2008 Inamori Ethics Prize Speech: The Promise and Peril of the Genomic Revolution

edited transcrip

Characterisation of the electrochemical properties of maize grain contaminated with Aflatoxin.

Master of Science in Engineering. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2016.Aflatoxin contamination of maize is a serious problem in Sub-Saharan Africa since it causes several negative health implications and in some cases death. A number of methods have been developed to detect the presence of aflatoxin in maize and thus limit dietary exposure to the toxin. However, these methods require skill and expensive equipment which makes them inaccessible to smallholder farmers who make up the majority of maize producers in Sub-Saharan Africa. This review presents literature on maize production, consumption and storage in Africa. It also examines the aflatoxin contamination of maize, its health effects and methods of detection. Finally the review presents literature on the electrical properties of maize with the aim of identifying the properties that are sensitive to aflatoxin contamination. The review indicates that maize consumption is predominant in Eastern and Southern Africa where it is the most important source of calories. The hot and humid conditions across Sub-Saharan Africa coupled with poor grain storage promote the growth of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin production in maize. Aflatoxin detection is usually done using chromatographic techniques or immunological methods for rapid screening. A few spectroscopic techniques have also been developed for aflatoxin screening. These methods are however expensive and require skilled personnel. It is necessary to develop easier and cheaper methods for aflatoxin detection. A. flavus consumes nutrients from the maize grain besides producing aflatoxin hence changing the chemical composition of the grain. The dielectric properties of grains can be influenced by these changes in chemical composition. Moisture content has the greatest influence on the dielectric properties of maize while starch, proteins and fats generally have low dielectric properties. The research proposal presented in this document seeks to characterize the chemical and electrical properties of aflatoxin contaminated maize by assessing the effect of different maize sample treatments on its chemical compositing and dielectric properties under different conditions

'Give me my pathway!’: Multinational migration, transnational skills regimes and migrant subjectification

In this article, I address the interplay between migration regimes and migrant subjectivities in stepwise multinational migration through a comparative analysis of biographical interviews with migrants in the healthcare and dairy farm work sectors in New Zealand. In both sectors, migrants' trajectories involve movements from Asia to locations in the Middle East, North Africa or Japan before arrival in New Zealand, and in some cases plans for onward migration. The analysis of these migration patterns and the narratives of migrants, reveal an emergent transnational skills regime that involves connected but uncoordinated systems of skills recognition; negotiating this regime occurs through increased attunement to migration on the part of multinational migrants, as well as adaptation to the expectations of authorities and employers. I conclude the article by suggesting that while multinational migration involves new opportunities for people on the move it also entails greater entanglement in the unequal conditioning of transnational migration

Co-precipitation of manganese with calcium phosphate

This investigation was undertaken to study, in a preliminary way, the effect of precipitating tricalcium phosphate in the presence of manganous salts. Certain facts in relation to manganese deficiency in the diet of fowls, giving rise to perosis, makes the problem of interest in view of the work carried out at the Agricultural Experiment Station at Colorado State College. (3). It has been known for a long time that a diet high in calcium produces perosis which can be corrected by peritoneal injection of manganese. (1). C. D. Caskey and L. C. Norris (2) have found that in the presence of large amounts of calcium and phosphate, perosis can be induced even when the manganese is considerably increased in the diet. It is known that tricalcium phosphate dissolves in the upper intestinal tract and precipitates again in the lower tract. (3). This suggests that in precipitating, the tricalcium phosphate removes the manganese either in a solid solution, in a chemical combination, or by some form of co-precipitation. (4). These possibilities can be investigated by phase rule studies. (5). Some work has been done by H.S. Wilgus and A.R. Patton (3) in vitro in the removal of manganese with tricalcium phosphate and ferric chloride solutions

Teaching practical theology: Implications for theological education with reference to Lonergan's theoretical framework

This paper argues that the effective teaching of theology is enhanced when the theological educator is aware of the educational implications of the task. The implementation of appropriate teaching-­learning strategies can facilitate student engagement and shift student horizons. Drawing on the work of Bernard Lonergan this paper explores the notion of teaching to promote a shift in students’ intellectual, moral and religious horizons. Lonergan’s thought and the student centred strategies of feminist theologian Rebecca Chopp are suggested as helpful approaches for teaching practical theology

Recent progress toward understanding the molecular biology of von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis

The gene for von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis (NF1) was recently identified by positional cloning and found to code for a large, ubiquitously expressed protein. This protein has both structural and functional similarity to a family of proteins with guanosine triphosphatase–activating properties, involved in the regulation of the protooncogene ras . One of the postulated functions of the NF1 gene product may relate to its ability to regulate ras -mediated cell proliferation. Selective pharmacotherapy directed at downregulating ras may be of benefit to patients with NF1.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/50350/1/410310515_ftp.pd

Fertilizer and fungicides: Effects on wild blueberry growth, insect attack, and leaf spot disease incidence

The goal of our three-year field study (two replicated two year trials) was to evaluate the influence of fertility and disease management practices commonly implemented by Maine wild blueberry growers during the prune year. Our treatments reflected grower practices. We tested applications of chlorothalonil (formulated as Bravo®), pyraclostrobin and boscalid (formulated as Pristine®), pyraclostrobin and boscalid with diammonium phosphate fertilizer (formulated as DAP®), and a non-treated control. Measured responses included sap-feeding hemipteran insects, fungal leaf spot pathogens, premature flowering, stem growth characteristics, flower bud cluster production, leaf retention, foliar nutrients, and yield. Among plant growth measures that represent potential yield, only stem length responded consistently over both trials. Plots treated with Pristine + DAP had significantly greater stem length compared to the other three treatments. Plots treated with Pristine only were not different than Bravo treated plots, but stems were significantly longer than the non-treated control. The fungicide, Pristine, and the fertilizer, DAP applied in the prune year enhanced leaf spot disease in both years; however, the combination of Pristine and DAP did not consistently effect yields. We found a significant and diverse community of sap-feeding hemipteran incidence in the 2016 trial, but not in the 2015 trial. Only in the 2016 trial did the Pristine and DAP treatment enhance sap-feeding bugs. Multivariate analysis of variance provided evidence that leaf spot pathogens and sap feeding insect pests responded positively to nitrogen concentration in foliage. We also found that fungicides do not compensate for the enhanced disease levels brought about by fertilizer application