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Currently, the literature provides some coherent evidence of what underrepresented minority (URM) students perceive they need to be successful, as well as what researchers empirically find important for URM student success. However, while success factors overlap with adoption factors, online course adoption is also affected by several important non-success factors such as flexibility. Adoption patterns of URM students have not been coherently studied using a well-tested technology adoption model. This study applies an expanded unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model to address these gaps. Among a sample of 1231 students, URM students perceived online classes to require more effort to achieve lower grades relative to non-underrepresented students. Second, a narrower set of factors predicts URM students' intention to take online courses in the future. Finally, contextually, URM students are 46% more likely to be employed, first-generation students, and have substantial family responsibilities than non-URM students.

This article examines a case study regarding pre- and post-COVID-19 faculty adoption patterns for online teaching. It is based on a usable sample of 184 faculty from a relatively typical, teaching/research institution, in which the bulk of the faculty had some modest level of hybrid or fully online teaching. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT)is used as the framework for the analysis for this descriptive case. The findings indicate that the trajectory of increasing online teaching is likely to continue and grow, despite reasonable and persistent faculty concerns. Based on the case study and literature, twenty recommendations are provided that can encourage faculty adoption and promote high quality online implementation systems.

The synthesis of tris-allyl-DOTA starting from cyclen and its application in the preparation of DOTA–peptide conjugates is reported. Clinically important conjugates such as DOTA–Tyr3-octreotide (DOTA–TOC), DOTA–Tyr3-octreotate (DOTA–TATE) as well as a DOTA–RGD peptide were synthesized in high yields with Fmoc solid phase peptide synthesis. The final, extremely reliable de-allylation was achieved on solid phase by different methods identifying morpholine/Pd(0) as the most suitable one obtaining all DOTA peptide conjugates in high yields. All DOTA–peptides were purified by reversed phase HPLC and structural identity was proved using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Small-molecule inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases such as RG108 represent promising candidates for cancer drug development. We report the synthesis and in vitro analysis of a biotinylated RG108 conjugate, 2-(1,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-3-(5-[3-[5-(2-oxo-hexahydro-thieno[3,4-d]imidazol-4-yl)pentanoylamino]propoxy]-1H-indol-3-yl)propionic acid (bio-RG108), for the evaluation of interactions with DNA methyltransferase enzymes. The structural design of the chemically modified inhibitor was aided by molecular modeling, which suggested the possibility for extensive chemical modifications at the 5-position of the tryptophan moiety in RG108. The inhibitory activity of the corresponding derivative was confirmed in a cell-free biochemical assay, where bio-RG108 showed an undiminished inhibition of DNA methyltransferase activity (IC50 = 40 nM). Bio-RG108 therefore represents a suitable bioconjugate for the elucidation of inhibitory mechanisms and for the affinity purification of RG108-associated proteins.

A novel Tyr 3 -octreotate conjugated closo -carborane as a potential compound for boron neutron capture therapy was obtained via Fmoc solid phase peptide synthesis. The boron cluster [C 2 B 10 H 11 ] was introduced through the reaction of 6,9-bis(acetonitrile)decaborane and 5-hexynoic acid yielding a new closo -carborane conjugated carboxylic acid which was coupled subsequently with solid phase conjugated Tyr 3 -octreotate. The final boron-containing peptide was purified by preparative reverse phase HPLC and structural identity was proved applying MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Drug-targeting strategies can increase the efficacy and reduce the side effects and toxicity of conventional chemotherapy or may lead to new radiolabeled molecules useful for diagnosis and therapy. To identify and characterize new carrier molecules, we evaluated a peptide that had been identified by phage display technology.The peptide p160 (VPWMEPAYQRFL) was prepared by solid-phase peptide synthesis and radiolabeled with (125)I or (131)I. The radiolabeled peptide and derivatives of it were used to study binding and internalization in vitro and to assess their distribution in tumor-bearing mice.Cell-binding assays on the human neuroblastoma cell line WAC 2 indicated the affinity and specificity of (125)I-labeled p160 toward neuroblastoma cells. Binding of the (125)I-labeled p160 was inhibited up to 95% by the unlabeled peptide. Furthermore, 50% of the total bound activity was internalized into the neuroblastoma cells. Biodistribution studies on nude mice showed a higher tracer accumulation in tumors than in most organs. Perfusion of the animals reduced uptake in all tissues, whereas tumor uptake remained constant. Fluorescence-activated cell-sorting studies with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled p160 demonstrated an increased fluorescence signal. Investigation of the binding properties of the fragments p160-8-1, p160-8-2, and p160-8-3 indicated that the sequence EPAYQR might be of significance for the binding of p160.These data indicate that the p160 peptide is an attractive candidate for the development of a neuroblastoma-specific vector that can be used for drug targeting or radiopeptide-based diagnosis and therapy.