Cytosolic glutathione s-transferases of ostrich liver.

An article with 14 pages.Chemicals consummumed by the ostrich are likely to be metabolised by liver detoxifying enzymes such as the cytosolic glutathione Stransferases (GST). We have studied the affinity purified GST from male and female ostrich livers. 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) proved to be the best of several substrates tested to measme activity. Activity with this substrate was inhibited by sulphobromoptgnalein and cibamon blue which are well established inhibitors for the m ammalian enzyme. A number of pesticides and environmentai pollutants were also found to be strong inhibitors of the enzymes. Our data indicates that ostrich liver enzymes behave similarly to the mammalian liver enzyme in terms of substrate requirements and inhibition characteristics.ZIMBANK, RK Financial from the University of Zimbabwe and International Programs in the Chemical Sciences (Uppsaia, Sweden

On the Cosmic Variation of the Fine Structure Constant. Was the Universe Created at an Instant?

This is an articleWithout veering off the shores of conventional physics and without making any exogenous addition on our part, but well within the mathematical and physical logic of the accepted domains and confines of classical Maxwellian electrodynamics - in a very simple way, we pristinely demonstrate that the variation of Fine Structure Constant (FSC) can be explained as a purely classical phenomenon without the need to resorting to exotic ideas as is the case in present day approaches to this problem. The need, spirited thrust and effort currently under-way to explain the variation of the FSC has been necessitated and triggered by observations of Quasar absorption lines from various ions of iron and magnesium by Professor John Webb and his collaborators who have interpreted their measurements as strongly pointing to a possible time and spacial variation of the FSC. Our interpretation of the variation of the FSC ? if correct, then, we may need to rethink if not reconsider anew, our standard cosmological models, especially those cosmological models that are beholden to the now seemingly sacrosanct notion that all matter, energy and all of existence as we know it, was created at an instant. If the ideas propagated herein on the proposed mechanism behind the variation of the FSC, then, we argue that it should be possible to resolve the issue of the distances of Quasars i.e., whether or not Quasars are at their cosmological distances

Lunar Drift Explains Lunar Eccentricity Rate

Herein, we argue that the observed +38mm/yr secular Lunar drift from the Earth does ? to an admirable degree of agreement between theory and observations; explain the observed secular increase in the Lunar eccentricity. At present, the recession of the Moon from the Earth is not any more considered as an anomaly as this is believed to be well explained by conventional physics of Lunar-Earth tides. However, the same is not true when it come to the observed increase in the Lunar eccentricity which is considered to be an anomaly requiring an explanation as to what is the cause behind this phenomenon. We not only demonstrate an intimate connection between these two seemingly unrelated phenomenon, but show that the intimate relationship that we deduce fits so well with observations to a point that ? logic dictates that, the Lunar drift must surely be the cause of the secular increase in the Lunar eccentricity

Research and Innovation Office Newsletter January, 2015

Newslette

Hepatic Cytosolic Glutathione S- Transferases of ostrich (struthio camelus): partial characterisation and interaction with xenobiotics.

An article with pictures.The glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) in affinity purified pools of male and female ostrich liver were studied. The GSTs were purified from crude liver cytosols by S-hexylglutathione sepharose affinity chromatography with yields comparable to those reported for GST from mammalian livers. The K, for both glutathione (GSH) and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitroSenzenzene (CDNB) were determined and found to be within the range of values known for mammalian and invertebrate species. 1- chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene proved to be the best of nine substrates tested to measure activity. Activity was inhibited by bromosulphophthalein and cibacron blue which are well known inhibitors of the mammalian enzyme. Our results indicate that the ostrich liver enzymes behave similarly to the mammalian liver enzyme in terms of substrate requirements and inhibition characteristics.Zimban

On the Extra Anomalous Gyromagnetic Ratio of the Electron and Other General Spin-1/2 Particles

This is an articleAs is well known, amongst the greatest successes of the Dirac equation at its birth where its ability to naturally account for spin as a relativistic phenomenon and its almost arcane prediction of the correct gyromagnetic ratio of the Electron. The Dirac equation forms the most fundamental basis of Quantum Field Theory (QFT). QFT is one of the most successful fields of human endeavour. The Dirac equation gives an accurate account of the Electron so much that since its birth, it has always has been thought of as an equation for the Electron. However, in its bare and natural form, it is widely believed that the same can not be said of the Dirac equation when it comes to the Proton and Neutron, which ? as the Electron; are both spin-1/2 particles. For example, the Dirac equation has never in its natural form been used to explain the gyromagnetic ratio of the Proton and Neutron. Much to the contrary to this prevalent wisdom, here we show that one might account for the gyromagnetic ratio of any general spin-1/2 particle such as that of the Proton, Neutron, together with the Electron?s extra anomalous gyromagnetic ratio as second order effects within the minimally coupled Dirac theory that i.e., from the same theory that unveiled spin as a relativistic phenomenon and at the same time predicted the correct gyromagnetic ratio of the Electron.National University of Science & Technology (NUST)?s Research & Innovation Department and Research Board

Is Relativity?s Equal Footing Treatment of Space and Time Correct in its Entirety?

This is an articleBoth the Special and General Theories of Relativity (hereafter: STR and GTR respectively) put forward by Professor Albert Einstein enjoy an impressive, spectacular, unparalleled and unprecedented success in explaining physical phenomenon as it is revealed by experience. So successful are these theories ? so much that ? their very foundations are no-longer questioned from a pessimist?s standpoint but from that of an optimist? viewpoint. Any envisioned or proposed (new) experiment or observational measurement is naturally expected to confirm the STR and GTR. Amongst the foundation stones of the STR and GTR is the treatment of space and time on an equal footing. While in-principle this treatment has no problem when dealing with reference frames, we urge herein that this treat may not be correct when it comes to handling coordinate systems

Glutathione S-transferase activity in the maize weevil, sitophilus zeamais (Mostch.)

An article with 4 pages.Glutathione S-transferase activities in field populalions (Fo) of the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, were compared with their 3rd generation (F,) progeny which were reared in the laboratory. Two substrates, 1 -chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) i and glutathione (GSH) were used in the tests and the Michaelis constant (K,,,) was determined for both these substrates. Enzyme activity was detected using the CDNB as the model substrate. The K,, values using CDNB were lower for the field populations compared to the F, progeny which were reared without any exposure insecticides. The data indicate that the insects collected from the field were better able to metabolise xenobiotics than their laboratory reared progeny wl-iich were not exposed to any insecticides.International Program in the Chemical Sciences (UPPSALA, Sweden) and the Research board, University of Zimbabwe

Within-plant variation in defences in response to simulated herbivory in a semi-arid Southern African Savannah

This is an articleWithin-plant spatial variation in herbivore pressure can induce localized antiherbivory defence responses. We tested this hypothesis by studying branch-specific responses of Acacia robusta, Dichrostachys cinerea and Ziziphus mucronata to simulated mammalian herbivory. Herbivory was simulated by clipping the terminal shoots(3 cm from tip) of tree branchlets, allowing them one year of regrowth and then comparing their spine length and density and condensed tannins with those of adjacen tunclipped branchlets. Condensed tannin concentrations were higher in clipped branchlets than in unclipped branchlets in all three woody species (P < 0.05). Spine length was higher in clipped branchlets than in unclipped branchlets in A. robusta (P < 0.05) but was similar in both D. cinerea and Z. mucronata (P > 0.05). Spine density was double in clipped branchlets as compared to the unclipped branchlets in Z. mucronata (P < 0.05) but was similar in both A. robusta and D. cinerea (P > 0.05). We found evidence of within-plant variation in condensed tannins concentration and spine length and density in response to simulated herbivory in the three woody species.International Foundation for Science, Stockholm, Sweden, through research grant D/4149-2

Lunar Drift Explains Lunar Eccentricity Rate

Lunar Drift Explains Lunar Eccentricity Rate is an articleIn this short letter, we argue that the observed +38mm/yr secular Lunar drift from the Earth does ? to an admirable degree of agreement between theory and observa- tions; explain the observed secular increase in the Lunar eccentricity. At present, the recession of the Moon from the Earth is not any more considered as an anomaly as this is believed to be well explained by conventional physics of Lunar-Earth tides. However, the same is not true when it come to the observed increase in the Lunar eccentricity which is considered to be an anomaly requiring an explanation as to what is the cause behind this phenomenon. We not only demonstrate an intimate connection between these two seemingly unrelated phenomenon, but show that the intimate relationship that we deduce fits so well with observations to a point that ? logic dictates that, the Lunar drift must surely be the cause of the secular increase in the Lunar eccentricity