Search

This review aims to promote the role of transient IR spectroscopy to investigate molecular-based photocatalytic water reduction. Examples are discussed in which this method has been successfully applied to elucidate reaction mechanisms. Focus is given to kinetic changes and their consequences when a photochemical water reduction system, which is functional and well understood in solution, is brought onto a metal oxide surface.

Abstract Allosteric regulation is an innate control in most metabolic and signalling cascades that enables living organisms to adapt to the changing environment by tuning the affinity and regulating the activity of target proteins. For a microscopic understanding of this process, a protein system has been designed in such a way that allosteric communication between the binding and allosteric site can be observed in both directions. To that end, an azobenzene-derived photoswitch has been linked to the α3-helix of the PDZ3 domain, arguably the smallest allosteric protein with a clearly identifiable binding and allosteric site. Photo-induced trans-to-cis isomerisation of the photoswitch increases the binding affinity of a small peptide ligand to the protein up to 120-fold, depending on temperature. At the same time, ligand binding speeds up the thermal cis-to-trans back-isomerisation rate of the photoswitch. Based on the energetics of the four states of the system (cis vs trans and ligand-bound vs free), the concept of an allosteric force is introduced, which can be used to drive chemical reactions.

Due to their very nature, ultrafast phenomena are often accompanied by the occurrence of nonadiabatic effects. From a theoretical perspective, the treatment of nonadiabatic processes makes it necessary to go beyond the (quasi) static picture provided by the time-independent Schrödinger equation within the Born-Oppenheimer approximation and to find ways to tackle instead the full time-dependent electronic and nuclear quantum problem. In this review, we give an overview of different nonadiabatic processes that manifest themselves in electronic and nuclear dynamics ranging from the nonadiabatic phenomena taking place during tunnel ionization of atoms in strong laser fields to the radiationless relaxation through conical intersections and the nonadiabatic coupling of vibrational modes and discuss the computational approaches that have been developed to describe such phenomena. These methods range from the full solution of the combined nuclear-electronic quantum problem to a hierarchy of semiclassical approaches and even purely classical frameworks. The power of these simulation tools is illustrated by representative applications and the direct confrontation with experimental measurements performed in the National Centre of Competence for Molecular Ultrafast Science and Technology.

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the structural dynamics in topical gas- and condensed-phase systems on multiple length and time scales. Starting from vibrationally induced dissociation of small molecules in the gas phase, the question of vibrational and internal energy redistribution through conformational dynamics is further developed by considering coupled electron/proton transfer in a model peptide over many orders of magnitude. The influence of the surrounding solvent is probed for electron transfer to the solvent in hydrated I−. Next, the dynamics of a modified PDZ domain over many time scales is analyzed following activation of a photoswitch. The hydration dynamics around halogenated amino acid side chains and their structural dynamics in proteins are relevant for iodinated TyrB26 insulin. Binding of nitric oxide to myoglobin is a process for which experimental and computational analyses have converged to a common view which connects rebinding time scales and the underlying dynamics. Finally, rhodopsin is a paradigmatic system for multiple length- and time-scale processes for which experimental and computational methods provide valuable insights into the functional dynamics. The systems discussed here highlight that for a comprehensive understanding of how structure, flexibility, energetics, and dynamics contribute to functional dynamics, experimental studies in multiple wavelength regions and computational studies including quantum, classical, and more coarse grained levels are required.

The transfer of charge at the molecular level plays a fundamental role in many areas of chemistry, physics, biology and materials science. Today, more than 60 years after the seminal work of R. A. Marcus, charge transfer is still a very active field of research. An important recent impetus comes from the ability to resolve ever faster temporal events, down to the attosecond time scale. Such a high temporal resolution now offers the possibility to unravel the most elementary quantum dynamics of both electrons and nuclei that participate in the complex process of charge transfer. This review covers recent research that addresses the following questions. Can we reconstruct the migration of charge across a molecule on the atomic length and electronic time scales? Can we use strong laser fields to control charge migration? Can we temporally resolve and understand intramolecular charge transfer in dissociative ionization of small molecules, in transition-metal complexes and in conjugated polymers? Can we tailor molecular systems towards specific charge-transfer processes? What are the time scales of the elementary steps of charge transfer in liquids and nanoparticles? Important new insights into each of these topics, obtained from state-of-the-art ultrafast spectroscopy and/or theoretical methods, are summarized in this review.

Recent years have seen dramatic developments in the technology of intense pulsed light sources in the THz frequency range. Since many dipole-active excitations in solids and molecules also lie in this range, there is now a tremendous potential to use these light sources to study linear and nonlinear dynamics in such systems. While several experimental investigations of THz-driven dynamics in solid-state systems have demonstrated a variety of interesting linear and nonlinear phenomena, comparatively few efforts have been made to drive analogous dynamics in molecular systems. In the present Perspective article, we discuss the similarities and differences between THz-driven dynamics in solid-state and molecular systems on both conceptual and practical levels. We also discuss the experimental parameters needed for these types of experiments and thereby provide design criteria for a further development of this new research branch. Finally, we present a few recent examples to illustrate the rich physics that may be learned from nonlinear THz excitations of phonons in solids as well as inter-molecular vibrations in liquid and gas-phase systems.

Ultrafast vibrational dynamics of small molecules on platinum (Pt) layers in water are investigated using 2D attenuated total reflectance IR spectroscopy. Isotope combinations of carbon monoxide and cyanide are used to elucidate inter-adsorbate and substrate-adsorbate interactions. Despite observed cross-peaks in the CO spectra, we conclude that the molecules are not vibrationally coupled. Rather, strong substrate-adsorbate interactions evoke rapid (∼2 ps) vibrational relaxation from the adsorbate into the Pt layer, leading to thermal cross-peaks. In the case of CN, vibrational relaxation is significantly slower (∼10 ps) and dominated by adsorbate-solvent interactions, while the coupling to the substrate is negligible.

Autofocusing is the fundamental step when it comes to image acquisition and analysis with automated microscopy devices. Despite all efforts that have been put into developing a reliable autofocus system, recent methods still lack robustness towards different microscope modes and distracting artefacts. This paper presents a novel automated focusing approach that is generally applicable to different microscope modes (bright-field, phase contrast, Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) and fluorescence microscopy). The main innovation consists in a Content-based focus search that makes use of a priori knowledge about the observed objects by employing local object features and Boosted Learning. Hence, this method turns away from common autofocus approaches that apply solely whole image frequency measurements to obtain the focus plane. Thus, it is possible to exclude artefacts from being brought into focus calculation as well as locating the in-focus layer of specific microscopic objects.

In the present contribution we summarize our observations concerning the ultrafast non-equilibrium dynamics of water, in both the liquid and crystalline phase. Our experimental tool is two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy, which combines structural information on a molecular level with femtosecond time resolution. In the case of liquid and supercooled water we are able to extract the timescales of hydrogen bonding dynamics, whereas in the ice form we can probe the change of the hydrogen bond properties under excitation and observe the influence of intermolecular mode excitations in the crystal.

Proton transfer reactions, including acid–base recombination, are commonly considered to occur 'nearly instantaneously'. However, their actual time scales may stretch far into the microsecond range, as acid–base reactions are diffusion controlled and the concentrations are low near neutral pH. The interplay of competing bases in the pH relaxation is illustrated using a model acid–base system consisting of o-nitrobenzaldehyde (oNBA) as a proton cage and acetate ions and hydroxyl ions as bases. The kinetically controlled behavior leads to highly counterintuitive states, i.e. acetate ions are transiently protonated for hundreds of nanoseconds despite the presence of a much stronger base OH–.

Vibrational spectroscopy uniquely combines ultrafast time-resolution with chemical selectivity and molecular structure resolution. A list of examples of experiments and applications pursued at University of Zurich highlights the wide-spread applicability of time-resolved vibrational spectroscopy for molecular sciences.

In NMR spectroscopy, multidimensional methods allow for fascinating insights into molecular structure and dynamics. With the introduction of ultra fast two-dimensional in frared spectroscopy, these concepts now enter the optical domain, measuring couplings and correlations between molecular vibrations with picosecond time resolution. The time resolution is sufficient to investigate transient species far away from equilibrium during fast photo chemical reactions in real-time. Numerous applications of the method are found in chemistry and in biophysics.

Abstract Background Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) comprise a heterogeneous group of mainly chronic lung diseases with different disease trajectories. Progression (PF-ILD) occurs in up to 50% of patients and is associated with increased mortality. Methods The EXCITING-ILD (Exploring Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Interstitial Lung Diseases) registry was analysed for disease trajectories in different ILD. The course of disease was classified as significant (absolute forced vital capacity FVC decline > 10%) or moderate progression (FVC decline 5–10%), stable disease (FVC decline or increase

Abstract Background Obtaining a properly fitting non-invasive ventilation (NIV) mask to treat acute respiratory failure is a major challenge, especially in young children and patients with craniofacial abnormalities. Personalization of NIV masks holds promise to improve pediatric NIV efficiency. As current customization methods are relatively time consuming, this study aimed to test the air leak and surface pressure performance of personalized oronasal face masks using 3D printed soft materials. Personalized masks of three different biocompatible materials (silicone and photopolymer resin) were developed and tested on three head models of young children with abnormal facial features during preclinical bench simulation of pediatric NIV. Air leak percentages and facial surface pressures were measured and compared for each mask. Results Personalized NIV masks could be successfully produced in under 12 h in a semi-automated 3D production process. During NIV simulation, overall air leak performance and applied surface pressures were acceptable, with leak percentages under 30% and average surface pressure values mostly remaining under normal capillary pressure. There was a small advantage of the masks produced with soft photopolymer resin material. Conclusion This first, proof-of-concept bench study simulating NIV in children with abnormal facial features, showed that it is possible to obtain biocompatible, personalized oronasal masks with acceptable air leak and facial surface pressure performance using a relatively short, and semi-automated production process. Further research into the clinical value and possibilities for application of personalized NIV masks in critically ill children is needed.

Abstract Background Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) comprise a heterogeneous group of mainly chronic lung diseases with more than 200 entities and relevant differences in disease course and prognosis. Little data is available on hospitalisation patterns in ILD. Methods The EXCITING-ILD (Exploring Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Interstitial Lung Diseases) registry was analysed for hospitalisations. Reasons for hospitalisation were classified as all cause, ILD-related and respiratory hospitalisations, and patients were analysed for frequency of hospitalisations, time to first non-elective hospitalisation, mortality and progression-free survival. Additionally, the risk for hospitalisation according to GAP index and ILD subtype was calculated by Cox proportional-hazard models as well as influencing factors on prediction of hospitalisation by logistic regression with forward selection. Results In total, 601 patients were included. 1210 hospitalisations were recorded during the 6 months prior to registry inclusion until the last study visit. 800 (66.1%) were ILD-related, 59.3% of admissions were registered in the first year after inclusion. Mortality was associated with all cause, ILD-related and respiratory-related hospitalisation. Risk factors for hospitalisation were advanced disease (GAP Index stages II and III) and CTD (connective tissue disease)-ILDs. All cause hospitalisations were associated with pulmonary hypertension (OR 2.53, p = 0.005). ILD-related hospitalisations were associated with unclassifiable ILD and concomitant emphysema (OR = 2.133, p = 0.001) as well as with other granulomatous ILDs and a positive smoking status (OR = 3.082, p = 0.005). Conclusion Our results represent a crucial contribution in understanding predisposing factors for hospitalisation in ILD and its major impact on mortality. Further studies to characterize the most vulnerable patient group as well as approaches to prevent hospitalisations are warranted.