Neutral fluorescence probe with strong ratiometric response to surface charge of phospholipid membranes

AbstractWe report on dramatic differences in fluorescence spectra of 4′-dimethylamino-3-hydroxyflavone (probe F) studied in phospholipid membranes of different charge (phosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidylcholine (PC), their mixture and the mixture of PC with a cationic lipid). The effect consists in variations of relative intensities at two well-separated band maxima at 520 and 570 nm belonging to normal (N*) and tautomer (T*) excited states of flavone chromophore. Based on these studies we propose a new approach to measure electrostatic potential at the surface layer of phospholipid membranes, which is based on potential-dependent changes of bilayer hydration and involves very sensitive and convenient ratiometric measurements in fluorescence emission

Sensing peptide–oligonucleotide interactions by a two-color fluorescence label: application to the HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein

We present a new methodology for site-specific sensing of peptide–oligonucleotide (ODN) interactions using a solvatochromic fluorescent label based on 3-hydroxychromone (3HC). This label was covalently attached to the N-terminus of a peptide corresponding to the zinc finger domain of the HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein (NC). On interaction with target ODNs, the labeled peptide shows strong changes in the ratio of its two emission bands, indicating an enhanced screening of the 3HC fluorophore from the bulk water by the ODN bases. Remarkably, this two-color response depends on the ODN sequence and correlates with the 3D structure of the corresponding complexes, suggesting that the 3HC label monitors the peptide–ODN interactions site-specifically. By measuring the two-color ratio, we were also able to determine the peptide–ODN-binding parameters and distinguish multiple binding sites in ODNs, which is rather difficult using other fluorescence methods. Moreover, this method was found to be more sensitive than the commonly used steady-state fluorescence anisotropy, especially in the case of small ODNs. The described methodology could become a new universal tool for investigating peptide–ODN interactions

Deer Creek Farm Tour

Photograph used for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company. Caption: "Trisha Bourke feeds some goats.

A laser ablation system for deposition of high Tc thin films

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN011153 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

A laser ablation system for deposition of high Tc thin films

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN011153 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

A study of the performance on auditory processing tests and Conners rating scale as discriminates of children having attention deficit-hyperactive disorder

Attention Deficit-Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is plagued by numerous definitional and diagnostic problems. The symptoms of ADHD do not appear to form a unitary dimension which is demonstrated by the DSM-IV in which categories of behavior are presented as various identifiers related to specific behaviors , i.e., inattentive, impulsive, or hyperactive, which can be given to a child diagnosed as having ADHD. The relationship of ADHD to other disorders such as auditory processing disorder (APD) have not been addressed by DSM criteria. However, some researchers believe a close relationship does exist between ADHD and APD. This study examined the relationship of observed behaviors of children having ADHD and their performance on an auditory processing test battery, the SCAN test. The behaviors of the children were rated by their parents using the Conners Rating Scale, parents version (CRS). The CRS rates a child's level of hyperactivity from "average" to "very much above average." A t-score of 70 or above is interpreted as "very much above average." Conners offers no additional interpretation of t-scores higher than 70. The study found that children having ADHD who had CRS scores greater than 89 also had SCAN test performance scores that were poor enough to cause them to also be diagnosed as having APD. This finding suggests that there is a co-morbid relationship between ADHD children having high behavior rating scale t-scores and poor auditory processing performance. The impUcation of the study is that children who perform poorly on the SCAN test and have high CRS t-scores above 89 should be considered as having APD are at an extreme risk for having co-occurring ADHD. Additional implications for educational considerations can be given to this group of children in regards to managing APD and ADHD in the classroom and at home

Deepening a Sense of Spirit: A Study of Spiritual Care Volunteers in the Rural Clinical Setting

This study has explored the concept of how one’s sense of spirit has deepened by providing spiritual care to patients and residents in a rural hospital, hospice and long term care facilities. Using an organic inquiry method of research, the researcher’s story begins this study from her passion of wanting to explore “how by helping others,” one’s spiritual life can be transformed. The researcher is a Chaplain for a 100 bed hospital in rural southern Alberta. Eight spiritual care volunteers took a spiritual care training program and then worked in spiritual care for a minimum of 12 weeks visiting patients and residents. These spiritual care providers volunteered to be interviewed for this study. From the interviews five themes emerged from the data to reveal how these participants of the study have had their sense of spirit deepen. These themes are: increased prayer life, closer connection to God, increased self-confidence, improved relationships with others, more gratitude and less-judging behaviours. The sub-theme of time was also a pattern which emerged from the data. Direct quotes from the participants are used throughout the interviews to substantiate the claim of transformation by the research participants. This study will add to the body of knowledge on spiritual formation and help fill the gap in understanding how people of faith can deepen their sense of spirit by caring for other people in need

Organizational Culture and Sensemaking for Crisis Counselors: Working in the Gray of Human Experience

Organizational culture is the umbrella under which established rules and norms guide all employee communication and behavior. But when individuals working in an organization are confronted with uncertainty, they will react first and evaluate their actions second. The basic human process of reaction, contemplation and retention are here explored in Weick’s (1979) sensemaking model and applied within an organization’s cultural context. This qualitative study explores how crisis counselors make sense of an environment where ambiguity is the norm and culture is characterized as unrestricted and flexible. First, coping strategies in situations of uncertainty are explored through Weick’s (1979) sensemaking theory, and second are evaluated in the context of this organization’s culture and approach to employees and clients