The inherent occurrence of complex intron-rich spliceosomal split genes, including regulatory and splicing elements, within pre-biotic random genetic sequences

Growing evidence indicates that complex intron-rich split genes and an advanced spliceosome existed in the earliest eukaryote, and possibly the first life form. We sought to examine how these split genes could have originated in the prebiotic system. We previously found that split coding sequences for complex proteins occur in abundance in random DNA sequences (P. Senapathy, et al, accompanying paper). This study demonstrates that a full complement of exons, introns and regulatory and splicing elements could have also occurred inherently within pre-biotic chemistry by chance. By comparing the characteristics of split genes found in computer-generated random genetic sequences with those of several extant eukaryotes, we show that an abundance of intron-rich split genes akin to those present in modern eukaryotes could have existed in the prebiotic system. These findings answer the post-genomic question of why the earliest life form contained highly complex intron-rich split genes, and, in conjunction with our companion study, show how they could encode a complex spliceosome

Origin of biological information: Inherent occurrence of intron-rich split genes, coding for complex extant proteins, within pre-biotic random genetic sequences

The origin of biological information is an unexplained phenomenon. Prior research in resolving the origin of proteins, based on the assumption that the first genes were contiguous prokaryotic sequences has not succeeded. Rather, it has been established that contiguous protein-coding genes do not exist in practically any amount of random genetic sequences. We found that complex eukaryotic proteins could be inherently encoded in split genes that could exist by chance within mere micrograms to milligrams of random DNA. Using protein amino acid sequence variability, codon degeneracy, and stringent exon-length restriction, we demonstrate that split genes for proteins of extant eukaryotes occur extensively in random genetic sequences. The results provide evidence that an abundance of split genes encoding advanced proteins in a small amount of prebiotic genetic material could have ignited the evolution of the eukaryotic genome

Determinants of Household Consumption Expenditure in Debremarkos Town, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Household consumption expenditure is the desired amount incurred to meet out their basic needs such as food, clothing, housing, transport, etc to fulfill their day to day life. Household’s decision on how much to consume or save is a microeconomic question as it deals with the individual units of the economy. The main objectives of the research study were to assess and to evaluate consumption expenditure of the households at Debremarkos town in Amhara region of Ethiopia. A total of 100 respondents, were randomly selected to administer the interview schedule for data collection. The data were described using means and histograms .The multiple linear regression model was applied to identify determinants for consumption expenditure of a household. The descriptive result shows minimum monthly consumption level of respondents is 683 Birr and maximum is 16,433 Birr. The mean monthly consumption level is 5777 Birr.  Households expend more for food and next to other basic needs like cloth. The mean consumption value of those who are working in Governmental institutions was less than self-employed households. The econometric model pointed disposable income and family size are directly related to consumption; and saving amount is negatively related with consumption. Disposable income is also found to be most determinant factor to determine household consumption. Finally, the study recommends that a household should practice family planning and aware to develop saving habit rather than spending more to irrelevant activities

India’s Perspective of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Social Development

There is imperative need to understand the role of ICTs for the socioeconomic development in 21st century. Information is a vital resource for the national development and ensuring competent national welfare. This information have to be systematically collected, organized and arranged  in an order that can be retrieved for the future exigencies. Information is a social resource and it is a social right to the common people. Social development is encompassed with the development of the other sectors like education, agriculture, industry, merchandise and technology etc. The concept of an “Information Technology” is responsible for changing the world in the new millennium in order to bring the radical development in the society. Information access and utilization by the society is playing a major role in enhancing the quality of life of the citizens. Information flows, communications and coordinator mechanisms are being digitalized in many sectors of the society. In the era of globalization and economic liberalizationIndia like many developing countries has embarked seriously on theinformation technology as a pillar to compete globally. Recent studies inInformation and Communication, Technology (ICT) have changed thepossibilities of human interaction and communication in an unprecedented manner and the role of ICT in the rapid growth of economic transactions over the past two decades, geographically as well as monetarily, merit mention here. ICT has exponentially increased the speed of business for commercial interactions and is primarily responsible for rendering global operations of corporations and their management not just possible but feasible and profitable. Friedman (2000) calls the changes in communication technology the “Democratization of Technology” which has been made possible as a result of several innovations that came together in 1980s involving computerization, Telecommunication, miniaturization, compressiontechnology and digitization. In India, the emerging technical infrastructure makes possible a new level of deepening, widening and acceleration in global economic integration Multinational Corporation are decentralizing operations and jobs around the control over decentralized operations. The main paper highlights the significance in using ITC as a tool to bring in both social and economic changes. An illustration showing how ICT through Dr.M.S.Swaminathan Foundation in India has been a success case. A case of this magnitude can be replicated in the Remote spatial areas of Africa.Key Words: communication technology, networking, ICT, social messaging, social developmen

Variation in Capacities of Different Pile Types Under Similar Soil Conditions

The interaction between soil and various pile types is of interest because it depends not only on the shear strength characteristics of the soil, but also on the pile dimensions, shape, and installation method, and on time after pile installation. This paper presents load test results from three types of displacement piles installed at the same site. The results obtained from the tests are compared with theoretical estimates. The computed values of soil-pile adhesion, back-calculated from the load tests, are discussed and compared with values found in the literature. Estimated pile capacities during driving and retap are also compared and discussed

Anticancer potential evoked by Pleurotus florida and Calocybe indica using T24 urinary bladder cancer cell line

Cancer is the second largest non-communicable disease and it has a sizable contribution in the total number of deaths. Cancer of the urinary bladder ranks fourth in men and eighth in women with an alarming increase in cancer patients of this type every year. Tobacco smoking is considered to be one of the causes of bladder cancer and a number of organic chemicals used in the industry are known to be carcinogenic to the bladder. Chemical and dyestuff manufacturers are at particularly high risk of bladder cancer. Edible fungi are used as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of cancers. This study was employed to find out the therapeutic potential of two medicinal mushroom varieties namely Pleurotus florida and Calocybe indica against T24 urinary bladder cancer cell lines. The therapeutic potential of the two medicinal mushroom varieties, P. florida and C. indica against T24 urinary bladder cancer cell lines were determined by the MTT assay and DNA fragmentation assay. The results obtained from the MTT assay and DNA fragmentation assay in this study showed the anti-tumour potential of these two mushroom varieties against T24 bladder cancer cell lines. Thus, the mushroom varieties P. florida and C. indica can be employed as potential anticancer drugs against bladder carcinoma.Key words: Bladder cancer, MTT, DNA fragmentation, mushroom, antitumour

Foundations Performance of Large Diameter Tanks

The paper presents a detailed case history of foundation performance of six 60-m diameter, 15-m high, floating roof fuel oil tanks and six 96.8-m diameter, 20-m high, fixed roof process water tanks built for a large power plant. Tank walls were supported by concrete ringwall footings. General subsurface conditions at the site are discussed, along with proposed site grading and the rationale for tank foundation selection. Because vibro-replacement improvement of site soils had been used beneath settlement-sensitive structures, there was skepticism regarding the decision to support the tanks on unimproved soils. To allay doubts about the adequacy of tank foundation performance, a staged hydrotesting procedure and an extensive settlement monitoring program were developed and implemented. The excellent tank hydrotesting results demonstrated that ground improvement was not needed due to the more settlement-tolerant nature of the tanks

Exploring the use of ICTs in non-profit sector organisations: supporting the third act

Life after retirement from full-time work is known as the third act of an individual. In New Zealand the third act has become longer, resulting in an ageing population. An implication of population ageing is the need for increased support and services for older people who live within the community. Non-profit sector organisations primarily cater to those that are either beyond the reach of state services or are unable to afford services offered by the commercial sector. This study is guided by the central research question: how can non-profit sector organisations use ICTs to support service provision for older people living within the community? Using Lamb and Kling’s social actor model, adapted to the context of non-profit sector, the research project explores how ICT use is influenced by factors that are investigated under four key dimensions: affiliations, environment, identities and technology. Employing a case research method, it studies ICT use in four human services non-profit sector organisations. The analysis of the case studies revealed how external influences are enacted within organisations. The study presents a framework which explains post-adoptive use in non-profit sector organisations incorporating external factors, the organisational view and social actor behaviours. The findings suggest that client and funder information requirements influence organisations to select one of four responses to external cues. Organisations adopt either a complementary perspective, a competing perspective, a compatible view or a negotiated view. These organisational information perspectives craft social actor behaviours within non-profit organisations. Further, this study found information challenges associated with maintaining complex client requirements. Mobility of the work force, deficiencies in data capture and limitations of existing client information systems constrain information flow in these organisations. As a result analysis of service utilisation data fails to communicate the actual value created within communities. This study has extended the understanding of ICT use in non-profit human services organisations in New Zealand and contributed to knowledge in the development of the social actor model within specific contexts. The original contribution of this study is the three-tier typology of social actor- information roles. The study presents social actor behaviour associated with a primary entity and an information role. Five main social actor- information roles were identified across three tiers and have been mapped against a spectrum of information behaviours associated with each role. When responding to external cues social actors engage in task related behaviours associated with their information roles. By contributing to ICT use practices, this research presents new perspectives on the components of value in organisational processes. Identifying value adding and value communicating information flows, information loss and informal ICT support roles this study presents a detailed analysis of the factors that enhance and constrain ICT use within human services non-profit sector organisations

Origination of the Split Structure of Spliceosomal Genes from Random Genetic Sequences

The mechanism by which protein-coding portions of eukaryotic genes came to be separated by long non-coding stretches of DNA, and the purpose for this perplexing arrangement, have remained unresolved fundamental biological problems for three decades. We report here a plausible solution to this problem based on analysis of open reading frame (ORF) length constraints in the genomes of nine diverse species. If primordial nucleic acid sequences were random in sequence, functional proteins that are innately long would not be encoded due to the frequent occurrence of stop codons. The best possible way that a long protein-coding sequence could have been derived was by evolving a split-structure from the random DNA (or RNA) sequence. Results of the systematic analyses of nine complete genome sequences presented here suggests that perhaps the major underlying structural features of split-genes have evolved due to the indigenous occurrence of split protein-coding genes in primordial random nucleotide sequence. The results also suggest that intron-rich genes containing short exons may have been the original form of genes intrinsically occurring in random DNA, and that intron-poor genes containing long exons were perhaps derived from the original intron-rich genes