Synthesis of trifold-labeled versatile reagent [3,5- C ,4- N]4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione.

Triazolinediones are an important class of derivatization agents that have found application in various research disciplines. Their unique reactivity often allows precise and selective tagging of relevant molecular scaffolds to facilitate structural elucidation, tracking in biological systems, and stabilization of labile compounds. Recent research efforts mainly focused on the development of novel fluorescent and ionizable or isotopically labeled tags improving the quantification and identification of the parent molecule by suitable analytical methods.

Femtosecond Plasmonic Laser Nanosurgery (fs-PLN) mediated by molecularly targeted gold nanospheres at ultra-low pulse fluences.

Plasmonic Laser Nanosurgery (PLN) is a novel photomodification technique that exploits the near-field enhancement of femtosecond (fs) laser pulses in the vicinity of gold nanoparticles. While prior studies have shown the advantages of fs-PLN to modify cells, further reduction in the pulse fluence needed to initiate photomodification is crucial to facilitate deep-tissue treatments. This work presents an in-depth study of fs-PLN at ultra-low pulse fluences using 47 nm gold nanoparticles, conjugated to antibodies that target the epithelial growth factor receptor and excited off-resonance using 760 nm, 270 fs laser pulses at 80 MHz repetition rate.

Catalyst Repurposing Sequential Catalysis by Harnessing Regenerated Prolinamide Organocatalysts as Transfer Hydrogenation Ligands.

A catalyst repurposing strategy based on a sequential aldol addition and transfer hydrogenation giving access to enantiomerically enriched α-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactones is described. The combination of a stereoselective, organocatalytic step, followed by an efficient catalytic aldehyde reduction induces an ensuing lactonization to provide enantioenriched butyrolactones from readily available starting materials. By capitalizing from the capacity of prolineamides to act as both an organocatalyst and a transfer hydrogenation ligand, catalyst repurposing allowed the development of an operationally simple, economic, and efficient sequential catalysis approach.

Symplectic homology product via Legendrian surgery.

This research announcement continues the study of the symplectic homology of Weinstein manifolds undertaken by the authors [Bourgeois F, Ekholm T, Eliashberg Y (2009) arXiv:0911.0026] where the symplectic homology, as a vector space, was expressed in terms of the Legendrian homology algebra of the attaching spheres of critical handles. Here, we express the product and Batalin-Vilkovisky operator of symplectic homology in that context.

Equivalent loads for two-dimensional distributed anisotropic piezoelectric transducers with arbitrary shapes attached to thin plate structures.

When a voltage is applied across the electrodes of a flat piezoelectric transducer attached to a thin plate structure, the transducer acts as equivalent loads applied to the host plate structure. In this paper, analytical expressions of these equivalent loads are derived for the general case of an orthotropic piezoelectric actuator using Hamilton's principle and two different mathematical approaches leading to the same results: Green's theorem and derivation using the theory of distributions. The equivalent loads are a function of the material properties as well as the normal to the contour of the transducer.

Ultrafast laser nanosurgery in microfluidics for genome-wide screenings.

The use of ultrafast laser pulses in surgery has allowed for unprecedented precision with minimal collateral damage to surrounding tissues. For these reasons, ultrafast laser nanosurgery, as an injury model, has gained tremendous momentum in experimental biology ranging from in vitro manipulations of subcellular structures to in vivo studies in whole living organisms. For example, femtosecond laser nanosurgery on such model organism as the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has opened new opportunities for in vivo nerve regeneration studies.

Femtosecond laser nanoaxotomy properties and their effect on axonal recovery in C. elegans.

We present a study characterizing the properties of femtosecond laser nanosurgery applied to individual axons in live Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) using nano-Joule laser pulses at 1 kHz repetition rate. Emphasis is placed on the characterization of the damage threshold, the extent of damage, and the statistical rates of axonal recovery as a function of laser parameters.

Quantitative ultrasound method to detect and monitor laser-induced cavitation bubbles.

An ultrasound technique to measure the spatial and temporal behavior of the laser-induced cavitation bubble is introduced. The cavitation bubbles were formed in water and in gels using a nanosecond pulsed Nd:YAG laser operating at 532 nm. A focused, single-element, 25-MHz ultrasound transducer was employed both to detect the acoustic emission generated by plasma expansion and to acoustically probe the bubble at different stages of its evolution.

Ultrasound measurements of cavitation bubble radius for femtosecond laser-induced breakdown in water.

A recently developed ultrasound technique is evaluated by measuring the behavior of a cavitation bubble that is induced in water by a femtosecond laser pulse. The passive acoustic emission during optical breakdown is used to estimate the location of the cavitation bubble's origin. In turn, the position of the bubble wall is defined based on the active ultrasonic pulse-echo signal.

Femtosecond laser nanoaxotomy lab-on-a-chip for in vivo nerve regeneration studies.

A thorough understanding of nerve regeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans requires performing femtosecond laser nanoaxotomy while minimally affecting the worm. We present a microfluidic device that fulfills such criteria and can easily be automated to enable high-throughput genetic and pharmacological screenings. Using the 'nanoaxotomy' chip, we discovered that axonal regeneration occurs much faster than previously described, and notably, the distal fragment of the severed axon regrows in the absence of anesthetics.

Femtosecond laser nanoaxotomy properties and their effect on axonal recovery in C. elegans.

We present a study characterizing the properties of femtosecond laser nanosurgery applied to individual axons in live Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) using nano-Joule laser pulses at 1 kHz repetition rate. Emphasis is placed on the characterization of the damage threshold, the extent of damage, and the statistical rates of axonal recovery as a function of laser parameters.

Information processing and movement optimization during development: kinematics of cyclical pointing in 5- to 11-year-old children.

The authors studied the development of movement control in speed-accuracy tradeoff conditions in children aged 5-11 years and in adults performing cyclical pointings. Twelve difficulty levels (IDs), ranging from 2 to 6.58 bits, were defined (P.