Fluorescent Probes and Labels for Cellular Imaging

Metal-responsive fluorescent indicators are powerful tools for visualizing trace metals with subcellular resolution. By taking advantage of the diverse photophysical properties of organic fluorophores, metal ion-selective fluorescent indicators have been rationally designed and tailored towards cellular applications. This review summarizes challenges associated with the probe design and describes recent efforts in our research group in developing selective and sensitive reagents for the detection of zinc and copper in mammalian cells

Actin phylogeny of foraminifera and intron evolution

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HVEM of Gromia (Protista) from the Abyss

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2010 in Portland, Oregon, USA, August 1 - August 5, 201

Concept of Formation Length in Radiation Theory

The features of electromagnetic processes are considered which connected with finite size of space region in which final particles (photon, electron-positron pair) are formed. The longitudinal dimension of the region is known as the formation length. If some external agent is acting on an electron while traveling this distance the emission process can be disrupted. There are different agents: multiple scattering of projectile, polarization of a medium, action of external fields, etc. The theory of radiation under influence of the multiple scattering, the Landau-Pomeranchuk-Migdal (LPM) effect, is presented. The probability of radiation is calculated with an accuracy up to "next to leading logarithm" and with the Coulomb corrections taken into account. The integral characteristics of bremsstrahlung are given, it is shown that the effective radiation length increases due to the LPM effect at high energy. The LPM effect for pair creation is also presented. The multiple scattering influences also on radiative corrections in a medium (and an external field too) including the anomalous magnetic moment of an electron and the polarization tensor as well as coherent scattering of a photon in a Coulomb field. The polarization of a medium alters the radiation probability in soft part of spectrum. Specific features of radiation from a target of finite thickness include: the boundary photon emission, interference effects for thin target, multi-photon radiation. The experimental study of LPM effect is described. For electron-positron colliding beams following items are discussed: the separation of coherent and incoherent mechanisms of radiation, the beam-size effect in bremsstrahlung, coherent radiation and mechanisms of electron-positron creation.Comment: Revised review paper, 96 pages, 28 figures. Description of SLAC E-146 experiment removed, discussion of CERN SPS experiment adde

From Sensors to Silencers: Quinoline- and Benzimidazole-Sulfonamides as Inhibitors for Zinc Proteases

Derived from the extensive work in the area of small molecule zinc(II) ion sensors, chelating fragment libraries of quinoline- and benzimidazole-sulfonamides have been prepared and screened against several different zinc(II)-dependent matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The fragments show impressive inhibition of these metalloenzymes and preferences for different MMPs based on the nature of the chelating group. The findings show that focused chelator libraries are a powerful strategy for the discovery of lead fragments for metalloprotein inhibition

Bipolar distribution of deep-sea benthic foraminifera

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La collaboration école-famille-communauté au sein d’une école privée efficace : quels types de relation et de soutien sont privilégiés ?

L’établissement de pratiques collaboratives entre l’école, la famille et la communauté (ÉFC) apparaît comme un enjeu incontournable pour maximiser les chances de réussite des élèves. Cependant, il est difficile de cerner ces pratiques parce qu’elles sont très diversifiées en matière de types et de fréquence d’activités et de partenaires impliqués selon les établissements scolaires, l’ordre d’enseignement (le préscolaire, le primaire et le secondaire) et les caractéristiques des élèves et de leurs familles (statut socioéconomique, immigration récente, intégration d’élèves handicapés ou en difficulté d’adaptation ou d’apprentissage, etc.), (De Saedeleer et al., 2004 ; Larivée, Terrisse et Kalubi, 2006). Mais qu’en est-il de la collaboration ÉFC dans les écoles privées jugées efficaces ? Quels sont les types de pratiques privilégiés ? Quelles sont les conditions de réalisation et les modalités de gestion de la collaboration ÉFC ? Dans ce texte, nous abordons ces questions liées aux pratiques collaboratives ÉFC en étudiant spécifiquement la situation d’une école privée jugée efficace au plan de la réussite scolaire et accueillant des élèves d’âge préscolaire, primaire et secondaire. Plus spécifiquement, nous analysons les types de relations et de soutien privilégiés par cette école à l’égard des parents et des membres de la communauté. D’une manière générale, les résultats indiquent de façon significative que les pratiques de collaboration ÉFC privilégiées par le personnel scolaire et les parents se situent autour de deux types d’activités : les communications entre l’école et la famille ; le suivi et l’encadrement des devoirs et des leçons.The establishment of collaborative practices between the school, the family and the community (SFC) appears as a key issue to maximize the chances of success of students. However, it is difficult to identify these practices because they are very diverse in terms of types and frequency of activities and partners involved depending on the school, the level of education (preschool, primary and secondary) and the characteristics of students and their families (socioeconomic status, recent immigration, integration of students with special needs, etc.) (De Saedeleer et al., 2004, Larivée, Terrisse et Kalubi, 2006). But what about SFC collaboration in context of private schools and effective schools? What are the types of preferred practices? What are the conditions of realization and the management modalities of the SFC collaboration? In this text, we address these issues related to SFC collaborative practices by specifically studying the situation of a private school deemed effective in terms of academic success and welcoming preschool, primary and secondary school students. More specifically, we analyze the types of relationships and support that this school promote with parents and community members. In general, the results indicate significantly that the SFC collaboration practices favored by school staff and parents revolve around two types of activities: communication between the school and the family; follow-up and supervision of homework and lessons.El establecimiento de unas prácticas colaborativas entre la escuela, la familia y la comunidad (EFC) surge como un reto indispensable para maximizar las oportunidades de éxito de los alumnos. No obstante, resulta complicado identificar estas prácticas porque son muy variadas en términos de tipo y de frecuencia de actividades y de colaboradores implicados según los establecimientos escolares, el nivel de enseñanza (preescolar, primaria y secundaria) y las características de los alumnos y de sus familias (posición socioeconómica, inmigración reciente, integración de alumnos con discapacidades o con dificultades de adaptación o de aprendizaje, etc.) (De Saedeleer et al., 2004; Larivée, Terrisse et Kalubi, 2006). Pero, ¿qué pasa con la colaboración EFC en las escuelas privadas consideradas eficaces? ¿A qué tipo de prácticas se da preferencia? ¿Cuáles son las condiciones de realización y las modalidades de gestión de la colaboración EFC? En este texto, abordamos estas cuestiones asociadas con las prácticas colaborativas EFC por medio del estudio específico de la situación de una escuela privada considerada eficaz en lo que respecta al éxito escolar y con alumnos de preescolar, primaria y secundaria. De una manera más específica, analizamos los tipos de relaciones y apoyo preferentes de esta escuela en lo que se refiere a los padres y los miembros de la comunidad. En términos generales, los resultados implican, de forma significativa, que las prácticas de colaboración EFC preferentes para el personal escolar y los padres se articulan en torno a dos tipos de actividades: la comunicación entre la escuela y la familia, el seguimiento y la supervisión de los deberes y de las unidades

High-aspect-ratio, ultrathick, negative-tone near-UV photoresist and its applications for MEMS

Detailed investigations of the limits of a new negative-tone near-UV resist (IBM SU-8) have been performed. SU-8 is an epoxy-based resist designed specifically for ultrathick, high-aspect-ratio MEMS-type applications. We have demonstrated that with single-layer coatings, thicknesses of more than 500 km can be achieved reproducibly. Thicker resist layers can be made by applying multiple coatings, and we have achieved exposures in 1200 IJ-m thick, double-coated SU-8 resist layers. We have found that the aspect ratio for near-UV (400 nm) exposed and developed structures can be greater than 18 and remains constant in the thickness range between 80 and 1200 IJ-m. Vertical sidewall profiles result in good dimensional control over the entire resist thickness. To our knowledge, this is the highest aspect ratio reported for near-UV exposures and the given range of resist thicknesses. These results will open up new possibilities for low-cost LIGA-type processes for MEMS applications. The application potential of SU-8 is demonstrated by several examples of devices and structures fabricated by electroplating and photoplastic techniques. The latter is especially interesting as SU-8 has attractive mechanical properties

Ruptured Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysm: Staged Emergency Endovascular Treatment in the Interventional Radiology Suite

Ruptured aneurysms of the internal iliac artery (IIA) are rare and challenging to treat surgically. Due to their anatomic location they are difficult to operate on and perioperative morbidity is high. An endovascular approach can be helpful. We recently treated a patient with a ruptured IIA aneurysm in the interventional radiology suite with embolization of the side-branch of the IIA and placement of a covered stent in the ipsilateral common and external iliac arteries. A suitable stent-graft was not available initially and had to be brought in from elsewhere. An angioplasty balloon was temporarily placed across the ostium of the IIA to obtain hemostasis. Two hours later, the procedure was finished by placing the stent-graft

A high-pressure hydrogen time projection chamber for the MuCap experiment

The MuCap experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institute performed a high-precision measurement of the rate of the basic electroweak process of nuclear muon capture by the proton, $\mu^- + p \rightarrow n + \nu_\mu$. The experimental approach was based on the use of a time projection chamber (TPC) that operated in pure hydrogen gas at a pressure of 10 bar and functioned as an active muon stopping target. The TPC detected the tracks of individual muon arrivals in three dimensions, while the trajectories of outgoing decay (Michel) electrons were measured by two surrounding wire chambers and a plastic scintillation hodoscope. The muon and electron detectors together enabled a precise measurement of the $\mu p$ atom's lifetime, from which the nuclear muon capture rate was deduced. The TPC was also used to monitor the purity of the hydrogen gas by detecting the nuclear recoils that follow muon capture by elemental impurities. This paper describes the TPC design and performance in detail.Comment: 15 pages, 13 figures, to be submitted to Eur. Phys. J. A; clarified section 3.1.2 and made minor stylistic corrections for Eur. Phys. J. A requirement