Investigation of the structure and function of biological molecules through spectroscopic methods is a field rich in revealing, clever techniques and demanding experiments. It is most gratifying to see that the basic concepts are applied to more and more complex systems, making feasible the study of the behaviour of whole systems in relation to molecular disturbances. The analytical potential of spectroscopy and spectroscopic imaging enables species identification of bacteria and tissue recognition. Clear opportunities for in vivo applications become apparent in the medical field. The methods developed in biophysics start to generate spin-off in the direction of biotechnology, where in previous years we have seen this happen for biochemical techniques. New directions are manifest. Tools are being developed to investigate the behaviour of single molecules in interaction with their environment. Individual interactions can now be investigated and individual molecules in complexes can be visualized. Processes that were previously unobservable as a result of ensemble averaging can now be investigated on a single molecule level. Completely new information with regard to molecular behaviour is obtained in this way. The insights amaze us and the prospect that this development will continue is exciting. The 8th European Conference on the Spectroscopy of Biological Molecules is proud to have contributed to the dissemination of these new directions. This proceedings book is an appropriate reflection of the progress obtained so far in the spectroscopy of biological molecules.

Antigen processing and presentation, as a field, explores a broad range of protein interactions and functions, both intracellular (in the cytoplasm and in the endoplasmic reticulum) and at the cell surface (between T cells and MHC molecules). To investigate such a diverse array, it is necessary that biochemical, cell biology, and immunological techniques all be employed. The purpose of Antigen Processing and Presentation Protocols is therefore to detail the most up-to-date techniques being used in this burgeoning field. Such techniques include those used to question how MHC-binding peptides are generated, to test how peptides are delivered to MHC molecules, to analyze MHC peptide-binding patterns, and to assay the T-cell response to MHC/peptide. Antigen Processing and Presentation Protocols should aid both those new and those experienced in this area of research in extending the questions that can be asked and answered by the application of these current methods. For editorial assistance, I would like to thank Angela Beninga and Rachael Turnquist.

The lipases and phospholipases represent a diverse group of enzymes that are expressed in animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. Their ubiquitous distribution among all species is a testament to the essential roles played by these enzymes in lipid storage, mobilization and metabolism, membrane homeostasis and remodeling, endocrine and immune functions, and signal tra- duction. In humans, lipases and phospholipases are also thought to contribute to complex diseases, such as atherosclerosis, obesity, arthritis, and cancer, as well as to single gene defects, such as Wolman's disease and Type I hyperlipoproteinemia. Enzymatically, the lipases are unique, since they hydrolyze substrates that are either insoluble, or only partly soluble, in aq- ous solvents; thus, enzyme catalysis takes place at a lipid-water interface. The interface comprises at least two, and often more, discrete bulk and s- face phases, in which the enzyme, substrate, and products oflipolysis disperse among these phases based on their physical properties. Furthermore, the d- tribution of these components changes continuously as lipolysis proceeds. Thus, the lipases and phospholipases are fundamentally different from any other enzyme because of the physical complexity of the environment in which catalysis occurs.

vi on geometric probability is included, students can be expected to create a few simple programs like those shown, but for other geometries. I am indebted to Tom Hare for critical reviews of the material and an endless enthusiasm to debate and derive stereological relationships; to John Matzka at Plenum Press for patiently instructing me in the intricacies of typesetting; to Chris Russ for helping to program many of these measurement techniques; and especially to Helen Adams, both for her patience with my creative fever to write yet another book, and for pointing out that the title, which I had intended to contrast to "theoretical stereology," can also be understood as the antonym of "impractical stereology." John C. Russ Raleigh, NC July, 1986 Chapter 1: Statistics 1 Accuracy and precision 1 The mean and standard deviation 5 Distributions 7 Comparison 13 Correlation 18 Nonlinear fitting 19 Chapter 2: Image Types 23 Planar sections 23 Projected images 25 Finite sections 28 Space-filling structures and dispersed phases 29 Types of images and contrast mechanisms 31 Sampling 32 Chapter 3: Manual Methods 35 Volume fraction 35 Surface density 38 Contiguity 41 Mean intercept length 42 Line density 43 Grain size determination 55 Curvature 48 Reticles to aid counting 49 Magnification and units 51 Chapter4: Size Distributions 53 Intercept length in spheres 53 Nonspherical shapes 57 Corrections for finite section thickness 59 Lamellae 61 Measurement of profile size 62 Nonspherical particles 69 vii Contents viii Chapter 5: Computer Metlwds 73

This book is a special edition, compiled for to the MSc Course Research Methodologies as taught at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology. It is a compilation of useful chapters from several sources on how to structure, set up, carry out and write up your (thesis) research to aid you in writing your research plan. Next to that it acts as a companion during your thesis research. After introducing you to the philosophy of scientific research, subsequent chapters each contribute to the different phases of your research. The book uniquely allows for the often multi- or interdisciplinary research many of you carry out, based on the established Dutch university tradition of (semi-)independent student research, creating a thread through the process for you to follow. This edition is a collection of chapters from An Introduction to Interdisciplinary Research (2016), edited by Steph Menken and Machiel Keestra, and Academic Skills for Interdisciplinary Studies. Revised edition (2019), by Koen van der Gaast, Laura Koenders and Ger Post, published by Amsterdam University Press.

It was the objective of the ASI on "Advances in High Pressure Studies of Chemical and Biochemical Systems" to present the current status of such studies and to emphasize the advances achieved during the nine years since the previous ASI on "High Pressure Chemistry." These advances are partly due to the improved instrumentation enabling static and dynamic measurements at pressures several orders of magnitude higher than before, and partly due to the more general availability of high pressure equipment. This has led to a remarkable development in various areas of physics and chemistry, and especially in biochemistry. Throughout the presentation of this Advanced Study Institute the emphasis fell on the teaching character of such a summer school, and the contributions in this volume are of such a nature. Following a general introduction to modern high pressure research, a series of chapters on theoretical and experimental studies of gases, fluids and solids at high temperatures and pressures are presented with special emphasis on the physical aspects involved. Instrumentation used in such studies, viz. shock compression, NMR spectroscopy, laser scattering, x-ray and neutron scattering, and vibrational spectroscopy are treated in detail. The subsequent chapters are devoted to the application of high pressure techniques in the broad areas of organic, inorganic and biochemistry_ The formal lectures were supplemented by 29 contributed papers, for which a list of titles is included.

This easy-to-follow manual describes tested procedures used to prepare biological samples for scanning and transmission electron microscopy, as well as methods for cytochemistry, immunocytochemistry, and scientific photography. The work is structured to clearly define testing objectives, necessary materials, procedural steps, and expected results; a list of references and trouble shooting techniques round out the text.

A mixture of two polymers, or one polymer and a salt, in an aqueous medium separates into two phases: this phenomenon is useful in biotechn- ogy for product separations. Separation of biological molecules and particles in these aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) was initiated over 40 years ago by P.-A. Albertsson, and later proved to be of immense utility in biochemical and cell biological research. A boost in the application of ATPS was seen when problems of separations in biotechnology processes were encountered. Its simplicity, biocompatibility, and amenability to easy scaleup operations make the use of ATPS very attractive for large-scale bioseparations. Despite the advantages ATPS enjoys over other separation techniques, the application of two-phase systems has for a long time been confined to selected labora- ries. Recent years have, however, shown a trend in which increasing numbers of researchers employ two-phase partitioning techniques in both basic and applied research."

Nanostructuring of materials is a task at the heart of many modern disciplines in mechanical engineering, as well as optics, electronics, and the life sciences. This book includes an introduction to the relevant nonlinear optical processes associated with very short laser pulses for the generation of structures far below the classical optical diffraction limit of about 200 nanometers as well as coverage of state-of-the-art technical and biomedical applications. These applications include silicon and glass wafer processing, production of nanowires, laser transfection and cell reprogramming, optical cleaning, surface treatments of implants, nanowires, 3D nanoprinting, STED lithography, friction modification, and integrated optics. The book highlights also the use of modern femtosecond laser microscopes and nanoscopes as novel nanoprocessing tools.

This book volume has been divided into three sections and contains a total of 23 chapters. Section A contains eleven chapters covering topics such as studies of embryo development and cell biology of white spruce, proliferative somatic embryogenesis in woody species, somatic embryo germination and desiccation tolerance in conifers, performance of conifer somatic seedlings, apoptosis during early somatic embryogenesis, water relation parameters in conifer embryos, image analysis of somatic embryos, somatic embryogenesis in woody legumes, cold storage and crypreservation, and commercialization of plant somatic embryogenesis. Section B comprisis six chapters dealing with angiosperm woody plants such as somatic embryogenesis in myrtaceous plants, Laurus nobilis, Simarouba glauca, Magnolia spp., Juglans cinera, and somatic embryogenesis and evaluation of variability in somatic seedlings of Quercus serrata by RAPD markers. The chapters contained in Section C are focussed on somatic embryogenesis in gymnosperms, including Pinus patula, Encephalartos, Picea wilsonii, Pinus banksiana, hybrid firs, and Taxus. All the mansucripts have been peer reviewed and revised accordingly to improve the quality of these chapters. The final manuscripts were submitted as camera- ready to publication, and editors had no opportunity to go through them again before the final printing. Authors were advised to prepare final camera-ready manuscripts carefully to avoid any mistakes. Therefore, editors are not respon- sible for mistakes, if any, in this book volume. We are grateful to all the book chapter contributors for submitting their manuscripts in time, and to the reviewers for giving their free time to review the manuscripts.

The International Conference on Laser Physics and Quantum Optics was held in Shanghai from August 25 to August 28, 1999, to discuss many exciting new developments in laser physics and quantum optics. The international character of the conference was manifested by the fact that scientists from over 13 countries participated and lectured at the conference. There were four keynote lectures delivered by Nobel laureate Willis Lamb, Jr., Profs. H. Walther, A.E. Siegman and M.O. Scully. In addition, there were 34 invited lectures, 27 contributed oral presentations, and 59 poster papers. This volume contains many of the papers presented at the conference.

Polymer Microscopy, 3rd Edition, is a comprehensive and practical guide to the study of the microstructure of polymers, and is the result of the authors' many years of academic and industrial experience. To address the needs of students and professionals from a variety of backgrounds, introductory chapters deal with the basic concepts of both polymer morphology and processing and microscopy and imaging theory. The core of the book is more applied, with many examples of specimen preparation and image interpretation leading to materials characterization.Microscopy is applied to the characterization of a wide range of polymer systems, including fibers, films, engineering resins and plastics, composites, nanocomposites, polymer blends, emulsions and liquid crystaline polymers. Light microscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques are all considered, as are emerging techniques such as compositional mapping in which microscopy is combined with spectroscopy. This extensively updated and revised third edition closes with a problem solving guide, which gives a systematic framework for deciding on suitable approaches to the characterization of

The 2nd International Multidisciplinary Microscopy and Microanalysis Congress & Exhibition (InterM 2014) was held on 16-19 October 2014 in Oludeniz, Fethiye/ Mugla, Turkey. The aim of the congress was to gather scientists from various branches and discuss the latest improvements in the field of microscopy. The focus of the congress has been widened in an "interdisciplinary" manner, so as to allow all scientists working on several related subjects to participate and present their work. These proceedings include 33 peer-reviewed technical papers, submitted by leading academic and research institutions from over 17 countries and representing some of the most cutting-edge research available. The papers were presented at the congress in the following sessions: * Applications of Microscopy in the Physical Sciences * Applications of Microscopy in the Biological Sciences

The frequency of reports concemmg the interface of biological reco- tion elements to signal transduction technologies has risen dramatically over the last decade. Because any one of a wide variety of biological recognition elements (e. g. , antibodies, receptors, DNA, microorganisms, or enzymes) can theoretically be interfaced with any one of a wide variety of signal transducers (e. g. , optical, electrochemical, thermal, or acoustic), the potential range of devices and techniques can be bewildering. The purpose of this volume and the previous volume in this series is to provide a basic reference and startmg point for investigators in academics, mdustry, and government to begin or expand their biosensors research. This volume, Methods in Biotechnology vol. 7: Affinity Biosensors: Techniques and Protocols, describes a variety of classical and emerging transduction technologies that have been interfaced to bioaffinity elements (e. g. , antibodies and receptors). Some of the reasons for the expansion in the use of affinity-based biosensors include both advances in signal transduction technologies (e. g. , fiber optics, microelectromcs, and microfabrication) and the availability of bioafflmty elements. More specifically, with respect to biological recognttion elements, commercially and noncommercially produced antibodies directed toward a variety of analytes have become widely available. In addition, te- niques for the purification and stabilization of receptors have also significantly improved. As a result of these recent advances in the field, biosensors research and development projects are being pursued by mvestigators from a wide range of disciplines.

These two volumes present the proceedings of the International Conference on Technology and Instrumentation in Particle Physics 2017 (TIPP2017), which was held in Beijing, China from 22 to 26 May 2017. Gathering selected articles on the basis of their quality and originality, it highlights the latest developments and research trends in detectors and instrumentation for all branches of particle physics, particle astrophysics and closely related fields. This is the first volume, and focuses on the main themes Gaseous detectors, Semiconductor detectors, Experimental detector systems, Calorimeters, Particle identification, Photon detectors, Dark Matter Detectors and Neutrino Detectors. The TIPP2017 is the fourth in a series of international conferences on detectors and instrumentation, held under the auspices of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP). The event brings together experts from the scientific and industrial communities to discuss their current efforts and plan for the future. The conference's aim is to provide a stimulating atmosphere for scientists and engineers from around the world.

Automation and Environmental Control in Plant Tissue Culture rigorously explores the new challenges faced by modern plant tissue culture researchers and producers worldwide: issues of cost efficiency, automation, control, and optimization of the in vitro microenvironment. This book achieves a critical balance between the economic, engineering and biological viewpoints, and presents well-balanced, unique, and clearly organized perspectives on current initiatives in the tissue culture arena. Each chapter offers guidelines leading towards an exhaustive, unprecedented level of control over in vitro growth, based on emerging technologies of robotics, machine vision, environmental sensors and regulation, and systems analysis. Unlike other tissue culture books which focus on specific crops and techniques, this book spans the broad range of major tissue culture production systems, and advances evidence on how some underrated aspects of the process actually determine the status of the end product. Key researchers from industry and academia have joined to give up-to-date research evidence and analysis. The collection comprises an essential reference for industrial-scale tissue culture producers, as well as any researcher interested in optimizing in vitro production.

Devoted to novel optical measurement techniques that are applied both in industry and life sciences, this book contributes a fresh perspective on the development of modern optical sensors. These sensors are often essential in detecting and controlling parameters that are important for both industrial and biomedical applications. The book provides easy access for beginners wishing to gain familiarity with the innovations of modern optics.

A diverse team of researchers, technologists, and engineers describe, in simple and practical language, the major current and evolving technologies for improving the biocatalytic capabilities of mammalian, microbial, and plant cells. The authors present state-of-the-art techniques, proven methods, and strategies for industrial screening, cultivation, and scale-up of these cells, and describe their biotech and industrial uses. Special emphasis is given to the solving critical issues encountered during the discovery of new drugs, process development, and the manufacture of new and existing compounds. Other topics include recombinant protein expression, bioinformatics, high throughput screening, analytical tools in biotechnology, DNA shuffling, and genomics discovery.

Three-dimensional x-ray diffraction (3DXRD) microscopy is a novel experimental method for structural characterisation of polycrystalline materials. The position, morphology, phase, strain and crystallographic orientation of hundreds of grains or sub-grain embedded within mm-cm thick specimens can be determined simultaneously. Furthermore, the dynamics of the individual structural elements can be monitored during typical processes such as deformation or annealing.

The book gives a comprehensive account of the methodology followed by a summary of selected applications. The method is presented from a mathematical/crystallographic point-of-view but with sufficient hands-on details to enable the reader to plan his or her own experiments. The scope of applications includes work in materials science and engineering, geophysics, geology, chemistry and pharmaceutical science.

Insects, and their close relatives, the arachnids, centipedes, millipedes and woodlice, make ideal material for study by the recreational microscopist. Moreover for the entomologist, the addition of the use of the microscope to their tool kit adds a whole new dimension to their study, revealing in finest detail the appearance and structure of these tiny creatures. This book reveals the basics of insect microscopy, explaining what equipment is needed and how to get the best out of it. Topics covered include insects and their relatives; trapping insects for study; dissection, slide mounting publishing your work.

Although size exclusion chromatography (SEC) is perhaps the most popular and widely used technique for determining the molecular weight distribution of polymeric materials, there have been very few texts written on this topic. During the past decade, SEC has experienced a considerable amount of growth in regard to column and detector technology and new applications. With these advances, SEC can now be used for determining absolute molecular weight, polymer chain conformation and size, and branching, as well as polymer solution properties. This book introduces the reader to the fundamentals of SEC with emphasis on practical aspects of the technique, such as column and mobile selection, calibration, new detector capabilities and guidelines for performing SEC on most types of polymers, especially those of industrial importance. This book is intended for either those new to the field of SEC, or for those research workers who require a more comprehensive background.

Starting from first principles, this book introduces the closely related phenomena of Bose condensation and Cooper pairing, in which a very large number of single particles or pairs of particles are forced to behave in exactly the same way, and explores their consequences in condensed matter systems. Eschewing advanced formal methods, the author uses simple concepts and arguments to account for the various qualitatively new phenomena which occur in Bose-condensed and Cooper-paired systems, including but not limited to the spectacular macroscopic phenomena of superconductivity and superfluidity. The physical systems discussed include liquid 4-He, the BEC alkali gases, "classical" superconductors, superfluid 3-He, "exotic" superconductors and the recently stabilized Fermi alkali gases. The book should be accessible to beginning graduate students in physics or advanced undergraduates.