Reflection Zernike phase contrast microscope

A novel configuration for a reflection Zernike phase contrast microscope is given that has a height sensitivity of 0.5 A.

Seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection in a prenatal population at high risk for HIV infection

To determine the seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection in prenatal patients at high risk for HIV infection we tested 513 women from December 1985 through July 1987 at an inner-city hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Demographic and HIV risk information was collected from all seropositive women. Twenty-nine (6%) of the 513 women tested were positive for HIV on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis. Twenty-six (90%) of seropositive women gave a history of intravenous drug use. Two (7%) had sexual partners known to have AIDS or AIDS-related complex (ARC), and one (3%) was Haitian. Seropositive women were at remarkable risk for other sexually transmitted diseases. The majority of pregnancies ended in term births. This serosurvey defines an obstetric population with a high seroprevalence, and has stimulated us to institute routine voluntary antepartum screening for HIV.

Diamond vs Beryllium Films for Improving Survivability of Metal Mirrors against X Rays

In this paper, we show the usefulness of diamond films for improving the survivability of thin film metal mirrors against intense x rays. Essentially, the low-Z, high thermal conductivity diamond film acts as an efficient heat sink, thus reducing the temperature in the metal film. A comparison is made between a diamond film and a beryllium film interposed between an aluminum/fused silica mirror. It is shown that at relatively low x-ray fluence, beryllium is somewhat more effective in reducing the aluminum temperature, whereas at high fluence, diamond is more effective.