A program to help students of life sciences prepare a research protocol

This paper describes a Web‐based program that has been written in JavaScript to help honours‐level students to design a protocol for their research project. It consists of several screens which contain text‐input boxes and options, that students can select to determine what statistical test is appropriate. On each page students can obtain information concerning the particular step in the procedure for defining the research protocol. Some links to useful pages on the Internet are also provided. After the student has navigated the screens, the program writes a protocol outline, depending on the information entered by the student. The program was introduced to fourth‐stage students of Nutrition and Dietetics at the beginning of the Research Project module. Students were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire containing attitude statements after they had discussed the protocol with their supervisors. Students generally rated the usefulness of the Internet links highly and considered the program to be user‐friendly, clearly laid out and visually appealing. Most students agreed that the program helped to clarify what is needed for the protocol, provoked them to think of aspects of the project, the importance of which they might have failed to realize early enough, and helped them to ask appropriate questions of their supervisors

Reconsidering the Work Disincentive Effects of Social Security

This paper shows that, contrary to commonly held views, the provisions of the social security law actually provide strong work incentives for older men. The reason is that, for most workers, higher current earnings lead to higher future social security benefits. These incentives have been particularly strong for workers under 65 years of age and, although they will be reduced somewhat when the 1977 amendments to the social security law become fully effective, they will remain substantial. The findings raise serious questions about recent econometric work attributing the decline in labor force participation rates of older men to the social security system.

Web-based program to illustrate metabolic pathways to students

There are many excellent Internet resources that illustrate metabolic pathways. The International Union of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (2002) provides figures illustrating parts of metabolism with chemical structures and enzyme names. More clearly laid out pathways with larger chemical structures have been provided by Miller (1998), and the structures can be visualised in 3D if you have the right plug-in. The well-known wall chart produced by Boehringer-Mannheim (2000) can be accessed online and users can search for a keyword or click on the map itself to see part of it. GenomeNet (2002) provides overview diagrams illustrating sections of metabolism with hotspots that can be clicked to provide detailed information on the enzymes including amino acid and base sequences. These resources are extremely valuable for students who are studying biochemistry in depth, but they are arguably too complex and information intensive for many who are required to study only the major pathways at a basic level

The impacts of biodiesel feedstock production systems in South Africa: An application of a Partial Equilibrium Model to the Eastern Cape Social Accounting Matrix

In this paper the impacts of biodiesel feedstock production in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa is assessed through the application of a Partial Equilibrium Model to the Eastern Cape Social Accounting Matrix, using canola production in the Province as an ‘external shock’. Six economic indicators were estimated. The results show that investment in biodiesel production in the Eastern Cape will generate, in 2007 terms, an additional GDP of R18.1 million and 410 employment opportunities per annum, R24.3 million per annum over an assumed lifetime of 20 years in capital formation, R2.1 million additional income generated in low income households, increase in government revenue, and a positive balance of payment. These indicators imply that, given the parameters that are accounted for in a Partial Equilibrium Model, every Rand invested in canola projects in the Eastern Cape will, overall, be of socio-economic advantage to the Province. It is envisaged that further applications of such models may lead to a better understanding of the implications of biofuels in the South African economy, and thereby inform decision- and policy-making in terms of the sustainability of biofuels production systems in general

Functional analysis of a human A1 adenosine receptor/green fluorescent protein/Gi1α fusion protein following stable expression in CHO cells

AbstractFusion proteins between the human A1 adenosine receptor and the pertussis toxin resistant (Cys351Gly) mutant of the G-protein α subunit Gi1α (A1/Gi), and between the human A1 adenosine receptor, the Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein (GFP) and Cys351Gly Gi1α (A1/GFP/Gi), were expressed in CHO cells. The agonist NECA caused a stimulation of [35S]GTPγS binding at both fusion proteins with similar concentration dependence as at the native receptor. However in the presence of pertussis toxin NECA stimulation of [35S]GTPγS binding was only seen at the A1/GFP/Gi fusion protein. The regulation of the adenylyl cyclase and MAP kinase effector systems by both fusion proteins was attenuated following pertussis toxin treatment. These studies demonstrate for the first time the characterisation of a fusion protein between a G-protein coupled receptor, GFP and a G-protein α subunit

Hydroxycarboxylic acid receptors (version 2019.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database

The hydroxycarboxylic acid family of receptors (ENSFM00500000271913, nomenclature as agreed by the NC-IUPHAR Subcommittee on Hydroxycarboxylic acid receptors [32, 10]) respond to organic acids, including the endogenous hydroxy carboxylic acids 3-hydroxy butyric acid and L-lactic acid, as well as the lipid lowering agents nicotinic acid (niacin), acipimox and acifran [47, 54, 57]. These receptors were provisionally described as nicotinic acid receptors, although nicotinic acid shows submicromolar potency at HCA2 receptors only and is unlikely to be the natural ligand [54, 57]

Metallogenic Setting and Temporal Evolution of Porphyry Cu-Mo Mineralization and Alteration in the Delamerian Orogen, South Australia: Insights From Zircon U-Pb, Molybdenite Re-Os, and In Situ White Mica Rb-Sr Geochronology

Paleozoic porphyry-style hydrothermal alteration and mineralization has previously been recognized within the Delamerian orogen, South Australia, where porphyry prospects include Anabama Hill, Netley Hill, and Bendigo. However, limited exploration due in part to thick postmineralization cover hinders the understanding of the temporal context, metallogenic setting, and mineral potential of the porphyry systems along the Proterozoic continental margin of Australia. In this study, we have characterized the hydrothermal alteration and mineralization of these porphyry occurrences. Zircon U-Pb, molybdenite Re-Os, and white mica Rb-Sr ages have been determined to constrain the timing for emplacement of magmatic intrusions, precipitation of metal-bearing sulfides, and duration of hydrothermal alteration in the Delamerian orogenic belt. Zircon U-Pb laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analyses of nine granitoids reveal that the intrusive rocks were emplaced mostly between 485 and 465 Ma, whereas three intrusions at Bendigo have zircon U-Pb ages of 490 to 480 Ma. Molybdenite isotope dilution-negative thermal ion mass spectrometry (ID-NTIMS) Re-Os dating of the four prospects identifies two porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization events at 480 and 470 to 460 Ma, respectively. Nineteen white mica Rb-Sr LA-ICP-MS/MS (tandem mass spectrometers) analyses return an age range between 455 and 435 Ma for phyllic alteration at the Anabama Hill and Netley Hill prospects, whereas intense white mica-quartz-pyrite alteration at Bendigo prospect appears to have developed between 470 and 460 Ma. These geochronologic results indicate that the Delamerian porphyry systems postdated subduction-related magmatism in the region (514–490 Ma) but instead formed within an inverted back-arc regime, where mineralized magmas and fluids ascended along favorable lithospheric-scale structures, probably due to asthenospheric upwelling triggered by mafic delamination. Porphyritic stocks, dikes, and aplites with ages of 470 to 460 Ma are the most likely hosts to porphyry-style mineralization in the Delamerian orogen that appears to have formed simultaneously with the oldest known porphyry systems in the intraoceanic Macquarie arc (e.g., Marsden, E43, and Milly Milly; 467–455 Ma). These results emphasize the significance and potential of Early-Middle Ordovician intrusive systems to host such a type of magmatic-hydrothermal mineralization in the Delamerian orogen

Hydroxycarboxylic acid receptors in GtoPdb v.2023.1

The hydroxycarboxylic acid family of receptors (ENSFM00500000271913, nomenclature as agreed by the NC-IUPHAR Subcommittee on Hydroxycarboxylic acid receptors [36, 12]) respond to organic acids, including the endogenous hydroxy carboxylic acids 3-hydroxy butyric acid and L-lactic acid, as well as the lipid lowering agents nicotinic acid (niacin), acipimox and acifran [53, 60, 65]. These receptors were provisionally described as nicotinic acid receptors, although nicotinic acid shows submicromolar potency at HCA2 receptors only and is unlikely to be the natural ligand [60, 65]