Multiple sequential fraction collection of peptides and glycopeptides by high-performance capillary electrophoresis

Multiple sequential fraction collection of peptides and glycopeptides by high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) under applied voltage has been demonstrated from complex tryptic peptide maps. The collection methodology was adapted from a high-resolution glycopeptide mapping procedure and, as such, requires active temperature control of the sample, electrophoresis vials, and collections vials because the electrophoresis buffer system is higher conductive. Resolution was compromised in the preparative HPCE separation due to heavy sample loading and to reduced voltage. The latter was a requirement for this buffer system in order to control Joule heating at the current levels employed; collections were routinely performed at approximately 1.5 W/m. The collection buffer was optimized by the addition of 12% methanol (v/v), thereby improving collection yields. Tryptic non-glycopeptides were group collected; secondary analysis of the HPCE collections agreed with analytical separations with respect to the number of peptides contained in a given fraction. Sequentially collected peptide fractions were analyzed by Edman sequencing and MALDI mass spectrometry to verify peptide identity and sequence. Consistent peptide sequence or mass measurements were obtained for repeat collections. The isolation of the single pure glycopeptide indicates that unique glycopeptide structures can be collected by HPCE and then analyzed by other methods.     

d-amphetamine-induced enhancement of inhibitory mechanisms involved in visual search.

The authors examined the effects of d-amphetamine on the ability to perform a cued target-detection task that measured inhibition of return (IOR). IOR is a reflexive inhibitory mechanism that delays attention from returning to a previously attended location and has been shown to increase the efficiency of a visual search. Adults (N=14) with a history of cocaine use performed the task under 4 doses of d-amphetamine (0, 10, 20, and 30 mg). The results showed active d-amphetamine doses increased the duration of IOR. By increasing the delay in returning attention to a previously attended location, d-amphetamine might reduce time spent searching previously attended locations, increasing the efficiency of visual searches. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Correction to Hodson, Rush, and MacInnis (2010).

Reports an error in "A joke is just a joke (except when it isn't): Cavalier humor beliefs facilitate the expression of group dominance motives" by Gordon Hodson, Jonathan Rush and Cara C. MacInnis (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2010[Oct], Vol 99[4], 660-682). In the article there was an error in Table 6. The last row of data should have read “Obese”, not “Mexican”. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2010-20570-003.) Past research reveals preferences for disparaging humor directed toward disliked others. The group-dominance model of humor appreciation introduces the hypothesis that beyond initial outgroup attitudes, social dominance motives predict favorable reactions toward jokes targeting low-status outgroups through a subtle hierarchy-enhancing legitimizing myth: cavalier humor beliefs (CHB). CHB characterizes a lighthearted, less serious, uncritical, and nonchalant approach toward humor that dismisses potential harm to others. As expected, CHB incorporates both positive (affiliative) and negative (aggressive) humor functions that together mask biases, correlating positively with prejudices and prejudice-correlates (including social dominance orientation [SDO]; Study 1). Across 3 studies in Canada, SDO and CHB predicted favorable reactions toward jokes disparaging Mexicans (low-status outgroup). Neither individual difference predicted neutral (nonintergroup) joke reactions, despite the jokes being equally amusing and more inoffensive overall. In Study 2, joke content targeting Mexicans, Americans (high-status outgroup), and Canadians (high-status ingroup) was systematically controlled. Although Canadians preferred jokes labeled as anti-American overall, an underlying subtle pattern emerged at the individual-difference level: Only those higher in SDO appreciated those jokes labeled as anti-Mexican (reflecting social dominance motives). In all studies, SDO predicted favorable reactions toward low-status outgroup jokes almost entirely through heightened CHB, a subtle yet potent legitimatizing myth that “justifies” expressions of group dominance motives. In Study 3, a pretest–posttest design revealed the implications of this justification process: CHB contributes to trivializing outgroup jokes as inoffensive (harmless), subsequently contributing to postjoke prejudice. The implications for humor in intergroup contexts are considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Determination of Critical Separation Distance Between Dwellings in Informal Settlements Fire

Fire Technology - Approximately one billion people across the globe are living in informal settlements with a large potential fire risk. Due to the high dwelling density, a single informal...     

Quantification of cormorant litter and nutrient deposition to Great Lakes island ecosystems

Ornithogenic nutrients derived from waterbirds such as the double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus, Lesson) have been linked to habitat change within nesting colonies. For the islands of Lake Erie, where increasing cormorant populations and subsequent habitat change have spurred management activity, estimates of the quantity and chemical characteristics of avian-derived contributions are lacking. To evaluate the quantity and chemical characteristics of ornithogenic litterfall beneath a double-crested cormorant colony on a western Lake Erie island we investigated the mass of material and nutrient composition (PO₄^3 −, NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺) reaching the forest floor under three nest densities (Low: 1–96 nests ha^− 1; Medium: 97–255 nests ha^− 1 and High: > 255 nests ha^− 1). As expected, litterfall (total mass) input differed among nest densities with the most substantial input (225.05 g/m² week^− 1) measured under High nest density conditions. Nutrient concentrations also showed increases with nest density to a point, where mean PO₄^3 − and NH₄⁺ concentrations showed no differences between Medium and High nest density sites. As well, NO₃⁻ concentrations were highest under Medium density, with no differences in this nutrient observed between Low and High density. Collectively, litterfall nutrient composition was similar to those linked to habitat changes in other waterbird colonies. Similarities in the concentrations of several nutrients between Medium and High nest density categories suggest that management actions aimed at reducing allochthonous nutrient contributions should try to sustain nest density at or below 96 nests ha^− 1.     

On becoming a team: a view from the field

Early intervention services have expanded the concept of team participation for speech-language pathologists. Unlike traditional teams that grew out of the individual, direct service model of treatment, early intervention teams include the child's family along with professionals. Family members are invited to participate in assessing and treating their child, and the child is seen from a slightly different perspective by each team participant. Different viewpoints must be integrated and used to the benefit of the child. In this way, treatment options are expanded. Further, professionals may release their roles to other team members as well as learn new skills from other team members. The process of team development is illustrated through the experiences of one family-centered early intervention team.