 1998 12:28:17 MDT Received: (from daemon-at-localhost) by Sparc5.Microscopy.Com (8.6.11/8.6.11) id LAA28261 for dist-Microscopy; Thu, 26 Feb 1998 11:43:46 -0600 Received: from sulu.mmm.com (sulu.mmm.com [192.28.4.21]) by Sparc5.Microscopy.Com (8.6.11/8.6.11) with ESMTP id LAA28258 for {microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} ; Thu, 26 Feb 1998 11:43:45 -0600 Received: (from daemon-at-localhost) by sulu.mmm.com (8.8.7/8.8.1) id LAA29332 for microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com..; Thu, 26 Feb 1998 11:46:17 -0600 (CST) Message-ID: {34F5B27F.153A-at-mmm.com}
At 11:08 AM 2/26/98 -0800, you wrote: } } I have not been paying attention to this thread, so don't know if it has } been pointed out that SINCE this problem is with video only, the } gain/contrast setting is probably contributing. This is an adjustment which } is not available with film cameras. I have a similar experience with my } nice Olympus BX-50 when I boost the contrast tremendously to see } objects with little inherent contrast. I am clearly seeing spatial variation in } illumination, which I can't eliminate by adjusting the lamp or adding a mild } diffuser. CCD cameras have such a wide range of adjustment that they } can easily show the limitations in design of even pretty good pretty recent } scopes.
Interesting thought that the camera gain may simply be pointing out what has been there all along. I wonder if digitizing/scanning a photo and taking the image to a suitable program for contrast enhancement and a line profile would show that the illumination is uneven, but just not apparent on normal photos. ---------------------------------------------------- Warren E. Straszheim 23 Town Engineering Iowa State University Ames IA, 50011 Phone: 515-294-8187 FAX: 515-294-4563
Hank- I think you have a great idea, but you'll probably have to follow up on it yourself. Try to keep it all confidential, and use some sort of criteria such as, mat sci or biol, industry vs academia, experience (1-5 yrs, 5-10 yrs, over 20, etc.), also throw in some regional and or cost of living factor. I'll be interested in your findings. -Mike
James-be careful, don't get shocked check the terminals at the positive & negative ends of the bulb, are they secure? next check the wires to the terminals, trace them to their source, then keep tracing ... step by step, to the power supply (I don't suggest opening the power supply, unless you feel confident in what you're doing), be careful, don't get shocked. -Mike
On Thu, 26 Feb 1998, James Martin wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } This inquiry pertains to the life of OSRAM HBO 103W/2 bulbs used for } fluorescence microscopy. } } During the last two years, and as recently as this morning, I've had } several bulbs fail to light at low hour counts, e.g., 50-60 hrs. The } problem does not seem to be the power supply, at least directly. New } bulbs always light without fail. This causes me to think the problem } involves a defect(s) in the bulb itself, perhaps induced by the power } supply. } } Any thoughts? } } James Martin } Williamstown Art Conservation Center } } }
I have receieved the following email from a friend in New Zealand can anybody help - thanks. Steve
Precise information about the goniometer tilt direction is important for many TEM applications. Historically alpha-MnO2 crystals have been used to measure the rotation angle between images and diffraction patterns in TEMs. However, for stereo analysis of nano crystals on high resolution TEM images one needs to know the absolute tilt axis direction relative to the micrographs. I have used Kikuchi line motion to get the tilt axis direction in diffraction patterns. Then the rotation angle between diffraction patterns and images enables the tilt axis in high resolution TEM images to be calculated. I am wondering what methods are used by others.
Background subtraction would seem to be appropriate.
Richard
At 11:08 AM 2/26/98 -0800, you wrote:
Interesting thought that the camera gain may simply be pointing out what has been there all along. I wonder if digitizing/scanning a photo and taking the image to a suitable program for contrast enhancement and a line profile would show that the illumination is uneven, but just not apparent on normal photos. ---------------------------------------------------- Warren E. Straszheim 23 Town Engineering Iowa State University Ames IA, 50011 Phone: 515-294-8187 FAX: 515-294-4563
Readers, While we would all agree that microscopy is "serious science", to have a bit of fun when possible might not be too bad an idea. With this though in mind, I would like to announce a "Composite Image Contest" to be held out of our booth at the upcoming MSA/MAS Conference in Atlanta (July 12/16 1998). - Entries must be a composite of two or more images, one at least must be microscopical in nature. They must be in hard copy (photographic or printer output) and while OK in any size, ~ 8.5" x 11" is preferred. - To be clear, we are looking for "fun" not technical stuff. Like, how about Clinton's face on an insects body, or how about a partially nude female backstroking in a "sea" of mosquito larva? Whatever! - Conference attendees will vote on the entries based on how interesting and creative. First prize will be a 1 oz Maple Leaf gold coin (~$450 value), 2nd and 3rd prizes to be announceed. All contestants will receive their choice of two microscopical prints by David Scharf. - Entries are welcome not only from U.S. microscopists, but from "overseas" microscopists as well as manufacturers and suppliers. You will not have to be present to win. Contestants may submit a maximum of two entries. - Winning images will be featured on the cover of "Microscopy Today" IMPORTANT - this contest is not to be confused with the Micrograph Competition. - If you think that you may (repeat, may) be interested in participating, kindly advise direct to me. I will then keep you advised of any information regarding the contest. I sure hope for your interest! Don Grimes, Microscopy Today
Dear all, We have an antique Hitachi s410 that used to function quite well. Recently it from time to time came out images with zig zag pattern. We checked with local service engineers a couple of time but not able to figure out what the real cause is. Based on the engineer's dignose, we seem suddenly have some magnetic field interference from somewhere. Since we are going to install a new one pretty soon. This magnetic thing seems will be a big pain in the future too. What I would like to know is anyone outthere have similar experience can share
Dear Kuo, There may be several possible causes for this - physical vibration, electronic noise in the deflection electronics, or even SED arcing. I would not suspect magnetic fields as the culprit unless the mu metal shielding has been removed. It is difficult to diagnose the problem without seeing the image. Maybe you could email a tiff of what you are seeing to my address. AZ
Andrew L. Zobel Service Engineer ________________________ RJ Lee Instruments Ltd. http://www.rjleeinst.com
Dear all, We have an antique Hitachi s410 that used to function quite well. Recently it from time to time came out images with zig zag pattern. We checked with local service engineers a couple of time but not able to figure out what the real cause is. Based on the engineer's dignose, we seem suddenly have some magnetic field interference from somewhere. Since we are going to install a new one pretty soon. This magnetic thing seems will be a big pain in the future too. What I would like to know is anyone out there have similar experience can share. Will this image pattern could possible caused by aging scope per se ? Also, how could I can really measure the magnetic field in my lab and locate the disturbance? Thanks ahead! KerChung Kuo
I have this similar problem on a Reichart, it is only observed at lower magnifications. Without success, I have adjusted the bulb, illuminators, everything, including disassembly of the apertures. I also thought it might be the optics in my video adapter, but it sounds like others interchange video and Polaroid, which excludes this as a source.
My current recourse is use use an image processing filter (from John Russ' toolkit) with Photoshop to minimize illumination variables. This usually produces excellent results, but occassionly produces some "exotic and colorful" artifacts.
I am no expert in this subject but field measurements can be made by placing a toroidal coil (with a known number of turns) at various locations in the room (3ft high and every 5ft for instance) and measuring the induced voltage at each location. Through Faraday's law (I think), the flux in webers can be calculated and plotted for the room. Hope this helps, AZ
Andrew L. Zobel Service Engineer ________________________ RJ Lee Instruments Ltd. http://www.rjleeinst.com
James How often do you switch on, and how long do you keep the bulbs burning once lit? I understand that the main wear on HBOs is the number of times switched on, more so than the number of hours lit.
Stephan Helfer Royal Botanic Garden Inverleith Row Edinburgh EH3 5LR Scotland UK
} Precise information about any computer program that allow me to } simulate the TWO -BEAM CONDITION. } Any help will be greatly apreciated.
The following announcement was sent to the discussion group a couple of years ago. I have not used the program but retained the message in case of needing this program or similar at some point in the future. I would guess that it is based on the original Fortran code by Head, Humble et al. (early 1970's as I remember) but is probably a more modern implemention of this code.
Hope this helps
Ian
} Date: Thu, 25 Jul 1996 13:26:00 +0200 } From: Koenraad.Janssens-at-mtm.kuleuven.ac.be (Koenraad Janssens) } To: Microscopy-at-Sparc5.Microscopy.Com } Subject: SIMCON } X-Sun-Charset: US-ASCII } } Dear Fellow Microscopists, } } The last few years I have been involved in research on localized (near } nanometer resolution) strain characterization using two-beam electron } diffraction contrast imaging (an operational mode of transmission } electron microscopy). See any book on transmission electron microscopy } for the basics. } } Part of this project was to develop a software package allowing for the } analysis of strain fields of arbitrary geometry. This software (SIMCON) } allows one to model a microscopic strain field with various mathematical } methods (including finite elements) and subsequently verify this model } by comparison with experimental observations in the TEM. } } As of today we are releasing SIMCON as freeware, you can find out all } details at the following address: } } http://www.mtm.kuleuven.ac.be/~simcon/ } } Friendly Greetings, } } Koen Janssens } } ___________________________________________________________________ _ _ _ } ___________________________________________________________________ _ _ _ } } Koenraad Janssens, Ph.D. } } KULeuven } Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering (MTM) } de Croylaan 2, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium } Tel. : +32-(0)16-32.1232 } Fax : +32-(0)16-32.1992 } e-mail : Koenraad.Janssens-at-mtm.kuleuven.ac.be } www : http://www.mtm.kuleuven.ac.be/Members/Researchers/KoenraadJanssens/ } } } !!! New address valid from 1 September 1996 !!! } } OCAS } John F. Kennedylaan 3, B-9060 Zelzate, Belgium } Tel. : +32-9-345.12.11 (OCAS reception) } Fax. : +32-9-345.12.04 }
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ian MacLaren, Tel: (44) (0) 121 414 3447 IRC in Materials for FAX: (44) (0) 121 414 3441 High Performance Applications, email: I.MacLaren-at-bham.ac.uk The University of Birmingham, http://web.bham.ac.uk/I.MacLaren/ Birmingham B15 2TT, England. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You are quite correct, the problem with this is making the coil just right and then reading the waveforms you get. You need to understand the waveforms to get a value for the interference. Even on the calibrated coil we have, it is difficult reading the oscilloscope waveforms and giving the customer a value in milli gauss.
Luc Harmsen Anaspec, South Africa Technical support for E.M. operators, world wide. anaspec-at-icon.co.za TEL: ++ 27 (0) 11 476 3455 FAX: ++ 27 (0) 11 476 7290
-----Original Message-----
I am no expert in this subject but field measurements can be made by placing a toroidal coil (with a known number of turns) at various locations in the room (3ft high and every 5ft for instance) and measuring the induced voltage at each location. Through Faraday's law (I think), the flux in webers can be calculated and plotted for the room. Hope this helps, AZ
Andrew L. Zobel Service Engineer ________________________ RJ Lee Instruments Ltd. http://www.rjleeinst.com
FYI Many people have experienced this hot spot problem with tv images because they used the wrong or inferior tv adapter. Make sure that you are using the correct coupler for your size chip or tube camera. I suggest you contact your Carl Zeiss rep in your area, 1-800-543-1033 Just my .02 worth. J Reber Carl Zeiss
We also had a problem with bright spots in our digital image, using a Polyvar microscope. As was mentioned by one respondent, the cause was internal reflections from the adapter between the microscope port and the lens of the camera. We used carbon dag, camera black and a couple of other coatings but still suffered some internal reflections. We finally used a piece of flat black construction paper to line the inside of the adapter tube. This works in most cases but there are times when we use neutral density filters to reduce the amount of light going to the camera. Hope this helps.
David O'Neil tel: (902) 426-8258 National Research Council of Canada fax: (902) 426-9413 Institute for Marine Biosciences 1411 Oxford St. Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 3Z1 Canada email: david.o'neil-at-nrc.ca
We also had a problem with bright spots in our digital image, using a Polyvar microscope. As was mentioned by one respondent, the cause was internal reflections from the adapter between the microscope port and the lens of the camera. We used carbon dag, camera black and a couple of other coatings but still suffered some internal reflections. We finally used a piece of flat black construction paper to line the inside of the adapter tube. This works in most cases but there are times when we use neutral density filters to reduce the amount of light going to the camera. Hope this helps.
David O'Neil tel: (902) 426-8258 National Research Council of Canada fax: (902) 426-9413 Institute for Marine Biosciences 1411 Oxford St. Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 3Z1 Canada email: david.o'neil-at-nrc.ca
I have also had this problem with HBO 103W/2 bulbs, a talk with our vendor revealed this is a common problem. We solved it by changing to HBO 100W/2's.
Russ
} Date sent: Thu, 26 Feb 1998 10:36:36 -0500 (EST) } From: James Martin {James.S.Martin-at-williams.edu} } Subject: OSRAM HBO 103W/2 bulbs } To: microscopy-at-Sparc5.Microscopy.Com
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } This inquiry pertains to the life of OSRAM HBO 103W/2 bulbs used for } fluorescence microscopy. } } During the last two years, and as recently as this morning, I've had } several bulbs fail to light at low hour counts, e.g., 50-60 hrs. The } problem does not seem to be the power supply, at least directly. New } bulbs always light without fail. This causes me to think the problem } involves a defect(s) in the bulb itself, perhaps induced by the power } supply. } } Any thoughts? } } James Martin } Williamstown Art Conservation Center } } } Russell N. Spear Sr. Research Specialist Dept. of Plant Pathology Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison
PLease help me. I am trying to learn how to use a cryo-ultra microtome. How in the world do you get the ultra-thin sections on the grids? Also, how do you store them? How long can you keep them? ETC.(I am sure I don't even know what else to ask) Thank you, Sally Shrom
I have a question about the 180 degree ambiguity discussion. Doesn't the shadow image of an under-condensed BF disk of a convergent beam pattern determine the rotation angle of the diffraction pattern with respect to the image without the ambiguity? If it isn't, then I may have been assigning incorrect indices to some III-V XTEM samples that I've done.
Our current shipment of HBO103 bulbs seems to work fine. Maybe too well; we've had problems with the older Zeiss lamp housings getting burned out. But the Nikon housings and the new Olympus lamp housings are holding up ok. In the past we've had problems with the Osram HBO 103 bulbs. They became unstable after very little usage and fogged quickly. If you can get Ushio bulbs, or can switch to 102 instead of 103, this would probably be better.
-------------------------------------------- Michael Cammer email sent from an account of the Analytical Imaging Facility The Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University 1300 Morris Park Ave. Bronx, NY 10461 (718) 430-2890 FAX: (718) 430-8996 http://leper1.ca.aecom.yu.edu/aif/ --------------------------------------------
} Background subtraction would seem to be appropriate. } } Richard } } } At 11:08 AM 2/26/98 -0800, you wrote: } } Interesting thought that the camera gain may simply be pointing out what } has } been there all along. I wonder if digitizing/scanning a photo and taking the } image to a suitable program for contrast enhancement and a line profile } would show that the illumination is uneven, but just not apparent on } normal } photos. } ---------------------------------------------------- } Warren E. Straszheim } 23 Town Engineering } Iowa State University } Ames IA, 50011 } Phone: 515-294-8187 FAX: 515-294-4563 } } E-Mail: wesaia-at-iastate.edu } http://www.marl.iastate.edu } } electron microscopy, x-ray analysis, image analysis, computer } applications } }
Rather than background subtraction, you may want to flatfield your image, i.e. divide by an image obtained on an empty field (that is with everything but your sample, such as an empty spot on a microscope slide, etc.). This will also correct for any nonuniformity of sensitivity in your camera and other optical artifacts leading to uneven sensitivity.
Massimo
_____________________________________________________ Massimo Sassaroli, D.Sc. Department of Physiology and Biophysics Box 1218 Mount Sinai School of Medicine One Gustave L. Levy Place New York, NY 10029-6574
This contest would be a lot more fun for me if I hadn't read the line about a "partially nude woman." Why, why, why was it even necessary to bring this element into an otherwise fun and entertaining exercise???? I'm fighting the urge to turn this into a full-blown diatribe, but for now I'll just say, I find this image offensive.
Jane A. Fagerland, Ph.D. Dept. Microscopy and Microanalysis Abbott Laboratories Abbott Park IL 60064
Are we all talking about the same thing here? I wonder if there is a difference between the "hot spot" vs. "bright spots" that people are seeing. At least in my case, there were no "bright spots", per se, just a drastic gradient in brightness from the center of the field (hot spot) to the edges. Is this what the people with problems (reflections) in their camera adapters were seeing?
Regarding the tips about background subtraction, flattenting, etc. In fact that was what I had to do for a long time. But I am leery of doing this sort of manipulation if greyscale density values are to be collected. Is it considered acceptable?
Karen -- Karen Zaruba, Life Sciences Sector Laboratory, 3M Company, St. Paul, MN 55144 kszaruba-at-mmm.com
*The opinions above are my own, not necessarily my employer's*
Hi, Sally There are excellent references following:
Book: G.Griffiths. Fine structure immunocytochemistry. Springer -Verlag, New York, Berlin, Heidelberg
Papers: Liou W,Geuse HJ,Slot JW. Improving structural integrity of cryosections for immunogold labeling. Histochem Cell Biol(1996) 106: 41-58
Tokuyasu KT. J Cell Biol (1973) 57:551-565
Tokuyasu KT. J. Microsc. (1986) 143:139-149
Tokuyasu KT. Histochem J (1989) 21: 163-171
Best regards, Alexander A. Mironov Jr.
On Fri, 27 Feb 1998, Sally Shrom wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } PLease help me. I am trying to learn how to use a cryo-ultra microtome. } How in the world do you get the ultra-thin sections on the grids? Also, } how do you store them? How long can you keep them? ETC.(I am sure I don't } even know what else to ask) } Thank you, } Sally Shrom } }
Did I miss something? What is fun about an image of a partially nude woman swimming in a sea of larvae?
There is much that could be said about this, but suffice my own comments to be: rethink your offer, Mr. Editor, and try rephrasing in a more respectful manner.
Group - In recently announcing the "Just-For-Fun" contest, I suggested that a "partially nude" female swimming in lavra - and two of you were quite offended. Perhaps if I would have said "partially clothed" rather than partically nude, it would have been acceptable. As a young man I clearly recall Ester Williams swimming arouind (partically nude or partically clothed, depending on your view) in the movies - and it is tough for me to see how anyone today could be offended. However, since two of you obviously were, I sincerely apologize. I was only seeking some other kind of composite example rather than a face on a bugs body. Don Grimes, Microscopy Today
I suspect that Jane and others (myself included) were offended by the sexist nature of the suggestions for the "Just For Fun." announcement not the nudity although I'm sure some people are offended by nudity. We'll see if men, nude or partially clothed get equal time with women. I'll submit an appropriate image as an experiment. This will be fun!
Leica, Inc., Diatome US, and Electron Microscopy Sciences announce another in a series of "ultramicrotomy of materials" workshops. This seminar will focus on the hands on participation of the following technics:
Embedding of industrial samples Specimen trimming
Ultramicrotomy of hard materials Ultramicrotomy of polymers
Collection & handling of sections Staining of polymer sections
Low temperature ultramicrotomy SEM applications of ultramicrotomy
The format of our workshop is half day group lecture and half day lab work in small groups. Video attachments will be used on ultramicrotomes in order to maximize the learning experience. Participants are encouraged to bring their own samples to work with in addition to those supplied by the course instructors.
Course Speakers & Instructors:
Dr. Tom Malis Mrs. Ani Issaian, M.S. Canadian Federal Laboratory California Institute of Technology Characterization Group Leader Dept. of Chemical Engineering Researcher of polymer physics
Mr. Helmut Gnagi Ms. Kathy Johnson Product Manager Materials Analyst Diatome, Ltd. Switzerland Gates Rubber Co. Denver, CO
Where: University of Colorado High Voltage EM Lab Lab for 3-D of Fine Structure Dr. Richard McIntosh Mr. Mark Ladinsky
When: May 19-21, 1998
Tuition: $1,100.00 US includes three nights stay at the Regal Harvest House Hotel, continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, course supplies, and lab charges.
unsubscribe Lic. Veronica Campanucci -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lic. Veronica Andrea Campanucci Laboratorio de Fisiologia de Insectos Dpto. de Ciencias Biologicas Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Tel (54 1) 781-5021 to 29, ext. 332 Universidad de Buenos Aires FAX (54 1) 782-0582/544-7893 (1428) Buenos Aires e-mail: veronica-at-bg.fcen.uba.ar Argentina HTTP://biolo.bg.fcen.uba.ar/physinse.htm --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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This contest would be a lot more fun for me if I hadn't read the line about a "partially nude woman." Why, why, why was it even necessary to
bring this element into an otherwise fun and entertaining exercise???? I'm fighting the urge to turn this into a full-blown diatribe, but for now I'll just say, I find this image offensive.
Jane A. Fagerland, Ph.D. Dept. Microscopy and Microanalysis Abbott Laboratories Abbott Park IL 60064
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Hi This is a transformer design problem. Not the bulb, the other solution would be to change the transformer. Norm At 08:25 27/02/98 CST, Russell Spear wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Good retraction Don! and oh how the times have changed, it is tuff to be (PC) politically correct these days. good luck with the contest, it should be FUNN;-) -Mike PS- I'll be forwarding some info. for the salary survey, thanks for taking it on.
If anyone is going to be attending the PITTCON 98 in New Orleans, by all means don't miss the opening session on Sunday night because one of the invited speakers is our own Dr. Nestor Zaluzec. This is, incidentally quite a high honor to serve as one of the opening session speakers.
The opening session starts at 7:00 pm and you can get full details from the PITTCON website, specifically at URL http://www.pittcon.org/opening.htm
The topic of the opening session is "Exploring the Future of Science and Instrumentation on the WEB."
Chuck
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First, Nestor, I agree that enough is enough on this thread. However, my screw-up has opened up a topic that must be of interest to all of us. I have received dozens of comments on this topic - and resist a summary of the numbers in support of, against, etc. However, I submit that the following might be of interest to many:
It starts out as an Employee to University "X", it continues as: and all employees have been 'strongly encouraged' to attend a mini conference on sexual harassment, in recent years. Part of what I learned is that there is the potential for someone to take offense at almost anything of gender/sexual nature. Thus, in the workplace comments of that nature are best avoided all together. I know times have changed, and there are far more women in the workplace overall, and certainly more women working in professional capacities. As a woman I find the quality of workplace life is higher when I just do not have to encounter those 'sensitive ' topics. I also believe you did not intend to give offense, and hope that the contest is successful. Part of my personal experience with the changing attitudes about acceptable behavior and comments in the workplace include observing my father, who I regard as a sensitve and responsible man, respond to changing requirements in this area in the federal service. Even nice guys like him, who I have never seen treat a woman disrespectfully, have had to adapt to a certain degree.
Expecting that I am of the age of her father, it seems that I (and maybe you?) must be more careful in how we comment on life?
Let's try this again without the truncation of the message.
I have a question about the 180 degree ambiguity discussion. Doesn't the shadow image of an under-condensed BF disk of a convergent beam pattern determine the rotation angle of the diffraction pattern with respect to the image without the ambiguity? If it isn't, then I may have been assigning incorrect indices to some III-V XTEM samples that I've done.
I don't think I have ever met anyone who has not made a slip of the tongue, pen, computer, or what-have-you that they have regretted. Most times, these things are done in total innocence, no harm intended. One was certainly made here, but please remember that one on-line slip may have offended some folks, but many on-line angry rebuttals can damage or even destroy a career. We live in very sensitive times.
I do not condone sexism, but I also do know that even the best intentioned of us can mess up once in a while.
No real harm has been done to anyone, yet. Let's slow down and keep it that way. Please. I expect the point has already been made.
Best wishes, Randy
Randy Tindall 2017 Princess Jeanne Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001-4157
I thought the idea was to have some fun. Come on ladies and lighten up!! No offense was meant and none should be taken. I hate it when everyone starts bickering about some trivial point which has really nothing to do with the original subject. I subscribe to this list serve in order to hear the usual intelligent exchange of advice and ideas on topics related to microscopy. The gentleman has proposed an entertaining contest for our entertainment and amusement. He playfully described an image which he thought would be an illustrative example of the type of imaging he was refering to. Nothing lewd or offensive was implied in so far as I can tell. The image of a woman in a bathing suit (with or without larvae) has never been offensive to me. Come on sisters, lighten up and have some fun already!
Now, can we get back to microscopy topics and not take off on another tangent!
Anne Marie Cooper
On Fri, 27 Feb 1998, Elinor Solit wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Did I miss something? What is fun about an image of a partially nude } woman swimming in a sea of larvae? } } There is much that could be said about this, but suffice my own comments } to be: rethink your offer, Mr. Editor, and try rephrasing in a more } respectful manner. } } Elinor Solit } The Microscope Book } }
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