African Water: Supporting African involvement in the EU Framework Programme.

Water researchers in developing countries have yet to take full advantage of the funding and collaborative research opportunities presented by the EU Framework Programme. There are a variety of reasons for this, such as insufficient information and a lack of previous experience. The African Water initiative aims to increase the involvement of African water researchers through a range of activities including communication and dissemination, capacity building and development, and complementary initiatives. The project has demonstrated that there is a demand for such sector-specific support activities. However, African Water is a small component of a much larger process of partnership between the developed and the less-developed countries of the world, involving many different European and African organisations working across political, institutional and technical domains, and complementing the wide range of actions already being undertaken

Production and use of an antiserum to grapevine virus B capsid protein purified from SDS-polyacrylamide gels

Antiserum to electrophoretically-separated capsid protein of grapevine virus B (GVB) was produced. After easy and effective elimination of antibodies cross-reactive with grapevine virus A (GVA), the antiserum was successfully used in ELISA for the detection of GVB in grapevines

Detection of two strains of grapevine leafroll-associated virus 2

Two strains of grapevine leafroll-associated virus 2 (GLRaV-2) were obtained by mechanical transmission from grapevines to Nicotiana benthantiana. The strains, designated 94/970 and 93/955, consistently differed with regard to the development of symptoms. The first induced chlorotic and occasional white-necrotic local lesions while the second induced chlorotic followed by metallic-opalescent, solid necrotic local lesions. The strains were indistinguishable with regard to the molecular weight of their capsid proteins or serologically. A difference in the pattern of minor dsRNA bands was consistently observed

Old Testament stories and Christian ethics : some perspectives from the narrative of Judah and Tamar

The relationship between Old Testament narrative and Christian ethics is challenging. When it comes to finding ethical guideline Old Testament narratives are unresponsive. This is particularly the case with a narrative such as Genesis 38. Biblical scholars have written extensively on how the text can be interpreted. In this article we look at the various ways scholars in Biblical criticism have tried to make sense of the text. We show that narratives can function as a platform for dialogue to mirror the intricacies of life. We do not attempt to resolve the tension between the story and ethics, but rather aim to consider biblical criticism as a tool which stimulates ethical debate.http://ojs.reformedjournals.co.za/index.php/stjam2016Old Testament StudiesDogmatics and Christian Ethic

Home range, habitat selection and activity patterns of an arid-zone population of Temminck’s ground pangolins, Smutsia temminckii

All previous behavioural studies of Temminck’s ground pangolins (Smutsia temminckii) have focused on populations in mesic regions. We examined home range size, activity periods, habitat selectivity and refuge site selection of 13 individuals over three years in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa, near the western edge of the species’ range. Kernel home ranges of adults averaged 6.5 ± 5.9 km², while juveniles had average home ranges of 6.1 ± 4.0 km². Reliable prediction of 95% of the Kernel home range required 88 ± 67.7 tracking days. No significant habitat selectivity was observed. Earthen burrows were the most frequently used refuge type. The time at which activity commenced varied seasonally as well as among individuals, with an increase in diurnal activity during winter. Young pangolins also displayed more diurnal activity compared to adults. Individuals spent 5.7 ± 2.0 hours per 24-hour cycle outside of refuges, with no significant seasonal variation. Juvenile dispersal peaked during mid-summer, with individuals travelling up to 49 km from their natal areas. We estimate a breeding density of 0.16 individuals/km2 and a total density of 0.31 individuals/km2 for our study area. Our data suggest that activity patterns, movements and refuge selection is similar across the species’ southern African range, but that densities may be higher in the Kalahari compared to populations in more mesic eastern areas.National Research Foundation (grant 71454)http://africanzoology.journals.ac.za/tm201

A review of the anthropogenic threats faced by Temminck's ground pangolin, Smutsia temminckii, in southern Africa

Throughout its range, Temminck’s ground pangolin, Smutsia temminckii, is becoming increasingly threatened, predominantly as a result of anthropogenic pressures. This species is currently listed as Vulnerable in South Africa and Least Concern globally, although many assessment criteria are data deficient and thus hamper an accurate assessment of its actual status. Current knowledge of the threats faced by Temminck’s ground pangolin largely stem from a handful of ecological studies and ad hoc observations. Here we synthesize data on the known threats faced by this species in southern Africa and highlight a number of new threats not previously recognized. The main threats faced by this species include electrocution on electrified fences, the traditional medicine (muthi ) trade, habitat loss, road mortalities, capture in gin traps, and potentially poisoning. Electrocutions arguably pose the greatest threat and mortality rates may be as high as one individual per 11 km of electrified fence per year. However, the magnitude of the threat posed by the muthi trade has not yet been quantified. Most southern African countries have adequate legislation protecting this species, although implementation is often lacking and in some instances the imposed penalties are unlikely to be a deterrent. We propose mitigating actions for many of the identified threats, although further research into the efficacy of these actions, and the development of additional mitigating procedures, is required.The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (project 0925713), the National Research Foundation (grant 71454), Tshwane University of Technology and University of Pretoria.http://www.sawma.co.za/am201

Redetermination of chlorido(2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine-κ3 N,N′,N′′)gold(I) dichloride trihydrate at 173 K

The redetermined structure of the title compound, [AuCl(C15H11N3)]Cl2·3H2O, at 173 (2) K is reported. The structure displays O—H⋯Cl and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding. The distance of one of the chloride ions from the gold(I) atom [5.047 (1) Å] differs from that determined previously

Impact of Temporary Portocaval Shunting and Initial Arterial Reperfusion in Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Perioperative Medicine: Efficacy, Safety and Outcom

Association Between ECG Abnormalities and Fatal Cardiovascular Disease Among Patients With and Without Severe Mental Illness

BACKGROUND: ECG abnormalities are associated with adverse outcomes in the general population, but their prognostic significance in severe mental illness (SMI) remains unexplored. We investigated associations between no, minor, and major ECG abnormalities and fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with SMI compared with controls without mental illness. METHODS AND RESULTS: We cross-linked data from Danish nationwide registries and included primary care patients with digital ECGs from 2001 to 2015. Patients had SMI if they were diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression before ECG recording. Controls were required to be without any prior mental illness or psychotropic medication use. Fatal CVD was assessed using hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs and standardized 10-year absolute risks. Of 346 552 patients, 10 028 had SMI (3%; median age, 54 years; male, 45%), and 336 524 were controls (97%; median age, 56 years; male, 48%). We observed an interaction between SMI and ECG abnormalities on fatal CVD (P<0.001). Severe mental illness was associated with fatal CVD across no (HR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.95–2.43), minor (HR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.49–2.42), and major (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.26–1.55) ECG abnormalities compared with controls. Across age-and sex-specific subgroups, SMI patients with ECG abnormalities but no CVD at baseline had highest standardized 10-year absolute risks of fatal CVD. CONCLUSIONS: ECG abnormalities conferred a poorer prognosis among patients with SMI compared with controls without mental illness. SMI patients with ECG abnormalities but no CVD represent a high-risk population that may benefit from greater surveillance and risk management

Development of 'synthetic lethal' strategies to target BRCA1-deficient breast cancer

Recent clinical trials demonstrating the efficacy of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors for the treatment of BRCA1-deficient breast cancer have provided support for the 'synthetic lethal' concept of targeted cancer therapeutics. A new study provides further preclinical validation of this concept by demonstrating that BRCA1-deficient mouse mammary tumor cells are selectively sensitive to an inhibitor of the polycomb gene EZH2. The development of polycomb gene inhibitors may provide a novel approach to selectively exploit the molecular alterations in BRCA1-deficient breast tumors