The calculation of NMR shielding tensors based on density functional theory and the frozen-core approximation

The application of the frozen-core approximation to the calculation of the shielding tensor of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is discussed and an implementation is presented. A complete formulation of the shielding calculation within the frozen-core approximation is given, both in general terms and for the special case of density functional theory (DFT) and “gauge including atomic orbitals” (GIAOs). The practical implementation is validated by a detailed discussion of the consequences of the approximation. The general conclusion is drawn that the frozen-core approximation is a useful tool for shielding calculations—if the valence space is increased to contain at least the ns, np, (n − 1)p, (n − 1)d (fourth period and higher) shells, where n is the number of the given period in the periodic table of elements. The new method is applied to ⁷⁷Se shieldings and chemical shifts for a small number of compounds. The agreement between theory and experiment is good for relative shifts, whereas calculated absolute shieldings are generally too small by about 300–400 ppm. This difference is attributed to the relativistic contraction of the core density at the selenium atom that had been explicitly incorporated into the experimental absolute shielding scale. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Characterization of the molecular deformation behavior of glassy epoxy resins by rheo-optical FTIR spectroscopy

Rheo-optical FTIR spectroscopy was used for the first time to monitor molecular orientation phenomena in highly crosslinked epoxies. After studying the orientation behavior of epoxy/amine networks during uniaxial deformation above their glass transition temperature in a preceding article, this article deals with the rheo-optical characterization of the deformation process of those epoxy systems below T_g. The orientation behavior is influenced by the different molecular structure of the constituents and the free volume entrapped in the resins. Yield strain and tensile modulus are correlated with the slope of the orientation function. The orientation function was found to show an abrupt change of its slope in the yield point region. This phenomenon is discussed with respect to the mechanism of plastic deformation. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

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.     

The Influence of Visual and Spatial Reasoning in Interpreting Simulated 3D Worlds

This paper explores the way in which young children (6 year olds) made sense of screen-based images on the computer. The participants were required to interpret 3D-like representations and relate these images to objects in their environment. Both static and relatively dynamic software programs were used in the investigation. Some of the children could not make links between the screen representation and the intended three-dimensional (3D) objects. It is argued that young children should be exposed to activities that establish explicit links between 2D and 3D objects ``away' from the computer before attempting the more difficult links required to interpret and represent 3D objects in ICT contexts. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Ring-Closure Reactions. 13.1 A Convenient Synthesis of Many-Membered Thiacycloalkanes

Interaction of α,ω-dihaloalkanes with sulfide ion (eq. 1) is a common route for the synthesis in good yield of 5- and 6-membered polymethylene sulfides.