In this work, weddellite and sylvite crystals are identified for the first time on the involucral bracts and petals of Xeranthemum annuum and Xeranthemum cylindraceum using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectrometric (SEM-EDS) analysis. Well-developed crystals of weddellite (CaC2O4·2H2O) occur in the form of a tetragonal bipyramid (hhl), rarely in combination of a bipyramid and tetragonal prism (h00). Indumentum of involucral bracts of X. cylindraceum consists of nonglandular and glandular trichomes. Sylvite (KCl) crystals are observed only on the petal surface of X. cylindraceum. The crystals of sylvite occur in the form of perfect cubes (hexahedrons), but some crystals are deformed, i.e., partially elongated. Taxonomic significance of investigated microcharacters as well as the use of SEM-EDS analysis in taxonomic studies of plants are discussed.

Emulsion polymer isocyanate (EPI) and urea-formaldehyde (UF) were selected as typical resin systems to investigate the microstructure of wood–adhesive interphases by fluorescence microscopy (FM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Further, a quantitative micromechanical analysis of the interphases was conducted using nanoindentation. The FM results showed that the UF resin could penetrate the wood to a greater extent than the EPI resin, and that the average penetration depth for these two resin systems was higher in the case of latewood. CLSM allowed visualization of the resin distribution with contrasting colors, showing that the EPI resin could not penetrate the cell wall, whereas UF resin could enter the cell walls. The micromechanical properties of the cell walls were almost unaffected by EPI penetration but were significantly affected by UF penetration, especially in the first cell wall from the glueline. This further confirmed that only cell walls with resin penetration can improve the mechanical properties of the interphase regions.

Scanning electron microscopy of the scales of Cyprinus carpio, inhabiting two government-sponsored fish farms, with different sources of pollutants, in the North-East state of Meghalaya, India revealed extensive damage to them. Lepidonts, which are teeth-like structures present on the edge of circulii, were discovered to be either partly or completely damaged. The dislodgment of complete rows of lepidonts along with broken lepidonts was also observed. Loss of symmetry and torn areas of circulii are some of the abnormalities also observed as compared to control samples. The alterations observed could be because of the high sensitivity of the scales to environmental stress and their capacity to react to low concentrations of pollutants, which makes them a sensitive bioindicator of water pollution. The study hence not only represents an advance in pollution research, by employing a highly sophisticated analytical approach to reveal the above-mentioned microstructural scale abnormalities, but it can also have scientific impact on the society at large and the fish culturist in particular in understanding the destructive impact of pollution caused by mismanagement of city garbage and agricultural effluents.

Previous studies have shown the anthelmintic efficacy of Senna alata, Senna alexandrina and Senna occidentalis on the zoonotic parasite Hymenolepis diminuta through microscopic studies on morphological structure. The present study is based on the light and confocal microscopic studies to understand if Senna extracts affect neurotransmitter activity of the parasites. A standard concentration (40 mg/mL) of the three leaf extracts and one set of 0.005 mg/mL concentration of the reference drug praziquantel were tested against the parasites, keeping another set of parasites in phosphate buffer saline as a control. Histochemical studies were carried out using acetylthiocholine iodide as the substrate and acetylcholinesterase as the marker enzyme for studying the expression of the neurotransmitter of the parasite and the staining intensity was observed under a light microscope. Immunohistochemical studies were carried out using anti serotonin primary antibody and fluorescence tagged secondary antibody and observed using confocal microscopy. Intensity of the stain decreases in treated parasites compared with the control which implies loss of activity of the neurotransmitters. These observations indicated that Senna have a strong anthelmintic effect on the parasite model and thus pose as a potential anthelmintic therapy.

On the basis of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectrometry and X-ray powder diffraction analyses, we present detailed mineralogical and petrographical characteristics of 63 samples of cooking and tablewares, which originate from two Medieval horizons (S1 and S2) in the Studenica Monastery, as well as of three samples of clays regarded as possible pottery raw material. The composition of the ceramic matrix is compatible with the composition of local clay and clasts that reflect the geology of the Studenica’s surroundings. This indicates that almost all studied vessels are unequivocally made locally. However, four wares may represent imports because they show similarities with Byzantine sgraffito wares, and ceramics from the Peloponnese (13th century). In terms of technological and morphological characteristics, the studied pottery collection represents a standardized production. Firing temperatures, estimated according to the level of matrix crystallinity, mineral reactions, and the mode of the appearance of fracture surfaces, indicate that most of cooking wares were fired at 600–700°C. All glazed wares, including tablewares and cooking pots from both S1 and S2, were fired at minimum 800–900°C. Along with technological and morphological standardization the characteristics of the studied collection show knowledge of traditional skills as well as trends within the Byzantine artistic craft circle.

In this study, we sought to evaluate the influence of cigarette smoke and pH cycling on the chemical composition and surface/cross-sectional enamel microhardness. A total of 40 dental blocks obtained from bovine incisors were divided into four groups (n=10): no treatment (control); exposure to cigarette smoke (CS); exposure to pH cycling (PC); and exposure to cigarette smoke and pH cycling (CS-PC). The samples were analyzed by synchrotron radiation micro X-ray fluorescence, bench mode X-ray fluorescence, as well as surface microhardness (SMH) and cross-sectional microhardness (CSMH) testing. The SMH results were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s test. The CSMH results were evaluated using split-plot ANOVA and Tukey’s test. A high amount of Cd and Pb and traces of Ni and As were observed in enamel and dentin after exposure to cigarette smoke (CS and CS-PC). The SMH and CSMH of CS were statistically higher when compared with the control. The PC and CS-PC showed lower SMH and CSMH. We conclude that exposure to cigarette smoke promoted heavy metal deposition in enamel/dentin. In addition, it increased the enamel microhardness but did not promote a protective effect on the in vitro development of caries. The clinical significance of this work is that there is significant bioaccumulation of heavy metals from cigarette smoke on the surface and in the enamel and dentin.

A mineral, mimetite Pb5(AsO4)3Cl, is one of the most insoluble minerals and continues to be considered a viable remedial strategy for immobilization of Pb and As from contaminated soils. It has been recognized that many well-known, naturally-occurring, and synthetic chelators strongly influence dissolution processes in near-surface geological environments. In this study, crystals of mimetite were observed in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) before and after dissolution in EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid) solution. Direct in situ observations at room temperature made in an AFM fluid cell revealed that the grain surface roughness has increased due to development of etch pits. Both hexagonal and prismatic walls developed dissolution features between 0.6 and 1.2 µm, respectively, during duration of the experiment. AFM observations suggest surface-controlled dissolution dominated step retrieval on both prismatic and hexagonal surfaces. SEM observations showed the development of rounded edges on hexagonal walls and elongated, oval etch pits on the prismatic wall. These results, representing early dissolution patterns on mimetite surfaces, might suggest that low pH conditions in soils containing organic acids similar to EDTA might contribute to remobilization of Pb and As from mimetite when applied to stabilization of these toxic metals in contaminated soils.

The structural details of chromosomes have been of interest to researchers for many years, but how the metaphase chromosome is constructed remains unsolved. Divalent cations have been suggested to be required for the organization of chromosomes. However, detailed information about the role of these cations in chromosome organization is still limited. In the current study, we investigated the effects of Ca2+ and Mg2+ depletion and the reversibility upon re-addition of one of the two ions. Human chromosomes were treated with different concentrations of Ca2+and Mg2+. Depletion of Ca2+ and both Ca2+ and Mg2+ were carried out using 1, 2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), respectively. Chromosome structure was examined by fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that chromosome structures after treatment with a buffer without Mg2+, after Ca2+ depletion, as well as after depletion of both Mg2+, and Ca2+, yielded fewer compact structures with fibrous chromatin than those without cation depletion. Interestingly, the chromatin of EDTA-treated chromosomes reversed to their original granular diameters after re-addition of either Mg2+ or Ca2+ only. These findings signify the importance of divalent cations on the chromosome structure and suggest the interchangeable role of Ca2+ and Mg2+.

Tibetan mural samples from the Jiazhaer mountain cave were studied using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM). Samples containing protein binders were first identified using ELISA, and then IFM was used to determine the location of protein binders. Using these methods, we discovered gelatin and casein in samples from wall murals, distributed in both red and black pigments. We excluded the possibility of contamination by conducting further experiments where simulated samples were spiked with milk. We conclude that both gelatin and casein were used as binders in the pigments of the Tibetan Buddhist murals in the Jiazhaer (Transliteration from Tibetan) mountain cave. This is the first evidence of casein being used as a binder in Chinese mural pigments.

This letter describes an innovative spin-coating system, built from off-the-shelf components, that can easily and inexpensively be integrated into any laboratory environment. Combined with a liquid suspension of conductive polymer, such a “rotary coater” enables simple coating of planar samples to create a physical protective barrier on the sample surface. This barrier aids in charge dissipation during scanning electron microscope and focused ion beam (FIB) imaging and provides wide-scale protection of the sample surface from ion bombardment during FIB imaging and gas-assisted deposition. This polymer layer replaces the localized and time-consuming electron beam deposition step typically performed during transmission electron microscopy lamella preparation. After observation, the coating can be easily removed, if desired. The described spin-coating procedure has minimal cost while providing repeatable positive results, without the need for expensive commercial coating instrumentation.

The history and iconography of Swiss stained glass dating between the 16th and 18th centuries are well studied. However, the chemical and morphological characteristics of the glass and glass paints, particularly the nature of the raw materials, the provenance of the glass, and the technology used to produce it are less well understood. In this paper, we studied two sets of samples from stained-glass panels attributed to Switzerland, which date from the 16th to 17th centuries: the first set comes from Pena National Palace collection, the second from Vitrocentre Romont. The aims were to identify the materials used in the production of the glass, to find out more about their production origin and to characterize the glass paints. Both glass and the glass paints were analysed by particle-induced X-ray emission; the paints were additionally analysed by scanning electron microscopy–electron-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The results show that the glass from both sets was probably produced in the same region and that wood ash was used as a fluxing agent. Different recipes have been used to make the blue enamels. However, the cobalt ore used as a coloring agent in all of the blue enamels came from the mining district in Schneeberg, Germany.