The optimization of sol-gels as sensing arrays and the testing of sol-gel precursors through the use of fluorescence measurements of eosin-y

The purpose of the first project, performed in collaboration with Professor Frank Bright of SUNY at Buffalo, was to optimize the conditions and variables for a Cartesian Technologies Pinprinter to print reproducible spots of sol-gels doped with Ruthenium Diphenylphenathrene (Ru(dpp)32+), an oxygen-sensing complex, on microscope slides. We attempted to optimize these variables by l) the alteration of the printing speed of the sol-gel microarrays, 2) variation of the drying temperature of the gels after they had been printed, 3) controlling the reaction rate of the sol-gel, and 4) various methods of slide pre-treatment. We found that a print speed of 10-25ms, drying the sol-gels at room temperature and no spin-coating over the microarrays were the most optimal results, and the resulting microarrays could be employed for analytical chemistry research purposes. The primary purpose of the second project was to create an effective pH sensor through the use of Eosin-Y within a sol-gel monolith matrix. The most effective precursor(s) must meet the criteria of adherence to a linear plot of fluorescence intensity versus concentration of encapsulated Eosin-Y, reversibility of the sensing capabilities as close to 100% as possible, and minimal cracking in the monolith. The precursors tested were TMOS, TEOS, n-propyl TMOS/ TMOS, methyl-TMOS/ TMOS and phenyl TEOS/ TEOS. It was found that the ormosils n-propyl TMOS/TMOS and methyl TMOS/ TMOS yielded the most effective sensors, overall. The use of Eosin-Y as an indicator for reaction rate of the sol-gel was also explored, as its emission spectra shifts when the ratio of water to ethanol in the solvent is varied

The optimization of sol-gels as sensing arrays and the testing of sol-gel precursors through the use of fluorescence measurements of eosin-y

The purpose of the first project, performed in collaboration with Professor Frank Bright of SUNY at Buffalo, was to optimize the conditions and variables for a Cartesian Technologies Pinprinter to print reproducible spots of sol-gels doped with Ruthenium Diphenylphenathrene (Ru(dpp)32+), an oxygen-sensing complex, on microscope slides. We attempted to optimize these variables by l) the alteration of the printing speed of the sol-gel microarrays, 2) variation of the drying temperature of the gels after they had been printed, 3) controlling the reaction rate of the sol-gel, and 4) various methods of slide pre-treatment. We found that a print speed of 10-25ms, drying the sol-gels at room temperature and no spin-coating over the microarrays were the most optimal results, and the resulting microarrays could be employed for analytical chemistry research purposes. The primary purpose of the second project was to create an effective pH sensor through the use of Eosin-Y within a sol-gel monolith matrix. The most effective precursor(s) must meet the criteria of adherence to a linear plot of fluorescence intensity versus concentration of encapsulated Eosin-Y, reversibility of the sensing capabilities as close to 100% as possible, and minimal cracking in the monolith. The precursors tested were TMOS, TEOS, n-propyl TMOS/ TMOS, methyl-TMOS/ TMOS and phenyl TEOS/ TEOS. It was found that the ormosils n-propyl TMOS/TMOS and methyl TMOS/ TMOS yielded the most effective sensors, overall. The use of Eosin-Y as an indicator for reaction rate of the sol-gel was also explored, as its emission spectra shifts when the ratio of water to ethanol in the solvent is varied

The optimization of sol-gels as sensing arrays and the testing of sol-gel precursors through the use of fluorescence measurements of eosin-y

The purpose of the first project, performed in collaboration with Professor Frank Bright of SUNY at Buffalo, was to optimize the conditions and variables for a Cartesian Technologies Pinprinter to print reproducible spots of sol-gels doped with Ruthenium Diphenylphenathrene (Ru(dpp)32+), an oxygen-sensing complex, on microscope slides. We attempted to optimize these variables by l) the alteration of the printing speed of the sol-gel microarrays, 2) variation of the drying temperature of the gels after they had been printed, 3) controlling the reaction rate of the sol-gel, and 4) various methods of slide pre-treatment. We found that a print speed of 10-25ms, drying the sol-gels at room temperature and no spin-coating over the microarrays were the most optimal results, and the resulting microarrays could be employed for analytical chemistry research purposes. The primary purpose of the second project was to create an effective pH sensor through the use of Eosin-Y within a sol-gel monolith matrix. The most effective precursor(s) must meet the criteria of adherence to a linear plot of fluorescence intensity versus concentration of encapsulated Eosin-Y, reversibility of the sensing capabilities as close to 100% as possible, and minimal cracking in the monolith. The precursors tested were TMOS, TEOS, n-propyl TMOS/ TMOS, methyl-TMOS/ TMOS and phenyl TEOS/ TEOS. It was found that the ormosils n-propyl TMOS/TMOS and methyl TMOS/ TMOS yielded the most effective sensors, overall. The use of Eosin-Y as an indicator for reaction rate of the sol-gel was also explored, as its emission spectra shifts when the ratio of water to ethanol in the solvent is varied

Measurement of psychological entitlement in 28 countries

This article presents the cross-cultural validation of the Entitlement Attitudes Questionnaire, a tool designed to measure three facets of psychological entitlement: active, passive, and revenge entitlement. Active entitlement was defined as the tendency to protect individual rights based on self-worthiness. Passive entitlement was defined as the belief in obligations to and expectations toward other people and institutions for the fulfillment of the individual’s needs. Revenge entitlement was defined as the tendency to protect one’s individual rights when violated by others and the tendency to reciprocate insults. The 15-item EAQ was validated in a series of three studies: the first one on a general Polish sample (N = 1,900), the second one on a sample of Polish students (N = 199), and the third one on student samples from 28 countries (N = 5,979). A three-factor solution was confirmed across all samples. Examination of measurement equivalence indicated partial metric invariance of EAQ for all national samples. Discriminant and convergent validity of the EAQ was also confirmed

The Pattern and Timing of Weight Changes in Pregnancy Impact Child Growth and Weight Trajectories for Girls but not Boys

Current obesity prevalence in the U.S. is 14% among preschool aged children, 18% among school aged children, 21% among adolescents, and 40% among adults. Pregnancy is a critical period that can shape later health and obesity risk for both the woman carrying the pregnancy and the eventual child. The Institute of Medicine recommends that researchers explore how the pattern of prenatal weight gain, rather than total prenatal weight gain, impacts children’s health outcomes. Responding to this call, PRC faculty scholar Beth Widen and colleagues designed a study to understand how patterns of weight changes over the course of pregnancy are linked to body composition and growth patterns of the children born of these pregnancies. They found that unlike boys, girls exposed to high prenatal weight changes are likely more vulnerable to excess body fat across childhood and into early adolescence. These findings will likely be included in future Institute of Medicine recommendations for healthy weight changes throughout pregnancy.Population Research Cente