The debate on the structure of 1 John

The lack of consensus concerning the structure of 1 John applies to the division in main sections and the subdivisions of each main section, as well as to the proposed themes for the various sections. In this paper the opinions of some of the most prominent  scholars are shortly discussed and assessed. In this procedure the scholar’s proposals for the different transitions of the main sections and subsections are critically  scrutinised. In the new proposal that follows, the view is expressed that, if certain literary features such as chiasms and parallelisms are duly taken in consideration, it  can be asserted that 1 John does display a coherent structure of some sort

Investigation of trace element mobility in river sediments using ICP-OES

In this study, the column method was used to determine the leachable trace metals present in selected river sediments. In addition the sediments were investigated using a shaker method and these two methods were compared for reliability. For both these methods extract solutions associated with a sequential extraction method were used. However, the sediments were only subjected to one extractant solution and not to the whole sequential procedure. The river sediments were also subjected to a digestion procedure to determine the total trace metal content. Simulated pollution experiments were performed where the sediments were also spiked to give known concentrations of trace metals. These results were very useful, especially in cases where certain trace metals were not currently present in river sediments. From the results achieved in this study the general trace metal status of the sediments can be established. From the results achieved it was established that in the case of the less impacted rivers (Crocodile and Olifants Rivers) only slight changes in the river conditions are needed to mobilise the trace metals present. From the results of the Blesbokspruit it was seen that urgent attention is needed to prevent further damage to the system. Water SA Vol. 31 (2) 2005: pp.183-19

Burning vegetation produces cyanohydrins that liberate cyanide and stimulate seed germination

Cyanide is well known for its toxicity towards living organisms. Many plants use cyanide as a defensive agent against herbivores, releasing it through the enzymatic hydrolysis of endogenous cyanogenic compounds. At low concentrations, cyanide has been proposed to have a regulatory role in many plant processes including stimulation of seed germination. However, no ecological role for cyanide in seed germination has been established. In the present study, we show that burning plant material produces the cyanohydrin, glyceronitrile. We also show that, in the presence of water, glyceronitrile is slowly hydrolysed to release cyanide that stimulates seed germination of a diverse range of fire-responsive species from different continents. We propose that glyceronitrile serves as an ecological store for cyanide and is an important cue for stimulating seed germination and landscape regeneration after fires