Between 1995 and 1997 over 62% of the counties in Minnesota reported the presence of malformed frogs. While most sites have recently shown a decline in malformed frog populations, one site in northeastern Minnesota with no prior history of malformed frogs was recently discovered to contain > 67% malformed Rana pipiens (northern leopard frogs). As part of an effort to study the presence of hormonally active agents in fresh water sources, water samples were collected from lakes in Minnesota containing malformed frogs and analyzed for the presence of biologically active compounds using a novel evanescent field fluorometric biosensor and the frog embryo teratogenesis assay: Xenopus (FETAX) bioassay. The waveguide based biosensor developed by ThreeFold Sensors (TFS biosensor, Ann Arbor, MI) monitors the interaction between free human ER-α and an estrogen immobilized on a sensor fiber. Inhibition of the interaction reflects the presence of estrogenic compounds. The FETAX bioassay is a developmental assay, which measures teratogenicity, mortality, and inhibition of growth during the first 96 hours of organogenesis and thereby provides a universal screen for endocrine disruptors. TFS biosensor and FETAX screening of the water samples suggest a relationship between estrogenic activity, mineral supplementation, and the occurrence of malformed frogs.
One of the major interests in hyper-velocity impact experiments is the particulate material and projectile which is expelled from and through the target. To help understand this process and to verify Hydro-Codes (Fracture Codes) in experiments at the Sandia National Laboratories (Albuquerque), Innovation Associates is developing a Highly Versatile, Holographic Imaging System for Plume Particulates (HISPP) that will capture and analyze holographic images of the target plumes and projectile. HISPP will (a) provide deep field holographic plume images that can be analyzed for particle size and distribution, (b) permit temporal resolution with multiple holographic images at various stages ofplume development, (c) provide automated, plume analysis of the plume structure, analyzed according to particulate size, through the use of an efficient particulate analyzer subsystem, and (d) provide a holographic system that is versatile and relatively easy to integrate into the user experiment. HISPP has been designed to be flexible and to coexist with the existing experimental diagnostics. It will holographically image the plume volume with a 6" probe beam onto a 4" x 5" holographic plate. The use of dual holographic reference beams will allow multiple holograms to be acquired on the same holographic plate. This paper will describe the overall concept and design for the HISPP system.
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