The construction of advanced laboratories for precision instruments, such as electron microscopes, involves unique challenges that are influenced by the specific environmental conditions required for optimal functionality. These include mitigating interference from magnetic fields and vibrations, which are critical for maintaining the precision and accuracy of the instruments used. This study aims to offer enhanced project management strategies and detailed construction solutions that address the environmental and technical needs specific to electron microscopy labs, thereby facilitating effective lab operations and extending the lifecycle of high-end precision instruments. Case studies of existing laboratory constructions, onsite investigations, and comprehensive reviews of the technical and environmental requirements provide the basis for a best practice for constructing sophisticated electron microscopy labs. The approach integrates both pre-construction planning and post-construction adjustments to create optimal operational environments. The findings suggest that successful lab constructions are those that incorporate thorough onsite assessments, strategic location choices, and the use of advanced construction materials and techniques specifically designed to counteract environmental challenges like magnetic and vibration interferences. Actionable guidelines for both planning and executing the construction of electron microscope labs highlighted in this tutorial are intended as an important resource to troubleshoot or upgrade existing lab facilities and to consult in preparation of future lab construction projects.
Limei ChaMarkus Walkling-RibeiroZhenxi GuoYaron KauffmanConstance Van Horne
Background:Pathological scars are a disorder that can lead to various cosmetic,psychological,and functional problems,and no effective assessment methods are currently available.Assessment and treatment of pathological scars are based on cutaneous manifestations.A two-photon microscope(TPM)with the potential for real-time non-invasive assessment may help determine the under-surface pathophysiological conditions in vivo.This study used a portable handheld TPM to image epidermal cells and dermal collagen structures in pathological scars and normal skin in vivo to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment in scar patients.Methods:Fifteen patients with pathological scars and three healthy controls were recruited.Imaging was performed using a portable handheld TPM.Five indexes were extracted from two dimensional(2D)and three dimensional(3D)perspectives,including collagen depth,dermo-epidermal junction(DEJ)contour ratio,thickness,orientation,and occupation(proportion of collagen fibers in the field of view)of collagen.Two depth-dependent indexes were computed through the 3D second harmonic generation image and three morphology-related indexes from the 2D images.We assessed index differences between scar and normal skin and changes before and after treatment.Results:Pathological scars and normal skin differed markedly regarding the epidermal morphological structure and the spectral characteristics of collagen fibers.Five indexes were employed to distinguish between normal skin and scar tissue.Statistically significant differences were found in average depth(t=9.917,P<0.001),thickness(t=4.037,P<0.001),occupation(t=2.169,P<0.050),orientation of collagen(t=3.669,P<0.001),and the DEJ contour ratio(t=5.105,P<0.001).Conclusions:Use of portable handheld TPM can distinguish collagen from skin tissues;thus,it is more suitable for scar imaging than reflectance confocal microscopy.Thus,a TPM may be an auxiliary tool for scar treatment selection and assessing treatment efficacy.
Yang HanYuxuan SunFeili YangQingwu LiuWenmin FeiWenzhuo QiuJunjie WangLinshuang LiXuejun ZhangAimin WangYong Cui
We characterize the current crowding effect for microwave radiation on a chip surface based on a quantum wide-field microscope combining a wide-field reconstruction technique. A swept microwave signal with the power of 0–30 d Bm is supplied to a dumbbell-shaped microstrip antenna, and the significant differences in microwave magnetic-field amplitudes attributed to the current crowding effect are experimentally observed in a 2.20 mm ×1.22 mm imaging area. The normalized microwave magnetic-field amplitude along the horizontal geometrical center of the image area further demonstrates the feasibility of the characterization of the current crowding effect. The experiments indicate the proposal can be qualified for the characterization of the anomalous area of the radio-frequency chip surface.
Rui ZhaoDing WangHuan Fei WenYunbo ShiJun TangJun Liu
Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy(LSFM)has been widely used to image the three-dimensional(3D)structures and functions of various millimeter-size bio-specimen such as zebrafish.However,the sample adsorption and scattering cause shading of the light-sheet illumination,preventing the even 3D image of thick samples.Herein,we report a continuous-rotational light-sheet microscope(CR-LSM)that enables simultaneous 3D bright-field and fluorescence imaging.With a high-accuracy rotational stage,CR-LSM records the outline projections and the fluorescent images of the sample at multiple rotation angles.Then,3D morphology and fluorescent structure were reconstructed with a developed algorithm.Using CR-LSM,zebrafish’s whole-fish contour and blood vessel structures were obtained simultaneously.
Dongmin ZhangGuang YangYao TanChong ChenJie ZhangHui Li