We examine heterotic M-theory with a parallel M5 brane. After deriving the four-dimensional low-energy supergravity potential including open membrane instantons, gaugino condensation and M5 brane instantons, we focus on the first two non-perturbative effects. We find in the pure open membrane case, where the parallel M5 gets stabilized at the middle of the orbifold interval, that the vacuum ene...

The methylation-dependent restriction endonuclease (REase) BisI (G(m5)C ↓ NGC) is found in Bacillus subtilis T30. We expressed and purified the BisI endonuclease and 34 BisI homologs identified in bacterial genomes. 23 of these BisI homologs are active based on digestion of (m5)C-modified substrates. Two major specificities were found among these BisI family enzymes: Group I enzymes cut GCNGC c...

M protein of the group A streptococcus is an elongated, alpha-helical coiledcoil molecule that extends from the bacterial cell surface as a flexible fibrillar structure (1, 2). It is a major virulence factor for the bacteria, by virtue of its property of impeding the phagocytosis of the organisms (3). >75 serologically distinct variants of the M protein have been recognized over the years and, ...

Piscivorous wildlife, such as mink (Mustela vison), routinely are exposed to mercury (Hg) in their natural environment at levels that may cause adverse behavioral outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine if a correlation exists between neurochemical receptors and concentrations of Hg in the brains of wild mink. Specifically, receptor-binding assays were conducted to characterize the...