Background Sperm DNA integrity is of paramount importance in the prognosis of fertility. We applied image cytometry to a toluidine blue (TB) test we recently proposed. Methods Sperm samples from 33 men were assayed for standard sperm parameters and classified as normal or abnormal. Sperm smears were subjected to the TB test, DNA denaturation testing with acridine orange (AO), and terminal deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). In CCD image analysis, TB‐stained sperm cell heads were microscopically assigned to one of four color groups (dark, blue, light violet, and light blue). The optical densities of 6,600 cells in green and red CCD images were used to elaborate an algorithm for discrimination of these groups. Results The proportions of sperm in TB color groups, as estimated with the developed image cytometry algorithm, correlated with microscopic features. The number of TB dark cells correlated with the number of AO‐red and TUNEL+ cells. The proportion of TB dark cells in normal samples did not exceed 35%. Light‐blue sperm cell heads prevailed in normal samples, whereas dark and blue sperm cell heads dominated in abnormal samples. Conclusions The TB test was suitable for the assessment of sperm cell DNA integrity. The elaborated image cytometry algorithm can be used for this purpose and for finer determination of sperm nucleus status. Cytometry Part A 52A:19–27, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

The surface plays an exceptionally important role in nanoscale materials, exerting a strong influence on their properties. Consequently, even a very thin coating can greatly improve optoelectronic properties of nanostructures by modifying the light absorption and spatial distribution of charge carriers. To use these advantages, 1D/1D heterostructures of ZnO/WS 2 core/shell nanowires with a-few-layers thick WS 2 shell were fabricated. These heterostructures were thoroughly characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Then, a single-nanowire photoresistive device was assembled by mechanically positioning ZnO/WS 2 core/shell nanowires onto gold electrodes

The provision of a particle and power exhaust solution which is compatible with first-wall components and edge-plasma conditions is a key area of present-day fusion research and mandatory for a successful operation of ITER and DEMO. The work package plasma-facing components (WP PFC) within the European fusion programme complements with laboratory experiments, i.e. in linear plasma devices, electron and ion beam loading facilities, the studies performed in toroidally confined magnetic devices, such as JET, ASDEX Upgrade, WEST etc. The connection of both groups is done via common physics and engineering studies, including the qualification and specification of plasma-facing components, and by modelling codes that simulate edge-plasma conditions and the plasma-material interaction as well as the study of fundamental processes. WP PFC addresses these critical points in order to ensure reliable and efficient use of conventional, solid PFCs in ITER (Be and W) and DEMO (W and steel)

Core–shell nanowires are an interesting and perspective class of radially heterostructured nanomaterials where epitaxial growth of the shell can be realized even at noticeable core–shell lattice mismatch. In this study epitaxial hexagonally shaped shell consisting of WS2 nanolayers was grown on {11̅00} facets of prismatic wurtzite-structured [0001]-oriented ZnO nanowires for the first time. A synthesis was performed by annealing in a sulfur atmosphere of ZnO/WO3 core–shell structures, produced by reactive dc magnetron sputtering of an amorphous a-WO3 layer on top of ZnO nanowire array. The morphology and phase composition of synthesized ZnO/WS2 core–shell nanowires were confirmed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), micro-Raman, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Epitaxial growth of WS2(0001) layer(s) on {11̅00} facets of ZnO nanowire is unexpected due to incompatibility of their symmetry and structure parameters. To relax the interfacial incoherence, we propose a model of ZnO/WS2 interface containing WS2 bridging groups inside and use first-principles simulations to support its feasibility.