Using Disulfide DNA to Enhance Control over DNA Self-Assembled Monolayer Surface Coverage and Reduce Impedance Signal Drift.

Thiolated DNA biopolymer probes are widely used for their spontaneous interactions with gold electrodes to achieve self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of DNA. This offers an attractive class of bio-interfaces for developing point-of-care (POC) diagnostics. However, SAMs are prone to structural instability and can be challenging to reproducibly fabricate for probes of different sizes and shapes.

Controlled reductive C-C coupling of isocyanides promoted by an aluminyl anion.

We report the reaction of the potassium aluminyl, K[Al(NON)] ([NON] = [O(SiMeNDipp)], Dipp = 2,6-iPrCH) with a series of isocyanide substrates (R-NC). In the case of Bu-NC, degradation of the isocyanide was observed generating an isomeric mixture of the corresponding aluminium cyanido-κ and -κ compounds, K[Al(NON)(H)(CN)]/K[Al(NON)(H)(NC)]. The reaction with 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide (Dmp-NC), gave a C-homologation product, which in addition to C-C bond formation showed dearomatisation of one of the aromatic substituents.

Carbon-chalcogen bond formation initiated by [Al(NON)(E)] anions containing Al-E{16} (E{16} = S, Se) multiple bonds.

Multiply-bonded main group metal compounds are of interest as a new class of reactive species able to activate and functionalize a wide range of substrates. The aluminium sulfido compound K[Al(NON)(S)] (NON = [O(SiMeNDipp)], Dipp = 2,6-PrCH), completing the series of [Al(NON)(E)] anions containing Al-E{16} multiple bonds (E{16} = O, S, Se, Te), was accessed desulfurisation of K[Al(NON)(S)] using triphenylphosphane. The crystal structure showed a tetrameric aggregate joined by multiple K⋯S and K⋯π(arene) interactions that were disrupted by the addition of 2.

Modulating the thermal and structural stability of gallenene variation of atomistic thickness.

Using molecular dynamics, we show that a recently discovered form of 2D Ga-gallenene-exhibits highly variable thickness dependent properties. Here, 2D Ga of four, five and six atomic layers thick are found to be thermally stable to 457 K, 350 K and 433 K, respectively; all well above that of bulk Ga. Analysis of the liquid structure of 2D Ga shows a thickness dependent ordering both parallel and perpendicular to the Ga/vacuum interface.

Evaluation of anti α-d-Glc-(1→4)-α-d-Glc (GAGA4) IgM antibodies as a biomarker for multiple sclerosis.

The correct diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains challenging due to the complex pathophysiological and clinical characteristics of the disease. Consequently, there has been immense interest in finding a non-invasive diagnostic test for MS. Recent studies found that serum anti-α-d-Glc-(1→4)-α-d-Glc (GAGA4) IgM antibodies were upregulated in MS patients, and this finding led to the development of a commercial diagnostic test (gMS® Dx test), although the test has poor selectivity and has not been independently validated.

A pattern of disasters and victims.

Two three-dimensional conceptual models are presented that should help those concerned with disasters and disaster victims to integrate the numerous studies on the topic. The first, concerning disasters, involves matters ecological, technological and social scientific. It covers the elements earth, air, fire, water/liquid, and people.