NMR analysis of synthetic human serum albumin alpha-helix 28 identifies structural distortion upon amadori modification

The non-enzymatic reaction between reducing sugars and long-lived proteins in vivo results in the formation of glycation and advanced glycation end products, which alter the properties of proteins including charge, helicity, and their tendency to aggregate. Such protein modifications are linked with various pathologies associated with the general aging process such as Alzheimer disease and the long-term complications of diabetes. Although it has been suggested that glycation and advanced glycation end products altered protein structure and helicity, little structural data and information currently exist on whether or not glycation does indeed influence or change local protein secondary structure. We have addressed this problem using a model helical peptide system containing a di-lysine motif derived from human serum albumin. We have shown that, in the presence of 50 mM glucose and at 37 degrees C, one of the lysine residues in the di-lysine motif within this peptide is preferentially glycated. Using NMR analysis, we have confirmed that the synthetic peptide constituting this helix does indeed form a alpha-helix in solution in the presence of 30% trifluoroethanol. Glycation of the model peptide resulted in the distortion of the alpha-helix, forcing the region of the helix around the site of glycation to adopt a 3(10) helical structure. This is the first reported evidence that glycation can influence or change local protein secondary structure. The implications and biological significance of such structural changes on protein function are discussed

Differential Suitability of 12 Great Lakes Tree Species for \u3ci\u3ePapilio Canadensis\u3c/i\u3e (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) Larval Survival and Growth

Differential nutritional suitabilities of the 12 potential host plants of Papilio canadensis in the Great Lakes region of North America were determined with gravimetric techniques for penultimate and final larval instars. While leaf water content and leaf nitrogen content explain some of the variation, allelochemicals in different plants are likely to be involved in differential larval growth performances as well as mortal- ity of neonate larvae on tuliptree and spicebush. Oviposition tests using 3-choice arenas with quaking aspen, paper birch, and balsam poplar showed no strong host preferences. Factors affecting patterns of Papilio host use in the Great Lakes region are discussed

Notes on nomenclature in Xylotrupes Hope (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Dynastini)

A list of taxa belonging to Xylotrupes Hope (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Dynastini) is presented which incorporates several taxonomic actions: X. australicus darwinia Rowland comb. nov.; X. damarensis Rowland stat. nov.; X. lorquini zideki Rowland comb. nov.; X. macleayi szekessyi Endrödi comb. nov.; X. pachycera Rowland stat. nov.; X. philippinensis philippinensis Endrödi stat. nov.; X. philippinensis peregrinus Rowland comb. nov.; X. sumatrensis tanahmelayu Rowland comb. nov.; X. tadoana Rowland stat. nov.; X. telemachos Rowland stat. nov.; X. wiltrudae Silvestre stat. nov. Two new taxa are described: X. carinulus sp. nov. and X. clinias buru ssp. nov. Lectotypes are designated for X. lamachus Minck and X. clinias Schaufuss. Xylotrupes lamachus is found to be a junior subjective synonym of X. ulysses (Guérin-Méneville), new synonymy

The Logic of Quantum Mechanics Derived from Classical General Relativity

For the first time it is shown that the logic of quantum mechanics can be derived from Classical Physics. An orthomodular lattice of propositions, characteristic of quantum logic, is constructed for manifolds in Einstein's theory of general relativity. A particle is modelled by a topologically non-trivial 4-manifold with closed timelike curves - a 4-geon, rather than as an evolving 3-manifold. It is then possible for both the state preparation and measurement apparatus to constrain the results of experiments. It is shown that propositions about the results of measurements can satisfy a non-distributive logic rather than the Boolean logic of classical systems. Reasonable assumptions about the role of the measurement apparatus leads to an orthomodular lattice of propositions characteristic of quantum logic.Comment: 16 pages Late

Taking God Seriously, but Not Too Seriously: The Divine Command Theory and William James' 'The Moral Philosopher and the Moral Life’

While some scholars neglect the theological component to William James’s ethical views in “The Moral Philosopher and the Moral Life,” Michael Cantrell reads it as promoting a divine command theory (DCT) of the foundations of moral obligation. While Cantrell’s interpretation is to be commended for taking God seriously, he goes a little too far in the right direction. Although James’s view amounts to what could be called (and what Cantrell does call) a DCT because on it God’s demands are necessary and sufficient for the highest obligations, this is a view with characteristics unusual for a DCT. It only holds for some obligations; on it moral obligation does not derive from God’s authority; it is not obvious that James believes the God required by it even exists; we do not know what God’s demands are; and, finally, since we do not know them, we cannot act on them. (Lest there be any confusion, the titular phrase "taking God seriously, but not too seriously" describes William James' view of God and morality, not my own view.

Predicting Court Outcomes through Political Preferences: The Japanese Supreme Court and the Chaos of 1993

Empiricists routinely explain politically sensitive decisions of the U.S. federal courts through the party of the executive or legislature appointing the judge. That they can do so reflects the fundamental independence of the courts. After all, appointment politics will predict judicial outcomes only when judges are independent of sitting politicians. Because Japanese Supreme Court justices enjoy an independence similar to that of U.S. federal judges, I use judicial outcomes to ask whether Japanese premiers from different parties have appointed justices with different political preferences. Although the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) governed Japan for most of the postwar period, it temporarily lost power in the mid-1990s. Elsewhere, Professor Eric Rasmusen and I asked whether the administration of the lower courts changed during this non-LDP hiatus. Here, I explore whether the supreme court changed. More specifically, I ask whether the non-LDP premiers appointed supreme court justices with different policy preferences. I find that they did not

The Unforeseen Costs of Going to Trial: The Vitality of 212(C) Relief for Lawful Permanent Residents Convicted by Trial

Before 1996, a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) who was made deportable by a criminal conviction could apply for discretionary relief from deportation under section 212(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This relief, commonly known as 212(c) relief, was repealed in 1996. In 2001, the Supreme Court confronted the issue of whether an LPR with a pre-1996 deportable conviction could apply for 212(c) relief in his later post-repeal removal proceedings. The Court decided that an LPR who pleaded guilty to his pre-1996 conviction could still apply for 212(c) relief following the 1996 repeal. The status of those LPRs who were convicted of their pre-1996 offense after a trial remained unclear. Today, the courts of appeals are split on whether LPRs convicted at trial before the repeal of section 212(c) have access to this relief from deportation in their post-1996 removal proceedings stemming from that conviction. This Note examines and synthesizes the different approaches and resolutions of the courts of ap peals. This Note then undertakes an analysis of whether the repeal of 212(c) relief is impermissibly retroactive as to LPRs subject to post-1996 removal proceedings for pre-1996 convictions at trial. Finally, this Note argues that 212(c) relief should remain available to all LPRs in post-1996 removal proceedings stemming from their pre-1996 convictions, whether the conviction was by plea agreement or by trial

Battling the big one: LGBTQ inclusive art education during the Trump era

Recently, because of our new political atmosphere, there have been many attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer, or LGBTQ+, individuals and communities. Even though there have been positive developments in the past few years, homophobia is still a major concern for many people in the Unit- ed States. These issues often manifest themselves to a greater degree within the microcosm of public schools where LGBTQ+ students are forced to deal with hateful speech, heteronorma- tive environments, and rampant homophobia. These strugglescan have harmful e ects on the social and emotional develop- ment of queer youth. Progressive and inclusive art educationthat provides re ective and thoughtful creative projects may aidin identity development, increase self-esteem, and encourage activism, thus helping to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ youth and educators