The Buoyant Behavior of Viral and Bacterial DNA in Alkaline CsCl

In equilibrium density gradient centrifugation, the banding polymer species is electrically neutral. The banding species for a negative polyelectrolyte with a polyanion P_(n)^(-z)n (where n is the degree of polymerization, and z the titration charge per monomer unit) in a CsCl salt gradient is CS_(zn)P_n. If the ion P_(n)^(-z)n is itself a weak acid, it may be titrated to the state P_(n)^(-(Zn+y)) by CsOH; the banding species is then Cs_(zn+y)P_n. Because of the large mass and high effective "density" of a Cs^+ ion, it is to be expected that the buoyant density in a CsCl gradient of a polymer acid will be increased by such a partial alkaline titration with CsOH. This expectation has been confirmed for polyglutamic acid (where z = 0 at low pH). The guanine and thymine monomer units of DNA are weak acids. The present communication is concerned with the increase in buoyant density of DNA in alkaline CsCl solutions. It is well known that the guanine and thymine protons are more readily titrated in denatured DNA than in native DNA. We find that the buoyant density of denatured DNA and of single strand ϕX-174 DNA gradually increases as the pH of the solution is increased beyond pH 9.8. The density of native DNA is not affected until a critical pH > 11 is reached, where the DNA abruptly denatures and increases in density. Similar increases in buoyant density have been observed independently by Baldwin and Shooter in their studies of 5BU[overbar]-substituted DNA's in alkaline solutions

Teaching empathy: Examining the relationship between state political environment and social studies curriculum

In the age of partisan divide in America, education plays a pivotal role in overcoming social and political barriers––bridging these divides by creating a shared understanding of core values and beliefs that promote the tolerance and acceptance of the diversity of others and the recognition of the inequities that exist in society. Although there are number of factors that have contributed to our nation’s division, this paper specifically investigates how public education might play a role in mitigating social and political tension, and the political factors that might facilitate or hinder the implementation of valuable curriculum goals. The purpose of this paper is to examine state political factors to determine if there are associations between the political division or homogeneity of a state––or the dominant political party in a state––and its statutes and laws pertaining to social studies curriculum that promote civic engagement, civil discourse, and diverse cultural values (multiculturalism and social inequality). Data were gathered from blank sources and collated in a single database, which allowed for nonparametric correlation analyses to determine association. A binomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to ascertain the effects of political culture, population size, and median household income on statistically significant variables. Despite most states having majority-Democratic populations in terms of voter registration, there are Republican majorities in most state legislatures. All states mention civic engagement in their statutes related to social studies curriculum, but only nine mention ideas regarding social inequality. Majority-Democratic states appeared to be associated with the promotion of diverse cultural values in social studies curriculum. Majority-Democratic state legislatures were associated with a greater likelihood of promoting social inequality. State legislatures that were more divided appeared to have an association with a greater likelihood of promoting civil discourse. Increasing population sizes were associated with an increased likelihood of promoting civil discourse curriculum goals as well. Although the factors that contribute to our nation’s partisanship and lack of understanding extend beyond what we learn in the classrooms, examining certain political and social factors of a state might give us some insight into how party values and political factors might influence curriculum goals

Memphis Taxpayer Blues: An Economic Analysis of the Memphis PILOT Program

This thesis evaluates the economic impact of targeted tax cuts in Tennessee. Specifically, I examine the Payment-In-Lieu-Of-Taxes (PILOT) Program in Memphis, TN Using economic data supplied from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis s Federal Economic Data and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, I consider the effectiveness of the program’s ability to improve economic conditions in Memphis, TN. The merits of a targeted tax cut program such as PILOT are often touted as the total number of jobs created and amount of dollars invested into the community. However, this method of counting the total number of jobs created overstates the amount of actual jobs created as a result of a new business. I evaluate whether or not the economic performance of Memphis has performed markedly better than that of the State of Tennessee as a whole. Using a less rigorous, more intuitive method, I examine whether a ‘displaced worker’ effect results from the granting of tax abatements to businesses in Memphis, TN. I examine whether the PILOT Program led to more workers relocating to Memphis from outside the metropolitan area in order to find work, or if workers from within Memphis and its adjacent counties switched jobs in order to take advantage of higher wage opportunities

Disinfection Efficiency and Relative Toxicity of Chlorine and Bromine Chloride: A Pilot Plant Study in an Estuarine Environment

The present study was conducted by the Virginia Interagency Task Force on Chlorine to compare the relative merits of bromine chloride and chlorine as wastewater disinfectants. Operational and disinfection qualities of both halogens and the relative toxicities of the treated effluents were studied in a pilot scale system. Three specific objectives were pursued; 1. an evaluation of the relative disinfection capabilities of the two halogens; 2. an assessment of the toxicity of each effluent stream to juvenile spot; and 3. an analysis of the halogenated organics produced in treated and disinfected effluent. The results of studies directed at the first two objectives are the subject of this report. Results of chemical analyses of halogenated organics in treated and disinfected sewage effluents will be the subject of a subsequent report

Is Screening of TORCH Worthwhile in Women with Bad Obstetric History: An Observation from Eastern Nepal

This pilot case-control study at a tertiary-care hospital over a four-month period was aimed at evaluating the possible usefulness of screening of TORCH (Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, and Herpes simplex virus) in females with bad obstetric history. The study included 12 women with bad obstetric history and a similar number of matched controls with previous normal pregnancies. A serological evaluation of TORCH infections was carried out by detecting IgG and IgM antibodies against these infections by ELISA test-kit. Statistical analysis was not done to compare the results relating to the two groups due to a small number of cases and controls included in the study. Ten (83.3%) of the 12 cases with bad obstetric history and two (16.7%) of the 12 healthy controls were serologically positive at least for one of the TORCH agents. The seropositivity rate in women with bad obstetric history was quite high compared to that in the normal healthy controls. The results suggest that a previous history of pregnancy wastage and the serological evaluation of TORCH infections during current pregnancy must be considered while managing cases with bad obstetric history