Versatile, open-access opto-mechanics design for optical microscopes prototyping.

Prototype optical microscopes, built to pursue developments in advanced imaging techniques, need specific opto-mechanical constructions: preferably with high flexibility in the elements' arrangement, easy access to the optical paths, straightforward integration with external optical subsystems-light sources and detectors-as well as good mechanical stability. Typically they are either built around an adapted commercial microscope body or as a home-brewed setups, based on standard opto-mechanical elements, and neither solution delivers the desired characteristics. We developed a series of versatile microscope design for prototype optical microscopes in various configurations that use folding mirror(s) to maintain the optical paths horizontal throughout most of the setup.

Relationship Between Self-Directed Learning, Grit, and Compassionate Teaching in Doctoral Nursing Education.

Background: The capacity to be self-directed, take responsibility for one's learning, and possess grit, perseverance, and passion for long-term goals is fundamental to doctoral education. Compassionate teaching (CT) strategies may help foster these traits.

Purpose: This study explored CT strategies, self-directedness, and grit in doctoral nursing education.

The Effect of Tranexamic Acid on Operative and Postoperative Blood Loss in Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusions.

Objective: The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) on reducing perioperative blood loss and length of stay after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). Spine surgery is associated with the potential for significant blood loss, and adequate hemostasis is essential to visualizing crucial structures during the approach and procedure. Although TXA use has been extensively studied in the pediatric and adult spinal deformity literature, there is a dearth of literature on its efficacy in reducing blood loss for patients who undergo 1- to 3-level TLIF.

Two-photon excited lasing for detection of amyloids in brain tissue.

Two-photon excitation of emissive markers with near-infrared (NIR) light is of a particular interest for imaging in biology and medicine because NIR light is relatively weakly absorbed and scattered by tissues. At the same time the mechanism of two-photon absorption allows excitation of molecules located deep inside a scattering medium. In this work we demonstrate that the two-photon excitation combined with the effect of light amplification in the stimulated emission process provides a sensitive method for detecting amyloids of different forms.