Photoelectron spectroscopy of S1 toluene: II. Intramolecular dynamics of selected vibrational levels in S1 toluene studied by nanosecond and picosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopies

We present results which suggest that the photophysics of S(1) toluene is significantly more complicated than that of the related molecules p-fluorotoluene or p-difluorobenzene. We have measured a range of photoelectron spectra for a number of S(1) internal energies, on different time scales and at different temperatures, in an attempt to unravel the competing processes, but the final conclusion remains outstanding.     

Analysis of inorganic mercury species associated with airborne particulate matter/aerosols: method development

This paper describes a method for speciation of Hg associated with airborne particulate matter. This method uses a mini-sampler for sample collection and analysis, thermal desorption for separating Hg species, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) for identification and quantification of Hg. Coal fly ash spiked with different Hg compounds (e.g. Hg⁰, HgCl₂, HgO, and HgS) was used for qualitative calibration. A standard reference material with a certified value for Hg concentration was used to evaluate the method. When the temperature of the furnace was programmed at a linear rate of increase of 50° min^–1, different Hg compounds could clearly be separated. Three airborne particulate matter samples were collected in parallel in Toronto, ON, Canada and analyzed using this method. Reproducible results were obtained and Hg⁰, HgCl₂, HgO, and HgS species from these samples were detected.     

In Vivo Endoscopic Tissue Identification by Rapid Evaporative Ionization Mass Spectrometry (REIMS)

Gastrointestinal cancers are a leading cause of mortality, accounting for 23 % of cancer‐related deaths worldwide. In order to improve outcomes from these cancers, novel tissue characterization methods are needed to facilitate accurate diagnosis. Rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS) is a technique developed for the in vivo classification of human tissue through mass spectrometric analysis of aerosols released during electrosurgical dissection. This ionization technique was further developed by utilizing surface induced dissociation and was integrated with an endoscopic polypectomy snare to allow in vivo analysis of the gastrointestinal tract. We tested the classification performance of this novel endoscopic REIMS method in vivo. It was shown to be capable of differentiating between healthy layers of the intestinal wall, cancer, and adenomatous polyps based on the REIMS fingerprint of each tissue type in vivo.     

Protonation and Proton‐Coupled Electron Transfer at S‐Ligated [4Fe‐4S] Clusters

Biological [Fe‐S] clusters are increasingly recognized to undergo proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET), but the site of protonation, mechanism, and role for PCET remains largely unknown. Here we explore this reactivity with synthetic model clusters. Protonation of the arylthiolate‐ligated [4Fe‐4S] cluster [Fe₄S₄(SAr)₄]^2? ( 1 , SAr=S‐2,4‐6‐(iPr)₃C₆H₂) leads to thiol dissociation, reversibly forming [Fe₄S₄(SAr)₃L]^1? ( 2 ) and ArSH (L=solvent, and/or conjugate base). Solutions of 2 +ArSH react with the nitroxyl radical TEMPO to give [Fe₄S₄(SAr)₄]^1? ( 1_ox ) and TEMPOH. This reaction involves PCET coupled to thiolate association and may proceed via the unobserved protonated cluster [Fe₄S₄(SAr)₃(HSAr)]^1? ( 1‐H ). Similar reactions with this and related clusters proceed comparably. An understanding of the PCET thermochemistry of this cluster system has been developed, encompassing three different redox levels and two protonation states.     

Porous and Shape‐Anisotropic Single Crystals of the Semiconductor Perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 from a Single‐Source Precursor

Significant progress in solar‐cell research is currently made by the development of metal–organic perovskites (MOPs) owing to their superior properties, such as high absorption coefficients and effective transport of photogenerated charges. As for other semiconductors, it is expected that the properties of MOPs may be significantly improved by a defined nanostructure. However, their chemical sensitivity (e.g., towards hydrolysis) prohibits the application of methods already known for the synthesis of other nanomaterials. A new and general method for the synthesis of various (CH₃NH₃)PbI₃ nanostructures from a novel single‐source precursor is presented. Nanoporous MOP single crystals are obtained by a crystal‐to‐crystal transformation that is accompanied by spinodal demixing of the triethylene glycol containing precursor structure. Selective binding of a capping agent can be used to tune the particle shape of the MOP nanocrystals.     

Selective Template Removal by Thermal Depolymerization to Obtain Mesostructured Molybdenum Oxycarbide

The carbon content of mesostructured organic‐inorganic hybrid material of a cylindrical block copolymer template of poly(2‐vinylpyridine)‐block‐poly(allyl methacrylate) (P2VP‐b‐PAMA) and ammonium paramolybdate (APM) could be reduced by thermal depolymerization. By calcination in vacuo at 320 °C the PAMA core can be completely removed while the remaining P2VP brush preserves the mesostructure. The P2VP‐APM composite can then be carburized in‐situ to MoO_xC_y in a second pyrolysis step without any additional carbon source but P2VP. The molybdenum oxycarbide nanotubes obtained, form hierarchically porous non‐woven structures, which were tested as catalyst in the decomposition of NH₃. They proved to be catalytically active at temperatures above 450 °C. The activation energy was estimated from an Arrhenius Plot to be 127 kJ · mol^–1.     

PPV Polymerization through the Gilch Route: Diradical Character of Monomers

Despite various studies on the polymerization of poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) (PPV) through different precursor routes, detailed mechanistic knowledge on the individual reaction steps and intermediates is still incomplete. The present study aims to gain more insight into the radical polymerization of PPV through the Gilch route. The initial steps of the polymerization involve the formation of a p‐quinodimethane intermediate, which spontaneously self‐initiates through a dimerization process leading to the formation of diradical species; chain propagation ensues on both sides of the diradical or chain termination occurs by the formation of side products, such as [2.2]paracyclophanes. Furthermore, different p‐quinodimethane systems were assessed with respect to the size of their aromatic core as well as the presence of heteroatoms in/on the conjugated system. The nature of the aromatic core and the specific substituents alter the electronic structure of the p‐quinodimethane monomers, affecting the mechanism of polymerization. The diradical character of the monomers has been investigated with several advanced methodologies, such as spin‐projected UHF, CASSCF, CASPT2, and DMRG calculations. It was shown that larger aromatic cores led to a higher diradical character in the monomers, which in turn is proposed to cause rapid initiation.     

Gut microbiota, diet, and heart disease

Modulation of the gut microbiota is an area of growing interest, particularly for its link to improving and maintaining the systemic health of the host. It has been suggested to have potential to reduce risk factors associated with chronic diseases, such as elevated cholesterol levels in coronary heart disease (CHD). Diets of our evolutionary ancestors were largely based on plant foods, high in dietary fiber and fermentable substrate, and our gut microbiota has evolved against a background of such diets. Therapeutic diets that mimic plant-based diets from the early phases of human evolution may result in drug-like cholesterol reductions. In contrast, typical Western diets low in dietary fiber and fermentable substrate, and high in saturated and trans fatty acids, are likely contributors to the increased need for pharmacological agents for cholesterol reduction. The gut microbiota of those consuming a Western diet are likely underutilized and depleted of metabolic fuels, resulting in a less than optimal gut microbial profile. As a result, this diet is mismatched to our archaic gut microbiota and, therefore, to our genome, which has changed relatively little since humans first appeared. While the exact mechanism by which the gut microbiota may modulate cholesterol levels still remains uncertain, end products of bacterial fermentation, particularly the short chain fatty acids (i.e., propionate), have been suggested as potential candidates. While more research is required to clarify the potential link between gut microbiota and CHD risk reduction, consuming a therapeutic diet rich in plant foods, dietary fiber, and fermentable substrate would be a useful strategy for improving systemic health, possibly by altering the gut microbiota.