Edge Functionalization of Bulk γ-Graphyne Facilitates Mechanical Exfoliation and Modulates the Mode of Sheet Stacking.

We have successfully achieved selective and efficient functionalization of sheet edges in microcrystalline multilayer γ-graphyne through two methods: cross-coupling with residual bromide edge groups and copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) with edge terminal alkyne groups. This modification significantly enhances the ease of mechanical exfoliation and dispersibility of the sheets of γ-graphyne. Specifically, C-grafted γ-graphyne forms stable dispersions in compatible organic solvents, allowing for the imaging of atomically thin layers of γ-graphyne for the first time.

Scalable Synthesis and Characterization of Multilayer γ-Graphyne, New Carbon Crystals with a Small Direct Band Gap.

γ-Graphyne is the most symmetric sp/sp allotrope of carbon, which can be viewed as graphene uniformly expanded through the insertion of two-carbon acetylenic units between all the aromatic rings. To date, synthesis of bulk γ-graphyne has remained a challenge. We here report the synthesis of multilayer γ-graphyne through crystallization-assisted irreversible cross-coupling polymerization.

Individualized Placement and Support Supported Employment for Justice-involved Homeless and Unemployed Veterans.

Background: Homelessness is a significant issue affecting the general US population. Two subsets of the population overrepresented in the US homeless population are justice involved individuals and Veterans. However, relatively little research has addressed alleviating homelessness in justice-involved Veterans (JIV).

Stereospecific Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Norbornene Catalyzed by Iron Complexes.

Developing well-defined iron-based catalysts for olefin metathesis would be a breakthrough achievement in the field not only to replace existing catalysts by inexpensive metals but also to attain a new reactivity taking advantage of the unique electronic structure of the base metals. Here, we present a two-coordinate homoleptic iron complex, Fe(HMTO) [HMTO=O-2,6-(2,4,6-Me C H ) C H ], that is capable of performing ring-opening metathesis polymerization of norbornene to produce highly stereoregular polynorbornene (99 % cis, syndiotactic). The use of heteroleptic Fe(HMTO)(RO) [RO=(CH ) CF CO, CH (CF ) CO, or Ph(CF ) CO] prepared in situ significantly increases the polymerization rate while preserving selectivity.

A bio-based pro-antimicrobial polymer network via degradable acetal linkages.

Unlabelled: The synthesis of a fully degradable, bio-based, sustained release, pro-antimicrobial polymer network comprised of degradable acetals (PANDA) is reported. The active antimicrobial agent - p-anisaldehyde (pA) (an extract from star anise) - was converted into a UV curable acetal containing pro-antimicrobial monomer and subsequently photopolymerized into a homogenous thiol-ene network. Under neutral to acidic conditions (pH < 8), the PANDAs undergo surface erosion and exhibit sustained release of pA over 38 days.

Pro-Antimicrobial Networks via Degradable Acetals (PANDAs) Using Thiol-Ene Photopolymerization.

We describe the synthesis of pro-antimicrobial networks via degradable acetals (PANDAs) as a new paradigm for sequestration and triggered release of volatile, bioactive aldehydes. PANDAs derived from diallyl -chlorobenzaldehyde acetal degrade and release -chlorobenzaldehyde as an antibacterial and antifungal agent under mild conditions (pH 7.4/high humidity).

Rapid detection and differentiation of human noroviruses using RT-PCR coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

The goal of this study was to develop an assay for the detection and differentiation of noroviruses using RT-PCR followed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Detection of hepatitis A virus was also considered. Thirteen primer pairs were designed for use in this assay and a reference database was created using GenBank sequences and reference norovirus samples.

Development of a custom 16S rRNA gene library for the identification and molecular subtyping of Salmonella enterica.

The use of 16S rRNA gene sequencing within the regulatory workflow may help to reduce the time and labor involved in the identification and differentiation of Salmonella enterica isolates. However, a comprehensive, standardized reference library is needed in order to use this method with regulatory samples. The goal of this project was to acquire 16S rRNA partial and full gene sequences for a variety of S.

Detection and Identification of Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, and Shigella spp. via PCR-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry: isolate testing and analysis of food samples.

An assay to identify the common food-borne pathogens Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Shigella, and Listeria monocytogenes was developed in collaboration with Ibis Biosciences (a division of Abbott Molecular) for the Plex-ID biosensor system, a platform that uses electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS) to detect the base composition of short PCR amplicons. The new food-borne pathogen (FBP) plate has been experimentally designed using four gene segments for a total of eight amplicon targets. Initial work built a DNA base count database that contains more than 140 Salmonella enterica, 139 E.

Using two discrete frequencies within the middle infrared to quantitatively determine glucose in serum.

Tight glucose monitoring is essential for the reduction of diabetic complications. This research investigated the changes of absorption spectra observed in serum at three prominent glucose absorption peaks in the middle infrared using a demountable liquid, transmission cell. Two frequencies of light were used to determine the glucose absorption: one at 1193 cm(-1 ) to determine the background water absorption and the other at one of the characteristic peaks (1035, 1080, and 1109 cm(-1)).