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We present the implementation of intensity-modulated laser diodes for applications in frequency-domain pump-probe fluorescence microscopy. Our technique, which is based on the stimulated-emission approach, uses two sinusoidally modulated laser diodes. One laser (635 nm) excites the chromophores under study, and the other laser (680 nm) is responsible for inducing stimulated emission from excited-state molecules. Both light sources are modulated in the 80-MHz range but with an offset of 5 kHz between them. The result of the interaction of the pump and the probe beams is that a cross-correlation fluorescence signal at 5 kHz is generated primarily at the focal volume. Microscope imaging at the cross-correlation signal results in images with high contrast, and time-resolved high-frequency information can be acquired without high-speed detection. A detailed experimental arrangement of our methodology is presented along with images acquired from a 4.0-mum-diameter fluorescent sphere and TOTO-3-labeled mouse STO cells. (TOTO-3 is a nucleic acid stain.) Our results demonstrate the feasibility of using sinusoidally modulated laser diodes for pump-probe imaging, creating the exciting possibility of high-contrast time-resolved imaging with low-cost laser-diode systems.

We report the application of pump-probe fluorescence microscopy in time-resolved polarization imaging. We derived the equations governing the pump-probe stimulated emission process and characterized the pump and probe laser power levels for signal saturation. Our emphasis is to use this novel methodology to image polarization properties of fluorophores across entire cells. As a feasibility study, we imaged a 15-microm orange latex sphere and found that there is depolarization that is possibly due to energy transfer among fluorescent molecules inside the sphere. We also imaged a mouse fibroblast labeled with CellTracker Orange CMTMR (5-(and-6)-(((4-chloromethyl)benzoyl)amino)tetramethyl-rhodamine). We observed that Orange CMTMR complexed with gluthathione rotates fast, indicating the relatively low fluid-phase viscosity of the cytoplasmic microenvironment as seen by Orange CMTMR. The measured rotational correlation time ranged from approximately 30 to approximately 150 ps. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of stimulated emission measurements in acquiring high-resolution, time-resolved polarization information across the entire cell.

Presents a study that revisited the interpretation of Henkel plots in terms of the Preisach model. Reason that Henkel plots have been the focus of research in magnetics; Benefits of the Preisach model approach; Illustration of relevant first-order transition curve values.

Objective: This article examines the psychometric properties of the Casey Foster Applicant Inventory-Worker Version (CFAI-W), a questionnaire designed to assess the potential of foster family care applicants to provide foster care. Method: Retrospective data were collected from 208 foster care workers who completed two copies of the CFAI-W, one for the best foster family and one for the worst foster family they had ever known. Results: The CFAI-W demonstrated excellent internal consistency reliability and evidence of predictive and discriminant validity. Conclusions: The CFAI-W can be used in combination with other methods to introduce standardization and accountability to the assessment of foster parent applicants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Casey Foster Applicant Inventory-Applicant Version (CFAI-A) is a new standardized self-report measure designed to assess the potential to foster parent successfully. The CFAI-A is described, and results concerning its psychometric properties are presented. Method: Data from a sample of 304 foster mothers from 35 states are analyzed. Results: Six CFAI-A subscales were identified, and internal consistency reliability for these subscales ranged from .64 to .95. The construct validity of all but one of these subscales is promising. Conclusions: The CFAI-A shows promise for use in research and practice, where it might be used to improve decisions about how to support, monitor, and retain foster families and to match, place, and maintain foster children with foster families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporaneous and longitudinal associations among marital conflict, parentchild relationship quality, and youth maladjustment were examined using data from the National Survey of Families and Households.Analyses were based on 551 married families with a child age 5 to 11 years at Wave 1. The concurrent association between marital conflict and youth externalizing problems at both waves was mediated completely at Wave 1 and partially at Wave 2 by harsh discipline and parent-youth conflict. The concurrent association between marital conflict and internalizing problems at both waves was mediated partially through parent-youth conflict. Longitudinal mediating effects were detected through stable marital conflict over 5 years and through its connection with parent-youth conflict. Findings delineate areas of specificity and stability in marital conflict processes as children transition from middle childhood through adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential to foster successfully starts with developing and supporting competency in 12 domains: providing a safe and secure environment, providing a nurturing environment, promoting educational attainment and success, meeting physical and mental healthcare needs, promoting social and emotional development, supporting diversity and children's cultural needs, supporting permanency planning, managing ambiguity and loss for the foster child and family, growing as a foster parent, managing the demands of fostering on personal and familial well-being, supporting relationships between children and their families, and working as a team member. This article describes each domain and reviews relevant research to help guide the assessment of practicing and future foster parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the relationships among dimensions of the former spouse relationship and children's social competence (CSC) post-separation and the impact of a community-based, educational prevention program for divorcing parents on the quality of the former spouse relationship. 193 separated and divorcing parents; Conflict theory; Coparental competition as related to CSC; Literature review; Focus of the study; Methods; Results; Discussion; Implications for practice.