A recently discovered clypeasteroid, Echinodiscus colchesterensis species novum, from the Alexandria Formation (Late Tertiary), South Africa

A recently discovered astriclypeid, Echinodiscus colchesterensis sp. nov. from the Late Tertiary of South Africa is described and classified as ancestral to the living E. bisperforatus on the basis of certain morphological characteristics and parameters. These include a smaller interlunule angle, different ambitus shape, breadth/ length ratio, and similar growth trends.CSIR post-graduate bursary; Institute for Coastal Research, University of Port Elizabet

Are we neglecting iodine nutrition in South Africa?

No abstract

High prevalence of TT virus in a rural community of South Africa

To the Editor: The development of new molecular techniques in recent years has resulted in the discovery of a number of novel viruses. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was the first to be discovered in 1989 using immunoscreening methods 1 and since 1995 a further five new viruses have been identified using the same or modified technologies: GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV), 2,3 human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8),4 TT virus (TTV),5 SEN virus (SEN-V)6 and human metapneumovirus.7 In each case the prevalence of the virus in different communities, its association with disease and therefore its relevance in the hospital and blood transfusion settings needed to be established

Spinal cord stimulation for the management of pain: Recommendations for best clinical practice

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an accepted method of pain control. SCS has been used for many years and is supported by a substantial evidence base. A multidisciplinary consensus group has been convened to create a guideline for the implementation and execution of an SCS programme for South Africa (SA). This article discusses the evidence and appropriate context of SCS delivery, and makes recommendations for patient selection and appropriate use. The consensus group has also described the possible complications following SCS. This guideline includes a literature review and a summary of controlled clinical trials of SCS. The group notes that, in SA, SCS is performed mainly for painful neuropathies, failed back surgery, and chronic regional pain syndrome. It was noted that SCS is used to treat other conditions such as angina pectoris and ischaemic conditions, which have therefore been included in this guideline. These recommendations give guidance to practitioners delivering this treatment, to those who may wish to refer patients for SCS, and to those who care for patients with stimulators in situ. The recommendations also provide a resource for organisations that fund SCS. This guideline has drawn on the guidelines recently published by the British Pain Society, and parts of which have beenreproduced with the society’s permission. These recommendations have been produced by a consensus group of relevant healthcare professionals. Opinion from outside the consensus group has been incorporated through consultation with representatives of all groups for whom these  recommendations have relevance. The recommendations refer to the current body of evidence relating to SCS. The consensus group wishes to acknowledge and thank the task team of the British Pain Society for their help and input into this document

Supplementation of recombinant cellulases with LPMOs and CDHs improves consolidated bioprocessing of cellulose

The increased demand for energy has sparked a global search for renewable energy sources that could partly replace fossil fuel resources and help mitigate climate change. Cellulosic biomass is an ideal feedstock for renewable bioethanol production, but the process is not currently economically feasible due to the high cost of pretreatment and enzyme cocktails to release fermentable sugars. Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) and cellobiose dehydrogenases (CDHs) are auxiliary enzymes that can enhance cellulose hydrolysis. In this study, four LPMO and two CDH genes were subcloned and expressed in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y294 laboratory strain. SDS-PAGE analysis confirmed the extracellular production of the LPMOs and CDHs in the laboratory S. cerevisiae Y294 strain. A rudimentary cellulase cocktail (cellobiohydrolase 1 and 2, endoglucanase and β-glucosidase) was expressed in the commercial CelluX™ 4 strain and extracellular production of the individual cellulases was confirmed by SDS-PAGE analysis. In vitro cooperation of the CDHs and LPMOs with the rudimentary cellulases produced by strain CelluX™ 4[F4–1] was demonstrated on Whatman filter paper. The significant levels of soluble sugars released from this crystalline cellulose substrate indicated that these auxiliary enzymes could be important components of the CBP yeast cellulolytic system

Die roeping en identiteit van die evangeliedienaar

Aanleiding tot die keuse van hierdie tema was 'n gesprek met 'n jong predikant wat slegs enkele maande tevore sy milit�re diensplig voltooi het. Hy het een en ander te vertel gehad omtrent sy ervaringe gedurende hierdie tyd. Dit is natuurlik moontlik om as dienspligkapelaan diens te doen sonder om werklik na aan die manskappe vir wie jy verantwoordelik is, te kom

A triangle of forces : language, religion and politics : inaugural lecture delivered at Rhodes University

Inaugural lecture delivered at Rhodes UniversityRhodes University Libraries (Digitisation

On a new class of tests for the Pareto distribution using Fourier methods

We propose new classes of tests for the Pareto type I distribution using the empirical characteristic function. These tests are $U$ and $V$ statistics based on a characterisation of the Pareto distribution involving the distribution of the sample minimum. In addition to deriving simple computational forms for the proposed test statistics, we prove consistency against a wide range of fixed alternatives. A Monte Carlo study is included in which the newly proposed tests are shown to produce high powers. These powers include results relating to fixed alternatives as well as local powers against mixture distributions. The use of the proposed tests is illustrated using an observed data set