This PDF file contains the front matter associated with SPIE Proceedings Volume 7999, including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, Introduction, and Conference Committee listing.

The possibility of digital photographing method application to register the humane erythrocytes agglutination in vitro, intensified by ultrasonic standing wave, is demonstrated. The analysis of digital photographs brightness distribution along the depth of the cuvette filled by "blood - agglutinating serum" solution gave an opportunity to choose the zone for mathematical processing in which the resolving power of the method has maximum. For the zone chosen the analysis of the probe preparation features influence upon the magnitude of resolving power to register erythrocytes agglutination reaction was realized. The results may be used to develop optical method and device supplied by ultrasonic intensification of erythrocytes agglutination for the aims of humane blood group typing.

The experimental investigation of the possibility to use the correlation analysis to register the process of human erythrocytes agglutination on the base of flow method and digital photographing was carried out. To increase the resolving power of flow method added by correlation analysis different variants of mathematical processing of digital liquid flows photographs were realized.

The use of multi-modal optical diagnostic approach has a great potential in medicine and biology allowing significantly expand the capabilities of vascular diagnostics. Multi-modal approach provides synchronic in vivo images of blood and lymph vessels. In current study the Dynamic Light Scattering approach has been used for rendering blood vessels structure and monitoring blood micro-flows in the mouse ear in vivo with the higher spatial resolution, whereas conventional Fluorescence Intravital Microscopy provides simultaneous image of lymphatic vessels. The results clearly demonstrate that combined application of Dynamic Light Scattering and conventional Fluorescence Intravital Microscopy approaches provides synchronic in vivo images of blood and lymph vessels as well as blood micro-flows with a high contrast and specificity.

An efficient technique of simultaneous obtaining of quadrature spectral components of interference signal in spectrometer-based OCT is proposed. The components are obtained in air-spaced non-polarization interferometer by partition of reference beam onto two parts and using an achromatic phase shifter. Several setups of phase sifter are described and compared.

In this paper we show the ability of well known in Synthetic Aperture Radar applications Phase Gradient Autofocus to recover defocused Optical Coherence Tomography images and achieve lateral resolution about 5 um at wide depth range. High-resolution details could be recovered from far-from-focal plane (defocused) regions. Both numerical simulations and experiment have been performed to demonstrate the ability of the method.

Delayed fluorescence kinetics of exogenous fluorophores in tumor and normal mice mammary tissue cells was researched. Delayed fluorescence kinetics of fluorophores in two types of cells was researched on in its specific features and regularities. The investigation results are discussed in the context of early fluorescent diagnostics method of tissue pathological states.

CdSe-core, ZnS-capped semiconductor nanoparticles - quantum dots (QDs) - have been at the forefront of biomedical nanotechnology research thanks to their unique optical Η photophysical properties. In the present study the impact of the particle coating and size on their in vivo fate after intravenous (IV) injection into mice was studied by fluorescence methods. For this study, we compared organ-selective biodistribution and elimination routes of synthesized QDs coated with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (QD MPA) and commercially available Qtracker 705 nontargeted quantum dots with poly(ethylene glycol) coating (QD PEG). We observed primary accumulation of these QDs in lung. Experiments demonstrated that QD MPA and QD PEG have both remained fluorescent in lung after at least 24 hours postinjection. Moreover, QDs was seen to deposit mainly in liver, spleen, kidney and lymph nodes. We also concluded that QDs MPA and QDs 705 are both sequestered and not excreted with feces or urine.

Future development of application of IR microspectroscopy for clinical optical diagnosis of skin cancers demands dedicated software that can perform analysis, enabling clinically relevant information in the measured spectra to be fully extracted. Presented numerical modeling and analytical treatment of IR spectra of a variety of skin cancers contains an option to differentiate those from normal skin tissue, recognize patterns, and set information-rich data of clinical and scientific relevance.

Studies of spectral composition, quantum yield and spatial distribution of radiation of excited particles flying-off from a surface at Ar⁺ ions bombardment of a number of organic dyes and their composites with lipids are presented. The processes resulting in formation of excited particles under ion bombardment of complex organic systems are established. The model of lipids interaction with organic dyes is proposed.

Digital image correlation is an effective non-contact optical tool for full-field displacement and strain measurements. It is used for objects testing, elastic parameters evaluation, flows control, etc. One of the main challenges of practical realization of DIC is the computation time. In this paper a method of computing digital image correlation with fast Fourier transform algorithm is proposed. Unlike the usual FFT cross correlation algorithm, the proposed method allows for reduction the computation time of large displacements DIC measurements with retaining the accuracy of spatial domain correlation.

The process of the electromagnetic wave propagation in the nonlinear Bragg grating system has been numerically studied. The nonlinear Kerr materials were considered. The values of the cut-off frequencies were approximately estimated with the modification of the effective refractive index method. A Finite-Difference-Time-Domain method was used to analyze the periodic nonlinear structures and to investigate the multiple gap-soliton formation within the photonic bandgap of the Bragg grating. The possibility of propagation of the signal which frequency lies within the band gap of the periodical structure was demonstrated. The process of soliton tunneling in the nonlinear 2D Bragg grating has been investigated.

Electrical injury is a devastating and hard to treat clinical lesion. Fully understanding the pathophysiology of electrical trauma is still a challenge for clinicians and scientists. Further elucidating the natural history of this form of tissue injury could be helpful in improving limb salvage and offering stage-appropriate therapy. Multi-spectral imaging technique is a non-invasive technology that can be used to determine optical properties of tissues in and adjacent to injury. Images at different wavelengths can provide essential information related to the pathophysiological condition of the tissue. To promote the applicability of this technique in medical diagnosis, we built a complete experimental model of electrical injury. In this model, electrical injuries were created by a reliable high-tension shock system at preset voltage or current. A thermal camera recorded the change of skin temperature during the electrical shock. Then, a high-resolution spectral imaging system based on structured illumination was used to capture images for post analysis to extrapolate optical properties of the tissue. To test accuracy, this imaging system was calibrated by using a set of epoxy phantoms with known optical properties. In this paper, the results of experiments conducted on rats and discussions on the systemic changes in tissue optical properties before and after electrical shock are presented.

The purpose of this study is to measure and analyze the characteristics in change of EMG and EEG parameters at muscle fatigue period in participants with different exercise capacity. Twenty participants took part in the tests. They were divided into two groups, Group A (constant exerciser) and Group B (seldom-exerciser). MVC dynamic and 1/3 isometric exercises were performed; EMG and EEG signals were recorded synchronously during different type of muscle contraction. Results indicated that values of MVC, RMS and IEMG in Group A were greater than Group B, but isometric exercise time was shorter than the time of dynamic exercise although its intensity was light. Turning point of IEMG and α Index occurred synchronously during constant muscle contraction of isometric or dynamic exercise. It is concluded that IEMG turning point may be an indication to justify muscle fatigue. Synchronization of EEG and EMG reflects its common characteristics on its bio-electric change.

The optical clearing technique is able improve light penetration depth by applying optical clearing agent (OCA) with high refractive indices and hyperosmolarity. However, the mechanism of tissue optical clearing is not much clear. In this work, both physical and physiological mechanisms of optical clearing are discussed. For physical mechanisms, a tissue phantom, Intralipid, was mixed with OCAs, and then the reduced scattering coefficient was theoretically predicted and experimentally measured. It was found that the physical mechanisms for optical clearing are due to the structure change of scatters or the enhancement of the background refractive index. For physiological mechanisms, the dehydration of porcine skin in vitro caused by topical application of OCA was investigated with NIR reflectance spectrum analysis. The results showed that dehydration is major factor during the initial few minutes, and some other changes of tissue structure maybe occurs with increase of time. And the microstructure and ultrastructure of rat skin was examined after in vivo application of glycerol, we found that both the thickness of skin and the size of fiber reduce. This work is helpful for clarifying the mechanisms of tissue optical clearing, which will contribute to the improvement and clinical application of optical clearing technique.

The tissue optical clearing technique based on immersion of tissues into optical clearing agents (OCAs) can enhance the penetration depth of light in tissues, thus improve the capabilities of noninvasive optical diagnosis and therapeutic treatment. However, the optical clearing efficiency of skin caused by topical application of OCAs usually suffers from the barrier of stratum corneum and epithelium. The addition of chemical penetration enhancers to OCAs could significantly improve the optical clearing of skin, but the investigations on their safety are seldom concerned. In this study, based on the direct observation and histological examinations, the short-term and long-term effects of the mixture of PEG-400 and Thiazone on morphology and microstructure of in vivo rat skin were investigated. The results demonstrated that, in the first week, the hair growth was stunted, some degree of abnormal thickens and vacuoles occurred at the epidermis layer, and the collagen arranged denser. After 2 week, the morphology and microstructure of rat skin was completely recovered. It means that there is no long-term effect on rat skin by the mixture of PEG-400 and Thiazone. In addition, this work provides a useful method for assessing the safety of OCAs to skin.

The Julicher and Prost (1995) model of cooperative motion of molecular motors is discussed. Some inaccuracies in original reasoning are corrected. Explicit analytical solution of model's equations is derived. Previously unexplored type of cooperative motion (reverse motion in asymmetric potential in absence of external force) is described.

Coherent backscattering and other phenomena of multiple-scattering of light have found a wide range of applications from the studies of wave diffusing in random media, in acoustics, random lasers, characterization and calibration of nano-scale materials, in magneto-optical traps to the planetary astronomy, with the observance of the opposition effect. With the high dependence on the coherent properties of light and the internal structure of the probing sample the coherent backscattering have the ability to detect morphological changes at the intra-cellular level. The technique has the potential to be so specific that it will revolutionize the currently used procedures for melanoma and pre-cancer detection. In current report a coherent backscattering experiment has been performed using a modified Michelson interferometer experimental setup with a He-Ne laser upon a phantom material.

New field of application of fractal dimensions is proposed. A technique, based on the calculation of fractal dimension, was used for express-diagnostics and identification of bacteria of the vaccine strain Yersinia pestis EV line NIIEG. Purpose of this study was the experimental investigation of properties of speckle patterns, formed under laser illumination of a single colony of the strain that was grown on different agars.

Due to the recent intense developments in lasers and optical technologies a number of novel revolutionary imaging and photonic-based diagnostic modalities have arisen. Utilizing various features of light these techniques provide new practical solutions in a range of biomedical, environmental and industrial applications. Conceptual engineering design of new optical diagnostic systems requires a clear understanding of the light-tissue interaction and the peculiarities of optical radiation propagation therein. Description of photon migration within the random media is based on the radiative transfer that forms a basis of Monte Carlo modelling of light propagation in complex turbid media like biological tissues. In current presentation with a further development of the Monte Carlo technique we introduce a novel Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) paradigm accelerated by Graphics Processing Unit that provide an opportunity to escalate the performance of standard Monte Carlo simulation over 100 times.

Traditional biological and chemical methods for pathogen identification require complicated sample preparation for reliable results. The process of identification of malignant and non-malignant growths is not easier. Two new techniques of analysis of speckle-patterns, formed by histological sections with malignant and non-malignant growths illuminated by laser light, were proposed in this article. One of these techniques is based on calculation of invariant Zernike moments of speckle-field intensity spatial distribution. The second technique is based on calculation of fractal dimension of intensity spatial distribution in speckle structure. It was shown that both of these methods give the same results, which drastically depends on tissues features. Possibility of using Zernike moments and fractal dimensions, formed by laser light dispersed on histological sections, in express-diagnostics of tissues with pathological changes carrying out in vitro was investigated. Dependence of fractal dimension n conditions of irradiation of object with laser light discussed.

The effect of optical properties changes of adipose tissue cells in vitro as a result of photoaction was found and investigated. The experimental study of photo-induced post action upon the cells of fat tissue by means of digital microscopy was fulfilled. The computer processing of digital photos obtained gave an opportunity to estimate quantitatively the level of photoaction upon tissue. Optical interpretation of photos obtained proves that the phenomenon observed corresponds to the lipolysis of adipose tissue cells, but without their complete destruction.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising method for treatment of brain tumors, the most of which are of glial origin. In the present work we studied PDT-mediated injury of glial cells in nerve tissue, specifically, in abdominal connectives in the crayfish ventral nerve cord. The preparation was photosensitized with alumophthalocyanine Photosens and irradiated 30 min with the diode laser (670 nm, 0.1 or 0.15 W/cm²). After following incubation in the darkness during 1- 10 hours it was fluorochromed with Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide to reveal nuclei of living, necrotic and apoptotic cells. The chain-like location of the glial nuclei allowed visualization of those enveloping giant axons and blood vessels. The level of glial necrosis in control preparations was about 2-5 %. Apoptosis was not observed in control preparations. PDT significantly increased necrosis of glial cells to 52 or 67 % just after irradiation with 0.1 or 0.15 W/cm², respectively. Apoptosis of glial cells was observed only at 10 hours after light exposure. Upper layers of the glial envelope of the connectives were injured stronger comparing to deep ones: the level of glial necrosis decreased from 100 to 30 % upon moving from the connective surface to the plane of the giant axon inside the connective. Survival of glial cells was also high in the vicinity of blood vessels. One can suggest that giant axons and blood vessels protect neighboring glial cells from photodynamic damage. The mechanism of such protective action remains to be elucidated.

Photodynamic treatment causes intense oxidative stress and kills cells. It is currently used in neurooncology. However, along with tumor it damages surrounding healthy neuronal and glial cells. In order to study the possible role of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3β signaling pathway in photodynamic damage to normal neurons and glia, we used isolated crayfish stretch receptor that consists only of a single neuron surrounded by glial cells. It was photosensitized with alumophthalocyanine Photosens (100 nM). The laser diode (670nm, 0.4W/cm²) was used as a light source. Application of specific inhibitors of the enzymes involved in this pathway showed that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase did not participate in photoinduced death of neurons and glia. Protein kinase Akt was involved in photoinduced necrosis but not in apoptosis of neurons and glia. Glycogen synthase kinase-3β participated in photoinduced apoptosis of glial cells and in necrosis of neurons. Therefore, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3β pathway was not involved as a whole in photodynamic injury of crayfish neurons and glial cells but its components, protein kinase Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3β, independently and cell-specifically regulated photoinduced death of neurons and glial cells. These data showed that in this system necrosis was not non-regulated and catastrophic mode of cell death. It was controlled by some signaling proteins. The obtained results may be used for search of pharmacological agents that selectively modulate injury of normal neurons and glial cells during photodynamic therapy of brain tumors.

Testing of prototypes of vaccines against extremely dangerous diseases, such as tularemia and brucellosis has been performed using speckle-microscopy. Changes of microcirculation caused by effect of toxins at applications of suspension of photoinactivated bacteria have been studied. Toxic properties of prototypes of vaccines against tularemia and brucellosis have been analyzed.

Photodynamic treatment that causes intense oxidative stress and kills cells is currently used in neurooncology. However, along with tumor it damages surrounding healthy neurons and glial cells. In order to study the possible role of glutamate-related signaling pathways in photodynamic injury of neurons and glia, we investigated photodynamic effect of alumophthalocyanine Photosens on isolated crayfish stretch receptor that consists of a single neuron surrounded by glial cells. The laser diode (670 nm, 0.4 W/cm²) was used for dye photoexcitation. Application of glutamate increased photodynamically induced necrosis of neurons and glial cells but significantly decreased glial apoptosis. The natural neuroglial mediator N-acetylaspartylglutamate, which releases glutamate after cleavage in the extracellular space by glutamate carboxypeptidase II, also inhibited photoinduced apoptosis. Inhibition of glutamate carboxypeptidase II, oppositely, enhanced apoptosis of glial cells. These data confirm the anti-apoptotic activity of glutamate. Application of NMDA or inhibition of NMDA receptors by MK801 did not influence photodynamic death of neurons and glial cells that indicated nonparticipation of NMDA receptors in these processes. Inhibition of metabotropic glutamate receptors by AP-3 decreased PDT-induced apoptosis. One can suggest that crayfish neurons naturally secrete NAAG, which being cleaved by GCOP produces glutamate. Glutamate prevents photoinduced apoptosis of glial cells possibly through metabotropic but not ionotropic glutamate receptors.

Value co-creation is an emerging marketing and innovation paradigm describing a broader opening of the firm to its customers by providing them with the opportunity to become active participants in the design and development of personalized products, services and experiences. The aim of the present contribution is to provide preliminary results from a research project focusing on the relationship between value co-creation and the perception of innovation in technology-driven firms. The data was collected in a previous study using web search techniques and factor analysis to identify the key co-creation components and the frequency of firms' online comments about their new products, processes and services. The present work focuses on using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach to understand if the extent of value co-creation activities can be thought of as an indicator of the perception of innovation. The preliminary simulation results indicate the existence of such relationship. The ANN approach does not suggest a specific model but the relationship that was found out between the forecasted values of the perception of innovation and its actual values clearly points in this direction.

Value co-creation, is an emerging business and innovation paradigm, however, there is not enough clarity on the distinctive characteristics of value co-creation as compared to more traditional value creation approaches. The present paper summarizes the results from an empirically-derived research study focusing on the development of a systematic procedure for the identification of firms that are active in value co-creation. The study is based on a sample 273 firms that were selected for being representative of the breadth of their value co-creation activities. The results include: i) the identification of the key components of value co-creation based on a research methodology using web search and Principal Component Analysis techniques, and ii) the comparison of two different classification techniques identifying the firms with the highest degree of involvement in value co-creation practices. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study using sophisticated data collection techniques to provide a classification of firms according to the degree of their involvement in value co-creation.

Creation of business plans helps entrepreneurs in managing identification of business opportunities and committing necessary resources for process evolution. Applying patterns in business plan creation facilitates the identification of effective solutions that were adopted in the past and may provide a basis for adopting similar solutions in the future within given business context. The article presents the system design of an information portal for business plan co-creation based on patterns. The portal is going to provide start-up and entrepreneurs with ready-to-modify business plan patterns in order to help them in development of effective and efficient business plans. It will facilitate entrepreneurs in co-experimenting and co-learning more frequently and faster. Moreover, the paper focuses on the software architecture of the pattern based portal and explains the functionality of its modules, namely the pattern designer, pattern repository services and agent-based pattern implementers. It explains their role for business process co-creation, storing and managing patterns described formally, and selecting patterns best suited for specific business case. Thus, innovative entrepreneurs will be guided by the portal in co-writing winning business plans and staying competitive in the present day dynamic globalized environment.