Hierarchical Silica Composites for Enhanced Water Adsorption at Low Humidity.

To combat water scarcity in remote areas around the world, adsorption-based atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) has been proposed as a technology that can be used alongside existing water production capabilities. However, commonly used adsorbents either have low water adsorption loadings or are difficult to regenerate. In this work, we developed two novel hierarchical silica-salt composites that both exhibit high water adsorption loadings under dry and humid conditions.

Interrogating Encapsulated Protein Structure within Metal-Organic Frameworks at Elevated Temperature.

Encapsulating biomacromolecules within metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can confer thermostability to entrapped guests. It has been hypothesized that the confinement of guest molecules within a rigid MOF scaffold results in heightened stability of the guests, but no direct evidence of this mechanism has been shown. Here, we present a novel analytical method using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to solve the structure of bovine serum albumin (BSA) while encapsulated within two zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-67 and ZIF-8).

Unblocking a rigid purine MOF for kinetic separation of xylenes.

The separation of xylene isomers still remains an industrially challenging task. Here, porous purine-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been synthesized and studied for their potential in xylene separations. In particular, Zn(purine)I showed excellent -xylene/-xylene separation capability with a diffusion selectivity of 6 and high equilibrium adsorption selectivity as indicated by coadsorption experiments.

European Forum for Primary Care: Position Paper for Primary Care Mental Health.

There is a need for a paradigm shift across mental health in primary care to improve the lives of millions of Europeans. To contribute to this paradigm shift, the European Forum for Primary Care (EFPC-MH) working group for Mental Health, produced a Position Paper for Primary Care Mental Health outlining 14 themes that needed prioritizing. These themes were developed and discussed interactively during the EFPC conferences between 2012 and 2019.

Determination of the dehydration pathway in a flexible metal-organic framework by dynamic x-ray diffraction.

Understanding guest exchange processes in metal-organic frameworks is an important step toward the rational design of functional materials with tailor-made properties. The dehydration of the flexible metal-organic framework [Co(AIP)(bpy)0.5(HO)]•2HO was studied by novel dynamic x-ray diffraction techniques.

Computational and Crystallographic Examination of Naphthoquinone Based Diarylethene Photochromes.

Photochromic compounds have a lengthy history of study and a profusion of applications that stand to gain from these studies. Among the classes of photochromic compounds, diarylethenes show desirable properties including high fatigue resistance and thermal stability, thus meeting some of the most important criteria necessary to enter the realm of practical applications. Recently, photochromic diarylethenes containing quinone functionalities have demonstrated interesting optical and solid-state properties.

In situ visualization of loading-dependent water effects in a stable metal-organic framework.

Competitive water adsorption can have a significant impact on metal-organic framework performance properties, ranging from occupying active sites in catalytic reactions to co-adsorbing at the most favourable adsorption sites in gas separation and storage applications. In this study, we investigate, for a metal-organic framework that is stable after moisture exposure, what are the reversible, loading-dependent structural changes that occur during water adsorption. Herein, a combination of in situ synchrotron powder and single-crystal diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and molecular modelling analysis was used to understand the important role of loading-dependent water effects in a water stable metal-organic framework.

A novel microchip-based imaged CIEF-MS system for comprehensive characterization and identification of biopharmaceutical charge variants.

A microfluidic system has been designed that integrates both imaged capillary isoelectric focusing (iCIEF) separations and downstream MS detection into a single assay. Along with the construction of novel instrumentation and an innovative microfluidic chip, conversion to MS-compatible separation reagents has also been established. Incorporation of 280 nm absorbance iCIEF-MS analysis not only permits photometric quantitation of separated charge isoforms but also facilitates the direct monitoring of analyte focusing and mobilization in real-time.

Solvent exchange in a metal-organic framework single crystal monitored by dynamic in situ X-ray diffraction.

Understanding the processes by which porous solid-state materials adsorb and release guest molecules would represent a significant step towards developing rational design principles for functional porous materials. To elucidate the process of liquid exchange in these materials, dynamic in situ X-ray diffraction techniques have been developed which utilize liquid-phase chemical stimuli. Using these time-resolved diffraction techniques, the ethanol solvation process in a flexible metal-organic framework [Co(AIP)(bpy)(HO)]·2HO was examined.

The temperature dependent photoswitching of a classic diarylethene monitored by in situ X-ray diffraction.

Organic photochromic molecules including diarylethenes are of particular interest for their numerous potential applications including high-density optical data storage and light-activated switches. In this report, we examined the temperature dependence of the light-drive photocyclization reaction in a classic diarylethene. The steady-state populations were monitored spectroscopically and by temperature dependent in situ photocrystallography, the latter being the first reported example of this technique.

Inflammatory bowel disease, high-dose steroids, osteoporosis, or an oncological etiology for a pathological femoral neck fracture in a young adult: a case report.

Unlabelled: Femoral neck fractures occur in approximately 6,000 of young adults annually (ages 18-49) (1). Of these, a high-energy traumatic event is the typical cause. Although medications and chronic diseases have been implicated as confounding causes of hip fractures, clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for an oncologic etiology of hip fractures occurring in young patients without an inciting traumatic event.

Photoresponsive porous materials: the design and synthesis of photochromic diarylethene-based linkers and a metal-organic framework.

The synthesis and characterization of novel photochromic diarylethene-based linkers for use in metal–organic frameworks is described including crystal structure analysis of nearly all reaction intermediates. The bis-carboxylated dithien-3-ylphenanthrenes can be prepared under relatively mild conditions in high yield and were subsequently used to create a photoresponsive metal–organic framework, UBMOF-1. While the photochromism of the ligand TPDC in solution is fully reversible, the cycloreversion reaction is suppressed when this linker is incorporated into the crystalline framework of UBMOF-1.

Photo-responsive MOFs: light-induced switching of porous single crystals containing a photochromic diarylethene.

Herein we report the synthesis and characterization of light responsive metal organic framework (MOF) single crystals containing the photochromic diarylethene 1,2-bis(2,5-dimethyl-thien-3-yl)perfluorocyclopentene. Polarized light microscopy on single crystals indicates that the photochrome is preferentially aligned along the c-axis of the host.

A fluorescent dipyrrinone oxime for the detection of pesticides and other organophosphates.

An N,N-carbonyl-bridged dipyrrinone oxime has been synthesized and studied as a potential sensor for organophosphates. The molecular sensor underwent a drastic colorimetric response upon formation of the adduct. The pesticide dimethoate was found to produce the biggest spectral response, with a limit of detection equal to 4.

Conformational and configurational analysis of an N,N carbonyl dipyrrinone-derived oximate and nitrone by NMR and quantum chemical calculations.

The geometries and relative energies of new N,N carbonyl dipyrrinone-derived oxime molecules (E/Z-s-cis 4a and E/Z-s-cis 4b) have been investigated. The calculated energies, molecular geometries, and (1) H/(13) C NMR chemical shifts agree with experimental data, and the results are presented herein. The E-s-cis conformations of 4a and 4b and the Z-s-cis conformation of 5b were found to be the thermodynamically most stable isomers with the oxime hydrogen atom or the methyl functional group adopting an anti-orientation with respect to the dipyrrinone group.

Multiplexed imaging of surface enhanced Raman scattering nanotags in living mice using noninvasive Raman spectroscopy.

Raman spectroscopy is a newly developed, noninvasive preclinical imaging technique that offers picomolar sensitivity and multiplexing capabilities to the field of molecular imaging. In this study, we demonstrate the ability of Raman spectroscopy to separate the spectral fingerprints of up to 10 different types of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanoparticles in a living mouse after s.c.

Microfabricated templates for the electrodeposition of metallic barcodes for use in multiplexed bioassays.

Lithographically defined polyimide templates were prepared using microfabrication techniques. The templates consist of high aspect ratio pores that were formed by deep plasma etching. Different metals are electrodeposited into the pores, and then the template is removed to allow the metallic rods (particles) to be released into solution.

Multiplexed SNP genotyping using nanobarcode particle technology.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) are the most common form of sequence variation in the human genome. Large-scale studies demand high-throughput SNP genotyping platforms. Here we demonstrate the potential of encoded nanowires for use in a particles-based universal array for high-throughput SNP genotyping.

Use of nanobarcodes particles in bioassays.

We have developed striped metal nanoparticles, Nanobarcodes particles, which can act as encoded substrates in multiplexed assays. These particles are metallic, encodeable, machine-readable, durable, submicron-sized tags. The power of this technology is that the particles are intrinsically encoded by virtue of the difference in reflectivity of adjacent metal stripes.

Adhesion of Aureobasidium pullulans is controlled by uronic acid based polymers and pullulan.

Aureobasidium pullulans is a potentially pathogenic microfungus that produces and secretes the polysaccharide pullulan and other biomacromolecules, depending on the microbe's physiological state. The role of these macromolecules in mediating adhesion and attachment were examined. Interfacial forces and adhesion affinities of A.

Encoded metal nanoparticle-based molecular beacons for multiplexed detection of DNA.

In this paper we describe a molecular beacon format assay in which encoded nanowire particles are used to achieve multiplexing. We demonstrate this principle with the detection of five viral pathogens; Hepatitis A virus, Hepatitis C virus, West Nile Virus, Human Immune Deficiency virus and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus. Oligonucleotides are designed complementary to a target sequence of interest containing a 3' universal fluorescence dye.

In vivo size and shape measurement of the human upper airway using endoscopic longrange optical coherence tomography.

We describe a long-range optical coherence tomography system for size and shape measurement of large hollow organs in the human body. The system employs a frequency-domain optical delay line of a configuration that enables the combination of high-speed operation with long scan range. We compare the achievable maximum delay of several delay line configurations, and identify the configurations with the greatest delay range.

Particles for multiplexed analysis in solution: detection and identification of striped metallic particles using optical microscopy.

In this report, we present data demonstrating that cylindrical metallic particles, with various submicrometer striping patterns, may be readily distinguished in an optical microscope. Accurate particle identification is discussed relative to synthesis reproducibility and the limitations of optical microscopes. Results from a library of these particles, of which over 100 different striping patterns have been produced, are presented.