A Far-Red Emitting Fluorescent Chemogenetic Reporter for In Vivo Molecular Imaging

Far-red emitting fluorescent labels are highly desirable for spectral multiplexing and deep tissue imaging. Here, we describe the generation of frFAST (far-red Fluorescence Activating and absorption Shifting Tag), a 14-kDa monomeric protein that forms a bright far-red fluorescent assembly with (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)allylidene rhodanine (HPAR-3OM). As HPAR-3OM is essentially non-fluorescent in solution and in cells, frFAST can be imaged with high contrast in presence of free HPAR-3OM, which allowed the rapid and efficient imaging of frFAST fusions in live cells, zebrafish embryo/larvae, and chicken embryos. Beyond enabling the genetic encoding of far-red fluorescence, frFAST allowed the design of a far-red chemogenetic reporter of protein–protein interactions, demonstrating its great potential for the design of innovative far-red emitting biosensors.     

Deconvolution of very low primary energy SIMS depth profiles

In this paper, the deconvolution of SIMS profiles analysed at very low primary energy (0.5 keV/O₂⁺) is addressed. The depth resolution function (DRF) of the SIMS analysis in presence of roughness is established and a deconvolution procedure is implemented without or in presence of roughness on samples containing delta-doped layers of boron in silicon. It is shown that the deconvolution procedure can lead to a great improvement of the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the measured peaks in the case where no roughness in detected in the crater bottom. In the case where it is present, the conditions required to use a deconvolution procedure are discussed, and the deconvolution is implemented using precise and restrictive assumptions.     

A surface-mounted device assembly technique for small optics based on laser reflow soldering

The three-dimensional miniaturized optical surface-mounted device (TRIMO-SMD) is a new flexible and automated assembly technique for small optical components (maximum diameter for a lens is 2 mm) based on laser reflow soldering technique. This technology can be compared to the electronic SMD technique but applied to micro-optical devices. We present some recent developments of TRIMO-SMD in its application to industrial products.     

Space–time integrated least squares: a time‐marching approach

A time‐marching formulation is derived from the space–time integrated least squares (STILS) method for solving a pure hyperbolic convection equation and is numerically compared to various known methods. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Monte Carlo simulation of cluster kinetics in three-dimensional Ising model

Simulations in lattices of size 100³ at the critical point of the three-dimensional Glauber kinetic Ising model indicate that the 1935 Becker-Doring equation no longer works there: The growth rates decay in time. These conclusions confirm those in two dimensions.     

Synthesis of polymers containing tertiary phosphine oxides using complex bases

Tertiary phosphine oxides have been prepared in excellent yield from primary alkyl halides or aromatic halides and activated sodium phosphinates obtained by reaction of dialkyl phosphine oxides with complex bases (NaNH₂/tBuONa). This reaction has been successfully applied to soluble and cross-linked bromopolystyrenes and to macroporous polystyrenes with bromooctyl substituents giving polymers which contain pendant phosphine oxide groups.     

Electron deficiency in tetrahedral transition-metal clusters: electronic structure and magnetic properties of [Ru4(eta6-C6H6)4(mu3-H)4](2+)

Analysis of the electronic structure of the electron-deficient cluster cation [Ru4(eta6-C6H6)4H4](2+) (1(2+)) by density functional theory calculations shows a very small energy gap (0.06 eV) between the diamagnetic singlet state and the paramagnetic triplet state, as a consequence of the absence of a significant Jahn-Teller distortion in the molecular structure of 1(2+). Magnetic measurements of [1]Cl2, [1][BF4]2, and [1][PF6]2 show 1(2+) to be diamagnetic in the fundamental state, with some weak temperature-independent paramagnetism, depending upon the nature of the counterion.     

Development of cross-linked polystyrene-supported chiral amines featuring a fluorinated linker for gel-phase 19F NMR spectrometry monitoring of reactions

Ten cross-linked polystyrene-supported, protected chiral amines featuring both a spacer, comprising from 5 to 15 atoms, and a fluorinated linker have been successfully prepared. The development of the monitoring technique by gel-phase 19F NMR spectrometry on cross-linked polystyrene derivatives proved to be of high value in four steps of the process, as shown by the comparison of data gathered from both a classic NMR spectrometer and elemental analysis. Gel-phase 19F NMR spectrometry, thus, constitutes a useful technique that complements IR and 13C NMR spectrometries for the qualitative monitoring of reactions. In addition, quantitative determination of the conversion in a given transformation is possible, provided that 19F chemical shifts of the substrate and the product be different enough (Deltadelta>base width), as illustrated by the Mitsunobu coupling process (16-->17). The technique is nondestructive, and the samples used to monitor the reactions may be returned to the reaction medium. Deprotection of the above amines was achieved and furnished eight of the final resins in good to acceptable purity for future applications.     

Relativistic calculation of Stokes' parameters for intermediate energy electron impact excitation of cesium atoms

The integrated and differential Stokes' parameters of the light emitted in the decay 6p ² P _1/2,3/2→6s ² S _1/2 fore-Cs scattering in the intermediate energy range are presented. These have been calculated using scattering amplitudes obtained by a relativistic distorted-wave method.