Pilot Library Research Articles

A High-Throughput Screen for Compounds That Inhibit Aggregation of the Alzheimer’s Peptide

Aggregation of the Alzheimer's peptide Abeta produces toxic multimeric species that play a key role in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Compounds that inhibit this aggregation may prove useful as therapeutic agents for the prevention or treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Although aggregation inhibitors may already exist in combinatorial libraries, finding these compounds in a cost-effective high-throughput manner poses an enormous challenge. To meet this challenge, we have developed a novel high-throughput screen capable of isolating inhibitors of Abeta aggregation from large libraries of inactive candidates. The screen uses a fusion of Abeta42 to GFP. In the absence of inhibition, the rapid misfolding and aggregation of Abeta42 causes the entire fusion protein to misfold, thereby preventing fluorescence. Compounds that inhibit Abeta42 aggregation enable GFP to fold into its native structure and be identified by the resulting fluorescent signal. By implementing the screen on a pilot library of triazine derivatives, we have identified several putative inhibitors. One of the selected compounds was studied in detail by a series of biochemical and biophysical methods. These studies confirmed that the selected compound inhibits aggregation of synthetic Abeta42 peptide. The fluorescence-based method described here is rapid and inexpensive and can be used to screen large libraries for inhibitors of Abeta42 aggregation and/or amyloidogenesis.

Preparation of pilot library with tetrahydro-β-carboline alkaloid core skeleton using tandem intramolecular Pictet–Spengler cyclization

A solid phase strategy has been developed for the synthesis of tetrahydro-β-carboline alkaloid library. The key transformation is an acid-catalyzed tandem intramolecular Pictet–Spengler cyclization from l-tryptophan which forms acyl iminiums with synchronous cleavage of products from the acid-labile SASRIN™ solid support. A pilot library with two diversity points has been successfully synthesized in high purity to demonstrate this strategy.

Crossing a bridge

PurposeTo describe the challenges involved in developing and delivering a pilot library skills course to a group of international bridging studies students from China and Pakistan. To provide guidelines for other libraries who may be faced with similar challenges.Design/methodology/approachThe paper documents the development and delivery of a pilot course for international students. The course described formed part of an accredited Critical Thinking & Research Skills module. The challenges of the project are described and a number of recommendations for its future development are outlined.FindingsThe project underlined the challenges involved in teaching library skills to international students. The main barrier that emerged throughout the course related to communication difficulties. Language levels amongst the group were poorer than anticipated. The group did display excellent IT skills, however, and enjoyed class work that actively engaged them in the learning process.Research limitations/implicationsThe project is still at a pilot stage of development. The paper provides a short‐term view of one small academic library's experience of working with international students. No full‐scale student survey has been conducted to date.Practical implicationsThis account of WIT Libraries experience of developing and delivering an accredited information skills course for the bridging studies group is likely to be a useful source of practical information for libraries in similar positions, of similar scale, faced with similar challenges.Originality/valueOffers practical solutions for libraries in similar positions. The successful diversification of the traditional library role is likely to be of interest to all members of the library profession.

Lessons learned from evaluation of the use of the National electronic Library of Infection

The National electronic Library of Infection (NeLI: http://www.neli.org.uk) in the UK is a freely available portal to key evidence and guidelines in the infectious disease field. This paper discusses 5 years of evaluation of the pilot library and how this evaluation informed design of the new library website. The importance of combining qualitative and quantitative evaluation is highlighted and the results of web access logs analysis, free text search query analysis and an online user survey are compared. The paper concludes with a discussion of lessons learned for future development and evaluation of this Internet digital library.

Solid-Phase Parallel Synthesis of Natural Product-Like Diaza-Bridged Heterocycles through Pictet−Spengler Intramolecular Cyclization

A multistep, practical solid-phase strategy for the synthesis of natural product-like diaza-bridged heterocycles was developed. A key step in the library synthesis is tandem acidolytic cleavage with subsequent in situ iminium formation followed by the Pictet-Spengler intramolecular cyclization. The Pictet-Spengler-type intramolecular cyclization step was regioselective and diastereoselective to give final products as single diastereomers in exceptional yields and purities, which was confirmed by NMR structural study and LC/MS analysis. This approach is exemplified by the preparation of a 384-member library of 3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]non-6-en-2-one skeletons, fused with indole and dihydroxybenzene and diversified at two bridging nitrogen atoms, using the solid-phase parallel synthetic methodology without further purification. In this pilot library, two diastereomerically enriched diaza-bridged core skeletons were modified by amide and urea bond formation on bridging nitrogen atoms, and this scheme exhibits the potential for expansion to obtain further diversification.

A Genome Wide Screening Approach for Membrane-targeted Proteins

Membrane-associated proteins are critical for intra- and intercellular communication. Accordingly approaches are needed for rapid and comprehensive identification of all membrane-targeted gene products in a given cell or tissue. Here we describe a modification of the yeast Ras recruitment system to this end and designate the modified approach the Ras membrane trap (RMT). A pilot RMT screen was carried out on the central nervous system of the mollusk Lymnaea stagnalis, a model organism from a phylum that still lacks a representative with a sequenced genome. 112 gene products were identified in the screen of which 79 lack assignable homologs in available data bases. Currently available annotation tools predicted membrane association of only 45% of the 112 proteins, although experimental verification in mammalian cells confirmed membrane association for all clones tested. Thus, genome annotation using currently available tools is likely to underpredict representation of membrane-associated gene products. The 32 proteins with known homologies include many targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum or the nucleus, thus RMT provides a tool that can cover intracellular membrane proteomes. Two sequences were found to represent gene families not found to date in invertebrate genomes, emphasizing the need for whole genome sequences from mollusks and indeed from representatives of all major invertebrate phyla.

E‐measures: developing statistical measures for electronic information services

Purpose. Describes the work of the e‐measures project, which aims to produce a set of statistics for measuring electronic information services in UK higher education libraries, to be used nationally as part of the Annual Library Statistics produced by the Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL) and locally for library decision making and user support. Design/methodology/approach. A group of 25 higher education libraries are piloting a range of 21 e‐measures covering holdings, usage and costs of electronic services. Data collected over a four‐month period in phase 1 are currently being analysed and a review of issues raised will inform case studies planned for phase 2. Findings. Issues raised by phase 1 of the project are presented here. Reports from pilot libraries illustrate both the importance of the work being undertaken and its complexity. Research limitations/implications. The project has highlighted the issues involved in the collection of data for measuring use of electronic information services and drawn attention to the difficulties in getting reliable, consistent data. Practical implications. After testing by the pilot libraries, selected e‐measures will be incorporated into the SCONUL Annual Library Statistics, to be collected on a regular basis by all SCONUL libraries. Libraries will also have a greater understanding of their use of electronic resources through the guidance and support provided by the project. Originality/value. This paper, in describing the results of phase 1 of the e‐measures project, increases awareness of the project and the understanding of the issues involved in collecting data for e‐measures.

Macrolactones in diversity-oriented synthesis: preparation of a pilot library and exploration of factors controlling macrocyclization.

Macrolactones in diversity-oriented synthesis: preparation of a pilot library and exploration of factors controlling macrocyclization.

Pathway Development and Pilot Library Realization in Diversity‐Oriented Synthesis. Exploring Ferrier and Pauson—Khand Reactions on a Glycal Template

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

Management issues in library networking: focus on a pilot library networking project in Ghana

Discusses the management issues involved in library networking, using GILLDDNET, the DANIDA/IFLA sponsored Ghana Interlibrary Lending and Document Delivery Trial Project as a reference point in the discussion. There is an attempt to apply the management principles that Urwick outlined decades ago in the Elements of Management to this project. The challenges and the successes of the project are discussed.

Pathway Development and Pilot Library Realization in Diversity-Oriented Synthesis: Exploring Ferrier and Pauson-Khand Reactions on a Glycal Template

Through a correlation of the ability of small molecules to bind biological macromolecules and their ability to modulate cellular and organismal processes, chemistry can inform biology and vice versa. Diversity-oriented organic synthesis (DOS), which aims to provide structurally complex and diverse small molecules efficiently, can play a key role in such chemical genetic studies. Here we illustrate the trial-and-error experimentation that can refine an initial pathway-planning exercise and result eventually in an effective diversity pathway. By exploring Ferrier and Pauson-Khand reactions on a glycal template, we have developed efficient and stereoselective syntheses of tricyclic compounds. In this pathway, diversity results from the substituents and their spatial relationships about the tricyclic rings. A pilot split-pool library synthesis of 2500 tricyclic compounds highlights the use of planning considerations in DOS and a “one-bead, one-stock solution” technology platform. Additionally, it illustrates a promising synthetic pathway for future chemical genetic studies.

Preparing to Benchmark

Four hospital and three academic libraries in a Health Science Library consortium in eastern Washington and northern Idaho used the CHLA Benchmarking Tool Kit to survey users and compare libraries. Members determined the importance of, and satisfaction with, many library services. They compared service-per-FTE of primary users for themselves and the CHLA pilot libraries. They began changes to improve library services. Hospital members gained experience with benchmarking, and initiated use of the information with their administrations. Comparable data, timing, determining survey sample size, and dealing with human subjects' protection was found important. A great deal of data was found “missing” or very difficult to collect.

Implementing a Library Liaison Program

Abstract A pilot library liaison program was initiated with the College of Liberal Arts at Southern Illinois University at Carbon-dale. The goals were to facilitate communication with academic faculties, enhance collection development, and improve services. A uniform training program was implemented. Budgets were allocated, and negotiations for new moneys were held in a group setting. Following training, meetings were held with academic department chairs, library liaisons, and the library's Director of Reference Services and Collection Management to activate the program. The pilot program was assessed and then expanded to all sixty teaching departments on campus, using guidelines that had evolved during the pilot program. The centrality of the library as a service unit is affirmed in increased understanding and cooperation between librarians and teaching faculty. The program is continually monitored in an effort to keep the program flexible and responsive to changing needs.

A reliable linear algebra library for transputer networks

This paper presents a collection of linear algebra subroutines for transputer networks. The developed pilot library is intended to form a basis of a complete parallel linear algebra library for validating computations, whose routines will deliver (as accurately as necessary) either the best possible result, or a corresponding inclusion based on controlled rounding and an optimal scalar product.

The INNOVACQ 100 system: Experience of a pilot user

The Library of the University of California, Riverside (UCR) began automating its acquisitions, fund accounting, and in-process control functions when it became the pilot library for the INNOVACQ 100 system in March 1982. This system, developed by Innovative Interface, Inc., utilizes a multi-processor microcomputer. General features of the system and UCR's experience in using it are presented.

On-line acquisitions: Use of a vendor system

LIBRIS, Baker and Taylor's Library Information Service, is an on-line book order system first made available to libraries in 1979. In March 1979, Miami University Libraries became one of ten pilot libraries testing LIBRIS. After three months of testing, we decided to continue with the system, using it for on-line ordering with Baker and Taylor, generation of multiples to be mailed to other vendors, and preparation of form letters off-line.

Nigerian Library Project

The project on which I have been sent to Nigeria is a joint library project between the Government of the Eastern Region and Unesco. The intention is that a pilot public library shall be established in Enugu, the capital city, which shall give a service to the people of the town, form the headquarters of the regional service and act as a model library for other towns in the Region and elsewhere in Africa. Similar pilot libraries have been successfully established in Delhi and in Medellin.