Bacterial entombment by intratubular mineralization following orthograde mineral trioxide aggregate obturation: a scanning electron microscopy study

The time domain entombment of bacteria by intratubular mineralization following orthograde canal obturation with mineral trioxide aggregate（MTA） was studied by scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. Single-rooted human premolars（n560） were instrumented to an apical size #50/0.06 using ProF ile and treated as follows： Group 1（n510） was filled with phosphate buffered saline（PBS）; Group 2（n510） was incubated with Enterococcus faecalis for 3 weeks, and then filled with PBS; Group 3（n520） was obturated orthograde with a paste of OrthoM TA（BioM TA, Seoul, Korea） and PBS; and Group 4（n520） was incubated with E. faecalis for 3 weeks and then obturated with OrthoM TA–PBS paste. Following their treatments, the coronal openings were sealed with PBS-soaked cotton and intermediate restorative material（IRM）, and the roots were then stored in PBS for 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 weeks. After each incubation period, the roots were split and their dentin/MTA interfaces examined in both longitudinal and horizontal directions by SEM. There appeared to be an increase in intratubular mineralization over time in the OrthoM TA-filled roots（Groups 3 and 4）. Furthermore, there was a gradual entombment of bacteria within the dentinal tubules in the E. faecalis inoculated MTA-filled roots（Group 4）. Therefore, the orthograde obturation of root canals with OrthoM TA mixed with PBS may create a favorable environment for bacterial entombment by intratubular mineralization.

Comparison of scanning electron microscopy findings regarding biofilm colonization with microbiological results in nasolacrimal stents for external, endoscopic and transcanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy

AIM:To compare bacterial biofilm colonization in lacrimal stents following external dacryocystorhinostomy(EX-DCR),endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy(EN-DCR),and transcanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy(TC-DCR)with multidiode laser.METHODS:This prospective study included 30consecutive patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction who underwent EXT-,EN-,or TC-DCR.Thirty removed lacrimal stent fragments and conjunctival samples were cultured.The lacrimal stent biofilms were examined by scanning electron microscopy(SEM).RESULTS:Eleven(36.7%)of the 30 lacrimal stent cultures were positive for aerobic bacteria(most commonly Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa).However anaerobic bacteria and fungi were not identified in the lacrimal stent cultures.Twenty-seven(90%)patients had biofilmpositive lacrimal stents.The conjunctival culture positivity after the DCR,biofilm positivity on stents,the grade of biofilm colonization,and the presence of mucus and coccoid and rod-shaped organisms did not significantly differ between any of the groups(P】0.05).However,a significant difference was found when the SEM results were compared to the results of the lacrimal stent and conjunctival cultures(P【0.001).CONCLUSION:Type of dacryocystorhinostomy(DCR)surgery did not affect the biofilm colonization of the lacrimal stents.SEM also appears to be more precise than microbiological culture for evaluating the presence of biofilms on lacrimal stents.

Scanning transmission electron microscopy: A review of high angle annular dark field and annular bright field imaging and applications in lithium-ion batteries

Scanning transmission electron microscopy（STEM） has been shown as powerful tools for material characterization,especially after the appearance of aberration-corrector which greatly enhances the resolution of STEM. High angle annular dark field（HAADF） and annular bright field（ABF） imaging of the aberration-corrected STEM are widely used due to their high-resolution capabilities and easily interpretable image contrasts. However, HAADF mode of the STEM is still limited in detecting light elements due to the weak electron-scattering power. ABF mode of the STEM could detect light and heavy elements simultaneously, providing unprecedented opportunities for probing unknown structures of materials. Atomiclevel structure investigation of materials has been achieved by means of these imaging modes, which is invaluable in many fields for either improving properties of materials or developing new materials. This paper aims to provide a introduction of HAADF and ABF imaging techniques and reviews their applications in characterization of cathode materials, study of electrochemical reaction mechanisms, and exploring the effective design of lithium-ion batteries（LIBs）. The future prospects of the STEM are also discussed.

Scanning Electron Acoustic Microscopy of GaInAsSb by Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition

Scanning electron acoustic microscopy (SEAM) is a new technique for imasing and characterization ofthermal, elastic and pyroelectric property variations on a microscale resolution. The signal generation mechanisms and the application of scanning electron acoustic microscopy in GalnAsSb alloy grown by MOCVD wereinvestigated. Defects below the surface of GalnAsSb alloy were found by SEAM images and cathodelumi-nescence. The results show that electronacoustic imaging has its own features over secondary electron imag-ing.

Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM) Observations of Antennal Sensilla of Chrysopa pallens Rambur(Neuroptera：Chrysopidae)

[Objectives]The paper was to provide background information for ongoing research on relationship between smell and behavior of the green lacewing Chrysopa pallens（ Rambur）（ Neuroptera： Chrysopidae）. [Methods]The submicroscopic structure of antennal sensilla of C. pallens was examined using scanning electron microscopy. [Results]Antennae of female and male C. pallens were linear in shape and（ 1. 52 ± 0. 08） and（ 1. 58 ± 0. 23） cm in length,respectively. The scape and pedicel were composed of single sub-segment,while the flagellum consisted of 116 sub-segments,on which most sensilla distributed. The flagella of female and male antennae were（ 1. 44 ± 0. 04） and（ 1. 47 ± 0. 13） cm in length,respectively. Nine morphological sensilla types were recorded in both sexes,including four types of highly abundant and widely distributed sensilla trichodea（ ST Ⅰ,ST Ⅱ,ST Ⅲ and ST Ⅳ）,three types of sensilla basiconica（ SB Ⅰ,SB Ⅱ,and SB Ⅲ）,and one of each type of sensilla chaetica and B9 hm bristles. Although the shape,structure,numbers,and distribution of antennae of females and males were basically similar,major differences were recorded between the sexes in the length of some sensilla types. Both the ST Ⅲ and SB Ⅰ in female adults were significantly longer than that in male ones. Notably,SB Ⅱ was found only in female. [Conclusions]The paper laid a foundation for revealing the relationship between smell and behavior,playing a crucial role in promoting the important biological control effect of C. pallens in farmland ecological system.

Nucleation and Growth of Thallium on Thin Film Mercury Electrode: Voltammetric, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Chronoamperometric and Electrochemical Impedance Studies

Thallium is a heavy metal highly toxic to the biosphere. It can be determined by anodic stripping voltammetry after deposition on mercury film. The aim of this work is to study the conditions and mechanisms of deposition of Hg on glassy carbon electrode and Tl on Hg film by cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, chronoamperometry and impedance techniques. The results showed a germination and growth of a 3D Hg phase on glassy carbon electrode. Similarly, the electrodeposition of Tl on Hg follows a 3D three-dimensional nucleation with diffusion controlled growth. The impedance measurements reveal an easier charge transfer on the Tl film.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of the Bug Eye and Sand Coral

We present a Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) technique for the characterisation of biological and non-biological samples at nano-scale level. Scanning Electron Microscopy has been around for a long while especially in material science laboratories in developed countries. The SEM has enabled scientist to have a better understanding of microstructure by providing unsurpassed optical magnifications of samples. In this introductory paper, we introduce the techniques of using SEM to capture highly magnified microstructure of a fly found on an African soybean (Glycine max) seed. We are able to estimate the number of lenses in each eye and zoom into features that could describe its life characteristics. Hexagonal lenses are estimated to have sizes ranging from 14 um to 19 um. This paper also presents a finding of a sea coral “pie like structure” on a single grain of sand used for water filtration.

A Hybrid Optimization Approach of Single Point Incremental Sheet Forming of AISI 316L Stainless Steel Using Grey Relation Analysis Coupled with Principal Component Analysiss

We investigated the parametric optimization on incremental sheet forming of stainless steel using Grey Relational Analysis(GRA) coupled with Principal Component Analysis(PCA). AISI 316L stainless steel sheets were used to develop double wall angle pyramid with aid of tungsten carbide tool. GRA coupled with PCA was used to plan the experiment conditions. Control factors such as Tool Diameter(TD), Step Depth(SD), Bottom Wall Angle(BWA), Feed Rate(FR) and Spindle Speed(SS) on Top Wall Angle(TWA) and Top Wall Angle Surface Roughness(TWASR) have been studied. Wall angle increases with increasing tool diameter due to large contact area between tool and workpiece. As the step depth, feed rate and spindle speed increase,TWASR decreases with increasing tool diameter. As the step depth increasing, the hydrostatic stress is raised causing severe cracks in the deformed surface. Hence it was concluded that the proposed hybrid method was suitable for optimizing the factors and response.

Nanoscale cathodoluminescence spectroscopy probing the nitride quantum wells in an electron microscope

To gain further understanding of the luminescence properties of multiquantum wells and the factors affecting them on a microscopic level,cathodoluminescence combined with scanning transmission electron microscopy and spectroscopy was used to measure the luminescence of In_(0.15)Ga_(0.85)N five-period multiquantum wells.The lattice-composition-energy relationship was established with the help of energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy,and the bandgaps of In_(0.15)Ga_(0.85)N and GaN in multiple quantum wells were extracted by electron energy loss spectroscopy to understand the features of cathodoluminescence spectra.The luminescence differences between different periods of multiquantum wells and the effects of defects such as composition fluctuation and dislocations on the luminescence of multiple quantum wells were revealed.Our study establishing the direct relationship between the atomic structure of In_(x)Ga_(1-x)N multiquantum wells and photoelectric properties provides useful information for nitride applications.

Microscopic Analysis of Cementitious Sand and Gravel Damming Materia

The mechanical properties of cementitious sand and gravel damming material have been experimentally determined by means of microscopic SEM(Scanning Electron Microscopy)image analysis.The results show that the combination of fly ash and water can fill the voids in cemented sand and gravel test blocks because of the presence of hydrated calcium silicate and other substances;thereby,the compactness and mechanical properties of these materials can be greatly improved.For every 10 kg/m^(3) increase in the amount of cementitious material,the density increases by about 2%,and the water content decreases by 0.2%.The amount of cementitious material used in the sand and gravel in these tests was 80-110 kg/m^(3),the water-binder ratio was 1-1.50.Moreover,the splitting tensile strength was 1/10 of the compressive strength,and the maximum strength was 7.42 MPa at 90 d.The optimal mix ratio has been found to be 50 kg of cement,60 kg of fly ash and 120 kg of water(C50F60W120).The related dry density was 2.6 g/cm^(3),the water content was 6%,and the water-binder ratio was 1.09.

Effectiveness of Sodium Silicate on the Corrosion Protection of AA7075-T6 Aluminium Alloy in Sodium Chloride Solution

The influence of sodium silicate on the corrosion behaviour of aluminium alloy 7075-T6 in 0.1 M sodium chloride solution was studied by open circuit potential (OCP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the AA7075-T6 surface. Silicate can significantly reduce corrosion deterioration and the inhibition efficiency increases with the concentration of Na2SiO3. The corrosion inhibition mechanism involves the formation of a protective film over the alloy surface by adsorption of aluminosilicate anions from solution, as has also been suggested by others in literature.

Characterization of a nano line width reference material based on metrological scanning electron microscope

The line width(often synonymously used for critical dimension,CD)is a crucial parameter in integrated circuits.To accurately control CD values in manufacturing,a reasonable CD reference material is required to calibrate the corresponding instruments.We develop a new reference material with nominal CDs of 160 nm,80 nm,and 40 nm.The line features are investigated based on the metrological scanning electron microscope which is developed by the National Institute of Metrology(NIM)in China.Also,we propose a new characterization method for the precise measurement of CD values.After filtering and leveling the intensity profiles,the line features are characterized by the combination model of the Gaussian and Lorentz functions.The left and right edges of CD are automatically extracted with the profile decomposition and k-means algorithm.Then the width of the two edges at the half intensity position is regarded as the standard CD value.Finally,the measurement results are evaluated in terms of the sample,instrument,algorithm,and repeatability.The experiments indicate efficiency of the proposed method which can be easily applied in practice to accurately characterize CDs.

Recent progress on advanced transmission electron microscopy characterization for halide perovskite semiconductors

Halide perovskites are strategically important in the field of energy materials. Along with the rapid development of the materials and related devices, there is an urgent need to understand the structure–property relationship from nanoscale to atomic scale. Much effort has been made in the past few years to overcome the difficulty of imaging limited by electron dose,and to further extend the investigation towards operando conditions. This review is dedicated to recent studies of advanced transmission electron microscopy(TEM) characterizations for halide perovskites. The irradiation damage caused by the interaction of electron beams and perovskites under conventional imaging conditions are first summarized and discussed. Low-dose TEM is then discussed, including electron diffraction and emerging techniques for high-resolution TEM(HRTEM) imaging. Atomic-resolution imaging, defects identification and chemical mapping on halide perovskites are reviewed. Cryo-TEM for halide perovskites is discussed, since it can readily suppress irradiation damage and has been rapidly developed in the past few years. Finally, the applications of in-situ TEM in the degradation study of perovskites under environmental conditions such as heating,biasing, light illumination and humidity are reviewed. More applications of emerging TEM characterizations are foreseen in the coming future, unveiling the structural origin of halide perovskite’s unique properties and degradation mechanism under operando conditions, so to assist the design of a more efficient and robust energy material.

Electron Microscopy Studies of Magnetron Sputtered YBa＿2Cu＿3O＿（7－δ） Thin Films

Magnetron sputtered YBa_2Cu_3O_(7-δ) superconducting thin films before and after ion implantation wereinvestigated by using high resolution electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Very goodepitaxial but defect-containing, effectively single crystalline films are demonstrated. The defect density concerning (001 ) plane decreases with increasing grown thickness of the film.

Application of electron microscopy in gastroenterology

Electron microscopy has long been used in research in the fields of life sciences and materials sciences.Transmission and scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDX)analyses have also been performed in the field of gastroenterology.Electron microscopy and EDX enable(1)Observation of ultrastructural differences in esophageal epithelial cells in patients with gastroesophageal reflux and eosinophilic esophagitis;(2)Detection of lanthanum deposition in the stomach and duodenum;(3)Ultrastructural and elemental analyses of enteroliths and bezoars;(4)Detection and characterization of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract;(5)Diagnosis of gastrointestinal tumors with neuroendocrine differentiation;and(6)Analysis of gold nanoparticles potentially used in endoscopic photodynamic therapy.This review aims to foster a better understanding of electron microscopy applications by reviewing relevant clinical studies,basic research findings,and the state of current research carried out in gastroenterology science.

Hematite, Biotite and Cinnabar on the Face of the Turin Shroud: Microscopy and SEM-EDX Analysis

The Turin Shroud, recently accessible for hands-on scientific research, is now extensively investigated. Its pinkish red blood stains that seem anomalous ones are studied by modern techniques (notably by resolute optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray). Exploration by these techniques of a blood stain located on the face permits us to discover some red-colour particles (hematite, biotite and cinnabar) of exogenous material in this stain. We finally characterize these red-colour particles and try to explain their presences in the blood stain. Globally, all these red-colour particles cannot explain all of the reddish appearance of the area under study.

Synthesis and Characterization of a Polymeric Material Blended to Bone Forming Elements

A synthetizing material blended with two distinct proteins (collagen and casein) and mineral mixture, was developed in order to evaluate their properties suitable for possible applications in the biomedical such as inducing the regeneration of damaged bone, either due to an accident or illness. Samples were evaluated by 1) Mechanical properties tests under the bending, 2) Scanning electronic microscopy and 3) Infrared spectroscopy were carried out. The results showed that the developed material has breaking strength and structure characteristics associated with the protein used in their composition. This fact suggests that the used protein determines the resistance of the material, in such a way according to the required use, being able to choose appropriate strength and duration either short or long time. The material composition for specific use, in order to find the most suitable mixture for bone replacement, or induce bone recovery, according to the required properties similar to those of damaged living tissue.

Maceral evolution of lacustrine shale and its effects on the development of organic pores during low mature to high mature stage:A case study from the Qingshankou Formation in northern Songliao Basin,northeast China

Organic matter(OM)hosted pores are crucial for the storage and migration of petroleum in shale reservoirs.Thermal maturity and macerals type are important factors controlling the development of pores therein.In this study,six lacustrine shale samples with different thermal maturities from the first member of the Qingshankou Formation in the Songliao Basin,of which vitrinite reflectance(R_(o))ranging from 0.58% to 1.43%,were selected for a comparative analysis.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and reflected light microscopy were combined to investigate the development of organic pores in different macerals during thermal maturation.The results show that alginite and liptodetrinite are the dominant primary macerals,followed by bituminite.Only a few primary organic pores developed in the alginite at the lowest maturity(R_(o)=0.58%).As a result of petroleum generation,oil-prone macerals began to transform to initial-oil solid bitumen at the early oil window(R_(o)=0.73%)and shrinkage cracks were observed.Initial-oil solid bitumen cracked to oil,gas and post-oil bitumen by primary cracking(R_(o)=0.98%).Moreover,solid bitumen(SB)was found to be the dominant OM when R_(o)>0.98%,which indicates that SB is the product of oil-prone macerals transformation.Many secondary bubble pores were observed on SB,which formed by gas release,while devolatilization cracks developed on migrated SB.Additionally,at the late oil window(Ro?1.16%),migrated SB filled the interparticle pore spaces.With further increase in temperature,the liquid oil underwent secondary cracking into pyrobitumen and gas,and spongy pores developed on the pyrobitumen at higher levels of maturity(Ro=1.43%),which formed when pyrobitumen cracked into gas.Vitrinite and inertinite are stable without any visible pores over the range of maturities,verifying their low petroleum generation potential.In addition,it was concluded that clay minerals could have a catalytic effect on the petroleum generation,which may explain why organicclay mixtures had more abundant pores than single OM particles.However,after R_(o)>0.98%,authigenic minerals occupied the organic pore spaces on the organic-clay mixtures,resulting in fewer pores compared to those observed in samples at the early to peak oil window.

Atomic-scale insights of indium segregation and its suppression by GaAs insertion layer in InGaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum wells

The In segregation and its suppression in InGaAs/AlGaAs quantum well are investigated by using high-resolution x-ray diffraction(XRD)and photoluminescence(PL),combined with the state-of-the-art aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy(Cs-STEM)techniques.To facility our study,we grow two multiple quantum wells(MQWs)samples,which are almost identical except that in sample B a thin GaAs layer is inserted in each of the InGaAs well and AlGaAs barrier layer comparing to pristine InGaAs/AlGaAs MQWs(sample A).Our study indeed shows the direct evidences that In segregation occurs in the InGaAs/AlGaAs interface,and the effect of the Ga As insertion layer on suppressing the segregation of In atoms is also demonstrated on the atomic-scale.Therefore,the atomic-scale insights are provided to understand the segregation behavior of In atoms and to unravel the underlying mechanism of the effect of GaAs insertion layer on the improvement of crystallinity,interface roughness,and further an enhanced optical performance of InGaAs/AlGaAs QWs.

Strength Characteristics of Treated Soil with Proposed Layer Formation

The engineering characteristics of the soil,soil-fly ash and fly ash-lime,were examined to utilize as base layer material in civil construction.The influence of fly ash percentage and the effect of curing on California bearing ratio(CBR)and unconfined compressive strength(UCS),of soil and soil-fly ash mixing and layered system were examined to estimate the optimum quantity.The volumetric swelling of the optimal mixture was estimated to be within the allowable limits.Scanning microscope analysis and X-ray diffraction tests were performed.A model test analyses with three layers were conducted by finite element method and stress-strain behavior was observed.