The following is a guest post by Katherine Blood, Curator of Fine Prints, Prints & Photographs Division. As the Library of Congress marks its 220th year of serving the nation, the publication of a new guide tells two stories: how staff have for decades worked with art professionals to build the collections and how by […]

The only way to solubilize many antigens for immunoprecipitation is by denaturation. This cell lysis protocol is ideally suited for this purpose to release proteins from complex structures or reveal antibody epitopes hidden within native proteins. Short linear epitopes may not be accessible to antibodies within the native tertiary and quaternary protein structures, but they become exposed upon the unraveling of proteins, exposing their secondary structure. Antibodies otherwise not suitable for the immunoprecipitation of proteins prepared under nondenaturing conditions are now able to bind these antigens of interest in cell lysates prepared under denaturing conditions. These antibodies may also work well for immunoblotting purposes when the protein target is completely denatured. Harvested cells in this protocol are washed in tris-buffered saline (TBS) before lysis in 2% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-containing Lysis buffer for 10 min at 100°C. The resulting sample is diluted 20-fold in TBS to reduce the SDS concentration to ≤0.1% before the addition of an antibody for immunoprecipitation. Addition of 2% bovine serum albumin (BSA) or 0.1% Nonidet P-40 to the TBS before an immunoprecipitation, respectively, ensures either removal of SDS from the target protein or retaining denatured proteins in solution.

Differential detergent fractionation of cells is a rapid method for extraction of cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins in preparation of an immunoprecipitation. This method can be applied for use of adherent or suspension cells and can significantly reduce nonspecific background in an immunoprecipitation by separation of cellular compartments into individual fractions. The lysis of cells by differential detergents permits the rapid extraction of proteins from the cytoplasm (digitonin), the cytoplasmic membranes, and organelles (Triton X-100), and nucleoplasm (Tween/DOC), facilitated through the use of distinct extraction buffers. Cytoplasmic and nuclear matrix proteins as well as DNA are left behind during the detergent-based extraction.

Purified RNA may need to be concentrated by precipitation for downstream applications. Precipitation of RNA with ethanol (or isopropanol) is the standard method to recover RNA from aqueous solutions.

Before probing blots for the presence of an antigen, the total composition of the transferred proteins can be determined by staining the nitrocellulose or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane. Staining for proteins is useful to determine the position of the non-prestained molecular weight markers or individual lanes on the gel and to ensure that efficient transfer has occurred. It can be also used to verify equal loading of the samples in the gel when a comparison of the protein of interest between the different samples is important. The conventional procedures such as Coomassie Blue and silver staining methods used for staining polyacrylamide gels are incompatible with immunoblotting. Ponceau S is the more common staining method in immunoblotting protocols because it is compatible with antibody–antigen binding, is cost efficient, and provides a good contrast between the stained bands and background. In this protocol, nitrocellulose or PVDF membrane is rinsed with ultrapure H₂O after the transfer of proteins. Ponceau S dye is applied as an acidic aqueous solution, and the proteins on the membrane are stained with red color. The membrane is briefly destained with water and can be photographed or scanned to obtain the image of the total protein staining. Individual lane positions or the molecular weight standards can be marked with a pencil, if required.

Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones are rendered electrocompetent and transformed with the recombinant shuttle vector, pLD53SCAB/AB-box. Cointegrates are selected by growth on chloramphenicol and ampicillin to ensure recombination of the shuttle vector into the BAC.

The liquidity trap is synonymous with ineffective monetary policy. The common wisdom is that, as the short-term interest rate nears its effective lower bound, monetary policy cannot do much to stimulate the economy. However, central banks have resorted to alternative instruments, such as QE, credit easing and forward guidance.

We assess the dynamics of volatility spillovers among global systemically important banks (G-SIBs). We measure spillovers using vector-autoregressive models of range volatility of the equity prices of G-SIBs, together with machine learning methods. We then compare the size of these spillovers with the degree of systemic importance measured by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision's G-SIB bucket designations.

FSI Briefs No 2, April 2020. Guidance issued by financial sector authorities in response to the Covid-19 crisis seems to suggest that international efforts to come up with operational resilience standards should take into account at least the following elements: Critical/essential employees: identifying the critical functions and employees that support important business services, as well as ensuring employees' safety and that they can safely resume their duties (remotely, if necessary); IT infrastructure: ensuring that IT infrastructure can support a sharp increase in usage over an extended period and taking steps to safeguard information security; Third-party service providers: ensuring that external service providers and/or critical suppliers are taking adequate measures and are sufficiently prepared for a scenario in which there will be heavy reliance on their services; Cyber resilience: remaining vigilant in order to identify and protect vulnerable systems, and detect, respond and recover from cyber attacks..

This paper studies the relationship between bank geographic complexity and risk. We use a unique dataset of 96 bank holding companies around the world to measure the geographic dispersion of their affiliates. We study how this dispersion interacts with economic and regulatory conditions to affect the riskiness of the bank.

BIS Bulletin No 8, April 2020. Information on local labour markets and Google searches can be used to construct a measure of the vulnerability of employment in different regions of the United States to the Covid-19 shock. Regional exposure to Covid-19 varies significantly, ranging from a low of 2% to a high of 98% of total local employment. We test for the usefulness of the Covid-19 exposure measure by showing that areas with higher exposure report more Google search queries related to the pandemic and unemployment benefits.

The Covid-19 shock is placing enormous strains on corporates cash buffers. Corporate financial statements from 2019 suggest that 50% of firms do not have sufficient cash to cover total debt servicing costs over the coming year. Credit lines could provide firms with additional liquidity. On average undrawn credit stood around 120% of debt servicing costs at end 2019. However, access is uneven and banks may be reluctant to renew or extend them in the current environment. Sticky operating expenses result in many firms running operating losses, placing an additional burden on cash buffers. Estimates indicate that following a 10% drop in revenues, operating expenses only fall by 6% on average. Simulations suggest that if revenues fall by 25% in 2020, then closing the entire funding gap with debt would raise firm leverage by around 10 percentage points.

Our ongoing celebration of the Library of Congress National Book Festival continues with Poets Laureate Tracy K. Smith and Robert Hass discussing the making of poetry, the position of Poet Laureate and their new books, "American Journal: Fifty Poems for Our Time" (edited by Smith) and "A Little Book on Form: An Exploration into the Formal Imagination of Poetry" (Hass), on the Poetry & Prose stage at the 2018 Festival.

Our ongoing celebration of the Library of Congress National Book Festival continues with two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Colson Whitehead discussing "Zone One" on the Poetry & Prose stage at the 2012 Festival.

Even celebrity chef Julia Child said that the sleek appliance made mixing 'marvelous'

A prototype deployed in San Francisco Bay imagines the underside of a floating building as an upside-down artificial reef

Architects and planners from the Netherlands are advising coastal cities worldwide on how to live with water

From gas stations to public libraries, these celebrity architect-designed buildings are worth a road trip

The Wisconsin-born architect's buildings helped turn the city he once called an 'inglorious mantrap' into the center of the world

Application deadline: 17 May 2020 | Banking Settlements Centre | Location: Basel, Switzerland

Press release about the Basel Committee publishing consultation paper on revisions to the credit valuation adjustment risk framework, 28 November 2019.

Press release: CPMI and IOSCO share authorities´ experiences in cooperation to increase FMI safety and efficiency, 10 December 2019

Press release: CPMI report sets out considerations for developers of wholesale digital tokens, 12 December 2019

Press release: Basel Committee invites comments on the design of a prudential treatment for crypto-assets, 12 December 2019.

The Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank, the Sveriges Riksbank and the Swiss National Bank, together with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), have created a group to share experiences as they assess the potential case for central bank digital currency (CBDC) in their home jurisdictions. (Press release, 21 January 2020)

Markets Committee calls for wider adoption of global code of conduct for foreign exchange markets (Press release, 30 January 2020)

No global real estate market despite higher price synchronisation and growing role of international investors, central banks find (Press release, 18 February 2020)

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) today announced two key appointments to the BIS Innovation Hub, a new initiative designed to support central bank collaboration on new financial technology. (Press release, 19 February 2020)

Basel Committee Press release "Basel Committee meets to review vulnerabilities and emerging risks, advance supervisory initiatives and promote Basel III implementationl", 27 February 2020.

BIS statement, 16 March 2020.

Press release about Basel Committee assesses members' implementation of the Net Stable Funding Ratio and large exposures framework, 19 March 2020

Press release "Basel Committee coordinates policy and supervisory response to Covid-19", 20 March 2020

Press release "Governors and Heads of Supervision announce deferral of Basel III implementation to increase operational capacity of banks and supervisors to respond to Covid-19", 27 March 2020

BCBS Press release "Basel Committee sets out additional measures to alleviate the impact of Covid-19", 3 April 2020

BCBS Press release "Basel Committee and IOSCO announce deferral of final implementation phases of the margin requirements for non-centrally cleared derivatives", 3 April 2020

BCBS Press release "Basel III monitoring results based on end-June 2019 data published by the Basel Committee", 8 April 2020

CPMI Press release "How fintech can promote financial inclusion - a new report on the opportunities and challenges", 14 April 2020

Press release "Saudi G20 Presidency and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub invite global innovators to solve RegTech and SupTech challenges", 27 April 2020

BCBS Press release "Basel Committee issues progress report on banks' implementation of the 'Principles for effective risk data aggregation and reporting'", 29 April 2020

It works like a very fine "molecular knob" able to modulate the electrical activity of the neurons of our cerebral cortex, crucial to the functioning of our brain.

Holland America and Princess cruise lines issued notices this week cancelling the remainder of the season in Atlantic Canada, citing global health concerns, and that's taking a huge bite out of the Port of Sydney's budget.

Businesses in Cape Breton are helping customers get creative with DIY take-home kits to make everything from mermaid-themed terrariums to bubble tea.

Some school travel groups in Cape Breton that had trips cancelled in March due to COVID-19 are still waiting to get their money back.

While the STM is strongly urging passengers to wear a face mask or face covering at all times, it won't be mandatory, said chair Philippe Schnobb.

Kristy-Lyn Kemp can't believe how close she came to potentially starting a COVID-19 outbreak at her new job.

Jean-Talon market has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, there are controlled entrances, someone making sure you douse your hands with sanitizer and another with a clicker in hand, counting the number of people who enter.