Investigating Long-Term Behaviour of X-ray Binaries Using Archival Data

Long term modulations have been detected in a wide variety of both low and high-mass X-ray binaries. The All Sky Monitor on board the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer provides the most extensive (~15 years) and sensitive X-ray archive for studying such behaviour. Since those variations were often intermittent and/or aperiodic, we used a time-dependent Dynamic Power Spectrum method to examine how the modulations themselves vary with time in a systematic way. Some were found to be remarkably stable, while others show a range of properties, from even longer variability time-scales to quite chaotic behaviour

Plant functional type affects nitrogen dynamics in urban park soils similarly to boreal forest soils

Purpose Although plant functional type can modulate soils and their processes in natural, nitrogen (N)-limited ecosystems, little is known about their ability to influence soil N dynamics in urban ecosystems that have high excess N input. We investigated whether i) plant functional type effects on soil N dynamics in urban parks follow the same pattern as those in undisturbed natural/semi-natural forests, and ii) park age influences plant functional type effects on soil N dynamics under boreal climate. Methods We selected 13 urban parks of varying ages (young: 10 to 15, old: > 70 years), and 5 undisturbed natural/semi-natural forests (> 80 years) in southern Finland. In these parks and forests, we measured soil total N concentration, availability of inorganic N, nitrous oxide (N2O) flux and earthworm biomass under three plant functional types (evergreen tree, deciduous tree, lawn). Results Our results showed that plant functional type influenced N dynamics also in urban greenspace soils, which may relate to the clear effect of plant functional type on earthworm biomass. Evergreen trees tended to have the highest ability to foster N accumulation and reduce N2O emissions in urban parks. Moreover, with increasing park age, N accumulation increased under trees but decreased under lawns, further emphasising the role of vegetation in affecting soil N dynamics in urban greenspaces. Conclusions Our results show that, similar to natural/semi-natural forests, plant functional type, irrespective of park age, can influence soil N dynamics in urban parks.Peer reviewe

Application of advanced molecular technology in the diagnosis and management of genetic disorders in South Africa

Background. Genetic testing has evolved from a niche speciality for diagnosis of rare disorders and carrier screening to subtyping of complex medical conditions for targeted treatment. Genes causing monogenic disorders are well characterised, but risk management of multifactorial and polygenic disorders guided from the genetic background remains a challenge. Objective. This study describes the use of a pathology-supported genetic testing (PSGT) strategy designed to facilitate the move from single- to multi-gene testing and next-generation sequencing (NGS).  Methods. In contrast to direct-to-consumer genetic testing, PSGT requires preselection of patients and data integration to determine current and future risk implications. To enable this process, a genomics database resource generated at the interface between the laboratory and clinic is available for clinical interpretation.  Results. The PSGT approach led to the development of testing algorithms for improved clinical management of patients with cancer and other complex disorders with a genetic component. Local evidence is presented to demonstrate the application of PSGT for assessment of clinical relevance in patients with rare germline variants and functional polymorphisms underlying shared disease pathways.Conclusion. PSGT is ideally suited to serve as a screening step for microarray analysis and whole genome/exome sequencing as the next frontier in personalised medicine. Use of these advanced molecular technologies to match genotype with phenotype provides a resource for diagnosis and discovery over a lifetime

Self-leadership as an antecedent of authentic leadership : an empirical study among public sector employees

There are scholarly claims that self-leadership and authentic leadership have positive outcomes for organisations. In pursuit of understanding the competency development needs of public sector leaders, this study examines the infl uence of selfleadership on authentic leadership among public sector managers. A convenience sample of 183 public sector managers applying for MBA and leadership programmes to a South African Business School participated in the study. The Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ) was used to measure authentic leadership and the Abbreviated Self-Leadership Questionnaire (ASLQ) to measure self-leadership. The findings indicate that self-leadership positively influences all four dimensions of authentic leadership, namely self-awareness, balanced processing, relationaltransparency and internalised-moral-perspective. The implications for leadership development stemming from the findings are discussed here

Genetic relationships between three indigenous cattle breeds in Mozambique

This study provides the first account of genetic relationships between three indigenous cattle breeds from Mozambique. Forty-two blood group factors and six blood proteins revealed genetic variation of 84% (Angone), 88% (Bovine de Tete) and 90% (Landim) at the loci studied. Average heterozygosity values ranged from 33% for Angone and Bovine de Tete to 35% for the Landim. The genetic distance was greatest between the Landim and both the Bovine de Tete and the Angone breeds, whereas the smallest genetic distance was observed between the Bovine de Tete and the Angone. These results show the intermediate relationship of Bovine de Tete with the Angone and Landim breeds and show that the Bovine de Tete is an admixture of taurine and indicus genes. (South African Journal of Animal Science, 2000, 30(2): 92-97

The Effect of Egg Embryonation on Field-Use of a Hookworm Benzimidazole-Sensitivity Egg Hatch Assay in Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China

With the implementation of mass drug administration programmes for the control of human soil transmitted helminths there is a need to develop drug sensitivity monitoring tools to detect the emergence of resistance. The present study aimed to use an egg hatch assay to measure benzimidazole sensitivity in human hookworms in a field setting in Yunnan province, People's Republic of China, in order to assess whether the assay offered a practical means of monitoring drug sensitivity in human hookworms in such a location. The assay proved able to generate dose response data, which allowed for the drug sensitivity of the hookworms in the local children to be described; the mean IC50 was 0.10 ug/ml thiabendazole. The study also found that practical issues associated with stool collection procedures, specifically the embryonation of some eggs during the time elapsing between stool deposition and egg recovery, can have an impact on the drug sensitivity data. We suggest means for data analysis that overcome the impact of egg embryonation on drug dose response data, which should allow for the use of such assays at different field sites worldwide