“Standardless” Quantitative Electron Beam X-ray Microanalysis: The Situation Remains caveat emptor!

X-ray microanalysis attachment for electron microscope.

Fundamental Constants for Quantitative X-ray Microanalysis.

Quantitative X-ray microanalysis requires the use of many fundamental constants related to the interaction of the electron beam with the sample. The current state of our knowledge of such constants in the particular areas of electron stopping power, X-ray ionization cross-sections, X-ray fluorescence yield, and the electron backscattering yield, is examined. It is found that, in every case, the...

Serum starvation: caveat emptor.

Serum starvation is one of the most frequently performed procedures in molecular biology and there are literally thousands of research papers reporting its use. In fact, this method has become so ingrained in certain areas of research that reports often simply state that cells were serum starved without providing any factual details as to how the procedure was carried out. Even so, we quite obv...

Barriers to Quantitative Electron Probe X-Ray Microanalysis for Low Voltage Scanning Electron Microscopy

Low voltage x-ray microanalysis, defined as being performed with an incident beam energy ≤5 keV, can achieve spatial resolution, laterally and in depth, of 100 nm or less, depending on the exact selection of beam energy and the composition of the target. The shallow depth of beam penetration, with the consequent short path length for x-ray absorption, and the low overvoltage, the ratio of beam ...

Rare bladder tumors: caveat emptor.

The authors on “Solitary Extramedullary Plasmacytoma of the Bladder” have provided a quick and accurate diagnosis, work-up, and treatment of this solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma. Solitary extramedullary plamacytomas are rare, and account for only 3% of all plasma cell malignancies. Of the 3% of plasma cell malignancies that are diagnosed, the bladder is one of the least common locations. T...