Biomass burning aerosols play an important role in the chemistry and physics of the atmosphere and therefore, affect global climate. Biomass burning aerosols are generally aqueous and have a strong saccharidic component due to the combustion and pyrolysis of cellulose, a major component of foliar fuel. This class of aerosol is known to affect both the absorption and scatter of solar radiation. Also, biomass burning aerosols contribute to cloud formation through their action as cloud-condensation nuclei. Many questions exist about the chemical speciation and chemical aging of biomass burning aerosols and how this affects their atmospheric properties and ultimately, global climate. Also, knowledge of the chemical components of these aerosols is important in the search for chemical tracers that can give information about the point or regional source, fuel type, and age of a biomass burning aerosol parcel. Levoglucosan was chosen for these studies as a model compound for biomass burning aerosols because of its high measured concentrations in aerosol samples. Levoglucosan often dominates the aerosol composition by mass. In this dissertation, laboratory proxy systems were developed to study the solution-phase chemistry of levoglucosan with common atmospheric reactants found in biomass burning aerosols (i.e. H+, •OH). To mimic these natural conditions, acid chemistry was studied using sulfuric acid in water (pH=4.5). The hydroxyl radical (•OH) was produced by the Fenton reaction which consists of iron, hydrogen peroxide and acid (H2SO4) in aqueous solvent. For studies in aqueous sulfuric acid, oligomers of levoglucosan were measured by matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). A rational mechanism is proposed based on both the acid-catalyzed cationic ring-opening of levoglucosan and nucleophilic attack of ROH from levoglucosan on the hemi-acetal carbon to produce pyranose oligomers through the formation of glycosidic bonds. Oligomer formation is further supported by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Reactions of levoglucosan with •OH produced from Fenton chemistry were studied in solution. Two modes of oligomerization (2000 u) were observed for reaction times between 1 and 7 days using MALDI-TOF-MS and laser desorption ionization (LDI) TOF-MS. Single-mass unit continuum mass distributions with dominant -2 u patterns were measured and superimposed by a +176/+162 u oligomer series. This latter oligomer pattern was attributed to a Criegee rearrangement (+14 u) of levoglucosan, initiated by •OH, forming a lactone (176 u). The acid-catalyzed reaction of any ROH from levoglucosan (+162 u) forms an ester through transesterification of the lactone functionality, whereupon propagation forms polyesters. Proposed products and chemical mechanisms are suggested as sources and precursors of humic-like substances (HULIS), which are known to possess a large saccharic component and are possibly formed from biomass burning aerosols. These products could also serve as secondary tracers, giving further information on the source and age of the aerosol.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Dans cette étude, un nouveau complexe de fer est utilisé dans des processus d’oxydation avancée pour la dégradation de polluants organiques présents dans l’eau. Le fer ferrique (Fe(III)) et l’acide éthylène diamine-N,N’-disuccinique (EDDS) forment un complexe Fe(III)-EDDS dont la structure a été mise en évidence durant ce travail. Les propriétés photochimiques du complexe ont ensuite été évaluées en fonction de différents paramètres physico-chimiques dont le pH qui est apparu comme un paramètre clé pour l’efficacité des processus testés. Ensuite nous avons donc travaillé sur l’utilisation de ce complexe dans les processus de Fenton modifié, photo-Fenton et comme activateur des persulfates (S2O82-). Nos expériences ont été réalisées en présence du 4-tert-butylphénol (4-t-BP) qui est connu pour être un perturbateur endocrinien. Nous avons ensuite mis en évidence les conditions optimales du traitement pour la dégradation du 4-t-BP. Il est apparu que le pH joue un rôle très important et qu’en présence de ce complexe de fer, l’efficacité est plus importante pour des pH neutre ou légèrement basique. L’identification des radicaux oxydants responsables de la dégradation du polluant a également été réalisée. Dans ce cadre nous avons montré que le radical sulfate joue un rôle plus important que le radical hydroxyle lors du processus d’activation des persulfates. / Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) have been proved to be successfully applied in the treatment of sewage. It can decolorize the wastewater, reduce the toxicity of pollutants, convert the pollutants to be a biodegradable by-product and achieve the completed mineralization of the organic pollutants. The Fenton technologies which are performed by iron-activated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to produce hydroxyl radical (HO•) has been widely investigated in the past few decades. Recently, Sulfate radical (SO4•-) which was produced by the activation of persulfate (S2O82-) is applied to the degradation of organic pollutants in water and soil. It is a new technology recently developed. It is also believed to be one of the most promising advanced oxidation technologies.In this study, a new iron complex is introduced to the traditional Fenton reaction. The ferric iron (Fe(III)) and Ethylene diamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid (EDDS) formed the complex named Fe(III)-EDDS. It can overcome the main disadvantage of traditional Fenton technology, which is the fact that traditional Fenton technology can only perform high efficiency in acidic condition. Simultaneously, EDDS is biodegradable and it is one of the best environment-friendly complexing agents. On the other hand, the transition metal is able to activate S2O82- to generate SO4•-. Therefore, Fe(III)-EDDS will also be applied to activate S2O82- in the present study. 4-tert-Butylphenol (4-t-BP) has been chosen as a target pollutant in this study. It is widely used as a chemical raw material and is classified as endocrine disrupting chemicals due to the estrogenic effects. The 4-t-BP degradation rate (R4-t-BP) is used to indicate the efficiency of the advanced oxidation processes which are based on Fe(III)-EDDS utilization. The main contents and conclusions of this research are shown as follows:In the first part, the chemical structure and properties of Fe(III)-EDDS and the 4-t-BP degradation efficiency in UV/Fe(III)-EDDS system were studied. The results showed that Fe(III)-EDDS was a stable complex which was formed by the Fe(III) and EDDS with the molar ratio 1:1. From the photoredox process of Fe(III)-EDDS, the formation of hydroxyl radical was confirmed including that HO• is the main species responsible for the degradation of 4-t-BP in aqueous solution. Ferrous ion (Fe(II)) was also formed during the reaction. With the increasing Fe(III)-EDDS concentration, 4-t-BP degradation rate increased but is inhibited when the Fe(III)-EDDS concentration was too high. Indeed, Fe(III)-EDDS is the scavenger of HO•. pH value had a significant effect on the degradation efficiency of 4-t-BP that was enhanced under neutral or alkaline conditions. On the one hand, Fe(III)-EDDS presented in the FeL-, Fe(OH)L2-, Fe(OH)2L3-, Fe(OH)4- four different forms under different pH conditions and they had different sensitivity to the UV light. On the other hand, pH value affected the cycle between Fe(III) and Fe(II ). The formation of hydroperoxy radicals (HO2•) and superoxide radical anions (O2•-) (pka = 4.88) as a function of pH was also one of the reasons. It was observed that O2 was an important parameter affecting the efficiency of this process. This effect of O2 is mainly due to its important role during the oxidation of the first radical formed on the pollutant. (...)

Metallocofactors are ubiquitous in nature, serving multiple purposes in proteins. These metallocofactors typically act as the site of catalysis or as an electron relay to move electrons within the protein, or within the cell, and are very energetically costly to manufacture. Yet, in nature it can appear that supernumerary, or ‘auxiliary’ cofactors are apparent, with no clear function. In this thesis, I address the question of what roles additional cofactors play, and why they are retained. The radical S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) enzyme superfamily has displayed great diversity in the cofactor requirements for its members. Some members of this family contain only the canonical [4Fe-4S] cluster, which reductively cleaves AdoMet to initiate chemistry, while others have additional [2Fe-2S] or [4Fe-4S] clusters. Even greater cofactor complexity is seen with the B12-dependent subclass, featuring a cobalamin-binding domain in addition to the canonical FeS cluster. The majority of this thesis has focused on using the technique of protein film electrochemistry (PFE) to study members of various subclasses of this superfamily: a dehydrogenase: BtrN, two methylthiotransferases: MiaB and RimO, as well as OxsB and TsrM, two B12-dependent enzymes. By evaluating the redox properties of members of different subclasses, we have been able to shed light on the redox properties of this superfamily, in general, and observed that the redox properties of auxiliary clusters can differ widely between subclasses (e.g. BtrN versus MiaB). PFE has also been used to evaluate five ferredoxins that are possible electron donors for MiaB from Thermotoga maritima. Additionally, bacterial cytochrome c peroxidases (bCCPs) are diheme enzymes catalyzing the detoxification of hydrogen peroxide; however, a novel subclass of bCCPs containing a third heme-binding motif has been identified in enteric pathogens. Protein film electrochemistry has been used to study the redox properties of Escherichia coli YhjA, a member of this subgroup. Further characterization of this novel bCCP was achieved with electron paramagnetic resonance, optical spectroscopy, and steady-state kinetics. Through characterizing YhjA and members of the AdoMet radical enzyme superfamily, we have shed light on the role these additional cofactors play in the mechanism and how these enzymes are tuned for their specific chemistries. / 2018-08-11T00:00:00Z

As a road map for a structural transformation of socially and ecologically self-destructive consumer societies, the paradigm of sustainability is increasingly regarded as a spent force. Yet, its exhaustion seems to coincide with the rebirth of several ideas reminiscent of earlier, more radical currents of eco-political thought: liberation from capitalism, consumerism and the logic of growth. May the exhaustion of the sustainability paradigm finally re-open the intellectual and political space for the big push beyond the established socio-economic order? Looking from the perspective of social and eco-political theory, this article argues that the new narratives (and social practices) of postcapitalism, degrowth and post-consumerism cannot plausibly be read as signalling a new eco-political departure. It suggests that beyond the exhaustion of the sustainability paradigm, we are witnessing, more than anything, the further advancement of the politics of unsustainability - and that in this politics the new narratives of hope may themselves be playing a crucial role.

Memoria para optar al Título Profesional de Ingeniero Forestal / Actualmente en Chile, existen alrededor de 743 plantas exóticas, incluso algunas llegando a ser especies invasoras. Las plantas invasoras amenazan la biodiversidad del país, provocando graves efectos a los ecosistemas, ya que ocupan el nicho de especies nativas, desplazándolas o incluso extinguiéndolas. La zona central de Chile, donde se concentran las actividades productivas y la mayor población del país, es particularmente susceptible a las invasiones. Las estrategias de invasión consisten en mecanismos que les permiten a las plantas establecerse, competir exitosamente por los recursos y lograr su reproducción. Uno de estos mecanismos es la velocidad de ocupación del sustrato, por cuanto se espera que las plantas puedan alcanzar de manera más eficiente el frente húmedo del suelo, así lograr la dominancia en la competencia por otros recursos. En este contexto, este estudio tiene como objetivo principal evaluar las estrategias de establecimiento inicial de tres especies arbóreas exóticas y tres nativas en condiciones de laboratorio. Además, cuantificar y evaluar el crecimiento inicial de la parte aérea y radical de las especies analizadas y determinar si existen ventajas competitivas de ellas en la ocupación inicial de un sustrato homogéneo. Las especies estudiadas fueron peumo (Cryptocarya alba), quillay (Quillaja. saponaria), espino (Acacia caven), falsa acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), aromo país (Acacia dealbata) y pino radiata (Pinus radiata). Se utilizaron 50 semillas pretratadas por especie. Las semillas se sembraron en arena esterilizada en tubos de ensayo de vidrio de 60 ml. El ensayo se realizó en condiciones controladas de humedad, temperatura y luz, en cámara de crecimiento. Se usaron diez repeticiones por especie cada siete días durante cinco semanas (300 semillas). Todas las semanas se extrajo un grupo de diez muestras de todas las especies. Se midió longitud, peso fresco, peso seco, el contenido de agua o humedad y velocidad de crecimiento, tanto de las raíces como de su parte aérea, además, de la densidad de raíces y se construyen dos índices de tallo/raíz, para biomasa y longitud. El análisis de los datos se realizó por cada semana de muestreo mediante una prueba no paramétrica donde se comparó el crecimiento entre especies. Adicionalmente, se realizó un análisis de componentes principales con propósito de analizar la interacción de todas las especies y las variables. De acuerdo con la cuantificación y evaluación del crecimiento aéreo y radicular de las especies, se observa que A. caven dentro de las nativas y P. radiata dentro de las exóticas son las especies que tienden a crecen más durante las cinco semanas evaluadas. Además, se observó que el crecimiento de C. alba se asocia positivamente con el tamaño de sus cotiledones. Mientras que, Q. saponaria, A. dealbata y R. pseudoacacia, tendieron a presentar los menores crecimientos para todas las variables evaluadas, no observándose grandes diferencias entre ellas. No hay una clara ventaja, desde el punto de vista de crecimiento y ocupación del sustrato inicial, para el grupo de especies exóticas, contra el grupo de especies nativas evaluadas en esta investigación. Es probable que el éxito de las invasiones de las especies estudiadas se base en otras estrategias como; presión de propágulos, resistencia a estrees biótico y abióticos.

ABSTRACT Radical Black movements in the United States are often judged according to the feasibility of their aims and practices. This tends to overlook other ameliorative and even revolutionary contributions that these movements make. While the Civil Rights Protest Movement is well acknowledged for its ameliorative contributions to the just treatment of Blacks in America, black radicals are often decried as having been impractical and unrealistic. The impracticality of black radical movements often baffles scholars when they try to rationalize the existence of these movements, and often sociological justifications are sought. This dissertation seeks to show that the sentiments of the black radical movements were rooted in variables which are understandable and justifiable. Separatism and revolutionism, by the Nation of Islam and the Black Panther Party respectively, were direct responses to the situation of Blacks in America, in the past and in the future. The past was that of brutal discrimination and exploitation, the future spelled out assimilation and yet again exploitation. It made sense to the Nation of Islam that they should seek separatism and self-determination within or without America, and it also made sense to the Black Panther to seek revolution in order to end all exploitation and paternalism. The history of Black/white relations could not be erased from the collective memory. In order to denounce the past, the present was to be cursed. The callous past justified autonomy and this autonomy was sought in separatism and revolution. The proponents of these tenets were not deluded about the feasibility of the most extreme of their demands- the tenets were a denunciation of America, the American national consciousness. The mere adherence to these beliefs granted its proponents racial and class solidarity, dignity and pride. These alone are enough to justify the noise that these movements made. This is the argument of this dissertation. An attempt will be made, through textual analysis of some of the documents of the Nation of Islam and the Black Panther Party to extract excerpts that link to the ideals of racial solidarity, dignity and pride.

De nos jours, la polymérisation par voie photochimique connaît un grand essor dans différents domaines académiques et industriels comme en témoigne son nombre croissant d’applications. Les photopolymères sont omniprésents dans plusieurs domaines tels que les revêtements, le domaine dentaire, les implants chirurgicaux, les encres, l’impression 3D… Cependant, les avancées réalisées par rapport à cette voie de synthèse de matériaux polymères restent limitées et nécessitent encore plus de recherches et de développements. Cette nouvelle génération de polymères synthétisée par voie photochimique présente l’avantage d’être beaucoup plus écologique que leurs équivalents thermiques. En effet, leur préparation implique moins d’énergie que les autres techniques de synthèse de matériaux polymères. L’élaboration de polymères par voie photochimique est également plus avantageuse en termes de temps nécessaire pour la polymérisation. Moins de composés organiques volatils sont émis car la formulation ne contient que très peu voire pas du tout de solvant. Seules les zones irradiées sont polymérisées ce qui permet d’avoir un bon contrôle spatial de la polymérisation.De nombreuses recherches ont déjà été menées dans ce domaine en utilisant principalement les rayons ultraviolets. Cependant, cette gamme de longueurs d’onde peut être nocive pour la santé. De surcroît, les sources de rayonnement UV sont très énergivores et potentiellement toxiques. Par conséquent, cette technique risque de ne plus aller de pair avec les exigences environnementales actuelles. En parallèle, peu de systèmes photoamorceurs ont montré leur efficacité dans le domaine des longueurs d’onde du visible car ils nécessitent souvent des énergies beaucoup plus élevées.C’est ainsi que l’on s’est intéressé dans le cadre de cette thèse au développement de nouveaux systèmes photoamorceurs plus respectueux de l’environnement et plus efficaces pour amorcer les réactions de polymérisations radicalaire ou cationique sous lumière visible (conditions douces).La lumière visible présente plusieurs avantages par rapport à la lumière ultra-violette. En effet, une faible nocivité a été constatée ainsi qu’une faible consommation énergétique. Plusieurs dispositifs d’irradiation dans le visible ont été utilisés : des lampes halogènes, des diodes électroluminescentes (LED) … Plus intéressant encore, l’utilisation des LED émettant dans la gamme du visible présente un grand intérêt. Elles sont caractérisées par une faible consommation énergétique, un faible coût, une longue durée de vie, une forme compacte …L’utilisation des LED nécessite clairement d’améliorer la performance des systèmes photoamorceurs. Ainsi, l’étude de l’efficacité de nouveaux systèmes photoamorceurs pour la polymérisation radicalaire et/ou cationique sous irradiation de lumière visible à l’aide des LED est au cœur de ce présent sujet de thèse. Notre projet de développement des nouveaux photoamorceurs visibles se base essentiellement sur les approches suivantes : • Une bonne absorption de la lumière visible par les photoamorceurs (avec des coefficients d’extinction molaires élevés)• Un bon recouvrement entre le spectre d’absorption du nouveau photoamorceur et celui d’émission de la source d’irradiation utilisée• Utilisation de sources d’irradiation à faibles intensités (LED)• Développer des photoamorceurs hydrosolubles et efficaces pour amorcer les polymérisations dans l’eauPour les travaux menés au cours de cette thèse, on s’est intéressé à différentes familles de photoamorceurs afin d’établir la relation entre la structure, la réactivité et l’efficacité d’amorçage de réactions de polymérisation radicalaire, cationique ou pour la formation de réseaux interpénétrés de polymères.Ces travaux se divisent en deux grandes parties: une première est à caractère académique tandis qu’une seconde partie porte sur une étude appliquée dans le domaine dentaire. [...] / Nowadays, the photopolymerization processes are omnipresent in various academic and industrial fields such as the dental domain, surgical implants, 3D printing … However, the advances realized for this new way of polymer synthesis remain limited and require more developments.The polymers synthesized by photochemical process have the advantage of being more ecological than the thermal equivalents. Indeed, their preparation involves less energy than the other techniques of polymer synthesis. The elaboration of polymers by photochemical way is also more advantageous in terms of time required for the polymerization and fewer volatile organic compounds are emitted in the atmosphere. Moreover, only the irradiated zones are polymerized which allows a better spatial control of the polymerization. Several searches were already led in this domain by using mainly ultraviolet rays. However, this range of wavelengths could be harmful for the health. Besides, the UV sources are energy consuming. Consequently, this technique is no longer in agreement with the current environmental requirements. In parallel, few photoinitiating systems showed good efficiency in the visible wavelength range.In this context, we have been interested in the development of new photoinitiating systems more environment-friendly and more efficient to initiate radical, cationic and anionic polymerization under visible light irradiation.The visible light presents several advantages compared to the ultraviolet light. Indeed, it is less harmful and lower energy consuming. Particularly, light emitting diodes (LED) are interesting because they are compact and therefore easy to use, long lasting, no mercury is involved for the manufacturing … Thus, the performances improvement of the photoinitiating systems efficient upon visible LED irradiation is clearly required In this regard, the study of new high performances photoinitiating systems for radical, cationic and anionic polymerization under visible LED irradiation is at the core of the current PhD project.Our development project was based essentially on the following approaches: • Good absorption properties of the developed photoinitiators • The best matching between the absorption spectrum of the photoinitiator and the emission spectrum of the irradiation device• Use of LEDs • Development of water soluble photoinitiators for photopolymerization processes in aqueous medium.We were interested in various chromophore families in order to establish the relationship between the structure, the reactivity and the efficiency of the developed photoinitiating systems.The results obtained could be divided into two big parts: the first one has an academic character whereas the second part concerns an applied study in the dental domain.For the first part, various families of visible chromophores were introduced as high performances photoinitiators for radical photopolymerization in the visible range: i) camphorquinone derivatives ii) acylsilanes iii) naphthalimides iv) diketopyrrolopyrroles. Cationic photopolymerization has been studied also through the development of a new iodonium salt and across the use of new photoredox catalysts upon visible LED irradiation. And finally, new photobase generators have been developed for anionic polymerization upon near UV and visible LED irradiation.In the second part, a new class of photoinitiators based on silylglyoxylate structure have been introduce as efficient systems for the radical photopolymerization initiation process upon blue light and applied for the dental field. [...]

This thesis describes the development of new thermal and oxidative radical cyclization methodologies and their application to the total syntheses of alkaloids, particularly to bridged diketopiperazine (DKP) alkaloids. A practical solvent free approach to diverse DKPs and quinazolines is described. The methodology proceeds by thermal silica gel mediated deprotection of the Boc protecting group and intramolecular condensation of the resulting free dipeptides and tripeptides. It was applied to the total syntheses of alkaloids glyantrypine and ardeemin. A major part of the thesis concerns with the discovery and applications of novel diketopiperazine derived alkoxyamines. Their propensity to undergo facile thermal C-O bond homolysis to generate captodative DKP radicals and persistent TEMPO radical allowed using them as radical surrogates. The methodology takes advantage of the persistent radical effect (PRE). The methodology based on PRE was applied in an asymmetric approach to the alkaloid asperparaline C. An asymmetric synthesis of a very advanced precursor to asperparaline C, 8- oxoasperparaline C, was accomplished in 11 steps and 15% overall yield. The key steps of the synthesis include a direct oxidative cyclization of DKPs, regioselective furan dearomatization with singlet oxygen and a reductive...