A Survey of Clergy Practices Associated with Premarital Financial Counseling

The purpose of this exploratory study was to gain an understanding of the state of clergy-led premarital financial counseling. Clergy respondents (n =223) indicated that they often include a financial component in their formal premarital counseling. The most frequently discussed financial topics are budgeting, managing debt and credit, and saving. The most frequently cited obstacles to providing premarital financial counseling are lack of time and lack of subject matter expertise

Polymer Brush‐Modified Microring Resonators for Partition‐Enhanced Small Molecule Chemical Detection

Silicon photonic microring resonators have emerged as a promising technology for the sensitive detection of biological macromolecules, including proteins and nucleic acids. However, not all species of interest are large biologics that can be targeted by highly specific capture agents. For smaller organic chemicals, including many toxic and regulated species, a general approach to improving sensitivity would be desirable. By functionalizing the surface of silicon photonic microring resonators with polymer brushes, small molecules can selectively partition into the surface‐confined sensing region of the optical resonators. This in turn leads to response enhancements in excess of 1000% percent, relative to non‐functionalized sensors, for representative targets including 4‐methylumbelliferyl phosphate, a simulant for highly toxic organophosphates, Bisphenol A, an industrial pollutant, as well as other small organic analytes of interest. There are many polymer brush chemistries compatible with silicon resonators, making this a general strategy towards tuning sensor selectivity and specificity by optimizing interactions between the agent(s) of interest and the polymer construct.Polymer brush‐modified microring resonators sensors can be utilized to enhance sensitivity and specificity for the detection of small molecule organic chemicals.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136268/1/slct201700082.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136268/2/slct201700082-sup-0001-misc_information.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136268/3/slct201700082_am.pd

A Non-Oxidative Approach toward Chemically and Electrochemically Functionalizing Si(111)

A general method for the non-oxidative functionalization of single-crystal silicon(111) surfaces is described. The silicon surface is fully acetylenylated using two-step chlorination/alkylation chemistry. A benzoquinone-masked primary amine is attached to this surface via Cu(I)-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (“click” chemistry). The benzoquinone is electrochemically reduced, resulting in quantitative cleavage of the molecule and exposing the amine terminus. Molecules presenting a carboxylic acid have been immobilized to the exposed amine sites. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and contact angle goniometry were utilized to characterize and quantitate each step in the functionalization process. This work represents a strategy for providing a general platform that can incorporate organic and biological molecules on Si(111) with minimal oxidation of the silicon surface

DNA-Encoded Antibody Libraries: A Unified Platform for Multiplexed Cell Sorting and Detection of Genes and Proteins

Whether for pathological examination or for fundamental biology studies, different classes of biomaterials and biomolecules are each measured from a different region of a typically heterogeneous tissue sample, thus introducing unavoidable sources of noise that are hard to quantitate. We describe the method of DNA-encoded antibody libraries (DEAL) for spatially multiplexed detection of ssDNAs and proteins as well as for cell sorting, all on the same diagnostic platform. DEAL is based upon the coupling of ssDNA oligomers onto antibodies which are then combined with the biological sample of interest. Spotted DNA arrays, which are found to inhibit biofouling, are utilized to spatially stratify the biomolecules or cells of interest. We demonstrate the DEAL technique for (1) the rapid detection of multiple proteins within a single microfluidic channel, and, with the additional step of electroless amplification of gold-nanoparticle labeled secondary antibodies, we establish a detection limit of 10 fM for the protein IL-2, 150 times more sensitive than the analogue ELISA; (2) the multiplexed, on-chip sorting of both immortalized cell lines and primary immune cells with an efficiency that exceeds surface-confined panning approaches; and (3) the co-detection of ssDNAs, proteins, and cell populations on the same platform

Modular Nucleic Acid Assembled p/MHC Microarrays for Multiplexed Sorting of Antigen-Specific T Cells

The human immune system consists of a large number of T cells capable of recognizing and responding to antigens derived from various sources. The development of peptide-major histocompatibility (p/MHC) tetrameric complexes has enabled the direct detection of these antigen-specific T cells. With the goal of increasing throughput and multiplexing of T cell detection, protein microarrays spotted with defined p/MHC complexes have been reported, but studies have been limited due to the inherent instability and reproducibility of arrays produced via conventional spotted methods. Herein, we report on a platform for the detection of antigen-specific T cells on glass substrates that offers significant advantages over existing surface-bound schemes. In this approach, called “Nucleic Acid Cell Sorting (NACS)”, single-stranded DNA oligomers conjugated site-specifically to p/MHC tetramers are employed to immobilize p/MHC tetramers via hybridization to a complementary-printed substrate. Fully assembled p/MHC arrays are used to detect and enumerate T cells captured from cellular suspensions, including primary human T cells collected from cancer patients. NACS arrays outperform conventional spotted arrays assessed in key criteria such as repeatability and homogeneity. The versatility of employing DNA sequences for cell sorting is exploited to enable the programmed, selective release of target populations of immobilized T cells with restriction endonucleases for downstream analysis. Because of the performance, facile and modular assembly of p/MHC tetramer arrays, NACS holds promise as a versatile platform for multiplexed T cell detection

Cyclotron modeling phase-resolved infrared spectroscopy of polars I: EF Eridani

We present phase-resolved low resolution infrared spectra of the polar EF Eridani obtained over a period of 2 years with SPEX on the IRTF. The spectra, covering the wavelength range 0.8 to 2.4 microns, are dominated by cyclotron emission at all phases. We use a ``Constant Lambda'' prescription to attempt to model the changing cyclotron features seen in the spectra. A single cyclotron emission component with B = 12.6 MG, and a plasma temperature of kT = 5.0 keV, does a reasonable job in matching the features seen in the H and K bands, but fails to completely reproduce the morphology shortward of 1.6 microns. We find that a two component model, where both components have similar properties, but whose contributions differ with viewing geometry, provides an excellent fit to the data. We discuss the implications of our models and compare them with previously published results. In addition, we show that a cyclotron model with similar properties to those used for modeling the infrared spectra, but with a field strength of B = 115 MG, can explain the GALEX observations of EF Eri.Comment: 25 pages, 5 figures, to appear in Ap

Ionophore‐Based Biphasic Chemical Sensing in Droplet Microfluidics

Droplet microfluidics is an enabling platform for high‐throughput screens, single‐cell studies, low‐volume chemical diagnostics, and microscale material syntheses. Analytical methods for real‐time and in situ detection of chemicals in the droplets will benefit these applications, but they remain limited. Reported herein is a novel heterogeneous chemical sensing strategy based on functionalization of the oil phase with rationally combined sensing reagents. Sub‐nanoliter oil segments containing pH‐sensitive fluorophores, ionophores, and ion‐exchangers enable highly selective and rapid fluorescence detection of physiologically important electrolytes (K+, Na+, and Cl−) and polyions (protamine) in sub‐nanoliter aqueous droplets. Electrolyte analysis in whole blood is demonstrated without suffering from optical interference from the sample matrix. Moreover, an oil phase doped with an aza‐BODIPY dye allows indication of H2O2 in the aqueous droplets, exemplifying sensing of targets beyond ionic species.Phase in: The oil phase in droplet microfluidics is functionalized with rationally combined sensing reagents. Thus, the sub‐nanoliter oil segments become chemical sensors toward specific targets in their adjacent sub‐nanoliter aqueous droplets. This biphasic sensing platform enables detection of a wide spectrum of targets including ionic, polyionic, and non‐ionic species, in a real‐time and reagent‐conservative fashion.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149501/1/anie201902960_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149501/2/anie201902960-sup-0001-misc_information.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149501/3/anie201902960.pd

Molecular basis for maize as a risk factor for oesophageal cancer in a South African population

Throughout the world squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus seems to be an increasing problem. There is a huge variation in prevalence globally; locations such as Japan, Iran, China and Finland can have ten times the prevalence compared to other western countries. One place that is hugely affected is Transkei, a 16,000 square mile area of South Africa. Some of the factors proposed to be implicated with squamous cell carcinoma in this region include tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, bacterial infections and fungal infection of common food crops. In addition, the ‘Sammon theory’ links carcinogenesis in Transkei to the high consumption of maize by the population. Through a chain of reactions it is postulated that a component of maize inhibits the breakdown of growth factors, which have already been implicated in cancer. This study investigates the Transkei population and updates the Sammon theory with current research to predict a theory at a molecular level. This theory is then tested with novel research to show PGE2, shown here in high concentrations in gastric fluid samples, directly increases the proliferation of oesophageal cell lines. Gastric fluid samples from the Transkei population are then shown to have a mitogenic effect on oesophageal cells, supporting a theory that gastric fluid regurgitation commonly found in this population predisposes them to cancer. Further experimentation on the expression of related proteins shows how high PGE2 may increase its own production by increasing COX 2 expression, leading to a positive feedback loop causing constant proliferative stimulation of the oesophageal squamous tissue in the presence of the COX 2 substrate, aracadonic acid. Therefore this thesis suggests that a high maize diet provides the correct conditions for regurgitation of increased concentrations of PGE2 into the oesophagus leading to squamous hyper-proliferation over long periods of time through self stimulated production, which would normally have ceased over a much shorter time if only localised PGE2 was produced through natural restitution.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Case Series of Synthetic Cannabinoid Intoxication from One Toxicology Center.

Synthetic cannabinoid use has risen at alarming rates. This case series describes 11 patients exposed to the synthetic cannabinoid, MAB-CHMINACA who presented to an emergency department with life-threatening toxicity including obtundation, severe agitation, seizures and death. All patients required sedatives for agitation, nine required endotracheal intubation, three experienced seizures, and one developed hyperthermia. One developed anoxic brain injury, rhabdomyolysis and died. A significant number were pediatric patients. The mainstay of treatment was aggressive sedation and respiratory support. Synthetic cannabinoids pose a major public health risk. Emergency physicians must be aware of their clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment