Interaction Of Porphyrins With A Dendrimer Template: Self-aggregation Controlled By Ph

The interaction between self-aggregated porphyrins such as 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-phosphonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPP), and a generation 5 (G5) PAMAM dendrimer template is governed by minute differences of porphyrin acido-basic properties. While at neutral pH both monomeric TPPS and TPPP form complexes with G5, decreasing pH did not lead to porphyrin ring protonation (pK(a) approximate to 5) but rather to the preferential formation of H-aggregates (probably H-dimers), most likely due to protonation of the G5. Upon further acidification of the solution, this face-to-face orientation of the porphyrin units is being converted to edge-to-edge aligned J-aggregates with a tightly defined structure. This process starts by protonation of the porphyrin ring at pH below 2.3 and 2.8 for TPPS and TPPP, respectively. The AFM imaging of porphyrin/G5 nanostructures obtained at pH 0.7 shows the formation of long nanorods of TPPS with partially aggregated G5 and small aggregates of TPPP connected to individual G5 molecules

Self-aggregates Of Cationic Meso-tetratolylporphyrins In Aqueous Solutions

Aggregation properties of meso-tetratolylporphyrins bearing cationic substituents of a lipophilic nature such as ammonium, pyridinium, phosphonium, sulfonium, and isothiouronium were studied by UV/vis and resonance light scattering spectroscopy. The exciton point-dipole approximation was used to predict the structural alignment of the porphyrin units within the aggregate. The contribution of various types of aggregates depends on the porphyrin substitution, ionic strength, and temperature of aqueous solution of the porphyrin. In general, the preferred structure of an aggregate formed by temperature-induced aggregation is the J-aggregate exhibiting the characteristically narrow, red-shifted Soret band indicating a parallel side-by-side arrangement of the porphyrin units. The formation of aggregates of cationic tetratolylporphyrins is controlled by both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, Observed aggregation properties of porphyrin derivatives bearing trimethylammonium, trimethylphosphonium, pyridinium, dimethylphenylphosphonium, and triphenylphosphonium substituents are in very good agreement with a theoretical model based solely on electrostatic interactions

Preprogramming Of Porphyrin-nucleic Acid Assemblies Via Variation Of The Alkyl/aryl Substituents Of Phosphonium Tetratolylporphyrins

Cationic alkyl/arylphosphonium meso-tetratolylporphyrins aggregate in an aqueous solution to form H-aggregates, J-aggregates, and long-range assemblies. The ratio between the monomer and various types of aggregates can be controlled by the substitution in the phosphonium units and by the ionic strength. A trimethylphosphonium derivative is predominantly monomeric, dimethylphenylphosphonium forms monomers as well as low-molecular-weight H- and J-aggregates, triphenylphosphonium forms mainly H- and J-aggregates, and tri(n-butyl)phosphonium forms mainly long-range assemblies. Porphyrin monomers associate with calf thymus DNA (binding constant Kb approximate to 10(7) M-1) and oligonucleotides (K-b approximate to 10(5-)10(6) M-1). The large size of the meso-substituents prevents the intercalation between base pairs. All phosphonium porphyrins described in this study were found to bind to the phosphate backbone of a nucleic acid with a significant preference for A-T base pair sequences. Porphyrin aggregates formed in the solution deposit readily on the surface of the DNA and oligonucleotides without changing their structure and size. Porphyrin monomers bound to DNA and nucleotides have photophysical properties (higher quantum yield of triplet states and singlet oxygen) different from those of porphyrin aggregates

Metal‐Cation Recognition in Water by a Tetrapyrazinoporphyrazine‐Based Tweezer Receptor

A series of zinc azaphthalocyanines with two azacrowns in a rigid tweezer arrangement were prepared and the fluorescence sensing properties were investigated. The size‐driven recognition of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations was significantly enhanced by the close cooperation of the two azacrown units, in which both donor nitrogen atoms need to be involved in analyte binding to switch the sensor on. The mono‐ or biphasic character of the binding isotherms, together with the binding stoichiometry and magnitude of association constants (KA), indicated specific complexation of particular analytes. Water solvation was shown to play an important role and resulted in a strong quenching of sensor fluorescence in the ON state. The lead compound was embedded into silica nanoparticles and advantageous sensing properties towards K+ were demonstrated in water (λF=671 nm, apparent KA=82 m−1, increase of 17×), even in the presence of (supra)physiological concentrations of Na+ and Ca2+.In a pinch: Close cooperation of azacrowns in fluorescence sensors derived from tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines is responsible for high sensitivity and selectivity towards particular cations. Water solvation, however, quenches the fluorescence strongly. Interestingly, embedding the sensor into silica nanoparticles overcomes this problem and result in an excellent red‐emitting fluorescence sensor (see figure).Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137532/1/chem201504268.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137532/2/chem201504268-sup-0001-misc_information.pd

Charging effects in biased molecular devices

The influence of the charging effects on the transport characteristics of a molecular wire bridging two metallic electrodes in the limit of weak contacts is studied by generalized Breit-Wigner formula. Molecule is modeled as a quantum dot with discrete energy levels, while the coupling to the electrodes is treated within a broad band theory. Owing to this model we find self-consistent occupation of particular energy levels and orbital energies of the wire in the presence of transport. The nonlinear conductance and current-voltage characteristics are investigated as a function of bias voltage in the case of symmetric and asymmetric coupling to the electrodes. It is shown that the shape of that curves are determined by the combined effect of the electronic structure of the molecule and by electron-electron repulsion.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures; accepted in Physica

Megahertz-rate ultrafast X-ray scattering and holographic imaging at the European XFEL

The advent of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) has revolutionized fundamental science, from atomic to condensed matter physics, from chemistry to biology, giving researchers access to X-rays with unprecedented brightness, coherence and pulse duration. All XFEL facilities built until recently provided X-ray pulses at a relatively low repetition rate, with limited data statistics. Here, results from the first megahertz-repetition-rate X-ray scattering experiments at the Spectroscopy and Coherent Scattering (SCS) instrument of the European XFEL are presented. The experimental capabilities that the SCS instrument offers, resulting from the operation at megahertz repetition rates and the availability of the novel DSSC 2D imaging detector, are illustrated. Time-resolved magnetic X-ray scattering and holographic imaging experiments in solid state samples were chosen as representative, providing an ideal test-bed for operation at megahertz rates. Our results are relevant and applicable to any other non-destructive XFEL experiments in the soft X-ray range

Global maps of soil temperature

Research in global change ecology relies heavily on global climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature in open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These climatic grids do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near the ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur and most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide global maps of soil temperature and bioclimatic variables at a 1-km2 resolution for 0–5 and 5–15 cm soil depth. These maps were created by calculating the difference (i.e. offset) between in situ soil temperature measurements, based on time series from over 1200 1-km2 pixels (summarized from 8519 unique temperature sensors) across all the world\u27s major terrestrial biomes, and coarse-grained air temperature estimates from ERA5-Land (an atmospheric reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). We show that mean annual soil temperature differs markedly from the corresponding gridded air temperature, by up to 10°C (mean = 3.0 ± 2.1°C), with substantial variation across biomes and seasons. Over the year, soils in cold and/or dry biomes are substantially warmer (+3.6 ± 2.3°C) than gridded air temperature, whereas soils in warm and humid environments are on average slightly cooler (−0.7 ± 2.3°C). The observed substantial and biome-specific offsets emphasize that the projected impacts of climate and climate change on near-surface biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are inaccurately assessed when air rather than soil temperature is used, especially in cold environments. The global soil-related bioclimatic variables provided here are an important step forward for any application in ecology and related disciplines. Nevertheless, we highlight the need to fill remaining geographic gaps by collecting more in situ measurements of microclimate conditions to further enhance the spatiotemporal resolution of global soil temperature products for ecological applications

Global maps of soil temperature

Research in global change ecology relies heavily on global climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature in open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These climatic grids do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near the ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur and most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide global maps of soil temperature and bioclimatic variables at a 1-km² resolution for 0–5 and 5–15 cm soil depth. These maps were created by calculating the difference (i.e., offset) between in-situ soil temperature measurements, based on time series from over 1200 1-km² pixels (summarized from 8500 unique temperature sensors) across all the world’s major terrestrial biomes, and coarse-grained air temperature estimates from ERA5-Land (an atmospheric reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). We show that mean annual soil temperature differs markedly from the corresponding gridded air temperature, by up to 10°C (mean = 3.0 ± 2.1°C), with substantial variation across biomes and seasons. Over the year, soils in cold and/or dry biomes are substantially warmer (+3.6 ± 2.3°C) than gridded air temperature, whereas soils in warm and humid environments are on average slightly cooler (-0.7 ± 2.3°C). The observed substantial and biome-specific offsets emphasize that the projected impacts of climate and climate change on near-surface biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are inaccurately assessed when air rather than soil temperature is used, especially in cold environments. The global soil-related bioclimatic variables provided here are an important step forward for any application in ecology and related disciplines. Nevertheless, we highlight the need to fill remaining geographic gaps by collecting more in-situ measurements of microclimate conditions to further enhance the spatiotemporal resolution of global soil temperature products for ecological applications

Global injury morbidity and mortality from 1990 to 2017 : results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Correction:Background Past research in population health trends has shown that injuries form a substantial burden of population health loss. Regular updates to injury burden assessments are critical. We report Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 Study estimates on morbidity and mortality for all injuries. Methods We reviewed results for injuries from the GBD 2017 study. GBD 2017 measured injury-specific mortality and years of life lost (YLLs) using the Cause of Death Ensemble model. To measure non-fatal injuries, GBD 2017 modelled injury-specific incidence and converted this to prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs). YLLs and YLDs were summed to calculate disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Findings In 1990, there were 4 260 493 (4 085 700 to 4 396 138) injury deaths, which increased to 4 484 722 (4 332 010 to 4 585 554) deaths in 2017, while age-standardised mortality decreased from 1079 (1073 to 1086) to 738 (730 to 745) per 100 000. In 1990, there were 354 064 302 (95% uncertainty interval: 338 174 876 to 371 610 802) new cases of injury globally, which increased to 520 710 288 (493 430 247 to 547 988 635) new cases in 2017. During this time, age-standardised incidence decreased non-significantly from 6824 (6534 to 7147) to 6763 (6412 to 7118) per 100 000. Between 1990 and 2017, age-standardised DALYs decreased from 4947 (4655 to 5233) per 100 000 to 3267 (3058 to 3505). Interpretation Injuries are an important cause of health loss globally, though mortality has declined between 1990 and 2017. Future research in injury burden should focus on prevention in high-burden populations, improving data collection and ensuring access to medical care.Peer reviewe