Visualization of Recombinant DNA and Protein Complexes Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) allows for the visualizing of individual proteins, DNA molecules, protein-protein complexes, and DNA-protein complexes. On the end of the microscope's cantilever is a nano-scale probe, which traverses image areas ranging from nanometers to micrometers, measuring the elevation of macromolecules resting on the substrate surface at any given point. Electrostatic forces cause proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids to loosely attach to the substrate in random orientations and permit imaging. The generated data resemble a topographical map, where the macromolecules resolve as three-dimensional particles of discrete sizes (Figure 1) 1,2. Tapping mode AFM involves the repeated oscillation of the cantilever, which permits imaging of relatively soft biomaterials such as DNA and proteins. One of the notable benefits of AFM over other nanoscale microscopy techniques is its relative adaptability to visualize individual proteins and macromolecular complexes in aqueous buffers, including near-physiologic buffered conditions, in real-time, and without staining or coating the sample to be imaged

Alternative products to carbazoles in the oxidation of diphenylamines with palladium (II) acetate

Although simple diphenylamines are conveniently oxidised with Palladium (II) acetate to give carbazoles, for more complex examples, carbazoles are minor products amongst many.CRUP (Portugal). British Council - Treaty of Windsor Programme. Junta Nacional de Investigação Científica e Tecnológica

Down-Dip Termination of the Carboniferous Ross Fan System in the Inner Shannon Area, Western Ireland - New Insight from Core and Outcrop

IAS Annual Meeting, 20 - 24 June 2015Scattered outcrops and limited borehole data in the inner Shannon estuary and mid-Clare are critical to constrain the down-dip extension of the Ross system. Previous outcrop studies have described a much thinner Ross section at Inishcorker and Foynes (over 50 km east of the Ross type section on the Loop Head) involving only the youngest Ross cycles in the west. A re-interpretation of the inner Shannon outcrops is now possible given a new GSI 09/04 borehole in the Inishcorker area, a re-analysis of Foynes Island sections and new biostratigraphic dat

Synthesis of highly substituted diphenylacetamides and diphenylsulfonamides by the goldberg coupling reaction

We report the synthesis and characterisation of multisubstituted diphenylacetamides, diphenylsulfonamides and diphenylamines (and some observations on cyclisation of the last).Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)ICCTI and CRUP (Portugal) and the British Council for financial suppor

Studies on 5-Bromo-4,7-dimethylindene, an intermediate in the synthesis of 6-Bromo-5,8-dimethylisoquinoline

We report the complete characterisation of all the precursors of 6-bromo-5,8-dimethylisoquinoline via Miller and Moock´s synthesis, and the synthesis of 6-bromo-4,7-dimethyl-2-(5´-Bromo-4´,7´-dimethyl)-2´,3´-dihydro-1´-H-inden-1´-yl)-1-H-indene.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia. ICCTI (Portugal). CRUP (Portugal). British Council

Impact of Tailored Interventions on Receipt of a Preference-Concordant Colorectal Cancer Screening Test

Background. Individuals at average risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) have multiple test options. Preference for a specific test modality may affect decision making about CRC screening. The current study examined 1) the sociodemographic and health belief characteristics of average-risk participants with a test preference for stool blood test (SBT) versus those with a preference of colonoscopy, and following receipt of a tailored CRC screening intervention, 2) the percentage of participants who completed a preference-concordant CRC screening test, and 3) the sociodemographic, health care experience, and health belief characteristics and intervention group(s) associated with completion of a preference-concordant screening test. Methods. Participants (N = 603) were female, aged 50 to 75 years, at average CRC risk, not currently up-to-date with CRC screening recommendations, had Internet access, and were randomized to receive 1 of 3 tailored CRC screening promotion interventions. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results. Most women (64%) preferred SBT, whereas 36% preferred colonoscopy. There were significant differences in test preference by age, stage of change for the specific tests, perceived benefits of CRC screening, perceived barriers to both tests, and self-efficacy for colonoscopy. Two hundred thirty participants completed CRC screening at 6 months post-intervention. Of those, most (84%) completed a test concordant with their preference. Multivariable analyses revealed that compared with participants completing a preference-discordant test, those completing a preference-concordant test were older (P = 0.01), had health insurance (P < 0.05), and were in the phone counseling-only group (P < 0.01). Conclusions. High levels of completion of preference-concordant CRC screening can be achieved by educating average-risk patients about the multiple screening test options, soliciting their preferences, and offering testing that is concordant with their preference

Oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau) boatwhistle call detection and patterns within a large-scale oyster restoration site

During May 2015, passive acoustic recorders were deployed at eight subtidal oyster reefs within Harris Creek Oyster Sanctuary in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland USA. These sites were selected to represent both restored and unrestored habitats having a range of oyster densities. Throughout the survey, the soundscape within Harris Creek was dominated by the boatwhistle calls of the oyster toadfish, Opsanus tau. A novel, multi-kernel spectral correlation approach was developed to automatically detect these boatwhistle calls using their two lowest harmonic bands. The results provided quantitative information on how call rate and call frequency varied in space and time. Toadfish boatwhistle fundamental frequency ranged from 140 Hz to 260 Hz and was well correlated (r = 0.94) with changes in water temperature, with the fundamental frequency increasing by similar to 11 Hz for every 1 degrees C increase in temperature. The boatwhistle call rate increased from just a few calls per minute at the start of monitoring on May 7 th to similar to 100 calls/min on May 10 th and remained elevated throughout the survey. As male toadfish are known to generate boatwhistles to attract mates, this rapid increase in call rate was interpreted to mark the onset of spring spawning behavior. Call rate was not modulated by water temperature, but showed a consistent diurnal pattern, with a sharp decrease in rate just before sunrise and a peak just after sunset. There was a significant difference in call rate between restored and unrestored reefs, with restored sites having nearly twice the call rate as unrestored sites. This work highlights the benefits of using automated detection techniques that provide quantitative information on species-specific call characteristics and patterns. This type of non-invasive acoustic monitoring provides longterm, semi-continuous information on animal behavior and abundance, and operates effectively in settings that are otherwise difficult to sample

The Stratigraphic Nomenclature of the Irish Offshore Basins

Over 50 years of research and exploration in the Irish offshore have provided a vast archive of geological and geophysical information from which the geological evolution of the region has been pieced together. A total of 161 exploration and appraisal wells, a significant number of development wells and a small number of important shallower boreholes have been drilled, while a very large volume of 2D and 3D seismic data has been acquired across the Irish offshore. In addition, a number of important regional wide-angle seismic reflection and refraction profiles have helped constrain the deep crustal structure and controls on the main basins. The history of exploration has been summarised in various publications, including Naylor & Shannon (2011) and Shannon (2018)