Electrospray Ionization with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry as a Tool for Lignomics: Lignin Mass Spectrum Deconvolution

Capability to characterize lignin, lignocellulose, and their degradation products is essential for development of new renewable feedstocks. Electrospray ionization high-resolution time-offlight mass spectrometry (ESI HR TOF MS) method was developed expanding the lignomics toolkit while targeting the simultaneous detection of low and high molecular weight (MW) lignin species. The effect of a broad range of electrolytes and various ionization conditions on ion formation and ionization effectiveness was studied using a suite of mono-, di- and triarene lignin model compounds as well as intact lignin. Contrary to the previous studies, the positive ionization mode was found to be more effective for methoxy-substituted arenes and polyphenols, i.e., species of a broadly varied MW structurally similar to the native lignin. For the first time, we report an effective formation of multiply charged species of lignin with the subsequent mass spectrum deconvolution in the presence of 100 mmol·L-1 formic acid in the positive ESI mode. The developed method enabled the detection of lignin species with an MW between 150 and 9,000 Da or higher, depending on the mass analyzer. The obtained Mn and Mw values of 1,500 and 2,500 Da, respectively, were in good agreement with those determined by gel permeation chromatography. Furthermore, the deconvoluted ESI mass spectrum was similar to that obtained with matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) TOF MS, yet featuring a higher signal-to-noise ratio. The formation of multiply charged species was confirmed with ESI ion mobility HR Q-TOF MS

Gravitational bremsstrahlung in ultra-planckian collisions

A classical computation of gravitational bremsstrahlung in ultra-planckian collisions of massive point particles is presented in an arbitrary number d of toroidal or non-compact extra dimensions. Our method generalizes the post-linear formalism of General Relativity to the multidimensional case. The total emitted energy, as well as its angular and frequency distribution are discussed in detail. In terms of the gravitational radius r_S of the collision energy, the impact parameter b and the Lorentz factor in the CM frame, the leading order radiation efficiency in the Lab frame is shown to be of order (r_S/b)^{3(d+1)} gamma_{cm} for d=0, 1 and of order (r_S/b)^{3(d+1)} gamma_{cm}^{2d-3} for d>1, up to a known d-dependent coefficient and a ln gamma_{cm} factor for d=2, while the characteristic frequency of the radiation is gamma/b. The contribution of the low frequency part of the radiation (soft gravitons) to the total radiated energy is shown to be negligible for all values of d. The domain of validity of the classical result is discussed. Finally, it is shown that within the region of validity of our approach the efficiency can obtain unnatural values greater than one, which is interpreted to mean that the peripheral ultra-planckian collisions should be strongly radiation damped