Interpretation of electronic spectra of aromatic hydrocarbons by the “molecules in molecules” method

The molecules in molecules method has been applied to five groups of hydrocarbon molecules or ions. Energy, polarisation and intensity of electronic transitions have been compared with experimental data and previous theoretical results. The results show that the method is applicable even when there is relevant conjugation between the fragments.

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Zusammenfassung Die molecules in molecules-Methode wurde auf fünf Gruppen von Kohlenwasserstoff-Molekülen angewandt. Energie, Polarisation und Intensität von elektronischen Übergängen wurden mit experimentellen und theoretischen Resultaten verglichen. Die Resultate beweisen, daß die Methode anwendbar ist, auch wenn eine wesentliche Konjugation zwischen den Fragmenten besteht.

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Resumé La méthode molecules in molecules a té appliquée à cinq groupes de molécules ou ions d'hydrocarbures. On a comparé les energies, la polarisation et l'intensité des transitions électroniques avec les données experimentales et les données théoriques qu'on avait précedemment calculées. Les résultats indiquent que la méthode est appliquable, même lorsqu'on a une conjugation assez importante entre les fragments.

     

Design of a Prussian Blue Analogue/Carbon Nanotube Thin‐Film Nanocomposite: Tailored Precursor Preparation,Synthesis, Characterization,and Application

Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) filled with different species of cobalt (metallic cobalt, cobalt oxide) were synthesized by a chemical vapor deposition method through cobaltocene pyrolysis. A systematic study was performed to correlate different experimental conditions with the structure and characteristics of the obtained material. Thin films of Co‐filled CNTs were deposited over conductive substrates through a liquid–liquid interfacial method and were used for cobalt hexacyanoferrate (CoHCFe) electrodeposition by an innovative route in which the Co species encapsulated in the CNTs were employed as reactants. The CNT/CoHCFe films were characterized by different spectroscopic, microscopic, and electrochemical techniques and presented high electrochemical stability in different media. The nanocomposites were applied as both an electrochemical sensor to H₂O₂ and a cathode for ion batteries and showed limits of detection at approximately 3.7 nmol L ^?1 and a capacity of 130 mAh g^?1 at a current density of 5 A g^?1.     

Gravitational field-flow fractionation of human hemopoietic stem cells

New cell sorting methodologies, which are simple, fast, non-invasive, and able to isolate homogeneous cell populations, are needed for applications ranging from gene expression analysis to cell-based therapy. In particular, in the forefront of stem cell isolation, progenitor cells have to be separated under mild experimental conditions from complex heterogeneous mixtures prepared from human tissues. Most of the methodologies now employed make use of immunological markers. However, it is widely acknowledged that specific markers for pluripotent stem cells are not as yet available, and cell labelling may interfere with the differentiation process. This work presents for the first time gravitational field-flow fractionation (GrFFF), as a tool for tag-less, direct selection of human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from cell samples obtained by peripheral blood aphaeresis. These cells are responsible to repopulate the hemopoietic system and they are used in transplantation therapies. Blood aphaeresis sample were injected into a GrFFF system and collected fractions were characterized by flow cytometry for CD34 and CD45 expression, and then tested for viability and multi-differentiation potential. The developed GrFFF method allowed obtaining high enrichment levels of viable, multi-potent hematopoietic stem cells in specific fraction and it showed to fulfil major requirements of analytical performance, such as selectivity and reproducibility of the fractionation process and high sample recovery.     

Simple assay for monitoring seven quinolone antibacterials in eggs: Extraction with hot water and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry: Laboratory validation in line with the European Union Commission Decision 657/2002/EC

A simple and rapid method able to determine residues of seven quinolone antibacterials in whole eggs is presented here. This method is based on the matrix solid-phase dispersion technique with hot water as extractant followed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. After depositing 1.5 g of an egg sample containing the analytes and the analyte surrogate (norfloxacin) on sand (crystobalite), this material was packed into an extraction cell. Quinolones were extracted by flowing 6 mL of water acidified with 50 mmol/L formic acid through the cell heated at 100 °C. After pH adjustment and filtration of the extract, 100 μL of it was injected into the LC column. MS data acquisition was performed in the multiple reaction monitoring mode, selecting two precursor ion to product ion transitions for each target compound. Hot water appeared an efficient extracting medium, since absolute recoveries of the analyte in egg at the level of 20 ng/g were 89–103%. Estimated limits of quantification (S/N = 10) were 0.2–0.6 ng/g. Based on the EU Commission Decision 2002/657/EC, the method was validated in terms of ruggedness, specificity, linearity, within-laboratory reproducibility, decision limit (CCα and detection capability (CCβ). Depending on the particular analyte, CCαs ranged between 0.41 and 2.6 ng/g, while CCβs were 0.64–3.7 ng/g. The method was linear in the 3–30 ng/g range, with typical R² values higher than 0.97. The within-laboratory reproducibility (n = 21) at 6 ng/g level was in the 9.0–12% range. After validation, a depletion study of enrofloxacin and one of its metabolites, i.e. ciprofloxacin, in eggs was conducted.     

New Coumarin Dipicolinate Europium Complexes with a Rich Chemical Speciation and Tunable Luminescence

Europium (III) luminescent chelates possess intrinsic photophysical properties that are extremely useful in a wide range of applications. The lack of examples of coumarin-based lanthanide complexes is mainly due to poor photo-sensitization attempts. However, with the appeal of using such a versatile scaffold as antenna, especially in the development of responsive molecular probes, it is worth the effort to research new structural motifs. In this work, we present a series of two new tris coumarin-dipicolinate europium (III) complexes, specifically tailored to be either a mono or a dual emitter, tuning their properties with a simple chemical modification. We also encountered a rich chemical speciation in solution, studied in detail by means of paramagnetic NMR and emission spectroscopy.     

Rapid Resolution Liquid chromatography/High Resolution Tandem Mass Spectrometry to Characterize Metabolic Changes in Subjects Involved in MARS500 Project

A rapid resolution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis was applied to human urine samples to discover new molecular biomarkers of the alteration of psychophysical well-being due to the environmental, physiological and confinement stress conditions achieved in the MARS500 project. Urine samples of crew members were submitted to metabolomic studies by means of separative techniques coupled with mass spectrometric techniques and data analysis. More than 2,000 metabolite features were found in each comparison, and more than 150 metabolites were identified for every differential analysis. Significant modifications in eight metabolites were shared by the subjects under study.