Highly Reversible "On-Off-On" Fluorescence Switch Governed by pH, Utilizing Bis(Benzimidazole) Derivatives with Varied Link Groups.

In this work, a series of dibenzimidazole derivatives 1-4, act as highly reversible colorimetric and fluorescent pH chemosensor, were designed and synthesized. Excellent reversible pH response of these sensors could be found by a specific pH change through obvious fluorescent color changes. The response is not affected by common cations (including Al3+, Cu2+, Ca2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Cr3+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Ni2+, Pb2+ and Zn2+) and anions (including F-, Cl-, Br-, I-, ClO4-, H2PO4-, HSO4-, HCO3- and CH3COO-). Notably, these sensors can be reused more than 10 times without losing functionality. Unlike previous reports, the distinct properties of 1-4 are attributed to the varied link groups. Based on comprehensive experimental data and mechanistic analyses, it is concluded that sensors 1-4 are promising candidates for use as highly reversible "on-off-on" fluorescence switches under precise pH control.

Assessment of interactions between elemental carbon and metals in black carbon: Hydroxyl radical generation and glutathione depletion.

Elemental carbon (EC) and metals are two important parts of atmospheric black carbon (BC). However, little information is available regarding the interaction between them and its impacts on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and physiological antioxidants depletion. In this study, we chose six most frequently detected metals (Cu(Ⅱ), Fe(Ⅲ), Mn(Ⅱ), Cr(Ⅲ), Pb(Ⅱ) and Zn(Ⅱ)) in BC and examined their interactions with EC in the ROS generation and glutathione (GSH) oxidation. Results showed that only Cu(Ⅱ) and EC synergically promoted the GSH oxidation and hydroxyl radical (•OH) generation. Other five metals had negligible effects on the GSH oxidation regardless of the presence or absence of EC. The synergistic interaction between Cu(Ⅱ) and EC could be attributed to the superior electrical conductivity of EC. In the process, EC transferred electrons from the adjacent GSH to Cu(Ⅱ) through its graphitic carbon framework to yield Cu(Ⅰ) and GSH radical. Cu(Ⅰ) further reacted with dioxygen to generate •OH, which eventually led to the oxidation of GSH. Our results revealed a new driving force inducing the ROS formation and GSH depletion as well as provided novel insights into the risk assessment of BC.

The influence mechanisms of inclusive leadership on job satisfaction: Evidence from young university employees in China.

BACKGROUND: Leadership style and job satisfaction are currently hot issues in the field of management psychology research, especially with regard to young employees. OBJECTIVE: This study attempted to explain the mechanism of improving employees' job satisfaction by combining the key factors of work-family balance and psychological capital. METHODS: We adopted the literature method, questionnaire survey method, and statistics method to conduct the research. And we conducted structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis of 540 young university employees in China using the random sampling method for sampling. RESULTS: Based on the structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis of 540 young university employees in China, the results show that inclusive leadership has a positive impact on improving employees' job satisfaction and that work-family balance is beneficial to serving leaders in improving employees' job satisfaction. Simultaneously, psychological capital positively moderates the indirect effect of inclusive leadership on improving job satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The final model revealed an important path from inclusive leadership to job satisfaction through work-family balance. These findings not only extend and enrich the relevant research on the relationship between inclusive leadership and job satisfaction but also shed some light on university management practice.

Insight into the oxidation of glutathione mediated by black carbon from three typical emission sources.

Black carbon (BC) is released into the atmosphere in large quantities from different emission sources each year and poses a serious threat to human health. These BC possessed a variety of characteristics and different mediation abilities for the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In this study, we collected BC (i.e., diesel BC, coal BC and wood BC) from three typica emission sources, and examined their mediation abilities to the oxidation of glutathione (GSH). Results showed that all three BC significantly promoted the GSH oxidation, and the mediation efficiencies were as follows: diesel BC > coal BC > wood BC. In comparison with the water-soluble fraction, the mediation abilities of three BC mainly came from their solid phase fractions. In the coal BC and wood BC systems, the oxidation of GSH was attributed to the catalysis of transition metals in BC. By contrast, the transition metals, phenolic -OH and persistent free radicals in diesel BC were identified as the active sites responsible for the GSH oxidation. In addition, the graphitic surface of diesel BC could synergize with these active sites to accelerate the oxidation of GSH. Under the catalysis of BC, dissolved oxygen was first reduced to ROS (O2•- and H2O2) and then caused the GSH oxidation. These findings not only help to better assess the adverse health effects of different BC, but also deepen the understanding of the reaction mechanisms.

A Sensitive Fluorescent Sensor for Highly Sensitive Detection of Water in Organic Solvents Based on Substituted Imidazole.

A novel substituted imidazole derivative 1a with carboxyl and quinoline structure has been designed and synthesized. And our initial discovery is that this compound can effectively detect water in ethanol. And the metal in solution couldn't affect the absorption and fluorescence Spectra of 1a. With the addition of water, the energy band appears a red-shift from 330nm to 355nm in the absorption spectra. And the emission spectrum undergoes an important change in its fluorescent effect in the presence of water. Furthermore, absorption peak of 1a displays a red-shift with increasing pH from 2.31 to 10.72. All available data (absorption and emission) strongly support the possible mechanism. Due to the pronounced fluorescence changing property, the substituted imidazole derivative 1a could be utilized as fluorescent probes for detecting water in ethanol.